#Uber and Lyft Safety

[completeandrandomshit]

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It's different for Lyft but they still have an option for to let someone be informed about where you are in your ride.

[maxbegone]

The election doesn’t start tomorrow, it ends tomorrow.

If you haven’t already, please make sure you are registered to vote and know where your polling place is (vote.org is a great and easy way to get that information). Additionally, please make sure you have a way to get to your polling place. Uber and Lyft often give free or discounted rides to the polls, and this year the car rental company, Hertz, is allowing free one-day rentals to get to the polls. More information on that here.

EDIT: NAACP has a discount code to use for Lyft, valid for two rides up to $20 ($40 total). Use code: NAACPVOTE24

The following states allow same day registration for general elections, ie: the presidential election:

California

Colorado

Washington DC

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Iowa

Maine

Maryland

Michigan

Minnesota

Montana

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Mexico

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Note: North Dakota does not require formal voter registration, and upon presenting valid identification at a polling place, eligible citizens receive their ballot to vote.

all info here

The following states are required by law to give you time off to vote (between one and three hours):

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Georgia

Illinois

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Maryland

Massachusetts

Minnesota

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

New Mexico

New York

Ohio

Oklahoma

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

*Most states requiring employers to permit voting leave also require that this time is paid. Among the above, the following do not: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Dakota. (info here)

Again, it is your right to vote. If you are in line when the polls close, stay in line. It is your legal right to vote.

If you are turned away at the polls, say the following verbatim: “Give me a provisional ballot with a receipt as required by law.”

If you make a mistake on your ballot, you have the right to ask for a new ballot. Don’t cross anything out, simply ask for a new one.

Poll workers are required to make reasonable accommodations for voters who need, including ballots in other languages or translators.

Canvassing is not allowed at polling places, and no one is allowed to threaten or intimidate voters. You have the right to report anything of the like.

All info taken from here

Some tips:

Don’t wear political merch to the polls.

Don’t engage with anyone about your politics at the polls.

Don’t take phone calls inside your polling place — it can wait, please be respectful.

Research who is running locally and see what their policies are. Additionally, research any local propositions that may be on the ballot. The language on ballots is made to be purposefully confusing, so make sure you read everything carefully in addition to your research.

If you’re able to get up early on Election Day, go right when your polling place opens to beat the line.

REMEMBER: IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!

Here are a list of state-by-state voter protection hotlines, as well as hotlines in various other languages:

Please vote tomorrow if you have not already. It’s so important, and choosing not to vote or voting for a third party is a vote for extremist measures. Vote down the ballot, and do not let anyone bully you into voting one certain way.

What we are seeing throughout this election cycle (and the last two election cycles) is entirely abnormal. The bullying we see from a certain side and its supporters is childish and dangerous. They spew false information, make racist remarks, and sexualize and discriminate fellow candidates. No single presidential candidate is completely and wholly good, so criticize accordingly.

Vote with those you love in mind, vote with your safety in mind, and vote for those who will be affected for decades to come. Vote for someone who speaks coherently, not for someone who is, let’s be honest, not cognitively alright — and that is the bare minimum of the issue.

If you have anything to add to this post, please do. If anything is incorrect, please let me know and I will gladly change it.

Vote. Vote. Vote.

[fabricdragondesigns]

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[soursturniolo]

Send Me Your Location

Pairing - Matt Sturniolo/Reader

Summary: A girls night out goes south, and your boyfriend comes to your rescue.

Tags: angst while reader is alone, a creepy man being creepy (this doesn’t last long), Matt being a good bf, Nick and Chris being good bros, fluffy fluff at the end

TW: unwanted touching - (creepy man touches readers waist), unwanted attention

Word Count: written on my phone so I’m not sure

You found yourself outside, shivering from the cool breeze in downtown LA. You had been invited to club with by some friends, and decided to go pretty last minute. Matt hadn’t been able to come due to needing to film with his brothers.

So now, here you were, standing outside the club staring down at your phone, finger hovering over the call button near Matt’s contact. Matt always told you to call if you ever needed anything. You were still worried you’d upset him, knowing if you called now the boys were probably in the middle of a video. But it was dark and uncharacteristically chilly for LA tonight, and you were now alone after your friends insisted on moving to a club that you knew had a bad reputation and didn’t feel comfortable going to. Every Uber and Lyft had at least a two hour wait, and you were getting more scared and uncomfortable by the minute.

Sighing to yourself, hoping it wouldn’t upset Matt or his brothers too much, you decided to give your boyfriend a call.

It rang twice before he answered, and you smiled as you heard him yell at his brothers to shut up before he said anything to you.

“Hey, baby. How’s girls night going?” He asked, voice quiet but sounding happy.

You grimaced at the question before answering.

“Hi Matt, not so well. The girls wanted to go to another club but I didn’t feel comfortable going and now I’m kinda stranded,” you told him, voice soft and a bit shaky. It was scary being in this part of LA by yourself at night.

“They just left you?” Matt asked, sounding shocked as you heard the sound of his key turning in the ignition of his car and it come on.

“Yeah, I tried to get an Uber but they’re all over a two hour wait, so I was wondering if maybe you’d have time to-“ before you can even finish asking Matt is answering.

“Text me your location, baby, we’re on the way now,” he tells you as you also hear him talking to his now, very confused brothers.

“What is going on? Is she okay?” You hear Nick ask, sounding so worried. Chris speaks up and offers to take the phone so Matt can focus more on driving. You hear some rustling as you move to send your location to him, so you assume Matt took him up on the offer.

“I just shared my location with you,” you tell him.

“Chris, map us there,” Matt says.

“Already doing it. We are 15 minutes away,” Chris tells you both.

“We’re coming, babe. Just try to stay in a well lit area and stay on the phone with us,” Matt tells you, voice soft but serious.

“Okay, I’m sorry for interrupting you guys, I know you were probably trying to film,” you apologize, feeling bad for stopping them. Instantly your met with multiple assurances that there’s no need to be sorry.

“Don’t be sorry, it’s completely okay,” Chris tells you.

“Your safety matters more than us concluding a silly video,” Nick adds in.

“Baby, never apologize for calling me when you need me. There’s nothing to be sorry for in this situation,” Matt speaks up at the end, sweet and kind.

You stay on the phone talking to Matt and his brothers, their voices keeping you calm as they tell you about their day and ask about yours. Suddenly you feel a hand on your waist, making you jump and gasp.

“Baby?” Matt asks, voice worried through the phone as his brothers also call out to you.

“Hey sweet thing,” the creepy guy leers at you, eyeing you up and down in a way that makes your skin crawl. You take a couple steps back, making the creeps hand fall off you and your hand grips your phone a little tighter.

“Don’t touch me,” you tell the man. The boys all call to you again urgently, sounding more worried after hearing what you just said. You also hear Matt’s car accelerate in the background, meaning he was driving to you faster. Faster meant sooner, and sooner was good as you now felt paralyzed in fear as the man kept looking at you.

The man steps closer as you step back, continuing to follow you until your back is pressed against the cool brick of the club building. You’re shaking in fear as this man continues to approach you.

Suddenly, Matt’s black SUV rolls up quickly, jerking to a stop on the street. After throwing the car in park, you see Matt jump out of the drivers side, jogging over to you, making you sigh in relief.

“Matt!” You call out to him, so happy to see him. The creep turns around to face your boyfriend. Matt’s jaw is clenched in anger as he assesses the situation, his fears confirmed as he sees the situation he was coming up on.

“She’s not interested, fuck off,” Matt tells him gruffly, reaching out to grasp your hand and pull you away from the man who had been bothering you. You allowed yourself to be pulled away from your position against the wall. Matt moved you to stand behind him, shielding you from the man and his creepy gaze.

“You wanna go?” The creep asks angrily, trying to step up to your boyfriend but stumbling a bit.

You all hear two windows roll down from Matt’s car. Unbeknownst to you, they had already been cracked so Matt’s brothers could watch and hear what was going on.

“I don’t think you’d want to do that man. You mess with him, you mess with us too,” Nick calls out from the backseat. Chris just nods and raises an eyebrow at the man. Matt just smirks at the dumbfounded look on the creeps face.

The creep grumbles and stumbles away, shaking his head. You wrap your arms around Matt, hugging yourself to him tightly. His arms wrap around you as he releases a sigh, and you feel him press his lips to your head.

“Did he hurt you?” Matt asks you, concerned.

You shake your head, “No, just scared me mostly. He put his hand on my waist but I backed away so he’d stop,” you tell him in a whisper.

“I’m so sorry baby,” he tells you, kissing your head again. He held you for a moment before he began to gently lead you over to his car. While you both had been hugging, Chris had moved to the backseat with Nick so you could sit up front with your boyfriend.

Matt opens the passenger door for you and you get in. Before you can reach for it, he’s grabbing the seatbelt for you and buckling it for you, making you smile. He gently shuts your door and jogs around the car to his side, getting in and buckling up. As he adjusts and moves to put the car in drive, you turn to meet the gaze of his two brothers who look equally relieved to see you but still concerned.

“I’m okay, guys,” you assure them with a small smile.

They nod and return the smile.

As Matt pulls away from the club, one hand remains on the wheel as his other comes over to hold your hand. While your boyfriend isn’t always one for public displays of affection, he never was shy about holding your hand, and tonight you welcomed the comfort his hand in yours brought.

“Can you stay over at our place tonight? I’d feel better,” Matt asks you softly. You smile and nod, glad that he asked.

The ride home was quick and quiet, Matt’s brothers were on their phone. Chris played some songs that he knew you liked at a low volume. Once arriving to their place, you gave Nick and Chris a big hug before letting Matt lead you to his room.

“Come here, I just wanna hold you for a minute,” he whispers to you after he shuts his bedroom door. His room is cozy, dimly lit by the lights on his bedside tables. It’s warm and safe. Just like Matt. He pulls you into his arms, gently rocking you back and forth with your head resting near his collarbone.

“Thank you for getting me,” you whisper to him, before leaving a soft kiss on his jaw.

“You don’t have to thank me, baby. you can call me, day or night, no matter what I’m doing. I’ll drop it for you if you need me,” he tells you as he brushes a piece of your hair behind your ear.

You lean up and give him a gentle peck on the lips, and he kisses back just as softly. After you both reluctantly part, Matt walks over to his dresser. He grabs out a pair of sweats and a T-shirt for you to wear to bed. You thank him with a smile and you get changed while he also changes into a pair of flannel pj pants, opting out of wearing a shirt.

You sit down on his bed and watch as he takes off his chain and the couple rings he had worn that day. He surprises you when he turns around and walks over with a package in his hand.

Makeup removing wipes, the specific brand and scent you buy too. He’s always surprising you with his thoughtfulness.

“Here, let me get your makeup off baby,” he says as he comes to sit next to you. You smile as he begins to wipe your makeup off. He’s so gentle and thorough, his eyebrows creasing a little in the middle with focus. In a few moments he’s done, throwing away the used wipes in a nearby trash can and tossing the pack to land over on his desk.

You both pull the covers back and climb into his bed, you move to lay on your side as Matt rests behind you on his side as well. His arms snake their way around your waist, hand going under your shirt to rest on your bare tummy as he soothingly rubs the skin there. Your legs tangle together under the sheets and you feel a kiss pressed against the side of your head.

“Love you, baby,” Matt whispers to you, voice getting deeper as he gets sleepy.

“Love you too, Matty,” you whisper back, drifting off to sleep in the safety and comfort of his arms.

[thezombieprostitute]

Tech Tuesday: Bucky Barnes

Summary: Things are going bad for you at work which leads to things going bad at home.

Warnings: Assault, Bad bosses, Caretaker stress, Mild violence, Work stress. Please let me know if I missed any.

Previous

Tech Tuesdays Masterlist

You wince as August shouts your name from his office. Taking a deep breath you walk to his office, mentally reminding yourself that Bucky's taking you to the interview at Mad Hatter's Tea that very night.

"Yes, Mr. Walker?"

"You were late this morning."

"Yes, Mr. Walker. I texted you that the bus was running late."

"You should've taken an earlier bus."

"Last time I did that you yelled at me for showing up too early, even though I didn't clock in and work until it was time to do so."

"Then get a damn car! They have Lyft and Uber now!"

"And they cost too much," you plead.

"Then you should be smarter with how you spend your money. You get paid too much to keep showing up late."

Clenching your hands, and closing your eyes you tell him, "I promise I'll try harder, sir." There's no winning with him. No amount of logic will cause him to back off. Just give him the meek submission he wants until you can leave.

With your eyes closed, you don't see him get up from his desk and approach. For a man of his size, August moves rather quietly. He touches your chin, startling your eyes open.

"You know, I can be a good boss. Kind even," he chastised. "But you have to work with me. You can't be questioning me like this all the time."

"Yes, Mr. Walker," you grimace. Just tell him what he wants to hear, you think. Don't give him reason to get angry.

"Good girl," he coos and you have to fight the urge to vomit. "Now get back to work."

Rushing to the relative safety of the public facing counter your brain is filled with thoughts, all of them scary.

"I really want to join up with the D&D group," Bucky tells Jake. "But Sweetie's schedule is all over the place and I can't promise to make most of the sessions." Jake nods in understanding, even if he's a little disappointment. "But we're hoping to get her a better, more stable job soon so maybe after that?"

"Well, we've already got 3 confirmed other players and Sunshine's gotta know how many people are playing for the challenge rating," Jake explains. "I know you know how to play and it would be nice to have you join the session zero, make sure we're all able to play as a team, but I'll talk to Sunshine. If she says we can have another player for session one, I'll let you know."

Bucky sighs in relief, "thanks so much! It's been forever since I played and I've been itching to get back at it."

"And good luck to Sweetie with the potential new job," Jake smiles.

Bucky's phone dings with a text. He sees it's from you and smiles, "she must know we're talking about her." Jake smiles and waves Bucky away to go answer your message.

As soon as he reads it, his smile drops.

Sweetie: Can you please pick me up from work tonight? Walker's scaring me.

Bucky: Do you want me to pick you up now?

He sets the phone on his desk and paces. The wait for your response feels interminable.

Steve returns from a visit with Newbie. Bucky can tell because he's got lipstick on his neck. Normally he'd poke fun but he's worried about you. Steve sees him pacing, and he gestures for Steve to read your message. When he does, he gives Bucky a nod, a silent agreement to drop everything and help Bucky come get you at any time.

The phone finally dings and reads your quick note saying to wait until after work. He sighs in frustration. He's going to be a mess until he knows you're safe.

By the time you're done with work, you can't stop shaking. August has been too close for comfort at pretty much every moment. Every time you try to make some space between you, he closes the gap, claiming to be watching your performance, evaluating your work "like a good manager does." But you know there's more to it.

Clocking out, you take off your work apron and jump when August grabs your arm.

"So now that you're off the clock, I was thinking we could get to know each other better."

"N-no, thank you sir," you shake your head. "I...my ride...boyfriend is waiting-"

"You told me you take the bus," he growls, his grip tightening. "It's why you kept coming in late."

"He...he can't always drive me."

"Then what good is he?" August snarls.

"No, sir, please." You shake your head, desperately looking behind the counter for someone, anyone else who can help you but it's just the two of you.

"I told you I can be a good boss. You just have to be good for me."

"Sir, please, you're my boss. I have a boyfriend. I don't want to!"

In a blink, August is punched away from you, letting go of your elbow in his surprise. You think you see a flash of blond hair going for another punch.

Before your brain can register what's going on, Bucky is holding your face so all you see is him. "Don't worry, Sweetie, we're here," he consoles. "We're getting you out of here. Just come with me, okay, Sweetie?"

Still in shock and unable to do anything else you let Bucky walk you outside, never leaving the safety of his arms. Your vision blurs as the tears start pouring. You're vaguely aware of getting into the back of a vehicle with Bucky. Someone else is there, you think you recognize her as Newbie, Steve's girlfriend. Steve gets into the driver's seat and gets you all away from August. You cry into Bucky's shirt the entire drive and he never lets you go.

Steve pulls up to his and Bucky's apartment building and the four of you head up to their place. Bucky holds your hand, only letting go to get his jacket off. He moves to sit with you on the couch and practically sit in his lap with how close you feel you need to be. You vaguely hear Newbie telling Steve he did good, limiting himself to one punch.

"I'm sorry I didn't show up sooner," Bucky whispers. "I wanted to get you out of there the moment you texted me."

You shake your head. "I'm the idiot who thought it'd be best to finish out my shift."

"You're not an idiot," Bucky quickly asserts. "You did what you thought was the best move. And you made sure ask for help and let me know you'd need help. Those aren't the moves of an idiot."

"I think I'm definitely fired," you sob. "No way am I going to be able to go back to that job and I don't even know I'll have another job tomorrow! How am I supposed to take care of two people on no income? Sounds idiotic to me."

"If anything, he's the idiot," Newbie interrupts. "He didn't even notice me recording him with my phone."

"What?"

"You were, understandably, looking for a fellow coworker behind the counter to help you, he was focused on you, so it gave me a good opportunity to record what was going on. Should give you plenty of evidence to sue his ass, especially when it goes viral," she explains.

"I wanted to just go in and kick his ass," Steve adds. "But she made a good point about needing evidence to make sure your name wasn't dragged through the mud or anything."

"Meanwhile my focus was on getting you out of there quickly," Bucky tells you. "I just wanted to get you out of there, get between you and him. I'm sorry I let it go on as long as it did."

"No, she's right," you comment. "If you'd intervened before you did, he might have gotten away with what he did, what he tried to do. And not just with me."

"Because you're in the video, I do want to ask your permission before making it viral," Newbie discloses. "We can just show the video to my brother-in-law, he's a lawyer who'll happily take your case. If it goes viral, it'll absolutely ruin your ex-boss. But, it is entirely your choice because you are in the video. Even if we blur your face, there's bound to be people who recognize the location, his face, and figure out it was you."

"Um...can we, can we wait until after I get a new job? I don't want it to hurt my employment chances."

"Of course," she nods.

"Still wish I could've just beaten him up," Steve grumbles.

"He definitely deserves it," Newbie nods, gently rubbing his arm. "But this is how we have to deal with bullies these days. We have to have the evidence or else they can claim we were bullying them." Steve huffs but nods.

"For now," Bucky interjects. "Do you want me to ask Jefferson to delay your interview? I'm sure he'd understand."

"No!" you sit up quickly. "I need that interview now more than ever!"

Bucky's eyes soften as he smiles at you, "you're so damn strong. I wish you didn't have to be, but I'm glad you are. We'll go ahead and help you get ready then, okay? Help you catch your breath, make sure you eat, go through any possible other prep you might need, okay?"

Looking at the others they both nod in agreement.

"Thank you, everyone," you smile. Despite the way the day started, you feel safer than you've felt in a very long time.

Next

Tech Tuesdays Masterlist

Tagging: @alicedopey; @darsynia; @delicatebarness; @ellethespaceunicorn; @icefrozendeadlyqueen; @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory; @late-to-the-party-81; @lokislady82; @ozwriterchick; @ronearoundblindly; @stellar-solar-flare

[girlmostlikely]

I saw a video where someone mentioned a prolific issue with the green checkered cabs in Nashville, TN and that male drivers lock women in cabs and take them to any area except their original destination by threat in order to get more money or far worse. Women have filed countless police reports because of the duress they were subjected to and even both Uber and Lyft have ongoing class action lawsuits for sexual assault spanning years. I come from a very rural background so the concept of taxis and any modern ride service in general are forever outlandish to me. But the fact that there is virtually no safety for women whatsoever be it in public transportation or the taxicab and rideshare industries or just any stop made outside of these vehicles along the way. To think of the women who were unable to see the other side of these last minute rides especially those who just needed a safe and responsible way home after a night out with a few drinks incredibly depresses me. Truly a society beyond repair and redemption.

[iww-gnv]

Thousands of rideshare app drivers are going on strike on Valentine’s Day across 10 U.S. cities to protest low wages and poor safety standards, alongside expressing their concerns about job security. Uber, Lyft, Doordash and other drivers will not be offering rides to or from the airport in Austin, Chicago, Hartford, Miami, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Rhode Island, and Tampa, Fla. on Feb. 14. Justice for App Workers, the union representing more than 130,000 rideshare drivers and delivery workers, said drivers will be striking all day. “Uber and Lyft pay rideshare drivers poverty wages so low they’re below the minimum wage in some states, forcing drivers to work up to 60-80 hours a week in mobile-sweatshop conditions just to be able to pay their bills,” the union said in a statement to TIME. “Drivers are striking to transform our industry, and to upend Uber and Lyft’s systems of exploitation to create instead a more just future, where our labor and humanity are treated with dignity.” Drivers at these companies are independent contractors, not employees. That designation means that drivers do not get the same legal protections other full-time employees do under federal labor law.

[disgracefulthings]

So I've had 2 very different interactions with Uber and Lyft, and I have experienced that Uber does way too little for their customers, while Lyft might do a little too much for theirs.

On my last Uber ride, my driver was texting and driving (which is very obviously a crime!), so I asked them to stop. My exact words were "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't text while driving", trying to be polite even though they shouldn't have been doing it in the first place. My driver said their texting was related to their work, which was apparently more important than my safety and the safety of others, so I repeated myself. They said if I didn't like it then I could get a different driver, and they pulled over, so I got out because I didn't feel like dying. I just have to point out that this person felt entitled to commit a crime, and not just any crime but a crime that could end up with people dying! How do people think like that?! Anyway, I was in a place I didn't know and was kinda freaking out. Thankfully there was a restaurant nearby and the workers allowed me to chill there while I waited for a Lyft driver. However the bullshit didn't end there. I called Uber support and had a chat about what happened, and I was told I would get a refund, but guess what? A week passed and my ride wasn't refunded, and in fact I received an email from Uber about MY BEHAVIOR!

WTF! I had to contact Uber again, tell them that not only was the driver texting and driving, but the ride wasn't even finished! It was like 2 minutes long. I got a refund and I heard nothing about this incident from them ever since. So you know, I don't use Uber anymore.

Now I only use Lyft, but recently I had a weird experience with their support team. The other day I had an Lyft driver ask me who I was voting for, and me being socially awkward and not down to talk about politics with a stranger, I said I didn't want to discuss it. The driver then told me who they were voting for and the conversation ended there. It was a bit annoying for them to not let the conversations go, so I left a note to Lyft support and proceeded to forget about it. I got a message from them this morning asking if I was safe (which if I wasn't, this happened a day ago so too little too late, but I never said anything about feeling unsafe so ???). I said I was and they asked me what happened and I told them. And holy shit, this thing ended up being blown out of proportion. They made sure to let me know that they will deal with the driver and refunded my ride. I hope I didn't get the driver fired! They just need to be told 'if a rider doesn't want to talk about something, then don't talk about it', I gave them 4/5 stars, it wasn't that big of a deal. This was an overcorrection, but when I tried to tell this to Lyft support they just told me they were taking this VERY SERIOUSLY. Either I was talking to an AI, or someone who cares too much about awkward conversations.

Anyway just wanted to rant about my experiences with these two apps. Don't use Uber, and if you use Lyft, know that they take things very seriously. If someone on here is a Lyft driver, please let me know if this is something a driver could be fired over or if they will just get a reprimand. I seriously hope I didn't get someone in too much trouble just because I'm socially awkward

[allthecanadianpolitics]

British Columbia’s labour minister plans to soon pass new laws guaranteeing basic pay, rights and protections for tens of thousands of gig workers. Harry Bains’s office has launched a call for proposals that could see new requirements placed on companies like Uber, DoorDash and Lyft, whose drivers and delivery workers work without minimum pay, sick leave or other basic benefits. Bains says new legislation may come as soon as this fall, following years of government promises and months of consultations. “The goal here is that these workers, like any other workers, they need basic protection when it comes to minimum wage, when it comes to health and safety, and how they are protected when they are injured at the workplace,” Bains said.

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[afriblaq]

California Wildfires: TikTok Detectives Uncover Secret Land Grab Scheme! DISTURBING TRUTH WILL SHOCK

Ways you can help?  https://www.the100percenters.com/la-w.... If you've lost your home due to the recent Los Angeles wildfires, several resources are available to assist you:

Emergency Shelters and Temporary Housing: 

 211 LA and Airbnb Partnership: 211 LA has partnered with Airbnb to offer free temporary shelter for those displaced by the fires. To apply, fill out the form on 211 LA's website. LAHSA

Airbnb.org Commitment: Airbnb.org has committed to providing free emergency housing for an additional 25,000 people affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. They are working with local organizations to connect those in need with hosts offering their properties as emergency accommodations. AIRBNB NEWSROOM

Financial Assistance:

FEMA Assistance: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers aid to individuals affected by the wildfires. Eligible survivors may receive funds for rental assistance, basic home repairs, personal property losses, and other related expenses. Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA Additional Support:

American Red Cross Los Angeles: 

Provides emergency services, including shelter, food, and emotional support. Find a shelter through their resources. 

 Salvation Army and World Central Kitchen: Offer meals and essential supplies to those in need. 

 Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Distributes food and essentials to affected individuals. 

 Pasadena Humane: Assists with sheltering pets displaced by the fires and seeks foster homes.

Transportation Assistance: 

 Uber and Lyft: Providing free rides to shelters for evacuees. Storage Solutions: 

 U-Haul: Offering 30 days of free storage for those affected by the wildfires. Health and Safety: 

 Air Quality Alerts: Due to degraded air quality, it's advisable to stay indoors and use N95 masks if you need to go outside. 

Community Support:

GoFundMe: A dedicated wildfire relief page has been set up for donations to support those affected. Please reach out to these organizations directly to access the support you need during this challenging time.

[lesbiansgoal]

For drinks

Keep this saved to your cellphone so you know what to look out for.

My advice is to call a friend you trust to see if they can pick you up, or even a co-worker of relative to have a safe backup plan. Stay close to employees when eating or drinking.

If you get up to leave (bathroom for example) DO NOT take a sip of the same drink, ask for a new one (even if it's water, tea, soda, etc. etc).

Get to know the layout of where you're going. Know where the exits are.

Carry a personal alarm, pepper spray with UV ink so its easier to see for the authorities or anyone that has a blacklight / UV detector, and a taser (if it's legal and you don't need a permit for it)

Go for the throat (punch) if you need to defend yourself (if you don't have any of the above) it will knock the wind out of them and give you enough time to get to safety. Twisting their arm roughly and quickly to the right with your dominant hand will make them be in pain. Kicking girls / women between the legs hurts just as much as kicking guys / men between the legs. (Self defense only)

DO NOT turn your cellphone off for any reason. Carry a charger or power bank with you.

Make sure people you trust know where you are and can come get you if you need them to.

Don't drink more than one alcoholic beverage if you're driving there.

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, Taxi, etc. etc. Make sure you look at them to see their facial features and ALWAYS make sure you feel safe with the person driving.

If your gut / sixth sense tells you something is wrong, listen to it.

DO NOT let anyone buy you a drink.

Wear flats or sneakers (or have them as backup if you don't want to wear them there).

Take hand sanitizer with you.

I hope all of these help.

Thanks!

[globetrottergurus]

The Ultimate Travel Guide to New York City: Everything You Need to Know

New York City, affectionately known as "The Big Apple," is a vibrant metropolis that draws millions of visitors from around the world each year. From its iconic landmarks to its bustling streets, NYC offers a mix of history, culture, and modern allure. This guide covers everything you need to know to make the most of your visit, whether it’s your first time or you’re returning to discover more.

Best Time to Visit NYC

New York City is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on your preferences:

Spring (March to May): Mild weather and blooming flowers make this season ideal for exploring Central Park or walking along the High Line.

Summer (June to August): NYC comes alive with outdoor festivals, rooftop bars, and concerts. Just be prepared for heat and crowds.

Fall (September to November): Cooler weather, colorful foliage, and events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade make autumn magical.

Winter (December to February): While chilly, the holiday season in NYC is unmatched. Ice skating at Rockefeller Center and the stunning holiday displays on Fifth Avenue are must-sees.

How to Get Around the City

Navigating NYC can seem daunting, but with a few tips, it’s straightforward:

Subway: The most efficient and cost-effective way to travel. Grab a MetroCard or use the OMNY system for tap-and-go convenience.

Walking: Many neighborhoods are best explored on foot, giving you a chance to soak in the city’s unique vibe.

Taxis and Rideshares: Yellow cabs are iconic but pricier than the subway. Apps like Uber and Lyft are widely available.

Bikes: Citi Bike stations are scattered throughout the city, offering an eco-friendly way to explore.

Top Attractions You Can’t Miss

NYC is home to some of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Here are a few that should be on your list:

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: Take a ferry to explore these symbols of freedom and immigration history.

Times Square: The dazzling lights and energy here are quintessential NYC.

Central Park: A serene escape in the middle of the bustling city, perfect for a stroll, bike ride, or picnic.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met): One of the world's largest and most renowned art museums.

Brooklyn Bridge: Walk or bike across this historic bridge for stunning views of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Empire State Building: Experience panoramic views of the city from the observation decks.

Hidden Gems

For a more off-the-beaten-path experience:

The Tenement Museum: Learn about the lives of immigrants who shaped NYC.

Roosevelt Island Tram: A scenic and unique way to see the city.

Smorgasburg: This outdoor food market offers a taste of NYC’s diverse culinary scene.

Greenwich Village: Wander through charming streets filled with indie cafes, boutiques, and historic sites.

Where to Eat

New York City’s food scene is legendary, offering everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to street food. Here are some iconic eats:

Bagels and Lox: Grab one from Russ & Daughters or Ess-a-Bagel.

Pizza: Head to Joe’s Pizza or Di Fara Pizza for a classic New York slice.

Hot Dogs: Try a street vendor or hit up Nathan’s Famous on Coney Island.

Fine Dining: Restaurants like Le Bernardin and Eleven Madison Park offer world-class experiences.

Where to Stay

NYC has accommodations for every budget and style:

Luxury: The Plaza Hotel, The St. Regis New York.

Mid-Range: The Moxy NYC, citizenM Times Square.

Budget: HI NYC Hostel, Pod 51.

Money-Saving Tips

Exploring NYC doesn’t have to break the bank. Consider these tips:

CityPASS or Go City NYC: These passes bundle popular attractions at discounted rates.

Free Activities: Enjoy free events like Shakespeare in the Park or visit museums on free admission days.

Street Eats: Food trucks and local delis offer delicious, budget-friendly meals.

Safety and Practical Tips

Stay Aware: Like any major city, be mindful of your belongings, especially in crowded areas.

Dress Comfortably: NYC involves a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.

Plan Ahead: Research attraction hours and buy tickets in advance to save time.

Conclusion

New York City is a destination that truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re marveling at its towering skyscrapers, diving into its rich history, or savoring its diverse cuisine, the energy and charm of NYC will leave you wanting more. With this ultimate guide, you’re ready to explore, experience, and fall in love with the city that never sleeps.

Happy travels!

[emmie-time]

Hey gamers, guess who was in a car wreck with my gf? This gal! Don't worry, nothing was broken, I am bruised up and my left shoulder is sprained I guess (haven't been to a dr yet cause the pain hasn't increased and I can never afford a hospital visit.

The car was totaled, rear axle cracked and the lower frame got mangled because a road sign got under the car and wrapped around part of the wheel, and we need to find a new car, we're kinda fucked money wise though because im trying to get disability and my gf is on disability. We were able to get it towed to my girlfriends parents' house thanks to a friend. I hate to ask this but the average cost of a used 2004 or newer minivan is close to 5k this includes paperwork and the insurance payment for the month plus an Uber or lyft ride to the location of the vehicle.

The reason we're going for a minivan is the cargo space and safety features, we are trying to get a vehicle with all wheel drive and more airbags than the Ford windstar she had before the accident.

I'm gonna post my venmo, but please don't feel pressured to donate any little bit is a godsend and so helpful. The money sent will be used to try to find an all wheel drive van with slightly better gas mileage than the van we had before.

Thank you all again, no matter what!

[harrywblog]

What Are Some of the Major Challenges That Uber Faces Today?

There are many challenges facing Uber today, some ranging from safety to legal problems. Now, let's see some of the major challenges in the path ahead of Uber.

Safety Concerns for Riders and Drivers

Safety is a big concern. Both riders and drivers worry about getting safe. Cases of crimes in Uber cars have come. Drivers are attacked by passengers. Riders, on the other hand, are harassed. But Uber worked with these problems. They now have an emergency button inside the app. Drivers undergo safety training and background checks. However, accidents still happen. How to improve safety remains a challenge for Uber.

Legal and Regulatory Issues

They've fought legal battles throughout their entire time. Cities have attempted to regulate its business time and time again. Some have even banned Uber over safety concerns. Other cities believe that drivers should be classified as employees rather than contractors. This changes Uber's way of working and increases the cost. Also, legal problems have been held against Uber's reputation. Very recently, for example, it lost a court case over driver pay. These legal problems cost Uber both time and money.

Competition and Market Saturation

There is a lot of competition in the ride-sharing business. In fact, other companies, such as Lyft and smaller local startups, are currently rising to challenge Uber. Some come with more competitive perks than others; hence, many riders opt to use those services. Another obstacle is market saturation. In some markets, there are too many drivers and not enough rides, which means lower earnings for driver partners and makes differentiation harder for Uber. If Uber wants to stay ahead, it has to change the business of thinking. They are now entering new businesses: food delivery and self-driving cars. But competition will continue to keep them on their toes.

These challenges make Uber's future tough. There are big hurdles in safety, legal issues, and competition. How it addresses them will determine the future for Uber.

Discover Insureguide: Your Comprehensive Source for USA Contact Information

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[wolfliving]

Self-driving urban taxis finding a market niche here and there, sort of

https://www.cbinsights.com/research/autonomous-vehicle-resurgence-transportation-mobility-opportunities/

Autonomous vehicles are back in the spotlight.

Equity funding to the AV space has tripled to $7.5B this year thanks to Waymo and Wayve (with a combined ~90% of funding).

Below, we highlight 3 key takeaways on the autonomous vehicle landscape.

1) Developers are targeting multiple autonomous driving use cases, with robotaxis in the spotlight

This year’s largest funding recipients are targeting multiple use cases.

Waymo (Alphabet subsidiary) is focused on robotaxis — where it’s seeing commercial momentum. The company is now considering expanding into the personal car use case by licensing its technology. Notably, one area it is not investing in is autonomous trucking, which it exited in 2023.

Wayve formed early partnerships with UK grocery retailers ASDA and Ocado, focused on home delivery of groceries. The company is now pushing deeper into robotaxis, including via a partnership with Uber. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai framed Waymo's approach as “multiple paths to market” on the company’s latest earnings call. Waymo hit 150K paid rides per week in October.

2) OEMs are keeping their loss-making self-driving units afloat with fresh capital injections

Despite challenges like safety and delayed commercialization, GM and Hyundai have injected a combined $1.4B into their self-driving units this year.

Tech-native OEMs such as Tesla and BYD are amping up their efforts as well.

Tesla for example is gunning for a robotaxi, although the timing of the Tesla Cybercab launch remains uncertain.

OEMs keep their loss-making self-driving units afloat

3) In China, autonomous driving players IPO at discounted valuations

Chinese autonomous driving companies are leading an exit wave.

Horizon Robotics and WeRide went public in October, and Pony.ai, Momenta, and Minieye all recently filed to do the same.

An AV funding crunch in China (down 90% since 2021) is pushing many of these companies to go public at a discount to their last private valuations.

More broadly, China is also seeing growing adoption of robotaxis.

Baidu‘s Apollo Go service, for example, averaged 75K fully driverless rides per week in Q2’24 (up 26% YoY).

The bottom line

Autonomous driving has arrived gradually, then suddenly.

Robotaxi adoption is pushing some mobility players (like Uber and Lyft) and OEMs to reassess their strategies and recommit after reducing their exposure to the space.

CB Insights customers can dive into implications for transportation leaders in the full brief here....

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

#20yrsago danah boyd’s social networks talk from ETCON https://www.zephoria.org/thoughts/archives/2004/02/11/my_etech_talk_revenge_of_the_user.html#004027

#20yrsago Harlan Ellison’s AOL/Time-Warner suit https://web.archive.org/web/20040901000000*/http://lawgeek.typepad.com/lawgeek/2004/02/9th_circuit_wro.html

#20yrsago Google is Harder Than it Looks ETCON talk notes https://craphound.com/googleetcon04.txt

#15yrsago FDR: Time-travelling destroyer of economies https://prospect.org/article/country-run-idiots./

#15yrsago Kansas Representative introduces anti-netroots campaign finance reform bill https://web.archive.org/web/20090216145249/http://seantevis.com/weblog/story/my-response-to-house-bill-no-2244-aka-the-sean-tevis-bill/

#15yrsago EFF asks the FTC to protect the public from Digital Rights Management https://www.eff.org/files/filenode/DRM/drmcomments_final.pdf

#15yrsago Neil Gaiman waxes sensible on Kindle Audiobooks and the redonkulous Author’s Guild https://journal.neilgaiman.com/2009/02/quick-argument-summary.html

#15yrsago Salmonella Peanut CEO won’t eat his own peanuts, cites Fifth Amendment https://www.mprnews.org/story/2009/02/11/peanut-co-owner-refuses-to-testify-to-congress

#15yrsago Why the EVE Online industrial espionage econopocalypse is “fun” https://www.raphkoster.com/2009/02/11/the-eve-upset/

#5yrsago A short list of “all the bad things” about Uber and Lyft https://usa.streetsblog.org/2019/02/04/all-the-bad-things-about-uber-and-lyft-in-one-simple-list

#5yrsago The WPA’s horseback librarians https://historydaily.org/female-librarians-on-horseback

#5yrsago The most censored Wechat topics: US-China trade war, Canadian arrest of Huawei CFO, ZTE sanctions, more https://globalvoices.org/2019/02/11/censored-on-wechat-a-year-of-content-removals-on-chinas-most-powerful-social-media-platform/

#5yrsago Freedom EV: free/open replacement firmware for your electric vehicle — including a Tesla https://github.com/jnuyens/freedomev

#5yrsago How to think about climate change and “cost-benefit analysis” https://progressivereform.org/cpr-blog/on-buying-insurance-and-ignoring-cost-benefit-analysis/

#5yrsago Artist Nan Goldin leads protests at the Guggenheim and the Met over their reputation-laundering of the Sacklers’ opioid epidemic fortunes https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/nan-goldin-leads-a-protest-at-the-guggenheim-against-the-sackler-family

#5yrsago Addressing inequality is foreign policy, not domestic https://crookedtimber.org/2019/02/11/democracy-and-inequality-as-a-global-policy-agenda/

#1yrago After Ohio rail disaster, Buttigieg is silent on restoring the safety standards Trump repealed https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/11/dinah-wont-you-blow/#ecp