#al cardboard art

[aldreambox]

New kin when the game aint event fully out yet

[kikipancakes]

So I started writing a fic about your Worrywart injured Jason art. I'm not sure if it'll be good enough to share, but I wanted to share my Alfred's idea of a 'solution' to Jason's PTSD issues. Jason calls it the Crime Alley bed.

-

"Floor," Jason mumbled, looking ready for a good, long sleep.

"Not this time, Master Jason," Alfred smirked, "I believe you'll find the accommodations adequate." Even Bruce was curious about that. They made their was up to Jason's room, where the two younger men blinked at Jason's bed. Jason burst out laughing through winces and 'ow's. The bed had cardboard laid over it, followed by a tarp as a blanket.

"Alfred, that's not funny!" Bruce scolded loudly.

"I never said it was. Master Jason is not well enough to sleep on the floor. The bed will at least allow for some give and comfort under the cardboard. However, I hardly see how this could remind him of that," Alfred explained.

"Home sweet home!" Jason laughed. "You know how to make a Crime Alley kid feel welcomed, Al, I'll give you that!" They heard a snort behind them, seeing Duke stopped outside the doorway. He looked like he wanted to say something, but was too busy trying to not lose it laughing and just walked away. "I think Duke's jealous, Alfred."

"And I believe I may have given you too high of a dose of painkillers, Master Jason." They helped Jason into his Crime Alley inspired bed, Bruce topping the tarp off with a comforter for his own peace of mind. Jason fell asleep far faster than they expected, Bruce sighing and shaking his head at the fact that he slept so well on cardboard and a tarp.

Drawing this is fic is referring to (x)

Hi! I'm so sorry for the late reply, I was either asleep bc timezones or I was at work ;;;;

HOLY SHIIIIT THIS IS AMAZING!!!!!! OMGGG I'm always in awe when ppl write something based on my silly drawings AAAAAA I LOVE THISSSSS!!!! I'm in love with the idea of Alfred not wanting to let Jason sleep on the floor so it makes him get creative haiusdhfauisf I can definitely imagine Alfred finding no joy in realizing his grandson would sleep better you put a cardboard box and a tarp on the bed AAAAAAAAAA and I love that Jason is chill and genuinely happy that he found a solution AAAAAHH!!! Bruce still being the worrywart that he is and putting a blanket on top of the tarp makes me smile so much haisduajksdnfam

I'm really happy that you're sharing it here!! I am absolutely not a writer so I'm always like WAAAAAHHHHH when ppl write things?? FOR ME?!?!?!?!? AAAAAAAA THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUU

[tracycloud]

COOKING FOR ROBERTA (part 2)

PART 2

Roberta had spotted me a few months earlier at Café Ravenna, where I worked as a kitchen assistant and waitress. She was a regular guest in this small restaurant owned by Erika and Giovanni, an elderly German-Italian couple who were constantly arguing. They alternated between German and Italian cuisine, ignoring the menu posted outside.

The regulars didn't care at all. Most of them ate Erika's ragu Bolognese or Lasagne al Forno just as enthusiastically as they loved Giovanni's crispy roast pork with dumplings or his thick bean soup with bacon and sausages. I never managed to find out why Giovanni, of all people, was so fond of German cuisine. Maybe an answer to the dominance of his mother from Emilia-Romagna, from whom Erika had learned all her culinary skills

Café Ravenna was open seven days a week, from morning to night, because the owners felt a great responsibility for their guests and feared that without their care they might go hungry or, even worse, be forced to eat fast food.

The middle-sized town where the “Ravenna” was located,  is best known for its art college, to which I had just applied in vain.  It said: “Rejected for lack of perspective talent”.

My divorced parents, as much as they hated each other and never saw eye to eye, would both triumph over this.

That´s why I decided to just stay and try again the next year.

The unimpressive cardboard sign: “Temporary help wanted for kitchen and restaurant” was already a bit faded. Erica and Giovanni  hired me on a trial basis. I showed surprising talent in the kitchen, brought food and drinks to the guests without any spills and didn't complain about the working hours.

Roberta was something special. In terms of age, she could have been my older sister. Roberta only came when Erika was cooking. She was always solo, friendly but distant. I noticed how she sometimes looked at me when I served her. I also have a thing for girls and could read her eyes.

But she was still just a guest - until the moment she praised the Ribollita, a thick Tuscan soup made from white beans, kale, leeks, carrots, celery, tomatoes, parmesan and bread.

Giovanni pointed at me: “Our little girl here cooked this”. I was proud and blushed a little when Roberta looked at me intensely and applauded.

A few weeks later, Giovanni asked me if I wanted to cook for Roberta's birthday. The next day, which was actually my day off, and at her house. She would pay me for it and he mentioned a sum that I could make good use of, as I was chronically broke.

She wouldn't take me shopping, but I would just turn up at her door in the early afternoon and cook what she had bought.

I had a bit of stage fright as I stood in front of the weathered wooden door of the old house. It was still summer, the garden was wild, natural, full of herbs, wild flowers, bushes, meadow grass, humming everywhere.

Roberta opened the door. For the first time, she was no longer a guest to me, but a beautiful, desirable woman. She was taller than me, with short blonde hair, wearing a light, green-spotted, casual summer dress that emphasized her boobs.

I must have stared at them for a few seconds too long. I don't have much to stare at when it comes to my own boobs, but I immediately thought about how it would feel if her stiff nipples rubbed against mine. She pretended not to notice my horny stares and walked into the house ahead of me.

 I congratulated her on her birthday, of course, and presented her with a small, very feminine clay figurine that I had modeled and glazed myself as a piece of work for the entrance exam. Roberta placed the figurine with a friendly smile next to other slightly dusty odds and ends - where it still stands today.

She lived in a rare mélange of furniture and paintings from all stylistic periods of the 20th century.  In the kitchen, fans of old cooking utensils would have been thrilled.

As we toasted each other with a cool white wine, I asked: “What would I even cook?”  Roberta pointed to the kitchen table, full of tomatoes, vegetables, fragrant herbs, ripe Parmesan, different types of pasta, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and buffalo butter. There was much more in the fridge.

“I'll leave that to you. Just surprise me”.

 “Ohhh, really? Ok. Why not.  And when are the guests arriving?”

 She grinned at me: “No guests are coming, my little one.  You're just cooking for me. And if you want, you're invited to try your own creations”.

I was quite taken aback, but after all, I was paid to cook and not by the number of guests. I decided to use the vegetables to make a range of hot and cold starters, culminating in a real “Ragu Bolognese” because had just learned this from Erika.  I was curious to see how Roberta would like it.

 Later I was so busy that I didn't notice her looking over my shoulder at first. When I felt the warmth of her body and the light touch on my back, I involuntarily pressed my bottom against her and felt her return the pressure. I started to rub myself against her, continuing to slice the tomatoes, then felt her breath on my neck and the pressure of her boobies against my back. I moaned softly as she whispered in my ear: “My little girl, don't say anything”. Then she slowly inserted her tongue into my ear and her hands felt my stiff nipples through the T-shirt and the wafer-thin bra.

I was getting wet now, moaning louder, supporting myself with my hands on the worktable, crushing the ripe tomatoes, my vulva pressed against the worktop. Roberta's hands were now under my shirt, fumbling my boobs out of my bra, massaging them, squeezing my nipples.

Roberta could feel me giving myself completely to her now. Her right hand unbuttoned my jeans, slipped into my panties and explored my wetness. I involuntarily spread my legs. She penetrated me deeply with two fingers. I began to move rhythmically against her fingers.

 “It's so beautiful how horny and submissive you are, my little cooking whore,” I heard her whisper.  Suddenly I could no longer feel her hands or her breath on my neck. Now she was standing in front of me, looking at me closely.

I stood with my legs still spread wide apart on the table, my jeans open, my wet panties barely covering my vulva, tomato juice dripping onto the floor, my T-shirt pushed up, my boobs hanging out of my bra, my face feeling hot, drops of sweat running down my face.

 “You're so cute the way you're standing there, my little submissive cooking slut. You know, I always dreamed about this when I watched you at the Ravenna. To spot and feel you here. You're a wonderful young woman, independent, clever, you're going to be a great cook and you're so wonderfully submissive. I sense you are yearning to be submissive and to be fucked by a strong woman.”

She leaned over the table, gave me a kiss on my sweaty forehead and walked out. “Go on cooking now, my little kitchen slut. I'm already looking forward to your delicacies.”

 Slowly I slipped back into reality. I had never experienced anything so hot and beautiful with a woman. The kitchen had now become a magical, wonderful space. The kitchen utensils became friends now who helped me to achieve my first great performance as a cook for Roberta.

[lunamagicablu]

Il bello di vivere con un gatto è che ti ricorda che ci si può sedere su una libreria. Che si può sonnecchiare su una busta di plastica. Che una scatola di cartone può essere mooolto interessante, se vista dal di dentro. E che - nascosti dietro una tenda, con la coda in bella vista - si può essere al sicuro. Il bello di vivere con un gatto è che, se ti va di saltare sul divano o stiracchiarti per terra, puoi farlo e basta. Perché il gatto ti ricorda che si può uscire dalla banalità. E che le cose, i luoghi, possono essere molto di più di quanto le convenzioni non ci raccontino. peaceloveandhopeplease art by Designs Vanguard: Animal of Earth ********************* The great thing about living with a cat is that it reminds you that you can sit on a bookcase. That you can snooze on a plastic bag. That a cardboard box can be very interesting, if seen from the inside. And that - hidden behind a curtain, with your tail in plain sight - you can be safe. The great thing about living with a cat is that if you feel like jumping on the couch or stretching on the floor, you can just do it. Because the cat reminds you that you can escape banality. And that things, places, can be much more than conventions tell us. peaceloveandhopeplease art by Designs Vanguard: Animal of Earth

[ambystoman]

Ale (Common Alebrije)

A struggling artist from Sector 1. He claims to have arrived from a distant galaxy. He owns an art shop where he sells his paintings, crafts and supplies. He likes to paint with his tail rather than use proper brushes and he is rather good at it.

Many creative people in the Essence Realm have what is called Artistic Essence. This is a kind of magic that lets people create with their hearts. It can also give life to their works among other qualities. He is happy to give art advice but isn't the best teacher.

First art of him. He was the winner in a poll of 3 characters I asked people in my server to vote for to add to the game.

His art shop is where he also lives in. On the top floor, you can find his room, while the bottom is for the shop. You can find all sorts of fun art supplies and crafts he has been working on lately.

Progress screenshots of his shop and room along with some of his works that are displayed. Some in the last image were done by @blaz-art

Ale has frog legs, the body and head of a dragon, wings of an eagle, snake teeth, and a bushy mane and tail. He has become one of my favorite designs I've made. Who doesn't like dragons anyway.

Inspiration

He is an Alebrije. These are Mexican folk art sculptures typically made of paper or cardboard. They usually depict fantastical animals with chimera-like properties and brightly colored patterns.

He is not made of cardboard though.

[transandgaybutworse]

Welcome to the Circus!

☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆ (My art can be used with credit, feel free to @ me in things as well!)

Hello! I'm your locally hated circus act, You can call me Alastor or Al the Clown, whichever you prefer!

I use He/they pronouns mostly, but if you wanna have some fun, here are my neopronouns!

☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆

I don't have a super unique DNI list but I thought it might be useful to state it anyways!

Do Not Interact:

☆ Homophobic, transphobic, ect.

★ Racists, White supremacists ect.

☆ Pedo, MAP, MAP supporter ect.

★ Lesbian separationists, transmeds, exclusionists, anti-neopronouns ect.

☆ Against gender nonconforming people, especially GNC trans people.

★ Misogynists, man-haters, people who say “kill all men”, radfems, TERFs, ect.

☆ Proshippers, discourse blogs, ect.

☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆

Fandom's I'm currently in! I rotate between these ones the most often and if you wanna talk about them through asks I'd love it!

☆ Fnaf

★ The World of Mr. Plant

☆ Sanders Sides

★ Helluva Boss

☆ Hazbin Hotel

★ Shadow & Sonic the hedgehog (the characters specifically)

☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆

I'm not sure if anyone is interested but here are my Side blogs!

★ Incorrect sanders sides quotes - @randomtssincorrectquotes

☆ Lovecore blog - @lovecore-loverboy

☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆

Fun facts about me because why not!

★ I make object heads out of cardboard as a hobby! That's actually how I found out about TWOMP!

☆ I own 2 purses that go with a pair of earrings! 1 is a red spotted mushroom and the other is a jack-o-lantern!

★ My favorite flower is tulips, especially lilac tulips!

☆ I'll dress up as a clown on occasion with a little party hat!

★ I write poems about all kinds of things, but usually about love or how I'm feeling!

☆ I've made a bunch of kandi and have made a few of my own earrings including some out of mini uno cards!

★ I absolutely love deer, they're my favorite animal!

Thank you to anyone who read this full thing, Have a fun filled day! Also feel free to send asks anytime, I love answering those!

☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★⋆｡𖦹°‧☆

[thepagansun]

Admittedly on the tendency to glorify Scrooge over Donald, sure Donald's existed longer than Scrooge, but when you look at the in-universe timeline for anything with Scrooge, he's clearly shown going on adventures for decades before Donald was ever born. Like it is kinda hard for a work to claim Donald is "original adventurer" when in the in-universe timeline has Scrooge going on adventures for decades before Donald was ever born. It's not like they can just go the meta route in stating Scrooge and Donald are cartoon characters that were already in their present ages the moment they were first drawn and created because they don't follow animated actor rules in Disney works (aside from Roger Rabbit and the Rescue Rangers movie).

I got a LOT of Disney asks which I can only assume came from the same person so I'm going to try to answer them all here.

The thing with glorifying Scrooge over Donald: Yes, Scrooge is far older than Donald in-universe, but if Disney can go out of its way to constantly credit Mickey as "It all started with a mouse" (when technically it was Oswald and before him, Julius of the Alice Comedies which was also Pete's first incarnation); then I think they can find a way to properly give Donald his well-earned credit for being the one to inspire the Al Taliaferro and Carl Barks (and by extension Don Rosa) universe. In the end, the original in that regard was Donald, not Scrooge so he should get the credit.

Mickey and Goofy: My favorite portrayals of them? For Mickey, I love the newer Mickey Mouse shorts/Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse shorts which are admittedly a little weird but do a good job in bringing Mickey back to his mischievous, wacky roots. And I love the fact that he doesn't always win because he wasn't originally perfect. Just like Donald wasn't originally a bad luck magnet. Donald's bad luck came around the same time as Mickey was sanitized. Donald is more than his bad luck and Mickey is more than a corporate cardboard cut-out. For Goofy, "A Goofy Movie" did a great job in balancing him as both his goofy side with real, relatable emotional depth. He and Pete are older in universe than Donald and Goofy. And while Goofy might not be book smart, he's emotionally wise with life experience that sadly, gets overlooked. The movie had great tunes, too! And Max also matured throughout the movie.

Newer Disney Shows: The only newer shows of the ones you listed that I watched (and even then only a few episodes) were: Star and the Forces of Evil and Amphibia. The difference between those and DT17 are that those are completely new (to my knowledge) so they're not changing or missing up already established portrayals of the characters since it's the first time we're seeing them.

Newbies and Webby on DT17: It's not that I "don't like newbies on reboots." What I don't like is having newbies upstage the canon characters on adventures inspired by the canon characters' adventures and stories. DT17 essentially hijacked the adventures, badass abilities and even biological family of Donald abd Scrooge and literally made it all about Webby as if she's the reason for the Carl Barks/Scrooge legacy when she's absolutely NOT. Donald is. So making it seem as if it's all thanks to her is dead wrong and a gross disrespect to Donald. Now.. that being said, how I would've handled her? Several ways, I guess. She could've been given a couple of episodes focuses on her where she went on an entirely new adventure (that wasn't a ripoff of one that Donald or Scrooge already did). Instead of having her be the only badass fighting kid, I probably would've had each nephew/adopted nieces master a form of martial arts each: Huey would've mastered kickboxing to deal with his anger, Dewey would've mastered Muy Thai or BBJ which are flashier, Louie would've mastered judo or akido since they use less effort, and Webby would've mastered karate. And she definitely would've remained Beakley's biological granddaughter.

Productions that do a good job with Scrooge: The original Ducktales was pretty good in his portrayal and DT17 came close too. But again, their issue was having Scrooge sort of cater and bond with the newbies over his own canonical family! How many episodes did we get of Scrooge and Donald bonding?? But yet Webby gets to meet the McDucks TWICE when Donald himself, their canonical grandson, doesn't get to meet them ONCE?? It was prioritizing Scrooge's relationship with the newbies over his own family that damaged his portrayal. That and sanitized his greed. If Donald had to keep his bad luck, Scrooge was supposed to be a miser. I think his portray in House of Mouse came pretty close too especially the lengths his greedy can go.

Favorite Versions of Minnie & Daisy: I do like their sillier sides in the newer Mickey Mouse shorts. I liked Daisy's sweeter/ditzy side in House of Mouse. And actually, I think the pre-K shows do a good job of getting them out of Mickey's and Donald's shadows.

Other Reboots: I did like She-Ra and the Princesses of Power but I can understand why that too fell flat for those that lived the original. Out of the various TMNT? The one that came closest to their comics was TMNT 2003-2010. I grew up with TMNT (1987-1996) and Nickleodeon's TMNT 2012-2017 had the best balance of being aimed a younger audience but with serious issues and some plot points of the comics. I liked TMNT 2007 movie mostly because I'm a Raphael fan and he beat Leo in a fight. As for My Little Pony, I never saw episodes of them but I grew up seeing the Gen 2 games so I miss that.

Hope this answered everything.

[themuseumwithoutwalls]

MWW Artwork of the Day (12/27/22) Nicolae Tonitza (Romanian, 1886–1940) Coada la pâine (The Bread Line)(c. 1919-20) Oil on cardboard Muzeul National de Arta al României, Bucharest

Nicolae Tonitza was influenced by the works of Rembrandt and Antonio da Correggio. An admirer of both Frans Masereel and Käthe Kollwitz, he also adapted Expressionist guidelines -— ones especially present in his satirical drawings, but also manifested large works such as "Coada la pâine" ("Queuing for Bread", 1920). According to Zambaccian, Tonitza stopped short of adopting clear Expressionist tenets ("Modigliani and Pascin favored contorting [shapes], while Tonitza does not stray away from nature and places an emphasis on feeling"); the two continued to oppose each other on the issue of Henri Matisse's style (admired by Zambaccian, by hotly contested by Tonitza). A more distant but no less direct influence was the graphic art of Honoré Daumier, which Tonitza had studied.

For more of this artist's work see this MWW gallery: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=TheMuseumWithoutWalls&set=a.3604231583015518

[get-starfingered]

I was getting around to answering one of the two new asks in my inbox, tried to save a draft, and now it's gone. Good job tumblr, great website, 2/10.

Sorry to the anon who left that particular ask. But regarding the topic of how the part 6 women were written, agreed, they're fantastic and human as opposed to gender cardboard cutouts. I do like the girls and women in parts 1-5, few as they may be, but they do generally fall flat compared to Jolyne et al.

(And yes, Pucci is a fantastic character and villain too. The way he contrasts and even compliments Jolyne's character and her role is really intriguing too.)

For decades fandom as a whole often explained it's general lack of interest in girl and women characters as a fault of the canon writing/portrayals. That women were often poorly and/or underwritten, or less interesting than the men characters. To some degree that can and has been true, though there's obviously more going on given that fandom has no problem enjoying, expanding, and focusing on equally badly/underwritten men characters (we live in a cis patriarchal society, no one is unscathed by misogyny).

This is often the excuse that comes up in the Jojo fandom too, but that falls completely flat when it comes to part 6. Jolyne, Ermes, and Foo Fighters are complex, flawed, human, loving, furious, ambitious, clever, and good fighters. Each of their character arcs, their growth as people and their bonds with each other and then some is integral to Stone Ocean, so none of that "but the womenz suck" shit flies here. Even the villains/antagonists like Gwess, Miraschon, and Miu Miu are fun! People sidestepping all of them just to fawn over the male characters is rather glaring in this case. They aren't relegated to the side like Holly, Erina, Yukako, etc (and I love these characters too!).

Though there's newfound appreciation and fanworks for Stone Ocean, I do miss the pre-anime Stone Ocean fandom. We're still here obviously, but it feels drowned out by everything else. At least before we were pretty much obsessed with the core trio (shipping and non-shipping meta & art alike).

Oh well.

[aldreambox]

First post and its beyblade x 🔥 omg pierce the veil reference

[socialmediaviralvideo]

What does it mean to go viral on social media: Success Stories

In the landscape of digital marketing, the phenomenon of "Social Media Viral Video" is akin to striking gold. When a post, video, or tweet spreads like wildfire across the internet, it can transform unknowns into celebrities, elevate small businesses to prominence, and change lives overnight. But what exactly does it mean to go viral on social media, and what are some success stories that illustrate the power of viral content?

Understanding Virality

To go viral means to create content that is shared extensively across social media platforms, reaching a massive audience far beyond the original follower count. Virality is usually driven by content that evokes strong emotional responses such as laughter, awe, or empathy. It can happen organically, through the inherent appeal and sharability of the content, or it can be fueled by current trends, societal movements, or even sheer luck.

The metrics of virality aren't exact, but generally, if a piece of content receives exponentially more shares, likes, and comments compared to usual posts, it's considered viral. This can result in millions of views, new followers, and significant media attention.

Success Stories of Virality

The Ice Bucket Challenge: Perhaps one of the most impactful viral campaigns was the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. What started as a small initiative to raise awareness and funds for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) research exploded into a global phenomenon in 2014. Thousands of people, including celebrities and high-profile personalities, posted videos of pouring ice-cold water over their heads and challenging others to do the same. The campaign not only went viral but also raised over $115 million for ALS research, showing how virality can drive real-world impact.

Dude With Sign: Seth Phillips, better known as the "Dude With Sign", turned holding up cardboard signs with relatable, often humorous statements into an Instagram sensation. His simple, direct way of highlighting everyday frustrations resonated with millions. This viral approach not only garnered him over 7.6 million followers but also attracted collaborations with major brands, showcasing how individual creativity can capture widespread public attention.

Old Spice Campaign: The Old Spice "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" campaign redefined the brand’s image and reached a new, younger audience. Launched in 2010, the original commercial featured actor Isaiah Mustafa and was notable for its humorous and bizarre monologue. The ad went viral, and Old Spice followed up with a series of interactive videos responding to fans' comments on social media. This not only boosted sales significantly but also set a benchmark for interactive and viral marketing campaigns.

TikTok and "Ratatouille The Musical": In 2020, TikTok users collectively began creating what would become "Ratatouille The Musical." What started as a humorous ode to the Pixar film "Ratatouille" turned into a series of songs, choreographies, and eventually, a full-fledged musical production that was performed as a benefit concert, raising over $1 million for The Actors Fund. This unique viral moment highlighted the collaborative power of social media platforms to create and fund art in a new, digital-first environment.

#LikeAGirl Campaign: Launched by Always, the #LikeAGirl campaign aimed to tackle stereotypes associated with girls in sports. The campaign's centerpiece, a video challenging the derogatory connotation of the phrase "like a girl," went viral for its empowering message. It not only increased Always’ brand sentiment but also sparked important conversations about gender stereotypes, proving that viral content can also drive meaningful societal conversations.

The Impact of Going Viral

The consequences of going viral can be profound. For individuals, it can mean sudden fame and the potential for monetization through brand partnerships and media deals. For businesses, viral content can lead to a significant boost in sales and brand loyalty. However, virality is also unpredictable and can sometimes be a double-edged sword, where the intense spotlight and scrutiny can backfire.

In conclusion, going viral on social media means creating content that resonates deeply enough with people that they feel compelled to share it. While not every viral story leads to lasting success, the stories of the Ice Bucket Challenge, Dude With Sign, Old Spice, "Ratatouille The Musical", and #LikeAGirl show that the effects of viral content can extend far beyond mere numbers. They can influence culture, raise awareness, and even alter perceptions, demonstrating the transformative power of social media.

[anbarin-ghanem]

Transforming Same Day Delivery into an Experience in Dubai

In the ever-evolving landscape of same-day delivery in Dubai, Al-Nasheet has emerged as a beacon of innovation and excellence. With a focus on delivering not just packages but exceptional experiences, Al-Nasheet has redefined the way people perceive and interact with delivery services in the city. This blog delves deeper into the transformative journey of Al-Nasheet, its commitment to customer satisfaction, and the unparalleled experiences it brings to the forefront of Dubai's logistics industry.

Elevating Customer Experience:

At the core of Al-Nasheet's philosophy is a relentless dedication to exceeding customer expectations. Beyond simply delivering goods, Al-Nasheet strives to create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression. From the moment a customer places an order to the joyful reception of their package, every touchpoint is carefully curated to delight and surprise.

Personalized Service:

Al-Nasheet understands that every customer is unique, with distinct preferences and needs. That's why it offers personalized delivery options, allowing customers to choose their preferred delivery time, location, and even packaging style. Whether it's a birthday gift or a corporate document, Al-Nasheet ensures that every delivery is tailored to the recipient's specifications.

Seamless Communication:

Clear and timely communication is the cornerstone of a positive delivery experience. Al-Nasheet keeps customers informed at every stage of the delivery process, sending real-time updates via SMS, email, or its intuitive mobile app. From order confirmation to arrival notifications, customers can rest assured that they're always in the loop.

Exceptional Customer Support:

In the rare event of a hiccup or delay, Al-Nasheet's dedicated customer support team is ready to assist with prompt and courteous service. Whether it's tracking down a missing package or addressing a delivery issue, customers can rely on Al-Nasheet to resolve any concerns with professionalism and care.

Innovative Technology:

At the heart of Al-Nasheet's success lies its relentless pursuit of technological innovation. By harnessing the latest advancements in logistics technology, Al-Nasheet continually raises the bar for efficiency, reliability, and convenience.

AI-Powered Routing:

Al-Nasheet's proprietary routing algorithm optimizes delivery routes in real-time, taking into account factors such as traffic patterns, weather conditions, and delivery volume. This dynamic approach ensures that deliveries are completed swiftly and efficiently, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Smart Warehousing:

Al-Nasheet's state-of-the-art warehouses are equipped with advanced automation and robotics technology, enabling seamless order fulfillment and inventory management. By streamlining operations and minimizing human error, Al-Nasheet maintains high standards of accuracy and reliability.

Predictive Analytics:

By analyzing historical data and market trends, Al-Nasheet anticipates future demand and adjusts its operations accordingly. This proactive approach not only prevents bottlenecks and delays but also enables Al-Nasheet to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing marketplace.

Sustainable Practices:

As a responsible corporate citizen, Al-Nasheet is committed to minimizing its environmental footprint and promoting sustainability in every aspect of its operations.

Green Fleet:

Al-Nasheet's delivery fleet consists of eco-friendly vehicles powered by electric or hybrid technology, reducing emissions and carbon footprint. By embracing clean energy solutions, Al-Nasheet contributes to a healthier future for delivery service in Dubai

Recyclable Packaging:

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In a world where speed and efficiency often take precedence, Al-Nasheet stands as a beacon of humanity and empathy in Dubai's bustling delivery scene. By prioritizing customer experience, embracing innovation, and promoting sustainability, Al-Nasheet transcends the traditional boundaries of logistics, transforming same-day delivery into an art form. As Dubai continues to evolve as a global hub of commerce and culture, Al-Nasheet remains committed to delivering not just packages but unforgettable experiences that enrich the lives of everyone it touches.

[lacolonia]

La Mentalidad Boricua

Bregar con puertorriqueños es lo último

Gabriel García Márquez, el célebre escritor colombiano, situaba sus personajes en el no menos famoso pueblo de Macondo, donde la realidad mágica que allí vivían jamás fue tan enigmática como la que impera en la isla de Puerto Rico. Macondo, claro, es un pueblo mítico, redactado a la medida para la literatura universal y parecido en rasgos claves a la hidalga altiplanicie con molinos y no gigantes de los manchegos, donde la magia existía en la mente del caballero.

Sketch. Fair use of iconic historical art work claimed.

Borikén de las Antillas, bautizada San Juan Bautista, luego Puerto Rico y con gran afecto Borinquen, da la impresión de ser aun más maconda que la propia Aracataca novelesca. Sus personajes viven en un mundo con lógica maleable y amoldable que nadie sabe a ciencia cierta si funciona o no. No importa. Se vive, algo más que meramente vegetar pero nada pretencioso en cuanto a grandes logros o hazañas memorables. Los boricuas no hubiésemos sido pioneros en la luna ni aquellos pilotos audaces que sobrevolaron Pearl Harbor. En la ínsula no hay apetito para esas cosas. No iremos a Marte en el viaje inaugural.

“Tipo, ¿tú estás loco? ¡Mira y que Marte!”

Sin embargo, cada día realizamos locuras sin sentido por montones, sin pensar si el embrollo será un éxito o un fracaso o qué se yo. Menos riesgo hubiésemos afrontado bombardeando acorazados en el medio del Pacífico. Pero eso nada importa. Lo importante es pasarla bien. Con baile, baraja y botella los colonos españoles retuvieron lo poco que les quedaba de su monumental imperio del Siglo de Oro hasta casi los albores del XX. El pueblo colonizado falló en poner coto a la colonia. Hasta el día de hoy. Apacible, este islote, no? Bueno…

Por la encendida patria antillana invito al lector a explorar con este servidor el carácter de esta personalidad colectiva singular que compartimos los hermanos hispanoparlantes del Caribe, aunque por deferencia fraternal no entraré mucho en las comarcas de nuestros vecinos. Son ellos a quienes les compete examinar su territorio cultural. Pero aquí quizá encuentren una que otra costumbre con la cual se puedan identificar. Que para bien y provecho sea.

"Luis Palés Matos" (2010) by José Buscaglia Guillermety. Mixed media on cardboard. Fair use.

Un día fui a la farmacia de cierto Costco para vacunarme contra el Covid-19. Cuando la señora farmacéutica terminó pregunté si le agradaba trabajar en esa multinacional. Siendo ex-profe de estrategia gerencial, aprovecho coyunturas como esta para auscultar el desempeño de las empresas comerciales y agencias gubernamentales que proveen la inmensa mayoría de los productos y servicios que consumimos, y que por ende corren la economía. Estas afectan la calidad de vida de todo el mundo y nuestra seguridad personal. Lamento informar que en cuanto a relaciones humanas se refiere, los gerentes y otros empleados de servicio al cliente, al igual que sus compatriotas, son mayormente un desastre. ¿Y cuánto es ese “mayormente”? Como mostraré en un próximo ensayo, la cifra sobrepasa por un pico —no se asuste— el 96%. Eso parece increíble, dirán algunos. No. Eso da ganas de llorar.

La señora, muy profesional, me contestó que ella estaba finalizando trámites para irse de Puerto Rico. Sorprendido por su franca respuesta, que ampliaba el alcance de mi pregunta de la corporación al país en su totalidad, le pregunté por qué razón iba a emigrar. Me dijo que la gente aquí estaba en guerra contra ellos mismos y ella no quería que su hija creciera en un ambiente de constante hostilidad. Se iba para un pueblito de Texas (!) donde ella sabía se podía vivir con mesura, orden y tranquilidad, a pesar de ser un estado sureño y ella negra. Aun así, se iba a vivir con gente que entendía era más cuerda que los de aquí. Sóbate, kid.

¡Válgame! ¡Qué clase de latigazo le propinó al país! País en guerra sin sentido, pues no es una revolución con alto propósito. No se reforma nada. Es puro caos. Caos de una gente que no sabe corregir su trastorno mental colectivo.

Mi enfoque en estos ensayos es el de análisis de sistemas cibernéticos aplicado a la cultura social de los habitantes de Puerto Rico. La cibernética es la ciencia que estudia el control y la comunicación en el animal, la máquina y la sociedad. Es la base de la ciencia cognitiva, la cual uso para hacer sentido de conductas que distan de lo esperado en grupos de animales «inteligentes». En particular, nuestro país está retorcido por la mentira, el chanchullo, la mediocridad, y la vil corrupción. Pero en vez de referirme a los cuatro atributos en conjunto por sus siglas (MChMC, que no expresa nada inteligible), uso el sustantivo mangoneo (del verbo mangonear, en el sentido de andar vagueando sin saber qué [rayos] hacer — DRAE) para agrupar los cuatro rasgos distintivos que caracterizan el notorio mangoneo criollo. Que por cierto es un mangoneo brutal!

Lo censurable aquí no es la crítica del patrón habitual dominante en la cultura sino que ―para la abrumadora mayoría de las personas―, ese mangoneo, que está profundamente arraigado en la psiquis de la cultura nacional, continúe en crecimiento como huracán de Cabo Verde. A nadie parece preocuparle que la cosa siga así, la señora farmacéutica siendo una excepción. Este relajo se tiene que acabar, antes de que el relajo acabe con nosotros. Toda acción o inacción en un sistema trae consecuencias. Son ineludibles. ¡Despierta, boricua!

Puerto Rico no será el único país que sufre el mal del mangoneo, pero aquí ha devastado nuestra sociedad. El que no soporta este ambiente tóxico agarra sus motetes y se larga. La isla lleva años sangrando población. Y para el colmo, se nos van los más jóvenes, diestros y preparados. La isla se ha convertido en una bomba tipo hidráulica que expulsa lo mejor de su talento.

¿Exagero la nota al presentar un cuadro tan alarmante? Vamos a ver. En su World Economic Outlook revisado a enero del 2024, el Fondo Monetario Internacional (IMF) pronostica crecimiento económico para todos los países del mundo con la excepción de dos: Guinea Ecuatorial, una nación con grandes problemas causados por su explotación colonial, y Puerto Rico, país con residuos del coloniaje pero un enorme trastorno vernáculo producto de sus alocados habitantes que no tienen la más mínima idea de cómo rayos administrarse en pleno siglo XXI. Excusas, papote, no hay. Chupad esa en lo que os mondo la otra.

¡El mangoneo en puertorro es sensacional! ¡Arriba «Macondo»!

No tengo soluciones mágicas para resolver este problema. Pero para encontrar una posible solución primero hay que comprender la naturaleza genuina del problema, no lo que se nos venga a la mente por bembeteo sin analizar. Ese paso lo requiere el análisis de sistemas cuando empieza por definir el problema antes de diseñar una solución. (Así se evita resolver el problema equivocado.) Eso es lo que procuro hacer aquí.

Bienvenidos a la excursión por el mundo mágico de la colonia más antigua del planeta. Espero disfruten el viaje. 🇵🇷

Sentry box at El Morro Castle in San Juan, PR. Photo by Transplanted Tatar. See her blog. Pending approval.

Artículos sobre la lesa cultura que programa la mentalidad puertorriqueña

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[chaotic-theatrical-weaver]

Preschool-age Pearl headcanons, courtesy of Al and me:

Based on something that actually happened to me: for her preschool’s career day, Pearl said she wanted to be a mail carrier because she liked the outfit (and because the costume for the career she actually wanted was unavailable).

Drew on the walls in the house she lived in with Mia and Mia kept the art (per Al); Mia took pictures of the walls before cleaning them with Pearl so that Pearl could draw on them again (per me).

Was definitely in possession of at least two rotating stuffed bunnies sewn from identical fabric for her by Mia.

Did not get the point of lollipops at all. She just licked them once and threw them out (yes, this is something I actually did).

Given that she was 4 when “Running Up That Hill” came out, it was her favorite song. (Adult Pearl is probably very pleased at the song’s resurgence.)

Well-behaved in stores, but on the occasion that Mia let her pick a stuffed toy or doll to buy and there just so happened to only be two left, Pearl cried because she didn’t want the other to feel lonely. Mia made her pick only one but gave her all the supplies she needed to make a friend for the one she chose. Pearl enjoyed the creation process a lot and wound up making toys regardless of whether she felt her existing ones needed friends. The number of homemade toys she had quickly exceeded the store-bought ones.

According to Al, Pearl’s favorite playground activity is swinging, and her least favorite is tetherball. I can see her trying to run away from the ball. I was that kind of person (still am with volleyball). Her second favorite thing to play with is hula hoops, and she is not a monkey bars kind of girl but tries her hardest anyway. Most often, though, she can be seen playing pretend with wands and fairy wings that she made with her mom.

Mia made Pearl a little cardboard loom and taught her how to weave as an exercise in fine motor skills.

[thevoyageurmoteplass-writing]

‘Look who has business cards,’ Freddy sang, causing Alia to roll her eyes but not to look up from the statistics homework she was currently pouring over with little success at understanding.

Not that it mattered. A moment later a card was shoved under her nose. Instead of reading it, she snatched it from his hand and glared up at him. There were dozens of the little cardboard things in one hand, held protectively close to his chest.

'I told you I didn’t need business cards, Freddy,’ she grumbled, before finally looking at the one she had. Her irritation turned to disgust with a groan. ’“Alia Underwood, Master of the Dark Arts.” Freddy!’ She looked up at him sharply, but her best friend was grinning as he carefully pocketed the rest of the cards.

'What, you are,’ he argued.

'No, I’m not, Freddy. It takes years of practice to get that title,’ she said wearily, throwing the card down onto her homework.

'Who’s gonna know that?’ He offered her little more than a dismissive shrug. 'And don’t knock it now, I’ve got a hundred of these babies. We’re gonna be inundated before you know it. You can choose your clients, Al.’

'A hundred?’ she echoed disbelievingly.

He nodded eagerly. 'Come on, this is going to be fun.’

Alia groaned as she slumped into her seat once more. Why had she ever agreed to this?

[theniftycat]

Give Ken Russell a chance or don’t

He’s my favourite director and watching his movies is an event. He’s not for everyone.

He could portray intense feelings.

He understood Love, Religion, Sex, Art, Music, and Humour.

He could make a beautiful scene out of cardboard and a flower crown.

He was controversial, misunderstood, and underappreciated.

Because he was known for his artistry, he was sometimes given a chance at a mainstream project, but he was too horny and out there to make a good mainstream movie. so he flopped.

And then he struggled to find money and made high art on minuscule budgets.

His love scenes are about obsession and passion.

His religion takes are about the corruption that power brings and oppression in the spiritual realm.

His sex scenes are wild and unrestrained.

His art works are sublime.

His music usage is grandiose and unmatched.

His humour is omnipresent, he never takes himself too seriously.

He was just too wild and unconventional to succeed. His works have a reputation of being violent and exploitative, but it’s a peanut brain take. He understood love and he could show it without romantisation. He understood sex and could show it sincerely.

My recommendations (I haven’t seen everything he made):

The Devils (18+). My favourite movie of his and it shows his range very well.

Mahler (18+). A very aesthetically pleasing composer biopic with some heavy themes and wild imagery.

The Rainbow (15+). A coming of age story of a girl based on a classic novel. The heroine encounters some nasty people on her way, but comes out a winner.

The Gothic (15+). A relatively well known film about the summer Byron, the Shellys, Polidori et al spent at the Geneva lake. A visually stunning film with well known actors. Not too deep, but a great watch.

The Lair of the White Worm. A pulpy horror with some wild imagery.

Lizstomania. Honestly, a favourite, but it’s probably 21+. A very unconventional 70s rock look at Lizst.

Crimes of Passion (18+). Story of a sex worker stalked by a priest. It’s from the pov of the sex worker and she rocks.

Music Lovers (15+). What if Tchaikovsky, but with a lot of sexual imagery and fantasy sequences? Amazing.

Valentino (15+). A nice looking biopic with beautiful scenes and great dancing sequences.

Salome’s Last Dance (15+). Based on Oscar Wilde’s play.

Age restrictions are based on my memory. He’s just not children friendly.