#alliance of wald

[okami-zero]

So saw a gifset of Alexstrasza in Dragonflight, and she looks so freaking pretty. Like, a lot of the visuals have come along by leaps and bounds. And as neat as all the new stuff is... Like, I was excited when it came out, was kind of building into my hype... and then I remembered Shadowlands. And to a lesser extent, BfA. And I just... can't. The story went fucking sidewise in BfA, and then Shadowlands just kind of threw everything out the window to the point a novel had to be written to make sense of a MAJOR PLOTPOINT. Actually, no, more like a major plot THROUGHLINE, because it informed the shit that went down in BfA, too. And, since it impacted the game, it should have been IN. THE. GAME. And nothing came of any of any of it (except robbing some excellent villains of their agency, which was bullshit)! The novel came out after the fact and while I hear it is good, a retroactive fix is not enough to get me back in. Besides, I had stopped playing in...June? Of 2021 - none of my former guildmates or other friends were ever online while I was on (the guild kind of just...faded away halfway or so through BfA) and pugging in WoW is absolute bullshit. I managed to do...one dungeon, I think? Managed to snag a friend to heal, and while we are doing this run, my very first tanking run of this dungeon, one of the DPS tried to vote to kick me because I wasn't facepulling. And that is a WHOLE OTHER RANT, right there. I digress.

However, that does not mean that my WoW characters are gone or have stopped. Especially my main, Xanotos, who has existed very nearly *as long as WoW itself*, in one form or another and on various servers. He, his partner and my rogues' gallery of other various characters are now RP-only, existing in chat RPs and in a neat little private server that is primarily RP. Like, no combat stuff at all.

For me, Legion was the neat little bow that tied off pretty much all of Warcraft 3's loose ends (despite the absolute twaddle in ads about Shadowlands being the end, fuck you new writing team). The folks I poke around with kind of pick at BfA for the good bits and leave the rest out and we kind of ignore Shadowlands. But yea, Xano is still going, doing his thing in Azeroth, albeit not in the main line.

And, like, maybe someday, they'll do something that might get me to look at the game again, but the taint from Shadowlands BS and to a lesser extent, BfA just...no. Y'all shat all over 15+ years of lore and didn't even manage to give a satisfying end (or memorable villain) for the effort. So Xano is not gone, and most certainly not forgotten.

My focus right now is FFXIV and Akagi and that is where most of my energy and focus lie. But The Beast of the Black Wald is still kicking and there are plenty of tales I need to tell with him.

And I will not yuck anyone's yum here. If you are hype about Dragonflight, please enjoy it! I'll not decry what is fun for you, just because I don't enjoy it anymore. And don't let anyone else naysay you, either. Get out there and fuck up whatever bad dudes show up! For the Alliance, For the Horde, For Azeroth.

[fredericawald]

Charting New Paths in Philanthropy with Frederica N Wald - The Impact of a Strategic Communications Leader on Fundraising and Partnerships

In the dynamic sphere of philanthropy, change is the only constant. Former senior marketing, development, and communications leader Frederica N Wald has played several important roles in these evolving fields, with her previous work growing more critical as organizations strove to connect with their donors innovatively and develop enduring alliances.

Freddi Wald

Traditionally, philanthropy has been seen as a straightforward exchange of funds from donors to causes. However, in today's complex landscape, it takes more than a simple transaction to drive meaningful change. This is where strategic communications leaders come into play, reshaping the narrative and redefining the approach to fundraising and partnerships.

Frederica Wald

Picture a world where the donor is not merely a check-writer but a passionate advocate, deeply connected to the cause. Strategic communications leaders are instrumental in making this vision a reality. They are the architects of compelling stories that inspire action, crafting narratives that resonate with the hearts and minds of potential supporters.

In the past, fundraising was often a transactional process, with organizations relying on numbers and metrics to assess success. But now, it's about fostering a genuine connection with donors and partners. Strategic communications leaders are adept at navigating this shift, employing their skills to build bridges between philanthropic organizations and their stakeholders.

Strategic communications leaders, such as Frederica N Wald, have steered a paradigm shift in philanthropy - from pure fundraising to nurturing enduring alliances. Rather than just meeting financial objectives, the emphasis is now on developing meaningful connections that propel lasting impact. This empathetic and genuine approach holds the promise to reshape the landscape of philanthropy.

Take, for instance, the power of storytelling. Strategic communications leaders recognize that a compelling narrative can break through the noise and touch people's hearts. They understand that statistics alone do not motivate action; it's the stories of real people and their journeys that inspire others to join the cause.

In the world of strategic communications, the focus is on weaving narratives that highlight the impact of donations and partnerships. These stories become the lifeblood of philanthropic organizations, connecting donors with the tangible outcomes of their contributions. It's a shift from abstract numbers to relatable human stories.

Moreover, strategic communications leaders are adept at adapting their messaging to different audiences. They understand that not all donors are the same, and a one-size-fits-all approach no longer suffices. Instead, they tailor their communications to resonate with diverse groups, acknowledging the unique motivations and concerns of each.

In an era where authenticity and transparency are prized, strategic communications leaders play a pivotal role in building trust. They ensure that donors and partners have a clear understanding of how their contributions are being utilized and the impact they are making. This transparency fosters confidence and encourages long-term commitment.

In addition to redefining donor relationships, strategic communications leaders are instrumental in forging partnerships that transcend the transactional. Collaborations between philanthropic organizations, corporations, and other stakeholders are no longer solely driven by financial incentives. Instead, they are grounded in shared values and a common vision for social change.

These leaders, like Frederica N Wald, play a significant role in fostering insightful conversations between organizations, filling voids, and harmonizing goals. They comprehend that collaborations go beyond simple resource trading and work towards establishing synergy that magnifies the outcome of united endeavors.

Strategic communications leaders navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape with finesse. In today's interconnected world, online presence and engagement are vital. These leaders harness the power of social media, digital storytelling, and online campaigns to reach wider audiences and mobilize support.

They recognize that the internet is a double-edged sword, with the potential to both amplify and dilute messages. Therefore, they employ a strategic approach to online communications, ensuring that their narratives are not lost in the digital noise.

The impact of strategic communications leaders also extends to crisis management and reputation building. In the complex world we live in, philanthropic organizations are not immune to challenges and controversies. When faced with such situations, these leaders are the calm in the storm, guiding organizations to navigate turbulent waters while preserving their integrity and credibility.

Furthermore, they recognize the importance of staying ahead of emerging trends and societal shifts. Strategic communications leaders are vigilant in monitoring changes in public sentiment and global issues, allowing organizations to adapt and respond effectively. They are proactive in addressing issues before they become crises, safeguarding the reputation of their organizations and the causes they champion.

Leaders like Frederica N Wald are integral to the shaping of public policy and advocacy initiatives within the realm of philanthropy. They acknowledge that systemic alterations often demand more than mere monetary inputs; they involve the need for persuasion and alteration of policies and guidelines. By interacting with policymakers and championing for significant reforms, they ensure that philanthropic efforts serve as a catalyst facilitating enduring and impactful change.

The philanthropic sector is not without its challenges, and strategic communications leaders are acutely aware of the obstacles they face. From donor fatigue to increased scrutiny of nonprofit organizations, they navigate these challenges with resilience and creativity. They are at the forefront of finding innovative solutions to these issues, ensuring that philanthropy remains a force for good in an ever-changing world.

The influence of strategic communications leaders in philanthropy cannot be overstated. They are the architects of a new paradigm where giving is not just an act but a profound connection to a cause. They navigate the shifting landscape with agility, fostering authentic relationships, and building lasting partnerships. Their work extends beyond fundraising, encompassing crisis management, reputation building, and advocacy efforts.

Philanthropy is a complex field that demands dynamism, innovation, and the ability to adapt. It requires leaders, such as Frederica N Wald, who advocate for honesty, sincerity, and the influence of narratives to rally support and instigate change. As we envision the future of philanthropy, the pivotal role of a strategic communications leader in crafting a more empathetic and influential world becomes evident. Their endeavors are a tribute to the conviction that, collectively, we can map out new routes towards a future that is brighter and fairer for everybody.

[shadowsphere]

☼Sphere's 86 -Eighty Six- Masterlist☼

"𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘶𝘺𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬… 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰? 𝘒𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸, 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺?" -𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘪 𝘕𝘰𝘶𝘻𝘦𝘯 "𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭; 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘯𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘴." -𝘝𝘰𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦

☀︎ - 𝘚𝘮𝘶𝘵 ☁︎ - 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵 ⛅︎ - 𝘍𝘭𝘶𝘧𝘧

🔮Republic of San Magnolia

☼ Vladilena Milizé (Lena) ☼ Henrietta von Penrose (Annette) ☼ Dustin Jaeger

🔮Eight-Six

☼ Shinei Nouzen (Shin) ☼ Raiden Shuga ☼ Anju Emma ☼ Kurena Kukumila ☼ Theoto Rikka (Theo) ☼ Daiya Irma ☼ Kaie Taniya ☼ Shiden Iida ☼ Shana Aya ☼ Reki Michihi ☼ Rito Oriya ☼ Yuuto Crow ☼ Isuka

🔮Giadian Empire

☼ Grethe Wenzel ☼ Erwin Marcel ☼ Brent Bernholdt ☼ Eugene Rantz ☼ Willem Ehrenfried ☼ Kiriya Nouzen

🔮Roa Gracia

☼ Viktor Idinarohk

🔮Alliance of Wald

☼ Olivia Aegis

🔮Regicide Fleet Countries

☼ Ishmael Ahab

🔮Noiryanaruse

☼ Himmelnåde Réze (Hilnå)

[roesolo]

Sloth's Treehouse Inn is getting a little crowded!

Sloth's Treehouse Inn is getting a little crowded! @barbfisch @blueslipper @sandiegozoo

Sloth’s Treehouse Inn, by Carrie Hasler/Illustrated by Christina Wald, (Oct. 2022, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press), $17.99, ISBN: 9781943198139 Ages 4-8 Deep in the Amazon rainforest, Santiago the Sloth is the innkeeper at The Treehouse Inn; it’s a place where residents of the forest can go to relax, hang around, and take long naps. As humans encroach on the rainforest, more and more…

[hope-for-the-planet]

What an amazing start to 2021!

The Swinhoe’s softshell turtle (also known as the Yangtze softshell turtle), is probably the most endangered turtle species in the world. The last known female passed away in 2019 after failing to produce any offspring with the last known male.

However, scientists from Indo-Myanmar Conservation and the Wildlife Conservation Society discovered a Swinhoe’s softshell in Dung Mo Lake and have now confirmed that she is indeed a female. There is also a chance that another Swinhoe’s softshell (likely a male) may also be living in the same lake, but the species of this turtle has not been confirmed.

“This is the best news of the year, and quite possibly the last decade, for global turtle conservation.” -Andrew Walde (Turtle Survival Alliance)

Quote source

[thehappybroadcast]

"In a year full of bad news and sadness across the globe, the discovery of this female can offer all some hope that this species will be given another chance to survive," Hoang Bich Thuy, the country director for the Wildlife Conservation Society Vietnam, says in the press release.Researchers discovered a wild female in Dong Mo Lake in Vietnam last October, offering a glimmer of hope for saving the species. Swinhoe’s softshell turtles, also known as the Hoan Kiem turtle or Yangtze giant softshell turtle, were pushed to the brink of extinction by habitat destruction and by hunters who sought the turtles' meat and eggs. "This is the best news of the year, and quite possibly the last decade, for global turtle conservation," Andrew Walde, the chief operating officer of the Turtle Survival Alliance, says in the press release. "As the most endangered turtle on Earth, a tremendous amount of energy and resources have been dedicated to the preservation of Swinhoe’s softshell turtle. Following the loss of the only known female at the time in 2019, the confirmation of this wild specimen as female is a cause for celebration for all those who have worked tirelessly to see this turtle species survive." Source: Smithsonian Magazine https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/discovery-female-renews-hope-saving-worlds-most-endangered-turtle-180976696/

[earthstory]

The Externsteine The natural sandstone outcrop of Externsteine is a rare sight in the German Teutoburger forest, which is largely devoid of rocks. Throughout history this remarkable rock formation has been subject to debate, mostly about its possible function as a ‘Germanic’ cult site.

The Externsteine formation consists of thirteen sandstone pillars rising abruptly from the heavily forested landscape. The sandstone (then horizontal) formed in the Cretaceous when a large shallow sea covered Northern Europe and was folded vertically by tectonic forces around 70 million years ago. Erosion and weathering formed its characteristic pillars. Externsteine is claimed to be Old Saxon ritual place with astronomical implications. Supposedly one of the pillars contains a circular hole that aligns with the sunrise on summer solstice. Thus, Neo-pagans see Externsteine as the German Stonehenge. As for the archaeological evidence; the site was visited occasionally in the Upper Palaeolithic, demonstrated by the some stone tools. Evidence for habitation for either the Bronze and Iron Age or the Late Roman and Migration period is absent. If the site was an Old Saxon cult site one would expect to find archaeological evidence from exactly these latter two periods. Evidence for extensive use of the site starts in the Middle Ages when Christian monks visited the site. Written sources first mention the rock formation in 1129. The date of the so-called Externsteine relief, which depicts the Descent of the Cross scene, is largely debated. Goethe has claimed it to date from the Carolingian period (which indicates that it is placed within the Old Saxon time frame), however consensus at present day places it in the year 1160. After the Middle Ages the Externsteine served as an prison and a hermitary. Runic rock carvings from the 1930s have also been found at the site. Today it is believed that the cult site claim is mainly due to National Socialism propaganda from the 20th century. The Externsteine became the focus of interest for the Nazis as a symbol of nationalism, or more specifically of ‘Teutonic ancestry’. The fact that the famous Battle of Teutoburg Forest took place in the forest likely played an important role in this feeling of Germanic unity. During this battle in 9 AD an alliance of Germanic tribes defeated three Roman legions led by Varus. Also, Jacob Grimm stated that the location of Irminsul, a mythical Old Saxon pillar sometimes represented as an large tree trunk, was somewhere in the Teutoburger Wald. Thus the Nazis spend a lot of time ‘researching’ the area and doing excavations, in this process created an imagined pagan mythology surrounding the Externsteine. In 1935 Wilhelm Teidt supposedly found the mythical Irminsul. Himmler stopped the publication of the excavation report after archaeological research was performed, probably because they could not find anything to fuel their claims. Even at present day Externsteine remains a popular destination for Neo-Nazis as well as neo-pagans. -OW- Image: courtesy of Catman61 (http://bit.ly/1W1kBkp). The pond visible in the image is artificial and was created in the 19th century. Many features of the pillars have been modified by people over time. References: Walther Matthes & Rolf Speckner. 1997. Das Relief an den Externsteinen. Ein karolingisches Kunstwerk und sein spiritueller Hintergrund. edition tertium, Ostfildern vor Stuttgart. Gazin-Schwartz Amy & Cornelius J. Holtorf et al. 1999. Archaeology and folklore. Cht. On the folklore of the Externsteine. http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/externsteine

[the-busy-ghost]

Richt excellent, richt hie and mithty Prince, our derrest and best belovit Brothir, We commend ws unto zow in oure maist hertlie wise. Zoure ambassadoure Doctoure West deliverit ws zoure lovyng lettrez in quhiwis ze schew ws that quhare ze harde of our seiknes ze tuke grete hevynes. Deerest brother We ar greitly rejosit that we se ze have respect to oure disese, and thairfor We geve zou oure hartlie thankis and zoure writing is to ws gude confort. We can nocht beleve that of zoure mynd or be zoure command we are sa friendly delt with in our faderis Legacy, quharof we wald nocht have spokyn nor writing had nocht the Doctoure now spokyn to ws of the sammyn in his credence. Oure husband knawis that is withhaldin for his saik, and will recompens ws safer as the Doctoure schew him. We ar eschamit thairwith; and wald God nevir word had bene tharof. It is nocht worth sic estimacioun as is in zoure divers lettrez of the sammyn; and we lak na thing; our husband is evir the langer the better to ws, as knawis God, quha richt hie and micht Prince, oure derrest and bestbelovit brothir, have zou in governaunce. Geven under oure Signete at oure Palace of Linlithgw the xj day of Aprile.  Your lowynn syster Margaret.

Letter from Margaret, Queen of Scots, to her brother Henry VIII on 11th April 1513. Printed in full here.

This is one of the few easily accessible letters written by Margaret in 1513. Written five months before the Battle of Flodden, it is addressed to her younger brother Henry VIII and was apparently written during Dr Nicholas West’s embassy to Scotland that year.

I have provided a very rough “translation” of the letter in updated language below, just to make it a bit easier to understand:

“Right excellent, right high and mighty Prince, our dearest and best beloved brother, we commend us unto you in our most heartly [loving] manner. Your ambassador Doctor West delivered [to] us your loving letters in which you show us that when you heard of our sickness you took great heaviness. Dearest brother, we are greatly pleased that we see you have regard for our disease, and therefore we give you our heartly thanks and your writing is to us good comfort. We cannot believe that of your mind or by your command we are so strangely** dealt with in [the matter of] our father’s legacy, whereof we would not have spoken nor written had not the Doctor now spoken to us of the same in his credence. Our husband knows that it is withheld for his sake, and will recompense us safely as the Doctor showed him. We are ashamed therewith; and would [to] God that never a word had been [spoken] thereof. It is not worth such consideration as in your diverse letters of the same; and we lack nothing. Our husband is ever the longer the better to us, as knows God who, right high and mighty Prince, our dearest and best beloved brother, [may[ have you in [his] keeping. Given under our signet at our palace of Linlithgow, the 11th day of April.

Your loving sister,

Margaret.”

Margaret begins by greeting her brother fondly, and says that she has heard how concerned he was about her recent illness. She thanks him for his letters, which she says were a great comfort to her. 

She then moves onto a more awkward subject. Margaret had been left a small ‘legacy’ in her father’s will which Henry VIII was currently withholding. She says she would not have brought the subject up if Dr West had not already mentioned it during their meeting at Linlithgow on 10th April, but thinks that the withholding of the legacy is so strange that she cannot believe Henry would do so. 

She then explains that her husband (King James IV) knows that the legacy is being withheld “for his sake”- presumably because James was not being entirely cooperative with Henry’s plans with regard to France and the Holy League. Because of this James has promised to recompense Margaret. Margaret protests that the affair is altogether shameful for her, and that the legacy is not worth so much trouble. She then emphasises that she lacks nothing and that her husband’s behaviour towards her is better every day, as God can witness. 

She ends by hoping that God will keep Henry her ‘dearest and best beloved brother’ and signs off from Linlithgow.

The letter is an interesting one, though short. In itself it cannot be used to establish Margaret’s full opinion with regard to the tension between her husband and brother. Probably her full thoughts were never committed to parchment anyway. However, as one of the few easily accessible sources from Margaret’s own hand, which might reveal her mind in the months leading up to the war, it is perhaps not what most people would expect. 

English diplomats’ reports occasionally hint that Margaret had promised to work to preserve the Anglo-Scottish alliance, and Scottish historians writing decades later would claim that she was completely against the war- but I can’t think of many contemporary sources that explicitly demonstrate this. I do find it hard to believe that Margaret would have been happy to see the alliance she had been sent north to preserve fall apart, nor would she have been 100% ok with war breaking out between her birth country and her husband’s kingdom. But it was a difficult situation, especially for women, and there is also no contemporary evidence that Margaret acted as anything other than a loyal wife in 1513. Henry’s withholding the legacy- which was not worth very much in the grand scheme of things, except sentimentally- may have seemed a bit petty or even spiteful in the eyes of James IV (and perhaps even Margaret), and is only one aspect of a complex situation.

In any case it’s extremely open to interpretation and I’m sure many would disagree with my assessment. This letter is one of only a few associated with Margaret during her husband’s reign which are at all well-known. Probably more documents exist that have not been so widely published that would give a different perspective- I certainly have not read everything on the subject. But it’s definitely an extra piece in the puzzle that I think not enough people are aware of.

One last note- I always find Margaret’s sentence structure a bit difficult to follow, so I have had to take some liberties with my half-assed transcription and interpretation”, which is why I provided my source for people to make up their own minds. The letter is calendared in Hannay’s ‘Letters of James IV’ and in  Letters and Papers Henry VIII, but Ellis gives a full transcript (I think there might be a few typographical errors though). I thought sharing a source for the full letter might be useful- there’s also some other transcripts of letters in the volume which are very interesting.

** The original says ‘friendly’ but both Hannay and the L&P Henry VIII quote this as ‘fremdly’ which makes much more sense in context- like the modern Dutch word ‘vreemd’, ‘fremd’ meant strange in Old Scots. So I’ve translated this as ‘strangely’. 

[cosmicsinstreamdeutsch]

Cosmic Sin Film Online Ganzer Deutsch Stream 2021

Film stream - https://cosmic-sin-de.blogspot.com/

Sieben Schurkensoldaten schlagen einen Warnschlag gegen die entdeckte außerirdische Zivilisation, in der Hoffnung, einen interstellaren Krieg zu verhindern, noch bevor er beginnt.

Cosmic Sin ist ein amerikanischer Science-Fiction-Film mit Bruce Willis und Frank Grillo unter der Regie von Edward Drake. Im Jahr 2524, 400 Jahre nachdem die Menschheit den Kosmos kolonisieren konnte, sieht Cosmic Sin 7 Soldaten in einem Team, das von „The Alliance“ regiert und von einer neu entdeckten Zivilisation mächtiger Außerirdischer angegriffen wird. In der Hoffnung, dass die Menschheit nicht ausgelöscht wird und ein möglicher interstellarer Krieg gestoppt werden kann, starten diese Soldaten einen Vorsichtsschlag gegen sie. Cosmic Sin ist Co-Autor und Regisseur von Edward Drake und Co-Autor des Schauspielers Corey Large (der im Film auch als Bruce's bff Dash auftritt). Es bietet Action, Aliens, beeindruckend aussehende Waffen und sarkastischen und lustigen Humor. Was jedoch fehlt, ist die Anwesenheit von Bruce Willis als unsere Hauptfigur, obwohl sein Name im Mittelpunkt aller Plakate steht. Ich habe es genossen, Mr. Willis wieder auf unseren Bildschirmen zu sehen, aber ich war mir nicht sicher, welcher Charakter er war, James Ford, der "Blood General", von dem Moment an, als er zu Beginn des Films diese Bar betrat. Obwohl Willis als charismatischer Schauspieler bekannt ist und im Laufe der Jahre in vielen Filmen mitgespielt hat, ist sein Auftritt in Cosmic Sin äußerst glanzlos und sein Partner Frank Grillo (der seinen Chef General Ryle spielt) scheint dies in seinem Namen wieder gut zu machen. Der Beginn des Films ist aufregend und intensiv und hält Sie mit der Prämisse potenzieller Alien-Angriffe in Verbindung, aber manchmal verwässert die Lautstärke der Musik und der Soundeffekte den Dialog und es ist schwer zu hören, was gesagt wird. Dinge, die wichtig gewesen sein könnten, wurden leider übersehen. Sie haben den Eindruck, dass der Film fast fertig ist. Die Geschichte fühlt sich gehetzt und ungleichmäßig an. Wenn der Film die Halbzeitmarke erreicht, ändert sich das Tempo und der Ton ist etwas anders. Sie folgen langsam der Prämisse und verstehen, dass Sie etwas verpasst haben, weil Sie jetzt ein wenig verwirrt darüber sind, was gerade passiert ist. Dinge machen keinen Sinn mehr. Davon abgesehen waren die Auftritte von Brandon Thomas Lee, Costas Mandylor und Adelaide Kane für mich mit ihrer hervorragenden Schauspielkunst, Präsenz auf dem Bildschirm und ihrer Chemie wirklich herausragend. Neben Wilis spielen Perry Reeves, Dr. Lea Goss und C.J. Perry Sol Cantos, etwas enttäuschend. Ihre Charaktere fühlten sich hohl an und ich fühlte nichts von ihnen außer Wut. Ich wusste zu schätzen, dass Cantos eine „böse“ Kriegerin war, die es liebte, Außerirdische zu töten, aber ich war irritiert über ihr Verhalten und ihre Versuche, lustig zu sein. Was ich jedoch schön fand, waren die Orte mit den riesigen grünen Bäumen und den bunten Neonlichtern der Stadtbars. Das Nebeneinander des pulsierenden Trubels des Stadtlebens auf der Erde und im Kosmos - die fliegenden Raumschiffe, der bunte Himmel und die Lautstärke der Bars - überzeugte. Insbesondere der Wald war sehr ästhetisch und rief, wenn auch nur für einen Moment, ein Gefühl der Ruhe hervor, bevor die Waffen herauskamen und Außerirdische anzugreifen begannen. Dieser Film dauert nur 90 Minuten, was heutzutage ehrlich gesagt eine seltene Sache ist, besonders wenn es sich um außerirdische Science-Fiction handelt und vorbeifliegt. Es wird jedoch sehr vorhersehbar, dass einige der Darsteller innerhalb der ersten 45 Minuten wie Fliegen fallen. Das Ende war auch etwas enttäuschend und unbefriedigend. Obwohl ein Teil von mir denkt, dass es ein bittersüßes Ende war und sich der Kreis schloss, fehlte etwas. Vielleicht fühlte es sich gehetzt an und es gab keine konkrete Schlussfolgerung, aber es fühlte sich einfach nicht verdient an. Ich dachte nur: "Oh, war es das?" Wir schreiben das Jahr 2524 und die Erde hat seit Jahrhunderten Kolonien auf dem Mars. Nach einer katastrophalen ersten Begegnung mit dem Leben von Außerirdischen bittet General Eron Ryle (Frank Grillo) den verlegenen General James Ford um Hilfe. Die Invasion steht unmittelbar bevor und es gibt nur einen Mann, der die Zivilisation retten kann, wie wir sie kennen.

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[dermontag]

"Ganz anders als in Vietnam" 73-jähriger US-Veteran will in Ukraine kämpfen 07.04.2022, 13:08 Uhr Ende der 1960er-Jahre kämpft Steven Straub 14 Monate lang im Vietnamkrieg. Nun meldet sich der Veteran aus den USA erneut als Soldat - dieses Mal bei der ukrainischen Nationalgarde. Nach seiner Ausbildung in Kiew will der 73-Jährige in die Hafenstadt Odessa: "Ich bin bereit zu kämpfen". Kurz vor seiner Abreise aus New York hat sich Steven Straub die ukrainische Flagge und die Worte "Free Ukraine" auf den linken Unterarm tätowieren lassen. Der 73-jährige Vietnamkriegs-Veteran will in der Ukraine gegen die Russen kämpfen. Vor fast vier Wochen kam Straub in Lwiw in der Westukraine an. Seit einigen Tagen ist er in der Hauptstadt Kiew, wo er sich als Freiwilliger bei der ukrainischen Nationalgarde gemeldet hat und nun eine Ausbildung absolviert. Straub bewundert die "sehr hohe Moral" der ukrainischen Soldatinnen und Soldaten. (Foto: picture alliance/dpa/AP) An seinem freien Tag nehmen ukrainische Soldaten den Rentner mit auf eine Tour durch die Dörfer nordwestlich von Kiew, aus denen sich die russischen Truppen Ende März zurückgezogen haben. Die Männer sehen ausgebrannte Militärfahrzeuge, eine zerstörte Brücke, ein zuvor besetztes Haus, einen ehemaligen Kontrollpunkt und ein provisorisches Lager in einem Wald, in dem vor dem Abzug 1000 russische Soldaten stationiert waren. Bei jedem Stopp lässt Straub sich erklären, was passiert ist. Der 73-Jährige, der Uniform, Schutzweste und eine schwarze Kappe mit der Aufschrift "Vietnam Veteran" trägt, hört konzentriert zu. "Es ist ganz anders als in Vietnam", sagt er an einem Granatenloch auf einer Straße. Straub war 1968 und 1969 für 14 Monate dort. "Ich war im Dschungel. Ich habe keine Stadt gesehen, kein Gebäude, es gab nur Bäume und Elefantengras", sagt der Rentner, der nach seinem Militärdienst als Techniker an einer Schule in New York arbeitete und inzwischen in Florida lebt. "Was mich hier überrascht hat, war die Moral", sagt Straub. In der Ukraine hätten alle Soldaten "eine sehr hohe Moral. Es ist unglaublich, ganz anders als in Vietnam." Die meisten US-Soldaten seien in Vietnam in den Krieg gezogen, um Geld zu verdienen. Den Ukrainern gehe es darum, "ihre Freiheit und ihr Land zu verteidigen", fährt er voller Bewunderung fort. Die US-Militärhilfe sei dabei eine große Hilfe, aber die Ukrainer bräuchten noch "viel, viel mehr Waffen". "Ein ausgezeichneter Soldat" In einem Dorf hält der Konvoi kurz an. Die Soldaten verteilen Brot und Konservendosen an die Erwachsenen und Spielzeug und Süßigkeiten an die Kinder. Straub holt ein paar Geldscheine aus der Tasche, die drei ältere Damen lächelnd entgegennehmen. Über sein Training bei der Nationalgarde sagt Straub: "Es ist hart, ich bin 73". Ein Nationalgardist mit dem Spitznamen Ferrari, der den Konvoi anführt, versichert, der Veteran sei "ein ausgezeichneter Soldat". Er wisse, "wie man mit einer Waffe umgeht" und sei nun bereit für das taktische Training. Nach seiner Ausbildung will Straub in die südukrainische Hafenstadt Odessa. "Ich bin bereit zu kämpfen, deshalb bin ich hierhergekommen", sagt er. Der Konvoi stoppt an einem Lieferwagen und einem Lada voller Einschusslöcher, die in der Nähe des verlassenen russischen Lagers am Rande eines Kiefernwalds stehen. Die Insassen der beiden Fahrzeuge wurden getötet. An einer Tür und einem Sitz sind noch Blutspuren zu sehen. Der Anblick wühlt Straub auf, er will ein paar Minuten allein sein. In dem Lada hat er ein Kinderbuch gefunden. "Es ist schrecklich", sagt der Vater von drei erwachsenen Kindern. Eine halbe Stunde später hat Straub sich wieder gefasst. Er ist mit den Ukrainern durch das verlassene Lager gelaufen und hat eine russische Militärmütze gefunden, die er sich oben auf seine Kappe setzt. "Sie könnte einem russischen General gehört haben", sagte er mit einem breiten Grinsen.

[emordnilap-fr]

Unification

(1. Age of Prosperity) (2. Age of Fracturing) (3. Age of Turmoil) (4. Age of Darkness) (5. The Divide)

lore pinglist: @divine-vixen​ (let me know if you’d like to be added for clan lore and short stories!)

The division between clans has come to a close, with Vrensai purged of the Shade, the Gravewatchers forced from their territory, and Geheimnisvoll entirely dissolved. Now, the former members of Vrensai and the Gravewatchers rejoin the Keepers in Dragonhome, readjusting to life as one clan.

This is the Unification, also known as the Age of Wealth.

The Keepers

The beginning of the clan’s efforts to make this new territory home were difficult, with the nearby harpy tribe and some unstable caverns being the largest sources of trouble. Casualties were not few: Wald, Alkaline, and Jumoke were killed in harpy conflicts, while several others fell to cave-ins. However, the caves have been stabilised thanks to Artemis, and the only dangers remaining are the occasional harpy conflict or the rare creature coming from deeper in the cave system. 

In any case, the clan has firmly established itself into the territory as a peaceful trading clan. It took time and effort, but their lair is now fully embedded into the cave systems of the cliffs they’ve claimed, and shops make their business all around. The main market is located above ground, under a large stone overhang with winding dirt roads. Merchants of all kinds sell their wares, with travelling merchants being allowed to set up shop for a time, for a small fee of course. 

A travelling merchant’s caravan is established, with several of the clan’s merchants - such as Streunende - travelling across Sornieth for two to three weeks every other month to sell and collect goods. Businesses can be found within the lair as well, such as Foxfire Inn, The Saguaro Tavern, and Artemis’ Antiques & Tenet’s Tinkerings. The tradesdragons of the clan have a stone spire to themselves, workshops and a forge layered within. Across the largest crack in the earth from the market lies a flat, bowl-shaped crater. This formation is used largely as a sparring area, though the Guild of Gold and other musicians use it for music shows. The base of one spire, a short ways from the main portion of the lair, houses a brothel with many floors. 

Most of the clan was established before Vrensai and the Gravewatchers returned, though the sudden growth in clan members certainly helped the clan. Members of the Gravewatchers merged easily and peacefully into the clan, bringing themselves into roles perfect for living in their new home. They were welcomed with smiles and warm greetings, as though they’d only been away for a few weeks.

Vrensai’s assimilation was more... difficult. Their separation from the Keepers had been violent and wrought with distrust, and feelings of betrayal and bitterness were felt by the dragons who’d stayed with Eiszapfen. The largest amount of contempt is directed towards Sunset, though certain dragons hold a great disdain for any former member of Vrensai. This can and has lead to arguments and fights, though they’re few and far between. Most would rather keep the peace they’ve finally achieved and simply avoid those they dislike, than to be a possible factor in the clan breaking apart yet again.

Some time after the clans reformed and relations had settled down, Eiszapfen willingly stepped down from his position as leader of the clan for good. He’s left Cumulus in charge of the clan and become a merchant, often joining the merchant’s caravan on its travels. Cumulus is proving herself to be a capable leader, popular among her clanmates and making decisions with ease. It’s no wonder she does as good a job as she is, having been with the clan since it’s beginnings.

Several new dragons have decided to join the clan, with some notable members being Tenet, Kirukan, Atoll, and Citrus. A surplus of food allows their ranks to grow and stay filled, and extra food can be dried and preserved, or sold to other clans. The clan’s wealth has grown considerably, greater than it ever had been before. There may not be the complete peace that had been present during the Age of Prosperity, but this new Age of Wealth has by far surpassed the clan’s former Golden Age. 

While this age can - and likely will - last for quite a while, strange events are happening in the caves. Further down the tunnels where the clan doesn’t reside, strange creatures make their homes, and some are none too fond of the clan now in their midst.

The Enclave

The Enclave, while still doing well, has suffered a blow. A large coup with another cartel has lead to the deaths of five members: Synnefoula, Onyx, Yew, Dawn, and Raven. They had vital roles in the Enclave, and now Reisende is quickly scrambling to fill their places with capable dragons. He’s found Prometheus, a large ridgeback willing to work as both an mercenary and a merchant, though he has a short ways to go before his cartel is fully stable again.

In terms of business, the loss of members hasn’t hurt them too greatly, though Reisende would rather prefer an increase in profits than a plateau. How many dragons will he pull into his scheme?

Loners

Loners be out there all lonely oops.  In all seriousness, there isn’t much going on with the loners as of now. There are two new notable loners so far: Osmin, an “Emperor pearlcatcher”, and Albatross, an adventurer who takes her pup anywhere she goes. 

side notes:

 - i’ve gotten a LOT of dragons recently, and i’m unsure where most of them are when it comes to clans and roles, hence why i’ve been a bit vague with newcomers. most are on page 6 of my lair if you’d like a look!  - Cumulus has restored the clan’s alliances, notably their alliance with The Secrets (DragonDraws’ clan) - Oceana is no longer a warrior, and is instead simply a military advisor and trainer. while she does still have mental issues, they’re nowhere near as bad as when she was under the Shade’s influence and/or somewhat-Empress  - the total death list for the Keepers is: Stahl, Amethyst, Wald, Maple, Jumoke, SenorPantalones, SenoritaSombrero, SlushyLemon, Hortense, and Alkaline. most died in the initial few cave-ins before the caves were secured.

last timeline post for now, until a new arc comes around :>

[okami-zero]

Okay, so I got tagged by the talented @elveny​, so it’s only fair I make an attempt here. The only WIP I currently have (and that is vexxing me with an associated writer’s block!) is basically the wrap-up to the backstory of two of my characters in WoW - my Warrior, Xanotos and my Priest, Thessaly. Now, the context is they were escaping Gilneas during the worgen surge, I guess you’d call it. Long story short, Tess got turned, then ended up turning Xano. However, she was found and went through the ritual to regain herself within I’d say a year. Xanotos did not. I have not been able to work out the exact number (because WoW is like, “Timeline? What’s a timeline? LOL”) but he was wandering the Black Wald for *years*. Terrorizing Forsaken troops who wandered too close and generally just being a wily giant wolf. He eventually was rescued, went through the ritual and spent some more time trying to find his family (his parents and Tess). Trying to digress, anyway, Tess and Xano were childhood sweethearts and grew to be very close friends and lovers. So Xano found his folks and after the debacle with Teldrassil...he was still hopeful, but he still hadn’t found Tess. However...

She was also trying to find him. I have not really determined the logisitcs of why it took them so long to find one another, but Azeroth is big (even though the in-game world is relatively small, it is not really to scale. At least, I don’t think so). So here is what I have so far on a reunion several years in the making.

After the Battle of Undercity...

Following the Banshee Queen’s use of Blight not once, but twice, the Alliance healers had their hands full. From fighting to save those with the most minimal exposure to the toxin, to trying to make those who were counting what remained of their life in minutes as comfortable as possible, it was daunting enough a task. But, before it was the site of monstrous atrocity, it was a battlefield (war being an atrocity of a lesser degree). And there were plenty of “mundane” injuries from the latest clash of the Horde and Alliance to tip the scales so that every druid, priest, paladin, monk, shaman, ranger and field surgeon was taxed to their utmost.

Thessaly Dewan fought to keep one patient stabilized, her training and experience as a priest being put to use in the triage area. She was tendind a pandaren monk who’d been caught in the edge of an explosion, along with a druid who looked as haggard as Tess felt. Still, they worked to soothe and heal the monk’s wounds to where she could be bandaged and left to recover on her own. With how understaffed and overwhelmed they were (It’s Teldrassil all over again), fully healing anyone not in dire straits was a luxury they could not afford. The tax on the healers would be too great, and could cost more lives. Even with the rejuvenating potions that were handed around would only stave off fatigue for so long.

So, they did their best to lessen the non-critical injuries to a degree that non-magical medicine could more ably assist. As priest and druid worked to mend the worst of the monk’s injuries, mostly burns, a pair of somber looking guards in battered armor walked past bearing a stretcher with yet another injured soul for them to tend. They set the stretcher nearby, as directed by the druid, and Tess spared a glance to see what they were going to be doing next. Her eyes widened and it’s quite possible she forgot to breathe as she laid eyes on the stretcher’s occupant.

A large, armored worgen with dull grey fur lay unconscious on the cot. His breath was reedy and labored, eyes pinched shut in a grimace of pain. A brief flash of shadowy memory hit her of a night years ago. The silvery light around her hands faltered as a single, panicked though crossed her mind.

“...Xano...?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Dewan!” 

The druid’s voice boomed and snapper her from her reverie like a bucket of ice water. However, her startlement caused her to over exert herself and healing energy surged from her hands. The druid leaned away as Tess completely healed the monk, even a bit more than necessary. Her shoulders sagged as she let go of that power, a wave fatigue dropping on her like a lead cloak. The monk sat up, shaking her head. She expressed her deepest gratitude to the both of them, but Tess’s eyes were fixed on the worgen on the cot. The druid took over, and after sending the monk along, the kaldorei turned to her.

“I’m sorry, there was something-” she began, but he held up a calloused hand, a tired smile revealing laugh lines at the corners of his eyes.

“I am not blind, little wolf. See to your distraction, then rest. I will find you for the next shift.” Smiling back and thanking her erstwhile companion, she hurried over to kneel next to the cot. Despite her fatigue, she took a moment to center herself for one last bout of healing. Soft, silvery light glowed around her hands and slowly drifted over the wounds before her.

“Dammit, Delkai...” she muttered. As her healing mended the worgen’s wounds, his breathing evened out, becoming stronger and more even. After a few moments he woke, eyes slowly opening. However, instead of the blue-grey and amber she had expected, this man’s eyes glowed a bright green, reminding her of the druid she’d just left.

“Sorry to disappoint, m’lady.” he murmured in an accent far more “posh” than the brogue she had hoped to hear, “but ‘m no Delkai.” Tess blinked at the worgen as she slowly finished her work.

“I’m sorry, I thought- you...reminded me of someone,” she replied, feeling an ache in her chest as well as a renewed feeling of fatigue. Sitting up, the worgen shook his head.

“No need for apologies, miss. But since ya saved y hide, I feel as I owe ya.” He coughed and she passed him a canteen, making sure he drank slowly.

“Much obliged. Now, that name you mentioned? Delkai?” She nodded, fighting her weariness to hear what this man had to say.

“Yes, he was - is -” she floundered, then shook her head.

“Important to ya.” The Gilnean offered, and Tess nodded. He grinned.

“Well, I don’t know him, but I have heard the name around, and recently, too,” he explained. He shrugged, then winced. “Ooh, still tender. Anyway, not sure if it’s your lad I heard about, but I have heard about him. So keep a weather eye out, eh?” 

“Thank you, friend,” she replied with a nod and a small smile. Exhaustion was fast setting in though, and when she stood to leave, she swayed a bit in place, bracing herself on the cot. She politely declined the offered hand and, once she was upright again, she bid him good-night and turned to leave.

“Good luck on your search, miss!” he called after her. She waved over her shoulder, and made her way to her tent. Once inside, she kicked off her boots, shrugged off her armored robes and all but collapsed into her cot. She had a few minutes for her mind to finish processing the last little while and finally settle before sleep slowly enveloped her.

She could swear, somewhere between wakefulness and sleep, she head a familiar voice singing a familiar, melancholy tune. It was faint, but definitely familiar. And it lulled her deeper into sleep.

~~~

“Not far off, Xano finished his song, pouring out a cup of his rum to honro those fallen that day.

“Mount up, folks. We’re heading back,” called his commander, the rest of the Company breaking camp.

“Aye, Commander!” the warrior replied, snapping off a quick salute. Calling Mundus, he mounted up, following the procession back to Stormwind.

[fredericawald]

Freddi Wald on How Marketing and Communications Leaders Transform Museums

Regarded as cultural sanctuaries, museums have the responsibility to preserve and showcase the cherished artistic and historic assets of mankind. However, the swift pace of technological progress and evolving patron needs compel these institutions to innovate and remain significant. This is where Freddi Wald's expertise in marketing and communications becomes crucial, metamorphosing museums into engaging, dynamic entities that captivate a wider, more diverse demographic.

Frederica N Wald

Museums, once thought of as static institutions, are undergoing a significant evolution. The advent of digital technology has revolutionized the way we experience and interact with art and history. Marketing and communications leaders have emerged as the guiding force in redefining the museum's role in contemporary society. Frederica N Wald

One of the key ways marketing and communications leaders contribute to this transformation is by redefining the museum's identity. Traditionally seen as hushed spaces where visitors passively view exhibits, museums are now being presented as dynamic, interactive, and accessible institutions. This shift is vital in attracting new and diverse audiences, who may have previously perceived museums as uninviting or exclusive.

In the current landscape, museums adapt multiple tactics to revise their persona, with marketing and development leaders like Freddi Wald spearheading these initiatives. Wald creates engaging narratives surrounding museum exhibitions and collections, accentuating these artifacts' significance in today's society. Through storytelling that echoes with individuals, museums under Wald's guidance can establish a powerful bond with their visitors, immersing them deeply into the cultural dialogue.

Moreover, marketing leaders have embraced technology to revamp the museum experience. Virtual tours, augmented reality, and interactive apps now bring art and history to life in ways that were once inconceivable. Visitors can explore the Louvre in Paris or the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York from the comfort of their own homes. These virtual experiences open the doors of the museum to a global audience and encourage greater participation.

Another significant role played by marketing and communications leaders is increasing accessibility. Many museums have expanded their outreach programs, offering free or discounted admission to students, seniors, and underserved communities. These efforts break down financial barriers, ensuring that museums are accessible to a broader spectrum of society. Additionally, marketing leaders have worked to make museums more physically accessible by improving facilities for individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and ensuring that everyone can enjoy the cultural offerings.

In addition, leaders in marketing and communications such as Freddi Wald have played a pivotal role in fostering community engagement initiatives. Museums are evolving from standalone cultural enclaves to integral components of their communities. They establish collaborations with local educational institutions, form alliances with artists, and actively participate in cultural festivities and events. In this way, museums are woven into the societal tapestry, enhancing the life experiences of local inhabitants and attracting a variety of visitors who might not have considered visiting otherwise.

Museums have also recognized the power of social media in reaching new audiences. Marketing leaders employ social platforms to showcase museum exhibits, engage with followers, and spark conversations. The "museum selfie" has become a phenomenon, with visitors sharing their experiences and encouraging others to visit. Social media also allows museums to tap into current trends and conversations, ensuring that their content remains relevant and engaging.

The marketing and communications leaders of museums are also adept at branding and merchandising. Museums have begun to develop their own brand identities, making their exhibits instantly recognizable. Think of the iconic "Mona Lisa" at the Louvre or the "Dinosaur Hall" at the Natural History Museum. These branding efforts not only improve visitor engagement but also drive merchandise sales, which can provide crucial revenue for museum operations.

Furthermore, museums are now prioritizing the creation of unforgettable, immersive experiences alongside their branding efforts. Key figures like Freddi Wald in the domains of marketing and communications are instrumental in crafting exhibits that captivate visitors' imaginations and feelings. These leaders join forces with curators and designers to generate interactive and multisensory displays that revolutionize the audience's interaction and engagement with art and history.

Museum exhibitions are no longer just a collection of objects behind glass; they are now dynamic, experiential journeys. For instance, the "Rain Room" exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City allowed visitors to walk through a continuous downpour without getting wet, providing a unique and immersive encounter with art and technology. Marketing leaders promote such experiences and create buzz around them, drawing in new and diverse audiences.

One of the most significant challenges faced by museums is attracting younger audiences. Millennials and Generation Z have different expectations and interests compared to previous generations. Marketing and communications leaders are keenly aware of this and have been instrumental in tailoring museum offerings to suit these demographics.

For example, many museums now host events and programs specifically designed for young adults, such as themed parties, art workshops, and interactive installations. They also tap into pop culture by showcasing contemporary artists and exhibits that resonate with younger generations. By staying attuned to the interests of these groups, museums can ensure that they remain relevant and appealing.

Additionally, marketing leaders recognize the importance of sustainability and social responsibility. Museums have started to adopt eco-friendly practices, such as reducing energy consumption and minimizing waste. These efforts not only reflect positively on the museum's image but also align with the values of socially conscious audiences. Museums have also become platforms for social discussions, addressing critical issues like climate change, social justice, and cultural diversity.

Freddi Wald, a leader in the field of marketing and communications, plays a pivotal role in revolutionizing museums into interactive, accessible, and captivating establishments. She reimagines the persona of these institutions, incorporating technological advancements, augmenting accessibility, bolstering community involvement, and leveraging social media platforms. Furthermore, Wald targets younger demographics, champions for sustainability, and fosters dialogues on critical societal matters. These metamorphoses not only secure the endurance and pertinence of museums but also amplify the cultural and artistic experiences for their visitors.

[olgagarmash]

It has been well documented that seniors can benefit from regular physical activity. As home-based care providers look to expand their services and differentiate their brands, fitness and wellness offerings likely offer a strong return on investment.

One company, SilverSneakers, has seen how fitness can improve health outcomes in seniors firsthand.

Nashville, Tennessee-based SilverSneakers is a community-based fitness and social engagement program that works primarily with seniors. The company has a robust gym network, as well community partners, in 30 states across the U.S.

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Seniors who participate in the SilverSneakers program experience 42% fewer hospital stays and 18% fewer ER visits compared to Medicare Advantage (MA) non-participants, according to a study conducted by health care consulting firm Avalere Health.

Additionally, the length of stay for hospitalizations that do happen are typically shorter for SilverSneakers participants — 4.4 days compared to 5.8 for non-participants.

“We know that physical activity can increase mobility. It can increase strength. It can help people with their flexibility. It helps people, as they get into their older years function more as they did in their younger years,” Richard Ashworth, president and CEO of Tivity Health, which manages SilverSneakers, told Home Health Care News.

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Ashworth noted that physical fitness ranges from walking clubs to swimming, lifting weights and more.

“We know that all of those activities help the heart, the brain and muscle strength, which can help [seniors] prevent the risk of falls and, of course, cardiovascular issues,” he said.

Another upside to physical fitness programs like SilverSneakers is the ability to curb health care costs.

In fact, SilverSneakers saw total average health care expenses reduced by 16% for program participants compared to non-participating Medicare Advantage members.

As SilverSneakers looks to grow, one of the company’s strategic pillars is partnerships. This means that the company is seeking partnership opportunities with home-based care companies and other senior care providers, according to Ashworth.

“It can be skilled nursing. It can be home care — or it can be at-risk provider groups. There are a lot of different places where we could partner,” he said. “We’re very open to different partnerships, where SilverSneakers can be seen as a benefit to raise the health and wellness awareness and engagement of seniors.”

For home-based care companies, the value-add for partnering with SilverSneakers, or a similar organization, to offer fitness services is the possibility of strengthening their position in the market.

With a proven track record of reducing hospital stays and ER visits, it’s very likely that home-based care providers who have formed these types of partnerships would become more attractive to MA plans or other organizations.

Alliance Homecare is one personal care provider that has been ahead of the curve when it comes to incorporating fitness and wellness into its service lines.

Founded in 2006, the Manhattan-based Alliance is a private-pay agency that operates throughout New York City and its surrounding suburbs, as well as in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Since 2016, Alliance has partnered with Namaste Wellness, a New York-based health and wellness services company. Through Namaste Wellness, Alliance’s clients have access to a program that combines yoga, massage and personal fitness.

“They really identify every client and meet them where they’re at,” Alliance CEO and co-founder Greg Solometo told HHCN. “They try to develop a program for them that is comprehensive and brings in what they think are maybe missing elements or elements that will help improve their overall strength, overall flexibility. They also coordinate with any PT or OT that’s going on inside the home.”

Indeed, Namaste Wellness’ is no stranger to working with the senior care community.

“We take an evidence-based, research-driven approach to deliver wellness,” Julie Wald, the founder and CEO of Namaste Wellness, told HHCN. “As we look at the senior population, we’re looking at the challenges that they are specifically facing, and the fitness and wellness practices that have been proven to be supportive to that specific demographic.”

Working with Namaste Wellness falls in line with Alliance’s holistic approach to care.

Over the years, Alliance has set itself apart from other home care companies by offering a unique service line that includes things like food delivery.

Currently, about 15% of Alliance’s clients take advantage of the fitness and wellness offerings. Of this group, the company has received positive feedback from clients and their families, according to Solometo.

“It gives the families of our clients a deeper sense of gratitude or more peace of mind knowing that they’re working with a company that thinks so broadly and so holistically,” he said. “We’re thinking about ways to improve their lives and preserve the health they have right now.”

In terms of more home care companies rolling out fitness and wellness offerings, Solometo believes it’s important for providers to have a firm understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.

“In business, especially in a service-oriented business, you have to know what you’re good at and be a master of it,” he said. “We’re masters of home care, care management and oversight, and private duty nursing. And I would rather partner with a company that focuses on wellness and fitness as their specialty. I think that’s a stronger overall service.”

via Wealth Health

[projectourworld]

“This is the best news of the year, and quite possibly the last decade, for global turtle conservation.” -Andrew Walde (Turtle Survival Alliance)

The world's most endangered turtle species may now have a fighting chance, after a 3-foot-long (1 meter) female — a potential mate for the lone known male of the species — was discovered in Vietnam. 

Researchers from the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) of Indo-Myanmar Conservation (IMC) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) discovered the 182-pound (86 kilograms) turtle in Dong Mo Lake, in Hanoi's Son Tay district, in October last year. They analyzed genes in her blood and have now confirmed she is a Swinhoe's softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei), making her the second known living member of the species.

They hope that the female will be able to mate with the last known captive male, currently living at Suzhou Zoo in China, and provide a lifeline for this dying species. 

Let nature THRIVE #projectourworld

[sciencespies]

The 'Last' Female Swinhoe's Softshell Turtle Died in 2019. Now, Researchers Found Another, Renewing Hope for the Species

https://sciencespies.com/news/the-last-female-swinhoes-softshell-turtle-died-in-2019-now-researchers-found-another-renewing-hope-for-the-species/

The 'Last' Female Swinhoe's Softshell Turtle Died in 2019. Now, Researchers Found Another, Renewing Hope for the Species

The last known female Swinhoe’s softshell turtle—the most endangered turtle species in the world—died in April 2019, leaving the last known male without a mate and the species headed for extinction, reports Harry Baker for Live Science. In a positive turn of events, researchers discovered a wild female in Dong Mo Lake in Vietnam last October, offering a glimmer of hope for saving the species.

Swinhoe’s softshell turtles, also known as the Hoan Kiem turtle or Yangtze giant softshell turtle, were pushed to the brink of extinction by habitat destruction and by hunters who sought the turtles’ meat and eggs. As a result, the government legally protected the species in 2013, reports the Guardian‘s Damian Carrington.

While monitoring the lake, the team of conservationists managed to capture the nearly 190-pound giant, examine her, collecte blood samples and insert a microchip. To their relief, she was in great shape, and they later released her back into the lake that day, according to a press release.

“In a year full of bad news and sadness across the globe, the discovery of this female can offer all some hope that this species will be given another chance to survive,” Hoang Bich Thuy, the country director for the Wildlife Conservation Society Vietnam, says in the press release.

The team spent weeks monitoring the lake, hoping to find a Swinhoe’s softshell turtle—and their efforts paid off. Not only did they discover and capture the female, but they also spotted a second, larger turtle in the same lake, which they believe is a male. Plus, they suspect a third turtle may lurk in the nearby Xuan Khanh lake, reports the Guardian.

Not only did they discover and capture the female, but they also spotted a second, larger turtle in the same lake, which they believe is a male.

(WCS Vietnam)

“Once we know the sex of the animals in Vietnam, we can make a clear plan on the next steps, hopefully we have a male [and a] female, in which case breeding and recovery of the species becomes a real possibility,” Timothy McCormack, the program director of the Asian Turtle Program of Indo-Myanmar Conservation, says in the press release.

There had been previous efforts to breed the last remaining male, who lives at the Suzhou Zoo in China, with the last female. They had been together since 2008 but never produced offspring naturally, so conservationists attempted to artificially inseminate the female in 2019. Both turtles were deemed healthy for the procedure, but the female died of complications, bringing breeding efforts to a screeching halt, the Indo-Asian News Service reports.

“This is the best news of the year, and quite possibly the last decade, for global turtle conservation,” Andrew Walde, the chief operating officer of the Turtle Survival Alliance, says in the press release. “As the most endangered turtle on Earth, a tremendous amount of energy and resources have been dedicated to the preservation of Swinhoe’s softshell turtle. Following the loss of the only known female at the time in 2019, the confirmation of this wild specimen as female is a cause for celebration for all those who have worked tirelessly to see this turtle species survive.”

#News