#customer service representative skills

[monicascot]

Are you ready for Airbnb scorecard! 🏡💯

Running an Airbnb business requires careful attention to various aspects to ensure a successful and profitable operation. Firstly, it's important to create an appealing listing that accurately represents your property and highlights its unique features. High-quality photos and detailed descriptions can attract potential guests and set realistic expectations.

[gcabestva]

Asset for being a Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are the backbone of many businesses. They provide administrative and clerical support to companies, allowing their clients to focus on their core business activities. While many people think that being a virtual assistant is just answering emails and making phone calls, there's much more to it than that! A great virtual assistant will have excellent time management skills, multitask while simultaneously keeping track of several projects, and pay good attention to detail when organizing information or documents.

Virtual Assistant Skills

You need a few skills to be a virtual assistant, but they can be learned. The most important thing is the ability to type quickly and accurately. You will also need excellent communication skills to communicate clearly with your clients and colleagues.

As far as customer service representatives go, there are several different types of positions available in this field: answering phones, processing orders or taking messages for customers who call in; helping customers find products through catalogs or websites; resolving complaints from customers (whether through refunds or exchanges); providing information about company policies or other issues related to using its services; researching solutions for problems outside regular working hours when necessary.

Being a virtual assistant is an excellent asset for those looking to make money from home.

Many benefits come with being a VA, including:

Flexible schedule - VAs can set their hours and work around their lives, so you can choose when they want to work and how much time they want to put into it each day. You may even be able to work while traveling!

Work from anywhere - Because most of our clients are located in different places worldwide, we need an office or other physical location where everyone works together daily. Instead, we communicate via email and phone, so we can all be in one place at a time (which would be expensive!). This makes it easy for people who don't have access yet and have wanted it since childhood.

Time Management Skills

Time management skills are essential for a virtual assistant, and it's your job to know how much time you have each day and prioritize tasks accordingly. It would help if you learned how to say no and when it's okay to say yes.

For example: If an opportunity will take up half of your day and doesn't bring in any money, it may not be worth taking on right now (or ever). You should focus on completing the most important tasks first so they don't get pushed back due to lack of time later on!

Organization Skills

Organizational skills are essential for any business professional. You'll need to be able to multitask, prioritize your tasks, and manage your time effectively. If you have this skill set, it will help ensure that you meet deadlines and complete projects promptly.

Customer Service Skills

You will need excellent customer service skills to succeed as a virtual assistant. You must understand your client's needs and respond to their requests promptly. You'll also need to handle questions and requests positively, solve problems and provide solutions.

Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is an essential asset for being a virtual assistant. You must listen closely and pay attention to your client's words because they may only sometimes express themselves clearly. You also have to understand the details of their project or task, which may involve researching information online or referencing documents they send you.

Finally, attention to detail can help you notice when something has gone wrong with their project--for example, if they didn't receive an email when it was sent out (or vice versa).

Virtual assistants are excellent for those looking to make money from home. If you have the right skills and can manage your time well, this could be a great opportunity! Global Conversion Agency has a lot to offer. 

[aeth-eris]

★ how do you serve society? - 6th house ★

★ aries in the 6th house approaches work with a pioneering spirit and a desire for action, bringing dynamic energy to their everyday tasks. they’re known for their independence, preferring to jump into projects without hesitation and excel in roles where they can be hands-on, especially when working under pressure or tight deadlines. driven by their natural assertiveness, aries here can serve as motivators and initiators, setting things in motion and helping others find the courage to act. they’re ideal in careers that demand a fast response and where taking calculated risks is a part of the job. fields like firefighting, emergency response, personal training, sports coaching, or military service are ideal, where they can directly impact lives through decisive action. their ability to step up in intense situations and inspire others makes them invaluable in environments that require a quick pace and the courage to lead.

★ taurus in the 6th house brings a calm, steady, and patient approach to service, focusing on creating enduring results in their work. they are known for their dedication, and they approach their tasks with a strong sense of responsibility and reliability. whether in finance, wellness, or culinary fields, taurus enjoys roles where they can work with their hands or provide a tangible product that offers comfort and value. careers as chefs, gardeners, financial advisors, bankers, interior designers, or jewelry makers align well with their need to create stability and beauty. their attention to quality and their patient persistence allow them to complete projects meticulously, bringing satisfaction to themselves and security to others. they create a lasting impact by focusing on building environments and products that bring comfort, peace, and resilience, serving as a grounding force in any workplace.

★ gemini in the 6th house serves society through communication, adaptability, and a knack for connecting people and ideas. they enjoy variety in their work and thrive in settings that stimulate their minds, often multitasking and moving between projects. gemini here excels in roles that require quick thinking, a friendly demeanor, and the ability to explain complex ideas in a way that others can understand. jobs such as journalist, teacher, translator, social media manager, event planner, or customer service representative allow them to use their communication skills fully. they enjoy networking and exchanging information, bringing people together and making things happen smoothly. by embracing roles where flexibility and curiosity are required, they keep themselves and those around them informed and engaged, ensuring that environments remain energized and efficient.

★ cancer in the 6th house brings a nurturing, emotionally attuned approach to work, often finding fulfillment in roles where they can provide direct care or create a supportive atmosphere for others. highly empathetic, cancer here serves through their ability to sense and respond to the needs of others, creating an environment that feels safe and comfortable. they naturally gravitate toward roles that require empathy and a gentle touch, such as nurse, caregiver, counselor, therapist, chef, or social worker. their presence in these roles provides a sense of security, as they often go out of their way to ensure that others feel heard and supported. cancer individuals bring a familial energy to their workplace, taking the time to build strong relationships with colleagues and clients alike, serving as a foundation of care and understanding in their environments.

★ leo in the 6th house serves with enthusiasm, warmth, and a creative flair, approaching work as an opportunity to make an impact and inspire others. they bring positivity, often brightening the atmosphere in their work environments through their lively presence. naturally drawn to the spotlight, leo here enjoys roles that allow them to express themselves or take charge, often excelling in acting, motivational speaking, event planning, management, public relations, or teaching. they work best in environments where their contributions are recognized and where they can uplift others, motivating teams with their confidence and encouragement. leo’s generous spirit and zest for life make them a powerful force for positivity, capable of turning routine tasks into meaningful contributions. by leading with passion, they foster a sense of pride and excitement, making work enjoyable and inspiring for everyone involved.

★ virgo in the 6th house epitomizes the essence of service, bringing practicality, organization, and an attention to detail that is unmatched. they often seek out work that allows them to analyze, improve, and create structure, thriving in positions that involve precision and dedication to quality. roles like researcher, doctor, nutritionist, editor, accountant, or administrator suit their methodical approach, as they enjoy tasks that demand accuracy and careful planning. virgo here serves society by ensuring that processes are efficient and that details are meticulously checked, making them invaluable in any team. their dedication to improvement makes them reliable and highly respected by colleagues, as they’re willing to go the extra mile to make things right. they serve as the backbone of their work environments, creating order and supporting others in achieving the best possible results.

★ libra in the 6th house brings diplomacy, cooperation, and a refined sense of aesthetics to their work, aiming to create harmony and beauty in their environments. they naturally excel in roles that require tact, fairness, and an understanding of social dynamics, making them ideal as mediators, human resources specialists, designers, lawyers, counselors, or event coordinators. libra here serves society by building relationships and facilitating smooth collaboration, often acting as a bridge between people. they’re drawn to work that promotes justice, balance, and beauty, bringing charm and grace to their interactions. their skill in diplomacy allows them to resolve conflicts and encourage teamwork, fostering environments where everyone feels valued and included. by focusing on fairness and aesthetics, they help create a workplace that feels balanced and visually pleasing, adding a touch of sophistication to everything they do.

★ scorpio in the 6th house approaches work with intensity, focus, and a relentless drive to get to the root of matters, often gravitating toward roles that involve investigation, healing, or deep transformation. they excel in fields that require confidentiality, trust, and the ability to handle sensitive situations, such as psychology, detective work, surgery, crisis counseling, research, or financial analysis. scorpio here serves society by confronting issues others may shy away from, showing resilience and courage in the face of difficulty. they’re skilled at uncovering hidden truths and have a natural ability to bring healing to deep wounds, making them invaluable in roles that demand depth and focus. their presence often brings a sense of security to their teams and clients, as they’re willing to go where others cannot, offering solutions that are powerful and life-changing.

★ sagittarius in the 6th house brings an adventurous and optimistic spirit to work, often seeking roles that allow them to explore ideas, cultures, or perspectives. they serve society by inspiring others to broaden their horizons and embrace learning, often excelling as professors, travel agents, coaches, writers, cultural anthropologists, or tour guides. in these roles, sagittarius brings enthusiasm for growth and an open-minded approach to challenges, helping others to see the bigger picture. they thrive in environments that allow for intellectual freedom and movement, whether through teaching, travel, or engaging with diverse viewpoints. by sharing their expansive vision, sagittarius in the 6th encourages others to think more deeply and adopt a sense of adventure in their own lives, promoting cultural understanding and intellectual curiosity in their communities.

★ capricorn in the 6th house brings a disciplined, structured approach to work, often striving for tangible results and a stable foundation in their roles. they’re naturally suited to positions that involve responsibility, planning, and achieving long-term goals, excelling in roles like manager, engineer, architect, project coordinator, government official, or financial planner. capricorn here serves society by providing a steady hand and a results-driven mindset, often taking on roles of authority where they can make meaningful impacts. their commitment to excellence and high standards make them trusted leaders, as they work tirelessly to ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. they create a sense of order and reliability in their environments, serving as a stabilizing force for those around them and often becoming pillars of support in their communities.

★ aquarius in the 6th house serves with innovation, humanitarian ideals, and a desire to improve society, often challenging norms and seeking new, progressive solutions. they’re drawn to roles that allow them to advocate for change and foster community, excelling as social workers, scientists, technology developers, activists, environmentalists, or community organizers. aquarius here serves society by promoting equality and social progress, often bringing fresh ideas to their work environments and inspiring others to think beyond traditional boundaries. they thrive in unconventional settings and are deeply committed to causes that promote the well-being of humanity. with a focus on technology, community, and human rights, aquarius brings a forward-thinking energy to their workplaces, making an impact by encouraging others to embrace innovation and collective growth.

★ pisces in the 6th house serves with compassion, intuition, and creativity, often finding fulfillment in roles that allow them to support emotional or spiritual healing. they are naturally drawn to work where they can bring comfort and empathy to others, excelling as artists, spiritual healers, musicians, counselors, nurses, or mental health therapists. in these fields, pisces serves society by offering a gentle and empathetic presence, often helping those who need emotional support or creative expression. they’re skilled at tapping into the emotions of others, making them invaluable in professions that require sensitivity and a holistic approach to care. pisces here brings a sense of unity and understanding to their work environments, creating spaces where people feel safe to express and heal, often providing a compassionate escape from the challenges of daily life.

[princesitangelita]

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ after swearing up and down that you can’t make a sale, jim lets you answer his phone to give it a try. his elaborate plan to prove himself right goes south as soon as the man on the other line buys a heaping amount of paper in exchange for your phone number..

warnings: flirty banter, teasing, fluff, mild humor, slight tension (?), jim being a little jealous (a lot, actually), close proximity

a/n: first jim prompt :,) feel free to send in req’s!

wc: 1.1k

“..but why? why do you think it’s impossible for me to sell paper?” jim was leaning over the counter of the receptionist desk, both of your faces not far from one another’s. “because you answer the phone like this!” he taunted your high pitched ‘customer service’ voice, your cheeks heating as you giggled quietly. “i do not sound like that!” jim smiled when you accidentally snorted, your eyes widening in embarrassment. phyllis looked over at you two, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “there’s a reason you didn’t get the sales position, ditzy.”

you gasped, slapping his arm playfully. “that’s a low blow, halpert!” shaking your head, you opened up the spreadsheet michael had forwarded to you, “and by the way, my insane typing skills got me this position. i get to sit and look pretty all day..” jim nodded, eyes flittering down to the soft curve of your lips. “yeah, that you do.” his voice dropped down a few octaves, the sound paired up with his words made butterflies flutter in your tummy. the girls were so going to be hearing about this later.

you met his eyes for a brief moment, both of you clearing your throats awkwardly at the sudden energy shift. “seriously though, how hard could it be?” just as you asked him, his phone began ringing. “wanna find out?” you were up on your feet, basically buzzing with excitement as you followed jim over to his desk. the last thing jim expected you to do was bend over the hardwood his phone was rested on, his distressed glare finding the cameraman. dwight was eyeing you with pinched eyebrows, wondering what the hell you two were up to now.

for his own sake, jim didn’t dare glance down at your backside in that tight pencil skirt of yours, instead he took his seat, pushing himself all the way in under his desk before motioning for you to answer the damned thing. flashing an innocent smile at dwight, he rolled his eyes as you put the receiver to your ear. “jim halpert speaking!” jim closed his eyes, holding in a laugh as he muted the call. “you have to say your name, not mine..” the realization dawned on you, a little ‘oh, that’s right!’ leaving your lips before he unmuted you.

chirping your name into the phone, the man on the other side of the line sounded confused as he carried on. “hello, is this dunder mifflin? the paper company.” you hummed, drawing a few stares from oscar and stanley. “hi there, my name is jonathan and i was tasked with choosing the best paper for my office, and i came across this number. if you don’t mind, i just had a few questions.” you nodded even though he couldn’t see you. “of course, i’d be happy to provide you with answers!” jim leaned in, listening closely to the call.

“why should i choose dunder mifflin as my business’s official paper supplier?” it was a simple question, but it still had you wracking your brain for what you should say. “uhm.. well! here at dunder mifflin, we have the best sales representatives always just one phone call away! we will keep your office and/or work space stocked with only the highest quality of paper, card stock, and many more! all at an amazing price as well, and you didn’t hear this from me.. but if you buy in bulk, you get major steals.” jim was flabbergasted. maybe he should be a receptionist instead. this was your desk now.

“wow! that sounds amazing. you really checked all of my boxes.” he laughed, a hint of flirting evident in his tone. “yeah? well i usually do.” jim looked at the side of your face, his gaze burning hot. “i bet.. look, this might come across as really weird, but gosh your voice is so pretty, it’s a nice change from the usual montone robots answering these phones.” you chuckled, the sound making jim want to snatch the thing out of your hand. dwight noticed this, a smug look taking over his features.

michael had his head poking out of his door, the entire office now listening in on your conversation. “put it on speaker!” erin whispered, everyone agreeing in unison. jim sighed, already not liking where this was going. “oh trust me, i know,” you spoke, “but would you be interested in hearing any of my offers?” you motioned for jim to pull up the package deals sheet on his computer. “please, enlighten me.” you gasped, raising your eyebrows at the man next to you. jim was quick to cover the scowl on his face, a fake smile gracing his lips as he pulled up december’s spreadsheet.

“okayyy! so starting off with the most expensive package, for five hundred dollars a month, you get a weekly delivery on your paper, and this includes an unlimited card stock supply that i can personally guarantee will arrive on time, all the time—”

“i’ll take it.” you blinked, dwight’s grin dropping from his face.

“r-really?! you don’t want to hear about my other packages?” jonathan, the man on the other line let out a disapproving hum. “no, i’ve heard quite enough, i’d love to make a deal with you though.” everyone exchanged looks, you and jim meeting each other’s eyes for the first time during this entire ordeal. “okay, may i please get your information?” you took the phone off of speaker, everyone, including michael, groaning in frustration. “i wanted to hear the deal!” kevin shook his head. angela made a face, turning around in her seat as she resumed watching cat videos on youtube.

you were quiet for a few moments, your eyes widening as jonathan stated his offer. “..so what you’re telling me is; in exchange for purchasing the five hundred dollar package, you want my phone number?” the office went into an uproar, dwight shooting out of his seat. “what is this? a phone sex hotline?!” jim couldn’t stand to listen to another second of this, his index finger reaching out and pressing the ‘end call’ button. you yelped, dropping the phone on his desk. “jim, what the hell?! i totally had that in the bag!” you stood up, a series of shouts sounding around the office.

“transfer him to my phone right now!” meredith shouted, jim wasting no time in giving her the number. “alright, ditzy, you could sell paper.” he let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, clearing his throat as he made eye contact with one of the cameras in the corner. you may be lacking a bit in the logical department, but you were an expert when it came to reading jim, and right now? he looked nothing short of jealous. you leaned down next to his ear. “well i’m glad we could settle that, halpert.” jim swallowed thickly, your perfume diminishing all of his senses.

[petalruesimblr]

Hello and welcome back to my blog! I planned to post this about two weeks ago, but I got so busy with booking flights and reservations for my trip that I decided to wait until I returned from my vacation.

This project has been my plan for my next #FollowersGift and I’m happy that it's finally complete. It's not much, to be honest; this was just an idea I had for a career and I was unsure if I should create a part-time job again or pursue a full-time career, so I decided to do both!

The SimGuard Security Services is a full-time career based on a security company/firm while SimGuard Security is also part of that but is assigned to different lots. This took a while because aside from creating five part-time careers, I also created a full-time career that includes branches, opportunities and books, which will be fully discussed in this post. A second post will follow for the part-time careers so this one won't get too long.

Thank you to all my followers for the likes, reblogs, downloads of my content and all your kind comments! I truly appreciate each and every one of them.💜

If you are interested, click on ’Keep Reading’ below for more information and pictures of the SimGuard Security Services Career.

SimGuard Security Services

Bulk Download: Sim File Share (Full Time and Part-Times) | For individual files, refer to this post here.

As a Security Guard, you’ll be the vigilant eyes and ears protecting everything from top-secret parties to the occasional rogue lawn gnome. Duties include patrolling, deterring mischief and ensuring our clients’ properties stay as they should—intact. If you’re prepared for an exciting mix of vigilance and adventure, apply now and become part of our SimGuard Security Services!

Career Type: Full Time Available for: Young Adults and Adults Available Languages: English Levels: 10 Rabbit Hole: Business And Journalism Does it have Carpool? Yes Does it have Uniforms? Yes File Type: Package Min. Required Game Version: 1.42 Packs Needed: The Sims 3 📣All descriptions for the levels, tones and metrics as well as skills required, salary, uniforms and other details are provided on the pictures above. Right-click on a picture and select ’Open image in new tab’ for a clearer view.

NRAAS Careers Mod

Branches and wages: This career has two branches that branch out after level 5: the Management branch, which focuses on handling internal agency operations as you progress to higher ranks and the Field Operations branch, which allows for expertise in specific security fields. All the levels represent realistic roles based on the research I did for this career. If you prefer the managerial role, expect to read more reports and increase your logic skills. However, if you prefer roles like a bodyguard or security escort, expect to develop both athletic and logic skills as you take on different roles in the field. Levels 1-5 offer realistic hourly wages based on research. To compensate for the increased days off and decreased work hours as the level increases, I had to raise the hourly wages beyond the normal salary ranges for Levels 6-10 for both branches. Metrics and Books: I made a few changes to this career, specifically regarding the metrics. I originally planned to include "Reports" as part of the required tasks but I realized this was unrealistic since it was based on the Law Enforcement career, where individuals interview people, search through their trash and create reports based on those findings—tasks not typical for a security guard. Instead, I made it a custom tone and changed the "Reports" metric to "Research," which is based on the Medical career, where professionals read reports from their subordinates instead of medical journals. Opportunities: As this is my first time creating opportunities, I focused on developing just two for now, with only one of them being repeatable. This is because security guards need to complete a minimum number of hours of continued firearm training per year. I initially planned to include Martial Arts as part of the metrics but decided to make this base game compatible for now. I might release a different version for World Adventures but to be honest, I don’t have the time at the moment. You are always free to add it on your own for personal use (check my terms of use). Be sure to check out MissyHissy's tutorial under Credits for a step-by-step guide on how to do it. As stated above, you will need NRAAS Careers Mod for these careers to show up in the game and as long as you have the latest version of it, it should work for higher patches. You can also read my #psa regarding these careers, click here. I’m not fluent in any other languages to translate so if anyone is interested in translating this career, please don’t hesitate to send me a message here, comment on this post or let me know in my Ask/Contact form (if you don’t have a Tumblr account) and will let you know the details. I have tested this career in my game, so far it is working and all scripts are showing up. All feedback is very welcome to help me learn and improve my skills so please let me know if you experience any problems on your end and I’ll do my best to sort it as soon as possible.

MissyHissy step-by-step tutorial Twallan for the Career Mod S3pe

[pis3update]

Medieval Careers (Knight/Monarch and Peasant) by Lost Pantheon

"Introduction: This mod adds two new custom Medieval-era themed careers to the game: A Knight Career and a Peasant Career. The Knight Career has ten levels and allows you to become a Monarch at Level 10 (of one of its two paths) while the Peasant Career has four levels. So you wish to become a knight? It is not an easy path, but for those that strive for greatness, there can be no greater honour. A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of the state or church, or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity. If you work your way from the mud-soaked hovels of peasantry, through the military system and even gain a knighthood yourself, you may even have the chance to seize the throne yourself, if your ambition and skills permit it. But hush! Do not speak of such treasonous things! You may simply wish to serve in the service of the Church, as a knight on a quest to protect pilgrims. – Knight Career Description The life of a peasant is tough, poorly-paid and (often) miserably short. If a war won't take your life then a disease may certainly do you in. Nonetheless, a kingdom runs on the backs of its peasants (or serfs) and if you work hard enough in the fields you maybe be able to work your way into the mercantile industry and make a bit of a name for yourself. Or else you could join the town guard, as they're always looking for new recruits. – Peasant Career Description

...continued + more pictures on MTS."

More Info + Download @ MTS.

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

How to answer tough interview questions.

Subscribing to the Harvard Business Review was one of the best decisions I made. I have learned so much about career development, personal branding, and job crafting. This article summarizes some of the questions you will get asked in a behavioral interview (courtesy of HBR) and I have included my responses to all of them. Assume I am seeking a HR role in a Fortune 500 company

Tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief?

How did you hear about this position?

What type of work environment do you prefer?

How do you deal with pressure or a stressful situation?

Do you prefer working independently or on a team?

How do you keep yourself organized when balancing multiple projects?

What did you do in the last year to improve your knowledge?

Tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief?

I grew up in small country in West Africa. I went to a great school through scholarship with the condition that I would pay it forward to the younger generation. So, after high-school I spent two years teaching math to elementary school kids. It was there I discovered my interest of people development. I enjoyed taking a kid from "I don't like math to can I get more homework? When I moved to the U.S for college I chose to study Psychology with a minor in Organizational Development. And my internship as a Human Capital Manager has allowed me to further develop my communication and leadership skills.

How did you hear about this position?

I learned about this position through Stacy Williams. She was one of the panelists on the fireside chat I convened in my school on the importance of women in leadership positions. I followed up with her through a coffee chat. She really enjoyed her job and the company culture. Her enthusiasm about her work encouraged me to apply and I am really excited to be going through the interview process.

What type of work environment do you prefer?

I thrive in environments where I am constantly learning. A place where each days brings a fresh set of challenges that I can solve. I also like working with teams where we can collaborate on tasks and brainstorm solution-oriented ideas. In my former internship I worked with an incredible team as a project manager in the human resources division and I worked on certain projects where I had full creative control on the outcome. I enjoyed the balance of both.

How do you deal with pressure or a stressful situation?

Stressful situations are inevitable and I learned to navigate them successful throughout my college career and my various internships. The first time I came across a stressful situation was in my Sophomore year. I worked as a customer service representative at a big department store and it was holiday season. You can imagine the amount of pressure - long lines of customers all waiting to get attended too. Instead of succumbing to the pressure I made sure to really understand the pain point of each customer which were long wait times and stock outs. If we were out of one brand of sparkling water, I would quickly recommend a different brand. If lines were long, I would go to the floor to help the bagging process. Customers left feeling satisfied with their shopping experience. Overtime, I have realized that the key to dealing with pressure is willingly choosing to complete the tasks with a positive mindset instead of worrying.

Do you prefer working independently or on a team?

I like a mix of both. I enjoy working on a team. The process of strategizing with my teammates on the best way to approach a problem allows for critical analysis and diverse points of view. Wh I also build camaraderie and trust with them while we tackle big problems. I enjoy working alone as well because I get to see how I approach different problems and compare my current performance to my previous ones. Working alone also gives me an opportunity to get feedback from my managers on my progress or areas of improvement. I like a balance of both.

How do you keep yourself organized when balancing multiple projects?

I am used to working on multiple projects. A typical semester for me is juggling between my classes, weekend job, extracurricular activities, and passion projects. So to stay on top of my deadlines and due dates I like to prioritize my tasks based on their level of urgency and importance. I use the time blocking method to schedule time for my projects. I take advantage of tools like Google calendar to keep track of due dates and appointments and Notion to manage big projects.

What did you do in the last year to improve your knowledge?

Last summer, I took some time off to really learn about veganism. It seemed intimidating at first because I did not know enough. So I turned to research to understand the facts. I began making home-cooked meals by following recipes from people I trusted and liked on YouTube. As I began noticing changes in my gut health and productivity levels, I started a blog to share my experiences. Now my blog has over 500 enthusiastic vegans who are on the same journey as I am. it was one of the best investment I made in myself.

The Big Pivot

[astrologged]

Sappho in the signs

Sappho (80) represent the themes of love, desire, beauty, and creativity. The placement of Sappho in the natal chart can indicate someone's relationship style, as well as their personal values related to love, sex, and romance. 

Aspects made to Sappho can also provide additional information about a person's romantic inclinations and tendencies.

Sappho in Aries: A passionate, spontaneous, and bold approach to love and relationships. People with this placement are impulsive and fiery in their expressions of love, and they're attracted to partners who share these qualities. They are likely to be very independent and self-assured, and they need a partner who can keep up with their energy and intensity. This placement also indicates a love of competition and a desire to win the affection of those they desire. They have a fearless and assertive approach to love and romance.

Sappho in Taurus: Finds beauty, sensuality, and pleasure very important in their relationships. They’re attracted to the finer things in life and enjoy indulging in luxurious experiences with their partners. They have a strong desire for physical touch, intimacy, and affection, and are willing to invest time and effort in cultivating a deep connection with their loved ones. They also have a talent for creating beautiful things or appreciate the arts and aesthetics. On the downside, they have a tendency to become possessive or jealous in relationships if they feel their needs are not being met.

Sappho in Gemini: Express their emotions and creativity through communication, wit, and intelligence. They are drawn to people who are curious, articulate, and versatile. This placement indicates a talent for writing, public speaking, or teaching, as well as a love for learning and intellectual pursuits. They're prone to fickleness in matters of the heart, seeking variety and stimulation in their relationships. They're very skilled at flirting and seduction, using their words and intellect to charm and attract others. 

Sappho in Cancer: Have a strong emotional nature, especially when it comes to nurturing, family, and home. People with this placement are likely to be deeply sensitive and caring, often expressing their feelings through poetry, art, or other forms of creativity. They have a strong connection to their past and ancestral roots, and they're drawn to traditional values and customs. There is also a desire for emotional security and stability, and they're prone to seeking out relationships that provide a sense of comfort and safety. At times, they struggle with emotional insecurity and mood swings, but they have a natural talent for nurturing and caring for others.

Sappho in Leo: Finds joy and pleasure in expressing themselves creatively and dramatically. They have a strong desire to be seen and appreciated for their talents and have a natural ability to perform or entertain others. This placement also indicates a romantic and passionate nature, as Leo is ruled by the Sun, the planet of love and vitality. The native is drawn to creative partnerships and relationships that are intense and passionate. Sappho in Leo also indicates a strong sense of pride and a need for recognition and admiration from others.

Sappho in Virgo: Values practicality, organization, and attention to detail in their romantic and creative pursuits. They're attracted to partners who are intelligent, analytical, and hardworking. They also express their affection in practical ways, such as through acts of service or by helping their partners with day-to-day tasks. However, they need to learn to balance their tendency towards perfectionism with the spontaneity and creativity that are necessary for a fulfilling romantic life.

Sappho in Libra: Signifies a strong desire for partnership and deep connections with others. People with this placement are natural romantics, who value fairness and equality in relationships. They tend to be charming, gracious, and attractive, with a gift for creating beauty and pleasure. They have an artistic flair and enjoy indulging in the arts, music, and fashion. However, they also struggle with indecisiveness and a tendency to seek external validation. It is important for them to learn how to balance their need for connection with their own individuality and autonomy.

Sappho in Scorpio: Suggests that love, desire, and passion are intense and powerful for the individual. They have a magnetic presence that draws others towards them, especially those who are drawn to darker, more intense emotions. They have a transformative effect on those they are in love with, as Scorpio is associated with deep emotional transformation. This placement also indicates jealousy, possessiveness, and an inclination towards secrecy in matters of the heart. They have a strong creative or artistic expression related to themes of love, sexuality, and intimacy.

Sappho in Sagittarius: Have a passionate and adventurous nature when it comes to love and relationships. People with this placement are likely to be optimistic and open-minded when it comes to love, and they’re drawn to partners who share their love of travel and exploration. They’re also likely to be attracted to people from different cultural backgrounds or who have different belief systems than their own. Sappho in Sagittarius also indicates a love of learning and a desire to expand one's horizons through new experiences and ideas.

Sappho in Capricorn: Is someone who finds beauty and pleasure in working hard towards their goals and achieving success. They also have a serious and reserved approach towards love and relationships, preferring to take things slow and steady rather than rushing into things. This placement also indicates a preference for older or more established partners, as well as an appreciation for traditional values and structures in love and relationships.

Sappho in Aquarius: Someone who values independence and originality in relationships. They’re drawn to partners who are unconventional, progressive, and open-minded. Sappho in Aquarius desire for a sense of community and shared ideals within their relationships. They're attracted to friendships and partnerships that foster growth, social justice, and a sense of belonging to a group with a common cause or interest.

Sappho in Pisces: There is a strong sense of romanticism, idealism, and sensitivity in love matters. They tend to be highly intuitive and empathic, with a deep understanding of the emotional needs of others. They have an inclination towards the arts, music, and poetry, as they are highly attuned to the beauty and aesthetics of life. Sappho in Pisces also indicates a tendency towards escapism and a difficulty in facing reality, as they prefer to retreat into their imagination or spiritual pursuits to avoid difficult or painful emotions. If harnessed positively, this placement can bring great creativity, compassion, and spiritual growth.

[kartoonatic]

The Amazing Digital Circus Ep. 4 - Thoughts on Gangle

As I said before I’m a big “themes” guy and I was making some connections while watching the newest ep. Here are my thoughts on how Gangle’s character design visually represents a lot of what she goes through in this episode, and how this ep expanded on her inner world and coping skills.

Spoilers Ahead

And disclaimer: I don’t care if you think this is obvious and I don’t care if you think it’s not that deep.

Now:

There are two main elements of this last episode I wanna talk about - Gangle’s masks and the setting being a fast food place.

Gangle is a ribbon body with two different faces, a tragedy mask and comedy mask. She takes on the emotions of whichever mask she’s wearing as soon as she puts it on, meaning she’s either at an extreme joyful high or an extreme depressive low. In Ancient Greece where the tragedy and comedy masks were rumored to originate, actors would wear them to better telegraph those emotions to audience members sitting far away (this is relevant). What’s especially interesting to me is that Gangle wears one on top of each other, making it so when she’s hit hard or stumbles her comedy mask shatters and reveals her tragedy mask underneath.

To the actual episode, I believe the reason Gangle acts the way she does is because she knows at the beginning the new mask doesn’t change her but she’s trying to make it work. I think that she was the one who suggested the fast food adventure at some point because it’s familiar to her (she was a manager in her normal life) and she took initiative in being the manager again because she wanted to engage in that very grounded kind of experience. Day to day in the Digital Circus is intense and abstract, I feel like she wanted a chance to feel normal again, and working customer service provides that sense of complete mundanity.

Here’s when I really begin to enjoy the way the masks represent Gangle’s coping method. This new mask she wears through out the episode is the face she puts on to hold it together. It’s possible to mask mostly for yourself, and people often do, but for a lot of people masking is solely for the benefit of *other people’s comfort*. She’s putting on the mask to get work done. When she wears it she’s upbeat, she’s assertive, she holds people accountable, and she’s got a “can-do-it” attitude the bosses probably love. But something’s really off about her to everyone else. They know she’s not typically assertive and the way she’s behaving feels unnatural to them, but she steps into a leadership role here for the sake of engaging in this fast food role play. So she can feel “normal” even if only temporarily. This is my projection, but I think one of the reasons Jax and Ragatha’s comments cut her so deeply was because she’s not behaving that way because it’s authentic to who she is. She’s doing it to hold things together. For the benefit of everyone else and the "company".

My favorite parts of this episode were the moments of monotony and the bits of silence where the relative normalcy of the situation just hangs. Watching that clock stand still, the changes in lighting throughout the day, the quietness at closing. It brings out a side of everyone I really like to see especially in Gangle. Gangle's emotional center *is* this food joint, this stale representation of "normalcy". In the Digital Circus she's forced to inhabit two emotional extremes every hour of every day. It makes sense that she desires a neutral ground, and the fast food place she used to work might be the only way she can conceptualize that. The setting is corporate, impersonal, and monotonous, but also familiar and has clear policies for how to behave. While she’s here, Gangle *presents* herself as feeling less extreme and upbeat, but that presentation isn’t true to her, and it’s certainly not healthy.

It's worth noting, given the context that Gangle's dream was to be a comic artist, the fast food place can also represent "normal" in the sense that it's a "normal job", an honest job, a stable job. Here Gangle is a normal, honest, stable person mentally and emotionally. Or at least that's likely what she told herself in the real world when she really had to show up every day and play the role perfectly at the risk of a write up.

As the day goes on we see more and more cracks in her armor, and while this new mask won’t break it doesn’t change the fact that she’s still got the tragedy mask hiding underneath. What really saves her from going to a very dark place fast is the fact that Zooble and Pomni recognize what’s going on with her and step in to offer her a bit of relief. I’d argue that so far Zooble and Pomni are the most honest of the cast, with Zooble being a bit more jaded. When Pomni offers to close for Gangle she’s basically giving her permission to drop the act. She allows Gangle to walk out the restaurant, where she’s not being held hostage by her coworkers or customers or the threat of corporate punishment, and feel at the intensity she needs to feel at. Zooble essentially reassures her that she’s wanted in the group even at her emotional lows.

I like the insight this provided into everyone’s character. Ironically I think what’s revealed about Zooble in this ep is more interesting to me than what we learned in the last one. I like knowing how these people treat each other under certain circumstances. It’s subtle and welcomes interpretation. love what they did with Gangle’s character, I like the way they wrapped this one up, and girl I hope you

[journalofanoldsoul]

Food or Culinary Interests (Natal Chart)

There are several astrological indicators that can suggest an interest in food or culinary talent in a natal chart, such as :

Venus in Taurus or in the 2nd house: Venus is the planet of pleasure and enjoyment, and Taurus is associated with the senses, including taste and smell. When Venus is in Taurus or in the 2nd house (the natural house of Taurus), it can indicate a strong appreciation for good food and a desire to indulge in culinary delights.

Moon in Cancer or in the 4th house: The Moon is associated with our emotions and our sense of comfort and nurturing, while Cancer is associated with the home and domesticity. When the Moon is in Cancer or in the 4th house (the natural house of Cancer), it can indicate a strong emotional connection to food and a desire to nurture others through cooking and providing meals.

Jupiter in the 2nd or 6th house: Jupiter is associated with abundance, growth, and expansion, and it can bring luck and success to whatever it touches. When Jupiter is in the 2nd or 6th house, it can indicate a talent for cooking and a desire to share one's culinary skills with others.

Strong aspects between Venus and Mars: Venus and Mars are the planets of love and desire, and when they are in harmonious aspect (such as a trine or sextile), it can indicate a strong passion for cooking and a desire to create delicious meals for loved ones.

A prominent or well-aspected Neptune: Neptune is associated with imagination, creativity, and inspiration, and it can bring a dreamy, artistic quality to whatever it touches. When Neptune is prominent in a chart (such as in the 1st or 10th house), or in positive aspect to personal planets (such as the Sun, Moon, or Venus), it can indicate a talent for cooking and a desire to experiment with flavors and ingredients to create unique and imaginative dishes.

In terms of houses, the 2nd, 4th and the 6th houses are associated with food and cuisine in astrology, but for different reasons :

The 2nd house is the natural house of Taurus, which is associated with the senses, including taste and smell. The 2nd house is also associated with personal resources, including money and possessions, as well as values and self-worth. This makes the 2nd house a natural fit for food and cuisine, as it governs our relationship to resources and the things we value.

In particular, the 2nd house is associated with our personal relationship to food, such as our taste preferences and dietary habits. It can also indicate our relationship to money and how we choose to spend it on food and dining experiences. A well-aspected 2nd house can indicate an appreciation for good food and a desire to indulge in culinary delights.

The 6th house, on the other hand, is associated with health, wellness, and service to others. It is the natural house of Virgo, which is associated with the digestive system and the pursuit of perfection. The 6th house governs our daily routine, including our work, diet, exercise, and self-care.

In terms of food and cuisine, the 6th house is associated with the practical aspects of cooking and preparing food, such as meal planning, grocery shopping, and food preparation. It also governs our relationship to food in terms of health and wellness, and can indicate our dietary habits and preferences based on our physical needs.

Last but not least, the 4th house in astrology is associated with home, family, and the domestic sphere. It is also associated with our roots, ancestry, and heritage. Because of these associations, the 4th house can be related to food and cuisine.

In many cultures, food and cooking are a fundamental part of family life and domestic traditions. The 4th house represents the traditions and customs that are passed down through generations, including recipes and cooking techniques. In this way, the 4th house can indicate our culinary heritage and the foods we grew up eating and preparing in our childhood home.

The 4th house can also represent our emotional relationship to food. Comfort foods and dishes that remind us of home and family are often associated with the 4th house. Additionally, the 4th house can indicate our relationship to food in terms of nurturing and providing for others, as the home and family are often seen as the primary sources of emotional support.

Overall, the 2nd, 4th and 6th houses are associated with food and cuisine in different ways, but they share a common thread in terms of our emotional and cultural connections to food and cooking. It can also indicate our culinary heritage, our emotional attachment to food, and our relationship to food as a means of providing comfort and nurturing for ourselves and others.

Stay tune for more astro posts...

xoxo

J.

[pupmkincake2000]

I started replaying the game for the first time in a long time. I want to get the bad ending because I need several scenes from it. And the more I play, the more inconsistencies and bad writing I notice.

But I also want to say this

the game is right in some ways, especially regarding unemployment level. It is already clear that many things are being robotized and in another ten or twenty years, human physical labor can easily be replaced by machines. However, in this case, I do not understand humanity and their claims to the robotization of physical labor. After all, this will essentially make life easier for many people, and it is also a good motivation to get an education.

Progress does not stand still, so it has long been clear that many professions will simply disappear, since such work will be done by machines, not even androids, just machines. Not everyone will be able to work there where machines cannot replace humans, but this is still motivation, like, if you want your future job not to be taken away, study hard, develop your intellect.

I also looked for professions that cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence, the list is quite interesting:

Therapist, Human Resources, Social Worker, Teacher, Healthcare worker, Leadership, Skilled professionals, Creative professionals, Judge, Scientists, Artist, Law, Musician, Surgeon, Chief executives, Customer Service Representatives, Graphic Designers, Healthcare professionals, Spiritual leader, Athletes, Dancer, Education, Public Service, Software developer

Although I still have doubts about some professions from this list, the list is quite impressive. And I don’t really understand the indignation of people from the game and people in general “oh, androids will replace us all”. They won’t replace everyone, but if you want to keep your job, you’ll have to try to get a good education, which is the main problem, since good education is not available to everyone.

But this is something we can’t avoid, progress cannot be stopped, and if we try, we’ll all just go back to the Middle Ages.

[monicascot]

Are you ready for Airbnb scorecard! 🏡💯

Running an Airbnb business requires careful attention to various aspects to ensure a successful and profitable operation. Firstly, it's important to create an appealing listing that accurately represents your property and highlights its unique features. High-quality photos and detailed descriptions can attract potential guests and set realistic expectations.

[tansyuduri]

Merlin Loregasm Rewatch S1E9

Hi Everyone! Welcome to my rewatch of Merlin focusing on the lore. I am a giant nerd so pretty excited about this. We’re on EXCALIBUR

Uther: Do you solemnly Swear to govern the peoples of this kingdom and their dominions according to the statutes, customs, and laws, Laid down by your forebearers,

Arthur: I do Sire

Uther: Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice, in your deeds and judgments?

Arthur: I do Sire

Uther: And do you swear allegiance to Camelot now and for as long as you shall live?

Arthur: I, Arthur pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service And to the protection of the kingdom and it's peoples.

Uther: Now, being of age, And the Heir apparent, from hence forth you shall be crown prince of Camelot Okay so Arthur is now crown prince of Camalot. And of age. we know hes at Least 20 so of age is likley 21 in this world which is interesting because it implies lifespans are longer due to the more advanced medicine, Normally the medieval OF AGE was 16 years old. Also, see the golden ring placed around Arthurs head? Yeah thats called a Coronet and was traditionally worn by crown princes at formal occasions (Like we will see Arthur do)

It is a bit odd he was not considered crown prince already since he was the oldest royal child (And only royal child as far as people know) So even if Primogeniture (Inheridence by oldest son) was not a thing he would STILL be crown prince. See a crown prince IS the heir apparent of a royal kingdom. And Heir apparent is the one who is going to succeed the king. And cannot be displaces by the birth of another prince. So if he was heir apparent he pretty much was already was Crown prince. My guess is this is traditionally reaffirmed in Camalot when a prince comes of age,

I also like the use of the word peoples because it kinda hints that Camalot is big enough to have multiple peoples within its lands. Which if the theory from the Lancelot episode is true would be the case.

WHOOO Okay I think we have an answer. Devil is VERY Christian. So I'm going with there being some very weird semi paganized version of Christianity existing in Camalot that is left over from the Romans and just got mixed with local traditions. I therorized about this in one loregasm and I'm sticking with it because they ARE VERY MUCH not full on Catholic or Eastern Orthadox. And there are still a lot of pagan elements.

Throwing down a Gauntlet as a challenge is a custom of the late medieval era. It was considered a GRAVE insult and HAD to be picked up to accept the challenge if one wanted to keep ones honnor.

HI Sir Owain! Lesse in the original legends you were a Child of Urrian of Gore and Morgana. You had a pet Lion! You defeated a evil knight and married his widow, Then neglected your wife because you were too busy doing knight stuff. She ditches you and you go mad with grief and live naked in the woods. Then Morgana cures you and you win back your wife. Also, you are one of the last to die before Arthur at Cammlan. Have I mentioned how much I love that Merlin sometimes just goes NAH let's kill em instead?

Geof: Gaius thank god

Gaius: you know why I'm here

Geof: The black knight

Gaius: So it is he

Geof: you saw his crest

Gaius: have you confirmed it?

Geof: it is the crest of Tristan De Bois

Gaius: And he is the only knight ever to have carried such a crest

Geof: yes acording to the records

Okay this is a HUGE boon for us lore wise, See we don't know that much about the personality of Yygraines family. (or a ton about her's for that matter) BUT if it's his crest not a family crest it means HE picked it. So we can use heraldry to learn a bit about him!

So the symbol he uses is an Eagle this represents strength and courage and often has to do with military skill and leadership. It can also represent freedom, and independance and the ability to see things clearly. black represents constancy or grief and white peace and sincerity.

So Tristan was likely a strong man and military leader who was sincere and constant in his personality. He likley tended to perfer peace but when pushed to it would fight well. He might have been independent minded as well showing by making his own crest.

OOCLY the show could be telling us that it is likley telling us this man was RIGHT about Uther being at fault. One way or another. And his act in standing up to Uther was a courageous one. OR its also possible he took up this sigil after Ygraines's death If so his very crest and oufit is blaming and taunting Uther! But that is just my assessment!

HI Sir Pellinor! Lesse in the original legends you were the king of Listeoise (Lake District) Or of "the Illes." You killed king Lot, And hunted the Questing Beast relentlessly. You were killed by Gwaine. You were also Percival's dad. (Among other kids.)

Othanden can mean Out Of Hand in Danish. Otherwise I cannot find much on this. My guess is this battle would have taken place in the previously mentioned war with Mercia

Gaius: Tristan De Bois was the brother of Ygraine -- Uther's wife

Merlin: Arthur's Mother?

Gaius: Ygraine died in childbirth. He blamed Uther and came to the gates of Camalot and Challanged him.

Merlin: to single combat?

Gaius: Uther won, but with his dying breath Traistan cursed Camalot to one day suffer his return. I thought it was the ramblings of a dying man. People Estimate the chances of death in childbirth in the middle ages to be the cause of 50 percent of young female fatalities. Giving birth was incredably dangerous. (And most woman did it many time though less so in the Merlin world) For in the actual birthing process and the chance of childbed fever afterward. So this is likley an early clue to the fact that there was somthing supernatural going on with Arthur's birth. No one in their right mind blamed a man for the death of their wife in childbirth ESPECIALLY if said wife was having their first birth and not too old or too young.

Now in the Merlin world I would guess death in childbirth of woman is at a much lower rate. For two reasons. First of all The more advanced medicine would make it a bit less common. (Though they do not have modern medicine or germ theory or modern technology so not by much) The other reason being IN merlin families seem to be small compared to the huge ones of the middle ages. (Hinting Child Mortality is not as high) So less chances for a woman to die. STILL it likely would have been fairly common.

Now to the interesting fact that Ygraine came from France! Implying contact and trade with them. See Ygraine is the french version of Arthur's mother's name And we've talked about the last name in previous posts.

"Came to the gates of Camalot castle and challenged him" is interesting because it means he was not in Camalot. SO HOW would he know about Uther's involvement in Ygraine's death? My guess is it lies in the "one day suffer his return" See here we have another "How would he know." My guess is the man was some sort of seer. Or magic user. Ygraine was said to have been pretty friendly with many magic users. It's possible magic (or being a seer) ran in her family. The other option of her somehow writing him and knowing about the whole magic to conceive thing is also possible but doesn't explain knowing he would return, Nimue could just have been using something he said randomly but I don't really think so? OR he was just crazy? And was attacking Uther for what he thought was a normal childbirth death? That would be REALLY weird. though. And the later "it was magic that killed her not I" and "never the less it was you he blamed" Seems to go against this option

Gaius: My guess is we're dealing with a Wraith.

Merlin: A wraith?

Gaius: The spirit of a dead man conjured from the grave.

Merlin: So this is the work of a sorcerer

Gaius: Powerful Magic can harness the greif and rage of a demanted soul and make it live again

Merlin: How do we stop it?

Gaius: We can't, Because its not alive no mortal weapon can kill it

Merlin: Surly there must be somthing

Gaius: Nothing can stop it until it has achived what it came for

Merlin: And what's that

Gaius: Revenge.

Wraith is a Scottish word for ghost that has become a more general term. It can also mean the exact likeness of a person seen before death as a death omen, (A soul who was on the verge of death or recently passed on) From there the meaning has evolved to many many different things.

Geoferry is not in on it! Its likely Arthurs birth magic is not in the court records of the purge! (Theorized about this perviously)

Uther: Havn't you tired of revenge?

Nimueh: Haven't you? You Began this war when you threw me from the court and salughtered all of my kind

Uther: you brought it on yourself you practiced evil

Nimueh: I was your freind Uther, You welcomed me here

Uther: you betrayed that freindship

Nimueh: I did as you asked I used the magic you so despise to give your barren wife the son you craved

Uther: Don't ever speak of her in that way She was my heart, My soul, and you took her from me.

Nimueh: She died giving birth to your son. it was not my choice. That is the law of Magic. to create a life there had to be a death, the balance of the world had to be repaired

Uther: you knew it would kill her

Nimueh: No you're wrong. If I had forseen her death and the terrible retrebution you would seek. I would never have granted your wish.

Ok first of all we know from later Nimugh has a bit of control of who dies. Hinting that something interfered here causing it to be Ygraine. (I totally don't have headcanons about this you will eventually see in my fics)

ALSO, I find it interesting he says "Evil" not "evil sorcery," I think he truly belives all magic is evil. I mean every villain is a good guy in their own mind.

BUT he was also freinds with Nimueh and welcomed her to Camalot. So he didn't always think all magic was evil. It seems it truely was Ygraines death that caused that. I always wondered if part was just an excuse in his mind because he was insecure that other people had so much power and perhaps helped him build the kingdom with it. So they could tear it down. I think Nimueh was court sorcerer. And helped him take over the kingdom, but that's just my headcannon.

Also gotta wonder what kinda person Ygraine was that Uther fell so deeply in love with her.

Geoff: Well several fables speak of Ancient swords

=Merlin: that can kill the dead?"

Geoff: The swords the fables speak of could destroy anything alive or dead.

Merlin: can you show me one of these fables"

Geoff: welll let me think, yes

(Later)

Goef: this is the chronicle of Beltane, now then, ah were we are 'Sir Marhaus looked at the great sword, begotten in the dragons breath and found it passing good"

Sir Marhaus was the son of the king of ireland and his sister was the queen of Ireland and a knight of the Round Table in folklore. Beltane as we addressed is celebrated may 1st! So this book is the chronicles of a holiday on May 1st

Merlin: I've come to ask for a sword. The strongest sword your father's ever made

Gwen: What for?

Merlin: To save Arthur (Cut to latter but continuation of this scene so keeping it here)

Gwen: My father's been saving this. Hes always said it was the best sword he's ever made.

Merlin: its perfect

Gwen: He'll kill me if he find's I've taken it

Merlin: He'll understand, You did it for arthur. I've talked about this before but this is more evidence that Gwen's family, while commoners, are not the same level of poor as most. Making swords and armor, especially good ones was a skilled art. And those things were EXPENSIVE. Tom is not the royal swordsmith so its HIGHLY likely he rivals the royal swordsmith in skill enough to have some knights of Camalot (The people who can actually afford arms and armor) Buy or get repairs done from him instead. (This is a big deal he must be VERY good) There are not many other people he could be making swords and armor for. I suppose there might be some mercenaries and freelancers who are rich enough for swords and perhaps VERY RARLY full on armor. He makes armor that is of the quality nobles wear, And can afford to just give it to people. we know this from Lancelot. I think he must do other typical blacksmithing AND Arms and armor for knights. So I see two possibilities. Either they consistently live at a level above the poverty of most commoners

OR Every now and then he gets a commission that makes them richer for a bit. With Gwen ALSO being such a good seamstress and Also considering they seem to be able to give away armor (Cough Lancelot cough) I think the first option is more likely, or perhaps its a mix of the two. To be clear they are not rich. I'm not saying they are rich. I'm saying they seem to be above most commoners in wealth. Also, wealth did not matter as much as Class in the middle ages anyway.

Him putting his best sword away might be some form of insurance He's still a commoner and is not guaranteed work because he is not the royal smith. And what if there is some emergency or a time when he doesn't get any of the fine commissions for a while?

Uther: You knew that one day this business would come back to haunt me.

Gaius: not quite so litteraly

Uther: I should have listened to you. You said that no good would come of using witchcraft at Arthur's birth

Gaius: you wanted an heir you thought it was the only way.

Uther: Nimueh told me there would be a pice to pay

Gaius: You weren't to know that price would be Ygraines life

OKAY first of all does this mean that GAIUS was not the one to suggest using magic? Then WTF was Uther talking about in that conversation about something being stupid to do "because Gaius said it was so" back in the poisoned chalice? Was Gaius just the messanger? It means it might explain more why Gauis lived if he was not the one to suggust it. Perhaps Uther asked Gaius if he knew a way and Gaius said he did but no good would come of it? Or Gaius was indeed just the messenger? BUT WHY DID HE NEED A MESSENGER IF NIMUEH WAS AT COURT. I swear when this is all done I'm going over all of these and doing a summary of possible answers to some questions!

Merlin: will your Bunrish it to save Arthur

Killy: The dead do not return without reason, who has he come for.

Merlin: Uther

Killy: Then let him take his Vengance and the wraith will die without my aid.

Merlin: But it's Arthur who is going to fight him! You have to save him

Killy: That is your destany young warlock not mine

Merlin: But if Arthur fights the wraith and dies camalot will have no heir, I will have no destany

Killy: A weapon forged with my assistance will have great power

Merlin: I know

Killy: You do not know You can only guess. You have not seen what I've seen. If you had perhaps you would not ask this of me.

Merlin: what do you mean?

Killy: In the wrong hands this sword could do great evil

Burnishing typically means polishing metal until it shines. Figuratively it can mean to enhance or perfect something. I think this is an interesting word to use and possibly implies a sword like Excalibur would never need to be polished again.

Also I'm pretty convinced one thing Killy is talking about here is how most of the high priestesses died. Remember mortal swords can not kill Morgana by the time of her death. There could be many other incidents too. However seeing as Excalibur mostly functions as a normal sword until one is up against undead or borderline imortals I think this could be a main focus. Of course it does bring up the question of if there were other swords and what happened to them if this is true. Because if this was the case I SERIOUSLY doubt Uther would have let such swords just vanish. Then again as far as we know the sword that killed Arthur was just used as a grave maker. ALSO as far as we know those are the only dragon-burnished swords we see in the show. Which means there are others either just hidden places, or out there with people having no clue as to their powers because they just found them somewhere and were like cool sword! The later kinda amuses me. Just some random dude around having no idea their sword is a WOID (Weapon Of Immortal Destruction)

Uther: Who made it?

Merlin: uh, tom the blacksmith

Uther: Its worthy of a king

Merlin: You would be better off with a sword your trusted

Uther: No, It has almost Perfect balance. Tom's not the Royal swordsmith I'm supprised Arthur went to him.

Merlin: That was me.

(This is the line I keep referring to about how Gwen's dad is not the royal swordsmith.)

The balance point on a sword is where you can lay it over a finger and not have it fall, Its center of weight. Usually its just a bit above the hilt. This is why most swords had pommels

If there is too much weight in the direction of the grip the trikes from it will not be fast and smooth, Also you will have a hard time pushing your opponents blade around. while if there is too much on the blade it will take longer to recover from a blow.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Unifor Local 144 members have voted with 98 per cent in favour of taking strike action if a fair contract cannot be reached. “We don’t have endless patience. A serious offer from the employer is required to get bargaining back on track,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor western regional director, in a press release. “Unifor members make Manitoba Lotteries wildly profitable. They’ve earned a fair contract.” The union represents more than 750 members at McPhillips Station Casino, Club Regent Casino and the Shark Club Casino working as dealers, cashiers, slot attendants, security, customer service and skilled trade workers.

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[fatehbaz]

Scientific knowledge and technology played a significant role in the expansion of colonial rule in India and the consequent incorporation of the Indian sub-continent into the [commercialized, imperial] world-system [...]. The colonization of nature, territory and people in British India led to a mutually constitutive interplay [...].

By the time the East India Company managed to establish a foothold in Bengal in 1757, [...] [a]fter the acquisition of the formal rights to collect revenues in the states of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, the issue of obtaining accurate information about the extent of the produce, the population and other social statistics assumed significance. The detailed scientific surveys [...] were possible due to the large number of amateur scientists employed by the Company. Over time, these surveys played a major role in the transformation of a trading company into a colonial state [...] and the incorporation of India into the modern world-system. [...]

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Considered the founder of British geography, James Rennell arrived in India in 1760 barely three years after the decisive battle of Plassey. Rennell’s cartographic skills caught the attention of the governor of Bengal presidency, who was ‘anxious to inaugurate some system for correcting and revising the geography of Bengal’ [...]. Rennell’s mapping out in great detail the area under the Company was indispensable for the rationalization of the extraction of surplus, administrative strategies and techniques of control. [...] In 1777 he left for England, and two years later he published the Bengal Atlas that led to his election to the Royal Society. [...] With reference to the ‘science wars’, [...] Rennell’s work was also incorporated in the key text[s] of the time, C. Lyell’s Principles of Geology (1830) [...] [and] the work of [...] Humboldt and Carl Ritter. Rennell’s surveys contributed to the organized [...] surveys [across wider regions of India] that followed after the defeat of Tipu Sultan of Mysore in 1799. [...] [Mysore's] sustained resistance to British power had a major impact on the general consciousness in Britain. [...]

Thomas de Quincey extolled the virtues of the ‘British bulldog’ against [...] the tyrannical ‘Bengal tiger’ [...]. The scientific knowledge that emerged as a consequence of the surveys of Mysore contributed [...] to the consolidation of administrative power [...]. The key figures associated with the surveys [included] Colin Mackenzie [...]. Mackenzie’s ethnographic notes contributed to imperial perceptions of the [...] [people of South Asia] and the grid of anthropological knowledge through which administrative power was deployed. [...]

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Nature, culture and colonial power were inextricably implicated in the production of scientific knowledge and of colonial society. [...] The establishment the Public Works Department in 1854 provided fresh impetus for the deployment of science and technology in grappling with problems precipitated by colonial rule. Declining revenues for the Company focused attention on gigantic irrigation and other public works projects. [...]

The irrigation projects were expanded to include the railways (1849), the telegraph (1852), and the postal system (1850). Together, they represented the largest state-sponsored enterprise undertaken anywhere at that time. Lord Dalhousie, under whose tenure these projects were inaugurated, declared the railways, the telegraph and the postal system as the ‘three great engines of social improvement’.

His predecessor William Bentinck had already termed the railways ‘the great engine of moral improvement’ in a country ‘cursed from one end to the other by the vice, the ignorance, [...] the barbarous and cruel customs that have been the growth of ages under every description of Asian misrule’ [...]. Later observers were to wax ever more eloquent on the role of the railways in the modernization of India. For W. A. Rogers of the Indian Civil Service, railways ‘are opening the eyes of the people … they teach them that speed attained is time, and therefore money, saved or made’ (Adas1989: 226). The importance of a network of railways, connecting the cotton plantations of the Deccan region to the ports became significant especially during the 'cotton famine' of 1846 [...].

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Almost immediately after Dalhousie left India, secure in the belief that the double engines of moral improvement and legitimacy were at work, the rebellion of 1857 put an end to such expectations. The rebellion was partly triggered in response to the wide-ranging transformations [...] triggered off by the introduction of [these] new [colonial infrastructures] [...].

In the end, the rebellion was violently suppressed by the very technologies that had precipitated it in the first place. [...]

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All text above by: Zaheer Baber. "Colonizing nature: scientific knowledge, colonial power and the incorporation of India into the modern world-system". British Journal of Sociology 52(1), pages 37-58. April 2001. [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Presented here for commentary, teaching, criticism purposes.]

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