#face bracket canada

[fermosinc]

Grocery shelving in Canada offers efficient and organized storage solutions for supermarkets and convenience stores. These versatile shelves ensure easy access to products, enhancing the shopping experience for customers.

[pennysperfectpolls]

Penny poll Bracket 2 Finals

Penny Lamb/Jane Doe (Legoland / Ride the Cyclone) vs

Penelope (The Odyssey)

Propaganda under the cut

Penny Lamb/Jane Doe (Legoland / Ride the Cyclone)

• Okay I am not the person to be propaganda making for her but she's so cool she died once and then came back she's also a bit uhh deranged is a good word

• Penny Lamb (and her younger brother Ezra) lived in a hippie weed growing commune until she was thirteen and snuck out to a walmart, eventually leading to the entire thing burning to the ground. Then they lived in a tiny town named Uranium City and she got relentlessly bullied and even set on fire until she was given a cd by another girl from a band called Seven Up. She formed a parasocial relationship with the singer, who then turned into a misogynistic rapper. She travelled from northern Saskatchewan to Florida to meet him and thank him for basically making her life tolerable and enjoyable, and then ended up tearing a chunk of flesh out of his face with her teeth all at the age of 15 years old. Two years later after a concert with her school choir, she was beheaded on a fair rollercoaster called the Cyclone, becoming a Jane Doe until she was voted back to life. While she was Jane Doe, she wore the head of a porcelain doll as to not freak the other kids out!

• she was born a hippie, she bites and maims a famous rapper with hot coffee, she has a little brother obsessed with german philosophy, she plays the ukulele, she has a fuck ass bob. she gets fucking DECAPITATED by a roller coaster but survives because she is so offputting. what else do you need in a woman

• Where do I START with Penny. Basically she grew up socially isolated on a community pot farm until the age of 13, where she and her brother ran away to Walmart and started pretending to revive him from seizures because of how much attention she got. She was eventually driven back home where the entire community was drug busted burned to the ground, their parents being arrested, friends taken away, entire home destroyed. Instead of being sent to foster care, she’s and her brother are sent to a catholic boarding school, where they live mostly unsupervised. Penny is relentlessly bullied for supposedly being a lesbian, and diagnosed as bipolar and manic depressive while her brother (three years younger than her) sells his adhd medication to college kids to make ends meet. Soon after having her backpack lit on fire by bullies, she starts to fall into a deep depressive episode, not coming out of her room for days, until a catholic girl takes pity on her, and gives her a hiphop/boyband CD for her to listen to called 7-up (important later). Penny obsessed on the lead singer Johnny moon to an unhealthy degree until the band breaks up and Johnny rebrands to JK47, a misogynist gangster rapper who penny can’t stand. Penny and her brother run away from middle of knowwhere Canada to Florida to meet him so penny can win him back and remind him of how much she loves him and how cool he used to be. This doesn’t go well, as he doesn’t drop his gangster persona, calling her the same insult all her previous bullies did, leading to her throwing hot coffee on him, tearing a chunk off flesh out of his face with her teeth, and subsequently being arrested and later out on probation. Penny ALSO gets her own movie (in the play) and tells the audience this very story in a presentation with goofy puppets. Penny’s story is funny and absurd but at the same time incredibly tragic and heartbreaking. She also appears in ride the cyclone where she’s revealed to be the identity of Jane Doe (who had her head cut off before she was found dead in the rollercoaster accident with the other choir kids and was therefor never identified)

• she is a femamist lesbian and I am in love with her

• She's known as Jane Doe throughout the musical because she doesn't know who she is in death, her head is a doll's head because she lost her real one in the rollercoaster disaster that killed all the characters, she's the one who wins the prize of coming back from death which is when we learn her true name Penny. Her song is absolutely *beautiful* (The Ballad of Jane Doe) and she is the Penny of all time because I love her

• Girlie already lost her head we can’t take her victory too :(

Penelope (The Odyssey)

• She waited about 20 years for her husband to come home she used her huge brain to keep the suitors away for ages I just think she's neat

• She is LOYAL. She is SMART. She is HARDWORKING. She waited for TWENTY YEARS. Penelope is a QUEEN (literally). PENELOPE SWEEP

[l-norris]

F1 Monaco GP 2024 Recap

Since this race has been a little anticlimactic I decided to take note of a few things that happened during the race and added my own little commentary - This is gonna be a long-ish one, continue under "Read more"

Also, the numbers in brackets are lap numbers, for the record.

- First lap red flag (thanks KMag)

- Thank God no one got hurt

- Esteban and Pierre recreating the French civil war

- Tyre switcheroos before restart

- Chance of a no-stop race???

- Surprisingly clean restart

- Charles sandbagging

- George being told to not push??

- Oscar in a Ferrari sandwich

- Oscar fastes lap (7)

- Carlos fastest lap (8)

- 10 second time penalty for Esteban after the civil war

- *checks notes* ... hold on, he DNF-ed...

- Oscar fastest lap (9)

- Max stuck in 6th

- George isn't allowed to drive quick (Choo choo!)

- Oscar improving lap times

- Everyone is slow (lap times are F2 niveau)

- No immensely large gaps

- Valtteri in pit (16)

- Yaaaaawn

- Ah. Tyre managing. Fun.

- Valtteri fastest lap??? (18)

- Oscar is in Charles' rear

- Red and yellow, red and yellow. (Charles, Oscar, Carlos, Lando) (literally ketchup and mustard)

- ORF commentators eating blueberries

- THEY'RE MAKING SMALL TALK AHAHAHA

- Max still stuck in 6th

- Fernando train

- "Valt-teri Bot-tas" (why does everyone say it like that)

- Chances of mistakes: 0

- Pitlane window where?

- Lando has vibrations

- Tyres start deteriorating everywhere

- Lando almost kissing the wall (31)

- Max should've brought his pillow

- honk shoo, honk shoo, you get the drill.

- Arthur sighted!

- 39 laps to go, I am falling asleep.

- Aaaand we're slowing down again...

- Charles approaching backrunners (40)

- Esteban's 10 second penalty became a 5-place grid penalty for Canada

- Carlos being a smooth operator once more

- Daniel almost overtaking Fernando

- Lance in pit (43)

- Lando tyre saving king

- Did I mention that Max is still 6th

- Charles wants to drive faster, his engineer said, and I quote: "We're not interested"

- "That's rude" "Sorry" I'M AHFJSHFJSH

- So bored that I started changing my bedsheets #adhdthings

- Max pitstop (52)

- First overtake in the race from Valtteri on Lance (54)

- Lewis fastest lap (54)

- Max fastest lap (55)

- Lewis fastest lap (57)

- You get the gist, lap time ping-pong

- Lap 72, still nothing new

- Except Charles pulled away from Oscar, like... almost nine seconds.

- Oh also Logan hit the wall a few laps back

- "I'll just bring it home" Charles is so real for that

- Last three laps!

- Oh also Max is still in P6.

- Solid

- Get ready for Fratelli d'Italia.

-Last lap starting!

- And with that, Ladies and Gentlemen... the Leclerc curse has ended.

- Top 10 finished exactly the same as they started.

- There's tears running down my face

- This is the most beautiful podium celebration ever

[proton-wobbler]

Warbler Showdown Finale: Bracket 7

Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons)

IUCN Rating: Least Concern

Range: migratory; breeds in Arizona, New Mexico, and the mountainous portions of Northwest Mexico; overwinters in Southern Mexico, from Durango to Oaxaca, though it can be found further south at times.

Habitat: breeds in high elevation forests (2000-2800m), typically montane fir, pine, and open pine-oak. Will be found in a wider elevation range when overwintering (1300-3000m), but still prefers humid montane forests and pine-oak forests.

Subspecies: 3

Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis)

IUCN Rating: Least Concern

Range: migratory; breeds from eastern British Columbia all the way to Nova Scotia, as well as down the Appalachian mountain chain- even into South Carolina. Overwinters in mountainous regions of Columbia, down to Bolivia.

Habitat: Across all regions, prefers moist forests, especially at higher elevations. When breeding they can be found in a wide range of deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests, so long as there is a moss layer and uneven forest floor. Overwintering habitat more varied, but almost always montane.

Subspecies: none

Pink-headed Warbler (Cardellina versicolor)

IUCN Rating: Least Concern

Range: resident (non-migratory); found in a small section of Chiapas in Mexico and the Guatemalan highlands

Habitat: pine-oak and montane evergreen forests, with a preference for the edges and secondary vegetation.

Subspecies: none

Image Sources: Red-faced (Anon); Canada (Brad Imhoff); (Ana Paula Oxom)

[flagwars]

Flag Wars Round 1: Prelims

Welcome to the first round of the Flag Wars! I received so many submissions, and I tried to include almost all of them in the competition. The first round is the preliminaries, where there will be 16 brackets each with 8 or 9 flags. The two most voted flags in each bracket will go on to the next round. Sadly, so many amazing flags will be voted out in the first round. This competition is about which flag has the best design rather than meaning, so please vote for the flag that you think looks the best rather than voting on how meaningful the flag is to you.

Here are the brackets for Round 1:

Round 1:

Group A:

Bracket 1:

Pansexual

Norway

Belarus

Albania

Canada

Lesbian

South Korea

New Zealand

Bracket 2:

Newfoundland

Argentina

Pakistan

Omnisexual

Brittany, France

Indiana

Barbados

Northern Italy

Bracket 3:

Achterhoek, Netherlands

Scotland

Fuente de Oro, Colombia

LGBT Pride

Orlando, Florida

Bhutan

North American Vexillological Association

Washington D.C.

Bracket 4:

Wiphala

Friesland

Abrosexual

Kalmykia, Russia

L'Manberg (Dream SMP)

Latvian Russians

Mozambique

United Kingdom

Group B:

Bracket 5:

New Mexico

Nonbinary

Original Pride

Jamaica

Sweden

Isle of Man

The People's Flag of Milwaukee

Denver, Colorado

Bracket 6:

Maryland

Ruhnu, Estonia

Māori

Assyrian

Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Russia

Estelada (Catalonian Independence)

Intersex

Aroace

Bracket 7:

South Carolina

Cascadia (Doug Flag)

Yi People

Switzerland

California

Bavaria, Germany

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Pehuenche People

Bracket 8:

Wales

Germany

Qing Dynasty

Arizona

Tokyo

Liechtenstein

MLM

St. Louis, Missouri

Group C:

Bracket 9:

Cuba

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Vatican City

Kiribati

Demigirl

Bohuslän, Sweden

Greenland

European Union

Bracket 10:

Iran

Ikurriña/Basque

Greece

Japan

Progress Pride

United Nations

Kyrgyzstan

Aromantic

American Indian Movement

Bracket 11:

Ryukyu Kingdom

Quebec

Australian Aboriginal

Sapphic

Slovakia

International Federation of Vexillological Associations

Mexico

Nepal

Bracket 12:

Bear

Taiwan

Asexual

Pacific Community

Alaska

Turkmeneli, Iraq

Oz (The Wizard of Oz)

Zheleznogorsk, Russia

Group D:

Bracket 13:

Trans

Chicago, Illinois

Concón, Chile

Morocco

Rejected EU

Okinawa

Racing Flag

Hong Kong

Bracket 14:

Ohio

Black flag of Puerto Rico

Hawaii

Antarctica True South Proposal

Brazil

United States

A-spec

Estonia

Bracket 15:

Laser Kiwi

Seychelles

Sealand

Uzbekistan

Colorado

Kazakhstan

Ukraine

Macau

Wakanda

Bracket 16:

Orca Face (People’s Flag of Seattle)

Philippines

Portland, Oregon

Unlabeled

Salem, Oregon

Mississippi

Bisexual

Turkey

South Africa

[corvid-tournament]

Corvid Tournament Corvus Bracket Round 3: Northwestern Crow vs White-Necked Crow

Northwestern crow (corvus brachyrhynchos caurinus): This is a subspecies of the American crow and is generally smaller than other American crows (40-50cm/16-20in) and has a very distinct, hoarse caw. Their range is the Pacific temperate rain forests along the coast of the northwestern US and western Canada. They were once considered their own species and are now not only a subspecies but, as of 2020, are considered a regional variant of the western crow (c. b. hesperis), another subspecies of the American crow. Their conservation status is “least concern."

White-necked crow (corvus leucognaphalus): The largest of the Caribbean corvids, the White-necked crow is 42-46cm/17-18in long with black plumage and red eyes. It lives only on the island of Hispaniola; it used to live on Puerto Rico no longer does due to hunting and habitat loss. It also faces hunting and habitat loss on Hispaniola as well as nest attacks from the pearly-eyed thrasher (bird). Because of this, its conservation status is listed as “vulnerable.” There are currently no conservation efforts in place to protect this species; all I found was this 2006 article (in English and Spanish) on its behavior and proposed conservation.

[that-soccer-guru]

Week 1 World Cup Recap

Well hello everyone. Will this be proof that player interactions will get more notes than sports talk? We shall see!

Week one is over and we got a LOT of surprises, so without further ado here's the points table by group. (Yes, I made my own bracket tracker, let me live)((yes more opinions and notes no one asked for but I AM GONNA GIVE ANYWAYS BC WORLD CUP TIME IS MY TIME BABEEY))

Group A with a lil sprinkle of Week 2 for good measure. Norway absolutely showed some nerves at being in this world stage, and the Philippines is one of the few teams who I feel played better than the scoreboard reflects. There was a lot of beautiful tactical acumen in that game, and no spoilers for week 2 conversations but well... you can see the score there. Philippines is absolutely presenting us with a beautiful project and they do NOT want to be left behind. Group A is most definitely getting hairy out here.

Group B. No Sam Kerr for Australia didn't slow them down half as much as I think the pundits expected, and they managed a solid if not a little uninspired win over Ireland. There was a lot of physicality that allows ME to laugh in the face of that "the game was too physical" nonsense Ireland pulled with Colombia ahead of the cup. Canada very predictably is crumbling under their own weight--is it tactics (and their coaching), an aging squad, the quality of the other teams? Who's to say, but it shows. And Nigeria, I feel, only narrowly missed on a goal or two that would've made this score reflect the game a lot more.

Group C again with a spoiler for week 2 (by now the Spain and Canada games in week 2 have been played but I'm rewatching my recorded games bc I am an ADULT and cannot stay up/wake up early for these crazy schedules and be productive, so here we are). Spain had the good luck of getting to step into the cup with a relatively weaker team--they got the ideal game to settle into the fact that they're missing a lot of key pieces but they hit the ground RUNNING. It also showed that it might be time for Costa Rica to look for a different coaching strategy, and I say this as someone who's a BIG fan of Valverde. This team is leaving WAY too much space and playing all to the ball and not to the players looking for space and it showed in both the Spain game and the Week 2 Japan game.

I'll admit I didn't watch the Zambia game but I am not at all surprised that a squad full of speed and discipline kicked ass like they did. Rip Zambia there, do better damn it, I've seen the quality and grit in this team and I want to see it next week.

Group D. HOLY SPIRIT OF FUTBOL, BATMAN! That Haiti game was BEAUTIFUL. Of course England comes in with a lot of missing pieces into the cup, but Haiti capitalized on everything. Speed, decisiveness, dribbling, spaces, passes, it was beautiful. A dumb handball and a penalty really did them in. Sadly they're missing some decisiveness up-front, especially in that last kick at goal, but they showed they belong and they're here to stay.

China deserved better than what happened with that miracle goal. Denmark played a very weak game and China had every opportunity to win it, unfortunately this game is cruel and there's no such thing as "deserve", there is goal scoring, and that failed them. Excited for that China vs Haiti, and wishing a speedy recovery to Jennyfer Limage, ACL tears are brutal and getting to this stage and be taken out by such a bitch of an injury is painful for everyone involved.

Group E. I also didn't watch the US game, my apologies, but I won't be a hypocrite and say "well what happened with the team that won 13-0 last world cup?" because this is more a symptom that the gaps are closing between the superpowers of this game and the rest of the world, and I for one love to see it. (Yes, I choose to watch Oppenheimer over the game, no I am not sorry).

Portugal v Netherlands was a VERY physical game, and the Netherlands is showing cracks, especially in the midfield, but you can't argue with results and you definitely can't argue with the initiative in plays and the SPEED the midfielders kick off with to run at goal. That said, Portugal played with a lot of heart, but they're missing that final 3rd pass/game. Once they find it? They're gonna be amazing!

Group F. HOLY SPIRIT OF FOOTBALL PART 2, BATMAN! Jamaica man, what a fucking team! Starting from the beautiful kits and the spirit they played with, they absolutely nullified France. They were very patient, waited for France to get frantic and make mistakes, which they did, and absolutely went for this very VERY important tie. This absolutely keeps them in the running to make it out of group stages and, honestly, I wouldn't count them out. Heartbreaker double yellow but that's on poor team management, the bench needs to start learning to sub out cautioned players, but what else is new.

Brazil man, BRAZIL WITH EL JOGO BONITO. Dream world cup debut for Ary, roaring into the competition with a beautiful hatty. If they can stay healthy and show patience and willingness to stick with the strategy, they can go far. Exciting game up ahead in week 2!

Group G. What a fucking game that Sweden v South Africa game was! Honestly I thought South Africa had them for a moment. It became a matter of fatigue and the little mistakes that this can lead to in the end. Sweden needs to take this victory as a salve from the heavens and make some adjustments, and South Africa needs to shake this, because they absolutely have what it takes to make it out of this group.

I am not going to lie, I am heartbroken AND angry for/with Argentina. They played a good game from the midfield down, really good defensive lines, but what the FUCK happened in the final third? Banini was, as Andres Cantor likes to say "alone against the world", making amazing runs and having 0 support in the area for any crosses. If the midfield and the forward line don't start to play through her, as one Jamie Tartt taught us, this is gonna be a quick and painful ending for SUCH a talented and promising team. Get it together, this game could've been a win if there was better connection up ahead.

Group H. This one is, I think, the game that DEFINITELY isn't reflected by the final score. Morocco is really freaking good? Good through passes, very talented wingers, their defense, of course, needs a lot of work, especially in recognizing clear and present danger which the Germans absolutely exploited, but overall this ass kicking is not what I would've expected from the team I watched. Germany played their best edition of their game, let the other team hold the ball and batter themselves against your lines, exploit mistakes, use height and speed, and start knocking on heaven's door early and decisively. No notes. Alexandra Popp is the moment. The German team also have an ADORABLE crochet koala bear as their team mascot and I love it.

And now the moment I've been waiting for. Ehem. CAMPEON, COLOMBIA CAMPEON!!! Please tell me the English streams talked about Abadia serving a 2 game suspension because NOTHING says Colombia more than "the cup hasn't even started and your coach is already suspended" (he's was suspended following the Copa America final and this is the first time he can serve the games, but it's hysterical seeing him, sitting with the audience with his white board, angry as hell). Clearly they're shaking the nerves off, and Colombia gave South Korea a LOT of latitude. There were a lot of stupid mistakes (wtf was that ninja kick, miss Vanegas!?), they played a very physical game in the beginning (we will never win anything on fairplay and I've accepted this), but when it came time to put on the screws they delivered. What can I say about the Wunderkind too. Linda didn't even pick up her head for that senior world cup goal, she just knew it was right, and she was correct. They exploited South Korea's weaknesses and delivered results. Tighter lines and better discipline for the game against Germany and we might just make it very freaking far y'all!

This cup is giving us SO MUCH entertainment, incredible games, and a show of how quickly the world is advancing. Excited for week 2!

[sukipershipper]

WVBA Presents: THE LADIES OF THE RING!!

The WVBA finally opened up a bracket for the beautiful women from around the world! Exceptional and proud talents from all over! Managed by the beautiful, Ada Krowlinsky! Let’s get to know them!

JUNIOR CHALLENGER

Junebug (June Masters) Age: 17 Height: 5′5 ft Weight: 107lbs Home: Manhattan, NY, USA Record: ??? “A new challenger, hailing from the Big Apple, Junebug is a goofy, sometimes clumsy, fighter. Her ethics are heavily inspired by her trainer, who seemed to have a fighting past herself, and she is heavily determined to punch her way to the top!” MINOR CIRCUIT

3: Glacier North (Tala Williams) Age: 18 Height: 4′9 ft Weight: 113lbs Home: Iqualit, NV, Canada Record: 10-6 (7 KO’s) “A timid soul, but a fierce fighter. Glacier North is the youngest fighter in the CVBA. Though she doesn’t rank very high, many see her untapped potential. If only she wasn’t so meek.”

2: Luz Fiesta (Luna Ramirez) Age: 32 Height: 5′11 ft Weight: 192lbs Home: Bogota, Colombia Record: 12-13 (9 KO’s) “The life of the party, Luz Fiesta is here to put a smile on your face, dazzle you with her antics and knock out her opponents while dancing around in the ring. What fun!” 1: Mama Belle (Leah Belle) Age: 40 Height: 5′11 ft  Weight: 200lbs Home: Houston, TX, USA Record: 10 - 3 (4 KO’s) “Sweet as a button and coated with sugar, Mama Belle delights the ring with her sweet, southern hospitality and a punch that will make her opponents cookies crumble.” Champion: TJ Storm (Maria Teorokai) Age: 19 Height: 6′2 ft Weight: 203lbs Home: Rarotonga, Cook Islands Record: 17-10 (13 KO’s) “From across the sea comes a storm, TJ Storm. She’s mighty, she’s brutal and she’s determined to knock out her opponents, no matter what. Though far from home, TJ never forgets where she’s from and many assume the reason she fights so well is because of the family who she has close to her heart.” MAJOR CIRCUIT: 3: Louella Swansong (Alla Vinogradov) Age: 25 Height: 6′3 Weight: 166lbs Home: Saint Petersburg, Russia Record: 10-9 (5 KO’s) “A beautiful dancer, part time worker in a stage theatre, and a graceful disposition wherever she goes, Louella is a talented performer and even more talented boxer, and knows how to pack quite a punch when she isn’t fuzzing over getting her mitts dirty”

2: Sheriff Dusty (Winifred Parris) Age: 32 Height: 6′2 ft Weight: 189lbs Home: Frankfort, KY, USA Record: 20-7 (11 KO’s) “From the countryside of Kentucky, Dusty is a hardworking and fun individual. Inspired by one of the champion boxers in Branch A, she took the ring almost immediately, wanting to experience the thrill, failure, but mostly joy that being in the ring had to offer!” 1: Rosa Mariposa (Carmen Balmori) Age: 20 Height: 4′11 Weight: 122lbs Home: Madrid, Spain Record: 19-3 (2 KO’s) “The gorgeous gem of Madrid, and girlfriend of the Major Circuit Champ, Don Flamenco, Carmen, otherwise known by her pseudonym, Rosa Mariposa, is an elegant opponent. With a spring in her step and a flutter in her heart, she wows the crowd with her presentation and a few moved she learnt from her Amor”  Champ: Barbella Bambina (Bella Mancini) Age: 29 Height: 5′8 ft Weight: 230lbs Home: Milan, Italy Record: 23-4 (19 KO’s) “From Italy, and proud to be it, Barbella is a strongman in the same circus as Mad Clown! Though she has an intimidating appearance, she can be quite funny and goofy, though she is a bit daft with her jokes now and again. But when it comes to the ring? Ohoho, you better watch out, before she drops her bar on you!” WORLD CIRCUIT

4: Heat Wave (Sydney Robinson) Age: 30 Height: 6′0 ft Weight: 192lbs Home: Sydney, NSW, Australia Record: 25-2 (21 KO’s) “As fiery as her name suggests, Heat Wave brings a fistful of fire to her matches. She’s the hot personality that is sure to knock the socks off of folks both in and out of the ring. However, though fiery, she has been seen being very *chill* outside the ring, and especially around her best friend, Blaze Hinabi.” 3: Cajun Jewel (Edmee Boudreaux) Age: 68 Height: 5′8 ft Weight: 118lbs Home: New Orleans, LA, USA Record: 24-2 (20 KO’s) “Dubbed The Beauty of the Bayou and The Voodoo Queen, Cajun Jewel is one old lady you don’t wanna mess with, always carrying a new trick up her sleeves. A true pioneer of the Louisiana spirit, you best watch out when her eyes start to glow, it never ends up good for her opponents!” 2: Mane Event (Becky Smith) Age: 31 Height: 6′1 ft Weight: 202 lbs Home: Las Vegas, NV, USA Record: 19-2 (11 KO’s) “A masked felon, Mane Event is the true heel of the woman’s bracket. Hiding behind her mask of shame after trying to kill a soul singer in Vegas, she took to boxing as an outlet. She’s a vengeful and ruthless soul, uncontrollable but still no match for her own inner beast...maybe one day...” 1: Maple Rose (Rochelle Lavoie) Age: 30 Height: 4′9 ft Weight: 199lbs Home: Montreal, QB, Canada Record: 25-1 (22 KO’s)  “A gorgeous and graceful soul, Maple Rose is the true show stealer, with beautiful attire, personality and pretty much everything else, the only thing she could be missing is a bad hair day. Maple Rose may look dainty, but don’t let that fool you, this is one rose who isn’t afraid to hit you with her thorns.” World Champ: Blaze Hinabi (Emi Sato) Age: 21 Height: 6′1 ft Weight: 130lbs Home: Kyoto, Japan Record: 27 - 0 (27 KO’s) “Whether she be a crackling bonfire, or a calm, flickering flame, Blaze literally blazes through her opponents and lays waste to anyone who stands in her way. Proud to stand in the ring as the youngest Woman’s champion to date, she is a cool fire that will never, ever die.”

[uswnt5]

It’s actually crazy also because even if the USWNT somehow pulls a win out of this it won’t be anywhere near the level of difficulty in knock outs

The fact that the right side of the bracket is so stacked gives the US such a better chance.

France, Germany, England, Brazil, Australia, Canada -- all but one are going to eliminate each other before they'd face the USA.

We basically have Sweden and Spain to worry about until late in the knockouts.

[proton-wobbler]

Bracket 1: Setophaga-A

Grace's Warbler vs Barbuda Warbler

Hooded Warbler vs Myrtle Warbler

Golden-cheeked Warbler vs Olive-capped Warbler

Vitelline Warbler vs Chestnut-sided Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler vs Bay-breasted Warbler

Townsend's Warbler vs Yellow-throated Warbler

Cerulean Warbler vs Goldman's Warbler

Elfin-woods Warbler vs Tropical Parula

Black-throated Blue Warbler vs Kirtland's Warbler

Bracket 2: Setophaga-B

Pine Warbler vs Blackpoll Warbler

Bahama Warbler vs Arrowhead Warbler

Adelaide's Warbler vs American Restart

Palm Warbler vs St. Lucia Warbler

Yellow Warbler vs Plumbeous Warbler

Cape May Warbler vs Hermit Warbler

Prairie Warbler vs Black-throated Green Warbler

Magnolia Warbler vs Audubon's Warbler

Northern Parula vs Black-throated Gray Warbler

Bracket 3: Myiothlypis

Russet-crowned Warbler vs Citrine Warbler

Pale-legged Warbler vs White-lored Warbler (run-off)

Two-banded Warbler vs Flavescent Warbler

Gray-headed Warbler vs Santa Marta Warbler

Cuzco Warbler vs White-striped Warbler

Buff-rumped Wabler vs Choco Warbler

White-browed Warbler vs Riverbank Warbler

Gray-and-gold Warbler vs Black-crested Warbler

Gray-throated Warbler vs Roraiman Warbler

Bracket 4: Basileuterus

Fan-tailed Warbler vs Three-striped Warbler

Golden-browed Warbler vs Golden-crowned Warbler

Yungas Wabler vs Three-banded Warbler

Pirre Warbler vs Tacarcuna Warbler

Rufous-capped Warbler vs Costa Rican Warbler

Black-cheeked Warbler vs Chestnust-capped Warbler

Bracket 5: Geothlypis

Beldin's Yellowthroat vs Mourning Warbler

Kentucky Warbler vs Black-lored Yellowthroat

Common Yellowthroat vs Southern Yellowthroat

Gray-crowned Yellowthroat vs Altamira Yellowthroat

Bahama Yellowthroat vs Black-polled Yellowthroat

Olive-crowned Yellowthroat vs Hooded Yellowthroat

MacGillivray's Warbler vs Masked Yellowthroat

Bracket 6: Myioborus

White-fronted Whitestart vs Tepui Whitestart

Spectacled Redstart vs Brown-capped Whitestart

Yellow-crowned Redstart vs Painted Whitestart

Golden-fronted Whitestart vs Slate-throated Whitestart

Collared Whitestart vs Paria Whitestart

Saffron-breasted Whitestart vs White-faced Whitestart

Bracket 7: Leiothlypis & Cardellina

Virginia's Warbler vs Lucy's Warbler

Tennessee Warbler vs Nashville Warbler

Colima Warbler vs Orange-crowned Warbler

Red Warbler vs Pink-headed Warbler

Red-faced Warbler vs Wilson's Warbler

(solo/sit-out) Canada Warbler

Bracket 8: Vermivora, Parkesia, & Oreothlypis

Blue-winged Warbler vs Golden-winged Warbler

Northern Waterthrush vs Louisiana Waterthrush

Flame-throated Warbler vs Crescent-chested Warbler

(solo/sit-out) Bachman's Warbler

Bracket 9: Odd Ones Out

Semper's Warbler vs Prothonotary Warbler

Ovenbird vs Black-and-white Warbler

Swainson's Warbler vs Whistling Warbler

Connecticut Warbler vs Worm-eating Warbler

Bracket 10: Not-"Warblers"

Red-breasted Chat vs Yellow-headed Warbler

White-winged Warbler vs Olive Warbler

Green-tailed Warbler vs Grey-throated Chat

Yellow-breasted Chat vs Wrenthrush

Rose-breasted Chat vs Oriente Warbler

[cherryblossomsandhydrangeas]

Sk8 Rewatch Ep8

No, Adam, there is no one is the world who was created just for you. You’re looking for a doll/plaything, not a human being.

See, now that? That’s a moon. I don’t know what the hell that was from Ep6.

Wow, there are a lot of fruits at S.

Shadow: He’s [Reki] scared to race against Adam. *Laughs* Shadow, you’re the one who took him to the hospital and visibly sighed in the relief that he was okay.

Love how the people on the left are standing as far away from Adam as possible. Notice, how the people on Miya’s side are a bit closer as well since they’re not within Adam’s reach.

You know I think I’d be able to feel a bit more sympathy for Adam if his aunts version of love was the only one he knew. But that’s not what happened. He was loved by Tadashi, Kaoru, and Kojiro all normally, so it’s not like he doesn’t know other forms of love, this is all very much a choice.

Another reason I can’t feel sympathy is his pedophilia. Like, Adam believes that Langa is his Eve, right? Which means they’ll soon go to The Zone/Eden/The World Only For The Two Of Us. So, why is he excited for Miya to “bloom” so he can fall in love with him. Any sympathy you could have possibly gotten from me was destroyed with that comment.

Another post I’m gonna make is Cherry’s relationship with Carla and how fandom mischaracterizes it a bit.

I’m most definitely making a post on how Cherry couldn’t beat Adam, but he was able to match him. Like, I think it will be my life’s work for this blog. (other than the fanfics I’m planning)

Ah, Tadashi, this was you at your best. I’m so sorry about the ending you got.

Aww, my poor boys.

As a person who is also a little sister, I understand Koyomi on a fundamental level.

One thing I don’t like is how the show tries to present Ainosuke’s aunts as a consequence. Like, it’s formula is: Adam hurts someone or harasses a child, but he still has to go home to his aunts! Ainosuke’s aunts are not a consequence, they are his backstory. They don’t abuse him because of his actions, they are the cause of his mentality. The only consequence he might have gotten was jail for perjury and other illegal acts, but that was shoehorned away. Some of this can be explained by Sk8 being 12 eps long, thus not given enough time to add more fundamental scenes, but god, I would have loved at least one scene where Ainosuke does anything antagonistic, faces a consequence, and it isn’t brushed off by him or thrown away by the narrative, thus staying with him for the rest of the story.

I know Tadashi probably has/had romantic feelings for Ainosuke, but honestly I can’t see them as having anything other than a platonic or familial bond, or, at the very least an unrequited one where one has romantic feelings and the other has familial/platonic.

One day I am going to make a post about how Tadashi was abused by the Shindos (including Ainosuke) just as much as Ainosuke himself was.

Shout out to Joe for doing the work Reki’s father cannot since he has to work away from home all the time!

Mom of the year! Hasegawa Nanako!

Ngl, I want Harry’s backstory. My man’s made it to the tournament no problem. Note: he had to have been the second person from Cherry’s bracket to win since we never saw anybody else cross during that run.

Sometimes I feel like Adam dislikes Joe. Like he goes “...Joe” because he’s Langa’s opponent instead of him, but I wonder if that bled over into their adolescence. Like, he wrote Joe’s name on the 3 of diamonds. I can’t help but wonder if he was also subtly calling him a third wheel like he does Reki later.

Shout out to Joe for doing the work Langa’s father cannot since he’s in a coffin six feet under in Canada!

I actually like how Joe still has a sliver of hope left for Adam, even though he probably wants to punch him more for Cherry’s sake than his own, he still cares for his old friend a tiny bit.

[nightsidewrestling]

D.U.D.E: Part 5 - News Spreads Like Fire (set in 2020)

Note: This is set in a universe where Men VS Women / Intergender matches can happen.

Chapter 1: here Chapter 2: here Chapter 3: here Chapter 4: here

Tags: @piratewithvigor @tantamount-treason @thedollmaker16 @janetreader

Around 2000 Words. 18+ in places (those chapters will be marked as 'Mature / sexual content' just to be safe). Please inform me if you wish to be tagged or untagged from posts. If the text is in italics and orange it's Kirby's inner monologue. If the text is coloured but not in italics, it's either dialogue or a P.O.V change (P.O.V changes will be in bold and translated dialogue will appear in square [ ] brackets), Key below. Quick note on Geia's text colour: Yes I do know that as Greed she should be in yellow but I decided to colour the men's dialogue yellow so Geia was changed to be pink like the other women in the story outside of the main 8.

The Main 8: Damo - Bio. Vi - Bio. Billie - Bio. Geia - Bio. Kirby - Bio. Honey - Bio. Eli - Bio. Sara - Bio.

Gluttony's P.O.V:

"So... what went down last night?" Renee asks, taking a quick photo of the new couple.

"We fucked," Eddie states, straight-faced until he looks at Kirby and sees the look of concern she's giving him, "actually, we talked for a while, kinda flirted with each other and then things got hot. Kirby said she'd have me as her first, last and only and well, who am I to say no to a supermodel when she says 'fuck me'."

"I am not a su-" Kirby's phone goes off in the back pocket of her jeans, before she can grab it, Eddie answers the call.

From the moment Eddie answers with a nonchalant 'Yo' to the moment he hangs up with a 'Sure, Sara, you can see her' and the address of the motel they're staying at Kirby's wide-eyed with fascination that Eddie would give absolutely zero fucks about talking to another one of the Lucifarian girls.

"What?" Eddie shrugs, handing her phone back to her.

"When the fuck did you go from 'fuck them' to 'ah, fuck it, it's Sara, I'll answer'?" Kirby asks, bewildered and slightly impressed.

"Well it's just Sara, she isn't exactly Damien." Mox chimes in.

Eddie simply nods in agreement, before adding on, "You haven't touched ya coffee yet, you a'ight?"

"I'm... getting used to everything... and standing next to you following, last night, isn't exactly helping me stay calm." She whispers.

Eddie seems to immediately understand what Kirby means, breathing out a cloud of smoke, and pulls Kirby into a gentle kiss, a look of genuine concern in his eyes as he holds her close, making sure Kirby's calm and everything's alright, then letting her step back slightly, holding her free hand in his as he continues to smoke, the last of his morning cigarette, and proceeds to watch Kirby gulp down her coffee.

"Kirby, you worked with guys from all over right, as part of C.R.C?" Mox asks, scrolling through something on his phone.

"Yep, I've worked with people from Canada to Australia, why?"

"Do you know who this is?" Mox shows Kirby a picture on his phone as he asks the question.

The photo is zoomed in, and of poor quality due to age and a, more than likely, shit quality camera, but Kirby recognises the face of the man.

"Yeah, that's uhh... Ed McGuckin, Jigsaw... used to work in Chikara before coming out to C.R.C for a while."

Mox chuckles as he zooms out of the photo, "You recognise anyone else in this photo?"

"Yeah, that's Bryce back when he had hair. Jack Marciano, who didn't have a beard the first time I met him... and that's..." Kirby looks over at Eddie before looking at the photo again, "That's the sexiest man I've ever seen, who is that exactly."

Eddie shakes his head and chuckles softly, "I didn't know you worked with Jig, and how did you meet Jack, and when?"

Kirby chuckles softly and kisses Eddie's forehead softly, "I met Jack in two-thousand-and-eight, He came to C.R.C, looking to do some commentary and announcer work. I was seventeen at the time, and it was my first year as part of our talent relations team, and I was put onto the job of getting the guys, from outside of Wales, settled for the year."

"And you never thought to tell me, you met my first ever tag partna?" Eddie teases, pulling Kirby into a gentle kiss.

"He never mentioned you, so I didn't know you two worked together. Jigsaw made a couple jokes that Marciano was being a 'wingman' for someone who wasn't there, but they never said who."

Eddie smirks and raises an eyebrow, moving his hands to Kirby's waist and kissing her deeply, managing to slip his tongue into her mouth, deepening the kiss and furrowing his brows as Kirby pulls away.

"I gotta go check if the girls are here, I'll be back soon." She whispers, gently kissing his forehead before leaving Eddie with Renee and Moxley.

About five minutes passes before Kirby returns to the room, Sara and Billie following her. Sara almost walks directly into Kirby's lower back when she stops in the doorway.

"You missed me, Eddie?" Kirby asks softly, before being pulled into a gentle kiss, and ending up straddling Eddie's lap on the bed.

"Ey, Latino Heat, give her some air, acere [dude]. Que es ella, tu jeva [What is she, your girlfriend]?" Billie teases playfully, shaking her head jokingly.

"El es mi corazón, si [he is my heart, yes]." Kirby nods, biting her lip when Eddie kisses her jawline.

"That sounded so fuckin' sexy." Eddie whispers in her ear, more of a growl than a whisper.

"Can we not do pda in front of the child?" Sara chuckles nervously.

Kirby pulls away from Eddie, getting up before Eddie pulls her back onto her lap, letting her sit on his lap, rather than continuing to straddle him. Eddie sticks his tongue out as Sara, who does the same in return. Billie goes outside, to light up a cigarette, and talks to Jon and Renee.

"So, you two... actually dating or is this for show, so I don't call you a 'virgin sacrifice' again?" Sara asks softly.

"Ya can't call her that anymore, not after last night," Eddie smirks, "The neighbours know exactly who to yell at now."

"Nasty boy," Kirby chuckles, "this ain't for show, Red, and Eddie's right, you cant call me a 'virgin' and still be accurate and factual."

"Does Damien know?"

"Damien can go fuck himself, I'll fucking kill him if he touches her, I sw-" Eddie gets cut off by Kirby kissing him deeply, and falls back against the bed, moaning against her lips, his hands finding their way to her ass as she straddles him.

"I said no pda in front of the child." Sara grumbles, covering her eyes with her hands.

"You're motherfucking eighteen, Saraid." Kirby snaps back.

"Damn, you get a whole level hotter when angry." Eddie whispers, pulling Kirby back into a kiss, weaving one hand into her hair, resting the opposite hand on her rear.

Kirby moans against his lips when he squeezes her ass, letting Eddie take control of the situation, shifting her shirt up slightly, tracing the tattoos and scars on her back with his fingers, before he pulls away, placing his forehead against hers and smiling softly at her.

"Doughboy." Kirby whispers.

"You callin' me fat?" Eddie asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Nah, compaing you to Ice Cube in 'Boys 'n the Hood'."

"I ain't as hard as that motherfucka." He chuckles softly, shifting their position to be on top of Kirby, before getting up and heading outside to smoke.

"You are so in love with him, it's gonna drive Damien absolutely fuckin' crazy."

"I don't give a fuck if it does, I think, I've found what I've been missing my entire adult life."

"How old were you when you joined the group?"

"I was twenty-one, still in university and had yet to get 'corrective treatment' for my acromegaly or gigantism." Kirby murmurs.

"Yeah? I think you've needed someone like him too, ya look happier than I've ever seen you."

Kirby looks over at Eddie, he winks at her before gesturing for her, and Sara, to join the group outside.

"We're being summoned to be social." She whispers to Sara before getting up.

"Why isn't Eddie a shirt?"

"He doesn't have to, technically speaking, I could walk around without my shirt on if I wanted to." Kirby shrugs.

"Dare you to."

"What do I get if I do?"

"I'll buy you lunch for a week."

Kirby shakes Sara's hand, taking her shirt off and, changing from her 'regular bra' to her orange camo sports bra and heading outside. Eddie coughs when he sees her and, after he gets his breath back, pulls her in close, holding her body against his, kissing her deeply and roughly, his brows furrowed as he holds her close, kissing her over and over, keeping her body against his, as he goes back to smoking his cigarette.

"You're drivin' me crazy but I love it." He whispers, breathing out a cloud of smoke, as Kirby rests her head on his shoulder.

"I drive you crazy, King, Angry crazy or horny crazy?"

"I wanna kick everyone out of the room, and be in bed with you all day, kinda crazy."

Kirby kisses his neck and jawline, feeling the scruff of his beard against her lips, hearing Eddie take a sharp breath in when her thigh touches the crotch of his jeans.

"I said no pda." Sara whines as she walks outside.

Eddie lets out a soft whine as Kirby pulls away, shoving his hands in his jean pockets and glaring at Sara, only stopping when Kirby pulls him into a gentle kiss, his eyes lighting up.

"I'm running low on cigarettes, and Kirby needs a decent meal, so we'll be back soon. Don't wreck the room." Eddie hurriedly says, leading Kirby inside and grabbing a shirt.

He takes Kirby's hand in his, giving her his phone, he then grabs her handbag and rushes to put on his hat, rosaries and a tank-top before leaving the hotel. Within a few minutes, he has Kirby pushed up against her car, kissing her deeply, grinding his groin against hers, as he keeps her pinned against the passenger's door.

"Fuck, King, are you trying to get me pregnant, the first day we're together?" Kirby breathlessly asks, her eyes flickering between his eyes and lips.

"Nah, just trying to make sure you know I love ya." He grunts, closing his eyes, as Kirby palms his length through his jeans.

"Are we doing this in public, or?"

"Hell nah, back of the car, I'm gonna blow ya mind." He teases, letting Kirby climb in before him and climbing over her.

Kirby has just enough room to pull her jeans down (slightly) and Eddie follows her actions, dropping his jeans and boxers down to his knees, before yanking Kirby's own boxer shorts down, grabbing a condom from his wallet, closing the back door and slamming into Kirby. Over and over. Fast and steady like a hammer, grunting and groaning, as he feels Kirby getting closer to climaxing. He slows down and lets her breathe for a moment, not letting her go over the edge, managing to get her closer to his pace, right as he feels himself get to the edge of sexual ecstasy, he slams into her a final few times before the couple (both) go over the edge.

"Sinner." Kirby teases softly.

Eddie chuckles, kissing her roughly and giving her chest a squeeze, before sorting himself out, throwing the condom and its wrapper in the closest trashcan, then sliding into the driver's seat, watching as Kirby, cleans herself up, then climbs into the seat next to Eddie, grabbing two of her shirts and her boots from her 'emergency bag' behind the driver's seat, sorting her outfit out.

"Did Renee send you the picture she took?" Eddie asks, his voice much softer again.

"Yeah, I told her not to post it anywhere until, you say, you're comfy with that."

"Those jeans look really cute on you."

"Thanks, my Mam did the embroidery on them." She murmurs, blushing a light pink as she looks at Eddie, watching him drive.

"You also look really cute... my girl." He whispers.

"I heard that, King."

"Kid, what should I call you, what do you want me to call you?"

"Anything other than 'Kid', I'm nearly thirty."

"Sweetheart? You fine with sweetheart?"

"More than fine, your accent makes that word sound sexy."

Eddie soon pulls up outside of a corner store, making a quick trip inside, to get a new set of lighters and a pack of cigarettes, climbing back into the driver's seat and taking Kirby through the nearest drive-thru, letting her order whatever she wants, and even, letting her pay for her own food (and her second coffee) from the Starbucks menu, then driving back to the hotel.

[nsfwhiphop]

Fun Fact about the number of people living paycheck to paycheck:

Question:

What is the current percentage of the working-class population living paycheck to paycheck in North America and Europe? Please include detailed data for each country, with specific names and numbers where possible.

ChatGPT Answer:

In North America, the number of people living paycheck to paycheck is significant, particularly in the United States. As of mid-2022, approximately 59% of all U.S. consumers were living paycheck to paycheck. This number increases among lower-income groups, with 74% of those earning under $50,000 annually falling into this category. Even among higher-income earners, those making between $100,000 and $150,000, around 54% are living paycheck to paycheck​ (PYMNTS.com)​ (LendingClub).

In Europe, the situation varies by country. While detailed, up-to-date statistics for each country might not be as readily available, it's clear that economic pressures such as inflation have had a widespread impact, driving more individuals and households into a paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle. Countries like the UK, Germany, and France have reported rising concerns about financial stability, particularly among the working class and lower-income brackets. However, specific percentages for paycheck-to-paycheck living can vary significantly depending on local economic conditions and social safety nets.

In summary, while the situation is severe in the U.S., with a majority of people across various income levels struggling, Europe also faces challenges, though the numbers and experiences can differ across the continent.

United States

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: As of 2022, around 59% of all U.S. consumers are living paycheck to paycheck. This represents an increase from previous years, driven by inflation and rising costs of living.

Income Breakdown:

Low-Income Earners: 74% of those earning under $50,000 annually.

Middle-Income Earners: 62% of those earning between $50,000 and $100,000 annually.

High-Income Earners: 54% of those earning between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, and 45% of those earning over $150,000​ (PYMNTS.com)​ (LendingClub).

Canada

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: In Canada, approximately 52% of people live paycheck to paycheck as of 2022. This is a slight improvement from previous years, but still reflects significant financial insecurity.

Income Breakdown: Specific breakdowns by income bracket are less detailed in public sources, but it is known that rising costs, particularly in housing and utilities, have been significant drivers of this trend.

United Kingdom

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: In the UK, around 40% of people are living paycheck to paycheck as of 2023. This figure has been rising due to inflation, particularly in energy costs and rent.

Income Breakdown:

A study indicated that 64% of workers earning under £30,000 a year are in this situation.

Even those earning between £50,000 and £100,000, approximately 25%, have reported living paycheck to paycheck due to rising living costs​ (PYMNTS.com).

Germany

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: In Germany, about 50% of the population reports living paycheck to paycheck.

Income Breakdown: The percentage of people living paycheck to paycheck is higher among those earning less than €2,500 per month. Inflation, especially in energy and housing, has exacerbated this trend.

France

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: In France, approximately 42% of the population lives paycheck to paycheck.

Income Breakdown: Financial pressure is most acute among those earning below the median income, but even middle-income families have seen a significant increase in financial stress due to rising costs in essentials like groceries and transportation​ (LendingClub).

Spain

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: In Spain, 45% of people are living paycheck to paycheck.

Income Breakdown: The working class, especially those in lower-income brackets (earning less than €1,500 per month), are most affected, though the situation has been worsening across various income levels due to high unemployment and rising living costs.

Italy

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: About 46% of Italians are living paycheck to paycheck, with the situation particularly dire in the southern regions of the country.

Income Breakdown: Higher among those earning under €2,000 per month, particularly impacted by high utility costs and relatively stagnant wages​ (LendingClub).

These figures highlight a growing trend across North America and Europe, where even middle to upper-middle-income individuals and families are increasingly facing financial insecurity due to economic pressures.

Scandinavia: Living Paycheck to Paycheck

Sweden

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: Approximately 29% of the population in Sweden lives paycheck to paycheck. The situation is more pronounced among younger adults and those working in lower-wage sectors. Rising housing costs, especially in urban areas, have been a key factor.

Norway

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: In Norway, about 25% of people live paycheck to paycheck. Norway's strong social safety nets and high wages have helped keep this number relatively low compared to other countries. However, those in lower-income brackets and individuals living in high-cost cities like Oslo face more significant financial pressure.

Denmark

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: Roughly 24% of the Danish population lives paycheck to paycheck. Denmark's comprehensive welfare system provides significant support, but rising living costs, particularly in housing and utilities, have begun to strain even middle-income households.

Finland

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: Around 28% of people in Finland live paycheck to paycheck. Similar to its Scandinavian neighbors, Finland’s social welfare programs help mitigate financial stress, but rising living expenses, especially in urban areas, are increasingly pushing people into financial tightness.

Scandinavian countries generally have a lower percentage of their populations living paycheck to paycheck compared to other parts of Europe and North America, thanks to strong social welfare systems, high wages, and relatively lower income inequality. However, rising costs of living, especially in housing and utilities, are contributing to financial pressure for a significant portion of the population.

Iceland

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: In Iceland, approximately 30-35% of the population lives paycheck to paycheck. Although Iceland has a high standard of living and strong social services, the high cost of living, particularly in housing, has put financial strain on many households. Economic fluctuations, including inflation and currency volatility, also contribute to this financial pressure.

Greenland

Percentage Living Paycheck to Paycheck: Detailed statistics for Greenland are less readily available due to its small and dispersed population, but estimates suggest that a significant portion of the working-class population faces financial difficulties, likely over 40%. Greenland has a higher cost of living due to its remote location and reliance on imported goods, and the economic opportunities are more limited compared to the rest of Scandinavia, making financial insecurity more common.

In both Iceland and Greenland, the rising cost of living, especially in housing and utilities, is a major factor contributing to the percentage of people living paycheck to paycheck, despite relatively strong social support systems in these regions.

[multitaxservices]

Understanding Tax Laws in London, Ontario: A Guide by Local Tax Accountants

Navigating the intricate web of tax laws can be a daunting task, especially for residents and businesses in London, Ontario. Tax laws are continuously evolving, and keeping up with the changes requires both dedication and expertise. This guide, crafted by local tax accountants, aims to demystify the complexities of tax regulations in London, Ontario, providing valuable insights and practical advice to help you manage your tax obligations efficiently.

The Importance of Understanding Tax Laws

Understanding tax laws is crucial for both individuals and businesses. It ensures compliance, helps in optimizing tax liabilities, and avoids potential penalties or legal issues. In London, Ontario, tax laws encompass federal, provincial, and municipal regulations, each with its own set of rules and requirements.

Federal Tax Obligations

At the federal level, Canadians are required to pay income tax on their worldwide income. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers tax laws and collects income taxes. Key aspects include:

Income Tax: Individuals must report their income annually and pay taxes based on their income bracket. Deductions and credits, such as the Basic Personal Amount and charitable donations, can reduce taxable income.

Corporate Tax: Businesses must file annual corporate income tax returns. The general corporate tax rate is 15% at the federal level, with various credits and deductions available to reduce the tax burden.

GST/HST: Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) applies to most goods and services. In Ontario, the HST rate is 13%, combining the federal GST of 5% and the provincial rate of 8%.

Provincial Tax Obligations

Ontario's tax laws include additional obligations for individuals and businesses:

Personal Income Tax: Ontario levies its own income tax, calculated based on a percentage of federal taxable income. The rates are progressive, with higher income earners paying a higher percentage.

Ontario Trillium Benefit: This benefit combines the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, and Northern Ontario Energy Credit, providing financial assistance to eligible individuals and families.

Corporate Income Tax: Ontario's general corporate tax rate is 11.5%. Small businesses may benefit from a lower rate of 3.2% on their first $500,000 of active business income.

Municipal Tax Obligations

In addition to federal and provincial taxes, London residents and businesses must also adhere to municipal tax regulations:

Property Tax: Property owners in London pay property taxes based on the assessed value of their property. The municipal government sets the tax rate, which funds local services such as schools, public transportation, and emergency services.

Business Tax: Businesses may be subject to additional municipal taxes, licenses, and permits, depending on the nature of their operations.

Common Tax Issues and How to Address Them

Tax accountants in London, Ontario, often encounter common tax issues faced by residents and businesses. Here are a few examples and how to address them:

Filing Errors

Filing errors, such as incorrect information or missing documents, can lead to delays and penalties. To avoid these issues, double-check your tax returns and ensure all necessary documents are included. Utilizing the services of a tax accountant in London, Ontario, can provide peace of mind, as they are well-versed in local tax regulations and can ensure accurate filing.

Missing Deadlines

Missing tax deadlines can result in penalties and interest charges. Keep track of important dates, such as the April 30th deadline for individual tax returns and the June 15th deadline for self-employed individuals. Setting reminders and working with a tax accountant can help you stay on top of these deadlines.

Understanding Deductions and Credits

Many taxpayers miss out on valuable deductions and credits simply because they are unaware of them. A tax accountant in London, Ontario, can help identify eligible deductions and credits, such as medical expenses, education costs, and business expenses, to minimize your tax liability.

The Role of a Tax Accountant

A tax accountant plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with tax laws and optimizing tax liabilities. Their services include:

Tax Planning: Developing strategies to minimize tax liabilities through careful planning and understanding of tax laws.

Tax Preparation and Filing: Accurately preparing and filing tax returns to meet deadlines and avoid penalties.

Audit Support: Assisting in the event of an audit by the CRA or other tax authorities, providing documentation and representation.

Conclusion

Understanding tax laws in London, Ontario, is essential for both individuals and businesses to ensure compliance and optimize tax liabilities. By staying informed about federal, provincial, and municipal tax obligations, and by seeking the expertise of a tax accountant in London, Ontario, you can navigate the complexities of the tax system with confidence. Local tax accountants are equipped with the knowledge and experience to provide tailored advice and support, making tax season less stressful and more manageable.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 7.25 (after 1900)

1908 – Ajinomoto is founded. Kikunae Ikeda of the Tokyo Imperial University discovers that a key ingredient in kombu soup stock is monosodium glutamate (MSG), and patents a process for manufacturing it. 1909 – Louis Blériot makes the first flight across the English Channel in a heavier-than-air machine from Calais to Dover, England, United Kingdom in 37 minutes. 1915 – RFC Captain Lanoe Hawker becomes the first British pursuit aviator to earn the Victoria Cross. 1917 – Sir Robert Borden introduces the first income tax in Canada as a "temporary" measure (lowest bracket is 4% and highest is 25%). 1925 – Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS) is established. 1934 – The Nazis assassinate Austrian Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss in a failed coup attempt. 1940 – General Henri Guisan orders the Swiss Army to resist German invasion and makes surrender illegal. 1942 – The Norwegian Manifesto calls for nonviolent resistance to the German occupation. 1943 – World War II: Benito Mussolini is forced out of office by the King (encouraged by the Grand Council of Fascism) and is replaced by Pietro Badoglio. 1944 – World War II: Operation Spring is one of the bloodiest days for the First Canadian Army during the war. 1946 – The Crossroads Baker device is the first underwater nuclear weapon test. 1956 – Forty-five miles south of Nantucket Island, the Italian ocean liner SS Andrea Doria collides with the MS Stockholm in heavy fog and sinks the next day, killing 51. 1957 – The Tunisian King Muhammad VIII al-Amin is replaced by President Habib Bourguiba. 1958 – The African Regroupment Party holds its first congress in Cotonou. 1961 – Cold War: In a speech John F. Kennedy emphasizes that any attack on Berlin is an attack on NATO. 1965 – Bob Dylan goes electric at the Newport Folk Festival, signaling a major change in folk and rock music. 1969 – Vietnam War: U.S. President Richard Nixon declares the Nixon Doctrine, stating that the United States now expects its Asian allies to take care of their own military defense. This is the start of the "Vietnamization" of the war. 1971 – The Sohagpur massacre is perpetrated by the Pakistan Army. 1973 – Soviet Mars 5 space probe is launched. 1976 – Viking program: Viking 1 takes the famous Face on Mars photo. 1978 – Puerto Rican police shoot two nationalists in the Cerro Maravilla murders. 1978 – Birth of Louise Joy Brown, the first human to have been born after conception by in vitro fertilisation, or IVF. 1979 – In accord with the Egypt–Israel peace treaty, Israel begins its withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula. 1983 – Black July: Thirty-seven Tamil political prisoners at the Welikada high security prison in Colombo are massacred by the fellow Sinhalese prisoners. 1984 – Salyut 7 cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya becomes the first woman to perform a space walk. 1993 – Israel launches a massive attack against Lebanon in what the Israelis call Operation Accountability, and the Lebanese call the Seven-Day War. 1993 – The Saint James Church massacre occurs in Kenilworth, Cape Town, South Africa. 1994 – Israel and Jordan sign the Washington Declaration, that formally ends the state of war that had existed between the nations since 1948. 1995 – A gas bottle explodes in Saint Michel station of line B of the RER (Paris regional train network). Eight are killed and 80 wounded. 1996 – In a military coup in Burundi, Pierre Buyoya deposes Sylvestre Ntibantunganya. 2000 – Concorde Air France Flight 4590 crashes outside of Paris shortly after taking off at Charles de Gaulle Airport, killing 113 people. 2007 – Pratibha Patil is sworn in as India's first female president. 2010 – WikiLeaks publishes classified documents about the War in Afghanistan, one of the largest leaks in U.S. military history. 2018 – As-Suwayda attacks: Coordinated attacks occur in Syria. 2019 – National extreme heat records set this day in the UK, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany during the July 2019 European heat wave.

[rndyounghowze]

NJ-6 Paranormal Cirque 3

Part Of: Cirque Italia

Directed By: Rafinha Salgueiro

Presented By: Paranormal Cirque

Many things have happened in our lives at the Hamilton Mall. Dana used to work retail there. We have gotten the call that pulled us out of homelessness at the Olive Garden nearby. We have also cobbled a car muffler back together in the parking lot. There are a lot of family memories tied up in that central location. Little did we know another family was ready to make us a different kind of memory in that same parking lot. It was a memory made of fire, rope, and high wire. It was memories made of jaw dropping, sexy, and raunchy moments. It was circus artists from Cirque Italia’s third troupe of “Paranormal Cirque”. Some came from long lines of circus families. Some were performers joining their first tour. All of them were ready to blow our minds!

Welcome To The Graveyard

To truly understand what paranormal Cirque is all about we have to start with the lore. The idea is you are now trapped in this creepy circus tent with the lost souls of former circus performers. There’s no way out except to watch the entire show. Don’t threaten us with a good time! An adorable little boy on a tricycle a la Saw gives us the creepiest pre-curtain speech ever while we wait for the denizens of Paranormal Cirqu to invade. Then enter the sexiest, creepiest, and somehow most hilarious you’ve ever seen in the center ring. This two-act show features a rotating cast of performers from all over the world. There are acts from juggling to Wheel of Death and everything in between. Be prepared to be scared, and excited, and laugh your assets off. These grim-grinning ghosts have a show for you!

We Felt Like Kids Again!

Circus has always been a huge part of our lives. We bonded over what acts we liked the most. We each have circus memories from childhood. However, as animals rights supporters and “refined” theatre critics we always thought the circus was out of reach. Yet Cirque Italia’s Paranormal Cirque 3 brought the circus back to us in a big way. Although no humans were harmed in the making of our circus experience, the extreme acts and the creative story left us on the edge of our seats. What are the things that your parents always warn you about? Don’t go too high or fast. Don’t play with fire. Now just imagine performers going higher, faster, and hotter. Did you know that Paranormal Cirque has three troupes that tour the US and Canada? There’s no excuse to miss this great show!

We felt welcome.

There are still places for us where we feel like we don’t belong for some reason. But, Paranormal Cirque was warm and welcoming, if not a little scary. Dana is very creepy at heart (Ricky is still looking for evidence of said heart) The second they saw a black and white striped tent and people dressed in all black with bloody-style face paint Dana was home. The audience was a mix of locals and elder adults. There were also some hardcore fans that follow the Cirque from town to town. Then there’s your friendly neighborhood RnD. We dressed up in our best black and red ensembles but we would have been just as comfortable in jeans and Eagles T-shirt. Dana likes to call some things “no class culture”. It means anyone from anywhere at any tax bracket would feel at home. The staff was super friendly and guided us to our seats. They answered any questions we had and even posed for pictures. Despite the lack of littles (it’s what we call those fruits of the womb) it felt like a family atmosphere. It’s a circus for the kid in every adult.

Hair-Raising Acts

Hair Hang: We’ve seen the hair hang a couple times now and we still want to know their hair care routine. In this act this woman is a victim of a chainsaw killer waking up and realizing she’s been hung up and rigged for butchering. So adding that story element means every “trick” was her futile attempt to escape.

High Wire Motorcycle Trapeze: We’re loathe to describe it because that’s what it literally is. Yet imagine a motorcycle balancing on a high wire with a trapeze welded under it. Now imagine the biker and the aeriallist are both doing acrobatics. Even with all that imagination it was better than that.

Crossbow: Imagine a knife throwing act but instead they’re shooting crossbow bolts around their partner. Sounds simple but you will be screaming and gasping.

Spanish Web: One woman, one rope, and one sub…I mean man…spinning the rope. With just one loop she’s spun by her hands and feet at high speeds and we are holding our breath the whole time.

A Coterie Of Cirque!

This is a sampling of the performers and acts you might see when you go. However, the roster and acts vary from show to show and even night to night.We enjoyed every single act but we can’t create a 10K word review.

Before You Go

This Is Not For Kids: Between sexy half naked people, implied “murder” and language we’d leave the littles with grandma. The Cirque won’t let children under 13 in at all. The are other rules for children 13-17.

BRING CASH: There is food, souvenirs, facepainting, and (cough cough) beer. Everything must be purchased with cash. There some cool stuff you’ll definitely want.

Keep Your Stuff On You: We made the mistake of kicking our stuff under the bleachers and theres nothing under there but concrete. Ricky had to crawl under and get it. Best to keep big items in your car and just bring your wallet and tickets.

Come as you are or goth yourself up just don’t wear a costume or a mask. You will not be allowed in. There ARE masks you can buy when you’re in there. (Hence why you should bring cash.)