#growing equipment toronto

[hockeybabe]

mitchie marny please n thanks 🙏🏼

Photoshoot | M.Marner

Not my gif

Pairings: Mitch Marner x fem!figure skater

Summary: you get an offer to represent leafs merch with Mitch

Warnings: swearing, make out session, fade to black smut, Mitch’s a nice guy

Word count: 612

Note: first off I choose a cute imagine. But I really want to thank you guys for the appreciation on Sneak Away like lots of love. Also major thank you for the 300 followers. Love you all so much.

When you had first got the call to do the shoot, you were over the moon. You’d been living in Toronto for as long as you could remember and living there also meant living so close to a rink to practice for all competitions. To most countries you were another figure skater, but to Canada you were a sensation, very close to Tessa Virtue. 

When your coach told you that the leafs wanted to partner with you, you couldn’t help but be excited. So here you were walking down a tunnel following your stylist and a leafs representative. “Okay so Y/N, you’re going to change into these and we’ll see you back in that room.” They told you, handing you a jersey.

It was a regular leafs jersey with the blue being the prominent colour however, this jersey had the All-Star patch on the shoulder. You examined the jersey, looking at the back number, number 16, Marner. Your heart gushed and a blush rose to your cheeks.

You walked out of the change room and headed to the studio for where you’d be taking the photos. “You look great!” Your stylist gushed. “So we’re gonna have you stand there and Mitch over here will be right behind you.” The photographer said, pointing to Mitch who was beside him.

You nod your head, allowing the stylist and photographer to walk away, leaving you alone with Mitch. “Hey, sorry about the late notice. I thought they would’ve told you,” Mitch says nervously while shaking your hand. “Oh, no it’s fine. Makes me feel less nervous.” You say, giving Mitch a bright smile.

“This makes you nervous?” He motions to the photoshoot going on behind him. “Not all the times you perform in front of hundred of people.” You laugh at his exaggeration. “between you and me, the ice is my home. There’s no fear, there is only peace.”

Mitch looks at you with such adoration. All the words you were saying to him about skating are just what he felt when he played hockey. Although no one enjoys losing, he still felt better on ice than walking on concrete.

“Okay, you two lovey eye makers, time to do the shoot!” The photographer shouts. You and Mitch both blush but comply. The photoshoot went on calmly. You felt more comfortable knowing Mitch was in the room and the fact that he was whispering nice things in your ear and some poses being of him holding your waist and you two smiling at each other.

“Last shot. Mitch, I want you to point to y/n’s back while she stands facing you. So her face won’t be in shot.” The guy explains. You turned around to face Mitch to see him already staring at you before posing for the camera. You stared at him during the time and you could see the smirk growing on Mitch’s face.

“That’s it, folks! Good job everyone!” The photographer yelled out, already putting his equipment away. “Well, that’s it.” You say, facing Mitch, fiddling with your hand. “Maybe it can be a bit more.” He says confidently.

A half an hour later, you back at Mitch’s apartment and you back against his door and your lips attached to one another. You moan into Mitch’s mouth as he runs his hands over your body, feeling very curve. “Good, you’re so beautiful.” He groans, looking up and down your body.

“We should probably take this to your bedroom.” You suggest playing with the hem of his sweatshirt. “Yeah, one hundred percent.” He says, trailing kisses from your neck to your lips. “If we make it there.” He mumbles before crashing his lips to yours.

[wosowrites]

Goalkeeper (Jessie Fleming x Reader)

a/n: based off this request here

warnings: none

prompt: in which the canwnt goes to watch a hockey game in which jessie’s girlfriend is the keeper.

Growing up in London Ontario meant that you played boys hockey. And for the longest time, you played boys hockey with Jessie Fleming. But once you both turned 13, she started to feel uncomfortable playing with boys, and being in the changing room, so she quit hockey and focused on soccer. And man did it pay off. But you never stopped talking, every second you weren’t at soccer or hockey training, you were at each others houses, together at school, or running track together. It was always Jessie and y/n.

"There go Jessie and y/n"

"Jessie and y/n, breaking school records"

And eventually it became

"Jessie and y/n, repping Canada"

Jessie made her start for the CANWNT at 15 and you were in the stands cheering her on. And when you turned 16, you made your debut for the Canada Women’s Hockey Team as their keeper. You only started dating at 17, which happened to be horrid timing as she was leaving for UCLA in a year, and due to your impeccable grades and your talent in Hockey, you got accepted into Yale. The long distance broke your heart everyday, and multiple nights were spent either crying from missing her, or falling asleep on facetime with her. But it all payed off… for a bit. You still played hockey for the Canadian team and you played in the the Premier Hockey Federation for the Toronto Six. And man, that distance between London, England and Toronto was even worse. But you were older, and more mature, and your league season ended while Jessie’s was only in the middle. So the second your season ended, you packed your bags and moved to London for a couple of months, working a well paying job at a cafe and playing hockey at the local rink whenever you could. It was a strange life, and definitely not a lifestyle that would work for everyone, but you didn’t care as long as you were with Jessie.

However, the start of your season was approaching and it was time to say goodbye to the blues and hello to the reds. That being the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team. They were all meeting up in Toronto, partly to go back to their Canadian roots, and partly to go see you play in your home opener of the season.

The night before the game, you did your day before game routine and then went to bed. Nothing beat the familiar feeling of your girlfriend by your side.

That morning, you got up at 9:00 like you did on all game days, kissed Jessie’s head and then pulled out a pre game outfit for you too wear as well as take out one of your jerseys for Jessie to wear. It was not the first time that the CANWNT came to watch you play. They tried to watch your games in person at least twice a year as they all cared about you a lot, considering you were the only person that made Jessie come out of her bubble fully. They called themselves "y/n’s army" and wore t-shirts with your face on them. You thought it was hilarious.

Jessie knew that you liked to leave for your games early and do your pre game routine all alone. So even though you only needed to be at the arena at 1:00, you left at 10:00 while Jessie took advantage of her off season to sleep.

You went to a coffee shop, walked around toronto, had lunch and then headed to the arena.

You met your teammates there, talking with them, laughing with them and answering their questions about if your "army" would be here today.

And they were, the second you hopped onto the ice in your heavy keeper equipment, you could hear their cheers and see the signs. It made you feel warm inside. You skated up to the barrier where Jessie was standing and out your glove on the glass and smiled at her. "Meet you after?" she asked you, loudly because of the music and the noise. "You bet," you answered.

"Good lucky my love," she told you, blowing you a kiss.

The game was heated, both teams wanted points from their first game right away, but you didn’t let a single goal in. It took a lot of screaming, orders and a few shoves and fights with the opposition, which Jessie hated, but you managed to get the 2-0 win.

After the game, you changed into jeans and a yellow graphic tee that was Jessie’s, as well as airforces and a black jean jacket. You lugged your equipment behind you and met Jessie outside the arena. She quickly pecked your lips, not big on the PDA but she did whisper a word of congratulations in your ear. You were quick to be bombarded by your girlfriends team though, hugs from Alyssa, Jordyn, Julia, Nichelle and Quinn, taps on the back from Sincy, Sophie and Sabrina and a loud scream from Kailen who then picked you up off the ground and swung you around in circles.

"Put her down Kailen!" Jessie squealed. You were taller than Jessie and pretty strong but Kailen was something else. "She’s fine Fleming," the keeper said, putting you down and smiling at you as you gained your bearings again. "Yeah, all good," you laughed. Kailen took your bag and walked towards your car, giving you the opportunity to swing an arm around Jessie’s shoulder as she put hers around your waist. You kissed the top of her head lovingly and told her you loved her as you walked towards the car.

Nothing felt better than being with your second family. Just being around the Canadian Women’s Soccer Team felt natural and easy.

[annieqattheperipheral]

bedard & barzal:

First half of the article is about the core of skilled players (prospects in upcoming drafts) growing up being influenced by bedard

Then explores why this Vancouver area is thriving in producing so many talents...

ofc generational talents like bedard (from a working class family) were given scholarships

an aspect to consider is the immense pressure put on kids to become specialized in one sport year-round from such a young age, when time and again some of the most elite players right now enjoyed playing a variety of sports (eg. hockey in fall/winter, baseball in spring/summer), all of which contributed to their on-ice skills (drai-- soccer/football, tavares-- lacrosse, sid-- baseball, ...ok well, everything lol)

making pro hockey now even moreso a career only accessible to a certain demographic, beyond just affording equipment & team fees for coaches, ice time and tournaments

yes players continue developing no matter which draft number pick they are, but consider that those in the first round tend to be the ones getting the bigger bucks throughout their careers, instead of slowly working towards it

yes I'm fully aware this is what Toronto is and has been forever lmao so yes, its good that this hub is expanding out throughout the country

this is why players like bunting who came up through accessible non-elite programs are so important-- have the higher skill & drive but not the generational talent-- just like every kid paying their way through these academies-- but definitely do not have the family wealth to get them training in such a specialized consistent way w elite talents to develop them sooner for a more lucrative possible career in hockey.

Just thought this was all v interesting so wanted to share! And just a small part of the bigger picture

Ofc its no surprise that the core training around bedard have developed to a higher degree than most other teens. Wanted to highlight the other advantages also available to these kids, just like in the elite leagues here in Toronto and Michigan, etc. And ofc boarding schools like shattuck that sid & nate attended.

And how so much of their siloed thinking and social culture comes to be, including their slower path towards progressive perspectives. But i adore that the new crop nowadays have access to and embrace broader views outside of their bubbles bc omg old hockeymen pls gtfo.

[malestransforming]

Becoming Papi

An unnamed narrator wins a competition to get "up close and personal" with his favourite hockey player, Auston Matthews. Turns out he may be getting closer and more personal than he anticipated!

This is a story I've posted elsewhere. It is my story, copyright me.

"Get Up-close and Personal with Auston Matthews!” The competition had said. I had entered on a whim, never expecting to win. I was very surprised to receive the winning notice in my inbox a few days later. For a week, I had been buzzing. I was going to meet my favourite hockey player! Number 34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews. 

And now I was here! Sitting in a random training room at the Ford Performance Centre in Etobicoke, Ontario, just outside of Toronto. The room was cool and full of exercise equipment. Massive banners hung from the ceiling and the walls were covered in different murals of player faces and motivational phrases. I fiddled with my shirt as I waited, thinking about how Auston was likely in the next room also waiting for me. I wondered if he was as nervous as I was or if he was calm and cool, but before I could put much into the thought, the door opened. A woman dressed in black poked her head through the gap.

“You can come in now,” she said.

I smiled and and followed her through the door. The room on the other side was a long room, with wooden dressing stalls and benches against the walls. Hockey equipment hung at each stall; pants, shoulder pads, blue and white practise jerseys and the room had a gentle odour of sweat. A massive Maple Leaf logo covered much of the floor, and sitting on one of the wooden benches was Auston Matthews. He was wearing a cream coloured hoodie, shorts and a baseball cap. The way he sat on the bench pushed his thighs, making them seem thicker and bigger. His hair was slicked back behind his ears while his dark moustache was sitting darkly on his upper lip.

“Auston,” I murmured, reaching towards him with my hand. “It’s so, so incredible to meet you!”

“Hey,” he said in a relaxed drawl and standing up to meet me. He was taller than me. His smile instantly relaxed me. “Nice to meet you.”

“I’m such a big fan. You’re, like, my favourite player.” I was gushing, but I didn’t care.

He was killing me with that smile. I realized I was still gripping his hand. 

“Oh sorry!” I said, but his hand tightened and firmed around mine. I felt a warm tingling around my palm for a moment before he let go and grinned at me.

“You’re going to be perfect,” he said. “What happens next is going to be weird… Just relax and let it happen.”

He let go of my hand and I felt my face contort into a puzzled expression. But before I was able to voice a question, I was met with an extreme pricking sensation travelling up my arm. It started in the hand Auston had just shook and gradually travelled and radiated across my body. It felt like a warm, relaxing wave that cascaded through my blood and over my skin.

“You should probably take off your clothes for this,” Auston said. 

I nodded and did what I was told, tossing everything in a corner. The waves were coursing faster through my body now, making my heart thump in my chest. I spied a mirror on the wall and walked over to it, ignoring the fact that I was naked. The tingling sensation was across my entire body now, causing me to become excited and aroused. My penis began to lift and grow harder, and so it only felt right to touch it. I stood naked in the Maple Leafs’ dressing at their practice facility, feeling dazed and tingly, stroking my cock for extra sensation.

The tingling stopped, but the warmth remained and a sudden jolt of energy attacked my shoulders. My shoulders clicked and popped and widened out, with new muscle mass stretching overtop. At the same time, my deltoids and pectoral muscles ballooned, becoming thicker and much more pronounced with thick layers of muscle. I felt strength and power push down into my core. Where once there had been a ring of fat, there were now strong abdominal muscles. My stomach tightened and fortified, needing more room to house the brawn I was gaining, and I became stocky and heavy-set in muscle. Dark lines sketched their way across my right side and arm: new tattoos inked their way onto my bulked mass. An intricate sleeve tattoo wove across my right arm, painting dark lines across my lightly browning skin. I stroked my hand across my chest, feeling the raw strength and newly sprouted chest hair underneath my fingertips. My back cracked and stretched as I jumped up several inches in height.

The skin on my penis darkened and the shaft grew in girth and length into a monster cock. Pre-cum began to drip out of the tip. I was enjoying the changes.

In the mirror I saw a wide-chested, bulked out body attached to two stick-like legs. To say it looked like I skipped leg day would be an understatement. Almost automatically, the changes continued in my lower half. My butt ballooned and padded out, looking like two globes attached to my waist, the product of millions of squats. My thighs thickened and increased significantly, looking more like massive trunks than legs now. Below that, my calves became cut and toned, shedding any excess fat and leaving behind only raw muscle. I stood on two strong centres of explosive power. The skin browned slightly, matched the hue of the my torso.

I looked in the mirror at my new body. Instinctively, I knew it was Auston Matthews’ body. Everything from the neck down was unfamiliar, different and new, but deep down I knew it was right. In fact, it looked odd seeing my thin head attached to such a muscular body. The changes were not finished yet. I turned and saw the other Auston (the real Auston) with his shorts around his ankles, stroking his penis vigorously; it appeared he was enjoying my changes as much as I was.

Turning back to the mirror, I saw my skull and expanding, creaking and cracking as it went. My chin pushed forward, squaring off the back of my jaw as well. My eyes became more inset, slightly narrower and darker and my nose more pointed and wide at the nostrils. My hair lengthened down towards my neck, and my forehead broadened as my hairline migrated to the very top of my head. My ears flattened a little against my head and became longer. The wild and bushy eyebrows I sported before thinned, becoming tapered lines above my dark eyes. My teeth whitened and straightened. And above my thickening lips, a dark wisp of hair poked out through my skin and thickened into a Latino-style moustache. It swept across my entire upper lip into a neat half triangle that stretched under my nose. More patches of scruff and facial hair dotted across my cheeks and neck. Auston Matthews was staring at me from the mirror.

“That was sick, bro!” The other Auston Matthews was behind me, retying the drawstring on his shorts. He was wearing a face mask now, and a dark blue coloured hoodie and cap. His eyes looked lighter than before, almost like he had changed his own appearance as well. He stepped over, offering me his hand to high-five. 

I felt my face smile that trademark Auston Matthews smile. “Thanks,” I replied, my voice now lower and echoing the same laid-back drawl, and returned his high-five. 

“You probably have a million questions. Like ‘what happened’, ‘what did you do?’, right?”

“Something like that!” I laughed.

“So, yeah, basically… I want some time off. I’m going to disappear for a while… Get off the grid and relax. So while I’m gone, I want you to cover for me. This is your prize for winning that competition!”

“So I’m you?” I said, not fully understanding. 

“Not yet. You will be, just as soon as I’ve said the code word. After that, you will be Auston Matthews and I’ll just be some guy.”

“Oh,” I said. “I- I’m pretty shit at hockey. Like, I can skate but I can’t shoot for shit. I can’t even lift the puck. I don’t know how this is gonna work.” 

“Don’t worry about that. As soon as I say the code word, the transformation will finish and you’ll have all of my skills and memories, my winning personality… everything! You’ll be a complete copy of me.”

“Really? That’s fucking awesome! But what about the me from before? People are going to wonder where I am.”

“I’ll take care of that. Don’t worry. Let’s just say, that guy from before? He’s living on the other side of the planet. I’ll be back in a year, maybe more if you want, and I’ll change you back. All right?”

A life of possibilities flashed through my mind. I had never thought of playing in the NHL, even as a fantasy, and now it was about to become my reality.

“Oh! I forgot one thing,” Auston said as he lifted his arms behind his neck to two silver chains that were hooked there. “You’ll need these,” he said, and he carefully slipped them around my neck.” 

I looked into the mirror, staring back at my naked body, taking in my massive hockey butt and sleeve tattoo. The silver chains caught the light, and a silver cross stuck against my massive pectorals. It felt complete now. I ran my hands over my shoulders, chest, stomach and butt, grinning at myself. I’m going to be Auston Matthews! I thought. No, I am Auston Matthews! 

“All right bud, this is it. Remember, from this moment, you are going to be Auston Matthews. It’s going to feel awesome and amazing. Enjoy it.” The other Auston wrapped his arm around my beefy neck. “Don’t forget, you’ve got practice after this, ay Papi?”

Papi? A calm fog entered my brain. The world melted away from me and I felt the final changes take hold.

My name is Auston Matthews. I was born in California and grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. I am part Mexican. I am a professional hockey player. I play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

My name is Auston Matthews. I was born in California and grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. I am part Mexican. I am a professional hockey player. I play for the Toronto Maple Leafs…

My name is Auston Matthews.

My brain filled with years of hockey practice, workouts, flashes of Mexican heritage, memories of playing for USA National Team, playing with the ZSC Lions in Zürich and of playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. I remembered the awards I had won, the All Star games I had played in, the teammates I had played with. My brain relaxed and mellowed, as new personality traits took over. The foreign-feeling muscles I had just grown became familiar and normal; I immediately knew how to use the power in my legs and arms. Some Spanish words entered my brain and I felt my identity switch to part Mexican. The fog lifted from my brain, and the room re-materialised around me. 

What am I doing here, staring at myself in the mirror! I need to get dressed for practice! 

I immediately strode over to my dressing stall — the one marked MATTHEWS 34 — and slipped on my compression gear and skate socks. I grabbed my jock and pulled it up to my waist, adjusting my crotch and penis to sit within the cup. Sitting, I reached for my shin pads, fixed him to my legs, and strapped the Velcro around my calves. I pulled a pair of blue and white striped hockey socks overtop of my shin pads, and hooked them securely at my waist. 

I was on autopilot at this point; everything felt natural and normal. 

I slid into a pair of blue hockey pants and tightened them around my waist. I saw that my skates were a custom pair of CCMs, with a blue and white pattern around the ankle with my nickname Papi and number 34 next to it. I stomped my foot inside the boot and tied my skates on tight. Quickly, I took a roll of hockey tape and wrapped one, two, three strips tightly around my shins. Next I grabbed my shoulder pads and elbow pads and strapped them around my massive arms and chest. I pulled a blue practise jersey over my pads, the number 34 emblemed on the back. Instinctively, I ran my hand through my hair and slicked it back, making it easier for me to don my helmet. I clipped the straps and checked it was on tightly. 

I reached for my gloves, putting them on felt familiar and welcoming. I nimbly ambled over, walking in skates, towards the rink exit, grabbing two of my PAPI labelled sticks from the rack. They were already taped and waxed and ready for some quick wristers on the ice. With my equipment on and my sticks in hand, I walked towards the ice.

Before stepping on the rink, I noticed a figure in the stands; an anonymous figure in a cream-coloured hoodie. I offered a loose salute from my temple and took my first stride. I let my powerful leg muscles work the way they had been conditioned to as I made confident movements across the pad. Spying a puck, I pivoted and strode towards it, catching it with my stick and pulling it towards me. I skated towards the empty net and in an instant, snapped it into the back of the goal. The whole movement had taken less than a second. I grinned and looked back to the now empty spot where the figure had stood. 

“My name is Auston Matthews, and I play for the Toronto Maple Leafs,” I thought to myself and ripped off another shot on goal.

[newstfionline]

Monday, October 14, 2024

One of the World’s Most Immigrant-Friendly Countries Is Changing Course (NYT) A late-night Uber ride from Toronto’s Pearson Airport into the city usually guarantees a good fare for the driver. But not for Sachindeep Singh on the evening of Sept. 19. A few miles into the ride, his Uber app stopped working. Mr. Singh’s work permit had expired at midnight and, like Canada, Uber was putting him on notice. Mr. Singh, 23, arrived in Canada as an international student in 2019. His immigration status permitted him to work and offered a path to permanent residence, an approach labeled “study-work-stay” on the Canadian government’s immigration website. But after inviting millions of newcomers to Canada in recent years to help lift the economy, the government has reversed course amid growing concerns that immigrants are contributing to the country’s deepening challenges around housing, health care and other issues. A series of measures unveiled this year, focused on Canada’s vast temporary residence program, has imposed barriers that have left hundreds of thousands of migrants like Mr. Singh in legal limbo.

Determination to rebuild follows Florida’s hurricanes (AP) No sooner had residents of the Bahia Vista Gulf condominium complex dug out and from Hurricane Helene than they were faced with the same daunting cleanup from new damage inflicted by Hurricane Milton. The beachfront units had been gutted, treated and dried out after Hurricane Helene and mounds of sand that had blown in from the beach had been removed. Then, less than two weeks later, Hurricane Milton barreled in and undid all the progress. “They’ve got to start the whole process over, cleaning, sanitizing, bringing in drying equipment, getting them all dried and prepped for renovations,” lamented Bill O’Connell, a board member at the complex in Venice, about an hour’s drive south of Tampa. The second hurricane “brought all the sand back on our property.” Some longtime Floridians have grown accustomed to the annual cycle of storms that can shatter and upend lives in a state known mostly for its balmy weather, sunshine and beaches. “It’s the price you pay to live in paradise,” O’Connell said. “If you want to live here with this view, beautiful sunsets, be able to go out on your boat, enjoy what Florida has to offer, you have to be willing to accept that these storms are going to come.”

Awash in oil money, Guyana promises cash, free tuition and other perks ahead of election (AP) Guyanese President Irfaan Ali announced several perks ahead of national elections next year, including free college tuition and a one-time cash payment of nearly $1,000 for every household in the oil-rich South American country. Ali also promised to cut power bills by half and to increase the monthly minimum wage from $350 to $500 starting next year as he addressed Parliament during a special session late Thursday, noting that the recently wealthy nation of nearly 800,000 people can afford to help residents via public aid programs. Guyana was once one of the poorest countries in South America despite large reserves of gold, diamonds and bauxite. But it has been awash in money after a consortium led by ExxonMobil discovered the first major oil deposits in May 2015 off the country’s Atlantic coast. In 2022, Guyana’s GDP grew by more than 60%, the highest real GDP growth worldwide that year, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Argentina’s triple-digit inflation slows, but cash-strapped workers struggle to pay bills (Reuters) Argentina’s triple-digit inflation, among the world’s highest, is starting to slow down but this offers little relief for workers whose salaries have stayed the same while costs of basic goods skyrocketed and the government slashed state subsidies. “We’re losing track of what’s expensive and what’s cheap,” said university professor Daniel Vazquez while shopping in Buenos Aires. “Prices keep going up and the only thing that isn’t going up is salaries.” Food prices increased just 2% from last month but more than tripled their level from a year ago, while housing and utility costs nearly quadrupled. Cigarettes, alcohol, healthcare, transport and communications also tracked annual inflation well above 200%.

Ukrainian recruiters descend on Kyiv’s nightlife in search of men not registered for conscription (AP) Ukrainian military recruitment officers raided restaurants, bars and a concert hall in Kyiv, checking military registration documents and detaining men who were not in compliance, media and witnesses reported Saturday. Officers descended on Kyiv’s Palace of Sports venue after a concert Friday night by Ukrainian rock band Okean Elzy. Video footage aired by local media outlets appears to show officers stationed outside the doors of the concert hall intercepting men as they exit. In the footage, officers appear to be forcibly detaining some men. Checks were also conducted at Goodwine, an upscale shopping center, and Avalon, a popular restaurant. It is unusual for such raids to take place in the capital, and reflects Ukraine’s dire need for fresh recruits. All Ukrainian men aged 25-60 are eligible for conscription, and men aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave the country.

One of the Loneliest Countries Finds Companionship in Dogs (NYT) The deceased lay wrapped in a cotton blanket, surrounded by white roses and hydrangea, angelic figurines and lit candles and incense. A wall-mounted screen displayed photographs of him. His 71-year-old companion, Kim Seon-ae, convulsed with tears as she bid farewell, caressing his head and face. Next door, young uniformed morticians prepared for his cremation. The elaborate and emotional ritual was for a white poodle named Dalkong, who was nestled in a willow basket with his eyes still open. “He was like a virus that infected me with happiness,” said Ms. Kim, who had lived with Dalkong for 13 years until he succumbed to heart disease. “We were family.” Not long ago, South Korea often made global headlines—and raised the ire of animal rights groups—for its tradition of breeding dogs for meat. But in recent years, people here have gravitated toward pets, especially dogs. They are looking for companionship at a time when more South Koreans are choosing to stay single, childless or both. More than two-fifths of all households in the nation now consist of only one person.

A once humming city, Lebanon’s Tyre is emptied by airstrikes and fear (Washington Post) As Israeli warplanes roared overhead and their bombs plunged into the suburbs of this coastal city in southern Lebanon, a man sat by the sea with his shirt off, a lonely beachgoer in a place that most people have fled. Tyre, barely 12 miles from the border with Israel, has been swiftly and viciously emptied by airstrikes, war and fear that it will all get worse. Only its most determined or defiant residents remain, weeks after the start of Israel’s military campaign. There are few lights on in the city’s apartment blocks and shops. Restaurants on a commercial strip are boarded up, some with their windows smashed. Packs of dogs roam in places. Garbage sits on corners in huge piles. The desolate scenes in Tyre, Lebanon’s fourth largest city, are a glimpse of what the spread of the war between Israel and Hezbollah could mean for the country, where so many have already fled their homes and are struggling to find somewhere safe.

Israeli Tanks Enter U.N. Peacekeeper Base in Lebanon, Drawing Protest (NYT) Israeli tanks forced their way onto a U.N. peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon on Sunday, putting the lives of the soldiers there in danger, the U.N. mission said. Hours later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel repeated his call for the United Nations to pull the peacekeepers out of the area immediately. The tank incursion came after days of criticism of Israeli forces over attacks that have wounded at least four peacekeepers in Lebanon. Early Sunday morning, the U.N. mission said, Israeli battle tanks showed up at one of its bases. “While peacekeepers were in shelters, two I.D.F. Merkava tanks destroyed the position’s main gate and forcibly entered the position,” it said in a statement, referring to the Israel Defense Forces. Israeli soldiers, it said, requested multiple times that the base turn out its lights. While no peacekeepers were hurt, the entry of Israeli forces onto a U.N. base risked undermining its neutral status and making it a target for Hezbollah, the peacekeepers said. It said the tanks left 45 minutes later after the mission filed a protest.

Israeli strike on hospital tent camp kills 4 and ignites a fire that burns dozens (AP) An Israeli airstrike on a hospital courtyard in the Gaza Strip early Monday killed at least four people and triggered a fire that swept through a tent camp for people displaced by the war, leaving more than two dozen with severe burns, according to Palestinian medics. The Israeli military said it targeted militants hiding out among civilians, without providing evidence. In recent months it has repeatedly struck crowded shelters and tent camps, alleging that Hamas fighters were using them as staging grounds for attacks. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah was already struggling to treat a large number of wounded from an earlier strike on a school-turned-shelter that killed at least 20 people when the early morning airstrike hit and fire engulfed many of the tents.

Cameroon bans any talk about 91-year-old President Biya’s health (Reuters) Cameroon has outlawed any discussion about the health of 91-year-old President Paul Biya, a letter shared by the interior ministry said, after Biya’s prolonged absence fuelled widespread speculation he was unwell. Earlier this week, the authorities put out statements saying the president was on a private visit to Geneva and in good health, dismissing reports he had fallen ill as “pure fantasy”. In the letter to regional governors dated Oct. 9, Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji said discussing the president’s health was a matter of national security. From now on, “any debate in the media about the president’s condition is therefore strictly prohibited. Offenders will face the full force of the law”, Nji said. Biya has not been seen in public since attending a China-Africa forum in Beijing in early September. His failure to appear as scheduled at a summit in France last weekend further stoked public discussion about his health.

Columbus likely Spanish and Jewish, study suggests (BBC) Famed explorer Christopher Columbus was likely Spanish and Jewish, according to a new genetic study conducted by Spanish scientists that aimed to shed light on a centuries-old mystery. Scientists believe the explorer, whose expedition across the Atlantic in 1492 changed the course of world history, was probably born in western Europe, possibly in the city of Valencia. They think he concealed his Jewish identity, or converted to Catholicism, to escape religious persecution. The study of DNA contradicts the traditional theory, which many historians had questioned, that the explorer was an Italian from Genoa. Countries have argued for years over the explorer's origin, with many claiming him as one of their own. There have been an estimated 25 conflicting theories of his birthplace, including Poland, Great Britain, Greece, Portugal, Hungary and Scandinavia.

[luxorlimolimousine]

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[veenamalik]

Financial sources

To launch 'Little Ladoo' at the farmer’s market with sufficient initial funding, I have outlined a diverse set of financial sources:

Personal Savings: I will utilize my savings to provide an initial start-up investment, including ingredient procurement, packaging materials, and initial marketing efforts.

Family and Friends: I will ask for financial support from family members who share my enthusiasm for this business opportunity. This contribution will primarily be used to acquire essential kitchen equipment and establish a strong presence at the farmer’s market.

Government Grant: I will apply for a government grant tailored to small businesses in the food sector. This grant program offers funding specifically for equipment purchases and initial operational costs, which will significantly support our ability to expand and meet customer demand.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): Leveraging the equity in my home, I will apply for a HELOC to secure additional capital for scaling operations and navigating potential unforeseen expenses during the early stages of 'Little Ladoo.' This financing option provides flexibility and ensures I have adequate resources to sustain growth."

Government Sources to Consider: In my research find some sources that can help me to grow my business in the future.

City of Toronto Small Business Grants:

The City of Toronto offers various grant programs to support small businesses and entrepreneurs across different sectors.

 For specific programs like the Starter Company Plus program, which provides training, mentorship, and grant funding of up to $5,000.

Ontario Government Grants:

Ontario provincial government provides grants and funding programs aimed at supporting small businesses, including programs like the Ontario Small Business Support Grant,

Federal Government Grants:

The Government of Canada offers various grant programs through agencies like the Canada Business Network (CBN) and Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

Non-Profit Organizations and Associations:

Toronto Region Board of Trade: TRBOT offers support and resources to small businesses, including information on funding opportunities and grants available in the Toronto region.

Startup Incubators and Accelerators:

Organizations like Ryerson Futures, DMZ, and Next Canada provide not only funding but also mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to investors for startups in Toronto.

[ppenvs3000w24]

Blog 3: The Privilege of Driving to Nature

Mcintosh described privilege as “an invisible knapsack of unearned assets ... of special provisions, maps, passports, codebooks, visas, clothes, tools, and blank checks” while Oxford describes it as “a special right or advantage that a particular person or group of people has” (Noel, 2000; Oxford University Press Editors, 2024). My personal definition of privilege kind of relates to my country, Nepal. When I think of privilege, I think of the rich tourists who go to Nepal to summit Mount Everest. Not only can they afford the expensive tickets, but they are also able to sit around doing nothing at the base camp while waiting for ideal weather conditions to summit the Mountain. They don’t even have to carry all their heavy equipment; that’s the job of the Sherpas; all they must carry is whatever they feel like carrying. At the same time, the Sherpas must plan their whole year around when and how many rich tourists they can help summit the Mountain. They are not afforded the opportunity to worry about their lives or how taxing carrying all the heavy equipment is on their body. If they don’t risk their lives, the families that rely on them risk starvation for the season, as growing their own food and making money through alternate pathways is nearly impossible. I am frequently reminded of the video where a Sherpa carried a dying tourist all the way back to safety, only for the tourist to go back home, become a celebrity, and not acknowledge the Sherpa who saved their life until the internet forced them to (Zachary Rogers, 2019). I believe the ability to scale Mount Everest, sometimes multiple times, without putting in much effort is the best representation of privilege for me.

A Sherpa carrying a heavy load for a climber on Mount Everest summit

Privilege plays a huge role in nature interpretation since people who are not privileged enough to experience nature interpretation do not even know what nature interpretation means. To the immigrant parents living in the Greater Toronto Area, nature and nature interpretation are not even in their mindset. Their mind is filled with how to support their family, whether they can afford rent this month, and if they can finally buy a car to open more job opportunities. I witnessed my parents go through this as my dad would work night shifts at a Petro Canada and then go to college all while relying on whether this bus would arrive on time. This posed an economic barrier for my parents to experience nature and nature interpretation, which was one of the five factors mentioned in this week’s assigned reading on ‘Why Don’t More Minorities Come?” (Beck et al., 2018). In the same chapter, the authors proposed that public transportation from urban areas to interpretive facilities would greatly alleviate the car economic barrier (Beck et al., 2018). I believe this is a great idea, as I experienced this myself while living in Ottawa, where I did not have a car. I wanted to visit Gatineau Park however, you cannot reach the park without a car or paying for a cab. The city provided free shuttle buses from urban downtown Ottawa to Gatineau Park to alleviate this barrier.  

Shuttle bus at Gatineau Park

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. In Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage: For a Better World. Sagamore Publishing LLC. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781571678669/pageid/152

Noel, J. (2000). Notable Selections in Multicultural Education. Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.

Oxford University Press Editors. (2024). Privilege - Definition. Oxford University Press. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/privilege_1

Zachary Rogers. (2019, June 6). Man saved from certain death on Everest criticized for thanking sponsors instead of savior sherpa. ABCNews4. https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/man-saved-from-certain-death-on-everest-criticized-for-thanking-sponsors-instead-of-savior-sherpa-mount-ravichandran-tharumalingam-gelje-zone-rescue

[evntualities]

re: last post! / the beginnings with liam wright and nathaniel osborne

Liam tosses his jersey aside just in time to catch the towel that is tossed to him from the penalty box attendant. As a replay of his fight plays on the jumbotron, the crowd roars. From the corner of his eye, he catches the moment just before the referees descended, when his hand was fisted around the front of his opponent's jersey as he delivered two solid hits, knocking off the other man's helmet and sending them both tumbling to the ice. Liam feels the soreness settling in his hip from the fall, but with the crowd thrumming, coming alive for the first time since the team gave up a two goal lead, it feels worth it.

His legs are stretched out as he sits in the box and his eyes lift to the formation on the ice. The game had come to a halt in order to get everything settled, spurring a commercial break to clear the ice of snow and equipment.

From the area of the ice where the scrum began, Liam sees one of his teammates approching, skating to a stop in front of the box. The attendant cracks the door enough for Roman to slide Liam's gloves through. With his arms outstretched, he catches the defenseman's gaze. Roman chuckles, shakes his head, and Liam watches him skate away until his eyes are drawn to the figure skating figure eights close enough to the box for Liam to see his grin.

Nathaniel Osborne, fresh from the end of the season at Harvard, a recent grad who had stirred rumors in Toronto after he opted to finish all four years of his degree before committing to the team. Liam hasn't had a chance to get to know him yet, too deep in the end of the season's happenings, but he can guess what that smile is about.

It started as shoving, crosschecking, but Liam had been the first to drop his gloves, and the rest can be seen in replays on the Jumbotron.

The strap of his left elbow pad is loose, and he tugs at it to adjust the placement, keeping Nathaniel's eyes as he does. His lips part in question, as if he could be heard with the distance between them, and settles instead for a lift of his brow.

Nathaniel's smile only grows and Liam sees the way his shoulders shake with laughter. From the other end of the rink, the officials begin to take their place, and the coach on the opposite side adjusts their line as both teams get set. Liam pulls his jersey back onto his lap, but his eyes remain on Nathaniel as he skates away. A smile touches his lips. He shakes his head. The official's arm comes up as the circle is set, and Nathaniel glances back once more. This time, Liam matches his smile.

[msbarrows]

So now that the laptop has been repaired and returned, I've been very happily updating and backing up everything again. When I reached the point of doing anything with The Sims 4 yesterday, I found myself thinking about how, prior to going down to Toronto, I was considering resetting TS4 entirely so it was back in a default state, and starting over from scratch. Which I felt even more like doing as I was playing my most recent sim at a horse ranch and just... not really enjoying it. And then during the couple weeks of waiting for the repair, not knowing if I'd have to reinstall all my programs or not, I found myself thinking "...I could just not restore my saves game for that" and kind of liking the idea. Among other things, it'll allow me to tweak the MCCC settings to (hopefully) prevent the pruning of family trees, so I'll always be able to see how they interconnect.

So, yesterday afternoon I moved my TS4 directory off to a backup location, which forced the game to recreate the save game files from scratch. Reinstalled my preferred mods. And created a new starter sim, Teresa Abbotsford.

Once I was able to get in-game and go to Manage Worlds, I also dug around on the Galery to re-obtain the MaxisCreates TS4 versions of the Grunt, Spectre, Curious, and Smith families from TS2, as well as a reasonably decent version of the Beakers (whom MaxisCreates seems to have missed). Also grabbed versions of their houses that different people created (mostly the versions by XQueenOfHe4rtsX). Decided to squeeze them all into StrangerVille, as it vibes the closest with the old Strangetown, though for reasons of space the Smiths have ended up over in Oasis Springs instead. I've done some minimal editing to the houses, mostly things like replacing observatories with telescopes, or tweaking some of the wall textures. The Curious brothers' house came with a bonus structure in one corner of the lot that had a lot of the scientific equipment available in-game, with a rocket kit staging area on the roof. I moved and rebuilt that slightly so that it fits into the layout of where the lot is in-game a little better (mostly just rotating it 90 degrees and changing it from a fenced-in area to an actual outbuilding).

And I built a starter house for Teresa. She's beginning the family line in San Sequoia, a neighbourhood I haven't had anyone playable live in yet, since there was a nice 20x40 empty lot there that gives her plenty of elbow room to grow. Literally - she's in the gardener career and has the Freelance Botanist nature aspiration. Though I think I need to rotate the house; it fits better on the lot facing the short end, but the zone-in point is partway along one of the long edges. But I digress.

Her house is currently pretty minimally furnished, though that's slowly improving over time. She has the option of working from home with her current job, and since the tasks required for that tend to take very little time (read a book, research gardening on the computer, give someone produce from your garden) I've mostly been choosing that and spending a lot of her time working on assorted skills and going out and about to meet people. I'm playing her as a much more gregarious sim than I usually do, as a result of which she's been following up on a lot of invitations to attend events, go on dates, and go out dinner as friends. She's also joined the Partihouse social club, where she's finally met someone she clicks with who isn't already married or engaged - Paolo Rocca, one of the Partihouse household members.

I think the main thing I may work on the next few play sessions is things like editing commercial lots so I that like them better, making sure all marriage venues have washrooms, adding houses to Newcrest (since by default it's entirely empty lots), and the like. Basically re-doing some of the changes I'd made over the years.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"FRESH AIR, WORK AND PLAY USHERS HEALTH BACK FOR CONVALESCING SOLDIERS," Toronto Star. September 29, 1943. Page 8. ---- ON THEIR 22-ACRE FARM, convalescing soldiers at the Oakville Casualty retraining centre grow much of their own fruit and vegetables, as well as provide produce for Chorley Park hospital at Toronto and the military hospital at Hamilten. Pte. Bill Rad ford. Hamilton, displaying a branch of juicy grapes here, says the vineyard is a favorite wurking spot for him and his chuma,

IT'S HARVEST TIME NOW on the casualty retraining centre's hospital farm. Major LG Brayley, OC states that the farm work is one of the finest forms of exercise for the convalescing soldiers and is enjoyed by the youths, Sapper Alf Dormer, lslington, left, and Pte. Ran Pyle. Dunnville, admire some of the squash which they have tended since summer

"OFFICIAL" TEAMSTER for the centre's farm is Private Gordon Bell, Orillia, who fell heir to the teamster's job because he has spent most of his life on a farm in western Canada. Two horses, as well as plows, disks, harrows and other implements are a part of the centre's equipment. Private Bell is disking down the mid after his fellow convalescents had harvested a bumper crop of potatoes.

WORK, PLAY, EXERCISE all stop when the time comes for mail parade. And when the sergeant repeats those fateful words: "That's all this morning boys," the soldiers move off reluctantly. The Oakville Casualty Retraining Centre for soldiers past the need of hospital care is the fist of its type in Canada. Fresh air, sunshine and good food restore the health to youths recovering from operations and illness.

[cooshin]

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""

In today's electronic age, online marketing has actually become a vital device for companies to flourish and also reach their target audience. With the ever-growing popularity of online platforms, understanding the art of internet marketing has become a vital aspect of any effective service strategy. Whether you are a small company proprietor, an entrepreneur, or a marketing professional, understanding the ins and outs of online marketing is crucial for attaining remarkable results as well as staying in advance of the competition.Internet advertising incorporates a wide variety of methods and methods targeted at advertising items or solutions with digital channels. This consists of search engine optimization(SEO), social media sites advertising, e-mail advertising, web content advertising and marketing, and paid advertising and marketing, to name a few. Making use of these strategies efficiently can help companies establish a strong on-line presence, generate top notch leads, boost brand name exposure, and inevitably drive more sales. However, navigating the intricate globe of online marketing needs a solid understanding of the most recent patterns, best techniques, and devices available. In this extensive overview, we will certainly explore the numerous elements of online marketing, providing valuable understandings as well as actionable ideas to aid you be successful in this vibrant and also ever-evolving area. Whether you are a novice wanting to start or a skilled marketing professional seeking to improve your skills, this overview will equip you with the understanding and sources needed to master the realm of online marketing.

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[theunicornintown]

Grasping the Art of Web Marketing: A Comprehensive Guide for Success

""

In today's digital age, internet advertising has come to be a crucial tool for companies to grow as well as reach their target audience. With the ever-growing popularity of on-line systems, grasping the art of net advertising and marketing has become a key aspect of any kind of successful business approach. Whether you are a small company proprietor, a business owner, or an advertising and marketing specialist, understanding the intricacies of net advertising and marketing is vital for achieving exceptional outcomes and remaining in advance of the competition.Internet advertising incorporates a large range of approaches and methods intended at promoting service or products with electronic networks. This consists of seo(SEO), social media sites advertising, e-mail advertising and marketing, web content advertising, and paid advertising and marketing, to name a few. Making use of these techniques properly can assist services establish a strong on-line existence, generate premium leads, rise brand presence, and also eventually drive more sales. Nonetheless, navigating the complicated world of net marketing needs a strong understanding of the most recent trends, best methods, as well as tools readily available. In this thorough guide, we will certainly delve into the various aspects of online marketing, giving valuable understandings and actionable suggestions to help you be successful in this dynamic as well as ever-evolving field. Whether you are a beginner looking to start or an experienced marketing expert looking for to refine your skills, this guide will equip you with the understanding as well as resources required to excel in the world of web advertising.

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[danceamongthestarsrp]

This is our list of advisors and the starting of the court system which will grow as the plot on the site moves forward to include other parts of the court... such as knights. They will be an important part of the plot as they help the sailor guardians on their mission. Advisors help in a similar way to Luna and Artemis in the original series but to each guardian who would be better equipped to stand on their own but their knights help similar to Tuxedo Mask who will be the first Knight unlocked to start the sailor teams. Each advisor will come from a planet who allied with the Moon Kingdom during the Silver Millenium and would be reincarnated with the sailor guardians. (Planet Mau) Luna - Open Face Claim (Planet Mau) Artemis - Open Face Claim (Planet Coronis) Phobos - Open Face Claim (Planet Coronis) Deimos- Open Face Claim (Planet Rana) Mercury Advisor - Open Face Claim (Planet Chuu) Jupiter Advisor - Open Face Claim (Planet Goliath) Saturn Advisor - Open Face Claim (Planet Cocoon) Uranus Advisor - Open Face Claim (Planet Charydbis) Neptune Advisor - Open Face Claim (Planet Volpi) Pluto Advisor - Open Face Claim

[coenvs3000w23]

A Breath of Fresh Air

Like many relationships these days, the love and security I’ve shared with nature have been dynamic, to say the least. Experiencing the highs. Experiencing the lows. Growing up in a big city like Toronto, I would be remiss to say the stage was set for a healthy and stable relationship. Going outside as a child and being met with construction, loud noise, and pollution would make connecting with the natural world difficult. Without recognizing the nuance between human nature and true nature, my relationship began on the wrong foot, and this disconnect illustrated a dysmorphic view of nature. 

Navigating this treacherous terrain can sometimes feel overwhelming. Many young kids growing up in a real-life metropolis may find themselves lost, confused, and neglectful of nature. Finding a ‘sense of place’ was difficult. At least that was my experience. 

Having role models that would go out of their way to show me the true beauty in nature, a value their role models taught them, would be critical in my developing relationship.  As a 4th generation Canadian, the passing of wisdom down generations is nothing unheard of and it allowed me to establish and maintain a stable connection with my Irish Italian roots.  This attachment contrasted with personal experiences of being a Canadian; giving me identity, and meaning.

My father would become that role model.

From a young age, my father would make significant attempts to kindle this love for the outdoors, values his uncle instilled in him. Taking me golfing, igniting my love for outdoor activities at the age of 6. Playing golf, gave me a space to calm down, a place to get some peace and quiet. Getting older, he would introduce me to camping and fly fishing. Standing quite literally waist-deep in nature in almost dead silence with only the white noise coming from the surrounding wildlife, it’s different. It is comforting. A feeling you can so easily be deprived of in modern life. These activities not only allowed me to appreciate the outdoors but enabled me quality time to spend with him as well myself. 

My dad and I :)

A virtue that gets lost today is being able to take that step back and appreciate the things that mean the most. Whether that be the things you have, the things you are, the things you love, or whatever it may be. To me, nature was/is an IV line that connects me to a sense of self… A sense of place. Being equipped with this tool allows me to separate myself from routine life, connecting me to what I care about most. Appreciating where you are and who you are with. Not only does it allow you to truly value what means most to you, but it opens your eyes to the beauty around you. Now I am not saying I was 6 on a golf course when I first contemplated the meaning of life, although that would be familiar (this makes sense if you have ever played golf) … rather I would say it gave me a foundation, an outlet. Of which I have so desperately valued as I have gotten older. Whether life's getting stressful, or I am sad, or I am feeling overwhelmed, or when I feel lost, nature has been my escape. Sometimes it becomes easy to forget to breathe and being outdoors in the thick of it reminds me to quite literally take a breath of fresh air. A safe place that I could always rely on to be there when I need it most. A warm, beautiful, delicate place I can turn to when the world may feel cold, ugly and rigid. 

[allseasontreeservices]

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