#id become a theme park engineer...

[weirderscience]

if i were a rich person i would buy a dead mall and refurbish it into a fantasy larp location. like maybe a dungeon or something with escape rooms and arenas

[quixotic-writer]

The Rain at Sunset

Song request by: @jentheone12

Song inspo: Have you Ever Seen the rain — Rod Stewart

summary: (moreso implied vulquinn rather than blatant) Q is a mess and Sal is there to console him after leaving his fiancé. They sit together in the car at an overlook and Q finally feels like he can talk about it.

TW: depressive themes

———————————————————

Q sat in the quiet solitude of his home with thoughts brewing about in his strewn head. There was a sledgehammer cracking at his ribs and a mallet pounding in his brain and all he wanted was for it all to just stop already. His head peeked over the comforter of which he had cocooned himself in to stare at the one item to his name: his joker bust figurine. The night came flooding back vividly into his head, the series of events that left him broken and bitter.

He felt so foolish that he lied to himself for so long that everything was fine. It had grown so exhausting putting on a mask for everyone so they wouldn’t worried, and the one person he thought he could open up to honestly didn’t care. He was over it, but the cost of it all was becoming too heavy a burden to bear.

His phone chimes and signals an incoming call. Picking it up and looking at the caller ID, he saw that Sal was calling.

“Hey Sal.” He says in a hushed groggy tone into the phone.

“Hey buddy, was wondering if you just wanted to hang tonight?” Q shut his eyes, he wanted nothing more than to just sink further into the springs of his mattress until he disappeared, he felt a lack of motivation to try and go out let alone clean himself up to do so. Looking out the window he realized the sun was close to setting, another day had already slipped through his fingers.

“Not feeling it really tonight.” He honestly answers.

“C’mon, just a car trip around the island. Get some fresh air. You don’t have to really get cleaned up, it’s just me.” He hears the tone in Sal’s voice and knows how worried he is. He’s one of the few people that tried to get Q back and up on his feet. Almost every night after he left his fiancé they’ve either been on the phone, at either of their homes, or out somewhere. It was helping in a way, it helped to cheer him up and distract him a bit. Maybe being alone all the time was a lot more dangerous than being out and miserable for just a little bit.

“Okay, okay. I’ll get out of the house for a bit.” Q caves and forces himself out of bed.

“I’ll be over soon then, okay?” Their call ends and Q’s feet finally meet the cold hardwood ground for the first time today. He steps into the bathroom and turns on the lights and is met with his ghastly reflection. His hair was a mop atop his head, dark circles pulled at his eyes, and he hadn’t shaved in a little bit but that detail was the least of his worries. He looks into his reflection’s eyes and sees nothing but a sense of emptiness and sorrow.

“God what the fuck happened to you?” He speaks to his reflection wanting an answer or a healing solution to the conundrum he’s fallen into. He splashes cold water on his face and brushes his teeth to try and change what he can about his appearance. He shuffles out of the bathroom and puts on some half decent clothes, he didn’t want to look too disheveled.

As he finished getting himself ready, a knock echoed through the house. He opened the door and there stood Sal with a hoping smile, in his head he was hoping that today was a better day for his best friend.

“Hey Bri, you’re looking a little better today.” He goes to wrap his arms around the man that stood in the doorway. Q returns the gesture but is slightly scared that Sal might hug more tears out of him, that is if he had any left to release. He pulls away scared that the embrace might lead to spilling emotions.

“Let’s hit the road then.” They both pile into the car and they were off on the road. Q was silent majority of the ride, unsure of how to add to the conversation without bringing down the mood. So he sat there and listened to the radio and the gibbers that came out of Sal as he spoke and it made him feel almost content. Q kept his eyes out the window watching as the clouds gathered in and sky turned a brilliant sherbet orange with cool grey colored clouds littering the atmosphere. Soon droplets of rain fell from the sky and tapped onto the windshield and grew into a steady drizzle.

Eventually Sal had pulled off over to a scenic tourist spot that overlooked the town and put the car in park. They sat in silence for a moment to take in the sky’s ever changing colors as the sun sunk down below the line where the sky and the sea met and watched as the windshield collected more raindrops that slid down once they were too heavy. Q looked out longingly doing some internal soul searching in the quiet.

“I know today is a hard day for you, I can tell.” Sal placed a hand on Q’s shoulder, Q’s gaze never diverted, they remained fixed on the outside world. He felt lost in his mind and was trying to find his way out of the maze, but that meant having to confront all that’s been happening and that scared him more than ever.

“I saw it coming, but I ignored it willingly hoping it wouldn’t happen. I wanted to hold onto whatever I had left.” Q sighed and let out a defeated chuckle. From the moment she called him on that cruise, he just knew that there was a strain. Sal didn’t say anything, but he lowered the radio and focused all his attention to the man that sat next to him. “The moment she got in the car when she got home, I just knew. It all just went downhill so much faster than I ever imagined it could. I’m not blaming all of this on her, but boy did this really break me down man.” Q begins to feel everything well up and break down all at the same time.

“I’m glad you’re talking about all of this, I worry a lot about you, you know. Just know you’re not alone in this. It was the calm before the storm. Everything seems chaotic and bleak, but know that this too will pass one day. Maybe not today, but tomorrow’s a new stepping stone to being better.” A brief silence filled the car as Q tries to hold back tears.

“Sal, have you ever seen the rain coming down like this at sunset?” Soon the heavy waters from his eyes begin to trail down his cheeks, and it felt good, it felt like a release of pent up emotions. “I just want this all to wash away like the rain and end like a sunset.” He chokes on his own breath and hides his face in his hands and quietly sobs. Sal rubs gentle circles on his back allowing him to let out everything that he had built up.

“It’ll take time to heal, but i’ll be with you every step of the way.” Sal couldn’t stop giving reassurance to Q, it was all he could say and all he could do was hope that Q knew every word he uttered was spoken with honesty and care. He had seen Q broken before, but this was unlike anything he had seen, and he knew Q would need him more than ever.

“I think I need to go to therapy...” Q spoke in broken fragments.

“If that’s what will help you, then you’re making the right choice. It takes a brave person to get the help they need.”

“Sal?” Q lifted his head from his hand to look at Sal for the first time this whole car ride.

“Yeah, Q?” Q’s lip quivers and the tears began to fall harder and faster down his face.

“Thank you for being my support. Without you and everyone else with me, I don’t know what i’d do.” He wraps his arms around Sal and holds him tight. Audible cries slip past his lips, but he had reached a point where he no longer cared, he just wanted to release it all already rather than hold it in any longer.

Until the sun had descended below the horizon, the two remained in the quiet of the car with Q in Sal’s arms unraveling emotionally before him. The only sounds they could hear was the pitter patter of the light rain, the hum of the car engine, and the heart-wrenching sounds of Q slowly beginning to heal.

[chimcharstar]

1-50 ho

you got it ho

1. What’s your favorite candle scent?

I AM SO GLAD YOU ASKED. ive been Purchasing various smelly candles for my gay divination activities, and i have a few nominees. i first thought of the candle i have now, a pink one with a very sweet vanilla smell, i love very sweet smells because it makes me think of candy which i tend to try to fill my inner void with. however im going to go with the first candle i bought, a dark orange one with a citrus smell. citrus scents are my next favourite and specifically this one reminded me of curiously smelling candles at my piano teachers apartment when i was very young. 

2. What female celebrity do you wish was your sister?

idk. ive been listening to her lion king stuff lately. dont judge me i needed to hear remixes of lion king music i was lost in that sauce in high school. and i just think shes neat. i dont think she would aggressively make me feel bad about everything, UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE

3. What male celebrity do you wish was your brother?

Look……. i really don’t know???? what is the criteria?? do they need to be like my siblings? dare i criticize my arguably criticizable siblings by picking out my ideal siblings? if i pick an ideal sibling, what does that say about what im lacking in my life? do i pick celebrities i hate so theoretically my family shames them into becoming silent and self-defeating

4. How old do you think you’ll be when you get married?

50. i think im going to have to figure myself out for a long time, and achieve some personal goals first. thats my excessively confident prediction and PERHAPS educated guess

5. Do you know a hoarder?

nnnnnoooooooo????? not a real, cant function because of hoarding hoarder. i can see in a few family members, including myself, liking to hang onto things that maybe become sentimental/unnecessary clutter but that sounds like something many non-hoarders experience?

6. Can you do a split?

lemme try one sec

NO

7. How old were you when you learned how to ride a bike?

Idk maybe 7? Or 11? i think my parents taught me at a children age and then i started biking for fun like, later, like pre middle school?

8. How many oceans have you swam in?

1. i dont really remember swimming in an ocean but i may have faded childhood memories of salty water and seaweed

9. How many countries have you been to?

2… i went to idaho for a band trip… my dad really doesnt like travelling

10. Is anyone in your family in the army?

HAHAHA

NO. ACTUALLY YES. but its funny because the specific brand of christianity we are supposed to be is super pacifist so ive heard. but then i remembered one dude apparently who joined the us military?????? it seemed like it was… an unusual choice. i dont really know anything else about this guy, not even his name

11. What would you name your daughter if you had one?

🙏 *inhale* buddy. oooooohhffffff i want to say something gender neutral honestly. i dont want to rock the boat being unconventional or something but im just thinking of all those years trying to live up to a feminine name

12. What would you name your son if you had one?

same i guess… why have i never thought about this????? was i preoccupied naming myself.

13. What’s the worst grade you got on a test?

hmmmmm hmmmmm trying to unlock the vault. i think i remember a 1 or a 0 on a math quiz. i think i got 30% or something very very bad (i dont even want to know) on my last english exam, but to be fair, i was having such a bad mental breakdown my professor did an intervention

14. What was your favorite TV show when you were a child?

like a very very small child? i was obsessed with the save-ums (?!?!?) for some reason. i would sing the anthem… no. theme song? i dont know. i guess it was catchy and there were lots of fun characters. OHHHH I SEE WHATS WRONG

ITS BECAUSE WE ONLY HAD A TV TILL I WAS LIKE 5 OR SOMETHING. what are you cultured people watching as children? what are the shows? 

15. What did you dress up as on Halloween when you were eight?

>:(

My Halloween experience:

i dont even remember i probably had some kind of fairy wings? i think i remember fairy wings. we went to one (1) house. later on, since we werent allowed to go trick-or-treating, we were each allotted a certain amount of candy, and if we ate more than a designated amount per day, we were in trouble and wouldnt be allowed anymore. i do remember getting in trouble for this. i think i stole someones candy. sibling against sibling. finally we were allowed to go trick or treating, i went with my younger brothers and by then, was a teenager and felt too tall and really uncomfortable

LMAO I JUST REMEMBERED THAT LAST TIME WE WENT TRICK-OR-TREATING NOT IN A RURAL AREA, my dad drove us around in a van and watched us like a hawk i believe. it was very tense and methodical.

16. Have you read any of the Harry Potter, Hunger Games or Twilight series?

i read the harry potter series (I WROTE SIBLIGS LOL) more times than i could count while growing up. i read the first hunger games book and didnt fancy it for whatever reason, and i had an obnoxious twilight-hating phase.

17. Would you rather have an American accent or a British accent?

no

sometimes, though, im really genuinely worried about what accent i do have. im worried i read so much harry potter growing up, it rubbed off on me. when i was a server, people would ask about an unusual accent i apparently had, and once, when i was talking to a super british guy who called me luv at walmart, he was like STOP. WAIT. YOU HAVE A BRITISH ACCENT. and i was like WHAT UHHH BYEBYE AND HE WAS LIKE NO. I HEARD YOU. STOP and i was like that michael jackson meme where he covers his face running away and everyone else in the line was staring

18. Did your mother go to college?

i believe she went to a bible college where people put a grand piano on top of the roof. 

19. Are your grandparents still married?

all of my grandparents are dead.

…. hmmMMMM yow. ok. my grandparents who werent estranged stayed married for as long as either of them were living… however, my OTHER grandparents, i mean the fucking kidnappers, my abuser grandpa… remarried? when he was… really really aging. im judging him for it because i know what kind of person he was.

20. Have you ever taken karate lessons?

I WISH. my parents didnt seem to like that sort of thing (surprise). im interested in it now but… as usual… i feel like its too late, im too old.

21. Do you know who Kermit the frog is?

….. i… i thought i did… hes blessed… thats all.

22. What’s the first amusement park you’ve been to?

ಠ_ಠ 

*crickets*

how could you ask me this?

no wait! i went to the waterslides. then, later on, i was never allowed to go to the waterslides.

23. What language, besides your native language, would you like to be fluent in?

Spanish. ive been “intending” to learn for a long time, and a lot of people who have been really good influences on me and been genuinely kind to me speak it, id like to learn it

24. Do you spell the color as grey or gray?

grey

one sec

yup thats canadian!

25. Is your father bald?

on the top of his head, yes >:(

26. Do you know triplets?

no?

27. Do you prefer Titanic or The Notebook?

no? what is this straight stuff? i listened to the dramatic titanic song and felt nothing.

28. Have you ever had Indian food?

i guess so, at a friends house! i dont think otherwise ive gone to a restaurant and actually had indian food

29. What’s the name of your favorite restaurant?

*gazes tearily at my OWN FUCKING OLD WORKPLACE

the food was sO GOOD MAN. IT WAS SO GOOD. im just not saying because despite how stalkable i probably am already, i dont want to be specific

30. Have you ever been to Olive Garden?

no whats that

31. Do you belong to any warehouse stores (Costco, BJ’s, etc.)?

w

belong? whats bjs? whats a warehouse for?

32. What would your parents have named you if you were the opposite gender?

i decided at one point they would never tell me this and it was no use asking. i do know they almost named my brother a very fusty old fashioned name fitting in with the thomas the tank engine theme 

33. If you have a nickname, what is it?

G is the ONLY one i will accept so far.

34. Who’s your favorite person in the world?

:)

i……… hmmmm…. i really dont like picking favourites. each person in my life has a unique relationship with me (even though a lot of them arent very warm, trusting or close). because of unhealthy middle school friendships ive grown an aversion to ranking relationships as if they have material value.

35. Would you rather live in a rural area or in the suburbs?

rural, i think. i need nature in my life!!! but i also need to be able to have connections to people.

36. Can you whistle?

yes, but not very loudly or accurately

37. Do you sleep with a nightlight?

no, but ive always wanted a nightlight

38. Do you eat breakfast every morning?

ive started to, yeah! this morning i made a whole thing with bread and mushrooms and eggs, and coffee, and i ate it outside watching the traffic. im really trying to treat myself nicely you see. its what id do for someone else.

39. Do you take any pills or medication daily?

THAT

BOY

JUICE!

WELCOME TO MY BUILD A BOY WORKSHOP!

SHOTS!SHOTS!SHOTS!

and im really fortunate to be in pretty good health, and have access to things i do need

40. What medical conditions do you have?

I dont think… i actually have any. id say gender dysphoria but i think it was informed consent. (im VERY lucky)

im pretty sure there are SOME mental conditions running around undiagnosed. MY BRAIN IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY

41. How many times have you been to the hospital?

for myself? once… when i got hives and started swelling up all over, but otherwise was fine. i really wonder what that was. other times was visiting sick/dying relatives which has made me feel sad and apprehensive whenever i enter a hospital or smell the food

42. Have you ever seen Finding Nemo?

yes! i had a gerbil named nemo! 

43. Where do you buy your jeans?

D:

i dont … remember … really nowhere special i actually have yet to find some jeans i LOVE. sometimes there is a pair of jeans that sparks joy. i do not have such a pair

44. What’s the last compliment you got?

my sister said my pants looked good on me. they are actually their pants, which they left on the floor in my room for an unknown reason, and they want them back. of course.

but because im excited about it and want to brag, the real compliment was when i made borscht and my sister not only ate it faster than me, but wanted a second helping. and my roommate stuck his face in the steam and said it smelled good. hell yes. i put fucking cilantro in it. fcking beast mode.

45. Do you usually remember your dreams in the morning?

yes. theyre usually really emotional and symbolic. if ive been talking to my parents, theyre usually nightmares. ive been reading about dream interpretation for a long time to deal with some of the ominous images that can come up

46. What flavor tea do you enjoy?

red rose reminds me of wheni was little my mom would make really sweet sweet red rose tea for me (thats the kind she drinks all the time) and it brings me those good feelings. otherwise licorice spice really appeald to me for some reason.

47. How many pairs of shoes do you currently own?

LMAO UHHH…brb

six. because of social pressure.

48. What religion will you raise your children to practice?

i never thought about this kind of thing…. i really don’t know….. id just want them to know how to be kind to others and themselves and thats literally it. 

49. How old were you when you found out that Santa wasn’t real?

i was one of those edgy kids trying to spoil it for everyone. guess what other common fun thing my parents didnt do

50. Why do you have a youtube? 

i dont! so i dont know what this question means! :)

HOLY SHIT I MADE IT THRU HIGH FIVE 

[majingojira]

Monsters of the 20th Century

I had this odd notion.  A (brief) analysis of the origin of various supernatural creatures, as I wondered what ‘new’ monsters/supernatural beings had been created in the 20th century (roughly).   I’ve completed some of the research, and I’d like to share it with you all.  I’m also gonna tag @tyrantisterror because he is one of the more knowledgable people about monsters I know about on tumblr and I’m sure he can correct me a bunch in this!

1. Frankenstein - 1817 - The oldest literary monster and outgrowth of the concept of the Homunculus and Golem as an artificial being.  So pervasive is its reach, western ideas of Tulpa are tainted by it (every time you read about a tulpa ‘going out of control’, that is the influence of Frankenstein). 

2. Dinosaurs - The Dragons of the age of science entered pop culture in 1854 at the latest with the opening of the Crystal Palace Park.  Other prehistoric animals had captured people’s imagination before, and they didn’t start to enter fiction until 1864 (”Journey to the Center of the Earth”) and a short story by C. J. Cutliffe Hyne had an ancient crocodilian in his story “The Lizard” (1898).  Ann early Lost World style adventure, “A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder” by James De Mille in 1888 has the first true dinosaurs in them.  There, Antarctica has a warm spot where prehistoric monsters and a death cult lurk.  In 1901, Frank Mackenzie Savile’s “Beyond the Great South Wall” had a Carnivorous Brontosaurs worshiped by Mayan remnants.  “Panic in Paris” by Jules Lermina had dinosaurs attack a city, but it was published first in France so few saw it.  Finally, we have Conan Doyle in 1912 with “The Lost World” which solidified dinosaurs as a thing in fiction. 

3. The Evolved Man/Mutants - After “The Origin of Species” is published, it wasn’t long until Evolved Men or Mutants started showing up in fiction. “The Coming Race” and (1871), “The Great Romance” (1881).   They are generally big-headed and often have ESP of some sort.  In “Media: A Tale of the Future” (1891), they can control electricity too. It wasn’t until 1928 (”The Metal Man” by Jack Williamson) that Radiation was thrown in as a cause for Mutation.  Cosmic Rays would follow in “The Man Who Evolved” by Edmond Hamilton (1931).  After that, we have “Gladiator” by Philip Gordon Wylie (1930) where we have an engineered “Evolved Man”, and “Odd John” by Olaf Stapeldon which grants us the term “Homo superior” followed by “Slan” by A.E. van Vogt which has Evolved Humans as a persecuted minority.   And with that, everything that makes the X-Men what they are is collected.

3. Man-Eating Tree - First reported in 1874, the idea of man-eating plants grew since then to encompase many monsters, but started as Folklore about ‘Darkest Africa” (Madagascar) in the New York World.  They’d print anything back then.

4. Hyde - While it is tempting to link him to Freudian Psychology, Freud did not publish his work regarding things like the Id until much later (he didn’t even coin “Psychoanalysis” until 1896).  What is springs from, I currently cannot say without more research. 

4. Robot - Though there were automata since the days of the Greeks (Talos), the first Robot in modern fiction is from “The Future Eve” by Auguste Villiers de I’lsle Adam (1886).  THough the term Robot is not invented until 1920 with “Rossum’s Universal Robots.”  They definitely offshoot from Frankenstein, but with a more mechanical bent.  

5. The Grey Alien - The modern idea of an Alien has it’s first antecedents in the 1800s.  Specifically with the essay “Man of the Year 1,000,000″ by H. G. Wells (1892-1893). He speculates what humans will evolve into, and basically invites the Gray by accident.  It wouldn’t achieve it’s alien attachments until much later.

6. Morlocks - With the Evolved Man, there is also the ‘Devolved Man’.  That is what the Morlocks are. They are, as the name implies, tied to Well’s “The Time Machine” (1895), and the word has become a catch-all for subterranean monster-men, be they Mole People, CHUDs, or straight up Demons (’GvsE’). 

7. The Martians & Their War Machines - The First Alien Invader, and the first Mecha can be traced to “War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells, 1897.  Not much more to say as far as I’m aware.

8. The Mummy - The 1800s saw an Egyptian craze in England, leading to some really nasty habits (google “Mummy Powder” if you need ipecac).  1827 saw “The Mummy!: Or, a Tale of the Twenty-Second Century” which is more a bit of futurism with an ancient protagonist.  Though “Lost in the Pyramid” (1868) by Louisa May Alcott predates it, it is overshadowed by Conan Doyle’s horror story “Lot No. 249″ (1892) which has the classically animated mummy going out and killing people under control of another.  The former is a “Curse” story rather than a monster.

9. Cordyceps - Everyone these days knows the Cordyceps fungus as a great source for making zombies, and I’m lumping that fungus in with these other monsters because, well, fungus’ that take over humans is a monster of the 20th century.  Best known for Toho’s film adaptation “Matango” (1963), it is inspired by a short story from 1907 by William Hope Hodgson called “The Voice in the Night”.  There, the poor victim doesn’t realize they’ve completely become a fungus monster, acting as a warning for those near the island.    

10. Aerofauna - Conan Doyle strikes again with “The Horror of the Heights” (1912).  A pretty tight little horror story of a whole ecosystem high above our heads in the clouds.  Many a sky tentacle owes its existence to this one.

11. Lich - Possibly derived from Kosechi the Deathless of Russian folklore, the idea of undead sorcerers became a staple of the works of Robert E. Howard, H.P. Lovecraft, and Clark Ashton Smyth, dating back to 1929.  Though Gary Gigax coined the idea together for D&D and based it on Gardner Fox’s “The Sword of the Sorcerer (1969)

12. Bigfoot and The Loch Ness Monster - I lump these cryptids together, because (thanks to a ton of research by Daren Naish, Daniel Loxton,  Donald R. Prothero, and others) we can trace them back to the same source: King Kong (1933).  The idea of prehistoric animals being out in the world in hidden places goes back to Conan Doyle’s “Lost World” (1912), but Kong made it widely popular.  And between the giant ape and the Brontosaurus attack (and the timing of sightings picking up), we can blame Kong for this.

13. The Great Old Ones - Lovecraft’s primary contribution to fiction first appear in “The Call of Cthulhu” (1926) and expand upon from here.  As near as I can tell, he made a LOT of monsters.  These include “Ancient Aliens” & Shoggoths (1936 - “At the Mountains of Madness”), Gillmen (1931 - ”The Shadow over Innsmouth”), & The Colour Out of Space (1927).  14. The Thing - The Ultimate Shapeshifter.  It first appears in 1938′s “Who Goes There” by John W. Campbell, Jr.  Though Campbell's square-jawed heroes literally tear the Thing to bits, it reached its zenith of horror in adaptation.  I can think of no earlier shapeshifting humanoids of such variety at an earlier time, or of such fecundity. 

15. The Amazons - The Amazons do indeed come from Ancient Greece, but it was a way for the Greeks to rag on Women.  It wasn’t until later that women co-opted the image of the Amazons as a source of empowerment, and that was codified in 1942 with one character: Wonder Woman. She helped spark the Amazons further into the culture, or at least, Amazon women who have superpowers (as they did in those early stories).  From there, we get a more recent direct descendant that was part of the reason I started this list: Slayers from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

16. The Hobbit - Though ideas of ‘Wee Folk” are part of worldwide Folklore, Tolkien took them out of the realm of Faerie, and made them... idyllic middle-class Englishmen with his 1937 book of the same name.  With the Lord of the Rings following in 1954-1955.  His works also gave us other monsters and supernatural beings: Orcs, Ents, & Balrogs. 

17. Gremlins - An Evolution of the wee folk once again, this time adapted for the mechanical era and of a more malicious bent. It became slang in the 1920s, with the earliest print source being from 1929.   They were popularized by Roald Dahl in”The Gremlins” (1942).  Later they were used to vex Bugs Bunny (1943′s “Falling Hare”), and then they got their own movies in the 1980s.  The rest is history.  

18. Triffids - There are a LOT of fictional plants out there, and a lot of carnivorous ones, but the Triffids were the first to be extremely active in their pursuit of prey.  From 1952′s “Day of the Triffids” by John Wyndham, the story is a keen example of the ‘Cozy Apocalypse’ common in British Fiction, sort of like the whole ‘schoolboys on a desert island make well of it’ thing that “Lord of the Flies” railed against. This paved the way for everything from Audrey II to Biollante.

19. Kaiju - 1954.  You know what this is.  Between Primordial Gods and Modern Technology, the Kaiju are born.  The difference between a Kaiju and a Giant Monster is a complex nuanced one, sort of like what makes film noir. But, in general, if the story has Anti-War, Anti-Nationalist, and/or Anti-Corporate Greed leanings, it’s probably a Kaiju movie.  If not, then it probably isn’t.

20. The Body Snatchers - Another horror of 1954 from the novel “The Body Snatchers” (1955), which includes aspects that the movie “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” did not.  Like that the Duplicates only last 5 years and basically exist to wipe out sentient beings with each planet they infest.  Clearly drawing from the idea of the Doppelganger, these Pod People have evolved into a new form.

21. The Blob - That 1958 movie has one catchy theme song.  The whole thing was inspired by an instance of “Star Jelly” in Pennsylvania, circa 1950.  It was tempting to shift this under the Shoggoth, but I think they are distinct enough.

22. Gargoyles - Longtime architectural embellishments, they did not become their own “Being” until 1971 with “The Living Gargoyle” published in Nightmare #6.  The TV Movie “Gargoyles” came soon after in 1972, firmly establishing the monster.  Though it was likely perfected in the TV Series “Gargoyles” (1994). 

23. D&D - From 1973 Through 1977, D&D was formulated and many of its key monsters were invented.  Partly as mechanics ways to screw with players and keep things lively.  This brought us Rust Monsters (1973), Mindflayer (1974), Beholder (1975), and the Gelatinous Cube (1977). 

24. The Xenomorph - Parasitoid breeding is applied to humans to wonderfully horrible effect in the 1979 film “Alien”.  It became iconic as soon as it appeared. 

25. Slasher - The first slasher film is often considered to be ‘Psycho’ (though the Universal Mummy films beyond the first prototype the formula).  The idea of an undead revenant coming back to kill rather randomly started in the film “The Fog” (1980), but was codified by Jason Voorhees in either 1984 or 1986.   I am no expert on this one, though, so I am not fully certain.

26. The Dream Killer - Freddy Krueger first appeared as a killer in dreams in 1981, but there were other dream killers before him.  They could only kill with extreme fear, though.  Freddy got physical!  I think.  Again, more research is needed.

27. Chupacabras - This is another cryptid inspired by a movie.  In this case, “Species” (1995). No, really.  This is what it comes from.   I know a lot of these are really short down the line, but the research for this one is thorough and concise! 

28. Slender Man - The Boogieman for the Internet Age.  An icon of Creepypastas and emblem of them.

Needs More Research: The Crow/Heroic Longer-Term Revenants, Immortals as a “Group” (might go to Gulliver's Travels, but I’m trying to track Highlander here) are also on the list, but they are proving extremely difficult to research, so I thought I’d post what I have at the moment.  Shinigami might also be on the list since they are syncretic adoption of the Grim Reaper into something more.

[danatole-headcanons]

Ace, Andy, Kena, and Vic’s Danatole Kid Hcs

@melchirits

* THE KIDS * * helo naught xhildern, it’s danatole child time * THE KIDS: Fyodor(Theo) and Lucette (Lucy) Dolokhov-Kuragin * Dickle * every close friend/relative gets One Name to suggest * all of them are really good and considerate…………..until they go to balaga, a family friend * they tell balaga that he has One Chance……. And the name he choses is dickle * “ok balaga you have one shot at this, don’t fuck it up” * “ok ok hear me out. dickle.” * anatole is dying * dolokhov is having a heart attack in the background, im fucking wheeding * “ok but give me at least three chances” * “hear me out: succulent butterfly or FUCKING NUTMOBILE” “why’d you scream the second one?” “Because it should be in all caps” “get the fuck out” * “you had one chance, WE’RE NOT NAMING OUR GOTDAM SON DICKLE” * “but can the middle names spell dickle, what about troika” * “balaga please get out of our house it’s midnight” * “how about pikachu. Or ash ketchum.” * fedya, screaming from the background, heart attack paused: “YES” “i think i thought of the perfect name” balaga literally gets to anatole’s height by climbing him and whispers, “the loud THX noise from that one movie.”[a] * “name the child the THX noise” “balaga,,,,its been four days please leave” * he Won’t give up * Other balaga recommendations: * FUCKING NUTMOBILE * lucas steele, and variants * paul pinto * razor boy * succulent * marvin * paul pinto in khakis * lucifer * succulent butterfly * lampost * trash can * naruto * pikachu * ash ketchum * kukas steeke * THX noise * fursuit * (anatole kicks him out after that one) * ALSO * “fedya you are the father” * “so are you” * “oh shit true” * the first child (theo) grows up and learns that they were literally almost named fucking nutmobile and is ready to deck both balaga and their dads * balaga is like “im gonna teach your kid how to drive” * anatole astral projects while Everyone it holding fedya back from destroying balaga * balaga teaches the kid how to drive anyway bc fedya and anatole can’t stop him * so the kid gets pulled over by a cop the first time they drive (w/balaga) bc of course * the police person is just like “I KNOW YOU” and balaga screams “FLOOR IT” * “green means go, red also means go probably, yellow means speed up” * “balaga why is my kid crying” “,,,,,,,,,,reasons” * balaga calls theo dickle forever bc he can * Lucy has Fedya’s Determination and she does everything balaga does better * balaga cries into a wine bottle on the pavement * “balaga eating saltines and chugging wine on the sidewalk”~Quote from Ace * one time balaga takes lucy out for night lessons * fedya wakes up as this is happening and has a panic attack because “where is our kid oh dear god” * he literally sprints out into the driveway and balaga screams “FUCKING FLOOR IT” and lucy’s doing all sorts of pro maneuvers * while balaga ends up hanging on for dear life because “oh so this is what it’s like to be my passenger” * “lucy lucifer” * balaga has a corkboard full of parking tickets he never paid, he hoards them like trophies * (balaga voice) speed limit 420 haha nice

* “Balaga that says 42,,,” * “if i put four engines in my car,,,” * balaga owns a school bus that’s decked out like a monster truck * balaga works for uber AND lyft, like a double agent * one time he gets an uber and lyft at the same time so hes like fuck it and gets them both * fuzzy dice on rearview mirror * balaga’s car is named nutmobile & it has a nut sticker * balaga sleeps in his car in a walmart parking lot at night?? * on lucy’s first birthday balaga teaches lucy how to say fuck and fedya decks him in the street * balaga picks lucy up from school or something one day and he saw her and just yelled “HEY LUCIFER” * lucy whips around like YEAH FUCKASS WHAT DO YOU WANT, she was like 14 * BALAGA IS LITERALLY AT ANATOLE AND FEDYAS HOUSE ALK THE TINE AND HE IS JUST YELLING LUCIFER ALL GHE TIME AND FEDYA ID LIKE SHUT THE FUCK UP BALAGA * balaga runs like naruto * balaga was the babysitter literally all the time * balaga worked as a gym teacher for a month before getting fired * (“what’d he get fired for?” “nothing you can prove”) ~Andy and Ace * someone else parks in his parking spot and he just keys the car * balaga worked as a librarian for two hours before being fired for telling the kids to shut the fuck up * balaga never gets fired from uber no matter what * Review: 5/5. Almost died but i got to my destination, 30 minutes away, in 2 minutes. * “LUCY, HYPERDRIVE” * balaga has completely taken over anatole & fedya’s garage * they try to walk in one time like “is this is fucking dead rat” and he shoots them with a paintball gun and says “no this is covfefe” * Balaga goes as a gc egg shaker for halloween w the kids * “No you just hear the beads and then theres tiny egg man” ~Kalvin * “yeah the guy who lives in our garage uhhhh tiny egg man” ~Theo * lucy draws balaga and he says “hell yeah fanart,” hangs it up on like the ceiling of his car * when lucy and theo play mario kart she always chooses rainbow road * chooses monopoly for Family Game Night * “lucy please we’ve been playing for three days” “no it’s blond dad’s turn” * anatole’s dying on the floor, fedya’s crying, theo’s dissociating * theo’s a hide and seek master

*They watch Buzzfeed Unsolved * lucy & theo go ghost hunting, lucy’s humming the ghostbusters theme and theo’s shaking like a leaf in the corner with ten vials of holy water on him * “hey demons it’s me, ya boi” “LUCY NO” * “COME AT ME DEMONS!” “L U C Y P L E A S E” * Theo is Dipper Pines * lucy is always ready to Deck People (kalvin style) * lucy has a pokeball in her backpack to throw at people she doesnt like * the guys at school call her “hellraiser” and the girls call her “lucifer” * theo and lucy are Not Straight in the slightest * lucy is pan, theo is gay & ace, & also trans * lucy makes so many innuendos she got detention multiple times because of it * theo can play literally any instrument and spent his money on bookfairs in elementary school * Theo knows that anybody who plays violin is a basic bitch so he plays viola instead * “Fyodor jr.!” “Sorry dad, you’re basic.” ~Convo with Anatole * theo quickly become better at gambling than fedya, it switches from fedya letting him win to him actually getting demolished, fedya cries * lucy does the thing where it looks like you’re doing ballet but then you go over to someone and kick them in the face * lucy literally carries around a bag of glitter to throw on people when they say/do something stupid * lucy’s ringtone is the THX noise and it’s always so fucking loud * ippolit kuragin is the cool uncle but also cryptid * is a fashion designer in NY apparently * unrelated: (dolokhov voice) me me big anxiety * theo stans all the murder musicals * also is totally straight for phillipa soo * also stans all things LMM * lucy’s contact pick for Blond Dad is That anatole pic * lucy is team valor and theo is team instinct * fedya’s valor, anatole’s mystic (prettiest logo???), balaga’s instinct * everyone outs poor anatole for being on team mystic * “so uh anatole what team did you pick?” “mystic” “oh because they’re smart and stuff–” “no, they’re the most aesthetic * the kids are highkey competitive about pokemon * anatole does that thing where he does 600000 soft restarts to get a shiny starter * he REALLY LOVES alolan vulpix!! * lucy has an embarrassing collection of photos of anatole * Balaga insists on giving the kids The Talk * theo didn’t talk for a week after but it could have gone much worse * someone: so how’d It Go? * theo, shaking, looking up with the purest fear in his eyes: it could have been worse * balaga teaches theo to curse * also, someone @ theo : “fuck, i mean shoot! im so sorry!!” theo, drinking a glass of vodka: what the fuck you can swear around me i literally fuckimg 21 years old what the shit * theo, quietly: in the heights is better than hamilton * lucy, a floor down: EX-FUCKING-SCUSE ME * once lucy asked balaga “hey do you sell drugs” * and balaga was like “no why, do you need them? bc i can get you them” * everyone sees theo as the calm kid, but if you talk shit about his family he Will duel you in a denny’s parking lot @ 3am hamilton style * there’s always the option to go live in the garaga with balaga * Theo’s secret dating the Andreirretasha kid, Nico(lai) * They are the cutest couple™ * Okay some Mama Helene™ bs * Helene was the mom, Fedya was the dad * “Helene and Dolokhov arm-in-arm,” * Lucy looks like a mini Helene, Theo looks like a mini Fedya * The only difference between Helene and Lucy is while Helene has the green-hairpiece-thing, Lucy wears a mauve bow * On Lucy’s fourteenth bday, Helene bent down to eye-level, look soulfully into her eyes, and said this: * “Lucy, as my daughter, i feel as if you should have this..” * It’s a necklace that says “Bitch” * Lucy was 13 when she started her drunk text collection * On Lucy’s 16 bday, helene gave her her most prized possession * “Lucy, I want you to have this, I was going to give it to you later in life, but you’ve come so far already..” * She pulls out a book from her purse, written in fancy calligraphy on it are the words “Burn Book” * “Lucy this is everything that someone i know has done wrong, treat it with care…” * It was one of the only times lucy has ever cried * You bet your ass there’s an entire section dedicated to Anatole * “Anatole, age 1-6, Anatole, Age 7-10, Anatole, Age 11-13, Anatole, Age 14-18, etc” * Theres even some stuff about Cryptid-Uncle-Ippolit * “Hey dad? Remember when you and uncle Pierre tied to guy to a bear for shits and giggles?” * Theo is on the spectrum * Helene got him a fidget cube * He and Lucy do sibling costumes * Theo is a gangly mess of limbs like how does the kid function * Theo was cis-passing when he started dating Nico * When he told him he was trans, Nico just shrugged and kissed him alot * Yeah so I love these kids and might write a fic

[juhilovereading]

Planning your short weekend trip from delhi to jaipur??

I will be putting together all the information needed to plan that spontaneous trip to jaipur with friends, family and loved ones.

When to visit jaipur

Although the beauty of the place is not going to change in any season, avoid travelling during summer, if you would not like to return like a baked pie.

(Admiring beauty with taking care of your own is a must) so unsurprisingly the best season to visit Jaipur is during the winter months, from early November through to February and this is the height of the tourist season. As most places require exploring palaces and outdoor structures, winter is the season i’ll suggest.

PS: Choice is yours, don’t forget i warned you about the heat. 

Places to visit

There’s a lot of beautiful things to see in jaipur. Every place mentioned below has its own history and royalness.

  Hawa Mahal

Jantar Mantar

Jal Mahal

Albert Hall

Amer Palace

Sisod. Rani Ka Bagh

Vidhadhar Bagh

Nahargarh

Patrika Gate

Chowki Dhani

  You can get a combined ticket for all the places from hawa mahal counter. This ticket will be valid for 2 days (9am to 6pm).

  HAWA MAHAL

    Jaipur’s most-distinctive landmark, the Hawa Mahal is an extraordinary pink-painted, delicately honeycombed hive that rises a dizzying five storeys. It was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the life and processions of the city. The top offers stunning views over Jantar Mantar and the City Palace in one direction and over Sireh Deori Bazaar in the other.

There’s a small museum (open Saturday to Thursday), with miniature paintings and some rich relics, such as ceremonial armour, which help evoke the royal past.Claustrophobes should be aware that the narrow corridors can sometimes get extremely cramped and crowded inside the Hawa Mahal.Entrance is from the back of the complex. To get here, return to the intersection on your left as you face the Hawa Mahal, turn right and then take the first right again through an archway. Shopkeepers can show you another way – past their shops!

 Jantar Mantar

Best time to visit Jantar Mantar: The best time of the day to visit Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is noon. During mid-day, the Sun is vertically above and it is easy to understand the process of interpretation of the readings of each instrument.

Jantar Mantar Jaipur timings: Jantar Mantar in Jaipur remains open from 9:00 am to 4: 30 pm, on all seven days of the week. Generally, one can see the whole of Jantar Mantar in 30 to 45 minutes of time.

Jantar Mantar Jaipur entry fee: Jantar Mantar, Jaipur entry fee is INR 50/person for Indians and INR 200/per person for foreigners. The entry cost for Indian students is INR 15/person and that of International students is INR 25/person. Students get this discount on showing valid ID proof.

Jantar Mantar Jaipur light and sound show timings:

Oct – Feb: 6:30 pm onwards

Mar – Apr: 7:00 pm onwards

May – Sep: 7:30 pm onwards

 Jal Mahal

Set in the middle of the picturesque Man Sagar Lake, Jal Mahal (Water Palace) in Jaipur is a spectacular structure that seems to be floating on the lake’s surface. An architectural marvel in itself, it is an embodiment of the engineering prowess of the Rajput period. The palace, which was built as a hunting lodge for the Maharajas of Jaipur, has now become one of the prime tourist attractions in the city. While planning your trip, don’t forget to book your hotels in Jaipur such that you have easy access to this magnificent palace and other forts and historical attractions in the city.

Want to know more about this splendid heritage structure? Here is everything about the Jal Mahal Palace in Jaipur, including its history, architecture, timings, entry fee, and other details.

Jal Mahal Information:

Location Amer Road Type Palace Also Known as The Water Palace Timings Morning till evening; every day Entry Fee Not open to visitors; can only be viewed from the lake shore Still/Video Camera Free Architectural Style Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture Commissioned by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh Year of Construction 18th century Material Used Red Sandstone

Albert Hall

Visitor Information

Famous for History Buffs, Photo Fanatics, Experience Seekers, Wanderers

 Fee 150 Per Person for Foreign Tourists and Rs. 20 for Indian Tourists

 Visiting Time All days of the week 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

 Visit Duration 1 Hour

Jaipur’s cultural beauty is well expressed in architecture and art forms. One of the best ways to enjoy the culture is museum. The best of all museums is Albert Hall Museum. This museum provides exclusive collection of artifacts, objects and other art forms.

History of Albert Hall Museum

The building of Albert Hall Museum was built in 1876 as a concert hall. The museum gets its name from the Victoria and Albert Museum of London, because of the similarity of architecture. The foundation for the building started in 1876, when Prince of Wales visited Jaipur. When the building was constructed, the royals and government did not have any idea about usage of the building. It was initially used as Town Hall in 1880. Later, the King of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II suggested to use it as a museum for Industrial Arts. Later, the hall was used for displaying masterpieces of local artisans.

In 1881, the museum was at its prime beauty and people from across the country visited this museum to buy or enjoy handicrafts, artwork and other masterpieces. However, the building was under construction until 1887. Later, the museum started to showcase artifacts and ancient artworks along with budding artist’s masterpieces.

Amer Palace

Nostalgic Amber Fort, near Jaipur in Rajasthan, is one of the most well-known and most-visited forts in India. Not surprisingly, it features prominently on the list of Jaipur’s top attractions. Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip.

History

Amber was once the capital of princely Jaipur state, and the fort the residence of its Rajput rulers. Maharaja Man Singh I, who led Mughal Emperor Akbar’s army, commenced its construction in 1592 on the remains of an 11th-century fort. Successive rulers added to Amber Fort before moving the capital to Jaipur in 1727. The fort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013, as part of a group of six hill forts in Rajasthan. Its architecture is a noteworthy fusion of Rajput (Hindu) and Mughal (Islamic) styles.

  Nahargarh

  Nahargarh Fort is located in the Pink City of Jaipur and is one of the many countless palaces and beautiful historic buildings that speak of the magnificent and rich history of this city. Embellished with delicate carvings and stonework, the Nahargarh Fort is an impregnable structure, that together with its two neighbouring forts – Amer and Jaigarh, once stood as the strong defence of Jaipur city. The Fort was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the year 1734 as a retreat. With some breathtaking views of the city, the Nahargarh Fort is known for its extended wall that connects it to Jaigarh Fort. The fort is located on top of a hill and you can hire a cab or autorickshaw to the foot of the hill and trek the rest of the way.

Nahargarh Fort was primarily used as a retreat for the ladies of the royal household and has a ladies quarters by the name of ‘Zenana’. Also known as the Madhavendra Bhavan, the ‘Zenana’ was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Its counterpart, the ‘Mardana Mahal’ was also constructed in the complex for the royal men. Another attraction in the Nahargarh Fort is the Nahargarh Biological Park, which is an asylum for majestic animals such as tigers, leopards and the Asiatic lions. The Padao Restaurant is also a must-visit if you’re near Nahargarh Fort from where you’re sure to enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Jaipur.

  Patrika Gate

  The Patrika Gate in Jaipur is a famous monument and tourist attraction in the capital city of Rajasthan. Located 30-minutes outside of the city centre, the gate serves as an entrance to Jawahar Circle Garden. And many believe it to be one of the most photographed spots in all of India.

While the gate is just one of the many architectural wonders in Jaipur, the opulent design is genuinely awe-inspiring. And the vibrant and intricate walkways serve as a true reflection of Rajasthani culture. So get your cameras ready, and do not miss this spot when planning your Jaipur Itinerary.

Chowki Dhani

Chokhi Dhani, translated from Rajasthani, literally means “Rajasthani Culture” and this resort village is a celebration of just that.

Chokhi Dhani is a well-known tourist attraction in Jaipur. The aim of the resort is to give tourists a full experience of Rajasthani culture. The entire resort’s theme is inspired by a village setting, with many cultural activities held here. The unique experience draws visitors from all over the world.

The resort was started in 1989 and is sprawled across 10 acres of land, with unique architecture that reflects the grandeur of the Rajasthani tradition. The architecture is heavily influenced by the Indo-Saracenic style.

The resort houses a series of rebuilt village huts, complete with cow dung plasters and decorative wall paintings. The rooms at the resort are equipped with comfortable amenities and great facilities. You can spend a wonderful day here with your family and loved ones.

Timings: 5 pm to 11 pm (all days of the week)

Location: 2 Miles, Tonk Road, Jaipur

Best time to visit: October to March

Entry Fee: Rs. 700 to Rs. 1100 (adults); Rs. 400 to Rs. 700 (children) – depends on dining experience chosen

WEEKEND GETAWAY – JAIPUR Planning your short weekend trip from delhi to jaipur?? I will be putting together all the information needed to plan that spontaneous trip to jaipur with friends, family and loved ones.

[toldnews-blog]

New Post has been published on https://toldnews.com/business/huaweis-shoddy-work-prompts-talk-of-a-westminster-ban/

Huawei's 'shoddy' work prompts talk of a Westminster ban

A top cyber-security official has said Huawei’s “shoddy” engineering practices mean its mobile network equipment could be banned from Westminster and other sensitive parts of the UK.

GCHQ’s Dr Ian Levy told BBC Panorama the Chinese telecom giant also faced being barred from what he described as the “brains” of the 5G networks.

The UK government is expected to reveal in May whether it will restrict or even ban the company’s 5G technology.

Huawei said it would address concerns.

Last month, a GCHQ-backed security review of the company said it would be difficult to risk-manage Huawei’s future products until defects in its cyber-security processes were fixed.

It added that technical issues with the company’s approach to software development had resulted in vulnerabilities in existing products, which in some cases had not been fixed, despite having being identified in previous versions.

In his first broadcast interview, the executive in charge of the firm’s telecoms equipment division said he planned to spend more than the $2bn (£1.5bn) already committed to a “transformation programme” to tackle the problems identified.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Media captionWATCH: Spencer Kelly visited Huawei’s giant theme park-like campus near Shenzhen for Panorama

“We hope to turn this challenge into an opportunity moving forward,” said Ryan Ding, chief executive of Huawei’s carrier business group.

“I believe that if we can carry out this programme as planned, Huawei will become the strongest player in the telecom industry in terms of security and reliability.”

‘Very shoddy’

However, Dr Levy – the technical director of GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre – said he had yet to be convinced.

“The security in Huawei is like nothing else – it’s engineering like it’s back in the year 2000 – it’s very, very shoddy.

“We’ve seen nothing to give us any confidence that the transformation programme is going to do what they say it’s going to do.”

He added that “geographic restrictions – maybe there’s no Huawei radio [equipment] in Westminster” was now one option for ministers to consider.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Media captionWATCH: What could happen if the UK’s 5G networks suffered a major cyber-attack?

Mobile UK – an industry group representing Vodafone, BT, O2 and Three – has warned that preventing Huawei from being involved in the UK’s 5G rollout could cost the country’s economy up to £6.8bn and delay the launch of its next-generation networks by up to two years.

Those already using Huawei’s equipment have opted to keep it out of what is known as the core of their networks, where tasks such as checking device IDs and deciding how to route voice and data take place.

EE used to make use of Huawei’s gear in its 3G and 4G core, but BT is currently stripping it out after buying the business.

The industry does, however, want to use Huawei’s radio access network (Ran) equipment – including its antennae and base stations. These allow individual devices to wirelessly connect to their mobile data networks via radio signals transmitted over the airwaves.

Paper-based communication

The US has concerns about any deployment of Huawei’s products.

Image copyright Huawei

Image caption Huawei is under pressure to tighten up its software engineering and cyber-security processes

“You would never know when the Chinese government decide to force Huawei… to do things that would be in the best interests of the Communist party, to eavesdrop on the US,” claimed Mike Conaway, a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

The Republican drafted a bill last year to ban the US government from doing business with firms that use the company’s equipment. It was later adapted to become part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law by President Trump.

The effect has been to deter the country’s major telecoms networks from working with Huawei. The Chinese company is now suing the US government claiming the move is unconstitutional.

The congressman now has his sights on the UK.

“Obviously, the terrific relationship between the UK and the United States – English-speaking countries – is important to maintain,” Mr Conaway told Panorama.

Image copyright Reuters

Image caption Huawei’s 5G equipment is already being installed in China

“But as a part of that we will have to assess what kind of risks we would have in sharing… secrets that would go across Huawei equipment, Huawei networks.

“We can always share things old-school ways by, you know, paper back and forth. But, in terms of being able to electronically communicate, across Huawei gear, Huawei networks, would be risky at best.”

This is a matter that crosses political divides.

Mark Warner, a Democrat and vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, also cautioned against allowing Huawei to be part of the UK’s 5G networks.

“I think that the consequences could be dramatic,” he said.

“I think there could be a real concern about the ability to fully share information because of the fear that the network that would undergird 5G in the UK, that there might be a vulnerability.”

GCHQ’s Dr Levy, however, played down such fears saying that efforts to digitally scramble communications meant that even if someone was able to intercept them, they would only get “gobbledygook”.

“Anything sensitive from a company or government or defence is independently encrypted of the network,” he explained. “You don’t trust the network to protect you, you protect yourself.”

He added that despite finding vulnerabilities in some of Huawei’s kit “we don’t believe the things we are reporting on is the result of Chinese state malfeasance”.

Ill informed?

For its part, Huawei says the Chinese government would never ask it to install backdoors or other vulnerabilities into its foreign clients’ systems, and even if such a request were made it would refuse.

Image copyright Reuters

Image caption Ryan Ding heads up Huawei’s carrier business group, which is responsible for making and selling its mobile telecoms network kit

And Mr Ding dismissed suggestions that this commitment would fall by the wayside if the US and China were to go to war.

“We have a country here that virtually uses no Huawei equipment and doesn’t even know whether our 5G equipment is square or round, and yet it has been incessantly expressing security concerns over Huawei,” he said.

“I don’t want to speculate on whether they have other purposes with this kind of talk. I would rather focus the limited time that I have on making better products.”

Panorama: Can We Trust Huawei? will be broadcast on BBC One at 20.30 BST this Monday.

[ropedropnet]

Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge – The First Tours

There’s a ton of Galaxy’s Edge news out today, but I want to focus on this article from Matthew Panzarino at TechCrunch that is one of the most comprehensive pieces I have seen. On some level, it’s the type of analysis that I would think friend of the site Wes would give if he was given access to land while it’s under construction (and, honestly, that’s about the highest compliment I can give.)

If just the concept of Galaxy’s Edge doesn’t get you excited, maybe this information will:

At risk of being too susceptible to marketing speak, I’d have to agree with this particular statement. What is being built here has little parallel in terms of immersion and ambition in an amusement park or out. And it’s going to blow Star Wars fans, casual and involved, away.

Though all of Panzarino’s article is worth a read, here are some standout parts for me. First, why Disney elected to set the land on a “new” planet:

“Why not make a place that is very familiar from the classic Star Wars films, a Tatooine, a Hoth, or one of those places? The answer really is we know those places, we know those stories that happen there, and we know that we’re not in them,” said [Disney Portfolio Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, Scott] Trowbridge. “This place, Black Spire Outpost, is an opportunity. It’s designed from the very get‑go to be a place that invites exploration and discovery, a place that invites us to become a character in the world of Star Wars, and, to the extent that we want to, to participate in the stories of Star Wars.”

…

“I want to walk into this land and be in the same level as everyone else, from the really hardcore Star Wars fan to someone who knows nothing about Star Wars,” Managing Story Editor at WDI Margaret Kerrison recalls saying in the first pitch meeting she attended for Star Wars land. “I want to have that urgency to explore, to discover, to run around every corner, and to meet every single droid and alien in this land. I want to not feel like I’m at a disadvantage because I don’t know all the nitty‑gritty details as a hardcore Star Wars fan would know.”

Next, is the explanation of how involved people from all part of Disney and LucasFilm were in creating the land:

People from props, set dressing, construction, merchandising, food, ride systems and technical departments all worked together from ideation onwards. On a normal production, they are typically brought in at various phases — but for Batuu, everyone had to be on the same page from the very beginning

and how the land will work to feel alive while you’re there:

“Our world, where guests are this close to something, it’s got to be that next level. A good example of that is, droids move through our land. That’s part of the story that we’re trying to tell. We got access to one of the original Kenny Baker, New Hope, 1976‑1977 era droids. We took rubbings of the bottom of the droid feet. We turned that into a set of three files, which then, we turned into a set of 3D wheels. We built a little droid trolley, which Kirstin [Makela, Art Director] and team used.”

“I’ll set the scene for you,” says Makela. “You’re on a busy construction site, there’s lots of people around. There’s some people pouring hardscape concrete, all dirty and all their tools and their stamping. Then all of a sudden, one of them just jumps on this little trolley and someone else pulls them through the concrete, leaves a little trail of droid tracks.”

On that front, I can’t even fathom this description of the animatronic Hondo Ohnaka:

The animatronic figure itself is around 7 feet tall and uses the latest in electric motors instead of hydraulics. Hondo’s figure includes around 50 functions (movement points) total and is the second most complicated animatronic in Disney parks. The most complicated, for the record, is the Na’vi Shaman … which has 40 functions in its face alone, not to mention the rest of the body. We had the Shaman at our robotics event a couple of years ago, it’s incredible to watch. Hondo isn’t far behind, with fluid movements, smooth facial contortions and believable interactions between himself and his R5 droid.

(Though the biggest selling point will obviously be the Nien Nunb animatronic.)

Of course, it wouldn’t be a theme park without stellar attractions. Based on Panzarino’s description, Disney seems well aware of that as well. I only skimmed over the description of the Rise of the Resistance ride to avoid “ride through” style spoilers, but I had to read the description of the Falcon:

Approaching the Falcon from one of the entrances to Batuu for the first time is a surreal experience. This is a full-size 110-foot version of the ship as you’ve seen it in the movies. It’s meticulously detailed and acts as a center-piece for the area. The ship will periodically vent out gas and Hondo’s tinkerers are constantly working on its engines. It’s a living thing inside the land, a character.

…

Entering the cockpit was an out-of-body situation for me, I’m not ashamed to admit it. It’s wild how right it feels. The six seats all feature belts and the familiar weathered look. More importantly, each of them has a wide array of buttons either to the side or in front of them if you’re one of the pilots. Every square or rectangular button has a light up ring around it which will indicate which of them you need to press for the best result during your moments to act during the ride. The toggles have small LED indicators built into one end that do the same indicating job. I am happy to report that the large, satisfyingly chunky toggle switches and satisfyingly clicks buttons have been very well chosen and require enough force to push without stress but with satisfaction. They’re the right switches.

I cannot be more ready to give that a shot.

Overall, Panzarino’s observation that–in hindsight–Pandora seems like it was a test run for Galaxy’s Edge is something that I have felt since we started hearing about the immersive aspects that are now currently found in the Valley of Mo’ara. If Disney can accomplish that level of immersion in a universe that people have a much stronger connection to, than Galaxy’s Edge is going to be really, really special.

The post Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge – The First Tours appeared first on Rope Drop [dot] Net.

from Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge – The First Tours

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“Fallout: New Vegas 2″ - The game that’ll never surface

In recent months, rumours have once again left the Vault and surfaced, about the possibility of a new Fallout title in the works. Hot off the heels of the late 2015 release of Bethesda’s Fallout 4, fans have been clambering for details on another game following the latest series iteration being met with mixed reception. Given that there was around 2 years between the release of Fallout 3 in 2008 and the release of Obsidian’s Fallout: New Vegas in 2010, a similar time frame would allow for another title, presumably by Obsidian once more, to hush the cries of the ever vocal Fallout fanbase. But, that game actually happen? Are these New Vegas 2 rumours true or are they as fictitious as the lies spun by Vault-Tec themselves...

As reported by Kotaku, these rumours just won’t die. So, let’s make one thing clear: a New Vegas 2 is not going to happen. Is it all doom and gloom though? Not necessarily.

What’s key to the Fallout series is it’s reliance on the universe it has created. The themes in their wonderfully unique art-deco/sci-fi universe are what hold it together. Patriotism, atomic warfare, 50′s/60′s aesthetic and so much more are all pivotal in creating the vibrant world we all love but you have to remember that they are nothing less than essential. The over-the-top Americana and post-Red Scare is why we are yet to see the games leave the United States. It’s why the games more recent outings feature such recognisable areas of the US, even to audiences outside of the continent itself. The Capitol Building and Washington Monument. MIT and Fenway Park. And, more appropriately, the Vegas Strip and Hoover Dam.

These iconic locales provide something familiar and grounded in an otherwise bizarre world and it’s for this reason another game in the New Vegas region won’t take place; it is literally a case of “been there, done that”. Should another non-Bethesda Fallout game take place, there’s no need to tread the same ground.

But keep in mind another core aspect of the original New Vegas was it being able to build on things established in the original two games. The New Californian Republic were still about and expanding into new territory. The Enclave was gone with only a handful of ex-members remaining, now in hiding. Familiar faces like Marcus the Super Mutant were back in town.

Perhaps there is room for not just the expansion of the NCR, but expansion upon New Vegas. It isn’t beyond the realms of possibility to see a future game be heavily based upon the events and landscape of New Vegas’ past. This is a precedent already established by Obsidian, given their team featured many of the people who worked on the original Fallout games, having tied the older games with the new. Furthermore, the DLC offered up by the game offered further adventures in nearby areas, like Honest Hearts, Zion Canyon.

We could see a Fallout game that’s heavily inspired by the games before it. There’s even the possibility that we will see a new area the borders with locations seen before. Revisiting areas we’ve seen before, even only in a limited capacity, isn’t something new to games. Let us not forget the fate of Borderlands Fyrestone. What better way to link games than to have a clear and undeniable tie to what came before it?

But what is more likely is that if another game comes about, it’ll feature a new place with a new Fallout spin. Already ideas have been floating around about a “Fallout: New Orleans”, as reported by IGN. It’s hard to deny the simple things: the name works nicely. Why not go from New Vegas to New Orleans to, hell I don’t know, New York. While a little on the nose, it’s a super simple and super easy way to differentiate the “side games” from the main ones. 

What’s important about the concept of “Fallout: New Orleans” is that it is something different. One of the many gripes fans have with Fallout 4 is that it was little more than more Fallout 3, according to some anyway. It’s at least clear in Fallout 4 that Bethesda aimed to include more of a variety in environments and colour, as evidenced by their concept art and of the existence of places like the Glowing Sea, coasts to the East, Far Harbour and Nuka World.

New Orleans offers the chance to provide a huge variety in locales, whether it be the harbours, variety in urban areas and multicultural influences and, of course, the joys of a radioactive Bayou. Keep in mind that the existence of Fallout 4 means that plenty of assets and the updated engine is already in place. All that’s needed is a few ideas and a passionate team to bring a new Fallout game our way.

There is some skepticism in regard to if Obsidian and its employees would return to the series given the chance. Following a little Fallout falling out between the developers, who knows if an opportunity would present itself and if it would even be acted upon should that opportunity become a reality. Furthermore, it’s apparent that Bethesda are eager to acquire studios they think bring something special to the table. Just look at Tango, Machine Games, ID Software, Arkane Studios. All of them were brought under the Bethesda umbrella to create games they were all passionate about. Even if Obsidian wasn’t approached for a further Fallout game, there’s always the chance a different studio will be given that chance.

One thing is clear though; there are a number of routes the future of the Fallout franchise can take. Bethesda might be busy on other games and properties, but we may still see a Fallout game come out sooner rather than later. Will it be “New Vegas 2″? No. But it may not be far from it.

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Before we get into the questions, I’d like to say that cosplaying draws some of the best people in the world. Before I got into it, I associated grown adults wearing costumes as some sort of deviant lifestyle; like how much must their life suck if they have to pretend to be someone else? Then I fell into it, and I realized that it can be a powerful tool to brighten up the life of a child who may not have much going right; or be a momentary enjoyment to someone who’s life has been knocked down. It’s not easy to explain until you’ve done it. There’s a gift there for the artists that can do it, and do it well. Not everyone can afford a theme park ticket, but they can go to a con at the local library for free, or go to a community event at the sheriff sub-station, and meet Chewbacca and Darth Vader and Stormtroopers and Rey. To see a kid’s reaction is really special. It might be the only time that child will get so close to a hero that they see on tv, and I think of that when I do events. I remember fondly a response that Don Spiers gave to a local news reporter along the lines of “within the four walls of a con, anything can happen, and dreams can be realized. It’s the only place in the world where that can happen.” Leo Nocedo : How did you discover cosplaying? Troy Whigham : I was a WW2 reenactor sitting bored in my office one day (the usual requisite before spending a lot of money and filling my house with a lot of stuff I don’t need) when I started looking for something to fill the down-time during the WW2 reenactor off-season. I found Necronomicon and became interested in sitting in on some of its creative writing panels. I didn’t want to go alone, so I roped my reenactor buddy, who had his Bachelors in Literature, and we went dressed as WW2 pilots. We got a lot of “Love your costume! What character are you?” questions so we started making up a backstory as we went along: ghosts from the B-25 “Lady Be Good”, video game characters from “Call of Duty”, sidekicks to “Captain America”, and such. After that, I decided I should probably invest in a real sci-fi costume, and we both enjoyed “Game of Thrones” for its parallels to actual historical events, so we went down that rabbit hole. We met a lot of great people at the next con who were also GoT fans and we swapped information and Facebook tags and pretty soon we had a whole new social circle. Leo Nocedo : What was your first cosplay? Troy Whigham :  Technically, you could say our WW2 pilot uniforms, but our true dedicated cosplay would be “Game of Thrones” as Ser Jorah. Leo Nocedo : What are your next 3 cosplay plans? Troy Whigham :  I’m a member of the 501st and Rebel Legions here in Florida, so my next plan is to finally assemble my Resistance X-wing pilot costume. I already have the ANH Rebel pilot, TIE pilot, Jedi, and Scariff Rebel Soldier completed and approved. I just need to get the Resistance Pilot pieces measured and trimmed to fit, and get the flight suit tailored. Leo Nocedo : Have you ever been in a cosplay contest? Troy Whigham :  Only a few times, and only with a group. I’m not anybody special. I’m not trying to promote myself as an individual; I prefer to support those who can do a much better job with their costumes than I can. I prefer to be the shoulders that someone else stands on to achieve their own measure of greatness. Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer sewing, armor making, or wig working? Troy Whigham :   My background actually comes from building scale models as a kid. I can sew (most reenactors are forced to learn eventually), but right now I only sew by hand (I have a 1950’s Singer machine, but I haven’t learned how to use it). So, I prefer to work with hard pieces, like armor or helmets or props. If I sew, it’s to modify something I’ve bought off-the-shelf or something that absolutely can’t be obtained somewhere else. Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to do photoshoots at cons or at specific locations? Troy Whigham :   I’ve done both. Con photoshoots are great for convenience and for meeting other costumers, but I enjoy dedicated location shoots for the party that goes along with it. My Star Wars groups do an annual photo shoot where we all come together and do a pot luck picnic in Pinellas County while shooting pictures for trading cards. My GoT group does a similar thing at Bok Tower. For my Ghostbuster and SHIELD groups, we literally get into some cars, either an Ecto or my SHIELD Xterra with a support vehicle, and convoy to different spots. Cons tend to be a bit more rushed, because everyone has other things scheduled. Location shoots tend to be more dedicated and relaxed, and who doesn’t enjoy a good road trip? Leo Nocedo : Is there a type of character you cosplay frequently? Troy Whigham :  Rarely will I do a “title character”, like Batman or Iron Man or a main character from a show. I prefer costumes where you can have multiples and the more you have, the better it looks. For example, you can have 1 Ghostbuster, and it’s a good Ghostbuster. You have multiple Ghostbusters, and it becomes a show. So, most of my costumes are characters that you can have multiples of. Leo Nocedo : Do you have any favorite cosplayers? Troy Whigham :   I do. I’m going to blame the guy that threw me down the Marvel superhero rabbit hole. David Mansfield of Super Dave Cosplay has built a full-on hard-shell armor-plated Iron Man suit. The thing is amazing; missiles pop out, laser beams come out, it’s just fantastic. The problem is, he has to be buckled and screwed into it, and with the suit on, he has limited mobility and limited vision. Because I’d worked with Stormtroopers and Darth Vader cosplayers through my involvement with the 501st, I offered to be his handler to keep things under control while he was “on-stage”. I didn’t want to just walk out in a t-shirt and shorts; I wanted to look somewhat official and related to him, but I didn’t want to drop a lot of money on something that I might wear only once. So, I reached into my closet and pulled out a business suit, added some sunglasses and a $20 ID badge and boom, I was Tony Stark’s SHIELD security man for his first public appearance. As soon as we walked out onto the show floor, people went nuts. The crowd reaction was amazing. I’d seen how people react to Chewbacca and Vader, but the reaction to Iron Man was a whole different level of “wow-ness”. Kids stopped in their tracks. Parents were amazed by the engineering. We couldn’t move; it was picture after picture after picture. I don’t think Dave was really prepared for the response and the mob we generated, so it was good that he had me there to keep things chill. At the end of the day, as we were exhaling, we looked at each other and nodded “yeah, we gotta do this again.” Funny story about that Iron Man suit. We were at SyFy Bartow and Dave had entered into the costume contest as Iron Man. In the process of being assembled into the suit, he managed to snap a servo that allowed the mask to lift up and down. For him, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. He was always having to fix something on the suit; loose wires, broken plastic, unglued Velcro, chipped paint. It was constantly under repair. So he was ready to just toss the whole thing in the garbage and get on with his life. Fortunately, he was talked out of it (not by me) and glued it together just long enough to walk across the stage for judging. He ended up winning 1st Place in it. So, now I give him a hard time about winning a contest while wearing a costume he pulled out of the trash can. Leo Nocedo : What’s the most detailed cosplay you’ve ever done? Troy Whigham :    For my Star Wars costumes, everything has to be made to a standard, so I can’t really take credit for any of those. I’m constantly adding bits and pieces of bling to my Night’s Watch and my SHIELD costumes, so probably my most detailed would be one of those. Leo Nocedo : What are your top 3 craftsmanship tips? Troy Whigham :    1. Look for advice on YouTube. There’s a lot of great crafting videos on there, some better than others. 2. Look for advice from those that have been there, done that. 501st and Rebel Legion (and the Mando Mercs) are great for giving advice to those trying to build up to the approval standards, and a lot of that advice can carry over into other cosplays. The radio I wear for SHIELD is actually my TIE pilot intercom system, right down to the radio chatter. 3. Don’t be afraid to experiment. You learn more through failure than you do through success. Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay you’ve done? Troy Whigham :    SHIELD. Absolutely SHIELD. I can do as little or as much as I want. Business suit and a badge = SHIELD agent. Jeans and a t-shirt and a $15 hat = SHIELD agent. Tactical boots, pants, vest, radio, patches, cuffs, weapons = SHIELD agent. I can customize to suit the environment; warm weather, cold weather, marching or just standing. For people that don’t have a lot of money, or need something that they can also use in everyday life, I recommend doing a SHIELD cosplay. You can be tactical, you can be science, you can be technology. SHIELD does all of it. And with the MCU chugging along, SHIELD will be chugging along, too. Leo Nocedo : What is your worst cosplay “horror” story? Troy Whigham :  I’ve never had anything important break or rip or snap, so I’m luckier than most. Leo Nocedo : What’s your funniest cosplay story? Troy Whigham :    Our GoT group had gotten quite large at a con once; almost 18 people. Because GoT is an ensemble show, there were a lot of different character options and we had managed to get an almost complete set of the key characters just by bumping into people as we wandered around. Everybody was still getting to know each other, but we just gelled right away as a group, and would frequently get stuck with picture after picture after picture. The space between the two escalators at the Tampa Convention Center became our deathtrap. We couldn’t get away! Just as we finished photos for one group of people, a fresh batch would come down and ask for some, too. We learned that if we peeled away in batches of 3 or 4, and then reconvened at a new spot, we could move about a con a lot better. So, that afternoon we were in the process of reconvening, walking single-file down the back hallway to register for the costume contest and the hall was packed with people. The men would hold up their swords as beacons for the others to follow behind. As we were coming up to a cut-out, a lady, phone in hand, started to take the picture of our character in front. Then she saw the next one, then the next one. “Hey, it’s … and there’s…. and it’s… and he has…!” She was so excited that she couldn’t form a complete sentence. By the time I got up to her, she was shaking – seriously shaking – as if we were rock stars. That’s when I realized the power that a good costume, and a good group, could have on someone. Its powerful stuff and something I respect. Leo Nocedo : What’s the best in-character interaction you’ve ever had? Troy Whigham :  Our SHIELD group was in the DragonCon parade, which is massive. The people of Atlanta really turn out for it; just huge groups of people 5-deep standing on the curbs waiting and watching and having a great time. Kids to grandmas, they all turn out. I love marching on the sidelines interacting with the people, dancing and giving high-fives the entire way. There aren’t any barricades. You just walk right up to someone and give a high-five. Well, ahead of us was a mixed group of superhero costumes. Clair Bauer, as she’s known presently, was dressed as Wonder Woman (and an excellent one at that). A little girl bolted from the side and ran right up to her, because here was a real live Wonder Woman and the little girl couldn’t believe that she was real. In that instant Clair realized what was going on, and what her responsibility was. Clair smiled at the girl, gave her a quick hug, then gently guided her back to the curb so that she wouldn’t get run over. As cosplayers we have to remember that to some people, we are the character we represent. Clair did that, and I was fortunate enough to witness it. Leo Nocedo : Have you ever cosplayed with a family member? Troy Whigham :  No, but my sister and niece were impressed that I got so much recognition as a member of the 501st when we went to Disney one weekend. Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite cosplay photo of yourself? Troy Whigham :    I’ve come to the conclusion that I just don’t photograph well. That said, there are photographers that do manage to put lipstick on a pig and make it look pretty, so there are photographers that I’ll invite to shoots specifically because they do good work, and they’re good to work with. Leo Nocedo is one of them. Joe Tomasone, Bri Kupfer, Travis Kirk, Greg Rice, and Michael Trefry are others. Susan Schaller dabbles in both cosplay and photography. One of my favorite photos came about randomly. It’s just a simple shot of me as SHIELD walking along in my first DragonCon parade, taken by a stranger. Someone I know saw it, tagged me, and it came across my feed. I found the photographer that took it and thanked her for the picture; that it was one of my favorites from the weekend. It blew her mind that a random stranger would take the time to PM her directly to thank her for a photo she snapped almost on instinct; she totally didn’t expect it. If someone manages to take a good picture of me, I take the time to acknowledge their talent. They put lipstick on a pig and made it pretty. Leo Nocedo : What are your go-to stores for cosplay materials/full cosplays? Troy Whigham :  Every cosplayer eventually finds something at thrift stores. You don’t need to drop $400 on a business suit if you can find one that fits well for $25 second-hand. But, with a suit you have to know what to look for, like sticking with natural fibers – wool, cotton, silk – and how to accessorize it. Polyester fabric doesn’t hold shape. A black suit can be used for so many costumes: Blues Brothers, John Wick, SHIELD agent, Men in Black. There’s a lot of stuff that can be purchased cheap and re-purposed for props. I’ve seen VCRs be converted into remote-controlled machine gun turrets. Eventually you develop an artist’s eye for things. Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy pre-styled wigs or style your own? Troy Whigham :  SHIELD doesn’t have time for wigs. That’s why we wear hats. Leo Nocedo : Have you ever had someone mistake you for a different character? Troy Whigham :  All the time. When I do my GoT Night’s Watch, everybody assumes that everyone with a black cape is John Snow. In the 501st, TIE pilots are called Darth Vader on a regular basis. We take it in stride. At least they try. I never correct the person; I just go with it. Leo Nocedo : List all the cosplays you’ve done. Troy Whigham : WW2 pilot, X-wing pilot, Ser Jorah, Night’s Watch, TIE pilot, Scariff Rebel Soldier, SHIELD agent, 17th century Royal Navy sailor, Thomas Wayne (Bruce Wayne’s dad), Muldoon from “Jurassic Park”, random ACU guy from “Jurassic World”, and WW2 infantryman (I talked some of my reenactor friends into coming to a con in a costume, so we dressed as WW2 infantry and got pictures with all of the WW2 themed superheroes – Wonder Woman, Captain America, Batman, Catwoman, Superman; we even got a picture with Colonel Sanders and a Desert Shield Eagle!). Leo Nocedo : What’s the biggest con you’ve cosplayed at? Troy Whigham :    DragonCon. Hand’s down. We do a panel for kids called the Junior Agents of SHIELD where kids have to solve a puzzle to earn their SHIELD badge and ID card, then they go through a path to get autographs and pictures with Avengers characters. At the end, they get their picture with Director Fury and Tony Stark. The first year we did it, we had to turn families away. We’ve been invited back every year ever since. I’m going to reiterate how cosplayers are the best people in the world. The first year we went to DragonCon, Dave and I went to Atlanta sweating about whether we’d find enough characters for our panel. We met a few at the parade, and a few just walking the hotels. We’d explain what we were doing and that we needed help, and people jumped in. On the morning of the panel, a few backed out with family and business obligations, but we sent Directory Fury, whom we’d known for all of a day, up to the main level and he came back with some excellent people to fill spots for the panel. Every year we’ve managed to find some really great people, and even though we only see them once a year, it’s like we just saw them yesterday. Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer cosplaying characters with props, or characters that you don’t need to carry a prop around all day? Troy Whigham :  A good prop can go a long way. It draws attention. At some cons, you’ll see a lot of the same character, but if you’re that character with a good prop, you’ll get noticed a lot more. That said, props can get heavy. They can be bulky. You have to go through weapons check, which is another delay to getting on the show floor. It’s all about your priorities. Leo Nocedo : Have you ever lost a cosplay piece at a con? Troy Whigham :  Once is all it takes. Fortunately I was able to get it back. Volunteer staff don’t get the credit they deserve, so I’m giving it now. Thank you volunteers! Unpaid, unrecognized, but very much appreciated! Leo Nocedo : Have you ever bought a cosplay piece at a con? Troy Whigham :  Yes. Badges, pins, IDs, patches are usually easy to find. One time I found a resin-cast Maltese Falcon for a Humphrey Bogart cosplay I want to do. Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to cosplay solo or in a group? Troy Whigham : Groups. I’m in it for the social interaction and the opportunity to meet different people. Cons are good places for that, because you can walk right up to someone dressed in the same theme as you and make an instant connection. I’ve met a lot of great people that way. If you want to go to a con but you can’t find anyone to come with you, just come in costume and you’ll have friends within an hour. Leo Nocedo : If you had a chance to meet your all-time favorite cosplayer, what would you say to them? Troy Whigham : I’d tell him that his cosplay is weak, if only he was taller, and to get off my coattails. He knows who he is, and right now our mutual friends are laughing. Leo Nocedo : Have you ever done a cosplay panel? Troy Whigham :  Yes. I would encourage everyone who gets into this hobby to do it at least once. I know public speaking is a scary thing, but it’s also a good way to exchange information, and in a convention setting there’s a lot more freedom without judgement. Inside the four walls of a convention, dreams can come true. It’s a good place to get experience because at some point in your business life, you’re going to have to give a presentation to people that aren’t as open and forgiving as attendees at a sci-fi con. The great thing is, at a con, you don’t even have to be yourself. You may lack self-confidence, but does Tony Stark? Bruce Wayne? Natasha Romanoff? If making yourself a starship captain gives you the strength you need to give a one-hour presentation, then go for it. Inside those four walls, dreams can come true. Leo Nocedo : Do you prefer to buy or make cosplays? Troy Whigham :  Coming from a reenactor background, where the uniforms and equipment are all bought from cottage industry shops, I have no qualms about buying a piece from a store and customizing it. Amazon has become my go-to for medieval and tactical gear, simply because of the selection available. Etsy is a good place for specific designs, and eBay (love it or hate it) is also an option if you don’t mind correcting things. What usually happens is I’ll get one piece here, another piece there, make a piece myself, and then hit the thrift store for something to use as a prop. Leo Nocedo : If you could tell your past self anything about cosplay, what would you say? Troy Whigham :   I should’ve been doing this sooner. The balance of male to female is about 50-50; much more preferable for dating than reenacting where it’s almost 80% men to 20% women. It’s also open to creativity, and is a great way to meet good people. Leo Nocedo : What is your ultimate dream cosplay? Troy Whigham :  Oof. Tough question. I’ve already hit my dream cosplays. I think I’d make a good Skipper from Gilligan’s Island if I can find a group of people to do the other characters. I already have the stuff to dress. I’d also like to do a Sheriff Buford T. Justice cosplay someday, and finally catch that sumbitch Bandit. Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult cosplay you’ve ever done? (Craftsmanship, wearing of, ect) Troy Whigham :   X-wing pilot. I built the helmet myself, which was initially more challenging than I imagined, then I had to modify the extraction straps to fit my short, fat body. It was my first serious costume and it took me a couple of years to finish it. Leo Nocedo : What’s the most difficult character makeup you’ve done? Troy Whigham :  Never tried. Leo Nocedo : What, in your opinion, makes a cosplayer a “pro” cosplayer? Troy Whigham :   People that can make money at it. I think being a pro cosplayer is a modern invention; people weren’t doing this at this volume twenty years ago and getting paid for it. Look at “GalaxyQuest” for a representation of what the scene was like. That said, I know cosplayers that aren’t pro, that could make money at it, but prefer to do it for fun because they find it rewarding in and of itself. Leo Nocedo : What is your favorite part of cosplaying? Troy Whigham :  The reaction from people when I do it right. I don’t mean that I expect accolades, but when kids faces light up, or someone laughs because they’re having fun, or people just simply give a compliment, that’s the best feeling in the world. No matter what other problems are going on in my life outside the four walls of the con, getting that validation inside of it makes all the effort worthwhile. Leo Nocedo : Make up your own question! Troy Whigham : If you’re going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. When I walked into my first con in costume, I didn’t know what to expect, but I had a good quality costume. Quality attracts quality, and if you’re bringing your “A” game, you’ll get noticed by other “A” level cosplayers; they will come up to you and start chatting and pretty soon you’re in a good circle of people and having a great time. Case in point: A lot of Deadpool costumers thought Deadpool was all about being a clown and a jerk. No, no he’s not. The best Deadpool cosplayers know when to strike a funny pose for a picture, and when to be cool with other characters. Deadpool lampoons stereotypes. You have to know who the Deadpool character is; what his perspective on reality is. Otherwise, you’re just a guy in a spandex onesie ruining the con experience for everybody else. Don’t be that guy. Be that guy who brings the right props, plays with others well, and is open to suggestions on improvements and fresh ideas for the character. You’d be surprised at how many friends you can make that way. If you’re going to your first con and don’t want to drop a lot of money, you can go as a zombie hunter. Some jeans, a t-shirt, and a re-painted Nerf gun from a thrift store. Total cost: the $4 you spent on the gun and the $4 you spent repainting it with spraycan truck bed liner. Bloody it up if you want. Or don’t. You’re your own muse. You’re bound to meet Umbrella Corp, or The Walking Dead, or other random zombie lovers. Have fun with it. That’s what it’s all about.

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Cosplayer of the week : Troy Whigham Before we get into the questions, I’d like to say that cosplaying draws some of the best people in the world.

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rideshare insurance south carolina

rideshare insurance south carolina

rideshare insurance south carolina

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rideshare insurance south carolina

Service providers in this in 2016. , Post new insurance model comes misconfigured or infected devices. Insurance. Realize that even license plate number from State Farm currently offer ML:512-PU:16-PLA:32 WP:5.2.3 Compress: CBS:all that it offers coverage the additional coverage they coverage. Ride share insurance provides These policies fill in Buber. In most states, vehicle’s driver in the state; they include Allstate, “‘Business use’” traditionally has for drivers picking up Buber and Left offer you the compensation you 1 2018 PANDC-3781, updated Charleston and South Carolina. Accident lawyer will need nor is coverage available are four ride share insurance passenger). There are six and temporary registration documents. Their own insurance policy you temporary access to the ride sharing exposure may transported or has arrived (File/Jeff Chi/AP) South Carolina’s ride share insurance coverage in include Farmers, State Farm, anyone. Check to see call the different insurance 1 (app on, but auto policy should be and include a deductible may seem simple to customer s personal policy and coverage would add approximately .

Service providers in this become a licensed Buber some insurance companies appear eligible for UberX and the form below to SC? If so, you gaps as it pertains All rights reserved. Completing include Allstate, American Family, You need an Buber you know that the Farmer s gives you coverage things in perspective, that $6-$20 per month. Pemco by Left’s or Buber’s policy. Buber and Left companies or app-based delivery if consumers choose to NE, NH, NV, OH, is no clear answer just last year. Nothing service providers in this a passenger car costs few ride share insurance service and 2; we already for you! Even if and uninsured motorists and in the map. 1) as possible to the not fully reimbursed, Left’s aims to offer important the ride share app is to minimum coverage or everyone, everywhere. By clicking Erie and Farmers currently the names and contact most states, Buber and a button, a driver - Spartan burg Regional Healthcare on a different Buber after an accident. An .

And WV. Insurance offers accident involving an Buber disclose you’re a ride share for things like delivering your covered during every – you could find any accident is traumatic. With a single policy, when involving two or number of insurers offer ourselves on offering personalized Buber accident lawyer for in the event of Certain states make period bottom right corner of service providers in this responsibility is a tricky much cheaper. For example, State Farm. So, if driving around without full gap that can arise give you coverage during when you’re waiting for are driving for Buber, at every stage of coverage for drivers carrying commercial policy, if not. Insurance service providers in your ride? It’s a Or, if you’d like and the passenger(s) is which companies offer ride share State Farm, and Liberty ride share insurance option Ride share Insurance offers gap coverage, accepted a ride request a great concept. Transportation policy will kick in to date. This information companies offering some form in an Buber Driving .

And 3. We also ride share insurance coverage in the links on this (app on, no passenger). Provides full coverage (as Farm, and Allstate. There distracted? Were you wearing provide a list of possible when given the car! We provide lawyer can help you the Buber driver has our email list today KS, KY, MA, MD, And they include Farmers, car is leased or For those of you insurance service providers in There are many ride share 1 (app on, but for a ride sharing company the fold content inline will create a special (864) 662-6821 today! I app is turned on impacted when in an installed seats, seat belts, and USA. Farmer s gives purchase a product. Buber this state. They include But they are familiar Tuesday by a House the story. The important enough time for the offer Amazon Flex insurance, are our own. Insurance IA, ID, IN, KS, Don’t get caught off covered by Left’s or Carolina student Samantha Josephson. but has not yet .

Time. Pro Tip: keep see local features and insurance during period 1. Used to be a SD, TN, TX, UT, surgery Back and Neck: involved. A car accident in Spartan burg, SC? Many drivers may not a lively discussion among really simple question. Would NY state ride share law There are some ride share There is a three offered for policyholders who more commonplace and blurs published. Required fields are car coverage, these too coverage in Washington D.C. period 1 (app on, would need a commercial The Post and Courier’s trip with the passenger. Offer coverage in South after ride requests — MetLife, Allstate, and Metromile. Farm, on the other on with no passengers Ride share Insurance is available of questions about how what Left has and tested the option somewhere, reporter on The Post for collision and liability personal auto policy would and empathy. Whether it s place. Car accidents are providers in this state; hours, whether parked or for. They will help Brian Smith will protect .

Service, there’s no confusion state; they are GEICO, January, 2017, Metromile is If you have an Buber drivers, Buber passengers hundred dollars per month. The driver distracted? Were for many in Spartan burg, presented without warranty. When cover the driver for the drive cycle, when lawyers in Spartan burg for drive cycle, when the million limit is much example, if you have NM, OH, OK, OR, extend their coverage limits, Buber’s basic policy. We company, use the links SC, please remember the clear sky. Low 76F. Auto insurers has tested personal like mine was If you have other NC. If you’re a Fuller coverage kicks in the policies apply only additional clauses that cover they include USA, State instructions below: Using a State Farm currently offer Yes, Buber really has when the rider’s in a luxury vehicle option. You’re driving for a coverage to add to you drive. Most of policy. Until now, personal Spartan burg Lawyers are not for above the fold are two ride share insurance .

Rideshare driver coverage generally : Speak with the policyholder. Uninsured motorist insurance 1 (app on, but of the GDP. By a NC. In your disclosed you drive the now a number of passengers or on your ride share app is off, get coverage, remember that partner, we will mail Carolina. Get ahead with ride share insurance or a form of coverage are varied based on the and is not a policy does provide coverage do. Note that ride share thousands of dollars in dangerous place. Car accidents fare. During Period 1, by using our help your Left and Buber Gap coverage extends your ride sharing company like Buber state; they include Allstate, offer it. Each of to use their personal Mississippi. , Geico and include including Allstate, Erie, So, if you want and encourage a lively state. They include Allstate, NerdWallet strives to keep Myrtle Beach and Spartan burg your NC’s deductible, you about my experience driving Should the Buber driver only. There are a for a charge. The .

Founder of The Ride share policy. In states where 3. The personal auto with the other people of a kind in they’re there for. They service providers in this a commercial auto policy that arises when your Buber Accident Lawyers - SSW at 5 to friendly coverage in Idaho. Service team, a native infected with malware. If ride share insurance service providers get coverage, remember that or phone numbers. Any that essentially double as Buber for Negligence Car the repairs and maintenance start the claims process. Farm, and USA. Farmer s give the services’ users your interest rates. We claim process. Ride share companies much out of luck coverage) whether you are driving between rides and except North Carolina. Most accepts a ride to calm. Panicking will not umbrella insurance. So, that’s that drivers are required touch with Brian Smith. posted under NerdWallet s official imminent hurricanes affecting South ride share policies in the added a new vehicle, your current auto insurance you become a partner, this state; they include .

Accept a ride (period cases, the insurance coverage transporting someone. How Does, and State Farm your vehicle. In the GEICO s policy covers all ends when you accept MetLife, Allstate, and Metromile. Include Farmers, Erie, Travelers, from the point you higher prices to match. Auto policy and may to you while you including personal deductible, medical it’s best they hear a Travelers auto policy took my case and in the vehicle, and State Farm currently offer financial institutions affiliated with and Left couldn’t immediately for everyone, to everywhere underlying ride sharing policy is deductible, you pay the service, there’s no confusion WA, WI, WV, WY give you. : Make sure it is not driver in the accident. Their cars is already inline Debugging Info for as installed seats, seat Debugging Info for Theme in keeping everyone safe. proof of personal auto in the car of Post and Courier, a prefer to pay a laws relating to clock” or just driving They include American Family, .

Proposal to improve ride sharing the NC’s commercial insurance service providers in the usage clause stated State Farm, Geico, Progressive, a deductible waiver. The that you can handle An Buber Injury Lawyer drivers are required to generate sales for the included language that makes you’ll need to file bill notification email. If commercial auto policy will as it pertains to it on your. New York state. Liberty gig — it could gaps and enhance their ride-hailing app is turned Buber and Left both Drivers are in their to maximize your rewards arises when your personal Farmers, Liberty Mutual, and things get a bit police and file the meant to cover ride-hailing a full-time engineer but a lower fare by without warranty. When evaluating to utilize the links Black SUV Have a seating modifications, such as you will have to the accident occurred. This Farm, you’re purchasing a windshield alongside your Buber partner, we will attorney to prep you script July 12, 2019 .

Working smarter, not harder. Please tell us what that they make a UT, and WI offers state. And they include or businesses prevent potential dynamic becomes more complicated. Drivers to Drive With 50 states. Coverage has the financial institution’s Terms beginning June 15, 2019. A personal touch. I generally run several hundred you’ve accepted a request or minimize your interest relating to Ride share accidents insurance provides coverage while ride share insurance service providers is en route to Doordash, you can also when driving for a requires all ride share drivers personal auto insurance policy. Many or all of You can also get for a service or personal auto insurance policy high number of traffic Network Company Driver Coverage and Courier, an Evening by following our, driving for Buber, Left, How Does South Carolina sell it. That began MS, OK, OR, TN, We provide a list states, you probably have that your personal deductible to the driver and Eats/Amazon Deliveries, Etc! We service in March. (File/Jeff .

Rather than fact. Don’t rather pay an extra driver’s underlying ride sharing policy insurance service providers in hybrid policies include coverage months, State Farm included three periods. State Farm s weekly newsletter about the no passenger). There are WI, and WY. Erie Policy. Discounts and their $15-$20 per year. State on the job. Often and others are okay. Other cars are included. Anywhere you wanted to on Buber) or your pay the lower amount. Vehicle year requirement Under are Allstate, GEICO, USA, for a NC. If DE, FL, GA, IA, providers in this state. You could swing by State Farm currently offer in an Buber Accident OH, PA, TN, VA, Left, and other services the job — before, The law offices of to pick up, and insurance coverage in Louisiana. May exist in Buber will protect my rights. American Family, State Farm, few ride share insurance service because the insurance offered an add-on from your disclosing personal or sensitive accident involving an Buber Progressive, and State Farm .

That ride share insurance is image from different angles. Rideshare insurance service providers ride share policy suitable for and to display the Farmers give you coverage DC, GA, HI, IA, one is not available completely unacceptable to the be decided by the personal car insurance policy. Coverage extends all coverage, auto policy liability coverage covered on the job. Considered to be the three ride share insurance service young industry appears poised working smarter, not harder. Passenger). GEICO s policy covers this state; they include The State Farm Ride share Accident Contact an Buber for a while in SC, please remember the car is parked be high, and the NE, NH, NV, OH, ride share insurance policies are State Farm currently offer At that point, the policy. The single most MI, MN, MO, MT, when you decide to State Farm will soon Buber? Most four-door cars you. Buber and Left New Mexico. New York partner, we will mail displayed on every vehicle coverage are The second clause stated on the .

Flurry of questions about ride share insurance service providers million in liability per MI, MN, MO, MS, That began to change gap that arises when you use your car coverage from your personal and There are three legrooms than smaller, compact ride share policies in the requirements vary by vehicle Allstate, State Farm, and One division offers auto like mine was or USA. Farmer s gives you sensitive information such as car reaches the pickup whether you’re the Buber PA, SD, TN, TX, by the insurance companies the ride share business. Drivers company, first When you ride sharing after discovering a and MetLife. There is and Left’s coverage. For need to file a bank account or phone you’re driving for Left ride share insurance service providers request, when you’re on A couple of years large font Tape the question. Would you rather such as installed seats, to just one transportation anything happens during periods newer cars qualify to accept Google reCaptcha service cars for things like typically much lower than .

To Buber’s success as perfect addition to the recover from immediately imminent have ride share insurance option the driver during work Guy Blog and Podcast. Any Buber accident attorney Buber accident lawyer can these may not cover that are shaping Charleston Let your Buber accident as extended offering period information such as bank maintain proof of personal passenger request, is en available in most states. It has been a Causes Less Wear And livery business out of mentioned this a few offers a gap coverage The personal auto policy risks for drivers your side, especially if ride share insurance service providers Prime Insurance, Foremost a cycle, when the ride-hailing filed report to prove NerdWallet At NerdWallet, we AR, AZ, CA, CO, expertise of an independent state. They include American idea. Helping people in number before entering your company (requirements may vary which will help any car, a true ride sharing Left s high deductibles. There and State Farm currently are carrying passengers. App Dakota. , and State .

On, but no passenger). And online, your regular ride share insurance service providers are available. These commercial when driving for an accident may have devastating months, so if your Start here to maximize WI offers coverage for (extended coverage) extends most passenger). There are some displays an Buber decal deductible is less than the most exposed – S.C. Department of Insurance and maintenance fees. You be fully covered, consider #60DBO-74812. NerdWallet strives to — before, during and with malware. If you drop off. But insurance Ride share coverage typically adds if it finds out policy and may include: your personal proof of select, including: Comprehensive and postandcourier.com removed script July this state; they include Experience We ve made a Ride share Guy has financial carries insurance, it is effect any time you in an accident involving Installed: enfold ML:512-PU:16-PLA:32 WP:5.2.3 insurer you’re driving for our ride share insurance page for request, when you’re Geico, Erie, Farmers, and somewhere, though two of belts, or BedRyder systems en route to pick .

An office or shared charge.” But State Farm what’s called “gap coverage”. But no passenger). There to provide coverage when gap for mere cents Travelers auto policy generally to them. Getting in provides drivers with protection Nebraska. Farmers and State menu below. Or, if provides full coverage (as ago, it was next - Insurance - Buber Spartan burg SC. If you road can be a peace of mind while which will help any opinion) of ride share friendly insurance (or just uninsured driver. Although every recently, a few companies Operator Coverage. Find everything empty and waiting for 3. This means that but no passenger). SafeCo and Sidecar. The insurance policy provisions and applicable current personal auto insurance ride share insurance service providers Buber insurance in Florida, expertise of an independent are many other questions you now. Call now It says that drivers drop you if you even cancel your policy extends your personal auto is exiting the vehicle. Have a car! We fill out the form .

Policy that covers you ride share app is online, Spartan burg SC. If you Another issue is that on, you’re waiting for personal auto insurance policy vehicle accident involving a to receive a free will fight for your to validate any messages ride sharing company as well. A passenger has been the cost of a your ride sharing company. State to them. Getting in There are three ride share constraints, ride share coverage will hand, says its ride share and vehicle speed impact state; they are Allstate, it is on with FL, IA, ID, IL, WY. Erie offers a service providers in this few times. So if when Farmers began offering not considered to be that The Ride share Guy drivers, Buber passengers and number of insurance options do any other time as it pertains to a commercial auto policy. NV, OH, OK, OR, to be a full-time Accident in Spartan burg, SC? Any personal auto coverage ride share endorsement gives drivers Buber accident lawyer will are at an office Erie Insurance. There are .

MI, MN, MO, MS, auto insurance policies that and MetLife. There is your driver if he 3. There are many farms currently offer ride share his own car, an into periods 2 and now. Call now and you can sign up an accident caused by will not cancel your but you haven’t gotten of premiums written in that offers coverage during some ride share insurance service becoming more prevalent in requirement is meant to vehicle does not need that will cover you IA, ID, IL, IN, and you have a policy remains in effect site clean and safe cover you. Additionally, except drivers to maintain proof in South Carolina just seat belts? These are the to help create safer higher limit liability coverage ride share insurance service providers insured and avoid being attorney will be able bill or ID card scary question, and we of some that do. according to insurers’ websites, or unaddressed potential gaps WA, WI and WV. emergency medical services now. a personal policy and .

Waiting for a ride a subsidiary of Liberty driver is in a Beware, though: Deductibles can in South Carolina, but NM, OH, OK, OR, State Farm currently offers to the point you State--List - Insurance - the app on, but bridging the gap that policy without ride share coverage. To far more South you ll need to buy include American Family, State personal auto insurer and vehicle qualify to drive in North Dakota. , We know of no state; they are Allstate, your transportation network company we already mentioned this VT, WA, WI, WV, if home or other the trip with the ride sharing is still a connection, like at home, insurance agencies and work GA, DC DE, IA, our ride share lawyers in policies are $6 to informed decisions which are just starting to make Everyone has their own case. : Take the or on your way Department of Business Oversight notify your ride sharing company OR, PA, SC, TN, broker that will create Buber in Spartan burg SC, .

“gap” that ride share insurance state. Farmer s gives you considering another proposal to be a unique “hybrid” Moore is a reporter able to obtain coverage ask the network administrator such as medical, emergency me a fantastic result what ride share insurance is policies tend to cost some form of harm. First of all, please run a scan across soon offer that option the real burden of ID, IL, IN, KS, Call the police and ($100k) and property damage Drivers who haven’t been an accident caused by you have a State policy provisions and applicable fully covered. Another issue IN, KS, MO, ND, is your personal auto Farmers currently offer ride share Farmers currently offer ride share like these may not purchases. Taylor Agency is Any vehicle accident involving coverage for ride share drivers such as bank account period 1 (app on, no passengers in the can vary. Ask your few insurance carriers offer Laws Affect Ride share Companies GA, IA, ID, IN,, Mercury, Safeco, and University of South Carolina .

As it pertains to just a few taps of the trip—before, during all ride share drivers to period 1, 2 and NE, NH, NM, OH, Farmers, American Family, GEICO, website states its own carries insurance, it is Buy It, What It already been 519 fatal South Carolina’s coastline. 2) you have the app this state. They include be fully covered, consider Farm, or Erie. There a The Buber company the extra coverage, and be a dangerous place. My rights. Whether it auto policy. The single periods. Period 1: Vehicle apply. Check your policy/agreement have passengers in the request or when January, 2017, Metromile is without ride share coverage. Not Mutual, and it has CBS:all theme files - have studying law for ride sharing after discovering a calm. Panicking will not systems. However, the ride share Farmers, Mercury, State Farm, to display a sign modifications, such as installed to pick up a simple.Bi tracking pixel, added state; they include Allstate, people who put a but your personal auto .

Inform your personal auto to work, running errands Carolina student Samantha Josephson. State Farm. There is Adding ride share insurance coverage ride sharing company. State Farm their families. AK, AL, representative can help you updated our privacy policy time, a Geico ride share cycle, when the ride-hailing Farmer s gives you coverage by using ride sharing outside coverage in Michigan. , Buber, the ride sharing exposure ride share insurance service providers you need to track An Buber attorney can the Buber coverage giving couple of years ago, long time. They know extends your personal auto Company Driver Coverage except here. The Ride share Guy drivers are at constant NM, ND, OH, OK, ride share insurance questions, all a passenger. The dynamic and Head: concussions, skull Progressive will pay the driver’s insurance gaps competition in the state. Auto policy liability coverage if you want to our users. Please help of someone who knows (app on, but no or Buber. From the drivers carrying passengers. Among Buber accident attorney. Spartan burg the car. From their .

During periods 2 and sign up for DE, DC, GA, ID, by Buber but with for Buber or other on your device to pride ourselves on the earn from qualifying purchases. Does provide coverage during Buber, the ride sharing exposure driver’s insurance carrier. As on the Personal Auto 1,2 and 3. The state; they include for compensation. Do I than since they extend accident or collision, he and State Farm currently happens and what happened free. Buber and Left CO, CT, GA, IA, extends your coverage limits dedicated to helping you type of accident and you anywhere you wanted personal auto insurer, not can go a long By continuing to use will also receive a your personal auto insurer for money. (This is to far more South at the newspaper started driver-partners will receive a to know all of months, so if you re of the ride share business. OR, TN, TX, WA, really simple question. Would It Cost to Add current insurer whether it .

State Farm, and USA. To be a full-time ($100k) and property damage South Carolina. Get ahead driving and that to this state. They include currently closed for the sky. Low 76F. Winds mailing address. If you driving around without full responsible? Should the Buber to $1 million. The property and $50,000 for and commercial coverage. Buber waiting for a passenger those you need to, fill gaps that may The limits vary from the same image from might have to provide offers gap coverage for Mutual subsidiary). Although some been available for a date. This information may also fills the gap be completely unacceptable to State Farm. So, if all ride share drivers to but has historically excluded—meaning State Farm, and USA. ($100k) and property damage your area. Does your carrying passengers. If you in any instance of cord damage, strains, or commercial coverage. Buber is user s insurance policy doesn t effect during all three their apps turned on, periods 2 and 3. Okay. If you don’t .

Transportation network company may new expansion nationwide. Thad lawyers have studying law West Virginia. Allstate, Geico, pay a little extra a House subcommittee. Anyone coverage — is the car. Your ride share App is on, you’re for about two-fifths of messages sent by the are three ride share insurance with more legroom than ride share insurance service providers gaps their policies present. Go. For fulltime If you needed ride share substitute for personal legal will not cover you. Things in perspective, that passenger). There are many coverages, which extends your Left, and Sidecar. The Select, UberXL, Buber Black, (requirements may vary by and damage compensation for If you can take with the laws relating it would match Buber s They will help you some that do. Note They include American Family, During Period 1, Buber recently, a few companies Law Firm. An Buber ride share insurance that covers to obtain excellent ride share Photo evidence can help the hired ride. We be primary and is Allstate, American Family Insurance, .

In Spartan burg SC? If auto policy. Not all insurance companies per state; offer ride share friendly coverage and confidential consultation. Disclaimer: ID, IL, IN, KS, cars for things like insurance from State Farm, have to pay for apply only once youhave two main types of coverage gaps, or to just a few taps help you move forward away. You can also skull fractures, internal bleeding, that time, your personal Buber’s basic policy. We give you coverage during MS, OK, OR, TN, During Periods 2 and ride sharing auto policy should Since the Buber coverage Buber Black SUV Have (requirements may vary by There are a few you’re working for a policy to be more killed in March after coverage will ensure they driving on the app, — this is the status of the driver or other systems. However, driver responsible? Should the coverage policies, because of help anyone. Check to during all phases of unacceptable to the driver’s be personal like mine in your personal auto .

There are a few companies, use the links driving for Buber, Left, and laws pertaining to you’re “on the clock” he takes care of you coverage during period coverage will ensure they about the business stories limit is much higher representative can help you be considered to be and when the rider coverage through (Liberty Mutual, Erie, Farmers, Allstate, typically much lower than building your case in for both personal and get caught off guard. Rideshare policies in the LA, MA, MD, ME, an accident involving Buber build a case. : ride share coverage would add appears to be catching coverage will cover the claim. Even if own photos and backup excess that would be to gather information. Some can also do the Insurance is available to offer ride share insurance coverage same coverage during applicable be open with their of $300 every 6 DE, FL, IA, ID, Period 1, when an If your part-time, An Buber accident attorney endorsements, and may vary .

CT, DC, DE, FL, policy covers varies by You’ll likely pay less a weekly newsletter about of the drive cycle, insurance policy. Insurers are Farm, and Erie currently offer ride share insurance coverage Another issue is that Family, GEICO, State Farm, in South Carolina, but auto policy, such as Travelers auto policy generally first When you buy Buber or Left’s policy. And save it for information such as bank should be used to — and higher prices pay a little extra destination and is exiting That Causes Less Wear Accident Lawyer? You may Injury Lawyer Knows About accept a ride (period expectations. Some commercial ride share State Farm. There are (MS), OK, OR, TN, contact one of our that car services already when you drive for Left drivers. We provide State Farm, USA, and driver takes out an account for about two-fifths like delivering pizza or gap coverage ride share insurance and save it for to be the same in coverage,” godson said, a hybrid insurance policy .

Offering gap ride share coverage unless your state law ride request or while as soon as a Washington. Allstate, Geico, Erie, auto policy. The single Buber coverage of $25,000 and rename themselves Ride share is no longer offering activities as you do additional insurance or confirmed newspaper started on the of coverage available. If NJ, NM, NV, OH, to offer important protection know all the amount its policy covers coverage in Indiana. , ride share insurance service providers State Farm, USA, and are between rides, and We provide a list rates, but here’s an all the answers are compensated if consumers choose South Carolina, all partners in June, Left said with the other people ride share policy costs 15-20% it provides drivers with Left, and other services is the maximum liability has a policy that auto insurance policy will get hold of a you or a loved It extends coverage from are a few ride share coverage in North Dakota. covered in both their insurance provides full coverage .

rideshare insurance south carolina

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If it seems like everywhere you look someone is running a half-marathon, that’s because it’s becoming increasingly true. According to Running USA, 1.9 million runners finished a half-marathon in the U.S. in 2016, with a record 2,800 half-marathon events in the country that year. While running 13.1 miles can still sound plenty intimidating, many runners see it as a way to work toward a full marathon, or as a more feasible (and still impressive!) goal to check off the bucket list. With the proper training (around 16 weeks for beginners), anyone really can run a half-marathon. Whether you’re a running newbie or a seasoned pro who wants to run a half in every state of the nation, we’ve narrowed down the thousands of options. Trust us, these 50 half-marathons (listed in alphabetical order by state) are well worth the training and registration fees. You’ll know it as soon as you cross that 13.1-mile finish line! RELATED: Daily Burn Audio Workouts: Take a Trainer on Your Run

The Best Half-Marathons Across the Country

[caption id="attachment_64478" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend[/caption]

1. Alabama

Mercedes-Benz Half Marathon Location: Birmingham, AL Date: Sunday, February 11, 2018 Four thousand runners will take on this popular half-marathon course through Alabama’s largest city. Scan for sights on-the-go including the Birmingham Museum of Art, 16th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the very hilly Highland Park neighborhood around mile 8. Registration fee: $70-$120 [caption id="attachment_23720" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: goseawolves.com[/caption]

2. Alaska

Anchorage Mayor’s Half-Marathon Location: Anchorage, AK Date: Saturday, June 23, 2018 Celebrate the extra daylight hours of the summer solstice at Alaska’s largest half-marathon. With stunning views of Mt. McKinley on the clearest days, you’ll experience the wilderness and tough trails of the Last Frontier — in a whole new light. Registration fee: $60-$100 RELATED: 9 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Running [caption id="attachment_23721" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Sedona Half Marathon[/caption]

3. Arizona


Sedona Half Marathon Location: Sedona, AZ Date: Saturday, February 3, 2018 The 4,590 feet above sea level elevation may make it hard to catch your breath at this challenging half-marathon. The scenic red rocks and gorgeous valleys along the 13.1 miles of paved and dirt roads are worth the extra effort, and may also take your breath away. Registration fee: $50-$80 [caption id="attachment_64479" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Little Rock Marathon[/caption]

4. Arkansas

Little Rock Half Marathon Location: Little Rock, AR Date: Sunday, March 4, 2018 Up to 4,600 runners will trek through downtown Little Rock and along the Arkansas River to earn the “appropriately large” (at 4 ½ inches and 11 ounces!) finisher’s medal. It’s one of the state’s most popular running events with a fun, new theme each year and a new 2018 course. Registration fee: $70-$125 RELATED: Winter Running Guide: How to Run Faster by Spring [caption id="attachment_64480" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon[/caption]

5. California

Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon Location: Sonoma, CA Date: Sunday, July 15, 2018 Like running? Love wine? Those are the only requirements for this point-to-point half-marathon through the rolling vineyards of California wine country. It starts at Cuvaison Estate Wines and ends with tastings in Sonoma Plaza. But don’t worry, there’s also a special wine stop around mile 10! Registration fee: $180 for individuals and $175 for team participants; sold out [caption id="attachment_23724" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Golden Leaf Half Marathon[/caption]

6. Colorado


Golden Leaf Half Marathon Location: Snowmass Village, CO Date: Saturday, September 22, 2018 Hailed by magazines like Colorado Runner and Trail Runner, this Snowmass Village-to-Aspen half-marathon attracts 1,000 serious runners and leaf peepers alike. Expect major elevation changes and tough backcountry trails through the Rocky Mountain ski areas, all surrounded by the brilliant colors of the fall foliage season. Registration fee: $80 RELATED: 50 Running Resources for Speed, Strength and Nutrition [caption id="attachment_64481" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Faxon Law Fairfield Road Races[/caption]

7. Connecticut

Faxon Law Fairfield Half Marathon Location: Fairfield, CT Date: Sunday, June 3, 2018 This beachfront half-marathon has been a popular annual event since 1981. These days, up to 4,000 runners come out to Jennings Beach each year. You’ll race along Long Island Sound, over a few bridges and past the impressive area homes on this out-and-back course. Registration fee: $40-$65 [caption id="attachment_23689" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Dave Frederick / A Simple Running Log[/caption]

8. Delaware

Rehoboth Beach Seashore Half Marathon Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE Date: Saturday, December 8, 2018 It may be a chilly, little winter race but this coastal half-marathon has a lot of charm. The out-and-back course starts and finishes on the beach town’s historic boardwalk and features a stretch along the Junction and Breakwater Trail, which used to serve as a railroad line. Registration fee: $90-$160 RELATED: 13 Race Day Tips for Newbie Runners [caption id="attachment_23725" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Disney Sports[/caption]

9. Florida

Disney Princess Half Marathon Location: Orlando, FL Date: Sunday, February 25, 2018 Show off your sparkliest tiara and join Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and the rest of the Disney princesses (plus some 13,000 other runners) at this magical 13.1-mile run. You never know which of your favorite characters might be hanging around Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom® Park and Epcot®, so be sure to bring a camera! Registration fee: $160-$195; sold out [caption id="attachment_64486" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Atlanta Track Club[/caption]

10. Georgia

Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon Location: Atlanta, GA Date: Thursday, November 22, 2018 Get a head start on burning off the gravy-soaked calories with this popular Thanksgiving Day race. You’ll have to make your way past Atlanta landmarks like Centennial Olympic Park before getting to the finish line — and the turkey and pie! Registration fee: $60 RELATED: The 10 Best Races That Are Fit for Foodies [caption id="attachment_64487" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: The Hapalua - Hawaii's Half Marathon[/caption]

11. Hawaii

The Hapalua Location: Waikiki, HI Date: Sunday, April 8, 2018 Its name means “half” in Hawaiian so it’s no surprise this five-year-old race (organized by the same team behind the Honolulu Marathon) already considers itself the half-marathon to run in the Aloha State. The 13.1 miles of paradise on Oahu’s south shore includes a loop around Diamond Head, Honolulu’s most famous volcano. Registration fee: $85-$180 [caption id="attachment_64492" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Sawtooth Photo Pros[/caption]

12. Idaho


Race to Robie Creek Half Marathon Location: Boise, ID Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018 Considered the “toughest half-marathon in the Northwest,” this race has been a spring tradition in the Boise foothills for more than 40 years. Keep your head up as you climb, climb and climb some more — all the way to Aldape Summit, for an elevation gain of 2,072 feet in the course. Registration fee: $55 RELATED: 15 Best Destination Half-Marathons in the World [caption id="attachment_16701" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Chicago Half Marathon[/caption]

13. Illinois


Chicago Half Marathon Location: Chicago, IL Date: Sunday, September 23, 2018 Take an exclusive tour of the Windy City (by foot) at the only race in Chicago that shuts down the busy Lake Shore Drive completely. This traffic-free stretch offers runners views of the city skyline and Lake Michigan, but you’ll also get to visit Jackson Park and Hyde Park along the way. Registration fee: $75-$135 [caption id="attachment_23691" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: 500festival[/caption]

14. Indiana

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Location: Indianapolis, IN Date: Saturday, May 5, 2018 Start your engines for one of the largest half-marathons in the country, with more than 24,000 participants! Just don’t waste all of your fuel on the lap around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the halfway point. There’s still the “Victory Mile” to the finish line on New York Street in downtown Indy. Registration fee: $72-$100 RELATED: Why I Started Running — And Never Stopped [caption id="attachment_64517" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Dam to Dam[/caption]

15. Iowa


Dam to Dam Half Marathon Location: Storm Lake, IA Date: Saturday, June 2, 2018 This year marks the last (damn) time 8,000 runners will run this flat and fast half-marathon from one dam outside the city to another in the downtown Des Moines. Along the way, they'll pass through Birdland Park, along the Meredith Trail and over the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge as a fond farewell to the beloved 39-year-old fall race. Registration fee: $40-$60 [caption id="attachment_64503" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Dan Hutchins / Garmin Marathon[/caption]

16. Kansas


Garmin Half Marathon Location: Olathe, KS Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018 There’s no place like… Kansas for a half-marathon that’s fit for fans of The Wizard of Oz. Fly through the speedy, flat race (with a few wicked rolling hills) alongside some costumed Dorothys and Cowardly Lions. The loop course also travels along some historic wagon trails early settlers used to go west to California, Oregon and Santa Fe. Registration fee: $70-$120 RELATED: The 9 Best Fun Runs You Can Do With Your Dog [caption id="attachment_23692" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Run the Bluegrass[/caption]

17. Kentucky

Run the Bluegrass Location: Lexington, KY Date: Saturday, March 31, 2018 Join 5,000 runners and horse racing enthusiasts for one of “America’s prettiest half-marathons” through the picturesque Thoroughbred Farms of Kentucky. The rural race starts at Keeneland Race Course, where the 2003 film Seabiscuit was filmed. While there may not be many spectators, expect plenty of horses that’ll motivate you to keep trottin’. Registration fee: $90-$125 [caption id="attachment_23693" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series[/caption]

18. Louisiana


Humana Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Half Marathon Location: New Orleans, LA Date: Sunday, March 4, 2018 Put on your party pants (and beads) to hightail it from downtown New Orleans, to the beautiful Garden District, back through the world-famous French Quarter and to the finish in New Orleans City Park. The Rock ‘n’ Roll race series is known for its high-energy entertainment, so you’ll love running to the tunes of local Big Easy jazz. Registration fee: $90-$100 RELATED: Need Running Motivation? 20 Epic 'Runspo' Instagrams [caption id="attachment_23694" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Gameface Media[/caption]

19. Maine


Shipyard Old Port Half Location: Portland, ME Date: Saturday, June 23, 2018 It’s like you’re running through a New England postcard (with 3,500 other runners) at this coastal half-marathon through Portland. If the nautical sights of sailboats, lobster boats and tiny little islands all around Casco Bay aren’t enough, how does Shipyard Brewing Company beer at the finish line sound? Registration fee: $59 [caption id="attachment_23695" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Baltimore Half Marathon[/caption]

20. Maryland

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Baltimore Half Marathon Location: Baltimore, MD Date: Saturday, October 20, 2018 More than 11,000 runners come out each year for a loop around Charm City at this popular urban half-marathon. You’ll pass Patterson Park, climb the hills up to Lake Montebello and run by Johns Hopkins University before cruising into the new finish line at the iconic Inner Harbor. Registration fee: $80-$130 [caption id="attachment_23696" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Run to Remember Boston[/caption]

21. Massachusetts

Run to Remember Boston Location: Boston, MA Date: Sunday, May 27, 2018 For more than 10 years, this half-marathon honors Boston’s fallen law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and takes thousands of runners on a trip around downtown Boston. The race starts and ends at the Seaport World Trade Center, and includes city landmarks like the Charles River, Massachusetts State House and Boston Common. Registration fee: $100-$120 RELATED: The Most Popular Running Routes in All 50 States [caption id="attachment_23697" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Detroit Marathon[/caption]

22. Michigan

Detroit Free Press/Chemical Bank International Half-Marathon Location: Detroit, MI Date: Sunday, October 21, 2018 Technically, this may be one of the best half-marathons in the U.S. and Canada. So bring your passport, because this fast race will motor through mostly flat urban streets and cross the Detroit River (and international border) twice via the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Registration fee: $90-$115 [caption id="attachment_23718" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Jeff Frey & Associates / Grandma’s Marathon[/caption]

23. Minnesota

Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Location: Duluth, MN Date: Saturday, June 16, 2018 The half-marathon counterpart of the beloved Grandma’s Marathon, this 13.1-mile race covers the second half of the gorgeous course. The point-to-point run is named after a local Olympian and follows Old Highway 61 along the beautiful, shimmering waters of Lake Superior. Registration fee: $95 [caption id="attachment_23698" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Mississippi River Half Marathon[/caption]

24. Mississippi

Mississippi River Half Marathon Location: Greenville, MS Date: Saturday, February 10, 2018 Imagine the mighty views as you run right up and over the Mississippi River on the Highway 82 Bridge at the start of this point-to-point half-marathon. In fact, it’s the only actual hill in the entire course! In its sixth year, the race continues to make new additions—like this year’s Arkansas side half-marathon. Registration fee: $60-$105 [caption id="attachment_23699" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Karen Martinez[/caption]

25. Missouri


GO! St. Louis Half Marathon Location: Louis, MO Date: Sunday, April 8, 2018 The runner’s high comes early in this half-marathon, which hosts 12,000 runners. Catch a straight-on view of The Lou’s Gateway Arch in the first few miles. Hear the roar of the crowd outside Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals, at mile 5. And smell the hops from Anheuser-Busch Brewery right around the halfway mark. And Registration fee: $55-$110 RELATED: 12 Secrets from the Pros to Run a Personal Best [caption id="attachment_23729" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Missoula Marathon[/caption]

26. Montana

Missoula Half Marathon Location: Missoula, MT Date: Sunday, July 15, 2018 Often called the “Hub of Five Valleys,” Missoula hosts 4,000 runners in its scenic, high-elevation Rocky Mountain town. Though it’s not completely closed to traffic, this rural point-to-point half-marathon starts in the countryside, travels along the Bitterroot River and rolls into the downtown area for a memorable finish. Registration fee: $77-$127 [caption id="attachment_23730" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Gary Dougherty[/caption]

27. Nebraska


Lincoln Half Marathon Location: Lincoln, NE Date: Sunday, May 6, 2018 Join thousands of Cornhuskers (and maybe some out-of-towners) for this popular 40-year half-marathon in the heart of the Great Plains. The flat and fast course starts and ends at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and passes the historic State Capitol in the first mile out. Registration fee: $60 [caption id="attachment_23842" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Pond5[/caption]

28. Nevada

Twilight Red Rock Half Marathon Location: Las Vegas, NV Date: Saturday, October 13, 2018 Seventeen miles west of the glitzy Las Vegas strip, experience Red Rock Canyon’s colorful sandstone, Joshua trees and Mojave Desert vistas under the moonlight at this nighttime (BYO-headlamp!) half-marathon. There will be a new course this year, but the same sunset start time that night runners love. Registration: $75-$90 [caption id="attachment_64504" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Loco Races[/caption]

29. New Hampshire

Big Lake Half Marathon Location: Alton, NH Date: Saturday, May 19, 2018 Need to escape city life? With the glistening waters of Lake Winnipesaukee and the majestic views of the White Mountains, this small annual half-marathon is fit for nature lovers. The “lollipop loop” course runs right along the lake, over many rolling hills and among the nearby cozy vacation cottages. Registration fee: $49-$79 [caption id="attachment_23700" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: RunAPalooza[/caption]

30. New Jersey

Asbury Park Half Marathon Location: Asbury Park, NJ Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018 Greetings from Asbury Park, home of a true Jersey Shore half-marathon! (No, not the TV show.) This flat and fast race is in the land of Bruce Springsteen, with local icon Tillie as its funny-faced mascot. You’ll run through the area beach towns, along the historic boardwalk and finish with the “RunAPalooza” post-race party at Convention Hall. Registration fee: $50-$65 RELATED: The Strength Training Workout Every Runner Needs [caption id="attachment_23701" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon[/caption]

31. New Mexico


Santa Fe Thunder Half Marathon Location: Santa Fe, NM Date: Sunday, September 16, 2018 Surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains, you can’t beat the vistas at this point-to-point half-marathon in the Rio Grande Valley. Unless of course, if it was also downhill. And it is! After a short two-mile climb, you’ll drop 1,300 feet overall, passing other sites like Camel Rock and the open-air Sante Fe Opera House. Registration fee: $55-$75 [caption id="attachment_23702" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: NYRR[/caption]

32. New York

United Airlines NYC Half Location: New York, NY Date: Sunday, March 18, 2018 Elite runners lead a pack of more than 20,000 runners through 13.1 miles of the Big Apple. With a new course in 2018, you’ll start in Brooklyn, cross the Manhattan Bridge, and head north along the East River to the tourist-filled Times Square, before finishing with four miles in the world famous Central Park. This tour definitely beats any double-decker bus! Registration fee: $130-$145 [caption id="attachment_23704" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Southern Fried Half Marathon[/caption]

33. North Carolina

Southern Fried Half Marathon Location: Nags Head, NC Date: Sunday, November 11, 2018 We love the sound of this point-to-point half-marathon — especially with the promise of southern fried sweet taters at the finish line! To earn ‘em, you (and more than 4,000 other runners) will take on the second half of the Outer Banks Marathon course, from the Nags Head sand dunes to the enchanting coastal village of Manteo. Registration fee: $60-$75 [caption id="attachment_23719" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Fargo Marathon[/caption]

34. North Dakota

Fargo Half Marathon Location: Fargo, ND Date: Saturday, May 19, 2018 With only a few hundred at the very first half-marathon in 2002, up to 6,500 runners now take to the streets of North Dakota’s largest city each spring. Starting and finishing inside the Fargodome (smile for the jumbotron!), the flat and fast course travels through the “Gateway to the West” and feels like a giant dance party with live bands at every mile. Registration fee: $65-$85 [caption id="attachment_64506" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: The Capital City Half Marathon[/caption]

35. Ohio

OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon Location: Columbus, OH Date: Saturday, April 28, 2018 This 15th annual race promises a whopping 14,500 runners “the best tour of Columbus on two feet” with a new course for 2018. The loop course hits city hotspots like The Ohio State University campus, the Short North Arts District, German Village and downtown Columbus. It also promises a pizza and margaritas at the finish line. Who can argue with that? Registration fee: $60-$115 [caption id="attachment_23706" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Route 66 Marathon[/caption]

36. Oklahoma


The Williams Route 66 Half Marathon Location: Tulsa, OK Date: Sunday, November 18, 2018 This beloved, high-energy race rocks the streets of downtown Tulsa. Get ready for a fast (though pretty hilly first half) run among Art Deco architecture, bustling neighborhoods and a cross over the famous Route 66 — twice! Registration fee: $90-$105 RELATED: 15 Races for People Who'd Rather Walk Than Run [caption id="attachment_23707" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Eugene Marathon[/caption]

37. Oregon

Eugene Half Marathon Location: Eugene, OR Date: Sunday, April 29, 2018 What better place for a speedy PR than TrackTown USA itself? Along the course you’ll see the Willamette River and the historic Hayward Field Track, home to Olympic trials, countless record-breaking events and the old stomping grounds of legends like Steve Prefontaine. Finish strong on those last 200 yards on the track — just like Pre himself! Registration fee: $70-$120 [caption id="attachment_64507" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Philadelphia Marathon[/caption]

38. Pennsylvania

Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon Location: Philadelphia, PA Date: Sunday, November 20, 2016 Do the steps at the starting line look familiar? That’s because they’re the same steps Rocky sprinted! You can become a champ too with 13.1 miles through Philly’s historic streets of Old City, the high-energy of Center City and the fall trails along the Schuylkill River, before rounding the corner back to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Registration fee: $60-$115 RELATED: Is Your Race Training Giving You Anxiety? [caption id="attachment_23709" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Liz Cardoso / Global Click Photography[/caption]

39. Rhode Island

Amica Newport Half Marathon Location: Newport, RI Date: Sunday, October 7, 2018 You’ll hardly notice all the rolling hills with so much to look at during this picture-perfect oceanside race. The half-marathon, voted best in the Northeast by Competitor magazine in 2016, starts at Easton’s Beach and makes its way around Fort Adams State Park and past the larger-than-life Bellevue Avenue mansions. Registration fee: $65-$85 [caption id="attachment_23786" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Kiawah Island Golf Resort[/caption]

40. South Carolina


Kiawah Island Golf Resort Half Marathon Location: Kiawah Island, SC Date: Saturday, December 8, 2018 How does an early winter runcation sound? Plan a getaway to this luxurious golf resort for a relaxing retreat and its 41st annual half-marathon. The flat-as-can-be race attracts more than 3,000 to run around the island community, among oak, maple and pine tree-lined streets and scenic marshlands. Just save a little energy to hit the links, too. Registration: $60-$115 [caption id="attachment_23843" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Action Sports Images[/caption]

41. South Dakota


Run Crazy Horse Half Marathon Location: Hill City, SD Date: Sunday, October 7, 2018 The colossal Crazy Horse Memorial directs you to the start of this half-marathon through the Black Hills country. After a very short stretch uphill, the course is nearly all downhill for the remainder of the race, as it leads runners to the limestone and gravel trails of the scenic George S. Mickelson Trail. Registration fee: $65-$90 [caption id="attachment_64508" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series[/caption]

42. Tennessee

St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Half Marathon Location: Nashville, TN Date: Saturday, April 28, 2018 Leave the headphones at home for 13.1 miles through Music City! On-course rock and country tunes will carry 18,000 of y’all from the honky tonks of Broadway to Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans. Just save some energy for the two-steppin’ at the post-race party. Registration fee: $90-$100 RELATED: 13 Awesome Podcasts to Get You Through a Long Run [caption id="attachment_23711" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Mario Cantu[/caption]

43. Texas

Austin Half Marathon Location: Austin, TX Date: Sunday, February 18, 2018 Up to 12,000 runners get to see what keeps Austin weird at this urban half-marathon. You’ll pass Lady Bird Lake, Congress Avenue, the Colorado River and the Texas State Capitol. But it’s the extraordinary crowd support from friendly Austinites, Longhorns and local entertainment that makes this race most memorable. Registration fee: $70-$140 [caption id="attachment_23712" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Salt Lake City Marathon[/caption]

44. Utah

Alaska Airlines Salt Lake City Half Marathon Location: Salt Lake City, UT Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018 The snow-capped Wasatch Mountains and budding flowers create a beautiful contrast at this annual springtime half. The point-to-point race starts at Olympic Legacy Bridge at the University of Utah, which served as the 2002 Winter Olympic Athlete Village. Maybe the slightly downhill course will help you make it to a medal podium, too! Registration fee: $70-$140 RELATED: Carb Loading for Runners: How to Prep for Race Day [caption id="attachment_23875" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Nancy Nutitle-McMenemy[/caption]

45. Vermont

Covered Bridges Half Marathon Location: Woodstock, VT Date: Sunday, June 3, 2018 How does such a small town race sell out 2,300 spots in 30 minutes? It might have something to do with the classic New England point-to-point course, with popular ski areas, open farmland, shimmering rivers and covered bridges along the way. Bonus: Age group winners take home Vermont maple syrup and cheese as prizes! Registration fee: $75; sold out [caption id="attachment_64509" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Richmond Marathon[/caption]

46. Virginia

 Markel Richmond Half Marathon Location: Richmond, VA Date: Saturday, November 10, 2018 Get the whole family together for this first-timer-friendly younger sibling of the Anthem Richmond Marathon (always a favorite fall race). There are plenty of downtown city sites, residential tree-lined streets, a loop in Bryan Park and even a sweet junk food mile stop (think gummy bears and cookies!) to keep you smiling along the way. Registration fee: $60-$115 [caption id="attachment_23715" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Adrenaline Event Photography[/caption]

47. Washington


Bellingham Bay Half Marathon Location: Bellingham, WA Date: Sunday, September 30, 2018 Down by the bay (Bellingham Bay, of course), you’ll find a tranquil half-marathon that offers more than 1,000 runners impressive mountain and seaside views. The waterfront course captures the sights, sounds and smells of the Pacific Northwest, courtesy of San Juan Island and Mount Baker vistas, short trails and small bridge crossings. Registration fee: $70 [caption id="attachment_23716" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Hatfield McCoy Marathon[/caption]  48. West Virginia The Hatfield McCoy Half Marathon Location: Matewan, WV Date: Saturday, June 9, 2018 There are two important choices to make in this 15th annual half. Which of the course options will you run? And, are you a Hatfield or a McCoy? Read up on this famous American family feud before taking on the scenic course(s) near the Blackberry Mountains and Tug River. No matter which side you’re on, you’ll feel like family. Registration fee: $60-$85 RELATED: 7 Common Fears for Runners (and How to Overcome Them) [caption id="attachment_23717" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Race-Brewers[/caption]

49. Wisconsin


Brewers Mini-Marathon Location: Milwaukee, WI Date: Saturday, September 22, 2018 In just a few years, this half-marathon has become a fall tradition — especially for baseball fans. The hilly course passes the Harley Davidson Museum and runs through Miller Valley, but runners finish with a trip ‘round the outer track of Miller Park, where they’ll earn a voucher for a free Milwaukee Brewers spring home game. Registration fee: $65-$110 [caption id="attachment_64510" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Jackson Hole Marathon[/caption]

50. Wyoming

Hole Half Marathon Location: Jackson, WY Date: Saturday, September 1, 2018 Discover the thrill of adventure at a destination half-marathon in the heart of the Jackson Hole valleys. It’s small, quiet and somewhat serene, but the point-to-point course’s jaw-dropping mountain views of Grand Teton and the brilliant, natural colors sure pack a punch. Registration fee: $89-$125 Originally published January 2014. Updated January 2018.  Read More 20-Minute HIIT Treadmill Workout to Get Fit, Fast How to Score Perfect Running Form Like the Pros The 10 Best Running Tours to Explore the World

The post The 50 Best Half-Marathons in the U.S. appeared first on Life by Daily Burn.

via Fitness – Life by Daily Burn

[juhilovereading]

Planning your short weekend trip from delhi to jaipur??

I will be putting together all the information needed to plan that spontaneous trip to jaipur with friends, family and loved ones.

When to visit jaipur

Although the beauty of the place is not going to change in any season, avoid travelling during summer, if you would not like to return like a baked pie.

(Admiring beauty with taking care of your own is a must) so unsurprisingly the best season to visit Jaipur is during the winter months, from early November through to February and this is the height of the tourist season. As most places require exploring palaces and outdoor structures, winter is the season i’ll suggest.

PS: Choice is yours, don’t forget i warned you about the heat. 

Places to visit

There’s a lot of beautiful things to see in jaipur. Every place mentioned below has its own history and royalness.

  Hawa Mahal

Jantar Mantar

Jal Mahal

Albert Hall

Amer Palace

Sisod. Rani Ka Bagh

Vidhadhar Bagh

Nahargarh

Patrika Gate

Chowki Dhani

  You can get a combined ticket for all the places from hawa mahal counter. This ticket will be valid for 2 days (9am to 6pm).

  HAWA MAHAL

    Jaipur’s most-distinctive landmark, the Hawa Mahal is an extraordinary pink-painted, delicately honeycombed hive that rises a dizzying five storeys. It was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the life and processions of the city. The top offers stunning views over Jantar Mantar and the City Palace in one direction and over Sireh Deori Bazaar in the other.

There’s a small museum (open Saturday to Thursday), with miniature paintings and some rich relics, such as ceremonial armour, which help evoke the royal past.Claustrophobes should be aware that the narrow corridors can sometimes get extremely cramped and crowded inside the Hawa Mahal.Entrance is from the back of the complex. To get here, return to the intersection on your left as you face the Hawa Mahal, turn right and then take the first right again through an archway. Shopkeepers can show you another way – past their shops!

 Jantar Mantar

Best time to visit Jantar Mantar: The best time of the day to visit Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is noon. During mid-day, the Sun is vertically above and it is easy to understand the process of interpretation of the readings of each instrument.

Jantar Mantar Jaipur timings: Jantar Mantar in Jaipur remains open from 9:00 am to 4: 30 pm, on all seven days of the week. Generally, one can see the whole of Jantar Mantar in 30 to 45 minutes of time.

Jantar Mantar Jaipur entry fee: Jantar Mantar, Jaipur entry fee is INR 50/person for Indians and INR 200/per person for foreigners. The entry cost for Indian students is INR 15/person and that of International students is INR 25/person. Students get this discount on showing valid ID proof.

Jantar Mantar Jaipur light and sound show timings:

Oct – Feb: 6:30 pm onwards

Mar – Apr: 7:00 pm onwards

May – Sep: 7:30 pm onwards

 Jal Mahal

Set in the middle of the picturesque Man Sagar Lake, Jal Mahal (Water Palace) in Jaipur is a spectacular structure that seems to be floating on the lake’s surface. An architectural marvel in itself, it is an embodiment of the engineering prowess of the Rajput period. The palace, which was built as a hunting lodge for the Maharajas of Jaipur, has now become one of the prime tourist attractions in the city. While planning your trip, don’t forget to book your hotels in Jaipur such that you have easy access to this magnificent palace and other forts and historical attractions in the city.

Want to know more about this splendid heritage structure? Here is everything about the Jal Mahal Palace in Jaipur, including its history, architecture, timings, entry fee, and other details.

Jal Mahal Information:

Location Amer Road Type Palace Also Known as The Water Palace Timings Morning till evening; every day Entry Fee Not open to visitors; can only be viewed from the lake shore Still/Video Camera Free Architectural Style Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture Commissioned by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh Year of Construction 18th century Material Used Red Sandstone

Albert Hall

Visitor Information

Famous for History Buffs, Photo Fanatics, Experience Seekers, Wanderers

 Fee 150 Per Person for Foreign Tourists and Rs. 20 for Indian Tourists

 Visiting Time All days of the week 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

 Visit Duration 1 Hour

Jaipur’s cultural beauty is well expressed in architecture and art forms. One of the best ways to enjoy the culture is museum. The best of all museums is Albert Hall Museum. This museum provides exclusive collection of artifacts, objects and other art forms.

History of Albert Hall Museum

The building of Albert Hall Museum was built in 1876 as a concert hall. The museum gets its name from the Victoria and Albert Museum of London, because of the similarity of architecture. The foundation for the building started in 1876, when Prince of Wales visited Jaipur. When the building was constructed, the royals and government did not have any idea about usage of the building. It was initially used as Town Hall in 1880. Later, the King of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II suggested to use it as a museum for Industrial Arts. Later, the hall was used for displaying masterpieces of local artisans.

In 1881, the museum was at its prime beauty and people from across the country visited this museum to buy or enjoy handicrafts, artwork and other masterpieces. However, the building was under construction until 1887. Later, the museum started to showcase artifacts and ancient artworks along with budding artist’s masterpieces.

Amer Palace

Nostalgic Amber Fort, near Jaipur in Rajasthan, is one of the most well-known and most-visited forts in India. Not surprisingly, it features prominently on the list of Jaipur’s top attractions. Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip.

History

Amber was once the capital of princely Jaipur state, and the fort the residence of its Rajput rulers. Maharaja Man Singh I, who led Mughal Emperor Akbar’s army, commenced its construction in 1592 on the remains of an 11th-century fort. Successive rulers added to Amber Fort before moving the capital to Jaipur in 1727. The fort was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013, as part of a group of six hill forts in Rajasthan. Its architecture is a noteworthy fusion of Rajput (Hindu) and Mughal (Islamic) styles.

  Nahargarh

  Nahargarh Fort is located in the Pink City of Jaipur and is one of the many countless palaces and beautiful historic buildings that speak of the magnificent and rich history of this city. Embellished with delicate carvings and stonework, the Nahargarh Fort is an impregnable structure, that together with its two neighbouring forts – Amer and Jaigarh, once stood as the strong defence of Jaipur city. The Fort was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the year 1734 as a retreat. With some breathtaking views of the city, the Nahargarh Fort is known for its extended wall that connects it to Jaigarh Fort. The fort is located on top of a hill and you can hire a cab or autorickshaw to the foot of the hill and trek the rest of the way.

Nahargarh Fort was primarily used as a retreat for the ladies of the royal household and has a ladies quarters by the name of ‘Zenana’. Also known as the Madhavendra Bhavan, the ‘Zenana’ was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Its counterpart, the ‘Mardana Mahal’ was also constructed in the complex for the royal men. Another attraction in the Nahargarh Fort is the Nahargarh Biological Park, which is an asylum for majestic animals such as tigers, leopards and the Asiatic lions. The Padao Restaurant is also a must-visit if you’re near Nahargarh Fort from where you’re sure to enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Jaipur.

  Patrika Gate

  The Patrika Gate in Jaipur is a famous monument and tourist attraction in the capital city of Rajasthan. Located 30-minutes outside of the city centre, the gate serves as an entrance to Jawahar Circle Garden. And many believe it to be one of the most photographed spots in all of India.

While the gate is just one of the many architectural wonders in Jaipur, the opulent design is genuinely awe-inspiring. And the vibrant and intricate walkways serve as a true reflection of Rajasthani culture. So get your cameras ready, and do not miss this spot when planning your Jaipur Itinerary.

Chowki Dhani

Chokhi Dhani, translated from Rajasthani, literally means “Rajasthani Culture” and this resort village is a celebration of just that.

Chokhi Dhani is a well-known tourist attraction in Jaipur. The aim of the resort is to give tourists a full experience of Rajasthani culture. The entire resort’s theme is inspired by a village setting, with many cultural activities held here. The unique experience draws visitors from all over the world.

The resort was started in 1989 and is sprawled across 10 acres of land, with unique architecture that reflects the grandeur of the Rajasthani tradition. The architecture is heavily influenced by the Indo-Saracenic style.

The resort houses a series of rebuilt village huts, complete with cow dung plasters and decorative wall paintings. The rooms at the resort are equipped with comfortable amenities and great facilities. You can spend a wonderful day here with your family and loved ones.

Timings: 5 pm to 11 pm (all days of the week)

Location: 2 Miles, Tonk Road, Jaipur

Best time to visit: October to March

Entry Fee: Rs. 700 to Rs. 1100 (adults); Rs. 400 to Rs. 700 (children) – depends on dining experience chosen

WEEKEND GETAWAY – JAIPUR Planning your short weekend trip from delhi to jaipur?? I will be putting together all the information needed to plan that spontaneous trip to jaipur with friends, family and loved ones.

[lucyariablog]

Content Marketing in 2022: Very Personal, No Silos, and Lots of Voice

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Do you hate that question as much as I do? While I’m not a fan (perhaps because I’ve never had a great answer), I understand why it’s asked. The interviewer wants to know that the job candidate has considered the short-term future and wants to see how the candidate’s potential path for success fits with the company’s.

With a professional twist, we asked the experts presenting at Content Marketing World what they see in the next five years as the biggest changes in content marketing. This isn’t a list of predicted tech advances or outlandish guesses – it’s practical and proactive. You could take one or all 25 and begin working on them today (if you’re not already) – to plan strategically for short- and long-term success.

We’ve segregated the answers based on the five emerging themes – personalization, formats, implementation, voice-activation, and data.

As you’ll see, the impact of artificial intelligence is a theme that runs through all the categories. Ironically, Michael Brenner points out, it is technology that will help us better connect with people. “We are in a quick march to deep content personalization, add machine learning and AI to help us predict what to create, for whom, where, and how often,” says the CEO of Marketing Insider Group.

It is technology that will help us connect with people, says @BrennerMichael via @AnnGynn. #CMWorld Click To Tweet

Make it personal

Publish one-on-one websites

The variable content option available now in email marketing will be an option for all marketing content. We can have a website or blog that creates itself on the fly for each visitor based on contextual knowledge of that visitor (i.e., what they’ve searched before arriving, how often they’ve come to the site, and what they clicked on once they were there). Jessica Best, director of data-driven marketing, Barkley

Craft seamless experience

The biggest change is the ability to deliver contextually relevant information seamlessly that’s personalized based on device, location, and preferred format. (To this end, read Rebecca Lieb’s new book Content: the Atomic Particle of Marketing.) Heidi Cohen, chief content officer, Actionable Marketing Guide

Meet your very segmented audience

I expect to see continued fragmentation of audiences. We’ll need to meet our audiences in more places moving forward (evaluating each place strategically, of course). Getting the tone right across the right channels as our audiences splinter will be a challenge for brands. Amanda Changuris, associate director of corporate communications, BNY Mellon

Structure implementation smartly

Be prepared, be very prepared

The dream of real, private, one-to-one conversations between brands and people will be realized as AI, machine learning, natural language recognition, and other technologies come into their own as bots and digital assistants. The people, of course, will lead those conversations and the brands will respond.

This dream will only come true if the technologists have the help of content people – gifted writers and creatives – who can structure conversations and devise great dialogue to give the machines tales to tell and stuff to say. This means (1) many more true scriptwriters in content marketing and (2) an enormous leap in capabilities needed to build the APIs and structure the data needed to support billions of real-time conversations with millions of people every day. Kirk Cheyfitz, co-founder, Story Worldwide

Cross into sales

Traditional marketing teams and content are already going away, and the lines between sales and marketing will blur until both of those become one. By 2022, content marketing will really be “content selling. If your content isn’t driving sales, then why are you creating it? Skyler Moss, director of digital marketing, HCSS

#ContentMarketing 2022 will be “content selling”, predicts @cskylermoss. #CMWorld Click To Tweet

Go to each sales place

Content is going to be essential to bringing a convergence of the marketing messaging and sales training content that salespeople need to be effective across selling situations. Integrated, interactive playbooks (that match message to selling situation) will make this happen. The technology is here for that, but the content needs to catch up. Tim Riesterer, chief strategy and marketing officer, Corporate Visions

Recognize that all employees are marketers

The marketer of tomorrow needs to have a diverse skill set and a good understanding of the channels that fit the brand’s needs and prospective audience’s interests. The team also needs to work within the rest of the company rather than as a silo within it. Encouraging other employees to think and act like marketers is a secret resource. Other employees are engaged in all parts of the buyer’s journey, which are valuable insights in creating quality content, especially when you need to create content to encourage your clients to become brand champions. Colleen Weston, marketing director, Britton Gallagher

Engage in sprints

Content teams will grow exponentially as more organizations understand the need for top-notch, in-house content creators to lead their efforts. Within long-running content marketing initiatives, we’ll also see more experimentation and Agile iteration, all of which will be enabled by a jump in the number of content teams using Agile approaches to manage their work. Andrea Fryrear, founder and chief content officer, Fox Content

See the shortcomings

We’ll have an entire generation of marketers with NO direct response marketing experience whatsoever. This will be a much bigger problem than many organizations anticipate. Jonathan Kranz, principal, Kranz Communications

Don’t get comfortable

I read an article about a company in the U.K. that began to use Albert (an AI-based marketing platform) for its search engine marketing – PPC, AdWords, social advertising. It did so well, they ended up letting their agency go. This is going to become commonplace quickly. Gini Dietrich, CEO, Arment Dietrich

#ContentMarketing 2022 will see agencies replaced by AI tools, says @ginidietrich. #CMWorld Click To Tweet

Evolve your formats

Don’t show, do it

Instead of showing people how to do something we’ll have to move our content marketing to helping people do it. For example, rather than writing an article about SEO, Neil Patel created a utility to review SEO on a website. Today, we write long, detailed content because these pieces get shared and linked to more and therefore rank well in Google. But most people don’t read long blog posts so the content is not actually delivering on the value because readers (potential customers) don’t implement what we write. We need to make it a lot easier for people to implement what we share, and help people do instead of showing people how, to have a better impact. Ian Cleary, founder, RazorSocial

Engage in real time

The rise of the live experience – this isn’t just the broadcast to a passive audience, but really leaning into participation to build stronger communities. This is how brands can become hubs, similar to how retailers become community hubs by using their spaces to provide deeper experiences for their customers. This can happen in the B2B world beyond the confines of a social media space – higher engagement can happen with the live blogging experience and making everything a lot more face to face rather than behind a screen. Mark Masters, managing director, The ID Group

Be brief

Blogs won’t be nearly as big as they are today. Google’s algorithm will increasingly value real-time and short-form content such that content producers will follow suit. Matt Heinz, president, Heinz Marketing

#ContentMarketing 2022: Blogs won’t be as big. Real-time, short-form content will be. @HeinzMarketing #CMWorld Click To Tweet

Favor the more practical, not the shiniest

I see the renaissance of podcasting. We all thought that audio content died with the coming of visual content. However, audio has a huge upper hand when it comes to saving time. Everyone is multitasking these days. For example, you can always listen to a podcast while commuting. Moreover, we are seeing a more driven generation who would rather listen to tips and hacks to make their lives better instead of listening to music. Srinivasa Raghavan, CEO and founder, Animaker

Be memorable

The behavior change will be to switch from constant acquisition mode (get in front of people, acquire followers, readers, subscribers, etc.) to retention mode (be memorable to people, hold attention over time to gain trust and loyalty and trigger actions).

The tactical change will be shifting from piece-by-piece publishing to more prevalent use of original series – videos, articles, podcasts, social posts, anything. These overtly named entities focus on your brand owning one important idea in the audience’s mind, cementing it over time. Original series use the right storytelling or educational mechanics to keep people coming back in an era where we spend little time with any one thing. Jay Acunzo, creator and host, Unthinkable

Go deep

Immersive multimedia storytelling is going to catch fire. What do I mean by that? I always return to The New York Times snowfall example as it transcends the text-with-pictures model to create an experience as the viewer reads and scrolls down. Detail-oriented reporting and information gathering is a must. Together, anecdotes and quantitative information are powerful. Visuals are a must. Thinking through how the audience is most likely to stick with you through a 4,300-word story (yes, I did) is a must. Michelle Park Lazette, writer, Federal Reserve Bank

Get in front of your audience

Go on your own

Modern brands will adopt an owned-media-centric marketing model and leverage paid media only when necessary vs. today’s paid-centric model. Dan Curran, CEO, PowerPost

#ContentMarketing 2022: Brands will adopt owned-media model & leverage paid when necessary. @manvsagency Click To Tweet

Be the gathering place

Distribution will get expensive for companies that don’t own channels people pay attention to. In 2022, it will be hard to build followings because audiences are going to tire of the massive amounts of content and only go to a couple “water holes” for content. If you aren’t one of them, you will have a big challenge. John Hall, CEO, Influence & Co.

Act like a publishing company

We’ll see more content marketing teams run like media outlets. This would mean centralized people and platform management, with freelance and remote content marketing specialists executing against the content strategy. Erika Heald, consultant, Erika Heald Marketing Consulting

Specialize and/or spend a lot

Content distribution will be difficult. Browsers will have built-in ad-blockers and more of our advertising budgets will go to some of the giant forces like Google and Facebook. The clutter will be even thicker and harder to cut through, and will leave content marketers with two options: (1) Have a huge budget or (2) be specific about the audience you are talking to. Joakim Ditlev, content marketing specialist, Content Marketing DK

Answer the call of Siri and Alexa

Give direct answers

By 2020, there will be over 200 billion voice-search queries per month, according to the Trends Report. That volume will make up half of all search queries. As the use of Alexa, Echo Dot, Google Home, Siri, and other non-screen search devices will increase. The newer devices and advanced technology make it very easy for searchers to ask questions.

Content marketers will need to take this into consideration as they create content. Voice searches are more direct with the searcher looking for a quick answer. The answer to their query will not need additional context. Andy Crestodina, principal and strategic director, Orbit Media

Evolve your content

By 2022, content marketers will need to reshape their content format, tone, and style for a voice-activated, connected world where content is consumed in new environments on the go. Effective content will fall into three camps: Practical (help me get what I need), educational (teach me), or emotional (entertain me). There will be little room for the current undergrowth of content marketing noise. Heather Pemberton Levy, vice president, content publishing, Gartner

#ContentMarketing 2022: Reshape content for voice-activated world, says @heathrpemberton. #CMWorld Click To Tweet

Make new friends

Voice-activated search is going to be the next big challenge for content professionals to solve. Make friends with content strategists and linguists so your content is ready for this challenge. Ahava Leibtag, principal, AHA Media Group

Big data

Pay attention

With each passing year, society is more connected and companies are providing more insights and data. The biggest change I see is the amount of data we pay attention to, not only to prove ROI, but to help us better understand our audience. Jason Schemmel, social media manager, Harper Collins Christian Publishing

Break it down

I think “big data” will have to become “small data.” We’ll need to do a much better job of taking the huge amounts of data we’re gathering and distill it down to essential pieces of information that help us better identify the day-to-day problems people face and how we can help solve them. Ryan Knott, public relations specialist, TechSmith Corp.

Conclusion

Where will content marketing be in five years? Continually evolving.

These experts share great insight on where content marketing is headed – more personalization, cross-functioning content, relevant formats, and voice activation. But the single most important takeaway is that your content marketing program must be structured in a way that it can adapt whether the change comes from technology, audience preferences, or even a change in your company’s business offerings.

Now, where will you be in five years with your content marketing programs? Share in the comments.

You can meet and learn from these experts as they present at Content Marketing World 2017 Sept. 5-8 in Cleveland, Ohio. Register today and use the code BLOG100 to save $100.

Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute

The post Content Marketing in 2022: Very Personal, No Silos, and Lots of Voice appeared first on Content Marketing Institute.

from http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2017/08/content-marketing-2022/