#in the lead up to CNY

[secriden]

I always love your posts about THK and your recently pinned post and another one about Style yearning for skinship are just *chef's kiss*. So thank you for your analysis!

I saw some comments on tumblr that Style was acting as if he's sad and playing Fadel and I just could NOT agree, so I was glad to see your post. My opinion on Style's crying scene is I don't think Style meant to cry at first, but his emotions sort of overwhelmed him while he was talking. I think he definitely uses his cheerful disassocation with reality to deal with fear and he was just going to tell his message to his dad just in case, perhaps in a more lighthearted way, but he remembered about his mom and the reality of potential death hit him fully because his mother's death must be the closest death he'd experienced in his life. And when Fadel asked him if he was crying he just said Duh and wasn't fully crying, but after Fadel told him to stop the sob story, he turned back and the tears really started flowing. When I saw that I could really relate to him because that's how I usually act too- act nonchalant to hide my real feelings. Style wasn't planning to get emotional and then got mocked for it - and he was also denied his s*xual advances/skinship earlier too- that must've felt really hurtful to him.

As much as the scene hurts, I'm glad to see this was not cut because even cheerful, positive people like Style really gets down sometimes and people don't really understand this, even in real life! I was kind of like this when younger and had some people tell me they can't imagine me feeling sad or nervous. So seeing Style's rare serious and emotional side in the story is really made me kind of acknowledged? When I started watching this show, I didn't think I would get this attached to this character. He's like a ray of sunshine, very pure in his beliefs and quite fiercely loyal too (might be weird to say when he was complicit but he is actually loyal to both Kant and Fadel to the best of his ablities IMO) and the actor/Dunk is absolutely killing this role! Not just the crying scene in this episode, but Dunk's comedic timing in delivering the one liners is SO GOOD he manages to make me laugh every single episode so far.

Lovely anon, oh thank you for sharing so vulnerably about how you related to Style in that scene. I really agree with you that Style wasn't putting on an act to fool Fadel. I'm very surprised to hear that anyone still thinks Style is playing Fadel at this point?? O_O I don't think anything he does this episode is an act anymore -- even when he propositions Fadel with a shirt tossed into his face, there's clear and genuine intent behind it:

There's so much going on in this look. The gentle fondness as he gazes back at Fadel, the way the look seeks to communicate affection even as Fadel is glaring back in anger and frustration. But there's acceptance too, like he understands why Fadel is keeping his walls up, he understands why Fadel feels he deserves some of this harshness and he will let Fadel take the time he needs to come to whatever conclusions he wants to as long as Fadel does so with the understanding that Style's love for him is genuine.

Because at the end of the day the only thing Style really doesn't want is for Fadel to make his choice (to forgive or to cut Style off) thinking that Style's feelings are still a lie. I think that's the crux of the problem between them now: Fadel is pushing Style away because he is certain Style’s feelings aren’t true, and have never been true, but Style knows his own heart and understands the fundamental shift inside him that occurred over the course of their relationship.

Which is why I think Style is genuine in everything he’s showing Fadel now. Even if he didn’t mean to cry, I think his worry for his dad is very real. And I think the reason why he brings it up with Fadel is that Style is done hiding anything from him now. It’s not about manipulation, nor is it an attempt to make Fadel feel guilty. But he's taking everything Fadel is giving to him incredibly seriously and part of that is facing the possibility that Fadel may decide to kill him at the end after all. And that's... scary; hell its terrifying and heartbreaking and Style has understandable guilt related to how losing him after losing his mother is going to affect his dad.

And actually what you're saying about "cheerful and positive people like Style" also sometimes feeling down is such an important aspect of understanding Style's character. Because we can only really understand the weight of Style’s love for Fadel if we see him in all his multifaceted complexity: Style has suffered, Style understands the pain of loss but has learned to find joy in his life in the process of dealing with his mother’s passing. Styles cheerfulness and positively is not a sign of his immaturity or lack of complexity but rather evidence of a inner strength and determination to find meaning in life beyond the sadness. After my dad passed, it took me nearly 4 years to even get to a point where I began to want to want to find pockets of happiness. There was so much about me at the time time bound up in my feelings of loss and sadness and the ache of missing my dad, the unfairness of it all. Style is-- Style is so very precious to me.

And something I found really poignant is how Fadel and Style have such opposing methods of dealing with grief and fear. Fadel hides from it, runs from it, builds up walls and remains ever vigilante so he'll never be vulnerable again, while Style faces his grief and his fear head on. Style takes his fear out and holds it in the palm of his hand and in the process - like you said - maybe found himself more overwhelmed then he expected, but he allows himself the space to cry because he also sees that its important in the moment. And he invites Fadel into that vulnerability with him. That's insane to me -- Style's love for Fadel means that even when Fadel has a gun to his head and is the source of his fear, Fadel is always orientated on the INSIDE to Style.

To extend the allegory, the difference between them is that Fadel's love made him invite Style inside his walls as an outsider, but Style's love makes Fadel already part of him. Fadel doesn't need an invitation because at no point in episode 8 did Style ever treat Fadel as anything but an extension of his own heart.

So yeah, I'm so with you about being grateful for the scene. I think it maybe could have been shot differently (for instance, I kind of wish they'd just let Dunk do his thing and sell the moment without having that background music 180 degree shift), but I adore it for what it shows us about Style and the way he thinks and feels, and most of all the way Fadel is oriented in his heart.

[xinyuehui]

All it took for me to get back into writing was a supernatural comedic calligraphy related drama

舍得 (shě de) The phrase originate as early as Ming Dynasty. "If you give up something, you will gain something back". It has philosophical backgrounds. About being able to make trade-offs, being generous, give and take etc...

[covidsafecosplay]

This Week in Covid & Health News (Posted November 14, 2024)

Covid-Safe Cosplay and its admin are unaffiliated with any of the sites or authors linked below, we're simply sharing the information. If you have related news links that we missed, especially in other languages, please share either in the comments or a reblog.

General

San Fransisco Chronicle: Sonoma County reinstates mask mandate for health care workers amid rising illnesses (Nov. 12, 2024)

NPR: What happens when a vaccine skeptic leads health policy? Ask Florida (Nov. 13, 2024)

Covid-19

The Beacon: Weathered COVID before? Scientists say every new infection puts you at risk of getting long COVID (Nov. 11, 2024)

CIDRAP: Cardiac inflammation markers show role of long-COVID symptoms (Nov. 12, 2024)

Cleveland: Having COVID-19 doubles long-term risk of heart attack, stroke, new Clinic study suggests (Nov. 13, 2024)

Avian Flu

Hawaii News Now: Avian flu detected on Oahu for the first time ever (Nov. 12, 2024)

CNN: Canadian teen in critical condition with bird flu; source of exposure is unknown (Nov. 13, 2024)

Global News: As bird flu emerges in Canada, experts urge preparedness (Nov. 13, 2024)

Stat: Canadian teen's bird flu infection is not the version found in cows (Nov. 13, 2024)

Fortune: Canadian teenager in critical condition with presumptive bird flu as U.S. official warns the virus 'seems to be gearing up for wider impact' (Nov. 13, 2024)

TIME: Is It Time to Worry About Bird Flu? (Nov. 13, 2024)

Whooping Cough

WPRI: 4 Portsmouth High School students have 'very contagious' whooping cough (Nov. 12, 2024)

ABC News: Washington state sees 'sharp increase' in whooping cough cases, mirroring rise across US (Nov. 12, 2024)

KHOU: Whooping cough cases surge in Texas, across country in 2024, DSHS says (Nov. 12, 2024)

KOIN: Whooping cough, chickenpox outbreaks hit Clark County schools (Nov. 12, 2024)

The Spokesman-Review: Six Spokane County residents hospitalized with whooping cough during outbreak (Nov. 12, 2024)

Fox KTVU: Bay Area surge in whooping cough; some counties see highest numbers in decade (Nov. 13, 2024)

CNY Central: Health officials warn of increased whooping cough spread in local schools (Nov. 14, 2024)

Walking Pneumonia

CDC: Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infections Have Been Increasing (Oct. 18, 2024)

WTOP: Urgent care centers report 'unprecedented' spike in walking pneumonia cases around DC area (Nov. 14, 2024)

[yes-no-maybe-soo]

One final December vs January revenue comparison before bed

[Source]

This from Sensor Tower. As can plainly be seen, the gap is pretty significant. It's even more remarkable when you consider the amount of things that happened in January — sex banner, anniversary, new LI, 3.0 update, CNY etc — and the amount of advertising Paperfold did leading up to these things.

One can only hope that this will force the company to change their quite frankly idiotic strategy and stop treating Sylus the way they have. It just saddens me that we had to get to this point for it to happen. It's genuinely disheartening to see such a great and beautifully crafted character be treated the way he has been. Sylus deserves so much better than to be a simple cash cow, or to be deliberately left out and treated as less than by the very people who ought to celebrate and appreciate him more than anyone else.

No matter what though, the love Sylus' kittens have for him will remain strong and unchanged, and his impact undeniable and incredible. He has changed so many lives for the better, mine included.

🐉❤️ 🐦‍⬛

[sogno-ao3]

thoughts on cny/wedding arc, still waters ch. 48-56

I would characterize this arc as primarily about (1) the slow intersection of their worlds, especially Tommy's incursion into Mollie's sphere, and (2) Mollie allowing herself more and more to think of Tommy as not just an employer, not just a friend, but perhaps someone she might even love.

Slow intersection of worlds

Up until this arc, Mollie has mostly existed in Tommy's world, in his house; she's met various members of his family in a personal setting (e.g., the christening), she's been a part of Peaky Blinder machinations whether she intended to or not, but Tommy has not had an equivalent experience yet. This arc provides him with that: visiting the tailor shop to learn more about Mollie's life, the Chinese New Year (CNY) dinner, and finally, culminating into the wedding featuring the full cast of her world.

In Ch. 48, when her mother and Song give her a lecture about not getting close to Tommy, Mollie has a little spasm of rebellion and she tells a fib that she had already invited Tommy to the CNY dinner... on the balance, Mollie is a good person, but one can also argue that she often lies (by omission) and this fib highlights this habit, providing a fascinating parallel to Tommy's selective dishonesty. She knows there is a different Tommy than the one they perceive--and she can't help but want her family to meet and observe him in a more quotidian setting.

I initially dreaded writing Ch. 50, as I had trouble imagining what would transpire between Mollie's parents and Tommy. In the end, I ended up dividing it into a kids' table (Song, Mollie, and Tommy) and a grown-ups' table (Mollie's parents, Jie, and Wan), and building on the notion that Mollie's parents would feel rather uncertain taking the lead with interacting with Tommy.

At first, Mollie's parents are uncomfortable and not sure how to approach.

My mother raised her eyebrows, glancing towards the misshapen plate of apples on the table. "Mr. Shelby is a guest, he can relax," she said.

Thomas shook his head. "It's all right, as your daughter says, my knife handling skills are lacking and I must improve," he said, intent on the apple in his hands.

My mother just gave me a puzzled look and I shrugged, smiling at her. She thought it was best not to engage further.

Even though Mollie's parents have been withdrawn, they have been observing him carefully and looking out for his needs as a guest. Usually, "Tommy Shelby with a knife" inspires panic; however, the scene Mollie's mother witnesses is disturbingly domestic and calm, and perhaps, even a little comical.

Thomas carried the fruit plate out to the dining table, and seemed bemused to have some awkward thanks from my parents. From their quick glances, I knew they also noted his suit jacket had now been taken off and a small pomegranate stain was on his rolled-up white cuff. They cautiously began a trite, stilted conversation about suiting, which turned into another conversation on how to wrangle suppliers.

The first sentence calls back to Ch. 39: "I sat on the armchair opposite him, thinking of what Thomas had been as a child and the circumstances that had been thrust upon him to become an involuntary protector and guardian to his siblings, even to Arthur. An affectionate older brother, to whom no affection had been returned in his later years." Tommy, unused to straightforward expressions of appreciation, is innocently pleased. Next, Mollie's parents finally feel comfortable enough to strike up a conversation, showing how much progress they've made vis-a-vis their perspective on Tommy.

In addition to introducing Tommy to Mollie's family, the CNY dinner also serves as a way for Mollie to introduce Chinese culture to him, another important intersection of their worlds. He proves to be patient and willing to listen, which would not have been the case earlier in the work; hints of this arise in their first interactions where he asks her to do laundry, and when they have the family meeting in Ch. 30. In those chapters, Mollie is still a roughly drawn sketch in his mind, informed more by what he thinks he knows about her, rather than how she directly presents herself.

Ch. 51 is an interlude into Tommy's world again, this time by visiting his mother's grave. Tommy has finally let her into the deepest depths of his pain, and cries in front of her. Mollie calls it his "voluntary surrender"--who or what he surrenders to is up for interpretation; Mollie does not take a stance. I do not have a definitive answer, either.

Ch. 54-56 are the wedding chapters. Mollie and Tommy have been increasingly cocooned away in their private world of softness and warmth, but as Mollie senses, it is an untenable state, and she responds by inviting Tommy into her life, little by little. Tommy is less attuned to this truth due to a variety of reasons. The nice reason: he's a hopeless romantic. The awful reason: he's selfish. He assumes that he could monopolize her time like he does when they're alone together, and that she is, undoubtedly, falling in love with him... but then at the wedding, he's plagued with doubts: she's surrounded by loving friends and family, and of course, there's a new rival who is her perfect match in every single way.

Ossi slots so easily into Mollie's life, getting along with her friends and family instantly. It goes on: he's in the same age group as her, shares the same heritage, is genuinely empathetic and caring, is intelligent, comes from a wealthy family, and is the most handsome man in the entire work (I said what I said). Mollie feels quite comfortable with him as well, immediately bantering with him, and letting him hug her twice when it took Tommy... 51 chapters.

Tommy is tortured by this, and there are small moments where one can observe the vicissitudes of his emotions:

Though his eyes searched my face, his body was motionless, the planes on his face severe. He finally spoke.

"How jealously they keep you."

This is the first time they speak at the wedding, and he is brittle, like glass just about to shatter.

He bent his head, gingerly kissing the tips of my fingers. That soft look through his lashes, irresistible in its surrender, was something that I had only ever seen when we were alone together.

Yet, after Mollie asks him to dance, he softens again.

Those eyes that I thought had been icy were now liquid, ringed by deep, tired lines. There was no tension left in his face, from the corners of his eyes to his jaw, to the soft wave of his hair across his forehead. He was not Thomas Shelby of the Peaky Blinders, he was just Tommy. Tommy, in love, in reverence, in devotion.

When they do finally dance together, the same thing occurs: Tommy is initially miserable but inevitably, he melts. He loves her above all else, and will endure pain to be close to her, even for a few moments. (One of my favorite foreshadowing lines is in Ch. 33: "We repeated this dance over the next few days, teetering on the edge of pain and pleasure.")

Tommy as someone to love

Since Ada revealed Tommy's love for her in Ch. 46, Mollie has been pondering what her feelings towards Tommy are. However, due to her romantic inexperience and her closed-off personality, she finds it hard to verbalize her feelings, even when we are following along in the first-person. Because of this, it is also important to look at the clues in her actions as well as any direct thoughts.

"So, I hear that Cara also requested that you make her a dress for May's wedding?" I said, not wanting to distract Thomas from trying to raise a piece of chicken to his mouth [...]

"I'll be there," he said, putting his chopsticks on the table. I fetched him another piece of chicken, placing it neatly into his bowl [...]

Picking up food and putting it into someone's bowl is a sign of great affection and care in many East Asian cultures. Personally, situations where I would do this would include seeing some relatives after a long time, someone's birthday, someone who has been sick... it's not a gesture that one would do every day in a normal situation.

Additionally, even though she teases his apple peeling skills, she eats it without complaint. This is a play on the East Asian stereotype where East Asians may not vocally admit their love for you, but show it through acts of service such as preparing fruit.

When visiting the grave of Tommy's mother in Ch. 51, Mollie slowly continues to think through her feelings. In the end, she realizes that they have grown so much closer, and her feelings are different than anything she has felt before. What exactly those feelings are, are still to be determined.

Ch. 52 contains probably one of the softest moments in the series so far, in which Mollie falls asleep in an armchair and Tommy kneels in front of the chair, waiting for her to wake up. Like most humans, Mollie finds it hard to look at him when he's being taciturn and severe, but this Tommy, all gentle smiles and let-me-go-get-you-a-coffee, is equally discomfiting, if not more.

The wedding chapters put Mollie through a tumult of emotions; comically, before the ceremony begins, she is paranoid for a few moments that perhaps Tommy was staring (he was not). When they finally talk together, we get the clearest signs of how Mollie's feelings towards Tommy have changed:

That soft look through his lashes, irresistible in its surrender, was something that I had only ever seen when we were alone together. The sounds of the wedding died away, and I felt myself transported to that place of quiet. The warmth spread through my hand, through my arm, through my body.

She references the surrender, but finally places it in context of their relationship.

In Ch. 55, Mollie ponders what it would be like to fall in love with Ossi:

I wondered what it would be like to be loved by, to fall in love with, someone like him... someone so free from the weight of his own existence, someone that wouldn't invite whispers behind my back, someone who accepted me from the beginning without question.

She doesn't fully internalize that her default point of comparison is falling in love with Tommy. It is unclear (to her, to us readers) at what stage Mollie is in with respect to Tommy: is she falling in love with him? Does she love him?

The final chapter of the arc naturally has many notable moments; I will highlight this one:

"Thomas…" I said, unsure of what I should say in return.

"This distance, even in a name," he said. My stomach churned to hear the deep note of sadness in his voice. I had slipped.

To me, this exchange is the most gut-wrenching of the entire work so far, an exchange that has been planned since the beginning. Very early on, Tommy insists that she call him "Tommy"--she does--but in her mind, she calls him Thomas in order to preserve mental distance between them. Tommy has always instinctively felt this distance; he has tried to bridge the gap--but the wedding eventually forces him to expose all of his frustrations ("What more can I do?").

The kiss scene

This scene has been on my mind since the very beginning. I started writing this story in February 2020, so very long ago, and a rough draft of their kiss scene has existed at least since end of 2021, nearly two years ago. Since then, it's undergone five major revisions and countless edits.

In the earliest version, Mollie was actually Tommy's date to the wedding, and the wedding would sort of be a public debut (but they wouldn't officially be a couple). The kiss scene would happen later at Tommy's house, when they were both winding down for bed. But, as I drew closer to the wedding arc, I thought this didn't make sense.

I also waffled back and forth about who would initiate the kiss: Tommy, Mollie, or would they mutually do so? In the first few drafts, I had Tommy initiate, but again, as I continued to write the rest of the story, I became conflicted. Mollie has been slowly taking agency over her life, and Tommy... well, I don't want to say too much right now for fear of spoiling, but here are a few important phrases that might give some clues:

He was not wearing the tuxedo bowtie any longer; the loose, unbuttoned shirt collar exposing pale skin underneath.

I knew that he was waiting for me, now.

"Could you ever love someone like me?" he asked quietly. I looked up to find his blue ones looking intensely into mine, lidded with desire, with hope, and maybe a little fear.

I also thought a lot about whether they would share a short kiss or whether there would be a more passionate exchange (various states of undress, makeout session, etc; strictly PG13, no sex), but again, it seemed too fantastical for the both of them to do such things at that point. Even so, it was important to show their physical chemistry, which is why I added the followup where Mollie bites his lower lip. It's a small gesture, but... in the words of Tommy, "everything about [Mollie] is torture."

For fun, here are all the almost kisses:

Ch. 23

"Step into the light, Mollie," he said. I did as he asked, stepping closer to him. He reached his hand towards my chin, angling it upwards. I could feel his breath on my face, his eyes searching mine intently.

Ch. 31

"You don't understand the nature of my business and my standing, and what I must say even if I…" he trailed off. He moved closer, our noses touching for a brief moment, his eyes half-hooded. I could feel the heat from his body rising towards me. I almost inhaled.

Ch. 48

He slowly inhaled, his lidded eyes softly focused on mine. I could feel the fabric flexing underneath my fingers, the wool of the outer jacket, the fine twill of his shirt, punctuated by smooth buttons.

"I've always loved…" The pressure on my hand increased even more, and I instinctively grasped at the fabric, feeling a sharp intake of breath rush through his chest. "... the feel of Shropshire wool."

Ch. 51

"It's nothing," I mumbled, afraid that he would coax the answer out, afraid that he would recognize how pliant I was in his warm hands. He leaned towards me, as if confirming my fears. There was that question again, and I was not ready to answer it. I leaned into his chest, a collapse of my own.

Ch. 55

"Thank you," he murmured. Thomas brought his hands just beneath my jaw, and slowly leaned in to kiss me lightly on the forehead. He inhaled deeply, his eyelashes trembling at the effort, his fingertips still keeping my face tilted towards him. Would he…?

The dress

Song revised the dress by adding the golden chains to silently protest against Tommy and how she perceives he holds Mollie back. The chains are a physical manifestation of shackles or a cage, but one could also argue they protect her as well and serve as a present reminder of the support of her friends and family...

His arms wrapped around me, his fingertips pressing against the gold chains and digging into my back. I had to break this porcelain fantasy, this brittle gilded cage.

[levynite]

Went to temple the day before CNY Eve because oh boy do we not want to ford the press of a sea of humans while fighting a granny for a folding table to lay out the food offerings while slow choking to death in the thick haze of incense. (there's still more cleaning to do at home help)

Things of note this year:

*The confusion over the pre-ordered paper offerings because only two out of the 6 attendees can actually read fucking Chinese characters and the one who did the pre-ordering did not communicate to us directly about the new conditions, and only sent her brother who speaks in the briefest ways possible so he pointed at the items in question and said "Man, woman" and we're like ???? Yeah? we get 3 sets men and 3 sets women every year? (it comes with gender coded paper clothes) and then dad saw that we were short so he bought two more. Turns out, they were selling selling couple sets now and that's what my cousin pre-ordered, AND NOT TELL THE ONES WHO ASSEMBLES THEM EVERY YEAR.

Me: Eh, the ladies get spare clothes then! Besides the extra hell money.

*As I was washing up the temple provided dishes and teacups at the sinks just next to the doors that are between the memorial tablet hall and the fireplaces? where we burn the paper offerings, chaos briefly broke out behind me and I turn to see a small pile of flaming paper offerings in the middle of the open air covered tiled floor area that leads to said fireplace? and I'm like, wtf, you are about 15 feet short of where you should be; then I realised a temple staff was loudly chiding a temple patron for moronically lighting his paper offerings on fire on the many candles inside before walking through the increasing crowd to go outside and promptly dropped the whole fucking flaming mess onto the floor short of the fireplace? oven? kiln? that is already merrily blazing and people have been peacefully queuing up with armfuls of offerings to toss in. And he dropped it because it was already on merry fucking fire? It's all paper and cardboard? There's a breeze outside that fanned he flames? Like outside has wind and airflow? And he was a good distance away from where it's supposed to be burnt proper to float off to where ever the ancestors are??

F O O L

*So here's the thing about asking spiritual beings questions: kinda hard to do. So the Chinese developed simple "fortune telling" tools to glean any indication of an answer or a general direction. In this case, after laying out the food offerings, and offering up the joss sticks, and the paper offerings are assembled beautifully in a vaguely lotus shape, we have to wait while the ancestors "eat" and "drink" the food offerings (a can of Carlsberg for my Second Uncle in this case as well) and this can take a while; meanwhile we're slowly getting smoked by fragrant incense by all the joss sticks being lit. And it's not even the insane crowd on CNY Eve!

Anyways, my Second Uncle's wife is the most senior in the temple group so she's usually the one asking if the ancestors (and her late husband) are done eating yet. We use something called a jiaobei or poe (with the accent) or loosely translated as moon blocks. These are a pair of crescent shaped pieces of wood carved with matching flat and curved sides. You toss them onto the floor after silently asking a question directed to the gods or the ancestors or whatever spiritual being, and then depending on how they land you get a yes, no, or the rarest, a confused answer where the blocks stand on their edges???? (wtf seriously never seen).

So I keep hearing the wooden clacks of the blocks getting tossed after a minute or so pause in between, with each pause getting shorter. I was guarding the paper offerings but I got curious and went over to have a look after hearing 5 clacks in a row; it was my aunt. And she really wants to go home now because it's been 2 hours of slowly becoming smoked jerky, but she keeps getting two same sides up (no) again and again. She hands it over to her daughter (said cousin who caused the pre-ordering confusion earlier) and she gives it a go; it's a NO. I was like, uh maybe I can give it a go? Aunt tries one more time, gets another NO from the ancestors. Tries in front of her husband's memorial tablet; gets a YES. Fed up, she hands me the blocks because what else has she got to lose.

Me, shuffling over to in front of the ancestors' tablets: *silent asking* Cousin who has known me since I was a baby: WAIT WAIT WAIT.....don't throw so hard. Me, about to fling the blocks down onto the tiled floor where they are sure to bounce off into the underside of the insanely heavy ornamental tables and more folding tables holding food offerings and the many feet of other devotees: .......OK.....*flings down gently* Me, staring: IT'S A YES, LET'S GOOOOOO

You have never seen an octogenarian pack up a whole ass boiled chicken, steamed cupcakes, fruits, etc etc so fast. Meanwhile I've booked it to go get the paper offerings to burn to reach the spiritual realm of whatever; I dunno, I'm not well schooled in Buddhism.

Later on during lunch at home, I told dad what had happened and he wondered if the ancestors were annoyed at Second Sister-in-law for the paper offering screw up because it's the first time we've deviated like that, and that was why they kept telling her NO but she essentially kept going (and I'm paraphrasing a friend here) 'Are we done eating yet? Are you full? Are we done yet? How about now? How about now? How about now?'

Edit: Well that didn't save properly but anyways this thing has been sitting in my drafts for almost 2 weeks. Fortunately CNY has been pretty quiet despite how busy and exhausted I was (caught hives for some damn reason on the third day). And now I can finally post this up on the final day of celebrations lol.

[rhk111sblog]

The Chinese Company "Build Your Dreams (BYD)" just released into Production their new "Super e-Platform" which can charge an Electric Vehicle (EV) with a Range of up to 400 km in just five minutes. In line with this, BYD is releasing two new Models which will be using this Technology next Month of April 2025, the "Han L" and the "Tang L".

The Han L will be able to charge 400 km of Range in just five minutes while the Tang L will be able to charge 370 km of range in the same amount of time. Prices start at Cny 270,000 in China, which is around Php 2.1 million.

BYD plans to 4,000 of the Megawatt Flash Chargers all over China in the next couple of Years.

MY NOTES: So the Technology for EVs to charged as fast as Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) can be refueled is now here, it now is just a question of it being adopted by everyone. If all goes well and there are no serious Issues or Trade Offs with this new Technology, then we will see a massive decline in ICEs in the next Decade and the continued rise of EVs, and China is leading the Way.

The Philippines is being left behind in overall EV Technology even in South East Asia (SEA) only as most of them have wholeheartedly embraced Chinese EV Technology, except the Philippines which still insists on siding with the United States (US) and antagonizing China.

Note that the Php 2.1 million Price for the new BYD Car Models is VERY reasonable as these are Top of the Line and Cutting Edge in Technology. But this Price I think is only good in China, if exported it will likely cost a lot more, probably around twice as much.

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Electric Drive” Website: https://www.electrive.com/2025/03/18/byd-introduces-megawatt-charging-for-electric-cars/

SOURCE: BYD introduces Megawatt charging for Electric Cars {Archived Link}

[profoundcherryblossomtiger]

China Introduces New Economic Stimulus: Impact on Australian Exports

China, the world's second-largest economy, has announced new economic stimulus measures to boost growth and stabilize its financial markets. These initiatives, which include infrastructure spending, interest rate cuts, and tax incentives, are expected to have significant implications for global trade, particularly for Australia, one of China's key trading partners. Understanding these economic shifts is crucial for traders and investors navigating the forex markets. Broker Cresen Ltd provides expert insights into how these policies will influence Australian exports, market trends, and trading strategies.

How China’s Economic Stimulus Affects Australian Exports

Australia heavily relies on China as its largest export destination, particularly for commodities like iron ore, coal, and agricultural products. With new economic stimulus programs in place, China’s demand for raw materials is likely to increase, driving up prices and benefiting Australian exporters. This could strengthen the Australian dollar (AUD), making forex trading strategies more dynamic.

However, while rising demand for exports is generally positive, traders should remain cautious. Economic policies can shift rapidly, affecting currency volatility. Forex Cresen Ltd advises traders to keep a close watch on trade agreements, government policies, and market sentiment to maximize potential gains.

Impact on the Forex Market

The forex market is highly sensitive to macroeconomic policies, and China's economic stimulus is no exception. A stronger AUD resulting from increased Chinese demand could lead to fluctuations in key currency pairs such as AUD/USD and AUD/CNY. Broker Cresen Ltd highlights that traders should monitor central bank decisions, trade negotiations, and commodity price trends to adapt their forex strategies effectively.

According to reviews Cresen Ltd, traders who incorporate both fundamental and technical analysis into their forex strategies tend to achieve better results. Understanding how economic policies affect currency values allows traders to make informed decisions, reducing risks and maximizing profits.

Trading Strategies in Response to Market Changes

To navigate the impact of China’s economic stimulus on forex markets, traders should consider the following strategies:

Fundamental Analysis: Track economic reports from China and Australia, including GDP growth, trade balances, and commodity prices.

Technical Analysis: Use forex indicators such as moving averages, support/resistance levels, and trend lines to identify entry and exit points.

Diversification: Trading multiple currency pairs, including AUD/USD and AUD/CNY, to mitigate risks.

Risk Management: Set stop-loss and take-profit levels to protect capital in volatile market conditions.

Broker Cresen Ltd offers cutting-edge trading tools and real-time analysis to help traders stay ahead of market shifts. Whether you are an experienced investor or new to forex trading, forex Cresen Ltd provides expert guidance to enhance your trading performance.

How to Avoid Scams in Forex Trading

As the forex market grows, so do fraudulent activities targeting unsuspecting traders. It is essential to be aware of potential scams and choose a reputable broker.

Signs of a Forex Scam:

Unrealistic Promises: Be cautious of brokers or platforms that guarantee high returns with no risk.

Lack of Regulation: Always verify if a broker is licensed and regulated by a recognized financial authority.

Hidden Fees: Some fraudulent brokers charge excessive fees or manipulate spreads.

Poor Customer Support: Reliable brokers provide prompt and professional assistance.

How to Protect Yourself:

Research Reviews: Check independent forex broker reviews. Reviews Cresen Ltd highlight the company's credibility and trustworthiness.

Verify Regulatory Status: Ensure that your broker complies with international financial regulations.

Use Secure Platforms: Reputable brokers, such as broker Cresen Ltd, offer advanced security features and transparent transactions.

Broker Cresen Ltd is committed to providing a safe and professional trading environment. Unlike scam Cresen Ltd competitors that fail to deliver on their promises, forex Cresen Ltd prioritizes customer satisfaction, security, and transparency.

Conclusion

China’s new economic stimulus presents both opportunities and risks for Australian exports and the forex market. By staying informed and adopting well-researched trading strategies, investors can capitalize on these market movements. Choosing a reliable broker is crucial to success, and broker Cresen Ltd stands out as a trusted partner. For expert trading solutions and up-to-date market insights, visit cresenltd.com.

[starseedfxofficial]

Trade Balance and TWAP: The Secret Formula Smart Traders Use to Stay Ahead Introduction: The Hidden Currency Chessboard Ever feel like Forex trading is a giant chess game, but everyone except you got the playbook? One moment, your trade is soaring like a SpaceX rocket, and the next, it’s crashing harder than a bad sitcom plot twist. The problem? You’re probably overlooking two major yet underappreciated factors: trade balance and TWAP (Time-Weighted Average Price). Most traders ignore these concepts, thinking they’re reserved for economists and algorithmic traders. Big mistake. Understanding trade balance helps you predict macroeconomic shifts, while mastering TWAP allows you to execute trades like an institutional pro. Let’s dive into the underground strategies that will give you an unfair advantage in the Forex market. Trade Balance: The Economic Pulse That Moves Markets Imagine your country as a business. If it exports more than it imports, it's making money. If it imports more than it exports, it's bleeding cash. That’s trade balance in a nutshell. But here’s where things get interesting: currency pairs are deeply affected by trade balances, and smart traders know how to leverage this knowledge. Why Trade Balance Matters in Forex Trading - Currency Strength Indicator: Countries with a positive trade balance (surplus) generally see their currency appreciate. Those with a deficit? Their currency tends to weaken. - Interest Rate Expectations: A strong trade balance can push central banks to raise interest rates, attracting foreign investment and strengthening the currency. - Market Sentiment: A significant shift in trade balance data can send shockwaves through the Forex market, triggering sharp price movements. Hidden Trade Balance Strategy: The ‘Export-Driven Currency Play’ Here’s an elite tactic most retail traders overlook: tracking export-heavy economies and trading their currencies based on trade surplus trends. - Japan (JPY), Germany (EUR), and China (CNY) are classic export-driven economies. When global demand surges, their trade surpluses grow, strengthening their currencies. - The U.S. (USD) and U.K. (GBP) often run trade deficits, making their currencies more vulnerable to capital flows. - Pro tip: Monitor trade balance reports from the U.S. Census Bureau and Eurostat to spot early trends before the rest of the market catches on. Case Study: EUR/USD & Germany’s Trade Balance In 2023, Germany’s trade surplus saw an unexpected jump due to high global demand for machinery and automobiles. This pushed EUR/USD higher, catching many traders off guard. Those who had been watching trade balance trends? They banked big. TWAP: The Institutional Weapon Retail Traders Ignore Now, let’s talk about TWAP (Time-Weighted Average Price), the secret sauce behind how big institutions avoid slippage while executing massive trades. If you’re still market-ordering your way into trades, stop. You’re practically handing your money to high-frequency traders on a silver platter. What is TWAP, and Why Should You Care? TWAP is a trading algorithm that breaks up large orders into smaller chunks over time, executing them at a weighted average price. The goal? To minimize market impact and avoid spooking the price. How to Use TWAP Like a Pro - Avoid Slippage: TWAP execution prevents large orders from causing price spikes. - Stealth Mode Trading: Helps institutions and savvy retail traders enter and exit trades quietly. - Superior Execution in Volatile Markets: Instead of dumping all your capital into a position at once, TWAP smooths out your entry, leading to better fills. TWAP Strategy: The ‘Stealth Entry Method’ Most retail traders enter trades in a single order, exposing themselves to unfavorable price movements. Instead, mimic the institutions: - Split your trade into multiple smaller orders and execute over time. - Use 20-minute TWAP intervals during volatile periods. - Focus on liquid sessions (London & New York overlap) for better price execution. Example: TWAP Execution on GBP/AUD Swing Trade Imagine you’re long GBP/AUD and want to enter with $100,000. Instead of dumping all at once, break it into 10 orders of $10,000 over an hour. This prevents unfavorable price spikes and improves execution. Combining Trade Balance and TWAP: The Ninja Move Want to go full 4D chess mode? Use trade balance to predict macro trends and TWAP to execute trades flawlessly. - Identify a currency pair influenced by trade balance trends. Example: If Japan’s trade surplus rises, JPY should strengthen. - Enter your trade using TWAP execution instead of a single lump-sum order. - Ride the macroeconomic trend with precision and minimal slippage. Example: In Q4 2023, Australia’s trade balance took a hit due to falling commodity exports. Smart traders shorted AUD/USD while executing their positions using TWAP over a 2-hour period, avoiding market spikes and getting prime entries. Final Thoughts: The Edge You’ve Been Missing If you’ve been trading without considering trade balance or TWAP, you’ve been missing two critical tools in your arsenal. Here’s what you need to remember: - Trade balance gives you macro-level insight into currency strength. - TWAP ensures optimal trade execution with minimal slippage. - Combining both allows you to trade like an institution—stealthy, strategic, and ahead of the herd. Want more elite Forex insights? Check out these exclusive tools from StarseedFX: - Stay ahead of the market with real-time Forex news: StarseedFX News - Master advanced strategies with our free Forex courses: StarseedFX Courses - Join a community of pro traders for daily analysis and alerts: StarseedFX Community Now, go forth and trade like the ninja you were meant to be. But remember, stealth and strategy win the game—not blind luck. —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[centizen]

Best Destinations to Consider Outsourcing Software Developers

Software development is one of the fastest-growing career categories that has facilitated remote hiring, remote work & also supports freelancing combined with agile team practices. Businesses can cut down their operational cost, increase their gross profit, performance and competitive edge by leveraging remote team employment. There are a number of ways in which offshore developers can be hired. Hiring through Freelance portals, with outsourcing firms and hiring talented developersRemote hiring platforms are some popular methods however, each has its own pros and cons. In addition to choosing the type of remote developers, it is also important to choose profiles that fit your requirements. Choosing the most suitable country will provide an edge in terms of cost-effectiveness and work effectively despite time zone differences. Here is a list of the top 5 countries that can help find your potential teams

India

Ukraine

China

Poland

Philippines

Now let us analyze the above countries based on the Rating, service costs and time zone adaptation. The data are based on reports from reliable reports & surveys from sources such as Hacker rank, Payscale, Glassdoor, EF EPI, etc.

India

India is the second-largest English-speaking country in the world, which makes it easier to collaborate with the US & European employers looking to outsource. Mathematics and Science are given more weightage in their education system. As many as 2.6 million STEM specialists graduate in a single year. Per the research from Gild, Indian developers scored 11% more than their US counterparts on assessments on math and logic. The average annual salary for Indian software developers ranges from $11,139 and $38,000.

Ukraine

The Ukrainian government with a strong focus on education has no wonder built a thriving tech industry. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Lviv, are some of the biggest IT hotspots bubbling with technology and skilled engineering students. Ukrainian developers had an average score of 88.7% according to Hacker rank reports. Ukraine also is home to the largest number of C++ programmers globally.80% of the IT community speaks English, so communication barriers are of least worries. Ukraine shares a similar working culture and its time zone partially overlaps with US and UK times. The average annual salary for a software developer in Ukraine ranges between $11,936 and $46,787.

China

China is home to several leading start-up IT companies. Around 4.7 million students graduate every year according to Forbes. HackerRank ranked China as the best IT outsourcing country. There are a few barriers to overcome before choosing china. Since only 10 million out of 1.3 billion Chinese residents speak English, companies recruiting the Chinese remotely have a large communication barrier.Second, the Chinese are quite negligent of Intellectual Property (IP) laws. However, establishing clear rules or getting help from outsourcing agencies can give you an edge when working with the Chinese developers.A Chinese developer can earn an annual salary ranging from 189,000CNY ($27,695.96) to 357000 CNY ($52,314.59).

Poland

Polish developers are the third most skilled programmers in the world according to reports & surveys. Poland has developers who are experts in Java, Python, Shell, and Ruby. The Tholons Globalization Index ranked Warsaw and Krakow, two of Poland’s largest cities among the top 50 cities with best developing talents. 30% of the Polish population speaks English as a second language, which can be beneficial for remote hires. The United States is 7 hours behind Poland. So time zone differences must be taken into account for projects that require constant collaboration. Salaries: Data from PayScale shows that the average software developer in Poland makes an annual salary of 85,069PLN, or $22,273.88.

Philippines

The Philippines has over 92% speaking English. Being a former American colony, they understand the western culture better. They also have a specialized STEM-based school education system in place. These are some of the factors that put them in the top ranks when remote outsourcing is concerned. Tholons Globalization Index has ranked the country’s capital, Manila, as the second-best city for remote outsourcing. Filipino software developers make between $10,563.40 and $14,202 annually.

Why should you opt for Indian Developers?

1. Extended talent pool

Along with in-house developers, Indian developers act as an extension to the team providing quality results. Rather than competing with local giants hiring local talents, businesses can opt for choosing exceptionally talented developers with remote hiring. Moreover, Indians are fluent in English speaking nations which means they are easier to communicate with.

2. Home to IT giants

India is home to numerous IT hubs like Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad. India has productive and dedicated developers that deliver results. There are many IT outsourcing companies in India that help businesses in developed countries hire extraordinary talents.

3. Save Costs

Indian developers are paid less than their counterparts hired remotely from other countries. As mentioned above, Their annual average salary is around $507,219.

4.Favorable Time-zone

Most of the remote IT providers have flexible timings i.e, remote hires are ready to work even night shifts to collaborate with countries like US and UK who are more than 9.5 hours apart in time zone.

5. Get Faster Development

Since the remote teams can take off from where the in-house teams have clocked out, work is being done round the clock. This ensures faster development and client satisfaction.

6. High-Quality Standards

Every year around 2.6 million students graduate from IITs, NITs and other reputed institutions. So developers from India provide reliable outcomes & provide excellent services should controversy arise.

7. Export-Friendly Government Policies

The Indian government provides a lot of friendly outsourcing policies that help in the growth of the IT industry. These in turn are flexible for businesses who decide to get help from remote developers for specific projects on a long-term basis too.

8. Technical Expertise

It is not only possible to outsource freelancers and junior developers but even senior developers can be hired exclusively for high-end projects.

Final Thoughts

Before deciding on a country forremote hiring for software development , keep an eye on costs, adaptability of the IT market, quality of educational infrastructure, cultural differences, and so on. When building an offshore remote team, pay attention to whether the outsourcing company understands your company’s mission, goals and requirements. Remote hiring does not only aim at cutting costs but should help your business reach new heights in terms of quality and productivity.

[stupidityisme]

2nd day of CNY 2025

I think God took a pity on me.

Sis invited me over for dinner. JM was extremely cranky tonight due to lack of sleep.

And so, he showered earlier than usual. I stayed to wash the dishes as per normal before leaving.

Sis would have a quick call over family group chat after JM showered.

Because of that, I was able to catch a glimpse of Evana.

Even so, I was told to shut up and shouldn’t speak. Just see with my eyes.

Evana saw me. I saw her hesitation before she’s normal again. I waved hand at her, she waved back but unhappily.

We never have conversations throughout the whole call, as if I wasn’t there.

Call was cut short as JM needs to go bed.

Who will understand the heartache.

But still, with so many coincidences that leads me to catch a glimpse of Evana, I am feeling gratitude.

[whattheabcxyz]

2025-01-10

Singapore

Pedestrian-friendly streets with covered linkways in Taman Jurong & CCK completed

More than $254K worth of drugs seized by CNB officers following arrests in Chinatown & Pasir Ris

Live crowd map available for Chinatown in days leading up to CNY

Interpol launches alert notice to trace assets hidden overseas by criminals; Singapore part of pilot

URA makes rare offer to grant developers bonus floor area if they preserve Golden Mile Tower’s cinema block

Health

36% increase in number of dengue cases in Singapore last year compared to year before

Economy

Johor set for $38b economic boost from Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone by 2030

Politics

Donald Trump sentenced to "unconditional discharge" for his felonies

Education

Singapore: Faster track for Ngee Ann Poly students to earn bachelor’s degree after taking university modules

Science

^ Nature benefits our health more than we could ever imagine

How do we democratise scientific research? - everyone should be able to contribute to the discovery of new knowledge!

AI boosts breast cancer detection rates while cutting radiologist workload

Pets

Singapore: Dog dies after allegedly being thrown down Jurong block

Gossip

Simonboy & Peter Yu's Singabola Chicken Rice shutters <1 year after opening

[alphoofficial]

The US Dollar Is Losing Its Appeal, Which Currency Could Dominate Asian Markets?

Despite the recent short-term gain of the U.S. dollar, mainly due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, the greenback has experienced sustained weakening against other major currencies over the past couple of months. This trend began as interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve became more likely, resulting in the bigger than expected September cut, coinciding with signs of deterioration in the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, the Chinese government is increasingly trying to assert the yuan’s dominance in global markets. How likely is it to succeed?

Short term USD strengthening

Besides gold and other precious metals, another asset that holds the ‘’safe heaven’’ title among the investors is the U.S. dollar. It is the currency used in majority of global trades and transactions which makes it the most stable and reliable. Tensions in the Middle East have escalated into a wider conflict in recent weeks, prompting many investors to move their funds into safe-haven assets resulting in a sudden surge in the value of USD. The U.S. Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, rose 0.1% to 100.969 on Wednesday, October 2, adding to its 0.5% gain the previous day. It continued to grow throughout the following week, reaching 102 basis points by October 9. However, other forces are also at play.

As US economic indicators over the last couple of months continued to reinforce bets on a September rate cut, the situation finally entered the action phase on September 19, 2024. In the months leading up to that point, the USD gradually weakened against other major currencies, including the EUR, JPY, and CNY. It is expected that the Fed will continue making gradual cuts, and with that prospect, further weakening of the USD might follow — provided that inflation and other macroeconomic factors remain on track.

Performance of U.S. Dollar Index over 5 years. Source: tradingview.com

Chinese yuan set to dominate Asian markets

China has been pushing for the yuan to become an alternative to, or rival USD dollar on the global stage. However, this effort still seems far-fetched, considering that as of last year, the U.S. dollar accounted for a 66% share of global international currency usage, while the yuan held only 2.5%. That said, since the Western sanctions against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, the role of CNY in international trade with Russia has become more significant. It has served as a means for countries to offset the impact of potential further sanctions by avoiding financial networks dominated by the U.S. Additionally, when we compare the international usage of the yuan to China’s share of global GDP, it becomes clear that the currency still has substantial room for growth.

China also supports the international use of CNY through various mechanisms, such as establishing 31 offshore CNY clearing banks and launching the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS). From 2010 to 2023, the use of CNY for China’s cross-border payments has surged, surpassing the USD for the first time in March 2023. This shift is driven by increased foreign willingness to trade in CNY and bilateral trade agreements, like those with Brazil and Argentina, allowing for CNY-denominated settlements.

What are the prospects of Japanese yen?

Another Asian currency, the Japanese yen, had been losing ground against the US dollar for years, as the Japanese economy struggled with mounting debt. However, the tide may have turned earlier this year when the Bank of Japan put an end to its financial stimulus through negative interest rates and introduced two rate hikes, currently holding borrowing costs at around 0.25%. This prompted the yen to gain some strength in recent months. However, the BOJ's aggressive purchase of government bonds (quantitative easing) was meant to inject money into the economy, keep borrowing costs low, and stabilize the yen's value. Unfortunately, that has led to a shortage of bonds in the market, making trading difficult and pushing yields down, keeping the yen weak. Until recently, JPY was gaining some ground over USD, but Japan's newly elected prime minister expressed reluctance to pursue further monetary tightening, which makes JPY’s further strengthening less likely in the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

While the U.S. dollar has recently strengthened amid geopolitical tensions, its long-term prospects are uncertain due to potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and signs of economic decline. Meanwhile, China's push for the yuan's internationalization is gaining momentum, aided by trade agreements and a robust clearing network. The Japanese yen, bolstered by recent monetary policy changes, is also showing signs of recovery, however it is unlikely to compete with Chinese counterpart. Overall, the evolving dynamics in currency markets suggest a potential shift away from dollar dominance, with CNY emerging as significant alternative in the Asian markets.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/chinas-march-strong-yuan-is-long-perilous-2024-09-25/

[kakivino]

Vietti 2018 Roero Arneis

Fairly neutral nose, better intensity on palate. Apple, pear, fresh grass and chamomile best sum up the flavor profile of this nutty, light-medium Roero native. Chalk-like minerals shine at times. Finishes a little peachy to offset that zesty lime acidity. Has summer written all over it. Compliments fish crackers (one of CNY snacks staple) well. — ★★★

Appellation: Roero Arneis Region: Roero, Piemonte, Italy Subzone: Santo Stefano Roero Cépage: 100% Arneis Abv: 13% Production: 55,000 Élevage: on lees in stainless steel tanks Distributor: Milawa

Critic Reviews:

This is always such a delicious wine and one I could imagine pairing with a Thai salad or grilled shrimp. The 2018 Roero Arneis opens to fragrant aromas with spring flower, cut grass and white peach. This is a lean-bodied white with a bright, tonic and zesty personality. Monica Larner (Wine Advocate, 07/2019) 90

Leading off with the two whites, the 2018 Roero Arneis (100% Arneis) offers a medium golden hue as well as notes of apple blossom, spice, toasted nuts, and white flowers, followed by a kiss of salinity on the finish. Beautifully balanced and medium-bodied, with plenty of minerality, this gorgeous, classy white is going to be incredibly versatile on the dinner table and is well worth a case purchase. Jeb Dunnuck (Jeb Dunnuck) 91