#industrial air conditioning uni

[andrews-sykes]

Key Considerations When Renting an Industrial Air Conditioning Unit

When it comes to creating a comfortable working environment, especially in industrial settings, the importance of an effective air conditioning solution cannot be overstated. An industrial air conditioning unit plays a vital role in maintaining optimal temperatures, which can significantly enhance productivity and ensure the well-being of workers. However, the process of renting an air conditioning unit can be daunting without proper knowledge. Here are essential considerations to keep in mind when renting an industrial air conditioning unit.

Understanding Your Cooling Needs

Before you even think about renting an industrial air conditioning unit, it's crucial to assess your specific cooling requirements. Different industries and applications may have varying needs based on factors such as the size of the workspace, the number of employees, and the type of equipment in use. For instance, a manufacturing facility with heavy machinery may require a different cooling capacity than a warehouse storing goods.

Engaging with a specialist, like those at Andrews Sykes, can help you accurately diagnose your cooling needs. With a short conversation, our experts can guide you through the process, ensuring you select the right unit tailored to your operational requirements. This preliminary step can save you both time and money, as choosing the wrong unit can lead to inefficiencies and increased energy costs.

Types of Industrial Air Conditioning Units

Industrial air conditioning units come in various types and configurations, each designed to meet specific challenges within different sectors. Understanding the options available is critical. For example, portable air conditioning units are ideal for temporary cooling needs, while large-scale chillers can provide comprehensive cooling solutions for vast industrial spaces.

At Andrews Sykes, we offer a broad range of rental options, ensuring that you have access to the right equipment for your unique situation. Whether you need a compact unit for a small area or a high-capacity chiller for expansive operations, our extensive fleet is designed to meet your precise needs. Our specialists can help you explore these options, ensuring you make an informed decision that aligns perfectly with your operational demands.

Installation and Maintenance Considerations

One of the essential aspects of renting an industrial air conditioning unit is understanding the installation process. Proper installation is crucial for the unit to perform efficiently and effectively. At Andrews Sykes, we take care of all aspects of the installation, ensuring that your air conditioning unit is set up correctly and functions optimally from the start.

Moreover, ongoing maintenance is vital for the longevity and efficiency of your air conditioning system. Regular checks and servicing can prevent unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs. When renting from Andrews Sykes, you can rest assured knowing that our team is available 24/7 to address any issues that may arise, ensuring your operations remain uninterrupted. Our commitment to maintenance and support is part of what sets us apart in the industry.

Cost Considerations

Budgeting is always a concern when renting equipment, and industrial air conditioning units are no exception. It's important to evaluate the rental costs in conjunction with the benefits the unit will provide. Comparing the initial rental fee against the potential productivity gains and energy savings can provide a clearer picture of the value of renting versus buying.

At Andrews Sykes, we pride ourselves on offering competitive pricing without compromising on quality. Our transparent pricing structure means you will never face hidden fees or unexpected costs, allowing you to plan your budget effectively. Additionally, our flexible rental agreements can accommodate various budgetary needs, whether you're looking for a short-term solution or a longer rental period.

Environmental Considerations

In today's world, sustainability and environmental responsibility are more important than ever. When renting an industrial air conditioning unit, consider the energy efficiency of the unit. Modern air conditioning units are designed to consume less energy while delivering superior cooling capabilities.

Andrews Sykes recognises the importance of sustainability and offers a range of energy-efficient units that minimise environmental impact while still providing exceptional performance. By choosing eco-friendly options, you can not only lower your operational costs but also contribute positively to your corporate sustainability goals.

Conclusion

Renting an industrial air conditioning unit is a significant decision that requires careful consideration of various factors, including your cooling needs, the types of units available, installation and maintenance requirements, cost, and environmental impact. By engaging with experts like those at Andrews Sykes, you can navigate this process confidently, ensuring you select the right unit to suit your operational needs.

If you're looking to enhance your industrial environment with a reliable air conditioning solution, Andrews Sykes is here to help. With our extensive range of units, dedicated customer service, and commitment to quality, you can trust us to provide the best air conditioning solutions tailored to your requirements. Contact us today for a quote and experience the Andrews Sykes difference!

[unibellpvcpipe]

PVC vs. POLYPROPYLENE (PP) SANITARY SEWER PIPE:

PVC sewer pipe has demonstrated proven performance in Canada’s often-challenging conditions. PVC is used in over 85% of new installations, making it the material of choice for sanitary sewers. Since solid-wall PVC sewer pipe is the benchmark by which other pipe types are measured, information on this product has been included along with profile-wall PVC and PP pipes.

PVC Pipe – Long-Term Performance

Almost fifty years of unsurpassed reliability in sanitary sewer applications around the world is backed by CSA’s PVC sewer pipe standards that include CSA B182.2 (since 1983), CSA B182.7 (first published in 1997 and incorporated into B182.2 in 2011), and B182.4 (also since 1983). By contrast, the PP standard B182.13 was first published in 2011.

Stringent Acceptance Tests

Deflection Mandrel Testing

PVC pipe: CSA specifies mandrels that allow no more than 7½% deflection of the PVC pipe diameter – which provides a high safety factor against buckling.

PP pipe: CSA does not provide guidance on allowable deflection of PP pipes. Since PP profile-wall pipes may have reduced deflection capabilities, designers should specify lower allowable deflection to ensure the same degree of safety.

Air Testing

General: the CSA B182.11 standard for installation of thermoplastic non-pressure pipes includes

low-pressure air testing. As a result of testing and research done since the 1950s, Uni-Bell’s UNI-B-06 “Recommended Practice for Air Acceptance Testing of Sewer Pipe” has become the industry’s guideline. However, the CSA standard’s test does not measure up to UNI-B-06 for ensuring system tightness.

PP pipe: PP has a 57% lower modulus of elasticity than PVC and PP is more prone to creep. As a result, typical low-pressure air testing may not give adequate assurance of long-term PP joint tightness.

Final Acceptance: Utilities often specify minimum waiting periods of 30 days before final acceptance of newly installed sewer pipes.

PVC pipe – this deflection-versus-time testing is a proven method of ensuring proper design and installation of PVC pipe systems – verified by over 40 years of research and field experience.

PP pipe – until comparable testing and field evaluation are completed for PP pipe, users should not assume that mandrel and low-pressure air tests for PP provide the same assurance of installation quality as they

do for PVC. It is recommended that PP lines be retested after one year to verify structural reliability (deflection mandrel test) and joint integrity (air test).

Other Considerations

Fittings: Unlike PP systems, PVC sewer pipe has a wide assortment of fittings available from many manufacturers. Joints using PVC fittings meet the same high performance requirements, since pipe joints and systems can easily be designed without the need for fittings that require cutting holes into the pipe. Sanitary sewer system water-tightness is achieved by avoiding cut-in fittings.

Challenging Design Applications: For difficult installations — where factors are present such as deep burial, poor soils, and high water tables — PVC pipe offers heavy-wall (higher-stiffness) pipe, as well as higher- stiffness and deep-socket fittings, which is not the case for PP.

Polypropylene Pipe – Caution Advised: The recent introduction of PP into the sanitary sewer market should be cause for concern to wastewater utilities for the following reasons:

Unsupported claims about performance

Lack of rigorous studies and testing

Questions regarding joint integrity

Reduced safety factors

Limited selection of fittings for connections

Sanitary sewer utilities should require piping products that have a proven track record of performance. As municipalities and design engineers attempt to reduce costs, consideration should be given to some of the significant differences between PVC and PP pipe materials.

The table below compares solid-wall PVC pipe, profile-wall PVC pipe, and profile-wall PP pipe.

Pipe Stiffness 320 kPa

Solid-Wall PVC

Solid-Wall Three-Layer PVC

Profile-Wall PVC

Profile-Wall PP

Material

PVC

PVC with Recycled PVC Center Layer

PVC

PP

Standard

B182.2

B182.2 (was B182.71)

B182.4

B182.13

Year First Published

1983

1997

1983

2011

Tensile Strength, Min. (MPa)

41.4

34.5

(center layer2)

41.4

24.0

Modulus of Elasticity, Min. (MPa)

2760

1930

(center layer2)

2760

1200

300mm Pipe Wall Thickness, Min. (mm)

9.07

9.07

N/A

1.38

750mm Pipe Wall Thickness, Min. (mm)

23.22

23.22

3.30

1.80

300mm Pipe Impact Resistance, Min. @ 0°C (j)

205

205

N/A

205

750mm Pipe Impact Resistance, Min. @ 0°C (j)

300

300

250

250

Flattening Test, Min. % Deflected

60%

60%

60%

60%

Profile-Wall Quality Control Air Test for Seams?

N/A

N/A

Yes

Yes

Recommended Max. Diametric Deflection (%)

7.5

7.5

7.5

None

Base ID (mm) Recommended?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Deflection-Test Mandrel Size Recommended?

No

No

No

No

Gasketed Joints Require ASTM D3212?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Notes:

1 B182.7 was incorporated into B182.2 in 2011

2 Inner and outer layers have same minimum properties as solid-wall PVC

Additional Information Not Found in Standards

Solid-Wall PVC

Solid-Wall Three-Layer PVC

Profile-Wall PVC

Profile-Wall PP

Manning's "n" for Hydraulic Design

0.009

0.009

0.009

0.012

Diametric Deflection Before Buckling (%)

30+

30+

Not Known

Not Known

Full-Bodied Fittings

Full line

Full line

Full line

Partial line

[mi4019thameenahallaldeen]

Week 1 : Podcast - Personal and professional development

We were given a brief. These are some questions we were given to touch upon for the podcast. We are to work on groups and there will be 3 groups for this batch.

We decided to choose AMDT, IIT, NIBM

Question 1 :

Time management was a challenge for me as we were given a lot of assignments to complete within a short period of time but I overcame this challenge and ready for the BA. I definitely appreciate having experience beforehand so I know how to manage my time during the BA. Another challenge were the English classes. We overcame that by skipping. Just kidding, we worked on our class assignments so we were not able to attend English everyday.

Question 2 :

I expected university to not have lectures like school (6 hours everyday) since we were told we won’t have to come to uni everyday but I guess that’s not the case at least for first year.

Universities, especially a design uni should give more creative freedom, and it does have that. We have to stick to the criteria of the brief but that is the only limitation (which is a necessary limitation). As opposed to school where there are only fixed answers and memorizing. Students should be pushed to go out of their comfort zone in terms of creativity. In school there is somewhat of a creative freedom when it comes to school events (concerts, sports meet decorations, fine arts related events) but those are the only instances where students are given that opportunity.

University should have more facilities catered towards the courses as opposed to the normal computer/science lab in schools. Eg : Cafeteria or student discounts for nearby shops/facilities. AOD kinda lacks in this area. Except for the Sakura art supply shop, there aren’t any places that have discounts for students.

Another facility should be more tech. AOD has facilities like the MGA lab for animation students and machinery/dummies for fashion students, a library, lots of classrooms, air conditioning.

I think university modules should offer challenges like interacting with real world, organizing and communicating in real time, completing projects in time (efficiency) so that students have a portfolio and reputation for when they enter a job. University should be way more challenging since everything we learn is 100% applicable to real life since AOD is a very industry driven design school. Students get to jump directly into the design industry so they must have a lot of experience, an open mind and being efficient in production.

Question 3 :

3 things I feel went well were

The story boarding sessions. We kept being asked to story board and so far I haven’t had any trouble and I know how to accept feedback and alter my work accordingly.

Another thing was brainstorming/mind mapping. Helps me to keep more options in mind for any project.

‘Working in groups/group discussions. Opened my mind to different perspectives and a good way to generate and gather ideas.

Finishing classes earlier.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"La grève des avionneries: La responsabilité des grévistes est grande," La Patrie. August 4, 1943. Page 8. --- A un moment où, grâce à leur supériorité dans les airs, les Nations Unies sont enfin en mesure de faire échec à l'ennemi, n'est-il pas déconcertant, pour ne pas dire démoralisant, de voir avec quelle apparente insouciance de leur responsabilité et de leur devoir vingt mille ouvriers et ouvrières des avionneries montréalaises ont décidé hier de cesser tout travail. La production des avions, indispensable à la poursuite de la guerre et qui permet au grand état-major allié de réduire la résistance de l'ennemi en sauvant la vie a des milliers de soldats des armées de terre, ne semble donc a ces hommes et à ces femmes guère plus importante que la fabrication de lessiveuses ou de cure-dents, puis- qu'ils quittent ainsi leur travail pour un oui ou pour un non? La question en litige est celle du paiement rétroactif d'un boni de vie chère. Pensent-ils convaincre le reste de la population canadienne que c'est là un motif valable pour paralyser la production de l'arme offensive la plus nécessaire à nos combattants?

Admettons que les fonctionnaires d'Ottawa n'ont pas fait toute la diligence voulue dans l'étude des revendications des grévistes. Il n'en reste pas moins que le personnel des avionneries, appuyé par les patrons et par les dirigeants du motivement syndical, était assuré d'avoir justice totou tard puisque le principe même du boni avait été reconnu. Il ne s'agissait plus que de patienter; la situation n'avait rien de désespéré et les conditions de travail présentes donnaient à la main-d'oeuvre de nos trois grandes avionneries du jeu pour attendre.

Quels qu'aient pu être les torts, dans ce conflit, de la bureaucratie fédérale, l'opinion publique appuiera certainement l'attitude que prend en face de la grève, le gouverne- ment d'Ottawa. Les négociations se trouvent automatiquement suspendues et ne sauraient reprendre tant que les grévistes ne seront pas retournés au travail.

Quelques heures de réflexion auront déjà, espérons-le, convaincu ces hommes et ces femmes, qui ont une grave responsabilité à l'égard de la nation canadienne, de l'erreur qu'ils ont commise. En persistant dans leur attitude de défi, ils s'aliéneraient irrémédiablement la sympathie qui va spontanément aux ouvriers et ouvrières de nos industries de guerre, dont l'effort commun, depuis trois ans, a si puissamment contribué à hausser le prestige du Canada.

E. LETELLIER de SAINT-JUST

[electronalytics]

Civil Airport Lighting Market Growth and Status Explored in a New Research Report 2032

Overview: The Civil Airport Lighting Market refers to the market for lighting systems installed at airports to ensure safe operations during various weather conditions and times of day. These lighting systems are crucial for maintaining visibility, guiding aircraft, and ensuring the safety of passengers, pilots, and ground staff. Here is an overview, key trends, key points, and demand factors related to the Civil Airport Lighting Market:

Key Trends:

Increasing Air Traffic: The global aviation industry is experiencing significant growth in air traffic, leading to the expansion and construction of new airports. This drives the demand for advanced lighting systems to accommodate increased aircraft movements and ensure safe operations.

Technological Advancements: The adoption of advanced lighting technologies, such as LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting, is a prominent trend in the civil airport lighting market. LED lighting offers energy efficiency, longer lifespan, enhanced brightness, and better visibility compared to traditional lighting systems.

Automation and Control Systems: Automation and control systems play a crucial role in airport lighting management. Advanced control systems enable centralized monitoring and control of lighting operations, improving efficiency, reducing maintenance costs, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Sustainable Lighting Solutions: Sustainability is a growing concern in the aviation industry. Airport operators are increasingly adopting energy-efficient lighting solutions to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions, and operational costs. Sustainable lighting practices, such as using LED lighting and implementing smart lighting controls, are becoming more prevalent.

Key Points and Demand Factors:

Runway Lighting: Runway lighting is a critical component of civil airport lighting. It includes runway edge lights, threshold lights, centerline lights, touchdown zone lights, and runway end lights. The demand for reliable and high-performance runway lighting systems is driven by the need to enhance visibility and support safe aircraft takeoffs and landings.

Taxiway Lighting: Taxiway lighting helps guide aircraft between the runway and terminal areas. This lighting system includes taxiway edge lights, centerline lights, and stop bar lights. The demand for efficient and well-maintained taxiway lighting is essential for safe aircraft movement and ground operations.

Apron Lighting: Apron lighting provides illumination for aircraft parking areas, where aircraft maintenance, fueling, and passenger boarding take place. Adequate apron lighting ensures safe and efficient operations during both day and night, facilitating aircraft maneuvering and ground handling activities.

Approach Lighting: Approach lighting systems aid pilots during the final stages of landing by providing visual cues and assisting with depth perception. These systems typically include approach light bars, sequenced flashers, and runway alignment indicator lights (RAILs). The demand for effective approach lighting is crucial for safe and accurate aircraft landings, especially in low visibility conditions.

The Civil Airport Lighting Market is not typically categorized by platforms in the same way as some other markets. However, I can provide you with an overview of the various lighting systems and components involved in civil airport lighting:

1.Runway Lighting:

Runway Edge Lights

Threshold Lights

Centerline Lights

Touchdown Zone Lights

Runway End Lights

2.Taxiway Lighting:

Taxiway Edge Lights

Centerline Lights

Stop Bar Lights

3.Apron Lighting:

Apron Floodlights

Aircraft Parking Guidance Lights

Aircraft Maintenance Area Lighting

Passenger Boarding Area Lighting

4.Control and Monitoring Systems:

Lighting Control Systems

Centralized Monitoring Systems

Control Panels

Control Signals

5.Power Distribution and Backup Systems:

Power Distribution Units (PDUs)

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems

Emergency Backup Lighting Systems

These lighting systems and components are typically integrated into the overall civil airport lighting infrastructure to ensure safe operations during various weather conditions and times of day.

We recommend referring our Stringent datalytics firm, industry publications, and websites that specialize in providing market reports. These sources often offer comprehensive analysis, market trends, growth forecasts, competitive landscape, and other valuable insights into this market.

By visiting our website or contacting us directly, you can explore the availability of specific reports related to this market. These reports often require a purchase or subscription, but we provide comprehensive and in-depth information that can be valuable for businesses, investors, and individuals interested in this market.

“Remember to look for recent reports to ensure you have the most current and relevant information.”

Click Here, To Get Free Sample Report: https://stringentdatalytics.com/sample-request/civil-airport-lighting-market/6927/

Market Segmentations:

Global Civil Airport Lighting Market: By Company • Civil Airport Lighting • ADB Airfield Solutions (Safegate) • Honeywell • Hella • Eaton • OSRAM • Philips Lighting Holding • Cree • OCEM Airfield Technology • Astronics • Youyang • Airsafe Airport Equipment • Carmanah Technologies • Vosla (NARVA) • Abacus Lighting • ATG Airports Global Civil Airport Lighting Market: By Type • Approach Lights • Runway Lights • Taxiway and Apron Lights • Stop Bars • Others Global Civil Airport Lighting Market: By Application • Domestic Airport • International Airport Global Civil Airport Lighting Market: Regional Analysis All the regional segmentation has been studied based on recent and future trends, and the market is forecasted throughout the prediction period. The countries covered in the regional analysis of the Global Civil Airport Lighting market report are U.S., Canada, and Mexico in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, and Rest of Europe in Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Argentina, Brazil, and Rest of South America as part of South America.

Visit Report Page for More Details: https://stringentdatalytics.com/reports/civil-airport-lighting-market/6927/

Reasons to Purchase Civil Airport Lighting Market Report:

• To obtain insights into industry trends and dynamics, including market size, growth rates, and important factors and difficulties. This study offers insightful information on these topics.

• To identify important participants and rivals: This research studies can assist companies in identifying key participants and rivals in their sector, along with their market share, business plans, and strengths and weaknesses.

• To comprehend consumer behaviour: these research studies can offer insightful information about customer behaviour, including preferences, spending patterns, and demographics.

• To assess market opportunities: These research studies can aid companies in assessing market chances, such as prospective new goods or services, fresh markets, and new trends.

About US:

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Syndicated market research reports, on the other hand, are pre-existing reports that are available for purchase by multiple clients. These reports are often produced on a regular basis, such as annually or quarterly, and cover a broad range of industries and market segments. Syndicated reports provide clients with insights into industry trends, market sizes, and competitive landscapes. By offering both custom and syndicated reports, Stringent Datalytics can provide clients with a range of market research solutions that can be customized to their specific needs

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[bhartibhati]

Career In Mechanical Engineering For Students In Abroad

Mechanical and industrial engineering are two different fields that share almost the same practices and approaches. Mechanical engineers are professionals who deal with development, design and productions of mechanical systems specially power- producing machines such as air-conditioning, refrigeration, material handling systems, elevators, machine tools etc. Industrial engineers determine efficacious ways to help organizations such as increasing efficiency of production, quality check, making cost effective and stepping up employee productivity. They work as a bridge between organisation goals and performance.

Mechanical as well as industrial engineers have long been in great demand. And it’s a well-known fact that studying Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in Germany is one of many foreign students’ most treasured dreams. As a result, it has become a hub for the people seeking to further their studies in Mechanical Engineering. Industrial engineering is in huge demand as Industry 4.0 brought the latest technology. Industry 4.0 is equipped with Manufacturing processes with Big data, AI, autonomous etc. This modern way of German Industrial Engineering is changing the complete face of the manufacturing industry. 

The country also houses some of the world’s most prominent mechanical and automotive industries. Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, BMW, Siemens, Continental and Bosch are just a few examples. If you are pursuing engineering from Germany, you may easily work for these behemoths. There are also several SMEs and startups where you may apply your in-demand Mechanical Engineering talents. MBA in Germany For Indian students

It is always a plus point to have pre-entry work experience, especially related to your career. Some colleges and courses provide a year in industry, which is good for improving skills and gaining knowledge.

Requisite skills

If one wants to have career in either in mechanical or industrial engineering, then students must has required basic skills such as:

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial engineering or mechanical engineering or electrical engineering or manufacturing engineering or technological engineering or general engineering, fluent communication skills, command over technical knowledge and eagerness to have a global career.

A mechanical engineering degree gives international students students many enrich employment opportunities like:

Mechanical Engineers:  work to undertake the design, drawing, installation or processing of machinery and equipment at factory buildings or mechanical engineering companies.

Designing Consultant: work for operating, or repairing machines, mechanical devices or programming CNC machines.

Technical and managerial staff at production: are responsible for the technical management, supervision and control on industrial production processes.

Business and Service units: in this mechanical engineering serving national security and defence.

Aerospace industry: one can work as research, design or production, operation and maintenance of machinery

Petrochemical companies: one can work as chemical production or support businesses like building new plants or developing new treatment technologies.

Electronics industry: one can work for designing and manufacturing equipment, components for fields from automotive to medicine and military

Railway industry: one can work for designing, building or managing and maintaining rail system components and tracking electrical systems and train control systems.

Expected salary in Germany

Germany’s mechanical sector is extensive, and there are several opportunities for industrial engineers therein. The beginning yearly compensation will be 52,000 Euros (44.2 lakh Rs) approximately and it will increase as you rise professionally.

If you want to pursue engineering from Germany there are some colleges which can be best suitable are: RWTH Aachen University, Technical University Munich, PFH German Uni Hamburg, University of Stuttgart, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Technical University Berlin. 

For mechanical candidates or masters in ui ux design germany, Germany is one of the top priorities. International exposure, affordable education, easy part time jobs and ample number of jobs makes it a demanding destination.

[muffindaddystyles]

Someone hurts Y/N at work; and Harry’s owner of the company.

Angry young man CEO!H very protective of his lovie :)))))))))))))

It was Tuesday. Tiring Tuesday is what Y/N calls them to be because they lurk in the middle of week and drags you after a Monday. Today, it’s the worst fucking Tuesday since the day she started working at this company.

Harry offered her. More to say tried to convince her with his sweet puppy tactics, tried to lure her in with his seductive begging and would mumble the same thing in her sweaty neck while balls deep in her, “Please sweet toots ... promise I wouldn’t be there to take ye' interview, please work in my company.” He squished her sides in desperation. Y/N whined, mind too occupied in the way he’s leaking into her, the head of his cock angled to rub at her spongy wall making her hug herself into him.

“I could be a very hard boss in my office, ‘s all ‘m saying.” He wiggled his brows at her playfully, hissing when his double joke earned him a tight fit around his prick and he was soon forgetting all of it when she canted her hips to let him slick deeper inside her.

It’s not that; Y/N doesn’t wants to work at his company. When her boyfriend asked her so sweetly and stout-heartedly. Call him a sap but he actually wants to be closer to her in every possible chance he gets – she gives him an unyielding amount of comfort and happiness when she’s with him.

There’s this silver of pride he wants to take (since he’s the biggest narcissists) in being a power couple, because in the end everything will be theirs.

But she doesn’t want to seem like she took advantage of him. She didn’t study and worked hard many years to be called dependent on her boyfriend. She wanted to find her first proper job herself – feel all the odds and jitters of her firsts after UNI.

Harry called the battles off knowing his little stubborn baby’s too much a wiggler and he believes in her and he’s very proud of her previous achievements, he just wants to see her happy working with him or not.

She indeed got it. She was finally a design editor at a grand magazine company, excited to meet her boss who’s one of her absolute favourite graphic designers in the industry.

Harry and her celebrated her baby step towards her success by going out at this cafe which had cats you can pet and love on.

He was blissed to see her this happy, considering it a win win situation. But she doesn’t need to know? Does she? And Harry didn’t do anything suspicious? Did he? Nobody even know who she's! And if Y/N wants that, he’ll have it that way.

Soon her enthusiasm deflated like a sorrowful balloon whirling in the air for seconds before falling on the ground and getting it’s existence neglected, because, her boss was the meanest bitch alive.

At the moment, Y/N forced the pertinacious lump of pathetic tears down her throat, not blinking to dry out the moisture threatening to fall from her waterline feeling humiliation creep up her skin and making her want to shrink into herself and never show her face.

She listens patiently and optimistically as her boss practically screams at her for not liking the designs Y/N worked to modify for damn 62 hours and the Karen still had an audacity to degrade, Y/N.

Y/N gasped, stumbling back in fright shock when the file that had her precious designs composed in it flew and hit Y/N, the ragged corner of it scratching Y/N’s delicate skin and her boss was spinning away from her to stare coldly at the bustling city outside through the window drowning into fumes and anger.

Y/N opened her mouth, guppy like. Wanting to say something back and call her out on her act but she felt like her voice got strangled into her chest.

ShitShitShitShit.

Hammering in her brain when she felt something warm oozing from her skin and she’s panicking, wiping a vicious streak of blood from her jaw with her trembly fingers and scuttled straight to the washroom before anyone was able to see her in such vulnerable condition.

She had enough of it and left out of there without a word to anyone, not even to her cubby mate. She bottled all the emotions that were rattling against her bones to flood out of her each pore, until she could reach her home and once she did she was having a humongous and ominously scary breakdown, glad that Harry was stuck in meetings and the house was all of hers to cry ugly.

Once she was all blue lips, puffy and swelled up cheeks and eyes, nest of a hairstyle and all burned up lungs she was calming herself down with deep breaths just Harry taught her.

Scrubbing and cleaning herself off then going to bed without waiting for Harry, something very rare and the right hit in the nail for him to know she isn’t feeling well.

He was welcomed by silence. No dinner, just leftovers in fridge and his insides became all crummy and not very pleasant when he tailed to the living room and wasn’t met by his lovebug; either cramming her head to sketch down designs with an ipad in her lap while a buzz of random Netflix show accompanies her, dossing off cutely with hundreds of her study journals and magazines messed around her on the floor, or her in sleeping pyjamas with food already set up on the coffee table and brightening the whole room with her squeals when Harry announces his presence.

None of that instead he finds her in their bedroom, drowned under layers of blankies and her stuffies with room lit dark.

He coos softly, mattress dipping down from his weight and his heart expands and melts all around his other organs at how adorable she looks sleeping in his hoodie. He chuckles shaking his head at the way she has the strings of the hoodie squeezed around her head, not sure how she’s able to breath at how tight it seems around her neck.

Doing his own routine he was slipping into the bed, sighing from the warmth and how toasty she has made the bed already.

He bunched her against his chest and kissed her head then spooned her up in his arms, lips fluttering into a smile when she hummed and sniffed basking into his scent.

“Oi sleepy.” He whispers down at her cupping her neck and giggles softly when she whines mushing her cheek against his chest only to grunt sleepily and muffle her yelps into his sweatshirt.

Harry’s brows shoots up into slight bafflement then dips down into a frown when he slipped his calloused palm under her hoodie to cradle her jaw and felt something graze against his thumb that was about to press into her soft skin to bring her for a night kiss.

“Hey...” He perches himself on elbows, switching on the lamps and ignores her groans grasping the blanket she was about to pull over herself, huffing at him to let her sleep but Harry’s more stubborn than her if it involves assuring himself she’s okay and right now she’s not and Harry was already feeling it in his bones.

“Lemme see.” He persists gently, peeling the blankets and the hoodie off her head while she’s still stirring into sleep not able to open her eyes how much she tries because of the exhaustion dumped on her from whole day.

He stares at the wound she did a shit effort to cover with a gauze messily over her jaw and tiny bit area of her neck, a long bandage reaching to her ear and Harry tries to think rationally and not freak out as he touches it with cautious fingertips.

“What ... the –- fuck, Y/N what is...is this?” His mouth falls slack. His ears buzzing for a moment and he wraps his arm around her shoulder to bring her up as he leans them against the bedhead.

He feels bad when she knuckles at her eyes warily and mumbles something that’s barely audible.

“What happened, baby? Talk t’me? How did y'hurt yourself so bad?” Worried and fearful. He bombs her with questions not waiting for her to be fully awake and his heart breaks miserly upon focusing his gaze on her face, her angelic face that’s now soaked with sadness –- she’s been crying.

His loves been crying and he wasn’t there for her.

“Who did this to you?” Y/N's eyes widens abruptly. The alertness in them vivid for Harry to see under the lamp glow and she gasps, nose twitching and lip wobbling as Harry grabbed her chin and ducked to her eyelevel to ask her tenderly with a layer of strictness under his tone, “’M asking, Who did this to you, Y/N?” Her fragile heart could already take so much and she strangled out a sob lowering her head down in embarrassment.

“’M.. I’m —-.. no –..not telli –-..telling you,” She hiccups breathlessly, shaky fingers fisting onto the blanket thrown over Harry’s lap and he holds her hands kissing them gently, “I’ll know it one way or another baby. Don’t force me to get outta my way to find —–“ His soul stabbing glare was enough for Y/N to ramble and at first he thought he didn’t heard her right, that she was mumbling too much but when the reality seeped in gradually Harry almost froze in his spot.

“I know it’s very shameful —..” Y/N stammers barely able to get in a breather and Harry’s head snapped at her words, removing his nails away from making little graves in his palms and his jaw which almost felt like breaking from the hinges from how painfully furious he had it set relaxes as he tries to calm himself down and not to grab his keys and drive to that bitch's house to trash her place.

Because how fucking dare she treat anyone like that in his own fucking company.

“Hey, hey. Now none of that toots. Look at me darling, oh my sweet moppet ... shh.” It slices his heart in pain to see Y/N like this -- so small and disheartened. How dare she hurt his such delicate, sweet, loving girl like that? How!?

“You shouldn’t be ashamed of yourself moppet. She should be, fo’ being such a heartless prick.” He spat, his guts full of bitter and hatred. His skin hot, his grip on her tightening protectively and his chin quivers trying to lock all his anger inside and not to burst out like a pressure cooker.

“I’ll deal with her tomorrow.” He nods curtly to himself, poking his tongue to wet his grimacing lips and Y/N was too woolly to get what’s he’s saying.

His gaze flitters back on her. His demeanour turned incredibly soft and gentle for her smooching a big generous kiss to her salty lips and then to both of her cheeks cared in both of his palms, “Are y'okay? D'you want me to take you to hospital?” She shakes her head mewling and melting and caressing herself into his wrist.

“Why didn’t you call me baby?” He asks her doing anything in his power to mask the hurt in his tone and sighs touching his forehead to her's when Y/N sniffled, “Didn’t wan’ you to worry.” He slid his forearm under her bum and scooched her atop of him, patching tiny careful pecks to her jaw.

“But, that’s love moppet. Worryin’ bout you, takin’ care of ye' and beating anyone raw who even dares to have evil intentions towards you,”

“Remember the time y'snubbed that one guy’s oh so expensive shoes who was very rude to me at one of your graduations party?” His simper turning into a proper ironic grin when she giggled hoarsely nodding along and the tension in his muscles released watching her getting better.

“Proper broke his big toe with your heel darling.” He giggles with her and then Y/N realised how sad and awful Harry’s feeling, how it’s hurting him the same way it hurt her an year ago.

“How about we have a glass of milk .... it’ll help us sleep less grumpy y'know.” He murmurs in the crook of her neck, elbow cocooned safely around her shoulder blade as he kisses the side of her head again and again nose buried in her hair to smell her treacly smell.

.

In the morning he was tragic to hear Y/N sound so heartbroken and dejected as she told him, “I’m going to resign and accept your offer.” Her smile small and sad, hugging him looping her limbs around his torso lazily.

“’kay baby, but first eat your brekkie.” He kissed her hair and squished her pout when he moved away to make some calls to his assistant.

Y/N had no-idea what he was upto. Glad that he was driving her to the company and that he was immensely supportive of her decision, her insides pooled with warmth and giddiness when he tried to cheer her up with his silly jokes and singing along the radio murmuring rubbish whenever he forgot the lyrics.

She was utterly confused when upon reaching he was giving the keys to valet boy to park his car and interviewing their fingers in a strong grip before leading her inside, even though she should be the one to do so.

She sputters a, “Huh?” when instead of telling her he’d wait for her in the lobby he’s rounding the corner towards the elevators and turns his wrist to push her infront of him to keep her closer to himself all the time.

When the doors are sliding apart the people scurrying outside halts for a moment, not looking Harry in eyes and keeping their heads low.

Phones were already rung in the building that Mr. Styles will be coming un-announced and everyone should be prepared to face the consequences if they stumble upon him – because well he isn’t in such a nice mood to start with.

“Harry.” She pokes him in ribs feebly, stepping away from him feeling timid due to few pair of eyes in elevator watching her awkwardly and maybe judgingly.

The tension in space could be cut through knife, as if everyone’s holding their breaths and she pouts taking a good look at Harry who’s smirking smugly confident in his element.

Do they all think her boyfriend’s way too intimidating and out of reach for them? They should know he’s such a sweetie!

Y/N huffs. Folding her arms over chest when Harry paws at her hips and pulls her back against his chest resting his chin atop of her head with a shit eating grin.

In all seriousness. Showing them that’s she’s his's and belongs under his wings, which will keep her safe and protected till his death.

“How did you know my boss's office’s on tenth floor?” She squints up at him suspiciously.

“Hmm. Dunno, moppet. Magical powers or summat?” He teases her, putting a hand at the small of her back to nudge her forward making her blush pink and ducks down to whisper in her ear, “You got this toots.” Biting her earlobe playfully to stroke down her anxiety upon sensing her hesitancy to step in the hallway that has cubicles lined up.

He already got this. He ordered his assistant to get the resign letter ready and showing her who’s the boss here’s not much of hurdle for him.

It’s weird. Bloody weird. Y/N wants to turn back and run away because the moment they step inside the whole damn hallway falls eerily pin drop silent and everyone’s peeking up from the short walls of their cubicles and then diverting their eyes immediately in embarrassment and apology seeing Harry behind her.

The ones who’re standing bows their heads lightly in respect for him and scurrying away to give him a way and that’s insanely surprising and weird.

Harry on the other hand was no stranger to those bogey looks. Of curiosity, uneasiness and dread when he passes through the crowd of his employs. Y/N is.

Slowly perhaps. It starts to sink in— jumbled and disoriented when she looks back at Harry. He’s keeping his head held high and shoulders tilted back with poise and conceitedness, hands stuffed into the pockets of his pants and because though it makes him look like a proper snob— he is their boss and the owner of this company, he should act like one.

“Mr. Styles.” Y/N’s boss assistant Marina who’s usually very chirpy (and undeserving of all the yelling she gets from her boss) turns pale at Harry’s presence. She’s the only person Y/N's very keen of, now she’s fretting towards them with her head lowered and tries to stammer something but Harry’s walking past her with his lips pursued as he goes inside without knocking.

“Harry...” Y/N tattles behind him, lunging to clutch onto the hem of his suits coat, to scold him to stop babying her and let her handle it herself, too late since she’s already meeting with the sight of her overly stressed and upset boss.

Her knees almost gives in when Harry snaps his fingers for the employees that were inside to give them privacy and takes in the most relaxing breath of oxygen, feeling a gag of bitterness in his mouth from even looking at her.

Y/N gasped. Her boss (which she’s not sure is her boss anymore) gasped. The sweet assistant Marina gasped. When Harry told her in the most composing way– though his blood’s boiling absolutely sheathing through his veins.

“You’re fired.” His demeanour cold and voice monotone not giving a fuck how much she shakes and cries for his forgiveness.

“Mr. Styles. I..I can explain–-" She stammers rushing from the back of her desk and stops obediently when Harry gestures her to not to take another step forward.

“There’s no excuse for abuse. I don’t want your lame explanations, I can’t have an abusive asshole running my company for me ... we might be strict on our employees but we aren’t monsters.” He grits, his eyes flaring piercingly with rage and showing no empathy towards her as she pleads him to forgive her mistake– those bricks of money makes you work baby.

“You hurt someone so dearly to me ‘n think I’ll forgive ye'?” The assistance eye’s blows away at newfound information, Harry Styles love of life’s none other than Y/N. The girl she used to have smoked sandwiches and milkshakes with in their lunch breaks.

“I didn’t know ...” He chuckles ironically at her hypocrisy and that’s the last straw for him before he’s threatening her to call the security and she’s getting out of there cursing him under her breath but Harry grabs her from elbow roughly, conceding his brow at her dauntingly.

"Apologise to her right fuckin' now."

"Sorry, Mrs Styles. I'm very ashamed of what I did." She says nervously and Y/N nods not able to speak from the butterflies that are flapping around her stomach, which sure didn't go unnoticed at Harry's side and he smirks at Y/N.

When they’re left alone. Jovial cackles are bouncing against the walls and he’s pressing his hip to the desk, securing his hands around his triceps as he folds his arms infront of his chest entertaining himself to the cute and fuzzy reactions of his girl at what just happened.

“See. Told ya, nobody could defy my bossiness at work.” He grins at her, jerking his hand towards his chest to usher her closer to him and boops her nose smacking an obnoxiously loud kiss to her mouth when she toddles in his arms.

“The offers still there,” He looks down at her cheekily and she shakes her head, a small smile kicking up her lips at his determination and devotion.

“Couldn’t say no to you, could I? What will you be owning secretly next time?” She nips at him, planting her palms firmly against his midriff feeling the crispiness of his shirt underneath his jacket.

“A bakery shop ....?” He muses in the most pondering voice and she scoffs at him through pattering of giggles, “Suck it up Mr. Styles.”

“Hey! I know my prick’s huge but not tha’ much for me to suck it myself.”

Y/N chokes onto her own spit. Shaking her head at him.

“Your innocent employees knows how vulgar you’re?”

“Uhmm. Infact, She gets very hot hearin’ me like tha'.” He bobs his head grinning at her wickedly and she smacks his shoulder, “Harry!”

“Yeahhh! Tell everyone how good I make you feel babbbyy—....” Y/N clamps her hand around his mouth to muffle his lewd fake moaning.

“You’re so embarrassing.” She grumbles wiping his spit sticking to her palm down her skirt and spins around to head for the door expecting him to follow her.

“You don’t talk to boss like that!” He trails behind her, “Boss my ass!” She quips out a squeal looking around to make sure that nobody saw it when Harry slapped her bum.

“Boss someone’s ‘bout to get a pink ass.”

[actonbellworks]

BTS and art-pop; a postmodern analysis of the album Love Yourself: Tear (2017)

this is an essay i wrote for a uni assignment, and i really wanted to post it here, so,,,

The closest definition of postmodern music, by Jonathan Kramer, in his 1996 essay Postmodern Concepts of Musical Time, is described in several characteristics. It is not a repudiation or a continuation of modernism, but contains aspects of both; it is, on some level, ironic, disregards the value of structural unity, and seeks to break down the distinctions between ‘highbrow’ and ‘lowbrow’ music. Postmodern music refuses to be cast into a specific mold, includes detailed references, is pluralistic and eclectic, but above all, it locates its meaning much more in the listener than it does in the actual music and performance. In his essay, Answering the Question: what is Postmodernism? Jean Francois Lyotard defines postmodernism as part of the modern, conceding to perhaps the most influential critic of Postmodernism, Jurgen Habermas, as he writes, “The postmodern would be that which, in the modern, puts forward the unpresentable in presentation itself…”. The phenomenon of the postmodern, as critics have tried to define it, exists in spite of a definition.

This leads us to another, far more important question; can we define ‘popular’ music as ‘postmodern’? Critics still hesitate to attribute the ‘postmodern’ or the ‘art-pop’ tag to mainstream popular music, because they view postmodernist music and art-pop as a genre that is inexorably linked with modernism, which implies that there has to be a predecessor for popular music to be classified as ‘postmodern’. In another definition, one that is, perhaps, far more closer to the hypothesis laid out by Kramer, is that Postmodernist music, and indeed, the postmodernist movement, developed as a reaction to modernism, and as such, incorporates the attributes of modernism as well as defies it to a certain extent.

The genre of K-pop has been popularised all over the world largely due to the influence of the seven-member band BTS (방탄소년단 in Korean), and their detailed musicality, which is perhaps showcased best in their third studio album, Love Yourself 轉 ‘Tear’, widely regarded as one of their most intricate works. True to the definition of postmodern music, the album smoothly shifts genres, sometimes in the gap of a single song, although there is a thematic, sometimes singular focus on the feelings of loss and loneliness. To centre a musical venture around the idea of love and loss is nothing new, perhaps, but ‘Tear’ refuses to play into any of the common tropes.

The term ‘postmodern’ contains an air of elitism with it, as it still refers to practices that developed as a reaction to the modernist methods of the twentieth century. It directly challenges the strict rules of modernist art, a return to pre-modernist era art techniques, and above all, it removes the boundaries between the “classical” and the “popular”. BTS has been termed as ‘popular music’ by critics, and while the label ‘popular music’ is considered restrictive, for many music critics, ‘Tear’ represents how the genre can be pushed to its limits, moving beyond the limitations set by the industry and by music critics in general.

Perhaps one of the most dynamic songs in the LP’s tracklist is the title track, “FAKE LOVE”, the music video for which begins with silence, and the track is completed by a jagged guitar riff that cuts off abruptly to a scene of the seven members, dressed in robes and masks that look eerily reminiscent of the early Greek comedic tradition, in which every character is identifiable by their masks and their choice of costumery. The teaser for the music video, interestingly, had the piece, Waltz in A-flat major, OP. 9, No. 1 by Frédéric Chopin, also termed as ‘The Farewell Waltz’ or ‘Valse de l’adieu’. Chopin’s music and BTS’ song both move in circles, without reaching a conclusion. Chopin’s waltz moves in ¾ beats, until it ends abruptly, and FAKE LOVE reiterates the same line,

Love you so bad, love you so bad

널 위해 예쁜 거짓을 빚어낸

Love it's so mad, love it's so mad

날 지워 너의 인형이 되려 해

널 위해서라면 난

슬퍼도

Which loosely translates to “love you so bad/ I create a beautiful lie for you/ love you so mad/ I try to become your doll by erasing myself.” Both pieces move around the idea of loss, with neither reaching anywhere fruitful. Chopin’s waltz ends where it had begun, in the middle of his heartbreak, and BTS end their song with the refrain of

기쁜 척 할 수가 있었어

널 위해서라면 난

아파도 강한 척 할 수가 있었어

사랑이 사랑만으로 완벽하길

내 모든 약점들은 다 숨겨지길

이뤄지지 않는 꿈속에서

피울 수 없는 꽃을 키웠어

Which again, translates to “for you, I could pretend to be happy even when sad/ for you I could pretend I was strong even when I was hurt/ Wishing that love is perfect as itself/Wishing all my weakness is hidden/In a dream that can’t come true/I raised a flower that couldn’t bloom”.

A particular characteristic of art-pop music and alternative music in general, is the recurring motif that runs through one or more songs. In ‘Tear’, the septet continue to use masks, in order to symbolise what is the loss of one’s self, in the process of another, perhaps more explicitly shown in their introductory music video to the album, ‘Singularity’, where singer Kim Taehyung (using the stage moniker V) sings about losing his voice, trapped in a lake, donning a mask that obscures half of his face, losing all his individuality. ‘Singularity’ is perhaps one of the most complicated songs to translate from Korean, as the songwriter, RM, lays down visual clues of what it feels like to wake up from a dream, only to find oneself trapped. The music video carries forward the baroque imagery, as well as the heavy classical influences in the slow progression of the track; it conjures the powerful imagery of being trapped underwater ourselves, in the lyrics

Tell me 내 목소리가 가짜라면

날 버리지 말았어야 했는지

Tell me 고통조차 가짜라면

그때 내가 무얼해야 했는지

Loosely translated, it refers to someone trapped underwater, who doesn't feel as though their voice belongs to themselves. ‘Singularity’ wonders whether or not it is worth it to sacrifice one’s individuality to mould themselves to fit in. Postmodern art talks about the truth of the artist, especially how difficult it is to maintain one’s sincerity to survive, be it in a relationship, or in the music industry, a sentiment expressed by the septet in the fifth track of the album, ‘Paradise’ (낙원 ), where rappers Suga and j-hope express their dissatisfaction with the world through an intertwined verse,

누군 이렇게 누군 저렇게 산다면서

세상은 내게 욕을 퍼붓네

세상은 욕할 자격이 없네

꿈을 꾸는 법이 무엇인지

(“saying some are living like this,some are living like that/ the world pours curses at me/ the world has no right to pour curses at me/ for it has never even taught me how to dream '')

The song ‘Paradise’ is not only about the futility of the dreams that we are forced to accept and work towards, it also serves as a reminder of the society that we continue to subject the future generations to, in the capitalistic pursuit of wealth and correlating it to happiness, we forget that perhaps, humanity is not defined by wealth. ‘Paradise’ sets a reminder that it is okay to pause the world to remind ourselves that the world does not exist in spite of us, it exists because of us.

Perhaps the strangest, most compelling song on the entire album is the final song, ‘OUTRO: TEAR’. A rap track featuring the three rappers, it has been one of the most lyrically intimidating songs. A direct continuation of the thought process in ‘singularity’, “OUTRO: TEAR’ also muses upon the threads of a broken relationship, and the precipice upon which it all began.

For music critics, the opening six bars of the outro are reminiscent of the sombre tunes in Rachmaninoff’s piano concertos, which reach a crescendo and give way to RM’s introductory verse. It is a song that has remorse at the very core of it, writing for one’s lost love, for which there is still regret. For RM and Suga, this comes with the words

어쩜 내가 너를 사랑했던 적이 아예 없는 것 같아서

(because it felt like maybe I had never loved you anyway)

심장이 찢겨져 차라리 불 태워줘

고통과 미련 그 무엇도 남지 않게끔

(“my heart breaks, please rather burn it, so that the pain and the lingering love disappears”) while RM denotes his regret with rhyming sequences that linger, and for Suga, it is in a series of archaic, perhaps even frightening metaphors to his breaking heart. Both the rappers are talking about their failed relationship, with music, their friends, and their love, how it has an everlasting effect on their lives, one that will never go away, even with acceptance of their fate.

Written at the brink of disbandment, perhaps the coda by j-hope is where the song hits the hardest. The most lyrically dense section of the song is the coda, where j-hope lays down a flurry of rhymes and rhythms, shaken at the prospect of leaving music altogether. Although the song stems from a personal story for the septet, it deals with the very real anxiety and fear an artist has, of having to separate from their art. For j-hope it is akin to a break-up, a sundering with the very people he had thought would be by his side forever, and he writes, “이별은 내겐 그 순간들뿐”(goodbye, for me is only there, just at those moments). He writes,

넌 내 시작과 끝That is all

(“You are my beginning, end, that is all”)

And to him, and to all artists, art is supreme, and the thought of parting from the art that has given them so much, would be akin to severing them from their soulmate. For many music critics, the outro is the most complex song they have heard form the septet, with some going so far as to naming it a magnum opus.

In Love Yourself 轉 ‘Tear’, BTS puts the spotlight on the human condition; something which is fallible, something which is dependant upon others. Postmodernism, and postmodernist art, especially, talks about the complex aspects of humanity, forcing people to pay attention to the world and to their own selves. It isn't the music videos with homages paid to Romantic era composers, neither is it the layered verses with the double entendres of lyrical meanings. ‘Tear’ is a postmodern work of art because it covers multiple aspects of the human condition, while also harkening back to the music that inspires artists to create; and the stories they tell in ‘Tear’ are universal.

(trans cr to @doolsetbangtan)

[putschki1969]

KEIKO Newsletter #1 Long Interview - English Translation

This is an amazing and incredibly insightful interview so be sure to check it out. Really, everyone should read this. It’s very candid and you will be able to understand Keiko so much better after reading all of this. However, please note that this is fan club EXCLUSIVE CONTENT so DO NOT SHARE on other sites.

❗ Please support KEIKO ❗ ❗ JOIN HER FAN CLUB ❗ ❗ Check out my detailed TUTORIAL ❗

KEIKO Official Fan Club 肉とチョコレート Fan Club Magazine Volume #1: KEIKO Long Interview (p 2-6)

-- It's been such a long time since our last interview. KEIKO: That’s true *laughs*. But let's act naturally without putting on airs, there is really no need for that! -- Right *laughs*. How are you spending your days? KEIKO: I am fully immersed in my music. However, since it’s quite hard to be mobile right now due to Corona, I am mostly focusing on doing research for my voice. Originally I had planned to be busy with music production but due to the influence of COVID-19 restrictions, the recording did not progress smoothly. Quite the contrary actually, it took quite a while to finish a single song, the production almost came to a full stop for some time. That’s how I ended up with a little time to spare for my research. I am the type to really enjoy spending a lot of time working on my songs, so I was absorbed in my research, trying to find the best ways of expression. -- What type of research was it? KEIKO: I am studying how to best approach a new song. How can I align my voice with a song so it resounds in a pleasant manner? It's a lot of fun to figure out the right accents and intonations, where to position my vocals for the best possible reverberation, how to colour my voice to match the melody. Even though we are in this situation, I still feel like I am spending my time efficiently. Therefore, rather than saying, "I will just be patient and wait until this self-isolation period is over", I spend my days doing what I need to do. -- Listening to you talking right now, I get the feeling that you are very straightforward, your approach to music seems to be quite different compared to the past. KEIKO: It's not a better or worse approach but it's definitely completely different from what I used to do so you really cannot compare it... Now I'm working based on my instincts, if I feel like singing a song, then I will just do it. When it comes to “Ray” for example, my staff members recommended it to me, saying it would really suit me. So I just went ahead with it. The more time I spent focused on the song, the more addictive it became. I chose my other songs on a whim too simply because I wanted to sing them. Then I searched for a voice that would bring out the best of the song and make it shine. When I actually try to sing these songs with my own voice for the first time I usually feel like my voice doesn’t match but then I try and try again to pursue a better sound. -- Your own choices lead onto a new path for yourself! The very essence of a solo artist’s activities so to speak. KEIKO: When you say it like that, it starts feeling so real. It was so much fun to get immersed in these activities. -- I think the last time we met was on March 30, 2018, when Kalafina held a stage greeting for the premiere of your documentary film "Kalafina 10th Anniversary Film ~A Sparkling Harmony Spun out of Dreams~". What state of mind were you in after that? KEIKO: We made a commitment, a promise to ourselves, to all our fans and staff members so we were hell-bent on reaching our 10th Anniversary with all our might. As we continued to rush towards our goal regardless of anything else, my physical condition started to deteriorate. By the time we had achieved what we had set out to do I had reached my limit. Therefore I decided to take a rest in order to take proper care of my body.

-- You are the type of person that continues onwards in a stoic manner without ever taking a break... KEIKO: Yes! So I told myself, “you need to rest now!” -- Actually, at that time your physical condition seemed very fragile to me. KEIKO: I am sorry if I made you worry. I was very much aware of my state but I decided to ignore it in favour of pushing further ahead. I was determined to keep our promise. -- And then you finally took a break. KEIKO: I can talk about this openly now but I was actually thinking about completely retiring from music. For the longest time my entire existence revolved around being Kalafina’s Keiko and I was constantly switching the button on and off between my private and professional life. Once I wasn’t Kalafina’s Keiko anymore I ended up losing my presence of mind, I no longer knew who I was as an individual. I thought that there was nothing I could do in the world of entertainment, like I had no place there anymore. After all, you can only be active in this world if there is a demand for what you have to offer. -- Yes, that may be the case. KEIKO: But what the fans wanted was Kalafina. And that’s not something I felt like I was able to restore. “How should I best express myself if there is no demand for what I can offer as a solo artist?” This kind of thinking wasn’t positive at all so I thought I shouldn't return to the industry. That's why I felt it would be best for Kalafina's Keiko to just not do or say anything, I simply “disappeared”. That's honestly the reason why. -- The Keiko I know as an artist is stoic, diligent, very strict on herself but incredibly caring when it comes to others... an image of perfection so to speak. But truth is, it seems that music was your driving force, if you hadn’t had Kalafina’s music, you wouldn’t have been able to move ahead. KEIKO: Yeah, I wouldn’t have been able to move ahead at all. Actually, that’s a character trait of mine, whether you consider that to be a good or bad thing *bitter smile*. I am the type that’s able to keep running and pushing forward because my goals and ambitions dictate everything I do. That's why I couldn't return in this half-baked state of mind, after all, I don’t do half-measures and it would have felt like I was betraying everyone who had been supporting us in the past...at that time, I was seriously considering retirement, I guess it was because my mind and body were exhausted. -- This was probably the first time you ever experienced something like that in your life? KEIKO: Yes, it was the first time for me. Around that time, my nephew was born and we all went to see my grandmother after a long time. Something really weird happened there. When I looked at my nephew who had just been born and my grandmother who was 80 years older than him, I couldn’t help but see a striking resemblance, their faces were alike despite their enormous age difference, isn’t that strange? For some reason, that made me think about "life". Going to visit both of them regularly truly healed my heart. -- Maybe that’s something that would have gone unnoticed if you hadn’t put a halt to your busy life to rest a bit. KEIKO: Yes, I think so. I feel like it's been around 17 or 18 years since I have experienced such an everyday relaxed life. The time with my family released all the tension that had gathered up from my non-stop activities as Kalafina’s Keiko, all of a sudden, my deepest tensions were dissolved. When I was spending time with my grandmother, I remembered "aaah, back in the day, granny helped me put on a kimono!” I wanted to continue that tradition and learn the technique as well so I would later be able to help my niece and nephew put on traditional Japanese clothing. That’s why I decided to go to kimono school. -- Oh I see. KEIKO: Around summer time I met up with an old friend from school. During one of our chats the idea of a trip suddenly came up. Almost everyone has gone on a trip after graduating uni or something but I have actually never gone on a proper “girls trip”. I was like, “yeah, that would be great!” so my friend said, “okay, let’s go on a trip!” and that’s how we ended up taking a girls trip....We went to Angkor Wat, a World Heritage Site in Cambodia, I had always wanted to go there. This trip would not have been possible if I had continued my work as member of Kalafina, when we had made our plans it felt like I was thrown back to my high school days, it was very liberating *laughs*. I really wanted to experience the heat and humidity of Cambodia, the turbulent landscapes of the past and present, and the energy of the people living there. My friend was quite taken aback by my suggestion, "eh! Cambodia?!"

-- She was surprised you didn’t suggest a resort or something *laughs*. KEIKO: She told me, “I just didn’t expect that based on the image you portray” *laughs*. The time I spent with my family and friends separated me from the music I had pursued for such a long time. I didn't listen to a single song. Going four months without listening to music, it’s something I can’t remember ever experiencing before. -- Did you not want to listen to music? KEIKO: Music was just gone from my life or I guess it simply stopped coming into my life. Perhaps my brain was shutting it out in order to heal my mind and body. During that time, I discovered so many parts of myself that were completely different from Kalafina’s Keiko. My true nature I guess. I felt like that was the real KEIKO. I realised, “I didn't know myself at all!”  The truth is, I have many insecurities so in order to protect myself I had created a fortress, an “image of Keiko” with high towers and lots of keys, I had felt comfortable hiding behind that image but the feeling of being released from myself was very refreshing. At that time I felt like I still had many changes ahead of me and that I would like to discover new aspects of myself that I didn’t know yet. I still feel that way. Slowly I want to scrape off one layer after the other from the facade I have carefully crafted throughout the years. -- Interesting. KEIKO: If you are living that kind of life, you are bound to feel better *laughs*.  My health improved a lot! I felt so much lighter, like a heavy burden had been lifted off my shoulders, both my mind and body were able to heal and become healthy again. That was around the end of summer in 2018. During all this time various people from the music industry and media had contacted me because they were concerned. At the beginning, I would just reply, "I'm sorry, I can't deal with this right now..." Gradually though my opinion changed and by the end of summer I felt like I was ready to dip my toes into the industry again, I was like, “okay, let’s talk a little about my options.” I met up with the producer of my current agency. He asked me, "you have sung such a wide variety of songs in the past but what kind of songs do you want to sing from now on?" I couldn’t provide an answer because I honestly had no idea. For a few days I was super depressed because for the life of me I couldn’t figure out what music I wanted to sing. I mean, it’s a really pathetic situation for someone as involved in music as myself to not know what kind of music I want to do in the future. Then one day I thought, “that’s it, that’s enough, this has to stop right now” and wham, my switch was turned on. From then onwards, I was once again able to devote myself to music and I could listen to Yuki Kajiura's music without being negatively affected by it. -- So from one moment to the next you pretty much went from wanting to retire from the entertainment industry to wanting to resume your activities. KEIKO: Well, the demand was great. If there hadn’t been a demand, I would have never returned. Either way, I realise that my break was not a waste of time but rather a necessity. Later when I would discuss all of this with Kajiura-san she told me, "it’s a good thing that people like us are making music. For the general public we are just considered emotionally unstable but when it comes to music we can make good use of all our quirks and channel everything into our work”. Both of us broke into laughter after that *laughs*. -- Artists are truly fascinating people. It's wonderful that you are able to shine on stage. KEIKO: It’s tough for us though *laughs*! But well, it’s our music activities that provide us with energy. Right now I feel most calm when I am at the studio. Once my state of mind had gradually improved, I listened to a lot of live music from various artists. By experiencing music from the audience’s point of view I wanted to use my instincts to find out what kind of music got me excited, hoping that I would find something I would want to sing myself. I checked the songs that I really liked and found cool, I even tried to sing them in the studio. But no matter how many times I sang them, nothing felt right. Until one day when I came across a song that was randomly played on my smartphone, that one felt nice, it felt right. I knew I wanted to do that. It happened to be one of Kajiura-san’s songs. It just felt so genuine. On a whim, I decided to write a letter to Kajiura-san. I told her, "I have reached a point where I can sing again with a positive attitude. I once again realised that I was able to pursue my work as member of Kalafina for 10 years straight because I just really loved your music." That was at the end of 2018 and Kajiura-san immediately contacted me when she had received my letter, "don’t you want to meet up at the beginning of next year?" After not having seen each other for quite some time we talked for about five hours *laughs*. I shared my honest feelings with her and she suggested, "do you want to participate in my lives?" I was like, “absolutely!” So in January 2019 it was decided that I would take part in the upcoming Yuki Kajiura Live Tour.

-- Over the course of a year Kalafina’s Keiko and the Keiko that had absolutely nothing to do with Kalafina converged into a single person and became the KEIKO of today.  KEIKO: I think 2018 was a very important year in my life. Once I had separated myself from music for a while, I was able to realise how important it was for me. After finishing the YK tour, I started delving a little into music production as "KEIKO" but rather than finding the music I wanted to do, more than anything I just wanted to be absorbed in the process of music production. Right now I am very open to all song suggestions by my producer, I won’t give anything a “no go” because I literally want to try everything. I am focused on the task of how to approach any given song. I don’t want to think too deeply about the whole process and it’s not so much about wanting or not wanting to sing it, first and foremost it’s about giving everything a try. -- I think in your previous activites you were taking things too seriously, always thinking deeply about everything and trying to figure out the meaning behind it all. So this new approach is definitely a big change for you, isn’t it? KEIKO: That's true! Sometimes I wonder, "is it okay to be so casual and carefree about it?" But really, more than anything it’s about being happy and I can honestly say that I am super happy focusing on the music production and doing research on different vocal techniques. -- In a sense, you are just innocently pursuing music? KEIKO: Yes and that’s amazing. I came back because I wanted to do this! -- You are able to work on your music with an open mind free from all responsibilities. KEIKO: I guess it’s okay to find joy in the innocence of doing that? -- Music is about being free, we can all enjoy it as we please so it’s totally fine. In fact, now that you are starting your solo activities I think it’s wonderful that you are able to pursue music with this sort of innocence, it’s like you are returning to your starting point and reliving that initial sense of excitement when you were making music for the very first time. KEIKO: I am glad you are saying this *laughs*. I still don't know where my music as KEIKO is heading. Right now it’s just about having fun. It’s really just that.

-- Coming back to your songs, when I first listened to 「命の花」, 「Be Yourself」 and 「Ray」 I felt like I had met a new KEIKO. KEIKO: I'm happy to hear that. -- I would like to talk a little about 「命の花」, it’s the first time you wrote the lyrics for a song, right? How did you come up with the lyrics? KEIKO: Actually, I came up with these lyrics thinking, "I want to sing this song as soon as possible!" It wasn’t so much about, "I want to convey this or that in my lyrics." I just loved the demo tape so much! I wanted to meet the person who wrote it. I was utterly captivated by this song. I listened to the demo tape again and again but I had trouble with the lyrics, I couldn’t really think of anything. I got frustrated because I wanted to sing it already so I just ended up applying all kinds of words to the melody. This is how the lyrics for “Inochi no Hana” came to life. I got sent dozens of demo tapes as candidates for my solo debut but for some reason I was absolutely fascinated by this beautiful melody. -- So you spun the words being guided by the beautiful melody that you fell in love with? KEIKO: It's embarrassing when people say "I was spinning words" becaue really, what I did wasn’t anywhere near as poetic or cool but yeah, I guess it was something like that. Although it was my first attempt at songwriting, one could say that I was able to write the lyrics in a natural manner without getting overwhelmed more than necessary. I was really just going back to my old habit of pursuing the "beautiful sound", something I had done ever since my Kalafina days. It took me some time to match the words born out of my emotions with the sound of the melody. Trying to respect that and wanting everything to match I would sometimes come up with quite mundane and simple phrases. But that was intentional. As long as my words fit the notes, that was fine with me, I think for my maiden work it is the best I could do. -- As a result, I feel like the lyrics resonate incredibly well with this beautiful melody. KEIKO: Thank you. I'm really looking forward to everyone’s reaction, I am wondering if I was able to touch my fans on an emotional level. If possible, I would like to hear a lot of your impressions. "How was it? Did you think it wasn’t so great? Did you not like it? Are you hoping my next songs will be better?” I wanna hear all of it *everyone laughs*.  The staff members I'm working with right now sometimes have very different opinions, which is quite refreshing, it’s a lot of fun and very educating to work with them. They provide a stimulating environment where I notice things that I would’t have noticed before, they make me think about all kinds of things and they inspire me to be interested in lots of stuff. While exchanging opinions, I really feel like we have become TEAM KEIKO. -- You seem super happy and content talking to me like this. KEIKO: I keep wondering, is it okay to be like this? Am I being too naive and innocent? -- No! I Not at all! I think it’s perfect. Rather refreshing actually. KEIKO: I am a newbie after all (as solo artist)! *everyone laughs* -- One can tell that you are blessed with good staff! KEIKO: But really, it’s all an accumulation of my past activities. If it hadn’t been for my 10 years in Kalafina and if I hadn’t taken a well-needed break, I wouldn’t have this environment now. -- That’s true. As for "Be Yourself" and "Ray", they are quite the curve ball for everyone who is familar with your previous work. KEIKO: Indeed. I never meant to sing "Be Yourself" but when I mentioned that I really loved the song my producer said, “oh really? Then you should sing it!” *laughs* I asked myself if I should really take on the challenge of trying to sing a song with such a fresh and exciting vibe... I don’t think it would have been possible without my current staff members. I was able to take on the challenge because everyone was encouraging me and enjoying the ride along with me, no one was limiting me or questioning my potential. Until I actually worked on the song it was like a bag full of surprises for me, I had to idea what to expect and I couldn’t imagine the final outcome. By singing this song, I feel like I have expanded my range of music. As a listener, I have always loved listening to songs with such a youthful vibe. But never ever could I have imagined that one day I would be singing such a song myself *laughs*. I sang this song free from all obstructive thoughts, with a completely open mind, just focusing on the rhythm. As a result, it turned out to be a pretty tough song to sing so I spent about 3 days in the recording studio. -- I think your singing voice sounded very unique since it was inspired by the fresh and exhilarating rock vibe. This song must have really made you aware of your unknown abilities. And I felt that "Ray" was a song that powerfully conveyed your expressive power and passion as a solo singer. KEIKO: When it comes to “Ray” I wanted to find something that would properly represent “KEIKO - the solo singer”. Also, I wanted it to be a song one could listen to repeatedly without getting tired of it. I feel very insecure about my voice and I usually don't feel like listening to my own singing over and over again. However, I thought that I had to overcome these insecurities if I ever wanted to sing for my audience as a solo artist. After a lot of research we finally decided on "Ray". I recorded it with a particular focus on even the smallest sound. After dealing with this song, I had a much easier time approaching new songs. I got much faster at finding the right sound and expression to suit a new melody. This was definitely the song that solidified my singing as a solo singer. -- Regarding “Hajimari wa”, I think we will talk about it in depth when we do our next interview. But overall I would say that you have released some impressive work ever since your solo debut. Solid music with a lot of range and depth. I think your solo debut was truly spectacular. KEIKO: I'm really blessed. To think that someone like me who thought of quitting not too long ago would be given such a wonderful production environment. Moreover, I couldn't have ever imagined all the different kinds of expressions I get try out now, these are all ways of singing that I have never used before. -- I think one can and should try new things at any time in life, regardless of age or the stage you are in your career. KEIKO: By all means! If anyone wants to try something new I can tell you this from the bottom of my heart, "please don't be afraid! If you fail, you can start over, just try to feel like a child again, do not surpress your honest feelings!" I wish there would be more people with that kind of motivation. In the past I couldn't have considered that way of thinking either *laughs*. But now I have genuinely started to think this way. I would like to continue my musical activities conveying these ideas for my loyal fans who have loved me for such a long time and for everyone who I will meet in the future.

Interviewer: Akihiro Tomita He has done lots of interviews with Kalafina in the past, he moderated some of their events, he appeared in their 10th Anniversary movie and of course he is currently Hikaru’s manager/producer at Hifumi.

[darkatsumu]

for the after hours matchup event!:

probably was in lecture at uni complaining about how I cannot find a job anywhere, maybe offhandedly mentioned how I want to get some experience in the service industry and osamu happened to be sitting close by and hear me. me and osamu are just acquaintances, but I do thinks he a generally nice person so when he approaches me asking if I’d be interested in working at his restaurant I say sure with no knowledge of what the conditions are like!!! have only seen volleyball from the olympics, and am very easily disgusted by most men, but I put up with it because the pay is so good. I’m not very confrontational so I can fake a smile whenever customers get too touchy but will definitely be telling osamu if it gets too much :)))

look at you snagging the most wanted man in the bar; akaashi keiji. he really gives a breath of fresh air to the hectic bar. it’s even nicer that when you’re with him, you don’t have to fake that smile so much. he’s so easy to talk to, he makes it feel like any other waitress job and sure, his tips aren’t personally that much but considers majority of the time he’s with bokuto, it’s safe to say that he doesn’t mind if akaashi uses a thousand or so to give to you. 

“if it gets too much.” Akaashi smiles, “just take a break here.” 

[mroses25]

Why should well-being be recognised in the creative industry.

As I furthered my research of the importance of well-bring I specifically looked at and researched upon the importance of wellness within the creative industry. Why would it be recognised? How professionals manage their well-being during work and outside of work, and finally is they have worked on projects based on wellness?.

This would support me to develop a object/design that would work with space such as implementing the rain room, bringing nature into space or focusing on nutrition.

I believe that most professions should acknowledge their well-being due to high amounts of work load and stress. I feel as though most projects/campaigns are focused on health rather than wellbeing itself.

Therefore, I was able to question four different professional (anonymous) questioning how they manage it.

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Individual 1:

Occupation: Creative development director ( creative, design, digital, artwork, production) at Beyond the Book.

How do you care for your wellbeing?

This is a tough one as I'm often someone who looks after others, so I have to remind myself to look after myself.  I tend to try and read when I feel the world is getting too much, it's a great escape for my mind and fuels the imagination.

Do you care for your well-being during work?

Sometimes, I’d work during my lunch breaks since the work load is too much and needs to get done, Some days I go away from the office and have a tea break to relax myself.

Why do you think well-being should be recognised within the creative industry? 

Creatives are people pleasers and many have been conditioned to work long hours in agency culture and often reach burn out.  It's also one of the reasons that women creatives aren't as recognised in senior roles as after children, many don't want the stress, so I think that the industry should recognise that it plays a part and to discourage working practices of working later in the evening and weekends.

Have you ever worked on a project/campaign specifying for well-being ?

 If so ,explain a short description of what you did

I haven't directly worked on a project/campaign on mental health, so I can't answer this one sadly. 

Have you used any of the two mindfulness apps      

Head space or Calm ? 

I’ve heard of headspace.

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Individual 2:

Occupation: Head of Art and Design at Life Health Care Communications

Health care advertising, digital, brand strategy, creative healthcare advertising agency.

Explain a short description about your profession

I head up a small team of creatives as a graphic designer. I’m also hands on, creating and executing ads for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. Currently working as the head of art and design at the Life health care communications. This company focuses on creative healthcare advertising.

 How do you care for your well-being? 

I run and walk as much as often as I can, as the fresh air calms my anxiety.

Do you care for your well-being during work?

Not really, I don’t really think about during work, but mostly at home/out of work.

How have you dealt with anxiety?  Fortunately I am only troubled by anxiety prior to important meetings. To beat this I make sure that I am as well prepared as possible. I keep moving as much as possible and on occasions try the power pose.

Why do you think well-being should be recognised within the creative industry?  Creative people are often creative because they are more closely in tune with the world around them and as such are more sensitive to outside stimuli. They should be able to express themselves without threat and while the mental health of all staff should be considered by their managers creatives need to be supported more than those in other roles.

 Have you ever worked on a project/campaign specifying for well-being ?

 If so ,explain a short description of what you did

Nearly all my career I have worked on campaigns for better health but I’ve never been asked to create a campaign for mental health.    

Have you used any of the two mindfulness apps      

Head space or Calm ? 

Yes, I have had subscriptions for headspace and made good use of it, but haven’t used it since  although I think that I should.

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Individual 3:

Occupation : Graphic/brand  designer at Pemberton & Whitfoord, and Founder of Tern Heads 

 Explain a short description about your profession 

I am a senior branding and packaging designer at a London based agency called Pemberton & Whitefoord. I have been there for 13 years now and work on brands such as Ferrero, Tic Tac, Kinder Surprise, Bueno, Nutella, and Disney.

 How do you care for your well-being? 

I would consider myself as a ‘glass half full’ kind of person so I tend to always find a positive in any situation. If I feel myself getting stressed about something, I tend to surround myself with friends and family to take my mind off things, laugh, take a break and then come back to it with a clear head and a fresh focus.

Do you care for your well-being during work?

I haven’t really thought about that, not really, because work is so in demand with the projects I work on!

How have you dealt with anxiety? 

I feel like I have thrown myself in the deep end a lot. Just sort of ‘had a word with myself’ and then gone for it. I was very shy at Uni and still have shy/anxious days now but I try to push it to the back of my mind and focus on what good could come out of me doing something scary or out of my comfort zone.

If that doesn’t work – I have a glass of wine!

 Why do you think well-being should be recognised within the creative industry? 

I think because it is such a fast paced and competitive environment sometimes, it needs practices in place to make sure people take a break and have a chance to recharge their batteries. Burn out is real. And it’s hard to sometimes know when to stop to give yourself (and your eyes) a break. A lot of the time, taking a break and coming back to something can make all the difference and you see things you perhaps didn’t notice before.  

 Have you ever worked on a project/campaign specifying for health/well-being?

If so, explain a short description of what you did 

I have worked on products which claim to help with wellbeing and mindfulness (e.g. teas and drinks) but not on anything directly linked to the psychological side of things.

  5.)    Have you used any of the two mindfulness apps 

           Head space or Calm?

Personally, I LOVE the sleep casts on Headspace. My favourite is Rainday Antiques. It’s helped me to sleep on a few occasions, especially at the start of the first lockdown as it distracts your mind and gives you something simple to focus on.

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From the 3 individuals , I founded that well-being within the creative industry should be recognised because of the environment since it Is ‘competitive’ , ‘stressful’ and ‘in demand’. A way of de stressing is simply going on walks, meeting with friends and having a drink. However, well-being management during work isn’t really cared for, as remembering that being in a busy setting you’d only be focused on work. Most work breaks are for an hour and this can be seen as a rush. Furthermore, most of these professionals have not really worked with projects/campaigns to do with well-being therefore I feel as though this should be more recognised to do so. Since going for walks having fresh air is their way of de stressing this makes me want to develop further by creating an object/design that’ll bring nature into space. Finally, comparing other countries such as Spain, Dennmark and Japan ect, to how they manage well-being within work, would also be an option to look into, in order to compare with the UK.

[h-styles-babes]

SIX

Despite the air conditioning that kept the house cool against the muggy heat of the day, the vents pumping air into the studio didn’t seem to work quite as well as everywhere else. While Sia typically liked to wear something cozy and relaxed while she was sat down at the board and recording with an artist, it was far too hot to be in her joggers and a tee. Instead, she stayed in the cut off shorts and cropped halter top she’d been wearing throughout the rest of the day. She’d gone into town earlier on one of the bikes in order to get herself a smoothie, brining back one for Alex, since he’d so kindly asked. Carrying two cups on her ride back hadn’t been the most easy thing she’d done, but she’d done it without any mishaps.

When she arrived back at the house, there were four extra people milling about, as well as some fancy-looking cameras that probably cost more than Sia would make this year. She’d nearly forgotten Jeff’s warning that there would probably be a camera crew following the recording process, since Ben Winston wanted to document the whole thing for a short film. Sia knew Ben really well, considering she’d been just as acquainted with him as Harry had while they were still together. Ben was one of the few famous people in Harry’s life that she actually liked, because he was so much of an older brother and best friend to Harry. So seeing him hanging out and laughing with Alex brightened her mood, but also put a bit of a damper on it when she realized she hadn’t seen him since she and Harry had ended things. Which, of course, put a sour twinge to her mood.

“Ah, Sia! You’re back,“ Alex acknowledged, watching her set down her bag and push her sunglasses off her nose and up onto her head. “Thanks, hon,” he mumbled as Sia handed him his smoothie. “This is Ben Winston, the director and producer that’s working to film this whole thing.”

“We’re familiar,” Sia mumbled, glancing over at Ben as she took a sip of her own drink. The sweet strawberries and tangy kiwis suddenly tasted like ash in her mouth. She rued the day Harry Styles’ fuck up tainted every aspect of her life.

“Sia, yeh look good,” Ben acknowledged, not hesitating to pull her into a hug. Sia couldn’t help but wrap her free arm around Ben’s waist and grip onto his t-shirt. His hugs were nearly as comforting as Harry’s once were. He smelled just like he always had, and she found comfort in the slow rising and lowering of his chest as he breathed.

“How yeh doin’, Ben? How’s Mer?”

“Pregnant,” he chuckled. Sia’s face lit up with the news, congratulating him. “She’s due in December.”

“Oh, god. How excitin’!” Sia cheered, forgetting her much-wanted smoothie on the counter. She pulled Ben into another, more enthusiastic hug. “You’re gonna be a dad! Holy shit!”

She honestly couldn’t believe it, but it was something that she could see Ben was going to be good at. He’d always been the responsible, sensible—yet fun and easy-going—one in their little gaggle of friends. She could see him smashing it as a father, and she was honestly so excited for them. Meredith was going to make a great mother, as well. She’d always been one of the people Sia turned to when she needed comfort and some sound advice.

The announcement of the pregnancy also sent a twinge through Sia, but she pushed it away and focused in on her excitement instead. This was a good thing for some of the most generous, lovely people she knew in the business. They deserved the best wishes when it came to the rest of the pregnancy and their impending parenthood.

“I know, crazy, right?” Ben chuckled, returning her embrace. “Figure I’ve gotten enough practice with Harry over the last few years, though.”

The joke made Sia want to laugh and cry at the same time. There was an instant flash of nostalgia and longing for the way that her and Harry used to be. They were the couple that was always having fun and being the most true to themselves they could possibly be. Harry had always told her that she kept him grounded when it would have been so easy to let the lifestyle he found himself in carry him away and make him someone he wasn’t. But she was always there to make sure he didn’t grow up faster than necessary, and she was a lot of the reason why he was able to still be obnoxious and goofy when he was a teenager, instead of the sophisticated adult everyone always expected him to be.

“He’s definitely a handful sometimes,” Sia agreed, instead of letting herself get choked up with emotion.

Ben’s shoulders sagged a bit and his smile turned somber. “We miss you, Sia. He misses you.”

Sia’s lip curled. “He’s sure got a funny way of showin’ it. Somehow, hands on the arse and tongue in the mouth of some wannabe model don’t really scream ‘I miss yeh, Sia.’ Call me crazy.”

Ben pouted. “That’s not fair.”

“Save it, Ben,” she snapped. “He’s a grown man. He doesn’t need you or anyone else explainin’ his actions.”

Alex cleared his throat awkwardly. “I’m not sure what’s going on, really, but I just got a text from Harry saying he’s ready whenever we are.”

Both Ben and Sia sighed in unison, releasing the tension that had built around them. Leave it to Harry Styles to create an awkward standoff between his ex-girlfriend and one of the only men in his friend group that she actually liked. This was not the way she wanted this whole thing to go.

As Alex walked away, Sia turned to Ben. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at yeh. Harry’s still just a sore subject, yeh know?”

“I know, babe,” Ben agreed, reaching out to rub a comforting hand along her shoulder. “I promise not to butt in anymore. Let’s go make the lad more money, shall we?”

Sia barked out a laugh as she followed Ben into the studio.

~*~*~*~

After what everyone could deem a successful first day of recording—Sia had avoided being snippy with or yelling at Harry, and Harry didn’t address her unless absolutely necessary—, Sia crashed into bed, not to be woken until nearly eight the next morning. There was the soft sound of Fleetwood Mac coming from the kitchen, and Sia followed it out, padding with bare feet on the hardwood floors.

When she entered the kitchen, she saw Mitch standing at the stove, what smelled like eggs and sausage sizzling in a pan. There was also fresh coffee in the pot, a bottle of creamer and a jar of sugar already sat out beside it.

“Mornin’ Mitch,” Sia greeted, heading straight for the coffee.

She pulled down a mug as the man responded in kind, glancing over his shoulder at her and blushing slightly when he saw that she was only wearing very snug sleep shorts and a t-shirt that was cut down the sides, exposing part of the side of her breast. Mitch was sure the display wasn’t purposeful, but he still looked away quickly to avoid being caught staring. Both out of respect to Sia and to whatever weird relationship Harry and Sia had. He didn’t know any of the details, except for what Sia had told him about knowing Harry for awhile, and the weird dynamic they had in the studio the day before. It hadn’t hindered the recording process at all, but the tension between the two was palpable, and only Ben seemed to be privy to it. Mitch was curious, but he was never going to ask outright. He figured someone would clue him in eventually, but if not, he’d just brush aside his curiosity.

Sia took a seat at the bar stool across from where Mitch was making his breakfast. “How’s it goin’, Mitchell?” she asked, taking a sip of her coffee. “Enjoyin’ recordin’ yet?”

“I just have to play a guitar all day,” he shrugged, flipping his omelet so that it folded in half. “What’s there not to like? And everyone’s nice.”

“Well, we try,” Sia chuckled. “Don’t wanna scare away the newbies.”

“How long have you been doing this?”

“I’m fresh out of uni, so only about a year. I’ve been working for Jeff since March, though. How long have yeh been playin’?”

“Pretty much since I could hold a guitar.”

And that’s how Mitch and Sia started off their friendship. They talked through Mitch giving the omelet he already made to Sia, who protested until Mitch just set it in front of her and proceeded to make another one for himself. They talked about their experiences in the music industry thus far and how they were liking it in Jamaica so far. Mitch mentioned not having been around the island much yet, and Sia offered to take him around, since she had had the extra days to explore a bit. They spent the morning joking and telling stories over their breakfasts, greeting everyone else when they woke and started filling out the house.

Harry was the last in the kitchen, but it was obvious he’d been up much longer. He looked freshly showered, and Sia was sure he’d been out for a run earlier in the morning, possibly also a work out. Harry tried to start his days off with a run and a work out. It’d been his thing since he was about eighteen years old. It was a way that he was able to keep a sort of routine while he’d travelled so much. Looks like some things never changed.

“Mornin’ everyone,” he greeted chirpily. Everyone greeted him just as happily, and Sia forced a smile on her face, more for everyone else’s sake than her own. She didn’t want anyone else to be privy to the weird tension that lingered between her and Harry. Whether or not they were aware of their past relationship—not including Ben—, none of them seemed to be the wiser about the fiery end to their relationship, and she’d like to keep it that way.

The rest of the morning goes smoothly, and they all have plans to be back in the studio by eleven, so everyone goes about their morning routines before reconvening in the studio. Ellen called Sia just a half hour before she’s due back in the studio. It was the mid-afternoon in London, so Sia wasn’t surprised by the time of the call. She was sure her friend was either on a break from work or had headed in early. She did that sometimes, seeing as her work could be done just as well at home as in the office. Being an assistant editor had its perks sometimes, she supposed.

Ellen and Sia hadn’t spoken since the day Sia had arrived on the island. Between being surprised by Harry’s appearance in her life—yet again—and being busy with the actual job she was sent there to do, she hadn’t had much time to vent to her best friend. So the call was very welcome, and she let out the biggest sigh as soon as she answered.

“El, yeh won’t believe my fuckin’ luck!” she groaned.

“Well, hello to you, too, Anastasia dear,” Ellen joked, a tutting to her voice.

“Yes, hello, Ellen love. Good afternoon.”

“Good morning. Now, tell me about your fuckin’ luck.”

“Guess who’s the mysterious artist that I’ve got to be working with for the next several weeks? And yeh can’t tell anybody when I tell yeh, ���cause I don’t think I’m supposed to be lettin’ this out.”

“Who the fuck am I gonna tell? Dear Mrs. Jones, the seventy year old that I work for, who listens to Dolly Parton every damn minute of the day? Or my mostly male colleagues that look like they strictly listen to fifties classics or classical music?” El scoffed.

“Point taken,” Sia agreed. “Anyway! Do yeh want to know?”

“Of course I want to know, yeh donut! Tell me! I’m dying from curiosity—oi! Wanker! Fuckin’ watch where you’re goin’, will yeh? Jesus.” Sia couldn’t help but chuckle at her obvious tirade against someone that probably nearly ran into her on the sidewalk or something. “Nobody fuckin’ pays attention to pedestrians here, I swear. Anyway! Tell me, Sia!”

“It’s Harry,” Sia blurted, unable to keep it under wraps any longer. She needed her best friend to sympathize with her and to be able to vent to her and just let it all out. She’d been going a bit stir crazy having to keep all her emotions toward being around Harry to herself. While she could vent a bit to Ben, there was always the possibility that it would get back to Harry. And though Harry had to know about how she felt toward him, he didn’t need to know it in detail when they were both working towards avoiding to each other as much as possible.

“You’ve got to be fuckin’ kidding,” Ellen gawped. “I was just jokin’ about that. I didn’t know I was gonna jinx it!”

“I know. I couldn’t believe it, either,” Sia agreed with a deep sigh. “I came back to the house after going into town, and none other than Harry fucking Styles was stood in the living room, only in a towel, fresh from the shower!”

“He’s still attractive, isn’t he?” El cringed.

“He is! The fuckin’ wanker. Even more so since he’s all filled out from workin’ on that bloody movie. Can’t fuckin’ stand it.” Sia really was upset about how good the man looked. It was like he was trying to make her so turned on that it was upsetting her. Because despite how much animosity Sia still had toward him for what he did to her, she couldn’t deny that he was still the most attractive man she’d ever laid eyes on. That innate part of her that found Harry to be absolutely stunning paid no mind to the other part of her that rationally knew that she shouldn’t be attracted to him anymore. And that part of her was a bitch.

“How’s it goin’ so far?” Ellen asked, genuinely concerned that Sia had possibly shouted at him in front of the others already. She may dislike Harry, but she’d positively hate it if she ever embarrassed either of them in front of work associates like that.

“Alright,” Sia said, shrugging, even though El couldn’t see it. She almost wished they were FaceTiming. “He tried talkin’ to me when we first ran into each other, but I couldn’t really stand it. We’re steering clear of each other aside from when we’re workin’. It’s only day two of recordin’, so time will tell.”

“I believe in yeh,” El said with a definitive nod. “Just get through these few weeks, get your name on that album, and get the hell out of Dodge. You’ll thank yourself for it in the end.”

“I know. I’m just gonna stay out of his way as much as possible, and hopefully he extends the same courtesy from now on.”

“That’s all we can hope for. Make him a kick arse album and be done with him. I can hear how stressed out yeh are already.”

“I think I spotted a grey after my shower yesterday,” Sia joked.

“Shut up,” El laughed. “Call me tomorrow before yeh start recordin’. I expect daily updates from now on.”

“Promise. Talk to yeh later, babes.”

“Bye bye, love.”

[animanightmate]

Okay, so first up: I'm a thin person. It's just genetics - I lose weight easily. Even now, during perimenopause and the most extended sedentary period of my life, I look thin. So yeah, thin person taking up space here, but I want to talk a little about my journey of learning how society treats fat people and how I stopped my own prejudices.

See, despite just being thin without working on it at all, I've been praised for this random fact most of my life. It's been touted as a token of how superior I am. In vain I tell people that I'm not healthy, I'm definitely not fit right now. I've been told about all the medical conditions I can't possibly have because I'm not overweight. I've been praised for being dangerously underweight.

So HOW MUCH WORSE must it be for fat folk, especially fat AFAB folk, especially disabled, fat AFAB folk? Perpetually blamed where I'm praised, where this is nothing but genetics at work, where evolution gave us a variety of body shapes to cover all sorts of eventualities within the population.

One of my first jobs, during uni, was as a shop assistant during the summer sales in a large department store. The head of HR was clearly a misogynistic sadist, as she put all the female-presenting workers in the least suitable departments, and put the two sporty lads in the sporty section, smiling as she did so. Me? Borderline underweight me? I was put in the posh plus section. Fancy outfits for plus-sized women. Women who would come in, look at me, and either wilt or bristle. It was unpleasant for everyone concerned, let me tell you.

But that week from hell in an overheated, overpriced, non-air-conditioned early starts, no sitting, wreck your knees environment where everyone glared at me was useful for one thing: it absolutely and irrevocably changed my idea of what "fat" meant, and I can only thank that (and several grand and outspoken girlfriends) for shifting that in me.

And the rest of the journey was taken by reading. A lot. Reading the medical studies that demonstrate that fatness is nothing to do with fitness. Reading accounts by fat athletes. Meeting fat athletes. Being hoicked in the air by terrifyingly strong fat folk of various genders. By looking at the price differences for all sorts of clothing, seating, equipment, etc., and the absolute nonsense touted to justify it. And also by watching the sheer misery the dieting industry puts people through. On purpose.

As op says: look at what you're seeing. Read the articles. Look at how unhealthy and unhappy people are being made deliberately, in order to sell them shit while still excluding them. And change your mind.

The first step you as a thin person can do to start combatting fatphobia, both internal and external, even before listening to fat people and their stories, is start noticing it. Just work on yourself and play I Spy until you notice it.

Look around the streets of your city. Look at people, look at their bodies and sizes. Then look at everything else.

Look at the ads that exclusively show thin people selling everything - even things that have nothing to do with thinness. Toothpaste. Garden supplies. Jewelry.

Look at your social media feed. Are there fat people there? Do artists that you follow ever draw fat people? Are blorbos on your tumblr dashboard ever fat characters? Are your own ocs ever fat? Are comedians you watch on youtube fat? Do they make fat jokes?

Look at the seats in the bus you take to work. Ask yourself: Why are they this size? Look at the clothing sizes in the thrift store or regular store you go to for your socks and underwear. How big is the biggest basic t-shirt they offer? What about a basic blazer that one could wear to a job interview? Have you ever been to a plus size section? Does your store have one? What are the prices like there? Is the selection same as in 'regular' section?

Are you feeling extra curious? Open up a search engine, type in 'weight limit furniture' and click on a couple of top results. Just read. Ask one question: Why?

Why are there no fat people selling you toothpaste? This is not to endorse the amount of advertisement we are bombarded with, but it is representative of our current culture, however mad that makes you. Why is it only thin people are ever portrayed in any creation - be it something valuable like cinema or some forgettable trash like the latest cleaning supplies advert with an annoying jingle?

Why are fat people not in the art you view? Why are they not in your social media feed? Why are they not enjoying the same clothing and furniture options? Why?

And then, if you have fat friends, go and talk to them. If you don't have fat friends, ask yourself why you don't. Count the amount of fat people you see on streets every day versus the amount of fat people you see in any other medium. Recall the last time you saw a fat character in art AND that character was a positive one and treated with respect.

This is all before you get to know about medical fatphobia, struggle to build relationships both straight and/or queer. This is all before you go into statistics about employement and housing discrimination. That's before you read about 7 year old children on 500 calorie diets.

Just look around and for fucks sake, start noticing things.

[ediify-com]

Top 10 Electrical Panel Manufacturers in India 

    The Top 10 Electrical Panel Manufacturers in India  are listed below The market offers a variety of electrical panels, including low tension, high tension, automatic mains failure control, variable frequency drive, and electrical panels for power distribution. Electric control panel utilization has advantages such as boosting overall efficiency, maximizing the use of electricity, lowering unplanned services, and more. They can be found in factories, ships, airplanes, and nuclear power plants. The market for electric control panels is expanding as a result of rising demand for electric gadgets and firms in the electric sector as well as rising worries about workplace safety. Between 2021 and 2025, the demand for electric control panels is anticipated to expand at a hockey-stick rate due to their cost-effectiveness and assistance in safeguarding all electrical components. Variable frequency electrical panels are one sort of electrical panel that is offered in the market. Additionally, they offer a substation with clearly labeled categories from which you can manage the operation of several electrical parts and circuits. List of Top 10 Electrical Panel Manufacturers in India  As a result, the list below shows the top 10  Electrical panel Manufacturers in India in descending order.   Table of Contents  Aimtech BLUE-VOLT Highvolt Horizon Microtech JC Industries Kalabiz LS Power Control Radian Engineering Solutions UNI TECH Automation Vidhyut Control

Aimtech is a Top Electrical Panel manufacturer in India.  Aimtech is a company situated in Bangalore that produces and sells a variety of electrical control panels, control desks, distribution panel boards, and bus ducts. We are certified merchants of optical encoders, PLC-based systems, and semiconductor fuses. Additionally, we undertake turnkey projects for many enterprises and industries.. We have attained an admirable position in the market by offering our consumers high-quality goods and first-rate services. Aimtech was founded in Karnataka, India, in 1996. We are a one-person business that offers top-notch electrical control panels and other products. Contemporary infrastructure, cutting-edge equipment, and nearly 10 trained and skilled human resources support us. Our crew puts in a lot of effort in accordance with the company's goals to satisfy our clients. The electrical industries make substantial use of our products. We are one of Bangalore's most skilled makers of electrical control panels. Customers in cities all throughout India, including Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mysore, Mangalore, Coimbatore, and Hubli, among others, receive our products. Customers choose to buy our items in large quantities due to the numerous uses they have and their longevity. Additionally, we have kept up trustworthy relationships with both our clients and other organizations. We have amassed a lengthy list of esteemed clientele from a variety of industries thanks to the superiority of our products, their high quality, and our unmatched customer service.

A pioneer in the fields of electrical contracting, electrical panels, BMS./BAS works (Building Management Systems & Building Automation Systems), maintaining air conditioning, refrigeration services, and facility management, Blue Volt Services has developed from strength to strength. a supplier of various electrical control panels, such as HT & LT panels, HVAC control panels, DDC control panels, and others BLUE-VOLT is a Top Electrical Panel Manufacturers in India

A reliable supplier of medium voltage panels, such as the ABB, HT, VCB, and LT Panels, is High Volt Power & Control Systems Pvt. Ltd. We are an Indian company that manufactures DG Sets in state-of-the-art facilities. Products for high voltage are tested at CPRI, ERDA, and ARAI. Our efforts and the performance of our goods and services speak for themselves. We have received numerous accreditations for our products thanks to our ISO 9001:2015 Certification, and our business closely adheres to international standards.High volt is a Top Electrical Panel manufacturer in India We are skilled, creative, and sincere in our approach to our work. By paying attention to each and every test and procedure, we maintain the highest quality. The outcomes are extremely appropriate for ABB, HT Panels, VCB Panels, LT Panels, Relay Control Panels, Generator Control Panels, Lighting Relay Panels, etc. For the essential quality of our selection, we maintain stringent temperatures and important Clad Metal.

The professionally run business Horizon Microtech Private Limited primarily operates in the electrical and industrial automation systems sectors. We are a leading manufacturer of industrial automation solutions for automation devices as well as a full line of power and control panels. Our aptitude for new technology and quality sensitivity are our strengths.

One of the top producers of electrical control panels in Bangalore, India, is JC Industries. We also serve customers in Bangalore and throughout India as distributors and suppliers of electrical panels. Additionally, we export electrical panels to countries outside of India. JCI is a Top Electrical Panel Manufacturer in IndiaThe talent at JC Industries is dynamic, educated from various academic backgrounds, highly experienced, and honored with the same zeal to add significance to the business. KALABIZ With cutting-edge production and R & D facilities that meet international standards, KALA GENSET offers a variety of products, including generators, enclosures, PMS-RMS, and control panels. They take great pride in creating cutting-edge technology that helps organizations, businesses, and people. The highly qualified personnel working at Kala Genset's R&D labs continuously strive to adopt and incorporate the most recent technologies into their products. L.S Power Control The key areas of concentration for LS Power Control are high standards and creative solutions. All of LS Power Control's products are created in accordance with national and international quality standards, ensuring the users' safety. For design, they use the most modern Auto-CAD versions and SAP.. They are the ideal solution for all the electrical requirements of customers under one roof because they are ISO certified and offer CPRI approved LV panel, transformers, and MV panels. They have skilled specialists working for them who make sure to meet the needs of their clients.

provides electrical system design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning for industrial, commercial, and residential requirements.

In 1996, UNI-TECH Automation was founded as a partnership firm. In 2006, it was upgraded to a "Private Limited Company." UNI-TECH is a Top Electrical Panel manufacturer in India UNI-TECH, one of the largest and most seasoned automation companies, is renowned for producing Control Panels, Wiring Harnesses, Electronic Products, and Wires & Cables of the highest caliber. Over the years, UNI-TECH automation has built a name in the market as a technologically cutting-edge, yet value-based Organization with the goal of being a one-stop provider of technology solutions.

A well-known and prominent switchboard maker in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (Delhi NCR), India, Vidhyut Control India Pvt. Ltd. has a mission to offer its clients a full one-stop solution. We work hard to offer our customers fully integrated services that are prompt, high-quality, and integrated. Also Read Detailed Case Study On Marketing Strategy of Digit Insurance Detailed Case Study On Marketing Strategy of Udaan

          Read the full article

[kerone-engineering]

Drying Methods for Improving the Quality of Dried Herbs

Herbs are “any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for seasoning, food, medicine, or perfume”. Herbs are considered to be extremely perishable foods thanks to their high moisture content and most herbs are chill-sensitive. They’re thus processed by drying to make shelf-stable product. Drying preserves the standard of herbs by reducing the moisture content that inhibits the expansion of microorganisms and chemical alterations throughout dried storage. Within the cooking sense, dried herbs are usually used as “flavouring” agents to feature their characteristic aromas to the foods. Aside from the cooking usages of herbs, their oil may be used as AN antimicrobial agent that’s effective against microorganism, yeast, and molds. Dried herbs even have several applications in alternative fields, like in medical and toiletry product and in fragrance producing. Herbs are identified to be a superb source of antioxidants. The standard characteristics thought of to be the most necessary for dried herbs could rely upon their usage. For example, the standard of medical dried herbs is defined by the content of bioactive compounds. Whereas the standard of culinary dried herbs is typically defined by their color and fresh-like characteristic aroma.

Dried culinary herbs are typically high in price, thus, the expectation of end user relating to the standard of the product are typically high. The quality specifications of dried herbs are listed largely to make sure the chemical and microbiological safety of the product, such as, moisture content, bulk density, foreign matter, and the content of excretory product, aflatoxins and heavy metals.

Essential oil is the main contribution of herb aroma though it’s present in little amounts. The international organization for Standardization (ISO) has defined the meaning of the term “essential oil” as a “product obtained from a natural material of plant origin, by steam distillation, by mechanical processes from the pericarp of citrus fruits, or by dry distillation, when separation of the liquid section — if any — by physical processes”. Essential oils are often utilized in many varieties of applications, like pharmaceutics, cosmetics, and therefore the medical and food industries. In fresh herbs, essential oils are keep on the surface of the leaves in specialised structures referred to as trichomes, that are uni- or multicellular appendages within the epidermal cells that develop outward from the surface of plant organs like leaves, roots or barks. Therefore, conserving trichome integrity or minimizing the harm to trichomes throughout drying may improve the yield of essential oils and therefore the aroma quality of dried herbs. Volatile compounds in herbs may be conjointly found in glycosidically-bound forms as they’re water soluble and may be accumulated within the plant tissues.

Essential oils are composed of some or several chemical compounds, with some kinds of herbs containing over 100 chemical compounds. The chemical composition of the essential oils varies decided by the kind of herb, harvesting season, postharvest practices, age of the plant and storage conditions. Every compound contributes its specific flavor to the essential oil. This contribution depends on their specific odour threshold, which may be determined by the structure and volatility of the compound. The changes within the concentration of the essential oil chemical parts (either by chemical reactions or degradation), even with minor elements, could lead to drastic changes within the essential oil flavor.

The changes in volatile compounds throughout the drying method additionally rely on the biological factors of the herbs, as well as initial moisture content, the age of the plant, growth conditions and harvesting time. Storage conditions also have an effect on the content of volatiles of the dried product, particularly within the presence of light and oxygen. The reduction of some essential oil elements may be considered to be a profit, like the reduction of pulegone, a hepatotoxin in hedeoma pulegioides and mentha pulegium.

Pre-treatments before drying are process methods aimed toward achieving high-quality dried herbs; shorten the drying time, and reducing the energy consumption. Smart pre-treatments implementation should produce solely smallest modification to the drying method settings to reduce the follow-up prices from the modification. Many pre-treatments are reported to provide advantages for drying of herbs, like blanching, pulsed electric field, and ultrasonic treatment.

Drying technique is one among the main factors affecting the quality of dried herbs. Drying strategies applying extreme temperature would considerably decrease the number of aroma compounds, since aroma compounds are heat-sensitive substances and might be evaporated from plant tissues simply throughout drying.

Drying Methods used for herbs are classified below:

Sun drying

Shade drying

Solar-assisted drying

Hot-air drying

Freeze drying

Microwave drying

Microwave-vacuum drying

Heat-pump-assisted drying

Infrared drying

Fluidized bed drying

Supercritical CO2 drying (scCO2)

Radio-frequency drying

Hybrid drying methods

A number of pre-drying treatments and drying strategies, investigated in numerous herbs, are developed, showing an improvement in quality, better energy conservation, and higher method efficiency. Hybrid-drying techniques have shown promising results on the development of dried herbs quality as well as each color and aroma. In spite of those technological developments, obtaining high-quality dried herbs remains a difficulty as herbs are sensitive to completely different pre-drying and drying method conditions, primarily in regard to color and aroma. Moreover, the standard of dried herbs is incredibly sensitive to the kind of herb, harvesting season, postharvest practices, age of the plant and storage conditions.

We at KERONE have a team of experts to help you with your need for drying of herbs in various products range from our wide experience.