#it also rises the question about how does she get her vaccination shots every year. do Jasmine and her fake them??? lol | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

anastasiaskarsgard · 5 years ago

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So here’s AU single dad Mark, you can see the vibe his picture inspired here (who is inspired by a real person loosely)

Warning: cursing, mention of drugs and sex. Mention of violence.

“Doctor, you have one last appointment and then you’re free! New puppy needs vaccines and looks very healthy. The guy is seriously dreamy so just mentally prepare yourself for that.” My receptionist Ashley said as she handed me the file. “They’re in number 2.”

I glanced over the file and audibly groaned, drawing both receptionists attention. “I know Mark! Shit! I hope he didn’t recognize my name and come here on purpose. To be quite honest though, I don’t think he’ll even remember me.”

Ashley leaped from her chair to get close enough to whisper, “I need the deets Doc! Did you have a one night stand with him? Or lose your v card to him at prom? Or oh my gosh! did you choose your career over him and left him behind for vet school?”

“Stop reading smut on the internet, and come back to reality. He was 2 years older than me and talked to me one time at a party, informing me that I had potential if I would dress more like a girl, and less like a veterinarian. I doubt he’ll remember it tho.” I chuckled, shaking my head, “Get back to work.” I said as I walked over to room 2, taking a deep breath before opening the door, coming face to face with Mark. He was still drop dead gorgeous.

“My bad, I thought you’d come thru the other door. Dakota, Danielle. Please sit down nice for the Doctor, so your puppy doesn’t get nervous.”

Mark tried to wrangle his two small children to sit down, but at around 2-4 years old, that wasn’t gonna happen. I wondered what girl had snatched up Mark as I checked the puppy out.

“Oh my — kids earmuffs— “ Mark verified both children were in fact covering their ears before turning back to me with a big cheesy smile on his face. “No fucking way! You seriously became a veterinarian!” He exclaimed chuckling.

“Well you gave me the idea, so I just ran with it, “ I said with a smirk.

“Oh my God. You remember I said that? I was a punk, I’m sorry. I just had a thing for you and you’d always ignore me or blow me off, every time I tried to get your attention.”

“I don’t recall you ever trying to get my attention. I do recall you ignoring me.”

“No. I didn’t even have any classes in the portables and I’d go hang out over there and always say what’s up as you’d walk by. I went to all your basketball games and you never once acknowledged my existence and I tried to talk to you in the library a couple times and you would always shoosh me.”

“ well that’s what you’re supposed to do in a library. Also, going into the general vicinity of someone, and expecting them to know somehow that you’re there for them, isn’t very obvious, especially considering the one time you speak to them you tell her that she has potential but dresses like a veterinarian, which is pretty cool if you ask me.” I giggled. Oh sweet mother of God, I giggled. He was so hot, my brain was malfunctioning. Eventhough he was most likely full of shit and trying to get a discount or something, it was wild to think, I was so intimidated by him, I refused to entertain the idea that he might actually like me. It was pretty hilarious. “Looks like you found your happily ever after anyways. Who’s the lucky lady? Anyone I know?”

“Huh?” He looked confused for a few couple beats and then it dawned on him. “Oh yeah I got two awesome mini mes.”

“We’re the 3 musketeers!” A little voice squeaked out.

“Oh sorry. I just figured 2 kids that use ear muffs and the designer dog, someone had domesticated you.” I said looking up to see Mark blush.

“Remember Anna Winters? That’s his mommy and—“

“I don’t mean to interrupt Mark, but could I borrow your little musketeers to feed some newborn puppies that were dumped here? Then we can have a few minutes to catch up. I think you’re my last appointment. Do you mind? The girls and I do it, but they look like they’re good little helpers.”

Both children leaped out of their seats and started jumping up and down pleading to let them help so Mark agreed. I called Ashley in and she was super enthusiastic about having helpers, till she realized Mark wasn’t coming too. As soon as they closed the door, I turned to Mark.

“Thought it would be best if they didn’t hear adult conversations, especially involving their mother.”

“Mothers.”

“I kinda figured since your little girl looks possibly Latina?”

Mark nodded his head. “Yeah So Anna is a full fledged crackhead out in LA or something last I heard. Who knows? She might even be dead. She left him with me when he was a week old and never came back.”

“Wow! What a deplorable human being! But then you had naked time with a lady again, and she got pregnant too huh?” I teased. “Maybe no one told you how this works...”

“No I get it. Danielle’s mom was Dakota’s babysitter, and she just never really went away and it was convenient, and she cleaned and took care of Dakota. But she stopped taking birth control unbeknownst to me, and she winds up pregnant, wanting to get married.”

“So Wait! I know this part! You being the most romantic motherfucker on the planet, was like let’s go to Disneyland and get married in the castle right before the fireworks go off!” I had to give him some shit. He was such a cliche.

Mark laughed his same dorky weird laugh, and I couldn’t help but to laugh too. “No I told her I’m not marrying you. I don’t love you, and she’s like well then as soon as I have this kid, it’s all yours. If you don’t want me, I don’t want your ugly baby.”

“I’d be like ‘it got it from its mama’. She’s adorable though, so you really came out ahead there. What are the odds you’d get two deadbeat moms in a row?”

“Don’t remind me. What’s your story? You married? Kids?”

“Well I went to school and graduated top of my class, so i got into vet school, which is way harder than regular old medical school since there aren’t as many options. Plus it’s pretty challenging. With people you just got to figure out people. I have to know the dogs, cats, horses, goats, birds, lizards pretty much anything that’s alive and not from the primate family, i gotta figure it out. Last week somebody brought in a damn baby kangaroo, trying to tell me it’s a wallaby, and I was like where did you get a Kangaroo in Salt Lake City? Sorry, to answer your actual questions, No baby daddy’s cuz I’ve never met anyone that’s as awesome as I am, so until then I’m just saving the world, one litter at a time. Let’s go peek at them, come on.” I tiptoed out the door, over to the batch of kennels I had them living in, and we peeked around the wall, to see both kids feeding two puppies each, smiling from ear to ear.

“What kind of puppies are they?” Mark whispered.

“Go back in the room and I’ll tell you the story.”

He looked so adorable tiptoeing along, trying to be sneaky. He was like that one part of Fantasia where everybody knows but him that he’s too big to be sneaky.

We get back in the room and he sits on the little bench, patting the seat next to him, looking up at me all sexy like. He knows what he’s doing. “Come sit. I won’t bite.” He said with a lustful tone. Or maybe I just wanted to jump on him and any tone would be lustful......

“You keep looking at me like that, I’m gonna squirt you with the spray bottle,” I couldn’t help but laugh at my own joke. He found it less funny. “They’re all Blood Hounds. The mother got shot by the owners worthless boyfriend, claiming she attacked him, when I have a strong suspicion she was defending the woman from him. The mama dog did get ahold of the guy and shredded his arm up bad enough, it’ll never work again. The woman dropped the puppies off saying he’d kill them when he got home, so that’s how I got nine Bloodhound puppies that have to be fed every few hours. I didn’t have the heart to put them down, and the shelter would of killed them.”

“Aren’t Bloodhounds expensive?”

“Well yes. And they’re actually AKC, but I’m going to fix them all before I adopt them out. I rescue, I don’t profit off animal sales. Just maintenance. I actually offered them to the police since they’ve got the best noses in the business. They’re trying to get the money together to train them. Las Vegas wants two of them, but they got that casino money.”

“How much does it cost to train a dog?”

“Like $22k I think it is. Takes a few years depending if they’re looking for people, drugs, bombs... ”

“Wow. How are you not taken?” He blurted out.

“My bullshit tolerancy is almost non-existent, I work a lot, I’m the only one that thinks I’m funny, i dress like a veterinarian and I’m shallow. How are you single? All that man pretty and diaper changing skills.”

Mark looked down and blushed again. “Ok I’m just gonna go for it. Would you like to go to dinner sometime?” I swear he is holding his breath. Dammit. So cute.

“How about now? When they’re done feeding the puppies, you wanna go feed your rugrats?” I inquired.

“I meant like on a date, just you and me.”

He was so pretty, I wanted to sit on his face, “Oh ho! I cant be alone with you, I’ll get pregnant. Even now, I’m at risk. I need tiny chaperones.”

“Is that so?” He said rising to his feet with a mischevious look on his face, glancing between my eyes and lips. I took a step back and the wall was there. I was trapped. I tried to look oblivious but when he leaned against the wall behind me, with an arm on each side of my head, leaning in so his lips lightly brush my ear, he whispers; “where’s your spray bottle now?”

Oh fuck it. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. His lips were so soft and he was surprisingly gentle and not trying to be handsy. What the fuck was I doing!? I pulled away scanning his face for I don’t know what.

“What?” He asked all breathy and desperate, rubbing his perfect little nose on my cheek, getting almost close enough to kiss me, wanting me to close the gap.

“I don’t know what I’m looking for, but I’ll know when I see it.”

“Shut up and kiss me....please?”

Fuck. Anyone else I would have sent packing, but Mark was so tall, and beautiful, and confident, and took care of his kids, and God he smelled good, and if he fucked as well as he kissed, then I might just keep him. I pushed my lips into his and he kissed me a bit more aggressive biting my lower lip.

This was either a really great idea, or the worst idea I’ve ever had, but either way, I was gonna see how it played out.

#bill skarsgard #billy skarsgard #mark bill skarsgard #single dad mark #mark au #my writing

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imagine-loki · 6 years ago

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Meet The New Boss - Trigger Warning non-con

TITLE: Meet the new boss

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 18

ORIGINAL IMAGINE:

Imagine Loki wins against the Avengers and enjoy the sweetest war prize: Pepper Potts.

RATING: NC-17 MA

NOTES/WARNINGS: nsfw, dom!loki, dark!loki, non-con, death of OC’s, sleeping beauty kink.

Also: English is not the writer’s mother tongue!

The lobby of the hospital is stuffed with reporters of the local tv stations and newspapers. Pepper had insisted to get people inside, even that Loki idea was to record the conference and to send it afterwards to the stations. But Pepper convinced him to allow the presence of people and even to allow questions.

“Let me make it my way… it will be more intimitating but real. Otherwise their will think the vaccination project a trick.”

“Like the lunar landing?”, Loki jested back, but got her point. He found it quite annoying to learn his speech from the cards she had handed him. “This are most sentences and keywords? Pray, why that?”

“You should speak your mind, but stay by the subject.”, Pepper explained to him. “It would be good advise to get even a bit sentiment and open. And not like the grumpy cat you so often appear on TV. That make it not easy… for all of us.”

Loki growl softly. “For that I shall speak of my mother? And my childhood?”, he question Pepper’s motives.

“A bit at least. Show our visitors at the event by this subject a softer side of you. Please, Loki. It will help me so much more to let the king appear as a son, as a child…” Carefully she rested her hand on his who hold the cards. Loki looked down to her hand and pressed in deep though his lips together. Eventually he admitted: “You may be right. But it makes me nervous.”

Pepper smiled understanding and cared with her thumb along Loki’s finger. “I will be all the time at your side. I promise.”

Loki looked surprised up to her face. “Well, my lady. When you promise me that … I shall be soothed.”

It is like running the gauntlet. The plaza in front of the hospital is occupied with protestors, holding signs up, which Loki as Pepper tries to ignore.

“I can’t believe you let me allow them this!”, he hisses as the limousine stops. “This disrespectful behaviors should be punished with death penalty.”

Calming Pepper rest her hand on his knee. “You know that would makes is just worst. Let them shout at us as much as they want… When you can show them the results of your work we’re for here, the protests will grow more and more silence.” She smiles in all honest to him. “I for my part are very excited to be part of it. That is a great think to do, Loki, and earth - I mean midgard could not work this health problem out without your help. I mean it.”

Loki watches her a moment while her words warmth up his chest. As Pepper’s bodyguard opens the door to lead them into the hospital Loki leans in to a short and rough kiss. “Thank you, Mylady.”, he mutters afterwards and climbs out of the car to reach out a helping hand for her.

Loki is not able to see a thing. Headlights and flash lights dazzling the view of him, while his ears getting stuffed with shouts and chants.

Holding Pepper firm at his hand both get lead into the hospital quickly just to push again through the reporters in the lobby.

Camera lenses following Loki as he walks calming through them to the stage, growling in the inside. All what holds him calm is Pepper’s presence.

She does follow him on the stage and arrange the microphone for him, before she steps back behind him.

Loki waits a moment on hope to get the lobby quiet.

Clearing his throat he starts: “I am fully aware I am not the favourite person to see behind the microphones. And I agree ; Lady Virginia - Mrs. Potts - is so much a better view as I am. And a greater spokeswoman tho. But bare with me. I do come with a merry message !”

The grown starts to mutter and Loki rise a hand. “I understand that some people think fully Healthcare for children is a bit… overprotective. But I am your king. I have the responsibility for you all. I will not tell the grown-up of this planet how to live there life’s of course. But I insist to take care of the future people of this planet. What includes to assist with free halthcare as free food for the children until the fourteen birthday.”

Loki pauses and give the reporters a moment to let that sink in, before he softly asks: “Any Questions?”

Indeed there were some. Most reporters seems to think him lying about the free food. Loki points out that there is enough food for all humans in the world, but that it is poorly shared. What he don’t point out is, that the authorized companies - like nestle - are on the way to change for that. By forced new, loyal management.

“Why 14 years?”, a reporter asks and Loki tells him that a person of 14 year is seen not more as a child in the asgardian culture, but as a young being, a maiden becomes her first shield to serve her household, a lad getting his own sword or can chose a handcraft.

“To sum it up; I want, as the king of midgard, that every child on this planet will have the same health care, intake of food and at least base education as I had. The same chance for a start in life as my mother gave me. I can’t see harm in that.” Loki smirks. “Alas, my mother allow me knife practice by a very young age. But Lady Virginia told me that it too unproper for this realm.”

Satisfied Loki listen to the laughter he causes with his last sentence even that is is no joke.

Pepper comes closer to Loki and looks at him before she starts to adress the press.

“Today, with the help of your grace, we start with the vaccination programm. We go now in the hospital lab were all of you can see the reproduction of the base immunization against the worst and most dangerous children diseases. Will you follow us?”

She glance at Loki who points to the steps of the stage.“ After you, my lady.”

Just at the way to the prepared visitor lab it happens. Pepper’s bodyguard in front of her shoves the way free for her, but have no eyes on his back. A young lad, looking like a anchorman, steps forward, blocking Loki’s path. Pepper turns back to scroll at him and looks in a gun.

Holding her breath she finds herself in a kind of time lapse. All motions are suddenly like a shadows dream, quick and to the same time slow motion.

Dizzy in shock she watches Loki grabbing the weapon and breaking the man’s wrist. In a smooth wave he turns the man’s body and snaps his neck with an amazingly disgusting sound.

#Loki #God of Mischief #Imagine #Submitted fic #Meet The New Boss #Chapter 18 #Trigger Warning #Non-con #Lemon #submission #loke-laufeyjarson

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classyfoxdestiny · 3 years ago

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Estimated 73% of US immune to omicron: Is it enough? #صحت

New Post has been published on https://mediaboxup.com/estimated-73-of-us-immune-to-omicron-is-it-enough/

Estimated 73% of US immune to omicron: Is it enough?

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The omicron wave that assaulted the United States this winter also bolstered its defenses, leaving enough protection against the coronavirus that future spikes will likely require much less — if any — dramatic disruption to society.

Millions of individual Americans’ immune systems now recognize the virus and are primed to fight it off if they encounter omicron, or even another variant.

About half of eligible Americans have received booster shots, there have been nearly 80 million confirmed infections overall and many more infections have never been reported. One influential model uses those factors and others to estimate that 73% of Americans are, for now, immune to omicron, the dominant variant, and that could rise to 80% by mid-March.

This will prevent or shorten new illnesses in protected people and reduce the amount of virus circulating overall, likely tamping down new waves. Hospitals will get a break from overwhelmed ICUs, experts agree.

CDC, WHITE HOUSE ANTICIPATING TIME WHEN COVID-19 ISN’T A CRISIS AS PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS LOOSENED

“We have changed,” said Ali Mokdad, a professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle. “We have been exposed to this virus and we know how to deal with it.”

The coronavirus — the current variant or future ones that are sure to pop up — remains a dangerous germ. It is still infecting more than 130,000 Americans and killing more than 2,000 every day. Tens of millions of people remain vulnerable.

And there will be future outbreaks. The notion of a “herd immunity” that could stop the virus has slipped away under the harsh reality of new variants, waning immunity, and the rejection of vaccines by some Americans.

But the coronavirus is no longer new. Two years ago it arrived in a nation where nobody’s immune system had seen it before. The entire population — 330 million people — were immunologically naive, that is, susceptible to infection.

People wait in line to test for COVID-19 on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“I am optimistic even if we have a surge in summer, cases will go up, but hospitalizations and deaths will not,” said Mokdad, who works on the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation model, which calculated the 73% figure for The Associated Press.

With varying degrees of relief and caution, many Americans are starting to return to their pre-pandemic lifestyles.

Sarah Rixen, 41, of Bismarck, North Dakota, started singing again with a civic chorus after taking a year off. Now, with omicron winding down, she said she feels more confident than at any time since the crisis began.

“But I am still a little leery that there could be another variant around the corner,” said Rixen, noting that her family and most of her relatives are fully vaccinated. “I am still going to wear a mask.”

As mask mandates ease, workers return to offices and flights fill up, experts are trying to understand whether this return to normal can last, or if another setback is looming.

To address that, researchers are trying to answer questions about the virus, the vaccine, and how our bodies respond: How fast is booster protection waning against omicron? How long does protection from infection last? How many mild infections were never reported? How many people got infected but had no symptoms?

To find clues, they use health data from other countries such as Britain, Denmark, South Africa and Qatar to project what could be in store.

WHO REPORTS NEW COVID-19 CASES DROP BY 19% GLOBALLY

Scientists at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health estimate that about three out of four people in the United States will have been infected by omicron by the end of the surge.

“We know it’s a huge proportion of the population,” said Shaun Truelove, an epidemiologist and disease modeler at Johns Hopkins. “This varies a lot by location, and in some areas we expect the number infected to be closer to one in two.”

That means different regions or groups of people have different level of protection — and risk. In Virginia, disease modelers are thinking about their population in terms of groups with different levels of immunity.

They estimate about 45% of Virginians have the highest level of immunity through boosted vaccination or through vaccination plus a recent infection with omicron. Another 47% have immunity that has waned somewhat; and 7% are the most vulnerable because they were never vaccinated and never infected.

In all, the vast majority of Virginians have at least some immunity, said Bryan Lewis, a computational epidemiologist who leads University of Virginia’s COVID-19 modeling team.

“That’s going to be a nice shield of armor for our population as a whole,” Lewis said. “If we do get to very low case rates, we certainly can ease back on some of these restrictions.”

Still, while the population is better protected, many individuals are not. Even by the most optimistic estimates for population immunity, 80 million or so Americans are still vulnerable. That’s about the same as the total number of confirmed infections in the U.S. during the pandemic.

“The 26% who could still get omicron right now have to be very careful,” Mokdad said.

Andrew Pekosz, a virus researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is concerned that people — particularly unvaccinated omicron survivors — may have a false sense of security. “In an ideal world, unvaccinated individuals infected with omicron would be lining up for a vaccine shot,” he said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Also, estimating protection is far from an exact science. It’s a moving target, as immunity wanes and new variants circulate. Protection varies widely from person to person. And it’s impossible to know for sure how many people are protected at all. The IHME model estimates a wide range — from 63% to 81% of Americans.

“We’ve reached a much better position for the coming months, but with waning immunity we shouldn’t take it for granted,” Mokdad said.

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orbemnews · 4 years ago

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Bankers, Please Return to Your Desks Manhattan calling Goldman Sachs has joined JPMorgan Chase in telling its bankers that it’s almost time to come back to the office. David Solomon, Goldman’s C.E.O., sent a memo to employees advising them to “make plans to be in a position to return to the office” by June 14 in the U.S. and June 21 in Britain. JPMorgan plans to open its offices on May 17 on a voluntary basis and require that workers return to their desks in rotations starting in July. Goldman and JPMorgan’s moves put pressure on other banks to put an end to remote work, several bankers told DealBook. While many thought they could work from home through the summer, some executives are keen to get employees back into the office sooner. (Retail branches have been open throughout the pandemic.) Other major banks aren’t expecting employees to return in meaningful numbers for several months: Citigroup expects to have about 30 percent of its North America-based employees back in the office by the end of the summer. Bank of America’s C.E.O., Brian Moynihan, said recently that a return to the office probably wouldn’t take place until after Labor Day. Wells Fargo said it was “optimistic” that workers would be able to return to the office on Sept. 6. These decisions may be complicated by where the banks’ offices are. It could be easier to coax workers back to JPMorgan’s headquarters in Midtown East, for example, than to Times Square, home to Barclays and Morgan Stanley, where businesses were especially hard-hit by the pandemic and a handful of highly publicized crimes have recently taken place. “People are so on edge and so uncertain about their own future that all these situations are exaggerated,” Kathryn Wylde, the president of the Partnership for New York City, told The Times. Jamie Dimon appears eager for the end of remote working. “I’m about to cancel all my Zoom meetings,” the JPMorgan chief said at an event hosted by The Wall Street Journal. Working from home “does not work for younger people, it doesn’t work for those who want to hustle, it doesn’t work in terms of spontaneous idea generation,” he noted. Dimon said his bank had lost some business because rivals had visited a potential client in person and JPMorgan’s bankers hadn’t. He acknowledged that there was some pushback on the bank’s plans, but didn’t seem willing to give in. “Yes, people don’t like commuting, but so what,” he said. In other Manhattan workplace moves, the New York Stock Exchange issued guidance that allows trading firms to increase their staff on the floor if the employees provide proof of vaccination. And the United Nations is taking a more cautious approach to reopening than its host city, saying that it was premature to plan for an in-person General Assembly in September. Even Eric Yuan, Zoom’s C.E.O., has Zoom fatigue. As a result, he has stopped scheduling back-to-back video chats. “I’m so tired of that,” he said. HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING Business groups oppose voting restrictions in Texas. A coalition including HP and Microsoft published a letter yesterday criticizing “any changes that would restrict eligible voters’ access to the ballot.” A second letter, signed by more than 100 Houston executives, criticized the Texas legislation as “voter suppression.” Both show how companies are more willing to wade into the debate over voting limits after Georgia enacted a bill with restrictions last month. More details emerge about the Gates divorce. Cascade Investment, a holding company owned by Bill Gates, transferred over $1.8 billion worth of assets to Melinda Gates on Monday, the day that the two announced their plans to split. And although they will retain their roles as co-chairs and trustees of the Gates Foundation, questions remain about whether they will focus more on their individual philanthropies after they divorce. The White House alters its Covid-19 vaccination strategy. The Biden administration will shift emphasis from mass inoculation sites to smaller ones like pharmacies to get more people in the U.S. vaccinated. Meanwhile, the campaign to vaccinate the world is floundering, with the virus spreading more rapidly than ever, driven by new waves in South America and India. Corporate America responds to India’s pandemic surge. The Global Task Force on Pandemic Response, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Microsoft, IBM and Accenture, with support from the Business Roundtable, will organize assistance to the country. It will begin by sending 1,000 ventilators and 25,000 oxygen concentrators by the end of the month. Pfizer reveals how its Covid-19 vaccine has boosted its financials. The drugmaker said it had collected $3.5 billion in sales from the shot, likely equating to roughly $900 million in pretax profits. It plans to seek emergency approval to use the vaccine in children age 2 to 11 in September and full approval for use in adults this month. Janet Yellen states the obvious, and markets shudder Janet Yellen, the Treasury secretary and former Fed chair, got in a bit of a tangle yesterday. She rattled the markets at one event — then used her appearance at a second conference to clarify her remarks. Today in Business Updated May 4, 2021, 6:53 p.m. ET “It may be that interest rates will have to rise somewhat to make sure that our economy doesn’t overheat,” she said at the first event, hosted by The Atlantic. Investors seized on those words — tech stocks tumbled most of all on the prospects of higher rates — and critics said she was improperly interfering in monetary policy. Fed officials have said that any spike in inflation linked to robust government spending and a postpandemic reopening is likely to be temporary; the central bank has pledged to keep interest rates low for a long time. “Let me be clear, it’s not something I’m predicting or recommending,” Yellen said at the second event, hosted by The Wall Street Journal, a few hours later. “If anybody appreciates the independence of the Fed, I think that person is me.” Indeed, when she was the Fed chair, Yellen had to deal with persistent jawboning from Donald Trump, who spoke out more explicitly about Fed policy than many previous presidents. Stocks pared their losses. “Markets were unhappy at this statement of the blindingly obvious,” Paul Donovan of UBS wrote in a note to clients today. He and other market watchers have noted that Yellen’s comments essentially described the mechanics of monetary policy and weren’t framed as a prediction. Still, her words carry extra weight, given her previous job. The brief freakout over the mere notion of higher interest rates also revealed how dependent the markets have become on extraordinarily easy monetary policy over the past year. “This trial is going to be a sprawling mess of irrelevant, prejudicial evidence.” — Amy Saharia, a lawyer for Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, at her client’s first appearance in court over criminal fraud charges in more than a year. A federal prosecutor responded that Holmes “defrauded patients by saying tests were accurate and reliable when they weren’t — and she knew it.” Dogecoin does its thing Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency that started as a joke, is still on a tear, after another surge pushed it up a whopping 14,000 percent so far this year. One theory is that the upcoming appearance of Elon Musk, a noted Dogecoin superfan, as host of “Saturday Night Live” could get more people interested in trading the crypto token. (It’s as good a reason as any for those who try to rationalize its movements.) The latest bout of Dogecoin mania has overshadowed what’s going on in Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, which set records this week and made its 27-year-old co-creator, Vitalik Buterin, a billionaire (in dollars). Ethereum is up more than 350 percent for the year to date, outpacing Bitcoin’s relatively pedestrian 90 percent gain — which, for context, outpaces every stock in the S&P 500. Who decides Trump’s fate on Facebook At 9 a.m. Eastern today, the Facebook Oversight Board will announce whether it believes Facebook was justified in barring Donald Trump after he used the platform to incite a mob of supporters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6. Here’s what you need to know about what Mark Zuckerberg has called Facebook’s “Supreme Court,” whose decision could influence how all social networks treat political speech. What is the Facebook Oversight Board? Facebook assembled the board to vet its most sensitive decisions on moderating content. It consists of 20 members, including experts in human rights, constitutional law and journalism. The board’s cases, which are referred by Facebook or the public, are reviewed by a panel of five members, who consider whether the company’s decision is consistent with its rules and human rights laws. A majority of the full board must approve the final decision. Does the board have any power? Only what Facebook gives it. The company has said it will abide by the board’s rulings, and the board’s charter emphasizes its independence. But Facebook has no legal obligation to follow those decisions, and it funds the organization through a $130 million trust. What exactly will the board decide in this case? It could vote to reinstate Trump’s Facebook account or uphold the ban. Or it could provide a ruling with more nuance, such as finding that the ban was appropriate at the time it was initiated but is no longer necessary. In addition to a ruling in this case, Facebook has asked for broader policy recommendations. “Basically the board is setting the tone here for what they’re going to do going forward — how much power they’re going to have, how much power they’re not going to have, whether they’re even going to be constrained by how the question was posed to them with Facebook,” Kate Klonick, an assistant professor of law at St. John’s University, told NPR. THE SPEED READ Deals Tiger Global, the big tech investment firm, reportedly plans to raise $10 billion for its next fund. (FT) Listing news roundup: Jessica Alba’s Honest Company raised $413 million in its I.P.O. at a $1.5 billion valuation; JAB’s Krispy Kreme filed confidentially to go public; and the Equinox gym chain is reportedly in talks to merge with a SPAC founded by Chamath Palihapitiya. (Bloomberg) Politics and policy How two Black C.E.O.s got corporate America to pay attention to voting rights. (WaPo) U.S. officials are pushing Taiwanese chip makers to prioritize American automakers’ demands to ease supply shortages. (Reuters) Inside the debate about who would actually pay President Biden’s corporate tax increase. (WSJ) Tech China is building electric car plants nearly as fast as Europe and the U.S. combined. (NYT) The privacy-focused messaging app Signal said Facebook had blocked it from buying Instagram ads about the social network’s user-data gathering practices. (Insider) Best of the rest A majority of G.E. shareholders voted to reject a $230 million compensation package for the company’s C.E.O., Larry Culp. (FT) Pandora, the world’s largest jewelry maker, is abandoning mined diamonds for lab-created ones. (NYT) We’d like your feedback! Please email thoughts and suggestions to [email protected]. Source link Orbem News #bankers #desks #return

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caitspodcastlist · 7 years ago

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Other

99% Invisible

99percentinvisible.org

From Radiotopia

Caitlin's rating: 5/5

"99% Invisible is about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about — the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world." -99% Invisible website

Aside from Phoebe Judge, Roman Mars is probably my favorite podcast host. He is so talented, and 99% Invisible tells so many interesting stories that as soon as I listened to my first episode (Squatters of the Lower East Side), I was hooked. There are so many things around us that we neglect to notice, and Roman Mars gives us all a chance to learn more about our surroundings. This podcast helps you stop and smell the proverbial flowers. Favorites of mine:

The Trials of Dan and Dave (57:01) - In 1992, Reebok had an ad campaign with two decathalon athletes. Super interesting. I've asked several people if they remember it (not old enough myself) and most of them say yes, so it's amazing to see how much of a lasting effect this ad campaign had. The power of advertising! This is a 99% invisible/ESPN 30 for 30 episode.

The Pool and the Stream (34:46) - Swimming pools changed skateboarding.

In the Same Ballpark (29:34) – The evolution of baseball parks in America. I love love love this episode.

Squatters of the Lower East Side (30:32) - People were illegally living in NYC and eventually came to own the places they were staying in basically by relentlessly defending their residence. POSSESSION IS 9/10 OF THE LAW.

Curious City

wbez.org/shows/curious-city

From WBEZ Chicago

Caitlin's rating: 3/5

"[Curious City's] mission is to include the public in editorial decision-making, make journalism more transparent and strengthen multimedia coverage about Chicago, the surrounding region and its people (past or present)." -WBEZ website

Again, a hit or miss for me, probably because I don't live in Chicago. Listeners send in their questions about Chicago (e.g. Where does all the poop go?), and Curious City answers them.

What Happens to the Lincoln Park Zoo Animals in the Winter? (5:39)

Chicago Bathhouses: More Than a Century of Sanitation, Sex, and Sweat (13:37)

What Happens to "Number 2" in the Second City? (9:03)

A Lot You Got to Holler

design.newcity.com/a-lot-you-got-to-holler-podcast

From Newcity Design

Caitlin's rating: ??

"The podcast explores Chicago’s singular history of architecture, design and urbanism, with an emphasis on pop culture." -Newcity Design website

To be honest, I never listened to this one, but it's on my list because it sounds like a Chicago version of 99% Invisible.

Love and Radio

loveandradio.org

From Radiotopia

Caitlin's rating: 3/5

"Love and Radio features in-depth, otherworldly-produced interviews with an eclectic range of subjects, from the seedy to the sublime. You’ve never heard anything like it before. New installments are added monthly." -Love and Radio website

Love and Radio is interesting because there's very limited narration. The story starts, and you basically have to figure it out as it goes on. I've liked the episodes I've heard, but it hasn't hooked me like some of the other shows. Recommendation:

Relevant Questions (46:05) - Polygraph expert helps people cheat the system. This is the same guy who is in the polygraph episode of This American Life mentioned above, but not the same broadcast.

Snakes!!!!!!!! (33:48) - Guy self-immunizes with snake venom.

A Girl of Ivory (42:16) - Polyamorous relationship with an unexpected twist.

Part Time Genius

parttimegenius.show

From How Stuff Works

Caitlin's rating: 3/5

"Every episode packs incredible research, fun-filled quizzes, nerdy interviews and a giant, head-scratching question into one superfun show." - Part Time Genius website

I don't particularly like the humor in this show, but it does have some interesting fun facts, and I definitely learned something new every time I listened. Recommendations:

Was Mr. Rogers the Best Neighbor Ever? (41:52) - BRB sobbing

What are the Greatest Things We Just Learned about Japan? (40:41) - OMG at the baseball story. That cracked me up.

How Did Putin Come to Power? (42:32) - Between this and watching Icarus, Putin terrifies me.

Is Recycling Worth the Hassle? (47:11) - Shoutout to this episode for putting me on even more of an environmentalism kick. I am especially trying to reuse plastic grocery bags now and, sadly, throwing them in the trash whenever they've finished their purpose.

What Are the Most Surprising Jobs at the White House? (43:39) - I already knew some of this thanks to Veep. :) But it was still good.

Science Vs

gimletmedia.com/science-vs

From Gimlet

Caitlin's rating: 5/5

"Science Vs takes on fads, trends, and the opinionated mob to find out what’s fact, what’s not, and what’s somewhere in between." -Gimlet website

I LOVE Science Vs! Another show with an Aussie host, this show is pleasant to listen to and always helps me learn more. Wendy interviews doctors, scientists, and other experts to back up her material. They break down the science-based evidence in a way that any audience can understand without being condescending. Favorites:

Opioids: How America Got Hooked (45:56) - Did you know that in 2016, opioids killed more people in America than AIDS did in its most dangerous year?!

The Bee-pocalypse (31:44) - Bees are dying, and you should care.

Vaccines - Are They Safe? (35:09) - Short answer: Yes.

The Rise of Anti-Vaxxers (32:24) - My eyes are rolled all the way back into my head right now.

Abortion: What You Need to Know (46:07) - Understanding the process is important, in my opinion, especially in this political climate. Don't make claims for one side or the other until you know the facts of how it works!

Strangers

storycentral.org/strangers

Formerly from Radiotopia, but now from Story Central

Caitlin's rating: 5/5

"Each episode is an empathy shot in your arm, featuring true stories about the people we meet, the connections we make, the heartbreaks we suffer, the kindnesses we encounter, and those frightful moments when we discover that WE aren’t even who we thought we were." -Story Central website

Strangers is so fascinating to me. It tells the stories of people. Usually they're stories that I can't relate to, but the people in these stories still have the same feelings that we all experience, so the stories aren't irrelevant. They're funny, they're said, they made me angry. Any time of show that evokes this type of emotion is a winner in my book. Lea's voice is soothing in the same way that Phoebe Judge's is. She talks about her personal life some, and I know that's appealing to some listeners. Personally, I'm more "Get to the story!" but that's okay. The wait is worth it. Favorites:

Franky Carillo - Life (34:39) and Franky Carillo - Life Now (29:35) - Guy serves 20 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

Kugel vs Khaled (37:52) - Alaa Khaled aka Alec Ledd talks about how he had to change his name to hide his ethnicity and break into acting.

Claire Obscure (57:31) -

Twelve Years On (33:44) - A refugee Somali family moves to a white neighborhood in Vermont

Eleven Up (1:07:51) - A family adopts children from another family, and then the families make plans to move in together.

The Truth (50:03) - A family divides when a member gets accused of the worst thing possible

Lex (35:06) - What do you do when you think your child is capable of being violent?

Claire Obscure (57:31) - Girl grows up with very abusive family, changes her identity so that her dad never finds her. Super intense.

The Son, The Goddess, and Leopoldo (47:37) - Guy is born into a lesbian witch coven, lives in communes with his mother, and eventually becomes an attorney.

Spooked

spookedpodcast.org

From WNYC Studios and Snap Judgement

Caitlin's rating: 4/5

"True-life supernatural stories, told first-hand by people who can barely believe it happened themselves." - Snap Judgement website

Whether you believe this kind of stuff or not, the stories are interesting and creepy. As a huge Stephen King fan, this appealed to me. The narrator, Glynn Washington, is amazing. He also hosts a show about Heavens Gate, which I tried to listen to, but it gave me nightmares about the cult I used to be in. Womp womp. Anyway, here are my favorite Spooked episodes:

Spooked: A Friend in the Forest (29:56) - Weird appearance of a boy who was supposed to be dead. Narrator is Irish.

Spooked: Lost in Time (36:37) - Two people walk into a bar that time warps.

Spooked: Final Act (35:26) - An EMT gets lost and someone who is supposedly dead helps her.

Wait Wait . . . Don't Tell Me!

npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me

From NPR

Caitlin's rating: 3/5

"NPR's weekly current events quiz. Have a laugh and test your news knowledge while figuring out what's real and what we've made up." -NPR website This one's okay. I subscribed to it so that I could prep for bar trivia (don't judge). I like that they have celebrity guests on the show. The newest episode has LeVar Burton (9:44), and I am stoked to listen to that! Bradley Whitford's episode was good, too. He's so problematic for me because I love him in West Wing, but I hate him in Get Out. Such a skilled actor.

#99pi #99% invisible #radiotopia #cait's podcast list #podcasts #curious city #npr #a lot you got to holler #newcity design #love and radio #part time genius #how stuff works #gimlet #science vs #strangers #spooked #snap judgement #wait wait don't tell me

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turnt4turnadette · 7 years ago

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Turnadette and All Things Smut: South African Nights

I enjoyed writing “The Wedding Night” so much that I decided to start a series of one shots about Patrick and Shelagh’s life in the bedroom in no particular order.

This one is also what I would consider 4 kettles so proceed with caution ; )

Here is the link to my 1st chapter in this series, “The Wedding Night”

Shelagh was in their bedroom that afternoon, packing for their trip. She could not believe that in less than a week they would be on a plane headed to South Africa to join the others. She had the suitcases opened with a stack of clothes sitting beside them on the bed. She worked her way through the stack of clothes, she packed her nurses uniforms, the khaki pants and light blue button down shirt she bought for Patrick to wear, his lab coats and the blue and white dress she had bought herself for the trip. She looked down at the next item to be packed and felt heat rise to her cheeks thinking of his possible reaction to her nightwear. She had bought it last week when she went shopping for the other clothes they would need for the colonial climate. She put it away before she showed him the other things she had bought for the trip because she wanted to surprise him. She was looking forward to helping out at Hope Clinic and she would miss her children terribly, but she was excited to have some alone time with her husband, without interruptions. She picked it up off of the bed, folded the nightie and put it in the suitcase.

Shelagh looked at herself in her Bri-Nylon nightie in the mirror and zipped up her small bag before going into their room. She felt heat coil in her stomach in anticipation of what could happen next, what she wanted to happen next. She walked into their room and put down her small bag as he said “We'll have to arrange for deliveries of extra vaccine from Cape Town, with the only phone a mile away in the village Post Office”

“I actually shuddered when she said that. How does anyone run a hospital without access to telephone?” she said in the most nonchalant tone that she could manage. Just as she finished stating her question, she saw him look up at her and his face relaxed immediately.

“What's all this?” he asked her as a grin formed on his face

Shelagh knew that he liked her nightie and determined by the look on his face that they shared the same intentions, She found satisfaction in the power she had over him this way. Instead of jumping into bed and snogging with him right then, she decided to playfully tease by explaining the merits of Bri-Nylon fabric “It's made of a new material called Bri-Nylon. You can rinse it through and just leave it to drip dry.” She grabbed the jacket of her nightwear and fluffed it out as she said that and then sat on the bed beside him.

She looked over her shoulder and added “Perfect for a colonial climate” with a grin on her face

“Absolutely” Patrick replied beaming

She placed her legs on top of the bed, took off her glasses and placed them on the nightstand. Patrick leaned in, but instead of kissing her, he touched the ruffle of her nightie that lined her chest and whispered to her, “I really do like this Bri-Nylon and it suits you well, but I prefer to see you unclothed when we’re in bed together”

Chills ran down her spine as he titled his head and his kissed her chest. She sighed and ran her fingers in his hair as his tongue swirled on her pale skin. He made his way up her chest, up to her collarbone, and to that spot that he knew she liked on her neck, sucking a bruise. He removed his lips from her neck and took his lips into hers, kissing her hard. Their tongues intertwined which set Shelagh’s insides on fire every time they kissed this way. She tugged at Patrick’s bottom lip with her teeth, which made him groan. Shelagh broke their embrace and pushed him down on the bed and placed her lips on his neck, giving him a mark to match hers while unbuttoning his pajama top. She ran her free hand up and down his chest while she used her other arm to hold herself up. When she undid the last button, he leaned up so he could remove his shirt. They both stilled when they heard one of the twin beds skid on the floor, leaving a small gap in between the beds, which they both realized would only get bigger as things progressed.

“I guess that means we’re going to have to get real cozy on one twin beds” said Patrick

“Yes, but that will make taking off our clothes a little tricky” she giggled

“We will manage” replied Patrick as he giggled back. He got up off the bed, extended his arm and helped Shelagh off the bed. She started to remove her nightdress, but he grasped her arm and gently put it down by her side. He took the nightie by the bottom hem and started to take it off her body with one hand while his other hand ran up her thigh and settled on her lower back. He managed to pull it over her head and threw it on the floor, leaving her bare chested. Their lips met again and he touched her breast, put her nipple between his index and middle finger, making her moan. He broke their embrace and whispered in her ear “Behave yourself Mrs. Turner, we are not the only ones staying in this building”

“I think you may have a hard time behaving yourself Mr.Turner after I do this” she whispered as she touched his manhood, sliding her hand up and down the fabric of his pajama pants and he groaned. She slid her hands underneath his pants and boxers on his bare buttock and pulled down his boxers and pants as she ran her hands down his thighs to slip them off, leaving him completely exposed. He removed her knickers in the same fashion, making her gasp at his touch.

“Ready to get in bed?” he asked her

“Yes” she replied

He laid down on the far right side of the bed first and she laid on top of him. They began to snog, hands exploring each others bodies, moans escaping from both of them. She felt his want for her against her upper thigh and she thrusted her hips against his, ready to finish with him inside her.

“I’m ready” she gasped

He slid himself into her and she moved her hips closer to Patrick’s so he could be further inside her. She moved up and down, increasing in pace as they kept going. With each thrust she could feel herself getting closer and closer to completion. After almost three years of marriage, this part of their marriage had yet to get old, and each time they committed this act together, she fell in love with him a little more than before. She heard him reach his climax and she followed moments later, reaching a high that only he could give her. He pulled out and she rolled over to the other twin bed as the caught their breath. With the combination hotter climate and their lovemaking, they decided without speaking to not cuddle and instead turned over and faced one another.

“We really need to go asleep, we are going to have a long day tomorrow” said Shelagh

“This was totally worth losing sleep over” he replied

“I totally agree” she told him with a smile

“Goodnight my love” he said

“Goodnight, I love you” she answered

She closed her eyes and smirked, satisfied with the results of her Bri-Nylon nightie, and fell asleep.

#call the midwife #ctm #nonnatus house #fanfiction #fanfic #ctm fanfic #patrick turner #shelagh turner #turnadette

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newagesispage · 4 years ago

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JUNE 2021

The Rib Page

Head out for the dates on the final tour of The Monkees that we still have left. Mike and Micky are saying bye bye, bye bye, bye bye.

*****

Days of our Lives has been renewed for 2 more seasons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*****

The last CONAN will be on TBS on June 24. We’ll be waiting to see ya on HBO MAX.

*****

Condom sales are up 24%.** They are saying it is the start of slutty summer??**There are reports that STD’s are on the rise in certain counties.

*****

Hemp Hemp Hurray!- Tommy Chong

*****

An old species of a giant tortoise on the Galapagos was found. Tests match a tortoise not seen since 1906. Scientists are now looking for a mate for the female to revive the species.

*****

Black-ish will end after season 8** Ellen is calling it quits and will end her show next year.** Thursdays will be Wolf night. With the addition of Law and Order: For the defense, NBC will have an entire L&O night! A friend said, “It’s almost as if the shows are made to lull the elderly to sleep.” I see it every day with the elderly: Law and Order on all day as they nap.

*****

American Housewife and Rebel have been cancelled.

*****

Bill Maher tested positive for Covid as did most of the Yankees. They were fully vaccinated.** Gov. Newsom was in the Kimmel audience talking about the lottery in California for those who were vaccinated.

*****

Ewan McGregor was so WOW! as Halston!!

*****

Illinois may be getting about 110 new pot shops.

*****

Breeders got picked up for season 3.

*****

The Piglet, Nick Lachey won the 5th season of The Masked Singer.

*****

Can’t wait for Val, the doc about Val Kilmer.

*****

John Dickerson will leave 60 minutes and concentrate more on the Morning shows. He has been promoted to chief political analyst and senior national correspondent.

*****

In Texas there are more barriers to riding a motorcycle than wearing a gun. They seem to encourage people to have guns on them with no training and no license.

*****

Why do we still have to hear anything about Meghan McCain? She tries to shame Kamala Harris for her “long weekend” comment as she is out gambling and partying for the Memorial day weekend. What does that have to do with honoring the fallen?

*****

Bill Hader was given the Masters of Comedy award at the USC Comedy Fest.

*****

Cellmate secrets is coming to Lifetime on June 4 with host, Angie Harmon.

*****

JP Morgan Chase collected about 1.5 billion in overdraft fees in 2020.

*****

Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch will come out on October 22. The film stars Bill Murray, Elisabeth Moss, Frances McDormand, Timothee Chalomet, Owen Wilson, Angelica Huston, Jeffrey Wright, Saorse Ronan, Tilda Swinton and Benecio del Toro.

*****

Billboard awards giving tribute to Pink as a “legend.” What? Nothing against Pink or any of the other people that are honored too young in the award shows but… really?? There are so many mature legends that get forgotten that deserve some love for their well lived talent. It seems way too obvious that they just want the promo of someone still quite popular for the ratings.

*****

Did ya know that St. Chad’s church in Shropshire has the real tombstone of the fake Ebeneezer Scrooge?

*****

Politics is war without bloodshed, war is politics with bloodshed. –Huey Newton** The Black Panthers had it right in so many ways. I would love to see buildings and programs again named in memory of the slain victims of police violence.

*****

Kroger paid its CEO $22mil, but can’t find the $ to give its essential workers hazard pay during a pandemic? Disgusting! –Robert Reich

*****

Ariana Grande married Dalton Gomez.

*****

25% of Americans think Trump is really President, 25% of Germans supported Hitler.

*****

People in this country have to be told not to put gasoline in baggies? India is begging for more vaccines and many in this country have to be bribed to get a shot to help themselves and their fellow man?? I love U America but there are some really selfish, stupid people here.** But, we also must remember that the poor may be a little fearful of the vaccine. Many cannot believe that they can get something for nothing. Free vaccine? Many hard working poor never get a break and have to wonder what the catch is.

*****

Days alert: Xander gets better and better. Thank you writers for his lines like when he spoke of birds of a feather as he was in an intimate moment, “Why not flock?”** Ken Corday said he was “on my knees, begging” for Days renewal. Jackee’ Harry (Paulina) and Robert Scott Johnson (Ben) have signed new contracts. Shatner congratulated them on Twitter.** Gwen and Xander both living in the old Horton house? Will he find out her secret? Oh my.. not them together??** EJ is on his way back and will be played by Dan Feuerrlegel on June 9.** Eric is on the way back. It looks like Jonny Dimera is all grown up and will join his sister. ** Word is that Paulina will live at 227. Chloe and Philip may get together yet.** Will a dead body wash up in Salem??

*****

So $10 billion for a Jeff Bezos space firm bailout?? Is that true??

*****

From 1980-1993, the Israeli government prohibited artists from using the colors of the Palestinian flag in their work.

*****

Chevron got into trouble for their pollution problems. Steven Donziger who helped take them down has been on house arrest for 2 years. Why? He is begging to be prosecuted.

*****

I am really routing for Naomi Osaka. Nobody should be forced to respond to ridiculous questions from reporters. I get that it is part of their job but if one is willing to pay the fine, who cares?? I can’t imagine being exhausted and putting up with the nonsense. It reminds me of running up to victims of a tragedy and getting in their face. We can communicate by social media now. I am all about writers but use your heads. Much like Marshawn Lynch, it is time to stand up!! Protect your mental health!!** Well, this updated just before June. Officials warned her that she would be expelled so she left the French open. She was honest about her anxiety. I see this every day. When will people be allowed to truly be themselves with no penalty?? I think this when I see a restaurant worker forced to wear a humiliating costume or a cashier with a giant name tag with ridiculous advertising slogans. Yes, a company or event is paying you so they should have their promotion but put yourself in their shoes. These are all varying degrees of the same problem. Why must we be pushed into the same lane all the time??

*****

It costs about 2 mil to remove 4 statues due to litigation and safety for the removers.

*****

Hooray for the Texas Dems who walked out to block the outrageous voting bill there. I mean, amongst other things, the GOP want to make it EASIER for a judge to throw out votes based on ALLEGATIONS. They say the removal of hours for Sunday voting was just a “mistake.” There is talk of not paying the Dems but I don’t think they can do that. The GOP claims there are hundreds of incidents of voter fraud and they will prove it when the time is right. Um…..

*****

Bruce Dern, Olivia Munn and Keith David will star in The Gateway.

*****

The complete story of the Gettysburg address is in post- production. Look for voice work from David Strathairn, Cary Elwes, Sam Elliott, Michael C. Hall, Dermot Mulroney, Keith David, Matthew Broderick, Lili Taylor, Victor Garber, Ed Asner, Jason Alexander and Lois Smith.

*****

Was anyone surprised when the Son of Sam doc on Netflix wound around to Manson? I guess it depends on the books that you have read.

*****

Oh Andrew Yang, I have become so disillusioned with you.

*****

A Colorado man charged with murdering his wife submitted her absentee ballot in the 2020 election. He thought, “other guys” were cheating so he would give Trump another vote. –Reid Wilson

*****

The commonwealth of Kentucky has never elected a black person to federal office. –Charles Booker

*****

Have ya seen Woke with LaMorne Morris and J.B. Smoove?

*****

M. Night Shyamalan is back with Old.

*****

The Friends had their reunion.** China cut about 6 minutes out of the broadcast.

*****

Matthew Modine is running for SAG President again with his running mate, Joely Fisher.

*****

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. –Blaise Pascal Pensees** Are you sick of hearing about the angry white men on shooting rampages. It is alarming how we always hear about how everyone knew of their anger or that they had been looked at before and just left to go on their merry way. C’mon law enforcement, stop picking on minorities and old women and concentrate on the real threat.

*****

Brendan Fraser, Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, David Harbour, Benecio del Toro, Ray Liotta, Don Cheadle and Kieran Culkin will star in No Sudden Move on July 1.

*****

Can’t wait for the release of the 3 LP vinyl collection, Jonathon Winters: Unearthed. Look for it on Record Store Day, June 12.

*****

Concerning Marjorie Taylor Greene’s abuse: “I used to work as a bartender. These are the kinds of people that I threw out of bars all the time.” : AOC** In answer to MTG’s Jewish star comparison, some have started wearing “not vaccinated” stars. What the fuck is wrong with people?

*****

Could Drew Barrymore and Dylan Farrow be related? They look so much alike.

*****

Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden got together with their wives and talked of old times. Much was made of the photo of that meeting that was released. The Biden’s looked like giants.

*****

Word is that Arizona congressman Andy Biggs was one of the main organizers of the insurrection. GOP Rep from Oregon, Mike Nearman, was caught on camera letting the culprits into the capitol on Jan. 6. TREASON! When will the wheels of justice get to them?** Newt Gingrich said of the Biden administration: They are “attacking people of traditional values,” by flying the “gay flag at American embassies.”** When will this latest religious fervor die down?** Word is that Tiffany Trump and Vanessa Trump had flings with secret service.

*****

Fuck you Trump, you left us on the battlefield bloody and alone. –Proud Boys leader Ethan Nordean. He explained that “We followed this guy’s lead and never questioned it.” I mean what kind of sheep are these guys? Can they not think for themselves?** There is talk that Trump’s justice department was spying on reporters. ** Hey Kimmel: Can you stop talking about Trump? Enough already!! And.. Reality is boring? What?

*****

On Trump: I imagine it is a chilling final turn of the plot. His world is coming to an end. He will never have another good day. Loser label will haunt him, the law will pursue him. Mental illness will hobble him. His properties will bankrupt him. –Peter Marks

*****

So, the terrorist GOP in the senate does not want Jan. 6 investigated. Of course they do not want to shine a light on their wrong doings. They say they love law enforcement and then they shit on them like this. The very people that were killed or injured trying to protect them mean nothing to them. ** Mitch McConnell thinks he can stop the full truth from coming out. He cannot. The House can empower a bipartisan select congressional committee to investigate the insurrection. The select committee would also have stronger subpoena power because GOP members can’t block subpoenas.

*****

Rand Paul is to medicine what Flashdance is to welding. – Rob Reiner

*****

“We birthed a nation from nothing, I mean, there was nothing here. I mean, yes, we have Native Americans but candidly there isn’t much Native American culture. It was born of the people who came here, pursuing religious liberty.” –Rick Santorum** CNN has dropped him as a political contributor.** Only a fuckboy scumbag could be this clueless and wrong. –Michael Ealy

*****

The latest sexual misconduct news: Danny Masterson will stand trial on 3 rape charges.** Bill Cosby was denied parole.

*****

Trump is ignored and irrelevant on pretty much every major social media venue. –Mia Farrow

*****

The George Floyd family came to the White House on the 1 year anniversary of his death.

*****

The Kennedy Center honors have been given and will air on June 6 on CBS. This year we honor Dick Van Dyke, Joan Baez, Midori, Garth Brooks and Debbie Allen.

*****

Since 2000, the wealth of billionaires has increased by 238%. – Robert Reich

*****

The moon, in its orbit is spiraling away from Earth by about the width of 2 fingers every year. –Neil deGrasse Tyson

*****

Why is everybody surprised about the UFO revelations? Of course there are UFO’s. Nobody is saying they are filled with space aliens. Another country could be testing them. There are always things we cannot explain.** We also can’t be surprised that the Q types fight the UFO stories. Once scientific voices of reason come into play, they turn away.

*****

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced their class: The early influence awards go to Kraftwerk, Charley Patton and Gil Scott- Heron. Music excellence goes to LL Cool J, Billy Preston and Randy Rhoads. The Ahmet Ertegun award goes to Clarence Avant. The Performers honored will be Tina Turner, Carole King, The Go-Go’s, Jay-Z, Foo Fighters and Todd Rundgren. The 36th annual show will take place on October 30th.

*****

We are all just rapidly decaying meat bags. – Mr. Griffin on AP Bio

*****

Scientists have developed the whitest white: Ba so4

*****

John Mulaney is back on stage with the stand up.

*****

Killers of the flower moon is finally being filmed. The Scorsese film stars Leo, DeNiro, Jesse Plemons and Lily Gladstone.

*****

2 out of every 3 people in the U.S. get their drinking water from rivers. Support American Rivers.org

*****

House Dems passed the pregnant workers fairness act. Employers with more than 15 employees and public sector employees must make reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers

*****

HBO has shown a first look at House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones.

*****

Bridgerton is spinning off Queen Charlotte.

*****

Purple lipstick is a really hot item.

*****

Peoria and Scranton are the hub of getting an extra family. JB Smoove

*****

Yamiche Alcindor is the new moderator of Washington Week. I miss Robert Costa but if they had to move on, I had fingers crossed for Weijia Jang or Yamiche.** Costa went on Twitter for the first time since 2020 to congratulate her. I can’t wait for his book with Woodward!!!!!!!

*****

The firing squad is back in South Carolina.

*****

So, there is a worker shortage?? Perhaps if we made it easier to get hired, things would work better. Can owners and managers actually look at a person and go with their gut? Can we get rid of drug tests and long online applications and psych exams? The $ spent on administrative work for hiring is ruining this country. A normal person has to jump thru hoops just to wash dishes anymore. We are not ll cookie cutter people. Often there are no rewards for loyal employees, not to mention benefits. And the laziness of employers who will then not do anything about bad employees that disrupt the work place is astounding. C’mon, give people a chance and then hold them to account and reward the hard workers. Most everyone I know has these same complaints. Who wants to go thru that?

*****

Medina Spirit failed a drug test after the Kentucky Derby.** You know who doesn’t care about who wins the Kentucky Derby? The horses. It’s time to ban horse racing. -Larry Charles

*****

I’ve had a wonderful time, but tonight wasn’t it. –Groucho Marx

*****

If you don’t need a mask because God will protect you, why do you need a gun?- anonymous

*****

How shady is the GOP when it comes to these recounts to support the big lie? Taxpayer $ is being used for this and now there will have to be new voting machines. Since the auditors have mishandled the machines and insisted on passwords, Maricopa County will have to start over!! Can we keep reminding the public that this is costing us all a lot of $???** Even the majority of republicans say that the audits are keeping the base energized for the next election so mission accomplished

*****

Tulsa survivors spoke in front of congress as a reparations bill was introduced.

*****

Men who think they can decide for the women who carry the consequences of their ejaculations that life begins at conception, need to put their $ where their misogynist, hypocritical mouths are with laws that require instantaneous and permanent child support or shut the fuck up. –Bradley Whitford

*****

It is estimated that there are about 50 billion birds on the planet.

*****

Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Keaton are bringing us The Protégé.

*****

There has been a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after 10 days of fighting. Well done on the Middle East, Jared!!

*****

Andrea Mitchell, a hard ass working journalist seems to be slowing down.

*****

Legos has added some LGBTQ characters.

*****

Can we put Finn Wittrock and Leo in a film together?

*****

Check out the Traveling Diary Tour.

*****

Jamie Foxx has some mega product placement in the new, Dad stop embarrassing me!

*****

Brooklyn 99 will air 2 episodes a week in this final season.

*****

Three Doctors who treated Navalny are missing.

*****

Laverne Cox will be the new host of E!’s red carpet coverage. Giuliana Rancic has left.

*****

Look for the book Bull Twit … and whatnot from George Wallace.

*****

R.I.P. Vernon Jordon, Ed Ward, Tawny Kitaen, Olympia Dukakis, Bo, the Obama’s dog, the latest mass shooting and stabbing victims, Roger Hawkins, Paul Mooney, Shock 6, Eric Carle, Charles Grodin, Diamond Girl Taylor, John Davis, Kevin Clark , Jim Clendenen, B.J. Thomas, Buddy Van Horn and Norman Lloyd.

0 notes

shinneth · 5 years ago

Text

Gem Ascension Tropes (White Diamond-specific: K - P)

Primary General Post ♦ Full Article ♦ Primary Peri Post ♦ Primary WD Post

Karma Houdini: Pretty much everyone except Steven is fully aware she is this no matter how decisively she’s been defeated. When Steven spares her with an Energy Donation, she proves this when she retaliates with that very energy.

Killed Off For Real: White shattered into a ring of dust moments before Homeworld followed suit. She ain’t coming back from that.

Know-Nothing Know-It-All: For being the Diamond of Omniscience, White has one hell of a selective memory and for the most part all but disregards Steven and Peridot’s identities and lives on Earth. She is solely focused on who they are as Diamonds; White speaks as if they never had lives or a purpose elsewhere. This behavior works to the Crystal Gems’ benefit on more than one occasion throughout Act III. Literally, the only time White seems to have any kind of awareness of Steven and Peridot’s Earth lives is when she’s part of the Celadon Diamond fusion.

Lack of Empathy: A bit of a given when one considers the countless amounts of lives she’s ruined at best (outright ended at worst) even before the events of GA. Not to mention the fact that White makes it very clear that she doesn’t see herself at fault for anything that ever went wrong with Homeworld and isn’t sorry for a single crime she commits. Losing Pink Diamond is probably the closest White ever came to averting this trope, but that was also largely her fault (that she, shockingly, refuses to own up to). Pink’s spirit outright admits she’s the only soft spot White has that the Crystal Gems could exploit to appeal to her alleged “better nature” … but given the lives she’d shatter before reality finally makes her face the music, it really isn’t worth the effort.

Last-Second Chance: After Steven grants White an Energy Donation at her request before leaving, she’s extremely offended by how neutral he’s behaving around her. She’s also not taking Peridot’s mellowed down stance on her well, either, given everything she put these two through, and by extension, all their friends and everyone she ruled over. To be treated like she’s irrelevant is far worse than being reviled, as it makes her feel insignificant despite being who she is. Despite Steven’s good intentions, White sees this as a Cruel Mercy. So, against all rational thought, she attempts to throw a last fatal parting shot In the Back at the Crystal Gems before Peridot nearly turns it into a Backstab Backfire (which she only defies at the last second after the sheer satisfaction of terrifying White is far more rewarding than simply taking her life).

Let’s See YOU Do Better!: Literally the only somewhat-valid ammunition White Diamond has against the Crystal Gems towards the end of Act III is her speculation on whether or not they can do a better job at handling an entire empire than her. The Crystal Gems maintain their positive outlook on how life will play out from here on out, but every single one of them has at least some degree of concern on how they’re going to handle adapting millions of confused and terrified Homeworld gems to Earth, as well as how to handle the issue of the colonies inevitably falling apart unless they get involved. The only thing that’s certain at this point is that the Crystal Gems won’t be following White Diamond’s example.

Light/Bright is Not Good: She is a Complete Monster, and also the lightest, whitest, and brightest of the entire cast by far.

Logical Weakness: Since White Diamond’s powers of omniscience largely rely on her ability to Body Surf through the bodies of gems she hijacks with her pallification, it stands to reason that White is screwed and practically blind if she is in a situation where there are no gems for her to use as puppets. In Act III, Pearl manages to create a vaccine that grants gems immunity to her influence (though it can’t cure gems that are already infected). By Chapter 5, all of the living Homeworld gems – regardless of their health – were migrated to Earth courtesy of Steven and Peridot. By Chapter 7, Garnet and Moonstone dispatch all of White Diamond’s proxies after the real White fused to become Celadon Diamond. This left White with no means of observing the world through her subjects’ eyes, and the Crystal Gems were immune to her influence. White also could no longer hide behind a mass of clones; she had to confront the Crystal Gems directly from that point onward.

Mad Scientist: She, Yellow, and Blue were behind the development of all Unwitting Test Subjects prior to Peridot. The reason, at least as far as White is concerned, is little more than For Science (and whether or not diamond dust is a viable component to add to injector fluid to better a gem’s inherent skill). This trope’s more of a thing for Peridot’s case specifically, since she’s the only test subject who got an extra element in Yellow Diamond’s shard thrown into what made her; White’s rationale for this was to see not only if she could grow a new Diamond from another gem, but to see if a gem from the bottom of the caste system can rise all the way to the top through this experiment. Surprisingly, White ended up being successful on both points.

Manipulative Bastard: Might as well be White’s middle name. She pulls a very long and elaborate game with Peridot to wear down her defenses, then at the right moment, targets Peridot’s weakness for Steven to overcome the Determinator. From that point onwards, Peridot becomes very easy to manipulate over to her side. Although it isn’t long before Peridot (as Chartreuse Diamond) pulls a Heel-Face Turn, all White Diamond has to do is trap her again along with her friends and then make Peridot’s resolve crumble with a single Armor-Piercing Question about her inability to fuse (with some heavy implication that her very influence is hazardous to Steven’s health). With that, White is able to force Peridot into a fusion to form Celadon Diamond, and as a bonus, has Peridot as a permanent hostage.

Master of Illusion: Conjures an illusion of Steven that even bears his voice with the sole purpose of distracting Peridot long enough for her to lose in the ongoing struggle to keep her neck from getting lacerated. She ripped it straight from Peridot’s own mind, as a bonus.

Meaningful Title: The Diamond of Omniscience; as a serial Body Snatcher, she can oversee everything going on in Homeworld without ever having to leave her palace.

The Mentor: Makes herself out to be one for Peridot in Act III when she ascends and becomes Chartreuse Diamond, but it’s all an act to keep Peridot Properly Paranoid about using her new powers too much.

Mike Nelson, Destroyer of Worlds: White really didn’t think through her rebooting-Homeworld plan very well. She obviously had no plans for precautions on how to protect her own subjects from the planet’s inevitable destruction, let alone the infrastructure of the metropolis or even herself. Arguably, White might have survived such an event in peak condition, but there was no evidence whatsoever that she had any plans for damage control or any form of a Plan B if this process didn’t work the way she intended it to. Ironically, Homeworld did end up getting reborn, albeit through natural means – in other words, it’ll be millions of years before the new Homeworld would even be inhabitable. It also happened without any input from White whatsoever, and frankly couldn’t have worked out with her as an element even if she did live to see it.

Mind Hive: Utilizes proxies to resemble identical copies of herself via Clone by Conversion of several pallified gems fusing together.

Mind Rape: Resorts to this after accepting that she can’t break Determinator Peridot any other way.

Moral Event Horizon: Objectively, White crossed this a loooong time ago; she’s every bit as responsible (if not more so) for countless acts of global genocide and everything else inherent with being the ruler of a densely-populated planet where Individuality is Illegal and life can be forfeit merely on a whim. In terms of Gem Ascension, well… the easy answer would be the moment she (as Celadon Diamond) blew up the Crystal Gems’ spaceship, resulting in the attempted murder of Greg and actual murder of Pumpkin in Chapter 7 of Act III. But honestly, her very first heinous action of killing Blue Diamond in Chapter 6 of Act I could count, too. Then there’s the slew of atrocities White’s committed between these two moments…

Narcissist: No matter how often she screws up, White Diamond will never admit to being anything less than perfect. Even when it’s painfully obvious how ignorant and delusional she is late in Act III, at no point does White even show the slightest hint of self-awareness of her own insanity and ineptitude. She blames Homeworld’s crapsack state on everyone else, which is why she wants to form the Diamond of Miracles to reboot the planet back to its previously-perceived “perfect” form it once was thousands of years ago.

Never My Fault: Homeworld is dying because of her by Act III. It was already merely a shell of its former self prior to GA, but that was also largely due to White Diamond’s carelessness. Still, despite being shown all the evidence that points to her as the cause, she will point fingers at literally everyone else to blame for the state of Homeworld before ever considering her own responsibility.

No One Sees the Boss: Downplayed in that White Diamond has clearly been seen in canon by several of the main characters before GA even starts, but it’s made clear in Chapter 6 of Act I that this is actually a very big deal. Historically, White Diamond almost never shows herself, and Peridot confirms that it’s actually taboo to even talk about White, or even namedrop her. This has been the case not only in modern times, but even Lapis and Bismuth can’t recollect anything about White Diamond when they lived on Homeworld many thousands of years ago as well. As GA progresses, the trope becomes averted, as White is pretty much forced to step out from the shadows to address her subjects in order to fill in for Yellow and Blue Diamond after killing them both in Act I.

No Sympathy: Surprising, isn’t it? The self-centered, morally-bankrupt, and single-minded main villain of the main story doesn’t give two hoots how much others around her suffer as a consequence of her actions. Most of the time, White is shown not acknowledging someone’s turmoil at all, even when it’s shoved right in front of her face.

Not So Omniscient After All: With Steven and Peridot sending away all remaining gems on Homeworld to Earth, then later Garnet and Moonstone destroying all of her remaining proxies, White Diamond no longer has the means to be anywhere and everywhere. She can’t exactly be a Body Snatcher (nor a Body Surfer) if there are no bodies left for her to hijack. She can’t even use the Crystal Gems for that purpose, as by that point they’ve all been immunized to her pallification.

The Omniscient: Official title is the Diamond of Omniscience.

The Perfectionist: Per canon, but subverted and deconstructed in the GA continuity. Much as White strives for perfection, even within Act I it’s apparent how unhinged and imperfect White truly is through her actions and judgment. She honestly does more damage to herself and her plans than the Crystal Gems do. At no point does she consider herself responsible for driving Homeworld so far into the ground that it can no longer sustain itself; all White cares about is creating a miracle to reboot the planet to its former “perfect” glory, so that she can continue pretending she runs a flawless empire.

Possessing a Dead Body: While pallification technically doesn’t fully kill a gem, they’re little more than a vegetable after the fact, whether they’re directly being controlled by White or not. Played a little more straight with the White Diamond proxies, which are made up of several pallified gems forcibly fused together to take on her appearance and likeness; White directly controls those more so than the standard pallified gem, and Chapter 7 of Act III proves the gems who make up these proxies are impossible to save; even poofing a proxy will automatically shatter every gem in that “fusion”. The fact that they weren’t transported to Earth with the other Homeworld gems by Steven and Peridot (who even rescued standard pallified gems) is also indicative that they are well beyond saving, and therefore the proxies are little more than several dead gems melded together.

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johnclapperne · 6 years ago

Text

Facts about Botox

The promise of a more youthful look was too tempting for 53-year-old Mary Schwallenberg to pass up. So, when the Food and Drug Administration approved a product that temporarily improves the appearance of frown lines between the eyebrows, the Orlando, Fla., resident took a shot at it. And it wasn’t long before she became one of many people clamoring for regular treatments that often include refreshments and friendly conversation, as well as injections.

What are the Facts About Botox?

Facts about Botox

Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox Cosmetic) is a protein complex produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which contains the same toxin that causes food poisoning.

When used in a medical setting as an injectable form of sterile, purified botulinum toxin, small doses block the release of a chemical called acetylcholine by nerve cells that signal muscle contraction.

By selectively interfering with the underlying muscles’ ability to contract, existing frown lines are smoothed out and, in most cases, are nearly invisible in a week.

Botox injections are the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure in the industry, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). In 2001, more than 1.6 million people received injections, an increase of 46 percent over the previous year. More popular than breast enhancement surgery and a potential blockbuster, Botox is regarded by some as the ultimate fountain of youth.

Schwallenberg, a pharmaceutical sales representative who is excited about her next round of injections, says she wants to look her best for her job. “That’s corporate America for you,” she says. “I have a lot of energy and I just wanted to look good.”

Botox was first approved in 1989 to treat two eye muscle disorders–uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm) and misaligned eyes (strabismus). In 2000, the toxin was approved to treat a neurological movement disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder contractions, known as cervical dystonia.

As an unusual side effect of the eye disorder treatment, doctors observed that Botox softened the vertical frown (glabellar) lines between the eyebrows that tend to make people look tired, angry or displeased. But until this improvement was actually demonstrated in clinical studies, Allergan Inc., of Irvine, Calif., was prohibited from making this claim for the product.

FDA Approval of Botox

By April 2002, the FDA was satisfied by its review of studies indicating that Botox reduced the severity of frown lines for up to 120 days. The agency then granted approval to use the drug for this condition.

The FDA regulates products, but not how they are used. Approved products are sometimes used by a licensed practitioner for uses other than those stated in the product label. Botox Cosmetic, for example, is currently being used by physicians to treat facial wrinkles other than those specified by the FDA. Consumers should be aware, however, that this “off-label” use has not been independently reviewed by the agency, and the safety and effectiveness of Botox injections into other regions of the face and neck, alone or in combination with the frown-lines region, have not been clinically evaluated.

Ella L. Toombs, M.D., a dermatologic medical officer in the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, says, “Careful deliberation, investigation and evaluation is undertaken by the agency before any prescription product is approved.”

Drugs such as Botox, which are not indicated for serious or life-threatening conditions, “are subject to a greater level of scrutiny because of the benefit-to-risk ratio.” Toombs says this means that the FDA may allow someone to incur a greater risk from products that treat medical conditions, rather than from those that are approved for cosmetic purposes.

Considering Facts about Botox Cosmetic? * Be sure that a qualified doctor performs the procedure. * Make sure that the doctor is trained and qualified in cosmetic skin surgery of the face. * Ask questions and be informed about the benefits and risks involved in the procedure. * Avoid alcohol and remain upright for several hours following the procedure. * Choose a medical setting using sterile techniques. Necessary equipment should be available to respond to any potential problems.

Source: The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

What are Botox Parties?

The recent rise in the popularity of Botox has much to do with the manner in which it is frequently marketed. Some practitioners buy the toxin in bulk and arrange get-togethers for people receiving their treatments. As in business, volume discounts can be found in medicine.

Plastic surgery events known as Botox parties–also seminars, evenings and socials–are a key element of Botox marketing in much of the United States. The gatherings are thought to be a convenient means of providing Botox treatments more economically, and may help reduce the anxiety that normally goes along with getting an injection. Doctors are finding that treating people in groups allows them to make the procedure more affordable to their patients.

Here’s how a “party” typically works: A group of often nervous, but excited, middle-aged men and women mingle in a common area. Sometimes refreshments are served. One by one, as their name is called, each slips away for about 15 minutes to a private exam room.

He or she pays a fee and signs an informed consent agreement. Anesthesia is rarely needed, but sedatives and numbing agents may be available. The practitioner injects about one-tenth of a teaspoon of toxin into specific muscles of the forehead most often targeted for the effect. The person then rejoins the group.

Scott A. Greenberg, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon in Winter Park, Fla., has been hosting monthly “Botox Happy Hours” in his medical office since the drug’s approval in April. Greenberg feels that these by-invitation-only events to previous patients “are an opportunity to treat a lot of people at one time in a relaxed but professional atmosphere.” Greenberg says there is no difference between treating 10 people during individual office visits throughout the day and treating 10 people individually, but in a more socialized setting.

“The important thing is that the identical standards of medical care are maintained at these gatherings as in a routine daytime office consultation.”

Julianne Clifford, Ph.D., of the FDA’s Division of Vaccines and Related Products Applications, explains that “Botox is licensed for marketing and distribution as single-use vials.” This means that as packaged, “each vial is intended to be used for a single patient in a single treatment session.” Botox does not contain a preservative against potential contamination of the product through repeated use of a single vial.

Once opened and diluted, Botox must be used within four hours. Treating multiple people with one vial violates product labeling, which is stated on the package insert, the vial and the carton.

“We lose something when we mass treat,” says Franklin L. DiSpaltro, M.D., president of the ASAPS. “One of my concerns is that these parties are a marketing tool–gathering as many patients as possible trivializes a medical treatment, which could deteriorate over time into a nonprofessional environment.” DiSpaltro says there’s more to medicine “than just dispensing drugs.”

Schwallenberg, however, insists that “Dr. Greenberg was very professional. It wasn’t a cattle call,” she says. “And I don’t think I’d go to a doctor I didn’t know.”

The FDA is concerned that Botox has the potential for being abused. The ASAPS recently reported that unqualified people are dispensing Botox in salons, gyms, hotel rooms, home-based offices, and other retail venues. In such cases, people run the risks of improper technique, inappropriate dosages, and unsanitary conditions. “Botox is a prescription drug that should be administered by a qualified physician in an appropriate medical setting,” says Toombs.

Greenberg agrees. “Patient safety has to be of prime concern,” he says. “People need to be in the right hands when complications arise.” That’s why Greenberg does not allow his staff to administer Botox treatments. Even the most skilled health-care providers, he says, can have complications as well as dissatisfied customers.

Although there is no chance of contracting botulism from Botox injections, there are some risks associated with the procedure. If too much toxin is injected, for example, or if it is injected into the wrong facial area, a person can end up with droopy eyelid muscles (ptosis) that could last for weeks. This particular complication was observed in clinical trials.

Other common side effects following injection were headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, and nausea. Less frequent adverse reactions included pain in the face, redness at the injection site, and muscle weakness. These reactions were generally temporary, but could last several months.

While the effects of Botox Cosmetic don’t last, still, people don’t seem to mind repeating the procedure every four to six months in order to maintain a wrinkle-free look. Battling the signs of aging in a non-invasive way, after all, is part of the allure of the product–that and the fact that there are no unsightly scars, and that there is very little recovery time with the procedure.

The post Facts about Botox appeared first on Fitness Tips for Life.

Looking Younger Options… Other Than Plastic Surgery For many people, having plastic surgery (going under the knife) on their face for pure cosmetic reasons is out of...

Fixing Flawed Skin Lillian’s* face looked as if she had been through a case of a terrible skin disease. Her chin was bumpy...

Botox Botox is a popular treatment for the use on the face to reduce the visible effects of aging. It is...

https://ift.tt/2Ccs26e

#Facts about Botox

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joshuabradleyn · 6 years ago

Text

Facts about Botox

What are the Facts About Botox?

Facts about Botox

Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox Cosmetic) is a protein complex produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which contains the same toxin that causes food poisoning.

By selectively interfering with the underlying muscles’ ability to contract, existing frown lines are smoothed out and, in most cases, are nearly invisible in a week.

FDA Approval of Botox

Source: The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

What are Botox Parties?

“The important thing is that the identical standards of medical care are maintained at these gatherings as in a routine daytime office consultation.”

Once opened and diluted, Botox must be used within four hours. Treating multiple people with one vial violates product labeling, which is stated on the package insert, the vial and the carton.

Schwallenberg, however, insists that “Dr. Greenberg was very professional. It wasn’t a cattle call,” she says. “And I don’t think I’d go to a doctor I didn’t know.”

The post Facts about Botox appeared first on Fitness Tips for Life.

Looking Younger Options… Other Than Plastic Surgery For many people, having plastic surgery (going under the knife) on their face for pure cosmetic reasons is out of...

Fixing Flawed Skin Lillian’s* face looked as if she had been through a case of a terrible skin disease. Her chin was bumpy...

Botox Botox is a popular treatment for the use on the face to reduce the visible effects of aging. It is...

https://ift.tt/2Ccs26e

#Facts about Botox

0 notes

albertcaldwellne · 6 years ago

Text

Facts about Botox

What are the Facts About Botox?

Facts about Botox

Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox Cosmetic) is a protein complex produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which contains the same toxin that causes food poisoning.

By selectively interfering with the underlying muscles’ ability to contract, existing frown lines are smoothed out and, in most cases, are nearly invisible in a week.

FDA Approval of Botox

Source: The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

What are Botox Parties?

“The important thing is that the identical standards of medical care are maintained at these gatherings as in a routine daytime office consultation.”

Once opened and diluted, Botox must be used within four hours. Treating multiple people with one vial violates product labeling, which is stated on the package insert, the vial and the carton.

Schwallenberg, however, insists that “Dr. Greenberg was very professional. It wasn’t a cattle call,” she says. “And I don’t think I’d go to a doctor I didn’t know.”

The post Facts about Botox appeared first on Fitness Tips for Life.

Looking Younger Options… Other Than Plastic Surgery For many people, having plastic surgery (going under the knife) on their face for pure cosmetic reasons is out of...

Fixing Flawed Skin Lillian’s* face looked as if she had been through a case of a terrible skin disease. Her chin was bumpy...

Botox Botox is a popular treatment for the use on the face to reduce the visible effects of aging. It is...

https://ift.tt/2Ccs26e

#Facts about Botox

0 notes

neilmillerne · 6 years ago

Text

Facts about Botox

What are the Facts About Botox?

Facts about Botox

Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox Cosmetic) is a protein complex produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which contains the same toxin that causes food poisoning.

By selectively interfering with the underlying muscles’ ability to contract, existing frown lines are smoothed out and, in most cases, are nearly invisible in a week.

FDA Approval of Botox

Source: The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

What are Botox Parties?

“The important thing is that the identical standards of medical care are maintained at these gatherings as in a routine daytime office consultation.”

Once opened and diluted, Botox must be used within four hours. Treating multiple people with one vial violates product labeling, which is stated on the package insert, the vial and the carton.

Schwallenberg, however, insists that “Dr. Greenberg was very professional. It wasn’t a cattle call,” she says. “And I don’t think I’d go to a doctor I didn’t know.”

The post Facts about Botox appeared first on Fitness Tips for Life.

Looking Younger Options… Other Than Plastic Surgery For many people, having plastic surgery (going under the knife) on their face for pure cosmetic reasons is out of...

Fixing Flawed Skin Lillian’s* face looked as if she had been through a case of a terrible skin disease. Her chin was bumpy...

Botox Botox is a popular treatment for the use on the face to reduce the visible effects of aging. It is...

https://ift.tt/2Ccs26e

#Facts about Botox

0 notes

almajonesnjna · 6 years ago

Text

Facts about Botox

What are the Facts About Botox?

Facts about Botox

Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox Cosmetic) is a protein complex produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which contains the same toxin that causes food poisoning.

By selectively interfering with the underlying muscles’ ability to contract, existing frown lines are smoothed out and, in most cases, are nearly invisible in a week.

FDA Approval of Botox

Source: The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

What are Botox Parties?

“The important thing is that the identical standards of medical care are maintained at these gatherings as in a routine daytime office consultation.”

Once opened and diluted, Botox must be used within four hours. Treating multiple people with one vial violates product labeling, which is stated on the package insert, the vial and the carton.

Schwallenberg, however, insists that “Dr. Greenberg was very professional. It wasn’t a cattle call,” she says. “And I don’t think I’d go to a doctor I didn’t know.”

The post Facts about Botox appeared first on Fitness Tips for Life.

Looking Younger Options… Other Than Plastic Surgery For many people, having plastic surgery (going under the knife) on their face for pure cosmetic reasons is out of...

Fixing Flawed Skin Lillian’s* face looked as if she had been through a case of a terrible skin disease. Her chin was bumpy...

Botox Botox is a popular treatment for the use on the face to reduce the visible effects of aging. It is...

https://ift.tt/2Ccs26e

#Facts about Botox

0 notes

northshoregadgets · 7 years ago

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What You Need to Know About Dog Flu — Prevention and Treatment

As a veterinarian with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the mother of two young children, I’m busy 24-7. To keep the family machine running smoothly, I record everyone’s daily activities in my iPhone and hope for no slip ups; missing a karate class can be catastrophic to a 5- and 7-year-old. However, when it comes to health, I’m hypervigilant; sickness can derail a smooth-running train. That’s why I’m first in line every fall for a flu shot. And so are my dogs. The canine influenza vaccine (or simply called dog flu) is important if your dog comes in contact with other dogs. The virus is spread when respiratory secretions are exchanged among dogs who are barking, sneezing, or coughing. Outbreaks occur year-round but tend to spike during months when families travel with their pets and board them.

The two strains of dog flu

There are two strains of dog flu in this country. H3N8 reared its head in 2004 on Greyhound racetracks in Florida. It spread like wildfire until a vaccine was developed.

More recently, in spring 2015, the Asian-born H3N2 clobbered Chicago. Unfortunately, there was no vaccine to protect against the strain.

When the outbreak hit, veterinary hospitals were packed to capacity with sick dogs. Some came in coughing, others had labored breathing. Dogs were tired and had mucus dripping from their eyes and nose. The sickest dogs experienced all these signs. Veterinarians faced the challenge of treating the sick dogs while not infecting the healthy ones.

In the epicenter of the outbreak, Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer of the American Kennel Club and seasoned emergency clinician in Chicago, also emphasized that the outbreak “encouraged cooperation among area hospitals as we tried to share data, follow best practices, secure space for dogs that needed hospitalization and educate pet owners about what was happening.”

Another noted Chicago veterinarian, Dr. Natalie Marks, co-owner of AAHA-accredited Blum Animal Hospital, recalled the outbreak of dog flu:

“It was controlled chaos in our hospital. We evaluated all patients in exam rooms instead of in the treatment area where we keep our equipment in an effort to avoid contaminating dogs who were visiting for regular checkups. If patients had a normal appetite, body temperature, oxygen level and energy level, we managed them as outpatients. However, if they had a fever, were vomiting, not eating, or were incredibly lethargic, we began in-hospital therapy until their stability level met our criteria for outpatient care.” The critically ill received oxygen therapy, IV fluids, and antibiotics to protect against bacterial invaders taking advantage of weakened lungs.

A dog receiving oxygen therapy. Photography courtesy AAHA/Robin Baker.

So many questions about the dog flu

Chicago pet owners whose dogs received the flu diagnosis were exploding with questions. My childhood friend, Kathleen, was one of them. (When you’re a vet, friends will seek your advice during a crisis!) She texted me about her Labrador mix, Winnie, who was being treated as an outpatient. Here were her concerns and my text responses, plus updates of what we know now:

Can I catch H3N2 from Winnie? As far as we know, H3N2 does not infect people.

Can Winnie infect my cat? Probably not, but we’re not sure yet. (Update: Reports now indicate that cats can be infected with H3N2; several in Midwest shelters have contracted it.)

She’s keeping us up all night with her coughing. How can I make it stop? There’s no easy solution to quell the coughing, but ask your vet about cough suppressants. Bringing up mucous and phlegm is actually a GOOD thing. You can encourage this by using a humidifier to moisten her airways. My personal favorite? Keep her in the bathroom with the door closed while you shower. The warm, wet air will help her to cough up the mucous.

She’s supposed to go back to doggie daycare next week. Is that OK? Actually, no. You should wait until her cough has disappeared completely. (Update: Because so little was known about H3N2, veterinarians made educated guesses. Now we know that coughing dogs can spread the disease for roughly three weeks and should be isolated from other dogs for that length of time.) In Chicago, Dr. Marks reminded the pet parents of her recovering patients to stay clear of communal areas, including “dog parks, elevators in high-rises, friends’ homes and places of work.”

Where will dog flu hit next?

Though we haven’t had any reported cases of H3N2 at the hospital where I practice in New Jersey, my pet parents continue to ask questions: “Will it hit our area?” “Can a dog die from it?” Reports show that 80 percent of dogs exposed to H3N2 get sick from it. The remaining 20 percent don’t get sick but harbor the virus and can spread it. The percentage of dogs who die from the disease is less than 10 percent.

In November 2015, the H3N2 vaccine was developed, and the virus has traveled to more than 30 states. It could continue to spread if pet owners don’t vaccinate their dogs.

So, what’s a pet parent to do about the dog flu?

If your dog exhibits signs of dog flu, visit your veterinary practice immediately. If the vet suspects H3N2, he may swab your dog’s nasal passage or extract a vial of blood for diagnosis. Many signs associated with dog flu, like coughing, lethargy and eye and nose discharge, are also indicators of other illnesses. Coughing is almost always serious; your dog could be suffering from a number of diseases including heart failure, heartworms and “kennel” cough.

Do you know the dog flu symptoms?

Thousands of dogs have contracted H3N2. Could yours be next? If your dog is lethargic, coughing, sneezing, or has a runny nose and eyes, he could have dog flu. The best way to help prevent dog flu is to vaccinate against it. Less than 10 percent of dogs suffering from H3N2 will die.

Read more about dog health care on Dogster.com:

Don’t Get It Twisted: How to Prevent Bloat in Dogs

Dog Vomiting: What Canine Parents Need to Know

What Are Environmental Dog Allergies and How Do You Treat Them?

Editor’s note: This article appeared in our magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe to Dogster and get the bimonthly magazine delivered to your home.

The post What You Need to Know About Dog Flu — Prevention and Treatment appeared first on Dogster.

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orbemnews · 4 years ago

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Had Covid? You May Need Only One Dose of Vaccine, Study Suggests Shannon Romano, a molecular biologist, came down with Covid late last March, about a week after she and her colleagues shut down their lab at Mount Sinai Hospital. A debilitating headache came first, followed by a fever that kept rising, and then excruciating body aches. “I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t move,” she said. “Every one of my joints just hurt inside.” It was not an experience she wanted to repeat — ever. So when she became eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine earlier this month, she got the shot. Two days after her injection, she developed symptoms that felt very familiar. “The way my head hurt and the way my body ached was the same headache and body ache I had when I had Covid,” she said. She recovered quickly, but her body’s intense response to the jab caught her by surprise. A new study may explain why Dr. Romano and many others who have had Covid report these unexpectedly intense reactions to the first shot of a vaccine. In a study posted online on Monday, researchers found that people who had previously been infected with the virus reported fatigue, headache, chills, fever, and muscle and joint pain after the first shot compared more frequently than did those who had never been infected. Covid survivors also had far higher antibody levels after both the first and second doses of the vaccine. Based on these results, the researchers say, people who have had Covid-19 may need only one shot. “I think one vaccination should be sufficient,” said Florian Krammer, a virologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and an author on the study. “This would also spare individuals from unnecessary pain when getting the second dose and it would free up additional vaccine doses.” While some scientists agree with his logic, others are more cautious. E. John Wherry, director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Immunology, said that before pushing for a change in policy, he would like to see data showing that those antibodies were able to stop the virus from replicating. “Just because an antibody binds to a part of the virus does not mean it’s going to protect you from being infected,” he said. It might also be difficult to identify which people have previously been infected, he said. “Documenting that becomes a really potentially messy public health issue,” he said. Side effects after vaccination are entirely expected. They show that the immune system is mounting a response and will be better prepared to fight off an infection if the body comes into contact with the virus. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are particularly good at evoking a strong response. Most participants in the companies’ trials reported pain at the injection site, and more than half reported fatigue and headaches. The clinical trials of the authorized vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which included more than 30,000 participants each, suggest that most people experience the worst side effects after the second jab. And in the Moderna study, people who had previously been infected actually had fewer side effects than those who hadn’t. But anecdotally, researchers are hearing from a growing number of people like Dr. Romano who felt ill after one shot. “They describe these symptoms much more vigorously,” Dr. Wherry said. That matches what Dr. Krammer and his colleagues found in their new study, which has not yet been published in a scientific journal. The researchers assessed symptoms after vaccination in 231 people, of whom 83 had previously been infected, and 148 had not. Both groups widely reported experiencing pain at the injection site after the first dose. But those who had been infected before more often reported fatigue, headache and chills. The team also looked at how the immune system responded to the vaccine in 109 people — 68 of whom had not previously been infected and 41 who had — and found a more robust antibody response in the latter group. The numbers, however, are small, and so the study’s conclusions will need to be further investigated with more research, experts said. It’s not necessarily surprising that previously infected individuals might experience more intense reactions. Both shots contain bits of genetic material that spur the body to manufacture spike proteins, the knobby protrusions on the coronavirus’s surface. People who have already been infected with the virus have immune cells that are primed to recognize these proteins. So when the proteins show up after vaccination, some of those immune cells go on the attack, causing people to feel sick. Dr. Susan Malinowski, an ophthalmologist in Michigan who had Covid-19 in March, certainly felt like her body was under attack after she received the Moderna vaccine. She got the first shot before lunch on New Year’s Eve. By dinner, she was starting to feel ill. She spent the next two days miserable in bed. “I had fevers. I had chills. I had night sweats. I had pain everywhere in my body,” she said. “I was actually more ill after the vaccine than I was with Covid.” Questions about more severe vaccine reactions in people who have already had Covid came up at a Jan. 27 meeting of an expert committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Covid-19 Vaccines › Answers to Your Vaccine Questions Am I eligible for the Covid vaccine in my state? Currently more than 150 million people — almost half the population — are eligible to be vaccinated. But each state makes the final decision about who goes first. The nation’s 21 million health care workers and three million residents of long-term care facilities were the first to qualify. In mid-January, federal officials urged all states to open up eligibility to everyone 65 and older and to adults of any age with medical conditions that put them at high risk of becoming seriously ill or dying from Covid-19. Adults in the general population are at the back of the line. If federal and state health officials can clear up bottlenecks in vaccine distribution, everyone 16 and older will become eligible as early as this spring or early summer. The vaccine hasn’t been approved in children, although studies are underway. It may be months before a vaccine is available for anyone under the age of 16. Go to your state health website for up-to-date information on vaccination policies in your area Is the vaccine free? You should not have to pay anything out of pocket to get the vaccine, although you will be asked for insurance information. If you don’t have insurance, you should still be given the vaccine at no charge. Congress passed legislation this spring that bars insurers from applying any cost sharing, such as a co-payment or deductible. It layered on additional protections barring pharmacies, doctors and hospitals from billing patients, including those who are uninsured. Even so, health experts do worry that patients might stumble into loopholes that leave them vulnerable to surprise bills. This could happen to those who are charged a doctor visit fee along with their vaccine, or Americans who have certain types of health coverage that do not fall under the new rules. If you get your vaccine from a doctor’s office or urgent care clinic, talk to them about potential hidden charges. To be sure you won’t get a surprise bill, the best bet is to get your vaccine at a health department vaccination site or a local pharmacy once the shots become more widely available. Can I choose which vaccine I get? How long will the vaccine last? Will I need another one next year? That is to be determined. It’s possible that Covid-19 vaccinations will become an annual event, just like the flu shot. Or it may be that the benefits of the vaccine last longer than a year. We have to wait to see how durable the protection from the vaccines is. To determine this, researchers are going to be tracking vaccinated people to look for “breakthrough cases” — those people who get sick with Covid-19 despite vaccination. That is a sign of weakening protection and will give researchers clues about how long the vaccine lasts. They will also be monitoring levels of antibodies and T cells in the blood of vaccinated people to determine whether and when a booster shot might be needed. It’s conceivable that people may need boosters every few months, once a year or only every few years. It’s just a matter of waiting for the data. Will my employer require vaccinations? Where can I find out more? Dr. Pablo J. Sánchez, a committee member from the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, noted that he has heard from people who had a response to the vaccine that was worse than their previous experience with Covid-19. He suggested that a question about prior infection be added to the information that the C.D.C. requests from vaccine recipients. “It’s not asked,” Dr. Sánchez said. “I do think that is really important.” Dr. Tom Shimabukuro of the C.D.C., who presented safety data to the committee, said that the agency was investigating the issue. “There’s limited data on that right now but we are looking at ways to which we can get better information,” he said. People who have had Covid seem to be “reacting to the first dose as if it was a second dose,” said Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at the Yale School of Medicine. So one dose is probably “more than enough,” she said. A study published earlier this month reported that surviving a natural infection provided 83 percent protection from getting infected again over the course of five months. “Giving two doses on top of that appears to be maybe overkill,” she added. Shane Crotty, an immunologist at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, pointed out that a more intense vaccine response typically means better protection. If someone had a big response to the first dose, “I would expect that skipping that second dose would be wise and also that the second dose probably is unnecessary,” he said. But other immunologists suggest everyone stick to two doses. “I’m a big proponent of the right dosing and right schedule, because that’s how the studies were performed,” said Maria Elena Bottazzi, an immunologist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. And getting two shots doesn’t seem to pose any danger to those who have had Covid. Still, Dr. Malinowski, the ophthalmologist, wishes there were fewer questions and more answers. If vaccine side effects really are more intense in people who have already been infected, health officials could give people a heads up, she said. “It would be nice to know that, Hey, you might not be able to get out of bed for two days,” Malinowski said. She has decided not to return for a second dose. Dr. Romano of Mount Sinai Hospital is due for her second shot in February, and isn’t sure what she will do. “My friends who are immunologists, we’ve all sort of been discussing this among ourselves,” she said. “Chances are I’ll probably get it. But I want to think about it a little bit more before I do.” Denise Grady and Apoorva Mandavilli contributed reporting. Source link Orbem News #Covid #Dose #Study #suggests #Vaccine

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