#it does a wonderful job of getting across its strategies to you

[the-celluloid-correspondent]

Napoleon Review

A look at the military commander's origins and his swift, ruthless climb to emperor, viewed through the prism of his addictive and often volatile relationship with his wife and one true love, Josephine. 

I have been waiting since January of this year to talk about Ridley Scott, Napoleon, a biopic about the notorious French emperor who almost brought Europe to its knees. Outside of some alternate takes and different editing, it was relatively the same film.  This did not surprise me, as I could not see what changes they could have made outside of adding 10+ hours of footage and turning it into a miniseries. 

Napoleon is Ridley Scott at his best and worst. At 85 years old, Scott still knows how to make a stunning historical epic. The sweeping battles of the Napoleonic Wars are enthralling to watch on the big screen and are worth the price of admission alone. However, once the film gets outside of the battles you have a mess of a story that is riddled with all the standard issues of a biopic. Too much story to tell and not enough time to do it justice. 

Napoleon’s life simply can not be compressed into 2.5 hours as it is far too vast and complicated. Because of this problem, the film either glosses over or boils many of his greatest victories and defeats into simple, one-sentence summaries. I wanted to see how Napoleon ticked and how his relationships between his military cabinet, politicians, and the public changed throughout the Napoleonic Wars. How did Napoleon brew up his military strategies and what led him to war? These elements and many more are never explored outside of a sentence stated here and there. Thus creating an uneven film. 

However, the most disappointing element of the film was the short Frenchman himself. I understand this take on Napoleon was meant to tear down the mythological militant commander and show his true petty and egotistical colors. But I believe Scott takes this deconstruction too far as it makes you wonder how a pathetic manchild almost conquered all of Europe. The film forgets that Napoleon was a brilliant military strategist and a charismatic leader. They show these characteristics from time to time, but when he is a buffoon for the majority of it, it is hard to take him seriously. 

I am unable to tell if this was due to the writing, acting, or both. The writing was obviously off, but I can’t help but think Joaquin Phoenix was miscast. He does a fantastic job with the material he is given, especially showing the Napoleon Complex, but he doesn’t feel like Napoleon. He comes across as a pathetic manchild rather than a brilliant military commander who has an ego problem. Sadly, the same can also be stated with Vanessa Kirby as Josephine. Her performance is outstanding, but she does feel miscast as the film greatly misunderstands the divorce between Josephine and Napoleon. If you were unaware, Josephine was 6 years older than Napoleon. So they either needed to age Kirby, like they did with Phoenix, or cast an actress who is a similar age to Phoenix. They divorced not because she couldn’t have children, but because she couldn't have children anymore. She was 54 when their marriage ended, meaning that her childbearing days were long gone. Gone even before Napoleon became emperor. So to cast a 35-year-old Vanessa Kirby as a post-menopausal woman is an insult to many middle-aged actresses in Hollywood who could have shown how tragic their divorce was. 

With those complaints stated Napoleon is still a very entertaining film. As previously stated the battle scenes are spectacular to watch and are worth the price of admission alone. The film is surprisingly funny with slapstick humor and some funny quotes, even when it's unintentional. I look forward to the 4.5-hour director cut as it will most likely alleviate some of the complaints that I have with the theatrical cut. However, even 4.5 hours does not feel like enough time to do Napoleon's life justice.

My Rating: B-

[somethingwittyandweird]

What's your favorite game you played this year?

You've activated my “review of my year in gaming” trap card! I was already going to make this post in some form or another, you've just given me the perfect launching point. So, the first thing you should know about asking me for favorites: I never give just one. How could I, when it's been such a banger year of games? (Heads up, this one's going to go long.)

I loved Tears of the Kingdom to death, and it took home my most hours played on Switch. It is a shining example of what devs can do with an extra few months to polish a game. There were so many remarkable moments that testified to how much care and ideas the devs were able to put in. I loved how it used the time since the first game to develop familiar places and characters, adding depth (no pun intended) and also making sure every familiar location had some new twist. The story was a much stronger followup to BotW, and I think this overall has my new favorite ending sequence of anything in the series (I'd love to make a full post sometime about how the final Ganondorf battles just keep getting more spectacular with each new title). I am so, so, so, so normal about this incarnation of Princess Zelda. 

Also in my favorites this year is Fire Emblem Engage, which hit at just the right time to scratch my strategy itch. As a long time FE fan it’s not a surprise I enjoyed this one- though it lost the political intrigue of its predecessor in favor of a more traditional/tropey story, I still had a lot of fun with all its gimmicks and gameplay innovations. Also it is hands-down the most visually appealing game in the franchise, a title previously held by the series’ GBA entries which are masterworks from the peak era of beautiful sprite art. From the incredible crit animations to the spectacle of super attacks to the battle maps which are so beautifully detailed that the game lets you free roam around them after a battle just to appreciate them better. 

I finished the Link’s Awakening remake this year! It was a charming trip back to an older era of Zelda design philosophy and I found it fascinating to compare the ways where the classic puzzles and challenges differ from what the game would be like if it were made today, as well as the places where modern technology allowed for better QoL changes that weren’t in the original. I really enjoyed the music as well, which I find to be a standout among the series still.

Here at the end of the year, I have to give a shout out to Sea of Stars. It has everything you want in an indie darling- very pretty pixel art, very nice music, turn-based battles with timed hits I joke, but Sea of Stars does a great job balancing evoking/paying homage to icons like Chrono Trigger and bringing new gameplay to the JRPG formula. I like its pared-down take on JRPG combat which revamps skills/mana into a much more dynamic resource that’s constantly being spent and regenerated, and I’m a known sucker for character combo attacks which this game has in spades. The later parts of its story are told with a lot of heart, and again I am a known sucker for certain character archetypes. Surprisingly also, I think the movement and exploration is absolutely a standout- not something that’s typically emphasized in the genre. But this game constantly has you hopping across stepping stones, balancing on tightropes, climbing walls and ledges… the emphasis on interesting traversal and verticality is a strength few games like it can boast. 

Before my final pick, I’m including a special section for all the games I didn't play myself but watched my friends play and still want to praise: Hi-Fi Rush, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, Mario Bros Wonder, Pizza Tower, the Minish Cap Switch rerelease, and more all came out this year and all of them have brought killer music, excellent gameplay, and stunning visuals that I’ve enjoyed to no end. Anyone considering to pick up any of them would find a quality product without a doubt.

With all that said: I think ultimately it has to be Tunic in the end. Underneath its premise of a Zelda/Souls-like adventure game there is a wealth of secrets that goes as far down as you have the courage to delve. It’s a game built to evoke nostalgia for games that you didn’t understand yet, posing as a game that you watched an older sibling play or a game you could only find a poorly-translated foreign copy of. It obscures everything and teaches you its secrets through context, exploration, and discovering in-game pages of the manual (remember manuals?). It’s a game made for lovers of secrets and puzzles, full of hidden paths and trophies that reward inquisitiveness and observation (and taking paper notes). It was when I saw that it not only has a conlang, but that it gives you the hints you need to fully translate it, that I knew I had to get it myself. It spurred me to screenshot every in-game piece of menu text, then spend evenings cross-referencing it to identify phonemes and construct a key.

The rush I got on completing that key is one of two moments I knew this game was absolutely special. The second standout moment is when the game teaches you its hugest secret, and then invites you to prove your mastery of it by presenting you a huge, multi-part puzzle. But, Tunic does the same thing that one of my other all-time favorites, Outer Wilds, does so well: powerups via knowledge, “unlocking” abilities that you always had, you just didn’t know that you did. The pieces to this puzzle are hidden in plain sight; it’s only when the game tells you what you’re looking for that your understanding shifts, everything clicks, and your eyes are opened to the path you have to follow. I don’t say it lightly, but I consider Tunic to be a one-of-a-kind title, and one that delivers completely on its unique vision. 

In case that brick of text doesn’t make it clear, I love this game. 

I love all of these games.

It's a fine time to be alive.

[mediatechgroup]

Leveraging AI for Personalized Content Creation in Marketing

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In the fast-paced world we live in, marketing agencies are always looking for innovative ways to stand out. At Media & Technology Group, LLC, we thrive on watching businesses succeed through technology. Whether it’s crafting unique Website Designs or using Artificial Intelligence, we love finding new solutions. One of the exciting changes sweeping through the industry is AI-driven personalized content marketing.

What Is AI Personalized Content Marketing?

You’ve likely noticed AI making waves across different sectors. From smart gadgets to task automation, AI is becoming commonplace. So, what exactly is AI personalized content marketing? Simply put, it's about using AI tools to craft content that's tailored for your specific audience. Intriguing, right?

AI dives into user data to help us understand customer desires. This allows for creating content that aligns perfectly with user behaviors and preferences, making for an engaging and effective marketing experience.

Why Should Marketing Agencies Care?

Imagine your content reaching out and speaking directly to each client. Seems out of reach? Not with AI! By embracing AI in content marketing, agencies like yours can save valuable time and resources. It’s like having a smart assistant that gets the job done efficiently.

Here are two major reasons why AI is crucial:

Efficiency: AI tools can streamline the writing process, helping you figure out what type of content hits the mark with your audience.

Relevance: Personalized content ensures users engage more. Feeling understood fosters longer-lasting relationships.

How Does It Work?

AI systems scour the web, gathering extensive data, which they analyze to offer insights. These insights guide us in crafting personalized messages that resonate with our audience. At Media & Technology Group, LLC, we've integrated these tools into our Marketing Automation services, enhancing the user experience significantly.

Getting Started with AI Tools

If you're new to AI in marketing, don't fret. It’s simpler than it seems. Start with AI platforms that specialize in content generation. These platforms are designed to help you grasp what your audience truly wants. They’re user-friendly and fit smoothly with your existing systems.

When diving into AI tools, we suggest:

Have a clear goal in place. Know what you wish to achieve.

Select the right tool for your needs. Some excel at data analysis, while others shine in content creation.

Continuously test, learn, and refine. Adapt your strategy based on real-time feedback.

Real-Life Applications

You may wonder how businesses apply AI in their content marketing strategies. Let’s look at some scenarios. Many brands use AI to draft blog posts, generate social media updates, and personalize emails for different audience segments. The ability of AI to curate content based on user data is nothing short of remarkable, leading to better engagement and customer satisfaction.

At Media & Technology Group, LLC, we helped a client increase their email open rates by 30% using AI-crafted personalized subject lines. Small tweaks can lead to substantial results.

Challenges to Consider

However, every innovation comes with its challenges. One primary concern is data privacy. Personalization entails gathering and analyzing user data, which must be handled with utmost care. Ensuring that AI-generated content retains a human element is another challenge. While AI can churn out content swiftly, making sure it resonates personally is key—people relate more to stories than machines.

Conclusion: The Future Is Now

[maharghaideovate]

Prepare For International HR Management With Dy Patil Online

Managing people across borders is much more than checking the boxes of HR. The game really does change when you're moving across countries, time zones, languages, and legal systems. DY Patil Online MBA specialty in HR understands this shift and gets a person ready for the reality of international HR. It's about more than just managing employees; it is about leading a global team.

Why is International HR Such a Big Deal?

Ever wonder how you can manage a team spread across five countries? It is not as easy as hiring a few people and dialing into Zoom for a virtual meeting. Countries have different labor laws, cultural expectations, and workforce dynamics. For example, how do you balance out a company policy on paid vacation when one country mandates six weeks, and another will only give you two? DY Patil’s HR program answers all of these questions and teaches you how to approach these with confidence.

Learning How to Manage a Diverse Workforce

Suppose you have a team in India, Germany, and Japan. That is three thoroughly different approaches toward work culture, right? The HR specialization at DY Patil Distance Learning MBA ensures that you are not only aware of these differences but also know how to manage them accordingly. It’s more than knowing the facts; it’s learning how to lead people who see work, communication, and even feedback in completely different ways. The DY Patil program ensures that you are prepared for all these.

Recruitment: Hiring abroad is no ‘ad posting’ job. What works well in the U.S. may not work in India, and even Europe has its own set of expectations. DY Patil teaches you on techniques of recruitment from abroad.

Remote Work: Let’s face it-remote work is here to stay, and managing global teams remotely is a whole different ball game. Time zones, communication barriers, and even the technology people use can vary. DY Patil’s HR program helps you craft strategies that work, no matter where your team is located.

Coming to Grips with International Labor Laws

Let’s now look at something sure to get complicated in this case, international labor laws. Every country has its mix of regulation regimes covering contracts, rights of employees, and what happens in the case of not complying. But you don’t want to get the wrong end of the stick-penalties can be nasty. That’s where DY Patil steps in by equipping you with know-how on how not to lose your way in this sea of complexity.

And then there is employee rights. Do you know that some countries have much more employee rights than others? For instance, the EU is much more strict with regulations towards, for example, parental leave and working hours compared to, say, the United States. DY Patil’s HR major teaches you all such nuances so you’re always best prepared.

Creating a Global HR Strategy

The complexity of managing a global workforce cannot be matched by any juggling act. However, the proper strategies in place do not necessarily make it that challenging. DY Patil’s HR specialization allows you to come out equipped with the tools to design an all-encompassing global HR strategy that is inclusive, compliant, and effective.If cultural fit came to mind, that’s correct, but there is much more to it.

Policy Formulation: You will be learning how to design inclusive HR policies considering cultural, legal, and business practices that exist across countries. It all depends on being adaptable.

Talent Development: It is hard to keep the best people, but when they are spread across the globe, it gets difficult. Talent at DY Patil will teach you how to develop applicable development programs for different employees. Learn about mentorship programs to leadership and everything in between in how to keep people engaged and growing and, regardless of their location in the world, moving forward.

The Bottom Line: Why You Should Care About Global HR

You might ask, “So what’s the big deal for HR?” Here’s why. Business isn’t shrinking; it’s becoming more connected. And if you want to stand out in HR, then the ability to manage a global workforce is highly crucial.

If you want to make a mark in HR and manage teams across borders, then there is no better place than DY Patil Distance MBA specialization in HR. It’s not just theory; it has the potential to become a global skill delivery system that will equip you to face whatever HR global challenge comes your way. And no, managing global teams isn’t all Zoom meetings and time zone headaches — although there is a bit of that, too! With the right training, you’ll know how to handle it all and more!.

[connectteim]

Why Your Business Needs a Social Media Marketing Agency?

A strong online presence becomes a dire need for any scale of a business in the contemporary digital age. While most businesses realize social media to be a primary business tool, it is indeed where time and skill become a problem for many entrepreneurs to manage properly. This is why a social media marketing agency would most definitely be at hand in such cases. The following reasons depict why partnering with a professional agency is sometimes a game-changer in boosting the business.

1. Experience and Skill

A social media marketing agency brings specialized knowledge to the table. They are well-versed in the constantly changing landscape of social media platforms, algorithms, and trends. From developing compelling content to running targeted ad campaigns to measuring performance metrics, experienced agencies know what works and what doesn't. They will keep up with the latest changes in social media algorithms and best practices that ensure your business's competitiveness.

2. Time and Resource Efficiency

Running a successful social media presence is a full-time job in itself. For most entrepreneurs, it means taking time out from other critical business operations to manage social media. From developing content to posting it and engaging your audience, an agency specializing in social media marketing can take care of every aspect of your social media for you. That way, you can pay attention to the running of your business while the agency flawlessly executes your strategy on your social media.

3. Tailor-Made Strategies for Your Business

Every business is unique, and a social media marketing agency will know that. They will help you develop a strategy that much more closely aligns with your goals and target audience. Be it brand awareness, website traffic, or lead generation—on social media, these can do wonders in reaching your targets with the right strategy.

4. Advanced Tools and Analytics at Your Service

Since this is a billion-dollar industry today for social media, a social media marketing agency has advanced tools and software to track performance across all of your social media campaigns. This keeps track of what works and what does not so that adjustments in strategies can be made. With such detailed analytics and reporting, it is this that will continue to keep the agency on its toes to ensure constant optimization of your social media campaigns in order to see the best return on investment.

5. Constant Brand Voice and Messaging

This will provide a consistent brand voice that lends credibility to all levels of customer engagement on social media. Any social media marketing agency will ensure consistency in all your messaging and adherence to the values set out for your brand. They'll make content that works for them while staying within the tone and manner, reflective of your brand identity.

6. Cost-Effective Advertising

Social media advertising is extremely cost-effective, but only when it's done right. A social media marketing agency has the skill and methodology to construct and handle focused ad campaigns that reach your ideal customers. An agency optimizes ad spend toward the right demographics, helping you get the most out of your advertising budget.

7. Stay Ahead of the Competition

With increasing competition in the marketplace, it becomes very vital to stay ahead. A social media marketing agency would closely watch your competitors and trends in your industry. Thereby, it can locate the chances and dangers that would maintain the strategy's balance. In such a way, by keeping proactive and innovative, a business can stay ahead of competition.

Conclusion:

Partnering with a social media marketing agency will thus be an investment in your business's future. Their expertise, resources, and tailored strategy will make your business ace with a strong online presence, engaging with the audience, and achievement of business goals. Do not let your competitors outshine you on social media. Begin your journey of success by collaborating with a professional agency today.

For more information Visit: https://teim.in/ 

[jcmarchi]

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Review - Unexpected Strategic Delight - Game Informer

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/kunitsu-gami-path-of-the-goddess-review-unexpected-strategic-delight-game-informer/

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Review - Unexpected Strategic Delight - Game Informer

Kunitsu-Gami is the kind of wonderful, left-field Capcom release we don’t see often these days. Bound to be a cult classic in the future, Path of the Goddess is original and does not lean on any of Capcom’s established properties. Instead, it relies on an admittedly difficult-to-explain but well-executed gameplay loop that I found hard to put down with an art style that is equally challenging to look away from.

Players take on the role of Soh, a masked swordsperson bound to protect the divine maiden Yoshiro as she slowly dances along the path of Mt. Kafuku to purge and cleanse it from invading demons. During the day, Yoshiro moves through a level while you explore to find experience points and villagers who can be assigned a job to help protect the maiden during the night as demons pour out from gates in all directions. The loop is intense and engaging as you rush through the levels during daylight to prepare and fight the demons under the moon.

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Kunitsu-Gami is undeniably original, but it is not without its inspirations. If I had to assign it a genre, I would say tower defense with a heavy dose of Pikmin, but I spent plenty of time executing combos with my sword, strategically placing troops before and during combat, and even restoring each village I saved between the action-focused levels. Kunitsu-Gami never overstays its welcome or spends too much time making you repeat yourself.

The moment I got the hang of the basics, I encountered a boss who made me re-evaluate my strategies, or I was forced to play out a scenario while making my way across a lake on a series of boats. I was impressed by how Kunitsu-Gami never let me get too comfortable and forced me to try new strategies in new settings in ways that were exciting instead of frustrating. There are even levels where all you can do is direct your villagers with no opportunity to fight yourself, and even those were thrilling and fun.

New Game Plus options and harder difficulties will undoubtedly test your resolve, but I appreciate that the strategy and action never got too complicated or difficult. Nothing frustrates me more in comparable genres than when I spend hours preparing for an encounter, only for it to fall apart at the end and force an extended restart. I certainly had to replay certain attempts, but I never felt fully cheated, and thankfully, no level is so long that a restart became a consistent nuisance.

Between the Yoshiro protection levels and boss fights, you return to rescued villages and assign villagers to fix up their demon-destructed homes. Restoring villages rewards experience and other goodies that can be used to upgrade Soh and the various villager classes. That simple loop frequently made me stay up late. The quiet period between action sequences serves to excite you to try out new upgrades and is perfect at setting you up for one more try – I always fell victim to it.

Kunitsu-Gami’s story is light but effective, with every moment delivered through simple choreography free of dialogue. I was more invested in the upgrade loop than the story and felt it ended without an emotionally satisfying conclusion, but I enjoyed making my way along the path of Mt. Kafuku. Time will tell if Capcom pushes Kunitsu-Gami along the same track as games like Monster Hunter or Resident Evil, but I would be perfectly happy for it to forever exist as an excellent standalone experiment that delivered satisfying results.

[automaticdata]

Okay so when @definitelynotshouting wrote this little ficlet my FH-butalsoRanchers-butalsoFH heart went =D but also let's face it I've stopped being a "normal" FH fan and joined the dark side of liking toxic FH, so that + Hunger AU is kind of a recipe for me to apply the "toxic" FH interpretations to the whole thing and it's super fun but ... yeah.

Please note if anyone comes across this, this is me rambling at like 1 am and is not canon to Hunger AU in any way. I am just a fan of a fanfic babbling on about my personal headcanons.

Also probably goes without saying but just in case: this is about the characters, not the CCs.

One of the things that I've kind of taken from the discourse and adopted into my headcanon is that Scott is kind of a control freak. He really likes feeling like he has stuff under control, and hates hates hates feeling out of control. In the context of Hunger AU, this makes Scott's experience in the games really frustrating for him, because Grian's Watcher stuff wrecks his self-control and it drives him up the wall.

It's probably at its worst in 3rd Life, for two reasons. One is that no one really knew how 3rd Life was going to turn out, so the amplified emotions and all that kind of blindsided Scott. The other is that in my headcanon, Scott really does love Jimmy, but he just ... really does not know how to deal with it. Love takes you out of control, love makes you do silly things, love is a wildcard and while Scott likes the idea of love and romanticism and all that, he hates actually being in love and the lack of control that comes with it. That plus the amped emotions that Grian is giving everyone make him really just. All over the place with Jimmy. He loves Jimmy, but he's also really angry that what he feels for Jimmy is so uncontrollable.

This also reframes a lot of the "toxic FH" moments to be "oh man the Watcher stuff is doing a number on Scott." When Jimmy doesn't go away when Scott tells him to, he tries to shoot an arrow, realizes he doesn't have any arrows, and aims a crossbow instead - and if he remembers doing that after the games, probably wonders why the fuck he did that. And it's because the way Watcher Grian is feeding off of him amplifies his need for control, and makes him more short-tempered and unreasonable when something happens that he can't control. He plays off how important Jimmy is to him because he has these big messy feelings that he can't control and all his emotions are being amped, so he tries to pretend he's in control by pretending Jimmy isn't important to him. He's bothered by Jimmy dying the first time but plays it off as no big deal because he has to be in control, damn it. Then he freaks out when Jimmy turns red, and then goes on a huge out-of-control vengeance kick when Jimmy's gone because he wasn't prepared for how strong he's feeling everything. It's the worst he does in the games ever, because he lost it when Jimmy died, and he hates it. He hates that he lost control of himself, lost control of his emotions, and lost control over his strategy.

When Last Life happens, Scott knows what to expect. He goes into the thing completely on-guard, and with the resolution to make it so his emotions don't cloud his judgement. He decides that since Jimmy is also a yellow, it's bad strategy to pair with Jimmy again, so he won't because he needs to stay in control. He can't fall to red, red is when he lost it before and he hated that, he hated how much losing Jimmy affected him so he just decides to avoid the whole thing. He pairs with Pearl because she's green and thus strategically a good choice. He tries to block out emotion from it. He still ends up becoming good friends with Pearl, but it doesn't end up tearing apart his self-control the way his love for Jimmy did. When he gets the boogeyman curse, he knows what to expect, because he's seen how bloodthirsty it has made everyone else, and he decides - no. No, I am not going to let this control me. I've done a good job not losing my shit this game, I won't let this control me. And he's the first person to resist the boogeyman curse because of his sheer determination to not lose control, which is what the boogey curse is all about. It's difficult as fuck but he does it.

(Also sidenote: Scott gets so annoyed by people crossing through his base - out of his control - that he puts lava in the walls to regain control over his space. The fear of loss of control is real.)

Then Double Life happens. Oh, man, Double Life. He likes the idea of having a soulmate, but the way it manifests is something out of his control and he hates it. He wanted a grand love story, but he is paired with Pearl, who he isn't romantically attracted to, and who was off doing her own thing out of his control for the first session. He hates it. He decides to forcefully take control over the whole thing and decide on his own platonic soulmate, and he goes with Cleo, who he had formed an alliance with in 3rd Life back when he was able to pretend he was in control of his emotions. Cleo is practical, Cleo is safe, Cleo reminds him of a time before he realized just how much control he could lose. So he goes all-in on the chosen soulmates thing and pushes Pearl away, because she's become a wild card, both in her behavior ("abandoning" him during the first session) and in that she was someone he didn't choose and didn't want to choose as a soulmate and so she just. Represents this element of randomness in the games that he hates. It isn't really Pearl himself that he has a problem with, but she becomes the symbol of the soulmate bond he has with her, which he resents. Like I said, he wanted a grand love story. Scott loves the idea of love.

Which makes the whole Ranchers thing really, really bother him.

He knows he loves Jimmy. By this point, he had the Flower Husbands thing in 3rd Life, and he kind of reprised it in a (relatively safer, definitely more controllable) way in Empires season one. At this point, though, he's starting to have doubts about Jimmy's feelings toward him. In 3rd Life, he knew he was a more skilled player than Jimmy, so he felt somewhat secure in knowing that Jimmy wouldn't leave him. Empires threw that into doubt, though. He and Jimmy weren't a pair like they were in 3rd Life. He realizes he flirts with Jimmy more than Jimmy flirts back with him. Jimmy gets kissed by someone else and likes it. When Scott goes into isolation during his Elsa arc, I think he expected Jimmy to be the one to find him and bring him home in some romantic storyline, the same way when he was captured by Joey Jimmy was the one who came and saved him. But Jimmy doesn't come. He doesn't lose control of things the way he did in 3rd Life, but Empires s1 makes him realize that Jimmy may not feel the same, and he's taken aback by how scary that is for him.

And then Double Life happens, and he sees Jimmy paired up with Tango. At first he expects it to be similar-ish to how his pairing with Jimmy went down in 3rd Life, but -- Jimmy seems ... happier? More relaxed? And he and Tango are doing things together, like building a silly ranch and stealing animals? It's kind of a slap in the face to Scott. He had this idea in his head that while his relationship with Jimmy in 3rd Life was tragic, it was still romantic in a healthy way, but then he sees Jimmy and Tango working together in a way that Scott and Jimmy never did. Tango and Jimmy have a kind of relationship that Scott and Jimmy never had, and probably could never have at this point. Scott's jealous.

But Scott doesn't like this out-of-control feeling of jealousy. He's in control, he's in control, he doesn't need Jimmy, he's okay without him, really he is -- and maybe he would be, if his emotions weren't getting amped by Watcher powers. But instead he just projects all his frustration onto Pearl, he and Cleo start axe-critting each other each session to punish their wayward soulmates, he builds his own ranch, a better ranch, to show Jimmy and Tango how it's done, he tests the bonds of different soulmate groups to prove that the soulmate bond really isn't that strong, is it, so he's better off choosing his own soulmate and he's fine he's fine he's fine, damnit.

And then it's just him and Pearl left. And he stares at this out-of-control "crazy" soulmate of his and has this moment of clarity, maybe, of "oh god, I did that." His need for control created this uncontrollable force of nature, and now it's just him and her left. No more chosen soulmates, no more ranchers, just them. And he doesn't know how to deal with it. So he sacrifices himself.

And the dangerous thing is, he likes the feeling of control that sacrificing himself gives him. He felt it back in Empires season 1, when he used it as a way to trump his out-of-control demon brother, and here, with all the amped emotions and lack of control over himself it is such a relief. While he doesn't realize it, it ends up being his go-to method for when things start feeling out of control - take the ending of the SOS SMP, for example. When it was just him and Fwhip left, with a broken world and chaos all around him, and ghosts in his ear begging him to kill Fwhip, he just - sacrifices himself, because it gives him some semblance of control. It gave him control in Empires, it gave him control in Double Life, it gave him control in SOS.

I can't remember off the top of my head if Limited Life happens pre-Hunger AU, but I'll talk about it here anyway. It's the return of the boogey curse, for one. Scott is the first one chosen by it, and instead of struggling through the entire session wrestling for control, he decides to get it over with as fast as possible. So fast, in fact, that even Grian is taken aback by the whole thing. He doesn't want to struggle with that loss of control, so he just rips it off like a band-aid so he doesn't have to deal with it.

And as for his relationship with Jimmy in Limited Life, I feel like this animatic is just. Chef's kiss. Scott still wants to be the one calling the shots in his relationship with Jimmy, but that's not something he has control over any more. It's also worth noting that, as the animation points out, Scott is willing to give time to Cleo - his chosen soulmate - but not to Jimmy, and wants Jimmy to kill Tango, his own soulmate. I think on some level, Scott wants some kind of proof that Jimmy's thing with Tango was a one-off thing, that Jimmy doesn't have feelings for Tango, that he's willing to kill him in this game. But that's not what happens. Jimmy instead tells Scott to get out. Scott tries to get some form of reassurance/control back by trying to get Jimmy to say he loves him, but Jimmy won't.

(Also, when Scott realizes he may not get control over his death, he decides to get control again by sacrificing himself for Martyn, his ally. It's another example of him using self-sacrifice as a way to get a sense of control back.)

In my headcanon, the reason Scott isn't that angry in that fic is kind of for multiple reasons. 1) He hasn't made the connection between Grian making the games and his spiraling loss of control during the games. 2) He feels like, after 3rd Life, he got better at maintaining control. This isn't strictly the truth, but he's able to convince himself that it is. Martyn betrayed him in LimLife? Just a part of the game, he would have sacrificed himself for his ally anyway. His final death in Double Life? totally under his own control. He even managed to control the boogey curse! He's fine he's fine HE'S FINE. 3) Helping the rescue squad find Grian actually helps him feel like he has control over the situation. Considering his main issue with the games is the lack of control, in a way, taking control over the situation and helping find Grian makes him feel better about things. And, 4) he's not going to let something like anger control him. It's sensible to find Grian, and he won't let his anger make the decision for him, so he'll help just to prove that his anger isn't in the driver's seat.

I also think that Scott would also have mixed feelings if he found out that Grian was amping emotions to feed on them. On one hand, Grian was the reason he was feeling such a lack of control, why he was doing things he didn't understand. But on the other hand - Grian was the reason. Grian, not him. It wasn't him losing control, Grian was behind it all. That makes Grian both the target of his anger and also an excuse for his behavior that gives him a huge sense of relief. He wouldn't do those things normally, it was Grian, but also -- Grian made him feel that way. Very conflicted.

[educationedge0123]

Business Analyst Jobs in Vancouver

What They Do and How Much They Earn

Are you curious about what a Business Analyst does in Vancouver? Do you wonder if this career could be the right fit for you? Well, you’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Business Analyst Salary Vancouver, their job descriptions, the skills required, and the average salaries they can expect. We’ll keep it simple and easy to understand, so you can get a clear picture of this profession and its potential in the job market.

What is a Business Analyst?

A Business Analyst (BA) is like a detective in the business world. They investigate, analyze, and solve problems to help companies make better decisions. BAs act as a bridge between business goals and technology solutions. They are essential in ensuring that a company’s projects and processes run smoothly and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities of a Business Analyst

Requirements Gathering: BAs gather information from stakeholders within the organization. They talk to different teams and individuals to understand the business needs. This is like putting together pieces of a puzzle to create a clear picture.

Data Analysis: Once they have all the pieces, BAs analyze the data they’ve collected. They identify trends, patterns, and areas that need improvement. It’s like looking at a map to find the best route.

Problem Solving: BAs work on solutions. They propose changes, improvements, or new strategies to make the business better. It’s similar to a doctor diagnosing an illness and prescribing a treatment.

Communication: BAs are great communicators. They need to explain complex ideas and concepts in simple terms to various stakeholders. They are like the translators between different teams within a company.

Project Management: They oversee the implementation of the solutions they’ve proposed. It’s like making sure the treatment plan is followed, and the patient gets better.

Skills Required for a Business Analyst

To be a successful Business Analyst, you’ll need a mix of technical and soft skills. Here’s a breakdown of these skills:

Technical Skills:

Data Analysis: You should be comfortable working with data, using tools like Excel, SQL, or specialized data analysis software.

Business Analysis Tools: Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Visio, JIRA, or Trello can be a big plus.

Technical Knowledge: Understanding basic coding, software development, and database concepts can be helpful.

Industry Knowledge: It’s crucial to understand the specific industry you work in, whether it’s finance, healthcare, or any other sector.

Soft Skills:

Communication: BAs need to convey complex ideas in a simple and understandable way.

Problem-Solving: Being able to identify and address business problems is at the core of this role.

Critical Thinking: BAs must think critically and make decisions based on data and analysis.

Teamwork: You’ll be working with different teams, so teamwork is key.

Adaptability: Businesses evolve, and you need to adapt to new technologies and changes in the industry.

Business Analyst Jobs in Vancouver

Now, let’s focus on the job market in Vancouver for Business Analyst Salary Vancouver is a bustling city with a growing tech sector, making it a great place for aspiring BAs.

Industries: Business Analysts can find opportunities in various sectors, including technology, healthcare, finance, and retail. Vancouver’s diverse economy offers a wide range of options.

Company Size: You can work in large corporations, small startups, or anything in between. The job market is versatile.

Job Titles: In Vancouver, you might come across various job titles like Business Analyst, Data Analyst, Systems Analyst, or even Business Systems Analyst. These roles have overlapping responsibilities.

Job Demand: Business Analysts are in demand because they help companies become more efficient and competitive. Companies want to make informed decisions, and BAs play a crucial role in this process.

Salary: Let’s talk about the money! What can you expect to earn as a Business Analyst in Vancouver?

Average Salary of a Business Analyst in Vancouver

The salary of a Business Analyst in Vancouver can vary based on factors such as experience, industry, and company size. However, we can provide you with an approximate range:

Entry-Level Business Analyst: If you’re just starting out, you can expect an annual salary of around $55,000 to $70,000. This is a good starting point, and your income can increase as you gain experience.

Mid-Level Business Analyst: With a few years of experience, you can earn between $70,000 and $90,000 per year. Your skills and knowledge become more valuable at this stage.

Senior Business Analyst: A senior BA with substantial experience can earn upwards of $90,000, with some reaching salaries exceeding $100,000.

Keep in mind that these figures are approximate and can vary depending on your location within Vancouver, the specific industry, and the company you work for.

Top Industries for Business Analysts in Vancouver

Technology: Vancouver is home to a thriving tech scene. Tech companies often seek BAs to improve their products and services.

Healthcare: The healthcare sector in Vancouver is significant, and BAs play a crucial role in optimizing processes and patient care.

Finance: Financial institutions need BAs to navigate complex regulatory requirements and improve their services.

Retail: Retail companies rely on BAs to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations.

Make sure check this: PMP Exam Prep

Career Growth and Advancement

The career path for a Business Analyst in Vancouver is promising. As you gain experience and expertise, you can explore various opportunities:

Specialization: You can specialize in areas like data analysis, project management, or even transition into roles like Product Manager or Business Consultant.

Management Roles: With the right experience, you can move into management positions, leading teams of BAs.

Certifications: Consider pursuing certifications like the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) to enhance your qualifications.

Entrepreneurship: Some BAs with a knack for innovation start their consulting firms, offering their expertise to multiple clients.

Conclusion

In Vancouver, Business Analysts are in high demand across various industries, offering a promising career path. As a BA, you will gather, analyze, and solve business problems, acting as a vital link between stakeholders and technology solutions. Your skills will include technical proficiency, strong communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability.

The salary for a Business Analyst Salary Vancouver ranges from $55,000 to over $100,000 per year, depending on experience and industry. With Vancouver’s diverse job market, you can find opportunities in technology, healthcare, finance, retail, and more.

So, if you’re interested in improving businesses, solving problems, and earning a competitive salary, a career as a Business Analyst in Vancouver might be the right path for you. Start by building your skills and gaining experience, and you’ll be on your way to a rewarding and dynamic career in this thriving city.

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Passive Income Hacks Making Money Online with Minimal Effort

Welcome to the world of financial freedom, where it’s easy to make money and your dreams of not having to work for a living come true. We’re going to take an exciting trip into the world of passive income and find out the secrets that can help you make your dreams come true.

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Imagine having money come into your bank account while you sleep, travel, or just enjoy the good things in life. It’s not a dream; it’s a real option. We’ll help you find your way through “Passive Income Hacks: Making Money Online with Minimal Effort.” Come with us as we look at the different ways you can make money with little work on your part and learn how to protect your financial future.

To sum up, becoming financially free through passive income is not just a pipe dream; it’s a real possibility that you can reach. Getting your money in different places, managing your risk, and keeping up to date can help you build a strong and long-lasting source of income. Every day, your passive income streams can slowly grow. This will give you the freedom and money you need to live the life you’ve always wanted. Thanks to passive income, you can enjoy the trip and start making more money in the future.

What Is Passive Income?

Passive income is earned without effort. It’s like a well that supplies water without pumping. Most of us earn active income through work, where we sell time and abilities for money. Passive income lets you create money while sleeping, traveling, or enjoying life. Rental income, stock dividends, and creative royalties are passive income examples. It doesn’t need your continual presence or direct engagement. It’s like growing money trees from seeds.

The Appeal of Passive Income

Why does passive income hold such allure? Well, who wouldn’t want to escape the never-ending cycle of work and bills? Passive income offers financial security and the freedom to pursue your passions. It’s a ticket to explore life without being tied to a 9-to-5 job. No wonder it’s often referred to as the “holy grail” of personal finance.

Types of Passive Income Streams

There are various avenues for generating passive income, each with its own unique characteristics and challenges. Here are some of the most popular options:

Stock Market Investments: Dividends and Capital Gains

Real Estate Rental Income

Creating an Online Business

Royalties and Licensing: Earning from Creativity

Automating Investments with Robo-Advisors

Leveraging Peer-to-Peer Lending Platforms

Passive Income through Cryptocurrencies

Managing Risk and Taxes

Building a Diverse Passive Income Portfolio

In the following sections, we’ll delve into each of these options, explaining how they work and providing valuable insights to help you make informed decisions on your path to passive income.

Stock Market Investments: Dividends and Capital Gains

Investing in the stock market is a tried and tested way to generate passive income. Two primary avenues within this strategy are dividends and capital gains. Let’s break them down.

How to Invest in Dividend Stocks

Investing in dividend stocks means putting your money into shares of companies that distribute a portion of their earnings to shareholders in the form of dividends. It’s like receiving a paycheck from your investments. Here’s how you can get started:

Research and Select Dividend-Paying Companies: Look for established companies with a history of consistent dividend payouts. Companies in sectors like utilities, consumer goods, and healthcare often offer attractive dividends.

Open a Brokerage Account: You’ll need a brokerage account to buy and hold stocks. Choose a reputable online brokerage that suits your needs.

Diversify Your Portfolio: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your investments across different sectors to spread risk.

Reinvest Dividends: Many dividend-paying stocks allow you to reinvest your earnings, which can accelerate your passive income growth over time.

Monitor and Adjust: Keep an eye on your investments and adapt to changing market conditions. Reevaluate your portfolio periodically.

Capitalizing on Capital Gains

Capital gains occur when you sell an investment for a profit. While not strictly passive income, it’s an essential aspect of stock market investing. Here’s how to maximize capital gains:

Long-Term vs. Short-Term: Capital gains are taxed differently based on how long you hold your investments. Long-term gains often receive more favorable tax treatment.

Holding for Growth: Invest in companies with strong growth potential. The longer you hold, the greater the potential for significant capital gains.

Use Tax-Efficient Strategies: Consider strategies like tax-loss harvesting to minimize your tax liability.

Stay Informed: Keep up with market trends and news that might affect your investments.

Risks and Rewards

While investing in the stock market can be a rewarding way to earn passive income, it’s not without risks. Stock prices can be volatile, and there’s always the possibility of losing money. It’s crucial to do your research, diversify your portfolio, and consider consulting with a financial advisor to manage these risks effectively.

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Real Estate Rental Income

Investing in real estate, whether through traditional long-term rentals or modern Airbnb hosting, is another path to passive income. Let’s explore the basics.

Becoming a Landlord

Becoming a landlord involves purchasing residential or commercial properties and renting them out to tenants. Here’s how to get started:

Property Selection: Choose properties in desirable locations with good potential for rental income.

Property Management: Decide whether to manage the property yourself or hire a property management company.

Pricing Strategy: Set competitive rental rates to attract tenants while ensuring profitability.

Legal Considerations: Understand landlord-tenant laws in your area and draft comprehensive lease agreements.

Maintenance and Repairs: Budget for maintenance and be prepared to handle repairs promptly.

Airbnb Hosting: A Modern Twist

Airbnb hosting has transformed the rental market. It allows you to rent out your home or spare rooms on a short-term basis. Here’s how to succeed as an Airbnb host:

Create an Appealing Listing: High-quality photos and detailed descriptions attract guests.

Pricing and Availability: Adjust your rates based on demand and local events. Keep your calendar updated.

Provide Outstanding Service: Offer a clean and comfortable space, and be responsive to guest inquiries.

Guest Reviews: Encourage positive reviews, as they can significantly impact your bookings.

Comply with Local Regulations: Ensure you’re aware of and follow local laws and regulations governing short-term rentals.

Location Matters

Whether you’re a traditional landlord or an Airbnb host, the location of your property plays a significant role in your passive income. Properties in popular, high-demand areas are more likely to generate consistent rental income.

Investing in real estate requires a significant upfront investment and ongoing management, but it can provide a stable source of passive income.

Creating an Online Business

In the digital age, creating an online business is a popular way to generate passive income. Let’s explore a few strategies within this domain.

Dropshipping: A Low-Risk E-Commerce Venture

Dropshipping is an e-commerce model where you sell products to customers without holding any inventory. Here’s how it works:

Choose Your Niche: Select a niche or product category that interests you and has market demand.

Find Reliable Suppliers: Partner with suppliers who offer dropshipping services.

Create an Online Store: Build an e-commerce website to showcase and sell products.

Market Your Store: Use digital marketing techniques to attract customers.

Order Fulfillment: When customers place orders, your suppliers ship the products directly to them.

Dropshipping minimizes the risks associated with holding inventory but requires effective marketing and customer service.

Blogging and Affiliate Marketing

Blogging is a fantastic way to share your passion and knowledge with the world while earning passive income. Here’s how to get started:

Choose Your Niche: Select a niche or topic you’re passionate about and knowledgeable in.

Create Quality Content: Write informative, engaging, and valuable blog posts.

Monetize with Affiliate Marketing: Promote products related to your blog’s niche and earn commissions on sales.

Build an Audience: Attract and retain readers through your content and engagement.

Optimize for SEO: Enhance your blog’s visibility in search engines to attract more visitors.

Blogging can take time to gain traction, but with persistence, it can become a lucrative source of passive income.

The Power of Webinars and Online Courses

Webinars and online courses are becoming increasingly popular for sharing expertise and earning passive income. Here’s how to go about it:

Select Your Topic: Choose a subject you’re knowledgeable and passionate about.

Create Quality Content: Develop engaging presentations or course materials.

Choose a Platform: Select a platform to host your webinars or courses.

Market Your Offerings: Promote your webinars or courses through social media and email marketing.

Engage with Your Audience: Provide valuable content and interact with your participants.

Webinars and online courses can generate significant income while helping others learn valuable skills or knowledge.

In the next sections, we’ll continue to explore more passive income strategies, so stay tuned for a wealth of information to help you on your journey to financial freedom.

Royalties and Licensing: Earning from Creativity

If you have a creative side, there are multiple ways to earn passive income through royalties and licensing. Let’s uncover these opportunities.

Writing and Publishing Books

If you have a talent for writing, you can publish books and earn royalties on sales. Here’s how to get started:

Write a Book: Create a compelling manuscript and consider self-publishing or working with a traditional publisher.

Publish Your Work: Choose a publishing platform and format your book for e-readers and print.

Promote Your Book: Market your book through social media, author websites, and book signings.

Earn Royalties: Receive a percentage of each sale, and royalties from e-book sales can add up over time.

Music and Art Licensing

Musicians and visual artists can earn passive income through licensing their work. Here’s what you need to know:

Protect Your Work: Copyright your music or art to safeguard your creations.

License Your Work: Partner with licensing agencies or platforms to make your work available for commercial use.

Receive Royalties: When others use your work, you earn royalties, whether it’s in films, advertisements, or other media.

Promote Your Portfolio: Showcase your work on personal websites and social media to attract potential licensees.

The Digital Revolution

The rise of the internet and digital media has made it easier than ever for creators to earn royalties and license their work. Whether you’re an author, musician, or visual artist, the digital world offers countless opportunities to showcase your creativity and generate passive income.

In the following sections, we’ll continue our exploration of passive income strategies and dive into subjects like automated investing, peer-to-peer lending, and cryptocurrencies. Keep reading to uncover more financial gems.

Automating Investments with Robo-Advisors

The world of investing has evolved with the introduction of robo-advisors, automated platforms that manage your investments. Let’s dive into this innovative approach.

What Are Robo-Advisors?

Robo-advisors are online platforms that use algorithms and computer programs to create and manage a diversified investment portfolio for you. Here’s how they work:

Assessment: You provide information about your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.

Portfolio Creation: The robo-advisor uses this data to create a portfolio of ETFs and other assets tailored to your needs.

Automated Management: The platform continually monitors your investments and makes adjustments as necessary to stay aligned with your goals.

Cost-Efficient: Robo-advisors often have lower fees compared to traditional financial advisors.

Benefits of Robo-Advisors

Robo-advisors offer several advantages for those seeking passive income:

Diversification: They spread your investments across different assets, reducing risk.

Convenience: You don’t need extensive financial knowledge or time to manage your investments.

Cost Savings: Lower fees mean you keep more of your returns.

Automatic Rebalancing: The platform handles portfolio adjustments.

Risks to Consider

While robo-advisors provide an easy way to invest, they aren’t without risks:

Lack of Human Touch: You won’t have a personal advisor to consult.

Market Volatility: Your investments are still subject to market fluctuations.

Risk Assessment: The algorithm’s risk assessment may not be perfect for everyone.

Before diving into the world of robo-advisors, make sure to understand how they work and whether they align with your financial goals.

Leveraging Peer-to-Peer Lending Platforms

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms have revolutionized the way people borrow and invest money. These platforms connect borrowers with individual lenders. Let’s explore how they work.

How Peer-to-Peer Lending Works

P2P lending platforms facilitate loans to individuals and small businesses. Here’s an overview of the process:

Borrower Application: Individuals or businesses seeking a loan submit applications on P2P lending platforms.

Lender Selection: Investors review borrower profiles and choose loans to fund.

Loan Funding: Once funded, the borrower receives the loan from the collective group of lenders.

Repayment: The borrower repays the loan with interest, which is distributed to the lenders.

Diversification and Risk Management

Diversification is a key strategy when investing through P2P lending:

Spread Your Risk: Avoid concentrating your investments in a single loan or borrower.

Invest in Multiple Loans: Diversify your portfolio by lending to multiple borrowers.

Assess Borrower Profiles: Review borrower profiles, credit scores, and loan purposes to make informed choices.

Loan Grades: P2P lending platforms often assign loan grades to indicate risk levels.

Personal Loans vs. Business Loans

P2P lending platforms offer both personal and business loans. Personal loans may be unsecured and have shorter terms, while business loans may have longer terms and require collateral. Consider your risk tolerance and preferences when choosing which loans to fund.

In the next section, we’ll explore the potential of earning passive income through cryptocurrencies, a relatively new but rapidly evolving investment opportunity.

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Passive Income through Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies have gained widespread attention, and many are exploring ways to earn passive income within the crypto space. Let’s delve into some strategies.

Cryptocurrency Staking

Staking is a method used by some blockchain networks to secure transactions. It involves locking up a certain amount of a cryptocurrency to support network operations. In return, you receive staking rewards. Here’s how it works:

Choose a Staking Coin: Select a cryptocurrency that offers staking rewards, such as Cardano or Ethereum.

Wallet Setup: Set up a compatible wallet and transfer your staking coins.

Delegate or Self-Stake: You can either stake the coins yourself or delegate them to a staking pool.

Earn Staking Rewards: Over time, you’ll receive rewards in the form of additional cryptocurrency.

Risks and Considerations: Staking involves some risk, including potential loss of staked coins.

Yield Farming: The Risks and Rewards

Yield farming is a more advanced strategy that involves providing liquidity to decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols in exchange for high yields. Here’s how it works:

Select a DeFi Platform: Choose a DeFi platform or project that offers yield farming opportunities.

Provide Liquidity: Deposit cryptocurrency or assets into the DeFi platform to be used in various DeFi applications.

Earn Rewards: You’ll earn rewards in the form of fees or tokens, often with high annual percentage yields (APY).

Impermanent Loss: Understand the concept of impermanent loss, which can affect your overall returns.

NFTs and Digital Collectibles

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have gained significant attention in the world of digital art and collectibles. Some individuals have made substantial passive income by creating and selling NFTs. Here’s how it works:

Create NFTs: Develop unique digital art or collectibles and tokenize them as NFTs.

Market Your NFTs: Use NFT marketplaces to sell your creations to potential buyers.

Royalties: Many NFTs provide creators with a percentage of future sales, creating potential ongoing income.

Copyright and Ownership: Understand the legal aspects of NFT creation and sales.

As with any investment, it’s essential to conduct thorough research and understand the risks associated with cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies.

Managing Risk and Taxes

While passive income can be incredibly rewarding, it’s not without its challenges. Let’s explore some strategies for managing risk and understanding the tax implications.

Risk Mitigation Strategies

Managing risk is crucial to safeguard your passive income investments. Here are some strategies:

Diversification: Spread your investments across various income streams and asset classes.

Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.

Continuous Learning: Stay informed and updated on your investments and markets.

Professional Advice: Consult with a financial advisor or tax professional for personalized guidance.

Tax Implications of Passive Income

Taxes can significantly impact your passive income earnings. Here’s what you need to consider:

Tax on Dividends and Capital Gains: Understand the tax rates applicable to your passive income sources.

Tax-Efficient Investments: Explore tax-efficient investment options and accounts.

Reporting and Compliance: Ensure you report your passive income accurately and comply with tax laws.

Tax Deductions: Identify deductions and credits that can reduce your tax liability.

State and Local Taxes: Be aware of regional tax regulations that may apply.

The Role of a Financial Advisor

If you’re new to passive income strategies or have a complex financial situation, consider seeking advice from a financial advisor. They can help you make informed decisions, manage risk, and optimize your tax situation.

Building a Diverse Passive Income Portfolio

The path to financial freedom often involves building a diverse portfolio of passive income streams. Here’s how to create a well-rounded strategy.

The Power of Diversification

Diversification means spreading your investments across different assets, industries, and income streams. Benefits of diversification include:

Risk Reduction: Spreading investments can mitigate the impact of underperforming assets.

Steady Income: Diverse income sources provide stability.

Adaptability: Diversification helps you adapt to changing market conditions.

Balancing Risk and Reward

Every investment involves a trade-off between risk and reward. Consider the following when building your passive income portfolio:

Risk Tolerance: Understand your risk tolerance and align investments with your comfort level.

Investment Horizon: Consider your short-term and long-term financial goals.

Asset Allocation: Determine how much of your portfolio to allocate to different assets.

Regular Review: Periodically assess and adjust your portfolio to stay on track.

Stay Informed: Keep up with market trends and developments.

Tracking Your Passive Income

To gauge the success of your passive income strategy, you should track your earnings regularly. Here’s how:

Record Income Sources: Maintain a record of each passive income source and its performance.

Monitor Expenses: Keep track of any associated costs or fees.

Evaluate Growth: Assess how your passive income is growing over time.

Set Goals: Establish specific financial goals for your passive income portfolio.

Review and Adjust: Periodically review your strategy and make adjustments as necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the minimum amount of money required to start earning passive income?

The amount required to start earning passive income varies depending on the chosen income stream. For stock market investments, you can start with as little as a few hundred dollars, while real estate and cryptocurrency investments may require more significant capital.

2. Is passive income truly “effortless,” or does it require some initial work?

While passive income streams may require less active effort than traditional jobs, they often involve some initial work, such as research, investment, or content creation. However, the goal is to generate income with minimal ongoing effort once the initial setup is complete.

3. Are there any tax benefits associated with passive income?

Tax benefits for passive income can vary based on your location and the type of income. Some passive income sources may qualify for tax deductions or lower tax rates. It’s essential to consult with a tax professional to understand the specific tax implications of your passive income.

4. Can I rely solely on passive income for financial security?

While passive income can be a significant contributor to your financial security, it’s advisable not to rely solely on it. Maintaining a balance between active and passive income sources can provide a more stable financial foundation.

5. What are some common mistakes to avoid when pursuing passive income?

Common mistakes include not conducting adequate research, failing to diversify your income streams, and underestimating the importance of risk management. Additionally, not staying informed about market trends and regulations can lead to financial setbacks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using passive income to become financially free is not just a pipe dream; it’s a real possibility that you can reach. You can build a strong and long-lasting source of income by spreading out your finances, controlling risk, and staying up to date. You can make your passive income streams slowly grow every day, giving you the freedom and financial security to live the life you’ve always wanted. With the help of passive income, you can enjoy the trip and open the doors to a better financial future.

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Affiliate Disclaimer :

This article Contain may be affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission at NO ADDITIONAL cost to you if you decide to purchase something. While we receive affiliate compensation for reviews / promotions on this article, we always offer honest opinions, users experiences and real views related to the product or service itself. Our goal is to help readers make the best purchasing decisions, however, the testimonies and opinions expressed are ours only. As always you should do your own thoughts to verify any claims, results and stats before making any kind of purchase. Clicking links or purchasing products recommended in this article may generate income for this product from affiliate commissions and you should assume we are compensated for any purchases you make. We review products and services you might find interesting. If you purchase them, we might get a share of the commission from the sale from our partners. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended.

Source : Passive Income Hacks Making Money Online with Minimal Effort

Thanks for reading my article on “Passive Income Hacks Making Money Online with Minimal Effort“, hope it will help!

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How do affiliate links work?

Affiliate links are powerful links in the world of online marketing. Because they allow individuals and companies to earn a commission by promoting and selling affiliate products or services on behalf of others.

If you've ever wondered how these links work, you're in the right place! Let me break it down for you.

Remember - “Nobody becomes a successful affiliate overnight, so don’t expect this to happen in your case. You will fail at first. If you give up too early, you may just miss out on a life-changing adventure” – STM Forum

Affiliate Links Explained:

1. First, let's understand what an affiliate link actually is.

An affiliate link is a unique URL that contains an identification code specific to the affiliate. This code helps track the traffic and sales generated by that particular affiliate.

When someone clicks on an affiliate link and makes a purchase, the affiliate earns a commission.

2. So, how does this process work?

Let's say you're a blogger who loves reviewing electronic or tech gadgets.

You come across an amazing smartphone that you think your readers will love. You decide to become an affiliate for the company that sells the smartphone.

The company provides you with a unique affiliate link that directs users to their website.

You include this link in your blog post, social media posts, or any other promotional content you create.

When your readers, followers, or visitors click on this link and purchase the smartphone, the company can track that the sale originated from your affiliate link, and you will be rewarded.

3. Now, you might be wondering how the company tracks this information.

Well, when someone clicks on your affiliate link, a small file called a cookie is stored on their device.

This cookie contains your unique affiliate ID. It helps the company identify that the sale came from your referral.

The cookie typically has a certain lifespan, ranging from a few days [up to 30 days] to several months [up to 6 months].

So even if the user doesn't make an immediate purchase but comes back later and makes a purchase within the cookie's lifespan, you'll still earn your commission.

It's important to note that affiliate links are not limited to bloggers. Many content creators, social media influencers, and even businesses utilize them as part of their marketing strategies.

The key is to find affiliate products or services that align with your niche and audience.

Industry Tip - “Focus on directing buyers to your affiliate links while providing genuine guidance, remember: honesty reigns supreme. Disclose your affiliations transparently to maintain your audience’s trust” – The DailyZoo Newsletter

4. Now, let's talk about how affiliates actually get paid.

Each affiliate program has its own payment structure. Some pay a percentage commission based on the sale price, while others offer a fixed amount per sale or even a combination of both.

Affiliate programs usually have a minimum payout threshold before they release the funds to affiliates.

Once you reach this threshold, you can request a payout through various payment methods such as PayPal, Stripe, bank transfer, or check.

So, if you're interested in becoming an affiliate marketer yourself, make sure to do thorough research and choose reputable affiliate programs that align with your interests and values. Happy promoting!

Job as an Affiliate Marketer:

Image Content Source - X [Twitter] Excerpt

In conclusion, affiliate links are a win-win for both affiliates and companies.

Affiliates can earn passive income online by promoting products or services they genuinely believe in, while companies can expand their reach and boost sales through the power of affiliate marketing.

Here's related information that you may also find helpful – Disclosing affiliate links [Is it really necessary?]

[thebranddaddysblog]

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Digital Marketing: Unveiling the Power of Automation

Table of contents

• Introduction

• Why Digital Marketing needs Artificial Intelligence

• Understanding Artificial Intelligence

• Benefits of Leveraging AI in Digital Marketing

• Practical Applications of AI in Digital Marketing

• Challenges and Limitations

• Future of AI in Digital Marketing

• Conclusion

Introduction

When it comes to digital marketing, there's a secret weapon that's taking the industry by storm: Artificial Intelligence (AI). This powerful technology is revolutionizing the way businesses connect with their customers, automate processes, and make data-driven decisions. Brace yourselves, because we're about to unveil the power of AI in digital marketing! Let's dive into this world of automation and discover the wonders it has in store for us. Are you ready? Let's go on an AI adventure together!

Why Digital Marketing needs Artificial Intelligence

Why is artificial intelligence so critical in digital marketing? Let's just say that digital marketing without it would be like a car without an engine or a pizza without cheese (and who wants that?). Artificial intelligence elevates the realm of digital marketing to a whole new level of automation and efficiency. It aids in data analysis, personalization of user experiences, lead generation, and content optimization. Furthermore, AI enables chatbots to provide customer care, predictive analytics to target the correct audience, and dynamic pricing to offer recommendations. AI is without a doubt the secret sauce that propels digital marketing to new heights. So, let's get started and discover the power of automation!

Understanding Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer simply a buzzword. From voice assistants like Siri and Alexa to recommendation algorithms on streaming platforms, it has become an essential part of our daily lives. But what exactly does AI imply? Let's get started straight now.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is defined as the simulation of human intelligence in robots engineered to think and learn like humans. Problem-solving, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation are all part of the job. AI, in essence, allows robots to mimic human behavior and execute activities that would normally need human intelligence.

Different types of AI: AI can be broadly classified into two categories: Narrow AI and General AI. Narrow AI, also known as weak AI, is designed to perform specific tasks within a limited scope. It excels in a particular area, like image recognition or natural language processing. On the other hand, General AI, also known as strong AI, has the ability to understand, learn, and apply knowledge across various domains, just like a human.

AI in digital marketing: With the advent of digital marketing, AI has found its way into this landscape as well. It empowers marketers to automate repetitive tasks, uncover valuable insights from data, and deliver personalized experiences to customers. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns, predict consumer behavior, and optimize marketing campaigns for better results.

So, how does AI benefit digital marketing? Stay tuned for the next section, where we'll explore the incredible advantages of leveraging AI in this ever-evolving field. But before that, let's take a moment to appreciate how AI has brought us to this point, where machines can actually understand and reason like humans. Impressive, isn't it?

Benefits of Leveraging AI in Digital Marketing

Digital marketers, rejoice! Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come to save the day and revolutionize the way we approach digital marketing. With AI, we can finally say goodbye to tedious data analysis and welcome a new era of optimized strategies. So, let's dive into the benefits of leveraging AI in digital marketing.

Firstly, AI provides improved data analysis capabilities. Instead of spending hours poring over spreadsheets and crunching numbers, AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data in seconds, extracting valuable insights that can inform marketing decisions. Talk about a time-saver!

Second, AI has made large-scale personalisation a reality. Marketers can build personalized experiences for each consumer by adapting their messaging, recommendations, and offers to specific tastes and needs by leveraging AI-powered solutions. It's like if each customer has their own personal assistant, providing maximum engagement and satisfaction.

Third, AI allows for better consumer experiences. Marketers may deliver rapid and accurate customer service 24 hours a day, seven days a week by employing AI-driven technology such as chatbots. No more holding or dealing with vexing automatic responses. Furthermore, AI's ability to learn and adapt enables continual improvement of consumer interactions.

Fourth, AI aids in the efficient generation and nurturing of leads. Marketers can identify the most promising prospects and deliver personalized content and offers using AI-powered lead scoring and segmentation. This not only improves conversion rates but also saves time and resources by concentrating efforts on prospects who are most likely to become customers.

In a word, AI in digital marketing improves data analysis, personalization at scale, customer experiences, and lead generation and nurturing efficiency. It's like having a team of super-smart assistants working constantly behind the scenes to ensure that your marketing efforts are successful. So, get on board with AI and let automation unleash the power of digital marketing!

Practical Applications of AI in Digital Marketing

Let's dive into the wonderful world of practical applications of AI in digital marketing, shall we? We all know how annoying it can be waiting for customer support to get back to us. But fear not, because chatbots are here to save the day! These AI-powered conversational agents are available 24/7, ready to answer your queries with lightning speed. They don't need to sleep, eat, or have a bad day. They are the perfect customer service representatives, always at your service.

But wait, there's more! Predictive analytics takes targeting to a whole new level. Using AI algorithms, marketers can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and predict customer behavior. No longer will you waste your time and resources on people who are not interested in your product. AI helps you find the needle in the haystack, ensuring that your marketing efforts are laser-focused and effective.

Now, let's talk about content creation and optimization. With AI, you can automate the process of generating engaging content. AI algorithms can analyze data, learn about your audience's preferences, and create personalized content in a snap. It's like having your own personal writing assistant, minus the complaints about coffee breaks and bad breath!

Dynamic pricing and recommendation engines are also game-changers. AI can help businesses determine the optimal price for their products based on various factors such as demand, competition, and customer behavior. It can also provide personalized recommendations to customers, helping them discover new products they might love. It's like having a personal shopping assistant who knows your taste better than you do.

These practical applications of AI in digital marketing are just the tip of the iceberg. The possibilities are endless, and the future looks bright. So embrace the power of automation and let AI supercharge your marketing efforts. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Time for a coffee break? Just kidding! Let's move on to the next topic and uncover the challenges and limitations of leveraging AI in digital marketing. Stay tuned!

Challenges and Limitations

Okay, let's face it - no technology is perfect, not even the mighty Artificial Intelligence (AI). As much as we adore the power of AI in digital marketing, there are some pesky challenges and limitations that come along for the ride. Brace yourselves for a rollercoaster of data privacy and security concerns, lack of human touch, the need for human creativity, and ethical considerations.

We can't help but worry about data privacy and security with AI lurking around every corner. Who knows what those little electronic brains are up to? And let's not forget about the lack of human touch. We may be living in the age of automation, but sometimes it feels like we're talking to robots instead of real people.

Future of AI in Digital Marketing

Then there's the ongoing conflict between artificial intelligence and human ingenuity. Sure, artificial intelligence can generate material faster than you can say "automated copywriting," but can it truly capture the spirit of human touch and creativity? Perhaps not.

And don't forget about the ethical implications. For example, when AI begins to target vulnerable persons or manipulates human emotions. It's a shaky ledge, my friends.

So, while AI has its issues and limitations in digital marketing, it is up to us humans to navigate these muddy waters. After all, we still have the ability to ensure that artificial intelligence helps us rather than enslaves us. Let us preserve our cool and face the future with cautious hope.

But hold on, there's more! Another fascinating breakthrough in the realm of digital marketing is AI-powered voice search optimization. With the growing popularity of voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa, businesses may optimize their content to be voice-search friendly, guaranteeing that potential customers who use voice commands to find products and services can find them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the future of AI in digital marketing is bright and promising. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect AI to play a vital role in enhancing customer experiences, making marketing more efficient and effective. So buckle up and get ready for a marketing revolution powered by AI!

[americanbrffan]

Blind Gossip Blinds - 2020

In chronological order after the break.

Public Relations Chaos - BLIND GOSSIP

January 10, 2020

There are a lot of messy celebrities. It is the job of their publicist to make them look less messy. This actress has been messier than most.

She tries to come across as mature and self-contained, but both her behavior and her press have been nothing short of bizarre and chaotic.

In the past few years, our TV actress she has gone from promoting herself… to hiring a Hollywood PR team… to using her new family’s PR team… to going back again to the Hollywood PR team (which did not sit well with the family).

Whew! No wonder the branding and messaging have been so crazy!

However, there is something interesting going on right now. A media person called the actress’ Hollywood PR team to get verification of something… and the Hollywood PR team said that they no longer represent her!

What?! We’re not exactly sure what this means.

Did she fire her publicist in the middle of this crisis? Did they quit? Are they handling her newly-formed organization but not her personally? Is she trying to do her own PR again? Did she hire a new publicist?

Since she is so high profile, you would think that a new PR professional would happily announce themselves as having snagged her as a client. Yet… crickets.

No one seems to know what’s going on. This is all very odd. And very chaotic. As usual.

___________________________________________________________

Stockholm Boy - BLIND GOSSIP

January 14, 2020

Many people have been wondering why this family has not been more brutal and decisive in cutting out its rogue members.

Fortunately, we have some insight from an insider!

The family is thinking about the long-term implications. While they are upset about what is happening, they do believe there will come a time in which he will return to them.

What time is that?

They believe there will be a divorce within five years.

So, what is their strategy?

They must allow him to go but keep in contact and leave the door open for him to return. If they close the door on him, he might feel obligated to stay in the marriage longer because there would be no where else for him to go.

What about his wife?

The most frequent word I hear used to describe her internally is “duplicitous.” They know that from the beginning she has said or done whatever she needed to do to capture him, all while planning to do the exact opposite after marriage. They call it a “long con.”

If they knew this, why didn’t they warn him?

They did so repeatedly! Any warnings from the family were summarily dismissed by him.

This is a powerful family. Can’t they take her down?

Despite the conspiracy theories, his family will not “take her out” or publicly “take her down.”

They have dual objectives: To get him to return to the family, and to protect the family. To do both requires great restraint on their part. For example, they know that they can not criticize her openly.  Criticizing her would only result in his defense of her and in her positioning herself as the victim or martyr. Unfortunately, she has conditioned him to see her as his only ally and his family as the enemy.

So, does this mean that his family will work with her?

Only insomuch as to facilitate his return. That is a primary objective.

That wording almost makes him sound like he is being held captive.

In many respects, he is an emotional hostage who is siding with his captor. He is not locked up in a room, but he is emotionally tied to her because she has successfully alienated him from everyone else in his life. She is in charge and he will not work against her.

That sounds like Stockholm Syndrome. Can’t his family pay her a “ransom” to get him back?

Right now, she is confident that she can make much more money with him than by giving him up. That is what makes this situation so unusual.

It certainly will be interesting to see how this all plays out!

SOLVED!

Couple: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Your friends at Blind Gossip told you a year ago that there is a very interesting dynamic between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Although he is the one from a prominent family – and is much wealthier and more famous than Markle – she has been in charge from the beginning.

We are now getting public confirmation of our blind item from a year ago. Royal aides actually gave Prince Harry the nickname “The Hostage” to describe his relationship to Meghan Markle!

So let’s talk about Harry The Hostage.

From The Daily Mirror:

PRINCE HARRY NICKNAMED ‘THE HOSTAGE’ BY ROYAL AIDES AHEAD OF WEDDING TO MEGHAN MARKLE

Royal aides dubbed Prince Harry ‘the hostage’ in the run-up to his and Meghan Markle’s wedding, it has been claimed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey is due to air this weekend in a dramatic week for the Royal Family.

Yes, Oprah Winfrey – who didn’t even know the couple before being invited to their wedding – is getting the interview she has planned from the beginning. This should be interesting.

Harry and Meghan tied the knot in a fairytale ceremony at Windsor Castle broadcast around the world in May 2018.

It was a nice wedding, wasn’t it? Oops. Sorry. Wrong wedding. Here you go.

But the run-up to the wedding saw reports of tension between the couple and staff. After an argument reportedly erupted over Meghan’s tiara, Prince Harry is said to have clashed with the Queen’s dresser Angela Kelly. The incident sparked a telling-off for Harry from the Queen after he allegedly fumed “what Meghan wants, Meghan gets”.

 That last sentence sums up everything.

It has now been claimed that royal aides behind the scenes had dubbed the 36-year-old ‘the hostage’.

“The Hostage.” There you go! Harry The Hostage knew what the protocol was but was more beholden to Meghan’s demands.

The couple reportedly “insisted” on the same-inflation adjusted budget for their wedding as Prince William and Kate.

Really? Harry isn’t the future King of England. He has always known that. He knows that the wedding of his father Prince Charles, the future King of England, to Diana, was a huge affair and dubbed “The Wedding of The Century.”

The weddings of Prince Charles’ siblings, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Andrew were not of the same scale as Prince Charles’ wedding and did not get the same coverage because they were not the heirs to the throne.

Of course Prince William, the future king, should have a grander wedding than Prince Harry. Harry knows that this is how it works.

We wonder where Harry The Hostage suddenly got the idea that his wedding should be equal to Prince William’s wedding?

One source told the Telegraph Meghan “got everything she wanted but it still wasn’t enough.” They added: “She was constantly looking for reasons to say she had been deprived. “Also she wanted drama from the very beginning. In the centre of a storm, she’d always be very calm.”

So she would get in there, create drama, and then sit back and watch the result.

It comes as the Duchess of Sussex criticised the constraints she faced when a working royal and said it was “liberating” to be able to “say yes” to Oprah Winfrey’s request for an interview.

Asked what was “right” about this moment to talk, Meghan paused for a few moments and replied in the clip aired on CBS This Morning: “Well, so many things. That we’re on the other side of a lot of… a lot of life experience that’s happened.

“Also that we have the ability to make our own choices in a way that I couldn’t have said yes to you then. That wasn’t my choice to make.

She is a victim.

“As an adult who lived a really independent life to then go into this construct that is…different than I think what people imagine it to be, it’s really liberating to be able to have the right and the privilege in some ways to be able to say yes.”

“Different than I think what people imagine it to be.” No. You can’t plead ignorance on this one, Meghan.

Everyone knows that they call the BRF “The Firm.” That’s because it is a job. A job that comes with a lot of perqs and a lot of rules and formalities and a construct.

Does anyone think being part of the British Royal Family means being able to wear and say and go and do whatever you want, whenever you want? Anyone?

No.

Being a member of The British Royal Family means supporting The United Kingdom and its customs and its citizens. It means helping to strengthen national unity and stability. It means staying out of politics. It means ribbon- cutting ceremonies and attending the opening of a new hospital wing.

That’s the job. Harry knows that.

And Harry certainly told Meghan that those were the responsibilities of the job, and she certainly witnessed it herself before the wedding, so she can’t pretend that she didn’t know that.

Then again, she did pretend that she barely knew who Prince Harry was before dating him.

Meghan and Harry’s bombshell interview is the latest dramatic development within the monarchy, which has seen allegations of bullying made against Meghan, which her lawyers have denied.

Of course they have denied it. Meghan Markle is the Ellen Degeneres of The BRF.

If you are Meghan’s “equal” (e.g. an actor or celebrity) or “superior” (e.g. a producer), or if a camera is trained on her, she is lovely to you. However, if there are no cameras around, and she deems you to be her inferior, watch out!

Then again, we probably shouldn’t mention Ellen Degeneres. She really thought that she was going to be the one to land that Meghan Markle interview instead of Oprah. That is, until her staff revealed that “kind and compassionate” Ellen was really a raging bully to those who worked under her. Whoops. (See Her Rules Stink for all the details.)

Meghan Markle apparently treated her subordinates the same way. From The Sun:

MEGHAN MARKLE ‘FLEW INTO RAGE AT PA OVER THE COLOUR OF BLANKETS’ & LEFT ‘ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD ON THE VERGE OF QUITTING’

Meghan Markle reportedly flew into a rage at a PA because blankets were the “wrong shade of red” and her outbursts left her entire staff on the verge of quitting, insiders claimed last night.

It comes after claims the Duchess of Sussex bullied and humiliated aides at Kensington Palace – which she denies. Ahead of her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, royal aides insisted they had bent over backwards to accommodate Meghan.

But according to a report in the Sunday Times, a former aide to one of the most senior members of the royal family claimed “half the staff threatened to quit” over tensions allegedly caused by the Sussexes.

If half your staff is threatening to quit, you’ve got a problem. And the problem probably isn’t your staff. The problem is probably you.

Another Palace source claimed: “The entire household was on the verge of quitting … it was drama, drama, drama with those two.”

Drama, drama, drama? From an actress? Gee, there’s a shocker.

The former aide said one incident that caused alarm occurred when Meghan hosted a shooting party at Sandringham for Harry’s friends, shortly after their engagement.

Wait a minute. Meghan Markle, the animal right advocate who bragged about her vegan leather pants, hosted a shooting party?

One where they shoot animals? Yikes.

Anyway, back to the blankets and the hissy fit.

She had ordered personally embroidered red blankets for each guest, but was not happy with what she received. “When they arrived, they weren’t the right shade of red for Meghan and she went mental at Melissa [Touabti],” the source said.

Drama, drama, drama!

Melissa was Meghan’s former personal assistant, who is alleged to have left “traumatised” because of Meghan’s volatile behaviour. Buckingham Palace is investigating allegations Meghan was an “outrageous bully” to her staff before she departed Britain last year.  

Meghan also reportedly took issue with the way in which the BBC’s Mishal Husain conducted she and Harry’s engagement interview. “She complained it hadn’t gone well, that Mishal [Husain] wasn’t empathetic enough, wasn’t warm enough,” said the source.

Remember, it’s everyone else’s fault. If your interview fails to make Meghan happy, you are a bad journalist.

It was further claimed Meghan had been given first choice from the Crown Jewels for her wedding – but that she had still been unhappy.

The insider claimed: “They insisted that they had the same inflation-adjusted budget for the wedding as William and Kate – she got the choir she wanted, the dress, the carriage procession, the tiara – she got everything she wanted but it still wasn’t enough.

“She was constantly looking for reasons to say she had been deprived.”

She’s a victim!

“Also, she wanted drama from the very beginning.”

Ten aides are now ready to testify against Meghan Markle. Ten. That tells you everything you need to know about how she treats the people “beneath” her.

Back to Stockholm Boy, a.k.a. Harry the Hostage.

He will be at the interview with Oprah. But Harry The Hostage is a mere background player now in a dramatic production called The Meghan Show. The Meghan Show is produced, written by, directed by and stars Meghan Markle.

Harry The Hostage’s friends and family can only watch as this drama plays out.

___________________________________________________________

Shut Down The Crisis - BLIND GOSSIP

January 20, 2020

The most important thing to keep in mind as you read this is the following: Both sides of this family are liars!

They lied about the siblings reconciling.

They had to put up a united front to fulfill a diplomatic obligation. However, they are definitely still estranged.

They lied about the women taking part in the conversation and talking to each other.

At no point were either wives involved in the meetings, nor did they speak to each other. In fact, [the wives] have not spoken in months.

They lied about seriously considering taking away titles.

There is a distinct hierarchy here within the family and it was quickly decided that absolutely no outsider could ever be allowed to disrupt that traditional structure for any reason. It would be unfathomable and degrading to require a former senior person to genuflect to an inferior.

They lied about wanting to lead a quieter life out of the media spotlight.

He acknowledges internally that his decision actually means that the media will be even more intrusive going forward. It is a trade-off for other goals, such as monetary gain.

They lied about considering taking away his house.

They eventually want to bring him back into the fold, even if that event is several years hence. They need to play the long game to make it easy for him to return. Permanently stripping him of everything would have had the opposite effect.

So, why are both sides lying?

There was a determination that the crisis needed to be shut down quickly. The only way the chaotic media feeding frenzy would stop is if the family pretended that all options were seriously considered; that all important matters were settled; and that all parties parted amicably. Many compromises had to be made in the name of expediency.

We’re not so sure those compromises were good ones.

While not all of them were optimal, the necessity to quiet the chaos and return to stability was paramount.

We might be giving them too much credit, but perhaps one side knew that causing extreme chaos would result in them getting more of what they wanted?

Perhaps. However, the family is confident that their decision to play the long game is the correct one.

We’ll see if that strategy pays off in the next few years!

___________________________________________________________

The Noisy Spotlight - BLIND GOSSIP

February 5, 2020

This couple claims to want a quiet, relaxing life. However, they sure are holding an awful lot of meetings about things that would purposefully propel them into the noisy spotlight!

Here is just one example.

It’s been meeting after meeting. They are doing a lot of strategizing. One debate right now is whether or not they should go to The Academy Awards. They absolutely COULD go if they wanted to go, but there is some discussion about whether or not they SHOULD go.

Arguments for attending The Oscars include a worldwide audience… and an opportunity to engage with all the most important people in the industry.

You know that they would love that big audience!

Our actress half of the couple has always dreamed of going to The Oscars. Since she is unlikely to get there based on her acting skills, this may be her big chance to go.

However, their appearance would grab the biggest headlines if it was a complete surprise. That means they would have to forego all those pre-event parties that are ideal for industry introductions and mingling if they wanted to avoid tipping off the media.

Arguments against attending The Oscars include not having a specific project to promote or support… and the logistics of arranging everything at the last minute.

Without a nominated person or project to support, their appearance would be seen as purely self-promotional. That could spur more public criticism, as well as potentially irritate those nominees on whom the spotlight should be shining that evening.

Of course, the logistics would be challenging given the size of their security staff. We do not know which way this will go.

She does have a dress ready, though!

Your friends at Blind Gossip were the first to let you know that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s team was debating with the couple as to whether or not they should go to The Academy Awards.

Hello Magazine is now reporting that the couple was not only asked to attend the event… but to present the Best Picture Award as well!

Really?!

___________________________________________________________

She Floated Her Buyout Number - BLIND GOSSIP

February 14, 2020

We have a fascinating story to tell you about a famous couple!

This actress has caused so much controversy – and caused so many disruptions to the family into which she married – that it is sometimes difficult to figure out exactly what kind of game she is playing.

Allow us to tell you about one game she played that was so public – yet so sneaky – that we all missed it!

There was actually a point at which his family could have made her “go away” by paying her off.

When was that? What was she looking for?

During the negotiations. She would have accepted a very large amount of cash to walk away.

Here’s what happened. She had her people pass along her number to several outsiders. They, in turn, publicly stated the number as the “value” that they put on her brand. That was the amount of the buyout she was proposing!

That range was her ask. She would have liked the high end, but would have settled for the low end.

Why make that number so public? Why didn’t our actress just have her people negotiate directly with the family in private?

To have asked them for it directly – either verbally or in writing – would have presented serious legal issues. This way it looked like a simple and objective analysis done by outsiders.

Not to mention the fact that her husband would likely have discovered that she was willing to trade him for a very large, ransom-like payoff!

So the ask was made via some very public statements. How did his family react?

His family knew exactly what she was doing. They probably did debate the pros and cons of meeting her demands or making an alternative offer. However, in the end, they decided it was all so egregious that it was better to simply sever the relationship. They just hope that he will return someday.

Supposedly she was surprised that they did not make an offer, but not devastated. While she did not get exactly what she was wanted – which was a quick buyout – she will now set out to “earn” that money alongside her hapless and naive husband.

___________________________________________________________

WTF Branding - BLIND GOSSIP

February 18, 2020

In the most refined, educated, cultured, polished, and modern way, this celebrity couple reacted to a proposed change to their branding.

Their reaction was basically, “What the f*ck? What the actual f*ck?!”

So if you read something about how they have accepted the change, roll your eyes.

They have definitively NOT accepted this change. They are furious beyond belief!!! This will cost them millions of dollars. They have sunk a lot of money into two-word branding, websites, trademarks, logos, etc. They are asking their attorneys if they have legal standing to fight.

Their rationale for fighting?

The word [redacted] is already being used on towels, on liquor, and on soda brands! They think they should be able to use the word the way they want to.

Maybe. However, fighting the husband’s family on this could potentially make a bad situation even worse!

It is possible that if they even signal that they are going to fight for that one word, the family could withdraw permission for the second word as well.

Meaning… the couple could have certain titles taken away from them and have both words of the trademark challenged. Since the titles are pretty much all they have left, they might want to quit while they are behind. Better to settle for half than none?

Perhaps their time would be better spent coming up with a new brand. In between all that yoga, of course.

Did the family do the right thing? What should the couple do?

__________________________________________________________

She Will Have To Step Up Her Acting - BLIND GOSSIP

February 20, 2020

Speaking of performers who try to avoid embarrassing situations by claiming they are ill or injured, we have another one to tell you about!

For a variety of reasons, this married actress is extremely uncomfortable with the prospect of traveling to her husband’s hometown and seeing her husband’s family.

Her husband knows that she would rather simply skip all of this. However, people would definitely notice if one or both of them didn’t show up. They have to figure out as a couple which events are absolutely obligatory, which ones can be skipped, and what excuse they would use.

She refuses to come out of this looking like the evil one. They are reviewing their options.

Fortunately for them, if they choose to go with an excuse, there are so many excuse options from which to chose!

Prior obligation

Home emergency

Transportation problem

Family illness

Family injury

Baby

The dog ate my private jet ticket

They did use a baby excuse in the past to avoid his family, but no one bought it. Whatever they choose to do, she is really going to have to step up her acting on this one.

She will either have to go and pretend to be incredibly happy to be there… or convincingly sell whatever excuse they come up with!

Acting!

__________________________________________________________

The Popularity Contest - BLIND GOSSIP

March 11, 2020

This actress was the one who leaked to the media that her family member might be having an affair.

At the time we tried to give her the benefit of the doubt.

After all, she was new to the family. Perhaps she didn’t understand that family secrets must not be shared with anyone outside the family?

In retrospect, we may have been a little naive.

We’ve since learned that she has always loathed her sister in law. It was like one big competition for her.

She hated how much everybody – ESPECIALLY her husband – liked [SIL]. She hated how popular [SIL] was and how everyone saw her marriage and children as being so perfect. She hated that she would always have to stand or sit or walk behind [SIL]. She even hated how fat she felt standing next to [SIL].

That’s a lot of hate.

If she knocked [SIL] down a few pegs, it would make her own popularity go up. That’s why she leaked the rumor about the affair. It didn’t matter if it was true or not. She wanted to embarrass [SIL]. It would have been even better if it had killed their “perfect” marriage and split up their “perfect” family.

Yikes. That is cold.

Even colder are the other tricks she apparently had in her back pocket.

There were discussions of leaking all sorts of other, nastier rumors (substance abuse, bad mother, eating disorder) about [SIL]. Didn’t matter if it was true or not. Anyway, the timing of the affair rumor was just too perfect to pass up!

So, now that the two couple are getting a lot more distance from each other, the nastiness should stop, right? Maybe not.

Actress managed to take another swipe at SIL as she was walking out the door. Cold.

__________________________________________________________

A Shocking Accident - BLIND GOSSIP

March 25, 2020

This actress is pretending to be all concerned about the health of her husband’s family members.

What a crock.

She mentioned this movie, [redacted], where the entire family was wiped out in a freak accident.

The freak accident was certainly shocking, and it allowed someone unexpected to ascend to power and take over the “family firm.” The main character went from being a nobody to being king of the hill.

The movie was a comedy that came out in the 1990s. It wasn’t particularly good, but we can see why she found it memorable after her luxurious wedding to one of the members of a prominent family.

She recently asked someone if they had seen it.

She was laughing about it and saying that it was one of her favorite movies.

Does she actually think that movie premise could become her reality? Is that the real reason she is telling her husband to physically stay away from his family?

__________________________________________________________

We Are Exceptional People - BLIND GOSSIP

March 30, 2020

Let’s say you have an Instagram account.

Let’s say you are also fortunate enough to have a lot of followers.

What happens if you have to move to a new Instagram account? Will Instagram move your followers to your new account?

The answer is “No.”

We stopped doing that a couple of years ago. Now we tell users to simply put a note on their old account instructing followers to follow them at their new account.

This married celebrity couple is in exactly that situation right now. They need boost their social media numbers as fast as possible to start making money. So they are not taking no for an answer!

We were contacted by their representative asking us to make an exception in their case. Their argument was that this was an exceptional couple in an exceptional circumstance and that it would be to Instagram’s benefit to do this.

We don’t know if Instagram will comply. But my, my, my! Someone is certainly full of me me me exceptionalism! Of course the couple will deny it.

In their new, “independent” lifestyle, they would never ask anyone else to fund them… or protect them… or make any kind of exception for them! What? All three? Never mind.

___________________________________________________________

Get That Oscar Ready - BLIND GOSSIP

April 8, 2020

This actress is not about to let anyone or anything slow down her ambition!

While it looked like she had given up acting for a completely different life just a couple of years ago, she has suddenly and completely reversed course.

She is not only moving back to acting… but has set her sights at the very top of the profession!

She is determined to win an Oscar for Lead Actress. Not just get nominated. WIN.

This is the first time we’ve heard that. Given that she is in her late thirties and has never even had a leading role in any significant production, is this realistic?

Absolutely! She has always known that she is more talented than most actresses out there. The only reason she didn’t score bigger roles in the past was because there were significant racist barriers. Now that she is more high profile, there are fewer barriers and she is going to go for it.

So she thinks she is talented enough to carry a film and win an Academy Award?

She has always had the TALENT. Now she finally has the OPPORTUNITY.  She just needs to find the right role and the right director.

My, my, my. Our actress certainly is confident! What about her all of her other commitments (husband/children/charities)?

She is very smart and energetic and can do it all. And whatever she wants, her husband is happy to support her 100%.

Of course he is. The #2 role is one to which he is well accustomed. Get that Oscar ready!

__________________________________________________________

Happy Birthday To Me - BLIND GOSSIP

April 22, 2020

For a couple that claims to want privacy, they sure have a knack for drawing attention to themselves on a regular basis.

It is always amusing to watch this couple take any subject…  and make it all about them!

Something as simple as wishing someone a Happy Birthday actually becomes a device to draw attention to themselves and show how important they are.

Not everyone is amused, though!

The family is gobsmacked that they would make this about them. Before the call was set up, it was explained to them quite clearly that the only appropriate public statement would be to wish [The Birthday Girl] well on her day. That they chose to completely violate that agreement is both stunning and infuriating. Every member of the family is appalled.

Yikes.

It seems that by attempting to prove how “in” they are… they managed to push themselves “out” even more!

We don’t know if our actress and her jobless husband thought they were being defiant or smart, but this is certainly not the first time that something like this has happened.

We recall a time last year when the wife was given very specific guidance on the dress code and behavior for a major event… chose to do exactly the opposite… was criticized for it… and then complained to her husband and friends about how no one in the family was helping her.

Does she think she is smarter than everyone?

Why did she lie about what happened?

Was she trying to play the victim?

Was she setting up the “us” versus “them” narrative to force her husband to choose sides?

Why does she chronically leak to the media and then claim she had nothing to do with it?

Whatever her motivations, her husband certainly seems to be on board with it.

They are definitely a team when it comes to pursuing publicity while simultaneously demanding privacy. 

It’s all quite puzzling. And outrageous. And endlessly amusing.

___________________________________________________________

Her Circle Of Friends May Not Hold - BLIND GOSSIP

May 1, 2020

This actress is swearing that she had nothing to do with some of her friends going to the press to spin her story.

Really?

No one, and I mean NO ONE, who is close to her goes to the press without 1. her explicit permission and 2. her explicit instructions.

Some friends – including some celebrities who suddenly became her friend right after she got together with that unemployed rich man – simply stopped talking about her. However, others were eager to prove their loyalty.

To claim that multiple friends went independently to the press to tell the exact same story, and that she had no idea or involvement in their actions  and that every person acted independently, is patently false and ridiculous.

Allegedly, there were multiple discussions to make sure their messaging was consistent. Keep in mind that this situation was not a matter of life and death. This was a dumb exercise in vanity and power. Given that, will all of her friends be willing to go to the legal mattresses for her?

Some of them, yes, because they want to stay in her good graces. There is one, though, who is very scared. She doesn’t want to be cut out of the circle of friends, but she also doesn’t want to hurt her own reputation or face charges by lying in a deposition or on the stand.

This is definitely not working out the way actress thought it would.

___________________________________________________________

The Switcheroo - BLIND GOSSIP

May 19, 2020

Some people think that this actress and her high-profile husband planned their current living situation from the beginning.

Well, we have some insight into how all of this actually went down!

Basically the plan started out as one thing… but was twisted into something very, very different over the course of less than two years.

The reason he proposed so fast was because he finally found someone who wanted exactly the same life that he wanted.

When did this revelation occur?

When they were on holiday in [A]. He told her that he did not want the highly scheduled and ceremonial life that was expected of him in [Country E]. 

What did he want?

He told her that what he really wanted was to continue the work of his mother. He wanted a life where he could spend part of the year in [E] and part of the year in [A] because that is where he felt the most happy and relaxed and could do the most good.

Well, he has always loved A. What was her reaction?

She told him that after spending time in [A] with him, she had grown to love it as much as he did. She said it would be a dream for her to give up her career and move to [A] with him and spend their lives together in [A] and then come back to [E] to be with his friends and family.

He believed her?

Absolutely! None of his past girlfriends wanted to move to [A]. He was chuffed to have finally found someone who understood him and wanted exactly the same life. She was perfect.

So he proposed and they got married and had a baby. However, the plan evaporated. They never moved to A. And they left E.

What happened?

She told him that she still loved [A] but she had a lot of health and safety concerns about raising their child there. She also told him that his family in [E] made her very uncomfortable and that she feared their child would also be made to feel unwelcome and uncomfortable in that environment. She cried. He found that very distressing. He felt like she had sacrificed so much to be with him.

Which of them came up with the plan to move to C and then U?

I don’t know. He got into several rows with his family and his friends, made all sorts of ridiculous accusations, and then stopped communicating.

Let’s recap.

Our TV Actress told him she wanted to give up her career… move to A and E with him… fully embrace his family and friends… and spend their days doing charity work.

Instead, they moved to C and U… ditched his family and friends… revived her career… and are now involved in all sorts of money-making schemes.

Huh. That is the exact OPPOSITE of the agreed-upon plan!

Did she change her mind after they were married? Or did she plan to pull this little switcheroo from the beginning?

She couldn’t be that cruel. Or selfish. Or manipulative. Could she?

____________________________________________________________

I Am A Triple Threat - BLIND GOSSIP

May 26, 2020

You already know that this attractive woman was on a TV show.

That is what gave her the celebrity to advance her station in life via marriage to a man in a famous family.

What you don’t know is the extent of her career goals. While she said she would give up acting to create a different life with her latest husband, that promise did not last long.

She changed her mind.

Some might say that she never really planned to give up acting. Some might say that her best acting she ever did was in the role of a dutiful partner who was willing to give up her former life for his life. Why? Because that role was more likely to land her that ring and that big wedding and that rich, famous husband.

Who knows?

In any case, she has now publicly declared her intent to return to acting.

However, you didn’t think that she was planning back to a TV gig on the same level as her last acting job, did you? Ha!

She is more famous now. Not any more talented. But definitely much more famous.

It isn’t just that she is demanding movies instead of TV, or that she will only work with esteemed directors worthy of her presence. There’s more.

[She and her husband] have been spending a lot of time with [a talented couple] for a very specific reason.

That reason?

[The Talented Couple is] very plugged into Broadway. [Actress] sees herself not just as an actor but a singer and dancer as well. Her dream is to score a role that would normally go to an established triple threat. Her plan is for [The Talented Couple] to coach her and make the intros. She thinks that the lead in a Broadway musical and/or the lead in a movie musical would establish her as a star.

My, my, my. That is certainly a big goal! We have seen her act, but we have never seen her sing or dance in anything.

Wait a minute. Can she sing? Can she dance?

She can carry a tune. She took dance classes.

Whew! That’s a relief. We were a little concerned that an almost-40 actress who has never had a lead acting role in a major movie or even a TV show could pull this off. However, we can now see the error of our ways. If anything, our actress is over qualified for such a role.

But wait! There’s more!

She thinks that with the right roles, she could EGOT. [Her husband] is totally supportive.

We can see it now: Our triple threat actress… practicing in front of one of the many mirrors in her palatial home… giving her hapless husband and their crying child the hand… declaring, “Don’t bother me! I’m EGOTTING!”

If her husband is truly supportive, he should actually do something productive. Perhaps he could approach people at Hollywood parties and say, “Did you know that my wife is a triple threat? You should give her the lead role in your next musical!” That would definitely help. Everyone from Baz Luhrmann to Andrew Lloyd Webber would be eternally grateful.

And if she believes it and he supports it, our Actress should get what she wants, right? In fact, someone should start printing up the name plates for that Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony right now.

___________________________________________________________

Alarming Around The Children - BLIND GOSSIP

June 2, 2020

Of all the family members that this actress could be targeting with her anger, she seems to have chosen a certain female relative.

Want to know why? Of course you do!

The popular version is has to do with some sort of spat before a family event. In fact, that event was not the catalyst.

You actually have to go back a couple of years for this one.

It was one of the very first times the actress was brought into contact with her future brother-in-law, his wife, and their children.

Actress was on her best behavior, and was trying to impress her future BIL and SIL with how much she enjoyed meeting their family and spending time with them.

It was a casual event. The children were running around being noisy and playful.

At one point, Actress excused herself to another room to make a phone call.

She somehow wound up alone with one of the children.

Perhaps the child simply ran into the room looking for her? Whatever the case, what happened next was the catalyst.

The Actress snapped a couple of quick photos of the child.

Perhaps it was innocent. Perhaps not.

When [SIL] found out, though, she was alarmed. They had just met [Actress] and she could not believe that [Actress] would try to photograph [Child] without parental consent in the few seconds that they were alone.

Actress tried to pass it off as some sort of innocent, spur-of-the-moment decision, but SIL never trusted her again after that.

What else had Actress done?

Had she secretly photographed or recorded them? The children? The house? Other members of the family?

That meetup did not bring them together as family. If anything, it created distrust and a desire to keep a safe distance from Actress.

It may have also been one of the reasons BIL suggested to his brother that he should slow down the relationship.

Perhaps that was when Actress decided that SIL was her enemy.

Perhaps that is why Actress leaks stories to the media to try to portray SIL as a less-than-perfect mother and person. Someone who is privileged and cold and unwelcoming. Perhaps even… unaccepting of her race?

Actress has been playing the victim for a while now, so we should not be surprised at any accusation she might make.

So, what was Actress planning to do with those photos?

That’s a good question.

We did find out later that Actress actually kept a diary of all family interactions. Perhaps those “innocent” photos, taken in secret, were meant to be part of that comprehensive chronicle.

We’ll see.

___________________________________________________________

I Have A Speech - BLIND GOSSIP

June 9, 2020

 In these days where everything feels overwhelming and upside down, we can sometimes take comfort in the words of great thinkers and great leaders.

This TV actress made a speech designed to empower young people.

Her heartfelt words will linger on in our minds as the perfect example of how she is the definitive shining beacon of truth and unity in these troubled times.

So, whose inspirational words did she choose to bring us all together?

Abraham Lincoln? Mahatma Gandhi? Martin Luther King Jr.?

Actually, she did not mention the source of the sound bite that made headlines the following day, so they must have been her own brilliant thoughts, right? Nah.

They came from a script.

An episode of Grey’s Anatomy, to be precise. No, we are not kidding.

Hey, she’s an actress! It’s all scripts and rehearsals for her. If you thought otherwise, you might be a little naive. Sort of like her husband.

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Nice House And Fake Tears - BLIND GOSSIP

June 30, 2020

This pretty actress married a rich guy.

She will never have to worry about having a nice house to live in or having enough food to eat.

Good for her. Life should be very happy for her! Except… there appears to be something missing. A key emotion.

She does not cry.

What do you mean? Everyone cries at some point.

She can cry for a scene. If she is trying to portray sadness, she can wrinkle up her face and change her breathing and clasp her mouth or her chest. She can do the facial expressions and the hand gestures and the sounds. But it has to be rehearsed so that she does things in a specific order and so that her eyes actually tear up on cue.

Well, she is an actress, so it makes sense that she would have to rehearse.

But she told us that she does not cry in real life! If she has to do it, like to express sympathy or to make someone feel sorry for her, she said she has to play it like a scene in order to produce tears. She fakes it. She was almost bragging about it.

Perhaps her life is just very happy and she is never sad?

No, she actually gets upset a lot. But when she gets upset, she gets angry and mean, not sad. It’s like she can pretend to be sympathetic or be sad but there’s no real sympathy or sadness. She can act those emotions but she does not feel them. There is something very cold about her.

Do you think her husband knows this?

I don’t think he has a clue.

Well, he is fairly hapless, so that is not surprising.

We can’t recall specific instances of our actress acting sad or sympathetic in real life, but we will certainly look out for it in the future to see if we can detect any falseness in her emoting.

__________________________________________________________

Doggy Dilemma - BLIND GOSSIP

July 20, 2020

While many celebrities are cautious about discussing their children or posting their photos for privacy reasons, this TV actress is the only one we know who has chosen to be selectively mysterious when it comes to her pets.

At first, she seemed quite genuine in her love of her pets and featured them prominently on social media. The narrative – Aren’t I a good person for rescuing these animals? – was a bit trying but acceptable.

Then she started dating another celebrity. Her pets, whom she had once considered her children, became mysteries. 

Why was one pet missing? How did another one get seriously injured? Why didn’t she want anyone to know the name of the third pet? It was… odd.

Then there was the lie about the dog she left behind.

You now know the truth. But do you know why she lied about it? Here you go!

Her relationship with [Man] was the most important thing and she wanted it to look perfect. Telling the truth that he didn’t like the dog and that the dog didn’t like him wouldn’t fit that narrative. She couldn’t make him look like the bad guy and she couldn’t make herself look like a bad person who abandoned her pet. So she had to blame something else.

We hear that she actually considered several lies before settling on one!

She considered a couple different stories. One was to tell people that the dog was terminally ill and that’s why it couldn’t travel.

Why didn’t she use that lie?

It would have gotten some sympathy, but then she would have had to either put the dog down or take it back when the dog miraculously “recovered.”

Did she know that her lie didn’t make sense?

She knew it was lame but it was the best she could come came up with. She had bigger things to worry about, like locking him down.

Locking him down?

Getting him to propose/getting married. She wanted to create the perfect environment for their life together. The dog didn’t fit.

So, why did she eventually take the dog back?

Because people were questioning why she didn’t have the dog back since her original excuse didn’t apply any more. However, the situation was exactly the same the second time and [He] didn’t want the dog around so the dog had to go again. She couldn’t tell the same lie twice.

Look, her dog lie is not the biggest lie in the world.

However, it does make you wonder.

What else she has lied about to get in/stay in the relationship?

And what else has she lied about to create that “perfect” narrative?

___________________________________________________________

Three Moves - BLIND GOSSIP

August 7, 2020

Did you think that this famous married couple would quiet down?

After all, neither one has a job, their plans to make a huge amount of money this year have fallen apart, and they have alienated most of their friends and family.

Certainly they should be spending their time reflecting on their mistakes… reassessing their approach… and getting their act together. Right? Wrong!

They are being just as noisy and hypocritical as ever!

Although it seems like all they are doing right now is lecturing other people on how to live and how to behave, we hear that there is a lot more going on behind the scenes.

In fact, our actress is actually considering three big moves right now!

First,

She has tossed her hat in the ring to replace [that TV talk show host who is going through some turmoil].

We don’t know what her goal is here.

Since her acting has never produced any substantial awards, is she seeing this as her ticket to an Emmy? Is she interested in the big payday that a successful, long-running talk show would produce? Does she think that a talk show will provide her with a forum for her wokeness? Does she see herself as the next Oprah?

Second,

She expressed interest in speaking at the Democratic National Committee Convention.

We don’t know what her goal is here, either.

Her husband is supposed to be apolitical. Is this her way of severing any lingering ties he might still have to his family? Is she trying to ingratiate herself and her husband with the Bidens and the Clintons and the Obamas? Will they be actively campaigning for Joe Biden? Is she positioning herself for a future political run?

Third, she is talking about the couple attending some sort of public sporting or political event for the ultimate publicity stunt. 

She knows that if they “take a knee” during The Star Spangled Banner, that would be the cover photo of every single newspaper, magazine, and website in the world.

We don’t know if any of these things will actually happen.

We are just fascinated by her constant machinations in some weirdly undefined and constantly shifting game. We are also baffled as to what her husband’s role is in any of this.

So their moves could be smart and deliberate. Or they could be stupid and desperate.

___________________________________________________________

Baby Needs To Start Earning - BLIND GOSSIP

August 27, 2020

While this actress continues to put herself in the headlines on a regular basis, have you noticed that something has been missing for the past few months?

Her baby.

While she continuously pleads for privacy and talks about safety… it turns out those are not the primary reasons you haven’t seen her and her husband’s child!

She believes that any appearance of the baby has significant value. She has been trying for months to strike a deal for a cover story for $2M+, but nobody has been willing to pay that.

This is very frustrating for them. It used to be the family disapproval that stopped them from using the baby to make money, but that is not the problem anymore. Now it’s the economy.

It’s so sad that no one will pay them what they want. What they want, they should get!

If she can’t get that deal done, she will find another use for the baby. One thought is a new photo/video to draw millions of followers when they launch their new social media site. Another is to do a staged appearance in conjunction with one of their projects.

Which project? Who knows!

Actress and Hubby have been jumping on and off so many bandwagons over the past few months that it’s getting a little hard to keep track of it all.

Their original plans went out the window, so at this point it’s just a series of weirdly random appearances accompanied by a lot of word salad.

In any case, $2M is a big ask.

Perhaps they are justifying that price by saying it will be donated to charity?

Perhaps to one of their own “charities”?

Hey, they need to start pulling in some money any way they can. Mansions don’t pay for themselves, you know, and neither of them has a real job.

Baby needs to start earning!

__________________________________________________________

The Spotlight Stealer - BLIND GOSSIP

October 9, 2020

There is a reason that most women would not even think of wearing white to a wedding in which they were not the bride.

It’s the bride’s day and she should be the center of attention. She should be the only one dressed in white.

It would be considered extremely narcissistic and ill-mannered to steal the bride’s spotlight by wearing a competing white outfit.

Women also seem to know that when a friend or relative shares an accomplishment or a reason for celebration, your role is to support them, not compete with them.

To make yourself the center of attention would be both selfish and in incredibly bad taste.

Most women understand these rules implicitly.

There is one TV actress, however, who does not seem to think that the rules applies to her!

When another celebrity recently celebrated a major life event, our actress deliberately did two things.

First,

She is the one who arranged for the paparazzi to be there as she was arriving.

So it was more than a lucky coincidence that a photographer was lying in wait for her at a restaurant that is not even located in Los Angeles.

She knew that her picture would get more coverage the next day than [her friend’s] photo.

My, how thoughtful of her.

Second,

She deliberately dressed in a way that would cause people to speculate about her own condition.

You know, for someone who claims to be so private and so supportive, she certainly does have a talent for making everything about her!

It’s all about her. Every occasion. Every time.

We’re starting to see that pattern emerge. In this case, it sounds like our actress played the part of a supportive background player… but her real goal was to bring attention to herself.

She succeeded, too.

___________________________________________________________

Famous Son Got Very Rough - BLIND GOSSIP

October 26, 2020

This blind item involves a famous guy from a prominent family. He’s been in the news a lot lately.

We have a story to tell you that may impact what you think of him.

Years ago, when he was in the military, he used to go off-base with his buddies when they had a night off.

Although they regularly drank to excess, it was not his alcohol consumption that caused the local police to intervene in his bad behavior.

You see, our boy used to hire local workers to service his needs. His carnal needs. Those sessions inevitably got…. rough.

He was very physically rough. So rough that the frightened s*x workers had to call the police. Granted, these were s*x workers, and traditionally not the most reliable witnesses, but this happened multiple times and their stories were very consistent.

What stories did they tell?

They all described him being drunk and how his conduct always turned violent: punching, slapping, choking, hair pulling, etc. It was violent enough that the girls thought that he would permanently hurt them. They were genuinely frightened of him.

How did the local police handle it?

Normally, when something like this happens off-base, the offender would be arrested and then the local police and the military would determine whose jurisdiction it fell under. Then the case would work its way through either the civilian judicial system or the military judicial system.

Is that what happened here?

No! Because of his family, none of that ever happened. The girls would be treated for their injuries and he would just get sent back to base. No arrests, no attorneys, nothing. He was strictly off-limits and neither judicial system would pursue the case.

How often did this happen?

Because he was never really punished, he got away with it multiple times. At first, every girl wanted to service him because of who he was but eventually word got around that he would hurt you. It’s a small community of s*x workers around the base and after this happened a few times, none of the girls would take his business, so it stopped.

Remember when he used to be the fun, partying, likable member of his family? Those days are long gone.

He is now a husband and a father and is seriously consumed with making money by getting involved in a variety of business deals.

Since he is so busy, perhaps his wife could take the time to write some uplifting notes to the girls he beat up?

__________________________________________________________

We Told You About Money Baby - BLIND GOSSIP

December 23, 2020

Are you disappointed that a photo of the baby is the one Christmas gift you are not going to find underneath the tree this year?

Are you surprised that you haven’t seen the baby much in the past year? You shouldn’t be.

Your friends at Blind Gossip told you point blank over the summer that you are NOT going to see that baby again until it can be monetized in some way!

Perhaps it will be a photo to lure followers to a new web site or social media site.

Perhaps it will be a video to promote a project.

Perhaps it will be cover for a media company in exchange for a very large payment.

But show you that baby for free? Ha!

And do you still think that this is about privacy? Ha again!

The hiding of their offspring has nothing to do with privacy… and everything to do with money and publicity. That baby’s image has value. You are not getting it for free.

That’s because all three of them are now part of the entertainment industry. Their names, their titles, their family are now part of a money-making machine. The name of the game is business deals and product flogging and relentless publicity-seeking fronted by the thinnest veneer of charity.

Is this really what the husband signed up for?

Remember all his heart-wrenching talk about how camera clicks and flashes are horrifying to him and how he just wants to lead a private life?

Yet, his entire life is now clicks and flashes and the relentless pursuit of publicity!

The baby doesn’t have a choice. But the husband does. That’s what makes all of this so disturbing.

Is this really what the husband wanted? Is he happy about all this? Or is he just an unwitting dupe in his wife’s schemes?

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Top 6 Reasons Why You Need To Bring Your Business Online

Online business growth is booming right now. An online store builder is like buying or selling products. E-commerce is now widely used by Indians to conduct business. 50,000 new jobs have been created by e-commerce. The main reason for this is the raised use of e-commerce for business purposes by people living in remote, rural and urban zones.

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Reasons why you need to bring your business online

Reason 1:

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Reason 2:

Online business helps in global business growth

You are able to sell your goods anywhere in the world thanks to this function, which is closely related to the preceding point. In order to view what you have to offer, They don’t need to come to your spot. You may be able to attract buyers from across the nation if you can successfully sell online.

However, the majority of residents of that city will be your clients if you can conduct traditional retail sales in the centre of the city. As far as the clients are concerned, it is thriving because they can buy a high-quality product from others such as sellers in the country. Even if they don’t want to, they are not forced to buy their needs at the nearest store. This is a wonderful example of how electronic commerce (or e-commerce) can benefit both buyers and sellers by giving them satisfaction and succeed.

Reason 3:

Can accept multiple orders without crowding

If you go to a mall, you will have to wait at least 15 minutes in line at the bill counter. However, with the online store, you can place purchases right away and have the goods delivered to your home without any hassles or lines. also, a seller can only meet up to 100 clients at once. On the other hand, an e-commerce website allows for the effortless receipt of countless orders of 500–1000 at once. Millions of clients could simultaneously visit an online store and select the item they require.

However, if you are running a typical store, you probably won’t let more than 100 clients in. A line that sells products online can easily find out what a given client usually buys, how much they spend each month, and what products they like to buy. By studying this data, creating business plans and executing them, your concern can move forward. However, this type of data is almost impossible to get in a standard retail set.

Reason 4:

Understanding customer feedback is easy

When you want to buy something from an online store, you can find out more about the product’s quality by reading reviews left by clients who have previously purchased it. Therefore, by paying alert to client feedback, a seller can also spot product defects and make plans to fix them. These client opinions,

however, cannot be discovered in a standard retail set. Even if a good’s owner is aware of all its parts due to its clients, this does not guarantee that the next clients will get what you say because, in their looks, the seller is free to say whatever he likes to sell the goods.

Reason 5:

Finding what you need is simple.

Certain goods are on the first floor and another product is on the third floor when a client visits a mall. The majority of your time will therefore be spent at the shopping centre seeking for that item.

However, you may save a tonne of time in such an online store by searching and purchasing every item with only one click. A similar e-commerce platform will assist you in knowing your list status quickly if you are a seller.

Reason 6:

Can run nonstop 24*7/365

Most standard retail and retail business hours are 9 am to 9 pm only. Yet, online stores are always open, letting clients buy goods whenever they want. Buying and selling goods via an online store is possible, mainly during pandemics like the coronavirus. By adding their contact data to your online store, you can fast inform ordering clients about special sales and new arrivals via emails and text messages.

However, once a client leaves a line, there are no ways to re-engage with regular visitors. online business can meet sales only by offering unique client likes.

Reason 7:

presence marketing easy.

Your online presence makes the process of selling your goods and services simple. Clients won’t experience any pressure from vendors as they browse your goods and make sure they’re satisfied with their buy. You don’t have to be present for the full procedure to occur, as we previously stated. Buyers will be making buys even at night.

The procedure is no longer constrained and is also perpetual. You may select how much it will cost to market yourself online. You may share coupons and ads online with just the click of a link, feeling the need to mail them out. On your blog and social media platforms, you can promote your goods and services for nothing. Also, if you focus on enhancing your SEO, the search engines will pick you.

Final thoughts

The benefits of doing business online are many for clients. Any time, day or night, they can find out about your line. If your online store has goods, clients may place orders whenever it’s suitable for them and troubleshoot issues faster by reading blogs about probable issues or by simply emailing your concern.

I hope this blog has given you a better insight of the importance between conventional line and online commerce. It’s typically simple, affordable, and risk-free to launch an internet store. High returns and long-term gains are feasible, but only if you pick your goods and services carefully, and have a good business plan. Use the OrderZ online store builder to help you launch your business.

Online business is significant in the current environment and cannot be disregarded. It’s the same as saying “no” to your business’s expansion if you turn a blind eye to the advantages of using an online trade. So stop wasting time and take advantage of what the online has to offer your business!

[gameotheque]

Noooot really, it means less money, unfortunately and-

Awww, nevermind me, then!

[merakiui]

Frostbite

yandere!childe x (gender neutral) reader art credit - GNSN_FA on twt cw: yandere, blood, minor gore (lacerations), unhealthy behaviors/relationship, mentions of death/hypothermia, fighting

It’s borderline animalistic, the way you cling to warmth and life like a starved, neglected hound. Your fingers stiffen in a vain attempt to flex—to successfully grasp your sword like a true warrior. The furs that were once draped over your body are ragged, torn to shreds from a dangerous battle between the elements and him. There’s no mistaking the excitement that lights his every nerve like bulbs hanging from a Christmas tree, coated in the maddening swell of potent bloodlust. If surrender was an option, you would have done it long ago.

Even then, you’re certain he wouldn’t give you such a benevolent chance no matter how hard you were to beg and plead.

Your breath materializes like a phantom in front of your face, a cruel reminder that you’re still breathing in a battered body. Your fingernails are chipped, blood running down the tips from an icy struggle, but you refuse to succumb to the cold. Instead, you allow yourself to be swept up in his electrified stare. 

“What’s the matter, comrade?” There’s a wry smile pulling his chapped lips apart, showcasing flawless teeth aligned in a perfect face. Despite the brutal wear of this current fight, he’s still handsome. And that makes you sick. “I thought you said you’ve gotten stronger. If I wanted a real battle, I would’ve challenged one of my subordinates and that’s nowhere near as fun as this!”

Keeled over in the snow, your lungs burning with each rattled inhale, you struggle to meet his eyes. The deathly chill of the Snezhnayan climate claws at your exhausted form like the porcelain fingers of a skeleton. You might as well surrender to the freezing temperatures. After all, the frostbite is far kinder than the fighting machine looming over you, the toe of his boot nudging your trembling self. 

“I... I am strong,” you manage to say before the dangerous wind pierces your throat like a dagger. Like the icicle Childe’s wielding, a happily convenient reaction between Hydro and Cryo elements. You cough and crimson paints the snow. “Strong. I’m strong.”

“Then get up.” There isn’t any warmth in his tone. Cold like ice and devoid of his former playfulness. Under all of that nonchalance, a fierce, chiseled warrior lies in comfortable wait. When his eyes trace your hunched form and he spots the blood that dribbles past your lips, practically freezing as soon as it makes contact with the frigid air, those dull hues widen. Surely he’s hit a weak spot, a vital organ or something close to a fatal blow. He wonders for a brief moment if you’re afraid of death. “You’ll freeze if you don’t move.”

A flash catches your attention and then there is the flow of suffocating water. Sharpened blades of ice surround you on all sides, nearly scraping your arms, so you force yourself onto unsteady legs. Internally, you’re searching for a way out—for a way to give up before you bite off more than you can chew. This sparring match wasn’t your request, but you had been a fool to accept, having been so certain of your strength and wit. But you aren’t accustomed to Snezhnaya, whereas Childe has spent years of his life here: training, learning, and fighting until he was worthy of the Tsaritsa’s praise. 

With sloppy movements, you cut through the ice as if it’s butter, eternally grateful for the sharpness of your trusty sword. You can’t tell when this fight will end, but you hope an opening with present itself. As soon as it does, you’re running as far as your frozen legs will take you. Like a feral beast who fights desperately against the unfair hands of the Grim Reaper, you stumble forwards, slashing blindly at your target. He’s thoroughly amused with your struggle, having seen this sort of desperation many times before on the battlefield.

It’s a depressing thing, knowing you’ll be destined for failure and yet you still push onwards. As if that will turn the tide of this battle in your favor. Childe almost admires your persistence, but it isn’t all that special. He’s seen it all before but not quite in the way you portray it. Your despair is far more delectable than that of any low-ranking Fatui soldier. Childe could bask in this for eternity and he’d never grow bored. To have you by his side as his punching bag—it excites him just a little too much. 

Naturally, the more he spars with you, the more he’ll grow accustomed to your attack and defense patterns. A strategy is only worthwhile if it rakes in victory. No matter the cost. No matter how many fall and grovel, begging for their pitiful lives. In a way, his moral compass is rather skewed. He supposes that makes him a bad person, but he’s never been one for the hero role. 

Childe taps your shoulder and you whirl, slicing upwards with your sword. The blade cuts the air, not the torso of the man who jumps back with such deadly precision. The expression he’s wearing haunts you: a wicked smile, pupils blown wide with the thrill of life and death, and a blooming bruise from where you managed to hit him in your earlier scuffle. In any form, he looks good, be it blue and purple, red and pale, or even frozen stiff by the very ice that reacts to his Hydro abilities. You can’t stand your weak heart, as you’re well aware of the face he’ll bear tomorrow. Friendly and disarming, a total opposite to the grinning madman twirling water-turned-ice blades like they’re circus batons. 

Like always, you’ll return his kindness because you’re a fool. Because you like the soft, wholesome Childe that cares lovingly for his family—the side he’s displayed in rare instances that glimmer beyond the gilded portrait of a battle-hardened soldier. 

You fall hard on your back, landing in the thick snow with a wheeze. There is no warmth on the battlefield. Only pain, suffering, and the certainty of death. You push yourself to get up, but your muscles won’t move, too heavy and sore. You know you’re strong—you’ve faced many opponents before and you’ve lived to boast of your successes. You can beat Childe. You have to if you intend to avoid fights with him in the future. 

“Well, this is upsetting.” He’s frowning now, idly tapping the crystalized water while he circles you like a sharp-toothed predator. “Didn’t expect this to end so quickly.”

Liar. You already know I can’t beat you, you want to say, but the words escape you. Not yet, anyways.

A sneer splits your dry lips and blood trickles down your chin like a woeful river. You don’t need a mirror to witness the damage. 

“Teucer won’t like this,” you say, staring up at Childe with dead eyes, hoping to prod at his weak spots. If the mention of his brother affects him, Childe doesn’t let it show.

“He doesn’t have to know,” he retorts, brushing aside such a possibility with ease. 

Right. Because you expect me to put myself back together like a toy. Of course, almighty Childe, the greatest toy salesman in all of Snezhnaya. 

“Well.” You pause to exhale and pain shoots through your side. Through your bleary gaze, you can see a deep laceration. Blood stains what’s left of your attire, and you move your rigid hands over the wound to prevent anymore blood loss. “Congrats. You won.”

“You’re giving up?” Bewilderment flashes across his face for an instant before it melts away into an emotion you can’t place. Anger? Sadness? Is he unhappy with this win? 

“What does it look like? I can’t possibly fight with these injuries.” 

It hurts to speak and you wish he would just stop. If he could accept the outcome of this battle, this wouldn’t be such a problem. You’d be able to patch and heal yourself up before your condition gets any worse. With the chill seeping into your open cut, harshly kissing slick, wet blood, you doubt you’ll make it inside before passing out. Vaguely, you recall the unfamiliar stages of hypothermia. At worst, if you stay out in this fatal weather, pinned like an entomologist’s butterfly under Childe’s monstrous gaze, you’ll freeze to death. At best, you’ll escape, build a fire, and warm up to the best of your ability. Weighing your options, you’d rather lose a finger or a toe as opposed to your life. 

“You can fight.” His blade is at your throat, the pointed tip niggling into your jugular. It’s more of a threat than a warning, a means to spur you into action. “You’ll never get stronger if you’re always running away, comrade.”

Your life has some value; Childe just can’t see that. In his eyes, a fight should be seen through to the very end, even if it’s marred in death and destruction. Yet here you are, choosing to abandon your pride. That must have some strength in itself, right? You hate his face, his childish nature, and the fact that his everything is making you reconsider. You’re doomed to fail if you continue to push your frostbitten body past its natural limits. 

“I...” The blade slices along your throat, a mere surface wound. You can’t feel the sting or the sticky blood that spills out like flowing tears, having become as numb as a fish-eyed animal near extinction. “Childe—“

You don’t want to hurt him and he knows this. It twists his insides like a knife in flesh, turning and turning until organs pop and leak into soupy conflict. The blade leaves your throat and another harsh wind blows between the two of you, glacial and prickling. He distances himself, tracking your form in case you happen to move. You’ve stopped shivering at this point, lying flat on your back and staring up at the dark sky. Snowflakes cling to your lashes like the hands of death, pulling you closer to an invisible grave. 

“You can fight.” Is that desperation in his voice? You almost laugh at the idea. He’s not a desperate man; he doesn’t need to be when he has it all. “Get up, comrade.”

“I think...I’ll stay here,” you whisper, your heartbeat irregularly slow. You’ve never counted the beats before, but now it makes for a fun distraction. “Good job, Childe. You’ve definitely...”

Gotten stronger.

You possess strength, just not the type Childe wants to experience firsthand. He has no use for a lonely, unseeing corpse. And when your eyelids flutter, closing upon a face that reflects frozen death, he releases a sigh. His blade falls at once, landing in the snow with a thump, and he bends down to gather your fallen frame in his arms. Somehow, whenever he spars with you—whenever he’s within touching distance—he feels alive. As if you’ve breathed meaning into his frostbitten soul, warming the cold beast that lurks and pounces at the sight and smell of fresh bloodshed. 

If he’s learned anything, it’s that there’s always going to be room for improvement. You just need to train more, and he’d be over the moon to fight you until it’s your blade slicing through his skin. In the meantime, though, he’ll have to kiss color and life back into your monochrome world of death and despair. 

As the greatest toy salesman in all of Snezhnaya, it’s only fair if he repairs the damages done to his favorite toy. Break, repair, and repeat. A cycle befitting a messy relationship and an even messier slew of choices. Rinse and repeat, like waves licking up a carcass bound to the shore. 

Come morning, you’ll be shiny and new, ready to sit by his side for another leisurely ice-fishing outing. Childe isn’t known as the greatest toy salesman for nothing, and you’re just barely scraping by with each battle scar and bandage—courtesy of such an illustrious, experimental toy salesman. 

[kazuhasbunny]

Giiiirl, imagine you are on Baal's side, you are a general and commanding an army against the rebels' own general, Gorou.

You are all cocky and confident, your years of experience just keeping you aware enough so you won't be consumed by your pride. But oh, your face, when after all of those carefully thought out strategies and intensive training, you end up losing to that mutt.

He is insufferable. Even though his face and body is caked in a mixture only war can give-- blood, sweat and dirt, his smile is the biggest, smuggest thing you have ever seen in your life as a warrior. It does not help that you are on your knees, back stretching forward as the grip he has on your jaw tugs you up with such a force you won't ever believe an archer, a long distance fighter, would posses. The bodies of both sides lay scattered on the defiled land, but the purple spots decorate the most, as his last men stand straight and proud behind him, just as yours do, but the lack the attentiveness. Their tired and bored countenance ticks you in a wrong way. Why they don't look happy by this result?

Does your failure was already predicted? As if this end was something that was already calculated. Taken in account.

The man holding your jaw in a bruising grip let go of you, a mere blink of respite as the next second your left cheek explodes in pain, your vision swaggers for a second as you fall on your right side from the streght of that blow. You shut your eyes and concentrate on your breathing; the fight left you completely drained, as much as your brain screamed at you to stand up and attack that man, your bones and muscles protested as you tensed in hopes of getting up, but ultimately you only made yourself look pitiful.

Gorou turns to were his men are, his gaze lingering for a second on your laughable attempt. His focus switches to the army as he starts to pace from one side to the other, the victory was already decided, but the energy from the feat itself brought a surge of emotions within him.

Another quick glance at you, and something on his mind switched. He was wondering what to do with you; killing you off felt as a meaningless action, as the Shogun won't care for someone as low as yourself. You only were deployed to fight against them to gain time for the real force, to prepare and learn how strong the rebels actually are. With how confident you looked hours ago, it seems that your benevolent Shogun forgot to grace you with such knowledge before sending you off with a bunch of newly trainees.

"First of all, congratulations, my friends, for this well earned victory" Gorou began. The group of men on front of him quickly acknowledge his words, paying attention to what he had to say.

"Even if the outcome resulted as to what we--" He turns around, your eyes opened when he began speaking. You both made eye contact, and Gorou's smirk transformed into a full smile. Was it okay for him to fill such giddiness at the sight of your equally wounded pride and body? After all, he was the one to bring you into that state, he was the one to put you in your rightful place with just one arrow, kneeling on the dirty battlefield as the geo power incased on the arrowhead did its job in petrify you.

The glint of defeat on, dare he say, those gorgeous eyes of yours really made them stand out. Actually, as he approaches your form, he's starting to see some other appealing features he couldn't notice from a longer distance. What was the Shogun thinking, in even allowing you a spot within her number when you clearly weren't made for war?

"--Expected" his pause brought your attention to what he was actually saying. So they had all of this calculated...

"But now, all that is left to do, is tend to the wounded and take care of the dead. Yours and their sacrifice will bring an end to this stupid decree in no time. We need to prepare for tougher, real..." He gives you a glance "...battles from now on. Don't let this win get in your head"

The crowd quietly cheers between them, some of them patting each other on the shoulder for a job well done. All of that camaraderie made your stomach hollow, as you recognise the same speech you have told to your former men after a battle well fought. Those piercing blue eyes of his made you painfully aware of the consecutive part of giving a victory speech, about what is waiting for the losing side, the pit in your stomach grew in size and you really wished that it could swallow you whole before the man in front of you does.

Gorou thrills in your despair. That pretty face of yours plunging into dark dephts, your mind weaving one horrifying destiny after other speaks a lot of your character, as only those who have layed a cruel end to those before them can conceive. He knows what kind of thoughts those are, but as much of a monster as you are viewing him now, he won't do such a thing. He was quite merciful while deciding what your fate will be, even if he didn't pondered a lot in the few minutes after your fall, you are but only a child with a weapon, sent to die by that horrible woman.

And something he prides himself of, is learning from mistakes. He won't throw away something that can fulfill very well other duties than warfare ones.

"Sir! If I may--" a voice spoke between the masses of helms and spears.

"I know, I know. The general" Gorou waves off his hand, his eyes never stranding away from your form for far too long.

A groan escapes your body as his foot steps on your ribcage, not too hard but your weak body sense as if he had nails attached to the sole, your skin felt cold and as if it was being prickled by a ton of needles. He pushes your your body with a gentleness unexpected from an enemy, until you were lying on your back. The new position put pressure in the arrow wound on your right/left shoulder, your dominant arm, and for a second you were grateful of the rigidness granted by the geo element yet covering half of your arm or else you are sure you would have cried in pain, the last thing you want now is to show more weakness that what you are displaying.

"What I am going to do with her... I didn't know myself when we first begun this battle" Gorou continued. He removed his shoe from your chest to your side on the floor, so you'll be cage between his legs while he looks down on you. His arms crossed across his chest and he tilted his head to the side, as in assessing you, taking on your face just as covered in grime as his but not diminish your beauty in the slightest. He really made a good decision in regard of your fate.

The soldiers stood still, the atmosphere felt heavy like the air on a hot summer afternoon that feels stuffy on your lungs as your breath in. Their general had an unseen aura surrounding him, his usual careless actitud makes everyone forget that there's an animal side to him, although they aren't sure they will presence it for the first time, their captain is definitely switching towards that side... they even feel a little bit of pity for the woman under him.

"But as I see her like this, beaten, it makes me remember something of old, that the victorous usually sow. Can you guys guess what it is?" He squats over you, sweetly combing a couple of strands of hair out of your face.

Whispers break among the army after the question. One of them raised his hand, no barely 18 years old as he was one of the shortest in comparison to his bigger and wider shouldered comrades. The young recruit promptly lowered his arm as the general wasn't looking at their direction but that didn't stopped him from answering, eyes shining with excitement:

"They take something as a token of their victory, sir!"

Gorou hummed in affirmation. "Yes, they did. A spoil of war, if you may"

Dread washed over you. He wasn't going to kill you, as a way to demonstrate their superiority? To be taken as a trophy, a possession... He surely won't mean that, right? They are going to torture you and extract every drop of information that you have, until the last thing left in you is blood to shed on their hands as your usefulness is cut short like your troath.

You needed to say something. Anything, as long as it would arise anger within the young male, anything as long as you aren't degrade far from what you have been.

Gorou raised his eyebrows as you coughed. He wasn't expecting a monologue from you but neither silence. Your sudden wish of speaking made the men jump into action, their spears pointing at you with such terrifying speed made you realise furthermore that this battle was destined to end like this, another stripe to the tiger just like a new blow to your pride.

"Just kill me already. I won't say anything, and if given the opportunity, I will end it myself" you spat. You tried to transmit all of your pain, hate and shame in one stare, you won't go happy until you make that man see what you feel, how big your abhorrence is to his being.

All the males stare in silence, until the general himself chuckled. Your cheeks burn with rage, your teeth clenched together as you tried yo surf this flare of emotions. How dare he laugh like that! He already won and you won't speak a thing about the Shogun, why acting like that? Isn't the rebels supposed to act with nobility and fairness?

Gorou took a breath in. He's happy he didn't went for the traditional route and killed you.

"Aw, now you just proved me correct, sweetheart. I'll enjoy making you into a proper wife"

All of that just to say "Imagine being taken as Gorou's prize and he makes you his whore wife" LMAO

(Also? In the part that reader coughs? I wanted to put that Gorou spits on your lips because you looked thirsty AODJFJDC)

THIS 🙏 yes i’d love to be gorou’s housewife he should really take me in and train me to obey him . please i’d do anything for him

AND pleasee omg ... if u actually put that in i’d die on my chair it’s too hot i can’t hjnhnggrh