#its 3.36 right now

[nickgerlich]

By The Gallon

There is probably no single item that is more contentious in the US than a gallon of gasoline. We so completely bought into car culture in the 1950s, the post-war era of unbridled growth, prosperity, and a move to the suburbs, that in the process, we made ourselves extremely dependent on this precious commodity. We complain when prices go up, but we keep buying it because we can’t change our addiction in the short run. We’ll pay whatever.

That’s what economists call a case of inelastic demand, meaning the quantity demanded remains fairly constant at any price level, at least within a relevant range. If we were to wake up to $5 gas tomorrow morning, we’d still pay it, in spite of swearing out someone under our breath. The US burns through 376 million gallons of gas each and every day, no matter what it costs.

Oh, and while I’m at it, I must remind you that the President of the US has very little to do with the price of gas, because the price of oil is determined on a global market. The President can release oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve to try to temporarily reduce prices (something each President has done since the 1970s), or reduce the federal gas tax, but that’s about it.

One more thing: The idea of energy independence is a myth. While it is true that the US has produced the most crude oil than any nation at any time during the past six years, we both export and import on the global market. We are a net exporter by a small margin. So please quit blaming one, while singing the praises of another for ridiculously low prices during a pandemic. It just doesn’t work that way, and I say that in the most politically disinterested way I can.

Today we find ourselves with prices headed downward in a hurry. Part of it is seasonal, of course, because vacation season is over. But the global market is trending down right now, and all on its own. In Canyon America, the price was $2.699 at the local Walmart. In Texas, the average is $3.054, while nationwide it is $3.36, with the overall year-over-year difference down $0.46.

But did anything change in terms of consumption? Doubtful. It’s not like you wake up one day and say, “Honey, gas sure has come down! Why don’t we go for a long drive today?” We just keep doing whatever it is we do, even our cherished family road trips, which are also part of American culture.

This last summer we took an outsized road trip covering 18 states and 12,100 miles, and included dipping our toes in both oceans. The cheapest gas I bought was right here in Canyon, while the most expensive was $4.999 in Susanville California. Yes, that one hurt a bit, but I didn’t have any option but to do it. Besides, we wanted to visit the PNW, and we were already three-fourths of the way there. All told, the gas bill on this trip was $1757.85. I know that seems like a lot, but can you think of a cheaper way for two people to travel that extensively?I’ll wait.

Now let’s compare to the price of fuel in Europe, where it is typically in the $8 a gallon range, once you convert for liters and Euros. This trip would have cost more than double had we zipped across the European continent. We have it pretty good here, at least on paper.

Of course, one thing that does matter is that we are somewhat a victim of our own geography. In population-dense areas, you usually don’t have to drive far. In remote West Texas and throughout the west, we measure distances in hours that could easily translate into multiples of 75 or 80 miles, depending on how fast you drive.

Regardless, we’re going to keep buying gas, because we need it for our jobs, education, and lifestyle. It’s hard to change the seemingly immovable objects, such as job and residence. I suppose if gas went to $10 more of us might be motivated to buy a Prius and relocate closer to our job. Until then, though, our consumer behavior is going to be predictably the same.

So how then do we adapt to rising prices? Simple. We take it out of something else. Gas is the non-negotiable product we buy. Maybe we dine out less, delay major purchases, skip the new shirt or dress. Whatever it takes, we just cut back somewhere else, because when you have inelastic demand—that is, a nearly perfectly vertical demand curve—you’re just going to keep buying, at least for the time being.

I’ll see you at the pump. Let’s all be thankful prices are down for now, because at $0.46 cheaper and considering a 20-gallon tank, that’s $9.12 we’re saving each time. That should cover your PSL or pint of craft beer, and leave enough for the tip.

Dr “Fill ‘Er Up!” Gerlich

Audio Blog

[svt-rae]

「 rae masterlist 」

🎬 . . . now playing : BOOMBOOM !

RAE LINES ⇢ 14.00 sec

[ verse 1 ] ( 0.35 - 0.37 ) < originally Hoshi >

너의 주위를 turn right and turn left

Neoui juwireul turn right and turn left

Around you, I turn right and turn left

[ verse 2 ] ( 1.44 - 1.50 ) < originally Vernon >

Yeah, 안 지워지네 지금 네가 들어간 내 두뇌는 용량 초과 붐붐

Yeah an jiwojine, jigeum nega deureogan nae dunoeneun yongnyang chogwa, boomboom

Yeah it doesn't erase, right now you've entered my brain Its memory is out of capacity, boomboom

[ post-chorus ] ( 3.33 - 3.36 ) < originally Wonwoo >

You got me like boomboom, yeah, boomboom

✸ ‧ ‧ ‧ rae fav song from GOING SEVENTEEN ❜

✸ ‧ ‧ ‧ RAE lookbook ❜

🪽 ‧ ‧ ‧ she got a long black coat with high waisted gray pants that makes everything comfortable

🪽 ‧ ‧ ‧ in this mv she owns a walkie tolkie talkie too

🪽 ‧ ‧ ‧ her make up is more havier as she got smokie eyes and darker lips

🪽 ‧ ‧ ‧ in this comeback it's one of the few times that she have her natural black hair, with bangs too

✸ ‧ ‧ ‧ NOTABLE SCENES ❜

🪽 ‧ ‧ ‧ you can see Rae entering in the hellvator with a bored look

🪽 ‧ ‧ ‧ while she do her rap part, she talks to the walkie talkie

🪽 ‧ ‧ ‧ then she looks at the camera, smirk and walk away

[economicsabout]

How much money is there in the world?

For such a rigidly enforced resource, this is an incredibly difficult question to answer. There are so many facets that must be considered when evaluating “money”. For the purpose of consistent figures, throughout this brief exploration, everything will be equated to the US Dollar. The US Dollar is the most popular currency in the world. It is an official currency in 5 US territories and an additional 7 sovereign countries. Many countries around the world accept the US Dollar alongside their own currency and it can be easily exchanged everywhere else.

In the United States, there is a number called “M0” that represents all of the minted money (coins and bills) in domestic circulation. This number is projected at around $1.5 trillion. However, New York city alone has over $3 trillion in private wealth. What this means is that the vast majority of money in the United States, and likely the rest of the world, is immaterial, digital.

Worldwide, M0 is projected at around $5 trillion. This is the sum of all the minted money of all currencies in circulation. However, the figure that we may be more interested in can be referred to as “broad money” or M3. This figure accounts for all funds in checking, savings, and money-market accounts; it’s essentially all digital money owned by anyone, anywhere. This figure runs much, much higher with an estimated $80 trillion in worldwide funds.

There are three more numbers of minor interest that should at least be acknowledged. The combined Gross Domestic Product of all countries is projected at $142 trillion. Currently, the world owes about $220 trillion in debt and the world’s total property value is somewhere around $220 trillion as well. While these astronomical figures could really throw a wrench in our answer, for all intents and purposes, let’s just use the nice round figure of $80 trillion, as it most closely fits the definition of how much “money” is in the world. Now, what would that number look like if we considered more than just the US Dollar?

There are 180 currencies in the world that are recognized by the United Nations. Of these 180, the most valuable currency is the Kuwaiti Dinar. Used primarily in Kuwait, an oil-rich country in Southwest Asia, one Kuwaiti Dinar (KD) has the equivalent value of $3.24. Therefore, in Kuwaiti Dinar, the total value of all currency in the world is just 24.7 trillion KD. Amazingly, all four of the world’s most valuable currencies come from the Arabian Peninsula. They are, the Kuwaiti Dinar, the Bahrain Dinar, the Oman Rial, and the Jordan Dinar respectively.

On the flip-side, right next door, Iran has the world’s least valuable currency. One US Dollar has the equivalent value of 41,994 Iranian Rial (IRR). Therefore, in Iranian Rial, the total value of all currency in the world is an unfathomable 3.36 Quintillion IRR. That number looks like this: 3,360,000,000,000,000,000. The smallest bank note printed in Iran is worth 100 IRR which has the equivalent value of about ¼ of a cent. There is also a 100,000 IRR note ($2.38).

The Vietnamese Dong (VND) prints the bank note in current circulation with the highest denomination, 500,000 VND. However, the Vietnamese Dong is the second least valuable currency in the world. One US Dollar is worth 23,194 VND. Therefore, even a bank note worth 500,000 VND has the equivalent value of just $21.56.

The currency with the highest banknote denomination in history was the Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWD), which went out of circulation in 2009 as its value plummeted. In an attempt to cope with a plummeting currency, the Zimbabwean government printed a banknote with a denomination of 100 trillion ZWD. At the time, this was only worth about $0.40. Therefore if we equate the estimated $80 trillion that exists in the world today to the extinct Zimbabwean Dollar, the total value of all currency on Earth is about 20 octillion ZWD. That number looks like this: 20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. If you printed that much money in 500 ZWD notes, the volume of the notes would be approximate to the volume of the Earth itself.

So the short answer to the question “How much money is in the World?” is $80 trillion. But perhaps the most important thing to take away is the notion that all money is imaginary and holds imaginary value. So depending on how economically liberated one is feeling, the world’s currency can have as much or as little value as one prescribes it.

[binndnguyen]

REVIEW: L'OREAL FINE FLOWERS GEL-CREAM WASH DRY & SENSITIVE SKIN

L'Oreal came out with this Fine Flowers skin care range. I haven't seen any of these products in our drugstores, so I'm assuming we don't have it in Slovenia. But I did find it in Austria as well as online stores. I bought Gel-Cream Wash on a whim, because it was on sale and sounded good. A quest to find the perfect washing gel comes over me every summer. Some cleansing milks just feel to heavy and I want something that does the job, but doesn't feel too heavy or leave my skin dry feeling.

It comes in a half pink and half transparent tube. The tube is slim and long which means it will start falling off your shelf as soon as you touch it. But I like the practical tube packaging anyway.

In it is 150 ml of product and the regular price is 4.79€ on Feelunique. I bought it there, but when it was on sale, so it cost me 3.36€.

The opening is small enough and it doesn't spill the product all over, which is nice. 

Here is the ingredients list. 

L'Oreal says that the wash contains extracts of rose and jasmine flowers. It should make your skin soft, comfortable and fresh. The gel-cream texture emulsifies in the water and creates creamy foam that cleanses and softens the skin without drying it out.

Rose is known for its soothing and comforting properties and jasmine for protective and moisturizing properties. 

It also doesn't contain any alcohol or soap.

The gel-cream is actually like a mix of thinner milk and classic gel. It's pearly white and very runny. Once you massage it in the skin with a bit of water, it turns into a milky white consistency that foams, but not too much. 

I like it, because it doesn't sting my eyes. It has a subtle soothing scent and I don't smell any flowers, which I like. On the skin it feels soothing, but also efficient in removing leftover makeup. I do a double cleanse, so oil cleanser and then this. I also use it in the morning to wash off any leftover dirt and product and it does the job well. I wouldn't use it as a first cleanse when removing makeup, although you can and it does remove it well with a bit more effort.

After I wash it off, my skin is left feeling clean, fresh, soft and not dry nor does it have any nourishing layer on top (like some cleansing milks tend to leave behind). It's a perfect cleanser for hot summery month in that it feels lightweight, does the job and doesn't dry out your skin. I have sensitive skin in general, but it's less irritated in the summer. This cleanser doesn't irritate my skin right now, but I can't say for sure for those of you with really sensitive skin.

The Fine Flowers range includes products like facial wipes, cleansing toner, cleansing milk and cleansing balm. Most of these products also have two versions, one for dry and sensitive skin and one for normal to combination skin.

[nights-flying-fox]

I would unironically love to see your essay about Ice Age movies.

HI HELLO SORRY BEING SO LATE BUT!!! ARI THANK YOU SO MUCH IVE BEEN WANTING TO DO AN ESSAY ABOUT THIS SO MUCH

Okay, so!! I'll be talking about the first five movies, no shorts/series/whatever Disney made with Buck.

Also I hope you're ready for my rambling :D

Welcome to the Ice Age essay: why the first three movies are great, four is meh and five is... not good in my opinion.

I think there are three important elements about the Ice Age movies. The balanced story (serious themes and the comedic side), the characters and the world building consistency. I'll explain my ideas under these three points.

1- The Balance

Possibly one of the most important reasons the first movie is so well done. In the first movie the viewer doesn't get overwhelmed with the sad tones or the comedic part. There's a balance. It both makes you laugh with scenes like "I'm Lord of the flames!" and Scrat's various failed attempts, and breaks your heart with scenes such as the one with the cave paintings (Manny's past family) and Diego's sacrifice.

The same is done well in The Meltdown and The Dawn of the Dinosaurs too. (The first one got many silly scenes, not only with Sid or Scrat, but with the whole herd. As well got some serious scenes like the whole last mammoth thing and Ellie's past. And the third movie got both the comrdy and the whole herd having some family issues which I would gladly would talk but don't want to make this too long so I'll cut it short.)

Meanwhile, Continental Drift and Collison Course seem to lack that balance. I don't remember the fourth movie much sadly, but I remember it not having the same balance from the prevous movies. And the fifth movie... it could use the serious elements in so many better ways, yet we're stuck with constant jokes and nothing more than goofy moments. It doesn't show the importance of some events.

Peaches leaving home is a very important issue. Ellie wanting to be sure her daughter is ready to start her own life is very important for her. But you can't feel it when the movie portrays it with Crash and Eddie acting as babies and Granny being an arsonist.

2- The Characters

The first movie introduces us to Manny, Diego and Sid, along Scrat and some other characters. We get to learn about their personalities, the same goes with each movie.

When a sequel is made, there is the possibility of characters being out of chatacter. Sometimes it's not too much. But sometimes...

I believe this is a big issue with Collisioun Course. Because everyone feels just so out of chatacter. In the previous sequels, they both got their original personality and growth. In this movie nobody seems to have any of them. Even Buck acts different than how he was in the third movie.

There also the fact most characters don't do much. They don't have a part in the story. It's a problem when you have way too many characters in your story. The fourth movie somehow got it handled by separating the group (Manny, Sid, Diego and Granny got separated from Ellie, her brothers, Peaches and Louis) and handling them with different views of the story. But in the fifth movie, Shira is mostly just standing in the background, Crash and Eddie are just comic reliefs...

Also another problem: forgetting the past characters. It is a problem with every sequel actually. None of the sequels mention the baby or the humans (I wish at least we had seen the necklace the man had given Manny once). Then we never get mention of Rudy or the Rex family when Buck appears again, or Louis in the fifth movie (only a small cameo) even though he was Peaches' best friend.

3- World Building Consistency

Ice Age (2002) shows us that animals act mostly like animals. They don't drink from straws or wear bikinis or act human like too much (like anthro characters from other media) in this universe. While The Meltdown and Dawn of the Dinosaurs break this rule slightly (Fast Tony's stuff I think and Buck's "knife"), Continental Drift breaks even more (pirates and those little guys I forgot their name), Collusion Course destroys it completely. Yes I am talking about the scene where Sid's last date comes and Sid shows her their future life plan. And yes I am talking about the whole marriage thing too because since when Manny and Ellie are married? Since when we get weddings and wedding arrangements??? What is this???? (I really dislike the whole marriage thing so much I am so sorry but it's just. Wrong.)

Also Ice Age world is realistic. Lava kills animals, it comes from underground... which leads to me poiting you the beginning Scrat scene of Continetal Drift. Where he runs inside Earth and creates contents.

And then I point to the beginning scene of Collision Course, where Scrat somehow creates the Solary System. Which should've existed since the beginning.

You get it, right? It makes no sense at all.

And the fact in the last movie antagonist dinos can talk is given no explanation is a bad move in my opinion. None of the intelligent dinos (Rudy who was vengeful towards Buck and smart enough to hide and wait in the exit, or Dino Mama who understands Sid pretty well) talked, why these guys can do now?

I'm sure there are other stuff too but it's 3am and I can't think anymore right now sorry TwT

And these are points.

Oh, and onether thing I want to add, that is kinda a theory: The movies are actually about Manny.

Ice Age shows his path to recovery from the events in his past. The Meltdown shows him moving on, and possibly getting over some his fears. The Dawn of the Dinosaurs shows one of the most important parts of his life. He is going to be a father again, he can't let his family end up hurt (or worse) again. He learns that you can't control and try to change everything around you, even if you mean well. And yet, things can end up okay. Continental Drift shows him going through a new experience, with a teen daughter. And Collusion Course shows him letting Peaches go, the biggest step. Through every movie he is overprotective towards his herd. But now he understands that he can't protect her forever, and it's okay. He trusts her, she'll be okay on her own.

...I'm getting emotional. Anyways, thank you for reading my Ice Age thoughts!! 💖💖

[bulletproofscales]

the realest of selves

this is the namkook fic i told yall i was working on, the birthday friend already recived it so i thougth id post it! its not feederism and its very fluffy. hope you enjoy!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28723872/chapters/70426767

9/9 chapters 6.4 words

tags: established relationship, misunderstandings, fluff, happy ending

the one where jungkook falls in love again through namjoon’s poems, without knowing its him

Moma Muji.

That's the brand of the notebook Jungkook has in his hands… or, hand actually. It's rather small.

Must be passport sized.

He doesn’t own one of these.

He fumbles with it curiously. No, Jungkook doesn’t pick random objects he finds laying around; his mother raised him right.

But this wasn’t just any random object, this notebook had been left abandoned at Jungkook’s favorite desk in the college library. Specifically perfect because nobody used it: desk free of bumps from the scribbles or from people who wrote with too much force, minimal amount of gum stuck beneath it (He aspired for zero, but his dreams had been crushed pretty early on to his college life). The positioning was perfect too, far enough that the library’s wifi didn’t reach it, which was practically useless with the amount of work covered students plaguing the place constantly; but if he needed too, he could connect to the wifi from the classrooms nearby (And Jungkook went to the library at night time so… no classes happening at all)

It's the perfect desk and if something was left forgotten here, then it means it isn’t his anymore.

Which means he has the right to investigate.

The ragged, leather like texture feels expensive against his fingers. If he had to name the color, it would be a slightly darker version of a persian green; it's pretty. Jungkook can’t imagine someone using this for any academic purposes, given the size. He keeps playing around with it in his hands, hesitant.

It is one thing to pick up a stranger’s notebook on the desk, but to open it? It's a completely different violation of privacy. And he said it before: his mother raised him right.

Muji is an artsy brand right? These types of stationary notebooks probably have an information slot where he can find information; a name at least. Something to make hipsters who buy Muji, feel like their notebook is more special and personalized.

If he wants to find the owner he has to open it, doesn’t he?

No. Jungkook could simply deliver it to the librarian and let the owner look for it themselves.

Curiosity is killing him, though. To the point he was already opening the notebook even before he finished that thought. Eyes wide and fingers eager as he leans forward to find what he is looking for.

This notebook belongs to:

the Real Me

Oh.

Oh fuck.

This person is more hipster than Jungkook had even prepared himself to.

That tells him… absolutely nothing.

Hope you’re happy, Jungkook thinks to himself, directing it to the random hipster stranger.

As spiteful as he is of this infuriating halt that was brought to his detective adventure, he has to admit, the vulnerability of the stranger’s answer did absolutely nothing to calm his curiosity.

There's a few moments of quiet, just Jungkook and the first page staring at one another, as if daring him to look further, to sink deeper into the real authentic version of someone he has never even met.

I promise I won’t judge. He thinks apologetically as he flips the page.

In the blood you shed in the winter i was born red

Plum blossom in the snow:

Camellia,

Daffodil

Yeah, yeah, you can call me whatever you want

Listen up, winter you’ve bloomed me

Now I’m going to burn my branches blue

06/01/20

He gasps, as if Jeongguk had been holding his breath the entire time while reading it.

Moma Muji, passport size.

He looked it up when he got back to his dorm. It is in fact passport sized, the same exact measurements as a passport: 4.92 x 3.36 inches. How funny is that?

Jungkook had intended to continue reading in the library. But after...that, a feeling took over him that he was opening in a place far too public for the realest self of the (apparently) poet.

A poet…

There's a dreamy sigh that leaves his lips.

Anyways! The point is he took the notebook to his dorm and is now preparing himself to read more of it; from the safety of the locked door.

I’m real good, but a little uncomfortable

I’m still not sure if I’m a dog or a pig or what else

But then other people put a pearl necklace on me

So much blabbering

One says ‘run’ another says ‘stop’

This one says `look at the forest`

That one says ‘look at the wildflower’

My shadow, I wrote and called it ‘hesitation’

So they really are a poet.  

In the back of Jungkook’s head he had expected for that first one to just be a silly quote this person added to the beginning of their notebook; maybe from a song from a band that they brag about listening to before it was popular.

But it's not…. this person is a poet…

This person is a romantic . The thought comes with a warmth that spreads across his cheeks.

It's obvious, these are romance poems. The first one, speaking about falling in love in the winter, about how delicate the poet’s significant other makes them feel; as delicate as these winter blooming flowers, comparing himself to a plant that burns under their love even during the winter. Love is getting them through the cold.

The second poem, however, is a lot less optimistic. Clearly the poet is battling their own feelings of inadequacy with the flattering words of their partner. They think of themself as a pig or a dog while they’re being treated with love. Different directions and orders are being directed to the poet are the contradicting opinions of themself: the ones they hear of their own and the ones from their partner.

So they’re probably in a relationship , he thinks with a little apprehension.

Not that it matters to Jungkook what this literal stranger is doing with their romantic life. He has to remind himself that, given that just the two poems had been able to give Jungkook a sensation of… odd familiarity; as if he knows this person already. It seemed as if with those poems he had gotten a glimpse of the poet’s two sides.

Obviously, the poems already showed two sides regarding the theme of love: safety and doubt. But aside from that, Jungkook couldn’t help but notice the difference in the way of expressing these sides: while the first poem was melodic and metaphorical, the second one held a language that sounded just a lot more accessible and down to earth.

This person must have thought about this relationship a lot.

It doesn’t matter, and it most certainly doesn’t affect him; so Jungkook shuts the notebook closed. He’ll just go about his day.

Moma Muji, passport size, 4.92 x 3.36 inches.

Why does Jungkook remember the exact size?

Hell, why is he thinking about that notebook at all?!

Jungkook had rushed out, stumbling into his running shoes and beanie. Joonie had invited him to go out for a run even though they’re well into winter. And Jungkook… he is smitten enough to say yes.

But, nobody can blame him. He always has so much fun when he is with Namjoon… Or well, he tends to have fun, when his mind isn’t keeping him distracted with useless things!

Useless things like the way Namjoon’s route goes by a huge Camellia bush.

Yeah yeah call me whatever you want

Would Joon like it if he called him Camellia? Would his branches burn blue with love?

“Jungkook-ah, you’ll trip if you keep running that deep into your head, baby.” His endeared tone calls him out of the deep trance. His voice is a little breathless from running, he does so effortlessly while talking after years of taking this same route. The youngest has to shake his head a little bit, for a moment, Namjoon’s voice still sounded a little bit far away.

“You look like you saw a ghost, whats up?” For some reason, his boyfriend’s obliviousness only leads Jungkook to one conclusion: Namjoon hasn’t noticed the Camellia bush.

Of course he hasn’t, why would he?

Jungkook… Can’t ignore the sour disappointment in his tongue.

…

Odd.

They’ve stopped running now.

You still have to answer something, Jungkook.

“Oh.. I was just-..” He cuts himself off. Doing what? Judging Namjoon for not meeting the standards of a random poet?

“Those flowers are pretty.” ��Jungkook finds his voice a little softer, gesturing to the bush a little bit behind him; still at arms reach. He can’t help but sound shy, the answer he came with on the spot was… rather silly.

But, at least it was true , he thinks as his eyes linger over the gorgeous splashes of pink.

Namjoon’s expression is startled for a second, before melting into tooth rotting fondness. “You like Camellias?” Jungkook can feel the older’s eyes on him, tender and loving; before his hand is reaching tenderly for the bush.

He can’t lie, Jungkook is a little hypnotized by the way Namjoon’s knuckles look caressing the flower carefully. “So, do you?” The young hadn’t realized he had forgotten to breathe at the sight, Namjoon’s voice grounding him yet again from his wandering thoughts.

His nod comes hurriedly, thank god Namjoon is used to his spacing out; his chuckles help Jungkook’s shoulders sag down relaxed. He hadn’t even realized he had tensed them in the first place. “They only bloom in the winter… Feels special.” A shy smile grows on his face as he eyes up at Namjoon; he is already staring at the younger with a soft look.

“Who would have guessed you knew about flowers.” There's something gently amused about his tone, playful and flirty. It still makes Jungkook feel exposed.

He doesn’t know about flowers. He just looked up the flowers on his way from the library. But of course Namjoon would pick up on it, his boyfriend has been into botany since before they even started dating.  

Meanwhile Jungkook… has no excuse. He tries to hide it in his face. “Only after spending so much time with you! ”He exclaims softly, nudging his shoulder against his boyfriend’s. Jungkook hadn’t realized they were so close, his hand goes to meet Namjoon’s where it's cradling the flower. “Do you have one of these?”  His voice comes out quietly, too caught up admiring the sight of their big hands holding the almost hyperbolically delicate flower.

Do you imagine the poet cares for Camellias and Daffodils?

Namjoon chuckles softly, for some reason, it feels like he is reading Jungkook’s thoughts. “No, they’re a little too hard to maintain just for a pretty flower that comes once a year.”

Oh… He can’t help his disheartened reaction.

“Hey, don’t look so disappointed.” Jungkook’s eyes snap from where they were stranded on the flower, Namjoon’s hand isn’t there anymore; but he can distinctively feel a hand gingerly tucking a strand of hair into Jungkook’s beanie. Handling the younger in a similar fashion than he did the flower. “We can come take care of this one every once in a while; I’m sure I got some ericaceous fertilizer saved up.”  His eyes meet Namjoon, smiling tenderly.

Jungkook can feel his chest tighten in affection. A grin spreads across his face. “This is just an excuse for you to take me in more runs with you, isn’t it?” He can barely hold his accusing laugh, launching forward to press his fists to Namjoon’s chest; it earns a roll of his eyes, but Jungkook can the tremble of a laugh under his hands.

“Can’t even start a nice project with your boyfriend anymore. Romance is so dead.” His attempts for sound annoyed are laughable. And the answer only makes it more obvious what Namjoon’s intentions truly were.

Romance can’t be dead, though. Not as long as that Moma Muji, passport sized, 4.92 x 3.36 inch notebook is sitting in his dorm.

He feels guilt as he side eyes the notebook laying on his bedside table. Especially with the feeling of Namjoon’s plush lips lingering on his cheek from when he just dropped Jungkook by his room.

Especially when that persian green cover is a mocking reminder of the Camellia bush they encountered; reminding Jungkook that the flower mentioned in the poem has no relation to Jungkook’s life outside from the confines of that green leather cover.

Reminding Jungkook of how… oddly disappointed he is by that fact.

He plops heavily on his bed, arm reaching for his bedside table. When he grips the notebook and opens it, he does it spitefully.

I wanted to have the sea so I swallowed it up

But I’m even thirstier than before

Is what I know really an ocean?

Or a blue dessert?

Maybe it's the soothing feeling of his stomach full from the food he had with Namjoon after his run.

Maybe it's the dark outside his window, allowing his thoughts to think of someone, somewhere, who can’t have enough of their lover.

He doesn’t know… But he manages to fall asleep.

Moma Muji, passport size, 4.92 x 3.36 inches, persian green cover.

The guilt follows him like a shadow.

Damn, he is even thinking in poems now.

He can't help it! He can’t help the way that, despite Namjoon giving him everything, he still longs for a romance like the one in the poems. Everyday, Jungkook sinks a little deeper into the vulnerable self of the poet; his heart fluttering at their verses while simultaneously expecting Namjoon to keep up with him. Keep up with his sensitive tugging of his heartstring that his boyfriend doesn't seem to be syncing to.

In fact, Namjoon seems to be more weary of Jungkook’s attempts at romance. Acknowledging them for sure and just, he isn’t de--escalating his gestures… But… he seems weary of them.

We need the scenery of the night more than anyone

You are the only one, that comforts me more than anything

Thinking “don’t think” it's a thought on itself, you know?

With your falling eyes I look at the night sky again

We are each other's night view

We are each other's moon

The poet said, and Jungkook thought while standing on the balcony of Namjoon’s apartment. The both of them are way too under-dressed for the weather; clouds looking menacing above them; hunched over the railing shoulders pressed together.

It's calm, however, Jungkook feels like his heart will beat out of his chest. Too many words, too many emotions that he can feel bottling up in chest; threatening to spill in a way that he fears is quite too vulnerable to present to Namjoon.

“I really need moments like these.” It feels as if with the help of the poet,Jungkook was able to really grow more comfortable voicing out his thoughts like these. A fear he had to explain to Namjoon when they first started dating, nervously reassured him that he did want a relationship; despite his lack of enthusiasm.

He was so embarrassed back then… Still dealing with the aftermath of a self-homophobic past.

“What about them?” He can feel Namjoon side-eyeing him with a smile.

Of course he doesn’t get it.

That’s something else Jungkook has been losing his grip of: the snarky comments that come out of Namjoon's… inadequacy? He shouldn’t even be calling it that, not when Namjoon has given him everything. It's just, lately, the more Jungkook grows in his romantic acts and words, the more it seems Namjoon is just… playing dumb.

He isn’t picking up any of his signals.

It's getting frustrating.

It's like Namjoon is just backing down when things were starting to get serious for them.

And that fucking hurts.

“Nothing, forget it.” He mumbles eyes still strained on the city infront of them. “It's getting late anyways, I should probably head back.” He can’t hide the distance in his voice. They had agreed Jungkook was staying over, and it's obvious how that objection hangs off Namjoon's tongue as he stares a little widened. Jungkook answers before he can speak. “I have early class tomorrow, it's better if I go from my dorm.”

Somehow, the disappointment grows on his boyfriend’s face more at that. “Oh…” Jungkook fights the urge to kiss the pout off his pouting lips. “Yeah you’re right it would just be… inconvenient to stay here.”

When Jungkook leaves, he feels a heaviness in his chest. But he chooses to ignore it.

Moma Muji, passport size, 4.92 x 3.36 inches, persian green cover, 24 pages.

24 of them, ruled,  though only 16 are being used. Jungkook knows because he counted them, even if he hasn’t gotten to read everything he skimmed through the pages in a weak attempt to distract his mind. The unnecessary but easy counting of the pages, most of them double-sided in their use, except for the last one (They must have gotten tired of the ink bleeding through the pages, Jungkook asumes), helps keep his mind off last night.

Not that he has anything he needs distraction from. He is fine.

Him and Namjoon are fine .

No big fight occurred, no insensitive one sided fallout, no revolutionary discovery. But why does Jungkook feel so… off?

So neglected, so scammed, so robbed of a romance he could be having but doesn’t have. That Namjoon doesn’t let him have.

Jungkook always does this, he always feels so intensely, always too needy and too ready to fall in love. At a speed and intensity that doesn’t match others. He had revealed so much of himself to Namjoon, had been so open about his devotion, his complete and thorough adoration; and he convinced himself to believe Namjoon was okay with his arduous loving.

But if Jungkook took a second to think about it, he had been a fool to think that. Namjoon, his Namjoon is a philosopher by default, a thinker, he dissects, and recognizes, and categorizes, and doubts . Namjoon has so many doubts. About everything really, so perceptive of his surroundings he theorizes about things that aren't his business, except they are because Namjoon has an interest for every little thing in this world.

And it's as enamouring, as it is deadly.

Namjoon questions, questions himself, his intentions, his moral, his relationships, his worthiness .

It’s been four years.

But it's never too late for Namjoon to have second doubts. Even when Jungkook is sinked… so, so deep..

Maybe they aren’t meant to b-

Maybe Jungkook should read a poem.

Parting is to me, a tear that blooms unknowingly in my eyes

All the things we couldn’t say flow out

And lingering feelings crawl up my face

Parting is the reward that comes only at the end

Of my play of lies

It feels like hours as Jungkook stares at it, entranced. Only when he sees a teardrop make the ink bleed and smudge, is when he is snapped out of it.

He sets the notebook down in his night stand. Jungkook doesn’t feel like reading anymore of it, the knot on his chest only tightened by the unhelpful words of the poem.

He read enough .

Jungkook curls to his side dejected, as if offended at the poet and his own relationship problems.

Maybe romance is dead after all.

He feels his shoulders tremble in what's a sob shaking its way out of his lungs. Is he really going to give up Namjoon? Just for a romance that clearly isn’t as perfect as he thought it was?

He can’t.

Moma Muji, passport size, 4.92 x 3.36 inches, persian green cover, 24 pages, ruled, only 16 used.

That's what he thinks when his hand reaches for the notebook almost in a hurry. Jungkook had run back from that dreadful early class, he was barely able to concentrate, a plan forming in his head just as he was about to go to sleep dejected and sad. It kept him all night from the nerves of it all. He has to make things right, and the lack of sleep didn’t stop his adrenaline as it made his mind wander even with the professor explaining in front of him.

The point is Jungkook has the notebook and is desperately running to Namjoon’s apartment.

Guess all those winter runs served some purpose at least.  

Maybe he is being stupid for running in negative number weather in clothes that were apropriate for his ac-heated classroom. But fuck it.

Romance is alive, and Jungkook is the breathing, sprinting, embodiment of it.

When he reaches Namjoon’s apartment, his throat feels like it has shards of ice poking at it with every deep swallow of air, the skin across his cheeks and nose sporting a blush from the cold and knife-like wind across his face running here. His hair is a mess, there’s definitely sweat stains under his arms, and he most definitely looks insane.

He also kinda forgot to tell Namjoon he was coming over, he knows his boyfriend’s schedules and routines so he should be home right now. He always has friday morning’s off. So he doesn’t bother letting Namjoon know, rather fumbling with his shaky, numb fingers to reach for the spare key. The ends of his hands are also red from the cold, tingling and making his movements clumsy.

But he manages to put the key into the whole regardless. And feeling quite proud of himself and with adrenaline still pumping through his veins, he opens the door.

Namjoon is standing near the door, hunched over halfway through putting on his shoes, looking up surprised. It seems as if adrenaline was only willing to get him this far, as it leaves Jungkook’s body completely.

“Babe…” Namjoon’s voice is cutely stunned, with his eyes widened and plump lips adorably parted with a mouth that stays ajar. “What are you doing here?”

“Where were you going?” Jungkook asks instead of answering. His voice is embarrassingly small for someone who took a 35 minute run without an ounce of doubt. Maybe he's just out of breath.

Oh god, Namjoon was leaving, he has stuff to do Jungkook came at a bad time, he is probably over exaggerating and took all of this way out of proportion and Namjoon didn’t even think anything was wrong at all and he is just making a big scene for nothing being the big, needy baby that he is; bothering Namjoon with his useless emotions-

“Your dorm.” He replies so simply, like sinceirty costs him nothing when it's to Jungkook. “I asked first though.” And his tone isn't accusatory as it is teasing.

Namjoon doesn’t specify, but something inside him wants to believe the older was on his way to do the same as Jungkook.

“I...I wanted to tell you something?” He can’t help but sound doubtful. Even when he knows Namjoon is on his way to see him, even when his eyes are soft enough to melt the shard of ice growing on Jungkook's throat; he can’t seem to recognize if it's from the run or the anxiety. “It's kinda silly, though.” He can’t help but coax that out as well. from the outside one would consider Jungkook is belittling his feelings, yet belittling it makes it less of a big deal and maybe it can calm the speeding rate of his heartbeat.

“It must be important if you came right after class.” Namjoon says taking off the single shoe he had managed to put on and properly stand up straight eyeing Jungkook. “Did you run all the way from the bus station? Jungkook…” He scolds, taking Jungkook's frozen hands into his own bigger warmer ones and drags him in.

Jungkook for a moment has to hold back a snicker imagining Namjoon’s reaction if he knew  how he actually got here. And he looks so cute with his small frown and determined expression already. He can feel his own heart sizing up as Namjoon drags him by the hands into the couch, hushing about Jungkook being too careless and too underdressed as he drapes a heavy blanket over his shoulders.

He feels cared for, it's nice.

It's only when Namjoon forced a hot cup of tea into Jungkook’s hands, that they slowly start to regain their feeling, that the older sits  back down next to him on the couch. His eyes are concerned, unsure, as if all this had just been an excuse to make time, before he inevitably has to ask. “What-uh--What did you want to tell me?” He manages to smile, but Jungkook knows him all too well.

Jungkook’s expression doesn’t falter though, he is ready to do this. He needs to do this.

“You...you’re probably wondering what happened to me yesterday.” Namjoon’s expression drops at that nodding a bit quickly, eagerly, and all too endearingly. Jungkook really made him worry, didn’t he?

“I was upset over some rando’s romantic poems,because--well its stupid but- they were so corny and romantic, they actually made me doubt what you and I have.” He can't help the incredulous tone of his voice because, saying it outloud finally, it really is so ridiculous. Jungkook shakes his head smiling, as if humored.

When his eyes find Namjoon again, they melt with love at the older’s stunned expression. “I convinced myself we were out of sync, or that you weren’t getting anything I sent your way. But it was just those stupid corny poems getting to me.” He sets the cup down, hands warm enough to hold Namjoon’s.

“But I am stupid, and corny, and in love.” He feels his own cheeks burning. “So I want to dedicate these poems to you.” Jungkook knows his smile is giddy like a childs as he reaches for his pocket taking the infamous notebook and handing it to Namjoon with an excited smile.

His boyfriend still looks stunned, and Jungkook can only think about how much smaller the passport sized notebook fits in his hands; even when Jungkook’s own hands aren’t particularly small, it's his boyfriend’s fault for being so family-sized.

With a great amount of strength, he forces himself to stop looking at his boyfriend’s gorgeous hands as he skims through the pages. He is a little surprised to find a frown on Namjoon’s brow, an anxious feeling settling over the younger at the bottom of his stomach.

“How much did you read of it?” Namjoon asks eyes staying glued to the notebook on his lap, avoiding Jungkook’s wide vulnerable eyes.

“U-uh.. I read… I read the first five, though--though the fifth one isn't romantic I only want the first four of them for you. They--I think they fit perfectly into my--my feelings for you.” Jungkook is growing nervous by the second, Namjoon’s eyes stay strained on the notebook, as Jungkook grows more and more convinced that he is exposing too much too intensely again.

“So you didn’t read the whole thing.” For the first time since Jungkook handed him the notebook, Namjoon’s eyes traveled to meet Jungkook’s unsure eyes. He can’t find his voice so he just shakes his head, and that makes his boyfriend's shoulders relax with a sigh. “Okay that explains it.”

“Ex-Explains what?”

“None of those poems are romantic, Jungkook-ah.”

Moma Muji, passport size, 4.92 x 3.36 inches, persian green cover, 24 pages, ruled, only 16 used, poems 1-5 non-romantic themes (allegedly).

“How--how would you know?” Jungkook asks almost defensively, as if standing up for the stranger poet with fanaticism.

Namjoon winces as if it pains him to say it. “I left the notebook by your desk, its uh--mine.” He was avoiding Jungkook’s eyes until now, staring up at him vulnerable, but with a small smile. “They aren’t romantic poems.”

Jungkook’s world stops for just a second, the shock is evident on his face. He is beginning to open his mouth to speak again but he can’t find anything in his seemingly hollow head to say anything. “Well...That’s embarrassing.” He manages to say, feeling the tip of his ears burn.

He made that whole love scene.

“I believe the reader can find more than one structured meaning to the poems, it's not that my meaning is above yours just because I wrote it.” Namjoon explains, and maybe it's his imagination, but he sounds a lot more comfortable having seen his own loss of words on Jungkook’s tongue.  He is handing him back the notebook, the older’s smile is almost as giddy as his when he first started his monologue.

“That sounds like bullshit to make me feel better.” He manages to joke with a grin.

“You should read it, the ending” Namjoon’s smile turns warm. He didn’t deny it. Sounds like, thinking the creator’s intentions are equal to the perception of the auciende, is bullshit after all. “It's kinda important.” There's humor in his voice and a pout forms on the younger’s lips.

“Well I liked to appreciate them one poem at a time!” He defends but it's harmless under Namjoon’s loving stare.

“You could have just recognized my handwriting, baby.” Jungkook’s face blushes in embarrassment.

“And take away all the mystery? No.”

Jungkook’s fingers are hurried and clumsy as he flips over the pages, at first eyeing the poems that had already plagued his mind for weeks. And as he continues forward finding more scribbles and poems, only recognizing a word or two before skipping until he reached the last pages. His heart threatened to beat its way out of Jungkook’s chest.

He is pretty sure he is on page 14 when he meets what he is looking for.

Moma Muji, passport size, 4.92 x 3.36 inches, persian green cover, 24 pages, ruled, only 16 used, poems 1-5 non-romantic themes (confirmed by author: Jungkook’s boyfriend).

Jungkook

His own name stares back at him as he prepares himself for what's next. But he can't find it in himself to feel afraid, not with the weight of Namjoon’s adoring eyes on him.

If you’ve reached this part is because you managed to read through this notebook and whatever I coax out of myself to write in it. I

If you reached this part, then it means you managed to get through all the ugly that I put in here, all my doubts and fears and sour thoughts, I displayed them to you.

Because you make me believe that all my ugly insides are worthy of love; that my entire self is somehow deserving of you. You make me want to show you my realest self.

So, I did. And even if it hasn’t happened I’m terrified of the thought already; no one has made me sink as deep as you, while simultaneously lifting me up higher than ever.

For some reason, I get the feeling I’m exaggerating, since you always find a way to love the unlovable parts of myself. But despite that, I want to give you something pretty, and worthy of love.

I used to be one of those whatever people

I didn’t believe in what real love is

I used to say habitually “I want to love”

But I found myself. The whole new myself.

I met you and did I realize that I’m a book

I want to be the best man for you

It's probably naturally because you are my world itself

You are my beginning and the end itself

I wanna become part of your bookcase

I wanna interfere in your novel as your lover.

What would it be like if I really went to you?

If I went to you, would you be sad?

If I am not the one, what would I be?

In the end, would you leave me too?

The wind wind wind that grazes me

I hope that isn’t just this.

My feelings are blue blue blue

My entire head is filled with blue

How much much much

How much much much you…

You’re my person

You’re my wind

You’re my pride

You’re my love

You’re my love.

Jungkook, I want to share my ugly and my pretty with you, I want to let you see me whole .

Would you move in with me?

“You...You didn’t just imagine me acting off sync.” Namjoon breaks the suffocating silence as Jungkook’s widened eyes leave the sixteenth page of the notebook. It looks like the older’s expression has softened, even if sadly. “I thought you had read it all and just...didn’t know how to reject me.” He smiles but it's gloomy eyes avoiding the younger, as if he had assumed this was a fact.

A little bit of Jungkook’s heart breaks at that.

A life shared with Namjoon, Namjoon who trusts Jungkook the deepest parts of his being, that trusts in Jungkook’s ability to love, to treat him delicately around ugly insides, and grounding against a weak trembling frame.

Like he looks right now, eyes nervous and strained on Jungkook as his hands fondle with each other shoulders raising and falling shakily with quivering breaths. Jungkook doesn’t even have to think twice.

Both his hands reach for Namjoon’s shoulders, making sure his entire attention is on him. Namjoon's lowered head perks up startled. “Joonie… I’m sorry your plan didn’t work out the way you intended.” He smiles apologetically and he lets his hands slide down Namjoon’s arms and onto his fiddling hands. “But it's not like it matters.” His tone it's relaxed but it doesn’t seem to calm Namjoon, not even with the stroking of his thumbs over the older's hand.

There's a question rising up the older’s throat but Jungkook doesn’t let it. “It doesn’t matter because... I want to move in with you.” He sees all the tension leave Namjoon’s expression into pure surprise, endearing enough that it coaxes a giggle out of Jungkook, tugging his bigger hands closer to him, kissing him softly; surprised to find Namjoon kissing back with what he can only imagine is all the pent up emotion from this week.

He doesn’t question it for long, he can never think all that much when Namjoon is kissing him.

Moma Muji, passport size, 4.92 x 3.36 inches, persian green cover, 24 pages, ruled, only 16 used, poems 1-5 non-romantic themes (confirmed by author: Jungkook’s boyfriend), now sitting on a bedside table on Jungkook’s side of the bed.

“Where are you going? We already have everything.” Jungkook questions his boyfriend as he starts to exit their apartment door; which is currently filled with boxes they just brought back from Jungkook’s former dorm.

“I just have one more thing to get from my car.” He kisses the top of Jungkook’s head and without any more explanation he leaves through the door. Leaving Jungkook by himself for the first time in this entire hectic day.

The apartment looks messy, or well, messier than usual; Namjoon always tried to be neat for his boyfriend’s sake, and succeeded a few times. Most times, Jungkook would find him covered in work and would offer to clean for him, claiming to be ‘trophy wife’ material. Its catastrophic now, covered in boxes, Jungkookisn’t a hoarder but Namjoon’s apartment is what one would politely call ‘cozy’. It's catastrophic, yet Jungkook can only feel his heart size up in excitement and giddiness; as if completely unaffected by the mess like he normally would.

It's just hard to focus on the mess, when every time he tries to he sees traces of himself in this apartment: in his box of old CDs that will go in a shared collection with Namjoon’s, or how his boyfriend indulged him by taking Jungkook’s energy crystals out of the moving box and into the spaces of the apartment here they belong (even when it's obvious he doesn’t believe in them for a second),  or the way Namjoon got some of Jungkook’s photos printed out and framed so they can decide where to hang them sometime this week.

He’s only been living here for half a day, and Namjoon’s place is already his.

Well, to be fair, Namjoon has been his for a considerably longer amount of time. And that fact alone is enough to make Jungkook stand just the slightest bit taller than before.

Yes he is proud, sue him.

“Back.” Namjoon announces softly shutting the door, and taking out his snow soaked boots, with a hand suspiciously behind his back.

In a wave of confidence Jungkook can’t help the flirty smile as he walks over to his boyfriend. “Yes, back.” A hand settles over the short hairs of Namjoon’s nape, caressing softly. “What’s behind it?” He tilts his head to the side with a smile that tries to be seductive but only manages to be bright.

“Can’t get anything past you, can I?” Namjoon’s face splits into a grin staring down slightly to Jungkook; he isn’t that short! It's just… they’re so close.

“No you can not. I own this place and I’ll establish a customs directorate right at the doorstep.” His grin is wide, cocky almost with its jokes; hands still mindlessly playing with Namjoon’s hair with arms hooked over his shoulders.

“You own the place? Does that mean you’ll pay your share of the bill?” A raised eyebrow is all Jungkook needs for his facade to collapse.

“Nooo, I think you misheard me. I just said this is my boyfriend’s place? My super generous, compassionate and broken college student boyfriend, he is great.” If hsi tone sounds desperate he doesn't care, it makes Namjoon chuckle, and that's all that matters. “No customs. But please show me? Please?” Maybe he is whining, laying limp against Namjoon’s firm torso while he whines like a child.

But you can’t criticize him for it, when it works.

“You are impossible to resist, you know it's not fair.” He says rolling his eyes and shoving Jungkook off of him, with the hand that he has available. Once they're at a comfortable distance he reveals.

A potted Camellia.

“I bet that mean poet had you pretty bummed about not having one of these.” His tone is joking but soft, adoring as a pink tone spreads over his cheeks.

Jungkook’s cheeks hurt from smiling as he nears Namjoon again, the potted plant being the only thing separating them. “He did.” He meets Namjoon’s hands helping hold the weight of the plant. Today, his hands are cold instead of Jungkook’s. “I’ll have to make him pay me somehow.”

“I’m sure he’ll find some way.” Namjoon mumbles but leaning over close enough that Jungkook understands. Placing a soft peck to his lips.

Moma Muji, passport size, 4.92 x 3.36 inches, persian green cover, 24 pages, ruled, only 16 used, poems 1-5 non-romantic themes (confirmed by author: Jungkook’s boyfriend), now sitting on a bedside table on Jungkook’s side of the bed, with a cut Camellia on a whiskey glass with water next to it. Both manifestations of how Namjoon is just as stupid and corny and in love as he is.

[alagonasleyyy]

Strategic Management Paper about Sevron Ltd.

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  Computer service software is widely recognized to be among the leading providers of OT solutions and outsourcing services in the Philippines. It is a centralized system within a company for tracking, prioritizing, managing, responding to, and resolving customer queries or employee requests all together. It can benefit companies of all sizes and types from multinational enterprises supporting millions of other businesses in multiple languages, to small consumer-facing businesses that need to answer customer questions quickly without hiring an army of support representatives.

          Sevron is one of the computer service support that has been using by many of the Filipinos and different people all over the world. It provides all companies with unique task-based risk assessment software provided through a web service. The company was created in year 2007 and now considered one of the most innovative online solution developers in the world. Constantly striving to reduce risk in the workplace, our intuitive solutions enable businesses of all sizes and sectors to create and manage Risk and COSHH assessments, acquire and manage Safety Data Sheets, and capture, record, and report workplace incidents in real-time. It has been created with the purpose of helping businesses reduce risk. To achieve that, they employ a holistic approach to what is a complicated problem. They do that by identifying the many different factors that contribute to risk; from obvious causes such as insufficient training and a lack of resources, to wider, more generalized problems, including the general misconception that health & safety is a hindrance to business. With all of these, Sevron becomes one the backbones of great customer experiences.  

II. INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

A. CORPORATE PROFILE:

Sevron provides all companies with unique task-based risk assessment software provided through a web service. The solution integrates a fully managed library of safety data sheets allows everyone to create a fully compliant task based COSHH risk assessment or task risk assessment within a minute from one simple and intuitive form. Sevron is used by over 40,000 users throughout the globe, and includes clients such as BHI Healthcare, Coca-Cola, Interserve, Virgin, Proctor and Gamble, and Weetabix. Joining Sevron Company can make your workplace a safer place to be.

 B. MISSION AND VISION

 The Mission

Our vision is for a noble cause that requires innovation to drive us towards our destination. Along the way we may have those who love us and those that do not but as long as our voices are heard, we will make a difference.

“To get where we are going, we need to have massive impact and take massive action.”

 The Vision

It is imperative that the negative social dogma surrounding Health and Safety be improved to protect our future generations.

Sevron have formed our volunteer community called The Knights of Safety™ to rebrand safety across our planet.

“The most important thing in safety since common sense.”

C. CORPORATE OFFICERS

They believe that to be successful the right people need to sit in the right seats and that’s exactly what their team is. Everybody has the ability to do the job but what matters most is that their team member meets their culture values. Each Sevronian might be an individual but together they work like a well-oiled machine, reaching goals fast and effective.

D. PRODUCT LINE

Computer / Software 

They make risk assessment, incident reporting and msds management apps, connected on one platform. Their mission is to protect you and your reputation. 

E. INTERNAL FACTOR EVALUATION MATRIX

The cumulative weighted score of the strengths is 2.06, while the weaknesses are 0.27, according to the table above from IFE Matrix. This demonstrates that the business has a large network of branches as well as a good working relationship with its employees. The number of experienced management teams with a positive value system and strong brand recognition had increased. Sevron has a strong internal role, as this graph indicates. Poor Service is Sevron's greatest internal flaw. This condition can be resolved by enhancing their facilities and properly training themselves to provide the best possible service to their customers.

III. EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT

A. PORTER’S MODEL ANALYSIS

Porter’s five forces

Porter’s five strengths show is a layout for any industry analysis that's utilized in analyzing an industry. The five competitive strengths are; dangers of modern participants, haggling control of clients, risk of substitute items, haggling control of providers and competitive rivalry within an industry. By applying Michael Porter’s five forces system, it'll offer assistance to establish Sevron Ltd.’s position within the market.

 Threats of new entrants

Sevron Ltd which is a universal computer software is competing with the Sphera, RAMs, Crams The one who supplied on the computer software developer are the Investors, manufacturers and clients the Sevron ltd is now considered one of the country’s most innovative online solution developers.

Bargaining power of suppliers

The control of providers in any given industry will ordinarily be decided by the sum of suppliers within the given industry. This implies that few suppliers in any industry will infer that the suppliers have more bargaining control. The suppliers for Sevron Ltd are Risk Assessment Software, COSHH Management Software and Incident Management Solution. These softwares developer companies have different features compared to universal softwares. These are being created with the purpose of helping businesses reduce risk such as insufficient training and a lack of resources, to wider, more generalized problems, including the general misconception that health & safety is a hindrance to business.

Bargaining power of buyers

The large array of safety data sheets has created a lot of power at the hands of the consumers. They use this system for their COSHH assessments, from start to finish they use a plethora of MSDS available to use which then self-populate all the hazardous you need to address. Once the initial purchase has been made, brand loyalty may start to formulate.

 Threats of substitute products

A substitute item can be portrayed as a software that's interesting whereas compared to another software within the system but can meet the needs more often than not by the software that it is different with. A few of the substitutes are Risk Assessment Software, COSHH Management Software. However, substitute threats cannot be said to be very high since they cannot be used in urgent cases unlike Sevron Ltd.’s software.

Rivalry among existing competitors in the industry

Rivalry between competing firms in a given industry can be of distinctive types. Competing firms compete in forms of cost wars, software differentiation and software development among others. Law entry boundaries within the industries implies that there exist many competitors within the different sectors that Sevron Ltd works in which results in intensified competition as the companies aim to extend their market share.

B. EXTERNAL FACTOR EVALUATION

Sevron Ltd., based on the External Factor Evaluation Matrix, has a weighted score of 2.15. Though, relatively lower on score than the average of 2.50, Sevron Ltd. still has influential significance and strength in its industry or the market. The low weighted score was highly influenced by the economic movements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is a primary variable.

According to the EFE Matrix, the factor with the most weight is the “Corporate Sponsorship”. This is due to the recent connections, partnerships, and sponsorships made by Sevron to other leading companies in the same and other industries. One of the biggest factors for these connections, partnerships, and sponsorships are their flagship product, COSHH365 Suite, which promotes chemical safety and protocols. On the other hand, the external factor with lowest weight is the “worker strikes”. Although it is not much imminent, the threat of worker strikes is still possible, thus still considered as an external threat factor in this matrix.

It is to be noted that Sevron Ltd.’s performance score shown in this EFE Matrix has significant difference from the results than their pre-pandemic performance. They are usually a high-performing and scoring company and could also be considered a primary competitor in the market. But due to the negative effects of the pandemic to the economy, their weighted score is also expected to be lower like this.

C. COMPETITIVE PROFILE MATRIX

The Critical Success Factors are vital for Sevron Safety Solutions Company’s Business Growth and opportunities. Though all play a crucial part for Sevron, ratings play an important role. Hence, these rankings range from 1-4. Four (4) being the highest and one (1) being the lowest in which they are vary based on the level of importance Sevron Safety Solutions Company prioritizes as follows:

4- means having superior importance

3- means having above average importance

2- means having average importance

1- Means having poor importance

According to the CPM matrix above, Sevron Safety Solutions obtained a total weighted score of 3.44. Sphera, on the other hand, obtained the highest total weighted score of 3.67 and CRAMs obtained a weighted score of 3.36.

In order to catch up in a few years, Sevron Company should focus on improving competitive advantage more and make substantial improvements with factors that have low ratings, allocating additional advertisements as well as investments.

   D. KEY EXTERNAL FACTORS

Key External Factors that Bring Opportunities for the Company

Corporate Sponsorship

Economic Status

Growth in Technology

Environment

Majestic Software Upgrade

Other Key External Factors that Bring Opportunities for the Company

Rising of Technological Dependence

Businesses strengthening their Internal Control Systems

Economic rebound to be expected

Key External Factors that Bring Threats for the Company

Increase of Dollar and Peso Difference

Business Tax Increases in the Country

COVID 19/Pandemic

National Disaster/Fortuitous Events

Worker Strikes

Other Key External Factors that Bring Threats for the Company

Big economic recession

Shortage for skillful employees

IV. STRATEGY FORMULATION

A.         BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP MATRIX

According to the matrix above, Forward and Horizontal Integration is a star category for Sevron Health & software because the company competes in a rapidly growing industry. Since 2017, Sevron has provided solutions such as risk management, safety data sheet inventory, and COSHH risk assessment management to their 7.7 million trusted users around the world.

Related diversification, market development, and penetration are in the question mark category because they have a large market share in a slow-growing industry, whereas product development and backward integration are in the cow category since they should be the company's priority to keep their powerful position for as long as possible. Sevron does not have services or strategies that fall under the dog category, since Sevron’s services are competitive.

 B.       STRATEGIC POSITION AND ACTION EVALUATION MATRIX

The SPACE matrix which is also known as the strategic position and action evaluation is a four-dimension framework that illustrates whether an organization’s strategies are forceful, conventional, defensive or competitive. The SPACE matrix normally has two axes where one axis represents the two internal dimensions of an organization – financial and competitive position while the other axis represents two external dimensions – stability and industry position.

A look at Sevron’s performance shows that the company should be placed on the aggressive quadrant since it is financially stable and competing very strongly in the various industries that it serves. Since Sevron qualifies to be on the aggressive

C.        GRAND STRATEGY MATRIX

Although Sevron Ltd.’s growth may be strong and large, but their competitive position is weakening and they are under threat of being pushed out of the market by other companies. They are not able to compete effectively. The market is growing fast and an intensive horizontal integration strategy helps. Also, the situation doesn’t help since pandemic really gave negative effects to the company and also to the economic.

D .      INTERNAL-EXTERNAL MATRIX

Based on the IFE and EFE Matrices in the previous factor evaluations, with the resultant result and scores were 2.33 and 2.97 respectively, the joint effect of the internal and external analysis falls in CELL V rates 2.97 for IFE Total Weighted Scores and CELL V that rates 2.33 for EFE Total Weighted Scores.

The outcome of the IFE and EFE total weighted scores falls and described as HOLD AND MAINTAIN strategies wherein this section shows that the company should focus on market penetration and product development. It should expand, but not aggressively; Penetrate market further; Develop new products or modify existing products.

 E.         STRENGHTS- WEAKNESSES- THREATS- ANALYSIS

Strengths

Software Services

One of the best in terms of     software services specially when it comes to health and safety software     developing.

Corporate Culture

Strong corporate culture and     ethics being promoted by the management inside the organization. Proof of     this is the “Top 10 Values of the Sevronians”.

Strong Brand Recognition

Sevron Ltd. is pretty much     well-known to big companies (Coca-Cola, AkzoNobel, EDF, etc.) and business     powerhouses as it is one of the top software developers and producers when     it comes to health and safety, which helps those businesses strengthen     their internal controls.

High Level of Customer Satisfaction

Sevron Ltd. receives a     strong 5-star recognition from its big company customers like Coca-Cola,     AkzoNobel, EDF, and GKN Aerospace showing that the products and service     are top-notch.

Service Time

As the software products are     already developed by the time the customers avail, there is no to less lag     time when it comes to service. Though if modifications were requested, the     time consumed before service is still considerably excellent.

Experienced Management Team

Management team of Sevron     Ltd. is composed of highly-trained professionals who are more than     qualified for their positions and with considerable number of years of     experience in the field and in the company.

 Weaknesses

Inaccessible to a Larger Consumer Audience

Sevron Ltd. is a very much     well-known software developer and service provider for big companies. But     its name is pretty much new for those small-time and start-up businesses.     Its main target of business is also mainly on western countries, leaving a     large consumer audience on the east unattended.

Lacks Other Product Segments

Sevron Ltd. is very much     successful when it comes to its core product or service. But it lacks     other known products or failed to introduce other products besides its     main product or service.

Ineffective Promotions and Advertisements

Even though Sevron Ltd. is     pretty well known to big companies, it is still a stranger for small-time     and upcoming businesses. There are also few advertisements being done,     denying to maximize the use of social media and new technologies.

Access to International Markets

Sevron Ltd. is a big company     but it still doesn’t have access to the majority of the world. 

Need for New and Flexible Product and Service

Sevron Ltd. is a leading     player in the industry it is in. But, as the demand for more new software     service and product rises from different business types, the company can’t     keep up as much. Though it introduces a new service (COSHH Risk Assessment     Management), it is pretty much specific. It is burdensome for small to     medium-time businesses. Thus, the need for more flexible product services     is needed.

 Opportunities

Corporate Sponsorship

Sevron Ltd. is being offered     and receiving partnerships and sponsorships from various companies from     other industries due to the demand of the health and safety software they     offer.

Economic Status

Global economy is starting     to recover after the economic crisis brought by COVID-19 pandemic.

Growth in Technology

Technological advancements     help Sevron Ltd. to produce and manufacture high-quality software products     and services. Newly introduced technologies also help to increase     efficiency and productivity for businesses.

Environment

Global movements encourage     businesses to make sustainable products and services opening opportunities     for Sevron Ltd. to cater a larger array of customers through sustainable     software designed to be used by businesses.

New Trends on Consumer Behavior

An opportunity to lure new     customers as the trend on consumer behaviors changes. 

 Threats

Increase of Dollar and Peso Difference

Foreign exchange rate     instability poses risks and threats for Sevron Ltd. in terms of global     market penetration and operations.

Business Tax Increases in the Country

Philippine’s corporate tax     is the highest among other Southeast Asian countries with 30% tax rate.     Although recently because of COVID-19, corporate taxes are reduced to 25%,     it is still substantial as the economy is still unstable thus this high     tax rate can pose a threat.

COVID 19/Pandemic

Businesses are highly     affected by the effects of COVID-19 in the economy. COVID-19 also affected     the Philippine economy the worst in Asia making it unideal for businesses     at the moment. 

National Disasters/Fortuitous Events

As fortuitous events mean,     this is unavoidable. Philippines as it is located in the Pacific Ring of     Fire is prone to natural disasters, from earthquakes to volcanic     eruptions, not to mention the frequent strong typhoons. 

Worker Strikes

Labour quality in the     Philippines can be deemed unideal. Low-income salary and wages, poor     employee treatment and protection by law, unideal work environments, and     such lead workers to rally or have worker strikes. Thus poses a threat for     businesses, especially with bigger multi-national businesses like Sevron     Ltd. 

F.         QUANTITATIVE STRATEGIES PLANNING MATRIX

In the QSPM table, two alternate strategies are the Market Penetration and Market Development. The Total Attractiveness Scores is 4.84 and 3.75. Sevron provides all businesses with task-based risk management software that is accessible through the internet. Since its inception, it has been very profitable and has been growing at a rapid pace. These strategies were developed, implemented, and evaluated in order to make functional decisions that would allow them to continue to meet their goals. Sevron has accumulated some of the methods that were developed and analyzed using an analysis of external and internal variables, multiple matrices, and SWOT Analysis. 

Market Penetration and Market Development on improving the goods and services are both bonded to all of the strategies that have been performed, according to the SWOT Study. The BCG Matrix was used to plot the market share and strategies for the company's products and services. The SPACE Matrix is a strategy formulation method that focuses on an organization's strategic position at the height of its business. The GSM is used to decide which technique is most appropriate. External and internal variables are used again to determine how appealing each strategy is. The GSM's findings indicate that market penetration and development are feasible.

 According to our findings, business development for enhancing operations and service, as well as market development, which includes service development, upgrading new services and product technology, and staff development training, must be introduced in order for Sevron Ltd to maintain its current market and industry position.

 V. STRATEGY RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended by any business company that they need to create an intensive strategy. These strategies are required to do for the goal, improvement or for the development of the company.

1. Software Improvement.

Sevron’s products are vulnerable to cybercrime. For example, the operating system remains a target of countless cybercrime attacks globally. This factor is a weakness because it limits the attractiveness of products. In this regard, cyber security is a product aspect of competition among firms in the computer hardware and software industry. On the other hand, the imitability of some products is a weakness because it could reduce the strength of the Sevron brand. Moreover, the company’s product portfolio shows dependence primarily on software products, which weakens the business against competitors that have dominant hardware and software products in the market.

 2. Product development 

A product can be described as anything that is capable of providing a solution to a customer’s perceived problem whether it is physical or psychological. Therefore, any product that fails to provide the needed solution to a customer is not a good product. 

 VI. ACTION PLAN

In order for the company to achieve its strategic objectives, action plans usually involve determining who will do what, by whom, and in what order. The structure and needs of the company influence how action planning is designed and implemented.

Market Penetration 

This intervention entails extending operating hours and days, promoting other business partnerships, and safeguarding clients' reputations. This will keep and serve more clients, and it would be more effective if more time management is followed.

 Market Development 

         A successful collaboration with a well-known company can be beneficial to Sevron Ltd.’s. company expansion. The aim of collaborating with businesses is to increase market share, benefit, and market expansion. Clients will be able to connect with the goods and services available as a result of this. Only through their partnerships will they raise brand and company recognition.

 VII. CONCLUSION

For the researchers’ final analysis, Sevron needs to focus on improving and implementing strategies specifically in market penetration and market development. These strategies were found based on the statistical outcomes of different matrices which are the IFE Matrix, EFE Matrix, CPM, BCG Matrix, SPACE Matrix, GSM, IE Matrix and QSPM. 

Based on the Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix (IFE Matrix), the Sevron Software Company has a total weighted score of 1.59 while the weakness is 1.02. It demonstrates the company’s extensive network of branches and a good working relationship with their employees and management teams. It only shows that the most significant internal flaw is poor service. This problem can only be resolved if they enhance their facilities and adequately train themselves to provide the best possible service to their customers and build their company’s integrity. While in the External Factor Evaluation (EFE Matrix), it has a weighted score of 2.15. Though relatively lower on the score than the average of 2.50, Sevron still has influential significance and strength in its industry or the market. The economic movements highly influenced the low weighted score due to the COVID-19 pandemic; they are usually a high-performing and scoring company and could also be considered a primary competitor in the market.

         In the Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM), Sevron only ranked second with a total weighted score of 3.44. While Sphera, their biggest competitor which ranked first with a total weighted score of 3.67, and on the other hand, Crams the last place with only a 3.36 weighted score. Being able to snatch first place from Sphera, the company should focus on improving competitive advantage and making substantial improvements with factors that have low ratings, allocating additional advertisements, and investments.          

         In the Boston Consulting Group Matrix (BCG Matrix), Forward and Horizontal Integration are the stars of Sevron Safety Solutions because the company competes in a rapidly growing industry. The company can provide a solution such as risk management, safety data sheet inventory, and COSHH risk assessment management to their 7.7 million trusted users worldwide. Related diversification, market development, and penetration were put in the question mark category because they have a significant market share in a slow-growing industry. In contrast, product development and backward integration are in the cow category since they should be the company's priority to keep their powerful position for as long as possible. They do not have services and strategies that fall under the dog category since the company is a competitive one.

         According to the Strategic Position and Action Matrix (SPACE Matrix), the company's performance shows that it should be placed on the aggressive quadrant since it is financially stable and competing very strongly in the various industries it serves. Since it qualifies to be on the aggressive side, it means that the company can fully exploit available opportunities and enhance its market share. As the company has the high financial strength, high industry strength, enjoys a competitive advantage, belongs to an attractive industry, and operates in relatively stable environmental conditions.    

         As what has been stated above and as the results of the matrices that are given, Sevron needs alternative strategies to fulfill their lack in terms of product, services, competitors, etc. and to be more successful in the industry. In addition, the Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) shows the two alternative strategies: Market Development and Market Penetration. These two must be developed, implemented, and evaluated to make operational decisions that would allow them to continue meeting their goals. These strategies can help Sevron Software Services fulfill their lack of product, services, competitors, etc., and to be more thriving in the industry.

 VII. FINANCIAL PROJECTION

Based on the given tables above, which is the Income statement. Sevron Safety Solutions seems to be doing well in the computer software industry despite of major competitors such as Sphera, RAMs, CRAMS, and other Software vendor businesses. With this level of major competition, The Company managed to stay ahead of its game and compete with other competitors. Sevron is a well-known and a competitive software company that places itself as one of the leading companies in the computer software industry.

REFERENCES

Competitive Matrix References Adison. (2019). Marketing Mix Sun Life Financial Inc. Retrieved from https://www.essay48.com/term-paper/15481-Sun-Life-Financial-Inc-Marketing-Mix

David, F., & David, F. (2017). The External Audit. Strategic Management: A Competitive Advantage Approach, Concepts and Cases (16th ed.). Pearson.

David, F., & David, F. (2017). Strategy Generation and Selection. Strategic Management: A Competitive Advantage Approach, Concepts and Cases (16th ed. 258-262). Pearson.

Dale Allen. (2007). The Mission. Retrieved from https://www.sevron.co.uk/the-mission

Dale Allen. (2007). The Vision. Retrieved from https://www.sevron.co.uk/the-vision

Joyasaini. (2010). The SPACE matrix. Retrieved from Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/41739334/The-SPACE-Matrix

Maxi-Pedia. (2017). IFE Matrix (Internal Factor Evaluation). Retrieved from http://www.maxi-pedia.com/ife+efe+matrix+internal+factor+evaluation

Maxi-Pedia. (2017). Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM). Retrieved from http://www.maxipedia.com/ife+efe+matrix+internal+factor+evaluation

Mcclure, B. (2020), How to Analyze a Company’s Financial Position. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/articles/fundamental/04/063004.asp

Mulder, P. (2019). Grand Strategy Matrix. Retrieved from https://www.toolshero.com/strategy/grand-strategy-matrix/

Pbctoday. (2019). Sevron and BESA Partnership to Streamline Chemical Safety. Retrieved from https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/health-safety-news/streamlining-workplace-safety/67580/

Rajak. (2021). Internal External Matrix. Retrieved from          https://hmhub.me/internal-external-matrix/

Rocket reach. (2007). Sevron Information. Retrieved from https://rocketreach.co/sevron-profile_b5e2bcb9f42e634e

Rosette Dela Paz. (2011). The IFE Matrix/EFE Matrix. Retrieved from https://rossete-blog-blog.tumblr.com/post/3848879614/strama-paper-waterfront-hotel

Sevron. (2017). Safety365 Anniversary Update. Retrieved from Sevron:  https://www.sevron.co.uk/blog/safety365-anniversary-update

Sevron. (2019). Sevron’s AI Technology Provides Clear Insight. Retrieved from https://www.sevron.co.uk/blog/sevrons-ai-technology-provides-clear-insights

Trust Pilot. (2007). Sevron LTD. Retrieved from https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.sevron.co.uk

[ts-unpopular-opinions]

if you don’t mind me asking why don’t you respect thomas as a person anymore? i’m not trying to be rude or jump to anyone’s defense, i’m just genuinely curious.

I have been getting a lot of asks like these since I mentioned that I’m still upset with Thomas and although I’ve covered it multiple times on this blog, I will go ahead an explain it again because I’m tired of people telling me how to feel.

Here I will complie a list of all of the reasons why Thomas just does not rub me the right way sometimes. That being said, i recognize that Thomas is a very good actor and is a very talented man. He may have things going on in his life that I don’t know about, but the opinion I’ve formed of him is simply based on what I’ve observed and I am willing to change that if he shows reasons for the things that he does. I’m in no way trying to “demonize” Thomas here or make him out to be some crazy, rutheless being. I simply just dont vibe with some of the choices he makes and things he does. So here we go...

1) Thomas appears to have a pretty big ego. He constantly posts pictures of himself on his social media instead of using the platforms as most youtubers would: to communicate with fans about his content. He is okay with fans contantly worshipping him like a god and living off his every word. Even during his birthday he would retweet videos of people literally cellebratig his birthday with cake and candles, and that is just so odd to me... Theres nothing wrong with having a lot of confidence in yourself, but its simply something that rubs me the wrong way.

2) Thomas is a really awful business man. As I have mentioned time and time again, Thomas is running a business here, just like most youtubers with his level of fame. He has merch, a huge following, and a membership program. Despite this, Thomas continues to act as if his youtube channel is just a fun past time for him. His schedule for video releases is atrocious and I’d be surpised to find out that the team even schedules dates for things at this point. To an outside fan it just seems like they release a video whenever they want to or whenever they finish it, with no prior end goal in mind. Thomas treats his job as if it is an opinional past time, and as someone who is in college, works in a fast food job, and has an internship I cannot respect that. The man has no work-life/personal-life separation and it shows... He’s hired all of his friends to work for him and gets work done at a snails pace because of it. He always says that the team is working hard and getting things done, but never has anything to show for it...

3) Thomas is very bad at communicating with his fans. For having such an outstanding and die-hard fanbase, Thomas takes them for granted. Instead of giving fans insight on video release dates and production, he opts to say nothing simply because he doesnt “want people to get mad at him for being wrong”. I don’t know about anyone else, but that is just so messed up to me... You keep all of your adoring fans in the dark simply because you dont want to face the concequences of you not getting your work done is a timely manner? This bothers me a lot... especially when a lot of fanders are paying to get “extra information” when in fact the livestreams are simple Joan and Thomas hanging out and joking around with a very rare, almost completely absent mention of future videos.

4) The babying issue. Thomas has to recognize that his fans baby him and treat him like a breakable doll all the time. This not only makes him incapable of taking and responding to criticism, but it makes him shrug off responsibility all together. If his fans never give him concequences for his actions and simply praise him to no end, then he just keeps going what he’s doing and ignores any ouce of negativity because of it. The fanbase has babied thomas into thinking that he can do no wrong and will never be criticized, and it shows. Never once has he formally sat down and just talked about the concerns people like me and the anons that come to my blog have.

5) This is a newer one I realized with the most recent episode. The whole Trump joke threw me off guard because, while I don’t support Trump, I KNOW there must be fanders who do. And Thomas must have known this when allowing the joke into the show. It’s very inconsiderate to subtly manipulate your fans like that when this show has frankly nothing to do with politics. Had a fan been watching that who has their reasons to support trump, they may have felt alienated and hated by Thomas and that just insnt cool. This isnt the only instance of Thomas being manipulative with his fanbase. He constantly thanks and praises those of his fans who baby him and worship him while ignoring and never talking about those who have criticisms. This make fans who have concerns feel as though their worries make them terrible people and they shouldnt say them. Is this blog is anything to show for it, fanders are scared to speak about how they feel. Thi has created an extremely toxic environment for open discussion, but thomas continues to let it go on.

6) Money. Everyone, believe it or not, but Thomas makes a LOT of money. He is not an independent creator that films and edits videos all by himself simply for the fun of it and not for the money. This is his career. He is a business man and the owner of this company. His goal is to not only produce content, but to make money. And boy does he make a lot of it... Here is some math i did on my own to figure out just how much (granted it is not perfect, but it should give everyone a realization that Thomas is nowhere near the independent artists and authors that they constantly compare him to...):

-The average youtuber with 1m subscribers makes $57,200 a year from ad revenue. Thomas has 3.36 million subscribers so 3.36*57,200 is $192,192.

-The last member livestream has 1.5k views and each member is giving thomas $5.29 per month. So per month thomas is making 5.29*1,500 from members, or $7,935. Per year, Thomas the recieves 7,935*12 from members, or $95220 (obviously this number could be a little smaller because I’m sure youtube takes some of that money)

-Apart from this, Thomas also sponsors nearly every video on his channel that is a decent length. (I’ll admit that the math for this part is up to a lot of interpretation because I have no idea how Thomas sponsorships are handled, but I will do my best). Alright so, youtubers charge brands anywhere from $10 to $50 per 1,000 views, to be forgiving I’ll do the math using the lowest price. On Thomas’ most recent blooper video, he had 736k views. If we divide that by 1000 thats 736. So 736*10 is 7,360. And that is just one sponsorship at the lowest price. I’m not really sure how many sponsorships thomas has done, but in the last year it seems like about 5 (the blooper, asides episode, gay disney prince, intrisive thoughts, and SvS). So that is 5 sponsorships per year, 7,350*5 or $36,800.

-So total income before considering merch sales and by assuming the lowest numbers for some areas is $36,800 + $95,220 + $192,192 = $324,212

Now with all of this in mind... Thomas makes so much money. Money that I could never even dream of coming by. And he does this with minimal uploads and scamming his members into continuing to pay him even through month long periods of no content. Thomas doesn’t even need to make videos at this point, the money that he drags out of his fans is already plenty. And then, not only does he have all of this money, but he uses it for fun trips and adventures those of which he brags about on his social media. He went to new york and saw three broadway shows, he went to vidcon and took a weeklong vaction there. He bought from what I saw, at least three playstations and games for different friend and family members. He is in no way struggling for money... and instead takes money from his adoring fans when he has no content to show for it.

[islanublar]

Investors: Masrani Global

PROFILE

Masrani is one of the world's most successful corporations, with portfolios in both the commercial and industrial sectors and services spanning telecommunications, oil production, biological engineering, and construction. Generating a total profit of over $800 million in the 2014 fiscal year, Masrani can credit vision and innovation in its successes over the last two decades with CEO Simon Masrani at the helm.

Since the Masrani Global Corporation's NASDAQ market debut in 2000, Masrani has witnessed growth to over 70,000 team members, 250,000 shareholders from all across the world, and a list of stakeholders growing every day. Masrani is a significant global employer and CEO Simon Masrani has led from the top through acts of philanthropy and community engagement.

Investors have much to gain with the Masrani Corporation. Being one of NASDAQ 100 and Fortune 500 companies, 2014 saw a share price index increase of 13.2% from Q1 to Q4. With the world's best market analysts driving the corporation’s financial sectors, you can be assured that you're investing in the future with Masrani.

STOCK

NASDAQ MSRN (YTD): The above graph represents the year-to-date share-price index for MSRN on the NASDAQ market since Janurary 1, 2015.

NASDAQ Share Price Index: $158.12* -3.36 ⇓ 2.08%

CEO'S MESSAGE

As one of the leading Fortune 500 companies, Masrani Global has continued to advance and excel in major markets around the world. America, Asia, Europe and Australasia, no region has been left untouched. Having overseen a magnificent year in our two leading fields - namely genetics and research & development - we have set our sights on improving on new horizons.

Since its inauguration in 2005, Jurassic World has captivated millions around the globe. By 2015 we are expecting our 10 millionth visitor to Isla Nublar. For investors, that spells success.

What does 2015 hold? We have a world-class genetics and research and development team who have some ideas that will take genetics to the next level. Using InGen technology, combined with Masrani innovation, the world is ours to make and enjoy. I wish all of you the best as we head into a new era.

Chief Executive Officer: Simon Masrani reflects on an encouraging start to the 2014-15 financial year.

FY2014 REPORT

The Masrani Global Corporation posted one the most successful years in its history during the 2014 financial year, thanks in large part to investments in more sustainable energy technologies early in Q2. Now the world's 12th richest company, Masrani Global entered the 2015 fiscal year valued at 562.15 billion dollars.

Despite Masrani Oil's L-12 hiccup in August, 2014 was a year for investors to largely celebrate. Starting off Q1 with a share price index of $159.12, Masrani Global (NASDAQ: MSRN) continued its steady rise ending the year on a high of $180.12 after a series of innovative technological approaches. For the eighth year in a row, Masrani Global showed why it is one of the world's safest investments - with a net profit of 822.38 million dollars and a positive share price index increase of 13.2% over FY2014.

Simon Masrani was optimistic on the future prospects of the workforce. "We recently set up the Masrani scholarship program, which has assisted top graduates find positions within our companies all over the world", he said from Masrani's recently renovated offices in Shanghai. "We encourage our interns to think with fresh and open minds. If someone has a good idea, it needs to be nurtured. Some of the world's most successful ventures have come from young talent who just hung onto one unique idea. This is where the true future investment of Masrani lays."

2014 saw the continued investment of assets within the industrial (Masrani Oil, Timack Construction) and technological (InGen, Tatsu Technology) fields. While the overall intention was to focus on new technologies, sharing of information across subsidiaries was the underlying philosophy.

"Last year was one of scientific advancement", said Mr. Richard Wiesner, COO of Masrani Global. "We witnessed various subsidiaries working with each other to bring about the most exciting innovations the world has yet to see. Mascom launched satellites carrying Tatsuo processors, Analysys provided data that helped Medixal drive innovative healthcare, and Axis Boulder helped Masrani Oil make advances in sustainability."

Dr. Henry Wu, Lead Geneticist of InGen Technologies, was also excited about the future prospects of Jurassic World. Speaking from a scientific convention in Chicago, he said, "Thanks to the changing nature of genetics and the limitless power of the human imagination, we can now push boundaries that were once considered to be decades away."

Wiesner credited Jurassic World's latest success to Simon Masrani's recent announcement of the new Indominus rex attraction. “Since opening we've seen online bookings skyrocket” he explained. “2015 is going to be a fantastic year for Jurassic World."

InGen Technologies temporarily closed down two of its mines in Argentina to focus on its Martel expedition in Siberia, a move that has so far yielded an abundance of highly preserved carcasses. Despite the exciting finds, Dr. Henry Wu has held back on speculating whether Jurassic World might be including recreated assets from the Cenozoic Era. "Right now we are focused on the construction of the world's most complete genomic library", Dr. Wu reiterated. "But if the world tells us that's what they want to see, we're more than prepared."

FY2013 Report

Masrani continued it's trend since 2008 to post billion dollar profits over the financial year. Now a $521.42 multi-billion corporation, Masrani Globlal is on the verge of being one of the world's top 10 companies by 2020 should current market predictions continue.

Showing no change in course for the last four years, Masrani Global (NASDAQ: MSRN) continued to set its high standards for 2013. Showing a steady incline, starting off the year in Q1 with a share price index of $138.52 and ending the year at Q4 on a high of $159.12 after rumors of further investment in InGen resources.

Hiring an additional 4,000 staff over the course of the year, Masrani looked to increase its workforce in the United Arab Emirates, with an upgraded oil refinary expecting to be completed in early 2014. With a workforce age of just under 32 years of age, Marani Global is one of the most proactive workforces in the world looking in every corner for fresh talent.

Thanks to a scholarship program with Masrani, young college students excelling in their studies can now take up internships in field offices around the globe. With inauguration set for December 2014, the Masrani scholarship program has so far seen over 80,000 applications in its first year alone.

In the last two years further investment of assets within the industrial (Masrani Oil, Timack Construction) and technological (InGen, Tatsu Technology) fields continued to be made, exciting investors with new technologies and greater profits.

"Scientific advancement is something that cannot be compromised on", said Simon Masrani. "In today's world the competition is great, and with much at stake, and with the power to deliver, we find ourselves in a unique position to deliver technical advancement capabilities that go beyond the imagination."

Despite scientific advancements, Jurassic World continued to spark debate. Within the last three years, despite visitor rates climbing, the peak in numbers continued to appear during the American school holiday season, where staff on Isla Nublar are operating at 100% capacity.

Masrani Corporation's Chief Operations Officer Mr. Richard Wiesner described the year's success as merely acceptable. "You can't expect the world's greatest theme park to merely rely on the same attractions. We need to be proactive, thinking of bigger and better things. Isla Nublar only peaks in attendance during the American holiday season. Why? Proximity. The world has seen what we have to offer, but they aren't in awe as they once used to be. We need to change that. We have a chance to over the upcoming few years."

Despite speculations in the media that Jurassic World might be seen as a slowing attraction, investors can enjoy last month's announcement of a further 300 hotel rooms to be built on the island. Some big plans are coming, so stay tuned in 2014.

Last 4 FY Profit: Masrani Corporation profit in millions of dollars.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

Following in the footsteps of my father to make his company into a global corporation has been a lifelong goal. I have nothing but the investors of this company to thank, for they have joined me in this vision.

Simon Masrani - Chief Executive Officer, Masrani

The success that this company has given back to its investors has been incredible. It is something that other companies strive to replicate, but often can't deliver. Masrani has set new investment standards.

Richard Wiesner - Chief Operations Officer, Masrani

The pleasure it gives me to see that with every building we construct is another addition to help the global economy is greatly satisfying. With 8,000 workers, we all look forward to building the future.

Anthony Leigh - Director of Operations, Timack Construction

With Masrani Energy in Abu Dhabi, our workers come from diverse backgrounds with diverse skills, all towards one common goal - to build on the success of the Masrani corporation.

Jennifer Oliver - HR Manager, Masrani Energy

[bitcofun]

Key Takeaways The DOJ revealed today that it took 50,67617 BTC from a Silk Road exploiter in November 2021. The haul is among the biggest in DOJ history. The U.S. federal government is presently among the biggest Bitcoin whales, and owns over 214,046 BTC at minimum. Over the last couple of years, the United States federal government has actually turned into one of the biggest Bitcoin whales just by taking unlawfully gotten funds. Ultimately, it will most likely look for to liquidate these funds through personal auctions. Over 50,000 BTC Seized The United States federal government owns a massive quantity of Bitcoin. Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that it took a little over 50,67617 BTC (worth approximately $1 billion at today's costs) in November 2021 from a Bitcoin trader called James Zhong. Zhong acquired the amount by defrauding darknet market Silk Road by making use of the platform's withdrawal system in September 2012; he pleaded guilty to one count of wire scams recently, on November 4,2022 The DOJ advertised the confiscation as a $3.36 billion haul, which, while right at the time of the enforcement action, stops working to consider that Bitcoin is now down69% from its all-time high. The seizure is noteworthy-- it's the 3rd biggest in cryptocurrency history by Crypto Briefing's count-- particularly thinking about the quantity of Bitcoin the U.S. federal government currently has under its control. Over $4.43 Billion in Bitcoin In addition to the 50,676 BTC took from Zhong, the U.S. federal government has actually currently obtained at the minimum 163,370 BTC over the last 2 years, for a grand overall of 214,046 BTC, or about $4.43 billion, minimum. In November 2020, the DOJ caught69,370 BTC (worth over $1.4 billion today) from another Silk Road user, advertised as "Individual X" by the department. At the time, this was the network's fourth-largest Bitcoin address; the seizure formally made the U.S. federal government among the greatest Bitcoin whales worldwide. The company likewise took over 94,000 BTC from Heather "Razzlekhan" Morgan and Ilya Lichtenstein, declaring the couple was conspiring to wash earnings from the crypto exchange Bitfinex's notorious hack in2016 The amount, worth $3.6 billion at the time, is now worth over $1.9 billion. Owning 214,046 BTC makes the U.S. federal government a greatly big Bitcoin whale. According to BitInfoCharts, just one BTC wallet-- identified as Binance's freezer wallet-- includes a bigger amount, 252,597 BTC, and these funds most definitely come from Binance consumers, not the exchange itself. Searching for the biggest BTC wallets does not provide the complete image, nevertheless, as whales are most likely to divide their holdings in between numerous wallets. Satoshi Nakamoto, the confidential developer of Bitcoin, owns more than 1.1 million BTC, however the quantity is divided in between 22,000 various wallets. Is the U.S. federal government the most significant Bitcoin whale besides Satoshi? It's tough to state, however it definitely holds more than Bitcoin's greatest public supporter, Michael Saylor. Through his software application business, Microstrategy, Saylor had the ability to build up over 130,000 BTC throughout the previous 2 years. Concern for Bitcoin Holders? Typically, the U.S. federal government liquidates its Bitcoin holdings through the U.S. Marshalls Service through public auctions. Endeavor Capitalist Tim Draper notoriously purchased 30,000 BTC from the federal government in 2014 for about $185 million-- or around $616 per coin. More than likely, the BTC taken by the DOJ will be likewise provided to the general public. In current years, the DOJ has actually attempted to time its auctions according to market revolutions to offer its holdings for the greatest cost possible. In November 2021, it auctioned off $56 million worth of cryptocurrencies took from a BitConnect promoter, effectively liquidating the holdings at the height of the booming market.

Whether the firm will have the perseverance to wait on Bitcoin to increase once again prior to offering its holdings is yet to be seen. Far, it has actually limited itself from liquidating the profits from the Individual X and Razzlekhan confiscations. Disclosure: At the time of composing, the author of this piece owned BTC, ETH, and numerous other digital properties. The details on or accessed through this site is acquired from independent sources our company believe to be precise and trustworthy, however Decentral Media, Inc. makes no representation or guarantee regarding the timeliness, efficiency, or precision of any details on or accessed through this site. Decentral Media, Inc. is not a financial investment consultant. We do not offer individualized financial investment guidance or other monetary recommendations. The details on this site goes through alter without notification. Some or all of the info on this site might end up being out-of-date, or it might be or end up being insufficient or incorrect. We may, however are not bound to, upgrade any out-of-date, insufficient, or incorrect info. You ought to never ever make a financial investment choice on an ICO, IEO, or other financial investment based upon the details on this site, and you must never ever analyze or otherwise depend on any of the details on this site as financial investment suggestions. We highly advise that you seek advice from a certified financial investment consultant or other certified monetary expert if you are looking for financial investment suggestions on an ICO, IEO, or other financial investment. We do decline settlement in any type for evaluating or reporting on any ICO, IEO, cryptocurrency, currency, tokenized sales, securities, or products. See complete conditions What We Know About the Bizarre Couple Charged With the Bitfinex Hack U.S. authorities have actually taken $3.6 billion from Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Morgan in the biggest property seizure in history. The eccentric characters of the suspects have actually left lots of questioning ... United States Government Joins Bitcoin Whales Thanks to $1 Billion Silk Road Seiz ... The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) has actually taken cryptocurrencies from a confidential individual called Individual X, consisting of 69,370 Bitcoin. The possessions deserve over a billion dollars and belonged ... Mt. Gox Creditors Will Soon Claim $4.9 Billion in Bitcoin Former Mt. Gox financiers will quickly be made up for taken Bitcoin. Some are worried that an increase of newly-circulating BTC into the market might affect costs. Mt. Gox was ... Read More

[rickjsposts]

MLB April and May results along with combined season to date results now posted. MLB is now free for all!!!!

New Post has been published on https://www.rickjshandicappingpicks.com/mlb-april-and-may-results-along-with-combined-season-to-date-results-now-posted-mlb-is-now-free-for-all/

MLB April and May results along with combined season to date results now posted. MLB is now free for all!!!!

May is behind us so we have two months now of MLB using the new MLB data base.

And as expected, there are bright spots and not so bright spots:)

First lets look at the Overnight Sides:

In April:

Sides: 28-22 +9.02 (Top to bottom swing has been -4.5 to +9.02)

50 plays, top to bottom swing of 13.52 units and we ended up +9.02 Units for the month. Cannot ask much more from a new data base then that:)

  In May:

Sides: 21-26 -.14 (Top to bottom swing has been -4.93 to +3.21)

47 Plays for -.14 units with a top to bottom swing of 8.14 units. 

The top to bottom swing remained tame, the number of plays about the same, but we treaded water in May.

  Putting the two months together:

Sides: 50-48 +9.83 (Top to bottom swing has been -4.5 to +12.18)

98 plays, +9.83 units won, and a top to bottom swing of 16.68 units

You will note first that the two months do not add up:) That is a result of my haphazard cross checking. I typically do this manually, and very early in the morning.

So the numbers are going to be off a bit, and the time going back to cross check everything is not worth it.

But the tenor of the results for the first two months is solid. The ROI is 10% which I will take on any method I have.

The other metric I check is how often do we beat the closing line. Remember these are put out the day before.

  In April:

Sides line bet to closing line : 31-17   241 +5.02 better than closing line per game

A 64.5% rate of beating the closing line at the rate of 5.02 per game. That is a solid rate but I would like to see the difference higher.

In May:

Sides line bet to closing line : 29-13-5   158  +3.36  better than closing line per game

In May we went down to 55% with a rate of 3.36. So both the % of beating the closing line and the rate declined. Which might account for the decrease in units won. 

But most likely you cannot draw any conclusions from  that.

Bottom line: Sides is acting similar to my backtests. And that is a good thing. If this keeps up we have a viable system for next year on the overnight Sides.

That brings us to the overnight totals:(

April:  Totals 1-5 -4.40 

May: Totals 6-11 -6.00

Not a good sign so far on these. And this is in spite of the fact that we beat the closing total line 16-1-6!!!

So, bottom line, its a bit early to tell on the overnight totals. The beating the closing line is a good sign the units lost is not.

Lets see what June brings us on these.

Remember MLB is FREE!!! The use of the new database made me decide it would not be right to charge subscribers as its an unproven real time database I am using. So I made my entire email list along with my Slack channels free for those that wanted to follow along this MLB season. All subscribers were put on pause until the beginning of the NCAA FB Season.

Then it will be back to normal for subscriptions.

During the free MLB season you get not only access to all my plays which include MLB along with any other sport during that time, but also my slack channels.

These were a new addition the last few years. They give you the opportunity to provide input, discussion, ask questions and also if you have an interest follow my stock and option trading.

I have been trading for many years. My trading is as methodical as my handicapping. I include option trades, mean reversion trades , swing trades, income trades with an approach to medium term trading. On occasion I will take an intraday trade.

The one new trading technique I now use every week is my two day short put sale. I developed this during the Covid lockdowns and it has turned out to be one of my most successful trading techniques.

I have posted 438 trades, with a win rate of 94.29% and a profit factor of 2.40. Until recently the drawdowns have been tame. However, trade 392 brought us our biggest drawdown, and we have regained 80% of the drawdown since then. Our 40-0 run has helped:)

These are put out on Thursday shortly after the market open, and expire Friday after the close. The idea is to sell premiums for income with a 2 day hold.

I have a screen I have developed, along with other parameters I use , both fundamental and technical, to decide where there is value in the premiums, with limited risk.

  It is easy to get on board right now with us as I have made everything FREE until the first game of the NCAA FB season starts. Then its back to the $49.00 a month for everything. Which compared to other subscriptions services is a steal:)

As always I am available for questions. You need just email me at rickj@rickjshandicappingpicks.com. And if you wish to sign up for the free MLB season, all you need do is make that request at rickj@rickjshandicappingpicks.com. I will invite you to both of my slack channels and put you on the email list.

  Hope to see you join us.

RickJ

RickJ’s Handicapping Picks

rickjshandicappingpicks.com

[thebandcampdiaries]

Doc Jazz introducing a brand new studio album, Love in the Time of Corona.

The Corona virus crisis is definitely one of the most grueling circumstances that the world had to face in recent times. We are coming to terms with a true global crisis, and the COVID19 scare is actually showing how we can do so much as individuals. Even choosing to simply stay at home and self-isolate can be seen as a brave gesture, because in doing so, you’ll be protecting so many people around you, in your family and in your community. While self-isolation and physical distancing can actually be very important, this also means that many people will suffer, since they are not able to go out there and work. This is affecting artists in, particularly significant way, since most performers and entertainers actually need to be out there in order to connect with people, tour, and support themselves with their music. Having said that, there are many artists, composers, and songwriters who are not giving up, and they take to the Internet in order to share their art with the word. However, there are some other artists who actually cover other important roles, and this is definitely the case of Doc Jazz, who is not only a talented artist but also a surgeon! Both with his music and his work, he is reaching out to the community with so much to give.

Doc Jazz actually released a full album inspired by the Coronavirus situation. The record is titled “Love in the Time of Corona, “ and it is now available on the web. “Love Brain” is another highlight on this album, and it is one of those tracks that stand out as a powerful testimony of the diverse range you can expect from this beautiful release.

This release features 12 new songs, each setting the bar higher in terms of different ideas and influences. The opening track, “Stay With Me” is a romantic and smooth track that has a stunning and personal tone, and it seamlessly dovetails into another excellent track, “You Got Me.” This release clocks in at 3.36, and it packs so many different ideas into its time frame. The following song is a track titled “Leaving It Up to Fate,” which feels inspiring and direct.

“Oxygen” is perhaps one of my favorite tracks on this release. I really enjoy the honesty behind this work, and the sheer concept of the track is very thought-provoking and catchy. “Stare It in the Face” has a unique combination of electronic and funk elements, with a nice chill vibe holding it all together. I love the huge bass lines and the clav type sounds on this particular track!

“Hungry” is yet another example of how diverse this sound can be. The drum parts have a cool trip-hop vibe, and the vocals have an old-school rap feel, which makes me think of classic acts such as Erik B & Rakim, only to mention but a few. Following up, we find “Closer to Me,” a track with influences ranging from classic R&B to neo-soul, and featuring a lush, smooth sound.

“Rising Tide” comes right after and it shifts the mood to something different. Following a charging drum intro, we’re finding ourselves dancing with a funk-inspired track with a four-on-the-flour beat.

“It Takes Love” is a beautifully inspiring track, sharing a positive message with the audience. The soulful lead tones and the cool electric piano sounds are intense and memorable. “Devil’s In the Detail” sweeps in with a really personable flair. This song has an ominous title, but musically speaking, the sound is actually quite uplifting.

Last, but definitely not least, “How Does It Feel,” is a one-of-a-kind conclusion to a beautiful album, which is filled with different sonic aesthetics and ideas.

At the end of the day, this album is a sonic journey through so many different styles. From the punchy grooves of funk and hip-hop, down to the smooth edge of soul and R&B anything goes. Doc Jazz is a versatile talent with a unique feel and a one-of-a-kind approach to his production. The sounds on this release are remarkably organic and positive, paving the way to a unique listening experience.

Find out more about Doc Jazz, and do not miss out on “Love in the Time of Corona,” which is currently available on various online streaming platforms via distributor CD Baby.

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/docjazz2

[nightmare-afton-cosplay]

The Fed Slashed Interest Rates. Here’s Why Mortgage Rates Likely Won’t Follow Suit

Brooks Kraft/ Getty Images

Mortgage rates, like the stock market, have been on a wild ride in recent weeks. They dropped to record lows earlier this month in response to the spread of COVID-19—and then shot right back up again. And it looks like it’s about to get even bumpier after the Federal Reserve slashed its own interest rates over the weekend in a bid to stave off a recession.

That means mortgage interest rates are likely to go back down again—a boon for homeowners and homeowners hoping to refinance their existing loans to save on their monthly housing bills. But they’re not expected to plummet to the Fed’s new short-term rates of between 0% and 0.25%. Instead, mortgage rates are likely to drop from about 4% on Friday to the mid- to low-3% range in the coming weeks, mortgage experts predict.

These rates are for 30-year fixed-rate loans. Rates are lower for short-term and jumbo mortgages.

“Mortgage rates will go lower. [And] that’s good news for buyers,” says realtor.com®’s chief economist, Danielle Hale. “It’s probably enough, based on what we know now, to keep buyers in the market. It’s also going to help people refinance and have more cash in their pockets.”

Rates hit a low of 3.29% on March 5, according to Freddie Mac. That’s as low as they’ve been since Freddie Mac began tracking mortgage interest rates in 1971—nearly 50 years ago.

But then mortgage rates did something surprising: They rose. Despite the coronavirus-ravaged stock market and growing fears of a recession, they ticked up to 3.36% as of Thursday, according to Freddie Mac. Mortgage News Daily (which is not affiliated with Freddie Mac and measures rates differently) reported they had risen to 4% by Friday on 30-year fixed-rate loans.

That’s because homeowners rushed in, seeking to refinance their existing mortgages to save some serious dough. Many have been able to shave hundreds of dollars off their monthly mortgage payments and tens of thousands of dollars off the life of their 30-year loans. Many overwhelmed mortgage lenders responded by upping rates to keep the flood of refinances at bay.

“We all have way, way more [business] than we can handle,” says Elysia Stobbe, author of “How to Get Approved for the Best Mortgage Without Sticking a Fork in Your Eye.” “Right now we’re all at three times normal capacity.”

All of those refinances also created something of a glut in the secondary mortgage market, which also contributed to higher mortgage interest rates. Lenders typically don’t like to keep the home loans they make on their books, so they sell these loans, which are bundled into a collection of mortgage-backed securities, to investors in the secondary market. This way banks and other financial institutions have more cash on hand to make additional loans.

The influx of refinances in the secondary market meant lower prices for the securities. And since mortgage bonds and mortgage rates move in opposite directions, rates went up.

But the Fed announced on Sunday that it would buy up at least $500 billion in U.S. Treasury bonds and $200 billion in government mortgage-backed securities over the coming months. That’s likely to help absorb the surge in refinances, stabilizing the mortgage-backed securities. And that means mortgage interest rates will likely tumble.

“That should stabilize rates and bring them back down lower,” says Hale. “They’ll [likely] go back to the low 3% [range]. Might we see rates below 3%? I wouldn’t rule it out.”

However, some investors are still spooked by the bad mortgages that were part of the housing bust that led to a financial meltdown just over a decade ago. They may be inclined to shy away from the securities with another recession looming despite the government’s investment in them, says Ali Wolf, chief economist at Meyers Research, a national real estate consultancy.

“That could put a limit on how low mortgage rates could go,” Wolf says.

She expects they’ll fall into the 3.1% to 3.2% range within the next few weeks and stay within or under the mid-3% stretch through the rest of the year.

“Today’s low mortgage rates are equivalent, in some cases, to $30,000 off the price of a home” in some of the nation’s most expensive markets, says Wolf. In Los Angeles, rates around 3.6% can bring monthly mortgage payments down to what they were in 2015. “Mortgage rates are turning back time on affordability.”

The bigger, more immediate question: Will buyers want to close on a home with the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, leaving many workers in the lurch and the nation on the verge of a recession?

“The idea of social distancing affects the mentality of both buyers and sellers,” says Hale.

Some sellers may decide to pull their properties off the market in response to the crisis. They may not want strangers walking through their homes right now, especially if they’re still living in them.

Other folks may be nervous about what could amount to the largest purchase of their lives if they’re worried about the economy and the security of their jobs.

“We may see a slower than normal spring selling season,” says Wolf. “But those sales will likely return in the summer and fall, assuming we get past the worst of COVID-19.”

The post The Fed Slashed Interest Rates. Here’s Why Mortgage Rates Likely Won’t Follow Suit appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

from https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/the-fed-slashed-interest-rates-heres-why-mortgage-rates-likely-wont-follow-suit/

[joshuajacksonlyblog]

Bitcoin SV Sets the Stage for Extreme Price Crash

The Bitcoin SV (BSV) rally did not manage to keep up to its highest level. For now, BSV survives with significant gains, but the price is yet to dump. Bitcoin SV Exploded in Early 2020, but Rally Viewed with Suspicion Bitcoin SV, with its market price igniting at the beginning of 2020, has already completed another episode of unusual price action. The asset bounced off the $260 range, only to rally back above $314. BSV hovers close to its highs at 0.03 BTC, a position not seen since the asset forked in November 2018. But just like last time, which led BSV above $330, the price action is viewed with suspicion. During the past rally, some evidence of faked volumes and wash trading were seen. But the overall expectation is that the current price range cannot hold. $BSV This is how I expect this entire saga to unfold. pic.twitter.com/dT1IKO1qz0 — DonAlt (@CryptoDonAlt) January 21, 2020 Popular crypto analyst, DonAlt, has predicted that Bitcoin SV will follow the same colossal crash course that Enjin coin endured during 2018. He comments on the striking similarity between the two fractals, and expects Bitcoin SV to plummet beneath $100 – a 68% decrease from its current $315 valuation (at time of writing). Without a concerted effort, and with volumes slowing down, BSV may continue to slide. This is not unusual altcoin behavior, where spectacular rallies are followed by the price unraveling. In the case of BSV, this may happen even faster, as the coin loses its artificial support. The BSV rally has also been in a way predicted by the Bitcoin SV proponents, and awaited by the community. On social media, there were multiple mentions of big events coming in 2020. Right now, the Bitcoin SV market is much smaller, and allows for speculation to lift the prices. In a way, BSV resembles the early BTC market, where direct speculation could lift the prices easier, without the pressure of futures markets. Mining, Transactions, Pick Up in Early 2020 to Challenge Bitcoin Bitcoin SV expanded to $315.10, rising close to 10% net in the past day. Trading volumes remained around $3.36 billion in 24 hours, with a 47% share of trades against Tether (USDT). Inflows of stablecoins can lift liquidity overnight. This time, BSV saw its biggest rallies on the Bibox exchange, as well as OKEx, where previous doubts of faked volumes have surfaced. The recent price behavior of Bitcoin SV has also raised doubts on whether it’s wise to short the coin. With high pump activity, attempting to short the coin may lead to significant losses. At the same time, buying the asset outright exposes to risks that BSV would slide, leaving bagholders with their depreciating investment. Bitcoin SV transactions continue to reach above Bitcoin (BTC) activity, with around 450,000 transactions per day. The Bitcoin network still carries closer to 300,000 transactions per day. In early 2020, the BSV hashrate has also gone parabolic, doubling within days to above 3.5 EH/s, or 3.5 quintillion hashes per second. But Bitcoin’s mining is still unchallenged, and roughly 30 times higher at above 100 quintillion hashes per secong. Do you think Bitcoin SV is primed for a steep decline? Add your thoughts below! Images via Shutterstock, Twitter @CryptoDonAlt The post appeared first on Bitcoinist.com. from Cryptocracken Tumblr https://ift.tt/38wprkf via IFTTT

[presssorg]

Bombardier’s rail bid for $3.4-billion Egypt monorail project

Bombardier’s rail unit named preferred bidder for $3.4-billion Egypt monorail project Bombardier Inc’s rail business was named the preferred bidder for a 3 billion euros (US$3.36 billion) monorail project in Egypt, which would be the unit’s biggest in recent years if confirmed. The design and build contract has potential value of 1.2 billion euros for Bombardier Transportation, while a 30-year operations and maintenance deal has a potential value of about 1.1 billion euros, the company said on Monday. The project, which is in partnership with two Egyptian companies — Orascom Construction and the Arab Contractors — is for the building a 54-kilometre monorail system connecting the New Administrative City with East Cairo and a second 42-kilometre line linking 6th October City with Giza, Bombardier said. The news comes as Bombardier’s rail division, its largest unit, has faced recent headwinds due to delivery delays and production problems at a handful of long-term projects, forcing the company to cut its first-quarter and full-year revenue targets for the division. Earlier this month, the Canadian company said it would merge its corporate and regional jet units, besides selling off two aerostructures operations.  

Alain Bellemare, President and CEO of Bombardier Inc., speaks during a news conference on the acceleration of Global 7000 business jet aircraft interior completion operations and the inauguration of the new Bombardier Centre of Excellence in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada, November 17, 2017. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi

Bombardier Inc. is looking to sell its aerostructure businesses in Belfast and Morocco as its continues its five-year turnaround plan and shifts its focus to concentrate on its private jet and rail divisions.

The train-and-plane maker announced Thursday that it will pursue the divestiture of its two aerostructure businesses, while at the same time consolidating its remaining aircraft operations under one division, to be renamed Bombardier Aviation. Previously, Bombardier had operated separate divisions for its private jet, commercial aircraft and aerospace and engineering work. Chief executive Alain Bellemare said Thursday following the release of first quarter results that the creation of Bombardier Aviation has been something the company has been working towards since October 2017, when aerospace giant Airbus SE acquired a majority stake in Bombardier’s beleaguered CSeries program. With the Airbus partnership finalized, Bombardier’s Downsview property in Toronto sold, and a deal for its Q400 program on the verge of closing, Bellemare said the “timing is right.” “We can now finally zoom in on the businesses that will create the most value for shareholders – and it is business aircraft and rail,” Bellemare told analysts on a conference call Thursday. “When we look at where we will invest our capital moving forward (it’s) in these businesses.” The company’s stock fell as much as 10 per cent shortly after the Toronto Stock Exchange opened. Shares of Bombardier were down 2.6 per cent just after 1 p.m. ET. Bombardier’s aerostructure businesses in Belfast and Morocco are largely tied to the former CSeries program now operating as the A220 under Airbus’ control. Given the program is now out of Bombardier’s control, the move to sell the operations “makes sense,” National Bank analyst Cameron Doerksen wrote in a note to clients Thursday. Doerksen estimates that Bombardier could earn between $910 million and $1.04 billion from the sale of those operations. Unite, the union representing the approximately 3,600 employees working at the Belfast facility, released a statement Thursday saying the announcement came “as a shock.” “The U.K. government must stand ready to ensure the retention of jobs and skills at these sites,” the statement said. “Bombardier is simply too important to the Northern Ireland economy to allow anything less.”

Dual class share structure remains

Bombardier is on the tail end of a five-year turnaround plan launched by Bellemare in 2015, shortly after he stepped into the role of chief executive. The strategy includes several ambitious financial targets, including overall revenues of US$20 billion by 2020. (Bombardier reports its financial results in U.S. dollars.) But that strategy has stumbled in the last year. Last week, the company had to preemptively cut its full-year revenue forecast for 2019, largely due to slower production at its transportation division.

Bombardier stock as of 3:32 p.m. ET on Thursday May 2. Revenues in the transportation business, its most profitable division which produces trains, will be $750 million less than the originally expected $8.75 billion because of “a slower production ramp-up on certain large projects.” Bombardier reported $2.1 billion in revenues in the three month period ending March 31, a drop of 11 per cent from the same time last year. Shortly after discussing the first quarter results with analysts, Bombardier executives met with investors at its annual shareholder meeting at the company’s headquarters in Montreal. MEDAC, a Quebec-based shareholder rights group, had put forward several shareholder proposals ahead of the meeting, including one that effectively called for the abolition of Bombardier’s dual-class share system. MEDAC’s proposal was to convert the Class A shares – which are controlled by the Beaudoin-Bombardier family, giving them a majority of voting rights despite not holding to a majority of shares – to single voting right per share. The proposal, which was supported by proxy organizations including Glass Lewis, Institutional Shareholder Services and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, was defeated.   Published at Tue, 28 May 2019 13:08:33 +0000 Read the full article