#its ceo hunting season

[thanos-the-dad-titan]

I've been checking out weird books from the library for years, I was there when AOL came into our lives and I searched for the strangest of shit. So if I'm not on a few fucking lists by now I'd be shocked. #eattherich

[profoundbondfanfic]

Happy Holiday season from all the members at @profoundbondfanfic!

-Part 1 of 5-

Christmas Spirit by MalicMalic (Explicit, 3k words)

It's the afterlife and Dean can finally have everything he wants.

Hanukkahn't Resist You by almaasi (General audiences, 2k words)

Dean made a Hanukkah greeting card for Cas, his fellow teacher and major crush. The card is also a pun. And also a pick-up line. And also maybe a mistake.

Hot Snow Angel by DoctorProfessorSong (Explicit, 23k words)

So you know that absolutely unhinged Netflix holiday movie featuring Lacey Chabert and a sentient snowman played by the actor who was Corbett in Ghostfacers? I saw the preview and immediately said: Dean Winchester would be a snowman fucker. A Destiel Christmas rom com. Come for the crack, stay for the feels.

Sugar Cookies and Mistletoe Kisses by Briston, Whitster_lizzy (Teen and Up, 10k words)

A little too much tequila at a Christmas party leaves Dean with a foggy memory. No one will tell him what happened and Cas can barely look him in the eye. Can Dean salvage their friendship before it's too late?

The Bad Santa Clause by Castielslostwings, jscribbles, MalMuses, pingnova, sobsicles (Explicit, 74k words)

A quiet pre-Christmas hunt goes horribly wrong for the Winchesters, Castiel, and Jack when Dean accidentally murders Santa Claus. Ho ho ho, bitches. A seasonal canon collab loosely based on The Santa Clause.

The Christmas Angel by FriendofCarlotta (Teen and Up, 7k words)

One lonely Christmas, Dean picks up an ornament: a small angel that reminds him of his mother. Over the years, the ornament becomes a fixture of his life, keeping him company through many difficult years. For Castiel, the ornament takes on its own meaning - a reminder of the sort of life he wants and can never have. Will the Christmas angel ever get a chance to take its rightful place at the top of a family tree?

The Morning After by Dancingdog (Explicit, 67k words)

'Twas the morning after Christmas and to Dean's surprise, He'd slept with a vampire, with mortified blue eyes...

The Waiter and the Businessman by followyourenergy (General Audiences, 4k words)

Dean Winchester, CEO, frequents the diner on the corner of Main and South for lots of reasons: pie, the jukebox that plays 80s music, and Castiel, the sweet, handsome waiter who always has time for Dean. When he sees Castiel unexpectedly on Christmas Day, he learns more about the quiet man… and receives two precious gifts that money could never buy.

[orngbanana]

TWTPTFLOB MODERN!AU HEADCANONS

part 2 cuz im bored studying

Lante

•CEO of a big shot company, a shitty father and a shittier (but efficient) boss, has at least 4 vacation houses meant for every season cause he's extra like that

•owns hunting dogs but doesn't spend much time with them and instead lets the servants care for them, and maybe dion too because animals are scared of him and that keeps the dogs in line

•has a dart board with roussel's picture on it, every time the picture is ruined he orders for another one to be printed so he can destroy it too

•doesn't know how to properly operate a computer so he mostly just deals with paperwork and calls roxana to handle the electronics, is pissy the entire time she does it

•probably dies of lung cancer or something

Sierra

•lives somewhere in the countryside in a two-story cottage with maria, nyx and beth

•currently in therapy, beth packs her lunch whenever she goes out

•nyx is something like a butler and a son figure to her, at first, when she was in a less of a good state of mind; she hired him because he looks like achille, but then slowly started to try to know him as himself and not as a replacement for her son

•is very into knitting, she's bad at knitting animals because she can't get their faces right but surprisingly great at flowers and plants

•calls roxana whenever she can, sometimes jeremy will answer instead but she doesn't mind

Maria

•owns a small boutique known for its cutesy and frilly clothes, she has short work hours because she wants to spend as much time with sierra as possible

•her contacts are practically empty apart from having sierra's, roxana's and somehow dion's number, she has it blocked because she doesn't care to call him unless she needs him for stuff

•instead of having literally human dolls she instead owns manequins she practices sewing on, she works on them so much they look mangled and that's what creeps people out

•has a closet full of different hats for every different occasion, the horrid, green one is for christmas

•beth and nyx complain about her during break hours. a lot.

part 3 maybeeeeeeee....

[oneatlatime]

Atla season two predictions

We're halfway through season 2! I did a post on my thoughts on the show and its characters when I reached the halfway point of season one. My thoughts are mostly the same, and there's only one new character of note (all hail Toph!), so I thought this time I'd mark the halfway point by taking wild stabs at predicting where the rest of the season is going to go. I'm going to try to do at least one prediction per character. This is entirely guesswork. Once the season is done I'll come back to this post and see how prescient/stupid I was. Without further ado...

The season finale will have Azula as the Big Bad and introduce the Fire Lord as the Big Bad for season three. This is exactly what happened in the finale of season one: Zhao was big bad and Azula was introduced. So less prediction, more extrapolating based on existing data. It was a winning formula in season one, so I'm hoping the writers will do it again. I'm also hoping that Azula will follow Zhao's fate because quite frankly I don't like her very much. Tl;dr, Azula and her crew will get swallowed by a giant badger mole spirit.

Toph is getting a subplot. She feels like a character with nothing left to work on, and now that Aang can earthbend, her purpose is accomplished. So she needs another purpose in the story. That, or they're going to leave her behind at some point. I wonder if she's in season three? She'd better be. So either Toph is going to remain a character with no need of an arc, in which case her subplot will revolve around something she already excels at, or the writers are going to throw a curve ball and reveal a heretofore unknown weakness that she's going to have to work around. If it's the former, my money is on one of the idiots from the pro-bending tournament hunting her down to avenge their humiliating defeat at her hands. If it's the latter, my guess would be something intellectual that plays on her high society background. Political intrigue? Spy work? A cult? Maybe she finds out that her parents are colluding with the fire nation? Tl;dr SuperToph, somehow.

Appa comes back. This is not a prediction, this is a DEMAND. He breaks free of his captors (seriously, he went down way too easy), runs away into the wilds of the earth kingdom, and following some innate air bison sense, stumbles upon a lost colony of his fellow bison who escaped Sozin's genocide. (and have somehow remained entirely undiscovered for a century despite being each the size of a house and able to fly to boot well the earth kingdom's got a lot of empty spaces just go with it) They spend a few weeks chilling until Appa gets found. Season three can end with Appa's Air Bison Hunny showing up with a baby sky bison. Tl;dr Papa Appa.

Project Make Zuko Decent gets a new CEO. The current one sucks. Some new character is going to be introduced to provide Zuko with both the motivation and the guidance to become a decent person. Iroh's had a season and a half and made pretty much no progress; Zuko's spent all of season two trying, and has made himself somehow worse. Maybe not worse, but certainly more worn out. Time for new blood. I'd like to think that this show is above cliche, but let's be honest, it's going to be a love interest. They tried it with a kid brother in Zuko Alone and it didn't work. So some nice earth kingdom girl. Like Song, but with more backbone. Maybe she's really good at swords. They can bond over that. I feel like Zuko would be easier to connect with over something he knows he's good at. It would be less fraught than bonding over bending. She also lost her mother to the fire nation; they can bond over that too. The writers laid the groundwork in Zuko Alone, might as well use it. The more Zuko can empathise, the faster he'll get decent. I hate to see a character who exists solely for 'Man Pain' or 'Man Growth,' but let's be honest, Zuko is not self-aware enough to grow without some major hand-holding, and Iroh isn't volunteering. I know that Zuko is on the cover of my season three DVD so his 'get decent' arc has to be complete by the end of season two. Tl;dr Zuko gets schooled.

Sokka has been underutilised this season (as has Katara), so he's going to get something major. The Library set him up to lead the gang to that Earth Kingdom town who's name I forget so they can share the date of the eclipse with the king, but you know Aang isn't budging until they get Appa back. So for the next few episodes, Sokka will be in Master Tracker Mode, using all the skills he learned at the South Pole and more to rescue Appa. There can be flashbacks to him learning the skill from his dad/grandfather/uncles/Bato, then flash forward to see him applying that skill successfully, adapting it to a different climate and incorporating insights he's gained since the show started. We had Zuko Alone, now I want Sokka Alone with the ghosts of his family. Although I don't think Aang would be willing to sit out on Appa retrieval, so Aang's going to have to be urgently needed for Avatar reasons right when Sokka stumbles on the clue that is the key to finding Appa. The group splits and reunites to see the earth kingdom king, Sokka triumphant and Appa in tow. Tl;dr Sokka channels Liam Neeson with probably a lower body count.

Momo is going along with Sokka for aerial reconnaissance.

Katara needs something juicy too. She's mastered waterbending, so her growth has to be personal rather than skills-based. Maybe she gets her world view challenged? Maybe she meets an evil earth kingdom or water tribe person? Evil to the core; she's already met bunches from both nations who are stupid/malicious. Hang on - I forgot about Jet. So she meets an evil water tribe person. In the earth Kindgom. Somehow. Maybe she meets a good fire nation person? How about a fire nation healer/doctor/army medic? Someone who can show her that firebending isn't all bad. Can you heal with any element other than water? I have no idea, but it would be cool if you could. If you really want to challenge her, a fire nation firebending healer who is genuinely compassionate to people of all nations, but who is also proud to be a fire nation citizen and fond of their nation. That would REALLY confuse her. Doubly so if there's some healing technique that she desperately needs to learn from this person. Katara seems like the type to think that one person = one opinion, and that there is only one right opinion, ever, in all things, and that is hers. Show her someone complex, hypocritical, layered, but still a force for overall good. Tl;dr let's torture Katara.

Aang! It's been a while since his duties as Avatar have conflicted with his personal convictions. Actually, it's been a while since his duties as Avatar have come up at all, apart from training and getting chased for being the Avatar. Aang is going to encounter some problem that can only be fixed by an Avatar, likely something like the giant panda from season one. Maybe pissing off the Owl spirit causes unrest in the spirit world? Maybe Aang's going to have to fight a war on two fronts: fire nation v. other nations and spirit world v. physical world? Or maybe Aang's going to have to mediate in a spirit world civil war? Aang's got enough friends in the spirit world that maybe the giant panda and his friends take offence to the owl mouthing off about the avatar and it snowballs from there? It seems to me that pissing off a spirit is the kind of mistake that should have consequences beyond that spirit's episode. And this need for the Avatar comes up just when there's a solid lead on Appa, so Aang has to learn to delegate the Appa-finding to his friends while he's off saving the world. Tl;dr Aang has to do some Avataring.

Iroh needs to get his act together and come up with a better plan than following Zuko at a safe distance. This is more of a wish than a prediction, because Iroh's still very much a big old question mark to me. It's easier to predict what the child/teenage characters are going to do, because apart from maybe Toph, they have limited and already defined means. But Iroh's lived decades. He could very easily have resources, skills, connections, knowledge etc. that viewers haven't seen yet that he could call on at any time. He could pull anything out of the blue and I'd believe it, because that's how the world works when you're a sociable person who knows how to talk your way into things and has spent decades doing so. There have to be some earth kingdom collaborators around from his invading days who could be blackmailed/flattered into helping Iroh and Zuko get back on their feet. Tl;dr Iroh phones a friend. I can see the plot for the rest of the season ending in three ways:

A)Sokka's news about the eclipse causes the earth king to arrange a direct strike on the fire nation capital, killing Azula in the finale. The fire lord escapes, Azula gets promoted to fire nation martyr, and the war enters a new, worse, heightened, far more scorched earth/bloodthirsty state at the start of season three.

B) The Earth King says "yeah kid, we've had star charts for millennia, we know about the eclipse, they know about the eclipse, it'll be the one time their defences are at their absolute highest, this plan is dumb as hell, go away." This is the one I think is most likely.

C) News of the eclipse never reaches the earth king, because it turns out that unless the local king is your nonagenarian former best friend, getting a royal audience is hard if you're a water tribe nobody, and maybe his friend is the Avatar, but he's also twelve, and even in a kid's cartoon letting twelve year olds have a say in national policy is a bit of a stretch. The eclipse nonsense remains a one-episode occurrence that was just the set up required for Appa's Appa-napping, and the rest of the season is spent de-Appa-napping Appa, until a surprise appearance by Zuko jr. and her girlies in the finale.

[hisui555]

Hazbin Hotel thoughts : Pets 2

"How are they with pets ?" Vees and other Overlords edition

(Pets 1 (Hazbin Hotel crew) here)

(Pets 3 (Heaven's side) here)

Masterpost here.

Aaaand my titles are still as creative as a rusting cheese grater on sale. Anyway, let's jump to it.

The Vees !

Vox did have an (now archived) Instagram that's also now loosely canon, where he put pics of his cute pet hammerhead landshark Vark (that's probably not in the show the same as it was in the Instagram, but made it in with another form : might be the hammerhead bio-shark we see in the tank in ep 2 and why do I get the feeling we got robbed from something ?) and given his interactions with it, he clearly loves it with all his heart, calling it "baby" and posting what he brought for him (in a handbag), so it's safe to say that Vark is spoiled. One pic even shows it jumping on Velvette with Vox doing a fist-pump, another has an out-of-focus one with Vox being the one jumped on, so the critter can be safely described as rather enthusiastic (and giant. Hell fuck is it big). Which, based on this, gives a rather good idea of how he would interact with a pet : it's kind of a special, non common animal of specific interest (shark), that he will coddle and spoil to high heavens, basically a pseudo-kid. Expect tons of affection, letting it run around to its heart's content with a whole room (or more) dedicated to the beast, and a Never Could Do Any Wrong attitude that might be even worse that Lucifer's in the previous post. He will also train and teach it tricks, complete with lots of praise and treats, and given his management skills vet appointments are no problems (well, for him. Given the animal, very much not so for the vet), even cooing to the tyker that I know, you don't like it, but we'll have to go. I know, I know, I promise it's not for long. Touch it and you're dead, your reputation is dead, your whole family is dead up to the 10th ancestor, even your ashes are dead.

Alternatively, given how Vox is in the show now (still secretely hoping we see that side of him I admit, but I wouldn't place any bets on it), he has multiple shark-like creatures in a GIANT fish tank (at least two of them recognizable as sharks, I've counted four beasties that are seen on the opening of Stayed Gone), which look impressive and silently drift by. So while there's still the affinity for sharks, they look less goofy and more dangerous than Vark by some metric magnitudes and go quite well with his cunning CEO image, even emphazing it ("I think I have... just the one." Ep 2). So it paints a picture of power and silent intimidation, grinning like a shark and tempting to trade into the waters, smelling weakness like blood in the waves and drowning people under false hope : which is pretty much how he'd probably like his pets - hunting, powerful, highly unusual ones, that make him think of, well, himself and his empire. He'll keep them well-fed, cares for them, and likes to watch them swim around, maybe to calm his nerves after a Valentino tantrum or whenever Alastor so much as breathes wrong, more like status pets than coddling pets like his Instagram incarnation with Vark (again, shame*).

*While I do go awww, too bad, the producers, animators and whatnot had to work with an 8 episodes season. Characters also evolve (5 years between the pilot and the first episode), and things get dropped or picked up considering the needs of the show, and the intends behind the characters. The retired character Instagrams (and the pilot) paint the big lines, but smaller details are either contradictory or true-but-in-a-sideways-way compared to the final product, hence why "loosely canon". Vox with Vark would've been adorable, but he's probably not supposed to be that likable in that precise way, and it would've probably not brought the show itself much. I can only speculate why they dropped Vark's previous version (if he's indeed in the show at all), but don't take it as me faulting the show's creators and workers for it : my word is far from being gospel. Or else I'd make a really shitty deity.

Velvette would probably like a small, handholding pet that she can customize and that accords to her tastes, but also cute, photogenic and personable, so expect something like Hell's version of a chameleon, a pug or a Yorkshire (wait scratch that, I said "cute and photogenic"), or something that other people would find hideous but she'll make it work (nevermind, this fits) to show off how good her fashion skills are. She'll parade around with it, and if it has the same bitchy disdainous attitude as her, gladly welcomed bonus. She'll train it to obey only her (to Vox and Valentino's consternation and frustration), but also perfectly : every command is fulfilled within the snap of her fingers, but if the pet does outstandingly well, she won't hold back the treats. In private, she might be softer and more affable to it, praising and baby-talking it, but at the very least it'll have a luxurious corner to live in, and when she's away, her assistants are given the tasks of taking care of it (however not to a keep-an-activity-journal point unlike Pentious in the previous post). Unlike Angel, she might go for multiple pets at once (again, they're taken care of by a whole flock of staffs - good for testing interns and all that), and bank fashion lines and trends on them, associating with Vox to push out new product lines about animal care and fashion.

She'll also have pretend "dialogues" in public with one of them (switching favorites often following her moods - Velvette likes to have a wide choice fan of options) about how ugly or stupid she finds something and what's that you say Pookie ? Yes, absolutely, this dress looks like colored by sewer waters, ugh, good thing someone agrees with me. Think we should fire her ? to someone she particularly despises or deems unimportant enough and won't address directly because she'll estimate it beneath her, or sometimes to have an outlet of her own to vent. Rarely if ever goes to the vet unless one of the critters ate something it really shouldn't, since she's counting on her assistants to be skilled in healthcare, and they better be. Naming will be themed after what she likes, supported by tons of nicknames, and only her will know which one is named what because no one can keep up. Will be more annoyed than sad if one of them is hurt or died, but there will be a pang of sorrow for her favorite ones.

Valentino, well, also had a loosely canon pet queef (those half chihuahua half horsefly thingies, which are two abominations put together to make a third one - kidding, Fizzarolli's are kinda endearing), named... Queef (worse than my title names, good job bud), and emphasis on had, since he shot the tyker dead because it annoyed him, according to his archived Instagram. A safe bet is that it didn't even lasted very long. Which... paints dead-on (...sorry) the picture of how Val would treat pets : it's like a fancy that strikes from time to time and goes away just as quick, the second he's bothered by the critter. He's atrocious with naming them (though Adam beats him for sure in terms of naming things), sometimes can't differenciate one from another because oh right, I killed Queefie last week, you're actually Queefrey (...look at what you've made me do, stupid moth), and doesn't really care in general. Vet ? What's that ? Seriously the only time he'll go to a vet it's to enrol them in his studio if he finds them sexy enough and uses the critter for it. To him, they're not animals, they're trending accessories : something that goes nicely with the fishnet stockings and mink coat for an evening or two, not longer - or a tool to pick up chicks and chucks. If it dies, either he's the reason for it, or he'll just be annoyed.

He might just give them away if feeling generous or in a good mood, mostly to Velvette or his employees (he was the one who gave Fat Nuggets to Angel canonically - which was when Hell probably got a sudden cold wave or something. My sarcasm is having a stroke today, damn, sorry. Often happens when I'm writing Valentino's section, wonder why...ah, shit.), but hates if it disobeys or doesn't do what he wants it to do. Given that he doesn't train them either and expects it to behave like he wants right off the bat, this happens often. The longest any pet has lasted by him ? I'd say a week, two tops.

The other Overlords !

I don't peg Zestial for a pet owner, but again, let's pretend. It'll probably be something silent and creepy, ancient and powerful just like him - I mean, can you see him pick up any sparkly eyed kitten ? Me neither. It would make for a hilarious image, though. But nope, he'll be more like Hagrid than Umbridge in that sense : the most horrifying the better. Given his motif of spiders, he'll have his own Aragog, or some giant chiropteric monster from the dawn of times, with its own gregorious Fancy Name The Nth, something that even Lucifer thought died out ages ago. It's more a mutually respectful companionship than anything else : there's no "owner", no "pet", it just happens to live in Zestial's basement (or wherever he hangs his spindly, spidery legs from) and hunt down nuisances for him, in exchange of the occasional chin scritches. Might also know how to play chess, because why the hell not. Zestial won't like it being hurt, but will let it lick its wounds on its own and wait for it to ask for help, and it'll show up to show support in a fight and some extra manpower if needed. It doesn't obey squat, just agrees with you from time to time. No vet is crazy enough to go near that beast.

Carmilla will probably not have a pet either (too bothersome), but her daughters just might, and she'll allow it (somehow). Strict rules, the animal can't go wherever it pleases, better be damn well potty trained, and girls, if you want a pet, I'm not the one taking care of it - and she will stand by this, unlike some Didn't Want The Damn Cat Parents who melt at the first purr (welcome to the club of cat lovers, I'm the self-proclaimed president, what can I do for you ?). However, she's not against the affection, enjoying some relaxing moments with the pet at her side. Also, just having it around sleeping while she does work is nice and stress-relieving enough. She appreciates whatever "help" it can provide (fetching stuff), and simply talks to it like she would to an everyday person, only repeating words to make it understand what it should or should not be doing. She doesn't like cruelty to animals, and will make very clear what she thinks of someone who does that, but otherwise won't blow a gasket (like Vox or Angel might do). Might favor guard pets to protect her loved ones.

Rosie would be more about some old fashioned and elegant pets like poodles or whatever frizz-furred (or hairless, or scaly, as long as its classy) critter this side of Hell has to offer. However, since Alastor doesn't like dogs, she'll either keep it at home, or simply have another pet altogether, but case in point, it's a home pet, not something to parade around the Emporium with. Having it on a leash in the streets, fan in hand (her, not the tyke), and taking a strut around while waving for her fellow citizens or stopping to chat with other pet-owners is really picturesque, and exactly what she'll do. She'll make sure it's well-behaved, and will just have to softly utter a single command for it to obey. The most questionable thing would be the... diet. One sure thing, that beastie is well-fed.

Part 3 will be Heaven's side. Hope you enjoyed !

Again, Masterpost here.

[hearts401]

Why do you think Helluva Boss is better, in terms of writing?

OOOH i have a LOT to say about this.

I think it's a lot less rushed. it FEELS a lot less rushed. And thats not saying its all perfect, it went pretty fast too, but not as fast as hazbin.

For example, hazbin had this big deadline and they had to fit in angels arc, the carmilla/vaggie situation, the heaven stuff, AND charlies shit with her dad. So despite it being a comedy, they had to stuff a LOT of things together, which means theres less chance for filler which means it gets rushed. (bc honestly, it feels less like a comedy and more like an edgy teen humor show BECAUSE they're stuffing the comedy in while rushing to get all the important lore bits in)

so helluva boss feels more like a comedy. they have serious moments, but it leaves space for jokes and humor that dont feel out of place (for example, in the hh finale they kept making jokes that rlly didnt fit? like charlie profusely apologizing to angels who are slaughtering her people? or when pentious died and it was a joke but we were supposed to take it seriously???)

helluva boss has episodes with less emotional baggage in them, like the pilot, murder family, spring broken, and CHERUB, and the harvest moon festival, all in season one. and while they do HAVE emotional moments, theyre not super heavy. then you have episodes that feel like a mix, like truth seekers and loo loo land. and then you have heavy episodes like ozzie's and queen bee. its much more balanced (and im focusing on s1 of hb bc its unfair to pit a two season show against a one season show.)

also also also, and this is smth i complain about a lot, Hazbin Hotel is OBSESSED with making their characters as likeable as possible. unfortunately this falls on characters who DONT DESERVE IT. Like angel dust. When he harassed husk, it was supposed to be humor and funny and whatever, but when husk snapped at him, he was the bad guy suddenly. and angel still never apologized. and im not saying hb doesnt have that issue (ESPECIALLY with stolas) but i think its handled better.

blitzo is a good example. i have complaints about the circus situation, but in the end hes still not a good guy, excuse or not. he's rude, he's nosy, he's dismissive. he hunts his sister down despite her making it very clear she doesnt wanna see him. and he brushes off stolas and even uses him under the guise of a sweet date. in general, blitzo is just waaay better handled than angel dust is.

i also like the villains more? theyre not made out to be a joke as much as the villians in hazbin (per my earlier statement about all the humor being stuffed in) crimson is made to be genuinely intimidating, striker, while mocked a lot, is still a very serious villain, mammon is a big joke on purpose, and it makes sense! and then other antagonists (verosika, one and two, ect) are made out to be funny because theyre NOT big villains, they're just bitches who have beef with imp. the worst villain in hb is, of course, the one woman, stella. but thats a conversation for another ask.

meanwhile the hazbin villains are sooo dumbed down. our most serious villain was lute. adam was a huge joke and relatively annoying at times? like most of what he did was watered down by bad jokes (like killing pentious??? ppl seem to forget adam beat alastor without even tearing his clothes and its because everytime hes on screen theres a terrible joke about to be made) and the vees are just??? eh??? i dont have a TON of complaints about velvette aside from how little she actually did to the point where she hardly feels like a villain? shes moreso just annoying. and then vox hypnotizes people and hes like. evil ceo type shit but thats overshadowed by his crazy ass beef with alastor because again, he didnt do much else. and then val had that stupid scene with vox that i hate so so so so much. hes made out to be funny when he SHOULDNT BE!!! They dont take val's character seriously its weird. ick. and also we didnt have many villains to even go off of? helluva boss gave us lots of characters to work with in season one, and all of them are unique in some way, and had time to shine and will have more time to shine later because the story isnt rushing. hazbin INSISTED on concluding this arc in one season when it really shouldn't have. they didnt have the time to do it, and they tried anyway. helluva boss is better because they gave it TIME. striker is introduced in season one and we KNOW he'll come back because he got away! and he does! and hes great because they gave him TIME to be there and be gone and be there and be gone.

and now he's our most recurring villain. and i think hes awesome. crimson didnt actually have a lot of time to vanish and come back, but hes also new so its a bit different. and he had two episodes in between showing up and disappearing, and the second one had more focus on striker anyways.

i think that while hazbin is a 4/10 for me (5 if im being generous), helluva boss is a 6 or 7/10. the worst part about the helluva boss writing is stolas's family and how the women are written tbh.

tldr: helluva boss is better paced and the characters are better, and hazbin hotel is too rushed and forces these characters onto you

[secularbakedgoods]

Runners

(science fiction, 1100 words)

It’s the end of the fiscal year. Hunting season has begun.

Ultimately, it all kicked off with the invention of the “workplace transparency plan.” As ad revenue stagnated, social platforms instead offered corporate clients access to their employees’ private messages. For a small subscription fee, employers could learn who their workers were communicating with and retaliate as they saw fit.

Within months, an entire industry of talent recruiters found themselves stonewalled by a terrified workforce. With electronic communication lost to them, the recruiters — far behind on their quotas — resorted to more drastic methods.

Strive Solutions is a midsize software company on the third floor of a converted building in the old warehouse district. Its two vintage elevators are too old to support ID card readers, so a pair of security doors flanking the reception area are all that stand between potential intruders and Strive’s inner sanctum.

A few minutes past 3:00 in the afternoon, both elevators open and the mob piles out.

Runners always raid in force, the better to overwhelm any on-site security. Where once the typical recruiter was a bland, nonthreatening thirtysomething in business-casual pastels, now they trend toward linebackers’ builds and stab vests. Those who aren’t the general size and shape of a refrigerator are the most dangerous of all — quick, clever, and vicious.

Not one of them is over the age of 30. Running is a youngster’s game.

The security doors are RFID-locked, but made of glass. Somebody puts a boot through one of them, and the runners barely slow as they stampede through.

The bulk of Strive’s employees work in an open-plan area referred to as “the Pit” whenever management isn’t around. The runners swarm through it with ease, unhindered by hallways or doors, vaulting over desks and chairs when they need to.

Certain pieces of equipment are standard. Every runner carries a tablet, ruggedized to withstand all sorts of abuse and equipped with a fingerprint scanner. A simple swipe of a new recruit’s thumb and the contract is sealed, filed instantly with their new employer. Signatures were once the preferred endorsement, before someone realized a fingerprint was valid even if the owner of said finger was unconscious.

Most of the runners also carry weapons, usually truncheons or collapsible batons. Those who don’t are about to learn that Strive’s CEO has a blacksmithing hobby and an office full of medieval weapons.

The rest of a runner’s arsenal varies with personal preference.

Barry Duboc, like most of his colleagues, goes for the easy money: junior employees who are easily seduced by playground offices and extravagant launch parties, and are easily intimidated into signing anything put in front of them. Clients don’t pay much for cannon fodder like this, but Barry makes up the difference in volume.

Inside a military surplus document holder, its metal edges filed razor sharp, Barry carries photos of his client’s break lounge — stuffed wall-to-wall with vintage arcade games — and a laminated copy of their dense recreational calendar. Before long he’s herded a sizable number of impressionable young programmers away from the safety of their fellows.

A few yards away, a 6’7” runner with tattooed sclera and brass knuckles on both hands sinks his teeth into the earlobe of a production intern.

Seasoned runners like Tom Saunders know where the real money is: senior developers, not so easily swayed by treats, parties, or threats.

Tom never goes on a run without a copy of his client’s benefits package, a breakdown of their flexible working policy, and a stun gun. This time, though, Tom’s got a secret weapon: his client operates out of a refurbished boutique hotel and offers private offices to its senior employees. The promise of working behind a door that can close attracts two senior web developers, one production manager, and an automation engineer.

Shelly Fleming is a virtuoso; she glides through the bedlam of the Pit like a shark through a school of fish. Painstaking research, careful maneuvering, and perfect timing have brought her here, today, for one target alone.

Over the weekend, Strive’s lead software architect posted anonymously online about her struggles at work since transitioning. Unfortunately, the post went viral and a characteristic turn of phrase gave her away. She was summoned to Strive’s HR department ten minutes ago for a lecture on “undermining the company’s public image.”

Shelly bursts into the room with a six-figure contract and her client’s novel-length Diversity & Inclusion policy. If the architect took the time to actually read the policy, she’d quickly realize it was crafted with great care to serve as a flawless legal and political shield while entitling the company’s employees to no actual protection or recourse from discrimination. But time isn’t a luxury she has anymore.

She winds up at the center of a tug of war between Shelly and the HR manager, whose brightly painted nails carve deep lines into the architect’s arm as Shelly drags her from the room.

Of course, Strive has invested in countermeasures. An expensive renovation over the holidays transformed the entire office into a Faraday cage, ensuring no wireless signals can go in or out. The runners’ contracts are all hosted on a remote web service; they must get their prizes out of the building.

Barry ushers his pack of recruits back through reception, but the elevators take precious seconds to arrive and more to depart. Strive’s two security guards beat several of the defecting juniors unconscious before they can escape, and a particularly zealous manager drags another from the elevator as the doors close.

Tom knows better, and heads for the stairs; unfortunately, the route to the stairwell leads past Strive’s executive suite. He loses one of his recruits to a flying tackle from the COO, who adorns his desk with high school football trophies.

Shelly cased the office in advance. She leads the architect to an old fire escape at the far end of the floor, near the server room. The windows are locked, but a quick blow from Shelly’s collapsible baton and they’re both home free, clambering down the side of the building.

As quickly as it started, it’s all over.

Of the dozens of workstations arrayed throughout the Pit, almost half now sit empty. Broken glass and loose papers lie scattered across the floor, alongside a few office chairs knocked over in the chaos. Strive’s remaining workers peer uncertainly from beneath their desks.

A light breeze wafts through the shattered window.

Strive’s CEO storms and rages for an hour, cursing the disloyalty of his former employees. Then, shutting himself in his office, he places a call to his own recruiter.

(my ko-fi)

[hageny]

Succession Thoughts: Gerri x Roman 

1. Love’s A Losing Game.

I finally have a chance to touch on the scene between Roman and Gerri, and, as usual, my thoughts may be a bit controversial, but here we go. When we see them again, Roman is propositioning Gerri for advice after having fired her in the last episode, and Gerri rebuffs him with a firm, “No.” This seems to shock Roman, who then quickly plunges into damage control, attempting to cajole her and convince her his firing of her wasn’t real. As he puts it, “Dad fired people all the time. I was just feeling kind of fire-ish.” I can understand the logic behind Roman’s statement because, if one recalls in Season 1, Logan fired Frank, and, shockingly, Frank came back to Waystar and to Logan again anyway later on. Even Gerri was shocked by this, to which Frank replied, “Baby needs shoes, moth to a flame [...]”. This moment in Hunting between them sort of sets us up for what Gerri does in Tailgate Party by refusing to return, but again, Roman had seen the Old Guard kicked so many times he naturally thought Gerri wouldn’t permanently abandon him. Sadly, he thought wrong, and she has firmly--and gladly--removed herself from the picture. Most of the discourse online has cheered Gerri on, saying Roman got what was coming to him, and, to degree, I can agree with this. However, Gerri says something interesting that I’ve seen no one comment on which is the line about his dick pics: “[...] I will sue and I will go public with the many, many pictures of your genitalia that I have in my possession.” This struck me as quite pertinent because many fans debated about Roman’s sending of the dick pic in Season 3, wondering whether the one he sent his father was the only one, whether when Gerri asked him to stop sending, “the items”, she had been receiving photos before. This confirms that Gerri had received photos of Roman’s private parts before, and, until the moment she took the CEO spot, likely entertained his proclivity for sending them the same way she engaged in his other kinks. This brings me to my point, which is, did Roman deserve for Gerri to walk out on him? Sure, to a degree. He treated her poorly several times this season, and expected loyalty in return, which was foolish of him. However, was he the only one in the wrong? Not in the least. What many seem to conveniently forget when discussing their relationship is that Gerri willingly entered into a pseudo-romance with him, dancing the dance and leading him along as much as he led her. She was no virginal ingenue out to sea with a predator, she was a willing participant in their relationship, and she is as much responsible for its dissolution as he is. Her inconsistent communication with him in Season 3--her vague outlining of what was appropriate, her pulling back suddenly without any real clear sit-down conversation--is largely what led Roman to send her the photos. He even says to her, “I’m not so sure, I feel like you do want them, but you’re being kind of typically minxy.” Of course, she did seriously tell him to stop, but us fans remained confused through the run of the season like Roman did, and so I can’t help but sympathize with him now. He knew better than to send the photos and sent them anyway, and Gerri knew better than to enter into a relationship with her boss’s son and then turn around and throw the responsibility for it’s destruction in his face as though he was the only villain in the story. I am prepared to get a heap of criticism for this opinion, but I still stand by it. There’s something about the endless backing of Gerri and lack of actual critique of her actions that rubs me wrong. I do, however, still hope for some sort of turn in their relationship, naïve as that may seem, because, truly, they were much better together than apart. They were a more powerful team when they worked alongside each other, and to see the show just throw it all away feels cheap. I am interested to hear what others think about this scene, and, of course, discussion is always welcome, whether you agree or disagree with me. 

AN: I just wanted to add a quick thank you to all who have read and commented on my writings so far. As always I like hearing everyone’s thoughts, and I like how honest people are in the replies. Makes life more fun. 

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Iceland cancels commercial whaling this season on animal welfare grounds, hailed as ‘a major milestone in compassionate whale conservation’ by HSI / Europe

Minister Svavarsdóttir ends decades of senseless whale killing and begins a new chapter in Iceland’s relationship with whales

Humane Society International / Europe

20 June 2023

BRUSSELS ― As news breaks that Iceland has cancelled this season’s commercial whaling on animal welfare grounds, global animal protection charity Humane Society International says it is thrilled and relieved at the announcement that will spare hundreds of whales from agonising deaths.

It urges the Icelandic government to make it a permanent ban.

Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Svandís Svavarsdóttir announced that Iceland’s whaling vessels will not kill any whales this season due to the conclusion that “the fishing method used when hunting large whales does not comply with the law on animal welfare.”

The suspension lasts until August 31st, which effectively cancels this season’s whale killing.

The minister’s statement continues:

“It is necessary to postpone the start of the whaling season so that there is room to investigate whether it is possible to ensure that the hunting is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act.”

Ruud Tombrock, HSI / Europe’s executive director, said:

“This is a major milestone in compassionate whale conservation.

Humane Society International is thrilled at this news and praises Minister Svavarsdóttir for ending the senseless whale killing, which will spare hundreds of minke and imperilled fin whales from agonising and protracted deaths.

There is no humane way to kill a whale at sea and so we urge the minister to make this a permanent ban.

Whales already face so many serious threats in the oceans from pollution, climate change, entanglement in fish nets and ship strikes, that ending cruel commercial whaling is the only ethical conclusion.”

The announcement follows the Minister’s op-ed last year in which she said she saw little reason to permit whaling after 2023.

Publication last month of an independent report by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority ― commissioned by the Minister ― revealed some whales killed in Icelandic hunts had taken up to two hours to die, with 41% of whales suffering immensely before dying for an average of 11.5 minutes.

Kitty Block, CEO of Humane Society International, said:

“For those of us who have been campaigning for many years to end commercial whaling, to see the day that Iceland decides to stop killing whales and retire its harpoons for good, is truly historic.

Economic factors have certainly played a significant role in the demise of this cruel industry - with little demand for whale meat at home and exports to the Japanese market dwindling - but it is the overriding moral argument against whaling that has sealed its fate.

Harpooning these magnificent giants not only causes unjustifiable suffering to those whales who are killed but also unimaginable distress to the rest of their pod who witness their family members being chased and slaughtered.

Iceland is already one of the best places in the world to go whale watching, and the country stands to attract even more ecotourists now that it has abandoned whaling forever.

The world now looks at Japan and Norway as the only two countries in the world to still mercilessly kill whales for profit.”

FAST FACTS:

The International Whaling Commission agreed to enact a global moratorium on all commercial whaling in 1986.

Iceland left the IWC in 1992 but returned in 2002 with an exception to the moratorium, despite objections from multiple nations. 

Since re-joining the IWC, Iceland had killed more than 1,500 whales, including fin whales.

Iceland suspended hunting fin whales in 2016 due to a declining market for whale meat in Japan.

Hunting resumed for the 2018 season when 146 fin whales were killed, including a pregnant female and a rare fin-blue hybrid whale, plus six minke whales.

A single minke whale was killed from 2019-2021, and 148 fin whales in 2022.

Fin whales are classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as globally vulnerable to extinction despite decades of recovery since the commercial whaling moratorium.

🤍🐳🤍

[bongaboi]

Call it a dynasty: In Eras Tour of own, Chiefs rally to win 3rd Super Bowl in 5 years

In a small side room at the Chiefs’ team hotel on Tuesday, Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt considered the question of how this period in the team’s history might be perceived a generation or two from now. 

Even with the franchise about to play in its fourth Super Bowl in five years while seeking to become the first team to repeat in nearly two decades, Hunt prefaced his response by saying “I certainly hope it doesn’t end any time soon.” 

“I think how you end up labeling this era of Chiefs football is really for an outside observer,” he continued, smiling and adding, “It’s not for me to say what it was, to label it with the ‘D’ word.” 

While how long it goes remains to be seen, any lingering debate or quibbling about whether this remarkable time constitutes the “D” word — dynasty — were quelled on Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium when the Chiefs outlasted the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in just the second Super Bowl to go to overtime. 

The Chiefs prevailed on Patrick Mahomes’ 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman, establishing another landmark in the Chiefs’ very own Eras Tour. 

Emblematic of a regular season that often was a grind and at times made the Chiefs appear vulnerable and splintering, they fell into a 10-0 first-half deficit that featured more airing of grievances in Travis Kelce’s appalling and berserk dash into Chiefs coach Andy Reid. 

Also mirroring the season, though, they reset and rallied courtesy of the defense that never rested and four field goals by Harrison Butker — including a Super Bowl record 57-yarder and a 29-yarder with 3 seconds left to send the game into overtime. 

And with the considerable help of a stupefying special teams blunder by the 49ers that set up the Chiefs’ vital first touchdown on a pass from Mahomes to Marquez Valdes-Scantling — the picture of redemption this postseason after a dud regular season. 

While perhaps none of this recent run could eclipse the sheer thrill of winning Super Bowl LIV after a 50-year drought, the real triumph has been all they’ve achieved since … and it would be hard to top how it went Sunday. 

As the air has gotten thinner and thinner on the way to the top in a league predicated on creating parity, the Chiefs fended off so many factors — including their own issues — to achieve something seldom seen in the annals of pro football history. 

Whatever else is to come, the victory cemented an enduring legacy for the Chiefs and particularly Reid and Mahomes — the man who altered the very meaning of what it is to be a Chiefs fan and even the self-image of Kansas Citians. 

With a third Super Bowl victory to his name, Reid now trails only Bill Belichick (six) and Chuck Noll (four) and is on trajectory toward becoming the winningest overall coach in league history should he continue to coach for another five or six seasons. 

With Mahomes’ third Super Bowl title, he now is 15-3 in postseason play and in Super Bowl wins trails only Tom Brady (seven) and Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw with four apiece. 

At age 28. 

If that speaks to the abundant future possibilities with Mahomes, the victory also embodied the rich intersection of the Chiefs’ past and present. Because it reiterated the momentous place in the pro football world of the Hunt family, starting with Chiefs and AFL founder Lamar Hunt, who died in 2006, and Norma Hunt, who died last summer. 

In the first Super Bowl ever played without the regal “First Lady of Football,” the Chiefs punctuated a season of wearing a patch honoring her with an exclamation point paying further tribute. 

The game and season also will be remembered for the glitz and glamor of the Taylor Swift Effect: The worldwide pop icon’s rabidly followed relationship with Kelce has had a multiplier effect on the popularity of the NFL itself but also on the Chiefs’ ambitions to become “the world’s team.”

 (As if the Swift-Kelce dynamic hadn’t been phenomenon enough, having one of the most popular performers on Earth fly here between concert dates in Japan and Australia to attend one of the most-watched events in the history of the planet makes for a mind-blowing impact that could take years to fully comprehend.) 

And that world’s team campaign surely was enhanced by winning their third Super Bowl in five years to give them four overall — two fewer than New England and Pittsburgh’s record six and one behind Dallas and San Francisco’s five. 

But something else distinguished the meaning of this win. 

Not just the result but the journey. 

Not the glitz but the grit, perhaps captured in a snapshot of a chunk of Mahomes’ helmet being knocked off in the 30-below windchill of the playoff opener against Miami. T

his has been not so much about the spectacular scenes that have so defined the Mahomes Era but the resolute and methodical moments from a simplified offense and the anchoring of a stellar defense that paved the way and enabled all this. In this four-year cycle, as general manager Brett Veach put it last week, “everything has just kind of flipped itself.” 

With a laugh, he thought of the contrast between previously just hoping the defense could get the opponent “to punt once” to give the Chiefs a chance to feeling that if the offense can just score once “we’re good.” 

While the offense reset from an epidemic of dropped passes and pivotal offensive penalties and other issues, that came only after it pushed off bottom after the Christmas Day debacle against the Raiders. 

The hideous 20-14 loss was marked by disorganization and sideline dissension, including the bizarre spectacle of Reid turning his back to the start of an offensive drive to block the return of Kelce’s helmet to him after Kelce had spiked it. To that point the Chiefs were an aimless 9-6, and nothing was assured — even a playoff berth. 

“It’s almost like because of the (past) success, there’s that mindset (that) this team might be just fast-forwarding to the playoffs,” Veach said. “But it’s so hard to do, you can’t do that. And (if) you do that, you might not end up making the playoffs.” 

So that Raiders game, Veach said, made for a “come-to-truth moment” that may not have been as effective if the Chiefs had snuck in a win and been lulled into thinking everything was fine.

 The Star’s Sam McDowell diagnosed the turning point last week: 

The coaches met alone first, without any players, and decided to “make things easier for the players schematically,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. So coaches shortened play calls to reduce the lengthy and complicated verbiage, reduced substitution patterns and made a concerted effort to get plays into Mahomes’ headset more promptly.

 The decluttering helped diminish crucial pre-snap mistakes and clarify assignments, making for far crisper offense. 

But the Chiefs have continued to play a more complementary style to take advantage of the breakthrough defense — traits that proved essential on the way to the monumental win on Sunday that stands for something more. 

“Each one is more satisfying than the last,” Veach said the other day. 

He was speaking of just getting to the Super Bowl, but the same doubtless applies to winning it. 

So the Chiefs will revel in this for days, including at the parade on Wednesday. But soon they will be looking toward the future and another tier of possibility. No team ever has won three straight Super Bowls. 

That in itself will be a fresh challenge, and the Chiefs will have to contend with some offseason question marks before they embark: 

Will they be able to sign Chris Jones to a long-term deal after being unable to last offseason? 

What if Travis Kelce were to retire — a prospect he has hinted at considering only to later walk back? 

And might Reid, now 65, be pondering that despite the Chiefs’ brain trust saying they expect him to stay for years longer? 

But that’s all for another day while we try to process and appreciate this momentous feat — all the more incredible considering the half-century of futility before. 

Asked the other day if he ever steps back and thinks to himself how this all happened, Hunt immediately pointed to the hiring of Reid after the 2012 season as the day it all started to change. 

Optimistic as he was then, he smiled and added, “I would be lying if I told you that (I thought) we would have this level of sustained success with him.” 

Sustained enough already to call it the “D word” — a term that may need amplifying in the years to come.

[f1]

McLaren unveil special Indy 500 Triple Crown liveries | IndyCar

McLaren have unveiled a special set of liveries its three full time cars will run in next month’s Indianapolis 500, commemorating its victories in each of the three ‘Triple Crown’ races. McLaren will run four entries in this year’s Indy 500. Full-season drivers Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist and Alexander Rossi will be joined by Tony Kanaan in a fourth car entered for his final attempt to repeat his 2013 victory in the race. McLaren will run O’Ward, Rosenqvist and Rossi’s cars in special liveries across the month-long event, each commemorating a different win McLaren achieved in each of the three races of the Triple Crown – the Indy 500, the Monaco Grand Prix and the Le Mans 24 Hours. Rosenqvist will race a tribute to McLaren’s MP4/2 livery that Alain Prost raced in the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix – the team’s first Monte Carlo win in a race that was infamously cut short by a red flag due to rain as Ayrton Senna hunted down Prost for the lead in his Toleman. O’Ward’s number five McLaren will ruin in a black livery reminiscent of the McLaren F1 GTR BMW that won the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya and JJ Lehto. Rossi’s car will reflect the McLaren papaya orange livery that 1974 Indy 500 winner Johnny Rutherford raced to victory in the McLaren M16C/D that year. McLaren CEO Zak Brown said the special livery series was intended to celebrate the team’s historic achievements in its 60th year of competition since the team was founded by Bruce McLaren. “We are proud to have achieved motorsport’s prestigious Triple Crown as a constructor,” Brown said. “In our 60th year, we are shining a light on the legacy of the team that Bruce McLaren built and role this plays in fuelling our ambitions for the future of the team. “As a lifelong McLaren fan, I fondly remember watching Alain Prost’s dramatic 1984 Monaco victory and the incredible moment when the team conquered Le Mans on its debut entry. Meanwhile Johnny Rutherford’s first Indy 500 win in papaya is one of the most important moments in McLaren Racing history. I can’t wait to see our four-car star-studded line-up flying the colours of our Triple Crown victories at this year’s Indy 500.” Alexander Rossi’s 1976 McLaren Indy 500 livery Alexander Rossi 2023 Indy 500 livery Johnny Rutherford, McLaren, Indianapolis 500, 1976 Felix Rosenqvist’s 1984 McLaren F1 livery Felix Rosenqvist 2023 Indy 500 livery Alain Prost, McLaren, 1984 Pato O’Ward’s 1995 McLaren Le Mans livery Pato O’Ward 2023 Indy 500 livery Yannick Dalmas/Masanori Sekiya/JJ Lehto, McLaren F1, Le Mans, 1995 IndyCar Browse all IndyCar articles via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net/

[calacuspr]

Calacus Monthly Hit & Miss – KTM

Every month we look at the best or worst communicators in the sports world from the last few weeks.

KTM

It’s been a turbulent time for Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM.

It was revealed late last year that they were struggling as a business, with debts estimated to be as high as €3 billion.

The company has entered self-administration after cutting its board of directors from six to two members and has so far made 1800 employees redundant amid a 29% decrease in revenue from 2023, as well as cutting production by 26%.

One of the best-known names in the paddocks, Jeremy McWilliams, also had his contract terminated after 15 years of collaboration as a test driver and technical developer at the Austrian manufacturer.

Creditors had been putting pressure on the company to quit the championship to save costs, with a document previously released by a court in Austria stating that an exit was planned, without specifying a particular date.

KTM have implemented a 100-point restructuring plan to solve its financial problems, maintaining its commitment to MotoGP, while other manufacturers were reported to fear a potential departure from the championship could affect the prestige of the competition.

The manufacturer has stated that it “strives to maintain a policy of transparent, timely and comprehensive information and communication with the capital market participants and the general public.”

That’s a good position to take when the crisis is in the public domain. Too often, organisations want their owned channels to avoid mention of difficulties rather than give them the prevalence that they require.

A recent hearing in Austria revealed that 23 potential investors had expressed interest in KTM, with the company looking at a possible €900 million injection from various parties.

With an intention to compete in Moto GP in 2025, KTM have a responsibility to their fans, partners and the sport as a whole to continue business as usual, despite the financial storm clouds.

KTM has four bikes entered in MotoGP, having signed two high-profile riders in Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini alongside Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder, 

That’s why KTM deserve so much credit for running a comprehensive launch ahead of this year’s Moto GP campaign, including all four of its riders across its two teams, alongside senior staff and KTM motorsport CEO Pit Beirer for media interviews.

It’s perfectly reasonable that the media were made aware that the speakers would not be discussing KTM’s finances, with the focus primarily on the Moto GP launch.

Only Beirer spoke about the financial challenges, but his answers were full and thorough, not evasive and clipped. He said: “It has been a rough winter. Only on December 20 last year was it confirmed that racing would remain part of the company as we move forward.

“There have been many questions but we have been clear since the last day of the 2024 season: we are here to race and we are very serious about success in this fantastic championship that spreads motorcycling and motorcycle racing to many corners of the world. 2025 has started strongly for us with the important Dakar victory and also winning in AMA Supercross, now it is a real pleasure to present our MotoGP teams and see our bike ready to race for the ninth year in a row.”

There were reports that KTM plan to exit Moto GP in 2026, which Beirer was quick to deny.

He added: “I strongly believe there will be a positive outcome. I can guarantee you we have a super strong plan for the future of this company. And it’s not just about one or two years of racing. We want KTM here forever. That includes our race department. That is for sure.

“In MotoGP, you cannot participate just to be there. You need to give everything to stay in the hunt with these great manufacturers. If you stand still for a year, you miss the train by, let’s say, one second, and then you drop from fighting for a podium to last place.”

“We’ve done our homework, we have a plan, we spoke with our sponsors, partners, and the board. We saved money where we could, but we never stopped developing our motorcycle. And as a bike manufacturer, that is our life insurance—to develop and provide the best motorcycles in the world.

“We want to come out strong in MotoGP. And not just start strong—we want to finish strong as well.”

In 2024, KTM finished second in the manufacturers’ standings, a long way off the dominant Ducati but comfortably clear of third-placed Aprilia.

Rider Pedro Acosta batted away attempts to address the finances and commented: “It’s not something I have to think about. That’s for the guys at the factory, for Pit, for management. Our job is to be fast on track. That’s the biggest help we can give—winning races.

"For me it's super clear that by no means...there was no pause at all in our steps to try and get closer to the front and fight for a championship."

Ducati won 19 out of 20 Grand Prix last year, and while KTM had a chance to secure sprints, the challenge to beat the dominant team remains.

Acosta added: "At the end we are improving a lot...let's see what's going with less Ducatis on track, with the stronger line-up of KTM of all times, let's see what's going on.

"At the end it's maybe [not a question for now], even before the winter test; let's see what's going on in Malaysia and then we can talk about it."

The future of the Austrian manufacturer will be decided on 25 February, when creditors will put a final vote on its insolvency plan, but if they communicate with investors as well as they have with fans and media, they’ll no doubt attract the backing they require. 

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] In the heart of India's vibrant music scene, a stage is set, and the spotlight is ready to shine on the next wave of singing sensations. Radio City, the nation's leading radio network, proudly announces the launch of Season 16 of its legendary talent hunt, 'Radio City Super Singer' (RCSS). Over the years, RCSS has become more than just a competition; it’s a journey that transforms dreams into reality, uncovering voices that resonate with the soul of a nation.   RCSS National Creative   For 15 years, RCSS has been a beacon for aspiring singers, offering not just a platform but a lifeline to the music world and aspiring artists. It’s where stories begin, and dreams take their first steps toward fame. With Season 16’s theme, “Aapki Success ki shuruat humse hai”, a new chapter of discovery unfolds. From pre-hype activities generating nationwide buzz to auditions as gateways to dreams, the journey culminates in a grand finale, crowning new stars from across the country.   This season’s allure is further magnified by the return of the legendary Padma Shri Kailash Kher as the esteemed mentor. Having guided contestants for the last three seasons, his return is like the homecoming of a master storyteller, whose spiritual and film singing, composing, and lyrical expertise have inspired millions. Alongside him, the show’s legacy is built on the shoulders of musical giants—Daler Mehendi, Shahid Mallya, Jasmeet Jassi, Salim-Sulaiman, Aman Trikha, and Sajid-Wajid—who have all graced the stage as judges, turning RCSS into a cultural phenomenon.   Ashit Kukian, CEO of Radio City, remarked, "At Radio City, we are always focused and passionate about supporting novel ideas. Radio City Super Singer is not merely a competition but a platform that identifies and cherishes extraordinary talents from all corners of our diverse nation. As we move further towards the 16th edition, we invite all upcoming singers, regardless of their background or location, to step onto the stage and showcase their unique musical expressions. Together, let’s craft a melody that echoes with millions and inspires the NextGen musical rockstars.”   Radio City is expanding its singing talent hunt across 39 cities, blending on-air, digital, and on-ground activations. The campaign will feature dynamic Innova activations, canter activities, roadshows, auditions, and on-ground activities at R City mall, to maximize reach and engagement. Digital promotions will leverage Radio City's strong online presence with a dedicated microsite, web banners, and active participation on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Additionally, RCSS will be spotlighted on Jio TV's 24x7 TV RC Studio, featuring short videos and ads to captivate audiences nationwide.   Kailash Kher, reflecting on his ongoing role with Radio City Super Singer, expressed, “Being part of Radio City Super Singer over the past few seasons has been immensely gratifying. Watching budding talents grow into confident performers is truly rewarding. I am grateful for the opportunity to mentor these talented individuals once again. Guiding them on their journey to discover and showcase their musical abilities fills me with joy. Each season brings fresh energy and passion, and I’m excited to continue supporting and nurturing the next generation of stars on their musical voyage.”   Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director of Sales and Marketing, added, “Radio City has always been passionate about nurturing creativity and supporting fresh ideas. Radio City Super Singer isn’t just a contest—it’s a platform that discovers, uplifts, and celebrates outstanding talent from across our diverse nation. As we approach the 16th edition, we extend an invitation to budding singers everywhere to showcase their unique musical artistry. Let’s unite to craft unforgettable tunes that inspire the next generation of music legends.”   Building on the tremendous success of Season 15, which attracted 4.

64 lakh participants, engaged over 800 on-ground touchpoints, and garnered a staggering 8.77 crore in total exposure, Radio City Super Singer (RCSS) is poised for an even greater impact in Season 16. This year, RCSS continues to elevate its legacy with a powerful blend of on-air, digital, and on-ground activations, offering a dynamic platform for aspiring singers to chase their dreams. As RCSS inspires the stars of tomorrow, participants can take their first step by registering at www.radiocity.in/rcss   About Radio City Radio City, a subsidiary of Jagran Prakashan Ltd. under Music Broadcast Limited (MBL), is India’s first private FM radio broadcaster with over two decades of experience. With 39 stations across 12 states and 1 Union Territory, Radio City reaches 62% of India's FM population, engaging 69 million weekly listeners (Source: AZ Research 2019). Its digital presence extends through www.radiocity.in.   Driven by its brand philosophy “Rag Rag Mein Daude City”, Radio City has pioneered unique and impactful content that resonates with city pride. The launch of #CityKiNayiVibe aims to connect with Gen Z through a fresh, modern sound. Popular IPs like 'Babber Sher', 'Joke Studio', and 'Love Guru' have become listener favorites. The station also champions independent music with the ‘Radio City Freedom Awards’ and provides a platform for emerging talent through ‘Radio City Super Singer’, the first radio singing talent hunt, ongoing for 15 years. Additionally, 'Radio City Business Titans' was introduced in 2022 to honor excellence in Indian businesses.   Radio City has embraced ‘Radigitalization,’ integrating radio with digital technology for a seamless experience. This includes AI-driven RJ Sia, who offers personalized, dynamic content, and RC Studio, a 24/7 video channel that blends video and audio, expanding Radio City’s reach and engagement.   Radio City has earned over 217 awards from prestigious platforms such as New York Festivals, ACEF Global, and India Radio Forum. In 2022, Music Broadcast Limited received ‘India's Best Company of the Year 2022’ from Berkshire Media. The company has consistently ranked in ‘India’s Best Companies to Work For’ by Great Place to Work Institute, earning recognition for its workplace excellence, particularly for women. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] In the heart of India's vibrant music scene, a stage is set, and the spotlight is ready to shine on the next wave of singing sensations. Radio City, the nation's leading radio network, proudly announces the launch of Season 16 of its legendary talent hunt, 'Radio City Super Singer' (RCSS). Over the years, RCSS has become more than just a competition; it’s a journey that transforms dreams into reality, uncovering voices that resonate with the soul of a nation.   RCSS National Creative   For 15 years, RCSS has been a beacon for aspiring singers, offering not just a platform but a lifeline to the music world and aspiring artists. It’s where stories begin, and dreams take their first steps toward fame. With Season 16’s theme, “Aapki Success ki shuruat humse hai”, a new chapter of discovery unfolds. From pre-hype activities generating nationwide buzz to auditions as gateways to dreams, the journey culminates in a grand finale, crowning new stars from across the country.   This season’s allure is further magnified by the return of the legendary Padma Shri Kailash Kher as the esteemed mentor. Having guided contestants for the last three seasons, his return is like the homecoming of a master storyteller, whose spiritual and film singing, composing, and lyrical expertise have inspired millions. Alongside him, the show’s legacy is built on the shoulders of musical giants—Daler Mehendi, Shahid Mallya, Jasmeet Jassi, Salim-Sulaiman, Aman Trikha, and Sajid-Wajid—who have all graced the stage as judges, turning RCSS into a cultural phenomenon.   Ashit Kukian, CEO of Radio City, remarked, "At Radio City, we are always focused and passionate about supporting novel ideas. Radio City Super Singer is not merely a competition but a platform that identifies and cherishes extraordinary talents from all corners of our diverse nation. As we move further towards the 16th edition, we invite all upcoming singers, regardless of their background or location, to step onto the stage and showcase their unique musical expressions. Together, let’s craft a melody that echoes with millions and inspires the NextGen musical rockstars.”   Radio City is expanding its singing talent hunt across 39 cities, blending on-air, digital, and on-ground activations. The campaign will feature dynamic Innova activations, canter activities, roadshows, auditions, and on-ground activities at R City mall, to maximize reach and engagement. Digital promotions will leverage Radio City's strong online presence with a dedicated microsite, web banners, and active participation on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Additionally, RCSS will be spotlighted on Jio TV's 24x7 TV RC Studio, featuring short videos and ads to captivate audiences nationwide.   Kailash Kher, reflecting on his ongoing role with Radio City Super Singer, expressed, “Being part of Radio City Super Singer over the past few seasons has been immensely gratifying. Watching budding talents grow into confident performers is truly rewarding. I am grateful for the opportunity to mentor these talented individuals once again. Guiding them on their journey to discover and showcase their musical abilities fills me with joy. Each season brings fresh energy and passion, and I’m excited to continue supporting and nurturing the next generation of stars on their musical voyage.”   Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director of Sales and Marketing, added, “Radio City has always been passionate about nurturing creativity and supporting fresh ideas. Radio City Super Singer isn’t just a contest—it’s a platform that discovers, uplifts, and celebrates outstanding talent from across our diverse nation. As we approach the 16th edition, we extend an invitation to budding singers everywhere to showcase their unique musical artistry. Let’s unite to craft unforgettable tunes that inspire the next generation of music legends.”   Building on the tremendous success of Season 15, which attracted 4.

64 lakh participants, engaged over 800 on-ground touchpoints, and garnered a staggering 8.77 crore in total exposure, Radio City Super Singer (RCSS) is poised for an even greater impact in Season 16. This year, RCSS continues to elevate its legacy with a powerful blend of on-air, digital, and on-ground activations, offering a dynamic platform for aspiring singers to chase their dreams. As RCSS inspires the stars of tomorrow, participants can take their first step by registering at www.radiocity.in/rcss   About Radio City Radio City, a subsidiary of Jagran Prakashan Ltd. under Music Broadcast Limited (MBL), is India’s first private FM radio broadcaster with over two decades of experience. With 39 stations across 12 states and 1 Union Territory, Radio City reaches 62% of India's FM population, engaging 69 million weekly listeners (Source: AZ Research 2019). Its digital presence extends through www.radiocity.in.   Driven by its brand philosophy “Rag Rag Mein Daude City”, Radio City has pioneered unique and impactful content that resonates with city pride. The launch of #CityKiNayiVibe aims to connect with Gen Z through a fresh, modern sound. Popular IPs like 'Babber Sher', 'Joke Studio', and 'Love Guru' have become listener favorites. The station also champions independent music with the ‘Radio City Freedom Awards’ and provides a platform for emerging talent through ‘Radio City Super Singer’, the first radio singing talent hunt, ongoing for 15 years. Additionally, 'Radio City Business Titans' was introduced in 2022 to honor excellence in Indian businesses.   Radio City has embraced ‘Radigitalization,’ integrating radio with digital technology for a seamless experience. This includes AI-driven RJ Sia, who offers personalized, dynamic content, and RC Studio, a 24/7 video channel that blends video and audio, expanding Radio City’s reach and engagement.   Radio City has earned over 217 awards from prestigious platforms such as New York Festivals, ACEF Global, and India Radio Forum. In 2022, Music Broadcast Limited received ‘India's Best Company of the Year 2022’ from Berkshire Media. The company has consistently ranked in ‘India’s Best Companies to Work For’ by Great Place to Work Institute, earning recognition for its workplace excellence, particularly for women. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window,document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '311356416665414'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); [ad_2] Source link

[storiesblogcoop]

The Cybersecurity Surgeon

Dr. Elara Voss was a renowned cybersecurity surgeon, a title she wore with equal parts pride and trepidation. In her sleek, glass-walled clinic, she performed intricate operations on the digital bodies of clients, patching up security vulnerabilities, erasing malware, and fortifying firewalls. To Elara, a computer was not just a machine; it was a living entity, constantly evolving, prone to diseases that could threaten its very existence.

One rainy afternoon, a frantic CEO rushed into her office, his laptop cradled in his arms. “It’s infected!” he exclaimed, panic etched across his face. “My company’s data is at risk!”

Elara took the laptop, her fingers dancing over the keyboard as she assessed the damage. “Don’t worry,” she reassured him. “Just like a surgeon must first understand the anatomy of a patient, I need to dissect the code and find the infection.”

As she navigated the digital networks, Elara likened her work to that of a traditional surgeon. “Just as a scalpel removes tumors, I’ll remove this malware,” she thought, isolating the threat and carefully excising it. “And like a transplant, I’ll install a new security protocol to enhance your system’s immunity.”

When the operation was complete, she leaned back, satisfied. The laptop buzzed to life, restored and fortified. “You’re good as new,” she said, a smile breaking across her face.

The Plumber

Meanwhile, down in the underbelly of Techhaven, Max “The Pipe” Ramirez operated his plumbing business with the same fervor as a seasoned medic. Max believed that plumbing was an art form—a way of understanding the flow of life through systems, both organic and mechanical. His days were spent fixing leaks, unclogging pipes, and ensuring that the city’s infrastructure ran smoothly.

One day, while working on a particularly stubborn drain, Max encountered a tangled mess of roots and old pipes. It reminded him of a computer’s tangled wiring: a chaotic network that, if not addressed, could lead to catastrophic failures. “This is just like debugging a software program,” he muttered to himself. “I need to trace the source of the blockage and clear it before it causes a flood.”

With meticulous care, he began to clear the debris, using tools that resembled surgical instruments more than plumbing gear. “Just like a surgeon must be gentle with tissues, I must avoid damaging the pipes,” he thought as he worked. After hours of struggle, the flow returned, and Max wiped the sweat from his brow. “Another crisis averted,” he said, satisfied with his handiwork.

The Cannibal

But lurking in the shadows of the city was a figure who blended the grotesque with the technological—a cannibal known only as “The Processor.” In a world where data was the new currency, The Processor had developed a twisted philosophy: he believed that consuming the knowledge and skills of others was the ultimate form of evolution.

He prowled the digital dark web, hunting for the weak and the unwary. To him, hacking into a person’s life was akin to performing a surgical operation, but with a far more sinister goal. “Just as a surgeon harvests organs for transplantation, I harvest data for enlightenment,” he would sneer, his fingers gliding over keyboards like a chef preparing a meal.

One fateful night, The Processor set his sights on Elara’s clinic. He believed that stealing her cybersecurity knowledge would grant him unparalleled power. As he infiltrated her systems, he felt a rush of adrenaline. “This is just like dissecting a body,” he thought, eager to unearth her secrets.

But Elara, ever vigilant, had anticipated such an attack. She countered his moves with the precision of a surgeon, deploying firewalls and traps that ensnared him in his own web. “You think you can consume knowledge without consequence?” she challenged him through the screen. “Every operation has its risks, and you are about to learn that the hard way.”

Caught in her digital snare, The Processor realized his plan had backfired. In a final desperate attempt, he tried to escape, but Elara’s defenses were too strong. With a few keystrokes, she sealed his fate, removing him from her systems as one would excise a malignant tumor.

The Resolution

In the days that followed, Elara and Max found themselves collaborating more often, their paths intertwined by the threads of technology and humanity. Together, they spoke openly about the responsibilities of their crafts and the ethical implications of their work.

“We’re both fixing systems,” Max said one evening over coffee, “whether it’s a clogged drain or a compromised

cyber network. The essence of our work is the same—preserving the integrity and functionality of the systems we care for.”

Elara nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. And just like in medicine, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the threats, whether they come in the form of malware or structural decay. Prevention is just as important as intervention.”

Their conversation drifted into the nuances of their respective fields, sharing techniques and stories that highlighted the parallels between their professions. They understood that their work was not just about fixing problems, but about safeguarding the lifelines of society—be it through technology or infrastructure.

As they collaborated on various projects, a mutual respect grew between them. Max's practical, hands-on approach complemented Elara's strategic, digital expertise. Together, they developed innovative solutions that bridged the gap between the physical and virtual realms of Techhaven.

In the end, their partnership underscored a fundamental truth: whether dealing with bytes or pipes, the heart of their work lay in understanding systems, diagnosing problems, and finding solutions that ensured the smooth operation of their beloved city. And in this shared mission, they found not just professional fulfillment, but a deeper connection to the intricate web of life they both sought to protect.