A news story which has not gotten the attention it deserves here in North America this week is the intense heatwave in South and Southeast Asia. While Trump chants "drill drill drill" what's really needed is to get the planet to chill chill chill.
Thailand is reeling under the grip of a severe heatwave with temperatures soaring to record highs in some areas and authorities warned of harsher weather in the coming days.
More than three dozen districts across Thailand’s 77 provinces have seen record temperatures in April, generally the hottest month of the year, with new highs beating records held as far back as 1958, according to data from the Thai Meteorological Department.
Temperatures have topped 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in 26 provinces this month, according to the agency. The northern province of Lampang has seen the highest temperature so far this year at 44.2 degrees, just shy of the highest temperature ever recorded in Thailand – 44.6 degrees – that was last seen in 2016 and 2023.
Thailand is roughly in the center of the affected area.
The Philippines, at the eastern end of the heatwave, is seeing a strain on its power supply.
Meanwhile, parts of the Philippines face potential disruption to electricity supplies as an intense heatwave fuels cooling demand and leaves power systems “overloaded”, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr.
Schools in the Philippines have suspended in person sessions. There is talk of returning to an academic calendar which sees the school year end in March.
Students suffer in wilting heat, thwarting education efforts
In this audio report from ABC Australia, we hear how the current heatwave is closing in on the limit of human survivability in some areas.
Dangerous heatwave sweeps south east Asia
Any politician preaching increased use of fossil fuels is a danger to the planet.
The transition to sustainability may occasionally be bumpy but any other road leads to climate dystopia.
NOTE: For all you Fahrenheit fans, here's a quick way to convert temperatures mentioned in some of the links.
Celsius to Fahrenheit Conversion | (°C to °F)
BTW, Asia won't be the only place hit with adverse climate incidents this year. The 2024 Atlantic Basin hurricane season is predicted to be well above average in number of storms.
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In Ep55 A Place for Everything, when Minkowski thinks Kepler is doubting the likelihood of Eiffel still being alive after he's floated towards the star in his spacesuit, Minkowski says "Eiffel had plenty of air left, and let's not forget he survived for -" It seems pretty likely that she was about to say that Eiffel survived nearly 200 days stranded in deep space on Lovelace's shuttle. It's interesting to me that Minkowski uses that incident as evidence that Eiffel will survive this time too, because that's not really how situations like that work.
We don't know exactly how much Minkowski knows about Eiffel's time on Lovelace's shuttle, but the reality is that he survived for those 193 days due to an extremely specific combination of impressive ingenuity, incredible perseverance, access to the right resources, a fair dose of stupidity, and an extraordinary amount of sheer luck. Without just one of those ingredients, he would never have made back to the Hephaestus alive. The ingenuity and perseverance could serve him well in this situation too, but the other factors don't exactly apply in the same way.
In my view, it isn't really that Eiffel's survival on that shuttle serves as evidence of any specific attributes that will guarantee his survival this time. I think it's more that the events with Lovelace's shuttle - Minkowski thinking Eiffel was gone forever but then being miraculously reunited with him - have given Minkowski a non-specific sense of Eiffel as a person who survives, a person who ends up in nearly inescapable peril and yet somehow always escapes, a person who makes it back alive against all the odds. It's not a piece of logical practical evidence. It's just an emotional instinct that allows her to believe that she's not going to lose him, allowing her to focus on what she can do to try and find him.
Minkowski's 'Goddamn it Eiffel' when he floats towards the star in Ep53 is so much less dramatic than the way she yells his name as the shuttle drifts away in Ep28. And that's partly about what the story calls for in those moments. And it's partly about the specific situations and the agency Eiffel has had in them. But it's also that in Ep53 she already believes that he will be okay, that he'll come back. He's done it before. He'll do it again.
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Navigating Career Chaos: Embrace the Redirection
A break from the workforce paradox to focus on the workers and not capitalistic corp. problems.
You know what? If you're feeling like your job search is stuck in a loop and you're not getting anywhere, it's time for a change. It's like trying to fit into those jeans from high school—it's just not happening. The real issue might be that you're not fully recognizing your labor value, which is causing a disconnect in how you present yourself on your resume and LinkedIn. Let's talk about how you can realign your job search and make the most of your skills without starting from scratch.
Embrace the Redirection
Getting laid off or receiving a rejection letter can feel like a punch to the gut. But let's flip the script—it's not a "no," it's a "not now," or better yet, a redirection. Think of it as the universe's way of saying, "Hold up, I've got something better in store for you." Just like in *Game of Thrones*, when they say, "Winter is coming," it's a reminder that challenges are inevitable, but so is growth and new opportunities.
Riding the Layoff Coaster. (Makes my stomach a bit queasy already)
2024 has been a roller coaster, with layoffs up by 37% compared to the past five years. It feels like the universe decided to shake things up a bit too much. But here's the thing: you're not starting from zero; you're starting from experience. This is your chance to pivot and explore new opportunities. Think of it as a career makeover—time to reinvent yourself!
Kicking Mental Barriers to the Curb
Let’s get real about those mental barriers. You know, the ones that whisper, "You're not good enough" or "You can't do this." It's time to kick them to the curb. You've got a decade of experience under your belt—you're basically a workplace wizard. Set realistic goals, challenge those negative thoughts, and watch your confidence soar.
In 2023, a significant 86% of employees experienced at least one mental health challenge, with anxiety becoming the top issue in the workplace[3][5]. Fast forward to 2024, and mental health remains a critical concern, with 57% of employees experiencing moderate levels of burnout[5]. The good news? The stigma around mental health is decreasing, with 89% of employees reporting that their leaders now openly discuss mental health issues, compared to just 35% in 2020[1]. This shift is crucial as work stress continues to impact personal lives, with 47% of employees saying work is their primary stress source[1].
By addressing these mental barriers and fostering open discussions about mental health, you can create a healthier work environment for yourself and others. Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as any other aspect of your career.
The Power of Transferable Skills: Upskilling and Reskilling for a career boost!
Transferable skills are like the Swiss Army knife of the job world. They're versatile, adaptable, and employers love them. Skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving can take you far, whether you're leading a team or managing a project. Highlight these gems on your resume and in interviews to show employers you’re ready to rock any role.
In today’s ever-changing job market, upskilling and reskilling are your secret weapons. Upskilling is all about leveling up your current skills, while reskilling is learning new ones to transition into different roles. These strategies not only make you more competitive but also keep you from having to start at the bottom again. Also, don’t wait for your employer to mention the idea (they’ll likely say it was their idea) take action to stay ahead of the curve!
Tips for Upskilling and Reskilling:
- Mentoring and Job Shadowing: Think of it as a backstage pass to new roles. You get to learn the ropes and gain new insights.
- Online Learning: There are tons of courses out there, and many companies will even foot the bill. It’s like Netflix binging, but for your career.
- Self-Directed Learning: Grab a book, watch a video, or dive into online resources. It’s like a DIY project for your brain.
Targeting the Right Roles & Career Transition Ideas
With over ten years of experience, you should be aiming for roles that match your expertise. Think of positions like Operations Project Manager, Senior HR Business Partner, or Creative Director. These roles let you flex your skills and show off your experience, positioning you as a valuable candidate for upper-level management or senior executive positions. (I mentioned how they aren't retiring before which makes this difficult, but with the way the world is you never know what can happen so be prepared to strike when the opportunity comes available~)
Thinking about a career change? Consider roles that align with your existing skills. Teachers, for example, might transition to Learning & Development Program Managers, while those with sales experience could move into Relationship Manager roles. It's all about leveraging what you already know while exploring new horizons.
Workforce Trends and Stats
The job market is shifting faster than TikTok trends. A whopping 70% of workers are prepping for potential layoffs, while 75% of HR leaders are focusing on upskilling to bridge skills gaps[1][3]. The adoption of AI is reshaping jobs, with 68% of workers fearing it could increase unemployment. But fear not—this is your chance to upskill and stay ahead of the curve.
Remember, you’re not just another job seeker. You’re a seasoned professional with a lot to offer. By understanding your value, breaking down mental barriers, and strategically targeting roles that fit your experience, you can turn your job search into a success story or an opportunity. Embrace your transferable skills! You’ve got this!
Sincerely,
The slightly unhinged millennial mom friend who believes in you.
Citations:
[1] https://organizations.headspace.com/blog/the-workforce-state-of-mind-in-2024
[2] https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/Behavioral-Health-Workforce-Brief-2023.pdf
[3] https://www.lyrahealth.com/2023-state-of-workforce-mental-health-report/
[4] https://www.epspros.com/news-resources/white-papers/2024/the-increasing-importance-of-mental-health-in-the-workplace.html
[5] https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/benefits-compensation/anxiety-top-mental-health-issue-workplace-compsych
[6] https://www.nami.org/support-education/publications-reports/survey-reports/the-2024-nami-workplace-mental-health-poll/
[7] https://www.spill.chat/mental-health-statistics/workplace-mental-health-statistics
[8] https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/work-in-america/2023-workplace-health-well-being
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idk i think what is interesting about astarion to me is the fact that you have a guy who started out an asshole (normal type) and then spent two hundred years in a very carefully and specifically crafted (by the writers of the game) Become A Terrible Person Or Die nexus. like it wasn’t just a Torment Nexus, he wasn’t just in hell, i feel like this is very important not to forget, he was in hell but it was specifically a hell designed to, over time, kill the empathy of anyone trapped in it, kill their brain’s ability to prioritize other peoples’ survival, to numb one’s conscience.
and then he gets yanked directly out of that nexus and despite that the fact that he spent, again, two hundred years in a situation that was sort of a rock tumbler for the human soul, there’s still a pebble left in there. and it’s a pebble that can be grown if placed in the right environment and provided with a support network.
so i think it becomes interesting because it really does i think force you to start thinking about the limits of free will even on as basic a level as the human personality. i think the fact that he becomes such a different character based on player choice, that his end morality is so hugely dependent on player choice, is uhhh. a big part of what the devs were going for probably.
it makes a lot of people really uncomfortable to acknowledge some bad people would be good people if literally nothing changed except they had a good support network and different circumstances. especially because it means the opposite is also true. which is even more uncomfortable.
you know that part in the beginning of fellowship of the ring where gandalf is talking about how gollum is ultimately only like that because of the ring and gandalf thinks his story is sad? astarion is kinda like if they sexualized gollum.
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