#safety should always always be the highest priority and it's better for a driver to lose a win than someone to lose their life

[keepthedelta]

i feel really deflated after seeing that doriane pin lost her win. i was so excited about women in motorsport and now it just feels like the people in power just want to punish talented women

listen, the fia are absolutely, 100%, no doubt whatsoever, clowns at their jobs.

but in this specific incident, i actually think they were right to penalise pin. i understand the frustration, because her doing an extra lap did not affect the race result, but ultimately, the penalty was for failing to follow basic safety regulations.

not to be morbid, but motorsport is actually a very dangerous sport, both for the drivers and for the officials. people do still die from participating in motorsport, and safety regulations, whilst rarely enjoyable, are very very important.

the stewards weren't penalising doriane for doing an extra lap, they were penalising her for being unaware first of the chequered flag, and then the many red flags that she was failing to slow for. should her team have been on the radio to tell her that it was over and she had won? yes. but should she have been aware of what was going on, seen the flags and responded to them appropriately? also yes.

in this instance it was the end of the race and she was only returning to the grid, but that's where the podium finishers park their cars. if she had still been going at full speed when she approached a grid where officials and other drivers were wandering about, it could have gone very badly. if the red flag had been thrown in the middle of the race and she had continued going at full speed until she arrived at the scene of an accident, potentially even where machinery was on track to move a car, it could have been very bad. and it's worth pointing out that teams don't always see everything from the pit wall, they sometimes have to rely on drivers giving them that information after the driver has seen a flag, so driver awareness is incredibly important.

it's very easy for people to sit and be annoyed by this decision because her actions didn't affect anyone, but safety rules are put in place to anticipate and mitigate the worst possibilities, and the only way they can ever be effective is if they are also applied for the smallest breaches. nothing bad happened this time, but it could have, and even if it didn't, doriane could have ended up disqualifying herself by using more fuel than is permitted. it seems harsh, and there is an argument that she should have been given a grid penalty for the next race rather than a time penalty for this one, but i don't believe that her getting a penalty is unfair.

does it suck that she lost her win? sure. i really like doriane, she's been fantastic in endurance racing and i love the iron dames, so i'm definitely rooting for her to do well in single seaters. but i think safety is more important and i always will. she'll take this hit, learn from it, and come back fighting. please don't let yourself lose any excitement about women in motorsport because of one stewarding decision. i promise you, there is so much talent and potential in the world for female drivers.

if you're interested in the stewarding standards i recommend dropping into @mercedeshaterr's inbox as she has actual experience and can speak about stewarding with far more insight and authority than i can, and is a passionate supporter of women in motorsport

[premier-c]

Exploring Georgetown? Here’s How to Choose the Right Transportation Service

When planning a visit to the vibrant and historic district of Georgetown, one of the most crucial decisions you'll make is how to get around. With a range of transportation options available, it's important to choose the service that best fits your needs, whether you're a local exploring the neighborhood or a visitor looking to make the most of your time in the area.

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[dabangev]

E Rickshaw Manufacturing Company: Dabangev

Electric rickshaws, or e-rickshaws, are transforming the way we commute in cities. They are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and provide a smooth ride. If you are looking for a reliable e rickshaw manufacturing company, then Dabangev is the name to remember. In this blog, we will explore why Dabangev is a leading e rickshaw manufacturing company and what makes their e-rickshaws the best choice for urban transportation.

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Dabang ev is an e rickshaw manufacturing company that prides itself on the quality of its products. They use high-grade materials and advanced technology to produce e-rickshaws that are durable and efficient. Every e-rickshaw from Dabangev undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets the highest standards of safety and performance.

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One of the reasons why Dabangev is a top e rickshaw manufacturing company is their affordable pricing. They believe that eco-friendly transportation should be accessible to everyone. Dabangev offers competitive prices without compromising on quality, making their e-rickshaws an excellent investment for drivers and fleet owners.

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Customer satisfaction is a priority for Dabangev. As a leading e rickshaw manufacturing company, they provide excellent customer service. Their team is always ready to assist you with any queries or concerns. From helping you choose the right model to providing after-sales support, Dabangev ensures a smooth and hassle-free experience.

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Safety is paramount for Dabangev, a renowned e rickshaw manufacturing company. Their e-rickshaws are equipped with essential safety features such as sturdy brakes, seat belts, and durable tires. The strong build of Dabangev’s e-rickshaws ensures stability and safety on the road, giving drivers and passengers peace of mind.

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Understanding that different customers have different needs, Dabangev, the top e rickshaw manufacturing company, offers customizable options. You can choose from various models, colors, and additional features to suit your specific requirements. This flexibility makes Dabangev a preferred choice for many.

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The positive feedback from customers further establishes Dabangev as a leading e rickshaw manufacturing company. Many customers have shared their satisfaction with Dabangev’s products and services, highlighting the quality, performance, and affordability of their e-rickshaws. These testimonials reflect the trust and reliability that customers have in Dabangev.

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[infotechs]

Black Limo Car Service Boston | Chauffu

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[smythevolvocars4]

Smythe Volvo Cars

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Our knowledgeable and helpful sales team at Smythe Volvo Cars can assist you in finding the ideal new Volvo. They offer really good documentation. We have received and are now reviewing your feedback. Fortunately, this is the current situation. nearby Volvo dealership With our company, applying for a car loan is easy and quick. You have several options for financing when you browse for a new or used automobile with us. As a result, we were able to reach our objective. If you or someone you know in Summit, Colorado needs a vehicle loan or lease, get in touch with our team of knowledgeable lending specialists at any time. Our first concern is getting your financial situation solved, therefore we won't stop until we do. We can assist you at any time of day or night. When you apply for a car loan or lease, some information is needed.

One of the many reasons why Volvo owners are happy is that dependable repair and maintenance services are now available.

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Our study indicates that if you are concerned about your car's quality and longevity, you should take it in for repair. We are aware of this reality. We know this to be true right now. Call our company in Summit, NJ right now if you want Volvo repairs. To get a sense of Summit Township's public transportation alternatives, try exploring a few different routes. I sincerely value your consideration. Is there anything more that we haven't yet addressed that requires our attention? That sheds light on the circumstances that occurred. Our knowledgeable technicians use only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and accessories, so they can maintain or repair your car more quickly and inexpensively. You may so be confident that our staff will deliver exceptional service. This is something we need to address right away.

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[flyingaroundinabusinesssuit]

Why Companies Need To Make Health And Safety A Vital Parts Of Corporate Travel

For the transportation and mobility industry, the pandemic brought not only technological innovation but also a reshuffling of priorities to put health and safety front and centre.

According to research, corporate travel gradually returned to pre-pandemic ride levels. As this trend continues, travel programs and corporate travel management consultants need to figure out how they will adapt going forward, especially when it comes to safety protocols, but also to offset the challenges rideshare has faced regarding driver shortages and ride price inflation.

In this way, corporate travel management and solutions complement rather than compete with each other in a way that benefits the passenger, which could enable businesses to consider all mobility services to ensure the highest standard of health and safety for every journey.

Health And Safety

C-19 has been a powerful reminder of the importance of duty of care. For corporate mobility, protecting employees can only be achieved when guaranteed safety measures are in place before, during and after a trip. These range from vehicle cleaning, sanitisation between rides to vaccine mandates and mandatory face coverings for drivers.

As part of the corporate travel program, it's possible to have these measures contractually agreed upon with vetted suppliers. This ensures maximum business travel safety coupled with the autonomy to customize travel policies in today's constantly changing environment. By giving employers and employees full transparency on all the details that affect their trip, they are equipped with the tools and information needed to stay safe.

Business Travel And Technology

Business travel, at its core, is about human interaction as travellers ride, fly, stay and engage with others. It's an in-person experience that's almost always organized online, from flight tickets, airport shuttles to taxi rides and hotel bookings. That's why technology is at the forefront of trends and solutions that integrate health and safety protocols with these three trends.

With these trends in mind, businesses should consider all possible avenues to keep their employees safe. Here are a few ways that technology is aiding in this mission.

1. Contactless payments and self-service airport and hotel check-ins. These solutions offer travellers greater convenience and flexibility throughout the business journey while reducing touchpoints and potential health risks.

2. Automation throughout the travel booking process. Real-time data can provide unparalleled insight for businesses to make better decisions based on demand, price and activity. Along with new automation technology, travel services and solutions will be increasingly tailored to business travellers' personal needs based on previous travel behaviour and preferences.

3. Corporate mobility solutions.

These can include platforms to allocate corporate travel budgets, set the price range and choose mobility services. When selecting corporate mobility solutions, consider how the solution would interact with the goal of protecting the health and safety of employees and guests.

It's clear that recovery and resilience are about adapting and adjusting even during periods of uncertainty. At this pivotal moment for corporate travel, it's time to make our reshuffled priorities more permanent, so we continually focus on the health and safety of our workforce.

To reimagine the future of business travel, we must embrace the lessons learned, insights gained and technological advancements achieved. This can be realized by working together, leaning into the strengths of traditional car providers and ridesharing and making decisions that focus on employee well-being and convenience.

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Source: https://corporatetraveltalk.wordpress.com/2023/06/25/why-companies-need-to-make-health-and-safety-a-vital-parts-of-corporate-travel/

[adeleymccormick1990-blog]

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A Modest Proposal for the Modern World

   It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great nation, or travel to others, when they see the streets, the roads, and tenement-doors crowded with gig-workers of all kinds, found in three’s, four’s, or six’s, all in thrift-store-bought clothes, and refreshing LinkedIn every five minutes.  These ... adults, instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood and advance their careers, are forced to employ all their time searching for four hours labor to pay interest on student loans and rent on run down boarding houses, instead of being accountants, designers, speech-writers, historians, and musicians.

   I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of underemployed adults is due in no small part to the prodigious number of unintentially old adults, who, through no fault of their own, have lived far beyond what was once believed to be the natural life span of a man, and who, through their own mismanagement, have not the savings or security to retire the field and spectate on the great game that is our magnificent capitalist economy; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap, and easy method of making these old adults give up their postings and leave for the young and hungry the incomes of their posts would deserve to have his statue made of finest stone and his placard inscribed in gold.

   But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the old adults still reaping the benefits of their postings for the fifth decade: it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of adults past their seventy-third birthday, who now take safety and surety from the young either by holding on to positions of monetary reward or by claiming public benefits for more than one decade.

   As to my own part, having turn my thoughts for many years, in between looking for gigs of my own, upon this important subject, and maturely weighted the several schemes of our projectors, both government and private, both liberal and conservative, I have always found those projections to be grossly mistaken in their conclusions.  It is true, an aged man requires less food, space, and amenities than a young one, but the aged men I see do in fact elect to use more than even three young men!  And I see no harm in allowing a period of years, certainly no more than ten, for a man to relax and enjoy the fruit of his labors while he still has strength of limb to do so.  But it is precisely when this strength fails him, when all his prodigious wealth is turned to pills and potions and prolongings, that I propose he should instead think of how he might contribute to the betterment of society.

   There is likewise another advantage to my scheme, that it will prevent that slow spiral and decay that all fear and which many know as The Long Goodbye: the loss of memory, of fellowship, of freedom that makes of a man a shell of who he once was.

   The sheer number of souls in this land being usually reckoned upwards of 100 million, of these I calculate there may be 15 million so-known aged adults, from whom I would subtract two million as those who live with family and instead of being burdensome instead provide support in the form of cooking, child-care, cleaning, and other non-economic benefits, but this being granted, there will remain 13 million aged adults.  The question therefore is, how this number shall be brought to see the common sense of their retirement, which, as I have already said, under the present situation of affairs, is utterly to blame for the stagnation and infantilization of the young adults of the nation.  For the young can neither gain entry to those fields for which they have been trained nor advance if they were lucky enough to receive an entry level position, often requiring a minimum of five years of relevant experience, without the removal of the top of the hierarchy so that those of middling age may advance and free up postings for the young.

   I am assured by our bankers and economists, that a man of years, but no more than 60, is a valuable worker, a sharp mind, and a driver of the great machine of industry, but that a man beyond that is all too often trapped in his way, antiquated in his approach, and full of rust in his gears.  He does not aid his employer or his field by remaining on the pitch and should instead be sent home to enjoy his last few days on this earth out in the fresh, which is just reward for spending so few of his days before then out of sight of his desk, calendar, and fluorescent-lit office. 

   I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection.

   I have been assured by a very knowing Chinese of my acquaintance in Seattle, that an old, decrepit man, is, at 73 years old, past his prime as a man and in his prime as kindling, his muscles having disappeared and his frame instead filled out with fat, for the fires of our power plants, though of course he must first be humanely put down and drained of all congealing fluid.

   I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration, that of the 13 million aged adults, already computed, all may be be disposed of by exsanguination and immolation to decrease our reliance upon foreign energy suppliers and reduce the burden on our governmental support structures while increasing the availability of profitable and desirable postings for the young men and women of our nation.

   I have reckoned that a man in this country will weigh 165 pounds upon retirement, most of that muscle and bone, but, if given ten years of leisure, he will weight 225 pounds and most of it will be burnable fat.

   I grant that these men will be somewhat rare in more healthy climes, but those climes are well suited to supplying energy through solar or wind anyway and do not rely upon fuel-burning plants to create electricity.

   The supply of these gentlemen will be guaranteed, as our country has very fine healthcare and is able to ensure that any man of standing is able to live to see 70 at the least, provided the man himself cooperates with his health and is not subject to fast living.  This measure will also have the benefit of freeing our healthcare industry to more readily focus on those great problems faced predominantly by the young, who have no money with which to fund such research today, as opposed to those minor affections endured by the old, such as erectile dysfunction.

   I have already computed the output of such a man’s frame, and have found it to be about the same as three gallons of foreign-bought oil; and I believe no gentleman would object to his own immolation if he knew it meant we would be free of foreign interest and beholden to none other.  Thus our cities will be alight, our young burning with ambition, and our industry steaming along.

   Those who are more lean, as some men become in their age instead of fat, may still take solace in knowing that in joining with all others, they have not failed their country, but instead carried out the finest duty we could ask of them.

   As to the collection of these men, our hospitals and hospices are already equipped for the administering and transportation of them, and our doctors and nurses well know their needs and complaints.  Have no fear, these men shall receive only the finest of treatment as their wick burns down.

   A very worthy person, a true lover of his country, and whose virtues I highly esteem, was lately pleased in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme, He said, that many wives of this nation, having lately been discouraged from cooking traditional, Julia Child-esque meals, might find new life and vigor in the knowledge that those meals would be most desirable by the government, and that cookbooks, programs, and community classes on preparing hearty and vigorous meals should be a priority of any scheme that seeks to make use of the old.  I heartily agreed and thanked him for such enlightening advice, and assured him that I would roll out such an addendum the moment my scheme was adopted.

   I have perhaps too long expounded on the potential of this scheme, and therefore shall return the the meat of it: I think the advantages my proposal are obvious and many, as well as of the highest importance.

   First, as has already been observed, it will great reduce the number of underemployed gig-workers as the positions at the top will be emptied, soon to be filled by those in the middle, leaving open the middle for the bottom to grab, and opening the bottom postings for the young and hungry.

   Second, the ramshackle neighborhoods and dilapidated boarding houses will be done away with as those newly employed shall find newly vacated housing units in far nicer neighborhoods, leaving the slumlords to refurbish or demolish their slums.

   Third, whereas it is always good to reduce our dependence on others for power, our use of foreign oil will go down and our global power will go up.  For surely no harm ever came of disentangling ourselves from the business interests of other nations.

   Fourth, the children of the aged will be relieved of the overpowering burden and heartbreak of The Long Goodbye and will instead know the day and time to make their farewells.

   Fifth, the taxes exacted by our government shall decrease as there will no longer be a need to maintain a man’s livelihood for three decades after he is no longer working.

   Many other advantages might be enumerated, should the time be taken to fully explore the ramifications of this proposal, but for brevity’s sake I will not do so here.

   I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged, that a number of people will thereby much lessened in the nation.  This I freely own, but as the population will decrease proportionately across all states, no state shall gain advantage and no seats of Congress will be reapportioned, saving perhaps those of Florida.  

   Therefore I ask that none talk to me of whatever faux destractions they may conjure for my plan, lest they have some other scheme that would do so much good for the nation.  

   I profess in the sincerity of my intentions, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavoring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the public good of my country, by advancing trade, providing for the young, reliving our tax burden, and giving some pleasure to those stuck in the middle.  I have no grandparents.  I have no children who would benefit from these measures.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Damn this was fun to write!  I claim no copyright, having lifted several sentences and passages from “A Modest Proposal”, but ask only that the internet not burn me at the stake for my attempt at comedy in these trying times.

@charmedatlaw I hope this made you laugh, or at the least, shake your ruefully.

[zencarrentaldxb]

Why Family Cars are the Ideal Choice to Rent While in Dubai

Are you looking for the best family car to rent and spend a lovely vacation with your family? Are you ready to experience an extraordinary thrill on the roads of Dubai? Here at ZEN Rent a Car, we provide you with the latest luxury family cars that will elevate your Dubai getaway!

What are the Advantages of Renting a Luxury Family Car?

Family cars are safer and more secure than their sedan and hatchback counterparts. You will find that the brake system and the driver’s visibility of the road is better, especially in Dubai. Besides, having smart storage places in the dashboard, doors, and hidden drawers under the seats is the best solution to keep luggage in enough designated spaces without causing clutter inside the car.

Our advice is that you should not hesitate to rent a car that serves your family’s needs. Moreover, protection is so important for us as a car rental company, because the family is our most valuable asset, and keeping its members safe is always our top priority.  It is necessary to choose a car that offers you the highest levels of safety and protection so that everyone stays protected from dangers of the roads.

Another important advantage of renting a family car is the ease of use. What do we mean by that? If you do not want any complications to occur when going out with the family, it is advisable to choose a family car that has smart assistance systems. This will help the drivers to navigate the correct paths and road changes.

What Makes ZEN Rent a Car Stand Out?

We have the best family car models that have made its mark on the Arab market — and Dubai in particular —  such as: the Audi Q7, the Cadillac Escalade, the Ford Explorer, the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Lexus 570. These high-performance cars are available for rent at ZEN Rent a Car. We have a high-experienced team that provides you with the best services and protection for a hassle-free Dubai stay.

Finally, ZEN Rent a Car is the best option to discover Dubai’s beauty. That’s why, we recommend you to always visit our website to benefit from the offers that you should not miss. One more thing, we also have many services such as airport pick-up and drop-off and chauffeured car service.

We are waiting for your call to book the car you dream of!

[gogoprivatetours]

Honolulu Airport Shuttle Service Will Make Your Ride Easy And Efficient

Do you want to catch up flight on time and without missing it up? If you do want the same, then you are required to be very punctual and trust on the best airport shuttle service. Airport shuttle service providers are many, but if you want to reach on time and without any rush, you will need to trust only on the experienced and most talented service providers.

The right shuttle company works with the aim to provide you the best possible service, and for your comfortable ride, often introduce new ride service options to better suit your transportation needs and your pocket as well. How you can expect great and on-time shuttle service by the best company? Well, it always has the best professional drivers and booking team ensure to provide quality and honest services always. For Aulani airport shuttle service no matter when and where you are going to head, just trust on the right team and you will be happy with the highest quality standards as well as get on-time guarantee. The expert drivers are on time or your ride is free, which will give you all trust and confidence that you won’t need to worry about your late ride at all.

With the experts get safe and efficient routing which will allow you to be on time anywhere and anytime. Also, get great experience in terms with the best state of the art software blends the shuttle experience with the ease of knowing where your vehicle is just by tracking it on your phone. Give it a try and you will be happy with the best Honolulu airport shuttle service. Even, if you are visiting Honolulu for attending the most important event or meeting, you can expect the best fleet with the professional driver for you who will take you to your destination on time. Even, if your flight is early or delayed, still, you don’t need to worry as professionals will track everything and will be there to help you with your transfer needs without asking for extra.

Trust on the best and you will find amazing service providers are caring who understand your comfort and safety; hence they are their number one priority. To meet your requirements, don’t forget to check out the service offerings by visiting to the one website to another that are tailored to any type of traveller, size of party and pocket. Go on with the most trustable service provider and you will get amazed with their pick-up and drop-off services to any or different destinations. Before you make any choice, you should compare available transfer companies and choose by price, star ratings and preferred type of transfer to make a quick and easy online booking. If you don’t have time and need the reliable service provider, forget everything else and just trust on the suggested service provider will make your experience the best.

[krispynightmareyouth]

Mini excavators: Small size, big popularity

Mini excavators are one of the quickest growing equipment types, with the machine’s popularity seemingly ever-increasing. According to data from Off-Highway Research, global sales for the mini excavator were at their highest point ever last year, at over 300,000 units.

The major markets for mini excavators have traditionally been developed countries, such as Japan and those in Western Europe, but the last decade has seen their popularity rise in many emerging economies. Most notable of these is China, which is now by far the biggest mini excavator market in the world.

Considering that mini excavators essentially replace manual labour, this is perhaps a surprising turnaround in the most populous country in the world where there is certainly no shortage of workers. Although all is perhaps not as it seems in the Chinese market – see the box out ‘China and mini excavators’ for more details.

One of the reasons for the mini excavator’s popularity is that it is easier to power a smaller and more compact machine with electricity rather than the traditional diesel power. It is the case that, especially in city centres of developed economies, there are often strict regulations regarding noise and emissions pollution.

There is no shortage of OEMs that are currently working on, or have released electric mini excavators – back in January 2019 Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) announced that, by mid-2020, it will begin to launch a range of electric compact excavators (EC15 to EC27) and wheeled loaders (L20 to L28) and stop new diesel engine-based development of these models.

Another OEM looking at electric power for this equipment segment is JCB, with the company’s 19C-1E electric mini excavators. The JCB 19C-1E is powered by four lithium-ion batteries, providing 20kWh of energy storage. This is enough for a full working shift for the majority of mini excavator customers on a single charge. The 19C-1E itself is a powerful, compact model with zero exhaust emissions at point of use and one that is considerably quieter than a standard machine.

Small machine is a relatively light and fast mechanical equipment. Like hand-held power tools, concrete vibrator, frog tamper, mini transporter, woodworking machinery, steel machinery, mini dumper, motorized dump truck, welding, etc. are all small machines.

In addition to large machinery and equipment in construction should pay attention to the safe use, to prevent injury, a variety of medium and small machines also have different degrees of danger, must be used in accordance with the safety requirements.

Going electric

JCB recently sold two models to London-based J Coffey Plant, with Coffey Plant Division Operations Manager Tim Rayner commenting, “The major benefit is no emissions at point of use. Our workers are not subjected to diesel emissions when using the 19C-1E. Confined areas are now clearer and safer to work in too, as there is no longer a need for emissions control equipment such as extraction units and ducting. The JCB electric minis bring value to the business and the industry as a whole.”

Another OEM looking at electric power is Kubota. “In recent years mini excavators powered by alternative fuel sources – such as electric – have seen a surge in popularity,” says Glen Hampson, business development manager construction at Kubota UK.

“The main driver behind this is that electric equipment gives the operator the ability to work in regulated low emission zones. Electric machinery can also enable work to be carried out in confined spaces underground without producing harmful emissions. It’s reduced noise output also makes it great for construction work in urban or heavily populated environments.”

Kubota launched a prototype electric compact mini excavator in Kyoto City, Japan, at the start of the year and Hampson adds, “At Kubota, our main priority will always be the development of machines that match the needs of our customers – the development of electric machines will allow us to do just this.”

Bobcat recently announced that it was launching a new R-Series mini excavators from 2-4 tonne with a new range of five compact excavator models: the E26, E27z, E27, E34 and E35z. One of the standout features for this range is said by the company to be the Cylinder-Inside-Boom (CIB) design concept.

According to Miroslav Konas, product manager, Bobcat Excavators Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), “The CIB system aims to overcome what has been one of the weakest points in any mini-excavator – the vulnerability of the boom cylinder to damage such as that caused by colliding with the sides of trucks and other vehicles when loading waste and building materials.

“It does this by enclosing the hydraulic cylinder inside an extended boom structure, thus avoiding collisions with the top of the blade and the sides of vehicles. In fact, the boom structure protects the hydraulic boom cylinder in any position of its movement.”

Wood chipper is a kind of special equipment for producing wood chips, wood chipper is also called wood slicer, which is one of the wood processing series equipment.

Trenching machine, such as mini trencher, is one of the main types of construction machinery, a kind of trenching machinery used in earthwork construction, widely used in agricultural water conservancy construction, laying of communication cables and petroleum pipelines, municipal construction and military engineering, etc.

Useful tools and machines in home agriculture also include log splitter, stump grinder, etc.

Operator comfort

With the lack of skilled operators in the industry, keeping those behind the stick happy has never been more important. Volvo CE claim that the new 6-tonne ECR58 F generation compact excavator has the most spacious cab in the industry.

Operator well-being, confidence, and safety are supported through a simplified workstation and user-friendly experience. The seat-to-joystick position has been revised and improved, while still being suspended together – a technic that Volvo CE says it introduced to the industry.

Designed to offer the highest levels of operator convenience, the cab features soundproofing, numerous storage areas, and 12V and USB ports. A fully opening front window and slide side window contribute to all-around visibility and operators have an automotive style jog wheel, five inch colour display and easy-to-navigate menus.

Operator comfort is indeed important, but another reason for the general popularity of the mini excavator segment is the ever-increasing range of attachments on offer. For instance, Volvo CE’s ECR58 has a wide range of attachments which are easy to switch over, including buckets, breakers, thumbs, and the new Tilt Quick Coupler.

Talking about the mini excavator’s rise in popularity, Chris Sleight, managing director, Off-Highways Research, highlights attachments, saying, “At the lighter end, the range of attachments available mean it [a mini excavator] is often favoured over workers using hand-held air-powered tools. This is partly because this can be helpful in reducing workers’ exposure to noise and vibration, and also because it removes the worker from the immediate vicinity of the tool.”

Sleight also adds that, “In Europe and even North America the mini excavator is replacing other types of equipment. At the top end of the scale, its smaller footprint and ability to slew through 360 degrees means it is often now favoured over backhoe loaders.”

Bobcat’s Konas agrees with the importance of attachments, saying, “The various types of bucket we offer are still the main ‘tool’ from among the 25 different families of attachments we offer for our mini excavators, but we see a trend developing with more advanced hydraulic attachments growing in popularity. That’s why we developed our A-SAC system, which together with up to five independent auxiliary circuits available on our machines, we believe makes Bobcat the most advanced brand on the market to operate such complex attachments.

“Combining the arm-mounted hydraulic auxiliary lines and the optional A-SAC technology together enables a wide choice of machine customisation options to match any attachment requirement, further enhancing the role of these excavators as excellent tool carriers.”

Remote monitoring as a growing trend?

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) has published a white paper on the future of the compact equipment segment in Europe. In it they point out that 70% of the mini excavators sold in Europe are under three tonnes, helped by the fact that it is relatively straightforward to obtain a licence to tow one of these models on a trailer with a regular driving licence.

The White Paper predicts that remote monitoring will play an increasingly important role in the compact construction equipment market, of which mini excavators are an important part. The report says, “Tracking the location of compact equipment is particularly important, given that it moves frequently from one job site to another.

“Location and working hours data can therefore help owners, especially rental companies, with planning, enhancing efficiency and scheduling maintenance. Accurate location information is also vital from a security point of view – it’s much easier to steal a smaller machine than a larger model, and theft of compact equipment is therefore more commonplace.”

Different manufacturers offer various telematics packages with their mini excavators and mini roller; there is no industry standard. Hitachi mini excavators are connected to its remote monitoring system, Global e-Service, and the data can also be accessed via smartphone.

While location and working hours are key bits of information, the report speculates that the next-generation of equipment owners will want to view more detailed data. “Owners want access to more data from manufacturers. One reason for this is the influx of a younger, more tech-savvy generation of customers, who can better understand and analyse data to improve productivity and efficiency.”

[dipulb3]

Progressive activists are wary over criminal justice under a Biden-Harris administration

New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/progressive-activists-are-wary-over-criminal-justice-under-a-biden-harris-administration/

Progressive activists are wary over criminal justice under a Biden-Harris administration

In a series of interviews this summer, organizers told Appradab their angst over the records of Biden, who wrote the 1994 crime bill, and Harris, a former prosecutor, along with the pair’s outwardly supportive rhetoric for law enforcement, fuels their concerns about the future. And while Biden choosing Harris, a daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, was in part a nod to influential Black women who wanted to see a reflection of themselves — Black and highly qualified– in the highest office in the land, the young activists said representation alone is not enough.

After a wide open primary that showcased the diversity of the Democratic Party, it ended with the nomination of the 78-year-old Biden, a moderate whose 1994 bill is often cited as one driver of mass incarceration, in part because of the “three strikes” law that ensured mandatory life terms for defendants with at least three federal violent crime or drug convictions.

Yet Democrats of all stripes have largely set aside their misgivings about Biden to focus on ousting Trump. That focus was amplified and sharpened following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Republicans’ rush to fill her seat. It was buoyed further this week by the lack of charges brought against three officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year old woman shot in her own home while Louisville police were executing a search warrant, signaling the limits of this summer’s pressure campaign on legislative and judicial change.

View Trump and Biden head-to-head polling

Young progressive activists are reasoning that they stand a better chance of successfully pressuring Biden into taking up key elements of their cause than Trump, who has lambasted peaceful protesters and refused to condemn all but the most egregious acts of police violence.

“There are a lot of people, including myself, who aren’t excited,” Gicola Lane, a 31-year-old Black woman and criminal justice organizer from Nashville, told Appradab in an interview. “Because of what we have seen happen in courtrooms, in our own neighborhood and all over this country. And we know that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have played a part in that system.”

Still, she plans to vote for the Democratic ticket in the fall.

The lack of enthusiasm for Biden and Harris points to deeper concerns over their ability to unite the party absent what many perceive as an existential threat posed by four more years of Trump. Demonstrators on the front line of a wildly invigorated social justice movement see movable objects in Biden and Harris, where the current administration looms like a stone wall blocking their push for change.

“Voting is not an expression of my moral values, it’s a decision to choose the political terrain that we fight on,” Aaron Bryant, a 28-year-old Black man from Durham, North Carolina, told Appradab.

Bryant, an organizer and electoral justice fellow with Movement for Black Lives, plans to vote for Biden and Harris, but only as a means to an end.

“Do we want to fight on a political terrain that advantages the worst among the capitalist class and the right wing? Or do we want to fight on the terrain that advantages the middle of the road centrist moderate option? I think one of those options gives us as a movement a better opportunity to strategize and move forward,” Bryant said.

A blueprint

Simran Chowla, a 20-year-old Indian woman whose parents are of Punjabi and Bengali descent, said that she’s never before seen a South Asian woman like Harris reach this level of American politics.

“It’s been pretty monumental for me as a young Indian woman,” Chowla told Appradab.

Still, despite their similar backgrounds, Chowla said she does not have full confidence that a Vice President Harris — whom she plans to vote for — would represent her interests if elected.

An organizer with March For Our Lives DC and a lobbying lead for Team ENOUGH, a pair of gun violence prevention organizations, Chowla hopes to bring up her proposals to a Biden-Harris administration. She would like to see a defunding or redistributing of funds within the police, among other initiatives.

Neither Biden nor Harris support defunding the police, contrary to Trump’s insistence otherwise. Biden has voiced support for conditioning federal aid to police based on behavior and Justice Department intervention against departments who violate civil rights standards. Harris has often said the US needs to “reimagine” public safety and how the police and the communities they serve interact but has said violent crime should stay the remit of trained officers.

Biden has also voiced support for a federal ban on police chokeholds, reestablishing a Justice Department oversight panel that investigated police practices established during the Obama administration, and other steps to increase police accountability.

Alongside New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Harris introduced the Justice in Policing Act in June, at the height of a national uprising against racism and the police killing of George Floyd and other unarmed Black people. The bill would create a National Police Misconduct Registry, provide incentives for local governments to conduct racial bias training for officers, and set caps on the transfer of military-grade equipment to law enforcement, among other initiatives.

And during her primary campaign, Harris released a plan that sought to end mandatory minimum sentences on the federal level, legalize marijuana, end the death penalty, and end the use of private prisons– a far cry from the policies she once enforced as California’s attorney general and the district attorney for San Francisco, positions that led to her being labeled a “cop” by young Black activists.

Among a litany of issues, she was criticized for disagreeing with a bill that would have required her AG office to appoint a special prosecutor to probe all deadly police-involved shootings in 2015, saying that the decision should be kept in the hands of local prosecutors. A year later, she pushed a law to expand the AG’s ability to appoint special prosecutors if district attorneys consented.

Some criminal justice activists say they have been heartened by the Biden campaign’s willingness to take some increasingly progressive positions on climate change — and believe that, with pressure and time, they could push a Biden-Harris administration in the same direction.

Zina Precht-Rodriguez, the deputy creative director of the youth-led Sunrise Movement, highlighted Biden’s revamped climate change platform, the product of deep engagement with leading activists and progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who co-chaired a task force on the issue that brought together Biden allies and supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

“Biden’s climate plan is unrecognizable from the plan he entered the race with, and you could say that extends to his rhetoric and how he speaks to young people,” Precht-Rodriguez said.

But asked if the Biden-Harris ticket is doing enough, she said, “I think the short answer would be, they could always do more.”

“It sort of speaks to the point of, you know, how we will push the ticket to the left,” Precht-Rodriguez said. “Voting is only one basic part of organizing, and we won’t win the Green New Deal just by voting one President or congressperson in.”

‘I don’t have faith that they’re fighting for my revolution’

Organizers have highlighted Biden’s stance that “not all cops are bad cops” as part of their critique that the ticket has not engaged in enough “deep listening” from those who are victimized by the police. It is evidence, they say, that Biden and Harris are more concerned with pushing back on attacks from Trump and the GOP than representing their movement’s priorities.

“It’s very clear that what they’re saying is completely opposite of what the movement is saying right now,” Lane said.

She works for Free Hearts, a Tennessee organization run by formerly incarcerated women that provides support to impacted families. Lane, who supported Sanders during the primary, challenged the pair to be open to a litany of policies produced over the summer to combat the current carceral state, like the BREATHE Act, which would divest federal funds from incarceration and policing and invest in community safety. That legislation is supported by progressive Reps. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

“I would like to see them not talk down on the movement. Instead of making it seem outrageous, actually challenge themselves to listen and adopt them on a federal level to really gain confidence of the people,” Lane said.

Rukia Lumumba, co-director of the Electoral Justice Project of the Movement for Black Lives, credited Harris for meeting with M4BL organizers to hear about the BREATHE Act before her selection as Biden’s running mate. But neither Harris nor Biden has endorsed it.

Ty Hobson Powell, a 25-year-old Black man and founder of Concerned Citizens DC, said Democrats’ current message doesn’t give him “faith that they’re fighting for my revolution in this moment.”

Though Hobson Powell says Biden and Harris have not aligned themselves with his desired policy changes, he acknowledged that the other side is further away from his vision of reform.

“When we talk about voting for anybody, that is understanding, that I will be settling,” he said.

In response to young organizers’ criticism of the lack of policy shaping to match their needs, Harris press secretary Sabrina Singh told Appradab the campaign understands “the need to address systemic injustices facing communities of color in criminal justice, housing, health care, and other aspects of society.”

“They’ve held listening sessions and virtual meetings with activists and community leaders to listen and learn and are committed to enacting their concerns into real and meaningful systemic change to achieve racial justice,” she added.

Additionally, both Biden and Harris have visited the battleground state of Wisconsin, speaking with Jacob Blake — a 29-year-old who was shot by police seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer — over the phone and meeting with his family. Biden held a community meeting on September 3, where he condemned Blake’s shooting, as well as the violence and damage done to the city during subsequent protests.

‘She’s shown up to address these issues’

Jeremiah Wheeler, the 22-year-old Black Student Union President at Wayne State University, asked Harris how she would resolve injustices in the Black community at a recent campaign event in Detroit.

“I’m gonna need your help,” Harris told organizers and participants at the gathering on 7 Mile Road.

Wheeler told Appradab that Harris later reiterated the need to work both inside and outside the system to create change, something that Harris has said she’s done throughout her career as a prosecutor. He credited Harris for her engagement, but said this moment is less about the candidates’ individual backgrounds than their policy vision.

Like so many others, Wheeler said he will be voting for Biden and Harris, and encouraging others to do so, but that decision was as much about ousting Trump as an endorsing the Democratic ticket.

“We need to vote,” said Wheeler, who supported Sanders in the primary. “I don’t want to offer any more reasons on why not to vote, whether I feel we’re getting the gourmet meal that we rightfully deserve or we’re getting some fast food. Participation is key.”

Chelsea Miller, a 24-year-old Black woman and co-founder of civil rights organization Freedom March NYC, applauded Harris for convening an “intimate” video conference with racial justice organizations from around the country.

“She asked questions, we asked questions. It came from a place of understanding. I think it’s commendable that [Harris] would step into that space and create this opportunity for activists and organizers,” Miller said. “She’s shown up to address these issues.”

Asked what Biden and Harris could do to prove that they are serious about delivering change, Porche Bennett, an activist, mother and small businesses owner who spoke passionately at the community meeting with Biden in Kenosha, said the nominee’s time there “changed how people view him,” and called on Biden and Harris to hit the streets to make their case.

“Get out here and go through these neighborhoods. Without cameras,” she said. “Treat us like we matter.”

[expatsecuador]

How To Work Remotely From Ecuador

It’s almost the perfect storm for working remotely from Ecuador. COVID 19 has forced a re-think of how we work and the growing gig economy means there have never been as many opportunities to work remotely. 

There were already 7 million people (or 3.4% of the population) working remotely in the US before COVID19 hit in early 2020. 

Once COVID 19 hit, 88% of global organizations encouraged some type of remote working from home arrangement. 

This rapid uptake in companies offering work from home positions means the supply of remote jobs has increased. COVID has effectively forced companies to re-think how they can better accommodate remote employees.

This trend is expected to continue, which will further increase the number of jobs available to remote workers. 

Growing appetite for remote jobs

The following graph shows the trend of people googling ��remote jobs’ in the US over the past 5 years.

You can see the peaks that correlate to Coronavirus news events of January and March 2020. But, what really interests me are the peaks between July and August, particularly the highest peak of August 16, 2020. 

Why you ask? Because I’d expect to see the peaks of January and March as they would be largely driven by media events relating to the Coronavirus. But, the extended, much higher peaks of July and August indicate a stronger long-term trend of a growing market of employees and employers all interested in the phrase ‘remote jobs’. 

This indicates the overall environment for working remotely is growing significantly. 

Gig economy growing 3x 

The gig economy is simply a name given to contract-based jobs that are performed by freelancers as opposed to full or part-time workers. You probably think of Uber drivers and Amazon delivery personnel. These are certainly included, but the range of jobs is much wider and can include roles from digital marketing, writing, editing, transcription, teaching English online and Amazon Mechanical Turk etc. 

Now, the gig economy is growing at 3x the pace of regular jobs and 36% of US based workers were already in the gig economy in 2018. 

This presents opportunities for you to participate in the gig economy from Ecuador. Sure, you won’t be able to land a role as an Amazon delivery driver, but you don’t have to. There’s plenty of other digital-based opportunities that we touch on below!

What does this mean for Ecuadorian based expats and workers?

This is exciting as it points towards a growing ecosystem for remote or work from home positions. Quite simply, there has never been a better time to start working remotely. 

But, before you pop open the champagne and start flinging your CV around, you should also know that:

Competition for remote jobs is still high

Not all jobs can translate into remote opportunities

Experience for most jobs is still an important consideration

Why work remotely in Ecuador? 

The case for working remotely in Ecuador is very strong. Ecuador is a small country with:

Diverse environment and cultures

Low cost of living

Relative safety

Good (mostly reliable) internet

US friendly with the same timezone and good international flight connections

Generous visas with 90-day tourist stamps issued at the airport for most nationalities. This can be easily extended for another 90 days for a total initial stay of 180 days! 

Several good long term visa options such as the Professional Visa for those that want to stay 2+ years. 

I honestly think there is something in Ecuador to suit most people’s tastes in addition to the popular rhetoric revolving well-preserved city centers, the Galapagos, and volcanoes.

Ecuador’s digital nomad challenges

However, Ecuador is yet to achieve the same level of notoriety as other ‘digital nomad hotspots’ such as Medellin (Colombia), Chiang Mai (Thailand) & Bali (Indonesia). I suspect this is because Ecuador is not as strong in the following areas: 

Nightlife and partying

Relatively small digital nomad community

Not as easy to get by with just English

Immature digital/startup ecosystem

Electronics are expensive to buy and repair (we suggest bringing these with you)

Working remotely for an Ecuadorian vs US/non-Ecuadorian company

Show me the money

If your main priority is making the Benjamins, then hands down it will generally be more attractive to work for a US (or Canadian, European, Australian, etc) company.

The minimum wage in Ecuador is $400 and the average monthly wage ranges depending on the source. It ranges from $460 to $500 to over $1,300. Given the large percentage of informal workers in Ecuador, it’s quite difficult to pin down the actual average monthly salary. 

Whatever the source, you’ll likely find it difficult to land a local job that pays more than $1,000 per month. 

¿Hablas español? 

You will considerably increase your chances of landing a good local job if you speak Spanish fluently. Without it, you’re going to really limit the opportunities available to you. 

If you only speak English, then sticking to English-friendly jobs is a no-brainer until you’ve become fluent in Spanish. 

Some Ecuadorians find success working remotely for companies based in Spain. If you’re Spanish is good enough, this could be a viable option for you too. 

What jobs can you perform remotely from Ecuador?

This is a super expansive question because remote jobs by their nature can be performed just about anywhere. But, I’m going to focus on the more popular options I’ve come across digital nomads or settled expats (like myself) working remotely in Ecuador. 

These are:

Your current/previous role

Teaching English Online

Digital Marketing

Content Writer

Virtual Assistant

Web Development

Web Design

Customer Support

Tourism

Transcription

Build Your Own Website

Investing & Trading

1. Your current/previous role

Many industries are moving towards accommodating remote workers. Some traditional service-based industries such as lawyers, engineers and even medical professionals have even been willing to adopt some degree of remoteness. 

So, you’d be surprised at the types of jobs that can be at least partially completed remotely. I’d suggest it’s absolutely worthwhile going through your previous jobs/careers to see if there is any chance you can perform a similar role remotely. If there is, don’t be afraid to reach out to old colleagues and bosses with some potential options on how you can be a valuable remote contributor. 

2. Teaching English Online

There has been a boon in recent times teaching English to students via the internet. This charge has been led by the burgeoning Chinese middle-class that has a seemingly endless appetite for ensuring their kids receive the highest level of education from an early age.  

How much can I make teaching online?

Average earnings vary greatly but expect to earn between $10-$25 per hour. This is generally paid as a contractor, so don’t expect health insurance or other benefits. 

Requirements

Whilst requirements vary by company, the following are pretty standard requirements. 

Native English speaker (some also accept native-level fluency)

TEFL certificate

University degree

Available during peak learning times (before / after school)

Unbridled enthusiasm

The timezone requirement here can be a challenge when teaching from Ecuador. For example, if you’re teaching kids in China, the majority of parents book for 6:00-10:00pm (Beijing time). This is 5:00 – 9:00am in Ecuador.

Whilst you’re generally awarded flexibility when booking your class times, you may be required to teach a certain number of ‘peak hours’ for your contract to be renewed. Or if you don’t open up to peak times you may just not get many students booking you. This is especially true for new teachers. 

Some companies also require a US accent. These are generally the bigger, more established companies like VIP Kid. I’ve always found this requirement a little bit weird – as these companies are happy to take on teachers with say, a strong southern drawl, but reject applicants that have neutral accents that are not from the US. 

Whilst I’ve never taught English online, I’ve spent far too much time around others while they are conducting their lessons.

Full disclosure: my biggest learning from this is that I know I am not equipped for teaching kids online. Why you ask? The amount of enthusiasm required to keep their attention, the monotony of teaching the same classes over and over again and the sheer patience required are too much for me. 

But, I know many people that really enjoy teaching online and thrive in that environment. Horses for courses. 

Which companies offer online teaching jobs? 

The following companies are popular starting points: 

VIP Kid

Magic Ears

DaDa ABC

Say ABC

Landi

PalFish

Some of these companies also offer their current teachers referral bonuses if they bring on new teachers. As the incentive is only generally paid for successful applicants once they teach a certain number of classes, it’s in the best interests of the original teacher to coach their recruits to ensure they get paid. 

As a new teacher, it might be worthwhile seeking these people out on various forums or Facebook groups. Some initial coaching on what each company truly looks for can be invaluable. On the flip side, I’ve seen some incredibly intelligent, hard-working teachers with years of experience get knocked back for seemingly trivial oversights. 

3. Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is a broad industry that covers everything from social media, content marketing, search engine optimization, paid ads, email, automation and more. Now, I’m clearly biased because this is what I do, but I still see so much potential for new entrants into this field. 

I’ve worked as a digital marketer for agencies, startups and large corporations. There is a lot of opportunity in this area because it’s constantly evolving and digital channels continue to eat into the budgets of traditional mediums like print, TV and radio. 

If I was just starting out, I’d concentrate on getting good at one small aspect of digital marketing and offering it as a service to clients via platforms such as Upwork, Legiit or even Fiverr. 

Offering a specialized service is key. The types of niche services I’m talking about include:

Chat bot building

Email automation

Instagram management

PPC (pay per click) management for [insert industry]

Once you’ve had some success for clients with your niche offering, then you can either use this experience to either broaden into other areas or use the experience to apply for marketing jobs either in-house or at an agency. 

4. Content writer

Do you enjoy writing? And do you have detailed knowledge about particular industries? If so, then producing content could be a good option for you.

Many people are surprised to learn how important content is for any digital marketing strategy. And whilst the competition is high because there is a low barrier to entry, the demand for good, dependable writers continues to increase. 

For example, I know writers that produce content in certain niches such as legal, medical and engineering that make a very comfortable living ($4K+ monthly). 

Think this could be for you? Great. Start writing about a topic that you: 

Have pre-existing knowledge

Suspect is commercially valuable (basically any business that spends on marketing)

Enjoy

This 3rd point is key; enjoyment is critical to your long-term success. You don’t want to be in a position where you’re staring at the computer, digging deep for words that just don’t come because you aren’t passionate about the industry. 

My last tip is that you don’t want to fall into the trap of offering cheap writing services because you don’t understand your worth. There are loads of cheap general writers out there that are just terrible. Positioning yourself as a niche specialist will earn your more money and allow you to provide better quality to your clients as you know one subject intimately. 

5. Virtual assistant

Virtual assistants for all types of industries are in demand. It’s true that there is more demand at the lower end of the price spectrum (ie $5/hour), but this is not where you should position yourself. Again, specializing in a particular industry or skill will set you apart and allow you to command a higher rate ($15-$25 / hr). 

This can be a great option for those that maybe don’t see themselves learning a new technology-based skill and can focus on their organizing, communication, and planning skills instead. 

There’s plenty of virtual assistant jobs in the freelancer platforms listed below. 

6. Web development

One of the most remote-friendly industries is web development. But, this is not for the faint-hearted as web development takes a lot of learning and practice before you can start applying for your 1st job. Thankfully, there’s plenty of great free or cheap resources out there if you want to pursue this angle. 

I recommend this free Introduction to Python course by MIT to start your journey – especially if you’re interested in data analysis and AI. 

7. Web design

Have an eye for clean lines and attention to detail with a creative flair? Pursuing web or graphic design might be worthwhile pursuing. It’s very remote-friendly with lots of designers working from home or wherever they choose. 

It’s one of the few jobs I’ve seen Ecuadorians perform remotely for locally based companies. 

But, building up the skills and portfolio also takes time. There are loads of cheap tutorials to teach you the theory (such as Udemy) and tools (ie Photoshop & Illustrator), but some companies still only take on candidates with formal design related degrees. 

8. Customer Support

This one can be a real gem in the rough. The prevalence of digital platforms and SAAS products has created many roles for virtual customer support agents. These are the types of roles that were once handled by call center support operators, just repurposed for the online format. 

As many customer support roles rely on set hours, being in the same timezone as the US can make these roles ideal for Ecuadorian-based applicants. 

You also don’t generally need a lot of experience, so the barrier to entry is low but competition can be high. 

One perk for this type of work is that some very forward-thinking, remote-friendly companies employ a lot of customer support agents. This potentially allows you to work your way up into other roles within a world-class company. 

These roles can be found on remote job boards and directly with the company. 

9. Tourism

Yes, I know the tourism industry is having a hard time since COVID, but I think it’s safe to say that we all love traveling and will be wandering the globe again shortly. Michelle works in tourism and can’t wait for the tourists to come back!

When they do (and they will) there will be demand for sales and travel advisors that speak English. You may even be able to find an Ecuadorian based job if you’re primarily dealing with English speaking clients. 

But, if you’re thinking of becoming a tour guide in Ecuador, then I’m sorry, that is much more difficult. It involves a 4-year degree within Ecuador (or possibly transferring some credits from a related degree back home to shorten the period of study). 

Some tour companies do send tour leaders to accompany their guests whilst in Ecuador. But, these are generally associated with the company and not a separate service you could just provide from Ecuador. 

10. Transcription 

Can you type, are a fantastic listener, and are just crazy about details? Then transcribing could be the side gig for you. 

The proliferation of the ability to record audio (ie mobile phones) has meant that everyone has easy access to record business meetings and other commercially important events. But, going through these audio notes is a real pain, so companies can opt to cheaply outsource the transcribing of audio to written notes.

There’s also the specialized fields of legal and medical transcription that tend to pay more. 

One of the more beginner-friendly companies to try is TranscribeMe. They basically accept anyone so long as you pass the tests. The pay starts at $15 per audio hour. This means that you need to transcribe one hour’s worth of conversation (not work for one hour). As a beginner, it’s realistically going to take you 3 hours to transcribe one hours worth of audio. So, your hourly rate shifts to $5/hr. 

My transcription experience

In the spirit of trying anything once, I did previously give transcribing a shot. I figured I’m a fast typer, so transcribing would be a walk in the park. I was wrong. 

You see, AI voice to text technology has come a long way. So, recordings that can easily be converted from audio to text are done by computers with some light human intervention. This costs much less than having a person transcribe, so it remains the obvious choice for transcription where possible. 

So what audio is left for you to transcribe? Difficult audio. Think of someone recording a meeting on their phone (no special microphone or anything) and trying to type out notes at the same time. What you end up hearing is a mess of sounds that can be very difficult to decipher what words are said. And this is assuming there is no accent to deal with. 

I don’t want to turn you off giving transcribing a shot too, but you should go in with your eyes wide open. 

11. Build your own website 

This isn’t so much a ‘job’ or ‘role’ exactly. It’s more of a long-term opportunity to increase your income. There’s plenty of niches that are still far from reaching market saturation. Creating your own site around one of these niches can really pay off long-term. 

But, it’s going to take you at least 6 months of consistent effort to start seeing any sort of results. It’s common to see people start their own sites, then give up after a few weeks worth of effort. And I get it. It can be super frustrating if you don’t see results and have no real way of knowing if the results are going to eventuate (they may not if you’ve chosen a niche that is too competitive). 

If you happen to be fluent in Spanish too, then you’ve now got two very different markets to pursue – and twice the amount of work! But, given the low competition in Ecuador, you should be able to see results in just about any industry. 

I’m constantly coming up with ideas for Ecuadorian based websites that I know will work, but I just don’t have the time to pursue. I know you’ll have some good ideas of your own. 

If you want to try your hand at building your first website, I recommend grabbing a cheap theme from Themeforest and either updating the content/images yourself, or paying someone to mock it together for you. 

I’ve had a few people approach me to build their sites, but it’s not something I currently offer as a once-off service. Why? Because a website without marketing is a waste of time and won’t get results. If you’re potentially interested in ongoing marketing services + website build, then feel free to get in contact. 

12. Investing & Trading

The last option on the list is my favorite for building long-term wealth. Trading and investing. Many expats are familiar with the attractive rates offered for fixed term deposits (or CDs) by cooperativa’s such as JEP in Ecuador. Some choose to invest in these as a requirement for their Investor Visa, whilst others actively choose them because of the high interest rates between 8-10%. 

This is most definitely NOT investment advice as there are reasons why such high interests rates are offered. I’m just leaving it here as an option for you to know that there are expats in Ecuador that live entirely off the interest from their CDs. 

Trading stocks, bonds, crypto (ie Bitcoin) and other assets is also a viable option as you can do it from anywhere. I believe there are small trading groups setup in the major cities, but don’t be surprised if your Ecuadorian friends don’t actively invest or know alot about the financial markets. 

Where to find remote jobs

We’ve established there is a lot of opportunity across many different fields for remote workers, but where the hell do you find these jobs? 

Here are my recommendations for starting your search:

1. Your current network

My path to working online was through a previous employer that already valued my work. We’d already built trust, making it a lot easier for them to embrace the other unknowns that come with remote work relationships. 

So, before you go off and try and learn another skill that you can utilize to work from home, I suggest reaching out to your current network. Perhaps offering to work for a lesser amount during a probation period to further de-risk it for your potential employer. 

2. Freelancer platforms

These sites all work on the basic principle that you sign up by creating a profile of your work history and skills. You can then start applying for different jobs. 

Outsourcely

Outsourcely aims to connect “remote workers” with clients around the world. It’s a good place to find long term client relationships. 

Upwork

The biggest freelancer site out there. But, they also take a large cut. 20% of your first $500 goes to Upwork, then a sliding scale from there. 

Note, if applying for US based jobs, it really helps to ensure you have a valid US ID. This unlocks a lot of the better US based jobs as clients have the option of only selecting US based candidates. 

You get some credits called “connects” initially, but then you need to pay for more in order to apply for jobs. You need to invest in the platform (both time and money) before you’re going to get to most out of it. 

Freelancer

Biggest genuine competitor to Upwork. They also operate on a paywall model where you need to invest in some of their premium features in order to get the most from your job search. 

People Per Hour 

Focus is more geared towards on entry-level jobs. This can be great for newer remote workers, but experienced workers may have a tough time as they are more likely to be under-bid by less qualified professionals. 

Fiverr

A great place for new remote workers to get some experience before moving onto higher paying gigs. Reputation for being the cheapest place to get work done – and more often than not you get what you pay for…

3. Job Boards

I’ve focused on job boards that cater towards remote positions below. You can of course use general job boards too, but you may end up spending a lot of time searching for remote-friendly roles. 

This list is far from exhaustive as job boards catering for remote workers seem to pop up every week.

LinkedIn

Great starting place because there are lots of jobs. But, also lots of competition. 

We Work Remotely

One of the oldest remote job boards still as popular as ever. 

Dynamite Jobs

Human curated job board. All posted jobs checked to ensure valid and paid. 

Remotive

Focus on software development, but good mix of other jobs too. 

Working Nomads

Also offer an email of curated jobs if you sign up (free). 

4. Facebook groups

There are numerous Facebook Groups setup that can also help you in your job search. Here’s some you should start with: 

Digital Nomads Around the World

Large community that focuses on digital nomad issues and job postings. Not specific to any geography. 

Ecuador Expats

Largest Facebook group for Ecuadorian based expat info. Some good insights on general Ecuadorian matters. 

Ecuador Digital Nomads

Smaller group for digital nomads and remote workers based in Ecuador to connect and share. Disclaimer: I’m a moderator of this group so you’ll get more tips from me if you join. 

5. Direct with company

Once you find a job worth applying for, I suggest trying to apply directly on the company’s website. Why? Because it shows you went just the extra yard to do some research about the company and that you care. You can also try to find the person responsible for hiring so you can address your CV to them. These smaller details are needed to get noticed in the competitive job market. 

I also suggest setting up Google Alerts for you 5 dream companies. For example, assume you really wanted to work for Slack in their customer support team. Then you’d setup an alert to track the phrase: slack “customer success���. You’ll then be emailed as soon as new jobs come up and can apply right away to be ahead of your competition. 

Final Words

The future looks great for remote workers that choose to work from Ecuador. It’s such a great destination for those that love to mix work with weekend trips to the jungle, beach, mountains or even the Galapagos.

The long-term trend clearly indicates there will be more opportunities for remote workers. So basing yourself in Ecuador to capitalize on this trend makes so much sense that it’s kinda shocking there aren’t more nomads and expats choosing to do the same.

Lastly – if you’re currently (or thinking of) working remotely from Ecuador, you should Join our Ecuador Digital Nomads group to connect with others.

from Expats Ecuador https://expatsecuador.com/work-remotely/

[lblimoinc]

Hiring Limo In LA During The Covid-19 Period

The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has created an upheaval in the lives of people all around the globe. With months of lockdown imposed to control the outbreak, it has certainly taken a huge toll on the businesses and economy.

As more states in the US are easing the lockdown restrictions, businesses are gradually opening, and travel restrictions are lifting off as a part of the new normal.Whilst sitting at home may not be an option for many, the first thing that comes to one’s mind is to choose the mode of travel which ensures strict hygiene, and safety measures.

 The chances of infection in public transports, such as buses or subways, are high. The safest bet is hiring a car rental service such as a Limousine rental. If you are traveling to or within Los Angeles, you should consider hiring Limousine Rental Service.Here are few reasons why you should hire Limo in LA. 

Social Distancing 

Social Distancing is known to be the foremost effective measure to ensure fight against the contagious infection. When you hire a cab, there isn’t ample space to ensure social distancing between you and the driver whereas when you hire a Limousine Rental, this becomes one less thing to be worried about. Limo LA offers a wide range of fleets that are roomy enough and ensure social distancing at the same time. For instance, if you are traveling alone, you could hire a 3 capacity Cadillac XTS and if you are traveling with 3 or more people of different bubbles, you could hire a 6 seating capacity (or larger) Limousine suiting your requirement.

Hygiene

Hygiene has always played a huge role in the Limo business even before the Covid19 pandemic. Limousine Rental Services are well known for their top-notch hygiene standards. 

They are taking rigorous measures to ensure hygiene according to the CDC guidelines. 

The fleets are thoroughly cleansed before and after each ride, this includes sanitizing the frequently touched parts of the car such as door handles, seats, armrests to name a few.

The chauffeurs are screened for temperature daily and required to wear masks and gloves. 

The Limo LA also provides a contactless mode of payment.

You as a passenger must do your part and follow the required CDC or WHO guidelines. Make sure you wear masks and sanitize your hands often. If you’re feeling under the weather, it’s better to cancel the trip than to put others’ health at risk. Don’t be hesitant to double-check all the safety-related concerns with the company before booking.

Budget

The pricing of taxis can vary and get unusually high. During the pandemic when no shared cab rides are allowed, it has become even more expensive.Limousine Rental Los Angeles provides transparent pricing. As more people can be accommodated, you can do the math and see how it is available at a much better rate.

Hassle-free ride

Flying amid the coronavirus period can be exhausting and stressful. The flight delays are bound to happen and getting out after being locked inside homes for long has led to an increase in travel anxiety. So it is necessary to choose a ride that gives you the peace of mind.

When you’re traveling from LAX airport, you should choose a ride that is comfortable and hassle-free. And what’s better than a Limo. The luxurious Limo Rentals are reliable and provide you the comfort to relax after a long flight.

The chauffeurs are highly professional and know the best routes. You wouldn’t have to worry about waiting for your ride as they will make sure they are present well before to receive or drop you. This would save a lot of your time.

Looking to celebrate with family?

With months of lockdown, you surely must have missed going out and celebrating. While going out in large number and celebrating is not recommended, you can do so however with your family members or close ones of the same bubble, with all the safety measures in mind. Whether it’s a small event or personal birthday, you can be venturing in style with a Limo.

When you hire the Limousine rental service, you have the option of choosing limo party buses which are spacious and ensure distancing. All that is required on your part is being responsible and following the safety norms.

Conclusion

Your safety should be the utmost priority during these tense times, adjusting to the new normal, and getting on with life is equally important. It’s better to choose a reliable Limo Rental Service in Los Angeles like LB Limousine. They have been in the business for around 16 years and are the highest and most reviewed Limo service in Southern California.

[gardenstatetowing]

The Safety Regulations For Car Towing

Introduction

Towing can be a little bit intimidating, especially for the inexperienced drivers, who are facing it for the first time. For accident-free and safe towing, drivers must be aware of several safety practices in car towing. Without the proper knowledge, dragging of cars can lead to prevalent damage and may further affect rates, insurance coverage, and other legal actions. Cars with automatic gears can be the worst hit. So to avoid such damage and other personal hazards, we have come up with some of the major regulations of car towing, Melbourne that you should consider at the time of heading your car onto the open road.

Towing

Towing a car needs additional skills and knowledge. Every trailer, including caravans, can affect the performance of your towing vehicle. The effect may be in terms of braking ability, fuel consumption, acceleration, and general control. Hence, this all places an additional responsibility on the drivers. To overcome these effects, it is crucial to know all the rules and regulations while towing a car.                                   

Stay Within Your Limits           

Each recreational RV has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). This weight is generally set by your RV's automaker. The base curb weight of your RV vehicle and car towing is taken into consideration. If the RV is loaded beyond the suggested GVWR then it will become too heavy, resulting in brake failure. In case of an overload, you should make suitable adjustments whenever necessary.                   

Pack Your Trailer Properly

An inadequately packed trailer poses severe hazards. To minimize the chances of swaying, it is always advisable to keep the heavy items at the bottom of the trailer so that it balances out the load. Such items must be secured in place so as to prevent them from falling off. Before car towing Melbourne, one needs to ensure that the loads are double checked so that it doesn't move from its position at the time of towing.

Rules To Be Followed By The Car Towing Driver

Always remember that car towing Melbourne involves practice and takes time. Here are some points that should be noted by a driver at the time of towing. 

Every car owner must tend to cut-in during every corner and curve.

They should try longer distances for overtaking, braking and joining a traffic stream.  

It is advisable that at the time of reversing and changing the direction, one should always look straight so that they can instantly react to the changes in traffic or road conditions.

While towing, you should take care to not hold the traffic unnecessarily for a long time.

Towing a car does not involve a particular restriction. Although, drivers must not exceed the posted speed limits.

Drivers should use breaks, streaming, and the accelerator smoothly throughout time.

Before beginning the towing, the drivers should check that the car and trailer should be roadworthy. The trailer’s wheel bearing, brakes, and suspension should work properly and all tires are properly inflated. Not just that, the car's battery, oil, water, and other services should be checked at the time of towing.

Also, during the regular trip intervals, it is crucial to check couplings, doors, hatches, and other load equipment so that they are properly secured. Besides, the car's tires should also be inflated without rubbing on suspension.

The Towing Car

First and foremost, your vehicle must be suitable for a trailer. The vehicle's manufacturer already presents the recommended weight and other features of the trailer so that it properly tows the concerned vehicle. The first step involves registration. Your car must follow all the relevant standards. Lights and number plates must not be obscured by the tow bar at the time when there is no connection of a trailer.

The vehicle which has to be towed must be equipped with electrical shocks to prevent it from lightning. It should be also equipped with couplings, and tow bars of the desired capacity, type with proper break connections. Moreover, extra mirrors may be required at the times when towing a large trailer.                   

It is essential to have an appropriate tow bar for towing. The rated couplings and capacity of the tow bar must not be exceeded. It should be permanently marked with its highest-rated capacity along with a trademark or manufacturer's name.

Conclusion

For anyone who is seeking to tow a car, safety needs to be their utmost priority. Whenever you are up to a car towing Melbourne, it is always advisable that you check brakes, stay within your limits, inspect lights, and pack your trailer appropriately and even take support of car towing services. So, better management and solution can be done on towing problems. 

[tediousoscars]

2018

Predict-o-meter: This year: 8/12; Total: 99/119 (83%)

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and friends beyond the binary: It is time once again to set aside our daily woes and discuss all things Oscar.

This year’s class of 8 Best Picture nominees is extremely solid. There are no real clunkers, but, in my mind there are 4 soaringly great films, 3 solidly good films, and one … problematic film that is both great and not so great. We’ll get to that.

But keep in mind that even though I am using my traditional Contenders/Pretenders bifurcation there are no films below that I would recommend you avoid. They are all very good.

- THE CONTENDERS -

Black Panther. The beauty of this film is that it works so well on so many different levels. If you are simply looking for a blockbuster spectacle to munch popcorn to, you will not be disappointed; it totally works on that level. And even though it is the 18th(!) installment in Marvel Studios’ Cinematic Universe of inter-related films, “Black Panther” may be enjoyed on its own in isolation; if you have never seen another Marvel movie (Really? What is WRONG with you?) you won’t feel at all lost. And that is all well and good; I love a good blockbuster as much as the next guy. But that won’t get you Oscar Nominations. For that, we need to dig a little deeper. On the next level down, it’s just a really good movie. Great characters who are well-developed and three-dimensional, a compelling story told with humor and drama in equal measures, gorgeous cinematography and costumes that bring an imagined world to life, and an all-star cast of talented actors who are clearly giving it their all. The heart and soul of “Black Panther” is the fictional land of Wakanda: a central African nation hit with a meteor in the distant past that provided ancient Wakandans with access to vibranium, a near-magical metal that allowed them to develop advanced technology well before the rest of the world. Technology that they used to hide themselves away while developing ever more advanced weapons and transportation, including the technology that turns their tribal King into the titular super-powered protector. And herein lies the central conflict of the film: A Wakandan spy on assignment in Oakland in the 90s becomes disillusioned by the disparity between the safety and comfort that Wakandans enjoy and the degradation and oppression faced by members of the African Diaspora across the globe. When he is taken out by Wakandan authorities he leaves behind a young son who grows up hell-bent on avenging his father, but also determined to complete his father’s mission of using Wakandan technology to uplift all those of African descent. This isn't the standard “Good vs. Evil” we’ve come to expect from superhero movies. It’s a more nuanced “Isolation vs. Engagement” discussion of the best way to allocate scarce resources for the greater good. At its greatest depth “Black Panther” is a thoughtful exploration of themes of racism and oppression, violence and statecraft, retribution and forgiveness that stands up to critical analysis. In interviews with the cast and crew it is obvious that they were very cognizant of the fact that with Wakanda they were essentially creating from whole cloth an African mythology that could play a role comparable to that of Camelot in the Anglo-Saxon imagination. They took this responsibility very seriously and were determined that everything associated with “Black Panther” be of the highest quality. They succeeded spectacularly. No matter how deeply you choose to look at this film you will not be disappointed. It succeeds on every level.

Bohemian Rhapsody. This story of iconic stadium anthem band Queen and their mercurial frontman, Freddy Mercury, was told with the full cooperation of the surviving band members, and one of their conditions was that it not have an R rating. This has led to some consternation and gnashing of teeth over Mercury’s legendary excesses being watered down. But I thought that the device they used was effective: Rather than show the actual debauchery the film focuses on the morning-after detritus. Mercury staggers blinking through a maze of prone bodies and over-turned furniture, empty glasses and bottles scattered hither and yon, cocaine residue coating every horizontal surface. But the film isn’t primarily about Mercury’s rock star life; it’s about the band and how they worked together and became a worldwide sensation despite significant headwinds - watching the label guys turn up their noses at the eponymous song (soon to become one of the most beloved rock songs of all time) is choice. Everything here is well done. The story unfolds naturally, the performances are all solid, and the insight into the inner workings of the band are illuminating. Yes, they have the unavoidable family squabbles, but for the most part it isn’t about ego, it’s about the music. They fight for their own individual interpretations and priorities, but they all share a common vision of what Queen should be, and that is the organizing principle for their conflicts, at least during the band’s formative period. It’s all entertaining and engaging and good, maybe even very good, but it’s just not great. Until, at the very end, a choice is made by the filmmakers that turns on the after-burners and vaults the film into the stratosphere. After an ill-fated attempt at a solo album, a chastened Mercury beseeches the band to get back together for Live Aid, the bi-continental music festival for African famine relief that was the biggest music event of its era. A typical movie would handle this either with a quick montage of the various songs played in the set, or perhaps, one single entire song. But for this film they recreated Queen’s 20-minute Live Aid set in its entirety; note for note, move for move. And they imbue the performance with the knowledge - not known to the general public at the time - that Freddy Mercury had been diagnosed with AIDS (at a time when this was a death sentence). It is breathtaking. Rami Malek is favored to win Best Actor for his turn as Mercury, and this climatic, thrilling set is a big part of the reason why.

The Favourite. This is not your typical costume period piece about palace intrigue. We are used to tropes in which strong, formidable women connive behind the scenes to manipulate the men in power to do what they want. But this is the court of Queen Anne of England (Olivia Colman), so a woman is already in charge. Or she would be if failing health and mental instabilities didn’t prevent her from being effective. Enter Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz), childhood friend and sometime lover to the Queen, Sarah rules the roost on behalf of the Queen and does her best to steer the ship of state in the direction that she, and her stalwart Duke of a husband, sees as best. And it is all going swimmingly until Sarah’s cousin Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives impoverished and disgraced by some disastrous antics of her father's. Sarah graciously takes Abigail under her wing out of familial loyalty, but is soon out-maneuvered and her young cousin takes her place at the Queen’s side and in her bed. This is all entertaining enough, but there is a fascinating subtext. Though Sarah does love the Queen, it is her over-arching love of Britain that drives her to seek and wield power. By contrast, Abigail has been rich and she has been poor and she has decided that being rich is better. So all of her machinations are aimed solely at personal gain. The interplay between these three characters - Anne, Sarah, and Abigail - is so intricate and expertly portrayed that all three of the female leads have been nominated for their roles. And it’s not just a question of great acting; the film is visually interesting as well. Typical depictions of royal courts in film are brightly lit to highlight the garish colors of the clothes and tapestries that abound. Here, though, the film is shot using mostly natural light. The relatively muted tones and deep shadows serve to augment the feeling of stealth and intrigue that often accompanies a simple passage through a hallway. Great performances, compelling art direction, and a (nominated) screenplay that crackles with snark, “The Favourite” is an enjoyable romp that manages to provoke a few thoughts along the way.

Green Book. At it’s core “Green Book” is a road movie with a well-trodden premiss: Two characters with nothing in common and a healthy disdain for one another are forced by circumstances to drive across the country, mayhem ensues, and they become fast friends. We’ve seen it a hundred times, but I’m not sure we’ve ever seen it done this well. Dr. Don Shirley was fastidious, refined, educated (the “Dr.” comes from multiple Ph.D.s), erudite, and a virtuoso pianist with unique style and flair. Frank Anthony Vallelonga Sr., better known as Tony Lip, was a guido street-brawler from the Bronx with a strong moral code that didn’t always align perfectly with a strict interpretation of the law. He wasn't in the Mob, but he was certainly Mob-adjacent, and could have been made at the drop of a fedora if he’d chosen to. And they were real people. In the film Tony is hired to be driver/fixer to Dr. Shirley on a 2-month concert tour. And right there you have the makings of a perfectly serviceable buddy road trip movie. But wait, there’s more. Dr. Shirley happens to be Black. And gay. And the tour is through the Deep South. And it’s 1962. This is fraught territory, and there is great potential for the film to slip into awful stereotype or maudlin sentimentality. But the screenplay - written in part by Tony’s son Nick - navigates this minefield with deft courage. Tony evolves from a casual, thoughtless racism to a deep respect for Dr. Shirley, both as a man and as an artist. For his part, Dr. Shirley moves from disdain for Tony’s uncouth nature to grudging respect for his tenacity, loyalty, and unique ability to see through a problem to a solution. And eventually respect turns to affection, which is all very predictable, but as with any good road picture it’s about the journey, not the destination. And this journey is laid out in a thoroughly entertaining, natural, and believable fashion (Nick swears that every event depicted in the film actually happened). This is movie-making at its finest.

- THE MISFIT -

Roma. The problem with this film is that from a technical perspective it is a mind-blowing masterpiece, but from a narrative perspective it’s a little slow and sparse, if I’m feeling generous, and downright boring if I’m not. Director Alfonso Cuarón is a shoo-in to win Best Director for his brilliant technical work here. Shot in large-format digital black and white the film looks crisp and clean throughout. But what is more astonishing is the rich, vibrant world that Cuarón uses as a backdrop for his story, which would otherwise be small and fairly claustrophobic. Brass bands randomly march down side strides, people are shot from cannons, and lavish weddings take place in the background of what would otherwise be simple scenes with a few lines of dialog. This takes a 30-second scene of dialog - for which 6 takes could probably be done in an hour - and turns it potentially into a 3-day budget-busting ordeal because of the logistics of getting 150 people in place and properly lit. And he does this over and over again. It must have directors, cinematographers, and producers dropping their jaws, but none of this effort and virtuosity drives the plot forward one millimeter. The largely autobiographical narrative (one of the young boys presumably represents Cuarón as a child) centers around Cleo, an indigenous domestic working and living in the home of a well-off doctor in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City circa 1970. There is drama as Cleo deals with an unexpected pregnancy and the doctor abandons the family in favor of a young mistress, but the action plays out languidly through a series of “slice of life” vignettes. You learn a lot about the daily routine within the household - putting children to sleep, cleaning up dog poop - but precious little about the inner lives of the characters portrayed. Each year movies are nominated for Best Picture that are not nominated for Best Director. I think a strong case can be made that “Roma” should have reversed this trend. Cuarón’s Best Director nomination is richly deserved, but overall this film is not Best Picture material. It is a movie made for people who make movies. If you are a film student or an aspiring director it is a must-see. But casual movie-goers looking for entertainment should probably look elsewhere.

- THE PRETENDERS -

BlacKkKlansman. “BlacKkKlansman,” like “Green Book,” takes on themes of racism through the recounting of an incredible real-life story. In this case our hero is Ron Stallworth, a young, ambitious detective with the Colorado Springs Police Department. As the Department’s first Black officer, Stallworth is given an assignment to go undercover and attend a campus rally by Kwame Ture, a firebrand leader of the Black Power movement. Finding that he likes undercover work, Stallworth impulsively reaches out to the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan with an eye towards infiltrating the group. Over the phone he plays the part of white supremacist to a tee, but when he finagles a face-to-face meeting he quickly realizes that maybe he hasn’t thought this thing through. With the help of fellow detective Phil “Flip” Zimmerman (Adam Driver in a nominated role), Stallworth embarks on a Cyrano de Bergerac-esque escapade in which he talks to the Klan - including Grand Wizard David Duke - over the phone while Flip meets them in person. Director Spike Lee (nominated) has been known for his fireworks around issues of race in the past, but here he adopts an almost journalistic tone, presenting the story without hyperbole and letting the facts speak for themselves. This sounds laudable, but it actually serves to make the film feel a little … bland. Especially when combined with a very muted performance by John David Washington whose Stallworth always feels like he’s just trying to get through this scene before someone realizes he’s not supposed to be on set. Neither of these issues is enough to tilt the picture over into “bad” territory - it’s definitely interesting and entertaining - but they are enough to kick it out of Best Picture territory.

A Star is Born. There seems to have been a pact made with the Old Gods that in each generation the greatest female performer of her time must remake a version of the 1937 film “A Star is Born” starring Janet Gaynor. In 1954 it was Judy Garland, in 1976 it was Barbra Streisand’s turn, now, in 2018, the mantle falls to Lady Gaga, who was nominated for her efforts. By now the story is familiar: established star at the peak of his fame takes a talented ingénue under his wing only to watch her career take off while his crumbles. Bradley Cooper stars, directs, and worked on the screenplay; he was nominated for his portrayal of the gravel-voiced Jackson Maine, and for the screenplay, but not for his direction. Cooper’s Jack is an alcoholic with a troubled past, but is also a talented singer-songwriter and modern-day troubadour. When Gaga’s Ally - whom he plucked from obscurity singing torch songs in a New York City drag bar - starts to achieve success as his wanes, it is not simple jealousy that drives him off the deep end. He objects to the WAY she achieves success. In one of their first conversations Jack tells Ally, “There are lots of people with talent. But having something to say and being able to say it in a way that makes people listen? THAT’s special.” So when Ally starts writing catchy pop songs and performing on stage with backup dancers (à la Lady Gaga) Jack is perturbed, but is characteristically incapable of expressing his concerns without sounding unsupportive. So he bottles up his feelings and turns to the bottle. Both Cooper and Gaga give fantastic performances and there are several numbers that Gaga performs that are transcendent (I see big things for that girl). It’s definitely a solid film, and Gaga’s songs are worth the price of admission, but it just didn’t rise to the level of greatness in my mind.

Vice. There has been a bit of a hot streak of transformative performances portraying real-life political figures. I’m thinking particularly of Daniel Day-Lewis’ Lincoln and Gary Oldman’s Churchill. But in both of those cases the figure in question had pretty much faded from living memory. Not so with Dick Cheney, George W. Bush’s “Vice” President. Christian Bale (nominated) IS Dick Cheney to such an extent that if it weren’t for scenes depicting a young Cheney early in the film I don’t think I would have been able to identify the performer as Bale. It’s astonishing. And Amy Adams (nominated) is nearly as good as wife Lynne Cheney. But there is more to this film than just an epic performance by the leads. Director Adam McKay made his name with screwball comedies like “Anchorman” and “Step Brothers,” which most decidedly did not garner him Oscar nominations. But he turned a corner with 2015’s “The Big Short,” which did. Now he’s back and nominated again with “Vice” and, as with “The Big Short,” though he is swimming through serious waters he has not forgotten his comedic roots. “Vice” is by turns hilarious and infuriating, sometimes both at once. Given the current state of our politics the W era has taken on a warm glow of nostalgia for a time when, even if we didn’t agree with our leaders, we could sleep safe and secure in the knowledge that at least they weren’t actually agents of a foreign government. But “Vice” dredges up some of the seedier behind-the-scenes aspects to remind us that using Executive Privilege to undermine democracy is sadly nothing new. I probably should have liked “Vice” more than I did - Sam Rockwell’s (nominated) turn as W is not to be missed - but for some reason attempts to use the power of the presidency to  subvert the intentions of the Founders just doesn’t seem as quaint and jovial as it once did.

So which SHOULD win?

For me it comes down to “Black Panther” and “Green Book.” Out of a top-to-bottom very strong class these two stand out in my mind as the ones that are really hitting on all cylinders. From direction and cinematography, to acting and art direction, to just straight up story telling, these are the most well-rounded of the bunch. And while I do love me some “Black Panther” (Wakanda forever!) I have to go with “Green Book” for its added layers of emotional resonance.

But which WILL win?

I said above that “Roma” is a movie made for people who make movies. Well … guess who votes for the Oscars? People who make movies. “Green Book” is actually in the running, but appears to be a distant second. I’m going with “Roma,” which would be the first foreign language film in history to win Best Picture.

Best Actress - This appears to be a two-way race between Glenn Close for “The Wife” and Olivia Colman for “The Favourite.” I’m going with Close.

Best Supporting Actress - It appears as though my favorites from “The Favourite” will be shut out, as this seems to be between Regina King for “If Beale Street Could Talk,” and Amy Adams for “Vice.” I’ll take Regina King.

Best Actor - When I saw “Vice” on 12/27/18 I walked out of the theater and tweeted: ‘Bale’s gonna win Best Actor. You heard it here first.’ And I still believe that’s what should happen. And it just might, but now it seems that Rami Malek has the buzz for “Bohemian Rhapsody.” (Did I mention that they shot the epic Live Aid set on THE FIRST DAY OF SHOOTING?) I can’t quibble too much; he was great too. I’m jumping on the Rami Malek bandwagon.

Best Supporting Actor - Mahershala Ali (“Green Book”) will need to clear off some more space on the mantle.

Best Director - Alfonso Cuarón in a runaway. I have no quarrel with this, just with Best Picture.

Best Cinematography - Alfonso Cuarón for “Roma.” See above.

Best Foreign Language Film - This hardly seems fair with “Roma” poised to become the first foreign-language film to actually win Best Picture, but … “Roma.”

Best Animated Feature - “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Seriously, if you haven’t seen this do yourself a huge favor and check it out.

Best Original Song - “Shallow” from “A Star is Born.” As an added bonus the song actually plays a key role in the plot and is performed in its entirety in the film.

Best Original Screenplay - I am really pulling for “Green Book,” because it’s a great story, but also a great story-behind-the-story, with Tony Lip’s son penning the screenplay. But it looks like “The Favourite” will win.

Best Visual Effects - “Black Panther” is unlikely to win Best Picture, but Marvel should take home an Oscar here for “Avengers: Infinity War.” (Actual winner: “First Man”)

That does it for this year. Until next year keep your popcorn warm and your soda cold.