#the amount of time between rough and final stage over the past 4 years has been slashed by a couple months

[gilmourtheapatosaur]

I work on construction sites and OSHA is also being threatened. You have no idea the amount of violations I see on site every day that will make workplace deaths skyrocket.

Keep your messaging simple:

“Trump fired everyone in charge of airplane safety, and a week later planes started crashing into each other.”

That’s it. That’s the messaging. Don’t get bogged down disputing Trump’s false claims. Just blame him, in short and repeatable sentences.

[taww]

Class A Amps Explained & Compared: Valvet A4 Mk.II vs. Pass Labs XA30.5

After years of hearing about the benefits of Class A amplifiers, I finally got a taste in my system when the Valvet A4 Mk.II monoblocks arrived. Despite its cost and inefficiency, Class A operation has long been held as a gold standard of amplification by many in the high-end, Krell and Nelson Pass among its better-known evangelists. Different Class A amps have their distinct sonic character like any other amps, and no, Class A isn’t a guarantee of great sound. But one commonality I’ve heard from many of these big hot amps is a lovely naturalness and liquidity that came closer to tubes in capturing music’s tonal colors... as if all that bias current helped burn away the ills of solid state. Once I heard good Class A, many otherwise excellent Class AB amps seemed a bit bland and mechanical by comparison. This was borne out when the Valvet arrived while the excellent Bryston 4B Cubed was also in-house. While the powerhouse Bryston was a great amp in its own right, the Valvet just seems to have less electronic artifact and more musical blood flowing through its veins, to paraphrase an old colleague. I was hooked and craving more Class A, so I jumped at the opportunity to give the Pass Labs XA30.5 a try. Replaced by the XA30.8 a few years back, it’s an older design that became a bit of an icon as one of the more attainable ways (MSRP $5500) to achieve Class A nirvana. It makes for a fascinating design contrast with the Valvet - big American muscle vs. tidy German simplicity.

What is Class A again? 🤓

First, a quick refresher. “Class A” operation means the devices (in this case the output transistors of the amp, commonly MOSFET or bipolar [BJT] devices) have enough bias current applied to them to ensure they always stay conductive (“on”) throughout the entire voltage swing of the musical signal. Remember that transistors tend to behave like on-off switches that require a certain threshold current to become conductive. This non-linear behavior is called the transconductance curve, and the idea with Class A is you always have enough juice flowing to keep the device in the conductive, most linear part of the curve. 

Non-linear transconductance (current vs. voltage) curve of a bipolar transistor (BJT). Amazing we can get good sound of of these things, eh? (Source: stackexchange.com)

In contrast, Class AB amplifiers utilize “push-pull” complementary (NPN/n-channel and PNP/p-channel) pairs of transistors taking turns handling the positive and negative swings of the musical signal. They will only apply enough current to keep both devices on for smaller signals, and as power increases one side of the push-pull will cease conducting while the other side takes care of business. This is a clearly a more efficient setup - no wasted power for a device that doesn’t need to be on - but one that does have one device always transitioning in or out of its ideal operating region. Even if it’s not doing the heavy lifting, it’s contributing non-linearity and this leads to distortion that typically requires some form of negative feedback to mitigate. (If you’d like to go a level deeper on the theory of all this, check out this tutorial.)

A couple observations that are obvious from a circuit perspective, but perhaps clouded by all the marketing speak in the audio biz. Firstly, virtually all single-ended audio amplifiers are Class A by definition, and all Class AB amplifiers are push-pull. There would be no point in designing a non-Class A single-ended amp for audio because it would distort massively whenever the signal exceeded its Class A bias range. Class A for push-pull means both devices are conducting all the time, but there is an interesting catch - if the output signal exceeds the amount of bias current to keep one side of the push-pull pair in its linear region, the amp still keeps working because the other device is conducting - it’s being pushed in the opposite direction on its transconductance curve, towards saturation (overload). This means unlike single-ended Class A, push-pull Class AB will simply start acting like Class B at high power levels.  Secondly, not all Class A biasing is the same - yes, the device might be fully on, but how far into its operating region (where on the transconductance curve) has it been juiced? This is why e.g. when Pass Labs upgraded the XA30.5 to the XA30.8, they increased bias current significantly, resulting in an amp that was still rated at 30Wpc but used over 100 watts more at idle and weighed 25 lbs more.

Class A Power Ratings 🔌

With all that in mind, let’s look at the rated power of these two amps. The Pass Labs weighs 60 lbs/27 kg and is rated at 30 watts into 8 ohms, which is literally 1/10th the rated power of the similarly-sized Bryston 4B Cubed. The Valvet is rated at 55 watts into 8 ohms, with each compact monoblocks weighing 26 lbs/12 kg - it’s well under half the size and weight of the Pass. How can both be Class A, meaning they both operate at low efficiency, yet the Valvet is purportedly 83% more powerful in such a compact package? While I haven’t spoken with Valvet designer Knut Cornils about how he rated the power of the A4, Pass Labs is very clear that their 30Wpc rating is for fully Class A operation, but that the amp will continue delivering power with low distortion well past that. And indeed, when Stereophile measured the XA30.5 on the bench, it delivered 130 watts into 8 ohms and 195 watts into 4 ohms before hitting 1% distortion. Those famous Pass Labs bias meters (NOT power meters as on e.g. Macintosh amps) also tell you exactly when bias current starts to fluctuate, indicating the amp is leaving Class A. On my 92.5dB-efficient Audiovector SR 6 speakers, they would just start to wiggle on heavy bass notes or orchestral climaxes at high listening levels.

Valvet A4 power draw at idle. Double this for two monoblocks.

Since I wasn’t able to measure the actual bias current inside the amps, I took a look at idle power draw as a rough proxy. Though the Pass XA30.5 is rated at 238W at idle, I measured closer to 190W once fully warmed up; meanwhile, the Valvet monoblocks idled at around 90W each. So, pretty similar, which doesn’t mean their Class A biasing is the same (it depends on a host of other factors such as the voltage of the supply rails) but it hints to the Valvet not being “juiced” any more deeply into Class A despite its higher power rating. This is also borne out by the similar operating temperatures (toasty, but not burning hot) and the fact that the power supply in the Pass, while having less capacitance than the Valvet, likely has just as much (if not more) transformer muscle. I don’t know the rating of the Pass’s massive toroid but I suspect it’s more then double the 400VA in each Valvet.

With the caveat that this is conjecture based on the physical, electrical and sonic observations (more on those later), the Valvet’s 55 watts are likely closer to the 1% THD point where it has crossed over into Class AB, and not at full Class A. And as another point of comparison, I currently have the Gryphon Essence Class A power amp that’s rated at 50 watts Class A, and it weighs all of 100 lbs with an absolutely massive power supply. Just as all watts on amp ratings are not alike, neither are all Class A watts apparently.

Sonics 🎶

The Pass amp took some time to come out of its slumber after having been powered down for a while, but its famously warm, relaxed character was immediately discernible. After a couple days much of the initial “MOSFET mist” burned off and a wonderful synergy developed between Pass Labs amp, Audiovector SR 6 Avantgarde Arreté speakers and Furutech DSS-4.1 speaker cables. The XA30.5′s big tone, ripe bottom end and easy power nicely complemented the speed and range of the Audiovectors, requiring no softening or sugar coating from the exceedingly transparent Furutech wire. Compared to the Valvet, the Pass had a bigger sound with more generous bass that was borderline fat without ever getting sloppy. Interestingly the soundstage was noticeably wider as well, despite the Valvets being monoblocks which would ostensibly give them an advantage in channel separation. Vocals on the Pass were a little fleshier on a broader, more spaced stage, and dynamics felt a bit more grounded by that extra bass oomph.

Pass’s XA.5-series styling certainly wasn’t known for its subtlety...

The Valvet counters with a faster, more incisive sound. One of the distinguishing features of the Valvet is the use of a single pair of transistors in the output stage. A number of manufacturers have been taking this approach as of late, including Pass in their XA25 amplifier which takes purism a step further by also eliminating the emitter degeneration resistors. The argument for such a simple topology is that no two transistors behave identically, and thus paralleling them causes some loss of fidelity as you can never get all of them at an identical ideal operating point and things kind of “average out.” The XA30.5 uses 10 pairs of MOSFETs per channel, and it’s only when you listen to the Valvet that you realize the Pass might have a few extra dancers in the troupe who aren’t quite as perfectly in lockstep with the music. The Valvet paints with a finer-tipped brush that can trace all the contours and curves of a musical line with great agility; the Pass doesn’t lack for resolution, but feels a tad slower and mushier, like a brush that has a bit of fuzz around it. This is particularly apparent in the upper frequencies where the Valvet has noticeably more sparkle and precision.

Tonally, both strike me as not deviating very far from neutral, but the Valvet has a subtle bit of upper midrange highlighting that methinks is in part due to its silver internal wiring. Silver tends to have a shinier sound to it, and when balanced well in a system it can really bring the details of a performance alive; but if not properly balanced, it risks sounding lean and forward. With the Valvet, the silver character is applied very judiciously, but I did find I needed to use more relaxed interconnects and speaker wires (e.g. Audience) to get the right overall tonality and perspective. The payoff is in the upper frequencies, where the Valvet makes the Pass sound a bit thick and cloudy by comparison. With a suitable source and preamp (the Gryphon Essence preamp was transformative in this respective), the tinkle of triangles and sheen of violins are presented with effortlessly clarity.

For reference, that’s a bookshelf speaker (Role Kayak) with 4″ woofers.

In terms of Class A qualities, both have wonderfully colorful midranges and a fair helping of liquidity and naturalness, but the Pass wears these quality more on its sleeve by sounding downright lush at times. It also maintains this warmth at higher volume levels where the Valvet can start to get a bit brighter and more strained, perhaps indicating where it’s leaving its Class A bias range. Where both excel is in conveying the lyricism of a tune or the palpability of an instrument or voice owing to their resolving, tonally complete midrange presentations. Both have a singing character that sounds and feels so organic and unencumbered vs. a typical Class AB amp. The Valvet does it with a slightly sharper focus on the lines around instruments and a bit more sparkle and dynamic alacrity; the Pass does it with a big, easy smoothness and weighty low end. Though the Valvet has no problem driving my full-range Audiovector speakers to satisfying volume levels, the Pass feels like it’ll be a bit more effortless and stable into a wider variety of speakers given its beefier output stage.

Going out on a limb: based on Gary Beard’s insightful remarks in Positive Feedback, methinks the Valvet might have more in common with the sound of the newer XA30.8. Gary’s observations of the XA30.5 align very closely with mine, and he describes the 30.8 as being more precise and incisive vs. the 30.5, similar to how I hear the Valvet vs. the 30.5. I would certainly expect the newer Pass to have more grunt than the Valvet given its even more massive power supply, but the Valet might capture some of the delicate qualities of the Pass XA25 as well. Both of those amps would make a really interesting comparison to the Valvet.

Closing Thoughts 🤔

Nit-picking power ratings aside, the Valvet A4 and Pass XA30.5 are both fantastically musical amplifiers that deliver plenty of the famed Class A magic with verve and character. It’s no coincidence that after the Valvet landed in my system, the next two amplifiers I’ve sought out - the Pass and the Gryphon Essence - are also Class A. This isn’t to say I’ll never go back to Class AB (and I’m actually expecting a Class D amplifier soon 😱), but after years of swearing I’d only seek out more practical amps that weren’t so ridiculously big and hot, the Class A bug has bitten me pretty hard. If tonal purity and musical nuance are top priorities for you, amps like the Valvet and Pass Labs deserve a spot on your audition list.

[littlethingwithfeathers]

Writing Update 7-1-19

Just as a heads up, this week is going to be a slow one for writing. I’m teaching fight choreography at a summer camp and it’s my birthday this week, so I’m going to be a little tied up. But who knows? Maybe I’ll get more done than I think, but I doubt it. “Girl in the Garden” will update on schedule so if you’re waiting for that, don’t fret. It’s finished, so I’m just editing at this point. 

And thanks to everyone following my work. I appreciate you guys so much.

Publishing now!

The Girl in the Garden (Chapter 4): a post-Endgame fix-it fic for my series “Friendship is Unnecessary.” It’s nearly 40k words now!

The angst continues! I promise there’s a happy ending. Promise promise promise! Excerpt:

"Take as long as you need." Bruce reminded them, hands moving over dials and switches. "But I'll bring you back here in ten seconds. Deal?"

There were nods from both as their helmets flipped up to seal over their faces. 

Bucky felt like he was standing waist deep in freezing water. The rising dread was slowly numbing him. It was like cryo all over again. But slower. And worse. He would take cryo over this. Dread like this was Hell.

"Going quantum in three… two…" Bruce counted it down and then flipped the final switch. "One. Good luck guys."

There was a crack as the lab in the Avengers Tower dissolved from view, falling upward and upward, and suddenly Bucky was flying through a rippling blue tunnel. Or maybe falling. Tumbling through a hole in reality. He could see Steve off to his right, limbs splayed like he was in a freefall. He wanted to reach over and grab him, hold him close as they hurtled into the past. But he seemed focused on their destination, folding his body in and diving deeper. And all Bucky had to do was follow him.

It was going to be fine, he kept telling himself. This was going to be fine.

Please don't let him do anything stupid…

***

Other “Friendship is Unnecessary” fics at various stages:

Stolen Season: Steve/Natasha vignettes during Endgame’s five year jump. I thought I would do a set of scenes, some sexy some not, of how we get from Steve and Natasha working together at the end of IW, to them halfway living apart at the end of the five year jump. It also covers the hunt for Ronin!Clint, Steve taking up the mantle of group therapist, and Natasha stepping into a role as a sort of hybrid of Cap and Nick Fury. It currently sits at over 17k and climbing. I’m a little over halfway, having done a fair amount of work on the third chapter of four. I anticipate it hovering somewhere between 30-40k. I’m aiming to have the first draft finished by the time I’m done publishing “The Girl in the Garden.”

But Most of All Because They Offend Thee: Based off this post. Probably just short, upbeat, porny little one-shot of Nat being a shit and teasing Steve. Because honestly… this series needs some levity.

One of Those Things (Prologue): Since I’ve written this beast of a series completely out of order, and thus all my author notes are VERY confusing, I thought I’d put a short prologue on the front. Just a couple of short scenes to plant some seeds and give an actual starting place to this whole sprawling, intertwining mess, but also to give me a chance to address new readers so my forewords on the rest of the fics don’t seem weird. I’ve got a little more than a thousand words written on it which is probably about a third to half way.

Untitled Pre-War Steve/Bucky and Pre-Avengers Phil/Clint/Natasha: Partially a request from @crazyevildru that I’m toying with. Probably a flashback or a memory. This series really does need more Steve/Bucky, and I feel bad about it. I’m thinking of also adding a prequel/flashback of Clint/Phil/Natasha as well… maybe have the whole thing be a discussion over dinner.

Sweet and Honorable (Title pending):  Set post Civil War. Bucky insists on coming with Sam and Natasha to rescue Steve when he gets captured. This is starting to take shape in my head as a sort of work through for some of the issues that get raised in “Echo in my Soul.”

***

Other works coming soon!

A Maelstrom Whirls Below: I’m toying with the possibility of a sequel to my Darcy/Eddie/Venom fic “A Room for Rent in the Fourth Estate.” A rough outline is in place, and I’m starting to sketch around on a few scenes. But right now it’s just some ideas and a few zippy one-liners. It’s starting to get some traction though! Likely won’t start work in earnest until all this Endgame fix-it stuff is done, but I’m definitely letting it percolate.

Hang By Every Word: The outline for my Stucky fic is still coming along but it will be awhile yet before I start writing on it in earnest. The basic theme (and I’m sure this has been done, but fuck it) is the undoing of Bucky’s conditioning one trigger word at a time. And each trigger word locked down a memory that HYDRA deemed integral to Bucky’s personality. And of course… they all involve Steve. So I have to write things from Steve’s point of view, and all ten memories have to be written from Bucky’s point of view, and they have to tie together into a cohesive narrative. The memories are out of order, but Steve’s timeline isn’t and… It’s a challenge. I’m still largely in the brainstorming phase… writing little snippets here and there. Nothing’s solidly taking form just yet. Again… just letting it percolate.

Hymn of Acxiom: Scarlet/Vision. I’m really just toying with an idea so don’t get too excited. It would be post Endgame, with Wanda helping a newly reconstructed Vision who has no memories and no personality without the Mind Stone to network all the pieces and facets of his personality. Again… I make no promises… but I have an idea.

Untitled Sarge/Melinda May fic: I know. I KNOW! Don’t give me that look. You saw “The Other Thing.” This shit writes itself. I’ve been sketching on a few things, but I’ll probably wait until this season wraps up before I start planning in earnest. There will likely be some canon divergence, but I want to know if I’ve got to just wiggle the canon around a little or just do a full table-flip. Plus, we still don’t know who this Sarge guy is really...

And Number Them Among the Saints: A Ulana/Boris/Valery fix-it fic. 5k words and counting. STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT.

[spidey-d00d]

Coward // Tony Stark x Reader

Avengers [in a way] x Reader

Warnings; Death; I think I slipped 1 curse word in there?; sad?; Blame?

As you can see idk how warnings work...

A/n // I know that this doesn’t exactly correspond with Infinity War, actually it isn’t supposed to at all, besides the way of the deaths. There isn’t any intentional Infinity War spoilers because I personally haven’t seen it yet, ik sue me. So….. anyways, here is a v sad one shot no one asked for!

1800 Words

[Not my gif]

“You taught me to be brave, and to be strong, but you are a coward. Hiding behind a suit of armor. You don’t know how to fight, or own up to your own mistakes! You pretend to be big, bad and powerful, a hero, but you are a coward.” You burst, all of your emotions releasing into your words.

“You could have saved him. You could have saved the entire team, but instead you were being selfish and only helping yourself. Everyone is dead because of you, and you have nothing to say for yourself. You killed them, keep that in mind at night, you,” You emphasized the words, “Killed them.”

He looked so taken aback, letting the words you were screaming at him sink in. It was all true. Instead of looking out for his own team, family, he only took his own life into consideration and not theirs.

Clint had a family, that is now going to have to get by without him.

Thor had his entire realm to rule, and a brother to keep out of trouble.

Natasha had Bruce and Bruce had Natasha.

Steve had finally gotten his best friend back, and the only thing keeping him chained to himself.

Bucky had just gotten out of the grasp of Hydra and changed for the better, finally getting the last known person that was alive from his childhood years.

Wanda had finally confessed everything to Vision, even though he already knew every word she was going to say. They had finally started a happy life. She had been in her rough stages of losing her brother, but it all had just finally fell into place when Vision and her had finally confessed their thoughts.

T’Challa had finally gotten to rule his kingdom just like he was supposed to. Shuri finally invented the one thing she had always tried to get perfect, but always had issues with it.

Strange had peaked with his sorcery skills, and finally came to the conclusion that the shakes in his hands wouldn’t ever fully go away, but right about now he wasn’t too bothered about it.

And Peter, Peter had finally won a decathlon, without any Spider-Man responsibilities getting in the way. He was finally happy and his life with May was perfect. He became best friends with MJ and Liz. His crush had finally drifted from Liz to you, of all people, you. He finally gotten the courage to talk to you, after a mission, and finally confess everything. Every little thing that was in his mind was now out in the open between you two. Of course you felt the same thing towards him, and it all went well. But that day, was just yesterday. Meare hours before his life was taken. Hours before he was turned into a pile of dust. Just like everyone else. Blown away with the wind, and taken away from you. Your family was now gone. And you blamed one person and one person only.

Tony Stark.

He had the power to stop everything. To help keep the deaths of everyone you had ever cared about at bay. He had the power to keep the heartbreak from erupting in your chest. The power to keep you from crying everyday, every minute, every second of everyday without fail. The power to make sure his family was safe and taken care of and to make sure they would come home to have one last family meal together.

What you would give to have them all back around the longer table passing around all of the food and laughing at stupid things that was said over the ear pieces throughout the previous mission. Someone eventually yelling ‘Language’ and the entire room erupting in a laugher.

“Do you have anything to say, or are you just going to stand there.” By now, you had been more angry than anything. There were no tears anywhere in sight, just pure anger and frustration.

“The man of many words has none now? The one time that he needs them, they aren’t there for him. That’s a very strange sight.” You said, gradually getting louder and louder with each word.

“Say something Tony! Fucking say anything! Tell me how much you hate yourself. Tell me how you know you are coward. Say something Stark. I know you have words!” You screamed, bending over a little from yelling so much you were losing air.

You moved yourself closer to his stance still yelling. You didn’t have any clue why you were being so hard on him, besides the fact that he could have saved the only people you had ever known. The only people you had ever loved.

“Speak Tony!” You had finally made it directly in front of him and your hands started moving before it was confirmed by your mind. You kept punching him in the chest, his face unfazed. He just stood there and took each blow you threw his way. By now, your only angry emotion had been swiped, and it was joined with sadness, everything finally hitting you like at truck, all at one.

Not one by one, slowly gradually coming to you, like you wished, but everything flooded your body and mind like a tsunami.

You couldn’t see anything in front of you but your fists flying past your head and hitting the chest covered by a grey t-shirt.

“You’re a coward!” You kept repeating, slowly losing all your strength you had in the beginning. You were getting tired, sobs taking over your body.

Tony hadn’t said anything the entire time, just let you do what you needed to do. He knew that this is the way that you cope. You tried to blame it on other people, as unhealthy as it sounds, and then you finally let it hit you.

He didn’t disregard the words though. He let them all sink in, every word burning into his memory. These words that would replay through his head at least 10 times a day, because it was all true. There was so many things he could have done to save his team, his family. If he wasn’t so distracted by himself then they would be alive.

He says he is the type of person to let himself die instead of many people, but when it actually came to that option, he chose himself.

Tony kept replaying every death through his mind as you screamed at him.

Wanda, Steve, Thor, Nat, Clint, Bruce, T’Challa, even Bucky. One that popped up more than the others, Peter. The kid that he promised to take care of. The one that he promised that would come home safe and now he has to break it to May that the last person she had in her family was gone now. She was a widow, her sister and brother-in-law were dead, and the child she treated like a son, and loved like a son, was also dead. She was now alone.

Once you started becoming weak, Tony took this time to finally wrap his strong arms around your small frame. You tried to wrangle yourself out of his grasp, but he was too strong for your tired body. Once you gave up, you just cried into his chest, and he let you. You didn’t say anything, the only sound in the room was your small hiccups.

You ended up passing out in his arms, and he carefully and skillfully picked you up off of the floor where you were both at, and carried you to the nearest couch.

Tony pulled a blanket over you, which you immediately curled into, like nothing was wrong, like everything in the world was going to be okay, but he knew that the moment you woke up, it would be another war coming his way.

He looked at you, thinking about his choices he had right in this moment. He had the choice to leave, and take the coward way out,  the name you had been calling him all night, or he could be the man he wished he was. The strong man who looked out for his team. The man who didn’t run away from his problems as much as he wished he could.

After minutes of just staring at your tear-stained face that was so relaxed from you sleeping, he finally came to a conclusion.

He stood up, making sure you were covered, and made his way to his room. He grabbed a bag big enough to bring a decent amount of clothes to last a few days, and shoved clothes into it.

Walking out of his room, he placed his bag next to the front door, and then went to check on you in the common room, where you were as expected, sleeping.

Tony then made his way to your room, opening the door slowly. He stepped in and took a look around. He never came in here as a sign of respect of privacy, so he was so amazed at everything around it. There were so many picture frames and polaroids of all of the Avengers together. He didn’t even know most of these were taken.

He flicked on the light,  walked through all of them, taking the time to carefully inspect every detail of the family. He got to one particular picture. It was all of the Avengers, including Tony, that Jarvis had snapped. It was all of them surrounding a table, laughing as Tony, You, Peter, and Rhody tried to pick up the Mjölnir that belonged to the one and only Thor. Everyone was happy.

Tony shook himself out of all the deep thoughts his mind was getting himself into, and he turned to the task he was in there to accomplish. He grabbed a bag that he had found in your closet, and put some clothes he thought you would need in it. He got some of the things he knew that you liked, and a couple of pictures. Zipping up the bag, he turned off your ight, closed the door and put you bag next to his.

He went back to where your sleeping body was laying, and scooped you into his arms and skillfully carried you out of the front door, and put you into the car, without waking or dropping you. He went back to the house to grab the bags, and quickly took a glance at the place he called home for almost 4 years.

He locked the door and didn’t look back. Getting into the car, and driving away, he looked back to you sleeping across the back seat.

“I am going to look out for my people from now on.” He whispered. “Forever and Always.” He drove as far as possible from the building without a second thought.

Tag List; @destructive-memories // @lizzyclifford13-blog 

[topromp]

Breakups vary in all shapes and sizes depending on your age, the length of the relationship, the type of person you were dating, and many other factors. But there’s one common theme: they suck. If there’s one question I see the most, it’s “how do I get over a breakup?” There are some good articles on how to do it, but I haven’t seen one that really hits the nail on the head and explains what to do from day 1 in order to get through a breakup.

Here are the 3.5 steps to take to get over a breakup and come out as a stronger, happier person.

Note: the time-frame for each step is put in brackets, but depends on the person and/or situation. Some people are quicker to “recover” than others, and relationships that last longer will generally require more time spent in each step. Adapt the time-frames accordingly.

Step 0.5- Realization/Acceptance (1-3 Days)

The absolute first step to take to get over a breakup is to realize and accept that it has happened and that your relationship is over. I’ve heard way too many stories about “half breakups” or breaking up for a day or two (or more) or not being on the same page, and these are all terrible situations to put yourself in. I’m not going to discuss whether you should try and “win the person back” in this post because it’s not the focus, so we will assume it’s in your best interest that this relationship ends.

Say this to yourself: my relationship is over.

Period. This might (probably will) sound depressing and you still might not be able to fully accept it, but if you don’t start believing it, at least a little bit, you will never get over a breakup.

The “good” part about accepting the breakup as a fact is that you have clarity. When dealing with difficult situations like these, for your own peace of mind, you should seek out clarity and certainty instead of confusion and “grey areas”. The sooner you can get it in your head that the relationship is over, the better. Trust me, it will help down the road to recovery.

Bottom line: if you know it is/should be over, it’s over.

Step 1- Mourning (1-3 Weeks)

Now that you’ve realized and accepted that your relationship is over, you need time to mourn. In plain English, this means be very, very sad. Again, how sad or emotional you get will depend on many factors, and naturally some will need a longer mourning period than others, but give yourself between 1-3 weeks to cry it out. Be alone if you need to, have your breakdowns, cry on shoulders, listen to sad music, eat tubs of ice cream, whatever you need to do.

The key here is to get all of that sadness out of your system. In the next few steps, you will work on building yourself back up into a happier, stronger person. But the reality is that you can’t do that if you’re still holding onto feelings of sadness. Sure, you will have times down the road where you feel sad, but that is sadness you can overcome. At this step, you want to get all that underlying, heavy sadness out of your system, so recognize it’s there, don’t hold back and let it all out.

Also keep in mind that you should go “no contact” with your ex. This will be the hardest stage to stay true to the “no contact” rule, but it’s also the most important time to stick to it. Remember, this whole process is aimed at getting over the person, so anytime you message, call, creep or stare, will only bring back memories and refresh your feelings towards them. Avoid at all costs!

Pro tip: any time you get a strong urge to message/call your ex, message or call a good friend or family member instead. Even if it’s just to whine and sob about your ex, you’re better off doing that than communicating with your ex.

You should also set a specific ending date for the mourning stage. For example, let’s say you had a ten month relationship that was pretty great, but ultimately didn’t last that long. Also, you know you’re the type who doesn’t need long to recover. So you pick exactly 1 week.

Or let’s say you just got out of a 4-year relationship with someone who you thought was “the one”, and you’re a very emotional person who doesn’t handle these things well. You may want to pick a date closer to 2-3 weeks away.

No matter what length of time or day you pick, put it in your calendar and get it in your head that starting on that day, your mourning is over and your recovery begins. I’ll never forget the exact day I started properly recovering from my first big breakup; it was a 3-year relationship that ended out of the blue and left me in shambles. But after a brief phone call about 2 weeks after the breakup where she made it clear things were over for good, I told myself that tomorrow was the start of my recovery and stuck to it. It wasn’t until that day that things finally started to improve and I was able to get over the breakup.

Pro tip #2: keep a journal. Yes, even if you’re a guy who feels like that’s too “feminine”. You are going to have a million thoughts and feelings going through your mind, and even if you have a great support system, sometimes it isn’t enough. At the beginning or end (or both) of each day, make a journal entry about those thoughts and feelings. It will help put your mind at ease.

Bottom line: accept the fact that you’re allowed to be sad, and get it all out of your system in a reasonable amount of time. Talk to family/friends for support and keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings.

Step 2- Recovery (1-3 months)

At this point, you’ve had a rough week/few weeks of mourning, but you got all/most of the sadness out of your system. This, in my opinion, is the most important step, and if done well, will set you on an amazing path to get over a breakup.

This stage is the complete opposite of the mourning stage. Instead of remembering the past and being sad, we’re focusing on ourselves and our bright future ahead. The hardest part about getting over a breakup is that there’s now a void in your life that your significant other used to fill – all the texting, hanging out, sleeping over, etc., is all gone, so you need to fill in that time. The key is to get active, get social, and keep busy.

Here are the best ways:

1) Do physical activities: No, I don’t mean start sleeping with other people (although they say the quickest way to getting over someone is to get under someone else ? ). Start going to the gym, or running, or going to yoga, or playing a sport, or going for daily walks, or a combination of a few of these. It doesn’t matter what it is, pick a physical activity or two that you enjoy and start doing them at LEAST 3 times a week.

Bonus points if you have a friend/friends to do it with or play against. The psychological benefits of being active and in good physical condition are endless, so this is very important. Also, you’ll probably have a lot of ice cream to work off from your mourning stage…

2) Start talking to more people: In the mourning stage, it’s completely fine to curl up in bed for days on end, not talk to people and not want to do group activities. But now it’s time to flip the switch – start going out for dinners with friends or family, start going out to other social-type gatherings, start going out to bars, etc. Even little things like hosting a board game night, or going out to see a movie with friends, or for an ice cream cone. Doesn’t matter what, just start asking people to hang out and/or accepting invites to everything that gets you out of the house.

Pro tip: if you don’t want to ask people directly to do things, ask your friends and/or family to invite you out whenever they want company for anything. Don’t force yourself into their plans, but a simple “Hey, I’m really looking to get out of the house more these days, so if you ever want some company with anything, please let me know” works great.

3) Cook more/eat healthier: Heck, this could even be a new hobby you try out for the first time, but start cooking (more). How often do you cook already? If it isn’t almost every day, then start cooking meals more often. Whether it be a brand new recipe for dinner, a simple, fresh sandwich for lunch or a healthy snack you’ve always wanted to make, go get some groceries and prep your own food. It will save you money, improve your diet and can be a lot of fun with some music or a podcast on in the background.

4) Re-start or pick-up a new hobby: Remember that thing you loved doing in grade school that you don’t do anymore? Or even high school or undergrad? Maybe it’s comic books, or painting, or sewing. Or maybe you always wanted to try woodworking or the piano but never got around to it. This is the perfect time. Pick one or two and dive into it head first. Start reading guides, going to classes, talking with people who have experience, visiting forums online, etc.

5) Read and Write: Stop reading Facebook/Instagram feeds and start reading books; fiction, non-fiction, self-help, personal development, romance, whatever your heart desires. Also, start (if you didn’t already in the previous stage) a journal. I found that especially when you have your ex on your mind or feel like you need to reach out to them, writing about your feelings or even a letter addressed to them helped bring me down to earth without the negative effects that actually communicating with them brought.

6) Rely on internet strangers: This might not be for everyone, but there are so many great online social communities and/or forums with people who are either going through tough times as well, or those who have been through them and are willing to be a support system. Post or reach out to fellow current or former broken-hearted peers and you immediately get access to free, unbiased people looking to chat and help one another. However, this isn’t for everyone, and you shouldn’t become reliant on it. This is for general chatting and support, don’t get caught up spending hours chatting with people online. Use it as a filler when not taking part in options 1-5.

Implement all/most of these things in your life, and you will automatically become busier, healthier and happier – a great start to get over a breakup. The recovery phase will last a different amount of time for everyone. Some people can get back to normal and into a good routine quickly, while others might not. Either way, focus on those activities (especially 1-4) and you’ll notice a gradual improvement in how you’re feeling day-to-day. Realize this will not be an overnight fix and you will have a bad day here and there. But if you stick to these guidelines, you will notice a gradual improvement over time.

Bottom line: stay busy by living an active, healthy life and you will slowly start to get over a breakup, day by day.

Step 3- Revitalization (Forever)

This is the easy and fun part. You’ve spent a few days accepting the breakup, a few weeks crying it out of your system, and a few months building yourself back up into a stronger, better person. There is no time-frame for how long recovery will take, but eventually, you will feel “normal” again and be ready to move on to bigger, better things.

This is the last step to get over a breakup. In most respects, it is very similar to step 2, with one major difference. While you are still living an active, busy and healthy lifestyle, you are ready to start “moving on”. Maybe it has already happened, or maybe you are busy with your career and not focused on finding someone else, but at this point, you are ready if the right circumstances came around.

Because of this, there isn’t anything specific to do except to appreciate that you made it through one of life’s greatest emotional difficulties, be open to opportunities and be excited for what you have ahead. Maybe you want to meet someone in bars, online, or in any other way, or maybe you still want to focus on yourself. Either way, the world is your oyster and you should move at whatever pace you feel most comfortable with.

Pro tip: Now that you were able to get over a breakup, it is a good time to reflect on it and learn from what went wrong. What truly caused the breakup? What things did you do that may have led to it, and how can you improve yourself for your next relationship? What qualities are you looking for in your next partner? No need to answer all of those concretely, but thinking about them will make your next relationship that much better.

One last consideration is “being friends” with your ex. Up until now, you should have avoided contact with them, but at this point, MINIMAL contact is completely fine. I know some former partners who ended up becoming friends, but I always avoided it. Not because they were bad people or because the breakup was nasty, but because I appreciated what we had in the past and didn’t want any potential of complicating things any more (or even worse, having one party develop feelings again).

So I keep communication to a minimum, such as birthday wishes and catch-ups every once in a while (maybe once or twice a year). Again, you may want or be able to include more communication than that, but I choose to focus on moving forward and avoiding any possible complications.

That’s it! For those trying to get over a breakup or anyone with a friend who is, I hope that this will give you or them a framework to use to get through it as quickly and positively as possible. For those who aren’t or haven’t yet, keep this post in mind and don’t forget to check back and/or bookmark the page for future use (apologies for the pessimism, but you never know when a rough breakup may hit!).

Thanks for reading! If you want even more content on how to get over a breakup, read our article on 7 easy ways to here!

The post How to Get Over an Ex: The 3.5 Steps to Get Over a Breakup appeared first on Top Romp.

[gethealthy18-blog]

What I Learned from Quitting Instagram for 6 Months

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What I Learned from Quitting Instagram for 6 Months

I’ve been getting some questions recently about when/if I’m coming back to Instagram so I thought it was due time I stop in for a little update. For context, 6 months ago I announced I was taking a break from Instagram. I just looked at the date of my last post and realized it’s been exactly 6 months, although if I’m being honest it feels like 6 days and a 6 years all at once. Nothing and everything has happened in these 6 months. When I decided to take a break I always knew I’d be back but I thought when I returned I’d be some changed woman. I thought I would have gotten the space I needed and made all kinds of breakthroughs. 6 months without Instagram = enlightenment, right?!

Not so much. I have changed in the last 6 months. All of us have. Life is change. I’m not the same person I was with 6 months ago just like I won’t be the same person 6 months from now. Some of this change is indeed a part of my break from Instagram (along with moving, transitioning my business etc…) and some is just the natural progression of life. Nonetheless I’ve still learned a thing or two over the past 6 months and especially about what it means to take a break from everyone’s favorite photo-sharing app.

But first, let’s chat a bit about where my head was at when I decided to leave. For those who follow me it probably seemed like a spur of the moment decision. I’d be back in a month, right?! Not so much. I had been planning a break for at least two months prior to announcing. I started tracking my moods and how Instagram was making me feel and what I discovered was that Instagram was a huge source of my anxiety. I felt most myself and most at ease on the days I wasn’t thinking about it. The pressure of having to show up there for my business created an anxiety cycle I felt like I could never escape. I’d post things and go through the inevitable thoughts/feelings around why certain things performed and others didn’t. Then I’d recoil and not post anything feeling guilty for not being active enough for my business. It felt like a lose-lose situation.

Another big reason for leaving was feeling like my life was being lived for other people. When I started THM in 2013 Instagram was in its nascent stage. Stories didn’t exist and people certainly weren’t posting professionally captured “moments”. My first picture was a grainy, overly filtered shot of my old apartment in Montreal. I never in a million years thought that thousands of people would be or would even want to be watching my daily activities. But that’s where things have gone and I began to realize that no matter what I did I felt like I’d inevitably be looking at my life through the lens of someone else. It wasn’t just about how my life felt to me but about how my life looked through another person’s eyes. Now, as a recovering people-pleaser with codependent tendencies, this is not healthy. I wanted my life to be inspiring to people but also non-threatening. I wanted to be liked…by everyone. There was a time when I was a lot more fearless in this space, but as my audience grew so did my fears of negative feedback and I began to be cautious about what I shared so as not to offend anyone.

I’m a big believer that there is a difference between authenticity and transparency. You do not need to share everything to be authentic. I was beginning to realize that what felt truest to me was sharing a lot less than I used to. But then I’d immediately spiral into a state of “but what value do I offer? People consider me an influencer! I have to be on there. It’s not fair to only give people part of the story”. It took one too many of these spirals for me to finally realize that I couldn’t keep playing this game anymore. I needed a break to figure things out. I needed to live my life without the ‘gram. So while it may have been a surprise to you – there was nothing impulsive about the decision.

*I have to segue for a minute here – after spending 6 months off Instagram I kind of find this whole discussion a little silly. Instagram feels like a big deal when it takes up too much of your life (like it did for me) but when it doesn’t it feels more like “yeah whatever”. But more on that in a bit.*

What I felt when I announced I was taking a break

On the morning of September 6th, 2019 I posted a picture, a blog post and a short caption and then I deleted the app. I felt a mixture of relief and pride. I was proud of myself for setting a boundary and taking a risk even if I didn’t know its implications. I also felt kind of free. It gave me space to think about other things I was passionate about and zoom out on my business. It let me see clearly what I love about my job and what no longer serves me. I wasn’t bogged down in trying to keep up with the Instagram game and making myself constantly available to other people and meeting their needs.

At the same time I’ll admit that it was a little scary. I’ve gotten used to the immediacy of feedback that Instagram delivers. I was very much altering what you were seeing to avoid negative feedback but I became no stranger to positive feedback. Instagram helped feed my low self-worth. I no longer had the immediacy of people reaching out for advice, thanking me or wanting to connect. I still received this feedback but without the easy access of Instagram these connections felt much more intentional and meaningful. That being said it wasn’t as often and my ego wasn’t loving it. I’m not going to lie, it was rough. But it also forced me to finally come face-to-face with why I require so much validation from other people. I’m not here to tell you I’ve solved it but I definitely became much more aware of it.

Around mid-October I started to feel a little disconnected. While I definitely did not miss sharing my life with strangers, I did miss seeing what my friends were up to. 2 years ago I created a personal account for this very reason. It’s incredibly important to me to have strong and meaningful friendships in my life and I do my very best to show up in person when I can but I’ve lived in 4 different cities over the past 10 years and my friends are spread across the world so I missed getting the occasional update on them. I knew I wasn’t prepared to download the app again so instead I allowed myself to occasionally check my personal Instagram on desktop. This allowed for a nice balance and I finally felt like I could use the app like a normal human and not someone whose business depended on it. Speaking of which, let’s chat about the business implications.

How Leaving Instagram Affected My Business

So I know what some of you may be thinking – that sounds great and all but I could never leave Instagram – my business depends on it! Trust me, I get it. I told myself the exact same story for 7 years. Instagram is crucial to running a digital business. Or so I thought. This has by far been the biggest learning lesson since quitting Instagram. I can, in fact, run a digital business without using Instagram. MIND BLOWN.

Now I’m not going to sugarcoat things for you, my business has required a total overhaul. I’ve always been open about how I make money in this space but for a brief refresher it has primally been through sponsored content (working with brands to create content), ad revenue (cause we all love ads lol!) and affiliate earnings (I recommend a product and make a small commission from the sale if you buy it). This is a model that has worked well for me because it’s allowed me to create my work and share it with you without ever having to charge you a cent.

In the past sponsored content made up the largest chunk of my income. Influencer marketing is a BIG industry and while I never set out to be an influencer, I kind of fell into the trap. I’ve prided myself on my integrity in my brand relationships (though I’m certainly not perfect) but nevertheless, there is a lot of money passing hands in the influencer space and its hard to turn it down. But here’s the thing, I started THM to work for myself and serve my audience. As the influencer industry has grown I started to spend most of my time feeling like I was working for other people and serving the needs of my clients…not my audience. Most of you never see what happens behind-the-scenes, but trust me when I say it is big business and brands have extremely high expectations of your deliverables and returns. Trying to meet these needs while also fighting for the rights of my audience (without your trust I have nothing!) became exhausting and made me want to not show up here.

Now what does this have to do with Instagram? Over the past year, brands have basically been putting all their influencer marketing budgets into Instagram. While I was still able to occasionally secure a sponsored blog post, most saw it as a bonus on top of an Instagram post or only wanted an Instagram post at all. If my Instagram audience was no longer accessible to these brands they didn’t see much value in working with me. For the first two months I was somewhat in denial about this. For context: the blog has over 10x more monthly visitors than THM’s Instagram. My audience has and likely will always be bigger on the blog than on social media. I spent the first two months thinking that if I could just communicate this to these brands they’d see the light and want to work with me. Not so much. Right now the influencer industry is Instagram-centric. Despite the lowest amount of engagement the platform has ever seen, more and more money is being thrown into the space. I felt bitter about this for some time but then I realized it was time to let it go. Just because I’m over Instagram doesn’t mean everyone else is too.

As my contracts wrapped up and I wasn’t signing new ones a felt a sense of dread and relief. The biggest chunk of my income was disappearing but for the first time in over 5 years I was running the business I wanted to run. I could talk about whatever I wanted to talk about and I wasn’t spending 50% of my time negotiating contracts, sending in drafts, discussing concepts and managing the expectations of my clients. I fell in love with blogging and why I started this space in the first place. It’s funny to me how many people think blogging is dead. Blogging circa 2014 is dead but blogging very much is not dead. Without the pressure of Instagram and brand commitments I was able to see this much more clearly.

The last 4 months have been very interesting for me from a business-perspective. I’ve had to get a lot more stringent with my business spending (I couldn’t keep running a podcast that was costing me more than it was earning) and get clear on exactly what I need to do to keep THM up and running. Three letters: SEO. I’ve spent the last several months revamping old content, creating new content you want to see and getting smart about what you guys are searching for. It’s a balancing act between creating work you want to see and writing posts from the heart and that don’t have much SEO-value (like this one) but I’m getting better at it. Between increased page views from SEO and you guys trusting my product recommendations (unsponsored but with affiliate kickbacks) you have made it possible for me to continue to run this business. I’m not going to lie, my income has been cut roughly 1/3-1/2 of what it used to be but I’m happier and healthier and when it comes to my values and priorities those two take precedence. Although if you guys do want to support me and my work it doesn’t hurt for you to share articles you love with friends and/or buy products I recommend through the links on this site. It means absolutely nothing on here has to be sponsored which is pretty cool!

My advice for anyone wanting to take a long Instagram break

It wouldn’t be a maven post without a little dose of wisdom. If you’re thinking about taking a break from Instagram my advice would be this, DO IT. If it feels like a big deal to take a break, you need a break. I mentioned earlier on in this novel of a post that it feels kind of silly dedicating a whole post to taking an Instagram break and that’s honestly because after you leave you realize that it isn’t such a big deal. Perspective is everything. Once you get outside the Instagram bubble it all seems very warped and strange. A few years ago I remember telling someone that I thought social media was going to be the smoking of our generation…then Juul’s came on the scene but you know when I mean! I think we’re all going to look back on the last few years as this weird social psych experiment taken too far.

Everyone keeps asking what the next big thing will be and while TikTok may be having its hayday, I honestly think the next big thing is going to be a regression back to more authentic, more present human interactions. The internet has been a wonderful thing for us but the amount that it’s permeated our lives has pulled us away from the sense of connection and belonging we feel from being face-t0-face with a real human. Our ability to connect is the highest it’s ever been but so are our rates of loneliness. This is not a coincidence. We all need to find a better balance of human vs. digital connections.

As for my business owners reading, I get and respect why you think you might not be able to take a break but I urge you to set aside some time to evaluate why that is. It’s a story I told myself for a really long time but when I sat down and looked at the numbers and compared them to my values and what’s important to me the answer was actually quite simple: I didn’t need Instagram to run my business. Did it require me to refocus and make sacrifices? Yes. But for me it was worth it. And it may be worth it for you too. Give yourself permission to explore that possibility or at the very least test out taking a break for a few days or weeks.

If you are planning to take a break, DELETE THE APP. You can always re-download it but the temptation will be much less if you don’t have immediate access to it. See this post on technology boundaries for more tips on having a healthy relationship with social media.

So Will I be back?

So after all of this, the question becomes – will I be back? Funny enough, yes, probably. I’ve always been someone who needed to go to the polar opposite extreme before setting a healthier boundary in the middle. Instagram took over too much of my life, my business and my self-worth. I needed to regain my confidence and live without it to remind myself what’s really important to me.

One of the things that has felt missing these past 6 months is feeling like I want to use my voice for change. I feel incredibly grateful to have the platform that I have and it’s important to me that I use it to the greatest good. I get it to some degree on the blog but like I said, it’s a balance between SEO-friendly content and my personal voice. I’m trying to figure out how I’ll navigate all of this but likely The Healthy Maven you’ll see on Instagram will be different from what you see here on the blog. The blog is much more content-focused and IG will be more of my voice. You likely won’t be seeing a lot of my BTS life. I’ve become a lot more comfortable with the degree of privacy I’ve gained from this break but I still plan to bring you snippets of my life that inspire me, bring me joy or add value to your lives. It won’t be my life on display and it won’t be able me encouraging you to buy products or certain brands. I’ve had to accept that sponsored Instagram posts (no matter how lucrative they may be) don’t feel right for me. I might be the only “influencer” on the web who doesn’t want to be paid by brands but hey! you gotta do what works for you.

So…see you soon! Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, maybe in two months. As always – thank you for the support. Truly so grateful for all of you.

Quick question – do you guys like these longer posts? would love to hear from you.

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[rileejacksonvisuals]

That’s a Wrap!  On the Road with FELICITY

I don’t even know where to start and I mean that in the best way. A little over a year ago (June 2016) I was introduced to my final project for school. A final project that I had to build up from scratch over the course of a year. Paperwork (so. much. paperwork.), sleep deprivation, and staring at editing programs for 8-10 hours at a time was basically what my life consisted of this past year. Add in my internship, dealing with the worst of my depression, and working part-time and you got it.

From the very beginning I was passionate about this project. I was nervous and anxious, but mostly excited. Out of all the styles of videos we could do, I chose to do a Music Promotional. During the very first lecture on this project, FELICITY came straight to mind. Earlier that week I remember seeing them on Facebook and we interacted in some way so I checked them out and liked their band page. The same night of the lecture, I went home and contacted them via their band page. Within an hour if not less, they got back to me and were all on board. The following week I went over to the band house and gave them the very, very, rough outline of the project. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect either so I winged it as best I could. The guys were super nice and presented a totally “go with the flow, tell us what you need from us and what we need to do” kind of vibe (which honestly, I could not have gotten more lucky on that front).

After I met with them, the first thing I had to do was submit a proposal. The proposal consisted of the kind of video and its duration, the client, the locations, the idea of what the video would convey, and how the video would be distributed. I had to make that proposal and a back-up proposal because, well, shit happens. Both of these proposals had to be approved by my program’s Board of Directors.

Proposal 1 

Fast forward to August and I’m shooting my very first show. FELICITY was playing at The Social; a popular hole-in-the-wall venue in downtown Orlando. For the most part, everything went smoothly. Luckily my sister Holly was visiting me so she was able to be there for me for support in case I freaked out. It was my first show so I just went with the flow and tried my best. It was such a comfortable, happy feeling and a major adrenaline rush! After that night, everything was pretty steady and consistent when it came to working with them. I shot every show they played thereafter and I have never felt happier while doing anything else.

Jump to January of 2017. This was the month where I had to write out an Audio Video Script which again, had to be approved by the Board. Audio Visual scripts are a little different than screenplays. They require scene and shot numbers, dialogue, color coding (for objects, actions, props, locations, etc), and the music/voiceovers that will be used in the video and at what time in the video they would be present. Basically, this was the outline of my video.

Lined Script 

This month had the first actual “shooting day”. It was the interview portion of the video. I had to create lighting diagrams, storyboards (minimum of 30 with a minimum amount of certain shot types), and interview questions. Besides getting establishing shots, this was the only time I really had to plan word for word, visual for visual because it was something I had control over. I had no control of the shows, their lighting, their venue, etcetera. That is probably what I’ve learned that I love most. Although it can be a major pain during post-production, you’re forced to go with what you have and make best of what is presented to you while shooting a concert. Every show is different so it’s always exciting and a challenge which I really enjoy!

The next few months were pretty smooth. I kept shooting their shows and stock piling footage. June is when I was probably the most stressed I’ve ever been while creating this project. First off, this was the first of two classes I had that was strictly about my project (in other words, I learned everything I needed to and it was time to focus on the project only). This month was nothing but paperwork. When I say paperwork I mean more than 100 sheets of paper, easy. I had to do location scoutings/maps, location permits and releases, talent releases, crew member deals, liability contracts (for myself and the school), safety plans, copyright documents for any audio and footage that was being used, casting calls, call sheets, scene breakdowns, shot breakdowns, budgeting sheets, and shooting schedules. I know you probably got lost about halfway into that sentence. Yeah, it was incredibly difficult and stressful simply because of the amount of time I had to do it (3 weeks) and how many people I had to get in contact with. Oh and not to mention, if you didn’t have all necessary contracts, you had to retake the classes the following month. I’m pretty sure I cried about three times during that month out of frustration, worry, and sleep deprivation.

Shot Breakdown Sheet

During July things kept rolling, but the paperwork portion was finished! This was the production month of the project. So it consisted of more shooting and submitting 3-4 minute videos, aka dailies, of footage each week that was going to be used in the final edit. I was pretty nervous about this month mainly because this was the month right before the guy’s began their tour so I didn’t have any recent footage to submit. From what I submitted, my teacher for that month didn’t think I had enough content to move on. I passed that class by the skin of my teeth.

Now, August- my favorite month by far! This month was all about the post-production stage. After getting home from work, I spent an average of 8 hours a day in front of my computer editing in Adobe Premiere. Those 8 hours quickly rolled into the early mornings till about 3am. My sleep schedule was terrible and barely even there, really. For this Post-Production class, I had to submit an edit each week. The first week an assembly edit was due. An assembly edit is the roughest kind of edit one can do. No music, no fancy editing or transitions. You literally place the clips in the order you think you want them in and you’re done. It looks awful. I got a 100 on it. The second week the rough edit was due. This edit is where you added in the music, trimmed the clips to your liking, and added the transitions in. The third edit was the final edit. All color grading and correction needed to be done and the title/introduction of the video needed to be added. Any effects you wanted to add were required as well. Finally, the fine cut was due aka, mother of all edits. Up to this point, everything visually should have been fixed and polished. This edit was where you focused on the audio levels between all dialogue and music. You focused on the audio effects and overall balance of the mix which needed to average around -6dB. I got a 100 on the last edit, too!

Fine Cut Edit 

I received my grade and tears came to my eyes. This project has been my baby for the past year and the fact that it’s all finished is very bittersweet. With that being said, I still had to show the guys. A year of shooting and I never showed any of the guys of FELICITY any part of any edits. I wanted it to be a surprised and to be the best it could be! So I went over to the band house during rehearsal and we all watched it together. It was such a great moment. I was smiling the whole time with butterflies in my stomach, slightly nervous because I didn’t know what they would say. Thankfully, they loved it and wanted to watch it over again!

I’ve already had my sappy moment with the guys, but I will never be able to repay them or thank them enough. They did this to me as a favor. I had nothing to give them except a finished product. I was a stranger to them and they let me in with open arms. Without a doubt, they are five of the sweetest, respectful, funniest, easy-going, most talented guys I’ve ever met. I’ve gained a friendship with each of them and will forever cherish this project and them for helping me get started on the path of my career. This past year has been one of the best. I’ve made some great memories, experienced so much, met and worked with awesome people, learned a lot about myself as a videographer and photographer, and have become confident in my work. I’m doing exactly what I’ve wanted to do, exactly what I’m passionate about and it all started with them.

With that being said, they’ve decided they still want me around! I’m going to continue working with them for the rest of this tour and beyond (...or at least until they get tired of me). I am still working at my internship and plan to stay in Orlando once I graduate on September 29th. And if things keep going how they are, I’ll have a big announcement to make soon!

Again, this is such a bittersweet time in my life and I’ve loved every minute of it.  Thank you to my mom and sisters for the continuous support and for watching every edit of this project even when the slightest of changes were made. Thank you to my friends who have understood my passion for what I do and have stuck around even when I can’t see them as often as I’d like to. And thank you to Andrew, Damien, Mike, Tyler, and Cory for trusting me to portray your music and brand to your fans and for just being you. I am grateful for you all. 

-R

[ertujeunesse-blog]

Red Dead Redemption 2: Review and more

Red Dead Redemption 2: Review, What Time Does It Unlock, Release Date, And MoreRockstar's next diversion is at last here. Set 12 years before the occasions of the past diversion, Red Dead Redemption 2 for PS4 and Xbox One investigates a sweeping district of the American wild, with Dutch Van der Linde's group on the keep running from lawmen amid the most recent long stretches of the wild west. Encountering Rockstar's interpretation of the open-world western from another viewpoint, you'll reveal the historical backdrop of the Van Der Linde posse, which has a youthful John Marston- - the hero of the main RDR- - in its thralls. We've just gotten the chance to attempt Red Dead Redemption 2, and it's looking as though it might be a standout amongst the most point by point open-world diversions we've ever played. You can discover more in our see beneath alongside a breakdown of all the fundamental points of interest (discharge date, stages, and so on.), interactivity trailers, and the sky is the limit from there. Hope to hear bounty all the more once the audit ban lifts; you can hope to see the principal RDR 2 surveys start to drop at 4 AM PT (7 AM ET/12 PM BST) on October 25. Red Dead Redemption 2 Review "While Red Dead Redemption was for the most part centered around John Marston's story, Red Dead 2 is about the whole Van der Linde group - as a network, as a thought, and as the final breath of the Wild West. It is about Arthur, as well, however as the focal point through which you see the pack, his extremely close to home, exceptionally chaotic story underpins a bigger story. Some baffling frameworks and an anticipated mission structure wind up serving that story well, however it takes persistence to overcome them and comprehend why. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an amazing prequel, but on the other hand it's an enthusiastic, intriguing story in its very own right, and it's a world that is difficult to leave when it's set." Read our full survey here.

At the point when Does RDR2 Release? What Time Does It Unlock? Red Dead Redemption 2 is set for discharge on October 26 for PS4 and Xbox One; you can start pre-stacking computerized duplicates now. As far as RDR 2's document estimate, Red Dead Redemption 2 is around 99 GB on PS4. You'll need much more space in case you're going advanced, as the establishment procedure will require an extra 50 GB over that. Xbox One proprietors, in the interim, should have 107 GB to introduce the diversion. Remember, that can and likely will develop after some time, however that is the thing that you'll completely requirement for dispatch day. A discretionary however very suggested the very beginning refresh will likewise be accessible. Red Dead 2 opens at 12 AM nearby time on October 26, however in the US, that will be 9 PM PT for those on that side of the nation. What Special Editions And Pre-Order Bonuses Are Available? More costly versions of RDR2 will be accessible, beginning with the Special Edition. Evaluated at $80, the bundle incorporates a duplicate of the amusement alongside uncommon missions, weapons and a physical guide of the diversion world for players to claim. There are likewise two extra packs for Red Dead Redemption 2 at premium costs, The Ultimate Edition and The Collector's Box- - both estimated at $100. While The Ultimate Edition has all things from the unique version - including extra DLC things to secure - The Collector's Box does exclude any computerized things. Rather, it offers exceptional playing cards, work of art, a scoundrel's handkerchief, a physical guide of the diversion world, and a gatherer's coin in the set. What Are The Differences Between The PS4 And Xbox One Versions? RDR2 is a similar diversion on both PS4 and Xbox One, however there might be a few contrasts as far as visuals and execution (especially relying upon whether you have a PS4 Pro or Xbox One X). All things considered, there is one key contrast: The PS4 rendition will have extraordinary substance that is selective for 30 days. This incorporates the Grizzlies Outlaw Outfit and an uncommon pony; you can find out about the majority of this in our breakdown of the PS4 special features.

Is Red Dead Redemption 2 Coming To PC? In spite of the fact that the first Red Dead Redemption never discovered its way to the PC, there's been a few gossipy tidbits that its continuation may. A notice of Red Dead Redemption 2's appearance on PC discovered its direction on the web, yet it has since been cleaned. Where Is RDR2 Set, And Is It A Prequel? Set 12 years before the headliners of the first diversion, the prequel centers around the bandit life of the Van der Linde posse, driven by Red Dead Redemption's primary rivals. After a theft in Blackwater (one of the first amusement's real towns) turns sour - the group ends up on the run. Dutch, his right-hand man Arthur Morgan, and a few individuals from the posse need to battle with an actual existence on-the-run while showdowns with opponent packs and the law influence their circumstance to develop more frantic. Rockstar additionally discharged a portrayal of the plot: America, 1899. The finish of the wild west time has started as lawmen chase down the final fugitive groups. The individuals who won't surrender or capitulate are murdered. After a burglary turns out badly in the western town of Blackwater, Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde posse are compelled to escape. With government operators and the best abundance seekers in the country massing on their foot sole areas, the pack must victimize, take and battle their way over the rough heartland of America with the end goal to survive. As extending inside divisions undermine to destroy the pack, Arthur must settle on a decision between his own beliefs and faithfulness to the posse who raised him. The First Reveal Appearing on October 20, 2016, the primary trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 was somewhat of an inclination piece that exhibited numerous areas in the diversion, while likewise depicting the dismal tone of the principle account. In this trailer, we saw a few towns and areas, a significant number of which are overflowing with life and movement -, for example, farmers stirring up some cows, huntsmen bringing back their pull, and a gathering of residents hanging out in the general store. Who Are You Playing As? Despite the fact that the focal character of Red Dead Redemption, John Marston, assumes some job in the story- - the principle hero of the prequel is Arthur Morgan. As Dutch's correct hand man and master for the group, he'll handle a great part of the day by day obligations of holding the pack under tight restraints - which incorporates a youthful and less-experienced John Marston. With regards to keeping the pack and its locale above water, Morgan is very convenient with getting different employments to guarantee everybody is all around sustained and in great spirits. In any case, as the story advances, he'll start to scrutinize his very own determination for Dutch's lifestyle, and whether despite everything he has a place in the pack. The Second Trailer On September 28, 2017, the second trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 appeared. In the new film, we got the chance to see a greater amount of Arthur Morgan and how merciless he can be while at work. Amid a portion of the story cutscenes, Morgan will utilize intimidation and physical dangers to gather cash and data, just for the "advantage" of the network. For more data on this specific trailer, look at our itemized breakdown. Who's In Dutch's Gang? In Red Dead Redemption 2, we'll see Dutch's posse and its key players in their prime. While the first diversion had John chase down and kill the rest of the individuals from the pack, we'll see a large number of the recognizable faces in moderately more joyful occasions. From the latest trailer, we see Dutch Van der Linde, Arthur Morgan, Bill Williamson, Javier Esquela, Sadie Adler, Charles Smith, Micah Bell, Hosea Matthews, and obviously John Marston in the program. We'll additionally communicate with different characters who might have a key job in the group and in the lives of both Arthur Morgan and John Marston. The Third Trailer In the new film discharged on May 2, we saw a more profound investigate the diversion's story and how the pack capacities. Alongside the recognizable exercises like chasing, heists, and side-missions with the area's nationals, ransack prepares and banks, and take in shows at theaters. Generally, the trailer centers around the numerous associations you'll have with the individuals from the posse, and in addition how your decisions will influence them. For more information on the third trailer, look at our point by point breakdown. First Gameplay Trailer On August 9, Rockstar uncovered Red Dead Redemption 2's first ongoing interaction trailer. The new film uncovered that the center mechanics from the first diversion were as yet unblemished, however nearly everything had gotten a facelift. Untamed life is more quick witted and lives inside its own biological community. Arthur Morgan can connect with the general population around him in manners John Marston never could. Second Gameplay Trailer On October 2, Rockstar at long last displayed the second round of ongoing interaction film it guaranteed. It plunges all the more profoundly into the diversion's side-exercises, and in addition the idea of the world and its shifting frameworks. Likewise, there's a top to bottom take a gander at how the spin-off's dead eye framework works.

While the spin-off is to a great extent in indistinguishable vein from its forerunner, concentrating on investigation, chasing, shoot-outs, heists, and opposite side-exercises where you'll interface with various remarkable characters- - Red Dead Redemption 2 includes an unmistakably far reaching world to jump into. There are a huge amount of new mechanics in Red Dead Redemption 2. Beneath you can discover a bulleted rundown of huge numbers of the new highlights in the diversion, yet for every one of the points of interest on everything new, look at our complete rundown of all the new highlights we've found up until now. You can play the entire amusement in first-individual You can handicap the HUD Another realistic camera is used amid missions where you're traversing the world amid missions You can examine almost all things on the planet Your weapons are constantly unmistakable on your individual There's a killcam that progressions relying upon your respect You can break adversary weapons Dead Eye has five levels now Your firearms can debase and stick You have to keep up and clean Arthur or else you'll get filthy and disturb individuals around you You can put on and shed pounds How It Plays: Our In-Depth Preview We as of late got a hands-on with a close last form of Red Dead Redemption 2. It plays much like its antecedent, yet with a gathering of new highlights and frameworks that upgrade its narrating, battle, and generally speaking movement. We got the opportunity to encounter two story missions, and additionally an opportunity to mess about unreservedly in the open world. There's a ton to unload about how the forthcoming continuation looks and feels, so make certain to peruse our inside and out review itemizing our impressions about how it plays. By what method Will Online Multiplayer Work? At present, Rockstar hasn't shared any information on how the online play will work. The first Red Dead Redemption included online free-for-all and group deathmatch style ongoing interaction in the open world, alongside a few center themed missions. While it's protected to accept that these sorts of missions will restore, another long-waiting talk is the presence of a fight royale mode. Rockstar has as of late affirmed that an open beta for the online mode is booked for multi month after the amusement's dispatch. Dispatch Trailer Rockstar discharged the diversion's dispatch trailer, which demonstrates Dutch and Arthur discussing one all the more huge score, before life can enhance for their posse. Before long there's scenes of blasts, gunfire, and interior difficulty, set against discuss devotion. It's a genuinely short, yet sweet trailer. PS4 Pro Bundle Despite the fact that the framework itself doesn't don a remarkable plan, there will be a Red Dead Redemption 2 PS4 Pro package. Evaluated at $400 in the US, you're basically getting a duplicate of the amusement for nothing. Be that as it may, this does exclude any of the previously mentioned unique releases; it's only a standard version adaptation of the diversion. The package is accessible for pre-arrange now. Fundamental Red Dead Redemption 2 Tips You Should Know Before Starting To enable you to get straight down to business we've assembled various tips that that'll enable you to show signs of improvement prior in the amusement. These should fill in as a groundwork to bouncing into the universe of Red Dead Redemption 2, so we've incorporated a group of some of littler things that, when we understood them, made for smoother play sessions. Close by those, data the diversion lets you know, however maybe doesn't worry upon as much as it should. You can peruse our basic Red Dead Redemption 2 hints guide or watch a video rendition of it. Read the full article

[fmservers]

Facebook poisons the acquisition well

Who should you sell your startup to? Facebook and the founders of its former acquisitions are making a strong case against getting bought by Mark Zuckerberg and co. After a half-decade of being seen as one of the most respectful and desired acquirers, a series of scandals has destroyed the image of Facebook’s M&A division. That could make it tougher to convince entrepreneurs to sell to Facebook, or force it to pay higher prices and put contractual guarantees of autononmy into the deals.

WhatsApp’s founders left amidst aggresive pushes to monetize. Instagram’s founders left as their independence was threatened. Oculus’ founders were demoted. And over the past few years Facebook has also shut down acquisitions including viral teen Q&A app TBH, fitness tracker Moves, video advertising system LiveRail, voice control developer toolkit Wit.ai, and still-popular mobile app developer platform Parse.

Facebook’s users might not know or care about much of this. But it could be a sticking point the next time Facebook tries to buy out a burgeoning competitor or complementary service.

Broken Promises With WhatsApp

The real trouble started with WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton’s departure from Facebook a year ago before he was full vested from the $22 billion acquisition in 2014. He’d been adamant that Facebook not stick the targeted ads he hated inside WhatsApp, and Zuckerberg conceded not to. Acton even got a clause added to the deal that the co-founders’ remaining stock would vest instantly if Facebook implemented monetization schemes without their consent. Google was also interested in buying WhatsApp, but Facebook’s assurances of independence sealed the deal.

WhatsApp founder, Brian Acton, says Facebook used him to get its acquisition past EU regulators

WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum quits Facebook due to privacy intrusions

WhatsApp’s other co-founder Jan Koum left Facebook in April following tension about how Facebook would monetize his app and the impact of that on privacy. Acton’s departure saw him leave $850 million on the table. Captivity must have been pretty rough for freedom to be worth that much. Today in an interview with Forbes’s Parmy Olson, he detailed how Facebook got him to promise it wouldn’t integrate WhatsApp’s user data to get the deal approved by EU regulators. Facebook then broke that promise, paid the $122 million fine that amounted to a tiny speed bump for the money-printing corporation, and kept on hacking.

When Acton tried to enact the instant-vesting clause upon his departure, Facebook claimed it was still exploring, not “implementing”, monetization. Acton declined a legal fight and walked away, eventually tweeting “Delete Facebook”. Koum stayed to vest a little longer. But soon after they departed, WhatsApp started charging businesses for slow replies, and it will inject ads into the WhatsApp’s Stories product Status next year. With user growth slowing, users shifting to Stories, and News Feed out of ad space, Facebook’s revenue problem became WhatsApp’s monetization mandate.

The message was that Facebook would eventually break its agreements with acquired founders to prioritize its own needs.

Diminished Autonomy For Instagram

Instagram’s co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger announced they were resigning this week, which sources tell Techcrunch was because of mounting tensions with Zuckerberg over product direction. Zuckerberg himself negotiated the 2012 acquisition for $1 billion ($715 million when the deal closed with Facebook’s share price down, but later $4 billion as it massively climbed). That price was stipulated on Instagram remaining independent in both brand and product roadmap.

Zuckerberg upheld his end of the bargain for five years, and the Instagram co-founders stayed on past their original vesting dates — uncommon in Silicon Valley. Facebook pointed to Instagram’s autonomy when it was trying to secure the WhatsApp acquisition. And with the help of Facebook’s engineering, sales, recruiting, internationalization, and anti-spam teams, Instagram grew into a 1 billion user juggernaut.

Why Instagram’s founders are resigning: independence from Facebook weakened

But again, Facebook’s growth and financial woes led to a change of heart for Zuckerberg. Facebook’s popularity amongst teens was plummeting while Instagram remained cool. Facebook pushed to show its alerts and links back to the parent company inside of Instagram’s notifications and settings tabs. Meanwhile, it stripped out the Instagram attribution from cross-posted photos and deleted a shortcut to Instagram from the Facebook bookmarks menu.

Zuckerberg then installed a loyalist, his close friend and former News Feed VP Adam Mosseri as Instagram’s new VP of Product mid-way through this year. The reorganization also saw Systrom start reporting to Facebook CPO Chris Cox. Previously the Instagram CEO had more direct contact with Zuckerberg despite technically reporting to CTO Mike Schroepfer, and the insertion of a layer of management between them frayed their connection. 6 years after being acquired, Facebook started breaking its promises, Instagram felt less autonomous, and the founders exited.

The message again was that Facebook expected to be able to exploit its acquisitions regardless of their previous agreements.

Reduced Visibility For Oculus

Zuckerberg declared Oculus was the next great computing platform when Facebook acquired the virtual reality company in 2014. Adoption ended up slower than many expected, forcing Oculus to fund VR content creators since it’s still an unsustainable business. Oculus has likely been a major cash sink for Facebook it will have to hope pays off later.

But in the meantime the co-founders of Oculus have faded into the background. Brendan Iribe and Nate Mitchell have gone from leading the company to focusing on the nerdiest part of its growing product lineup as VPs running the PC VR and Rift hardware teams respectively. Former Xiaomi hardware leader Hugo Barra was brought in as VP of VR to oversee Oculus, and he reports to former Facebook VP of Ads Andrew “Boz” Bosworth — a long-time Zuckerberg confidant who TA’d one of his classes at Harvard who now runs all of Facebook’s hardware efforts.

Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe steps down, will now lead PC-based VR division within company

Oculus’ original visionary inventor Palmer Luckey left Facebook last year following a schism with the company over him funding anti-Hillary Clinton memes and “sh*tposters”. He was pressed to apologize, saying “I am deeply sorry that my actions are negatively impacting the perception of Oculus and its partners.”

Lesser-known co-founder Jack McCauley left Facebook just a year after the acquisition to start his own VR lab. Sadly, Oculus co-founder Andrew Reisse died in 2013 when he was struck by a vehicle in a police chase just two months after the acquisition was announced. The final co-founder Michael Antonov was the Chief Software Architect, but Facebook just confirmed to me he recently left the division to work on artificial intelligence infrastructure at Facebook.

Today for the first time, none of the Oculus co-founders appeared on stage at its annual Connect conference. Obviously the skills needed to scale and monetize a product are different from those needed to create. Still, going from running the company to being stuck in the audience doesn’t send a great signal about how Facebook treats acquired founders.

Course Correction

Facebook needs to take action if it wants to reassure prospective acquisitions that it can be a good home for their startups. I think Zuckerberg or Mosseri (likely to be named Instagram’s new leader) should issue a statement that they understand people’s fears about what will happen to Instagram and WhatsApp since they’re such important parts of users’ lives, and establishing core tenets of the product’s identity they don’t want to change. Again, 15-year-old Instagrammers and WhatsAppers probably won’t care, but potential acquisitions would.

So far, Facebook has only managed to further inflame the founders versus Facebook divide. Today former VP of Messenger and now head of Facebook’s blockchain team David Marcus wrote a scathing note criticizing Acton for his Forbes interview and claiming that Zuckerberg tried to protect WhatsApp’s autonomy. “Call me old fashioned. But I find attacking the people and company that made you a billionaire, and went to an unprecedented extent to shield and accommodate you for years, low-class. It’s actually a whole new standard of low-class” he wrote.

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Posted by David Marcus on Wednesday, September 26, 2018

But this was a wasted opportunity for Facebook to discuss all the advantages it brings to its acquisitions. Marcus wrote “As far as I’m concerned, and as a former lifelong entrepreneur and founder, there’s no other large company I’d work at, and no other leader I’d work for”, and noted the opportunity for impact and the relatively long amount of time acquired founders have stayed in the past. Still, it would have been more productive to focus on why’s it’s where he wants to work, how founders actually get to touch the lives of billions, and how other acquirers like Twitter and Google frequently dissolve the companies they buy and often see their founders leave even sooner.

Acquisitions have protected Facebook from disruption. Now that strategy is in danger if it can’t change this narrative. Lots of zeros on a check might not be enough to convince the next great entrepreneur to sell Facebook their startup if they suspect they or their project will be steamrolled.

Via Josh Constine https://techcrunch.com

[wayneooverton]

10 things I learned while living with the birds in Fiordland

Ever dreamed of living off-the-grid in a mountain hut? Do you have a soft spot for rare native birds? Read on to discover 10 insights gained by Crystal Brindle, a field ranger who spent the summer living in the remote mountains of New Zealand’s largest national park and the voice and photographer behind In Pursuit of the Wild.

If you’ve spent a decent amount of time above treeline in the mountains of the South Island of New Zealand you might be familiar with the rock wren.

Otherwise, you likely have no idea what these little guys are. No worries.

The rock wren is a small bird that is found nowhere else except New Zealand. And not only is it limited to New Zealand, but specifically the South Island. And even then you won’t find them just anywhere.

Rock wren only live above where the trees stop: in rough and seemingly inhospitable alpine landscapes of boulders, scrub, cliffs, and snow.

They are also very endangered.

Photo by Jamie McAulay

Because of their solid affinity for the high country, the rock wren is New Zealand’s only true alpine bird.

Yes, there are other iconic birds of the mountains, including the kea, but even the kea uses the forest for habitat whereas the rock wren spends its entire life-cycle above treeline, never venturing down into the shelter of the forest, not even in winter.

So, what’s so special about these little birds and the places they live? And, what did I learn spending a summer living in the mountains to get to know them?

On the Search for Rock Wren in the Lord River Valley

I spent this past summer living high in the wild mountains of Fiordland living in a remote hut working as a ranger for the Department of Conservation monitoring rock wren. Away from the hustle and bustle of every day life, and often only with these little creatures for company, I had nothing but time for reflection and profound life lessons.

1. Life in a harsh landscape is ruled by balance

When you live in the mountains you can’t help but adapt to the rhythm of life driven by sunrise, sunset, and of course, the weather.

There’s nothing to distract you, nothing to insulate you from the real and immediate drivers of life processes. The yin and yang of rest and effort, sun and storm feeds an underlying current of balance in the natural world.

I was swept up in this balance and found that my activities were governed by the same forces as every other living thing. When the weather was fine, I went hard with the sun through long work hours spent climbing hills to take advantage of summer daylight.

Rock wren were busy feeding all day to make the most of the abundant insects and warm temperatures. Flowers opened to attract all the pollinators they could.

When wet days finally came it seemed as though everything took a deep breath.

Overworked streams were refreshed with new water, and rock wren traveled out from their nests only when they had to and conserved energy where they could. Leaves collected water like drinking glasses. My research partner and I worked shorter days outside and had more time to rest under shelter.

If the balance was exceeded in either direction, it was noticed.

Too much dry weather would create a mountain of data entry work to catch up on, the water tank ran dry, and pools appeared stagnant and murky.

While on the flip side, too much cold and moisture, especially snow (even in summer) would trap us in the hut, with the strong worry that if it persisted, the rock wren nests could fail.

2. The best way to find a rock wren nest is with a handful of feathers

It’s true. The best way to find a rock wren’s nest, once the bird is spotted, is to offer it some feathers.

This is because when rock wren build their nests in early spring, they’re after soft, plush material to line the inside and keep the eggs and later chicks toasty warm. Feathers are their favorite lining to use and they gather them up anywhere they can find them and bring them back to the nest.

Finding a rock wren’s nest is the first step to figuring out what it is up to and to monitor these endangered species.

Is it in the early stages of nest building, are there eggs in the nest, are there chicks, or have they fledged? Once we find a nest we can go back to it day in and day out and check up on the birds to see how they’re doing. This is important to determine whether or not the adult birds are successful in breeding or if they fail to figure out why.

So, if you want to know where a bird’s nest is, presenting it with a feather or two will often help you locate the nest.

Once the feathers are in the bird’s beak, it usually stops what it’s doing and heads straight for home.

You’ll be surprised how far they can travel. Many times I watched a rock wren become a tiny speck through my binoculars as it hopped away and flew back to its nest, white fluffy feathers held high in its tiny beak, easy to spot amid the boulders.

3. Living in a backcountry hut has its ups and downs

For those of you unfamiliar with our incredible backcountry hut system in New Zealand, there is a vast network of almost 1000 huts that offer shelter and a place to stay while out hiking or exploring the vast national parks here. Most are fairly basic with bunks with mats, a long drop toilet outside and maybe a fire inside. You bring in everything you need and take it out with you.

Ah, the simple life. Living in a standard 12-bunk DOC hut for an entire season is an interesting and memorable experience to say the least, and our hut was a far cry from the lush huts available on the Milford Track.

I loved stepping out of the door and into a world-class landscape day in and day out.

The twisted and lichen-hung silver beech forest that crept in on three sides, the expansive view of tussock-clad hills through the window, and the lake only a minute’s walk downhill were all special highlights of calling Lake Roe Hut home for the summer.

Lake Roe hut is located deep in Fiordland on the notorious Dusky Track, often lauded as New Zealand’s most difficult tramps, though luckily since we were working we flew in by helicopter with all the gear.

But, of course, there were challenges equal to the rewards of living in this remote place. Living for 10 days out of every 14 in the same hut means that you really can’t help but accumulate a lot of stuff.

When my coworker and I had the place to ourselves we lavishly spread out in comfort – taking over the bench, the only table, a corner in each bunk platform. However, as Lake Roe Hut is open to the public we sometimes found ourselves tight on space, attempting to cook and work around a hut full of people.

At the worst of times one could be doing the dishes in lukewarm pond scum filled water (yuk) while swatting biting sandflies, or running to the long-drop toilet in the dark and pouring rain, or taping up an inch-wide crack in the wall to avoid seeing a mouse run back and forth beside one’s head when trying to fall asleep.

But, overall, these inconveniences and headaches were small compared to the overwhelming awesomeness of actually living a primitive life in the mountains.

4. Rock wren are tenacious, capable, and well-suited to living in their challenging habitat

The rock wren is tough.

Simple as that. Like a miniature mountaineer it hops and flies up nearly vertical rock faces bringing food, feathers, tussock, or lichen to and from the nest no matter what the weather throws at it. How does it do it?! The 10 cm long bird weighs only 15 – 20 grams and yet inhabits a mountain landscape that is huge on any scale.

After a summer of getting to know these birds, observing them daily, and living where they live I can attest to the unexpected strength of such a tiny bird and its integration into the special ecosystem of alpine Fiordland.

However, rock wren now face new challenges that can throw them off-balance. 

A recent decline of rock wren has been recognized and the species’ conservation status officially changed from vulnerable to endangered in 2016.

It’s been suggested that introduced predators are responsible for the decline as stoats and mice have been caught preying on eggs and nestlings. The data I collected this summer was for research investigating the link between predator control and breeding success of the rock wren.

Photo by Grant Maslowski

5. Rock wren don’t live in easy places to reach

Rock wren like to live in places that are difficult for humans to access.

The same head-high thick scrub, car-sized boulders and hidden holes that make travel through rock wren habitat so difficult for a person, make it ideal for the birds. If you want to find them you have to spend your time here – sometimes crawling or often falling through the intricate landscape of the alpine kiwi wilderness.

And they certainly don’t make any tracks for us, we just have to figure out how to get there.

Over the course of the summer, I traveled across all manner of difficult terrain from jagged boulderfields to slippery tussock and thick scrub (dense vegetation that holds a lovely reputation among trampers across New Zealand for its ease to move through *sarcasm, pure sarcasm).

Pictured: Kerry Weston, Louise McLaughlin

Its dense, tangled, and matted form poses a barrier that must be pushed through to access rock wren nests time and time again shredding your clothing and testing the patience of even the hardiest individuals.

But the thing is, the little guys love this stuff!

Scrub provides shelter and food while boulders and steep bluffs provide perfect shelves and cracks for nest-building. If it’s rock wren you’re after, moving through this landscape is just part of the job.

6. The best water in the world is found in Fiordland

The Fiordland landscape is made from and made of water.

Fiordland is damp and defined by water – receiving more than 7 meters of rain a year with an average of 200 days of rain annually, it makes it one of the wettest places in the world. And here the water is pure and clean.

From thirst-quenching crisp streams to endless pools to choose from for a swim, Lake Roe and its surrounding terrain is defined by water more than any other element.

I relished the refreshment of lying on my stomach, eye level with a stream, and sticking my face in the water for a long, cool drink on a hot summer’s day. Fresh, clean, straight-from-the-source water is one of my favorite things about being in the mountains of New Zealand. It is a luxury that is easy to indulge in Fiordland.

I experienced the primal feeling time and time again of dipping beneath cool water on a hot sunny day under the rocky face of Tamatea Peak: the powerful warmth of sun on my back in contrast to the refreshing water around me.

And at night, floating on my back in the middle of Lake Laffy, letting everything go, I saw cloud lifting from Lake Bright in a tendril toward the moon as kea called from their roosts in the cliffs above.

This experience, much like an immersion in the still, reflective water of the lake after a warm, muddy, hill-climbing run feels like life the way it is supposed to be: simple, visibly present, and engaging.

7. The most incredible alpine flowers can be found where you least expect them

Hidden stream-side native foxgloves, vivacious Mount Cook buttercups growing in spite of gravity on the steepest bluffs, hybrid snow marguerites: an intriguing shade of creamy yellow against a hillside of green can dominate the wild Fiordland landscape.

How do these beautiful plants manage to survive above the treeline in such a harsh environment?

Cut-leaved buttercups defy gravity on the highest peaks in an otherwise rock-dominated landscape, and my personal favorite, the delicate but impressive gentians that bloom in late summer in the high places.

These alpine flower gardens defy expectation and add a welcome splash of beauty to the summer scene and bring simple joy when living up here.

8. Young rock wren might be a little bit ugly before they have feathers but once they’re fledged they’re incredibly adorable!

When embarking on the delicate process of sticking a flexible “Giraffe Cam” inspection camera in a rock wren nest in order to monitor it, my coworker and I discovered that very young rock wren are pink, featherless, and all-around pretty unexpected looking!

Lucky for them, this isn’t how they turn out. The little chicks soon start pinning feathers and by the time they leave the nest they are adorable fluffy fledglings.

So cute!

9. You can expect snow at any time in the Fiordland mountains

I learned this lesson on the very first shift of the season.

A few days of sunshine helped my coworker and I settle into a routine of nest searching that was then quickly shattered by a dump of snowfall. The places we had visited only the day before were now off-limits due to avalanche risk from the snow-laden slopes above the nesting bluffs. The snow continued to fall until it was knee-deep around the hut.

We became effectively stuck inside, unable to travel far in the snow. A jaunt that normally took under 10 minutes to reach Lake Roe now took over 30. It just wasn’t feasible to get any fieldwork done so we scooted within inches of the hut fireplace and entered data into the laptop until we managed to grab a miraculous flight out in the smallest of weather windows.

We were able to leave, but the rock wren had to stick it out and survive. And, surprisingly, they did! We didn’t lose a single nest to this snowfall event, a true testament to the adaptability and hardiness of this small bird.

10. Working in this landscape is just as impressive as you might expect and a privilege

Each day I was surprised anew by the drama of my surroundings.

When I first arrived everything was brand new and I was filled with euphoria at finally arriving in a place I had longed to work in for years. This feeling turned into steady appreciation as I came to know and love every contour of this landscape.

I still think back often to that first arrival when I was struck in awe of Fiordland’s beauty. I was wedged in the very outermost corner of the passenger seat of the helicopter and felt that I could almost reach out and touch the passing cliffs and forest.

Cloud opened, cloud closed, a view here, a glimpse there: we passed valley after valley of idyllic reflective pools surrounded by the most jagged peaks I had ever seen and multiple-tiered waterfalls dropping from snowy glaciers to deep and perfect pools hidden in silver beech forest.

I remember thinking that I didn’t even know mountains rose that sharply or that cliffs could be that steep or that rivers could snake their way through such magical rock-strewn valleys.

But, it was true. Fiordland is the place where a blend of fantastical reality is possible and from that first journey into Lake Roe I knew that after years of waiting it had been worth every moment to finally arrive.

Through studying the intricate details of this alpine world I became more acquainted with what I love about spending time enveloped in these mountains that capture my attention like none other and living alongside these hardy and persistent birds revealed lessons not only of rock wren but also about myself. After a summer in the wild, I left a more connected mountain enthusiast and more educated student of the natural world.

Have you heard of the rock wren?

The post 10 things I learned while living with the birds in Fiordland appeared first on Young Adventuress.

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[nazih-fares]

Whether it is the movies, books or games, the task to reboot an established franchise is never an easy thing for any developer or publisher. With some much expectations from the series’ fans, on top of making sure they are not forgotten while trying something new, the new God of War was definitely a gamble. To achieve this reboot of a flagship PlayStation brand, it took over five years of hard work and dedication from the iconic producer Cory Barlog and the team over at Santa Monica, carefully dissecting the franchise and putting everything back into something new, from the gameplay mechanics to the general artistic direction of the game.

However, everything in this “reboot” of  God of War is actually a balance between retaining the essence of the franchise will creating something new. Beyond the obvious technical and the artistic aspect that comes from a switch to next generation, the game still pays a tribute to its legacy in all sorts of ways. While it would have been easier to start from a clean sweep to reboot this franchise, there’s a certain genius behind Santa Monica’s studio to switch to another lost mythology and yet keep Kratos at the center of it. You see, I personally wasn’t a big fan of the original God of War series, even if I admire the lore of ancient Greek myths, but it’s this episode that changed my mind, as we now venture into the Norse realm, with Odin on its throne, paired with other deities and creatures.

Despite his divinity – Kratos is, after all, a demigod and one of Zeus’ many sons – it made sense for the developers to do something similar to other iconic franchise reboots, and be interested in the human side of the character. Like it was the case with the reboot of Tomb Raider, Hitman and many others, the game is focused on Kratos’ inner struggle, as well as the desire to tell a deeper and equally intense story through his quest for redemption as a father, in a journey of initiation with his son Atreus, following the death of his wife. While this sounds a bit like a recipe a la “The Last of Us“, the similarities end here, as the script is done so well that it flows naturally even interspersed with very numerous clashes against ogres, trolls and other legendary Norse creatures.The narrative is intelligent in its structure, swinging back and forth between emotional, brutality and humor, with excellent conversation playing mostly on the Atreus’young innocent and playful reactions, contrasting those more contained a battle and life hardened Kratos.

And so in the rough 20-25 hours of gameplay to reach the end, the story of God of War contrasts with that of the other opus, because it’s all about Kratos finally teaching his son Atreus to not fall in the same mistakes he sadly did. For the rest of you, if you hope to discover a story of vengeance and treachery between gods, like the previous games, then you’re probably be disappointed. While these are present, however, they are not the central element of the story despite the journey of our heroes punctuated by clashes against some of these Norse gods. If you’re coming with the expectation of the previous games, then the sooner you realize God of War is indeed an entire story, the better. This 2018 game is dedicated to the Spartan and his son, his new life and being more human than ever, despite his divinity, and that is not an easy thing to do. Constantly struggling with this rage and anger slumbering in him, Kratos is looking for redemption by teaching Atreus to become a better man than he ever was, hiding his past for a better future. Everything makes sense and you’ll notice how the boy’s reactions remain credible, both in his burst of childish joy or uncontrolled anger, on top of his natural tendency to stand up to his father.

Between Kratos and Atreus, there’s also enough room in the game for some secondary characters, notably the first you’ll meet such as Brok and later on his brother Sindri, both dwarves with quite opposite personalities. The award for best-supporting actor though will probably go to Mimir. An important figure in Norse mythology, this god of knowledge and wisdom will be saved from Odin’s torture by our pair of heroes, forming an interesting trio with perfect chemistry. In addition to becoming the brain of the group, both literally and figuratively, Mimir will constantly give interesting tidbits about the game’s world, and several Nordic legends, helping Atreus – and the player – perfect his knowledge. This whole coherence of the universe is one hell of a blast for a history nerd like myself, as everything in God of War makes sense, or is interconnected for a purpose, including making the game even more fun.

Without presenting fooling anyone of being an open world – in comparison Horizon Zero Dawn, the last Action Adventure game from the publisher – God of War offers a huge map which you’ll truly enjoy. The set is built in a way that urges you to discover every nooks and cranny, revisit areas, and from time to time appreciate the beauty of its digital brush, as you enter a majestic cave or dock on a river bank still acting as a witness to a forgotten war. Although the system of traveling portals could’ve been better thought of, there’s never a feeling of too much backtracking, with even minimal touches of Metroidvania as you’ll end up opening new areas in the map, once you gain new powers and skills.

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Inspired obviously by Norse mythology, the Santa Monica team created one hell of a visual canvas, filled with sumptuous landscapes and confined sets embellished by a neat work on lighting effects. Whether you are in Midgard, Helheim or Muspellheim, the setting will take your breath away, as you cross an icy expanse in front of a giant that has been lying down for centuries. You thus find all the strengths of the saga’s visual strength, now help with a much more contemplative camera angle – behind the shoulder – to travel at your own pace and enjoy the panorama. But I’m a bit annoyed by the lack of variety in terms of the bestiary, which is smaller than those of other games, with barely any major changes or visible upgrades on most creatures, whether it is the trolls or just mere wolves. Thankfully, this lack of variety is completely forgotten when you see how devastating and visually complex Kratos’ attack are on those creatures. Adding the special effects and motion blur, with some subtle use of slow motion, the fights are staged so well that every monster or enemy will in a way feel different.

Remember when I spoke about the new camera angle? If you played the previous God of War games, then you probably are trying to figure out how that old gameplay system works with a behind-the-shoulder angle, correct? Well, the developers have only improved what was already well made, with the new a closer camera angle literally plunging the player into the action. While it’s might seem surprising that it works, playing God of War that way feels almost natural, thanks to Atreus or Mimir’s warning of incoming dangers (a bit like Senua’s inner voices). You’ll then have to fight in a traditional hack and slash – similar to the old games – but with extra mechanics like a switch to hand to hand and shield combo, a parry, and secondary skills. All of this will be confusing for the old veteran of the series, but enjoyable, especially after a few hours of play when we start to unlock more of the skill trees.

You will also need to learn the new weapon and gear system, which are linked to both Kratos and Atreus’ skill tree opening more branches and nodes. To start with, most of your weapons and gear will need to require a key amount of materials and money acquired from chests, completing quests or eliminating enemies. It is regrettable that some materials are sometimes difficult to find because of a lack of guidance, especially when it comes to crafting some legendary loot pieces and unlock more awesome abilities and combos for Kratos, or passive and supportive attacks for Atreus. On that front, I’m actually glad that it wasn’t another “The Last of Us”, as Kratos’ son is not imposed on your, and its usefulness in combat is quite well, especially when he gets the opportunity to bring you back to life with a resurrection stone.

Finally, we got the Rage mode, which builds up with effective combat skills like proper parry or dodge, as well as successfully chaining combos between Kratos and his son. While that mode is recurring from previous games, it was also tweaked for this new game, switching the Spartan into a berserker, with boosted punching attacks. The latter can become quite devastating when unlocking more nodes in its dedicated skill trees, such as a blasting area of attack ground stomp, or even the ability to pick up a large boulder and throw it at enemies. So yes, you get the gist of it, the gameplay has evolved and will be difficult to get used to for hardcore fans, however, it does not deny its true essence: the savage ferocity in each of Kratos hits.

Before we end this, there are two things that might be important for some of you to know. While I tested the game on two different consoles, both the vanilla and original PlayStation 4 (not even second generation slimmer model) and the Pro version, I totally suggest the latter. If you don’t have a PlayStation 4 Pro by now – even without a 4K TV – this game is a totally viable reason to upgrade your console, because you can feel the normal suffering with its intense fan sound. While there might not be damage visually on the screen in terms of performance, the game is visually better looking on the PlayStation 4 Pro. In both cases, the game runs at a locked 30fps, but it’s the HDR that really turns this game into one colorful digital canvas, full of crisp details and rich textures. Sadly, while there’s one thing that I truly like in the original series, it was the soundtrack, but this episode feels a bit hushed or not as epic as the original game music. Don’t get me wrong, It’s not bad, but it’s maybe not as powerful as the first titles.

God of War was reviewed using a PlayStation 4 digital download code of the game provided by PlayStation Middle East. We don’t discuss review scores with publishers or developers prior to the review being published (click here for more information about our review policy).

With this new God of War, Santa Monica Studios managed to perfectly refresh the franchise without losing its essence, making it the best entry ever made. While veterans might feel overwhelmed by all the changes, they will easily get used to it, and will play one of the top 5 best looking games on the console. Whether it is the movies, books or games, the task to reboot an established franchise is never an easy thing for any developer or publisher.

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Looking Back at the 10 Biggest Shale-Related Storylines of 2017

What a difference a year can make.

Although that saying is about as cliché as it gets, it perfectly sums up a strong 2017 for the U.S. oil and natural gas industry on numerous fronts. Following some rough sledding from late 2014 through 2016, the shale industry not only enjoyed a resurgence this past year — it is clearly in the early stages of a new revolution that has been described as Shale 2.0. Here’s a look back at the top-10 shale-related storylines of 2017.

1. U.S. Cements Status as World’s Top Oil & Gas Producer, Poised for Record Production

Not only did the U.S. retain its status as the world’s largest oil and natural gas producer for the fifth straight year this past year (see chart below), it became clear in 2017 that this is a title we won’t soon relinquish.

Emboldened by OPEC’s unconditional surrender following its failed failed price war — and bolstered by the improved technology and efficiency that war necessitated — U.S. shale producers pushed domestic oil production up by more than 650,000 barrels per day (b/d) between January and September of this year.

Weekly production actually reached record levels seven weeks in a row in the final two months of the year, as the following Energy Information Administration (EIA) chart illustrates.

The EIA now forecasts U.S. oil output will surpass 10 million b/d in 2018, shattering the all-time record set in the early 1970s, thanks to a nearly 1.2 million b/d increase in oil production from shale development alone in 2017.

This incredible production growth can be traced to higher (and more stable) commodity prices in the wake of OPEC’s surrender, and the fact that the average shale oil breakeven price has dropped an incredible 42 percent since 2013, according to a recent World Bank report.

A similar success story has developed on the shale gas front. Between January and December of this year, U.S. shale gas output grew from about 47.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) to more than 62.2 Bcf/d — a near 31 percent increase. Natural gas output from shale is projected to grow even further in 2018, with the EIA estimating an increase of 764 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) from December 2017 to January 2018, as production gains continue to be driven by the surging Appalachian Basin.

Energy expert Dr. Agnia Grigas might have summed it up best earlier this year when she said that we are in the midst of the “golden age” of American natural gas.

And incredibly, the International Energy Agency (IEA) recently released a report that forecasts U.S. oil and natural gas production increasing 50 percent higher than any country has ever achieved over the next decade, cementing America’s status as the “undisputed leader” in global oil and natural gas production.

2. Record Oil and LNG Exports

Even more stunning than the U.S.’s march toward shattering all-time record for oil and natural gas production was the fact that we achieved record oil and natural gas exports in 2017.

According to the EIA, U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports averaged 1.9 Bcf/d through November of this year, something almost unthinkable a decade ago when the U.S. was importing more than 3 Bcf of LNG per day. Moreover, U.S. LNG export capacity increased from about 1.5 Bcf/d in January to roughly 2.8 Bcf/d by the end of the year. U.S. LNG export capacity expected to nearly quadruple by 2019 as additional terminals come on line, as the following EIA graphic illustrates.

Spurred by this LNG export growth, the U.S. not only became a net exporter of natural gas for the first time in nearly 60 years in 2017, it is on a clear path to becoming the world’s leading LNG exporter in the not-so-distant future.

Similar to LNG exports, U.S. crude exports have gone from essentially being non-existent to approaching a record 2 million barrels per day (mbpd) in 2017.

As impressive as these figures are, an even more important storyline is the fact that booming U.S. oil and natural gas exports have not have not caused domestic energy prices to spike, as many naysayers claimed would happen.

Americans are actually enjoying record low energy prices, as residential, industrial and commercial natural gas costs have fallen since 2010. Residential natural gas prices have dropped dramatically in places like Pennsylvania (40 percent decline) and West Virginia ($4.3 billion decline) since shale development began.

3. U.S. Emissions Continue to Decline Even as Production Skyrockets

Data released in 2017 confirm beyond a shadow of a doubt that the U.S. is not only the world’s top oil and gas producer, we are also leading the world in greenhouse gas reductions.

The latest EIA data show that energy-related CO2 emissions fell 1.7 percent in 2017 and are at their lowest levels in a quarter of a century. The U.S. has reduced energy-related carbon emissions 14 percent since 2005 — a trend that can be largely credited to increased natural gas use for electricity generation, and you don’t have to take our word for it.

EIA published data this year showing that 63 percent of the 3,176 million metric ton (MMT) drop in CO2 emissions from 2005 to 2016 can be directly attributed to switching to natural gas for electricity generation. Overall, shifting to natural gas for power production has resulted in a 2,007 MMT reduction in CO2 emissions since 2005, almost twice the amount that can be attributed to renewable energy sources.

It is with these facts in mind that United Nations Energy Programme chief Erik Solheim recently said, “In all likelihood, the United States of America will live up to its Paris commitment, not because of the White House, but because of the private sector.”

But what about the methane leaks that anti-fracking activists claim wipe out natural gas’ climate benefits? The latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data also refutes the “Keep It In the Ground” movement’s favorite go-to claim that oil and gas production are driving up methane emissions and exacerbating climate change.

A recent EID report based on EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) data finds that methane emissions from major onshore oil and natural gas production facilities declined by nearly 14 million metric tons between 2011 and 2016, and have declined in virtually every major oil and natural gas basin during that timespan.

EPA data released this year also show that oil and natural gas system methane emissions have declined 19 percent since 1990 at the same time natural gas production has increased 51 percent and oil production has increased 28 percent.

The IEA’s latest World Energy Outlook (WEO) also confirms that the U.S. oil and gas industry is outpacing the rest of the world when it comes to methane mitigation, with leakage rates 30 percent below the global average of 1.7 percent. The WEO also confirms that natural gas has considerable climate benefits when compared to other traditional fuels, “even taking methane leakage into account.”

The latest EPA data also show emissions of criteria pollutants responsible for killing millions worldwide continued to plummet in 2017 thanks to increased natural gas use made possible by fracking.

4. Pipeline Progress (Finally!)

Critical midstream development lagged behind surging upstream development for much of 2017, due largely to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) lack of a quorum for more than a half year. But fortunately, FERC finally reached quorum in August and has begun to address a $50 billion backlog of needed pipeline construction projects.

Since August, FERC has approved dozens of natural gas pipeline projects totaling 8 Bcf/d of transportation capacity, including the Atlantic Coast (1.7 Bcf/d) and Mountain Valley (2 Bcf/d) pipeline projects. Earlier in the year, FERC managed to approve the Atlantic Sunrise (1.7 Bcf/d) and Rover (3.25 Bcf/d) pipelines. Both are currently under construction, as are the Leach Express (1.5 Bcf/d), Nexus (1.5 Bcf/d) and Mariner East 2 pipelines.

On the oil side, the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) is finally in operation following a well-publicized “Keep It In the Ground”-generated saga, and the DAPL is already spearheading Bakken resurgence. The Keystone XL has also finally cleared its final regulatory hurdle nine years after sparking the anti-pipeline madness that the “Keep It In the Ground” movement continues to cling to, knowing full and well that impeding pipeline construction is its only potential path to achieving its stated goal of curtailing U.S. oil and gas development.

That said, despite some welcome pipeline progress in 2017, the latter KIITG focus will no doubt remain an obstacle moving forward. As acting FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee recently said,

“e see well funded, sophisticated national environmental organizations that understand how to use all the levers of state and federal government to frustrate pipeline development.”

Speaking of state government, New York officials continues to block several key projects (Constitution, Valley Lateral, Millenium, Northern Access) despite having a state energy plan that calls for the use of more natural gas.

Nonetheless, the midstream bottleneck that impeded the shale revolution from reaching its full potential — particularly in the Appalachian Basin, where $23 billion has been invested in various projects — is finally widening a bit.

5. U.S. Upstream Investment Skyrockets

A recent report finds the U.S. is the most attractive region for upstream oil and gas investment. That could explain why the IEA’s 2017 World Energy Investment report finds that U.S. shale investment grew 53 percent in 2017, far outpacing upstream oil and gas investment in other countries.

Major investments announced this year include ExxonMobil’s acquisition of roughly 275,000 acres in the Permian Basin for $6.6 billion in January, as well as EQT’s $8.2 billion acquisition of Marcellus producer Rice Energy.

Overall, there was $19.8 billion in private equity funding raised for energy ventures in the first quarter of the year alone. This focus in investment shows no signs of slowing either, as oil producers are expected to spend $100 billion in U.S. oil fields next year.

6. Petrochemical Manufacturing Booming — Thanks to Shale

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) reported earlier this year that 310 chemical industry projects totaling $185 billion in new capital investment are currently in the works. These projects are expected to create 464,000 direct or indirect jobs by 2025, and all of this is happening for one reason — the shale gas revolution.

ACC’s announcement actually came before news broke in November that China Energy Investment Corp. plans to invest $83.7 billion in shale-related chemical manufacturing, power generation and underground LNG storage facilities in West Virginia.

That is just one of the exciting major announcements made in Appalachia this year, as a pair of ethane cracker facilities are in the works in Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively, as is a possible major storage hub for NGLs used for plastics manufacturing.

The Gulf coast is also home to eight of the nine new ethylene cracker plant facilities recently built or under construction in the U.S., as well as three expansion projects and the only facility in America that is being re-started.

No wonder plastics manufacturing is suddenly booming, as it manufacturing in general. A recent report found U.S. manufacturing output is at a 13-year high.

None of this investment, whether in the Gulf Coast or Appalachia, would be possible without fracking unlocking the vast needed resources to rejuvenate American manufacturing. As Mark Denzler, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, told EID in the fall,

“According to recent studies, nearly 90 percent of manufacturers are optimistic about the economy and data shows that factory orders are at a 13-year high.  Innovative energy production, especially in shale with hydraulic fracturing, are helping lead this renaissance economy by creating low cost and efficient sources of energy. As the primary feedstock, it is also leading to a resurgence in the American chemical industry.”

6. Shale Continues to Bolster America’s Global Standing

It wasn’t that long ago that the robust energy might of other nations — usually ones not particularly friendly to the U.S. — was used to manipulate America’s geopolitical influence and compromise our global standing. But thanks to fracking, that is no longer the case.

Whether it be the current turmoil in the Middle East or crisis in Venezuela, chaos in other parts of the world now has virtually no adverse affect on American energy prices and supply, and therefore isn’t forcing the U.S. to take a compromised position on the world stage. As New York Times columnist Bret Stephens recently wrote,

“Fracking has meant we could sanction Iran’s oil exports and barely feel the consequences at the pump. … It turns out that we are in an era of energy superabundance, in which the United States is again the global leader.” The United States’ renewed geopolitical might could very well be encapsulated by the recent five-year deal it struck to deliver LNG to Poland. Like much of the European Union — which has relied on Russia for 40 percent of its oil and 66 percent of its natural gas in recent years — Poland has long been under Vladimir Putin’s thumb. But America’s foray into the European energy market could ultimately erode Russia’s long-held status as a bully in the region.

As Jason Bordoff, director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and a former energy official in the Obama administration, recently said,

“The arrival of the U.S. gas is making Russia nervous. And they should be nervous.”

“Forcing Russia to compete in a more competitive gas market in Europe and giving European consumers alternative sources of supply significantly weakens Russia’s geopolitical influence in Europe. The transition of the U.S. to one of the world’s largest gas exporters has very significant economic, environmental and geopolitical implications.”

That said, it really should come to no surprise that U.S. intelligence officials have confirmed long-held suspicions that Russia has pushed anti-fracking propaganda in an effort to undermine the industry (and also, possibly, funded U.S. green groups that oppose fracking). But oddly enough, despite being obsessed with Russia’s meddling in the U.S. election, the media has continued to largely ignore the Kremlin’s increasingly evident efforts to undermine America’s oil and natural gas industry.

8. Regulatory Rollback

Another major contributor to the oil and natural gas industry’s resurgence in 2017 was the refreshing new environment of regulatory sanity at the federal level.

The Trump administration announced on Thursday that it will repeal the Obama-era Bureau of Land Management (BLM) fracking rule in January, officially disposing of duplicative regulations that are already being enforced at the state level.

The BLM venting and flaring rule has also officially been suspended until 2019 and will likely never see the light of day in its current costly and duplicative form (even though environmentalists continue to fight the rule’s suspension in court).

The EPA also announced in June its intent to delay for two years the Obama administration’s New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) targeting methane in order to reconsider certain aspects of the rule. Though the courts have rejected the EPA’s delay and the rule is currently in effect, Congress has voted not to fund the rule, and its future remains bleak.

By rolling back these costly, duplicative and unnecessary regulations, the current administration has allowed the oil and natural gas industry to drive U.S. employment and GDP growth in 2017. Not coincidentally, the U.S. economy grew three percent in the third quarter. And oh by the way, oil and gas methane emissions have continued to decline without these rules, and the U.S. has continued to enjoy the previously unheard of coupling of declining greenhouse gas emissions and economic growth.

9. Health Research Confirms Fracking is Protective of Public Health

Several new studies were released this year showing that fracking is protective of public health. And unlike a vast majority of the research that has reached the opposite inclusion, these studies were based on actual measurements.

In February, the Colorado Department of Public Health released a health assessment based on 10,000 air samples taken near oil and gas development that concluded,

“he risk of harmful health effects is low for residents living oil and gas operations,” and that “results from exposure and health effect studies do not indicate the need for immediate public health action.”

In the spring, a pair of peer-reviewed studies — one conducted by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the other partially funded by the anti-fracking Natural Resources Defense Council — added to the overwhelming evidence that fracking is not a major threat to drinking water.

And in December, a comprehensive evaluation of Pennsylvania Department of Health data found that mortality rates in six most heavily drilled Pennsylvania counties have declined or remained stable since shale production began in the region. The report also found unconventional gas development was not associated with an increase in infant mortality in the top Marcellus counties, noting that “the mortality rate significantly declined (improved), even surpassing the improvement of the state.”

Frankly, the collective findings of these studies should merit a higher ranking on our year-end list. But unfortunately, they received relatively little media coverage when compared to studies such as a recent widely covered report linking fracking to low birth weight. That study — similar to many before it — claimed to find causal evidence of fracking’s health harms despite failing to take direct measurements. It also failed to control for known causes of infant health problems (smoking, alcohol use and drug use) and included contradictory data that the authors (and media) simply ignored or glossed over.

10. “Keep It in The Ground” Movement Gets More Desperate and Extreme

With all the good shale-related news that came out in 2017, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the “Keep It In the Ground” movement stepped up its extreme tactics in 2017, with some of its antics ranging from desperate to downright scary.

Here are just a few of the most extreme headlines, along with details on the most desperate and extreme KIITG antics this year.

In March, an Ohio anti-fracking group organizer who has been involved in repeated failed efforts to pass a local fracking ban in Youngstown pled guilty to 13 felony counts for false voter registration and election fraud. She was even found guilty of registering deceased people to vote. Apparently she didn’t find enough, as the Youngstown fracking ban failed for the sixth straight time this year.

In April, a Colorado activist suggested blowing up wells and “eliminating fracking workers” in a letter to the editor. Even worse, the activist actually stood by the comment days later, telling Colorado Politics, “I wouldn’t have a problem with a sniper shooting one of the workers” at a well site, “I believe fracking is murder.”

In October, less than two days after the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, Boulder, Colo., protesters staged what they called a “die-in” against fracking. To make matters worse, the tasteless stunt doubled as a fundraiser for the groups involved.

In September, the Associated Press reported that Michigan State University professor Elizabeth LaPennsee created a video game in which, “Players can earn points by firing lightning at snakelike pipelines, trucks and other oil industry structures.” LaPennsee defended her “work” by explaining that players have the option to bring people and animals back to life, and also claimed the game was not intended to incite violence against energy workers.

In December, the Long Beach Press Telegram reported that a consultant attending a meeting to advocate for a proposed drilling plan was attacked following the meeting “by someone who opposed the plan, according to accounts from a witness and authorities.”

Also in December, the Olympia Spokesman-Review reported that a protest in which activists and anarchists blocked a railway used to ship fracking supplies cost the city roughly $40,000. The paper also reported that the 15 tons of debris hauled away from the protest site included knives, sharpened pieces of metal and used syringes.

Also in December, Canadian KIITG activists claimed they vandalized the home and damaged cars of a Quebec oil and gas industry executive.

Also in December, The Bismarck Tribune reported that six police officers testified that a pipeline protester said, “If I wanted to kill you, I would have shot you in the head” and “All pigs deserve to die,” while laughing after being arrested at a Dakota Access Pipeline protest.

The “Keep It In the Ground” movement continues to insist that it is not an extreme movement. The headlines generated in December alone refute that claim emphatically.

Conclusion

 The past year was unquestionably a positive one for the U.S. oil and natural gas industry, and all signs point to 2018 being even better. Not only has hydraulic fracturing unlocked our country’s enormous energy potential, the current regulatory and global environment has the U.S. positioned to achieve “energy dominance” that will not only continue to strengthen our own economy and allow to further reduce emissions, but allow the rest of the world to do so as well.

These are truly exciting times. But as our final two top storylines of 2017 remind us, increasingly extreme “Keep It In the Ground” misinformation and tactics will remain key challenges moving forward.

From everyone at Energy In Depth, have a safe and happy New Year!

Source: Daily Dose of ShaleDirectories.com News

https://www.shaledirectories.com/blog/looking-back-at-the-10-biggest-shale-related-storylines-of-2017/

[flauntpage]

How The 2002 World Cup Became The Most Controversial Tournament in Recent Memory

This article originally appeared on VICE Sports UK.

The 2002 World Cup should by rights be remembered as the tournament of the underdog. Senegal beat holders France in the group stage before dumping out Sweden in the Round of 16; Turkey advanced to the semi-finals before losing by a single goal to Brazil; and host nation South Korea went on a run which included knockout triumphs over Italy and Spain. The final in Yokohama may have ended up as a straight fight between Germany and the Seleção, but it was the upsets of the previous rounds which sent reverberations around the globe.

Meanwhile, the individual stars of the tournament were an iconic trio of attackers in yellow, with Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo dancing through opposition defences with impossible grace on their way to victory. Still, ask people about the most memorable moments of the 2002 World Cup, and the majority would probably overlook the eight goals scored by Ronaldo, and even Ronaldinho's famous lob over David Seaman. Instead, they would most likely recall the tournament's great controversies, the worst of which were down to the politics of FIFA, the golden goal rule and incendiary referees.

The first contentious decision of the tournament would take place six years before it had even begun, when Japan and South Korea were selected as joint hosts in the summer of 1996. Having initially presented rival bids for the competition, it was the first (and, to date, last) time that two nations would share hosting duties for the World Cup, with neither country having the infrastructure required to go it alone. The fact that Japan had never qualified for the World Cup at the time of bidding raised numerous eyebrows, as did the obvious logistical issues for fans travelling across the seas between venues. Meanwhile, the time difference meant that European fans would have to watch their matches in the morning, disturbing the working day for millions of viewers. As the first World Cup to be staged in Asia, many accused FIFA of putting political expedience over supporter convenience, with questions over the football culture in South Korea and Japan almost as persistent as they are now with regards to Qatar.

READ MORE: The Tragedy of David Seaman Getting Lobbed By Ronaldinho at the 2002 World Cup

These complaints could be dismissed as Eurocentric snobbery, of course, and FIFA were never going to be deterred from exploiting new markets by the grumbling from football's anciens régimes. In the end, fan culture in South Korea came as a pleasant surprise to many, even if there was less enthusiasm in Japan after the Samurai Blue were knocked out by Turkey in the Round of 16. Under the professorial management of Guus Hiddink, the Koreans far outdid their rival co-hosts, whipping up a storm of World Cup mania from Gwangju to Ulsan, Daegu to Seoul. Storm metaphors were popular at the time given that the World Cup took place in the monsoon season – another major gripe ahead of the tournament which dissipated as things got underway – but also because of the thunderous criticism which came about as a result of South Korea's success.

The group stage went by with relatively little incident for the Koreans, who notched convincing wins over Portugal and Poland as well as a 1-1 draw with the United States. There was considerable kvetching from the Portuguese after both Beto and Joao Pinto were sent off in their match, but in truth the Red Devils had deserved the win and went on to top the group fair and square. Where the fairness of proceedings came into question was in their Round of 16 clash with Italy in Daejeon, which they won 2-1 after striker Ahn Jung-hwan headed a golden goal past Gianluigi Buffon three minutes before the game went to penalties. Italy had been underwhelming all tournament despite boasting the talents of Maldini, Cannavaro, Totti, Nesta, Inzaghi, Materazzi, Vieri and the like, but the manner of their defeat left a bitter taste in the mouths of fans and the establishment back home.

A sad fan sits slumped on the Piazza Trieste e Trento after Italy's loss // EPA Images / Ciro Fusco

Hiddink set South Korea up in an aggressive 3-4-3 formation, and their energetic high press caused the Azzurri serious problems from the off. Though Christian Vieri scored the opener for Italy near to the 20-minute mark, their supporters became increasingly agitated by what they perceived to be a steady flow of unpunished fouls. As it was, Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno allowed the Koreans to continue their robust pressing game with near impunity, and their tactics paid dividends. They hustled the Italians into conceding a goal late on, before Ahn Jung-hwan came up with his decisive intervention in extra time. In the meantime, the Italians fell victim to an unbelievable litany of refereeing errors. Francesco Totti was harshly sent off for diving; Damiano Tommasi had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside; Choi Jin-cheul two-footed Gianluca Zambrotta and Kim Tae-young threw an elbow at Alessandro del Piero without consequence, even if the Italians were less than blameless in the rough and tumble of the game.

Back in Italy, many refused to recognise that South Korea had won the match, while in an act of petty vengeance Jung-hwan had his loan cancelled at Serie A side Perugia. The headlines were suitably Biblical, while legendary sports journalist and commentator Giorgio Tosatti wrote in Corriere della Sera: "Italy have been thrown out of a dirty World Cup where referees and linesmen are used as hitmen." Conspiracy theories began to swirl around the ref, and Moreno was later investigated by FIFA on account of "a number of controversies." At the time, however, Sepp Blatter insisted that the mistakes had been down to "human not premeditated errors." The prevailing opinion in Italy was that the match had been manipulated so as to keep the host nation in the tournament, and that FIFA's grand ambitions in Asia had been prioritised over the integrity of the result.

When South Korea knocked out Spain on penalties in the quarter-finals, the fury of the European media was multiplied tenfold. This time Egyptian referee Gamal Al-Ghandour was at the heart of the controversy, having disallowed two perfectly good goals as – over on the sidelines – Spain coach José Antonio Camacho anxiously secreted two of the biggest sweat patches football has ever seen. Raging in the pages of The Telegraph, Paul Hayward wrote: "The records say that the Koreans knocked out Spain in a penalty shoot-out in Gwangju on Saturday. The records are a lie and this tournament has descended into farce." He also railed against the internal politics of referee selection, calling FIFA's decision to appoint officials from minor footballing nations "anti-meritocratic." The Spanish press were even less forgiving, and much like their Italian counterparts immediately and vociferously cried foul.

South Korea celebrate their win over Spain // PA Images

Had South Korea downed Germany in the semis there may well have been riots, at least outside the headquarters of Europe's major newspapers. Instead, they were finally knocked out by a single goal from Michael Ballack, bringing their unlikely World Cup run to an end. The host nation were treated like heroes on the Korean peninsular, with even the chairman of North Korea's football association, Ri Kwang-gun, sending public congratulations to his nation's bitter enemies. In both Italy and Spain, there are still sporadic outbursts of anger over the perceived injustices of that World Cup, with the FIFA corruption scandal of 2015 only strengthening suspicions that the matches were influenced by politicking from football's world governing body. Nonetheless, those matches are remembered with great fondness in South Korea, where no amount of European moaning can take the shine off their greatest ever World Cup campaign.

@W_F_Magee

How The 2002 World Cup Became The Most Controversial Tournament in Recent Memory published first on http://ift.tt/2pLTmlv

[ourbluedreamuniverse-blog]

three become one

3:33am 

as i come back to the 

material world, grounded

and 

being equally confused and aware

what sweetness just came out of this body? All the hurt, pain, turmoil of the human condition and the walls that they create... sucking in, clenching, holding, all the times I held. IT. IN. For it to FEEL LIKE THIS...... WHEN I LET GO?!?!?! AHH!!!! 

Before my consciousness in the middle tug of war between my body wanting to stay here and my spirit wanting to be elsewhere. Well, now I see where. What I was cutting myself of from. 

Reconnecting with the One.

The warmth.

The love. 

The overwhelming feeling of returning home. 

Home after the responsibility of this mission has worn off. The weight of the karma of my past imperfections coupled with the unknown would have kept me grounded....stuck on this plain.

Now that would surely be hell. I am certainly comforted that is not my future. 

I wish i could say that my mind was cool calm and collected. That’s not the case. I went on extremes -- i’d connect very highly but i’d bring myself back down with questions ... questioning everything yet all being answered and then finally all replaced with the slithering Kundalini and the word “nectar” over and over and over and over. 

and then

completely Pure, love, white intense light and at the same time I feel this liquid literally BURST out of me uncontrollably, i can’t stop it, but I somehow know not to try...but that’s okay I don’t want to try. but maybe I should? but fuck it this feels too good ... so i continue loving myself and now the most fundamentally shifting orgasm happens at the same time, liquid still pouring while orgasming too and I’m just too confused as to how my body can be doing this but I don’t care and I watch as the liquid changing to a river, stream, and finally a trickle... 

I immediately felt a clearing in my lower grounding chakras -- a release of a lifetime and blockages cleared that at the beginning of the year, hell at the beginning of last week, I wouldn’t have believed the blockages even existed. But they did, I acknowledged, accepted, embraced and still felt love after shuffling through the main shadows of my archetypal victim, saboteur and child. [Side Note: Um, I actually had some rough “Mommy Issues” .... they were SO subtle yet my unawareness didn’t allow me to see how other’s energy had for so long found roots in me through her projected Fears. Not anymore. I saw that I was my mom’s reason for her loss of awareness. But it is not my fault or burden. She had come so far....she asked for her third baby and willed it to be a girl. She got her wish... and then 4 years later everything she had ever wanted ALMOST got taken away from her when they discovered a congenital heart defect. She fell. She blamed herself for asking for a goddess instead of health that one thought has kept he in a cycle of repression, control (especially over my health), insomnia (and now addiction to Ambien). Almost 22 years later and 5,000 miles of distance between us has shown me that Fear is a web that only you and your Goddess can climb out of together and allowing ANYONE to project that onto you is unacceptable and be your vigilant fight in life to make sure you do not allow the energy of others to block you in those was.... i was feeling suffocated and literally stuck and COMPLETELY out of place in a state I had lived my whole life! My spiritual evolution has skyrocketed since then.)

You know the saying “it felt like a weight has lifted off of my shoulders” -- imagine that feeling happening but radiating from your core upwards AT THE SAME TIME your core downwards. 

things i cannot ignore: Pulled “the Fool” tarot card that day; it was the 1 year anniversary (3.15.17) of the email that changed absolutely everything about my existence and location on this material plane, I had written more creatively that day than I had in a long time, my TF is in a Runner stage but is supposed to move soon and I committed to only sending love and supporting energy his way.

my experience was Truth

3:33 am 

confirms that

fact 

3:33 am

the moment three became One.

I’ve arrived.

The lights are on and I’m finding my path back home....you may have burned my maps, suppressed and altered the words of the royalty and earthly goddesses of my past lives, but they’re all with me now, whispering secrets as we go. They were always me, anyways.  This is a battle they’ve fought their entire lives. They are reminding me how to have courage; to write my Truth so other souls are comforted in their own journeys while also accepting that no two are the same....This is so terrifying for me. Not only is this the most “ME!” experience that I’ve ever had... I’m also sharing it. Putting it out there. When I started writing, I almost switched over to my private journal, but I couldn’t. I hated that I HAD TO DIG the internet for a few articles that all repeated kind of the same thing. They were either those click-bait “Lists,” if they were written by a woman they’d give you the history of the Kundalini and be very general, or they were YOUTUBE videos by DUDES... um I’m sorry dudes but you’re first-person kundalini experience has no interest to me when I’m trying to answer, ‘um....so.....is there a ‘normal’ amount of liquid because this seems excessive...?”  

We all need to speak the Truths of our experiences. I know it is very difficult to find the words, phrase or proper way of expressing the spiritual with these measly worldly tools but c’mon we gotta TRY. And especially if you are claiming this is your divine mode of creativity... Okay, create! Give me something new. What I don’t need is the same generalized shit repeated over and over. It is only in the DETAILS of our experience. The DETAILS provide incredible truth.  

That was mostly me talking to myself about the whole writing thing if you didn’t get that... but alas, the work day has flown by and now the True work begins.

With Love & Light,

Blue

[fesahaawit]

9 Things I No Longer Do With My Money

9 years ago I blogged about how people who like to “split the check” aren’t my friends anymore. I had totally forgotten about it, but the memories flooded back when I received the following comment on it just this week :)

I know it’s not entirely fair. BUT COME ON, it was only 3 bucks dude. After reading your article, it seems like you are the cheap person there. You had a good time, then just let it go! Chill out dude.

Haha… Fortunately these days I do just “chill out” whenever stuff like this happens (though I’ll still ask for separate checks w/ larger parties! Takes forever trying to pay those bills!) but it was a great reminder of how far I’ve come since first starting this blog all those years ago… Now I’m more likely to “split the check” myself, or pay for the other person’s meal entirely because it’s just a nice thing to do!

But in honor of hitting my 9 year Blogiversary last month which I accidentally skipped (oops), I thought I’d share 9 other things I no longer do either since my early days of paying attention to money.

Hope it helps in some way!

#1. I no longer obsess about money anymore

It helps having more money than I used to, of course, but somewhere along the line I’ve moved way from dreaming about millions, to dreaming about having a great LIFE instead. Which, big shocker, you can actually have with or without gobs of money! Now unfortunately it takes just as much time and energy to figure out how to set this up as it does your finances, but hey – it’s a valiant pursuit :)

#2. I no longer track every last penny

Someone on Twitter just asked me if I thought I’d be where I am today without tracking my money every month, and the answer would be an affirmative NO. I’ve tracked my net worth for over 110 months in a row now, but it was really those first couple of years that were most transformative. Paying attention to where all your money is coming and going is HUGE when you’ve never done it before – it totally opens up your eyes! But once you get a good grasp of it, tracking every last penny isn’t *as* game changing as it is in the beginning.

Now it’ll certainly save you more cash than not tracking it, I guarantee that, but once you’ve got your rhythm down you get the beautiful decision of whether or not it’s worth the trade off of time anymore. If it is, great! You’ll be saving more than me! But after a few years and seeing the same rough expenses over and over again I decided to just stick w/ my net worth which gives me that overall picture I need without driving myself too crazy. Then I’ll just pop my head into the nitty gritty anytime something major happens, like moving or new kids popping up ;) Another big difference between now and 9 years ago – I’m now a daddy, crazy!

#3. I no longer hustle 24/7

In my efforts to improve upon #1 up there, I realized that in fact working more does NOT make me that much happier despite our culture (and entrepreneur friends) telling us it does. In the last 4 years I’ve gone from priding myself in working 20 hour days down to working about 9-10 ones depending on how efficient I am or not. It’s still a lot more than I want – my target is to stop working nights and weekends! – but you know, one step at a time… And it was again those babies that really put all this into perspective because I was on the train straight towards Workaholicsville and couldn’t get off!

#4. I no longer chase credit card deals or the best interest rates or even the hottest stocks

I’ve since learned that I value simplicity far more than I do an extra percentage point on one of my accounts – so long as I have “good enough” (or, 80% for any of you Pareto Principle lovers out there). It means not having every last one of my dollars maximized, but it also means feeling more at peace with myself/wallet and not being so frantic all the time scouring the web for the next hottest deal, or worse – stock. And believe me, even if people can tell you the latest trending stock, they sure as hell can’t tell you when to cash out of it in time!

So there’s no more chasing the markets or looking for the best savings/credit card accounts for me anymore… I keep almost all my banking under one main roof I’m happy with (USAA), and then all my investments under another happy roof (Vanguard). I then keep my sanity and go about my business from there :)

#5. I no longer go shopping for the fun of it

This was one of the first epiphanies I had in my early stage of blogging. I had tried my first “No Spend” challenge where I couldn’t spend any money on stuff that weren’t essentials (bills, groceries, etc), and WOW did I realize I had gotten into a bad habit! I’d literally catch myself pulling into the mall or other random stores anytime I was simply *bored*. And the crazy part was that I had no idea I was doing it!

From that point forward I literally just stopped walking into stores and have saved myself approximately $200/mo ever since… (Now if only there was a way to not stroll into Amazon! ;))

#6. I no longer require new jobs or locations to be happy

This is probably the biggest shocker of them all to me. Having grown up moving around every 2 years in a military family, *change* played a major, and rather exciting!, role in my life. It didn’t matter where I was or what I was doing, as soon as that two year mark hit I was ready to move onto the next glorious adventure awaiting me.

It wasn’t until I went off to college and started working “real” jobs that I realized my normal wasn’t going to be normal anymore… Even so, I struggled with not being able to stay put, whether in location or employment (or relationships!), until finally this blog and my wife were found. Both of which showed that stability can be sexy too :) And coincidentally enough, both found in the same year as well, making it super easy for me to remember the more important anniversary! Haha… And thankfully the entrepreneurial life brings enough change and adventure to keep anyone on their toes.

#7. I no longer care what others think of me

This is also a big turnaround for me over the last handful of years. I still have my weaknesses and seek approval from certain people out of habit, but for the most part I try my best to just be me and do my own thing whether others seem to approve of it or not. Even my beautiful mother – gasp. (As evidence of me still rocking a mohawk at 30-something years old and “looking like a vagabond” with my ragged clothes, per this same mother ;))

Another perk of running a blog, however, is that you also learn how to grow some thick skin as there’s never a shortage of people who find it necessary to tell you how they really feel. Here are a few of these kinds words I’ve saved from only the past handful of months:

“The content is good, but I’m unsubscribing because I have a difficult time with the grammar style of this blog. I feel like I’m reading text messages, not trying to save for retirement.”

“I don’t really care to read about your life for the few nuggets of financial advice you give. My time is too valuable.”

“Oh, and I listen to your podcast with Paula. Love her, but you sound like a clueless 16 year old valley girl.”

“Not the most professional blog.. way too many smiley faces on everything.  I also cannot believe you rent!  You did introduce me to Rockstar Finance though, so thanks!”

And my all-time favorite:

“He says really nice things but looks like a weirdo. But i guess thats why people like him. Hes like the Miley Cyrus of Finance”

#8. I no longer watch the news/Facebook/media

Want a great way to feel worse about your life? Go scrolling through the news or your Facebook feed :) I used to be obsessed with keeping on top of everything, as well as what all my friends were doing/ buying/flying, and then I realized I never left any of those places actually feeling *better* than when I got there. I’d either feel depressed, jealous, anxious, or just plain scared.

So I stopped reading everything and deactivated all of my personal social media accounts except those relating to this blog. I’ve been in bliss ever since! Now it also means I don’t always know what the hell is going on in the world, but again – trade offs. And my wife is quick to tell me anything she thinks I better know :)

#9. I no longer buy bottled water or lottery tickets!

If you were around this blog in 2011 you might remember the hate storm that occurred when I proudly exclaimed that I drink bottled water and wasn’t ashamed to admit it ;) I was mainly targeting the financial aspect of it and how I don’t mind spending the $$ there since bottled was the only way that got me to actually DRINK water (thus, the money spent was = the health benefits), however, I underestimated the environment part of it and was called out pretty good about it.

6 years later though, I’m proud to exclaim that I very much still drink loads of water, but no longer need to use a new bottle every time in doing so :) Finding this bad boy has helped immensely with that, along with purifying the tap more.

And lottery tickets? Well, my experimenting there is over too as I no longer have as much fun playing them as I used to (nor the time to keep going out and buying them each week). I still enjoy giving, and receiving them, for Christmas as they make excellent (and cheap) stocking stuffers!, but now a days I get my cheap thrills off hanging with my kids or chatting with you all here on the blog ;) I’ll never get rich off of it, but hey – LIFE!

And that’s really the point of everything I’ve learned over the past 9 years. Money is great and severely needed up to a certain point, but once you’ve hit the minimum amount for survival/happiness, the rest just feels like extra. The trick then becomes incrementally improving your *lifestyle*, which is just as challenging, if not more, than figuring out your money.

My dream for everyone here is to be able to master BOTH sides of this equation, and then appreciate the progress we’ve all made so far as well. I don’t know what comes after that, but I’d imagine it’s one helluva place to be at :)

What have you learned over the past 9 years?

*****

PS: As far as I’ve come over the years, I still mess up alllllllll the freakin’ time. Check out last year’s 8 fails over 8 years of blogging for some good ways to feel better about yourself ;)

9 Things I No Longer Do With My Money posted first on http://ift.tt/2lnwIdQ

[heliosfinance]

9 Things I No Longer Do With My Money

9 years ago I blogged about how people who like to “split the check” aren’t my friends anymore. I had totally forgotten about it, but the memories flooded back when I received the following comment on it just this week :)

I know it’s not entirely fair. BUT COME ON, it was only 3 bucks dude. After reading your article, it seems like you are the cheap person there. You had a good time, then just let it go! Chill out dude.

Haha… Fortunately these days I do just “chill out” whenever stuff like this happens (though I’ll still ask for separate checks w/ larger parties! Takes forever trying to pay those bills!) but it was a great reminder of how far I’ve come since first starting this blog all those years ago… Now I’m more likely to “split the check” myself, or pay for the other person’s meal entirely because it’s just a nice thing to do!

But in honor of hitting my 9 year Blogiversary last month which I accidentally skipped (oops), I thought I’d share 9 other things I no longer do either since my early days of paying attention to money.

Hope it helps in some way!

#1. I no longer obsess about money anymore

It helps having more money than I used to, of course, but somewhere along the line I’ve moved way from dreaming about millions, to dreaming about having a great LIFE instead. Which, big shocker, you can actually have with or without gobs of money! Now unfortunately it takes just as much time and energy to figure out how to set this up as it does your finances, but hey – it’s a valiant pursuit :)

#2. I no longer track every last penny

Someone on Twitter just asked me if I thought I’d be where I am today without tracking my money every month, and the answer would be an affirmative NO. I’ve tracked my net worth for over 110 months in a row now, but it was really those first couple of years that were most transformative. Paying attention to where all your money is coming and going is HUGE when you’ve never done it before – it totally opens up your eyes! But once you get a good grasp of it, tracking every last penny isn’t *as* game changing as it is in the beginning.

Now it’ll certainly save you more cash than not tracking it, I guarantee that, but once you’ve got your rhythm down you get the beautiful decision of whether or not it’s worth the trade off of time anymore. If it is, great! You’ll be saving more than me! But after a few years and seeing the same rough expenses over and over again I decided to just stick w/ my net worth which gives me that overall picture I need without driving myself too crazy. Then I’ll just pop my head into the nitty gritty anytime something major happens, like moving or new kids popping up ;) Another big difference between now and 9 years ago – I’m now a daddy, crazy!

#3. I no longer hustle 24/7

In my efforts to improve upon #1 up there, I realized that in fact working more does NOT make me that much happier despite our culture (and entrepreneur friends) telling us it does. In the last 4 years I’ve gone from priding myself in working 20 hour days down to working about 9-10 ones depending on how efficient I am or not. It’s still a lot more than I want – my target is to stop working nights and weekends! – but you know, one step at a time… And it was again those babies that really put all this into perspective because I was on the train straight towards Workaholicsville and couldn’t get off!

#4. I no longer chase credit card deals or the best interest rates or even the hottest stocks

I’ve since learned that I value simplicity far more than I do an extra percentage point on one of my accounts – so long as I have “good enough” (or, 80% for any of you Pareto Principle lovers out there). It means not having every last one of my dollars maximized, but it also means feeling more at peace with myself/wallet and not being so frantic all the time scouring the web for the next hottest deal, or worse – stock. And believe me, even if people can tell you the latest trending stock, they sure as hell can’t tell you when to cash out of it in time!

So there’s no more chasing the markets or looking for the best savings/credit card accounts for me anymore… I keep almost all my banking under one main roof I’m happy with (USAA), and then all my investments under another happy roof (Vanguard). I then keep my sanity and go about my business from there :)

#5. I no longer go shopping for the fun of it

This was one of the first epiphanies I had in my early stage of blogging. I had tried my first “No Spend” challenge where I couldn’t spend any money on stuff that weren’t essentials (bills, groceries, etc), and WOW did I realize I had gotten into a bad habit! I’d literally catch myself pulling into the mall or other random stores anytime I was simply *bored*. And the crazy part was that I had no idea I was doing it!

From that point forward I literally just stopped walking into stores and have saved myself approximately $200/mo ever since… (Now if only there was a way to not stroll into Amazon! ;))

#6. I no longer require new jobs or locations to be happy

This is probably the biggest shocker of them all to me. Having grown up moving around every 2 years in a military family, *change* played a major, and rather exciting!, role in my life. It didn’t matter where I was or what I was doing, as soon as that two year mark hit I was ready to move onto the next glorious adventure awaiting me.

It wasn’t until I went off to college and started working “real” jobs that I realized my normal wasn’t going to be normal anymore… Even so, I struggled with not being able to stay put, whether in location or employment (or relationships!), until finally this blog and my wife were found. Both of which showed that stability can be sexy too :) And coincidentally enough, both found in the same year as well, making it super easy for me to remember the more important anniversary! Haha… And thankfully the entrepreneurial life brings enough change and adventure to keep anyone on their toes.

#7. I no longer care what others think of me

This is also a big turnaround for me over the last handful of years. I still have my weaknesses and seek approval from certain people out of habit, but for the most part I try my best to just be me and do my own thing whether others seem to approve of it or not. Even my beautiful mother – gasp. (As evidence of me still rocking a mohawk at 30-something years old and “looking like a vagabond” with my ragged clothes, per this same mother ;))

Another perk of running a blog, however, is that you also learn how to grow some thick skin as there’s never a shortage of people who find it necessary to tell you how they really feel. Here are a few of these kinds words I’ve saved from only the past handful of months:

“The content is good, but I’m unsubscribing because I have a difficult time with the grammar style of this blog. I feel like I’m reading text messages, not trying to save for retirement.”

“I don’t really care to read about your life for the few nuggets of financial advice you give. My time is too valuable.”

“Oh, and I listen to your podcast with Paula. Love her, but you sound like a clueless 16 year old valley girl.”

“Not the most professional blog.. way too many smiley faces on everything.  I also cannot believe you rent!  You did introduce me to Rockstar Finance though, so thanks!”

And my all-time favorite:

“He says really nice things but looks like a weirdo. But i guess thats why people like him. Hes like the Miley Cyrus of Finance”

#8. I no longer watch the news/Facebook/media

Want a great way to feel worse about your life? Go scrolling through the news or your Facebook feed :) I used to be obsessed with keeping on top of everything, as well as what all my friends were doing/ buying/flying, and then I realized I never left any of those places actually feeling *better* than when I got there. I’d either feel depressed, jealous, anxious, or just plain scared.

So I stopped reading everything and deactivated all of my personal social media accounts except those relating to this blog. I’ve been in bliss ever since! Now it also means I don’t always know what the hell is going on in the world, but again – trade offs. And my wife is quick to tell me anything she thinks I better know :)

#9. I no longer buy bottled water or lottery tickets!

If you were around this blog in 2011 you might remember the hate storm that occurred when I proudly exclaimed that I drink bottled water and wasn’t ashamed to admit it ;) I was mainly targeting the financial aspect of it and how I don’t mind spending the $$ there since bottled was the only way that got me to actually DRINK water (thus, the money spent was = the health benefits), however, I underestimated the environment part of it and was called out pretty good about it.

6 years later though, I’m proud to exclaim that I very much still drink loads of water, but no longer need to use a new bottle every time in doing so :) Finding this bad boy has helped immensely with that, along with purifying the tap more.

And lottery tickets? Well, my experimenting there is over too as I no longer have as much fun playing them as I used to (nor the time to keep going out and buying them each week). I still enjoy giving, and receiving them, for Christmas as they make excellent (and cheap) stocking stuffers!, but now a days I get my cheap thrills off hanging with my kids or chatting with you all here on the blog ;) I’ll never get rich off of it, but hey – LIFE!

And that’s really the point of everything I’ve learned over the past 9 years. Money is great and severely needed up to a certain point, but once you’ve hit the minimum amount for survival/happiness, the rest just feels like extra. The trick then becomes incrementally improving your *lifestyle*, which is just as challenging, if not more, than figuring out your money.

My dream for everyone here is to be able to master BOTH sides of this equation, and then appreciate the progress we’ve all made so far as well. I don’t know what comes after that, but I’d imagine it’s one helluva place to be at :)

What have you learned over the past 9 years?

*****

PS: As far as I’ve come over the years, I still mess up alllllllll the freakin’ time. Check out last year’s 8 fails over 8 years of blogging for some good ways to feel better about yourself ;)

9 Things I No Longer Do With My Money published first on http://ift.tt/2ljLF4B