#training customs broker

[missmyloko]

Hi Justine,

I had an encounter with a Japanese person who hates the geisha world because of Kiyoha’s tweets, and I feel I could have responded better.

Is it ok to ask your opinion/advice? If not, please feel free to ignore my ask and I’ll understand.

I was at a reading group and I’m reading Arai Mameji’s autobiography. When I shared what I was reading, the Japanese person in our group said she hates the geisha world because they sell young girls to powerful men. I said that isn’t true, not anymore at least, and then she brought up Kiyoha’s tweets.

I got really thrown off and wasn’t sure what to say. I said I did get really upset when that news came out, and that it’s hard when you’re in an industry where the clients include politicians and rich, powerful men.

But I also said I’ve been to maiko events where the owner of the restaurant was there at all times, the guests were a mix of men and women, and the maiko were perfectly safe.

I also said that at least thanks to Kiyoha’s tweets, girls who decide to become maiko will do so with open eyes.

The facilitator of the group asked me what do I like about maiko, and I was so thrown that I couldn’t articulate it properly. I said I admire how hard they work to perfect their craft, and i love the beautiful kimono they wear. But when I expounded on how hard they work, I realized I was describing an environment that makes it easy to cover up abuse—no cellphones, only seeing their families at New Year, so I felt awkward again.

So I left that reading group with an icky feeling, and I also felt misunderstood. Though the facilitator was still nice and said he hoped to see me next time.

So, if I have a similar encounter, how can I respond without feeling like I’m defending abuse? 😰

Their environment is traditional, which can make it seem like it's an "easy" place to hide abuse, but that same environment is one that looks out for its own above all, which makes it much safer than one would think. Being in the karyukai really is like being in a secret club, whether you're a geimaiko or a customer you're vetted thoroughly before you enter, and if you go against the grain you're shown the door. It's also a world run by women who truly treat their charges like their own daughters (in 99% of cases anyway), so you know that they don't take abuse or the accusation of abuse laying down. The biggest thing to remember is that, unlike in the past, girls are free to choose the life of a geimaiko and can also leave at anytime without the fear of repercussions, so no one is going into the profession as a slave or has to endure any abuse of any kind. The girls who do this kind of hard work (and it is hard, which is why it's so admirable) are dedicated to the arts and improving themselves, which makes them such bosses. The girls who enter just to wear pretty kimono are quickly weeded out as they can't keep up with the training, but those who triumph have names that are known the world over. As to why you probably admire geimaiko, that's a fairly easy thing to articulate once you sit down and realize what they do. These women buck social norms as they say "no" to traditional gender roles and become the ones who wield power over men. They study the arts that they want, keep schedules that are pretty steady (and can then make their own schedules when they become jimae), and eventually buy whatever they want (and even when they live at the okiya they pretty much want for not). Not only that, but they are power brokers and diplomats for some of the most powerful people on the planet. It takes a special kind of strength to be a geimaiko, and those who succeed in living that life are bad asses. I mean, where else can you be a single mother earning a six figure salary, wear the best clothing, and meet people from across the globe on a nightly basis? In a society where traditional gender norms shape so much of what people can and can't do, geimaiko basically say "screw that" to everything. What happened to Kiyoha was horrible and can't be ignored, which is why the karyukai is starting to take action against that kind of behavior happening again. The good eggs look out for their own, like the events that you've gone to, and this is true in the vast majority of cases. I mean, no system is perfect and there will always be bad apples, but you can't look at Kiyoha's experience and say that the entire profession is like that or that it's tainted beyond repair because of what one girl went through. Anything worth fighting for requires effort, and it's up to people like us to put in the effort to help dispel the myths surrounding geimaiko so that this wonderful profession can continue to thrive in the future, hopefully with the necessary changes being made to ensure that it becomes a safer environment for all involved ^^

[fatale-distraction]

Canon World State

Decided to compile my main world state for Dragon Age in anticipation of The Veilguard.

This world state is mostly compatible with comics/novels, with the exception of Alistair. I figure events are basically the same, except instead of king, he’s just a Grey Warden. *BIG SHRUG*

Massive post under cut. Feel free to steal this format, I literally just listed all the choices in The Keep and added a few extra things.

EDIT: Added some major companion choices for Inquisition, still missing Blackwall’s resolution. Will update that later.

Edit: Added screenshot of Hawke, some Judgement results from Inquisition; still working on this one.

Halina (Hal) Mahariel

Dalish archer, Ranger spec, she/her, b. 9:09

Status as of 9:54 - Presumed alive, age 45

Recruited All Companions minus Logain

Killed Logain

Returned Sten’s Sword

Zevran alive & well

Wynne alive & well

Leliana alive & well

Dark Ritual completed with Alistair

Killed Flemmeth & acquired grimoire

Prologue -

Fed deserter

Cured Mabari (recruited)

Broken Circle -

Supported Mages

Irving Survived

Did not agree to Cullen’s request

Nature of the Beast -

Brokered Peace

Brought Camden & Gheyna together

Saved the Halla

Returned Deygan to camp

Brought Ironbark to Varathorn

Told Athras about his wife

The Arl of Redcliffe-

Helped Redcliffe Fight

Helped Redcliffe Prepare

Freed Bevin & Paid for sword

Helped Owen’s Daughter Escape

Bella owns tavern

Connor Alive, not possessed

Isolde is alive

Paragon of Her Kind-

Killed Branka and Destroyed Anvil

Dagna left to study

Bhelen rules Orzamar

Said Ruck died, but spared him

Didn’t help Burkel

Helped Zerlinda reconcile with family

Proved Legion of Dead connected to noble house

Completed Rogek’s lyrium deal

Helped Orta join Assembly

Denerim-

Ser Landry alive

Told Bann Sighard about Oswyn

Brought scroll to Sister Justine

Helped clear customers out of the Pearl

Handled the Crimson Oars

Completed Slim Couldry’s crime wave

Gave Alfstanna Irminric’s ring

Returned amulet to beggar

Completed Master Ignacio’s assassinations

Sent Marjolaine away (softened Leliana)

Helped Alistair find Goldana (softened Alistair)

The Landsmeet-

Anora rules Ferelden

The Battle of Denerim-

Halina killed the Archdemon

Awakening-

Allowed Architect to live

Nathaniel alive & well

Oghren & Felsi reunited

Keep & Amaranthine protected

Witch Hunt-

Halina did not go through the eluvian

Warden’s Keep-

Didn’t drink concoction

Slayed Avernus

Stone Prisoner-

Shale is alive and well

Matthias & Amalia both alive, neither possessed

Above: Ashe Hawke and Halina Mahariel

Ashe Hawke

Mage, Primal & Elemental Spec, she/they, b. 9:11

Status as of 9:54 - Presumed dead, would have been 43

Recruited all companions; friends with all but Sebastian

Humorous

Slept with Isabela & Fenris

Flirted with Aveline at every chance

Romanced Anders

Friends with Varric

Bethany died leaving Lothering

Carver became a templar

Carver did not die in final battle

Bartrand not killed

Helped Varric discover cause of haunting

Varric did not keep red lyrium idol

Isabela returned the tome to the Qunari

Didn’t give Isabela to Arishok

Fenris alive & well

Spared Fenris’ sister

Helped Merrill fix Eluvian

Gave Merrill Arulin’Holm

Merrill alive & well

Sent Feynriel to the Dalish

Encouraged Feynriel to train his powers

Supported Mages

Approved of Anders’ actions at Chantry

Anders alive & well

Aveline married Donnic

Aveline stayed with Hawke

Merrill’s clan was not killed

Sebastian became Prince

Didn’t make Tallis angry

Kissed Tallis

Ellanasha (Ellana, El) Lavellan

Dalish archer, Tempest Spec, she/her, b. 9:17

Status as of 9:54 - Alive and mostly okay, age 37

Emotional

Recruited all companions; friends with all

Romanced: Solas

Cole - Spirit*

Vivienne - Gave her the Snow Wyvern heart

Josie - Resolved contract peacefully

Solas - stopped him from killing the mages

Varric & Cassandra - reconciled

Dorian - encouraged him to reconcile with his father

The Iron Bull - Saved The Chargers

Sera - pulled pranks with Sera

Cullen - Helped him quit lyrium

Flirted with Cassandra at every chance

Judgement:

- Alexius works for Inquisition mages

- Mayor of Crestwood conscripted to Grey Wardens

- Armed Avvar and sent to Tevinter

- Recruited Bear

Allied as partners with Mages

Left Hawke in the Fade**

Conscripted Grey Wardens

Celene reconciled with Briala***

Destroyed Samson’s armor

Drank from the Well of Sorrows****

Supports Leliana (softened) as Divine Victoria

Disbands the Inquisition in a fit

Vows to convince Solas of this world’s value

*Later wonders if this was the right call, in spite of assurances by Cole that he is happy

**Constantly struggles with this decision. Alistair is technically her family (second cousin once removed by marriage), so there’s no other choice she would ever have made, but it still kills her.

***Ellana regrets this when she learns more about their past, expresses that she would have put Briala in power with Gaspard as a puppet ruler instead.

****Names the dragon Butterpat

Prior to DA:O

NOT CANON TO GAMES:

In an unknown year, Felassan is awakened after an indeterminate amount of time by the Fade spirit of Fen’Harel in order to prepare him for reawakening. His primary duty is to track down magical artifacts to help Fen’Harel regain his power and to discover what changes have occurred.

Above: Althera and Miriam Lavellan

In 9:10 Felassan meets Althera, Keeper of Clan Lavellan at the Arlathven. She introduces him to her wife, Miriam and they invite him to travel with Clan Lavellan to learn how they’ve kept a clan full of mages safe for the last several generations. In 9:13, Evelyn is born to Felassan and Althera. In 9:17 Ellana is born to Felassan and Miriam. Fen’harel has become suspicious of Felassan over the last seven years, and although Althera has been using her significant power to protect him, Fel knows he must return eventually. He uses Ellana in an ancient ritual to wipe the Lavellan clan from Fen’Harel’s memory in an effort to protect them, resulting in the loss of her magic. Ellana is the only non-mage in Clan Lavellan in four generations.

In 9:18, Felassan leaves Clan Lavellan. Ellana’s memories of him are limited to a smell, a voice, and a smile. Evelyn remembers and hates him for leaving.

Ellana meets her 2nd cousin once removed, Halina Mahariel and idolizes her. Mahariel is Miriam’s 1st cousin’s daughter.

In 9:24, Althera (40, F) and Miriam Lavellan (35, F) are presumably killed defending their clan from Tevinter slavers. Miriam has just given birth to twins. They leave behind their children Levas, Susan, twins Pallas and Peras, Litha, Seryl, Lethas, Evelyn, Ellana, and twins Aneth and Athim.^ Deshanna Istimaethorial becomes Keeper.

In 9:29, Ellana (age 12) falls extremely ill. Her sister (18) Evelyn travels alone to find a rare herb to cure her sister and is cornered by Darkspawn. She is captured by templars and brought to Kinloch after using magic to defend herself, where she spends several months. An older brother and sister come to rescue her and Cullen helps her escape with her phylactery while the remaining siblings stabilize Ellana. Ellana’s growth is stunted from the months she spent being ill.

After Ellana is captured by the fledgling Inquisition in 9:41, Evelyn, as the First of Clan Lavellan, deposes Deshanna Istimaethorial as Keeper. Once she determines that Ellana is safe, she leads clan Lavellan to Haven. Clan Lavellan stays with the Inquisition until the defeat of Corypheus, at which point they move on and settle near Wycome to form a permanent Dalish township called Lavellanlea. The town becomes a haven for elven slaves fleeing Tevinter, and for elves from alienages all over Thedas who oppose the Agents of Fen’Harel but seek to better the lot of their race.

Above: Evelyn and Ellana, post Inquisition, prior to Trespasser

In 9:44, Cullen proposes to Evelyn and she accepts. They are married in 9:46.

^Lavellan Siblings listed in order of age.

Althera’s biological children:

Levas (he/him)*

Susan (she/her)

Litha (she/they)**

Evelyn (she/her)***

Miriam’s biological children:

Pallas (he/him) and Peras (he/him)*

Seryl (they/them)**

Lethas

Ellana***

Aneth (she/her) and Athim (they/them)

* shared father 1

** shared father 2

*** Felassan

[penroseparticle]

Sometimes I just. have to take stock.

Customers love me. My staff loves me. I'm making us more money than projected. I can do all this and honestly? Work maybe half the hours I currently do (With the understanding that I fill in when there's call outs, which I am ALREADY DOING on top of my schedule.)

I create marketing materials. I create new programs. I contract liase. I do accounts payable, merchant invoicing, office management. I wrote our contract for locker rental. I made all the training documentation for my department. I'm the only person here who does annual reviews. I made a program sheet in spanish because I saw there was a need and am sourcing a russian translation right now for crying out loud.

I'm currently brokering a $700/week contract. That I brought in. I have events on the books in JANUARY.

Like. I am killing it??? How did I let them convince me otherwise

[menzoberranzans-historian]

Shops & Activities in Menzoberranzan's districts:

THE BRAERYN:

The Wan Hag

Information Broker

During the Time of Troubles era and the beginning of the War of the Spider Queen, an information broker named Smylla Nathos operated in the Braeryn. A human, she captured the attention of a drow slaver aid on the surface world and returned to Menzoberranzan as something more than a slave and less than an honored guest of House Faen Tlabbar. For a time, she used her skill as a sorcerer and diviner-as well as her drow like poise, charm, and ruthlessness to serve as an advisor to Matron Ghenni'tiroth. But when she fell ill, and healing magic failed to offer remedy, her sickness was viewed as a curse inflicted by Lolth.

Escaping assassination by her former benefactors, Smylla fled to the Braeryn to eke out a new life among the dregs of drow society. Although her illness left her withered and weak, the Wan Hag, as she came to be known, employed her eldritch talents to cobble together a formidable web of informants and spies. However, by the beginning of the War of the Spider Queen, her illness had robbed her even of her divination talents, and she was soon killed by Ryld Argith.

Quaggoth Drool

Tavern

The Stench streets is notorious for its déclassé “drinking pits" those crude establishments where drow of every station go to forget about caste and rank for a few hours, guzzle raw spirits, and watch lesser creatures slaughter one another in bloody contests. One such place is the Quaggoth Drool. As is common inn such pits, revelers must surrender all weapons when they enter the tavern. Then they can get as drunk as they want, shout, argue, talk, and have a good fight. Priestesses often use magic to eavesdrop in such ruinous places, listening for treachery, plans for attacks on houses, or other business being discussed. The entertainment focuses on the sunken arena at the center of the common room where patrons wager heavily on brutal and often lethal pit matches.

DUTHCLOIM:

The Cathlyre

Exotic Bird Aviary

Anchored to a sweeping battlement of stalactites along the Clawrift's easternmost perimeter is a spectacular latticework enclosure crafted of basalt support beams and a mesh of calcified webbing. Within the free flight structure, soar countless types of avians from the World Above, including many exotic species (among them the namesake peacock-like cathlyre). From the large shop, perched along the ledge of the Clawrift, the birds are sold as pets, live targets, or roasted alive before the customer's eyes-a hot meal seasoned and done to order.

Rhauvais' Arms

Munitions Supplier

Proprietor Rhauvais del'Ygana, a tall and strong female drow, specializes in discreet manufacture and sale of exotic, high-quality ranged weapons and ammunition for her noble clientele. Specialty armaments of her design include “the spinagon” (a repeating hand crossbow), "the kocrachon” (a hovering, envenomed, dart-like projectile that strikes upona triggered condition), and "the hamatula” (a basilisk-hide bandolier that magically recalls any dagger thrown from its pockets); all are named after devils of the Nine Hells.

The Bazaar

The ever-changing, never-sleeping Bazaar is the commercial heart of Menzoberranzan. This circle of bare bedrock about 750 feet in diameter is a crowded, untidy labyrinth of stalls and hagglers. The ongoing trade fair attracts merchants and goods from all over Faerûn, and the drow go there to buy and sell almost everything imaginable.

Warriors training at the Academy patrol the Bazaar heavily. The patrols are performed to keep a lid on the violence, but they do not interfere with haggling, arguments, or fraudulent dealing. The merchants suffer the patrols to keep the house nobles in line. The Ruling Council maintains the patrols to prevent giving the merchants a reason to hire large numbers of guards that could grow into private armies.

By decree of the Ruling Council, the Bazaar contains no permanent structures. No stall can remain in one spot longer than 66 days. The law is intended to keep the Bazaar from dwindling away aspermanent buildings replace the stalls. Also, the constant shuffling forces buyers to tour the Bazaar, searching for favored stalls or merchants.

Fights and covert sabotage are common since vendors jostle for more space for their booths or try to avoid being relegated to a bad location. While merchants are not allowed to openly sell their space at the Bazaar, wise merchants arrange to trade spots with other established vendors for favors.

Merchants of all races and lands are welcome in the Bazaar, and shoppers can get almost anything they desire in its curtained booths and stalls, given enough patience and money. The stalls carry goods and services that range from the mundane to the wondrous. Tailors, potters, and crafters of every stripe can be found in the twisting paths of the Bazaar. Surgeons, potions, and herbal medicines can also be found there by those who want to avoid seeking healing from the priestesses of Lolth. Some vendors even sell wines, cheeses, and other exotics from the surface lands, and one is able to send and receive messages to and from the world above.

Living commodities can also be purchased in the Bazaar, and many drow go there to hire mercenaries and outlander wizards. While slaves can be bought there, most purchasers looking for such goods go to the Braeryn to fill those needs.

Bhaelundryn's Bestiary

Underdark Hostler

Heavily guarded by a dozen drow guards and gnoll overseers, this stall provides pack lizards and riding-lizard mounts, including the harnesses, goads, leadlines, and carrying frames for the creatures. VhurnBhaelundryn, an old, fat, affable, and heavilyscarred drow warrior, always has one of each sort oflizard harnessed and ready, but the cost is astronomical The fee does include immediate help from the overseers, however, in delaying pursuit, patrols, and anything up to angry high priestesses. In addition tobeasts, Vhurn sells "underdark packs" for adventur-ing in the Underdark and is knowledgeable about places to buy other gear and weapons.

Dhode's Fine Piwafwis

Tailor and Clothier

Dhode Lu’orz is a tailor who sells all manner of clothing cut in drow fashions, but he specializes in making piwafwis. He staffs this stall with six apprentices who he treats as little more than slaves. Dhode has a number of contacts in Sorcere willing to add enchantments to a piwafwi if the price is right.

Quild's Mobile Parlor

Information Broker

This stall is little more than a bench and a cart full of cheap trinkets. Quild, a wiry, muscled male drow, moves his cart and bench regularly to follow shifts in traffic around the Bazaar. He engages non-drow and other males with nonstop chatter while he works but is quiet and submissive before female drow. Quild is an excellent source for rumors and gossip, and he can give direction to most locales in and around the city. Of course, generous tips greatly enhance the accuracy of the information.

Sense of Sensuous Scents

Perfumery

The mixture of scents wafting on the light breeze of Menzoberranzan ensures that shoppers smell this stall long before they see it. Rauva Zoldyth, a female drow, sells a wide variety of incense, from bricks that burn in braziers to sticks that smolder slowly. She also sells oils and candles, most of which are treated to burn with a low eldritch-colored flame that won't hurt sensitive drow eyes. Rauva notes which priestesses buy what incense and how much, and discreetly sells this information to those who might be interested in knowing what houses are preparing certain rituals.

Shimmerdark's Decanter

Vintner & Alchemist

Named for its handsome, charming (and smart-mouthed) young drow proprietor, this stall stocks rare and fine potables from all over the Realms. Daelein Shimmerdark carries a wide selection, from fortified wines of the Sword Coast to hard liquors made by the dwarves. Daelein offers love potions and sleep poison to rich and discreet shoppers. For a small fee,he will also provide directions on the best places to sell stolen goods.

Whispers in the Dark

Courier

A human wizard named Fethlorn Kelapanch set up shop in the Bazaar late in the Spellplague era,specializing in delivering messages around the city. Young drow commoners, especially orphans, camp outside his stall, waiting for a chance to run a message and make a few coins. Fethlorn also has connections with many caravan masters and can arrange for messages to be delivered to far-off locations in the Underdark or even to the surface. He can also arrange for messengers to run the missive directly, but this is ruinously expensive. A number of spells and rituals for magical communication are at his disposal, allowing him to contact virtually anyone in Faerûn, including in the World Above.

EASTMYR:

Battered Beholder

Arms and Hardware

The inside of this weapons shop is almost as battered as the beholder (said to be Many Eyes) on the sign at the store front. The inventory varies widely from day to day.and the shop fences goods with no questions asked. A male dwarf named Olask Dhauluin runs the Beholder. Olask came to Menzoberranzan shortly after the War of the Spider Queen and remains there throughout the Spellplague era, which is a good indicator of his caution and deviousness. Olask lives in the floors above the shop, using monsters to guard it during non-business hours, when they are allowed to roam freely.

Calask's Hands

Hairstylist

This hair salon is named for the male human who founded the business during the Sable Years, Myrlyth Calask. His shop survived him, passing to a male drow commoner named Filraen after the War of the Spider Queen. The clientele claims that Filraen's delicate drow fingers are much better than Calask's, but Filraen keeps the name because of its novelty, which attracts customers. Filraen is secretly a spy for Bregan D'aerthe. He relays messages to other agents and reports on what he overhears. He never takes any action that could expose his cover.

Darkled Depths

Tavern

Located across from the abandoned House Kenaf incompound is the Darkled Depths, one of the most popular taverns in the city. The depth is a higher-class establishment than the drinking pits, though it does admit non-drow. It is renowned for its glowing drinks made from phosphorescent lichen and a wide variety of stuffed mushrooms. The tavern fills four floors carved from the interior of a stalagmite. One wide winding stair connects the floors, but several open locations allow drow to levitate from one floor to another. In addition to music and singing, the depths' features shadow plays performed on an illuminated canvas. The owner is a commoner drow female named Kialara, who oversees an almostentirely male staff.

Dylchanta's Furfeathers

Massage House

The best massage house in Eastmyr, Dylchanta's Furfeathers regularly hosts massage parties for large groups. The parlor is run by Dylchanta, a female drow commoner, who is assisted by a staff of a dozen masseuses evenly split between genders. Dylchantahas no aspirations for nobility, only for the wealth as successful business can bring and the influence that wealth can buy. Some in Eastmyr whisper that she ensures that Furfeathers remains the only good massage house in Eastmyr through threats and violence, but nothing has ever been proven. Her principal clients are members of House Hunzrin, but on any given day, members of any of the lesser houses and common families can be found there.

Narbondel's Shadow

Rooming House

Narbondel's Shadow is one of the two surviving rooming houses that cater to non-drow visitors in the city. Narbondel's Shadow is very expensive, but the service is excellent. Rates include all meals, basic drink, stabling, and a private room with a magical light source. A human adventurer named Morl founded the rooming house shortly before the Time of Troubles. He left the place to his son, but in the late Spellplague era, it is run by a halfling named Dalfred Noakes.

Dalfred had a violent encounter with a young Hunzrin noble, which left him scarred and without his left ear. He has never forgotten or forgiven the noble. To this day, he makes full use the rooming house's prime location overlooking the Clawrift, and a connected small cave system that does not join up with Dark Dominion, to smuggle goods and hide people fleeing angry drow nobles. Dalfred also has contacts throughout Eastmyr and Braeryn for clients looking to discreetly hire or purchase needed magic, healing, weapons, and other gear. He plays a dangerous game that will likely get him killed in the near future.

NARBONDELLYN:

Red Tears

Cartel of Gem-Cutters & Moneylenders

Red Tears is a secretive consortium of lesser merchants that have banded together against the most conspicuous and haughty merchant houses of Menzoberranzan. This cartel of “dealers in the shadows”was formed in the Year of the Vitriolic Sage (1047DR) by a sardonic one-eyed drow known as Farseeing Phurn. Phurn is credited by those in the know for fomenting the bitter rivalry between prominent gem-cutting Houses Belek'tyr and Shadalun-a feud that has resulted in countless assassinations and significant loss of profits over the decades. Today, Red Tears is an expansive criminal organization with a coterie of smugglers, fences, racketeers, thugs, and cut throats operating throughout much of the city. Phurn governs his illicit empire from his compound in central Narbondellyn, carved from the ruins of House Tuin'Tarl. The organization takes its name from a rare teardrop-shaped gemstone of unusually-vivid, blood-crimson hue in Phurn's possession.

Brothers Jaszarr

Perfumers

Narbondellyn is home to the wealthiest (and most expensive) perfumers in the city. In the crowded,damp underground, perfuming is an art born of necessity. The best drow scents mingle with less desirable smells to mute everything into a pleasurable background. The brothers Dhellorn and Dirziir Jaszarr are together regarded as the finest purveyors of perfume in the city. Sold only to the finest drow of high society, their scents are woven with magical compulsions that make them more than simple cosmetics. In the right hands, such a perfume is the key to power and influence-two of every drow's favorite things. Unknown to all but a discreet clientele, the talents of the brothers Jaszarr extend to the crafting of toxic potions and ointments as well. For a hefty sum, these poisons-often seamlessly blended into their exotic perfumes-can cripple or slay a rival with little chance of detection.

Feathered Masqueax

Theater and Festhall

Unlike most playhouses in the city, which stage low-brow comedies, the Feathered Masqueax prides itself on hosting only innovative, well-acted dramas. Mostastonishing for revelers in attendance is the fact that many of the actors in the troupe are, in fact, undead; Their performances flawless and eerily lifelike. At show's end, privileged clientele are welcomed back-stage to enjoy food, libations, and the company of performers they fancy.

The owner and proprietor of the theatre company is an enigmatic male drow named Phaless. Nearly seven feet tall and always shrouded in a dark, blood-splattered robe resembling a funeral shroud, Phaless strikes an imposing figure. A tiny animated skeleton pendant pinned to his robe reveals to those in the know that the drow is a deathsinger, a rare bardic practitioner renowned for songs of dark glory and necromancy.

Black Sapphire Bath

Public Bathhouse

One of a dozen public baths scattered about the city,the Black Sapphire Bath is primarily a gathering place for males seeking to rid themselves of a day's sweat and grime, not to mention a place to socialize and relax in leisurely comfort away from the over-bearing presence of females. Patrons can be bathed by servants or left alone as they wish. Many fires keep the octagonal pools warm, its steaming mineral water scented with a choice of fragrances. Although not a festhall, there are no rules against guests enjoying more amorous activities with each other or with the bathing staff if additional coin is forthcoming.

WEST WALL:

Elstearn's Escorts

Hireling Agency

As one of the few businesses that has flourished in West Wall, Elstearn's Escorts provides carte-blanch services of intelligent, well-groomed, and attractive drow of either gender to its discerning clientele. Although some clients avail themselves of the agency for simple carnal pleasures, the escort service's pool of diverse hirelings has a wide variety of skillsets useful to Menzoberranyr social climbers. Many are hired as well-spoken and charismatic escorts for social functions; others as guides and interpreters of outlanders visiting the city. Some even seek out Elstearn's Escorts for well-trained bodyguards when business takes them to dangerous parts of the city or for quick excursions into the surrounding Underdark.

Xeva's Den

Gaming Pavilion & Tavern

The common room of this drinking establishment offers its discerning patrons a quiet place to enjoy a relaxing game of sava, table dice (backgammon), or oldmen's bones (pick-up sticks). Gamers looking to make wagers can do so in Xeva's private rooms. Elderboy Aumon Baenre is a frequent guest at Xeva's, sometimes gambling away hundreds of platinum in an evening.

Source:

[beardedmrbean]

July 16 (UPI) -- In a continued crackdown on Mexico's drug cartels, the Treasury Department announced Tuesday it placed sanctions on four Mexican companies and three Mexican nationals allegedly tied to fraudulent timeshare activity used against American citizens and linked to the notorious Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion.

"Cartel fraudsters run sophisticated teams of professionals who seem perfectly normal on paper or on the phone -- but in reality, they're money launderers expertly trained in scamming U.S. citizens," Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said Tuesday in a news release.

The department's office of Foreign Assets Control alleges the four Mexican companies and three Mexican civilian accountants were directly or indirectly tied to timeshare fraud lead by the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, or styled in English as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

The criminal organization operates call centers in Mexico with scammers impersonating U.S.-based third-party timeshare brokers, attorneys or sales representatives, the U.S. government contends.

And about 6,000 U.S. citizens reported losing nearly $300 million from 2019 to 2023 via Mexican timeshare fraud crimes by targeting American timeshare owners often in various or complex ways in years-long schemes, according to the FBI, adding that totals what they can track legally as unreported crimes keep on.

Treasury points at four companies in Mexico: Constructora Sandgris, Pacific Axis Real Estate, Realty & Maintenance BJ and Bona Fide Consultores, which the department claims were the front companies doing business on behalf of those linked to Mexican drug cartel.

Nelson says unsolicited calls and emails may look legitimate but actually are made by cartel-backed criminals.

The Treasury claims the thee Puerto Vallarta-based accountants -- Griselda Margarita Arredondo, Xeyda Del Refugio Foubert and Emiliano Sanchez -- had family ties to individuals already cartel-linked and had allegedly aided in fraudulent activities to steal from U.S. citizens.

"If something seems too good to be true, it probably is," Nelson said.

The scam begins when a timeshare owner receives an offer to purchase their property, according to an attorney.

"They call you up and tell you that they have a buyer for your timeshare," Michael Finn of Florida's Finn Law Group, told ABC News. "They will send you documents that look real and tell you that you need to pay taxes before you can get your payment."

The Treasury Department and its partners are taking steps to deploy all available tools "to disrupt this nefarious activity, which funds things like deadly drug trafficking and human smuggling," said Nelson.

Five years ago in 2018 Treasury sanctioned two men it claimed laundered money and ran an international prostitution ring for the cartel.

The transnational CJNG, a violent Jalisco, Mexico-based organized crime syndicate, is known to traffic the large part of illicit fentanyl and other deadly drugs which typically enter via the southern U.S. border, having gone so far as to threaten Mexican journalists it views as giving the CJNG "unfair" news coverage.

And it uses illegal proceeds, like from its timeshare fraud schemes, to diversify its already-illicit revenue streams in order to keep financing other criminal activities, including the manufacturing and trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs, according to the federal government's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

Police seizure of illicit fentanyl pills have skyrocketed in recent years, a new study found. And pills represented 49% of illicit fentanyl seizures in 2023, compared to 10% in 2017.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection in April launched "Operation Plaza Strike" as an offensive targeting Mexican drug cartels to disrupt the flow of fentanyl and ingredients used to make the synthetic opioid that has become a leading death of young Americans.

However, this is not the first time the CJNG has been accused by the U.S. of similar crimes. Last year in March, the Biden Treasury placed similar sanction on eight other Mexican companies it alleged had took part in a similar timeshare fraud scheme on behalf of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generation.

Even at the time a Treasury official pointed to how in select Mexican tourist destinations the CJNG had already become by that point "heavily engaged" in timeshare fraud in places like Puerto Vallarta where it had gained a strategic foothold.

Last year, the U.S. claimed the accused cartel-backed companies had extracted money from victims by making unsolicited offers to buy their timeshares, and when victims accepted offers, Mexican scammers requested fictitious fees and taxes under the pretense they would facilitate the sale and give reimbursed money after closing.

[sylvesterroberts]

 Smart Circle's Face-to-Face Sales Strategy: A Catalyst for Growth

In an increasingly digital world, Smart Circle International offers a distinctive approach to sales and marketing through its face-to-face solutions. As a premier provider of outsourced sales broker services, Smart Circle focuses on facilitating direct connections between businesses and their target audiences. This article explores how Smart Circle's innovative methods promote business growth and deliver measurable outcomes.

The Strength of Personal Connections

Despite the rise of digital marketing, the value of personal connections in business remains unparalleled. Smart Circle leverages face-to-face marketing to foster direct interactions that build trust and drive consumer engagement. These personal connections allow businesses to deliver their messages more effectively and receive immediate feedback, enhancing overall marketing efficacy.

Smart Circle's Unique Methodology

What sets Smart Circle apart is its commitment to creating bespoke interactions. The company deploys a network of skilled sales professionals who are trained to represent clients’ brands authentically. This personalized approach ensures that each interaction is meaningful and impactful, leading to increased customer acquisition and retention.

Achieving Results with Smart Circle

Smart Circle’s services are designed to help businesses overcome common marketing challenges and achieve their objectives. Whether dealing with market saturation or consumer apathy, Smart Circle’s face-to-face marketing solutions provide a direct and effective way to reach and engage target audiences. This results-driven approach empowers clients to see tangible improvements in their sales and growth metrics.

Conclusion

Smart Circle International redefines the landscape of sales and marketing with its focus on face-to-face interactions. By fostering personal connections and delivering customized experiences, Smart Circle helps businesses connect with their target audiences in a meaningful way. For companies looking to enhance their marketing strategies and achieve measurable growth, Smart Circle offers a proven and effective solution.

[mediamonarchy]

https://mediamonarchy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240521_MorningMonarchy.mp3 Download MP3 Video purges, Tetris records and human antennas + this day in history w/banning facial recognition in the Bay Area and our song of the day by Ibibio Sound Machine on your #MorningMonarchy for May 21, 2024. Notes/Links: Star Witness Michael Cohen Admits Stealing Tens of Thousands From Trump Organization https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/star-witness-michael-cohen-admits-stealing-tens-of-thousands-from-trump-organization-5653415 Mortgage Brokers Leak Sensitive Data to Facebook https://reclaimthenet.org/mortgage-brokers-leak-sensitive-data-to-facebook Thieves target electric vehicle charging stations, likely for copper https://www.fox29.com/news/thieves-target-electric-vehicle-charging-stations Video: BREAKING🚨 The Biden Administration is set to allow Jewish billionaire Dan Gertler to cash out his mining positions in the Democratic Republic of Congo which has enraged human rights activists… Gertler is responsible for thousands of child slave deaths in his illegal cobalt and diamond mines in the DRC… (Audio) https://x.com/resist_05/status/1792415747253428416 Biden open to easing sanctions on billionaire Gertler in return for Congo exit https://www.miningweekly.com/article/biden-open-to-easing-sanctions-on-billionaire-gertler-in-return-for-congo-exit-2024-05-17 Progressive Biden staffer who furiously resigned over White House support for Israeli ‘genocide’ is daughter of weapons company executive who’s helping Netanyahu government https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13433217/lily-greenberg-call-biden-israell-resignation-father-rtx-raytheon.html MIT students stole $25M in seconds by exploiting ETH blockchain bug https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/05/sophisticated-25m-ethereum-heist-took-about-12-seconds-doj-says/ LockBit Claims Wichita as Its Victim 2 Days After Ransomware Attack https://www.darkreading.com/cyberattacks-data-breaches/lockbit-claims-wichita-as-its-victim-two-days-after-ransomware-attack Reddit partners with OpenAI to integrate content into ChatGPT https://www.searchenginejournal.com/chatgpt-to-surface-reddit-content-via-partnership-with-openai/516605/ User Outcry as Slack Scrapes Customer Data for AI Model Training https://www.securityweek.com/user-outcry-as-slack-scrapes-customer-data-for-ai-model-training/ UK Disinformation Unit Minutes Reveal Consideration of Placing Government Employees Inside Social Media Companies https://reclaimthenet.org/uk-consideration-of-placing-government-employees-inside-social-media-companies Google’s New Conversation-Listening Tech Could Embolden Governments To Mandate On-Device Speech Scanning https://reclaimthenet.org/google-scam-listening-privacy-scanning French Government Blocks TikTok To Curb Civil Unrest in New Caledonia https://reclaimthenet.org/french-government-blocks-tiktok-new-caledonia Former Facebook and Nike DEI manager sentenced to 5 years in prison for fraud scheme; Barbara Furlow-Smiles, 38, admitted to stealing millions from Facebook and Nike in kickback schemes https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/former-facebook-nike-dei-manager-sentenced-to-5-years-prison-for-fraud-scheme Belgium and Hungary Launch Controversial Digital IDs, Vaccine Passport, Ahead of EU Regulations https://reclaimthenet.org/belgium-and-hungary-launch-controversial-digital-ids-vaccine-passport BREAKING: Klaus Schwab Resigns as World Economic Forum Chairman https://thenationalpulse.com/2024/05/21/breaking-klaus-schwab-resigns-as-world-economic-forum-chairman/ UK PM Sunak Endorses Facial Recognition, Implicitly Backs Mass Bank Surveillance https://reclaimthenet.org/uk-pm-sunak-endorses-facial-recognition-implicitly-backs-mass-bank-surveillance UK Army Unit Labeled Accurate COVID Reporting as “Malinformation” https://reclaimthenet.org/uk-army-unit-labeled-accurate-covid-reporting-as-malinformation YouTube Removes 35,000 EU Videos for “Misinformation,” Enhances Content Censorship Ahead of 2024 Elections https://reclaimthenet.org/youtube-removes-...

[selamat-linting]

if yall think that department store job is bad wait until you hear about the stock broker job i almost had.

so, i recently turned 19 at the time and was desperate for employment. there's this walk-in interview ad on the local job site. i went there, hand in my resume, and without looking at my file the HR told me im accepted for a three day training program. it should be a red flag, but i came in anyway.

our trainer is a man in a fancy suit. the first thing he said other than the over-excited greeting was thanks. thanks for not believing the naysayers who said this job is a scam.

i might be stupid, but im not stupid enough to ignore that. immediately i was hyper aware of everything this trainer was doing and saying. our first day was all motivational speeches and bombarding everyone who dared to question their scheme with noises and covert shaming so they'd get in line. the actual product we're selling, the daily operation, he either sidesteps the question or explain it in such a vague nothingburger way that you couldnt understand it. at least they gave us free lunch though.

when i get home, i began looking up the name of the company. theyre formally certified as a broker company, but its hard to find an actual job desc or the benefits. there's even accounts of costumers who felt theyre getting scammed out of the whole deal. i still came in the next day.

i dont know what i was thinking tbh. i guess there is a part of me who wished it was all a misunderstanding, or a part of me who thinks i can actually make a sale and get money despite the circumstances, and a part of me who wants to convince myself that im not a quitter. i was a mess. i went on my second day, and at least a quarter of people are gone. we did our training, this time we're taught how to trade stocks, using software we barely understand with principles we dont even get. and ofc when we get the job, the money we use for trading would be our customers' money.

during break time, they told us to get comfortable with the workers who have been there for months. i was friendly with them, but i realized they're the ones i could actually get a straight answer from. i basically cornered and made one of them to admit this is a job with no base pay, just a commission scheme. and some havent closed anything for months since the day they start working. i admit, i did it for myself, but i hope other people who enrolled in training with me heard it too.

it was then i made the decision to drop out. dont get me wrong, commission only jobs are a standard practice for a lot of sales industry, and i respect people who do the hustle. actually, i might even try it one day if (big IF here) im skilled and financially stable enough to weather the rough months. but its wrong for that company to avoid explaining that aspect especially when the job is convincing people to fund your trading business and you cant even educate your workers on the product properly! its predatory and scammy as fuck.

and for years after that sometimes i hear a story of a coworker who tried their luck. all of them failed. well, one girl i know manage to close a deal. except she got screwed by her seniors and she didnt get her earnings. one guy i know even end up drowning in debt because of that job. but then again, i dont feel sorry for him because i overheard him confessed to raping a girl at a party once so he deserved it lol!

anyway, the office of that trading company was soon shut down around 2020. i heard they got sued, or they cant pay the rent for the building, im not sure. they were closed though. and everyone who knows that place but doesnt work there, recognized they have a not so stellar reputation. however, they recently reopened under a new name. different company name, same business model. thats capitalism.

[mariacallous]

Zoom, the company that normalized attending business meetings in your pajama pants, was forced to unmute itself this week to reassure users that it would not use personal data to train artificial intelligence without their consent.

A keen-eyed Hacker News user last week noticed that an update to Zoom’s terms and conditions in March appeared to essentially give the company free rein to slurp up voice, video, and other data, and shovel it into machine learning systems.

The new terms stated that customers “consent to Zoom’s access, use, collection, creation, modification, distribution, processing, sharing, maintenance, and storage of Service Generated Data” for purposes including “machine learning or artificial intelligence (including for training and tuning of algorithms and models).”

The discovery prompted critical news articles and angry posts across social media. Soon, Zoom backtracked. Soon, Zoom backtracked. On Monday, Zoom’s chief product officer, Smita Hasham, wrote a blog post stating, “We will not use audio, video, or chat customer content to train our artificial intelligence models without your consent.” The company also updated its terms to say the same.  Later in the week, Zoom updated its terms again, to clarify to say that it would not feed "audio, video, chat, screen sharing, attachments, or other communications like customer content (such as poll results, whiteboard, and reactions)" to AI models. Vera Ranneft, a spokesperson for the company, says Zoom has not previously used customer content this way.

Those updates seem reassuring enough, but of course many Zoom users or admins for business accounts might click “OK” to the terms without fully realizing what they’re handing over. And employees required to use Zoom may be unaware of the choice their employer has made. One lawyer notes that the terms still permit Zoom to collect a lot of data without consent.

The kerfuffle shows the lack of meaningful data protections at a time when the generative AI boom has made the tech industry even more hungry for data than it already was. Companies have come to view generative AI as a kind of monster that must be fed at all costs—even if it isn’t always clear what exactly that data is needed for or what those future AI systems might end up doing.

The ascent of AI image generators like DALL-E 2 and Midjourny, followed by ChatGPT and other clever-yet-flawed chatbots, was made possible thanks to huge amounts of training data—much of it copyrighted—that was scraped from the web. And all manner of companies are currently looking to use the data they own, or that is generated by their customers and users, to build generative AI tools.

Zoom is already on the generative bandwagon. In June, the company introduced two text-generation features for summarizing meetings and composing emails about them. Zoom could conceivably use data from its users’ video meetings to develop more sophisticated algorithms. These might summarize or analyze individuals’ behavior in meetings, or perhaps even render a virtual likeness for someone whose connection temporarily dropped or hasn’t had time to shower.

The problem with Zoom’s effort to grab more data is that it reflects the broad state of affairs when it comes to our personal data. Many tech companies already profit from our information, and many of them like Zoom are now on the hunt for ways to source more data for generative AI projects. And yet it is up to us, the users, to try to police what they are doing.

“Companies have an extreme desire to collect as much data as they can,” says Janet Haven, executive director of the think tank Data and Society. “This is the business model—to collect data and build products around that data, or to sell that data to data brokers.”

The US lacks a federal privacy law, leaving consumers more exposed to the pangs of ChatGPT-inspired data hunger than people in the EU. Proposed legislation, such as the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, offers some hope of providing tighter federal rules on data collection and use, and the Biden administration’s AI Bill of Rights also calls for data protection by default. But for now, public pushback like that in response to Zoom’s moves is the most effective way to curb companies’ data appetites. Unfortunately, this isn’t a reliable mechanism for catching every questionable decision by companies trying to compete in AI.

In an age when the most exciting and widely praised new technologies are built atop mountains of data collected from consumers, often in ethically questionable ways, it seems that new protections can’t come soon enough. “Every single person is supposed to take steps to protect themselves,” Haven says. “That is antithetical to the idea that this is a societal problem.”

[find-realestate]

Building a Successful Real Estate Company: 10 Essential Steps

In the ever-evolving landscape of the real estate industry, establishing and maintaining a successful real estate company requires strategic planning, dedication, and a keen understanding of market dynamics. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding entrepreneur, these ten key steps can guide you toward building a thriving real estate business.

1. Develop a Solid Business Plan

Every successful venture begins with a well-thought-out business plan. Clearly define your goals, target market, and unique selling propositions. A comprehensive plan will serve as your roadmap, helping you navigate the challenges and seize opportunities in the competitive real estate market.

2. Embrace Technology

In the digital age, leveraging technology is crucial for staying competitive. Invest in a robust online presence, utilizing social media, websites, and online platforms to showcase your listings. Explore innovative tools and software that streamline processes, enhance client experiences, and provide a competitive edge in the market.

3. Establish a Strong Online Presence

To stand out in the crowded real estate landscape, a strong online presence is essential. Ensure your website is user-friendly, optimized for search engines, and features high-quality images and content. Platforms like realestateforcheap.com can be valuable resources, offering insights and opportunities to boost your online visibility.

4. Build a Robust Network

Success in real estate is often about who you know. Cultivate relationships with other professionals in the industry, such as agents, brokers, contractors, and mortgage lenders. Attend networking events, join industry associations, and actively engage in both online and offline communities to expand your network.

5. Provide Exceptional Customer Service

Satisfied clients are more likely to refer your services and become repeat customers. Focus on delivering exceptional customer service by being responsive, transparent, and attentive to clients' needs. Building a positive reputation in the market can lead to increased referrals and long-term success.

6. Stay Informed About Market Trends

The real estate market is dynamic and influenced by various factors. Stay informed about market trends, economic indicators, and local developments. Regularly analyze data to make informed decisions, anticipate market changes, and position your company for success.

7. Invest in Professional Development

Continuous learning is key to staying relevant in the real estate industry. Invest in professional development opportunities, attend workshops, and obtain relevant certifications. A well-trained team is more equipped to navigate challenges, provide expert advice, and build trust with clients.

8. Diversify Your Services

To create a resilient business, consider diversifying your services. Explore opportunities in property management, real estate development, or investment consulting. Diversification not only mitigates risk but also opens up new revenue streams for your company.

9. Implement Effective Marketing Strategies

A successful real estate company needs to have a strong marketing strategy. Utilize a mix of online and offline marketing techniques to reach a wider audience. Platforms like realestateforcheap.com can serve as effective channels to promote your listings and connect with potential clients.

10. Adapt and Innovate

The real estate industry is dynamic, with trends and technologies constantly evolving. To stay ahead, be adaptable and open to innovation. Embrace new technologies, explore emerging markets, and continuously assess and refine your business strategies to ensure sustained success.

Building a successful real estate company requires a combination of strategic planning, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. By following these ten essential steps, you can position your company for long-term success in a competitive and ever-changing market. Explore opportunities on realestateforcheap.com to enhance your business and stay ahead of the curve.

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA (Mother Teresa) Feast Day: September 5

"She is the United Nations. She is peace in the world." -Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, former Secretary-General of the United Nations

The foundress of the Missionaries of Charity (Congregatio Missionariarum a Caritate), was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, on August 26, 1910 in Üsküp, Kosovo Vilayet, Ottoman Empire (now Skopje, North Macedonia). Raised in a Christian family, she was fascinated by the lives of the saints, especially of the missionaries. She was the youngest child of Nikollë and Dranafile Bojaxhiu (Bernai). Her father, who was involved in Albanian-community politics in Ottoman Macedonia, died in 1919 when she was eight years old. Her mother may have been from a village near Gjakova.

In 1928 at the age of 18, she joined the missionary congregation of the Sisters of Loreto at Loreto Abbey in Rathfarnham, Ireland, to learn English with the intent of becoming a missionary; English was the language of instruction of the Sisters of Loreto in India, and was assigned to India. She made her profession on May 24, 1931, taking the religious name of Teresa, in honor of Thérèse de Lisieux, the patroness of missions, because a nun in the convent had already chosen that name, she opted for its Spanish spelling of Teresa. Teresa took her solemn vows on May 14, 1937 while she was a teacher at the Loreto convent school in Entally, eastern Calcutta, taking the style of 'Mother' as part of Loreto custom. She served there for nearly twenty years and was appointed its headmistress in 1944.

After teaching for over 20 years in a Catholic school near Calcutta, she became increasingly disturbed by the surrounding poverty. The Bengal famine of 1943 brought misery and death to the city, and the August 1946 Direct Action Day began a period of Muslim-Hindu violence.

On September 10, 1946, while travelling by train to the Loreto convent from Calcutta for her annual retreat, she experienced 'the call within the call,' meaning a strong urge to leave the convent and to live among the poorest of the poor. Replacing her traditional religious habit with a white cotton sari decorated with a blue border, she began her missionary work in the slums of Calcutta. Two years later in 1948, she began missionary work with the poor. Mother Teresa adopted Indian citizenship, spent several months in Patna to receive basic medical training at Holy Family Hospital and ventured into the slums. She founded a school in Motijhil, Calcutta, before she began tending to the poor and hungry. At the beginning of 1949, Mother Teresa was joined in her effort by a group of young women, and she laid the foundation for a new religious community helping the 'poorest among the poor'.

On October 7, 1950 after she received Vatican permission for the diocesan congregation, together with thirteen young women, she founded the Missionaries of Charity, whose mission was: 'to care for the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared, for throughout society.' In 1952, Mother Teresa opened her first hospice with help from Calcutta officials. She converted an abandoned Hindu temple into the Kalighat Home for the Dying, free for the poor, and renamed it Kalighat, the Home of the Pure Heart (Nirmal Hriday).

Those brought to the home received medical attention and the opportunity to die with dignity in accordance with their faith: Muslims were read the Quran, Hindus received water from the Ganges, and Catholics received extreme unction. At the height of the Siege of Beirut in 1982, Mother Teresa rescued 37 children trapped in a front-line hospital by brokering a temporary cease-fire between the Israeli army and Palestinian guerrillas. Accompanied by Red Cross workers, she travelled through the war zone to the hospital to evacuate the young patients.

Mother Teresa had a heart attack in Rome in 1983 while she was visiting Pope John Paul II. Following a second heart attack in 1989, she received a pacemaker. In 1991, after a bout of pneumonia in Mexico, she had additional heart problems. Although Mother Teresa offered to resign as head of the Missionaries of Charity, in a secret ballot the sisters of the congregation voted for her to stay, and she agreed to continue. But on March 13, 1997, she resigned as head of the Missionaries of Charity.

Respected as a 'living saint,' she died in Calcutta, West Bengal, India at the age of 87. At the time of her death, the Missionaries of Charity had over 4,000 sisters and an associated brotherhood of 300 members operating 610 missions in 123 countries. These included hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis, soup kitchens, children's and family counselling programmes, orphanages and schools. The Missionaries of Charity were aided by co-workers numbering over one million by the 1990s.

She is beatified by St. John Paul II on October 19, 2003 and canonized a saint by Pope Francis on September 4, 2016.

She said for herself: 'By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.'

[kaiba-cave]

It's been officially three years since I started working where I work now. If I make it to four years that'll be as long as I've ever kept one job, lmao. Three years seems to be about as long as I can go if I hate my job (and the last one at the greenhouse only lasted about a year).

So congrats to me for finding a job I've lasted three years at without wanting to kill myself over it, and will hopefully keep for good. I have co-workers who have been working at this place for 15+ years, so, it's possible.

And if I ever do leave this specific company I'll probably definitely stay with customs type of work. I live in a border town so there are TONS of customs brokers to choose from in the area if this one ever really pisses me off, lmao. Plus if I passed my test (still haven't gotten the results) I'll have a separate designation that can help me get other jobs having to do with customs. The test that I took doesn't actually have anything to do with my current job, it's just one of those things that is good to have on your resume, so the company pays for it.

Because of COVID it feels like it's been way longer than only three years though. It also feels like I worked in the office a lot longer than I did but in reality it was only a few months, since it was March 2020 that we started working at home. I was really only in the building from October - March, and almost all of October was training, not with my team.

We are starting (voluntary) come-to-the-office-once-a-week next week though. Last time we were going to start that we had a big system outage again so didn't bother, lmao. Thankfully my company seems like they're going to mostly stick with at home work though. They're calling it a "hybrid" model where it's partially at home, partially in the office. Plus a lot of people have changed positions over COVID time where they now work for a Vancouver team despite living in Ontario so like, obviously those people can't really go into the office lmao.

[mysteel-uk-limited-w7]

Mysteel UK Limited

Mysteel UK Limited - your reliable Forex partner

Mysteel UK Limited is a reputable forex broker that offers a wide range of services for traders in the currency market (Forex). The broker stands out for its reliability, professionalism and cutting-edge technology in order to provide customers with optimal conditions for successful trading in the financial markets.

Regulation and reliability: Is a licensed and regulated forex broker, which ensures the safety and security of client funds. The broker adheres to high standards of regulation and investor protection, which makes clients feel confident when working with the company.

Trading conditions: Offers competitive trading conditions that meet the needs of various traders. The broker provides access to a wide range of currency pairs and instruments, allowing clients to choose the most suitable assets to trade. In addition, Mysteel UK Limited offers low spreads, fast order execution and flexible leverage support.

Trading platforms: Offers advanced trading platforms that provide convenience and functionality for traders. These include popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which offer extensive market analysis, automated strategies and instant order execution.

Educational resources: The company values the education of its clients and provides extensive educational resources. The broker offers webinars, trainings, video tutorials and analytical materials that help traders expand their knowledge of the Forex market, develop trading skills and make more informed decisions.

Customer support: The broker has a responsive customer support team that is ready to help clients with any trading and technical issues. The support team is available 24/7 and can be reached through a variety of communication channels including phone, email and online chat.

Conclusion: Mysteel UK Limited is a reliable forex broker that offers clients a safe and profitable trading environment in the Forex market. With regulation, competitive trading conditions, advanced platforms, educational resources and professional customer support.

[squires-finance--limited]

SQUIRE'S FINANCE Limited

SQUIRE'S FINANCE Limited provides its clients with analytical tools and educational resources to help them trade in the financial markets. Here are some of these aspects:

Analytics: Broker SQUIRE'S FINANCE Limited provides its clients with access to financial analytics and market research. This can include daily market analysis, market commentary, technical and fundamental analysis, as well as forecasts and recommendations from experienced analysts. These materials help traders assess current market conditions and make informed trading decisions.

Education: SQUIRE'S FINANCE Limited offers educational resources for traders of all experience levels. This can include online courses, webinars, seminars and training courses covering various aspects of financial trading. Education materials may include the basics of Forex trading, analytical techniques, trading strategies, risk management and other key aspects of trading. These educational resources help traders develop their skills, deepen their understanding of the market and improve their trading efficiency.

[engineeringprivatelimited]

Manufacturer and Supplier of Geosynthetics

What is Manufacturer and Supplier of Geosynthetics 

A manufacturer of geosynthetics is a company that produces various types of geosynthetic materials, such as geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids, geocells, and geocomposites. These materials are typically used in civil engineering, environmental, and geotechnical applications, such as roads, landfills, retaining walls, drainage systems, and erosion control.

A supplier of geosynthetics, on the other hand, is a company that sources and distributes geosynthetic materials from various manufacturers to contractors, engineers, and other customers. Suppliers may also provide technical support and assistance with product selection and installation.

There are many companies that manufacture and supply geosynthetics, ranging from large multinational corporations to smaller regional and local firms. Some examples of prominent geosynthetic manufacturers and suppliers include TenCate Geosynthetics, GSE Environmental, Maccaferri, and Solmax.

Why We Use Manufacturer and Supplier of Geosynthetics

Quality assurance: Geosynthetics are critical components in many civil engineering and environmental projects, and their performance can have a significant impact on project success. Working with a reputable manufacturer and supplier can help ensure that the geosynthetics used in a project are of high quality and meet the required specifications.

Technical expertise: Manufacturers and suppliers of geosynthetics often have a deep understanding of the properties and applications of these materials. They can provide valuable technical support and advice to engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders on product selection, design, and installation.

Range of products: There are many different types of geosynthetics available, each with unique properties and applications. Working with a manufacturer or supplier that offers a wide range of products can help ensure that the most appropriate materials are selected for a given project.

Availability and logistics: Manufacturers and suppliers of geosynthetics typically have well-established supply chains and logistics networks, which can ensure timely delivery of materials to project sites. This can be particularly important for projects with tight deadlines or where materials need to be shipped internationally.

Overall, working with a manufacturer or supplier of geosynthetics can help ensure that the right materials are selected, delivered on time, and installed correctly, leading to successful project outcomes.

 How It Work Manufacturer and Supplier of Geosynthetics 

The process of working with a manufacturer and supplier of geosynthetics typically involves several steps:

Needs assessment: The manufacturer or supplier will work with the project owner, engineer, or contractor to assess the specific needs of the project. This may involve reviewing project plans and specifications, conducting site visits, and discussing project requirements and constraints.

Product selection: Based on the needs assessment, the manufacturer or supplier will recommend the most appropriate geosynthetic products for the project. This may involve selecting from a range of materials with different properties, such as strength, durability, and permeability.

Ordering and logistics: Once the geosynthetic products have been selected, the manufacturer or supplier will process the order and coordinate logistics to ensure timely delivery of materials to the project site. This may involve working with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and other logistics providers to manage international shipments.

Installation support: In many cases, the manufacturer or supplier will provide technical support and guidance to the contractor or installer during the installation of the geosynthetic materials. This may include providing training on proper installation techniques, conducting site visits to monitor progress, and addressing any issues that arise during the installation process.

Quality control: Throughout the process, the manufacturer or supplier will conduct quality control checks to ensure that the geosynthetic products meet the required specifications and performance standards.

Overall, the manufacturer and supplier of geosynthetics will work closely with the project owner, engineer, or contractor to ensure that the right products are selected, delivered on time, and installed correctly, leading to a successful project outcome.

Conclusion

A&TEngineeringPrivateLimited.Construction and Technology providing company dedicated to infrastructure development, specialized in the manufacturing of geosynthetic products and design & execution of Civil/Structural works. 

CALL US : 011-41720506

OFFICAL WEBSITE : https://www.antinfra.com/ 

[tradesoft]

How To Choose The Best CRM for Forex Brokers

Choosing the right CRM for Forex Brokers is essential for a successful trading business. A good CRM will help Forex Brokers to manage customer data, track sales and marketing activities, and improve customer service. It should be able to provide real-time data on customer behavior and trends in order to make informed decisions quickly. Additionally, it should have features like automated emails, lead scoring, contact management, and reporting capabilities that can help Forex Brokers maximize their profits. When selecting a CRM for Forex Brokers it is important to consider the features offered by different providers and determine which one best suits your needs.

The best forex CRM should have features that enable brokers to manage customer data efficiently, generate leads, automate customer service tasks, and provide real-time analytics about their business. With the right Forex CRM, brokers can streamline their operations and maximize profits. In this article, we will discuss some of the best Forex CRMs in the market today and how they can help you achieve success in your forex business.

Metatrader 5 CRM Software is a powerful tool designed to help businesses manage their customer relationships. It provides a comprehensive suite of features that enable businesses to easily manage customer accounts, track customer interactions, and create custom reports. With its intuitive interface and customizable features, Metatrader 5 CRM Software makes it easy for businesses to stay organized and keep track of their customers. With its powerful automation capabilities, Metatrader 5 CRM Software can help companies save time and money by streamlining customer service processes. By utilizing this software, businesses can ensure that their customers receive the best possible service and support.

Easy to Use Mobile Trading App

Mobile trading apps are becoming increasingly popular amongst investors and traders. They offer a convenient and easy way to trade stocks, commodities, currencies, and more from the comfort of your own home. With a mobile trading app, investors can easily access their accounts, monitor their investments in real-time, and make trades with just a few taps on their smartphone. These apps also provide users with detailed market analysis and research tools to help them make informed decisions about their investments. With the right mobile trading app, you can take control of your finances without ever having to leave your house.

Tradesoft is one of the best Forex Broker in forex trading platforms that offers its clients and traders with a wide range of services including Forex Training, Forex account opening like Demo and Live account, Mobile Trading App, and more. With their advanced mobile app, they provide an easy-to-use platform to enable traders to access the global markets at any time. The app is designed with the latest technology to ensure a secure trading experience and provide access to real-time data feeds from major exchanges around the world. With their sophisticated yet intuitive mobile trading app, traders can stay ahead of the market trends and make informed decisions on when to buy or sell.