#vms photo paper

[vmscareaid]

Unveiling the Top Picks: The Best Photo Papers for Stunning Prints

Welcome to the world of photography, where every detail matters and every print tells a story. In this guide, we're diving deep into the realm of photo papers, uncovering the top picks that will elevate your prints to new heights. Whether you're a professional photographer or a passionate hobbyist, these premium photo papers are sure to deliver exceptional results that will leave a lasting impression.

1. Kodak Ultra Premium Photo Paper: Renowned for its superior quality and vibrant colors, Kodak Ultra Premium Photo Paper is a favorite among photographers seeking stunning prints that stand the test of time. With its advanced ink absorption technology and quick-dry surface, this paper ensures sharp detail and smudge-free results, making it ideal for both glossy and matte finishes.

2. Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum: For those who demand nothing but the best, Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum is the ultimate choice. Engineered for professional-grade printing, this paper boasts a high-gloss finish that enhances color vibrancy and contrast, resulting in gallery-worthy prints that dazzle the eye. Its heavyweight construction and archival-quality coating make it perfect for preserving cherished memories for generations to come.

3. Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster: Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster strikes the perfect balance between glossy and matte, offering a subtle sheen that enhances image depth and clarity. Designed for photographers who prioritize professional results without the glare, this paper delivers rich blacks, smooth tonal transitions, and exceptional color accuracy, making it an excellent choice for portrait and landscape photography alike.

4. HP Premium Plus Photo Paper Glossy: Experience the brilliance of true-to-life colors with HP Premium Plus Photo Paper Glossy. Engineered for optimal color saturation and sharpness, this paper produces vivid, smudge-resistant prints that capture every nuance of your photographs. Its instant-dry coating ensures quick handling and minimal drying time, making it perfect for projects that demand efficiency without sacrificing quality.

5. VMS Photo Papers: Explore the extensive range of VMS Photo Papers, including the best photo papers such as VMS Deluxe, VMS DigiPrint, VMS EcoPlus, VMS Imperial, VMS Professional, and more. Each brand offers unique features and benefits, ensuring vibrant color reproduction, archival-quality longevity, and stunning prints that exceed expectations. Whether you're printing family portraits, professional portfolios, or artistic masterpieces, VMS Photo Papers deliver exceptional results that elevate your photography to new heights.

6. Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover Paper: When it comes to professional-grade printing, Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover Paper sets the standard for excellence. With its heavyweight construction and ultra-smooth finish, this paper is ideal for high-resolution photo prints that demand exceptional clarity and detail. Whether you're creating portfolio-worthy images or eye-catching marketing materials, Hammermill delivers unparalleled results every time.

7. Moab Lasal Exhibition Luster: Elevate your prints to gallery status with Moab Lasal Exhibition Luster paper. Engineered for professional photographers and fine art enthusiasts, this paper features a subtle texture that adds depth and dimension to your images. Its archival-quality construction ensures longevity and durability, making it perfect for museum-quality prints that captivate the imagination.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Prints with the Best Photo Papers Your photographs deserve to be showcased in the best possible light, and with these top picks for photo papers, you can transform your images into works of art that captivate and inspire. Whether you prefer the glossy sheen of Kodak, the professional-grade quality of Canon, or the subtle elegance of VMS, there's a photo paper to suit every style and preference. Elevate your prints to new heights and unleash your creativity with the best photo papers on the market.

[vms-community]

VMS Photo Paper: Capturing Memories with Precision

In an age dominated by virtual screens and digital albums, the significance of physical pics can't be overstated. There's something magical about conserving a photo in your fingers, and the first-rate image paper plays a pivotal position in retaining the beauty of these moments. Enter VMS photo paper, a logo that has been revolutionizing the sector of pictures with its dedication to excellence. In this text, we will discover the various facets of VMS image paper, from its first-class to versatility and sustainability.

Unveiling the Superior Quality of VMS Photo Paper

When it comes to keeping your loved reminiscences, the pleasantness of photograph paper is paramount. VMS photo paper stands as a testimony to uncompromising quality. With its trendy production procedures and attention to elements, VMS ensures that every picture published on its paper exudes excellence.

The key to VMS photo paper's top-notch satisfaction lies in its composition. It is designed to decorate coloration vibrancy, contrast, and sharpness, permitting your photographs to come to life with beautiful clarity. Whether you're printing a circle of relatives' pics, landscapes, or candid snapshots, VMS photo  paper guarantees that each detail is captured with precision.

Moreover, VMS gives quite a number of finishes to cater to diverse choices. From smooth to matte, the logo is aware that each picture tells a unique tale, and the choice of finish can appreciably have an impact on the visible impact. VMS photo  paper offers you the power to select the perfect finish that enhances your fashion, making your reminiscences absolutely yours.

Versatility Redefined: VMS Photo Paper for All Your Needs

In the arena of pictures, versatility is the key to success. VMS photo paper knows this principle and provides a big selection of alternatives to meet diverse requirements. Whether you are an expert photographer or a hobbyist, VMS has an appropriate photograph paper for you.

For those seeking to frame their artistry, VMS gives top-rated photo paper in diverse sizes, which include fashionable 4x6 and 8x10 dimensions. These options are ideal for developing charming prints to adorn your walls or gift to loved ones. VMS guarantees that your pictures, whether vibrant or subdued, are reproduced faithfully, making them suitable for each personal and professional display.

Additionally, VMS photo paper extends its versatility to speciality printing wishes. Whether you are crafting personalized greeting playing cards, invites, or scrapbooking, VMS has specialised image paper designed to satisfy those demands. 

Sustainability: VMS Photo Paper's Eco-Friendly Approach

In a generation where environmental recognition is paramount, VMS stands as an accountable brand that values sustainability. VMS photo paper is synthetic with a green method, minimizing its impact on this planet whilst delivering pinnacle-notch niceness.

One of the important thing aspects of VMS's sustainability initiative is its use of recycled substances in the production of photograph paper. By utilising recycled content, VMS reduces the need for virgin substances and lowers its carbon footprint. This technique aligns with the growing international emphasis on recycling and decreasing waste.

Conclusion: VMS Photo Paper - Your Gateway to Exceptional Memories

In conclusion, VMS photo paper isn't only a brand; it is a commitment to retaining your loved recollections with unequaled niceness, versatility, and sustainability. Whether you're a professional photographer, an innovative fanatic, or someone who truly values the beauty of bodily pics, VMS has you protected.

With VMS photo paper, you can consider that your reminiscences can be captured with precision, permitting you to relive one's moments vividly. The brand's versatility guarantees that it caters to a wide variety of needs, from popular photo prints to forte projects. Moreover, VMS's eco-friendly technique aligns with the global push for sustainability, making it a responsible desire for the environmentally aware.

[somethingusefulfromflorida]

I have an ambitious idea for a multi-media project

Long: details under cut

Preface:

Adam Savage is known for making meticulous replicas of the Grail Diary from Indiana Jones 3; they're printed on authentic onionskin paper, stitched together and bound with leather like a real old journal would be, stuffed with inserts like folded up drawings, maps, post cards, letters, wax rubbings, tickets from ships and blimps, receipts, to-do lists, photos made to look like they were taken with late 19th/early 20th century cameras, an old silver certificate dollar, Hitler's autograph, you name it. The ten dollar word of the day is "verisimilitude." These super high fidelity replicas are more than just props, they're meant to feel like a real lived-in historical document kept by a globetrotting adventurer from the 1890s to 1930s.

Gravity Falls Journal 3 wanted to be like this, but it's mass market, printed on glossy paper with fake weathering and fonts that look like handwriting. If Adam Savage made a Journal 3 replica, it would look and feel like a real field journal from the 1970s; it would have crinkly yellow pages with mold/water damage, the cover would have brass or gold foil inlays, each entry would be handwritten (and you would be able to tell it wasn't just a font because every letter would have realistic variability in shape and size, there would be a different number of lines per page, the margins would drift, it would be sloppy and illegible in parts)

JJ Abrams published a book that came close to this aesthetic, a nice midway point between the Grail Diary and Journal 3 in terms of quality. A collab with Doug Dorst, the book is sold under the title "S." but once you take it out of its slipcover it's a meta-fictional artifact made to look like an old cloth-bond library copy of a (fictional) novel from the 1940s called The Ship of Theseus by VM Straka. The text of the novel is inconsequential, a dry story about a sailor being Shanghaid onto a pirate crew (it's actually pretty authentic, evoking the feeling of being forced to read an overrated novel for high school English class), but the book is full of faux-handwritten notes in the margins with multiple characters trading it back and forth (with different colored pens used to show the passage of time), telling a whole new story about their attempts to crack the case of the author's mysterious disappearance/death and an academic conspiracy trying to stop them. It is VERY dense. VERY confusing. You have to work out the timeline yourself because each character has annotated the book from start to finish over multiple passes; you'll be flipping back and forth like a choose-your-own-adventure. And the icing on the cake is that there are dozens of inserts stuffed throughout the pages; newspaper clippings, posts cards, a napkin from a fictional university restaurant, old telegrams, folded notes written on loose leaf college-ruled paper, a cipher wheel, etc. It is mass market like Journal 3, but with a much closer attention to detail like Adam Savage's Grail Journals. The inserts are impressive as part of the meta-narrative, but they don't hold up to as much scrutiny. Owning the book is more interesting than the book itself.

My idea

I want to create a boxset for Dracula in which the story is separated out into its constituent parts; Jonathan Harker's illegible shorthand journal, piles and piles of letters between Mina and Lucy and Van Helsing and the suitors (each with their own recognizable handwriting), real playable wax cyllinders with Dr. Sewards voice recordings, the water-damaged journal from the captain of the Demeter, newspaper clippings about the horrible storm and the large dog and "bloofer lady" sightings, and then a big stack of typewriter carbon paper where Mina painstakingly collated it all into the manuscript for the novel itself. The novel claims to be stitched together from a hundred different sources, and this boxset would actually BE the original sources! There would be old 1890s kodak photography, Jonathan's train tickets from across the continent, maps showing the exact paths of the Demeter and Dracula's dirt shipments and the suitors' chase along the rivers back to Transylvania. Lucy and her mother's wills, stationary with Lord Godalming's letterhead, an old rosary, a crucifix, some garlic flowers, lots and lots of communion wafers, Dracula's book of train schedules, and MOST IMPORTANTLY OF ALL the paprika hendl recipe!

Dracula Daily allows us to experience the story chronologically, but I would like to experience it the way the characters themselves would have, piecing together all the disparate clues over the course of 6 months. It would be an enormous and unweidly boxset, like the special edition of a video game.

The framing narrative would be that the box itself used to belong to Bram Stoker. He was a close friend to the Harkers, and they gave him all their first-hand documents so he could eventually publish their story.

I don't even know where I'd start!

[scrumsystem]

Enhancing Security and Visitor Experience: The Essential Guide to Visitor Management Systems

A Visitor Management System (VMS) is an advanced solution designed to enhance the security, efficiency, and hospitality of managing guests in various facilities, such as corporate offices, educational institutions, healthcare centers, and residential complexes. By replacing the traditional paper logbooks, a VMS streamlines the visitor check-in process through digital means, offering a sophisticated blend of technology and user-centric design to ensure a seamless, secure, and welcoming experience for both guests and hosts.

Key Features of a Visitor Management System

1. Digital Check-In and Check-Out

A VMS offers an intuitive interface for visitors to sign in and out, often through touchscreens, kiosks, or mobile applications. This process captures essential information such as name, contact details, purpose of visit, and host name, significantly reducing wait times and improving the accuracy of visitor records.

2. ID Verification and Badge Printing

Enhancing security measures, some systems incorporate ID scanning to verify the identity of visitors. Upon successful check-in, the system can also print personalized visitor badges, which may include the visitor's photo, name, visitation area, and the date, further bolstering security and identification within the premises.

3. Pre-registration and Invitation

Hosts can pre-register guests through the system, sending invitations with visit details, such as date, time, and location, along with QR codes for expedited check-in. This feature not only streamlines the arrival process but also helps in preparing for the visitor's accommodation in advance.

4. Real-Time Host Notifications

Upon visitor check-in, the system automatically notifies the host via email, SMS, or app notification, ensuring immediate awareness of the guest's arrival. This prompt communication facilitates a timely welcome and reduces visitor wait times.

5. Security and Compliance

A VMS plays a crucial role in enhancing building security by maintaining a detailed log of all visitors, which can be swiftly accessed in case of emergencies or security audits. Additionally, it helps organizations comply with legal and regulatory requirements regarding visitor data handling and privacy.

6. Integration Capabilities

Modern systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with other security and management solutions, such as access control systems, employee directories, and Wi-Fi networks, providing a unified approach to facility management and security.

Benefits of Implementing a Visitor Management System

Improved Security

By accurately tracking who is entering and leaving the premises, a VMS enhances the overall security, providing peace of mind to both visitors and employees.

Enhanced Efficiency

The automation of visitor registration, coupled with features like pre-registration and instant host notifications, streamlines the entire process, saving time for both guests and hosts.

Professional Image

A sophisticated VMS conveys a modern and professional image, making a positive first impression on visitors and reflecting the organization's commitment to security and innovation.

Better Visitor Experience

With features like quick check-in processes and personalized greetings, a VMS ensures a pleasant and welcoming experience for visitors, from arrival to departure.

Data Insights and Compliance

The data captured by a VMS can provide valuable insights into visitor patterns and preferences, aiding in better facility management. Moreover, it ensures compliance with data protection regulations, safeguarding visitor information.

Conclusion

The adoption of a Visitor Management System represents a strategic investment in the safety, efficiency, and hospitality of any facility. By leveraging technology to manage visitor interactions, organizations can not only enhance their security posture but also project a modern, professional image and create a more welcoming environment for all visitors. As the world continues to emphasize security and data privacy, the importance and utilization of visitor management systems are poised to grow, making them an indispensable tool for modern-day facility management.

[tektronixtechnology]

Visitor Management System: How It Works

In today's rapidly evolving world, ensuring the security and efficiency of your business or organization is of utmost importance. One crucial aspect of this is managing the flow of visitors, whether they are clients, employees, or guests. Traditional paper-based visitor logs are becoming obsolete as modern businesses embrace technology to enhance security and streamline operations. This is where a Visitor Management System (VMS) comes into play. In this blog post, we will explore what a Visitor Management System is and how it works to help you make informed decisions about implementing one in your facility.

What is a Visitor Management System?

A Visitor Management System is a comprehensive solution designed to simplify the process of tracking and managing visitors entering your premises. It replaces the traditional paper sign-in sheets and manual record-keeping with a digital, automated system. VMS is not only more efficient but also provides enhanced security, visitor data analytics, and a better overall visitor experience.

How Does a Visitor Management System Work?

Visitor Registration:

The first step in the process is the registration of visitors. Typically, visitors provide their information either through a pre-registration system or upon arrival at your facility. This information includes their name, contact details, purpose of visit, and in some cases, a photograph. Some VMS solutions also offer the option of self-registration via a kiosk or a mobile app, further streamlining the process.

Check-In Process:

Upon arrival, visitors can check in using various methods, depending on the VMS in use. Common methods include scanning a QR code, swiping an ID card, or simply providing their name to a receptionist who enters their information into the system. Once checked in, the VMS generates a visitor badge with essential details, including the visitor's name, photo, date, and time of arrival.

Security Checks:

To enhance security, many VMS solutions can perform background checks on visitors against watchlists or databases, alerting security personnel if a potential threat is detected. This feature is particularly crucial for high-security facilities.

Host Notification:

After check-in, the system can automatically notify the host (the person the visitor is meeting) via email, text message, or a mobile app notification. This eliminates the need for hosts to keep track of their appointments manually.

Visitor Monitoring:

Throughout their visit, the VMS continues to monitor visitor movements within the facility. This data can be used to track their whereabouts in case of an emergency and to ensure they leave when their appointment concludes.

Visitor Checkout:

When the visit is over, visitors can check out using the same method they used for check-in. The VMS logs their departure time, providing an accurate record of the duration of their visit.

Data Analytics and Reporting:

One of the most significant advantages of a VMS is its ability to generate detailed reports and analytics. Facility managers can gain insights into visitor patterns, peak visitation times, and more. This data can inform decision-making, such as optimizing staffing levels or facility layout.

Compliance and Documentation:

A VMS helps organizations maintain compliance with various regulations and standards by providing a secure and accurate record of visitor data. This is especially important in industries like healthcare, finance, and government.

In today's security-conscious world, a Visitor Management System is an essential tool for businesses and organizations of all sizes. It simplifies visitor registration, enhances security, and provides valuable data for decision-making. By automating the visitor management process, VMS solutions improve efficiency, streamline operations, and ensure a seamless visitor experience. If you're looking to enhance the security and efficiency of your facility, it's time to consider implementing a Visitor Management System Dubai.

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#visitormanagementsystems #visitormanagementuae #visitormanagementsharjah

[hipla]

Streamlining Operations with Visitor Management and Meeting Room Management Systems

Introduction:

In today's fast-paced and dynamic business environment, efficient management of visitors and meeting rooms is crucial for organizations of all sizes. Traditional paper-based systems are no longer sufficient to handle the growing demands and complexities associated with visitor management and meeting room scheduling. As a result, businesses are turning to automated solutions such as Visitor Management Systems (VMS) and Meeting Room Management Systems (MRMS) to enhance security, streamline operations, and improve overall productivity. This article explores the benefits and features of these systems, highlighting their importance in modern workplaces.

Visitor Management System (VMS):

A Visitor Management System revolutionizes the way organizations handle visitor registrations and tracking. With a VMS in place, businesses can automate the entire process, ensuring a seamless and secure experience for both visitors and employees. Key features of a VMS include:

Streamlined Check-In Process: Visitors can pre-register online, saving time and minimizing queues at the reception desk. Upon arrival, they can easily check-in using self-service kiosks or mobile apps, eliminating the need for manual paperwork.

Enhanced Security: VMS solutions offer robust security measures such as visitor badges with photo identification, visitor screening against watchlists, and integration with access control systems. These features help maintain a secure environment and protect sensitive areas within the premises.

Real-time Notifications: VMS platforms can notify hosts via email, SMS, or instant messaging when their visitors arrive, ensuring timely reception and a warm welcome. This feature helps improve visitor satisfaction and strengthens business relationships.

Meeting Room Management System (MRMS):

Effective management of meeting rooms is crucial for optimizing resource utilization and ensuring smooth operations. MRMS solutions offer comprehensive features to simplify the booking, scheduling, and monitoring of meeting rooms. Some key functionalities include:

Centralized Reservation System: MRMS platforms provide a centralized dashboard where employees can view the availability of meeting rooms, book them in real-time, and manage their reservations. This eliminates conflicts and ensures optimal utilization of meeting spaces.

Resource Allocation: MRMS allows organizations to allocate additional resources required for meetings, such as AV equipment, projectors, and catering services. This ensures that all necessary resources are available when needed, streamlining the meeting experience.

Analytics and Reporting: MRMS solutions provide valuable insights through analytics and reporting features. Organizations can analyze meeting room utilization, identify trends, and make informed decisions regarding resource allocation and facility planning.

Conclusion:

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, efficient visitor management and meeting room management are essential for maintaining productivity and security within organizations. By implementing Visitor Management Systems and Meeting Room Management Systems, businesses can streamline operations, improve the visitor experience, and enhance overall workplace efficiency. These automated solutions offer features such as streamlined check-ins, enhanced security, centralized booking systems, and analytics capabilities. Embracing these technologies enables organizations to stay ahead of the curve, making the workplace safer, more productive, and conducive to successful collaborations.

[quest-middle-east]

The Shift from Conventional to Current Visitor Management

Traditional visitor management methods, similar to logbooks and paper sign-in sheets, are becoming old as additional associations perceive the advantages of current VMS arrangements. The shift from customary to current guest the executives can be credited to a couple of key elements:

Advanced Change

As associations keep on embracing advanced change, manual cycles are being supplanted with computerized, cloud-based arrangements. This shift further develops effectiveness and takes into consideration better information the board and upgraded security.

Center around Guest Experience

Present day organizations focus on making a positive, marked guest experience. A VMS with adaptable elements permits associations to grandstand their image and give a consistent, touchless registration process.

Security and Consistence

A VMS empowers associations to keep a protected climate and stick to industry-explicit consistence prerequisites. It assists with guaranteeing that main approved people enter the premises and keeps an exact, accessible record of guest information.

How Does Digital Visitor Management System Works? Programming for visitor management is fundamental for smoothing out the inviting system. A online visitor management software welcomes visitors to your foundation by really taking a look at them in and cautioning the host staff to make associations rapidly and successfully. The program guarantees that guests sign in safely, that their personalities are affirmed, that guest photos and electronic marks are taken, and that all activity is carefully recorded. The touchless innovation diminishes collaborations among staff and visitors and outputs temperature to stop the spread of infection.

We accept that a large portion of these issues can be promptly settled by introducing the right visitor management system. In this blog we examine the main 10 motivations behind why it is basic for schools to do as such - not simply as far as accomplishing their security objectives yet additionally in computerizing their everyday activities.

Entry2Exit visitor management software allows you to categorize visitors for better footfall management. Identify and categorize visitors as per their purpose of visit and direct them accordingly. With our integrated queue management system Dubai , all types of visitors can be catered to in an organization without using a second product or complicated integration.

For More Details

Address

Office No.208, Rawdat Al Wasl Bldg Business Bay, Dubai

United Arab Emirates

Mobile : +971 50 1374167

E-mail : info@quest-me.com

[broiderie]

Well. I got part of the fic written. Figured I'd post what I've got an see if anyone besides me thinks it's worth continuing.

Please don't copy, translate, or repost my work anywhere else. My mind is deranged enough without adding anyone else into it.

Also, I have no idea how to format. I'm posting and writing on my phone so it's unedited and definitely unbeta'd. I also haven't written fanfic in 10+ years so heed the warning that it may suck.

Thanks @drabbles-mc for encouragement and letting me bounce plot points off you. I may actually have an idea where this is going now.

Warnings: swear words, talk of death and drug use (if I missed anything let me know.)

This is currently a Taza x daughter!OC

Lost Princessa

Taza sighed with relief as he stepped into the casino with his brothers. They had a big meeting with the Chinese in a little while, but in the meantime they could rest and gather their wits. The younger brothers split off to do their own thing. They were headed for the tables with strict instructions to keep Coco contained.

Bishop and Hank turned to follow El Padrino to the bar when Adam, one of the tribal elders stopped Taza.

“Che, someone showed up here looking for you a few days ago. She asked for you by name, brother. Said she's family.”

Bishop frowned at him. “Taza – thought you didn’t have family, hermano.”

“I don’t.” He turned to Adam. “Who is she?”

“Says she’s your kid.”

Taza's eyebrows shot up. “I don’t have a kid.”

Taza wasn’t a stranger to women throughout his years with MCs, but no one had ever informed him they were pregnant or claimed a child was his before. “How old is she?” If she was young, he would almost bet it was a ruse.

Adam opened the pad folio and pulled out a photo copy of an ID. The name on it was Megan Morales. It listed her age as 26 and her address as somewhere in Tennessee.

“I’ve never even been to Tennessee.”

“Well, brother, it's your name on her California birth certificate. We checked – it’s legit.” Adam pulled another photo copy from his folder.

Bishop waved Hank and Marcus off to send them on to the bar where they could keep an eye on the younger members of the club. “Who's her mother?”

“Birth certificate lists a Gabriella Morales.”

Taza stopped cold. “Gabriella? Are you sure?”

“See for yourself-" Adam handed Taza a copy of the girl's birth certificate.

Bishop studied his brother’s face. “Do you recognize the name, brother?”

“Yeah. She was a hang around when I was VM. She left before I did though. Just disappeared. Guess I know where she went now.” He turned back to the tribal elder. “Where is this girl?”

“We called her in this morning and put her in a small conference room since we knew you’d be in today. Conference room 12, when you’re ready.”

Taza took a deep breath and nodded before turning to Bishop. Bishop spoke first. “What do you wanna do, brother?”

“This meeting is too important for my personal shit to screw us up. I'll deal with this after our meeting.”

Bishop nodded. “Let’s get a drink. I think you need it.”

Meanwhile in a conference room halls away, Megan sat playing with a cold bottle of water. She’d come to the casino as a last ditch effort to escape her past and hopefully find the man who was supposed to be her father. The frayed sleeve of her flannel soaked up the condensation as she picked at the label causing her to shiver.

Tribal elders had told her that Mr. Romero should arrive at some point today when they called. They’d asked to make copies of her ID and the birth certificate that she'd found among her birth mother's papers a week ago. She’d let them make the copies and then been escorted to this bland room “to wait".

So she waited. And waited. And paced. And waited. And paced some more. They’d brought her a sandwich and chips at lunch that she’d picked at but nerves and exhaustion had her stomach in knots so most of the food remained on the table in front of her.

Hours passed. She had long since stopped pacing and did her best to concentrate on what she’d say the first time she met Taza. She removed the letter that she’d found with the damning paperwork and read it again. So much of it was rambling from her mother’s untreated mental illness, but enough could be deciphered to explain her mother’s strange position. According to the letter, her birth mother had never intended for Megan to know who her father was – but had provided the information for the birth certificate in the chance that Megan could use the tribal connection later for benefits. If all else failed, it would be revealed after her mother’s death allowing Megan to make her own choice about finding her father.

The letter was dated days after Megan’s third birthday.

A knock sounded on the conference room door startling her. A member of the casino security team poked his head in. “Ms. Morales?”

“Yes?”

“Mr. Romero just arrived for his scheduled meeting. He’ll be here as soon as it’s over to meet with you. He sends his apologies, but his meeting can’t be postponed.”

Megan nodded. “Of course. Thank you.”

“Do you need anything ma’am?”

“No. Thank you.”

He nodded and shut the door quietly.

Megan took a deep breath and tried to settle her heart rate. She’d meet him soon.

The meeting with the Chinese went exactly as planned- assassination and all. After finishing the celebratory drink with his brothers Taza sighed. His rings caught in his hair as he ran his hands through it. “Bish- I gotta go handle this shit.”

“I know, brother. You want back-up?”

Taza thought- physically he shouldn’t need back up and if he did casino security were all there. Mentally- having his brothers- his best friends- at his back may not be a bad idea. It also would reveal more of his past than he really wanted the younger contingent to know about him yet. “Wouldn’t mind a cool head or two to help me figure this out.”

Bishop nodded. “I’ll send the Idiots for food. Padrino too.” He looked at Hank. “You good to stick with us?”

“Course. Riz and Creep can babysit.”

Bishop and Taza nodded and poured another stiff drink while Hank went to give out orders. Ten minutes later Bishop, Taza, and Hank were headed to the conference room holding a key part of Taza’s past.

The conference room had a glass door and Taza paused to get a look at the girl claiming to be his daughter. Her dark hair was braided nearly to her waist. Her face wasn’t visible. Her hands blocked his view. Her slumped shoulders were covered by a green flannel shirt that had seen better days. Stained jeans with hole in the knee nearest the door were cuffed- obviously too long- above worn leather boots. She’d clearly been through the wringer.

He glanced over his shoulder at his brothers. Hank and Bishop gave encouraging nods. They’d follow his lead.

Megan startled again as the door opened. She’d zoned out. Too mentally exhausted to think any more. She jumped to her feet knocking the now warm bottle of water to the floor.

She faced three men in leather kuttes. It was obvious that two of them were there as support. The one with the longest hair had tribal jewelry and was the most likely candidate to be Mr. Che Romero. He spoke first.

“Ms. Morales?”

“Yes. Megan – please.”

“I was told you wanted to see me. I’m Taza – Che Romero. These are my brothers- Bishop and Hank.”

Megan nodded nervously. “Yes sir. Can we sit?”

Bishop smiled, “Of course.”

Whether consciously or not – the three men took up positions at the long conference table as if they were back home in Templo. Megan settler herself back in her chair facing them.

“I’m sorry. I know this must be a shock for you. Hell, it was a shock for me. I’m sure the elders showed you the copies.of my papers. I have the originals here. They were in with Gabriella’s will. I only received them last week.” Megan’s leg jittered subtly shaking the table.

Taza lifted his chin from his steeples fingers. “Her will? Gabby's dead?”

“Shit. I should have led with that. Yeah. Gabriella died over two weeks ago. It took the state a bit to track me down.”

“Woah, sweetheart. Deep breath. Why don’t you start at the beginning?” Bishop asked firmly. He could see the nerves rolling off the girl. She was practically vibrating with tension.

She took a quick sip of water and nodded quickly. After a visible deep breath, her shaking hands settled a little.

“Right. My name is Megan Morales. I grew up in foster care is Tennessee. My birth mother is Gabriella Morales. I haven’t seen or heard from her since my third birthday. She was reported as rambling in the supermarket and was taken into custody for evaluation. Two days later, someone realized she had a kid and came to the apartment to find me.” She adjusted in her chair and glanced at the terrifying trio at the other end of the table. “Apparently her lifestyle recently caught up with her. She was found dead in her apartment by the apartment manager. Track marks everywhere. OD'd. She had a will and papers at her bank. The state liquidated any assets she had to pay for the burial costs, but tracked me down to give me the papers.”

She reached under the table producing a battered black leather backpack. Reaching inside, she pulled a Manila envelope out and passed it down the table to Taza. Then she laid a single piece of lined paper that had been folded over and over on top of it. “That’s all that’s left of her now.”

Taza looked in the envelope first. It looked like a bunch of legal paperwork. He passed it to his brothers to investigate while he looked at the letter.

It was dated 23 years before and addressed to ‘my precious daughter’. He skimmed it quickly. Apparently Gabriella never intended to tell anyone who the father of her child was. She didn’t want Megan associated with “his lifestyle”. She only put his name on the birth certificate for medical and legal purposes. She outlined who he was in the letter. That he rode with the VM and had connections with the tribal casino.

“You tracked me down to VM?” Taza asked alarmed. The idea of his child alone in their territory was terrifying.

Megan shook her head vehemently.  “Fuck no!” Hank snorted his laugh at her outburst. “Sorry.” She looked sheepish. “I figured I’d try the tribe first. I don’t have a passport or the money to make it all the way to Mexico.”

“So you flew here from Tennessee?” Bishop asked.

“Not exactly. I hitched most of the way.”

“Not the safest way to travel, sweetheart.” Bishop leaned back in his chair and tapped the envelope now laying on the table. “Birth record, paternity test results against your military record… hell even sonogram photos. Your girl wasn’t fucking around, Taza.”

Hank spoke up for the first time. “She wanted her kid to have her birth right. Makes sense.” He smiled at Megan. “But why now? Why not wait to make contact before coming out here? Or why not just accept it and move on?”

Megan’s knee started jitterbug up and down again and she started playing with her fingers. “Why not? Not like there’s much waiting for me in Tennessee. Figured a new start wasn’t the worst idea. Might even find family, ya know.”

All three bikers nodded slowly. Taza gave her a tight smile. “You’re right. This is a surprise, but not necessarily an unwelcome one. We’re going to step out for a minute. Discuss this. We’ll be back.”

Megan nodded and pulled at the threads on her sleeve cuffs. Hank and Bishop stood and walked to the door. Taza followed pausing to awkwardly pat her shoulder.

Out in the hallway, Bishop and Hank looked to Taza. “What do you wanna do, hermano?”

Taza pushed his hair back again. “You looked at the paperwork. Was it legit?”

Hank nodded. “Either legit or very expensive forgeries. From the look of her- I’d say legit. Besides, brother… she looks like you.”

Bishop cracked a grin. “Nah- she’s much prettier.”

Taza cracked a smile and shoved at El presidente’s shoulder roughly. Bish chuckled and gently shoved back. “You wanna bring her home? San Pad?

Taza breathed deep. “Shit. Yeah. At least for a few days while we figure shit out. She may not wanna stick around.”

Bishop nodded. “Go. Make the plans with her. We’ll go make sure that the Village Idiots order her some food too. Looks like she could use it.”

[firstofall-howdareyou]

Kelly and Lisa - the two horsewomen of VM styling apocalypse...

An astute observer would note that This Author did not reblog a single photo from that photoshoot because This Author was taught that if you have nothing nice to say you shouldn’t say anything at all and that hair could not be reblogged without comment.

- Lady Wistledown’s Society Papers, 2 January 2021

[vms-community]

Photography is an immortal work in print. The beauty lies in the fact that pictures are more effective than words. A simple sketch or a portrait or a click can create that effect you have been struggling to communicate with. Over the years, photography has gained significance because of its creativity, effectiveness, and style. With advanced technology in place, people have turned to recording moments through pictures. However, a photo will remain a photo until you graph it on a surface. Hence, understanding various aspects of photography and Photo paper is essential.

[brideofedoras]

The Loft: Redemption

Disclaimer: the usual...  I only own my OC.  Photo found on google.

Word count: 2300+

Warnings: Allusion to past abuse and being triggered

Link to Chapter 2 (with Ch. 1 link)

Monday morning rolled around faster than Sam would've liked.  She felt her stomach churn at the prospect of not having Linda there to talk to. 

She headed to the office early with a quick stop at the bakery along the way.  Armed with fresh donut holes (plain glazed, cookie dough stuffed, cinammon sugar sprinkled, and maple glazed) and a toasted white hot chocolate, she halted in her tracks when she reached the door to the office suite. 

"What the...  When the hell did he have this done?"

Her grey eyes began to burn as she studied the frosted glass of the door. 

VMS Architecture, LLC. Vincent M. Stevens, NCARB Samantha Monroe, Administrative Assistant

She stared at her name, beautifully scripted in gold lettering on the glass. 

Linda hadn't even had that honor.

Her hand trembled as she unlocked the door and stepped into the office.  My office.

As she flipped on the light and started toward her desk she paused again, startled to find her name beautifully engraved onto a walnut name plate settled on the corner of the desk, next to a matching business card holder complete with a stack of cards with her name, extension and email. 

A ceramic flower pot sat next to the computer monitor at the opposite corner of the desk with an artfully planted variety of small cactus plants.  She let out a watery laugh at the wording on the pot: Free Hugs.  She knew the cacti were from Linda, an inside joke between the two of them based on something Linda had told her earlier in the week.  Vincent will come off as prickly for a while, but he will eventually warm up to you, Dear.  Give him time, give him space, occasionally make sure he eats and drinks if he has a very busy day.  One day he will surprise you.

A gift bag and a card were placed on the center of the desk.  Sam shook her head as she set her cup and the donut holes down, busying herself with putting her purse away and hanging her jacket on the coat rack next to the door.

She had just finished starting the coffee and setting the box of breakfast goodies on the refreshment table when she heard the door open.  She turned around and offered a warm smile when Vincent shut the door behind him.  "Good morning, Mr. Stevens," she greeted him.  "Thank you for..." she gestured to the desk set.

"Don't mention it," he frowned at the desk.  "Ready to start your first official week?"

"Yes, sir," she nodded.  "The coffee should be ready in five minutes, and I picked up an assortment of donut holes," she made her way to the window and the cords for the wooden blinds.  "I wasn't sure what you would like so I picked four different kinds."

"I know Linda told you I have a sweet tooth," his tone was wry as he made his way to his office.  "I'm sure whatever you got is fine."

Sam made her way back to the desk.  As she waited for the computer to start she picked up the card propped up against the small gift.

Sam-- Our Vincent struck gold when he hired you to take over the office.  You will do just fine as his new assistant.  Don't let his prickly demeanor get to you, it's become his default setting ever since that happened.  And don't forget, you can decorate your office however it suits you, you can bring stuff in to keep in the bathroom, you can listen to your music, and you can dress however you feel most comfortable as long as you still look professional.  And if Vincent ever treats you wrong, don't be afraid to call me.  I might be moving out of state, but I can always make a trip back to knock some sense into that thick skull of his.  You can also call me anytime you want, keep me up-to-date on the gossip.  I'll miss everyone there, and even though I'd only known you a short time, I've come to view you as another daughter.  You take good care of our Vincent, spoil him with breakfast sweets and good coffee.  Make sure he eats, make sure he goes home to get some rest when the project consumes him (and it will, I've come in many a morning to find him sound asleep at the drawing board or on that damn couch.  He's a real bastard when he doesn't get enough rest, but don't let that scare you off).  Keep in touch.-- Love, Linda. P.S.- Don't forget, I left you a set of "How To Care For Your Architect" instructions tucked away in the second drawer to your left.  It includes a list of everything I know he likes, hotels and airlines he prefers, restaurants he uses for business dinners.  His favorite color is steel grey, he's a sucker for Hershey Hugs, and if he misplaces his pen, you'll find it on your desk.

Sam dashed away the tear that had slipped down her cheek as she set the card aside.  She had grown to love Linda as a second mom and already missed her.  She smiled as she reached for the gift bag and nearly cried when she pulled out a black resin cat paper weight.

She set it next to the phone on the left side of the desk before turning to the computer to log in.

 Sam settled into a routine.  Up at five, out the door by six-thirty, stop by the bakery for breakfast and for that yummy hot chocolate, arrive at the office by seven-thirty, have coffee ready by seven-forty-five, lunch anywhere between eleven and one-thirty (depending on Vincent's schedule), out the door whenever Vincent finished up for the day, home within half an hour, in her pajamas and eating a quick supper, in bed by ten-thirty.  Wash, rinse, repeat.  By her third day Vincent tried telling her she could leave at four-thirty if she wished, there was no need to stay passed office hours.  She declined.  "I was hired as your administrative assistant, Mr. Stevens.  I leave when you leave."

She found an old-fashioned candy bowl at a flea market one weekend and brought it in to place on her desk with Hershey Hugs.  She had also found a few other things she wanted to bring in, but hesitated on personalizing the office.  She worried Vincent would not appreciate finding a framed blueprint of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 or a replica of the Death Star plans data chip.

She feared they would clash with that hideous knock-off Jackson Pollock painting that hung on the wall behind her desk, above the shelves.  She hated that painting.  Why it hung in an architect's office she had no idea.  It was the only thing out of place in the office suite.  Vincent's office proudly displayed his degrees, certificates and licenses, a few framed blueprints and a framed crudely-drawn blueprint of the Castle Grayskull.  "I grew up on Masters of the Universe, had all the action figures and the castle.  I was home sick for a week with chicken pox, miserable as hell, bored out of my mind and missing my friends.  Dad came home early from work one afternoon with a bag full of crayons, coloring books and a sketchpad, gave Mom some cash and told her to go shopping, go eat, get out of the house and enjoy herself for a while.  I sat down on the floor after Dad cleared off the coffee table and we colored for a while.  Then I started drawing.  I'd always been fascinated by the design of Castle Grayskull and wanted to build one of my own.  I was seven years old when I drew that.  That's when I knew I wanted to design and build things."

She had been shocked that he had so willingly shared that childhood memory with her.  And his smile.  She'd seen ghosts of smiles before, but a full-blown smile displaying dimples had left her weak in the knees.  He looked ten years younger with that smile, and she couldn't help but smile back.

But ever since that rare moment of camaraderie he'd thrown up a wall once again, bringing their working relationship back to strictly professional, and borderline cold.  She knew he could be an easy-going man to work for, she'd witnessed the banter between him and Linda multiple times during her trial week.  She just wished he wasn't so cold toward her.

 Vincent had a meeting across town and would likely be gone all afternoon.  As he set his briefcase and suit jacket on one of her guest chairs and tossed his steel grey tie around his neck, he leveled his patented stern look on her.  The Look (TM) was supposed to be intimidating, and it used to scare the hell out of her the first few times she'd seen it (usually directed at someone else, but she'd been caught in the crosshairs a couple of times).  Unfortunately she (for some weird reason she couldn't explain) had begun to find that frowny glare to be sexy as hell.  "Ms. Monroe, if I'm not back by four-thirty, lock up shop for the day and go home," he turned toward the bathroom.  "You don't need to be pulling ten hour days because of me."

She smiled despite the blush staining her cheeks from The Look (TM).  "As I've said before, Mr. Stevens, I'm your administrative assistant, and it is my job to be here for you should you need me."

"I don't recall contracting you to work ten hours a day, Monroe," he turned away from the mirror as he finished his impeccable Windsor knot.

"Technically I'm only working nine," she pointed out as she leaned back in her chair.

"You eat at your desk half the time, Monroe," he walked out of the bathroom.  "I've seen you working through lunch."

"Only when I have a deadline to meet for your meetings," she shrugged.  "I need to finish putting together the portfolios for Thursday's meeting."

"Today's Tuesday, you have all day tomorrow."

"I'll be setting up the conference room and inventorying supplies so I know what you need."

He snorted.  "Remind me again why I hired such a stubborn assistant?"  He grabbed his jacket and shrugged into it.

She scooped a small handful of Hugs from the candy bowl and held them out when Vincent approached her desk.  "At first I thought you were very impressed with my resume, then I suspected for my looks... but now I honestly believe Linda probably threatened you into hiring me."

"Your resume certainly clinched it, Monroe.  And Linda did hound me."  His face darkened a little as he carefully took the offered chocolate from her hand.  "You're going to spoil my lunch, Monroe."

"No, I'm not," she denied, watching him slip the Hugs into the pocket of his jacket.  "I know you would have snuck a handful on your way out, to go along with the handful that's likely already stashed in your briefcase."

His head snapped up.

"I had to refill the bowl, Mr. Stevens," she leaned back in her chair.  "I'll definitely need to work longer hours to afford the chocolates and the breakfast sweets."

"Use the company card, I'll figure it into the expenses," he narrowed his eyes at her.  "Refreshments for clientele."

She nodded.  She didn't mind buying the chocolate or the morning sweets, but she knew better than to argue with him on it.  Arguing had always gotten her into serious trouble when she was a teenager.  Do not go there, Sam.

"All right, I will," she agreed softly. 

"If you still have receipts, bring 'em in, I'll make sure to cut you a check to reimburse you."

"That's not necessary, Mr. Stevens," she shook her head. 

He shot her a glare.  "Yes, it is.  I can't keep allowing you to pay out of pocket for pastries and candy that my clients and associates are eating." 

I can't keep allowing you...  Sam stiffened at his words.  She quickly tore her eyes from his.  "I...  I didn't think it was that big of a deal, I'm...  I will find those receipts and bring them in," she flinched when Vincent moved toward the door.

That flinch was not lost on the architect.  He turned to look at her.  "Monroe, are you all right?"

Sam drew in a breath before nodding.  "I'm fine," she kept her eyes glued to the cat paper weight in front of her.

"Monroe, look at me."

The sudden and uncharacteristic softness in her boss' tone drew her eyes to him.  The look on his face told her he didn't believe her.  He took a step toward her and it was all she could do to not flinch away.

His frown morphed into one of worry.  "Monroe, don't worry about it," he took a step back.  "I just don't want you spending your money on things benefiting the company's clientele and associates."  He turned toward the door.  "Why don't you take your lunch, lock up the office and get some fresh air somewhere.  You don't have to stay in here when I'm out, let the calls go to voicemail.  They can wait."

She nodded.  "Okay."

"I mean it, Monroe.  Leave the office for an hour."

With that, he was gone.

Sam's eyes slid shut and she drew in a slow, shaky breath.  She exhaled heavily, shaking off the fear that had gripped her for a moment.  He won't hurt me.  He's not a predator.  He's not Terrance.   

But those words echoed in her head, words her stepfather had used quite often when she had disobeyed him.  Words he had whispered so smoothly, so silkily, as he forced her to her knees or forced her over his desk.

"Don't go there, Sam," she ground out.  "He won't hurt you anymore."

She shifted in her seat, angling her chair to face her computer more comfortably, saving the proposal she was drafting for Vincent before closing out open programs and putting the device to sleep.  She reached for her phone and dialed her cousin's desk extension.  "Hey, I'm getting ready to head to lunch, wanna join me?"

[vinodpriya]

Chapter 1: About Social Science

Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash

Ah! Social science! The subject I hated the most. I don’t know why, but I felt I was born to hate the subject. It was my destiny to hate it. Or something like that. But the teachers, oh Holmes, they were always so good that I always felt that, at least, I should study it for them. I believe that I always got the best of teachers available for Social Science. There are many interesting incidents related to the subject, especially during the 10th standard, when I was studying it for the last time.

To begin with, the most “ancient” incident which I can remember is during 7th standard. Well, we did not have only 1 S.Sc teachers that year. At first, the honour of teaching S.Sc to 7th D went to Dr. NSA (neither National Security Advisor nor National Security Agency). She had a PhD in Geography. I mean, how can a person be so tolerant, so as to complete a PhD in Geography. Come on, it’s not a joke, doing PhD and stuff like that.Well, after our Principal changed (Yes, our Principal also changed that same year. We’ll talk about her in later posts), she went through the qualifications of all the teachers. After going through the qualifications of Dr NSA, and she thought, “thodi padhi likhi hai, chalo isko 11th aur 12th class padhane ko de do.”   (She is a little bit educated, let her teach 11th and 12th standard).

Yes, thodi (a little). These were the exact words used by Dr. NSA when I asked her about this thing three years later, in 10th standard, when she had come to our class for an arrangement period.

Well, returning back to 7th class. After our summer vacations, our time-table was changed, as were many of our teachers.

Our new social science teacher was Ms R. Whatever she taught for the next two months is a mystery. Yes, it remained a mystery until I studied the chapters myself. Well, the thing was that she was pregnant, and was to deliver her baby in September, and hence she had to complete our syllabus in the next two months only. Now she didn’t teach us the chapters from the book, but made us write ‘Questions & Answers’ in our notebooks (after all, these Q-As were going to come in the exam), and explained the chapters in a comprehensive manner.

Here I would like to mention a small anecdote of class seventh Summative Assessment 1. Just before the social science exam, I fell ill. I literally cried a lot the night before the exam. It’s was not that I had not studied at all, but I had not been able to complete my syllabus, especially geography. Also, I couldn’t read my SSc book, which is a crucial thing to do before an SSc exam. The next day, in the examination hall, when we all were studying, I told some of my friends about my “grievances”. They comforted me about the exam and I told them, quite honestly, that I was not expecting to score above 80 out of 90 marks.

The exam paper came. Questions were quite ridiculous. Yes, they are always ridiculous for someone who does not know the answers. I specially remember one particular question. Perhaps the circumstances presented by the question will not be amiss here.

Q. What do you think about Delhi as the capital of India?

Thinking: Here is a gentle question of an irritating type. Clearly, a tough question then. It has just come from the tropics, for it is written in dark ink, and that is not the natural tint of its text, for majority of the paper is white. He has undergone hardship and sickness, as his haggard kind of questioning says clearly. His right hand has been injured. He holds it in a stiff and unnatural manner: bent like (?). Where in the tropics could a Social Science question written in English have seen much hardship and got its arm wounded? Clearly in India. The whole train of thought did not occupy a second. I then remarked I did not know the answer to the question.

(for those who haven’t read Sherlock Holmes, it is an excerpt from “A Study in Scarlet”).

I then proceeded to answer as follows:

Ans.

    The genuine part:

Delhi is the capital of India. It was named capital of India 1911 by King George of England.

It’s  area is about 4000 km2.

(I knew this because I had sometime checked it. Actually there was an article in the newspaper about good sci-fi movies and one movie involved a spaceship which had a diameter of 500 Km. I wanted to check whether this ship was bigger than Delhi or not)

Now the funny part:

It is a union territory.

But since it has a large population, it should now be made a state.

It has many tourist spots.

These are the points I could make out from my memory. Now, when I went to my bus, I took out ‘The Book of SSc’ and checked in the chapter ‘The State Government’ for the answer. It was there, a full-fledged, five marker answer; legitimate, elaborate, and complete. I repented about not reading the book, but alas, nothing could be done to stop the nature, or rather the answer sheet, from taking it course. I decided to let it go.

When the answer sheets were being distributed for reviewing by the students, I got really disheartened about how much I would have scored. Surprisingly I had scored 86 out of 90 marks. I couldn’t believe my eyes. When I set out to see how the hell that happened, for the first time in my life, I came across the true face of examination-checking in India. You can yourself calculate. I had a completely wrong answer to the above question, so I lost five marks, plus numerous small mistakes. Overall the totalling came out to be around 82 marks or so. I told our teacher about it. She took the paper and kept in the bundle, and said she would look to it. But I never got to know what happened to that. Oh! I forgot to introduce the new S.S. teacher that had come by then. She was Ms P. She was a 2008 pass-out from our school only, and had come to teach us now.

Ms R was a brilliant teacher. By brilliant, I mean literally a brilliant teacher. She had a unique way of teaching. Also, since she was not much older than us, she gave mouth thrashing answer to the misbehaviour of the mischievous children of our class. No, she did not use abusive language, but her subtle words were embarrassing enough.

Our eighth standard teacher was equally brilliant, Ms JS (not NodeJs or AngularJs). But she was quite serious, rather too serious, specially for a funny class like ours.

Ah! Finally the good tales begin. So here it goes. I was promoted to 9th-A, a Sanskrit section. Our S.Sc teacher was Mrs. LL. The funny thing was that she was actually known by this name, LL. At first some of my seniors told me that she is really a good teacher. But believe me, she wasn’t. She specialized in History, and consequently did not know how to teach other subjects. Trust me, she was really awful at Geography. She never completed her sentences, sought to teach only through presentations on smart board, made us write questions, but never clearly told us what the answers were. Here is a sample:

Well, you know, a piece from Indo-Australian plate came and stuck with our land, you know. (Making a collision kind of gesture through her hands). And then, you know….

Alas, we never knew. Now after completing three chapters in Geography and one in Economics, many children thought that they had had enough of her. They started a campaign. They wrote a letter addressing our in-charge to change our S.S. teacher because the current one was not good. Believe me, out of 48 students in the class, 33 signed. Of course, I didn’t, because I didn’t like to take part in such anti-teacher proceedings, because you never know what turn it might take on in future. The letter was sent twice. When Mrs LL came to know about this, she used to sarcastically remark on children yawning or talking in her class that

“Class mein sunna nahin hai, aur phir jab samajh nahin aata to pohunch jaate teacher change karvaane.”

(Don’t listen in the class, and when you don’t understand, you just go on trying to change the teacher.)

Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash

Well, our SSc teacher changed after summer vacations. It was Ms SL (not S.L. Loney, you dumb math enthusiasts).

She was a great teacher. Believe me. (Of course, you don’t have any other choice).

There is a particularly interesting incident related to Ms SL, which shows….. , well, nothing. As it happened, she was the mother of VM. I had known him for some time. But the major angle in this story is that he was a friend of some other students in our class.(No, he wasn’t my friend. I don’t make such friends). Going on, there was this chapter on ‘Peasants and Farmers’ in History. The marking for question and answers was going to start from the next day. But this VM told HT and PG that his mother was going to Goa the next day. As was expected from a friend, they believed him, and they did not bring their History books with them.

IN THE CLASS

Culprits: Ma’am, VM told us that you had gone to Goa. So we didn’t bring our books.

Executioner: Just think, if I had gone to Goa, wouldn’t I have taken VM with me?

I suppose silence will be good enough for the rest of the scene. Nothing happened. They were allowed to sit in the class, and as I had to go out of the class for some reason, I gave them my book.

Overall class 9th was the best class with reference to the horrid subject of Social Science.

And at last, here comes the best class of all.

Behold...

The Class 10th .

Now this year our teacher was the veteran teacher, the most senior one in the school at that time, Mrs SS1. She was quite good towards me in the starting of the year. But then I started taking some days off the school. I used to ask a lot of questions in her class. So did others. When the first Unit Test (UT) was held, she gave quite a scolding to our class, and told the class (and I felt she was staring towards me) not to disturb her while she was teaching  and ask the doubts later in the corridor. She felt her syllabus got behind the schedule because of this (which of course was not true). She said all this because we had performed  poorly in the UT.

Photo by Green Chameleon on Unsplash

Now there are numerous small insignificant incidents involving me and her, but let us just shift towards the best ones for the sake of your interest in keeping reading this chapter.

She had grown quite hostile towards me (I mean she used to be quite irritated by me). We used to have 2 UTs in each ‘Term’ (we used to have 2 ‘Terms’ in a year) out of which the better one would be considered for the final result. As a consequence, I had studied only for the first UT in the second term and had scored quite well in that exam. This exam used to be of 30 marks. During the second UT I did not study at all. Probably I just gave a small reading to the chapter. It was “Nationalist Movement in Indo-China”. It is one of the worst chapters in 10th class History textbook (THE WORST ONE was “Print Culture and the Modern World”).

I scored 23 out 30. I was actually quite shocked to see that I had score this much. But SS1 ma’am was not happy at all. I got quite a something we Indian students call as lecture. Then of course there was TM. He was just like me. He left no chance of pulling the leg of other students. At that time he was acting as what we call as “ghee in havan”.

He says, “Ma’am, he did not study because he had scored very well in the previous one and he knows only the better one will considered.” I looked at him like this.

And there you go. A little more lines of taunt, and finally I was released.

Now we also had a revision test. It went terribly bad. Again I had not studied for it as it was not going to be considered for the final result. The day I gave this test, RB1 (another student in my class) had some work with SS1 ma’am. It was probably mid-day. M1 sir (a fine-arts teacher) was present in the class. He asked me to take him to ma’am. I was walking casually. I tried not to look at RB1 as I disliked him very much. I went straight into the staff room. SS1 ma’am was sitting there checking papers! Well I did not quite observe it at first. But there was the bundle on her table on one side and there was a paper turned upside down in front of her with her signatures in the end. It meant that that paper had been checked quite recently. I raised my neck to see whose paper was it. Holy Holmes! It was my paper. How could I have such an ill-luck.

Well, SS1 ma’am started talking to RB1, and I said to myself, “bhag le beta yahan se” (run off from this place, you scum).

I crept out quite stealthily, but alas, as I was just going to open the door, I heard a sound saying “_____” in a stretched manner. I turned. No doubt I was being called for my execution. And then I was given quite a lecture again on me not studying Social Science. But there was Ms MM1 sitting there alongside SS1 ma’am. She asked me what was I planning to take in 11th, and when I told I was going to take science, she patted me and said to SS1 ma’am while laughing “chhod de na yaar ise” (leave him dear). Well I promised her that I will study for the finals sincerely.

(Note: Ms MM1 taught chemistry to 11th and 12th class, and  I didn’t know back then she would be my Chemistry teacher in 12th class. It’s not good to talk of her here, she deserves one whole chapter herself.)

Our school used to organise a “havan” for 10th leaving students before the finals. After the havan, our teachers used to shower us with flower petals as a form of blessing. When SS1 ma’am came, she threw the flowers forcefully at me while yelling “sabse ganda paper kiya hai tune _______” (you have performed the worst in the paper). Of course that wasn’t true. I was bad, but I was not that bad. Everyone started laughing, but, BG ma’am  (our class teacher back then) heard that. And the glare she gave me! I would never forget those eyes. Well I assured her that I would perform well in the finals.

There were some more incidents which took prior to the above mentioned one, though they were less humorous. Once SS1 ma’am was teaching the chapter “Print Culture And Media”. There was a section about scribes who used to copy the books in “beautiful handwriting”. Well, I asked ma’am from where the scribes got their copies from. And there you go. Again I was terribly mocked by her. Whenever I was absent (yes, never when I was present in the class), she used to say in the class “Chalo achcha hua aaj _____ nahin aaya. Itne faaltu saval poochhta hai ki ma’am suraj east se kyun nikalta hai, ya fir hum breakfast subah hi kyun karte hain”, (it’s good that _____ is not present today. He asks such stupid questions like why does the sun rise from the east, or why do we have breakfast in the morning only), though I certainly never asked such questions.

Once SS1 ma’am asked our class who would like to explain the chapter “Transportation” to the class. NB1 (one of my best and oldest friend) raised his hand. He came in front of the class and started explaining the chapter. I and my friends left no chance of pulling each other’s legs.  I repeatedly asked NB1 questions which were quite irritating. Well, he answered them. Then ma’am stopped him and asked someone else to continue where NB1 had left. I went there. I started explaining the chapter now. Now, it was NB1’s chance. He stared putting questions to me. After answering some questions, I felt quite irritated (add to that not knowing the answers), I yelled at him to sit down, and asked him to come to me after the class to take his doubts, and told him harshly that I had to complete my syllabus. (The funny thing here is that SS1 ma’am used to say the same lines whenever she got irritated by the questions, but the difference is that she used to know the answers). Everyone enjoyed this thing, including SS1 ma’am. She said to me “very good beta. Jaa baith jaa” (very good child, now go and sit down).

I did not have Social Sciences as my subject in higher classes (thank God!). Although I used to meet all the teachers now and then. SS1 ma’am retired from her job after that academic year, though she kept visiting the school because of her Rotoract-club duties. Once our class was in the basement for our Computer Science practical, and there she was! I don’t know why, but nostalgia overpowers me whenever I see someone I haven’t seen in a long time. So there we (I and RM1) to go and greet her. Our CS teacher NA1 also came out of her lab and they hugged (apparently they were friends!). SS1 ma’am says to NA1, “Sabse achchhe bachche the meri class ke. Bade pyaare bachche hain!” (they were the best students of my class. They are just lovely kids). And I thought “Oh really???? Oh reallyyyyy??? Why didn’t you never said this in class?”

And as promised, here’s Today’s Music Momento (yeah! I am not calling it memento! not in this life...)

[fridutxa]

Stop-auto ➖ ➖ #escaparates #windowdisplay #vitrine # #vm #Photo @papere #visualmerchandaising #visual #catalogos #bodegon #stiilife #artdirector #personalshopper #interiors #decoration #styling #consultor #consultorretail #consultorvisualmerchandising #tendencias #myjob #style #details #design #photography #photo #look #barcelona https://www.instagram.com/p/ByLLH-BoJMw/?igshid=1taxusz8ju4rm

[zapiotech]

Visitor Management Software In Dubai For Corporate Offices

visitor management system UAE from Zapio tracks everyone who enters your office or your corporate building. A visitor may be a customer, a job applicant, a delivery person, a contractor, or a consultant. They could also be a regular full-time employee. The VMS formally tracks visitors.

Corporates of today want tight security at the front gate and want to use innovative and modern technology for this. visitor management software UAE, is designed to perform the core job of checking visitors at the gate. The other functions include:

Maintain a visitor log (cloud-based)

Help you identify your visitors by taking their photos

Print visitor ID badges

Accept deliveries from courier services

Send an email, SMS, and Slack notifications when visitors arrive

Make two-way communication possible between employees and visitors

Provide instructions for visitors

Our contactless and cheap visitor management system UAE frees up the front-office personnel's time so that they can improve their productivity. Moreover, it helps to save precious resources like paper and time.

Zapio’s visitor management software Dubai helps to create the first impression that your brand just requires. This happens even if there is a physical receptionist to greet you at the office entrance. A positive experience is created for the visitor when the check-in is quick and the system leads you to wherever you want to go quickly without any waste of time. 

In addition to all of these, the Visitor management solution Dubai allows two-way communication, forwards, messages, and provides notifications via multiple channels.

Know more….

mail us        :   info@zapiotech.com

Call on        : +971 52 7081010

Website   : www.zapiotech.com

[guncelkal]

Canon SELPHY CP1300 Compact Photo Printer (Black) with WiFi w/ 2X Color Ink and Paper Set

Canon SELPHY CP1300 Compact Photo Printer (Black) with WiFi w/ 2X Color Ink and Paper Set

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/vse-vms-transcoding-artifact-us-east-1-prod/v2/e56b54d2-8757-5ddf-a075-a4d6cbed6746/ShortForm-Generic-480p-16-9-1409173089793-rpcbe5.mp4https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/vse-vms-transcoding-artifact-us-east-1-prod/7e1afb0f-b4fb-421b-a3ee-76375774bf9a/default.jobtemplate.mp4.480.mp4 Introducing the SELPHY CP1300 wireless compact photo printer, the perfect…

[secuviz857]

WHY CHOOSE SECUVIZ VISITOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN NAIROBI

Traditionally, companies have maintained manual visitor records in the form of log books and paper records. Visitors must write their information in these records; however, these systems are slow, ineffective, unreliable, resource intensive, prone to manipulation, and not easy to use. Furthermore, data retrieval from such logs is cumbersome.

As business complexities increase, it becomes increasingly difficult to work with a manual process. An automated visitor management system like SecuViz can help businesses:

Ø  Improve professionalism

Ø  Reinforced security

Ø  Improve visitor experience

Ø  Minimize waiting time for visitors

Ø  Enable data archiving and recovery

Ø  Gain insight by analyzing trends and visitor data

Ø  Comply with legal requirements.

Ø  Allow restricted access to gates, elevators, and turnstiles.

Ø  Meet specific security needs based on policy mandates

Ø  Maintain the confidentiality of the personal data of visitors.

Ø  Automatically inform hosts about the arrival of visitors

Ø  Allow hosts to schedule appointments and earn visitor passes

Ø  Reduce reception overcrowding

Ø  Address security concerns

And much more…

Be in control

An automated visitor management system allows organizations to better control the movement of visitors within the location and restrict their movement to only required areas. This also leads to increased security.

 Be efficient

Smart visitor management also enables companies to plan their resources optimally. Visitors will be able to move around the site without the need for manual supervision. Companies can also staff their reception based on the expected flow of visitors, for efficient operation.

 With SecuViz, companies can optimize their visitor management process and provide a pleasant experience within their facilities.

SecuViz is a future ready Visitor Management System for modern day businesses and establishments as well as gated residential estates

·         SecuViz provided MCC with state of the art Visitor Management System to regulate and track the entry and exit of visitors in the club premises.

The one of a kind VMS for MCC features:

1.Faster     logging in of visitors

2.Receive     notifications when guests have arrived

3.Easy     creation and storage of records

4.Easy     integration with access control system

5.Enhanced     security enabling selective access for visitors

 Furthermore, features such a pre booked guest entry, event management and dual authentication have enabled the club to achieve their much sort after goal of regulating movement within and out of the club.

·         PDM approached Reliance Solutions Kenya Ltd for the Solutions , We Reliance proposed them our flagship product - Visitor Management Software VMS, – an intelligent visitor management software that helps you to manage your visitors and maintain their records efficiently. Gone are the days when you have to take down the details of all the visitors using the traditional - book and pen method. 

VMS offers a host features that not only simplify taking records of the visitors visiting your premises, but also offers;

1.     Simplified registration through the latest OCR technology which eliminates     the need to type in the details.

2     Smart Search feature to trace the date day and time of the visitor that     may have visited the place.

3.     Easy integration with access control system to ensure a secure entry for     all the visitors.

4.     Pre Appointment booking for ease of access of known visitors

5.     Multiple reports to analyze the flow of visitors

 Once the Visitor ID CARD / PHOTO ID document is Scanned using our latest OCR technologyin at the front desk, capturing vital visitation details. Visitors are then issued visitor badge to be worn and visible at all times.