#monthly resolutions 2020

[kolbisneat]

MONTHLY MEDIA: April 2023

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | ContraPointsOkay big movie month! And excited to keep going in May. Are movies back? Did they ever leave? Here’s all the stuff I watched, read, heard, and played this month!

……….FILM……….

Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves (2023) Yes my brain lit up every time I recognized something. I can’t come into this without bias but maybe that’s okay. As a fan of D&D, this worked! Does it work if you’re not a fan? I have no idea. But the story was compelling with some clever callbacks and something I always appreciate: a platonic friendship between a man and a woman! Love to see it. My only hope is that the inevitable sequel has the same actors playing different characters in a different setting. Strahd spooky vampire movie COME ON IT'S RIGHT THERE.

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) Incredibly beautiful both in fight choreography and cinematography. I really want more movies to be...heightened again, you know? I’d need to go back and watch the previous ones but this was the first time I felt like the fights (and nearly every one) went on for like...30 seconds too long. With that said I really can’t complain about a good movie having too much in it.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) It looked great and moved along at a good clip. I was really stoked by the “commercial” at the beginning and thought “oh wow they sound great!” and then that turned out to be a misdirect. What else could this movie have been?

Renfield (2023) Everything I loved about this and everything I didn’t love can boil down to this: the movie felt like a student film with a bigger budget. It was fun and seemed to really enjoy the stunts and gore, but ho boy was the plot and script secondary to all of that. Really enjoyed it.

The Last Waltz (1978) Knowing very little about the Band going into this, they seemed like cool cats. Joni Mitchell really stood out as a bright, weird light and you can really feel Robbie Robertson’s sadness/melancholy in the interviews. 

Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis (2020) and Taylor Tomlinson: Look At You (2022) Hey both very good. Watching these specials after knowing my parents had already seen (and enjoyed) them gave me a new perspective. Did I laugh? Sure. Did I think “Oh I’m glad she’s talking about this and I hope my parents took note”? Absolutely. She has a bit where she talks about how she does well with moms so why not use that skill to talk about mental health, therapy, and why “sex worker” is the preferred term? 

……….TELEVISION……….

Ted Lasso (Episode 3.04 to 3.07) These last few episodes have really given me comedic whiplash. The bike-training stuff was great, but then the next episode the team has their junk tied together? What is happening? The saving grace, for me, is the consistent character growth that the show pushes. Really great actors in really great roles that rise above some questionable premises.

BEEF (Episode 1.01 to 1.10) Stressful to watch but after the first couple of episodes, I found the stress was overshadowed by the joy of watching these complex characters further tighten their tangle of knots. Incredible writing and acting and it all really left a lasting impression. 

Severance (Episode 1.01 to 1.09) Started strong, had a brief dip in pacing, and then really ended strong. Though I won’t go into details, I found the nature of the finale to be deeply unsatisfying. Too much cliffhanger not enough resolution. Sure the series builds great tension and I loved the stress throughout, but you gotta give us something at the end, you know? Some sort of reward for making it through. Still highly recommend.

……….YOUTUBE……….

Music Supervision by Karsten Runquist A light introduction into why some licensed music just doesn’t click in movies. VIDEO

How This Woman Creates God of War’s Sound Effects | Obsessed | WIRED by WIRED I love foley and seeing it all come together at the end of the video was very satisfying. VIDEO

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling | ContraPoints by ContraPoints I understand not everyone is online, but it seems like even the most luddite of millennials can’t ignore Rowling’s politics. Great framing and full of undeniable evidence that confirms just how much harm the author is actively doing. Hey I loved the books as a kid but when supporting something is directly benefiting a bigot, you gotta let thing go. Go pick up a Discworld novel.  VIDEO

……….READING……….

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett (Page 366 of 445) Pratchett’s writing is so good that reading a “Christmas” story in April doesn’t feel out of place at all. There’s a genuinely terrifying assassin named Teatime that gives me real chaotic and evil vibes and I always enjoy reading Death-related stories. Such a fantastic world.

Ultimate Spider-Man - Volume 7 Hardcover by Brian Michael Bendis & Mark Bagley (Complete) You know I never liked the designs for the Ultimate version of Green Goblin and Hobgoblin. I’m fine with bulky but I like the pointed hats. Into The Spider-Verse really nailed the balance of the two. Anyway the two collected stories in Volume 7 never really worked for me but that’s the beauty of ongoing serieses...something good might just be around the corner!

Cosmic Ghost Rider: Baby Thanos Must Die by Donny Cates, Dylan Burnett, & Antonio Fabela (Complete) Another reread and I really love how much this just goes for it. I didn’t realize there was more story before and after this so I think I’m going to pick up the omnibus! I don’t assume it’ll maintain this level of momentum but if it hits the same highs at least once more during the run, it’ll be worth it.

Doctor Strange: The Oath by Brian K. Vaughn and Marcos Martin (Complete) I remember not loving this the first time I read it and I have no idea why. It’s tightly-paced and does something I rarely see Doctor Strange comics do: lean into his life as a surgeon. Really great story and just enough mystical stuff to satisfy. Really glad I reread it.

……….AUDIO……….

10,000 Gecs by 100 Gecs (2023) This feels like music I’m not supposed to be listening to but I sure do love it. I liked maybe...half the songs on my first listen but each one is growing on me to the point where I think Billy Knows Jamie is the only track I don’t mind skipping.

60 Songs that Explain the 90s (Podcast) I’ve only listened to a handful of episodes but they’ve all been great! The beginning always feels a little padded and I prefer the episodes with interviews, but I recommend just finding eps about songs you like and going from there. 

……….GAMING……….

Oz: A Fantasy Role-Playing Setting (Andrews McMeel Publishing) Both of my groups are back in Oz! My Tuesday group is busy exploring tunnels and fighting rock creatures to save a castle (campaign diary is here), and the Mof1 crew is actively escaping the crew that was about to bury them alive. We have fun.

Anyway that’s it. See you in May!

#Monthly Media #Kolbisneat #Andrew Kolb

[iffoundreturntosea]

January 1, Day 1

1 day 2015

I've stared at that card for the past 7 months wishing the new year would get here already & it finally has. I have kind of a big resolution that will probably take all year but I want to get off all the medications I'm on, get myself healthy & back to living and enjoying life! #wishmeluck #newyears #resolution #goodbye2014 #hello2015 #project365 #day1

I started project 365 because I needed something to keep me going. I was bed ridden at the time due to medication induced vertigo. It was awful and I wanted to die. It lasted months and my doctor was no help. I was hopeless. I starred at this card that a friend of my mom had made her for months just wishing for a change. That change was me.

1 day 2016

Today was a nice chill day! (January's theme is blue!) #shadesofblue #chill #relaxed #january #hello2016 #picoftheday #project365 #day1

By the time I hit the second year I was ready to mix things up and add a theme each month. Each month in 2016 had a different color scheme, starting with blue!

1 day 2017

Happy New Year! 

#newyear #2017 #hello2017 #mayancalendar #january #circleoflife #picoftheday #project365 #day1

1 day 2018

#keyhole #cutout #klaus #dog #pup #bassethound #hound #lazyday #rest #newtheme #differentview #january #picoftheday #project365 #day1

Klaus isn't with us anymore but he was such a good boy!

1 day 2019

I remember last year like it was yesterday...Happy New Year!

This year I’m going to try a new challenge. I’m going to attempt to photograph the National Day calendar for my 5th year of #project365 Should be fun! 

#hello2019 #2019 #timeflies #justme #happynewyear #yearfive #letsdothis #create #challenge #live #experience #share #learn #january #newyearday #nationalday #nationaldaycalendar #picoftheday #project365 #day1 #hereigoagain

I did different monthly themes until 2019 and then I did the National Day Calendar. I was so excited for this year!

1 day 2020

The next year I did a weekly theme to recover from the previous year!

It is Time to start year 6! This Time I’m aiming for a weekly theme! Try to guess 

#glitter #sparkle #pocketwatch #watch #clock #timeywimey #time #year6 #week1 #january #january1 #2020 #picoftheday #project365 #day1 #herewegoagain 

1 day 2021

The 2 years after that were whatever the heck I wanted!

One day I’m not gonna do this anymore but I guess this is not the day! Year 7! No themes! No restrictions! Whatever the hell I want! This is the only picture I took today! Cheers to less stress and more fun! 

#nature #outdoors #bug #insect #grass #pecanshell #morningdew #year7 #herewego #nothemes #lessstressmorefun #whateverthehelliwant #january #january1 #2021 #picoftheday #project365 #day1

1 day 2022

The purrfect way to start the year!

#Leo #kitty #cat #furbaby #snuggles #create #artsy #color #fun #january #january1 #2022 #picoftheday #project365 #day1 #year8

This past year I was ready to try monthly themes again.

1 day 2023

A great start to the new year with an early morning hike with Dad, Dana, sister, fam & friends. Then a delicious meal made by Dana and our little christmas celebration together. Love family time so much!

#grateful #aloha2023 #litebrite #january #january1 #2023 #objectofthemonth #picoftheday #project365 #day1 #startofyear9

I got this mini lite brite as a stocking stuffer from Santa! It is so cute!

1 day 2024

It's a new year and the start of my 10th year doing a picture every day! This year I've partnered with my mom, we'll be drawing themes each day. I will continue photographing while she will be working in her mixed media journal. Today was "stones". Which one speaks to you?

#hello2024 #year10 #dailytheme #stones #color #create #art #january #january1 #2024 #picoftheday #project365 #day1

Alright! That is day one of this year. I officially can't stop now!

[writcraft]

Writ's 2022 Fic Wrap-Up

Jump (Sirius Black/Remus Lupin), 2,600 words, T

He returns later, just as you like him best. Sandy haired and shirtless, with scars that slice and cross. He always appears suspended in the bright and brilliant daylight.

You ask him if he can keep you company during the night, but he tells you he’s afraid of the moon.

Another Dreamless Night (Dean Winchester/Castiel), 2,500 words, E

Dean can't sleep. Castiel helps.

What Makes a House a Home (Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy), 27,000, E

Ten years after the Battle of Hogwarts Draco Malfoy wakes up in an unfamiliar house owned by none other than Harry Potter. Even stranger is the snow in September and a night sky without any stars. Naturally it’s a matter of life and death, because isn’t it always?

A Life Worth Remembering (established Harry/Draco, past Harry/Severus and Severus/Draco builds to Harry/Draco/Severus), 30,000, E

Severus Snape wakes in St Mungo’s, to discover that a potions accident has wiped the last forty years from his body and mind. Just twenty-five years old, Severus is reliant on Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, now both in their forties, to help him fill in the missing decades. As Severus tries to navigate a much-changed world, Harry and Draco struggle with a secret of their own.

Friends of Dorothy (Harry Potter/Severus Snape), 22,000, E

When Harry Potter sees Severus Snape on a date with another wizard it sets him on a journey of self-discovery that leads to the Friends of Dorothy Detective Agency and a Niffler called Toto.

Meddling, Menswear and Magic (Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy), 19,000, M

Draco Malfoy is working in a job he hates and avoiding the magical world entirely, but he really is fine. When a bequest from Severus Snape brings Draco back to a much-changed magical world, he must find his place within it and navigate his growing attraction to Harry Potter in the process.

Some thoughts on this year in writing below the cut.

You can see from the dates of my fics that I posted a number of stories during early 2020 and then around March 2020 time, when the UK went into the first COVID lockdown, my writing completely drops off a cliff. In 2021 there was a similar long gap between the start of the year and the end, which is probably of little surprise as it was my PhD writing up year. In fact it was participation in HD Erised in both 2020 and 2021 that got me writing something towards the end of those two patchy writing years.

I know everyone writes and publishes at different paces and when I say a year was patchy or slow, I am comparing that only to my own output in previous years. I used to post at least once every month and participated in (and modded) multiple fests throughout the year. In 2020 and 2021 I worked on stories (still unfinished), but I just didn't have the feels or motivation to finish them.

This is the first year since the start of the pandemic where I finally found those feels again. I recognise when I'm in my fandom feels because I am typically doing something else but thinking about my fic and wanting to sit with my writing, listen to playlists and get different scenes finished. This struck particularly towards the back end of the year, which you can see from more consistent monthly posts from September - December.

No fandom resolutions for me this year. I have some private goals and things I want to do more of, old stories I want to finish, new stories I want to tell. However, I really enjoyed being more integrated in fandom towards the end of 2022, participating in fests, chatting to people and getting back into my writing feels. That's the thing I want to hold onto, if I can.

Happy New Year everyone. Thank you to everyone who has chatted, cheerlead, commented, beta read, recced, sent asks, let me panic, flail, work out tricky plot points, shared pictures of pets and has just been there to talk about fandom and non-fandom things throughout this year. I would have almost certainly have posted nothing at all without you <3

#2022 fic roundup #my fic #on writing

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Zack K. De Piero

Published: Jun 29, 2023

A so-called antiracist work environment was, actually, a hostile work environment

I’m a white writing professor, and apparently, that’s a problem. That was the unmistakable message sent to me at Penn State University – and that’s why I’m suing them.

In November 2020 – nearly half a year after George Floyd’s murder – I was subjected to a “White Teachers Are a Problem” video for a monthly professional development meeting for writing faculty. Its featured speaker, Asao Inoue, is a self-described antiracist practitioner. Not an obscure one, either: About a year prior, Inoue gave the Chair’s Address at a prestigious writing studies research conference – the same field in which I earned my Ph.D. – where he declared, “White people can perpetuate White supremacy by being present [...] Your body perpetuates racism.”

At the heart of Inoue’s appalling comments is the baseless attribution of negative characteristics to a particular race. Inside radical academic bubbles, that might be applauded; in the real world, that’s called discrimination. And it’s illegal. When discrimination enters the workplace, depending on its frequency and intensity, citizens can file a hostile work environment lawsuit against their employer.

At my Abington campus, my direct supervisor pushed an aggressive “antiracism” campaign through private emails and monthly meetings. She laid the groundwork by echoing a colleague’s stance that “reverse racism isn’t racism,” thereby abandoning cherished human rights principles. “[R]acist structures are quite real in assessment and elsewhere regardless of [anybody’s] good intentions,” she claimed. “Racism is in the results if the results draw a color line.” Later, citing a “Black Linguistic Justice!” resolution from an increasingly politicized research organization, my supervisor issued two directives: “assure that black students can find success in our classrooms” and “assure that all students see that white supremacy manifests itself in language and in writing pedagogy.” 

Translation: the English language is racist, teaching writing is racist, and grading black students by consistent standards is racist.

Tough spot if you’re a white writing instructor and one of your black students doesn’t submit a big paper. Even tougher if you work at a “majority minority” campus: out of 20 undergraduate campuses across the Penn State system, to its credit, Abington is the only with a majority of minority students. But the toughest position goes to every black student in this environment – an educator seems to believe they’re incapable of achieving academic success on their own merit.

Misguided as my supervisor was, she wasn’t just one rogue professor in the bunch. Antiracism fever ran rampant through the school’s institutional culture. To commemorate Juneteenth 2020, Abington’s DEI director told us to “Stop being afraid of your own internalized white supremacy” and to “Hold other white people accountable.” That same week, amidst faculty panic over a masked-up return to campus, one colleague invoked “history and white male privilege” to forecast, without discernible evidence, “One can already see a mile away that there will be some who resist wearing masks, etc. Such resistance is also more likely to be led by white males and in classrooms taught by women and people of color.”

In September 2021, I complied with my state-mandated duty to report bias of these (and other) incidents.  The Penn State Affirmative Action Office summoned me into a Zoom meeting where its associate director informed me, “There is a problem with the White race” then directed me to continue attending antiracist workshops “until you get it.”

The next antiracist workshop was titled, "The Myth of the Colorblind Writing Classroom: White Instructors Confront White Privilege in Their Classrooms." During this meeting, my supervisor provided a quote: "Without attending to issues of inequity and particularly the role race [plays] in constructing social inequities, we remain unaware of and thereby unwittingly reproduce racist discourses and practices in our classrooms.” As the target audience for this message, I sensed that I’d soon get accused of racism for holding my students to reasonable (and necessary) standards – I could feel my $53,000/year, non-tenured and non-unionized job hanging in the balance. So, I asked for examples of how I could bring equity into my classroom and what this actually looked like in practice.

Rather than help me to “get it,” the Affirmative Action Office deemed my questions to be evidence of bullying and harassment. Yet, my supervisor’s years-long actions were “in line with the Campus Strategic Plan.” Human Resources asked me to sign a performance reprimand, then Penn State inserted those charges into my annual performance review.

Now I’m fighting back. With a Right-to-Sue letter from the Department of Justice, it’s time for Penn State to account for real racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. I’ve got the support of Allen Harris Law and a nonpartisan civil rights group, the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism.

“Antiracism” isn’t quite the right term to describe the performative activism that’s happening across academia and corporate America. Let’s call this hustle what it is: plain and simple, racism. And just like racism, the so-called antiracist movement threatens everything in its path: freedom of speech, due process, healthy workplace relationships, professional excellence, academic rigor, and the psychological welfare of teachers and students alike.

Zack De Piero was employed by Penn State University - Abington College as an assistant teaching professor of English and composition from 2018-2022. He has a Ph.D. in education from the University of California Santa Barbara, where he studied the teaching and learning of postsecondary writing. His personal views in this piece do not reflect those of his current employer, Northampton Community College.

Zack De Piero, PhD began working at Pennsylvania State University in August of 2018 as an English writing professor at the Abington campus. 

Almost immediately upon the outset of his employment, Professor De Piero noticed a race-essentialism focus, which he feared would be harmful to his students, a majority of which were from minority backgrounds and ethnicities. 

Professor De Piero was required to attend professional development meetings to view videos such as “White Teachers Are a Problem”, and was directed to “assure that all students see that white supremacy manifests itself in language and in writing pedagogy.”  Incidents like these made it clear that Penn State harbored a bias against him based on his skin color. So he took the prescribed course of action and filed a bias report.  The Penn State Affirmative Action Office quickly called Professor De Piero into a Zoom meeting where its Associate Director informed him that, “There is a problem with the White race” then directed him to continue attending antiracist workshops “until you get it.” 

It became impossible for Professor De Piero to effectively perform his job duties. In August 2021, he was forced to leave a job he had prized and students he cared for deeply. 

Professor De Piero has now filed suit against Penn State in federal court, alleging violations of his civil rights under federal and Pennsylvania law. 

Professor De Piero is represented by FAIR Network Attorneys Michael Allen and Samantha Harris of Allen Harris Law.

==

It's a cult.

The only thing that will turn around this insanity is suing the crap out of them.

#Zack K. De Piero #Penn State University #racism #neoracism #antiracism #antiracism as religion #colorblindness #colorblind #racial discrimination #systemic racism #academic corruption #FAIR for All #Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism #white supremacy #cult of woke #wokeism #wokeness #wokeness as religion #woke #religion is a mental illness

[shirkers2018dirsanditan]

Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s collapse during Monday Night Football has renewed calls for guaranteed contracts in the NFL and underscores longstanding gaps in the safety net that undergirds many of the players competing in the league.

Big-money contracts catch great attention, but the vast bulk of NFL players compete essentially on year-to-year contracts, with an average career of just over three seasons. It takes three campaigns for an NFL player to qualify for pension benefits, and a player must have competed for a minimum of three seasons before qualifying for the five years of post-retirement health insurance provided by the league. Hamlin, a sixth-round pick in his second season, is on a four-year, $3.6 million contract that is not guaranteed, like many NFL deals.

NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent, speaking to reporters earlier this week when asked about whether Hamlin is eligible for a pension, committed to taking care of the University of Pittsburgh alum in the future no matter if he is pension-eligible.

“Obviously in situations like this we expect, God willing, that he would recover,” Vincent said. “But he will — he would — get the resources necessary to make sure he has what he needs to live a complete life.”

The NFL, however, is under no legal obligation to do that.

Depending on his recovery, Hamlin might be eligible for NFL disability programs and could file workers’ compensation claims if he is unable to resume his career. The NFL has faced litigation over denied disability claims, with resolutions going both in favor and against the league over the years.

The 2020 collective bargaining agreement includes a provision that sets annual payouts for total and permanent disability to $48,000. And in a controversial change that was later delayed until 2024, the league and union agreed to reduce disability payments if players receive similar checks from Social Security.

Asked in a press conference Thursday how much disability Hamlin might expect, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith declined to comment. The NFL did not respond to The Athletic’s request for comment.

Ray Genco, a lawyer who has brought disability claims against the NFL and NFLPA, wrote in an email, “Under the new CBA, total and permanent disabilities resulting from on-field injuries to active players have a minimum monthly benefit of $4,000 per month, with it increasing under certain conditions. This monthly benefit is described as for ‘life’ or ‘as long as the disability persists’ … This payment comes with related medical expenses being paid by the plan, but those bills and treatment plans can be challenged and treatment often gets delayed for approval.”

Facing the prospect of modest disability payouts, some players seek to purchase supplemental insurance to cover the limitations of their NFL benefits and pay package.

“Here’s the problem with football: The guys that need (supplemental) insurance can’t afford it,” said Eugene Dorfman, president at Pro Players Insurance. “The guys that can afford it don’t really need it … So if you look at Hamlin, he’s a sixth-round draft pick. He makes what, $875,000 this year? OK, after taxes, he’s going to walk away with $500,000. That’s not a $500,000 lump sum. He’s getting $500,000 over 26 pay periods. And you’re asking him to purchase a policy, let’s say a middle policy, a million-dollar career-ending injury, it’s going to cost him $10,000 (annually). He can’t afford that policy, he can’t.”

One NFL agent, who requested and was granted anonymity because of the sensitivity surrounding Hamlin’s medical status, said while one couldn’t change the benefits rules, expect the Bills and the NFL to take care of Hamlin and his family.

“The NFL will take care of him, trust me on that one,” he said. “The bigger issue is there is, no way from a PR perspective that” they don’t help him. “Guarantee the Buffalo Bills will offer him a job.”

Hamlin’s tenuous future refreshed the issue of guaranteed contracts. There is no rule in the NFL against guaranteed contracts, but most are not, a topic often debated given the high risk of injury in the league. Hamlin still has $1.8 million remaining on his contract, but it’s not guaranteed. First- and second-round draft picks’ deals are guaranteed and a smattering of others have been, most famously DeShaun Watson’s five-year, $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.

But despite the violent nature of the sport, guaranteed contracts are not the norm. Partly that is due to a rule that owners must keep in reserve the amount of all contract guarantees, but the owners’ leverage in labor talks also allows them to maintain the status quo.

In response to Hamlin’s situation, former NFL running back Reggie Bush on Twitter this week decried the lack of protections players have in the NFL.

Another NFL agent said, “There is absolutely no reason any professional football player should ever take the field ever again without a fully guaranteed contract for skill injury and death. That’s it. There is no logistical reason, there is no ethical reason and now the values of franchises are in the $10 billion range, there is no financial reason that you can’t give every single player in the National Football League a $1 million fully guaranteed contract.”

That agent requested and was granted anonymity because he blames the NFLPA for not pushing harder for guaranteed contracts and doesn’t want to alienate the group. The union in the past has found the issue a nonstarter with owners but recently brought a grievance against the NFL for allegedly colluding to ensure Watson’s guaranteed contract remains an exception.

Because of the short duration of NFL players’ careers compared to other sports, the NFLPA more than most sports unions lacks the leverage to threaten a strike. Players with such short careers are not apt to sacrifice any time, leaving owners in a powerful position during labor talks.

So while the NFL says it will take care of Hamlin, many of his brethren may not have that afforded them. As a result, Rich Salgado, president of athlete insurance firm Coastal Advisors LLC, expects Hamlin’s situation to result in more players seeking risk policies.

“When I sit down with guys, I explained to them they have this option,” said Salgado, whose brother Jim is Hamlin’s position coach with the Bills. “You just have to pay for it.”

#long post #this is the whole article #nfl owners are so fucking FOUL #greediest bitches on the planet

[agentnico]

Hello Tomorrow! - Season 1 (2023) Review

Feels like a missed opportunity that this show didn’t once make use of the hit pop song Reach (For the Stars) by staple band S Club 7. Yes, this show is set in a retro 60s, but S Club 7 is fitting for any era of time!!

Plot: In a retro-futuristic world, charismatic salesman Jack Billings leads a team of fellow sales associates determined to revitalize their customers' lives by hawking timeshares on the moon.

Recently I have been trying to validate my Apple TV+ subscription, as in the current day and age where there are a gazillion various streaming services, one has to question which ones are worth the monthly buck. In regards to Apple TV+, the main reason I had the subscription in the first place was due to getting the first year for free with my purchase of the iPhone 11 back in 2020, however that one free year has long gone, and the only main reason having it now is seeing a moustachioed Jason Sudeikis inspire and charm us all in the amazing Ted Lasso series. Speaking of which, my fiancée has just bought me a Ted Lasso Build-a-Bear and I am sorry but I must state that this thing is cute as fudge! It has no right to be this adorable! My sweet Teddy Lasso! Anyway, aside from that, Apple TV+... What is it good for? That’s what I’m discovering, hence why I recently watched the Shrinking show and the Tetris movie. All enjoyable in their own right and feel free to browse my reviews on those earlier on this blog. Yep, that was some shameless self-marketing, and I could not care less. As for my next Apple venture, I have just finished watching Hello Tomorrow!, the season finale of which has just aired, and naturally here I am, your humble servant, talking about my thoughts on the project at hand.

Hello Tomorrow! brings us a retro futuristic world of the 1960s that has been upgraded with very helpful robots that for once aren’t trying to take over the world like in the recent Atomic Heart video game, but instead are only in the background, and more so this is a show about hope and opportunity and dreams. Or at least the single idea of this, as what we have is actually a bunch of con-artists trying to sell to a bunch of gullible simpletons the dream of living in a luxury residence on the moon. Not that I personally see anything appealing about living on the moon, as the grey desert landscape seem to be pretty dull of a locale to look at when walking out of your bedroom onto the balcony, yet these folks seem intent on wanting to go there. Each to their own I guess. Then again this does seem like yet another interpretation on the fabled American Dream - the idea all poor and desperate do their best to strive to, but in turn never reach. In a nutshell we have ourselves a sci-fi critique of capitalism wrapped in a tailored 60s suit. Does it work? Not always. At 10 episodes long, the show does fall into a sense of repetition where we discover early on that the entire idea of living on the moon is all a con, so the show then lingers with the whole ‘will they/won’t they get caught’ case, but without much resolution until the final episode that does offer a multitude of cliff-hangers, evidently in hope of another season renewal. However judging at how Hello Tomorrow! isn’t present on Apple TV+’s Top 10 charts I’m sensing said renewal is very questionable.

The cast are all superb and what make the show so watchable. Billy Crudup’s Jack is simply dripping with pools of charisma and charm as the main salesman and the brains behind the operation. With his wide smile and dapper suits, Crudup is totally believable as a businessman who would totally get folks to belief in this unbelievable dream. Yet his colourful sales team is worth a mention too. Haneefah Wood is immensely likeable as the straight headed righthand woman Shirley, and one that would fit right at home in the offices of Glengarry Glen Ross, where Alec Baldwin would proclaim proudly those famous sales words: “always be closing!”. Dewshane Williams is the ambitious Herb, who is so idiotic and under his wife’s leash that he may secretly just be a genius. And Hank Azaria rounds up the sales team with his usual offbeat persona. Then there’s Nicholas Podany as Jack’s long lost son who gets corrupted by Jack’s sleazy teachings, and their estranged father-son relationship being at the heart of this show. Jacki Weaver pops up in a couple of episodes too as Jack’s wisecracking mother, and Weaver is always a weirdly energetic presence.

Look, Hello Tomorrow! doesn’t break any new ground. Its yet another show about con-men conning innocent gullible people, only in this case the retro setting adds more flair and style to the proceedings. The entire show honestly rides on Billy Crudup’s charismatic lead performance. He’s a sleazebag from beginning to end, yet he manages to convincingly be devilishly likeable and sympathetic, so much so that he manages to get himself lost in his own lie of this ridiculous dream. His Cheshire cat-like grin brings out the ‘character you love to hate’ type, yet one you’re happy to go on this journey with. Jack is a liar and a cheat, but he’s also a dreamer. And in a show that’s all about reaching for the stars, that’s all too relatable.

Overall score: 6/10

#hello tomorrow! #billy crudup #apple tv+ #Apple TV #apple #streaming #hello tomorrow #comedy #drama #hank azaria #allison pill #jacki weaver #nicholas podany #haneefah wood #matthew maher #science fiction #retro #amit bhalla #lucas jansen #dewshane williams #tv show #tv series #2023 #2023 in tv #reach s club 7 #hello tomorrow review #hello tomorrow! season 1 #dreamer #con men #glengarry glen ross

[peacehopeandrats]

Monster in the Storm - Chapter 6

Fandom: Once Upon a Time (TV)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Belle/Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold

Characters: Belle (Once Upon a Time), Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold, Gideon (Once Upon a Time), Original Characters

Additional Tags: Angst, Implied/Referenced Domestic Violence, casual nudity, A Monthly Rumbelling (Once Upon a Time), A Monthly Rumbelling March 2020 (Once Upon a Time), Missing Years, Travel, Family

Series: Part 2 of Rumbelling Shorts, Part 5 of Growing Up

Summary: Inspired by the March Monthly Rumbelling. The Golds have moved into a new town home and Gideon meets a young girl who convinces him that their fathers are more alike than he could ever have imagined. The problem is, only one of them is the real “monster” and Gideon needs help to see the truth. An eventual chapter of Growing Up.

This is complete to a point, but will be expanded on as the next parts of the Growing Up series are worked on. For now, it is only the very beginning, though there WILL be resolution for Gideon’s new friend.

Please note warnings for implication of domestic violence (NOT related to the Golds) and casual nudity (which IS related to the Golds).

Read previous chapters on AO3

Monster in the Storm - Chapter 6

“Surprised you didn’t break anything falling down those steps the way you did." The medic's voice was soft in Rumple’s ear, contrasting the sharp sting of antiseptic that was being used on his cheek.

Rumple released a disinterested snort, one he hadn't used since before the final battle. “Maybe I’m immortal.”

"Immortals can still break bones," the man said. "At least in most of the stuff I've seen. But who knows? Maybe that's the stuff of Hollywood legends." He winked before removing his hands from the wound, leaving Rumple free to turn back to the house and take in the chaos around him.

Only three police cars had arrived, along with this ambulance, but it seemed as if ten men had come in each vehicle. Officers were everywhere; on the porch with their assailant, in the house with Belle and the others, even standing around in the rain. Everyone was talking to someone except for the two standing guard over John. That pair, a man and a woman, had been looming over the drunk since he’d been pulled from the bush and deposited on one of the porch chairs. Like gargoyles at night, they looked out from the corner of the Golds' porch, as if expecting some sort of rescue operation to be attempted.

Read more on AO3

#rumbelle #angst #Implied/Referenced Domestic Violence #casual nudity #missing years #family #travel #a monthly rumbelling march 2020 #a monthly rumbelling

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Heat Stress on the Great Barrier Reef

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has been hit by widespread coral bleaching caused by heat stress, government officials confirmed on March 8, 2024. This is the fifth mass bleaching of the reef since 2016.

Aerial surveys of over 300 reefs conducted by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which monitors the health of the coral, found bleaching in shallow water areas spanning two-thirds of the reef.

“The results of the aerial survey and the coral bleaching that we are seeing are consistent with the patterns of heat stress that have been building over the reef over the summer months,” said Roger Beeden, chief scientist at the reef authority.

The Great Barrier Reef lies off the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia. It is one of the richest and most biodiverse natural ecosystems on Earth. Spread across 346,000 square kilometers (134,000 square miles) of the Coral Sea, it comprises 2,500 individual reefs and more than 900 islands.

Bleaching events are caused by sustained, warmer-than-average ocean temperatures. Corals have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae known as zooxanthellae, which provide the coral polyps with nutrients as well as their bright colors. Heat stress causes the corals to expel the zooxanthellae, leaving the skeletal structures with a “bleached” appearance.

A common metric used to assess the risk to coral reefs from high water temperature is the number of weeks that sea surface temperatures have exceeded the mean monthly maximum temperature by 1 degree Celsius. Significant coral bleaching may occur after 4 weeks of elevated temperatures, and severe, widespread coral bleaching is likely after 8 such weeks. As of early March, parts of the reef had been exposed to between 8 and 10 hotter-than-normal weeks, according to the reef authority.

The map above shows sea surface temperature anomalies off the coast of eastern Australia on March 4, 2024. It is based on data from the MUR SST (Multi-scale Ultra-high Resolution Sea Surface Temperature) project, an effort by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) that blends measurements of sea surface temperatures from multiple NASA, NOAA, and international satellites, as well as ship and buoy observations. Rather than showing absolute temperature, the anomaly reflects the difference between the sea surface temperature on March 4, 2024, and the 2003-2014 average for that day.

Previous mass bleaching events on the reef occurred in 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2022. According to the Australian Institute of Marine Science, “Prior to these years, there is no evidence of such widespread events in the Great Barrier Reef’s 500-year coral record history.”

During the latter half of 2023 and beginning of 2024, trade winds in the Pacific Ocean relaxed, allowing warm water from the western Pacific to push into the eastern Pacific—a phenomenon known as El Niño. This pattern, on top of human-caused climate change, has driven global average sea surface temperatures to record highs for the past 10 months. However, the relationship between El Niño and sea surface temperatures off the coast of eastern Australia is a bit more complicated.

“Sea surface temperatures during El Niño and La Niña events act a bit like a seesaw,” said Josh Willis, a climate scientist at JPL. “When ocean temperatures during an El Niño are higher in the eastern Pacific, they’re typically lower in the western Pacific.”

Research has found that patterns in large-scale ocean circulation and climate change alone do not fully explain trends in sea surface temperatures and bleaching in the Coral Sea. Rather, weather patterns during El Niño events have historically suppressed the Australian summer monsoon, resulting in reduced cloud cover and higher-than-average air temperatures. These conditions play a big role in determining temperatures in the Coral Sea and the extent and location of coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef.

NASA Earth Observatory image by Michala Garrison, using data from the MUR SST (Multi-scale Ultra-high Resolution Sea Surface Temperature) project and reef information from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). Story by Emily Cassidy.

#science #space #news #nasa #earth observatory

[maxlendmoney]

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Financials

As the ball drops into 2023, you may be looking for some resolutions aimed at getting a handle on your financials. If 2020 showed us anything, it’s that life comes at you fast. You need to always be prepared for the unexpected. Being responsible with your money and applying good financial habits into everyday life will help you be prepared for whatever comes your way. We at MaxLend have outlined a few excellent financial habits to follow through with to help stick with those New Year’s resolutions.

Financial New Year's Resolutions

Ring in the new year by setting yourself up financially for years to come. Here are just a few ideas on how to save money this year.

Keep Better Track of Your Money

Through life’s busy days, it can be difficult to keep track of all the purchases you make. Whether it’s an accidental binge buy or the unused subscription to the streaming service, it might be time to sit down and look at where your money is coming in and heading out.

It wouldn’t hurt to put aside time and look over your monthly bank statements, as well. This will give you an idea of your spending habits, where you could cut back spending, and possibly track down a fraudulent charge to your account that you might’ve missed otherwise.

Pay Bills on Time

To keep a strong credit history, it’s important to pay your bills in a timely manner. This goes past your credit card bill. If you are feeling lazy about paying your rent and utilities, the late dues may be reported to collections, affecting your credit score. Most companies offer automated payments, making it simpler to pay your bills and not get behind.

Take Advantage of Pretax Benefits

If you use pretax benefits, your gross income will look as if it’s lower than it actually is. As we know, less income means fewer taxes. You may be able to get pretax benefits on products like health insurance, 401k, transportation, etc.

If you are falling behind in your financials, you may be able to obtain money loans or cash loans online from a reputable lender. At MaxLend, we offer short-term installment loans: loans you can pay back in installments, rather than in one lump sum as you would if you opted for a traditional payday loan.

For more information on how you can obtain online loans, contact MaxLend at 877-936-4336, or apply for cash online today.

Source:

*Same Day Funding is available on business days where pre-approval, eSignature of the loan

agreement and completion of the confirmation call, if a call is required, have occurred by 11:45

a.m. Eastern Time and a customer elects ACH as payment method. Customers who complete

this process by 1:30 p.m. Eastern on business days may still receive funds on the same day, but

some banks may not disburse the funds until the next business day. Other restrictions may

apply. Certain financial institutions do not support same day funded transactions. When Same

Day Funding is not available, funding will occur the next business day.

The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not professional financial advice. MaxLend does not assume responsibility for information given. All information should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to readers to determine if this information is safe and suitable for their own situations.

MaxLend, is a sovereign enterprise, an economic development arm and instrumentality of, and wholly-owned and controlled by, the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, a federally-recognized sovereign American Indian Tribe. (the “Tribe”). This means that MaxLend’s loan products are provided by a sovereign government and the proceeds of our business fund governmental services for Tribe citizens. This also means that MaxLend is not subject to suit or service of process. Rather, MaxLend is regulated by the Tribe. If you do business with MaxLend, your potential forums for dispute resolution will be limited to those available under Tribal law and your loan agreement. As more specifically set forth in MaxLend’s contracts, these forums include an informal but affordable and efficient Tribal dispute resolution, or individual arbitration before a neutral arbitrator. Otherwise, MaxLend is not subject to suit or service of process. Nothing in this website is intended to waive or otherwise prejudice MaxLend’s entitlement to these protections. Neither MaxLend nor the Tribe has waived its sovereign immunity in connection with any claims relative to use of this website. If you are not comfortable doing business with sovereign instrumentality that cannot be sued in court, you should discontinue use of this website.

#Loans #Savings #PersonalLoan #MaxLend #PaydayLoanAlternative

[johngoncalves]

Empowering Ward 1: John Goncalves Drives Progress and Community Well-being

Providence, R.I., May 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- City Councilman John Goncalves (D-Ward 1) has officially announced his candidacy for re-election to represent Providence's Ward 1. This vibrant district encompasses Fox Point, College Hill, Wayland Square, the Jewelry District, and Downtown Providence.

Goncalves, a dedicated resident of Ward 1 for almost three decades, brings a wealth of experience to the table. He is a proud product of Providence public schools, holding a B.A. and a Master's degree from Brown University.

In his role as City Councilman, Goncalves has been deeply involved in addressing community concerns. His hands-on approach has resulted in the successful resolution of numerous constituent service issues. Moreover, he has actively contributed to legislation, spearheading more than 70 pieces. Currently, Goncalves serves as the Chairman of the Council's Committee on State Legislative Affairs.

Beyond his political responsibilities, Goncalves is a passionate educator and community advocate. His efforts in education, environmental justice, and neighborhood quality of life have earned him recognition, including being named Providence Monthly's "Who To Watch" in 2020. Notably, he led the formation of the Providence Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, fostering collaboration to tackle shared challenges.

Having previously served as an educator in Minnesota, Goncalves brings a diverse skill set to his political career. His involvement in various political campaigns, including key roles in City Council, Mayoral, Attorney General, and Senate races, reflects his commitment to public service.

Goncalves remains dedicated to championing the well-being of Ward 1. His focus includes advocating for taxpayers, improving resident services, strengthening Providence public education, promoting affordable housing, championing environmental justice, and advocating for women and LGBTQIA+ rights. Additionally, his vision involves fostering smart economic development that enhances the quality of life for children, families, and seniors in Ward 1 and throughout Providence.

As John Goncalves embarks on this re-election campaign, his commitment to community-first governance and progress remains unwavering. The future he envisions is one of inclusivity, development, and an improved quality of life for all in Ward 1 and the City of Providence.

#JohnGoncalves #CouncilmanJohnGoncalves

[themarketinsights]

Stock Footage Software Market Will Hit Big Revenues In Future | Biggest Opportunity Of 2023

Latest released the research study on Global Stock Footage Software Market, offers a detailed overview of the factors influencing the global business scope. Stock Footage Software Market research report shows the latest market insights, current situation analysis with upcoming trends and breakdown of the products and services. The report provides key statistics on the market status, size, share, growth factors of the Stock Footage Software The study covers emerging player’s data, including: competitive landscape, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are Getty Images, Inc. (United States), Filmsupply (United States), Clipstill (United States), Vimeo, Inc. (United States), 123RF Limited (United States), Adobe Inc. (United States), Dissolve Inc. (Canada), Shutterstock, Inc. (United States), Pond5 (United States), Storyblocks (United States)

Free Sample Report + All Related Graphs & Charts @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/153539-global-stock-footage-software-market?utm_source=Organic&utm_medium=Vinay

Stock Footage Software Market Definition:

Stock footage software and websites are repositories of licenced video that can be used for free or for a charge in other media. Stock footage is frequently utilised as a visual supplement to other content in marketing collateral and news media. Licenses for media use elsewhere are available from stock footage sources. Stock footage is pre-filmed footage that may be acquired and utilised in a range of projects and films. It is also known as stock video or B-roll. Stock footage can be licenced, saving filmmakers the time and money required to capture original material. Growth in the media and advertising industries, for example, has facilitated demand for Stock Footages for professional use.

Market Trend:

Emergence of AI Enabled Stock Footage Platforms

Market Drivers:

Growth in Media and Advertisement Industry

High-Cost Expenses of Footage Shoot

Market Opportunities:

Increasing Adoption Among Individuals and Freelance Artists

The Global Stock Footage Software Market segments and Market Data Break Down are illuminated below:

by Revenue Model (Ad-Based, Subscription Based), End Use (Individual, Commercial), Deployment (Cloud-Based, Web-Based), Duration (Monthly, Annually), Resolution (4k, HD, SD)

Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa

Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc.

Enquire for customization in Report @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/153539-global-stock-footage-software-market?utm_source=Organic&utm_medium=Vinay

Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Stock Footage Software Market:

Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Stock Footage Software market

Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary – the basic information of the Stock Footage Software Market.

Chapter 3: Displayingthe Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Stock Footage Software

Chapter 4: Presenting the Stock Footage Software Market Factor Analysis Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis.

Chapter 5: Displaying market size by Type, End User and Region 2015-2020

Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Stock Footage Software market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile

Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries (2021-2026).

Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source

Finally, Stock Footage Software Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies in decision framework.

Data Sources & Methodology The primary sources involves the industry experts from the Global Stock Footage Software Market including the management organizations, processing organizations, analytics service providers of the industry’s value chain. All primary sources were interviewed to gather and authenticate qualitative & quantitative information and determine the future prospects.

In the extensive primary research process undertaken for this study, the primary sources – Postal Surveys, telephone, Online & Face-to-Face Survey were considered to obtain and verify both qualitative and quantitative aspects of this research study. When it comes to secondary sources Company's Annual reports, press Releases, Websites, Investor Presentation, Conference Call transcripts, Webinar, Journals, Regulators, National Customs and Industry Associations were given primary weight-age.

For Early Buyers | Get Up to 20% Discount on This Premium Report: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/request-discount/153539-global-stock-footage-software-market?utm_source=Organic&utm_medium=Vinay

What benefits does AMA research study is going to provide?

Latest industry influencing trends and development scenario

Open up New Markets

To Seize powerful market opportunities

Key decision in planning and to further expand market share

Identify Key Business Segments, Market proposition & Gap Analysis

Assisting in allocating marketing investments

Definitively, this report will give you an unmistakable perspective on every single reality of the market without a need to allude to some other research report or an information source. Our report will give all of you the realities about the past, present, and eventual fate of the concerned Market.

Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Southeast Asia.

Contact Us:

Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA – 08837

[messengerfollower]

Wallpaper Mega Pack (2014-2020)

Six years of monthly wallpapers, plus a few bonuses! Most of these are in 1920×1080 resolution, though some of the older “throwback” images are smaller. Also available from: itch.io Ko-Fi Patreon

View On WordPress

[kymmiejournals]

2020-2021 Digital Dark Dated Planner + Stickers by Kamipi

This post contains affiliate links. If you take action (i.e. make a purchase) after clicking my affiliate links, I’ll probably earn a few bucks which will help keep this website running or just to buy a cup of coffee. You know I only recommend products that I actually use, love and trust, right?

Hey lovely,

Let's talk about black-colored pages or planners, have you tried to use one?

I remember way back in high school, I used to write with a gold glittered-gel pen on black paper whenever I send love letters to my friends and even to my crush! The contrast of colors makes it pop and creates this classy vibe. I also made some doodles of constellations or galaxy and it's super fun and enjoyable! 

In today's post, the 2020-2021 Mid-Year Digital Dated Planner in Dark mode by Kamipi shop has lots to offer, including stickers in 6 different hues. What sets this planner apart is the texture of the digital paper used, it's not just your typical black paper. This planner includes hyperlinked tabs for easy navigation between Yearly, Quarterly, Monthly, Weekly, Daily and other detailed spreads, plus a master index page to access different trackers, subjects and layouts. Dated from July 2020 - June 2021, perfect for students who started the semester late due to pandemic.

Tools and Resources

Any note-taking app (ex. Goodnotes or Noteshelf, etc.)

iPad 2019 7th Gen (10.2”)

Apple Pencil 1st Gen

Replace your Apple Pencil tips

Paperlike matte screen protector

Details

1 High-Resolution Planner PDF with 450+ pages (Monday start)

1 Goodnotes Sticker file which includes pre-cropped stickers

6 PNG transparent Full Sticker page for cropping to be used for other projects

252 PNG transparent individual cropped sticker images

2020/2021 Digital Dark Dated Planner

Cover

Perfect for minimalists or those who like to keep things simple.

Master Index

An easy way to access different Planning templates and Notes layouts.

2020-2021 Calendar

A full view on the mid-year calendar. The months and numbers are clickable to Monthly, Weekly and Daily.

2020-2021 Key Dates

The months are clickable to the Monthly page. This is where you can summarize the whole mid-year, you can either use color blocks to track your appointments or draw symbols to mark your tasks or activities.

Quarterly Overview

3 boxes arranged per quarter that is clickable to each month.

Subjects

There are 5 individual dividers to set your subjects or categories.

Notes

Different templates that you can duplicate and use. The Notes consists of:

Lined

Dot

Graph

Cornell

Legal

Two Column

Four Column

Blank

Planning

This section offers different layouts and tracking for your:

Finances

Project Planner

Meeting Notes

Lists

Password Tracker

Birthday

Grocery List

Meal Planner

My Goals

Mood Tracker

Habit Trackers (2 formats)

Workout Log

Project Time Planner

Travel Planner

Monthly

A page perfect for planning the whole month ahead. Each box is clickable to their respective Daily page, while the numbers on the left side are clickable to Weekly. You will also have access to the Summary page.

Summary

This page is for specific activities for the whole month, you can write your To Do's, Goals, Important Dates, track your target Habit and so much more.

Weekly

This includes time blocks that are perfect to track your schedule for the whole week.

Daily

A more specific page dedicated for the whole day. You can transfer the schedule from the Weekly page to this and list all top priorities and tasks.

Bonus: Stickers

250+ High-Resolution Stickers (Pre-cropped PNG in a separate Goodnotes file) in a real texture look with 6 different hues:

Beige

Pink

Blue

Yellow

Green

Light Blue

Links

Kamipi on Instagram

Kamipi on Etsy

Notes

This post is not sponsored nor paid by Kamipi, I am only reviewing products that I use and love [know more]

The fonts and graphics used are separate purchases and not included in the planner

feedback

What do you love most about this digital planner?

Any questions or suggestions about this blog post?

Get access to Freebie Library!

#note-taking #productivity

[benevolent-blackhole]

April

My monthly update on New Year's resolution to read 4 books a month (at least one novel and 2 nonfiction) and listen to two new or at least new-to-me albums.

I did it, but didn't get ahead/make up for getting behind in February yet.

Nonfiction:

The Seduction of Youth: Print Culture the Homosexual Rights' Movement in the Weimar Republic- Javier Samper Vendrell (2020)

The Lives of Jessie Sampter: Queer, Disabled, Zionist- Sarah Imhoff (2022)

The Queer Child: Or Growing Up Sideways- Kathryn Stockton (2004)

Fiction:

Hangsaman- Shirley Jackson (1951)

Albums:

The Record- boygenius (2023)

First Two Pages of Frankenstein-the National (2023)

Favorites: "Letter to an Old Poet" (boygenius) is probably my Song of the Year so far, and also loved "Cool About It", and from the National, "Once Upon a Poolside" and "The Alcott". (and also the lead singles from both albums, but those came out earlier, so).

I actually did not love any of the books I read this month. I actively hated The Queer Child to the point that I more than a little judge everyone who told me I had to read it to write about queer people...

#2023 books and music

[un-mediaseminar-blog]

Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Cheikh Niang Chair of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and Permanent Representative of Senegal to the United Nations

2022 International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East 

3-4 November 2022, Geneva

Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Let me start by commending the Department of Global Communications for organizing this year's International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East. 

In May this year, the world watched in shock as global news networks showed footage from the funeral of Shireen Abu Akleh, Al-Jazeera's veteran correspondent. The killing of Shireen was not only an outrageous act but an attack on the freedom of the media and the independence of journalists, who play a crucial role in reporting conflicts, seeking truth, and telling the stories of victims. 

Journalists must be protected to carry out their work and media freedom should be defended. As legacy media and social media technologies advance, so too must our communication strategies to responsibly and effectively harness their power. 

The Committee has a mandate from the UN General Assembly to raise awareness and advocate for a solution to the question of Palestine. Through outreach efforts with the Member States, including members of the Middle East Quartet and the Security Council, the Committee advocates for the implementation of the international consensus based on two States, Israel and Palestine, living sideby-side in peace and security within the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.

The Committee faces many challenges, including that of countering misinformation on the question of Palestine. Working with media professionals is an integral element of our work because the media���s accurate and reliable reporting keeps us abreast of developments and informs our decisions. 

Let me mention just a few of the outreach strategies utilized by our Committee to implement its mandate. We manage the United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine (UNISPAL), which is the world's largest online repository of documents on the question of Palestine from 1917 to the present. The website has received over 2.6 million pageviews since 2020. The collection contains over 40,000 current and historical United Nations documents on the question of Palestine and the search for peace, with growing content in all official UN languages. I invite you to utilize this unique resource in your research and reporting. 

The Committee's social media include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and a YouTube channels through which we disseminate information and reach target audiences across the globe. Our high-profile virtual events this year discussed crucial issues such as apartheid and international law, the impact of Israeli settlements on Palestinian rights, Palestinian youth in East Jerusalem, and the effects of forced displacement on Palestinian women. All these activities were livecast on UNTV and social media, and can be accessed on our website. We implemented a three-month advocacy campaign to mobilize diplomatic, donor, and public support for UNRWA, raising awareness about the Agency’s crucial work. 

The Committee's secretariat, the Division for Palestinian Rights, prepares and disseminates periodic publications, including quarterly newsletters, monthly bulletins, weekly NGO Action News , annual compilations of all UN resolutions and reports issued by UN entities on the question of Palestine. We also cooperate with civil society, organize the annual observance of the International Day of  Solidarity with the Palestinian People, and use social media platforms to advocate for a just solution to the conflict. I would like to invite you to join our mailing list, follow us on Twitter and to visit our webpage regularly (un.org/UNISPAL)

Despite our collective efforts, there is barely adequate coverage of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in international media. Attention keeps shifting to other conflicts or only to some aspects of the conflict, ignoring the efforts of millions of Palestinians to live a life of dignity. The COVID-19 pandemic overshadowed the grave violations of human rights occurring daily in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, UNRWA's severe funding crisis, and the need for sustainable and inclusive economic recovery that improves the livelihoods of all Palestinians.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Modern technology has profoundly impacted how we communicate. It has allowed us to maintain closer contact with our constituencies and cultivate relationships with new audiences. More than at any other moment in our history, credible and innovative young journalists have the best possible tools available to analyze events and report on them to broad audiences.

Simultaneously, a ferocious battle is waged across various social media platforms over what is known as "fake news" or "hate speech." The mix of digital technology, unscrupulous politics, stifling of dissent, and commercial exploitation of new communications platforms highlights the need for revised communications strategies and ethics framework to rebuild public trust in journalism and media. We also need more effective communicators, skilled at crafting clear and concise messages which resonate with domestic and international audiences.

The provision of accurate information about a conflict is a priority, and maintaining a culture of professional journalism is crucial. For this reason, on 25- 26 July 2022, the Committee organized a two-day Communication Strategy  Workshop for media and PR officials of the Government of the State of Palestine. The workshop taught topics such as strategic thinking, understanding the audience, developing key messages, and delivering meaningful communications with target audiences, including how to interact with the media.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Committee advocates for a resolution of the question of Palestine based on an end to the Israeli occupation and a two-State solution. The Committee will remain a reliable partner of the media – including you - in the pursuit of the full realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including self-determination and independence.

What we want for the Palestinian people is exactly what we want for any of our own people – a life of peace, justice, and dignity. I look forward to the support of the media in this endeavor and wish the seminar all success. 

Thank you. 

[pioneeringpsychonaut]

Where to begin?

I am the type who likes to dive headfirst into a project, riding the momentum of inspiration before it's lost. I am also the type who likes to revise, edit, and fuss before sharing anything that I've produced with the world. I contain multitudes.

For this product, I've decided to embrace my dualities: to freewrite, and to publish, to indulge and to refine. I've struggled with journaling since early 2020, but perhaps this foray into the digital will prove more habit-forming.

Today is January 30th, not quite the last day of the first month of 2023. The new year tends to inspire me to reflect on the past and inspire me towards growth for the future. I've indulged in the small steps towards vague resolutions; over the past month, I've eaten healthier (generally), worked out more (some), spent less money (thank goodness), made a point to be kinder in my words and thoughts to those around me (successfully), and begun, once again to explore mindfulness.

So here we are.

This chapter in my life began almost two years ago. As is the stereotype of my generation, I feel as though I have one foot firmly planted in the world of adulthood and another lingering in adolescence. I consistently amaze myself with how responsible I am in handling auto maintenance, healthcare, and finances (my 2022 are already filed--a triumph!), and I also am thrilled to discover small ways to bring childlike joy and wonder into this chapter: through deep friendships, exploring dance and play, taking naps when I need them, and making time each summer to sit naked on the beach and play in the sand.

I tend to honor a theme each year. It's not so much chosen as it is presented to me, but it's simultaneously reflected in lessons learned through experience, and through intentional personal growth. 2020 was the year of grief, 2021 the year of pleasure. 2022 was a tricky one, and perhaps my failure to define a pattern is what made it harder to endure; it may have been a year of resilience, or of tolerance, or of patience. This year, I hope, is a year of healing.

One way or another, this year will bring changes. I intend to return to school in the fall, and I am currently neglecting my scholarship applications to write this essay. Already this year, I have questioned my relationship with family, with gender, with spirituality. And so we return to the basics. To eating well, sleeping regularly, and moving my body. To practicing communication and consumption with intention. To reading and writing and studying. To gratitude.

I don't have any particular goals for this blog or this space except to try it on for size. I imagine I will journal here, and experiment with fiction, and I hope to post lists of gratitude, at least monthly. I'm not seeking fame or following, but I am curious about connecting with other writers and thinkers online. Hopefully, I will not leave this one post suspended, lonely and unfulfilled, like so many of the mostly-blank journals in my closet upstairs. To be determined.

#writing #journal #journal entry #journaling #writblr #january 2023