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springdandelixn · 1 year

Text

With Flying Colors

Summary: Your excitement about being an intern at Stark Industries turns into a nightmare you weren’t prepared for.

Warnings: 18+ content, noncon, unprotected sex, bondage, manipulation, age gap (reader is legal), power imbalance, some use of drugs, reader is smart af but also painfully oblivious, not all things that glitter are gold.

Characters: Dark!Professor!Tony Stark x F!Reader

A/N: This fic is my entry to @ironlady1993‘s I love you 3000 dark! writing challenge 2022. I’ve chosen the trope Professor/Student with Tony and F!Reader. It has been such a joy to write this and to write Tony once again. Also tagging one of my babies, @fictive-sl0th

p.s. Belated Happy Birthday to you, my dear.

Side note: The Avengers do not exist in this universe—yet.

As always, your feedback is highly appreciated and reblogs would be amazing. And of course, I hope you guys enjoy! ❤️

“See me after class.”

You swallow thickly and nod at Professor Stark’s words when he passes you, your head bowed down as embarrassment and nervousness mix within your veins for you’re the only one who hasn’t gotten their final paper back. You try to peek up, seeing the array of frowns and smiles on your classmates’ faces while they stare at their thesis, and you don’t understand why yours was singled out.

Seeing the professor after class, especially with Professor Stark, was never a good sign. You’ve once seen Maya run out of the lecture hall before, crying after he gave such detailed comments on her essay during the midterm exam. And you don’t doubt that you’re the next in line to receive the brunt of his tactlessness.

But you know to yourself that you’ve done your research right. You’ve cited all your resources at the back of the page and made a thorough review of all the points you’ve made about Vibranium. Yes, it was a big leap for a simple engineering student to study but you were confident with your work, and passionate even about how such an element can reshape the future.

So you just don’t understand why he hasn’t returned your paper.

“For those who passed, don’t forget that if you wish to enroll in my advanced class for senior year, application forms can be found on the school’s website.” Your professor calls as he makes his way back to the front. “And to those of you who have failed, forget about seeing me for re-dos or considerations. My office will be closed for such nonsense because my decision is final. Dismissed.”

Sighs of resignation resound throughout the room as the students pack their things and file out. You stuff your laptop back in your bag and stand, eyes looking at the door then over at Professor Stark while he stacks a couple of papers in his hand and stows them in his briefcase. You swallow thickly and make your way to the front, wishing to be one of the students to be leaving, closing up the chapter of this course.

You stand beside a desk at the front and wait for your professor at his table, hands fiddling in the pocket of your hoodie and feet anxiously shuffling against the tiled floor. There’s a subtle smile on Professor Stark’s face when he glances up at you, waiting for the door to close before he faces you completely, the grin turning full on his lips.

“Please, sit.”

You do.

He rounds his desk and leans against the edge, a file in his hands, the pages flipping against his fingers. You gulp hard, a nervous tick you’ve grown to have, when he looks at you once again, and you look down at the desk of the seat when he places the folder atop it.

“You might be wondering why I asked to speak with you.” He starts and you simply nod in response, the questions you wanted to ask dying on your tongue. “Well, I’m not here to scold you, if that’s what you’re worried about. In fact, I’m here to praise you.”

“I—I’m sorry?”

“Your paper, sweetheart, was the best one out of the entire class.” He nods towards the folder on the desk and you startle. Slowly, you open it up, and your eyes grow wide when you see the mark written in red at the top right corner.

You’re lost for words.

“You passed. More than that, you got a perfect mark.” You hear his smile and you can’t help but feel the corners of your lips slowly lift. You got a perfect mark! “Your research on how vibranium can reshape the future was very riveting.” He praises. “All your notes and the detailed analysis you constructed to make it respond to brain waves just blew my mind.” You look up at him, a wide smile now kissing your lips.

“I—I thought it was mediocre at best.” You confess. “I didn’t think—”

“But you did, sweetheart, and a lot of it.” He chuckles, his arms crossing over his chest and his head tilting to the side as he looks at you. “Although that’s not why I asked for you to see me.”

You blink, confusion filling your senses. Why else would he want to speak with you?

“Have you gotten a chance to find a place for your internship?” He asks.

You shake your head.

“Why not?”

“I’m only a junior, professor. I was hoping to get one next year.”

“But you are aware you can get one even as a junior, right?” He looks at you expectantly and you nod once again. “Perfect! How would you like to do a summer internship at Stark Industries? I could really use someone like you.” He beams and you gawk at him in disbelief. “Of course, it will be paid.” He starts once more. “The company offers its employees free meals for the day and some recreation to let off some steam from work. We can even provide for your lodging since the campus is pretty far from the company and it would save you some time from the New York rush.”

Did he just offer you an internship at his company? Stark Industries is known to be one of the leading technology companies in the world, which your professor owns, and he’s personally offering you a slot within his ranks. This couldn’t be real.

“T—That’s very generous of you Mr. Stark.” You fumble, the nervousness from earlier having already seeped out from your bones, leaving you stunned yet excited at the opportunity that is being presented to you. “I don’t know what to say, professor.”

“You can start by saying ‘Thank you, Mr. Stark.’ and end with ‘I would gladly accept your offer.’” He chuckles and you can’t help but mimic him, amused at his tenacity.

You want to think about it, to weigh the options you have in your hand. But you don’t really have anything to consider, you haven’t even begun looking for an internship. Yet, your professor is already offering you one, probably even the best one, and would you really turn away from the window? Out of all the students in his class, he chose you. Not Brandon who is a super fan of his work or even Alyssa who’s basically a show-off just to grab your professor’s attention. You.

And working for Stark Industries would no doubt boost your chances of finding another company that’s equally respectable. A big stepping stone to set your career on becoming an engineer on its course.

“Thank you, Mr. Stark.” You echo, a soft smile on your lips. “I would gladly accept your offer.”

“Beautiful.” Professor Stark grins, pushing himself away from the desk and walking back behind it to gather his things. You stand, all the same, picking up the folder with your thesis and tucking it between your arms and chest. “I’ll give the go signal to our HR and have them email you the details for your first day.”

“Thank you again, professor.” You thank him once more, feeling elated at the sudden turn of events.

He snaps his briefcase close and faces you. “No. Thank you, sweetheart. I can’t wait for you to join us.” He says, finishing off with a wink, chuckling at the playful act before walking with him out of the lecture hall.

A sigh of relief leaves your lips when you haul the final box into your new apartment. You weren’t really planning on taking up Professor Stark’s offer of free lodging but after being almost 30 minutes late on your first day and struggling to get into the subway during the rush hour, you caved and took on the perk, giving up your slot in the campus dormitories and packing up your things, never to see the cramped box space again.

And after seeing how spacious the provided lodging was during the tour on your first day; a two-bedroom unit with an open-concept kitchen attached to the living room, the master’s complete with an en-suite and a walk-in closet and even a balcony that oversees the New York skyline, you mentally cursed yourself for not agreeing immediately.

You could have saved all the time you used for moving and focused on your tasks in the company. Though you’re thankful for Professor Stark’s aid; giving you a couple of days off to pack and hiring movers to help you, though you couldn’t help but feel too indebted to him. Offering you the job and then helping you move, you’ll just have to pay it off by working extra hard on your internship. Prove to him that all the decisions he's made so far with you are worth it.

You close the door and begin unpacking the last box; some textbooks and sentimental memorabilia to decorate the shelves in the living room. You place a photo of your mom and dad on the side table at the end of the couch, a small smile playing on your lips as you think of how proud they would be of you once you tell them of your latest achievement.

One by one, you slide the books into place and stop short when you hear a knock on the door. Sitting the stack in your hand on the coffee table, you make your way to the front room and look through the peephole, your brows furrowing when you see a tall, stout man with curly hair, donning a tuxedo, on the other side, a bottle of, what you suspect to be, champagne in one hand and a bouquet in the other.

Who’s that? You ask yourself and let out a breath, unlocking the door and poking your head through the open space, blinking up at the stranger.

“Can I help you?” You ask.

He doesn’t respond, simply looking at you with a stoic expression yet his eyes seem to be judging you all the same. You want to close the door and hide but you don’t want to be rude either. Just when you’re about to ask once more what he needed, he holds out the flowers and the bottle to you.

“I’m sorry but you must have the wrong—”

“Compliments from Mr. Stark.” The man interjects, voice monotone and expressionless.

“Oh. Okay.” You say. Stunned. You take the gifts from his hold and your eyebrows knit in confusion when the man turns and leaves without another word, giving your thanks to the air instead.

You close the door with your foot and walk over to the kitchen to drop the items on the counter. The bottle, as you guessed, is champagne, and not the cheap kind either as you eye the label. Don Perignon. And the flowers, there seem to be almost two dozen roses in the bundle, leaning over and taking in its fragrance. Fresh.

You pick up the card nestled in the petals, carefully flipping it open, and recognizing the cursive letters of your professor’s handwriting.

‘Sorry I wasn’t there to welcome you on your first day, sweetheart. But rest assured I will be present to officially welcome you to the company. Have a glass of champagne for me. —T.’

You knew your professor came from old money—the history of Stark Industries is no secret to the public—but you never imagined he’d spend such things on you, one of his measly students in the university. And yet what lays before you is a piece of his wealth and you feel a slight sense of trepidation creeping up your spine if you were to mishandle such gifts.

Grabbing the bottle, you tuck it in a safe spot on the kitchen counter before rummaging through the cupboards for a vase to put the flowers in. Once you’ve placed the bouquet on the coffee table in the living room, you set back to unpacking the rest of your boxes, your eyes darting to the flowers every once in a while as the scent of the blossoms invades your senses and slowly fills the entire apartment.

The door beeps and slides open after scanning your badge on the pad. You’ve only been in the company for a week and still, the advancement of all the facilities takes your breath away. You walk to your desk, eyes blinking when you see a stack of folios ready for you to dive in. It’s not what you really wanted to do when you thought of your internship but it’s definitely something you expected.

All careers would render any individual to start from the ground up. To learn how the company works and how each department functions. And if you were being honest with yourself, you don’t really mind doing such a mundane task in the most prestigious company in the entire world.

Setting your purse on the desk, you take your seat and grab the first folio from the stack, determined to finish each one before lunchtime. But before you can even begin, a nudge on your chair takes your attention away from your task and you blink in surprise when you Professor Stark looking down at you, a coffee cup in each hand.

“What are you doing here, sweetheart?”

“Professor—I,” You blink, words stuttering, still bewildered at his sudden appearance. “I’m filing the expense reports for accounting.”

“Yes, I can see that. But what I meant was why are you doing that?”

“Oh, it’s what Ms. Potts assigned to me.” It’s the truth but with the way your professor’s lips slant, you feel you’ve made a mistake by mentioning it. “I don’t mind it—it’s nice to know the business from the ground up.” You add, an attempt to soften any blow his assistant would get.

“But this is not what I wanted you here for.” His voice sounds serious and you scramble to get the coffee cup he hands you before lifting his watch towards his lips. “J, tell Pepper to find a replacement here on the accounting floor and to have her meet me in my office later at noon.” Professor Stark turns back at you, giving you a full smile, taking a sip from his cup, and gesturing for you to stand. “Come on, chop-chop.”

You do as you are told and grab your purse, following him out of the office and through the halls toward the elevators.

“Where are we going, Professor?” You can’t help but ask when he presses the up button, shoving a hand in his pocket as he sways on his heels while waiting.

“Why sweetheart, I’m taking you to the best place in the entire building.” He responds with a grin and gestures for you to enter the lift first when the metal doors part.

Professor Stark wasn’t lying when he said that he was taking you to the best place in the entire building for his lab was indeed an engineer’s, or pretty much anyone else’s, dream. His AI, JARVIS, greeted you as soon as you stepped off the lift, startling you in the process. Though you can’t help but feel amazed at how lifelike he was despite the absence of a physical form, for his voice alone exuded emotions and understanding, making you smile when he and Professor Stark began to banter playfully.

The hologram interface that scattered throughout the room was another feature that took your breath away. How the supposedly inanimate pixels suddenly come bursting to life with one flick of a hand from your professor, how he easily manipulates it, and from further observation, he’s got complete control of it with the help of his watch and a simple silver bangle on his other wrist.

He toured you around, showing off his projects that despite being incomplete, look immaculate for someone of your status. The robots that come following the both of you as you walked around the lab made you elicit a soft giggle, loving how responsive and lifelike they were with their reactions to each action done by their creator.

But what really has you standing in awe is the full metal suit laying atop a metal desk, with electrical wires attached to it from the ceiling and a holographic chart showcasing its readings on the side. You stand close, seemingly becoming hypnotized by its beauty. You run a finger against the metal arm, the cool surface chilling your skin yet weirdly warming you all the same.

“I call it Iron Man.” Professor Stark says as he stands beside you, looking down at the coffee cup in your hand when he takes it and discards it in a nearby bin. “A fully functional armored suit, furnished with the latest weaponry that I made myself.” A grin forms on his lips when you look up at him. “It’s currently under testing but still top secret so—” He places a finger over his lips and your eyes grow wide in surprise at the information.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Professor!” You blanch and quickly turn away, taking a step back to have the suit out of your view. “I promise not to tell anyone of—”

“Relax, sweetheart.” He chuckles and walks over to you, his hands resting on your upper arms, giving them a light squeeze. “This is exactly why I brought you here, why I wanted you to be here.” He says with a smile.

“Y—You want me to test your suit?” You’re not claustrophobic but the thought of being inside such a tight space makes your heart beat faster.

“Heavens no.” He laughs and squeezes your arms again before sliding his hands down the length of it and taking your hands in his, Professor Stark walking backward and leading you back to the suit. “I wanted to try and turn the suit completely into vibranium. I’ve tested this baby out so many times and don’t get me wrong, it’s very durable but after taking a couple of hits, it needs to go back into the shop. But with vibranium, this would be the most indestructible piece of engineering on the planet.”

“You want me to make you a full vibranium suit?” You ask.

“I want you to make it with me.” Professor Stark corrects, releasing your hand and giving the arm of the metal suit a pat. “Even more, to embed the element into nanotech and have it respond to a single neurotransmitter.”

You gape at him in disbelief. You’ve only known such a feat to be a theory and that each person that has attempted to create such a thing has done everything and still failed. Yet your professor is asking you to make one with him, something you’ve only ever read about in articles and have never even tested on your own. Hell, you’ve never even seen vibranium with your own eyes.

You look into his eyes, brown orbs full of sincerity then glance down at the suit. So much doubt begins to run around your head, the fear of failure creeping up your spine all the same. Deep down, you want to do it, you want to try but the lingering thought that you would fail at this project, fail your mentor, won’t leave you alone and you’d rather do the paperwork down at the accounting floor than mess up a top-secret asset of your professor, who is also now your boss.

“I don’t know, professor.” You sigh and pull your hands from his grasp. “The scale of work has only been theorized and the tests that have been done have all failed. I wouldn’t want to waste any resources you’d give me.” Your lips curl into a frown as you look up at him. “I can assist you if you wish but to be the one to create it? I don’t think I can. I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“But I believe you can and you can never disappoint me, sweetheart.” He smiles at you, your skin shivering when he runs his fingers up your arms, hands gripping down on your shoulders. Your eyes grow wide when he takes a step closer, your bodies only inches apart. “I’ll be here to guide you and if we fail, we try again. And again and again, until we perfect it. And once we do, you’ll have your name written in the history books—well, with my name along with it, of course.” He chuckles and you can’t help but smile at his playfulness.

“So? What do you say?” He grins, his fingers tapping along your shoulders as he keeps his eyes on you.

Your university had once coined Professor Stark as one of the smartest people in this generation. And if your professor has such faith in your capabilities, maybe you are capable of accomplishing such an extraordinary feat. He’s there to guide you, either way, he said so himself, and if you do fail, at least you can tell yourself that you tried.

Taking a deep breath, you close your eyes to clear your thoughts. When you open them once again, you see the shine in Professor Stark’s eyes, the expectation in them.

You nod. “Okay. I’ll try.”

“That’s my girl.” He grins widely, your face going hot when he leans over and places a kiss on your forehead.

The act takes you by surprise, making you step back and have his hands slide from your shoulders. You look up at him, eyes wide, stupefied, yet your professor seems unbothered by his intrusion into your personal space.

“Sir, I’d just like to remind you of your meeting with Ms. Potts at noon and it’s already 11:30.” JARVIS intervenes and you release the breath you didn’t realize you were holding when Professor Stark steps away.

“Thanks, J.” He says to the air, keeping his eyes on you. “JARVIS will keep you company while I’m in the meeting but in the meantime, make yourself comfortable, and when I come back, we can start playing. Sounds good?”

You nod instead, the words not forming in your head as your thoughts still linger on the unexpected kiss.

“Great.” He gives your nose a light tap, his nose scrunching when he smiles before turning to leave the lab.

You remain standing, still in shock at what happened but try your best to push such thoughts away. He just got excited. You tell yourself. It is a big project. Another attempt at convincing yourself and you move to look down at the suit once again before claiming a seat on one of the stools propped beside the table.

You hear JARVIS call your name, looking up at the ceiling to acknowledge him. “Would you like me to show you where the vibranium is?” He asks.

That somewhat makes you smile and you nod at no one. “Yes please, Mr. Jarvis.” And you stand from your seat, following the instructions of the AI, and walk towards the door that slides open, staring in awe as cylinders of the element stand before you.

The work finally begins. Weeks have come and gone, and all that you’ve ever come to know is Professor Stark’s lab, working and experimenting with various ways to produce the outcome that your mentor expects from the element. You’ve only been researching so far, testing theory after theory on how the element would bind with the nanotech Professor Stark has at the ready. But each virtual attempt has proven to be a failure, having you go back to the drawing board to start from scratch once again.

“Let’s take 5, sweetheart.” Professor Stark calls from the other side of your desk after another failed test.

You nod and slide from your seat, asking JARVIS to continue running some tests, a disappointed sigh escaping your lips as you make your way to the open balcony. You’ve been on the computer for hours now, codes and holographic diagrams being your constant company. You know that you’re missing something, something important to have all the pieces fit—but you just can’t find it.

The summer breeze of New York City is a welcome distraction as you step out into the open air. You look down from where you stand, seeing the streets busy and full of life yet the noises don’t reach you from where you are, the silence feeding into the tranquility that slowly embraces you. Even the view is breathtaking. The sun is already beginning its descent, orange and blue hues painting the sky, making the buildings underneath glow in beauty.

You take a calming breath, one that you think you desperately need to help clear your mind and bring you back to focus on the task you’ll be facing.

“Enjoying the view?” You startle when you hear Professor Stark beside you, his hand resting just at the low of your back as he leans his side against the railing.

You quickly compose yourself and give him a light nod, looking back at the picturesque sight before you. “I never thought New York could be so beautiful.”

“It’s what I love most about this place.”

“Doesn’t it get lonely though?” You couldn’t help ask.

“I have JARVIS and the bots with me.” He chuckles and glances inside his lab before looking back at you. “And now I have you. If all things work out, I might just make you my assistant.”

“Your assistant?” You blink in surprise at his words. “But everything I’ve been doing has been—” The words you wish to say face away when you hear a loud beeping coming from the inside. You look at your professor, the expression on his face equally surprised and you both make your way back into the lab.

The hologram by your computer has changed from cyan to yellow and you stand in awe as you watch the image playing before you, the vibranium slowly wrapping around the atoms and binding together before bleeding around the model of a human, successfully forming the suit.

“I believe your theory has proven to be successful,” JARVIS says.

“But—h-how?” You ask, rounding the desk to sit in front of your computer, looking closely at the formulas you’ve curated.

“I kept running tests just as you asked and took the liberty of adding the power to the stabilizer. Your equations are correct but the equipment simply needed a little modification.”

You scan the tests and sit in utter disbelief as the words of JARVIS prove to be true. You did it. Although with a little help from your professor’s AI, you actually did it! You can’t help the smile that slowly forms on your lips as you dwell on the thought that it was all because of your research and the theory you created that has deemed the project to be a success.

“What happened?” Professor Stark asks after, peeking at him from your computer. “What is J yapping about?”

“It worked.” You say with a steady voice as you stand from your seat. “My theory worked.”

Professor Stark moves to stand beside you behind your desk, his hands pressed against the surface as he leans forward to look at the hologram. A smirk forms on his lips and he looks at you, a glint in his brown eyes before he wraps an arm around your waist and pulls you close to him, tapping the side of your hip.

“I knew you could do it, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.” You bask in his praise, feeling your heart feel full at making your professor pleased with your work.

“I wouldn’t have done it without you, professor.”

“Tony.” He says out of the blue and you look at him curiously. “When you’re in the lab, I’m not your professor and you are not my student. We’re colleagues.” He explains. “So please, call me Tony.”

“Okay—T-Tony.”

You feel a slight unease as his name rolls through your tongue. You’ve never called any professor by their first name before, thinking it to be disrespectful towards them to assume any sense of camaraderie especially if they didn’t welcome it. But Professor Stark did ask for it and you somewhat see the sense in his account, that you both are colleagues in such a setting.

“Say it again,”

You look up at him in confusion, your teeth worrying your bottom lip before whispering his name once more.

“I can’t hear you, sweetheart.”

“Tony.” You raise your voice an octave and blink in surprise, blushing intensely when he plants a kiss on your cheek.

“Good girl.” He chuckles and pulls away, leaving you stunned by your desk. “Calculate the time frame for the complete binding process.” He calls out loud to JARVIS.

“I already ran the numbers, sir, and upon initial estimation, it will take approximately 2 days.”

“Then I guess we better get to work.” Professor Stark grins in your direction, giving him a light smile before turning away to press a hand against your cheek, your thoughts running wild as you dwell on the sudden kiss.

You and Tony decide to take turns staying in the lab to watch over the stabilizer as the binding process runs its course. It took a while for it to start, with both of you modifying the equipment needed to be used to turn your theory into a reality. Even with the labor proving to be tough, it was but a small feat worthy to endure as you watch each progress bar glow in success.

You watch the moon shine brightly in the night sky through the transparent wall of the elevator, making your way toward the lab. You try to hype yourself up and prepare for the grueling 7 hours of doing nothing ahead. Though after your first watch, you decided to bring along your computer this time and catch up on some reading before you go back to university the next month.

JARVIS' voice makes you smile when he greets you upon your arrival, the double doors of the lab opening in an instant for you to enter. Setting your bag on the couch, you hum in confusion when you don’t see Tony inside.

“JARVIS?” You call the AI, walking towards the screen to check any changes in the progress. “Where is Professor Stark?”

“He was called for an emergency meeting. But rest assured I would send him any updates of any changes to the process.”

“No need for that. You can just tell him that I’m already here.” You smile up at the ceiling and make your way back to the couch, looking down at the bottles of energy drinks gathered on the coffee table in front of it.

“Mr. Stark says to help yourself with the drinks. It could help keep you up during the night.” JARVIS adds.

You give the AI your thanks and pull your computer from your bag, getting comfortable on the couch as you boot it up and diving head-on to the first reading topic you pull out for your senior year.

The hours slug by and the words on your screen begin blending with each other. You check the time and groan upon seeing it’s only 2AM, giving you 4 more hours to spend in the lab. Even with the project being an exciting and once-in-a-lifetime experience, you can’t help but find the wait to be boring. Yes, it’s part of the process but you think it would be more efficient to have JARVIS oversee the project himself and inform either you or Professor Stark of any problems that may arise.

You blink away the sleepiness from your eyes and slip the computer off your lap, reaching over for a bottle of energy drink on the table. You twist the cap open and take a heavy gulp, wanting the sugar to kick in immediately to keep you wide awake before your shift ends.

You stand from the couch, clutching the bottle in your hand, and decide to take a walk around the lab, hoping it would help to keep the lingering exhaustion at bay. The stabilizer seems to be in check, each progress bar ticking off as complete before another begins.

You do another lap around the lab, looking at the assortment of gadgets and equipment your professor has laying all over the place. The suit remains dormant on the steel table, lifeless and still yet looking all too vibrant in its metallic glory. You run a finger against its steel surface, amazed at its structure when a yawn forms at your lips, having you take another swig of the sugary beverage.

But your eyes begin to droop, your head feeling all too light that you make your way back to the couch, the plush cushions looking enticing as you drop yourself on it and lay your head against the armrest. Professor Stark wouldn’t mind if I take a quick nap, right? You ask yourself but before you could even debate for it to be a bad idea, your eyes close on their own accord, your mind going blank and the darkness completely taking over you as you fall into slumber.

You dream of flight. Your body light as you soar through the clouds, swimming over the skyscrapers of the city. A cool breeze brushes against your cheek and you smile at the pleasurable sensation that ripples through your body. Your arms are spread wide, a bird basking in the aerial domain. You look behind when you feel a tingle down at your legs and you see a streak of red and yellow breaking the peacefulness of the sky.

Then all of a sudden, something pulls at the pit of your stomach and you’re falling fast toward the ground. A sense of panic washes over you as you flail your arms, trying to grasp for anything to save you but nothing comes to your aid. You try to scream, hoping anyone would hear your cries but no sound comes from your mouth. The earth comes closer by the second and you close your eyes as you await your death.

You wake in a jolt, your chest heaving as you pant heavily, trying to regulate your breathing and grab a semblance of reality from the dream-turned-nightmare. The ceiling looks different and the couch you fell asleep on feels all too wide. You’re cold, a chill kissing your skin that slowly shakes you awake, and it's then that you finally realize that you’re naked.

“Wha—” You try to speak but a moan escapes your lips instead when you feel something smooth and wet lap against your soaking cunt.

“You taste like heaven, sweetheart.” You hear the voice of your professor echo through the room, fear crawling up your skin when you look down between your thighs and see his brown orbs staring at you, his lips glistening with your arousal. “Just as I’ve imagined.” He smirks and crawls up from where he’s kneeling, his face hovering over yours.

“Professor—” You cry and try to push him away, but such attempts are a defeat when you look up and see your wrists bound with silver restraints, the fibers glowing blue and purple with each tug you make.

“Sweetheart, I told you to call me Tony.” He whispers, grabbing your chin with his hand and pressing his lips against yours.

He slips his tongue through your lips and kisses you hard, his mouth devouring yours whole as he dominates you through the kiss. You try to move away, to stop him from his assault but you’re rendered helpless as his hold on your chin tightens, almost to the verge of pain making you stop altogether and allow him to do his lecherous act.

You gasp for air when he pulls away, moving your face away when his lips trail down to your jaw then to your neck. Tears begin to spring from your eyes as you continue to pull on your restraints. Confusion clouds your mind as you question how it has come to this, that your professor has pulled you into a nightmare you never saw coming.

“I’ve waited for so long and now you’re finally mine.” He mumbles against your skin, looking up at his blurry image when his face lingers above you once again.

“I—I don’t understand.” You whimper, wriggling against the bed when he pushes his clothed pelvis flush against yours, rolling his hips, the fabric of his pants rubbing against your clit. “Why a-are you doing t-this, professor?” You say in between grunts then yelping in pain when you feel a zap of electricity sting your wrists.

“I told you to call me Tony.” He growls and pushes himself up, your eyes widening when he pulls off his shirt, witnessing the contours of his muscles lining his bare torso. He then makes work of his pants, the soft sound of his zipper seeming all too loud as dread completely takes you over.

He pulls off his pants and kneels back down on the bed, hands running up and down your bare thighs, your arms aching and going taut from the metallic restraints when he grabs you by the waist and pulls you against him. You cry when he rubs the length of his cock against your folds, rolling the tip against your swollen clit which makes you whine and cry even more in turn.

“You ask why I’m doing this?” He echoes your question as he lines himself against your cunt, closing your eyes when he slowly inches the tip of his cock inside you. “Because I can.” He snarls and impales you in one swift move, a pang of pain surrounding your pelvis from his sudden intrusion.

You grit your teeth when he bottoms out, feeling yourself grow full from his size. You didn’t think he’d be big but the pain that radiates through your pelvis as your pussy walls clench around him tell you otherwise. He groans, his head tilted back as he stays still, allowing you to adjust to his girth but you have difficulty in doing so with your body remaining tense.

You try to push him away, flailing your legs to push him off but you’re no match for his strength. His hands push your thighs apart, pinning them to the bed, whining when he slides out of you and slowly thrusts himself back in.

He starts at an easy pace, watching himself slip in and out of you. But his impatience eventually grows, picking up the rhythm of his hips and you shut your eyes tight when he begins to fuck you fast and hard, all the same, your body jostling against the mattress, slamming himself against you at a brutal pace.

You close your eyes. You try to think this all to be a dream, some horrible night terror that you’ll be waking up from any time soon, but such attempts are futile when his hands begin to linger, feeling them clamp on your shoulders from behind and his hot breath fanning over your cheek.

“I’ve wanted you for so long, sweetheart.” He says in between grunts, his face pressing against the side of yours, knees tucked underneath your thighs, shifting the angle of his cock and letting out an incoherent moan as you feel him slide deeper within. “Watching you in my class for three fucking years and now you’re here.”

You try to drown out his words, wishing them to be lies. He’s your professor, a mentor you’ve looked up to for so long. You did the work. You paid attention. You’re not the best but you’re also not the worse. And still, you don’t understand what you’ve done to garner his attention, that he'd pull you into this nightmare disguised as a dream when all you’ve ever been was a diligent student.

“Tony—please,” You try to beg for him to stop but the words drown in your tongue, turning into a reluctant moan when he hits that sweet spot hidden within.

Your body then ripples in desire, the unwanted pleasure filling your senses as your feel your body tighten. It shouldn’t feel this good, you should detest it but with each thrust he makes, with each rub of his pelvis against your clit, the only place you see going is up, soaring high as your arousal gradually reaches its peak.

Your walls tighten around him and he growls like some feral animal, his lips sloppily kissing your cheek while he whispers your name in staccatos.

“That’s it, baby—” He grunts, one of his hands releasing your shoulder and reaching down to fondle your swollen bud. “Say my name.”

You clamp your lips shut, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of his desire. But your wrists sting once more, making you cry out in pain, panting heavily as your heartbeat spikes both from the electricity pinching your skin and the man taking you as he pleases.

“Say it!” He repeats, punching the air from your lungs as he slams himself hard against you.

“Tony,” You whisper, his name sickening rolling against your tongue.

“Louder!” He commands.

And you give in, chanting his name, again and again, your voice and the sound of your skins slapping with each other bouncing off the walls of the room, filling your ears, filling your senses.

“Yes—” He growls, muttering nonsense against your temple as his fingers and cock work you in tandem.

The tension in your stomach builds and builds, the dam ready to break with each flick of his fingers on your clit and each pulse your pussy makes. The pressure he adds on the bud only pulls you higher into ecstasy and all at once you find your release, your pussy fluttering around his cock as you come tumbling down from the sky.

You feel him throb inside you, his words growing erratic with each thrust he makes. He then comes all together and you mewl when his seeds fill you up, coating your slicked walls. You lay almost lifeless on the bed, chest heaving, moans leaving your lips as he begins to give you shallow thrusts, riding out his orgasm and pumping every last drop into your cunt.

Your name tumbles out of his lips once more and you feel him go still, keeping his cock inside as he too pants heavily against your side.

“Tell me you’re mine, baby.” He whispers against your cheek, his hand leaving your clit only to run it up your abdomen and cup your tit, giving it a light squeeze when you don’t respond to his command. “Tell me.” He repeats with strength.

You let out a heavy breath, the tears spilling from your eyes once again as you try to form the words on your lips if only to please him, to keep the anger he keeps hidden within at bay.

“I—” You swallow thickly. “I’m yours.”

You stand at the side of the stage with your other classmates, waiting for your name to be called. Today was supposed to be the best day of your life, one you’ve been waiting for since you entered university. But you can’t find it in you to be happy on your graduation for all the glee has been sucked out of you since that day your professor showed his true colors.

He retired in the middle of the school year. An organization called SHIELD asked for his assistance after he presented himself as Iron Man. You would have been proud of the suit if things didn’t go the way they did, if your professor remained your mentor and didn't turn into your captor. But every time you see the name on the news, or even the image of the suit, all you feel is fear. Fear towards the man you once trusted and the power that he has at the palm of his hand.

Your thoughts are broken when Maya taps your shoulder from behind, looking at the stage to see Michelle finishing her bow and leaving at the other side. Your name is then called and you put on a fake smile as you meet the dean, shaking his hand and taking the scroll of parchment from his grasp before standing center stage and giving a deep bow.

You were deemed Valedictorian of your class. A recognition that was given to you upon the university’s knowledge of your helping hand on the Iron Man suit. A recognition you don’t deserve after Tony’s blatant words.

“You’re not here because you’re smart. Your brain isn’t that special, sweetheart. You’re only here because I wanted you to be here. I just got lucky that your thesis matched with what I was working on and it was the perfect excuse to have you in my tower.”

After the ceremony, you meet with your parents. Both of them hug you tightly as they tell you how proud they are of you. You smile at their words if only to hide your true feelings about the occasion. Nevertheless, you still bask in the freedom that is bestowed upon you with Tony being away on a mission with a band of people they call The Avengers.

“We made reservations at 9th Brewery.” Your mom says with a smile, her arm wrapping around yours as the three of you make your way to the parking.

“9th? Isn’t it expensive there?” You ask and they simply chuckle at your disbelief.

“Our Valedictorian only deserves the best.” Your dad comments, a small smile forming on your lips when he places a kiss on your temple.

You congratulate some of your classmates as you pass them by. Receiving their greeting all the same while some try to stop you and ask for details about working with the most famous man in the world. You try to escape them all the same for you have nothing to tell them, wishing to erase that part of your life, but you stop dead in your tracks when you see Tony just up ahead, looking pristine in a three-piece suit, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. You feel a sense of worry wrap around you when he walks towards you and your parents.

“Congratulations, sweetheart.” He greets you, walking past your parents and pressing a kiss to your lips. You take the flowers when he holds them out to you, whispering your thanks before looking at your parents when they stare at you and Tony, question evident in their eyes.

“You’re Tony Stark.” Your dad breaks the silence. “You’re Iron Man.” And Tony grins at him proudly, wrapping an arm around your waist as he holds you close to him. “Why did you kiss my daughter?”

“You haven’t told them yet, sweetheart?” Tony chuckles and holds out his hand to your father. “It’s nice to finally meet you, sir.” He says, a wide smile on his lips as your dad shakes his hand. “As well as you, ma’am.” He greets your mom next, taking her hand and placing a light kiss on her knuckles.

“Uhhh—mom, dad, this is Tony and uhhh—” Your hands get clammy as you try to find the words to say. What do you tell them? That he was previously your professor? What would they even think when they find out such information after seeing his public display of affection?

“I think what your daughter is trying to say is that she and I are together.”

You frown upon seeing the expression on your parents’ faces, your dad seemingly excited and your mom, in shock.

“But aren’t you her professor?” Your mom asks. “Sweetie, you never mentioned you were seeing someone.” She turns to you, worrying your bottom lip with your teeth as you feel the anxiety creep up your skin

“I know it’s somewhat of a surprise but I assure you everything is legal,” Tony says coolly, feeling no shame as he places a kiss on your cheek. “We are both consenting adults and I was no longer a member of the faculty when we engaged in our relationship. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”

Your stomach rolls in disgust at how easily he lies to your parents’ faces. And what’s worse is how they seem to believe every word he’s saying. The shock on your mother’s face seems to dissipate and your father is all too oblivious, all smiles as the fame of the man at your side cloud his judgment.

You squeak when Tony’s hand pinches your waist when you don’t answer immediately, feeling a small wave of electricity rippling through your skin from the necklace he’s given you; a smaller replica of the arc reactor he’s embedded on his chest.

You nod and force a smile, leaning closer against Tony’s frame and resting your head against his shoulder. “Yes, honey.”

#tony stark #iron man #tony stark x reader #dark tony stark #dark!tony stark #tony stark fanfiction #tony stark au #iron man au #mcu au #i love you 3000 writing challenge #with flying colors #coconut bun stories

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a-casual-kpopfan · 1 year

Note

Last Christmas Prompt. 🫡

Pale Blue Dot - Jinsoul

A/N: I know who you are…

This would be a good one to end the year with.

Dec 25th, 2022.

You open your eyes, your first instinct is to check the time. Your eyes swerve around the room, seeing the clock on the wall saying 2:07am. The grogginess started lifting and to your realization there’s a dim light coming from the other side of your bed.

“Sol?” You spoke up seeing the your wife sitting at her desk, writing out something. She hasn’t heard you the first time so you decided to sit up from your bed. “Sol?” You called out once again, this time grabbing her attention. “Oh, baby you’re awake?”

Jinsol ran over from her desk over to your shared bed to prevent you from getting up. “Yah, baby don’t get up.” Jinsol places her hands on your shoulders preventing you from getting up, instead laying you back down.

“Sol, I’m okay!” You try to convince your wife that everything is okay, you’re not having an attack of anything whatsoever.

It’s been 3 years since you’ve been married.

1 since you’ve been diagnosed with bradycardia, a condition when a heart’s resting rate is less than 60 beats per minute.

Meaning anything that exerts an excessive amount of energy, can lead to cardiac arrest, possibly worse.

Jinsol was scared, she was a full time astronomy professor at the South Korea college before she decided to change to doing part time in online teaching. You were in construction, labour intensive, definitely didn’t help your case of a slowed down heart.

She knew at any moment in time, your heart will fail you.

“You know I want you to save your energy baby, don’t waste it.” Jinsol smiles and pecks you on the forehead. “I’ll come to bed soon, I just need to finish some paper work.” You just agree knowing nothing will stop your wife. “Okay Sol, hurry up.” You smile and lean upwards, letting her lead down to leave a kiss on your lips.

“Merry Christmas baby.”

Jinsol goes back to her desk finishing her paper… Her application.

~~~~~

Dec 24th, 2023.

“I’m heading to the hospital now Sol, Sooyoung offered to drive me over there.” You tell your wife over the phone, she was called into the university, probably for student program reasons.

“Okay baby, you be safe okay? I’ll kill Sooyoung if you’re not in one peace.” Jinsol smiles as she’s sitting in her chair at the hospital. “You know I love you right?”

“I love you too honey.” Both you and Jinsol said your goodbyes, you were excited. You were moved up somehow on the queue for the heart transplant. “You ready?” Sooyoung opens the front door, ready to take you over.

“I can’t wait to go out with Jinsol again, have dates with her again. I can finally take her roller skating like how she always wanted!” You were so excited to see Jinsol after this done and over with.

Sooyoung didn’t say much. “I’m sure Sol will be happy too.” Sooyoung looked like she was trying to hold something back, like she knew something.

“Are you crazy?!”

“Take care of them Sooyoung.”

~~~~~

“Are you going to wait for Sol?” You’re sitting in a wheelchair, ready to be wheeled off for the surgery. “Yes, I’ll be waiting here.” Sooyoung smiles, trying to hide the truth for however long it takes.

You nod and you get wheeled off.

“GOOD LUCK!” Sooyoung waves at you until your pass through the doors to not be seen.

~~~~~

Dec 25th, 2023

You open your eyes, your first instinct was to look for the time. This isn’t your usual bedroom, this is a hospital room, white walls, thin bed sheets, a hell of an uncomfortable mattress compared to what you’re used to.

2:07am.

The grogginess started lifting up from your being, you notice on your chest a blue envelope with a drawing of a fish. You also look to your left a sleeping Sooyoung, but no wife to be seen.

You take the envelope and slowly open the it containing a letter and Jinsol’s engagement ring.

“Hello baby,

You made me the happiest woman on this planet and further beyond that. You gave me your heart last Christmas, the Christmas before that, the Christmas before that, all the way since we met in that car accident on that faithful day, it was still your fault you rear ended my car!

This Christmas, I give you my heart. For all those time you sacrificed yourself for me, all those times you put me in front of you. My best friend, my live, my partner. You were ever so perfect, like the one I always dreamed of as a child.

Please don’t hate yourself, this was a choice I made and I wish for you to live a fuller and happier life. Someone else in this world is here for you to make you happy, just as I once did.

Sooyoung was awakened, she looks up to see you sobbing in tears, holding your chest.

She knew you found out.

She saw the letter on your lap, only to read the last phrase of it, she got up from her chair to embrace you in a hug, you took her in and held her as tight as you could.

We’ll fly again tonight.

Whatever comes to might.

It’s going to be alright.

My Pale Blue Dot.”

#loona #jinsoul #jeong jinsol #loona fic #fanfic #yves #ha sooyoung #anon prompt

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if-you-fan-a-fire · 2 years

Photo

“The Kingston Community Legal Clinic is warning residents after a Landlord and Tenant Board adjudicator decided a landlord was wrongfully attempting to evict their tenant.

“The landlord seeks possession of the rental unit so his mother can live there,” adjudicator Laura Hartslief wrote in her June 28 decision on the fate of Jason Martin’s home in the basement unit of 151 Fraser St. “I am not satisfied that it is more likely than not that she genuinely intends to live there.”

Jordan Morelli, a physics professor at Queen’s University who owns the rental unit, said he is devastated by Hartslief’s decision.

“It’s a complete outrage that we’ve lost this thing because I’ve been trying to get my parents here for two years,” Morelli said. “I really want my parents to be living in there.”

John Done of the Kingston Community Legal Clinic represented Martin at the Landlord and Tenant Board hearing. He said his clinic has seen a significant increase in evictions for landlords to renovate units or to use for their own use — which is what Morelli applied for. In many of those cases, but not all, landlords evict a tenant who is paying a lower rent, renovate the unit, and rent it out again for sometimes double the cost.

Done said that, at first, Martin was resigned to moving out, but when Done saw Martin’s case, he urged him to push back against Morelli.

“These are situations we see all of the time in a Landlord’s Own Use application, and our view is (that) once we start putting these under the microscope, a lot of them don’t have merit,” Done said. “Once Mr. Martin said he would accept our help, then there were, indeed, some things that sort of leaped off the page. … There were the hallmarks of these (types of) landlords’ applications that I don’t think they could show good faith.”

Martin, who on Wednesday said he still couldn’t believe he was successful, said Done worked wonders. Martin said, the stress of the case, which was drawn out over two years due to a scheduling overflow caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, has caused Martin to lose five jobs over the two years.

“When I got that decision, I actually had to leave work,” Martin, who has been working steadily at a local fishing tackle manufacturing company since the end of May, said excitedly. “I couldn’t believe it, and I was overwhelmed. I was shaking, I couldn’t talk, my brain went to mush. I’m very happy with the decision.”

Morelli owns a total of 10 units within five properties in Kingston. He said he wanted to use Martin’s apartment as a new home for his mother, Henriette Morelli, who currently lives in a two-bedroom condominium with her husband, Edwin Morelli, in Saskatoon.”

- Steph Crosier, “Tenant wins at board hearing,” Kingston Whig-Standard. Jul 11, 2022. This was a front page story in the print edition.

///

We are happy that this story is now out in the open for all to see. It won't be the last word on the matter, that's for sure. But it clearly demonstrates why Queen's University professor and faculty association president (as well as former president of the Kingston NDP riding association) Jordan Morelli's N12 eviction notice was thrown out at the LTB. In our opinion, what this stories reveals is that Morelli is willing to exploit the housing crisis for his own financial gain.

Prior to this instance, there was two previous times where he claimed family members were moving in to units when they never did. He paid these tenants a meagre $3000, money which they quickly burned through with their rent prices hundreds of dollars a month higher. Meanwhile, he charged higher rents to the people moving in: one unit went from $409 to $1150 a month, while another went from $670 to $1200. He made that money back within months.

Morelli wants to claim he is a victim in all this, and actually goes so far as saying that the landlord tenant laws works well for tenants. But the facts speak for themselves: The LTB rejected his case because they do not believe his story. Additionally, close to 90 percent of tenants at the LTB have no legal representation, and if it weren't for KUT and KCLC supporting Morelli's tenant, Morelli would most likely have someone living in Martin's unit's at double the rent.

Tenants can win when they stand up and fight. Get to know your neighbours and organize with them! In Martin's case, former tenants stood with Martin to explain what had happened to them after moving out. This sort of solidarity led to Martin staying in his apartment at a rent price he can afford. KUT stands with tenants across the city and will do what we can to help.

- official statement of the Kingston / Katarokwi Union of Tenants, July 12, 2022 (Martin is a member)

/// The tenant union had helped several other tenants of Morelli, who had also been told they would have to move out of his own properties for the same reason of family need, and the communication between tenants allowed them to learn he was using the same line on several tenants - allowing the tenants to resist his efforts or negotiate for better accommodation to leave. Martin’s is the first official victory against this particular landlord, but likely won’t be the last. Of course, Morelli is a self-pitying landlord in all of this, being quoted in the article as saying: “Somehow I’m the bad guy in all of this; they’re trying to paint me as a villain.” Morelli is hardly the worst landlord in Kingston, Ontario, and nowhere near as powerful as a rental company like Homestead. His tactics are typical of landlords everywhere. The reason why he acts the way he does, and can act the way he does, is at base a structural issue, in which housing is an investment and a means of accumulation rather than a basic right. But Kingston is a smallish town, with a proportionately smallish, vague, fragmented, and often dysfunctional ‘left’, so Morelli’s role has been controversial and increasingly divisive. Notably, it was discovered by the tenant union that his mother, who he has been claiming he was going to move into one of these vacated units, is a retired university professor who likely doesn’t want to live in a tiny basement apartment!

As the press release from KUT notes, Morelli is a major player in the local political scene, as former riding president for the federal NDP, as secretary of the Kingston and District Labour Council (and had the temerity to send this article to other council members, even after the Council passed a pro-tenant motion!) and at Queen’s University, where he is a professor and head of the faculty association. In those roles, he is a bad faith opponent of tenant rights, student activism, grassroots unionism, and the left-wing of the NDP (as well as the small, overlapping and fractious autonomist, anarchist, communist and decolonial groups in the area). For instance, this was his response to the Ontario government, controlled by Conservatives, capping rent increases!

If there was any justice in the world or social democracy and labour unionism was not so pathetically degenerated, this kind of coverage should get him kicked out of the KDLC or NDP.

#kingston ontario #tenant union #tenant organizing #tenant and landlord board #tenant rights #tenants #landlords #landlordism #rental housing #housing is a human right #rental capitalism #canadian politics #labour council #queen's university

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artsekey · 1 year

Text

Companies I've Applied To

I figured that as I embark on my quest to Get Hired, I should probably document the process for both myself and for others who are trying to get their foot in the door for industry work.

For context (and for those of you who don't know), I have a Bachelor's of Fine Art in Emerging Media: Character Animation and an Master's of Fine Art in Animation and VFX. I graduated in spring of 2022 after completing a fully independent short film, and have been working as a "visiting lecturer" at my University ever since.

My Employment History

When you're looking to get hired, your past work experience matters... a lot. Because of how intense my Undergrad/Graduate programs were, I didn't have a lot of time to cultivate my portfolio or bolster my resume. Getting hired by the University right out of college was a huge relief, but it doesn't tick that pesky "2+ years of Industry Experience" or "At least 1 AAA Game Shipped" prerequisite on most job postings.

With that in mind, I'm doing my best to push for the "or equivalent experience" caveat.

What I Do:

I've mentioned this a few times on this blog, but my professional focus is in 3D character modeling, rigging, groom, and sim. In the art field, this is usually considered a technical job, and from what I understand the market for tech is usually a little less competitive than the market for modeling/animation.

So, with all that out of the way, let's get to it!

DreamWorks:

I sent in my application for Character Tech Anim about three days after the posting opened. They had their own hiring website through nbcUniversal. I'd gone through the process before with internships, so it was pretty painless! It's a remote position, which is huge, and the salary would be competitive with the one I have now as long as I can stay remote.

Biggest con in my application is that I'm still missing Python proficiency. I'm learning it right now, but god damn is it an in-demand skill!

It's a job I'd love to get, and I think my skills in rigging/groom/sim line up well.

Process Pros:

Easy to apply.

Clear (and reasonable!) qualifications listed for the job level.

Honest about expectations regarding overtime and hours.

Allowed PDF uploads of CV & Resume.

Sent a confirmation email after the application had been received.

Had a section for "Additional Comments", which was a great place for me to throw in that I'm learning some of the skills they want.

Process Cons:

Likely will not receive a rejection notice in the event they decide not to hire. This isn't a huge con; the studio is massive and sending out rejection notices would be a time sink for them.

Advertised working weekends and overtime in the listing... definitely something I'll ask about if I move forward in the process. Work/life balance is important!

Had to enter my resume information and upload my resume. :(

Result: Too Soon to Tell

Gearbox:

I sent in my application for Technical Animator (Character Rigger) about two weeks after the listing was posted. They had their own hiring website. This is a hybrid position, which wouldn't be ideal, but a friend of a friend works remotely for them, so maybe it's negotiable?

Biggest con in my application is, yet again, that I'm still missing Python proficiency and tool dev experience. Learning it now!

I was missing a lot of the credentials on this one, so it's more of a hail-Mary application.

Process Pros:

Easy to apply.

Clear (and reasonable!) qualifications listed for the job level.

Allowed PDF uploads of CV & Resume.

Sent a confirmation email after the application had been received. Seems to promise a prompt response, which means I can likely expect a notice of rejection if they choose not to hire.

Company culture seems extremely reasonable and employee health is a priority.

Process Cons:

May have to relocate if hired.

Result: Too Soon to Tell

Aquent:

Honestly... no idea what was happening here. It was for a character rigging position, but it seems like it might've been for a broader hiring agency?

Process Pros:

Allowed PDF upload of CV and Resume.

Process Cons:

Had to apply for the job and make a separate account on their website to set up the application.

Confusing website.

Had to upload resume and then type up the resume again.

No place for a CV for the specific role.

Honestly, I'm not sure what company this went to.

Result: Too Soon to Tell

Steamroller:

Local studio that I've seen a lot of people go into! Applied for a rigging position in their animation department. Hybrid and remote are both an option for me!

Process Pros:

Allowed PDF upload of CV and Resume.

Easy to apply!

Received a confirmation email.

Credentials were clear and well listed; I matched most of the requirements.

Competitive salary! :)

Flexible work methods.

Allowed me to link to my website AND upload a static portfolio, which I love.

Process Cons:

Likely will not receive a rejection notice should they choose not to hire.

Result: Rejected (03/21/2023)

BonusXP:

Can't speak about the process much on this one! They have a rolling, general application process which means I just send in an email and if a job comes up, they'll let me know. Feels straightforward and simple. :)

Result: Too Soon to Tell

#job hunt

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heartensoul · 10 months

Text

Heartensoul's Stories Post

Post last updated: 3/31/24

This update:

Removed stories I’ve abandoned.

Current WIPS

Colleges and Copiers: Kakashi/Sakura, AU, G - Dr. Kakashi Hatake, Dean of the School of Engineering and Konoha University’s most successful current dean, suddenly had a new issue that took up his time. Namely, for the first time in his career as an administrator, he had some worthy competition for Konoha University’s best and brightest students. Dr. Sakura Haruno was whip smart, beautiful, an attentive dean, and had an immaculate reputation. In the semester and a half that she had been Dean of the School of Medicine at Konoha University, they had seen a 150% increase in applications to the medical school, and a 30% increase in majors in their undergraduate programs switching to pre-med. Status: Active. 3/5 chapters posted.

No Good Deed: Kaka/Saku, Sasu/Saku, E for non-con, sexual content and other warnings - Kakashi had given Sasuke so many chances to make it right—to do right by Sakura. Now, he was going to take matters into his own hands. Status: Acitve. 1/5 chapters posted.

Completed Works (organized in alphabetical order by fandom)

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Reconciliation: Zuko/Katara; M for some sexual content - Everyone’s getting sick at the Air Temple. Katara needs to chill in more ways than one, and Zuko gets a clue.

Redemption: Zuko/Katara; T - A small, introspective piece of Katara's thoughts when Zuko shows up at camp.

Gundam Seed

Snow: Athrun + Lacus, Implied Kira/Lacus; G - Athrun takes the time to do what he feels he does best when it comes to Lacus: observe her in quiet contemplation. There was always something to learn from watching her, and warmth that was felt when in her presence, even from a distance.

Gundam Wing

The Art of Diplomacy : Heero/Relena, Quatre/Trowa, prompt fic for the Wing0 2021 challenge; G - Quatre and Relena get snowed in during a conference, and Quatre saves the day.

The First Noel: Heero/Relena; G - Heero, Relena, and the first Christmas of real peace.

Food for Thought: Heero/Relena; Duo, Quatre, Trowa, Hilde; T - Food for thought: How did Heero Yuy masturbate?

Happy Endings: Heero/Relena, pledge for @church-of-lemons 2022; E for brief sexual content. - Relena found Heero resting comfortably, the late afternoon sun shining through a nearby window highlighting the streaks of silver in his hair and glinting off the reading glasses that sat on the small table beside him. She took a few moments to admire his attractiveness in rest, and he must have felt her lingering gaze. She watched as he began to stir, his eyes opening to settle on her standing in the doorway.

Heero Yuy, Perfect(ly Sick) Soldier: Heero/Relena, prompt fic for the LR secret santa exchange; G - Heero gets sick during his and Relena's first Christmas together. He keeps trying to help decorate despite Relena's protests.

In Time Series:

In Time: Relena-centric, Heero/Relena implied; G - She captures images and collects them within the scrapbook of her mind for safe keeping, to be pulled back up to the surface on a tough day at the office or when loneliness crept up during a tour. They are her beautiful reminders: This is what she works so hard for. This is why she keeps on fighting. For them. At Rest: Heero/Relena, Quatre/Trowa, Duo/Hilde, pledge for @church-of-lemons 2021; M for some sexual content - It's been three and a half years since Relena's last exchange with Heero. As she navigates her new role as citizen, she also has to figure out how Heero fits into her new life. | Story Playlist Among the Aurora: Heero/Relena, prompt fic for the Wing0 2021 challenge; G - A small companion piece to “At Rest”, from Heero’s POV. Heero takes in the morning and Relena's smile.

Meet Your Maker Series:

Meet Your Maker: Heero/Relena, Duo/Hilde, Minor hints of Duo + Relena, prompt fic for the Wing0 2021 challenge; G - Relena, Heero, Duo, and a coffeeshop called “Meet Your Maker.” Under a New Sky: Heero/Relena, pledge for @church-of-lemons 2023, M for some sexual descriptions - Relena and Heero head to Zimbabwe to surprise her father for his 60th birthday. While there, Heero shows Relena the sky he gazed at every night while on deployment.

My Favorite Mistake Series:

It’s Not Like It’s Love: Duo/Hilde, Heero + OC female (not romantic); T - Brothers Duo Maxwell and Heero Yuy try to wade through difficulties in their life after the sudden death of their father. While Duo spends his time partying and hooking up with girls, Heero tries to balance work, bills and college. Things begin to take a turn when Duo meets a slightly older woman who isn't interested in what he's offering...Story 1 of 3. Originally written in between 2001-2004. Reposted but unedited. My Favorite Mistake: Heero/Relena, Duo/Hilde, Quatre/Trowa; T - While things begin to improve for Duo, Heero's life is still a web of stress and trying to make ends meet. While interning at a high school for one of his college courses, he meets high school senior Relena Peacecraft, and his life becomes even more complicated. Story 2 of 3. Originally written in between 2001-2004. Reposted but unedited. Damning Allegations: Heero/Relena, Duo/Hilde, Quatre/Trowa; T - Four years have passed since Heero and Relena's relationship began, and they are now married with an infant daughter. Duo and Hilde are still a couple, but their progress seems stalled. Meanwhile, Quatre and Trowa move into a new neighborhood in hopes of a peaceful life together. All seems well at first, but challenges await all three couples as impatience and distrust begin to settle between each other and outside forces. Story 3 of 3. Originally written in between 2001-2004. Reposted but unedited.

Raspberry Lemon Cupcake: Heero/Relena; G - Relena's stuck at an embassy during a snowstorm and all she wants is a Valentine's Day cupcake. And maybe a visit from someone in particular.

Santa Yuy Fights with Christmas Lights: Heero/Relena; G - Heero makes for an interesting picture: standing in the soft snow in a lighter jacket than her own and lacking any of the other apparel, a tangle of wired Christmas lights wrapped around his body.

Sunday Afternoons: Heero/Relena, Trowa; G - Heero endures a Sunday afternoon without Relena with Trowa’s help.

Kyou Kara Maou

Bedtime Stories: Conrad/Yuuri, Wolfram + Yuuri, Greta; G - What starts out as just another evening story time may change everything.

Coming Home: Gisela/Adelbert, Conrad/Yuuri; G - With Dai Shimaron's signature added to the treaty, an ancient and intense grudge between the two countries would end, and peace was one step closer to being attained.

On this particular eve though, there was more than one grudge being laid to rest.

Degrees of Devotion: Conrad/Yuuri; multiple ratings - A collection of Conrad/Yuuri ficlets written throughout the years. Warnings in each section where needed.

In the Endless, Faraway Sky: Multiple pairings; T - A collection of short fics surrounding different characters and pairings from the series. Originally written for contests on livejournal over a decade ago. Pairings and warnings in each chapter note.

Knit Two Together: Conrad, Gwendal; G - Conrad, always believing his older brother hated him because he was the son of a human, welcomed the strange new attention, though it came with a loss as well.

Lessons: Yozak/Yuuri, Implied Yozak + Conrad, Implied Yuuri + Conrad, Implied Wolfram + Yuuri; E for explicit sexual content - Yuuri finally acts like a normal, hormonal male and gets a little help from someone whom he deems “safe.” Both learn a little bit along the way.

The Morning After, or Yuuri Should Never Consult Movies When Trying to Keep His Love Life Intact: Wolfram/Yuuri; T - Yuuri learns a valuable lesson about Omen Eggs.

Moving On: Wolfram/Yuuri, Yuuri/Fluurin, Murata; G - Wolfram prepares himself for Yuuri's wedding.

The Pain of an Echo: Conrad, Wolfram; G - Because Conrad was young and rather inexperienced in the ways of sensitivity, he blurted out his heritage to his younger brother without a thought of consequence.

Pariah: Yozak/Yuuri; T - Shibuya Yuuri, the 27th Maou of Shin Maou, was on a mission of the highest caliber: Find Yozak Gurrier.

A Return to Healing: Gisela/Adelbert, Adelbert/Julia; G - Upon his return to his homeland, Gisela gives the support Adalbert needs to try again.

Satisfaction: Wolfram/Yuuri; M for some sexual content - Yuuri's being shy, and Wolfram offers a hand.

Shadows and Sheets: Conrad/Yuuri, Wolfram + Yuuri; M for some sexual content - Set eight years after the end of season 2. Little has changed about Shibuya Yuuri other than the effects of Time and the lessons It has taught him. Yuuri has grown up, and he has learned how to compromise. He has also learned the different ways in which a person can compromise; what he himself has come to compromise and why. This is a story about choices.

We Could Be Heroes: Conrad/Alford; M for some sexual content - A young, naïve Alford cannot not understand Yozak’s words of warning: “One day you will tire of seeing it.” But there is nothing tiring or anything even remotely negative about Sir Weller’s smile, especially when it is directed at him. A collection of ficlets for one of my favorite alternate pairings, Conrad/Alford.

Your Stupid Mouth: Yozak/Conrad; M for non-consensual elements and sexual content - Yozak confronts Conrad in his cell [Episode 41 added scene.]

My Hero Academia

An Unexpected Visitor: Implied Eraser/Mandalay; G - Mandalay pays Eraser a visit in the hospital.

Cat Who Got the Cream: Eraser/Mandalay, pledge for @church-of-lemons 2022 and Week one of @rarepairplay 2022; E for explicit sexual content. - The outfit was completely illogical for fighting: short skirt, midriff completely exposed, giant paws on her hands—there was even a stupid tail. It was beyond ridiculous. But there was something about that bell at the base of her throat that entranced Eraserhead when Mandalay walked by, and he hadn’t been able to look away since—not even he saw the rest of her team wore a similar costume.

Eraserhead and Mandalay meet and are instantly drawn to each other.

Naruto

All In a Day’s Work: Kakashi/Sakura, submission for @church-of-lemons 2023; E for explicit sexual content - Kakashi eavesdrops on Ino, Sakura, Tenten and Hinata swapping stories about their partners' best attributes.

An Onsen Experience: Kakashi/Sakura, E for explicit sexual content. - Sakura tells a lie about Kakashi to a group of women and it comes back to haunt her.

A Product of Pleasure: Hinata/Fugaku; E for dub con and sexual content - The Uchiha family needs heirs and an alliance with the Hyuuga family. Unfortunately, both Itachi and Sasuke are happily gay and attached. Fugaku steps in to breed Hinata instead.

Back in the Game Series:

Back in the Game: Kakashi/Sakura, Sakura/OC, Tenten; E for explicit sexual content and mildly dubious consent - A newly-divorced Sakura’s ready to break the agonizingly long dry spell she’s lived in since Sarada’s conception and step back into Konoha as a single woman. A lack of perceived attention on her first night out has Sakura feeling rejected, but by the end of the night she learns things aren’t always what they seem. Back in the Game: Three's Company: Sakura/Ino + Sai; E for explicit sexual content. - Ino talks Sakura into sharing an evening with her and Sai.

Boredom's Barbells: Tenten/Temari; T - Tenten is bored, Anko is annoying, and Temari just wants to complete some piercings.

From Sea to Desert: Kakashi/Sakura; T - Suddenly, a well-worn argument about time and their future together tips into a territory that would make it their last morning together for a long, long time.

The Candy Jar: Kakashi/Sakura; various ratings - A collection of previews and microfic from Tumblr/Twitter prompts or random ideas that don't currently have a home. All posts could become longer stories (and some have).

Chopping Firewood: Yamato/Sakura, submission for @multisaku-advent-calendar's December 2022 event; E for explicit sexual content - Sakura is going to get Yamato-taichou’s attention this time.

Chronic Condition(ing): Kakashi/Sakura; E for rape/non-con - Again. How could this have happened again? He had been so careful to work late and to avoid her favorite social spots so as not to frighten her. Clearly, that hadn’t been enough.

An inspired continuation of Tea's (You Give Me) Fever. All ideas were not run by Tea, so it shouldn’t be considered the official sequel.

Covet: Naruto/Sakura; E for explicit sexual content. Warning: Adultery. - Sakura joins Naruto at work one Christmas Eve, and it devolves into the start of something dangerous and thrilling for both of them.

Coffee 'Verse Series:

Coffee ‘Verse Reader’s Guide: A timeline order for the chapters and oneshots related to “Caffeine Cold” and “Coffee’s for Closers." Caffeine Cold: Kakashi/Sakura; M for some sexual content - A story always has two sides. Kakashi's point of view before, during, and after "Coffee's for Closers". Shizune, assistant to both the former Godaime and current Rokudaime Hokage, was taking a much-deserved two-month vacation. That left an important vacancy in the ranks: Who was going to keep the Hokage in line during her absence? It was a question that seemed to have only one answer: Haruno Sakura. | Story Playlist Coffee's for Closers: Kakashi/Sakura, T for sexual references - Shizune, assistant to both the former Godaime and current Rokudaime Hokage, was taking a much-deserved two-month vacation. That left an important vacancy in the ranks: Who was going to keep the Hokage in line during her absence? It was a question that seemed to have only one answer: Haruno Sakura. | Story Playlist Touch: Kakashi/Sakura; E for explicit sexual content - Kakashi wasn't joking when he said Sakura would have to lead. Duty Calls: Kakashi/Sakura; E for explicit sexual content - Six months after the conclusion of "Coffee's for Closers" and "Caffeine Cold." Kakashi and Sakura discreetly maneuver being together while outside of Konoha, and Kakashi's impatience gets the better of him. What's Good for You: Kakashi/Sakura; T - As more of the general public learns of their relationship, as it becomes less breaking news and just another part of Konoha’s daily life, she hears the sentiment more often: how good she is for their Hokage, how wonderful it is that there’s someone looking after him after all this time.

Cut the Bull: Kakashi/Sakura, submission for @kakasakuexchange 2023; T - Sakura tells her new boss she has a dog to gain favor, but that blows up in her face when she has to host a work party at her apartment. Now she has to find a dog to borrow in her new city with little time and no personal resources to fall back on. Hopefully, Kakashi’s Canine Training & Adoption Center will have just the dog she needs.

The Falling Petals of Spring: Sakura + Lee; G - Lee finally asks Sakura to the Hanami festival.

The Ghosts We Keep: Sakura, Tsunade; G - As the months ticked by and Sakura grew to know her master better, she watched with a mix of awe and horror: the woman was a paradoxical force of nature. She was whip-smart, terrifyingly strong and no nonsense about her leadership, yet the woman actively engaged in ridiculous vices and could offer up a smile that held all the sadness in the world.

I Got You Something: Naruto/Sakura, submission for @multisaku-advent-calendar‘s December 2022 event; E for explicit sexual content - Naruto gives Sakura her Christmas present early, and they quickly break it in.

Healed with a Kiss: Kakashi/Sakura, Pro Heroes AU, written for @kakasaku-week-2023 Day 2; G - Sakura’s goal was to finish her three-year transfer at Musutafu with little fanfare, then return to Okoyama and working in the field.

And then came Kakashi.

Now Comes the Night: Sakura, Kakashi, Gai; T Warning: Major character death - Tsunade used to tell her that in times of war, medics shouldn’t waste their chakra “beautifying the dead,” as she had callously called it. Their job was to heal the living; that was how medics best protected the village. Sakura knew, logically, that as the battle waged on just beyond Konoha’s gates, there would be others who would sorely need her chakra reserves to heal their wounds. Her assigned role in this battle had been to preserve her power for those who needed it.

She did not give one solitary fuck.

Pink: Sakura/Sasuke, Kakashi; M for mentions of sex trafficking - At first glance of the report, Sakura wasn’t clear on why this large group of children was transported all the way from Suna to Konoha. Sex trafficking of minors, unfortunately, was a problem within all five nations.

Sakura learns about near-misses. Prompted: Kakashi/Sakura, T - One-shots in response to various prompts. All rated G or T.

Swimming in Artificial Sweetener: Kakashi/Sakura, written for the #kakasakuvday 2022 event; G - Kakashi interrupts Sakura's very busy schedule for help with a Valentine's Day dilemma.

Something to Talk About: Kakashi/Sakura; G - The evolution of Kakashi and Sakura's courtship through the eyes of those closest to them.

Turnabout is Fairplay: Kakashi/Sakura; E for explicit sexual content - Kakashi doesn't play fair, and Sakura is not one to easily forgive.

Unwrapping Gifts: Kiba/Sakura, submission for @multisaku-advent-calendar‘s New Year’s Eve Event 2023; E for explicit sexual content - Sakura may act annoyed, but Kiba knows better.

Wake-up Call: Kakashi/Sakura, pledge for @church-of-lemons 2022; M for sexual content - Kakashi and Sakura end up leaving Naruto’s inauguration party together, but Sakura’s overindulgence leaves her lacking some details the following morning. While Kakashi reminds her, Sakura shares a revelation as well.

Where One Belongs: Kakashi/Sakura, Past!Kakashi + Rin; T - This had to be a nightmare her twisted mind conjured up in order to waylay her with insecurity when she had no time to deal with it. That’s what Haruno Sakura kept telling herself, and yet a very adult, very beautiful, and very alive Nohara Rin was still standing in her office.

Where Love was Born: Naruto/Sakura; M for some sexual content - Naruto and Sakura return to where it all started.

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meganwilhoit · 1 year

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Digital Retailing: Understanding and Communicating with the E-Consumer.

Over the last few years digital retailing and e-commerce have been steadily increasing. And then with the COVID-19 pandemic and months of lockdown, e-commerce has skyrocketed. In 2022 the United States' eCommerce surpassed one trillion dollars (Clark, 2022) and holds roughly an 11.27% annual growth rate (Statista, 2022).

Hi, my name is Megan Wilhoit I am a digital marketing student at Davenport University in Michigan, and I am a consumer. I am lucky enough to come from a generation who grew up with technology as an aid to my life and have it not consume my life. Because of this, I was able to see how retail has changed over the years for the average consumer. I get to see firsthand how new technology is impacting our lives, whether that is an advantage or disadvantage. And as someone who is is wanting to go into digital marketing, getting to experience how digital retail affects consumers and how they shop is super important.

I remember the days when if I couldn’t find something at Meijer, I would go to a different store or find the next best alternative. But now we live in a world where if I don’t see a specific product in store, I go straight to Amazon, or that store's website, and order it to be at my doorstep in one day. Over the last 23 years, I have gotten to witness the fantastic advantages e-shopping has brought to e-consumers. But I have also gotten to see the disadvantages that come with e-shopping for consumers. And when comparing the advantages and disadvantages, it makes me start to wonder how “great” e-shopping really is for the average consumer.

One of the most common advantages I have seen is the convenience e-shopping has brought to consumers. Like I stated before, I remember the days when if something could not be found in-store, you would have to go to a different location or store to find the product or you could maybe order the product online. But now with e-retailing, consumers (like myself) can purchase products from anywhere online. I don’t need to go in person to look for a product. Also, online retailers such as Amazon, have even made the online purchasing environment even easier, using “buy now with one click” options, saving your address and payment information for future purchases, and easily being able to re-purchase goods you have bought in the past. With these benefits, consumers are also not having to put in as much effort and thinking when it comes to buying. These benefits are focused more on non-perishable items, but e-retailers have even been bringing grocery shopping online. With companies such as Shipt, Instacart, or grocery stores' online grocery shopping applications, consumers can do their weekly grocery shopping from the comfort of their homes or during breaks at work. Consumers can even schedule when they want their groceries to be delivered and schedule future grocery shopping for their most common items.

The convenience of e-retailing can also be viewed from a location standpoint. E-retailing can put consumers in contact with brands all across the world, or just help consumers reach retailers who don’t have a physical location near them.

Two personal examples of location convince that come to mind are 1, I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am fortunate enough to live near many malls and shopping centers, but one huge company I don’t have nearby is IKEA. With my current financial situation (being a college student and only working part-time), I cannot afford to purchase expensive furniture (even if it will last me longer). So using IKEA can really help save me money. And with e-retailing, I am actually able to purchase their products without having to drive the two and half hour journey. IKEA even offers a “design” feature on their online store where consumers (such as myself) and design out how furniture will fit and look into space. Without e-retailing and its features I would have to truly envision a space with furniture, measure out the open spaces, write a list of these measurements, and still have to make an almost 3-hour car ride to a store where the products in mind may not even be in stock. E-retailing has been able to completely cut out these inconveniences for consumers online. My other personal experience deals with local businesses. Every year I go to Mackinac Island. On the island, there are so many cute local shops and boutiques, and I love looking through them to get gift ideas. With e-retailing I can now take their business cards home with me and still be able to purchase their products from my hometown of Grand Rapids, instead of having to make the purchase the exact moment I am on the island. E-retailing has made connecting with local businesses online plausible.

Some other advantages e-retailing has brought consumers are the variety of products or “breadth and depth” as well as the personalization of products. Online stores are able to hold a much larger stock of products for consumers than a traditional store can hold. This allows of consumers to have much more variety in styles, sizing, colors, etc. Also with online shopping, personalizing individual products is much easier. Whether that orders a custom-sized couch to fit a specific living area or customing a pair of Nikes to your significant other's favorite colors. Another area of personalization online retail stores has been able to add sections such as “customers also bought”. Consumers can use these features to find other products or brands similar to what they already have purchased while having this feeling of personalization with the company.

The last “common” advantage e-retailing brings to consumers is the pricing and the ease of product comparisons. Pricing has been found to be cheaper through online retailers because “online retailers may have fewer overhead costs” (Kelly and Baker, 2022), as well as the ease of finding coupon codes and extra sales. Also with the ease of e-retailing consumers can easily compare prices of specific products on different websites to see which site is going to give them the best deal. The same thing goes for products. For me when I think of when I want to buy a dress for a more formal occasion. I can now use the Internet to not only find different brands but also compare their prices, reviews, and style options before making my final purchase. There are also even websites and apps that will compare prices for items for the consumer. The most common occurrence of this I think is comparing airline prices through travel agencies such as Trivago and Google itself.

Although e-retailing has brought consumers so many amazing advantages and conveniences, e-retailing also brings consumers some disadvantages.

One common disadvantage is the lack of security and the fear consumers feel about their information being stolen. For major brands online stores, consumers may feel more comfortable inputting their information, but for smaller or newer brands consumers may have a fear of having their information stolen. And if businesses do not input proper safety measures for this secure information, consumers' personal information can be stolen they will no longer want to shop from that specific e-retail store. I have never had my information stolen through online retail stores, but I am extra careful of what websites I input this information just for extra precaution. Another large disadvantage consumers face with online shopping is the lack of personal interaction. This social interaction can help consumers build loyalty to a brand. I also know from personal experience I really enjoy the interaction in traditional retail stores so I can receive a second opinion from “the expert”, and when purchasing more expensive items such as furniture, it is nice to get that expert opinion and see what they have to offer and if they can make any recommendations, and this cannot be done easily through e-retailing.

Some other disadvantages that customers face with e-retailing (and I have personally experienced) are delivery times can be extremely long or customers have to pay extra money to have products delivered sooner, issues with online refunds, and not being able to actually use our five senses to buy products on the e-retail store.

Customer reviews are one feature of online retailing that I have seen to be an advantage AND a disadvantage for customers. As an advantage, it gives customers a better idea of how products look (with real-life customer images), how materials hold up, and overall how other customers like the product. This can help influence a customer's purchase decision. From my experience, I always read customer reviews before an online purchase now, and if I read any bad reviews I either don’t purchase at all or I have to really think about if I want to make this risky purchase. But I also view customer reviews as a disadvantage sometimes. For starters, some products can have really mixed reviews and it doesn’t help a customer in determining if they want to purchase the product. But also today brands use “influencer marketing” so much more, they pay “influencers” to talk good about their products and promote them, and will even give out sales codes for the influencer's audience to use. With this, it’s hard to tell what reviews are based on personal experience or if they're just being paid to leave good reviews. One example of this that I have seen is with the Beis Weekender Bag/Tote. This product was heavily advertised on TikTok over the last 6 months or so. Every influencer was raving about it and calling it “the best travel bag ever”. Then the average consumer started buying this bag but realized this bag sucked for travel (especially flying). So through these “deceiving” reviews, consumers wasted their money on a product that doesn't actually do its job and this reflects poorly on the brand itself.

References

Clark, D. (2022, June 14). » US Ecommerce Will Cross $1 Trillion in 2022 eMarketer Newsroom. Insider Intelligence. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.insiderintelligence.com/newsroom/index.php/us-ecommerce-will-cross-1-trillion-in-2022/

Eleonora Pantano, Bang Nguyen, Charles Dennis, & Sabine Gerlach. (2017). Internet Retailing and Future Perspectives: Vol. Second edition. Routledge.

Kelly, R. (2022, November 8). Is Shopping Online Really Cheaper? The Balance. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.thebalancemoney.com/is-shopping-online-really-cheaper-939778Statista. (2022). eCommerce - United States. Statista. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/ecommerce/united-states#key-players

#marketing #digital marketing #e-retail #onlineshopping #consumers #ecommerce

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congregamus · 1 year

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On closing 2022

I do not think any more needs to be said regarding Christmas except to note that it is the Eve of the feast. Logistically, these next two days will be very calm, if aggressively arctic.

2022, on the other hand, requires a large tool for sifting, for it was a year of wind change for me after much stasis. Most notable among these changes were, first: a surge in creativity; and second: taking a parish administrator job in an Episcopal church after having formally broken ties in May 2021.

By the end of January, some major developmental arcs had presented themselves thematically:

Technically speaking, I guess I should note that there are some significant re-alignments (constellations that would look similar to earlier “charts”/snapshots): an undisputed Tori Amos supremacy i/t/o listening history; Anne Rice Fictional Universe sympathy; hermetic-tarot study; Divine Feminine Moon Adoration Waxing Magdalenian; monastic in the sense of attending-to-details and archival rather than ascetic and self-flaggelating. It is out of “chart” for me right now to be creatively non-productive. This is peak subjectivity for me. — 21 JAN 2022 5:27 PM CST

It turns out that keeping these records is a kind of foresight, for I was right. Already in early February, the core material for my organ treatment of the solemn tone of Salve Regina had presented itself in raw form via exploration in the garage band application. I became open again, too, in the direction of Big Story™. I did a deep dive of Tristan und Isolde and let it do its work on me. (Unfortunately, Big Story™ opened further on the “outside,” too, in February, when Putin invaded Ukraine.)

March went by as march often does, still cold and wet, with so little visible evidence of growth that struggles underneath, only to have April spring forth in her shocking miracle. This April flowered in the poem called “Black Sun”, and in a perceptual breakthrough: I named my hell and robbed it of much of its power; however, it was very worrisome, as to regain some lost aspects of myself, I had to give up so much control, and it was almost very, very messy. The Easter manifestation was most critical. The self-atonement it required was, ironically, the Easter-magic I’d been looking for in monasticism.

The answer one receives ad nauseam from the sages is of no help at all, naturally. Over and over they say, Just because it's impossible doesn't mean that you can't do it.**

** This is the backwards teaching of the Phoenix, expressing the impossible necessity of self-transcendence.

And so I did. I further developed my hellscape image into a mundane comedy called “Hellthcare Reform” that gave my brain a fun toy to play with while suffering a great loss. For in May, my sister left this world, and nothing will ever be the same as a result of her absence. I went down south for her ending, which, strange as it is to admit, was more of this personal renewal that 2022 turned out to be, hate-it-the-whole-time though I did.

My brother-in-law visited Chicago in June to escape his grief-house. We had a lovely visit. It was mostly uncomplicated by our shared sorrow. He was able to avoid for a moment the overhang which is inescapable eventually, but more so in the place of the grief event.

July brought more poetry. I organized my “chap book draft” from new and old poems, diary entries, and random scraps. I still think six months later that it is a beautiful expression. But it was the trip to Atlanta at the end of the month, where DCI and the exposure to complex harmony at sustained high sonic levels “rattled something loose in me” (as I described it at the time) which was more important than I realized. Of consideration also is that being physically in the South was surprisingly erotic. As the first real harvest of the year’s creative efforts began here, I cannot help but think that the work was deeply influenced by this encounter.

Poetry continued to flow out of me in the beginning of August, but the creative flow transformed into short story genre. The first draft of Forgive Us Our Trespasses, which clocked out at 10,000 words, all came in a few days near the middle of the month. There was also an appendix of “uncollected evidence” that was about 5K words that I excised almost immediately. The work was so dark and pornographic. It was the kinkiest, filthiest, most taboo stuff I’d ever done. I was shocked that it came out of me.

I understand that I have unleashed no new evil on the world. Yet I still keep asking myself, “What have I done?”

The evil was loosed in me, and its result is that I am scrambling for a fig leaf to cover my naked shame. I cannot be how I was before this revelation. — 12 AUG 2022 11:15 AM

It unlocked another level for me. I don’t kid myself anymore about being a “gaymer” but that encounter was definitely a “big boss” whose successful defeat yields a massive gain in XP.

I wasn’t even given two weeks of a break before the next story came insisting. It became clear almost immediately that River Park: or, Noli me tangere intended to be even darker and more problematic than the first story. I knew that I wanted to write a story that incorporated some elements of my dangerous cruising from when I was just out of high school, but River Park turned out to be much more than that. I found a way to distance myself from the process; otherwise, it would not have been written. What makes a person able to be so abundantly violent and yet self-justified? was the question that opened Wade/Preacher-Man to me and made possible the ending of the story, which I did not anticipate — even as I was writing it.

Upon completion, I wrote:

Finished the first complete draft of River Park last night. I don't know that it's possible to be proud of something you don't necessarily approve of, but the writing is good. Maybe I can focus on something else for a moment. There's still the Salve Regina to finish, after all. — 10 SEP 2022 6:42 AM

And then, at 9:59 AM, just this fragment:

Graphic anonymous gay sex, disturbing violence and abuse. Patriarchy. Trauma. Tragedy.

John was gone so much of September. I would say that had to entertain myself, but mostly I just slept. I needed a lot of rest after those two stories. They were both heavy emotional lifting.

That I have been scribbling dark, difficult things has been a surprise to me, though it should not have been. The poetic instinct (ποίημα “something made”) at least in me is simply a different way of naming my mystic impulse. And when I have let them run free, they both have always returned to me with a dark vision — the time I, half-woken, pulled half a mouse out of Meowgustine’s jaws because I was roused by some midnight noise I thought a trouble. How many times did I stumble into the Presence and find total destruction? — 16 SEP 2022 6:53 PM

The end of September then made way for the beginning of my realization of Salve Regina for pipe organ. I very much enjoyed that process, beginning with the draft in February. By the time it was ready to be born, it had more to say than I could have imagined after what was only a “little messing” around with a 32-key MIDI device.

I discovered in October that my archive has been digesting itself selectively, and I began a conversation with the software developers that still has not concluded satisfactorily. I just keep an eagle eye on the stats. John got COVID too. (Let me just say that this was not a good moment for my anxiety diagnosis.) However, I also took the job doing admin work for an Episcopal parish, which turns out also to have been a particularly fruitful development. I engaged in formal prayer again for the first time since February 2021.

And Zdenko got married, which, while a joyful occasion, took a lot out of me. I am proud, though, of having rationed my social energy as well as I ever have. John’s family called him down to STL again with tragedy. He remained there much of November, too.

By November, I knew there was supposed to be a third installment in these dark stories (I started calling it “my triptych”), but it was not going well.

Could I just have everything about this wrong? Is this not a gay story? Why wouldn’t it be? Why do I feel like I’m “spinning my wheels” instead of getting good traction on how this should go?

Meanwhile, I developed significantly more social stamina behind the desk at the parish, though the arrival of my late sister’s first birthday post-mortem broke open my grief, which I had successfully ignored until that time. The midterms results helped temper that grief. At least I wasn’t mourning our projection of democracy, too, which is free, it appears, to continue for two more years. Then thanksgiving with Conor, and another breaking open.

And finally, in December the blower on my furnace malfunctioned shortly after I’d returned to the practice of regular sung morning prayer, proving that intercession is bad insurance, all this in the midst of another rise in COVID infections, a really nasty flu, which is not to mention other airborne respiratory illnesses. And Chicagoans don’t want to mask up without a formal mandate. I’m closing out the year with a nose-faucet in spite of still wearing a mask everywhere while I’m out of the house.

At the close of this year, the collective outlook is bleak, may never have been bleaker. However, I recognize and honor the new stirrings of life that have been mine this trip around the sun, including the first legitimate 500-or-so words of the final of my dark triptych. Having been given such so recently as yesterday, I have generosity to wish from the bottom of my heart only the best in 2023 to readers of this difficult missive.

#inventory #monologue #text #minutiae

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actualaster · 2 years

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RIP to Luminaria

Transcript of the images below the cut.

EoS notice that shows up when you open the game as of May 10th, 2022 (will only show once, but can be read in the new section)

The Dev Message

“Notice of Service Termination.”

“We regret to announce the closure of Tales of Luminaria-Anime games. Thank you all for your support and we hope you enjoyed playing. We will be keeping the servers open until July 19, 2022 19:00PDT, so please continue to enjoy Tales of Luminaria-Anime games until the very end.

All items can be used until the last day, so if you have any items or PB-Stones in your account, please use them before July 19, 2022 19:00 PDT/ Also, from today, we are disabling the purchase of PB-Stones.

For more information, please check our in-game announcements.

*The exact time that services will no longer be available may vary depending on your region.”

“Developer message, vol.8″

“As always, thank you all for playing Tales of Luminaria.

As mentioned in the “Notice of Service Termination,” we regret to announce that the service for Tales of Luminaria will be sunset on July 19, 2020 PDT.

As the first completely original mobile title in the “Tales of” series, our sincere intent was to make this game fun and, by taking on various challenges, to bring “Tales of” to a wider audience around the world, not only Japan. Additionally, we have tried our best to make this service playable over a long time, encouraged by the supportive comments and feedback we received on SNS.

However, we could not do enough, and we sincerely apologize to all who have supported and played Tales of Luminaria.”

“About Future Episodes”

“Weekly episode distribution will end with this announcement. We apologize for the sudden notice, as you may have been expecting a new announcement of the next episode. We unfortunately will not be able to fully depict the fate of the 21 heroes and must end the episodes in the middle of the story. Even more, some characters will be left without getting an episode 2. We are very sorry for leaving these stories untold.

Even though we could not complete all the storylines for each character, we have been considering whether there is any way to bring closure to their story, even if only slightly. With that thought, we have prepared a special “Episode Final,” which takes place right before the anime Tales of Luminaria: The Fateful Crossroad. This episode focuses on why Hugo eventually sided with the Empire. We truly regret not being able to provide full closure to this story, but we hope you will enjoy this “Episode Final.””

“Regarding the Archiving of Works”

“We are considering archiving the digital costumes, designs, illustrations, etc. of the characters released during the service out of application as a “digital archive,” so that players can continue to experience and reminisce about Luminaria’s universe and it’s characters even after the service ends. We are working on a soundtrack for the in-game background music.

We will reach out again as soon as we have more details.

About later updates, we have the schedule until the end of the service below.”

“Ver. 1.6.0 Update (scheduled for end of May 2022)”

“-Delivery of Episode Final -LV UP Camp stage renewal -Memorial Summon for all 21 characters -New 5-star ep.2 costumes and weapons for Vanessa, Gaspard, Amelie, and Lydie --*players will also receive tickets that can be exchanged for 5-star costumes and weapons -New 3-star costume “Work Outfit” for August from his apple farmer days -Multiplayer Boss Battle update --*One out of a total of either Primordial Beasts will appear at random, including Lazui, a new addition to the existing Primordial Beasts -Login calendar reward updates”

“End of Service”

“Jul 19, 2022 19:00 PDT.

The official website and trailers will be taken down in conjunction with the end of the service.

Finally, we would like to sincerely thank you for all of your support of Tales of Luminaria. We apologize again for not living up to your expectations and having to announce that the service will be sunset. Although there is only a short period of time remaining, we hop that you will enjoy this game to the end. Thank you.

- The entire Tales of Luminaria Team”

#tales of luminaria #very sorry to y'all that got invested #this isnt a shock to me and this is what i expected which is why i didnt touch it but im sorry for ppl who liked it

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worklabournewsresearch · 2 years

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Could 'Menstrual Leave' Change the Workplace?

Francis, A. (2022, April 28). Could ‘menstrual leave’ change the workplace? BBC Worklife. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220426-could-menstrual-leave-change-the-workplace

Ali Francis writes: “Menstrual leave has existed in various forms around the world for at least a century: the Soviet Union introduced a national policy in 1922, Japan in 1947 and Indonesia in 1948. But it’s still rare in many large global economies, ... Now, however, a movement endorsing it is growing, as more and more companies around the world are starting to introduce the benefit. If widely introduced, women, transgender and non-binary workers who menstruate stand to gain: they would have direct pathways to rest when they need it most, be happier and more productive at work as a result and find it easier to remain in the labour market. Yet, since menstrual leave has entered the global zeitgeist, some of its critics have argued that the benefit is unfair, or that it could further stigmatise people with periods. Does menstrual leave help or hinder workers who struggle without the leave they feel they need?”

“Most women try to push through and go to work, anyway. This is often because they feel reluctant to disclose menstrual-related symptoms to their superiors, for fear of being perceived as weak or incapable of doing their jobs, says Gabrielle Golding, a senior lecturer at South Australia’s Adelaide Law School. Results from a 2021 survey from the Victorian Women’s Trust and Circle In, an HR software provider based in Melbourne, Australia, showed 70% of the 700 participants didn’t feel comfortable talking to their managers about how they could accommodate their menopausal symptoms (which often include heavy periods); 83% said their work was negatively affected as a result. And this tends to be ‘exacerbated in the absence of a menstrual leave scheme’, adds Golding – with dire knock-on effects, often prompting women to ignore their physical and mental health.”

“And although these policies might benefit the workers who decide to use them, corporate perks – like paid menstrual leave or the ability to work from home – are not afforded universally. Service workers with intense periods, who spend full days on their feet, are forced to choose between a day off and a pay cheque. Golding believes this inequality must be fixed systemically: ‘A right to paid menstrual leave, which is mandated in a broadly applicable statute, would mean that women from a vast array of socio-economic backgrounds would be afforded the opportunity to take leave.’”

Additional Information

Spain Plans Menstrual Leave in New Law for those with Severe Pain

Spain plans menstrual leave in new law for those with severe pain. (2022, May 12) BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61429022

BBC News writes: “A draft bill says women could have three days of leave a month - extended to five in some circumstances. But politicians warned that the draft - leaked to Spanish media outlets - was still being worked on. Three-day sick leave for painful periods will be allowed with a doctor's note, the draft says, potentially extending to five on a temporary basis for particularly intense or incapacitating pain. But it is not expected to apply to those who suffer mild discomfort. It is part of a wider approach of treating menstruation as a health condition, El País reports, which also includes the abolishing of VAT on some hygiene products - the so-called ‘tampon tax’ - and free hygiene products being made available at public centres such as schools and prisons.”

Additional Information

Circle In. (2021). Driving the Change: Menopause and the Workplace. Circle In. https://circlein.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Circle-In-Driving-the-change-Menopause-and-the-workplace.pdf

Golding, G., & Hvala, T. (2021). Paid period leave for Australian women: prerogative not pain. Sydney Law Review, 43(3), 349-378. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/SydLawRw/2021/14.pdf Open Access

Schoep, M., et al. (2019). Productivity loss due to menstruation-related symptoms: a nationwide cross-sectional survey among 32 748 women. BMJ Open, 9(6), 1-10.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/9/6/e026186.full.pdf Open Access

Bennett, J., Melican, C., & Crooks, M. (2021). Ourselves at Work: Creating Positive Menstrual Culture in your Workplace. Victorian Women’s Trust. https://www.vwt.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Ourselves-At-Work-DIGITAL-V5.pdf

Baird, M., Hill, E., & Colussi, S. (2021). Mapping menstrual leave legislation and policy historically and globally: labor entitlement to reinforce, remedy, or revolutionize gender equality at work?. Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal, 42(1), 187-228. https://cllpj.law.illinois.edu UTL Link: https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/cllpj42&i=199&a=dXRvcm9udG8uZWR1

Tunley, C., & Kapilashrami, T. (2021). Menopause in the Workplace: Impact on Women in Financial Services. Standard Chartered. https://av.sc.com/corp-en/content/docs/Menopause-in-the-Workplace-Impact-on-Women-in-Financial-Services.pdf

Photo source: Aunt Flow. (2021). [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/gTRchqNZzzg

#menstrual leave #menopause symptoms #endometriosis #premenstrual dysphoric disorder #Victorian Women’s Trust #survey results #flexible working arrangements #workplace benefits

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deirdre-martin · 2 years

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The current technological state in juvenile detention facilities....

I was recently watching a TED talk about building the sustainability of the digital divide given by Mike Lindsay who described this phenomenon as the lack of infrastructure to provide easy access to the internet in rural and remote parts of the world. He added that this phenomenon also existed within different demographic areas within our society that contained low-income populations. (Lindsay, 2019) It immediately occurred to me that the one specific, habitually invisible population was not mentioned as part of this group, students within juvenile justice facilities.

As an audience comprised of teachers and administrators within this system, we are all collectively aware of the perpetual disenfranchisement of this group of students from educational pathways and services provided for non-incarcerated populations, despite all our collective efforts to stem the tide of that reality. Despite mountains of research validating education as a primary deterrent to the commission of crimes, priorities related to the security, safety and general well-being of each resident continues to drive decision making within the systems. How then can we as educators mitigate this reality and create an open, sustainable conduit into this expanding digital universe for students who will ultimately reintegrate into society?

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives have become a major educational priority throughout the nation and the world, the gold standard for real world application through authentic context, hand-on learning and innovative teaching methodologies. (Schrum, 2018) In the context of what we experience on a daily basis, struggling against multiple factors like budgeting, staffing, security priorities, materials, etc., it seems nearly futile to even attempt a conversation about how to create an inroad to this learning for our students, knowing that the outside world is moving at warp speed to align itself with the Internet of things.(IoT) Few are aware of the limitations we face daily, not only including restrictions about the introduction of innovative materials to meet the learning needs of the students, but the fact that they cannot and do not have access to the internet, as both are considered security issues. (Harrington, 2022)This situation is not specific to one or two institutions, but impacts on hundreds if not thousands of incarcerated, disadvantaged youth throughout the country.

This reality is a constant, and, while there is hope that someday security governors over the technology for these students will be discovered, we have an obligation to find alternative pathways of access beyond these constraints to plug up this leak in the STEM pipeline for them. A collective initiative must be reached to explore innovative applications which can be utilized to usher students gradually toward a STEM based pathway to establish an entry point when the technology is finally available to them

References

Linday, M. (2019, June 26). How do we bridge the digital divide sustainably? [Video]. TED

Conferences. https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=BwhhhlNBnMrg

Harrington, K. (2022).Transforming education in the juvenile justice system with technology,

University of Massachusetts Amherst, https://www.umass.edu/education/values/transforming-education-juvenile-justice-system-technology

Schrum, L. (2018). Learning supercharged, International Society for Technology in Education

Challenges and Advantages

Change or paradigm shifts involving alternative methodologies have to be approached slowly requiring discussions, planning, goal setting, monitoring and review and modifications, regardless of the proposal complexity. We have to look at this new pursuit in minimal increments, to provide the level of supervision and support necessary for sustainability. Applications need to be introduced within incubator scenarios, allowing a platform of safety to test and document ideas within a controlled environment to facilitate decision making about adjustment to ensure sustainability and our ability to duplicate practices. Initially, soft skill engagement; critical thinking, collaboration, decision-making, etc. (Schrum, 2018) can provide the jumping off point and are skills sorely needed to be addressed within this population. Introducing these concepts through minimally invasive, innovative learning methodologies and applications which align with collaborative game play frameworks, not only creates pathways into ultimate STEM understanding but new realities about the world they will re-enter by learning and developing the social skills necessary for task completion. In addition, gamification of concepts, without actually turning the learning into a game, minimizes the “do-over” ideology, a very toxic mindset within the criminal mentality. (Gilyazova, 2020)

If done with vigilance and thoroughness, the likelihood of success can be maximized, and the results presented before the powers that be to stimulate interest in seeking alternative technological choices for expanding the program toward direct engagement. Without substantiated data, we know that the likelihood that larger financial investments can or will be justified is negligible. (Hewk et al., 2019) Decisions for support on the executive level require a level of substantiation for them to go beyond their comfort zones as they relate to funding and other considerations of logistical challenges.

References

Gilyazova, O. (2020). Gaming practices and technologies in education: their educational

potential, limitations and problems in the world-of-work and world-of-play, Revista Tempo e Espacos en Educacao, 13 (32), 1-23

Hewk, K., Tang, M., Crengyan, J., & Chun, K. (2019). Where is the “theory” within the field of

educational technology, British Journal of Educational Technology, 50 (3), 956-971

Schrum, L. (2018). Learning supercharged, International Society for Technology in Education

Possibilities?

The field of vision when looking for solutions outside the box to address these needs is very narrow. I have found three extremely exciting applications that I am confident will provide the foothold into successful incubator programs for everyone to harness, implement and document to increase the power of the argument in support of these kids and access to the metaverse.

The first application I found with endless possibilities is for Code.com (https://code.org/curriculum/unplugged ). WOW! Lessons are specifically designed for students that are “unplugged”, meaning that they will be working with pen to paper and some assortment of materials or materials. What is particularly awesome is that it provides lesson plans which identify a specific concept related to coding and, in many cases, videos which can be downloaded by teachers to a SMART screen. Each of the lessons can be adapted by the teacher to meet the learning needs and instructional levels of students and therefore are planning gold. In the drop-down menu they also provide additional projects, catalog, and support links for questions.

Who knew that NASA itself had an app that would be so motivational and chock full of information relating to every aspect of STEM

Learning (https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/best/edp.html )

Talk about complex adaptive systems! This second site also integrates all aspect of literacy engagement for teachers to tap into and provides a drop-down menu of multiple topics, missions, images, etc. for direct engagement into subjects specific to their mission. I found an interactive asset which, I have to admit, took me on a journey that captivated my interest for quite a while.(https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/make-a-scale-solar-system/)

A video is provided which is most enlightening and interesting and includes a projects list and an opportunity for the students to decide which way they will approach this assignment. Students have the opportunity to decide what kind of model and location they will chose, and then mathematical calculations must be done to create scale and planet size. They take the project-based learning through to the actual display and presentation leaving no holes in the planning. The range of topics and information is instantly engrossing, and I am hard pressed to imagine that students will not love it.

Everyone needs to be on the lookout for the release of the last app through the University of Massachusetts (https://www.umass.edu/education/values/transforming-education-juvenile-justice-system-technology)

which I am including as my third site recommendation because it is the first one that has been specifically designed to address the educational needs of the juvenile justice population through technology. the designer(s) of the program demonstrates a full understanding of the barriers in servicing this population but has developed an iPad integration which will align with those concerns. Take the time and watch the video for a more complete idea of its implications. (https://www.umass.edu/news/article/college/education%E2%80%99s-project-raise-video)

What I know

Those of us who have been strong enough to withstand conditions of being an educator within the juvenile justice system are fiercely loyal and dedicated advocates for those within our charge, realizing the impact of huge gaps in educational parity for a population of students already experiencing huge gaps in their educational histories. When speculating about sustained recidivism rates, one only must go beyond the curtain to see why reintegration for these residents is so unsuccessful, returning to their school districts unprepared, jumping back in like uncoordinated double-Dutch participants.

Most of these residents are examples of the Matthew effect, starting at a disadvantage and becoming more disadvantaged over time unlike their counterparts, the advantaged, who start that way and accumulate more advantages over time. This situation is not new and recorded early in scripture, “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (New International Version, 2022, Matthew 25: 29-30) This disparity, seen in this blog as the digital divide, is no exception. Some see this situation, the inability to bridge the educational or technological gap, as a byproduct of modern capitalism (Henricks, 2018) putting these students in a category of collateral damage. Those servicing these individuals, however, will see this attempt to find alternative passageways into technological savvy as a first attempt in creating the momentum of a virtuous cycle for sustainable growth and success.

References

Henricks, S. (2018). The Matthew effect: is inequality just a fact of the universe, Big Think,

https://bigthink.com/politics-current-affairs/is-there-a-scientific-law-stating-thatinequality-is-a-fact-of-the-universe/

New International Version Bible. (2022). NIV

Online, https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible

#education #learning #teaching #students #higher education #teachers #correction #juvenile detention

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margueriteafra · 2 years

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Hello, again.

It’s 7:08 PM on Friday, 12 August 2022.

I don’t know why, but listening to Niki’s Oceans & Engines suddenly makes me want to log in to this account.

I opened the draft section and I found this. Funny, I forgot that I had uploaded these pictures and left them just like that. It’s been six years since I took them when I visited New South Wales.

Wow, six years. A lot has changed in the past six years. My relationship, my career, my room, even my mobile phone has changed. Many parts in my life have changed. I wonder if I’ve changed too.

I guess I have.

You, of course, have changed too.

So I decided to finally give this draft what it truly deserves: to be shared with the world.

Looking at these pictures surely brought up some memories.

And I guess, at the end of the day, a lot of things in your life will only remain as memories. Encounters, travels, experiences, faces, sounds, smells -- everything will only be memories at which you will look back from time to time.

(I do hope that they will be good ones)

Ugh, I still want to live in this street. Look how serene it is.

I am still in love with this bookstore. I bought a copy of The Little Prince here.

Huh. Is this a sign from the universe for me to finally fill in the application for study in Australia?

Life is indeed odd.

Anyway, I’ll visit again. Hope next time I’ll bring some words with me here.

Stay warm.

Marguerite.

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jcmarchi · 3 months

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Entrepreneur creates career pathways with MIT OpenCourseWare

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/entrepreneur-creates-career-pathways-with-mit-opencourseware/

Entrepreneur creates career pathways with MIT OpenCourseWare

When June Odongo interviewed early-career electrical engineer Cynthia Wacheke for a software engineering position at her company, Wacheke lacked knowledge of computer science theory but showed potential in complex problem-solving.

Determined to give Wacheke a shot, Odongo turned to MIT OpenCourseWare to create a six-month “bridging course” modeled after the classes she once took as a computer science student. Part of MIT Open Learning, OpenCourseWare offers free, online, open educational resources from more than 2,500 courses that span the MIT undergraduate and graduate curriculum.

“Wacheke had the potential and interest to do the work that needed to be done, so the way to solve this was for me to literally create a path for her to get that work done,” says Odongo, founder and CEO of Senga Technologies.

Developers, Odongo says, are not easy to find. The OpenCourseWare educational resources provided a way to close that gap. “We put Wacheke through the course last year, and she is so impressive,” Odongo says. “Right now, she is doing our first machine learning models. It’s insane how good of a team member she is. She has done so much in such a short time.”

Making high-quality candidates job-ready

Wacheke, who holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nairobi, started her professional career as a hardware engineer. She discovered a passion for software while working on a dashboard design project, and decided to pivot from hardware to software engineering. That’s when she discovered Senga Technologies, a logistics software and services company in Kenya catering to businesses that ship in Africa.

Odongo founded Senga with the goal of simplifying and easing the supply chain and logistics experience, from the movement of goods to software tools. Senga’s ultimate goal, Odongo says, is to have most of their services driven by software. That means employees — and candidates — need to be able to think through complex problems using computer science theory.

“A lot of people are focused on programming, but we care less about programming and more about problem-solving,” says Odongo, who received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and an MBA from Harvard Business School. “We actually apply the things people learn in computer science programs.”

Wacheke started the bridging course in June 2022 and was given six months to complete the curriculum on the MIT OpenCourseWare website. She took nine courses, including: Introduction to Algorithms; Mathematics for Computer Science; Design and Analysis of Algorithms; Elements of Software Construction; Automata, Computability, and Complexity; Database Systems; Principles of Autonomy and Decision Making; Introduction to Machine Learning; and Networks.

“The bridging course helped me learn how to think through things,” Wacheke says. “It’s one thing to know how to do something, but it’s another to design that thing from scratch and implement it.”

During the bridging course, Wacheke was paired with a software engineer at Senga, who mentored her and answered questions along the way. She learned Ruby on Rails, a server-side web application framework under the MIT License. Wacheke also completed other projects to complement the theory she was learning. She created a new website that included an integration to channel external requests to Slack, a cross-platform team communication tool used by the company’s employees.

Continuous learning for team members

The bridging course concluded with a presentation to Senga employees, during which Wacheke explained how the company could use graph theory for decision-making. “If you want to get from point A to B, there are algorithms you can use to find the shortest path,” Wacheke says. “Since we’re a logistics company, I thought we could use this when we’re deciding which routes our trucks take.”

The presentation, which is the final requirement for the bridging course, is also a professional development opportunity for Senga employees. “This process is helpful for our team members, particularly those who have been out of school for a while,” Odongo says. “The candidates present what they’ve learned in relation to Senga. It’s a way of doing continuous learning for the existing team members.”

After successfully completing the bridging course in November 2022, Wacheke transitioned to a full-time software engineer role. She is currently developing a “machine” that can interpret and categorize hundreds of documents, including delivery notes, cash flows, and receipts.

“The goal is to enable our customers to simply feed those documents into our machine, and then we can more accurately read and convert them to digital formats to drive automation,” Odongo says. “The machine will also enable someone to ask a document a question, such as ‘What did I deliver to retailer X on date Y?’ or ‘What is the total price of the goods delivered?’”

The bridging course, which was initially custom-designed for Wacheke, is now a permanent program at Senga. A second team member completed the course in October 2023 and has joined the software team full time.

“Developers are not easy to find, and you also want high-quality developers,” Odongo says. “At least when we do this, we know that the person has gone through what we need.”

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9jaboizgistworld-blog · 4 months

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How to Apply for the Aysen Tunca Memorial Scholarship for Women and Boost Your Career in STEM

Are you a female student who is passionate about science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM)? Do you want to pursue your academic and career goals in STEM fields and make a positive impact on the world? If yes, then you might be interested in applying for the Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women, a prestigious scholarship program that supports female students in STEM fields from all over the world. The Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women is a scholarship program that was established in memory of Aysen Tunca, a Turkish engineer and entrepreneur who dedicated her life to promoting STEM education and empowerment for women. The scholarship program aims to honor her legacy and vision by providing financial assistance and mentorship to female students who want to study and work in STEM fields. The scholarship program is open to female students who are enrolled or accepted in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in STEM fields at an accredited university or college. The scholarship program covers the full tuition fees and provides a monthly stipend, a laptop, a travel allowance, and access to a network of mentors and experts in STEM fields. The scholarship program also offers career guidance, internship opportunities, and leadership training to the recipients. The scholarship program is highly competitive and selective, as it only awards 10 scholarships per year to the most outstanding and deserving candidates. The scholarship program is looking for female students who have excellent academic records, strong leadership potential, and a commitment to advancing STEM education and empowerment for women. If you think you have what it takes to be a Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women recipient, then you should not miss this opportunity to apply for the scholarship program and boost your career in STEM. In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about the scholarship program, including: - What are the objectives of the scholarship program? - Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship program and what are the requirements? - How much is the scholarship worth and what are the benefits? - What are the available courses that you can study with the scholarship program? - When is the deadline to apply for the scholarship program and how to submit the application? - Where can you find more information and contact details about the scholarship program? By the end of this blog post, you will have a clear idea of how to apply for the Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women and boost your career in STEM. So, let’s get started!

Objectives of the scholarship program

The Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women is a scholarship program that was created to honor the memory and vision of Aysen Tunca, a Turkish engineer and entrepreneur who was a pioneer and advocate for STEM education and empowerment for women. Aysen Tunca was the founder and CEO of Tunca Engineering, a leading engineering and consulting firm that specialized in renewable energy, smart cities, and digital transformation. She was also the co-founder and president of Women in STEM, a non-profit organization that aimed to inspire, educate, and empower women and girls in STEM fields. Aysen Tunca passed away in 2022 after a long battle with cancer, but her legacy and vision live on through the scholarship program that bears her name. The scholarship program is funded by Tunca Engineering, Women in STEM, and other partners and donors who share Aysen Tunca’s passion and mission for STEM education and empowerment for women. The main objectives of the scholarship program are: - To provide financial support and mentorship to female students who want to pursue their academic and career goals in STEM fields. - To increase the representation and participation of women in STEM fields, especially in leadership positions and in emerging and innovative sectors. - To foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration among female students and professionals in STEM fields. - To create a network of alumni and mentors who can support and inspire each other and the next generation of women in STEM. The scholarship program hopes to achieve these objectives by awarding 10 scholarships per year to the most outstanding and deserving female students in STEM fields from all over the world. The scholarship program also hopes to create a lasting impact on the lives of the recipients and the communities they serve.

Eligibility and requirements

The Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women is open to female students who meet the following eligibility and requirements: - You must be a female student who is enrolled or accepted in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in STEM fields at an accredited university or college. - You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. - You must have a strong academic record and demonstrate excellence in your chosen field of study. - You must have a clear and realistic plan of how you will use the scholarship to achieve your academic and career goals in STEM fields. - You must have a demonstrated leadership potential and a commitment to advancing STEM education and empowerment for women. - You must have a good command of English and be able to communicate effectively in written and spoken forms. - You must be willing and able to participate in the scholarship program activities, such as mentorship, internship, and leadership training. - You must be a citizen of one of the following eligible countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Congo, Republic of the, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. If you meet these eligibility and requirements, then you are qualified to apply for the Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women.

Scholarship value and benefits

The Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women is a full scholarship that covers the following expenses and benefits: - Full tuition fees for the duration of the degree program - A monthly stipend of $1,000 for living expenses - A laptop computer and a smartphone - A travel allowance of up to $2,000 per year for round-trip flights to and from the university or college - Access to a network of mentors and experts in STEM fields who can provide guidance, support, and feedback - Career guidance and internship opportunities with Tunca Engineering, Women in STEM, and other partners and donors - Leadership training and workshops to develop personal and professional skills - Participation in alumni and networking events to connect with other recipients and mentors The scholarship value and benefits are subject to change depending on the availability of funds and the specific needs and circumstances of each recipient. The scholarship program reserves the right to adjust or modify the scholarship value and benefits at any time.

Available courses

The Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women is available for undergraduate and graduate degree programs in STEM fields at any accredited university or college. The scholarship program does not restrict the choice of courses or majors, as long as they fall under the broad categories of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Some examples of the available courses that you can study with the scholarship program are: - Aerospace Engineering - Artificial Intelligence - Biochemistry - Biomedical Engineering - Biotechnology - Chemical Engineering - Civil Engineering - Computer Science - Data Science - Electrical Engineering - Environmental Engineering - Genetics - Geology - Industrial Engineering - Information Technology - Mathematics - Mechanical Engineering - Nanotechnology - Neuroscience - Physics - Robotics - Software Engineering - Statistics These are just some of the possible courses that you can study with the scholarship program. You can choose any course or major that interests you and aligns with your academic and career goals in STEM fields.

Aysen Tunca Memorial Scholarship Application process and deadline

The application process for the Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women is simple and straightforward. You just need to follow these steps to apply for the scholarship program: - Visit the official website of the scholarship program at https://www.aysentuncamemorialscholarship.org/ and click on the “Apply Now” button. - Fill out the online application form with your personal, academic, and contact information. You will also need to upload the following documents in PDF format: - A copy of your passport or national ID card - A copy of your transcript or academic record - A copy of your acceptance letter or proof of enrollment from the university or college - A curriculum vitae or resume - A personal statement of no more than 500 words that explains why you are applying for the scholarship program, what are your academic and career goals in STEM fields, and how you plan to use the scholarship to achieve them - A letter of recommendation from a teacher, professor, or mentor who can attest to your academic performance, leadership potential, and commitment to STEM education and empowerment for women - Submit your online application form and documents before the deadline. You will receive a confirmation email once your application is received and processed. - Wait for the notification of the shortlisted candidates. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to an online interview with the scholarship program committee. The interview will assess your communication skills, motivation, and suitability for the scholarship program. - Wait for the final selection and announcement of the scholarship recipients. If you are selected, you will receive a congratulatory email and a scholarship offer letter. You will need to accept the offer and sign the scholarship agreement within the specified time frame. The deadline to apply for the Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women for the academic year 2024-2025 is December 31, 2023. The online application form and documents must be submitted by 11:59 PM (GMT) on that date. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted. The shortlisted candidates will be notified by January 31, 2024 and the online interviews will be conducted in February 2024. The final selection and announcement of the scholarship recipients will be made by March 31, 2024. The scholarship program will start in September 2024.

More information and contact details

If you want to find out more information about the Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women, you can visit the official website of the scholarship program at https://www.aysentuncamemorialscholarship.org/. There, you can find more details about the scholarship program objectives, eligibility, requirements, value, benefits, courses, application process, and deadline. You can also read the stories and testimonials of the previous scholarship recipients and mentors. If you have any questions or inquiries about the scholarship program, you can contact the scholarship program coordinator at [email protected]. You can also follow the scholarship program on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, to get the latest updates and news.

FAQs - Aysen Tunca Memorial Scholarship

Here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women: Can I apply for the scholarship program if I am already enrolled in a degree program in STEM fields?Yes, you can apply for the scholarship program if you are already enrolled in a degree program in STEM fields, as long as you meet the other eligibility and requirements. However, you will need to provide proof of enrollment from your university or college and indicate your expected graduation date. Can I apply for the scholarship program if I am not a citizen of one of the eligible countries?No, you cannot apply for the scholarship program if you are not a citizen of one of the eligible countries. The scholarship program is only open to female students who are citizens of the eligible countries listed above. Can I apply for the scholarship program if I am not fluent in English?No, you cannot apply for the scholarship program if you are not fluent in English. You must have a good command of English and be able to communicate effectively in written and spoken forms. You may be required to provide proof of your English proficiency, such as a TOEFL or IELTS score, if requested by the scholarship program committee. Can I choose any university or college to study with the scholarship program?Yes, you can choose any university or college to study with the scholarship program, as long as it is accredited and offers degree programs in STEM fields. You will need to provide proof of your acceptance or enrollment from the university or college when you apply for the scholarship program. Can I change my course or major after I receive the scholarship offer?No, you cannot change your course or major after you receive the scholarship offer. You must stick to the course or major that you indicated in your application form and that was approved by the scholarship program committee. If you want to change your course or major, you will need to reapply for the scholarship program and go through the selection process again. How long is the duration of the scholarship program?The duration of the scholarship program depends on the length of your degree program. The scholarship program will cover the full tuition fees and provide the other benefits for the duration of your degree program, up to a maximum of four years for undergraduate programs and two years for graduate programs. What are the obligations and expectations of the scholarship recipients?The scholarship recipients are expected to maintain a high academic performance, participate in the scholarship program activities, such as mentorship, internship, and leadership training, and comply with the scholarship program rules and regulations. The scholarship recipients are also expected to contribute to the scholarship program objectives and vision, by advancing STEM education and empowerment for women and by sharing their experiences and insights with other recipients and mentors.

Conclusion

The Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women is a unique and valuable opportunity for female students who want to pursue their academic and career goals in STEM fields. The scholarship program provides financial support and mentorship to female students who have excellent academic records, strong leadership potential, and a commitment to advancing STEM education and empowerment for women. The scholarship program also offers career guidance, internship opportunities, and leadership training to the recipients, as well as access to a network of mentors and experts in STEM fields. If you are a female student who is passionate about STEM fields and meets the eligibility and requirements, then you should not hesitate to apply for the scholarship program and boost your career in STEM. The deadline to apply for the scholarship program for the academic year 2024-2025 is December 31, 2023. You can visit the official website of the scholarship program at https://www.aysentuncamemorialscholarship.org/ to find out more information and to submit your online application form and documents. Don’t miss this chance to honor the memory and vision of Aysen Tunca, a pioneer and advocate for STEM education and empowerment for women, and to join a community of outstanding and inspiring female students and professionals in STEM fields. Apply now for the Aysen tunca memorial scholarship STEM Scholarship for Women and make your dreams come true! Read the full article

#scholarships #StemScholarshipforwomen

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govindhtech · 5 months

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How generative AI evolved from early research

Do you think of the Terminator or Data from “Star Trek: The Next Generation” when you hear AI? No example of artificial general intelligence exists today, yet AI has created machine intelligence. It’s trained on massive public, proprietary, and sensor data.

As we start our AI on the Edge series, we’d like to define “AI” as it might include machine learning, neural networks, and deep learning. Don’t be embarrassed: “What is AI, exactly?” requires a more technical and sophisticated response.

The beginnings of AI research

Knowing the history of AI makes answering “what is AI” easier

As humans built competent electronic computers in the 1950s, AI emerged from science fiction. Alan Turing investigated AI’s mathematical feasibility. He proposed that machines can solve problems and make judgements using knowledge and reasoning like humans.

In his 1950 paper “Computing Machinery and Intelligence,” he developed the Turing Test to test intelligent machines. If a machine can have a conversation with a human over a text interface, the test suggests it is “thinking.” This simplified test makes a “thinking machine” more realistic.

AI Proof of Concept

AI research was hampered by the limited and expensive computers of the 1950s. Despite this, studies continued. Five years later, Logic Theorist, arguably the first AI programme, began a proof of concept. The 1956 Dartmouth Summer Research Project on Artificial Intelligence screened the programme. This landmark meeting brought together prominent academics from diverse fields for an open-ended discussion about AI, which host John McCarthy, then a Dartmouth mathematics professor, coined.

As computers got faster, cheaper, and more storage, AI research blossomed from 1957 through 1974. People learned which machine learning algorithm to use for their problem as algorithms improved. But mainstream applications were scarce, and AI research funding dried up. The utopian vision of 1960s and 1970s AI researchers like Marvin Minsky seemed doomed.

AI advancements today

In the 1980s, computing and data storage advances boosted AI research. AI renaissance fueled by new algorithms and investment. John Hopfield and David Rumelhart popularised “deep learning” techniques that let computers learn from experience.

Following this milestone were notable events. Deep Blue defeated world chess champion and grandmaster Gary Kasparov in 1997. The first reigning world chess champion lost to a machine. Dragon Systems speech-recognition software became widely accessible the same year. Stanford’s 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge winning robot drove independently over 131 miles on an unrehearsed desert track. Two years later, a Carnegie Mellon University vehicle won the DARPA Urban Challenge by autonomously travelling 55 miles in an urban area while avoiding traffic dangers and respecting traffic laws. In February 2011, IBM’s Watson question answering machine defeated the two greatest “Jeopardy!” champions in an exhibition match.

Though exciting, these public demonstrations weren’t mainstream AI solutions. The DARPA competitions spurred ongoing autonomous vehicle development. Math accelerators like GPUs, DSPs, FPGAs, and NPUs increased processing speeds by orders of magnitude over CPUs, launching the AI application explosion. Math accelerators like DSPs, GPUs, and NPUs perform hundreds or thousands of threads simultaneously, while CPUs can handle tens. AI researchers also had access to massive training data from cloud services and public data sets.

Large language models (LLMs) trained on massive amounts of unlabeled data become the foundation models for many jobs in 2018. Recent models like OpenAI’s GPT-3 in 2020 and DeepMind’s Gato in 2022 advanced AI. These generative AI models have expanded AI’s applicability. Using input prompts, generative AI can create new text, images, or other content. Previous AI uses included detecting bad parts in a product line, classifying faces in a video feed, and predicting the path of an autonomous vehicle.

How AI works and technological terminology

Modern AI uses artificial neurons built after animal and human brains. Each synthetic neuron layer processes input and feeds the next. Neural network. Each neuron weighs many inputs. Add weighted inputs and feed the result to an activation function. A ReLU activation function gives a deep learning model nonlinearity. Activation function outputs feed the neural network’s next layer. The model parameters are summation function bias and collective weights.

The number of interconnected neurons per layer and the number of layers affect neural network accuracy at the expense of performance, power, and size.

Deep learning’s depth

In “deep learning,” “deep” indicates several network layers. GPUs, NPUs, and other math accelerators increase computational capacity by a thousand-fold or more, enabling backpropagation for multi-layer networks and lowering training time from months to days.

Digital neuron parameters are learned. We learn from life and senses. AI learns from digital imprints because it has no sensations or experiences.

Using examples trains neural networks. Known “inputs” and “outputs,” which generate probability-weighted correlations in the digital neuron and are stored in the neural network’s “model” in supervised learning.

The difference between the network’s processed output (usually a prediction) and a desired output trains a neural network using an example. Minimising the difference between the prediction and the intended output modifies the network iteratively until accuracy is reached. This is backpropagation.

The neural network learns from new data and examples. The neural network model must be big to represent complex data. Training large models takes numerous examples to enhance accuracy and capabilities.

#AI

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pursuingheavenonearth · 7 months

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Is it time for a 'radical' change? Maybe not.

David Lewis Brooks

My bare feet, photo taken June 2023 on the steps of Hostal Casa de Huespedes San Fernando, Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria (Canary Islands), Spain

PREFACE: This article was written over several weeks from August 18 until September 20, 2023, after I returned from my second overseas trip that summer.

When one comes to end of his/her professional career, it is not always easy to decide what to do or where or how to find an avocation or a new vocation to keep oneself occupied productively in the last Third of One's (Current) Lifespan. Over the approximately three and a half years since I officially retired from work (university teaching and research job), I have dabbled a bit in several possible Third Life career moves, but none of them has panned out into any satisfying work or job offers.

Basically, I am staying at home and being the wise, but quiet, granddad to the Brooks-Yamaguchi family. Our older son, also an Associate Professor,but at Asia University (not too far from our home) lives with his Japanese wife and two daughters, aged 7 and 5 years old). His wife, Yuki, works as a student affairs officer (foreign student admissions) at KUFS (Kanda University of Foreign Studies), located a short bicycle ride from our homes. I say 'homes' since we live just a block away from our son's and his family's residence.

I had first joined the teaching staff at Kitasato’s Sagamihara campus in April, 1996, as an emergency teacher recruited by Prof. Yukio Seya in March of that year to fill a sudden part-time English teacher vacancy.

Photo taken August 2023 at the circular roundabout road, about 400 meters from the East Side entrance to Tama Bochi Cemetery, Fuchu, Tokyo. These are crepe myrtle trees in full bloom from July to October annually. It's a bit rare to have two large crepe myrtle growing side-by-side in the cemetery, so they are a favorite sight on our daily dog walks into the Tama Bochi (cemetery).

I was subsequently employed as a full-time teacher member of the English Language Unit a month into the school following year, and has continued in the position of Associate Professor until my mandatory retirement in March 2019. Why a month later start? Actually, I was a part-time teacher with 6 weekly classes, which was the same as a full-time teacher's workload. By then asking that I be made a full-timer (once I was already employed), then they didn't have to open the 'new' position up to public applications from both presently employed part-timers as well as outsider. It was a strategic political employment move. I continue for three years as a contract (full-time) employee, before being made full-fledged faculty member (Assistant Professor), and eventually attained Associate Professorship in approximately 10 years further. I never considered even asking to be a Full Professor because I considered that my Japanese language skills were not sufficient to complete all of the duties required a full professor. However, I will never actually know if I was considered qualified to seek that promotion or not, because my own Department Head retired and I had several other colleagues that I would have had to compete with to become Professor Brooks. More money, but more work and many ore headaches (if you ask me). Therefore, I happily remained an Associate Professor until I retired in March 2019. Retirement became mandatory at the age of 65 year-of-age for all, but esteemed Professor Emeritus, of which there were one appointed every couple of years.

After my official retirement, I was asked to teach one further year as an Adjunct Professor under a part-time teacher's salary for five courses on three days a week (Mondays - one class, Tuesday - 2 classes and Thursday - 2 classes). This arrangement, by the way, was how I started teaching part-time at Kitasato University first in the 1996-97 academic year.

Photo taken at sunset in August 2022 Diamond Head Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii

After his retirement, David L. Brooks had intended to remain as an adjunct professor at Kitasato University for one or two days a week, he'd likely be teaching part-time as well at Aoyama Gakuin University for two graduate or undergraduate courses, and may also be working on a volunteer basis in the part-time position at the University’s Office of International Affairs from April, 2019, until the 2024. In addition, Mr. Brooks would be managing director of a new travel company based in Hawaii that specializes in edutrekking, travel expeditions for small teams that combine travel with eco-tourism and humanitarian endeavors for potential customers in Japan, the USA, and Europe.

The LAST PLANS in the above paragraph DID NOT actually MATERIALIZE, and when COVID-19 hit the world, my Third Life Career is was then put on hold and is, therefore, being reconsidered. That is purpose of this entry: To review those three years of dormancy (rather like hibernation) would probably be a helpful move at this juncture of my existence. I can either decide what I want/need to do next, or will come to some other kind of resolution.

------------------------------------------------------------

Part I

January 2020 - June 2021

Photo taken February 2022 at the Diamond Head Road leading into Kapiolani Park, Honolulu, Hawaii

A) From January 2020 until June 2021, I was involved in the Harvard Kennedy School of Government's Public Leadership Credential, where I completed six different six-week long graduate courses in an online coursework format that included weekly group work (for one of weeks of each course I was the group leader and completing a personally focused individualized weekly assignment, plus completing a challenging final written exam. Along the way, I had three very distinguished, challenging, and interesting professors and got to work in detail with dozens of highly qualified and tenacious graduate students, who were also pursuing the same Harvard graduate credential.

Seated at the Jackie O's restaurant / bar at Super Paradise Beach on the Greek island of Mykonos. It was a warm afternoon in June, 2023, and I was one of just a few customers at 4:00pm that day.

To be honest, taking the coursework (actually 2/5ths of a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government) was the fulfillment of a personal challenge that I had envisioned pursuing more than a decade ago. At that time, after designating Harvard KSG as my first choice for a graduate institution at the time of taking the GRE, I received a letter of invitation from Harvard Kennedy School asking me to complete the necessary steps to apply for admission. Probably the main reason was because I had scored a perfect 6 on the then newly instigated GRE Writing Test, which had only just begun the very year that I had re-taken the GRE. There is no doubt that I found the six courses in the Public Leadership Credential at Harvard KSG to be academically challenging, but they were not impossible and I found the course content, the professors, and working with my fellow course-mates to be highly interesting, personally rewarding and a great learning experience (almost without exception). However, I believe that I came to realize that simply cooperating and competing with my other Harvard online classmates was not the activity that really excited my intellectual interests or challenged my internal soul-searching to find a meaningful post-retirement career.

A bee in the weeds: Photo taken May 2022 at the Tama River side park, not far from Tokyo Parkway Bridge at Inagi, Fuchu, Tokyo

Most of my own personally-meaningful assignments for those six courses were related to my current passion at the time: Finding or creating an organization (or group) that can assist impoverished families in Hawaii, particularly those living under stark economic realities of today's world (who can absolutely be categorized a 'poor' families and individuals who are economically disadvantaged, to find affordable housing (either by buying, renting, or sharing a portion of a group-owned lodging).

Eating at a nice (and expensive) restaurant near the Beach Boardwalk at Sitges, Spain in June, 2023

Actually, that leads me to my July 2021 - January 2023 phase, which involved trying to set up both a non-profit, called Philantropical.org, and a for-profit travel-related business, called Rainbow Travel Network, Inc., both of which I have now closed.

Let me explain more in the next section.

Part II

July 2021 - January 2023

B) My Entrepreneurial Phase -- Starting Two Business that I closed even before they could actually start.

Part II-A From January 2021 through January 2023, I was busy trying to set up both a non-profit, called Philantropical.org, and also a for-profit travel-related business, called Rainbow Travel Network, Inc., both of which I subsequently have now closed.

Photo taken June 2023 at the Old Windmills Strand located near the main port / harbor of Choros Town on Mykonos Island, Greece

Setting up Philantropical.org (a non-profit organization) was not too difficult. In fact, inside the State of Hawaii, it was painless and virtually easy-peasy-Japanesy (as we often say in the Brooks household). Even when I decided to make the non-profit be recognized nationwide (in the US), it was not very difficult to secure the paperwork and to get registered and verified as a US nationwide non-profit organization by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The difficulty arose when it came to the actual details of the non-profit tax designation and assigned levels of tax compliance as a non-profit organization. While it was still recognized as a non-profit, for tax purposes, it was designated as a XXXXXX non-taxed organization and the paperwork and tax forms required were just too laborious and time-consuming to be acceptable (at least for me alone).

I quickly realized that I could not sustain that level of complicated book-keeping and convoluted tax reporting that such a designation required. I subsequently decided to dissolve the non-profit organization, thus appearing to 'officially' abandon its mission: helping disadvantaged and underprivileged families to cope with the regulations and restrictions needed in order to live in a house on the Big Island of Hawaii.

To be continued.....

Part II-B Rainbow Travel Network, Inc.

Photo taken March 2012 at the Marine Park located near Arinaga Marine Preserve on the island of Gran Canaria, The Canary Islands, Spain (taken by my own underwater photography with my own camera).

The second part of my plan was to establish a travel services company that acted as an 'arranger' for travel services to be provided to small (3-7) or medium-sized (8-24) people. The 'trips' are not actually solely for the purpose of travel, but have the ultimate goal of providing 'free' assistance to people, organizations (such as non-profits and public corporations), to help animal and plant life in a specific region, and (or) to improve the environmental conditions in a specific locale in order to reach their fullest (and highest) potentials. The eco-trips or 'edutreking' sojourns would be in my current home country (Japan) or abroad; they could be free (if a sponsor will pay expenses) or their costs could be reduced by donations and payments from the beneficiary groups, or they could be totally self-supported (paid for my the volunteers own monetary contributions).

Examples of such 'trips' could include any or a combination of the following eco-trips or 'edutreking' experiences:a) Volunteer to teach life-skill English conversation to home healthcare workers who are assisting disaster relief for an Australian state; b)Lead a workshop on polish one's job search and employer attractiveness skills for low-level, poorly educated individuals seeking jobs as migrant workers in a South American country;

c) Conduct an environmental clean-up workday in specific area needing human labor of volunteers (in Florida after the last major hurricane damage),

and

d - z) there are countless more examples, etc... But hopefully, you get the idea: human volunteers helping our planet and its environment, its peoples and the animal & plant livelihoods.

Photo taken February 2022 at the Beach 67 not far from Spencer Beach, near Kawaihae, Big Island, Hawaii

Part III February 2023 - September 2023 C) My own travels overseas

Photos were taken August 2023 at the Hellabrunn Zoo outside Munich, Germany. Of course, there are hundreds of species of birds, fish, reptiles, and other animals at the zoo, but the birds and fish are easiest to photograph because you're allowed to be so close to them in an enclosed cage (bird cage in huge) or space (the aquarium).

From January 2023 until the present (Sept 2023), I was mostly at my home in Tokyo, helping with the chores of grand-child minding, cooking and cleaning house. I did find the time and resources (money) to travel abroad twice during that time. Both times, I visited Europe; actually, I visited Spain and Germany twice as my favorite European cities are Munich and Barcelona.

Many years ago, I practiced the art (martial) of Aikido. Once we held a public exhibition of our 'sensei's' students at a public hall in Gotanda, Tokyo. Here I am finishing a defensive move on my co-combattant.

So it is time for a radical change in my lifestyle or vocation (or avocation)? Well, after considering what's happening now in my world and in our societies, I'd have to say that things in my life will likely just remain as they are, without any huge changes. I'm enjoying what I'm doing now: being a partner to my wife, and a father and grandfather to my sons and spouses and offspring. Attempting to conflate my raison d'etre into some grand scheme of a new life is probably only my own wishful thinking as my mortality lies more concretely ahead of me. I'll most likely be happy to simply live my life as it is being played out now. I'm loved by family, and enjoy the hobbies and pastimes that 'apparently' keep me busy and productive as I enter my seventh decade of life. I can only hope that I will have at least two more decades to enjoy my life on Earth and hope to gain the satisfaction of having spent my remaining time alive in the best ways possible.

Thank for reading.

Playing with the Djohong Village children around New Year's Eve, 2000 in Cameroon, West Africa, while participating the one of EarthWatch.org research expeditions to assist Phyllis Jansyn, a former Peace Corps volunteer, who had stayed in rural Cameroon to help the villagers of Djohong find clean water, safeguard against disease, give birth, and learn healthy childcare to the women (and men) of the surrounding villages.

#self improvement #self actualization #maturity

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