as a jesse stan first and human being second, el camino is making me tear up not even 10 minutes in

Its been said before (and probably more eloquently) but I do think any discussion about how self-dx is "problematic" is meaningless until the systems under which diagnosis exists stop being ableist, racist, fatphobic, etc-- I would much rather, for example, that a person identify with the plural community and then later decide that they're a singlet, than have more parts of the plural community face trauma, oppression, prejudice, humiliation, etc from doctors just to 'prove' they're 'really plural'.

Setting that to the side-- I'll get back to it later-- the current process of medical diagnosis itself often includes people who are ostracized from parts of the plural community online.

The main schism between people who are anti self-dx and those who are not (at least as far as plurality goes...) is that those who are against self-dx have a misguided belief that there is a criterion for diagnosis that a patient must have early childhood trauma-- a criterion not present in the DSM in the first place. Though the 'early childhood trauma' theory of dissociation is the most supported and most likely theory for disordered, diagnosable plurality, that doesn't mean that that theory will in all cases be correct, in the same way that a similar chain of events could happen to two people and leave one traumatized for life and the other fine after a few months.

Its true that in many cases, disordered plurality has potential correlation with traceable traumas from early childhood, but that doesn't mean that all cases of even disordered plurality specifically come from trauma (and, of course, since disordered plurality comes often with memory problems, even if there IS a trauma it is likely the memory of it is obscured or inaccessible, and the people who are now experiencing plurality-related distress may not believe that trauma exists), and this is something reflected in the fact that the DSM only looks for current symptoms and experiences, and does not question the traumatic history of a patient whatsoever in screening for dissociative disorders.

Its provable that non-disordered forms of plurality exist (integration - both into a single being, and the more modern definition of the memory gaps and conflicts that cause distress being reduced), whether those forms come after a period of disordered plurality, or if, in some cases, a collective never experiences a clinically significant amount of distress, its scientifically and anecdotally recognized that these forms of being exist.

It is also true that many forms of plurality (even forms that do cause significant distress) are difficult or impossible to discover or diagnose. In many cases, the dissociation experienced by nature is intended to hide/conceal itself as a form of protection, which categorically makes it significantly more of an ordeal to discover-- and even more of an ordeal to have clinically recognized to the degree of an official diagnosis.

Going back to my original point about the system of diagnosis, its also objectively true that massive parts of medical institutions (psychologists and psychiatrists, doctors and other health practitioners, and insurance companies) have implicit and explicit bias against so-called "rare" or "severe" disorders, behaviors, and experiences. Even if there were a hypothetical person who fit EVERY criterion for DID in the DSM, and experienced a provable trauma at an early stage of development that could be connected directly to their experience of dissociation, and was conscious of their dissociation, there's still many cases where they would be completely reasonable to not pursue a diagnosis-- because of prejudice in the medical system, fear of reduced chances of employment, societal ostracisation, a lack of safety in their situation of living, the desire to not be institutionalized-- I could go on.

The truth is; we don't know enough to say for certain the cause of plurality in every or even any case, and it seems much more valuable at least to me to create a community built on a basis of curiosity about different modes of existence than it is to create one functioning on a system of suspicion and gatekeeping.

Anon wrote: Hello mbti-notes! I'm 25 & INFJ. I currently feel directionless, lost and stagnant. Due to this I've isolated myself for a long time up until recently when I realized it's making me more anxious. I've been trying not to isolate myself by taking daily walks, practicing mindfulness, interacting a little with people, learning soft skills and learning from your blog.

Many setbacks have occurred in the past few years. I feel after covid I've just had hardship after hardship without break. I've lost my drive and goals. So I started I've started rethinking my goals. I always knew that I wanted to do a career involving history, travel and in service to others so I worked towards that. In my final year of uni my friend suggested going into teaching because I could do history + teach abroad. I thought it was a good idea. I've taught for one year in my own country.

Since I've entered the teaching field I've had a very difficult time and experienced burnout in no time. I don't feel supported or guidance to overcome challenges that I have. I'm lacking strong classroom management in a class of 40 students (public schools). Senior teachers have told me that I should consider switching to kindergarten or that I would be viewed as incompetent and lose my job. I was also told I'm going to struggle in this field because I struggle to socialize with colleagues. I'm very introverted and lack social skills due to being socially isolated during my middle childhood to teenage years. I'm working on this and try to socialize with colleagues.

It feels discouraging to constantly be criticized. I was told twice by two teachers I worked with closely I work diligently and they'd love to work with me again. First teachers usually struggle with classroom management the difference is how slow or fast one gets a grip on it. For some it's months, just a year or many years. I'm not given the time or space to practice my classroom management. During my entire first year I believed myself to be incompetent because of the comments from experienced, high rank teachers. Which caused me stress and unhealthy perfectionism because I internalized those comments due to my low self worth & external validation. I'm working on changing this belief and learning about myself. I know I can do it with experience, guidance and support. I believe that I'm capable of doing any job or career if I have proper guidance or mentoring.

Unfortunately, only teachers with good classroom management are employed. Unless a school is interested in taking on new teachers and mentoring them which isn't frequent. So far I haven't been able to find stability in this career either. I've just gotten accepted for contract posts which are only for a few months. I'm currently taking a break from being a school teacher and I've started volunteering work by tutoring children. I'm at crossroads with what to choose. Especially because I'm doubting whether I'm suitable to be a teacher considering my classroom management which is very important. I'm considering exploring other jobs than teaching or continuing in that field but as a tutor, online teaching or private schools (20 in a class and my classroom management is good with 20). My question is how do I know if I'm on the right path? How do I find healthy direction? Thank you for your time.

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

1) Trying to learn on the job can be very challenging because of the greater sense of responsibility and the pressure it generates to succeed quickly.

To my ears, the amount of help you need actually sounds a bit unreasonable. There is one point about your situation that is unclear. Did you get a teaching degree that included a proper internship or practicum? (If you entered into a position without the right qualifications or training, then you shouldn't be surprised about struggling.) It's not the job of the employer or your colleagues to educate you once you've already graduated from school, though they may choose to be supportive as part of their mission or as resources allow. Technically speaking, the training should've already happened in your practicum, so it is assumed you already have enough classroom experience to get a grip on things quickly on your own.

If you haven't had enough practical classroom training, it might benefit you to spend time working as a teaching assistant in order to learn from experienced teachers in a more appropriate way, rather than expecting your colleagues to add teaching you to their already full plates of teaching 40 students.

Factors such as student demographics and school funding also influence the workplace environment for teachers, so it might be a good idea to try out many different schools to ensure that the problem doesn't lie solely with you. It could be that the workplace culture in specific schools isn't a good fit for you. It's not something to cast blame about but to accept; simply move on and look for a better fit.

There are many different forms of teaching, so just because you can't manage a class of 40+ doesn't mean you have to give up teaching entirely. Yes, private schools and sometimes schools in more rural areas generally have smaller classes. Also, there are companies that provide after school tutoring programs, so you could actually work as a tutor if one-on-one teaching appeals to you. Private tutoring can be lucrative if you produce good results and the right parents spread the word about your services.

2) The idea of "the right path" is somewhat misleading because it doesn't exist in any absolute sense. And believing there is only one right path for you isn't the healthiest mindset because it makes you less open to possibility and then less adaptable to change. That said, there are some very general indicators you can use to determine whether life is going well, for example:

- Emotional Well-Being: Do you generally feel good? When life is going well, your mood should be relatively stable, your attitude positive, and your outlook optimistic. Remember, pain is a warning that something is wrong. Similar to problems with physical health, if there are any aspects of your life that produce pain and suffering for you, it's better to address them sooner rather than later.

- Healthy Self-Esteem: Are you proud of who you are? Healthy pride comes from things like: taking responsibility for yourself and what you put out; making wise judgments and decisions; speaking constructively; working productively; nurturing and appreciating individuality; building good moral character. It's important to pay attention to feelings of guilt, shame, inadequacy, or self-loathing because they shine a light on opportunities for personal growth.

- Being of Value: Do you feel that you matter? To "matter" basically means your existence is better than your nonexistence. To feel as though you matter in the world, you need to offer something of value and also have your offerings valued by others. If you feel as though you have little or nothing of value to offer, then you might have an underlying issue of low self-worth to address. If you feel as though others don't value you, then you need to examine what is causing the problematic disconnect in your interpersonal life.

- Sense of Purpose: Do you have good reasons to get up every morning? People with a strong sense of purpose generally: strive to use their time and energy in meaningful ways; undertake work that produces tangible benefits; look for opportunities to make a positive contribution; make a commitment to higher goals and ideals. Feeling unmotivated, stuck, lost or adrift often points to lack of purpose in life. Purpose doesn't magically appear. You have to make purposeful choices in accordance with the value you see in yourself and want to express out into the world.

It's not my place to tell people how to make life decisions. You have to reflect on whether this is the career you want and then explore your options and find the position of best fit. This difficulty you are facing in your career could mean any number of things. It could be the challenge you need to learn the skills that you've neglected up until now. It could be a wake up call for realizing that a change of direction is necessary. To be a healthy INFJ means being able to use Ni to connect with the whole truth of the matter. Who else can tell you what is right for you? You have to reflect on it with as much self-honesty as you can muster.

Brainwaves Bios: Doctor Egon Spengler (1984)

The Brain of The Ghostbusters Doctor Egon Spengler, PhD

The brains of the Ghostbusters. He designed all the team's equipment and normally comes up with the plan to trap the ghosts. Overly analytical, Egon comes off as colder and more distant than he actually is.

"I collect spores, molds, and fungus."

Name

Full Legal Name: Egon Malachi Spengler

First Name: Egon

Meaning: From the Old German name 'Egino' derived from the element 'Agin' meaning 'Edge, Blade'

Pronunciation: EH-gawn

Origin: German

Middle Name: Malachi

Meaning: From the Hebrew name 'Mal'akhi' meaning 'My messenger' or 'My angel'

Pronunciation: MAL-a-kie

Origin: Hebrew, English, Biblical, Biblical Latin

Surname: Spengler

Meaning: Occupational surname literally meaning 'Metal worker' or 'Tin knocker'

Pronunciation: SPENG-ler

Origin: German

Titles: Doctor, Professor, Mr

Nicknames: Egie, Spengs

Characteristics

Age: 40

Gender: Male. He/Him Pronouns

Race: Human

Nationality: American Citizen. Born in America

Ethnicity: White

Birth Date: November 21st 1944

Sexuality: Aromatic, Straight

Religion: Jewish

Native Language: English

Known Languages: English, Hebrew, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Latin, Greek, Egyptian, Arabic

Relationship Status: Single

Astrological Sign: Scorpio

Actor: Harold Ramis

Geographical Characteristics

Birthplace: Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Current Residence: North Moore Street, New York, New York

Appearance

Height: 6'5" / 195 cm

Weight: 175 lbs / 79 kg

Eye Colour: Brown

Hair Colour: Brown

Hair Dye: None

Body Hair: Hairy

Facial Hair: Clean Shaven

Tattoos: (As of Jan 1984) None

Piercings: None

Scars: None

Health and Fitness

Allergies: None

Alcoholic, Smoker, Drug User: Clean

Illnesses/Disorders: None Diagnosed (Possibly Autistic)

Medications: None

Any Specific Diet: None

Relationships

Affiliated Groups: Ghostbusters (Founding Member)

Friends: Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz, Winston Zeddemore, Janine Melnitz, Louis Tully (Sort-Of), Dana Barrett

Significant Other: None

Previous Partners: None of Note

Parents: Edmund Spengler (70, Father), Esther Spengler (73,Mother, Née Schneider)

Parents-In-Law: None

Siblings: Elon Spengler (40, Twin Brother)

Siblings-In-Law: Eliana Spengler (37, Elon's Wife, Née Salomon)

Nieces & Nephews: Edward Spengler (4, Nephew)

Children: None

Extras

Level of Education: Anthropology PhD, Astronomy PhD, Chemistry PhD, Engineering PhD, History PhD, Metallurgy PhD, Mycology PhD, Parapsychology PhD, Philosophy PhD, Physics PhD, Psychology PhD

Occupation: Ghostbuster

Employer: Ghostbusters

Expertise:

Genius with an Eidetic Memory

Polyglot

Physicist

Mycologist

Chemist

Historian

Parapsychologist

Anthropologist

Astronomer

Engineer

Metallurgist

Faults:

Sweet-Tooth

Perceived Lack of Emotions

Doesn't Have a Driver's License

Backstory: Egon Spengler grew up with no toys because his parents didn't believe in them. For unknown reasons, he had part of a Slinky but he straightened it. On October 29, 1969, Egon graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Psychology in the faculty of Psychobiology. On May 10, 1972, Egon graduated from New York University with a degree in Parapsychology. On June 26, 1980, Egon graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree of philosophy in Nuclear Engineering. Egon was very interested in paranormal phenomenon, and worked with Raymond Stantz and Peter Venkman at Columbia University's Paranormal Studies Laboratory in Weaver Hall. He and Raymond studied paranormal literature in their spare time and were interested in theories of reincarnation. Egon developed the P.K.E. Meter to detect paranormal entities and phenomena with. Egon and Raymond were usually the first to interview case subjects, even people Peter called 'Schizos' no matter how far-fetched their stories were.

"I'm not going to be the teacher. We're going to learn together. You're going to teach me some things, and maybe there are a few things I might be able to teach you, but I don't consider myself a teacher. I just feel that I'm here to learn with you. We'll learn things together."

As an adult educator myself, I couldn't help but be drawn into the fascinating life and philosophies of Bernice Violanthe Robinson. Born February 7, 1914 in Charleston, South Carolina --a day that saw snowfall in Charleston for the first time in more than a century. Robinson's mother, Martha Elizabeth (née Anderson) Robinson took this as a sign that her daughter would spend her life "disturbing the elements." Martha was herself sister to Septima Poinsette Clark's mother (see Lesson #74 in this series), and Bernice's own principles would similarly coalesce around the twin premises of education and citizenship, much like her famous cousin.

In 1929 Bernice moved from South Carolina to Harlem, New York with the intention of becoming a musician, but after a period in the famed garment district, her talents as a seamstress took prominence and she graduated from Poro School of Cosmetology. In 1947 she returned to Johns Island, South Carolina to care for her ageing parents, and with her professional talents was able to open her own salon --a form of economic independence not available to Black women in most other careers. At the time beauticians were traditionally well-regarded amongst civil rights workers, not only because they were known and respected in a community, but also because of their almost-stereotypical role as "the good listeners," and that as self-employed entrepreneurs were less prone to backlash from punitive employers. By all accounts a socially engaging and affable personality with an easy talent for friendly first impressions, Bernice joined the NAACP and made good use of her salon as a "hub" for local activism, and made many contacts and acquaintances.

In 1956 Robinson attended a workshop hosted by the Highlander Folk School (an organization that itself certainly merits its own course of study); her cousin Septima Clark also attended. Ostensibly the topic was about desegregation but over the course of the session the focus turned to civic literacy and educating would-be voters. Bernice expressed an interest in helping to better educate the people of Johns Island but lamented her lack of professional teaching credentials. Clark countered by suggesting that her cousin was the ideal candidate for such a role precisely because she lacked such a credential; that she was perfectly suited to the task because of her lack of formal training --no preconceived notions.

Thusly "voluntold," Bernice threw herself into her new calling; in five months (!) she developed lesson plans, curricula, and distributable materials that would lead to SCLC voter-registration workshops in communities well beyond Johns Island; eventually catching on in Charleston itself. The growth of these first Citizenship Schools in turn fed into the enthusiasm and the missions of CORE, the Freedom Riders, and the SNCC --all of which reinforced one another as they continued to educate and motivate scores of citizens who had never before stepped into a voting booth.

As an adult educator, Bernice also adhered to the principle of never stopping learning: in 1967 she completed a University of Wisconsin correspondence course in community development, and also found time to secure an additional degree in interior design. Robinson stepped down from her behind-the-scenes SCLC role in 1970, having quietly developed what amounted to the most successful and widespread literacy campaign in modern American history. She pivoted to developing curricula for the South Carolina Commission for Farm Workers (SCCFW); and then in 1972 --in what I can only assume is the inherent desire of the adult educator to yet again try something new and different-- she ran for Congress.

💙 my heart is heavy with this one 💙

I have consistent nervous breakdowns over knowing this is my life. But yet I know many have no idea about the things I'm about to tell you.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome itself is not truely life-threatening but the complications that it creates can be.

I'M BEGGING FOR HELP!!

They do not provide enough accessible treatment. For complications I face from this rare disease.

I am unable to keep a job as I cannot work during vomiting episodes. Lasting anywhere between hours to days. Not including the recovery time needed after the episode is finished.

IT IS DEBILITATING.

Workplaces refuse to hire me when accomodations are asked due to this disability making me "unreliable". If you don't tell your employer and you miss too much work, your let go for being "unreliable". Finding a workplace who will accommodate you and provide consistent wages ... is unobtainable.

Accessing proper insurance coverage needed to make this rare disease manageable is unobtainable due to the plethora of needs we require to have met. Even when on welfare or disability.

Those who are not able to manage the triggers are pushed out of the workforce and forced to fight to get disability. Often unable to obtain federal disability as it isn't "as bad as cancer" as I was told... even with my other plethora of diagnoses that made my doctor feel it was my best course of action.

Not only dose this rare disease have complications of dehydration, damage to the esophagus and tooth decay. Most with this disease also suffer from other conditions (comorbidities), particularly other functional issues. Some of the common functional comorbidities to CVS include migraine headache, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel, gastroparesis, depression, anxiety, POTS and/or other forms of dysautonomia as well as neuromuscular disease include intellectual disabilities, autism, seizures, and/or hypotonia. As well as mitochondria dysfunctions

Incase you don't know mitochondria dysfunctions means your body cannot efficiently turn sugar and oxygen into energy, so the cells do not work correctly. This can affect different parts of the body: the brain, kidneys, muscles, heart, eyes, ears, and others. Organ dysfunction can be a very real possibility. Organ failure is organ dysfunction to such a degree that normal homeostasis cannot be maintained without external clinical intervention.

I have been diagnosed with 8 and counting of the comorbidities. These comorbidities have their own comorbidities that have also been added to my list.

Many doctors are under educated on CVS. Often those with CVS are not properly diagnosed, even with symptoms at a young age.

Many doctors tell us to figure out our CVS triggers to manage the disease. In my case I have so many triggers due to my plethora of diagnoses/comorbidities that my CVS is incredibly difficult, even unrealistic to manage even with proper medical support. (So many overlapping, environmental, situational, medical, life triggers... so many triggers not on this list and still more unknown triggers)

THIS IS MY LIFE! THERE IS NO CURE.

They're are only underfunded small individual research/studies. They have not found a cure. We don't have proper support and thus we suffer. Look at this link ... the lack of information

https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6230/cyclic-vomiting-syndrome

I SUFFER.

My disadvantages have been continually coming to light. My realization I likely won't be able to achieve basic life milestones has been heartbreaking.

Medically assisted suicide is easily achievable even in even minor cases of CVS. While there is little to no support and even less accessibility.

What options do those with this disease have?

Suffer or give up ...

I'd also like to finally note the journey to diagnosis is horrendous. Doctors diagnose cyclic vomiting syndrome based on family and medical history, a physical exam, pattern of symptoms, and medical tests. Your doctor should perform medical tests to rule out other diseases and conditions that may cause nausea and vomiting.

-add on the factors of age, ethnicity, gender, life style, fashion choices, preconceived assumptions ... the list goes on ... the journey to diagnosis often feels unbearable-

If you have read this please comment, I need some validation.

💙

In the struggle of capital and land against labour, the first two elements enjoy yet another special advantage over labour – the assistance of science; for in present conditions science, too, is directed against labour. Almost all mechanical inventions, for instance, have been occasioned by the lack of labour-power; in particular Hargreaves’, Crompton’s and Arkwright’s cotton-spinning machines. There has never been an intense demand for labour which did not result in an invention that increased labour productivity considerably, thus diverting demand away from human labour. The history of England from 1770 until now is a continuous demonstration of this. The last great invention in cotton-spinning, the self-acting mule, was occasioned solely by the demand for labour, and rising wages. It doubled machine-labour, and thereby cut down hand-labour by half; it threw half the workers out of employment, and thereby reduced the wages of the others by half; it crushed a plot of the workers against the factory owners, and destroyed the last vestige of strength with which labour had still held out in the unequal struggle against capital. (Cf. Dr. Ure, Philosophy of Manufactures, Vol. 2.) The economist now says, however, that in its final result machinery is favourable to the workers, since it makes production cheaper and thereby creates a new and larger market for its products, and thus ultimately reemploys the workers put out of work. Quite right. But is the economist forgetting, then, that the production of labour-power is regulated by competition; that labour-power is always pressing on the means of employment, and that, therefore, when these advantages are due to become operative, a surplus of competitors for work is already waiting for them, and will thus render these advantages illusory; whilst the disadvantages – the sudden withdrawal of the means of subsistence from one half of the workers and the fall in wages for the other half – are not illusory? Is the economist forgetting that the progress of invention never stands still, and that these disadvantages, therefore, perpetuate themselves? Is he forgetting that with the division of labour, developed to such a high degree by our civilisation, a worker can only live if he can be used at this particular machine for this particular detailed operation; that the change-over from one type of employment to another, newer type is almost invariably an absolute impossibility for the adult worker?

Friedrich Engels, Outlines of a Critique of Political Economy

[emphases mine]

Character Intro - Kaleb Killian

Kaleb Killian, born Kaleb Hargrove, is the youngest multi-billionaire in Ferus. He is a hybrid of King Snake and Inland Taipan. His mother was the founder of Hargrove Legal, and was a well-known personal injury lawyer. His father on the other hand was an accountant for Hargrove Legal.

Kaleb is a six foot and four inch tall reptilian hybrid of two snake species. His scales are a deep purple, with light, pastel pink scales along his brow ridge, throat, chest, belly, crotch, and inner thighs. These light scales extend along the underside of his tail, ending at the tip. His eyes are a vibrant and bright neon pink.

He is never seen publicly wearing anything less than a form-fitting, perfectly tailored full suit complete with button-up shirt and vest combo underneath the jacket. In the privacy of his home he is often seen in an equally form-fitting button-up and suit-vest, as well as suit pants, but he rarely wears a jacket at home.

He is determined to leave an indelible mark on the world, and will stop at nothing to secure his place as the most enduring name in Relanian history. He is ruthless in this endeavor.

He is a sociopath, and completely lacks a conscience. He does not know, nor care for, right from wrong and knows only what he wants and what he needs to do to get it. This makes him incredibly dangerous when paired with his particular Blessing.

His Blessing is infallible memory. He has the ability to recall any information he has ever experienced at a moments notice. While eidetic memory has downsides at times, Kaleb's memory functions differently in that he is not plagued by these experiences, nor is he bombarded with constant information in his mind.

Rather it's akin to the average person recalling a book they read, simply withdrawing the information from their memory. This allows him several intellectual advantages. This is what led to his ultimate rise to fame and fortune.

He is directly responsible for his parents death, and feels no remorse for the events that took place as he simply sees them as a way he was able to obtain his inheritance early. The inheritance, his mother's legal business and the combined wealth of his parents totaling a whopping 1.4 million Ferusian Dollars, gave him the opportunity to increase his wealth exponentially.

He holds several doctorate degrees, and is certified in various fields of work. He spends his free time studying for various college courses and continues taking classes to expand his increasing wealth of knowledge and prestige.

Over time, he has amassed a vast collection of businesses, from coffee shops to fast food to law firms, clubs, grocery stores, and more. This is what led to his status as the youngest multi-billionaire in Ferusian history. However, his legal businesses are only half of his story.

Kaleb is also the head of the largest crime syndicate in Ferus, with his hands in nearly all black market business. Organs, weapons, counterfeit money, forgery, and extortion. The only thing he refuses to touch are drugs, as he believes they're too easy to catch and may lead to a swift discovery of his other businesses.

In the public eye, Kaleb maintains a generous and kind-hearted appearance, offering top-of-the-line benefits for workers in his employment, even the lowest on the corporate totem pole being afforded the same benefits as Kaleb himself. He is well-known throughout Ferus as the most generous billionaire in the country, with millions of dollars a year going into charity funds.

In reality, he maintains this appearance to prevent his illegal gains from being noticed. Many of the charity funds he donates to are, in truth, his illicit profits which are then cycled back into his businesses via agreements with the organizations he "donates" to. This is to allow him to maintain an appearance of generosity and good will, avoid trouble over unexplainable profits, and keep his profit growth consistent.

He has a vast laundry list of crimes, from murder to extortion to more barbaric and vile acts as well. More often than not, he'll simply order someone else to deal with it, but he does take a certain pride in handling things himself now and then.

He is the target of various crime families, such as The Kings and their leader Devon, and The Veil and their leader Peter. Both factions want his head on a pike, and are kept from it by his own private mercenary army, the Redcaps, a mercenary group originating from Sen that Kaleb has bought out and converted to being entirely loyal to his cause.

Overall, Kaleb is a remorseless, uncaring, monstrous individual that holds nothing sacred save for his own legacy. He is determined to leave a legacy that lasts to the end of Relan, and will do anything at all to achieve that goal no matter how illegal or atrocious.

He is, by all accounts, an irredeemable monster, and I -love- answering questions about him.

Art by me.

Education is an education do you agree

Liberal Arts is a broad term that includes the study of history, literature, writing, philosophy, sociology, psychology, creative arts, and more. More broadly speaking, students earning a liberal arts degree learn to formulate effective arguments, communicate well, and solve problems.

What is meant by a liberal arts education? A liberal arts education offers an expansive intellectual grounding in all kinds of humanistic inquiry. By exploring issues, ideas and methods across the humanities and the arts, and the natural and social sciences, you will learn to read critically, write cogently and think broadly.

Things to know Disadvantages What are the disadvantages of liberal arts education what are the disadvantages of liberal arts education Thus, the disadvantages of a liberal arts education include lack of preparation for employment. There in no development of technical skills and real-world experience, which means that liberal arts students may still need to learn basic job skills outside of their courses to be marketable and employable. Mar 19, 2017

Make a P.G. Wodehouse world OC!!

Why? Just for fun. I also like to imagine the possibilities for an rpg set in the world of his stories (with its characteristic plots and logic)

Here are some questions to get you started, pick and choose which ones to create characters. I recognize only certain stock types of characters appear in the actual Wodehouse stories but this is set up to both play to that and allow you to go outside it,

Name,

- First/personal,

- Middle name(s),

- Surname(s),

- Initials,

- Nickname(s), include origins, who uses what name, and your character’s thoughts on them if any,

- Titles, if any current or to-inherit,

Whole name written out,

- Nom de guerre (silly names taken on as cover in any court proceedings, mayhem),

- Nom de plume, if any,

Sex,

Age,

(Name age in whatever year you’re saying it is)

Birthdate,

Relationship to gender/sexism relevant to 1900-1930 social sensibilities in the UK, include feelings on this, if any,

Ethnic background and cultural affiliations,

Racial classification relevant to 1900-1930 social sensibilities in the UK, include feelings on this, if any,

Citizenship(s), if any,

Description of class status and background relevant to 1900-1930 social sensibilities in the UK, include feelings on this, if any,

Sexual orientation, (include if homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual, or asexual and also degree of self-knowledge of it and feelings on it if any),

Ability/disability, mental and physical health, include attitude towards self in these areas and treatment by others if applicable,

Language(s) spoken/written, wholly or partially,

Dialect, accent, usual register (tone, formality, etc), use of slang if any, habits or quirks in speech, description of voice,

If your character were asked to give a speech to school boys or school girls, how would it go, would you need notes, have it memorized, or speak extemporaneously, and, generally, what would be said,

School(s) attended, if any,

Achievements, notable experiences, best and worst subjects, reputation, sports or other affiliations at school, if any,

Occupation(s) and hobbies, if any,

Associated employer(s), if any,

Associated servant(s) or employee(s), if any,

Social clubs and frequent haunts, if any,

Description of social circle(s),

Dwelling(s), if any,

Owned businesses, investments, liquid capital, potential inheritance and its sources, if any,

Debts, how much, how incurred, to whom, if any,

Mode(s) of transport,

Pet(s) if any, names of them, who cares for them and how,

Temperament (summary),

Political affiliations, if any,

Would your character be willing to stand as a candidate in an election? How would that go?

Opinion on Sir Roderick and his Black Shorts, if in a story with them, if any opinion,

Opinion on the Bolshevik cell, the Red Dawn led by the Rowbothams, if in a story with them, if any opinion,

Philosophical affiliations, if any,

Spiritual/religious beliefs, affiliations, or lack thereof,

Does your character have a Code like the Code of the Woosters? What, variably, is included if so?

What would someone use to blackmail you? How well would it work?

Tastes in food and drink, include if allergic or vegetarian, or a teetotaler, and why,

Narrative description of appearance,

Tastes in fashion, usual dress,

Tastes in hairstyles, opinions on facial hair,

Tastes in literature, art, music,

Tastes in furnishings, prized possessions, if any,

Travel experience, if any,

What are you doing at the village fair,

Interested in gambling or syndicates, against, or neutral/uninterested?

Family history summary with noted ancestors, if any,

Close relations, include summary of each relation’s name, titles if any, tie to your character, occupation(s), dwelling(s), and if they get along, are alive and in touch or otherwise,

Friends and associates, include a similar summary of each, and how each gets along with your character,

Romantic entanglements, past and present, if any, be sure to include any outstanding misunderstandings and if your character is aware of them or not,

Enemies, hatreds, fears and dangers, if any,

Current habits, preferred schedule, pace of life,

Goals, aspirations, plans for the future, if any,

Subjective Ratings for sense of,

- Joie de vivre,

- Noblesse oblige,

- Sang-froid,

- je ne sais quoi,

- soupiness,

- dippiness, tendency to recite poetry,

- scripture knowledge,

- luck or skill betting on horses,

- skill at ‘hunt the slipper’,

Anything else?

As big cities across the country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, they are staring down some formidable challenges in their downtown commercial and office districts, as well as in their labor markets. Today, most U.S. downtowns have lower levels of activity compared to before the pandemic, especially in larger cities—and the federal relief that has compensated for lost sales taxes, transit fares, and other revenue is running out. 

At the same time, what many initially called a “great resignation” in the labor market turned out to be more of a “great reshuffle”—a rapid shift of workers from one job, industry, or career into another as people re-evaluated their living and work arrangements during the pandemic. Both job openings and job quits reached record highs in 2021.   

With last week being National Apprenticeship Week, this piece asks: What role can apprenticeships play in solving these challenges and bringing about more inclusive downtown economic development?  

The pandemic’s workforce impacts are still challenging downtowns 

Downtowns are confronting two challenges that will take collective effort to address. 

First, even as the share of workers (and their share of days) working remotely has gradually declined since the onset of the pandemic, office vacancy rates in large downtowns have continued to rise, and at a faster rate than across the overall region. Even if this divergence eventually reaches a new equilibrium, it is opening up a gap in the relationship between downtowns and work.  

The second challenge relates to dysfunctional labor markets. The pandemic’s initial economic shock was concentrated in Black and Latino or Hispanic neighborhoods, which saw severe job losses. These jobs have been slow to return and workers have been slow to return to them, as the protracted pandemic led to accelerated retirements and low immigration, while surging consumer demand, lack of child care, and other factors contributed to tight labor markets and high employee turnover. Employers are now finding that the old ways of hiring and retaining workers aren’t working anymore. Even in sectors of the economy that did not experience sharp job losses, these old ways of recruitment and selection are reproducing an opportunity gap, with degree-centric candidate screening leaving many workers and neighborhoods on the sidelines. 

By embracing apprenticeships, downtowns are uniquely positioned to create a new competitive advantage and value proposition for themselves as talent engines for the future. And the wave of federal funding earmarked for workforce development, infrastructure, innovation, and climate adaptation will create additional opportunities to strategically engage local talent in the reinvention of downtown neighborhoods. 

Apprenticeships are not only for the trades 

It is time to rethink how we connect local talent to careers and provide more options for people to access high-quality jobs. In the U.S., apprenticeships have a long history of being limited to skilled trade occupations such as electricians, plumbers, and construction workers. These are relatively high-paying jobs, and they remain important for the success of downtowns, particularly as federal infrastructure funding hits the streets.  

What is an apprenticeship? Apprenticeships combine long-term, paid, work-based learning opportunities with structured educational curricula to ensure that the learner gains both education and hands-on experience in a profession or occupation. Apprenticeships are most suitable for jobs that require a mix of hands-on experience and conceptual foundations learned in the classroom. They can be an attractive option for learners who prefer learning by doing, who are seeking paid routes into a profession and/or college degree.

Yet there are many other industries and occupations concentrated in downtowns that are struggling to fill openings and retain workers (see Figure 1). Finance and insurance, professional and business services, and many government administration jobs could benefit greatly from offering apprenticeship pathways from high schools and community colleges into roles that are currently hard to fill, such as project managers, account managers, cybersecurity technicians, and graphic designers.  

In Switzerland, apprenticeships are offered across a wider range of industries and professions, and 70% of high school youth participate in them. The most popular choice among apprentices there is the commercial sector, which includes banking, retail, public administration, and some information technology occupations. 

Businesses typically benefit from training apprentices as well, although the costs and benefits can vary. Apprenticeships show promise in helping companies become more innovative, build a more diverse workforce, save on hiring and turnover costs, reduce overtime, and recruit and retain workers in jobs that are hard to fill. Researchers Samuel Muehlemann and Stefan C. Wolter found that businesses in Switzerland and Germany were more willing to train apprentices when they could recoup their costs, which was more likely to occur with longer apprenticeship durations, competitive labor markets (apprentices helped reduce hiring and recruitment costs), and/or conversion of apprentices into full-time employees for at least a year.  

Barriers to scaling apprenticeships in the US 

Overcoming the long-standing pattern of restricting apprenticeships to a handful of skilled trades will require some transformative shifts in our K-12 institutions, postsecondary education, and hiring/career pathways. Although there is bipartisan support for expanding apprenticeships and other earn-and-learn opportunities, most of the efforts to date have come in the form of grant-funded initiatives and pilot programs rather than systems-level changes such as formula funding for apprenticeship intermediaries, redesigning registration processes to suit 21st-century jobs and professions, and creating incentives for states and educational institutions to develop degree apprenticeships or give academic credit for work-based learning.  

The top barriers to scaling apprenticeships outside the trades include: 

Low awareness of apprenticeship options among businesses, students, parents, and society has led to a poor understanding of what it is or what its value proposition is outside of a narrow set of industries and occupations where it is normalized. 

State and federal apprenticeship registration processes can be onerous for businesses and may include rules and terms that seem irrelevant for roles outside of the trades (e.g., “journeyman” is gendered and is not commonly used in an office environment). 

Siloed governance structures and funding streams between educational institutions, employer organizations, and learners has made coordination onerous and reduced alignment between available curricula, skills that employers need, and career awareness. 

Misperceptions rooted in the history of apprenticeships and vocational education in the U.S. have contributed to the stigmatization of apprenticeships as a lower-status alternative to a college degree (rather than a paid pathway to a degree). Another common misperception is that apprenticeships require the presence of a labor union.  

Despite these barriers, there is growing momentum to expand apprenticeships beyond traditional industries and integrate them into educational systems and degree pathways. These “new collar” apprenticeships (a phrase coined by IBM) focus on professional occupations in industries such as insurance, finance, business, and technology. In Chicago, an employer-led network started by Accenture, Aon, and Zurich North America—the Chicago Apprenticeship Network—brings together employers, education partners, and apprentices to shift hiring practices away from an overreliance on college degrees and supports apprenticeship expansion to cultivate talent from a more diverse range of backgrounds. And in September, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a historic investment in a new public-private partnership to connect 500 youth to paid apprenticeship roles in finance, technology, and business operations. Technology apprenticeships are also expanding in response to unfilled openings and a need for more racial and gender diversity in technology; San Francisco’s TechSF program was one of the first to expand registered apprenticeships into several information technology occupations. 

Watch the recent event | Racial equity and inclusion in tech: Can apprenticeships help change hiring practices? 

Such apprenticeship pilots can provide a proof of concept, but real change requires investment in new institutions, pathways, and systems over time. Place-based governance organizations in our downtowns are well positioned to engage local talent that has been kept on the sidelines of economic prosperity, strengthen linkages between education and employment, and expand youth apprenticeships as an opportunity multiplier. What is required for the downtowns of the future is not a new program or pilot, but a realignment of existing institutions that makes it easy for both individual employers and workers to participate.  

The pandemic accelerated trends in America’s downtowns, workplaces, and labor markets, so in many respects the future is already here. Expanding apprenticeships to strengthen pathways for local talent into hard-to-fill professional jobs will help cities leverage the workforce they already have to foster inclusive innovation and regional growth. 

oh:D hey there! it’s the anon who asked what degree you were studying a little while ago:). just a follow-up question — feel free to ignore, i just,,,

okay, so i love english and i like history and i’d love to study one or the other, i think:D. but. but i see articles in the news about how english lit degrees are being discontinued, and when i look at courses, it looks like the analysis of r&j that we did in early high school, and jobs just look terrifying— i’m sorry, this is a silly question, but, just:

what’s it like studying eng/hist? where could one get an idea of what a typical course looks like? and would you recommend? i just. really want to go into eng, i love writing, but i’m thinking about business or something because everyone keeps telling me that i’ll never be able to find any jobs w/ any sort of eng degree— and it’s just, i’d love to hear about it from your perspective, if this ask isn’t too much trouble?<3

hiya, it's no trouble at all!!! I've actually been thinking about your ask all day (and this might be horrifically long bc of it) - you've caught me at the tail end of my degree and I'm in my feelings about it sdlkfjsdklfjds

I think there are a few separate things to unpack here, if that's ok with you - all from my experience, of course, though if someone reading this wants to add on please feel free!! (1) how did I decide to study english and history, (2) these things are not considered very employable and that's terrifying and (3) what does studying them look like on the daily.

so to answer (1) - I took a gap year after high school. several reasons for that, including simply that I had the option and opportunity which I know not everyone does. but I also didn't know which direction I wanted to go in life and didn't want to go to uni only because I didn't know what else to do. I worked at an archive and was able to see people with humanities degrees at work in a way that wasn't as teachers or professors, and realised it really was right up my alley.

personally, my brain is one that meshes well with academic study, and I find studying the humanities uni is a good fit for my skillset and how I like to interact with the world. that's not the case for everyone, and that's ok!! not everyone who enjoys reading likes studying literature, and there doesn't have to be a value judgement in there. but if you find that you do, then that's excellent, and it can be really fulfilling to pursue!

(rest under the cut, this got really long, sorry about that hsdkfjds)

as for (2) - you've caught me at a time when I'm facing my next choices and yes, even though I know this is what I'd like to pursue, it's really scary. This isn't to say that there aren't jobs related to these things! Wherever you see written communication in the world is a place where an English degree would be beneficial. Whether it's writing articles, copywriting, editing, day-to-day communicating in a business, writing social media posts, legal briefs, publishing (both fiction and nonfiction)… our world is stuffed to the brim with words and studying English literature will teach you to be able to understand, write, analyse, and engage with them in a way people are too quick to take for granted.

(you're on the internet - I don't have to tell you how crucial reading comprehension is and how many people lack it).

But an English degree is not a one way ticket to a related job, and being academically inclined to reading and writing does not make you automatically interested in a job along these lines, and it unfortunately doesn't mean people will hire you.

and there's no easy answer here. what I can tell you is that I know someone who studied History and is now a pensions officer. I know someone who did English, volunteered while at uni, and now she works for the charity she volunteered for, in a different city. the point is that you don't have to pick a degree and then commit to that exact path until the heat death of the universe till death do you part - it's more like you're walking through life, and you knock on doors that look interesting, and you go through the ones that open. and if you don't like it, that's ok!! you can turn around!! you can climb out a window!!

it's a nervewracking process, but it is possible, and my top advice is never ever think you have to be stuck doing something that makes you miserable because that's the only way to make money. it's fine not to make your greatest passion your career, but if you can make choices, it's best to go for options you don't actively hate.

and this has gotten long, but to answer (3) - this is very specific to my uni and degree, and I recommend going to open days and talking to lecturers about how they set up their courses if you can!

but in my case, a typical English course is usually structured either around a literary movement (modernism), an era (the Renaissance), a genre (children's literature), a theme (tragedy and knowledge), or something along those lines. If it's books, we'll usually read about 1-2 a week, which gives us a broad overview of the main points of the course topic. We'll have lectures and tutorials or seminars (depending on the year and course coordinator) each week to give us context and let us discuss our ideas. We write essays and papers that go more into detail of a particular book or subject we enjoy, some of which are comparative.

(For example, last year in my children's lit course, I wrote an essay on the idea of emotional growth in Howl's Moving Castle, but I've also written on the concept of monstrosity in Milton compared to Aemilia Lanyer.)

History is a bit different; it tends to involve a broader range of sources (not just texts) as well as historiography (the metahistory of how historians have talked about the historical issue over time, if that makes sense).

I can't say for sure whether this is what you'd enjoy. You've said you really enjoy writing and you seem wary of literary analysis by itself - maybe you'd be more interested in a course focused on English Language and Linguistics, or a course in Communications, or a course in English Literature and Creative Writing. You've said you enjoy history, too - there's a lot of overlap between the disciplines, but it might be in your interests to go to a uni where you can take electives in your first years and see what's the best fit for you! once again, it's ok to take some time and see what works for you.

tl;dr: these are big decisions but none of them are ones you can't change or adjust over time!! don't pursue things you hate. one of the most valuable things you can learn at this point in your life is what kind of things aren't for you, because that helps you start to narrow down the things that could be.

"It's time to base fifth-generation fighters in Guam," says head of INDOPACOM

China's accumulation means that the F-35 or F-22 should do more than exercises on the Pacific island, Aquilino said.

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 06/27/2022 - 11:00 AM in Military

The U.S. must permanently park fifth-generation fighter jets in Guam to combat China's growing military capacity, the leader of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) said on Friday.

"What we are seeing, from my place, is the largest military accumulation in history since World War II," Admiral John Aquilino said at a Foundation for the Defense of Democracies event on Friday.

The F-35s have been operating in the island's Austere Airfield since last year, but only temporarily, scheduled around important exercises. Aquilino says that having fifth-generation aircraft - whether F-35 or F-22 - permanently parked in the theater is "critically important for deterrent capacity".

Two F-22 Raptors and a B-2 Spirit bomber deployed at Andersen Air Base, Guam, fly in formation over the Pacific Ocean. (Photo: U.S. Air Force / Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

The U.S. military presence on the Pacific island is already "extremely important," the admiral said.

“Guam is absolutely a strategic location. We will need to operate from Guam, we will need to fight for Guam and from Guam, and will provide a variety of capabilities and support functions if we end up in some crisis situation," Aquilino said.

One thing the island currently lacks is sufficient missile defenses, he said, reiterating a long-standing concern of INDOPACOM. Comprehensive missile defense for Guam has been the command's top funding priority for almost four years. In May, the Missile Defense Agency said it hopes to build an integrated missile defense command and control center on the island.

“The [Chinese military] rocket forces are clearly developing continuous advanced capabilities and greater range. Guam has a 360 threat ?? degrees, so our ability to defend it and be able to operate from there is absolutely critical," Aquilino said.

Now, says Aquilino, fifth-generation aircraft will also need to be defended - as well as the infrastructure, service members and supply chains needed to maintain these capabilities.

"For this, all the joint strength will be required," Aquilino said.

The F-35, which can operate as a poaching attack fighter, reconnaissance aircraft and even a command and control platform for autonomous wings, is key to facing a potential opponent like China, he said.

“We continue to work on ways to ensure that our [communications and command and control] are resilient. We hope to be attacked in this area and we have to put into practice the structure and formations that allow us to command and control no matter where we are, whether inside the first chain of islands, outside the first chain of islands, all the way back to the headquarters. Therefore, this vision of being able to provide an image in a knot of us is the approach we are adopting and I am confident that we can do it," he said.

Aquilino discussed how the Pacific Air Forces are experimenting with a new approach to operations called Agile Combat Employment or ACE, which aims to allow rapid changes from base to base as a battle develops.

"The concept makes the force more resistant. You combine this with some offenses and now we have an air capacity that can solve dilemmas from anywhere," he said.

The Department of Defense's proposed budget for 2023 includes funding to "deliver capabilities" to Guam and nearby strategic headquarters, including almost $1 billion to develop the island's missile defenses, Aquilino said.

"Therefore, the key is to make a tremendous effort and budget and then move forward to provide this capacity against all these threats," he said.

Source: DefenseOne

Tags: Military AviationF-22 RaptorUSAF - United States Air Force / U.S. Air ForceWar Zones - Indo-Asia-Pacific

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in a specialized aviation magazine in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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FFXIVWrite 2022 Day 3: Temper

Chambers of cold hard stone. Furnished by rugs from the south, tapestries woven here in the north. Quite a contrast to the fellow’s office, which features tiled marble and sparse hangings. There’s the timepiece, there are the lances, and little more. Can’t quite put my finger on whether the ornate desk, cushioned chairs, and exquisite drawers were sourced from the Shroud or from beyond Coerthas. The mere thought of the cold outside sends a shiver down my spine. Too used to La Noscean shores and Thanalan sands, I am, and not at all to the frigid temperatures to which the fall of Dalamud had consigned the Ishgardian heartland. More reason to be thankful for the warmth of the fireplace which brought me renewed focus. “Do be seated,” says my host in the stern yet gentle tone which I most often associated with grandfathers. He’s reading the letter of introduction carefully by candlelight, and the gleam of his spectacles hides his immediate thoughts on the matter of my employment.

I take my gods-damned seat and bite down on my tongue to arrest my nerves. 

Ser Emerissel de Sauveterre leads a minor house, here in Ishgard. This is apparently a matter of some contention, as a number of claims by several minor houses have been put forth to the name and the dispute is under review. None of this seems to touch the man across from me, whose bearing and grace suggest a long line of good breeding, great courtesy, and better etiquette. The hospitality… I’d had to fend off his… butler? Valet? The man had offered to take my bandana, had offered to fetch me tea and biscuits, might’ve even offered to shine my boots had I been wearing a pair. It had reminded me too much of Taeros and his staff.

The Elezen before me is an older gentleman with a pockmarked face, ice blue eyes, and rich brown hair – drawn back into a tail – which suggests liberal use of dye. He’s swaddled and damned near swallowed by a thick alpine coat, which tells me he’s either feeling his age and fending off the cold or else he prefers to swelter indoors. Mayhap he’ll be off to some other engagement immediately after this, and so went through the effort of dressing up before seeing me. He breaks my train of thought when he eyes me over the rim of his glasses and says, “Hmmmm. Well, I certainly was not expecting an application from a soldier. It is not as if we are lacking such people in these parts, Master Melkire. Whatever possessed you to respond to my advertisement?”

Emerissel said that last bit with a heavy emphasis on the second syllable, as most do, rather than the third. An unintentional but welcome reminder for me that this is not the Goblet, the Dauntless and the Agency are both behind me, and that I really, truly, desperately need this job.

“Beggin’ your pardon, Lord Sauveterre,” I say, and I try not to fumble the rest of my words when he waves off the title with a disdainful look, as if proper rank and title are a bother, “but my skillset runs more broad than one might expect from a military career. Your posting suggested a degree of middle management, ser, and a necessity to be discreet at times, all while running the gamut of international relations. You wanted someone with connections, ser. That’d be me.”

He turns his gaze back to the paper in his hand. “Yes, I suppose it is rather unusual for a former enlisted man of the Immortal Flames to receive commendations from the Twin Adders of Gridania, and especially so in light of a dishonorable discharge.” He glances up for a moment, but he needn’t have bothered; I refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing me squirm. He goes on. “Good deal of community history with a number of free companies in the Goblet, I see. That would come in handy, precisely the sort of thing I was hoping for. And you’re fit to travel, I take it? No special considerations?” “None whatsoever,” I say, fighting down the bile that threatens to rise. “Fit, familiar with the south, and ready to go wherever you need me.” He doesn’t need to know the details. I’ve snuck onto Vylbrand before, I can do it again. Besides, I’m a mite too busy keeping the Lominsan accent out of my mouth. It’s a struggle sometimes, but life in Ul’dah has a way of scouring one’s tongue and I was no exception.

“Your enthusiasm and energy are much appreciated, much appreciated. Still… no diplomatic record to speak of. No mediations of note outside the military purview. At least, not that I’ve been able to glean. Your service record is sealed. Covert operations, you said.”

“Yes, ser.” It was true, but it was still a bitter draught. A half dozen turns of experience that I could claim but not prove, and all because a turn or two had been spent in the black.

“Please correct me if I am mistaken, but no mercantile expertise to boast of.”

“No, ser.” A galling lack, given his requirements. “But I’m willin’ to learn, and I learn fast.”

Piss ‘n’ shite, there’s that accent again.

He sets the letter down on his desk and leans back, hands coming up to slip the spectacles off his face. He folds the arms of the frame together and taps them against his bottom lip a few times before he looks to me.

“I have seen better applicants, and I have had my fill of interviews.” He pauses, and I feel the weight of the moment bearing down: emphasis. “Tell me why I should hire you.” Nothing for it but the truth. All hands to sheets and braces. “My wife is struggling to start up her own business, ser, and until she can get it off the ground and into the clear, it falls to me to make up the difference for ourselves and our daughters. I’m desperate, lord, and that means I’ll be workin’ twice as hard as any merchant, barrister, or diplomat you could bring onboard. I’ve enough of what you’re after, and can pick up the rest. I’ve no prior engagements, no main business t’distract me, I’m not in demand… I’ll be working for you and you alone. You want t’contract with free companies? I will get you free companies. There’ll be a sheaf o’ papers detailing every brass tack down to the size of their grandmother’s dentures ‘fore I knock on their doors, and they won’t be able to say no.”

I stop. It’s a good boast to stop on, but the truth is that I’ve run dry. No more words come to mind, none with the weight I want.

No matter. He’s smiling from behind his spectacles. I’ve won. 

Are Your Online Job Applications Being Dumped?

Applying for a job online involves submitting your application into a database, often known as the automated applicant tracking system or an online application repository. However, many refer to it as the 'resume black hole'. Consider this: how often have you sent online job applications without receiving a response from the company you applied to? Your online job application is sorted and processed by an automated system. Only the top applications are delivered to a human resources representative or any real person for review. Our Pick How to Get Hired: An Insider's Guide to Applications, Interviews and Getting the Job of Your Dreams $19.95 $17.46 Michael A. Harrison uses all the skills he has developed through years of recruiting the right people to demonstrate how you can learn the strategies that will secure you the position. Buy on Amazon.com Buy on Walmart.com We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. 04/25/2024 12:11 pm GMT What You Need to Get Your Resume Noticed - Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume for each job application. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description to show you're a perfect fit for the role. - Use Keywords: Incorporate industry-specific keywords from the job listing. This helps your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and catches the attention of hiring managers. - Quantify Achievements: Include measurable achievements in your work history. Use numbers and percentages to demonstrate the impact you've made in previous roles. - Strong Summary Statement: Start with a compelling summary or objective statement. This should be a concise pitch that highlights your key qualifications and career goals. - Professional Formatting: Use a clean, professional format. Ensure your resume is easy to read with a logical flow, clear headings, and consistent font. Career.io | All-in-One Solution to Elevate Every Step in Your Career Do you need career support solely focused on you and your goals? Explore Career.io, the only Al and human-powered platform where you can find everything you need. For any step of your job search or career growth. All in one place. Explore & Get Started Career.io is our trusted partner. If you subscribe to the platform, we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) - Highlight Soft Skills: Showcase your soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These are highly valued by employers in various industries. - Include Relevant Education: List your educational background, focusing on degrees and certifications relevant to the job. Mention any special honors or extracurricular activities that enhance your candidacy. - Showcase Technical Skills: For roles that require technical expertise, make sure to list relevant software, tools, and technologies you are proficient in. - Proofread Thoroughly: Eliminate any typos or grammatical errors. A well-proofread resume shows attention to detail, a quality appreciated in any candidate. - Use Powerful Action Verbs: Start bullet points with dynamic action verbs. Words like 'achieved', 'managed', and 'developed' can make your experiences sound more impactful. Feeling like your online job applications vanish into thin air? Discover key strategies to make your application stand out and avoid the dreaded resume black hole. Get noticed by HR today! #JobSearchTips #CareerAdvice #GetHiredClick To Tweet Use Exact Keywords and Phrases Have you ever searched on Google for something specific, only to receive search results completely unrelated to your query? Similarly, the technology driving job application engines operate on a comparable principle. These systems search for exact words and phrases programmed into their database by hiring managers. If your application lacks these specific keywords and phrases, it's likely to be overlooked by the automated system. The issue many applicants don't realize is that they often possess the necessary experience and training sought by hiring managers. However, their applications are being filtered out by this automated screening process. Find Jobs That Closely Match Your Skills and Abilities Applying for jobs within your qualifications increases the likelihood of including all required words and phrases in your application. However, aiming for positions that are a significant stretch can be more challenging. The key to finding ideal job opportunities lies in knowing where to look and how to effectively seek assistance. 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Are the rumors true that Dwight Schar’s CPA, Paul Simonson, father of Alec Simonson (from Florida Atlantic University) is stealing from Dwight and/or Spencer Schar?

Paul Simonson, father of Alec Simonson, studying at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is being rumored that he is stealing from his employers, Dwight Schar and Spencer Schar. Are these rumors true?

In recent developments, allegations of financial impropriety have emerged, casting a shadow over the dealings of Dwight Schar’s trusted CPA, Paul Simonson, father of Alec Simonson, a student studying for Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Florida. Concerns have been raised regarding the handling of real estate transactions, with accusations suggesting potential discrepancies amounting to significant sums.

The focus of scrutiny revolves around a particular property transaction in Bella Collina, which saw a substantial investment from a previous owner. Reports indicate that Paul Simonson, purportedly with possible involvement from Randall Greene, orchestrated the transaction in a manner that has drawn suspicion.

Questions have been raised about the apparent concealment of funds and the subsequent transfer of the property to Simonson himself, bypassing due disclosure of the substantial contribution made by the previous owner.

The transaction in question raises pertinent inquiries into the transparency of financial dealings within Dwight Schar’s business ventures. Concerns have been voiced regarding the apparent lack of clarity surrounding profits derived from the sale of the property.

Allegations suggest that Simonson may have withheld information regarding the substantial profit margins, potentially to the detriment of DCS, its partners, and ultimately Dwight Schar himself.

Amidst these allegations, questions linger as to whether Dwight Schar was aware of the transactions and chose to turn a blind eye. Critics have drawn parallels between this controversy and other contentious issues surrounding Schar’s business practices, including allegations of harassment and unethical behavior.

Furthermore, speculation abounds regarding the possible motivations behind Simonson’s actions, with some suggesting a deeper level of involvement aimed at creating a dependency on his services, particularly concerning Spencer Schar, who may be perceived as more susceptible to manipulation due to his relative inexperience in comparison to his father.

Legal proceedings have also entered the fray, with recent court filings implicating individuals associated with Dwight Schar’s business ventures.

Allegations of predatory lending practices and ethical violations have further complicated the narrative surrounding Schar’s enterprises.

Of particular note is Randall Greene’s prior association with Catalfumo Construction and Developments, a company embroiled in legal troubles stemming from alleged fraudulent transactions.

Despite this history, Greene transitioned seamlessly into his role within the Bella Collina community, raising questions about due diligence in hiring practices.

In light of these developments, the broader implications for Dwight Schar’s business empire remain uncertain. As investigations unfold and legal proceedings progress, stakeholders await clarity on the extent of any wrongdoing and the ramifications for those involved.

Amidst mounting speculation and legal scrutiny, the integrity of Dwight Schar’s business dealings hangs in the balance. With allegations of financial misconduct and ethical lapses surfacing, the reputation of key figures within Schar’s inner circle, including Paul Simonson and Randall Greene, faces intense scrutiny.

As stakeholders await further developments, attention is increasingly focused on the accountability and transparency within Schar’s business operations. The forthcoming legal proceedings and investigative efforts are anticipated to shed light on the extent of any wrongdoing and its implications for all parties involved.

The outcome of these investigations has the potential to reshape perceptions of Schar’s legacy and the broader landscape of real estate and financial dealings in which he operates.

According to the info found on the web, questions arise, rumors from many sides are appearing, but yet no one knows the answer.

Disclaimer: This information is found on the web. I am not the author, nor the source of this information.