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star-anise · 1 year ago

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are we talking about broke therapists yet?

I've been out of things for a couple of years now, which is why I'm willing to talk about it, and maybe the pandemic has helped things a little, but holy shit the counselling and psychotherapy field is not equipped to help its practitioners in the gig economy.

Of all my interests and talents, I pursued a degree in psychology because being a therapist is supposed to be a safe, stable, well-paid job. Every therapist I met who was registered before 2008 worked and lived under that assumption. And oh boy are all the fee structures--registration, supervision, continuing education, conferences--set up for that scenario.

After getting my Master's, I struggled like hell to get a job. It was especially bad because to get my license, I needed a supervisor to take me on. To take me on, most supervisors wanted me to already have a caseload and client base. To get a caseload and client base, I needed a job.

Friends: Every single job I heard back on wanted me to have my license before I could even land an interview.

Professors and career advisors and professional development specialists all advised me very earnestly to just keep cold-calling people on the supervision list, and it began to feel a lot like my parents' friends telling me to hit the bricks and hand out resumes. That's what worked for them, right?

I finally got a supervisor who agreed to take me on, and I'd be able to use her clinic for advertising and workspace, and we were doing the paperwork to send in with my registration, when she called me up and said, "Is this job going to be your only source of income? If you're trying to depend on getting clients and building your practice for your basic needs, this is not going to work out. This has to be something you're doing on top of a basic salary. Okay, so you're not working anywhere else right now? I'm sorry, I can't move forward with this."

Even once I landed a supervisor and a job building my own private practice, I struggled. I have ADHD and am not great at self-promotion, so trying to do all my own advertising, scheduling, bookkeeping, billing, and records management (on top of counselling) was an enormous strain. One my bosses, supervisors, and other senior professionals watched with a slightly critical eye, but consoled me about because in their early days, their clinics had had business managers, receptionists, filing clerks, and accountants, and getting used to doing everything online yourself was a bit of a learning curve, wasn't it?

I counted my pennies very carefully, because I had to pay my supervisor roughly $180 for their services every 6 hours of in-person counselling I did. This meant that to break even I had to charge my clients an average of about $30 (plus room rental and service fees) an hour--and my clients, being people with complex trauma, were frequently poor, disabled, unemployed, and had no health benefits, so even $10 or $20 a session was a lot for them.

Maybe it would have been easier if I could have taken some of those nice comfortable organization positions where they find clients and funding for you and you work 40 hours a week and get benefits and a pension, but I had to be disabled into the bargain, so working 40 hours a week just isn't possible for me. I start passing out from stress and exhaustion. Older colleagues gave me serious-faced advice about approaching my employer and asking them for some flexibility and accommodation in my schedule, and I tried to explain across the gap between us that employers simply did not hire me if I made the slightest noise about the workload. They weren't going to invest in me as a person; they were hiring 40 units of work a week, and if I wouldn't do it there were a dozen applicants after me who would.

At one point I broke down enough to email my licensing body because the Annual General Meeting/Professional Development Conference was coming up, and I wanted to attend, but I could not produce $500 to do it with. Was there some kind of way I could attend anyway? I felt ashamed to have to ask, and then absolutely mortified when the response came from the organization president, who needed to personally sign off on me being too poor to attend the single most important event in my profession's calendar year.

I honestly felt so ashamed all the time at how I was apparently failing to be a successful therapist, failing to be rich and successful, and every time I mentioned it around mentors and bosses, I could feel myself shrinking from a person to a problem to be solved. My closest therapist-friends and I have reflected on how much more difficult, poorly-paid and underworked, our various career starts have been than we were ever warned about. About the classmates and coworkers who couldn't get disability exceptions when they fell behind in their registration requirements, or burned out and left the field, or dropped their registrations and took up as life coaches, or moved their whole family somewhere exceptionally remote or rural because it was the only good job available, or worked for some godforsaken app skirting the bounds of malpractice like BetterHelp.

I like those conversations, because I feel less like an absolute fuck-up in them. There's less "Hey Lis, you were so talented in grad school, I really admired you, what are you doing now?" "Oh, I, uh... am professionally disabled, so I get government benefits, and I... sell embroidery patterns on Etsy now."

My own therapist kept asking if and when I felt like going back to being a counsellor, and I finally told him: I don't, actually. I don't want to go back and do it like I was doing it before. It was a profession I loved to the depths of my soul, and it profoundly did not love me back. I can't even imagine what would have to change, in me or it, to make it have a space in it that could fit me.

All of which I was way too scared to admit to at the time, because the more I let people know I was struggling, the more they hinted that maybe I just wasn't in a place in my life where this was a job I could do, and I needed to take a little break and wait to come back until money and disability just weren't issues for me anymore.

Eventually my cups of doubt and exhaustion did overflow, and I quit. I'm here now, living a much different life. And at the very least, all my years of helping people in bad life situations set me up perfectly for my own. I already knew what form to fill out for financial assistance, which student clinics to access for mental health support, and which government agency would, if pressed, cough out pharmacy coverage for the genuinely destitute. It gave me that much.

I hope this is just me being in extraordinary circumstances, sitting at the intersections of a few different shitty life situations that most people skip right past. Because it's on one level comforting, but another deeply infuriating, if I'm not, and I've just missed it or we've just all been too afraid to admit it to each other.

#staranise original #therapisting

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todayisdeadinside · 1 month ago

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Tell me again how Louis & Harry choose to stay closeted of their own accord...

Colton Haynes stopped getting roles in the wake of coming out as gay. He had managers tell him his mannerisms were "too theatre" or "too gay." He was encouraged to let people draw false conclusions about him being with women he was close to. His team "threw a fit" because of an old photoshoot he did for a gay magazine. His closet was eating at him so badly he developed dependency to alcohol and pills. He noted that it's "no different" for gay artists coming up today. (x)

Elliot Page was forced to wear a dress and heels despite not wanting to, prior to when he came out as trans. Something as simple as his attire needed to fit heteronormative expectations of how a "woman" was supposed to dress during "pivotal events." A direct quote from him- "I wish people would understand that that shit literally did almost kill me." (x) (x) Elliot also spoke about the industry pressuring him to remain closeted, and how his decision to come out as gay negatively impacted roles he was cast in. (x)

Cara Delevingne was sexually harassed by Harvey Weinstein for being queer when she was just starting out as an actress. (x) Weinstein also told Cara that she needed to hide the fact she was gay, telling her that she needed to "get a beard." (x)

Jonathan Bailey was advised by other gay men in the industry to not share his sexuality. "At the time, he was told, ‘There’s two things we don’t want to know: if you’re an alcoholic or if you’re gay.'" Jonathan said the 'advice' he was given genuinely made him feel as though he could only be happy if he was straight. He also spoke about the culture of needing to be straight to have a successful career. (x) (x) His life was threatened for being queer. A man approached him in a coffee shop, shouting "If you don't take that cap off, I'm gonna fucking shoot you [..] Where I'm from, people like me kill people like you." (x)

Ezra Miller stated that he was told he was "making a mistake" with coming out. "Folks in the industry, folks outside of the industry. People I’ve never spoken to. They said there’s a reason so many gay, queer, gender-fluid people in Hollywood conceal their sexual identity, or their gender identity in their public image." (x)

Matt Dallas was pressured into staying in the closet during his time acting on a TV show. "I was told to stay in the closet, not talk about my sexuality, to be on every red carpet with a girl on my arm because you could not be successful if you were openly gay in the entertainment industry." (x)

Lance Bass was closeted during his time in NSYNC and he stated his biggest fear with coming out was that the record label would drop him. (x) He knew from being an artist that being out as gay was a "career killer." He stated that this rang true for him, with attempts to branch out after NSYNC failing because industry professionals only saw him as "famous for being gay." (x)

George Shelley was a member of Union J, a boyband who formed very close to when One Direction formed, also on The X-Factor. George was told not to come out because his bandmate Jaymi was out, and boybands could "only have one gay member." George was made to believe coming out would ruin the band and jeopardize his career. (x) George used words such as 'conditioning' to describe how he was managed in his closet. "I spent four years being somebody that I wasn’t and it really, really fucks with your mind… and the anxiety and paranoia amplified." (x) (x)

Kate Winslet knows multiple closeted actors who are terrified of their sexualities being revealed to the public because of how it could affect their careers. She even states this is a problem that dominantly affects queer men. (x)

Rupert Everett has talked about how he "never got a role in hollywood" after coming out, even going so far as to advise closeted gay celebrities to never come out if they want successful careers. "But the fact of the matter is, and I don’t care who disagrees, it doesn’t work if you’re gay." (x) (x)

George Takei was terrified to come out after hearing stories like Tab Hunter's, in which a tabloid outed him- leading to his contracts being dropped and a smear campaign being pushed against him. George said the lesson he took from that was "you can't be an actor and be gay at the same time." (x)

All of these stories are from the "lucky" people who did have the opportunity to come out eventually. Many, many more artists and actors have died in the closet, or are still navigating this industry to this day in the closet. The manipulation, the threats, the blacklisting, the corrective sexual assault, all of that and more keeps celebrities in the closet- whether they're 16 or 65, whether they're new to the industry or have been in it for decades, it doesn't matter. This is the industry, this is systemic homophobia, and this is the lion's den many young artists get unknowingly trapped in before they're wise enough to know better.

...But tell me again how Louis & Harry are in control.

Sign Katie Waissel's petition to help her publish her book exposing her story with Syco & TXF

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jackied0minguez · 5 months ago

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Remote Work Redefined: TopDevz CEO Ashkan Rajaee on the Future of Flexible Business

In a world where remote work has rapidly shifted from a temporary solution to a long-term strategy, TopDevz CEO Ashkan Rajaee is leading by example. Speaking ahead of the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, Rajaee shared insights on how his company has seamlessly integrated remote operations into its DNA—and why he believes this model isn’t just a passing trend.

A New Kind of Software Solutions

TopDevz isn’t your typical tech firm. Comprising an elite team of software developers, designers, project managers, and quality assurance specialists based in the United States and Canada, the company tackles the unique challenges that conventional off-the-shelf software can’t resolve. Rajaee explains that while standard solutions can cover 80–90% of business needs, the remaining nuances often cause significant inefficiencies. TopDevz fills this gap by offering custom solutions designed to address those critical details, ensuring that their clients achieve peak operational efficiency. With an impressive 96% workforce retention rate and 63% of their business coming through referrals, the company’s model speaks volumes about its effectiveness and employee satisfaction.

Mastering Remote Operations

Long before the global pivot to remote work, TopDevz was already thriving in a fully virtual environment. Rajaee emphasizes that the success of remote operations lies in having the right infrastructure and clear communication channels. “Working remotely isn’t as simple as logging in from home,” he notes. “It demands disciplined processes and a commitment to best practices—elements we’ve honed over the years.” His team’s seamless transition during the pandemic only reinforced the idea that a well-organized remote workforce can outperform traditional office setups.

The Indefinite Future of Remote Work

For TopDevz, remote work isn’t a temporary workaround—it’s the future. Rajaee envisions a business landscape where companies can lower overhead costs while empowering employees to work from anywhere. This flexible model not only drives client satisfaction by reducing expenses but also enriches employees’ lives by allowing them to choose environments that inspire creativity and well-being.

Rajaee even shares a personal touch: his passion for working from a yacht. Equipped with reliable Wi-Fi and satellite services, his unconventional workspace symbolizes the freedom that remote work offers. “If your current job doesn’t support the lifestyle you aspire to, it’s time to consider other opportunities,” he advises. His own journey from renting a yacht to eventually making it part of his regular work life underscores the importance of aligning one’s career with personal values and ambitions.

Empowering the Next Generation of Remote Entrepreneurs

Beyond leading TopDevz, Rajaee is passionate about sharing his remote work philosophy. Through his “RemotePreneur” initiative, he provides aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals with a playbook for building successful remote companies. This resource addresses the nuanced challenges of remote business management—from overcoming financial stagnation in traditional roles to confronting the inevitable criticisms that come with venturing off the beaten path. Rajaee’s message is clear: true freedom in work comes from rethinking established norms and embracing the possibilities that remote operations can offer.

Embracing a New Era

As businesses around the globe continue to navigate the evolving work landscape, Ashkan Rajaee’s vision serves as a powerful reminder that remote work, when executed with precision and passion, can unlock unprecedented opportunities. His leadership at TopDevz demonstrates that with the right approach, remote operations can not only sustain but also drive innovation, employee satisfaction, and overall business growth.

In a time when flexibility and adaptability are more important than ever, Rajaee’s insights offer a compelling roadmap for companies eager to thrive in a remote-first world.

#RemoteWork #FutureOfWork #AshkanRajaee #TopDevz #WorkFromAnywhere

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grison-in-space · 10 months ago

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I did a bit of de novo genome assembly way, way back in the day which I have never been able to use professionally because my PI refused to spend $2000 more on getting new read depth. He had ordered the reads before actually learning anything about the pipeline and only about half of the libraries he had ordered were usable in any given pipeline, see. (Some had been for older assembly methods and others had been for newer ones, basically.)

Rather than find the money to fucking get me the reads to do it right, he heard about an open source project called RACA that was some dude's dissertation arguing that you COULD use some of the worthless libraries to fill in the gaps of the assembly and get a functional genome out of it. I spent two years trying to move massive quantities of data through that fuckhead's pipeline on the campus supercomputer to get the assembled genome out, and then I got to the end and found there was no output as fastq files or ant other format recognizable to me.

(Give me a break, I was 23 and had also been frantically learning acoustic analysis, basic electrical engineering, and technical equipment maintenance in the two years since I had started learning to code. Plus I was figuring out what I wanted my dissertation to be. I'd never grappled with anything more complicated than our home-written library of matlab acoustic analysis before, and it simply hadn't occurred to me that anyone would publish a non-functional pipeline to achieve a goal quickly anyone verifying that anyone else had done anything yet.)

Anyway, eventually he collaborated with someone else who ponied up $2000 and a postdoc to get new reads. My name was not on the paper, so that's two years of my life developing a particular and fairly unique skill set that I will almost certainly never use.

In retrospect it's less surprising than you might think that the PhD took eight years and absolutely shattered my confidence.

And the best part is that it was just about impossible to predict at the time that shit would go quite this bad, except that some people handle power well when they're stressed and some people maintain a strong layer of cognitive dissonance over their knowledge of power such that it's never real enough to be responsible about but always real enough to win a dispute.

Anyway I think every student should have two advisors so that everyone in the department should have to immediately know about it when a PI is floundering and have a strong direct incentive to do something about it. A LOT of my problems could have been fixed with one look with a gimlet eye from a senior, more experienced researcher being not impressed at a student under their supervision running on an endless treadmill to nothing. Frankly a lot of my problems could have been solved if my mentor had formal training or literally any supervision that could deliver metrics faster than "how close am I to my previous mentees?"

I know a lot of dual advised students wind up in a tug of war between two advisors, but like: that's the point. If one of them turns out to be insane and malicious then a) the students all have clear lines to bail, b) the other ones all realize quickly that bailing out the chaos and career damage of someone who is fucking it up is way more work than resolving the problem, and c) the one with more tethers to reality has a way bigger likelihood of formally retaining the student when and if a third party has to examine the contract.

Just. It was such a fucking waste. And not because anyone necessarily wanted it to be wasteful, either, or any malice, but because I was... mm, I think the fifth PhD student in that lab and that's actually not that many to be learning on. Systems that set you up to play with decades of people's lives should have more fail-safes and places for people to learn before they get to be the sole director of someone else's career for five fucking years, not less. And yet!

#academia #day job #just fuuuuuuuck this

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alexbkrieger13 · 11 months ago

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New interview with P I think 🤔

https://x.com/fcmidtjylland/status/1827964562643022255

Pernille Harder: FC Midtjylland Women's football is important, and that makes me happy

Pernille Harder, who plays for FC Bayern München on a daily basis, is from Tulstrup near Ikast, and she previously trained at FC Midtjylland. Now the world star talks about his career.

The article you can read here was part of Saturday's match program at the MCH Arena. In the second magazine of the season, we zoomed in on FC Midtjylland Women's Football on the occasion of the team playing its first ever home match at the weekend.

Pernille Harder has tried almost everything worth trying in women's football. She has won championships, cup titles, participated in Champions League finals, an EC final as captain for Denmark, and in addition she has won an award for best female soccer player in the world.

She is among the greatest in women's football, and she was born in Tulstrup by Ikast. She therefore also has a local connection to the region. For those reasons, she also sees it as an important step that FC Midtjylland has now established a women's team.

- I think it is important. In general, I think it is important that the biggest clubs in Denmark also have a women's team, and FCM is one of them. I also have an attachment to Central Jutland, and therefore it makes me happy that it has finally arrived. I may have missed a bit of involvement in women's football in the region, which is why it makes me so happy, as it gives the young girls in the region some good opportunities, believes the star player.

She says that the establishment of FC Midtjylland Women's Football can pave the way for the great talents in the region, and she sees this positively, as it was not as easy for her as a youngster.

- It was a challenge for me. It was not a given where I would play, and there was generally not much focus on it. I traveled to Aarhus every day to train, but it was not an optimal professional setup. I had to take a lot of responsibility myself, and I had to find out myself how I could get better and find the people who could make me better, remembers Pernille Harder.

However, it was not only in Aarhus that Pernille Harder trained in her young years. She was also part of FC Midtjylland.

- I had to fight to be allowed to train with the boys in the club as the only girl, and that gave me a lot, so I trained next to the setup in Aarhus, says the national team captain.

Despite the less than professional conditions, it was never an option for Pernille Harder to give up.

- I had a dream, and that's why I didn't give up. While I was in high school, it was just about developing as best as possible, and then my thought was that I just had to go to another country and play as soon as possible, so that I could get the right training and development, explains Bayern Munich - the player who moved to Sweden at a young age.

Equal opportunities are important

The undertakings in Pernille Harder's career did not come about by themselves, and she explains that the biggest challenges she had in breaking through was to develop well enough on her own, as she herself had to take matters into her own hands, contrary to the situation today, where there are far more well-equipped setups – also in women's football.

Therefore, her advice to today's female talents is also clear.

- I would advise the young girls to be curious about how to improve. Both in relation to football matters, but also in relation to creating a good environment around you, where you can make use of the people around you, states Pernille Harder.

The narrow eye of the needle that Pernille Harder broke through has meant that it now has a special meaning for her to stand up for women's football.

- For me, it is important that everyone has the same opportunities to be successful in what they do. Women's football, perhaps especially in Denmark, has not always had the prerequisites where everyone had equal opportunities to realize their potential, so it is definitely something I am passionate about. That is why it is also great to see the development that is happening now, points out the world star.

Pernille Harder today turns out for Germany's Bayern Munich, to whom she switched in the summer of 2023. The article continues below the picture.

The new development means a lot to Pernille Harder, and she believes that it will mean a lot to Danish women's football.

- I think that these initiatives within women's football, where the biggest clubs on the men's side get a women's team, can help make the Danish female footballers even better, and in this way we can perhaps get an even better national team that can perform for Denmark in the big tournaments, says the offensive player.

- My hope is that you go all-in. That you invest in it and that you go into it to develop Danish women's football. In this way, you get the best conditions for the girls.

- When I played at Chelsea, I noticed that they put a lot of effort into equalizing the teams, and they invested an incredible amount in the women's team. We felt that we were treated with great respect. I think it's a really good way to do it, to treat the two teams equally on several points, states Pernille Harder.

A full trophy cabinet and individual prizes

Pernille Harder has not only experienced adversity in her career, which has resulted in 18 trophies in addition to many individual awards, including twice as Europe's best female soccer player and seven times as Denmark's best female soccer player.

- It is clearly the titles that have given rise to the greatest experiences in my career. In addition, the final rounds with the national team have been something very special - especially in 2017, when we were in the EC final. That feeling when hard work throughout an entire season results in a gold medal is the coolest feeling, says Pernille Harder.

In 2016, as a mere 23-year-old, Pernille Harder was awarded the captaincy of the Danish national team, and this position in particular is something quite special for her.

- I think I got it then because I was a bit the star of the team, and the coach probably saw leadership potential in me. As I have grown older and gained more experience, however, I have developed a lot in relation to being a good leader. Today it is probably due to both, as I have acquired some good leadership skills.

Despite the fact that 31-year-old Pernille Harder has achieved almost everything, she continues to enjoy living from what she loves.

- I guess the only title I'm missing is the Champions League, and that would be great, but it's not like the career stands and falls with it. Now I just enjoy playing a lot of football, that I have a few years left and that I have achieved so much. However, this does not mean that I have finished striving for success, as it is still what drives me, concludes Pernille Harder, who has played over 150 international matches.

#Love when we get a new p interview #pernille harder #woso #fc bayern frauen #fcb frauen #denwnt

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psychopasss4 · 1 year ago

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Analysing the dynamics between Fredegami & Koaka

Or Shinkane should I say in western approach 🤭

Comparing Kogami's potential preferences between Frederica Hanashiro and Akane Tsunemori requires an examination of his interactions, mutual respect, and emotional connections with each character. Here's a detailed analysis based on available information from the "Psycho-Pass" series and movies:

Shinya Kogami and Akane Tsunemori

Interactions:

Initial Relationship: Akane starts as a novice Inspector under Kogami, who is an Enforcer. Despite their roles, they develop a strong professional bond.

Mutual Respect: Akane admires Kogami's skills and dedication, while Kogami respects Akane's strong sense of justice and her ability to remain morally grounded despite the challenges she faces.

Trust: Throughout the series, Kogami and Akane demonstrate significant trust in each other. Akane often defends Kogami’s actions and decisions, even when they are controversial.

Emotional Connection:

Deep Understanding: Akane seems to understand Kogami's motivations and inner turmoil better than most, often acting as a moral compass and emotional anchor for him.

Sacrifice and Concern: Akane shows genuine concern for Kogami’s well-being, going as far as risking her career to protect him. Kogami, in turn, values Akane’s safety and shows concern for her well-being, often advising her to be cautious.

Dynamic:

Complementary Strengths: Akane’s idealism and moral integrity complement Kogami’s pragmatic and sometimes ruthless approach. Their differences often lead to a balanced perspective on justice and duty.

Evolving Relationship: Over time, their relationship evolves from one of mentorship to mutual respect and partnership. This evolution signifies a deepening bond that goes beyond mere professional interaction.

Shinya Kogami and Frederica Hanashiro

Interactions:

Professional Relationship: Frederica is introduced as a high-ranking officer with the Foreign Affairs Operations Department. Their relationship is primarily professional, with mutual respect for each other's capabilities.

Strategic Alliance: Kogami and Frederica work together on several missions, showcasing a strategic partnership. Their interactions are often mission-focused and pragmatic.

Emotional Connection:

Respect and Admiration: Frederica admires Kogami's skills and tactical acumen. Kogami, in turn, respects Frederica’s authority and strategic thinking.

Limited Personal Depth: Their interactions, while respectful and professional, lack the deep emotional connection seen between Kogami and Akane. There is a sense of professional camaraderie rather than personal intimacy.

Dynamic:

Equal Standing: Both Kogami and Frederica operate as equals, with neither being subordinate to the other. This dynamic fosters mutual respect but also limits deeper personal connections.

Focused on Mission: Their relationship is primarily defined by their shared goals and missions. There is less exploration of personal values, emotional struggles, or deeper motivations in their interactions.

Comparative Analysis

Emotional Depth:

Akane: Kogami shares a deeper emotional bond with Akane. Their relationship is marked by mutual understanding, concern, and emotional support. Akane serves as an emotional anchor for Kogami, helping him navigate his internal conflicts.

Frederica: The relationship with Frederica is more professional and pragmatic. While there is respect and admiration, it lacks the emotional depth and personal connection seen with Akane.

Mutual Respect:

Both Akane and Frederica respect Kogami for his skills and dedication. However, Akane’s respect is coupled with a deep personal concern for Kogami, while Frederica’s respect is more professional and strategic.

Complementary Dynamics:

Akane: The complementary strengths of Kogami and Akane create a balanced dynamic where they challenge and support each other’s views on justice and morality.

Frederica: The dynamic with Frederica is more about strategic partnership and mutual respect in professional settings, lacking the personal growth and emotional support present in Kogami’s relationship with Akane.

Trust and Sacrifice:

Akane: There is significant trust and willingness to sacrifice for each other between Kogami and Akane. This aspect of their relationship highlights a deeper bond and mutual reliance.

Frederica: While there is trust in professional capabilities, the personal willingness to sacrifice or go beyond professional duties is less pronounced with Frederica.

Conclusion:

Kogami’s relationship with Akane Tsunemori is marked by deep emotional connection, mutual respect, and personal growth. Akane’s understanding of Kogami’s inner struggles and her role as his emotional anchor suggest a stronger and more meaningful bond.

In contrast, Kogami’s relationship with Frederica Hanashiro is characterized by professional respect and strategic partnership, lacking the same depth of personal and emotional connection. Therefore, based on the available interactions and dynamics, Kogami is likely to have a stronger preference for Akane due to their profound emotional bond and complementary strengths.

🤭😘❤️

#psycho pass providence #psycho pass #shinya kogami x akane tsunemori #akane tsunemori #kogami shinya #koaka #shinkane #hanashiro frederica #shinya kogami x frederica hanashiro #character analysis

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blurredcolour · 2 years ago

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The Night Moves | Part Four

The Night Moves Masterlist

Alternate Universe

Vampire Hunterl!Bradley Bradshaw x Female Reader; Vampire!Jacob Seresin x Female Reader

Summary: An internship with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History should have been the highlight of your academic career. The perfect addition to your resume while you worked on your doctoral thesis. An interdepartmental assignment, however, sees your reality ripped apart by incomprehensible forces. Five tumultuous days will leave you forever changed and inextricably linked to two men born centuries apart.

Warnings: Angst, Language, Violence, Blood, Major Character Death, Serious Reader Injury, Supernatural Themes, Historical Inaccuracies, Institutional Inaccuracies, Mature/Explicit Themes - 18+ Only

Author's Note: My Halloween party got crashed by COVID so surprise! Here is the second-last installment a few days early. Please be advised that two men go into this chapter and only one makes it out. You Have Been Warned!!

Word Count: 3933

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-Friday-

Waking the next morning to news of more murders in the neighborhood, it was no surprise that Bradley had insisted on driving you into work. It had not made the drive any less awkward, however. Loaded silence pervaded the apartment while you ate a quick breakfast and followed you into the Bronco until he had eventually surrendered to turning on the radio. You had parted with a barely audible ‘thanks’ at the curb before hurrying into work, not wanting to spend another moment in forced to be in his proximity. Tears had already broken through your resolve after you shut the bedroom door last night and you would have been loathe to give him the satisfaction of seeing fresh ones today.

Despite your intentions when declining Amira’s invite the night before, you had not taken that bath nor gone to bed early. Nor had your sleep been of any quality. Thankfully she arrived armed with an extensive make-up kit, nearly double the size of the one you had thrown into your bag that morning, and dedicated nearly all of the thirty minutes you had to get ready on making you look quite presentable. The bandage on your wrist was explained away easily as a cooking accident, though as Bradley predicted, it itched terribly. Utilizing the single-stalled washroom across the hall, you slid into the floor-length gown she had lent you, smoothing it over your curves.

You took a moment to appreciate the way the colour of it brought out your eyes. To marvel at the skill of Amira’s make-up. You looked good – vampire hunters plagued by latent professionalism be damned. Taking a deep breath and setting your chin at a confident angle you stepped out of the washroom to allow Amira a chance to change as well before the pair of you hurried to Flag Hall. Waiting there for you was the box of five hundred pouches, ready to be set out at each of the place settings on the banquet tables. Under the watchful eye of Caroline from Resource Development, one pouch was set at the top of each place, resting against the menu card, until three hundred and fifty were put out. The remainder would be given as gifts to the staff volunteering their time and a few select guests attending the cocktail hour but not staying for the seated dinner.

With that duty discharged, you were then seated at the registration table, assigned to different portions of the alphabet. You were responsible for checking in guests with last names from S to Z. The next forty-five minutes passed in a blur of greetings and checking off names before the four lists were consolidated down to one. You and Amira were released from your obligations to go enjoy the remainder of the cocktail party and she quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Snagging a glass of one from one of the circling trays, you took a fortifying sip of wine before seeking out someone you knew, grateful when one of the department heads pulled you into a conversation already in progress with a few generous donors. Disappointingly, you found your tolerance for answering the same questions, discussing the same topics, having the same conversation repeatedly as you circulated the room wore thin with shocking speed. Instead, a scream began to build in the back of your throat, begging to be unleashed, and you set your second empty wine glass down on a nearby table with a touch more force than intended before quickly making your way from the hall.

Because whatever was about to fly out of your mouth – the truth that Bradley had revealed to you last night, or perhaps your sheer frustration with him for his lack of transparency whilst toying with your affections, or better yet how frivolous this gala felt in the face of the dead bodies that seemed to be falling in your wake…well more accurately Jacob’s wake as he followed you – it most certainly did not need an audience.

Making your way through the locked doors with your swipe card back to the sanctity of your workspace, you felt the urge to wail lessen the further you got away from the crowd. The frantic pace of your steps eased. Perhaps it was just time to go home. Sighing the last of the tension from your body, you opened the door to the intern office and nearly tripped over your dress as the long-legged lieutenant sat, swivelling idly in your computer chair.

“Ah.” He grinned broadly and stood smoothly, obviously having been waiting for you. His eyes raked over your form as he drank in your appearance. “You look truly divine this evening, pet.”

Stumbling backward, you winced as the harsh edges of the door frame jabbed into your shoulder blade. “What are you doing in here…how did you…” Your pulse rabbited in your throat as it felt terribly difficult to take a deep breath. His clothing had changed – a dress shirt that fit him perfectly, hinting at the musculature that lay beneath, and a pair of black slacks with a charcoal grey pea coat hanging open over top. No doubt stolen from one of the many corpses he had been leaving in your neighborhood, your mind supplied, causing your palms to grown damp with fear.

“Easy, pet, I missed you. There is no need to be quite so afraid.” Jacob soothed, stepping closer.

You shook your head violently. “I know what you are.” You hissed and pressed tighter to the door frame, away from him, legs wobbling slightly beneath your dress. You glanced behind him to your desk where your phone was locked away in a drawer…Bradley might as well have been on the moon for how easily you could reach him now. Yet thinking of your usual savior also brought with it a new bitterness that had you furrowing your brows.

“Then you know what I want.” Jacob murmured, stalking closer to trail a frigid forefinger down your cheek.

Your eyes flicked to his face, focusing on his unnaturally luminous green eyes as you swallowed nervously. “Were,” you began, hesitated, but set your jaw in determination and continued, “were you really there?”

He arched an eyebrow, silently prompting you to expound on your question.

“During the War of Independence?” You clarified, sinking your teeth into your lower lip anxiously as he was awfully close and more than a little lethal.

His eyes glinted ominously as he seized upon something you desired. “I most certainly was. Born in 1760, came of age in the thick of it. Why do you ask?” He tilted his head in feigned innocence.

You exhaled shakily, trying desperately to smother your excitement at the idea of a firsthand source for a long passed historical era. Yet as you attempted to focus on Bradley’s warning that the man who had lived through that time period had been murdered to give birth to the creature before you, all you felt was the sting of his rejection. The questions you longed to pose to the lieutenant were endless. Right before you was a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from someone who had been there.

“You are fairly teeming with questions, are you not, pet?” There was a derogatory edge to his tone. A smugness at having sniffed out something you desired. “The information only I could provide would certainly be quite the feather in your cap. Surely would secure your place within this palace of stolen things.” He smirked, drawing your gaze to his striking white teeth.

Reluctantly, you nodded, lips pressed together tightly in a thin line. “Yes.” You admitted in a hushed whisper after a moment.

“It seems to me, darling, that we have an opportunity before us. There is something that I greatly desire from you…” He paused, eyes taking a moment to drink in the column of your throat. “…and you in kind from myself. Shall we not make a deal?” He raised an eyebrow.

Alarm bells rung distantly in your consciousness as your hands fisted into the fabric of your dress, awareness of his true nature warring with the desire to learn all that you could from him. A war taking place on an internal battlefield muddled by whatever mental impairment his very presence seemed to inflict upon you. The sound of a door opening down the hall jarred both of you and he looked to you sharply.

“Might we take this somewhere more private?” He asked hurriedly.

“Not my house.” You replied reflexively, able to keep some sense of clarity and recall Bradley’s insistence from the night before. “A hotel.” You nodded to yourself before pushing off the doorframe, past the lieutenant, and toward your desk.

Grabbing a fresh notebook, your phone, extra charger, and shoving it all into your bag, you threw on your jacket before leading him out the delivery entrance. Purposefully avoiding any and all prying eyes – particularly Bradley’s. As you walked, you retrieved your phone to pull up a hotel booking site, snagging a last-minute deal on a room a few blocks away. It was by no means glamorous – a dated, two-star hotel, but all you needed was a place to make a deal with a murderous creature. You did not need to also break the bank to do it.

Fog swirled around the hem of your dress with each step you took as you glanced around nervously, for once hoping not to see any trace of Bradley Bradshaw. The humidity had combined with the frigid air to create an unsettling ambience and the fact that a murderer was following hot on your heels did nothing to ease your tension. You were surprised the grip you held on the pen whilst signing in at the hotel did not cause the writing implement to snap in half. The front desk clerk, mercifully, made no comment on the absence of any and all luggage, handing over the room key with no more than directions to the elevators.

The key chain bearing the room number jangled in your hand as you struggled to align it with the lock, eventually sliding it home and opening the door to a cramped, musty room with a queen size bed and small desk. Jacob slid out of his jacket, finding a hanger in the tiny closet to place it on before reaching a hand out in silent offer to do the same with yours.

You shook your head quickly in refusal and stepped over to the desk, pulling out the chair and perching on the edge of it apprehensively. Jacob chuckled easily and sat on the edge of the bed across from you. The polyester coverlet printed with a patchwork design popular from several decades previous made an aggravating swish sound against his trousers.

“Your terms?” He smirked, clearly at ease as he planted his hands behind his hips, leaning back with casual arrogance.

“Answer my questions. Truthfully.” Came your immediate reply. “As many as I can think of….”

“Within a three-hour time limit.” He countered, eyes narrowing playfully, clearly enjoying himself.

You chewed your lip, briefly concerned it would not be enough time, but the volume of questions that had been welling up inside you would ensure it would be used wisely.

You nodded before asking, “and yours?” loathing the tremble in your voice, even though you were pretty certain what he wanted.

“Let me drink my fill of you…” His voice was thick, roughened by desire, his gaze intense as he spoke.

Your throat constricted nervously, and you swallowed to clear it. “You cannot kill me…” You protested.

“No of course not.” His face took on a mask of tenderness. “What a terrible waste that would be pet…just enough to satisfy.” He assured you.

You sat on the poorly cushioned chair eyeing him warily, heart still beating at quite a steady clip as the potential terms of your agreement hung in the air, awaiting your assent. The factors at play paraded through your hindered consciousness – the danger of him, the opportunity of him, the mix of pain and pleasure offered in his bite. Your hand strayed to your inner wrist absently, scratching futilely through the bandage there. His eyes flickered down to follow the movement, lips stretching wider into a knowing grin.

Blinking in confusion you glanced down to where his gaze was aimed and huffed in frustration at yourself before thrusting your hand out to him to shake. “Deal.”

With a bemused grin he took your hand in his, grip as cold as marble as he shook in agreement.

“I would also hazard a guess that you need some food before we begin, pet? Need you to keep up your strength.” He grinned as he settled back against the headboard, legs stretched out before him.

You frowned slightly as you realized he was right – two glasses of wine and a few canapes were not going to sustain you. Rifling around on the desk you found a room service menu and called down to order the most appetizing thing they had on offer. Plugging your phone into charge, you opened the fresh notebook and started an audio recording in an app. Your last step was to set a timer for one hundred and eighty minutes before looking to the lieutenant.

“Ready?”

“Whenever you are, pet.” He nodded.

Pressing start on your timer, you asked your first question. The question that had been burning in your mind since you had first examined the artifacts three days ago. “Why did you have a coat from both sides?”

“Made my life easier. I could go wherever I wanted, do what I needed to, wearing the colours of convenience.” He answered with open honesty as you began scrawling into your notebook.

You were relieved that he was upholding his side of the bargain and yet felt an increased nervousness at the idea of having made a deal with a man without loyalties.

“What did you do during the war?”

“Joined up, of course. A group of us enlisted in the South Carolina Continental Army shortly after Independence was declared. My father was proud, my mother was less than pleased given than I was only sixteen, but we were caught up in the political fervor, desperate to join the fight that had been brewing for years. I could already shoot better than most of the recruits, and I was good with horses. It was easy to get a promotion to lieutenant. Especially when our soldiers were dropping like flies.” His tone took on an edge of bitterness that had you glancing up from your notes, but he was gazing off toward some unseen memory at the end of the bed.

“It was becoming increasingly apparent that were severely disadvantaged, particularly when it came to our leadership. The great Washington did not make his way south of Virginia, you see, we were left to fend for ourselves in an increasingly desperate fight against a superior enemy. By 1780 Charlestown had fallen to the British and I had no more interest in dying for a lost cause. I fled my post, made my way into the city to make a living off of my connections and the occupying troops desperate for the finer things that were hard to come by.”

A memory of the ledger found inside the sarcophagus, filled with its neat rows of items and prices, flitted through your mind and you swallowed. “A smuggler.”

“Some called me that, yes.” Jacob chuckled, looking to you with a shrug. “I was no longer killing people, my life was more comfortable, how could it not be considered an improvement for everyone involved?”

A knock on the door, signalling the arrival of your food, startled you into scratching a jagged line of ink along the margin of your notebook. Exhaling shakily, you stood to go retrieve the tray, finding some loose bills in your bag to tip the porter, before carrying the food in and setting it on the desk. Finding the small room overly warm, you shrugged out of your coat at last, not missing the way Jacob’s eyes traced every inch of skin revealed to him by the action.

“Where did you grow up?” You asked your next question, hoping to divert his attention and not waste any more time than you already had.

Alternating between taking notes and eating bites of your rapidly cooling food, you covered all manner of topics from his upbringing to the ins-and-outs of eighteenth-century smuggling. Your notebook grew increasingly full, the pages curling slightly from your frantic shorthand highlighting thoughts and ideas born from his answers, not wanting to miss any details even though you knew it was also being recorded.

“How did you become a vampire?” You asked just as your alarm chimed and you frowned in dismay. How could three hours have passed already…

“I will give you that one, pet, because I am a man of honor.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed, sitting up to face you properly. “My trade had me working with all manner of people, procuring all sorts of items. That is where I first encountered the children of the night. I provided them with what I thought was traditional evening entertainment, but they were soon having me disposing of the leftover pale corpses with ravaged throats. After much persuasion they promised me eternal life…” He laughed bitterly.

“I had barely paid the price of high-value Continental Army information – no sooner had I been turned when the ancestors of your handsome Bradley,” you breath hitched in your throat and his eyes flashed with irritation “showed up for all of us. They promised me a way out, passage back to England. They locked me in that box with my consent. With the understanding that I would be freed as soon as I was aboard a ship out of this place. But instead, I lay there forgotten, my veins running dry, rasping against my skin until I could no longer keep my eyes open. Until a few days ago when your sweet blood fell upon my lips, bringing me back. Now,” his eyes darkened as he stood, looming over you, “you have had your fun. It is my turn.”

He leaned forward, lips parted, baring elongated fangs as he prepared to bite your neck, but you planted a firm hand against his chest, pen still threaded through your fingers. “Wait…s…somewhere it can’t be seen….” You pleaded shakily.

He pulled back with a growing smirk before sinking to his knees before you, fingers seeking the skin of your ankles beneath your dress. He chuckled as you jumped slightly at his cool touch, watching with bated breath as his hands rose up your legs, the hem of your dress gathering at his wrists. Your hands fell to clutch at the arm rests of the chair as he eased your knees apart, inhaling your scent greedily. You could feel each rapid beat of your heart lodged in your throat, shifting slightly at the feel of warmth gathering at the apex of your thighs, certain Jacob was more than aware of the effect his proximity was having on your traitorous body as he grew ever closer to that warmth.

With one final glance up at you he at last turned his head to sink his fangs into the supple flesh of your inner thigh. Your head fell back between your shoulders with a ragged moan, one which he echoed against your skin, your body trembling in response. A mixture of pain and pleasure rocketed through your body as he began to feed, drawing your blood from the bite wound, making you writhe beneath him. A dark chuckle rumbled through his chest as his hands moved to pin your hips, holding you in place as he swallowed greedily.

Gradually your grip on the arms of the chair weakened, the beat of your heart dropped to a normal tempo before becoming sluggish beneath your rib caged. Rolling your head forward, you feebly tried to push his mouth away, afraid he was drinking too much. The lieutenant did not budge, eyes closed in ecstasy, fingers digging into your hips almost painfully, as he continued to drink.

“Jacob…” You whimpered weakly. “We…had a deal…” You panted in an odd cocktail of frantic languidness.

A terrific thud suddenly collided with the door, but you barely had the wherewithal to flinch in reaction. It was followed by several more before the door frame gave away with the horrific screech of protesting metal and wood. Through heavy eyelids you watched a slightly winded Bradley Bradshaw hurtle into the room, his eyes quickly taking in the scene – Jacob’s position between your legs, your inability to lift your own head. In a swift movement blurred by your weakened state, he was suddenly grasping a stake in his fist, his knuckles gone white from the force with which he held the weapon. Jacob, meanwhile, remained suctioned to your flesh like an overgrown leech, oblivious to all around him.

Bradley wasted no time, drawing his arm back to gain momentum before powerfully driving the stake into Jacob’s back between his ribs. His head snapped up from your thigh with a roar, mouth and neck painted with your blood as he stumbled to his feet, reaching back for the intruding object. With one final blow of his palm to the hilt of the stake, Bradley drove the point of the wood straight through Jacob’s heart. The dying vampire gave a pathetic gasp before his entire being suddenly disintegrated before your very eyes.

Leaving you staring in lethargic shock, Bradley stepped into the tiny washroom that could barely contain his frame and gathered a towel and robe from, returning to press the rough fibres of the towel against the tender flesh. You yelped pathetically, pushing at him weakly as tears pricked your eyes. You did not have the energy to determine if they were tears of shame or tears of sadness for the pile of dust now on the carpet that had very recently been the lieutenant.

“You killed him.” You breathed faintly.

“He was killing you.” Bradley replied sharply, punctuating his statement by pulling the towel tightly around your thigh with the belt of the robe, tying a secure knot in the terrycloth.

You flinched in pain before gulping as he pulled the hem of your dress down over your legs to preserve your modesty. You vision was beginning to narrow as he leaned down to retrieve his stake, tucking it into the inside pocket of his jacket before moving to lift you into his arms, all brisk efficiency. His ability to find you in a hotel with over two hundreds of rooms, in a city full of dozens of hotels, was a puzzle you might not ever be able to solve. Least of all now with your rapidly dimming consciousness.

“Wait!” You channeled the last of bit of effort within your body towards catching his attention. “My stuff…” You gestured listlessly at your phone and notebook, wanting at the very least for this to have not been all for naught.

“You historians are really something else.” He replied gruffly before sweeping your things into your bag, hanging it from his shoulder before scooping you up, his supernatural strength making it a thing of ease as he hurried for the elevator.

“Where we goin’….” Your head lolled forward against his chest, shivering against the radiant heat of his body, barely able to form the words.

“Hospital.” He grunted before everything faded to black.

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

Read Part Five

The Night Moves Masterlist

Tag list: @moonyinthestars, @roger-that-cap, @gaminffnerd, @blckgrl-sunflower

#top gun maverick fanfiction #rooster x reader #hangman x reader #bradley bradshaw x reader #jake seresin x reader #rooster x you #hangman x you #bradley bradshaw x you #jake seresin x you #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #jake hangman seresin x reader #vampire au #vampire hunter au

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thepastisalreadywritten · 2 months ago

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(CNN) — Fresh warthog carcass in tow, a poacher speeds away from Zimbabwe’s Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservancy.

Blood spatters, footprints and tire marks are the only traces of the crime he has just committed, but a trace is all it takes for the hunter to become the hunted.

His arrest comes a short while later, courtesy of Shinga, a Belgian Malinois that perfectly retraced the poacher’s 2.8-mile (4.5-kilometer) route home, leading an anti-poaching team to his door.

Last October’s pursuit ultimately began much further afield, in the sleepy Welsh town of Carmarthen, where Shinga was born and raised.

It’s home to the kennels of Dogs4Wildlife, a non-profit organization that trains dogs to support anti-poaching units (APUs) in their efforts to protect endangered wildlife across southern Africa.

It’s run by professional dog trainers Darren Priddle and Jacqui Law, who decided to blend their career experiences of developing working dogs for police, security, and military operations with their love of wildlife, after seeing photos of a poached African rhino on social media in 2015.

“It was quite a horrific image. We sat down and we said, ‘Okay, that’s really affected us,’” Priddle told CNN.

“We can deploy dogs in the UK to track people … to look for drugs, firearms and explosives, so why could we not look at developing the dogs that we were training for conservation efforts?”

Puppy love

The duo has since sent 15 dogs to five sub-Saharan African countries, including Mozambique and Tanzania, each one bred by them in southwest Wales.

They usually breed one or two litters each year.

Dutch shepherds and Belgian Malinois are two of the most common breeds for tracking, while labradors and spaniels are typically the detection (sniffer) dogs of choice.

Training begins from as early as two days old.

Priddle acknowledges that sounds young, but he believes early imprinting programs can provide a strong foundation for the formal training that commences around six weeks later.

“There’s a lot of scientific study out there that’s been documented on exposing puppies to touch, different temperatures, different surfaces and textures, as well as different odors that we put into the whelping box when they’re very young,” he explained

“It just helps their brain and (helps) their synapses to fire. We see a lot of advancement in those puppies.”

The curriculum closely follows that of the typical police or security dog, focusing on obedience, tracking, and scent detection — a skill used to sniff out rhino horn, elephant ivory and bushmeat.

The only key difference to the training process is acclimating dogs to the sights, sounds and smells of lions, giraffes and the myriad other species they will help protect.

With rhino and elephant numbers severely lacking in the wetlands of Carmarthenshire, trips to local zoos are organized to desensitize the puppies to African wildlife.

Typically, after 16 to 18 months, dogs are ready for assignment.

Even though Priddle accompanies each one on the long flight to their new home, spending the first month with the anti-poaching unit to provide field and animal welfare training to rangers, goodbyes never get easier.

“The transition from spending every waking moment with that dog, having a very strong relationship, to then letting that go is challenging and difficult,” Law said.

“But as much as it breaks my heart when they go, I know they’re going for the greater good.”

Biting back

Easing the pain are WhatsApp group chats set up for Priddle and Law to keep in touch with and advise APUs across the various reserves and conservancies.

They are particularly active forums, especially given that the organization also provides training and consultancy to teams with existing dog units, such as the Akashinga Rangers, Africa’s first armed all-female anti-poaching squad, who watch over Zimbabwe’s vast Phundundu Wildlife Area.

Naturally, updates of success are a source of immense personal pride for the pair back in Wales.

Shinga’s tracking triumph in October followed the achievements of fellow Belgian Malinois Dan, which alerted his team to a rhino calf that had been caught in a snare trap in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa in 2013

Such victories demonstrate the “game-changing” value such dogs can have when incorporated into conservation efforts, argue the duo, even through their mere presence.

“When these reserves bring a specialist dog onto a wildlife reserve … the word spreads very quickly that the APUs now have the capability to actually catch these poachers on a more efficient and successful basis,” Priddle said.

“Some of the smaller wildlife reserves almost eradicate poaching in all types completely, just because of the deterrent value that dog brings to the party.”

As park manager and head of anti-poaching operations at Zimbabwe’s 10,000-acre Imire conservancy, Reilly Travers has had a front row seat for the last seven years to the impact of Shinga and also Murwi, a Dutch shepherd whose training was paid for by the fundraising efforts of pupils of the local Harare International school.

Capable of covering as much as 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) an hour when tracking, even in darkness, dogs allow rangers to “own the night,” Travers explained, adding an invaluable level of versatility and unpredictability to their arsenal.

And on numerous occasions, Shinga and Murwi have alerted units to potentially mortal threats – be it from poachers or predators – through body language alone.

“They’ve saved our guys on the ground on several occasions and they’ve been responsible for apprehending quite a few poachers,” Travers told CNN.

“It’s had a massive impact on security for Imire. We’ve had a drastic reduction in poaching and the K9 unit has a massive role to play in that … It’s not the silver bullet but it’s a tool that will make a significant difference.”

‘We learn in nature’

Zimbabwe once boasted thousands of rhinos, yet numbers nosedived to less than 450 by 1992 because of poaching networks, according to conservation charity Save the Rhino.

The efforts of Imire, which saw the birth of its 23rd rhino in 2023, helped the country’s rhino population climb back over the 1,000-mark in 2022.

But statistics continue to make for grim reading across the wider continent.

Though the numbers of African rhinos poached annually has dropped steadily since a peak of over 1,300 in 2015, almost 600 kills were still recorded last year, according to Save the Rhino.

It contributed to an overall decline in the total African black rhino population in 2023, though white rhino numbers are on the rise.

And the impact of each loss extends far beyond statistics, Priddle and Law explain, especially at the smaller reserves that Dogs4Wildlife focuses on, which have markedly less anti-poaching resources than the continent’s most renowned parks.

Recalling the sight of a de-horned 25-year-old bull rhino and eight-year-old male in Limpopo, both killed by a single poacher, Law stressed the knock-on effect on the wider environment.

“The vegetation they clear, the seeds they disperse, all the other animals that are impacted. You think it’s just a rhino that’s gone – it’s the whole ecosystem that suffers,” Law explained.

“The owners of that reserve had a relationship with that bull for 25 years – we grieve when we lose a dog after 10 to 15 years.

For us to experience the impact that losing those two rhinos had on the reserve owner sort of gave us added motivation.

It was just horrific. I never want to see that again.”

As Dogs4Wildlife looks ahead to its long-term goal of one day opening a specialized training and canine school within Africa, mobilizing future generations has become a key part of its overall mission.

Its Conservation club, called Siyafunda Ngemvelo – which translates to “we learn in nature” in IsiZulu – has taken more than 180 South African children into reserves as part of a wildlife education program.

Law said that for local people to want to protect rhinos, they must first see the animals’ value to the environment.

“We have to start at the fundamental basics, which is children taking responsibility for their own wildlife,” she added.

“Once they get the passion for it, they’re going to become future rangers, not future poachers.”

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jcmarchi · 6 months ago

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Three MIT students named 2026 Schwarzman Scholars

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/three-mit-students-named-2026-schwarzman-scholars/

Three MIT students named 2026 Schwarzman Scholars

Three MIT students — Yutao Gong, Brandon Man, and Andrii Zahorodnii — have been awarded 2025 Schwarzman Scholarships and will join the program’s 10th cohort to pursue a master’s degree in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

The MIT students were selected from a pool of over 5,000 applicants. This year’s class of 150 scholars represents 38 countries and 105 universities from around the world.

The Schwarzman Scholars program aims to develop leadership skills and deepen understanding of China’s changing role in the world. The fully funded one-year master’s program at Tsinghua University emphasizes leadership, global affairs, and China. Scholars also gain exposure to China through mentoring, internships, and experiential learning.

MIT’s Schwarzman Scholar applicants receive guidance and mentorship from the distinguished fellowships team in Career Advising and Professional Development and the Presidential Committee on Distinguished Fellowships.

Yutao Gong will graduate this spring from the Leaders for Global Operations program at the MIT Sloan School of Management, earning a dual MBA and a MS degree in civil and environmental engineering with a focus on manufacturing and operations. Gong, who hails from Shanghai, China, has academic, work, and social engagement experiences in China, the United States, Jordan, and Denmark. She was previously a consultant at Boston Consulting Group working on manufacturing, agriculture, sustainability, and renewable energy-related projects, and spent two years in Chicago and one year in Greater China as a global ambassador. Gong graduated magna cum laude from Duke University with double majors in environmental science and statistics, where she organized the Duke China-U.S. Summit.

Brandon Man, from Canada and Hong Kong, is a master’s student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, where he studies generative artificial intelligence (genAI) for engineering design. Previously, he graduated from Cornell University magna cum laude with honors in computer science. With a wealth of experience in robotics — from assistive robots to next-generation spacesuits for NASA to Tencent’s robot dog, Max — he is now a co-founder of Sequestor, a genAI-powered data aggregation platform that enables carbon credit investors to perform faster due diligence. His goal is to bridge the best practices of the Eastern and Western tech worlds.

Andrii Zahorodnii, from Ukraine, will graduate this spring with a bachelor of science and a master of engineering degree in computer science and cognitive sciences. An engineer as well as a neuroscientist, he has conducted research at MIT with Professor Guangyu Robert Yang’s MetaConscious Group and the Fiete Lab. Zahorodnii is passionate about using AI to uncover insights into human cognition, leading to more-informed, empathetic, and effective global decision-making and policy. Besides driving the exchange of ideas as a TEDxMIT organizer, he strives to empower and inspire future leaders internationally and in Ukraine through the Ukraine Leadership and Technology Academy he founded.

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hologramcowboy · 1 month ago

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How would you advise someone attempting to break into the industry? It’s so daunting and I can’t help but feel a sense of foreboding when researching local photographers for headshots. Once you take headshots, would you submit your resume to an agency? How can you submit reels without experience in film? Are our submissions automatically trashed if you’re not a Tik Tok influencer or nepo baby? Is it recommended to submit to local agencies and work your way to bigger ones? I could honestly keep going, but I know it’d be tiresome. It’s dreadful having the confidence in my craft and talent, but not feeling as though I’d be beautiful enough to land auditions because of my appearance, so I hold myself back. I think I need a step by step guide for any sense of security.

Came for Danneel tea, stayed for my dreams coming to fruition.

Never submit yourself to an agency until your acting is up to par. Think of training first, acting is like the Olympics, you don’t get in the game unless you reach a certain level. Until you develop yourself enough to warrant an agent and manager train, train, train and create your own content + submit yourself for student films, commercials (once you get trained on them).

You can submit yourself to an agent using acting clips in self tape format if you don’t yet have a showreel. But please note that your acting level needs to be impeccable. If you submit yourself to agencies before you are ready, you risk burning your career.

Always start in the market you are from and once you get enough experience and the time is right move to L.A. if you are able to.

Submissions get trashed for many reasons most having to do with lack of professionalism of those submitting. Only submit to appropriate project for the tier you are currently in and always create high quality self tapes. If you are auditioning in person, book the room, leave an impression and let go of booking the role, booking the room( getting by industry professionals on your side) is much more important and can lead to call ins down the line. I’d recommend getting coached privately prior to any audition.

Start with boutique agencies and work your way up. In some cases, some actors stick to their original agency their entire career and they are fine but in most cases once an actor levels up it’s often time to change reps.

As for limiting beliefs such as “I’m not good looking enough”, know that acting is a lot about mentality, you need to work on your mindset and release negative, limiting beliefs. There is no such thing as not being good looking enough because no matter what you look like you perfectly represent a type that is needed within the industry. Being a model is a different story, as an actor, you can have a career no matter how off from the beauty standards you may look. In fact, the more memorable your face is, the better off you are. Not everyone has Leading Lady or Leading Man looks and that’s perfectly okay because there are many other types of roles to fill.

Your main goal should always be to be trusted within the industry, the more you generate trust and network the bigger the chances of being called in by casting offices, etc.

If you are already at a level where you are ready to submit to agencies, ensure every marketing material you have is on brand for you. The more defined the brand the bigger the chance to book. You have to know how to market yourself.

Creating on brand acting clips that sell your main types should be your main goal once you get the proper training. As for headshots, those need to be on brand too so ensure you do your research and pick your types carefully. When you do submit to agencies, tailor your pitch according to your goals and to your essence.

That’s all that comes to mind right now, feel free to ask if you need more information.

#on acting

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dypatilnavimumbai · 3 months ago

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A Beginner’s Guide to Studying Law in India

Law is one of the most respected and intellectually stimulating fields of study in India. It offers a unique combination of academic challenge, social impact, and career diversity. Whether passionate about justice, policy-making, corporate affairs, or advocacy, pursuing a law degree can set you on a rewarding professional path.

If you're considering enrolling in an LLB course in India, this guide will walk you through the basics and help you make an informed decision.

1. Understanding the Different Law Courses

There are two main types of law degrees in India for undergraduate aspirants:

BA LLB (Integrated Course)

A 5-year program that combines a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

Suitable for students who have completed Class 12 (any stream).

Offers a broader foundation in humanities along with core legal subjects.

LLB (Traditional Course)

A 3-year program is available after completing a bachelor’s degree in any field.

More focused purely on legal studies.

Ideal for graduates who decide to pursue law as a second career path.

Both courses are recognized by the Bar Council of India (BCI) and qualify students to practice law after graduation and licensing.

2. Subjects and Specializations

During your law course, you'll study foundational subjects such as:

Constitutional Law

Criminal Law

Contract Law

Family Law

Property Law

Environmental Law

Human Rights Law

Most law programs also allow students to specialize in fields like:

Corporate Law

Intellectual Property Rights

International Law

Taxation Law

Cyber Law

These specializations help shape your career direction based on your interests and goals.

3. Skills You’ll Develop as a Law Student

Law is not just about memorizing acts and sections. A strong law education teaches you how to:

Think critically and analyse complex legal situations

Communicate clearly in both written and verbal formats

Research effectively using legal databases and case law

Build persuasive arguments and defend positions logically

Maintain ethical standards and uphold justice

These skills are highly transferable and valuable in many professions beyond the courtroom.

4. Career Opportunities After a Law Degree

Law graduates in India can explore a wide range of careers, including:

Practising Advocate in District or High Courts

Legal Advisor in corporate firms

In-house counsel for companies or start-ups

Judicial Services (via competitive exams)

Public Prosecutor or Government Legal Officer

Legal Consultant for NGOs or international organizations

Academician or Legal Researcher

With the rise of sectors like fintech, e-commerce, and data protection, the demand for legal professionals is only increasing.

5. Choosing the Right College for Law

When selecting a law college, consider the following:

Bar Council recognition

Faculty qualifications and experience

Exposure to moot courts, legal aid camps, and internships

Placement assistance and alumni success

Infrastructure and access to digital legal resources

Why DY Patil University is a Great Choice

If you’re searching for a reputed institution offering a BA LLB course in India, DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai, stands out for its comprehensive legal education and student-focused approach.

Here’s what makes DYPU a preferred choice:

Experienced faculty and guest lectures from legal professionals

Moot court training and opportunities for real-life legal exposure

Internships with top law firms and legal departments

Modern infrastructure and well-equipped legal libraries

Placement support and guidance for judicial services

DY Patil University prepares students not just for legal practice, but for leadership roles in the legal system.

Final Thoughts

A career in law offers endless possibilities, from advocating for justice to advising corporations. Whether you choose a 5-year BA LLB course after Class 12 or a 3-year LLB course in India after graduation, the journey is intellectually enriching and professionally empowering.

If you’re ready to take the first step toward a meaningful legal career, DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai, offers the right platform to begin your journey.

#Law College #Law in India

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nocompromise-noregrets · 5 months ago

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five good things

Time for one of these, I think, partly because it's been a good couple of weeks, and partly because Last Cat Standing is in the veterinary hospital overnight (or possibly for the weekend) because his kidneys are starting to fail and they want to give him IV fluids and meds to try and stabilise him a bit and help him feel better - so I need a bit of distracting. (although as I typed that sentence the vets called me and apparently he is tolerating the drip well and with some meds/supplements and a special diet he should be fine...)

I had my 25th anniversary at job number one on 1 February and had a very enjoyable evening out with my best work friend/work wife, although I had to do an hour and a half of work first - I walked up into town to meet her at the end of the Saturday event she was running, only it did not end on time because there had been a booking disaster and twice as many people showed up as there was room for, so I ended up getting drafted in to help out (in civvies, and loudly protesting that I was supposed to be going to the pub with my friend XD ). Ah well, I put it on my time card XD I was also made a fuss of at the staff meeting on the Monday, and our boss (who is from Suffolk, as am I) made up a little quiz for everyone else on Suffolk dialect phrases, which we read out in our best accents and made everyone guess what they meant XD

I have gained a duckling! Our most recently-qualified archivist has been floundering a little in the wider team because they're all idiots and she's sensible, and my best pal who is her manager asked me to take her on for a bit of mentoring, and to give me a hand with the ridiculously complicated task I've managed to get myself landed with. She's been absolutely invaluable and we are getting on like a house on fire. I've spent my entire career studiously avoiding any managerial responsibility, but supervisory/mentoring? Yeah, that I can do.

Also I had a call this morning from my manager, slightly frantic and very apologetic for calling me on my day off - we have committed to doing a project for one of our major depositors, funded by them, because they need to move out of their offices and have loads of stuff that needs to come to us. One of our colleagues was supposed to be doing it, but about three weeks in, he's become ill, and we need someone to pick it up while he's off. So my manager asked me, since I've been advising our colleague anyway, and suggested I take the duckling with me as it will be very good professional development for her. So we start that on Monday, I think. This will make me look Very Good Indeed. XD (I am Flexible and Experienced and Mature and Sensible and Willing to Help Out at the Drop of a Hat even though I Did Not Particularly Want To Do This Project Myself. Go me.)

I have also just made us look Very Good Indeed because the papers I've been cataloguing about the proposed (but abortive) reorganisation of local government in the 1990s have just been very useful indeed for the consultant who is advising our employers as the whole thing has come up again, in more or less the same shape as last time (work in this job long enough and you realise there really is nothing new under the sun) and he was very impressed with how efficient and knowledgeable we were (I was XD ) and fed back to the Deputy Chief Exec who is likely to be the new Actual Chief Exec when the current one retires in May. She already likes us, but that was a very useful boost. *buffs nails*

I saw Soul Asylum the other week and they were GREAT! The venue was packed at first sight, it was absolutely wall-to-wall people as soon as I got in the door, but I realised after gently pushing through a few rows that it was because everyone was standing at the back like idiots, and further towards the front it all opened up. I ended up in the second row right in front of the singer, and I had a fantastic time. Eighteen-year-old me, who listened to the Gravedancers' Union album almost non-stop at university, is DELIGHTED.

I have been going to the gym for about five weeks, faffing about on the weights machines, and actually rather enjoying myself. Loud music (Måneskin, it's Måneskin) on the headphones, as many machines as I can actually get on when they're not being occupied by people sitting there for ages between sets, about an hour/hour and a quarter three times a week, and I'm feeling better about things already. I don't bother with the free weights or floor exercises or cardio, because I still cannot make myself do cardio and being perceived while moving is still utterly offputting, but I'm thinking that maybe I might be able to trick my brain into a brisk walk on the treadmill sometimes eventually. I go on the way home from work on Mondays and Wednesdays, and I walk up there and back on Fridays, so that's a bit of cardio/warm-up and cooldown, so it kind of works as it is, and my poor crumbling bones are getting a little bit of support.

Speaking of my poor crumbling bones, I FINALLY have an appointment to talk to a consultant about hopefully getting the infusion treatment for my osteoporosis, which is once a year or so, rather than the tablet-with-ridiculous-conditions-once-a-week which my undiagnosed probably-ADHD-but-at-least-executive-dysfunction has struggled with for over six years (which is why my bones are as crumbling as they are). I had my scan last July, the GP referred me in September, I was sent an appointment for January in October, which was then cancelled in November because they had 'reviewed my information' and decided I didn't need it or something, but then in January I was invited to book another appointment online...only to be told there were no appointments available, but about three weeks later I was sent one for the first Tuesday in March. Here's hoping! I was talking to my friend (who is a very organised post-doctoral researcher in public health management and specialises in nudging people to make healthy choices) about it, and she was making all sorts of suggestions for remembering the tablet, which...I just, I just can't, reminders don't work for me because I'll look at them and forget immediately, and then I explained the full ridiculousness of it - have to take it first thing in the morning, once a week, on an empty stomach, can't eat or drink or lie down for at least half an hour afterwards...and she was like 'oh yeah actually okay fuck that, that is RIDICULOUS' and then we got talking about how it really does sound like I probably have ADHD but given that we still haven't got the missus a diagnosis after about three years of trying, and I can generally cope with things better than she can, I don't know if there's any point even trying to get diagnosed. But anyway.

I am collaborating with the same friend on the most DELICIOUSLY angsty and bittersweet fic series and having an absolute whale of a time with it. Our writing styles and processes are very different, but it is just such a joy batting ideas back and forth and hammering the stories out (with absolute glee every time we think of a plot point which will make our four readers howl XD ) and developing all manner of plot-device characters into actual fully-fledged characters and generally having a marvellous time.

I am also having a MARVELLOUS TIME pinging ideas back and forth with @malkaleh on her Gold Cage ROP-'verse and a large and sprawling thing taking in all manner of characters from all manner of sources which will never see the light of day because it's ours (and would make no sense to anyone else at this point XDDDD ) but we are enjoying SO MUCH. <33333333

And people seem to like Alyssa, my very-young-and-very-out-of-her-depth personal-assistant-to-an-absolute-chaos-demon-idiot, which is GREAT - I know people are sometimes a bit leery of OCs, but I couldn't not write her and I'm so glad I shared her. One of the readers who talks to my friend regularly sent her a picture with the caption 'I feel like Alyssa will have something to say about this' or words to that effect, which my friend then sent to me, so it seems like the Alyssa-'verse is spreading XDDDD

Anyway, that's plenty to be going on with. And Last Cat Standing is still standing and there are things that can be done for him, so that is also a Good Thing. <33333333333

#five good things #long post #sorry XD

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