#contract review software

[asestimationsconsultants]

Hiring a Freelance Construction Estimator in Australia | What You Need to Know

Construction projects in Australia often require precise cost estimating to ensure budgets are realistic and financial risks are managed. While many companies rely on in-house estimators or large firms, hiring a freelance construction estimator can be a flexible and cost-effective alternative. However, selecting the right freelancer requires careful consideration. This article outlines what you need to know before engaging a freelance construction estimator in Australia.

Advantages of Hiring a Freelance Estimator

Freelancers typically offer greater flexibility in scope and timing. They can be engaged on a project-by-project basis, which can reduce overhead costs compared to full-time staff or agency services. Many freelancers bring specialized skills and local market knowledge, allowing them to provide tailored estimates suited to your project’s specific needs.

Assessing Experience and Credentials

When hiring a freelance estimator, it is important to verify their qualifications and industry experience. Look for professional certifications, membership in industry bodies such as the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS), and a track record of estimating projects similar to yours. Experience in your project’s sector—residential, commercial, or industrial—adds confidence in their ability to deliver accurate estimates.

Understanding the Scope of Work

Clear communication about the scope of work is essential. Define whether you need a preliminary budget estimate, detailed tender documentation, quantity takeoffs, or ongoing cost management. Establishing these expectations upfront helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures the freelancer delivers precisely what your project requires.

Evaluating Pricing Models

Freelance estimators may charge hourly rates, fixed project fees, or a percentage of the estimated construction cost. Hourly rates in Australia typically range from AUD $80 to $150, but this can vary based on experience and project complexity. Discuss payment terms, deliverables, and any potential additional costs before signing a contract.

Ensuring Quality and Reliability

Request references or samples of previous work to assess the freelancer’s quality and professionalism. Reliable estimators should provide transparent estimates with clear assumptions, inclusions, and exclusions. They should also be responsive and open to revisions as project details evolve.

Managing Collaboration and Communication

Since freelancers work remotely or on multiple projects, maintaining effective communication is vital. Establish regular check-ins and preferred communication channels early on. Collaborative tools and cloud-based estimating software can facilitate document sharing and updates.

Legal and Contractual Considerations

Ensure a formal agreement outlines the scope, fees, deadlines, confidentiality, and intellectual property rights. Clarify liability for errors and how disputes will be resolved. Engaging a freelance estimator with appropriate professional indemnity insurance is recommended for added protection.

FAQs

Can a freelance estimator handle large complex projects? Yes, many experienced freelancers specialize in large projects, but verify their relevant experience.

How do freelance estimators charge in Australia? Commonly by hourly rate or fixed fee, depending on project scope and complexity.

What qualifications should a freelance estimator have? Relevant construction or quantity surveying certifications and industry association memberships are important.

Is it risky to hire a freelancer instead of a company? Risks exist but can be minimized by thorough vetting, clear contracts, and communication.

How do I ensure estimate accuracy with a freelancer? Request samples, check references, and agree on revisions and updates during the project.

Conclusion

Hiring a freelance construction estimator in Australia can provide flexibility, expertise, and cost savings when managed carefully. By verifying credentials, defining scope, understanding pricing, and establishing strong communication, you can ensure your freelance estimator contributes effectively to your project’s financial success. With proper oversight, freelancers can be valuable partners in navigating the complexities of construction cost estimating.

[lexeniusparalegalservices]

In today’s fast-paced legal landscape, efficiency, accuracy, and compliance are critical for handling large volumes of legal documents. Traditional document review methods are often time-consuming, prone to human error, and costly. However, AI-powered document review is revolutionizing the legal industry by offering streamlined, intelligent, and scalable solutions for law firms, corporations, and legal departments worldwide. Read more...

[looplegal]

https://justpaste.it/c0283

It is important to have your SDA reviewed by an attorney before you sign it. This will help to ensure that the agreement is fair and enforceable, and that it protects your interests. By following the tips in this blog post, you can mitigate risks and ensure success with your software development project by drafting a well-drafted software development agreement.

[meret118]

“I have yet to find one of them that I felt was credible enough for me to actually file documentation for that voter,” he said. “So as a good steward for voter registration, which is what I’m charged with doing, I should not act upon stuff that is proven to be not credible.

”This year, election officials like Wilcox have spent valuable time sorting through pages of these mass voter challenges. And voting rights advocates worry that the trend could result in eligible voters being removed from the rolls, or from accommodations like being on lists to automatically receive ballots in the mail.

. . .

But experts and election officials who spoke to HuffPost said voters should confirm their registration status now — before the November election season heats up — just to be safe.

. . .

The month following that election, True the Vote teamed up with Georgia Republicans to challenge the eligibility of more than 364,000 voters in the state, based in part on U.S. Postal Service address-change data.

. . .

Some voters only found out their registrations had been challenged when they didn’t receive requested ballots in the mail for Georgia’s January 2021 U.S. Senate run-off election. Ultimately — after courts stepped in — the vast majority of these challenges were rejected. True the Vote’s list “utterly lacked reliability” and “verge[d] on recklessness,” a federal judge later observed.

. . .

At least one Georgia county has signed a contract to use the software, and in May, the director of the Florida Division of Elections sent county officials a list of 10,000 names to review that a local “concerned citizen” had generated with EagleAI.

. . .

Other efforts are state-based, including the “Pigpen Project” in Nevada and “Soles to the Rolls” in Michigan. Some even go so far as to go door to door to ask voters to confirm their information, raising concerns about intimidation. The Republican Party is also involved in the effort — in June, a federal judge rejected a GOP lawsuit alleging Nevada officials had failed to properly maintain voter rolls. (The GOP’s data was “highly flawed,” the state said.) A similar suit, against the state of Michigan, is ongoing.

And some states have made mass challenges even easier. In Georgia, S.B. 202, passed in 2021, allowed anyone to formally challenge an unlimited number of registrations, and S.B. 189, passed this year, requires voters to defend their registration against even frivolous challenges, sometimes at in-person hearings. It faces a lawsuit.

More at the link. Check your registration!

[mariacallous]

Elon Musk’s minions—from trusted sidekicks to random college students and former Musk company interns—have taken over the General Services Administration, a critical government agency that manages federal offices and technology. Already, the team is attempting to use White House security credentials to gain unusual access to GSA tech, deploying a suite of new AI software, and recreating the office in X’s image, according to leaked documents obtained by WIRED.

Some of the same people who helped Musk take over Twitter more than two years ago are now registered as official GSA employees. Nicole Hollander, who slept in Twitter HQ as an unofficial member of Musk’s transition team, has high-level agency access and an official government email address, according to documents viewed by WIRED. Hollander’s husband, Steve Davis, also slept in the office. He has now taken on a leading role in Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Thomas Shedd, the recently installed director of the Technology Transformation Services within GSA, worked as a software engineer at Tesla for eight years. Edward Coristine, who previously interned at Neuralink, has been onboarded along with Ethan Shaotran, a Harvard senior who is developing his own OpenAI-backed scheduling assistant and participated in an xAI hackathon.

“I believe these people do not want to help the federal government provide services to the American people,” says a current GSA employee who asked not to be named, citing fears of retaliation. “They are acting like this is a takeover of a tech company.”

The team appears to be carrying out Musk’s agenda: slashing the federal government as quickly as possible. They’re currently targeting a 50 percent reduction in spending for every office managed by the GSA, according to documents obtained by WIRED.

There also appears to be an effort to use IT credentials from the Executive Office of the President to access GSA laptops and internal GSA infrastructure. Typically, access to agency systems requires workers to be employed at such agencies, sources say. While Musk's team could be trying to obtain better laptops and equipment from GSA, sources fear that the mandate laid out in the DOGE executive order would grant the body broad access to GSA systems and data. That includes sensitive procurement data, data internal to all the systems and services GSA offers, and internal monitoring software to surveil GSA employees as part of normal auditing and security processes.

The access could give Musk’s proxies the ability to remote into laptops, listen in on meetings, read emails, among many other things, a former Biden official told WIRED on Friday.

“Granting DOGE staff, many of whom aren't government employees, unfettered access to internal government systems and sensitive data poses a huge security risk to the federal government and to the American public,” the Biden official said. “Not only will DOGE be able to review procurement-sensitive information about major government contracts, it'll also be able to actively surveil government employees.”

The new GSA leadership team has prioritized downsizing the GSA’s real estate portfolio, canceling convenience contracts, and rolling out AI tools for use by the federal government, according to internal documents and interviews with sources familiar with the situation. At a GSA office in Washington, DC, earlier this week, there were three items written on a white board sitting in a large, vacant room. “Spending Cuts $585 m, Regulations Removed, 15, Square feet sold/terminated 203,000 sf,” it read, according to a photo viewed by WIRED. There’s no note of who wrote the message, but it appears to be a tracker of cuts made or proposed by the team.

“We notified the commercial real estate market that two GSA properties would soon be listed for sale, and we terminated three leases,” Stephen Ehikian, the newly appointed GSA acting administrator, said in an email to GSA staff on Tuesday, confirming the agency’s focus on lowering real estate costs. “This is our first step in right-sizing the real estate portfolio.”

The proposed changes extend even inside the physical spaces at the GSA offices. Hollander has requested multiple “resting rooms,” for use by the A-suite, a team of employees affiliated with the GSA administrator’s office.

On January 29, a working group of high-ranking GSA employees, including the deputy general counsel and the chief administrative services officer, met to discuss building a resting room prototype. The team mapped out how to get the necessary funding and waivers to build resting rooms in the office, according to an agenda viewed by WIRED.

After Musk bought Twitter, Hollander and Davis moved into the office with their newborn baby. Hollander helped oversee real estate and office design—including the installation of hotel rooms at Twitter HQ, according to a lawsuit later filed by Twitter executives. During the installation process, one of the executives emailed to say that the plans for the rooms were likely not code compliant. Hollander “visited him in person and emphatically instructed him to never put anything about the project in writing again,” the lawsuit alleged. Employees were allegedly instructed to call the hotel rooms “sleeping rooms��� and to say they were just for taking naps.

Hollander has also requested access to Public Buildings Service applications; PBS owns and leases office space to government agencies. The timing of the access request lines up with Ehikian’s announcement about shrinking GSA’s real estate cost.

Musk’s lieutenants are also working to authorize the use of AI tools, including Google Gemini and Cursor (an AI coding assistant), for federal workers. On January 30, the group met with Google to discuss Telemetry, a software used to monitor the health and performance of applications, according to a document obtained by WIRED.

A-suite engineers, including Coristine and Shaotran, have requested access to a variety of GSA records, including nearly 10 years of accounting data, as well as detailed records on vendor payments, purchase orders, and revenue.

The GSA takeover mimics Musk’s strategy at other federal agencies like the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Earlier this month, Amanda Scales, who worked in talent at Musk’s xAI, was appointed as OPM chief of staff. Riccardo Biasini, former Tesla engineer and director of operations at the Boring company, is now a senior adviser to the director. Earlier this week, Musk cohorts at the US Office of Personnel Management emailed more than 2 million federal workers offering “deferred resignations,” allegedly promising employees their regular pay and benefits through September 30.

The email closely mirrored the “extremely hardcore” note Musk sent to Twitter staff in November 2022, shortly after buying the company.

Many federal workers thought the email was fake—as with Twitter, it seemed designed to force people to leave, slashing headcount costs without the headache of an official layoff.

Ehikian followed up with a note to staff stressing that the email was legitimate. “Yes, the OPM email is real and should be taken very seriously,” he said in an email obtained by WIRED. He added that employees should expect a “further consolidation of offices and centralization of functions.”

On Thursday night, GSA workers received a third email related to the resignation request called “Fork in the Road FAQs.” The email explained that employees who resign from their positions would not be required to work and could get a second job. “We encourage you to find a job in the private sector as soon as you would like to do so,” it read. “The way to greater American prosperity is encouraging people to move from lower productivity jobs in the public sector to higher productivity jobs in the private sector.”

The third question posed in the FAQ asked, “Will I really get my full pay and benefits during the entire period through September 30, even if I get a second job?”

“Yes,” the answer read. “You will also accrue further personal leave days, vacation days, etc. and be paid out for unused leave at your final resignation date.”

However, multiple GSA employees have told WIRED that they are refusing to resign, especially after the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) told its members on Tuesday that the offer could be void.

“There is not yet any evidence the administration can or will uphold its end of the bargain, that Congress will go along with this unilateral massive restructuring, or that appropriated funds can be used this way, among other issues that have been raised,” the union said in a notice.

There is also concern that, under Musk’s influence, the federal government might not pay for the duration of the deferred resignation period. Thousands of Twitter employees have sued Musk alleging that he failed to pay their agreed upon severance. Last year, one class action suit was dismissed in Musk’s favor.

In an internal video viewed by WIRED, Ehikian reiterated that GSA employees had the “opportunity to participate in a deferred resignation program,” per the email sent by OPM on January 28. Pressing his hands into the namaste gesture, Ehikian added, “If you choose to participate, I offer you my heartfelt gratitude for your service to this nation. If you choose to stay at the GSA, we’ll work together to implement the four pillars from the OPM memo.” He ended the video by saying thank you and pressing his hands into namaste again.

[shadowxamyweek]

Just a little update. Currently 6 weeks into classes and going strong. Got high marks in both thus far. Finished one paper and got a stellar review, now onto two more projects and then I'm in the clear for a while. One of my professors made me aware of a part-time teaching opportunity at the university available after I get my degree in the spring of next year, so that was very flattering and exciting!

After two long weeks of hives, they're on their way out and should be finished by the end of this week, but somehow in the mix of everything, I think the antihistamine cream I was putting on my eyelids caused one to crack like hell and is now ~infected~ *jazz hands*. I'm putting triple antibiotic on it when Ginger isn't around since Ginger is very allergic to it for some reason. Also employing the eye patch, which I haven't had to do for a while, in order to ensure that the eye still works and focuses and doesn't rely too much on the normal, healthy eye at this point (because of course the one that is also infect is my lazy eye that I have to work extra hard to keep healthy anyway.)

Also, there's been some... there's been a bit of a kerfuffle at my one work place. Due to recent political upheaval and the ever-pervasive gen AI in my field and other fields, I haven't...received any work from them in about two months. I'm not the only one either. Many of us are just sitting and waiting. We're not sure what's going on. Our contracts are all still active and we're all still on the payroll, but there's nothing quite so disheartening as getting an email from the bookkeeping software saying, 'you've been paid,' and it's... just 0. Thankfully my other job is still going and will continue to go strong until June, and I've been able to pull extra hours.

*drags hands down face*

All that to say, it will be fine. I'll make it fine. Just holy fucking shit can things stop happening.

To end on a high-note- you all have been so very kind in helping me cover 17% of the cost of this semester of classes! That's tremendous! I deeply, truly appreciate your help, and have been keeping it in mind as I plunge back into my academics so as to keep my spirits high and my work ethic strong <3

[lostsprite1985]

whazzup, why no posts?

i recently have been able to dig into reviewing my personal journal entries from the past 6 months.

in those, i work through my experiences with the toxic online community i came across last year (not on tumblr).

those people have been the first new people i have "met" as a private person - as opposed to coworkers.

they were not all toxic per se. but the group had dynamics which encouraged harmful behavior. i believe some of their users were suffering in there just as much, but stay for some reason. perhaps habit, perhaps fear of losing one of the few peers they have, i don't know. it's not up to me to judge that.

it was also that community were i met someone i really grew close with. it wasn't all peachy, far from it, but he was probably my only friend there. he had passed away in february and it really shook me and for days and weeks i just randomly cried. of course this was a specific kind of grief, as i have never met him, and neither my mother nor that community ever acknowledged that we had been close.

this kind of grief is psychologically called "disenfrenchised grief". the fucked up part about this type of grief is, that the usual social support network doesn't exist. because no one even takes this grief serious. well, i'm not even sure it would have made much of a difference, because i don't even really have a real social support network.

my life has transformed in so many ways, and then work and the isolation my ex forced on me, i am rebuilding new social connections entirely and from the scratch. which was why i even had decided to join that former community.

but by now i understand the mechanics as to why my brain acted this way, why i felt this way. regarding him and the community.

and this is exactly what i'm working on.

i make a case to analize of myself.

i'm reviewing those entries plus reading books written by trained professionals and researchers in the field, to create even simpler, shorter, and more practical summaries that other people may use. from what even makes us social creatures, why this is such a big and fragile deal for us, over what can cause c-ptsd, to healing and practical self.help tips.

i took a huge piece of work there for me.

but when i have something useful, i will create another blog with short, educational posts and practices for emergencies and self-help.

for the sake of sorting all those bits and pieces of data, text, graphs and images, 'm also testing some open source alternatives to software like MS One Note. i really liked how all objects could be freely arranged.

i have found a very nice one, in case anyone else is looking for a good, versatile, and free not organizing and visualization software: Logseq

[link down below]

else, i have been sorting some of my memes, but i'm still not done. but i started a meme blog, where i randomly post memes, all honestly stolen from other platforms (very few i made myself, though).

[link down below and in my bio, which i managed to update and rework as well]

i also officially got rid of having to pay for my ex. all contracts are cancelled and have or are about to run out. i have no more duties regarding my old apartment. the welfare bureau took over smoothly, even though they and my ex's lawyer tried to threaten me more than once. too bad when someone tries to make legal threats but has no legal foundation for that. but this is my countries bureaucratic system, they always first try to spook people and pressure them to obedience, whether righteously or not.

they didn't make me falter, muharrharr >:-D

(ehem, *evil laughter of victory*)

now i only need to wait for the court to get it over with entirely.

i also managed to find some peace of mind again.

else i wouldn't be able to get any work done. it's still all slow going, since my living situation has not yet changed - still with my mother and her devilish interruptions - but at least i feel more at ease.

my mother is also an awesome showcase of how seemingly harmless behavior and care can backfire. this, too, will be part of some mental health posts. all about forced care, passive aggressiveness, and guilt-tripping.

but now that the weather is better - in parts way too hot, as we recently had roughly 40°C - i just leave and spend time at the local lake. it's not a very pretty lake, in fact it's a former excavation site, some mine in the 70s, but at least before noon it's very calm. as soon as it gets too crowded, though, i leave. i just don't and never did, feel good with large crowds of people around.

so, i now have a slight tan. for someone as pale as me, this means i have achieved skin color. yay! XD

free and versatile organizing tool:

my memes collection:

[dazz-linglight]

Miss Independent

(inspired by Ne-yo's song)

(GirlBoss!Reader x Personal Assistant! Hongjoong) (Colleagues to lovers) (fluffy romance) (reader is afraid of storms) (short office romance) (possibly there will be a part 2 with smut)

In the bustling halls of a cutting-edge technology company in a very busy commercial building, you, a remarkable business woman and Vice President of this company, got known for your determination and relentless focus on achieving a successful career, betting all of your efforts on growing this company scratch with your best friend. You learned over time that you needed to be tough to progress, since this area was widely controlled by men and there's always someone trying to discredit women. So you made it a personal mission to get your company to be a safe place and be the best professional you could be.

You're an admirable leader, but your personal life took a backseat. You always worked endless hours and overtime, focusing solely on doing business. The company kept rising well, then came a problem: your assistant decided to resign to go work for your competitor. Now you have to go over interviews to find a new assistant, so you did. You participate actively in the process, since whoever gets hired would work directly with you, so you felt the need to be sure they would be capable enough.

You didn't make it easy for anybody, you made specific questions and a few of the candidates didn't know how to answer or started stuttering, others weren't as qualified and you were getting tired. It lasted four days until you met Hongjoong one morning doing an interview for this job. A young and talented software developer, that didn't show any fear and aswered your questions perfectly well, looking in your eyes without any fear. After 40 minutes you told him to stay and gave him a few tasks to see how he would go. Hongjoong showed himself to be smart, quick witted, committed to work and serious about it. At the end of the day you called him to your office to give the final answer. He entered bringing a cappuccino and placed it in front of you in your desk.

"This is for you, Miss." He said and you tilted your head, letting out a very light smile at the action.

"Thanks, Hongjoong. You can sit down." You offered the seat in front of you and he did as told while you took a sip of the coffee.

"Well, I have to say you impressed me in a good way. None of the other candidates caught my attention like you did today." You started and Hongjoong visibly relaxed at your feedback.

"I did my best, I'm glad to hear that from you, Miss."

"I'm sure you'll be even more glad to hear that you will be hired. You can bring your documents to the HR department tomorrow at 8 in the morning and sign our contract." You got up from your seat and Hongjoong did the same, bowing to you and you raised a hand to greet him, which he took and shook your hand.

"Thank you Miss ______, I will not disappoint you." Hongjoong smiled widely and you let his hand go, switching off your computer and getting your bag to leave, dismissing Hongjoong to go home.

|•••••Time skip•••••|

The first six months of working together were a challenge. You resisted any form of distraction, maintaining a strictly professional relationship with Hongjoong. Everyday he came to your office to report and receive new tasks, he brought your lunch and coffee and as days passed and you worked side by side, he started making a few little efforts to make the barriers give way. One afternoon, you were reviewing an important document in your office when Hongjoong walked in. He noticed the tired look on your face and suggested you take a break. You resisted with a frown at first, but Hongjoong someway succeeded at convincing you to go the snack bar on the first floor of the building.

The snack bar was peaceful at this hour and made a good break from the stressful office atmosphere. You felt at ease with Hongjoong's presence and he offered to buy donuts. You both sat down, ate and talked about trivial things and sharing laughs here and there. You found yourself truly relaxing for the first time in years.

After that day, you and Hongjoong began sharing more and more moments outside of work. Having lunch together became a routine and when you worked overtime he occasionally invited you to dinner together. He opened doors for you, drives you off, treated you like a princess. You both didn't talk clearly about it, but you were beginning to feel something that had long since receded from your mind: the spark of romance. However, you struggled with those feelings. It seemed so wrong, he is your assistant and you're the boss. You felt afraid of mixing love and business, worried about the consequences a relationship could have for the company you had worked so hard to build. But every time you're together, the chemistry between you becomes impossible to ignore. It started making you mad.

One day, you left your office because you needed a document that was with Hongjoong, but as soon as you saw him you noticed something and frowned. Yujin, a beautiful co-worker, was approaching him a little more intimately than usual. They seemed to be having a lively conversation and Yujin didn't hide her interest, touching his arm unnecessarily. You, feeling a pang of jealousy, tried not to act affected, but you couldn't avoid the stress of seeing the scene. Your mind created several unpleasant scenarios. "Is he interested in her? Is he flirting back?"

"Kim Hongjoong." You spoke in a firm and serious tone, catching the attention of the two who were talking.

"Yes, miss? Do you need anything?" Hongjoong stood up and responded, no longer paying attention to Yujin.

"Come to my office and bring the project presentation I asked you this morning. Quickly." You said sharply and looked at Yujin from the corner of your eye, who soon got up and left the place.

"Yes, ma'am." He spoke and you turned around and walked back to your office as Hongjoong saved the presentation file you asked for. You slammed the door angrily and headed towards your table, a minute later Hongjoong entered and came over to you.

"Here's the presentation, Miss ______." He gave you the pendrive and you sighed, connecting it on your computer to open the file. You inspected it and pointed things out for Hongjoong to add since you thought it wasn't enough yet.

"You're staying overtime today, we need this presentation ready for the meeting we'll have with our client tomorrow morning." You told looking back at him and he nodded.

"All right, I'll bring my laptop here." He left the room and came back a minute later with his laptop, sitting down and placing the laptop in front of him and started guiding him specifically on what to add to the presentation. An hour passed and all the employees began leaving since work time was officially over.

It's mid summer and it was very hot during the day, but as the night came many clouds could be seen in the floor-to-ceiling window behind you. Hongjoong finished the details on the presentation and saved it as a sudden storm started. You looked at the window and the lights went out, the fear started creeping out on you but Hongjoong didn't notice yet as he got his phone to activate the flashlight amidst the darkness and the sound of rain outside. Hongjoong placed his phone in a way it illuminated both of you and he finally could see your face again, now noticing your pained expression and your heavy breathing.

"Are you okay, Miss ______?" He questioned with a frown and you shook your head no as a thunder sound out loud and you covered your ears. Hongjoong got worried about you, wanting to keep you safe, so he got up and closed the curtains of your window, coming behind you to cover your shoulders with his blazer.

You've always had a paralyzing fear of thunder, and that night, the storm was fierce, growing stronger and stronger. As he touched your shoulders he felt your whole body shaking with fear and then he crouched to your level and brought up inside his arms in a warm hug, whispering words of comfort. "Don't worry, I'm here with you. You're safe. The storm will pass soon." You looked into his eyes hugging his waist carefully, grateful for his presence.

"I hate storms, they make me so nervous, Hongjoong." Your eyes had tears on the edge of falling down, while you and Hongjoong shared an intense look, full of repressed emotions. This was the first time you were truly showing vulnerability to him and he was astonished, all he ever wanted was to take care of you. He pulled your head to his chest and you could listen to his heart beating fast just like yours.

"I don't know if this is really the right time to say this, but.. but I can't deny how I feel anymore. I'm in love with you, ______." His words echoed in the empty office as he broke the silence and confessed his feelings. You were shocked. You didn't expect that he felt the same way you did all this time. Your heart jumped now, not anymore because of fear but from happiness.

"I'm in love with you too, Hongjoong. I tried not to, but it's stronger than me." You squeezed Hongjoong as tight as you could and he kissed the side of your head softly. You looked up and offered your lips to him, which he understood and closed the little distance, sealing the beginning of a long-awaited romance. The storm outside seemed to symbolize the change in your lives and the relationship from boss and assistant to lovers.

"I want to be with you and take care of you through all the storms, will you let me?"

"Of course, Hongjoong." You smile widely and he cupped your face, caressing your cheeks as he smiled as well. "Will you take me home?"

"As long as you wish, my darling."

|•••••••|

Over the next months, your relationship with Hongjoong blossomed into a great love. You chose to main discretion at work, avoiding any favoritism or conflict of interest and not letting the coworkers know you are together. They only knew Hongjoong is in a relationship but he never told them with who. You realized that by making room for love in your life, you weren't weakening your career, but actually strengthening it. Hongjoong supported you in every aspect, becoming a partner in all areas of your life and you become his.

Together, you faced new challenges and business opportunities while the company prospered even more. You found balance between personal and professional life, discovering that you can be a successful leader and at the same time share a loving relationship, that success in business didn't have to mean sacrificing love and personal happiness.

[weepingpussywillowtree]

I think some ppl (autistic and not) are confused by why/how not understanding hierarchy and subtle cues impacts workplace performance or makes employment difficult. So going to list some times I got in trouble for those traits at my various positions, from retail to internships to now. I had a contracting position for about a year where I was shielded from this bullshit by a frankly amazing boss, but the reality is work is political and it's difficult for many autistic people.

- in grocery store job, was told to load bags as heavy as my Grandma could carry them. Took this literally and got in trouble for loading my bags too heavy (strong grandma).

- Did not understand store politics and was scheduled fewer hours for not gossiping with and sucking up to management.

- as an intern, was shunned after I explained to a group of devs (who were much more experienced than me but had almost no experience with the software we were working with) that the feature they were talking about building from scratch came out of the box

- same internship, did not understand that they expected *me* to implement a solution we talked in hypothetical terms about in a meeting. Got in trouble the subsequent week when I hadnt done it

- there was an unspoken agreement amongst the interns to not really do any work to keep expectations low. I did not pick up on this and was bullied by the other interns for it.

- first job after college, was bullied by coworker one level above me for doing my job well (she felt threatened)

- first job, was told in annual performance review that I performed too high level for my title and that I should stop. Also got told I ask too many questions. (Questioning any process is seen as hostile, even if it's for the benefit of the company or team)

- first job, found a release stopping bug when asked to test a page, was ignored when I brought it up and brushed off by seniors. Later, the bug did in fact shut down the release.

- current job, recent new manager on another team asked me two questions in about a week. The first I scheduled a call to help him with at his request and looped in another team member that I knew had more subject matter expertise. Second question I didn't know the answer to and didn't know who did so I directed him to our team channel. My thought was this familiarizes him with our team and the different subject matters we are experts in. Next week he makes a "joking" comment in a meeting with a bunch of people and my boss that I must not like him because I keep brushing him off. I realize too late that since he is at the same level as my boss he expected me to hunt down the answers he wanted with no background provided or info about who our team members are and what they do (hierarchy)

- current job, interviewing for a senior and they became upset in interviews when I knew more about something than they did or corrected them about something.

- all jobs, noticing coworkers treat me less warmly because I don't do small talk well.

- all jobs, feeling like it's an injustice and unfair that higher up people are more listened to and sucked up to than anyone else at the company.

- all jobs, not understanding that you are supposed to lie about how busy you are

- all jobs, being told I speak out of turn for responding when asked for an opinion in a group meeting, as only those in the meeting "allowed" to respond to those opinion questions are supposed to.

[tomy-james-shift-to-dubai]

What are the steps and requirements for opening a bank account in Dubai as a UK citizen?

To open a personal or business bank account in Dubai, you’ll generally need a valid UAE residency visa and Emirates ID. Most banks require in-person identity verification to meet Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering rules.

Steps to Open a Bank Account in Dubai (as a UK Expat)

Obtain a UAE Residency Visa

Required before most banks will open your account.

You’ll also need your Emirates ID, which is issued post-visa.

2. Prepare Required Documents

For Personal Accounts:

Valid passport

UAE residency visa

Emirates ID

Proof of UAE address (e.g., utility bill, tenancy contract)

Salary certificate or bank statements (some banks ask for income verification)

For Business Accounts:

Trade license

Shareholder documents

MOA (Memorandum of Association)

Proof of business activity (invoices/contracts)

Office lease agreement (sometimes required)

3. Choose a Bank

Local banks: Emirates NBD, ADCB, FAB, Mashreq

International banks: HSBC, Standard Chartered, Citi

Some offer multi-currency accounts and online banking apps in English.

4. Attend In-Person Appointment

Most banks require you to be physically present for account activation.

Some business accounts may take 1–3 weeks for compliance review.

5. Meet Minimum Balance Requirements

Personal accounts: Minimum monthly balance usually ranges from AED 3,000–10,000

Business accounts: Often AED 25,000–50,000, depending on the bank and business profile

Falling below may incur maintenance fees

Tailored Advice for Startup Founder:

Choose a bank that supports Free Zone companies and cross-border banking with UK links (e.g. HSBC, RAKBank).

Look for banks that integrate with accounting software (e.g. Xero, Zoho).

For Investor:

Use multi-currency accounts or offshore banking arms to manage assets in GBP, USD, AED without conversion loss.

Consider banks with strong wealth management or investment advisory desks.

Remote Freelancer:

Apply for a freelancer visa + license via a Free Zone, then open a personal or small business account.

Some digital-first banks (e.g. Liv., Mashreq Neo) offer simplified onboarding.

👉 Check if you’re truly non-resident: Run Score Now 👉 Get a dividend plan: Book Your Call

[fr3shm3at]

Flower Sun and Rain: Never Ending Paradise for the NintendoDS

Flower, Sun, and Rain

Other Title translations for Global release: Murder and Mystery in Paradise.

Release date: 2008

JPN game case release photos

Flower, Sun, and Rain, was originally developed by Grasshopper Manufacture and Published by Victor Interactive Software for Playstation 2 in 2001. Fast forward to 2008 H.a.n.d. Inc is released the modified version for the NintendoDS release. Though, Grasshopper had minimal involvement in porting the game from PlayStation 2 to NDS. It was released on March 6, 2008 for JPN, NA, EU. The original version on PS2 was positively reviewed. As for the DS release...it received mixed to negative reviews from critics.

It's a adventure video game with the wildest story for it's title. The story follows Sumio Mondo, who is a "searcher" and his job entails looking for things people have lost. Mondo is initially contracted to defuse a bomb planted on a plane, but is so distracted with helping the islanders that the bomb goes off. He ends up caught in a time loop, where he relives the same day running up to the explosion.

eBay sellers are selling the USA/PAL version for over $80 USD. As for the Japanese version is roughly $45 USD least. Without a language barrier being an issue, it's insane Japan is much lower prices for old games. I really don't understand this phenomenon, as a polyglot it would make no sense for me to pick my native language English for $30 USD more of a game that is made in 2008. My 2004 phat NDS was $85 +shipping refurbished, it's just nuts to me currently.

[aithemis]

AITHEMIS: A New Way Of Enhancing Legal Practice in “AI” Way

Is AI a legal threat or a helpful tool? Is it replacing or altering the work of lawyers? You might be surprised by the response.

AI is now a quiet participant in the dance of existence. After initially being reluctant to take the initiative, it now easily guides us through its complexity. It helps us with things we used to think people could only do.

It can change the legal sector, including law firms, in-house attorneys, legal operations, and law schools.

AI is a potent instrument in the legal field that enhances rather than replaces human skill. It increases productivity and offers instant access to large databases, a document visualizer, and a case summarizer, which can help contract review in a few minutes.

But a human touch is still necessary for creativity, nuance, and comprehension of human settings. We should consider AI a friend rather than an adversary attempting to supplant humanity. Many of our problems can be solved by AI as a collaborator, which includes:

Review and Analysis of Documents Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies save time in case law research, contract analysis, and due diligence by quickly scanning hundreds of legal documents and finding relevant information.

Predictive analytics AI can predict legal outcomes by examining past cases. This allows lawyers to make better arguments and advise clients, enhancing strategy and decision- making.

Legal Studies AI tools that efficiently scan legal literature and rulings expedite research, and lawyers can focus. These technologies allow them to retrieve relevant content and concentrate on more crucial tasks quickly.

Contract Management AI-assisted contract management solutions reduce turnaround time and legal problems by accurately drafting, reviewing, and managing contracts while identifying risks and guaranteeing regulatory compliance.

Client Communication & Chatbots AI-driven chatbots respond to client questions and offer updates, enhancing client involvement and freeing legal professionals to focus on intricate case details. Therefore, AI is more likely to assist legal teams in keeping more work in-house than replacing positions. As a result, these teams can more carefully choose which tasks to outsource.

In other words, AI can free experts to concentrate on more creative and intellectually stimulating work — the kind of work that first attracted them to the legal field. One of the most significant effects of AI on the legal sector will probably be these procedures, which can benefit law firms or internal legal departments, as well as the clients and businesses they assist.

AI is having a truly remarkable and revolutionary impact on the legal industry. Law Firm AI Software and AI Case Management System tools are just two examples of how technology may modernize law businesses, promote growth, and enhance client services — it’s not just about automating work.

It is essential to have a reliable tool. The AI they employ must produce accurate and legally binding records, be based on trustworthy legal sources, and indicate where its data originates.

These are the few things to Take Into Account When Collaborating with a Trustworthy AI:

Does the AI platform for legal case summaries work well with your workflow, and is it compatible with your current legal applications?

Does it have the capability to meet legal demands, such as automated case management software?

Does the user interface guarantee that legal professionals can easily use it?

Does the supplier protect sensitive legal data by adhering to strict security and privacy standards?

Can AI be expanded to meet upcoming legal issues and technological advancements?

These factors must be considered when choosing AI for legal work. The quick adoption of AI to automate legal documents evidences a notable trend toward more precise and effective legal processes. In a time when time is of the essence, and legal difficulties are becoming more widespread, people who use and adapt to AI have a better chance of success.

The future of law is not about humans vs. AI but rather about how we can employ both to improve client service and build a more accessible and effective legal system.

With Aithemis, incorporating AI into law is not merely a trend but a revolution in law practice in the twenty-first century.

___________________________________

Follow Aithemis on these online channels.

Website: www.aithemis.ai

Blogs: www.aithemis.ai/blogs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithemis.ai

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aithemis

[midgeos]

Freelancer Pro AI Honest Review (with Discount)

If you're looking to streamline your freelancing business, boost productivity, and land more clients, Get Freelancer Pro AI is a game-changer.

This tool is designed to help freelancers automate tasks, create professional proposals, and manage projects efficiently. Here's my honest review after testing it out:

What is GetFreelancerPro AI?

GetFreelancerPro AI is an AI-powered software tailored for freelancers. It helps you:

Automate client communication with AI-generated responses.

Create winning proposals in minutes.

Track projects and deadlines effortlessly.

Generate invoices and contracts with ease.

It’s perfect for freelancers in any niche, whether you're a writer, designer, developer, or consultant.

Key Features

AI Proposal Generator: Craft professional, customized proposals in seconds.

Client Management: Organize client details, project requirements, and deadlines in one place.

Automated Invoicing: Create and send invoices with just a few clicks.

Task Automation: Save time by automating repetitive tasks like follow-ups and reminders.

Templates Library: Access pre-built templates for proposals, contracts, and emails.

Pros

User-Friendly Interface: Even if you're not tech-savvy, the platform is easy to navigate.

Time-Saving: Automating tasks frees up hours to focus on actual work.

Affordable Pricing: With the discount link (GetFreelancerPro AI Discount), it’s a steal for the value it provides.

Versatile: Works for freelancers across various industries.

Cons

Learning Curve: While it’s user-friendly, mastering all features might take a little time.

Internet Dependency: Being a cloud-based tool, you’ll need a stable internet connection.

Who is it For?

GetFreelancerPro AI is ideal for:

New freelancers who want to start strong.

Experienced freelancers looking to scale their business.

Anyone tired of manual, time-consuming tasks.

Final Verdict

GetFreelancerPro AI is a must-have tool for freelancers who want to work smarter, not harder. It simplifies the administrative side of freelancing, allowing you to focus on what you do best—delivering quality work to clients.

Don’t miss out on the discount! Use this link to grab it at a lower price:

👉 GetFreelancerPro AI Discount

If you’re serious about growing your freelancing career, this tool is worth every penny. Highly recommended!

Disclaimer: This is an honest review based on my experience. I may earn a commission if you purchase through the provided link.

[fromtenthousandfeet]

Never Let Go Thoughts

I finally listened to Jung Kook's Never Let Go via a reaction video. I sort of skipped through it, to be honest. I'm not here to write a review of the song, but to express some concerns.

As others have said, the song feels rushed and unfinished. Yes, it's repetitive and continues to be a little too derivative of Justin Bieber's work. Also, his English pronunciation isn't the greatest. Because the tempo is so fast, his diction suffers. Any non-native English speaker will have this problem given how fast the song is.

I think it's great that Jungkook is trying new genres. An artist really needs to push boundaries and take risks in order to grow and stay relevant in the industry. But in this case, I'm struggling to understand how such a simple song could have 8 writers and 4 producers. Teenagers across the globe are making better music in their bedrooms with free or cheap music production software.

This is going to sound crazy given how snarky I can be, but I genuinely feel bad for Jungkook. Seven and Golden didn't sit right with me, and neither does Never Let Go. It's increasingly clear that Big Hit/HYBE's goal is to make money off of JK without investing in his growth as an artist, even though we know he's a serious music lover with high standards. And while ARMY and JJKs will support Jungkook unconditionally - continuing to buy and stream his music - the general music consuming public will not. Right now he's not an industry joke because most people in the GP have no idea who he is, but if BSH and BH keep this up, JK will become completely irrelevant. The American music market is not the Korean music market. Copying established western singers over and over again is not going to end well, especially when the final product feels significantly sub-par to the original.

Now for the scary part. Who is paying for all this promotion - especially for a song that should have either been released on music platforms but not for sale, or simply brought back to the recording studio for improvement/reworking? If JK's marketing costs are deducted from his song sales and streaming profits, not only will he not make money, but he might end up owing HYBE big bucks. I think it's very likely he's in a 360 contract with Big Hit given how much investment they've put into his solo work. Hopefully he was able to negotiate favorable terms so he doesn't end up in massive debt for his solo projects. Jon Bellion's recent bellyaching about the lack of radio play for SEVEN makes me think the group behind JK's album aren't getting the royalties they were expecting.

As I watch BTS' fandom devolve into divisiveness and rancor, as the members' solo singles fail to chart in the US, and public perception about HYBE continues to fall, I worry. I think Bang PD was counting on BTS' reputation and brand value lasting forever. He's a foolish man. I'm reminded of that video where he's sitting with TXT and telling them that their collab with the Jonas Brothers is going to be a huge hit and has a guaranteed spot on the Billboard Hot 100. We all know how that went. Does anyone have a link to that clip? Bang PD has a lot of bravado, but not a lot of western music industry sense.

Thanks for these comments on my previous post, @in2u-4asec and @isaidnothankyou. Ditto!

in2u-4asec i worry about jk to be honest. because all the money used and continued being used to promote him as a soloist, it isn't free. he has to make money to pay all of that. i just really hope he hasn't signed any solo contract like that infamous 360 one. isaidnothankyou @in2u-4asec, I've thought the same thing. I know it isn't the thing to take away from his "agency," but was it really his idea to release an unfinished song (he was obviously embarrassed about it) in a blatant money grab? I've said this about Jimin, but it goes for everyone. Do they have anyone who is NOT affiliated with the company to advise them and protect their interests? A real manager, in other words, not just someone who drives them and takes care of the luggage?