#note: in pitches and keynotes

[shallowseeker]

some ppl: oh haha i just, you know, stumbled into a lil bit of greatness

me: if anything approaches good know that my blood, sweat, tears, and possibly my little pinky finger were pitched into the swirling pot of black magic that only coughed up a reaction for my efforts a fraction of the time

[felassan]

June 27th Game Informer article on DA:TV's character creator - cliff notes:

CC is expansive, robust, rich; BioWare's best yet. At its heart is inclusivity

BioWare used it to create most of the NPCs in the game, main chars like companions aside

When browsing through the presets, the game allows for more detailed looks at each

Pronoun choice is separate to gender identity choice

Different body types available

Before exiting CC Rook can be viewed in 4 different lighting scenes at any time, "including The Veilguard's keynote purple hue, a bright and sunny tropical day, and a gothic night". The team worked hard to quash the issues caused by the green lighting in DA:I's CC

Head and body presets can be selected individually and customized

40 different complexions including smooth, rugged, youthful, freckled

Skin hues range from cool to neutral to warm

Undertones to these skin tones

Melanin slider

BioWare engaged consultation to represent people authentically

Vitiligo slider (intensity and amount adjustable)

Sliders for forehead, brow, cheeks, jaw, chin, larynx and scalp

Selectable undergarments, with nudity

The "Body Morpher" involves "select[ing] three presets for each corner of a triangle and then mov[ing] a cursor within it to morph your body or head into a mix of these presets"

Adjust height, shoulder width, chest size, glute and bulge size, hip width, how bloodshot your eyes are, how visible cataracts are, the sclera color, how crooked your nose is, how big its bridge is, the size of nostrils and the nose tip

Many sliders for things like mouth and ears

On ears: you can adjust asymmetry, depth, rotation, earlobe size

For ears you can have cauliflower ear

The makeup blends modern stylings with the fantasy of DA. It has more than 30 options including eyeliner intensity, color, glitter, eye shadow, lips, and blush

Tattoos are a thing. Add them to Rook's face, body, arms, legs. Their intensity is adjustable

Tattoos are customizable

Scar options

Paint options

"Tattoos, scars, and paint are very culturally relevant to some lineages, BioWare tells me, with unique tattoos for elves, for example"

Hair options: a ton. Hair can be non-traditional colors. Hair is gorgeous. Frostbite uses the Strand system to render "each style fully with physics"

Select qunari Rook's horn type and material - more than 40 options available

4 voices. English masculine, English feminine, American masculine, American feminine. Each has a pitch slider

Mirror of Transformation in The Lighthouse allows you to change Rook's physical appearance at any time after initial CC. Class, lineage and identity cannot be however (as mentioned previously)

[source]

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

[Image of President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg, center-left, with his head tilted downward. Work is in the U.S. public domain, obtained here from Wikimedia Commons.]

+

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

November 19, 2024 (Tuesday)

Heather Cox Richardson

Nov 19, 2024

For three hot days, from July 1 to July 3, 1863, more than 150,000 soldiers from the armies of the United States of America and the Confederate States of America slashed at each other in the hills and through the fields around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

When the battered armies limped out of town after the brutal battle, they left scattered behind them more than seven thousand corpses in a town with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants. With the heat of a summer sun beating down, the townspeople had to get the dead soldiers into the ground as quickly as they possibly could, marking the hasty graves with nothing more than pencil on wooden boards.

A local lawyer, David Wills, who had huddled in his cellar with his family and their neighbors during the battle, called for the creation of a national cemetery in the town, where the bodies of the United States soldiers who had died in the battle could be interred with dignity. Officials agreed, and Wills and an organizing committee planned an elaborate dedication ceremony to be held a few weeks after workers began moving remains into the new national cemetery. 

They invited state governors, members of Congress, and cabinet members to attend. To deliver the keynote address, they asked prominent orator Edward Everett, who wanted to do such extensive research into the battle that they had to move the ceremony to November 19, a later date than they had first contemplated. 

And, almost as an afterthought, they asked President Abraham Lincoln to make a few appropriate remarks. While they probably thought he would not attend, or that if he came he would simply mouth a few platitudes and sit down, President Lincoln had something different in mind.

On November 19, 1863, about fifteen thousand people gathered in Gettysburg for the dedication ceremony. A program of music and prayers preceded Everett’s two-hour oration. Then, after another hymn, Lincoln stood up to speak. Packed in the midst of a sea of frock coats, he began. In his high-pitched voice, speaking slowly, he delivered a two-minute speech that redefined the nation.

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,” Lincoln began. While the southern enslavers who were making war on the United States had stood firm on the Constitution’s protection of property—including their enslaved Black neighbors—Lincoln dated the nation from the Declaration of Independence. 

The men who wrote the Declaration considered the “truths” they listed to be “self-evident”: “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” But Lincoln had no such confidence. By his time, the idea that all men were created equal was a “proposition,” and Americans of his day were “engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.” 

Standing near where so many men had died four months before, Lincoln honored “those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.” 

He noted that those “brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated” the ground “far above our poor power to add or detract.”

“It is for us the living,” Lincoln said, “to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” He urged the men and women in the audience to “take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion” and to vow that “these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

[Image of President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg, center-left, with his head tilted downward. Work is in the U.S. public domain, obtained here from Wikimedia Commons.]

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[thesharkspajamas]

Jealous James

Requested by @im-kikimon - hope this is kind of what you were looking for :)

If anyone has requests or wants more of this AU please lmk I'm begging for feedback

Harriet - James' Pallas cat daemon

Gunnar - Ruby's badger daemon

Setting: the Beaufort twins are staying with the Bells after the mansion drama at the end of season one. (No real spoilers tho dw)

James listened to Kieran Rutherford’s pitch for an Ascot-themed Easter garden party. As outfitters to the King, the Beaufort family attended Ascot every year, and his mother always made every best dressed list.

“And what? We usher in Lexington in a carriage? So many people at Maxton attend Ascot that people would see it for the rip-off it is. You want to ask actual nobility to picnic like the Queen Anne enclosure?” James scoffed.

Rutherford flushed and his shoulders crept up to his ears. “Do… Do you have a better idea?”

The whole room turned to James, who did not, in fact, have a better idea. “I’m saying we can’t imitate something like that. We could keep the dress code and do a standard party - maybe themed with a flower type, hyacinths or something seasonal.” He shrugged, spinning the words out as they came to him.

Silence fell and the tension was thick as James had crushed Rutherford’s hard work a second time. Lin nudged Ruby until she stood up, “Um…” She hugged her notebook to her chest, and suddenly James felt embarrassed; she was clearly uncomfortable because he’d put her in an awkward position, again, without meaning to. He’d just tried to be helpful. “I think you’ve both got good points,” she nodded to herself as an idea formed, “maybe you could work together on this and come back next week with some solid ideas?”

Both boys scowled at her, but she thought it would be good for them to sort out their issues. She smiled and nodded as if they’d just agreed, “Great. Lexington said he’s trying to arrange the keynote speaker so we don’t have the final schedule yet, but they shouldn’t be more than an hour, and if the lunch starts at twelve then we should expect to serve food around one’oh’five.,” she started writing a vague outline on the paper pad, “canapes around six, as it’s a low alcohol event, carriages at nine, latest.”

…

James emailed Rutherford in the car after lacrosse practice:

Hi,

If you send me what you’ve got for the garden party I’ll read it through and email you back with some notes.

James Beaufort

Sent from my iPhone

That should do it. He didn’t particularly want to meet in person.

…

Rutherford sent a link to a Pinterest board later that evening. No message, only the link. James opened it and he realised he hadn’t just been an asshole to Ruby but to Rutherford as well. He could see the guy had put some serious effort into this, and that the Ascot theme was only a template rather than a theme.

He opened his email and started typing out an apology - cc’ing Ruby.

“Coward,” Harriet accused him.

James remembered how Ruby had apologised to him on the lacrosse pitch and deleted the draft.

...

"Hey,” he walked up to Rutherford, “can we talk about the garden party?”

Rutherford looked at the ground, “Yeah.”

‘Go on’ Harriet urged James with a glare.

“I apologise for being rude to you at the meeting. You clearly put a lot of work into the project and it was wrong of me to stomp on it like that.”

“Yannow, it always annoys me in those stories when the nice girl picks the hot guy who treats her like shit over the boring guy who really likes her.”

‘Yikes,’ James thought. He hadn’t been expecting that. “You think I treat her like shit?”

“You have.”

James exhaled, ‘yep, deserved that one. Wait, what does he know?’

“But…” Rutherford spoke up again, “I admit I’m blindsided by your apology. I think we can at least try to work together.” He pushed his glasses further up his nose.

James was stunned. He nodded, “Library? Breaktime?” 

“Yeah, I prefer the desk third from the door by the east window. There’s a squirrel drey in the tree right next to it.”

“Third desk from the door by the east window. Got it.”

James glanced at the empty desks near the windows; Rutherford wasn’t here yet. He pulled out his phone and checked the compass app before walking to the eastern side. He sat down at the third from the door and opened up his tablet. He’d made a folder in his sketchbook app last night of different things to go with the theme; invitations, drinks stands, signage, all sorts.

“Did you see the squirrel? It’s a Eurasian red squirrel, pretty rare for around here.”

James looked up as Rutherford sat down and hoped that his disinterest in all things squirrel wasn’t all over his face. “Couldn’t spot it.”

“That branch fork right there,” Rutherford leaned over the table and pointed to a nondescript cluster of twigs.

James nodded, “ahh” and angled his tablet so Rutherford could see it. “I liked the muted colours idea. That was clever. Lydia told me lupins are in season and they come in all sorts of colours, so I thought we could use those as a theme. I sketched an invitation.” He flicked through the app to his ‘sketch’ which had actually taken him ages.

Rutherford took it all in, “That looks really good. Can you mass-produce the invitation?”

“Not by hand, but we could have them printed or send it as an e-invite.”

Rutherford scrunched his nose and shook his head as if James was an amateur, “Paper. Always paper. We send an email to remind them to RSVP anyway, no use clogging their inbox.”

“If you’re okay with it I’ll send a photo to Ruby for her approval?”

“Uh, better on the group chat, the food people might want to put extra details on there and I was thinking about asking Lexington if we could use the conservatory in case it rains. That way we can have a garden or indoor party easily.”

“Good idea.” James added a new plain slide titled, ‘conservatory party rain’.

“And I wondered about an easter egg hunt. If you find an egg, you put your name on it and then you enter it into a raffle. Winner wins champagne or something.”

“Yeah. I can see that working. Where would we get the prize?”

“If you could design a fancy label, maybe we could re-label some champagne or something. Make it one of a kind.”

James nodded. He’d been forced to endure many events with some of these parents; they love the challenge of something they can’t buy. Rumour had it one of them bought a jar of honey for fifteen thousand pounds at a Tory charity gala. “That’ll do it. I’ll get on that. We have some easter eggs at my house from past Easter parties. I’ll ask the housekeeper if we can borrow those.”

Rutherford glanced at his watch, “I’ve gotta go, but it was good chatting with you, Beaufort.”

James stuck out his hand, “James. Thank you for being so decent about all this...” He made a vague gesture with his other hand.

Rutherford shook his hand, “Kieran.”

A few days later:

(Callum is an OC, and Percy (and an SUV) are assigned to chauffeur the Bells and Beauforts around while the twins stay with them. Mortimer sees it as a way of keeping them supervised, but not underfoot.)

James bit back a cringe as he watched Kieran present his and James’ party ideas to Ruby, (the whole committee was present, but he talked to Ruby as if they weren’t) desperate for a ‘good boy’ and a pat on the head or something. Pathetic.

When Ruby stood up, she thanked him ’so much’ for working with James on this, and how wonderful it was to have such ‘a cohesive committee working forward’ - or something like that. James was focussed on the way Rutherford was looking at her, like she was the only thing that mattered in the whole world.

James knew on some level that Kieran Rutherford was somewhat of a decent bloke. Just one with an insane crush on his girlfriend. And it was starting to irritate him.

He felt Harriet pawing at his ankle, “she verbally eviscerated you at Oxford,” she hissed, “keep it to yourself.”

‘Amazing how much you sound like him, like your father’, James realised Ruby was right; that was probably how his father would have dealt with it.

…

When Percy dropped Ruby and the twins back at the Bells, James got out of the back seat and slid into the front passenger seat. Percy regarded him calmly; he always spoke second.

“Percy. Could you give me some advice?”

Percy undid his seatbelt and shifted to fully face James, “Certainly, Sir.”

”There’s a boy on the events committee who clearly fancies Ruby. And, I’m… struggling to watch them interact.”

“You feel jealous when he talks to Ruby?” Percy clarified.

Jealousy sounded childish to James. Straight out of one of those awful romance books Lydia used to read. But, he realised that was exactly it. Jealousy. He nodded.

“What do you need my advice on?” Percy wasn’t sure if James needed any more advice;  sometimes as a kid he just needed help identifying what he was feeling and then he’d work it out himself.

“Last time, with someone else, I lashed out, and…” He didn’t want to admit it, but if he could admit it to anyone, it was Percy, “Ruby said I sounded like dad.” He looked at the textured dials as he held his head in shame.

“Communication is the foundation of any relationship. You each need to communicate your feelings and be vulnerable with each-other. Tell her how you’re feeling, but be mindful that the committee is an obligation to her, and he might be too.”

James reflected on the interactions he’d seen between Ruby and Rutherford. “I’ve never seen her reciprocate. She’s pretty closed off around him.” The more James thought, he realised Percy was probably right. The logical conclusion was that James didn’t have anything to be jealous about, but… ugh, it’s still there. Just a bit.

“Sir, have you officially asked her to be your girlfriend yet?”

James frowned and looked at Percy as if it was a forgone conclusion that she was.

Percy smiled softly. “Ask her.”

James nodded to himself. He could do that. He’d get her flowers too; he’d seen how happy that one rose made her. Angus had too. “Should I ask her father before?”

“Before you marry her, Sir.” Percy was really doing his best not to laugh, but the way James flushed really tested him.

…

James bought some flowers on his way back from his next run with Callum. Angus gave him a knowing look as he crept into the kitchen with the bouquet. 

“These are for Ruby. Where can I hide them while I shower?”

“There’s a vase in that cabinet,” Angus pointed to a cabinet. When James put it down on the counter Angus had a pair of scissors. “Giving a woman flowers like this,” he tugged at the wrapping paper, “is giving her a task. Giving them flowers in a vase means she just has to enjoy them.”

He proceeded to teach James how to cut and arrange flowers in a vase, making sure to add the plant food sachet to the water. “As for hiding them, you can put them in our bedroom for a while with the door closed.”

“Thank you.” He hadn’t even thought about the ‘giving her a task’ bit. Now he knew Ruby would ‘only have to enjoy them’ he was looking forward to asking her even more.

He ran upstairs and placed the vase just inside the doorframe of Helen and Angus’ bedroom before heading to the bathroom.

…

“Ruby”

Ruby and Gunnar both looked up from her manga to see James in her bedroom doorway, hiding something behind his back, it was cute.

All the practice James had definitely not done in the shower left him. He came to stand right next to the bed, stalling for time.

“I haven’t done this before, so I wanted to make sure we’re on the same page.” He saw Ruby’s brows furrow and quickly held the flowers out for her before she got the wrong idea, “Will you be my girlfriend?”

Ruby’s face was frozen in a delightfully surprised, open-mouthed smile, “Yes!” She set the flowers on the bedside table and hugged him tightly. James hooked his chin over her head and breathed in deeply, glad it had gone well. Would have been a bit awkward if it hadn’t. He saw Harriet and Gunnar curling up together on the bed and sighed as the extra feeling of intimacy washed over him.

…

“Ruby, can I ask you something?”

She gave him a look which screamed ‘you just did.’

“Is there, or has there ever been anything between you and Kieran? I’ve seen the way he talks to you, and while I’ve never seen you reciprocate… I just wondered…”

Ruby shook her head easily, “No. Nothing between us, I know he’s got a crush on me but hasn’t made any moves and I’m not interested in him. He’ll get the message, especially with you around.”

James was surprised that that was good enough for him. ‘Guess Percy was spot on on both accounts.’ He thought to himself. Harriet only moved her head in a way that said ‘told you so’.

[posttexasstressdisorder]

Is this the October Surprise?

Thom Hartmann

September 28, 2024 2:20PM ET

U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith makes a statement to reporters after a grand jury returned an indictment of former U.S. President Donald Trump in the special counsel's investigation of efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, at Smith's offices in Washington, U.S., August 1, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

— October surprise?Jack Smith has filed a massive collection of evidence demonstrating Trump’s direct involvement in an attempted coup against the government of the United States, and Judge Chutkan may make it publicly available. The next two to three weeks will decide what we see and when, as Trump’s lawyers first will file their opposition to the release. For anybody who’s been paying attention, we all knew Trump and his buddies were criming against our country during the last weeks of his presidency (apparently Merrick Garland missed that for two years), but the release will probably drive a short news cycle which may inform a few low information voters.

— For the first time ever, Democrats make it rain in all 50 states. Over at Daily Kos, Morgan Stephens is reporting that the DNC is sending money to every state in the union, something we haven’t seen since Howard Dean’s “50 state strategy” back in 2008. This is great news; rightwing billionaires have been funding Republicans, particularly in low population states, for decades and the result has been the Red sweep of rural states and areas. Democrats are going to try to break some Republican supermajorities and help out down-ticket Red state candidates; the Harris campaign has also pitched in $25 million for the effort. Now, if they’d just convince some leftie mega donors to buy radio stations in those Red states (media is cheap in those areas!), we could seriously get about flipping a few purple or even Blue.

— Speaking of radio… Louise and I are in New Orleans where yesterday I was the opening keynote speaker for the Grassroots Radio Conference. Last night we hung out with old friends David Sirota and Sam Seder (who keynoted this morning) and new friend Wajahat Ali at the home of the conference organizers, Dr. MarkAlain Dery and his extraordinary wife Liana Elliott, who also started and run WHIV here in New Orleans. The conference is about and for mostly low-power FM stations that are popping up all around the country (my show is on many of them). This is a very encouraging trend!

— Justice Department sues Alabama for purging voters off the rolls. As I’ve noted in several of my newsletters here, Republicans across America are purging their voting rolls, depriving literally millions of people of their right to vote. Ever since 5 Republicans on the Supreme Court said a state can do this if a voter fails to vote in the last election, they’ve been going whole hog, but in a few cases they’ve been stopped or slowed down. Most recently, the Justice Department sued Alabama for their purges, saying it’s too close to the election. If you live in a state Republicans control, go to vote.gov and double-check your voter registration; if you live in a Blue part of the state and didn’t vote in the midterms, chances are they’ve already removed you from the rolls and you’ll have to re-register to vote.

— Jews and Catholics warn against Trump’s latest attack on religious voters. In two rallies, Trump has told Jewish people that if he fails to win the election it’ll be their fault. He made similar comments in a Truth Social post about Catholics. Now some religious groups are starting to push back by warning their people about political tests for religious people, but they’re massively outnumbered by the thousands of churches and televangelists and religious radio stations that are blatantly and illegally promoting Republican candidates this year. The IRS really needs to enforce the law!

— Will NYC Mayor Adams claim he was just taking tips? Ever since six Republicans on the Supreme Court ruled that if a politician does favors for somebody (in this case, the country of Turkey) and then gets paid or spiffed, that’s not a bribe that can be prosecuted but a tip. It’d be a novel defense and its probable that Adams took gifts before he helped out the Turks, so it’ll be interesting to see if his lawyers try this one out. The level of corruption among the six Republicans on the Court is truly breathtaking, and it’s a bad sign for our democracy as they continue to promote a corrupt political culture.

— Once again, the media will refuse to do their damn job and fact-check Republican lies, this time in Tuesday’s Vance/Walz debate. Expect Vance to use the “firehose of lies” strategy, where you throw out a half-dozen or so lies in a single sentence or two, forcing your opponent to burn his time rebutting them. Trump tried it with over 30 lies in his debate with Harris, and the moderators only called him on two of them. Now CBS “News” says they’ll allow Vance to tell all the lies he wants and it’ll be up to Walz to fact-check them because, apparently, facts don’t matter any longer in the American news media culture. Disgusting.

— Crazy Alert! JD Vance is attending an event today with a corrupt evangelist who said Harris uses “witchcraft.” Lance Wallnau is a big-shot in the evangelical world, and he’s doing a tour of swing states this month to encourage people to vote Republican. His efforts, by the way, are being subsidized by your and my tax dollars, as he claims a nonprofit statute. Earlier this month, Wallnau tried out the misogynistic and hateful old “Jezebel” trope against Vice President Harris, saying, “She can look presidential. That’s the seduction of what I would say is witchcraft. That’s the manipulation of imagery that creates an impression contrary to the truth, but it seduces you into seeing it. So that spirit, that occult spirit, I believe is operating on her and through her.” If anybody is channeling evil spirits, in my opinion it’s Wallnau; he’s the embodiment of the people Jesus warned us about.

NOW READ: Comrade Trump isn’t defending capitalism — he’s defending white power

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Serializing the opening of “The Lost Cause”

On October 7–8, I'm in Milan to keynote Wired Nextfest.

My next novel is The Lost Cause, a hopeful tale of the climate emergency, which comes out on November 14. Kim Stanley Robinson called it "an unforgettable vision of what could be":

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865939/the-lost-cause

I'm currently running a Kickstarter campaign to pre-sell the audiobook, which I produced and narrated myself (for complex and awful reasons, Amazon won't carry my audiobooks, see the Kickstarter campaign page for details). You can also pre-order the ebook and hardcovers, including signed and personalized copies:

http://lost-cause.org

For the next week or so, I'm going to be serializing the prologue of the book, which gets it off to quite a spicy start. Here's part one!

I thought that I was being so smart I signed up for the over nightwhen pager duty for the solar array at Burroughs High. Solar arrays don’t do anything at night. Because it’s dark. They’re not lunar arrays.

Turns out I outsmarted myself.

My pager app went off at 1:58 a.m., making a sound that I hadn’t heard since the training session, GNAAP GNAAP GNAAP, with those low notes that loosened your bowels offset by high notes that tightened your sphincter. I slapped around my bed for my screen and found the lights and found my underwear and a tee and then the cargo pants I wore on work duty and blinked hard and rubbed my eyes until I could think clearly enough to confirm that I was dressed, had everything that I needed, and then double-­checked the pager app to make sure that I really, actually needed to go do something about the school’s solar array at, I checked, 2:07 a.m.

2:07 a.m.! Brooks, you really outsmarted yourself.

Gramps’s house had started out as a two bed/one bath, like most of the houses in Burbank, but it had been expanded with a weird addition at the back—­again, like most of the houses in Burbank—­giving it a third bedroom and a second bath. That was my room, and it had its own sliding door to the backyard, so I let myself out without waking Gramps.

It was warm enough that I didn’t need a jacket, which was good because I’d forgotten to put one on. Still, there was just enough of a nip in the air that I jogged a little to get my blood going. Burbank was quiet, just the sound of the wind in the big, mature trees that lined Fairview Street, a distant freight train whistle, a car zooming down Verdugo. My breath was louder than any of them. A dog barked at me and startled me as I turned onto Verdugo, streetlit and wide and empty, too.

Two minutes later, I was at Burroughs, using my student app to buzz myself into the school’s gate, then the side entrance, then the utility stairs, and then I jogged up the stairs. I was only supposed to get paged if the solar array had an error it couldn’t diagnose for itself, and that the manufacturer’s techs couldn’t diagnose from its camera feeds and other telemetry. Basically, never. Not at 2:00 a.m. 2:17 a.m. now. I wondered what the hell it could be. I opened the roof access door just in time to hear a glassy crashing sound, like a window breaking, and I froze.

Someone was on the roof with me. A person, glimpsed in the corner of my eye and then lost in the darkness. Too big to be a raccoon. A person. On the roof.

“Hello?” Gramps’s friends sometimes made fun of my voice. I’d hated how high-­pitched it was when I was a freshman and had dreamed of it getting deeper someday, but now I was a senior, weeks away from graduation, and I still got mistaken for a girl on gamer voice-­chats. I’d made my peace with it, except that I hadn’t entirely because I was not happy at all with how it squeaked out over that roof. “Hello?” I tried for deeper. “Someone there?” No one answered, so I took a step out onto the roof. Glass crunched under my feet. It was dark and it stayed dark when I slapped at the work-­lights switch next to the door—­they should have been tripped by the motion anyway. I found my flashlight and twisted it to wide beam and checked my feet. Smashed glass, all right, and when I swung the light around to the nearest solar bank, I saw that each panel had been methodically shattered. I took a step back toward the door, and the light beam swung up and caught the man.

He was wearing a head-­to-­toe suit—­a ghillie suit, Gramps’s friends called them—­and holding a short four-­pound sledgehammer with a handle and head painted in nonreflective black that swallowed my light beam. He was coming toward me. I reflexively hit the bodycam 911 emergency switch on my screen and it sounded its “Warning, bodycam recording” alert in a warm woman’s voice that I’d chosen for its nonthreatening tone. Mostly I bodycammed when I was having an argument with someone and the calm voice was a good balance between cooling things out and satisfying California’s two-­party consent rules for recording.

As he raised the hammer, I wished that I’d chosen the cop voice instead.

“Wait,” I said, taking a step back. The roof access door had closed behind me. “Please.”

“Shit,” the man said. He was using a voice-­shifter, either a separate unit or part of the ghillie suit. His voice was deep as a diesel engine. “Dammit, you’re just a kid.” He used the hand that wasn’t holding the hammer to flip up his nightscope goggles and peer at me. His eyes, visible in the ghillie suit’s slit, were bloodshot and wrinkled and blue. He squinted at my light and brandished the hammer. “Shit,” he said again. “Get that out of my eyes, dammit.”

“Sorry,” I squeaked, and lowered the beam, casting it around.

It seemed like 80 percent of the panels were ruined. Why had I said sorry? Force of habit. “Shit.” If he could say it, I could too.

“Shit. What the hell are you doing, man?”

“You’re recording this, kid?”

“Yes. Livestreaming.”

“Good, then I’ll explain. You just stay there and we won’t have a problem. I was gonna have to make a video when this was done, you’re just saving me the trouble.” He lowered the hammer and let it dangle. I thought about rushing him, but I’m not a fighter, and he was still holding the hammer. Same for turning and trying to get out the door before he could catch up with me.

“Kay, listen up. This world we’re in, it’s debased. America’s been rotted from the inside. First it was immigrants. You might think I’m a racist, but I’m not. It’s not immigrants I object to. It’s illegals. You want to come to America, you come in the front door, on the terms your gracious hosts here are offering. You don’t skip the line or break in through the window. That’s what a criminal does. You let in a criminal, let ’em become citizens, soon enough they’re voting for other criminals.

“You know just what I’m talking about, don’t kid yourself. The money we’re spending now? This Green New Deal? This Jobs Guarantee? These fuckin’ solar panels? Bill’s gonna come due on this. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Chinese hoaxed us into believing in this climate garbage, then they got us to go into hock to them up to our eyeballs to buy their shiny crap, and then they’re gonna charge us interest, and our kids, and their kids, and their kids. Mortgaging their future? Shit, what future? They’re headed for debt bondage for eternity. Biblical. It’s Biblical.

“All this mumbo jumbo about ‘money users’ and ‘money creators’—­it’s just word games. There’s two kinds of people in this world, and it’s not ‘money users’ and ‘money creators’—­it’s ‘makers’ and ‘takers.’ The makers create all the wealth, the takers elect politicians who confiscate it and redistribute it.” “Redistribute” came out like another f-­bomb.

This was crazy, but it wasn’t unfamiliar. I’d heard versions of this conversation around Gramps’s place ever since I came to live with him, back when I was eight. More, I’d heard these specific words before. I pressed my recollections, tried to put a face to the words. All the faces in Gramps’s living room had a sameness, a whiteness, matching haircuts and the same Maga hats, faded and frayed. Who had said those words? I could bring the face to mind now, the rest of the face that went with those blue watery eyes peering out of the ghillie suit.

Now, the name. Mark. Not Mark. Mike. Mike! Mike, uh.

“Mike Kennedy?”

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/06/green-new-deal-fic/#the-first-generation-in-a-century-not-to-fear-the-future

My next novel is The Lost Cause, a hopeful novel of the climate emergency. Amazon won't sell the audiobook, so I made my own and I'm pre-selling it on Kickstarter!

[giveamadeuschohisownmovie]

My pitch for a live-action Resident Evil show (because I’m tired of so many bad adaptations):

Main Story

(NOTE: This is meant to be canon with the games)

The year is 2018, one year after the events of RE7. New Zealand is hosting a summit regarding the control of bioweapons and has invited numerous countries to attend. Among the attendees are -

1) Ashley Graham, who is now a famous anti-BOW activist and was invited to the summit as the keynote speaker

2) Sheva Alomar, who is acting as the BOW expert for the representative of Burkina Faso (which is retconned to be where Kijuju is located)

3) Carlos Oliveira, who was hired by Leon S. Kennedy to watch over Ashley. Carlos was personally recommended to Leon by Jill Valentine.

During Ashley’s main speech to the world leaders in attendance, a mysterious group starts a C-virus outbreak. Carlos takes Ashley to safety while Sheva manages to join them, along with a few other survivors. The area is contained by the New Zealand military and the BSAA, who now face the dilemma of how to end the outbreak. Representing this side of the story is new character Capt. Anthony Taumata, a New Zealand SAS operative who has never dealt with bioweapons before.

As this is happening, a young woman wakes up in a hospital. She’s suffering from severe amnesia with the only clue to her identity being a burnt medical report which lists her name as “Alice”. As she exits the hospital, she learns that she’s trapped in the middle of the containment zone.

So, we have three main storylines going into this show; Ashley, Sheva, Carlos, and a few other survivors surrounded by zombies, Capt. Taumata trying to rescue the survivors and figure out who caused the outbreak, and Alice trying to regain her memory while surviving the outbreak. As the season goes on, the three storylines eventually merge and ends with a showdown against the bioterrorists who started the outbreak.

The main plot reveals are -

1) The bioterrorists are the Los Illuminados, returning from RE4. They’ve reformed under Osmund Saddler’s grandson, Hector Saddler, who is the main villain of season 1. His goal was to avenge his grandfather by killing Ashley Graham. He also thought that Leon S. Kennedy would be attending the summit to watch over Ashley, unaware that Carlos had been hired for the job.

2) Alice’s full name is Alice Saddler. She is revealed to be Hector’s sister (thus, Osmund’s other grandchild) and fellow co-conspirator. Despite learning this, the reason why Alice lost her memory isn’t revealed…until the post-credit.

3) The season 1 post-credit is a flashback that reveals that Blue Umbrella had captured Alice a few days prior. Realizing they could use Alice to infiltrate Los Illuminados, they put Alice through an experimental procedure meant to brainwash her and turn her into a sleeper agent. However, the procedure went awry due to the start of the outbreak. So, instead of getting brainwashed, the unfinished procedure wiped Alice’s memories. While the procedure was happening, Alice hears one of the Blue Umbrella agents say, “Don’t tell this to Chris Redfield, you know he wouldn’t approve”, hinting that there’s something sinister happening behind-the-scenes that Chris isn’t aware of.

Miscellaneous Stuff

1) In case it wasn’t obvious, Alice Saddler is meant to be the game universe’s version of Alice from the Milla Jovovich movies. Same amnesia-centric character, but with a completely different backstory.

2) Capt. Taumata and Alice are set up as the lead protagonists for future seasons. Taumata joins the BSAA while Alice goes on the run to figure out the reason why her memory was wiped. Carlos, Ashley, and Sheva would still be around, but in a recurring/guest capacity.

3) While I don’t have a story for season 2, I’d probably bring in Jake Muller and Sherry Birkin as major characters (maybe they’re sent to capture Alice for her ties to Los Illuminados).

4) Ashley, Sheva, and Carlos should have at least one flashback scene that is from their respective games.

5) I imagined either 8-9 episodes per season. For the show’s overall vibe, maybe “Stranger Things” would be a good reference point. Also the movies “Aliens” and “Predator”. But definitely NOT “The Walking Dead” or “The Last of Us” since this isn’t a post-apocalyptic show.

[bnpl2025]

Conference Essentials: More Than Just a Name Badge

Discover the essential gear and strategies to maximize your next professional conference. Learn how items like lanyards can enhance your networking and success.

The Unseen Power of Conference Swag

Attending a professional conference is an investment in your career. It is a chance to learn from industry leaders, discover emerging trends, and forge valuable connections. While the keynote speakers and breakout sessions are the main draw, the small details often make the biggest difference in your experience. From the tote bag you receive at registration to the pen you use for notes, every item plays a role. These items, often dismissed as simple swag, are designed to make your time at the event smoother and more productive. Thinking strategically about these tools can enhance your networking efforts and overall comfort.

One of the most ubiquitous and useful items at any conference is the name badge holder. It is your passport to every session, meal, and networking event. Often, these are provided on a simple clip, but many savvy attendees bring their own. A high-quality lanyard is a game-changer, allowing you to keep your badge visible and your hands free. This simple accessory prevents you from fumbling with a clip or misplacing your badge, ensuring you always look prepared and professional. It is a small upgrade that signals you are a seasoned conference-goer.

Maximizing Networking Opportunities

The primary goal of any conference is to connect with peers, potential clients, or future employers. Your preparation for networking should go beyond practicing your elevator pitch. Consider how you will manage the logistics of meeting dozens of new people. Having your hands free is crucial for shaking hands, exchanging business cards, or holding a drink during a reception. This is where thoughtful preparation with your conference gear comes into play. Instead of juggling a phone, a notebook, and a name badge, you can streamline your essentials to focus entirely on the conversation.

Organizing Your Essentials

A well-organized attendee is a successful one. Before you leave for the event, think about how you will carry your necessities. A good strategy is to use a tote bag for your laptop and notebooks, but keep the absolute must-haves on your person. This includes your phone, business cards, and identification. An external battery pack is also a wise addition, as outlets can be scarce. According to a Forbes article, being prepared allows you to be more present and engaging in your interactions. Keeping these items easily accessible means you will never miss an opportunity to connect because you were disorganized.

Beyond the Badge: Other Uses for Conference Gear

The utility of conference accessories does not end when the event is over. Many of the items you use can be repurposed for daily life or future events. A durable tote bag is perfect for groceries or carrying gym clothes. High-quality pens and notebooks are always useful at the office. Even the humble lanyard can be repurposed to hold keys or an office ID, serving as a practical reminder of the connections you made. Thinking about the long-term use of these items can help you decide what is worth keeping and what can be left behind.

Choosing the Right Tools

When selecting your personal conference gear, prioritize function and professionalism. Opt for neutral colors and durable materials that reflect a professional image. The goal is to have your tools support your efforts, not distract from them. A comfortable and practical setup allows you to focus on what truly matters: learning and networking. For small business owners, making a good impression is vital, and as the U.S. Small Business Administration notes, every detail contributes to how you are perceived by potential partners and clients. Your preparedness with small things like your conference gear can speak volumes.

Post-Conference Strategy

The work is not over when the conference ends. The follow-up is just as important as the event itself. Organize the business cards you have collected and send personalized follow-up emails or LinkedIn requests within a few days. Reference a specific conversation you had to jog their memory and strengthen the new connection. The notes you took during sessions should be reviewed and synthesized into actionable takeaways for your job or business. This process of consolidation ensures that the investment of time and money in attending the conference yields a tangible return. Properly managing your post-conference activities solidifies the relationships you have started and integrates new knowledge into your professional life.

[cryptocurrencyeventscalendar]

A Beginner’s Guide: 7 Tips Before You Attend Crypto Conference Toronto 2025

As the Web3 and blockchain ecosystem rapidly evolves, 2025 promises to be a landmark year for crypto enthusiasts across Canada. One of the most anticipated gatherings is the Crypto Conference Toronto 2025, where builders, investors, developers, and innovators will connect to explore the latest trends in decentralized finance, NFTs, blockchain infrastructure, and AI-integrated ecosystems.

Whether you're new to crypto or just attending your first blockchain conference in Toronto, preparation is key. This guide will walk you through seven essential tips to help you get the most out of your time at this leading Canadian blockchain summit.

1. Research the Speakers and Agenda in Advance

Crypto events attract top talent and thought leaders from across the industry. The crypto conference Toronto 2025 will likely feature keynote sessions from global figures in blockchain, Web3 startups, venture capital firms, and protocol development.

Start by reviewing the agenda and identifying sessions that align with your interests. Whether you want to explore smart contract innovations or discover what’s next in DeFi, being selective will help you maximize your time and energy.

2. Prepare Your Elevator Pitch

Toronto's crypto conference is not just about learning—it's about networking. You'll have the chance to meet potential collaborators, co-founders, and investors. Having a clear, concise introduction about who you are, what you do, and what you're looking for can make a lasting impression.

Practice a 30-second elevator pitch that communicates your experience or goals within the blockchain space. Include your area of interest—whether it's tokenomics, digital identity, or smart contract auditing.

3. Use Social Media and Event Apps Strategically

Most blockchain events in Canada, including this one, have official apps or Telegram groups where attendees can interact before and during the event. Join these early to stay updated on speaker changes, afterparties, meetups, and hackathons.

Twitter (X), LinkedIn, and Telegram remain the top platforms for real-time updates and community engagement. Be active, use event hashtags, and engage with other attendees to extend your reach.

4. Pack Smart and Dress Comfortably

Expect long days, fast-paced sessions, and lots of walking. Pack your essentials: chargers, business cards, a reusable water bottle, and a notepad or tablet for quick notes.

Although crypto culture leans casual, Toronto’s blockchain conference scene has a mix of startup founders and corporate players. Business casual attire usually fits best and gives you flexibility to attend both professional panels and evening social events.

5. Attend Side Events and Networking Mixers

Some of the most valuable connections at the Canadian blockchain summit happen outside the main sessions. Plan to attend side events, VIP dinners, or protocol-specific meetups. These smaller, more informal settings make it easier to build lasting relationships.

Check platforms like Eventbrite, Meetup, or the event’s Telegram group for details on these gatherings. Many Toronto crypto conference veterans will tell you that networking events can lead to partnership opportunities or even job offers.

6. Stay Updated on Local Regulations

As Canada continues to shape its digital asset regulations, it's important to understand the compliance environment. Some panels may cover legal developments impacting token launches, DAOs, and crypto exchanges.

Knowing the regulatory backdrop gives you an edge during discussions and shows that you’re informed about the Canadian blockchain ecosystem. It can also help you assess which startups or projects are building with compliance in mind.

7. Follow Up After the Event

Once the conference ends, the real work begins. Organize your contacts, send follow-up emails or DMs, and keep the conversation going. Add new connections on LinkedIn with a short note referencing your conversation.

Toronto's blockchain events foster a strong sense of community. If you nurture the relationships you start, you may find opportunities long after the conference wraps.

Why Attend Crypto Conference Toronto 2025?

With its growing blockchain ecosystem, world-class venues, and deep pool of talent, Toronto is becoming a major hub for Web3 innovation. Attending a crypto conference Canada-wide offers more than just education—it provides real exposure to decentralized technologies and access to industry pioneers.

In 2025, this event will be a hotspot for:

Unveiling of new protocols and blockchain tools

Developer workshops and live coding sessions

Pitch competitions and startup showcases

Global investors and venture capital networking

Thought-provoking panels on the future of digital assets

Whether you’re exploring career shifts, seeking funding, or simply trying to understand the crypto economy, attending a blockchain conference Toronto style is a smart move.

Final Thoughts

Crypto Conference Toronto 2025 will be a defining moment for Canada's digital asset industry. From education and networking to innovation and community, it's the place to be for anyone serious about blockchain technology.

Following these seven tips will help ensure you're well-prepared, well-connected, and ready to seize the opportunities that come your way.

FAQs

Q1. What is the Crypto Conference Toronto 2025 about? It is one of Canada's premier blockchain events, featuring Web3 panels, DeFi discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities for developers, investors, startups, and enterprises.

Q2. Who should attend a blockchain conference in Canada? Anyone interested in blockchain technology, crypto investing, DeFi, NFTs, or building in the Web3 space should consider attending—from beginners to experts.

Q3. Is Toronto a good city for crypto events? Yes. Toronto is a major hub for tech innovation and regularly hosts top blockchain events in Canada, including the Canadian blockchain summit and developer-focused gatherings.

Q4. Are there other blockchain events Canada will host in 2025? Yes. Besides Toronto, cities like Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary are also hosting blockchain summits and crypto expos in 2025.

[businessnetworkingeventsinth]

How to Prepare for a Business Networking Event in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide

Business networking events remain a cornerstone of professional growth, even in 2025. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or freelancer, knowing how to navigate these gatherings can open doors to partnerships, clients, and career opportunities.

Why Business Networking Events Matter in 2025

The digital age hasn’t replaced face-to-face connections—it’s enhanced them. In 2025, business networking events are more strategic than ever, blending in-person and hybrid formats with AI-powered matchmaking tools. Here’s why they’re essential:

Stronger Relationships: Personal interactions build trust faster than virtual exchanges.

Industry Insights: Conferences and meetups offer exclusive trends and forecasts.

Opportunity Pipeline: 85% of professionals say networking directly impacts their success (2025 LinkedIn Business Report).

Step 1: Define Your Networking Goals

Before attending any event, ask yourself:

What do I want to achieve? (New clients, partnerships, mentors?)

Who do I need to meet? (Industry leaders, potential collaborators?)

What’s my follow-up plan? (Emails, LinkedIn requests, scheduled calls?)

Having clear objectives keeps your efforts focused.

Step 2: Research the Event and Attendees

Understand the Event Format

Is it a conference, speed networking, or a casual mixer?

Will there be breakout sessions or keynote speakers?

Leverage AI Tools

Many 2025 business networking events use apps like Brella or Bizzabo to preview attendee lists. Identify key people you want to connect with.

Prepare Talking Points

Review LinkedIn profiles of attendees to find common ground (e.g., shared alma maters or mutual connections).

Step 3: Perfect Your Elevator Pitch

A concise, compelling introduction is non-negotiable. Structure it like this:

Who you are: "I’m [Name], founder of [Business] at SoCal Connections."

What you do: "We help professionals build high-value networks."

What makes you unique: "Unlike generic platforms, we focus on curated, industry-specific connections."

Pro Tip: Practice until it sounds natural—not robotic.

Step 4: Optimize Your Digital Presence

Since 72% of professionals research contacts post-event (2025 HubSpot Data), ensure your online profiles are polished:

LinkedIn: Update your headline, summary, and recent achievements.

Business Cards: Yes, they still exist! Use digital cards (like Popl or Linq) for instant sharing.

Social Media: Clean up public profiles—potential contacts may check them.

Step 5: Dress for Success (2025 Edition)

First impressions still matter. Dress code trends in 2025 lean toward:

Smart Casual: Blends professionalism with approachability.

Industry-Appropriate: Tech events may be more relaxed than finance galas.

Brand Colors: If representing SoCal Connections, incorporate branded hues subtly.

Step 6: Master Networking Etiquette

Do’s:

✔ Listen more than you talk – People remember great listeners. ✔ Use body language – Firm handshakes, eye contact, and open posture. ✔ Ask open-ended questions – "What’s your biggest challenge this year?"

Don’ts:

✖ Oversell – Networking is about mutual value, not a sales pitch. ✖ Ignore time limits – Keep conversations under 5-7 minutes unless engaged.

Step 7: Leverage Technology

2025’s top networking tools include:

AI Matchmaking Apps: Connect with compatible attendees before the event.

Contactless Exchanges: Scan QR codes to swap details instantly.

Voice Memos: Jot down notes post-convo via apps like Otter.ai.

Step 8: Follow Up Strategically

The real magic happens after the event. Within 24-48 hours:

Send personalized LinkedIn messages: Reference your conversation.

Email key contacts: Offer value (e.g., an article related to their interests).

Schedule follow-ups: Propose a coffee chat or virtual meeting.

Example: "Great meeting you at [Event]! I enjoyed our discussion about [Topic]. Let’s continue the conversation—are you free next week?"

Conclusion: Turn Connections into Opportunities

Preparing for business networking events in 2025 requires strategy, authenticity, and tech-savviness. By following this guide, you’ll stand out, build meaningful relationships, and grow your professional network effectively.

[macproject]

Unlock the Power of Your Voice: Melbourne Public Speaking Coaching That Hits the Right Note

In the vibrant, fast-paced world of Melbourne, your ability to speak clearly and confidently can set you apart. Whether you're pitching to investors, delivering a keynote, or making your wedding speech unforgettable — strong public speaking skills are a must. But don’t worry, even the most charismatic speakers weren’t born with it — they trained for it.

At The Mac Project, we bring our passion for performance and years of stage experience to offer premium Melbourne public speaking coaching that empowers you to communicate with confidence and authenticity.

Why Public Speaking Is Your Secret Weapon

Whether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, educator, or event host, how you deliver your message matters just as much as what you’re saying. Audiences connect with confidence, clarity, and charisma — and that's exactly what we help you develop.

Public speaking can transform your career, your personal life, and your presence in any room. With expert coaching, you can silence self-doubt, master your message, and truly own your voice.

What Makes Our Coaching Stand Out?

At The Mac Project, our coaching blends professional vocal techniques, storytelling frameworks, and stage presence strategies into a dynamic, fun, and impactful experience. This isn’t your average seminar — it’s immersive, performance-based, and designed to unlock your full potential as a speaker.

Here’s what to expect from our Melbourne public speaking coaching:

Performance-Based Techniques – Gain vocal control, body language awareness, and stage presence like a performer

Personalised Feedback – Every session is tailored to your voice, your goals, and your natural style

Real-World Practice – Simulate speaking engagements with live coaching and on-the-spot guidance

Voice Training – Learn breath control, tone modulation, and pacing used by professional singers and speakers

Who Can Benefit?

Business professionals seeking executive presence

Entrepreneurs preparing for pitches and presentations

Wedding MCs or event hosts wanting to shine on stage

Creatives, educators, and anyone battling stage fright

Speak with Power, Lead with Confidence

Public speaking isn’t just a skill — it’s a performance. At The Mac Project, we help you find your voice, master your message, and speak with authenticity and impact.

Whether you're preparing for a boardroom, ballroom, or broadcast, our Melbourne public speaking coaching is your fast track to fearless communication.

Ready to speak with confidence and clarity? Visit The Mac Project and book your personalised coaching session today.

[airadam]

Episode 188 : The Craftsman

"My heart is a drum, art is my tongue..."

- Chalk

It's always a treat to have a guest in the studio, and we're starting 2025 by hosting one of the most dedicated artists in our local scene, the MC/producer/DJ Chalk! You may know him as a soloist or as part of some of the crews and collectives he's worked with, but for all but his closest circle you'll hear at least one thing about him and his craft that you didn't know before. We feature several of his tracks from the span of his career alongside some excellent recent releases and some venerable headphone favourites of mine. Enjoy the show!

Catch up with Chalk at his Bandcamp page which features his whole solo catalogue, or on Instagram.

Mastodon : @airadam@mastodon.me.uk

Twitch : @airadam13

Playlist/Notes

Soch : Quest

One of those discoveries that I suppose I have to credit Spotify for, as I stumbled on this track completely by accident, the opening cut on his 2024 EP "I Don't Do Drugs, I Am Drugs". As I understand it, this is one of his first releases if not the first, and it has him off to a fine start. Lyrically he's got his own bell-clear style and the production has an airy warmness to it without sacrificing the bounce that makes you nod your head - it's often the first thing to go when the lean is towards the arty/lyrical/(insert adjective here). This New Jersey-born, Miami-based artist is worth paying attention to.

Chalk : The Crime Scene

I made use of the Serato Stems feature to remove the vocals from this while we spoke, but the full version of the track is part of the story on Chalk's latest release, "Death Knocks And He Shall Die", an audio-only murder mystery LP with the only voices coming from samples - while he got his start as an MC, this album is an end-to-end demonstration of his production prowess. Listen to the interview for more detail about how he painstakingly crafted this project!

[DJ Spinna] Old World Disorder : Never Minded (Instrumental)

We got so into the chat that we ran out of beat, so you get a bonus one - a bit of DJ Spinna work from the Beyond Real days, a suitably subdued head-nodder to keep the vibe going. You can get this and a bunch more beats on "The Beyond Real Experience Volume One Instrumentals", nice easy digital purchase.

Chalk : The Poacher

The first vocal track from Chalk this episode is a great piece of storytelling from his debut LP, "One For Being Me" - the story of a people living a quiet village life, until things go wrong...

Superbad Solace : Keynote

The "Sol Controller" series is an excellent trilogy of albums, and this comes from the second one (mistake on the voiceover there), with Mono en Stereo giving us a piano-drenched boom-bap beat which Solace laced with his strong, solid flow and lyrics. Pure, uncompromising Hip-Hop.

Pitch 92 & Essa : Run It Back

With the kind of lyrics that only an older emcee has the experience to deliver believably, Essa speaks on trying to rekindle the fire in a relationship where - as it does - life and responsibility gets in the way. You could easily imagine this Pitch 92 track featuring only the R&B stylings heard on the hook, but we get the treat of some real (in all senses) bars too. The new "Resonance" LP is polished, well-executed, grown Hip-Hop and definitely worth checking - all the other flavours on the album are done just as well as this.

MC Lyte ft. Common and Stevie Wonder : Change Your Ways

Big names all over this one, with the truly legendary Stevie Wonder lending his vocals - and his classic harmonica skills - to this new track by a Hip-Hop veteran who's been away too long. Nine years passed between the release of "Legend" and her latest, "1 Of 1", both of which are accurate descriptions of this Brooklyn-Queens MC's status. She's aiming for spiritual, grown-woman rap on this album and this Koncept-produced track very much embodies that, with Common providing Lyte some solid backup.

Zero 7 : One Arm Break

At the time of writing, this week marks 25 years since the release of Zero 7's debut EP, from which this headphone favourite is taken. Clean, smoothed out, and perfectly-engineered (which makes sense, as both members met as studio engineers), this track was a worthy inclusion on the release that introduced the world to their sound.

Rome Streetz ft. Meyhem Lauren and Daringer : Cadillac Smoke

Griselda mainstay Daringer is an expert at taking the kinds of samples people use for Roc Marc-inspired drumless beats and incorporating drum tracks that fit perfectly. This one is a great fit for this track from Rome Streetz' 9th (!) album, last year's "Hatton Garden Holdup" - named for the famous London diamond district, and a famous heist. Rome opens proceedings on the mic before Meyhem's feature slams in for the second verse, dripping in luxury talk.

Littles : New York, New York

A little awkward to mix with, with it repeating in groups of five bars rather than four, but this noir-esque street mixtape killer from 2003 is worth it. Riding a familiar sample with an almost hat-less drum track (not sure who produced it), Queensbridge's Littles sets out his street credentials - highlighted by the sample of Prodigy mentioning him on Mobb Deep's "The Start Of Your Ending". "The Feeding" is a mixed bag but does have a few gems I play to this day, with this being the pick of them all.

Le$ : Custom Made

Le$ is in that Curren$y lane right now, which is to say that every time I turn around he has something new out - not that I'm complaining! "Gourmet" came out at the tail end of 2024 and if you like Le$' style, you won't be disappointed hearing speak, as he often does, about the grind needed to get to this point. This was a digital-only release, and as such, not easy to get credits for, but a bit of clicking around on Spotify leads me to believe that this smooth, refined production comes from frequent collaborator Tavares Jordan, which makes sense. 

Chalk : His Own

There's not much I can say to do this deeply personal track from "One For Being Me" justice - the story is all there, and Chalk speaks about it in the episode. Not many could lay out their story like this, so to hear it on a debut album is really something.

[Buckwild] O.C. : Jewelz (Instrumental)

Nothing too pounding or aggressive after the last track, just a reflective piece of production from the DITC crew, with Buckwild crafting this guitar-led beat for the title track of O.C.'s second album. Funny to think now, but I remember this LP being badly-received in some quarters, as it was felt not to be close enough to "Word...Life". In my opinion, it stands in its own right as one of the great releases in O.C.'s catalogue.

The Natural Curriculum : Cultural Equity

The final Chalk selection is from the The Natural Curriculum catalogue, specifically their most recent album, "The Best Fertiliser Is The Gardener's Shadow" - which as Chalk says, was originally an Aver project, with his production style on full display on this cut. TNC are always a group ready to go deep with the lyrics and concepts, and while Chalk may only be on a handful of the tracks, he makes his presence felt every time, including here. 

Pitch 92 + Sparkz : Genius

Mr Pitch again! Killer cut from a couple of artists who've done Manchester proud in their own fields, coming together for the new "Full Circle" album. The drums are snapping as they drive the track along and provide that bed for Sparkz to give you some rapid but still controlled flows. The arrangement of the beat and the rhyme pattern changes play off each other for a track that I wouldn't have minded getting an extra verse of!

Busta Rhymes & Q-Tip : The Abstract & The Dragon

The title track from the 2014 collaboration between two legends is a nice treat if you've somehow never heard it before, bumping along with plenty of body courtesy of Q-Tip (I've always been unsure whether he, Dilla, or both produced this), while Busta growls his bars over the top. "The Abstract & The Dragon" is one to have in the collection, made up of a handful of brand new (at the time) tracks alongside some remakes and rarities. 

Black Milk ft. Melanie Rutherford : Bond For Life

One of my favourite tracks from the "Tronic" LP, with one of Detroit's finest on both the mic and the boards - the rapped verses are shorter than you might expect, but that just leaves space for fellow Michigan native Melanie Rutherford to complete things with her vocals. I'm not sure whether the "mistake" towards the end was written in for effect or a real recording flub that they worked around, but either way I think it adds a little extra live, human touch!

[Opio] Souls Of Mischief : Medication (Instrumental)

Easily one of my favourite Souls beats, this instrumental was on the "Medication" 12" I picked up on release at Fat City Records back in 2000. It's a lush track but absolutely not at the expense of hitting the way it needs to. The vocal is of course on the single but also on the album "Trilogy : Conflict, Climax, Resolution".

Nicolay ft. Kay and Sy Smith : My Story

We finish with an old favourite of mine which felt like it either needed to open or close a show, so here it is, closing proceedings as it does on the original version of the "Here" LP! Nicolay's production is relatively simple and beautiful, replaying a classic jazz bassline and augmenting it with Dilla-like drums and gentle keyboards. Sy Smith glides over the hook, while Kay of The Foundation takes centre stage, telling the story of his upbringing in Houston. As good as the whole album is, this is by far my favourite track, played here right to the very end of the extended outro fade.

Please remember to support the artists you like! The purpose of putting the podcast out and providing the full tracklist is to try and give some light, so do use the songs on each episode as a starting point to search out more material. If you have Spotify in your country it's a great way to explore, but otherwise there's always Youtube and the like. Seeing your favourite artists live is the best way to put money in their pockets, and buy the vinyl/CDs/downloads of the stuff you like the most!

Check out this episode!

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

November 19, 2023

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

NOV 19, 2023

For three hot days, from July 1 to July 3, 1863, more than 150,000 soldiers from the armies of the United States of America and the Confederate States of America slashed at each other in the hills and through the fields around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

When the battered armies limped out of town after the brutal battle, they left scattered behind them more than seven thousand corpses in a town with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants. With the heat of a summer sun beating down, the townspeople had to get the dead soldiers into the ground as quickly as they possibly could, marking the hasty graves with nothing more than pencil on wooden boards.

A local lawyer, David Wills, who had huddled in his cellar with his family and their neighbors during the battle, called for the creation of a national cemetery in the town, where the bodies of the United States soldiers who had died in the battle could be interred with dignity. Officials agreed, and Wills and an organizing committee planned an elaborate dedication ceremony to be held a few weeks after workers began moving remains into the new national cemetery. 

They invited state governors, members of Congress, and cabinet members to attend. To deliver the keynote address, they asked prominent orator Edward Everett, who wanted to do such extensive research into the battle that they had to move the ceremony to November 19, a later date than they had first contemplated. 

And, almost as an afterthought, they asked President Lincoln to make a few appropriate remarks. While they probably thought he would not attend, or that if he came he would simply mouth a few platitudes and sit down, President Lincoln had something different in mind.

On November 19, 1863, about fifteen thousand people gathered in Gettysburg for the dedication ceremony. A program of music and prayers preceded Everett’s two-hour oration. Then, after another hymn, Lincoln stood up to speak. Packed in the midst of a sea of frock coats, he began. In his high-pitched voice, speaking slowly, he delivered a two-minute speech that redefined the nation.

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,” Lincoln began. While the southern enslavers who were making war on the United States had stood firm on the Constitution’s protection of property—including their enslaved Black neighbors—Lincoln dated the nation from the Declaration of Independence. 

The men who wrote the Declaration considered the “truths” they listed “self-evident”: “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” But Lincoln had no such confidence. By his time, the idea that all men were created equal was a “proposition,” and Americans of his day were “engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.” 

Standing near where so many men had died four months before, Lincoln honored “those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.” 

He noted that those “brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated” the ground “far above our poor power to add or detract.”

“It is for us the living,” Lincoln said, “to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” He urged the men and women in the audience to “take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion” and to vow that “these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

[Image of President Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg, center-left, with his head tilted downward. Work is in the U.S. public domain, obtained here from Wikimedia Commons.]

[LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON]

[soundcontrol24]

Why Is Event Sound Control Crucial for Successful Corporate Events?

When it comes to hosting a corporate event, sound is one of the most vital yet often overlooked elements. Whether it’s a small meeting, a grand product launch, or an annual conference, ensuring flawless sound quality can make or break your event. Poor audio quality can lead to disengaged audiences, missed messages, and a tarnished reputation. In contrast, a professionally controlled sound system enhances the experience, ensuring every word and note resonates perfectly. In this article, we will explore why event sound control is crucial for the success of corporate events and how you can achieve it effectively.

Importance of Crystal-Clear Communication

The primary goal of any corporate event is to communicate a message, whether it’s a business strategy, a product pitch, or employee recognition. Clear and uninterrupted sound ensures that your message reaches every attendee, no matter the size of the room. A well-functioning corporate event PA system prevents distractions and ensures that the audience remains engaged and focused.

Imagine hosting a keynote speech where the microphone cuts in and out, or a video presentation where the audio is muffled. These issues not only frustrate attendees but also diminish the impact of your event. Investing in proper sound control ensures your message is delivered with clarity and professionalism.

Enhancing Audience Engagement

Sound is a powerful tool for creating an emotional connection with your audience. Whether it’s the speaker’s voice, background music, or video soundtracks, the audio quality plays a crucial role in setting the tone and mood of your event. Professional event sound control ensures that every sound element complements your message and keeps the audience engaged.

For example, during a motivational speech, the speaker’s voice should be loud and clear to inspire the audience. Similarly, during a product launch, the accompanying music and sound effects should excite and captivate the attendees. Poor sound control can create an environment where attendees feel disconnected and unmotivated.

Catering to Different Venue Sizes

Corporate events can take place in various settings, from small meeting rooms to large auditoriums. Each venue presents unique sound challenges, such as echoes, background noise, or uneven sound distribution. This is where professional PA equipment rental in London can be invaluable.

A high-quality PA system ensures that the sound is evenly distributed across the venue, reaching every corner without distortion or feedback. Rental services often provide expert technicians who analyze the venue’s acoustics and set up the equipment accordingly. This ensures a seamless audio experience tailored to your specific event needs.

Professionalism and Brand Image

The quality of your event’s sound reflects directly on your brand. Crisp, professional audio demonstrates attention to detail and shows that you value your attendees’ experience. On the other hand, poor sound quality can leave a negative impression and make your event seem unprofessional.

By opting for London PA hire, you can access top-of-the-line audio equipment and expert technicians. This ensures that your event runs smoothly, reinforcing your company’s reputation for excellence.

Avoiding Technical Issues

Technical issues are the last thing you want during a corporate event. Microphone feedback, distorted sound, or equipment failure can disrupt the flow of your event and frustrate both speakers and attendees. Event sound control minimizes the risk of these issues by ensuring that all equipment is tested and monitored throughout the event.

Most professional PA hire services, such as those offered by Sound Control PA, include on-site support. Their technicians handle everything from setup to real-time adjustments, so you can focus on delivering your content without worrying about technical hiccups.

Flexibility for Different Event Types

Corporate events vary widely in format, from panel discussions and workshops to awards ceremonies and trade shows. Each type of event has specific sound requirements. For instance, panel discussions may require multiple wireless microphones, while awards ceremonies might need background music and clear announcements.

A reliable PA equipment rental in London can provide customized solutions for any type of event. Their flexible packages include everything from portable speakers to advanced mixing consoles, ensuring your sound setup aligns perfectly with your event’s format and goals.

Cost-Effectiveness with Rental Services

Purchasing high-quality sound equipment can be expensive, especially for companies that host events infrequently. Renting a PA system is a cost-effective alternative that allows you to access top-notch equipment without a significant upfront investment.

Services like London PA hire offer affordable rental packages tailored to your event’s size and requirements. This eliminates the need for storage, maintenance, and repairs, saving you both time and money. Additionally, rental services often include delivery, setup, and on-site support, making them a hassle-free solution.

Solutions for Unique Challenges

Every corporate event is unique, and so are its sound requirements. Factors like audience size, venue acoustics, and event type can influence your sound setup. Professional event sound control providers assess these factors and design a customized solution to meet your needs.

For instance, outdoor events may require weatherproof equipment, while large conferences may need advanced mixing consoles to manage multiple audio inputs. By working with experts, you can ensure that your sound system is perfectly suited to your event’s challenges.

Creating a Memorable Experience

The ultimate goal of any corporate event is to leave a lasting impression on attendees. High-quality sound contributes significantly to this by enhancing the overall experience. Whether it’s the clarity of a keynote speech, the energy of background music, or the precision of a Q&A session, professional event sound control ensures that every audio element resonates with your audience.

By delivering clear and impactful sound, you can create an event that attendees remember for all the right reasons, boosting your brand’s credibility and reputation.

Role of Experts in Event Sound Control

Managing sound at a corporate event requires expertise and experience. Professional sound technicians understand the complexities of audio equipment and venue acoustics, ensuring flawless execution. They handle everything from pre-event testing to real-time adjustments, allowing you to focus on your event.

When you opt for PA equipment rental in London, you gain access not only to high-quality equipment but also to skilled professionals who ensure everything runs smoothly. This partnership guarantees a stress-free experience and exceptional sound quality.

Conclusion

Sound is a critical component of any successful corporate event. From ensuring clear communication to enhancing audience engagement, professional event sound control plays a vital role in creating a memorable experience. Whether you’re hosting a small meeting or a large conference, investing in the right sound solutions is essential.

If you’re planning an event in London, consider partnering with a trusted provider like Sound Control PA. Their expertise in corporate event PA systems, PA equipment rental in London, and London PA hire ensures that your event’s audio is flawless from start to finish. Don’t leave your event’s success to chance – choose professional sound control and make a lasting impact on your audience.

[maximisingnetwork]

Maximising Business Networking Events in Perth

Attending business networking events in Perth can be a game-changer for your professional growth and business development. However, to truly benefit, it’s essential to approach these events strategically. Whether it’s a conference, industry seminar, workshop, or networking session, thoughtful preparation and engagement can yield valuable connections, insights, and opportunities. Here’s how you can maximise your results and make the most of your time at these events.

Pre-Event Preparation: The Foundation of Success

Success at any business event begins with preparation. Investing time beforehand ensures you approach the event with a clear strategy.

Research the EventUnderstand the agenda, keynote speakers, and attendee profiles. This will help you identify potential connections and topics of interest.

Set Clear ObjectivesDefine specific goals for the event. Are you looking to generate leads, learn from experts, or build brand awareness? Write down 1–3 targeted objectives tailored to the event.

Polish Your IntroductionBe prepared to answer the inevitable question: “What do you do?” Craft a concise and impactful response that highlights your value while leaving room for curiosity.

Dress AppropriatelyFirst impressions matter. Check the event’s dress code and aim to look professional and approachable.

Prepare Contact MethodsCarry traditional business cards or use a digital alternative to ensure effortless information exchange. Avoid fumbling when someone asks for your details.

Goal Setting: Focused Outcomes for Each Event

Every event presents unique opportunities, so tailor your goals accordingly. For example:

Engage with Key Individuals: Identify specific attendees or speakers you want to connect with.

Extract Valuable Insights: Focus on gaining actionable takeaways from presentations or discussions.

Build Brand Visibility: Use the event to showcase your expertise or promote your business.

By aligning your goals with the event's structure and participants, you ensure purposeful engagement.

Engaging with Speakers and Panellists

Speakers and panellists often provide a wealth of knowledge, making them valuable connections.

Research Their Backgrounds: Review their professional profiles and expertise to prepare thoughtful questions.

Participate in Q&A Sessions: Show genuine interest by engaging with speakers during discussions.

Follow Up Post-Event: Send a personalised message expressing your appreciation and referencing specific points they discussed.

Networking Like a Pro: Building Lasting Connections

Networking is at the core of business events. Here's how to make the most of these opportunities in Perth:

Arrive EarlyUse pre-event time to meet people in a relaxed setting. This often leads to more meaningful conversations.

Be ProactiveTake the initiative to introduce yourself to new people. Approach small groups or individuals who appear open to conversation.

Engage in Meaningful ConversationsListen actively and ask insightful questions. People appreciate genuine interest over a rehearsed sales pitch.

Join Group ActivitiesParticipate in interactive sessions to engage with multiple people simultaneously.

Post-Event Follow-Up: Turning Contacts into Connections

Your work doesn’t end when the event concludes. Effective follow-up is critical to solidifying relationships.

Send Personalised MessagesWithin a few days, reach out to the people you met. Reference specific topics from your conversation to show genuine interest.

Connect on Social MediaPlatforms like LinkedIn are excellent for staying connected. Send a personalised connection request to reinforce your interaction.

Express GratitudeSend thank-you notes to speakers, organisers, and key contacts to leave a lasting impression.

Reflect on Your GoalsAssess your achievements and areas for improvement. Use this feedback to refine your approach for future events.

Share Your ExperiencePost about the event on your social media or blog, highlighting key takeaways. This positions you as an active participant in your industry.

Why Business Networking in Perth Matters

Perth offers a vibrant and diverse business community, making networking events an invaluable platform for growth. By attending these events, you can:

Build relationships with local professionals and industry leaders.

Stay informed about industry trends and innovations.

Strengthen your personal brand and business presence in the community.

With the right preparation and follow-through, attending business networking Perth events can significantly enhance your professional journey.

https://superiorbusinessnetworks.com.au/maximising-business-networking-events-in-perth-a-comprehensive-guide/