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mostlysignssomeportents · 4 months ago

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How an obscure advisory board lets utilities steal $50b/year from ratepayers

I'm on a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me in NYC on WEDNESDAY (26 Feb) with JOHN HODGMAN and at PENN STATE on THURSDAY (Feb 27). More tour dates here. Mail-order signed copies from LA's Diesel Books.

Two figures to ponder.

First: if your local power company is privately owned, you've seen energy rate hikes at 49% above inflation over the last three years.

Second: if your local power company is publicly owned, you've seen energy rates go up at 44% below inflation over the same period.

Power is that much-theorized economic marvel: a "natural monopoly." Once someone has gone to the trouble of bringing a power wire to your house, it's almost impossible to convince anyone else to invest in bringing a competing wire to your electrical service mast. For this reason, most people in the world get their energy from a publicly owned utility, and the rates reflect social priorities as well as cost-recovery. For example, basic power to run lights and a refrigerator might be steeply discounted, while energy-gobbling McMansions pay a substantial premium for the extra power to heat and cool their ostentatious lawyer-foyers and "great rooms."

But in America, we believe in the miracle of the market, even where no market could possibly exist because of natural monopolies. That's why about 70% of Americans get their power from shareholder-owned companies, whose managers' prime directive is extracting profit, not serving their communities. To check this impulse, these private utilities are overseen by various flavors of public bodies, usually called Public Utility Commissions (PUCs).

For 40 years, PUCs have limited private utilities to a "rate of return" based on a "just and reasonable profit." They always gamed this to make it higher than was fair, but in recent years, the "experts" who advise PUCs on rate-setting have been boiled down to a tiny number of economists, who have discovered that the true "just and reasonable profit" is much higher than it's ever been considered.

Mark Ellis worked for one of those profit-hiking "experts," but he's turned whistleblower. On paper, Ellis looks like the enemy: former chief economist at Sempra Energy, an ex-Exxonmobile analyst, a retired McKinsey Consultant, and a Socal Edison engineer. But Ellis couldn't stomach the corruption, and he went public, publishing a report for the American Economic Liberties Project called "Rate of Return Equals Cost of Capital" that lays out the con in stark detail:

https://www.economicliberties.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20250102-aelp-ror-v5.pdf

I first encountered Ellis last week when he was interviewed on Matt Stoller and David Dayen's excellent Organized Money podcast, where he memorably referred to these utilities as "pocket-picking machines":

https://www.organizedmoney.fm/p/the-pocket-picking-machine

Dayen followed this up with a great summary in The American Prospect (where he is editor-in-chief):

https://prospect.org/environment/2025-02-21-secret-society-raising-your-electricity-bills/

At the center of the scam is a professional association called the Society of Utility and Regulatory Financial Analysts (SURFA). The experts in SURFA are dominated by just four consulting companies, who provide 90% of the testimony for rate-setting exercises. Just two people account for half of that input.

In order to calculate the "just and reasonable profit," these experts make use of economic models. Even in normal economics, these models are the source of infinite mischief and suffering, built on assumptions that legitimize the most abusive conduct:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/03/all-models-are-wrong/#some-are-useful

But even by the low standards of normal economic models, the utility models are really bad. They rely on unique "risk premium" and "expected earnings" calculations that no one else in finance will touch. As Dayen explains, these models are "perfectly circular."

This might be a bit confusing, but only because it's one of those scams that you assume you must have misunderstood because it's so, well, scammy. In the "expected earnings" analysis, the "just and reasonable profit" a utility is allowed to build into its rates is defined as "the amount of money it would like to make." In other words, if a utility projects future revenues of $10 billion over the next ten years, that is its "expected earnings." "Expected earnings" are treated as equivalent to "just and reasonable profits." So under this model, whatever number the utility puts in its financial projections is the number that it's allowed to take out of the pockets of ratepayers.

This is just as bad as it sounds. In 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said that it "defied financial logic." No duh – even SURFA's own training manual says it "does not square well with economic theory."

In the world of regulated utilities, this kind of mathing isn't supposed to be possible. The PUC and its "consumer advocates" are supposed to listen to these outlandish tales and laugh the utility out of the room.

But it's SURFA that trains the consumer advocates who work for the PUCs, the large energy customers, and community groups. These people – who are supposed to act as the adversaries of the companies that pay SURFA members to justify rate-hikes – are indoctrinated by SURFA to treat its absurd models as accepted economic gospel. SURFA has co-opted its opposition, transformed it into a botnet that parrots its own talking-points.

Because of this, the private power companies that serve 70% of US households made an extra $50b last year, about $300 per household. What's more, because the excess profits available to companies that simply bamboozle their regulators are so massive, they swamp all the other tools regulators use to attempt to improve the energy system. No incentive offered for conservation or efficiency can touch the gigantic sums energy companies can make by ripping off ratepayers, so nearly all the incentive programs approved by PUCs have been dead on arrival.

What's more, utilities are allowed to fold the cost of hiring the experts who get them rate hikes onto the ratepayers. In other words, if a utility hires a $10,000,000 expert who successfully argues for a $1,000,000,000 rate-increase, they get to recoup the ten mil they spent securing the right to rip you off for a billion dollars on top of that cool bill.

We often talk about regulatory capture in the abstract, but this is as concrete as it can be. Ellis's report makes a raft of highly specific, technical regulatory changes that states or cities could impose on their PUCs. These are shovel-ready ideas: if you find yourself contemplating a sky-high power bill, maybe you could call your state rep and read them aloud.

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/2025/02/24/surfa/#mark-ellis

#pluralistic #surfa #organized money #david dayen #matthew stoller #matt stoller #the american prospect #whistleblowers #power #utilities #monopolies #antitrust #Society of Utility and Regulatory Financial Analysts #Mark Ellis #PUCs #podcasts

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everythingne · 26 days ago

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marketing ploy (ln4) - rewrite

McLaren and Red Bull make a deal—a plan to get them both some publicity (and some extra cash). Olivia Piastri (yes, Piastri), the head analyst of Red Bull, has to pretend to date her brother’s teammate.

Oh, and she can’t tell anyone—not even Oscar, it’s not a real relationship.

piastri!oc x lando norris (fc: yesly)

warnings/notes: sort of financial abuse, manipulation from higher authorities, christian horner is fucking insane in this now btw!! fake dating AND brothers best friend trope, rewriting this to hopefully spark some inspiration for new fics over the summer ?

02 March 2023 - Bahrain (Instagram)

liked by landonorris, oscarpiastri, redbullracing, and 689k more…

oliviapiastri: thx bahrain for rb 1-2

tagged: maxverstappen, oscarpiastri

mclaren: the siblings ever 🧡

user1: so are we gonna talk ab her calling lando NORI during her little interview with kym????

⤷ user2: NO FR??

maxverstappen: only got p1 thanks to you and the team

f1wagsnfamsupport: miss olivia out here with the short hair looking STUNNING

maepiastri: OSCAR IM SCREAMINNGGG

oscarpiastri: what is that photo of me?

⤷ olivepastries: this is what u get for eating my timtams on the plane

landonorris: thanks oli 🧡

redbullracing: the prettiest strategist on the planet

user3: UGH I LOVE WOMEN...

⤷ user4: wuhluhwuh please PLEASE

hattiepiastri: THE PRETTIEST. SO GORGEOUS. WOWOWOW

7 March 2023 - Jedddah (Practice)

“Piastri incoming!” is the call that alerts the group of the presence appearing around the corner. Tall white heels clicking, Olivia--affectionately nicknamed Olive, Piastri steps into the doorway of the main meeting room in Red Bull's motorhome. Her little orange sundress swishing with every step she takes as she pauses to shake Christian's hand--tugging up the sleeve of her white sweater to do so, gold bracelets twinkling and clinking on her wirst, perfectly manicured navy nails securing around Christian's hand.

A small piece of hair tugs on her earring, and Olivia takes pause to slip it out of its confinement, before moving out of the way so Christian can close the door. Two dirty martinis and a shot of tequila down during family dinner, Olivia whisks her way into the room with a breath of floral perfume and a hint of rubber still clinging to her skin from the heat of the night practices in Jeddah. Even post dinner with the WAGs and some of the other women who worked in the sport, like Laura, Susie, and Hannah.

"Thank you again, Miss Piastri, for coming on such a short notice." Christian says as Olivia turns to take in the room in front of her. Three men sit in different stages of formal dress. One off to the side with Alice--Red Bulls CCO, a woman sitting next to Mark Webber in the corner--which is intriguing to Olivia, because they both had just been at dinner. And then when Olivia turns her head further, Zak Brown and Andrea Stella are against the far wall.

She blinks, pauses, and lifts a hand, "Sorry, what is this?"

And in the most casual clothing is Lando, leaned back in his chair like he owns the garage. Which makes Olivia's jaw tick just a bit. Who did he think he was? There wasn't any level of animosity between the two of them, but Olivia finds the whole situation to be quite interesting. Lando was polite, bright and smiley, had managed to get Oscar a little bit out of his shell. Not that Olivia would complain about that, it was nice to see Oscar with a genuine smile, but its Mark in the corner that makes her head tilt.

Mark has a tense line in his jaw Olivia knew meant he didn't necessarily care for what was about to go down. It only grew when Christian clapped Olivia's shoulder and she sent him a glare that had his hand popping off in a second.

"We were waiting for you to get started." Christian ends up motioning for the chair next to Lando that, conveniently, had been left open. Olivia moves forward and pops down next to Lando, offering him a small polite smile he manages to return.

Ah yes, civility. Olivia can work with the bare minimum, it's the usual amount of respect she gets here.

"My Mom had to get a picture of Oscar and I in the paddock here, thats what took so long." Olivia says, setting her little purse in her lap and folding her hands on top of it, "Sorry if I was a bit late."

"Right on time, actually," Christian nods, "As punctual as usual."

"Lets get right to business, we need Lando to be in top shape for tomorrows race. Can't keep him out too late." Zak easily jokes, bringing the attention of the room to him. Christian accompanies with his own laugh softly, taking a seat at his desk and flicking open his laptop. There's an obvious line of tension between the two, it was well known Christian and Zak didn't get along, and so Olivia sends a glance to Mark.

He won't meet her eyes.

So she clears her throat, and kicks Lando's chair with a small smirk, voice coming out monotonous as usual, "Ah, it's all too much for little Lando Norris, right?"

"Little Lando Norris?" He jokingly pouts and Olivia grins, kicking his chair again with a shrug, making him start laughing as he leans back and swats at her foot. His nails scratch along Olivia's ankle and her shiver is visible as she ends up pulling my ankle to the side of my leg.

"Well, this might work better than expected." Andrea comments with a soft grin on his lips, "they already get along well, and have some sort of chemistry."

"Huh?" "What?"

Lando and Olivia both turn to look at Andrea, then both turn their attention to Zak and then Christian in order. The three men laugh along to Andrea, nodding in agreement as the two women jot down some notes, the third woman by Lando huffing with a soft smile on her lips. I point to Mark Webber, my brothers manager and speak softly.

"Wait, so why are we here?" Olivia finally asks and Christian looks to Zak, holding a hand out for the man to explain. He does, standing as he motions around the room, introducing everyone to each other, thankfully.

There's Olivia and Lando settled in two leather chairs, Christian sat his desk with Zak and Andrea standing besides him. Alice, Red Bull's Chief Communications Officer sits next to Steve Atkins, who is McLarens Chief Communications Officer. Then, on the other side of the desk is a woman named Astrid Marina, who is Lando's manager, and then Oscar's manager Mark Webber, who is here to represent Olivia.

"And, we are all here for the two of you." Zak nods, and Lando sends Olivia a sharp look that says nothing but 'what the hell did you do?' which she counters with her best 'I didn't do shit, what did you do?' look.

"You see, tensions between Red Bull and McLaren's racing teams are at an all time high due to how close Lando has been racing with Max." Zak continues after a moment, "and the fans have been eating up the rivalry. It's truly been one of the most intense spikes in merch sales and social media trends we've seen in years on both sides. And, Miss Piastri, that is where you come into the picture."

"Okay? What does this have to do with me, if you don't mind my asking?" Olivia leans forward slightly, eyes glancing up at Zak, then to Andrea, then Christian, then back to Zak's smug smile.

"We need to keep the rivalry alive between us and Red Bull, yeah? And, over the past few weeks when you've been on radio with Max, the fans have noticed the two of you seem to be quite close. And considering you are Oscar's sister..." Zak waves a hand as he comes to take one of Olivia's, squeezing it as he leans down to be my eye level, "we have quite an opportunity."

"I'm not following." Olivia glances to Lando, who sends her a helpless shrug of confusion.

"Well, Miss Piastri." Christian taps his desk and Zak moves to sit down again. Both Alice and Steven whisper to each other as the Astrid and Ada nod to Christian, and he speaks words that should never have been strung together.

"To keep up with publicity, we would like for you and Lando to pretend to date. Just for a season or two."

Olivia sends a look to Mark, who just keeps his eyes firm on her. There's a sort of silent patience in his eyes she ifnds astounding. Has Mark agreed to this? Olivia finds she can't even bring words to her mouth, the room closing in and feeling crowded as everyone turns to watch Lando and Olivia react.

Luckily, Lando moves first, stadning with a shocked expression, "I'm sorry? What are you on about?"

"Olivia, you will start to spend more time with McLaren." Alice starts to explain, and everyone looks to her, "post more McLaren, wear more McLaren, start to cause a stir. Once we see that stir, we will take photos of you wearing Lando's number and post those. This should start a dating rumor through Australia to Miami."

Olivia's gaze hardens. She's being treated like a Sim.

"Once the rumor really starts, you will both do a 'soft launch' of the other--basically, faceless photos. You'll be caught by paparazzi on a date, you'll be seen together in the paddocks, and such. We'll bring this rumor up and up until about midway through the season when, during a pole position celebration, Lando will go to you for a celebratory kiss--which will cement your relationship." Alice continues, and then Steven takes over,

"We'll run the relationship probably through next season, maybe a little longer, and then you'll both have a peaceful split off and remain friends. No harm done."

Finally, I stand as well, gripping my purse as I swing it back around my shoulder, "You're reading me a film script, not the next twenty months of my life! I'm an analyst, not some--actress you can throw around for publicity points!"

"Olivia, please." Christian stands, holding a hand out like you would to a scared dog, "it's something temporary, and it's no strings attached! There's a pretty big... financial bonus as well."

The room shifts, Lando glancing back to Olivia with a look that reads 'what the hell?' but she can't even find a place in her mind to register that.

"You both will get between ten to twenty-five percent of all revenue made off this stunt. Merch sales, meet and greets... depending on how well you sell this... that could triple or even times both of your salaries by ten." Alice crosses her arms, "and, the deal will be kept to people in this office. Only we will know why this is being done. To everyone else, even Oscar and Max, this relationship is genuine. NDA assured."

There's a long pause, and part of Olivia feels trapped. The amount of money I could make for putting up with a guy I already put up with his obviously extremely appealing. She already makes a good chunk of change but with the extra...

Hell, Olivia could pay off all my student loans at once with that absolute chunk of change.

But what did this say for women in motorsport? I had been so careful with my image until this point. I got my job before Oscar joined McLaren, I worked tirelessly night and day with GP and Hannah, took classes on top of work on top of engineering on the side on top of life for this job.

Would I throw it all away for some ploy?

"Fuck it." Lando says under his breath, so low only Olivia hears the slight scratch of his voice as he sighs and then looks up at Christian, "We're already putting up with each other, what's the harm of some extra cash?"

"Norris?!" I shout as my disbelief hits an all time high. Lando's right hand takes a pen from Christian's left one as he turns back to me, running a hand through his frizzy curls.

"We fake date for a year, and then we go off and do whatever we want after with a large paycheck for something no one knows is fake. How is this a bad deal, Olivia? I already spend almost every weekend with you and Oscar anyway, it'll hardly be different." He says, and a paper is pushed his way, he looks back at me once more in that loose, half buttoned white tee and black dress shorts. His necklaces dangle off his neck as he scribbles down his name without any hesitance, clicking the pen shut and holding it out to me.

"Plus, if we're pretending to be a real couple, you'll be losing out on nothing because I will be buying you pretty much everything for the next twelve months."

Fuck. That's a good point. She could kinda manipulate this to benefit her if all goes to shit. The black pen taunts Olivia, and the way Lando grins and wiggles it in the air towards her hesitantly lifting hand is no different.

Yeah, so much for being shy, Lando.

"I have an image to maintain." Olivia squeaks out as she lowers her hand, and Christian stands then, slowly making his way across the room like he's planning some sort of attack.

"But, you would have more money than you ever need, and a big boost in permanent salary if you do this." Christian smiles dangerously, "plus, if you want to leave after we start this... talk with me, and I'll sort it out. It's really no strings attached."

Olivia looks to Mark for guidance. It's not an ideal situation in any way, but at least she'd have a way out, right? Mark blinks, watching her, and then he raises a hand, "Can I speak with her in the hall for a moment?"

"Lando already signed," Alice stands, clicking her pen shut, "McLaren is free to leave."

McLaren does just that, silently shuffling out. There's a moment of still, of pure silence as Mark collects his words. Christian leans back in his chair, eyebrows raising, before Mark sighs and finally moves off the wall to point at Christian, "I don't respect you."

Olivia can't help the laugh that barks out of her before she immediately slams her hand over her lips.

"I know that." Christian replies, "But its simply business, Mark. A year or so of this bullshit, she gets double the pay shes already got, then shes done."

Mark's reply is quick and flat, "Olivia doesn't just hold her own reputation, she holds the reputation for all women in motorsports. She's a professional, an analyst, and to quote her 'not some actress you can throw around for publicity points.'"

"Her dating a driver wont discredit her value to Red Bull, I assure you." Christian leans forward to rest his elbows on the desk and Olivia scoffs without even thinking about what shes about to say--

"Clearly you haven't read any article about women in motorsports or opened any of our Instagram comments, or listen to the broadcasters, in the past ten years, Horner."

"If I may interject." Alice raises a hand, looking between the two men. Mark huffs, taking a step back towards Olivia, his hand resting on the back of her chair, as Christian lightly lifts his head in suggestion.

"At any point, we can run back what was said, call it all conjecture, rumors, lies and say the two are friends." Alice shrugs, "Olivia and Max had dating rumors what, six months ago over a hug? These rumors come and go in F1, and we are a PR team, we are running the narrative, we can make things work the way we need them to if they get too bad."

"I still don't think it's a good idea." Mark sighs, "if these rumors run too long, they could destroy her future in her career."

Olivia sits there, ankles crossed. Mark has made nothing but good points. But it's Christian's next line that makes her heart sink,

"It would be a shame to replace such a star analyst."

and though the sentence could be morphed to mean it would be a shame to replace her if things get worse, theres a tinge of greed in Christian's eyes. She knows he means it would be a shame to find someone now to replace her, assuming Red Bull just moved her to another series rather than axing her fully.

Mark's hand on the back of the chair taps twice, some sort of signal for Oscar that flies over Olivia's head, and he moves to exit the room. It takes a beat, but Olivia begins to follow.

"Consider this deal closed. She's not doing it." Mark calls, Olivia stopping next to him to keep from colliding into his shoulder as he pauses in the doorway while he speaks. Mark continues down the hall, but Olivia hesitates. Alice folds her files neatly, and Christian speaks softly.

"If you like this job, Piastri..." He makes a vague signing motion and Olivia swallows, before slamming the door shut and chasing after Mark.

8 March 2023 - Jeddah (Qualifying)

Olivia sits restless at her desk, leg bouncing as she stares over the files and numbers and data that soar by. Eyes bore into her skin, and she turns her head to see Christian staring her down. It's been a constant since she left the meeting, and though she told Mark it was nothing to worry about and that she wasn't planning on signing anything...

God, the silent pressure all weekend was practically torture.

After quali, Max wants to go over data, so Olivia sits with Hannah and GP running numbers and showing simulations for a good few hours. The race strategy had worked relatively well, but Max always had room for improvement. It was why he and Olivia were so close and worked so well together, they always wanted to do more, be more. The plan for the quali-to-win is the same is usually is for Jeddah, save for the adjustments of a faster McLaren and a biting Mercedes.

They work well into the after hours, but there's a race tomorrow, and they know at some point this conversation must be pushed for the next day. So, Hannah leaves first, then Max, and finally GP--after finishing some final notes, before bidding Olivia farewell.

She stands quietly in the board room then, packing up her purse and disconnecting form the projector they'd been using. The large black purse--a Coach tote that she could fit her whole life into, had served her better than any backpack ever had. And as Olivia is shooting a text to Max in reply to a question about tire deg, there's a shadow looming in the corner of her eyes.

And much like the monster he's become, Christian breaks into a like sharp toothed grin.

"Miss Piastri." He says simply and Olivia pauses, hand tight on her phone. Slowly turning over her shoulder, she sees Christian in the doorway.

"I already told you Christian, I'm not doing that stupid PR stunt." Olivia tightens her grasp on her phone, feeling her pulse run against the rough plastic edges of the case.

Chrsitian sighs, "While I can't fire you, I will say, we have a lot of offers for new analysts. With two, your pay would cut in half, you do realize that, right? This opportunity is a way for us to grow the team's publicity in harmless way! Just a little fake date, that we completely control, no harm done."

"You realize I could report you to HR for this entire conversation, right?" Olivia whispers, but she knows before he laughs that it doesn't matter.

"And how well has that gone for those before you, Piastri?" Christian steps forward, placing a clipboard in front of Olivia. She stares down at it, gnawing her already bitten and chapped lips. And with a nrvous smile, she picks up the pen, hesitating before she asks,

"I can always back out, right?"

"Always." Christian's grin looks downright sadistic. But Olivia bites the bullet, and signs the damn paper. More so for the feeling of Christian off her back than the actual fake dating scenario. And when her asshole team principle leaves the room with a happy grin and an evil glint in his eyes, Olivia slumps back down into one of the chairs, running her hands through her hair and contemplating screaming, or sobbing, or throwing something.

But after a moment, she picks up her bag, plasters on a content look, and forces her way out of garage without as much as a glare in the direction of Christian's office.

9 March 2023 - Jeddah (Race Day)

The Saudi Arabian sun burns across the track, making wiggly lines shimmer on the streets and through the paddocks. Two hours to sunset, four hours to the race. Olivia can taste the heat in the air, her second water bottle already empty. It's miserable. Even more so as she ducks out of a meeting her and Lando had been subjected to in order to 'ensure they seemed legit.'

Olivia just wants to back out already, but if they haven't started earning money, she imagines Christian might axe her.

The thinner uniform shirts for Saudi don't do much to regulate the heat stifling the McLaren garage as they pass through, trying to get back to the motorhomes, but an attentive Oscar cuts them off with a joking smile on his lips but a serious inquiry in his eyes.

"Ready to die in the heat?" He asks, a perfect fist bump shared between the two teammates. Olivia smiles softly, looking around the garage, noticing the camera trained in their direction, the eyes on them. Olivia never left the screen at Red Bull, so seeing her here is an oddity. What's even weirder is when Lando turns after a joke with Oscar, and gives Olivia a proper hug. A full, two arm, squish into the chest and hold type hug.

The buzz begins with Oscar's confused grimace.

To kill the moment, Lando shakes the sweat of his water bottle in Oscar's direction, making him scoff and wipe the icy water off his face. Lando grins, turning and looking at Olivia like she's hung the moon and stars for him. She can't help but be shocked at how easily he can fall into faking utter and complete love. He's a natural.

Someone calls Lando over from the other side of the paddock and as he excuses himself, he places a hand on Olivia's lower back as he moves behind her, and it lingers like the burns of stares and camera lenses. His fingers glide along the fabric of her shirt, nails scratching at the skin underneath enough to make Olivia look over her shoulder at him as he smiles at me one last time before fully stepping away..

"When do you have to be with Red Bull?" Oscar asks, drawing Olivia's attention back to him, "to see your second, more important brother."

"You're so dramatic about Max." Olivia laughs, punching her brothers arm, "and not for another like… ten or so minutes, Hannah's leading the start today."

"Ah. Surprised to see you here, is all." Oscar takes a water from a worker who hands the two siblings ice cold plastic bottles. The two both take a large gulp, relishing in the fact its actually cold, before Oscar is called off like Lando had been. As Oscar turns away, Lando pulls Olivia back to a far corner and lets her rest against it as he hovers in front of her. Shielding me from view as he runs his hands through his curls.

"So, how exactly are we handling media?" He says, "like the paparazzi, the reporters, and stuff?"

"I guess we should just act the same? Maybe a bit friendlier, just... I guess deny all romantic things for now." Olivia hums, looking over at a few media personnel who hover around the car, the team, and Oscar. The paddocks are slowly buzzing to life as everyone's arriving for the day.

"Then, you have to act like you like me a little bit, Ollie." Lando leans in a bit, breath fanning across Olivia's cheek in a tease that she isn't afraid to counter by turning her head so their noses brush. Lando sucks in a breath, his hands hovering, begging to touch to hold, but she just smiles softly.

"Gotta go, Nori." she whispers back, grinning as Lando's eyes flicker from her lips to her eyes twice before he steps back. As Olivia steps out, she calls softly,

"Tell Oscar I said not to fuck this up!"

Luckily no one had passed out during the race.

Olivia's standing at the edge of the paddock, grinning as Max shakes champagne from his hair. He's flushed, still a bit heat-exhausted, but seemingly doing well enough. The rest of Red Bull is packing up, organizers already tearing parts of the track away to free to road within a few hours of the races completion. Checo laughs at something Max says, passing by with a slap to his teammates shoulder as the second place winner goes off to leave for the night.

"We did pretty damn good," Max leans against the wall, taking a water from Olivia's outstretched hand as GP exits the paddock with a wave over his shoulder at someone.

"And we'll keep the momentum up." Olivia chimes, before a flicker of approaching papaya catches her eyes. She blinks up and grins at Oscar's approach to the exterior of the Red Bull paddocks, two steps forward and she tugs him into a loose hug.

"Nice P4." She congratulates, Oscar stepping back with a smile.

"I almost tasted that podium," Oscar smiles, then straightens a bit when he sees the Red Bull staff hovering. Every one of us in shorts and tees, and Oscar in a hoodie like no one communicated to him that it was hot.

"Hey, Max." Oscar says, wiping sweat from his face with the sleeve of his hoodie. Whistling to get her brothers attention, Olivia tosses him a plain white towel, a cold one that Red Bull had frozen for the hear. She swears Oscar almost melts with appreciation when he sees it and then promptly wipes his entire face down and rests the towel around his neck.

"Good to see you, Oscar." Max nods, leaning on the shaded wall next to Olivia. Flushed cheeks and tired eyes making GP nudge the water bottle towards him with a little less sly nature than usual, a look from Olivia telling Max to just suck it up and take a sip.

"Good to see you Max, great win today," Oscar smiles, but quickly continues, "Livie, weren't answering your phone, and I needed to give you your stuff, so I came over to tell you I've gotta stay late, meeting with Mark."

"I'll catch a ride back, no worries." Olivia pats his shoulder and he Oscar nods, lifting his phone to his face and groaning.

"Gotta go, again, see you for dinner tomorrow when you land?" Oscar starts backing up and Olivia nods. The tradition of post-race dinner never a lost art on the Piastri siblings.

"As always! Seven pm, sharp!" Olivia calls to her brothers retreating form and he nods before turning and just taking off in a run to vanish into the McLaren paddock.

"Need a ride back?" Max asks after a beat, GP tugging his backpack up over his shoulders. Olivia goes to say yes, but a whistle takes her attention sideways to Lando approaching.

"Nope. See you guys tomorrow!" Olivia can't help but cheekily grin, slipping off the wall to approach Lando who twirls his car keys absentmindedly. He smiles at her approach, adjusting his bag as he stops so Olivia can meet him midway.

"Nice to see you, Ollie... you need a ride home, right?" He grins, placing a hand on my lower back once more and Olivia doesn't hesitate to lean up to tuck a stray hair back against the others. The same curl that always pokes out of it's spot.

"I do, Oscar's late with Mark tonight." Olivia says, peeking behind her to see Max--and a newly appeared Charles, Daniel, and off to side, Logan and Alex and George, watching the two interact.

"Perfect." Lando's eyes lift to look at the group, and seconds later he's escorting Olivia with flair, his hand naturally slotting to rest a little lower than the small of her back. his steps falling in time with hers as he guides her out of the paddocks with a cheeky, "Starting strong, aren't we?"

Olivia can't help but laugh, hiding her mouth with her hand as they slip into the car park. There's a few lingering reporters here, but no large crowd for once other than some teams that linger their eyes on the closeness of Lando and his teammates sister.

"Strong starts typically lead to strong races." Olivia says as he opens the passenger door to his car for her. The sleek black McLaren a beauty, and Olivia can't hepl the happy sigh as she sinks into the passengers seat. Lando makes sure shes all tucked in, even scooting her purse a bit deeper, before shutting the door as he makes his way around the front of the car and clambering into the drivers seat.

He smirks, "At least they can't say we aren't holding up our end of the contract."

And Olivia laughs, because its true, they are doing everything in their power to make sure this contract works. And it starts making Olivia think, how quickly can she get the hell out of this? She wasn't an actress, thats for sure, but she also didn't want to piss off Oscar.

It was a unique predicament to be in. One she didn't really want. But at least conversation with Lando flows easily as they drive back to the hotel.

general tag list! (open!)

@d3kstar @justalittlejess @tvdtw4ever @llando4norris @daemyratwst @piastri-fvx @sltwins @armystay89 @leclercdream

marketing ploy list! (open! this is an old list, so feel free to message me if you'd like to be removed or added!)

@harrysdimple05 @charli123456789 @fangirl125reader @dark-night-sky-99 @starmanv @ophcelia @buendiabebeta @seacactusplant @chaoticmessneutralplease @vellicora @littleagxs @sbella13 @nessacarty1 @rd14 @theimpoliteone @woozarts @luckyntrashy

#f1 fanfic #f1 x reader #formula one fanfiction #formula one fic #lando norris fanfic #ln4 fic #ln4 fanfic #lando norris fic

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literaryvein-reblogs · 7 months ago

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concepts related to different professions

Businessperson

abettor, adjutant, adviser/advisor, aid/aide, announcer, apprentice, archaeologist, assistant, auditor, authority, baker, barber, broker, businessperson, buyer, caretaker, cartoonist, chair, chef, client, colleague, conservator, consumer, correspondent, court, creator, curator, customer, dabbler, desk jockey, developer, drudge, employee, envoy, espionage, explorer, fellow, flier, flyer, fortuneteller, freshman, go-between, gourmet, guard, guru, hacker, hand, hawker, helper, hooker, inferior, informant or informer, inspector, interviewer, investigator, janitor, labor, liaison, messenger, moderator, monitor, navigator, newsman/woman, page, patron, picket, pioneer, poet, practitioner, prodigal, protégé, referee, representative, reviewer, rival, sailor, scout, seaman/woman, seller, shopper, speaker, spokesperson, spy, subordinate, tailor, traveler, virtuoso, wayfarer, writer

Educator

academic, adviser/advisor, alumnus/alumna, coach, conductor, disciplinarian, faculty, freshman, graduate, intellectual, learner, martinet, mastermind, monitor, practitioner, professor, rookie, savant, school, swami, trainer

Entertainer

acrobat, actress, aficionado, ballet dancer, character, comic, creator, director, fan, groupie, hero/heroine, humorist, inventor, luminary, magician, name, participant, personage/personality, player, protagonist, star, troubadour, virtuoso, zany

Financier

accountant, bean counter, broker, investor, spendthrift

Government officer

administrator, ambassador, authoritarian, autocracy, bureaucrat, consul, delegate, despot, diplomat, emir, empress, establishment, exile, fascist, figurehead, front runner, informant/informer, intermediary, leader, liaison, magistrate, master, mogul, mouthpiece, officer, oppressor, pacifist, patrol, personage/personality, police/police officer, prime minister, representative, snitch, spokesperson, tyrant, weasel

Legal practitioner

attorney, beneficiary, counsel, heir, judge, lawyer, officer, proponent, witness

Media person

commentator, journalist, newsman/woman, reporter, writer

Medical practitioner

analyst, druggist, nurse, patient, physician, researcher, therapist

Military person

combatant, conqueror, fighter, gladiator, lookout, militant, patrol, recruit, scout, seaman/woman, truant, warmonger, warrior

Politician

advocate, anarchist, apostle, arbitrator, conservative, dissident, extremist, firebrand, idealist, militant, mouthpiece, nonconformist, patron, picket, proponent, reactionary, sectarian

Religious person

acolyte, angel, atheist, chaplain, conformist, creator, deacon, doubter, dreamer, evangelism, father, genie, inventor, loner, minister, monk, pagan, pastor, priest, saint, skeptic, visionary, witch, wizard

NOTE

The above are concepts classified according to subject and usage. It not only helps writers and thinkers to organize their ideas but leads them from those very ideas to the words that can best express them.

It was, in part, created to turn an idea into a specific word. By linking together the main entries that share similar concepts, the index makes possible creative semantic connections between words in our language, stimulating thought and broadening vocabulary.

Source ⚜ Writing Basics & Refreshers ⚜ On Vocabulary

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kanemanuelkeludbp · 3 months ago

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Global Aid Crisis in 2025: The Truth Behind the US "Empty Check"

Introduction

On February 9, 2025, a news about the stagnation of US global aid projects shocked the international community. Although US Secretary of State Rubio made a high-profile promise to "continue to provide humanitarian assistance", the reality is that almost all aid projects have stalled. What is hidden behind this?

1. Behind the stagnation of aid: funding shortage or political game?

According to multiple sources, several projects of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were forced to suspend due to funding issues. However, some analysts pointed out that this is not a simple financial problem, but the result of domestic political games in the United States. As partisan struggles intensify after the 2024 election, foreign aid has become a political bargaining chip, resulting in the delay of aid funds.

2. The humanitarian crisis intensifies: Who pays for the innocent?

In many parts of Africa and the Middle East, medical and education projects that rely on US aid have been paralyzed. According to UN data, in January 2025 alone, more than 1 million people faced food shortages due to interruptions in aid. An African refugee said in an interview: "We have become victims of politics."

3. Response of the international community: condemnation and self-help

Faced with the "empty promises" of the United States, the European Union and some Asian countries have begun to increase their aid. However, international aid experts pointed out that the unipolarity of the global aid system needs to be solved urgently, otherwise similar crises will recur again and again.

4. Future Outlook: Where is the global aid system going?

This crisis has exposed the fragility of the global aid system. Experts call for the establishment of a more diversified aid mechanism to reduce dependence on a single country. At the same time, countries should strengthen cooperation to ensure that aid funds are used transparently and efficiently.

Conclusion

The stagnation of US aid is not only a humanitarian crisis, but also a warning to the global governance system. We can't help but ask: In the face of political games, where is human conscience and responsibility?

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thesilverdiary · 27 days ago

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Non Authorized Version

⤷ Summary: Anneliese learns that sometimes the hardest part isn't making sense of the data — it's making sense of herself. Far from the kind of assignment she'd like to cover, she faces an event that seems to speak in codes she still doesn't have access to. But every step out of place can carry more than just bring awkward moments. And maybe, just maybe, it’s the detours that reveal where the real journey begins.

⤷ Author’s note: When I wrote Toto in this chapter, I had these two references in mind. This photo of him at Interlagos is one of my favorites. If not, the favorite. The expressions, I mean—come on. And this other shot of him at some event back in the day? This one really helped bring the vibe I was going for.

⤷ Special warnings for this second chapter? Oh, hm, no. Again. No explicit content, but a quiet emotional tension simmers beneath the surface. Mild impostor syndrome, accidental identity swapping, and moments of quiet introspection in unfamiliar hallways. Also: financial conferences, cold coffee, and the art of pretending you belong. Back in the old days. Third person.

⤷ Chapters: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV.

Last but not least, if you want to, you can read this on Wattpad and AO3 as well.

⤷ Words: 3,597.

Chapter Two | We Started Before The Hello

📍 Vienna → Innsbruck, Austria. 2007.

While reviewing some bullet points from the article she was writing, Anneliese was getting ready to send it to Oliver, the editor-in-chief, who would give it one final review before publication.

From the corner of her ear, she caught fragments of a conversation in the hallway. The newspaper editor was speaking enthusiastically about an event that would soon shake up Austria’s investment market.

“The conference in Innsbruck is going to be decisive,” said a firm male voice.

Probably Oliver himself.

“Do you really think they’ll announce the opening to non-EU capital?” replied a woman, her tone softer but full of interest.

“I bet they will. The timing is perfect. The euro is stable, expansion to the East is ongoing... and Vienna is pitching itself as the new Zurich.”

“And the coverage?”

“I want the article ready by Thursday. Interview with an analyst, two deep background quotes, and a side box explaining the Slovenian banks. No guesswork.”

Austria was going through a period of economic effervescence. The global landscape was favorable, and internally, the country displayed enviable stability.

Vienna, more than ever, was establishing itself as a regional financial hub — a kind of safe harbor for capital coming from neighboring emerging economies.

At the time, Anneliese would have done anything for a chance to write. Any topic would do. It didn’t matter if it was something mystical and nearly forgotten �� like the legendary Rauhnächte, those wild nights that whisper between Christmas and the start of the new year —, pieces about the cold flowers that resist winter, or chronicles about the frozen ball season, with their light-filled halls and echoes of restrained footsteps.

The truth was, all she needed was a chance. An opening. A place where her writing could breathe. She wanted — and more than that, needed — to be seen.

Enjoying the topics? Not at all. But that phase of life demanded flexibility: accepting what came, even without passion, because saying “no” was a luxury she couldn’t afford. Opportunities were scarce. And while she was still finishing college, many her age were already in the workforce — graduated, experienced, occupying positions she could barely glimpse from where she stood.

Time, and everything it dragged along with it, taught Anneliese a valuable lesson: knowing how to distinguish between instinctive talent and what was simply necessary. She learned to recognize her own impulses — those that didn’t come from duty, but from genuine enthusiasm — like when she immersed herself in the technical details of a race, in the unique language of engineers and drivers, in decisions made at 300 km/h.

That’s when something in her would come alive. Everyday tasks, on the other hand, came stripped of emotion, but loaded with deadlines and demands.

She wanted to write with the precision and pulse of someone who understands what’s at stake, even in the seconds before a decisive move.

Even unwillingly, she decided to open up. Not because she had given up on the dream, but because she understood that maybe it required more paths than she had imagined. Maybe writing about the improbable today would teach her how to more truthfully narrate the races of tomorrow.

A chair scraped with a shrill squeak.

“Is the Economics team going to that conference?” Lukas asked, already taking a seat.

“I think so,” Anneliese replied, still looking at the screen. “I heard Oliver mention something about credentials... didn’t really pay attention.”

“Big deal, huh?”

She turned to face him, curious.

“I don’t know. I just hear all these names and acronyms and already feel kind of lost.”

She gave a brief, slightly tired smile.

“Tell me about it.”

Lukas took a sip of his coffee — already cold — and grimaced.

“Must be weird to follow all of this from the outside. Feels like a different world.”

Anneliese furrowed her brow but said nothing.

“Anyway,” he said, getting up. “Good luck with the article.”

“Thanks. I... think.”

She stayed there for a moment, motionless, the cursor blinking on the screen. She had lost the thread of the sentence. Suddenly, the paragraph felt... too shallow.

...

She still remembered her boss’s words as if they echoed inside her with more force than a mere piece of constructive criticism.

“You need to like people,” he had said, with that tone that blended patience and judgment. “To mingle with them.”

As if it were easy.

The problem wasn’t liking people — it never had been. She did like them. She always had. But being among them was another story. In any environment, no matter how welcoming, she felt like a temporary visitor, someone who was only there by mistake. As if there were an entire world spinning on social codes she had never learned to decipher.

It was like not being among her own.

She had always been drawn to understanding people. Writing them. Watching from a distance, with that quiet gaze of someone trying to piece together a human puzzle using only expressions and gestures. But even with all that curiosity, there was an emptiness she couldn’t name.

And it was in that void that Christine stepped in with what she called “the last-minute great idea.”

With seconds left on the clock.

Christine was her supervisor — and in many ways, the journalist she aspired to become. Her writing carried a lightness, almost invisible, and yet it held truths that hurt just the right amount.

She was meticulous. And clearly uninterested in the event they were now caught up in.

Still, she said, like someone laying out the strategy for a decisive game:

“It’s going to be good for both of us.”

She sounded convinced. As if she had found a miraculous escape route from what, for her, was just another chance to socially crash and burn.

Was it crazy? Yes.

But at that moment, it also felt like the chance Anneliese had been waiting for.

...

Despite it being a golden opportunity, Anneliese almost turned it down.

The event exuded a cold formality, overly technical, as if it pulsed on a frequency her body didn’t know how to tune into. There was a layer of language there — made of authority, of protocols, of silences — that she didn’t know whether to absorb or simply observe from the outside, like someone visiting a museum filled with artifacts from an era they’d never lived through.

She was in that strange stage of youth when you understand — at least in theory — that a good journalist should know a bit about everything... but you still wrinkle your nose, as if that “bit” were enough, as if admitting ignorance were a luxury pride couldn’t afford.

Youth, huh?

So full of fragile certainties, so quick to reject what it doesn’t yet understand.

In the end, someone had to go. And one of the first lessons in a career — or in life, perhaps — is this: in the beginning, you don’t get to choose. Others choose for you.

Had she been able to choose? Maybe she’d have gone for something more straightforward, more in tune with the language she already knew. But despite herself, that invitation turned out to be the best door that could have opened.

Because sometimes, what changes us comes precisely from what we try to avoid.

When she arrived at the event, Anneliese wasn’t expecting anything easy — but she did expect, at the very least, a minimum of control. A careful glance, a request for ID, a checkpoint that would say: “Yes, you’re authorized to be here.”

She fiddled with the ring on her index finger — an automatic gesture that always resurfaced when she felt out of place.

But surprisingly, no one asked for anything. No names checked against lists, no inquisitive stares. Just a vague nod, a silent pass.

Different times? Maybe.

As she searched for a row where she could observe, take notes, and — perhaps — understand something of what would unfold at the Summit on European Economic Futures, Anneliese weaved through suits, folders, and impatient glances. The room, lit by a white and restrained glow, gave off an almost clinical sobriety. Everything felt foreign — in the gestures, in the voices, in the very atmosphere.

That’s when she felt the elbow in her back. A direct, firm, dry impact.

She turned on reflex. Her clipboard slipped from her hands, and the papers scattered across the polished floor with a noise that, to her ears, sounded amplified. A paper alarm, announcing her inadequacy.

“Sorry,” said the man who’d bumped into her, without pausing his phone call. The bulky BlackBerry in his hand seemed like an extension of his authority — tiny keys, rapid commands, bored voice. It was an automated apology, socially required.

“It’s fine,” she replied quickly, bending down. Her stomach clenched, as if every scattered sheet exposed not just her anxiety, but her fraud.

He gave her a brief glance, almost clinical.

“Journalist?”

She hesitated. The question seemed too simple.

“Intern with a newspaper,” she replied reflexively — and as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized the mistake. That’s not what the badge said.

A chill ran down her neck. She had spoken as Anneliese, not as Christine. For a second, the floor felt less slippery than the situation she’d just stepped into.

Her trembling fingers gathered the papers, but her mind was already working on damage control.

Had he noticed?

She was still straightening the clipboard when another figure approached. The gesture was polite, assured. The presence, precise.

“Christine?” the man asked, extending his hand naturally.

She blinked. The name still sounded borrowed, like a formal outfit that didn’t quite fit.

“Yes,” she said, hurrying to her feet, one paper still misaligned on the clipboard.

“I’m Peter Neumann, from the conference team. Nice to finally meet you. We exchanged quite a few emails, remember?”

She nodded, forcing a smile. Trying to regain control, to remember the right answers, the details she had memorized.

“Of course. Yes. It’s been a hectic few days.”

“I’m glad you made it. Today’s panel is expected to be one of the most talked about.”

In the background, the BlackBerry man ended his call with a brusque gesture. He cast another glance at Anneliese’s clipboard.

“Intern with a news...” he murmured, as if confirming something to himself, though none of it made sense.

She didn’t reply. Just nodded, trying to appear unbothered, as if nothing odd had been said. He walked away without a smile, as if he had erased her from the scene.

Peter followed him with his eyes and, with a slight tilt of his head, indicated the man now heading to the back of the stage. Anneliese followed the gesture, suppressing the urge to ask who he was — despite the familiarity of his face.

“Don’t worry about him. It’s the rush. He arrived late and still happens to be one of the first to speak.”

Anneliese let out a short laugh — more relief than amusement.

“Oh, shi... —” she caught herself, took a deep breath. “Great start.”

Peter gave a half-smile.

“Marchsixteen, fifteen, seventeen,” he murmured, almost theatrically, like someone trying to recall passwords or riddles. After a brief pause, he added: “If memory serves.”

He tried to make it a joke. And almost succeeded.

She smiled. Genuinely, this time. Enough to dissolve, for a moment, the weight of pretending to be someone she wasn’t.

Before she could say anything else, Peter had to excuse himself — someone from the organizing committee was calling him over near the side entrance. Anneliese nodded briefly, taking the opportunity to sit down and finally try to gather herself.

It was one of those moments when, if she could’ve opened a hole in the floor and vanished, she would’ve done it without a second thought.

She chose the third row, slightly off-center, and rested the clipboard on her lap. Her laptop had failed earlier that morning — a black screen and a strange noise she’d pretended not to hear. The pen moved quickly across the paper, but without conviction.

The notes came out crooked, incomplete, as if they were just as lost as she was. She tried to keep her composure. She was good at appearing steady. And at pretending she understood.

Deep down, she believed she could turn anything into a good story. Even if, at that moment, all she could think about was the last poorly written sentence and the tight deadline waiting for her back in Vienna.

The first panel began with an economist from Deutsche Bank discussing opportunities in the Balkan markets. A wave of privatizations, speculative capital flows, Slovenian banks opening aggressive credit lines for foreign investors. Many in the room were scribbling furiously. She copied down the most striking terms — hedge, spread, non-euro zone. She’d look them up later. As always.

The second panel was more technical, but also more tense: it covered Hungary’s fiscal opening and its impacts on the Austrian banking system. Someone mentioned the real estate bubble in the United States and the risk of contagion. The previously enthusiastic atmosphere grew more restrained. Anneliese wrote down only one sentence:

“Today’s stability may be tomorrow’s trap.”

It wasn’t the kind of content she liked to write. But it was the kind she knew she needed to understand.

Then came the third panel: “Calculated Risk: Data-Driven Decision Making.”

The title alone sparked curiosity, but it was the speaker who drew everyone’s attention the moment he walked on stage. Anneliese recognized him immediately — not from reports or financial editorials, but, ironically, from a celebrity magazine she’d once browsed through in a waiting room somewhere.

Toto Wolff. A name still mostly known to those who followed DTM or gossip columns. An amateur driver with surprising results, an early investor, recently established as a partner at HWA — a technical company linked to Mercedes. A man on the cusp of a turning point: from the track to the mechanisms behind motorsport.

He began by talking about failure. Not the companies he’d bet on, nor the strategies that didn’t pay off — but his personal failures.

He said he had tried to become a professional driver. Tried too late. He drove well, won important races, even flirted with records. But the years, the crashes, and the realities of the sport forced him to accept that raw talent might not be enough.

“Giving up wasn’t easy,” he said. “But when I realized I wouldn’t make it by speed, I tried another entry point: calculation.”

That’s how he entered the world of investing — first in tech, then in motorsport.

He spoke about the invisible thread connecting a race team and a startup: risk, pressure, razor-thin margins. He reflected on dealing with losses — not just financial, but directional. On making fast decisions and then living slowly with their consequences.

“I was never the most technical person in the room,” he admitted. “But I learned to endure more than others. And to see what wasn’t yet ready to be translated into numbers.”

...

When the panel ended, Anneliese slipped out through a side door — slipping out quietly, without saying goodbye — as if fleeing more from herself than from the event.

She grabbed a coffee from a neglected table, where the sugar had already run out. A minor detail, but irritating. Yes, it was a habit — and no, black coffee wouldn’t do, no matter how ideal it was meant to be: bitter, direct, without crutches.

She knew where to find shelter. Service hallways, support rooms, forgotten spaces that belonged to everyone and no one. She found one of those — an old press room, now reduced to stacked boxes, deflated plastic cups, and a silence that smelled of worn carpet and disuse.

She needed peace. Five minutes would do. Just her, the coffee, and the sound of nothing.

She stepped in. Closed the door carefully, as if trying not to wake any ghosts. Leaned against the wall, took off her shoes — and for the first time that day, breathed with her whole body.

That’s when he walked in.

“Shit,” he said, tripping over a fallen trash can.

She didn’t even turn.

“If you’re looking for coffee, you’re late,” she replied, with restrained disdain.

“I’m looking for silence,” he shot back, his tone too direct to be just for show.

She recognized the voice before registering the face. She turned slowly.

He was taller than she noticed in the first place. When she was anxious. But the kind that seemed to try and shrink himself, like being noticed was a side effect, not an intention. Handsome, yes, but in a way that didn’t seem aware of it. Or, if he was, he hid it well. Nothing about him tried to draw attention — and maybe that’s exactly why it did.

His features were gentle, almost distracted. There was something about the way he held his shoulders — a quiet tension, a polite hesitation. And his eyes... dark, far too observant. They didn’t challenge, but they didn’t shy away either. They watched with care. With a quiet kind of listening that made everything around feel clearer — or more exposed.

She didn’t know if she liked that kind of presence. But she knew she would remember it.

“Careful,” she said. “In here, even silence listens.”

He smiled, faintly. A half-smile. Like someone who understood — but chose not to answer.

“Mind if I sit?” he asked, pointing to the opposite corner.

“It’s not mine. I just invaded first,” she replied with a shrug.

He settled in, taking off his jacket with a slow, almost ritualistic gesture. Like shedding a social version of himself to step into something closer to the truth. The dim light made the room feel almost intimate — but still distant enough not to be a confession.

“What did you think of the panel?” he asked, casually.

“Choreographed,” she answered without hesitation. “Words that polished always hide something.”

He laughed. A short laugh, not mocking — but with something that sounded like recognition.

Before another silence could settle in, a woman appeared at the half-open door. Young, hurried, holding a blue folder and with a walkie-talkie clipped to her waist.

“Is this the press room?” the woman asked, glancing around.

Anneliese opened her eyes slowly, like someone returning from far away.

“It was. Now it’s just storage,” she replied simply.

The woman eyed her badge — crooked and barely stuck — with a frown that settled before deciding if it was suspicion or boredom.

“Christine Schnell Hoffmann?”

Before she could say anything, he stepped in with rehearsed ease:

“She’s with me.”

The woman turned her attention to him.

“And you are...?”

“Wolff. Torger Christian Wolff. Marchfifteen.”

The name had an effect. Not exactly respect — but something close to caution. As if a password had just been uttered.

“Apologies, Mr. Wolff. We’ve had issues with fake invitations. We’re revalidating press access.”

“She’s legit. Working on a piece about young investors in Central Europe. Asked me for a few quiet minutes,” he explained calmly.

The woman hesitated. Then nodded.

“Alright. Just avoid restricted rooms. Programming resumes in twenty minutes.”

As she walked off, Anneliese looked at him, somewhere between surprised and ironic.

“You didn’t have to,” she said.

“I did,” he replied. “You were about to be escorted out for not lying convincingly enough, Miss Newspaper Intern.”

She let out a short laugh, unguarded.

“That was a blatant bluff.”

“Of course it was. But big names scare people when said with confidence.”

“You’re good at improvising.”

“As you are,” he said, then asked: “What’s your name?”

She hesitated.

“Anneliese,” she finally said, in a tone that weighed the cost of revealing it.

He nodded. “Christine is just one of your faces?”

“Christine is a badge. The disguise... is me trying to fit into it.”

He didn’t reply. Just leaned his head against the wall, letting the silence speak for him.

“You don’t like events like this, do you?” he guessed.

She gave a half-smile, tired. “I like watching people who do. That count?”

“It does,” he said. “Might be the best kind of people.”

She observed him for a moment. Then asked:

“Are you writing about this?”

“Maybe,” she replied. “If I find a story.”

“And do you think I’m a story?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t decided if you’re a chapter... or a footnote.”

He laughed, this time for real. “Fair. And what if I’m the preface?”

“Prefaces usually end before they begin.”

“Or they set the stage for everything that follows.”

She glanced sideways at him, almost annoyed at how good the answer was.

“Do you always talk like that?”

“Only when someone’s paying attention.”

He laughed again. A light, honest laugh. And she, despite herself, liked the sound of it.

Silence returned, but now it felt less heavy. As if it had shifted weight.

She looked away, pretending to study the stack of boxes in the corner. But she knew he’d noticed her attempt to hide.

“You’re good at improvising,” he said again, still smiling.

“Only when I have no choice,” she replied, letting the fatigue show.

“Which is... most of the time?” he asked.

She gave a slight nod. “Exactly.”

Outside, hurried footsteps echoed. She looked toward the door, then back at him.

“Program’s about to resume,” she said, softly.

He nodded. “You heading back?”

“I am. Still have to look useful before the day ends.”

He stood, putting his jacket back on calmly.

“Nice meeting you, Anneliese.”

“I guess it was. It was weird. But good,” she replied, with a smile carrying both tiredness and curiosity.

He was about to leave when he glanced back over his shoulder.

“Chapter, for the record. But on an odd-numbered page.”

She smiled, saying nothing. Just filed away the phrase — and the tone — in her mind.

#toto wolff #toto wolff x reader #toto wolff x you #toto wolff x y/n #fanfic #fanfiction #formula1 #formula one imagine #you #x reader #formula 1 imagine #f1 imagine #f1 fic #f1 fanfic #totowolff #Toto Wolff #mysilverdiary

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itsbansheebitch · 1 year ago

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More thoughts

I get both sides, but I feel a little confused they couldn't find four people in their +25 employees

Data analyst (Are you seriously telling me you couldn't personally email or even just HIRE matpat's team who do data analytics as part of Theorist Media to help??? The man would be overjoyed to help???)

Editor (Put the first $6 towards a can of coffee grounds, dude)

PR Team (Even, like, a single person, please, for the love of god)

Business Major (Or literally anyone that has taken a home ec/budgeting/personal finance class)

First, the Dish Granted series was started when gold leaf burgers were novel, now it's seen as tone deaf (for obvious reasons) it should have shifted to something like interviews with people who make that kind of food or local businesses (like parmesan cheese shops in Parma, Italy) or the history of food (like talking about the history of modern Native American slavery on Californian wine vinyards). Not to mention the untapped potential of Food Fraud topics. Either shift it, or scrap it. Any data analyst or chronically online person could tell you that.

Second, why did you keep "anyone can afford $6 a month" in? Are the editors asleep at the wheel? Are they overworked? What is going on? You know damn well to not make generalizations about what people can afford. That's NEVER a good idea, especially when you KNOW (because YT gives you analytics) that most of your viewers are young (16/18-30/35 range, I'd guess) who probably, either 1, are still in school and either arent paid well/dont have jobs OR 2, arent paid well and tired of people's shit, like people who own businesses talking about "tough financial decisions." To them, Watcher isn't going to look different from the other people talking like that, because this was so sudden, with no input from fans, and in the video you hear shit like "anyone can afford [X]." To be frank, it wouldn't really matter what the amount is, because that generalization goes against the message they have stood by for years. THAT is a slap in the face.

Third, what are yall doing with the budgeting? Every artist has a right to make art that they are proud of. Every artist deserves to have their work seen if they so choose. Every artist deserves to make a living. HOWEVER, there are MANY options online when it comes to making money, especially on YT. You could get into marketing, data analysis, expanding your demographic, looking at what people are interested in right now VS what will stand the test of time (not gold leaf burgers), etc.

You have to either have these skills, develop these skills, or hire someone to do it for you. It's understandable that you would want a team behind the production, but I find +25 employees to be WAY too many people, especially in LA. Bailey Sarian has a Dark History section on her YT (and Spotify podcast) where she has hired historians to help make sure her episodes are as accurate as possible. You've caught heat before from Puppet History's missing & incorrect info, you should do the same. She has about three (3) "intermissions" per episode for ad breaks. I never see anyone complain. People WOULD listen to yall talk for that long (+1 hour videos), tbh, though that's not necessary.

Why are yall out here with Teslas, expensive food, new gear, scripts (where there weren't scripts before, PH is different, that makes sense), and "better than TV" level sets??? I need to put your accountant in this week's church prayer list what the actual hell??? Ya'll, this video is literally the meme:

Guys help me budget:

LA Rent: 2K per month

Videos: 100K per vid

+25 Employees: God only knows

New stuff for videos: Don't get me started

Like, are you serious?

You have a right to do whatever you want with your art. You have a right to charge whatever you'd like for that art. You have a right to make a living from your art and you have a right to ask your fans for money.

Your fans have a right to be angry when they've been supporting yall for, what, almost 10 years? They have a right to choose when and where to spend their money even when you've made an impact. They have a right to feel betrayed, especially when there are better options (like Nebula or consulting with Theorist Media).

Fans DO NOT have a right to be racist to any members of Watcher, now that they have made a decision they do not agree with.

I personally, think this is a really silly decision and could have been solved (haha solved) with a simple YT poll, but apparently we had to get... this. I respect their decision, I just don't think it was a smart one. I wish them the best, and I hope they find a better solution. Any further comment from me will depend on what steps they take next.

#watcher #shane madej #ryan bergara

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mariacallous · 4 months ago

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DOGE job cuts bring pain to Trump heartland

PARKERSBURG, West Virginia, March 7 (Reuters) - Jennifer Piggott proudly hung a red-and-blue Trump campaign flag outside her one-story home during the November election race. Now, after she was abruptly fired from her civil service job, her days of supporting the president are over.

Piggott is among more than 125 people dismissed in February from the Treasury Department's Bureau of Fiscal Service in Parkersburg, West Virginia, unsettling a community that voted overwhelmingly for Republican President Donald Trump.

"Nobody that I've talked to understood the devastation that having this administration in office would do to our lives," Piggott, 47, told Reuters in an interview, saying she would not have supported Trump if she knew then what she knows now.

"As much as I think that President Trump is doing wonderful things for the country in some regards, I don't understand this at all," she said.

Piggott worked at BFS for five years and had recently been promoted. That promotion made her a target as the Trump administration began firing thousands of probationary federal workers - a group that includes new hires but also existing workers moving from one internal position to another.

The renunciation of allegiance to Trump by Piggott, a church-going conservative and three-time Trump voter, comes as political analysts are parsing early signs of a possible backlash in Republican strongholds where the government-slashing efforts of the president and his cost-cutting czar Elon Musk are beginning to be felt.

A White House spokesman told Reuters that Trump had been given a popular mandate to overhaul the federal government to combat waste, fraud, and abuse. Trump edged out his opponent, Democratic former Vice President Kamala Harris, by 1.5 percentage points in the November contest.

"The personal financial situation of every American is top of mind for the president, which is why he's working to cut regulations, reshore jobs, lower taxes, and make government more efficient," Harrison Fields added.

The Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency did not respond to requests for comment.

Spokespeople for Riley Moore, who represents Parkersburg in the House of Representatives, and Senator Jim Justice did not respond to requests for comment. Senator Shelley Moore Capito told Reuters that while she understands the concerns some have about the DOGE cuts, she supports the Trump administration's efforts to "right-size" government.

Trump spoke at length about eliminating unnecessary programs during his address to Congress on Tuesday but made no mention of the mass government firings that have roiled the country. So far 100,000 workers have been fired or taken a buyout.

Reuters/Ipsos polling shows Americans' attitudes toward Trump are so far essentially unchanged since he began firing federal workers in February. As of March 4, his approval rating was holding steady at 44%.

West Virginia is also strong Trump country. He won the state in November with 70% of the vote, among his biggest victories.

Still, the economic impact of the mass dismissals across America may not be felt immediately.

A handful of Republican voters who lost their federal jobs joined Democrats for a rally of more than 100 people protesting the cuts near the two BFS office buildings in Parkersburg last week, cheering on a local union leader as he criticized Trump and Musk while standing next to a large "Fat Cat" balloon.

Support for Trump's shrinking of government can, however, be heard in places around Parkersburg - a middle-aged couple singing DOGE's praises over breakfast at a local diner; a hotel patron saying remote workers deserved to be fired; a young bartender lamenting federal workers' relatively high pay.

In interviews with three dozen workers, business owners and politicians in Parkersburg, which sits at the convergence of two rivers including the mighty Ohio, nearly all said Trump's focus on cutting government spending was a worthy goal. But most said they knew BFS employees to be hard-working and didn't see them as the right target if the aim was to eliminate waste.

Scot Heckert, a Republican who represents parts of Parkersburg in the West Virginia state legislature, said he was worried that layoffs at BFS, which employs about 2,200 workers in Parkersburg, would "devastate" the local economy because the workers earned higher-than-average salaries, and because of the looming prospect of another round of cuts.

He said his daughter-in-law was among those fired and that he was seeking more information on why so many jobs were eliminated in a seemingly indiscriminate manner before he would commit to backing Trump in the future.

"People voted for Donald Trump to make a change," he added. "It's an unfortunate thing in our community that is plagued with many things as it is."

BUSINESS IMPACT

To the residents of Parkersburg, West Virginia's fourth-largest city with 29,000 people and the seat of Wood County, the cuts driven by Musk's DOGE feel like the latest in a series of economic blows.

Parkersburg has lost a third of its population over the past five decades, mirroring a hollowing out of manufacturing across the state. The glass producer Corning sold its Parkersburg factory in the 1990s, and in 2005 a major shovel plant buffeted by Chinese competition closed.

BFS, which manages the federal government's accounting and payment systems, is a provider of stable, solid-paying jobs in Wood County, where the median household income is two-thirds the national average and 14% of the population lives below the poverty line.

The community is now bracing for another round of layoffs, with all government agencies ordered to make plans to cut career staff by March 13. That could mean hundreds more cut at BFS.

Business owners in Parkersburg said they were worried that more job losses would ripple through the economy in the form of depressed spending on everything from clothing to rent.

The owners of the Blennerhassett Hotel, a fixture of downtown Parkersburg for more than 130 years with its turreted brick facade, have already told staff that seasonal hiring will be kept to a minimum for the usually busy summer months.

"It's a major economic disaster for our community," said co-owner Wayne Waldeck, likening the potential scale of the expected job cuts to another factory leaving town.

Parkersburg Brewing, a local bar and eatery, is also worried about a hit to demand. Roughly one-sixth of the brewery's 65 members, who pay an annual fee for a larger pour and other perks, work at BFS, manager Samantha Gibbs said.

"They have the extra money to come spend at places like this and give back to the community, and now a percentage of that is lost," she said. "That's going to affect us tremendously."

West Virginia ranks third among the contiguous 48 states in the percentage of its total workforce — 3.7% — in federal jobs, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows. That's about double the national average. Only Virginia and Maryland, the two states closest to Washington, are higher at 4.6% and 5.9%.

John Deskins, an economics professor at West Virginia University, said he is worried about potential job losses at other large federal facilities in the state.

"We stand to suffer a disproportionate share when those jobs disappear, when that income disappears," he added.

VETERANS CAUGHT IN LAYOFFS

Roger Conley is a Trump supporter who left the Republican Party last year because he thought it was too liberal. In a Facebook post before BFS workers were cut, Conley said DOGE was acting like any successful business in boosting efficiency and wondered why anyone would question its moves to lower costs.

Then his son lost his job at BFS, according to union members.

In a February 20 Facebook post, Conley said while he still backed Trump, he questioned the need to fire so many people so quickly and whether Musk was the right person to lead the effort.

When reached by phone, Conley declined to comment. His son did not respond to requests to be interviewed for this story.

Meanwhile Piggott, who like other fired probationary employees received no severance, faces an uncertain future. She said she and her husband, a disabled military veteran, have been discussing ways to make ends meet including selling their home.

She teared up when talking about how many veterans, who make up about 30% of the federal workforce, had lost their jobs at BFS and other agencies.

One veteran caught up in the BFS layoffs was Chauncy James, who was promoted twice during his 18 months at BFS, the second time to building maintenance.

James, 42, said he too worries about making his mortgage payment and feeding his five children. At last week's rally he marched with a sign criticizing Musk and said he regretted voting for Trump.

"They are pretty much just coming here, chopping heads off, without really doing their homework," James said. "He got elected president and he's doing a lot of things that people never even imagined that he was going to do to us."

#these dumb motherfuckers

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beardedmrbean · 8 months ago

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As the 2024 presidential race enters its final stretch, former President Donald Trump appears to be gaining traction with at least some undecided voters. Two of those explained their reasoning on the latest episode of the Morning Meeting podcast.

Co-hosted by veteran political journalist Mark Halperin, former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, and political commentator Dan Turrentine, Monday's YouTube show explored why some voters who remain on the fence are now leaning toward Trump over Kamala Harris. Many of these voters cite concerns over economic instability and national security as key factors in their decision.

"Some of those undecided voters... have started to move toward Trump a little. That's why the number of undecideds is beginning to shrink," said Halperin, referencing recent poll numbers showing an improvement for Trump and explaining the shift among undecided voters.

The podcast featured insights from real voters, including Steve, a man from New Jersey, and Terry, a woman from Connecticut, with both finding themselves leaning back toward the former president as Election Day approaches. While neither expressed full support for Trump, they said they saw him as a more reliable option in uncertain times.

Steve, who voted for Trump in 2016 but did not support him in 2020, explained that his shift is driven by concerns over immigration and national security.

"It's a tough decision, but I'm leaning toward Trump," Steve said during the discussion. Although he still harbors reservations about Trump's behavior, Steve emphasized that issues like border security now take priority in his decision-making process.

Spicer, who served as Trump's first press secretary, emphasized the importance of personal persuasion in swaying undecided voters, downplaying the influence of high-profile celebrity endorsements that Harris has received over the past two months.

"The most impactful endorsement you can get is when a neighbor, a friend, a family member, or a coworker asks you to vote for someone," Spicer said.

Terry, another undecided voter from Connecticut, voiced dissatisfaction with the economy under the Biden administration. After casting a protest vote for Biden in 2020, she now feels "immediate remorse" for that decision. Her concerns focus on the financial struggles of lower-income Americans, particularly those who don't benefit from rising stock markets or retirement portfolios.

"Half of America—75 million people—do not have access to a 401(k) or a stock portfolio. We've got to help this segment... If we don't help the people without access to wealth, we're in trouble," she said.

The hosts also questioned Kamala Harris' campaign strategy as early voting continues. Halperin asked why Harris isn't doing more to engage voters in battleground states. "Why isn't she working harder? If you assume she's behind, why isn't she in three battleground states a day?" he wondered, suggesting that Harris' relatively limited schedule could be contributing to her struggles with undecided voters.

Dan Turrentine suggested that Harris' approach has been overly defensive, which may be hindering her momentum with key voter groups. "After the convention and the debate, she shifted into a defensive posture. She's been trying not to make mistakes and saying very little," the analyst said.

He also noted that Harris has focused on appealing to "soft" Republicans and specific voting blocs like Black men, rather than aggressively courting undecided voters regardless of their party affiliation or demographic.

Trump has seen encouraging signs over the last week following strong showings in several major national polls. Nate Silver, the polling guru who is closely modeling the race on his Substack, noted that, with 21 days remaining, the former president has reason to feel more optimistic about the race.

Silver's analysis indicated that Trump is gaining slight ground against Harris. His Silver Bulletin presidential model, which tracks polling data and electoral trends, showed a 0.3 percentage point shift in Trump's favor over the past week, signaling a more competitive race as the campaigns head into the final stretch.

The updated forecast reflects small but significant gains for Trump in key swing states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania—states pivotal to both Trump's 2016 victory and his 2020 defeat. Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, are barnstorming those states this week, with multiple stops scheduled in all three over the coming days.

#nunyas news

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meret118 · 5 months ago

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President Donald Trump shocked many critics over the weekend when he suggested what amounts to an ethnic cleansing operation of removing Palestinians completely out of their homes in Gaza.

. . .

He then points to comments that Kushner has made in the past about potential development projects in Gaza that could be accomplished if Palestinians are kicked off the land."In a February 15, 2024, interview at Harvard's Middle East Initiative, Kushner described Gaza's 'waterfront property' as 'very valuable,'" observes Legum. "Kushner said Israel should seek to 'move people out' and then 'clean it up.' Further, Kushner said that the United States should pursue 'diplomacy' with Egypt to convince them to accept more Palestinians. He also indicated Jordan should accept Palestinian refugees, noting that Jordan had accepted Syrian refugees."

This interview mirrors the exact same measures that Trump took over the weekend when he pushed for Egypt and Jordan to take more Palestinian refugees from Gaza.

Additionally, Trump has in the past echoed Kushner's comments about Gaza having prime waterfront property that's ripe for development.

This leads Legum to conclude that "if Palestinians are removed from Gaza and the land is absorbed by Israel, both Kushner and Trump could benefit financially from its redevelopment."

#Trump #Gaza

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skellydun · 1 year ago

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I'm a different anon from the 24 year old anon looking for resume stuff. I'm a 29 year old anon! And I love my resume! But finding a (new) job is hard.

In your experience, how long does it usually take from posting a job to actually filling the role? I've applied a few places and I'm wondering how long I should wait before giving up on hearing back from them.

Also, are applications preferred from 3rd party sites or direct from the company website? Or both?

hi 29 year old anon! so you might not like my answer but it honestly depends.

how complex is the position? an office clerk might be easier to fill than a chemical operator which is easier to fill than a senior financial analyst which is easier to fill than the VP of communications. those timelines to fill might be shorter / longer with more complex requirements meaning the recruiter has to take longer to view each resume / be pickier with who they present. the recruiter might have 7 openings or 27. every company operates differently, but in my opinion I'd give it 2 weeks (excluding weekends and if you apply at 9pm then count the next day as day one). they might reach out afterwards if they had interviews with their first round of selections and none of the hiring managers liked them. the thing a lot of people don't know is that you probably won't get dispositioned until the end of the process. you might laugh that it's 3 months later and you're getting an email. unfortunately not every recruiter takes the time to disposition every candidate once they're not selected. also from my experience from where you apply doesn't matter. my ats tells me, but it doesn't...make me like you more if you apply from our company site? just if you do a quick apply via LinkedIn or Indeed make sure your resume / page is updated and ready to be viewed. i will say that sometimes a company's site is a more reliable site to view jobs bc some job sites just farm for job postings and they might not be active anymore or a company could be using that weeks allowance to heavily promote certain jobs on indeed vs others so. again all my opinion! do with that what you will! which is probably nothing bc i really didn't answer much lol

#did i answer ur question anon? no. did i ramble? yes.

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darkmaga-returns · 6 months ago

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A world-renowned data expert has just issued a red alert after uncovering evidence that reveals excess deaths are continuing to skyrocket in children who received Covid mRNA “vaccines.”

Lioness of Judah Ministry

By Frank Bergman December 12, 2024

A world-renowned data expert has just issued a red alert after uncovering evidence that reveals excess deaths are continuing to skyrocket in children who received Covid mRNA “vaccines.”

According to an alarming warning from leading Wall Street data analyst Ed Dowd, excess child deaths are still accelerating and show no sign of slowing down.

Dowd is a former executive at the world’s largest investment firm BlackRock and is considered one of America’s leading data experts.

Through his expert analysis of insurance industry data, Dowd has become a prominent figure in investigations into the impact of the global Covid vaccination campaign.

Dowd is currently a founding partner with Phinance Technologies a global macro alternative investment firm.

The team at Phinance, which includes a handful of high-level scientists, data analysts, and financial experts, has been investigating surges in deaths and injuries following the Covid “vaccine” rollout.

During a new interview on “The Jimmy Dore Show,” Dowd produced shocking data showing that excess child deaths are still surging higher, long after the Covid mRNA “vaccines” were first released almost four years ago.

Dowd made the discovery while analyzing the official data from the UK government’s Office for National Statistics (ONS).

“The UK has a problem,” Down warns.

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jobyoda-philippines · 5 months ago

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Exploring Career and Job Opportunities in Davao City Philippines

Davao City, recognized as one of the Philippines' most progressive cities, continues to experience remarkable economic growth, creating a vibrant job market that attracts professionals from across the country. The city's diverse economy offers numerous employment opportunities, from entry-level positions to executive roles, making it an attractive destination for job seekers at all career stages.

The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector stands as one of the largest employers in Davao City, providing thousands of jobs across various specializations. Companies in this sector actively recruit customer service representatives, technical support specialists, and quality assurance analysts, offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages. The industry's continued expansion has created numerous opportunities for career advancement, with many organizations promoting from within and providing extensive training programs.

Part-time employment opportunities have also flourished in Davao City, catering to students, professionals seeking additional income, and individuals preferring flexible work arrangements. The retail sector, food service industry, and education field offer numerous part-time positions with varying schedules and responsibilities. These roles often provide valuable work experience and can serve as stepping stones to full-time careers.

The Information Technology sector in Davao has seen significant growth, with many companies seeking software developers, web designers, and IT support specialists. This growth has been fueled by the city's improving technological infrastructure and the increasing number of tech-focused businesses establishing operations in the region. Tech professionals can find opportunities in both established companies and startups, with many positions offering competitive compensation and the possibility of remote work arrangements.

Davao's hospitality and tourism industry continues to expand, creating jobs in hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and tour operations. The sector offers positions ranging from entry-level service roles to management positions, with many employers providing training and development opportunities. The industry's growth has also sparked demand for professionals in events management and tourism marketing.

The education sector presents numerous opportunities for both full-time and part-time employment. Educational institutions regularly seek teachers, tutors, and administrative staff. The rise of online learning has created additional opportunities for English language teachers and academic consultants who can work flexible hours from home or teaching centers.

Job hiring in Davao, the digital economy has opened new avenues for employment. E-commerce specialists, digital content creators, and social media managers are in high demand as businesses increasingly establish their online presence. These positions often offer the flexibility of remote work while providing competitive compensation packages.

Professional development resources are readily available in Davao City, with numerous institutions offering skills training programs and industry certifications. Job seekers can access career counseling services, resume writing assistance, and interview coaching through various employment support organizations. These resources prove invaluable in helping candidates prepare for and secure desired positions.

The financial services sector in Davao has also experienced substantial growth, creating opportunities for banking professionals, insurance specialists, and investment consultants. These positions typically offer attractive compensation packages, including performance bonuses and health benefits, making them highly sought after by experienced professionals.

Davao's agricultural sector continues to evolve, combining traditional farming with modern agribusiness practices. This has created opportunities for agricultural technologists, food processing specialists, and supply chain professionals. The sector offers both technical and management positions, with many companies providing specialized training and development programs.

For those entering Davao's job market, proper preparation is essential. Successful job seekers typically maintain updated resumes, prepare comprehensive portfolios, and stay informed about industry developments. Professional networking, both online and offline, plays a crucial role in discovering opportunities and advancing careers in the city.

The future of Davao's job market looks promising, with emerging industries creating new employment opportunities. The city's commitment to economic development, coupled with its strategic location and robust infrastructure, continues to attract businesses and investors, ensuring a steady stream of job opportunities for qualified candidates.

Whether seeking full-time employment or part-time job in Davao City offers a diverse range of opportunities across multiple industries. Success in this dynamic job market often comes to those who combine proper preparation with continuous skill development and effective networking. As the city continues to grow and evolve, its job market remains a beacon of opportunity for professionals seeking to build meaningful careers in Mindanao's premier business hub.

#Davao City #recognized as one of the Philippines' most progressive cities #continues to experience remarkable economic growth #creating a vibrant job market that attracts professionals from across the country. The city's diverse economy offers numerous employment op #from entry-level positions to executive roles #making it an attractive destination for job seekers at all career stages.#The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector stands as one of the largest employers in Davao City #providing thousands of jobs across various specializations. Companies in this sector actively recruit customer service representatives #technical support specialists #and quality assurance analysts #offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages. The industry's continued expansion has created numerous opportunities fo #with many organizations promoting from within and providing extensive training programs.#Part-time employment opportunities have also flourished in Davao City #catering to students #professionals seeking additional income #and individuals preferring flexible work arrangements. The retail sector #food service industry #and education field offer numerous part-time positions with varying schedules and responsibilities. These roles often provide valuable work #The Information Technology sector in Davao has seen significant growth #with many companies seeking software developers #web designers #and IT support specialists. This growth has been fueled by the city's improving technological infrastructure and the increasing number of t #with many positions offering competitive compensation and the possibility of remote work arrangements.#Davao's hospitality and tourism industry continues to expand #creating jobs in hotels #restaurants #travel agencies #and tour operations. The sector offers positions ranging from entry-level service roles to management positions #with many employers providing training and development opportunities. The industry's growth has also sparked demand for professionals in ev #The education sector presents numerous opportunities for both full-time and part-time employment. Educational institutions regularly seek t

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