#Funeral Home Software

[cippicat]

AC characters Modern AU

What kind of jobs would do the assassin's creed characters in the modern days?

Desmond would continue his bartendering.

Layla Hassan would be an architect. She wants to be like Indiana Jones.

Altair would be an historic. He would wrote books about historical facts that people doesn't know.

Malik woulb be a cartographer. He would fly around the world to create accurate maps for his app (let's be real Google Maps sucks).

Maria would be a self defense teacher. She would teach women how to defend themselves.

Ezio, and his brother Federico would work in the family company. Ezio would take care of the franchise around Italy, China and Turkey. His associates (his protèges) abroad are Yusuf Tazim and Shao Jun.

Petruccio would be a vet specialised in birds care.

Claudia would open a fashion agency.

Both Giovanni and Maria Auditore would be retired in Montereggioni (with Uncle Mario).

Edward Kenway would be retired, but when he was young he owned a bar, The Jackdaw, in the heart of London with his best friend Edward Tatch. With his wife, Tessa Kenway (a stay at home mum), they would work as volunteers at the dog rescue center. Edward's ex wife Caroline Scott would live abroad, and work in human resources.

Jennifer Scott would work with Claudia Auditore in the fashion agency. She would open a franchise of Claudia's company in London, and another franchise in New York (much to her brother annoyance).

Haytham Kenway would be an economics teacher at the New York University. His wife Ziio would be a lawyer for the Native American rights. Their son Connor Kenway would be a forest ranger. His parents are starting to ask him for grandchildren.

Aveline de Grandpré and Elise de la Serre would be fashion stylists. Elise had a relationship with Arno but broke up because it didn't work.

Shay Cormac and Liam O'brien would work as seafarers. They would co-operate with Greenpeace. Shay is married with a son he had when he was very young. He named his son after his two godfathers Liam and George Monroe (much to Liam's displeasure). Shay doesn't know yet but he is going to be a grandfather before 50.

Hope Jensen would work as a flying attendant.

Arno Dorian would open a café littéraire near Montmartre. He has a son, Léon. His father Charles Dorian, and his godfather Pierre Bellec would be in politics. They would co-operate with François de la Serre against Germain, and Chevalier (everyone hates Chevalier).

Jacob Frye would open his own pub, The Rooks, with his brother in law. Like Arno he is a single father. Jacob and Arno have friends with benefits friendship. Evie Frye would work at the university library . Their father, Ethan Frye would work as a literature teacher at the Cambridge University. Since he is close to retirement he often spends time playing with his grandson Emmett.

Bayek and his wife Aya would work at the Cairo's museum as curators.

Kassandra, and her brother Alexios would work in their mom's tourism agency in Athens.

Eivor Varinsdottir would work as a freelance photographer around the world, and will publish her photos in some publications in England. Sometimes she will ask Shay a ride on the Morrigan to photograph the whales.

Juno and Minerva would be software engineers. Persephone and her husband Hades would open a funeral parolours. Poseidon would open a swimming school. Jupiter would be retired with Loki and Havi.

[pikxelbit]

Still not sure what to name this...

Chapter 2: Broken

Warnings: None

Word Count: 1,889 words

Chapter prompt: Start of repair

Turbo x Reader | Chapter 1 | Chapter 3

Turbo... A name turned to a cautionary tale. Tragic in a sense how everyone in the arcade speaks of him in the likeness of a ghost. Presumed dead, but still alive in the words of others.

As much as a lot of people deemed him obnoxious, nobody would have guessed he was capable of causing a horrific incident. Two games gone in one day, something that would forever stain the arcades history.

A funeral was held shortly after what had happened. To serve respect for the dead as well as to honor what has been, what is, and what could have been, almost everyone contributed.

Right after though, everyone was left uneasy. The two empty socket's giving a sad and mournful tone as the Game Central Station stood still for a moment in silence. Turbo's tracks leaving a message to be passed on for decades.

Well, at least it should have...

A few days have passed, the incident still fresh on a few people's minds. Although, 'Turbo Time' has been presumed to have been dismantled by now, that wasn't all true...

Right after the games were unplugged, both games were transferred somewhere. Mr. Litwak didn't want to just give these games away for a simple profit. So he gave his niece and nephew a call, a pair of two enthusiast's of modern technology.

Sending the games to the twins, Mr. Litwak thanked them greatly for doing something like this. Smiling, they only replied with, "Honestly you don't even need to thank us. We should be thanking you," one of the twins, Kiara, spoke first.

"Yeah, we need to test a software perfect for this type of thing anyways so it's not a big deal," Danny, continued.

Mr. Litwak still thanked them though, bidding the twins goodbye right after as they told their mom it was time to go. Waving Mr. Litwak goodbye, their mom started to drive back home.

The twins are two clever teens. Both keen on the science of technology, and now they were presented with the opportunity to try and fix two arcade games! Next year they'll go right off to college, so this was something they wanted to work on for now, like a test run.

___

A few days passed by, the twins, tried their best to see what they could do to fix the games. But upon closer inspection it seems though that both games somehow got busted.

Taking apart both Turbo Time and Road Blasters, they discovered how outdated Turbo Time's engine was. As well as how its own engine seemed to be close to breaking down, if this was left running for a few more months, this could have caught on fire.

While for Road Blasters, a few parts of the game managed to shut down, some becoming utterly useless as the 'glitch' somehow caused a few things inside to break completely.

Out of the two though, Road Blasters seemed to be the only one they could fix, well if we were speaking on the physical parts of the game. Broken peices from Road Blasters can easily be replaced when compared to an outdated game like Turbo Time.

Software-wise though, it was complicated. RoadBlaster's software was filled with a few errors and complications, while for Turbo Time, it's software was doing just fine. For the reason, well you all did manage to make your own theories but so far all of you didn't exactly have a good guess. Although it would be easier to fix these games if the causation was identified, you all just decided to suck it up and do your best. The main goal is to fix as much as possible after all.

Refusing to let Turbo Time go though, the twins still faught tooth and nails just to figure something out. Kiara, being empathetic enough for a random game, decided to extract the character's out of Turbo Time instead of just giving up. Plugging both games into a computer, they managed to extract the characters from both games into it.

Through the computer, they could easily start to inspect the games codes as well as to try and even tinker here and there.

Thinking about it, perhaps they could mesh both games together, to at least give some purpose to the assets taken from Turbo Time and to not let their effort's go to waste. It would take some time to make both games codes compatible, but it was a challenge they're willing to go through. With their trusty software as well, they figured perhaps this could be done in a few months.

So taking the challenge on, Kiara took charge of fixing the hardware while Danny went on to tinker with the codes. Working together, they wanted to finish this before going to college.

___

After another day of school, Danny quickly headed to the garage to find his sister working on Road Blasters. It's been a while now and it's safe to say they've been slowly making progress.

"How's the machine?" Danny asks, taking a seat near the desk.

"It's going great! Finally replaced that darned screen with a new one. I'm just looking through the wires for now. Maybe I'll go buy some tomorrow because a few of the really thin ones got busted," she exclaimed with a smile.

"Whoa, that's great! What if I go with? I've been planning on buying a new mouse for this computer." Danny replied, gesturing to the old looking mouse.

"Yeah, you definitely should get a new one," Kiara replied nodding, "How about you? How's the little guys going?"

"Well it's been a few days, but I managed to fix up the environment from Road Blasters. With the help of our trusty assistant," Danny conveyed, opening the program used to process the codes, "As for the characters, I managed to fix a few things. I made some of them to stop glitching, but yeah, that's all for now at least," he finished, opening another window filled with the various characters from each games.

"Hey, that's a lot of progress, good work!" She stood up, to inspect the monitor, "How about our other project? Is the software doing good?"

"Yeah, still an early version but our trusty assistant is already doing so good-"

"Kiara! Danny! Dinner!" They heard their dad shout from afar.

"In a minute!" They both replied in unison.

Quickly, Kiara tried to fix a few things that could be a hazard when stepped on or touched without precaution, his brother following suit. Hearing another call, now from their mother, they hurriedly finished up.

However, before leaving the room, Danny closed all the windows from the computer screen. Being in a hurry though, he missed closing one of them.

___

Left open in the dark, the monitor let's artificial light seep through the room. Nearly peaceful, the computer continues to give off a sound of constant whirring from deel inside.

Right then, something else starts to move. Slowly blinking, his eyes tries it's best to adjust to the rooms lighting. All he could see was a chair nearby and seemingly a desk.

"What is this place?" He asked nobody, wondering how it's even possible that he's alive.

He remembers it all clearly, the loud screeching of tires as one of the driver's tried to swerve away from a direct hit. He was sure he was going to die...

Is this heaven? Or perhaps hell..?

Further trying to investigate, he tries to move. But looking to the side all he could see is dark nothingness in which he's seemingly trapped in. Where is he? He wondered, stepping cautiously towards what he thought is the screen.

Then he heard something click, and just like that, someone came to answer.

"Hello..?" He spoke hesitantly.

"Well, hello there," you spoke out.

"I can't see you, where are you?" He asks, trying once more to look around in confusion.

You are right beside the window he's at. Looking inside, you see Turbo, looking around.

Once he sees you, he slightly glitches. Yelping in surprise, he fell down. Either because of your sudden appearance, or the random glitch that occured.

"Who are you?" He spoke, trying to get up, but struggling to do so as he continued to glitch slightly with each movement he made.

"I am Y/N. An assistant for coding, developing games, websites and other branches of technologies. I can help in many ways, a few to be mentioned are, helping in running diagnostics, looking after projects, and even fixing simple bugs," you spoke, almost in a completely flat tone as you helped him up.

"Okay then..." Slightly weirded out, he took his arm from you. "You're an assistant... So where am I?" He asks, still slightly suspicious and observant of you. Looking at how you acted and looked, you moved elegantly, your fancy clothes becoming evidence to the information you've said earlier.

"You are in a computer placed in a garage, currently inside the home of my creators," you answer, your voice finally giving some sort of emotion to it.

"Can you tell me why I'm even here?" He asks curiously. Why was he here..? He expected it to be done. Right after the crash, he knew it was all ending. Now though...

"Well, you're here because, as you have experienced, you are broken. Along with other characters, you are now currently being repaired," you replied.

"Repaired..." He mumbles to himself.

"Yes, by me and my creators. Danny and Kiara, the niece and nephew of Mr. Litwak, your previous owner correct?" You asked, tilting your head to the side.

Once you mentioned 'Mr. Litwak', his eyes widen. "Huh," was all he said. Gazing back at him, you noticed a smile slightly grace his face.

He never expected to actually still have a second chance in life. But thinking back though, as he gazes to his palms, it glitches slightly.

"When was the start of doing all this?" He asked, looking back at you.

"About, only a couple of days ago. We managed to put you and other characters into this computer. I'm helping Danny repair the codes that might have been damaged, and Kiara is taking charge of the hardwares," you answered.

But then, your conversation gets interrupted suddenly as Danny proceeds into the room. Opening the lights, he sees the screen of the computer still open.

Watching him walk down to the desk, Turbo suddenly didn't know what to do. When someone would approach the screen of his game, his own code would instruct him to quickly get to his kart. "Uhh..." He mumbled under his breath, as he froze up.

Noticing you up and about, he sat down on the desk. "Oh, hello there..." He spoke to loud towards the screen.

"Welcome back, was your dinner tasty tonight?" You asked casually.

"Yeah, it was good. What are you doing?" He asked, now noticing Turbo right inside the window.

"Well, I noticed this window was left open so I went ahead and looked over it," you replied.

He nodded, before speaking once more,

"We were supposed to test run a few of your skills again today but I have homework tonight so, I'll postpone it for now," he scratched his head, his eyes gazing back to Turbo for a moment before standing up.

"Well, hopefully there's more time to be spared tomorrow. But yeah, hate to cut this conversation short but, I need to go now," Danny spoke, standing up as he dragged the mouse to close the window where Turbo is at. Before he could, you whispered to Turbo a quick bid of goodbye before moving out of the window yourself.

Surprised, Turbo slightly glitched before Danny made the window disappear.

"Okay, see you tomorrow Danny," you spoke, before completely disappearing back into your respective file, feeling the computer slowly stop working as the darkness engulfed the screen.

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 25 (Unexpected Death Cull but then a Baby, Finally!)

The town of Henford was rocked by a seniors’ river cruise disaster which killed Spencer’s grandparents Dennis and Vivian Lewis-Kim, as well as Ian and Derek Moody-McMillan, who were old friends of the Nesbitts and grandfathers to Nicola, Hazel’s bestie-turned-girlfriend.

The disaster brought Everett and Spencer home to visit her family. The Nesbitts sent condolences, grateful to have been spared greater grief as the town’s fledgling riverboat tourism industry took a nosedive. Spencer met her new niece and infant Greyson got to know his aunts on the Pancakes and Kim-Lewis sides of his family.

The visit made them miss home, and they began to talk about coming home to Henford for good. For now, however, life called them back to Oasis Springs after the funerals.

Daisy was still a PlantSim, which was concerning as the effects of the forbidden fruit had worn off much slower than she expected, and River’s wedding was just around the corner. Despite this, Daisy stayed close to Heather until delivery.

One evening, Heather tried to show her mother how to use accounting software for her floral business, but it wasn't going well and Heather was starting to get bored. She nonchalantly checked her phone. "You wrote a whole cookbook, Mom. You taught me how to do online research, but you can't figure out a few numbers?"

Daisy frowned. "I always let the telescope do my number-crunching for me. I really just loved gardening." She clicked something, and the program disappeared. "Oh, what now?"

"Let me." Heather leaned over her mother's shoulder. "You deleted it? How did you do that?"

Daisy shrugged in frustration. "I really don't know."

Heather opened her Recycle Bin to retrieve the deleted file when she noticed a strange folder. "VetConnect? Is this a clone? What?"

"What does that mean?"

"I...I think someone might have cloned my app files and given them to Petcare Inc."

"Who would do such a thing?"

"Other than you, no one's used my computer since...since Malcolm! I used to let him log in to send work emails. Oh my god! I could kill him!"

Daisy frowned. "Don't say that. Can you sue?"

"Against the Landgraabs? I don't even know if I could prove it was him," she said. "But I think I can fight fire with fire. My vet tech had the idea, and it took years to make the first one, but I'm going to have to work on a new app."

After a family dinner in Henford, Heather finally went into labour. Daisy went with her to the hospital, where her doctor was the on-call intern, Jamar Scott, her childhood neighbour.

(And the eldest son of Henford townies Simon and Sara Scott.)

"How's life in Brindleton Bay?"

"It's really great! I love being by the sea and I really feel like the clinic was my calling."

"I know what you mean. What you do for animals is what I love to do for sims."

"And how's Malia's freelance career?"

"She loves the flexibility, and I can't say I blame her. We're talking about starting a family of our own once my residency's done and I can work better hours."

Just before four in the morning, an exhausted Heather gave birth to a healthy baby boy she named Ash Neal Nesbitt. She debated the last name for months, but Malcolm hadn’t checked on her except when he needed a paternity test. And he stole her mobile app's code!

Since then he’d been no better than a ghost. If he wanted to miss out on his son's life, Heather was fine with it. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

NOTE: To prevent them from randomly marrying other sims I made Dennis Kim and Vivian Lewis fall in love and marry years after their kids, Eric and Alice, married and started a family (they had three girls - Olivia, Spencer, and Lydia Kim-Lewis).

NOTE 2: I made OG grocer Kim Goldbloom the adopted daughter of Ian Moody and Derek McMillan because I wanted to make all the Henford NPCs playable at the start of the game. (I also paired up Michael Bell and Cecilia Kang despite their canon bad first date, married off Agnes and Agatha and moved them in with the Pancakes after making Agatha the mother of Bob, and put Lavina and Rahul in a home in the Bramblewood. She married Paolo Rocca and had two more kids, Rahul married Rashidah Watson after graduation and they moved to Brindleton Bay to start a family.

[weiying-lanzhan-fics]

Starting at the End by katie_elizabeth

WY!!!! Haha half the time I was yelling at him, the other half laughing - fun story ❤️

Quotes:

The man behind the desk is…intimidating, frankly. He and Lan Xichen look very much alike–that is, absolutely gorgeous–but the similarities end there. Whereas Lan Xichen radiates gentle warmth, Lan Wangji wouldn’t look out of place on an iceberg.

Wei Ying suddenly feels as if he’s been sent to the principal’s office, if the principal happened to be a stunningly attractive, 30-something-year-old man in a bespoke suit. Wei Ying has never been a master of decorum, and Lan Wangji looks like the type of man that would scold you for breathing too loudly. 

Unfortunately, he can't think of a polite way to request that Lan Xichen handle his application instead. So, instead, he gives Lan Wangji a little wave hello and resigns himself to what will likely be an interesting clash of personalities.

————

The first phone call comes roughly fifteen hours after their first meeting. Assuming that he has somehow missed an email, Lan Wangji immediately double-checks his inbox. He has not.

"Hi, Lan-er-lushi! Quick question–" Wei Ying chirps, then launches into a question that is very much not quick. Lan Wangji answers it, briefly but thoroughly. 

After that, Wei Ying just kind of rambles on about his day for a while. It's not a particularly productive use of time, but Lan Wangji doesn't know how to extricate himself from the conversation in a manner that doesn't involve hanging up on him. So, he simply absorbs the words like a sponge, silent save for the occasional hum or required one-word answer.

Afterward, Lan Wangji opens the firm's billing software and records the discomfiting experience as a fifteen-minute phone consultation. 

E, 20k

Summary:

Wei Ying is confident that once he has a patent on the books, he'll be able to bring his coffins into funeral homes nationwide. They're biodegradable, affordable, and attractive–what more could a dead person desire?

Unfortunately, for all of his talents in invention, Wei Ying isn't well-equipped for tackling bureaucracy. Hence, the need for a patent lawyer: a smart, intimidating, and extremely sexy patent lawyer from Lan & Sons.

He sees it coming, like a car crash in slow motion: he is going to embarrass himself.

[rosetheex-editor]

[OOC: WARNING, THIS TRANSCRIPT IS ABOUT A SUICIDE. PROCEED BELOW THE CUT WITH CAUTION.]

[Video transcript begin.]

[The transcript begins from the front pocket of a shirt, as always, this time the person is running through the forest. Heavy breathing in the background, the software recognizes the breathing as belonging to Rose. She keeps running for a few minutes, until eventually shouting, her voice sounding desperate.]

Rose: Edgar! Edgar, where are you!?

[Rose continues screaming the man's name, running while doing so, the camera unfocuses as she turns her head over and over, her torso following suit, trying to find the man, but she still doesn't see him.]

R: don't be dead, please don't be dead!

[Rose falls to her knees but only for a moment, getting back up and running the metal of her crutches breaking the leaves under her. As she continues screaming it sounds as if she is about to cry, she once again shouts the man's name.]

R: Edgar! If you can hear me, say something! Please!

[There is no response, Rose keeps her pace, trees passing by as she runs. Rain is heard in the background as her footsteps and crutches make marks in the mud, she trips landing face first into a rose bush.]

R: Damnit! Edgar, where are you!?

[A sudden flash of lightning reveals a blurry silhouette somewhat closeby, nearly out of frame. The figure has their arm raised to their head, a small somewhat cubeish shape is held to their head. A gun. The other arm is slack, cut off a third of the way down the forearm.]

R: Fuck! Don’t do it! Stop! Edgar!

[Rose runs in the direction of the figure, a noticeable limp in her run as she holds the injured leg. Blood drips down her leg, as she keeps screaming to the figure to stop. Another flash of lightning, and she falls to one knee.]

R: Please stop! I don’t want to lose you too!

[The figure turns, and freezes in place, gun still held firmly in place.]

R: Please! Just put the damn gun down!

[Rose slowly stands up and begins running again, this time using a stick, tears are heard in her voice as she gets closer to the figure.]

R: Dad, just put it down!

?: Go back to the apartment.

[Voice identified: Edgar.]

R: No! I’m not losing you too!

[Rose gets closer, another flash of lightning causes her to jump but she continues on. Her crying is all but made silent by the rain, but she keeps going.]

R: Come on! We can go home and we can… I don’t know! Watch a movie! Anything other than this!

E: Just let me die, Rose! I can’t fucking take it anymore!

R: I'm not losing my dad again! I will help you! Or I’ll die trying!

[Edgar can be seen slightly clearer than before, his eyes are red from crying, and his jaw is clenched, hard.]

R: Just put it down and come on!

[Rose falls to her knees once again, the mud covering her hands and knees as she continues pleading with Edgar. The sound of thunder and rain surrounds them both as Rose struggles to stand again.]

R: Come on, please! You have people who care about you and want to help! Me! Kath! Stacy! Liam! Leon! Daff and Jenny! Don’t you care what this is doing?!

E: You don’t get it, Rose! I’m doing this for you guys! This is how it has to be! Go home, and let me pull the fucking trigger!

R: How does dying help us? I've already lost my family once, I don’t want to lose another! What about your promise! Hell, not even the one you made to everyone, but to me!? You promised to help me get my childhood back! How can I do that if my dad dies again!

E: I never should have made those fucking promises. This will keep you all safe, you’ll see within the fucking week of my damn funeral, Rose. You won’t need to worry about me getting hurt, you’ll finally be rid of me! You deserve to live life without me!

R: I never wanted to be rid of you, you asshole! I wanted you to stay alive, even if it meant I died! Because you’re my father, and you’re the only thing I FUCKING HAVE!

E: I– you– just– Rose, you weren’t supposed to–

[Edgar falls to his knees, the gun tumbling to the ground from his shaking hand, Edgar frantically reaches out to grab it. Rose lunges to pick it up before he can, he looks up at Rose with a devastated expression, his eyebrows creased inwards, eyes wide, mouth half open, he clenches his jaw again.]

R: Stop, please…

[The camera falls to the ground landing in a way it faces both Rose and Edgar, both are on their knees Rose's hair is covering her eyes as she moves her bangs to look at Edgar, her eyes almost as red as his from crying.]

R: let's just… go home… please.

E: Rose, I’m so fucking sorry.

R: it's ok. just… come on, let's go home.

E: No, Rose. I’m sorry.

R: i forgive you! i… what are you apologizing for?

E: This.

[Before Rose can respond, or even react, his hand jolts forward, snatching the gun from her hands and pressing it against his chest.]

[Loud noise detected: Confirmed noise… Gunshot.]

[Edgar shouts, the volume peaking within the software, and drops the gun immediately, quickly glancing between Rose and his torso. Smiling, his jaw once again clenched from the pain.]

R: i… it's… it's ok! i can… i can get you some help… you didn't mean to do that, right dad? it's just a… r- really bad joke…

E: I– I’m sorry.

R: Don't worry! i- i'll figure something out… i'll get you help!

[His hand trembles violently as he presses it to the wound, slowly lifting it up to observe the blood that now coats it. He leans backwards, barely able to keep himself propped up. His words halted and strained, speaking taking a lot of effort to achieve. Each pause filled by a cough or a groan, instead of silence.]

E: Rose, I– I think I only have a few– ugh, a few minutes left. Please don’t waste them.

R: I'm gonna help! i- i promised i would…

E: Don’t. I… I want to spend the last little bit I h– have left. With you. Just stay w– with me. Please. Don’t… leave.

R: i- i'm not going anywhere… i'm not leaving you too.

E: Thank you.

[His arm gives out, leaving him lying face up on the grass.]

R: here! i- I'll cover the wound!

[Rose attempts to cover the wound, her expression grows worried, as tears begin to form in her eyes once again. She moves over, putting one hand down on the open wound, the other propping up Edgar's head.]

R: Can I get you anything… a- anything at all?

E: I’m fine with– just you. Rose.

R: i… I can call for help? where the hell… w- where did my phone land?

[Edgar’s words begin to get quieter and shakier, he stares at Rose, and shakes his head.]

E: Rose, if– if I’d wanted h– help. I wouldn’t have been– been in the middle of the forest.

R: l- lord knows i've been in the middle of the forest… wanting help… A- a lot. So y'know.

E: I don’t want help, R– Rose, I want th– this. Please let– me say goodbye pr– properly.

[Rose moves her hair out of her face again, looking down at Edgar's near lifeless body, her arms shaking as she scrambles to find something to help him with. Eventually she stops, looking back at him with tears before putting her head down.]

R: I- I don't want to lose… Anyone else…

E: Rose, m– my dearest daughter. I– I didn’t want it to– end like this. It was– supposed to be f– fast, just one– second. But I’m glad you’re– here, even if it’s– awful. I– I… You were one of th– the brightest parts of my miserable life. Do– don’t let this– fuck anything up for you. I promised myself that I’d– put you first, always. And if I– I can keep o– one promise, it’ll be– that one. Live on, Rose.

[Edgar shudders, pushing himself hard to get his last three words out, knowing exactly what he wanted them to be in that moment.]

E: I love you.

R: I love you too… Dad…

[Edgar, having heard the words he wanted to hear most before the end of it all, smiles. It’s all he can manage at this point. His eyes stop jittering between Rose and the trees behind her, and all remaining tension loosens in his body. He’s gone.]

R: i– i-

[Rose begins shaking Edgar's lifeless body, trying to wake him up, it does nothing. This continues for a little over a minute before Rose finally speaks, tears heard in her voice, the sound of rain is the only other thing heard, no movement from Edgar in the slightest. He’s gone.]

R: o– okay. hey. dad. it isn’t funny anymore. y- you can wake up now. come on! j– jokes over! haha! Wake– Wake up dad. please wake up.

[She is still. Holding the dead body of her father, tears streaming down her face, her eyes like waterfalls. She screams as lightning strikes again, she looks at the sky and screams. No one is there to listen, but that is all she can do. She screams.]

R: Haven’t I lost enough? I've lost EVERYTHING! Do I have to lose more? I have nothing left! When… when can i live happily…

[Rose stops, unable to scream or cry, just sitting there, holding the corpse of her father. Her face has gone expressionless, the arm that was holding Edgar's wound is now slack at her right side. She begins trying to sing a song, a comfort, perhaps, but no words come out.]

R: i-

[The devastated 20 year old begins trying to sing again, it is nothing more than humming, that is all the poor girl can muster.]

[Rose stays there, refusing to leave despite the rain picking up, she clears her throat and tries singing one last time. The song is recognized as "Goodbye to Spring" although it is barely heard over all the rain. She embraces the body of her father tightly, still singing. The hug lasts until her phone ultimately dies.]

[End transcript.]

[charlenasaxen]

Favorite Quotes - Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo

“The image of Eddie’s corpse, emptied out and dolled up, remained stuck”

“in the gold afternoon light, the black chrome and black detailing and cherry-red rims struck him”

“banging his head and his pride on the roof of the car”

“chances he took without his usual second-in-command on site”

“a guitar and a battered amp in the closet that used to be Andrew’s and were once again”

“Andrew had sprawled over his center console to reach out his passenger window and flip off a smirking Eddie, who had his shades pushed up”

“No part of Andrew could conceive of the room as a goodbye offering. It was too much a welcome”

“Five months of separation that had stretched into eight over the summer, and now would never end”

“Every moment of his life that followed would take him further from Eddie, no matter his efforts”

“It’s your house, stand all afternoon if you want to. I was being polite.”

“The alerts went on and on with the phone balanced on Riley’s palm like a snake that might bite”

“Thirty-seven unread messages, eight missed calls. Six voicemails. Also, a software update”

“Who am I supposed to be calling?”

“I’m assuming whoever left you all those messages,”

“In the better version of their lives that he didn’t get to have, Eddie would’ve been getting the other boot, or throwing up over the porch railing. He missed him with fierce pain.”

“With no attempt to delay for propriety’s sake, West responded immediately”

“his unknowing response: keep it together I’ll be there soon”

“streaked with pale washout dye that had already disappeared by his funeral a month later”

“Eddie’s next text just said cmere, followed by Andrew’s response, would if I could asshole”

“Home was where Eddie was; home was nowhere, now”

“even if Andrew swallowed the suggestion that he’d been abandoned, Eddie wouldn’t disrespect him so completely”

“a handful of unremarkable young men who could all use each other’s IDs in a pinch”

“it shattered with a burst of flame and glass. The crowd roared.”

“but apparently he’d left that shit up to interpretation”

“It reminded him of his own habitual match with Eddie, first and last no matter what happened between—until now.”

“terror and delight and the promise of risk bringing him to life.

Smashing forward into motion was as natural as breathing”

“his blood leapt desperately toward another person, the only other person who carried it, too far away—Eddie’s final coherent thought was, help me.”

“Eddie hadn’t wanted to die—Eddie tried to save himself. If Andrew had come home sooner—if he’d been there”

“it seems like it fucking killed him, so tell me again how I owe you something?”

“to approximately dick-level. He had to admire the lack of dissembling”

“When he was around he was king of the castle, and it made me forget to ask where the fuck he was the rest of the time”

“Andrew, in his briefs and socks, eating applesauce directly from the container in front of the fridge, had the option to either stand his ground or flee”

“He wanted to believe that, if their positions were reversed, Eddie would have already drowned the necessary parties in the ocean”

“I asked to see where, after they brought him back and called his parents”

“letters he presumed Halse had left, the only other man to visit Eddie’s resting place”

“someone else was there. Another set of hands arranging the stiff corpse.”

“Violence hadn’t found Eddie here in the forest, not at this resting place, quiet and green”

“The soil had so little spilled blood to give as offering to Andrew when he came for his inheritance”

“The desperation of Eddie reaching out to him at the end”

“tracing the initials one more time. Days after he had died, Sam had stood here and carved a spot to remember Eddie by.”

“He didn’t have the sense god gave a dog”

“you meet them, you like them, you get to spending time with them”

“Ed did that with us before you even showed up, so we have to help you out for his sake.”

“all big eyes and flopping around like a sexy rag doll,” Riley noted.

The tips of Andrew’s ears went hot”

“that Eddie still wanted him in his final moment”

“Edward’s ring,” she said. “I found it, after”

“not addressing the fact that he’d been with Sam in the first place.”

“I remember his excitement about some recent discovery he’d made, but I never had a chance to find out what.”

“heart pounding in his chest. The phantom image of Eddie kissing him in his sleep.”

“No one else had been there with him in the cavern for hours spread across days, freezing, terrified of encroaching death”

“a seventy-five percent tip on West’s dime.”

“He had gotten used to their curse and what it could do in the years since, and that had made him complacent”

with an electric blue sticky note on top that said “eat these Andrew.”

“took his phone from between his teeth.”

“He owned the land across that invisible line. He wondered if he’d recognize the moment he stepped across the divide.”

“Blood for blood, offered to the earth—wasn’t that a familiar story”

“families and land and sacrifice. And the things that had happened in the cavern—”

“The land’s hungry, and it gets its due, one way or another.”

“Except the tale belonged to him, the scion of a cursed house”

“He’d found some other record of the curse to hunt down in his final days.”

“In case you missed it, the last person doing the research you just asked him to do is dead.”

“I broke my ankle, he concussed himself. We couldn’t climb out. I broke all my fingernails trying to get up.”

“he was the sole living person who knew the tale. After he told it, he wouldn’t be alone.”

“No light at all…crawling through the pooled, brackish water, pawing at slick stones”

“When the blood touched Eddie’s hair his neck turned, an unnatural jerk”

“Troth knew her husband wasn’t going to see through another winter, and he felt a kinship with her over that—Eddie wouldn’t be seeing snow either”

“to avoid eavesdropping on their goodbyes”

“Not real surprised she’s excited about a weird death curse; that library felt like it’d seen a few of its own”

“Faded photos of two tanned boys, summer sons, gazed into the family camera”

“Shock and rage exploded across Andrew’s body in a blistering wash, propelling him forward.”

“Literally anyone who talked to Eddie in that last week.”

“A different hunger, one that would remain unsated. He was about to turn twenty-three, and Eddie wasn’t going to see it happen.”

“Andrew lifted his tattoo to his mouth for a good-luck kiss”

“he and Eddie had gotten kicked out of four bars in succession and ended up unconscious in a stranger’s yard”

“growing past the static moment in time the revenant would always be trapped inside.”

“the force that drove dogs to waste to death on their masters’ graves”

“as an apology to the friend he’d loved or a reminder of his responsibility to him”

“Go to class, hold down the fort, and don’t draw her attention”

“The golden, sun-scattered kitchen was homey. Nothing cast a real shadow.”

“to keep from charging straight up the staircase to drag a dying man out of his bed”

“I’m surprised to see you’re not still wearing his ring, Andrew.”

“Still?” he asked with a swoop in his stomach

“He’d come full circle, back to the kid trapped in a cavern with a broken ankle, waiting to die”

“drag Sam along with him, unwilling but dedicated, repeating the cycle of his inheritance”

“With him settled, she pecked a kiss on her husband’s forehead”

“there are few limits on what I’d do to save him.”

“Sorry,” Mark contributed with an unnecessarily chipper tone

“I saw you two in the newspaper, and I wondered”

“Recognition rocked him at the sight. That edge had bit through Eddie’s flesh first.”

“You thought you were hunting me, but you were being herded along.”

“Do you understand?”

“Fuck you,” he said.

“I expected as much,”

“Rope creaked. Andrew’s blood pooled”

“He had become a passenger in his flesh, one half of a whole, as he’d thought of himself for so long.”

“Their inheritance was strong—not Andrew’s thought, though it occupied his head”

“She drove her thumbs into the meat of his arms; he shrieked again. One of the horses whinnied in empathetic distress.”

“the rush of death beat through the room like a hundred pairs of wings. Mark had gone limp.”

“Driven by the recollection of Eddie’s pain”

“the welcome reminder of his belonging. Their alternate perspectives notched like puzzle pieces,”

“Eddie, bound to this chair, flinging their gift to Andrew in hopes that he’d catch”

“Your eye,” he whispered.

“It hurts,” Sam said, voice so small

“And Eddie, my god. Oh my god.”

“The haunt chittered sympathetic nothingness at him and took clumsy control to maneuver him to the car”

“As boys they’d been happy here, together, and he felt scraps of the lifelong yearning Eddie had dragged to his grave.”

“To be fair, Eddie’s dismembered voice coming out of Andrew’s body wasn’t Andrew’s favorite thing, either.”

“Fire wouldn’t cleanse the history from that earth, but maybe it could put the bones to rest.”

despite its unwillingness to abandon him.

“This is yours,” he whispered.

Come on. I love you, but this is no life. His acquired memories slithered free with a mournful pang.

“Goodbye,” he said.

“to preserve the memory of Eddie as he’d really been, rather than what he’d become”

“Eddie had left him this, also: a future to see through.”

“Tonight they were celebrating. The review committee had accepted Riley’s thesis proposal, revised to adapt Eddie’s unfinished work”

“Possibilities swirled in the smell of gasoline and the crisp October night”

[sweetswesf]

Tumblr, Fam!

It’s been a minute…but I’m here to report some amazing news. After more than a year of being unemployed, I am happy to say that God blessed me with my 1st choice role. I am blessed regardless, even if he didn’t give this to me. Believe that. Believe that you are blessed too, no matter what you’re going through.

God reminded me yet again that He follows through on His promise. It’s been MONTHS since I’ve been here, so I can’t go into detail as much as I would like. So much has happened. Now that you know that the reason for my triumph is because of the Lord, where do I go from here in breaking it all down?

Well I guess first where I left off! I last told yall about how my mom visited me in September. I lost my grandfather a few months before then, couldn’t get to the funeral because flights were canceled and none would have got me there in time, and I was steady receiving rejection after rejection. The company I am at first told me no. I was devastated, especially because I KNEW I had done well on my interview. That was probably one of the best interviews I had so I was so sad. I even received awesome feedback from the interviewers. I had done so well and finished so early, they started asking my system design questions and, to my surprise, I got a lot of them correct. I waited for 2 weeks, hoping I’d hear yes, but I didn’t. I was thinking of moving home since it was almost November and recruiting usually slows down in November. I cried. I had been a year unemployed at that time and I gave myself that deadline so that I could have a little money in my pocket in case I had to move home. But I ran the numbers in my head and realized, I wouldn’t need THAT much money if I moved home since I knew I would probably stay in all the time and just work...I knew my meals at least would be covered. I told myself to stay in it, despite it being November, because I was on God’s clock and not mine. The person that referred me to my top choice also told me to try again because the company didn’t have a cool down period like other companies. He was rejected before he was eventually told yes as well. On top of that, my grandfather left me an inheritance before he passed. Just when I thought I was going to have to move home, God came through yet again. He be showing up in the 11th hour sometimes, but the key is that he be showing up…

That, paired with prayer, and a finance course I was taking at my church encouraged me to pay my loans off. My inheritance was completely eaten up by it, and I was unemployed with no promise of employment, but I was so emotionally spent at that point, that I was like, I have nothing more, I might as well lean on faith. After doing all I had a few deaths in my family: great uncles and aunts I didn’t know too well.

Then, they found cancer on my other grandfather’s kidney. He had fought prostate cancer when I was a child, but you never know what can happen with cancer. Glory to God though, he was able to have the cancer removed and his kidney salvaged. I remember right before he went into surgery, he called and asked when I was moving back so he’d know when to clean up and make room for me. When he asked that, I felt really low. My 78 year old grandfather has had limited mobility for a while and was about to go into surgery to remove cancer from his body for the 2nd time, and here he was asking how he could help ME, so when he asked me this, I felt like I had blew it. I felt like I was in that position because I didn’t work hard enough. I had to remind myself not to feel this way because I truly did work really hard…

I spoke to so many people and had so many interviews, so many of them I did well, but still no cigar…On top of that, my old work crush, the first guy I had intercourse with, got back in touch with me to tell me HE was doing a career pivot and switching to software engineering. Despite how hurt he made me feel by kicking me to the curb after I didn’t match up to his expectations after I gave my body to him and told me this, I put on a good face and gave him the best advice on how to be successful in his career transitioning and offered to be a resource, because that’s what God would want me to do…

Someone posted a link to enter to get free AfroTech tickets. AfroTech is a conference for Black techies of all kinds. I entered and was granted it. I didn’t know if it was smart to pay for a flight, hotel, and all the festivities, and I was terrified of taking a week break because I know it can be hard to find my momentum again, but I heard God say, GO! I was even afraid of introducing myself to so many new people as unemployed. But I felt God telling me, “Your job doesn’t make you, I DO!”So I went. And I had so much fun. Because I got that free ticket, I became aware of opportunity to submit my resume to their resume inventory. This exposed me to the companies that were looking to recruit and interview. I was contacted by so many companies and went on so many interviews. A lot of people didn’t care that I was laid off, because many others were too. I was afraid to get braids for the conference because I was afraid of how I would look in front of employers. Tech is for the freaks and nerds and they created “come as you are” corporate culture, but after being let go, I was so insecure and started to believe those rules didn’t apply to me. I did anyway and met a new braider. She was a single mother of 4 kids from Michigan. She told me about how she moved her kids in her car across the country to California even without a job. She eventually got one and is doing okay, even with one of her children being deaf. I told her about my situation and she said that I needed to be more proactive and tell recruiters that I had an offer but before accepting, I was open to seeing what they would offer me…

I got a lot of male attention with my braids and not to mention felt really confident. I partial fasted before because I knew there would be a lot of temptation and I wanted to remain focused and not block my blessing, and I looked and felt amazing from the fast. I saw a lot of people I hadn’t in a while. Met a lot of people I still talk to today. Made some friends. A man paid for my meal because he said he enjoyed talking to me. So much free swag. Austin was beautiful. I got to chat with Matt Barnes and tell him I appreciated that he stood up for his kids and name against Derek Fisher, and I got a hug from Stephen Jackson. I saw the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen 😅. But I’m still single y’all…

I even ran into that dude I mentioned I had sex with. The old work crush. Really not old, because I still think about him daily. Even though I don’t want to be with him. Even though I know I will have much more. He still takes up a lot of my thoughts. Anyway…he tried to come to my hotel room while at the conference for sex, and I was prepared to just stay silent on the phone when he was being sexually suggestive. He got the picture and hung up…Although my flesh was calling, I didn’t want NOTHING to block my blessing. I haven’t even watched porn in over a year! When I got unemployed, I vowed to clean up my act to stay in the right mindset to accept this blessing. I’m happy to say, I still haven’t watched porn, even after receiving what I prayed for, because I know God’s got something greater for me…

Everytime I watched porn, I would stay up really late and although it was very stimulating in the hour or two that I would watch it, I feel horrible, ashamed, and gross the next day. Also lonely. It doesn’t replace real intimacy. I don’t believe marriage is far away for me. I can wait…

When I returned from the conference, I had felt really low. Time was ticking I felt and no companies from the conference that I wanted to set me up for interviews were. It felt like the beginning of the end or that I may have to accept a role from a company I didn’t want to be at. But one thing I did do was try my hardest to appreciate whatever God gave me. I got so fervent in my prayers. One day, after crying for hours, I hopped into my Bible. I was searching to match what I believed to be true to God’s word after Googling, “how do you hear God’s word.” I was VERY unsure of what God wanted me to do. Did he want me to accept these companies I didn’t really want to be at? I asked my pastor about it and she said that I’ll know it’s God’s blessing if it excites me. He wants me to be happy. I kept also remembering, “I don’t believe He brought me this far to leave me…”. He had given me everything I had wanted or better thus far, but I wasn’t sure if he wanted me to accept something that I didn’t want but what was good for me…

I had such a fire that night searching His word. I watched HOURS of Devon Franklin’s sermons just to hear what God was saying to me. I had never searched that hard before. I remembered what my hair braided said about going hard for what I want. On the thought of that, I reached back out on LinkedIn to a recruiter of my first choice company that rejected me after I gave an amazing interview. I told her I had a few offers (I truly felt like I was going to have some even though I didn’t) but really wanted to work at her company, and she said, “We’d love to have you! Another recruiter will be in touch.”…and just like that, I was back in the funnel…I had my second chance I was praying for.

Later that day, my first offer after being unemployed came from a company I spoke to at that conference that reached out right before the conference after they found my resume I submitted in the portal for the conference. An insurance company. One interviewer asked me, “What’s the real reason you’re unemployed?! Tell me the truth. None of the offers have been what you want?” He didn’t believe that I truly hadn’t been given an offer yet, so I didn’t fight him. I agreed…and it led to my first offer…

Even before I got the offer, remember I told the recruiter from my first choice company that I had one? I felt bad lying, but I’m glad it wasn’t a real lie, because hours after I said that, I got the call from the insurance company extending me the offer…That’s God…

Now I didn’t want to work there, but I accepted for security because I still wanted to go for my top choice…

After getting that one, almost every company I was in conversations with pushed me further through their pipelines. Soon, I was getting and passing interviews all of a sudden. Yes, I was better, but having an offer DEFINITELY changed companies’ willingness to bet on me.

I KNEW I did well on my first round of interviews because they accepted it for this new role I was up for and put me straight to onsite. I did my interviews and did really well. It wasn’t nearly the hardest onsite I had had thus far, so thank God I was able to really rock it.

They made me wait a whole week and a half to hear back! My interviews were the week before Thanksgiving, and I didn’t even want to go home because I wanted to prepare for my next interviews in case my top choice rejected me again, but I told myself a break would be good and wouldn’t cripple me. In fact it would probably refresh me and allow me to be better prepared for upcoming one, so I went home. And waited. I didn’t tell anyone anything. I didn’t want nothing blocking my blessing. When I returned home after Thanksgiving, I got the call that I was being extended the offer.

Glory to God.

[secrettyrant]

Full Name: Jedediah Benoit

Age & Date of Birth: 45 years old, February 6

Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana

Current Role and Department at LUMA: IT Systems Manager on IT & Tech Support

Years at LUMA: Six years

INFO

BIOGRAPHY

Jed grew up rough in New Orleans, the eldest of four boys in a working-class family where there wasn’t a lot of guidance or opportunity. He ended up working everything from construction, to auto repair, to bartending. Basically any job that paid cash and let him keep his brothers fed, clothed, and (mostly) out of trouble.

Throughout his twenties, Jed's life was pure survival mode. He was always bailing one of them out, paying legal fees, covering debts, picking them up drunk or strung out. The real breaking point came when one of his brothers got caught up in serious drug charges and was sentenced to a long stint inside. That was the moment Jed realized that if he didn’t find a way out, he was just waiting for a funeral.

The "in" to IT wasn’t a miracle. It happened naturally. Jed had always been good at fixing things from cars, busted appliances, wiring. Whatever was broken, he could figure it out. When a friend from the bar he worked at mentioned an online course they were taking to get certified in basic IT support (stuff like setting up routers, fixing networks, installing software), Jed signed up. It wasn't glamorous. It was cheap community college night classes and scraping by but he saw it as a trade, just like anything else he'd learned to fix.

Over the next few years, Jed stacked certifications. First CompTIA A+, then Network+, eventually some Microsoft and Cisco ones too. He took small jobs at local businesses fixing computers, managing networks in grimy offices, even doing overnight tech support for big companies he didn't care about. He never stopped working manual labor gigs too, it was all just about getting enough money together to keep the family afloat and maybe, eventually, buy himself a real life.

The move to New York happened because of one of his younger brothers had tried to go straight, moved to New York for a construction job that ended up being a scam. Jed came up to help him initially just for a few weeks. But when he got there, he realized the tech industry up north was way bigger than it was back home. Jobs were everywhere if you had certifications, grit, and could talk your way in.

Jed stayed. He worked terrible contract gigs fixing office equipment, climbed his way into better positions by pure stubbornness. His experience managing chaos (thanks to his family) actually made him a damn good IT lead — he didn't panic, he knew how to handle fires without flinching.

Six years ago, when LUMA was scaling up, they needed someone who could build out their internal systems without treating it like some cushy start up toy. Jed was hired, probably a little older and rougher than the "type" they expected but he proved fast that he was reliable and deeply good at what he did. He’s been there ever since.

ROLE/CONNECTION WITH LUMA

Jed oversees the management of the internal systems and IT infrastructure. He leads the IT team in maintaining smooth operations, troubleshooting major tech issues, implementing new tools and making sure everyone can actually log into their damn emails before 10 a.m. His job is equal parts technical mastery and patience under fire.

Jed created an unofficial plain-English, no-jargon onboarding course for non-tech employees ("How Not To Break Your Computer 101"). It cuts IT tickets by 30% and became an unofficial rite of passage for new hires.

During an all hands meeting, Jed leaned back in one of the conference room chairs and it spectacularly gave way. He hit the ground laughing harder than anyone else, and declared a ban on "those damn deathtrap chairs" afterward.

He won the Chili Cook-Off. Nobody expected Jed, of all people, to even enter, but he brought a New Orleans-style chili so spicy that it made half the office cry.

A mass text from "Unknown Number" went around the office one Friday. A picture of someone passed out drunk in a sombrero at a bar. It was Jed. To this day, nobody knows how it got sent or who sent it (he's suspicious of Fox or Jakob).

Jed once got fed up with a stubborn office printer and "fixed" it temporarily with a sharp elbow to the tray. Security caught it on camera. Now there's a "Jed's Printer Repair" gif.

NOTABLE MOMENTS AT OR WITH LUMA

Jed is a bit of a mystery at Luma. He's calm, almost softly spoken and yet clearly rough around the edges. He doesn't always do things by the book. For instance, the procedure states to log a ticket with IT and it's down to them to prioritize and get back to you. Jed prefers it when people don't use the ticket system at all. Just a knock on the IT department door will suffice. Makes it more friendly, he thinks.

PERSONALITY & STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES

PERSONALITY: Jed is kindhearted, gentle, patient and calm. There's a certain charisma he has that's both knowing and a little cheeky. He's not someone that ever causes problems but he can resolve them quickly. He's laidback, but there is a spark of something in his eye that says he's seen some shit in his time. He rarely talks about himself or his life, but people find it easy to talk to him. Jed's the kind of person who can hold a conversation, make you feel like you've known him all your life. He laughs like he might die tomorrow, and sometimes overstays his welcome at people's desks long after their tech problem is fixed.

STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES: Not much deters Jed. He's focused, driven, and stubborn in a quiet sort of way. Most things compared to his upbringing and his family life are a walk in the park so it's rare to see him stressed over anything to do with work. He's good at what he does, but he runs the risk of being too laid back and unbothered with his work.

CURRENT PERSONAL STRUGGLES

Jed's brothers are still a source of stress for him, even though he's taken a step back from being the one they always turn to when shit hits the fan. However, he finds it difficult to ignore things they need. He has his own problems, too. Over the years, when struggling for money, Jed developed a little bit of a gambling problem. Nothing major, but sometimes money leftover from his paycheck gets rinsed on bets and he has to scrape by for the rest of the month.

CURRENT WORK STRUGGLES

Nothing at work really bothers Jed, technically. He just doesn't like it when his relaxed approach to problem solving is tried to box up into procedures and protocols. He can tell his position as a manager might be a topic of discussions, either among the office or even questioned by the heads of departments. But, he knows he's sunk his feet in a little too deep for them to just fire him.

RELATIONSHIPS AT LUMA

Jed knows a lot of people at Luma, usually because he's helped them with their computers or systems. He's a bit of a drifter in that respect and can hold a conversation with anybody.

FOX: Works on his team. Jed can see how Fox's brain works, respects the restlessness but the drive. They're polar opposites yet work well together, Jed can get Fox to calm down and Fox can actually get him to belly laugh.

LUCY: tba.

SASHA: He thinks she's brilliant, has a lot of time for her and appreciates her razor sharp wit. If Jed was the type to get office crushes, it would be easy for people to suspect Sasha was his.

FELIX: Jed prefers to send Fox or Lucy to fix any of Felix's technical issues, because Felix is adament on opening a ticket, for starters. And also seems to know how to fix the problem himself half the time.

GOALS AND AMBITIONS

Jed wouldn't mind a pay rise, just so he can clear a few debts he has mounting up. Other than that, he enjoys his work with Luma and is fully prepared to stay there until he retires. It's the most comfort he's ever had in his life.

[faithfuneralservice]

Trends Transforming the Funeral Home Industry in 2025

Introduction – A Changing Landscape

Funeral services have come a long way in just a few short years. In 2025, we’re seeing a major shift in how people say goodbye, celebrate life, and find closure. Whether you're looking into funeral arrangements in Jonesboro AR, or exploring cremation in Trumann AR, the trends are clear—families want more control, flexibility, and meaning in their end-of-life planning.

Let’s take a look at the trends that are shaping how funeral homes in Jonesboro, Paragould, and Trumann, AR are adapting to meet modern expectations.

Rise of Cremation Services

Cremation Jonesboro AR – Why Families Are Choosing Simplicity

Cremation has become one of the most popular choices in Jonesboro. Families are opting for cremation because it offers flexibility and simplicity. You can hold a memorial anytime, anywhere, and tailor the service however you'd like.

Cremation Paragould AR – Cost, Flexibility, and Personalization

In Paragould, cremation is becoming more common thanks to its cost-effectiveness. Families appreciate being able to choose urns, keepsakes, or even scattering ceremonies that feel personal and heartfelt.

Cremation Trumann AR – Eco-Friendly and Trend-Forward

More people in Trumann are considering cremation for environmental reasons. It's a greener option than traditional burials, and families can still honor their loved ones in meaningful ways.

Personalization is the New Standard

Customized Funeral Arrangements in Jonesboro AR

Gone are the days of cookie-cutter funerals. Families in Jonesboro want services that reflect the unique life of their loved one. Think personal eulogies, themed decor, and music playlists that meant something.

Memorial Services That Reflect a Life Lived

Creating a “celebration of life” event allows for more freedom and creativity. Whether it's a fishing-themed service for Dad or a musical tribute for Grandma, personalization matters.

Tribute Videos, Music, and Decor

From photo collages to favorite snacks and colors, every detail can now tell a story.

Digital Technology in Funeral Homes

Live-Streaming Services and Virtual Attendance

Technology has made it possible to include family and friends from across the world. Live-streaming is now a staple in funeral homes in Trumann AR and other Arkansas locations.

Funeral Home Management Software

Behind the scenes, funeral directors are using cutting-edge tools to manage scheduling, paperwork, and even grief resources.

Booking, Documentation, and Grief Support

Families can now plan online, receive updates, and access helpful tools right from their phones or laptops.

Green Burials and Eco-Conscious Planning

What is a Green Burial?

A green burial avoids embalming chemicals and uses biodegradable materials to return the body to the earth naturally.

How Families in Paragould and Trumann Are Choosing Earth-Friendly Options

Environmentally conscious families in Arkansas are embracing this simple, sustainable approach to honoring life.

Pre-Planning is on the Rise

Why More Families are Choosing Advance Funeral Arrangements in Paragould AR

Planning ahead gives families peace of mind. It locks in today’s prices and ensures your wishes are followed.

Reducing Stress with Clear Plans

Pre-arranged services ease the burden on loved ones, especially during difficult emotional times.

Grief Support and Aftercare Services

The Funeral Home’s Role Beyond the Burial

Today’s funeral homes don’t just handle services—they walk with families through grief. Many offer counseling, support groups, and check-ins.

Faith-Based and Community Support Options in Arkansas

Funeral homes in Jonesboro AR, Paragould, and Trumann often work with churches and local organizations to provide comfort long after the service is over.

Embracing Cultural Diversity in Services

Honoring Faith, Traditions, and Backgrounds

The best funeral homes in 2025 understand that every culture has its own customs. Whether it’s a religious rite or a unique family tradition, services are now more inclusive and respectful of all backgrounds.

Smaller, Intimate Gatherings

Post-Pandemic Shifts in Funeral Size and Setting

Many families are leaning toward smaller gatherings. Backyard memorials, private ceremonies, and even home-based services are becoming more common.

Enhanced Customer Service and Communication

Importance of Compassion and Transparency

Today’s funeral directors are trained in empathy. They guide with a soft touch, offering clear answers and compassionate care.

How Local Funeral Homes in Jonesboro, Paragould, and Trumann Build Trust

Being part of the community means local funeral homes treat you like family—not a transaction.

Virtual Planning and Online Tools

Making Funeral Arrangements Easier in Jonesboro AR and Beyond

Need to make quick funeral arrangements in Trumann AR? Online tools allow you to plan everything remotely—from flowers to officiants and more.

Memorialization Goes Digital

Online Obituaries and Guest Books

People can now leave memories, photos, and messages online for everyone to see and share.

Digital Tributes and QR-Enabled Headstones

Some families are even adding QR codes to headstones that link to online memorials—a modern twist to timeless remembrance.

Family-Owned Funeral Homes Stay Strong

Why Families Still Prefer Local Funeral Homes in Arkansas

Despite the growth of national chains, family-owned funeral homes in Paragould AR, Trumann, and Jonesboro remain the go-to for many families. They offer personal service, local knowledge, and genuine care.

Conclusion – The Future is Personal, Digital, and Compassionate

The funeral home industry is going through a powerful transformation. In Jonesboro, Paragould, and Trumann, families are embracing change while still honoring tradition. Whether it's choosing cremation, planning ahead, or finding new ways to remember a loved one, 2025 is all about connection, care, and customization.

If you're looking for compassionate, personalized care from a trusted local provider, visit Faith Funeral Service to explore your options and begin planning with confidence.

FAQs

1. What are the benefits of cremation in Jonesboro, AR? Cremation offers flexibility, affordability, and simplicity. Families can plan a service when and where they like.

2. How can I make funeral arrangements in Trumann, AR? Most funeral homes now offer online planning tools or in-person consultations to help guide you step-by-step.

3. Are virtual funerals becoming more common in Arkansas? Yes, live-streamed funerals are widely available, helping loved ones attend services from anywhere in the world.

4. What is a green burial, and is it available in Paragould, AR? A green burial avoids embalming and uses biodegradable materials. Many funeral homes in Paragould now offer this option.5. Can funeral planning really reduce stress on families? Absolutely. Pre-planning eliminates guesswork and financial strain, helping families focus on healing and remembrance.

[sublimeobservationarcade]

Things In Life You Now Have To Pay For

Have you ever counted up all the things in life you now have to pay for? Say, for instance if we compare it to previous generations? Let’s start with music, as most folk have a subscription to listen to music on their phone these days. Back in the day people used to own their copies of recorded music not rented them. Next, how about all your streaming service subscriptions. Yes, range of content is much better now but we are paying for it. It used to be either free to air with ads or pay TV but now companies like Amazon are milking the cow from both ends. The voracious pigs like Jeff Bezos want to make you pay and get advertising revenue. I can see the whole sector going this way.

Subscriptions On Everything In Life

Moving onto computers and all the subscriptions that you may have with companies like Microsoft, an anti-virus software firm, AI apps, maybe a video editing suite and whatever else you might want to do with software. Yes, back in the day we used to be able to buy software rather than rent it annually. The subscription model has come in for just about everything. This is why we say that we now live in a rentier economy. Businesses rent out stuff and we pay all these annual subscriptions.

Insurance Premium Subscriptions On Living

This includes insurance, which has been around for millennia. Right now, insurance is in a boom period with premiums going through the roof. There is home insurance, car insurance, private health insurance, some folk insure their life, income, pets, travel, and even funeral arrangements. All these are subscription based either annual or by monthly payments. It is like paying a rental fee on a back up plan if stuff breaks down or goes to shit. Residential Property Surpasses $11 Trillion The things in life you now have to pay for every month or year are mounting up. Obviously, rents and mortgage payments remain the single biggest of these outgoings. Accommodation, having a roof over your head, is the biggest business in town for the banks and other financial lenders. Property is all about investment rather than housing people in the 21C. The financialization of this aspect of human life is worth billions and billions. “The preliminary estimate of the total value of residential dwellings in Australia in the September quarter 2024 was $11,093.8 billion, up $156.3 billion from $10,937.6 billion in the June quarter 2024. This is the first time that the total value of residential dwellings has surpassed $11 trillion. Of the total value of residential dwellings, $10,657.1 billion was owned by households.” - (https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/total-value-dwellings/latest-release) Homelessness is up in Australia at the same time because of the number of people who can no longer afford to rent a home. Things have been so good for investors, speculators, real estate agents, bankers and the conveyancers that the working poor have been cut out of the equation. Tent cities are popping up on the fringes of cities and in parks around the place to house those who can no longer afford to pay the exorbitant rents.

Rents On Money Things in life you now have to pay for. Fees and bank charges on cards and digital payments are rife everywhere you go. We are charged fees every time we pay for stuff. Cash money is in short supply and the banks want to start charging for this too. Meanwhile, these banks declare $10 billion annual profits. “Australia's major banks remain resilient despite economic uncertainty in the full financial year results. The Australian major banks reported a combined profit after tax of $29.9 billion…” - (https://kpmg.com/au/en/home/insights/2024/11/australian-big-4-major-banks-full-year-results-2024.html?pageAccordionID=transformation&nocache=true) Get the violins out for the banks after a tough year for them. We Were Gulled Everything you do in life costs you ever more money. The digitalisation and privatisation of everything promised us savings. I can still remember those assurances proffered by talking heads at the time. The Commonwealth Bank, Telstra, Qantas, the energy utilities and the rest, we were promised cheaper and none of them delivered that. We were gulled, scammed and ripped off. All these public assets were sold cheaply to private interests thus making oligarchs and private billionaires. It was the transfer of power from us into the hands of a few. Neoliberalism was the name of the game. Trump 2.0 I often think about whether Americans are the most gullible people in the world. ‘Stupid is as stupid does’, as one great American character once said. Look at how they have allowed ruthless, greedy individuals and corporations to extract profits from denying people life saving medical care. Imagine voting a crook and sexual predator back into the White House after everything that has come out about Donald Trump. The rest of the world looks on in horror at what is about to unfold. It has begun already – the destruction of America.

President Trump Postlaunch Remarks (NHQ202005300080) by NASA HQ PHOTO is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0 The Joke Was On Us In Queensland, a corrupt state government was complicit in a bent Police Commissioner running a payoff scheme for cops to look the other way re-prostitution, gambling etc It was called ‘the joke’ and brown paper bags stuffed with dirty money were funnelled up the chain of command to the top. “'The Joke' was the tightly-organised system of corruption that operated in Queensland from the 1950s to the 1980s. Graft payments from illegal gambling and prostitution were passed on to police - and the payments went all the way up to the Commissioner's office.” - (https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/conversations/matt-condon-on-the-fall-of-the-joke/7752444) Donald Trump and his ilk are performing macro corruption on a scale rarely seen before. It will do more than sully the name of the United States for ever more, it will bring down this once great nation. Trump & Big Tech Donald Trump has brought the Big Tech oligarchs on board his power cruise. All those subscriptions we now pay to go about our lives make their way into the pockets of these individuals. Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft and their ilk minimise their tax to ridiculously low levels. They shift profits around to avoid paying tax in the countries they do business in. Places like Ireland and the Virgin Islands facilitate this tax minimisation. Donald Trump has just pulled the US out of an OECD initiative designed to force these corporations to stop this practice and start paying their fair share of tax to the governments and countries where they generate billions. “In 2018, Amazon clocked up sales in Australia of more than $1 billion but paid less than $20 million in tax. Google shuffled vast amounts of its European and African earnings through Ireland which had a nominal tax rate of just 12.5 per cent. But a European Union investigation discovered it paid about 1 per cent tax on its earnings as a result of a sweetheart deal with the Irish government. That deal has since come back to bite the tech titan with Ireland now demanding $21 billion in back tax payments.” - (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-28/donald-trump-tech-titans-tax-avoidance-australia/104863912) So, not only are these companies putting the bite on you and me they are avoiding their tax responsibilities too boot. This adversely impacts the countries we live in by reducing the tax revenue available to our governments for essential services like health and education. They are actively involved in shrinking governments to leave us with an unregulated wild west of corporate power.

How long is it going to be before we are paying a subscription for food and drink? Some might be already paying this for home delivered meals and produce. Imagine the power that unregulated and over-concentrated markets for essential food will have over us? We are heading in this direction fast. Do you want some Nazified oligarch like Elon Musk holding this power over you? The Twitter/X bully is supporting far right groups in the UK and Germany. Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system already holds power over vast swathes of people globally. Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta via Facebook and Instagram is another social media private group with way too much influence. It is time to rein these people in. Do Your Bit Consumer power has been denuded in part by the over-concentration of corporate power in sectors via mergers and takeovers. Governments have been piss weak in the face of this and complicit in the gaming of the free market system. Bought off with high paid jobs, campaign money, and favours. However, we can do something despite this by turning off their revenue streams by not doing business with them. Not advertising with Facebook or Google. Not buying stuff off Amazon. Not subscribing to Microsoft services. Writing to these companies and telling them why you are taking your business away. That they do not pay their taxes properly and do not do the right thing by our governments. Apple is a major tax minimiser in this space globally. Stop subscribing to their streaming services. Let them know why. It is worth having a go. Robert Sudha Hamilton is the author of America Matters: Pre-apocalyptic Posts & Essays in the Shadow of Trump. ©WordsForWeb

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[scornocopia]

not to be a freak or gush but i just love art so much i feel so much better about myself and the world and everything when i just wake up and do my little thirty second figure studies and see all these beautiful models and beautiful landscapes being so helpful and aiding me in my draw journey . i feel like i think about The Paper Page or My Hand or my personal art skill or the Digital Art Software too much maybe when i’m actually drawing but i like to step back and tjink about lovely people posing naked or in costume for artist resources and the lovely photographers taking the pictures of them and the streets and the mountains and the sky That sounds so silly like yes of course someone had to take the picture you are referencing good introspection round of applause little dyke BUT SERIOUSLY PEOPLE HAVE entire 26388374848 deviqnyqrt photo galleries purely dedicated to stock for artists to reference off of and it’s just so generous and precious it gives me faith in humanity Thank you models thank you photographers thank you world for being beautiful AND THE THING IS i feel kinda snobby sometimes when i’m like Ermmm i have eclectic taste…. my idea of beauty is gas station at 3 am in the middle of nowhere or rotting funeral home attic BUT THERE ARE IMQHES OF THOSE THINGS TOO as much as i think the internet has gotten ‘worse’ since i was a dumb baby child on catpawisland in 2011 i will forever owe my gratitude to it for being a beautiful connection sharing tool. i want to write every photo taker and model a handwritten letter complete with hearts and lipstick stains (metaphorically) telling them how much i appreciate their hard work. and that’s not to say i wouldn’t still be drawing without the internet i think in every universe it’s a part of me There’s no shaking the draw. bleh. love !

[craftercat]

The Northern Wei Series: Tuoba Gui’s Administration and Economy, 386-404

In the previous articles, Tuoba Gui founded Northern Wei and transformed it from a remote state that was subordinate to Later Yan to a dominant power of the Sixteen Kingdoms. But taking territory is one thing, because to hold territory and be able to fund conquest, you need to actually govern the territory. So how did Tuoba Gui govern his new empire?

I will discuss his 398-406 Sinicisation-based reforms and his dissolution of the tribes in separate articles. Here I will be focusing more on his general administration and economy, and some things mentioned here will be covered more in depth on those articles.

REBELLION STATISTICS

How does one measure the success of an administration? One way of doing so would be to measure rebellions. However, how do you measure rebellions to figure out the effectiveness of administration? I think that the best way of doing so is to measure the general trend, rather than the number of rebellions itself.

Measuring rebellions is difficult and has its flaws, but the general trend can be used as an overview of administrative efficiency. For some emperors, this measure works well. Tuoba Si is one of these emperors, with a trend of decreasing rebellion during his reign showing his administrative capability. On the other hand, other factors can also influence rebellions. For example, rebellion spiked between 426 and 434, not because of administrative failing from Tuoba Tao, but presumably because of the burdens of war and perhaps Xiongnu revolts against the wars with Xia.

However, this doesn't work with Tuoba Gui. This is because Tuoba Gui conquered large amounts of territory, who were obviously going to resist his rule. This resulted in a spike in rebellion without any fault of Tuoba Gui's administration. As well, the lack of rebellions in 403-409 was not because of Tuoba Gui's administrative efficiency, but because of the opposite. Tuoba Gui's administration had decayed, which led to lots of crime, but no actual rebellion, because a side effect of the administrative decay and rampant crime was that people were too scared to even leave their homes, let alone rebel.

Either way, I did calculate an overall trend in rebellions with the help of spreadsheet software. The overall trend was -0.12, indicating an overall decreasing trend (the lowest value is -1). However, this number isn't a good indicator of Tuoba Gui's administrative efficiency for the reasons I've explained above.

OFFICIAL SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Early in Tuoba Gui's reign, he kept the simple official structure of Tuoba Shiyijian (WS113). The only changes he made were adding the Outer Court Ministers (外朝大人), Capital Chief Commanders (都统长) and Banner Generals (幢将) (WS113).

The Outer Court Ministers handled the transmission of imperial edicts, envoy missions, and assisted in state funerals and state rituals. The Capital Chief Commanders commanded the imperial troops in the palace. The Banner Generals were in charge of the attendants and imperial guard members who would lodge at night in the inner palace (WS113).

I will discuss post-396 changes to the official system in more depth when I discuss the Tianxing reforms and Xianbei relations during this period. Here is a basic timeline (WS113) (also forgive some of my translations on the Chinese official titles):

396: Created five ranks of officials, and the local Regional Inspectors (刺史), Governors (太守) and Commanders (令长). Under Han systems, Regional Inspectors were the chief officials of provinces, Governors were the chief officials of commanderies and Commanders were the chief officials of counties.

398: Ordered for official Deng Yuan to create an official system, and establish noble ranks. There had been noble titles granted before 398, but it appeared to be very rare before 398. Established the Ministers of the Eight Units (八部大夫, also referred to as 八部师 and 八部大人), Riding Attendants (散骑常侍), and Edict Attendants (待诏).

399: Split the 36 bureaus of Directors (尚书) into 360 bureaus, led by the Ministers of the Eight Units. Established the subordinate officials of the Ministers of the Eight Units. Established the students and scholars of the Imperial Academy.

400: Established the Grace Recipients (受恩), Receivers of Nurture (蒙养), Leaders of Virtue (长德) and Admonishment Gentlemen (训士). Established the Immortal Scholars (仙人博士).

401: Ordered the tribal protector armies to submit to the generals. Again established 36 bureaus of Directors instead of 360. Abolished the Xiongnu Palace General (匈奴中郎将) and Outer Orchid Terrace Censor (外兰台御史).

404: Established the Six Explanatory Officials (六謁官) and subordinate officials. Reduced the five noble ranks to four. Established five ranks of Dispersed Officials (散官). Established Grand Masters (大师) and Small Masters (小师) of the Eight Units. Established Masters (师) for the commanderies. Established Commanders in Chief (都尉) for the provinces. Established the Ceremonies Master (典师).

405: Abolished the thirty-six Director bureaus. Established the Military Return (武归) and Diligence Cultivators (修勤).

406: Established Inner Officials (内官). Increased the local chief officials' numbers to 3 per province/commandery/county. Established Cavalry Attendants (散骑郎), Hunting Attendants (猎郎), Provincial Commandant Historian (诸省令史), Administrators (省事) and Tally Administrators (典籤)

407: Established Attendant Officials (侍官).

I will discuss these positions in depth in a future article. The main things to note is that there is a mix of Han and Xianbei systems, and that positions were often named after virtues Tuoba Gui wanted to see in governance, rather than following old Han names. Or they were the names for those positions in the Xianbei language. I don't know whether it was translating the Xianbei language into Han or intentional by Tuoba Gui. It is also noted that many of Tuoba Gui's official positions were named after the bird positions of very ancient times.

EARLY ADMINISTRATIVE AND ECONOMIC POLICIES

Early in Tuoba Gui's reign, he was noted for his leniency and benevolence in handling affairs (WS111). Due to going through hardship himself during his childhood, he understood the feelings of his people, and he harmonised his people (WS111). In terms of his law code, he appears to have continued using the same law code as Tuoba Shiyijian before his conquest of much of Later Yan, which was clear and calmed the people.

In terms of his economy, Tuoba Gui encouraged agriculture from the beginning. When he went to Shengle in 386, he encouraged agriculture (WS002). In 394, he designated the northwest of his state to be garrison fields, and he had Tuoba Yi supervise the fields (WS002). Tuoba Yi, during his tenure at the garrison fields, became very popular with the people there (WS015).

However, wars are expensive, so how did Tuoba Gui finance a war? Wars in early Northern Wei were not as expensive as later wars. This is because the Northern Wei's cavalry was well suited to field battles and living off the land rather than heavy supply chains. War still had a cost, but it was not as much was wars that involved long supply chains. Tuoba Gui was easily able to supply livestock by capturing the livestock of other tribes (WS002), and he captured a massive amount of loot when he conquered Liu Weichen in 391, which were slowly added to state supply (WS110).

At this time, there wasn't really a proper tax system, like how there wasn't really a household registration system. Instead, each tribe would present yearly tribute to the King of Dai, which was essentially their version of tax (WS113).

POLICIES DURING AND AFTER THE EXPEDITION AGAINST LATER YAN

During his campaign against 396-7, Tuoba Gui wanted to win the support of the people of Later Yan, which he had alienated due to the massacre at Canhe Slope (WS002). He used anyone from Later Yan who had talent, and when his army was marching, he instructed them not to damage mulberry trees (WS002).

He also instituted basic social relief policies, ordering that commandery and county officials relieve the elderly who could not survive on their own (WS002). He decreed that for the provinces and commanderies that were passed through by the army, that their taxes would be remitted for the year, and cut the taxes of the people in Later Yan by half that year (WS002). He also remitted the taxes of 399 by half (WS002). These measures seem intended to appease the people of Later Yan, who were still hostile to him. Tuoba Gui also built a road across the Taihang Mountains in order to better facilitate communication (WS002).

When he took Zhongshan, Tuoba Gui at first seemed not very sure of where he wanted to designate as his capital. He went to Ye in early 398, where he had thoughts of setting up a capital (WS002). However, he needed to have the Xianbei reside in wherever he established as his capital, and at that time, Ye was simply too far south for them to migrate from Shengle. As well, the same issues that applied when Cui Hao advised Tuoba Si against moving the capital to Ye probably applied to Tuoba Gui as well. By the end of the month, it appears that Tuoba Gui decided on Pingcheng as a capital (WS002).

The problem with making the capital Pingcheng was that Tuoba Gui basically needed to create a capital from scratch. Of course, Pingcheng wasn't as much "build a capital from scratch" as Tongwan was for Helian Bobo, but the city in 398 was not populated enough to be a capital. Tuoba Gui relocated 460,000 people from Later Yan to Pingcheng in order to boost the population there (WS002). These people were civilians and officials, and were Han Chinese, Murong Xianbei and even Koreans of Goguryeo descent, and there were also 100,000 craft workers (WS002).

Tuoba Gui gave these relocated people oxen for ploughing and land according to their population (WS110). He also had the Xianbei relocated inwards to the capital region (WS110), and the tribes within the capital region were disbanded. Tuoba Gui had the Ministers of the Eight Units supervise the region, encourage agriculture, collect taxes and evaluate them (WS110). In 400, Tuoba Gui also began to personally plow the fields in order to motivate his people (WS002, WS110).

The need to turn Pingcheng into a capital also led Tuoba Gui to carry out many construction projects from 398 to 406, and for this, he appears to have used the Xianbei as corvee labour with thirty day periods of service (WS002). This transformation of Pingcheng into a capital appears to have continued throughout Tuoba Si's reign due to the renovations in Pingcheng and the surrounding region throughout 409-423 (WS003).

Tuoba Gui also established a proper tax system, now that he had households under him and the XIanbei were being registered. The tax system was based around the fortified units under the system of clan leader supervision (宗主督护). Under this system, there would often be thirty or fifty families in one household, and these household units were more like small villages than families (WS053). As well, because money was not widely circulated due to the chaos of the Sixteen Kingdoms, taxes were done in produce rather than money (WS110).

The specific levies was that as a standard rate, each household was taxed two pi of silk, two jin of cotton, one jin of silk thread and twenty dan of grain, and they also paid one pi and two zhang of silk to cover the cost of collecting tax (WS110). This tax rate was obviously intended for the large household units, and there were in fact nine different tax rates based on wealth, and so independent farmers were not getting taxed at the same rate (WS110).

The result of Tuoba Gui's agriculture policies was that there were many years of plentiful harvests (WS110). However, until the equal field system, Northern Wei would fail to provide enough to sustain wars and heavy-handed governance. This was for several reasons. The first is that local tax-collecting officials were often corrupt and/or lazy and so didn't properly collect tax (we can see Tuoba Si complaining about this in WS003). The second is that tax collection was inefficient due to the household units, even though they demanded up to double the official tax (WS110). The third is that a lot of land was uncultivated due to the Sixteen Kingdoms, meaning most people were in lower tax bands. The fourth, applying to Tuoba Gui, is that his household registration was flawed.

Tuoba Gui, seeing that many people were not registered, decided to have silk sent to these households (WS110). However, these people were only half-registered. A lot of people did respond to the call, but for an unknown reason, they were not assigned to local tax-collecting officials. It could be that they reported themselves as "scanty silks and fine gauzes" people (WS110), which seems like a name for silk-making retained households, and that since the people in charge were silk making retained households (WS094), they got confused and put the households on the wrong register.

Regardless of how it happened, the result was the same: half-registered households were not under the jurisdiction of tax-collecting officials, and they therefore did not pay the same tax and corvee labour as everyone else. Due to the whole thing with household units, the household registration was a mess and it was impossible to take a census (WS094, WS110). So not the best policy of Tuoba Gui's. This mess was not fixed until the early reign of Tuoba Tao, when he needed money for aggressive campaigns (WS110).

For the reasons I have mentioned above, Tuoba Gui's policies were unable to bring in enough money to fund the campaigns and harsh style of ruling of Tuoba Gui's final years (WS110).

LEGAL REFORM UNDER TUOBA GUI

Tuoba Gui also made changes to the legal system after 398. Murong Bao's laws were harsh and his governance was strict (JS124). Tuoba Gui was vexed by the stern and complicated laws of Later Yan, and he called on Cui Xuanbo and Wang De to revise the laws (WS111). They removed laws that were cruel to the people and greatly honoured simplicity in their legal code (WS111).

Tuoba Gui's legal code was likely primarily based in the laws of Tuoba Shiyijian, butv we know very little about it. We have no sample laws, unlike the code of Cui Hao, and there is no information on the number of clauses, unlike the codes of You Ya/Hu Fanghui and Gao Lu. However, he did likely adopt more Han-style legal regulations out of practicality due to the massive expansion of territory.

Tuoba Gui knew that the people of Later Yan had suffered the burdens of war and they feared the laws in peace (WS111). Tuoba Gui was lenient in punishment and the people were pleased with him (WS111). However, he did not hesitate to uphold the law with his officials (WS111). In the period 398-401, he sent messengers to tour the provinces, examine the local governors and handle lawsuits (WS002). He also ordered in 398 for measurements to be standardised and to determine areas granted to nobles and the capital region (WS002).

EFFECT ON THE POPULATION OF LATER YAN

So did these policies mean that the people of Later Yan submitted to him? At first, the people of Later Yan were hostile, as Tuoba Gui worried that they would rebel against him (WS002). When he left, the people of Boling, Bohai and Zhangwu rose up as bandits, but Tuoba Zun campaigned against them (WS002).

Rebellions from Later Yan territory continued until they began to cool off after 402. From 403-409, there were no rebellions from the people (WS002). But as I mentioned earlier in the article, this was because people were too afraid to rebel rather than because they were happy and content.

403 does seem too early for the people to be too scared to rebel, so the people did likely become more content with Tuoba Gui during this time, but his final years led to simmering tensions. These tensions exploded upon his death, where the political situation turned chaotic and floods and droughts frequently hit the state (WS003). This culminated in a series of uprisings from 409 to 417 that Tuoba Si was forced to deal with (WS003).

Tuoba Si's later years were also remarkably calm, but it does seem as if this were actually due to easing tensions rather than fear, as the WS and the court of Tuoba Tao both evaluated this period as a peaceful one (WS003, WS099). These tensions, however, appear to have been re-inflamed by Tuoba Tao's aggressive campaigns against Xia, a Xiongnu state, and his reforms that added people to tax registers. This led to a series of revolts from 426 to 434 (WS004), due to the burden of war, the Xiongnu seeing the leadership fight other Xiongnu, and people not wanting to pay tax.

There was another calm period after defeating Bai Long, but rebellions started again in Tujing and Hedong, due to the harsh policies of Tuoba Tao's final years and finally, by the late 440s, these rebellions were suppressed (WS004). After more than 50 years under Northern Wei control, the situation stabilised. Under harsh suppression by Tuoba Tao and good governance by Tuoba Jun, the region stabilised for good. Well, until the 520s.

So were these policies effective? I'd say they did work in the short-term, but the final years of Tuoba Gui ruined their effect. The sharp periods of change under Tuoba Gui and Tuoba Tao, and political instability mixed with bad harvests, all led to outbreaks of rebellion. Tuoba Gui's policies may not have prevented all rebellion, but it did help, especially as most rebellions were small in scale.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] From corporate leaders to politicians, celebrities, and general public, thousands of people gathered to pay tributes to Ratan Tata, (Photo: Reuters)5 min read Last Updated : Oct 11 2024 | 12:57 AM IST Industrialists, politicians, film stars, Tata group employees, friends, family members and admirers—running into thousands--queued up at the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA) at Nariman Point since Thursday morning to pay their last respects to Ratan Tata, 86. The patriarch and chairman emeritus of the salt-to-software conglomerate passed away late Wednesday night at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, where he was admitted in the wee hours of Monday. The crowd had started building up outside the hospital on Wednesday evening itself when news got out that Tata, who’s a household name, was critical in the intensive care unit. Soon after the Tata group made the announcement late night, rich tributes flowed in from across the country and around the world. Leaders and business honchos spoke about Tata’s acumen for his global vision, his generosity, his contributions beyond the boardroom and his love for dogs. In television studios and newsrooms, there were questions around succession and the next chapter in the Tata empire. The biggest question was whether Noel Tata, chairman of Trent and half brother of Ratan Tata, will be chosen as the head of Tata Trusts, which owns 66 per cent in Tata Sons. But this was a day to mourn the passing away of the titan who had presided over India’s largest corporate group for over two decades, and also to celebrate the legacy that he leaves behind.                                     Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp  As the last journey began, from his home in Colaba to NCPA in Nariman Point, Tata’s mortal remains--draped in tricolor—were escorted by the Mumbai police band. The last rites, with full state honours and gun salute, were performed at Mumbai’s Worli Crematorium. While VVIPs gathered there to pay their homage, the gates of the crematorium were thrown open to hundreds of emotionally charged employees after a while in the midst of Tata chants.       As Prime Minister Narendra Modi was away on an official trip to Laos, Home Minister Amit Shah represented the Union government at the funeral. Laying a wreath, Shah said he joins millions of Indians to grieve the sad demise of Ratan Tata.  “Tata led the Tata group with clean corporate governance, adhering to the rules, and made efforts to build a better society through the Tata Trusts. Ratan Tata Ji's legacy will continue to guide those who lead the industrial sector of the country for a long time to come,” Shah said. The previous night, the PM had said in a statement that  Tata was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. Among those attending the last rites of Tata were Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, and Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das. Captains of the industry including Mukesh Ambani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Adi Godrej were there too. Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran and Noel Tata were seen interacting with the dignitaries. Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, film star Aamir Khan and movie maker Madhur Bhandarkar also joined in to pay their tributes. It was here at the same crematorium that the last rites of Cyrus Mistry, former chairman of Tata Sons, were performed in September 2022. Ratan Tata and Mistry       had fought a bitter legal battle which culminated in the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the Tatas. Shapoorji Mistry, Chairman of SP Group, which owns 18.4 per cent stake in Tata Sons, said on Thursday that the Mistry family has had a long standing relationship with the Tata Group and with Ratan Tata. “Tata’s unfortunate passing marks the end of an era.

He will always be remembered as a leader who left a lasting mark on the evolution of the Tata Group,” he said. As Maharashtra government declared Thursday a day of mourning, national flags flew at half mast in all government buildings in the state. On a day when the world watched the end of an era, Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde urged the Centre to posthumously award ‘Bharat Ratna’, India’s highest civilian honour, to Tata. In his last social media post on Monday, reacting to media reports that he was very unwell and admitted into Breach Candy’s ICU, Ratan Tata had assured the nation that he had gone to the hospital for a regular check up. ‘’Thank you for thinking of me,’’ he had said. Within a week, his admirers were thanking Tata while bidding him farewell.  Paying tributes One of the most unique aspects of Shri Ratan TataJi was his passion towards dreaming big and giving back “Narendra Modi, Prime Minister   ...A leader par excellence, visionary industrialist, and philanthropist “Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs  There are two things that stand out about Ratan Tata: First, he was a true visionary. Second, he was a strong believer in ethics in corporate governance” Shaktikanta Das, RBI Governor   Mr Tata took  India to the world and brought the best of the world to Bharat” Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries (He) was instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India” Sundar Pichai, Alphabet CEO  First Published: Oct 11 2024 | 12:15 AM IST [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] From corporate leaders to politicians, celebrities, and general public, thousands of people gathered to pay tributes to Ratan Tata, (Photo: Reuters)5 min read Last Updated : Oct 11 2024 | 12:57 AM IST Industrialists, politicians, film stars, Tata group employees, friends, family members and admirers—running into thousands--queued up at the National Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA) at Nariman Point since Thursday morning to pay their last respects to Ratan Tata, 86. The patriarch and chairman emeritus of the salt-to-software conglomerate passed away late Wednesday night at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, where he was admitted in the wee hours of Monday. The crowd had started building up outside the hospital on Wednesday evening itself when news got out that Tata, who’s a household name, was critical in the intensive care unit. Soon after the Tata group made the announcement late night, rich tributes flowed in from across the country and around the world. Leaders and business honchos spoke about Tata’s acumen for his global vision, his generosity, his contributions beyond the boardroom and his love for dogs. In television studios and newsrooms, there were questions around succession and the next chapter in the Tata empire. The biggest question was whether Noel Tata, chairman of Trent and half brother of Ratan Tata, will be chosen as the head of Tata Trusts, which owns 66 per cent in Tata Sons. But this was a day to mourn the passing away of the titan who had presided over India’s largest corporate group for over two decades, and also to celebrate the legacy that he leaves behind.                                     Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp  As the last journey began, from his home in Colaba to NCPA in Nariman Point, Tata’s mortal remains--draped in tricolor—were escorted by the Mumbai police band. The last rites, with full state honours and gun salute, were performed at Mumbai’s Worli Crematorium. While VVIPs gathered there to pay their homage, the gates of the crematorium were thrown open to hundreds of emotionally charged employees after a while in the midst of Tata chants.       As Prime Minister Narendra Modi was away on an official trip to Laos, Home Minister Amit Shah represented the Union government at the funeral. Laying a wreath, Shah said he joins millions of Indians to grieve the sad demise of Ratan Tata.  “Tata led the Tata group with clean corporate governance, adhering to the rules, and made efforts to build a better society through the Tata Trusts. Ratan Tata Ji's legacy will continue to guide those who lead the industrial sector of the country for a long time to come,” Shah said. The previous night, the PM had said in a statement that  Tata was a visionary business leader, a compassionate soul and an extraordinary human being. Among those attending the last rites of Tata were Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, and Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das. Captains of the industry including Mukesh Ambani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Adi Godrej were there too. Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran and Noel Tata were seen interacting with the dignitaries. Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, film star Aamir Khan and movie maker Madhur Bhandarkar also joined in to pay their tributes. It was here at the same crematorium that the last rites of Cyrus Mistry, former chairman of Tata Sons, were performed in September 2022. Ratan Tata and Mistry       had fought a bitter legal battle which culminated in the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the Tatas. Shapoorji Mistry, Chairman of SP Group, which owns 18.4 per cent stake in Tata Sons, said on Thursday that the Mistry family has had a long standing relationship with the Tata Group and with Ratan Tata. “Tata’s unfortunate passing marks the end of an era.

He will always be remembered as a leader who left a lasting mark on the evolution of the Tata Group,” he said. As Maharashtra government declared Thursday a day of mourning, national flags flew at half mast in all government buildings in the state. On a day when the world watched the end of an era, Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde urged the Centre to posthumously award ‘Bharat Ratna’, India’s highest civilian honour, to Tata. In his last social media post on Monday, reacting to media reports that he was very unwell and admitted into Breach Candy’s ICU, Ratan Tata had assured the nation that he had gone to the hospital for a regular check up. ‘’Thank you for thinking of me,’’ he had said. Within a week, his admirers were thanking Tata while bidding him farewell.  Paying tributes One of the most unique aspects of Shri Ratan TataJi was his passion towards dreaming big and giving back “Narendra Modi, Prime Minister   ...A leader par excellence, visionary industrialist, and philanthropist “Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs  There are two things that stand out about Ratan Tata: First, he was a true visionary. Second, he was a strong believer in ethics in corporate governance” Shaktikanta Das, RBI Governor   Mr Tata took  India to the world and brought the best of the world to Bharat” Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries (He) was instrumental in mentoring and developing the modern business leadership in India” Sundar Pichai, Alphabet CEO  First Published: Oct 11 2024 | 12:15 AM IST [ad_2] Source link

[wesleytyler]

A hacker-type IT guy in a dimly lit room inside a large house built in 1895, which was once a funeral home. The room has high ceilings with ornate moldings and antique furniture, adding a historical and eerie ambiance. The IT guy is focused on a computer screen displaying software defined radio (SDR) tools and graphs. The room is filled with high-tech gadgets, scattered ghost hunting equipment like EMF meters and infrared cameras. The IT guy is on the right side of the image, using technology to search for or emit an 18.9Hz or 19Hz frequency, symbolized by waves or signals on his screen. The background includes shelves with tech gear and a faintly visible, more transparent ghostly figure with a different, less distinct face, enhancing the paranormal research vibe.

[everlastingstudios]

Creating Heartfelt Memorial Videos: A Tribute to a Loved One | Everlasting Studios

Losing a loved one is never easy, but celebrating their life with a memorial video can be a comforting and meaningful way to honor their memory. A well-crafted celebration of life tribute video can capture the essence of a person’s life, bringing together photos, videos, and music that reflect their unique journey. This guide will explore the process of making memorial videos, the benefits of hiring a professional filmmaker, and some related topics such as title loans and car loans.

The Importance of Memorial Videos

Memorial videos serve as a lasting tribute, preserving precious memories for future generations. They are often shown at funerals, wakes, and celebration of life ceremonies, providing a poignant way to reflect on and celebrate the life of the deceased. These videos can also be shared with family and friends who are unable to attend the memorial service, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to pay their respects.

Crafting the Perfect Celebration of Life Tribute

Creating a memorial video involves several steps, each crucial to producing a heartfelt tribute. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand the process:

1. Collecting Memories

The first step is gathering photos, video clips, and any other mementos that represent the life of your loved one. Look for:

Photos: From different stages of their life, including childhood, significant life events, and candid moments.

Videos: Home movies, special events, or even video messages they might have recorded.

Music: Songs that were meaningful to them or reflect their personality and spirit.

2. Choosing the Right Software or Professional Help

While there are various software options available for creating memorial videos, hiring a professional filmmaker can significantly enhance the quality and emotional impact of the video. Professionals bring technical expertise and creative storytelling skills that can transform your raw materials into a polished and poignant tribute.

3. Editing the Video

Editing is where the magic happens. This involves:

Sequencing: Arranging photos and videos in a meaningful order.

Transitions: Adding smooth transitions between clips to create a cohesive flow.

Text: Including captions, quotes, or dates to provide context.

Music: Incorporating background music that enhances the emotional tone without overpowering the visuals.

4. Final Touches

Review the video to ensure it accurately reflects the life and personality of your loved one. Make any necessary adjustments before finalizing the video. Once complete, you can share it digitally or create DVDs for distribution to family and friends.

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Filmmaker

Creating a memorial video can be a daunting task, especially when you are grieving. Hiring a professional filmmaker can alleviate this burden and ensure a high-quality tribute. Here are some benefits:

Expertise: Filmmakers have the technical skills and creative vision to produce a professional-quality video.

Time-Saving: Professionals can complete the project efficiently, allowing you to focus on other aspects of the memorial service.

Emotional Distance: A filmmaker can handle the emotional material objectively, creating a balanced and respectful tribute.

If you’re looking for professional memorial video services, consider Everlasting Studios in Canada. The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Filmmaker

Understanding Title Loans and Car Loans

While the focus of this article is on memorial videos, it's also helpful to address some related questions about title loans, as these can often be relevant during challenging times.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Title Loan?

A title loan is a quick way to access cash using your car's title as collateral. The process typically takes between 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the lender. You’ll need to provide your vehicle’s title, proof of income, and identification.

Can I Get a Title Loan with a Lien?

Getting a title loan with an existing lien on your vehicle can be challenging. Lenders usually require a clear title to secure the loan. However, some lenders may offer options to settle the lien as part of the loan process, though this may involve additional fees or higher interest rates.

No Title Car Loans

If you don't have a car title, traditional title loans aren’t an option. However, you might explore other types of loans like personal loans or secured loans using other assets as collateral. It’s essential to compare different loan products and their terms to find the best solution for your financial situation.

Conclusion

Creating a memorial video is a powerful way to honor and remember a loved one. Whether you choose to make the video yourself or hire a professional filmmaker, the end result can be a beautiful and lasting tribute. Additionally, understanding related financial options, such as title loans, can provide much-needed support during difficult times.

For those in need of professional memorial video services, Everlasting Studios offers compassionate and skilled assistance to help you create a tribute that truly celebrates the life of your loved one.