#The Shell Graduate Programme

[otomes-world]

Six impossible things before breakfast

Little twist with sentient twst au, yes, I didn't expect this either. Masterlist with more works here

We've probably all heard the joke about "How many light bulbs does it take to (insert whatever)." Who would have thought that you would use a slightly modified version of it: how many more coincidences must happen to realize the truth.

Although can anyone really blame you for not wanting to admit that you are a bunch of colored pixels created purely for entertainment purposes? No, it even sounds nice. After all, your purpose was to create extras, a stage on which the main characters performed and shone. Those who had faces.

Did you always have yours? Could you always see it in the mirror in the morning?

Did figurative shivers run down your spine every time a faceless classmate addressed you? One of ten, hundreds, exactly the same. Have the main bunch had the same problem? That's the question you'd been asking yourself lately. Did they shrug off empty, replaceable shells, or at least for a second consider them their equals?

Perhaps the question should have been asked differently. Was this in the order of things for them, because the thought of the incorrectness of worldly norms did not flash through their heads. Or it was something simple and very banal - they did not realize that they were part of the game.

Were you special? The thought was flattering, but it was stupid to start turning up your nose. Maybe the supreme programmer, like the smart guys from Ignihyde, could consider you a virus, a bug, an annoying nuisance, which can be gotten rid of in a couple of seconds. Click and that's it, your file would be deleted.

The idea that death could be more than just literal took you by surprise.

It all started with a strange feeling of déjà vu, with a strange cyclical nature of what was happening. How the seasons did not change according to the laws of nature or, on the contrary, lasted longer than expected. Sometimes you wondered what month was going on, at least by counting. Or how you couldn’t say with certainty what year of study you were in. When was your graduation? Would it ever come?

How many times did the main characters celebrate their birthday? How many times had you celebrated it? Did you celebrate it from the start?

Lessons

Breaks

Exams

Holidays

Lessons

Was there an end to this merging stream of eternal students? Was the dormitory assignment ceremony that important? How many real “first-year students” were admitted each year? Why couldn't your educational journey end? Time adjusted and obeyed an invisible force; it existed only when it was convenient for someone.

Catching the attention of the local spotlight and getting on stage was the best way to get labeled as a "bug" and ask to be removed. However, the main threat was only the erasure of memory.

The next discovery was doubt about one’s own “specialness.” When consciousness had nothing to do, it began to cling to different details, trying to look for differences in a series of events repeated in the film.

When you knew what to look for, small mistakes that were not noticeable at first glance stand out more than usual. A slight shadow of boredom on the faces of the main ones. Lack of interest in the educational process and exams. As if only one “exam” was important in a bunch of exactly the same events. When the first years of Heartslabyul signed a contract with Ashengrotto.

With new information in mind, it became easier to identify important “events” and track time based on them. By how many times they were repeated in the endless flow of time. Taking notes and somehow recording data was more dangerous than you thought, all that was left was to come up with methods known to you alone. For example, in a dorm room on the bedside table there was a cluster of glasses, each containing specific color of pencils.

Did your roommates start to think you were weird and obsessed with order and cleanliness? Their right. You didn't care what they thought, besides, they would forget about it with the coming of a new day.

In order not to completely go crazy, you began to peer into the “faces” of other students, trying to spot at least a feature that distinguishes one from another. Either this world was too lazy, creating copy after copy in every dorm, or there was no point in trying. If you somehow came to terms with the feeling of the meaninglessness of what was happening, then the appearance of one student in several places at the same time still caused rejection.

Disgusting

If this world was someone’s experiment, then why were events cyclical? If this was a cage, then where was the exit. If this was a prison, then who was being held in it?

You made a mistake in observing a person without magic from another world. Trying to figure out whether Yuu's "world" was truly different or just as much a part of predestination as everything around. Was “Yuu” really the main one or just an extra? You could have sworn they didn't have a face. At least such clear features as all the main ones. Just as there was no character, how in each of the repeating events they could behave differently.

It was a breath of fresh air in the routine of never-ending study. The watching of the only part capable of changing in the world, subject to the same rules.

That's why, when one of the main ones suddenly approached you, you thought you were dreaming. Whether it was possible to fall asleep in the simulation was another question. Usually you went to bed, closed eyes, only to open them the next second to the sound of the alarm clock.

"Can I help you with something?" You smiled politely, but was it worth it? Could the main bunch distinguish between persons different from their privileged group.

Hunt. Was that his name? You weren't completely sure. He was part of something forbidden, something to be avoided at all costs. Part of the three “don’ts”: don’t look for information;don’t mention; don’t give yourself unnecessary temptations. Returning to the present moment, he just looked into your eyes with his constant smile, as if trying to find confirmation of something.

Like a true NPC, you continued to stand, frozen in one position and waiting for his answer. Until awareness came as abruptly as his appearance in principle. He looked straight into your eyes. Could he see your face the same way you saw it in the mirror? How long ago? Could the rest of the main ones see you too?

A billion questions were spinning in head at the same time as you tried to come up with a suitable excuse and reason to leave. The changes turned out to be too unexpected and frightening. Perhaps with the advent of a new “day” everything would return to normal.

“Is there a knight in the world who is not ready to devote all his deeds to one and only one, if this opens the veil of secrets at least a little? Will it allow him to find out what thoughts are spinning in head?”

It's a pity he was not a knight. Even though each word was pronounced with a special intonation, you only thought about how much water there was in his speech. Unfortunately, saying this out loud was an unaffordable luxury.

"..Is that so?"

“You are right, an étoile (star), I may be not one of their noble number, but even so I am not able to deny their order.” You let him continue, mentally counting down the minutes until the bell rang for lesson. “I may not have a sword in sheath, but It won`t change a way I live! Your smile can make my whole heart melt. There isn't lie in way I felt”

“I’m not good at poetry, but the rhyme is lame, Sir Hunt,” if it’s there.

“You’re right, writing poems is just one of my hobbies, to which I devote my few free leisure hours,” he continued, as if your words didn’t hurt him at all. “I hasten to assure you that there was no malicious intent in my actions. This modest hunter only wanted to greet a new connoisseur of everything beautiful and interesting."

No matter how much you hate beating around the bush, doubts creeping in from randomly thrown words. Sometimes the phrases spoken directly were the most frightening. However, not wanting to part with your role as an extra - which was burdensome, but at the same time giving a semblance of freedom - you continued to pretend to be an NPC.

"Should I congratulate you?.. Congratulations!" Any member of the film club would envy your feigned sincerity. A bell in three, two, "I don’t dare detain you any longer.”

The unsaid `like you would me` hung in the air. You had to hold out for the few remaining hours until the end. Fortunately, the main one did let you go, but smile, saying that its owner knew everything in the world, left an unpleasant aftertaste. One that your intuition suggested would accompany you for the next days.

It's going to be a very long a few hours.

[hobiebrownsluver]

Please stop, these families from Gaza need your help !! 🇵🇸🍉

Ahmed is a 20-year-old man from Gaza who has set up this campaign for both him and his family. Since the war began, Ahmed was unable to pursue his dream education; instead his concern lying with the survival of himself and his family.

Every attempt to buy flour has resulted with a risk of death for himself, the explosions shake the ground like earthquakes, the red flames consume everything in sight, and so does hunger, which may also consume his family. After two months of the war, he and his family were forced to flee their homes, and many of them seperated from one another. Some stay in the north, and some, including Ahmed, have fled south. All of them losing the safety and comfort of their former lives.

Ahmed and his younger brother have been displaced to Mawasi Rafah, where he stayed for nearly five months. Next, Mawasi Deir al-Balah, now, they stay in an overcrowded UN school classroom in the southern part of Gaza.

A ceasefire sparked hope in Ahmed's heart, but unfortunately, only a 50-day one was agreed upon. But, he hopes for it to end soon. I urge for you to donate to his campaign, to which his goal is to evacuate his family out of Gaza, and to settle into a safe and stable place outside of it, the funds would be used also help cover rent and basic expenses they must pay to adjust to the environment.

The campaign's state: 1,010 €/15,000 €

Ahmed's account: @ahmadx6gaza2

Mahmoud is 29-years-old and a former Arab teacher. He strived for happiness and a potential lifetime partner, but his life was turned around by the genocide inflicted by Israel's government. When the bombs found themselves inside his village, Mahmoud and his family were trapped in between the shells. He miraculously escaped, only to find himself without shelter, he was deprived of a bed, a bathroom, and even a meal. Now, he cannot find something to satisfy his hunger, and has made himself a tent and lived in it out of nylon, but it does not protect him from the heat or winter. He hopes for you to donate to his campaign to support he and his family can live.

The campaign's state: $ 18,900/ $ 35,000

Mahmoud's account: @mahmaad14

Mahmoud is 21-years-old and lives in Shujaiya in the northern part of Gaza and is the oldest of his siblings. He and his family loved their home and adored their safe haven for its calm and clean environment. Which has now been destroyed by the bombings.

Ever since his fathers passing, Mahmoud has been the head of his family. The pain in his mothers eyes is there, but she always remains strong for them. Mahmoud supports both her and his siblings, though he has little to offer.

Mahmoud graduated from the Faculty of Information Technology at the University College of Applied Sciences, which is now in ruins after being completely destroyed during the war. He had dreamed to pursue in the field as a programmer or web developer, but the siege and unemployment have closed all doors for him. Mahmoud didn't give up, and so he worked as a truck driver and earned 400 shekels, barely enough to cover for his family's needs.

But even that job didn’t last. The war left nothing untouched. The company he worked for was completely destroyed, and the trucks and equipment turned to ashes. Suddenly, Mahmoud found myself without income, living in a tattered tent, trying to shelter his family from the rain and cold.

Even then, Mahmoud continues to dream. He dreams for a job that would allow for him and his family to live comfortably and peacefully. To stay in a home that could once again be their save haven, and the return of the smiles of his siblings and mother. Overall, he wishes for this genocide and war to end, and for their life to return to some sort of normalcy.

Mahmoud's wife is also in a critical condition, as she is about to give birth. I urge you to donate to them for their safety and evacuation 🙏.

The campaign's state: $10,370/$30,000

Mahmoud's account: @mahmoudgazza78

[justforbooks]

Charles Handy

Philosopher and management thinker who coined the phrase ‘portfolio’ career, and believed companies should retain their humanity

For a country that prides itself on its professional and financial services sector, the UK has produced remarkably few world-ranking management and organisational thinkers. At the very top of that pile, however, is Charles Handy, the writer and social philosopher – his preferred designation – who has died aged 92.

As both a thinker and educator, Handy was unusual. Although a professor – he was a founding faculty member of the London Business School (LBS), the UK’s first graduate business school, in the 1960s – he never followed the conventional path, ploughing a narrow furrow and publishing in specialist journals.

What he did was think, about the big human issues of business, society and democracy, turning his thoughts, often anchored in his own experience, into books, articles and talks with characteristically evocative titles such as The Age of Unreason (1989), The Empty Raincoat (1994), The Hungry Spirit (1997) and The Second Curve (2015). They gained him an international audience and global sales of more than 2m.

In his ability to perceive and articulate developments in the world of work before they crystallised, and in his big-picture approach, Handy took after another atypical European academic, Peter Drucker, dubbed the “father of management”, whom Handy admired. Handy was writing about the future of work as early as 1984, foresaw an era of discontinuous change in The Age of Unreason – his breakthrough book – as well as predicting the advent of the gig economy, remote working and the fragmentation of the traditional career. The “portfolio life” was his coinage, which he defined by living it.

In management terms, Handy’s legacy is his steadfast defence of the company as an evolving community of people rather than a machine or set of contracts. This was based on an unshakeable belief in humanity – “humanity will triumph – people need people”, he said in a podcast interview in 2021, at the height of a pandemic lockdown.

To thrive, a company had to make space for human purpose, human balance and human fulfilment. “Doing your best at what you are best at,” was his Aristotelian recipe, adding “for the benefit of others” at the end. This fed into his belief that the organisation of the future needed to be flexible, decentralised and built on trust rather than formal hierarchy and a rule book.

Born in Ireland, in Clane, Co Kildare, the son of Joan (nee Scott) and Brian Handy, a Protestant clergyman, Charles went to Bromsgrove school, Worcestershire, then studied classics at Oriel college, Oxford, from which he absorbed influences that marked his thinking throughout his life.

Just as formative was his first job at an outpost of Shell in Borneo in 1956, only doubly so: first because it was while there that he met Elizabeth Hill, then working at the British High Commission in Singapore, at a party in Kuala Lumpur, and second because, with her trenchant help, it showed him what he did not want to be. They married in 1962.

The epiphany came in 1965, when he found himself back in London, in an anonymous shared office at Shell HQ, greeted by a three-page list of responsibilities on his desk with no name on it. That struck him as not very human. Liz more forcefully gave him to understand that seeing the adventurous expat she had met and married turn into a dull office drudge was not part of their life’s plan.

Instead he relocated to the US – another formative experience – to attend the Sloan executive study programme at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which he returned to London in 1967 to set up a UK version of the programme at the LBS.

He endowed it with a humanistic cast far removed from the usual finance and quantitative orientation. “Charles always had a sense of what it is to be human,” his friend and close LBS colleague Lynda Gratton said. “He inspired students, readers and friends to think more deeply, question more profoundly and live a life nearer to being human – with all its complexities and questions.”

Handy left LBS for a four-year stint as warden of St George’s House at Windsor Castle (1977-81), a sort of spiritual thinktank, before, again egged on by Liz, deciding to quit and go freelance as a writer and speaker. They reorganised their life, and, half-joked Handy, rewrote their marriage contract.

Henceforth they would split the year in two, with the work of first one, then the other, taking priority. Liz became his formidable agent as well as resuming her own career as a successful photographer – they subsequently collaborated on several books – and their time would be spent half in their former farm labourer’s cottage in rural Norfolk and half in their London home. They also shared cooking duties for the many visitors who arrived at both places to discuss world events, photography and politics over a generous lunch.

Relishing the new regime, Handy launched into a series of books that conquered an audience stretching far beyond business types. In fact, the latter were sometimes dismayed by what he had to say. He rejected shareholder capitalism, deeming shareholder ownership of companies a fiction and a fraud, and fretted that big corporations had become “prisons of the soul”.

For him, “good organisations are like a small English village. Everyone knows each other and what the other does. There’s no job title, you’re just Charles or Liz, and you help each other out. It’s not owned, people belong to it.” In those circumstances, management becomes a matter of common sense, not the technocratic exercises described in the textbooks he scorned.

If Handy’s writing style was conversational and accessible, his speaking could reach heights worthy of the ancients he had learned from. This was done without bravado, PowerPoint or notes, but with a quiet intensity that made every listener feel as if he was addressing them personally.

It was there that his inner firebrand sometimes surfaced. Few of those present will forget his closing speech, or the spontaneous standing ovation it prompted, at the Global Peter Drucker Forum in Vienna in 2018, when he called for a Lutheran Reformation of management, urging the audience not to wait for a great leader but “to start small fires in the darkness, until they spread and the whole world is alight with a better vision of what we could do with our businesses … If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”

Handy was active almost until the last. His final book, suitably titled The View from Ninety: Reflections on Living a Long, Contented Life, is due for publication in 2025.

Liz died in a car accident in 2018. Handy is survived by his son and daughter, Scott and Kate, four grandchildren and by two sisters, Ruth and Margaret.

🔔 Charles Brian Handy, social philosopher and management thinker, born 25 July 1932; died 13 December 2024

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[whumpsmith-participates]

AI-less Whumptober 2024

Day 31 - Panic Attack, "You need to get out of here!"

Tags/CW: superheroes & sidekicks, PTSD

Being a hero isn't easy.

Training to be a hero...is even harder.

You have nearly none of the experience, yet you're met with even more hostility. You're an easy target. A loophole that any respectable villain would gladly exploit, just so they wouldn't have to take their actual nemesis head-on.

The result? Sidekicks that would either graduate into hardened heroes, or leave the path of crime fighting entirely.

Evan was more than aware of the risks. He'd almost considered quitting himself after one too many setbacks, so he knew which signs to look out for in his sidekicks. He kept in close contact with their other mentors, parents and, if necessary, their therapist.

He kept a close eye on how they acted, whether they were just hanging out together or actively working in the field, he wanted to make sure he wouldn't miss any signs. All in an effort to keep them from getting hurt...again.

Evan wasn't perfect (as much as he aspired to be), and villains were ruthless. He hadn't always succeeded in keeping his kids sidekicks safe, which was the entire reason why he was so vigilant now. Benching them if they showed too much hesitation, and talking things through as soon as he had the time for it.

But even while paying such close attention, the fact remained that he had about eight kids to look after, so he didn't always see everything. He didn't see Jasper's reluctance when he picked him to join the team for today's mission. Or rather, he didn't see that his reluctance was different from the usual.

Jasper was not his most confident sidekick. Having been a shut-in for most of his life, he was a bit socially awkward. When he talked, he talked quietly and with hesitance. He preferred to be invisible and rarely stood up for himself.

His progress had been very much two steps forward, one step back. Evan had exploited his tendency to not stand up for himself and pushed him out of his comfort zone multiple times to try and build up his confidence. And he was quite proud to say that Jasper had definitely come out of his shell.

Jasper was at his most confident when talking about his favourite subjects: chemistry, retro anime, shonen manga, and...his own powers. Evan strongly suspected that the only reason Jasper wasn't denied from the sidekick programme was because of the incredible level of control he had compared to his peers.

Where most of the others still struggled to find the balance between too much and too little oomph, Jasper could control his powers with a level of precision that not even some of the most powerful heroes could.

Granted, it probably helped that he had to control his powers with that level of precision, otherwise he risked serious injury. Evan had seen it himself last year. Whilst Jasper could seemingly effortlessly phase through any solid matter, if his powers stopped working only halfway through the process, things could get really ugly.

Solid objects that had not been there previously could have a rather violent effect on the human body, and Jasper had had one too many bad experiences with it to want to have any more slip ups. So he'd trained the use of his powers, and he practised not until he got it right, but until he couldn't get it wrong.

And Evan's suspicion that he was only on the programme because of that level of control, mostly had to do with the fact that he still chose him for missions a bit more often than he would any of the other sidekicks, especially knowing their struggles.

Now then. It wasn't uncommon for Jasper to be less than enthusiastic when Evan asked him to join him in the field, so Evan didn't think too much of it when he dragged his feet and intentionally stalled, suiting up as slowly as possible.

The others didn't seem to care or mind, chattering away as usual, either discussing irrelevant subjects or actually focusing on the details of the mission. They were tasked to find a couple of fugitives, and the police had reason to believe they were hiding out somewhere in a warehouse downtown.

Really, it was nothing out of the ordinary. Evan was confident his sidekicks could handle this easily. Rounding up a couple of thugs? Peanuts. And therefor perfect to try and draw Jasper out of his shell a bit more. Evan wanted to use his confidence around his powers to see if he would manage to take charge...by forcing him to do so.

When they arrived at the warehouse, he broke the news to the boy as he told everyone the plan.

"First," he said, unintentionally pausing for dramatic effect, "Ghost will scout ahead to see what's going on inside."

"M-me?" Jasper squeaked, his voice barely audible through the white mask covering his face.

"You'll be fine," Evan insisted.

"B-but what if they see me?"

"What are they gonna do? Chase you through a wall?" Evan asked, "They'll probably just think you're an actual ghost and shit themselves first."

"That's gross, Frost," Kinetica pointed out.

"Nah, he's got a point," Eclipse said, nodding wisely, "first time I saw Ghost in action I was pretty freaked-out too. It's just...so unexpected to see someone go through solid objects."

"I-I'm sorry," Jasper replied.

Evan couldn't stop himself from face-palming.

"Okay, that's enough chatting," Evan said, "Ghost, you're going inside and you're gonna tell us what you see."

"G-going!" Jasper squeaked, before nervously approaching the building.

He wasn't even sure what he was so nervous about. This wasn't the first time he'd been sent into a building potentially full of enemies on his own, and he knew he could easily avoid any pursuers or harm by just doing what he usually did. So why was it harder than usual to ignore the pounding in his chest?

He took a deep breath, before popping his head through the outer-wall of the warehouse, only to find himself looking inside a shipping crate.

Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap....

Not wanting to disappoint Evan, he pushed through. It was just a crate, he could get out. It was just a crate, he could get out. It was just a crate—

He phased through the wood as he reached the other side of the crate, and fell off the storage shelf and onto the floor. He quickly scrambled to his feet and looked around to check for any thugs, but the shelf he fell off of was standing behind another massive shelf, stacked with more crates and obscuring him from view...if anyone was even around.

He couldn't report back to the others if he couldn't tell if he could be heard or not, so he reluctantly continued, trying to peek past the crates as he walked down the aisle.

At the end, he carefully peeked around the corner, and luckily no one was there. He sighed relieved, looking further around the room, making sure no one was there before calling it in.

"Th-there's no one on this side of the warehouse," he said, "I-I think I saw a side-door near the West wall so you guys can get in."

"Good work, Ghost." Evan praised, "Make sure to check for alarms before opening it to let us in."

"I-I will," Jasper replied, making his way over to the door he saw.

He checked for any wires or sensors that might indicate an alarm, and when he found none, he carefully opened the door. The cool evening breeze that washed in made him shiver, and he hugged himself as he stepped back to let the others in.

"It's weird seeing a warehouse actually being used as a warehouse," Eclipse noted, looking up at all the shelves, crates and boxes.

"On this side," Evan said, "Ghost, could you check the other side?"

Jasper just nodded, turning around to go through the whole process again, when the lights suddenly flicked on.

"Who's there?!" someone yelled.

"Crap," Evan said, "the door must've been rigged after all."

"A silent alarm?" Kinetica asked.

"Doesn't matter," Evan said, "let's go high, they won't expect that. Ghost, do you need a hand to—"

Evan trailed off as he realised something was off. Jasper was breathing heavily, pulling at his ask as if it was restricting his air flow, and he didn't seem to be listening. He was shaking like a leaf, stumbling backwards a bit as footfalls and voices got closer and closer.

"You two, get your asses high up," Evan hissed, sending the other two sidekicks away, before turning to Jasper, "Ghost? Jasper! You need to get out of here! Go!"

Jasper didn't need to be told twice. He stumbled back through the crates and boxes, through the outer wall, and fell onto the cold concrete of the alley that ran past the side of the building.

With a gasp, he tore half his mask off, exposing his mouth and nose so he could breathe better...or so he thought. He couldn't stop himself from gulping in deep breaths, his heart pounding so painfully against his ribs he felt like he couldn't even really breathe in properly in the first place.

Millions of thoughts raced through his head. What was happening? A heart attack? Did he mess up phasing somehow? Did he hurt himself phasing? Was he actually bleeding out into his chest cavity? Or was it just a panic attack? What set it off? The crate? His claustrophobia?

The feeling of being trapped in a small space crept up to him. He could feel the bruising on his hands and legs from hours of desperately banging against a lid, the pain in his throat from screaming for help so desperately as it got harder and harder to breathe.

Help.

He needed help. But there was no one in the alley to help him. He was all alone, just like back then. He pulled the hood from his costume over his head as he buried his face in his knees, beginning to rock back and forth as he started sobbing.

He didn't even consider the fact that one of the thugs from inside might hear and come out to find him. He didn't even hear the gunfire and screaming to realise they had their hands full and couldn't spare anyone to check outside.

He was just alone.

Trapped.

@ailesswhumptober

Evan/Frostbringer belongs to @illustriousshadow Kinetica belongs to @dr-abitat-blog

Masterlist Main account

Oh my gawd I didn't think it'd be so clutch, but here I am. I legit finished writing at 23:58 whoops, then I spent 10 mins polishing everything up. LUCKILY I'm a couple timezones ahead of the event,,,,,

[subtile-jagden]

Emil Schäfer - Part 1

Family Carl Maria Emil Schäfer was born on 17 December 1891. Named after his father, he went by the name Emil. He had two younger sisters. His father was a fabric manufacturer; two things Emil had in common with his flying comrade Werner Voss whose father had the same profession and also was from the city of Krefeld in western Germany. They also went to the same school, not at the same times though as Werner was six years younger.

Military service and Work After his graduation in 1911 Schäfer had to do compulsory military service but was able to join the Einjährigen-Programm, so he only had to do it for one year instead of the standart two years. He chose to serve with the Hannoversches Jäger-Battailon Nr. 10 (Infantry) in Goslar. After that, Schäfer was destined to join his father's company and become a merchant. For that he did internships with some of his father´s business colleagues. He had the opportunity to go to London and then to Paris, making him fluent in English and French. Originally he had planned to stay in France for some years, but the year was 1914 so destiny had other plans for him. His father came to Paris to bring him back to Germany, eventhough the imminent threat of war wasn´t yet taken seriously from neither the Schäfers nor their French colleagues: “We joked about our departure, drank to seeing each other again soon, and separated as the best of friends”.

War time service 1914 - 1915 Schäfer, in the rank of Oberjäger, tried to rejoin his old regiment, but was ordered to Westfälisches Jägerbataillon Nr. 7. His first mission was the occupation of Liège, Belgium after its capture the days before. His task was to secure the train station and the bridges around the city. But Schäfer was eager for a more active role in the war: “Hopefully we'll get to the enemy soon. I don't like the police service anymore”. His wish soon came true, and on September 1st his unit is deployed for the storming of Maubeuge. After several days of shelling the fort, they managed to take it. 52,000 men on the French side were captured by 18,000 German troops. After that they were supposed to march on Paris but another unit needed help and after a march of almost 100 km in two days they managed to prevent an enemy breakthrough of the lines.

On September 26, 1914, the course of the war changed for Emil Schäfer when he was shot in the leg while taking the town of Chivry. He had to spend almost 7 months in hospitals and in rehab before he could walk again. The result of the injury was a shortened left leg, which made it difficult for him to walk long distances. He returned to his unit in April 1915 which was still in the same area where he last left them; the city taken and the soldiers deep in the trenches. There he stayed until the end of 1915. He had started to get bored and was also struggling with his injury; his leg was healed, but he found it difficult to walk and stand for long periods of time.

Pilot In January 1916 Schäfer started his pilot training in Köslin. After successful graduation he was sent to Russia in July to join Staffel 8 of Kampfgeschwader 2. His main task was to attack Russian positions with bombs and machine gun fire. “We start twice or three times a day. Occasionally tethered balloons are charred and Russian planes shot down.”

Emil wrote extensively to his parents, describing a day in the life of a pilot: “At 4:45 in the morning my orderly appears and throws me out of bed, half an hour later I appear in my oldest and dirtiest outfit in the dining car, where the gentlemen from squadron 8 and 9 gradually arrive. Coffee, milk, sugar, bread and occasionally a little butter is delivered. Almost everyone still has a pot of jelly, jam, butter or sausage. This first breakfast is very hearty and plentiful, because if you are unlucky, it must be enough for the whole day. Then we go to the airport. When we arrive, the planes are ready. I walk around my good old machine, checking a turnbuckle here and there, then I get attracted. Schubert helps me into my flight pants, buttons, buckles, zips up the various fasteners, has crash aids, goggles and gloves ready. The squadron leader gathers the six crews around him and issues the order. My observer and I now go back to our plane. The plane is started, we take off. Six minutes after the start we are almost 1000 meters high. We're over the city on time, I'm heading straight for the train station and the bombs are already falling. 600 kilograms of the most powerful explosive ammunition poured over the buildings and facilities. Then we go home. The square is lively now. The fitters take over the machines. The observers gather with the squadron leader and report; the pilots still have work to do on the machines, are talking to the fitters, the foreman, and to each other. When everything is done, it's off to the cars and home to the residential train, where everything is discussed again in detail over the second, also very thorough, breakfast.”

In January 1917 Kampfgeschwader 2 was sent to the Western Front. Schäfer was now part of a Jagdstaffel (fighter squadron), flying single seater fighter planes. His first victory almost cost him his life, having to crash land after shooting down a French flyer. Now that he had a taste for being a real fighter pilot, he turned to a former comrade he met in Russia: Manfred von Richthofen, who had recently taken over the leadership of his own Jadgstaffel. In mid-February, Schäfer got the okay to switch to Jasta 11.

[lboogie1906]

Major Charles L. Thomas (April 17, 1920 - February 15, 1980) was awarded the Medal of Honor on January 13, 1997, for “heroism in action” in Climbach, France during WWII. Born in Birmingham and raised in Detroit. He graduated from Cass Technical High School. He secured a position working alongside his father at the Ford River Rouge factory. He attended Wayne State University, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. In January 1942, he was drafted into the Army.

He was selected for officer candidate school and sent to a training program for African American officers. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and assigned to command Company C of the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion. His unit was deployed to England. Two months later, the unit landed at Utah Beach in Normandy and joined General George C. Patton’s 3rd Army near Metz, France.

He led the 3rd Platoon from Company C to capture the French village of Climbach. His M-20 armored scout car was struck by a German shell and small arms fire. He received multiple injuries, including gunshot wounds to the chest, legs, and left arm. He refused to be evacuated until his junior officer could be thoroughly briefed.

Half of the men in the 3rd Platoon were injured or killed in the battle. Their bravery earned them well-deserved commendations and citations. The 3rd Platoon received the Distinguished Unit Citation. It was the African American combat unit to received the citation. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership and diligence and was promoted to captain in February 1945. He served two additional years before leaving the military in 1947.

After military service, he worked as a missile technician at Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan and as a computer programmer for the IRS. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[centizen]

Best Destinations to Consider Outsourcing Software Developers

Software development is one of the fastest-growing career categories that has facilitated remote hiring, remote work & also supports freelancing combined with agile team practices. Businesses can cut down their operational cost, increase their gross profit, performance and competitive edge by leveraging remote team employment. There are a number of ways in which offshore developers can be hired. Hiring through Freelance portals, with outsourcing firms and hiring talented developersRemote hiring platforms are some popular methods however, each has its own pros and cons. In addition to choosing the type of remote developers, it is also important to choose profiles that fit your requirements. Choosing the most suitable country will provide an edge in terms of cost-effectiveness and work effectively despite time zone differences. Here is a list of the top 5 countries that can help find your potential teams

India

Ukraine

China

Poland

Philippines

Now let us analyze the above countries based on the Rating, service costs and time zone adaptation. The data are based on reports from reliable reports & surveys from sources such as Hacker rank, Payscale, Glassdoor, EF EPI, etc.

India

India is the second-largest English-speaking country in the world, which makes it easier to collaborate with the US & European employers looking to outsource. Mathematics and Science are given more weightage in their education system. As many as 2.6 million STEM specialists graduate in a single year. Per the research from Gild, Indian developers scored 11% more than their US counterparts on assessments on math and logic. The average annual salary for Indian software developers ranges from $11,139 and $38,000.

Ukraine

The Ukrainian government with a strong focus on education has no wonder built a thriving tech industry. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Lviv, are some of the biggest IT hotspots bubbling with technology and skilled engineering students. Ukrainian developers had an average score of 88.7% according to Hacker rank reports. Ukraine also is home to the largest number of C++ programmers globally.80% of the IT community speaks English, so communication barriers are of least worries. Ukraine shares a similar working culture and its time zone partially overlaps with US and UK times. The average annual salary for a software developer in Ukraine ranges between $11,936 and $46,787.

China

China is home to several leading start-up IT companies. Around 4.7 million students graduate every year according to Forbes. HackerRank ranked China as the best IT outsourcing country. There are a few barriers to overcome before choosing china. Since only 10 million out of 1.3 billion Chinese residents speak English, companies recruiting the Chinese remotely have a large communication barrier.Second, the Chinese are quite negligent of Intellectual Property (IP) laws. However, establishing clear rules or getting help from outsourcing agencies can give you an edge when working with the Chinese developers.A Chinese developer can earn an annual salary ranging from 189,000CNY ($27,695.96) to 357000 CNY ($52,314.59).

Poland

Polish developers are the third most skilled programmers in the world according to reports & surveys. Poland has developers who are experts in Java, Python, Shell, and Ruby. The Tholons Globalization Index ranked Warsaw and Krakow, two of Poland’s largest cities among the top 50 cities with best developing talents. 30% of the Polish population speaks English as a second language, which can be beneficial for remote hires. The United States is 7 hours behind Poland. So time zone differences must be taken into account for projects that require constant collaboration. Salaries: Data from PayScale shows that the average software developer in Poland makes an annual salary of 85,069PLN, or $22,273.88.

Philippines

The Philippines has over 92% speaking English. Being a former American colony, they understand the western culture better. They also have a specialized STEM-based school education system in place. These are some of the factors that put them in the top ranks when remote outsourcing is concerned. Tholons Globalization Index has ranked the country’s capital, Manila, as the second-best city for remote outsourcing. Filipino software developers make between $10,563.40 and $14,202 annually.

Why should you opt for Indian Developers?

1. Extended talent pool

Along with in-house developers, Indian developers act as an extension to the team providing quality results. Rather than competing with local giants hiring local talents, businesses can opt for choosing exceptionally talented developers with remote hiring. Moreover, Indians are fluent in English speaking nations which means they are easier to communicate with.

2. Home to IT giants

India is home to numerous IT hubs like Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad. India has productive and dedicated developers that deliver results. There are many IT outsourcing companies in India that help businesses in developed countries hire extraordinary talents.

3. Save Costs

Indian developers are paid less than their counterparts hired remotely from other countries. As mentioned above, Their annual average salary is around $507,219.

4.Favorable Time-zone

Most of the remote IT providers have flexible timings i.e, remote hires are ready to work even night shifts to collaborate with countries like US and UK who are more than 9.5 hours apart in time zone.

5. Get Faster Development

Since the remote teams can take off from where the in-house teams have clocked out, work is being done round the clock. This ensures faster development and client satisfaction.

6. High-Quality Standards

Every year around 2.6 million students graduate from IITs, NITs and other reputed institutions. So developers from India provide reliable outcomes & provide excellent services should controversy arise.

7. Export-Friendly Government Policies

The Indian government provides a lot of friendly outsourcing policies that help in the growth of the IT industry. These in turn are flexible for businesses who decide to get help from remote developers for specific projects on a long-term basis too.

8. Technical Expertise

It is not only possible to outsource freelancers and junior developers but even senior developers can be hired exclusively for high-end projects.

Final Thoughts

Before deciding on a country forremote hiring for software development , keep an eye on costs, adaptability of the IT market, quality of educational infrastructure, cultural differences, and so on. When building an offshore remote team, pay attention to whether the outsourcing company understands your company’s mission, goals and requirements. Remote hiring does not only aim at cutting costs but should help your business reach new heights in terms of quality and productivity.

[ayursure34]

Guidelines for Achieving the Goals of Your Life with Custom AIAPGET Online Coaching Provided by Ayursure Ayurveda Academy

The All India AYUSH Post Graduate Entrance Test (AIAPGET) is one of the examinations that every Ayurveda graduate needs to undertake if he or she wants to pursue with their masters’ studies in the field of Ayurveda. To be successful in the exam, one requires understanding of underpinning principles of Ayurveda, proper preparations, and appropriate counsel. Ayursure is one of the renowned Ayurvedic institutions that provide AIAPGET coaching to students seeking admission in the course. Thanks to Ayursure’s plan, here’s how you can do it, step by step.

Step 1: Register For Ayursure’s AIAPGET Online Coaching Programme

The complete AIAPGET online coaching course begins with the way it’s intended, that is, deciding which coaching program you will be working with. Ayursure Ayurveda Academy’s goal is to facilitate AIAPGET online coaching for every student by providing AIAPGET online coaching that fulfills everyone’s requirements. The online system further harnesses the fact that content and mentorship can be made available to you at any time and from any location.

Step 2: Develop an Individualized Study Plan

Ayursure appreciates the fact that not all the students are the same and that every student comes with a different set of skills while possessing certain areas needing improvement. Another feature of Ayursure’s personalized AIAPGET online coaching is the getting devising of an individualized study plan congruent with the student’s needs and targets. This such a plan becomes a very useful, the strategic framework which flows down to the number of topics needed to be covered by the student and within what time frame.

Step 3: Engage In Ayurveda Concepts Under The Supervision Of Professionals

The faculty members Ayursure hired have deep knowledge and understanding of how to deliver every and all concepts. The academy has maintenance to ensure that every student turns into a professional. This is done by live classes, tutorial and question sessions. Therefore students can clear any confusion they have in mind.

Step 4: Further Improve The Understanding Of The Subject With Available Essentials

Ayursure’s coaching for the AIAPGET online exam provides a whole host of study materials including but not limited to:

•             Notes compiled in a structured format.

•             Question papers from prior years & their solutions.

•             Subject-based tests and quizzes.

With these resources, you will easily be able to shell out many revisions as well as boost your confidence for the actual exam.

Step 5: Increase Chances Of Excelling In The Exam By Simulating It

Apart from everything else entire preparation for succeeding in this exam comes down to practice and preparation. Ayursure has a lot of features and one of them is the AIAPGET mock exam splines. Mock exams designed to make you feel as if you are taking the actual test. When the analysis of the results comes for you a lot of major and minor changes will come including your strong points. This will give a sense of readiness to the student and will increase confidence levels.

Step 6: Develop And Always Maintain Energy Levels With Unique Guidance And Mentorship

Another key highlight of Showtime Modelling is the personal evolving mentorship that comes along with the videos. With mentors coming on board getting feedback will be natural and since they are on board mentors will help with motivational tips to keep students excited.

Step 7: Ensure You Scale the Heights of AIAPGET and Realize Your Aspirations

As such, armed with the Ayursure Ayurveda Academy, one cannot approach the AIAPGET exam feeling underprepared or lacking in self–confidence. The academy’s teaching methods and extra help given to students have enabled several of them to be in the top ranks and their expectancy of joining postgraduate studies in Ayurveda comes true.

Reasons to Opt for Ayursure Ayurveda Academy:

• A Customized Approach: Teaching methodology that responds to how fast or slow you grasp the content.

• Qualified Instructors: Get your hands on practices and people who have mastered Ayurveda.

• A Wide Range of Materials: Access to vast amount of materials and a large number of practice tests.

• An Adjustable Online System: Learn and get things done in the most considerate manner using Ayursure interface.

Let’s Start Your AIAPGET with Ayursure Today

Realizing your dreams of performing well in your Aiapget exam isn’t as far fetched as it may appear. The academy helps you with appropriate material that includes tools, coaching, and even confidence to excel in the AIAPGET. Come along and take the first step towards your goals of getting post graduate and enter Ayursure now!

For more of such details, Ayursure Ayurveda Academy would give you right way to follow to have a better tomorrow.

[gethired01]

Shell is hiring

Hey graduates, Shell company is hiring for Graduate programme.

Go and apply!!!

Link in BIO

📌𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 "hire" 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥

📢 Follow @gethired01

📢 Follow us for daily update . . . . . . . . . .

tcs #infosys #amazon #google #adobe #microsoft #goldmansachs #morganstanley #internship #internshipstudent #hiring #2024 #freshers #recruitment #graduatejobs #engineering #engineeringmemes #coding #it #engineeringlife #engineerjobs #india #jobsinindia#unacademy

[seojobnet-blog]

JB Rae-Smith elected UK Chamber of Shipping President | Rig Jobs

Today international shipping industry veteran, JB Rae-Smith was elected as President of the UK Chamber of Shipping, taking over from Graham Westgarth.

JB Rae-Smith is a member of the John Swire & Sons Executive Committee, and the majority of his career has been with the Swire Group’s marine interests. He graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in engineering and joined the Swire Group management training programme. He has lived in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United States and Singapore. In 2016 JB returned to the United Kingdom and is Chairman of United States Cold Storage and a Director of a number of the Group’s private businesses.

Before being elected as President, JB has served as the Chamber’s Vice President since 2022. Karrie Trauth, Senior Vice President, Shipping and Maritime at Shell, has now been elected to this role.

Commenting on his election JB said:

“I’m delighted to be elected as President of the UK Chamber of Shipping.

“Shipping faces a number of challenges in the years ahead as we speed up the pace of decarbonisation, improve seafarer welfare and the rising risk to security of the global supply chain. At the same time, we need to continue to play a central role in the country’s economic and social wellbeing.

Get More Info : Maritime Crew

Website : https://www.seajob.net/

Contact Us : Sailor Job

[evoldir]

Fwd: Graduate position: UPorto_Portugal.AdaptationGenomics

Begin forwarded message: > From: evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca > Subject: Graduate position: UPorto_Portugal.AdaptationGenomics > Date: 7 November 2023 at 07:48:43 GMT > To: rdmpage@gmail.com > > > Call for Doctoral (PhD) Fellowship in adaptations genomics of freshwater > mussels. > > The Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) > is advertising a Call for a Doctoral Fellowship entitled “A genomic > approach to assess freshwater mussels’ adaptations to a changing world” > within the “la Caixa Foundation” Doctoral INPhINIT Fellowships Incoming > Programme > > Job position description > > We seek motivated, enthusiastic, and hardworking PhD student candidates > attracted to addressing scientific problems with rigour and creativity. The > candidate should have a complete graduate degree in natural sciences, > biology, genetics or a closely related field, and a strong interest in > bioinformatics. The work will focus intensively on bioinformatics, thus > learning shell script will be mandatory. Prior knowledge of other > programming languages (e.g. R, Python, Perl, …) is a plus. The candidate > will be conducting whole genome assemblies, differential gene expression > analysis and population genomics to identify the genomic features > underlying freshwater mussel 1) Adaptation to Climate Crisis (e.g. > increasing temperature and dissolved O2) and 2) Adaptation to obligatory > host (e.g. genes, SNPs, and metabolic pathways). The project will mainly > use existing samples, but there will be opportunities for fieldwork to > support project objectives or/if the candidate is willing to participate in > them. Also, the candidate is expected to be involved in some molecular > laboratory work (DNA/RNA extractions for NGS sequencing). This proposal is > within the funded project: Freshwater Bivalves at the edge: Adaptation > genomics under climate-change scenarios (PTDC/CTA-AMB/3065/2020). The PhD > candidate will not only join a multidisciplinary team of motivated > researchers in the wide field of Aquatic Ecology and Evolution at CIMAR but > will also benefit and be integrated into the extended network of > collaborations from other national and international institutions. From > this proposal we expect to obtain novel insights into the processes by > which freshwater species with broad geographical ranges can/might adapt to > local environmental conditions and gain a clearer understanding of the > evolutionary history of these imperilled organisms with eventual pay-offs > in future management actions devoted to the conservation of these > extraordinary organisms. > > The research will be based in the Aquatic Ecology and > Evolution (AEE) Lab at CIIMAR, led by Dr Elsa Froufe ( > https://ift.tt/MjE81V5). > > More details on the workplan can be found at the > “La Caixa Inphinit Programme” website at - > https://ift.tt/0kUHIym > > Interested parties can submit their application at - > https://ift.tt/CdkNARU > > All the information is available at > https://ift.tt/u5Gmv8x > > For more information, please contact Dr. Elsa Froufe > (efroufe@ciimar.up.pt) and André Santos (asantos@ciimar.up.pt) > > The call for applications is open until 24 January 2024 at 1 pm > (Portuguese time). > > -- > > *André Santos * > PhD > > *CIIMAR | Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research* > *of the University of Porto* > Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões > Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N > 4450-208 Matosinhos | Portugal > E-mail: *your_email@ciimar.up.pt

[joecrackconcept]

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Graduate Programme 2023

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) is the pioneer and leader of the petroleum industry in Nigeria. We invest heavily in our employees, which is reflected in our industry-leading development programme and our commitment to see our employees’ ideas travel and come to fruition. Continue reading Untitled

[pressgisttv]

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Graduate Programme 2023

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) is the pioneer and leader of the petroleum industry in Nigeria. We invest heavily in our employees, which is reflected in our industry-leading development programme and our commitment to see our employees’ ideas travel and come to fruition. Continue reading Untitled

[harmonyd]

Shell Nigeria Students Industrial Training & Internship Programme | University/Polytechnic Students 2022/2023

Shell Nigeria Students Industrial Training & Internship Programme | University/Polytechnic Students 2022/2023

Shell Companies in Nigeria’s Student Industrial Training Programme offers Nigerian students in Higher Institutions the opportunity to gain work experience in our office locations. The following is a list of eligible courses: Engineering, Geoscience, Finance, Information Technology Sciences (Pure science, Environmental and Social) Arts Commercial The Programme provides students studying any of…

[theabiolaadeshinablog]

APPLY: 2022 Shell Internship Programmes for Young Graduates

APPLY: 2022 Shell Internship Programmes for Young Graduates

Applications for the Shell Graduate Internship Programme are currently being accepted from suitably qualified and outstanding graduates from all nationalities. Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) is the pioneer and leader of the petroleum industry in Nigeria. She invest heavily in her employees, which is reflected in her industry-leading development programme and her commitment to see her…

[lboogie1906]

Major Charles L. Thomas (April 17, 1920 - February 15, 1980) was awarded the Medal of Honor on January 13, 1997, for “heroism in action” in Climbach, France during WWII. Born in Birmingham and raised in Detroit. He graduated from Cass Technical High School. He secured a position working alongside his father at the Ford River Rouge factory. He attended Wayne State University, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. In January 1942, he was drafted into the Army.

He was selected for officer candidate school and sent to a training program for African American officers. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and assigned to command Company C of the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion. His unit was deployed to England. Two months later, the unit landed at Utah Beach in Normandy and joined General George C. Patton’s 3rd Army near Metz, France.

He led the 3rd Platoon from Company C to capture the French village of Climbach. His M-20 armored scout car was struck by a German shell and small arms fire. He received multiple injuries, including gunshot wounds to the chest, legs, and left arm. He refused to be evacuated until his junior officer could be thoroughly briefed.

Half of the men in the 3rd Platoon were injured or killed in the battle. Their bravery earned them well-deserved commendations and citations. The 3rd Platoon received the Distinguished Unit Citation. It was the African American combat unit to received the citation. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership and diligence and was promoted to captain in February 1945. He served two additional years before leaving the military in 1947.

After military service, he worked as a missile technician at Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan and as a computer programmer for the IRS. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence