#budget session 2024

[gharjunction2020]

[bhaskarlive]

Parliament today: Discussions on Union Budget to continue today

The discussion on the Union Budget will continue on Monday in both Houses of Parliament besides other businesses, including tabling of papers by various ministries, as per the Business Lists issued.

In the Lok Sabha, further discussion on the Budget will be held and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi is likely to address the House.

Source: bhaskarlive.in

[townpostin]

Jamshedpur: Budget 2024-25 Hailed as Catalyst for India's Economic Transformation in CII Jharkhand Session

Industry Leaders Laud Comprehensive Approach to Growth and Development A CII Jharkhand session provided insights into the far-reaching impact of the Union Budget 2024-25 and GST reforms. Business leaders praised the government’s balanced approach to fostering economic growth across various sectors. JAMSHEDPUR – Industry experts convened to analyze the implications of the latest Union Budget and…

[pniindia]

Monsoon Budget Session of 2024: बिहार-आंध्��� प्रदेश के लिए खुला पिटारा, विकास को लेकर वित्त मंत्री ने कही यह बात

Monsoon Budget Session of 2024: भाजपा सरकार के इस तीसरे कार्यकाल का पहला और संसद के मानसून सत्र के दौरान वित्त मंत्री निर्मला सीतारमण लगातार सातवां केंद्रीय बजट अब पेश कर रही हैं. आपको बतादें कि बिहार और आंध्र प्रदेश के लिए बजट में सरकारी खजाना खोला गया है.

[noirflms]

THE HOUSEHUSBAND LIFE — hq men

haikyuu men as househusbands. or haikyuu men who’d be good househusbands in general.

— ୨୧ ˖ ˚ AKAASHI KEIJI !

he is the one who keeps track of finance in the house , keeps track of how much you should spend even if you get a six-sum salary and love spending it on him even if he doesn't like it because he wants you to save for the future.

he also pretty much cooks all sorts of dishes and morning tea made by him is served to you in bed , he is just the best. buys groceries when you're out to work , keeps the house neat and clean — it's a penthouse so it's not much work as it's not that dirty all the time — keeps track of your health and if you're pretty much not skipping breakfast or lunch cuz he's there to spoon feed you at dinner.

he's not much fan of laundry just knows he has to fold it and keep it neatly in your shared closet and is pretty much a the best husband of all ( according to your mother ).

— ୨୧ ˖ ˚ SUGAWARA KOUSHI !

he is that type of house-husband who actually takes care of the loundry more than cooking and cleaning but still cleans the house just the way you like it — organized and neatly done. he doesn't step in the kitchen for he knows he might burn whatever he cooks so you don't let him step in there , it's either you come home and cook but if your tired , it's take out time!

whenever he does laundry he has a habit of smelling the clothes before folding for he like the smell of the detergent you use and the clothing softener should be if the best company because that is kinda professional when you go to work wearing soft and clean clothes.

dusts around the house with music playing in the background and does all the cleaning while blasting Oliva Rodrigo on the amazon echo you brought so he won't have to go on connecting his phone to the Bluetooth other than that he is just the best husband you could ask for.

— ୨୧ ˖ ˚ KITA SHINSUKE !

he is the package , can cook , cleans , does laundry , keeps track of all budgets and savings , knows every nook and cranny of the house and is happy being a house-husband for you. kita buys the best clothing softener and detergent , is a man of his words for if he promises breakfast in bed for you then you get it.

he sets up the house according to a taste that suits him and you like almsot all the time after seeing it on pinterest — yes HE HAS PINTEREST and you can't change my mind — cooks the best meals like you're in heaven to be eating such delicious meals , laundry is done and the house smells like lavander and you don't know how he does that and he keep it a secret ( it's just him using scented house cleaning stuff ).

grocery shopping is done with you because it's to lonely for him to go out so it's shopping time on the weekends , he is like a stay at home mum but you love him and for god sake who wouldn't want a man like KITA SHINSUKE.

— ୨୧ ˖ ˚ YAMAGUCHI TADASHI !

you enter the house with the smell of the most delicious food being cooked and when I say delicious , it's over the top delicious. he loves cooking so much that he forgets he has to clean as well and do laundry. yamaguchi almost does everything before stepping into the kitchen and prepare a bento for you in the early morning with starting to think for dinner — even though lunch is not even thought out yet — and what to be baked when your home.

it may not seem like but he has a passion for baking good for you.

he blasts playlist made for him by you and tsukki , and does the cleaning and laundry because sometimes it's to lonely in the house , he keeps track of time and when you're gonna come so he could prepare a bubble bath and then start with the cooking so you could have been relaxed and come eat with him.

when it's a weekend , he wakes up late but the breakfast is in his hands to be cooked , and in the evening it's time for him and you to have a baking session and you cherish this baby more than anything.

NOIRFLMS 2024 ! all rights reserved - plagiarism is a crime , do not translate my works without permission.

[hergrandplan]

Wille Month 2024 (@youngroyals-events), Day 1: Sandwich

These days, their love lies in the simple things – going to bed a bit earlier than they have to, just so they can cuddle, Wille’s home in his arms, right where he belongs. It is laughing over coffee, delaying heading to work for as long as they possibly can because they don’t want to miss a single moment with each other. Saturday afternoon cleaning sessions, interrupted by stolen kisses, and late-night reruns of their favorite shows.

The grand gestures are things they have left behind in the days of their youth – they don’t need the big declarations anymore, school anthems rewritten and thrones abdicated. There is no need for it, when love lingers in every single touch.

It’s in the quiet moments, the whispered ‘I love yous’, that Wille feels his heart almost combust with overflowing love.

And today, it’s in Simon showing up to his work unannounced. It’s almost scary, the way Simon knows exactly what Wille needs even when he hasn’t said a thing.

Wille’s morning consists of an endless string of meetings, each more awful than the last. It doesn’t help that his boss is away this week, having handed all his unfinished tasks for Wille to deal with, as if Wille doesn’t have enough to do already. It fills his stomach with dread, the amount of unanswered e-mails in his inbox that he has to do something with, even if he has no idea what.

By 11 am, Wille is drained, and has no idea how he’ll get through the next 6 hours. On top of that, there’s a message from Simon on his phone sent about an hour ago that he hasn’t even opened yet.

A few minutes past noon, there’s a soft knock on his door.

Wille has no time to deal with any of his colleagues right now – barely has time to think, but he says “come in” anyways, because maybe it’s urgent. Everything always feels urgent, somehow.

But instead of Myriam from accounting asking a question about the budget, or Ron coming in with more reports he has to sign off on, it’s Simon, the love of his life, standing in the doorway to his office. Smiling and curls tousled by the wind.

Relief floods through his body immediately – even just seeing him is enough to ease the pressure on his chest a bit.

Simon makes his way over to Wille and wraps his arms around him, nudging his chin up to kiss him, soft and tender. Wille clutches the fabric of his shirt tight, pressing his face against Simon’s sternum, but it isn’t until Simon places a kiss to the crown on his head that Wille feels like he can actually breathe again.

“Hey,” Simon says then. Wille hears the smile in his voice, feels how Simon’s arms tighten around him just a little, the press of his chin on his head. They hold each other like that – Wille, sat on his desk chair, Simon standing upright – for a few minutes, until Simon moves away a little so he can look at Wille. He places his hand on Wille’s cheek, and Wille leans into his touch immediately. He takes another deep breath.

“What are you doing here?” Wille asks, now gazing up at Simon. And he’s so beautiful, Wille still doesn’t know how he ever got this lucky.

Simon pulls away a bit, but keeps one arm wrapped around Wille’s frame while his other reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a tiny parcel, wrapped in a purple napkin.

“I figured, since you didn’t answer my texts, that you were either busy or stressed, and that you probably figured you didn’t have time for lunch, and so – I brought you lunch.”

Simon sits down on his lap as Wille takes the package from him and unwraps it to find a sandwich. Wille can’t help but chuckle as he takes a grateful bite. Simon knows him well – Wille hadn’t even thought about lunch yet, let alone if he was going to have it or not. He lets out a satisfied sigh at the taste of hummus and cucumber and cheese, with a little bit of hot sauce – just how Wille likes it.

The sandwich isn’t quite a surprise. Sandwiches are quick and easy, especially when the man you love has gone out of his way to give it to you because he knows you wouldn’t have eaten anything otherwise. But it’s also a small declaration of his love for Wille, an I care about you. By not answering his texts, Simon somehow figured out that Wille needed him, and here he was now, fingers playing with his hair as Wille enjoys this rare moment of peace and quiet in the middle of a busy work day.

“I love you,” Wille says, once he’s finished the sandwich.

“You better, I saved you from starvation,” Simon responds, smirking. Then his smile softens, and he presses his lips against Wille’s forehead. “I love you too.”

Wille lays his head on Simon’s shoulder again, brings his arms up to hold him, just for one moment longer until Simon has to go. At least his thoughts have quieted now, and even his mailbox doesn’t seem as daunting. He’s not sure if it’s the food or the simply Simon’s presence, but that doesn’t really matter.

Simon stays just a bit longer than necessary, just until Wille manages to clean up his inbox and knows that he’ll make it through the day without a panic attack. When he leaves, he takes a cookie out of his pocket and puts it on Wille’s desk. “For when you get peckish at 4,” he says.

And then, with one last final kiss goodbye, he’s out the door again.

Will doesn’t stop smiling for the rest of the day.

[jadedbirch]

This is a (fuck my) life update!

I'll keep this short. I lost my job yesterday due to budget cuts. And my dad has stage 4 cancer. I guess it's not all bad - now I can really be there for his 45 (LOLSOB) sessions of radiation over the next couple of months. And I really could use a mental reset and some rest since apparently I can't take my chronic fatigue drugs anymore because they've been giving me hypertension. So yeah, 2024 not doing very well by me so far! Send kittens and Yeekies! 🙏🏻😫💜

[rthidden]

AI-dios, Old Problems: Automate to Innovate

Tired of playing content marketing whack-a-mole?

Say hello to smart strategies ensuring more fans and fewer headaches for your small business.

Why it matters

Content is king, but consistency is the crown.

For small business owners, mastering the art of automation is like launching a secret weapon—saving time while still hand-delivering originality.

Imagine having an army of virtual assistants ready to tackle tasks so you can focus on the bigger picture, like finally attempting that viral TikTok dance.

The big picture

We live in a time where 71% of B2B content marketers rely on some kind of content creation magic (Content Marketing Institute, 2023). You don’t want to be the last one standing at the mailing list party with only duct-taped business cards in hand.

Adopt these AI strategies now, and watch your audience—and ROI—grow.

Overheard at the water cooler

"Dude, I heard my virtual assistant can write blog posts. Next step, AI therapy sessions?"

By the numbers

As of 2023, 66% of marketers expect a bigger budget next year (HubSpot). For businesses already invested in content, 90% plan to maintain or up their spending come 2024 (HubSpot).

Investing in AI is like prepping for Black Friday deals—it's strategic budgeting, not wishful thinking. Plus, more resources for sweet assignments like delegating holiday card designs to your dog.

The bottom line

Stop letting creative burnout and a never-ending to-do list be your only business partners.

Embrace that AI is here to tango with tasks so you can boogie on to new horizons, like solving your problems (thanks, Pat Flynn!) and becoming a legend in your niche.

[kaidanworkshop]

Workshop Progress: January Update

Happy New Year Workshop Followers! The staff is excited to be back to business after a restful few weeks. We held a meeting last Friday to discuss the current Fun(ds) poll rankings, what scripts we want to prepare for the next session with Paul Warren, and what community script participation will look like in the coming months.

Additionally, as per our last update, we have also reopened staff applications for our Community Team! If you are interested in applying, please fill out this form. With that out of the way, here are the current standings for the new content options:

The current eleven packs adds up to 545 lines, with The Daedra Pack coming in as our runner up script in the event of any extra budget space. There's still two weeks until the poll closes at 11:59pm, February 1st, 2023, so make sure you vote for your favorite pack to be included in our 1.0 launch, and send it to your friends! You can find details for all of the different Fun(ds) options here, as well as the poll here. There are a few runaway winners that our Writing Team will begin work on in the coming week, which brings us to how we'd like to incorporate community input and feedback into our workflow process for script production.

During the beta livestreams in December, we were able to glean a ton of great ideas from the community that we ultimately turned into content packs for the Fun(ds) initiative. We want to incorporate that collaborative experience in the following manner:

Hosting dedicated investigatory livestreams via our Twitch with the community (that's you!) to not only continue beta testing, but to discuss and crowdsource ideas for the prioritized content (e.g. a stream dedicated to playing through the Thieves' Guild, to discuss possible lines or reactions Kaidan might have)

Taking the ideas and inspiration that we get from those streams, and incorporating them into our scripts, which will undergo our usual process of internal peer review

Hosting a second stage event via our Discord where we feature an excerpt of the script(s) in production and get feedback from the community on the current progress for final editorial review

Refining and finalizing the script for a future commission with our VA

To that end, the first of these investigatory livestreams will be this Thursday, January 18th at 2:30 pm CST/ 8:30 pm GMT for the Paarthurnax - Quest Expansion Mod, created by the talented Jayserpa.

With the completion of Kaidan's framework and the bulk of his beta testing complete, our goal for our 1.0 launch date on Nexus is May 2024.

We are incredibly humbled to have the extra money in the budget to begin creating original scripts for this project, and as always ask for your comments, suggestions and ideas as we continue to refine this creative communal process. We look forward to seeing you this Thursday!

[wishbrightdreams]

Reinvention Challenge - My Goals

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing amazingly well. 💖

I saw this challenge and wanted to give it a try, but at my own pace. Not with a restrictive deadline because that just makes me more stressed and anxious, and the whole point of this for me is to be less stressed and anxious!

I will update every week on my progress on Saturday’s starting March 2nd 2024. Let’s make this happen!

Here is the original challenge if anyone is interested: https://www.tumblr.com/dreamdolldiary

Health: Meal prep freshly made juice, every Sunday’s and Wednesday’s. Learn to cook simple, healthy meals for myself (still overcoming a limiting belief that I have with this so this might take longer than the other goals). Get on certain herbs to naturally help me with deeper sleep. Go on red light therapy at least 3 times a week for 15 minutes each.

Professional: Complete my online training course and get the certification I need to start working. Attend a zoom event (monthly) related to my field. Find a mentor in my field.

Adulting: Set up the digital envelope budgeting system in my bank account. Book important appointments I’ve been putting off. Set up and STICK to a to-do list system that works for me.

Hobbies: Write a Tumblr blog post at least 1 time a week. Practice cursive/printing writing 30mins daily. Make my own subliminal at least 1 time a week.

Social: Join a social group (either in person or online) once a month or more. Build up your confidence and practice social skills. Try to go out at least once a week and talk to someone (can be anyone).

Healing/Spiritual: Practice manifesting more things and circumstances. Have weekly spirit guided meditation sessions for 15-20mins. Practice detachment and energy protection daily.

Style/Self-Care: Find out what my skin type is, build a proper skincare routine. Have more self care nights.

Bucket List: Try a depravation tank, go to a rock salt cave/attend a live sound bath, have high tea at a tea room.

[study-with-aura]

Friday, July 26, 2024

I am going to have to study more for the GRF Algebra 2 course because I think I'm behind on where I should be by now. It's okay. It's all review for me, but it has been a year since I had algebra, so the review will be helpful before starting my second year of algebra. Needless to say, functions are coming more easily to me this time around. I struggled with that during my first year of algebra. I guess I understood it better than I thought and it merely needed some time to settle in. Who knows?

Today was the last day of my ballet intensive, so all of my summer activities have come to an end. I can't believe what a summer it has been! I've made so many new friends, learned a lot, and really got to focus on personal development. However, I am very tired! That intensive was fun, but well, intense! Six hours per day of classes, but I did it and enjoyed every second!

I forgot to mention that while I was away at camp last week, I got more school stuff in. I'm creating a new study space for myself, so I got a cute organizer and the little inspirational decor pictured above. I'm going to keep looking for things, but I have to buy all of this with my own money from my allowance or with the allotted amount my parents allow me for school supplies. I typically use my allowance money for when I'm with friends or see something that I really want, but I'm also saving up for my first car in another year. My parents had this thing with my brother where they bought his first car, but he had to pay them back so the car was really his and he practiced being responsible. They're doing the same with me, but if I can outright buy my first car, I would rather do that than have to pay my parents back. That's all why I'm very careful with my purchases when they are things that I want rather than need. Anything I need, my parents will buy for me but wants are different. At least it's taught me to think of money in a good way and how to budget.

I am really hoping it's nice tomorrow so we can go back out to the lake. The academic year is always busy for everyone, so we really only spend time at the lake during the summers. Speaking of being busy, I can't volunteer at the library in the program I was hoping to be apart of again like a couple of years ago. Like last year, they moved the time to where it interferes with ballet. Therefore, I have to find another volunteer leadership opportunity. I have an idea of one, so we'll see if I can make that work or not.

Tasks Completed:

History 9 - Learned about Frédéric Chopin + studied his Nocturne in D-flat Major, Op. 27, No. 2

KA GRF Algebra 2 - Completed Unit 3: Lessons 3 (review of determining the domain of a function)

Duolingo - Studied for approximately 30 minutes (Spanish + French + Chinese) + completed daily quests

Piano - Practiced for two hours in one-hour split sessions

Reading - Read pages 153-192 of The Shadow Sister by Lily Meade

Chores - None today

Activities of the Day:

Personal Bible Study (Psalm 34)

Ballet intensive

1 hour gaming with Julien

Journal/Mindfulness

[bhaskarlive]

Budget earmarks Rs 11.11 lakh crore for big infra projects, floats sweetener for states to pitch in

The Budget has allocated a massive Rs 11.11 lakh crore for the infrastructure sector comprising highways, ports, railways and power plants, and plans to continue with this plan for the next five years to accelerate growth and create more jobs.

Source: bhaskarlive.in

[barricadescon]

Schedule for Barricades 2024, Saturday, July 13th

Good morning! It's time for the second day of Barricades 2024!

Saturday, June 13th

All times are in UTC, and can be converted to your local time zone at this link.

Key to types of Panels:

Convention Administration panels: Panels run by the Con Committee, to open and end the convention.

Guest of Honor: Special panels from our guests of honor. This year, our guests of honor are Jean Baptiste Hugo, a descendant of Victor Hugo who will discuss his project photograph his ancestor’s house; Christina Soontornvat, the author of the award-winning Les Mis retelling “A Wish in the Dark;” and Luciano Muriel, playwright of the 2018 musical play “Grantaire.” 

Fan/Academic Panel Presentations: Panels on history, fandom, or analysis of Les Mis. Scholars will share historical research, fans will share hobby projects, and the audience may get an opportunity to ask questions. 

Social Meetups: Casual unstructured time to meet up over video call and chat!

Social Games: Games and activities.

Guest of Honor: The Photography of Jean Baptiste Hugo

Saturday, 15:00-16:00 UTC

Session Type: Guest of Honor

Presented by: Jean Baptiste  Hugo

Recorded: yes

Jean Baptiste Hugo is the great-great-grandson of Victor Hugo. He has extensively photographed Hugo’s home in exile on Guernsey, which Victor Hugo decorated following his own aesthetic philosophies–in particular, the journey from darkness into light, which we see reflected throughout Hugo’s literary career. M. Hugo will share his photographs and discuss Hauteville House as a physical realization of his ancestor’s ideas.

Reflecting on Directing Les Mis

Saturday, 16:00-17:00 UTC

Session Type: Fan/Academic Panel Presentation

Presented by: Cait

Recorded: yes

In Cait’s words: “I directed an amateur production of Les Mis at the end of last year, and would love to talk about how that went and share snippets from the show and behind the scenes. This will include talking about adapting Les Mis for the space and budget, approaches to certain scenes, dual casting lead roles, and probably raving about my lovely cast.”

The Fallibility of History in Les Misérables 

Saturday, 16:00-17:00 UTC

Session Type: Fan/Academic Panel Presentation

Presented by: Syrup 

Recorded: yes

Throughout Les Misérables, Hugo often reminds readers that what they are reading is derived from some form of documentation or hearsay. While this serves to provide credibility to the tales he is sharing, there are certain moments where Hugo opts out of describing exact details, despite his efforts at a historically-accurate record. In this panel, I will take a look at these instances where Hugo either addresses or obfuscates these events, and how by doing so, he reveals the fallibility of history, and highlights how history documentations are not always as reliable as they seem. Thesis: By crafting Les Misérables as a form of historical documentation, Hugo reveals the fallibility of history, and readers are able to understand how history and history documentation are not always as reliable as they seem.

Break  

Saturday, 17:00-18:00 UTC

What Horizon: Tragedies, Time Loops, and the Hopefulness of Les Amis

Saturday, 18:00-18:30  UTC

Session Type: Fan/Academic Panel Presentation

Presented by: Percy

Recorded: yes

In Percy’s words: “I have directed a staged reading of the play and will have video clips to show! My play is focused on the rebellion and Les Amis; it aims to give the barricades the attention they often lack in adaptation and develop the individual characters of the insurgents. I’m working to make this episode of the Hugo novel and its historical context accessible to audience members who may not be familiar with the source material, while hopefully also bringing something new to the story for longtime fans.

One aspect of the story I’m particularly interested in examining is the persistent sense of hope associated with the barricades, despite the insurgents’ eventual defeat and the previous failure of the July Revolution. Linking the seemingly cyclical process of revolution and restoration, the metatheatrical tradition of tragedies aware of their own repetition in performance before the audience, and the nature of Les Misérables itself as a story that has been told and retold countless times, I hope to show the audience the worth of the insurgents’ struggle and the importance of their continued efforts. Many adaptations construe the rebellion as futile or as solely a tragic story, so I would like my adaptation to counter that idea, as Les Amis grapple with the meaning of their sacrifice and the impacts of their actions.

In a presentation, I would discuss these ideas with reference to Hugo’s original text and the ways in which the rebellion has been changed in adaptation, as well as other works that inspired me (namely Hadestown and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead). I’d discuss the choices I made in my adaptation process and show clips from the staged reading, touching on the different characters and the historical setting as well as the overarching themes with which I engaged.”

Cosette: A Novel, The (Fanmade) Sequel to Les Misérables

Saturday, 18:30-19:00 UTC

Session Type: Fan/Academic Panel Presentation

Presented by: IMiserabili

Recorded: yes

This presentation is  a deep-dive into the 1995 fanfiction “Cosette” by Laura Kalpakian. It will include a short background on the author and the publication, a summary of the plot, an analysis of represented historical events in the work, character analyses and comparisons to the source material and other Les Mis adaptations, and memorable quotes. 

Musical Eponine and Grantaire in song and lyric edits: Personal research on their development

Saturday, 18:00-19:00 UTC

Session Type: Panel Presentation

Presented by: Ruth Kenyon

Recorded: yes

In Ruth’s words: “I’m an older musical Les Misérables fan who has watched the show develop from its beginnings at the Palace Theatre. I have a special interest in how the lyrics and the characters have changed over time. As plenty of people know now, I am also writing a book on the musical using these experiences. I’m working on Eponine’s chapter at the moment, and while I know fans have a lot of love for as she is now, I feel quite upset to see what happened to her as she was developed from the original French version of the musical. She seems to have lost quite a lot of emotional agency along the way. Grantaire has also changed over time; he was cut before the previews and there was a big re-write of his character when the show went to Broadway, but I really like what they have done with his character. I’ll provide examples of all this detail with material from my book and (trying) to sing bits of lyrics to explain what has happened to the characters.”

Barricades as a Tactic: How Do They Work?

Saturday, 19:00-20:00 UTC

Session Type: Fan/Academic Panel Presentation

Presented by: Lem

Recorded: No

This session will explore the tactical and strategic uses of barricades, with an eye towards what to consider when writing both canon-era fanfiction and modern AUs. After all, the strategic goals towards which the barricades were used in canon-era urban warfare were often quite different from the strategic goals of similar-looking tactics in contemporary protest movements. Core components of the session will be a map-based analysis of July 1830, a comparison with June 1832 highlighting strategic goals and considerations canon-era characters would have, and an exploration of various parallels among contemporary protest tactics (which may or may not *look* like barricades).

Meetup: Musical Fans

Saturday, 19:00-20:00 UTC

Session Type: Social Meetup

Presented by: Erin

Recorded: No

A casual place to meet up with other fans and discuss the musical!

Break

Saturday, 20:00-21:00 UTC

Why is There a Roller Coaster in Les Mis? The Strange History of the Russian Mountains

Saturday, 21:00-22:00 UTC

Session Type: Fan/Academic Panel Presentation

Presented by: Peyton Parker/Mellow

Recorded: Yes

In Les Miserables there is an actual canon scene where Fantine rides a roller coaster. How did a roller coaster end up in Paris in 1817? And why did this ride, one of the world's first wheeled Roller Coasters, make a cameo in Victor Hugo’s novel?

It’s “Les Mis Meets Defunctland.”

We’re going talk about the earliest origins of the Russian Mountains, the fascinating history behind how they came to France, their many connections to the political turmoil of the time period, what they felt like to ride, why they were shut down, how they fell into obscurity, and why Victor Hugo included them in Les Miserables. It’s time for a roller coaster digression.

Fanfic Round Robin

Saturday, 22:00-23:00 UTC

Session Type: Social Game

Presented by: Featheraly

Recorded: No

Participate in a round robin to help write a fic together!

Obscure(-ish) Les Mis Adaptations To Watch

Saturday, 23:00-23:30 UTC

Session Type: Fan/Academic Panel Presentation

Presented by: Pureanon

Recorded: Yes

Les Mis has been adapted many times over the years, and this means there’s a lot of adaptations to enjoy. Because of this, a lot of adaptations are underviewed or underappreciated. I’d like to use this panel to discuss some of my favorites/the most unique — 1925, 1948, 1967, and 1995. These are all very different, and aside from all being ones I enjoy, they’re fascinating looks at how different countries and different time periods adapt this story. 

The adaptations I’ve chosen are both some of the best and some of the worst out there, but they’re all unique. 1925 is one of the most faithful adaptations out there, and it uses the medium of silent film to full effect. 1948 has Valean get shot at multiple times in the opening minutes, and the revolutionaries fight with BARRELS in the barricade. 1967 is half one of the best Anglophone Les Mis adaptations ever, and half the drunkest. 1995 is more of an adaptation of how people react to Les Mis as a story than a straightforward adaptation, and it’s one of the most beautiful and unique versions out there. I intend to show a clip from each adaptation, so people can get a little taste of what each adaptation is like.

Recovery: a Fanfic Live Read

Saturday, 22:30-23:00

Session Type: Fan/Academic Panel Presentation

Presented by: Eli, Barri

Recorded: Yes

A full cast will live read a Les Mis fanfic written specifically for the con.

Compared to Some People Grantaire is Doing Just Fine (No, Really)

Saturday: 22:00-23:00

Session Type: Fan/Academic Panel Presentation

Presented by: Ellen Fremedon, Pilferingapples

Recorded: Yes

Grantaire and Marius are the two characters on the fringes of the Friends of the ABC, connected to the group by social ties rather than sincere political belief. In this panel, Pilf and Ellen will discuss the two characters as narrative foils, touching along the way on the problem with Great Men, bourgeois inaction, what it means to have the republic as a mother, and dying for love–plus those two pistols in Marius’s pocket.

Preliminary Gaities

23:00-24:00 UTC

Session Type: Social Game

Presented by: Rare, Percy, and ShitpostingFromTheBarricade

Recorded: No

Preliminary Gayeties is the chapter where Grantaire gets drunk with Joly and Bossuet before the barricades.  It is perfect for a drinking game. 

In keeping with personal tradition, Rare, Percy, and ShitpostingFromTheBarricade will bring you a second year of our dramatic reading of the “Preliminary Gayeties” chapter of the brick. all while following specified drinking game rules (including classics such as “drink for brick quotes that appear commonly in fanfiction,” “pretentious classical references,” and “drink/eat when characters drink/eat”), and enjoying snacks mentioned in the chapter as they are mentioned. Everyone is invited to participate by reading, eating, and drinking along with this activity!

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced legislation Wednesday that would require the Pentagon to return a portion of its enormous and ever-growing budget to the Treasury Department if it fails another audit in the coming fiscal year.

The Audit the Pentagon Act, an updated version of legislation first introduced in 2021, comes amid mounting concerns over rampant price gouging by military contractors and other forms of waste and abuse at an agency that's set to receive at least $842 billion for fiscal year 2024.

"The Pentagon and the military-industrial complex have been plagued by a massive amount of waste, fraud, and financial mismanagement for decades. That is absolutely unacceptable," Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a statement as he unveiled the bill alongside Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).

"If we are serious about spending taxpayer dollars wisely and effectively," said Sanders, "we have got to end the absurdity of the Pentagon being the only agency in the federal government that has never passed an independent audit."

In December, the Pentagon flunked its fifth consecutive audit, unable to account for more than 60% of its $3.5 trillion in total assets.

But congressional appropriators appear largely unphased as they prepare to raise the agency's budget to record levels, with some working to increase it beyond the topline set by the recently approved debt ceiling agreement. Watchdogs have warned that the deal includes a loophole that hawkish lawmakers could use to further inflate the Pentagon budget under the guise of aiding Ukraine.

Late Wednesday, following a lengthy markup session, the House Armed Services Committee passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act, which proposes a total military budget of $886 billion. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) was the only committee member to vote no.

A huge chunk of the Pentagon's budget for next year is likely to go to profitable private contractors, which make a killing charging the federal government exorbitant sums for weapons and miscellaneous items, from toilet seats to ashtrays to coffee makers.

"Defense contractors are lining their pockets with taxpayer money while the Pentagon fails time and time again to pass an independent audit. It's a broken system," said Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a co-sponsor of the new bill. "We need to compel the Department of Defense to take fraud and mismanagement seriously—and we need Congress to stop inflating our nation's near-trillion-dollar defense budget."

"Putting the wants of contractors over the needs of our communities," he added, "isn't going to make our country any safer."

If passed, the Audit the Pentagon Act of 2023 would force every component of the Defense Department that fails an audit in fiscal year 2024 to return 1% of its budget to the Treasury Department.

A fact sheet released by Sanders' office argues that "the need for this audit is clear," pointing to a Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq report estimating that "$31-60 billion had been lost to fraud and waste."

"Separately, the special inspector general for Afghanistan Reconstruction reported that the Pentagon could not account for $45 billion in funding for reconstruction projects," the fact sheet notes. "A recent Ernst & Young audit of the Defense Logistics Agency found that it could not properly account for some $800 million in construction projects. CBS News recently reported that defense contractors were routinely overcharging the Pentagon—and the American taxpayer—by nearly 40-50%, and sometimes as high as 4,451%."

Further examples of the Pentagon's waste and accounting failures abound.

Last month, the Government Accountability Office released a report concluding that the Pentagon can't account for F-35 parts worth millions of dollars.

Earlier this week, as The Washington Post reported, the Pentagon said it "uncovered a significant accounting error that led it to overvalue the amount of military equipment it sent to Ukraine since Russia's invasion last year—by $6.2 billion."

"The 'valuation errors,' as a Pentagon spokeswoman put it, will allow the Pentagon to send more weapons to Ukraine now before going to Congress to request more money," the Post noted.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chair of the Senate Finance Committee and a supporter of the Audit the Pentagon Act, said Wednesday that "taxpayers can't keep writing blank checks—they deserve long-overdue transparency from the Pentagon about wasteful defense spending."

"If the Department of Defense cannot conduct a clean audit, as required by law," said Wyden, "Congress should impose tough financial consequences to hold the Pentagon accountable for mismanaging taxpayer money."

[ros3ybabe]

Day 16 - 90 Day Challenge 🎀

I was still in a lot of pain yesterday (Thursday), it was a very odd pain, but I've woken up today (Friday) and it's finally gone! I'm excited because now I can move around without that uncomfortable feeling. I still didn't do much yesterday but I figured it was worth an update, regardless. That's the point of this challenege. Accountability and consistency.

🏋‍♀️ Physical Health

walked to work (~20 min)

scheduled my gym times for today and next week

found out the gym hours for my campus gym for the first part of winter break so I can schedule in gym time for then too

🧠 Mental Health

made myself get up and out of bed after work to curb how I was feeling (felt kinda numb and decided I needed to do something productive about it)

❤️ Emotional Health

therapy appointment! (may have been my last one until january, thank you gobernment for ending my health insurance coverage today)

was honest with my boyfriend about how I was feeling (was super grateful with how he handled it, hes so patient and understanding and kind to me, I'm so happy with my relationship with this man. I love him, so much)

📚 Intellectual Health

completed the respiratory lab report for my Anatomy lab

made a list of things to accomplish Friday morning (at the study room I booked)

filled in my planner with the rest of the assignment I have due

🏘 Adulting

worked a ~4 hour shift (recieved an actual frozen ham as our christmas gift from work)

cooked spaghetti for dinner for myself (needed comfort food)

cleared my old food out of the fridge

got my work schedule for next week figured out (my last week of work before the break, I could cry because I'm not going to see my work bestie until probably march of next year - she's super pregnant and due in the beginning of January)

filled in my budget for November and realized I spent over my means

deleted shopping apps from my phone

made a tentative lost of some goals for 2024 (might post them! thinking of breaking it down into monthly, quarterly, and yearly stuff)

zoom called my loving boyfriend <3

🥰 Self Love/Care

full morning skincare

full night skincare (I love how my face feels and looks after I oil cleanse)

I actually did a good amount of things yesterday, surprising with how much time I spent in bed not feeling like myself. But today is going to be a good day! My goals for today are to have a decent morning routine, finish and submit my final research study paper for my psyc class, attend the make up lab session for anatomy, attend the lan session for my psyc final exam (that's on monday), go to the gym, and make it through my work shift.

til next time lovelies 🩷

[sunshinesmebdy]

The Moon in Gemini: A Chatty Moon and its Impact on Business and Finance (May 9, 2024)

Greetings, astrology enthusiasts and business minds! Today, we delve into the fascinating dance of the Moon in Gemini and its potential influence on your financial ventures and professional endeavors.

The Moon, in astrology, represents our emotions, intuition, and communication style. When it waltzes into the realm of Gemini, the sign of the twins and the communicator, get ready for a quick-witted and curious lunar phase.

Let’s explore four key astrological aspects the Moon in Gemini forms, and how they might affect your business and financial landscape:

Moon in Gemini Sextile Mars in Aries (Boost of Initiative):

This energetic aspect fuels your drive to get things done. You might feel a surge of creativity and a strong urge to act on your ideas. It’s a prime time for brainstorming sessions, sales pitches, and taking calculated risks. However, the fire of Mars in Aries can be impulsive. Channel this energy productively by planning your actions before diving in.

Business Tip: Organize a team brainstorming session to generate innovative marketing ideas.

Financial Tip: Research new investment opportunities, but carefully analyze risks before committing.

Moon in Gemini Trine Pluto in Aquarius (Transformation Through Communication):

This powerful trine aspect facilitates transformative conversations and collaborations. It’s a fantastic time to network with influential people in your field. Discussions about revolutionary ideas or disruptive technologies could lead to breakthrough partnerships or funding opportunities.

Business Tip: Attend industry conferences or workshops to connect with like-minded individuals.

Financial Tip: Consider unconventional investment strategies, but ensure they align with your long-term goals.

Moon in Gemini Square Saturn in Pisces (Facing Doubts and Delays):

This challenging aspect can bring up feelings of self-doubt or anxieties about the future. You might encounter unexpected delays or roadblocks in your business ventures. However, this is a time for resilience and strategic planning. Use the Moon’s analytical nature in Gemini to address concerns head-on and develop a solid backup plan.

Business Tip: Expect communication breakdowns or delays in projects. Double-check deadlines and maintain clear communication with your team.

Financial Tip: Reassess your budget and identify areas for cost-cutting. Prepare for unexpected financial hurdles.

Overall, the Moon in Gemini presents a dynamic and communication-driven period for business and finance. Embrace the opportunity to connect, explore new ideas, and navigate challenges with a strategic mind. Remember, clear communication, adaptability, and a dash of caution will be your allies during this lunar phase.

Stay tuned for future articles where we delve deeper into the fascinating world of astrology and its influence on your business success!