#raddison

[reasoningdaily]

Yahoo Finance: Laid-off food workers claim their 'right to return' to jobs was violated at Hotel Figueroa

Two days after the food hospitality operator at a fashionable downtown hotel shuttered its restaurants and laid off its food and beverage employees, a new third-party management company moved in and hired a whole new set of workers, according to a complaint filed with the Los Angeles city attorney’s office.

The laid-off food and beverage laborers had attempted to unionize months earlier. They allege that Hotel Figueroa and hospitality operator the Botanical Group left them out of the hiring, potentially violating a city "right to return" law that requires that new hotel owners or new operators retain the site’s employees for a transitional period, according to the complaint.

A Feb. 21 letter addressed to the city attorney’s office asks for an investigation. A spokesperson for the office confirmed receipt of the complaint but wouldn't comment further on the matter.

“The company closed without retaining workers in violation of the recall law,” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, which is aiding the hotel workers in their effort. ”It is beyond outrageous to see wealthy companies … treat their long-standing workers like they are disposable.”

Read more: Restaurant workers wanted to unionize at this L.A. hotel. Now the restaurants are closing

The hotel is denying the premise of the workers' complaint.

In a prepared statement, a spokesperson for Hotel Figueroa said its ownership is “acting in accordance” with the Los Angeles Hotel Worker Retention Ordinance, which requires that new hotel owners or operators retain the site’s employees for a transitional period. The 2006 ordinance initially applied only to hotels in the LAX corridor. In 2022, a new hotel worker protection ordinance expanded the existing law to include all city hotels with more than 50 guestrooms.

The retention rule is intended to protect laid-off hotel workers so that if a hotel undergoes a change in control, the successor hotel employer is required to hire previous employees for a 90-day transition period and may not discharge these employees without cause.

The Hotel Figueroa spokesperson said there isn’t a new food and beverage operator in place, but that they are instead working with a “consultant to provide limited F&B [food and beverage] service.” Several former staff members of the former third-party management group returned to the hotel’s food and beverage outlets, she said, and they expect more will return in the next few weeks.

When asked how many non-managerial staff had been hired back, the spokesperson said the company wouldn’t comment further.

The Botanical Group did not respond to emails and message for comment.

The 2006 retention ordinance was drafted in response to mass firings that occurred in 2000 at a Wyndham hotel near LAX. The hotel closed and laid off more than 200 employees. The hotel reopened as the Radisson Hotel LAX about a year later but did not hire all of the former Wyndham workers, even though more than 100 of them submitted applications.

Since then, the law has been invoked a handful of times, said Maria Hernandez, a spokeswoman with Unite Here Local 11.

On a recent Friday afternoon, a bartender at the reopened Bar Magnolia said he and the other bartenders present were new to the job, as well as other non-management employees. The space once occupied by Sparrow Italia, which served coastal Italian dishes and cocktails in an indoor-meets-outdoor setting, remained closed.

A dishwasher, line cook and prep cook interviewed previously about Hotel Figueroa also said they had been laid off and not rehired by the new operator.

Workers sought to organize

Tension between the former hospitality group Noble 33 and its employees at Hotel Figueroa started soon after the third-party management took over food and beverage operations for the hotel in 2021, according to workers and union organizers who spoke with The Times.

Workers said they were forced to take on multiple tasks without more pay as their colleagues left and management failed to back-fill positions.

On Dec. 8, back-of-house food and beverage workers who worked for Noble 33 notified their management that they intended to form a union, and submitted cards to do so.

Six days later, hospitality operator Noble 33 announced it would close Sparrow Italia, Café Fig, Bar Magnolia, the Cafeteria and La Casita at Driftwood at the famed hotel, a historic building in downtown L.A. that for the last two decades built a following for its Mediterranean-inspired space and stylish dining rooms.

Read more: Helping Indigenous restaurant workers in the languages they speak

Noble 33 followed through on the closure. On Feb. 11, the company laid off an estimated 100 non-management employees and closed the Hotel Figueroa’s restaurants.

Maria Ibarra, a cook for Noble 33 at the hotel, said she was laid off and not rehired. She now faces unemployment.

“The owners thought they could just replace us overnight and that we would give up and walk away,” Ibarra said. “My co-workers and I will not do that. We have rights.”

Wednesday, Unite Here Local 11, workers and religious leaders called for a boycott of the hotel and hospitality group, at a morning press conference in front of Hotel Figueroa.

The group also delivered a letter signed by nearly 500 people demanding that the hotel bring back the laid-off workers.

"We call on you to immediately offer to return the workers to their employment at the hotel and compensate them for time missed," the letter said.

The boycott is just the latest move taken by workers and the union.

On Friday, nearly 40 people picketed at Hotel Figueroa — seven of them hotel housekeepers alongside about 30 community members and religious leaders with Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, a faith-based advocacy group based near downtown. They shouted "Bring them back" and held a sign that read "Bring back the Fig 100."

[vidyajyotieduversity]

Student Testimonial - Mr. Nitin from Punjab | B. Voc. (Hospitality & Catering Management)

[auressea]

[dvrknessabides]

Carlisle’s fallen kings, Abq NM🫡

Pictured: The Raddison & Kmart both post occupancy.

[electromage1821]

I accidentally came up with a really interesting fallout raider gang idea.

"the Radders" a group of raiders who are entirely ghouls and robots. Who use exclusively radiation based weaponry, and like to cover their base n stuff in radioactive substances. They arent fully associated with the children of atom, but they are allied, and trade things like weapons and radioactive substances. In other words, like 3 ghouls and an assaultron, all covered in a bunch of like, jars filled with nuclear waste, and metal armor painted yellow with the nuke symbol on it, show up, and start attacking you with machetes covered in a glowing green goo, and radium rifles. Their leader is a non-feral glowing one ghoul, and they have a pet sentry bot named Raddison.

[beardedmrbean]

A US hitwoman disguised in a hijab who was foiled when her gun jammed during an attempted murder in Britain is still at large after returning to the US, prosecutors say.

Aimee Betro, 44, was recruited by British father and son Mohammed Nazir, 30, and Mohammed Aslam, 56, to conduct a revenge killing against Aslat Mahamud and his relatives after a 2018 dispute at a jewellery store left the father and son duo injured.

Betro, who is from Milwaukee in Wisconsin, allegedly flew in from Chicago for the contract killing in Acocks Green in Birmingham, on September 7, 2019, after arranging to meet Mahamud’s son, shop owner Sikander Ali, to look at a Volkswagen Golf that the family was selling, Birmingham Crown Court was told, but the attempted shooting did not go to plan.

Dressed in a hijab, Betro “calmly” approached Ali, and pointed a gun at his head, the court heard. However, when she went to pull the trigger, the gun became jammed and Ali fled the scene.

The next morning, Betro allegedly went to Mahamud’s house and opened fire three times, before texting Mahamud: “Stop playing hide and seek” and “Where are you hiding?” the court was told. No one was injured.

Betro allegedly later sent Aslat Mahamud another text saying: “You want to rip me off, you want to be a drug kingpin go look at your house. I will show you. Watch your back. I will be shedding blood soon.”

The 44-year-old is said to have flown back to Chicago two days later and is still believed to be at large in the US, with an international manhunt underway.

If Betro is arrested in the US, it is not clear if she will be extradited to the UK to face possible charges.

Under the US’s extradition treaty with the UK, the UK must prove that a crime has been committed under both US and UK law and provide evidence that shows a “reasonable” demonstration of guilt in order for a US citizen to be extradited to the US.

Social media posts by Betro, reported by The Times, appear to show that she documented her trip to the UK from August to September 2019 in great detail.

In one Instagram post, she appears to talk about visiting her “partner in crime” in Manchester. In another post from the day before the first attempted shooting, Betro is seen posing in a picture with devil horns.

In other posts, she talks about attending the Tranzmission Festival in Crystal Palace, London, and going on a boat tour of the River Thames, it is reported.

During her time in London, she stayed at a number of hotels in Birmingham, Brighton, Derby and Manchester, in one case staying at a Raddison Blue hotel, the court heard.

Betro is not a professional hitwoman. She apparently works as a freelance graphic designer and studied early childhood education at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin, graduating in 2005 before going on to work as an administrator for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. In 2003, she wrote a letter to her local paper arguing in favour of free birth control for women.

Nazir and Aslam, of Derby, were found guilty of conspiracy to murder last week for their role in the attempted killing.

Nazir was also found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, perverting the course of justice and illegally importing firearms over a plot to bring guns into the country and then blame it on another person to frame them. Aslam was cleared of a firearms offense.

The guilty verdicts were handed down after the court heard that Nazir and Aslam held a grudge against Ali’s family following a violent dispute at his boutique clothing store in Birmingham, in central England, on July 21, 2018.

The violent incident had left Nazir and Aslam injured, with the windows of their shop left smashed and the interior “trashed”.

In order to seek revenge, the pair allegedly flew Betro over from the States to Birmingham to kill Ali and his family.

On September 6, Nazir and Aslam travelled from their home in Derby to Birmingham city centre, with Nazir spending more than two hours in a hotel with Betro–  who ordered a takeaway from Deliveroo – according to prosecutors.

Betro had apparently arranged to meet Ali the next day on the pretense of buying a car.

Birmingham Crown Court heard how Betro – disguised in a hijab – pulled up in a Mercedes before Ali pulled up in an Audi nearby.

Kevin Hegarty KC, prosecuting said: “As he did, the would-be assassin came from the driver’s side of the Mercedes.

“As she left the Mercedes she left the driver’s door open. She walked quite calmly towards Sikander Ali and was pointing a gun at him at head height.

“As she got closer to Sikander Ali he saw her and he saw the gun and she pulled the trigger to fire the gun at him. Mercifully and luckily for him the gun jammed.”

Hegarty said Ali rapidly reversed his car and drove off, while Betro reportedly abandoned her Mercedes nearby – where it was later found by police.

Nazir flew out to America a few days later, a couple of days after Betro, who he put down as his point of contact on travel documentation, but he was arrested after his return to the UK the following month. Aslam was also arrested.

Detective Inspector Matt Marston, from West Midlands Police, said the pair were “determined to take revenge.”

“The lengths they went to in trying to make sure they weren’t implicated in pulling the trigger are immense,” he added.

“However, thanks to some great police work and support from our Derbyshire colleagues we were able to place them firmly in the middle of the attempted murder plot.”

The Independent has contacted the US Department of Justice and the FBI for comment.

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.

[bobbinacrossafricatake2]

Guardian Angel

June 1 & 2, 2024

We love our itinerary, but the reality is that with the three countries we chose, there’s non-trivial travel between them. We packed up and had our last, relaxing breakfast at Anjajavy. Rather than tipping guides as we went, we singled out the guides who led most of our activities and gave them individual tips the night before. It was so nice that as we hung out for a bit in the lodge waiting for our transport the the airstrip, each guide came over, thanked us, chatted a bit and urged us to come back and/or tell our friends to come visit. There’s a bit of an air of concern for the travel industry here, on which the locals depend so much!

The flight was one of the bigger little planes with the honeymooners sharing the space with us; same pilot who got us to Anjajavy in the tiny plane. On arrival, we were met by an airport escort who drove us the five minutes to the international terminal. We passed by men bringing their zebus to market and a group of dressed up folks at a church for a wedding. It’s quite limited on who can enter the terminal, so he dropped us off in front, assuring us there’s a restaurant inside. Alas, we were unable to check in yet, so were relegated to siting on a concrete block. At one point we tried to go to check in and the guard said they’re not checking in our flight yet. Jill pointed out that this board shows that indeed checking in has started and he annoyedly said no, not checking in yet. Needless to say, we went back to our concrete block. In need of water, Seb went to the little sundry shop where they wouldn’t take USD or a credit card for such a small amount. So she stood in line for currency exchange which would not change less than $5.00. That came out to 22,200 Malagasy Ariary, which got us water, crackers and chocolate. What else would we get with money we would not be able to use after leaving Madagascar?

After we could finally check in (not particularly streamlined), we arrived in a new, quite modern terminal. We had a bite at the restaurant and hung out until we boarded. While waiting, a young woman who works for the company that designed the airport asked us to complete a survey. It was a good way to pass time, although we probably were not the best targets. This flight was less comfortable and more crowded than the others we’ve had, but on arrival it seemed that most folks were connecting, so getting through immigration and customs was easy and quick.

Then, we hit our first big snag of the trip. We kept looking for our normal “Bobbin X2” sign and none was to be seen. We emerged street-side where 10-15 folks were waiting with signs. Still nothing for us. Did we miss him/her? What to do? After a few minutes, we started looking up POCs on our spiffy TravelKey app from Mike. We’ve not needed such numbers, but knew they were there. Jill tried calling Nomad Tanzania on WhatsApp (trickier than one would think) and finally raised them. We tried calling the Emakoko (our hotel for the night) and it was all a bit confusing. Jill tried to re-enter the airport to see if we’d missed our contact but she couldn’t get back in. At that point, Ruth, our guardian angel and a Raddison Blu rep, approached and took charge. She made calls, while we tried, as well. Turns out Bush & Beyond was in charge of us, whose number we didn’t have, but Ruth did. Yay. Her friend, Purity, is the airport B&B rep. Hurrah. Not only did we not have B&B’s contact info, but they hod incorrect info for our arrival. They expected us on a KLM flight (we think the flight we’re leaving on in 7 days) at almost midnight. Yikes! Thank goodness for Ruth! Purity reportedly ran across the parking lot, arranged a vehicle on the spot to take us to the entrance of Nairobi National Park, where the Emakoko driver/guide, Jackson, picked us up. It all took a few hours. If we had to have a mess up, this was the place to have it, but given Sarah has a wicked cold, it was exhausting.

Jackson drove us across the park with views to the lights of Nairobi in the distance and planes coming in overhead. The park at night seemed quite flat, but as we approached the Emakoko, the road went bumpily down into a valley, across a little bridge and to the other side.. The Emakoko is lovely! We both wished we weren’t so tuckered, but passed on a late dinner and the hotel sent soup and bread up to the room. Seb ate and colllapsed. Jill FT’ed her mom and putzed on the pad for a while before going to sleep. It was a good night’s sleep, even if short and briefly disturbed (for Jill) by creatures having a party on the roof.

In the morning, we could better appreciate the beautiful room, balcony overlooking the valley, and when coffee was delivered at 6:00 AM before our 6:30 game drive, it was pure heaven. Tempted to roll over, Seb rallied. Just as we were finalizing our packs for the morning, the power went off. No problem! There was just enough light to see the last few things we needed to pack up or stash in a locked duffel (our security SOP). We headed out to the lobby… then problem! We were in one of the upper five rooms, up a huge cliff and accessible by a funicular. With the power off, the funicular did not work. So, we took the steep steps next to the track. Jackson was ready for us when we got to the lounge. When told him about taking the steps, he seemed a little surprised and admitted to an alternate path, much longer with a shallower incline. Off we went to look for wildlife, hoping the power to be restored in the meantime.

There’s nothing like being out on a game drive early in the morning. Solitude, except for animals starting their days. Fresh air and a clear view as far as the eye can see. The Nairobi National Park was just as exhilarating, but different. It was cold… not what we have had in Namibia and Madagascar (but similar to our 2018 experience). As it is a public park, we began have lot’s of companions on the road. Sometimes it helps with more eyes to spot animals, but sometimes the groups of other cars just create a less than ideal environment for optimal viewing.

We did have a successful drive, seeing rhinos (both white and black), giraffes (even two young males necking), Thompson’s gazelles, impalas, a hartebeast, a big buffalo blocking the road, and a secretary bird. At one point, we came across several other vehicles surrounding someone’s dinner (a kill), with that someone nowhere in sight. Jackson thought it belonged to a cheetah, but the poor hungry cat was waiting for vehicles to leave before returning to his/her meal. Not ever wanting to get in the way of nature, we proceeded on the drive.

After a couple hours, we decided it was time to get back to the lodge. Our stomachs were rumbling and a little time to rest before heading back to the airport was appealing. We were so happy to see lights shining from the lodge as we drove up. Yay… hot coffee and a working funicular. We had few more wildlife sightings before the end of our stay at Emakoko. We found rock hyraxes on the funicular track and the path to the room, then baboons and vervet monkeys on our balcony roused Jill from a catnap, who then woke Seb to see the commotion.

The trip to the airport was easy on a Sunday morning, mostly highway, but then through some local streets with shanties and shops constructed of corrugated metal. Jackson helped us check-in, then a young man with Safarilink took us through emigration and security, delivering us to a small waiting area, with instructions that he would be back to get us when it was time to board. The waiting area got quite busy and we, unfortunately witnessed our first, and hopefully only, example of the ugly American. Three couples, clearly traveling together, were in the waiting room with us. Each time someone from an air service came to collect passengers, they accosted the person about when they would be able to board. When Safarilink came to get us, this group stood in the doorway blocking our way as the air service rep was beckoning us to follow. There was such a sense of entitlement and “me first.”

This first flight of the day, on which we were two of four passengers, landed in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, which required the whole immigration process to enter the country. We were expecting to handle this ourselves, but found a “Bobbin X2” waiting for us plane-side as we disembarked. It was a lucky break, since he told us how to fill in the immigration form, then led us to the line for on-line visas, which we both had, specifically for seniors, children and special needs (do we look old? Well, maybe since make-up did not make the cut for this trip.) Somehow with all of our diligence in getting details in order before the trip, Sarah’s visa had an incorrect date (note to Seb: work on your proof-reading skills). While Jill and airport helper waited in Tanzania, Sarah bounced amongst a few more lines to get a new visa. All in all it was pretty quick, just a $100 mistake for a new visa. Our airport helper ushered us out of the international airport and through the national airport (including numerous security screenings) to check in for our flight to the Lake Manyara airstrip. Since we were the only ones on the flight, we boarded as soon as we were all reassembled from the last security check, and took off 20 minutes early for the short 30 minute flight.

On arrival, we met Anaeli, our guide driver for at least the first two legs in Tanzania. If first impressions are anything, we knew we’d be in for a great five days. The drive to Entamanu Ngorongoro Lodge was two hours. The first hour we spent getting to know Anaeli and passing through various sized towns and villages. Nearing arrival to the Ngorongoro Crater National Park, Anaeli asked Jill to roll up her window a bit on account of the baboon activity at the park entrance. Sure enough, while Anaeli paid our entrance fees, bands of baboons entertained us through the car window.

The remaining hour was on rocky dirt roads, passing Maasai villages, brightly adorned folks returning to their villages on foot, Maasai farmers returning their livestock to safe quarters and glimpses of the crater. At one point we stopped at an overlook for our first official view. From there we continued to climb and Anaeli pointed out the flat-topped acacia trees at a distance as the location of our lodge. We knew we were finally close when we entered the acacia forest. Of course, arrival was marked by 8-10 staff standing in front waving, then helping us with bags.

Standard camp arrival took place, covering safety and any other lodge-specific topics. After a quick orientation to our bungalow, we headed back to the living room/lounge for a glass of wine, where we chatted with Peter, an Africa travel specialist from London. After dinner, we retreated back to our bungalow and both promptly crashed, getting woefully behind in blogging.

[puckpocketed]

calen RADdison look at him running the powerplay <3 blocking the breakaway <33

[dorminchu]

WIP Wednesday: Insult to Injury Chapter VII [The Quickening]

a/n: This chapter is kicking my butt. Here's a few quick teasers below the cut:

i. Bond & Safin, Norway streets [Feb 2014]

“It’s been a while since Montenegro. I haven’t thought about it in—damn, it’ll be eight years.” A flicker of remorse crossed his features. “Things seemed much easier, back then. I was willing to give up my future. Honest to God, I’d almost convinced myself I would be happier that way.” He sighed and shook his head. “Hope’s a dangerous thing.”

“Indubitably,” said Safin. “But you still work for the English.”

“For Queen and country. Beats a desk job, though I suppose it’s all the same to you.” 007’s expression shifted. “It seems we’ve got a friend in common.”

“I’m not familiar.”

Safin continued walking. 007 fell in-line beside him, speaking over the white noise of passing traffic and civilians,

“Word gets around. All of these terrorist attacks, these bombings, the chemical attacks in Africa—I think our friend would agree that they’re not exactly coincidental.” 007 lowered his tone. “Sooner or later, she’s going to be looking for a way out.”

Safin looked over at him. “That’s you?”

007 scoffed. “God, no. I’ve got three hundred and thirty days left ‘til retirement. I’m on my best behaviour.”

Safin swallowed dryly, a slight tremor in his hands which he drew to fists, stowed in his pockets. “Must be a slow day for MI6, if you are doing what is expected of you.” They were approaching the next corner. “But, she doesn’t need any more help.”

“Well, you’re not going to be of much use to anyone if you’re cracking up like this.”

“It seems the exit of your British Treasury agent and SAS have not tempered your arrogance,” said Safin. “I wonder what will?”

“Damned if I know. We’ve passed by the hotel already, you don’t need to brave the cold on my account.” Safin turned about-face, as 007 added, “Don’t get discouraged. Sexpionage isn’t for everyone.”

ii. Madeleine & Safin, Raddison Blu floor 24 [Mar 2014]

“You're not a high-priority target. But that's not something you should count on.” Something was off. His usual detachment wasn’t there. Not stifling or predatory, just—direct. “You understand what is expected of you.”

Madeleine shrugged. “It’s been a while since I attended an event like this. I can’t remember the last time I just sat down and talked to someone.” With his silent treatment, she might as well be back in her office, taking notes. “If I really didn’t care, I’d start drinking and talk about my real problems. I’d end up in the river by Tuesday.”

“Why did you ask for me?” He said it plainly enough. It didn’t match his eyes.

“Because you have not gone back on your word.”

A longer pause. “The word of an assassin,” he muttered.

Madeleine stiffened her shoulders and waited for the elevator to open. “I try not to think about what could’ve been,” she said. “It never helps.”

“You carry yourself well. I would have assumed otherwise.”

“I never implied I was interested in attending, much less socializing. I don’t have much in common with these people aside from a tax bracket.”

“You don’t enjoy yourself?”

“Not usually.” Struggling to redirect, the thought only coiled tighter. Putting up a cold front seemed like a pointless expenditure. “Anyway, I cannot imagine it's as difficult as your own responsibilities.”

“I’m just following through.” His gaze averted, holding firmly on the doors as if to spite himself. She was not going to implicate herself any further.

iii. Safin & Primo [2005]

The man who stepped through was well-built, dressed in a leather jacket and cargo pants. His right eye sat inert and glassy in his skull. Perhaps working for the SVR under an alias. Klebb was fond of using illegal agents rather than Russians for operations abroad. More likely, one of Zorin’s men sent to finish him off. He said his name was Primo.

“Back in the eighties,” Primo said, “your father worked with an Algerian sponsor, Cipher. Gostan knew his way around toxins, and this Cipher had enough funds to keep things running indiscreetly. When Gostan’s wife turned informant to the Russian government, it was Cipher invited the family to dinner to take their minds off the collapse of the USSR.”

“Foodborne botulism,” Safin said, glancing over at the desk across from his bed.

The man followed his gaze. “You read the reports.”

“At sea level, the spores can survive boiling water. If the bacterium survives long enough to produce toxins, you get botulinum.” A ragged inhale, exhale. “Pathoanatomical analysis confirmed the cause. A toxin of vegetative origin. It only takes three-hundred fifty nanograms, about a quarter of a grain of sand.” He pushed himself to stand. Walking slowly over to the desk, he opened a set of drawers, pushing old documents aside, withdrawing the Makarov PM. “Where is this Cipher now?”

Primo scowled, walking over to grab his arm and stabilizing him, as though he were a child. “Don’t be stupid. You’re recuperating.”

“That is a luxury I cannot afford,” Safin said. “There’s work to be done.”

[meatcumputer]

morning at raddison blu

[ghado]

Pop Up Comfestcon Kuwait

28-29/9/2023

Yup basically going for Mackenyu and here is to record my memories ^^

At the beginning I was hesitating if I should go or no as I know him as a Japanese actor but I wasn't closely following his projects

But seeing how much he's growing I felt like it's a once in a life opportunity so I decided to go

I arrived at Kuwait on 28 of sep around 4 pm so I missed the first photo session with him

I was able to see him talks on the stage which was around 6:30 pm

It was funny he suddenly entered without announcement, loved his way of pronouncing the Arabic food ^^ and it was a nice chat with Yao Kazuki, tbh he was goofing, joking and laughing a lot like his Japanese interviews, he must felt comfortable being with another Japanese ^^

Next I lined up for the signing session, reached at around 8:30 pm, they told me I need to have something for him to sign on and I was like what? I thought he will give a signed photo of him!!! so yeah rushed to buy a Zoro cardboard for him to sign and came back, glad they didn't ask me to line up again that was so nice of them ;~; and finally entered and saw him so close ;^; he is so white !! that was my first impression XD

idk he seemed like non talkative person, the staff was the one who would give him the objects to sign, not us so he took the board and started signing just like that, I tried to start a convo like "hi how are you?" then paused, for a moment I thought he won't reply but he finally responded with "hey I'm good" "I came from Saudi Arabia for you" he finally looked at me with "oh" smiled and "thanks"

Next day, I arrived around 2 pm , I really love Kuwaiti people ;^; <3 they were like welcoming me knowing I'm from Saudi by the way I'm talking XD

I lined up around 2:45 pm for the photo session, my turn was at 4:15 pm , this time they told us no chatting and of course no phones allowed, when I entered he looked me in the eyes, stared, smiled and welcomed me! all I was able to tell him was “Glad you made it back from the mall” he said “yeah” with a chuckle /based on his ig story/, I think he thought he saw me before hence the staring and I should've had re-introduced myself but I got flustered , wanted to take the photo and get out immediately 😂 I couldn't look him in the eyes again, I only said "thanks" and I left shaking with my heart beating so fast (I was like wth that's came out of no where!!!)

Then I went sitting for the cosplay run /which was fun/ while waiting for the signing session again, Mackenyu suddenly went on the stage even though he wasn't supposed to that day, to announce that he will be extending his photo session which was so nice of him ^^ the funny thing he did Buggy OPLA's hand movement to silence the crowd from screaming for him to talk 😂

I lined up at 7 pm and reached by 7:30 pm, this time the line moved fast so I knew they were rushing things , I intended to re-intoduce my self but decided to just thanks him for coming, it was like:

“ほんとに楽しかった” .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡. and he spread his arms cheerfully saying “よかった”╰(´︶`)╯"お疲れ様でした" ^^♡ and I left, this time he signed my photograph with him

lastly after he finished his session we said byebye while he was leaving ^^

Some end rumbling:

-Surprisingly I was staying at the same hotel with some of the fest guests, it was "Raddison Blue" I got to see Yao Kazuki and the foreign staff that were organizing Mackenyu sessions

-The first night Mackenyu went to the ship restaurant named "Al Boom Steak &Seafood" /based on the guy's ig who had dinner with him, funny I wanted to dine there that night but decided last minute to dine there the next night 😂

btw the resturant is so nice and the steak is delicious I loved it, and the ship itself you feel like it was really a one piece trip ~

-The second night Mackenyu posted the advanced birthday cake and it looked like the table is in the restaurant at the hotel named "Peacock Chinese", I passed by it that night but didn't enter 😂

-I was reading some reports in how the fans felt Mackenyu was uncomfortable and the staff was too strict, being a fan of Jpop and going to some of their events that do have a lot of rules, I felt that was totally normal , like I always do with these, I tried to have the best time and live in the moment without causing too much trouble to the ones working there and tbh I'm contented with this experience ^^

[kayl3ighsunflower]

I was tagged by @a-sauce

Nickname: Kail or Kay. I have loads for my real name tho haha

Sign: Aquarius ♒

Height: 5'2

Last Thing I Googled: Raddison Blu Hotel 😂

Number of Followers: 1657

Lucky Number: I don't really have one

Favorite Color: Pink

Dream Job: Zoo Keeper, mammal department

Movies/Books that summarize me:

Books: Daisy jones and the six minus all the drugs, drinking and general coolness. Malibu rising, kit in particular

Movies: Hmm the grinch? 😂 minus hating Christmas. Christmas is my favourite time of the year. Ace ventura for the loving of animals

Favorite Song: Probably corrupted by McFly

Favorite Instrument: Flute

Aesthetic: Grunge, Boho, Vintage

Favorite Author: Taylor Jenkins-Reid, Lucinda Riley, Chris Carter

Favorite Animal Noise: An angry Koala or gibbons singing first thing in the morning

Random: I can speak German :)

I tag everyone that reads this!

[drdecks]

Don’t miss out on this one Spokane! @drdecks and @deckstars.regal are back with another round of food, fun, swag, giveaways and learning. Plus the get to try @moasure in person, the world’s first Motion-Based measuring tool that puts rocket science in the palm of your hand! Get up and close with the number one deck builder in North America, @drdecks, and get first knowledge on how to build your brand for success in 2023. Learn what it took and what it takes today to be in front of that consumer and what tips on getting that competitive edge! These are events you will not want to miss. Feb 27 – Spokane WA, Mirabeau park Hotel Mar 8 – Atlanta GA, Courtyard Lithia Springs Mar 9 – Charlotte NC, Courtyard Marriott Mar 21 – Kelowna BC, 4 Points Sheraton Mar 22 – Red Deer AB, Raddison Register today for FREE at deckstars.com and see our complete list of live events. Food and Drinks, Prizes and Fun included. Bookmark that page as we will be announcing more 2023 tour dates soon. (at Spokane, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpJblUaJfnA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[the-iceni-bitch]

How are Alpha Raddison and Omega Step Sister going? Is he still denying what we all know?

As far as the current series goes, Ransom is slowly losing the denial but bunny is still in it.

You can get a little peek at what their future looks like here, though.