#2024 ‘resolutions’ incoming??

[starbuck]

various thoughts:

i would like to have a significant other

i would like to develop my personality a bit more before meeting a significant other

i should wait until after top surgery before even considering seeing anyone bc i’m gonna be much happier and more confident after that

i want to know my local area better

i NEED more pretentious local friends who are willing to experience new things with me in my local area

i need to read and watch and listen to and DO more and i have the time to do it now, so i need to make it happen

#there is literally just SO much i haven’t done that i need to do #every time i experience something new i am filled with more love and become more powerful #and it becomes something else i can share with others #i’ve always been hesitant to do this - but maybe i should set actual goals… #and select specific things ahead of time to keep myself on track #i think it’s fun to keep the film list loose - but i could still schedule them #and schedule out like. a book every 3 weeks or something REALLY reasonable like that #unless the book is super long and needs more time #book-scheduling makes sense to me bc i’m less sensitive about what i read than what i watch #2024 ‘resolutions’ incoming?? #i’ve never made New Year’s resolutions before bc i hate pressuring myself #but i actually WANT to do things so like. 🤷🤷 #i’m sensing some good potential here

[sapphire-dreamsky]

on top of a hill with you, the sky was lit in shades of red and gold

pairing: ryomen sukuna x reader starring: ryomen sukuna | reader settings: alternate universe | sukuna is a student studying at jujutsu high | sukuna is somewhat behaving | sukuna is confused with the new human traditions, someone has to help him adjust | sunshine x grumpy trope

Sukuna tilted his head to the side as fireworks began their journey in the sky as singular strings only to fall down in a multitude array of red, purple and gold. After being sealed for more than one century, he missed a lot of human inventions. One of them included fireworks.

Upon knowing that, (name) also known as that 'brat' (affectionally, not that Sukuna would ever admit to it), took it upon herself to bring Sukuna to see the fireworks on top of a hill overlooking the sea. She claimed that the fireworks launching by the harbour were far more spectacular than those being released near the school. He deserved the best of shows. Or so she claimed. The girl seemed to always be conveniently forgetting that he was a murderer, a merciless sorcerer killer. And yet, her gaze never faltered from his red ones. She held her head high when everyone else was bowing to him in submission, praying that he wouldn't chop their heads off for every word that escaped their mouths. Everyone walked on thin ice around Sukuna. Despite his vow to not kill anyone, he was still feared amongst sorcerers. And he liked to keep it that way. Until that foolish brat came along, dared to smile sweetly at him, naively introduced herself as his new classmate as if he was a mere human sorcerer attending Jujutsu High and not the King of Curses masquerading as a student for the sake of his own entertainment and to cure his boredom with the people of this generation.

To him, the fireworks were nothing spectacular. They were just overrated explosives meant to look pretty. A way for humans to break from their routines of 9-5 by celebrating another incoming year filled with 9-5 shifts again. Another year to live by society's rules. There was truly nothing glorious about celebrating a new incoming year that will be filled with the same lifestyles even when (name) claimed the opposite.

"We make New Year resolutions before the clock turns to 12 00. On a piece of paper, you write your wishes for the next year. Come on, Sukuna! Is there anything you want to add on your bucket list?"

Sukuna pondered over the question for a minute. There was nothing much that he didn't do on a whim. Anything he wanted, he made sure to get within the next minute or hours if it was a long process.

"Kill everyone?"

(Name)'s mouth gaped open. Her eyes were comically wide open. For a minute, Sukuna thought he finally struck fear in that foolish human.

"You can't wish that! It needs to be a positive change!"

That girl was truly weird. She didn't scold him for his 'New Year resolutions'. He might have been a bit creeped out by her trust and faith in him to be honest.

"What should I wish for then? There is nothing I cannot get in this world."

"Well, I cannot tell you what to wish. It must be something you genuinely want."

The conversation was changed soon after. However, he did see her scribbling something on a yellow post-it note with her red coloured pen. He saw a faint "2024 resolutions" written on top of the paper. He only shook his head. Foolish human.

And now, as the fireworks exploded in the sky filling the darkness with some colours, he turned his head towards (name) only to notice that she had her eyes closed, head bowed with hands in a praying position. 'She must be making her New Year's Resolutions.'

A moment passed before another firework broke down in the sky. This time, it was a golden one. He watched as the colours reflected on her skin. She would look beautiful in gold. And red. Like a firework in the sky, the vision of her dressed in a white shiromuku with an innocent grin gracing her face as her eyes twinkled with happiness, was quick to appear and quicker to fade.

As if on cue, (name)'s eyes slowly opened. She turned her head to the side to look at Sukuna.

"Did you make a wish Sukuna?"

He turned his head away from her to look at the fireworks once again.

"Yes."

A red and golden light lit up the sky.

"Let's come here again next year, (name)."

Happy New Years everyone! I pray that 2024 brings you health, peace, happiness and prosperity.

#ryomen sukuna x reader #sukuna x reader #jjk sukuna x reader

[ezekiel-krishna]

Jupiter in Taurus ♉ Transit 2024 (Part 3)

💰💎Luck ,Abundance ,Fortune & Spirituality

{Vedic Astrology}[From May 2024 - May 2025]

⇝ Your Guide to Check Your Rising Sign > Refer Here

Sagittarius ♐

Jupiter's transit to your sixth house brings forth its influence on the 2nd, 10th, and 12th houses. It's important to note that Jupiter not only rules your ascendant but also your fourth house. The fourth house governs your mental peace, domestic bliss, and thought process, while the ascendant lord rules your physical body and way of thinking. During this period, you may find yourself facing an increase in workload and responsibilities at your workplace. My suggestion to you is to embrace this with a positive mindset. Your hard work has the potential to bring you great rewards and recognition. However, it's crucial to avoid harboring resentment or complaining, as this could diminish the benefic effects of Jupiter and even lead to other challenges.

You may encounter issues with hidden enemies or people talking behind your back in the workplace. They might even attempt to harm your image. In such situations, it's important to maintain a positive attitude and simply ignore them. Keep focusing on your work and continue to put in your best effort. Engaging in active conflicts with your enemies will only divert your energy and hinder your progress.

Some of you may even experience changes in your living conditions or have to relocate. This could be related to your spouse's career or family situation. Embrace these changes with an open mind and adapt accordingly. Remember, Jupiter's influence can bring positive transformations if you approach them with a positive attitude.

For those involved in real estate, this year presents opportunities for purchases. Any previous obstacles or delays in handling real estate matters will be resolved. Legal battles or disputes will also find resolution. Be cautious not to engage in new conflicts, as they can escalate quickly. Take care of your health and diet to prevent Jupiter-related health issues. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to ensure your well-being. Avoid unnecessary stress and criticism towards others to prevent tension. Some may acquire a new pet or care for a sick one, leading to worries. Overall, Sagittarius will see positive impacts on their career if they work hard with a positive attitude.

Capricorn ♑

Jupiter's transit to the fifth house will have a significant impact on various aspects of your life. Not only will it influence your love life, children, education, creativity, and hobbies, but it will also bring positive energy to your communication skills, relationships with siblings, and personal initiatives. Additionally, Jupiter's aspect on the 1st, 11th, and 9th houses will further enhance these areas of your life.

To fully benefit from this transit, you will need to put in some effort. If you are seeking a love partner or planning to have a baby, your concentrated efforts will lead to the fulfillment of your wishes and desires. The same applies to your educational pursuits, where putting in more effort will result in rewarding outcomes. This is also an opportune time for those aspiring to travel abroad for higher education.

During this transit, you will exude a positive aura and others will seek your advice and guidance. Your wisdom and respected presence will attract people towards you. If you are involved in sports, religion, media, marketing, sales, finance, consulting, freelancing, or any form of writing, you can expect exceptional success in these fields.

Financially, this transit brings favorable opportunities for earning a good income. However, it is important to remember that your hard work and dedication are crucial in capitalizing on these opportunities. Moreover, you may find yourself drawn towards spirituality or your religion during this time. It is possible that you may encounter a spiritual guru or delve deeper into the realms of spirituality and religion. Embrace this journey and explore the profound aspects of your inner self.

Having children can sometimes lead to differing opinions, especially when it comes to their education. Younger children may also feel confused about which path to take. On the other hand, if your children are older and unmarried, it might be a good opportunity for them to consider marriage. It's important to maintain a strong relationship with your children during this time.

Aquarius ♒

Jupiter is currently moving through your 4th house, influencing your 8th, 10th, and 12th houses. It also governs your 2nd and 11th houses, which are related to finances. The 2nd house is linked to food, family, financial savings, and speech, while the 11th house is associated with material gains and wish fulfillment. Your focus is now on your living environment and career. Jupiter's positive impact brings mental peace and domestic harmony to your relationships.

With Saturn currently transiting your ascendant house, you may have been feeling stressed. However, Jupiter's presence helps alleviate some of that mental burden. Some of you may suddenly relocate for career-related reasons, indicating a period of frequent travel or time spent away from home.

Be mindful of potential disagreements with your mother and strive to maintain positive relationships. Financially, expenses may increase due to aspects on the 12th house, possibly related to real estate, vehicle purchases, or travel costs. Renovations or redecorations at home are also likely. On the bright side, your income may rise, presenting opportunities for growth and increased earnings. Keep an eye out for career advancements or sudden changes, such as relocation.

Aquarius is on the brink of professional changes right now, with a strong chance of career shifts. Financial gains could come from unexpected sources like inheritance, insurance, in-laws, or real estate deals. If you've been struggling with sleep, there's some relief in sight. Remember to prioritize your health and avoid unnecessary stress. Focus on your career and finances, put in the hard work, and you'll see great results. Stay connected to your spiritual side for support, as luck may not be on your side at the moment. Your efforts will lead you towards a more spiritual path.

Pisces ♓

Jupiter's transit through your 3rd house is bringing a wave of positive energy to your career, Pisces. With aspects to your 7th, 9th, and 11th houses, new job opportunities and exciting changes are on the horizon. Make sure to put in the extra effort and hard work to fully capitalize on this lucky phase. Financial growth and success are within reach, but dedication is key. In terms of relationships, both single and married Pisces will experience a boost. Singles may find themselves walking down the aisle, while married individuals can look forward to happiness and harmony in their partnerships. Business ventures will thrive, and excellent gains are on the horizon.

This is a time for self-improvement and hard work, so make sure to stay focused. Starting a new business during this transit could lead to great success, as long as you put in the necessary effort. Expand your social and professional network, meet new people, and develop lasting friendships. Travel opportunities are also on the horizon, particularly for educational purposes.Your relationship with siblings will be positive and satisfying, with any past challenges being resolved. Look forward to celebrations such as marriages or the arrival of children in your siblings' lives.

Professionals in the fields of medicine, astrology, consulting, finance, law, public speaking, writing, or media are poised for success at this time. My advice is to invest in education, acquire new skills, or expand your knowledge base to enhance your career prospects and overall quality of life. Even if you're a homebody without a traditional career, dedicating time to learning new things can still be incredibly rewarding in the long term. Remember, this transit is highly favorable for you, but staying connected to your faith and spirituality will ensure continued blessings and good fortune.

Remember This is a General Analysis , Whole Chart is to be Considered for Accurate Personalized Predictions.

For Paid Personalized Analysis & Reviews ➤ Check Here

Masterlist ➤ Check Here

#astrology #astro community #vedic astrology #astro observations #astro notes #astroworld #astroblr #astroloji #pisces #capricorn #aqaurius #sagittarius

[chickadooz]

I've always wanted to do giveaways, but I have so little income that doing so would result in negative profits for me and unfortunately that defeats the purpose of having a Ko‑fi in the first place.

But after some thinking, I've got an idea for how to both make money to reach my goals and do giveaways. That is, to do both at the same time. If I account for the cost of buying and shipping the item in my goal, I won't go into the negative.

So for the duration of March 2024, if I reach 100% of my current goal, I'll give away an art or photographic print of the winner's choice. If for some reason a photo the winner wants is not currently in my INPRNT shop, I can add it for them. INPRNT can also ship to most countries I can think of, so there shouldn't be any restrictions on entry.

Since the prices for items are actually considerably cheaper for me to buy as the artist, I can offer all sizes. Some listings are slightly different because of the original image resolutions, but generally it includes prints of the following sizes (in inches):

For art prints:

4 x 6

8 x 11

12 x 17

17 x 24

And for photographic prints:

8 x 11

12 x 17

Since I've posted screenshots of my goal on Tumblr you'll probably notice that I've adjusted the goal price to accommodate this, but it's the only way the giveaway can happen so I hope you understand.

If somehow the goal isn't met in time, any tips I received during that period will still be going towards my goal. Nothing given would be wasted, so you don't have to fear that. If this ends up being really successful, I'd love to do it more in the future. So please consider participating! 🧡

If we reach the goal within the allotted time, I'll make a new post with rules for entering the giveaway. Note that you will have to provide me with your shipping address for the print if you're chosen as the winner.

Link to my Ko-fi.

#photography #animal photography #wildlife photography #nature photography #lensblr #photographers on tumblr

[inchandescence]

Chanbaek Tarot Reading 2024

Chanbaek Tarot Reading 240320

I read 3 parts: current, 2nd half 2024 until the end of the year, and 1-2 years in the future.

Before reading please know:

If you don't believe in tarot then you don't have to and please never mock people who loves reading tarot predictions, we all have rights and our own free will, and it's not a crime.

Tarot readings are not facts, they are predictions or you can also say a glimpse of what is happening and what would happen.

How detail the reading is influenced by the reader, for myself I can't give a very detailed reading yet, so this is how I far I could do it.

Also I've read tarot for chanbaek many times since 2021 and this reading... I could say it's the most positive out of all readings I've done.

---

Current situation with chanbaek:

Keywords: healing, finding peace, contentment, seeing positives, growing to stability, steady loving relationship, privileged, new perspective, take action

Before this current time (1st half of 2024) chanbaek had a series of hard time in their relationship, doesn't have to be because of themselves, could be bcs of many other factors, but bcs of those issues they experienced some kind of slow down BUT now at this time they finally healed and able to make peace, so I think the issues are more to last year (2023) cus I read them too last year and yes they were having issues here and there, with external people too. Now they finally felt content of the resolution and they can see the positive outcomes. Because of them finally moving on to a better time for their relationship, at the same time their relationship is growing to stability and is going to be steady. FYI, in the past years when people read tarot for chanbaek, it's already predicted that they are going to reach a stable and steady period of their relationship SOMEDAY when they are both ready. And I believe... this current time is going to be that beginning. Additionally, they will be able to see their past mistakes, reflect, and learn, and be open to new perspectives, they both know what they want and what each other want, and they will no longer beat around the bush, they will immediately take action now, all for their relationship.

---

The rest of 2024 (the 2nd half until the end of the year):

Keywords: party, celebration, gathering, family, stability, caring, home, but also business, domestic comfort, support, helping each other, openness (discussion, sharing)

Okay... like kinda crazy bcs I feel like we have been given a glimpse of chanbaek's stable and steady and very domestic life as a couple (finally) and it also begins with some kind of a party, celebration, gathering with family. What im getting is!! This year baekhyun will finish kyoongcon and chanyeol will finally either release PCY1 or reveal the first official hint for PCY1 and like both of them worked so hard for all of their individual projects 1-3rd quarter and they finish them well! So at the end of 2024 they will be having holiday and party and celebrate with family hehe and also after this celebration I think chanbaek won't like rest assured, both of them will go back to work right away and they might think its gonna be a little harder bcs they both alr achieved many great things in 2024 and 2025 the standard will be even higher but both of them will have this kind of worry and they will be open to each other about this! They will share and discuss their plans, whats next, whats good, they will always be there for each other no matter what.Oh adding to this!! I think both will be living that double income couple life so well you know.. like they go to work, do business, they go home, sleep tgt, eat tgt, really happy workaholic couple 😂

---

Chanbaek Future!! 1-2 years later

Keywords:

"quality time with people you cherish in your life"

"turning romantic wishes into reality"

connection and commitment

Okay I feel like the result isnt as detailed as the first 2 questions' results BUT still this is a glimpse of what the future holds for their relationship and the answer indicates they will spend more time tgt compared to this year or previous year, they will have more quality time with each other and people around them, and they will build that connection as a commited couple who will walk to their future together. Also a card describes chanbaek's commited relationship as an air sign, I'm an air sign myself and I feel like this is really really good, being an air sign is wonderful and just the best because like air sign is a sign of freedom and humanity, air sign likes to fly away yet at the same time, they know when to stop flying and rest for a bit and look what is happening under the sky. This is a healthy relationship, both chanbaek will get the freedom they want as both are very independent, but also when they need each other and care about each other, they will be together. Like their relationship has this good set of boundaries but also uncountable empathy.

---

P.S.: While wedding/engagement is possible but what I feel is more to celebrating their achievements in 2024 hehe BUT WHO KNOWS

I suddenly have the urge to read tarot bcs of the penshoppe x bench thingy haha i feel like it gives more hm how do i say it, it adds one more "red string" to chanbaek, what i mean is now theres another thing that connects both of them so their energy tgt will become stronger

#baekhyun #chanyeol #chanbaek #baekyeol #tarot #tarot reading #chanbaek prediction #chanbaek 2024 #exo #kpop

[the-bjd-community-confess]

My New Year Resolutions: - work on faceup skills (I tried before and got discouraged by my results, but you know what they say, practice makes perfect) - get back to crocheting stuff for my dolls - make in-scale jewelry for my dolls (I do make accessories for myself, friends and family with resin, polymer clay, wires and beads...might as well try making stuff for dolls) - learn how to sew with patterns (I don't use patterns, and some of my diy clothes have hilarously horrendous fit; additional note - look for nice fabric, maybe look into printing doll-scale prints for fabrics) - learn to make wigs

I never bothered to learn most of these diy skills before since I only had 1 doll, but now I have 2 more incoming, and inflation is killing me so 🤷‍♀️ wish me luck!!! And I hope 2024 will be better for you peeps as well!

~Anonymous

#BJD #ABJD #BJD Confessions #Community Confessions #New Year 2024 #BJD Crafting #Pos

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Today, President Joe Biden signed the continuing resolution that will give lawmakers another week to finalize appropriations bills. Lawmakers will continue to hash out the legislation that will fund the government. 

Republicans have been stalling the appropriations bills for months. In addition to inserting their own extremist cultural demands in the measures, they have demanded budget cuts to address the fact that the government spends far more money than it brings in. 

As soon as Mike Johnson (R-LA) became House speaker, he called for a “debt commission” to address the growing budget deficit. This struck fear into the hearts of those eager to protect Social Security and Medicare, because when Johnson chaired the far-right Republican Study Committee in 2020, it called for cutting those popular programs by raising the age of eligibility, lowering cost-of-living adjustments, and reducing benefits for retirees whose annual income is higher than $85,000. Lawmakers don’t want to take on such unpopular proposals, so setting up a commission might be a workaround.

Last month, the House Budget Committee advanced legislation that would create such a commission. The chair of the House Budget Committee, Jodey C. Arrington (R-TX), told reporters that Speaker Johnson was “100% committed to this commission” and wanted to attach it to the final appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2024, the laws currently being hammered out.

Congress has not yet agreed to this proposed commission, and a recent Data for Progress poll showed that 70% of voters reject the idea of it. 

This week, a new report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), a nonprofit think tank that focuses on tax policy, suggested that the cost of tax cuts should be factored into any discussions about the budget deficit. 

In 2017 the Trump tax cuts slashed the top corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and reined in taxation for foreign profits. The ITEP report looked at the first five years the law was in effect. It concluded that in that time, most profitable corporations paid “considerably less” than 21% because of loopholes and special breaks the law either left in place or introduced. 

From 2018 through 2022, 342 companies in the study paid an average effective income tax rate of just 14.1%. Nearly a quarter of those companies—87 of them—paid effective tax rates of under 10%. Fifty-five of them (16% of the 342 companies), including T-Mobile, DISH Network, Netflix, General Motors, AT&T, Bank of America, Citigroup, FedEx, Molson Coors, and Nike, paid effective tax rates of less than 5%.

Twenty-three corporations, all of them profitable, paid no federal tax over the five year period. One hundred and nine corporations paid no federal tax in at least one of the five years. 

The Guardian’s Adam Lowenstein noted yesterday that several corporations that paid the lowest taxes are steered by chief executive officers who are leading advocates of “stakeholder capitalism.” This concept revises the idea that corporations should focus on the best interests of their shareholders to argue that corporations must also take care of the workers, suppliers, consumers, and communities affected by the corporation. 

The idea that corporate leaders should take responsibility for the community rather than paying taxes to the government so the community can take care of itself is eerily reminiscent of the argument of late-nineteenth-century industrialists. 

When Republicans invented national taxation to meet the extraordinary needs of the Civil War, they immediately instituted a progressive federal income tax because, as Representative Justin Smith Morrill (R-VT) said, “The weight [of taxation] must be distributed equally, not upon each man an equal amount, but a tax proportionate to his ability to pay.” 

But the wartime income tax expired in 1872, and the rise of industry made a few men spectacularly wealthy. Quickly, those men came to believe they, rather than the government, should direct the country’s development. 

In June 1889, steel magnate Andrew Carnegie published what became known as the “Gospel of Wealth” in the popular magazine North American Review. Carnegie explained that “great inequality…[and]...the concentration of business, industrial and commercial, in the hands of a few” were “not only beneficial, but essential to…future progress.” And, Carnegie asked, “What is the proper mode of administering wealth after the laws upon which civilization is founded have thrown it into the hands of the few?”

Rather than paying higher wages or contributing to a social safety net—which would “encourage the slothful, the drunken, the unworthy,” Carnegie wrote—the man of fortune should “consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds, which he is called upon to administer…in the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community—the man of wealth thus becoming the mere trustee and agent for his poorer brethren, bringing to their service his superior wisdom, experience, and ability to administer, doing for them better than they would or could do for themselves.”  

“[T]his wealth, passing through the hands of the few, can be made a much more potent force for the elevation of our race than if distributed in small sums to the people themselves,” Carnegie wrote. “Even the poorest can be made to see this, and to agree that great sums gathered by some of their fellow-citizens and spent for public purposes, from which the masses reap the principal benefit, are more valuable to them than if scattered among themselves in trifling amounts through the course of many years.”

Here in the present, Republicans want to extend the Trump tax cuts after their scheduled end in 2025, a plan that would cost $4 trillion over a decade even without the deeper cuts to the corporate tax rate Trump has called for if he is reelected. Biden has called for preserving the 2017 tax cuts only for those who make less than $400,000 a year and permitting the rest to expire. He has also called for higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, which would generate more than $2 trillion. 

Losing the revenue part of the budget equation and focusing only on spending cuts seems to reflect a society like the one the late-nineteenth-century industrialists embraced, in which a few wealthy leaders get to decide how to direct the nation’s wealth.   

[LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN: MARCH 1, 2024]

Heather Cox Richardson

+

“The crucial disadvantage of aggression, competitiveness, and skepticism as national characteristics is that these qualities cannot be turned off at five o'clock.” —Margaret Halsey, novelist (13 Feb 1910-1997)

#poverty #trickle down economics #corrupt GOP #Letters From An American #heather cox richardson #ecoomy #wealth #“debt commission” #corporations #Margaret Halsey #government for the people

[mappingthemoon]

For the past several years (can’t remember if this attitude predates the pandemic), I’ve been kinda “meh”/side-eye re: New Year’s Resolutions. I am a very goal-oriented person and feel existentially unmoored when I don’t have something that I’m working toward, be it a class, a trip, a concert, a zine or other artsy project. But I also tend to have very unrealistic expectations, namely of how much time it will actually take me to complete tasks and how much energy I will still possess after I get home from work every day. So I don’t want to put all this abstract pressure on myself for the new year and then get burned by my, idk, ENORMOUSLY OVERWHELMING CAPACITY FOR HOPES AND DREAMS (or inability to accept reality or whatever, I guess, depending on your viewpoint lol).

Last year, I got a faculty librarian job and I was able to finally quit doing part-time transcription work, a (second) job I’d held for over 11 years. I thought the sudden influx of “free time” would result in a flood of creative projects in 2023, but I didn’t get nearly as much done (or started) as I’d hoped. My new job duties brought increased stress – I supervise someone now and received zero training for this so I’m having to figure out all this soft skills work relationship stuff on my own, I’m one of only two special collections catalogers in a large academic institution and ofc our backlog is a million miles long, I have to deal with so many more dang emails and meetings as a faculty person than I did as a staff, our institution is grossly underfunded and understaffed and people keep leaving bc our wages are comparatively Bad; many of my colleagues and I are burnt out af. SO ANYWAY due to all that, instead of blossoming into a creative powerhouse now that I have only one day-job, I instead found myself sinking into the couch after work, watching youtube on the big tv screen and transforming into a sad amorphous blob.

BUT! One reason I am risking feeling slightly more hopeful about 2024 is that this year, I am scheduled to have two out of four credit card loans paid off! (I had five but already paid one off this year too :D) This will put like… nearly $400 back into my pocket each month. I hate complaining about my money situation bc I do make what would be a decent living wage for my ~lifestyle~ (2 very frugal working adults, no kids in the home), but nearly 25% of my income goes to debt (not including mortgage lol). (The reason I am carrying so much debt is because I didn’t make anything even remotely close to a living wage for the entirety of my working life until I got the librarian job last year and I had to use credit cards for things like groceries and travelling home for funerals and then I’d transfer the credit card balance onto a loan and then I’d be like “okay, as long as we have no more emergencies for 18 months, we’ll be good,” and then there’d be another emergency and I’d have to borrow more money again 🇺🇸) So the TL;DR is I strongly suspect that when I have a bit more of a financial cushion and don’t have to deprive myself of most material pleasures (such as the occasional deli sandwich or vinyl record! I have simple desires!) and white-knuckle it through the last week of every month, I might be a bit less exhausted and stressed out on a daily basis?

So based on that completely speculative hope, here are my goals/resolutions for 2024:

Start a monthly one-pager photozine (my intention is for this to be a simple project to keep me active in the zine community and more ~intentional~ with my photography). Finish writing Moonshot #3 (Summer 2024) and #4 (Fall 2024). Start outlining (at least) Phases of the Moon #7. Maybe: Think abt starting a new art/literary comp zine. [I used to do tons of comp zines when I was younger and I’ve been revisiting them in my zine digitization/archiving project and feeling inspired!! Love bringing a variety of people together to collectively work on an amazing goal! ♈]

Do something analog with photography – maybe cyanotypes? [I’m despondent that I’ve been dragging an enlarger around for over 10 years but still haven’t built a home darkroom. This can still happen someday, but in the meantime, I know there are other analog photographic processes I can do without a full darkroom!] I also want to get back into photographing concerts. [I was a little disappointed that my Quintron pics {still forthcoming sry} didn’t turn out fantastic but it was my own damn fault for falling out of practice with my DSLR, and also forgetting to turn on autofocus lmao.] AND, I think it would be fairly easy to turn my bedroom into a camera obscura, which would be TOTALLY AWESOME and SWEET.

Redesign my website/portfolio: selenographer.info. Try to actually post some newsletters once in a while?

Finish at least one cross-stitch!

Leave the house more often for social activities?????

Better daily health routine [I already do this stuff, but I’m not always consistent]: Meditate & do yoga, preferably in the morning. Teeth care at least twice a day [sry if it’s TMI gross but brushing before bed was never part of my childhood and it has been a constant struggle to solidify this habit as an adult, ugh] and actually use the dang waterpik & electric toothbrush that I bought. Wear the sleep apnea device every night. [This thing works. But I fucking hate wearing it and I skip nights which makes me feel like a big dummy since I borrowed an additional $3000 to treat this problem.] STOP TAKING GOODY’S POWDER. [This should follow if I am consistent in wearing the apnea device bc I won’t get morning headaches if I am not waking up in a state of oxygen deprivation!]

Buy a new bed! [We got one of those cheapo internet mattresses in 2018 and man is it killing me. If I ever won the lottery the first thing I would do is completely redesign the bedroom into the ideal sleep environment.] Also need to buy 1 or 2 new bookcases bc I now have 3 storage bins full of unshelved books and it makes me anxious.

Work-related goals: Reclaim as much time as possible from the workweek. Try to have at least a half-day of work-from-home time per week. Actually use the professional development time I am privileged to have as faculty! Try to detach from the stressful sense of urgency other people (inexplicably) bring to the table and don’t let that shit get to you. Figure out a better way to handle emails? [My current modes are either complete avoidance so I can hyperfocus on a task, or checking my email every 30-60 mins and spiralling into the distraction zone for hours.] Hopefully take another class at Rare Book School. Help with more outreach events (aka teaching people about ZINES! :D)

GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY <3

#personal #hny #goals #iberry jaerb #zines #photography

[ashnwolves]

Happy New Year! 2023 Recap, 2024 Resolutions

Seeing as my avatar for this blog is New Year Takumi, it feels fitting that I close out the year by reflecting on what's taken place. My personal circumstances this year have been challenging, and so far there isn't any sign of that changing. Fortunately, that hasn't stopped me from accomplishing a decent amount.

2023 Recap

First of all, @botwmusical was able to release our long-anticipated (by us) Highlights album! Download it here if you haven't. We worked so hard putting it together, and none of it could have been done without @dianapocalypse, @arrispect and the brilliant @wanderingnightingale. Hearing my music sung by our wonderful performers was an experience unlike any other.

I also wrote a first draft of the above's full script, and chronicled the journey at #sftwember. In hindsight, that tag would have looked better for a September project, rather than a November one... but it got written nonetheless!

On a more personal note, I got to enjoy a lot of new media this year which I really enjoyed. Persona 3, the Tellius games for Fire Emblem, of course Fire Emblem Engage, and maybe most notably Genshin Impact! That's right, I'm a Neuvillette main now and always... until I pull Kazuha. (Between him and Takumi, can you tell I have a type?)

2024 Resolutions

My resolutions for the coming year are as follows:

Write more! I've been planning a series of collab fics with a friend, which I'm very excited for, and there's a big Three Houses project on the horizon that I can't wait to take off. At long last, I'm getting back into Fódlan, and so far it's looking glorious.

Finalise the @botwmusical script, and start arranging material for the full version of the show. We aren't sure what form this will take yet, but there's some incredibly strong stuff that I think people will love.

Produce a rough draft for my next musical adaptation, and write a good amount of the material. My creative Vision has never been stronger. At the very least, I think it warrants a trial period. Hydro. In all seriousness, the opening number is coming along very very well, and I'm excited to share it with you all.

Another personal note: resume playing D&D! I have a great group I was playing with last year, and I'd love to get back into it again.

TALK TO MY MUTUALS. I realised I've had my incoming messages switched off since I made my blog. This must be amended ASAP. Please be my friend.

Just as I did last year, I'm going to tag a few friends. If you feel like it, tell us about your plans for the coming year and reflect on this past one! No pressure—and this is open to anyone!

@yupuffin @circle-bircle @dianapocalypse @ptewie @wanderingnightingale @arrispect @tolstayas @blight-eyed

#words by sval

[itsbenedict]

Alright, let's try resolutions for 2024! It's gonna be... a trickier one, since my employment situation is up in the air. I'm gonna have a good few months of runway with my current savings to focus on my own stuff with no day job to contend with, but I need to figure out how I'm going to pay the bills after that. Don't totally know exactly what kind of supporting-myself work I'm going to have to fit all this around, but let's shoot for...

Finish the first case of Justice/Arcana and revise the draft

Finish the SakuraPetalFantasy walkthrough portion of Datasouls (not with the whole combat toy situation, just the rest of it)

Do 24 TFJ recaps, two per month

Work through all the exercises in Genki 1 and 2, and catch up on WK reviews.

Date someone. I feel like I look decent and have a lot of desirable qualities that would make this not too hard to accomplish, but I have to put effort into looking or it's never going to happen on its own. (I am unfortunately of the gender that doesn't typically get asked out and has to take the initiative.) It's gonna be tricky since I'm a weird person with weird life priorities and finding someone who'd actually be happy partnering up with that long-term is a tall order.

Actually get that standing desk walk-while-working workflow set up and establish an exercise routine that I keep to for more than half the year

Release a functional version of that Fire Emblem content authoring tool

Replace grody old kitchen sink that has weird white stuff growing out from inside the handle

Finish the games I'm still playing through from this post

Find some new source of income reliable enough to pay the bills without making me work more than 20 hours a week. (I'm a programmer, this is hypothetically doable.) Freelancing/contract work maybe?

That's only ten items! All a little bit more ambitious than last years', though.

#sc accountability

[gumjrop]

The Weather

Amid the CDC’s COVID-minimizing and dangerous rollback to isolation guidance, a new Pew Research poll shows that 27% of Americans are very or somewhat concerned that they will get COVID and require hospitalization, and 40% (nearly half) of Americans are very or somewhat concerned that they will unwittingly spread COVID to others. This number rises substantially for low income brackets, and Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults. Concern about hospitalization was highest in adults with a high school education or less. Despite efforts by the CDC, the Biden Administration, and corporate media to downplay the public’s concern about COVID, these numbers show that a substantial proportion of Americans care about protecting one another.

A popular program providing free rapid antigen tests through the USPS ended on March 9, 2024. Despite the limitations of rapid antigen tests, these home tests continue to be a vital way to quickly identify COVID cases, both to prevent further onward spread as well as to identify the need for treatment with Paxlovid. You can use our letter campaign to let your elected officials know we still need free rapid home tests.

COVID wastewater levels are decreasing, with no states registering “Very High” levels as of 3/15/2024. Eight states are currently at “High” and 15 are at “Moderate” levels of SARS-CoV-2 detected in wastewater.

Wastewater levels show a downward trend in the provisional data (gray shaded area) in all regions. The national wastewater levels are overall indicated as “Low.” Lower wastewater activity is an indication of lower overall viral spread, which is certainly a good thing. However, the “Low” designation is not a representation of low risk in our day-to-day lives, and continued masking and multilayered precautions continue to be necessary to protect ourselves and our communities. State and local trends can also provide additional information, where available.

A recent Axios article highlights the expanding broad utility of wastewater testing for COVID and other infectious diseases, as well as the uncertain footing of the funding and infrastructure for this essential surveillance tool. We encourage you to write your elected officials to let them know you want to keep and expand wastewater testing in your area and nationally.

Wins

On March 13, the People’s CDC hosted a press conference to push back on the CDC’s elimination of COVID isolation guidance and demand accountability to the public (watch the video or read the press release). The online publication (pre-proof) of the People’s CDC External Review in the peer-reviewed scientific journal American Journal of Preventive Medicine Focus was also announced, which is an important authoritative resource highlighting both shortcomings of the CDC’s approach and recommendations for a more transparent, effective, and equitable pandemic response going forward. The full External Review report can be found on the People’s CDC website.

March 15 was Long COVID Awareness Day, and Senator Bernie Sanders along with six cosponsors (Tim Kaine, Edward Markey, John Hickenlooper, Tina Smith, Robert Casey, and Tammy Baldwin) introduced Resolution 590 to formally recognize March 15 as Long COVID Awareness Day. You can ask your senators to support this resolution using this letter campaign. Senator Sanders released a video promising legislation to increase funding for Long COVID research and clinical care, as well as emphasizing the importance of prevention, including vaccination and masking. For more info on Long COVID Awareness Day, see the “Long COVID” section below.

When we make our voices heard, whether with the press, with scientific publications, or with elected officials, we win.

Variants

In the CDC’s most recent Nowcast predictions, JN.1 continues to be the most prevalent variant in the United States (86.5%), with a predicted decrease in JN.1 and sublineage JN.1.13 increasing (9.5%).

Vaccines

The CDC has recommended spring boosters for people age 65 and older, at least 4 months after the previous updated dose. As of 3/2/2024, only about 42.4% of adults age 65 and older had gotten an updated vaccine, and many who were vaccinated in the fall may not realize they are eligible for another dose. 

In addition to the spring boosters recommended for people aged 65 and older, immunocompromised people are eligible for more frequent vaccination. The CDC states, “You can self-attest to your moderately or severely immunocompromised status, which means you do not need any documentation of your status to receive COVID-19 vaccines you might be eligible to receive.”

As a reminder, the currently available COVID vaccine formulations (2023-2024, first available in fall 2023) are effective against the JN.1 variant, with about 54% protection against symptomatic disease. For people of all ages, immunity wanes after 6 months, and, although current eligibility is more limited, we continue to support access to vaccination at least every 6 months for all ages.

If you have not received one of the updated COVID vaccines released last Fall, you can use this tool to find local vaccine providers that are Bridge Access Participants. The Bridge program is currently available through December 31, 2024. 

COVID in Kids

In a recent report in the CDC’s MMWR publication, cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) in 2023 were highlighted. MIS-C is an inflammatory response to a COVID infection that usually occurs 2-6 weeks following an infection. MIS-C may be serious and can affect the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal tract. Although rates of MIS-C have slowed since 2020-2021, 112 cases were reported in 2023, with 82.1% of those occurring in unvaccinated children. Among cases in vaccinated children, 60% occurred in children who had not received a booster within the last year. As of 3/2/2024, only about 13.5% of eligible children aged 6 months to 17 years have received a 2023-2024 COVID vaccine. More info on Long COVID in kids is presented below under “Long COVID.” 

It is clear that kids need protection from COVID, and current efforts are inadequate. We demand that public health authorities take action to protect our children. You can find more information to support protecting kids in our Urgency of Equity toolkit.

Long COVID

March 15 marked the second annual International Long Covid Awareness Day. Across the globe, Long Covid survivors, their allies, and the community fight for increased research, treatment, and visibility for people living with Long Covid. 

Searching #LongCovidAwarenessDay on most social media platforms will connect you to posts from people all over the world describing their experience navigating their ongoing symptoms while trying to educate others about the barriers they face in seeking accessible and effective treatments.

Up to 5.8 million children in the US may be affected by Long COVID. A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that vaccination reduces the risk of Long COVID in children by about 40%. 

Take Action

Super Tuesday has come and gone with nominees in most parties now established for races at the local, state, and national level later this year on November 5th.

People’s CDC wants to remind you that regardless of the outcomes of these elections, we must always continue to organize and fight back against the state’s abandonment of science in favor of corporate interests.

We urge you to use and share our letter campaign demanding that elected officials renew and expand programs to provide free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs). You can also continue to urge elected officials to support maintaining and extending COVID isolation guidance via our letter campaign. Over 13,000 letters have already been sent, and you can use the same template to send follow up letters.

Whether it’s joining a local mutual aid organization or fighting for increased accessibility measures (required masking, improved air quality, and multilayered precautions) in groups you are already part of, your actions can make your communities safer for all people.

#op #covid #pcdc #covid19 #covid-19 #sars-cov-2 #people's cdc #covid 19 #coronavirus #covid pandemic #pandemic #coronavirus pandemic #covid isn't over #long covid #long covid awareness day #long covid awareness #mis-c #multisystem inflammatory syndrome #covid news #covid conscious #covid vaccine #medical news #medical #uspol #img #described in alt text

[verdantlyviolet]

📌 2024

Do you have anything you want to accomplish or resolutions and goals you’ve set for this upcoming year? Here’s a few things I hope to achieve …

Finalise Demeter/Persephone festival/s for Argos - research, or adapt from other areas of the Argolid (Hermione, Lerna, I’m looking at you!)

Learn classic Greek alphabet (I’ve actually made flash cards now, step 1)

Thebaid read along through January and February

Follow along Daily Stoic through the year

And some regular everyday things …

Emergency fund goal

Additional income goal

5k average daily steps across the year

Sunset beach picnic

#2024

[snazzy-suit]

Incoming Krimbus Gift! (LLoG Edition)

Do your eyes deceive you? Nay I say! You got some LLoG writing heading your way! Before you get too excited, it isn't a complete chapter (yet!), but I thought I'd share another sneak peek before 2023 ended, seeing as the last time I posted anything was... *checks archive* Three years ago? Cripes.

Anyway, I've had a few people DM'ing me earlier this year (politely) asking if I plan to do any more writing for the LLoG AU. I told at least one of them I hoped to start writing again late summer, and I did exactly that! I've been working away at the "Hey! Creatures!" arc off and on for the past few months and have made a lot of progress.

Too much progress.

"The hell does 'too much progress' mean?" you may ask. Well. You know how "Hey! Creatures!" was only supposed to be four chapters?

It's eight chapters now.

EIGHT.

So, those that have stuck around for the LLoG AU, waiting for one more chapter, have actually been waiting for FIVE more chapters. Needless to say, things have gotten out of hand. I'm hoping to trim things down during editing, but I'm not very optimistic ^^'

Here's what it looks like so far:

Chapter 5.4 - Draft Complete. Undergoing Edits.

Chapter 5.5 - Draft Complete. Undergoing Edits.

Chapter 5.6 - Draft 90% Complete.

Chapter 5.7 - Draft 40% Complete

Chapter 5.8 - Draft Complete. Awaiting Review.

Madness. Absolute madness. But, with all the re-writes this sucker has undergone, it's an improvement. My goal (my Writer's New Year's Resolution, if you will) is to be finished and ready to post by March 2024.

ANYWAY.

I have scheduled a preview of the epilogue (Chapter 5.8) to post tomorrow. Why the epilogue? It's the least susceptible to change, for one. Also, the part I'm showing is just a fun little reunion scene set immediately after Luigi completes his mission. It's told from E. Gadd's PoV, and I've found him weirdly fun to write. Story spoilers are minor at best (things that won't really have any meaning out of context), but feel free to skip it if you rather go into the final arc completely blind.

TL;DR

I'm posting a snippet of the "Hey! Creatures!" epilogue tomorrow. It has minor out of context spoilers. Read it or don't. Mer Krimbus.

#haha wow I'm not dead #Happy Holidays! #LLoG AU #update #suit speaks

[elsenborn]

2024 New Years Resolutions

1. Get Fit

My main goal for 2024 now that Ive started HRT is to gain some muscle mass. Im at my ideal weight, but I want to start converting some of this fat into muscle!

I have a treadmill at home, but I also wanted to get an adjustable weight set. Basically anything to avoid a gym membership right now 😅

2. Master Studies

In 2023 I began to oil paint. I haven’t done much and I’ve practically scrapped all the ones I’ve started while just messing around, but in 2024 I want to focus on trying to do a master study every month. These will be in a range of mediums!

During the hot months (2/3 of the year where I live) I cant really safely use my oil painting area.

During these months the studies will likely be in acrylic or digital so I can work in an environment that wont fry me lol.

I keep seeing this set on the tiktok shop, and the other highly reviewed things Ive gotten have worked really well for me! So im probably going to get it once i have some money saved up since my current acrylic set is very old and starting to die on me.

All commissions I get going forward will be dedicated towards these two goals!

Once i have enough to get my weights, everything else past that will go directly to art supplies.

I currently work part time, so most of that money goes towards gas, food, my car repairs, and other life essentials. My commission work is extra income that directly goes into being able to create more art, especially more traditional art!

$0/300 goal

DM for commission inquiries! Digital, traditional, and physical merch!

#commisions open #commissions 2024

[cindylouwho-2]

RECENT ECOMMERCE NEWS (INCLUDING ETSY), Early April 2024

Welcome to my coverage of all the important Etsy and other ecommerce news that microbusinesses need to know! It's been a few weeks since my last update, so there is a fair amount to report.

Want to get the news more often and in a more timely fashion? Please sign up to support my Patreon site, where among other features, I will soon be starting periodical live chats on important topics. (I promise there will be one the day Etsy announces a fee increase)

TOP NEWS & ARTICLES 

Etsy has made changes to how processing times and estimated delivery dates work; I covered everything you need to know in this post. 

Etsy seems to be sending more Messages to the spam folder, so you may miss a real message. After reading that thread, I checked, and there was one from another seller needing help from just 5 hours ago. Etsy did say engineers are looking into it. 

UPS has won the USPS air cargo contract, currently held by FedEx. It kicks in at the end of September. “As of May 31, 2023, FedEx counted the USPS as the largest customer of its Express unit.” 

ETSY NEWS 

Etsy is rolling out a new seller pricing tool, and it is just as useless as the old version. I posted some early thoughts (with screenshots). 

Some shop owners are struggling to cancel Etsy coupons, while others are not having the same problem. Support says the company is aware of the issue. 

If you still can't access most of the Etsy forum after the changes on Tuesday March 26, post in this Technical Issues thread so that your account can be fixed.

Periodically, some shops suddenly stop getting deposits. If your shop has recently had a security warning, you may want to check to see if your bank account is still verified with Etsy. 

Looks like Etsy has an issue with misrepresenting how many items are left for each listing on the app; I wrote about it here.

Canadians getting harassed by Etsy to sign up for TurboTax should know that the company has told a seller that it doesn’t import Etsy data into your tax return for you; that is only available for Americans. [If you can’t import your info from your various platforms, my suggestion is use a free online program to file instead; I’ve used Wealthsimple for several years with no issues filing small business taxes; the T-2125 is part of the program.]

Etsy’s activist investor seems to think that the marketplace can “…add more buyers and increase the amount of money they spend on the platform”. But “monetization opportunities” were also mentioned. 

Etsy is yet again called out for allowing AI-generated porn on the site. “Several of the available listings also appear to violate existing trademarks — TheStreet identified listings that sell NSFW (not safe for work) AI-generated, suggestive images that appear to mimic Rapunzel from Disney's "Tangled," Princess Jasmine from Disney's "Aladdin" and She-Hulk from Marvel's "She-Hulk."

Etsy has been talking a lot about "image quality" lately, but doesn't really define the term anywhere. While I agree with those that say it is more than image size - Etsy would not have humans curating images to train its AI if "quality" could simply be measured by pixels - note that Google Shopping Ads describe image quality as size. “The resolution of your product images determines its quality. Google considers images with more than 1024 pixels as high-resolution images.” 

Apparently Etsy CEO Josh Silverman likes to make “unorthodox, downright risky career decisions” that often involve a ton of responsibility. [Link to podcast in article; I haven’t listened to it]

ECOMMERCE NEWS (minus social media)

General

Patreon’s live chats are now accessible on the web (instead of just the app). A creator can assign moderators, and have chats for different categories of members. 

Canadians: beware that new tax rules requiring digital platform operators to report their users’ income to the Canada Revenue Agency are expected for 2025. These laws would make Canada similar to the United States and the United Kingdom, among others. 

Amazon

Amazon is struggling to verify the VAT status of many UK sellers, and the fact the company holds all funds until the process is complete means many sellers are without income. 

eBay

eBay is offering 3 free “express payouts” to select US sellers by email only, available until June 30th. Money is paid to seller debit cards and can take a half hour or more to receive. (The usual cost is 1.5%.)

If you use eBay For Charity, you may want to check to see if the charity is getting paid, as some apparently are not. 

If you advertise on eBay, or just list inconsistently, you may be interested in the marketing trends calendar for 2024. It shows you when certain types of searches peak. 

Michaels Makerplace

The landing page for Makerplace sellers doesn’t provide a lot of hard details; some of the actual policies appear once you begin to sign up. Here’s how they define handmade: 

Thanks to Bluesky user Brushfeather for the info.

Shopify

Shopify is putting more effort into large businesses these days, despite its core offerings targeting small and medium-sized businesses for years. [soft paywall; Business Insider] The company “...has made a concerted effort over the last 18 months to introduce more software solutions to win over larger merchants. It has enhanced Shopify Plus, a higher-tier subscription with more features, and launched Hydrogen, a more custom framework geared toward retailers with more complex needs...Shopify introduced Commerce Components, an offering that allows merchants to integrate parts of Shopify's software into their existing tech stack. Mattel was its first retail partner for that product, and Everlane has since adopted Shop Pay as a stand-alone component.”

CEO Tobi Lutke recently received almost $200 million CAD in Shopify stock options, “one of the largest compensation packages in Canadian history.” As company founder, he now has around $8 billion worth of Shopify stock.

CIRRO Fulfillment now integrates with Shopify. 

Squarespace

Squarespace is rolling out Squarespace Payments to sellers in the United States, and they expect to add more countries later this year. Fees are in line with other payment processors. 

All Other Marketplaces

Mercari is following Depop and is ending seller transaction fees while adding a buyer fee. There is now a seller earnings withdrawal fee of $2, however, plus the pricing only applies to items listed after the announcement on March 27th, and sellers now have to accept returns for any reason, within 72 hours of receipt.  I suppose this fee might work for buyers if many are also sellers on Mercari or elsewhere, and are buying stock. If you see a good deal you know you can flip with a good margin, you might not mind paying a buyers fee on top of the listing price. The only other way I can see being willing to pay a buyers fee is if you are so enamoured with the platform and its culture that it is worth paying more for. Or maybe I am just out of touch… The Mercari CEO basically calls out Etsy for raising seller fees too much [soft paywall; Modern Retail]: “I’m not going to mention them by name, but you have marketplaces that have a lot of makers, a lot of people that create things, and the fees around selling on those platforms have just been going up a lot very aggressively”. [my emphasis] Mercari wants fees to remain competitive while attracting better inventory. Another article on Mercari’s announcement mentions Etsy by name when discussing seller fees. 

Mercari might want to consult lawyers the next time the site makes changes, though, as many sellers were furious that their existing balances were now subject to withdrawal fees without any warning, leading some to file complaints with the FTC. That led the company to announce that “On March 27, 2024, Mercari announced that it would begin charging a $2 fee(s) (“ACH Charge”) for all ACH direct deposit requests. Effective immediately through April 3, 2024 at 11:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time (“Waiver Period”), Mercari will waive the ACH Charge for ACH direct deposit requests made prior to the end of the Waiver Period for all eligible account holders.” Those who already incurred withdrawal charges will get refunds.

And because apparently you can never have enough Mercari news, they’ve introduced a listing importer for eBay and Depop. It uses AI. 

AliExpress will now do livestream shopping events in the UK. 

Payment Processing

PayPal users in the US will soon have only 30 days after delivery to file a significantly not described claim in most cases. Items not delivered by 180 days will still have the full 180 days. 

Shipping 

UPS is planning on closing about 200 facilities in the United States, and hopes to save money by instead using more automated hubs. Having fewer employees and consolidating locations is expected to save the company around $3 billion by the end of 2028. 

FedEx is continuing to combine its Express and Ground pickups and deliveries, both to save money and to make pickups easier on customers. 

#EtsySellerNews #etsy #ecommerce #ebay #microbusiness #cindylouwho2 #mercari

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

January 19, 2024

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

JAN 19, 2024

President Joe Biden today signed the continuing resolution that will keep the government operating into March.

Meanwhile, the stock market roared as two of the three major indexes hit new record highs. The S&P 500, which measures the value of 500 of the largest companies in the country, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which does the same for 30 companies considered to be industry leaders, both rose to all-time highs. The third major index, the Nasdaq Composite, which is weighted toward technology stocks, did not hit a record high, although its 1.7% jump was higher than that of the S&P 500 (1.2%) or the Dow (1.1%).

Investors appear to be buoyed by the fact the rate of inflation has come down in the U.S. and by news that consumers are feeling better about the economy. A report out today by Goldman Sachs Economics Research noted that consumer spending is strong and predicted that “job gains, positive real wage growth, will lead to around 3% real disposable income growth” and that “household balance sheets have strengthened.” It also noted that “[t]he US has led the way on disinflation,” and it predicted further drops in 2024. That will likely mean the sort of interest rate cuts the stock market likes. 

The economic policies of the Biden-Harris administration have also benefited workers. The unemployment rate has been under 4% for more than two years, and wages have risen higher than inflation in that same period. Production is up as well, to 4.9% in the third quarter of 2023 (the U.S. growth rate under Trump even before the pandemic was 2.5%). 

The administration has worked to end some of the most obvious financial inequities in the U.S., such as the unexpected “junk fees” tacked on to airline or concert tickets, or to car or apartment rentals. On Wednesday the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a proposed rule for bank overdraft fees at banks that have more than $10 billion in assets. 

While banks now can charge what they wish if a customer’s balance falls below zero, the proposed rule would allow them to charge no more than what it cost them to break even on providing overdraft services or, alternatively, an industry-wide fee that reflects the amount it costs to deal with overdrafts: $3, $6, $7, or $14. The amount will be established after a public hearing period.

Ken Sweet and Cora Lewis of the Associated Press note that while the average overdraft is $26.61, some banks charge as much as $39 per overdraft. The CFPB estimates that in the past 20 years, banks have collected more than $280 billion in overdraft fees. (One bank’s chief executive officer named his boat “Overdraft.”) Over the past two years, pressure has made banks cut back on their fees and they now take in about $8 billion a year from those overdraft fees. 

Bankers say regulation is unnecessary and will force them to end the overdraft service, pushing people out of the banking system. Biden said that the rule would save U.S. families $3.5 billion annually. 

The administration has also addressed the student loan crisis by reexamining the loan histories of student borrowers. An NPR investigation led by Cory Turner revealed that banks mismanaged loans, denying borrowers the terms under which they had signed on to them. Rather than honoring the government’s promise that so long as a borrower paid what the government thought was reasonable on a loan for 20 or 25 years (undergrad or graduate), the debt would be forgiven, banks urged borrowers to put the loan into “forbearance,” under which payments paused but the debt continued to accrue interest, making the amount balloon. 

The Education Department has been reexamining all those old loans to find this sort of mismanagement as well as other problems, like borrowers not getting credit for payments to count toward their 20 years of payments, or borrowers who chose public service not receiving the debt relief they were promised.

Today the administration announced $4.9 billion of student debt cancellation for almost 74,000 borrowers. That brings the total of borrowers whose debt has been canceled to 3.7 million Americans, with an erasure of $136.6 billion. Nearly 30,000 of today’s relieved borrowers had been in repayment for at least 20 years but never got the relief they should have; nearly 44,000 had earned debt forgiveness after 10 years of public service as teachers, nurses, and firefighters.

Biden has been traveling the country recently, touting how the economic policies of the Biden-Harris administration have benefited ordinary Americans. In Emmaus, Pennsylvania, last Friday he visited a bicycle shop, a running shoe store, and a coffee shop to emphasize how small businesses are booming under his administration: in the three years since he took office, there have been 16 million applications to start new businesses, the highest number on record.

Biden was in Raleigh, North Carolina, yesterday to announce another $82 million in support for broadband access, bringing the total of government infrastructure funding in North Carolina during the Biden administration to $3 billion.  

On social media, the administration compared its investments in the American people to those of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal in the 1930s, which were enormously popular. 

They were popular, that is, until those opposed to business regulation convinced white voters that the government’s protection of civil rights, which came along with its protection of ordinary Americans through regulation of business, provision of a basic social safety net, and promotion of infrastructure, meant redistribution of white tax dollars to undeserving Black people.

The same effort to make sure that ordinary Americans don’t work together to restore basic fairness in the economy and rights in society is visible now in the attempt to attribute a recent Boeing airplane malfunction, in which a door panel blew off mid-flight, to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Tesnim Zekeria at Popular Information yesterday chronicled how that accusation spread across the right-wing ecosystem and onto the Fox News Channel, where Fox Business host Sean Duffy warned: “This is a dangerous business when you’re focused on DEI and maybe less focused on engineering and safety.” 

As Zekeria explains, “this narrative has no basis in fact.” Neither Boeing nor its supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, is particularly diverse, either at the workforce level, where minorities make up 35% of Boeing employees and 26% of those at Spirit AeroSystems, or on the corporate ladder, where the overwhelming majority of executives are white men. Zekeria notes that right-wing media figures have also erroneously blamed last year’s train derailment in Ohio and the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank on DEI initiatives.

The real culprit at Boeing, Zekeria suggests, was the weakened regulations on Boeing and Spirit thanks to more than $65 million in lobbying efforts.

Perhaps an even more transparent attempt to keep ordinary Americans from working together is the attacks former Fox News Channel personality Tucker Carlson has launched against Vice President Kamala Harris, calling her “a member of the new master race” who “must be shown maximum respect at all times, no matter what she says or does.” Philip Bump of the Washington Post noted yesterday that this construction suggests that Harris, who identifies as both Black and Indian, represents all nonwhite Americans as a united force opposed to white Americans. 

But Harris’s actions actually represent something else altogether. She has crossed the country since June 2022, when the Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that recognized the constitutional right to abortion, talking about the right of all Americans to bodily autonomy. That the Supreme Court felt able to take away a constitutional right has worried many Americans about what they might do next, and people all over the country have been coming together in opposition to the small minority that appears to have taken over the levers of our democracy. 

Driving the wedge of racism into that majority coalition seems to be a desperate attempt to stop ordinary Americans from taking back control of the country.  

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

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