#thedeed

Awwwwww!!!! Hahahaha. And yes, it was painful! Meow! Tomi, the playful cat. #cats #thedoer #thedeed https://www.instagram.com/p/Chcv0fUBh89/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Avery and I have an interesting talk in between episodes. #thedeed https://www.instagram.com/p/CYICrAjJF3p/?utm_medium=tumblr

“If the Velvet Underground has been an all-female band hailing from Brighton, singing songs in English, French, Spanish and German on subject matter ranging from Nietzsche to Radclyffe Hall to Siegfried Sassoon then they would have sounded pretty much like this. . Music-wise this album is not quite so eclectic as the lyrical content, with a preponderance of drone-rock guitar and an almost motorik (krautrock) driving beat. Nevertheless it was not regular chart-fodder in 2004. Consequently, it’s really rather good. . The record has a heavy grungy analogue quality to it, perhaps not surprising given it was produced by Steve Albini who’s known for his ‘no frills’ approach and has produced the likes of Nirvana, the Pixies and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Electrelane fit well within that roster, though closer to the ‘math rock’ of the latter than the punky-grunge of the former. . My favourites are On Parade, This Deed and The Valleys, which delivers an epic unexpected grandeur to the album. The title and the acapella singing style immediately locates it for me within the Welsh Valleys, although it is in fact the non-profit Chicago A Cappella choir that provide the vocals. It’s worth checking out; it elevates this album and Electrelane from their drone-rock counterparts.” . #electrelane #thepowerout #thedeed #onparade #thevalleys #dronerock #toopurerecords #indierock #femalefrontedbands #nowplaying #nowlistening #recordcollection #randomrecordreview https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_IUZ5pSCF/?igshid=aftdf8vs0h1n

Browsing through the website of the Central Intelligence Agency, you will find a tab that leads to career and internship opportunities with the much-renowned agency. You may browse jobs by category, see student opportunities, and learn the application process. The website states that the CIA, as the premier agency tasked to protect the national security of the United States and provide global intel, has virtually all jobs imaginable, plus those unimaginable ones. The agency does provide a fair warning that their application and selection processes are lengthy and grueling. You can surmise that theirs is not the cut-and-dried application process we are all familiar with. Did you always know that you may apply to become an intel agent? Some of us probably always thought that agents—spies—are hired in the most unusual of ways. Thanks to books and movies, the usual preconceived notion is that agencies like the CIA seek for individuals with unique set of skills, low to zero liability, IQ and EQ above the regular man or woman, among other qualifications. These individuals then go through training like no other. Think Jason Borne or Ethan Hunt—that kind of Hollywood stuff. At one point or another, we probably thought CIA and other intelligence agencies hire like in movies, but the amazing truth is, anybody can apply for a position at these agencies. No matter what the application process is like, it goes without saying that the men and women who will be successful at these agencies are not regular men and women. They are brave individuals who are willing to sacrifice even their lives for the sake of the nation. They are patriotic individuals who must see to the needs of the country and the demands of their job before they even think of themselves. They are men and women of intelligence, skills, and most of all, grit. If you think you are that kind of person and working for the CIA seems like your dream job, feel free to visit the agency’s website. Read the full article

The most obvious worldwide influence of Britain is the modern English language. Approximately 1.5 billion people speak this language, or roughly 20 percent of the world population. It is the second most widely spoken language in the entire world, second to Mandarin. However, China has been aggressively learning English as it is integrating itself into the world order, and English may someday overtake Mandarin. The English language, however, is not the only influence of Britain as it has been a colonizer all around the globe for hundreds of years. At the height of the British Empire in the early twentieth century, when it was regarded as the largest empire in history, 23 percent of the world population was under it and covered 24 percent of the entire world’s land area. The British Empire was unlike the second biggest empire of the Mongols that only covered continental Asia and central Europe. During this period, its colonies were all over the globe: Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and the Americas to name a few. With territories everywhere, no wonder it was called “the empire on which the sun never sets.” As a colonizer, it has influenced its colonies with its culture—from industries, religion, to governments. Many of its colonies have become first-world countries such as Canada, Australia, and the early states of America that became United States of America when it gained independence. Though it has lost many of its colonies, it still holds sway on the world economy. With its recent Brexit, it is expected to have chilling effects in Europe socially and economically and, consequently, the whole interconnected world of trade. Also, despite its decline in military power after the Second World War, it still has a permanent seat in the United Nation’s Security Council. This means that it can veto any draft council resolution, which may be supported by the majority of the UN countries. It appears the country’s influence is here to stay. Its take on many social, cultural, economic, and political issues continue to influence other nations in their decision-making processes. Countries who ally with the UK form some of the strongest unions in the world. Overall, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is still one of the formidable forces in world affairs. Read the full article

Dictionaries define a superpower as an extremely powerful nation, specifically “one of a very few dominant states in an era when the world is divided politically into these states and their satellites” or “an international governing body able to enforce its will upon the most powerful states.” In The Deed, two superpowers—Britain and China—fight over Hong Kong. What does it take to be a superpower? If The Deed is not fiction, which between the two powers is sure to be the victor? At the end of World War II, the United States and Russia were the first two nations who were acknowledged to be superpowers. This spoke of the two nations economic, political, and military influence over other nations in a time fraught with battle scars. Today, while there is no official list of the top powers of the world, the following nations are the more-consistent contenders in surveys and online lists. United States Russia China United Kingdom Germany France Japan Israel Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates To be considered a superpower, a  nation has to have a “dominant position characterized by its extensive ability to exert influence or project power on a global scale. This is done through the combined means of economic, military, technological and cultural strength as well as diplomatic and soft power influence. Traditionally, superpowers are preeminent among the great powers.” In The Deed, Britain and China are on the brink of starting World War III over rightful ownership of Hong Kong. Between the two power nations, China has the largest standing army in the world and is has a huge military influence. Britain, on the other hand, cannot rival the size of China’s army, but it has maintained steadfast connections and alliances with many nations, some of which are also superpowers and are definitely willing to fight with the Brits. The victor remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, it will be World War III. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superpower Read the full article

The term globalization has long been in use. According to Webster, it means “the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets.” Over the years, the increase of global economic integration, plus digital nomadism, has resulted to blurred borders and their pros and cons. Goods and services, for example, are more easily outsourced from third-world countries where labor and/or materials are cheap, promising business individuals and companies better profit margins. Many offices that are based in first-world countries, like the U.S. and Canada, hire assistants from countries like India and the Philippines to work virtually for them. Education too is a popular reason to integrate into a new society. Koreans flee to English-speaking countries, like Canada and Australia, to learn the English language. The rise of the social media is also a factor in making global citizenship possible. There are influencers who jet off to different places in the world to increase their market reach and value. There are models and entertainers who seem to hail from just about anywhere where there is glitz and glamor. Aside from these advantages, globalization has allowed people to experience other cultures without boarding a plane. There is no need to head to Korea for authentic K-pop items; they are everywhere. No need to order straight from Japan their coveted skincare products; they are everywhere. The disadvantage is when these blurred borders are used for illegal pursuits. Crossing borders without papers, overstaying in a country, seeking employment in a foreign country without permission are among the common problems when borders are deliberately ignored for selfish interests. Talks of China and Russia potentially expanding their territories through unwarranted military and political maneuvers are rampant too. This for sure is the worst blurring of borders, the kind of takeover that we should be careful about. It happens in movies and literature, but should not happen in real life. Never again? Read the full article