unicorn

Well, I asked AI for the answer to my last question: Ceuta is the primary target for Moroccan migrants because its geography allows them to swim around the border fence via a short, accessible maritime route, whereas reaching Melilla requires scaling highly dangerous 19-foot razor-wire land fences. [1, 2, 3] While migrants do attempt to breach both Spanish enclaves, the overwhelming discrepancy seen in recent migration surges comes down to distinct physical, structural, and geopolitical factors. [1, 2, 3, 4] 1. Geography and Method of Entry Swimming vs. Climbing: To enter Ceuta, migrants frequently swim just 3 miles (5 km) from the neighboring Moroccan town of Fnideq around the Tarajal and Benzú sea breakwaters. [1, 2] The Melilla Land Barrier: Melilla is heavily fortified by a triple-layer, 19-foot (6-meter) land fence topped with razor wire. Trying to cross this requires scaling the structure en masse, which historically leads to high-fatality stampedes and severe clashes with border police. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] 2. Legal Exploitation and Social Media Rumors The Sea-Arrival Loophole: A recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling decreed that migrants intercepted at sea cannot be summarily returned without due process. [1, 2] The Viral Effect: Human trafficking networks and social media platforms widely amplified this ruling, heavily misinterpreting it to imply that anyone who swam into Spanish territory could remain. Because Ceuta is heavily associated with maritime entry (swimming), it became the viral focal point for the massive surge. [1, 2, 3] 3. Tactical Policing Discrepancies Moroccan Border Controls: Sudden surges in Ceuta often correlate with localized breakdowns or strategic relaxations in Moroccan border policing. Eyewitness accounts and analysts frequently note that Moroccan security forces occasionally look the other way or wave crowds through toward Ceuta's beaches during diplomatic friction between Madrid and Rabat. [1, 2, 3] Melilla Clashes: Conversely, the land borders around Melilla are heavily guarded on the Moroccan side in towns like Bni Nsar, where recent attempted crossings were met with immediate, aggressive police resistance, resulting in riots and arrests before migrants could even reach the fence

Well, what would be fair to say is that most are probably not refugees. Some are. One might guess that some, for instance, might be escaping persecution due to being gay. The brown/orange/yellow countries on this map have laws forbidding LGBTQ activity, or even expression: There are even areas south of the Sahara in which the death penalty can apply (dark brown). Some 25 years ago, I helped my boyfriend get asylum from the Russian Federation (he came in on a student work visa, but had experienced harassment in Russia, even having chemicals thrown in his face). [Dark blue have same-sex marriage, light blue have domestic partnerships, gray have neither protections nor prosecutions for the LGBTQ community]. The influx started immediately after the Spanish Supreme Court ruled that anyone coming in by sea had to be (eventually) be offered a hearing in order to determine whether or not they've suffered true persecution. I guess they should have left out their exclaves in Africa (Ceuta and Melilla). Anyone who can windsurf across the Straits of Gibraltar (or survive the 16 km swim with only mask/fins/snorkel) probably deserves a hearing. Just swimming around the fences of the enclaves probably shouldn't qualify. It's interesting that I haven't heard of many making the swim to Melilla. I've never been to Melilla, so I don't know the situation there.

The title of the string is "Dementia among white and Hispanic men under 65." The Orange Bozo-in-chief hardly fits that category. 😉

I will again submit a plea that anyone wishing to help do so via vetted, bona fide charities, and NOT via questionable websites such as GoFundMe, where you really have no way of knowing who's getting the money and how the money's spent. Organizations such as Charity Navigator receive details of charities' financial statements in order to make sure the money goes to help the intended recipients. One should aim for 4-star organizations with profile scores of over 90%. AI Overview The best charities to donate to for refugees depend on your goals, as different organizations excel in various areas of aid, from emergency relief to legal advocacy and local integration. The following highly-rated nonprofits provide effective support: [1, 2] United Nations Agency: The UNHCR is the principal UN agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, internally displaced people, and stateless communities worldwide. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Legal Aid & Advocacy: The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) provides vital legal representation to displaced persons, ensuring their rights are protected and helping them navigate complex immigration policies. [1] Local Resettlement: For a direct impact in the Los Angeles area, consider local resettlement agencies like the International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA) or the International Rescue Committee (Los Angeles), both of which directly assist newly arrived refugees with housing, employment, and legal services. [1, 2] Global Emergency Relief & Resettlement: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is highly rated for responding to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helping refugees survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. [1, 2] Before donating, you can review the financial transparency and efficiency of any of these organizations on Charity Navigator. [1, 2, 3] https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/521662800 https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/135660870 The IRC is one of my favorite charities, and is named in my living trust as a beneficiary. I agree that inviting lawlessness is not an effective way to combat world poverty, since it only adds another humanitarian crisis. There are plenty of 4-star organizations which aim for helping communities combat poverty. A good organization to help combat poverty in general is Direct Relief. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/951831116 "Direct Relief is a humanitarian organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. Nongovernmental, nonsectarian, and not-for-profit, Direct Relief assists people and communities without regard to politics, religion, ethnic identities, or ability to pay. Direct Relief's assistance programs - which focus on emergency preparedness and disaster response and the prevention and treatment of disease - are tailored to the particular circumstances and needs of the world's most at-risk populations. Direct Relief honors the generosity of its donors by following a firm policy of full transparency in all its operations. This tradition of transparent, direct, and targeted assistance, provided in a manner that respects and involves the people served, has been a hallmark of the organization since its founding in 1948 by refugee war immigrant William Zimdin."

The visa situation seems extremely easy for almost all passports when it comes to Vietnam. If I can believe Wikipedia, no nationals of any country need a consular visa, so don't waste your time and money with a visa service. The most any national needs is an eVisa, which can easily be done online. Of course, I'm sure that passports from fake countries such as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (Transnistria), the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) passport, and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic would not be accepted. However, Filipinos don't even need an eVisa. They can just show up with a passport valid for at least 6 month. If you need an eVisa, they will ask for your religion. None is a good answer. (As one traveler I met told me "I put 'none,' short for 'none of your business.'") https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Vietnam Only countries in the light blue-green need an eVisa. Others can just show up.

I don't know if he's modeled, but I think of Jason Cáceres as more of an actor than a model. According to his "Famous Birthdays" profile, he's an "actor and writer most known for his work in commercials. He's been featured in advertisements for Topps: Baseball Cards and XXL Sports, among others. He has also appeared on TV shows like Criminal Minds, Insatiable and Kidding." They don't mention his gay TV shows, for some reason, which is where I know him from. https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/jason-caceres.html I can go on with sexy photos of him (and have some in the the Photos forum), as I'm a major fan. The most famous high-end working model who came to one of my parties was one of the +1's of one of my husband's best friends. The model's name was Scott Gardner, someone whose photos got a lot of jizz out of me. Both he and the friend are kind of "messy" people, and it didn't end up working out between them. Scott is also going through a messy divorce from his apparently extremely rich husband. Despite not having a pre-nup, Scott seems to think he's not going to get anything. I suggested he might look for another attorney, but he seemed dejected by the idea. A bit over a month ago, he told me he was homeless and moving back to NYC, where he can at least get modeling work. Scott asked me to front him a ticket back to NYC, to which I agreed if he met with me. He blew off the first meeting we set up, then when I made another, he blew that off as well, with a story about "bad chicken." He ended up finding someone else to get him the ticket back to NYC. I wanted to ask him if he could stay at our place in the few days before his flight to NYC, but my husband put his foot down (especially due to the breakup with his friend). Had he shown up to either meeting and opened up to me about his life, I would have outright given him the ticket (with points). When he came to our party last year, he was 35: I definitely have tons of photos of Scott!

The ad I showed you was on Amazon. I'd be surprised if TH allows Amazon, of all places, to sell fakes of their products. I don't know where my husband gets discount luxury label stuff. I suspect it may not be at their standalone boutiques, but I do get the impression that some (not all) of the luxury brands do heavily discount their merchandise when their new stuff comes out.

Yes, hardly a high-end fashion brand, but, touché, a brand nevertheless. If spending $20 on a shirt makes me a slave to high fashion, I'm guilty! 😄 I personally think that's rather modest spending for a shirt. When my mother was referring to "vulgar" clothing, she meant Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Hermes, Gucci, Versace, and the like. My husband gets impressed by that kind of stuff, and I bought him a few fake designer accessories in Bali. Occasionally he'll buy real stuff on his own. I'll see this Gucci T-shirt and I'll say "Let me guess: it regularly goes for $600, and you think you got a bargain for $150?". The response would be affirmative (at least when he gets tired of it, he can often sell it for $100 🫠).

Fantasies, for me at least, are what make life worthwhile. I guess I'm the opposite of a Buddhist. Buddhists teach that the key to happiness is not to want anything. For me, having fantasies makes life for meaningful. Who knows? Sometimes fantasies do come true. To make it very clear: my fantasy is to be friends with Jason, NOT to get intimate with him. I'd NEVER cheat on my husband.

The only eroticism allowed with these sessions is among the models. And, of course, no photos during the modeling sessions. Had I been younger, I probably could have cum without touching my penis, though, when I saw Jason giving it to my friend. So far Jason and my friend haven't done the deed in private, though, so maybe he won't be coming to the party after all? I take that back! I just checked the approved guest list, and he's RSVP'd yes! Cross our fingers. His +1 is one of his co-stars from one of his TV series. So far 113 approved yeses (not counting +1's). Someone invited but who hasn't said yes is Cory Tyndall/PrettyBoiRoq. I almost feel like every handsome gay man in his 30s will be at our party! Cory Tyndall (also known by his stage name PrettiBoiRoq) is 37 years old, born on March 31, 1989. Background Details Date of Birth: March 31, 1989 Place of Birth: New Bern, North Carolina Occupation: Rapper, songwriter, model, and actor

I feel a song coming on... 😄

In the case of the mosque, I needed a covering for my legs (and removal of my shoes) in order to show respect/follow the rules for the mosque. We were also asked to wear the headgear for the house of the Balinese prince. This was not a fashion choice, but rather a matter of respecting local customs. I remember from a few years' back that my husband was frightened of being photographed when we went on one of those Vietnamese basket boat rides wearing those conical hats. He was afraid of being "cancelled" due to "cultural appropriation." I secretly took a photo of him in the hat, but didn't share the photo. I got a good chuckle over his sensitivity in the matter. I just do as the locals ask us to do and don't fret too much. (Photo is not us--but you get the picture) Interestingly, only one person has answered the question I posed in the original post. I don't get embarrassed by my unfashionable clothes, but this post started from my balancing my embarrassment over faking an interest in a drawing class, over the thrill at seeing one of my favorite actors in the buff, having sex. I genuinely wonder how many would be able to overcome embarrassment in order to experience a thrill they've been fantasizing.

He goes by Finn. Obviously, he has quite the sense of humor.

Hardly saving face with a nationalistic epithet. Rejection can be as simple as "Sorry, not interested," or "I have a boyfriend already." One can communicate effectively without being rude. You ought to try it one time. You might be more popular. Saying "I'm not interested in foreigners" is so in-your-face rude I cannot imagine uttering those words. Yet somehow it seems it seems fine to you. I'd say "I'm married, but you live in a wonderful country," followed by either "I so enjoyed my visit there," or "I would love to go there when the political situation changes" (i.e. if he's from Burma, Iran, Cuba, Afghanistan, or Nicaragua). I find it best to soften any rejection with a compliment, rather than add salt to the wound with an insult.

I agree that it was likely a brush-off. I don't agree that it was polite. Even if it were true, one should never say such things. Even if I were in the market and had plenty of options, I can never imagine saying to someone (even if I thought he were ugly) "I don't like your accent. I only date Americans." Whether he was lying or being truthful, I don't think that this a polite way to brush someone off. Interestingly, my husband's my first LTR with someone born in the US. My first LTR (13.5 years) was born in the USSR, and my second (2.5 years) from Paraguay.

Actually, looking like an average Joe, as I've mentioned in prior strings, is very "on-brand" for me. I never think of ourselves as a "power couple." My mother taught me that people who wear designer clothes look vulgar. When she'd see someone decked in designer clothes and accessories, she'd whisper to me "Oh, how vulgar!". I want people to be impressed with the way I treat them, my honesty, and my reliability as a friend. I certainly don't care what strangers think of how I dress. Quite frankly, I'd rather spend my money on experiences for both myself/hubby and for my friends (for example, showing them a great time at super-fun parties filled with hot men). I would actually feel embarrassed by walking around in expensive clothes. I'm not interested in being thought of as a "power couple." I take pride in looking like your "average Joe." 😉

Pura Taman Ayun: The grand 17th-century royal water temple of the Mengwi kingdom, surrounded by wide moats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site:

The prince entertained us with his dance and music troupe. My hubby and I are in the brown and green shirts.

Entrance to the palace of a Balinese prince (not such a great honor as you might think--there are dozens of them 😉😞

Sunrise over the Blue Mountains of Bali:

Istiqlal Mosque (Indonesian: Masjid Istiqlal, lit. 'Independence Mosque'; Arabic: مَسْجِد ٱلْإِسْتِقْلَال, romanized: Masjid al-Istiqlāl, lit. 'Mosque of the Independence') in Jakarta, Indonesia is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and the ninth largest mosque in the world in terms of worshipper capacity

Prambanan (Indonesian: Candi Prambanan, Javanese: Rara Jonggrang, Hanacaraka: ꦫꦫꦗꦺꦴꦁꦒꦿꦁ) is a 9th-century Hindu temple compound in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, in southern Java, Indonesia, dedicated to the Trimūrti, the expression of God as the Creator (Brahma), the Preserver (Vishnu) and the Destroyer (Shiva). The temple compound is located approximately 17 kilometers (11 mi) northeast of the city of Yogyakarta on the boundary between Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces. The temple compound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia and the second-largest in Southeast Asia after Angkor Wat. In fact, it served as the inspiration for Angkor Wat (which my husband and I have also visited).

Here we are at Borobudur Temple in central Java (the largest Buddhist Temple in the world).

Be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. Have your passports, essential documents, clothes, pet stuff ready to go. Obviously, evacuate when told. I've thought about installing fire suppression systems, but strangely enough they don't lower fire insurance rates, and they're quite expensive. In the meantime, I cut down the trees which were too near my house, and suppress/cut back weeds and branches. I have a "defensible space."