Que estas cartas mantenham o caminho aberto,

e que te guiem até mim,

como a luz guia quem se perdeu na noite,

como o coração reconhece, sem erro, aquilo que sempre foi seu.

Que cada palavra seja um passo,

cada linha, um reencontro silencioso,

e que, mesmo quando tudo parecer distante,

que você ainda encontre em mim o lugar onde sempre pertenceu.

1. I love playing Wordle with you every day. I think it’s really cute how I sometimes get stuck and I look at your words because I know that you’ll use steak probably.

2. I love that I get to feel smart and teach you little things here and there, you’re a really good student and an even better listener.

3. I really love the fact that you let me lecture at you, like in the shower. I know that you’re tired and when it’s late or a long day you probably don’t want to learn about RSA encryption or something about math, but you still listen to me and let me gush and write over the walls.

4. I think you put up with a lot, and also for a lot of time. I think I was in the wrong for sometimes making my insecurities your fault. For example if I felt unattractive, I should’ve asked her for help with that instead of blaming you for making me feel that way. It was really kind of you to still try really hard when I was being a dick about it.

5. Even though we’re in very different financial situations, the fact that we go 50-50 on things and you also treat me is really fucking sweet of you.

6. I know I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on you, but even through that you still put in so much effort to accommodate the things I ask, like me talking about how I want to be listened to.

7. I used to think about how it would be almost impossible for me to find someone who would be able to get me, because I would require them to be someone who was raised seriously online while also being well adjusted. You’re that person.

8. I don’t want you to force yourself to be there for me when I ask for it, but that being said when I do ask for it you push yourself so hard to be there for me. I believe a lot in intentions mattering, and there’s no purer intention than that.

9. Hugging you just makes my body relax and my mind go quiet. I feel safe in your arms.

10. You’ve indulged every one of my fantasies, even when it’s something out of your comfort zone.

11. Even though it’s an insecurity of yours, you let me have tummy time. You’re my personal stuffed animal.

12. You carried me to diamond 2 on DPS by pocketing me, letting me play pharmercy. I don’t queue up because I don’t have you supporting me. Before you I literally was struggling to get to plat on DPS.

13. The fact that I can play these games with you, and you’re GOOD at them. Like you’re my duoq, and you’re fun to play with, you don’t get tilted to the point where it’s not fun, and you want to play with me. That’s a dream I never even dared think about because I thought it’d be impossible.

14. I’d happily eat cup-o-noodles for months straight and instead spend the money on the stuff I got so that you can have a setup next to mine. I think about the first post you made of us playing overwatch next to each other.

15. It’s a core memory to me when we turn showers into water gun fights with our mouths. You let me do such stupid things with you, and match my energy so well.

Lydia's Weekly Lifestyle blog is for today's African girl, so no subject is taboo. My purpose is to share things that may interest today's African girl.

This week's contributors: Lydia, Pépé Pépinière, Titi. This week's subjects: Effortless Transitions: From Boardroom Meetings to Evening Soirées, PFAS and Fashion, Valentines and the Chinese, Shop right or shop wrong? and Ga Kenkey and dare to be different

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Effortless Transitions: From Boardroom Meetings to Evening Soirées. The Corporate Girl’s Guide to Day-to-Night Slay. There’s a certain rhythm to life in Accra — the soft hum of morning traffic, the steady buzz of boardroom discussions, and the glittering pulse of evening rooftops. The modern corporate girl in this city isn’t just working; she’s thriving. Her days stretch from high-stakes meetings in East Legon to late-evening networking mixers at Skybar. And through it all, she manages to look impeccably put-together — polished by day, radiant by night. So how does she pull it off? Simple: she’s mastered the art of effortless transitions. Start Strong: The Power Base: Your base outfit is everything. Think sleek, versatile, and comfortable. A well-fitted sheath dress in a neutral tone (charcoal, ivory, or deep olive) can glide seamlessly from the boardroom to a cocktail lounge. Or, go for a chic wide-leg trouser and silk blouse combo — breathable for Accra’s heat and classy enough for the CEO’s gaze. Pro tip: Choose lightweight fabrics that won’t crease while you’re conquering your day. Nobody wants “meeting wrinkles” at a soirée. Swap & Slay: The Accessories Game: Accessories are your transformation tools. During the day, go minimal — a structured tote, simple studs, and a nude heel. But as dusk approaches, it’s your cue to switch gears. Swap your tote for a small statement clutch, change your studs for gold hoops or bold earrings, and if you dare — slip into strappy heels. Just that, and you’re red-carpet ready without breaking a sweat (or your schedule). PFAS and Fashion. PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, a group of synthetic chemicals used in products like non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, tires and stain-resistant coatings. They're known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and in the human body. The main concerns are ⁠environmental persistence, PFAS don't break down easily, contaminating soil, water and air, and also health risks, they are linked to issues like cancer and thyroid problems. But the tide starts to turn. In California major tire manufacturers are being sued because their PFAS have poisoned river and lake waters and killed fish. Now the European Union, with Denmark and France in the lead, and several states in the USA want to ban PFAS altogether this year. Tests have been done on Chinese Shein and Temu products and many contain PFAS. So the European textile industry hopes to curtail these cheap Chinese suppliers by banning products with PFAS. Forgetting that most textiles they import, whether from China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, contain Pfas to some degree. So if the consumer needs to be protected then the textile industry, and many other industries, will have to change. What is important here is the court cases against the tire manufacturers. If the government does not do its consumer protection job properly because of the lobby from industry, then the public should indeed take these industries, and their own governments to court.

Valentines and the Chinese. I already see the kiosk thrift sellers turning their showrooms into red, Valentines is on the way. I pray that nobody is dumb enough to commit suicide because no one invited her. Invite to where? I guess everyone has his own budget, though hampers are going from 250 upwards to several thousands. Business is business. And these days we see more and more Chinese in town, not only for the galamsey, including their youngsters, and these youngsters thus naturally chase young girls. Girl look for boy, boy look for girl. To take them out for Valentines, and maybe more. Take them out to where? To a Chinese restaurant of course.

Shop right or shop wrong? If you go to Shopright Osu to buy tea you may get the following: Lipton tea, 20 pouches 50 grams for 19.99 GHC. That's 399.80 GHC per kg, say 400. So better buy a big box, 200 grams at 139 GHC. Cheaper. Cheaper? 695, say 700 GHC per kg. What? Yes, you read this correctly. And as much as supermarkets have their marketing tricks, like putting the cheapest article very low or so high that you don’t easily see it, or putting candies near the cashier so that you'll give in to your moaning kid they've now gone into actually cheating. 5 cost 5, and 10 cost 12. On purpose. It was recently reported in a European consumer protection magazine. It's on purpose. You assume that a bigger packaging is more economic, but sometimes it is not, you need to check. And as most have difficulty with calculating the supermarkets get away with it, with your money. Beware. I guess the others are just doing the same thing, and in Shoprite it is not the first time I noticed this trick. Maxmart can even out do that, the article is priced on the shelf say at 47 GHC, but the cashier prints 67. Who checks?

Ga Kenkey and dare to be different. We decided to have a bit of a soirée, dress up and serve nice food, soft sax music in the background. So we had Ga kenkey with beef and goat kebabs with Dagomba barbecue spices from Ash to get away from the rather same tasting chinchinga everyone uses, white vermouth with ice and lemon from Noilly Prat (Martini is just a vermouth brand name) Vodka (cheap brand) with ice and to finish it off Val d’Oca brut millesimato Prosecco denomazione di origine controllato and vanilla ice cream from Tipsy Gelato. Lovely evening, deep talk, and in fact more fun than an upscale restaurant. And very little cleaning up to do afterwards.

Lydia...

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Affrètement coque nue – Sanctions – Emploi du navire – Droit anglais – HCJ

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Comm/2025/2033.pdf

Un cas tordu avec plusieurs points de contentieux concernant la vente d'un pétrolier pour 13 mio $ via un bareboat qui finit mal à cause du refus d'un voyage impliquant des intervenants sous sanctions. 

C'est cette seule partie qui m'intéresse ici. 

Savory Shipping, une Sté de l'armateur grec George Gialozoglou a conclu en février 2019 une bareboat cp avec Ceto Shiping pour 36 mois, tout en conservant la gestion technique. 

A l'issue des 36 mois, la propriété du bateau serait transférée à l'affréteur pour autant que, selon la clause 39-1, ce dernier “paid all hire and any other sums due under this Charter and… all management fees and any other sums due under the Management Agreement...“. 

D'autre part, la clause 25 indiquait, amongst other, Savory shipping “...shall not be obliged to comply with the provisions of this Agreement if in the reasonable judgment ... it will expose them or their insurers, re-insurers, crew, registered owners, to any sanction … imposed by any State…” 

Je passe sur les nombreuses péripéties, non sans mentionner un addendum de décembre 2019 par lequel, entre autres, l'Iran était une zone exclue, ce qui n'empêcha jamais Ceto Shipping de continuer à y charger. 

En avril 2020, le 'Victor 1' a été sous-affrété par Ceto shipping à Imperium pour le chargement d'une cargaison d'essence iranienne à destination de Trinidad & Tobago. L'armateur a refusé d'effectuer le voyage, craignant que cela ne constitue une violation des sanctions américaines contre l'Iran, ainsi que contre le Venezuela, soupçonnant que la cargaison d'essence était in fine destinée au Venezuela, un des intervenants étant également soupçonné d'être une personne sanctionnée ayant des liens avec Maduro. 

Grosse embrouille, refus du transfert de propriété et, finalement, vente du navire aux enchères à Singapour en décembre 2023 pour ± 11 mio $ ! 

Tout est intéressant quand on aime comprendre comment ce genre d'opération tourne à la cata, mais je reviens spécifiquement à la question des sanctions. 

Dans l'affaire du 'Catalan Sea', la HCJ a reproché l'armateur d'avoir refusé de prendre une cargaison qu'il estimait problématique, bien qu'il ait abondamment documenté les liens douteux de son affréteur, ici, la HCJ, sous la plume de Dame Sara C., même si l'armateur “did not take legal advice” mais simplement “enter into discussions with other shipowner stakeholders in the Greek market as to their information” (#275) a été convaincue qu'il pouvait refuser le voyage controversé. 

La décision fait 69 pages... mais “the centre of gravity of the trial” commence  au #230 de la page 42. Miss Sara développe la question du 'reasonable judgment', et aussi s'interroge de savoir si l'armateur “make any judgment in good faith”(*). 

(23-9-25 – E&OE – Without prejudice)

Sanctions – KYC – EPS clause – Droit anglais – HCJ

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Comm/2025/2036.pdf

Le casse-tête de la gestion du régime des sanctions pour un armateur : un exemple parfait de Catch 22 !

A l'automne 2021, donc avant la guerre en Ukraine, mais déjà avec des entités sanctionnées par l'UE et le UK, le pétrolier 'Catalan Sea' doit charger à Primorsk, dans le NW de Saint-Pétersbourg et la cp au voyage inclut une “EPS Sanctions Clause” par laquelle l'affréteur garantissait, pour faire simple, ne pas être sujet à sanctions et l'armateur avait la possibilité de refuser les ordres de voyage si “... in its reasonable judgment would expose it (...) to the sanctions laws...”.

Le texte complet de la clause apparaît dans la décision au #28.

/1/ A l'arrivée à Primorsk, le 17-11-21, l'affréteur Coral Energy informe l'armateur que Neftisa sera le chargeur au b/l.

/2/ L'armateur, vigilant, fait des recherches sur cette société via Refinitiv(*) qui lui indique qu'un certain Mikhaïl Goutseriev, sous sanctions UE & UK, serait impliqué dans Neftisa.

/3/ En conséquence, l'armateur refuse de charger, demandant un ordre de voyage alternatif.

/4/ L'affréteur refuse tout ordre alternatif et tente alors de convaincre l'armateur avec force docs (certains vraiment douteux malgré une signature prestigieuse) de la non-implication de l'oligarque dans l'affaire.

/5/ Devant l'impossibilité de convaincre l'armateur, l'affréteur mit un terme à la cp le 24-11-21, ce que l'armateur confirmera sous la forme classique du “repudiatory breach”.

//6// Dès le 17-11-21, l'affréteur, anticipant le problème, avait trouvé un navire alternatif acceptant de charger la cargaison Neftisa, et, apparemment, le voyage s'est passé sans difficulté.

/7/ Le substitut fut le 'MT Zuma' appartenant à TMS, armateur grec d'une cinquantaine de navires, le 'MT Catalan Sea' voguant quant à lui sous la bannière d'Eastern Pacific, une société de ± 130 pétroliers de l'empire israélien d’un des frères Ofer. Il s'agissait donc de 2 grandes maisons, avec des moyens d'investigation et d'assistance à la décision que l'on peut estimer similaire.

/8/ L'affaire (le dossier faisait 3,661 pages !!!) est, semble-t-il, sans passer par la case arbitrage, directement arrivée devant Andrew Hochhauser, KC, siégeant comme juge à la HCJ qui, après les audiences d'octobre 2024, s'est attaché à répondre à 3 questions principales :

(i) Quels sont le sens et l'effet de la clause de sanctions dans la cp ?

(ii) Comment tout cela s'insère-t-il dans le régime international des sanctions ?

(iii) L'oligarque Gutseriev possédait-il ou contrôlait-il Neftisa, ou était-il raisonnable de penser que c'était le cas ?

/9/ La conclusion du juge fut que l'armateur aurait dû accepter de charger la cargaison Neftisa, il fut donc condamné.

//10// Cherry on the cake (1) : Dans une décision de septembre 2023, sans relation directe avec l'affaire, la CJUE affirma que Mikhaïl Goutseriev était bien resté au contrôle de Neftisa après son prétendu retrait, sans pour autant préciser ce qu'il en était exactement en novembre 2021.

https://tinyurl.com/CJUE-Gutseriev - Voir : #94, #95 & #97

//11// Cherry on the cake (2) : Coral Energy, l'affréteur, devenu par la suite 2Rivers “is to close down following the imposition of Western sanctions” ... “2Rivers said it had 'initiated the formal process of dissolving the company”. (TradeWinds 11-8-25).

En droit UK, 'stick to the letter' est un mantra implacable, mais je trouve cabalistique le très long débat sur l'interprétation de la clause de sanctions, et, force est de constater, qu'il n'y a aucune prise en compte de la pratique des opérations d'un navire dans des circonstances pareilles, se déroulant, pour la période 'chaude', dans l'espace contraint de quelques jours (17 au 24-11-2021, avec un week-end au milieu, les 20 & 21-11-2021).

Vu le salmigondis indigeste du juge, la décision de la CJUE et la clôture des activités de l'affréteur, l'affaire ira inévitablement en appel et je suis déjà curieux de la décision à venir.

Commentaires des solicitors

Le gagnant : https://tinyurl.com/ReedSmith-Catalan-Sea

Le perdant : https://tinyurl.com/WikborgRein-Catalan-Sea

(*) “Refinitiv/World-Check” : Sté filiale de la bourse de Londres, qui gère une base de données qui compile des informations sur les personnes politiquement exposées, les individus et organisations à risque, les entreprises sanctionnées, et toute entité présentant un risque élevé en matière de criminalité financière, blanchiment d’argent, financement du terrorisme ou fraude.

(14-8-25 – E&OE – Without prejudice)

BARECON – ‘Termination’ – ‘Repossession’ – Droit anglais – LMAA – EWCA

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2025/1227.pdf

13-2-26

Un chantier naval basé à Trogir, sur la côte Adriatique de la Croatie, près de Split, a construit un pétrolier/chimiquier de 49,500 dwt et, agissant comme armateur, via une entité ad-hoc (SPV), conclut une CP Bareboat (BARECON 2001) de 5 ans avec Songa Shipping, une Sté singapourienne du groupe norvégien Blystad.

Le navire fut livré par le chantier le 23-12-2016 sous le nom de 'Songa Pride' :

https://www.trogirmaritime.hr/songa-pride/

Le 16-10-2020, le Tribunal de commerce de Split a confirmé un plan de restructuration et un accord de pré-faillite concernant le chantier propriétaire et, le 14 mai 2021, se fondant sur le paragraphe (d) de la clause 28(*) traitant de la fin de contrat, les affréteurs mettent un terme à la CP, le navire étant immédiatement à la disposition des armateurs à la fin de son déchargement à Stockton, port californien à 75 miles de la mer, auquel on accède par la baie de San Francisco, puis la rivière San Joaquim.

Ne, to ne dolazi u obzir; čekamo brod u Trogiru <– C'est du croate, “Non, il n'en est pas question, nous attendons le bateau à Trogir”, opposa le chantier.(Interprétation libre imaginaire !)

Le chantier, en difficulté, n'est qu'un 'armateur de papier', aurait-il même accepté la repossession en Californie, il n'a pas la structure d'exploitation, ni d'équipage, pour opérer un pétrolier.

Et puis, il y a la clause 29(**) sur la repossession, qui se lit (ou pas) avec la clause 28 et le concept de “port or place convenient”.

Au bout d'un temps, les affréteurs consentirent, tous droits et moyens réservés, à ramener le navire vers l'Europe.

Le “Songa Pride” arriva le 20-9-2021 à Gibraltar, après 37 jours de mer, où il fut saisi par les affréteurs. Ce n'est que le 7-1-2022 que le chantier mit en place une garantie et reprit possession de son bien.

La BARECON prévoyait un arbitrage LMMA Londres/droit anglais, les arbitres confirmèrent la validité de la résiliation selon la clause 28(d). En revanche le débat va porter sur l'interprétation de la clause 29 et Trogir fut considéré comme “the place that was objectively convenient” pour la repossession.

Les affréteurs obtinrent le droit de faire appel et, tant le juge autorisant l'appel, insistant sur la nécessité de “pay particular attention to the commercial context” en lisant ensemble les clauses 28 & 29, que les 3 juges de la EWCA conclurent au contraire, que le port de repossession était celui désigné par les affréteurs “unless it is impracticable or impossible for them to do so”.

Un affrètement coque nue diffère d'un affrètement à temps, tout comme un armateur au sens traditionnel du terme diffère d'une SPV-Special Purpose Vehicle constituée spécifiquement pour porter le financement.

(*) 28 – Either party shall be entitled to terminate this Charter with immediate effect by written notice to the other party in the event of an order being made or resolution passed for the winding up, dissolution, liquidation or bankruptcy of the other party...

(**) 29 – In the event of the termination of this Charter in accordance with the applicable provisions of Clause 28, the Owners shall have the right to repossess the Vessel from the Charterers at her current or next port of call, or at a port or place convenient to them ...

E&OE Without prejudice

Gencon 1994 – Navigabilité – Avaries communes – Règle de La Haye – Passage plan – Droit anglais – HCJ (Admiralty) – « CMA-CGM Libra »

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admlty/2026/7.pdf

25-1-26 Le “Happy Aras”, petit cargo de 94 m de long, chargé de 2,659 tm de soja en vrac, ayant quitté Reni (Ukraine) faisait route le long de la côte Turque, slalomant entre les îles, vers Mersin en Méditerranée Est ; il s'est échoué dans la soirée du 20-3-23, peu après le passage entre l'île de Kos et la terre, dans le sud de Bodrun. Le Cdt assurait le quart, c'est une grossière erreur incontestable de sa part.

https://lnk.ink/MV-Happy-Aras-Grounded

Le voyage se faisait sur la base d'une Gencon 1994 (GA à Londres Y+A Rules 1994) et d'un CongenBill incorporant les termes de la cp.

Après sauvetage, allègement et transfert de la cargaison, l'armateur a déclaré le navire en avarie commune. La dispache fixa la contribution des intérêts cargaison (également affréteurs au voyage) à environ 1,3 mio $, ceux-ci et leurs assureurs ont refusé de payer pour 2 raisons :

(i) Non seulement la négligence, mais l'incompétence du Cdt, (ii) La planification de la traversée incomplète et non conforme à la directive OMI. (https://lnk.ink/IMO-Passage-plan)

L'affaire est donc venue devant le juge Davison, la décision négative était prévisible, ce qui est notable, c'est l'entrelacement des 2 causes, le plan de navigation, pour incomplet qu'il fût, s'il avait été tenu, ie si le Cdt n'avait pas été négligent + incompétent, l'échouement ne serait pas survenu.

Donc, le navire était innavigable du fait de l'incompétence du Cdt, dont l'armateur n'a pas fait preuve de diligence en le désignant, pas à cause du plan de navigation. (25-1-26 – E&OE – Without prejudice)

Getting your vehicle stuck is frustrating and stressful. Whether you are caught in deep mud after heavy rain, trapped in snow during winter, or stuck off-road during an adventure, it can feel impossible to get out on your own. Spinning your tires only makes the situation worse, and trying unsafe methods can damage your vehicle. That’s when professional winch outs become the safest and fastest solution.

Maru’s Tow n Go provides reliable and quick vehicle winch out service to help drivers recover their cars, trucks, and SUVs from difficult situations. With the right tools and trained professionals, you can trust that your vehicle will be recovered safely without unnecessary damage.

What Are Winch Outs?

Winch outs are specialized recovery services designed to pull vehicles out of mud, snow, sand, ditches, or other difficult terrain. Using a heavy-duty winch system attached to a tow truck, professionals carefully extract your vehicle and place it back on stable ground.

Unlike regular towing, winch outs focus on stuck vehicle recovery where the vehicle cannot move under its own power due to being trapped or stuck. This requires skill, proper equipment, and safe handling techniques.

Common Situations That Require Winch Outs

Vehicles can get stuck in many unexpected ways. Even experienced drivers can find themselves needing emergency winch assistance. Here are some of the most common situations:

Mud and Soft Ground

After heavy rainfall, roads, driveways, and construction areas can become muddy and unstable. Driving over wet soil can cause tires to sink quickly. Mud and snow extraction services are designed to handle exactly these situations without causing further damage.

Snow and Ice

Winter weather often leads to slippery and dangerous conditions. Snow can hide deep patches that trap tires, and ice can push vehicles into ditches. Professional recovery ensures your vehicle is safely pulled back onto the road.

Off-Road Adventures

Off-road driving can be exciting, but it also carries risks. Trails with sand, loose gravel, or uneven terrain can cause vehicles to get stuck. An experienced off-road recovery service provides safe extraction so you can continue your journey.

Ditches and Slopes

Sometimes drivers accidentally slide into roadside ditches or off sloped areas. Attempting to drive out can worsen the situation. Winch outs provide controlled pulling to prevent additional damage.

Why Professional Vehicle Winch Out Service Matters

Trying to recover a stuck vehicle without proper tools can lead to serious damage. Many drivers attempt to use ropes, chains, or other vehicles to pull themselves free. This can result in:

• Damaged bumpers or frames
• Broken axles or suspension parts
• Personal injury
• Worsening the stuck condition

A professional vehicle winch out service uses heavy-duty winches, secure anchor points, and trained operators to ensure safe recovery. The process is controlled and carefully managed to protect both your vehicle and everyone involved.

Fast and Reliable Emergency Winch Assistance

When your vehicle is stuck, time matters. You may be blocking traffic, exposed to bad weather, or in an unsafe location. Emergency winch assistance ensures quick response and immediate action.

Maru’s Tow n Go understands how urgent these situations can be. Their team arrives with the proper recovery equipment and carefully evaluates the situation before beginning the extraction process. Safety is always the top priority.

Quick response helps:

• Reduce stress and frustration
• Prevent further sinking or damage
• Improve roadside safety
• Get you back on your way faster

How the Winch Out Process Works

Understanding the process can help you feel more confident when calling for help. Here’s how a typical stuck vehicle recovery works:

Step 1: Situation Assessment

The recovery team examines the position of your vehicle, the terrain, and any potential hazards. This helps them determine the safest recovery method.

Step 2: Secure Setup

The tow truck is positioned on stable ground. The winch cable is carefully attached to a strong recovery point on your vehicle.

Step 3: Controlled Extraction

Using steady and controlled pulling force, the winch system gradually pulls the vehicle out of mud, snow, or uneven ground.

Step 4: Final Safety Check

Once the vehicle is on solid ground, the team checks to ensure it is safe to drive. If additional assistance is needed, towing services can also be provided.

This careful approach ensures minimal risk and maximum safety.

Benefits of Choosing Maru’s Tow n Go

When you need reliable winch outs, choosing the right company makes all the difference. Maru’s Tow n Go is committed to delivering dependable service with professionalism and care.

Here’s what sets them apart:

Experienced Operators

Skilled technicians understand how to handle different recovery situations safely and efficiently.

Modern Equipment

Using advanced winching systems ensures secure and damage-free recovery.

Quick Response Times

Fast arrival reduces waiting time and helps resolve the issue quickly.

Customer-Focused Service

Friendly and professional support ensures you feel informed and confident throughout the process.

Safety Tips While Waiting for Winch Out Service

While waiting for help to arrive, there are a few steps you can take to stay safe:

• Turn on hazard lights
• Stay inside your vehicle if the area is unsafe
• Avoid spinning the tires repeatedly
• Keep a safe distance from traffic

Avoid attempting risky recovery methods that could make the situation worse. Professional help is the safest option.

Preventing Future Stuck Vehicle Situations

While some situations are unavoidable, you can reduce the chances of needing stuck vehicle recovery by following a few simple tips:

• Avoid driving on unfamiliar soft terrain
• Check weather conditions before traveling
• Keep tires properly inflated
• Drive slowly in mud, snow, or sand
• Use proper tires for seasonal conditions

Preparation and careful driving can significantly reduce risks.

Dependable Winch outs When You Need Them Most

Getting stuck can happen to anyone. Whether it’s mud and snow extraction, off-road recovery service, or emergency winch assistance, having a trusted team ready to respond makes all the difference.

Maru’s Tow n Go provides professional and reliable winch outs designed to safely recover your vehicle without causing further damage. With experienced operators, proper equipment, and a commitment to safety, you can count on fast and efficient service whenever trouble strikes.

When your vehicle is stuck and you need immediate help, trust Maru’s Tow n Go to provide expert vehicle winch out service and get you back on solid ground quickly and safely.

Getting stranded on the side of the road is something no driver ever plans for. Whether it’s a flat tire, a dead battery, or an unexpected engine issue, these problems always seem to happen at the worst possible time. You might be on your way to work, picking up your kids, or traveling late at night. In those stressful moments, having access to fast and reliable roadside assistance makes all the difference.

When your vehicle stops working, you don’t just need help — you need help right away. That’s where Uriel'S Towing LLC steps in. With dependable 24/7 roadside assistance, you can feel confident knowing professional support is only a phone call away, no matter where you are or what time it is.

What Is Roadside Assistance and Why Is It Important?

Roadside assistance is a service designed to help drivers when their vehicle breaks down or becomes unsafe to drive. Instead of being stuck for hours waiting for help, trained professionals arrive quickly to fix the issue or safely transport your vehicle if needed.

This type of service is important because car problems can happen to anyone. Even well-maintained vehicles can experience unexpected issues. From simple fixes to more complex problems, having access to emergency roadside service ensures you’re never alone during a breakdown.

24/7 Roadside Assistance for Any Situation

Car troubles don’t follow a schedule. They can happen early in the morning, during rush hour traffic, or late at night on a quiet highway. That’s why 24/7 roadside assistance is essential.

Uriel'S Towing LLC provides round-the-clock service to make sure drivers always have access to help. No matter the time or weather conditions, their team is ready to respond quickly and professionally.

Having 24-hour support means:

• You don’t have to wait until morning for help
• You stay safer in dangerous roadside situations
• You reduce stress during unexpected vehicle problems

Common Situations That Require Emergency Roadside Service

Vehicle breakdowns can happen in many ways. Some of the most common reasons drivers call for emergency roadside service include:

Flat Tires

A flat tire can leave you stranded, especially if you don’t have the tools or experience to change it yourself. Roadside technicians can quickly replace your tire with your spare or arrange further assistance if needed.

Dead Battery

A drained battery is one of the most frequent causes of breakdown assistance calls. Whether your battery died due to cold weather, leaving lights on, or an aging battery, professionals can provide a quick jump-start and get you back on the road.

Lockouts

Locking your keys inside your car is frustrating and stressful. Instead of risking damage by trying to unlock it yourself, roadside experts can safely unlock your vehicle.

Out of Fuel

Running out of gas can happen unexpectedly, especially on long trips. On-demand roadside help can deliver fuel directly to your location so you can continue your journey without delay.

Engine Trouble

If your vehicle suddenly stops running or makes unusual noises, it may need towing. Reliable roadside assistance includes safe vehicle transport to a trusted repair shop.

Fast Breakdown Assistance When You Need It Most

Breakdowns often happen in inconvenient or even unsafe locations. You might be stopped on a busy highway or a dark road. In these situations, quick response time is critical.

Uriel'S Towing LLC understands how important speed and reliability are during these moments. Their trained professionals respond promptly, assess the situation, and provide the right solution. Whether it’s a minor issue or something more serious, you can expect efficient service designed to get you back on track as quickly as possible.

On-Demand Roadside Help for Modern Drivers

Today’s drivers expect fast and convenient services. On-demand roadside help means you can request assistance whenever you need it without long wait times or complicated processes.

With professional roadside services, you receive:

• Quick dispatch to your location
• Experienced and trained technicians
• Proper tools and equipment
• Safe and reliable vehicle handling

This level of service provides peace of mind. You don’t have to worry about finding help or dealing with unreliable providers.

Highway Roadside Support for Safer Travel

Breaking down on a highway can be especially dangerous. Fast-moving traffic increases the risk of accidents, and staying inside a disabled vehicle for too long can be stressful.

Highway roadside support focuses on responding quickly and safely in high-traffic areas. The team at Uriel'S Towing LLC takes extra precautions to ensure your safety while handling your vehicle issue.

Professional support on highways includes:

• Proper safety lighting and equipment
• Quick vehicle relocation if necessary
• Secure towing when repairs cannot be done on-site

This ensures both you and your vehicle are protected in risky roadside situations.

Benefits of Choosing Professional Roadside Assistance

Some drivers try to solve car problems themselves. While minor issues can sometimes be handled independently, professional assistance offers several important benefits:

Safety

Roadside situations can be dangerous, especially at night or in bad weather. Professionals are trained to handle these risks safely.

Expertise

Experienced technicians know how to diagnose and fix common problems quickly. This reduces further damage to your vehicle.

Convenience

Instead of searching for help or waiting hours for assistance, you receive immediate support from a reliable team.

Peace of Mind

Knowing that help is always available reduces stress and anxiety when driving.

Why Choose Uriel'S Towing LLC?

When you’re searching for roadside assistance near you, you want a company you can trust. Uriel'S Towing LLC is committed to providing fast, dependable, and professional service to every customer.

Their focus is on:

• Rapid response times
• Friendly and helpful customer service
• Skilled and trained professionals
• Reliable equipment and tools

Every call is treated as a priority because they understand how stressful breakdowns can be. Their goal is simple: to get you back on the road safely and quickly.

How to Stay Prepared for Roadside Emergencies

While roadside assistance is always available, being prepared can make the situation easier. Here are a few simple tips:

• Keep your phone charged
• Store emergency contact numbers in your phone
• Carry basic emergency supplies
• Maintain regular vehicle servicing
• Pay attention to warning signs from your vehicle

Preparation combined with professional support ensures you’re never caught completely off guard.

Reliable Roadside Assistance You Can Count On

Vehicle problems are unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be. With dependable roadside assistance from Uriel'S Towing LLC, help is always within reach. Whether you need 24/7 roadside assistance, emergency roadside service, breakdown assistance, on-demand roadside help, or highway roadside support, you can rely on a team that puts your safety first.

Driving should be about reaching your destination with confidence. Knowing that professional help is available at any time gives you that confidence. When unexpected problems arise, trust Uriel'S Towing LLC to deliver fast, reliable, and professional roadside assistance whenever you need it most.

From: The Grand Commissioner (Tobias Trench)

To: All Spectral staff

---

Right, listen up. The Commission has noticed a distinct lack of professionalism in the park. Last week, Alfred tried to haunt a smart fridge. A smart fridge! He looked like a right muppet.

There’s an indie author called Andy who is writing a novel about you all. So, I want the park to be kept in good order. Any new arrivals should be processed straight away. 

It’s called ‘Dread Central’ for a reason. Everyone dreads going there because it means they’ve snuffed it. But we don’t want that coming over in his novel. The Commission requires you all to make the whole after life thing sound like an efficient and decent departure. 

Clive Smith is your Spectral Operations Manager. He will ensure that the proper paperwork is filled in. And that the Ether waiting room doesn’t get too full. 

I’ve asked that Andy bloke to make sure the novel is funny. But also, to keep it bloody real. I don’t want any of Sid Smithers farts getting described in detail. Or the fact that Alfred wanders off trying to scare anyone in Piddle-on-Sea he comes across. 

The Spectral Commission needs to present itself as a well organised, efficient end  of life service. 

End

---

—That’ll do it.

—Yeah, should do, Tobias.

—Wait. Should I mention it’s for the book?

—Bleeding obvious, ain’t it?

—Er, not really.

Authors note: Tobias Trench is the Grand Commissioner of the Spectral Commission that manages the afterlife. He is in the new novel I’m writing, entitled: ‘The Unfortunates’. 

Ramón ostenta el récord nacional de llanto. Dos veces campeón, indiscutible en la federación. Pero su vida no es fácil. Este sábado defenderá nuestros colores en el campeonato mundial, en el magnífico escenario de Toronto, junto a los grandes lagos. Qué gran momento.

Una meta difícil, pero a su alcance.

Llorar en competición no es fácil. Los árbitros analizan muchos detalles. Las variables más significativas son: la duración, el tempo, la frecuencia y el gesto. Este último es clave. Los expertos dicen que es el espíritu del llanto; sin gesto, el llanto no sería un arte.

Mientras el resto de los mortales consideramos que llorar es una tragedia, en la alta competición el llanto es un arte de primerísimo nivel; y muy bien pagado. En el mundial del llanto, hay firmas de esponsorización que ofrecen millones por anunciar un colirio de ojos fabricado por un gran laboratorio, o cremas para cubrir las ojeras, casas de moda y ropa deportiva que diseñan pañuelos, bufandas, toallas y pañoletas, marcas poderosas de pañuelillos de usar y tirar, todo esto sin descontar los derechos de transmisión, aparición en espectáculos, telenovelas, películas y series duras, especializadas en la gran industria de la lágrima. En Toronto van a estar los pesos pesados. No se puede ir a improvisar.

Pero Ramón estaba pasando malos momentos. Desde hacía unos días, cuando empezaba a llorar le daba un ataque de risa, y mientras la madre -su fiel mánager- le pedía que se centrara, que expulsara el aire, que salivara o parpadeara tres veces, Ramón más se reía, soltaba carcajadas a chorro y era incapaz de articular el gesto, ni ventilar lo suficiente para mantener el tempo y la frecuencia.

Un influencer filtró la noticia y la federación se apresuró a tomar cartas en el asunto.

-Ramón -le dijo el presidente-, no nos puedes fallar, piensa en tu afición. Tienes que inundar Toronto. El país está contigo.

-Lo sé -dijo Ramón-, pero estoy acabado. Me veo tan deprimido, que no puedo sino reír. Reír y reír, qué desgracia.

Lo primero que quiero dejar claro es que me hago cargo de que hay personas que en esta sociedad no encajan del todo. Yo no veo ningún problema en interactuar con ellas. Desde mi niñez me he topado con personas problemáticas. Suelo aplicar la virtud de la paciencia, para que las situaciones no me desborden. En esto estoy en paz conmigo mismo y quiero que conste. No soy un majadero que diría que lo hago como un sacrificio. Lo hago con gusto para que todos nos sintamos bien. Pero hay situaciones, y situaciones. Paso al meollo del asunto, si es que puedo.

Mis amigos, Pedro y Pablo, aunque se llaman como los apóstoles, a veces no se pueden ver. No sé qué hacer con ellos. Yo los aprecio, cada uno por su lado son personas muy válidas, pero juntos son un desastre, por lo menos es lo que yo veo.

No es fácil darse cuenta del momento en el que empiezan los enredos.

Estamos tranquilos conversando, que si esto, que si aquello, todo bien. Pero luego Pablo dice algo y noto que Pedro se va poniendo como tonto, no dice nada y ahí empieza todo. Se desencadena la mala onda.

Ponerse tonto y generar malas vibras es lo mismo, es quedarse como un zombie mirando hacia otro lado, y si no es uno es el otro, Pablo o Pedro, Pedro o Pablo. Luego ambos; cuando se quedan mudos, me dejan el peso de la conversación y comprenderán por lógica que no soy Platón para hablar por los tres.

Entonces yo también me voy quedando como sin alma, con las energías desangradas, con la mirada perdida y cuando lo notan, me dicen:

-Qué pasa Tito, ¿ya estás con la depre?

Y así no es la cosa. Cuando les quiero explicar lo que me pasa, los dos se ponen de acuerdo, me interrumpen y dicen:

-Nooo, bro.

Sea la situación que sea, hay que hacerle frente. Hay personas que no caminan porque no pueden, otros porque no quieren. Y hay quienes que no pueden caminar pero se esfuerzan como titanes para dar hoy un pasito, mañana otro. Hasta que pueden moverse unos metros. ¡Qué gran logro!

Yo no sé por qué la gente no camina más. Hay muchos motivos para hacerlo, por eso los médicos lo recomiendan.

No voy a explicar ahora los grandes beneficios que conlleva mover las dos patas para la salud física y mental. Sólo añadiré algunos detalles.

En el alba de la civilización, caminar era como ir a la escuela. Caminas y algo aprendes. Mientras más caminas, más sabes.

De niño, el momento de caminar marca el inicio de una vida de continuo aprendizaje.

-Pero los cocodrilos caminan y no han inventado el álgebra. -Que se sepa...

La diferencia está en la panorámica. No entremos en detalles, porque nos enredamos.

-Entonces los pájaros nos ganan. -No es lo mismo.

No pares, que no hay gasolina, y empuja al perro, que va lento.

Today, E broke up with me. I’ve spent the day calling her mom, my friends, and sobbing. I’m going to write out letters to her here that I won’t send her.

I’ve gone through denial and anger already today. I’m right now in bargaining. But I don’t feel that way; I feel genuine with what I have to say. I am praying that what she said and what happened was not truly what she felt. Overnight, it went from I love you, to an explosion of wanting to break up. I think it was cruel of her to ambush me by bringing three of her roommates to my house to grab her stuff, especially right before my work meeting. I don’t think that’s like her; she is kind and empathetic, and wouldn’t do some of the things she did that were excessively cruel. I am praying so hard that this isn’t actually true, but that this really is just her spiraling last night. I don’t want her to feel this way, and to feel this shitty and scared, partially because of me. I don’t think that it’s necessarily something I’m doing wrong, but I think it’s more the stuff that she is struggling with that I can help with. I know it’s not my job to I guess handle her feelings, but I love her and we are a team. I don’t want to think of a world where that’s not the case. That’s my E. I look out for her and she looks out for me. We’re in this together. Fuck I’m tearing up typing that. It kills me to think about a world where we aren’t together, but I both know that I will be ok in that world, and I just pray that she is too. I want the best for her. We have talked a lot about how it hurts her how she feels so much guilt at always being the one to fuck up and hurt me, and how I don’t fuck up the same. I don’t know how I can make her feel better about that but I will try. I love her a lot. I don’t want her to hurt. If she’s been hurting I just want to understand why and figure out how I can love her without hurting her. I’m at such a loss because I don’t know what to do. I’m not often religious but I want to beg to any higher power that she thinks of how the good times are, and how much we mean to eachother.

If I could speak to her right now, I would tell her that I’m sorry, but I cannot tell her I won’t hurt her in some way or another. If I could, if I knew what I could do to not hurt her like that, I would in a heartbeat. All I can promise is that I care about your pain just as much as mine, and I will do whatever I can to make you feel safe and secure with me. What happened hurts, but the thought of not having you in my life hurts even more. I know I am not perfect, and I know you are not perfect. You’re still my person. I know I can ask for a lot, and I’m sorry. I know I also struggle with my emotions sometimes, and know that you do too. I also know that you make me feel heard and seen and safe in so many different ways that I haven’t felt before. I apologize for not being more grateful for you. I’m realizing now that I haven’t been nearly as vocal with how much I love her, I only tell her when she is feeling like not enough. But you are so much more than enough to me E. I want to write a list of all of the things that I love about her, and things I should have said.

1. I love playing arena with you, and I love seeing how hyped you get when you clutch for us.

2. I think it’s so cute when I complain about doing bulgarians, but I take it as such a point of pride that my girlfriend has that dog in her.

3. The child in me swells with so much joy that I can’t express it when you ask to play chess with me. I know that it’s not fun to lose every game, even with odds, but you still take pride in it, and you’ve initiated that every time. I really love playing chess with you. I love seeing you get better so quickly and figure out things by yourself that I had to learn from someone else.

4. I know that it’s not a fun feeling to have someone critique your gameplay, but VOD reviewing your Lillia game was a memory I truly cherish.

5. Designing things has always been something really hard for me to do. My Minecraft builds always look like shit, and any time I try to make it look decent, I feel ashamed because it looks like what you probably built when you were 10. But our Minecraft world together is by far the most beautiful base I’ve ever seen. I know you’ve put in a lot of effort into designing it in your creative world, getting inspiration on Pinterest, and actually building it for us.

6. I like to give you shit for color-coding our chests, but I think it’s really cute.

7. I love the fact that I can give you shit for things, and that you take it in good fun. I’ve always wanted a partner I can lovingly make fun of.

8. I really love how you told me the day when the shit I gave you for your 60% keyboard was getting to you. I think our communication consistently gets better each time we talk.

9. I love how you give me a safe place to cry. It’s really hard for me to cry, and I have been getting more and more comfortable with it, thanks to you.

10. I know I can be a hard person to love. I have a lot of my walls up, and I demand a lot because I don’t know what I should expect or even ask for. You make me feel loved. Even now, even with all of the mess that’s happened, I believe that you have love for me. I understand if there is too much else that overpowers that love, and I’m not trying to guilt you; I’m just saying that the love you gave me hit my heart.

11. I have asked a lot of you. I haven’t always been reasonable with it, and please forgive me for it. I’m not a pro when it comes to navigating relationships. I want to break down again when I think about how much I’ve asked of you, and how it isn’t fair. I’ve piled things on repeatedly, and I haven’t given that same effort in acknowledging the things you’ve done, or making sure I wasn’t being unfair, and talking with you about that, not just when I’m hurting. It isn’t fair that it matters enough for me to ask that of you, regardless of your stresses, but not enough for me to talk about it when I’m not hurting and I feel good.

12. I loved explaining Palantir to you while we watched South Park together.

13. I would make a calendar of all the times I’ve taken photos of you with Hash cuddled up, sleeping together. He sits guard, watching over you when you nap.

14. I know we could have talked about it earlier, and I know we could have handled it differently. But over winter break, when you were in so much pain because of me, you endured it for my sake. I know that we both would do things differently, of course, but just knowing how much I meant to you.

15. I’ve had plenty of times where I’ve been mad or frustrated. A lot of those moments are during arguments we have. But when I see you crying or hurting, all of that anger I feel flushes out of my brain. I’m not going to comfort you because I feel like I have to, or like I’m putting my feelings aside, but genuinely because they dissolve when I see you hurting. You’re a part of me, and your pain is my pain. Immediately in that moment I think about if any of the stupid (or even not stupid reasons) I’m mad is worth you crying, and before I can form the thought the answer is no. I don’t comfort you because I have to, but because I want to.

16. I am so happy when you come with me to V’s events, since you’re much more cultured and refined, and that’s something I am so clueless about.

17. At the lunch with my boss and new teammate, I knew what to do a bit more with my fork, knife, and cloth because of you.

18. At 24 years old, I have finally learned that you hold cups with your right hand. All thanks to you, I don’t make a clown of myself at nicer places.

19. I ask so damn much of you, not just emotionally. I ask you to try different things, I’m stubborn with that sometimes – like with the beer I got at the Super Bowl event. You indulge me on them, even though you’re also stubborn. But I guess I matter more, and you don’t hold it against me.

20. When we went to Six Flags, I remember when I was filling up the Icee cup. I was fully in the wrong, and I wanted to fill up the cup with the straw in it or something dumb. You told me to do it the right way, and I was being a bitch about it, and I refused. That (rightfully) annoyed you, and then I went to do it, and I immediately realized I was in the wrong. I don’t think I even properly apologized, but you let it go. To be fully honest, if I were in your shoes, that would have stuck with me way longer than it did for you. You forgive me so much more easily, and I don’t acknowledge that enough.

21. Thanksgiving and that break time always hurt me so fucking badly. This is the first year I’ve felt like I’m happy to look back at it. It’s not fair that this is only one number. I’ve never felt more seen during this time. I couldn’t even put into words how much you gave me. I spent my whole life looking from the outside in, and you and your family brought me in. No matter what, I will forever be so grateful for that.

22. I have to choke back tears every time I think about the surprise birthday. I didn’t know a love like that was possible until then. I used to always think growing up about how being surprised for your birthday is such a level of love that I couldn’t even dream of. Having people who love you so much that you don’t even have to ask, and they want to go through all that effort just for you? The worst part is that if you ever ask, then it ruins some of that magic. Even if I mention that it’s something I would have wanted. I never once mentioned this to you, and it still happened. That magic is something I’ll forever hold.

23. I know that you had a shitty childhood. I know that you had a lot of things that held you back, like e-dating and VRChat. I can’t blame you for any of it, honestly. I would have done the same if I had access to them. I admire you so much for having that setback and still pushing so hard to become the person I see. Out of the blue, saying that you wanted to cut ties with your exes caught me so off guard. I have felt so much more secure since then, and I thank you for that. That was fully your initiative and a sign of the person you have grown from.

24. The picture on our server is when we watched Kakegurui, and you fell asleep on my chest. You look so calm and at peace, and I feel so insanely wanted and loved there.

25. It annoyed me at first when you cough with your mouth open, but it feels like an inside joke now.

26. I remember how much you hated 67 when I first mentioned it, and now it’s almost a ritual for us. Whenever I hear about it or see it, I think of you.

27. Mazdas, Cybertrucks, Buggies, Mach-E’s, Priuses. I’ve always joked about wanting a girlfriend who would hit me, but you hit pretty hard. (I still want it)

28. The road trip we had was such a core memory for me. I got mad at you, frustrated and overwhelmed, but I wouldn’t have wanted any other navigator. I don’t like long drives like that, but I’d gladly do that over and over again with you.

29. Whenever you laugh at “my hard so life,” I think it’s stupid, but then I see how much you giggle at it, and I then think it’s adorable.

30. I swear I fart more often and louder because of you. I’ve gone from silently farting in a separate room to mid-sentence trying to blow it as loud as possible, and I’ve never felt safer doing that.

31. You made me feel safe enough to do the bucket list thing.

32. We shit infront of each other. Can you think of that for a second? How incredibly safe and vulnerable you are with someone to do that. I wouldn’t imagine doing that with anyone but you.

33. The double-headed shower was fully worth it. I LOVE showers, and the fact that you let me hog the water on my back and never complain is so sweet of you. I’m glad we both get to have it now.

34. I think we’ve crossed the point where you’ve driven towards me for longer than I have for you. I really appreciate that so much. I know it’s not fun to make those drives, and I know that the gas costs a lot. I also know how stressful it is for you, especially at night, and you still make that drive. Thank you.

35. I’ve never had someone that I’ve trusted as much with Hash. He’s my everything, and I trust you with that.

36. When we cuddle together, I get to be in heaven with both you and Hash cuddling me. That’s truly heaven, I have no other words for it.

37. I found out recently that I could have gotten the bedjet for free. I was also on the fence for so long about getting a PS5, which was the same price as the bedjet. I still, in a HEARTBEAT, would get the bedjet 1000 times out of 1000. I get to cuddle up to you no matter what.

38. I’ve always wondered where lore from games comes, and I think it’s from people like you. Your Sims generations are so creative, and I wish I could go back and spend more time hearing about the other stories. I never even got to read the instagram, and that’s my fault, I should have been way more proactive the way that you’ve been for my interests.

39. Watching AoT in schezuan house will stick with me for so long. It freaks me out how some of your theories are dead on, and I think I did a good job of tricking you into thinking they weren’t. I hope you finish the show.

40. I know that Outer Wilds doesn’t seem fun, and I genuinely do not blame you at ALL for never having the urge to do that when we could be doing ANYTHING else. But you still did. And you even kept asking to do it, and remembering. You absolutely crushed me in showing interest in eachothers things.

41. You come with me to social events with people, and it’s so nice to have you as my oasis I can go to no matter what.

42. You’re the perfect blend of competitive, but also not to the point where I actually have to worry about your feelings if I beat you. I get to be competitive too, and I know we’re having fun.

43. You’ve so proudly posted me on your stories, your bios, and I really love having someone who wants to show me off like that.

44. I genuinely find your body so fucking attractive. Even without your personality behind it, I think you’re primarily hot to me. When you add in your personality, I can’t handle it sometimes.

45. You make me feel so fucking safe with sex. I have so much baggage there, and that’s something you’ve helped me through, and thank you so much for that.

46. You started therapy for me, and you even fought for it. That’s so much to ask for from someone, and I couldn’t have forced you to do it. Everyone tells me that I can’t change you, and it can only happen if you want to, and I have proof that you do. I don’t doubt that you want to.

47. I have had my depressive episodes, and I know that I put so much strain on us because of that. You handled them in stride and tanked it, all without making me feel guilty or like a burden, even though I absolutely was. That’s way more than I could have asked for.

I’m forcing myself to stop here because I know I’ll need sleep to not want to kill myself tomorrow morning. I will continue.

Ich greife einen Gedanken auf, der mir seit einiger Zeit nicht mehr aus dem Kopf geht. Er stammt von Robert Spaemann, einem katholischen Philosophen, und ist ebenso schlicht wie unbequem: Bildung ist nicht Ausbildung. Ein gebildeter Mensch ist nicht einfach jemand mit viel Wissen oder mit einer gut verwertbaren Qualifikation, sondern jemand, der Zusammenhänge versteht, urteilen kann und sein Wissen in ein umfassenderes Verständnis von Welt und Mensch einordnet. Bildung, so Spaemann, ist Orientierung. Je länger ich diesen Satz mit mir herumtrage, desto deutlicher wird mir, wie sehr er quer zu vielen gegenwärtigen Debatten steht.

Wer heute über Defizite in Wissenschaft, Politik oder Medien klagt, spricht meist von fehlender Expertise, von mangelnder Professionalität oder von ungenügender Kompetenz. Das klingt zunächst plausibel. Doch bei genauerem Hinsehen beschleicht mich der Verdacht, dass diese Diagnose zu kurz greift. Fachwissen ist so verfügbar wie nie zuvor. Funktionale Fähigkeiten lassen sich erwerben, zertifizieren und laufend aktualisieren. Und dennoch bleibt ein Unbehagen. Was oft fehlt, ist nicht Information, sondern Einordnung. Nicht Können, sondern Urteilskraft. Nicht Eloquenz, sondern #Bildung.

Diese begriffliche Unschärfe ist mehr als ein akademisches Detail. Wenn Bildung und Ausbildung, Kompetenz und Orientierung, Wissen und Verstehen in Eins fallen, verändert sich stillschweigend, was wir von Menschen in verantwortungsvollen Rollen erwarten. Dann genügt es, etwas effizient zu beherrschen, ohne es in einen grösseren Zusammenhang stellen zu können. Genau an diesem Punkt gewinnt Spaemanns Unterscheidung ihre Schärfe. Sie ist ein Massstab für die Gegenwart.

Die Verwechslung

Gerade an der Debatte über generative künstliche Intelligenz zeigt sich, wie sehr wir Bildung und Ausbildung verwechseln. Vor diesem Hintergrund erscheint mir auch diese Debatte in einem anderen Licht. Meist wird die #KI als Bedrohung oder als Effizienzwerkzeug verhandelt. Entweder fürchten wir den Verlust menschlicher Fähigkeiten, oder wir feiern Produktivitätsgewinne. Beides bleibt an der Oberfläche. Denn KI adressiert zunächst Ausbildung, nicht Bildung. Sie liefert Informationen, strukturiert Texte, schlägt Lösungen vor. Was sie nicht kann, ist verstehen, urteilen oder Verantwortung tragen. Bildung lässt sich nicht automatisieren.

Und doch wäre es zu einfach, daraus eine kulturkritische Abwehrhaltung abzuleiten. Gerade in Bildungszusammenhängen kann KI, klug eingesetzt, Räume eröffnen. Nicht als Antwortmaschine, sondern als Gesprächspartnerin. Nicht als Ersatz für Erfahrung, sondern als Anlass zur Reflexion. Wenn sie dazu beiträgt, Fragen zu vertiefen, Perspektiven zu wechseln oder Denkbewegungen sichtbar zu machen, kann sie Breitenbildung unterstützen. Vorausgesetzt, wir verwechseln das Werkzeug nicht mit dem Ziel.

Zwei Stimmen

An dieser Stelle drängt sich mir eine andere Stimme auf, die in der medialen Berichterstattung und in den sozialen Medien der letzten Monate kaum zu überhören ist. Sie klingt ganz anders. Drängend, appellativ und leistungsorientiert. Ihr Kern lautet: Wer jetzt früh versteht, früh nutzt und früh adaptiert, verschafft sich einen entscheidenden Vorteil. KI wird hier nicht als Bildungsfrage, sondern als Karrierethema verhandelt. #Lernen bedeutet vor allem, schneller zu sein als andere. Wer eine Stunde pro Tag experimentiert, sich keine Scheu vor grossen Aufgaben leistet und bereit ist, Teile seiner Arbeit zu automatisieren, wird vorne mitspielen.

Ich halte diese Perspektive nicht für falsch. Sie ist realistisch, wirksam und für viele Menschen attraktiv. Sie trifft einen Nerv unserer Arbeitswelt. Und doch irritiert sie mich. Denn implizit transportiert sie ein bestimmtes Verständnis von Lernen und Bildung. Lernen wird zur Anpassungsleistung, Wissen zur Ressource und die KI zum Beschleuniger. Orientierung spielt dabei kaum eine Rolle. Entscheidend ist, ob etwas funktioniert.

Hier liegt für mich eine zentrale Spannung. Auf der einen Seite steht ein funktionales Bildungsverständnis, das auf Effizienz, Nutzen und individuelle Positionierung ausgerichtet ist. Auf der anderen Seite ein bildungstheoretisches Verständnis, das Lernen als Verhältnis zu sich selbst und zur Welt begreift. Beide Perspektiven schliessen sich nicht aus. Aber sie lassen sich auch nicht nahtlos ineinander überführen. Was verlieren wir aus dem Blick, wenn Bildung auf „Frühsein“ reduziert wird?

Was bleibt

Gerade deshalb scheint mir die Frage nach KI weniger eine technische als eine bildungstheoretische zu sein. Sie zwingt uns, unsere Begriffe zu klären. In Elternhaus, Schule und Erwachsenenbildung entscheidet sich nicht, wie leistungsfähig KI ist, sondern wie wir sie rahmen. Ob schnelle Antworten zählen oder gute Fragen. Ob Output oder Orientierung im Vordergrund steht. Ein Beispiel: Wenn Schülerinnen und Schüler mit KI einen Text schreiben, können sie entweder lernen, wie man ein Werkzeug bedient – oder wie man mit diesem Werkzeug denkt, zweifelt und urteilt. Der Unterschied liegt nicht in der Technologie, sondern in der pädagogischen Haltung.

Eine gewisse Gelassenheit hilft dabei. Technologische Umbrüche verlaufen selten gleichmässig. Sie sind fragmentarisch, widersprüchlich und oft langsamer, als es der öffentliche Diskurs vermuten lässt. Nicht alles verändert sich gleichzeitig, nicht alles sofort. Der Himmel fällt uns nicht auf den Kopf. Aber Übergangszeiten haben es in sich. Sie verlangen nach Menschen, die Zusammenhänge sehen, Unsicherheiten aushalten und Verantwortung übernehmen können. Mit anderen Worten: nach gebildeten Persönlichkeiten.

Vielleicht liegt hier der eigentliche Prüfstein der KI-Debatte. Nicht darin, wie schnell Modelle besser werden, sondern darin, ob wir unsere Unterscheidungen schärfen. Spaemanns Satz wirkt auf mich dabei wie eine Zumutung – aber vielleicht ist gerade diese Zumutung heilsam in einer Zeit, die nach schnellen Antworten verlangt. Bildung ist Orientierung. Wenn das stimmt, dann verschärft KI nicht primär ein Technikproblem, sondern ein Bildungsproblem. Und die Antwort darauf lässt sich nicht automatisieren. Sie beginnt dort, wo wir uns die Zeit nehmen, über unsere Begriffe nachzudenken.

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Bildquelle Pieter Bruegel d. Ä. (1525/30–1569): Grosser Turmbau zu Babel, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wien, Public Domain.

Disclaimer Teile dieses Texts wurden mit Deepl Write (Korrektorat und Lektorat) überarbeitet. Für die Recherche in den erwähnten Werken/Quellen und in meinen Notizen wurde NotebookLM von Google verwendet.

Topic #Selbstbetrachtungen | #Maschinenwelten

Demokratisering av teknologi?

En av mulighetene med generativ KI jeg synes er veldig spennende er muligheten for at mennesker uten teknisk bakgrunn skal kunne lage prototyper på verktøy og produkter de savner. Det kan være snakk om verktøy tilpasset nevrodivergens eller noen som har en utfordring på jobb de vet hvordan kunne vært fikset med riktig verktøy. Kodeverktøy hvor du programmerer ved å skrive eller lese inn naturlig språk kan kanskje bidra til at flere kan bidra til å utvikle digitale produkter.

Kan “hvem som helst” nå lage en app?

Før jul testet jeg forskjellige verktøy som lar deg kode ved hjelp av en agent og som ikke krever at du setter opp fancy greier på maskinen din, aka tilpasset folk som ikke har en naturlig tilbøyelighet til å programmere. Jeg ble imponert, men tenkte det ikke helt var der at produksjonsklare apper kunne bli resultatet. Men jeg vet også at utviklingen går raskt og da jeg så reklame for Replits buildathon hvor du kan konkurrere om å levere en mobilapp laget på Replit ble jeg fristet til å delta.

Rekruttering av et offer

Jeg kan jo programmere. Hvis jeg vibekoder en app er det ikke egentlig så imponerende. Selv om jeg snakker med en KI agent kan jeg såpass mye om programmering at det ikke helt er det samme som når noen uten erfaring gjør det. Jeg kontaktet der for Oda Rygh. Hun liker å lære nye ting og har erfaring med nettdebatt. Det er nyttig i denne sammenhengen (mer om det senere).

Intro til Replit

Jeg tok en tur til Odas hjemmekontor og på et par timer var vi godt i gang på Replit. Eller det vil si, Oda var godt i gang. Det er lett å bli med på slike plattformer og hvis du er vant til chatbotter føles det ganske likt ut å skravle med et verktøy som Replit. Replit har også mange andre muligheter, som at du kan be om å bruke et spesielt rammeverk og du har også mulighet til å se på koden direkte, kjøre ting i terminalen og mye mer som utviklere liker å ha tilgang til. Disse verktøyene forstyrret ikke Oda nevneverdig, så designet passer også godt for nybegynnere.

Tidsbruk

KI-agenten hos Replit har brukt omtrent ti timer på å gjøre ting, hvilket betyr at Oda nok har gitt Replit mer eller mindre sin oppmerksomhet i kanskje 20 timer inne på Replit. I tillegg skjønte Oda raskt at det kan være lurt å bruke andre chattetjenester som ChatGPT eller Claude til å be om hjelp til å prompte Replit for da sparer man credits inne på Replit og du slipper å resette kontekstvinduet midt i noe. Hvor lang tid Oda brukte vet bare Oda. La oss si at Oda brukte en drøy arbeidsuke av sin fritid på dette. Oda er en helt!

En gjeng overivrige juniorer

Noen beskrev vibekoding som å prøve å administerere en gjeng overivrige juniorprogrammere. Ikke bare mangler de oversikten, de gjør også masse andre greier enn det du ber om for å imponere. Noen ganger sletter de litt uten å helt kunne forklare hvorfor. Det er absolutt litt slik med Replit. I tillegg er KI agenter gjerne litt kranglete. Oda og jeg måtte begge argumentere hardt for hvorfor vi ikke ville ha kanji som ikoner på Android. “Det er fint å lære seg nye språk” kunne f.eks agenten melde. Joda, men ikke i denne sammenhengen ... En del av timene brukt på dette prosjektet kunne vært unngått om agenten hadde kranglet litt mindre.

Sikkerhetshull

Jeg ville ikke åpne for offentlig testing via TestFlight og lignende uten å sjekke koden litt grundigere. Jeg valgte å laste over koden til GitHub og brukte Snyk for å lete etter åpenbare svakheter. Snyk fant. Jeg kjørte på videre i ekte vibekoding-stil og kopierte inn oppsummeringene fra Snyk og sa “please fix”. Replit fixet. Jeg gjorde en ny commit og Snyk kjørte automatisk på mitt repository igjen. Snyk fant ikke flere problemer etter at sikkerhetshullene var fikset.

Kodekvalitet

Jeg ville gjerne også få et inntrykk av kodens kvalitet. Siden jeg ikke har programmert i React før og tross alt kjørte dette som et prosjekt for å lære meg siste skrik innen vibing, så koblet jeg SonarCube til mitt repository med koden på GitHub og kjørte automatiske analyser. Dette er det jeg lærte: -Kode gjentas -Forskjellige kodestiler -Vanskelig å vedlikeholde pga unødvendig (?) kompleksitet -Koden var skrevet slik at den kunne gi ytelsesproblemer

Bortsett fra det med ytelse gadd jeg ikke fikse resten. Det er framtidige Grys problem skulle vi faktisk bestemme oss for å lansere denne appen skikkelig. Ytelsesproblemene fikset jeg ved å lime inn oppsummeringen fra SonarCube og jeg verifiserte ved å kjøre appen på noen forskjellige enheter ved hjelp av ExpoGo og sjekket at det var en forbedring.

Lærdom

Ja, hvis du har en klar ide om hva du vil lage og orker å krangle og bruker nok penger på credits kan du absolutt klare å lage en app uten noe særlig kunnskap om programmering. De fleste vil nok også lære litt om hvordan programmer fungerer ved å holde på lenge nok. Per i dag vil jeg anbefale å i tillegg bruke et par verktøy i tillegg for å forbedre koden. Snyk er et eksempel på et verktøy som er fint til å fange opp sikkerhetshull og SonarCube kan hjelpe deg finne ut hvordan du skal be agenten gjøre koden enklere å vedlikeholde. Det finnes sikkert mange slike verktøy på markedet, jeg plukket bare noe jeg kjente litt fra før av. Og det var ganske gøy! Kommer noen av oss til å prøve å leve av mobilapper? Neppe. Vil jeg gjøre noe lignende igjen? Det kan godt hende.