tag:audreyiswright.svbtle.com,2014:/feedAudrey Wright2015-07-07T23:58:17-07:00Audrey Wrighthttps://audreyiswright.svbtle.comSvbtle.comtag:audreyiswright.svbtle.com,2014:Post/5-reasons-it-is-time-to-jump-the-ship2015-07-07T23:58:17-07:002015-07-07T23:58:17-07:005 Reasons it is Time to Jump the Ship<p><img src="http://seriouslymen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/art_of_moving-1728x800_c.jpg" alt="Moving on"><br>
Your lease is about to expire and you already think of signing it for another four years. You’ve been living in the same flat for several years now, and the best word to express your emotional state is silent contempt. You don’t have any plans to relocate—after all, why do you need to, when you already have a home and (probably) a job? Aren’t things going perfect? Isn’t this everything you’ve ever strived for? Is there something else you could possibly ask for?</p>
<p>Why don’t you ask yourself something else. When was the last time you experienced any major change in your life? I am not talking about negative experience, such as the passing of a close relative. I am talking about <u>real</u> change, not necessarily positive. If your lifestyle has stayed the same for the last several years, maybe it is time to look forward to something new?</p>
<p>So, inform your landlord you will leave at the end of the lease, hire <a href="http://www.aussietenancyteam.co.uk/">tenancy cleaning in London</a> (you will need that deposit), and read further for the top five reasons it is time for you to jump the ship.</p>
<h2 id="5-explore-the-world_2">5. Explore the World <a class="head_anchor" href="#5-explore-the-world_2">#</a>
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<p>This might seem as the <u>most</u> obvious reason. You live only once (yes, the swap of words was intentional). You have the choice—live your life to the fullest and visit as many places as possible, or descend into a constant flow of mundane repetitive experience.</p>
<h2 id="4-meet-new-people_2">4. Meet new people <a class="head_anchor" href="#4-meet-new-people_2">#</a>
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<p>No matter how many places you visit, if you do not meet new people, eventually everything will look the same. I’ve found that even when I stay for a prolonged period at the same place, I can bring a little change in my life by seeking interesting people from different cultures.</p>
<p>What is even better is for you to become an interesting person yourself—you just need to ditch that old flat of yours.</p>
<h2 id="3-forces-you-to-be-proactive_2">3. Forces you to be Proactive <a class="head_anchor" href="#3-forces-you-to-be-proactive_2">#</a>
</h2>
<p>Once you settle down and embrace mundane routine, you become passive and unproductive. When was the last time you had a crazy idea that worked? When was the last time you created something by yourself? Is there something you’ve achieved that you are proud of? If not, why settle for the same old boring life? Remember—once you sing that lease, you sign for another four years of life without any satisfaction. It is always better to move out and start anew!</p>
<h2 id="2-remedy-for-procrastination_2">2. Remedy for Procrastination <a class="head_anchor" href="#2-remedy-for-procrastination_2">#</a>
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<p>Procrastination is a real problem that affects more and more people. This isn’t joke matter—lack of motivation and low self-esteem are real psychological issues. To call them “laziness” is to brush them under the rug. Thankfully, there is a cure! Since procrastination is caused by repetitiveness and lack of change, the solution is to really, change something in your life. Move out. If you settle for the same old flat, you will get the same old results (or lack of results). It is always better to seek change, which brings us to our next reason.</p>
<h2 id="1-change-is-always-good-as-long-as-it-isn39t_2">1. Change is Always Good (as long as it isn’t bad) <a class="head_anchor" href="#1-change-is-always-good-as-long-as-it-isn39t_2">#</a>
</h2>
<p>Change is always good, as long as it is not bad. Sometimes, stuff happens in our lives that leads to terrible results. The passing of a loved one, being fired from your job and health problems can drastically change your life style for the worse. But as change doesn’t have bad consequences, it is always good.</p>
<p>There is no such thing as “neutral” change. If it is “neutral” then it is no change at all. If you ditch your old flat for another one just across the street, what’s the difference? If you leave your workplace for the same job at a different place, why bother? If you’re going to invest so much effort, better move forward, don’t mark time.</p>
<p>So get on your feet and start packing! You don’t need a plan, you don’t need a scheme, you don’t need any of that. You don’t even need to go to faraway countries and visit distant lands! Change is even to move to a downtown area of your city, to leave your parent’s house, to start a new, different job or to buy a small cottage instead of rent a crammed flat.</p>
<p>It is time to jump the ship!</p>
tag:audreyiswright.svbtle.com,2014:Post/property-landlords-tenants-and-prosecution2015-04-20T05:26:24-07:002015-04-20T05:26:24-07:00Property Landlords, Tenants and Prosecution<p><strong>Property Owners, Tenants and Prosecution</strong><br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/7vyhbnwabicn2q.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/7vyhbnwabicn2q_small.jpg" alt="london-inventory.jpg"></a><br>
Hey, Are you a property owner? <br>
Is that’s the last news you want to hear?</p>
<p><strong>Charline, <br>
Private Landlord, <br>
Tick Tick Check Inventory Company London</strong></p>
<p>I don’t mean to scare the crap out of you (kinda’) But… <br>
Every day ever more new and experienced landlords are getting prosecuted across the whole nation for failing to meet all legal responsibilities and obligations. Property inventory owners literally having to pay thousands of pounds in housing penalties. It’s scary matter. Well, not for me, because I’m fully compliant. But it’s scary for those who aren’t.</p>
<p><strong>Is that YOU?</strong></p>
<p>The fact is, tenants have become smarter. They are becoming more educated, more aware of their rights, especially since they’re getting support from national charities like <a href="http://http://england.shelter.org.uk/">Shelter (the housing charity)</a>. Essentially, prosecuting landlords has become easy money for housing tenants, especially when it comes down to disputes over property inventory condition in the end of tenancy.</p>
<p><strong>So why wouldn’t renters do that?</strong></p>
<p>Sadly, many housing landlords don’t know what their legal responsibilities and obligations are. That’s a serious problem, which might lead to unpleasant circumstances. Not only it can be an expensive mistake, but also an extremely dangerous one.</p>
<p>To make matters worse, even letting agents, the people so many landlords rely on for guidance, are often unaware (or intentionally neglectful) of the legal responsibilities and obligation required for a rental property pro. But the bottom line is, it’s the landlord’s sole responsibility to ensure a game by the rules. <br>
No one else will.</p>
<p>New laws are often introduced, and if you’re not keeping your ear to the ground, you could find yourself blissfully unaware of your failings to comply with the latest regulations. Needless to say, ignorance of the law is can not be an excuse and won’t get a housing landlord, nor a property renter out of a simple dispute over the <a href="http://www.ticktickcheck.co.uk/blog/property-schedule-of-condition/">inventory schedule of condition</a> in cases when a property inventory inspection is not present.</p>
<p>So today, I just want to quickly give you a run-down of the main legal regulations, that all residential landlords in England should comply with (in no particular order).</p>
<p><strong>1) Housing Gas Safety</strong></p>
<p>All gas work in your rental property must be undertaken by a “Gas Safe” registered engineer- this is a required qualification.</p>
<p>An inspection of all gas appliances that is provided with in the property by the home owner go trough a landlord inventory annually by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. After inspection a warranted Gas Safety. Certificate will be issued for proof of inspection. These certificates cost around £70.</p>
<p><strong>2) Realty Electrical Safety</strong></p>
<p>Every electrical appliance supplied by the landlord must be safe to use; the electrical installation in the house must be completely safe. Unlike the Gas Safety regulations, there is no requirement for the equipment to undergo any safety testing.</p>
<p><strong>3) Property Inventory and Tenancy Deposit Protection</strong></p>
<p>This is where thousands of landlords are currently getting caught out and consequently paying thousands in penalties. The lack of an independent property inventory inspection at the start of a tenancy or lease can be crucial in case of disputes over the schedule of condition. It is highly advisable to perform a tenancy check in and a property check out of property inventory in the end and start of rent.</p>
<p>Landlords must secure their tenants deposits into one of three government approved <a href="https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection/overview">Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP)</a> schemes. Not only that, but the landlord must provide ‘Prescribed Information’ to the tenant, which consists of information about where the deposit is secured, among several other details. It is essential that you protect your tenant’s deposit into a scheme!</p>
<p><strong>4) Energy Performance Certificate (EPC’s)</strong></p>
<p>Landlords must provide an Energy Performance Certificate to all new and prospective tenants. The certificate shows the energy efficiency levels of all property inventory. These are obtainable by independent Energy Performance Certificates providers. They cost approximately £70 and each certificate will last your housing for 10 years, unless major renovation work is carried out on the rental property itself.</p>
<p><strong>5) Taxation of Income</strong></p>
<p>Remember, this is a profiteering business! So, despite popular belief, landlords are required to pay tax on their housing income and gain.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs">HMRC</a> have been aggressively chasing down tax-dodging landlords for the last few years, and they’re increasingly getting more serious with the crackdown.</p>
<p>So if you haven’t been declaring your rental income, I wouldn’t hold out any longer. They are coming for you!</p>
<p><strong>6) Landlord License</strong></p>
<p>This is a newly introduced scheme that’s been applied to selective areas, based on low demand for housing and significant or persistent anti-social behaviour problems. In these specific areas, the landlord will need to apply for a ‘landlord licence’ before they can let their property. Failing to do so can result in punishable fines of up to £20,000.</p>
<p>To qualify for a licence, a landlord must be able to demonstrate that they are acting within the law and taking appropriate steps to manage their properties. If you’re unsure if your property is in a landlord license zone, you can call your local council or speak to local letting agents.</p>
<p>I’ve just covered a few of the main regulations ALL landlords should be complying with. If you’ve gone through the list, and you’re unsure you haven’t complied with them all, I would recommend addressing those issues immediately!</p>
<p>I hope this has been helpful/educational, and even encouraged some of you to get on the right side of the law!</p>
tag:audreyiswright.svbtle.com,2014:Post/10-critically-endangered-animals-20142014-05-13T12:55:17-07:002014-05-13T12:55:17-07:0010 Definitions of what Critically Endangered means<p><strong>1. The Amur Leopard</strong><br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/bekoy7yan7r8g.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/bekoy7yan7r8g_small.jpg" alt="amur-leopard-hd.jpg"></a></p>
<p>This is a rare subspecies of the leopard. The animal only live in the cold and snowy northern parts of Asia, where other members of the leopard family wouldn’t last the winter. It’s the only of it’s kind to adapt to cold climate. What makes it possible is a think coat of fur, covered by the all famous leopard spot pattern.</p>
<p>It’s habitats includes small parts of the Primorye region of south-eastern Russia and the Jillin province in north-eastern China. Lately, the habitats in China have been under question if any animals remain. Previously, the Amur leopard has been occupying some parts of Korea as well.</p>
<p>It’s so rare, it’s under the Critically Endangered graph since 1966 till now. Only 15-20 adults have been counted in 2007. Including the cubs, no more than 26 animals in total remain in existence.</p>
<p>The main threats to their survival are poaching, forest degradation, development projects, inbreeding<br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ac7w2zil1q4t9a.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ac7w2zil1q4t9a_small.jpg" alt="Amur-Leopard-Wallpaper-HD.jpg"></a></p>
<p><strong>2. Javan Rhinoceros</strong><br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/juvq7kesrg6scw.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/juvq7kesrg6scw_small.jpg" alt="javan_rhino_624.jpg"></a><br>
Out of the five extant species of rhinos, the Javan rhinoceros is the most rarest and endangered. Only 40-60 animals remain in existence on the Island of Java (thus the name) in Indonesia.</p>
<p>There have been number of rhinos, documented in captivity, but the animal doesn’t strive when captured. While the wild animals live up to 40 years, the oldest captive one reached 20 before passing away. Furthermore, there hasn’t been one case of a captive Javan rhino giving offspring.</p>
<p>Pre-2011, Vietnam was also a sitting of the species, but the last remaining rhino of the population was slain by poachers in the same year. Previous habitats include Assam, Bengal, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and possibly Borneo. However, the animal has been hunted down for his horn.</p>
<p>Folklore recipes used the horn to create medicine for various illnesses, but it hasn’t been documented whether it actually works, or it’s only mythology.</p>
<p>Now the few remaining species are protected in the Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia.<br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/jqk4wcusf2zva.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/jqk4wcusf2zva_small.jpg" alt="javan-rhino-camera-trap-clearing_32632_600x450.jpg"></a></p>
<p><strong>3. The Northern Sportive Lemur</strong><br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/fpov9lumzil1cq.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/fpov9lumzil1cq_small.jpg" alt="nothern sportive lemur.jpg"></a></p>
<p>The names comes mainly from the stance of the animal. In casual position, the lemur looks like ready to box. This species can be located, only and restrictedly in the northern ranges of Madagascar.</p>
<p>Due to degenerating habitats, resulting from logging in their ranges, the lemur, in general, has been steadily declining in numbers. That and illegal hunting are the main reason for endangering the entire family of species.</p>
<p>No more than 20 individual animals from the Northern Sportive Lemur species remain in existence.<br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wrw5sk2tw4zmg.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wrw5sk2tw4zmg_small.jpg" alt="nothern sportive lemur 2 .jpg"></a></p>
<p><strong>4. The Right Whale</strong><br>
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<p>The Right whale is actually a group of three species of the animal, based on their common territory. The North Atlantic, North Pacific and Sounther Right whales are of the larger members of the whale family. They are migrant species, so they don’t have an exact habitat.</p>
<p>Reaching sizes of 18 metres and 100 tonnes, these marine behemoths are smaller than their blue brother, but significantly larger than most other species.</p>
<p>The name Right comes from the old 19th century whale hunting era. Then, this species was considered preferential to hunt, due to it’s amounts of whale oil and it’s buoyancy after death, thus the name “Right”.</p>
<p>It’s the most endangered of all whales and amounts to no more than 350 animals in total. Although the hunting days, which nearly drove it to extinction are far over, the Right whale still suffers from human actions. Industrial fishing gear, left behind at sea is a very common killer of the whale in general. When entangled with the various nets, lines and other gear, the whales often can’t reach the surface and drown.<br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wkmaptac68dnng.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wkmaptac68dnng_small.jpg" alt="rightwhale3.JPG"></a></p>
<p><strong>5. The Saola</strong><br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/nohavlagarruug.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/nohavlagarruug_small.jpg" alt="Female_saola2.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Often referred to as the Asian unicorn, this animal is so rare and mystical. It was first discovered in 1992, when scientists found odd shaped skulls in a hunters hut. Later, it was seen in 1998 and 1999, but afterwards it disappeared and was unseen until 2010. In that year, a living specimen was captured by villagers in Laos, but died, before it could be returned into the wild. In 2013, a major discovery occurred, when a camera trap captured the Saola in it’s lenses.</p>
<p>It’s known to resemble an antelope, even though scientists say it’s closer related to cattle. It features two straight and somewhat parallel running horns on it’s head. An adult animal is not more than a metre high at shoulder level and around a metre and half in length.</p>
<p>Information on the Saola is scarce, as it’s yet to be studied in it’s natural habitat. Numbers are though to be near zero, but after the discovery, scientists are optimistic of it’s future and survival.<br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dyinxkoovrdwq.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dyinxkoovrdwq_small.jpg" alt="saola2.jpg"></a></p>
<p><strong>6. Leatherback Sea Turtle</strong><br>
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<p>It’s the biggest turtle in the world. The Leatherback is also the fourth biggest reptilian in the world, making way only to the biggest crocodiles like the American Alligator, or the Saltwater Crocodile. The biggest differentiation from other turtles is it’s shell. Instead of having the hard-boned shell, it’s carapace is covered by hardened skin and flesh. It’s flexible and rubbery, with unique sharp edges on the top, making it stand out significantly from other turtles.</p>
<p>The Leatherback has no known location, as it has bigger territorial range than any other animal in existence. It’s known to nest in the sub-tropical sandy beaches, but it travels all the way to the sub-polar regions and inhabits the icy waters.</p>
<p>Since 1982, it’s population has shrunk more than three times. It’s status stands at vulnerable, but it loses numbers in such a drastic amount, it can go extinct in a couple of years time.</p>
<p>The largest reason for it’s endangerment is the exploitation of it’s nests. The eggs are stolen and eaten as delicacy, or give some other application. <a href="https://storify.com/AudreyIsWright/world-s-largest-landfill">Marine pollution</a> is also a big threat. Plastic, in particular, is sometimes mistaken for food, when in smaller pieces and ingested.<br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dh7avx9t9rgzoq.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/dh7avx9t9rgzoq_small.jpg" alt="baby leatherback turtle Gale Bishop.jpg"></a></p>
<p><strong>7. Mountain Gorilla</strong><br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wmzuicwsuqenga.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/wmzuicwsuqenga_small.jpg" alt="mountain gorilla baby.jpg"></a></p>
<p>This ape is one of the largest in the gorilla family. It’s one of the subspecies of the eastern gorilla. It’s habitats are various regions of Uganda, including the Bwindi Impenetrable Nation Park in Uganda and the Virunga Mountains in the Republic of Congo.</p>
<p>Those habitats suffer major territorial losses due to coal production and agricultural development. All of this and illegal hunting, war and instability in the African continent has shrunk down the Mountain gorilla species to no more than 620 individuals in 1989. Because of it’s bulky size and threatening posture, once it was thought the gorilla is dangerous to the nearby inhabitants, so it was slain and hunted mercilessly. However, in reality, the species is gentle and peaceful and would not attack unless threatened.</p>
<p>Later, conservation efforts have managed to not only protect the remaining animals, but also allow them to increase in number in the following years.</p>
<p>Now there are 880 Mountain gorillas, which shines an optimistic light on the matter of protecting the endangered life around us.<br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ojx1rkpfplecza.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ojx1rkpfplecza_small.jpg" alt="kurira_gorilla_and_baby.jpg"></a></p>
<p><strong>8. White-headed Langur</strong><br>
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<p>This small primate inhabits the caves in the Cat Ba Island in Vietnam and often it bears the name - Cat Ba Langur. Some small populations are found also at Guanxi, China. They are highly social and live in groups. While a part of the group goes hunting and scavenging, the others protect the young members of the species and their homes. They are excellent and agile climbers.</p>
<p>What’s left of the species is around 60-70 protected individuals. What’s led to such extinction is hunting and habitat loss, due to development and pollution. They are now protected by law.<br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/pplmyfkjarxsyw.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/pplmyfkjarxsyw_small.jpg" alt="White-headed_Lemur,_Masoala_National_Park,_Madagascar_2.jpg"></a></p>
<p><strong>9. Island Fox</strong><br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/b9ljyryee2tzjw.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/b9ljyryee2tzjw_small.jpg" alt="island fox.jpg"></a><br>
This is a small fox, occupying the Channel Islands of California. It divides into six other subspecies, depending on the location/island they inhabit. It’s one of the smallest foxes in North America, only reaching 50 centimetres of length, excluding the tail. </p>
<p>The Golden Eagle increase in population after the 1990s became an extremely severe issue in their survival. Since the bird is a few times larger than the Island Fox, it easily made it it’s pray and the population of the foxes dwindled. </p>
<p>The introduction of new animal species to the islands in the previous century caused a degradation to their habitat and food supply, which contributed to their extinction. Because the fox populations are isolated from the outer world, they are very vulnerable to introduced diseases and viruses.</p>
<p>There are now less than 700 individuals, including all six subspecies.<br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/rrnhpt0tuedwaw.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/rrnhpt0tuedwaw_small.jpg" alt="Island_fox_kits.jpg"></a></p>
<p><strong>10. Spoon-billed Sandpiper</strong><br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/zughvpiiiu44yw.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/zughvpiiiu44yw_small.jpg" alt="Young-spoon-billed-sandpiper-c-Nicky-Hiscock-2.jpg"></a></p>
<p>This little bird bears it’s name from the distinctive shape of it’s bill. Rather than sharp and pointy, it spreads out like a spatula, or a spoon, thus the name. The little creature reaches sizes of only 16 centimetres in the adult individuals.</p>
<p>It inhabits the lands of North-eastern Russia and South-eastern Asia. Estimates tell us fewer than 1000 of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper remain in the world.</p>
<p>Deforestation and development are the most critical reasons for it’s extinction, since they destroy their natural habitats.<br>
<a href="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ugyi2xnxlodyua.jpg"><img src="https://svbtleusercontent.com/ugyi2xnxlodyua_small.jpg" alt="spoon-billed-sandpiper-male-13-june-2011-martin-j-mcgill-copy.jpg"></a></p>
<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p>
<p>Non of these, or any other species have gone extinct due to natural reasons. Every endangered species has to thank humanity’s actions and decisions for it’s fate in the world.</p>
<p>Development, deforestation and logging, pollution, waste and hunting are all actions we chose to do, and not forced to do. We have to take responsibility for our own deeds, and if we’re to make amends, we must rethink our whole idea of existence in this world. All creatures were made to co-exist in a complex life-system. It may seem brutal at times, but everything has evolved into it’s place on this world and destroying it, we slowly destroy the entire system, including us.</p>
<p>It’s not only a mater of preserving unique species, but a matter of our survival as well.</p>
<p><strong>About Audrey Wright:</strong><br>
She’s a freelance writer, blogger and graphic designer from London. She graduated the City of Westminster College with an A-level degree in English Language and Literature. <br>
She is a co-author at <a href="http://dgeneralist.blogspot.co.uk">dGeneralist</a> and a contributer to <a href="http://www.moveoutmates.co.uk/">Move out Mates</a></p>