After the 2016 election, Altman, who tweeted that he voted against Donald Trump, said he decided to talk to 100 Trump supporters around the US to understand what they did and didn’t like about the president. He also wanted to know “what would convince them not to vote for him in the future.”
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton
Drew Angerer/Getty Image
In a thread on Twitter, Altman said he was “voting against Trump because I believe the principles he stands for represent an unacceptable threat to America.”
He also said Peter Thiel, who was still working with YC at the time, “is a high profile supporter of Trump,” and that, “I disagree with this.”
But, he said, “YC is not going to fire someone for supporting a major party nominee.”
During his interviews, Altman said he “did not expect to talk to so many Muslims, Mexicans, Black people, and women in the course of this project.”
He said almost everyone he approached was willing to talk to him, but they also didn’t want to share their names in fear of being “targeted by those people in Silicon Valley if they knew I voted for him.” Altman said one of the people he talked to in Silicon Valley made him sign a confidentiality agreement before talking because she was scared of losing her job for supporting Trump.
Three May dog holidays stick out for me: National Dog Mom’s Day (for obvious reasons), International Chihuahua Appreciation Day (see my Chiweenie, Lucy, in the photo!) and National Rescue Dog Day. Even though both my girls, Emmy and Lucy, now comfortably lounge around my house on their oversized beds, they once had no homes. During the height of the Covid pandemic, Emmy was abandoned at a school about an hour from my house. One of the teachers (my friend’s aunt) noticed a white, scruffy, furry dog around campus at all hours. She kindly took the dog to the vet, confirmed with the small community there was no responsible dog parent, and through social media efforts, Emmy made her way to our family. She loves to “talk,” to us (she picture) and is a happy and playful 3-year-old pup. Rescuing is not an option for everyone, but if you do ever have the chance to care for a homeless dog, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience.
May is also Westminster Kennel Club Dog show month and we’ve listed all the events, dates and links, so you won’t miss any of the furtastic action. Competing in dog shows isn’t as intimidating as it seems; it’s a fun way to bond with your dog. Nearly any dog breed (purebred or mixed breed) can enter and there’s a variety of events for all sizes and personality types. Read more about options for your dog and how to enter local dog competitions.
Planning to attend any dog events near you? Send us pictures of your pup to be featured on our social media pages.
May 2 – 3, 2023: Amazon Pet Day. For 48 hours, snag deals on thousands of pet products and supplies on Amazon.com. In addition to deals, Amazon Pets is donating more than $100,000 to a number of local nonprofits that support animal welfare. For more information, read this Amazon Pet Day 2023 FAQ.
May 5 – 7, 2023: Paws Chicago Spring Adopt-A-Thon. The 11th annual adopt-a-thon features a variety of pets, including several litters of kittens, dogs rescued from storms and gentle older pets as well. Adoptions are by appointment; walk-ins are welcome but subject to appointment availability. Held at the PAWS Chicago Lincoln Park Adoption Center. View the adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment at: www.pawschicago.org/adopt.
May 6, 2023: Coffee for Canines. Support Watson’s Wish Foundation, a nonprofit that helps fund surgeries for dogs, while socializing and sipping coffee. This event will take place at the Third Wind Coffee Taproom at the Sunbury Station, 100 North 3rd Street in Sunbury, PA. The fun includes, special drinks, a fundraising basket raffle and a photographer taking pictures of the dogs and their humans.
May 6, 2023: Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 9th annual Puppy Prom. This prom-themed reunion has brought together former orphan pets and their families from “graduating classes” as far back as 2004. Once again, the event returns to welcome pups decked out in delightful doggy dresses, tuxes, boutonnieres and painted paw-nails. The prom-themed party is free to all Helen Woodward Animal Center alumni and other rescue-supporting guests. Junior and senior pooches can participate in such time-honored activities as the crowning of a Best Dressed “Prom King and Queen” ($15 per entry – ENTER HERE! ) Hosted by Original 40 Brewing Company – 3117 University Ave, San Diego, CA.
May 6, 2023: 8th Annual Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster. Test dogs’ ability to comply with the asks of the handler. Purebred and mixed-breed dogs compete. Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY. Visit Westminster.kennelclub.org for more info.
May 6, 2023: Masters Agility Championship at Westminster. Presented by Purina Pro Plan. Timed competition testing for dogs’ ability to compete obstacle course following cues of human handler. Purebred and mixed breed dogs compete. Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY. Visit Westminster.kennelclub.org for more info.
May 8-9, 2023: 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Presented by Pro Plan. Hound, Toy, Non-sporting, Herding Breeds and Variety Groups compete on Monday, May 8th; Sporting, Working, Terrier Breeds and variety group compete Tuesday the 9th. Junior Showmanship Finals and Best in Show on Tuesday the 9th. Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY. Visit Westminster.kennelclub.org for more info.
May 26, 2023: Frankenmuth Dog Bowl. Olympic-stye festival for dogs with activities like doc diving, disc competitions, wiener races, pet parades and more. Held at the Frankenmuth River Place Shops in Frankenmuth, MI. For more info, click here.
Top economists see a painful credit squeeze and crash in the commercial real estate market.
David Rosenberg predicted the US will tip into a recession by September.
“A recession is a very big call because it’s a haircut to national income,” he said.
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It’s an uncertain time for the US economy.
GDP growth slowed more sharply than expected in the first quarter. More and more companies are announcing mass layoffs. Inflation has cooled by remains high, raising new questions about how high the Federal Reserve will lift rates.
Elsewhere, turmoil has slammed regional banks. Silicon Valley Bank collapsed last month, and First Republic Bank could be the next shoe to drop.
The consensus view has zig zagged and now looks like less of a consensus. For what it’s worth, here’s what three top economists are saying about the US economy.
David Rosenberg
The former chief North American economist at Merrill Lynch predicted the US will tip into a recession by September. He also sees a 20% downside in stocks and a damaging credit crunch.
On Blockworks’ On The Margin podcast this week, the founder and president of Rosenberg Research offered some other hot takes.
“I don’t think there are enough rate cuts priced in for next year. There’s a serious risk we’re going back down to the zero bound in a recession that ends up destroying demand and causing inflation to decline.”
“A recession is a very big call because it’s a haircut to national income. It’s as if the whole country takes a pay cut. It’s not that we take the Lamborghini from 80 down to 20. It’s that we go in reverse.”
“It was like the Energizer Bunny — it gave us a little bit more juice. But to say that we’re not going to have a recession because of lagged impacts of fiscal stimulus from two years ago is ridiculous. The leading indicators are telling me that the recession is actually starting this quarter or next quarter. It’s certainly not a 2024 story.”
Jeremy Siegel
The Wharton professor said don’t be fooled by the current upbeat earnings season because the US economy is undergoing a credit crunch. “The impact is there, it’s just not in the data yet,” Siegel told CNBC of first-quarter financial results.
In a weekly note to clients, Siegel also added:
“I still believe the cumulative effect of tightening rates and the banking reverberations will slow things down dramatically and make it hard for the stock market to break out from these high levels it has reached several times before.”
“I remain uncharacteristically cautious until the Fed ‘gets it’ and not only pauses but says it is starting to look at rate cuts. I believe the real interest rate is too high to sustain normal growth at this point in the cycle.”
Mohamed El-Erian
The chief economic adviser at Allianz said large institutions like the Fed must adapt quickly on handling this unprecedented macro environment.
The top economist broke down his outlook in a Financial Times column released on Friday.
“Markets will punish companies and their managements if they do not adapt. Indeed, we are likely to see more financial stress and bankruptcies for businesses lacking resilience, as well as those with operating approaches that are not easily adaptable to a world of higher rates for longer. The latter includes commercial real estate whose moment of truth will materialise as more than $1tn of holdings need to be refinanced in the next 18 months.”
“Without [adaptability], the steadying and guiding role of US institutional maturity will weaken even faster in the face of eroding credibility, turning this once dominant US comparative advantage into an even greater source of domestic and global instability.”
Food puzzles enrich your dog’s life and can be used as feeding bowls. They slow down mealtime for a dog who scarfs his food and double as a thinking toy. Aside from choosing the correct puzzle level, which ranges in difficulty from levels 1 to 4, teaching your dog to use a food puzzle enriches both you and your dog!
How to choose the best dog food puzzle
Consider what your dog enjoys doing: Rolling a ball, pawing at something or just sniffing.
Choose your food puzzle based on your dog’s interests.
Interactive puzzles for dogs have different ways to distribute the food you place in it. Some are ball-shaped and dispense food as they roll, while others require your dog to lift or slide pieces with his paw or muzzle. Dogs sniff out the hidden food treasures in simple food puzzles called snuffle mats and even simpler, dogs lick food from a mat.
3 tips for picking the best dog food puzzle
Ask yourself: What’s a natural thinking toy for my dog? After all, using a puzzle toy should be fun for the dog, not frustrating.
For beginners, choose the easiest level interactive puzzle. Set your dog up to succeed, so that he wants to continue using it.
Choose the right size and shape for your dog. Got a large dog? Choose a durable and larger food puzzle. Conversely, if you have a toy-sized dog, the puzzle toy should be lightweight enough for him to manipulate.
Dog food puzzle training tips
First: Don’t rush the process. Rushing frustrates your dog. Only after he feels confident with the easier food puzzles, teach him to use more difficult levels and toys.
Teach your dog to use a food puzzle in 7 steps
Wait until your dog is hungry, so he’s motivated to find the food inside the puzzle.
Use enticing, high-value treats, such as meat, fish or cheese treat with a strong odor. I suggest freeze-dried liver, fish or cheese in small pieces. Dry treats work best for puzzles that dispense goodies like balls or have pieces that need to be maneuvered. For lick mats and bowls, use a moist food or mix.
Start at an easy level (1 to 2) and put a lot of treats in the toy. Do not freeze the toy, even if it’s meant to be frozen, such as a Kong, Toppl, maze dish or lick mat, because this increases the difficulty level.
Let him sniff and interact with the puzzle toy.
Praise and encourage your pup while he explores the toy.
Give him time and space to manipulate the toy. Don’t rush him.
End the session on a positive note after he’s gotten some of the treasured treats out of the puzzle.
If the toy seems too difficult or not the right one for your dog, end the session on a good note by playing with him. Next time, try a different puzzle toy that better suits his level and interest.
After you see what toys work best with your dog, add more difficult toys to his repertoire.
Food puzzles lessen boredom and increase the quality of your dog’s life. Choosing the one that’s best for your pup will make the journey productive and fun. The mental stimulation the toys provide will enrich both your and your dog’s lives. And your pup will gain confidence in the process.
For our latest lookbook, we’ve collected eight peaceful kitchens with Scandinavian design details, in homes including a chalet in Belgium and a forest retreat in Sweden.
Plenty of wood and stone, minimalist details and practical solutions make these eight interiors from across the world good examples of Scandinavian kitchen design.
As well as being stylish, the pared-down interiors make for functional, clutter-free kitchens where it is easy to find and use all the items needed to make a meal in a relaxing atmosphere.
Architecture studio Norm Architects designed this kitchen in a traditional Swedish timber cabin using oakwood to create a warm feel.
Its discrete handleless low-lying cupboards have plenty of storage space, while a stone splashback is both decorative and functional. A black tap adds graphic contrast.
A carved lightwell brings light into this sundrenched kitchen in a villa in Denmark. The brick tiles that clad the kitchen wall give the room a tactile feeling.
The floor of the open-plan kitchen is made from herringbone parquet, a style often seen in living room that here gives the kitchen area a more luxurious feel.
This Stockholm flat might be the exception that proves the rule when it comes to Scandinavian kitchen design – that it has to be designed using discrete colours and materials.
Instead, local studio Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor chose a pale lilac hue for the kitchen, which nevertheless features wooden details in the form of a table and chairs. An orange pendant light contrasts nicely with the monochrome kitchen.
Danish homeware brand Vipp used one of its own modular kitchens for Vipp Pencil Factory, a pop-up supper club in Copenhagen.
The dark-brown wood, commonly used in Scandinavian kitchens, contrasts against the grey concrete walls of the former pencil factory and is complimented by glass cabinets and a marble benchtop.
Local designer Maayan Zusman renovated this apartment in Tel Aviv using plenty of Scandinavian brands and details, including lamps by Gubi and chairs by Ferm Living.
A pared-back colour palette and Crittal windows that let the light in also give the kitchen a slightly industrial feel.
This 1960s chalet in Belgium features light-filled living spaces, including a wood-and-stone kitchen that has plenty of storage spaces and large windows that open up towards a lush garden.
Even the kitchen fan has a plywood cover to ensure it matches the rest of the space.
Nicknamed the “house of offcuts” because it has a facade made of offcuts of wooden flooring material, this weekend retreat in Lillesand, Norway, has a kitchen with a view.
The Scandinavian kitchen design is underlined by the use of Danish furniture brand Carl Hansen & Søn‘s classic CH24 Wishbone chairs, which have been placed around a wooden dining table.
Located in the forested landscape of Tänndalen in western Sweden, The Hat House has a traditional Swedish kitchen with an entirely wood-lined interior.
To save space, a small floating shelf was used to provide open storage, rather than cupboards. Contrasting dark black and grey colours were used for the splashback as well as the kitchen island.
Bitcoin could climb by $20,000 if a US default happened, Standard Chartered’s Geoff Kendrick said.
Not every crypto would act similarly, with some behaving more like equities, he told Insider.
“So actually, the optimal trade would probably be long bitcoin, short ethereum.”
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With the looming debt ceiling crisis showing no signs of a resolution, both bond and equity markets have become jittery.
But while some investors are fearful of a historic default, one asset could potentially rise through such a situation: Bitcoin.
Describing a US default as a “low-probability, high-impact event,” Geoff Kendrick, head of FX research at Standard Chartered, said it may cause the bitcoin to jump by about $20,000, representing an increase of 68% from current levels.
He told Insider that’s because the top cryptocurrency by market cap has a reputation for performing well in periods of stress and is often seen as a safe haven, especially as it is a decentralized asset.
But Kendrick doesn’t think bitcoin would rally in a straight line in the event of a US default, saying “it probably comes a bit lower on day one or day two or week.” In that case, bitcoin could dip by $5,000 initially, then jump by $25,000, he estimated.
And not every cryptocurrency would follow bitcoin’s behavior, he added, with others like ethereum trading more like stocks, which would likely fall in a default.
“So actually, the optimal trade would probably be long bitcoin, short ethereum. That sort of mix would probably be a good expression of this,” Kendrick said.
With House Republicans and the White House still far from a deal to raise the debt ceiling, yields on three-month Treasurys recently jumped to a 22-year high, as they would mature around a potential default date.
Meanwhile, bitcoin is still recovering from a massive sell-off that began in late 2021 and continued through much of 2022 as the Federal Reserve embarked on an aggressive tightening cycle.
But bitcoin has rallied nearly 80% so far in 2023 and recently neared $30,000 as First Republic Bank’s woes reignited fears over the financial sector.
For his part, Kendrick is already bullish on bitcoin, saying in a note on Monday that it could surge to $100,000 by the end of 2024 due to bank turmoil, bitcoin halving, and the expected end of Fed rate hikes, among other things, though it didn’t mention the risk of a US default.
“While sources of uncertainty remain, we think the pathway to the USD 100,000 level is becoming clearer,” he wrote.
Stacy Nordstrom is an award-winning freelance writer and technical editor who specializes in pet, music, and technology topics. Her articles have appeared in Catster, CAT FANCY, and Cats USA, among other publications. Stacy lives in Southern California with a sweet 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel/Labrador mix named Maggie and a 17-year-old gray shorthair cat named Mollie. You can find Stacy on Instagram at @stacy_m_nordstrom, where she posts pictures of her garden, sunsets, sailing adventures, and her pets being cute.
Republican megadonor Peter Thiel is not planning to donate to any 2024 GOP candidates.
Sources told Reuters that he’s unhappy with the GOP’s positions on abortions and transgender rights.
Thiel wants Republicans to talk less about the culture wars, and more about China, per Reuters.
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Billionaire Republican megadonor Peter Thiel is not planning to donate to any political candidates in 2024 because he’s unhappy with the GOP’s positions on several important social issues, according to Reuters.
One source, a Thiel business associate, said that the GOP’s positions on abortion and restrictions on which bathrooms transgender students can use in schools contributed to his decision.
The source said that Thiel believes Republicans are making a mistake by honing in on culture war topics for 2024, and prefers candidates to instead focus on US innovation and competing with China.
Both sources said that Thiel, who has a net worth of more than $8 billion, has declared on several recent occasions that he has taken a step back entirely from US politics.
Four other sources confirmed to Reuters that Thiel, who was born in Germany and later went on to co-found PayPal, has plans to withdraw from American political life, with one person saying that concerns over his family’s safety have influenced his decision.
Thiel donated some $1.25 million to the 2016 campaign efforts of Trump, which set him up as an outlier in Silicon Valley.
But he didn’t financially back Trump’s re-election efforts in 2020, with one source close to Thiel telling Reuters that the businessman was turned off by the chaos surrounding Trump’s persona.
Thiel contributed more than $25 million to federal-level GOP candidates in 2022, making him the 10th largest donor to either party in the midterm congressional elections, according to Reuters, which cited OpenSecrets data.
Insider contacted Thiel for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
The news that Thiel does not intend to contribute to GOP candidates in 2024 follows reports that Republican megadonors are souring on Gov. Ron DeSantis, with some attributing it to similar reasons.
Thomas Peterffy, for example, told the Financial Times that DeSantis’ “stance on abortion and book banning” meant that he and “his friends” are no longer planning to give their financial support to the Republican governor.
Looking for a treatment that will give your Clients soft, smooth and perfectly hydrated-looking lips? Our Lip Trio may be the answer. This natural lip treatment offers visible results and an indulgent spa experience that your Clients will love. We’ll take a closer look at this lip protocol and explore why it’s a must-have addition to your spa menu.
As a spa professional and skin care expert, it’s important to understand the causes of dry and dehydrated lips to address your Clients’ discomfort. After all, the lips are part of skin care too! While sometimes these terms get confused, dry lips and dehydrated lips have different causes and need to be addressed in different ways.
Causes of Dry Lips
Genetics and lack of natural oils: Dry lips are a skin type, where the skin on the lips lacks natural oils and can feel rough, scaly or cracked. The skin on the lips is thinner than the skin on other parts of the body and, as a result, it has fewer oil glands to produce natural oils.
Exposure to cold, dry air: When winter comes around, the cold air and dry climate can cause the moisture in the lips to evaporate quickly, leading to dryness and cracking.
Use of harsh or drying lip products: Certain lip products contain ingredients that can irritate some individuals who are already prone to dry skin. Ingredients include menthol, beeswax or paw paw, for example.
Medical conditions: Skin conditions that cause dryness and inflammation, like eczema or psoriasis, can also affect the skin on the lips, leading to dryness and cracking.
Causes of Dehydrated Lips
Lack of hydration in the body: Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition where the skin lacks water or hydration. Dehydration can cause the lips to feel dry and tight.
Excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption:Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which means they can increase the amount of urine you produce and cause you to lose more fluids, leading to all-over dehydration.
Medications: Some medications can also have a diuretic effect, which can lead to dehydration and dry lips.
Medical conditions: Medical conditions, such as diabetes, can affect the body’s ability to retain moisture, leading to dehydrated lips.
What Is The Lip Trio Protocol?
The Lip Trio is a three-step system that is designed to exfoliate, plump and hydrate the lips. It can be incorporated into any facial or spa service; It’s also a great retail item, as Clients can continue to use this trio at home to maintain results. The system includes three products:
Citrus Enzyme Lip Exfoliator
The Citrus Enzyme Lip Exfoliator is a gentle exfoliating scrub made with natural enzymes and Vitamin C to slough away dead skin cells and reveal smoother, softer lips. It is formulated with orange and lemon peel, both natural exfoliants and antioxidants rich in Vitamin C.
Lip Comfort Plumping Masque
This luxurious lip mask is crafted with a blend of shea butter, avocado oil and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and plump the lips. It also contains paprika extract, which creates a natural flush and plumping effect on the lips.
Citrus Lip Balm
Indulge Clients with a petroleum-free, citrus-infused lip treat that combines the nourishing benefits of shea butter and sunflower seed oil to provide optimal hydration and a gorgeous shine to your lips. Our lip care formula is enriched with natural peptides that, with regular use, help to create a plumping effect that smooths fine lines and lends the lips a more youthful and voluptuous appearance.
One customer, Veronica R., left this review regarding the Lip Trio: “I am a believer! So, I was skeptical. My lips always tend to be dry. I have tried many different products which really haven’t made any difference. I went ahead and used this product together and was shocked to see how smooth my lips felt. It was amazing with just one application (used all three products per instructions).”
How To Perform The 3-Step Lip Trio Protocol
Step 1: Exfoliate
Remove any lipstick or foundation from the lip outline area using one of the following cleansers:
Apply a thin layer of the Citrus Enzyme Lip Exfoliator to the lip outline and lip surface. Allow to remain on for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove with a damp sponge and blot with a tissue or clean towel.
Step 2: Comfort
Following the lip exfoliation, apply a thin layer of the Lip Comfort Plumping Masque to the lip outline and lip surface. Allow the mask to penetrate for 5 minutes. Then remove the product with a damp sponge and blot it with a tissue or clean towel.
Step 3: Plump And Hydrate
Apply the Citrus Lip Balm as the last step of the facial. If you’ve applied a moisturizer or the Sun Defense Minerals to the Client’s skin, you’ll want to apply the Citrus Lip Balm after these products. Apply it directly to the lips.
After Care
For best results, recommend the take-home retail Citrus Lip Balm product. Ask the Client to use it as often as required (up to a daily basis) so that they see the desired lip-plumping results they’re looking for.
Give it a try and see how it can benefit your spa and your Clients today. You can also find out how to become an Eminence Organics Spa Partner here.
Kristina Lotz has been a writer on all-things animal for over a decade. A former CPDT-KA dog trainer, she has competed in agility, herding and rally with her dogs. Now, she clicker trains her horse! Follow life on her farm @MeridaTheBitless.
