#&039;The Shape of History&039;

[jazzdailyblog]

Billy Higgins: The Rhythmic Pulse of Modern Jazz

Introduction: Billy Higgins, one of the most influential drummers in jazz history, has been celebrated for his extraordinary ability to bring a sense of joy, sensitivity, and creativity to every performance. Over the course of his prolific career, Higgins became a key figure in the development of several jazz movements, particularly hard bop, free jazz, and post-bop. Known for his subtle touch,…

[seashorepics]

On this day in – film, television, music, and modern culture

On January 12th, several notable events in film, television, music, and modern culture have occurred: Film and Television: 1966: The live-action TV series “Batman” premiered on ABC, starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin. Batman and Robin go to Drive-In for Bat-Burgers, Orangeades – 1966 1971: “All in the Family” debuted on CBS, becoming known for its frank and satirical…

[thsillystringbeanscribbler]

Bunny Slippers: Chapter Eight

Summary: Sam, Dean and Julia take on Louisiana to investigate a case, when they reunite with one of Julia's old friends. The four get to dress up in some snazzy clothes for a gala they fandangled their way into.

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader [ OC: Julia Blackburn ]

Warnings: Mostly flirting and a decent amount of disappointment

Word Count: 5, 039 words

Author's Note: I dont know what New Orleans is like but this is just on vibes. Also hope everyone enjoys it. Kinda made myself sad if thats even possible.

Chapter Six; Chapter Seven

As the trio ventured into New Orleans, they found themselves enveloped by the city's vibrant tapestry. The streets buzzed with energy, a mix of historic charm and lively contemporary culture. Colorful buildings with wrought-iron balconies lined the streets, and the air carried the tantalizing scents of Creole cuisine, intermingled with the distant melody of jazz and the buzz of lively conversations. Sam directed Dean through the bustling streets towards the French Quarter, the heart of the city's ancient allure, where Julia was scheduled to meet Chelsea.

Pulling up in front of a quaint restaurant nestled among the vibrant tableau of the Quarter, Julia leaned forward to address both Sam and Dean. "I'll catch up with you guys at the Four Seasons Hotel this afternoon. Have fun doing your detective thing," she quipped, her voice light but laced with a hint of anticipation for the day ahead. Without thinking, she pressed a quick kiss to Dean's cheek, a spontaneous gesture of affection.

Realizing the intimacy of her action, Julia swiftly turned to Sam, mirroring the gesture with a kiss on his cheek as well, her face flushed with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment at her own boldness. Sliding out of the car, she paused before closing the door, a playful seriousness taking over her tone. "Oh, and don't forget—we need you two looking sharp tonight, so make sure you've got your suits ready," she reminded them, then quickly turned and disappeared into the restaurant to meet Chelsea.

Dean, momentarily stunned by Julia's kiss, watched her leave with a mix of amusement and a hint of something deeper. As the door closed behind her, he turned to Sam, a smirk slowly forming on his lips, his earlier surprise morphing into his usual confident demeanor. "Well, looks like we've got orders to dress to impress tonight," he said, the smirk evident in his voice as well. "Better make sure those suits of ours are up to the gala standard, huh, Sammy?" His tone was teasing, yet there was a clear undercurrent of excitement about the evening's potential. The day in New Orleans was shaping up to be anything but ordinary, and Dean was ready to embrace whatever the city had in store for them.

Sam and Dean made their way into the heart of the vibrant city, their mission leading them to the local sheriff's office. Inside, they were greeted by the sheriff, a man whose weary eyes spoke volumes of the mysteries and burdens that came with his badge. He briefed them on the recent string of disappearances, noting the victims were all from wealthy, high society backgrounds, yet the details of their vanishings remained elusive, shrouded in uncertainty.

"Do any of these disappearances have a connection to the Cartwrights?" Sam inquired, his tone serious and probing. He leaned forward slightly, indicating his keen interest in finding a link that could unravel the mystery they were diving into.

The sheriff sighed, a hint of frustration in his voice as he responded, "Most likely. The Cartwrights are an old, wealthy local family. Been around for centuries." It was clear from his tone that the influence of the Cartwright family was both well-known and pervasive, a constant undercurrent in the town's social fabric.

Dean, picking up on the lead, pressed further. "Any idea where we can dig up more on the Cartwright family history?" he asked, his question sharp and direct, aiming to uncover any information that could lead them closer to understanding the family's potential involvement.

"The local library has a section on the old families around here, including the Cartwrights. That's probably your best bet," the sheriff explained, his tone indicating resignation to the fact that the Cartwrights, like many of the town's elite, remained an enigma to those outside their circles. "They don't really mingle outside their high society groups," he added, underscoring the challenge Sam and Dean faced in penetrating the closed world of New Orleans' upper echelon.

Sam and Dean exchanged a glance, a silent communication that spoke of their next move. They offered their thanks to the sheriff, their minds already racing with the possibilities that awaited them at the library. As they stepped out of the sheriff's office and back into the bustling streets of New Orleans, the weight of their task loomed ahead. Yet, the prospect of uncovering secrets hidden within the pages of history invigorated them, propelling them forward in their quest to unravel the mystery surrounding the Cartwright family and the shadowy disappearances.

* * *

The Impala glided to a halt in front of a charming, somewhat antiquated library. Its facade, adorned with the gentle wear of time, whispered tales of the countless souls who had passed through its doors in search of knowledge. Sam and Dean exited the car with a purpose, their strides full of the confidence that came from years of navigating the unknown.

Approaching the library, they pushed through the heavy doors and were greeted by the quiet, sacred hush that envelops all such repositories of wisdom. Their boots echoed softly on the polished wood floor as they made their way towards the front desk, where an elderly librarian sat, her presence as much a part of the library as the books themselves.

Dean took the lead, leaning slightly on the desk with a disarming smile. "Excuse me, ma'am, but could you point us towards the section on the history of the local area's old families?" he inquired, his voice carrying a blend of respect and charm, the latter honed to perfection over years of dealing with all manner of people.

The librarian peered up at them through her glasses, a flash of curiosity crossing her features before she rose from her seat. Without a word, she led them into the heart of the library, navigating the labyrinth of bookshelves with a quiet assurance. Eventually, she halted before a specific shelf, her hand waving gently towards the collection before she retreated, leaving Sam and Dean to their investigation.

The brothers scanned the titles, their focus narrowing as they sought anything related to the Cartwrights. When they finally located the book they needed, they exchanged a glance of silent understanding and moved to claim a table in a secluded corner.

As they settled down, the pages of the book open before them, the library around them seemed to close in, the outside world fading away. They were now fully immersed in the task at hand, piecing together the puzzle of the Cartwright family's history and its potential connection to the mysterious disappearances. The quiet rustle of pages turning was the only sound that accompanied their research, a testament to their unwavering determination to uncover the truth hidden within the library's serene confines.

In the hushed confines of the library, Sam and Dean pored over the ancient tome they'd found, its pages heavy with the weight of history and secrets untold. As they delved deeper into the legacy of the Cartwright family, a series of aged, grainy photographs caught their attention. Each photo depicted individuals who bore a striking resemblance to each other, yet the captions indicated they were generations apart.

"Dean, look at this," Sam said, his finger tracing the lineage of faces that seemed to defy the passage of time. "These photos... these people look identical, but they're supposedly from different centuries."

Dean leaned in, his eyes scanning the images skeptically before realization dawned on him. "That's not normal. You thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked, the gears turning in his head.

Sam nodded, the pieces of the puzzle clicking into place. "Vampires. It's the only explanation that makes sense. The Cartwrights could be an old vampire family, hiding in plain sight, using their wealth and status to cover their tracks."

The idea seemed far-fetched, yet the evidence before them was compelling. Dean flipped through more pages, finding references to lavish parties thrown by the Cartwrights that coincided with mysterious disappearances in the area.

"Look at this," Dean pointed out, his finger landing on a passage describing a grand ball from the late 1800s, after which several prominent guests were never seen again. "History's repeating itself. The Cartwright galas... it's like they're hunting grounds."

Sam's expression grew grim. "And with another gala happening soon, they could be planning to feed again. We need to stop them before it's too late."

The brothers shared a look of determination, the kind forged in countless battles against the dark. In the silence of the library, surrounded by the musty scent of old books, they found a new resolve. The Cartwright mystery was unraveling, revealing a sinister truth that had been hidden for centuries. Now, armed with knowledge and a sense of urgency, Sam and Dean were ready to confront the ancient evil lurking within the Cartwright lineage. The hunt was on.

* * *

Late in the afternoon, the Winchester brothers found themselves once again navigating the vibrant streets of New Orleans. Their mission had taken them to a tailor shop, where they'd picked up gala-ready suits, a necessary armor for the night's impending confrontation. Now, they were on their way to the Four Seasons Hotel, a luxurious accommodation arranged by Julia's friend Chelsea, signaling the next phase of their plan.

Pulling up in front of the hotel, Dean faced a moment of reluctance as a valet approached, his instinctive protectiveness over the Impala kicking in. It took some persuasive coaxing from Sam, but eventually, Dean surrendered his beloved car keys, albeit with a wary glance back at his cherished vehicle.

Duffel bags and suit bags in tow, they strode into the hotel's lavish lobby, exuding the quiet confidence of men on a mission. Dean led the way to the front desk, his demeanor shifting to one of effortless charm as he addressed the receptionist. "We have a reservation under Ms. Blackburn," he said, flashing a smile that had disarmed more than its fair share of adversaries.

The receptionist, momentarily caught off guard by Dean's charm, quickly regained her composure, cheeks tinged with a blush as she handed over the room keys. "Your rooms are ready. Enjoy your stay," she managed, her professionalism intact despite the fluttering in her chest.

As they made their way to the elevators, Dean's phone buzzed with a new message from Julia, instructing them to get ready in Sam's room. She explained that she had the room key for the room she was sharing with Dean but was currently with Chelsea getting ready. Understanding the logistics of their preparation, Dean pocketed his phone, a sense of anticipation building.

"Looks like we're bunking with you for the prep, Sammy," Dean remarked, a grin spreading across his face at the thought of their makeshift dressing room scenario. "Let's hope your room's got enough mirrors for all of us."

The brothers continued towards the elevators, their steps synchronized, a silent testament to the countless times they'd faced challenges together. Today, the challenge was not monsters or demons, but the social battlefield of a gala filled with the city's elite—and possibly, a coven of ancient vampires. Yet, the Winchester resolve remained unshaken, their readiness undimmed by the setting sun over New Orleans.

* * *

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Sam and Dean stood poised in the opulent lobby of the Four Seasons, their black tuxedos and bow ties epitomizing classic elegance. The anticipation was palpable between them, a silent acknowledgment of the night's significance.

The moment the golden elevator doors glided open, their attention was captured by the emergence of a statuesque blonde. Her hair, styled in an immaculate French twist, added to her high fashion allure. Unlike Julia's gentle curves and softness, this woman was all sharp angles and striking presence. Her gown, a masterpiece in dusty pink, whispered against the marble floor as she approached.

Her smile was both confident and enigmatic as she extended a hand adorned with pink manicured nails towards Dean, mistakenly addressing him, "You must be Sam, I'd recognize tall, dark, and handsome anywhere. I'm Chelsea," her voice rich with the melodious lilt of a Louisiana accent.

Dean's response came with a cheeky grin, an easy charm that had disarmed many. "Actually, I'm Dean. And this," he said, stepping slightly to the side to introduce his brother with a flourish, "is Sam, your tall, dark, and handsome date."

Chelsea's momentary surprise was quickly masked by a practiced smile of excitement, though a flicker of amusement danced in her eyes as she corrected her assumption. The brief falter in her confidence was a rare sight, quickly smoothed over by her poise.

The exchange, brief as it was, set the tone for the evening, hinting at the layers of intrigue and performance that awaited them at the gala. As they prepared to step into a night of high society and hidden dangers, the Winchesters and their companions were fully aware of the roles they had to play, their outward appearances just the first layer of their elaborate masquerade.

The lobby of the Four Seasons held a wealth of opulence, but all of it paled in comparison when the elevator announced its arrival with a soft ding. Dean turned, his gaze immediately captured by the vision that emerged. It was Julia, her auburn curls masterfully gathered into a low bun, with delicate tendrils caressing the contours of her face, adding a softness that contrasted with the grandeur of her attire.

She stood there for a moment, framed by the golden elevator doors, and then stepped forward. Dean's breath caught as she moved gracefully across the floor, her gown a statement of elegance and boldness. The dress was a striking emerald green, its fabric flowing like the cascading waves of a verdant sea. The bodice clung to her in all the right places, its strapless design accentuating the graceful line of her shoulders and the gentle curve of her neck. The skirt was a masterpiece, cinched at the waist and flaring into a full silhouette, with a daring slit revealing a glimpse of her leg with each step she took. The dress's structure was both timeless and daring, much like the woman who wore it.

Her eyes, a mesmerizing green to match her dress, were fixed on Dean's, and in that instant, the bustling lobby seemed to dissolve into nothingness. Time stretched, elongated by the intensity of their connection. She glided toward him, her presence commanding the room without a word, each step a note in the symphony of the moment.

Dean, usually so guarded and poised, found himself at a loss, his usual quips and banter silenced by the vision before him. He could only watch, utterly captivated, as Julia approached, the world around them fading into a blur—all noise, all movement, all thoughts secondary to the woman who held his undivided attention.

Julia halted her approach mere inches from Dean, her fingers deftly pushing up her glasses with a delicate touch to her cheek. “I would've gone for contacts, but I’m pretty much blind without these,” she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability as a blush crept into her cheeks under Dean’s intense gaze.

Dean, who had been momentarily breathless at her entrance, let out a silent exhale. His hand found its way to the small of her back, a gesture both protective and tender. “Sweetheart, you could wear ski goggles, and you'd still look stunning,” he murmured, his voice low and sincere, eyes never leaving her face.

Julia's blush deepened, her delicate hands rising to straighten Dean’s bow tie, her touch light but full of affection. “And you’re not looking too shabby yourself,” she replied, her eyes lifting to meet his, a soft smile dancing on her lips.

Their intimate bubble was gently burst by Sam’s voice, clearing his throat to signal his presence. “Alright, it’s time to head out. Wouldn’t want to miss the grand entrance,” he said, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he observed the pair.

Chelsea, who had been quietly observing the exchange, felt a fleeting shadow of envy pass over her before she brightened up with a practiced socialite’s smile. “And to make our night even more special, I've arranged a limo for us," she chimed in, her cheeriness as polished as the evening ahead.

With a roguish tilt to his smile, Dean offered his arm to Julia, bending it with a flourish of old-world gallantry. "Shall we? Your chariot awaits, m'lady," he quipped, the tease in his voice softened by the warmth in his eyes.

A giggle, light and genuine, bubbled from Julia as she looped her arm through his, her touch feather-light against the strength of his arm. Together, they made their way to the sleek black limo that stood poised to whisk them away into the night.

Reaching the limo, Dean's movements were smooth and practiced as he held the door open for her. He extended his hand to assist her, a silent testament to his ever-present protective nature. Julia gathered the rich emerald folds of her gown with grace and ease, her fingers brushing against Dean's as she settled into the plush limo seat.

After ensuring Julia was comfortably seated, Dean slid into the space beside her, the soft leather welcoming them both. Across from them, Sam opened the door for Chelsea, who, with a nod of polite indifference, opted to glide into the limo unassisted, the light from the setting sun catching the highlights in her blonde hair.

* * *

The limousine whisked them away from the city’s heart, toward a realm that seemed untouched by time. The road unraveled like a ribbon through an ethereal tunnel formed by ancient trees. Their heavy boughs, veiled in the soft glow of fairy lights, arched above, creating a celestial canopy that twinkled like a sky of stars just within reach. The fairy lights cast a gentle luminescence that danced across the vehicle’s sleek surface, imbuing the journey with a sense of enchantment.

As the limo proceeded down the enchanting path, the awe-inspiring sight that awaited them at the end of this verdant aisle took their breath away. The house, grand and imposing, stood as a sentinel at the road's end, its white facade a striking contrast against the deep greens and the twilight's gold. The elegance of the classical architecture, with its stately columns and expansive porches, was accentuated by the setting sun, which bathed the entire scene in a warm, golden light.

"The Cartwrights sure know how to pick a location," Dean remarked, his voice low, filled with a mix of admiration and the hunter's ever-present vigilance.

"It's like something out of a storybook," Julia whispered, her face alight with the beauty of it all, yet shadowed by the knowledge of what might lurk within.

Sam nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a strategic mind. "Perfect for a gala... or hiding secrets," he mused, his thoughts already racing ahead to the night's mission.

As the limo glided to a stop, the quartet readied themselves, each aware that the night would be as much about wits and courage as it was about waltzes and wine. The house before them was more than just a venue; it was a chessboard, and they were about to make their opening move.

* * *

The limo's gentle purr subsided, giving way to the evening's quiet splendor as it halted at the gala's entrance. Dean was the first to emerge, stepping out with the ease of a man both sure of himself and alert to his surroundings. He then reached back into the limo, offering his hand to Julia. Her fingers slipped into his like the final piece of a puzzle, the luxurious fabric of her dress whispering secrets as she rose from the car, the color of deep forest leaves after rain.

Sam and Chelsea joined them, rounding the vehicle to unite as two pairs ready to face the night’s intrigue. Together, they made their way toward the imposing front doors of the mansion, their steps synchronized on the red carpet that welcomed them.

The gala greeter, poised in a tuxedo that mirrored the event's elegance, offered a smile that was both professional and warm as they drew near. Chelsea stepped forward, her confidence echoing the grandeur of their surroundings. "We're with Blackburn and Sterling," she announced with the clarity of someone accustomed to these events.

With an acknowledging nod, the greeter ushered them inside, extending the hospitality of the Cartwrights. "Welcome, please enjoy the evening," he said, his voice a smooth melody over the soft buzz of conversation that escaped from within.

As they crossed the threshold, the gala unfolded before them like a scene from a gilded age. Crystal chandeliers cast a constellation of light across the room, their brilliance reflected in the polished marble floors. Waiters in crisp uniforms glided through clusters of guests, offering flutes of champagne and delicate hors d'oeuvres on silver trays. The air was alive with a string quartet's lilting harmony, the music weaving through the laughter and chatter of the assembled elite.

Opulence dripped from every corner, from the ornate moldings on the walls to the lavish floral arrangements that adorned every table. The guests themselves were a swirl of silks, satins, and sparkling jewels, each moving in the intricate dance of socialite pageantry. As Dean, Julia, Sam, and Chelsea joined the flow, they were swept up in the spectacle, their senses attuned to both the beauty and the hidden dangers of the Cartwright gala.

As a waiter navigated the throng of guests, Julia deftly plucked two flutes of champagne from the passing tray and turned to Dean with a glint of mischief in her eyes. Dean accepted the glass, his eyebrows arching playfully as he caught the mirthful sparkle in her gaze.

"What's the game plan, huh? Trying to get me tipsy so you can take advantage of me?" he teased, the corner of his mouth lifting into his trademark smirk.

Julia's giggle was a light counterpoint to the rich timbre of the string quartet filling the room. "No, just embracing the role of a gala attendee," she quipped back, a mock-serious bob of her head punctuating the words 'gala attendee' as if they were a title she had studied for.

Dean, his glass poised halfway to his lips, took a deliberate step closer. His free hand found the small of her back, resting there with familiar ease. "Oh, is that so? And what exactly does the role of 'gala attendee' entail?" he inquired, his tone laced with flirtation and a hint of challenge, inviting her to continue their playful banter amidst the grandeur of the gala.

Julia's smile was an upward curve of shared secrets as she regarded Dean. "Well, they discreetly uncover where the Cartwrights whisk away their 'special guests'," she whispered, her hand lightly touching his chest as though to anchor herself in the whirlwind of their covert operation.

Dean was about to respond, the words forming with the ease of a man who lived on the edge of danger, "Sounds like a perfec–," when Chelsea's voice cut through, diverting their course.

"Come on, let's blend in. We can start with a dance, maybe? Anything's better than just loitering here," Chelsea proposed, her fingers lightly pressing against Dean's upper arm, urging him into the flow of the gala.

Dean glanced at Sam, who seemed content to observe from the sidelines, before turning back to Chelsea with a nod. "You heard the lady. Let's see if the Winchester charm works on the dance floor," he said, a playful note in his voice, ready to slip into the night's rhythm, where every step was a measure of their investigation.

As the evening wove its way through laughter and clinking glasses, Sam leaned in toward Dean and Julia, seizing a moment when Chelsea was drawn away by the swirl of the gala.

"I'm going to take a look around while everyone's distracted," Sam murmured, his voice a low frequency meant only for his brother and Julia. Without waiting for a response, he slipped away, merging with the sea of guests as he vanished into the mansion's grandiose interior.

Dean and Julia continued to converse, their dialogue an effortless tennis match of wit and insight, until the distinct vibration of a phone interrupted their rally. Julia's expression shifted as she reached into the hidden pocket of her dress, a testament to its practicality. She pulled out her phone, and her forehead creased with concern.

"Uh–" She locked eyes with Dean, a silent apology in the look. "I need to take this," she said, her voice threaded with urgency. With a fluid grace, Julia threaded her way through the crowd, leaving Dean to watch her go, a slight crease of concern mirroring hers as she sought a sliver of solitude for her call.

Dean's gaze followed the trail of Julia's auburn hair as she weaved through the gala's crowd, disappearing from sight. He took the opportunity to survey the room, a hunter's instinct to always be aware of his surroundings. Suddenly, he felt the familiar pressure of a hand on his arm. Turning, he found Chelsea standing closer than before, her presence insistent.

"Where did Julia and Sam wander off to?" Chelsea inquired, her voice carrying a note of curiosity, almost too close for casual conversation.

Dean kept his cool, the faintest hint of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "Sam's off doing his mingling magic, and Julia had to take a call," he explained, his attention briefly following the trail of Chelsea's hand as it drifted from his arm to rest against his chest.

"So, that leaves just us... alone together," Chelsea intimated, her voice lowering, eyes locked on his.

Dean glanced around at the sea of people, the hum of conversation surrounding them. "Not really alone, we've got about a hundred chaperones," he quipped, gesturing to the guests around them, trying to maintain a light-hearted atmosphere.

Chelsea hummed, a sound that seemed to hold more than mere agreement. She leaned into Dean, her body language shifting as she guided him with gentle pressure, away from the crowd and toward a secluded part of the wall, her hands exploring his chest with an unspoken intention.

A flicker of discomfort crossed Dean's face, his brows knitting together as he tried to navigate the situation with diplomacy. "Chelsea, I think we should–" But his attempt to diffuse the advance was interrupted when Chelsea, bold and unyielding, placed her hands on his face and drew him into a kiss.

Caught off guard, Dean's first instinct was to pull away, but he also knew the importance of keeping up appearances. He had to handle the situation without causing a scene that could jeopardize their mission, all while maintaining the respect and boundaries he held for Julia. It was a delicate dance, even for a seasoned hunter like Dean Winchester.

* * *

The brisk Louisiana winter air wrapped itself around Julia as she stepped outside, its chill a stark contrast to the warmth of the gala inside. As the call ended, leaving her with a tangle of emotions and unanswered questions, she let out a sigh that mingled with the night. Her fingers trembled slightly as she tucked her phone away, and she removed her glasses to press weary fingertips against her eyelids, willing strength into her resolve.

In that quiet moment, she allowed herself to feel the weight of the call, to acknowledge the ripple of distress it had sent through her. But she knew she couldn't let it consume her—not tonight. With a fortifying breath that turned to vapor in the cool air, she replaced her glasses, her vision clearing along with her determination. She was ready to return to Dean, to let the night's earlier enchantment wash over her once more.

As Julia re-entered the opulent mansion, she wove through the throng of guests, their conversations a distant hum in her ears. Her gaze scanned the room, seeking the familiar form of Dean, craving the comfort his presence promised. But when her search finally ended, the sight that greeted her was a piercing jolt to her heart.

Dean was pinned against the wall, ensnared in an unexpected embrace with Chelsea, whose hands cradled his face, lips pressed to his in a kiss that stole Julia's breath. A sharp pain clawed at her chest, a mixture of shock and an inexplicable sense of betrayal. She had no claim over Dean, no vows had been exchanged, but the sting of seeing him with another was undeniable.

Turning away, Julia forced herself to refocus on the mission. There were clues to be found, secrets to unearth—this was no time for the distractions of the heart. With a swipe at the tears that dared to spill, she started her silent quest through the mansion, each step a message to herself that she was more than what she felt in this moment. She was a hunter, and tonight, that was all that mattered.

* * *

Dean's reaction was immediate, his voice a low, controlled growl that barely concealed his shock and discomfort. "Chelsea, what the hell?" he demanded, the firmness in his tone not quite masking the undercurrent of confusion. His eyes darted around, conscious of the eyes and ears that might be privy to this unintended scene.

Chelsea retreated a step, her expression faltering into one of wounded pride as she absorbed the rejection. Looking up at Dean, she saw the residual crimson mark her lipstick had left on him, a vivid contrast to the pale annoyance etched across his face.

As the realization dawned on her, her voice took on a bitter edge, tinged with jealousy. "It's Julia, isn't it? I mistook your charm for something... less serious. But you're actually in love with her," Chelsea accused, her disappointment morphing into a disdainful sneer.

Dean fixed his gaze on her, the lines of his face hardening. "This isn't the time or place. Let's just get back to the party," he said, his tone final, leaving no room for further discussion. He sidestepped her, putting physical distance between them as he reoriented himself toward the throng of guests, eager to put the discomfort of the moment behind him.

To Be Continued...

Tag List: @deanwinchestersgirl87

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Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates? The Backstory and The Best.

Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates? The Backstory and The Best.

A cliché often starts out as an idea that was initially a good one. So good that everyone began doing it until so commonplace it became expected, unimaginative and trite. Such is the case with the classic heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentines’ Day. Heart-Shaped Box of Chocolates Artisan chocolates by Marie Belle New York It was Richard Cadbury who is first credited with serving up the…

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 buttercrunch lettuce seeds : Buttercrunch lettuce Seeds - All American Selections winner from 1966, bred by Dr. Raleigh at Cornell. Well known with growers and consumers.

 Calendula : Calendula is one of the most widely used herbs for relieving an upset stomach, ulcers, menstrual cramps and is known for having anti..

 california giant zinnia : California Giant Zinnia - A garden classic. Every garden should have a long row for endless colorful bouquets. Extensive color range.

 california wonder pepper : California Wonder Pepper is one of the best for the home gardener, long known as a great canning and freezing variety.

 Calypso Beans:  Calypso Beans was hailed by many as the all-time greatest bean for baking - productive 15” plants grow well in almost any climate.

 Catnip Herb : Catnip herb has a long history of being used as a digestive aid. It’s a natural sedative that helps to ease digestion, colic and diarrhea.

 Cherokee Purple Tomato Seeds : Cherokee Purple tomato seeds produce plants with large crops of 12 oz. fruits that rival Brandywine tomatoes for flavor.

 chicory seed for sale: Chicory Seeds For Sale - Traditionally used as an additive to coffee, or as a substitute for coffee. Helps with wound healing

 christmas lima beans : The Christmas Lima Bean is a Large quarter dollar-sized flat beans can be used either as a green shelled bean or a dry bean.

 Cilantro Seeds : Cilantro is one of the most widely used culinary herbs in the whole world. The fresh greens are called Cilantro and the dried seeds are...

Copenhagen cabbage seeds : Copenhagen Cabbage Seeds Are Popular for home gardens and also for shipping, will also store well. Plants Tend To Mature At The Same Time.

cylindra beets : Cylindra Beet Is an Uniquely shaped beet that resembles a carrot and produces uniform round slices for eating and processing. 6-8 inches

detroit dark red beets : Detroit Dark Red: the standard for beets, originally developed in 1892 from Early Blood Turnip Beet. - Heirloom Seed Solutions

double yield cucumber : Double Yield Cucumber was Introduced by the Joseph Harris Seed Company in Coldwater, New York in 1924. Ideal for pickling and fresh eating.

dragon tongue bush bean : Dragons Tongue Bush Bean - he primary use of this bean is for snap beans when the pods are young and covered with thin purple stripes.

Dwarf Blue Curled Kale : Dwarf Blue Curled Kale is a hardy biennial and a real show stopper as an ornamental, but its also extremely delicious and high in vitamin A.

early jalapeno pepper seeds : Early Jalapeno Pepper Seeds - does well even in cool areas. Sturdy 24 plants are loaded with 3 fruits that ripen from green to red.

early scarlet globe radish : Early Scarlet Globe Radish is a well known home and market variety. Globe shaped, bright scarlet color, excellent for bunching.

early summer crookneck squash : Early Summer Crookneck Squash - Ships Well. Delicious Flavor And Fine Texture. Best Eaten When 4-6s Long, Before They Turn Bumpy.

Evening Primrose Seeds : Evening Primrose Seeds are one of the few herbs that can help with nerve problems. Great for eczema, dermatitis and skin allergies.

fennel herb : Fennel herb - Used by the Chinese for centuries to treat hernia, indigestion and abdominal pain. can prevent the digestive upset.

feverfew herb : Feverfew Herb - Native to southeastern Europe, feverfew is now widespread throughout Europe, North America, and Australia.

German butterball potato : German Butterball Potato is an excellent all-purpose variety, good for roasting, frying and especially for mashed potatoes.

german extra hardy garlic : German Extra Hardy Garlic AKA German White. Our best performing garlic for northern gardeners. 4 – 6 large cloves.

german pink tomato : German Pink Tomato - One of the original two Bavarian varieties that started The Seed Savers Exchange. full sweet flavor and tender skin.

giant musselburgh leek : giant musselburg leek - This Scottish heirloom leek was introduced near Edinburgh in the 1830's. Highly adaptable.

golden zucchini : Golden Zucchini - Originally introduced by W. Atlee Burpee from material they received from Dr. Shifress of Rutgers University.

gourmet slicing tomatoes : Gourmet Slicing Tomatoes - are a fabulous, rainbow mix of slicing tomatoes. An easy way to try them all. - 12,000 seeds per ounce.

green arrow peas : Green Arrow Pea has set the standard for home and market production. Great for canning, freezing, and for dehydrating. reliable production.

hale's best 45 melon : Hale`s Best Melon - A reliable early melon with heavy netting and firm salmon colored flesh. Good, old-fashioned melon flavor and drought tolerant.

heirloom lettuce mix : The Heirloom Lettuce Mix is a must for every garden and an easy way to try all of the lettuces that we offer in our catalog.

hungarian heart tomato : Hungarian Heart Tomatos Are Large reddish-pink oxheart-type fruits are meaty and juicy. Very few seeds and almost no cracking.

ice queen lettuce : Ice Queen Lettuce Is A Wonderful crisp and sweet leaves, top of the class for iceberg-types. Can be used as a leaf lettuce.

Jacobs cattle beans :

lacinato kale : Lacinato Kale is a rather primitive open kale with 3" wide strapped leaves that are 10 inches long on 2-3 inches tall plants. (aka Dinosaur)

late flat dutch cabbage : Late Flat Dutch Cabbage Is The best choice for a slow growing, late season cabbage. - Brought to America by German immigrants in the 1840’s

lavender plant : Lavender Plant - Popular in soaps, shampoos and fragrances, but is also a natural remedy for insomnia, anxiety, depression.

Lemon Balm Herb : Lemon Balm Herb (Melissa officinalis) is a member of the mint family which is used to help treat sleep disorders when brewed as a tea.

Lemon Cucumber : Lemon cucumber - A real treat, they are much easier to digest than normal cucumbers. - First listed in America by Samuel Wilson

lemon drop pepper : Lemon Drop Pepper - Robust plants are about 2' tall and covered with 2 inches long fruits that ripen to bright yellow - 100 days from transplant

Little Marvel Peas : Little Marvel Peas are a dependable variety introduced in 1908, known for fine quality and excellent yields. Can be sown in spring or fall.

Long Island Improved Brussels Sprouts : Long Island Improved Brussels Sprouts are a strain of brussels sprouts that predates modern hybrid varieties. A light frost or two will...

cayenne long slim pepper : Cayenne Long Slim Peppers are a powerful pain reliever when applied topically, and is used to treat osteoarthritis. - (Capscium annuum)

red of florence onion seeds : red of florence onion seeds - Excellent mild flavor, for fresh eating or short term storage. fresh eating variety from the Mediterranean.

Marketmore Cucumber : Marketmore Cucumber Dr. Henry Munger from Cornell University originally bred and it found its way to U.S. gardeners in 1976.

marshmallow seeds : Marshmallow Seeds - The root of this plant traditionally used to treat asthma, bronchitis, sore throat, cough and even the common cold.

mexican midget tomato : Mexican Midget Tomato - No hybrid comes close to this variety for huge tomato flavor in small package. ½ dark red fruits.

Minnesota Midget Melon : The Minnesota Midget Melon produces round, 4-5" fruits that have thick, sugary, golden-flesh which is edible right down to the rind.

muncher cucumbers : Muncher Cucumber - Very tender variety that is excellent for fresh eating right out of the garden. pick when the fruits are 4-6 inches long.

Orange Bell Pepper : The Orange Bell Pepper is a real beauty that's excellent for fresh eating, canning or freezing. It also has a great sweet flavor.

Oregano Herb seed : Oregano Herb Seed is An essential Italian herb for any garden. Great for tomato sauces. Flavor is best if picked prior to flowering.

oregon sugar pod peas : Oregon Sugar Pod Peas should be harvested before the seeds form for best flavor. Good disease resistance - can be enjoyed raw

parsley herb : Parsley Herb is a Large bushy plant that provides a constant supply of fresh parsley. Prized by Italian chefs. Excess can be dried or frozen.

Triple Curled Parsley : Triple Curled Parley has highly frilled and curled leaves will hold in the garden at a usable state for months. - (Petroselinum crispum)

peppermint herb : Peppermint Herb - Classic culinary herb, strongly aromatic. Great for cooking, drying, drinks, salads, teas, baking or in potpourri.

pink lady slipper radish : Pink Lady Slipper Radish - One of the mildest radishes. Light pink, oblong shaped roots, mild white flesh. 4 weeks after harvesting

Pride Of Wisconsin : When you think of the big melons with great taste, Pride Of Wisconsin is the standard that all others should be judged by.

provider bush beans : Provider Bush Beans - Introduced in 1965 in South Carolina by horticulturist, Dr. Hoffman. 48-55 days - High Germination Heirloom Seeds

Prudens Purple Tomato : Prudens Purple Tomato produces plants loaded with 10-16 ounce, dark pink fruits. It's a real contender for the best beefsteak heirloom.

purple coneflower seeds : Purple Coneflower Seeds - One of the most popular herbal medicines today. It has been used for more than 400 years to treat infections.

purple top white globe turnip : Purple Top White Globe Turnip was first noted in the 1800’s and still the most widely used variety for home and market.

red acre cabbage : Red Acre Cabbage is One Of The most reliable red variety, resists splitting, nice uniform color and a good keeper. 3-4 pounds.

Red Russian Kale : Red Russian Kale is a beautiful Siberian Kale that came to Canada in the 1800’s by way of Russian traders. It has dark blue-green leaves...

Romanesco Broccoli : First recorded in Italy in the 16th century, Romanesco Broccoli is sometimes referred to as Broccoflower, Roman Cauliflower or Coral...

rosemary seeds : Rosemary Seeds are used for indigestion, to treat muscle pain and arthritis, and to improve circulation. - Rosmarinus officinalis

Round Zucchini : This is a top quality open-pollinated strain of round zucchini. Its compact plants produce an endless stream of baseball sized...

ruby king pepper : Ruby King Pepper - Super sturdy 24" plants are uniform and support heavy crops of 4 lobed peppers that ripen from green to red..

sage herb seeds : Sage Herb Seeds Are Widely used for flavoring meat, cheese and bean dishes. Plants can grow 18-24 inches and are very attractive

Scarlet Nantes carrot seeds : Scarlet Nantes carrot seeds are widely adapted and good for storage, freezing and for juice. They are also extremely high in antioxidants.

slobolt lettuce : Slobolt Lettuce Has A Nice pleasant flavor, never bitter. A great cut and come again variety. - A great cut and come again variety.

cauliflower snowball seeds : Cauliflower Snowball Seeds - Reliable sure-heading strain. Large, solid, snowy white 6-7 inches diameter heads, well protected by the outer wrapper leaves.

stowell's evergreen sweet corn : Stowell's Evergreen Sweet Corn - First introduced to the seed trade in 1856 from a cross made by Nathaniel Newman Stowell in New Jersey

Straight Eight Cucumber : Straight Eight Cucumber was an All American Selections winner in 1935. A real superstar, most likely the most recognized cucumber variety...

strawberry watermelon seeds : Strawberry Watermelon Seeds Are Well-known old heirloom. Dark green with lighter green stripes. Long green fruits average 20 pounds

sweet genovese basil : Sweet Genovese Basil is the classic Italian sweet basil, prized for its large leaves, wonderful aroma and spicy flavor...

sugar snap peas : Sugar Snap Pea is an all American Selections winner in 1979. Vigorous 48-72, vines need support, but yield huge amounts of snap peas.

thyme herb plant : Thyme Herb Plant - Extremely versatile culinary herb used extensively for seasoning meats and vegetables. - (Thymus vulgaris)

Tiger Eye Beans : Tiger Eye beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are some of the most beautiful of all the dry beans, originally from either Chile or Argentina.

titan sunflower : One of the tallest, largest seeded and largest headed varieties. Sure to be a hit with children, great for roasting, expect heavy yields.

tommy toe tomato : Tommy Toe Tomato - This humble cherry tomato, Tommy Toe, has won many blue ribbons and taste tests around the world.

valerian seeds : Valerian seeds have been used as far back as the 2nd century A.D. to treat insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, seizures and epilepsy.

spaghetti squash vegetable : Spaghetti Squash Vegetable - Fruits range in color from ivory to yellow to orange. - (Cucurbita pepo) - (aka Noodle Squash)

waltham butternut squash : Waltham Butternut Squash - Developed and introduced by Bob Young of Waltham, Massachusetts. Most popular variety of butternut

yellow indian woman beans : Yellow Indian Woman Beans - Originally brought to Montana by European immigrants, a rare heirloom that is now found in Native America.

[jazzdailyblog]

Charlie Haden: The Melodic Backbone of Jazz

Introduction: Charlie Haden, a name synonymous with the depth, soul, and beauty of jazz bass playing, stands out as one of the most influential musicians in the genre’s history. His career, spanning over five decades, not only showcased his virtuosity as a bassist but also his profound musicality and unwavering commitment to social justice. This blog post delves into the life, career, and legacy…

[numberonestarlightbeliever]

Italian Lovers Celebrate Valentine's Day February 2012 | Margie Longano Miklas Italian Lovers Celebrate Valentine's Day Italian Lovers Celebrate Valentine's Day Valentine's Day is synonymous with love and Italians traditionally have been considered to be lovers. Known in Italy as "La Festa Degli Innamorati," Valentine's Day is celebrated only between lovers and sweethearts. Young sweethearts in Italy profess their love for each other all year round with a more recent tradition, attaching padlocks or "lucchetti" to bridges and railings and throwing away the key.

The celebration of Valentine's Day in Italy is actually an imported holiday from the American tradition, just like Halloween which was never originally an Italian tradition but is celebrated today. It is a holiday for romantic couples and children do not exchange Valentine cards as they do in the United States.

History

Valentine's Day actually has its origin in the Roman Empire as a holiday on February 14 to celebrate the Queen of Roman gods and goddesses. The ancient Romans also considered this queen named Juno to be the goddess Queen of Women and Marriage.

Another legend related to the origin of Valentine's Day refers to St. Valentine who was a priest who defied the Roman emperors' order banning marriage between lovers during wartime and Valentine secretly married them. Once this was discovered, he was put to death on February 14 and later was named a saint by Pope Gelasius.

Valentine Celebrations in Italy

To celebrate this lovers' holiday Italians give each other flowers, plan romantic dinners and present each other with chocolates, much like in the United States. The renowned Italian chocolate maker, Perugina celebrates this day by making a special edition of the Baci chocolate candies with a shiny red wrapper and a sweet red cherry and liquid center rather than the traditional hazelnut one. These chocolates are always a favorite and inside the foil wrapper there is a "love note" with a romantic phrase.

Florence and Venice are traditionally considered to be two of the most romantic places in Italy but Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet celebrates Valentine's Day with a four-day celebration of events designated "Verona in Love." In the center of Piazza dei Signori a giant red heart is painted on the street and illuminated heart-shaped lanterns are featured throughout the city center. Free concerts with romantic themes take place in Piazza dei Signori and there is a contest for the most beautiful letter written to Juliet. To attract lovers and sweethearts to spend a weekend in Verona, many of the local hotels offer deals and the restaurants feature specially priced menus.

Locks of Love or Lucchetti dell'Amore

The tradition of locking padlocks to bridges, railings and lamp posts began in Italy a little more than four years ago after the release of the best-selling book "Ho voglio di te" (I want you) by the Italian author Federico Moccia. This was followed by the popular movie with the same name starring Riccardo Scamarcio and Laura Chiatti.

In the story young lovers tie a chain and a padlock around a lamppost on the north side of Rome's ponte Milvio and inscribes their names on it, lock it and throw the key into the Tiber River below. The action suggests that the couple will be together forever.

Throughout Italy I have found these locks usually near bridges but also in more peculiar places such as an overhead sign on the walking tail in the Cinque Terre. Many cities have placed bans on having these locks on bridges citing that it takes away from the beauty and culture of the structure and also adding safety concerns.

Most recently the Rome authorities have issued a decree that the thousands of padlocks on the ponte Milvio must be removed, and in Venice a few months earlier the authorities removed hundred of locks from the Accademia Bridge and announced their intent to do the same on the Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal.

In Florence police removed more than 5000 locks from the ponte Vecchio where it is a crime to attach these locks today yet they continue to appear anywhere they can be attached. The phenomenon has spread to Turin, Bologna, Palermo and even into other European countries. Love conquers all seems to apply here as it is a losing battle with the Italian authorities.

[chrissterry]

She Thrives: Black Women Making History | NBC News

She Thrives: Black Women Making History | NBC News

These 10 women are shaping their communities and, in their own way, altering life for everyone in 21st century America. Theirs are stories that deserve to be told.

  Source: She Thrives: Black Women Making History | NBC News

[illusionnews-blog]

I’m in the Illuminati (Shape of You PARODY) ~ Rucka Rucka Ali This Song on iTunes: Parody of "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran Follow Rucka: Snapchat Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Link

[jazzdailyblog]

Joe Lovano: A Jazz Virtuoso's Odyssey Through Time and Sound

Introduction: In the vast galaxy of jazz, where improvisation is the heartbeat and innovation the soul, Joe Lovano emerges as a celestial figure—a virtuoso saxophonist whose musical odyssey transcends time and resonates across the diverse landscapes of sound. Born seventy-one years ago today on December 29, 1952, in Cleveland, Ohio, Lovano’s journey in the realm of jazz has been a tapestry woven…

[reallyintothisblog]

We Are Really Into This May 2017

We have stuff all the time that we are Really Into, but not each and every thing needs its own post.  We thought it would be fun to pile a bunch of stuff into one post, so you can keep up with what we’re Really Into. We’re throwing caution to the wind here & this month includes science, T-shirts from an astrophysicist, Pop! Funko characters we are stalking on a local mall’s Instagram account, a…

[iihih]

Ten Great Coffee Table Books For Mom

Ten Great Coffee Table Books For Mom

With Mother’s Day coming up on May 14th it’s time to show your appreciation to the woman who gave birth to you, suffering pain equal to that of passing a pot roast through a nostril. These ten great coffee table books for Mom are guaranteed to be inspiring, coveted and as they were meant to be, enjoyed. Beautiful, well-reviewed hardcover books about women, by women or celebrating women. (more…)

[lamargith]

Las 100 más reproducidas del 2016

100-. Ritmo Privado – Extraperlo.  099-. Blind – Jenny Lee 098-. Get away – The Internet 097-. The Cries – Cosmetics 096-. Enth – Crystal Castles 095-. Ma Calypso – Sébastien Tellier 094-. Skulls – Röyksopp. 093-. Amnesia en el Estado – Los Viejos 092-. Florian Saucer Attack – Black Mountain 091-. Paul – Girl band 090-. Little Red Hen – MSTRKRFT. 089-. Tick of the clock – Chromatics 088-. Big Poppa – Notorious B.I.G. 087-. Xiangjiao – Iglooghost 086-. Rainbow Man – Busy P 085-. Fade to Grey – Visage 084-. Clear Cut – DVA Damas 083-. Without You – John Talabot 082-. Relentless – Shlohmo 081-. No hay Nada más Triste que lo Tuyo – Hidrogenesse (Distancias Cortas). 080-. Polaroid – Julian Jeweil. 079-. Fireside Favourite (I Monster's Toasted Crumpets Mix) – Fad Gadget 078-. The History of a Cheating Heart - Damon Albarn 077-. Dr. Psiquiatra - Gloria Trevi  076-. I Feel Love - Bronski Beat 075-. Dépassée par le Fantasme - Essaie Pas 074-. Hard to Please – Sally Dige 073-. Song to Say Goodbye – Placebo 072-. Deeper than Love – Colleen Green 071-. Extrañando Casa – División Minúscula 070-. White light – Shura 069-. Bardo – Baltazar 068-. DNA – ZZZ’s 067-. Circulus – Kreidler 066-. Meds – Placebo (MTV Unplugged) 065-. Wait & See – Majical Cloudz 064-. El Rey del Swing – Titán 063-. Thrown – Kiasmos 062-. Hold Up – Beyoncé 061-. Track Uno – Kaytranada 060-. Regret – St. Vincent 059-. Ana Electronic – Banks & Steelz 058-. Buried –Shlohmo 057-. Serve it Up – Cakes Da Killa 056-. The Anvil – Visage 055-. I Run this Club – Cakes da Killa. 054-. Perry – Aloa Imput 053-. Dust – Parquet Courts. 052-. People are People – Depeche Mode 051-. All Night – Beyoncé 050-. Dama fina – Titán 049-. Für Hildegard von Bingen – Devendra Banhart 048-. Ya Tus Amigos – Víctimas del Doctor Cerebro 047-. Hit That Perfect Beat – Bronski Beat   046-. Monoton – She Past Away 045-. Heaven – Majical Cloudz 044-. Bent – Kiasmos 043-. Together (Ft. AlunaGeorge & GoldLink) – Kaytranada 042-. Anxiety – Preoccupations 041-. So in Love – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark 040-. Exit – Marsheaux 039-. Sordid Affair – Röyksopp 038-. Dreaming of Me – Depeche Mode 037-. Wild Season (feat. Florence Welch) – Banks & Steelz 036-. Collapsing New People – Fad Gadget 035-. The Noose of Jah City – King Krule 034-. Gas – Simpson Ahuevo 033-. Here to Go – Cabaret Voltaire 032-. Post Blue – Placebo 031-. Shape – Porches 030-. The Robots – Kraftwerk 028-. Everything Counts ­– Depeche Mode 028-. Le Port Du Masque Est De Rigueur – Essaie Pas 027-. La Bicicleta – Carlos Vives Ft. Shakira 026-. Ad Astra – Deerhunter 025-. For whom the bells toll (The Fad Gadget singles version) – Fad Gadget 024-. Manto Estelar – Moenia 023-. Love Drought – Beyoncé 022-. Mi Negrita – Devendra Banhart 021-. Be Apart – Porches 020-. Pretty – Majical Cloudz 019-. Empty Vessels – Archy Marshall 018-. New Life – Depeche Mode 017-. The Diamond Song – Molly Nilsson 016-. Point of View (feat. Method Man and Masta Killa) – Banks & Steelz 015-. Isaac – Madonna 014-. Honey Honey – Cosmetics 013-. Don’t Argue – Cabaret Voltaire 012-. Everything nice – Jaakko Eino Kalevi Ft. Farao 011-. Sucedáneos – The New Raemon 010-. Sword in the Stone (feat. Kool Keith) – Banks & Steelz 009-. Monotony – Preoccupations 008-. C-h-e-m-i-c-a-l – The Chemical Brothers. 007-. Pray You Catch Me – Beyoncé 006-. Let it Will Be – Madonna 005-. No One Here – Cabaret Voltaire 004-. Swell – Archy Marshall 003-. Ad Nauseaum – Fad Gadget  002-. New Song – Warpaint 001-. Degraded – Preoccupations

[snapzulife]

The name on that box of cake mix belonged to a real person. Hines was a traveling salesman who just wanted to find a decent meal on the road — and ended up being America's go-to restaurant expert. via Snapzu : Life & Personal Interests

[bettydgunter90]

068: The Seth Williams Origin Story

  If you’ve ever wanted to know the real story behind Seth Williams, this is your chance to hear where it all began, the twists and turns his path has taken, where he’s headed, and some of the lesser-known details of his life.

In this episode, Jaren sits down with Seth for a one-on-one conversation about his life, story, motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and a lot more.

Links and Resources

20 Things I’ve Never Told You by Seth Williams

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie Training

BiggerPockets Podcast 039: Dirt Cheap Land Flipping with Seth Williams

Lifeonaire.com (Steve Cook’s current website)

Jack Bosch’s Land Course

Corbett Barr

Pat Flynn

Share Your Thoughts

Leave a note in the comments section below!

Share this episode on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn (social sharing buttons below!)

Help out the show:

Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts Your ratings and reviews really help (and I read each one).

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Thanks again for joining me this week. Until next time!

Right-click here and “Save As” to download this episode to your computer.

Episode 68 Transcription

Seth: Hey everybody, what’s up? This is Seth and Jaren of the REtipster podcast and today is going to be another unique podcast episode. If you caught the last episode when I interviewed Jaren and we learned more about his backstory and all things Jaren Barnes. We’re going to flip the script today and Jaren is going to interview me, so I get to really let my ego shine. And before I go any further, I’m just going to turn the table over to Jaren and he can kind of pick this up and start asking me stuff.

Jaren: Yeah man, I’m actually really excited to go long-form with you because I feel like because you just… And again, this is going to sound super weird, but you’re one of the most humble people I know. In your content, you really just focus on delivering the value and you don’t really puff yourself up or don’t make it about you. So, I think that it’s going to be really cool knowing you so well being able to interview you and kind of pull out some of the things that other people who don’t know you as well as I do would be able to in an interview.

Seth: Yeah, man. No, I agree. There is always that sort of because REtipster is a real estate investing brand. I mean every time we do anything, whether it’s a video podcast or blog post, there’s always this element of like, “Okay, people are here to hear about real estate. So, we got to stick to that somehow”. I think that we kind of fund to like do that, but also just get into other stuff. Just like personal life, interesting stuff that might not have anything to do with real estate, but it’s still maybe kind of interesting to people. We’ll see.

Jaren: Yeah. And I feel like a lot of other real estate brands out there, they get into the content because that’s what people go there for. But I’ve heard a fair share of feedback from other podcasts that I’ve been on and other brands that I’ve been aware of where people are like, “Okay, I just like had to fast forward through a lot of stuff to get to what I really want”. And I feel like with us, at least the feedback that I’ve gotten from a lot of people in our audience, they don’t really have to do that. It’s like action-packed from day one. Even with our normal podcast format, we do the interview first and then if people want to hear our banter and our personality shine, it’s at the end of the interview instead of the beginning. So, to kick this thing off, how did you get started in real estate? The question we always ask everybody to start a podcast interview.

Seth: Yeah. So, if anybody out there has not heard the origin story of Seth Williams. So, for me it all started, it was like in my mid college years when I had basically spent the first two to three years of college kind of just being lost, like not really knowing why I was there, what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to make money in life. I wanted to be wealthy in some way, shape or form. But I always thought like, “Well, you got to be a doctor”. Like that’s the only way to do it. I think something deep down in me knew it didn’t have to be that way. I just didn’t know what else to do. And as many other people have gotten into the business world, I discovered that “Rich Dad Poor Dad” book and a lot of other books like that. And it just really opened my eyes and helped me to realize the logical process of how money is made.

And it really has nothing to do with what your degree is or your education or how much of a genius you are. It’s just like simple math really. It’s just spending your life buying things that make money instead of buying things that lose money. There are many, many, like millions of different ways to do this. But when he talked about real estate, it was something I could understand and my grandfather had invested in real estate and bought some triple net properties and that kind of thing and had done pretty well. And I didn’t really know anything about how he did it. I just knew, “Hey, somebody in my family has done this”. So, it’s in my blood maybe that I could do this too.

So, I started spending tons and tons of time doing what I thought I was supposed to do, looking for rental properties or houses to flip because, in my mind, those are the only two ways to make money in real estate. Of course, I knew nothing about direct mail or how to find motivated sellers or land or anything like that. So, I was just looking at my local MLS listings and just struggling so bad to find anything. I mean, I really found nothing to be honest with you.

For a long time, I spent a lot of hours going through foreclosures. I found some, I guess, things that could have been deals, but these were just the nastiest of nasty houses. Kind of like what Jaren was talking about in the previous episode. Just like you can’t believe people actually live in these things. I knew that in order to actually do anything with these, it was going to involve a lot of work and a lot of money financing, stuff like that. Not impossible to do, but it was just sort of out of my element. I didn’t really know what I was doing. There’ll be a high likelihood that I would screw something up and lose money on the first deal or two.

But even then, like in my mind, it’s like, “Well, that’s my only option”. And it wasn’t until around the 2008 era that I’ve found land flipping through a course. And when I first heard the idea of land it was like, “Yeah, that kind of makes sense”. Like, normally I wouldn’t think land, but the fact that you can buy it for almost nothing, well, you can make almost anything work that way as long as it’s something other people actually want to buy. And I got the course, tried it out, it worked. And that alone, I remember the first time I got an accepted offer in the mail, it was just amazing. My mind was blown. I couldn’t believe that something was working after so many years really of trying stuff that failed. So yeah, so it worked. Then I did my 1st deal and 2nd deal and the 3th and 5th and 10th and 20th, and I just kept going from there and the rest was history. So that’s kind of my story in a nutshell.

Jaren: Man, as you’re sharing, I just was thinking back to the first time I got a motivated seller call on land. And I was in the car, I think I was doing some work stuff and I was in the passenger seat and I was on the computer off of my cell phone hotspot. And I picked up the call and it was this guy’s like, “Well, somebody offered me $6,500 a couple of months ago. I didn’t want to take that day but I’ll take it now if you could do $6,500”. And this property, I believe we sold it for like $18,000. I mean I was so nervous on the phone, I sounded so dumb. I was like… And my wife like straight-up holding back her laugh there because I was nervous.

Seth: I know how that is like too.

Jaren: The land business works man. Just like she’s so awesome. So, something that came to mind as you were sharing, did you go to any like local REIA groups? Because I was surprised, maybe it’s because we live in such a different climate now with Bigger Pockets and all the information that’s out there. But it was surprising to hear from me that your first step in trying to find a deal was just looking at them alas and talking to realtors and stuff. Did you even know that there are REIA groups, certain things like that?

Seth: Yeah. It took me actually a few years to know that those were even a thing. So, I guess the answer is no, I didn’t know at the very beginning. But even when I did discover them, I was surprised and disappointed to find that Grand Rapids did not have a REIA that you would normally think of in most cities. What they do have is called The Rental Property Owners Association – RPOA. It’s for rental property owners, like landlords, property managers. That’s it. It’s not meant for like flipping houses and stuff like that. So, it does exist but only in that format for that type of person. And it’s pretty huge, I think. I’ve actually never been to it, but I hear about it all the time. There wasn’t exactly a REIA like you would think a REIA should be in Grand Rapids. Maybe it exists now. I don’t know. I haven’t looked in the past couple of years, but for a long time, it was the RPOA. And I know there are different groups that do meetups and stuff, but that’s not like a REIA. It’s just a private organization putting that together.

Jaren: So how did you, from an educational standpoint, because “Rich Dad Poor Dad” is very pie in the sky-high level, more mindset stuff than anything else. So, what education stuff did you find helpful? Were there books? Because for me, I’m trying to figure out how you went from like “Okay, I’m just like randomly looking at houses on the MLS, trying to find properties to buy and hold, trying properties to flip, that’s not working”. And then you somehow got on the list that you found the land course. So how did that all transpire?

Seth: So back in like, I think it was 2006 or something when I first discovered this, but there was a website called flippinghomes.com. It might still exist, but I haven’t even looked at it in years. So, I don’t know. But anyway, at the time it was run by a guy named Steve Cook. This was sort of like before Bigger Pockets was much of a thing. I think it existed but like nobody knew about it. And Flipping Homes, I think it was like the biggest real estate investing forum on the internet at that point in time. And I was interested in flipping homes. That’s kind of what I wanted to do. I found it super helpful. I bought a couple of courses from Steve Cook. There were awesome. He did a great, great job of explaining really everything you’d ever want to know. Just amazing work, especially for the time when courses were a lot harder to do. Video and stuff was not an easy thing to put together, but he did a really good job of that.

So, anyway, I was like a huge fan and follower of him. I felt through what he taught me like I really probably could have made a run at flipping houses and I probably would have if I hadn’t discovered land. And it was on his list, at one point, he made an announcement about Jack Bosch. I guess Jack Bosch had reached out to him and so he was doing an affiliate promotion for Jack and that was kind of how I found out about Jack. And that was kind of where I got the first introduction to the business and how it worked. At least how Jack’s version of it worked.

Jaren: That’s really interesting. So, do you feel like Steve Cook, you said his name was?

Seth: Yeah.

Jaren: Do you think he was the source of inspiration for you to start something like REtipster? How did you go from just doing deals as a land investor to wanting to start your own online community and your own online blog?

Seth: Yeah. So, Steve Cook, by the way, he does still do stuff online. He now runs the website Lifeonaire. So, lifeonaire.com. That’s kind of like what he’s doing now. I don’t even know how big of a thing a real estate is on that website. But anyway, so that’s what he’s up to now. But he was definitely the first guy I ever discovered that really made it seem doable. He really explained not just high-level concepts but really all the stuff you need to know. And I just remember after his course like I truly felt armed to do something. It wasn’t just vague concepts in my mind. But he was definitely not the inspiration for REtipster. When I discovered, Pat Flynn at smartpassiveincome.com that’s really where the REtipster idea really came into its own. Because I saw what Pat was doing on his website at the time just like putting out incredibly valuable and completely free content that was like worth paying money for, but it was just free.

He was just putting it out there and he actually found ways to make money from that, like monetize it in a big way while all the while it being just a very trustworthy, honest, down to earth real person. And prior to seeing him, I didn’t realize you could do that. Like I thought doing what he did just meant, “Well, you better just have a ton of free time and not hope to make any money”. But when I saw that he could actually monetize it to make it worth his while, it was like, “Man, like I can totally do what he’s doing”. And I also saw a lot of things about his personality that reminded me of me. He sorts of seemed like somewhat of an introvert and like he didn’t just ooze with confidence. He wasn’t cocky. He wasn’t like this, “Look at this bag of cash that I got right here and my Ferrari in the background”. It wasn’t that kind of guy.

He just seemed really normal and down to Earth. And I was like, “Well, if he can do that with his personality and what he knows, I could totally do the same thing for the real estate world”. And there’s sort of this, we’ve talked about this before, Jaren, where there’s sort of like this hunter personality and the farmer personality. And the hunter is one who really enjoys the thrill of the chase. They do really well at sales a lot of times. They really love making huge paychecks, just that kind of thing. Whereas the farmer is more the type of person who doesn’t necessarily enjoy that. They’re content to just plug away for years on end as much time as it takes. And they more value, not the massive paychecks, but just the steady predictable income that’s going to come eventually from that. And I figured out I was much more of the farmer type. And that farmer type I think does really well with something like a blog because blogs do not pay off in the beginning. It takes a long time and a lot of work that nobody sees. And you just have to be okay with that. And I was okay with that and a lot of people can’t do it. For me and my personality, it worked really well with the kinds of things I’m good at.

Jaren: So, I wanted to ask you something that you brought up and then I want to circle back on kind of the origin story of REtipster. But I actually get a lot of feedback from coaching clients at retipster.com and people in our community. They’re shocked that when I say you’re shy and extremely introverted because you’re so dynamic on camera and you do these podcast interviews and you are all over the place. In terms of like people being able to find you on other brands and so on and so forth. How did that happen? Because I mean, I know you’ve shared with me some personal stuff about how you were growing up extremely shy and the effort that you had to put in to be able, as you say in your 20 things about Seth Williams article that you’re introverted, but you know how to turn on “extroversion” if that’s the word. How did you cultivate that? How did you learn those skills?

Seth: I honestly still don’t think I’m there. There’s a lot of times getting interviewed by other people or shooting a video or being on a podcast like I don’t dislike those things, but it requires a lot of heavy lifting and mentally for me. Like it’s not my natural element. I have to really almost kind of like hype myself up a little bit. It’s actually funny. If you watch some of my earlier videos from like the 2015/2016 era as I, unfortunately, do from time to time. It’s kind of painful because I didn’t have the whole enthusiasm thing worked out yet. Like my voice is just very like… Maybe that’s exaggerating, but I still think I can do better at it. But you can just tell I wasn’t on fire about it. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the subject matter, I didn’t know how to turn on the enthusiasm and the charm and the personality and stuff like that.

I think podcasting has probably helped out with that a lot because when all somebody has an audio feed, that’s all they have to listen to. That enthusiasm is really important. And I kind of realized that early on and I was able to kind of get better at it. It’s also been helpful working with you Jaren because I think you’re really good at that naturally. Just showing enthusiasm. You don’t really have to try it, it’s just there. I think being around that kind of influence has helped me to crank it up a couple of notches. Yeah, so, I guess what I’m saying is it’s not something that’s easy. It takes work and effort, but I kind of think of how I would act if I was around my really good friends, people that I’m really comfortable with. They know who I am and they know my personality. I kind of try to channel that.

It also helps to just think about the importance of the message that I’m trying to get across. Like why is this video worth making? Like what does this person really need to understand that’s going to change their life? And when I think about the importance of that message and what it has the power to do, if I’m able to convey the importance behind it and if I’m able to be engaging enough for a person to actually watch more than 10 seconds of the video, that could go a long way for them. I try to bear all that in mind when I’m making it and I don’t think I’m there yet. I think there’s a lot of improvement I still have to make, but those are kind of the ways that I can get a little better.

Jaren: When you were growing up in maybe your college years or sometime in your past, were there any books? I know some people mentioned Toastmasters or there’s like courses through Stephen Covey and stuff like that, that talk about charisma and learning it and cultivating that as a skill. Have you used any of those resources and did you find them helpful?

Seth: It started with me reading Dale Carnegie’s book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. Which man, I love that book. It was an easy read. It was fun to read, it really articulated very well the importance behind charisma and when you talk to people, say their name. People love hearing their own name, that kind of thing. Not to be manipulative, but simply like this makes you a more effective person frankly. If you’re able to do this stuff, you’re a better communicator for it. And Dale Carnegie has all kinds of classes and books. Dale Carnegie is actually dead. This is his organization. The organization has classes in public speaking and sales. I never really did any of that. I did take a class on like the basics of Dale Carnegie, but I’ve not done it for the purpose of selling or anything.

But I think that was extremely impactful. Actually, it’s funny, it didn’t like to make me better overnight. It’s not like I was suddenly good at it, but it just made me aware of “This is why it’s important”. There’s more to life than just living in your own mood right now and just letting your feelings control everywhere you go. If you have a bad day, you can still be a really engaging, expressive person that people like to listen to. So that kind of gave me the awareness, but then actually working on it has taken many years to even get a little bit better. But I think the interesting thing is just knowing as anybody can improve. It’s not like you are stuck where you’re at. And even like Pat Flynn for example. I remember his first many podcast episodes. The guy’s voice sounds notably different then than it does today. He’s really gotten a lot better as a public speaker and podcaster.

Jaren: Yeah. I really appreciate you sharing that because one of the things that inspires me personally the most about getting to work with you and knowing you on a closer basis than a lot of others is how much you’ve worked on charisma and how much you’ve worked at it as a skill because a lot of people just say, “You either have it or you don’t”. And you are proof that you can kind of be born without it but through hard work and grit, you can be anything that you want to be in life. And that’s something when I’m trying to learn a new skill or there’s an aspect of my personality that I don’t like, one of which is like I feel I’m extremely wordy or I can go down rabbit trails quite a bit and get distracted. When I’m communicating, it’s hard for me to stay focused. Taking that as an example when I’m trying to work on that and I’m frustrated because yet again, I was too wordy on a call with a coaching client or whatever, I remind myself, “Calm down. It’s okay. It’s a journey. It’s not a sprint. And look at Seth”. Like Seth, he’s come a long way, even from the videos that I’ve seen of you. The stuff you put out now, it puts everything that I’ve put out to shame.

Seth: That’s not true. Thank you. But you don’t give yourself enough credit.

Jaren: Ah, thanks, man.

Seth: Yeah, it’s something that I’ve actually… It’s so weird. It’s like anything that a person is good at can just as well hurt them. I wish that’s not how it worked in the world, but it’s really true. Like, I don’t think you have any problems with having expression in your voice. Like, I wish I had naturally. So, I don’t know. There’s a downfall to everything, I guess.

Jaren: Yeah, man. Well, hey, I wanted to circle back to the origin story of REtipster because you’re very unique as an entrepreneur because not only did you go from just working a normal job and then learning real estate, you then took your real estate knowledge and then developed a huge brand online. Walk us through some of the processes there. Obviously, you mentioned Pat Flynn inspired you, but where did you find the wherewithal to actually like go buy a domain and start the thing? Because it takes so many skills to do what we do.

Seth: That’s so true. There is a lot of stuff that you just have to do to make all this stuff work. It’s overwhelming sometimes just to think of all the different things. And if I can’t figure it out, I have to then hire somebody and pay them to do it and then manage that person. And it’s a lot sometimes. It can almost drive me nuts. But in terms of the origin story, I kind of knew from day one that I’m not somebody who’s going to say, “You should listen to me because I’ve done 10,000 deals and that’s why I’m worth listening to”. Because that’s just not my store. I think I’ve done more than enough deals to know what I’m talking about and to speak with authority. But I’m not the guy who’s telling you like, “I’m going to thump my chest and say I’m amazing. Look at me”.

I think the difference though is that a lot of people out there who are much better at this than me, they will never be interested in teaching people about that. That’s not what they want to do. Or even if there was what they want to do, maybe they don’t have the skill to figure out how to make videos and edit them and do podcast stuff and all the stuff it takes to run a blog. And it’s kind of interesting in terms of when you think about what makes somebody a good educator. It’s because they’re good enough, they’re expert enough to know what they’re talking about and to really offer up legitimate, helpful, correct guidance and they have the patience to slog through all the stuff that a lot of people wouldn’t have the patience for.

And I think that’s kind of where my story brought me is like I have not like the perfect mix of that, but it’s good enough in terms of I know enough on both ends. But when I think about what is going to make the most impact on the world? Is it the number of deals that I personally have done or is it the number of deals that I help everybody else out there do through what I know and what I can help them understand how to do?

Undoubtedly when I look at the impact that other blogs and YouTube channels and podcasts have had on me, simply because I’m a listener. Just listening in to what they’re doing, I mean there’s no question it’s a bigger impact to help other people get there too. And helping other people earn success does not detract from my success at all. That’s part of why I’ve never had a problem with telling people what works for me and not worrying about competition and all this stuff because more opportunity for the others does not equal less opportunity for me. It just means everybody kind of gets better in the process.

Jaren: I also think it speaks to our mission at REtipster. I think you as just a human being, not to get super spiritual or whatever, but I really feel like you are functioning in almost what you were designed to function in because the way your brain works, I thought I was good at writing blog posts and I thought I was good at creating content before I joined the team at REtipster, but I really understand how to break down the subject matter now. Because you just have this ability to put on glasses of a brand-new user, our brand-new real estate investor and answer all of their questions. And so, I wanted to kind of dig a little bit deeper as to why you decided to start doing REtipster. Obviously, you saw Pat Flynn and you saw the opportunity there. Were you entrepreneurial as a kid? Did you like help tutor kids growing up or anything like that? Was there anything that spoke to the possibility of you doing what you’re doing now?

Seth: I think part of it honestly is that I was always kind of a slow kid in school. Even today, like Jazz, my wife is crazy sometimes where she’ll say something and I have to ask five different clarifying questions to be like, “Okay, who are you talking about? When did this happen? Where?” She just wants to say it and have me understand it. I’m not smart enough like I need a lot of other information to put it all together. So, it’s kind of a liability. I can’t say it’s always a fun thing to have that problem. But as an educator, I think it actually helps a lot because not that I always do this perfectly, but I can just think better in terms of like, “Oh, this also ought to be mentioned. And this too. And this too”. And sometimes that results in videos being way longer than they should be, but still, I want it to be complete. I don’t want people to just be left hanging and they got to go get the rest of the instructions somewhere else. I want to really give them everything they need right here. This is the last thing they’ll ever have to watch on the subject or read or listen to.

And I also sort of realized this when I was in banking. I remember I was blown away at how many people in the banking world, and lawyers and accountants and all this stuff. And this is probably like this everywhere, honestly. But I was amazed at how many very highly paid professional people did not know how to write an email. They just send you a one-word response, like “No” to a very complicated question that I would ask them. Or “Yes”. Not really explaining anything behind what they’re talking about. And it just drove me nuts. And sometimes they would give longer responses, but they were just like rambling going all over the place. Maybe the words didn’t make sense, maybe they weren’t even complete sentences. I’m just like, “Come on man, email is important. This is important communication we’re sending here. I’m going to take action based on what you’re saying. So, give me all the information, don’t make me hunt around for it”. And it just annoyed me.

Whenever I would send emails, I would spend a lot of time on them honestly. I would almost write them like blog posts in a way. Like I would use bullet points and headers and stuff. I remember, with the type of loans that we were doing where I worked SBA 504 loans, they were somewhat convoluted. There were a lot of confusing things about them and the weird ways they could be structured. So, I very clearly layout “You have three options with which to proceed”. Option one, and I would very clearly spell out what that looks like. Option two, same thing. And I remember on a number of occasions people would respond and be like, “Wow, thank you. I actually understand what you’re talking about”.

Nobody was expecting to get a good email. But when I sent it to them, I could see it really made a difference. I think through that and the first few times I tried to write a blog post actually sort of enjoyed the process. I didn’t think I would because blogging never sounded like fun to me until I thought about doing it in the context of real estate investing. But when I really had a mission and a reason to do it and saw the importance of what I can help people understand, it was really, really fun. And to this day, it’s one of the funniest things I get to do when I get to put that kind of stuff together.

Jaren: One of the things that you taught me that I use a lot with our coaching students is what I’ve called “The 24 Month Rule”. It’s this principle that you’ve lived out with REtipster or where you said for the first 18 months of REtipster you just had to grind at it. Every day you were working your banking job and whenever you had a free moment, you were building REtipster. And it took you about 18 months. I round up to two years to 24 months with the rule, but you said to me something that really stuck that you realized with REtipster that things that are worthwhile, you need to commit to you for at least two years before throwing the set and say it doesn’t work. Can you speak a little bit on that and what your process was there? Because I’m sure you had moments where you’re like, “Man, I’m putting in all these hours, it’s not making any money and I have no traffic”. What was that like internally for you?

Seth: Yeah, I mean it was a very similar thing with the land business too when I started that just like during my lunch breaks and every weekend and every night. Thank goodness we didn’t have kids yet. I actually had time to do that kind of stuff. But I remember it was kind of just like not expecting anything amazing to happen but just knowing fundamentally there is something about this that is going to work. This isn’t just rolling the dice. It’s like, if I do this and if these different statistics are correct, this will work at some point. And I think as long as I understood the potential there and also the fact that I actually can do this. I sort of enjoy what it takes to get there. It’s not like it was pulling teeth every day when I was trying to do it. I don’t think I ever would have survived if I hated what I was doing. But just sort of understanding, this is fun and this is what it takes, and I can do this for a good long while before deciding I don’t like this anymore.

And I think in both cases, with the land business, and with REtipster, it was really helpful to have not like massive home run wins early on, but just I saw signs that it was working. Getting my first deal within like the first, I forgot how soon it was, the first month or two after I started trying to do it. Just seeing like, “Hey, there’s something here. I’m not just wasting my time here”. And the same thing with REtipster. I didn’t make any money for like, it was at least a year, year and a half before I made a single penny on anything. But still people would leave comments and people would email me and say like, “Man, I hope you never stopped doing this. This is amazing what you’re doing here”. And just seeing that it was helping somebody, that was enough to show me that there’s something here this is worth doing even if it never pays off monetarily. Like there is a positive effect in somebody’s world because of the actions I’m taking right now. I don’t think that’s enough to keep it going forever. But it was at least enough to keep me going to the next step and the next step. And just getting that kind of encouragement and feedback from people.

Jaren: When did you know you had traction with REtipster?

Seth: There was a point at which I thought about pulling the plug and quitting. I was like, “This is fun and everything, but I’ve got a life to live too. I can’t just do this forever for nothing”. I mean, really undeniably the milestone at which things saw a massive uptick was when I got interviewed on Bigger Pockets episode 39. Man, I feel like that was a gift from God.

I don’t know if REtipster would exist if that hadn’t happened honestly, just because I’m sure it certainly would have grown to where it’s at eventually, but Bigger Pockets just give it a massive boost to get there. And just seeing a lot of people hear what I was saying and reaching out and be like, “Man, that was so awesome. I got to learn more”. That was a huge turning point. Even that it didn’t mean I started making money. It was just this giant wave of new people that discovered me through that. I think it was shortly after that I created the first, shortly before or after that I created the first paid product for $7 that people could pay. And I remember the first time I saw somebody pay $7 and buy it. Like the first day I put it up. It was like, “Whoa, somebody paid me $7 for this”.

Like if I can just do this like several million more times, this can actually get somewhere. So, it is not happening several million times, but still like it was just a “Wow”. Like there’s something here. I’ve actually heard some people say that. If anybody out there wants to build a blog or a podcast or YouTube channel or whatever, there’s a lot of power in putting anything for sale out there for any amount of money, even if it’s a $1 or like a pay what you want kind of thing. Just because when that first transaction comes through, even if it’s like almost nothing, just realizing, “Hey, somebody paid for this”. Like there’s something here. That’s a big light bulb moment for everybody who does that kind of thing.

Jaren: That’s really inspirational. I always love digging into the story of REtipster because it’s a different business model than the traditional real estate investor. I don’t know if you get interviewed a lot on it, but I wanted to take this opportunity to dive deep there. Let’s talk about your primary strategy in real estate for a little bit. I know that it’s land. Our audience knows that your go-to is land. But are you interested in any other type of real estate investing?

Seth: Yeah, absolutely. So, land. For me, land has always been a part-time thing. Like it’s never been the one thing that I’ve totally thrown everything behind and it’s really been my way of generating big paychecks. I used to do seller financing earlier in my career. So, I think seller financing certainly has its place. It can go a long way if you decide to really get behind that in a big way. But, for me, I chose to steer away from that and just do cash deals. And I really use land as a method of making big paychecks. And with those big paychecks, I can then invest them into other things. Or the last big paycheck I made I haven’t put it towards anything yet. And it’s mainly because when I got paid there were just no giant obvious deals in front of me and the market has just been crazy. A sellers’ market in the past couple of years and I’ve kind of been in cash hoarding mode because it’s been so hard to find opportunities, not impossible, but just harder.

I think the ultimate end goal is to buy more with the “buy and hold” real estate where it’s going to be there as long as I’m alive, it’s going to generate income as long as I own it. That’s kind of like, to me anyway, having this farmer mentality, that’s kind of like the holy grail of where I want to be. The question is what is the best type of property to do that with? And originally, I thought it was going to be rental properties. I’m not like sworn off of them or anything. I sold off the ones that I own this past year just because people were paying such crazy amounts for them. And given where we’re at now, I’m glad I did just because there’s a lot of uncertainty in the world right now.

But in terms of what the best vehicle is to do that. I think self-storage has definitely been on my radar for the past year at least. And I’ve looked at a few different facilities and I’m actually right now sort of still in a conversation with somebody about buying theirs, but with all the Covid-19 stuff going on, I’m not sure where that’s going to go. It’s sort of been on hold for a couple of months and we’re supposed to pick it back up in like two days from now. And I’m not sure where they’re going to be at. Self-storage I think is one way to do it. I really liked the triple net lease idea as well. But again, it’s sort of comes down to “Can you get a good enough property in a good enough location at a good enough price?” That’s kind of like the million-dollar question. If you can, then you’re golden.

Jaren: For those in our audience that might not know what a triple net lease is, do you want to explain that?

Seth: Yeah, the triple net lease is where you simply buy a property, whether it’s a commercial building, like what a restaurant would occupy or a strip mall or even a warehouse, something like that. And the triple net lease basically means the tenant that occupies that is paying the property taxes, they’re paying the property insurance, they’re paying everything. So, all of the costs to maintain it and keep it running. Things that normally the property owner would pay in like a residential rental property, that’s all on the tenant. And usually as a result, they’re paying a slightly lower rent amount because they’re covering all that stuff. But the idea is like, I don’t want to say it’s a hundred percent hands-off for the owner but pretty close to it in terms of “I don’t have to mess with that. It’s your thing. It’s just my name is on the title”.

I think I really like that idea. It’s appealing for a lot of reasons, but I think it’s just really key to get a solid location that’s always going to be in demand regardless of where the market is at. And I know somebody, a local investor who has several buildings like that and that’s just an awesome place to be in terms of people always need what you have to offer and it’s always hands-off. It’s just like it’s perfect. So, I would love to get in that kind of position. For me, the one drawback to self-storage has been, at least for the sizes of properties that I would be able to get at this point, the sub-million-dollar range, they’re not management free. There’s not really a turnkey property manager out there that’s willing to manage ones that are that small. And so, basically, I would have to manage them myself in some capacity. Which I think as far as property management goes, that’s probably the easiest type of property to manage because nobody’s living there onsite. But still you have to do stuff. You have to make sure payments are coming in, you get to clean out units and evict people and it’s not hands-free like I would love it to be so. But I think self-storage might be a good stepping stone to where I’m trying to go anyway.

Jaren: Very cool. It seems like you and me have a very similar philosophy on land. I think that seller financing with good systems is a really good route to go. I tell my coaching clients that if your goal is to quit your day job as fast as humanly possible, then seller financing and land is kind of a must. If land is going to be the vehicle that you quit your job with. But because the cash flow is not evergreen and because there’s such a high default rate, I personally shy away from seller financing just because it’s a lot to manage. And I would rather sell for cash, take the cash out of the land business and then park it into some other type of “buy and hold” asset class.

Before I ask our famous three questions, at the end of every interview, I wanted to just ask you, if you weren’t running a real estate business or REtipster, what do you think you’d be doing with your life?

Seth: Yeah man, that’s a good question. I feel like it’s a very rare thing for people to reach their full potential in life. And it’s just very elusive because there’s a lot of things that many of us could be geniuses at, but we’ve never even tried it. So, we’ll never know. And so, as a result, we will kind of just settle for what we’re doing and assume that that’s the best we can do. And I think if I had never started REtipster if I had never done land, if I had never figured out any of that stuff, I would probably be working at like a bank doing work that I could tolerate but not fully enjoy. Yeah, honestly, I think I would probably play the safe route and just do something that I felt was secure. Something where I could have the weekends off and work normal hours and earn like an upper-middle-class income and be like, “Yep, here we go. That’s the American dream right there”.

It’s not that that’s like inherently wrong. It’s just like, it’s not the best I could do for myself. And I guess REtipster and land and what I’m doing in real estate, that may not be the best either. Maybe there’s something even further that I have a calling to do, but I think with the stage that I’m at right now in my life, it’s much better than many other alternatives that I could have done. I’m really thankful to God for him letting this happen because it’s been an amazing ride and I really, really love what I do. I think I was explaining to you one time.

It’s like every morning when I go into my office, it’s sort of like what a child would feel like when they run through the gates of Disney World for the first time, where they’re just like, they’re so excited. There are so many things they want to do. It’s just the coolest thing they have ever seen or experienced. I’m not exaggerating, but that’s really kind of what life is like every day when I get to do this kind of work. Like I love it. I’m on cloud nine.

That’s not to say there are no hard things and hard days and days when I’m exhausted and tired and when I’ve had to edit stuff all day and it’s not fun, but it’s still an amazing thing. Like compared to every other kind of work I’m aware of in the world, it’s awesome. And the cool thing it’s actually like if I were stopped doing REtipster or for some reason stopped doing real estate altogether, it’s introduced me to a lot of other careers I never would have known about like videography or copywriting or social media marketing or design and editing. It’s just kind of cool how running after something you love can reveal a lot of other cool things in the process. Even if the main thing didn’t necessarily end up being your final calling. Like there’s a lot of other cool things you can discover along the way just by chasing after your dream.

Jaren: That’s awesome man. And I feel the same way. I love the opportunity that I have at REtipster where I can meet with people and help them become successful and make videos and teach and just make an impact. And I really feel like there are few better things out there than running a blog or an online community for impact. And that’s my biggest driver, man. I want to make a difference in my life. And I feel like here I’ve been able to make the biggest amount of impact that I’ve ever been able to compare to other jobs.

Seth: Yeah, man. When you think about it, it’s really important to work. I think that’s something that you and I don’t always see because we don’t always see who is getting this stuff and who is using it and who is getting to a place, they couldn’t have otherwise gotten to with it. I feel like most of the time I’m just totally unaware of that. But when I think of other influencers I’ve followed and what their work has done for me, it’s incredible. It’s an amazing thing and it’s really cool that in any way we get to be that for somebody else in any capacity. So, it’s an awesome thing. We’re really fortunate.

Jaren: Yeah, man, we really are. So, to wrap this interview up with our final three. First things first, what is your biggest fear?

Seth: Yeah, there are lots of things I have fear in the world, unfortunately. The first thing that comes to mind is that someone in my family will experience some kind of life-altering trauma or physical harm. I’ve had a lot of really irrational fears, things that like, “Why do you even think about that?” Like these things go through my head all day long. My kids like maiming themselves or getting injured. Just crazy stuff. So that’s a big one. Just that something terrible will happen, which is kind of unfortunate because like living on Earth, terrible stuff happens. Like there’s no way to escape that. Like it’s just part of life as a human. So, it stinks that I’m afraid of something so inevitable.

Aside from that though, there’s also this fear that I’ll have to go back and get a job someday. I don’t know why that would happen, but you never know, especially with the weird stuff happening in the world right now. Lots of crazy stuff has happened and that nobody would ever have guessed. I’ve really enjoyed this life. I really love where my life is at right now. I’ve seen other people in life who have obtained great amounts of wealth and sort of gotten used to the comfort of that life and then they lose it and sort of fall backward and it’s very, very painful. Sometimes I’m afraid of something like that happening. Not necessarily with wealth but just the career that I’ve enjoyed so far.

Jaren: What about that is so scary? Is it that you would feel like a failure or what about having to go back and work another job is such a negative?

Seth: It’s probably a bunch of different things woven into that. I think it would just be a huge kick in the gut. Because whatever I’ve done with REtipster, it sort of worked. I mean it’d not be exactly where I want to be, but you can’t deny. Like it’s gone somewhere. And this idea that what has worked in the past will suddenly stop working. This stuff that I thought I had figured out all of a sudden, “Nope, you actually don’t know what you’re doing anymore. Back to square one”. Like that would really be a very painful thing to go through.

And then having a boss and hours and just dumb rules. And you know how most companies are. Like just lots of inefficiency and the way the herd mentality that a lot of people have. I don’t know, a lot of things like that do not sound like fun to me.

And a lot of people that I knew in banking that were really like very highly paid high up in their organization, I know for a fact they hate their career. They do not enjoy what they do. They just don’t know what else is better. And they kind of get used to a lifestyle or an expensive lifestyle and their job pays them well. And you kind of paint yourself into a corner where you can’t do anything else. Because you’d have to say goodbye to all your nice things then. Heaven forbid, we actually do work we love because we’ve got this horrible job that’s paying us so well. It’s like the golden handcuffs’ thing. Having to go back to a corporate life that it’s just yuck. Like nothing about that sounds fun to me.

Jaren: That makes a lot of sense. What is something you’re most proud of?

Seth: I think my kids is an easy answer, but I feel like that’s more God than me. I am a spiritual, Christian person, so that’s the caveat to this. As he made them, it’s not like I made them. I played a part in that, but like that’s really his creation. I just get to be their earthly father, which is an amazing blessing. But I feel like that’s just God doing his miracle, doing what he does and I just kind of get to be along for the ride. It’s weird to say I’m proud of that when really, I’m just kind of an overseer of them while they’re here. But I feel like they’re both just like really, man, I love them so much. I feel like it’s more than just because I’m their parent. It’s because they’re really good fun people to be around. I can’t wait for them to wake up in the morning so I can just see them and interact with them. I really enjoy being around them. That’s just a really cool thing.

I’m also really proud of REtipster. I think that’s also been God. He’s opened up doors and allowed things to happen. I did a lot of the work, but I think any opportunity comes from him. Whether anybody read the work or not or watch the videos and listen to the podcasts, it’s just been very fulfilling and fun. Just being able to organize ideas and put together information that people can really use and enjoy has been just a really fun thing.

Jaren: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

Seth: A really important lesson I’ve learned. I don’t always implement this well, but it’s still knowledge and the lesson that I know about is that I have the power to choose my response in any situation. And that much of what I considered to be a good or bad thing is simply the thoughts that swirl around in my head. There are many things in life that really aren’t good or bad. It’s just what I tell myself and how I choose to process that information and how I choose to react to that. Sometimes I can just fall apart and feel like tragedy has struck. And other times it was like, “Oh, not really. This is an opportunity and now you get to do this instead”. It’s kind of fascinating when you realize you don’t have to be a victim of your thoughts. You can choose your thoughts and you can say “No” to thoughts that are destructive.

But like I said, I know that but that doesn’t mean I’m always good at implementing that. There are lots of times that I still feel like a victim when I shouldn’t. It’s kind of a discipline thing honestly. To realize you can do that and then actually direct your thoughts intentionally. It’s not an easy thing, but it can certainly be done. And when you realize that and actually do it, it can really change your life in a huge way. There are lots of lots of people who’ve gotten really far simply by controlling their thoughts and the way that they responded to the situations and the cards that they were dealt, so to speak.

Jaren: What goes on in between your ears is everything. It’s all attitude.

Seth: Yeah, it’s huge.

Jaren: Well, that’s awesome man. I think for me, unless there’s anything else that you want to say in the interview, I mean, I could always be a tongue in cheek and be like, “So, where can people find you?” But I think that’s a wrap.

Seth: Yeah. If people ever want to learn more just useless facts about me, there is a blog post that I put together and have updated a few times over the years called “20 Things I’ve Never Told You”. I’ll link to that in the show notes for this episode. This is episode 68. So, it’s retipster.com/68 or you can just search for it on REtipster. Just type in “20 Things” and it should pop up. 

Jaren: You know what we should do once this podcast goes live? We should put the podcast on the article.

Seth: Yeah, we should. That’s a good idea. Hey man, you should write a blog post like that too so people can get to know you more.

Jaren: I should.

Seth: Yeah. I got the idea from another blogger named Corbett Barr. He wrote a similar thing. I think his was “33 things I never told you”, but it was just like a bunch of brain dump of like his personal life and interesting tidbits and there are no like lessons so to speak. It’s just, “Hey, you want to get to know me? Here you go”. Yeah. I appreciate everybody who’s ever had any interaction with retipster.com or the YouTube channel or if you’re listening to this podcast episode right now. I appreciate you. It’s the only reason anything like this works is because people out there interact with it and consume it and find value in it. And let me know about it, let us know about it because that’s how we know, “Hey, we’re on the right track”. So yeah, it’s been amazing being able to give and receive from an audience out there in this space and I hope we can keep doing it for a lot of years to come.

And if you guys are listening on your phone, say if you’re not in front of a computer, and if you want to stay up to date with all the stuff we have going on, the new things happening every week, it’s pretty easy. Just take out your phone and text the word “FREE”. F-R-E-E to the number 33777 and you can stay in touch with us that way.

Thanks again everybody for hanging out with us. I hope you guys enjoyed this and if not, I’m sorry. I guess we’ll talk to you about something else in the next episode. I’m so sorry for wasting an hour of your time.

Jaren: On to the next episode.

Seth: Already guys, we’ll see you next time.

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from Real Estate Tips https://retipster.com/068-seth-williams/