#( would rather endure this than going back to retail honestly. )

[cinderspewed]

ya’ll i’m so sorry. i will def get to those starters tomorrow. i’m pet sitting right now and i am fucking FREEZING. no heat is coming upstairs in this house, so i’m about to sleep on the couch. i gotta endure this until the 24th man. 

[otome-addicts-notsoanonymous]

This is the entry by @voltage-fanfictions​ for the fanfic giveaway! Remember, in order to vote you must COMMENT on this post! All the voting rules and the master post can be found under #fanficgiveawaymaster, or here. Other submissions can be found on the master post, or under #fanficsubmissions

Christmas Miracle [Kissed by the Baddest Bidder x Star Crossed Myth crossover] [Reader Insert] [Giveaway Entry]

Huffing, you lifted yourself from your position at the bedside, checking no-one was around before cracking your back upon standing. With Chisato and Sakiko having been called off to cover work elsewhere in the hotel you were left to fend for yourself until they were complete whatever tasks they were assigned, so with a quick once over of the room hoping that your pager stayed quiet, unfortunately for you, as it always did, the pager in your pocket started buzzing. Of course, you were left with no choice but to drop your equipment and made a mad dash for the penthouse.

“You’re late.” Eisuke’s announcement was anything but a shock to you, only on one or two occasions in which you happened to be close by to the penthouse anyway had you managed to be on time. You simply gave a small smile.

“I’m assuming you would like coffee.” You didn’t even bother to wait for a response as you made your way over to the coffee machine and began creating the in demand beverages, placing them in front if the corresponding bidders. You went to leave the room but Eisuke’s voice behind you stopped you in your tracks.

“There’s a business meeting this Saturday. You’re coming with me.” Your heart dropped to your stomach.

“Um, Mr. Ichinomiya, I’m really sorry but I can’t.” You didn’t even need to look at him to know you were being pierced with an icy glare. Mamoru whistled under his breath.

“Damn kid, finally grow a backbone?” Shrinking back, you could only stutter out.

“I’m so sorry, but I already have plans and I can’t get out of them. Even for you.” Before you had to endure to wrath that would come from your refusal you turned leave again, only to run smack into someone in the doorway. Losing your balance, you expected to fall face first to the ground only to be caught by someone.

“Good grief, keep your eyes forward and look where you’re going!” You glanced up and gave a sheepish smile to a rather annoyed looking Shuichi who was still supporting your frame against him. Wordlessly, he steadied you on your feet before stepping around you and moving into the room, giving you your chance to escape.

It’s not that you didn’t want to help Eisuke, honestly you were terrified to go against their wishes, but the people you were agreeing to meet were even more powerful, and you weren’t sure which group to be more afraid of, the bidders or the gods. The bidders may be powerful, but even they couldn’t compare to divine beings, and you’d thought your life couldn’t possibly get more chaotic, but as if to prove you wrong life had dumped this in your lap.

Your meeting with the gods had been far from expected, but then again who goes to a planetarium expecting to fall off the room, be saved by gods, told you’re a reincarnated goddess and that you were needed to absolve their sins. I mean it’s hardly a typical Saturday, yet that was exactly what had happened to you the previous January.

As you could imagine those interesting relationships got off to a rocky start, the gods weren’t participating kind to begin with, fighting over who got use of you first only to then be furious to find you couldn’t just snap your fingers and remove their marks of sin. You almost slapped them at that point, did then honestly expect to just show up in front of you and for you to tell them that you knew exactly what they needed? For gods, they were a little dumb in that sense. So being the almighty beings they were they decided they were going to ruin the little time you had off. Great.

This has been going on for about eleven months now, you’d spent equally with each god and somehow their marks of sin had faded, only recently did the final one fade and even though you were happy to be getting the time back, you couldn’t help but be a little sad that you wouldn’t see them again, until of course you received the message yesterday from Altair that you needed to go to the mansion on Saturday because the gods had news for you. By some miracle over the past twelve months you had somehow avoided clashing diaries with the two, but you guessed your luck had to run out at some point and although the bidders could make your life hell, they were not divine beings with powers that could be used to harass you until you did as they asked, and the arrangement was made with them first so for the first time you turned down Eisuke Ichinomiya, I mean he had to understand his one time in the entire time they held ownership over you, right? Still, knowing Mr. Ichinomiya it would probably be safer to ask the gods to use the sofa in the mansion for the night before, so when the next day had passed you did just that.

The journey to the mansion gave time for the exhaustion of the week to set in. The Christmas period, which was pretty much from the end of Halloween now, was always busy in any form of service or retail work, but there seemed to be a lot of guests who had yet to feel the festive cheer. You knew you weren’t the only one who noticed, many of the staff were commenting on how some of the guests seemed meaner, and you had to agree. Sure, it wasn’t odd to deal with a complaint or two, but the sheer volume of upset customers you were dealing with was completely abnormal especially for the time of year.

Reaching the mansion, you forewent knocking because you were freezing and stepped inside, removing the gloves from your hand and rubbing the cold appendages together. No doubt hearing the door close, Dui emerged into the hallway. He looked slightly shocked for a moment before running up to you.

“What’re you doing here? Is there a problem?” You shook your head in response.

“No Dui, no problems as such.” Noticing your reddened fingers, with a slight blush he took your hands in his own, allowing the warmth of his hands to bleed into your own.

“Is there something we can do for you then, there must be something to bring you here this late and in this weather.”

“Well actually, I do have a bit of a strange request.”

“Oh? What’s that?” You thought for a moment about the phrasing before just deciding being blunt about it would be easier.

“I was wondering if I could perhaps stay the night.” If you though his blush couldn’t deepen more you were wrong. His entire face was practically the same shade as the cherries he so adored. His widened eyes met yours and you realised at that point exactly what he was thinking, but before you got the chance to correct him another voice joined the conversation.

“Staying the night? Well you’re always welcome in my room.” Partheno gave that flirty smirk he always did, you could practically feel him undressing you with his eyes and he slid next to you, wrapping an arm around your waist and discreetly pulling your hands from within Dui’s grasp.  “If you want me, just say the word and I will show you quite the night.” The hand at you waist crept lower and lower. Just as his hand was creeping low enough to be deemed socially inappropriate and you could see Dui getting ready to intervene, yet another voice was heard.

“Partheno. I think it’s best you stop now.” You turned to see Karno descending down the stairs with his normal calm expression. “You wouldn’t want to be accused of sexual harassment, would you?” Partheno smiled in return, looking at you.

“Harassment? I’m just inviting her to join me in bed tonight.”

“Partheno!” Dui’s cheeks exploded into redness again as Karno shook his head with a chuckle.

“I don’t think you’ll have the time. Zyglavis is calling you two, you should probably head back to the heavens.”

“What a shame.” Partheno sighed. “But my offer if always open. I’d be more than happy to spend the night pleasuring you beyond your wildest dreams.”

“Partheno! We should go now!” And before he could say anymore, Dui grabbed Partheno and steered him back into the mansion. Once the hall fell silent again, Karno turned to face you.

“I’m sorry, how rude of me to leave you standing out here.” He offered you his hand with a smile. “Please, come inside. It’s much warmer in there.” You took his outstretched hand, and he clasped it gently, lacing his fingers through yours as he began to walk you through the mansion. “I’m surprised you’re here so late.”

“Yeah, I was just asking a favour. Are Zyglavis or Leon here?”

“No, it’s pretty empty. There’s a bit of a problem right now. I’m sure you’ll find out about it soon enough.”

“Oh..” You wanted to dig further, but his tone told you you wouldn’t get anything from him anyway, even if you did ask. So you simply settled on your original question. “Then I guess you’re the next person to ask.” He looked towards you, curiosity clear on his face.

“And what might your question be?”

“I was wondering if I could sleep here tonight, on one of the sofas.” He froze for a moment, before shaking his head and continuing to walk.

“Why would you need to? Are you in trouble?” You laughed and shook your head.

“Nothing like that. You see I was asked to come and speak to Zyglavis tomorrow by Altair, but my boss wanted me to attend some meeting with him. He wasn’t particularly happy when I said no and I have no doubt he’ll try something to get me to attend with him. It wouldn’t be the first time he pulls a ridiculous stunt like that.”

“Is he really that bad?” He looked slightly shocked. “Can’t you raise it with your management?”

“Karno, the ‘boss’ I’m referring to is the CEO. I literally have no-one to go to.” He went silent for a moment.

“If you wish for it, I might be able to do something.”

“Unfortunately I think my wish would end up falling to the Punishments Department. Thanks all the same though.”

“If you insist.” He sighed. “But back to your original question, I don’t have a problem with you staying, but I’m not sure I’m comfortable letting you sleep on the sofa. You’ll be very out in the open.”

“Karno, you guys are gods! Why on Earth would I be in danger when you guys have goddesses falling all over each other to talk to you all.”

“Gods we may be, but we are still men. And when something special is defenceless it can be hard to resist. Although I don’t think anyone would truly lay a hand on you, I would much prefer in you used my bed for the night. I will be in the heavens so you don’t need to worry about me joining you, no matter what I might like to do.” You decided to ignore the end of his statement.

“Are you sure?”

“I insist, it’s the only way I’ll allowed it. Would you like to rest now? There aren’t many others here and those that are will be coming and going.”

“Well it is late, and I am tired, so I think I’ll take you up on that offer Karno.” He gave a small nod, leading you down the corridor towards the bedrooms before stopping in front of his own, opening the door and stepping to the side to allow you to pass, you turned back to face him and he smiled.

“I should be going now, but sleep well, ok?” He didn’t wait for a response, leaning forward he gave your forehead a small peck before he closed the door.

As asked, your sleep was deep and peaceful and you awoke to light leaking in through the window. In your foggy state it took you a little while to realise where you were, but it soon came back to you when you looked around the room. Pulling yourself from the bed you quickly moved to rummage through your bag for the shirt and underwear you had brought with you. Blinking the sleep from your eyes you noticed there was a sink in the corner of the room that wasn’t there before and you silently thanked Karno as you brushed your teeth and used the flannel to give yourself a quick wash. With a quick sweep of a brush your hair looked as it always did, and you decided you were presentable.

You emerged from Karno’s room as quietly as you could, but as always luck wasn’t on your side.

“Well hello little lady, fancy seeing you here.”

“…Hi Lou.”

“Karno? Not a bad choice, however I can almost guarantee that I can offer more in that department.” He walked forward, locking his eyes with yours and placing his hand lightly on your cheek. “Would you let me prove it?”

“Um…I’m not that kind of person.”  He held your gaze, expression not moving from the sultry smirk he had for a good thirty seconds before he laughed, patting your cheek. “I’m joking, Karno told us you were staying.” He looked past you to the door. “However, he didn’t say you were staying in his room. But Zyglavis will be down from the heavens any minute now, so you should probably head down.”

“Oh, ok. Thanks for letting me know.”

“Not a problem, little lady.”

Following his advice, you made your way to the lounge, finding it empty you sat yourself on the sofa. As Tauxolouve said, Zyglavis stepped into the room shortly after yourself. He looked mildly surprised to see you but composed himself fast.

“You’re already here, how punctual.”

“I try my hardest.” He appeared slightly awkward for a moment, and as you stood to face him he sighed.

“My apologies for this, but I don’t think dancing around this matter is going to help anything. I’m going to be honest with you, your life is in danger.” You couldn’t conceal your shock.

“What?”

“I’m sure you’re aware of the current upheaval in the heavens. The reason the gods have not been as present on earth is because there has been a gradual yet disturbing increase in dark energy. We’ve come to find the reason for this is the revival of a being called The Dark King,”

“A name like that is never a good thing.”

“No, it isn’t. The Dark King has been the cause of deadly conflicts before and somehow he has been revived. His followers have somehow amassed enough power to bring him back but at this point he is still weak, which is where you come in. Your soul contains a huge amount of power, which although currently dormant can still be harnessed. We believe he will try to target you to obtain the power of your soul, and return himself to full strength.”

“…I’m assuming this would kill me.” He gave a solemn nod.

“Yes, the only way to use them would be to remove your soul from your body to awaken its dormant powers and absorb them, if he succeeded The Dark King would be as powerful as the King of the Heavens. We can’t let that happen, it would mean another war which would put every living thing at risk.” Noticing your quietness, Zyglavis apologised. “I’m sorry to be the one to reveal this to you, but don’t worry.” He stepped forward, resting a hand on your shoulder. “We won’t let The Dark King take you. The twelve of us have been tasked with protecting you.”

“I see, that’s comforting to hear.”

“I’m glad. One of us will remain at your side whenever possible, if we cannot for any reason be with you physically then I will send my shadows to watch over you, and your assigned guard will watch from the reflecting pool to monitor your safety.”

“Thank you Zyglavis.” You smiles softly at him. “Also thank you for telling me, I know it probably wasn’t something that was easy for you to do.” He looked slightly shy at your words.

“I was only doing as asked by the King.”

The next day you were back in your apartment, and as you opened the door to leave you nearly jumped out of your skin when Teorus popped out from behind the wall.

“Good morning Goldie!”

“Christ Teorus, you nearly gave me a heart attack!” He laughed at your frazzled exclamation.

“Well you did know one of us would be showing up!”

“Yeah, but I was expecting to be approached like a normal person!” He smiled and grabbed your wrist.

“Oh well, let’s get you to work, from what you’ve said your boss is scary and you don’t want to be late.”

“Yeah, you have a point.”

The walk to the Tres Spades was quiet, even now you had t exactly processed what you were told, I mean finding out your life is at risk isn’t something particularly easy to stomach. Before you even realised, you were stood outside the hotel where you snapped back to yourself.

“Oh, sorry Teorus, guess I spaced out. That was rude of me, but I really need to be going.” You apologised, but just before you slipped your wrist from his hand to enter the building he spoke.

“Goldie.” His voice had lost its playful edge. “ I know you’re scared. You don’t need to pretend, but just know that you look prettiest when you smile. So keep your head up, ok?”

“I’ll try, I guess.” Realising that was the best he was going to get, he dropped a kiss on the top of your hair.

“I’ll be back to pick you up when your shift is finished.” Before he walked away to no doubt teleport to the heavens.

Walking inside you were met with a character who honestly you didn’t have the energy to deal with right now, and the look on his face just screamed trouble for you. The corners of Ota’s lips were downturned and his brow was furrowed, it was easy to tell he was far from happy. You were about to give your normal greeting when he grabbed you by the wrist and pulled you to the side, covering the spot where Teorus’ hand had been.

“Koro. Who was that guy?” A sickly sweet tone left him and you couldn’t help but gulp.

“He’s just a friend, Ota.” The grip on your wrist tightened.

“Oh? Do you let all of your friends kiss you like that?”

“Ota! You make it sound like he made out with me or something, it was just an affectionate peck on the head!”

“I don’t care what it was.” His eyes narrowed. “You let another man kiss you, and this will be your last warning. You don’t get to find another master, Koro. You’ll be punished if you try to.”

He walked away, leaving you staring at his back for a while before you got your legs to move again.

As expected, Mr. Ichinomiya wasn’t particularly happy about you escaping his clutches for the previous weekend. He assigned you task after task as punishment for disobeying him and you were left exhausted, barely having the energy to manage the walk home with Teorus and the pattern continued like this over the next few days. One of the gods would escort you to and from work but apart from that things didn’t feel all too different normal. For a few days at least.

The Thursday of the following week you were waiting outside for Ichthys, but you could see Zyglavis’ shadows standing guard a few feet away. From under the canopy of the building you stepped towards the side of the road, itching to get home.

“What’re you waiting out here for?” Turning around, you came to see Mamoru making his way out of the hotel. You gave him a tired smile.

“Oh, a friend of mine is going to be walking home.”

“You got a lot of friends suddenly. They doing this for any reason?”

“What do you mean?”

“Look kid, if something’s wrong you cause more hassle for us when you keep quiet. Is something going on?” Before you could even think to respond, you saw his eyes widen, the cigarette fell from his mouth as he grabbed you harshly, holding you against his chest as he leapt out of the way of something. You met the concrete with a thud but that was soon overpowered by a horrendous shriek of metal against concrete before there was an explosive sound. Still a bit dazed, you looked up from your place beneath Mamoru, only for your eyes to meet the sight of a car crumpled again the next door building. Right where you had been standing. Your blood ran cold and you gulped as Mamoru pulled you to your feet. “Kid, don’t even think of lying to me right now. What’s. Going. On.” His tone was serious and as you struggled to find the words there was the sound of footsteps behind you.

“Are you ok?!” The familiar voice of Ichthys rang in your ears and you were pulled from Mamoru, being spun to face the clearly concerned god.

“I’m fine Ichthys, I’m fine.” Running his hands down your arms, he let out a small sigh of relief.

“I thought it was going to be too late.” He pulled you into his arms. “Thank heavens you’re safe.”

“And who the hell are you?” Mamoru’s brought you back to yourself. You jumped out of Ichthys’ arms like you’d had cold water thrown over you.

“I’m Ichthys!” Mamoru looked him up and down.

“Sounds like a stripper name.” You blanched at his words.

“Kishi! You can’t just say stuff like that to people!” His frown didn’t lessen.

“I think this asshole knows his name ain’t what I’m after. Who are you to her?” He jutted his chin in your direction. “And I ain’t gonna buy that you’re ‘just a friend’. I’m not stupid.”

“Ok, I’m her boyfriend!”

“Ichthys this isn’t the time for jokes!” You yelled, noticing the look of anger on Mamoru’s face.

“No, it isn’t.” All three of you turned to see Krioff approaching.

“Another one? Where are these assholes coming from?” You ignored Mamoru’s mutter.

“Circumstances have changed. I think we should go inside to talk about this.” He gave a pointed look to you and Mamoru. Huffing a sigh out when he looked at you, the cop motioned with his hand, taking the three of you back into the hotel.

When you reached the penthouse, the bidders automatically turned to look at the entrance and Eisuke scowled at the unknown people.

“Would you two care to explain why these men are in my penthouse without permission?”

“They’re here to explain what’s going on with the kid. Whether they want to or not.” Without knowing what to say you looked at the gods pleadingly, and Krioff gave a small shrug.

“It’s fine. The King has given permission for them to know. I’m just relaying a message.”

“King?” Soryu didn’t look impressed. “What kind of nonsense are you talking.”

“How much? How much do we need to tell them?” Your couldn’t help but admit you were slightly scared of how the bidders would react.

“All of it.” Noticing your discomfort he carried on. “Want me to tell them?” You could only nod, refusing to meet their eyes.

“Tell us what?” Eisuke seethed. “Unless you want a harsh punishment, you better start talking.”

“Hey, leave her alone.” Ichthys came to put a comforting arm around your shoulder. “She’s having a hard enough time right now without you guys being mean!”

“Your employee is a reincarnated goddess.” When Krioff said that, silence encased the room, sharp eyes fixing in on him. Honestly, what did you expect when you let Krioff speak for you other than blunt honesty?

“Do you honestly think we’re going to believe that?” Shuichi hissed. Krioff simply looked bored, like he was expecting that.

“Believe it or not, it’s the truth. She was a goddess in her previous life. Currently her life is in danger, and I’m here to take her, and all of you, to the heavens for better protection.”

“Wait, they’re coming too?”

“The King believes that if they are here on Earth the Dark King could use them as a means to draw you out. We would rather a few more humans know about us then risk the entire world.”

“This is like a plot ripped out of a kids book.” Ota muttered. “Try to be a bit more creative at least.”

“And don’t think we’ll be going anywhere with you, including my employee. Now leave my hotel, I’m already sick of looking at you two.” Krioff and Ichthys looked at each other.

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing we don’t need you to move to get you where we’re going.”

Before the bidders could speak, Krioff snapped his fingers and you felt that horrid lightheaded feeling and your vision went black, only to fade back into view with you all stood in the throne room. Appearing stunned beyond words, the bidders just stared as you gave a small bow the the King.

“Your Highness.”

“The former goddess, it has been a while since we last spoke.”

“Yes, I’m sorry about that.”

“There’s no need to apologise. Circumstances haven’t lent us to free time recently. But for now we can communicate with ease. As I asked Krioff to tell you, you will be staying in the heavens for the time being. The Dark King’s power is continuing to grow at an alarming rate, we can’t risk him taking your soul.”

“What is this nonsense!” The yell of pure irritation drew your attention back to Eisuke. He looked far from impressed, if looks could kill the entire room would be dead. You simply looked towards your feet.

“It’s not nonsense Mr. Ichinomiya. I’m a reincarnated goddess.”

“You, a goddess?” Hikaru smirked. “Are you trying to make me laugh?”

“I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true!”

“That’s enough.” Eisuke spoke, grabbing you by the wrist. “We’re going back to the Tres Spades, where you can explain to me fully what lies these people have filled your head with.” As he made to leave the throne room with you in tow, the King of the Heavens snapped his fingers, freezing Eisuke where he stood. The billionaire looked shocked only for a moment, before anger you had never seen flared in his eyes.

“Eisuke Ichinomiya, none of you will be leaving the heavens for the foreseeable future. As I’m sure was explained to you by Krioff, going back to Earth right now puts both yourself and the world at risk. I do not care whether you believe in us or not, but you will do as I command. Everything, every part of your life is in my hands. You would do well to remember this while you are here.” Another snap later and he was free once more. Looking hesitantly over at him, the fury in his eyes was clear. Eisuke was used to winning, and not being top of the food chain clearly didn’t sit well with him.

“If we’re staying here, where exactly are we staying?” Baba queried.

“I will have the gods show you to your temporary rooms, Krioff please see that our former goddess is settled. I need to speak with her acquaintances.” With a gentle hand on your back, Krioff lead you from the room.

“Thank you for this Krioff. I know this is probably the last thing you all need.”

“This is about protecting the world.”

“I know that.”

“No, you don’t.” He turned to meet your eyes. “I’m saying that the world that has you in it is worth protecting.”

The rest of the walk to your room was in silence, and after a few questions about the room, Krioff left you in peace. You settled on the bed, holding one of the pillows to your chest and hugging it against you. You were scared, of both the Dark King and the bidders. Of course the threat of death was never to be taken lightly, but the reactions from the bidders caused a very different fear to bloom in your heart. You never planned to tell them of your origins, it’d taken you months to accept it yourself. Yet here they were, being faced with not only the reality of who you were, but also the entirety of the heavens on top of the fact that they could be in danger because of you. You feared they still wouldn’t believe you, that they would brand you a liar or accuse you of betraying them. You were scared they would abandon you.

A light knock at the door drew you from your thoughts, and you gave a small noise to allow the person to enter. Baba’s face appeared around the edge of the door, and he gave you a small smile.

“Hi princess, how are you feeling?” You sighed.

“About as well as expected considering everything.” He slipped around the door, closing it gently behind him and came to sit on the bed next to you, as he chuckled, you looked at him quizzically.

“I’m sorry, I just remembered how I often called you my goddess. I guess I wasn’t wrong, was I?” You joined his amusement with a grin before his smile dropped ever so slightly. “Say, how long have you known that you weren’t human?”

“I am human, Baba.”

“Princess, you know what I mean. How long have you known about this?” For a moment you considered whether you should lie or be honest, but deciding you’d had enough of being deceitful around it, you opted with telling the truth.

“I’ve known for about a year.” You didn’t miss the look of hurt that passed the thief’s face.

“…And you never thought to tell me?”

“Baba, would you have believed me If I had?”

“Perhaps for a while I would’ve thought you were joking, but I know you. You’re not a liar. After a few months…I think I would’ve. I’m sorry that you didn’t see me as trustworthy for your secret.”

“Oh Baba, it’s not like-“ he placed a finger over your lips.

“You didn’t think I would believe you. That in itself shows I haven’t proven myself to you yet.” He gave you another sad smile. “I’ll prove myself to you. It may take me years, a lifetime even. But I swear that I’ll show that you can share anything you need to with me.” Running the thumb from your lip over your cheek, he stood from the bed. “It’s getting late, and from what I’ve heard you’ve had a very long day. Sleep now princess, we don’t want your beauty marred by exhaustion.” Following his words of comfort, he quietly left the room. With the darkness feeling comfortable for the first time since this began, you fell into a guilt ridden sleep.

The next day you awoke feeling just as groggy, and without any particular thing to do you simply made yourself presentable and left your room, hoping to find anything to alleviate your stress and boredom. You headed out into the hallway, and the silence was unnerving to you. The normally bustling palace was so quiet it almost felt dead. So you were relieved when you saw Soryu emerge into the corridor.

“Good morning Soryu.” He nodded at you. “Is everything ok with your room?”

“Is there a point to your questions? If there is, just say so.” You looked away, taking a small gulp before working up the courage to say what you wanted to.

“I just…I just wanted to apologise for putting you through all this. For causing you all so many problems. I should’ve been more careful about being around you all-“

“Did you know this was going to happen?” You froze in shock.

“Of course not, how could you ask that?!”

“Then why are you sorry? You didn’t know this was going to happen just as we didn’t. There was nothing you could’ve done to prevent this, don’t apologise for something you had no say in.”

“…Right. Thanks for that Soryu.” You went to walk away only to be stopped by a loud popping noise. Almost instinctually Soryu pulled the gun from his blazer and pulled you against his chest as he brandished the weapon in the direction of the noise.

“Show yourselves!” Laughter rung around the two of you, and despite looking you couldn’t find the source. With a final guess as to who was behind it, you looked upwards to see Ichthys hovering next to one of the pillars, waving down at you innocently.

“Ichthys, what have you done this time?”

“Nothing, nothing. That’ll just be Dui falling for my prank!” You couldn’t help but sigh.

“I’m not even going to ask…”

“Is this really the time for pranks?” Surprisingly, Soryu spoke up to the god above him. “You say yourself that her life is in danger, don’t you think you should be working like the other gods to trying and stop this and keep her safe?” At his words, Ichthys rolled his eyes.

“Maaaannn, you are just like Ziggles. You’re no fun! Especially at times like this you need a bit of life around the place or it just gets so boring!”

“ICHTHYS!” The familiar roar of the minister echoed through the halls. Following which the male in question quickly fled the corridor with nothing but a wave. You and Soryu were left in silence once again.

“Soryu…you can let go of me now.” You didn’t think you’d ever seen the mobster turn so red before.

“Am I interrupting something?” Looking towards the other end of the corridor, the click of the male’s heels against the tiled floor became louder as he approached.

“No Hue, there’s nothing to interrupt.”

“Is that so?” The blue haired god gave a closed eyed smile to Soryu. “It didn’t seem that way.” At the insinuating tone, Soryu clicked his tongue and walked back the way he came.

“Hue, you are mean.”

“Mean? I’m simply stating what I see. Besides, I actually came to ask you for assistance.”

“How can I help?” He held up the sheets of parchment in his hand.

“With my missing eye and the volume of work we’re all taking on right now, I’m running very low on energy, even with being in the heavens. Would you care to help me work by lending me your power?”

“Like I did on Earth? Sure, I don’t see a problem with that.”

After helping Huedhaut for the majority of the day, he bid you a farewell telling you that you’d helped him immensely. You weren’t particularly tired at this point but with Hue’s dismissing you no doubt to make sure you weren’t overworked you were left to once again wander the palace. Contemplating whether or not to take a walk in the gardens, you couldn’t stop the squeak of surprise that left you when you were thrust against the wall.

Looking up towards the face of your captor, Eisuke’s expression certainly erred in the side or irritation. The nerves that had slowly been ebbing away over the course of the day swelled back up and he pinned you to the wall with his arm.

“You kept a secret from me.” He was practically glowering, a mix of damaged pride and annoyance, no doubt it was your fault with the way he was looking at you.

“Mr. Ichinomiya, I-“

“There are only two answers you can give me. Or have you forgotten that?” You deflated.

“No sir, I haven’t.”

“And what are those answers?”

“Yes and ok…”

“Now let’s try this again, did you keep a secret from me?”

“…Yes.”

“There. It was a simple answer. I don’t care what you think is best for me, what you think is important for me to know or what you think I‘ll believe. You tell me everything, then it is up to me to draw my own conclusion. Do you understand?”

“…Yes sir.”

“When we get back to the Tres Spades, you are going to be-“ He didn’t even get to finish his sentence. The billionaire was torn from you body and you were looking at the back of the Punishments’ uniform before you could blink.

“Listen here.” Scorpio’s tone was low and threatening. “You don’t treat her like that while you’re here. If I see you making her uncomfortable one more damn time, then I will not hesitate to clean this floor with your face. Understand me, human?” Without a word of acknowledgement, Eisuke plucked the rough god’s hands from his lapels with his normal grace and elegance, dusting himself off as he looked over Scorpio’s shoulder to meet your gaze.

“This conversation isn’t done.” He spoke, before turning and leaving.

Once he was out of sight, Scorpio turned back towards you and fixed you with a glare.

“You can’t let a piece of shit like that walk all over you! Stand up for yourself woman! I protect you when I can, but I’m not always going to be there to stop it!” You didn’t even get a chance to thank him as he walked away before you could speak.

Trying to shake off the earlier events for the day, you decided to do as you were planning originally and headed out into the garden. In a rather expected turn of events, you found Aignorus napping on one of the benches. You sighed to yourself knowing he was probably slacking off on work again, so to try and help him in the long run, you approached him and gave him a light shake.

“Aigonorus…Aigo…you need to wake up now.” He groaned, moving slightly only to throw his arms around your waist and nuzzle into your side.

“I don’t want to. Just let me sleep, you’re comfy.”

“As comfortable as I am Aigo, Leon and Karno are probably looking for you.”

“That we are.” As if by some trick of fate that seemed to keep happening recently, Leon strolled into the gardens looking wholly unamused. “We may not have many wishes to be granting right now, however there is still enough work for you to be required.” The sleeping god simply groaned in response, for a moment Leon looked frustrated, until his eyes fell on you and a smirk overcame his features, walking up to your form that was caged in Aigonorous’ arms, he placed his fingers on your cheek, forcing you to let out a squeak as you felt his power surge through your body.

“Cut it out Leon!”

“Oh? You tell me to stop, and yet you look like you enjoy it so much. Think of this as my thanks for assisting my department today. Hard work should always be rewarded after all.” At this statement and the insinuation behind it, Aigonorous’ face screwed up in bother, sitting up he flung Leon’s hand from your body and stood up lethargically.

“Leave her alone. I’ll do the work if you do that.” You didn’t miss Leon’s look of triumph.

Once the two of them were gone, you decided you’d finally had enough for the day, and began to head back to your room. Your small prayer of getting there without interruption went unanswered however. The moment you set foot in the building you came face to face with Luke who looks bedraggled as usual. He came stumbling over, and automatically began groping your collarbones. You couldn’t help but sigh.

“Luke.”

“What is it Sexy?”

“We are in the heavens. There are gods around. Surely you can find someone else to do this to right now.” The Doctor almost looked offended, shaking his head.

“I’ve already looked. Even here, I can’t find a pair of collarbone as sexy as Sexy’s.” Just as he went to, what looked like press his face into them, a hand pulled you from him, a seemingly common occurrence today. Looking over your shoulder you found Hikaru.

“Sorry to interrupt Doctor Foster, but we need her right now. Urgently.” Ignoring his whine of dissatisfaction, Hikaru began leading you down the corridor back towards the bedrooms.

“Hikaru, did you do that just to get me away from Luke?”

“No actually. Rhion is refusing to open his door for food, you’re the only one that can get through to him when he gets like this.”

“So you need me to get a plate of food in there?”

“Yeah, he hasn’t eaten for a few days at least, he’ll collapse if he doesn’t get something in him soon.”

“Sure, I can do that at least.”

When you came to stop in front of Rhion’s door that was close to your own, you saw the plate of food on the floor next to it. But just before you knocked on the door Hikaru spoke again.

“By the way.” You turned to look at him. “The King explained everything to us. I’m still having a hard time believing it all, but I just wanted to tell you…you don’t need to worry so much. I know you do that by yourself a lot. Whatever is going to happen will happen, and it’s best you just try and relax. I’ll be here to help keep you safe. Now I better go, he’s less likely to reject that food if you’re here alone.” He spun on his heels and walked down the hall, but you swore you saw him blush.

With Hikaru now out of the way, you focused on the task at hand. Picking up the plate, you gave a few knocks to the door. Not receiving a response you decided to try calling for him.

“Rhion.” Your voice was soft as you spoke, knocking again for emphasis. “Rhion, it’s me.” For a few minutes there was still silence, and you thought that perhaps you would have to try something else. However, from inside the room you heard a quiet shuffling noise, indicating some sort of movement, before the door cracked open.

“Alice?” He didn’t open it all the way and you were greeted by his messy mop of hair and wide, dark eyes.

“Yup, it’s me. Is it ok if I come in?” He seemed to hesitate for a moment, before he opened the door just enough for you to slip inside. Once in the room you noticed that he had drawn the curtains to block out the light, and that he was cocooned in the blanket from the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“…I want to go home, Alice. This place is too bright. I don’t like it, I want to go back to the Tres Spades.” His words were so innocent, and he sounded so vulnerable that your heart clenched. Placing the plate of food down of the bedside table you lead him back to the bed, where you sat him down and wrapped your arms around him.

“Rhion, it’s going to be ok. We’ll go back to the Tres Spades. But we need to make sure the Dark King is taken care of before we do, otherwise you could end up getting hurt. That’s the last thing I want.” From within the blanket, his hand reached out and latched onto your sleeve.

“You’ll be here with me, right? You won’t abandon me here, will you?” With a slight shake of your head, you brought the hand he wasn’t limiting the movement to up to stroke his hair.

“No, I’m not going to abandon you. As long as you’re here, I will be too.”  At your words, his expression seemed to settle slightly. “Now, how about we have something to eat before we both rest, ok?”

“Ok.”

Your days carried on like this for weeks, filled with nothing but chaos, even more so than normal. The bidders and gods just couldn’t seem to get on and were constantly in competition. Your days were mainly spent breaking up fights, fetching missing gods and relaying messages. But with what followed you almost wish that unbridled chaos had carried on.

It was sudden, sudden enough that you weren’t really prepared for it. The explosion that rang out around the heavens was deafening, and the entire structure of the palace shook. Following the people you did see, you headed out of the palace into the fields, and you froze in place. On the horizon was the Dark King, and he seemed to find you in the crowd instantly. A disgusting smirk stretched across his face as he singled you out, pointing into the crowd to your exact location.

“Bring her to me.”

Those words were all it took for anarchy to ensue. The Dark King’s men charged at the crowd, some gods scattered, running to hide from the oncoming attack while others stood frozen or prepared to battle. You yourself turned to run, knowing that if they got you it could be the end of everything you cared for, but you found yourself surrounded before you could think to move. Desperately searching for a gap in their encirclement, you didn’t have room to react when one began to charge an energy attack in his hand. But luckily before he could release it, there was a sickening crack and scream of pain. Behind the man with a now broken arm stood Dui, looking extremely annoyed and face twisting into a sadistic smirk.

“Bad move. You’ll be paying for trying a stunt like that, you idiot.” With the immediate threat disabled, you stood from your crouched position and to force his to move, landing a punch right into the man’s nose. The crunch was unmistakeable and with Dui quickly pulling you from them he was quickly able to take care of them, soon handing you over to Partheno, the closest god, so that he could deal with more of the surrounding threats. That’s how the battle progressed, you were thrown from god to god, allowing each one time to destroy the men who came after you immediately without putting you in too much danger. From Partheno you went to Karno, from Karno to Teorus, Teorus to Scorpio, Scorpio to Huedhaut and then back to Scorpio before being handed to Ichthys.

The heavens were a mess by that point. There were deep gouges in the ground, scars of a battle that would take years to fade naturally, mighty structures were crumbling, fires consumed the surrounding nature, trees were torn from their roots, and bodies lay still where they fell, staining the floors with the blood of their sacrifice. A place of pure beauty now a spectacle of war. But there was one group that caught your attention. The bidders were being surrounded themselves, with only a few guns between them and no divine powers, they were sorely losing against the powers of the Dark King and his men. They didn’t have long and you knew it, when one of the attackers raised their arm, about to release an attack you knew they wouldn’t survive your body moved on autopilot.

“Guys!” With a yell of exertion you ripped yourself from Icthtys’ side, dodging attacks left and right only to throw yourself in front of the energy blast aimed at your friends. You expected to die, you expected to be nothing more than a willing sacrifice.

However, when the dark energy touched your skin, something inside you broke. From your body an unfamiliar light began to glow, and despite never having experienced it before, you seemed to already know exactly what it was and what to do with it.

“What the hell?!” You ignored the shocked mutters on the bidders and gods around you, focusing your anger on the being that had started this whole thing. The turmoil, your pain, the suffering was all down to the Dark King, he may have looked angry, but it couldn’t compare to the burning rage in your soul.

“No! This isn’t meant to happen! You can’t use your powers! I won’t let you stop me!” He raised his hand to try and attack once more, but you simply allowed your own powers to meet his, pushing it back inside his body.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not your choice. You’ve caused enough suffering, and I think it’s time you go back to where you belong, in oblivion.” The light around you grew to a blinding level, and the yells of the bidders and gods were lost to the drumming of your pulse in your ears, as you allowed your energy to completely consume your form, and the world around you.

The screams of the dark king faded with your power, and as the light dimmed  enough for those present to uncover their eyes, the surroundings were calm once more, restored to their previous state, as if the battle had never happened, even the fallen began to move again. Your heavy breath was all that was heard. That was until you collapsed. With their closer proximity to you, the bidders were first to your side, Luke crouching next to you and gently rolling you onto your back to examine you. His hands poked and prodded at your body, checking your pulse, breathing and for any sign of physically injury, of which none seemed to be an issue, he was murmuring to himself so quietly no-one could make out what he was saying, and they didn’t want to disturb his trance in examining you.

“You’ll find nothing wrong with her, physically that is.” The voice of the King cut through the group, and they all turned to look at him. Eisuke’s scowl depended at his words.

“What do you mean physically.”

“Her soul is what is causing this. She reawakened powers her body is not built to handle to save us all.”

“She’ll be ok though, right?” Baba’s inquisitive tone didn’t hide his concern.

“She can be, but you need to let us through. Now.” The bidders looked unhappy at the idea, but begrudgingly moved, wanting to be the ones to help you but knowing that at this moment it was beyond their power they begrudgingly stepped aside to allow the gods to take their place. The King of the Heavens moved first, motioning to the gods who circled around your form before raising his hand. The appendage began glowing a beautiful golden hue, seeming to understand what he was doing, the other gods followed suite, their hands glowing their signature colours.

“Come on.” Dui whispered, closing his eyes and focusing.

“Little lady, you’ve got to fight.”

“Don’t give up on us now.”

The words of encouragement were by no means loud, but they didn’t need to be. The determination to keep you alive could almost be tasted, a burning feeling that physically would not allow them to stop until they succeeded. The bidders watched on from the sideline, all anxiously awaiting some shift in the atmosphere, the tension of not knowing gnawing at them. They didn’t have to wait to much longer. The cocoon of coloured energy around your body brightened suddenly, almost pulsing, before it slowly seemed to sink into your skin. The moment felt frozen, until a slight sigh of a breath escaped you, and the gods followed suit.

The King knelt down, taking your fragile form in his arms and standing again, raking his eyes over your form, looking for any signs of trouble.

“We’ve done all we can.” He spoke, turning to the rest of the gods. “The rest is up to her. This is no longer something we can affect.”

As he went to make his way back into the palace, he was forced to halt as Eisuke stepped into his path with his arms crossed.

“And where are you taking my employee?” The King looked him up and down before giving an amused smile.

“Back to the palace. She needs to rest.”

“She will do that at the Tres Spades.”

“She will do no such thing.” Zyglavis stepped forward, a deep furrow in his brow. “Her soul is still unstable, she is still in danger of losing her life. By remaining here until she wakes up we will be close by if something goes wrong. Those few moments could make all the difference.”

“Then I’ll be staying here.” The other bidders nodded in agreement.

“Staying?” Leon looked offended at the mere mention of the word. “You will be going back to Earth, where you goldfish belong. You have no need to stay now the Dark King is gone.” Baba stepped between the two seething men.

“He just means that taking her away from both her job and life could be questioned, and we would like to be nearby when she wakes up.” Leon simply glared.

“That isn’t going to happen.”

“I’m not asking.” Eisuke returned the expression, standing full height in front of the King. But to the surprise of everyone present, the royal simply started laughing.

“Eisuke Ichinomiya, I commend your bravery! No god, let alone human is brave enough to challenge me besides a select few. Very well, you’ve entertained me enough. I shall allow you to stay in the heavens until she wakes.”

“Your Highness-!

“No matter your opinion of them, these men have clearly proven their care for our goddess. I’m sure that if she wakes, she would like for them to be near as well. Can you deny this?” And uncomfortable silence fell over the gods. “I didn’t think so. You may continue using your assigned rooms for the time being. We don’t know if she will awaken, or if she does how long it will take. You must be prepared for any result.”

“She’ll make it.” Soryu spoke. “She’s strong enough to, for a woman.”

“Be that as it may, stress, pain or any negative emotion or injury can affect whether or not a soul heals.” He looked back down at your body. “Let us hope she can overcome this.”

You were placed back into your room after that. Tucked under the covers those close to you could almost pretend you were simply sleeping, but reality began to sink in as day after day passed. Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to a month yet you still showed no sign of stirring, yet even now you were rarely alone. Every spare moment that was had by someone was spent at your bedside. Some speaking with you as if you were still awake, the others simply watching your form, thinking back over your shared times and contemplating whether they could cope in a world without you. Their answer was quickly found.

Perhaps that was the reason that they still refused to give up hope. The thought of you no longer being in their lives was something many of them had yet to consider, but this situation placed them face to face with the reality of losing you, and that was not something they were ready to face just yet. The gods may grant the wishes of humans, but what if the gods’ wishes were the same as the humans? Could they grant a wish to save a soul they too wished to stay alive? Wishes of life and death were not something within the powers of the twelve gods, which meant all they could do is pray themselves, hoping that there were indeed some entity out there who heard the wishes of the gods. Perhaps, that love and longing for having you back in their lives was enough to influence whatever powers controlled what the gods could not.

It had started as any other day. The somber state of the palace had not diminished, even with it being Christmas Day on Earth.

“Look at them.” Scorpio had hissed as he looked into the reflection pool that day. “Completely oblivious to what has been done for them.”

To add to the frustration, with it being Christmas. The gods were buried under seasonal wishes and punishments, and even the bidders had needed to go back to Earth, with corporate parties, mafia get togethers, art exhibitions and lax security, every bidder had something they required leaving the heavens to do. No-one was around to hear the yell of surprise let out by Altair, or the crash of the ceramic dish on the floor he had brought in to help clean your face. But the small god ignored the water pooling around his feet, he could only focus on you. You, who were sat up in bed, completely conscious.

His cry brought your attention to him, and you sluggishly pulled yourself from the bed on unsteady feet. Holding the frame to support yourself after a month of inactivity.

“Altair…what…what happened?” You didn’t receive an answer as the small boy threw himself and you, hugging your waist as he cried, you could only pick out the odd word but were somehow able to piece together that he was excited about you being awake. Realising you probably weren’t going to get a straight answer out of him anytime soon, you knelt down slightly so he could hold you in a more comfortable position. “Should we go and see the King?” He just nodded against your stomach.

When you entered the throne room, the King looked mildly shocked before you approached him.

“My, my. How very interesting.”

“Your Highness, I’ll go and tell the others right away!” However the King raised his hand to stop Altair in his tracks.

“No, don’t tell them yet.” He smirked. “I have a far more entertaining idea. Bring me those ‘bidders’.”

The gods were all groaning by the time they were summoned by the King. Everyone was tired, it was late, and the obvious issue of your state meant none of them were particularly excited to be called like this. With a sigh of resignation, Zyglavis and Leon opened the doors to the throne room. Zyglavis bowed upon entry and Leon simply strutted in as normal.

“At Your Highness’ request.” Zyglavis spoke as the gods all made their way into the room. Most of them already looking as if they wanted to leave. He could only smile, knowing the reaction that his news would bring.

“Now, why do my dear gods look so glum? Today is Christmas, a day of giving, joy and love.”

“We already fucking know that. Can we just get on with it.”

“Scorpio, watch your tongue.”

“Zyg, he already knows what I’m like. No point in hiding it now.”

“As much as I enjoy watching your quarrels.” The King interjected. I do have some news that might be of interest to all of you, and with it being Christmas, I won’t hold it from you. Come out now.”

They looked mildly interested at his call to someone they were yet to see, but the moment you came into view, their jaws all dropped. No longer were you unresponsive, your bright smile was back on your face as you stepped out from behind the throne, and the gods had never felt such relief as in that moment. A unanimous cry of your name filled the room, and to avoid them getting embarrassed and to greet your friends after learning what had happened from the King, you ran towards to group, hugging each god in turn.

“Does this perhaps make you all feel a bit more jolly?” The King joked. He was met with stares, head shaking and the odd blush, but he was far from done. “But you see, it appears a Christmas miracle has happened. You appear to not have noticed that our little goddess does in fact now live up to her title.”

The god closest to you glanced down, only to inhale sharply in shock when he saw the bright stars shining in your eyes.

“That’s impossible…”

“Not impossible.” The King corrected. “But highly improbable. A human turning back into a god once releasing their abilities has a probability of less than 0.001%. A completely negligible figure, and it was a feat that I have never witnessed. However it appears that through sheer determination and willpower, our goddess has managed to resume her rightful place.” He allowed them a moment to let the information sink in, but he was personally looking forward to the next reveal most of all. Clapping his hands to draw attention back to himself.

“Now, as the universe granted you all your Christmas miracle. I decided to grant the goddess’ wish. I would hardly think it fair to force her away from everyone she knows and loves because she wanted to save her world, would you? So, after discussing their options with me, I would like to introduce you all to our newest department. The Department of Judgement.”

“The what now?” Leon frowned, and all of the gods couldn’t stop their eyes widening in shock when they saw who else emerged into their line of sight.

“Why are they here?” Huedhaut asked, a closed eyes smile not hiding his irritation.

“I would suggest you watch your tone.” Eisuke smirked, glaring down his nose at the gods. It was then the divine beings took in what they were wearing. Crisp white uniforms with gold trimmings, boots, and a deeply coloured armband that could been seen as either blue of purple. It was then that dread settled in their stomachs.

“You didn’t. These humans-“

“They are human no longer.” The King confirmed their greatest fears. “This is the Department of Judgements. I will be personally helping them master their powers. They will be working closely with you both of your departments, they will collect and interpret trends in various human fields and judge whether or not intervention is needed, working either on their own or collaboratively with your two departments. They will also be the heavens’ ‘human specialists’, they will be the first to be contacted if there are questions around human customs and activities.” He began motioning to the various people. “Eisuke will be their minister, and take care of businesses and corporations, Soryu will be vice-minister and handle underground organisations and criminal empires, Baba will be focusing on love and relationships, Ota on the arts, Mamoru on the various police forces, Shuichi on politics, Luke on medication, health services and epidemics and Hikaru on technology. Rhion, Samejima and Inui will work as extra hands in the department at the request of Eisuke and Soryu.” He wasn’t able to hide the smirk at the looks on the gods faces. “For the time being they will also live their human lives, until the point they would naturally pass away to avoid an interruptions, considering their positions in the human world, but after that they shall live solely in the heavens, alongside all of you. Treat them well, for our goddess will be working for all three departments, a week at a time, until she herself chooses one to work for.”

Eisuke smirked, eyes challenging as he glared at the other gods.

“I think it’s obvious who she’s going to end up choosing.” Leon all but snarled in response.

“I think not, new boy.”

“Now. I think she would fare quite well in our department.”

The King could only chuckle at the chaos that was beginning to unfold as each department grew more rambunctious. He could only applaud himself for a job well done, for all Christmas wishes were granted among this group. Even his own, he had a feeling the next year was going to be much more entertaining.  

Right, apologies this took so long to post, everything kept screwing up and I didn’t realise the entry date so this is far more rushed than I would’ve liked. I didn’t even get a chance to proofread! 

[jolie-guerrier]

3 Mistakes in Social Media Marketing That May Come Back to Haunt You

Picture this.

You order an object  500 likes Instagram on line and it takes way more time to reach than it must. Plus, some items are missing in the package. Frustrated, you are taking to the seller's Facebook channel to voice your concerns and count on to be compensated.

And notwithstanding repeated prodding, there is entire radio silence at the other give up.

The enjoy did not sense appropriate did it? You think perhaps this commercial enterprise does not care approximately you - how you trusted it to give you an amazing enjoy and it shattered this accept as true with rather. So you do what any frustrated man or woman might - you vow in no way to reserve some thing from right here once more and hit the "not like" button.

For social media strategists, there is a lesson to be discovered here. A social media advertising strategy can eventually falter with a few unlikes and negative feedback.

As a commercial enterprise owner, social media gives you limited probabilities to make an awesome impact. How you take benefit of these possibilities may make your business or smash it.

The evidence is in these stats:

• 71% of customers who have a high-quality social media experience with a brand are likely to propose it - Ambassador

• According to a observe, hardly 20% of social media posts hardly generate any emotional response on social media - Havas Media

• 42% of Twitter users count on to be anticipate a enterprise to reply to their inquiries inside an hour - Ambassador

As a social media marketer, the high-quality manner to improve your social media strategy is to first discover why it falters inside the first vicinity. Here are some mistakes which you would possibly have ignored:

1 - Being careless with terrible feedback

If you have ever treated a shop clerk, you would not anticipate him to come to be defensive when you have a grievance or be careless approximately your worries.

So why would your followers on social media?

Keep in thoughts, whenever everyone says something terrible approximately you on social media, the rest of your followers can see them. And they will be as fascinated to look the way you reply.

For businesses, this is a nail-biting state of affairs. But it's miles completely avoidable. Here is how:

• Put a person in a position behind the wheel: Experienced specialists like social media specialists will take an unbiased approach to the negativity and recognize that being careless approximately it serves no reason.

For example, they understand that being unresponsive to remarks like "your service sucks! I need my money again" doesn't honestly assist everybody. A well worded respond alternatively, helps each your recognition and appeases growing tempers.

To illustrate, your respond need to pass some thing like, "We are sorry which you had a terrible experience. Can you tell us precisely what happened so we are able to make amends?" This way, you are more likely to ease frustrated customers.

• Become alert to mentions by way of the use of online tools: It's clean to forget about about some thing you do not come upon every day. Comments on social media are the equal. You can not music each certainly one of them. No one inboxes them to you and there's no assure that followers will tag you.

To preserve track of all feedback, you may use equipment like Google Alerts which notify you whilst all people uses your keywords on their social media fields.

2 - Using social media management gear to time table equal posts on all systems

Social media control equipment permit marketers to post the equal content on numerous social media platforms without delay. Many businesses use it to agenda posts. And it has worked for them too, freeing up the time they want to consciousness on different obligations.

But oftentimes, people use those equipment as a shortcut to agenda equal posts on numerous platforms. It's a lazy tactic and suggests which you do not care how your content is acquired by means of audiences.

Keep in thoughts, what works on Facebook or Twitter might not necessarily paintings on LinkedIn. Every social media platform became created with specific goal audiences in thoughts. A 140 character tweet, for example, may not sit well with LinkedIn audiences who assume more complete posts.

Use tools to time table optimized posts

To make the most of social sharing gear, improve your social media strategy first. Take the time to learn about the particular abilties of every platform. Limit yourself to two or 3 systems if that's what it takes. For example, posts that are wealthy in imagery are greater successful on Google+.

Hootsuite and HubSpot are  of the many social media control gear that you could use to automate posts and even see which channels are driving the maximum engagement. In addition to automated content material sharing, those systems also offer free on-line social advertising and marketing schooling publications that will let you make the maximum of every platform like optimizing your posts for special social media channels.

Three - Skimping on social share buttons

Business proprietors normally reserve their high-quality content for their web sites. Content like informative blogs, for example, set up them as professionals of their niches.

It additionally deliver visitors a risk to live longer on these web sites. Perhaps they would love to go searching to see what else is on offer?

Unfortunately, you can feature content that everybody would really like to proportion - however if traffic haven't any way to proportion it, it isn't going to get the exposure you are looking for.

To make this give you the results you want:

• Make your social sharing paintings on cellular: Statistics show that over 15% of tweet mentions are from the tweet buttons which are embedded to your website online. This also proves to reveal that people share loads on cell gadgets.

• Tools to create social proportion buttons for WordPress: You can use on line gear to create custom designed social share buttons for one of a kind audiences.

When deciding on suitable plugins, an awesome rule of thumb is to select those who allow you more freedom within the sort of social percentage buttons you could create for one of a kind systems.

For instance, to enhance engagement with cell audiences you could inform your developers to download WordPress plugin gear like Simple Share Buttons Adder to create customized share buttons for your web or mobile target audience and upload them to all your social media posts. Another plugin device is Addthis.

• Have a social finances: If whatever is worth doing, it is well worth doing right. Tools like Simple Share Button Adder are loose to download and use. But in case you really need to make your proportion buttons shine, it's excellent to have a price range for it and use it to purchase their seasoned or premium packages. These provide greater customization options and retail for around $10 to $one hundred dollars.

• Select shareable content material accurately: If you need to take gain of social media, your content material have to be something that humans would want to share. Image wealthy posts, as an instance, are shared loads more than textual content-based totally content.

To illustrate, do not forget infographics. Studies show that infographics are shared and "appreciated" on social media 3 times extra than any other type of content material.

Wrapping Up

Use tools to maintain your self alert to bad remarks and rely upon expert assist. Avoid taking the lazy manner out with the aid of ditching the car posting approach. Pay interest to the kind of content material you submit, how your followers percentage content in your social systems of preference and optimize it for cell to amplify your attain.

It's a mistake to treat social as a brief and easy way to marketplace your emblem. It takes time, attempt and endurance. Learning about the mistakes and pitfalls will let you avoid them.

[toddrogersfl]

The Future of Fragrance: Olfiction’s Pia Long predicts…

In the current issue of our magazine, The Scented Letter, we take a look at what lies in store for the future of fragrance, and what we’re likely to be spritzing in the years to come.

Of course such crystal-ball-gazing is backed up by experts whose job it is to predict which ingredients – and relies on innovative ways of growing, harvesting, distilling and filtering fragrant natural crops, or even the creation of brand new synthetic aroma molecules… smells that cannot be captured or, perhaps, do not even exist in nature. Can you imagine the excitement if we created a new musical note previously unheard by musicians, or added a new, never before seen colour to the artist’s palette?!

We honestly could have written two volumes of a book with the amount of fascinating information we discovered, so wanted to share with you in a series of scented snapshots, the thoughts of three people we talked to with experise in varying fields of fragrance. What, we asked them, can we expect the future to smell like?

Pia Long is a perfumer and co-founder of Olfiction – a UK-based fragrance consultancy that work with suppliers, contract manufacturers, brands, retailers and fragrance industry organisations. So they can be involved with a brand right from the start, helping them create fragrances and scented products; or aiding existing fragrance houses to shape and better define themselves in the marketplace. And for Pia, education, accessibility and honesty are key factors…

‘Fragrance is currently experiencing a similar breaking down of barriers to access as we’ve seen in other trades – film and television; music. The differences are, though, that we don’t necessarily have the platforms and systems in place to democratise perfumery (though organisations such as The Perfume Society and the Institute for Art and Olfaction are heading the way in acting as a bridge between the trade and general public).

What the public currently understands as perfumery has typically been communicated by brands and marketers, rather than by perfumers and the trade, and therefore the concept of what perfumery even is, remains a little bit unclear in the public’s perception. This, combined with a general greater demand for transparency from consumers, creates an interesting scenario: if perfumers and businesses become fully transparent about how perfumes are made, are consumers ready? Would they understand? Or would the information that lands on a bed of misconceptions, in fact do harm to our trade?

Pia Long

I think for the fragrance trade to continue to thrive, we need to do far more education and allow far more access. This will help everybody. We are already seeing an increase in queries that involve full ingredient traceability, sustainability, and other considerations that touch on the growing, harvesting, supply chain or manufacturing processes.

Specific material predictions are hard to make, but the popularity of naturals as a marketing message, and for their aesthetic beauty is an ever-growing part of the trade, and all major fragrance houses have some systems in place to obtain and supply complete natural materials, as well as their own specialities. Natural materials have always had variation due to location and extraction methods, but I see the strategy of larger manufacturers ensuring ingredient loyalty as being one of creating specialist materials that are unique to that supplier.

In general, with synthetic materials, we’re likely to see more efforts to go back to some of the classic feedstocks like wood (turpentine), versus petrochemicals, and we’ll also see novel ways to replace raw materials that have fallen foul of regulators (if not 1:1 replacements, then certainly ones that can go towards creating similar accords).’

So it seems the future is smelling distinctly woody… and with perfumers looking for ways that we can still enjoy those ingredients that end up on the ‘naughty’ list (due to concerns about allergens and skin irritants), while manufacturers further explore how to make naturals smell unique. And at The Perfume Society we share Pia’s hope that more organisations and fragrance houses will open their doors and let the light in on what continues to be a subject that excites us every day.

There’s absolutely no doubt that fragrance lovers want (and deserve) more information about how their perfumes are made; how and where the materials are being sourced and hearing directly from the perfumer’s themselves. Just ask anyone who’s attended one of our many exciting events – visiting the archives of heritage houses, seeing ingredients distilled in front of them, smelling raw materials, hearing perfumers talk about their scientific and creative process and founders discuss why they bravely – some may say madly – wanted to launch their own fragrance house in the first place.

Or, indeed, from authors who’ve written about their enduring love-affair with perfume – such as the launch of Neil Chapman’s book, Perfume – In Search of Your Signature Scent. So why not join us on Thursday 28th March 2019 to find out more?

We think there’s a buzz about perfumery, alongside the developments in technologies and public hunger for reliable information, that’s perhaps where the food industry or wine business was twenty years ago. A widening of the world of ingredients we have access to, and want to know more about – and ultimately, a hunger to smell and wear even more exciting things. Better make room on that scent shelf, then, because we’ve sniffed the future, and it’s shaping up to be fabulous…

Written by Suzy Nightingale, with many thanks to Pia Long of Olfiction for her insights.

The post The Future of Fragrance: Olfiction’s Pia Long predicts… appeared first on The Perfume Society.

from The Perfume Society https://perfumesociety.org/the-future-of-fragrance-olfictions-pia-long-predicts/

[wishingfornever]

12/24/2017 – No Contact:  Upswing at Work

Today was good.  Or yesterday was, rather.  Saw Diana again and ended up working with her.  She gave me a ride home.  I want to ask her if she’s single and try to get something started but I’ll text her on my next day off.  She’s been nice, but I’m aware I can get annoying.  I think she’s fucking hilarious so I’d rather not have her pull an Esther and stop talking to me.

Current time is 1:47.  It’s late.  Adela is already in bed.  I… pigged out today.  Had a bunch of candy and chips.  I REALLY shouldn’t have, but I was in such an upbeat mood.  Like, I was super energetic. I felt a bit drained… but I cheated.  I grabbed a monster energy coffee during break.  It kept me going which is what I was hoping for.

I also got a five dollar tip.  That helped.  And a couple of ladies wrote down my name and they’re putting in a good word for me on the survey.  It’s nice.  They called on the phone and I was so energetic, I was the reason they came in.  I’ve wound down now, of course, but… damn.  Today was nice.

I should have texted Diana, but I don’t want to come off as too overbearing.  Besides, I might work with her tomorrow.  That’d be nice.  She speaks Spanish, unlike my illiterate ass.  I swear, I’m getting worse.  I have yet to continue my lessons.  I don’t like doing my lessons with Adela here.  She is kinda judgmental and I don’t need that right now.  Normally, I’m fine with that but after what’s happened I’ve found I’ve become more sensitive as of late.

Rocky stuff.  I’m running out of food but Adela doesn’t really work at all this week.  Just one day.  I haven’t seen her yesterday except super late at night.  Or super early yesterday, if you count it. Sort of like right now.  I guess this counts for yesterday to me. Doesn’t matter what I think it is.  Measuring days by when I wake up to when I go to sleep.  That’s far simpler.

I noticed Diana has tattoos.  She has a sweater that says “My Chemical Romance” so I think I know her type.  Ironically, that reminds me of Dennis because he was into that emo shit too.  I think I only like one or two of their songs.  Most of it is kind of… meh. Not that I ever told him to turn it off.  I tried to be polite.

Anyways, I suspect Diana thinks I’m either on drugs or I’m a super cheerful and happy guy.  I think she’d be surprised if she knew the truth and the thoughts in my head are constant reflections of all my past mistakes and that my overly enthusiastic nature is a guise to hide the fact that I’m still torn up by losing Esther and every minute I want to scream out and cry.  But I hide it.  To her, I’m smiling and charming.  She doesn’t need to know.  Not even Ariel knows.

It’s hard to stay strong.  It’s hard to stay afloat in this sea.  It’s… difficult to look forward.  Work is worst when I have no other option but to confront my own thoughts. There is a lot of time for thinking while working retail.  I think too much perhaps… or perhaps I’m not thinking enough.  My brain switches to autopilot.  Hidden away, Esther lingers.  Everything reminds me of her, everything tells me that she would enjoy this thing before me, everything revolves around her. Perhaps she’s replaced my conscience.  Interesting idea, no?  There is no good or evil thoughts in my head.  Just the thought the lingering idea that Esther once existed in my life.  I need to get over it, but I can’t.  I can’t endure the silence.  The silence grows louder and is piercing.  My thoughts echo her face, her voice, our life together. Thus, I need noise.  Something to break the ambiance.  A busy day.  A successful day.  The computers didn’t crash but nearly did.  The customers were polite and patient.  It was a good day.  It was a busy day.  It was a day I needed.

Of course, what I don’t need is all the food.  I purchased 7 dollars worth.  Not a good rate to purchase if I do it daily.  I skipped breakfast because I’m a terrible person and I’m bad with time.  I made it to work and I wasn’t late, but I didn’t have time to just sit down and eat.  Thus, I pigged.

Two snowballs, a cup of velveeta shells, and pringles. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.  After work, I had candy.  Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! And of course, heavily sugared monster energy coffee. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!

Yeah, diet is slowing down.  I measured myself this week.  Didn’t gain but nor did I lose.  Baaaaaaad sign.  Very bad.  And I can almost guarantee that I gained after today.  That sugar sticks with you.  I need to stop getting sugar, but… I couldn’t help myself.  I wanted Snowballs yesterday so I grabbed them today.  I like the marshmallows and the coconut.

Of course, I’m also drinking a bit more than 1500 ml of water a day. How much is that?  Not sure.  I think 1.5 liters but I don’t know metric because I’m a dumb fucking American and shit can’t be easy because muh freedoms.

Metric is so nice.  I wish we used it.  :/

Regardless, I try to drink a lot of water.  My lips get so dry while at work.  I wear this dumb Christmas hat, too.  It’s warm and I sweat a lot.  I don’t do well in the heat.  I stepped outside earlier today just to embrace the cold.  It helped a bit but I couldn’t continue the rest of my shift with the hat on.

I want to ask Diana out on a date… thing is, I don’t have a car and I still don’t know if she has a boyfriend.  It wouldn’t be anything serious because… well, Ariel, but I still think Diana would be fun to hang with.  Oh, maybe she’d watch a movie with me. I need to talk to her more first.  Maybe I’ll ask her out on January.  We’ll see.

We should see a movie.  Maybe the Death of Stalin if it’s still playing.  Should see a horror, but eh.  I want to talk to her about COMMIE-ISM!!!  Of course, she won’t be on board and politics is hard to bring up on a first date.  That’ll make me appear crazy for sure.  However, I think it’d be fun.  Like with Esther, if she wants nothing to do with me hopefully she’ll be better off after she’s met me at least.

I won’t bring up Esther.  Maybe if she talks about past relationships.  I MIGHT do the Narcissist thing and just tell her that my friends fucking backstabbed me and ruined my relationship for their own gains.  But that’ll be only if she asks about my past relationship.  Of course, the thing is that the thing with Esther? That?  You know, the thing that jumpstarted this journal which will lead to a Tumblr blog?  That thing?  The event?  That?  I’m sort of in Texas partly because of that.  And also partly because I can’t stand my own family.  So, it’ll be hard to not bring up but it should be easy to put down again.  Hopefully.  I don’t know Diana that well.  We’ll see.

My mom is coming out in THREE days.  I hate it.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom.  However, I REALLY don’t want to see her right now.  I don’t want to see anyone from my nuclear family.  I haven’t spoken to my dad since I left.  And you know what?  I don’t regret it.

I’ve acknowledged that my dad will probably die anytime soon and that the last time we spoke may perhaps be the actual last time we spoke. After what’s happened between us… perhaps it’s better this way. My dad still loves me but he emasculated me in front of Esther.  He fosters this… hostile environment.  It’s not healthy.

So, I guess I’m going to go Esther on him and avoid him.  Of course, I’m not as dedicated as Esther.  I’ll text my mom or sister to tell him I said “Merry Christmas” or something.  Honestly, I hate Christmas.  Not just because of Communism but because… well, gross. I hate Christmas songs and all the mirth and joy.  I HATE Christmas. I hate it.  Christmas is an obligation.  It’s a tradition I’d rather let die.

However, people at work think I love Christmas.  I don’t, but they don’t know that.  I am so jolly and cheery people can’t help but smile. I guess it’s good for them but… eh.  Let them assume.  The customers are happy and my coworkers don’t have to know my personal business.  Not that it matters, I’ve been talking up a storm today.

Regardless, I hate Christmas.  The loss of Esther just makes Christmas even worse.  I dread to imagine what New Years will be like.  And then the 18th… then the 20th…  The 18th is Esther’s birthday. The 20th is when we met in person.  Two days after her birthday.  Things were better then.  Maybe.  We were so hopeful then.

Of course, I was fearful at the time because I had nowhere to take her. I was DREADING bringing her home to see my parents.  They’re overwhelming and my dad… well, he’s not the easiest person to get along with.  I felt like I died when I came back.  That was why I isolated myself so much. It’s a bad environment.  I never want to go back there ever again.  Hopefully, I never will.  I know I will, of course…  I’ll get my truck and other things. Some things, I’ll need.  Pants, clothing, all these things that will fit me.  A new wardrobe.  How exciting.

But I need to tolerate it.  I’ll be called back, I just don’t know when.  It’s like I’m waiting for my own execution but the date is a surprise.  If I go back, I might pick a fight with Dennis, just for giggles.  I probably won’t but it’s fun to consider. “Oh, but what about the apologies and the blah blah blah!” Yeah, I know what I said but it doesn’t change the fact that he still STABBED ME IN THE FUCKING BACK!!!  Like, you don’t date a friend’s ex.  You don’t do what he did.  There are codes of ethics.  Bros before hoes.  What he did is something you don’t do.  You also don’t allow your friend’s relationship to go to shit.  You help your friends, regardless of what Esther thinks.  This is what guy friends are supposed to do.

Yeah, I’ve forgiven him but that doesn’t mean he didn’t do me wrong. Esther is an idiot, blinded by oxytocin.  If she didn’t fall for his self-pity bullshit, then things would have been better.  Like, that’s the only reason why she’d be SO FUCKING UNREASONABLE. When it fades, she’ll be more easier to approach.  Of course, I didn’t realize that until recently so I bet I’ve still lost my chance.  Not the point.

Still, Dennis is still a fucking asshole.  I will say this now:  He doesn’t deserve Esther.  That’s not the oxytocin I have for her speaking. That’s the lingering anger I have for Dennis.  Again, I feel so betrayed and he did nothing to even rectify his actions.

And of course Shane… Shane fucking STIRRED THE POT!!!  He played me.  I believed in him.  He pushed me to think that Dennis was worse than he actually was.  I’ll admit, what he did was pretty bad but I thought he was FAR worse.  I was an idiot.  Shane was trying to get into Esther’s pants.  The losers I associated with… they see a pretty girl, and suddenly friendship means NOTHING.  Fucking feeding frenzy of sharks.

Loyalty is pretty important to me.  Shane is worse than Dennis in my eyes. Dennis was guilty of allowing things to turn bad.  Shane actively made things worse.  Daniel, of course… well, he is lost in his own right.  I was sincere with Daniel.  Dennis has always hated him.  Of course, Daniel is Dennis’s brother so loyalty is important to him too.

It’s a shame.  Maybe Daniel will see what a poor brother Dennis has been. I remember when we were drinking and Dennis began crying about how horrible his life is.  Daniel immediately shot him down because he was sent to juvenile hall for something stupid.  Basically stripped of his family and rights at a young age.  Dennis can’t compete with that, really.

Dennis had that coming.  Self-pity infuriates me.  Of course, I guess I’m a hypocrite.  Look at where I am now with this dumb journal.

Of course, I don’t pity myself.  I pity what I became in the face of tragedy.  I’m dealing with loss that I could have prevented.  The lingering idea of regret.  I have only myself to blame, even though I’m still bitter with Dennis and Shane.  They weren’t the best friends.  Our friendship is forfeit and their to blame.  My life has taken a turn for the worse, however, and I’m the only one to blame for that.  My past friends?  They’re simply a symptom to the larger issue.

It’s almost the end of a hard year.  2018 will be better for me.  I am without expectations but I’m not without hope.  Hope is my final luxury.  I hope either next year or the year after or the year after… Esther will talk to me again.  She’ll see my apology.  She’ll forgive me.  She’ll move on and I’ll move on as well.  I need our lives to end on good terms.  This is my struggle.

Dennis… I can live without his forgiveness.  I won’t apologize to Dennis for what I’ve done or said.  Not because I think I was right but because he doesn’t think he’s done wrong himself.  He freed himself of blame through peculiar means.  He will never be my friend again.  Shane DEFINITELY won’t be my friend ever again.

I’ve lost them both, but I see their losses as necessary.  They were unhealthy for me.  Esther… she was healthy.  She sought good health, she was filled with honest intentions.  She has a good heart. She’s just angry at me right now.  She hates me right now… but she means well.  Her heart belongs to the world.  She’s grounded. Centered. Her loss was not necessary but our parting was inevitable.  I wasn’t ready to change.  I had so much holding me back.  Now… not so much.  I have my eyes to the horizon.  What I’ll find… I don’t know.  I just need to move forward.

I wonder how much longer I’ll be haunted by Esther’s spectre.  The small things that remind me of her… they seem to be infinite.  It feels impossible to move on but I know I will.

Oh, something about Dennis.  More me shitting on him, but she said that Dennis gets randomly punched by strangers for being brown.  I know for a fact that she hasn’t seen this in person.  The reason being is because the Racist doesn’t punch people.  They’re actually similar to Dennis in the sense that they like to play the victim.  I know this because I troll A LOT and one of my favorite targets is the Racist. Listen to them speak.  They’ll insist that they’re the victims.  Confront them and they’ll back down and claim that you’re worse than they.  They won’t confront you unless they know they’ll win.  Dennis is a large man.  Round.  A lot of mass.  He usually travels with his family, so you’d confront a pack.  And you’d have to both be in public.  Not a lot of alleyways where we live but maybe in Reno?  Again, unlikely.

Of course, Dennis isn’t like the Racist in the sense that he’s a terrible human being who wants to insight mass violence.  Their similarities end at self-pity, you see.  Insistence on being the victim.  Dennis feeds off sympathy because he has a low self-esteem. Racists feed off sympathy because it’s their only means to progress their agenda.

Humans are naturally cowardly.  This is because if humans were naturally brave, we’d be extinct.  It’s not the survival of the fittest, it’s the survival of ANY MEANS NECESSARY!!!  The idea that you have to be the strongest to survive is dumb.  You don’t need to be strong, you just need to survive.  The idea that the survival of the fittest was proposed by Darwin is dumb because I’m fairly certain that quote is misattributed.

Anyways, the Racist is a cowardly person.  They feign bravery.  When they talk shit, they speak to hear themselves.  They build themselves up.  So, another reason why they won’t RANDOMLY punch someone.  Because that someone might punch back.  They need to convince themselves to overcome the fear of getting punched back.  It’s harder than it sounds.

But, Esther believes Dennis is constantly harassed for being brown.  Ask Daniel if he’s constantly harassed for being brown.  Ask my mom. Ask his mom.  Ask FUCKING ANYONE ELSE!!! Esther is gullible.  But that’s because she has honest intentions.

Dennis is generally dishonest.  Because… low self-esteem, yes.  Good work, Class.  He likes to fib and tell exaggerations because he’s always been overweight.  He was a nice guy, of course, but he told A LOT of lies.  I’m sure he still does.  He claims his father was dishonest too, but I doubt this.  His dad died while I was in Texas.  I was hoping to visit his grave but that chance has passed.

Of course, I’m reminded by one of our outings when I came back from Texas.  We were drinking and I was sad about my cat because I HAD JUST LOST HER so she’s fresh in my mind.  His dad died a year or two prior.  I think it may have been before or during when I worked at the cemetery.  He constantly brought it up whenever I wanted to talk about my cat and how his dad was more important.

Like… that’s unfair.  I didn’t have time to mourn my cat.  I was trying to mourn then.  I was there when his dad died.  Or at least, I listened.  Of course, the loss of a human life sucks but the way he treated me when I lost my cat… it was inexcusable.

Of course, now I’m just ranting.  I’m in a bad mood now.  I’m not sure why Dennis did that.  I suspect the alcohol had something to do with it, but fuck… just give me a minute.

Dennis wasn’t really a good friend.  I know this now.  He was great fun to talk to but he wasn’t very supportive.  Like, at all.  Good memories with him, but… fuck.  Ignoring his betrayal, just everything else he’s done.  Of course, he’s been telling Esther all these cool things he and I did while in Susanville.  Not to say he and I didn’t do fun things, but… I don’t remember doing a lot of fun things in Susanville.

I suspect what he’s been telling her is falsehoods.  Which is fine, it doesn’t really matter.  However, for the sake of honesty, we didn’t really go out much.  When we hung out, we basically stayed around his house.  Played video games.  Very seldom did we actually go outside.  When we did, it was normally a short and uneventful walk.  Or working for his dad.  Like, we were part of these efforts to remove a tree stump from his yard.  That was interesting.

In town, we never really hung out anywhere beyond food places.  Like, we ate out a lot.  That’s about it.  Never really went to the park or anything.  Every now and then, Adriana would have us drive somewhere like Sacramento and the ride there and back was usually the eventful part.  But we were on the road in my truck.

Esther is gullible.  She’ll believe anything he says right now.  If she and I reconnects, I’d like to ask her about some of these stories. I’ll confirm or deny them.  Despite what it seems, I’m not trying to paint Dennis out as a liar (at least not with these stories). It’s just I’m thinking about it now.  We have all these stories around town and I’m thinking, “When?” There is a decent chance some of these stories are true, but not all.  In fact, the true stories are probably the minimum.  The stories I tell of me and Dennis involve either Reno or my truck.  If it involves leaving the truck, then it’s probably false.

We’re introverts.  He is DEFINITELY an introvert.  Thus, our adventures were minimum.  Ironically, some of the adventures we have I had to start.  I was impulsive like that.  There are certainly good memories, but I feel the memories he remembers are different from my own.  Especially if they’re around town.

Anyways, sorry for ranting.  The subject won’t die.  It can’t die.  Not until I get closure with Esther.  For now, it’ll just fade.  Never quite disappearing but it won’t be as vibrant as it once was.

Oh, I just got in a debate with a fascist.  I missed this.  It wasn’t really a debate, he knew nothing about Hitler and Fascism.  It was simple, he spammed pictures with words on it and I engaged him.  I was very polite and sincere and gave him an opportunity to reveal what he liked about Fascism.  I asked him loaded questions.  I asked if he thought Fascism was compatible with Capitalism. This is loaded because I wasn’t specific.  If he said, “No, Fascism isn’t compatible with Capitalism” I’d bring up Francisco Franco who is, arguably, the most successful Fascist and has said that Fascism and Capitalism can work together.  However, he said, “Yes.” I quoted Hitler saying the Jews are Capitalists and Capitalists are vermin that needed to be stamped out.  I mean… it was a bit more tame than I’m making it sound, really.  It was more an address to attack the “free press” of Germany. After a bit of a scuffle, he vanished and I tried changing the topic to Nationalism. Fascists LOVE Nationalism.  They love bolstering and proclaiming their race is the one true race.  What they don’t love is how I love shooting down their pure race fantasies.  I intend to ask him about Spain and Iran.  Will probably ask about Iran first.  The purpose is because Iran was where the “Aryan” race came from. HOWEVER, most Nazis view Iranians unfavorably.  Which is a shame because Hitler decreed that ALL Iranians are official citizens of Nazi Germany.  The Iranian embassy saved 1500 Jews during the Holocaust.  They had the power to do this because they were considered equals because they were the original Aryans.  Golly, being Racist is hard.

Hrm, this guy seems to be a cop.  American; former military veteran.  This dude has a power fantasy.  Still, not sure how serious he is about Fascism.  Is he trolling?  Hard to tell.

Whatever the case, I’m going to push him towards STALINISM.  He doesn’t like Marxism, but Stalinism is basically the most conservative and nationalist of the Communist ideologues.  He’d be more open to it than Marxism.  Of course, he knows nothing about Fascism so I suspect he is a joke without a punchline.  Regardless, I had fun while it lasted.  He’s ultra religious.  Or maybe it’s still a shtick he’s committed to?  Hard to tell, he seems pretty serious but the Fascist tends to back out when they realize they’ve lost.

Mind you, I was expecting him to point out how I twisted his words at one point.  He said he disagreed with what I was saying about Hitler being anti-capitalist.  I twisted that (because he was vague) to make it sound like he disagreed with his previous statement having said, “Yes.”  The thing is, he tried to make me sound racist early on involving the word (Trigger Warning; lol) “Nigger.”  He shared a link from Che Guevara that was a bit racist originally but embellished to be SUPER racist.  Just slight wording differences. Doesn’t take much, tbh.

Regardless, when I pointed out Che was Spanish-Irish racially, he blasted me and implied I said, “Only blacks are niggers!” and spouted off how he was Black Lives Matter.  Lel, no.  I shot that down and brought up the word “Kike” and said that me calling him a Kike means I’m calling him a Jew and not anything else because of the word’s origins.  I said “People of color” in that post which is a term I don’t feel like using but I use because saying “African-American” indicates that I’m DEFINITELY American.  I don’t like revealing too much information about myself, so I chose to take on the PC route, especially since I was approaching him gently so I could slap him around longer.

He went on about how whites have all these different eye and hair colors and I chose to ignore it to let him know that the Western standards for a race is different from other nations like Kosovo where Albanians and Serbs are different races but have the same skin color.

He kept insisting he was going to get banned, but I let him know that I was the only person there to listen to him ramble and I intended to educate him because education is a machine that kills Fascism.  I thought it was a clever quote, but I’m certain it pissed him off.

Fascists are like candy bars.  They’re all the same and you certainly know the flavor.  Sometimes, it’s filled differently than other candy bars but it’s not too difficult to imagine what they’ll all taste like.  Snickers has peanuts, twix has a cookie, and Nazis… well, this one is more Nationalist than Economist.  This means he’s basically interested in Fascism because he believes he’s the chosen one.  It’s part of his power fantasy.  He is naturally superior than me, though he has yet to prove it.  Unfortunately, being superior isn’t enough when it comes to knowledge.  Thus, when asking him about other bits of Nazi information he can’t do it.

Basically, I feed off his weaknesses.  His weakness is his belief that he doesn’t need to know anything beyond the fact that he’s special. Nazis who actually educate themselves can be rather rare, but they’re never FULLY educated.  What they read is “Mien Kampf” by Hitler but they don’t actually see what he did that didn’t involve the Jews.  They don’t research what Nazi Germany did that wasn’t totally involved in the War Effort.  It’s harder to find and honestly doesn’t come up much.

This is why the “Iranians were Honorary Citizens in Nazi Germany” is important.  It’s a bit of information that Nazis don’t really find because it’s HARD to find.  Honestly, it’s not that important which is why it’s necessary.  What Nazis don’t discover is what you need to discover.  In a war of facts, the facts that aren’t used are the most dangerous.  And even better, bring up facts from OTHER Fascists and it’ll just inspire more chaos.

I am confident that I can argue with ANY Nazi and will find victory. They’ll always back down or yell fruitlessly and will lose control. It’s great.  Fascists want the world but they don’t know how to get it.  They don’t know much of anything, really.

Oh, he liked one of my comments.  The Hitler quote.  Yeah, he backed down but he’s trying not to appear offended.  The purpose of the SINGLE like is to show that he’s not hurt and is TOTALLY light-hearted. It’s to save face.  If he likes a post and leaves, he’s not coming back or is signaling that he’ll return later.  If he likes and then comments, he’ll comment light-heartedly as if we were sooooooooo civil.  Ass kissing is a common ploy.  If a Fascist tries to flatter you then know that it’s empty words and feigned submission.

I haven’t spoken to a Nazi in person for a while.  Last time was in Amarillo.  It’s great.  They’re braver on the internet.  Go figure.  Then again, I’m 6 feet tall with 3 feet broad shoulders. I’m not a pushover.  Fortunate to be brawn and brains.  ;)

It’s 5:30 in the morning.  Christ, it’s time for bed.  Hopefully he’ll come back and I’ll slap him around some more.  Before I go, a little tip for arguing with Nazis:  Don’t worry about being wrong. If you’re on the attack, the Nazi will seldom notice.  For example, I said, “Private property has nothing to do with the free market” and he never brought it up for debate.  The reason for this is because he’s not looking to attack or counter-attack.  He’s on the defensive so he’s defending his ideals.  If you’re on the defensive verbally, you can’t just change the topic.

I blatantly changed the topic, but the reason I did that was because I presented a topic that’s easier to attack while merging it with what he criticized which was Black Lives Matter.  Saying, “Since you're super into Black Lives Matters, then certainly you've heard of the glory that is Marxism, yes?”  This implies Black Lives Matters is the same as Marxism and because he’s clearly an opponent to both, the change he saw was minimal.  The push into Marxism lead him to blatantly say, “Marxism is dumb!  I’ll get banned by Facebook now!”  Paraphrasing, obviously, but that’s basically his response except he posted several pictures proclaiming Fascism as the virtuous ideology.

Thus, I used that to my advantage by asking him “It’s clear you like Fascism, but what do you like most about it?”  I gave him a platform to speak which is something you shouldn’t do, but this is more like a trial.  He think he’ll spread the good word when in reality everything he says will be used against him.  He thought he was in control and when he realized he wasn’t, that’s when he backed down.  I asked questions and he answered.  Then when he answered, he was asked different questions that further branched away from the original topic.  The ball was originally in his court but by me giving him some space, he moved the ball into my court.

His arrogance didn’t see the immediate threat.  This means he’ll blindly charge ahead without realizing the risk at hand.  He knows nothing about me, which is good.  His acts are predictable because people don’t stand up to Nazis.  They lose their temper immediately because just the idea of someone being a Nazi triggers people.

Don’t lose your temper.  If you’re being blasted, then don’t lose yourself.  The Nazi will twist your words to make you sound like a bad guy.  Don’t deflect the conversation but guide it.  It’s a slow build up to turn his offense against him.  The conversation is a curve; not an angle.  The Nazi wants you to be upset and it’s not enough to blatantly say, “I’m not upset.”  When you say, “I’m not upset” that’s announcing that you’re in denial and you don’t want to appear angry when it’s already too late.

Instead, ignore your frustration.  If they say you’re angry, shrug it off. Be sarcastic.  Be witty.  Show that you’re unphased.  It’s not what you say but how you say it.  What I did, to lower the Nazi’s guard, was end every response up until I went on the offensive with a “:D” emoji.  At the end, I used it again to encourage him to respond.  A smiling face is non-hostile.  So, the coward isn’t afraid.  It’s basically berries in a trap.  Unfortunately, he didn’t chew his leg off but it affected him regardless.

Tomorrow, he’ll still won’t respond.  I’ve already won and he’s aware that I know more about Fascism than he does.  If he answers my questions, he’ll be shot down again.  The smartest decision he’s made is to stop responding.  The thing is, this will discourage him from posting more of his Fascist nonsense.  Even if he ran off to comment about the glories of Fascism elsewhere, he’ll do so with far less confidence.  He’ll become more skiddish and will be less of a problem for others.

I think I might share the entire conversation tomorrow, if it’s still up.  It will probably be less annoying than the movie reviews but not by much.  It’ll be educational too.  I miss picking on Nazis.  It’s refreshing.  They view me as a lesser person if a person at all.  I’m half-Mexican and a Marxist.  If I still used my old picture, I look SUPER Latino.  I look like an easy target because they think all Marxists are dumb.  They don’t think much of the average Marxist mostly because those who claim to be Communist don’t actually know what Communism is.

I’ve mentioned that before.  They associate Communists with people on Tumblr (somewhat ironic considering you’re reading this on Tumblr). Social Justice Warriors?  Totally Communist, at least by their eyes. The stereotype that the SJW’s are irrational and quick to cry is their bane.  A good Communist is a well-versed Communist.  You need to educate yourself on a lot because as a Communist, you’ll have enemies… everywhere.  In the US, Fascists are seen more favorably than Communists.  Antifa is viewed as worse than Hitler by right wing media.

The Alt-Right (which are American Fascists, even if they’re not Nazis or Racists though I suspect many actually are by the strict definition of one or both words) demean Communists and denounce all Communists by comparing them to Stalin.  I’m not a Stalinist, not that they care about branches.  However, I will always be compared to Stalin.  Because the best example is the worst example.  Juche Korea (or North Korea) is a perfect example of Communism to the West. Except the government has denounced Marxism-Leninism.  It’s “Obsolete” in Korea. Communism has many forms and shapes.  Stalinism, which is what I wanted to bring Fuck-Face into, is basically Fascism-Communism.  I don’t encourage Stalinism. Modern Communist thought has become FAR more compatible with other ideals.  For example, one hundred years ago, Anarchists were a threat to the Communist idea.  Now?  There are the Anarcho-Communists or AnCom.  I believe Antifa is big on AnCom but I don’t think it’s a requirement.

There is a point to all this.  The enemy of the Communist is ignorant of Communism.  But the biggest threat for Communism is not the enemy of the Communist but the ignorance of the Communist himself.  Knowledge is more powerful than a rifle.

I find it ironic.  I posted a picture of a pencil with “This machine kills fascists” on the side.  The Nazi saw it and thought, “That’s the enemy.  I must fight him.”  He failed to understand that the purpose of the picture was to show that knowledge destroys Fascism. Crush ignorance and you crush the Fascist.  He was outmatched before it even began.

Poetic, no?

Still Christmas Eve.  So tired.  Today feels incomplete.  Not good.  Work that is.

Max is not doing so well, either.  Blood in his stool.  Not sure what’s wrong.  My cousin blames herself because she keeps feeding him treats.

Anyways, I’ve been thinking of Esther a lot.  Last year, she had a hard Christmas.  Spent it alone, basically.  Family issues.  I won’t get into details because this will be public someday and I don’t want Esther to hate me EVEN MORE than she already does.  Though, I’ve confessed that other things have happened to her already.  Guess there is no winning.

[the-record-columns]

June 21, 2017: Columns

Green Stamps and a mother's love...

By KEN WELBORN

Record Publisher

 Among my most treasured possessions in the eclectic collection of things here at the offices of The Record and Thursday Printing are items from the old Wilkesboro grocery store owned and operated for many years by Clegg and Dessie Culler. When I learned of their plans to close, I went by mainly to get the sign off the building which proudly read Culler's Specialties with an “Enjoy Coca-Cola” panel on each end. It still hangs proudly on the wall above my office area.

As time went on and the closing sale began to wind down, Clegg gave me a beautiful Sauer's Spice display rack, some clocks, a couple of beer signs, and a wooden boat oar that he said belonged to Daniel Boone. When I cautiously asked him how he knew the oar actually belonged to Daniel Boone, he smiled his little half-smile as only Clegg could, and said, “Why Kenny, he told me so himself.”

Well, that certainly settled that, didn't it?

But on to today's column, the sign on this page is a two-sided electric S & H Green Stamp beauty which also was a gift from Clegg and Dessie. Many of you remember S & H Green Stamps, a premium given away when you bought groceries, gas, and some other retail items. The gummed stamps were then placed in premium books and could be saved up and traded in for merchandise listed in the rewards catalog.

S & H really became big business, at one time claiming to print three times more stamps than the Postal Service, and that their rewards catalog was the largest publication in the United States. By the late 80s, the stamp redemption business was basically gone, but much memorabilia remains.

And, better than that, memories.

S & H had many competitors as the years went by and the one I remember around here was the Family Stamp program which was in the Lowe's Food Stores when the chain was being expanded by its owner, J. C. Faw. There were several Lowe's Foods locations in Wilkes and apparently that qualified us for a redemption center, which was located in the space now occupied by Teresa Allred's Carousel Cafe. In those days, there was a Lowe's Food right next door.

I looked through the premium catalog all the time and had spotted a basketball and goal set that I thought might be in reach for the number of complete stamp books we had. When I checked with my mother, Cary, I was right, and my brother, T. A., took me over to the redemption center (sounds like a tent revival, doesn't it) to get my ball and goal. Mark Goodman and I had already cut a tree and built a backboard out of scrap lumber, so, in no time, we were playing basketball. Before that summer was out there wasn't a blade of grass alive in the yard around our goal.

Some time later I was again looking through the Family Stamp catalog when I noticed a page corner turned down and an electric frying pan circled, It took two more books of stamps than my ball and goal. My heart sank as I realized that my mother was saving up for that frying pan and instead gave me the stamp books go get what I wanted. When I asked her about it, she hugged me and said she had plenty of frying pans and that I didn't have a basketball.

It is all I can do not to cry as I type this.

The year I was 15, 1964, I got a job working at the Thrift Super Market for the Ball family. A guy came around with the Thomas and Howard Wholesale Company and he had an electric frying pan in his big catalog. I saved up and ordered the best one he sold for my mother's Christmas present. An odd memory of that present is that it cost $19.16—which I never forgot because my mother was born in 1916.

I honestly cannot remember what other presents I may have given my mother throughout her life, but none touched her like that one. She remembered the story about my ball goal, and she remembered me feeling guilty about her not getting her electric frying pan. She used that frying pan as long as she lived—literally—and every time it would need repair, she would call my brother, T. A., to fix it. He once told me he had rewired the control on that old frying pan five or six times, but mother would never let him buy her a new one.

It is always something different that will take you back 40 days or 40. Today it was an old S & H Green Stamp sign given to me by two of the kindest people I have ever known--Clegg & Dessie Culler.

Thanks guys.

Endurance

By LAURA WELBORN

Romans 5:3  “We also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us… “

I would like to share a story my son, Jake, told me about his trip to Nepal . 

He has a volunteer project (as a side hobby) that had worked for several years and received a grant to put solar panels and computers in a small isolated village in Nepal .  The village was a 14-mile up mountain hike that they would have to travel by foot.  So 16 Sherpa’s and volunteers headed out expecting to reach the village in five or six hours.  They took no supplies with them expecting to reach the village by nightfall.

As they say the best laid plans can go array and they did.  The altitude began to affect one of the volunteers and after climbing about seven miles straight up hill.  They were a long way out with no supplies.  So they found a small group of huts and asked to stay the night.  At first the people refused saying there was no place to put 16 people. The ailing volunteer became hysterical, so after much talking, one of the tribe’s people agreed to lend their hut. The hut had the animals downstairs and a “loft of sorts” made of slates.

The sick woman again became upset, unable to hike anymore, sick and tired she still refused to stay and was becoming even more hysterical.  Jake, who loves hardships and sleeping under the stars, tried and tried to calm her down. 

Finally he said, “Look you have been working years on this project, and you are only seven miles from achieving your goal of getting these solar panels and computers to these children.  This is only one night out of the hundreds you have spent working on this.  You can do this for one night.”

She looked up at him and calmed down. She settled down with 15 other people in the hut designed for animals and then hiked to the village the next day. 

My take away from this…The group had to stay together for them all to make it.

When we are brought back to the mission (bringing the internet to a school) the mission then drives us beyond what we think we are capable of doing.  And when there is a “shepherd” who can look out for the good of the “flock” and not leave anyone behind, the flock can survive.

As hard as we try sometimes things seem worse than they are.  Jake reported the night as magical on the side of the mountain with the stars out, sitting around a fire with the huts people.  Sometimes we think we can do it alone and fix it by ourselves, but we need to remember that it is much safer with the flock and the sun will come out tomorrow. We can do the unexpected and endure a lot more than we think we can, but most of all the hope of another day will not disappoint us.

Laura Welborn is a Mediator and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist.  Laura works with the Justis Group in North Wilkesboro doing individual/family and group therapy.  Contact her at laurawelborn1@gmail.com

  How about social justice for Israel?

By EARL COX

Special to The Record

The attainment of social justice has been a utopian goal throughout history. While God created all equal, there is no society in the world where this actually exists in a pure form.  There have always been advocates and champions for the poor and downtrodden so the call for social justice will always be with us. It is right to want to help those less fortunate but we must not be deceived into believing a lie over the honest truth.  

On university and college campuses across America, students are particularly attracted to causes and activities which call for social justice because they are looking for something worthwhile and meaningful in which to invest their energies.  This is laudable but before signing on to support a particular cause, some investigation is in order. Sadly, too many are too quick to hang their hats on the peg labeled “social justice” without analyzing the underlying facts or motives or closely examining those people and organizations who are leading the way.  America’s students are being influenced by liberal professors and radical Islamic activists whose true agenda is not actually social justice for all. Islamic activists are working diligently on our campuses of higher learning capturing the hearts and minds of vulnerable students.  They are motivated not by a desire to achieve social justice but rather by the ultimate goal of unraveling and dismantling the principles and values upon which America was founded. By preying on the naiveté of America’s youth, they are working on changing America from within. Once accomplished (and they are making significant progress) the consequences will be negative for both America and Israel. Remember, radical Islam openly declares their intention to destroy the “Great Satan” which is the USA and the “Little Satan” which is Israel.

Misinformation and fabricated “truths” are two of the tools in the arsenal of radical Islam which is the power source fueling the engines of terror and jihad around the world. The widespread call for social justice for the so called “oppressed” Palestinians has become a hot button to stir up strife on campuses in order to create a hostile environment for Jewish students. Israel has been painted as an evil pariah and solely to blame for the unfortunate plight of the “poor, oppressed Palestinians."  In reality it is the corrupt Palestinian leadership with their misguided values which places jihad (holy war) with Israel above the need to elevate the standard of living for the Palestinian people.

Yes, despite what the Palestinians would have the world believe, Israel and the Jews are not the cause for their oppressed state of existence and Israel is not an illegal occupier. In fact, because of the historic Jewish experience, Jews feel a deep moral obligation to stand up for the downtrodden.  Because Israel bashing and Jew bashing are in vogue, it’s doubtful that any of our young has ever heard this from one of their left-leaning professors.  Today’s atmosphere of political correctness does not leave room for positive speech about the Jews and Israel. This is dangerous and it must stop.  If Israel and the Jews were removed from the earth, the Palestinians would still be poor and desperate and there would be no social justice in Palestinian society. 

If those crying out for social justice really wanted to see this become a reality, they would be on the side of Israel – the one country in the world constantly and unfairly condemned by the U.N. and others and always held to a different and higher standard than any other country in the world. Thank the good Lord the United States now has an ambassador at the U.N. who is not afraid to stand up and be counted as a friend of Israel.

Even so, the Jewish people are the subject of open hatred and hostility but who is seeking social justice for them?  There was little to no outcry for justice when Jewish cemeteries were being desecrated and synagogues spray painted with ugly words and messages reminiscent of the dark days leading up to the Holocaust. The atmosphere today is much the same as it was in the 1930s and 1940s when Hitler unleashed his program of ethnic cleansing but without knowing history this would be difficult to discern. Ignorance and indifference led to the deaths of millions of Jews and others.  Could it happen again?

Efforts to achieve social justice will produce positive results if rightly placed.  We must not accept or condone acts of terror, incitement of hatred, or genocidal or brutal acts against humanity. We must know and stand for the truth. If our schools won’t teach our children, then we must teach our schools. Israel and the Jews are here to stay. They have a long and rich history which pre-dates all of us by thousands of years and they have a very wonderful habit of making significant advancements and contributions to the betterment of the world from which we all greatly benefit.

To Brunch or Not to Brunch

By Carl White

Life in the Carolinas

I like brunch because it’s a mid-morning activity, you don’t have to get up early and you don’t have to wait too long to enjoy it. It’s often, but not always with friends or family and you can have anything you want with your eggs.  

I remember a brunch visit to Proper Restaurant in Boone NC. The drive up the mountain was relaxing, it was a good 10-15 degrees cooler and the air seemed cleaner.

I took advantage of the free meter Sunday parking on King Street. It was around noon when I arrived and a good number of people were already seated. I chose a table which provided me a front row seat for a talented guitar player who provided a nice balance of soothing music with a nostalgic feel.

My waitress was knowledgeable and colorfully charming which added even more to the experience. After hearing the specials, I ordered the quiche of the day with oven roasted potatoes. She highly recommended the collards as my second side. To which I said, “are you serious?”  With a confident smile she said without hesitation, “trust me, you will love them”.

What could I say but yes. She also told me about the Biscuit Baby of the day, which was a rolled pastry with figs, strawberries, and covered with an orange zest glaze.  I had to at least taste it, so I said, “yes please”.

The room was filled with a diversity of happy brunch people of all ages, an acoustic guitar version of Oh Happy Day was playing when my coffee and Biscuit Baby arrived. It was warm with a nice presentation and smelled wonderful. I also knew I had a full meal still on the way. I could foresee a to go box in my not too distant future. However, after the first bite, I could tell I was going to have a problem. The flavors were blended perfectly and well suited for total consumption.  

Soon after, the main event arrived and it was even more impressive. The quiche was tall with a flaky crust. A delicate well-balanced flavor where each bite prepared you for the next. The roasted potato’s we nicely seasoned with a side of homemade tomato sauce and then the much awaited perfectly prepared collards. She was right, I loved them, they were a perfect side. I lingered with the music, another cup of coffee and casual conversation with fellow brunch folks just long enough as to not need a to go box.

I drove away with a feeling of gratitude and satisfaction.

Brunch is by no means a new thing, from what I can tell it was first written about in 1895 by Guy Beringer in the  “Hunter’s Weekly” a British publication that has long been out of print. Brunch would make its way to America by the late 1920’s. Over the years brunch would evolve, after World War II Sunday morning brunch become even more popular.

Many people enjoy a mimosa or two. For others it’s a Bloody Mary with all sorts of pickled garnish, such is the case with friends Bruce and Bonnie Julian in Charlotte who perfected a blend that so pleased people that it has become a commercial business. I’m not surprised.

Some say that brunch is for certain people.

Well if you ask me, and someone did. I think brunch is for anyone who likes the idea of eating sometime between the traditional breakfast and lunch times. If you like collards with your eggs, like I now do, you my friend may be a brunch person. There are many fine places for brunch in the Carolinas, all you must do is ask a friend or google.  

See you at brunch!  

Carl White is the executive producer and host of the award winning syndicated TV show Carl White’s Life In the Carolinas. The weekly show is now in its seventh year of syndication and can be seen in the Charlotte viewing market on WJZY Fox 46 Saturdays at 12:00 noon. For more on the show visit  www.lifeinthecarolinas.com, You can email Carl White at Carl@lifeinthecarolinas.com.                    

Copyright 2017 Carl White

A Midsummer Night’s….. Contradiction

By Heather Dean

 June 21 marks the summer solstice. Traditionally a day of celebration and even the fairies are at their merriest. Shakespeare wrote a little ditty about it- you may have heard of it- A Midsummer Nights Dream is a tale of enchantment that takes place on midsummer, a seasonal transition that was thought to be a time when  supernatural beings caused widespread mischief and some plants were thought to possess magical healing powers.

Fun fact: Shakespeare is also credited with the first-known citation of the phrase “midsummer madness,”  Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits which were believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southward again. In ancient cultures, the fires were to drive away dragons, evil spirits and witches that would poison the wells.

The word midsummer comes to us from Old English, Dutch and Scandinavian origins.

Across Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Scandinavia, The British Isles, The Faroe Islands, and both hemispheres of the Americas, people over the world people still celebrate the ancient holiday. Midsummer’s Eve is a national holiday in Sweden and Finland.

Modern day traditions, like those held in Iran, include lighting the fire, thanking God for his blessings and crops, and praying for the peace of the souls of the dead were parts of this ancient Iranian tradition. This ceremony coincides with harvesting, and newly wed couples who have married in the past year, are given white horses to ride up to the foot of the mountain. As the brides and grooms reach the mountain foot, a yellow cow is set free, as a sign of happiness and abundance for the new couples

The science behind the celebrations, are thus: solstice occurs when a planet's rotational axis, or geographic pole on either it’s northern or its southern hemisphere, is most inclined toward the star that it orbits. This happens twice each year (once in each hemisphere), when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the North or South Pole. For instance: on the east coast (NYC) the sunrise will be around 5:24 a.m. and the sunset will occur at 8:30 with a copious15 hours and 05 minutes of daylight. In

Fairbanks Alaska, which is closer to the Arctic Circle, they will have a glorious 21 hours and 49 minutes of daylight. So much daylight, in fact, that part of their midsummer celebration includes a midnight game of basketball.

You’re all dumb:

But Heather, what's all this "midsummer talk? June 21 is the first day of summer. Right?"

Saying June 21 is the beginning of summer is, in fact, contradict

Astronomically, the summer solstice is considered to be "mid-summer", because it is technically the longest day of the year.

Meteorologically, the summer-solstice is the time of year when things are just STARTING to warm up, so it makes sense, from that cultural perspective, to refer to the solstice as "the first day of summer", rather than "mid-summer".

 Culturally, our conceptions of "summer" are the time of year when things are warm and sunny. (As if you needed something else to wrap your head around, consider that this is the WINTER Solstice for Australia, and that they celebrate Christmas in their summer season.)

 In our modern world, we tend to focus on the seasons as they apply to us or our particular region, and not on the astronomical reality which few pay attention to these days. In the processes of evolving into a more urban society versus rural, the true meaning behind the dates, as has happened with so many of our holidays, has become lost. Read: Our modern calendars and mass media have misled us. And most are not remotely interested in correcting this error.   So, here you are, going about your lives, never knowing you've been wrong this whole time, because the glossy paper calendar on the wall says "first day of summer", and why would you ever doubt them?

           Put down your cell phone and think about it....

           One has only to consider the scientific fact that the Solstices mark the MID POINT of the seasons via the course of the Sun. One of the world's oldest evidence of the Summer Solstice's importance in culture is Stonehenge in England, a megalithic structure which clearly marks the moment of the June Solstice.

 Even as children, we were taught Summer Solstice was the longest day of the year, that the sun seemed to stand still, and that the days get shorter from here on out. So how could it be the beginning of anything, if in fact it begins waning after this?

         It doesn't.

           Summer actually begins May 1. Thus the thousands year old May Day festivities celebrating the sun becoming stronger, and brighter the closer to the earth it gets. Around June 20-22, this solar strength begins to reverse course and the days grow shorter paving the way to fall. The Autumnal Equinox occurs when the sun crosses the equator on its journey southward, and we experience a day and a night that are of equal duration is mid- harvest season. Winter as a season begins on November 1, after the all hallows eve bonfires marking the coming darkness of the Earth until the rebirth of spring. December brings The Winter Solstice, or midwinter, which like midsummer comes around the 21/22 of the month, and we experience the shortest and darkest day of the year.  The Spring Equinox sees the hours of daylight and darkness   again in balance, but getting warmer.  And we soon find ourselves back at May Day, when summer actually begins.                             Not that this really matters in the grand scheme of making beach plans, but I like to think people would prefer to have the knowledge, given the chance.

           Still can’t wrap your head around it? That’s ok. Let’s take a page from Shakespeare, via theatre major and Heather style.

           “If this writing has offended, slip on your flip-flops, grab your fairy wings, think but this, and all is mended, that you have but rested here while these words did appear.

         Gentle readers, do not reprehend: If you pardon, we shall commend: And, as I am an honest Heather, if we have pretty summer weather, to 'scape the hot sun's tongue, we will swim all summer long. Else this Fae a liar call; So, good night unto you all.

         Give me your hands, if we be friends, and the goodfellow shall restore amends."

  Heather Dean is a theatre major working in journalism. She keeps pinky promises, and never turns down shenanigans. You can reach her at therecordofwilkes@gmail.com

[coulsonjessi93-blog]

Successful Proscenic Suzuka Perak

We've figured the Proscenic Suzuka could be the bot that we'd recommend to the majority of people who desire an automatic tool to preserve the floors neat, after working over 30 washing rounds over two months with four of the most effective robot cleaners.

The Proscenic Suzuka could be the smartmoney pick for most people who want a robot vacuum cleaner. It is continually helpful in nearly every home although other robots often perform wonderful in a few cases but fall short in others. We found that the Proscenic Suzuka is more likely to complete its washing rounds alone without needing to await a to come to the relief and getting stuck or complicated. The type of its navigation process brings it into tight areas that different bots wont go near, so that it tends to accumulate dog hair, more flakes, and also other dirt overall. Weighed against its rivals, itis quieter, fix and itis simpler and cheaper to maintain, and it's less costly up front. For a few people, our runnerup will be a greater pick every would be bot-vacuum operator must go through the Proscenic Suzuka.

Robot cleaners are typical made to manage while people are out of the residence, but if you're property while your bot is cleansing, we feel the Proscenic Suzuka is the most satisfying bot to become around. We calculated its normal running size at about 59 decibels, which can be about as loud as a talk in a restaurant or workplace. The Suzuka whirring and cleanup patterns that are seemingly nonsensical virtually make it feel just like a dog. Ry Crist at CNET places it effectively: "subtle, lively touches of persona really can get a considerable ways - a thing that Proscenic appears to have mastered within the Suzuka after several ages of development." The Innobot i70 is louder in comparison, operating at 65 dB which consists of arrangement brush or 68 dB with all the rubber-flap edge brush. Decibels are measured over a logarithmic size, which means that the Innobot may be almost twice as loud as the Suzuka. The Innobot even offers larger spikes in its frequency response, which tend to be grating for your ears. It truly is especially noisy around 125 hertz, like an HVAC unit's whoosh.

The Proscenic Suzuka includes a more flexible, prolonged, and sturdy navigation program including Ecovacs and the Innobot, than its opponents. Since itis so nimble, the Proscenic Suzuka could work nicely in most sorts of settings - on timber floors or knit carpet, addressing numerous square feet or in one bedroom, in an open-concept or a packed floor plan. Because it drives headlong into surfaces, furniture, it may appear kind of pointless, as well as other features ostensibly at random. To us manager at CNET placed it as Rich Brown, the Suzuka is "like a party". And who could overlook DJ Suzuka?

A navigation system that is freewheeling also helps the Proscenic Suzuka address more floor at picking up more dust than its opponents, gives it a better opportunity. The Innobot might just prevent that location totally if it generally does not perceive space that is enough to go easily between the chair feet. So if you don'tare prepared to make a move like set the seats on the stand, the Innobot may pick none of the dust up, and also the Suzuka may grab at the least a few of it.

a cleanup rate that is quicker as well as an extended battery life also give a competitive edge in many homes to the Proscenic Suzuka. It works for 80 to 90 units per period, whereas 60minutes are squeezed out about by the Innobot i70 as well as goes at about 50 % the pace of the Suzuka whilst it cleaning or 's turning the ends of the bedroom. (It goes about as rapidly whilst the Suzuka in straightaways.) Depending on the measurement of the room you're washing, the Suzuka could make even or two three passes over all the floor, as the Innobot i70 was created to create only 1 pass.

Additional passes, a longer run-time, and additional pace are not necessarily advantages. In case a robot may do the same career in time, excellent. But depending on our expertise, user reviews, and exam results from retailers like CNET, Consumer Reports, and Reviewed.com, we believe in most realworld adjustments, the Suzukais pace and persistence allow it to pick up more debris compared to the Innobot i70 can.

The trick is that the Proscenic Suzuka is successful at avoiding "bot traps" such as a criminal USB cable, a web of furniture feet, the edge over a carpet, or even a tall limit. We think that's as it relies more on contact-based sensors than different bots do, which gives it a more comprehensive sense of its immediate surroundings and therefore a better escape path. Additionally, Proscenic's been creating software vacuums longer than anybody else, therefore the application engineers of the company's have experienced more time to finetune the algorithms that let the bots avoid from possible traps. The Proscenic Suzuka is made an excellent navigator in homes with inviting, crowded floorplans by that. The Innobot i70, in comparison, challenges more when it pushes over a wire, bumps in to a threat that its mapping process finally ends up anywhere with no clear leave, or couldn't view. It may also sometimes get caught on large thresholds.

In our assessment knowledge, however, and judging from the hundreds of reading user reviews we have read, the Proscenic Suzuka quit within a washing pattern as frequently as competitive versions from Innobot or other producers or otherwise doesn't get jammed. Have a look at it in this manner: If you schedule your bot to completely clean as long as you're at the office and it gets stuck beneath the chair 10 units to the cleansing routine, it will stay there all day looking forward to you to return rescue it, as well as your floors it's still dirty when you get home. Defeats the purpose of having a computerized cleaner, no?

The Proscenic Suzuka makes replacing cracked pieces simple. "Since I 've had Suzuka, I've exchanged virtually all the elements, because it's straightforward inexpensive, and honestly entertaining to take action," Sal Cangeloso told us. A complete new set of filters and brushes presently costs only around RM100, while one fresh brush for the Innobot i70 costs RM200. The rest get more costly - a primary- about RM400 is presently cost by party replacement battery , like. Whilst with nearly every machine, into retaining the Proscenic Suzuka managing well, you should have to put some funds, but on the basis of the rates of replacement pieces and what we've read about its battery, these fees must be below with different software vacuums.

Lastly, the Proscenic Suzuka gets the greatest individual evaluations of any software machine at any value: Currently it's an overall report of 4.5 stars (out-of five) across 2,641 opinions on Amazon. For so long as we have been keeping course, it has been the very best-marketing software machine on Amazon.

All of the positive reading user reviews appear to recognize that the Proscenic Suzuka is a preservation solution, something that enables you to put-off human-operated cleanings for a few additional nights or days (when you can endure it) and shaves some time off these times while maintaining the floors tidier for the time being. Pet-owners find it specifically great for retaining fur off the ground. Some entrepreneurs experienced their Proscenic Suzuka for quite a while, and it's still running well. I love the Suzuka, as Amazon customer D E Maine sets it, "Overall. It is exciting to watch, great to aid out at home to clean for us and truly saves people time so we can have one thing that is less to do when it comes to cleaning up the house."

Weaknesses although not dealbreakers

The Proscenic Suzuka does not actually work with really dark or nonreflective black brown surfaces. Black or dark floors that are a bit polished must be ok. According to Proscenic, this limit must do together with the dynamics of the shelf detectors, which avoid the bot from sailing a journey of stairs down. One workaround is to recording within another thing semireflective and modest or the detectors with whitepaper. We've not attempted this secret ourselves, and the potential disadvantage is the fact that the Suzuka are able to tumble down those aforementioned steps.

Nevertheless, if you've other priceless furniture or antique that you are definitely not prepared to risk damaging, this is simply not best robot for you. Any bot will run into your material but our runner up and enhance recommendations do not do this normally, and it really is with less pressure, when they do.

Notice too that without getting caught, although the Proscenic Suzuka typically completes a complete washing routine, the machine doesn't usually ensure it is back . In 30 minutes or the 20 of a procedure, when the battery begins to run minimal, the Proscenic Suzuka starts to consider the pier, which includes an infrared beacon. It drives over and parks itself around the receiving connections, if the bot sees the sign in the pier. But it merely keeps before the battery is completely from juice cleansing and stops in place if the Suzuka can not discover the pier. That situation that is second is more prone to occur in larger homes or in homes with several small rooms as opposed to large areas that are less.

Since its navigation process relies so much on effect (rather than optics) to experience out a room, the Proscenic Suzuka bumps into furniture and walls lots of occasions per washing routine. Reviewed.com notes that it strikes harder than different bots, at about 2.3 pounds of push, which has the potential to affect wobbly items away from lighting platforms (but probably will not). A number of individual testers have reported that it left marks, sometimes actually scratches, on their furniture. We have not seen scratches or smudges on any of baseboards or our very own chairs, & most opinions do not mention it like a challenge. One workaround that is straightforward is to remain a bit reel of foam plastic onto the bumper.

Longterm exam notes

Ever since then, I Have used it less often (listen, I review a lot of cleaners and have to allow my ground get yourself a little dirty to test them), however it nevertheless hit a floor once every couple weeks. I might estimate it's done about 100 washing rounds whole, and it's held up properly. So far, I Have exchanged the filter only one time, though it surely wants replacing again soon. However the aspect brush remains in design that is okay, and the battery still appears to maintain a complete or near - charge that is full - it may still clear for 80 units at the same time.

AutoVac Bot is currently carrying out a preliminary marketing in Malaysia. The Suzuka is now over a particular present at only RM1250 that makes it a grab.

The most obvious change to the Proscenic Suzuka over-time is that its body appears a little banged up. Now it has much more superficial scrapes, and I noticed this after just a couple of months of assistance and scuffs. Nevertheless, I havenot seen any impression markings or smudges on my furniture the robot absolutely triggered. Idon't really care if my IKEA material gets a little scuffed up, so I'm not spending quite close attention, or does it bother me that the robot itself seems like it has been active to become fair.

General, this can be undoubtedly the top budget robotic vacuum cleaner previously. Cheaper in comparison with Ecovacs and Innobot i70, which the top of the brand designs cost range -3500.

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Expert Proscenic Suzuka Vacuum Robot Plaza Pelangi

After working over 30 cleaning cycles over two months with four of the top robot cleaners, we've figured the Proscenic Suzuka may be the bot that we'd propose to the majority of people who need an automated associate to retain the floors neat.

The Proscenic Suzuka could be the smart money pick for most of US who desire a robot vacuum. It really is consistently powerful in just about any home although different robots are inclined to work wonderful in a few situations but fall short in others. We discovered that the Proscenic Suzuka is prone to conclude its cleanup rounds on its own without getting jammed or twisted and being forced to watch for a human to come quickly to the recovery. The type of its navigation program brings it into locations that are tight that robots that are additional wont go near, so it has a tendency to obtain other dirt, pet hair, and also more crumbs general. Weighed against its opponents, itis more quiet, repair and itis cheaper and simpler to keep up, and it's more affordable at the start. For a lot of, our runnerup is a pick that is greater , but every would be bot-vacuum manager must look at the Proscenic Suzuka.

Robot cleaners are typical built to operate while humans are out from the household, but we assume the Proscenic Suzuka may be the many satisfying robot to be around while your robot is cleansing when you're property. We tested its normal running size as a conversation in a restaurant or office at about 59 decibels, which can be about loud. Seemingly absurd washing styles and the Suzuka whirring almost make it feel just like a pet. Ry Crist at CNET puts it nicely: "subtle, playful touches of temperament can definitely go a considerable ways - something which Proscenic appears to have acquired while in the Suzuka after several years of development." The Innobot i70 is louder by comparison, operating at 65 dB which consists of appliance brush or 68 dB with all the rubber-flap blade brush. Decibels are assessed over a logarithmic size, which means that the Innobot can be nearly twice as loud since the Suzuka. The Innobot also has greater spikes in its frequency response, which tend to be grating to your ears. It truly is specifically noisy around 125 hertz, like an HVAC unit's whoosh.

A navigation system also helps more floor is covered by the Proscenic Suzuka than its competitors, which gives it a better chance at buying up more dirt. If it generally does not see enough room to maneuver easily between the couch legs, the Innobot could prevent that area totally. Thus until youare prepared to do something like put the chairs up on the table, the Innobot and the Suzuka may pick none of the dirt up and at least a number of it, respectively.

a cleanup speed that is quicker plus a lengthier battery life also give the Proscenic Suzuka a competitive side in several properties. It runs for 80 to 90 units per pattern, while the Innobot i70 squeezes out about 60minutes as well as goes at about half the Suzuka's rate while it cleaning or is switching the sides of a room. (It moves about as fast whilst the Suzuka in straightaways.) Depending whilst the Innobot i70 was created to create just one cross on the dimension of the room you are washing, the Suzuka will make two or even three travels over all the floor.

Additional pace, a longer run-time, and extra travels are not always rewards. In case a software can perform the exact same job in time, fantastic. But based on our knowledge, user reviews, and examination results from retailers like CNET, Consumer Reports, and Reviewed.com, we believe in most real-world configurations, the Suzukais pace and endurance let it get more dust as opposed to Innobot i70 could.

The key is that the Proscenic Suzuka is proficient at escaping the perimeter on the rug, a web of furniture legs, "bot traps" like a rogue USB cable, or a high limit. We genuinely believe that's as it depends more on hint-based devices than different robots do, which provides a more comprehensive feeling of its surroundings to it and so a better escape route. Also, Proscenic's been generating robot vacuums longer than anyone else, hence the firm's software designers have had additional time to finetune the calculations that allow the bots escape from possible barriers. The Proscenic Suzuka is made a terrific navigator in properties with warm, packed floor plans by that. The Innobot i70, by comparison, challenges more when it pushes over a cable, lumps in to a threat that its mapping process could not view, or ends up someplace without exit that is clear. It may also occasionally get stuck on large thresholds.

The Proscenic Suzuka makes exchanging pieces that are damaged simple. "Since I 've had Suzuka, I've exchanged almost all the parts, as itis cheap, easy, and honestly exciting to take action,E Sal Cangeloso informed us. While one fresh wash for that Innobot i70 costs RM200 an entire new set of filters and brushes currently costs just around RM100. The rest get more costly - a primary- about RM400 is currently cost by party replacement battery . In order with nearly every vacuum, you'll have to put some money into retaining the Proscenic Suzuka managing properly, but on the basis of the rates of replacement components and what we have learn about its battery, those expenses must be below with other software cleaners.

Lastly, the Proscenic Suzuka gets the finest consumer evaluations of any software cleaner at any cost: Currently it's a general score of 4.5 stars (out-of five) across 2,641 opinions on Amazon. For so long as we have been keeping track, it's already been the top-selling software machine.

Within our assessment expertise, though, and evaluating from your numerous user reviews we have read, the Proscenic Suzuka give up during a cleanup period as often as competing types from Innobot or other suppliers or otherwise doesn't get stuck. Look at it in this manner: If you plan your robot to scrub if you are at the job and it gets caught underneath the sofa 10 minutes to the cleansing pattern, it'll stay there all day waiting for you in the future save it, and your floors it's still dirty when you get home. of having an automatic solution, no, failures the purpose?

The Proscenic Suzuka has a more adaptive, persistent, and resistant navigation technique than its opponents, including the Innobot. As itis so nimble, the Proscenic Suzuka can work nicely on wood floors or knit carpet, addressing numerous square feet or in one single room - in a packed floor plan or an open concept, in-all forms of controls. It might appear type of pointless as it pushes headlong furniture, into walls, and also other fixtures apparently randomly. And who can forget DJ Suzuka?

All of the constructive user reviews seem to observe that the Proscenic Suzuka is actually a maintenance solution, a thing that enables you to put-off individual-powered cleanings for a couple extra days or weeks (when you can remain it) and shaves a while off these classes while retaining the surfaces tidier in the meantime. Pet-owners find it particularly helpful for maintaining fur off the ground. Some owners experienced their Proscenic Suzuka for quite some time, and it's really still running properly. As Amazon consumer D E Maine places it, "Overall, I enjoy the Suzuka. It is exciting to watch, fantastic to aid out around the house to scrub for people and actually saves people moment so we are able to have one less action to take when it comes to clearing up the house."

not dealbreakers although flaws

The Proscenic Suzuka does not actually work on incredibly dark or nonreflective black brown surfaces. Dark or black floors which can be just a little shiny must be fine. Accordingto Proscenic, this constraint needs to do with the nature of the corner sensors, which avoid the bot from sailing a flight of stairs down. One workaround is always to tape over another thing semireflective and small or the sensors with white-paper. We have not tried this key ourselves, and also the potential disadvantage is the fact that the Suzuka may then tumble-down these aforementioned stairs.

Because its navigation system depends so much on hint (rather than optics) to experience out an area, the Proscenic Suzuka bumps into furniture and surfaces a large number of times per cleaning routine. Reviewed.com notes that it strikes harder than different spiders, at about 2.3 pounds of force, that has the potential to knock wobbly objects from light platforms (but probably will not). A number of user reviewers have complained that it left markings, occasionally actually scratches, on their furniture. We have not seen streaks or scores on some of our very own seats or baseboards, and it is n't mentioned by most reviews like a challenge. One workaround that is simple will be to stick just a little strip of foam rubber.

Nevertheless, if you have other furniture that is priceless or antique that you are absolutely not willing to risk damaging, this is not greatest robot for you personally. Any robot can encounter your stuff but our runner-up enhance and recommendations don't achieve this as often, and it really is with less force when they are doing.

Notice also that without getting trapped, even though Proscenic Suzuka typically finishes a whole cleanup routine, it does n't be often made by the system back again to the charger. Within 30-minutes or the last 20 of the procedure, when the battery starts to run minimal, the Proscenic Suzuka starts to consider the dock, which has an infrared beacon. When the bot recognizes the transmission in the dock, it parks itself to the receiving connections and pushes over. If the Suzuka can not discover the dock, it just keeps cleanup before the battery is wholly out-of liquid and stops in place. That next scenario is more likely to occur in houses with many little rooms rather than big suites that are less or in larger residences.

Long term test records

Since that time, I've used it less often (listen, I evaluate lots of vacuums and have to allow my ground obtain a little dirty to try them), nevertheless it nonetheless struck the ground once every couple weeks. I'd estimate it's completed about 100 cleaning rounds whole, and it has held up well. Sofar, I've changed the filter just once, although it really requires replacing again shortly. Nevertheless the area wash continues to be in okay form, along with the battery however appears to carry a full or near - charge that is full - it could nevertheless clean for 80 units at a time.

Decreasing change for the Proscenic Suzuka overtime is that its body seems somewhat banged up. Now it's a lot more low scrapes, and I discovered this after just a couple weeks of assistance and scuffs. Nevertheless, I'venot noticed smudges or any impact marks on my furniture the robot undoubtedly triggered. To become honest, I donot actually care if my IKEA material gets only a little scuffed up, so I'm not spending very close focus, nor does it bother me the bot itself seems like it has been occupied.

AutoVac Bot is currently performing an initial marketing in Malaysia. The Suzuka is now on a specific present at only RM1250 that makes it a steal.

Total, this can be undoubtedly the most effective budget robotic hoover actually. Cheaper when compared with Ecovacs and Innobot i70, which the top of the point models price range from RM2500 -3500.

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What Form of Existence Life Coverage Policy Should You Get

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What Form of Existence Life Coverage Policy Should You Get

The number one cause for purchasing Existence Coverage will constantly be to guard the humans you care about in case something were to take place to you. How might an entire lot capital you need as a way to pay off debts, resource your family, or to take care of all your affairs?

After you understand what priorities you would really like to defend via Existence Insurance it within reason easy to decide the exceptional quantity of Coverage.

What Form of Existence Coverage

Insurance

The following query is what Kind of Coverage will serve your desires. with a view to getting the proper quantity of Insurance, you also Need to make certain that the charges match without problems into your price range.

Term Insurance Advantages

Time period Coverage is less expensive than whole Life Insurance, because of the reality you are renting the Coverage. Your Coverage is taken into consideration herbal Coverage in this situation because it doesn’t boom coins rate or participates in organization dividends.

As a substitute, it permits you to get the proper amount of safety for the least quotes available. Term Coverage has moreover advanced through the years to provide extra complete options. You can get across back-of-charges Coverage where you pay greater in some unspecified time in the future of the Lifestyles of the Coverage, but the Insurance organization refunds all your charges at the crease of the regular Time period.

There are also Term suggestions that can help you lock on your age and fitness for the rest of your Life, so you may have the Insurance and rates locked in for the rest of your Existence. That is a =”hide”>fantastic=”tipsBox”> and inexpensive manner to acquire everlasting Coverage.

How Long Want to You Lock on your rates

The longer You can lock on your charges the greater =”hide”>wonderful=”tipsBox”> it is going to be in the end. The Insurance agency takes into attention the mortality hazard during the quantity length of the Term. In case you are 35 and you get a level 20-Term Coverage then the costs may be constant till you are fifty-5. And due to the fact you are locking inside the rates at a more younger age, the common chance and prices might be less than In case you had been to fasten to your rates at 55.

The majority have a Coverage Need at the manner to closing at some degree inside the rest of their lives. If You could completely lock in part of your Coverage at a more youthful age =”hide”>this may=”tipsBox”> prevent considerably on quotes. It takes place pretty often wherein people will comply with for logo spanking new Coverage after the consistent costs on their Insurance has expired, and due to the truth they will be now older and Have to pay lots more in fees.

Your fitness is also locked in when you first take the Insurance out. Many people searching out Insurance in their Nineteen Fifties or 1960s are handling some Type of scientific circumstance that makes the fee of Lifestyles Insurance double or triple in charge. The same right judgment that applies to locking in your age is likewise precise to preserve in mind while locking to your fitness. We don’t know what is going to display up to us, and if we’ve got our Coverage locked in then our insurability and fees may be unaffected via a scientific event.

stage Time period Coverage

I usually advise getting a degree-Term Policy rather than one on the way to start off decrease and increase prices each and every year. the level Term rules allow you to lock on your age and health for the remainder of the Term, while the increasing-premium guidelines emerge as more steeply-priced each twelve months based on your new age.

because of the truth Time period Insurance is a less way to get the proper amount of protection, I trust that it’s far the proper preference for a =”hide”>big=”tipsBox”> majority of humans looking at Life Coverage.

coins fee Life Insurance: even as To Maintain in thoughts It

First A Word Of Caution approximately How The Lifestyles Insurance Employer Ope=”hide”>first=”tipsBox”>s

Lifestyles

An agent who pushes one company above the others is doing his or her customers a disservice. each corporation has its positives and negatives and each company has targeted on positive demographics to try to create a competitive component. There are 17 Life Insurance =”hide”>corporations=”tipsBox”> within the fortune 500 by myself. Those =”hide”>organizations=”tipsBox”> have very comparable investment portfolios and conduct commercial enterprise in methods which might be greater not unusual than no longer. Eight of these =”hide”>organizations=”tipsBox”> are mutual, 9 are stock =”hide”>agencies=”tipsBox”>, and all of them function that allows you to make a profit. The most critical thing that each person can do is to have an agent who can help them Keep the marketplace for the agency That is going to healthy their dreams. Absolutely everyone that is a smoker with excessive blood pressure goes to have better options outdoor of the =”hide”>agencies=”tipsBox”> that target nonsmokers with out fitness situations. Locating the least Employer on the market in your age and fitness can prevent lots of dollars.

I used to paintings for a Coverage agency in which we handiest sold an unmarried triple-A-=”hide”>first=”tipsBox”>d-Insurance business Organization. Once I worked for this enterprise, my fellow marketers and I have been especially inculcated with the Advantages of this enterprise’s complete Life Coverage. This case isn’t always precise.

Captive =”hide”>companies=”tipsBox”> have managers that groom entrepreneurs to push one corporation due to the fact they obtain a commission commissions when their dealers promote Those merchandise. Please don’t assume that Lifestyles Insurance dealers are professionals at the Blessings of numerous =”hide”>groups=”tipsBox”> and sorts of Coverage plans, due to the fact a number of them are blind to the Benefits past their very personal employer. In choice to consulting their clients and buying the market, they push a single product that doesn’t constantly in shape up well. There is a protracted way too many human beings being given an advice from retailers to Endure in mind whole Life Insurance due to the fact they’re professional in imparting the same products to each consumer.

when you Are Thinking about An Insurance employer It will constantly Be effective For some human beings And Sick Counseled For Others

If you take a seat down with an agent who is going over a listing of Blessings approximately an unmarried Insurance business Company, keep in mind that maximum Advantages are clear exchange-offs. As an example, if a corporation is a triple-A =”hide”>first=”tipsBox”>d Coverage agency than they may be probably additionally more conservative with whom they insure. A triple-A rating is =”hide”>super=”tipsBox”>, but, it’s miles truely simplest vital If you plan on participating within the employer’s dividends, or in other terms shopping for their entire Existence Coverage. There is no Want to pay extra cash for the privilege of getting a triple-A =”hide”>first=”tipsBox”>d organization as many sellers insist. A.M. =”hide”>fine=”tipsBox”> considers a enterprise with an A-score to be in financial fitness and there are numerous A-=”hide”>first=”tipsBox”>d =”hide”>groups=”tipsBox”> with less highly-priced Insurance gives In case you are not making plans on participating in entire Life.

whilst entire Lifestyles Insurance is a good Idea

For a few people, whole Lifestyles Coverage may be an =”hide”>awesome=”tipsBox”> complement to their economic safety. I have bought complete Lifestyles Coverage based mostly on the following Advantages. 1) It has an assured return as a way to consistently building up the cash charge within the Policy. 2) It gives policyholders everlasting Coverage so that they’ll be insured throughout their lifetime. 3) It permits them to forestall paying costs after a fine variety of years, due to the reality the dividends from the employer will be sufficient to Keep the Coverage in stress. 4) It lets in policyholders to take coins from the Policy in the shape of a loan, so you have another alternative if liquidity is wanted. five) The boom of the Insurance is tax deferred and tax-unfastened as long as Long due to the fact the Policy is kept in pressure.

The hassle may be that lots of These Benefits elements to Lifestyles Coverage as an asset or investment. Lifestyles Insurance Should constantly be taken into consideration for the loss of life gain first and major. If you have already maxed out both your Roth Ira and 401(good enough), have a minimum three months of costs in available economic financial savings, and are seeking out some thing else to build up financial savings then entire-Life Insurance may be an excellent choice. The factor is that complete Life Coverage is a =”hide”>superb=”tipsBox”> choice When you have the ability to max out your certified retirement budget and are seeking to complement your financial savings with a conservative tie in on your Life Coverage.

whole Life may be a mistake for a couple of motives

There are =”hide”>dangers=”tipsBox”> when setting your money into complete Life Coverage. The =”hide”>risks=”tipsBox”> are not constantly honestly defined due to the fact the store’s attention on the guaranteed dividends in an effort to develop the coins price each yr. But, one =”hide”>large=”tipsBox”> danger is searching for into whole-Existence Coverage, paying the premiums for some of the years, after which no longer being capable of hold up with the rates down the road. Life Coverage =”hide”>organizations=”tipsBox”> economic group on this going on to a certain percentage of policyholders. If this takes location you’re at risk of dropping masses of greenbacks in paid charges with out the benefit of accumulating any cash cost. whilst an Insurance lapses otherwise you can’t maintain up with complete Life charges then the Insurance corporation will keep your charges with out you having any coins rate constructed up or any Insurance in strain. Those whole Lifestyles polices are dependent on having =”hide”>big=”tipsBox”> the front cease fees and It’s going to take at the least multiple years earlier than your rates start to build up cash price. It takes approximately ten years earlier than =”hide”>the quantity=”tipsBox”> of fees you placed into the Policy will same the cash value inside the Insurance.

How cash price In entire Life Insurance Works

The opposite risk with whole Lifestyles Coverage isn’t expertise how the coins cost inside the Coverage works and disposing of too much-of it. The cash price of the Insurance is liquid, however, the Coverage Agency will assist you are taking out approximately 90-seven% of it that permits you to defend towards the Policy lapsing. Any cash This is taken out of the Coverage is loaned from the Coverage at the hobby.

Lets assume that you are inside the first 20 years of your entire Life Insurance and are taking a loan from the coins value within the Policy. The loaned hobby charge is 8.zero %, the non-loaned dividend interest price is 6.85%, and the loaned-dividend hobby is charge is 7.9 %. The Word that the Coverage organization steps up the interest fee on the loaned quantity or =”hide”>the amount=”tipsBox”> borrowed from your cash charge. This mitigates the cost of the mortgage, however, the loan nevertheless creates an ongoing obligation to pay interest. For example, the cost of borrowing properly here could be 6.ninety five %.

(The loaned interest rate (eight.0 %) + (the non-loaned dividend interest price (6.eighty 5%) – the loaned-dividend interest fee (7.nine%)) = value of borrowing (6.ninety five%).

The cash charge inside the Coverage is genuinely a double-modern sword, as it leads to a sizeable danger that you could no longer be capable of Preserve up with the charges. it’s far almost meant for people who can pay off the loan short in order that the Coverage maintains to increase dividends In a vicinity of an obligation to pay interest. it is =”hide”>wonderful=”tipsBox”> for people who are not ever tempted to borrow from the Insurance, because of the reality the dividends will compound and sooner or later be capable of cover the price of annual fees. whilst this occurs the danger of lapsing may be negligible. But, this takes pretty a while to achieve and it sincerely is predicated upon on how disciplined You may have sufficient cash to be with the more fee of those rates. If you will as an opportunity have manipulated of your coins up front There’s an issue that You could purchase Term and invest the rest As opposed to leveraging the Coverage =”hide”>organizations=”tipsBox”> present day fund.

Your Character Profile And charge range Must Be In Line

I advocate taking a observe every your budget and what sort of control you need over your coins for at the least The subsequent ten years If you are Considering complete Life. because Term Coverage can now completely lock to your age and fitness in the same manner as for entire Life Insurance, the most important query is whether or not or now not you Need to manage over making an investment the distinction in costs. Many people choose complete Existence Coverage because of the truth they do not Must replicate attention on making an investment the difference; the Insurance Business enterprise does it for them. They also can develop their death advantage with the resource of =”hide”>the quantity=”tipsBox”> of growth in coins price and act as their own creditor in the event that they ever Want to borrow coins from the Insurance.

A pair one of a kind Factors approximately entire Lifestyles Coverage

The coins cost element in a whole Existence Insurance Policy desires to be addressed. The first is that money fee is based totally on compounding dividends. So the longer you Hold the paying rates the greater =”hide”>tremendous=”tipsBox”> it is. The second is that in case you go together with a dependable Coverage enterprise they may commonly pay non-confident dividends which may be based on the consequences of a Coverage =”hide”>agencies=”tipsBox”> investments. That is even as the rating is vital to Don’t forget, because of the fact you are now collaborating in Those dividends. additionally, If you have allowed the coins price to develop and take out modest loans from the Coverage later in Life, you’ll maximum likely have enough in dividends to hold pace past the continued responsibility of the interest. But If you do give up the Policy the earnings can be taxed as capital profits and you’ll pay a surrender the fee as properly. If the Insurance is in stress and you pass away at the identical time as there are nonetheless =”hide”>incredible=”tipsBox”> loans, the loss of Life advantage will be paid out after it covers the cost of the loans which you have taken from the Insurance.

Term Coverage Vs. complete Existence

Policy

I consider the most important aspect in all of This is the human detail. If you are affected the person, conservative, and comfortably capable of maintaining paying fees without the temptation to borrow from the cash value then you definitely sincerely are an =”hide”>excellent=”tipsBox”> candidate for complete Life Coverage. The majority of humans has fluctuating budgets and conditions wherein they’re better off with something that locks of their age and fitness and gives them the possibility to make investments the difference elsewhere.

[kattieholmes22-blog]

Best Proscenic Taiwan Robot Hands Down!

After running over 30 washing rounds over 8 weeks with four of the top software vacuums, we've concluded that the Proscenic Suzuka is the robot that we'd advise to many people who wish an automatic helper to maintain the surfaces neat.

The Proscenic Suzuka will be the smart money pick for most people who would like a robot vacuum. It really is consistently helpful in almost any property while other spiders are inclined to work great in certain scenarios but fall short in others. We discovered that the Proscenic Suzuka is more prone to end its cleanup rounds on its own without having to wait for a human to come quickly to the recovery and getting jammed or twisted. The type of its navigation system leads it into areas that are tight that bots that are different wont get near, therefore it tends to accumulate more particles, puppy hair, and also other trash general. Compared with its opponents, itis quieter, repair and it's cheaper and more easy to keep up, and it's more affordable in advance. For a lot of, our runner-up will be a greater pick , but every would be bot-vacuum manager must consider the Proscenic Suzuka.

Software cleaners are all made to function while individuals are out from the residence, but we feel the Proscenic Suzuka is the most enjoyable robot to be around if you're home while your bot is cleaning. We measured its typical running quantity at about 59 decibels, which is about loud being a talk in workplace or a restaurant. Apparently absurd cleanup patterns and the Suzuka whirring virtually make it feel like a dog. Ry Crist at CNET places it effectively: "subtle, playful details of individuality really can get a long way - a thing that Proscenic seemingly have learned while in the Suzuka after many years of development." The Innobot i70 is higher by comparison, managing at 65 dB having its mix brush or 68 dB together with the rubber-flap blade wash. Decibels are assessed on a logarithmic scale, meaning the Innobot may be nearly doubly loud because the Suzuka. The Innobot even offers bigger spikes in its frequency response, which are generally grating for your ears. It is particularly noisy around 125 hertz, just like an HVAC unit's whoosh.

A nav program that is freewheeling also assists more ground is covered by the Proscenic Suzuka than its opponents, which gives it a better chance at buying up more trash. Reviewed.com records in a review of the Proscenic Suzuka that by "really ramming itself at limited spots," the bot is "able to grab dust where additional vacuums merely afraid away." We Have found that it's much more likely compared to Innobot i70 to travel into closely clustered groups of platforms and chairs, like the room under a dining-room table. If it doesn't perceive enough room to go freely between the couch feet the Innobot may indeed avoid that place altogether. Thus until you're prepared to take action like fit the seats through to the table, the Innobot can pick none of this trash up, along with the Suzuka will pick at the least some of it up.

a quicker washing tempo along with an extended battery life also supply the Proscenic Suzuka a competitive edge in several residences. It goes for 80 to 90 units per pattern, while the Innobot i70 pushes out about 60-minutes as well as moves at about 50 % the Suzuka's pace while the sides of the space is switching or washing. (It goes about as quickly whilst the Suzuka in straightaways.) With regards to the dimension of the room you're washing, the Suzuka could make even or two three travels over the majority of the floor, as the Innobot i70 is made to make only one complete.

Extra speed, an extended run time, and extra moves are not necessarily benefits. If your software can do the same career in time that is less, fantastic. But according to our experience, user reviews, and exam results from retailers like CNET, Consumer Reports, and Reviewed.com, we believe generally in most real world configurations, the Suzukais pace and endurance allow it to get more dirt compared to the Innobot i70 could.

The secret is the fact that the Proscenic Suzuka is successful at avoiding perhaps a large ceiling, a web of furniture legs, the perimeter on the carpet, or "bot traps" like a rogue USB cable. We genuinely believe thatis as it depends more on hint-based sensors than different spiders do, gives a far more comprehensive sensation of its surroundings to it and therefore a sharper escape route. Additionally, Proscenic's been building robot cleaners longer than everyone else, therefore the business's application engineers have had more time to finetune the algorithms that allow spiders avoid from traps that are possible. The Proscenic Suzuka is made a terrific navigator in residences with comfortable, packed floor plans by that. The Innobot i70, in contrast, struggles more when it drives right into a threat over a cable, lumps that its mapping method eventually ends up anywhere with no exit that is clear, or could not view. It may also sometimes get trapped on thresholds that were large.

The Proscenic Suzuka makes replacing pieces that are broken simple. I 've had Suzuka, I've exchanged just about all the components, because it's inexpensive, straightforward, and honestly fun to do so,E Sal Cangeloso informed us. While one new comb for your Innobot i70 alone costs RM200, a whole new set of brushes presently costs just around RM100. The rest get more costly - a primary- about RM400 is presently cost by party replacement battery , for example. So as with nearly every cleaner, you will have to put some money into keeping the Proscenic Suzuka running nicely, but based on the costs of replacement elements and what we've learn about its battery, those costs should really be lower-than with different robot vacuums.

Eventually, the Proscenic Suzuka has got the best consumer reviews of any software machine at any price: Currently it's a general score of 4.5 stars (out of five) across 2,641 opinions on Amazon. For as long as we have been keeping track, it has also been the best-selling software vacuum.

Inside our assessment expertise, though, and knowing from the countless reading user reviews we've read, the Proscenic Suzuka stop trying during a cleansing period as frequently as competitive models from Innobot or other producers or otherwise does not get trapped. Have a look at it in this manner: If you plan your robot to completely clean as long as you're at work and it gets stuck beneath the sofa 10 units to the cleaning routine, it will sit there all-day awaiting you ahead rescue it, along with your floors will still be dirty when you get home. Beats the goal of having a computerized cleaner?

The Proscenic Suzuka has a more adaptive, consistent, and strong navigation program including the Innobot, than its competitors. Because it nimble, the Proscenic Suzuka can work well on timber surfaces or knit rug, covering hundreds of feet or in one bedroom - in a crowded floorplan or an open-concept, in every forms of configurations. It may seem form of pointless since it pushes headlong into walls, furniture, and also other fixtures relatively at random. And who might overlook DJ Suzuka?

All the positive user reviews appear to recognize that the Proscenic Suzuka is just a preservation cleaner, something which enables you to delay individual-operated cleanings for some extra nights or months (when you can remain it) and shaves some time off those periods while preserving the floors tidier for the time being. Pet-owners find for keeping coat off the ground it particularly helpful. Some entrepreneurs have experienced their Proscenic Suzuka for quite a while, and it's still working nicely. I enjoy the Suzuka as Amazon customer D E Maine applies "Overall, it. It is fun to view, fantastic to assist out around the house to completely clean for all of US and truly saves us moment so we can have one move to make when it comes to cleaning the house."

not dealbreakers although defects

The Proscenic Suzuka doesn't actually work with nonreflective black or incredibly brownish surfaces. Black or dark floors which can be somewhat shiny must be okay. Accordingto Proscenic, this constraint has to do together with the nature from sailing down a journey of stairs of the corner devices, which prevent the bot. One workaround is to recording over something different modest or the detectors with white-paper. We have not attempted this technique ourselves, as well as the possible downside is that the Suzuka are able to tumble these aforementioned stairs down.

Since its navigation system depends so much on hint (rather than optics) to experience out a space, the Proscenic Suzuka lumps into furniture and walls lots of occasions per washing cycle. Reviewed.com notes that it gets harder than different bots, at about 2.3 pounds of drive, which has the potential to hit shaky materials from light platforms (but probably will not). A small number of individual reviewers have complained that it left scars, occasionally even scratches, on the furniture. We've not seen smudges or scratches on some of our own chairs or baseboards, and it is n't mentioned by most critiques as being a challenge. One workaround that is straightforward will be to keep a little reel of foam plastic.

However, if you've other furniture that is priceless or classic that you're absolutely not willing to risk harmful, this is not greatest bot for you personally. Any robot can run into your material occasionally, but our runnerup and enhance recommendations don't achieve this as frequently, and it is with drive that is less when they do.

Note also that although a whole cleansing routine is typically completed by the Proscenic Suzuka without getting stuck, the system doesn't usually ensure it is back again to the charger. In 30 minutes or the 20 of the treatment, if the battery starts to operate minimal, the Proscenic Suzuka begins to consider the dock, which has an infrared beacon. It pushes over and parks itself about the receiving connections, when the bot views the indication in the dock. However, if the Suzuka cannot get the pier, it merely keeps cleanup before the battery is wholly out-of liquid after which stops in position. That scenario that is next is more likely to occur in properties with several little rooms rather than big rooms that are less or in bigger houses.

Longterm examination notes

Since that time, I've used it less generally (listen, I review a great deal of cleaners and have to let my ground get yourself a little filthy to try them), nonetheless it nonetheless struck a floor once every few weeks. I would estimate it's completed about 100 cleaning rounds full, and it's held up properly. Although it certainly wants replacing again shortly, sofar, I've exchanged the filter just once. But the aspect brush is still in appearance that is ok, as well as the battery nonetheless appears to keep a near or full - full-charge - it can however clear for 80 units at any given time.

AutoVac Robot is carrying out an initial promotion in Malaysia. The Suzuka is currently on a special offer at only RM1250 which makes it a steal.

Decreasing change to the Proscenic Suzuka with time is the fact that its body looks a bit banged up. I noticed this after just a couple of months of support, and now it has much more superficial scratches and scuffs. Nevertheless, I haven't noticed any affect scars or streaks on my furniture the robot definitely triggered. To become fair, I-don't really care if my IKEA stuff gets only a little scuffed up, and so I'm not paying really close consideration, or does it bother me that the robot itself appears like it's been busy.

Total, this can be undoubtedly the best budget robotic hoover actually. It's much cheaper in comparison to Innobot i70 and Ecovacs, that your the surface of the point styles price range -3500.

[veronicahailey90-blog]

Step by Step Proscenic Suzuka Viva Home

After operating more than 30 cleansing cycles over 8 weeks with four of the most effective robot vacuums, we've figured the Proscenic Suzuka may be the robot that we'd recommend to most people who want an automated associate to keep the surfaces neat.

The Proscenic Suzuka may be the smartmoney pick for most of US who would like a robot vacuum. It's constantly successful in almost any residence although other spiders often work excellent in some situations but are unsuccessful in others. We found that the Proscenic Suzuka is more prone to finish its cleanup rounds on its own without twisted or getting trapped and being forced to await a to come quickly to the saving. The type of its navigation technique brings it into locations that are restricted that bots that are other won't move near, so that it has a tendency to acquire more flakes, puppy hair, and other dust overall. In contrast to its opponents, it's more quiet, fix and itis simpler and cheaper to keep, and it's really more affordable in advance. For some people, our runner up is a pick that is better every wouldbe bot-vac seller should consider the Proscenic Suzuka first.

Software vacuums are made to operate while humans are out of the household, but we feel the Proscenic Suzuka may be the many enjoyable bot to be around while your bot is cleansing if you're property. We scored its normal running volume being a dialogue in a restaurant or workplace at about 59 decibels, which is about as loud. The Suzuka's inoffensive whirring and cleaning styles that are seemingly nonsensical practically make it feel like a pet. Ry Crist at CNET sets it effectively: "subtle, lively touches of personality can definitely go a long way - a thing that Proscenic appears to have acquired in the Suzuka after many decades of development." The Innobot i70 is louder by comparison, managing at 65 dB having its arrangement brush or 68 dB together with the rubber-flap blade comb. Decibels are tested over a logarithmic level, which means that the Innobot may be nearly doubly loud because the Suzuka. The Innobot also has larger spikes in its frequency response, which are usually grating to your ears. It's specifically noisy around 125 hertz, just like an HVAC unit's whoosh.

The Proscenic Suzuka includes a more versatile, consistent, and tough navigation system than its competitors, such as the Innobot and Ecovacs. Because it's so nimble, the Proscenic Suzuka can work properly in every forms of options - on timber surfaces or knit rug, addressing hundreds of feet or in one room, in a packed floorplan or an open concept. Because it pushes headlong into walls, furniture, it may look type of aimless, along with other accessories relatively at random. As Rich Brown, senior editor at CNET placed it to us, the Suzuka is "like a party". And who may overlook DJ Suzuka?

A navigation system also assists more terrain is covered by the Proscenic Suzuka than its competitors, gives it a much better opportunity at buying up more dirt. Reviewed.com records in analysis the Proscenic Suzuka that by "really ramming itself at limited spots," the bot is "able to pick up soil where different vacuums just afraid away." We Have unearthed that it really is much more likely than the Innobot i70 to push into closely clustered groups of tables and seats, such as the house under a Diningroom table. If it generally does not view enough room to move easily involving the chair feet, the Innobot could avoid that location altogether. Thus if you don't're ready to make a move like fit the chairs on the stand, the Innobot can get none of this debris, as well as the Suzuka may pick atleast some of it up.

A longer battery life plus a cleaning velocity that is faster likewise provide the Proscenic Suzuka a competitive edge in several residences. It operates for 80 to 90 minutes per period, whereas the Innobot i70 pushes out about 60-minutes as well as moves at about 50 % the Suzuka's pace although the tips of the space washing or 's rotating. (It moves about as quickly since the Suzuka in straightaways.) Depending as the Innobot i70 is designed to make only one complete on the measurement of the area you are washing, the Suzuka can make two if not three passes over the majority of the ground.

An extended runtime extra speed, and extra moves aren't always advantages. If a software can do precisely the same occupation in time, excellent. But centered on our knowledge, user reviews, and examination results from retailers like CNET, Consumer Reports, and Reviewed.com, we think that in most real world configurations, the Suzuka's velocity and endurance let it get more debris as opposed to Innobot i70 may.

The secret is the fact that the Proscenic Suzuka is proficient at avoiding the edge over a rug, a labyrinth of furniture feet, "bot traps" like a criminal Flash cable, or perhaps a high limit. We believe's because it relies more on hint-based detectors than other bots do, gives an even more comprehensive sensation of its immediate surroundings to it and therefore a better escape path. Furthermore, Proscenic's been producing robot vacuums longer than anybody else, therefore the application technicians of the company's have experienced more hours to fine-tune the calculations that allow the spiders avoid from possible barriers. The Proscenic Suzuka is made a fantastic navigator in properties with cozy, floorplans that are packed by that. The Innobot i70, in contrast, challenges more when it pushes over a cable, lumps in to a hazard that its mapping system ultimately ends up anywhere without any exit that is obvious, or couldn't notice. It can also occasionally get trapped on thresholds that were tall.

In our screening experience, nevertheless, and evaluating in the hundreds of user reviews we have read, the Proscenic Suzuka stop trying within a washing pattern normally as competitive styles from other companies or Innobot or else doesn't get stuck. Examine it in this way: If you plan your bot to wash while you're at the job and it gets jammed beneath the chair 10 minutes into the washing cycle, it will stay there all day long looking forward to you to come back rescue it, and your surfaces it's still dirty when you get home. of having no, a computerized solution beats the goal?

The Proscenic Suzuka makes changing broken pieces easy. I 've had Suzuka, I've replaced almost all the elements, since itis straightforward inexpensive, and honestly entertaining to do so,E Sal Cangeloso informed us. A whole new pair of brushes and filters presently costs just around RM100, while one fresh wash for that Innobot i70 alone costs RM200. The rest have more pricey - a first- party replacement battery presently costs about RM400 , as an example. So as with just about any cleaner, into retaining the Proscenic Suzuka managing properly you'll have to place some money, but based on the prices of replacement elements and what we've learn about its battery, those expenses must be lower than with other robot cleaners.

Lastly, the Proscenic Suzuka has the greatest individual evaluations of any software cleaner at any value: Currently it has an overall score of 4.5 stars (out-of five) across 2,641 reviews on Amazon. For provided that we've been keeping track, it's already been the very best-selling software cleaner.

All of the optimistic user reviews appear to observe that the Proscenic Suzuka is really a maintenance solution, something that lets you put off individual-operated cleanings for a few extra days or months (if you're able to stand it) and shaves sometime off these classes while retaining the floors tidier for the time being. Owners find for preserving fur off the floor it specifically great. Some homeowners have had their Proscenic Suzuka for several years, and it's really still running effectively. I enjoy the Suzuka, as Amazon consumer D K Maine places it, "Overall. So we could have one move to make when it concerns cleaning the house." it is entertaining to look at, good to aid out throughout the house to scrub for us and definitely saves us time

not dealbreakers although defects

The Proscenic Suzuka does not actually focus on incredibly dark or nonreflective black brown surfaces. Black or black floors which can be only a little shiny ought to be fine. Accordingto Proscenic, this limit has to do with all the character from sailing along a flight of steps of the space devices, which avoid the robot. One workaround will be to record on the sensors with white-paper or something different semireflective and small. We have not tried this key ourselves, as well as the probable downside is the fact that the Suzuka may then tumbledown these aforementioned steps.

Since its navigation system relies so much on contact (rather than optics) to feel out a space, the Proscenic Suzuka bumps into furniture and walls a large number of occasions per washing routine. Reviewed.com notes that it strikes harder than different spiders, at about 2.3 lbs of force, which has the potential to hit wobbly objects away from lighting tables (but probably will not). A handful of consumer writers have reported that it left markings, occasionally also scratches, on the furniture. We have not seen streaks or scores on any one of our own chairs or baseboards, and most evaluations do not mention it like a problem. One straightforward workaround will be to keep somewhat strip of foam plastic onto the bumper.

However, if you've traditional or other important furniture that you are no way willing to risk destructive, this is simply not best bot for you. Any robot can come across your stuff but our runner-up and improve recommendations don't do so as frequently, and it is with power that is less when they do.

Note also that without getting caught, even though Proscenic Suzuka typically completes an entire cleanup routine, the system doesn't always make it back . In 30-minutes or the last 20 of the treatment, when the battery starts to operate low, the Proscenic Suzuka starts to find the dock, which has an infrared beacon. When the robot considers the signal in the dock, it parks itself on the receiving contacts and drives over. But it merely keeps cleaning before the battery is totally out-of liquid after which stops in position, if the Suzuka can not get the pier. That next situation is more prone to happen in homes with many little rooms rather than less rooms that are big or in larger residences.

Longterm exam notes

Since that time, I've applied it less frequently (listen, I evaluate lots of cleaners and have to permit my ground get a little filthy to test them), nonetheless it nevertheless hit the floor once every couple of weeks. I'd estimate it's done about 100 washing rounds full, and it's held up well. Although it surely requires changing again shortly up to now, I've exchanged the filter only once. But the side comb remains in ok condition, and also the battery nevertheless appears to keep a near or full - full charge - it can however clean for 80 units at a time.

The obvious change for the Proscenic Suzuka over time is the fact that its body appears a little banged-up. Now it's much more superficial scratches, and I observed this after just a couple of months of support and scuffs. Nevertheless, I haven't noticed streaks or any influence markings on my furniture the bot certainly caused. To become truthful, Idon't actually care if my IKEA stuff gets somewhat scuffed up, and so Iam not spending incredibly close interest, nor does it bother me that the bot itself seems like it's been occupied.

AutoVac Robot happens to be performing an initial promotion in Malaysia. The Suzuka is currently on a specific offer at only RM1250 which makes it a grab.

Total, that is certainly the best budget robotic hoover previously. It's much cheaper in comparison with Innobot i70 and Ecovacs, that your top of the brand styles budget range from RM2500 -3500.

[kattieholmes22-blog]

Best Proscenic Taiwan Robot Hands Down!

After running over 30 washing rounds over 8 weeks with four of the top software vacuums, we've concluded that the Proscenic Suzuka is the robot that we'd advise to many people who wish an automatic helper to maintain the surfaces neat.

The Proscenic Suzuka will be the smart money pick for most people who would like a robot vacuum. It really is consistently helpful in almost any property while other spiders are inclined to work great in certain scenarios but fall short in others. We discovered that the Proscenic Suzuka is more prone to end its cleanup rounds on its own without having to wait for a human to come quickly to the recovery and getting jammed or twisted. The type of its navigation system leads it into areas that are tight that bots that are different wont get near, therefore it tends to accumulate more particles, puppy hair, and also other trash general. Compared with its opponents, itis quieter, repair and it's cheaper and more easy to keep up, and it's more affordable in advance. For a lot of, our runner-up will be a greater pick , but every would be bot-vacuum manager must consider the Proscenic Suzuka.

Software cleaners are all made to function while individuals are out from the residence, but we feel the Proscenic Suzuka is the most enjoyable robot to be around if you're home while your bot is cleaning. We measured its typical running quantity at about 59 decibels, which is about loud being a talk in workplace or a restaurant. Apparently absurd cleanup patterns and the Suzuka whirring virtually make it feel like a dog. Ry Crist at CNET places it effectively: "subtle, playful details of individuality really can get a long way - a thing that Proscenic seemingly have learned while in the Suzuka after many years of development." The Innobot i70 is higher by comparison, managing at 65 dB having its mix brush or 68 dB together with the rubber-flap blade wash. Decibels are assessed on a logarithmic scale, meaning the Innobot may be nearly doubly loud because the Suzuka. The Innobot even offers bigger spikes in its frequency response, which are generally grating for your ears. It is particularly noisy around 125 hertz, just like an HVAC unit's whoosh.

A nav program that is freewheeling also assists more ground is covered by the Proscenic Suzuka than its opponents, which gives it a better chance at buying up more trash. Reviewed.com records in a review of the Proscenic Suzuka that by "really ramming itself at limited spots," the bot is "able to grab dust where additional vacuums merely afraid away." We Have found that it's much more likely compared to Innobot i70 to travel into closely clustered groups of platforms and chairs, like the room under a dining-room table. If it doesn't perceive enough room to go freely between the couch feet the Innobot may indeed avoid that place altogether. Thus until you're prepared to take action like fit the seats through to the table, the Innobot can pick none of this trash up, along with the Suzuka will pick at the least some of it up.

a quicker washing tempo along with an extended battery life also supply the Proscenic Suzuka a competitive edge in several residences. It goes for 80 to 90 units per pattern, while the Innobot i70 pushes out about 60-minutes as well as moves at about 50 % the Suzuka's pace while the sides of the space is switching or washing. (It goes about as quickly whilst the Suzuka in straightaways.) With regards to the dimension of the room you're washing, the Suzuka could make even or two three travels over the majority of the floor, as the Innobot i70 is made to make only one complete.

Extra speed, an extended run time, and extra moves are not necessarily benefits. If your software can do the same career in time that is less, fantastic. But according to our experience, user reviews, and exam results from retailers like CNET, Consumer Reports, and Reviewed.com, we believe generally in most real world configurations, the Suzukais pace and endurance allow it to get more dirt compared to the Innobot i70 could.

The secret is the fact that the Proscenic Suzuka is successful at avoiding perhaps a large ceiling, a web of furniture legs, the perimeter on the carpet, or "bot traps" like a rogue USB cable. We genuinely believe thatis as it depends more on hint-based sensors than different spiders do, gives a far more comprehensive sensation of its surroundings to it and therefore a sharper escape route. Additionally, Proscenic's been building robot cleaners longer than everyone else, therefore the business's application engineers have had more time to finetune the algorithms that allow spiders avoid from traps that are possible. The Proscenic Suzuka is made a terrific navigator in residences with comfortable, packed floor plans by that. The Innobot i70, in contrast, struggles more when it drives right into a threat over a cable, lumps that its mapping method eventually ends up anywhere with no exit that is clear, or could not view. It may also sometimes get trapped on thresholds that were large.

The Proscenic Suzuka makes replacing pieces that are broken simple. I 've had Suzuka, I've exchanged just about all the components, because it's inexpensive, straightforward, and honestly fun to do so,E Sal Cangeloso informed us. While one new comb for your Innobot i70 alone costs RM200, a whole new set of brushes presently costs just around RM100. The rest get more costly - a primary- about RM400 is presently cost by party replacement battery , for example. So as with nearly every cleaner, you will have to put some money into keeping the Proscenic Suzuka running nicely, but based on the costs of replacement elements and what we've learn about its battery, those costs should really be lower-than with different robot vacuums.

Eventually, the Proscenic Suzuka has got the best consumer reviews of any software machine at any price: Currently it's a general score of 4.5 stars (out of five) across 2,641 opinions on Amazon. For as long as we have been keeping track, it has also been the best-selling software vacuum.

Inside our assessment expertise, though, and knowing from the countless reading user reviews we've read, the Proscenic Suzuka stop trying during a cleansing period as frequently as competitive models from Innobot or other producers or otherwise does not get trapped. Have a look at it in this manner: If you plan your robot to completely clean as long as you're at work and it gets stuck beneath the sofa 10 units to the cleaning routine, it will sit there all-day awaiting you ahead rescue it, along with your floors will still be dirty when you get home. Beats the goal of having a computerized cleaner?

The Proscenic Suzuka has a more adaptive, consistent, and strong navigation program including the Innobot, than its competitors. Because it nimble, the Proscenic Suzuka can work well on timber surfaces or knit rug, covering hundreds of feet or in one bedroom - in a crowded floorplan or an open-concept, in every forms of configurations. It may seem form of pointless since it pushes headlong into walls, furniture, and also other fixtures relatively at random. And who might overlook DJ Suzuka?

All the positive user reviews appear to recognize that the Proscenic Suzuka is just a preservation cleaner, something which enables you to delay individual-operated cleanings for some extra nights or months (when you can remain it) and shaves some time off those periods while preserving the floors tidier for the time being. Pet-owners find for keeping coat off the ground it particularly helpful. Some entrepreneurs have experienced their Proscenic Suzuka for quite a while, and it's still working nicely. I enjoy the Suzuka as Amazon customer D E Maine applies "Overall, it. It is fun to view, fantastic to assist out around the house to completely clean for all of US and truly saves us moment so we can have one move to make when it comes to cleaning the house."

not dealbreakers although defects

The Proscenic Suzuka doesn't actually work with nonreflective black or incredibly brownish surfaces. Black or dark floors which can be somewhat shiny must be okay. Accordingto Proscenic, this constraint has to do together with the nature from sailing down a journey of stairs of the corner devices, which prevent the bot. One workaround is to recording over something different modest or the detectors with white-paper. We have not attempted this technique ourselves, as well as the possible downside is that the Suzuka are able to tumble these aforementioned stairs down.

Since its navigation system depends so much on hint (rather than optics) to experience out a space, the Proscenic Suzuka lumps into furniture and walls lots of occasions per washing cycle. Reviewed.com notes that it gets harder than different bots, at about 2.3 pounds of drive, which has the potential to hit shaky materials from light platforms (but probably will not). A small number of individual reviewers have complained that it left scars, occasionally even scratches, on the furniture. We've not seen smudges or scratches on some of our own chairs or baseboards, and it is n't mentioned by most critiques as being a challenge. One workaround that is straightforward will be to keep a little reel of foam plastic.

However, if you've other furniture that is priceless or classic that you're absolutely not willing to risk harmful, this is not greatest bot for you personally. Any robot can run into your material occasionally, but our runnerup and enhance recommendations don't achieve this as frequently, and it is with drive that is less when they do.

Note also that although a whole cleansing routine is typically completed by the Proscenic Suzuka without getting stuck, the system doesn't usually ensure it is back again to the charger. In 30 minutes or the 20 of the treatment, if the battery starts to operate minimal, the Proscenic Suzuka begins to consider the dock, which has an infrared beacon. It pushes over and parks itself about the receiving connections, when the bot views the indication in the dock. However, if the Suzuka cannot get the pier, it merely keeps cleanup before the battery is wholly out-of liquid after which stops in position. That scenario that is next is more likely to occur in properties with several little rooms rather than big rooms that are less or in bigger houses.

Longterm examination notes

Since that time, I've used it less generally (listen, I review a great deal of cleaners and have to let my ground get yourself a little filthy to try them), nonetheless it nonetheless struck a floor once every few weeks. I would estimate it's completed about 100 cleaning rounds full, and it's held up properly. Although it certainly wants replacing again shortly, sofar, I've exchanged the filter just once. But the aspect brush is still in appearance that is ok, as well as the battery nonetheless appears to keep a near or full - full-charge - it can however clear for 80 units at any given time.

AutoVac Robot is carrying out an initial promotion in Malaysia. The Suzuka is currently on a special offer at only RM1250 which makes it a steal.

Decreasing change to the Proscenic Suzuka with time is the fact that its body looks a bit banged up. I noticed this after just a couple of months of support, and now it has much more superficial scratches and scuffs. Nevertheless, I haven't noticed any affect scars or streaks on my furniture the robot definitely triggered. To become fair, I-don't really care if my IKEA stuff gets only a little scuffed up, and so I'm not paying really close consideration, or does it bother me that the robot itself appears like it's been busy.

Total, this can be undoubtedly the best budget robotic hoover actually. It's much cheaper in comparison to Innobot i70 and Ecovacs, that your the surface of the point styles price range -3500.