#1 commercial cleaners

[localcommercialau]

Local Commercial Cleaners

Brisbane's #1 commercial cleaners, Local Commercial Cleaners, deliver unparalleled quality, competitive pricing, and 24/7 support. Specializing in office, body corporate, industrial, hospitality, medical, and educational facility cleaning, we also excel in external building maintenance. Our dedication ensures pristine environments tailored to your needs. Trust Local Commercial Cleaners for reliability and excellence in every clean, providing peace of mind and a spotless reputation throughout Brisbane.

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

Aha - Take On Me 1985

"Take On Me" is a song by the Norwegian synth-pop band A-ha. The original version from 1984 was produced by Tony Mansfield and remixed by John Ratcliff. The 1985 international hit version was produced by Alan Tarney for the group's debut studio album, Hunting High and Low.

In 1984, Andrew Wickham was the international vice-president for Warner Bros Records America, and their A&R man in London. He immediately signed A-ha to Warner Brothers America, after learning several previous attempts had failed to make "Take On Me" a commercial success. The next release was not successful either and featured a very ordinary performance video. He authorised considerable investment in the band: on Slater's recommendation, renowned producer Alan Tarney was commissioned to refine the song. The new recording achieved a cleaner and more soaring sound. It was re-released in the UK, but the record label's office in London gave them little support, and the single flopped for the second time.

Wickham placed the band on high priority and applied a lateral strategy with further investment. Steve Barron directed a revolutionary rotoscoping animation music video which took six months to create, using professional artists. Approximately 3,000 frames were rotoscoped, which took 16 weeks to complete. The single was released in the US one month after the music video, and immediately appeared in the Billboard Hot 100 and was a worldwide smash, reaching No. 1 in numerous countries.

At the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, the video won six awards: Best New Artist in a Video, Best Concept Video, Most Experimental Video, Best Direction in a Video, Best Special Effects in a Video, and Viewer's Choice, and was nominated for two others, Best Group Video and Video of the Year. It was also nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Video at the 13th American Music Awards in 1986.

"Take On Me" received a total of 95% yes votes, and is currently the most liked song on this poll blog! 🥳

[lazyleafeon]

[ID copied from Alt text: the first photo has the text, "sketch commissions for Gaza." Next to it is a drawing of the artist drawing on their art tablet.

second photo: 4 examples of commission prices and art, modeled by Kim Dokja from Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint in his demon king form. For one dollar: a rough chibi sketch. for 5 to ten dollars: a rough but more detailed sketch. there is more motion in his pose. for 10 to 15 dollars: a cleaner lined sketch with more detail given to the silhouette. for more than 15 dollars: a cleaner sketch with more attention to volume and detail in his outfit and wings. End ID]

For now up until March 10th I'm taking pay what you want sketch commissions for donations to Help Gaza Children, managed by @fairuzfan and Hussam, since from March 4th to the 10th all donations will go to families in Northern Gaza.

Their site is here where you can find more information, like their FAQ, and proof of purchases from donations they've received so far.

You can donate to Help Gaza Children's paypal here. The paypal link is also on their site.

guidelines:

To be upfront, I am a full time college student so expect a two month turnaround. I will give you an update around a month in and again at two months if I don't finish by then.

Please include a visual reference or detailed text description of the character(s) you want drawn, unless I've drawn them before and you're okay with me going with my design.

I can draw OCs, mechs, and furries.

I won't draw real people or anything nsfw.

I reserve the right to refuse a commission and may ask you to choose something else. If you want to know in advance if I'll take it, feel free to DM or send an ask.

Extra characters will be half the price as one character. Please only request up to three characters per category (ex: if you pay $35, you can get 3 characters: 1 for $15 and the other 2 for $10 each. if you pay $6 you can get 3 characters: 1 for $3 and 2 for $1.50 each)

don’t use these for commercial use. personal use (like as icons or headers, or like printing it for yourself) is okay

if you're paying in a currency other than dollars you can let me know and I'll try to adjust the pricing so you get a drawing equivalent to what you paid. I don't want people to pay the equivalent of $20 and get a rough sketch or something.

To get a commission, email me at desklamprey @ gmail.com with a screenshot of the receipt of your donation made after this post was made (3/5/24 at around 2 pm PST), and the details about your request. please censor any personal information in the receipt.

If you have any questions feel free to DM or send an ask!

[oviraptoridae]

research & development is ongoing

since using jukebox for sampling material on albedo, i've been increasingly interested in ethically using ai as a tool to incorporate more into my own artwork. recently i've been experimenting with "commoncanvas", a stable diffusion model trained entirely on works in the creative commons. though i do not believe legality and ethics are equivalent, this provides me peace of mind that all of the training data was used consensually through the terms of the creative commons license. here's the paper on it for those who are curious! shoutout to @reachartwork for the inspiration & her informative posts about her process!

part 1: overview

i usually post finished works, so today i want to go more in depth & document the process of experimentation with a new medium. this is going to be a long and image-heavy post, most of it will be under the cut & i'll do my best to keep all the image descriptions concise.

for a point of reference, here is a digital collage i made a few weeks ago for the album i just released (shameless self promo), using photos from wikimedia commons and a render of a 3d model i made in blender:

and here are two images i made with the help of common canvas (though i did a lot of editing and post-processing, more on that process in a future post):

more about my process & findings under the cut, so this post doesn't get too long:

quick note for my setup: i am running this model locally on my own machine (rtx 3060, ubuntu 23.10), using the automatic1111 web ui. if you are on the same version of ubuntu as i am, note that you will probably have to build python 3.10.6 yourself (and be sure to use 'make altinstall' instead of 'make install' and change the line in the webui to use 'python3.10' instead of 'python3'. just mentioning this here because nobody else i could find had this exact problem and i had to figure it out myself)

part 2: initial exploration

all the images i'll be showing here are the raw outputs of the prompts given, with no retouching/regenerating/etc.

so: commoncanvas has 2 different types of models, the "C" and "NC" models, trained on their database of works under the CC Commercial and Non-Commercial licenses, respectively (i think the NC dataset also includes the commercial license works, but i may be wrong). the NC model is larger, but both have their unique strengths:

"a cat on the computer", "C" model

"a cat on the computer", "NC" model

they both take the same amount of time to generate (17 seconds for four 512x512 images on my 3060). if you're really looking for that early ai jank, go for the commercial model. one thing i really like about commoncanvas is that it's really good at reproducing the styles of photography i find most artistically compelling: photos taken by scientists and amateurs. (the following images will be described in the captions to avoid redundancy):

"grainy deep-sea rover photo of an octopus", "NC" model. note the motion blur on the marine snow, greenish lighting and harsh shadows here, like you see in photos taken by those rover submarines that scientists use to take photos of deep sea creatures (and less like ocean photography done for purely artistic reasons, which usually has better lighting and looks cleaner). the anatomy sucks, but the lighting and environment is perfect.

"beige computer on messy desk", "NC" model. the reflection of the flash on the screen, the reddish-brown wood, and the awkward angle and framing are all reminiscent of a photo taken by a forum user with a cheap digital camera in 2007.

so the noncommercial model is great for vernacular and scientific photography. what's the commercial model good for?

"blue dragon sitting on a stone by a river", "C" model. it's good for bad CGI dragons. whenever i request dragons of the commercial model, i either get things that look like photographs of toys/statues, or i get gamecube type CGI, and i love it.

here are two little green freaks i got while trying to refine a prompt to generate my fursona. (i never succeeded, and i forget the exact prompt i used). these look like spore creations and the background looks like a bryce render. i really don't know why there's so much bad cgi in the datasets and why the model loves going for cgi specifically for dragons, but it got me thinking...

"hollow tree in a magical forest, video game screenshot", "C" model

"knights in a dungeon, video game screenshot", "C" model

i love the dreamlike video game environments and strange CGI characters it produces-- it hits that specific era of video games that i grew up with super well.

part 3: use cases

if you've seen any of the visual art i've done to accompany my music projects, you know that i love making digital collages of surreal landscapes:

(this post is getting image heavy so i'll wrap up soon)

i'm interested in using this technology more, not as a replacement for my digital collage art, but along with it as just another tool in my toolbox. and of course...

... this isn't out of lack of skill to imagine or draw scifi/fantasy landscapes.

thank you for reading such a long post! i hope you got something out of this post; i think it's a good look into the "experimentation phase" of getting into a new medium. i'm not going into my post-processing / GIMP stuff in this post because it's already so long, but let me know if you want another post going into that!

good-faith discussion and questions are encouraged but i will disable comments if you don't behave yourselves. be kind to each other and keep it P.L.U.R.

[cosmerelists]

If Cosmere Characters Had Brands Sponsoring Them...

As requested by anon. :)

Let's imagine a world--a perhaps terrible world--in which Cosmere characters have brand sponsorships. If it gives you chills, please blame the anon who requested it. ;)

1. Adolin

Shallan: Wow, looking sharp! Shallan: Is that a new outfit? Adolin: Yup! Armani sent me a whole bunch of suits. Adolin: Apparently that's all I'm gonna wear from now on! Shallan: That sounds a a bit dystopic but also you look REALLY good. Adolin: Ha ha yeah let's think about it no further!

2. Steris & Wax

Steris: Wax, thank goodness you're here. Wax: Whoa! Did you start on taxes without me? Steris: I promised HR Block I'd use their services so that they can promote themselves as the brand that "even Steris Harms trusts." Steris: But obviously we need to check their work. Wax: Yes--obviously. Wax: And after that, let's pour ourselves some glasses of Jack Daniel Whiskey--Make it Count. Steris: ... Wax: ... Steris: Why did we agree to this again?

3. Amaram

[Amaram offers Wit his hand] Wit: No thanks, I wouldn't want to get any of it on me. Amaram: Any of what? Wit: Whatever you use to keep your hands clean, my lord. It must be powerful stuff, indeed. Amaram: Seventy percent of pigs have cleaner hands than forty percent of humans, you knw. Wit: I...what? Amaram: And that little fact is brought to you...by Meta AI.

4. Tress

Tress: (muttering to herself): Well...we do like to go places... Charlie: Hey do you need some help with...whatever you're dong? Tress: Yes please! I'm trying to stick these posters all over Two Cups. Charlie: What's a Toyota? Tress: Not totally sure...but they are offering a lot of money...do you think it's okay? Charlie: Well...we do like to go places... Tress: That's exactly what I said!

5. Nightblood

Nightblood: Pleeeeaase....? Szeth: I will not plaster stickers all over you, sword-nimi. Nightblood: But the Google asked me to! Nightblood: And their motto is "Don't Be Evil"! Nightblood: It's perfect! Szeth: Actually, I believe they changed their slogan a while back. Nightblood: You mean they're...evil after all? Nightblood: New plan! Let's kill them all! Szeth: I don't think brand sponorships are for you, sword-nimi.

6. Vin

Vin: When I need to go fast... When I need to leap from roof to roof... When I need to murder entire keeps... Vin: There's no shoe I trust, other than Nike. Vin: Nike: Just Do It. Vin: ... Vin: Well, what do you think? I'm supposed to pitch an angle for the commercial tomorrow! Elend: I feel like the brand probably doesn't want you to mention murder. Vin: What? Then why'd they ask me?

7. Yumi

Yumi: Ha ha! Yumi: Wow, it's so easy to stack when you're using legos! Yumi: Relaxing...fun...colorful... Yumi: This was DEFINITELY the right brand to partner with! Painter: Yumi, the neighbors are starting to complain. Yumi: What? Why?? Painter: You're fourteen-story lego tower is blocking out the sun! Children are crying! I just heard someone whisper that the nightmares must be back! Yumi: I thought it'd be inspiring!

8. Kelsier

Kelsier: I have a secret... Kelsier: Secret brand deodorant!!! Kelsier: ... Kelsier: ...Are you SURE we need the money to fund the ghostbloods? Kaise (barely keeping a straight face): Oh, absolutely.

9. Moash

Moash: I think it is time to cover up my Bridge 4 tattoo. Odium: That's a great step forward--I'm proud of you. Moash: Yup, gonna replace it with this Grey Goose Vodka tattoo instead. Odium: ... Moash: What? Drinking helps a man forget...stuff. Moash: It's thematic for my character! Odium: You have a ways to go.

10. Kaladin

Dalinar: What has happened to us? Where is our honor? Kaladin: Honor is dead...But I'll see what I can do. [Kaladin hesitates and looks back at Dalinar] Kaladin: That cool one-liner is brought to you...by Redbull. Kaladin: Redbull gives you wings. Dalinar: ... Kaladin: ... Dalinar: ... Kaladin: Anyway I'll go save your sons now.

[unmotivatedwrit3r]

One in Eleven Million (ch. 4)

damian wayne x reader x jon kent

(a/n): so...it's been a month. But in my defense, I wrote a play.

Previous chapters linked here, here, and here.

wc: ~1800

warnings: airports, consumption of food, anxiety

~

Your alarm went off at 1am and you reached blindly across the end table to silence it. The dark hotel room came back into focus and you sighed. The sky outside was dark, just like it was when you finally went to sleep two hours ago. 

A large part of you desperately wanted a shower. Between the exhaustion, time constraints, and lack of everything from personal toiletries to clean clothes, though, you resigned yourself to brushing your teeth and an attempt at finger-brushing your hair. You shoved your phone in your pocket and fumbled your way into the bathroom. 

“Already dressed,” you deadpanned in the mirror, still squinting in the bright bathroom lights, “great.” 

There wasn’t much of your usual morning routine that you could scrape together in the twenty minutes you had. You felt a little stale in clothes that had already seen two airports, two airplanes, various vehicles, and your hotel bed, but you were also running on limited sleep and even more limited options so what was there to do?

The wooden toothbrush and tiny tube of toothpaste — and you meant tiny; the thing looked like it would be more at home in an American Girl doll house than your bathroom sink — you had was hotel provided, and you washed your face with hotel face soap. It was a weird texture, but you decided it was better to feel a little bit cleaner and just deal with it for the minute you had to than feel greasy the entire rest of the day.  

By 1:23am, you were walking out of the elevator and into the hotel lobby. You recognized a family already sitting there from the shuttle last night. Did it count as last night if you’d only gotten to the hotel for two hours of sleep? 

Closer to the door, though, were the people you were looking for. A part of you wondered if the friendship — you hesitated to call it friendship but what else could it be really? — you’d built yesterday was just a fluke. There was a chance the boys didn’t show up for the shuttle you’d all planned to take. Even worse, you worried that they would be there and just ignore you. It had already been a long trip, and a larger part of you than you wanted to acknowledge was craving the security of not being on your own. 

Damian’s eyes were fixed on his phone, eyebrows furrowed. Jon looked half-asleep, leaning into Damian. You lingered awkwardly in the doorway to the lobby until Damian looked up and waved before quickly returning to his phone. Something in your chest settled. You took the seat across from them, failing to hold back a smile. 

“You awake there, Jon?” 

One of Jon’s eyelids cracked open at you before sliding shut once again. 

“No.” 

Damian’s huff of amusement took you a second to register under your own. He tucked his phone into his jeans pocket. 

“Jon’s not awake until the sun is.” An elbow tried to nudge Damian. Jon’s aim was suffering from not having his eyes open though, and he succeeded more in almost falling off of his chair than anything. 

You and Damian exchanged an amused glance. For the first time, you noticed his eyes—long eyelashes and dark brows accentuating green-blue orbs. Your breath caught. Nope, you’re not allowed to like both of them, your brain argued. You ignored it. 

The shuttle ride was as uneventful as it had been the night before. 

“Which line do we go in?” Jon asked, squinting at his boarding pass as the three of you crossed the threshold into the airport. You spared a mournful glance at the bag check counters before following the boys to escalators. It was weird to not have a suitcase with you. 

“TSA-pre.” Damian pointed at a sign denoting the airline’s quicker security status. “Father doesn’t often fly commercial but we have it on his account.” 

You double checked your boarding pass. You hadn’t anticipated the same symbol would be there, but it made your heart sink nonetheless.

“I’ll meet you at the end of security,” You stopped by the entrance to the general line. “Or at the gate?” 

“You don’t have it? The faster one?” Jon wondered.

“No,” you shrugged. “It’s an extra charge. I don't travel enough to make the price worth it.” 

“There’s no crowd in either line.” Damian nodded his head at the vacant security checkpoint. “It is before three in the morning.” 

“Yeah, we’ll go with you.” 

“You sure?” Your hands tightened around your backpack straps.

“It’ll be easier to find you if we all just go together, right?” Jon walked through first, clumsily pulling an ID from his pocket before presenting it to the airline employee. You did the same. Damian followed, and you shoved your ID back where it belonged as he passed through. 

“We have to take our shoes off in this line,” you reminded Damian. Jon had immediately followed your lead, but Damian had yet to take anything out of his bag. “And large things like laptops.” 

Jon’s sneakers joined your shoes on the belt. 

“Nice socks.” 

He looked down, confused, then back up at you. You could see a blush rising on his cheeks. One of his socks had superman logos, the other flash ones. 

“Mine don’t match either,” you offered, lifting your feet one at a time to showcase your own socks. 

“Oh hey, that’s cool,” Jon’s bright smile made the discomfort of socked feet on airport floors worth it. The tile was cold through the thin fabric. 

“Share a bin?” You asked Damian, pulling your laptop out of your bag. You tucked it inside, phone already tucked away with Jon’s in a smaller container. 

“Sure.” Damian’s computer was slick, a dark gray Wayne Tech and wrapped in a black case. Yours looked a little clunkier next to his, but it fit him, or what you knew of him. 

Damian’s socks did match, you realized as he passed through the metal detector after you.  

“Here Dami,” Jon passed over a pair of boots. Damian murmured a thank you, pulling them on untied before grabbing the rest of his belongings.  

“Those are nice,” You said, shoving your laptop back into your bag. Damian finished tying his shoes. 

“It’s a good brand.” 

“Yeah,” you swung your backpack over your shoulder. The weight was comforting where it rested against your back. “They're expensive but worth it.” 

“I’m kind of a sneakers guy.” Jon raised one hand, swinging his backpack on with the other. 

You chuckled, following as Damian started heading towards your terminal. It was still pitch black outside and the airport was almost eerie for its emptiness. The clacking of the wheels on Damian and Jon’s bags echoed in the open space. A go-cart shot by, sirens blaring. You sighed out a breath, heart racing. Right, airports are never quiet. 

When the three of you reached the gate, there was half an hour left to kill. You took a moment to curse the fluctuations in airport security wait times before moving on. Damian headed straight for a set of seats right against the wall. You and Jon followed, dropping your bag on the floor in front of you and draping your jacket over the chair. 

“I think there was a pretzel place open at the beginning of the terminal. Pretzels for breakfast anyone?” 

“Soft pretzels?” inquired Jon, all of the sudden much more awake than he was at the hotel. You figured it was at the prospect of food more than anything else. 

“Yeah those ones. I’m going. Anyone else?” 

Damian shrugged then stood, pulling up the handle of his carry-on to roll it, his jacket, and his bag as one. Jon followed Damian’s lead. His jacket stayed on. 

You picked your stuff up from where you’d just laid it out, jacket zipper dragging against the chair. 

“A group errand then,” you declared. Beside you, Jon snorted out a laugh. 

Between the early hour, you and Jon arguing over which pretzels were better, and Damain’s skepticism at their deliciousness overall, you were pretty sure that the pretzel stand employee was tired of the three of you already. Damian insisted on paying despite not wanting anything (“it’s like six dollars, I’ve got it,” you protested. “If you don’t let him, he’s just going to do it anyway,” Jon explained, “and you did save us from a 600 dollar hotel reservation last night.”), but he didn’t protest when Jon ordered an extra cup of the cinnamon nuggets in addition to the one for you. Jon’s own choice, regular nuggets with a very yellow cheese dip, was left all on its lonesome.

“There’s no way that’s real cheese,” you argued as he opened the dipping container. “You’re basically just eating chemicals.” 

Another pretzel covered nearly entirely in cheese disappeared into Jon’s mouth. He shrugged. You watched him for a moment before locking eyes with Damian. Matching grins spanned your faces.  

“With his taste in foods, he’s lucky he has such a strong digestive system,” Damian volunteered. 

You snorted, sinking down on top of the jacket you’d once again splayed across the chair as you shoved another pretzel nugget in your mouth. When you turned, the cold metal of the armrests bit into your side even through your shirt. 

Jon’s cheese dip lasted about halfway through the cup of pretzels. He looked mournfully into the container. 

“Aww man.” 

You tilted your bag towards him, rattling the nuggets inside. 

“Do you want one?” Jon stood up, shaking his head.

“I might actually just go get another-” Damian grabbed his arm and pulled him down. The seat let out a puff of air. You had to hold back a laugh at the startled expression painting Jon’s face, popping another nugget into your mouth. The cinnamon sugar was rough between your lips.

“You,” Damian said, “are not eating anything else horrible for humans.” 

His phrasing was a little weird, but you understood the sentiment. One container of processed cheese was more than enough for most people on a good day, and it was barely 3am.

“Oh, right.” Jon frowned. 

“They’re good with just salt,” you offered. “If they didn’t have the cinnamon ones, I would have gotten those. But I think there is such a thing as too much processed cheese for breakfast.”

Damian bit into another pretzel nugget. 

“The cinnamon ones are by far superior to the plain ones.” 

“Oh I agree one hundred percent, but if you don’t like them,” you nudged Jon, “the plain ones are okay too.”

Jon shrugged and popped a plain nugget in his mouth, swallowing morosely. 

“They’re dry.” 

You and Damian exchanged a look. 

“What?” Jon justified through your laughter. “They are!”

[knightochan-official]

agree in general with the post about character design but Genshin Impact is not just "avoiding friction" with its samey thin character designs but rather is also constrained by its medium and materials cost.

the characters in dungeon meshi don't have to move*, so they can have more distinct facial features, body types, etc. that would normally require much more effort to animate in a dynamic gameplay environment. the moment your guys start moving, especially in 3d environments, flat colors and simple shapes take the day:

*"but dungeon meshi has an anime!" - yeah, more on that later

now obviously, this still allows you diversity in body type (I mean I literally put Monsters, Inc. in this example, just look at Sully, the big blue guy,) but the closer you get to human the less creative liberties you are going to get to take with physics and anatomy.

The Incredibles isn't just a landmark film because Brad Bird managed to sneak an Ayn Rand novel into a 1 hour, 55 minute runtime, but because the art team managed a distinctive cast of human characters who aren't uncanny valley monsters, which was a first for Pixar. I don't think it's a coincidence that the most dynamic action scenes still feature the characters' limbs in largely flat, one-or-two tone uniforms:

(Note that they still kinda cheated by making everyone a tubular homunculus. The Incredibles is a damn good looking film but it's also a good example of how style lets you get away with a lot.)

Even Dungeon Meshi's own anime favors a cleaner, flatter style to accommodate motion (although note that it's still fucking gorgeous and I think most would agree it still captures the spirit of Ryoko Kui's work):

add in that 3d environments with free movement are inherently more complex, and a desire to reuse assets as much as humanly possible to save effort (because sadly artists in games are still treated as loss leaders) and it's no surprise that Genshin Impact has the same 3 body types and faces with different pieces on them

I actually think it's very rare that most commercial character artists are avoiding character design diversity out of fear but rather due to the unreasonable constraints on their work.

My proof? Hoyoverse, the creators of Genshin Impact, wouldn't have given Ben Bigger a bespoke model in ZZZ if there wasn't a character artist in there who wanted more than the bare minimum mass appeal designs:

My takeaway here is not that we should let lowest common denominator design teams get away with a lack of character diversity scot-free, but that we also have to systemically understand the material conditions and medium constraints the works are made under. el problema es el capitalsmo and all that. (assuming you agree with me that it's a flaw, anyway)

[the-lincyclopedia]

Some thoughts on cleaning

As an adult, I’ve never really known how to figure out what kind of cleaning I needed to be doing, and the advice that’s out there on the internet has never been very helpful to me. It feels like most of the advice I’ve seen has had one of two assumptions: 1.) your space is extremely messy (in a somewhat specific way), or 2.) you care a lot about having a clean home and are willing and able to invest a lot of time and energy into making that a reality (in an even more specific way). 

Neither of these assumptions really fits me. I’m not the sort of person to leave mugs all over my apartment, keep lots of dirty dishes in the sink, or have piles of laundry lying around, and I never have been, so a lot of the advice aimed at mentally ill/disabled people hasn’t been helpful or resonant, even though I am mentally ill and disabled. But I also have never been the sort of person to vacuum, dust, etc. on a regular basis, nor have I felt like I’ve had the energy for that. I’m somewhere in the middle, falling through the cracks between the two prevalent types of advice. 

And then this week, for the first time in years, I cleaned my apartment somewhat thoroughly. I didn’t do everything, but I did a lot. And I’ve been stunned in the past few days to realize how good it feels to live in a space that’s cleaner and less cluttered. It honestly feels amazing. I’ve loved my apartment for most of the time that I’ve lived here, but this is on a different level. So here are some thoughts about how you can maybe get a taste of this too. 

You get to decide what your goal is. Do you want to vacuum? Do you want to go through the piles of papers sitting on every flat surface that have been accumulating for months or years? Do you want to throw out the broken stuff that you’ve replaced but haven’t gotten rid of? Do you want to recycle the boxes you’ve been compulsively hoarding? You don’t have to want a picture-perfect living space. You don’t have to shoot for the sort of house or apartment you’d see in a cleaning-supply commercial. (In fact, that’s probably aiming too high.) You don’t have to do what you’re “supposed” to do. You get to pick what “clean” looks like to you. You get to pick what will make the biggest difference for you. (Obviously, if you share a living space, you probably need to negotiate these things. But in spaces that are yours, this is your call, and even in shared spaces, it can still be worth questioning received notions of cleanliness.)

Start with something achievable. Vacuum one room, or sort through one stack of papers, or fill one bag of trash, or break down one box. If you complete that task, or even if you get halfway through it and then stop, great! Your space is cleaner than it was before! Every increment counts. 

If you finish your first goal and still have energy, keep going. Ride that momentum as far as it’ll take you. It’s often easier to keep doing something than to start doing it, so if you can continue cleaning (and “can” here means that it’s both physically and mentally possible), then continue cleaning! You may find it easier to maintain momentum if you don’t sit down or take breaks, but also, if sitting or breaks are good disability accommodations for you, then use them.

Make it easier on yourself. If vacuums are distressingly loud for you, try earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. If rewards help keep you motivated, give yourself a treat when you finish, or even midway through! If you’re doing a cleaning task that can be done while listening to music or calling a friend, do that if you want. There is no virtue in misery, and in fact the best thing you can do is make cleaning not suck so that you can do it again sometime. 

I hope this helps someone. I don’t think there are any universal rules about this stuff, especially in the specific, but I do think that picking a goal that’s meaningful to you, starting small, riding momentum when possible, accommodating your needs, and trying to find ways to reward yourself for cleaning are probably good ideas in most circumstances. Here’s wishing you the energy to clean!

[coochiequeens]

Countries that ban commercial surrogacy but allow altruistic surrogacy are by default allowing would be reproductive purchasers to guilt trip young women into inconveniencing herself for over a year when they could look into adopting.

MAY 31, 2024 - 1:10PM

Ireland has mummy issues. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the upcoming Assisted Human Reproduction Bill. The proposed legislation, which passed through the Dáil on Wednesday, would allow those who have been resident in Ireland for two years to hire women from a list of approved countries to serve as surrogates, gestating and giving birth to babies who will then be handed over to them.

The main body of the bill concerns the licensing of agencies engaged in international surrogacy and the establishment of new legal frameworks. So-called “intended parents” will have legal rights, even where the baby is born abroad, provided the child has a “genetic link to at least one” of them.

While the ban on commercial surrogacy remains in place, a “reasonable sum” can be offered, and it seems entirely likely this will open the door to pregnancy-as-employment. For example, legitimate expenses will include the loss of income by the surrogate mother for up to one year and the salary of a cleaner for the duration of the pregnancy. There are a range of safeguards in place to ensure that prospective surrogate mothers are not exploited, but whether these will be respected in jurisdictions outside Ireland remains questionable.

With fertility rates plummeting across the world, the baby-making business is set to boom; in 2022 the surrogacy industry was valued at $14 billion. Given the swelling commercial clout, it seems likely smaller countries will cave to domestic and international pressure by loosening laws.

The Irish bill will bring the country closer to the UK, which allows for altruistic surrogacy. Notably, while Russia and Ukraine have lax laws and effectively allow surrogate mothers to be paid, all forms of the practice are outlawed across much of Europe, including Italy, Spain, France and Germany.

Many of the bill’s proponents have heralded it as marking progress toward equality between same-sex and opposite-sex couples, toward a forward-looking Ireland free from the scandals of its Catholic past.

The bill’s righteous and progressive aims were cemented in January when the Pope called surrogacy “a grave violation of the dignity of the woman and the child, based on the exploitation of situations of the mother’s material needs.” “A child is always a gift and never the basis of a commercial contract,” he added.

Chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, Alan Farrell TD, swelled with pride during a debate on the bill as he reflected: “We have seen dramatic changes in women’s rights and LGBT rights in Ireland, led by the public and pursued by the Government. This bill is the latest where successive governments have sought to build on that progress and deliver real change that reflects more understanding and an equal country.”

A spokesperson from the LGB rights group “Not All Gays” told me that opposition to the legislation has been framed as “anti-LGBTQIA”. “When will they stop weaponising LGB’s struggles and genuine homophobia to push for ethically dubious laws that could be plucked straight out of Gilead?” she asked. “We are not your shield to be used to silence reasonable debate or opposition to laws that seek to erode the rights and civil liberties.”

Just as with the dissolution of women’s rights at the hands of trans activists, this most recent threat to women’s dignity, health and happiness has come cloaked in the rainbow flag. But in reality, it signifies nothing more than a social shift toward the commercialisation of women’s bodies.

It is a triumph of market forces, of the state-sanctioned use of wombs for the production of a designer accessory. Provided the mother meets the minimum requirements, couples and individuals who have commissioned babies will be able to pose with them for Instagram snaps as soon as the mother has given birth.

The bill will probably pass into law, and Ireland will become a land where virgins may indeed become mothers. It is conceivable that future generations will look back on the period of legalised surrogacy with horror as we now do the brutal homes where unmarried mothers had their infants ripped from their care.

Josephine Bartosch is a freelance writer and assistant editor at The Critic.

In the meantime

[organical-mechanical]

Have you ever seen someone who isn’t attractive, but looks really aesthetically appealing?

Like, that girl isn’t gonna make it on Playboy anytime soon, but she would be PERFECT for a vacuum cleaner commercial.

Sometimes you just look at a guy and go “yep. that’s a solid dude.”

Hell. I think you can be straight-up ugly AND aesthetically appealing. Which is honestly what I strive for for myself.

And of course, there’s the concept of Jolie-Laide, where you’re a 5/10 not because you’re average, but because 50% of the population thinks you’re a 1/10 and the other 50% thinks you’re a 10/10, which is another ideal I’d like to strive for.

[shadohood]

[OUTDATED, new pricing here] Opening commissions! 0/3 slots taken Payment only via Paypal. If you are interested, contact me at obrazcomms@gmail.com . In your e-mail provide following info:

Type of commission - like Sketch bust, half body line art, colored and cel-shaded full body, etc.

Art description - what does the character you want me to draw looks like, the more detailed the description is the better! Include pose, emotion of the character.

If you have any, you can provide reference images too.

Make sure you've read terms of service here:

Pay only via Paypal and in USD.

Refunds are not allowed.

To get your commission done properly, make sure you respond to e-mails with WIP work with either an ask for correction in the art or aproval.

WIP images may contain a watermark and be smaller than the final piece.

Work on your commission may take some time (1-5 weeks), remember sometimes there are a few of you requesting at once. You will be notified about anything that can slow down the progress.

If you request to change something you have previously approved of, I may require additional charges (for example you cannot ask me to change the character's pose when i'm working on the colors of the piece).

You are not allowed to use the piece commercially (unless agreed otherwise, in which case the price is 3 times of the non-commercial work)

You are not allowed to claim the artwork as your own

As I'm new to this, commission of backgrounds more complex then flat color might require additional pay depending on the complexity of the background. Process of working on a commission: Once your e-mail comes in, I'll send you a response with the price of the final piece, questions about the commission if I have any and a WIP sketch (depending on the questions, the sketch can be provided separatly). When I'll have a more concrete idea of your request (at this point you will have a WIP sketch so we are on the same page), I'll require 30% of the price of the final piece pre-payed to continue working on your commission. I'll send you the progress of work on your commission as a final sketch, line art (if the commission is of a sketch, i'll just make it cleaner instead), flat color version and cel-shaded version, of each you'll have to approve (or ask me to change something, in that case I'll send a WIP of every request until I get the approval) for me to work on. When the work on your commission will be over, I'll request the rest of the price (the remaining 70%) and send you an HD commission art immediately after receiving it.

[jo-luizen]

Hello so my hours were cut at work and so things are kind of tight this month. If anyone would love to help me out by taking a commission from me I would appreciate it a lot <3 Terms of service under the cut

A reblog is appreciated if you cannot afford a commission atm.

TERMS OF SERVICE

Before commissioning:

All prices are for personal use only. Please contact me for commercial prices.

I can do things in payment plans, but I must be paid at least 1/3rd of the commission before I’ll start.

Speedpaints are priced separately from normal paintings. The difference between speedpaints and normal paintings is speedpaints are timed and do not have paintover corrections. Note these paintings will have rougher experimental coloring and techniques. Regular paintings will have cleaner edges and will have a more refined look. You may at any time upgrade your speedpaint if you are not happy with your result but please do note the maximum number of hours are included with the price before requesting a speedpaint.

During the commission process:

Once the final flats has been given the commission must be paid in full before I will complete the work.

2 free revisions but more than that must be paid for so please ask for changes during the sketch stages. Hourly rate applies after second revision.

Specific long descriptions are ok as long as you know I have ADD and might not catch everything so it’s important to let me know any changes I need to do early on.

The more visual refs the better. I will send sketches for approval as well as progress shots except for doodles.

I reserve the right to host all images in my gallery. If you need your art private, it will be double my rate.

I reserve the right to turn any fandom piece into a print. Personal use fanart is also double my rate. (I will not use art of original concepts like OCs)

Can conceptualize from descriptions but will need a conceptualization fee on $10

Kill fee of 30 percent in sketch stage and 50 percent in flat stage.

You are only eligible for a full refund if I didn't start your art yet. However if I paid bills with that money your refund may have to paid back in installments. Please think things through before you commission me.

Please allow two weeks for speedpaints and a month for full renders depending on where you are in the queue.

[hommiesweet]

How to Choose the Right Grout for Mosaic Floor Tiles

Mosaic floor tiles are a stunning and timeless choice for adding visual interest and character to any space. However, the grout you choose can make or break the overall aesthetic and longevity of your mosaic tiled floor. Grout not only fills the spaces between the tiles but also plays a crucial role in protecting the tiles from moisture, dirt, and wear.

In this article, we'll guide you through the process of selecting the right grout for your mosaic floor tiles, ensuring a beautiful and long-lasting installation.

1. Understanding Grout Types

Before diving into the selection process, it's essential to understand the different types of grout available on the market. The two main categories are cementitious grout and epoxy grout.

Cementitious Grout: This traditional grout is made from a mixture of cement, sand, and water. It's widely available, affordable, and suitable for most residential applications. However, it's prone to cracking, shrinking, and discoloration over time.

Epoxy Grout: As the name suggests, epoxy grout is a resin-based product that offers superior durability, stain resistance, and color consistency. It's more expensive than cementitious grout but is highly recommended for high-traffic areas, wet environments, and applications where a seamless, uniform appearance is desired.

2. Considering Grout Color

The color of the grout can greatly impact the overall appearance of your mosaic floor tiles. When selecting a grout color, consider the following factors:

Tile Color: Choose a grout color that complements or contrasts with the tiles, depending on your desired aesthetic. Lighter grout colors can make the tiles appear more prominent, while darker shades can create a smoother, more uniform look.

Space Size: In smaller spaces, lighter grout colors can help create the illusion of a larger area, while darker shades may make the space feel cramped.

Maintenance: Lighter grout colors tend to show dirt and stains more easily, requiring more frequent cleaning. Darker grout colors can better hide imperfections but may also highlight uneven tile surfaces.

3. Evaluating Grout Performance

Beyond aesthetics, it's crucial to consider the performance requirements of the grout for your mosaic floor tiles. Here are some key factors to consider:

Stain Resistance: High-traffic areas, kitchens, and bathrooms require grout with excellent stain resistance to prevent discoloration from spills and moisture.

Flexibility: If your mosaic floor tiles are installed over a surface with potential movement, such as a concrete slab, choose a flexible grout that can accommodate slight expansions and contractions without cracking.

Chemical Resistance: For areas exposed to harsh chemicals, like pool surrounds or commercial kitchens, choose a grout that can withstand chemical exposure without degradation.

4. Installation and Maintenance Considerations

When selecting grout for your mosaic floor tiles, consider the installation process and long-term maintenance requirements:

Ease of Application: Some grouts may be more challenging to work with than others, especially in intricate mosaic patterns. Consult with professional tile installers or refer to manufacturer guidelines for application tips.

Curing Time: Different grout types have varying curing times, which can impact the overall project timeline. Plan accordingly to avoid disruptions.

Maintenance: Evaluate the cleaning and maintenance requirements for each grout type. Epoxy grouts, for example, may require specialized cleaners and techniques to maintain their appearance.

By carefully considering these factors and consulting with professionals, you can ensure that you select the grout that not only complements the beauty of your mosaic floor tiles but also provides long-lasting protection and performance. Remember, the right grout can elevate the overall aesthetic and functionality of your mosaic tiled space, making it a worthwhile investment.

[tamilselvamppts]

Office Cleaning Services - How to Efficiently Include Tasks

Introduction:

A productive and healthy work atmosphere is crucial in the busy world of business, and this requires keeping the office clean and organized. Office cleaning services are essential for making sure that the workspace is both visually beautiful and healthy for employees. This thorough guide will show you how to effectively include tasks into office cleaning services so that your workspace looks great and stands out from the competition.

Understanding the Unique Needs of Each Office Space

It's important to understand that every office space is different before getting into the specific duties related to office cleaning. The number of employees, the type of business, and the size of the office are few examples of factors that may affect how much cleaning is needed. A comprehensive and efficient cleaning service is ensured by customizing your cleaning strategy to the unique requirements of the workplace.

Creating a Customized Cleaning Checklist

Creating a personalized cleaning checklist is a crucial component of effective office cleaning services. Every part of the office, including common areas, workstations, restrooms, and food areas, should be included in this checklist. You may organize your cleaning jobs according to importance and frequency to make sure each and every space is covered.

Daily Cleaning Services:

1. Replace the liners in waste receptacles and empty them. As needed, wash.

2. Vacuum every mat and carpet.

3. Scrub every hard floor.

4. Dust all of the furniture's horizontal surfaces, including tables, chairs, and workstations.

5. Use a disinfectant to damply clean any horizontal surfaces.

6. Use a disinfecting mop on any hard floors.

7. Clear the front entrance and the nearby vicinity of cobwebs.

8. Eliminate traces and fingerprints from the area surrounding door frames and light switches.

9. Spotless outside and interior automated glass doors

10. Clean every inside window.

11. Shine up the bright work on doors and cabinets and polish all brass.

12. Identify spotty painted surfaces and walls.

Prioritizing High-Traffic Areas

There is a variety of foot traffic in different locations of the office. For effective office cleaning, high-traffic areas must be identified and prioritized.

Meeting spaces

Common areas

Entrances frequently

These areas are need more frequent maintenance to maintain a professional atmosphere and make a good first impression.

Implementing Eco-Friendly Cleaning Practices

The importance of sustainability and environmental stewardship in the modern society cannot be overstated. Climate change, pollution, and waste are serious issues that need to be addressed right away. We spend a lot of our time at work, therefore it's important to consider the surroundings while making decisions on a regular basis. This is especially important for office employees and supervisors who have the ability to make significant changes, as well as commercial cleaners and cleaning businesses.

Although effective, the commercial cleaning industry has long relied on techniques and chemicals that are not eco-friendly. Still, as awareness grows, there is a growing desire for more sustainable, greener solutions. In the office and commercial cleaning sectors, this site aims to provide a wealth of information to anyone looking to transition to greener cleaning techniques.

Investing in Professional Training for Cleaning Staff

The success of any office cleaning service hinges on the competence of its cleaning staff. Invest in ongoing training programs to ensure that your team is well-versed in the latest cleaning techniques, products, and safety protocols. A highly skilled and knowledgeable cleaning crew will deliver superior results, enhancing the reputation of your cleaning services.

Conclusion

Efficiently including tasks in office cleaning services is a multifaceted endeavor that requires a tailored approach, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence. By understanding the unique needs of each office space, creating customized cleaning checklists, prioritizing high-traffic areas, and embracing eco-friendly and technology-driven practices, your office cleaning services can surpass the competition. Remember, the key to success lies in flexibility, client satisfaction, and continuous improvement to stay at the forefront of this dynamic industry.

Contact Careplus Cleaning Solutions today to delve into the ways our tailored cleaning solutions can elevate your business's overall productivity and success.

Uncover more efficient methods to maintain cleanliness and boost efficiency with Careplus. Reach out for a personalized discussion crafted to meet your specific needs

[classicrockblog1]

William Stuart Adamson (11 April 1958 – 16 December 2001) was a Scottish rock guitarist and singer. Adamson began his career in the late 1970s as a founding member and performer with the punk rock band Skids. After leaving Skids in 1981, he formed Big Country and was the band's lead singer and guitarist. The group's commercial heyday was in the 1980s. In the 1990s, he was a member of the alternative country band The Raphaels. In the late 1970s the British music journalist John Peel referred to his musical virtuosity as a guitarist as "a new Jimi Hendrix".[1]

Adamson found international fame with Big Country, a band formed with friend and fellow guitarist Bruce Watson, then employed as a submarine cleaner at Rosyth naval base, and a rhythm section of studio musicians Mark Brzezicki and Tony Butler, found with the help of his label.

Big Country's first hit, 1983's "Fields of Fire", reached the UK's Top 10, and was rapidly followed by the album The Crossing. The album was a big hit in North America (Canada number 4,[7] United States number 18) powered by the single "In a Big Country", which was performed on Saturday Night Live and the Grammy Awards. The video for "In a Big Country" received frequent airplay on MTV and featured the band riding all terrain vehicles in the countryside. Their second album Steeltown appeared in October 1984. The band's third album The Seer (1986) featured Kate Bush on the title track. The first two albums were produced by Steve Lillywhite. The band continued to record studio albums and tour until 2000. Adamson supplied much of the distinctive guitar work, as well as being the lead singer and main songwriter (both music and lyrics). The band's lineup rarely underwent changes, the exception being the departure of drummer Mark Brzezicki who left in the summer of 1989 and was replaced by Pat Ahern. Brzezicki re-joined the band in 1993.

[aquagrand]

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