#5 bedroom house for rent san francisco

[rajproperties-blog]

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[new-mountain-view-ca]

Enjoy The Scenery

Some of the select apartments at The Village Residences feature expansive, floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing natural light to flood the living spaces and providing beautiful views of the surroundings. Roller shades are included, allowing residents to control the light and privacy they desire. Additionally, some units have a balcony, patio, or terrace, providing an outdoor space where residents can relax and enjoy the fresh air. These features contribute to a bright, open living environment, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces. If you're looking for two-bedroom apartments for rent in Mountain View, make sure you check out The Village Residences. You can call them at 6502719258 to schedule a visit.

Cost Of Living In Mountain View, California

Mountain View, California, is known for its high cost of living. The city's proximity to Silicon Valley and its thriving tech industry contribute to the elevated expenses. Housing costs in Mountain View are particularly steep, with home prices and rents significantly higher than the national average. Other factors driving the cost of living include transportation, healthcare, and groceries, which are also above average. However, it is important to note that wages in the technology sector tend to be higher, helping to offset some of the expenses. Additionally, the city offers a high quality of life with excellent amenities, parks, and cultural attractions. While Mountain View's cost of living may be challenging for some, it is balanced by the opportunities and amenities available in the area.

Stevens Creek Trail

The Stevens Creek Trail is a popular multi-use trail in the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically in the Silicon Valley region of California. It runs along Stevens Creek, which is a tributary of the San Francisco Bay. The trail stretches for approximately 5 miles, starting in Mountain View and ending in Cupertino. The Stevens Creek Trail is primarily used for walking, jogging, cycling, and inline skating. It provides a scenic route for outdoor enthusiasts and connects to various parks and open spaces. The trail is well-maintained, and features paved surfaces, making it accessible to people of all ages and abilities. There are plenty of benches along the route for resting or watching the scenery go by.

Best Beaches Near Mountain View, California

People love going to the beach for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, the beach offers a refreshing escape from the daily routine and provides a serene and calming environment. The sound of crashing waves, the warmth of the sun, and the feel of sand beneath one's feet create a soothing atmosphere. The beach is also a place of recreation and enjoyment. It offers various activities like swimming, sunbathing, beach volleyball, and building sandcastles, which appeal to individuals of all ages. It provides relaxation and leisure, allowing people to unwind and rejuvenate. Furthermore, the beach offers breathtaking natural beauty, with expansive views of the ocean, stunning sunrises or sunsets, and diverse marine life. It provides a sense of awe and connection to nature, which can be refreshing and therapeutic.

Link to maps

Stevens Creek Trail California, USA Take Moffett Blvd and Central Expy to Fayette Dr 9 min (3.2 mi) Follow Fayette Dr to your destination 1 min (351 ft) The Village Residences 555 San Antonio Rd, Mountain View, CA 94040, United States

[beardedmrbean]

I'm wondering what the exact same apartment she had costs now, because if she was living in some small town in Arkansas with that rent and now expects to be able to get the same in San Francisco, Chicago, LA, or Manhattan then she's being incredibly dishonest about the rate increase.

1 Bedroom 800sqft house in San Francisco costs the same as 5 bedroom 2000sqft on .5 acres in some parts of Texas and not just the boonies (disclaimer I'm making these numbers up because I don't feel like looking, but you know I'm right too)

1/ Median rent increased 1.82x from 2000-2020 (1.2x after adjusting for inflation), so this data point is an outlier. Rent is more unaffordable today without being misleading about the extent to which it is true.

2/ How are you a mid career attorney that can't afford 3600/month for housing in a VHCOL area?

3/ Supply of land is finite and not growing. Desirable land is valuable. The population of renters are growing. Have you forgotten everything they taught you in your economics courses?

[burgers-and-french-fries]

Can you please do “I made your favorite dessert” from the marriage prompt list featuring the reader and Dean?

Hello Lovely! Thank you so much for requesting this. I will apologize for taking so long with this imagine. I did originally have another idea written out but reading through, I knew I needed to re-write it and give you a little more fluff than I originally had.

I also took a little longer because I fell down a rabbit hole with the real story of BBC and the timeline of how things happened and when they happened. It was quite interesting. I found out that the real Dean Karny (Most likely living with a different name) became a lawyer and was living in L.A. So, this is what I added into the imagine. I also made it that y/n and Dean were living in the witness protection program.

Anyway, if you have any question in regards to anything in this imagine, please feel free to message me.

I hope that you enjoy this fluffy Dad!Dean imagine.

===

July 9th, 1983 was the day you first clapped eyes on Dean Karny. You had recently moved to L.A from San Francisco and to make up the rent money you needed for your quaint little apartment; you took a waitressing job at the Tasty Noodle House in West Hollywood. It wasn’t your favorite job in the world, but it at least gave you a paycheck.

You thought he was the most handsome man you had ever seen and that meant that you were most likely way out of his league. Little did you know that the moment Dean saw you -passing by him as he was escorted to his waiting client-, his heart stopped for a minute. Your wavy brown hair was tied into a low ponytail and your uniform hugged you in all the right places. You were gorgeous and Dean knew he had to make you his.

Sure enough, you started dating after having an encounter with him at a party you had been invited to by one of your colleagues, Ruby. You and Dean were infatuated with each other and spent every spare hour with each other.

Unfortunately, 1984 rolled around and Dean had been involved with something that had turned your world upside down. Dean had testified against Joe in the murder of Ron Levin. You had to admit that you thought Ron Levin was dirty from the minute you met him but for the sake of Dean’s -and the BBC- dealings with him, you decided to just let it be.

Because of Dean testifying in this case, you were both placed in the witness protection program together as Dean had informed investigators that you two were engaged. Even if it was a falsehood at the time. You were given new identities and you both had to leave friends and family behind. You didn’t mind it at first as it was kind of exciting, but, eventually the novelty wore off and in 1989, you were stuck with marrying a Mr. Jack Kesler, rather than the man you had fallen in love with, Mr. Dean Karny.

You continued to call your husband Dean when you were at home in the private of your bedroom but of course in public and around the kids, you were Mr. and Mrs. Kesler. That’s where you were now. 1994 and Living in a quiet suburban neighborhood of L.A with your now lawyer husband and two kids. Ian aged 5 and Jennifer aged 1. Both of them resembling their father in some way or another.

“I see daddy!” Ian hollered from the front room. He had been insistent on watching for his dad through the front window.

“Ok bud.” You replied, continuing to stir the steamed veggies you had made to go along with the meatloaf you had made.

It was this moment that Jennifer decided to start slapping her hands on her highchair tray. You had put her in there so that she could not only watch you cook but stay out of trouble since she had started walking recently.

“There’s my girls.” Dean said as he walked into the kitchen. You looked up at him as did Jennifer.

“Hi babe.” You greeted, giving your husband a sweet kiss.

“How was your day?” Dean asked as he bent down to remove Ian from his leg.

“Busy. This one kept me on my toes the whole day.” You replied as you ruffled Jennifer’s hair. Dean smiled.

“Well, I’m home now. What can I do to help?” He asked. It was still silly to think that when you met him, you were warned of his playboy ways and now here he was. Dressed in a suit, living the suburban dad life whilst holding a little boy that looked so much like him. It was bonkers to think of where you two started.

“You can go and get settled. Ian can help me set the table.” You told him with a warm smile.

“You sure?” Dean asked.

“I’m sure, Jack.” You said, slightly frowning. You hated how that sounded rolling off your tongue. Dean laid a hand on yours sympathetically. He knew how you felt. He felt the same after all.

“I love you.” He said, giving your cheek a kiss. You sighed and looked at him.

“I love you too.” You replied.

=

“How was school today?” Dean asked as you all sat eating your dinner. Well, almost all of you as Jennifer was happier throwing her meatloaf pieces on the ground, despite you telling her not to.

“I drawed you a picture.” Ian announced happily, making both you and Dean beam with pride for your little boy.

“I can’t wait to see it.” Dean told Ian with a smile.

“I think we have some room on the fridge for it.” You said, looking over at the food box which distracted you enough to not see Ian putting his broccoli on Dean’s plate. Dean quickly ate a piece before you turned your attention to the boys.

“What did you just put in your mouth?” You asked, eyeing Dean suspiciously. The man looked around playfully.

“Nuffing.” Came Dean’s muffled reply.

“De-“ You started before stopping yourself. “Daddy better not be eating your dinner.” You said, pointing your fork at Ian who grinned cheekily.

“Hmm.” You responded, turning to Jennifer who had put her ketchup laden hand on your arm. You groaned. Just then, you saw Dean sneak another piece of broccoli.

“Spit it out.” You said, looking at Dean. He quickly chewed and swallowed the veg.

“Alright then. I guess it’s just Jennifer and I having dessert tonight.” You teasingly as you picked up water to take a drink.

Both Dean and Ian looked at you to see if you were bluffing.

“Num!” Jennifer squealed. You knew she loved her dessert, especially when you would share with her.

“Num just for us.” You told her, earning a messy faced grin.

“What did you make?” Dean asked, curious. You shrugged.

“I made your favorite dessert.” You responded, knowing that it would get a gasp from both boys.

They loved it when you would make chocolate lava cake. It was something you only ever made when it was a special occasion such as Christmas, birthdays, Easter etc. This is what made Dean eye you suspiciously, trying to work out why you had made it tonight.

“But you never make it unless it’s special.” Dean said. You nodded and smiled.

“Ian’s report card came in the mail today. He got all A’s, so I figured I’d surprise him with it.” You told him honestly. Ian beamed at that. He was proud of himself, and you were proud of him.

“Are you sure there isn’t another reason?” Dean questioned. You shook your head.

“Neither of you will get to have any if Ian doesn’t eat his dinner without help from you.” You told them both.

“But I don’t like the trees.” Ian whined with a frown. Dean looked at his son.

“I know you don’t but just think, the faster you eat them, the quicker you can have cake.” He encouraged.

“Just eat it too fast other wise you’ll choke.” You informed your son. Ian nodded sullenly and you went about cleaning Jennifer up from her mainly discarded on the ground dinner.

=

With Jennifer getting a bath by Dean and the dishes being done by you, Ian sat at the table finishing off the remanence of the chocolate lava that had oozed from his cake.

“You almost done bud?” you asked, drying your hands. Ian nodded as he licked his plate clean.

“Here mama.” Ian said as he handed over his now saliva clad plate.

“Thank you.” you replied as you made your way over to clean the dish.

“Ian, you ready for bath time?” Dean asked as he walked back toward you with a freshly clean Jennifer. She looked at you through her long lashes as she rested her head in the crook of Dean’s neck. You knew she was ready for bed.

“Yes daddy.” Ian said as he hurried off his chair, thanked you for dinner and rushed upstairs to wait for his dad.

You chuckled as you watched.

“Why don’t you read her a story and I’ll bathe Ian.” You said, seeing how much Jennifer was loving to cuddle her dad.

“Are you sure y/n?” He said, knowing how much you needed to hear him use your real name. You smiled and hugged him.

“I’m sure Dean.” You said through a contented smile. He kissed your forehead and went in search of Jennifer’s bottle.

=

“Do you ever miss it?” You asked as you watched Dean move around your shared bedroom. He looked at you.

“Miss what Princess?” He questioned in reply.

“What we used to have. The parties, the drinking, the thrill of having sex over your desk. Everything.” You said, remembering all the naughty things you and Dean used to partake in. He smiled at you.

“Do you miss being known as Dean Karny cause lord knows I miss being y/f/n y/l/n.” You concluded.

“Sometimes I do but I also know that if we returned to who we used to be and where we used to be, we’d be in serious danger. That’s the last thing I want for my family.” He explained. You nodded. You had to agree, you didn’t want your family in danger.

“Ian asked for a special story tonight.” You started. Dean raised his brow as he crawled into bed beside you.

“What story?” He asked.

“Ours and it sucked because I didn’t know what the hell to tell him. I really wanted to tell him the truth.” You recounted. Dean sighed.

“Maybe we’ll have to make up a story and tell him we’re undercover cops.” Dean replied, drawing a laugh from you.

“You think he’d go for that?” You teased. Dean chuckled.

“Can I ask you something?” Dean asked and you hummed in response.

“Is there another reason you made the lava cake tonight, other than Ian’s report card?” He questioned. You turned to face him.

“Truthfully, I just wanted make something sweet and the fact that Ian’s report came today, it was perfect.” You replied.

“Well, it was certainly very special so thank you.” He whispered.

“If seeing my family happy means making special treats for dessert, then that’s what I’ll do.” You replied, closing your eyes and cuddling into Dean’s grasp further.

So yes, as hectic and surreal as you and Dean’s life had become, at the center of it, you had love and your children and that’s all that really mattered to you.

===

[kickthecan-revolution]

It’s 1am and I need to be up by 5:30am, but it’s been such a peaceful night. I brewed some hibiscus tea, a favorite refreshing treat, prepared my coffee for the morning and got organized around my team meeting for tomorrow. I’m in this little routine with the cats where we all end the night watching TV, with Buddy snuggled right between my legs and Minnie on her pillow. This is a sweet time, winter is coming and I can feel the crispy air just edging around the really warm San Francisco night.

My mom agreed to go to Merrill Gardens to be with my dad this coming month. My sister and brother were so nervous to let her know their two bedroom is ready, but I just went for it today and let her know it was time. She’s actually ready, I don’t think we’re going to get any resistance from her. Once that happens and the house is rented I get to have even more of my time back but honestly this year, not been that difficult.

My mood just swung right across the cavern back to e hopeful. It’s likely due to my boss checking in and saying some nice things. When I’m this destabilized I crave that approval even more, and it shouldn’t affect me as much as it does, but it does.

Good night Tumblr. I deeply appreciate everyone who reads and responds to my missives.

[overlcck]

𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙤. 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯. 𝘩𝘦 /𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘺-𝘧𝘪𝘷𝘦. 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘳. 𝘫𝘢𝘻𝘻𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰.

❛ dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called "life". electric word, life.❜

𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 . 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 . 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 . 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘴 . 𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 . 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 . 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 . 𝘥𝘰𝘤.  𝘢𝘭𝘭 . 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘪𝘰 ⤵︎

𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜 𝗔𝗣𝗣.

laith ashley, queer, trans man + he/him ― hey look, it’s saint castillo! they’re 35 years old, they’ve lived in shrike heights for 5 years, and they’re currently working at jazzercise studio. i heard they’re pretty scatterbrained, but i think they’re so vivacious at the same time. can they make it out alive?

𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧��.

full name: saint castillo nicknames: nsfw warning /// saint penetrate ( drag king name ) birth date: august 1 ( leo sun, tbd on the rest ) hometown: san francisco, california ethnicity: afro-dominican gender: trans man sexuality: queer religion: agnostic work place: jazzercise studio & performer ( predominantly singer but sometimes drag ) & bartender at the local bar living situation: rents a house with roommates languages: english & spanish height: 5 ft 10 in / 1.788 m tattoo(s)/piercing(s): many small random black tattoos along his arms and chest ( inspo ), both lobes pierced and right side of his nose typically has a hoop. clothing style: bright vibrant colors and will often have some sort of leather accents whether it’s bracelets, pants, jackets, etc. either loose free flowing shirts or tight to his body, there’s no in between. large boots or flashy, pristine fashion sneakers. will wear a pair of red go go boots on a bi-weekly basis at the minimum. tons of rings adorning his fingers. likes to change his appearance between that of a 70s disco dancer to a modern day pirate. there’s no in-between. hobbies: dancing, putting together outfits/fashion/make-up both for himself and others, singing and preforming is everything to him, working out, trying out his new specialty ‘concoction’ for the local bar’s menu, testing out new sets for the studio, hosting parties, cooking and baking.

𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜 𝗕𝗜𝗢.

Carla and Daniela Castillo, both in their mid-forties, had traveled the world together, found themselves in exciting and stable careers, and more than anything wanted to at last settle down with a child. When they adopted Saint, the agency had assured them both that their new child was the smiliest baby any of them had ever seen. That, however, was nothing close to comparing to the bright, toothless grin cast across his small face. Love at first sight, that’s what they told him when he was old enough to start talking and asking about his adoption.

That love never ceased, if anything, it only grew, and with nowhere else to put it, Saint attempted to pass that love along to others. Carla and Daniela may have been his mothers, but they weren’t the only ones who raised him. Siblings, Aunties, Grandparents, and Cousins alike — his mothers’ own found family — brought him into their lives and raised him as if he were their own. Saint, wanting to continue what his mothers had started, was determined to build his own little found family of friends he met along the way.

[ tw/cw: brief mentions/hints of homelessness ] Formal school and studying may not have been his strength, but when put in front of a crowd, he shined. Outgoing, charismatic, with just a hint of a playful mischievousness, he drew in new friends that he’d work with on stage or in the crowd after performances. By the time he graduated high school, Saint committed himself to performance and building a community. He may have been lucky with his mothers and other various guardians, but he wasn’t naive. Saint had heard the need his mothers had to find community and a place to call home, the same need that he heard echoed in those around him. [ tw end ]

[ tw/cw: hospital, illness ] In San Francisco, he established himself in the ball and drag scene, building up a space for himself that bridged the gap between his generation and that of his mothers. But just as he was beginning to make a name for himself within the music scene, and despite any signs, Carla grew ill. It was time, both his mothers said, for them to leave the hustle and bustle of the city. A quieter life with access to a good hospital is what they needed. [ tw end ]

While his mothers pleaded with him to stay in San Francisco, continue on with his career that seemed to be on the brink of taking off, Saint couldn’t manage the idea of them starting off new lives, in a new place, alone. Promising he would return to San Francisco after a year, just enough time to insure they were both alright, he followed them to Shrike Heights. One year turned into two, and two into five.

He’s remade a life for himself, and while it’s not a move he ever thought his life would take, Saint’s never regretted his decision. Self-assured enough to know that he can make the move back to a big city if need be, he’s enjoying the life he has now — not exactly quiet but quieter — with his moms and the friends they meet along the way.

𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗡𝗦.

- character inspiration: lil papi evangelista from pose, jj maybank from outer banks, alex claremont-diaz from red, white, and royal blue

- will constantly be dancing, whether it’s while leading the classes or shopping for groceries he’s probably swaying along to some song stuck in his head

- probably the worst bartender in all of colorado, but he’ll crack jokes while making it for you, flirt a little, hype you up, and overall try to make sure you forget he messed it up.

- speaking of flirting… massive flirt but has a rule that he will never hook up with any patrons while on the job as a bartender or any current students of his classes. he finds it tacky.

- if you have ever needed a place to stay the night, you’ve likely ended up at at saint’s. he’s designed the interior of his place to ensure there are plenty of pull out couches, blow up mattress in storage, and even a guest bedroom in case someone needs a safe place to crash.

- calls himself the dad friend even though he’s much more of a brotherly figure.

- big fan of kissing friends ( with consent ) goodnight

- cries a lot even though he’ll swear up and down that he’s not a crier. if you catch him crying ( you probably have ) he’ll always have a new excuse for why it’s not the sappy movie the two of you just sat down to watch.

- he sings and plays the guitar. mostly does more funk and electronic but will jam with anyone that gives him the opportunity

𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦.

platonic. found family :), roommates, ex-roommates, someone that takes all of his classes at the studio, favorite patrons that he serves at the bar,  friends from san francisco, fellow singers/performers, any fans of his drag performances or fellow drag performers. familial. found family :), i do have hc-ed that his moms chose shrike heights because one of their siblings lives here who they remained close to so!!! hmu if you want them to be connected that way. romantic. exes, friends-with-benefits, former flings, awkward dates. negative. friends-with-benefits gone wrong, someone who does not find it endearing that he’ll make them an odd take on a margarita rather than vodka soda they ordered, anyone that he might’ve had to kick out of the bar, saint also just has a big mouth and will say things without thinking so this could turn off a lot of people

[rajproperties-blog]

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[the-silentium]

Wait for me to come home Pt.2

Summary: Eddie keeps his promise and takes the reader on a date.

Part 1.

Pairing: Eddie Brock x Reader , Venom x Reader

Warning: Fluff

Words: 2880 words

A/N: Well, I wish you enjoy this one as much as the others ! Thanks for all your support guys ! Friday couldn’t be any longer. At first, couldn’t stop yourself from glancing at the clock of your office every five minutes. It takes you a good hour to stop doing that and finally get to work. You check your emails and get the order of the day. Your small company is affiliated with a famous journal in San Francisco, the Silentium Loquitur, that order photos to join their articles. The CEO was a good friend of your parents so you nearly grew up being in his house or having him at your dinner table. Your parents were proud of your work at school and showed him your portfolio. When you got out of college, he proposed you a place in his company, which you refused, wanting to explore the world, see all it had to offer you and wanting to know as much art as you could before settling down.

You had a wonderful time exploring the different types of arts, trying different techniques and meeting new people. In the end, you returned home, rented a small bachelor, worked for Silentium Loquitur for 5 years before creating your own business in a small local downtown. It started very slowly, but sure enough, your work was recognized and you now have a bunch of contracts. Your partnership with the SL journal has been a good push in the beginning. You made the majority of their photos, which permitted you over time to catch some good shots and now your name is recognized in the world of photography.

The activation of your screensaver gets you out of your thoughts. You reach for the mouse and finally read your photo subject of the day. A new art gallery dedicated to street art opens its doors this weekend and I think that it can interest you. Show the world how beautiful it is.  - Sam. You smile, excitement flowing through you. Sam is the manager of the visual department and you became good friend with him back in your year in the journal. You let Sam know that you will gladly do it and get the jacket that was inconveniently forgotten last night by a handsome not-so-stranger-anymore guy. You put it on, give it a good sniff to remember his smell and then you start your day, as happy as you have ever been.

—————————————————————-

Eddie is pacing his apartment, feeling as nervous as he has ever been. He never felt like this before ! He is so excited and happy, but afraid and nervous at the same time. He watches himself again in the mirror of his bedroom. He wanted to be casual, but not too much. He put some clean dark jeans on and a navy blue button-up shirt. He searched his jacket but eventually, remembered that he didn’t take it back from you.

“Eddie, we have to go if we don’t want to be late.“ Venoms says poking his head from Eddie’s shoulder.

“Yeah.“ Eddie passes a hand on his face, trying to relax.“Thanks for the reminder.“

Venom disappears into his body and Eddie put his old leather jacket on. He grabs his keys and helmet, and take off to your apartment. During the ride, he can’t think of something else than his plan for the date. He wants it to be perfect. He is so wrapped up in his thoughts that he doesn’t see that he got to your neighborhood.

“Eddie, you will miss her house.“ Venom says in his head, getting Eddie to focus again.

“Right. Thanks Ve.“

He stops in front of the building, gets off his bike and goes to the front door. He opens it and waits in front of the apartment indicator board. He finds your name on the list and takes a deep breath before pushing the button next to your name.

“Yes?“ came your voice. He felt nervous again.

“Hi Y/N, it’s Eddie.“

“Eddie ! Come on in !“ you say and Eddie hears a buzzing.

He grabs the door that leads him to the stairs and goes to your level. In front of your door, he doesn’t have to knock that you already open the door. His breath is taken away by your look. You wear a F/C knee-length sundress with black flat shoes but what makes his heart goes faster is your radiant smile.

“Hey.“ you say, feeling self-conscious under his stare.

Realizing it, Eddie clears his throat and return your smile. “You look absolutely stunning Y/N.“

You bite your lip, thanking him and returning the compliment.

“What’s the plan of the day then ?“ You really looked excited for this day and it relaxed him. You were looking forward to a day with him and he would not let you down on that. He had planned an entire day with you and luckily for him, the weather was on his side.

“It’s a surprise. You have nothing to take with you, except for your camera.“

Your curiosity just got up a notch, he could see it in your eyes. You get back inside, searching for your camera, while he takes a look of your apartment. Definitely not like his. Your bachelor was well decorated with drawings, paintings and photos, but the space was well organized that it wasn’t suffocating.

“Oh and I wanted to return you this.“ you say getting out of a room and holding out his jacket, the camera case in your other hand.

“Put it on. You will need it.“ Eddie replies.

You frown and put your head on the side a little. Eddie finds that extremely cute and wants to see it more often. When he says nothing more, you put it on and he stretches his hand to you. You take it without hesitation and close your door, following him. He likes the feeling of your hand in his. The warm, the softness, he reluctantly lets it go when you get to his bike. He gives you his helmet, put the rope of your camera case around his neck and gets on. When you finish attaching the gear, you get behind him, wrapping your arms around his waist. Eddie takes a deep breath and takes off. He is excited about this date and he can feel Venom in the back of his mind, purring a little, as excited as him.

—————————————————————-

The ride isn’t too long so don’t have much time to enjoy having your arms around the waist of your date. Wow, your date. Now that you think about it, it’s been a while since you got one. Your head was always in the clouds or your attention was concentrated on some photo subjects. You find it funny how you fell so easily for that guy back at the bar. You weren’t not that kind of person, but you guess that it was meant to be. In life, nothing happens for anything sweetie. You never really believed in your father moto before, but maybe, just maybe, it was really meant to be.

Eddie comes to a stop in front of a nice little park. You get up and remove the helmet, giving it to Eddie when he finally gets off his bike.

“So, mind telling me the plans of the day ?“ you balance yourself on your feet while analyzing your environment. You already came here before in winter to ice skate.

“If I tell you, I would ruin the surprise.“ he replies with this smile that doesn’t stop to make the butterflies in your stomach go wild.

You take his stretched hand and you both start to walk into the park. You feel like Eddie have somewhere in mind so you follow his lead.

“So, you are not just a photographer ?“

Your gaze meets his and you feel the heat rising to your cheeks.“Well, the photography is the only thing a do professionally. The others are just very frequent hobbies. But yeah, I like to play guitar and piano, sometimes I sing, I draw and paint. That’s it.“ You say chuckling to his surprised expression.

“Wow, you really are multi-talented“ You blush and put your attention on the trees surrounding you.

“Thanks. I started doing arts when I was young. I was always bored and had a lot of energy to give. My parents noticed that I was focussed on the little things of life and so they introduced me to drawing. They bought me a drawing beginner kit and I started to draw. I think that it took only a week for me to use all the papers I could find in the house and start to draw on the walls.“ you laugh along with Eddie. “After that, they introduced me to a bunch of other types of art and I chose my favorites. I studied art in College and went into a backpack trip around the world to discover new arts.“ You return your attention to Eddie and he looks impressed.

You both continue to talk about your hobbies and profession. After some time, you get to the other side of the park, where is situated a little restaurant with a nice terrace. Eddie leads you inside and the waitress shows you your table. Eddie reserved a place at the end of the terrace, where a majestic tree makes some shadow for you. Eddie being the perfect gentlemen pulls the chair for you and takes a sit in front of you. The diner goes well, with every minute passing, you know that you will need another date with him.

“Sometimes I can’t control it you know. Like when I was asked to do a good interview with the Life Foundation and did the total opposite. I knew they were hiding something and I just couldn’t let it go. Even now I don’t know if it was worth it. I lost everything I had after that.“ You frown. You know that he lost his job because of the Life Foundation, but journalism isn’t your big interest, you thought that he had bounced and got a new job elsewhere.

“Their loss. If they would have lifted their noses from their benefits for a moment, they would have known that they had one of the best journalists of our time. I know a journal that doesn’t fear to talk about anything. There is no taboo, just true information. I could talk to them about you searching for a job.“ Eddie’s eyes widen and you think that you overstepped some line. “Only if you want, I’m not forcing anything. Just proposing...“

He takes your hand over the table and gives you a radiant smile. “Only if you don’t mind doing it.“

“I wouldn’t have proposed it if I did.“ you chuckle.

“Thanks Y/N. I don’t know how I could repay you for that.“

“Get that job and gives to the population some shocking interviews, then we will be quits.“ you retire your hand from his and stretches it for a handshake.

Eddie laughs and shakes your hand.

After dinner, you return slowly to the bike, and Eddie takes you out of town. The ride is a bit long, but you don’t mind. You enjoy being close to Eddie and you watch the beautiful landscape of the countryside. After an hour or so, you finally come to a stop. There is nothing at the horizon, just you both. Eddie leads you to a hill where you see a picnic blanket with a basket on it.

You are totally impressed. You stop in your tracks, admiring the effort. There they are again, the butterflies. When Eddie realizes that you stopped following him, he looks back to you and smiles at your expression. He is proud, you can tell. You walk to him and take his hand to finally get to the blanket. He finally gives you your camera, and you understand why. The landscape is breathtaking. You just want to know how it looks at sunset.

You took some shots. “Wow, Eddie. It’s wonderful here. I like it. Thanks.“ You meet his blue gaze, full of affection.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.“

You decide to take some shots of him and you both start talking again. It amazes you how much you like talking to him. At a time, you decide to go for a little exploration with him and when you start feeling hungry, you return to the blanket and discover what he had planned.

“Sandwiches ?” You tilt your head to the side, a smile on your face, amused.

“Yeah.. sorry for that. I'm not that good of a cook and I.. well..yeah.” He blushes.

You understand. He has been without a job for 6 months ! Your bank account would be low too if you were at his place. To think that he put a lot of money into this date made you sad. He paid for the dinner, put extra gas in his bike to be able to take you out of town, buy stuff to be able to cook for you and what else you don't know ! You know he probably wanted to impress you, which worked, but he could have done that thousands time simpler because you realize it right now… What makes this day special...

“Eddie. Sandwiches are perfect. You know, you could have got me the moon or a single flower picked on the road and it wouldn't have changed anything about this day.” You take his hand in yours and bite your lip a bit. “You know, Eddie Brock, you just made me live the best day of my life and what make this day my favorite is because I got to pass it with you.” You pause, frowning. “And because you seem to know what my favorite brand of chocolate is.” You say, looking into the basket and pointing to the chocolate bar in it.

Eddie burst into a fit of laughter before wrapping your waist in his arms. He looks into your eyes and you lost yourself in his blue gaze. He put a strand of hair behind your ear and let his hand at the back of your neck.

“Can’t you stop of being perfect ?” He whispers, a smile at the corner of his lips.

At this moment, you really think he will kiss you. Like, he is slowly getting closer to you and all, but something past the collar of his shirt gets your attention. It's like a dark fine stripe, like a vein, but with the sun getting lower at the horizon, it could have been a game of light. You frown and try to touch it, but there is nothing there. You probably imagined it. Your eyes return to Eddie's and you think you see a small second of fear in them before he clenches his jaw and separates himself from you. Damn. You just kill the moment.

Or so you thought. Because in fact, Venom was as eager as Eddie to touch you that he slides past Eddie's order to not show himself in any way and tried to get a glimpse of your delicate skin.

You sit on the blanket and start eating your sandwiches which were good by the way, something that you don't miss to tell the cook. Right after, you found yourself cuddling the right side of the most handsome guy in the world, a hand on his chest, his head on yours watching the sun continues its descent. No one talks, just enjoy the moment. Then, when there is no light in the sky anymore, you spot something on the corner of your eyes. Your eyes widen and your excitement kicks in. Fireflies. A whole bunch. You get up on your elbow and grab your camera.

“I didn't saw those little guys in years !” You tell him, truly happy.

Eddie follows your line of sight and smile. How to better end a date but with fireflies ? Then, a tiny flash catches his attention. You caught a photo of him watching the bugs and it was perfect. When his gaze is on the objective, you take another one. Well. You have to change your computer wallpaper now. You put your camera aside and return in his arms. He wraps you tight and when you lift your head to meet take a look at him, he doesn't lose a second.

His lips meet yours and you melt into his touch. You can fully feel the affection into the kiss and it makes you grab his shirt tighter. After some seconds, you see a faint flash behind your eyelids and you broke the kiss to investigate. Your camera is pointing at you in Eddie's hand. He passes it to you and you go to the gallery. There is your first kiss picture. Not perfectly framed, but perfect nonetheless.

“Can you send me that one ? I will definitely need it if I want to survive a day without seeing you.”

You chuckle, kissing him again. You pass the night in each other arms, stargazing. At some point, you started to feel tired so Eddie takes you home. Little do you know that you weren't gripping onto Eddie's jacket for the whole ride back to your house, but some black symbiote that was happy to feel your touch on him.

[tommyquackson]

The Plant That Grew From The Root of All Evil |P. Parker| Part 1

summary: You’re no good girl, no you’re quite the opposite, chaos itself even, yet somehow, he still affects you || in which a villan and a superhero cross paths

warnings: murder, violence, hinting at childhood abuse, bad fathers, and cussing of course (in the next parts theres gonna be some crazier stuff)

pairing: peter parker x villan!reader

authors note: yall im so excited for this fic and I hope yall love it as much I do!!!

Queens, New York. You hated it but couldn’t seem to leave. Everything you’d built for yourself was here, all the memories you’ve had since you were a young child. Of course, most of the memories were much to graphic and horrid to ever want to remember but still, home is home.

As you walk through the city, you get closer to your little apartment. You’d live there since you’d dropped out of high school and began working to get away from your hell hole of a house. You pass the small grocery store where most people got their news for the day. On the front page you see something that slows your quick strides down.

On the front page of a local newspaper, Queens very own, Hell’s Angel; most tabloids just called her Angel. Queens newest villain. She planned solo heists and sometimes murdered people. No one is sure where she came from or what her main goal is but no one can seem to catch her.

The thought alone made you smile, no one could catch you. The lower tier avengers had tried and all failed, that idiot spider-man was the most relentless. Everyday he swung in to try and stop you plans and take you in, and everyday he failed.

You winked at yourself in the light reflection in the window and continued on your walk back home. You climbed up the steps and unlocked your door. You look down and immediately scoop up your cat Shovel.

You walk back to your bedroom and take a look around, trying to see if there was anything out of place. Not that you had a lot of personal things to be moved in the first place. You relaxed on the bed when you realized everything was fine. You looked at the stack of mail next to your bed, you couldn’t keep ignoring the bills there, something had to be done. But you just didn’t have the money at the moment. Your car had broken down the other day and the tow truck and repair was enough to set you back for the rent and utilities. You began reading through all the notices of urgency and threats to cut off power, water and heat of you don’t cough up a few hundred dollars.

How had it gotten like this, how’d you let yourself get behind on bills. Stupid, he told you this would happen, that you wouldn’t ever make it, life would be nothing but a struggle and fight for the right just to have a home to stay at night. He did tell you not to leave...

No. You had to, you left and you’re better off without him, if he couldn’t bother to be a good father, you weren’t gonna bother to listen to him. It doesn’t matter, even if you’re a little late on bills you’re still doing better than he ever could.

You needed money, and a stress relief. You pulled the case from under your dresser and set it on your bed. You changed into your red outfit and strapped on your utility belt. You looked at the stark white and gold gun you’d stolen from a pawn shop a few years ago. You slowly kissed it and stuck it on your waist, your knives going on your hips and back.

You throw on the long black cloak type thing you wore to cover your bright outfit. You headed out your window, kissing Shovel on his forehead and jumping down the fire escape.

You knew you shouldn’t be here, you didn’t plan this at all, going out on a whim was such a rush though. You slipped into a mechanic garage, that belonged to a local gang, careful to stay silent, if anyone of these men caught you before you were ready for them to, it wouldn’t be a fun night.

You sat waiting in a corner, analyzing each person that was in the room and that also came in and out. You quickly did the math in your head and realized you’d have 34 seconds before the leader would show up. You silently gave your self a pep talk, took of your cloak and went for it.

It took you 12 second to take out the men working on the bikes, an extra 8 because one man had a gun you didn’t even see before. 14 seconds left, you grabbed the bags of money the men on the right side of the room were counting and slid it over to the window you were planning on escaping from. 10 seconds left you shot down 3 men coming down the stairs. 5 seconds. You scooped up the bag and your cloak and jumped out the window. Heading down hidden backstreets. Before heading to a storage locker in someone else’s name, just incase anyone followed you.

When you were certain your were in the clear you began the walk home. Just before you reached your block you realized someone had been following you for two blocks, you kept your mannerisms the same and turned the opposite way from your apartment. You slowed your walk just a bit and let them get closer.

“You know spider-man, stalking girls makes you a predator.” You say quickly spinnin to the right and seeing the small hero.

“Just trying to keep city safe from evil like you” He says and every time he speaks your amazed at how young his voice sounds. He had to be around the same age as you, there’s no way he’s older than 19.

“So instead of catching the bad guys who robbed the atms a few blocks from here, you’re following me.”

“Wait, what? When did-“

“Don’t worry spider boy, I already handled it, cleaned up the scraps, you say grinning. It’s not like he can even see your face behind your mask.

“So your like a vigilante?”

“If i was a vigilante, I wouldn’t have murdered them for fun. I suggest you mind your own business web boy. Now get home before you get seriously hurt.” You say pulling out your gun. He shoots his web down at you but you block it and shoot at him. This goes on for a bit before you realize your out of ammo. You quickly look at the small building hes on before coming up with a route to the top. You climb up faster than he can think about and take out your larger knife.

You both fight, doing whatever possible damage you can manage, while also receiving damage as well. You manage to knock him far enough away from you to grab your bag and escape into the night, making it back to your apartment. You count the money and realize you can pay off your bills and car repairs with a little extra to do some grocery shopping. You hid the money and began getting ready for bed.

You lay there thinking about everything. The bright lights of the city a little more dim in this section of the neighborhood. You could hear people, a few taxis and stray cats in the alleys. The darkness in your room seem to almost form in the corner of the room. It was so dark, even Shovel was looking over there.

You hear shuffling and see your neighbor walking down the fire escape, passing your window. Yea, Eddie was a weird one. He spent a lot of time either stuck in his place or on the roof, but he was super nice. A bit awkward and he seemed to always be talking to himself, but he’s been nothing but a considerate neighbor since he moved in from San Francisco. He always checked on you and made sure you were okay.

As the night goes on, you can’t help but think about a better life. You didn’t wanna be a millionaire, no that was unnecessary, you just wanted to be comfortable. You wanted to be able to not worry about whether or not you would eat dinner that night. You didn’t want a family, for several reasons. You would be perfectly happy if it was just you for the rest of your life. And Shovel of course.

You fall asleep to the dream of you finding a lovely little condo in the better part of queens and living your best life with you cat.

“She’s got powers Tony! I don’t even think she knows that she does!” Peter Parker says leaving a frantic voicemail on his dads mentors phone once again. “Just-i don’t know, you should’ve seen the way she moved, it was like watching Mr Barnes fight, or-or like when Mr Loki does is magic stuff. It was insane, Tony. Well, that’s all i’ve got for tonight. See ya soon.”

Once he hung up the phone the young man couldn’t help but revel in what had just happened. Hells Angel was something, he’s not quite sure what yet, but it’s got to be something. She didn’t even realize her eyes glowing with power. Peter has fought many villains with powers but none like this. She was dangerous, she just didn’t know how dangerous she truly was.

You woke up the same way you always do, Shovel screaming and begging to be fed, even though you knew he’d broken into his cat treats. You groan and peek an eye looking at the cat.

“You know it’s not polite to yell at people while their sleeping?” You croak, your voice still heavy with sleep. You roll out of bed and trudge to the small kitchen, filling the cat bowl with food.

You make yourself bitter coffee and go sit in your living room to watch some TV. After a while, you phone got a buzz.

chandler

goodmorning beauty, you down to grab coffee? ;)

You roll your eyes at the annoying text. You’d met chandler at some store a few weeks ago. You slept with him once, figuring he’d understand a one time thing. He didn’t. He’d been trying to get you to go out with him forever. You decided to go ahead and rip the bandaid off, you’ll meet him for coffee, rip his little heart out and move on.

sure. i’ve been meaning to talk to you...20 mins at cabin fever?

You began getting ready once he texted back. You put a comfortable outfit and your vans and walk out the front door, heading towards the cafe.

“There she is! Hey princess, how ya been?” You hear Chandlers voice before you see him. You look at him in disgust. He looks like he walked out of the “i’m cool, please give me attention and make everything about me” catalog.

“Chandler, sit” You say smiling.

“So what’s up pumpkin?” He says with a smirk on his face.

“Y/n. My names y/n and I suggest you use it before your tongue gets hacked off” You speak.

“Wow there y/n, what’s your issue? You on your period or something?”

His comment only infuriated you more. What kind of lowlife sexist asshole.

“Chandler, can we go for a walk, it’s hot in here.” You whine taking off your light weight jacket.

“Sure thang” He smiles, grabbing your hand and leading you to the street. “So what’d you wanna y’all about?” He asks once you’re walking down a fairly empty block.

“Oh yea. Leave me alone, I get we had sex, but come on man, you gotta get over it. I can’t be in a committed anything at the moment. I’ve got a lot goin on” You say looking him directly in his eyes.

“Don’t be so harsh kitten” He spits his voice becoming darker. He lightly grabs your arm to pull you closer. He didn’t not wanna play this game.

“get your hand off of me before you see what harsh is” You snarl at him.

“I don’t know who you think you’re talking to, but it sure as hell aint me baby cakes.” He pushes you into an alley and against a wall.

“You have till I get to 3, are we clear?”

“What’re you my mother?” He laughs in your face. Your eyes squint and you feel a surge go through you, the same feeling as when you’re Hells Angel.

“Three” You spit through your teeth, your free hand grabs his arm and twists it around, wrapping it around his neck.

“It would be such a shame” You tighten the grip as you speak “If I just snapped your neck, leaving you dead in the little alley” He tenses up and begins begging you, using any pet name he can think of. You let go, but quickly kick him in his back, causing him to stumble forward, you quickly draw the hidden knife from your hiding spot on your waist, and point it at the base of his neck. You push it in, hearing a quick yell and then gurgling and then silence. You let his body fall to the ground, lifeless.

“Sorry bout that, baby cakes” You spit before wiping the knife on his shirt and waking away. 

The power coursing through your veins was unspeakable and unstoppable, mixing dangerously with hidden anger and resentment you’ve kept deep down. Hell’s Angel was beginning to overtake you, and the scariest part, you welcomed it.

taglist: @detroitconnorfangirl @unicorn-sparkles123

[westakoasta]

P-MINUS - 2019

Where are you from? And what’s your first memories linked to hip hop?

I’ve lived all over - Belgium, Germany, Ohio, Missouri, the Virgin Islands, San Francisco, and now Los Angeles.  But I spent the most years, including high school and college, in Missouri, so I feel like that’s where “I’m from.”  I first remember hearing hip hop while living on St. Thomas (in the Virgin Islands) and the three songs that started me on this journey were “I Need Love,” by LL Cool J, “You Be Illin’” by Run-DMC and “Fight For Your Right To Party” by the Beastie Boys.  I must have heard them on the radio, so that would have been 1987 - the year of my hip hop birth.  In 1988, I moved back to Missouri and a neighbor of mine had a ton of rap tapes so I’d borrow his tapes all the time or listen to them in his car on the drive to school.  I believe that the first tape I ever bought was Schooly D’s “Smoke Some Kill” (1988).

What got you started with Atak Distribution, how and when did it begin?

Fast forward to 1994 - I had graduated from college, where I had been the Hip Hop Director at the school’s radio station, and moved to San Francisco where I began an internship at Gavin, a music magazine that curated Top 40 lists for radio programmers.  Somehow through that job, I met DJ Stef (editor of the Vinyl Exchange) and started writing record reviews for her.  And on one fateful day, I received a copy of Sacred Hoop’s “Demo” tape for review and I thought it was the freshest thing in the world and in 1996 I officially became an underground hip hop junkie.

Were you a hardcore music collector before you started Atak?

Before Atak, I had a decent cd and record collection, full of ‘90s “golden era” major label releases, but hardly any tapes and barely anything considered “indie” or “underground.”  Back then I wasn’t a collector, just a music fan, because all this incredible music was just sitting at the record stores for $12.99.  I shopped a lot at Amoeba and Rasputin’s and a few other smaller stores in the Bay area, plus a few record labels and artists would send me promos for review.

How did you choose what would be in your catalog? How did you make contacts with the artists?

Starting with Sacred Hoop, I was certain that this amazing group wasn’t getting the exposure it deserved, so the seeds of Atak were first planted.  I then started soliciting for more submissions through the Vinyl Exchange and some other Bay area rap magazines, such as 4080.  I think that the Hoop started spreading the word, too, because I soon started getting tapes from the likes of FTA, Megabusive, San Francisco Street Music, Jedi Knights Circle, 99th Demention and others from the South Bay and SF.  Somewhere in there, I met up with the Mystic Journeymen, bought some tapes from them, and was eventually exposed to Berkeley and Oakland artists such as the Living Legends, Hobo Junction, Zion-I and Illa Dapted.  If I liked your tape, it would get in the Atak catalog.  The first printed mail-order catalog had 12 tapes in it and the very first tape sold was Mystik Journeymen’s “Escape Forever” on August 10th, 1996.

Was the mail-order a full time job or did you have other occupations (studies, other job?)?

During the first few years I had several jobs: the Gavin internship became a paid job, I worked at a grocery store and then later at a vegetarian cafe.  Eventually, since my rent was cheap and I was starting to sell more music, I was able to do Atak full-time.  All the storage and shipping was done out of my bedroom.

Did you have many overseas/international customers and what role did that play in the business?

It looks like I started getting my first international orders (from Finland!) in 1997.  I don’t know how they found out about Atak, but they were serious fans of West Coast underground so word spreads fast amongst those folks.  Fans in Finland, Australia, Canada and Japan were my strongest supporters, with a few folks in France and Germany, too.  This was before I started selling online, so these folks were trusting me with their cash and money orders and I will be forever indebted to them.  Through these customers, I was exposed to international hip hop and eventually started selling music from the likes of Ceebrolistics, the Sebutones, mcenroe, Mary Joy Recordings, Muphin and the Hilltop Hoods.

What was the « peak » year in terms of sales and in terms of quality of music?

After a year or so of mailing out catalogs and setting up tables of merchandise at shows, Atak finally got online with the help of one of my earliest customers, Todd (aka Vic aka Celph Titled), who was extremely active on hip hop message boards, and he really helped spread the word around the U.S. and the world, so Atak started getting more non-Bay area music in the catalog and I started getting  orders from everywhere.  I think that the music quality was strong start to finish.  I was listening to everything before I put it in the catalog, and if it wasn’t dope, it didn’t get in.

Did you ever wanted to make Atak a bigger thing, like UGHH or such?

There was a time in which I would have loved for Atak to get really big, because it was all so much fun - all the shows, meeting the artists, hearing a ton of new music, even the packing and shipping was fun for me.  But in hindsight, it is clear that I was better at being a huge fan of the music rather than being a savvy businessperson.  At the point in which digital music started taking off, I didn’t have the technical knowhow to adjust accordingly, and a big part of me still simply loved selling physical copies.  As a fan, I didn’t want everything to go digital, but as a businessperson I should have dived in headfirst to keep up with the other big websites.  I admired what the other sites were doing, and what friends like Shane (aka Kegs) was doing with Below the Surface - putting out records, putting on shows, opening a brick-and-mortar storefront.  But part of me liked keeping things small and simple, but that clearly pushed me into smaller and more obscure corner of the online hip hop biz and eventually bumped me out of it altogether.

You did some cd-r reissues as well as a couple of mix-cds. Any temptation of launching a proper record label (as in: « new release, no reissue ») at some point?

I’d been wanting FOREVER to start a label and put out records!  I made a feeble attempt to put out an Atak compilation in the late ‘90s, full of all the folks that were in my catalog at the time.  I was able to get maybe 7-10 crews over to my house one night to talk about it, but since I had no idea how to really put it all together, I ended up getting one original song, from Nitrous Ox, out of that great big idea.  More recently, I’ve been hoping to help folks put out releases but nothing has materialized just yet.  Nowadays almost everyone is really good at getting this stuff done themselves, so I’m happy that they are taking control of their destinies and getting their music out to the world.

Can you give us your personal Top 5 favorites in your sale catalog? Also one that you think was dope and didn’t have the recognition it deserved?

In no particular order, I’ll list a few of my favorites, but I’m obligated to mention Sacred Hoop’s “Demo” (aka “Sacred Hoop” aka “Runny Poop”) first since that tape inspired everything.  I was also thrilled to be able to pick up indie music from the Hieroglyphics (“Hiero Oldies”)and Saafir (Hobo Junction’s “Limited Edition Compilation”) since I was such a fan of their major label stuff.  I really liked Red Tide’s “Rogue MCs” tape.  Disflex6’s self-titled debut (aka “1984”) was great.  The Kracken’s “Abstract & Cognac” left me wanting much more.  The Sebutones’ “50/50 Where It Counts” blew my mind!  Early stuff Dose One and Why? showed me that hip hop had no boundaries.  This is an extremely abbreviated favorites list - as I look back through my old catalogs, I realize that I loved them all.  It was all so new and so fresh and I think these artists all deserved more recognition than they got.  I’m glad that I could help expose them a bit but I wish I could have done a lot more.

Did you developed friendship with artists/crews over those years and do you have interesting stories/ anecdotes linked to that?

My anecdotal memory is terrible so I’ve sadly forgotten a ton of great stories, fantastic show moments and hilarious conversations.  Looking back, I should have kept a journal or taken a million photographs, because we all had so much fun and did so much back then.  But, luckily for me, I’ve been able to keep in touch with a few of my very favorite people, emcees Luke Sick (Sacred Hoop/Grand Invincible) and Roughneck Jihad (Third Sight), and producer Deeskee (who has probably produced more songs in the Atak catalog than anyone else).  And luckily for everyone else, all three of these guys are still making incredible music, more than 20 years after giving me tapes to review.  A few weeks ago I got to hang out with The Grouch for a bit and he gave me a copy of his “F...the Dumb” double vinyl, 20 years after I first sold that tape in the catalog.

Why (and when) did you stopped Atak?

Atak started to slow down around 2004.  I had recently moved from the Bay area down to Los Angeles, gotten married, bought a house, and started another job that was able to pay the bills more reliably.  I was still getting orders and submissions from new artists, but wasn’t able to give Atak the focus it required to really push new artists and releases.  I didn’t have time to go to many shows anymore, and all my hip hop buddies were still up in the Bay.  I had ambitions to reboot the website, but then my web host got hacked and I had to shut down the site...and then I never got it back online.  I eventually moved my inventory onto some other online platforms and kept selling, but for the most part, Atak was done.  I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize to the artists who submitted music around this time.  I was getting some great music but just didn’t have juice to do anything with it.

Any thoughts on the evolution of hip hop? What about the the come back of the cassette? Is it possible that Atak would make a comeback in the future, in some form or another?

Tough question, because I don’t keep up with much truly “underground” music anymore, so I really hope that there are a ton of dope kids putting out dope music out there, and I’m sure there are plenty of them.  I love 90’s hip hop so much, both major label and my Atak stuff, that that is what I still listen to the most, digging in my records, tapes and cds or bumping music in my car.  I agree with most true heads that a lot of today’s hip hop is junk, and though I’m happy to see rappers get big and make money, I’d much rather that it be good, original and compelling hip hop.  I’m stoked to see everyone buying and releasing tapes again, because of my love for the physical copy (though I agree that a free or cheap digital download is an essential part of that sale).  And in regards to Atak’s great big comeback, I don’t think it will happen - it would require too much time and energy to do it right.  But if I can still help out a few people, promote a few records, maybe even sell a few for my old pals, I’m happy to contribute.

A specific question from the homie Age: do you still want to reissue that Hi-State album?

I bugged my man Mr. E about that tape FOREVER and at least he finally put it up on Bandcamp (https://eightarrow.bandcamp.com/album/hi-state-project-demos-n-shit-vol-1) and we chatted about putting out a cassette reissue.  I’m sure he wouldn’t have much trouble selling a short run of 100 tapes, so I’ll remind him about it.  But I’m happy that fans can at least take a listen or buy it online.

What do you think was the most special in the 90's underground scene, and do you believe something like that would ever happen again?

I’ve never really tried to analyze that scene, but in retrospect, I bet that a lot of these emcees, producers and deejays were inspired by all the incredible major label releases that kept pouring out in that decade.  So much quality hip hop was coming out and it was easy to see on “Yo! MTV Raps” and BET and the good stuff was even getting on the radio!  It was everywhere and it was so damn good!  I’m sure that these kids just wanted to be a part of that magical time, and a lot of the underground music was super fresh, too, because it wasn’t easy to make beats and put out cds - they had to commit to it and create a whole scene and they had to be dope to do it.  Granted, I’m a old nostalgic rap dude now, but I don’t think the major or the underground scene will ever be that saturated with fantastically innovative, powerful, creative and inspired hip hop.  Nowadays there isn’t enough inspiration in the scene for there to be an onslaught of great new hip hop like there was for me back in the days.  There will always be a lucky few who can inspire themselves to be original and make great music, and hopefully these kids will get a chance to be heard.

Interview conducted by Kaliyuga Pro & Pseudzero with a bonus cameo by Age, february 2019.

[san-francisco-ca-life]

The Brady

You may be wondering why more people these days are choosing to live in pet friendlyapartments in San Francisco than own a home. Apart from the affordability, the new apartments in San Francisco matches with the busy and modern lifestyle of people. If you live in pet friendly apartments for rent in SanFrancisco, you can forget about the regular maintenance and repair that goes with owning a house. Studio apartmentsin San Francisco allows you to enjoy the most luxurious amenities like access to fitness center, 24/7 security system, and landscaped community areas. At The Brady, you can experience the best of urban living with your two-bedroom apartments in San Francisco. Call them today and schedule your tour.

San Francisco, California

Since San Francisco is a very popular city in the US, many people are dreaming of living here. But before you pack your things, you must know that while the city is packed with opportunities, there are also some negative aspects that you must consider. San Francisco comes with high cost of living and soaring house rent. The crime rate is also high compared with the national average. As a highly populated city, you must be ready to be caught in terrible traffic from time to time. The urban living also requires a fast-paced lifestyle. But if you like the hustle and bustle of city life, you will find San Francisco as a great place to live because of its attractive job market, highly diverse people, and modern skyscrapers that make the city alive.

Golden Gate Park

The Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is the third most visited park in the country. With 25 million people visiting the place, you should not miss the opportunity to see this urban park when you come to the city. The iconic park features several entertainment amenities like gardens, museums, lakes, children’s carousel, and sculptures. It is also open for private events like weddings and birthdays. This urban park lies in over 1,000 acres of land and it is under the management of the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. There are also areas for athletic courses like baseball, soccer, and golf.

5.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits San Francisco

The US Geological Survey recorded a 5.1 magnitude earthquake at 11:42 am around San Francisco Bay Area last Tuesday and an aftershock followed 5 minutes later. There are no reported casualties and injuries from the incident but authorities appeal to residents to be extra vigilant. Earthquakes come with no warning thus, preparedness is always important. During an earthquake, it is best to drop to the ground and take cover under a sturdy furniture. Always protect your head from possible impact. Once the earthquake is over, go out of the building fast but do not use an elevator. Find an open space away from buildings or power lines.

Link to Map

Driving Direction

Golden Gate Park

San Francisco, CA, United States

Head east on Oak St toward Shrader St

1.7 mi

Turn right onto Gough St

0.1 mi

Turn left to stay on Gough St

85 ft

Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Market St

 Destination will be on the right

394 ft

The Brady

1 Brady St, San Francisco, 

CA 94103, United States

[swimfaye]

List This! WHAT I WON'T BUY, PARTICIPATE, OR DO

 As the year winds down we start to make a list of shopping or something...here is the list of things, participation, and stuff 

That I WILL NOT DO .....

Number 1: Start a Podcast, Twitter Space, or LinkedIn Audio. 

Noise Pollution is real and while I may be a guest in the future on a podcast I won't start one. 

Number 2: Buy any more SHEIN Clothing. The abhorrent treatment of the people in China has got to be held accountable. I am starting to recycle a majority of my clothing and

equally because of Etsy and even Amazon producers you can purchase clothes directly from producers that are ethically producing goods. Plus, find a good seamstress and you can save your clothing budget. 

Number 3: Participate in my Employer's Health Insurance while I am making X Dollars. The fact that when I utilize California Covered I can now deduct a % of the payment in my taxes (SAVING ME THOUSANDS). I will buy my own. Now, if i end up paying a % of my health insurance through my employer I will change my mind. This year my tax bill is HIGH and I am going to need to chop it down. 

Number 4: Pay $2000 in Rent. Why? My father's monthly mortgage payment was $2000 a month plus a property tax and plus a yearly water bill for a total yearly cost of $35,000 on a mortgage fixed rate of 11.4% which was around the $410,000 for a 4 bedroom 3 bathroom house. Yes, I could adjust for inflation and such still the general rule sapplies if I get a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom 700 square foot house shouldn't be $3,500 a month. I can go on the whole comparing apples to apples ( he got a housing stipend, he had better credit than I, and he was a caucasian male ). This hard line is probably going to push me out of the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Number 5: I am not going to Vacation in Maui,Hawaii or the Hawaiian islands. If you don't know my formative years Thanksgiving holiday was spent in Maui, Hawaii ending in 1994. To say I am spoiled is an understatement. Yet, the literal plundering of the Hawaiian Native lands by Billionaires is ABHORRENT People should not vacation there. I won't. 

Number 6: Get A TV.

Okay, yes, my landlord has a TV in my abode but, I rarely turn it on. I am always utilizing my laptop or pad for watching/ projecting/ sharing videos and such. A TV is great but its run its course and the amount of hazardous waste in a TV is unbelievable. The screen alone is very very toxic. 

Number 7: Get an iPhone. The caveat is if my job insists or provides one for me. The consumption of these devices do not serve the greater good. The waste and again the abhorrent working conditions of these products is not worth the $$$$ price tag. If my job gives one to me then fine, but I am always going to have an Android. 

Number 8: Get a Purple/Foam Mattress in a Box. Yes, I had a horrible experience with BedBugs in 2016 is when I switched bedding. Yet, recently there has been little if none talk about the Mattress in a Box Environmental problems -or health problems. There are lots first make sure your mattress is not petroleum based . 

Number 9: Buy Shoes over $100.

 I know I sound horrible don't I? I won't buy a shirt that costs $4.99 on Shein, but I won't buy a brand new XYZ shoe that's over $100? Why? First off, you can usually find gently used expensive shoes at 2nd hand stores and online consignment shops. Secondly, I have spent an incredible amount on shoes and my feet HURT! Thirdly, when I have splurged on a "high ticket" pair of shoes guess what my "commute" proved to be too tough for them from splitting sides to toe blow outs in like week 3 of ownership. Yes, I can get a cobbler to fix these but today a shoe repair cost is about 75% and I am not buying these shoes twice. 

Number 10: Get Botox: I admit between gaining and losing weight I have my father's jowls and not in the "cute" way either. 

There is about a million ways to tighten said beagle cheeks but, botox is not for me. Plus, its not a one and done kind of thing...you have to do about five micro injections on each side to fix them and it will only last about 5 months at a staggering $1000. I'd rather spend my money on health insurance instead.

[globaltalentexchange]

A R2I STORY: SADANAND SINGH

Mr. Sadanand Singh is currently working as a Principal Research Scientist. He had moved to San Francisco, USA to pursue his Ph.D., which is where he began his professional journey. 

He has an impressive professional journey, with over 10+ years of experience with deep learning, machine learning, numerical modeling, and scientific computing in production environments. He also has an excellent publication record with 600+ citations in high-profile journals like Nature Materials.

Our team was interested in getting to know him better, understanding his path, and getting feedback on his experience working with GTX.

Read on for a glimpse into Sadanand’s journey.

Could you give us a brief about yourself?

I am currently the principal scientist at Micron India, after making my move back to India from the U.S. with the help of GTX.

I had shifted to the U.S. for my Ph.D., after which I worked at several reputed companies as well as with a couple of start-ups. 

What made you choose the U.S. for pursuing higher education?

India is great for an undergrad degree, however, back in 2008, I felt the opportunities for higher studies were better in the west. I was seeking a high quality of education, which is why I moved. 

How was your experience in the U.S. during your time there?

When you are young, new experiences are definitely exciting- personally as well as professionally. There were other Indians that I connected with as well. 

One thing to mention was that the academic experience was both challenging as well as humbling for sure. 

While in the West, did you feel anything was lacking? What made you consider a move back to the homeland?

Though I felt relatively satisfied professionally, I felt something missing in the personal aspect. Once you grow up and mature, you realize the importance of family and it dawns on you on a daily basis just how much you miss them. I felt very lonely at times. The family structure in the U.S. is nuclear, which is very different from what we’re used to back home. It hits harder once festivals like Diwali come around- you think you can just go back to visit, but how often can you do that, after all? I also really missed the food back home.

An obstacle that I faced in the U.S. was the terrible medical/healthcare system. Everything seems hunky dory till you fall ill, after which you can easily lose a majority of your savings- the American dream comes crashing. 

How long did you plan for the move before actually taking the plunge?

We (my wife and I) had started contemplating the move back in 2019. Covid in 2020 gave us even more time to consider our priorities and think them through. I wasn’t sure about the opportunities available in India. Collectively, we were earning nearly half a million in the U.S. but I didn’t find such pay in India. Luckily, once GTX contacted me with an awesome role, the pace increased. After that, it just took 3-4 months. 

How did you tackle this salary gap? How did you come to terms with what was being offered here?

I talked to a lot of people who work in India and have built impressive careers. It made me realize the quality of life that was possible with even the minimum that I was being offered back home. The lifestyle this kind of salary can get you is great and impressive. I live a lot better than I did in the U.S.

For example- I was renting a 2 bedroom house there, and paying triple the rent that I would have to here. Now, I am living in a 5-bedroom villa, and I can afford to hire a driver as well. 

This kind of lifestyle is something I could not have even imagined in the West. 

Do you think a lot of the NRIs scare away because of the salary discrepancies? 

Definitely. I feel a lot of people, especially my generation, don’t realize the opportunities in India and the changes that have taken place. Just, for example, the UPI system is brilliant. India is booming – in fact, the U.S is still lacking in several aspects. 

Did you face any hindrances/obstacles during your move back?

No, I didn’t. I really appreciate Micron for making the move easy for me- they helped in every regard. Global Talent Exchange helped immensely as well and made the cross-country moving process way easier. 

What were you seeking out in the career opportunities in India? 

I did set firm boundaries and operated my search within that. I was not willing to take a probational shortcut. I was also not willing to take any steps back, and my professional career should not be compromised. I wanted to remain in the research field. While I was applying, all I could think of were the IITs. It was a rigorous process- luckily, GTX approached me. It made the entire journey efficient and manageable. 

Would you agree that a good opportunity requires some digging and patience? 

I 100% agree! A lot of the NRIs are unaware of what steps MNCs are taking to grow their business in India. It’s also important to mention that a large number of people are under the impression that India is a “back office”. That’s not the case anymore at all. It’s also difficult to find something that aligns with the competencies of the NRIs that have good work experience and have built a strong skill set. Back then, even I didn’t think it would be possible to get the kind of role I got in Micron. GTX helped massively.

How was your experience working with the GTX team throughout the entire process? 

From the time the team initially contacted me till the time I made my move back, they were very helpful. The recruiter helped me understand the title and walked me through the requirements and the company profile. Even though it was during Diwali (festival time), I noticed that there were efforts made to prevent any lapses from either end. After I was connected to Micron, I felt an instant “click”.

GTX made my life easier, I would say. They were very considerate about my schedule and time zone and planned the meetings at a time that was suitable for both. They enabled conversations and followed up regularly. I really appreciate your active involvement and efforts. 

Could you talk about some of the myths that you were holding on to back in the U.S. about what life would be like back in India? 

Definitely the lifestyle aspect- did not think such a luxurious life is possible. Also, I didn’t know India has the kind of opportunities that I now realize it does. I’ve got an impressive position back home. 

There’s also no dearth of anything that you may want- in fact, the choices are endless. For example: If you feel like eating a homely meal, India has a wide variety of “dhabas” (small food joints) but also has stunning 5-star hotels where you could dine in luxury. 

Also, I thought I wouldn’t be able to access nature walks and beaches as I did in the U.S. However, even in India, several people have gotten together to form backpacking groups, tour groups, etc. Everything is available, you just have to find it. 

If you could convey any message to the NRIs that might be looking to move back, what would you say? What developments would you tell them about?

The digital payment system is very impressive and India is headed toward building a cashless economy. The developments in Southern India are something to be marveled at. Bangalore and Hyderabad are a few places that have no dearth of opportunities- in fact, they are at par with the U.S. I would say that there are several job opportunities similar to the San Francisco Bay Area. 

I would definitely advise them to be open about it, and talk to a lot of people. I would urge them to not squash the feeling- if they have an inkling that they want to move back, they shouldn’t ignore it- the emotion is arising for a reason. I would recommend that they research, talk to friends and talk to family. Most importantly, I would recommend they talk to Global Talent Exchange!

Lastly, I would tell them that they can easily find what they seek, they just have to be patient. 

[newstfionline]

The Homeless Crisis Is Getting Worse in America’s Richest Cities

Bloomberg, November 20, 2018

It was just after 10 p.m. on an overcast September night in Los Angeles, and L. was tired from a long day of class prep, teaching, and grading papers. So the 57-year-old anthropology professor fed her Chihuahua-dachshund mix a freeze-dried chicken strip, swapped her cigarette trousers for stretchy black yoga pants, and began to unfold a set of white sheets and a beige cotton blanket to make up her bed.

But first she had to recline the passenger seat of her 2015 Nissan Leaf as far as it would go--that being her bed in the parking lot she’d called home for almost three months. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was playing on her iPad as she drifted off for another night. “Like sleeping on an airplane--but not in first class,” she said. That was in part by design. “I don’t want to get more comfortable. I want to get out of here.”

L., who asked to go by her middle initial for fear of losing her job, couldn’t afford her apartment earlier this year after failing to cobble together enough teaching assignments at two community colleges. By July she’d exhausted her savings and turned to a local nonprofit called Safe Parking L.A., which outfits a handful of lots around the city with security guards, port-a-potties, Wi-Fi, and solar-powered electrical chargers. Sleeping in her car would allow her to save for a deposit on an apartment. On that night in late September, under basketball hoops owned by an Episcopal church in Koreatown, she was one of 16 people in 12 vehicles. Ten of them were female, two were children, and half were employed.

The headline of the press release announcing the results of the county’s latest homeless census strikes a note of progress: “2018 Homeless Count Shows First Decrease in Four Years.” In some ways that’s true. The figure for people experiencing homelessness dropped 4 percent, a record number got placed in housing, and chronic and veteran homelessness fell by double digits. But troubling figures lurk. The homeless population is still high, at 52,765--up 47 percent from 2012. Those who’d become homeless for the first time jumped 16 percent from last year, to 9,322 people, and the county provided shelter for roughly 5,000 fewer people than in 2011.

All this in a year when the economy in L.A., as in the rest of California and the U.S., is booming. That’s part of the problem. Federal statistics show homelessness overall has been trending down over the past decade as the U.S. climbed back from the Great Recession, the stock market reached all-time highs, and unemployment sank to a generational low. Yet in many cities, homelessness has spiked.

It’s most stark and visible out West, where shortages of shelter beds force people to sleep in their vehicles or on the street. In Seattle, the number of “unsheltered” homeless counted on a single night in January jumped 15 percent this year from 2017--a period when the value of Amazon.com Inc., one of the city’s dominant employers, rose 68 percent, to $675 billion. In California, home to Apple, Facebook, and Google, some 134,000 people were homeless during the annual census for the Department of Housing and Urban Development in January last year, a 14 percent jump from 2016. About two-thirds of them were unsheltered, the highest rate in the nation.

At least 10 cities on the West Coast have declared states of emergency in recent years. San Diego and Tacoma, Wash., recently responded by erecting tents fit for disaster relief areas to provide shelter for their homeless. Seattle and Sacramento may be next.

The reason the situation has gotten worse is simple enough to understand, even if it defies easy solution: A toxic combo of slow wage growth and skyrocketing rents has put housing out of reach for a greater number of people. According to Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored housing giant, the portion of rental units affordable to low earners plummeted 62 percent from 2010 to 2016.

Rising housing costs don’t predestine people to homelessness. But without the right interventions, the connection can become malignant. Research by Zillow Group Inc. last year found that a 5 percent increase in rents in L.A. translates into about 2,000 more homeless people, among the highest correlations in the U.S. The median rent for a one-bedroom in the city was $2,371 in September, up 43 percent from 2010. Similarly, consultant McKinsey & Co. recently concluded that the runup in housing costs was 96 percent correlated with Seattle’s soaring homeless population. Even skeptics have come around to accepting the relationship. “I argued for a long time that the homelessness issue wasn’t due to rents,” says Joel Singer, chief executive officer of the California Association of Realtors. “I can’t argue that anymore.”

Homelessness first gained national attention in the 1980s, when declining incomes, cutbacks to social safety net programs, and a shrinking pool of affordable housing began tipping people into crisis. President Ronald Reagan dubiously argued that homelessness was a lifestyle choice. By the mid-2000s, though, the federal government was taking a more productive approach. George W. Bush’s administration pushed for a “housing first” model that prioritized getting people permanent shelter before helping them with drug addiction or mental illness. Barack Obama furthered the effort in his first term and, in 2010, vowed to end chronic and veteran homelessness in five years and child and family homelessness by 2020.

Rising housing costs are part of the reason some of those deadlines were missed. The Trump administration’s proposal to hike rents on people receiving federal housing vouchers, and require they work, would only make the goals more elusive. Demand for rental assistance has long outstripped supply, leading to yearslong waits for people who want help. But even folks who are lucky enough to have vouchers are increasingly struggling to use them in hot housing markets. A survey by the Urban Institute this year found that more than three-quarters of L.A. landlords rejected tenants receiving rental assistance.

It’s not bad everywhere. Houston, the fourth-most-populous city in the nation, has cut its homeless population in half since 2011, in part by creating more housing for them. That’s dampened the effect of rising rents, Zillow found. Meanwhile, the nonprofit Community Solutions has worked with Chicago, Phoenix, and other cities to gather quality, real-time data about their homeless populations so they can better coordinate their interventions and prioritize spending. The approach has effectively ended veterans’ homelessness in eight communities, including Riverside County in California.

Efficiency can go only so far. More resources are needed in the places struggling the most with homelessness. McKinsey calculated that to shelter people adequately, Seattle would have to increase its outlay to as much as $410 million a year, double what it spends now. Still, that’s less than the $1.1 billion the consultants estimate it costs “as a result of extra policing, lost tourism and business, and the frequent hospitalization of those living on the streets.” Study after study, from California to New York, has drawn similar conclusions. “Doing nothing isn’t doing nothing,” says Sara Rankin, a professor at Seattle University’s School of Law and the director of the Homeless Rights Advocacy Project. “Doing nothing costs more money.”

Then there’s the moral argument for action. “It’s outrageous to me that in a country with so much wealth--and certainly enough for everybody--that there are people who lack even the basics for survival,” says Maria Foscarinis, founder and executive director of the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty. Appeals to humanity were part of the strategy in the 1980s, when she and other activists helped push through the first major federal legislation to fight homelessness. Her organization has led a charge against laws that make it a crime to sleep outside in public places, one of the more insidious ways politicians have addressed the crisis. In July the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the unconstitutionality of such bans in a case that Foscarinis’s group--along with Idaho Legal Aid Services and Latham & Watkins--brought against two such ordinances in Boise. “As long as there is no option of sleeping indoors, the government cannot criminalize indigent, homeless people for sleeping outdoors, on public property, on the false premise they had a choice in the matter,” the court wrote. The ruling has led cities, including Portland, Ore., and Berkeley, Calif., to change their policies.

To placate angry constituents, officials too often settle for temporary solutions, such as sweeps of tent encampments and street cleaning. San Francisco Mayor London Breed recently scored some publicity, carrying a broom out to the “dirtiest” block in the city for a photo op with the New York Times. In other places, there’s simply a vacuum of leadership coordinating the patchwork of agencies, nonprofits, and religious organizations trying to help. After reporting intensively for a year on homelessness in the Puget Sound region, the Seattle Times put it bluntly: “No one is in charge.”

Meanwhile, the businesses responsible for much of the area’s economic fortunes, as well as rising housing costs, have been slow to throw their weight behind solutions. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos recently earmarked a portion of his $2 billion philanthropic pledge for homeless services--only months after his company fought aggressively to beat back a modest tax on large employers in Seattle that would have raised less than $50 million a year for the same.

Blaming people who are trying to get back on their feet is probably the least productive way to solve the crisis. Consider Mindy Woods, a single mother and U.S. Navy veteran who lives in a Seattle suburb. In 2010 she developed autoimmune diseases that made her chronically tired and caused so much pain she struggled to work at the insurance company where she’d been selling disability policies. “I was just a mess,” she says. “I had to quit my job.” To help pay rent for the apartment where she lived with her son, she babysat, watched neighbors’ pets, and led a Camp Fire youth group. Still, she and her son ended up having to leave the apartment because of a serious mold infestation, kicking off an eight-month period when they couch-surfed and spent time in a motel and shelter. It was a challenge just to refrigerate her son’s diabetes medicine.

They eventually were accepted into a transitional apartment, where they stayed for 3½ years. But in 2015 her landlord stopped accepting vouchers. Woods had to race to find another apartment owner who’d take her voucher before it lapsed. Application after application got rejected. “The discrimination was alive and well,” she says. Another eight months passed. When she finally found an apartment, there wasn’t room for her son. They had no choice but to separate, and he now lives nearby. Woods bristles when people blame the homeless for their predicament. “This is not about drugs, this is not about mental illness, this is not about lazy people,” she says. “We were doing everything we could to stay in houses.”

[blogsteveclark12]

12 Things to Buy Used If You Want to Save Money

1) Clothes

Buying used clothes in one of the easiest ways to save money. I’ve found thrift and second-hand stores to be great for finding casual weekend wear and business casual clothes.  

I can’t tell you how many Banana Republic and J. Crew items I see every time I browse the racks. Some people might think that only old, worn, unfashionable clothes are found second-hand but that’s not true.

Related items worth buying second-hand:

Designer clothes and purses – Designer clothes are expensive. Let someone else pay the bulk of the cost by buying them retail first. Then you can save by buying second-hand. Just be sure to read up on the difference between counterfeit and authentic products to ensure you get the real thing.

School uniforms – Some schools that require uniforms (e.g., Catholic schools with plaid skirts), have programs for parents to sell their children’s old uniforms. Many children will outgrow their clothes while they’re still in good condition.

2)  Wedding dresses

Most women wear their wedding dress for one day and maybe only a few hours at that, so it might not make sense to spend a few thousand on a dress.

You can get one for much less than retail if you’re open to wearing a used one. Most sellers are willing to negotiate too because they really want to sell, so negotiations favor the buyer.

Take a good look at the website’s and seller’s return policies before purchasing. Many times there are no refunds.

Ask lots of questions and ask for more pictures if needed. If you can, try on the style in a store first to be sure it’s the one and then buy it second-hand.  

3)  Jewelry

Fine jewelry is another area where resale prices are often much lower than retail. You can even buy an affordable engagement ring second-hand.

If you’re a fan of vintage or antique pieces, you can find beautiful pieces in styles that aren’t even made anymore. Shop at local jewelers, estate sales, and online for the best finds.

4)  Baby items

Babies grow quickly and often outgrow their clothes and toys before they’ve gotten much or any use. I’ve seen lots of children and baby clothes still with tags on them at the thrift stores.

And it’s not just clothes too. Toys like play mats are quickly outgrown too. Check out online parent groups for listings.

5)  Toys & Games

Having stepped into the houses of friends and family with young children recently, I’ve been blown away by the number of toys they have. Livings rooms and bedrooms full of toys, more than the children can reasonably play with. Those toys and games end up as donations to the thrift store or offered at garage sales.

My favorite thing to buy is puzzles, but I’ve seen plenty of games like Operation and Chutes and Ladders on shelves too.

I avoid plush animals because goodness knows what’s on them. Anything that looks in good condition and can be wiped down with sanitizer wipes is fair game

6)  Books & Textbooks

Anyone who has been in school and had to buy their own books knows that textbooks are expensive. I remember having to budget several hundred dollars each semester in college just to be sure I bought all the books I needed.

I bought second-hand where I could, rented, and even borrowed a few. I didn’t matter if a book was a slightly older version as long as I could get the same information and do the homework.

If you need the book in your profession, it might be worth buying a new copy to keep. Otherwise, go second-hand and sell it when you’re done using it.

For other books, try the public library. You can borrow books for free or buy used books there for cheap. I borrow everything and only buy a book when I know I’m going to read it over and over again.

7)  Furniture

If you’ve tried to furnish a home with furniture bought at retail, you know how expensive it can be. Thankfully, some people barely use the furniture they buy.

Maybe they decide to redecorate or they are moving and have to sell. I once came across computer chairs from an office that was closing.

Another easy way to get second-hand furniture is to ask friends and family for whatever extra they have. I’ve always tried to get furniture with fabric like sofas from people I know.

If you’re getting furniture from strangers, take a look at the item and make sure the person’s place is clean. You can’t be too careful about bedbugs and pet dander.

8)  Bicycles

Like with many of the other items on this list, bikes are expensive new and depreciate in value once out the door. Many people buy bikes with the intention to ride them for exercise or fun and don’t use them much at all.

My partner got his used bike on Craigslist and loves it. I got mine as a hand-me-down from family. Unless you’re a serious bike enthusiast, a used one may work just fine for you.

As sad as this sounds, bikes are a major target for thieves in San Francisco. Save yourself the headache of being a more obvious target and having a new bike stolen by getting one that’s second-hand. If you want to save even more money, try biking instead of driving to work or for running errands.

9)  Cars

We’ve all heard that cars depreciate significantly once off the lot and most of all in their first year. Buying a used car makes sense then, especially one that’s been well-maintained. Just make sure to do your research by checking a car’s value and having it inspected before purchasing.

10)  Kitchen items

There are a lot of kitchen gadgets out there that people don’t use. The mixer that was a wedding gift but now sits at the back of the cabinet. Or the blender or crock pot that goes unused. My nearby Goodwill is full of plates and cups. Sometimes are pretty and come in full sets too.

11) Seasonal decorations

Seasonal decorations are just that, seasonal. How much do you want to spend on things that are on display for about 4 months of the year (or packed away for the other 8)? And while decorations are pretty, they don’t do much but sit around the house and look pretty.

So when I want to decorate my place, I shop thrift stores or ask family for items they’ve collected but don’t use anymore. It’s easy to replace decorations yearly too when they cost only a few dollars.

12)  Athletic gear & workout equipment

Many of those items were still in good condition by the time we stopped playing a sport or outgrew the equipment. We’ve also known people with treadmills and stationary bikes that went unused.

Some final tips:

Do your research before purchasing. Sometimes second-hand isn’t cheaper than new.

Negotiate on price. Buying second-hand usually favors the buyer unless it’s a hot item. A potential buyer can always walk away if the price is not right, but a lot of sellers will agree to a lower price because they want to get rid of an item.

If you’re meeting someone in person off Craigslist or a similar site, meet in the daytime in a public place.

The more specific you are about something that you want, the longer you’ll have to wait for it. There may be a lot of black dresses out there, but you’ll have to wait or search more to find a fit-and-flare black dress with a waist tie and lace detail in your exact size.

If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is.

Nowadays, when I come across something I want, my first thought is whether or not it’s available and worth it to buy second-hand. I’m always happy when I do buy something used and it perfectly fits my needs.

I’ve saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars over the years by buying second-hand items. I can’t wait to save more in the future by doing the same and hope you do too! Check out the thrift store in panama City Beach, FL if you want to purchase gently used items.