#50 people! That's like 2 classrooms full!

[a-mess-of-a-crow]

WE REACHED 50 FOLLOWERS :D

50 Follower special coming out these next days :)

[apomaro-mellow]

Wrong Number 3

(2:21 am) I just realized something (2:21 am) Ur a cooking teacher (2:22 am) Who can't fry a egg (2:23 am) You're a fraud 🫵

[7:29 am] I can fry an egg just fine I just can't make the yolks runny. It's too hard to time it right. And why are you up thinking about eggs at 2 am?

(7:47 am) I was up thinking about you at 2 am

Steve felt his stomach flip as he sipped his coffee and set his belongings down in his classroom. Eddie didn't play games. He always said exactly what he was thinking. And it drew Steve wild.

(7:48 am) And about how your students might clown on you for not being able to scramble an egg

[7:49] Aww you're worried about me?

(7:49 am) Kids can be little monsters (7:50 am) Actually how old are the little monsters you teach?

[7:51] Youngest is 6 and oldest is 14. Speaking of, they'll be arriving soon so...

(7:52 am) Godspeed you academic warrior

Eddie didn't typically text so late on weeknights. Not since learning Steve was a teacher. It was just that he truly HAD been up and thinking of him. Steve drove him crazy and he thought he was doing a good job keeping a lid on it. 2 am texts were what happened when the lid got loose but Steve didn't seem put off by it.

At about half past three, Steve called him. Eddie was glad he made that leap with his first call. The sound of Steve's voice never failed to warm him through. Eddie was in the middle of collecting axes for sharpening at the end of his shift.

"What's cookin' good lookin'?", Eddie greeted as he picked up.

"Today was good. Had a really riveting conversation about meatloaf versus pate with the kids", Steve said.

"Meatloaf rocks and pate is just cold meatloaf for rich people. End of discussion."

"Well, we talked about it for like fifteen minutes. Had a real interesting tangent on forcemeats in general."

Eddie paused. "Excuse me?"

"You'd be surprised at what kids are into. This one I taught last year was really into rice-"

"I need you to backtrack just a bit. 'Forcemeat'?"

"Yeah it's-oh grow up", Steve chided while shaking his head. He had just gotten home and was taking off his work clothes for something more comfortable. He thought about what Eddie might think he'd look nice in. "Not even my 12 year olds are this childish."

There was something about the way Steve talked about his students. Like they were his actual children. The conversation continued for a few minutes more before Steve suddenly had to hang up. Eddie tried not to think much of it, but it wasn't the first time that it had happened.

Steve ended the call just as Robin came into the apartment. She narrowed her eyes at him, then looked to the phone in his hand. Steve hid it behind his back and winced at practically telling on himself.

"You're hiding something."

"No I'm not."

"And now you're lying to me."

"No I'm not!"

Robin pounced and wrestled him for the phone. It wasn't a real fight of course. Steve could've pinned her in seconds but a part of him was tired of keeping the secret. And obviously, she knew how to unlock his phone.

"Who's Eddie?", she asked, sitting on his back triumphantly.

"A guy."

"Thank you, I had no idea it could be a man's name. You've been texting him aaaaaaa llllllllllllot."

"Are you reading them!? Robin!"

"Where did you meet him?", Robin said as she got up, continuing to read through their conversations.

"I um, technically, haven't. Yet."

Robin gave him an odd look and Steve spilled everything to her. To her credit, Robin listened to the full story before throwing one of the couch pillows at him.

"Stephen Elliott Harrington! Did no one teach you stranger danger? You just kept texting him? And calling? And I saw the pictures you sent. You know he can find out where we live? What if I came home to your skinless corpse??!"

It went on for a while like that and when Robin was finished, she collapsed onto the couch. Steve sat across from her on the coffee table. He waited for her to silently process it all.

"You think he's cute?"

"What I've seen of him, yeah."

Robin sighed. "I can't believe you're turning into the guy who has a internet girlfriend."

Steve rolled his eyes but then balked when she started to read through his messages again.

"And I can't believe you haven't even started flirting yet."

"I've been flirting with him the whole time!" Maybe not the whole time but-

"You're giving him Diet Steve. Why are you holding back?"

Steve shrugged, looking sheepish now. Now Robin was rolling her eyes.

"Steve, we're getting you a date."

"But he's-"

"A virtual one. Jesus is he an axe murderer?", Robin said as she looked to one of the texts.

"No, he just works with them. Axes! Not murderers."

--------------------------------

Eddie was about to sit down to a movie when his phone buzzed.

[5:17 pm] Thinking about you.

Oh. Now that was some text to get.

(5:18 pm) Oh yeah? (5:18 pm) What about me?

Steve looked to Robin. They were sitting cross-legged next to each other on his bed.

"What do I say?"

"Be honest, duh."

"If I'm honest I'm gonna talk about his hands."

Robin shook her hands at him like she wanted to wring his neck. Steve got the idea and decided to put himself out there.

[5:21 pm] Your hands. I think about them a lot actually

Eddie had not given his own hands much thought. But knowing that Steve admired them, he gave them a second look. He thought about them gripping Steve's thighs.

(5:23) You're gonna make me blush (5:24) What would you do with my hands Stevie?

Steve panicked and looked to Robin. "Are we sexting? Is he getting me to sext?"

"That's the idea, dingus. I said I was getting you a date. Now tell him what you want him to do."

"I don't know I'd....I'd want to..." Steve trailed off, looking at his phone while the fingers of his other hand brushed against his lips.

Robin stole the phone from him again and started typing. "'First...I'd suck..on them'."

"Robin!"

"Is that not what you want?"

Steve shrugged and Robin continued. "You've got me on the clock for five more minutes before I go out. You dictate, I'll type."

Steve hated how much he liked the idea. Especially when he heard the ping of Eddie's reply. "What did he say?"

Robin cleared her throat. "'Yeah? You wanna suck on them? I bet you got a beautiful mouth.' Oh he's good."

"Yeah", Steve breathed out. "Really good." He thought about Eddie sticking his fingers in and pressing down on his tongue, his rings tasting metallic and so nice.

"'I wanna choke on them'", Robin said out loud as she typed. "Is it too soon to call him Daddy?"

"What?!" That snapped Steve out of it.

"Oh come on. Tattoos, the hair, his job. He wants to be called Daddy."

"Robin don't call him Daddy."

"Pops?"

Steve took his phone from her and looked to Eddie's reply.

(5:30 pm) I'd only choke you if you were being bad (5:30 pm) Are you gonna be bad baby?

[5:31 pm] Maybe. I can be good too. So good.

(5:32 pm) Lemme call you baby wanna hear you

Steve dialed without hesitation just as Robin was leaving. Her work was done.

"Don't get murdered while I'm out!", she shouted just as Eddie picked up.

"Hey pretty baby", Eddie said.

"Hey. You said you wanted to hear me?"

"Yeah. I wanna hear you say those things with your own voice."

"Like how I wanna choke on your fingers? Among other things?"

Steve could hear Eddie let out a breath on the other end. The power he felt right now was intoxicating.

"Bet you'd look so good on your knees."

Steve hummed while pressing his fingertips to his lips. If Eddie asked, he'd suck on them. Let the wet noises fill his ears, let Eddie know how good he could be.

"Darlin' you went quiet."

"I'm thinking", Steve said, laying down on his bed. "I wanna show you, Eddie."

Eddie swallowed. This man would be the death of him. He'd nearly jerked off to just a picture of his fully clothed lower half. If he saw more...if he saw everything-

"Eddie! We've got a Code Red!"

"Jesus! Knock!"

Steve sat up quick at the shouting coming from Eddie's end. It sounded like someone had barged in.

"Eddie?"

"Sorry. Sorry Steve. I gotta handle something. Um, call you back? Please?"

"Eddie, I want to video call you."

"V..video...?"

"Yes. I wanna see you. Please."

"Yes. Yes, a thousand times-hold your horses! Uh, tomorrow? It's Saturday, so you're free, right? Can we make it a date?"

"A date", Steve nodded. "I'll see you then. I'll be thinking of you."

"And I'll be counting the seconds. 1-one thousand, 2-one thousand, 3-one th-ouch! Okay! Damn!"

Eddie hung up and Steve still had the phone to his ear, smiling. He had a video call date. He had a date with Eddie!

Shit what should he wear?

Part 5

Tag Team (CLOSED)

@anne-bennett-cosplayer @estrellami-1 @newtstabber @omletlove @ifyoudonlysurrender @rehfan @morganski-19 @corvidcantina @dragonmama76 @just-ladyme @tinyplanet95 @goodolefashionedloverboi @idoquitelikebread @kittydeadbones @manda-panda-monium @rhapsodyinalto @paintsplatteredandimperfect @keylime-green @ihavekidneys @samsoble @honorarybrit81 @swimmingbirdrunningrock @aizawa-emma @deleataecount @thesuninyaface @fromapayphone @justmeinadaze @hbyrde36 @queenie-ofthe-void @resident-gay-bitch @bestwifehaver @dangdirtydemons @ellietheasexylibrarian @perseus-notjackson @pyrohonk @holysteddie @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @mrsjellymunson @geekymagicalpotato @notaqueenakhaleesi

[bokunoheros]

hello everyone, today i will be opening commissions!!! below, you can find the media, ships, and genres i'm willing to write for.

all commissions will be personally shared, not posted on this blog unless it is for bnha and you are okay with me posting it.

please DM me if you wish to commission me!

0/7 slots are taken!

MEDIA I WILL WRITE/DRAW FOR:

  anime:

assassination classroom bnha  bungou stray dogs haikyuu hetalia fullmetal alchemist: brotherhood fruits basket noragami ohshc soul eater suicide squad: isekai the disastrous life of saiki k

   shows:

american horror story futurama hazbin hotel helluva boss inside job it’s always sunny in philadelphia stranger things the boys the umbrella academy voltron

   games: 

boyfriend to death (1 & 2) (so sorry if yk what that is) genshin impact honkai star rail ikemen vampire ikemen villains mystic messenger project sekai: colorful stage

SHIPS I WILL WRITE/DRAW FOR:

canon character x canon character

oc x canon character

self insert / reader x canon character

oc x oc

self insert x oc

matchups* (yourself or an oc x a character assigned from me!)

  GENRES I WILL WRITE FOR:

smut /NSFT** (**not safe for tumblr)

dark content / dead dove: do not eat

generally toxic content

fluff

angst

yandere + descriptions of gore (if desired)

any AU you can think of 

*MATCHUP RULES:

tell me your name (or what you prefer to go by), age, and sexuality

list at least 5 semi-detailed facts ab yourself /personality traits you possess /whatever you think will help me understand you as a person

tell me your top 3-5 characters from the piece of media you select (this will help me assess your personality also)

matchups will include headcanons and reasons as to why i paired you with the character i did, and a 150-700 word blurb to accompany them

WRITING PRICES:

100–300 words: $5-7+ 350–600 words: $7-10+ 600–1000 words: $10-13+ 1500+ words: $15+  2000+ words: $20+ 3000+ words: $30+ 4000+ words: $40+ 5000+ words: $50+ 6000+ words: $60+ 7000+ words: $85+ 8000+ words: $100+ 9000+ words: $140+ 10k+ words: $170+ etc, etc, etc — the most i am willing to write is up to 20k words.  *initial matchup prices will range from $10–15

   ***these are all base prices, i am willing to negotiate depending on the content of the work.

examples of my writing include: tdbk threesome (10.4k words); “....katsuki!” (3.6k words); LIPSTICK STAINS & MIRRORS (7.7k words)

here, i have examples of my art listed below so you can see for yourself what my styles are like and if you want a piece of art or if you’d rather stick to my writing!!

WHAT I AM WILLING DRAW:

people

animals / furries

some NSFT (softcore stuff mostly)

screencap / official art redraws

OCs

ships

light gore

you!

your pets !

DRAWING PRICES:

sketched head/bust shot — $7+ sketched half-body — $13+ sketched full body — $17+

colored sketch head/bust shot — $15+ colored sketch half body — $20+ colored sketch full body — $30+

painted head/bust shot — $35+ painted half body — $50+ painted full body — $85+

   BACKGROUND PRICES (separate from main drawing prices)

basic color background — $5-10 sketched background — $15–25+ colored sketch background — $20–40+ fully painted/rendered background — $65+

VALID FORMS OF PAYMENT:

cashapp

venmo

paypal

[five-thousand-loaves-of-bread]

…something been in draft for while:

idk how say this exactly but often like. use what look like binary clear cut dichotomy that have set definition this is this that is that. because oftentimes call “cake” “cake” instead of “flour milk egg baking powder salt etc etc” that kind language faster simplier and nuance can easily put word count 10k+. and. with language communication disabilities not always able translate all nuance into tangible word on paper/screen/type sometimes have to call something with imperfect blanket word. and then you find out other people not really hold as much nuance as you & still simplify your nuance into something binary this this that that

but reality rarely that binary— say on here that nonverbal mean not mouth speak at all all time & semiverbal is struggle all time but can mouth speak some & verbal but actually more nuanced than that like some severely apraxic people who mouth do say thing but not in their control not what they want say & they still call self nonspeaking because it not intentional meaningful speech; or someone labeled nonverbal who actually do commmunicate with mouth words just not full sentence & not full clear pronounce but still labeled nonverbal anyway as almost like microaggression of not recognize their single or two word mouth word phrase as valid enough communication worth listen to; or someone with echolalia that not mean anything with it (vs someone with echolalia that is use echolalia as communication (think gestalts, etc)); or some research showing even able say 1-2 words more ability than those with 0 word; or research debate about where minimally verbal end is it 20 words 30 words 50 words

when combat “go nonverbal” crowd often say there is clear cut about what nonverbal and what isn���t and yeah there is clear cut but also is there

many not ready for this level muddiness & nuance because some take bring nuance as invite to say like “i nonverbal but can still (intentionally) mouth speak” or gateway to claim nonverbality as if fun new identity collect instead of some complicated complex experience with mixed emotion but often some level of grief at some point that get lot targeted awful ableism & discrimination like denied education refuse accommodation like IEP or put in segregated classroom without even consider accommodation in general ed to isolate away from peers n not actual to help nonverbal person where they best thrive, or secluded or restrained, or denied healthcare, denied communication, which all still happen now btw it still common now it not rare obsolete it majority still

which make me feel like this image

[id: meme. left side is philosophers (school of athens painting) with caption “talking about nonverbal nonspeaking with other nonverbal people”. middle say “vs”. right side image is parent guiding infant to look play at toy and captioned “talking about nonverbal nonspeaking with not nonverbal people. end id]

because sometimes really is that but also even this is binary. thinking about how some motor nonspeaking people without intellectual disability who language okay say their mind intact that they not stupid thus deserve education and not deserve abuse and throw people with ID & language impairment. or how nonverbal nonspeaking from autism so different from (but so similar to) from motor apraxia from cerebral palsy from intellectual disability from genetic or chromosomal disorders from stroke from TBI from aphasia from vocal cord dysfunction from dementia from from from… how talking to someone nonspeaking from primarily motor reasons without cognitive intellectual language disabilities as someone nonverbal because high level autism cognitive language disabilities, we not guarantee understand eachother experience, same with talk someone from acquired things vs mine neurodevelopmental, how what i say about nonverbal here may not apply to someone who not speak not because autism etc

but “if words so meaningless if experiences so boundless let abolish all” not helpful because for all kind way be nonverbal there experiences that 100% not nonverbal there experiences so different from nonverbal “not able meaningfully intentionally speak all the time” for every meaningless there meaningful reason nonverbal people use nonverbal and deserve word “nonverbal” for ourselves and how this difference in experience is intracommunity issue issue within nonverbal nonspeaking community something we have to grapple with and not invitation for people outside to talk about how “if nonverbal so wide, drawing line at going nonverbal & say that isn’t nonverbal is ridiculous and gatekeep” because as much vast different experience there is reason why there community why there this word we all call ourselves and. not one. of the reason is we can slide in and out of not speak and speak daily or weekly or monthly or regularly. there still common theme to what we call nonverbal despite different

wide word isn’t “functionally useless” it just you not know how n when use it

& this conversation not just apply to nonverbal but many other words n other things as well

[discount-shades]

Dead or Alive: Family Part 2

Family Part 2

A/N: This is probably not what people expected, but its how I've always pictured it.

Pairing: Jake Seresin/Reader 

Warning: Western themed violence. 

Word Count: 2200 ish

Summary: You adjust to being a parent.

Previous  Masterlist Next

Angrily you slam the wooden bucket down under the spout and begin to work the handle of the pump, pouring your rage and frustration into the manual task. It had been two months since the Johnson siblings had come to live with you and Jake. Six souls reeling from the death of their parents a few weeks earlier. You knew it would be difficult adjusting to having children after almost two decades of it just being you and Jake, but this is even harder than you had ever suspected. 

There had been a town meeting when it became obvious that fifteen year old Emma had lied about an uncle coming to get them. When discovered, she had declared herself old enough to take care of her younger siblings and the saloon and brothel owner had offered her a job as a dance hall girl. 

Many had offered to take a few of the siblings, most wanting to take thirteen year old John, eleven year old William, and nine year old James. The three boys were a prime age for farm labour. You and Jake had discussed the possibility of taking in the children so when he had come home with all six in tow you were not surprised. Seven year old Anna and six year old Mary rounded out the half dozen. 

You stop pumping when the water nears the lip of the bucket. It wasn’t the boys that were giving you trouble. They had been among the group of schoolboys that were in awe of Sheriff Seresin. John had approached Jake soon after the children arrived, chest puffed out, trying to pretend he was older than his years, declaring that he was going to quit school and get a job in town to pay for room and board for his siblings. 

Unwilling to let the boy throw away his education, you and Jake had agreed to ‘hire’ John as farm hand to help with the milking of the cow and a few other farm chores. The younger boys had followed their big brother’s lead, staying in school and helping out around the farm. Jake’s assurance that they would need to complete their schooling if they wanted to be a sheriff would definitely keep wide eyed James in the classroom.  

“You are so full of shit.” you giggle at Jake that night in bed. “Did you even make it to the eighth grade?” 

“No,” Jake admits. “But that is a secret between the two of us, Sugar.” The town had recently built a new four room schoolhouse that went all the way to high school, and you and Jake had agreed that the goal was for the children to complete an education that you and Jake had not been able to. 

It had taken a while for sweet little Mary and quiet Anna to open up but they were adjusting to their new home. Though all of the children still grieved their parents, in time they had become more relaxed and less formal. You and Jake knew you could never replace their parents. Your goal was to keep the children together and hopefully keep them away from the lives you and Jake had led.

You take a deep breath before you pick up the bucket and head back inside to where Emma sulked in the kitchen, helping with the week's laundry. 

It felt like you and Emma had been cycling through the same arguments. First she was upset that you had started to do the laundry for her siblings. She had declared herself their true caretaker and insisted on doing it herself. So you had let her. Then she was upset and accused you of treating her like a servant. It was the same with any task you asked of her. 

You remembered the grief of losing your own parents too young and tried to give her space and understanding but your patience was wearing thin. 

“I wouldn’t have to do laundry if you had just let me work in the saloon.” You bite your tongue and carefully pour the water into the big pot on the stove top. It was not worth it to argue with the girl. “I could be making $50 dollars a night.” She exclaimed hotly at you, “He told me men would pay $1 for a dance from a pretty girl like me.” She stomps over to get in your face. “You are keeping me from supporting my siblings.” 

It was actually Jake who had threatened the saloon owner into rescinding his offer to employ Emma, forcing her to move into your home with her siblings, but now is not the time to bring that up. 

Scoffing, you raise your chin to meet her eyes. Despite her youth she was a few inches taller than you. “If you believe that you are more foolish than I ever was at your age.” You watch her cheeks flush as she draws back. “No dance hall girl is going to make $1 a dance anymore. Maybe twenty years ago but there are too many women in the county for men to be willing to pay that.”

“You’re just jealous.” She replies, her jaw clenched. 

‘Of what?” You can’t help the laugh that escapes you. There have been many times in your life that you have been envious. This was nowhere near any of them.

“That I am young and beautiful. If I was working in the saloon I’d be a dance hall girl. You are an old woman who steals children from their families. If you were working in the saloon you would be a dried up old whore who didn’t need to worry about getting pregnant.”

Emma’s vindictive smile leaves her face the second your hand makes contact and a part of you revels in the shock on her face. “If you were working in the saloon you would have been slapped weeks ago for your attitude.” you tell her coldly. 

“Who do you think does the washing for the whores?” Her hand is pressed to her cheek and she stares at you mutely. “The dance hall girls do the washing because they can’t afford to live off the money they get for dancing. The owner will charge you for rent, food, and force you to pay for clothing to wear while you dance, soon you will be in his debt.” 

You take a deep breath and continue now that you are on a roll. “If you are lucky some man will come along and take a liking to you and be willing to pay your debts and marry you.” Some of the defiance has left Emma’s expression. “I know this will happen because I have seen it.”

With some of her bravado returned, Emma looks you in the eye and asks, “Is that what happened to you and the Sheriff?”

You laugh bitterly. “No, I was not one of the lucky few who escaped with their virtue intact.” You tell her honestly. “Once you work as a dance hall girl no one will hire you. With no money to leave town most end up on their backs. It pays more than dancing, but the owners of the brothel will always find more fees to charge you to keep you in their debt.” 

Emma stares at her feet as you continue. “The easiest way out is death at that point. Every night you will think of the choices you made that took you to this point and think about how ashamed you folks would be if they lived to see what you have become.” At your final words you hear Emma sniffle and turn to run to the bedroom she shared with her sisters.

At the slamming of the door you let out a shaky breath and whip the tear gathered in your eye. You don’t like talking about your past. Jake knew of course, but no one else in town did. As far as anyone knows you have always been the respectful wife of a lawman. 

The water on the stove is hot so you dump it into the wash bin and grab the bucket to go fill the pot for the next batch. You don’t know if Emma will reveal your secret to the town. While filling up another bucket at the pump, regret creeps in. You wish you hadn't slapped her. You are not a violent person at heart and had previously only struck others in self defence. 

Maybe the slap was necessary. Maybe it was the only way you would be able to get through to the girl and have her realize that her ideas of working as a dancing girl were ludacris. You sigh and set to work washing the laundry of eight people by yourself.

– – – 

Dinner that night is quiet. The boys talking about the adventures they had gotten into outside and the little girls talking about the birthday party they had gone to in town.

You try to behave naturally as you eat your dinner but Jakes notices the difference in you and Emma’s sullen expression as she pushes her food around her plate. When you meet his eyes you can see the question in them. At a subtle shake of your head he doesn’t comment but you know you will have to tell him.

– – – 

“I don’t think she will say anything.” Jake says quietly later that night as his rough fingers trace circles on your thigh. You make a soft sound in disbelief. “She won’t,” he insists, “She’s just embarrassed by her ignorance.” 

“We’ll have to wait and see.” You try to put the thought out of your head. You had built a reputation in this town as a respectable woman. You would hate to see it ruined.

– – – 

In the weeks that follow you carefully monitor the townspeople's reactions to you. Every exchange is judged and replayed in your head, looking for any changes in behaviour. But you notice nothing outside of normal. 

Your interactions with the oldest child in your house have changed. The fight has gone out of Emma. At first it was a relief not to argue over everything but as the weeks become a month you begin to worry. She is still loving towards her siblings but a deep sense of grief seems to permeate her. 

It is wash day when you finally get her alone again. The little girls are tasked with filling the buckets but based on the time they have been gone you are sure they got sidetracked by the new foal in the pen near the pump. You are struggling to find something to say when Emma speaks first. “Did your parents die too?”

Momentarily shocked it takes you a moment to answer. “Tuberculosis. My parents and my baby sister all died.” You look at her as she raises her eyes to yours and you can see tear drops clinging to the lashes.

“Does the pain ever go away?” You can hear her breaths becoming ragged as you answer.

“Yes and no.” You tell her honestly. “It is always there but life continues and other things begin to take up space in your mind and your heart.” You watch the girl crumple before you.

“I don’t want them to be ashamed of me!” She cried out. When you go to place a hand on her shoulder, she flings her arms around you and you find yourself hugging the weeping girl. “All I wanted to do was to protect them and keep them together.” Without words to say you stand there holding her making soft shushing noises. 

When her sobs slow to a sniffle you guide her to a chair. “I was just so afraid that we would all be split up and the people who took them would treat my brothers like slaves and not take care of my little sisters.” 

“I know.” You say as you sit opposite her gently squeezing the hand that still clung to yours. “And your parents know that any choice you made was for your siblings and their safety.” You give her a kind smile. “They can not be ashamed of that.”

You sit in silence watching the emotions pay across Emma’s face as your words sink in. “Do you think your parents are ashamed of the things you’ve done?” 

Unlike her comments from before there is no malice in Emma’s question and you regard her thoughtfully before answering. “At the time I did,” you let your mind drift into the past. “But now I don’t. I’m older now than they will ever be, and have been for quite some time.” You give her a rueful grin and she ducks her head in embarrassment, remembering her previous comments on your age. 

“When you are young it is so easy to see the world in black and white, right and wrong. But as you get older you begin to see the world in shades of grey.” You get up and pour each of you a cup of tea from the kettle you keep on the stove. “Sometimes good people must do bad things to survive. And bad people are known to do good things.”

You hand her her cup and return to your seat across from her. “Which one was the Sheriff?” At her question you pause and regard her carefully.

“Why do you ask?” 

She blushes slightly before answering. “There’s this rumour in town that he used to be an outlaw, no one really believes it.”

“You hear the little girls coming up the steps with their water buckets. “No,” You give her a crooked smile. “Jake has always been one of the good ones.”

[coolcatteacher]

11 Simple Hacks for Teachers to Save Time | Dr. Desiree Alexander

Are you a teacher feeling overwhelmed by endless tasks and struggling to find time for what truly matters—your students? In this episode of The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, Dr. Desiree Alexander, an award-winning educator and consultant, shares 11 practical time management hacks every teacher can use to reclaim their time and reduce stress.

📋 Show Notes: Access the full show notes and links mentioned in this episode at coolcatteacher.com/e879.

🎓 About Dr. Desiree Alexander: Dr. Desiree Alexander is the Founder and CEO of Educator Alexander Consulting, LLC, and the Deputy Director for the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana. With over two decades of experience in education, she is an award-winning speaker, consultant, and advocate for teachers. Her work focuses on empowering educators with practical strategies and tools to thrive in their profession.

📧 Subscribe to the Cool Cat Teacher Newsletter: Stay up-to-date with inspiring teaching tips and resources by subscribing to our newsletter at coolcatteacher.com/newsletter.

📺 Watch on YouTube: Want to see more engaging content? Watch this episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/coolcatteacher.

🎧 Where to Listen: Subscribe and listen to The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast on your favorite platforms.

  Classroom Organization Tips:

01:24 ⏳ 1. Get Organized  Declutter your workspace and avoid the dreaded “stack of death.” Set up a simple and functional filing system to make paperwork more manageable.

01:45 📂 2. Use a Simple Filing System  Whether digital or paper, having an easy-to-use system will keep your materials accessible and prevent last-minute scrambling.

02:15 📝 3. Empower Students to File Their Own Work  Save time by letting students take responsibility for filing their assignments. This simple step fosters organization skills and lightens your workload.

Personal Productivity Hacks:

03:02 📅 4. Plan Lessons Early to Reduce Last-Minute Stress Gather resources ahead of time—copies, books, manipulatives—to avoid scrambling when the copier inevitably breaks right before class.

05:03 👥 5. Have Multitasking Moments to Socialize and Get Work Done  Balance productivity with connection! Grade papers or file documents while chatting with colleagues, so you don’t have to take as much work home.

05:54 🚪 6. Close the Door and Minimize Distractions  Find a quiet space to focus during planning periods, so you can get work done efficiently without unnecessary interruptions.

06:10 🏡 7. Protect Your Peace and Work-Life Balance  Your well-being matters. Set limits on how much work you bring home, and make time for family, rest, and hobbies.

Technology and Task Management Tips

06:50 ✅ 8. Use the Answer, File, Delete (AFD) or Three D’s (Delegate, Dump, Do) Method  Prioritize your tasks by immediately answering, filing, or deleting emails. If it doesn’t need your attention, delegate or dump it!

08:03 📧 9. Use Email Tools Like Sweep to Stay Organized  Leverage email automation tools like Sweep to clear out old emails, filter messages, and keep your inbox manageable.

Important principles to remember as you manage your time

09:30💡 10. Put People First When Prioritizing Tasks  Before diving into your to-do list, check in with students and colleagues. Prioritizing people builds stronger relationships and improves your day.

10:21 🚧 11. Set Boundaries and Say No  Educators are natural people-pleasers, but overcommitting leads to burnout. Practice saying “no” and protect your time.

  Thank you for listening to the show! Subscribe to my newsletter at coolcatteacher.com/newsletter and let's connect on social @coolcatteacher wherever you connect! See you later educator!

New Podcast Episode

[rickmoya]

the books I read in 2024

Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf (1)

Digital Cosmopolitans, Ethan Zuckerman

Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson (2)

How To Take Over the World, Ryan North

To Hate Like This Is To Be Happy Forever, Will Blythe

Hark! A Vagrant/Step Aside, Pops, Kate Beaton (3)

Making a Point: The Persnickety Story of English Punctuation, David Crystal

Ducks, Kate Beaton

Operation Do-Over, Gordon Korman

Fight Club 2: The Tranquility Gambit, Chuck Palahniuk and Cameron Stewart (4)

The Fort, Gordon Korman

Romeo and/or Juliet, Ryan North

Turning Japanese, MariNaomi

Abroad in Japan, Chris Broad

Ready Player Two, Ernest Cline (5)

Interesting Stories for Curious People, Bill O'Neill (6)

Hell of a Hat: The Rise of '90s Ska and Swing, Kenneth Partridge

Swamp Story, Dave Barry

The Secret to Superhuman Strength, Alison Bechdel

Blood, Bones and Butter, Gabrielle Hamilton

Flavorama, Arielle Johnson

Welcome to St. Hell, Lewis Hancox

Peasprout Chen: Future Legend of Skate and Sword, Henry Lien (7)

The City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau

Crying in H Mart, Michelle Zauner

Out Of My Mind, Sharon M. Draper

italics: read it before struck: unfinished

Maybe I just suck at reading now that I'm past 40? I don't know. The last few years I've been making excuses and padding out my list with rereads, but at some point you have to acknowledge the trends. My trend is fewer books. This might be the lowest number I've hit in any year since birth.

I also read ten years each of the webcomics Schlock Mercenary and Sluggy Freelance. Got to a point I hadn't read before, but not finished with either.

I did rotate some stock off my TBR shelf, at least. Not that you'd know to look at it — the shelf is as full as ever. Then again, at least four books up there are rereads, and three others are juv/YA. Maybe I'll make more progress in 2025.

Goals:

Ding 40. (I originally put 50, but, like, come on. Trend.)

At least 40% authors who are not white men. (I did OK there this year: 12/26, not counting the trans guy who is technically a white man.)

At least 10 books off the TBR.

----------------------------------------------

So. I've had this book on my TBR since college. (The first time.) I took a modernist English lit course where we read Ulysses and To the Lighthouse, and Mrs. Dalloway was one of the comparative important links, but after Joyce I wasn't gonna do it right away. I found my copy at a mega library sale around the time I graduated. Opened it several times over the last 25 years, but the stream-of-consciousness/internal-monologue style meant (for me) that I couldn't set it down and come back and remember what was going on. So finally I had a free day and read the whole thing in almost one go. (I technically didn't do this until July, but I attempted to do it during a day off in January, which is why it's first.)

Substitute teaching exposes me to a lot of teacher libraries. Sometimes during a prep period I can read stuff from them. For this book (which I'd heard of but never opened) I was covering a classroom that was empty for nearly four hours.

I started poring through Beaton's comics on her archived website. When I realized my library had two books of it in print, I checked those out for easier reading. This entry encompasses all of it.

It's a graphic novel! It's totally unnecessary! It gets way too meta (to the point that it acknowledges IN TEXT that it's too meta)!

If you feel like you need to read this, ask yourself: have I already read Ready Player One? If so, then ask: was my favorite part the constant Family Guy-style "memba this?" references. Because this is that, just with different fandoms.

My niece got me this one. It's like a book full of factoids or the beginnings of stories. Not immersive, but good for while waiting through piano lesson.

Another substituting library selection, about an alternate-universe Taiwan where the predominant mode of transportation/self-defense is ice skating. I had a prep, thought this is a stupid book and then read half of it before the day was over. So endearingly stupid, I checked it out of the public library to finish.

[rabbitcruiser]

National Fossil Day

Fossils aren’t just interesting and fun to look at — they’re also proof of the existence of once-living things (like dinosaurs, animals, plants and even DNA remnants). Through these fossils we’re able to learn a lot about life from billions of years ago. We can even take a look at animals and life-forms that are no longer on the planet! These fossils (and the education around them) deserve to be preserved and explored. That’s why we celebrate National Fossil Day annually on the Wednesday of the second full week in October, with this year’s celebration being held on October 16. Show some appreciation for these incredible “time capsules” and the paleontologists who excavate them.

​National Fossil Day timeline

​1840s - 1850s​​​ Researchers discovered the Neanderthal

​Ancient human fossils were unearthed for the first time, proving the existence of the Neanderthal.

​1902 Proof of T-Rex ​

Researchers uncovered the first Tyrannosaurus Rex remains.

​1974​ Lucy was born

​​Scientists found fossils of a 3.5 million-year-old female hominin (an extinct human species) and named her “Lucy.”

How to Observe ​National Fossil Day

Hug a paleontologist

Check out local events

Visit Your Nearest National Park

Paleontologists are pretty incredible people. They go through lots of schooling and training to be able to study the fossils of all kinds of organisms. It’s because of them that we know a lot about the last few billion years of our planet’s history. Show your appreciation by giving them a hug, and asking them to tell you more!

Every year, the National Park Service partners with various organizations, universities, museums and more to celebrate National Fossil Day. Through field trips, classroom instruction and outdoor activities, they’re spreading awareness about this important holiday.

Many national parks are passionate about introducing future generations to the science behind fossils and paleontology. These may include anything from scavenger hunts, to multi-day ranger-led activities. Visit your nearest national park and discover all there is to know about this fascinating science!

4 Fun Fossil Facts

​They’re insanely valuable

​They can be enormous

​Anything can be fossilized

They’re ridiculously old​

​The highest amount ever paid for a dinosaur fossil was $8.3 million (they named it “Sue”).

The largest intact fossil ever discovered was a whopping 4 square miles! ​

​The smallest fossil on record was just 2/10 of a millimeter (it was of a 50-million-year-old parasite).

​Next time you're feeling old, just remember some fossils date back to 4.1 billion years.

Why ​National Fossil Day is Important

We can learn about our planet

We can understand the progression of time

We can look toward the future

A fossil is evidence of past life that’s been preserved in rock. This helps us discover all kinds of shells, plants, animals, and more that existed long before our time. This information helps us understand what was happening during each part of our planet’s history.

By looking at fossils, researchers have been able to understand how and when organisms appeared and disappeared throughout the passage of time. This is how they’ve been able to divide up the events in our planet’s history into different periods.

Each fossil tells a story of the organism it encapsulates, and the details of when it was on the earth. By examining fossils, we can use these stories to help inform us about the future, and how environmental factors (as well as man-made ones) will help influence our planet for future generations.

Source

[litterednglitter]

In the Cemetery I Found

So about 3 weeks ago something crazy happened! If anybody lives in the area plz explain this to me...is it normal for any of this to happen!.

I work for WayMo collecting data, on Wednesday night going on to Thursday. I work an odd shift. 7PM to 4AM that extra buck 50 does make a difference in the Bay Area. We got to collect all them coins so we can live in the area for another 52 seconds okay folks let's face it. We are all on borrowed time over here!

Anyways, while I was trollin around SF with a buddy of mine we will call him rich. I have a route that I love to take every time I have full control of the car. That's when I usually go fuck off on company time. This job is basically joy ridin' with your homies and you getting paid 33.50 an hour. Yup! That's right, I said it! I said my wage Whoot! Whoot! Who cares! moving on!

We go sightseeing in SF like that house that exploded on 22nd St. Because he was roomed to have been cooking meth. Breaking bad style! After hitting up where all the tranny and normal hookers reside, I figured it was about time to go exploring in Presido. One of the most if not the richest spots in the Bay Area.

As my buddy Rich and I were driving around we made our usual stops around the area, the golden gate bridge, the Almighty Yoda fountain etc etc. It was getting later in the night by this time it was 10:43PM - ish and we were driving next to a cemetery. You know I always knew there was a cemetery around the area I just never knew it had the view of the golden gate bridge.

When my route populated again the yellow brick road on my company-issued phone told me to go IN THE CEMETRY!!!!! We looked at my phone, we look at each other, we look at the cemetery, and we look at each other again, then we both looked at the laptop and opened it up.

There's software in there at we can look at. The way I can describe it without getting sued is like Kentic from Xbox 360. I told my partner to pull up the software for one reason and one reason only! To see some ghosts! That's right folks, I wanted to be like the ppl from tik tok recreating Telsa at a cemetery but WayMo addition. So we both rolled down our windows and headed on in. Because nothing bad happens in a cemetery at night. >.<

Unfortunately, our laptop didn't pick up anything which isn't all that strange. I was really hoping to catch something. So, as we were approaching the exit the car was trying to take us through it was locked. The car route rerouted us so we were slowly making our way through the cemetery to get back out of the area. Out where we came in.

As we were approaching the back heavily wooded corner of this place It was really dark out. The moon wasn't even out so it made it all that more spookier!. I noticed something moving in the dark, head. Listen, I'm no stranger to a cemetery Im Mexican we are always at gatherings if it's not at a Quinceanera then it's at a funeral.

When I noticed something moving up ahead I was expecting (more like hoping) a freakin ghost or a the very least a thieving Bambi eating dead people's flowers. Thats it! There shouldn't have been anything else in there! Right! When I was approaching the back heavily wooded area I kid you not when I flicked on the high beams and the fuckery that transpired in the back there. I see 2 classrooms worth of kids that looked no older than 15yrs. in pajamas. Like it's the normal thing to do around here.

May I remind you, we had all the windows rolled down and we can hear a pin drop in the distance. I know there are a lot of parents around here what's the number 1 rule in parenting? If you have a couple of kids in the household and they ain't making any noise they're up to some shit! My buddy and I have seen at the very least 2 classroom sizes full of a bunch of kids in pajamas in the middle of the night in a cemetery being quiet! That's right you guessed it there was fuckey afoot!

There should be no dam good reason why there should be children in the middle of the night at a cemetery? The millennial came out and I have temporarily lost my mind. Yup, that's right I took out my phone and wanted to take a picture. My buddy Rich losses his freakin mind. and yells at me asking what on earth am I doing? I wanted to take a picture. That's what I wanted to do. He just wanted to get the fuck up on up outta there.

Why can't I take a picture?

They might throw something at our car!

So, what?

Do you really want to explain to our bosses why we are at a cemetery at night?

Well, he had a dam good point my boss already knows me around the office and I was once told that I left an impression. In management talk that means bitch we are keeping an eye on you. I already knew that I needed to leave the second I entered in there and we did. I wanted to go back but my buddy for the day wasn't havin' it.

On the car ride back to the depo like normal people we just had to talk about WTF just happened! Now I have my theories. My partner told me that... in his eyes there is no other explanation. These children are a bunch of Satanists! I don't think that THAT is the case.

To be Continue

[mari9-abbys]

10 Mistakes Most Young People Make & Regret Later in Life

If anything is too exciting, you can suspect something is probably wrong about it.

Adolescent and early adulthood is just too exciting, no wonder most of us make several

mistakes at a time like that.

In this article we will be sharing with you 10 mistakes most young people make and regret

later in their life If you’re still young, you’ll have opportunity

to correct some of these mistakes.

If you’re already 75, well, we’re sorry.

Hahahaha….

Mistake No. 1 Young People Spend money on trivial things

Most young people want to have fun; they want to enjoy their life and feel among.

They look at others and want to be like them, buy what they buy and live the way they do.

Young people are more likely to run after fashion, style, fun and many more.

There’s nothing bad in being fashionable and buying latest iPhones except it’s making

you poorer.

As a young person, your primary assignment should be to build a solid financial foundation

for your life.

To do this, you have to have the habit of saving and learn about investing.

You can buy everything and anything your heart desires but that’s after you have built

wealth.

I know, that’s an ugly advice for anyone at 20s, until you’re 50 and know what it

means to be broke at such age.

Mistake No. 2.

Young people think Schooling is enough to get rich

Maybe this isn’t their fault actually.

Maybe we should blame the society for this.

You see, your education actually truly starts the day you leave school.

You may not like to hear this but it’s the truth.

The real world is very different from the four walls of the classroom.

Truly successful people are people who learn daily, even two decades after they’ve left

school.

Unfortunately, most people of the world stop learning the day they leave school and that’s

a big mistake that leads to poverty and unfulfilled life.

Read good books.

Listen to good audio program.

School doesn’t teach you much things as you’ll like to believe.

Mistake No. 3

Young people tend to give up easily It is so easy to just quit when something

feels too hard.

The idea of giving up what you’re doing to just try something else, can be the easier

option sometimes.

It might be that you don’t like what you are doing.

But the biggest mistake you can make sometimes is to give up.

Pushing through the hard times is what makes a stronger and well-rounded person.

When things start getting a little tough, don’t take the easy way out.

Keep on pushing through and you just might surprise yourself.

When you work through something tough and come out the other side, there is no better

feeling.

Don’t give up.

Keep on fighting!

Mistake No. 4 Young People Do Accept Whatever they Hear

and Believe anything.

Young people are people with great minds, full of opinion, but they will rarely challenge

what they hear from older people.

Youth should be a time of learning, but also questioning what you are told and even get

deeper into your own best thoughts and points of view.

Experience may lead you to discover that issues that seem black and white are actually many

shades of gray.

Age doesn’t necessarily come wisdom, and many young people too easily accept what they

hear from older generations.

Following your instincts can take you a long way, if you know how to follow it well.

Mistake No. 5 Young People Invest Without Research

Reading and hearing stories of people who have made millions investing on the stock

market can make it very tempting to give it a go yourself but don’t do that.

Investing can be a very rewarding thing but it’s not as easy as just throwing your money

away on random shares.

As a young person, you need to do some research.

If you invest wrongly, it can mean you lose a lot more than you put in.

If you truly want to master investing, the best way to go about it is to study some really

good books on that subject.

Taking time to read 10 good books about stock market or real estate can save you from unnecessary

headache that comes with losing your hard earn investment.

Mistake No. 6

Young people always want instant gratification Maybe this is the biggest mistakes young people

make.

Young people today are under great pressure to establish a successful career as soon as

possible, to find the perfect partner at the earliest opportunity and most importantly,

to enjoy themselves right here and NOW.

They always want everything NOW and that usually lead them into unnecessary short cuts, debt

and unhappy future.

Mistake No. 7 Most young people don't save money.

A recent survey of 1,003 people from Bank rate found that 69% of those ages 18 to 29

had no retirement savings at all.

Your retirement may seem far off, but you're doing yourself a major disservice if you don't

recognize the importance of saving as soon as possible

It’s not only retirement you should save for.

You should save for investment and also for emergencies.

It’s hard to save when all your mates are buying new stuff but if you think you have

a better future than theirs, you’ll be disciplined enough to save.

Mistake No. 8 Young people think that love alone is enough to sustain a relationship Love is undoubtedly a key ingredient in making a relationship work.

However, it is not sufficient.

It is possible to be very much in love with someone yet realize that the two of you are

fundamentally incompatible.

The best relationships are based not on romantic love but on shared values, dreams and goals.

Communication skills and the ability to argue without hurting one another for the sake of

it are also vital.

Since choosing a life partner is an important decision you’ll have to make at your 20s,

knowing this truth will help you.

Long lasting relationship is about love, but not just that.

Your partner must share a significant part of your values, goals and aspirations or else

you won’t last together.

No. 9 Young people try to please everyone.

When you're starting out as a teenager in your early career, it can seem natural to

want to be on friendly terms with your boss, clients, and all of your school mates.

It may be disappointing when you found out that some of them simply don't like you and

you’ll start bending to fit in to their expectations.

This is a big mistakes because there’s no formula that guarantees that everyone will

like you.

You must learn how to deal with haters, very important.

Mistake No. 10 Young people Blame Their Parents for their misfortune We’re very sorry, your parents own you nothing.

They invited you to this world, yes.

But they probably have done the best they know how to do.

If you think their best is not good enough, guy, get out and fix your life.

It’s your life and you’re the only one who is responsible.

Your failure or success is yours and not your parents’

Okay, just before you go, here is the summary of what we’ve shared with you so far;

Delay gratification.

Don’t buy things because everyone is doing so

Learn how to save for investment and retirement purpose

Don’t believe everything.

Ask questions and challenge status quo Don’t fall in love because of love alone.

Think about values and compatibility Don’t think you’re educated because you

have degrees.

Learn every day Try things and don’t give up easily

Don’t blame your parents or government for your failure.

Take responsibility.

You enjoy this article, don’t you?

We’ll like to give you another interesting article for you to enjoy next but before then,

our team will be very happy if you can like this article and share it with your friends

on social media.

For more content kindly follow this link.https://maryblogs2.blogspot.com?m=1

[anyroads]

I can't convey the insanity of how fast this fire happened. If you grew up in Southern California, you know to be prepared for wildfire evacuations and earthquakes. A lot of people have go bags, and a plan for what to pack when you have to do so quickly. But the timeline for that has always been a few hours at least, if not a day, maybe even two. This fire spread so insanely fast that people went from clear skies and no warnings to having ten minutes, or even no minutes, to grab what they could and run. People lost pets, especially cats, because there's no way to get a panicking animal into a carrier when the flames are at your door.

Most of the headlines about the Palisades fire are about what celebrities lost homes already. So I need you to understand that while yeah, the Palisades has become an upscale area and the hills have expensive houses, it was a middle class neighborhood until about 20 years ago so a lot of its residents have been there for 50 or 60 years, when homes were affordable to middle class working families. A lot of residents inherited their home from grandparents or parents who bought them when it was an affordable area. There are (were. past tense now. were.) neighborhoods full of 2-3 bedroom houses that you could have afforded if you'd been born 30 years earlier and lived in West LA. Most of the people there aren't celebrities or multi-millionaires - those people lived in houses that were built more recently and in undeveloped areas. I also need you to understand that there are several fires around LA, most of which are affecting middle and working class people. I say this because the headlines care more about celebrities and places people know from movies but it's not reflective of the extent of the damage. I say this because I know how tumblr is and this is not the time for tankie bullshit and inhumanity.

In my 9th grade science class we learned about climate change. We learned about the projected changes and disasters that we could expect in the first half of the 21st century. Yesterday I watched on a live broadcast as the classroom I learned this in went up in flames, while right wing conspiracy theorists and Trump blamed everyone and everything except climate change. This fire happened because it hasn't rained in LA for 8 months, and the Santa Ana winds were absurdly intense this week, getting up to 75mph. The LA Fire Dept had funding cut to fund the police like OP said, and hydrants ran out of water.

Embers can stay live while carried in the wind for miles, and every area with dry brush and palm trees just needs a spark right now. I know this because I learned it growing up. I'm literally watching the horror scenes that kept me up at night in high school as part of an imagined future play out in real time. This is climate change. And thank goodness it happened while Biden is still president and could declare it a federal emergency which means FEMA resources and help are available now, which will matter to all the people who are already being told to fuck off by the insurance companies they've paid fire insurance to for years. Because I have no doubt that if this happened two weeks later, all that support would be withheld as punishment for California's election results.

Southern California is on fire

In 2024, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass defunded the LA Fire Department by $17.3 million.

The LA Police Department, however, got a $138 million budget increase.

Among the firefighters, 30% of them are inmate firefighters who are risking their lives for $2 an hour. Only for them to not be able to get a job as a firefighter once they're released.

There are now 4 fires burning across Socal. The one getting the most attention is the Palisades fire which has grown to over 11,000 acres. Alongside it is the Altadena fire (over 10,000 acres), Hurst fire (700 acres), and Lidia fire (50 acres).

Due to the unprecedented Santa Ana winds, which have blown to over 100 mph, firefighters have not been able to make a dent on these fires.

A thousand homes have been destroyed. Two people lost their lives from the Altadena fires.

Instead of showing sympathy for the thousands of victims, right wing conspiracy theorists on twitter are blaming the fires on LA Fire Chief, who is a lesbian, while Trump is blaming CA Governor Gavin Newsom for not removing water from a delta that would have endangered a native species.

Not climate change. Not the Resnicks, a billionaire couple who took control of California's water supply and now use over 150 billion gallons every year for their companies.

If you're in Southern California, please download the Watch Duty app. It brings up to date information on the fires along with evacuation zones. If officials tell you to evacuate, you do it. Make sure you look up shelters and mutual aid organizations where you'll evacuate to. If you have to abandon your car, please move it to the side or leave your keys in the car so firefighters can move it out of the way.

The consequences of this disaster will be catastrophic. It's become increasingly clear that our government officials will not protect us as they would rather fill their own pockets. Stick together. Protect your community as best as you can.

Please keep Southern California in your thoughts. We're going to need them.

[internationaleducationcentreedu]

Unlock Your Potential: English Courses Starting January 2025

As the new year approaches, many people set resolutions to improve their skills and achieve personal or professional growth. One of the most valuable skills you can develop in 2025 is mastering the English language. Whether you're looking to improve your career prospects, expand your social circle, or enhance your academic performance, enrolling in an English course can set you on the path to success. Many institutions and organizations are offering English language courses starting in January 2025, catering to learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers.

Why Learn English in 2025?

English continues to be a global language of business, academia, and travel. It is the official language of more than 50 countries and is widely spoken across the world. For non-native speakers, learning English opens doors to new opportunities in the workplace, allows for richer travel experiences, and fosters connections with people from diverse cultures.

Additionally, mastering English is crucial for students planning to attend universities in English-speaking countries. Many top-tier universities require a certain level of English proficiency for admission, and completing a language course can help you meet these requirements.

Types of English Courses Available in January 2025

1. University Language Programs

For individuals who prefer a more academic approach, universities around the world offer English courses that will begin in January 2025. These programs typically provide a structured curriculum designed to improve all aspects of the language, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Many universities offer intensive English programs for students who need to improve their language skills in a short amount of time. These courses are perfect for learners who want to develop fluency quickly and may include both classroom lessons and practical language immersion opportunities. Some universities also offer pre-sessional English courses, which are designed for international students who wish to enhance their academic English skills before starting a degree program.

2. Online English Courses

In today’s digital age, online learning has become more accessible than ever. Many online platforms will begin English courses in January 2025, offering flexible schedules that allow learners to study from anywhere in the world. Websites like Coursera, edX, and Udemy provide a wide range of courses, from basic English for beginners to advanced business English.

These courses are perfect for those who need flexibility, whether you are working full-time, attending school, or simply prefer to learn at your own pace. The beauty of online courses is that you can study from the comfort of your own home, with the option to revisit lessons and work on exercises when it fits your schedule.

3. Intensive English Programs

For learners who want to immerse themselves in the English language, intensive English programs offer an excellent option. These programs are offered by language schools, community centers, and even private tutors, and they are designed for learners who are looking for rapid improvement.

Intensive courses are often full-time programs that last from a few weeks to a few months. In addition to classroom-based lessons, these programs frequently include conversation practice, cultural immersion activities, and even excursions to English-speaking environments. Intensive programs are ideal for students who want to make fast progress and gain confidence in speaking and understanding English.

4. English for Specific Purposes

If you have a particular goal in mind, such as improving your English for business or preparing for a proficiency test, there are specialized English courses that cater to your needs. These courses, often available in January 2025, focus on developing skills relevant to specific fields, such as:

Business English: Tailored to professionals seeking to improve their communication skills in a corporate setting. These courses often focus on formal language, email writing, presentations, and negotiation tactics.

IELTS/TOEFL Preparation: If you're planning to take an English proficiency test for university admissions or immigration purposes, preparing for exams like IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is essential. Many institutions offer specialized courses that help students prepare for these tests by focusing on test-taking strategies, vocabulary building, and practice tests.

English for Healthcare Professionals: These courses are designed for individuals working in or pursuing careers in healthcare and medical fields. Students learn specialized terminology, communication skills, and professional language for interacting with patients and colleagues.

5. Community Language Courses

For those who prefer a more social learning experience, many community centers and local organizations will offer English courses starting in January 2025. These courses may be more affordable and accessible, and they often focus on practical English for everyday situations. Whether you're a new immigrant or just someone looking to improve their language skills, these programs provide a welcoming and supportive environment.

Additionally, language exchange programs often operate in conjunction with community centers, where learners can practice English in real conversations with native speakers. These exchange programs provide a unique opportunity to learn through real-world communication and build friendships while enhancing your language skills.

Benefits of Taking an English Course in 2025

Career Advancement: Fluency in English can significantly improve your career prospects, especially in multinational companies, industries like technology, and fields such as customer service, sales, and education.

Academic Success: Mastery of English is essential for students wishing to pursue higher education in English-speaking countries. Language courses can help you improve your reading comprehension, academic writing, and speaking skills, making you better prepared for university exams and assignments.

Cultural Engagement: Learning English allows you to access a wealth of cultural resources, from books and movies to music and television shows, in their original language. Understanding English can also deepen your connection with global cultures.

Confidence and Social Interaction: Improving your English opens up opportunities for socializing with people from around the world. You'll be able to participate in global conversations, whether in person or online, with greater ease and confidence.

Starting in January 2025, there are plenty of exciting opportunities to improve your English language skills through a variety of courses, whether you're looking for a structured academic program or a flexible online option. With so many choices available, you’re sure to find a course that fits your goals, schedule, and budget. So, don’t wait—take the first step towards fluency and unlock a world of opportunities in the coming year!

[randomthefox]

Thanks for playing my game :P I'm working on the full version now and I appreciate you taking the time to check it out!

Some bits and bobs:

>>I've set up variables on the imagemap so that you only need to look at a certain number of objects a certain number of times in order to trigger progression. You don't strictly need to see everything, but I'd like people to cuz I worked hard on those scenes lol. This technically means a player could examine the same flagged object multiple times and move on without having examined everything. Which, while not the "intended" way of playing, is an option I do want to keep available out of consideration for folks who just want to advance to the next segment. Eventually I will try to open up backtracking, so that folks will be able to see any dialogue they missed on any map.

>>Saving often is highly recommended. Thank God for RenPy's automatic saves.

>> Michael's last name is the same as the surname you enter for your doctor during the survey at the beginning of the game. Recall that the researcher claims his son was just playing there when you examine the toys on the lab floor.

(Also, the reason you always jump to the survey after starting the game is because the game will crash unless you define those variables.)

>>Examining the keyboard pulls up Maria, Michael, and Shadow's progress reports.

>>Examining the poster above the class schedule pulls up one of Shadow's failed assignments.

>>The reason you kept getting a B rank whenever you clicked on the GUN flyer in the classroom was because I accidentally left a hotspot open intended for battle testing, where you would automatically jump into a battle. I was using it to test the rank calculator. My bad lol.

>>If you select "I have Maria.", Shadow will recount a funny anecdote about not speaking to anyone for a week as a form of "meditation" and threaten to stuff Omochao back into his cardboard box.

>>If you wait before Shadow catches Omochao, you'll see Omochao slow down and fall.

>>Omochao has unique lines if you try to flee his battle.

>>I was already kind of frustrated with the 50% flee success rate, so I agree with your point about increasing it. I'm also considering increasing the enemy encounter probability on items to 2/3. Right now, they're all different.

>>You also, uh... kinda button-mashed through the tutorial section explaining that you shouldn't button-mash, or else the game will jump to the return label. It's not that big of a deal tbh, but I did try to include it as a warning. RenPy says you should anticipate people speedrunning your game, so that one is pretty much on me lol.

The way the battle loop is set up is so that RenPy doesn't skip over battles when you're inside the loop; it only ends when either you or the enemy die. But since the game doesn't remember your last action, you can't really roll back on a turn. I think if I implement some kind of way of disabling rollback within the battle loop, though, it'll fix the issue.

This is also why I took away auto and skip. Because again, clicking on unclickable parts of the map will jump you to the label that returns you to the title screen.

>>The reason the enemies outside of scripted encounters don't have animations yet is because there are 24 enemy configurations, meaning I'd have to write animations for each and copy-paste that stuff 24 times. I'll go back and do it eventually, just not right now lol. I was more focused on hammering out the details of the Flying Dog fight.

>>Antigravity is a wildcard effect that has a 1/3 chance of restoring you to full health, one-shot KO-ing the enemy, or resulting in a Game Over... during regular battle. It's not meant to be used in boss battles.

Because I didn't want folks to one-shot KO Flying Dog, I set up a variable where using Antigravity here will always result in a Game Over. But I haven't thoroughly tested the effects of Antigravity (because a lot of shit is happening on the screen), and so the Game Over effect sort of just looks like you jumped straight back to the title screen. In actuality, you hopped for a split second from Flying Dog to the Game Over screen, then to the title screen. Now I'm thinking Game Over could benefit from a disabled rollback too.

Plus, before you make your choice, Omochao warns you that using Antigravity could be dangerous.

>>What else? ...I'm planning on implementing an extra Chaos move, a shield ability that absorbs damage (AKA the enemy depletes 0 of your HP on their turn). This will probably come in handy later when bosses start hitting harder. Like Chaos Heal, it'll take two Chaos Drives.

>>I'm also planning on making an unlockable special boss as a reward for collecting 10 or more A ranks throughout the game (to get an A rank, you need to end battle with 90 HP or above). Hopefully this will incentivize regular battles and using Antigravity.

>You also, uh... kinda button-mashed through the tutorial section explaining that you shouldn't button-mash

I didn't intend to bug test the game, this is just naturally the way I interact with video games. And technology in general. By pushing the limits until it breaks lol.

Yeah I figure most of the ways the game kinda broke out was due to trying to get Renpy to function as a turn based RPG. Still very impressive for what you've managed to do with it so far, my meddling aside!

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[heartstringsnheadspace]

Burntout and Mismatched Expectations

I’m a special education teacher who works with students with autism and I feel so burnt out. I’ve taught for 3 academic school years and this is my second time feeling burnt out this year. The past two weeks I wasn’t teaching at all and I just took this whole week off from work. I want to start a Master’s program in the Fall but I know with how I’m feeling, I can’t teach full time and pursue a Master’s degree at the same time. I’ll rip all my hair out 😂. 

I feel like I don’t know what to do. I feel like I don’t want to leave my current job because it’s flexible with the dress code and short commute. If need be, I can call out or be a little late (about 15/20min late) without real consequences. I also like that they offer education assistance up to 50%  of class which would beneficial for my master’s degree since I want to limit how much loans I take out because I’m already $32,000 in debt from my undergrad. And all in all, I’m comfortable and used to it. A part of me is nervous to leave because I don’t want to feel like I lost something good and I may not find something with similar or more salary/benefits but I think that’s because I haven’t experienced anything else. Three of my colleagues has since left the job and feel more at peace teaching at their new locations. 

Last year I started taking classes towards getting my full teaching certification but now that I’m halfway, I just want to stop! I never wanted to become a teacher and I know I don’t want to retire as one. I felt like  if I was going to be stressed out over classes, I’d rather it be for my master’s than a teaching certification. 

I started working at my school as a teacher assistant in the summer(July) and when my head teacher was out, I was substituting. People were telling me that I was doing a good. My educational director and principal wanted me to apply as a teacher too (in hindsight, I saw that my headteacher was being promoted to a new position and I think they wanted to find someone to fill the teaching vacancy). Initially, I was like “no.” As a child I always said that I don’t want to be a teacher. But I was still substituting and thought “ if I’m substituting, I might as well get paid for it” and that’s what led me to fill out the application. Then the following fall (August - barely a month after I started working there) I was a head teacher. 

I didn’t get any training on teaching, writing and implementing IEPs, how to calculate grades, how to fully utilize my staff, what I should send home for homework, or even how to lesson plan. My degree is in psychology not education so all I had to use was the little experience I had as a teacher assistant, my experience as a student from K-12 and me shadowing a different teacher for a day. Since I became a teacher, I’ve been winging it ever since. It’s reassuring when different staff members tell me that I’m doing a good job and I’m a good teacher. It feels good to hear and I feel it too because I can see the progress in my students ( I can’t take all the credit because I have 2-3 other staff members in my class) but at the same time, it feels frustrating because I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing sometimes. Granted I talked to other teachers and we’ve supported each other but my experience sounds similar to some of theirs with the lack of teacher training. 

I talked to my principal about how I was feeling and how I wanted to explore different interests. She was compassionate and supportive and she did highly suggest that I finish my certification. She mentioned that all because I get my certification doesn’t mean I’ll be boxed in as just a teacher and as I may look for different fields to go into, having the credential will be beneficial. I do agree with her and might get my certification. 

I honestly don’t know what career I want. I do know that I want to help children with disabilities and their families but the classroom is too intimate for me. I get tired of having to manage a classroom, redirect/ talk to students all day, deal with aggressive behaviors, all while still having to do paperwork on the back end and not really having the time during the school day to attend to it. This leads me to feel like I need to bring Work home and I didn’t have a proper work life balance. I was either thinking about or doing work majority of my days. My contract hours is from 7:30am to 4pm and I would find myself in my first year of teaching leaving work at 5/6pm sometimes. This school year i’ve gotten better but I still might bring work home from time to time. 

My school is a 12 month program but I feel like the days off aren’t enough. Last year (2nd year of teaching) during my “summer break” ( which probably lasted about 5, 9 days including the weekends) I was using my off time to prep what I needed to print for the classroom and first day activities. I even went up to school twice to start putting stuff together. I probably went in around 9/10am and left around 5/6pm. After I thought about it, I was mad I did that because my off time was so limited that I wish I just used it to relax and decompress. The reason why I chose to work is because after our break, we have two days to get the school together before the students return. During my first year, I waited until we came back but I didn’t have any ideas so I felt like I wasted so much time looking for stuff to do/print when we could’ve been decorating and I didn’t want a repeat of that. For the two days that we have to decorate the school, time is still being taken away from us because they have trainings planned within. I think my school being a 12 month program, the lack of training and, dealing with students behaviors is a contributing factor to me feeling burnt out. 

This is my third year and I feel like I should have it figured out, but I really don’t and I’m not feeling fulfilled. I don’t know what direction to turn to. I know I want to get my master’s in social work but I’m not even sure what I would do with the degree. I wouldn’t even mind doing something completely different from education as long as it’s less demanding is equal or better to what I get now.

[coolcatteacher]

11 Simple Hacks for Teachers to Save Time | Dr. Desiree Alexander

Are you a teacher feeling overwhelmed by endless tasks and struggling to find time for what truly matters—your students? In this episode of The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, Dr. Desiree Alexander, an award-winning educator and consultant, shares 11 practical time management hacks every teacher can use to reclaim their time and reduce stress.

📋 Show Notes: Access the full show notes and links mentioned in this episode at coolcatteacher.com/e879.

🎓 About Dr. Desiree Alexander: Dr. Desiree Alexander is the Founder and CEO of Educator Alexander Consulting, LLC, and the Deputy Director for the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana. With over two decades of experience in education, she is an award-winning speaker, consultant, and advocate for teachers. Her work focuses on empowering educators with practical strategies and tools to thrive in their profession.

📧 Subscribe to the Cool Cat Teacher Newsletter: Stay up-to-date with inspiring teaching tips and resources by subscribing to our newsletter at coolcatteacher.com/newsletter.

📺 Watch on YouTube: Want to see more engaging content? Watch this episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/coolcatteacher.

🎧 Where to Listen: Subscribe and listen to The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast on your favorite platforms.

  Classroom Organization Tips:

01:24 ⏳ 1. Get Organized  Declutter your workspace and avoid the dreaded “stack of death.” Set up a simple and functional filing system to make paperwork more manageable.

01:45 📂 2. Use a Simple Filing System  Whether digital or paper, having an easy-to-use system will keep your materials accessible and prevent last-minute scrambling.

02:15 📝 3. Empower Students to File Their Own Work  Save time by letting students take responsibility for filing their assignments. This simple step fosters organization skills and lightens your workload.

Personal Productivity Hacks:

03:02 📅 4. Plan Lessons Early to Reduce Last-Minute Stress Gather resources ahead of time—copies, books, manipulatives—to avoid scrambling when the copier inevitably breaks right before class.

05:03 👥 5. Have Multitasking Moments to Socialize and Get Work Done  Balance productivity with connection! Grade papers or file documents while chatting with colleagues, so you don’t have to take as much work home.

05:54 🚪 6. Close the Door and Minimize Distractions  Find a quiet space to focus during planning periods, so you can get work done efficiently without unnecessary interruptions.

06:10 🏡 7. Protect Your Peace and Work-Life Balance  Your well-being matters. Set limits on how much work you bring home, and make time for family, rest, and hobbies.

Technology and Task Management Tips

06:50 ✅ 8. Use the Answer, File, Delete (AFD) or Three D’s (Delegate, Dump, Do) Method  Prioritize your tasks by immediately answering, filing, or deleting emails. If it doesn’t need your attention, delegate or dump it!

08:03 📧 9. Use Email Tools Like Sweep to Stay Organized  Leverage email automation tools like Sweep to clear out old emails, filter messages, and keep your inbox manageable.

Important principles to remember as you manage your time

09:30💡 10. Put People First When Prioritizing Tasks  Before diving into your to-do list, check in with students and colleagues. Prioritizing people builds stronger relationships and improves your day.

10:21 🚧 11. Set Boundaries and Say No  Educators are natural people-pleasers, but overcommitting leads to burnout. Practice saying “no” and protect your time.

  Thank you for listening to the show! Subscribe to my newsletter at coolcatteacher.com/newsletter and let's connect on social @coolcatteacher wherever you connect! See you later educator!

New 10 Minute Teacher Podcast episode