#Best Currency Counting Products

[hayleythesugarbowl]

U should write more Ian x reader, like a besties to lovers one? No pressure if ur busy ofc <3

More Than Friends || Ian Hecox x reader

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ masterlist • smosh masterlist ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

summary: you have been ignoring your growing feelings for your best friend ian, but when you are chosen to do a romantic scene together will those feelings stay hidden?

word count: 3.5k

warnings: mild cursing

a/n: ahh thank you so much for this request ml, i’ve been meaning to write for ian again!! hope you enjoy this and have a wonderful day!! 🎀☁️🍒

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     “Ok, hear me out. The story is ‘getting a root canal’ but we make it a full on musical with production numbers and everything.”

     Angela’s loud voice broke over the chatter you had been drowning out and you looked across the table. 

     You had been sitting in an early-morning writers meeting discussing ideas for a new sketch for what felt like hours. 

     Whoever thought it would be a good idea to make you and everyone else be creative at 8:00am….

     “Angela,” Chanse chided.

     “What? I had a dentist appointment this morning and I was inspired.”

     “Anyone else have any ideas that don’t have the words ‘root canal’ in them?” Chanse asked.

     “What screams Smosh more than a root canal musical!” Angela looked around the room for help.

     Alas, it didn’t look like you were getting anywhere anytime soon. 

    You watched as Ian, who sat to your left, let his head slip from his hand where it had been rested on the table.

     “Look alive, Mr. President-of-the-company,” you whispered to him, covering the fact that you had definitely been watching him longer than was friend-like.

     Looks like you weren’t the only one who suffered from drowsiness that morning.

     “I was totally paying attention,” Ian yawned. “Something about boats.”

     You rolled your eyes and smiled at your best friend. You’d known Ian since you two were little—in fact, he was the reason you'd got your job at Smosh all those years back.

     You’d been staying with him for the past week while your apartment was being renovated and you'd definitely stayed up too late last night watching reruns of friends. Which probably contributed to you both nodding off during this meeting.

   “Twenty bucks says someone suggests kiss currency part two,” you whispered to Ian.

     “Are you kidding? No way I’m gonna take you up on that, I don’t have spare cash on me.”

     “Did someone say kissing?” Courtney waggled her eyebrows. 

     “Yeah, (Y/n) was just begging me to suggest a kissing sketch,” Ian teased.

     You smacked Ian’s arm, feeling your cheeks warm. “I was not!”

     “Ian just wants to kiss you, that’s all,” Anthony leaned over his friend to tell you conspiratorially.

     Ian pretended to gag. “I’d rather kiss Shayne.”

     “Hey!” Shayne threw up his hands in outrage.

     You laughed along with everyone but you couldn’t stop yourself from clenching your fist around your coffee mug.

     You couldn’t exactly pinpoint when you had begun to have feelings for Ian that were more than friendly. One minute he was just your best friend Ian and the next he was this funny, attractive guy who made your pulse race when he touched your arm or gave you one of his smiles. 

     You knew Ian didn’t return your feelings—you were sure of that. This new development was entirely one sided. Which was why you were absolutely, definitely never going to tell him. Ever.

     You sighed as you watched Ian lean away from you and towards Anthony to whisper something to him.     

     Everyone was silent for a moment and you leaned back in your seat, running a hand through your hair. 

     “Hey, to piggyback off of the kissing thing,” Anthony started, his voice breaking through the silence, “what if we did an ‘every dramatic love confession scene ever’? It’s been a while since we’ve done that style of video.”

     “Ooh good idea,” Ian said, “Those ‘we want the old Smosh’ people will love that. I can already see the views.”

     “Always ‘the content’ with you,” you teased him.

     “He’s right though,” Spencer chimed in, “Especially if we had you and Ian do some scenes together. People would eat that up; it’ll give ‘em more material for their edits. I’m talking Shourtney part two.”

     You watched as Shayne and Courtney looked at each other and grinned. Damn it, why couldn’t you and Ian be like them!

     But, Spencer wasn’t wrong. Ever since you had begun working at Smosh, fans had been convinced you and Ian were dating. You guys had always laughed about all of the comments and posts together. 

     You and Ian? As if!

     But lately, as you watched the fan edits and read the YouTube comments, you couldn’t help but wish that you and Ian actually were what all of these people thought you were. 

     “I can see it now: April 1st, 2025, Ian and (Y/n). Shourtney part two” Ian echoed Spencer’s comment and nodded. “Zach Justice and Tara level shipping.”

     “You know who they are, grandpa?” You snorted.

     “For the last time, I’m four months older than you!”

     You laughed as Ian spoke again.

     “I mean, I’m in if you’re in,” he turned to you,  “For the sketch. If you don’t mind pretending to be into me. I know it’ll be hard not to fall hopelessly in love with me.” 

     “How will I ever manage,” you deadpanned sarcastically, even as your palms began to feel sweaty. Ignoring your feelings on a daily basis was hard enough, let alone doing a love scene together. But you couldn’t very well refuse and have everyone, including Ian, wonder why. 

     Besides, it could be fun. It’d been a while since you’d done a sketch, and regardless of how you felt about Ian, he was still your best friend and you would get to spend a lot of time on set with him. 

     You took a deep breath. You were probably going to regret the next words that came out of your mouth. 

     “Let’s do it”

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

     “Shut up and kiss me,” you said, throwing your pretend purse to the ground as you stepped forwards.”

     “Not until you promise me that I’m the only one,” Ian sniffed dramatically. “I cant lose you again, baby.”

     “It’s only you,” you yelled, “It’s always only been you.”

     “Then kiss me,” Ian took a step towards you. “Kiss me like you’ve never kissed anyone before.”

     “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to hear you say that,” you leaned in. 

     “And then we kiss,” Ian said in a lighter voice, breaking character as you ended the scene. “I feel like it should be raining in the background of this, damn. Ooh, note to self: talk to them about fake rain.”

     “Right,” you smiled shakily, trying not to let the scene have affected you. You were at Ian’s place—your apartment still wasn’t livable—and Ian had suggested you rehearse your scene again for the shoot the next day. 

     You had just received the script and were already panicking a how real it all was. The two characters in the scene were friends who fell in love with each other. Just your luck.

     You silently cursed whoever had written the whole thing. 

     “So do you want to rehearse the kiss before tomorrow?” Ian’s voice brought you out of your thoughts.

     “Oh, um, I think it might be better if we just wing it. You know, realistic first kiss and all.”

     “As long as you don’t pull a Jennifer Lawrence on me,” Ian laughed, “No garlic fries.”

     You placed a hand to your chest in mock surprise, “Wow Ian, two pop culture references in one day? I’m so proud.”

     “I learned from the best,” Ian booped your nose and you felt your heart flutter. 

     You flopped down on your couch-bed in the middle of the living room and kicked your pajama-pant-clad legs out in front of you. 

     Ian sat down next to you and picked up the TV remote. “Do you mind?”

     You shook your head as he turned on the television. A show was playing that you’d definitely seen before, but you weren’t paying attention. 

     You couldn’t focus on anything but Ian’s presence next to you as he scooted closer to you and laid his arm over the back of the couch behind you. He smelled like pine and soap and a hint of the day’s cologne and the scent was so familiar and so damn attractive that you couldn’t ever imagine a time when you hadn’t wanted him all over you. How had you been so ignorant then?

     You rested your head on Ian’s chest and let out a sigh. All of this was so normal—you two laying there, watching TV, falling asleep next to each other—and yet it felt so different. 

     Ian kissed the top of your head gently and mumbled “Goodnight, (Y/n).”

     You muttered a soft, “‘Night.”

     Sometimes, when you were really desperate, you imagined that your best friend felt the same way about you that you did about him. In all the little ways that he made you feel special and loved, you found an almost something. It was times like these that you let yourself imagine, what if?

     But then you reminded yourself that you and Ian had always been this way. The only difference was your pulse racing and your heart jumping into your throat whenever he looked at you or touched you. 

     You let your eyes close as the sounds of whatever comedy was on played in the background.

     It was strange how you could feel so anxious and so comfortable at the same time. Despite all the new uneasiness that came with your romantic feelings towards Ian, you were still calmed by his presence. You still knew him better than anyone else. You still wanted this forever. Which is why you couldn’t let yourself change things. 

     You felt Ian wrap his arm around you and you shifted slightly on the bed. This felt right, you thought. How could you dare mess that up with unrequited love making everything difficult?

     Because that was scary. Changing everything was scary. Losing him was scary. But this? This was comfortable, you thought. And it was true. 

     You had never felt more comfortable before in your life.

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

     You had never felt more uncomfortable in your life. 

     You’d thought last night was awkward, reading through the script with Ian. But today, as you reminded yourself you’d have to kiss him and not make it seem like it meant anything to you, you were sweating through your floral-pattern dress. 

     “Hey (Y/n)!”

     You spun around to find Ian wearing a full on tuxedo, complete with a boutonnière and everything. 

     “Wow, you look—”

     “Like prom threw up on me? Yeah, I know,” Ian joked, “But you look like the lead in a romcom so thumbs up costume coordinator.”

     You looked down at your dress. You had gone to costuming earlier on and had just come out of hair and makeup. You hoped you hadn't already sweated it all off. 

     You looked back up at Ian. He looked—well, aside from drop dead gorgeous—like he had eaten something that didn’t quite agree with him.

     You opened your mouth to ask if he was feeling ok when you were called to set by one of the directors.

     “Looks like that’s us,” Ian smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

     You walked over to the set that you would be using, which looked like the outside of a building that could have been a school or a convention center. Apparently Angela had just had it lying around from a previous play. It looked really realistic, almost too realistic.

     You took a deep breath as you stepped onto set and Ian followed you. 

     You got this, you told yourself, you know all of your lines and you’re not going to mess this up.

     You looked out at the rest of the Smosh cast and crew, busy on set or waiting for their scenes. 

     “Ok and rolling…” you heard the director call.

     You prepared yourself. Ian stepped to the side of you. “You ready for this?”

     “Yeah,” you whispered, “definitely. Are you ok? You look pretty pale.”

     “I’m good,” Ian assured you with a nod, “just ate some weird pistachios at the snack table. I’d stay away if I were you.”

     “Noted,” you giggled.

     “…And Action!”

     You immediately were thrown into the scene. Ian had the first line and you tried to get into character.

     “What is your problem, Amy?” Ian said.

     “My problem?” you spat, trying to channel your inner romcom protagonist, “Are you really going to make me sit here and spell it out for you, Jake?”

     “That’d be nice,” Ian—Jake—scoffed.

     “Fine,” you made your voice shaky, “You wanna know what my problem is? My problem is that you came here with Veronica when you knew that all I wanted to do was be your date tonight.”

     “How would I know that? Was I supposed to just guess? You’re my best friend, Amy, why wouldn’t you just tell me!”

     “You want to know why I didn’t tell you?” You—Amy—asked him. “Because you’re my best friend. That’s why. I’ve had to sit here and watch you with girl after girl while all I wanted was as to be one of them.”

     You stepped closer to Ian as you kept saying your lines, trying to summon tears “I have been in love with you for years. Years, Jake. But I couldn’t tell you because I didn’t want to lose this.”

     You gestured between the two of you, trying to clear your mind and do what you had rehearsed. You refused to let any of your own thoughts slip in. 

     You continued, “I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. So go ahead. It’s ruined now. Go back to your date and have the best night with her. I’ll just be here on the sidelines like I always have been.”

     You turned and pretended to walk away and as planned Ian grabbed your wrist and you spun around.

     “You don’t get it,” he started, “I love you. I always have loved you. From the moment I met you, I have loved you. I love the way you tie your hair up when you’re working on something. I love the way your nose scrunches up when something amuses you. I love your perfume and the way it kinda makes me dizzy when I’m near you. I love you. I have never loved anyone more.”

      Ian’s eyes were intense as he looked down at you. 

     “And I never told you because, look at you. You’re way out of my league, I was lucky to have you as a friend. But, it’s always been you. I love you so much and I can’t believe you love me back. I’ll keep saying it as long as I am still breathing. I love you, I love you, I love you.”

     Even though it was acting, you’d never seen Ian like this. Not even when you were rehearsing. This was raw and emotional and it was hard not to let yourself believe it was real. The air was thick and you were both breathing heavy, the room silent except for the synchronized sound of your breathing. You stepped towards Ian, preparing to tell him to ‘shut up and kiss you’, as the script said, but he kept speaking.

     “I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to say all this. But, I want to be more than friends. And now that you know, will you be  more than friends with me, (Y/n)?”

     You jolted at his use of your name and not your character’s. None of this was in the script, as far as you knew.

     “Ian—” You whispered, looking around. 

     He took your hands, swallowing hard. “This is real, (Y/n). And I meant every word.”

     You couldn’t process what was happening. You searched Ian’s face and he looked honest and hopeful and a little scared. But he was sincere. You didn’t see any evidence that this was some kind of practical joke. Was Ian saying…

     You moved to stand even closer to him. 

     “Shut up and kiss me,” you said hesitantly, saying the line you were supposed to say earlier. 

     A slow smile came to Ian’s face, getting what you were doing. “Not until you promise me that I’m the only one, I cant lose you again, baby.”

     “It’s only you,” you whispered, “It’s always only been you.”

     “Then kiss me,” Ian said. “Kiss me like you’ve never kissed anyone before.”

     “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to hear you say that,” you leaned in. 

     And scene, You thought, So much for not letting this be real.

     And then your lips were on his, and you were kissing him. And Ian was kissing you back. He grabbed your waist and pulled you closer to him. You ran your hands through his hair and you felt him shiver beneath your touch.

     As you kissed Ian, your best friend, you silently thanked your luck—that this had happened, that Ian returned your feelings.

     Ian pulled away gently, brushing your hair back from your face.

     “Wow,” you breathed, “that was—”

     “That was everything I’d imagined it would be,” Ian said.

     And then, all of a sudden, the entire studio burst into applause. You looked out at all of your friends and cast mates clapping and cheering for you. Had they been in on this the whole time? Had they all known that Ian would break character and confess real feelings for you?

     “Just to be sure,” Ian said, “You do actually like me back right? You weren’t just finishing the scene?”

     You laughed, “Yes, Ian, I like you. A lot.”

     “Phew,” Ian laughed, calling out to the people gathered, “It’s a yes guys, she said yes! And sorry about ruining the shoot!”

     “You kidding? That was the most realistic love scene I’ve ever seen. How could we not use that?” Anthony called back.

     You giggled and placed your hands on Ian’s chest, “About that, I didn’t know you could be so cheesy and romantic.”

     “Only for you,” he said. “And I wouldn’t say cheesy. Poetic and beautiful, maybe.”

     You rolled your eyes at him, but you’d never been happier. You wouldn’t be able to stop smiling for days. And you didn’t want to. 

     All this time, as you’d been battling your own feelings, Ian had had feelings for you. You no longer had to pretend, because everything you wanted with Ian was already happening. 

     You smiled up at him, “I love you, Ian.”

     You had said it so many times platonically, but it felt different now. And yet the same.

     “I love you so much, (Y/n).”

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

     You put your hair up into a ponytail as you walked towards Ian’s office. You had changed out of your romcom dress and back into the clothes you wore to the studio today. Now that you were done with the shoot, Ian had said he wanted to take you out. Your first real date. 

     You rounded the corner and went to enter Ian’s doorway, but you stopped when you heard voices. 

     “Hey, thanks man,” Ian’s voice carried into the hallway. “Thanks for suggesting that sketch.”

     “Anything for my friend,” Anthony said. “When your best friend whispers ‘hey can you suggest a sketch where me and (Y/n) have to be romantic together’ you step up.”

     You strained to hear. What? Was Ian saying he had planned that whole thing? He was the one who wanted to do that sketch?

     “Besides,” Anthony continued, “I didn’t even really do anything. You wrote the whole thing. Speaking of which, damn man, warn somebody! I’ll bring tissues to set next time.”

     You couldn’t believe it! That entire scene, about two random characters, Ian had written it all for you and him. 

     “You wrote all that?” You stepped into Ian’s office a look of shock on both men’s faces.

     “(Y/n), how much of that did you hear?” Ian asked nervously.

     “Enough to be even more in love with you than when I walked over here, if that’s possible.”

     Ian looked relieved as he came over to you and put his arms around you. “Well, then yeah, I wrote it. And I meant every word I said about loving you.”

     “Wow, I gotta work on my speech writing skills,” you teased, “I didn’t know I was best friends with The Bard himself this whole time.”

     “It’s a gift,” Ian smiled, kissing you softly. “And I had plenty of time to practice being poetic, being in love with you for years.

     “I’m going to go,” Anthony’s voice interrupted, “because I feel like a third wheel and not because my eyes are watering—damn allergies. I’m so happy for both of you.”

     Anthony left the room and you both burst into laughter. 

    Ian placed a soft kiss to your lips again, and you smiled. You couldn’t believe this was your reality. 

     Some of your best memories and moments were with Ian as a best friend. And now you got to experience a whole new world with Ian your boyfriend. You couldn’t wait.

     You were wrong the night before, you thought, as Ian wrapped his arms around you.     

     This, this was the most comfortable you’d ever been. 

     “Hey, I hate to interrupt,” Angela peeked into the room, “but now that we’re done with the operation-get-Ian-and-(Y/n)-together sketch—congrats by the way—where are we at on Root Canal the Musical?”

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ˋ°•*⁀➷ hope y’all enjoyed this!! if you did, check out my other ian fic + my ian hcs 🤭🍓💌

[cryscendo]

hello lovely! how are you? x

if it’s not too late, is it possible for me to request either a kiss that leaves lipstick stains or an abrupt, heated kiss during the middle of a fight for klaine for the promotion thing please?

hope you’re doing well in your corner of the world <3

it’s absolutely not too late!! i received the fight one by someone else, so i decided to do the lipstick one <3

Pairing: Kurt Hummel/Blaine Anderson

Word Count: 1206

Rating: T

if anyone wants to send me a request, check out the prompt list here!

fic can be read under the cut <3

“Blaine, hold still,” Kurt reprimands as he meticulously works on winging out a dark coat of black liquid eyeliner along Blaine’s eyes. He insisted on it being a necessity in bringing out the honey color of his eyes.

They have been at this for the better part of forty-five minutes. And best believe, Blaine loves the attention, but sitting still has never really been a skill that he possessed easily. “We have to be almost done, right?”

Kurt pulls the eyeliner pen away to give Blaine an incredulous look. “Why are you being impatient?” He shakes his head before tilting Blaine’s chin up a bit with his free hand, wanting to make sure that he didn’t miss any spots with Blaine’s makeup so far. “These things take time in order to look perfect, dear.”

Yeah, yeah, so he’s heard. Kurt never did things in halves. So it comes as no surprise that he isn’t interested in doing so now. Eventually, once he decides that the eyeliner is to his liking, he sets the pen down and picks up a shimmery golden highlight, instinctively testing it on his forearm before ever applying it on Blaine. “I’d just like to see what the artist has done with the canvas,” Blaine says with a grin.

“And you will,” Kurt replies, watching how the highlight on his arm shifts under the light. “Once I’m done.” Deciding the highlight to be acceptable, Kurt picks up some of the product from its pan with a brush. He taps the brush on the edge of the makeup pan once to shake off some of the excess highlight before carefully brushing it along the high points of Blaine’s face. Blaine has always been mesmerized while watching Kurt work like this. When Kurt got into the zone, it was impossible to look away. One man should not be able to possess this much talent and elegance and grace, yet here Kurt was, right in front of him.

“Gold has always been a lovely color on you. Perfect for your skin tone; I’m honestly jealous,” Kurt professes softly and Blaine all but preens under the compliment. Kurt’s compliments were like currency, if that everyone sought after them, but they weren’t attainable for everybody. Blaine was lucky enough to be one of the few in the world to be wealthy off of them.

Finally, Kurt sets the brush down and picks up two tubes of red lipstick. He silently ponders the two shades, and just like with the highlight, he swatches the colors on his arm. It fascinates Blaine how much effort Kurt puts into things as simple as lipstick shades. Blaine dabbles in makeup himself from time to time, especially when it comes to acting, but Kurt takes it to a whole other level. He’s not a makeup artist, and he’ll clarify that himself, but he certainly puts in the effort to pass as one.

He decides on a shade, setting the other tube of lipstick back down on the table. “Almost done,” he mutters, largely to himself, as he paints Blaine’s lips red with lipstick. The hand under his chin meant to hold his head up is warm against Blaine’s skin. Blaine isn’t the only person that Kurt’s ever applied makeup to and he has to wonder if it ever felt this intimate to anyone else. He hoped not, because he couldn’t sit right with the prospect of someone else feeling what it was like under Kurt’s gentle touch and careful gaze.

Soon enough, he sets the lipstick down as well, cradling Blaine’s face in his hands in such a way that he intentionally avoids destroying all his hard work. “There. Perfect.”

“Can I look now?” Blaine asks, already turning his head to look in the mirror, but Kurt stops him before he can see anything.

“Not yet! I’ll let you know when you can.” With that, Kurt took one final bottle off the vanity, pouring some of the product into his palm and running it evenly through Blaine’s curls. Blaine has used this stuff before. It was designed to give his curls a bit more weight and bounce. It was Kurt’s solution to the baby hair fineness of his natural hair without the necessitation of hair gel.

Kurt stood back to take in Blaine before him, a look of pride gracing his features. With a satisfied nod, he claps his hands together once happily. “Okay, now you can look!”

Eager to see just what Kurt had accomplished, Blaine turns to finally look in the vanity mirror behind him. And what he saw pushed a stunned gasp from his lips — a delicious mixture of reds and golds that tied into the outfit that Kurt picked out for him. The beadwork on the top made him shine and it contrasted vividly with the crimson fabric beneath the golden beads. Red eyeshadow bled into a translucent shimmer, and Blaine could now really see why it took Kurt so long to do.

It’s stunning. Everything Kurt touches turns out stunning.

Noise behind him indicates to Blaine that Kurt was setting up his camera. “I hope you like it,” he says in a tone that’s surprisingly bashful. Blaine looks over and sees Kurt fidgeting with the settings on his camera — the same camera he uses for modeling designs.

“Kurt…” Blaine approaches him, gently taking the camera from Kurt’s hands and setting it on the vanity as well. “I don’t know how you do it, but everything you create turns into a masterpiece.”

Kurt rolls his eyes. “That is hardly true,” he retorts, but the way that his eyes flicker down to Blaine’s red lips tells a very different story. “Though I will say I did a good job this time.”

“The best job,” Blaine counters. Then, looking at the long pale expanse of Kurt’s throat, Blaine concocts an idea. He just hopes Kurt won’t be too upset with him about it. “I should really find a way to congratulate you.”

“Yeah? And how do you plan to do that?”

“I think I may have an idea.” Blaine slides his hands up to undo the top button of Kurt’s shirt with practiced ease. He encourages Kurt backwards until his husband is leaning against the vanity. Then, he closes in on Kurt’s neck and presses a kiss to it, leaving behind red lipstick against pale skin. The sound that escapes Kurt is somewhere between a sigh and a gasp. Blaine kisses him again, this time in the spot on Kurt’s neck that he knows always draws out the sweetest sounds from Kurt.

“Blaine, you’re going to mess up your makeup,” Kurt tries to protest, but his breathlessness betrays that he was enjoying this. Blaine kept going, littering Kurt’s throat with lipstick. He moved from jawline to collarbone, eventually reaching dangerously close to Kurt’s chest that was still hidden under his shirt. And why shouldn’t he? Kurt made him look beautiful, so it was only natural that Blaine should want to return the favor.

“Oh no, that would be awful,” Blaine responds teasingly, looking into Kurt’s eyes. Bluish-gray color swirls in Blaine’s vision and it is somehow the most breathtaking thing in the room. “I suppose you’ll just have to redo it all over again afterwards, then.”

[itsbinghebitch]

just finished wedding plan and I have a couple of thoughts/feelings/complex emotions I need to express here--spoilers ahead [and many thanks to @the-conversation-pod for their wonderful commentary that made me give it a chance--I owe this cathartic watch to you!]

as a queer person from a conservative society I thought wedding plan was so so so special. in that--it very deftly depicted the pressures of being inside the closet in a small community where word travels fast (also posing unique challenges for lesbians in more traditional societies, which is why yiwa's story and the few nuances around her beauty/perfect femininity as currency made me shed several tears on MULTIPLE counts). but what really sealed the deal for me was this show ultimately depicting queerness as a journey: an uphill battle for Lom that he ultimately wins not solely through romance but through the power of community.

from a writing standpoint, I was very taken with the contrast betwen Lom and Nuea, and how textual it is that Lom is attracted to Nuea first at Pai and Sky's wedding for his unrestrained enjoyment. Nuea enjoys food and his job, enjoys his sexuality, and is very openly queer. that is something Lom has never imagined possible for himself: he has, by contrast, a restrained white collar life with set rules and a single peek into his rebellious side in the form of wakeboarding. and so the way the story is set up, Nuea is not only Lom's love interest, but also almost an aspirational role model for Lom. as a closeted man, Lom learns that other possibilities for his life exist, that unconditional enjoyment is allowed, that there is now a network of people past Yiwa and Marine who will accept him with no strings attached.

my spidey senses tell me queer people have been thoroughly involved in the production and writing of this show because this has totally been my experience growing up closeted in a conservative country as well. I think the most hurtful thing was having no role models (either peers people older than you in the public eye) and just not knowing a different life is possible. I had the exact same experience as Yiwa and Lom where I only saw two men holding hands on the street for the first time visiting western Europe. like Lom, I only ever felt free to explore and understand my gender and sexuality once I immigrated as a young adult. like in Thai communities as depicted in the show, the surveillance is constant and so deeply internalized. it changes the conception you have of yourself. this story very much felt like two actual gay men learning from each other in a way i've only really seen depicted in very few QL shows--Lom learning how to be freer from Nuea, Nuea understanding how Lom and Yiwa navigate the difficult situation he never personally experienced.

overall I felt really seen by this show in a way i can't say i've felt about a lot of queer media i've watched this year and beyond. I loved loved loved that wedding plan gave us a true range of experiences and a set of queer people who went above and beyond to protect each other as a de facto family unit and really wish QL will continue depicting the complexity of queer lives in the same way. 10/10 recommended-- one of the best watches of 2023 for me. i cried a ridiculous amount of times

[nayialovecat]

The Ink Demonth 2023 - Day 23. Contraband

Day 23. Contraband Crossover: Craig of the Creek, Disenchantment Apparently Workshop toys are a pretty bad currency at least for the time being, but wait until you have some more of them, Kit, and you can make the best trade in your life: "limited edition toys from haunted studio, only from me!"

Kit, as well as the Trading Tree itself, come from the cartoon "Craig of the Creek" (I drew Craig once), which is an extremely nice Cartoon Network production showing kids playing on the titular Creek. I love it for many things - firstly, it brings back sentimental memories from my own childhood, secondly, it is a wonderful cross-section of different types of kids and their behavior, thirdly - it shows small problems in a completely different light. Every parent should watch this series to understand things better. I especially love the episodes that alternately show what the kids see - and what is really happening (e.g. during the game "the floor is lava"). My objection is the same as against Bluey: that it is a bit unrealistic that all the kids always take part in the games and accept the sometimes problematic rules (e.g. when playing hide and seek or being trapped in a maze) - that no one will say "ok, I've had enough, I'm not playing with you anymore". But apart from that - a wonderfully presented world of imagination, actually a mini-community. This series was also "nominated" for the City entry for a while, but I decided that I wouldn't find anything else for the Contraband (plus wanted to draw Kit).

I really like the character of Kit. This little, enterprising girl is something of a higher instance of the creek - thanks to her, kids (for a small fee) can eat their favorite sweets or snacks without having to leave their playground and go to the store, she also sells toys and gadgets. I ship her with Craig - all the episodes of them working together confirm in my eyes what a wonderful couple they'll be when they become teenagers. I'm honestly counting on it, because of all the girls hanging around Craig, Kit is the one who best suits him in terms of character and common interests.

More observant people may also notice a guest from another cartoon, this time absolutely not for children - the demon Luci from "Disenchantment" - a series by the creators of Futurama aimed at adult viewers, a somewhat modern fairy tale, and partly a parody of many well-known stories. If someone is an adult and doesn't know it, I recommend it. A wonderful story with a very good ending to the whole plot. Luci, the personal demon of the main character, Princess Bean, is undoubtedly my favourite character. I love his physical two-dimensionality, to his absolutely non-one-dimensional character. I love his texts and the fact that in all his participation in Bean's adventures, he never forgets for a moment that he is a hellish being, and his "do it, do it" is always wonderful. In his original storyline, Luci was considered a "weird cat" by those around him, hence Kit's text (while he's actually just another of Bendy's "cousins" that the ink demon is wandering around with).

As for the technical side... it took a lot of time to colour, but was surprisingly fun. It was the first time in a long time that I shaded in such a strange way. Oh, it's worth noting that the colours of Bendy's clothes were entirely developed by my daughter, Ursa. Kudos to her! By the way, I wonder who Bendy stole these clothes from X"D

Finally, I will just mention that the Contraband theme was originally associated with "The Owl House" and Eda's stall, but I moved it to another place with a better idea. And that's why Craig landed here.

PS. I don't like Kopiko, but I'm not crazy about avoiding showing existing products in my drawings. But seriously, I didn't feel like changing the name, so here you have it, a covert advertisement for the hideous Kopiko coffee candies. You're welcome, Kopiko.

Bendy and the Ink Machine (c) Joey Drew Studios Inc. Craig of the Creek (c) Cartoon Network Disenchantment (c) Matt Groening Sammy and the Ink Machine (c) Nayia Lovecat

[libertarian-druid-ny-separatist]

So like, there's this awesome game with a fuckload of potential with servers named after Celtic and other pagan gods. It's called Pax Dei. It got review bombed so hard by players in early access, but it was a game that is still in development as early access games should be. Like, it currently sits as an mmo, with no currency whatsoever, but players still trade and value goods, resources, and materials differently enough to facilitate trade.

For example, I traded a bunch of tier 2 logs for a massive crate of beer.

It's incredibly grindy if you're a builder, smith, or basically any sort of tradesperson. As a result, the game remains somewhat pvp focused, especially with that being the best resource gathering area which holds the best magic items as well, which are items used to craft magical armor, weapons, etc, which allow you to cast magic or have magical properties. It's honestly confusing as hell if you go in blind, which is why I've stayed out of magic entirely which is why I'm an armorsmith (and have put 92 hours into a game that came out last month and only meeting my clan last week in a [currently] very clan driven game).

It's genuinely great without currency, and they're adding a (supposedly) hard currency in the coming updates. Supposedly silver, which is going to be limited in quantity with a very high starting spawn. So the combat experts that currently exist in game that gather together for pvp are going to make a mint facilitating trade between pvp zones, especially if they also hire out as guides for travelers without a pre-planned route. Clans typically consist of like 5-10 people (again, for like the 10th time, currently, I expect a whole fuckload to change as the game develops, like lore doesn't even really exist in game yet). I genuinely think this game is gonna outdo WoW in our lifetime as a gaming phenomenon if people legitimately give it a chance while keeping in mind that it's literally playable in development on UE5 and you're seeing a legitimately incomplete product.

I honestly don't care who all plays, currently, the server I'm at is at max pop, meaning no new characters can be put on it, yet. I just want the game to get fuckhuge, and the only way that's gonna happen is if it gets a lot of players. I can say this in earnest, don't look at what it is right now, look at what it is a week from when you start playing, a month, however long. When roleplay servers expand, which they very well may considering it was filled by people trying to get away from the survival servers because the rp servers are legitimately better since the roleplayers generally take pride in whatever craft they choose, and as a result get better at it faster since they're willing to trade for or gather buttloads of resources.

It's not free, but it's $40 for the base edition, which if you're not planning on leading a clan, is all you really need. Servers are likely to expand if they get the funding, and by that I mean grow in player count and number. If you are planning on leading a clan, then you'll need an additional $50, because you'll want the extra plots and maybe the additional furniture and structures (which are purely decorative). Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of pay to win features, and this would seem like one, if the build height limit wasn't crazy tall and the height of most practical crafting stuff wasn't usually pretty short. It's vanity and expansionism only, but everyone gets a plot, from which you can use it to expand your clan's land, or for a little home, or a shop even, or really, whatever, maybe a combination of them. I used two of mine to build a temple and one for a watchtower/kitchen/brewry/tiny forge/charcoal kiln. And it's only up to the third floor in a 4x3 floor area.

Seriously, it's awesome as long as you're not trying to play up some high fantasy stuff and can be and act like a human. There's plans for map wipes during development, which may reset characters for all I know, on top of that, their alpha only had one server per available region, and that went up to (I believe but don't feel like checking for an already too long game review) 6. Most players have 1-2 characters, and as a result, the rp and survival communities are kind of intertwined, but not really. I have one character I play. I've only played the game for about a week with any sort of effort or real daily time to speak of, and I've unwittingly put 92 hours into it. When I say it's a legitimately good game that got shit tier early reviews from some idiots that didn't understand what early access is supposed to be and when it's being used as it's intended, I mean it. The grindyness of it has been significantly reduced in the last couple weeks, and the game came out last month. The stack sizes of a lot of items went up this week. It's legitimately being worked on regularly, with patches coming up regularly and big ones coming up occasionally. Like I said earlier, there's expansions planned that add massive, literally game changing, features. Honestly, the devs are likely going to reorganize the server layouts to favor roleplayers more than survival gamers because it's working itself out to be a top tier mmorpg.

Get in early, figure the game out, and if characters aren't deleted ever, maybe even get yourself maxxed out in everything and be massively OP when it exits early access. I legitimately feel like it's going to be a hit if people review it with the knowledge it's legitimately using the term early access properly, while already being awesome.

[unpluggedfinancial]

The Decentralized Future: Why Bitcoin is More than Just Money

In a world increasingly dominated by centralized power structures—whether in finance, governance, or technology—the idea of decentralization is more than just a buzzword. It represents a fundamental shift in how we approach problems, distribute power, and ensure fairness. At the heart of this movement is Bitcoin, a digital currency that is often misunderstood as just another form of money. However, Bitcoin is much more than that; it is a key player in a broader push towards decentralization that could reshape our society in profound ways.

The Rise of Bitcoin and Its Impact Beyond Currency

Bitcoin was created in 2008 as a response to the global financial crisis, which exposed the fragility and corruption of traditional financial systems. Its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, envisioned a form of money that operated independently of central banks and governments—a currency that could be transferred directly between individuals without the need for intermediaries. This peer-to-peer nature of Bitcoin was revolutionary, challenging the very foundations of how we think about money.

But the impact of Bitcoin extends far beyond its role as a digital currency. Bitcoin’s decentralized nature is being applied to various fields, driving a new wave of innovation that prioritizes transparency, security, and individual empowerment. Whether it’s in the realm of data security, privacy, or even governance, Bitcoin’s underlying principles are proving to be adaptable and transformative.

Blockchain Technology: The Backbone of Decentralization

At the core of Bitcoin’s success is blockchain technology—a decentralized ledger that records transactions in a transparent and immutable way. Unlike traditional databases, which are controlled by a single entity, a blockchain is maintained by a network of participants who work together to verify and record transactions. This decentralized approach not only makes the system more resilient to attacks but also enhances trust among its users.

Blockchain’s transparency is one of its most powerful features. Every transaction on a blockchain is visible to all participants, making it nearly impossible to alter records without being detected. This level of transparency has significant implications for industries that have historically been plagued by corruption and inefficiency. For example, in supply chain management, blockchain can be used to track the journey of products from origin to consumer, ensuring that goods are sourced ethically and sustainably.

Beyond financial applications, blockchain technology is being explored as a tool for decentralized governance. Imagine a world where voting is conducted on a blockchain, ensuring that every vote is counted accurately and transparently. Or consider the potential for decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), where decisions are made collectively by stakeholders without the need for a central authority. These applications highlight how blockchain technology could lead to more democratic and transparent systems that empower individuals rather than institutions.

The Potential for a More Open and Transparent Future

The decentralized future envisioned by Bitcoin and blockchain technology is one where power is distributed more equitably, and individuals have greater control over their own lives. In this future, governments and corporations would be held accountable through transparent processes that are open to public scrutiny. Decentralized governance models could reduce corruption and ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the community rather than a select few.

Moreover, decentralization has the potential to empower individuals by giving them control over their own data, finances, and even identities. In a decentralized world, personal information would no longer be stored in centralized databases vulnerable to breaches. Instead, individuals could manage their own data, deciding who has access to it and how it is used. This shift would mark a significant departure from the current model, where a handful of tech giants wield enormous power over our digital lives.

Of course, the road to a fully decentralized future is not without challenges. Scalability remains a significant hurdle for blockchain technology, as current systems struggle to handle large volumes of transactions efficiently. Additionally, regulatory uncertainty poses a risk to the widespread adoption of decentralized solutions. However, the potential benefits of decentralization far outweigh these challenges, and ongoing innovations are likely to address these issues in the coming years.

Conclusion

Bitcoin is often labeled as just another form of money, but this narrow view overlooks its true potential. As part of a broader movement towards decentralization, Bitcoin and blockchain technology are poised to create a more open, transparent, and equitable world. By redistributing power away from centralized authorities and towards individuals, these innovations have the potential to reshape our society in profound ways. As we continue to explore the possibilities of decentralization, one thing is clear: Bitcoin is more than just money; it’s a catalyst for change.

Take Action Towards Financial Independence

If this article has sparked your interest in the transformative potential of Bitcoin, there's so much more to explore! Dive deeper into the world of financial independence and revolutionize your understanding of money by following my blog and subscribing to my YouTube channel.

🌐 Blog: Unplugged Financial Blog Stay updated with insightful articles, detailed analyses, and practical advice on navigating the evolving financial landscape. Learn about the history of money, the flaws in our current financial systems, and how Bitcoin can offer a path to a more secure and independent financial future.

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[random-xpressions]

There's only one way of replacing the current global economic misery: to add one more currency of exchange along with your existing currency. So you see what happens when you transact, whether it be the purchase of goods or services, in exchange you pay them money, thinking that you've paid its price. But please think for a moment, what you have just paid doesn't even account to 1/1000 of its true value. Let's say your kids are going through extreme vomiting. Based on the prescription, you visit your local pharmacist and buy the medicines for let's say $10. That's it. In capitalistic terminology, the transaction is complete, the exchange is closed. They give you the medicines and you pay them - end of the story. But let's revive the forgotten currency of prayer here. To add that one priceless prayer here by the buyer to the seller that may God truly reward you with nothing less than paradise for this. As insignificant as the product or service may appear to be, if it has fulfilled us in some way then the ancient human language is that of gratitude and prayer. We wish the best upon the ones who brought this to our tables. Start counting them. Every individual in that line of logistics from the farmer to the driver to the warehouse labour to the grocery person - there's an entire human chain involved in getting you the end product. Bless them, leave them a prayer. That's the currency we need to bring back. Whether it be the maids that do our household chores or the chefs that cook for us at the restaurants or the bus driver that makes the commuting easier. This entire human existence is so interconnected that the contribution of each of them is indispensable - even the janitor that maintains cleanliness of our buildings and neighborhood. Offer a prayer. Add this one more currency and the world will be a better place...

Random Xpressions

[vienna2023]

Day #7- Kaylee

The seventh day started with a not so polite alarm blaring down the hallway at 6:30 am that I'm pretty sure everyone heard. It was an early start to the day as we had planned to head to the city of Budapest in Hungary this morning, a long two and a half hour bus ride in a fancy bus awaited us. This was to say, we needed to survive the tipsy bathroom located on the bus before we reached our destination. A task only obtained with our sea legs acquired from riding the subway in Vienna. Let's go public transportation! Whoop Whoop! 

Next we had to occupy ourselves on our journey to Budapest. Some people studied while others studied the back of their eyelids. Both I think to be valid responses to unwarranted time with nowhere to go. The best, in my opinion, had to be the view outside our windows as we drove. It was like a look back at home with fields flowering and countryside flowing over the distance. Not going to lie, it made me miss home a little.

Once we arrived in Budapest, we loaded into taxi's and skedadel over to our hotel. We headed over to the ATM across the street to nab some forint, the currency in Hungary, and ended up struggling way more than we should have to figure out the machine. We dropped off our bags and headed out for a light lunch. I wasn't overly hungry so a few of us worked our way over to Starbucks for a drink and dessert while we discussed the Opera we were going to watch tonight and what to expect. I have never been to an Opera before so this description made me very interested. A tragedy based on Shakespeare, Greek Mythology, and compositions by Strauss? Count me in!

We then gathered together to finish our composer presentations. I actually got to present today which was both terrifying and fun at the same time. I learned more and got to show everyone more about my composer, Johann Strauss II. We also learned about other composers such as Bruckner, who by the way is really weird. Like obsessed with dead people, weird, which is not an over-exaggeration by the way.

We then headed over in our fancy dress wear to the Hungarian State Opera, where we went to watch an Opera called Elektra. The hall was absolutely stunning, where pillars were painted gold and red drapes flowed effortlessly. The performance was about a grief stricken princess who wanted to convince her siblings to kill her mother as well as her mothers lover; because the two killed the father. Not complicated at all. It was absolutely exhilarating. The best thing since sliced bread. The plot twists were great as well. It kept everyone, even Dr. Carpender, jumping out of their seats in excitement!

Overall, today was productive. Giving us a side view on culture in Hungary while continuing to analyze the city of Vienna. The outside look at this side of the border made Vienna that much more interesting. Giving us the tools to cross observe the two and to understand where they overlap. Both cities brim with independence and cultural interdependencies while both staying true to their beliefs. This comparison is important because they are so close to each other while still seeming like they are years apart. 

[touchstoneaf]

I've heard people say this before; that they discuss my stories on Discord servers and I'm like, "well, that would be nice to see". But I'm either not on that specific server because it is not relevant to my interests, or because I just don't really pay attention to Discord in general because I'm old and it confuses the hell out of me, hence I wouldn't know where to find the stuff either way. But I just don't understand why they wouldn't say these things in the place where they're reading the things. Like, a writer shouldn't have to go hunting for the comments that are made about their stories in some random place elsewhere in the ether.

I actually enjoy a relative plenty of comments, between two and five per chapter in my longest series, which is great engagement compared to some people's, because people are kind enough to say something to keep me rolling... but that's five out of generally the same 10 people commenting almost every single time, which means I'm kind of depending on them to keep me from feeling like I'm just shouting into the void (a lot of pressure on them). Meanwhile, I'm getting enough hits that if everybody who read each chapter commented I would probably have 30+ comments per chapter. Sometimes up to 100. That's rotten stats. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Someone literally told me after reading the whole series up to now as a total specter that they couldn't bring themselves to comment until the 12th part of the series because they were scared to, for whatever reason. If people have been scaring y'all from commenting, I want to know who did that because that's ridiculous and does a disservice to everybody out here literally begging for engagement. Because the OPs are right; this is our currency in this world.

Fanfiction is motivated by community, by discussion, connection, by shared experience. We don't want to be throwing precious things into the vacuum and praying someone even notices... because we have no idea if anybody notices unless they tell us. Some of the best comments I've ever seen on any of my writing have been in the bookmarks. I just wish people would tell me what they do and don't like so that I can know that I'm not alone out there. Because other series get one or two comments per every four or five chapters, if that; and that's very hard to sustain out there on your own.

Please feed your authors if you actually want their productivity. And commenting "when is the next chapter going to be up?!" doesn't count.

A writer friend told me something that broke my heart a little bit today; they're going to quit publishing their fanfic.

My instant thought was that they had been trolled or attacked or that something terrible had happened in their life because this person is so passionate about their writing. It wasn't any of that. Engagement with their works has been going down, as it has for many of us. Comments are like gold dust a lot of the time, and just looking through the historical comment counts on old fics on ao3 demonstrates this trend very clearly. It was not simply the comments dropping off which caused them to decide to stop posting, however.

My friend came across a discord server for their fandom (I should point out here that their fandom interest and mine diverged a couple of years ago, we stay in touch but don't currently read each other's posts because I'm not into their fandom and they would rather gouge their eyes out with a wooden spoon than read anything Star Wars) and specifically to share fic in that fandom. They joined, because we all love a good fic rec, only to discover that their latest multichapter fic, which has almost no comments and very few kudos, is being hotly discussed in this server as one of the best stories ever. Not one of these people has bothered to say this to them on the fic. When they asked, none of participants could see the point in telling the author of the fic they apparently loved so much that they love it.

This discovery has absolutely destroyed my friend's love of sharing fic. They share because they love seeing other people's enjoyment, and fic writers do that through comments and kudos/reblogs/likes because we don't get paid. There is no literary critic writing a blog post/article about how amazing the story is for us to copy and keep/frame. There is no money from royalties. All we have are the words of the people reading our works.

Those people on that server could have taken five minutes of the time they spent gushing about how amazing my friend's story was to other people and used it to tell the one person guaranteed to want to hear that praise how much they loved it. They could have taken a moment to express their opinion to the person who spent hours upon hours plotting, writing, editing, and posting those chapters. Instead, they deprived my friend of thing that keeps them sharing their writing, and in the process have killed their love of it. My friend now feels used and unmotivated.

I won't be sharing a link to their fic, they said I could share their experience but not their identity. I know they plan to post one final chapter. I know they intend to express their hurt at being excluded from the praise for the thing they created, and I know they intend to announce that as a consequence they will not be posting for a long while, if at all.

So please, I beg you, don't hide your love of a story from the writer. It's just about the only thing we have.

[foodsupplementsbd]

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Final Thoughts:

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[hindvanture]

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[lizseyi]

Weak Yen Currency Drives A Surge In Luxury Shopping Among Tourists In Japan - Skywire London

Many a high-end brand has been seeing strong sales in Japan lately. However, this is not quite the unequivocal cause for celebration that some observers might initially imagine it to be. 

As recently reported by Yahoo! Finance, tourists have been heading to Japan in big numbers with a particular goal on their minds: splurging on desirable clothes and handbags at prices somewhat lower than those to which they are accustomed back home.

An unexpected growth driver for the Japanese Government – but luxury brands aren’t so happy  

During June, the east Asian country attracted a record 3.1 million foreign visitors, according to official data. This has put the state on track to exceed an annual record of nearly 32 million visitors from other countries set in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic halting global travel. 

The Japanese Government anticipates that tourists in the country will spend some eight trillion yen (around $54.74 billion) during 2024. This would be a significant fillip for a state where the ageing population has meant a relative lack of other growth drivers. 

However, the situation presents a headache to global luxury brands. Such a discrepancy in their goods’ pricing between Japan and elsewhere in the world has arisen due to a weak yen, the currency’s recent sell-off having caused it to reach a 38-year low against the US dollar before recovering ground. 

A challenging dilemma for luxury brands with a Japanese presence 

Shoppers from Asia and beyond have cottoned onto the news of these prestige brands’ products often being cheaper in dollar terms in Japan than elsewhere, which has fuelled a tourist boom. 

However, the brands themselves are taking hits to their profits as a result – and the volatility of the yen makes it tricky for them to put up the prices of their designer products to accurately reflect the currency. It seems that many brands, then, are forced to make do with lower margins in Japan, at least while they hope for a greater recovery for the yen. 

The Yahoo! Finance report cited the example of Louis Vuitton’s Alma BB handbag, which it said was priced at 14,800 yuan in China – the equivalent of $2,050. The same item was available in Japan for 279,400 yen, which worked out as $1,875. 

The sales of luxury spirits in Japan were also being fuelled with the help of tourists, according to French drinks maker Rémy Cointreau. The group’s CFO, Luca Marotta, stated on its first-quarter earnings call that lower margins were being seen on sales in the country. 

Also cited in the report was the Switzerland-based luxury goods holding company, Richemont, which counts the likes of Cartier, Net-a-Porter, and Montblanc among its brands. The firm said there had been a nearly 60% rise in its Japan sales during 2024’s first quarter, with Chinese, Southeast Asian, and American tourists all contributing to this. 

Wherever your brand is active in the world, we can help maximise your impact 

Are you on the lookout for the fashion, lifestyle, or luxury advertising agency that will be best placed to support your business’s growth over the months and years ahead? If so, we would be pleased here at Skywire London to discuss how we could assist your organisation in maximising its presence, impact, and growth online, and across the world. 

Please feel free tocontact our London-based, but globally minded professionals today to find out more about how we could work with you and your brand to deliver sustainable results. 

[foxfairy06]

The idea of currency is so fucking baffling to me, like: we decided as a society that the best way to quantify labor should be something that isn't at all tied to the speed, quality, or count of your labor, but instead a fluctuating value that has nothing to do with you at all.

Before, i would give my landlord a great sum of the goods that I produce, or work on their land, and if I didn't make it to their set value (be that time, quantity, weight, etc.), they'll come down and kill me themselves and that would be that. As long as I made the same amount of product every day in the same amount of time I could mostly guarantee that I'd have a home and food to eat.

Now, the amount I'm paid is the same but the value of my labour decreases constantly until I'm no longer given enough arbitrarily valued points to afford food and rent. My labour always pays the same amount of points, sure, but the points value changes because of things completely out of my personal control, and I can end up producing high quality labor very efficiently that at one point kept me in my home and kept food in my stomach, and then as the mostly arbitrary economic system continuously crashes I'm still paid the same amount if points and because of that fact my points are no longer valuable enough to keep me housed and fed. So like the prior example, the power figures are still killing you, they're just making it look like your fault because you don't make enough of their arbitrary points, even if in the old system you would be considered working hard enough to exist on that land and stay fed. So instead of being slightly more honourable and killing us themselves (which is still not honourable at all), they let us die slowly of hunger, illness, and lack of shelter, refuse to protect us from being attacked by random dickheads, and then claim that actually we killed ourselves because we didn't work hard enough, even though our work didn't change, it was their economy.

The old way wasn't better by any means, but at least our overlords were honest.

Clearly a system worth living in should value your labor based on your labor, not flexible social points that you can't control.

[ivfinjections5]

Understanding the Foligraf 1200 IU: Price, Uses, and Considerations

What is Foligraf 1200 IU?

Foligraf 1200 IU is a form of human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) used in fertility treatments. FSH is crucial in the development of ovarian follicles, which are essential for the production of mature eggs in women. In men, it helps stimulate the production of sperm. Foligraf is administered as an injection under the skin, and the dosage is carefully monitored by a healthcare provider to ensure the best possible outcome.

Price Consideration

One of the critical factors for patients considering Foligraf 1200 IU is its price. As of the current market, the price of Foligraf 1200 IU is approximately [insert local currency]550. However, prices can vary depending on the region, the pharmacy, Foligraf 1200 Iu Price and any available discounts or insurance coverage.

The cost of Foligraf may seem high, but it is important to consider the benefits it offers in helping to overcome infertility challenges. The price also reflects the advanced technology and processes involved in manufacturing this hormone therapy. Patients should explore various options for obtaining the medication at the best possible price, such as checking with multiple pharmacies, looking for online discounts, or consulting with their healthcare provider about potential financial assistance programs.

How Foligraf 1200 IU Works

Foligraf 1200 IU works by mimicking the natural FSH in the body. In women, Lonopin Injection in Delhi it stimulates the ovaries to produce mature eggs, which can then be fertilized during treatments like IVF. This is particularly beneficial for women who have difficulty ovulating naturally. The hormone is administered via subcutaneous injection, usually starting early in the menstrual cycle and continuing until the eggs are ready to be retrieved.

In men, Foligraf 1200 IU is used to stimulate sperm production, especially in cases where low sperm count is an issue. The medication helps increase the chances of producing viable sperm, which is crucial for successful fertilization.

Usage and Dosage

The usage and dosage of Foligraf 1200 IU should be strictly followed as prescribed by a healthcare professional. The dosage may vary based on the individual's response to the treatment and the specific fertility protocol being followed. Regular monitoring through blood tests and ultrasounds is essential to assess the body's response to the hormone and adjust the dosage accordingly.

Patients should be aware of potential side effects, including mild pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort. In rare cases, more severe side effects like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) can occur, which requires immediate medical attention. It is crucial to discuss any concerns or side effects with a healthcare provider to ensure safe and effective use of the medication.

[zydrateacademy]

Current Activities in Fallout 76 #2

So my previous post's concern about seeing "some level 230 ghoul with an inflated health pool" appears to not be a thing. At level 154, most enemies seem to be capped at level 100, even some of the major world bosses. They balance the level thing out by giving said bosses innate and insane damage reduction to keep the fights from lasting three seconds with everyone's Gatling Plasmas atomizing every threat. Mind you, enemies still melt to the might of the well prepared. All the same my decently modded 50cal, a half-decent stealthy Fixer, and now even the Red Terror seem to maintain their performance.

The play-farm-repair-farm-repair-play was also minimized through a couple of methods. I finally have enough perks to shift around, including the ability to repair weapons and armor to 200% capacity. There's also the fact that I've been running around in my power armor a lot more lately, which in turn saves my self-armor a lot of grief and has not stressed my resource pool out in some time. Steel is typically the thing I need most, at all times, for both repairing and generating my own ammo stocks. But grabbing some minor things like steel and asbestos are usually simple 20 minute affairs.

So with the previous problems somewhat alleviated, albeit rearing their heads every now and then, the game is... decent. My main drive is pushing through the Season as much as I can. There's something in the 70's the generates "Pemmican", a food that gives you 2 or 3 extra endurance. There's the rank 100 mask I'd love but I don't hold much hold I can get that far in before the season ends, though I still have a whole month (though that's less time than you'd think if I can get a job within that time).

I was instructed to try and go for an XP farm build. I have the poor-man's version of it, I've used my second build slot to set up a stealth-sniper that works excellently with the Fixer. I did a test run through the farm spot, West-Tek, which hosts a base of super mutants. With the right perks I killed them all (and their little dogs too) without ever entering open combat. So the build works, I just really lack the right legendary effects for the Fixer. There's a perk card that has VATS auto-switch targets with even more damage, but that's hard to accomplish with only 20 bullets in your clip. I need it to have 80 bullets, and maybe some other helpful effects attached.

After that, an XP build requires a whole dance of chems, a specific mutation, a certain magazine that's actually used as extra currency, and all manner of things I just don't have the resources to acquire. I've started my own Berry Mentats production so I've been able to add an extra 5 INT at will in high-density events and activities to help push my experience further.

The real experience farm seems to live in Expeditions. Everyone always just spams the boardwalk due to its linear nature, and generally the fact that it can be done in 5-7 minutes, accompanied by a juicy 13-20k XP at the very end, not counting how many kills you get throughout. It's not the crazy 2k-a-kill the West Tek farm has, but it's the best I can get. I feel like I've made decent progress but I'm not sure I'll make it to 100. The hockey mask is cool, but I can live without it.

Frankly, I find a majority of the rewards on this season to be a bit lame. It's cub-scout themed, so all the armor paints are these ugly beige and green layouts. I tend to favor the more edgy, Tacti-Cool kind of stuff. It's a bit why I am so drawn to the Enclave's aesthetic.

I've seen some chatter about an Enclave-themed season but I'm pretty sure that's just wishful thinking. If that becomes the case, my time on ESO will become further in hibernation mode as I try to push that kind of Season the best I can. It has also gotten to the point where I am seriously considering having a 1st subscription whenever I am employed again. 1st people get a boost to season progress.

But yeah, that's where I've been.

[scoopflash]

Cookie Clicker Unblocked: Unleashing the Ultimate Cookie-Crunching Fun!

Cookie Clicker Unblocked is an addictive idle game that has taken the world by storm since its release in 2013. The premise is simple: click a giant cookie to earn cookies, then use those cookies to buy upgrades and help the cookie-making process become more efficient. As you progress through the game, you'll unlock new buildings, currencies, and features that make the game even more enjoyable. However, some players may find themselves unable to access the game due to blocks or restrictions imposed by their school, workplace, or government. 

What is Cookie Clicker?

Cookie Clicker is an incremental game created by French programmer Julien "Orteil" Thiennot in 2013. The objective is simple: click on a giant cookie to produce more cookies. With each click, your cookie count increases, allowing you to buy upgrades that help you produce cookies faster, even when you're not clicking. Over time, the game evolves, offering new buildings, upgrades, and challenges to keep you engaged.

The Allure of Incremental Games

Incremental games, also known as idle or clicker games, are designed to be played with minimal active participation. The concept is straightforward yet incredibly addictive: perform simple actions (like clicking) to earn rewards, which in turn allow you to perform actions more efficiently. It's a cycle that’s surprisingly satisfying and perfect for those moments when you need a quick escape from reality.

How to Play Cookie Clicker Unblocked

So, you want to play Cookie Clicker Unblocked? Great choice! Here’s how you can dive into this cookie-filled adventure:

Find a Reliable Site: Since many school and work networks block gaming sites, you'll need to find a reliable site where Cookie Clicker is unblocked. A quick search online should point you in the right direction.

Start Clicking: Once the game loads, start clicking the giant cookie on your screen. Each click produces one cookie.

Buy Upgrades: Use your cookies to buy upgrades and buildings. These can range from cursors that automatically click the cookie for you to grandmas who bake cookies, and even factories, farms, and more.

Keep Upgrading: As you accumulate more cookies, reinvest them into more upgrades and buildings to increase your cookie production rate exponentially.

Enjoy the Idle Progress: Even when you’re not actively clicking, your upgrades will continue to produce cookies. Check back periodically to see your progress and make new purchases.

Top Strategies for Maximum Cookies

While Cookie Clicker might seem simple, there are strategies to optimize your cookie production:

Prioritize Upgrades

Focus on purchasing upgrades that provide the best return on investment. Early on, cursors and grandmas are affordable and offer substantial boosts. As you progress, aim for factories and mines.

Use Golden Cookies

Golden cookies appear randomly and offer significant bonuses, such as a temporary boost to your cookie production or a large lump sum of cookies. Keep an eye out for these and click them whenever they appear.

Optimize Building Efficiency

Each building has a different cost-to-benefit ratio. Monitor which buildings provide the most cookies per second (CPS) relative to their cost and focus your investments there.

The Evolution of Cookie Clicker

Cookie Clicker has come a long way since its inception. Originally a simple browser game, it has expanded with numerous updates, adding layers of complexity and new features to keep players hooked.

From Browser to Mobile

While Cookie Clicker started as a browser game, its popularity led to the development of mobile versions. Now, you can enjoy cookie-clicking fun on the go!

Community and Mods

The Cookie Clicker community is vibrant and creative, with many players developing mods to enhance the game. From aesthetic changes to new gameplay mechanics, these mods offer endless customization.

The Psychology Behind Cookie Clicker’s Success

Why is Cookie Clicker so addictive? The answer lies in its clever use of psychological principles.

Instant Gratification

Every click provides instant feedback in the form of a cookie, triggering a small dopamine release in your brain. This instant gratification keeps you coming back for more.

Progressive Goals

Cookie Clicker sets incremental goals that are always within reach. Just a few more clicks and you can afford that next upgrade, which keeps you engaged and motivated to continue playing.

Idle Reward System

The game continues to reward you even when you’re not playing, creating a sense of constant progression. This makes it easy to pick up and put down, fitting into any schedule.

Cookie Clicker Unblocked: A Perfect Pastime

Whether you’re looking to kill time during a boring lecture or need a break from a stressful project, Cookie Clicker Unblocked offers the perfect solution. It’s a game that doesn’t require intense focus but rewards you richly for your time and effort.

Accessibility

One of the best things about Cookie Clicker is its accessibility. You don’t need a high-end device or complex controls—just a browser and a willingness to click. This simplicity makes it easy for anyone to pick up and enjoy.

A Sense of Achievement

Despite its simplicity, Cookie Clicker gives you a real sense of achievement. Each upgrade and milestone feels like a victory, providing a satisfying sense of progress.

Conclusion

In a world filled with complex and demanding games, Cookie Clicker unblocked stands out as a beacon of simplicity and fun. It’s a game that anyone can enjoy, whether you have five minutes or five hours to spare. So next time you find yourself in need of a quick distraction, remember to give Cookie Clicker a try—you might just find yourself hooked on the delightful world of cookie-clicking madness.