#But at a certain point you pick up on a pattern and a routine. and you can kind of sense when a hyperfixation is going to end

[illdothehotvoice]

Who would win? My Ace Attorney hyperfixation that was supposed to last to at LEAST September 15th or one 30 second video where Mario and Luigi go "Yahoo!"

[rungssparemodelpieces]

Catformers AU

Ultra Magnus

* Ultra Magnus is a very large and older cat, a model cat that other cats should look up to but more often than not, get policed by and does have the tendency to growl and hiss at other cats that become chaotic at the Lost Light shelter. It’s suspected he’s not trying to be malicious but rather trying to get them to be more compliant with the staff and the help they’re offering.

* Magnus RELIES on a schedule; he knows when the shelter opens, when it closes, when food is offered, when vet appointments are made, the works. If anything gets delayed or moved ahead, he gets very upset and let’s you know with a hiss or a grumble but he’s never swatted or bitten any of the caretakers so you know he’s just trying to keep a tight ship.

* This is especially apparent if you’re ever late going to or coming from any obligation, Ultra Magnus lets you know you’re late with low meow before you clock in and carry on with your duties. He’s become the forever cat of the place, kinda like a rule enforcer. There’s often jokes where he’s the one running the place and even has his own little nameplate and matching tag stating he’s the “Lost Light Shelter Rule Enforcer”. Though with him being a permanent resident, he gets moved between employee homes to keep him active and entertained but to also to give the other cats a break from his nagging.

* When you take in Magnus into your home, he gets right to work making sure your house is up to his particular standards. He makes sure to get your attention with meowing or even dragging you to a certain mess to clean it up. He also meows at certain times such as feeding time or signaling when he’s going to bed. You can practically turn off your alarm as he learns your patterns after being around for a while.

* As much as he was a pain during his first stay with you, later stays become much easier as you know what Magnus expects out of you and he actually helped you to develop some routines you use even without him there. Though you’ll never tell anyone, you’ve made his meows your alarm as it helps to wake you up much faster than your previous alert.

* Magnus seems to help you with work as well, in and out of the shelter, either finding lost papers, pointing out missing spots, or waking you if you happen to fall asleep at your desk. Magnus, being a large cat, is also very fluffy and requires daily grooming. It’s after brushing his hair out that he looks even bigger than he is though it comes at the cost of static shocks between the both of you. Magnus also does not partake in catnip.

* Magnus has a certain bed he sleeps in and toys as well, a few favorites being a little green and white cat toy as well as a toy hammer he likes to carry around and sometimes either on purpose or on accident bonk other cats with it. If he comes to your home for a stay and notices things are starting to pile up or you stay in bed more often than not, he does come to cuddle with you before trying to chirp, meow, and pull you out of bed to help encourage you to get motivated to clean up and help yourself.

* When it’s time for Magnus to actually retire and find a forever home, you put your hat into the ring to take him home. If you’re not able to, at least you know you can still wake up to his meows and keep the routine you had together as a reminder of him. If you do get to take him home, you end up syncing up routines and even pick up more of his habits to which guests and family accidentally become the target of when visiting. You made things official by getting him a placard for him, stating he’s the “Enforcer of the (Your name) household”.

[theninthdoor]

virgo season🪻♍ mini tarot reading ࿔*

decks used || the druidcraft tarot, wild uknown animal spirit & the prism oracle. songs || shuffle pick from a random 2000s playlist. when picking a group, use your sun and/or rising signs. (disclaimer: based on current energies. all is alleged and for entertainment purposes only.)

🍊 Mutables | Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces Song: The Fray - How to Save a Life

Cards: page of pentacles reversed, king of pentacles, eight of swords, Tiger (reversed), Flow

So, my dear mutable signs... it seems like this upcoming Virgo season is all about you working on getting your life back together after a period of disruption. In these past few weeks or months, you might have found yourself a little more sensitive, more reactive and easily overwhelmed. Perhaps you were pushed by people or circumnstances to let go of certain habits or routines that were already well set in your life, and that has made you feel out of balance. Going forward, I still see some struggle when it comes to making up for the empty space, plus there might be times when you go from 0 to 100 in a blink of an eye - so having no energy or motivation, and then going straight to being the most proactive and productive person on the planet - and, of course, going from one extreme to another must take a toll on your mental, emotional and physical bodies. With that, I must remind you that self-care is very important here. Don't let yourself stay stuck in situations or patterns that haven't been serving you, because they will only keep adding on to the frustration and unrest, but also please make sure to consciously keep working at a pace that is healthy and sustainable, to make sure you don't burn out. One last thing that came through: making up with friends/family/acquaintances or reuniting after a challenging period of misunderstandings or non-communication. Watch out for how you express youself, and let them speak as well! Whatever has been broken, can be mended, but you also need to take some accountability and be fair. - This might not apply to everyone, but if you were looking for this message/confirmation, here it is.

🩰 Fixed | Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius Song: Sean Kingston - Beautiful Girls

Cards: five of swords reversed, eight of cups reversed, queen of swords, Dragonfly reversed, Love

the song???! 😭

So, for all my beautiful fixed signs (no pun intendend lol): this Virgo season will be all about you stepping back into your power. You're feeling yourself, taking care of yourself, being more social and having more vibrancy in general. There's just so much stuff you can't be bothered with anymore, and letting go of that is finally allowing new, beautiful energy to come into your life. However, that might come easier to some than to others... Even if you're not bothered with those things actively, they might still be hanging out at the back of your mind, popping in every now and then throughout your day. Don't ignore them, alright? But don't dwell on them either. You should be going about these matters with logic and patience, so they can be resolved properly and as soon as possible. I also feel now you're being a little more detached or acting a little colder towards certain people (if not all). You are definitely feeling more comfortable to put yourself out there and be more social, as a said, but there is still some distance that you're keeping between yourself and others. There's an aspect of self-protection here, but also self-love? You're self-protecting out of love for yourself, it feels like. After much trial and error, you have finally decided to give yourself what others haven't been able to. "I can buy myself flowers." I keep getting pulled to that Queen of Swords + the Dragonfly reversed (indicative that the energy is out of balance, which then points towards 'lack of concentration and a busy mind'), and that reminds me of Gemini - so whether that is you or someone you're dealing with this season, that whole energy should be around you in these upcoming weeks.

🍎 Cardinal | Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn Song: Britney Spears - Circus

Cards: death reversed, the tower reversed, five of wands, Lion, Strength

When everything around you is falling apart, people aren't getting along, and it seems like you're having to walk on eggshells to avoid being pulled into conflict, you'll have to take it upon yourself to step into power and either act as a mediator between those conflicting sides, or force it all to be done with. You're tired of chaos, of noise, of people being selfish and reckless, and now you're looking for peace and order, and you know the change has to start with you. However, that doesn't mean you're going to be docile and quiet, neither aggressive or argumentative! We have both the Lion and Strength here, so this is moreso about having patience, determination and (self)control. Besides, some people might come out to poke you, provoke you, trying to get a strong reaction out of you - and sometimes they might get what they want, but here we have a reminder that you must really make an effort to keep it together and lead by example. - "There's only two types of people in the world / The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe." this part of the song in particular, feels relevant here. In general, in this Virgo season I see you taking on more responsibilities, perhaps also packing your schedule with new/more activities and events, or finally waking up after a slow, fruitless period, and deciding to clean up all the mess around you so you can get back to action. The final message that came through is about the Libra Venus transit, and it influencing you to pay more attention to your physical appearance. If you've been thinking about changing your style, haircut, starting or going back to getting your nails done, treating yourself to a spa day, getting a better skincare routine or something along those lines, this is the time to do that.

🌍 relevant transits: ⭒ mercury stations direct in leo on august 26th / shadow period ends on september 11th ⭒ venus enters libra (domicile) on august 29th ⭒ new moon in virgo on september 2nd ⭒ mars enters cancer (fall) on september 4th ⭒ mercury enters virgo (domicile) on september 9th ⭒ partial full moon lunar eclipse in pisces on september 17th

[moonmaiden1996]

Silent Persuit Chapter Four

River’s plan unfolded flawlessly, each encounter crafted to feel accidental, as if the city itself had conspired to place him along your path. He’d settled himself into your surroundings so seamlessly that he became part of the backdrop—an unassuming figure who simply seemed to belong in the coffee shops, bookshops, and stations you frequented. If he had once been a stranger, he was now a familiar one, woven into the rhythm of your life in such a way that his presence no longer registered as unusual.

On mornings when he knew you’d pick up breakfast from the bakery, he’d arrive just minutes before you, idly perusing the selection. As you entered, he’d give a slight nod, lifting his coffee in a friendly, familiar gesture that seemed to say, Good morning. You found yourself nodding back, a smile playing on your lips—a routine so natural it felt like something you’d shared with him for years.

In other places, too, River kept that careful distance. Like that rainy afternoon in the crowded bookshop, where he waited just out of sight, pretending to flip through a novel until he heard your soft footsteps. Then, with timing perfected by practice, he would step back and “accidentally” bump into you. When he turned around, surprised and apologetic, you’d look up, recognise him, and share a quiet laugh, surprised yet somehow reassured by the coincidence.

At the Saturday market, he’d linger near a stand you wouldn't be interested in but one that you would have to pass, glancing up just as you strolled past. His gaze would meet yours for a brief moment, and there it was—that polite nod, a quick exchange of familiarity, like two regulars bound by the same rhythm. Sometimes he’d murmur a simple “hello” as he passed, nothing more, always light and easy, never more than the casual comfort of a familiar face.

Each time you saw him, you felt something shift. At first, you brushed it off, dismissing the encounters as the city’s typical coincidences. But soon, the pattern emerged. You began to expect him in certain places, glancing around out of instinct, almost eager to spot him. The mere thought that he might be there sparked a strange sense of excitement.

Over time, it even began to feel like you were the one always noticing him, starting to watch for him before he’d even appear. The first time you caught yourself doing it, you laughed it off, but the thought lingered: what if you were the one keeping tabs on him? And each time you tried to let it go, there he was again, as if reading your mind, already seated by the window or passing through a door. He was always just a step ahead, so casual and unassuming that you couldn’t bring yourself to question it.

The tipping point came one evening as you stepped off the tube. There he was, just a few steps ahead of you, his presence almost imperceptible, yet somehow reassuring. You hesitated, pausing to let him catch up, and when he did, he gave you a gentle smile—a look that seemed to say, I know you’re tired. Without a word, he walked on, leaving you to continue on your path. But the warmth lingered, deepening the inexplicable connection between you.

And then, as suddenly as he had appeared, he began to retreat. The mornings in the café, the nods exchanged at the market—each occurrence started to thin, a calculated absence that left you noticing his lack of presence. When you didn’t see him, a quiet ache grew, a faint longing to spot him, even just in passing. Without realising it, you began searching for him, missing the silent reassurance of those familiar nods and smiles.

It was an intricate balance he’d crafted, and by the time you noticed, you were already pulled into the fabric he’d woven. River had become part of your world, a piece of the city you hadn’t known you wanted until he was no longer there. And in the stillness he left behind, he knew you’d come to see that he was more than a stranger—he belonged. Soon he would be right where he wanted to be— with you, in every sense of the word. 

xxx

“Why the fuck did you drag me all the way back here?” Lamb groaned as he flopped into his armchair, the fabric creaking under his weight. He let out a rather impressive belch, the sound echoing through the otherwise quiet room. The others had long since gone home, the perfect place to have this meeting, where no one else would overhear. “I’ve got better things to do with my spare time than sit around and converse with you, like taking a shit,” he grunted, lighting another cigarette and staring across at Louisa with a look that suggested he wasn’t remotely interested in whatever she had to say.

“Look at these,” Louisa replied, shoving a series of photographs across the coffee table toward him, the glossy prints catching the light.

“I know you two have grown close, but I think following Cartwright with a camera is a bit overkill. I really can’t be arsed with the issues this is gonna bring up with HR,” he mumbled, barely glancing at the images, his mind already conjuring excuses to avoid the impending drama. He knew what this was, of course he did. But it was something he would much prefect not to bring Lousia into, it would save the headache.

“Just look at the pictures!” Louisa insisted, her voice rising with frustration. “For the past six months, River has been following this woman. Six months, Lamb! At least that was before I picked it up.”

Lamb rolled his eyes, his irritation palpable. “So what, River’s been wandering around London chasing this bird because he can’t figure out how to talk to her? He probably doesn’t think he’s good enough for her. And he’s right—she’s got a decent pair and a nice face, and he’s a lanky piece of piss.”

“God, Lamb, take this seriously! River has been stalking her, and now he’s started dropping himself in places where he can meet her, bump into her. It’s not just some silly crush anymore!” Louisa’s voice shook with urgency as she slammed her palm on the table, making the photographs rattle.

“And?” Lamb leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest defiantly. “Do I look like Cartwright’s caretaker? I’m not getting involved in this mess. It’s not my problem.”

“Do I look like I give a shit? If you won’t do something, I will!” Louisa snapped, rising abruptly from her seat. Her chair scraped against the wooden floor as she stormed out, leaving the door swinging behind her.

Lamb sagged deeper into his chair, exhaustion creeping into his bones like a slow poison. He felt old now, too old for this type of shit. The dim light in the room seemed to mock him, casting shadows that mirrored the weight of his thoughts. He exhaled slowly, letting the smoke curl into the air. “Oh River, River, River. You wanted to be just like the old bastard; well, congratulations, you prick.”

He ran a hand over his face, feeling the stubble that had begun to grey. Lamb glanced at the photographs Louisa had left behind. The first few showed River from a distance, hidden in shadows, a look of determination plastered across his face. In the next, the woman—young, beautiful, and seemingly unaware of the chaos surrounding her—moved through her day. 

“Christ, what a mess,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as he contemplated the inevitable storm brewing ahead. River was going to get himself into trouble, just like his grandfather before him, and Lamb was the only one who knew, he supposed he’d have to step up, whether he liked it or not. “Just like old times,” he smirked wearily as he took one last drag of his cigarette. 

I honestly could hold myself back from writing Lamb, he was really daunting to write but I am proud of how he came out.

Please let me know what you think! Next chapter will be heating up as River's fantastic plan is about to be detrailed by a new player then means he has to go to plan b.

As always, comment, like, leave a request. xx

[projectionistwrites]

I HEAR A SYMPHONY

Joel Miller x gn!reader (1.5k+)

Joel Miller once lived and breathed a melody, before Cordyceps came and stole the music in his heart away—but then he met someone who set his world back into tune.

RATING: EXPLICIT (18+, mdni) WARNINGS: SMUT (very abstract descriptions of sex, suggestive themes), this entire thing is supposed to come across as an eloquent metaphor but it’s rushed and probably super scattered

i hear a symphony — cody fry

i used to hear a simple song that was until you came along now in its place is something new i hear it when i look at you

He strummed chords on invisible strings when he was nervous.

It was something he’d done since he first learned to play guitar, fingers absentmindedly following practiced patterns when his hands were at his sides. He'd sometimes sing along in his head—Smoke on the Water, Purple Rain, Bad Moon Rising—his fingers dancing across the frets in his mind, nimbly plucking away at familiar melodies.

For many years, Joel Miller aimed to find song in every corner of his life—it was his calling since he was a child. Even when his aspirations of being a singer faded into the background as reality settled in, music always dwelled within him, all-encompassing and ever salient. It came in the form of tinny vinyls spinning on a record player; rewound cassettes echoing his favorite albums through his tired Walkman into the early hours of the morning; the shitty radio in his old pickup that only ever picked up a signal to the country music station; humming softly to himself as he flipped pancakes for his daughter's breakfast; compulsory whistling as he and his brother worked long hours in the blistering Texas sun.

When the outbreak happened, and the familiar melody of his daughter’s laughter died alongside her, his fingertips still bore the callouses from the guitar strings and his hands still itched to follow the progressions of long-forgotten tunes—but his world had fallen silent. The once steady time signature that had helped keep his days flowing with an even rhythm and tempo was holding an indefinite fermata; the once routine symphonies of daily living devolved from a worldly tune into a cacophony of dissonance; the once musically-inclined man struggled to find any semblance of lyricism in the sounds around him when everything just seemed to be noise.

But still, his fingers reminisced what his mind had since forgotten—they continued to maintain their dexterity, strumming silent harmonies and dancing along the neck of the ghost of his acoustic guitar.

The reflexive tendencies that occupied his hands were instinctual, nothing more than an idiosyncrasy that served to synchronize the energy in his body with the rapid pace with which his thoughts traveled. He didn’t notice it anymore—the chord progressions were unidentifiable at this point, his fingers operating outside of his conscious control.

But you noticed. He wasn’t sure how, or why you were observing him so meticulously that you were able to identify the patterned movements of his restless fingers, but you noticed. The inaudible melodies that his hands persistently played had always fallen on deaf ears—but the songs seemed to echo at a frequency at which only you were attuned to hear.

A knock on his door on a brisk winter evening in Jackson—your cheeks were dusted pink as you shivered on his front steps, glowing beneath the dim shine of his porch light.

There was a guitar in your hands. Your fingers were wrapped around the neck tightly as you stared up at him, a certain innocence twinkling in your kind eyes. You were nervous—the timbre of your voice fluctuated as you explained the purpose of your surprise visit. You’d been drawn to the constant motion of his fingers, your curiosity piqued at just how fluid, deliberate, and controlled each stroke appeared to be. You’d found the instrument abandoned in the attic of the home you resided in, destined to never play another tune until you’d stumbled upon it accidentally. Joel listened to your long-winded explanation—you’d been trying to teach yourself to play, and that’s why the twitching of his fingers had caught your attention; you’d recognized the technique, as you’d been hopelessly trying to emulate it yourself.

Something awoke in him as you stood on his porch that night. It was unidentifiable at the time, even after he’d invited you inside to escape the frigid December air and you’d sat across from him at the kitchen table. He was intrigued by your interest in him, and slightly impressed at your audaciousness to confront him at his own home with nothing more than an inkling that your deductions about him had been correct. It was only after you’d passed the guitar over into his lap and he began to carefully twist the tuning pegs to tighten the strings that he finally recognized what, exactly, had changed inside his mind when you first opened your mouth to speak.

The empty static had been replaced with a note. Soft, and discreet, but he could hear it. The very first chord plucked on his guitar, signifying the beginning of a composition. An overture.

Joel began to seek you out. It wasn’t difficult to do—he just had to close his eyes and listen. The wind carried the gentle dulcet of your voice; the mellifluous trill of your laughter soon became his favorite sound; with each exhale, you conducted an elegy; your very being seemed to coalesce into an aria, everything you touched seemed to resolve itself into harmony.

Similar to his recollections of your songs, your meetings increased in frequency—his large, weathered hands guided your fingers with patience and restraint, watching the quiet concentration on your face as your fingertips grew accustomed to the bite of metal strings. He became partial to serving as your audience in the mezzanine seats—your back settled between his parted legs as you sat on the floor in front of his chair, your shoulders nestled between his knees as he observed you from above, leaning forward to coach you through your occasional mistakes. His arms would blanket your own when he’d reach to manipulate the position of your hands, his palms settling over your knuckles as he adjusted your fingers to mimic his own.

You were a fucking earworm. When he was out on patrol, when you were busy helping in the dining hall, the only thing replaying in the back of his mind was you, you, you. The way your eyes shone with wonder when he’d finally relent to your endless pleas and play you something from his past. The way your fingers would twitch from where they rested on your thighs, mindlessly trying to mirror each chord he strummed. The way your lips would part when the acoustics trapped you into a trance, your mind completely enraptured by the songs he shared.

You clung to each melody with devout appreciation, drinking them in as if they were the only remedy to quench your insatiable thirst for euphony. On the rarest of occasions, when his vulnerability peeked from behind the curtain and he allowed you to listen to the gravelly timbre of his voice, the awestruck expression on your delicate features would provide a metronome for his performance in the form of his pounding heart, beating rhythmically against his ribcage.

Crescendoing. The brush of his fingers against your skin would linger for just a bit longer each time—the cloyingly sweet redolence of your honeysuckle perfume permeated even the stench of blood and decay that sometimes followed him home after macabre patrol shifts. The refrain of your duet finally made way for the bridge on the night your lips first melded with his—the hot sting of your mouth against his, your fingers buried in his hair and your body flush against his own—he found himself continuously longing for an encore.

As more and more of your musical arrangements revealed themselves to him, he familiarized himself with his favorite pieces in your repertoire—the desperate whine subdued by a kiss when he nipped at the swell of your lower lip; the ragged panting breath that escaped you when his hands slowly removed your clothes; the carnal whimpers of need when your body demanded a faster tempo than the one he was providing; the incessant repetition of your begging as his mouth worked you over, pleading for your release; the depraved moan that accompanied the initial stretch of him breaching your entrance; most of all, the sound of his name on your lips, his favorite fucking verse, your typically melodic intonation reducing itself to a wrecked, breathy version of your voice as you chanted nonsensically—please, Joel, fuck, give it to me, yes, yes, yes—

Joel was the maestro—but you were the fucking musician. He knew how to conduct, but Christ, you knew how to play. His body was your instrument, and you knew exactly how to make him sing. With practiced flicks of your wrist and calculated slides of your tongue, each note you drew from him was deliberate and strategic, performing perfectly in unison with the conductor's gesticulations.

His life had fallen back into tune. The soft, forgiving lull of your presence had reminded him of the aspirations of his past—the reason he wanted to pursue a future of music, the way the vibrations felt low in his diaphragm when he allowed his voice to ring clear. For so long, he’d lived in a world characterized by chaos and disorder, but somehow, you’d quelled the dissonance and reintroduced the broken shell of a man to the solace of song.

He watched you strum the guitar, sitting on the bench on his front porch. Your face was illuminated by the dim yellow glow of the porch light, reminiscent of the time you’d first wound up on his stoop. As your fingers deftly plucked at the strings, your bottom lip pulled between your teeth in concentration, every wrong note that Joel had ever played resolved itself as the symphony you personified washed over him—a frisson of overwhelming magnitude possessed his body as a resounding realization dawned on him.

You were his magnum opus.

[harri-etvane]

Prompts for sharing a bed: one talking in their sleep and the other listening fondly and gently kissing the other awake

There was only one bed/sharing a bed Prompt list: First time sharing a bed as a couple.

It's so difficult to pick one, these prompts are all so cute 🥹 🥰

Hello love! The sharing a bed prompts were just- too adorable 🥰 I'm sorry this took so long! This is about 500 words and covers the first one. I'm hoping to have something a bit longer for the next one, more of a oneshot sort of thing that I can tag you in when I've finished if you like? I wanted to get this one out there because I've taken too long already! I hope you like it 💕

-------

When Maksym Donets swore to protect, to uphold, to give his life for the President of Ukraine - this was not what he had anticipated his mornings looking like.

Definitely not a complaint though.

He props himself up on his elbow and watches Volodymyr, free hand gently tracing soft patterns on his exposed chest, pausing a moment to lightly press his palm against the thump-thump of his heart; a welcome reminder of something that has, at times, seemed fleeting. He tries not to think too often- of the sound of gunfire in the compound of Bankova Street, of Vova's pale, tense features, his small frame dwarfed by a bulletproof vest, a gun in his hands.

This feels, somehow - a world away from those first few nights.

Vova mutters something in his sleep and Maks smiles.

"You said it was coffee-” the sense of righteous indignation in his words sees the quiet flowering of affection in Maksym's chest. It's such a very Vova thing to say; so terribly precious somehow in its normality. He grumbles on a little longer about coffee before eventually falling silent. They lie there, together, in the slow waking morning, Maksym just happy to watch Vova; this beautiful quietness, the softness of him, not yet dragged away by whatever awful news the day will undoubtedly bring.

A little while later, Maks feels the alarm on his watch vibrate unobtrusively- a reminder that– ah. 5:30am. That means Vova has had at least five and a half hours of mostly uninterrupted sleep. Six would have been better and seven a rare treat; but it's still preferable to the nights where he has two, three hours at the most. For all Maks would rather let him rest, he knows that Vova has a call with America in 45 minutes that he cannot miss and does not want to delegate to anyone else - even Andriy.

This is a simultaneously least favourite, and yet still beloved moment in Maksym's daily routine. He leans forward and gently presses a kiss to the tip of Vova's nose. Nothing doing, save a faint quirk of his lip, even in sleep. He moves on to the roundness of his cheek, lips grazing against the stubble there, the roughness familiar, pleasant even, the clean scent of him.

"Vova–” his own voice now is a sleep-roughened growl, but it doesn't rouse the President who, if anything, seems to cuddle closer to Maks, shuffling deeper into sleep.

"Mmfghn,” is the reply.

"I know–” he peppers a few more kisses along Volodymyr's jawline. “I know it's horribly early, I'm sorry-” there is a tinge of genuine grief to his words momentarily - wishing again that he didn't have to do this, that instead they could wake slowly together, secure in the knowledge that they have nothing to do, nowhere to be, save for with one another. He notices Vova's eyelids flickering in the distinct way they do when he's almost, almost awake. Maks continues his personal endeavour - figuring out exactly how many of Vova's freckles, his frown lines, the little wonderous imperfections he can kiss before he actually opens his eyes.

“M ‘wake-” Volodymyr's voice is a certain low timbre that sends a shiver through Maksym, paused just-so, his lips pressed against Vova's soft, fluttering pulse-point. He noses there for a moment, appreciating the warmth, the rumble of Vova's voice in his throat, the way his hand reaches and begins to rub softly at the back of Maksym's head, sleepily affectionate.

"Morning, love.” He kisses Vova softly again, at his pulse point - moving gently upward to his lips.

"Time 's it?" his voice still has the same low growl that itches at a particular spot in Maksym's brain and he swallows hard. After a moment or two, he manages to form words.

"Half five--"

The resultant groan almost makes Maksym laugh - Vova manages to make his morning churlishness somehow adorable; all ruffled brown hair and big sleepy eyes, a soft pout that he's almost powerless to resist.

"I know. I know I'm a monster for waking you up this early but I can make coffee if that would sweeten it a little?"

Rather than responding, Vova reaches up and cups Maksym's cheek gently, thumb resting on his cheekbone as he drags the other man into another kiss.

[piastrinorris]

thinking about autistic!eddie again (advance warning: posting from mobile rn bc my wifi provider is down and i have typed readmore between colons but whether that works is another matter, soz in advance if it doesn't)

eddie who can't function without his emotional support tangle toy. wayne practically has stock in chewy charm manufacturers based on how many eddie goes through

eddie who doesn't just infodump about dnd and metal and fantasy genre stuff with people he feels safe around, he shares EVERYTHING he loves with his friends. he'll find things he likes the texture of and rub it against his friends' cheeks so they get to feel it too! and he'll point out other phenomena that makes him happy, like seeing multiple cars drive past, one after the other, that are all the same colour. or he'll try to make words/sentences up out of license plates to cheer his friends up, bc that's always something that gets him out of a funk. or he'll make everyone boxed mac n cheese when they visit the trailer bc that's his favourite meal

eddie whos number one detention reason is "talking back" but really its just that certain teachers trigger his echolalia and he can't help but repeat what they say, its not his fault they take offence to it. the second reason is "being disruptive" but again, it's not his fault that they're so unengaging that he has no choice but to stim. hollowing his cheeks out and flicking them so they make a sound. tapping each of his rings against the table in sequence, getting in even more trouble when they stop him mid-sequence bc sure, he'll stop, but only when he gets to the end of the pattern bc why would you stop anywhere else?

eddie who everyone thinks must be slimy n grimy but who has a Very Specific hygiene routine so his hair and skin never feel gross. he also has to keep his nails as short as possible, if he can see more than a sliver of white on his fingernails, he clips them and picks them and chews them until they're gone again

eddie who bases almost everything on his autistic intuition, which the others try and tell him is just him trying to justify avoiding social situations but it always eventually comes out that eddie was right to avoid the people he got bad vibes from

eddie who wears layers on layers no matter what the weather bc pressure relief keeps him the most grounded. jeff gives him the best squeezes whenever he needs them

eddie who LOVES parallel play. like everyone could be playing a one-shot that gareth has been planning for weeks now, and even though eddie gets overstimulated as a player (hence why he's a forever dm) he's more than happy to sit at the table and read while everyone else plays

eddie who is "failing" math even though its his most favourite subject bc even though he gets the answer right, the way he works it out isn't the curriculum's way

eddie who maladaptive daydreams this perfect world in which corroded coffin make it big, they're out here headlining festivals and selling out tours, but sometimes that's his own worst enemy bc one of the others suggest something for the band, it doesn't fit in his fake storyline so he can't picture it working out, even though all the others think it's a good idea. he eventually lets them, but it takes him a while to work this new thing into the Big Picture in his head

[quietlyblooms]

hc + 👗 for a clothes-themed headcanon hc + 💕 for a loved-themed headcanon hc + 🌇 for a headcanon about morning- or evening rituals hc + 🤕 for a pain-themed headcanon

thematic headcanons | @goldcnpeaks wanted to hear me ramble <3

clothes

while chiyo will experiment with different styles ( alternative and light academia aesthetics are likely the most common ), if she's just running errands, working at home, or casually hanging out with friends/family, you will see her dressed comfortably and casually. imagine a large rotation of hoodies, sweatshirts, and graphic tees paired with a smaller rotation of sneakers that are very well-kept. she wears shorts and skirts ( sometimes paired with tights ) a lot more than jeans/sweatpants/leggings bc she finds them more comfortable while still looking nice and put-together. even when she's dressing for comfort, she wants to look good!

other lil details to notice: chiyo accessorizes a ton when she's dressing up, but when she's not? she keeps earrings on, and that's it. she wears rings only if she knows she won't draw that day, and she's still liable to take them off at some point. she owns a bunch of patterned socks, a ton of tights and stockings, and a decent collection of shoes. chiyo also has a handful of different winter coats she'll pick through depending on the outfit she's wearing that day.

bottom line? her closets are bursting bc she enjoys expressing herself through fashion :' )

love

within her own canon, chiyo doesn't believe she's experienced romantic love, and i don't think she has. when she dated kojirou, they were teenagers; she may have been infatuated and loved him as his friend first, but romantic love would have been a very strong way to describe her feelings at the time. from then on, she's never allowed herself to get that close to someone. we know this!

chiyo's understanding of romantic love, then, centers around the example her parents and grandmother give her. her parents are best friends; they tease each other and joke constantly; they're freely affectionate with each other; when they're angry, they eventually talk it out; when one cries, the other holds them; and above all else, they go out of their way for each other. they prioritize the other's happiness over their own. and her grandmother? she is a devoted wife even after her grandfather's passing all that time ago. she visits his grave every week and fondly speaks of him if given the chance, still cooks his favorite foods during holidays, still wears her wedding ring.

chiyo understands that romantic love can manifest and present itself in many ways, but when she finally loves someone, she expresses it the way she's always watched it unfold before her. love is a safe place, a constant warmth that never leaves your bones. love is knowing that someone is waiting for you. always. forever. it's surprisingly idealistic for a woman who is typically kind of... pessimistic and cynical to a certain degree. still, this is the sort of love she hopes to give someone else -- and receive, but again, she understands not everyone loves the same.

morning/evening rituals

mornings are not wasted, but they are not rushed, either. it's different if she has somewhere to be, but if it's a normal work or rest day, chiyo will put something on in the background, be it a show she's seen before or music, and get herself looking presentable. there's a simple skincare routine ( heavy on moisture bc ma'am has dry skin ) that she commits to even if she's exhausted bc self care is important, and once she's dressed, she reads a book or manga while she eats breakfast ( there's gotta be hot coffee!! ). after that, she takes jun for a nice walk, and then she's off to work! at home

i have to note that chiyo doesn't like silence when she's alone. her morning especially feels eerie and off if she doesn't have something playing the whole time.

her evenings suffer bc chiyo often stays up late working. sometimes she works best that way, buuuut she doesn't tend to spend a lot of time on herself or any routine at night bc she's mentally drained at that point. then again! self care is important, so at the very least, she's taking the quickest shower ever and slapping on moisturizer and praying she can tame her hair in the morning.

pain

considering chiyo didn't get any tattoos prior to what she has now, she wasn't fully prepared for the pain :' )) it's one thing to read about what to expect and actually experience it. her tattoos took a lot of sessions i'm sure, and she tried to keep them relatively close to each other bc 1. she didn't want to give herself time to chicken out, and 2. she really just wanted it all done. as you can imagine, a good chunk of chiyo's skin was sensitive and healing up and um. she definitely slipped up on some of the aftercare asdfg a patch or two got a lil infected ( owieee ) and had to be treated and later touched up as a result.

does chiyo love her tattoos now? yup!! but beauty truly is pain :' )

[merrock]

CHARACTER INFORMATION

face claim: Carlson Young

full name: Marianne Mae Fusselman

nickname(s) / goes by: Marnie

pronouns & gender: cis woman, she/her

sexuality: bisexual

birth date: September 22, 1995

birth place: Beaverton, Oregon

arrival to merrock: 2023

housing: She lives with her great-aunt in the rural countryside.

occupation: Barista

work place: Cobblestone Cafe

family: Her great-aunt Mae, parents out-of-state, one younger sister

relationship status: single

PERSONALITY

Marnie is serious — too serious, she knows . She often finds herself preoccupied with uncertainties, concerns, dreams, memories, and life’s bigger questions, mulling over thoughts until they’re smooth as river rocks. She fears vulnerability and, in the past, has evaded being known by others. Now, she’s arrived at a point in her life where she realizes she needs those genuine connections. Once you earn her trust, you will find a pragmatic, direct, and steadfast companion in Marnie. She’s someone who will help you purge your wardrobe and finally donate half your shit to charity, or insist on cooking you a hearty meal with lots of vegetables. At the bottom of it all, she wants to show up for the people she loves and take care of them as best she can. She would love friends with whom she can have a real, good, honest laugh — something she’s been missing for years.

WRITTEN BY: Rain (she/her) est.

BACKGROUND / BIO

Marnie spent a lot of her childhood moving around the country for her father’s job, and thus learned to be highly adaptable; the flip side of that coin is that she has felt unmoored for a long time. She’s fixated on the concept of “home,” and in the process of trying to find it for herself, has bounced around from state to state in her own right ever since she turned 18. She’s always been a very creative person, leaning heavily into writing short stories, plays and films during her high school years. For a long time, she felt that making it as a writer was what her entire life hinged upon. She went to college in Philadelphia and struggled hard through an entire undergraduate degree program in screenwriting just to discover that she just isn’t cut out for keeping pace with the intensely competitive film industry. Once so certain about her identity, she found herself freewheeling, and has spent years picking up odd jobs and temporary gigs, struggling with feelings of purposelessness but unsure about what she should commit to and so afraid of making a wrong choice. A consistent thread throughout her life has been food service, for a few reasons: the jobs are very easy to get and to leave, and she actually really enjoys the work. She steered toward working in coffee shops a few years ago, and takes great pride in her craft as a barista.

Now at the end of her twenties, broke, lonely and growing weary of the patterns her life has taken, she’s come to Merrock to live with her great-aunt Mae, who she lived with for a few years as a child and still remains close to. She seeks clarity and peace, community and companionship, routine and regularity, and work with meaning — at least, she thinks she does. A small part of her, so small she can almost ignore it, worries that even if all of those things are presented to her, she won’t be able to embrace them. But for now, she does her best to brush that aside, and step into her next chapter with an open mind and heart.

[theevilcat]

A child could have mild symptoms of autism, but parents and guardians should still take proactive steps to seek a diagnosis.

When a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), caregivers can work with professionals to develop appropriate strategies in response. These strategies help children thrive in their environment through appropriate accommodations, therapy, and parent training.

While some children with autism may rarely encounter challenges related to their disorder, others may find that negative experiences increase as they get older. This can lead to unwanted stress, potentially up to the point of a crisis event. In extreme cases, a child could lose opportunities to advance in school or other life areas.

Understanding a child’s needs is important. Individuals in their life should never brush away observations that a child might have a behavior disorder. Instead, they can educate themselves on the signs of ASD and look into the next best actions to take.

Being “On the Spectrum” Can Mean a Wide Variety of Experiences

Autism is described as a spectrum of disorders for a reason. Signs of autism can present differently.

Some individuals will have significant behavior and communication challenges that make the possibility of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis more likely.

In other cases, caregivers may notice occasional “atypical” behaviors but that don’t immediately cause them to seek a full behavioral health evaluation.

In the latter scenario, a child may never have their autism diagnosed or addressed therapeutically. It’s possible that mildly-expressed forms of ASD behavior go completely unnoticed.

But another possibility is that an undiagnosed child or their caregiver will feel frustrated by a lack of explanation for certain behavioral events. They may struggle with socialization, for instance, or they may lack commitment to extracurricular activities.

Ignoring the possibility of an autism diagnosis, especially if a child seems mostly neurotypical, can make it more difficult for them to adjust and have their needs met. For this reason, teachers and caregivers who observe subtle signs of ASD should speak with a mental health professional.

A child’s parents, teachers, and others with a direct role in their life are the best observers when it comes to picking up on a possible autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Only a licensed mental health professional can come to a full, accurate diagnosis, but you don’t have to be a professional to suspect that an ASD diagnosis is possible.

What Are Some Possible Signs of Mild Autism?

ASD encompasses a broad range of behavioral patterns and experiences.

Inconsistency from one ASD case to the next can make it more difficult for caregivers to fully connect the dots.

Even so, there are many common behaviors that could point to a possible ASD diagnosis. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these may include:

Repetitive play or verbal expressiveness (echolalia)

A fixation on certain activities, ideas, or concepts

A reluctance to engage in new experiences or to disrupt routines

Aversion to certain forms of interaction, especially hugging or cuddling

Avoiding eye contact and being difficult to engage in conversation

Missing verbal or physical cues, such as not looking at where someone is pointing

Having difficulty understanding others’ feelings or talking about feelings in general

Reluctance to socialize or a preference for isolation

Trouble expressing their needs or wishes

Unexpected reactions to certain sights, sounds, textures, or smells

Tantrums or explosive aggression with unexpected triggers

Some children with ASD may appear to have a learning disability or other form of behavior disorder. They may also have co-occurring medical challenges, such as gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, trouble sleeping, or seizures. Many individuals with autism may also have mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or an attention deficit disorder.

It is also possible that any of the above behavior signs could be related to something other than autism, such as if a child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This possibility should encourage those in the child’s life to seek a diagnostic assessment from a professional who can advise parents and others how best to address their needs.

Any Form of Autism Can Benefit From a Therapeutic Approach

Unnoticeable signs of autism can be detrimental to a child’s wellbeing when caregivers neglect to investigate further. People with autism can be given strategies and support that can help them work alongside their condition and be successful while still being completely and utterly themselves.

Once you begin talking with professionals about your child’s unique situation and any unexpected behaviors or occurrences, you can begin to understand him or her better. With support from clinicians and the community, you can provide conditions and strategies that encourage your child to have a less stressful, more fulfilling life.

If you think your child or a child in your life might have autism, take the first step toward seeing if they need extra care, attention, and support from you. Seek a diagnosis and support from professionals who use an evidence-based approach to achieve goals that help children thrive.

[thecurseofclever]

I feel empty.

not the depressive kind because i'm not sad. i just feel nothing.

there's no reason for me to stay up at night but it's the only time where i can just be. i've been told that's just another thing that is a result of my autism. because i mask so hard throughout the day just to fit in with society by the time i come home i have no desire whatsoever to be a person and the only time i get to enjoy that is at night.

& i could be doing so many things right now. there's chores to be done. things i should organise to help my life flow a little better. i could be going to the gym to get this fucking weight off me but...

i just feel defeated & empty.

i've convinced myself it's not gonna get any better from here because there's no logical direction for me to go.

my girlfriend loves me so. to a degree where i don't understand why she wants to be here. we're all wrong for each other in some ways. like she eats and cooks and those were two things that didn't really happen a lot when i was single (hence why i'm fuxking atrocious now). but i'm also too tired to fix it. fixing it would mean straying from the normal routine and that just sounds like such a hassle. fixing it feels like it would mean having a partner who is even a little bit concerned about their image and i don't. i want to be more invested in this relationship and i want her to feel the full happiness and love she deserves but i don't think i can give that to her bc i'm too busy hating myself for not meeting the standards of the world. we're also just so different. im not sure leaving is in the picture tho. we both have a love for each other but something small inside of me still feels like there's so much more to life i should be doing or enjoying. right now i can't. right now i've found myself in a relationship that although happy is not the best for me.

i'm just tired. i don't want to end my life but i also feel so worthless that i can't see it being any different.

so many people want me to socialise or to socialise with me and i don't know how to tell these supposed friends that

(1) if i didn't have to leave my house to work to afford the things i need for my house i would never escape my apartment.

(2) i don't deserve friends. i don't deserve nice clothes. i don't deserve fun adventures.

once you reach a certain weight what is even the point of existing ( i feel that way about myself and people in general) ((i really took the phrase no one cares unless you are pretty or dying to heart)).

i should pick myself up and fix all of this but i'm just so tired & i can't see a point in trying bc based on pattern recognition that's not gonna get me anywhere.

i realise i've said this a bunch but i am so fuxking tired. exhausted. there's nothing for me to do but just exist everyday and im grossed out by that.

i wanted to say so many other things but typing that made it all worse so now i'm gonna go think about how fat people should exist and i should change my life but there's to much resistance anyways....

[speed-seo]

Hot New Online Marketing Ideas to Boost What You Do in 2024

The world of marketing online is constantly evolving, just like all of us! Each new year brings changes as technology marches on, the big platforms update their sites, and we all have to think creatively about new ways to reach customers. It's crazy how fast things move these days! Keeping up is so important if your business wants an edge. When fresh new approaches catch on, paying attention can give you ideas for tweaking what you do, connecting with more folks, and better meeting what people actually want. From what I'm noticing so far, 2024 looks like it'll bring some notable shifts that forward-thinking brands really ought to know about. It seems artificial intelligence may play an even bigger role, especially for creating content and personalizing what people see. And making people feel you understand them will also be key. Video will also likely dominate more and more, with short, snappy clips engaging audiences. In this article, I'll outline the trends experts are predicting may make waves in the year ahead. I'll analyze where each seems to be heading based on reports from folks in the know, expert opinions, and surveys of customers. I'll also share examples of companies doing strategies well. Plus, I'll offer tips to work these ideas into your own marketing plans. By the end, you'll gain insights that can refine what you do online heading into 2024. So let's jump in and explore the technologies and developments that look poised to enhance marketing over the next 12 months! Computers Getting Smarter Means Big Changes for Reaching Customers Online Folks in the know say computers are getting smarter much faster than before. Programs that can learn and think in some ways like humans are already changing how businesses connect with people online. And from what I'm hearing, this trend will really pick up speed next year. Research shows companies worldwide will spend over $15 billion on using artificial intelligence for marketing by 2023. That's double what was spent just 5 years ago! It seems these smart programs can dig through loads of data to spot hidden patterns and insights that help marketers out. Then they take over routine tasks so we have more time to focus on the creative work of connecting with customers. AI tools are helping improve every part of online promotions. Whether it's: - Writing Helpful Articles and Posts: Algorithms can spit out article ideas and rough drafts focused on certain search phrases businesses want found. This gives marketers a starting point to build on and saves them time. - Creating Custom Experiences: AI looks at what info we know about folks to power things recommending products or services people might like. It also predicts which leads are most ready to buy and helps chatbots respond naturally. All through analyzing customer details. - Finding the Right Audiences: Computers detect patterns in how people act online to target ads just right. Then they watch how well ads do and adjust targeting immediately based on results. Using AI Smartly Can Boost Results Online But People Still Matter Research shows putting AI to work in promotions can drive up clicks, sales, and money made. But it takes balance - computers complement what we do, not take our place. Businesses should focus on AI improving what customers see and do, not replacing human interactions. At the end of the day, folks buy from other people. So while programs can crunch numbers and handle routine tasks, we need to ensure marketing still offers that personal human touch. AI helps our creative efforts, it doesn't eliminate the need for compassion and understanding between real live customers and the real live folks trying to serve them. Handling promotions requires both smart tech and smart people skills. Ideas for Adding AI's Smarts to What You Do: - Think about using those platforms first for writing draft articles and blog posts to save time planning topics. But have a person polish anything customers will read. - Put the deep data dive AI can do to work targeting your promotions better. Still involve people to steer strategy and come up with visuals though. - Set up chatbots to handle basic customer questions fast, freeing up folks for more complex customer care. Make sure the bot knows when to pass folks off smoothly to a person for trickier issues. - Try different AI tools to see their strengths and limits. Go slow, maybe pick one or two at first to blend in, not rely too heavily on machines and lose that personal touch. - Quality over quantity is key! It's adding help where it helps most, not replacing people wherever possible. Customers want people, so find the sweet spot between person and program. The most important marketing shift of the next 5 years will be a move from a focus on reach to a focus on understanding people as individuals, and engaging them in an empathetic way. - Azeem Azhar, Entic. Making Each Customer Feel Special Builds Lifelong Loyalty Studies show people today expect companies to know them and cater to them as individuals online. Research by SmarterHQ found a whopping 77% of shoppers remain faithful to brands that personalize their digital experiences. Customizing everything with the customer in mind based on what they do, like, and value is super important for online retailers too. A report from Salesforce discovered 71% of buyers want stores to offer interactions tailored just for them. Key ways businesses can offer customized care include: - Grouping customers into segments predicted by their info. - Adjusting website content for each unique visitor. - Recommending products likely to interest that specific shopper. - Crafting journeys through the site tailored for each customer. - Promotions and deals targeted specifically for that person. It's all about understanding individual shoppers as people and not just names on a list. Showing you know your customers and care about their unique experiences builds serious goodwill and keeps them coming back time after time. Successful Strategies in Action: - The Starbucks app pays attention so it can suggest new drink recipes just for you based on what you've ordered before. - Etsy watches what folks browse and buy, then makes product recommendations very specific to their tastes. - Sephora's virtual makeup tool lets buyers try looks customized to their own complexion in a fun, stress-free way. Ideas to Make Personalization Part of What You Do: - Gather info directly through surveys or website forms to really get to know customers intimately. - Use what you learn about folks and patterns in their choices to predict needs and serve up fitting content. - Experiment sending tailored variations of pages, deals, mobile alerts to find the ideal personal touch. - Keep branding consistent while letting each customer's personality shine through for that special bond. - Be sure people understand and can refuse how their info helps improve service or know what happens to private details. - Employing smart personalization shows customers you care individually about each and every one of them. Image source: Mention Getting Noticed When People Have Less Time Means Standing Out Creatively With how busy we all are, ads and posts have to work extra hard for eyeballs these days. Catchy promotions that spark emotions and get people talking often do best. Reports show video is the way a whole lot of internet traffic will flow real soon too. Short, fun clips perfect for phones are huge on social media right now and capture attention fast. Over 80% of online content will move that way within the next couple years! Brands wanting more reach and reactivity, especially with the young crowd, need modern videos that entertain in just a minute or less. Ditch stock photos and numbers - tell moving stories visually instead. Think way outside the box and don't be afraid to seem a little different. That's what makes lasting impressions when seconds are all anyone has. Creativity and bravery to break conventions will win customers eager for fresh adventures online. So focus big energy on visual content that inspires emotions and invitations to interact. Then sit back and grin as the good buzz takes off! Examples of Viral Campaigns: - Google’s Year in Search video compiles society’s highest searches each year into a moving story tale. - Apple’s Shot on iPhone campaign shares compelling videos captured by everyday folks instead of pros. - Red Bull spreads the word through daredevil sports videos pushing limits. Tips for Videos Folks Can't Wait to Share: - Tell an intriguing story or teach a skill rather than straight product hype. - Leverage what everyday users create by accepting their submissions too. - Post regular videos 2-3 times weekly. Vary the types of clips (product demos, sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes). - Remember most will watch on phones, so go for square or vertical shapes that stream smooth there. - Use brief captions and tags targeting focused fan groups. - Track shares, likes and such to see what themes inspire the most reaction. Then do more of what works! - Keep videos short and snappy, spotlight real people, and share the experiences your brand enables. That sparks excitement better than plain old ads ever could. Listening in on Social Chatter Uncovers Priceless Tips Paying attention to what people say about your brand and others online should be a major part of promotion plans going forward. Staying tuned into social discussions provides a wealth of useful customer and competitor insights. Reports show over 70% of people now turn to social media as their first stop to learn about companies (Source: WordStream). On Twitter alone: - Approximately 762 million tweets are sent every day. - That’s roughly 8,817 tweets per second! - To put it in perspective, a day’s worth of tweets would fill a 10 million-page book. (Source: Internet Live Stats) Clever businesses track what's said through social listening tools to: - Spot new customer groups and untapped markets to reach. - Guide product choices based on wants and wishes discussed. - Check positive or negative feelings toward their brand. - Chime in on conversations to boost involvement. - See what rival companies do that gets attention. - Catch potential public problems before they blow up. Social platforms light up with a treasure trove of clues if you make the effort to sift through noise and truly hear what's being stated. It's the best way to stay constantly clued into what's trending next! Ways to Eavesdrop on Social Chatter: - Watch industry tags, any brand callouts, and customer reviews. - Pull together stats reports to notice recurring themes and patterns - Use handy programs like Keyhole or Sprout Social to arrange all the info gathered. - Assign friendly faces to jump in where helpful in online discussions. - Transform what you learn into plans addressing what shoppers want most. Always be listening is the key to keeping your finger on the social pulse. With patience and tools, you can transform passing comments into action plans catering directly to real human needs. And that's how satisfied customers and raving fans are made! Some Things to Keep Top of Mind Amid the Changing Digital Scene The online promotions world is shifting fast, and it'll be transformed even more in just a couple years. But while new tech tools keep popping up endlessly, homing in on a handful of major milestones will lead you down the best paths: - Personalized touches showing you truly see each customer as a person - not just a profile - will become a basic business practice. - Artificial intelligence can automate grunt work so you focus on human connection points that foster real customer care and caring. - Social platforms like Twitter are bursting with candid discussions that double as market research - so listen in there with care. - Stories told visually and simply on video are how most net traffic will flow, spreading brand tales even further. Keep testing new methods, but always remember -relationships matter most between real live buyers and sellers at the end of the day. If you focus on serving people, the profits will surely follow! 🚀 Buckle up, folks! Here's the inside scoop on the hottest digital marketing trends you simply can't miss! 🔥 The digital landscape continues to shift so rapidly, it can be hard for any of us mere mortals to keep up! But if I've learned anything in my years working with customers, it's that trends come and go - what truly endures are the deep human connections we forge. - As AI handles more routine tasks and data insights get more precise, I believe our role must be bringing heart and soul to each brand-customer encounter. Looking folks in the eye, so to speak, and understanding what truly matters most to them as people. - Video is a powerful way to share experiences, but it starts from a place of empathy. Putting ourselves in another's shoes to craft stories that stir emotion and spark conversations. - And social media offers a virtual town square where real voices connect. But we must listen with care, as neighbors supporting one another, to appreciate each perspective. No matter the changes ahead, when our north star remains serving others, our strategies can only benefit. Technology augments human potential - it does not replace our capacity for compassion. By keeping relationships at the core, the rest may change but customers will stay. Read the full article

[reasoningdaily]

People who are highly intelligent but lack common sense often display these 8 behaviors

We all know them. Those people who are incredibly smart, but seem to lack the most basic common sense.

Curious, isn’t it? They can solve complex equations in their heads but can’t figure out how to use a washing machine.

Sometimes it’s amusing, other times it’s downright baffling.

Does this sound familiar? Do you know someone like this or perhaps, you feel you might be one of them?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Many of us know individuals who are brilliant, yet struggle with the simplest day-to-day tasks.

In fact, I’m going to share a secret with you.

There are certain behaviors that these intelligent yet common-sense-challenged individuals tend to display.

I don’t mean to offend or belittle anyone with this article. It’s just an observation that I believe many of us can relate to.

Intrigued? Let’s dive into these behaviors and find out more.

1) Overthinking simple tasks

Ever watch someone try to turn a simple task into a complicated process? This is a common trait I’ve seen among people who are highly intelligent but lack common sense.

I remember one time, my friend Mark, who is an astrophysicist, tried to bake cookies.

Instead of following the recipe, he tried to calculate the exact temperature and time for the perfect cookie. Needless to say, the result was less than tasty.

The point here? Sometimes, it’s better to just follow the simple instructions rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.

2) Missing social cues

Social interactions can be a tricky field to navigate for these individuals. My cousin Emma is a perfect example of this.

She’s a genius when it comes to mathematics and computer programming, but put her in a social setting and she’s lost.

She often misses social cues that most of us would pick up on without thinking.

For instance, she might not realize when someone is being sarcastic or making a joke. Or she might keep talking about a subject long after everyone else has lost interest.

In essence, being highly intelligent doesn’t always translate to understanding the subtleties of social interaction.

3) Difficulty adapting to change

They often struggle with change. This is because their brains are wired to understand and master complex ideas, patterns, and systems.

But when something disrupts these patterns or systems, it can be hard for them to adapt.

They tend to prefer sticking to their known methods and routines, even if a simpler or more efficient way exists.

For instance, people with an extremely high IQ are often diagnosed with a disorder called Savant Syndrome.

This syndrome is characterized by remarkable talents, usually involving memory, but also significant difficulties in other areas of life, including adapting to change.

They often find practical tasks challenging.

They can master the theory behind just about anything, but when it comes to putting that theory into practice, they stumble.

And it’s not for lack of trying or because they don’t care. It’s just that their brains are wired differently.

They may excel in abstract thinking and complex problem-solving, but everyday tasks can be a struggle.

It can be hard to watch someone you care about face such challenges, especially when you know how capable they are in other areas of their lives.

But remember, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. It’s part of what makes us human.

5) Incredible focus on specific interests

This is something I’ve found to be quite endearing, even if it can be a tad frustrating at times.

People who are savvy in theory but clumsy in practice often have an intense focus on their specific interests.

Take my brother, for example. He’s a brilliant architect who can design beautiful, complex buildings.

But ask him about anything outside of architecture and he’s clueless.

Once, we were traveling together and got lost.

He was so engrossed in sketching a fascinating building we passed by that he didn’t even realize we had strayed off our intended path.

I ended up navigating us back while he finished his sketch.

It’s not that he doesn’t care about other things, it’s just that when he finds something he loves, he dives in headfirst and everything else seems to fade into the background.

It’s part of what makes him such an extraordinary architect, but it can also leave him a bit out of touch with the world around him.

6) A need for perfection

This is often more of a curse than a blessing. They often strive for perfection in everything they do.

They have a keen eye for detail that can sometimes border on obsessive.

The desire for perfection can be a double-edged sword. It can lead to exceptional work but also cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.

7) Poor time management

They often struggle with time management and prioritizing tasks.

I’ve seen this first hand with my colleague, Steve.

He can code complex algorithms like nobody’s business but ask him to manage his workload and he’s lost.

He’ll often spend hours on intricate details of a project while neglecting other important tasks that need to be completed. 

This lack of time management skills can lead to inefficiency and missed deadlines.

8) Overconfidence in their intelligence

Being highly intelligent can sometimes lead to overconfidence in their abilities.

These individuals often believe they can handle any situation or solve any problem because they are smart.

This might not seem like an issue at first glance, but it can lead to them overlooking simple solutions or not asking for help when they need it because they think they should be able to figure it out on their own.

In conclusion, while being highly intelligent has its advantages, it can come with its own set of challenges when common sense is lacking.

Understanding these behaviors can help us better interact with these individuals and even provide support where needed.

After all, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. It’s what makes us unique.

[workscounselingcenter]

Spooky Season

It’s the spookiest time of the year, so I thought I would write about something else that can be spooky year round: phobias. Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder in which a person experiences an intense and out of proportion response to something. Common phobias are things like animals, needles, certain places. Having a phobia is a debilitating disorder in which an individual consistently has an extreme reaction of fear and anxiety in response to a certain stimulus. The disorder causes impairment and often causes the individual to change their routine to avoid the specific feared stimulus. Phobias are a mental health diagnosis that is treatable and actually has high success rates. However, many people with phobias avoid treatment due to the uncomfortable process that is treating their phobia.

According to the NIH, about 12.5% of adults will have a phobia at some point in their life. It is a fairly common mental health disorder that is treatable by helping the individual face their fears and learn how to cope with those emotions that arise. Even if you don’t have a phobia, it’s likely that you’ve experienced some intense fear over something at some point in your life (going to the dentist, needles, fear of flying, etc.). Since we cannot always avoid the things that we are afraid of or that cause us stress, I have decided to compile some helpful ideas for the next time you have to do that thing you’re afraid of.

Find a distraction. For those with fears of shots, staring at the shot and thinking about it will not be a helpful strategy. So it can be helpful to find something else to focus on. Play a game on your phone, bring a fidget toy, try to see how many things in the room that are orange, etc.

Bring a friend. Sometimes our fears can be things like places, like an airplane, and being there can be super scary. Having a loved one with you can help calm you down and see that your friend is okay and likely so are you. Hold their hand, have them talk to you, there are lots of options when you have a friend.

Remember to breathe! When we are scared, oftentimes our heart rate increases and our breathing pattern changes. It can be helpful to focus on taking some deep breaths. There are tons of breathing exercises you can try. Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Pretend to blow out birthday candles. Breathing for certain counts of time. Pick whatever works for you.

Of course these are just a few options, so you can use what feels helpful and discard the rest because mental health is all about what works for you. If you find yourself being incapacitated by your fears and changing your routine due to them, you may have a phobia and it could be worth bringing it up to a therapist and potentially seeking treatment. It is scary, but there is help out there!

[gmswerks]

Add Stunning Honed Marble Countertops to Your Kitchen

Greetings from the world of kitchen makeovers! Are you trying to make your kitchen a more opulent and sophisticated place? Honed marble countertops are the solution. Modern kitchens are noticing these magnificent surfaces, which elevate both design and practicality. Honed marble worktops are certain to leave your guests awestruck, whether you're a seasoned chef or simply appreciate spending time in the center of your house. In this article, we'll examine the benefits and drawbacks of choosing honed marble for your kitchen, look at how to pick the ideal slab for your area, and discover some important advice on preserving its timeless beauty. So let's get started and see how honed marble can improve the beauty of your kitchen!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Honed Marble Countertops

Honed marble countertops provide a number of benefits that make them a popular option among homeowners. First and foremost, any kitchen will feel more sophisticated thanks to their matte surface, which radiates a feeling of understated elegance. Honed surfaces on marble are more tolerant of wear and tear than polished marble, which can be vulnerable to scratches and etching.

The design flexibility of honed marble is one of its greatest advantages. You can easily discover a slab that exactly matches the design of your kitchen thanks to the large selection of colors and veining patterns available. With honed marble, you have a plethora of options, whether you want delicate veining for a minimalist appearance or striking patterns for a statement piece.

The heat resistance that honed marble offers is another benefit worth highlighting. Because of this, it is the perfect surface for cooks who routinely use hot pots and pans on their countertops without worrying about the material getting damaged.

For Your Kitchen, Select the Best Honed Marble

The perfect honed marble for your kitchen is an essential choice that can significantly change the room's appearance and atmosphere. Because there are so many choices, it's important to take a few important aspects into account before deciding.

Consider your kitchen's style and color palette. Honed marble is available in a variety of colors, including traditional white, warm beige, and even deep grey. Think about whether you want a countertop to make a statement as a focal point or blend in smoothly with your current design.

Consider durability next. In contrast to other materials like granite or quartz, honed marble is noted for its beauty and elegance but is also more prone to scratches and stains. You might want to choose a tougher stone alternative if your home is busy or if you constantly cook and entertain in your kitchen.

Maintenance is another important aspect to take into account. Honed marble needs to be sealed frequently to stave off stains and moisture damage. Be honest with yourself about the time and effort you are willing to devote to maintaining your countertops.

Maintaining Marble Countertops

To preserve the beauty and durability of your Omaha-honed marble countertops in Omaha, adequate maintenance is required. Here are some pointers for maintaining your countertops made of honed marble:

Remove Spills As Soon As Possible: Marble is porous and readily absorbs liquids, which causes stains. As soon as a spill happens, clean it up with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Use Gentle Cleaning Products: Honed marble countertops can be damaged by harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. Choose gentle cleaning products made just for natural stone surfaces instead.

Steer clear of acidic foods: Foods like tomato sauce, vinegar, and citrus juices can erode honed marble. When handling these meals, use caution and clean up spills right away.

Use Cutting Boards and Trivets: To avoid scratching your honed marble surfaces, use cutting boards whenever you prepare food there. In order to prevent heat damage to the surface, hot pans and pots should always be placed on trivets or hot pads.

Regular Sealing: Honed marble should be regularly sealed with a premium sealer made for natural stone worktops. This will add another layer of defense against everyday wear and tear and help prevent stains.

Carefully Remove Stains: Use a poultice created especially for removing stains from natural stone surfaces if you see a stain on your honed marble countertop. To prevent inflicting additional harm, carefully follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

[swimmingllamasoul]

Positive Affirmations for Anxiety

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by stress and anxiety? It can be difficult to maintain a positive outlook on life when you are feeling anxious. This is where the affirmations can help.

Positive Affirmations are simple statements which you say to yourself. It helps to improve our mood , reduce our stress levels . In this post we wil be discussing about benefits of Positive Affirmations and a list of affirmations to feel good .

Defining Anxiety - it is a feeling of worry , nervousness or uneasy about something with an uncertain outcome. We all experience it at some point in our lives. For some of us it is health reaction to stress while for others it can become so severe that it interferes with their daily living . It can be accompanied by symptoms such as racing heart , sweating , feeling light headed . People with anxiety often have difficulty controlling their worries , they avoid certain situations out of fear . It might become necessary to treat it before it becoming worse.

Benefits of Positive Affirmations

Many people question benefit of affirmations " how by repeating a phrase can relieve my anxiety"? The answer is it helps to rewire your brain to change your negative thought pattern to positive. They have been an effective treatment for anxiety.

The Benefits are -

1. It reduces stress levels

2. Changing negative thought to positive

3. Improving self esteem

4. Creates more positive Outlook

5. Helps to achieve goals

Tips to create your own Positive Affirmations

If you have anxiety, find ways to calm yourself,come up with short phrases which you will repeat to yourself when you are anxious.

Some tips on how to create your own positive Affirmation

1. Pick someone that makes you feel good

2. Keep it short and sweet

3. Make them specific to you

4. Say it loud

5. Tailor them to your needs

6. Start small

How to use this Affirmations

It is very simple but important to do it in the right way .

Some tips are -

1. Create a routine

2. Pick a time of day

3. Keep them present

4. Set goals

Some examples of Positive Affirmations are -

1. I am strong and resilient

2. Everything will workout in the end

3. I am healthy and happy

4. I am safe

5. My thought are under my control .

If you are feeling anxious try out some positive Affirmations and see how they work for you. They will help you to reframe your thinking and see the glasses half full rather than half empty.