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[routefusion12]

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[erodasfishtacos]

Boredom & Blind Dates [pt I]

summary: yn is a good friend, who's willing to go on a blind date so that her friend can try to pull the man of her dreams. the new bigshot doctor at the hospital she's works. the dinner isnt as charming as she hoped

word count: 5k

warnings: angst

author's note: hii! this was based off a request. the rest will be posted on patreon and there’s already another part up :)

You can subscribe for $3 USD a month here

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Victoria was a friend that YN had made in college when they were both studying completely opposite majors but happened to be roomed in the same two-bed dorm.

They clicked instantly and just like their majors, they were also exact opposite in their personalities too but it somehow just meshed perfectly together.

Victoria was a social butterfly who did not have a fear of being the center of attention, going after whoever she wanted (and typically pulling them), and her confidence was impressive.

Despite how smart Victoria was, she had a tendency to come off a bit ditzy, and has been called an air-head more than twice in YN’s presence.

The boys in more prestigious majors like law and medicine usually didn’t find her carefree attitude as appealing.

While Tori snagged the frat boys, YN steered clear of them which worked because they had never once had a crush on the same man.

After graduation, it only made sense to move in together because Seattle was a ridiculously overpriced city but their job wages were competitive.

Victoria was a nurse, she worked on a surgery recovery wing, and complained about her job constantly because of the crabby patients and long hours.

YN worked behind a desk all day, very rarely having to interact with anyone but if she did - it was all virtual from home.

She was the head accountant for a social media marketing company which was a pretty high position for the few years of experience she had.

YN had always been serious, more mature for her age, and always excelled above everyone else in her grade.

It hadn’t been a surprise when she was valedictorian or made summa cum laude in her undergraduate and masters degree with ease.

YN didn’t party, didn’t love socializing out in clubs but would go when Victoria pressured her enough to do so, and it was fine.

YN had been so involved in establishing her career, creating a successful life, and making a name for herself that she didn’t have time for the things Victoria did.

Dating app hookups, one night stands from the bar, and casual flings that only lasted a few weeks was how Tori rolled.

Typically, at least once a month, she was bawling to YN about the latest dickhead who treated her like she was disposable but kept going for the same type.

YN had empathy to an extent, always uncorked the wine and half-listened to her rants about chivalry being dead while she was still thinking about an account she needed to work on because the deadline was coming up.

YN liked to think she lived vicariously through Victoria’s stories which worked for her because then she didn’t have to experience those things herself.

+

YN had been sitting on the couch, laptop balanced on the wide arm as she scrolled through work emails while catching up on her guilty pleasure reality show.

It was nearly ten at night but she was waiting for a reply from a customer with a time difference, work could sometimes be a whole day and night ordeal.

There was no question that YN was uptight, rarely - if ever relaxed, and did not have much time for anything other than what put a hefty sum in her bank account every two weeks.

Victoria tumbled through the front door in a way that is uniquely her - like a hurricane.

Her keys jingling, her water bottle bumping and sloshing water as she drops her purse on the floor unceremoniously with a chapstick rolling out.

She tosses all of her items in a messy pile on the ground with her bag, kicking off her tennis shoes, and nearly prances into the living room.

YN blinks over at her, the excitement of her arrival was a routine now, she no longer gets annoyed that her best friend makes an entrance like that each time.

“Babe, guess what,” Victoria squeals as she sits down right next to her on the couch, still in her magenta colored scrubs and her mascara smudged near her eyes.

“What?” YN replies as she mindlessly clicks refresh in her email, wishing for this message with the information she needs to appear.

“Our new Chief of Medicine started today! He was the head of neurology at another hospital. A literal brain surgeon which, of course I’ve met others but he’s like…the best of the best. They write news articles about him, his studies in medical journals, he’s a big deal,” Victoria is still excited as she nearly bounces in her spot, shaking YN’s laptop.

YN puts a hand up to make sure her computer doesn’t topple, still nonplussed as she looks at her friend, “What does this have to do with you? Is it just because he’s famous in the medical world?”

“No, he’s fucking gorgeous too. I didn’t think you were allowed to be as smart as he is while looking like he just walked off a runway during Paris Fashion Week,” Tori giggles as her cheeks go a bit pink, “He’s the hottest doctor I’ve ever seen.”

“Tori,” YN sighs, clicking her refresh again - nothing, “Again, what is this information leading to?”

“Well I bumped into him today, literally, in the hallway. We spoke briefly, he was polite but serious, and I felt like he was flirting with me. I feel like I have a chance with him,” Her roommate tells her, that same confidence present as ever that she can pull this big shot doctor.

“Good luck with that. I’m sure he’s married with kids,” YN replies somewhat dismissively, unamused that this is how her friend spends her time.

“Nope,” Tori quips back happily, “I googled him. He just made the New York Times list as one of the most eligible bachelors in medicine. Single as they come.”

“I thought you didn’t want to date someone who also worked in medicine,” YN reminds her, clicking refresh once again to no results.

“He’s the exception. If I could settle down with a fuckin neurosurgeon, chief medical officer like come on that would be my biggest achievement,” Victoria pulls out her cell phone, tapping across the screen.

And YN just…cannot relate.

YN only fell in love once.

Where she could fantasize about a life with that person, marriage, kids, a house but it was all fantasy as they were never official in that way.

It was crushed and YN made a promise to herself that she wouldn’t let herself dream like that again.

“Do you want to see a picture?” Victoria asks as she looks for an image to show.

As a stroke of luck, YN’s work phone starts buzzing, and it’s the client she was waiting for to email her, “I’m sure he’s as attractive as you say, Tor. I have to take this.”

Her friend mumbles something about her being in a relationship with work which is honestly not that far off at this point.

However, it gives her an excuse to lock herself in her office for a few hours to avoid the ideas of love, Victoria’s fantasy world, and think about nothing but numbers and percentages.

+

The next few weeks blend together for YN.

Every few days she actually catches up on her work.

Every few days Victoria recounts her very purposefully crafted run-ins with the chief medical officer to shoot her shot.

Victoria has always been forward, asking bluntly for what she wants but with such a seemingly intimidating man, she finally has met her match.

Her roommate deems the doctor as ‘playing hard to get’ but YN starts to wonder if she’s imagining the spark between them or if it’s truly there.

She talks about times where the doctor flat out ignores her in the hallway but brushes it off that he was extremely busy on a pressing issue.

But then there are times where he will pull her aside, gently by the wrist and ask her about how her day was going, and appear to be interested in her answers.

YN loved her friend but was wildly uninterested in these events, the only thing that kept her curiosity lingering was if she was actually going to snag the head of the biggest hospital in Seattle.

She doesn’t hear much for a week or two.

At least three months have passed since the doctor started.

And this finally appears to be a payoff when Victoria comes home with her usual hurricane routine of leaving a trail of her belongings as she comes through the front door.

“Oh my god, oh my god. Close your laptop and look at me!” Victoria announces dramatically as she rushes over to the couch, taking it upon herself to close the lid of YN’s work computer.

“Tori,” YN scolds with a grumble, she really didn’t appreciate it when her friend interrupted her work flow in the middle of her meticulously constructing a report.

“Hush,” She replies, brushing off her concerns, and patting YN’s thighs, “I need the absolute biggest, most massive favor from you ever. And I really need you to agree, I’ll owe you for eternity.”

This didn’t sound good.

YN blinks at her, expression still unamused as ever.

“Okay. I am going on a date with the chief,” Victoria squeals, high-pitched and loud, “But it’s a double-date, he was telling me he’s looking for a date for his friend. I offered you and he invited us all to dinner at The National.”

Fancy.

And YN tries to settle the itching annoyance at her friend offering her up without her approval but unfortunately it was a very Victoria-like thing to do.

Despite how uptight YN could be, she had a soft spot for her friend and would do anything within her to make her happy so instead of lecturing her about setting her up, YN agrees.

YN thinks about it as the days pass until the date, what’s stopping her from actually giving this a try?

The only information she received about her blind date was that he was also a doctor, orthopedics, and his name was Mitch.

YN dresses nicer than she had originally planned, in a form fitting black dress that shaped her chest phenomenally, making her smaller tits look full and lifted.

It also defined her backside well too, making it rounded and voluminous in a way that it normally didn’t look in her regular outfits.

YN hadn’t been with anyone in over a year, not even a casual hookup because she didn’t do those - she did commitment.

Maybe Mitch would be the one.

YN wasn’t one for magical thinking like her best friend but maybe this is what optimism was supposed to be like as opposed to her normal pessimist outlook.

Victoria dressed stunning as well, albeit a bit more revealing which was her go to, cut-outs along her ribs and the hem was nearly to her bum cheeks so she couldn’t bend over without revealing all of her bits and pieces.

YN was sure that the doctor she was pining after would take her home with her that night but she also knows Victoria is possibly looking at this to become serious.

It was all up in the air.

The National was a quiet restaurant, where business meetings were held and deals were made.

Everyone dressed in expensive outfits that made YN and Victoria’s seem a bit out of place but they blended in well enough.

Neither have been to the location before because it was reservation-only and you had to have enough of a name in Seattle to bother calling.

The fact that the chief was able to get them a table, at relatively short notice was flex in itself, showing off what clout he held in the community.

YN wasn’t impressed, per se, felt like it was a bit-show off but nevertheless it was a nice experience that she’d never likely have again after this night.

Victoria gives the hostess their name before they’re being guided towards the back of the restaurant, it lit dimly enough that it would be hard to see the menu.

As they arrive at the table, there’s two meticulous dressed men sit across from one another, both handsome in different ways.

However, one has a big smile and stands up whilst the other stays seated with a scowl that seems permanently etched on his face - light wrinkles to show for it.

The man who stands up reaches for YN’s hand, kissing the back of it, and introducing himself, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve been looking forward to it all week, darling. I’m Mitch.”

“YN,” She replies even though he already knows, allowing the kiss and giving him a polite smile back as he pulls out her chair for her.

Victoria walks around the table, somewhat awkward as her date doesn’t get up or offer to move her chair out, only a curt, “Hello, Victoria. You look nice.”

“Thanks,” Tori blushes easily, YN has to refrain from rolling her eyes at the interaction, she always fell for the rudest, douchey men on Earth.

This doctor was no different as he says back in his chair, shoulders broad, and back straight, head held high as he watches Mitch help YN in her seat.

“Thank you,” YN brushes her fingers against Mitch’s shoulder as he sits down, making eye contact with her date once again.

He had these sincere brown eyes, a shy smile, and his long hair was pulled back into a ponytail as he nods at her.

Mitch wasn’t her type, though she wasn’t picky, and was willing to give anyone a chance - he just wouldn’t be someone she would pick herself.

Maybe that’s a good thing.

“What’s good here?” YN asks Mitch as she opens her menu, it was a small list of entrees, most that YN had only seen on cooking shows or never even heard of.

“I haven’t been here. Styles here is a regular but that’s because he’s the big name ‘round here, well according to London Times - everywhere,” Mitch teases as he glances up at his friend.

Styles doesn’t even lift his lip in a half-smile, his eyes dart to YN before his friend, “The Steelhead Trout is good as is the Filet Migon.”

YN’s eyes trace back over the menu, heart seizing a bit as the numbers next to the entree - realizing that was the price was a bit of shell shock.

She knew that Mitch would pay for her but she felt guilty about ordering something that was well over a hundred and fifty dollars when she would never pay that for dinner herself.

“I think I’ll just get the thai salmon,” YN replies as she glances over, it was the cheapest option, not by much but still.

“There’s peanuts in the sauce,” The doctor tells her as he glances up from his own menu to look at YN.

YN brow furrows at him, lips turning down, and about to say something when he adds, “Victoria informed me that you have a severe peanut allergy and to choose a restaurant that could prepare your food properly.”

YN blinks to process before looking over to Victoria, “Thanks, Tor.”

“I’d rather not see freshman year thanksgiving happen again,” Victoria jokes but there is some real concern there from such a traumatic incident.

YN had accidentally come into contact with some type of nut that sent her into an anaphylactic shock.

They couldn’t find her epipen for a good two minutes until they did and were able to administer her medication until she could make it to the hospital.

Victoria had anxiety about food in their house for ages, paranoid about her own contact with the allergen, and always made sure everyone was aware of YN’s condition.

“I’ll get the filet then,” YN sighs, giving up on picking a cheap option as she closes her menu, and the waiter pours a red wine into her glass.

YN was not in the mood to drink, preferring to sip on her water instead as Victoria and Mitch emptied their first glass quickly.

Victoria’s date sipped more sophisticatedly on his, swirling it like a proper snob before taking a minuscule sip as if he was savoring it.

Mitch seemed very interested in YN, asking multiple questions about her work and personal life, he put an arm around the back of her chair which YN didn’t necessarily mind as they spoke.

From what YN could see, Victoria was not having as much luck with her date as their conversation appeared strained, her friend was doing ninety percent of the talking, and Harry was nodding with an expression of boredom.

After the soup and salads arrive, Mitch and Harry start to chat about something going on with the hospital protocols.

Victoria tries to add in, he doesn’t acknowledge her but Mitch does instead after an uncomfortable pause of silence between them.

YN stays quiet, unable to add anything, and after a moment, Mitch huffs out a laugh, “Enough work talk, we’re excluding YN.”

Harry raises his eyebrow at her, “Need to be the center of attention?”

“Hey,” Mitch frowns, rubbing at YN’s shoulder, “I didn’t mean for it to sound like that. I’m sorry if I just-“

“You’re fine,” YN waves her hand dismissively, giving her friend’s date a displeased glance that Harry returns the scowl just like he’d been doing all night.

Victoria is oblivious, as she tends to be, and is much too focused on keeping her date’s attention to worry about anything else.

“What do you do for work?” Harry asks her, randomly cutting off a story that Victoria was telling about a patient that eloped recently.

“I’m a head accountant for a social media marketing company. What about you?” YN returns the question with sickeningly sweet politeness.

She felt like Harry was a pompous prick, taking pride in his rankings, education, and had a better than attitude that YN really felt was unappealing.

To act like she didn’t know shit about him was the perfect way to irritate him apparently.

It works.

The way his teeth clench together as the wrinkle between his brow deepens further, he straightens his suit jacket before leaning forward to appear casual.

“I’m the Chief Medical Officer of The Hospital of Seattle, a neurosurgeon specializing in spinal cord injury as well as stroke and trauma, I own three outpatient medical practices, as well as instruct other neurosurgeons on new techniques and equipment,” Harry boasts, to be fair, it was extremely impressive.

There was no doubt that the man sitting across from her was extremely intelligent, she’s probably never been around anyone as smart as him but it didn’t excuse his attitude.

You can be intelligent and humble at the same time.

Apparently Doctor Styles did not get the memo.

“That’s nice,” YN replies as she takes a very small sip of wine, even though she was impressed, it didn’t reflect in her bored tone.

Harry scoffs, sitting back, and licking the front of his teeth.

His eyebrow was raised as he repeated in disbelief, “That’s nice? Nothing else, huh?”

Victoria’s eyes dart nervously between the two, she grips Harry’s bicep, “I think it’s the most impressive thing I’ve heard. Not to mention the medical journals you wrote for or the volunteer work.”

YN tucks her bottom lip between her teeth, tampering down a smile at getting a reaction out of her friend’s date, just as she had hoped.

“S’really not as impressive when the person needs to flaunt their accomplishments so extravagantly,” YN shrugs as she puts down her wine glass, nonchalant as ever, and acting as if she was being casual.

Tori delivers a kick to her shin underneath the table, along with a scolding look for her to drop the attitude with Harry because it was ruining their date.

YN pulls back because she did feel guilty at getting into it with this doctor who Tori was trying to pull and she wasn’t increasing the chances with the snide comments.

Harry is about to respond, his ringed fingers clenched on the table, and there were tattoos peeking out from the cuffs of his suit that were very undoctorlike, “You know what I think-?”

“Uhm,” Mitch coughs awkwardly to break up the tension that was getting thick and cloying between everyone at the table, “Victoria, where did you get your nursing degree from?”

The conversation breaks off, Victoria and Mitch start chatting as YN and Harry remain pretty much silent throughout the appetizers.

Victoria is forward, trying to touch her date when possible.

A brush of his hand here, a squeeze of his bulky bicep there.

Though Harry doesn’t shrug her off, he also doesn’t return the favor at all.

He is nearly statuesque, unmoving, and able to sit very still for long amounts of time.

Of course, maybe that is overly obvious because of how all over the place her friend was at all times, unable to sit still for more than a few minutes without needing to adjust the way she’s sitting or fiddle with something on the table.

YN wonders if this whole thing was set up for Mitch and Harry just settled for being on a date with Victoria to help his friend out.

The thought hurt her to think about because she wanted better for her friend.

YN enjoyed having a job that paid her well, more than most people her age were making but it didn’t define who she was.

Doctor Styles seemed to be his entire job as his personality.

How boring.

When Harry manages to get the topic back onto a work issue, YN cannot help but let out a yawn that she very half-heartedly tries to cover with her hand because she could only hear so much about a spinal surgery before she’s zoning out.

Victoria is hanging onto his every word, asking questions, and being overly interested in a lackluster story in his monotone, deep voice that could honestly lull her to sleep because of how bleak and morbid he sounded.

However, when she yawns, no one at the table notices but Harry.

His eyes have darted over to her a few times while he’s been talking, almost to gauge her level of interest, and when she yawns, he visibly huffs before continuing - his words a bit more harsh and a flutter of annoyance twisting into his cadence.

YN had neglected her date during this whole time, in full honesty.

Victoria and Mitch seemed to have a great conversation.

When YN talked to Mitch, he was nice enough and easy to have a conversation with but his boss across the table was distracting and apparently felt the need to constantly be the center of attention even though that’s what he called YN out for. 

It’s rude, YN knows it is when she excuses herself to the bathroom mid-story, placing her napkin on the table before swinging her purse over her shoulder, and navigating into the dimly-lit restaurant towards the back.

YN goes into one of the many stalls, a larger bathroom, and sits down.

She didn’t have to go to the bathroom but she had just needed a break because…

What the fuck.

What the actual fuck?

YN would be crawling out the bathroom window if Victoria wasn’t with her.

YN hears the door open and she just knows it’s Victoria.

She is definitely going to give YN a piece of her mind for her attitude at the table and she really can’t blame her because she was not being on her best behavior admittedly.

When YN pushes open the stall, already starting her speech, “Tor, I know you’re probably pissed but -”

However, YN stops mid-setence when she sees that it was not Victoria standing across from her.

No, instead it was Harry, leaning back against the sinks with his arms crossed and a scowl worse than anything that he had displayed at the table across his face.

“Already dating again?” He asks unhappily, the slight crack of his deep drawl gives away the jealously laying behind those words, “That’s pretty fuckin’ rich, innit?”

“Don’t you dare,” YN hisses back, defensive and straightening up, “You don’t have any room to talk.”

“I have plenty,” Harry grits out, his gaze unwavering, his hand twitching like he wants to reach out, “You fucked everything up, not me.”

The awful thing is that YN wants him too.

“That’s not true,” YN murmurs softer, trying to keep the feisty edge in her voice but struggling.

The emotions that she was attempting to hold in at the table were much harder to bottle up when they were standing face-to-face like this.

“You like Mitch?” Harry ignores her rebuttal, his knuckles were white where they were gripping the kitchen sink, “Think he’s nice? Boyfriend material?”

“It’s none of your fucking business,” YN snaps back, finding her bravado a bit more.

“Come here,” Harry orders, voice quiet but sharp, demanding, and it sends a chill down her spine.

“Harry-” YN begins to argue but finds herself walking forward, her heart pounding hard enough that it hurts and her hands were shaking as she clung the strap of her purse as a lifeline as her heels clicked against the tile.

“C’mon, dove,” His voice is sweeter, more goading until she’s close enough to touch.

Her lips parted in nerves, excitement, dread.

His hand reaches out to curl around the nape of her neck, fingers lightly pressing into the sides of her throat and though it was gentle, it was possessive - rooted in the jealousy of what was going on tonight with their dates.

Harry brings her towards him by the hold he has on her, until her hands are laid on his chest, and he’s leaning down as he tilts her head up.

He brushes their lips together, once, twice, and on the third time, YN pulls back and takes a few steps away from him.

“You can’t just do that,” YN huffs, grabbing a tissue from the counter and dabbing at the corners of her eyes to prevent the tears from falling and ruining her makeup, “I’m on a date. You’re on a date. It isn’t fair to either of them.”

Harry laughs unhappily, shaking his head as pushes away from the sink, heading towards the door but before he leaves, he bites back, “I don’t think you have room to be talking about fair. You obviously don’t fuckin’ understand the concept of it. Pull yourself together before you come back out.”

YN knows it immature, proves his point but gives him the middle finger before going back to dabbing at her eyes - fuck, she wishes she didn’t cry around him.

She wondered if it was worth sneaking out the window and facing the wrath of her friend later.

+

ahhhhhhh.

let me know your thoughts. this was difficult to write but im glad it turned out how i wanted it too! what do you predict?

😙😙😙

[astroismypassion]

✨PART OF FORTUNE IN SIGNS AND HOUSES SERIES: 10TH HOUSE✨

Credit: Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

ARIES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aries and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via marketing or work in dynamic and fast-paced industries, via coaching, sports management, fitness entrepreneurship, coaching and mentoring services in connection with career development, leadership skills, personal empowerment, via work in innovation management, technology development, product development, especially emerging industries. You find abundance when you are bold, take risks, focus on ambitious goals, cultivate independence, build a strong public image and when you embrace leadership qualities.

TAURUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Taurus and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work in finance, banking, investment, wealth management. Or via working as a realtor, property manager, real estate developer, via curating, selling or managing art collections, working as a chef, restaurateur or food critic. You find abundance in work in hospitality (managing hotels, resorts, spas), via work in landscape architecture or gardening, interior design, or as a performer, producer or manager, through farming, agricultural management or sustainable food production or creating an eco-friendly business. You feel abundant when you are focused on stability, value quality, when you are patient and persistent.

GEMINI PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Gemini and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work as a journalist, writer, editor, public relations, marketing, working as PR specialist, brand manager, social media strategist, work as a teacher, lecturer, educational content creator, via writing content for blogs, websites or online platforms connected with technology, lifestyle, business. You find abundance when you write books (fiction or non-fiction), via work in technology sector, via technical writing, UX writing or product management, via event planning and work as a sales representative, account manager or business strategist. You feel abundant when you network actively, when you keep learning and embrace versatility.

CANCER PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Cancer and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work in healthcare as a nurse, doctor or therapist, work in interior design or home décor, helping others create comfortable and nurturing spaces, work as a chef, baker or food critic, via handmade furniture, textiles or pottery, engaging in childcare, daycare management or family support services, via work in real estate, helping families find their ideal home. You feel abundant when you use emotional intelligence, emphasize nurturing and care.

LEO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Leo and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via pursuing a career in acting on stage, in film or on television, working as a musician, singer or performer, via directing or producing theatrical productions, films or TV shows, work in television, radio or digital broadcasting, you could work as a host, anchor or presenter, designer, stylist, model, painter, sculptor or graphic designer.

VIRGO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Virgo and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via offering personalized health and wellness service. You can offer remote fitness coaching, such as offering personalized fitness plans and virtual training sessions. You could work in mental health professions, like counselling or psychology, work as a nutritionist, dietitian, work as a proofreader or editor, work with biology, chemistry, environmental science, mathematics or with language or having an IT role (system analysis, IT support or cybersecurity). You feel abundant when you develop organizational skills, use analytical skills and when you seek structured environments.

LIBRA PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Libra and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via offering dance classes, via work in art curation, gallery management or the fines arts, helping to showcase and promote artists and their work, via a career in human resources, focusing on employee relations, conflict resolution, via talent management, recruitment or career coaching. You feel abundant when you work in fashion design, graphic design, visual arts, brand management and marketing. You feel abundant when you aim for balance and harmony, emphasize fairness and justice.

SCORPIO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Scorpio and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via forensic accounting, crisis counselling or support services, via a career in scientific research, forensic science, medical research, psychology, surgery, oncology, energy healing, finance, technology or wellness, via art therapy and filmmaking. You feel abundant when you embrace transformation, healing, use psychological insight, when you pursue authority and expertise.

SAGITTARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Sagittarius and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via travel blogging, vlogging or becoming a travel consultant. You find abundance via academic research, publishing, by becoming a travel consultant, tour guide, work in the tourism industry, work connected with educational, human rights and cultural exchange, via career as a spiritual teacher, counsellor, life coach, via theological or philosophical work, writing or teaching. You feel abundant when you cultivate optimism or enthusiasm, seek global or cultural perspectives, pursue knowledge or education and embrace exploration and travel.

CAPRICORN PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Capricorn Sun people in your life. You find abundance via work as a financial advisor or analyst, accounting, as a property developer, manager or investor, via work in property management, overseeing rental properties, commercial spaces or large residential complexes, via civil engineering, work in educational administration (school or college management). You feel abundant when you focus on long-term goals and value pragmatism and responsibility.

AQUARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aquarius and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via buying and selling collectibles (stamps, coins, vintage items), creating eco-friendly products or services (zero-waste goods, sustainable fashion). You may also find abundance in esports coaching by offering coaching services for aspiring professional gamers. You feel abundant via work in scientific research, in fields like physics, astronomy, biotechnology and environmental science, work in roles focused on research and development, via digital marketing. You feel abundant when you are pursuing unconventional paths, via networking with like-minded individuals and align with social causes.

PISCES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 10TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Pisces and Capricorn Sun people in your life. You can earn money via work in music as a composer, musician or performer, via a career in painting, illustration, sculpture or other visual arts, via hospice work, via work in non-profit sector, focusing on causes related to humanitarian aid, environmental conservation or social justice, work in hospitality, such as hotel management or event planning, via cultural exchange, guided tours or spiritual retreats. You feel abundant when you embrace your creative talents, cultivate compassion and empathy, when you explore spiritual and esoteric interests and when you focus on meaningful impact.

Credit: Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

[trppdnrbbr77]

Another story I wrote a while back.

-It all started with the package-

It was a Friday, and the delivery person dropped off a package at the front door, from one of those foreign online order places. Got the box and took it inside. When I took the box inside I got a text message on my phone that read, "I have hacked your bank accounts and Identity, as you may notice the package you have in your possession right now ordered using your credentials that I have created for you. To keep your accounts and identity from being exposed and your life into ruins, you need to do exactly as instructed... more to come".

"What in the world", was my first thought. Then came another message, "BTW I have also. hacked your security cameras and have others installed that you do NOT know of any actions to disable or unplug these devices will result in a NON-Comply and find all exposed, as for now take the UN OPENED package and place in the back of your closet... more to come".

Since I am married and have a decent life, I did not want to be hacked, or anything come. from this, it is just a package for now. So, I took the package and hid it in my closet. A text came in, "good job, also DO NOT TELL ANYONE, might be a good idea to delete these texts as well so no one finds out... I am watching", follow by a pic of my wife sitting on the couch watching tv.

About an hour later I got a call from the wife, "Hey my mom just won 2 tickets for a Mother Daughter Cruise! It leaves on Monday; do you mind if I go? Work said I have PTO days that I can use, will be 5 days coming back on Friday". "Amazing...hmm", "That sounds like a fun time, enjoy". "Thank you so very much, Mom is excited!".

She got home and started packing, we had a great weekend and by Sunday night she was packed and ready for her trip. I was so nervous as to what is going to happen next, and what in the world is that package about.

Monday morning, she left with her mom, I work from home, so I waved goodbye and logged into work. Then about Noon, the text came in. "Great job so far, glad you two had a great weekend but now the real fun starts! You need to pull out the package and open it, go ahead". I went to the closet with Shakey hands, sat at my desk and opened the package.

Things got weird. In my home office my personal laptop turned on and a chat window opened, the camera to my computer was enabled showing me and the room.  "Hello there, this will make for much easier conversation". I looked back at the package and found zip lock type bags, "Open 1 by 1 and lay each out to show the camera". As I opened each baggy and laid out, it was clothing made of a shiny Latex type of material. Full body suit from neck to toe with built in gloves. and socks, built in Breasts, thong with a plug in the rear and a built-in condom with a hose coming out, a hood with only two holes for eyes and fake shiny rubber lips for a mouth. There were also wrist cuffs, a thick collar, and straps that I could not tell.  Looked like they would go around the ankle and bottom of a shoe, and a pair of large goggles like virtual reality, the final baggy had 3 tubes labelled 1 to 3.

Chat read, "here is your new outfit, get ready! Follow the video on how to wear", then a link to a video titled "How to put on a Latex Catsuit" appeared.

The video instructed to strip down naked and apply the first tube all over your body. Careful, this removes hair, then shower to rinse. I was doubting and hesitated, next a picture of my online banking appeared with a winky emoji. That was enough motivation for me, I jumped in the shower, covered with tube number 1 and rinsed, it was a little tingly, but all body hair fell down and out the drain. I got out of the shower and pressed "play" to resume the video. Next was to cover body with tube 2, it was very slick. Followed by putting on the thong, pushing in the plug and the condom over my private, next "catsuit" beginning with the feet going up the legs, the catsuit had a 3-way zipper that started behind and came through the front up to the top of the neck, I was to pull the top 2 zippers apart from the 3rd, fishing the tube from the condom and zipping together. 

Video instructed to put lubed arms and hands in then smooth out to fit. It seemed like this would be very tough to do without the Lube. Once done, was told to leave the hood off for now and zip up the first zipper all the way up leaving 3 inches from the top of the catsuit. As I zipped the catsuit became very tight making me suck in my stomach, it was a little tough to breath by the time the zipping completed as instructed.

Then the video ended. "You might want to look in the mirror" read the chat. "Whoa!" aside from having a man head, I had amazing curves like a woman! Chat instructed, "now go into the bathroom, to your wife's makeup drawer". I knew where this was going, "Make up your face like this" a picture and "how to apply makeup for crossdressers" appeared. 

Using the brightest shiny red lipstick and darkest eye shadow, the task completed. "Time for the hood", followed by another "how to" video. I put on the hood and zipped up the zipper of the catsuit over the bottom of the hood sealing in the zipper for the hood as well. The hood had a small gag that inserted into my mouth made it hard to try and talk. "Lastly put on the wrist cuffs and collar". 

"Another piece coming", with that the doorbell rang, "You will need to sign for this one". I hesitated big time for this one, something took over my laptop and a picture of my current attire. with full makeup, covered in what I now know of as black shiny Latex, I tried to take over, but it was locked and with my Latex gloved hands made it difficult to use the computer mouse. The cursor hovered over send and began to circle. "OK, I will do it", doorbell rang again. Email deleted.

With a huge lump in my throat, I answered the door and there stood the delivery guy, he looked me up and down with a stare of lust, "Can you sign for this package please?". I signed with a scribble and took the package. "Thank you very much Miss..." while I slammed the door and locked it. The latex was very tight making it tough to quickly walk back to my office. "Wow, you are a lot braver that the others...", "what others" I thought, "Never mind, open the box", not wanting to get into it with my "chat mistress" I complied.

In the box were boots that had the highest heel I have ever seen that went up to my thighs, "You guessed it, these are the footwear", follow by "How to video". I put them on, zipped and tied the top. They were super tight and squeezed my legs by a few inches. "Time to seal your fate", take the last tube and spread it over all your zippers, folding the outside portion in covering the zipper.

"Now put on the collar, and wrist cuffs". Completed that, "the High straps go on like this", video of course strapping in the boots around my ankles and around my feet. "You are becoming a pro at this". Now I was sealed in, the last tube was super glue, by this time had dried creating a seamless head to toe shiny black latex doll, I only know this name because of the picture with title on in on my computer screen.

"You can go back to work now, once you finish cleaning up after yourself, make sure to take the trash out... more to come", with that my personal computer and work computer went back to normal. I took a minute to gather myself and proceeded to put the makeup bag back, collapse all the boxes and put the world back to normal. This was tough to do covered in compressing latex with 5-inch-high heel boots on. Realizing the boxes would not fit in the trash inside, I got another lump in my throat, "looks like I will have to take these outsides to the recycle bin". 

Now I can "hack" this myself by putting on sweatpants and a hoodie, but my gloves would show and the "clack" of the heels, "I have some work gloves and slippers will try that".  No message from the "chat mistress", but I quickly found out why. It was 100 degrees outside in the summer sun! That task completed.

I went back to work sealed into my new "business attire", completed working, soon it was 6 'o clock and I was super hungry. I went into the kitchen looking around thinking how am I going to pull this off? With that a text message, "Dinner is served!", the doorbell rang. It was getting really creepy and not sure how this keeps happening. I checked the door camera with my security app and there stood a food delivery girl, with a large drink. She was not going anywhere.

"Oh man" I went to the door an answered, she gave me the stare, I grabbed the drink, and she said, "can you sign the receipt?" I signed and closed the door.

The hole in the gag of the hood fit the straw of the drink perfectly and it was a delicious chocolate tasting milk shake. 

For the next couple of hours, I became comfortable with my new attire, it was squeaky and arousing.

It was getting dark when I got a text from the wife, "Hi honey, we boarded our cruise, I love you talk soon, cell service is pretty bad here, but we will talk soon". 

Minutes later "Chat Mistress", "Time to meet", there came the lump again.

"Put on the goggles and go outside, it is dark now so no one will see you". All my outside "Smart" lights turned off. Go to the mailbox and with your hand behind your back stand in front of it. A notification pinged on my phone alerting me of a pending transfer from my account with a pic of it ready to text the wife. Not sure if at this point, I would have resisted but this just made it easier. I did as instructed, when I stood in front of my mailbox, the collar locked on, wrist cuffs, high heel cuffs locked together trapping me. Then the goggles went black blinding my vision.

At this point my hands were cuffed together, ankles cuffed together by my mailbox blind folded, gagged, locked into a skintight latex catsuit, in 5-inch heels. Then came the next part of my prison, the plug in my rear started vibrating giving me the craziest sensation I have ever been through. I tried to make a sound but all that came out was Mmmmmmph followed by a small electric shock from the collar!

It was turning me on, then I heard a car pull up, someone got out, put a leash on the collar around my neck, and pulled me in. Could tell I was buckled into a car seat while we drove off. I tried to wiggle but no movement while fully sealed.

The goggles started displaying, "drone trppdnrbbr77 initializing". The hood had tiny speakers over the ears, and I could hear a heartbeat thumping sound. I now learned part of what was going on. 

A video of my wife talking to me, "Hi honey, so you know, our last weekend was amazing together thank you for all you have done for us. But I had to take the offer from DroneCorp. By giving them another Drone for their "global cause", I can retire, don't worry you will have an amazing life, plus from the pictures, you a pretty sexy! We may have one last fling if they let me, but by then you won't have any control. Mom and I will make sure everything will be ok when we get back from our Cruise. Love you!". 

Then the video shifted to my work email, I started to wiggle and moan with shocks coming from the collar and vibrations from the plug. It began to type, "To Whom it May Concern, this is my resignation effective immediately, due to unforeseen circumstances, my wife will be taking over all of my estate, here is the power of attorney" the signature from the delivery receipts!  The email addressed to my manager and HR, followed by a click of the send button.

As our ride continued, the screen went to videos of other drones, and several types of deep sounds, then I faded away... 

This testimony of trppdnrbbr77 was delivered by DroneCorp it may be true or not, but do you have what it takes to join our cause? Do not worry about trppdnrbbr77, he...err... it will be fine.

"Ding Dong there is a package for you...".

--TrppdnRbbr77--

[gryficowa]

It's depressing that people stop boycotting a company when their favorite thing comes out…

Yes, I'm speaking as a GF fan and I understand that Bill's book brings back those emotions from years ago, but remember, Disney will get the money and it sucks, especially when Disney boasted about financial support for Israel and publicly

Marvel Owns Disney (And Has Zionist Propaganda, Yes, It Has a Character Symbolizing Israel)

Broadway is also being boycotted because it financially supported Israel (I speak as a fan of musical theater, although I live in Poland, so I don't have the option of watching it live… In fact, financially even more so, but yes, no matter how much I want to listen, I struggle with myself, because I know it's not worth it)

And the Olympics allowed Israel to take part in the competition, so we are boycotting it too (Just like Harry Potter, not only because of transphobia, Rowling also showed that she is not in favor of a free Palestine)

In addition, Talor Swift and Lady Gaga are silent about Gaza, so we are boycotting them too

And Sonic? I don't know, I have nothing to say because I've never played it (Apart from the browser versions, I mostly played Mario, lol)

And fuck Harris, as well as Biden and Trump

And since I have your attention:

I know there aren't as many links as before :/

It's depressing that many collections cannot reach everyone (And you often have to write to ask people to share, otherwise they don't do it, which sucks, because collections should be shared to reach people who can help, I understand, I I can't make payments, currency, I don't work and I don't have a bank account, and if I wanted to donate to collections, unfortunately I would have to do it virtually, I don't have a bank account because I don't work, because I have a second degree of disability and it makes it impossible for me to find a job)

Unfortunately, this is the only way to reach other people, because recently interest in Gaza has decreased (the same in Sudan and Congo), and when tags are in trends, it is only because something bad is happening, as if the reason for their interest was only that something bad is happening, unfortunately, the downside is that when posts are in the news, all collections disappear in the mass of new posts, so yes, it's a big problem (which I noticed), because often collections stop at a certain amount and do not want to move further

It sucks that you have to go out of your way to reach people (Palestinians themselves often add tags unrelated to the post, unfortunately the risk is that tumblr will consider it spam and delete the post)

It also doesn't help that the tumblr is run by transphobic Zionists, which sucks (Unfortunately, in the era of capitalism, it is impossible to live ethically, especially if you want to spread information about what is happening in Gaza, Sudan and Congo, the same way you share fundraisers, Google bought many platforms, and unfortunately, only they are full of people, without people nothing will succeed)

In addition, there are no alternatives to graphics cards (If you have a notebook, it uses Intel, and Intel companies are on lands stolen from the Palestinians), or for the operating system (Because they are expensive, unfortunately, you have to buy a system with Microsoft)

These are the biggest drawbacks of what is happening, because if you can boycott Disney and many companies (Especially the nestles known for always having moral boundaries somewhere), unfortunately with technology and the Internet it is not that simple

Greetings to those who made it to the end, especially those who shared or donated some amount to one of the collections (You are heroes, even if you don't see yourself as such)

[wanabelsim]

The Sims 4: 12 Must-Have Realistic Mods

The Sims 4 is a highly popular life simulation game that allows players to create and control virtual lives. With extensive customization options, players can create truly unique Sims. Each new update or pack brings more content for players to enjoy, expanding the game further.

12. MC Command Center By Deaderpool

MC Command Center (MCCC) is a mod that offers players extensive control over their Sims' lives. It includes many functions and cheats, allowing players to modify their Sims' jobs, relationships, traits, skills, and more.

11. Child Birth Mod By Pandasama

The Sims 4 offers limited immersive actions for pregnant Sims, such as pregnancy-related moodlets, visual changes, and a few interactions. To enhance the realism of the pregnancy process, the Child Birth Mod provides additional features, including calling an obstetrician and getting ultrasound scans (if players own the Get to Work expansion pack).

10. Have Some Personality Please By LittleMsSam

Have Some Personality Please is a mod that adds more realistic personalities to Sims, making them act according to their traits, age, and relationships with other Sims. This mod is ideal for players who want to create more realistic stories in The Sims 4.

9. Wonderful Whims By Turbodriver

Wonderful Whims is a standalone mod that provides many of the features of the notorious Wicked Whims mod but without any explicit adult content. The addition of Sentiments, Likes, Dislikes, and Sim Profiles to The Sims 4 base game has enhanced its social and romantic aspects.

8. Meaningful Stories By RoBurky

Meaningful Stories is a mod that reimagines how moods and emotions are experienced by Sims. It introduces major and minor changes, enabling Sims to express their humanity better, making life events more impactful and managing their lives more intriguing. This mod is perfect for creating elaborate storylines, dramatic conflicts, and meaningful day-to-day experiences for Sims.

7. Sims Eat And Drink Faster By Bynicol

With The Sims 4 base game now free to play, it has become more accessible to new players. Long-time players know how much time Sims take to complete their meals due to the numerous unnecessary animations designed to make their behavior more realistic.

download:

6. Career Overhaul Suite By Kuttoe

For players seeking a more engaging career experience in The Sims 4, Kuttoe's Career Overhaul suite is worth exploring. While the Growing Together expansion pack introduces features like Work Rivals, Lay-offs, and midlife crises, it doesn't add new careers. Kuttoe's mod, although it doesn't add new careers either, enhances the existing ones, making them more challenging, immersive, and realistic.

5. Slice Of Life By KawaiiStacie

The Slice of Life Mod enriches gameplay by introducing more detailed everyday activities. Players can have their Sims apply skincare and makeup, participate in after-school activities, get sick, and develop varied personalities. The mod also includes the option for Sims to consume alcohol, catering to those who prefer not to use Basemental Mods.

4. Height Slider By Luumia

While The Sims 4 offers extensive customization options for Sims, height adjustment is not included. A mod that allows players to modify their Sims' heights adds a new level of realism, enabling the creation of more diverse and unique Sims. download

3. SNBank By SimRealist

A financial/banking mod aims to mirror reality as closely as possible. It includes features such as owning accounts, transferring Simoleons to other Sims, managing bills and loans, accessing a welfare system, and receiving inheritances.

2. Live in Business By LittleMsSam

Although The Sims 4 offers various ways to earn Simoleons, there is always room for more options. A notable drawback of The Sims 4: Get To Work expansion is that Sims cannot live in their business, and businesses are limited to retail stores. The Live in Business mod solves this by allowing Sims to turn their homes into business hubs, enabling them to run bars, cafés, nightclubs, gyms, daycares, pet daycares, and vet clinics from home.

1. Mortem By SimRealist

The Sims 4 includes the ability to plan and host events like birthdays, weddings, and holiday services, but funeral services are missing. The Mortem mod addresses this gap by allowing players to add meaningful funeral services to their gameplay. It introduces a detailed death experience, where Sims remain dead on the floor until the death is reported, examined, and prepared for burial. Falsely reporting a death results in fines, adding an extra layer of realism.

Note: Just click the name of the mod to download.

[darkmaga-returns]

To a large extent, there is still much confusion regarding the creation of MONEY. Some people still think the government actually creates money as if it were in ancient times. When I say MONEY is no longer TANGIBLE, but it is VIRTUAL, many seem to fail to grasp just how much the world has changed. In ancient times, the state minted the coins AFTER 600 BC attempting to certify the weight to facilitate commerce. However, the government quickly learned that there was profit to be made, which is known as the “seigniorage,” referring to the difference between the intrinsic value of the metal and the declared value. In such a world, the state predominantly created money supply, discounting leverage from banking and counterfeiting.

Today that is about as far removed from how the economy functions as the next inhabitable planet. In the example I used that if a foreign investor buys domestic real estate, he is increasing the domestic money supply. The conversion of his local currency to the domestic currency is NOT dictated by some FIXED quantity created by the central bank. It is just electronic. Nobody actually prints anything , and the central bank does NOT even create electronic currency. It is just a book entry. Because the foreign investor is bringing in cash and buys a TANGIBLE object (real estate), the net amount of cash in the domestic supply of money increases the same when the Fed bought US bonds under QE2. Banking also LEVERAGES the economy by creating MONEY. If you have $1,000 on deposit and I borrow $1,000, we both now have accounts reflecting $1,000 each. Again, the state did NOT create that money.

It is once more a book entry. This is how a BANK PANIC will take place. You go to the bank trying to get your $1,000, but the bank actually lent it to me. As long as you do not try to take out that $1,000, everything is fine and dandy. Therefore, MONEY is not TANGIBLE, and it is purely VIRTUAL! The idea that MONEY is supposed to be some TANGIBLE object actually ended in 600 BC once government got involved and began to manufacture a profit from creating money. As long as the economy is free, then you are free to keep your wealth in whatever object you desire, be it gold or real estate. MONEY is NOT a store of value, for it has always fluctuated, rising in purchasing power in recessions (NOW) and declining in booms.

[hoursofreading]

When your paychecks surge and dive willy-nilly, it is hard to pay bills, make plans, and create a future. Even came along offering a Silicon Valley–style solution to this problem, in the form of, naturally, a phone app. It would smooth the spiky incomes of working-class people, for a fee. The initial plan was to sell them a service, costing $260 a year, that squirreled away some of their money when they made more than the usual, and then in weeks when their pay fell short supplemented it with some of what was squirreled away. Say you made $500 a week on average, but with considerable swings. In a week when you earned $650, $500 would go to your regular bank account and $150 would be deposited into your virtual Even account. In a week when you earned $410, $500 would be placed in your bank account, courtesy of your former surpluses. Even would endeavor, with characteristic Silicon Valley ambition, to counteract the effects of a generation’s worth of changes in the lives of working-class Americans, rooted in policy choices and shifts in technology and the world situation—including outsourcing, stagnant wages, erratic hours, defanged unions, deindustrialization, ballooning debt, nonexistent sick leave, dismal schools, predatory lending, and dynamic scheduling—while doing nothing about those underlying problems. Like Rosenstein and other believers in win-wins, the founders of Even wanted very much to help, but thought it best to help in a way that would create some opportunity for them, too.

Giridharadas, Anand - Winners take all _ the elite charade of changing the world-Alfred A. Knopf (2018)

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Musk steals a billion dollars from low-income Americans and sends it to Intuit

I'm about to leave for a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me on Feb 14 in BOSTON for FREE at BOSKONE , and on Feb 15 for a virtual event with YANIS VAROUFAKIS. More tour dates here.

Let me tell you about the most wasteful US federal government spending I know about. It's a humdinger. You and everyone you know are mired in it for weeks, or perhaps months, every year. It will cost you, personally, thousands of dollars over your lifetime. I'm talking about filing your taxes.

Not paying your taxes. Paying your taxes is fine. It keeps the country running, though not because the government needs our "tax dollars" to pay for things. The government annihilates the money it taxes away from us, and creates new money to pay for programs. The USA needs US citizens dollars to build highways the same way Starbucks needs its Starbucks gift cards to make lattes – that is, not at all:

https://theglobepost.com/2019/03/28/stephanie-kelton-mmt/

I'm talking about filing your taxes. In nearly every case, a tax return contains a bunch of things the IRS already knows: how much interest your bank paid you, how much your employer paid you, how many kids you have, etc etc. Nearly everyone who pays a tax-prep place or website to file their tax return is just sending data to the IRS that the IRS already has. This is insanely wasteful.

In most other "advanced" countries (and in plenty of poorer countries, too), the tax authority fills in your tax return for you and mails it to you at tax-time. If it looks good to you, you just sign the bottom and send it back. If there are mistakes, you can correct them. You can also just drop it in the shredder and hire an accountant to do your taxes for you, if, for example, you run a small business, or are self-employed, or have other complex tax needs. A tiny minority of tax filers fall into that bucket, and they keep the tax-prep industry in other countries alive, albeit in a much smaller form than in the USA.

In the US, we have a duopoly of two gigantic tax-prep outfits: H&R Block, and Intuit, owners of Turbotax. These companies make billions from low-income, working Americans every year, charging them to format a bunch of information the IRS already has, and then sending it to the IRS on their behalf. These companies lobbied like crazy for the right to tax you when you pay your taxes.

In 2003, it looked like the IRS would start sending Americans pre-completed returns, so H&R Block and Turbotax went into lobbying overdrive, whipping up a "public private partnership" called the "Free File Alliance," that promised to do free tax prep for most Americans. But once the threat of IRS free filing was killed, they turned Free File into a sick joke. Americans who tried to use Free File were fraudulently channeled into filing products that cost money – sometimes hundreds of dollars – to use, a fact that was only revealed after the taxpayer had spent hours keying in their information. Free File sites were also used to peddle unrelated financial products to tax filers, with deceptive language that implied that buying these services was needed to file your return:

https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-turbotax-20-year-fight-to-stop-americans-from-filing-their-taxes-for-free

The big winner from the Free File scam was Intuit, which bought Turbotax in 1993. They made about one billion dollars per year ripping off Americans they'd promised to file free tax returns for. After outstanding work by Propublica, lawmakers and the IRS were finally pressured to create an IRS-based free filing service that would cut Intuit out of the loop. Intuit went on a lobbying blitz without parallel, giving out $3.5m in bribes in 2022 in a bid to kill the Treasury Department's study of a free filing service:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/20/turbotaxed/#counter-intuit

In 2022, nearly every US state attorney general settled their lawsuits against Intuit for the Turbotax ripoff, bringing in $141m:

https://www.agturbotaxsettlement.com/Home/portalid/0

In 2023, the FTC won a case against Intuit over the scam:

https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2023/09/nine-takeaways-initial-decision-intuit-turbotax-action

But Intut was undeterred. They came back in 2023 with a campaign to say that ripping off American tax-filers was antiracist and anyone who wanted the IRS to make filing free was, therefore, a racist:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/27/predatory-inclusion/#equal-opportunity-scammers

Strangely, no one bought that one. By May, 2023 the IRS had announced its own, in-house free file program:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/17/free-as-in-freefile/#tell-me-something-i-dont-know

Now, no one is forcing you to use this program. Do you have a family accountant that your grandparents started using in the Eisenhower administration? Just keep going to them. Do you like using Turbotax? Keep using it! Wanna do your own taxes? Here's the forms:

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s.pdf

But if you want to file your taxes for free, and you earn $84,000/year or less, here's the IRS's service:

https://www.irs.gov/filing/irs-free-file-do-your-taxes-for-free

Better use it quick, though. Elon Musk has just announced that he's killing it. Yeah, I know, no one elected him. That doesn't seem to matter to anyone, least of all Democrats on the Hill, who are still showing up for work every day and trying to engender a "spirit of comity" rather than screaming and throwing eggs:

https://apnews.com/article/irs-direct-file-musk-18f-6a4dc35a92f9f29c310721af53f58b16

Musk called IRS free file a "far left" program and announced that he had "deleted it." By the way, the median Trump voter's income is about $72k, meaning more than half of Trump voters qualified for free file:

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-mythology-of-trumps-working-class-support/

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/02/11/doubling-up-on-paperwork/#rip-freefile

Image: Wcamp9 (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elon_Musk_-_March_28,_2024_%28cropped%29.jpg

CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

[dewaynedurham8]

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Cash App stands out as a prominent peer-to-peer mobile payment platform, widely utilized for transactions; however, concerns about its safety have emerged, particularly regarding the purchase of “verified” accounts. This practice raises serious questions about the reliability of Cash App’s verification process, which, unfortunately, is not deemed secure. Consequently, engaging in the purchase of verified accounts through Cash App poses significant risks, making it clear that such transactions should be avoided altogether. Buy verified cash app account.

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[syntax-minds]

Artificial Intelligence: Transforming the Future of Technology

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly prominent in our everyday lives, revolutionizing the way we interact with technology. From virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to predictive algorithms used in healthcare and finance, AI is shaping the future of innovation and automation.

Understanding Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) involves creating computer systems capable of performing tasks that usually require human intelligence, including visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. By utilizing algorithms and machine learning, AI can analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns to make autonomous decisions.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Healthcare: AI is being used to streamline medical processes, diagnose diseases, and personalize patient care.

Finance: Banks and financial institutions are leveraging AI for fraud detection, risk management, and investment strategies.

Retail: AI-powered chatbots and recommendation engines are enhancing customer shopping experiences.

Automotive: Self-driving cars are a prime example of AI technology revolutionizing transportation.

How Artificial Intelligence Works

AI systems are designed to mimic human intelligence by processing large datasets, learning from patterns, and adapting to new information. Machine learning algorithms and neural networks enable AI to continuously improve its performance and make more accurate predictions over time.

Advantages of Artificial Intelligence

Efficiency: AI can automate repetitive tasks, saving time and increasing productivity.

Precision: AI algorithms can analyze data with precision, leading to more accurate predictions and insights.

Personalization: AI can tailor recommendations and services to individual preferences, enhancing the customer experience.

Challenges and Limitations

Ethical Concerns: The use of AI raises ethical questions around data privacy, algorithm bias, and job displacement.

Security Risks: As AI becomes more integrated into critical systems, the risk of cyber attacks and data breaches increases.

Regulatory Compliance: Organizations must adhere to strict regulations and guidelines when implementing AI solutions to ensure transparency and accountability.

Conclusion: As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and expand its capabilities, it is essential for businesses and individuals to adapt to this technological shift. By leveraging AI's potential for innovation and efficiency, we can unlock new possibilities and drive progress in various industries. Embracing artificial intelligence is not just about staying competitive; it is about shaping a future where intelligent machines work hand in hand with humans to create a smarter and more connected world.

Syntax Minds is a training institute located in the Hyderabad. The institute provides various technical courses, typically focusing on software development, web design, and digital marketing. Their curriculum often includes subjects like Java, Python, Full Stack Development, Data Science, Machine Learning, Angular JS , React JS and other tech-related fields.

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[routefusion12]

Create Virtual Bank Accounts for Global Transactions with RouteFusion

Expand your global payment capabilities with RouteFusion’s virtual bank accounts. Our innovative platform allows businesses to easily create virtual bank accounts, simplifying international transactions and streamlining financial operations. Available in key markets like the US, EU, UK, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, these accounts provide unique bank details for precise reconciliation and fund management. With RouteFusion’s unified API, you can seamlessly integrate and manage virtual accounts in real time, ensuring efficient operations and cost savings. Transform your global financial strategy with RouteFusion. Create virtual bank accounts today and experience the future of cross-border transactions.

[xettle-technologies]

What are the latest technological advancements shaping the future of fintech?

The financial technology (fintech) industry has witnessed an unprecedented wave of innovation over the past decade, reshaping how people and businesses manage money. As digital transformation accelerates, fintech new technologies are emerging, revolutionizing payments, lending, investments, and other financial services. These advancements, driven by fintech innovation, are not only enhancing user experience but also fostering greater financial inclusion and efficiency.

In this article, we will explore the most significant fintech trending technologies that are shaping the future of the industry. From blockchain to artificial intelligence, these innovations are redefining the boundaries of what fintech can achieve.

1. Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies

One of the most transformative advancements in fintech is the adoption of blockchain technology. Blockchain serves as the foundation for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins. Its decentralized, secure, and transparent nature has made it a game-changer in areas such as payments, remittances, and asset tokenization.

Key Impacts of Blockchain:

Decentralized Finance (DeFi): Blockchain is driving the rise of DeFi, which eliminates intermediaries like banks in financial transactions. DeFi platforms offer lending, borrowing, and trading services, accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

Cross-Border Payments: Blockchain simplifies and accelerates international transactions, reducing costs and increasing transparency.

Smart Contracts: These self-executing contracts are automating and securing financial agreements, streamlining operations across industries.

As blockchain adoption grows, businesses are exploring how to integrate this technology into their offerings to increase trust and efficiency.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

AI and ML are at the core of fintech innovation, enabling smarter and more efficient financial services. These technologies are being used to analyze vast amounts of data, predict trends, and automate processes.

Applications of AI and ML:

Fraud Detection and Prevention: AI models detect anomalies and fraudulent transactions in real-time, enhancing security for both businesses and customers.

Personalized Financial Services: AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants are offering tailored advice, improving customer engagement.

Credit Scoring: AI-powered algorithms provide more accurate and inclusive credit assessments, helping underserved populations gain access to loans.

AI and ML are enabling fintech companies to deliver faster, more reliable services while minimizing operational risks.

3. Open Banking

Open banking is one of the most significant fintech trending technologies, promoting collaboration between banks, fintechs, and third-party providers. It allows customers to share their financial data securely with authorized parties through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).

Benefits of Open Banking:

Enhanced Financial Management: Aggregated data helps users better manage their finances across multiple accounts.

Increased Competition: Open banking fosters innovation, as fintech startups can create solutions tailored to specific customer needs.

Seamless Payments: Open banking APIs enable instant and direct payments, reducing reliance on traditional methods.

Open banking is paving the way for a more connected and customer-centric financial ecosystem.

4. Biometric Authentication

Security is paramount in the financial industry, and fintech innovation has led to the rise of biometric authentication. By using physical characteristics such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice patterns, biometric technologies enhance security while providing a seamless user experience.

Advantages of Biometric Authentication:

Improved Security: Biometrics significantly reduce the risk of fraud by making it difficult for unauthorized users to access accounts.

Faster Transactions: Users can authenticate themselves quickly, leading to smoother digital payment experiences.

Convenience: With no need to remember passwords, biometrics offer a more user-friendly approach to security.

As mobile banking and digital wallets gain popularity, biometric authentication is becoming a standard feature in fintech services.

5. Embedded Finance

Embedded finance involves integrating financial services into non-financial platforms, such as e-commerce websites or ride-hailing apps. This fintech new technology allows businesses to offer services like loans, insurance, or payment options directly within their applications.

Examples of Embedded Finance:

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): E-commerce platforms enable customers to purchase products on credit, enhancing sales and customer satisfaction.

In-App Payments: Users can make seamless transactions without leaving the platform, improving convenience.

Insurance Integration: Platforms offer tailored insurance products at the point of sale.

Embedded finance is creating new revenue streams for businesses while simplifying the customer journey.

6. RegTech (Regulatory Technology)

As financial regulations evolve, fintech innovation is helping businesses stay compliant through RegTech solutions. These technologies automate compliance processes, reducing costs and minimizing errors.

Key Features of RegTech:

Automated Reporting: Streamlines regulatory reporting requirements, saving time and resources.

Risk Management: Identifies and mitigates potential risks through predictive analytics.

KYC and AML Compliance: Simplifies Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) processes.

RegTech ensures that fintech companies remain agile while adhering to complex regulatory frameworks.

7. Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way fintech companies store and process data. By leveraging the cloud, businesses can scale rapidly and deliver services more efficiently.

Benefits of Cloud Computing:

Scalability: Enables businesses to handle large transaction volumes without investing in physical infrastructure.

Cost-Effectiveness: Reduces operational costs by eliminating the need for on-premise servers.

Data Security: Advanced cloud platforms offer robust security measures to protect sensitive financial data.

Cloud computing supports the rapid growth of fintech companies, ensuring reliability and flexibility.

The Role of Xettle Technologies in Fintech Innovation

Companies like Xettle Technologies are at the forefront of fintech new technologies, driving advancements that make financial services more accessible and efficient. With a focus on delivering cutting-edge solutions, Xettle Technologies helps businesses integrate the latest fintech trending technologies into their operations. From AI-powered analytics to secure cloud-based platforms, Xettle Technologies is empowering organizations to stay competitive in an ever-evolving industry.

Conclusion

The future of fintech is being shaped by transformative technologies that are redefining how financial services are delivered and consumed. From blockchain and AI to open banking and biometric authentication, these fintech new technologies are driving efficiency, security, and inclusivity. As companies like Xettle Technologies continue to innovate, the industry will unlock even greater opportunities for businesses and consumers alike. By embracing these fintech trending advancements, organizations can stay ahead of the curve and thrive in a dynamic financial landscape.

[chirs5730]

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In today’s fast-paced business environment, the right financial tools can make all the difference. Zoqq provides a cutting-edge virtual banking platform tailored to meet the needs of modern businesses, offering solutions that simplify global transactions, enhance expense management, and allow for full customization. Let’s explore how Zoqq can streamline your operations and drive business growth.

1. Global Banking Made Simple

Expanding into international markets requires a banking platform that can keep up with the complexities of cross-border transactions. With Zoqq’s multi-currency accounts, you can:

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Zoqq eliminates the friction associated with global banking, making it easier than ever to expand your business on an international scale.

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Tracking and managing expenses can be a challenge, particularly for businesses operating in multiple locations. Zoqq simplifies expense management with a suite of tools designed to optimize this process:

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With Zoqq, you gain the control and insight needed to manage expenses effectively, ensuring that your financial operations run smoothly.

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Zoqq offers a Modular Custom-Built Option that allows businesses to tailor their banking experience to their specific needs. With this feature, you can:

Customize the platform with your business logo and custom domain, creating a cohesive and branded user experience.

Choose from a variety of AI-powered themes, ensuring your financial portal aligns with your brand identity.

Personalize the dashboard to display the tools and features you use most, increasing efficiency in daily operations.

This flexibility allows Zoqq to grow and evolve with your business, providing a personalized banking experience that adapts as your needs change.

4. Fast, Automated Onboarding

Getting started with a new banking platform doesn’t have to be complicated. With Zoqq’s self-service onboarding, you can quickly set up and start using the platform with minimal effort:

Simple sign-up process, allowing you to get started in minutes.

Automated onboarding tools guide you through the setup, ensuring your preferences are configured without hassle.

Zoqq’s efficient onboarding process ensures that you’re ready to start managing your finances from day one, without the usual complications of switching banks.

Why Zoqq is the Future of Business Banking

Zoqq’s innovative virtual banking platform offers everything you need to manage your business finances with ease. From facilitating global transactions to providing real-time expense tracking and customizable features, Zoqq is the ultimate tool for modern businesses.

Ready to elevate your financial operations? Join Zoqq today and experience the future of virtual banking.

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Last week, Elon Musk rebranded Twitter as “X.” New CEO Linda Yaccarino tweeted that X would be “centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking,” a step toward Musk’s vision of creating the “everything app” for the Western world. Musk has been focused on this vision for Twitter since before he even bought it, repeatedly praising the Chinese app WeChat in a June 2022 town hall at Twitter. WeChat is known for doing virtually anything an app can do—messaging, audio/video, meetings, translation, social networking, shopping, payments, ride sharing, food delivery, and more. It’s an indispensable app in China, and Musk wants to build X into that app in the United States.

Musk has been laser-focused on his vision of the everything app for longer than most realize. He’s also long been obsessed with the letter X—he named his original online bank X.com, founded SpaceX, and even named his son “X Æ A-12.” His X-ray vision, if you’ll forgive the pun, dates back to his founding of the original X.com. Musk described that firm, which would eventually merge with Confinity to form PayPal, as a “global financial nexus” that could handle bank accounts, mortgages, credit, insurance, stocks—anything and everything financial.

On the face of it, none of this seems unreasonable. Such an app would be one of the most valuable companies in the world if it succeeded. It’s a tall task, but Musk has been involved in the founding of three separate multibillion-dollar companies. WeChat (along with competitors such as AliPay) has proven that such apps can reach scale and be wildly successful. And WeChat was initially built on the back of parent company Tencent’s popular social network, QQ. If it can be done, why not Musk? And why not start with Twitter?

Unfortunately for Musk, his vision of creating a Western WeChat is doomed to failure. Companies like Meta and Alphabet have made attempts before. These companies have every advantage—more cash available than Musk, larger pools of technical talent, better public reputation, and more successful lines of business in the app ecosystem. Nevertheless, none have succeeded in building an everything app. WeChat exists in a very specific Chinese context, and attempts to brute force it in a very different context will crash and burn.

The most important function of an aspiring everything app is payments, which unlock enormous value for the app and convenience for the user. But mobile payments in China are an outlier—87 percent of Chinese people used mobile payments in 2021, almost double the next highest nation. And that outlier status comes from the unique way that China’s payment economy developed.

China’s explosive economic growth over the 2000s saw the country transition from being a mostly unbanked, cash-based economy to a phone-based, app-payment economy without ever having a middle phase of adopting credit cards. As China’s new middle class grew, credit cards were available to a limited upper class—but never became a commonplace part of national financial infrastructure.

What China did have was a lot of cheap smartphones. By the early 2010s, most people there still didn’t have a PC, but they had a mobile phone, and increasingly they were switching to cheap smartphones. But those smartphones were mostly low-end products, with limited processing power and storage space. A high number of bloated apps wasn’t going to cut it for an average user, so many basic functionalities began to cluster inside a small number of super-apps. With the public hungry to abandon cash, apps like WeChat were the natural and widespread solution. Most vendors didn’t have existing relationships with payment companies. But they were happy to jump all the way to taking mobile payments—especially since all they needed to do so was a cheap smartphone, not an expensive terminal. China essentially leapfrogged credit cards all the way to mobile payment.

The United States in 2023 is not in that same position. Americans, for the most part, are not newly middle class and unbanked. Americans love credit cards, have deep experience with them, and use them regularly. And the country is filled with an enormous number of financial firms competing at every level—banking services, credit services, payment apps, stock brokerages, and more. Musk’s X will be entering a far more crowded and competitive market for customers who are already using far better and more developed alternatives.

Competitive is the key word there, because there are many Western companies that would have loved to compete with apps such as WeChat. But China’s government long ago banned nearly every non-Chinese alternative to native Chinese apps in areas including social media, video sharing, messaging, news, search, finance, and more. The list of apps banned in China is so extensive that it’s likely faster to point out the few that aren’t banned.

With so much of the competition absent, it was much easier for Chinese apps to dominate many fields at once as Chinese internet adoption skyrocketed. The Chinese government mostly didn’t pick favorites domestically at first—but it kept out foreign competition and let domestic products thrive. Twitter/X doesn’t live in that same world. The U.S. government won’t protect Musk from competition.

One of the ironies in all this is that the window to develop an everything app may be over in China as well, as the Chinese government’s approach to the tech sector has changed. During China’s boom years, the state often took a laissez-faire approach to tech regulation. The Hu Jintao government and even the early Xi Jinping years saw a booming economy, where tech companies were allowed to grow rapidly and dominate markets as long as they cooperated with censorship, handed over information to the government, and paid off the right people. Analyst XiaoFeng Wang explicitly links this flexible environment with WeChat’s growth, saying, “The more flexible regulatory environment in China at the time gave internet companies like Tencent and Alibaba more room to extend to a wide range of businesses. WeChat benefited from that and grew into a super-app.”

But the Chinese government has grown deeply worried about the power of the super-apps, for both good and bad reasons. Any power that does not reside directly in the party’s hands is distrusted at a time when Xi has demanded total party leadership of everything—and the influence and reach of tech companies has been sharply curtailed in the last few years, wiping billions off their value. Chinese regulators were also genuinely worried about the sheer degree of anti-competitive practices. It had become common, for instance, for firms to block links to their competitors’ products. Breaking down those “walled gardens” has become a major part of regulation since 2021.

Building a super-app would be hard in China today—and even harder in the United States or Europe, with their anti-monopoly legislation and political skepticism toward powerful tech companies. Even if Musk’s X could theoretically succeed, it probably wouldn’t be allowed to do so legally.

Yet paradoxically, while regulators raised eyebrows, elements of the Chinese government also welcomed the opportunities that WeChat and other ubiquitous apps offered. Chinese firms exist at the pleasure of the state and are always subordinate partners to it. WeChat’s parent company, Tencent, is well known for collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party in areas large and small, producing sycophantic patriotic games and engaging in widespread censorship and espionage. Foreign Policy has reported that Tencent was even partially funded by the Ministry of State Security in its early days.

These incidents highlight why an app such asWeChat would be permitted to thrive—because it’s useful to the party. In the James C. Scott sense, WeChat increases the legibility of Chinese society. You can’t control what you can’t see, so make sure you can easily see everything. If all of Chinese daily life is funneled through a single portal, it’s that much easier for the party to observe and control lives. Monitoring a single WeChat account could allow police to see an individual’s travel patterns, spending, and social contacts, which is why many dissidents or activists avoid using the app when possible.

Chinese consumers have become more privacy-conscious about the data they hand over to companies—but are hopeless or unaware of the amount of information the government can get from them. Western companies hoping to emulate WeChat not only don’t have the government on their side, but also face a much tougher and more skeptical audience. And in Musk’s case, who—apart from the most ardent of fans—is going to trust him with their money at this point?

WeChat and its counterparts in China grew up in unique, nonrepeatable circumstances. They faced a massive middle class with plenty of cheap smartphones but no traditional banking or credit cards. They were protected from Western competition by the Chinese government. That same government applied a very light regulatory touch as the companies grew, and also encouraged centralization as a way to maintain greater control.

None of those factors exist in the United States today, and Musk’s dream of building the X app for everything is essentially impossible without them. American consumers already have dozens of easy payment choices through credit cards, debit cards, and existing mobile apps. Musk won’t be protected from competition by the government. Instead, he’ll be treated in a more hostile manner by regulators concerned about privacy, monopoly power, and his general history with flouting the law.

Larger and more important tech firms than Twitter—or, as Musk now insists, X—have tried and failed in this area. Meta owns several social networks and several messaging apps, and has tried expanding into areas like marketplaces, video, payments and more. But most of these experiments have failed to reach any sort of scale, and Meta’s successes have come from disaggregating and breaking things apart rather than bundling them together. Google’s Alphabet parent company has succeeded in a wide variety of areas such as search, video, email, payments, and more. But its attempts to build a social network flamed out spectacularly, and like Meta, their biggest successes have come from separated apps and brands, not a singular everything app.

For all its cultural importance and for all that the chattering class is addicted to it, Twitter’s just never been that large. Meta has nearly 4 billion monthly active users across its family of apps. Twitter/X, even if you believe Musk’s suspiciously cropped data, is a bit more than a 10th of that. Meta and Alphabet are orders of magnitude larger and more important than Twitter/X. If they’ve tried and failed to create the everything app, there’s no reason to believe that Musk can succeed.

Musk’s vision for the original X.com impressed Silicon Valley. By 2000, X.com had merged with Confinity, and Musk took over as CEO of the new company. He focused his vision on the global financial nexus, the proto-everything app, despite investor and board skepticism. He pursued that idea maniacally, to the detriment of PayPal/X’s core product of payment by email. He also insisted on branding the company as “X,” despite PayPal’s strong existing brand.

And in less than a year, he was coup’d out of the company and replaced as CEO by Peter Thiel. PayPal was saved as a company because its board ejected Musk. This time around there’s no board that matters except Elon, and there’s no one to save him from himself.