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hopelesslys-world · 1 year ago

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50 SHADES OF FUCKED UP | CH. 2

TRIGGER WARNINGS!: TOXIC RELATIONSHIP, reader is kind of a bimbo, heavily detailed smut, basically porn, loss of virginity, harsh language, anger issues, stalking, obsession, jealousy, controlling behaviour, DOM-SUB themes, BDSM Expand considered to be portrayed with incorrect/poor etiquette, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse/assault, statutory rape.

Tell me if I missed anything...( As you can see most of the warnings will appear in future chapters. )

I apologize for any grammar mistakes...

Y/L/N: Your Last Name

Y/M/N: Your Middle Name

Y/N/N: Your Nickname

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*𝘾𝙃𝙍𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙄𝘼𝙉'𝙎 𝙋𝙊𝙑*

┅┅

𝐈 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋. Was all I could focus on as soon as the elevator doors closed and she disappeared.

“Andrea,” I bark as I return to my office. “Get me Welch on the line, now.”

As I sit at my desk and wait for the call.

I look at the paintings on the wall of my office and Miss Y/L/N’s words drift back to me. “Raising the ordinary to extraordinary.” She could so easily have been describing herself.

My phone buzzes. “I have Mr. Welch on the line for you.”

“Put him through.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Welch, I need a background check.”

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•••

Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N

DOB: ( The Month and day you were born ). 1989, Montesano, WA

Address: 1114 SW Green Street, Apartment 7, Haven Heights, Vancouver, WA 98888

Mobile No: 360-959-4352

Social Security No: 987-65-4320

Bank: Wells Fargo Bank, Vancouver, WA:

Acct. No.: 309361: $683.16 balance

Occupation: Undergraduate Student WSU Vancouver College of Arts and Sciences English Major

GPA: 4.0

Prior Education: Montesano Jr. Sr. High School

SAT Score: 2150

Employment: Clayton’s Hardware Store, NW Vancouver Drive, Portland, OR (part-time)

Father: Franklin A. Lambert, DOB: Sept. 1, 1969, Deceased (The day before your birthday), 1989

Mother: Carla May Wilks Adams,

DOB: July 18, 1970

m. Frank Lambert March 1, 1989,

widowed (The day before your birthday), 1989

m. Raymond Y/L/N June 6, 1990,

divorced July 12, 2006

m. Stephen M. Morton Aug. 16, 2006,

divorced Jan. 31, 2007

Current Marriage Situation: m. Bob Adams April 6, 2009

Political Affiliations: None Found

Religious Affiliations: None Found

Sexual Orientation: Not Known

Relationships: None Indicated at Present

•••

I pore over the executive summary for the hundredth time since I received it two days ago, looking for some insight into the enigmatic Miss Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N. I cannot get the damned woman out of my mind, and it’s seriously beginning to piss me off.

This past week, during particularly dull meetings, I’ve found myself replaying the interview in my head. Her fumbling fingers on the recorder, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the lip biting. Yes. The lip biting gets me every time.

And now here I am, parked outside Clayton’s, a mom-and-pop hardware store on the outskirts of Portland where she works.

You’re a fool, Grey. Why are you here?

I knew it would lead to this. All week…I knew I’d have to see her again. I’d known it since she uttered my name in the elevator. I’d tried to resist. I’d waited five days, five tedious days, to see if I’d forget about her. And I don’t do waiting. I hate waiting…for anything.

I’ve never pursued a woman before. The women I’ve had understood what I expected of them. My fear now is that Miss Y/L/N is just too young and that she won’t be interested in what I have to offer.

Will she? Will she even make a good submissive?

I shake my head. So here I am, an ass, sitting in a suburban parking lot in a dreary part of Portland. Her background check has produced nothing remarkable—except the last fact, which has been atthe forefront of my mind.

It’s the reason I’m here.

Why no boyfriend, Miss Y/L/N? Sexual orientation unknown—perhaps she’s gay. I snort, thinking that unlikely. I recall the question she asked during the interview, her acute embarrassment, the way her skin flushed a pale rose…I’ve been suffering from these lascivious thoughts since I met her.

That’s why you’re here. I’m itching to see her again—those eyes have haunted me, even in my dreams.

I haven’t mentioned her to Flynn, and I’m glad because I’m now behaving like a stalker. Perhaps I should let him know. No. I don’t want him hounding me about his latest solution-based-therapy shit.

I just need a distraction, and right now the only distraction I want is the one working as a salesclerk in a hardware store.

You’ve come all this way.

Let’s see if little Miss Y/L/N is as appealing as I remember.

Showtime, Grey.

A bell chimes a flat electronic note as I walk into the store. It’s much bigger than it looks from the outside, and although it’s almost lunchtime the place is quiet, for a Saturday. There are aisles and aisles of the usual junk you’d expect.

I’d forgotten the possibilities that a hardware store could present to someone like me. I mainly shop online for my needs, but while I’m here, maybe I’ll stock up on a few items: Velcro, split rings—Yeah. I’ll find the delectable Miss Y/L/N and have some fun.

It takes me all of three seconds to spot her. She’s hunched over the counter, staring intently at a computer screen and picking at her lunch—a bagel. Absentmindedly, she wipes a crumb from the corner of her lips and into her mouth and sucks on her finger.

My cock twitches in response.

What am I, fourteen? My body’s reaction is irritating. Maybe this will stop if I fetter, fuck, and flog her…and not necessarily in that order. Yeah. That’s what I need.

She is thoroughly absorbed by her task, and it gives me an opportunity to study her. Salacious thoughts aside, she’s attractive, seriously attractive. I’ve remembered her well.

She looks up and freezes. It’s as unnerving as the first time I met her. She pins me with a discerning stare—shocked, I think—and I don’t know if this is a good response or a bad response.

“Miss Y/L/N. What a pleasant surprise.”

“Mr. Grey,” she says, breathy and flustered. Ah, a good response.

“I was in the area. I need to stock up on a few things. It’s a pleasure to see you again.” A real pleasure.

She’s dressed in a tight T-shirt and pants, kind of disappointing, earlier this week all she wore was flattering mini skirts and sweaters.

She’s all long legs, narrow waist, and perfect tits. Her lips are still parted in surprise, and I have to resist the urge to tip her chin up and close her mouth.

I’ve flown from Seattle just to see you, and the way you look right now, it was really worth the journey.

“Y/N. My name’s Y/N. What can I help you with, Mr. Grey?” She takes a deep breath, squares her shoulders like she did in the interview, and gives me a fake smile that I’m sure she reserves for customers.

Game on, Miss Y/L/N. “There are a few items I need. To start with, I’d like some cable ties.” My request catches her off guard; she looks stunned.

Oh, this is going to be fun. You’d be amazed what I can do with a few cable ties, baby.

“We stock various lengths. Shall I show you?” she says, finding her voice.

“Please. Lead the way.”

She steps out from behind the counter and gestures toward one of the aisles. She’s wearing Converse shoes.

Idly I wonder what she’d look like in skyscraper heels. Louboutins…nothing but Louboutins.

“They’re with the electrical goods, aisle eight.” Her voice wavers and she blushes…

She is affected by me. Hope blooms in my chest. She’s not gay, then. I smirk.

“After you.” I hold my hand out for her to lead the way. Letting her walk ahead gives me the space and time to admire her fantastic ass. Her long, thick hair keeps time like a metronome to the gentle sway of her hips. She really is the whole package: sweet, polite, and beautiful, with all the physical attributes I value in a submissive.

But the million-dollar question is, could she be a submissive? She probably knows nothing of the lifestyle—my lifestyle—but I very much want to introduce her to it. You are getting way ahead of yourself on this deal, Grey.

“Are you in Portland on business?” she asks, interrupting my thoughts. Her voice is high; she’s feigning disinterest. It makes me want to laugh. Women rarely make me laugh.

“I was visiting the WSU farming division. It’s based in Vancouver,” I lie. Actually, I’m here to see you, Miss Y/L/N.

Her face falls, and I feel like a shit.

“I’m currently funding some research there in crop rotation and soil science.” That, at least, is true.

“All part of your feed-the-world plan?” She arches a brow, amused.

“Something like that,” I mutter. Is she laughing at me? Oh, I’d love to put a stop to that if she is.

But how to start? Maybe with dinner, rather than the usual interview…now, that would be novel: taking a prospect out to dinner.

We arrive at the cable ties, which are arranged in an assortment of lengths and colors. Absentmindedly, my fingers trace over the packets. I could just ask her out for dinner. Like on a date?

Would she accept? When I glance at her she’s examining her knotted fingers. She can’t look at me… this is promising. I select the longer ties. They are more flexible, after all, as they can accommodate two ankles and two wrists at once.

“These will do.”

“Is there anything else?” she says quickly—either she’s being super-attentive or she wants to get me out of the store, I don’t know which.

“I’d like some masking tape.”

“Are you redecorating?”

“No, not redecorating.” Oh, if you only knew…

“This way,” she says. “Masking tape is in the decorating aisle.”

Come on, Grey. You don’t have much time. Engage her in some conversation. “Have you worked here long?” Of course, I already know the answer. Unlike some people, I do my research. For some reason she’s embarrassed.

Fuck, this girl is shy. I don’t have a hope in hell. She turns quickly andwalks down the aisle toward the section labeled Decorating. I follow her eagerly, like a puppy.

“Four years,” she mumbles as we reach the masking tape. She bends down and grasps two rolls, each a different width.

“I’ll take that one.” The wider tape is much more effective as a gag. As she passes it to me, the tips of our fingers touch, briefly. It resonates in my groin. Damn!

She pales. “Anything else?” Her voice is soft and husky.

I’m having the same effect on her that she has on me. Maybe… “Some rope, I think.”

“This way.” She scoots up the aisle, giving me another chance to appreciate her fine ass.

“What sort were you after? We have synthetic and natural filament rope…twine…cable cord…”

Shit—stop. I groan inwardly, trying to chase away the image of her suspended from the ceiling in my playroom. “I’ll take five yards of the natural filament rope, please.” It’s coarser and chafes more if you struggle against it…my rope of choice.

A tremor runs through her fingers, but she measures out five yards like a pro. Pulling a utility knife from her right pocket, she cuts the rope in one swift gesture, coils it neatly, and ties it off with a slipknot. Impressive.

“Were you a Girl Scout?”

“Organized group activities aren’t really my thing, Mr. Grey.”

“What is your thing, Y/N?” Her pupils dilate as I stare.

Yes!

“Books,” she answers.

“What kind of books?”

“Oh, you know. The usual. The classics. British literature, mainly.”

British literature? The Brontës and Austen, I bet. All those romantic hearts-and-flowers types.

That’s not good.

“Anything else you need?”

“I don’t know. What else would you recommend?” I want to see her reaction.

“For a do-it-yourselfer?” she asks, surprised.

I want to hoot with laughter. Oh, baby, DIY is not my thing. I nod, stifling my mirth. Her eyes flick down my body and I tense. She’s checking me out!

“Coveralls,” she blurts out.

It’s the most unexpected thing I’ve heard her say since the “Are you gay?” question.

“You wouldn’t want to ruin your clothing.” She gestures to my jeans.

I can’t resist. “I could always take them off.”

“Um.” She flushes beet red and stares down.

I put her out of her misery. “I’ll take some coveralls. Heaven forbid I should ruin any clothing.”

Without a word, she turns and walks briskly up the aisle, and I follow in her enticing wake. “Do you need anything else?” she says, sounding breathless as she hands me a pair of blue coveralls. She’s mortified, eyes still cast down. Christ, she does things to me.

“How’s the article coming along?” I ask, in the hope she might relax a little.

She looks up and gives me a brief relieved smile.

Finally.

“I’m not writing it, Bella is. Miss Clark. My roommate, she’s the writer. She’s very happy with it. She’s the editor of the newspaper, and she was devastated that she couldn’t do the interview in person.”

It’s the longest sentence she’s uttered since we first met, and she’s talking about someone else, not herself. Interesting.

Before I can comment, she adds, “Her only concern is that she doesn’t have any original photographs of you.”

The tenacious Miss Clark wants photographs. Publicity stills, eh? I can do that. It will allow me to spend time with the delectable Miss Y/L/N.

“What sort of photographs does she want?”

She gazes at me for a moment, then shakes her head, perplexed, not knowing what to say.

“Well, I’m around. Tomorrow, perhaps…” I can stay in Portland. Work from a hotel. A room at The Heathman, perhaps. I’ll need Taylor to come down, bring my laptop and some clothes. Or Elliot —unless he’s screwing around, which is his usual thing to do over the weekend.

“You’d be willing to do a photo shoot?” She cannot contain her surprise.

I give her a brief nod. Yeah, I want to spend more time with you… Steady, Grey.

“Bella will be delighted—if we can find a photographer.” She smiles and her face lights up like a cloudless dawn. She’s breathtaking.

“Let me know about tomorrow.” I pull my wallet from my jeans. “My card. It has my cell number on it. You’ll need to call before ten in the morning.” And if she doesn’t, I’ll head on back to Seattle and forget about this stupid venture.

The thought depresses me.

“Okay.” She continues to grin.

“Y/N!” We both turn as a young man dressed in casual designer gear appears at the far end of the aisle. His eyes are all over Miss Y/N Y/L/N. Who the hell is this prick?

“Er, excuse me for a moment, Mr. Grey.” She walks toward him, and the asshole engulfs her in a gorilla-like hug. My blood runs cold. It’s a primal response.

Get your fucking paws off her.

I fist my hands when she returns his hug.

They fall into a whispered conversation. Maybe Welch’s facts were wrong. Maybe this guy is her boyfriend. He looks the right age, and he can’t take his greedy little eyes off her. He holds her for a moment at arm’s length, examining her, then stands with his arm resting on her shoulder. It seems like a casual gesture, but I know he’s staking a claim and telling me to back off. She seems embarrassed, shifting from foot to foot.

Shit. I should go. I’ve overplayed my hand. She’s with this guy.

Then she says something else to him and moves out of his reach, touching his arm, not his hand, shrugging him off. It’s clear they aren’t close.

Good.

“Er…Paul, this is Christian Grey. Mr. Grey, this is Paul Clayton. His brother owns the place.”

She gives me an odd look that I don’t understand and continues, “I’ve known Paul ever since I’ve worked here, though we don’t see each other that often. He’s back from Princeton, where he’s studying business administration.” She’s babbling, giving me a long explanation and telling me they’re not together, I think.

The boss’s brother, not a boyfriend. I’m relieved, but the extent of the relief I feel is unexpected, and it makes me frown. This woman has really gotten under my skin.

“Mr. Clayton.” My tone is deliberately clipped.

“Mr. Grey.” His handshake is limp, like his hair. Asshole. “Wait up—not the Christian Grey? Of Grey Enterprises Holdings?”

Yeah, that’s me, you prick.

In a heartbeat I watch him morph from territorial to obsequious.

“Wow—is there anything I can get you?”

“Y/N has it covered, Mr. Clayton. She’s been very attentive.” Now fuck off.

“Cool,” he gushes, all white teeth and deferential. “Catch you later, Y/N/N.”

“Sure, Paul,” she says, and he ambles off to the back of the store. I watch him disappear.

“Anything else, Mr. Grey?”

“Just these items,” I mutter. Shit, I’m out of time, and I still don’t know if I’m going to see her again. I have to know whether there’s a hope in hell she might consider what I have in mind.

How can I ask her? Am I ready to take on a submissive who knows nothing? She’s going to need substantial training. Closing my eyes, I imagine the interesting possibilities this presents…getting there is going to be half the fun. Will she even be up for this? Or do I have it all wrong?

She walks back to the cashier’s counter and rings up my purchases, all the while keeping her eyes on the register.

Look at me, damn it! I want to see her face again and gauge what she’s thinking.

Finally she raises her head. “That will be forty-three dollars, please.”

Is that all?

“Would you like a bag?” she asks, as I pass her my AmEx.

“Please, Y/N.” Her name—a beautiful name for a beautiful girl—flows smoothly over my tongue.

She packs the items briskly. This is it. I have to go.

“You’ll call me if you want me to do the photo shoot?”

She nods as she hands back my charge card.

“Good. Until tomorrow, perhaps.” I can’t just leave.

I have to let her know I’m interested.

“Oh— and Y/N I’m glad Miss Clark couldn’t do the interview.” She looks surprised and flattered. This is good. I sling the bag over my shoulder and exit the store.

Yes, against my better judgment, I want her. Now I have to wait…fucking wait…again. Utilizing willpower that would make Elena proud, I keep my eyes ahead as I take my cell out of my pocket and climb into the rental car. I’m deliberately not looking back at her. I’m not. I’m not. My eyes flick to the rearview mirror, where I can see the shop door, but all I see is the quaint storefront. She’s not in the window, staring out at me.

It’s disappointing.

I press 1 on speed dial and Taylor answers before the phone has a chance to ring.

“Mr. Grey,” he says.

“Make reservations at The Heathman; I’m staying in Portland this weekend, and can you bring down the SUV, my computer, and the paperwork beneath it, and a change or two of clothes.”

“Yes, sir. And Charlie Tango?”

“Have Joe move her to PDX.”

“Will do, sir. I’ll be with you in about three and a half hours.”

I hang up and start the car. So I have a few hours in Portland while I wait to see if this girl is interested in me. What to do? Time for a hike, I think. Maybe I can walk this strange hunger out of my system.

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It's been five hours with no phone call from the delectable Miss Y/L/N. What the hell was thinking? I watch the street from the window of my suite at The Heathman. I loathe waiting. I always have.

The weather, now cloudy, held for my hike through Forest Park, but the walk has done nothing to cure my agitation. I’m annoyed at her for not phoning, but mostly I’m angry with myself.

I’m a fool for being here. What a waste of time it’s been chasing this woman. When have I ever chased a woman?

Grey, get a grip.

Sighing, I check my phone once again in the hope that I’ve just missed her call, but there’s nothing. At least Taylor has arrived and I have all my shit. I have Barney’s report on his department’s graphene tests to read and I can work in peace.

Peace? I haven’t known peace since Miss Y/L/N walked into my office.

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When I glance up, dusk has shrouded my suite in gray shadows. The prospect of a night alone again is depressing. While I contemplate what to do my phone vibrates against the polished wood of the desk and an unknown but vaguely familiar number with a Washington area code flashes on the screen.

Suddenly my heart is pumping as if I’ve run ten miles.

Is it her?

I answer.

“Er…Mr. Grey? It’s Y/N Y/L/N.”

My face erupts in a shit-eating grin.

Well, well. A breathy, nervous, soft-spoken Miss Y//L/N. My evening is looking up. “Miss Y/L/N. How nice to hear from you.” I hear her breath hitch and the sound travels directly tomy groin.

Great. I’m affecting her. Like she’s affecting me.

“Um—we’d like to go ahead with the photo shoot for the article. Tomorrow, if that’s okay. Where would be convenient for you, sir?”

In my room. Just you, me, and the cable ties.

“I’m staying at The Heathman in Portland. Shall we say nine thirty tomorrow morning?”

“Okay, we’ll see you there,” she gushes, unable to hide the relief and delight in her voice.

“I look forward to it, Miss Y/L/N” I hang up before she senses my excitement and how pleased I am. Leaning back in my chair, I gaze at the darkening skyline and run both my hands through my hair.

How the hell am I going to close this deal?

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[ series masterlist ]

DON'T BE AFRAID TO SPAM WITH LIKES AND COMMENTS. I WOULD ALSO APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD REBLOG THIS POST <3

#christian grey smut #christian grey #christian grey x reader #christian grey x you #christian grey x yn #smut #series #50 shades of gray #stalking #jamie dornan #christian grey fanfic

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sysmedsaresexist · 6 months ago

Note

This may be overstepping my bounds or you may not want to talk about this on this blog and if so please feel free to just delete this ask but on the chance this is alright here I have a question or two.

In the recent posts about Colin Ross and other professionals you've mentioned your 'professional circle' or your colleagues being therapists and it sounds like you work in the mental health field? If you do I'm just curious if you'd be willing to talk about that at all?

That's rather vague but I've been thinking about going into the mental health field and I'm curious what that might actually look like especially as someone with trauma.

This must be really odd if I've misunderstood what you've said, or uncomfortable if this just isn't something you want to talk about, and either way I know it's not really similar to what you normally post here so I'm sorry. Whether or not you respond though thank you for reading through this. I hope you have a good day.

I don't mind talking about it! I don't particularly enjoy talking about myself, but I have no issue sharing most information like this.

I do not currently work in the mental health field and I have never been licensed.

Like most of us, I'm sure, I was one of those "gifted" kids. I finished high school early with a several year scholarship, and fast tracked through 4 degrees.

My first degree was in social services and counselling. I worked in the field for about a year as a requirement for my education. In Canada, we have satellite schools for "troubled youth", and one was run out of a high school near me, so I counselled and provided support for about 30 students.

However, I was only 18/19 myself, and I was VERY OBVIOUSLY too traumatized to be working in the field. Some of the students were older than I was, and the things I heard and saw, the students that acted out violently that were twice my size...

I wasn't ready. My supervisor at the time, a woman in her 50s, told me, "In a field like this... you can't help others until you've helped yourself."

So I graduated, but switched into law. I wanted to work with those same youth, but maybe from a legal perspective (there were always police and lawyers involved). I finished my legal degree, took two more legal/business management and administration courses, became licensed, and worked for a few years in that field.

I really wasn't happy, though, as a woman and being so young, unless I wanted to start my own business, I was going to continue to face a bunch of condescending, old white men calling me, "high-school," because I don't drive and carry a backpack to and from work.

I work in sales now, making more money than I had ever hoped for, and for a company that is really, really good to its employees. I'm really happy where I ended up, though it was kind of a fluke. I voluntarily relinquished my legal license a couple of years ago because there's zero point in paying $2k a year in upkeep when I'm not going to use it.

Point is, though, I've kept in contact with a number of people in both the legal and sw field. My first therapist and I developed a bit of a weird relationship (not bad) but I was able to go to her on several occasions to talk as colleagues, not just client/therapist. I'm still in touch with her and occasionally reach out for questions. She gave me the info of a couple other specialists, of which I spoke to two of them.

I don't drop these names because it would really narrow down where I am, but on top of Colin Ross and Kymbra Clayton, I've also spoken with Marich, Loewenstein, I've tried to talk to the CTAD clinic, uhhh... Sunshaw is pretty open about her opinions. I'm trying to think of some other big names.

On the second part of this question...

Once you have a handle on your own trauma, you can be very, very successful in the mental health field. You have a unique perspective that can really help others.

It was an amazing experience, and I wish I had been older. I wish I had been through multiple therapists at that point, to see how others behaved. Being in therapy yourself is such an important step that no one talks about.

Trauma fatigue is a real thing that beats people in the field down into nothing. You'll hear every therapist say, "make sure you have your own therapist," and everyone nods their head but never actually goes to therapy. It's not just good for your own mental health, sitting on the other side of that chair can be terrifying and it's important for therapists to remember what that feeling is like, and to see how other clinicians handle clients. What do you like that they do? What do you hate? What are you not going to do with your next client?

You would be shocked to learn how many clinicians out there actually have DID! It's possible and highly rewarding. Just take your time and make sure you're actually ready for it.

There's no age limit on changing careers or going into a new field. Go slow, and take care of yourself first. Then you can be the best resource for others.

I hope that answers both questions <3

#not syscourse #about sas

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whirligig-girl · 10 months ago

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Railroader doesn't allow you to customize the liveries of steam engines yet... but if it did, this is how i'd like to run my three engines.

Anyway... sentient locomotives are probably technically employees of the railroad rather than equipment, right? In railroader, the self-driving feature of the engines results in the engine getting a paycheck. So here's some excerpts from their job interviews. (they're not very good at job interviews)

interviewer: "Tell me about yourself." Trinity: "I'm a G-16 Mogul built 1906 by Baldwin with a two-six-oh wheel arrangement and a tractive effort of sixteen thousand pounds. I weigh eighty two thousand pounds and have a factor of adhesion of, ohh, four point five, four point six. Clayton: "I consider myself something of an academic. Of course an engine can't go to school, but I try to keep an eye out for the latest happenings in the world of science and technology. Faith: "I was built for speed and power, so despite these little wheels I am a pacific, and like any pacific, I can do passenger trains just fine. But I have no problem with freight either.

interviewer: "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Trinity: "Switching cars n' hauling freight." Clayton: "Oh god. Have you even seen the way things are going in this country? I mean, it could be worse, I could live in england, but in five years I wouldn't be surprised if I've been… erm, uh, i mean, I have every INTENT on making it past seventy, maybe even beyond. And I don't just mean as a museum piece." Faith: "I don't know. I seem to find my way all around the country these days. Things used to be so predictable, but now, it's just shuffling from one job to another. I try my best, but things keep going wrong…

interviewer: "What are your strengths?" Trinity: "Haven't we been through this? I told you my tractive effort is 16 thousand pounds. And yes, that IS plenty enough. I do NOT struggle to output that tractive effort. Clayton: "I'd say my best strength is my adaptability. I was built for express runs on the west coast, but here I am 60 years later hauling mostly freight on the shortline. I enjoy the intellectual stimulation of shunting just as much as the wind buffeting my face on a good long passenger journey." Faith: "Well you know. I'd probably say my best strength is my strength. Speed is nice, but power is what really gets you out of trouble."

interviewer: "Describe your work style." Trinity: "Well, you first. Describe your rule book. I go by the book whenever I can. And I will push the book to its limits to get things done efficiently, but I will do it by the book." Clayton: "I don't like to rush myself. Once I'm on the mainline I can make up for lost time, but I try to be sure to take care and be methodical with how I work in the yard." Faith: "How does the rhyme go? Safety first and tonnage last? That's the kind of thing management likes to hear right?"

interviewer: "what motivates you?" Trinity: "What a dumb question what do you mean what motivates me. If I have fire in my firebox and a good head of steam I'm going to need to put that steam somewhere. I don't need 'motivation' to work. I just do it." Clayton: "if i do not find a way to make myself useful my tender will run dry and my boiler will freeze and i will be left to rot on a siding somewhere. Haha. I love the current economic system we all live under sooo much!" (interviewer: [writes "marxist ten-wheeler" in notes.]) Faith: "I guess deep down I just want someone to be proud of me? I want someone to look at me go by and think 'wow! she's doing such a good job.' and then I want them to tell me that I'm doing a good job. Please."

interviewer: "Are you a team player?" Trinity: "What, you mean like, am I a multiple unit?" Clayton: "Yes. I think I bring out the best in everyone I work with." Faith: "Well, sometimes it's hard to get to know the other engines, and sometimes I think they don't like me very much. But I'll pull any train even if it has another engine on it too, if that's what you mean?"

interviewer: "Are you willing to work overtime?" Trinity: "The question is, do you have a crew willing to crew me overtime. That's usually the thing that holds me back." Clayton: "Hahaa… yeahh… totally��" Faith: [long pause.] "i do work�� over… time… like the job doesn't get done instantly. It. You know it uh. It takes… time… So I do it over… time…"

interviewer: "What are your salary expectations?" Trinity: "Just the coal and water is fine." Clayton: "Well I'm a locomotive with about 60 years of experience so I expect to be paid an engineer's wage of $25 per day." Faith: "I expect a… salary… and know what that is…"

interviewer: "how do you handle stress?" Trinity: "Are you. Asking about my frames. Do I look like a damn twig to you? I can handle tension and compression just fine." Clayton: "Well popping my safety valve usually helps but I have other coping skills like counting the ties and rocking my reverser back and forth." Faith: "I usually just repress it and pretend everything is fine. I'm really good with passengers."

interviewer: "What is your dream job?" Trinity: "shortline railroad locomotive. I love my job." Clayton: "Movie star. The glamor, the recognition, the celebrities, oh it would be so thrilling!" Faith: "Well as long as it's not repetitive logging trips day in and day out, anything works for me."

interviewer: "Why do you want this job?" Trinity: "Your railroad has lots of industries still connected to it, and I think it would be fun." Clayton: "I feel like we've already been over this. If I don't have a job I will rust and decay." Faith: "Hoping for a source of stability finally, and the Class Is don't have that anymore."

interviwer: "Why should we hire you?" Trinity: "Because you'll be hard pressed to find a locomotive with a better work ethic." Clayton: "Because you'll want an adaptable, intelligent, experienced locomotive who can get herself out of trouble better than these new engines can." Faith: "Because I am truly the best of both worlds."

#Railroader #LUNAR 2 Clara Clayton #LUNAR 3 Trinity #LUNAR 4 Faith of the Heart #Steam engine #steam train #steam locomotive #locomotive #train #trains

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dollarbin · 5 months ago

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Dollar Bin #40:

Lucinda Williams' Running Down A Dream

As the self-appointed Lord of The Dollar Bin I do not sing karaoke. The closest I come is bellowing out Love Shack on the bike ride to work/school with my daughter, much to her horror and amusement. Why Love Shack? I don't know. The song just floats my entire flotilla of boats.

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But when it comes to karaoke, there's only one human being I would eagerly listen to rocking the mic, and that's Lucinda Williams. She's Tom Waits without artifice; she's my Dodgers as soon as Clayton Kershaw retakes the mound; she's my sainted wife with a flamethrower.

And so I've always been on the Dollar Bin watch for Running Down a Dream, Williams' Covid-era toss off Tom Petty tribute album. I've never been willing to drop $30 for it, ever. But $15 while on vacation for a three sided record, even if it's nothing more than Lucinda offering up Petty's lyrics via teleprompter while assorted young men act like The Heartbreakers? Yeah, sign me up.

At least for me, the legend of Lucinda Williams still begins with the Rolling Stone review of Car Wheels On A Gravel Road in the late 90's. Back then the magazine was a meaningful authority rather than an endless series of pop up ads for sex toys and the equally dumb Foo Fighters. And so that review introduced me to Williams as a feminist savant, a mature woman who could sing about masturbation and make it high, perfected, art.

Well, it's 26 years later and Williams no longer dwells in the perfectionist camp, refusing to put out records until they are impeccable. Gillian Welch took her place on the perfectionist throne late in the Oughts and hasn't let go yet.

Let's get into this record:

The first three songs are freakin' awesome. This is not karaoke; this is Lucinda Williams finally delivering a big deal rock and roll record.

She opens with Rebels, Petty's personal, problematic and deeply poetic rewrite of The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. The song marks the end of Petty's mid-80's, heavy cocaine, first smashing into a wall, era; sitars, skateboarders and vampires soon took over. As such the song comes complete with allusions to "blue bellied devils" who "burned our cornfields and left our cities leveled". That would be the union soldiers who saved our country and ended slavery. So, wow, that's something to chew on.

Williams, who's obviously white and grew up in the deep South, had to have a Confederate flag airbrushed off her jacket for an early album cover. But she also preaches progressive politics in song, swears by the Velvet Underground as much as Hank Williams, and calls Trump a man without a soul. So, like Petty's song and Petty himself, she's complicated.

But singing a song like Rebels without apology and making it the lead track for an album that came out at the same time everyone worthwhile - including Williams herself - was grieving George Floyd is a bit more than complicated; its straight up knotty. Or nutty. Or both.

But meanwhile the song sounds awesome.

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The album's title track follows, so we get a break from all that edgyness and take a ride with Petty, Del Shannon and Lucinda. And what a lovely drive: the track gives the hipsters in her band a chance to shred. Petty's lead guitarist, Mike Campbell, is the white man's Hendrix, sure.

But check this out.

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Williams doesn't let up after that; rather she makes another brilliant decision with Gainesville, an Echoes-era outtake I never appreciated until now.

Williams owns the song; like Petty, she too grew up thinking of a place with more than a few stoplights as a "big town". It's these moments of sympathy and kinship between Lucinda and Tom I like best; later in the album Williams handles the line "be a landlord and a renter" in a manner that shows she deeply understands the later position and has no interest in the former. In doing so she understands Petty's lyric better than he did and way the hell better than I, born into late 70's SoCal privilege, ever could.

But Williams recorded three or four other tribute records all at once during the lockdown and then rushed them all out - and that entirely oppositional approach to the deliberate work she did in the 90's makes for problems during much of the rest of the album. Too often the arrangements are obvious, and therefore dull. Same thing with the song selection: You Don't Know How It Feels has always been a boring song and Williams offers it no fresh new angle. Let me get to the point Lucinda: you shoulda chosen a better song.

But the album's biggest problem is Side 4: and that's because there is no Side 4. We get a picture disc of Williams instead of any of the real deep tracks from Petty's first, pumped-up heyday. We should have Insider, with Williams performing utterly solo; we should gaze with her out the window of a 747 and see only black sky.

And we should hear American Girl delivered by one of the greatest of our American Women.

#lucinda williams #tom petty #the b 52s

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profoundgladiatorbarbarian · 5 months ago

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The villains when they were younger going to the school of good and evil( My version of Marlene Academy)

Name: Cruella.

Age: 15

Home: London(Formally) Morgana Academy School of villains(Currently) Isle of the lost(Future)

Goals: Behind a successful fashion designer(Slightly accomplished / Fully accomplished in the future.) Upstage the baroness and get And get revenge at her for what she did to her and her brothers When they were younger( In the process but succeeding) Turn A hundred and one dalmatians into a Fur coat( Failed in the future)

Personality type: Rebellious, Respectless, Cruel, Evil, Sarcastic, Witty, Caring(Towards her friends and to a fault) Creative, Boastful, Cunning, Very intelligent, Moody(at times) Authority challenging, Crazy( Mostly when driving/ Psychopathic in the future), Fashionable.

Voice actress: lilli cooper(Teen years.) Wendy Raquel Robinson(Adult)

Allies: Horace, Jasper, Nireka(Best friend), Benson, Edmund, Le pelt(Best male friend and friendly fashion Competitor), Grimhilde, Jafar, Ursula, Jamal facilier, Gaston, Clayton, Yzma, Scar, the hyenas, Anita darling, David, Cecil B, Hook(To an extent),Shen Yu, Morgi(Once or twice before), Black Swan

Enemies: Roger, Anita darling(In the future), The baroness(Full on enemy), Daldamations(And dogs in general),Ulyana(Formally) Hook(Sometimes/ Formerly), Maleficent(Formally), Hades(Formally), Morgi(Most of the time/ Formally) prince charming, Prince eric, Cinderella(Barely But sometimes), Mickey mouse, Mini mouse, Merlin, Morgana le fay(Likes to disrespect her authority As a principle), Is the house of lavasia, The house of Willi ninja, Jasmine, Aladdin, Prince adam, Belle, White Swan, The law in general

Family: Baroness(Birth mother/Abandoner) David(Younger Twin brother) Cecil b(Younger brother) Baron Von Hellman Deville(Late Birth father) Catherine Miller(Adoptive mother) Dalmatia(Future son) Davis Cruel(Future son) Ella(Future daughter) Carlos(Future Son) Darson(Future son) Carly(Future daughter) Carol(Future daughter) Hunter(Future great grand nephew) Ivy(Future niece) Diego(Future nephew) Evertt(Future nephew) Evelyn(Future sister-in-law) Oscar(Future Late husband) The Huntsman from Bambi(Future ex husband)

Description: Estella deville is the main antagonist of one hundred and one dalmatians , but during her youth had a lot going on for her. When she was younger, she and Her twin brother , david and younger brother cecil , where abandoned by their mother after their father died and turned over all the will to his children and were orphaned once their adoptive mother who was killed by the baroness, who was their Birth mother. Estella was devastated by what happened to her adoptive mother comma that she ran away with her brothers from the countryside all the way to london , where they started a fresh new life. But still scared that somebody would find them And hold them responsible for what happened to Estella's.Adoptive mother, they all died their hair A dark brownish red as to keep a low profile. They slept around from park bench to park bench till they ran into horace and jasper comma who invited them to join their crew comma and together the five of them became thickest thieves, and little thieves planning things from a small Paid pocketing to full on heists. It was a fun life for them as Thieves, But later on crew I'll have decided.

That she would also like to put her Fashion skills to a higher use and with the help of horse and Jasper managed to steal herself, a job at the baroness house of fashion. It was going well for Estella there, But 1 day as she was, In the barrennesses office, she found a Peculiar ring that used to belong to her adoptive mother. Seeing the baroness with the ring, she felt annoyed and angry and decided to pull a heist to get it back with the help of her friends Of course. The baroness.

Was holding a black & white party the day of the heist, and Estella decided to bring back her old friend cruella to party crush. As the baroness was making a toast to Herself.

In mysterious, figure walked into the party wearing a white cape cloak while pulling a glass of Alcohol-free champagne From the bottom of a champagne tower collapsing all the other glasses and making a scene for herself, then pulling out a match. She burnt her cloak on top And revealed a beautiful red dress with her stunning black & white hair showing. After humiliating Security a bit, She and the baroness sat down to have a little chat with each other, And while they were chatting, they were served dinner, only to find that it was a bunch of Rats on their platter.

Freaking out the Baroness, Using this opportunity, cruella grabbed, The ring, but unfortunately it fell into one of the Baronesses Pet Dalmatian's mouth as he accidentally swallowed it. As cruella gave a sign of disappointment, she heard a familiar sound, of the baroness blowing a whistle, instantly she was brought back to the night of her adoptive mother's death, where that same whistle was blown and A bunch of dalmatians pushed her adoptive mother off a cliff. Putting all the puzzle pieces together, She figured out that the baroness was the one who killed her adoptive mother, And after that day she made it her life's mission to ruin the baroness by upstaging her In the world of fashion and embarrassing her at every point, even going so far as to destroying all her clothes and showing off a jacket, she made from leather and let's just say what once were the baroness's pets. While this feud with cruella and the baroness was going on, Cruella Got an invitation to go to the school of good and evil, Where she was selected to attend Morgana Academy For her evil deeds. Cruella at first was a bit skeptical, but found the idea Intriguing, and with some encouragement from her brothers and tourists in Jasper, she finally decided to go, fully embracing her new side as not Estella, but Cruella Deville.

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xaviernottheprofessor · 9 months ago

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Phone Call w/ Clayton Mitchell 3.12.2024

Xavier: [laughing as he continues typing. His phone is propped beside him so that Clayton can watch him] Those nieces of mine are going to be trouble! I'm telling you. Got it from you, mate.

Clayton: [snorts] Please. We all know they got your genes. Athena is about ready to quit and just homeschool them! [grins] Have twins they said, it'll be fun they said.

Xavier: [chuckles] oh come on, man. It's kinder. Wait until they become teenagers then you'll be crying on the phone. Tell Athena that the kids need the social interactions and they'll be fine. They're just happy lil ones.

Clayton: [smirks] you say that because they aren't yours. You can give them back at the end of the day. Which reminds me, they keep asking for you. When is uncle X coming back? He promised me a tea party, we miss Henry. Winter needs to come back to my tea party. Mate, how many tea parties did you lot promise?

Xavier: [laughs again and stops his writing momentarily to face the camera] Not quite sure. Possibly an unlimited amount. I'm thinking of doing another trip in the summer when the kids are out school but not in summer camp yet. They're dying to go back too and see the kids. They also miss Athena. You too, I guess.

Clayton: [smiles] please. they adore me.

Xavier: that they do. How's mum doing with all this extra time she has now?

Clayton: Well, I know she won't tell ya but she's started another hobby. She's driving dad crazy pulling out everything from the upstairs closet. Wants to make it a fancy walk-in with a jewelry corner and all. She thinks she's the Queen.

Xavier: She is though! I'm so glad to hear her energy is restored and that's why I ask you even though I just spoke with her earlier. I know you won't keep anything from me.

Clayton: I won't. You know, dad keeps talking about you to his students. They had all tuned in on Sunday. We're so proud of you, X.

Xavier: [smiles warmly] Well, thanks. It was a great award show.

Clayton: yeah, well you made it great. No offense to everyone else. You're the best thing to happen to them and to SNL but i think you know that.

Xavier: Marcello is also a great addition. He pulls in a lot of younger folks and it's nice to see a lot of latino skits.

Clayton: aye. He's a funny guy. Athena and I are thinking of coming over there but if you come here first, we'll come in the fall. That way it seems like less of gap for when we see one another.

Xavier: I like the sound of that. I miss you all terribly.

Clayton: Mmm and maybe we can meet your beau?

Xavier: [rolls his eyes] maybe, yes. if you behave.

Clayton: It's mum, dad, and Athena you have to worry about. They're gonna vet him.

Xavier: Uh they better not. I'm a grown-ass man.

Clayton: [laughs] you sound so American. But I'm happy for you. I saw the photos. Everyone's convinced it's some famous chap. Bill, Ben something or other.

Xavier: Yeah, well, it's all new and all but I'm also happy and I think you'd like him a lot. I'd rather it be kept that way. He doesn't need any limelight on him right now. It'll die down in a few weeks. Good thing I'm not super famous.

Clayton: Yeah but with Jeremy's program coming, they're gonna want to keep prying. It's stupid, I know. But I'm glad you respect his privacy and are demanding people to respect yours. Like I said, I'm just glad you're happy.

Xavier: Thanks, mate. Me too. I've never quite felt this way about anyone so privacy is rather important to me.

Clayton: Good. Don't fuck it up, Mitchell!

Xavier: shut up! [smiles] You know I won't.

Clayton: [chuckles] listen, I have to get going. It's almost bedtime around here and if I'm not getting those kids in the tub, Athena is screaming at the top of her lungs. Love you. My love to the kids and say hi to Celeste, Juniper, Khamani all of em for us! Tell Thomas we need to talk hockey when we go back to the states!

Xavier: I'll tell them! go, go. love you! i'll call mum in the morning as always. [he blew a kiss and hung up]

#hc #phone calls

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princetorn · 9 months ago

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In the aftermath of Royce’s passing, an assembly was held in his high school to celebrate all that he had achieved in his short life – as well as touch upon the dangers of reckless driving. Although he died before his senior prom, and was buried in his tuxedo, he was posthumously proclaimed prom king and his crown was presented to his grief-stricken parents.

As for Mr. and Mrs. Clayton, their world crumbled, but they put on a most stoic front. Dorota insisted they keep their son’s bedroom exactly as it was. Henry established a baseball bursary in Royce’s name. Every year the Claytons host a cookout in July, around the time of his birthday, to bring together the people he had loved in life. It’s bittersweet, being able to reminisce and reflect while watching his friends grow up, knowing these are the same people who raised baseball bats as his coffin was carried from the church. There are house purchases, engagements, weddings and newborns to celebrate – but not for Royce, who remains eighteen forever.

His grave is well tended by Dorota, and sometimes she and other visitors leave trinkets. Cut flowers decorate the crash site, but they soon wither, and are replaced with decreasing frequency. Unsurprisingly, there is an unhappy and uncomfortable feeling at the spot where the young hot-rodder took his last breath.

Royce becomes a local horror story, a cautionary tale – and, really, that’s what his spectral existence is.

#not to get all saltburn on main but there's something about the way johnny continues to eat at the clayton family table #people comfort him! they comfort royce's murderer!#✮ lore — to live in hearts we leave behind is not to die

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foolishaetherguardian · 1 year ago

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So I went to a weird highschool.

And I don’t mean like weird by normal standards. I mean I have had my college friends consistently refer to my school as a cartoon school.

And I didn’t believe them until I had to explain the yearly events my school had. We had the normal stuff, homecoming, prom, mole day, etc. But we also had some weird stuff. Like the yearly crosstown scavenger race that was held on halloween and that you could win two letter grades worth of bonus points to applied to whatever classes you asked for it in, you could spend them in 5′s. It’s a schoolwide event. So the upperclassmen had the advantage of being able to drive, everyone else had to get an approved guardian to drive them. Oh and to participate you had to dress up in a costume fitting that years theme. Teams could be up to 8 but tended to be two couples and the matchmade pair. The matchmade pair is whoever the two couples wanted to get together so it was a massive event where couples tried to set up their friends with each other. But every year there were a few junior and seniors that were made “dream teams”. Like the smartest, most athletic, and the person with the fastest car all would team up to win.

Well come sophomore year and I know I am going to fail Geometry if I don’t get the bonus. It’s only October but I’m already floundering. I’m a sophomore. My group is mostly sophomores, but we all wanted to win at least once. We decide we’ll win this year. The scoring was broken down into getting the right time, the right mileage (the route was a secret and encoded so this was almost impossible to get right), completing all the tasks, and school based trivia (Like which teachers dated when they were in highschool? Who wore mascot outfit in 1999?). Because time and mileage were so difficult to get right the trivia and tasks tended to decide the winners. We couldn’t win trivia without cheating or stealing a senior and making a “dream team”. We would never stoop so low. So we decided to go for the perfect score in the other three categories, which had only been done once before in the 30 years our school had done this for. I was the navigator, Cade was the timekeeper, Dax was in charge of backtracking miles we missed, Daniel was in charge of tasks, Clayton was there as a limiter (keeping us from undershooting the time and mileage by taking short cuts) and we recruited the most dangerous approved guardian we could, Cade’s mom. None of us were really well equipped for our roles. This was our gamble. If she drove slowly or too fast we’d lose on time. But we all wanted to win. But we practiced, distance estimation, guessing destinations based off of context, tracking miles by block, tailing the route designer to figure out how fast she drove. The announcement of the theme was made. And we show up dressed as the dalmations from 101 dalmations with Cade’s mom, unprompted, showing up as cruella deville. We were the only unisex sophomore team that year. The senior’s had two dream teams, the genius twin’s team and the drama team, both of which we had ties too. The genius twins were close friends of mine and the drama team was just all around great people. But it didn’t matter if I liked Ben and Abby as people and if the drama team all were the biggest scariest teddy bears I’ve ever met. We had come to win.

We were slow out the gate, getting a starting place of like 23rd out of 36 cars. But that was fine. Fastest time didn’t win. Correct time did. We made it to the first task and blew it out of the water. We felt good. We make it to task two by a combination of good guesswork on my part and Dax figuring the miles that the official route would take. With the miles figured Cade figured how long we needed to loiter circling the block after arrival. Second task is ultimate frisbee against alumns. And this is where our refusal to make a dream team hits us. I’m not athletic. Dax would be if he wasn’t in a boot. Cade Danial and Clayton are our only real players here. Against 6 alumns, all of who had gotten basketball or track scholarships to big schools. We thought this would be where we lost. If we lost to much time scoring our three goals we’d lose the whole thing. We hadn’t left breathing room. There were also 3 other tasks. But we go all out. Dax plays back, acting as a relay to save the rest of us. I ran interception. Dax’s relays keep us in the game long enough to score. But we can’t get the frisbee back. So as per usual I do something stupid and get myself hurt. I sprint up in the blind spot of the target of the latest pass. We both go up. And I swat it. Then the 220 lb college basketball player lands on top of me. Me who weighs 120 lbs and am built like a twig at this point. My shoulder dislocates on impact. But we scored before anyone realized that my arm probably shouldn’t be in front of my shoulder, myself included. I’m a literature nerd, I read all sorts of books but I had recently been reading James Patterson. So I decide I’ll use the books description of how to relocate a shoulder and I pop it back in. And then the EMT, who the school has on call for this event, puts me in a sling and we keep going. The alumns let us score the last point as an apology. The next task is an alphabet shopping spree with a cost limit of 30 dollars. Cade’s mom takes the lead here. She finds brands we didn’t know existed and we complete it with enough money left over to spend W on a quart of whoppers. The next two event are easy enough, tag in an abandoned auditorium and a haunted house they had made in an old factory in the depot district. We get to the final destination and loiter. We are desperately doing math to figure out our desired arrival time. And it’s in two minutes. But our mileage is off. So we need to close the gap. Cade’s mom then pushes 70 up and down the nearest major street at nearly midnight, once again unprompted. And we come in and hand in our blank trivia sheet, 5 task badges, mileage and time. Tasks are perfect, time is perfect and mileage is correct. If no one else got 3 perfect out of 4 we’d win. Genius twins arrive next. They see us and laugh, goodnaturedly. We’d been joking about winning for the last month. And they handed in their trivia, 3/4 done, time a few minutes off, mileage well short, and task badges, all done. We smiled and ordered food at the restaurant that was our final destination. Two other senior teams arrive then the drama team arrives, perfect trivia good mileage, all five badges, time off by a half hour. We were pretty sure we won now. And so we all basically melted into the booth, shakes and burgers crowded in front of us like a 90′s teen drama dinner scene. Ben and Abby sat with us and ate as the rest of the teams who hadn’t quit, or DQ’d in two cases, trickled in. On Monday we heard the results, we had won. But because we had three perfect scores and one zero they decided to change the rules to evenly weight the categories next year. None of us on that team won again.

#long post #my school was normal #I swear #I also don't believe any one else on our team needed the bonus points #but I also never mentioned it #because everyone at that school got either straight A's #or were so athletic it didn't matter #so I just figured I was the only one who would ever actually use those points on a single class so I never have to repeat #I recall that Cade was valedictorian by 2 points #or something ridiculously low #so I think it might have actually helped him win those but #he might not have used them #he was weird about bonus points #that school is part of the reason I have no idea what normal is #I think #I assumed everyone under 6ft was short because everyone hit 6ft by sophomore #but me #so i assumed I was short #and I mean everyone.#Danial's girlfriend was taller than most guys I know now #same for a lot of the people in my class

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onmybreath · 19 days ago

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It was almost impossible to believe everything he worked four decades to achieve, what his family established almost a century ago, was lost in only a handful of days. Everything was fucking gone. The firm, his property, friends, family— He had nothing. He was nothing. But he used to be someone. Clayton Westin was the kind of guy who could make things happen; at least, pieces seemed to conveniently move around and fall into place where needed in his career and personal life. "God took a liking to him." Clay heard variations of the phrase said so many times, as if years of schooling and a legal intellect sharper than a knife had nothing to do with it. Looking back, good things just seemed to happen for the Westin clan. His parents would've chalked it up to blessings from God instead of the real fear his family name carried in and out of the courthouse.

Now, he was in a different office building than only a few months ago. No fancy espresso machine, air conditioning, or the faces he'd spent years with nearly every day. It was starting to build again. An irritating itch spread all over and he could feel his heart beat just a little faster. If he just sat there with his mind lingering on the last two months, and everything before it, he's spiral. He'd always had a problem with anxiety, since he was a boy. There were no mood stabilizers now, at least no pharmacy he could drive to and pickup. No— He needed to do something. Clay started to wander through the floor to find someone who looked busy but maybe also in need of help.

"Hey— Do ya need a hand?"

#sahqstarter

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millarlawfirm · 4 months ago

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Thank you for your coverage of our 6th Annual Pencils 4 Clayton County drive, The Clayton News! ✏️⚖️

#millar law firm #supporting education #back to school drive #pencil drive

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drivingschoolclayton · 4 months ago

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Driving School Clayton: Your Path to Safe Driving

Welcome to Clayton Driving School by Sprint Driving School, your path to safe driving! Our driving school is dedicated to giving you with the necessary abilities and trust to navigate the roads safely. Experienced instructors will create classes for your specific needs, giving you anything from essential driving skills to advanced defensive driving measures. Driving School Clayton promotes safety, ensuring that each instruction includes appropriate driving behaviours and road conditions. Our modern vehicles and useful teaching staff make the experience fun and stress-free. Whether you're new to driving or want to improve your abilities, join us at Driving School Clayton and start your road to being a confident, safe driver!

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quicklicense · 6 months ago

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Top Driving Schools in Clayton

Discover the top driving schools in Clayton. Expert instructors, comprehensive lessons, and tailored programs to ace your driving test with confidence.

https://quicklicence.com.au/driving-lessons-in-clayton/

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jeffreyhammel1 · 8 months ago

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The Maverick's Manual to Disruptive Innovation in Corporate Finance

In the realm of corporate finance, disruption is not just about the next big technological innovation; it's about fundamentally rethinking how financial systems and processes operate. This shift opens vast opportunities for growth, efficiency, and redefined value propositions. Harvard Business School Professor Clayton Christensen's concept of disruptive innovation—a smaller company with fewer resources challenging established businesses by initially targeting less lucrative market segments and then progressively moving upmarket—highlights the essence of this transformation .

Navigating Disruptive Forces in Fintech

Fintech stands as a beacon of disruptive innovation within finance, powered by breakthrough technologies like decentralized finance (DeFi) and cloud computing. DeFi, rooted in blockchain technology, is revolutionizing financial transactions by removing traditional intermediaries, thereby democratizing access to financial services and enhancing market efficiencies. Similarly, cloud computing is radically improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, signifying a shift towards more agile and scalable financial services infrastructures .

Embracing Agile Decision-Making

In the context of disruptive innovation, the ability to make swift, effective decisions becomes paramount. Corporate finance entities are increasingly adopting agile decision-making processes, which involve breaking down significant decisions into smaller, more manageable experiments. This method not only mitigates risk but also cultivates an organizational culture geared towards innovation and rapid adaptation to market changes. The approach, championed by technology entrepreneur Josh Hix, focuses on "making the big decisions small" to manage risk effectively while fostering a culture that encourages action over deliberation .

Cultivating a Culture of Innovation

In a rapidly evolving financial landscape, organizations must embrace change to thrive, viewing themselves not as static entities but as living organisms that continuously adapt to their surroundings. This perspective necessitates a culture that is receptive to external innovations and places a strong emphasis on human capabilities, creativity, and customer-centricity. Encouraging a culture of innovation involves fostering an environment where new ideas are celebrated and employees feel empowered to experiment and take risks without fear of failure .

Such a culture is built on a foundation of continuous learning, open communication, and collaboration, where diverse teams are encouraged to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table. It's about creating spaces where cross-functional teams can collaborate, share knowledge, and leverage each other's strengths. Companies must also be open to sourcing ideas from external partners, startups, and even customers, integrating these insights into their innovation processes to stay ahead of the curve.

The Role of Leadership in Driving Disruption

Leadership plays a pivotal role in setting the tone for an organization's approach to innovation and disruption. Leaders who drive disruption do so by creating an organizational structure that promotes "productive collisions"—situations where individuals from different backgrounds and areas of expertise come together to brainstorm and problem-solve . This requires leaders to cultivate an environment that prioritizes the exploration of new ideas over the mere exploitation of existing operations.

Effective leaders encourage quick decision-making and learning from failure, promoting an agile approach to innovation. They understand the importance of dedicating resources to both explore new opportunities and exploit existing ones, maintaining a balance that ensures long-term sustainability and growth. Moreover, leaders must champion a mindset shift across the organization, emphasizing the value of curiosity, resilience, and adaptability in the face of change.

Future Trends: The Intersection of Technology and Finance

The fusion of finance with cutting-edge technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain is crafting a new frontier in corporate finance. This synergy is not just enhancing existing processes but is paving the way for entirely new models of financial interaction and services. AI's deep learning and predictive analytics capabilities are revolutionizing risk assessment, fraud detection, and customer service. IoT's network of interconnected devices provides real-time data that can improve decision-making and operational efficiency. Meanwhile, blockchain technology is redefining trust and transparency, enabling secure, instant transactions and contracts that are revolutionizing everything from payments to supply chain verification.

For entrepreneurs, these trends represent a fertile ground for innovation. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements, they can uncover novel opportunities to disrupt traditional finance models, offering more efficient, secure, and customer-centric solutions. The key to success lies in not just adopting these technologies but in creatively integrating them to solve complex financial challenges in novel ways.

Building Disruptive Ventures in Corporate Finance

Aspiring entrepreneurs eyeing the corporate finance sector should start by pinpointing market gaps and underserved needs. The objective is to leverage technological advancements not as an end but as a means to crafting innovative solutions that address real-world problems. This involves looking beyond the surface to understand the pain points of businesses and consumers alike, then imagining how the smart application of technology can alleviate these issues. Whether it's enhancing access to capital through DeFi platforms, streamlining cross-border transactions with blockchain, or utilizing AI for more personalized financial advice, the opportunities are boundless.

The path to building a disruptive venture in corporate finance is marked by a willingness to experiment and iterate. Entrepreneurs must be prepared to test their hypotheses, learn quickly from feedback, and refine their solutions. In doing so, they can develop offerings that not only challenge the status quo but also set new standards for efficiency, security, and inclusivity in finance.

Conclusion: A Call to Action for Disruptive Mavericks

The landscape of corporate finance is ripe for disruption, beckoning entrepreneurs with the vision and courage to redefine it. Embracing agile decision-making, nurturing a culture of innovation, and leveraging the symbiotic potential of technology and finance are fundamental to crafting ventures that can withstand and thrive amidst the waves of change. The mavericks ready to embark on this journey must not only foresee the future of finance but also have the resolve to build it. By challenging conventional norms and harnessing technology for sustainable and innovative solutions, they can pave the way for a new era in finance—one marked by greater efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.

#Corporate Finance #jeffrey hammel

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