#Engineered Wood Siding Manufacturers

[scoonsalicious]

6.2 Lily

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader

Summary: Lily McIntyre, trainer for new SHIELD recruits at the Avengers Tower, has been in love with her best friend, Bucky Barnes, from the moment she met him. She's been content with her role of the #1 girl in Bucky's life, even if it means she has to sabotage a romantic relationship or two. It'll be worth it when he realizes that they're meant for each other, right? There's just one small problem: Lily McIntire never expected Bucky Barnes to fall for You.

Warnings: (For this part only; see Story Masterlist for general Warnings) Language, toxic plants being manipulative and toxic.

Word Count: Bucky done fucked up.

Previously On...: 2.5k

A/N: Please note: I will be taking a one week break from posting starting on Thursday, May 16th, to focus on writing. I will resume posting on Thursday, May 23rd.

If you ever feel so inclined to support my work, hop on over to buy me a coffee; it's much appreciated! <3

NOTE! The tag list is a fickle bitch, so I'm not really going to be dealing with it anymore. If you want to be notified when new story parts drop, please follow @scoonsaliciousupdates

Thank you to all those who have been reading; if you like what you've read, likes, comments, and reblogs give me life, and I truly appreciate them, and you!

He was on his way! 

After disconnecting from her call with Bucky, Lily bent down to her front driver’s side tire and, using her car key, pried out the nail she’d run over to ensure it would go flat while she ran the trail. Walking to the edge of the parking lot, she hurled the nail into the woods, getting rid of any evidence that she’d manufactured the current predicament she “accidentally” found herself in.

It didn’t matter if Bucky hadn’t come home from his date last night. Hadn’t told her that he’d even been on a date to begin with. What mattered was that, when Lily had called, Bucky had left the bitch behind and had come running. To her.

And that meant something. 

Right?

Bucky could go out with some slut if he wanted to, but when Lily had needed him, Bucky had dropped everything to be there for her, and that knowledge made Lily’s insides glow with warmth. She was still his number one girl; she shouldn’t have let herself get worked up over one date that probably didn’t mean anything. Bucky had dated before, and Lily had made sure none of them stuck around for very long. This time wouldn’t be any different.

So, Lily waited. She checked her email, she played some games on her phone, she listened to a podcast. Finally, a little over an hour after she’d hung up with Bucky, she saw one of Tony’s sportscars speed into the parking lot and make its way to the trailhead.

Her heart sank at the thought of Bucky sending Tony Stark to help her in his stead, so it was quite a shock to her system when the car pulled up next to hers, turned its engine off, and Bucky himself stepped out. He wasn’t wearing his usual tshirt and jeans, no– he was wearing a rumpled burgundy button-up, sleeves rolled up to the elbows and the first couple of buttons left undone at his neck, and a pair of fitted, black trousers. 

Lily swallowed. His hair was a mess, but she could imagine how put together he must have looked the night before, and that made her stomach twist. He’d made an effort. He’d made a real, genuine effort to dress up for this date that he lied to her about.

“Hey, Lil,” he said, once she got out of her car to meet him. He smiled, but she’d known him long enough to be able to tell when his smiles weren’t genuine, and this one didn’t reach his eyes.

“Hey, Jamie,” she said, offering him a fake smile  of her own to hide her distress. “Thank you so much for coming out. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” 

“I’m sure Steve or Sam or anyone from the Compound would have been more than willing to help you out, Lil,” Bucky said as he walked to the back of her car. “Could you pop the trunk for me so I can get your jack and the spare?”

Lily bent her head back inside to unlock the trunk, rolling her eyes as she did so. If she’d wanted someone else to change her tire, she’d have just done it herself. Or, you know, not popped her own tire to begin with. But that was beside the point.

She walked around to the back of the car so she could help Bucky move things around in her trunk to get to her spare. “You’re dressed awfully fancy for a Sunday morning,” she said, watching him out of the side of her eye. “You find God and suddenly decide to start going to church?”

Bucky chuckled. “Something like that,” he said. Lily stole a glance in his direction and caught him smiling softly to himself as he pulled her spare out from the trunk with his vibranium hand. Taking her car jack in the other, he moved around to the driver’s side and began loosening the lug nuts with his left hand. Lily shivered when she considered how strong he was, how much power that one hand contained.

Once all the nuts were loosened, he slid the jack under the frame of the car and began raising it. He was annoyingly efficient at this, Lily thought, and she realized her window of time with him wasn’t as big as she had originally anticipated.

“So, where were you when I called this morning, really?” she asked, leaning up against the side of Tony’s car as she watched him work. She just wanted him to be honest with her. She didn’t think she could take it if he continued to lie.

Bucky stilled in his motions. “I… I, uh, had a date,” he said after a moment.

Lily paused, playing confused. “A date on a Sunday morning?” she asked him. “That’s a really weird—oh.” Bucky left the car suspended on the jack and turned to face her, hands shoved into his pockets, and the guilt in his eyes nearly palpable. 

Good, Lily thought. Let him be guilty, now that he realizes I know he lied to me. “I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone, Jamie,” she said, voice deliberately meek and soft. “Why didn’t you say something?”

Bucky sighed and leaned back against her car. “It’s new,” he said. “Like, really new.”

Good, she thought. This hasn’t been going on for a long time. There was still a good chance she could nip it in the bud before it grew into a real problem. “So, when you said you were out with Sam last night…” She left it hanging in the air. Let him be the one to say the word.

“I lied to you,” he said with a sigh. “I’m sorry.”

“Why, Jamie?” she asked him. “I didn’t think we lied to one another.” She thought about the hole she’d punched in her own tire. Well, she didn’t think he lied to her.

“We don’t, Lil,” he said. “I just… It seems like whenever I start seeing someone new, you just…” he paused to consider his words, and Lily started to get nervous. Did he know… did he suspect the things she’d done in the past to keep other girls away from him? He couldn’t. She’d been so careful… “You just form a lot of opinions on them, really quickly,” he said, and she released a breath. He didn’t know anything. She was safe. “I wanted to get to know this girl on my own, without any outside influences, before I decided to find out what everyone else thought about her.”

“I only tell you what I think because I care about you, Jamie,” Lily protested in her gentlest voice. She was going to have to walk a very delicate line here, between stressing her point and sounding sympathetic. “I’m just trying to look out for you, that’s all.”

“I know,” he said with a sigh. “I know you are, and I do appreciate it, but… I want to be able to figure out how I feel about this one before I start soliciting opinions about her from everyone else. Does that make sense?”

It did. Fuck, it did. Usually, Bucky was so eager to talk about the new girls he was dating, to introduce him to his best friends and find out what they thought about her, to get their opinions. If he was reticent this time, it could only mean one, horrible thing:

“You really like this girl, don’t you, Jamie?” Lily asked, trying so hard to keep her voice light, when inside, she felt like she was dying.

Bucky looked up at her. “Yeah, Lil,” he said, his dazzling white smile beaming at her and making her heart stop. “I really do.”

“That’s great,” Lily choked out. She turned back to the trunk of her car, pretending to busy herself with its contents so she didn’t have to look at him. “That’s really great.”

She heard Bucky move around and start working on the tire again. “Not really,” he said, his voice sounding dejected. Lily moved her head around from the back of the trunk to look at him. 

“What do you mean?” she asked, a spark of hope coming to life in her chest. 

Bucky let out a long sigh. “I think I might have blown it with her,” he said as he worked to take the flat tire off of her car. 

“Oh no,” Lily said, trying to keep the smile out of her voice. Maybe she wouldn’t have to do anything, afterall. Maybe Bucky had managed to fuck it up on his own. “What happened?”

Bucky was silent for a moment as he replaced the tire with ease. “I don’t really want to talk about it,” he said eventually. “Let’s just say that we left things very… ambiguously. I asked her if I could call her later, she didn’t really give me an answer either way. Just kind of shrugged. If she wanted me to call her, she would have just said so, right?”

Lily felt her stomach do a happy flip, but she put on a fake pout. “Oh, Jamie,” she said, fake sympathy oozing over her words, “please don’t tell me she’s playing mind games like that with you already! If a girl wants you to call her, she’ll tell you to call her, not play hard to get.”

“It wasn’t like that,” Bucky said defensively as he began re-tightening the lugnuts on the tire. “I just… I did something she didn’t like, is all. And she’s probably rightly pissed about it.”

Lily walked around the car to stand next to him as he finished up. “I don’t think I like this, Jamie,” she said cautiously. “You’ve barely started dating this girl, and already she thinks she can dictate your actions? That doesn’t seem healthy to me, at all.”

Bucky stood, running a hand across his face. “Nah, Lil– you’re… you’re getting it twisted. I made a mistake. I know I did, and she’s got every right to be mad at me about it. I need to talk to her, to sort it out.” Lily was losing ground; thankfully, she’d come prepared.

“Listen, Jamie,” she said, abruptly changing the topic in the hopes of getting his mind off this mysterious skank, “I was planning on having lunch up here today, since it’s so gorgeous out. I probably overdid it when I packed my food. Do you want to join me?”

Bucky heaved a sigh and looked like he was about to decline.

“Consider it my way of saying ‘thank you’ for you coming all the way out here to rescue me,” she added, knowing that she was laying it on thick, but not wanting him to walk away. “Come on, we’ll make a picnic of it. It’ll be fun!”

“Yeah, alright,” Bucky said, letting a smile cross his face. “I could eat.”

Bucky Barnes always did have a soft spot for a damsel in distress. With a grin, Lily opened the backseat of her car and pulled out the cooler she’d preemptively packed in the hope that just such an opportunity would arise. Lily was nothing if not prepared. 

Bucky reached for it. “Here, let me,” he said, taking it from her. Lily smiled to herself as she reached back into the car to pull out the picnic blanket she’d packed. 

“Such a gentleman,” she said as she closed the car door and led Bucky down one of the trails. It was a gorgeous late-summer day, and Lily could almost convince herself they were on a real date together. Almost. God, what she wouldn’t give for this to be the real thing. 

After they’d walked for about fifteen minutes, Lily veered left off of the trail and into the woods. “You bringing me back here to kill me?” Bucky asked in a playful tone as he followed her with the cooler.

“Yup,” Lily teased right back. “I definitely have faith in my ability to take out a super soldier on my own.” Her heart swelled when she was rewarded with an amused chuckle from Bucky. 

Soon, they reached her destination: a cozy clearing that sat along the bank of a creek that ran through the park, with a small waterfall that fed a crystal clear pool below.

“This is nice,” Bucky said, coming up behind Lily as she fanned out the blanket. “How’d you find this spot?”

Lily sat down and reached to take the cooler from Bucky, beckoning him to join her. “I was scouting some potential off-trail runs for the recruits and just kind of stumbled upon it,” she told him. She opened up the cooler and began taking out the food she’d brought– all of Bucky’s favorites.

Bucky nodded, then looked at the spread with wide eyes. “You packed all of this for yourself, Lil?”

Lily felt a slight blush creep up her cheeks– she had not, in fact, packed it all for herself, but specifically in the hope that he would end up joining her, though he could never know that. “I guess I just overestimated how hungry I’d be after my run,” she told him as she handed him a bottle of water. “Thanks for joining me so that all this food doesn’t go to waste.”

“No problem,” he said as he began to tear into the food she’d brought. “Thanks for getting a flat tire, I guess,” he added with a laugh.

They ate amicably, making small talk about their upcoming plans for the week, and how Lily’s latest batch of recruits looked. Lily was itching to ask Bucky more about his mystery date, to find out who she was, if she was someone Lily knew; but she didn’t want to bring it up– the less Bucky talked about her, the more likely he was to just forget about her all together, right? Especially if he’d done something to piss her off. Better to keep him distracted so that the window of opportunity for any reconciliation closed without him noticing it.

Soon, the food was gone, the sun high in the sky. Lily and Bucky both lay back on the picnic blanket, staring lazily up into the blue sky. “We should do something today,” Lily suggested, trying not to sound too eager.

Bucky chuckled. “Aren’t we doing something now, Lil?” he asked.

She playfully shoved his shoulder. “Later, I mean. Like, we’re having a good time; we should continue it. Go somewhere nice for dinner, do something after, like go to a club or see a show or something. Make a whole ‘friend-date’ night out of it!” Anything, she thought to herself. I’ll do anything, as long as I’m doing it with you. And who knew what could happen in the right romantic setting?

“Yeah, that sounds like it could be fun,” Bucky mused. “Sure.”

“Really?” Lily couldn’t believe her luck. “Leave all the planning to me, then!” She’d make sure she got a table at the most romantic restaurant she could find, and get them tickets to something steamy that would put Bucky in the right mood… She knew just what dress to wear, to show just enough skin to be tantalizing…

Yes, tonight, things were going to change. Lily could feel it.

<- Previous Part / Next Part ->

[beefromanoff]

Project Mockingbird Ch. 2

summary: they arrive at the compound, where some are eager to meet the new girl and others...not so much.

pairing: Bucky Barnes x OC

author's note: this got so much more traction than I was expecting with the prologue and chapter one, I tried to get this one up quicker to keep it going! thank you so much for reading, xoxo

chapter list

_________________________________________________________

It turns out that flying on a jet was a hell of a lot faster, and smoother, than flying commercial. Or as a stowaway on a cargo plan. Neither of which Charlotte enjoyed, but sometimes you just have to make do. It was around 7:30am when the jet touched down on a long airstrip in the middle of a vast forest. 

Both women had dozed off during the flight, the pancakes and alcohol lulling them to sleep with the hum of the engine making it nearly impossible to resist. They taxied through down the runway under the cover of the woods before entering a clearing. There was a massive hangar open before them, several different types of aircraft visible through the open garage door. This seemed to be the most corporate of the fleet, with the rest ranging from tactical to full blown heavy artillery. 

Charlotte sat up in her seat, peering out the window. The nerves were hitting her for the first time. She saw a handful of uniformed men and women working in the hangar, performing maintenance on the aircrafts. 

“Good morning sunshine,” Natasha smiled, still tucked under a blanket. 

“Morning.” 

“Welcome home.” 

When the ramp opened, an eager uniformed man scampered into the cabin. “Agent Romanoff.” He saluted, waiting for her to nod before he continued. “How was the flight? Can I take your bags?” 

“Don’t know, I slept through most of it.” She gestured to the duffel bag and small suitcase Charlotte had retrieved from the hotel before they left. “You can help Ms. Rossi with her bags.” 

Giving a tight-lipped smile, Charlotte followed Natasha down the steps. Unabashedly holding her heels by the straps, Nat strode across the concrete floor to a set of sleek looking doors. Doing her best to ignore the questioning glances, Charlotte kept her eyes straight ahead and followed the one person she knew into unfamiliar territory. 

The doors led to a hallway with elevators to their right. The noise coming from the end let her know the hallway opened up to a larger room, one that sounded like it was already bustling with activity. To her relief, Natasha hit a button on the elevator instead of continuing towards the noise. 

“I’ll show you to your room first. I figured you’d want to get settled in, get cleaned up.” 

“Thanks,” Charlotte nodded. “I think I have glitter in more places than I even knew existed. And I smell like tequila.” 

“There are worse things to smell like.” Natasha grinned as they stepped out into another lobby area. “This is the training side of the compound. The hangars, weapons manufacturing, shooting range, training facilities, it’s all over here. This is where the SHIELD agents work. It’s the more…populated side.” She gestured out the window at a dozen trainees jogging. “They don’t live here. The only ones that do are the ones on the team.” 

“You mean The Avengers?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow. 

“You could say that,” She gave a wry smile. “I prefer to say roommates.” 

They stepped out into the fresh air and Nat pointed out a black ATV. The breeze felt nice on her cheeks as they drove down a paved path across the grounds. The entire thing seemed to be completely secluded, as if it were dropped in the middle of the woods. Charlotte couldn’t even see the entrance to the place. They passed a few smaller buildings, which Natasha dubbed storage and “room to grow”; as well as a beautiful lake off to the left. Marveling at the fog spread across the water, she didn’t realize they’d made it to their destination. 

The building in front of them had a similar exterior to the last one they’d come from. It was gray, very modern looking, though smaller than the training side. This one seemed to be only three or four stories tall, but it extended out over the water with balconies jutting from the higher levels. 

“This is the residential building. Most of us stay here full time, but some of us have rooms at the Tower in New York City, too. You can come next time I go up there, if you want. It’s more peaceful here, though. Personal preference, I guess.” She opened the door for Charlotte to walk through. “First floor is a private training facility, second is storage and a theater room, third and fourth floors are rooms, and the fifth floor is a common area, kitchen, and a meeting room.”

They stepped into another elevator where Natasha punched the button for the fourth floor. “I put you on my floor. Just so you’d have a friendly face.” She paused. “Although, sometimes the team can be a little too friendly in their own right. I don’t see an issue with them warming up to you.” 

The doors slid open and they entered a small common area with doors on every side. Natasha led her to a door on the far wall and gestured for her to enter. “We can set up your keypad in a minute, everything here is print based. Some people had trouble keeping track of their keys.” She rolled her eyes, but Charlotte was too enamored with the room to notice. 

It was plain, just the bare bones of a room, but it was perfect. A big, king-sized bed bathed in sunlight from the window behind it. Large closet and an even bigger bathroom. She dropped her duffel bag on the floor and looked around. 

“You’re welcome to decorate or do whatever you want, it’s all yours.” Natasha smiled as she watched her take everything in. “Here, let’s set up your keypad so I can give you some space. I’ll leave my number, just let me know when you get bored or hungry or feel like socializing.” 

She closed the door behind her, leaving Charlotte to settle in. 

I think this will do. She thought as she sank into the plush bedding. 

__________________________________________________

“I just don’t understand why you didn’t tell me.” Bucky grunted as he slammed his fist into the punching bag. 

“I did tell you,” Steve protested before being interrupted. 

“No, you told me we found someone with potential HYDRA affiliation. You said the team was working on tracking her down and making contact.” Bucky stopped hitting the bag to snarl his words out. “What you didn’t say was ‘Hey buddy, there’s a chance we found someone kept in the same hellish lab as you and we’re trying to get her to come shack up with us. Oh, and she may or may not have been bred to kill you.’” 

Sighing, Steve sat on the bench next to the sparring ring. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I just didn’t know how to say it.” 

“You mean you didn’t know how I’d take it.” Fists slammed into the bag.

“Well,” He raised an eyebrow. “Is that such a stretch?”

“I think I’m handling it pretty well.” Bucky gave a forced smile as he stepped away from the punching bag, beginning to unwrap his right hand. 

“It was my idea to keep the details under wraps,” Nat’s voice echoed from across the training room as she walked toward them, wet hair darkening the collar of her sweatshirt. “I didn’t mean for it to seem like we were keeping things from you. There’s just so much we don’t know.” 

Bucky frowned. “Seems like there’s quite a bit you do know.” 

“I’ll tell you anything you want.” She smiled, always able to walk the line between cold sarcasm and genuine warmth. 

Natasha took a seat on the bench next to Steve, both of them watching Bucky as he threw the sweaty tape away. He stayed quiet for a moment, thinking. 

“What’s her name?” 

“Charlotte. Charlotte Rossi.” 

“Where’d you find her?”

“Most recently, the high stakes room at the Wynn.” Nat smirked. “Prior to that, I saw some patterns that caught my interest and dug a little further.” 

“I read the file.” Bucky’s face was stoic.

“Do you have any memory of her? Any recollection?” 

His brows knit together, thinking. “No. I don’t remember much from that…from those years. Fragments, maybe. If I saw her face it might, I don’t know, might bring something back.”

Steve watched his friend carefully, looking for any sign of distress. Bucky seemed calm, controlled, albeit a little strained.

“Where is she?”

“Upstairs.” 

Bucky nodded slowly. “She’s here…for good?” 

“To be determined. My offer wasn’t exactly for a week’s vacation.” Natasha stood, putting a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry I wasn’t up front with you on this. I promise not to go around you again.” 

“I get it.” He looked at Steve. “I know I don’t have the best track record for handling questionable information.” 

Grinning, Steve stood to join them. “What? You think throwing Sam out of a moving Quinjet because he told you he’d be leading point on the mission was an overreaction?” 

Bucky ran his tongue over his teeth, suppressing a smile. 

“No, totally reasonable.” Nat elbowed him. “Just like when he ripped the arm off of Tony’s last suit because he said Bucky’s arm was a ‘war relic’,”

“Alright, point made,” Bucky groaned, shrugging her hand off and walking towards the door.

_____________________________________

Charlotte: is it too late for breakfast? 

Natasha: I know I said there are no stupid questions…..but ;)

Charlotte: music to my ears

Natasha: meet me outside the first floor elevators in 5. 

Charlotte slipped her phone back in her pocket, grinning. Thank God superheroes have a sense of humor. Well, at least one does. She made a mental note to ask if FedEx delivered to the compound, as she was in dire need of an online shopping spree. The majority of her clothes were tailored to Vegas, where she’d taken up residence the past few weeks. With the way she drifted from place to place, it wasn’t uncommon for her to leave an entire wardrobe’s worth of clothes in a hotel closet when she left town. For this trip in particular, she’d brought a few of her absolute favorite dresses, three sets of heels, and two designer bags she’d treated herself to after a particularly lucrative poker win.

Unfortunately, not much of her attire lent itself to casual daytime wear. She had a pair of jeans and trusty white sneakers, and luckily a plain white tank top shoved deep into her suitcase. Unless there was some kind of Avengers’ gift shop on the premises, she’d be repeating this look pretty much daily. 

She made her way to the elevator and when the doors slid open on the first floor, Natasha stood waiting for her. A tall, clean cut blonde man stood next to her, who Charlotte recognized instantly. 

“Hi…” She stepped out cautiously as the duo grinned. 

“Charlotte, you remember Steve.” Nat seemed to be the most amused of all three of them. The man nodded, holding his hand out for her to shake. 

“We were never officially acquainted.” His handshake was firm but his eyes were kind. “Steve Rogers.” 

“Sorry about that,” She pursed her lips. “I thought you were coming after me for my lack of patriotism.” 

Steve chuckled. “From what I’ve heard, you tried to represent our country too. Maybe we’re not so different.” The sharp look Natasha shot him as he referenced her Team USA mishap didn’t go unnoticed. Charlotte didn’t seem to take offense, simply raising an eyebrow as she carefully considered her response. 

“I think I can stick a landing a little better than you.” Her face was blank, but her eyes crinkled at the corners ever so slightly, an almost-smile. 

“I don’t doubt it.” Steve smiled. “Welcome to the compound.” 

“Thanks.” Charlotte kept her eyes on him as he led the trio through the doors. 

Natasha fell into step beside her, showing her unspoken camaraderie. Years of undercover work had honed her ability to read body language and pick up on cues undetectable to anyone else. As she watched Charlotte over the past twenty-four hours, she noticed several things. She was calculated, but not cold. Her humor was dry and she kept a poker face throughout most of her interactions, hints of a smile showing through as she warmed up to someone. She was quick-witted, but seemed to think through her replies thoroughly as she decided if someone was trustworthy or not. A familiar tactic for someone who wasn’t sure who they could rely on. Her persona was confident, relaxed, assured. Her body told another story. 

When she stood, her posture was erect. Her weight was slightly shifted forward on her toes, like someone prepared to cut and run at any moment. She could stand still, facing the person in front of her, but her eyes would flick around to every detail happening around her. She presented herself like a predator, but her behavior was that of prey. 

It made sense. She was taken, put through horrors beyond comprehension at the hands of HYDRA. Prey. She was altered, trained, brainwashed to be an elite fighter, an assassin. Predator. But now? She was somewhere in between. Not quite a predator, not quite prey. 

As Natasha strode down the path towards the main building, she couldn’t help but feel like even Charlotte didn’t know which category she fell into. 

“This is the cafe,” Steve gestured when they walked into the largest building. Charlotte recognized it as another entrance to the same place they’d left earlier that morning. This was where all the noise was coming from. It was a large room, flooded with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. There were two dozen circular tables in the middle of the room, most of them empty. A few had small clusters of people in navy blue windbreakers or jackets, all emblazoned with the trademark “A” of the Avengers. There was a kitchen area to the right, a long countertop spanning part of the wall. “They serve three meals here every day, it’s all up for grabs. This is where all the agents and recruits eat while they’re here. We have a kitchen back in our building, but unless one of us feels like cooking, there’s not much more than dry cereal there.” 

They walked towards the kitchen, a few agents pausing as they walked through the room, looking at Charlotte over their clipboards and conversation. Natasha pulled open the door to a commercial sized refrigerator, revealing a massive selection of food. Everything from fresh fruit to Smucker’s PB&J sandwiches. Eyes wide, Charlotte glanced at Natasha. 

“Have at it,” She nodded, grabbing an apple and biting in. 

When they’d sufficiently raided the kitchen, Steve led them out another set of doors to a patio area. To the right, they could see the edge of the lake peeking around the treeline. To the left, there was an open field, the targets on the far end indicating a shooting range. Charlotte lowered her arms and let the barrage of snacks tumble onto the table. 

“I didn’t think superheroes ate junk food,” She raised an eyebrow, pulling open a bag of mini-donuts. 

“Superheroes don’t, Avengers do.” Nat winked and stole one from the packaging. “Plus, not all of the agents here are combat focused. There are plenty who work in the control room or in tech and engineering and don’t have to give a shit about being mobile.” 

“Well here’s to not being mobile.” She held her chocolate milk in the air and the three of them toasted, just in time for a dozen agents to jog by on the path out in front of them. 

Bucky stood on the path around the lake, hidden under the cover of long morning shadows. He watched as Steve raised his plastic chocolate milk into the air, appearing to cheers with the two women at the table. One was Natasha, the other he assumed was the new girl. Charlotte. 

She was around Natasha’s size, a little more overtly muscular. He could see her toned arms clearly thanks to the tank top she was wearing. They seemed relaxed, talking and laughing. He took a deep breath and looked down at his phone. 

Five Minutes Ago

Steve: Come meet us on the patio by the range. You can meet Charlotte. We’re showing her around. 

Sighing, Bucky shot back a reply before shoving his phone into his pocket. 

Bucky: Sorry - told Sam I’d help him with something. Next time. 

He turned and resumed his run around the lake, going the opposite direction of the compound. Steve glanced up from his phone, brow furrowed, just in time to see black hair disappearing around the treeline.

[pcttrailsidereader]

AI Reaches Trail . . . Has Big Tech Gone Too Far

By Adam Roy, Backpacker Magazine

Google has figured out that I like to hike. I’m not sure what tipped it off—could it be the roughly 40 hours per workweek I spend editing and fact-checking stories about hiking, or maybe the nights and weekends I pass searching for trailheads and obsessively checking and rechecking the weather forecast. Whatever the reason, whenever I log on I get served up a stream of gear promotions and tourism spots for outdoor destinations. But about a week ago, I saw an ad for Google’s Pixel 8 smartphone and its onboard Gemini artificial intelligence that stopped me in my tracks.

The ad goes like this: A dad is trying to set up a tent in a campsite. The dad is floundering, tangled up in guylines and collapsing nylon, when he turns around and notices his son has stopped collecting firewood and is watching him with dismay, probably thinking about how much better his stepdad is at camping. Then the dad pulls out his phone, snaps a picture of the tent, and feeds it into Gemini, which returns a numbered list of instructions for him. Smash cut to the now-content kid and father enjoying their perfectly-pitched shelter.

My first reaction to the ad: I’ve been there. Whether by neglecting hot spots until they bloomed into blisters, leaving a vent open in a snowstorm, or spending an hour struggling to coax a flame out of a pile of damp wood, I know what it’s like to struggle on a camping or backpacking trip in front of other people. The desire to avoid that struggle and the embarrassment that comes with it is a pretty powerful motivator.

My second thought: This is going to get someone into so, so much trouble.

Google and other Big Tech AI firms like OpenAI, Meta, and X want to see their technology everywhere. Using it to filter restaurant results is one thing, but pushing artificial intelligence as a substitute for basic outdoor skills comes with real risks. Let’s start with the fact that Google’s AI arguably still isn’t up to the task of keeping people safe in the outdoors: We’re barely a month out from Gemini telling searchers to eat glue and cook spaghetti in gasoline. Although those errors didn’t do any damage besides embarrassing a handful of highly paid software engineers, it’s not hard to imagine AI trained on the unfiltered whole of the internet telling a new camper it’s safe to run a propane heater inside their tent or eat a poisonous mushroom.

(That’s assuming, of course, that the AI is even capable of giving actionable information: Zoom in on the simulated advice Gemini offers in the commercial and you’ll notice that step 4 is “Assemble the tent poles according to the manufacturer’s instructions.” Apparently Google Dad, like so many dads before him, just needed someone to remind him to read the manual.)

You Still Have To Use Your Brain

Yes, ideally AI users would be cautious consumers, sniffing out bad or obviously dangerous information before acting on it. But we already have real-life examples of people over-relying on much less intrusive technology with disastrous results. Take another popular Google product, Google Maps, for example. There were the hikers who needed rescue after following an imaginary trail in Maps up the side of a mountain in British Columbia, and the German tourists who had to trek two days through the Australian bush after a similar error stranded them and their car on a remote dirt track. The company is currently fighting a lawsuit from the family of a man who followed its GPS directions off of a collapsed bridge.

In Colorado, tow companies make a killing every year dragging stranded motorists off of mountain 4×4 tracks after app-assisted “shortcuts.” The plug-and-play, let-us-think-for-you, don’t-bother-checking-the-sources tone of Google and other corporations’ marketing of their artificial intelligence only makes incidents like these more likely.

My bigger objections to AI-directed camping, though, may be philosophical. Whether you learn from a friend or an expert online, there’s something wonderful about becoming competent in the outdoors. It’s a long, awkward, and sometimes uncomfortable process. But it’s joyful too, fostering self-confidence and a deeper sense of connection with your environment. Mediating that through a robot assistant strikes me as a quick way to dilute that, ensuring that you neither learn any real outdoor skills nor unplug in any meaningful way.

Other tech firms’ AI-powered takes on the outdoors are equally baffling. An ad released by Meta last month starts with one friend in a group chat enticing the others to camp by sharing an AI-generated image of someone cowboy camping next to an unattended campfire, a fully set-up tent with only a lantern inside of it, and, inexplicably, a folding table with what looks like either several copper pots or maybe a moonshiner’s still on it. Setting aside the safety issues, I can’t help but wonder what kind of person finds more inspiration to get outside in a fake-ass AI-generated image than in the hundreds of thousands of real outdoor photos plastered across the internet.

We Can Still Embrace Technology

I’m not a Luddite. I plan every trip I take on Gaia, Outside’s mapping app, and I listen to podcasts on long solo hikes. Backpacker and Outside’s other titles feature Scout, an AI search engine we trained on our own work in order to help readers more easily find the human-written information they’re looking for; we’ve even experimented with letting Scout choose a hike for us. I also recognize I’m not unbiased: My fellow Backpacker editors, writers, and I make our living creating carefully researched guides and stories for people who love the outdoors. Seeing Google redigest those into AI pablum just so it can make ad money off the backs of the real-life hikers doing the real-life work is frustrating.

Ultimately, the outdoors should be for everyone, and how you choose to get outside is up to you. If that means asking Google or Meta’s AI to walk you through it, so be it. But think about what you want to get out of your time in the woods: There are some things in life that are better without Big Tech breathing down your neck. If you want to polish your outdoor skills, there’s a whole constellation of people who will help you without harvesting all of your personal data, from your more experienced friends to local trail clubs to, yes, even the human experts here at Backpacker. And if you’re ever struggling to set up your tent, a free tip: Start by reading the instructions, and practice before your kid is watching.

[warmglowofsurvival]

Twenty One Pilots’ Josh Dun Builds His Dream Studio, Part 2

Drums rule inside the Boom Boom Room, the new home facility of Twenty One Pilots drummer Josh Dun and his wife, voice artist Debby Ryan.

By: Steve Harvey

Ever since its 2015 breakthrough album Blurryface, Twenty One Pilots has been flying high with a string of platinum-selling albums and worldwide arena tours. There’s no knowing when the creative urge will strike, however, so both drummer Josh Dun and lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Joseph have home studios. Don’t pass up Part 1, which explores how Dun worked with Charlie Griffey of Griffey Remodeling, Josh Dun, TJ Bechill of NEAT Audio, and Gavin Haverstick of Haverstick Designs to create his ideal home facility, The Boom Boom Room; now let’s dive into how he puts the studio to good use.

SETTING UP TO RECORD

“Tyler and Josh don’t work with engineers; they work by themselves,” Bechill observes, noting that during his technical design process, he likes to understand an artist’s workflow and what tools they need. “I always build around the concept of the artist being able to walk into a room and ‘put pen to paper’ as quickly as possible.”

Bechill quizzed Dun about the favorite drum tones he had recorded in his favorite rooms before deciding what gear to load into the control room’s Dangerfox desk. “A lot of them featured vintage Neve consoles,” he recalls. “Josh has API and Audient pre’s in his studio in California, and he said, ‘I want transparency, but I also love the vintage vibe of a Neve console and the glue that you get from the transformers.’”

The desk’s lefthand bay houses two Rupert Neve Designs 500 Series racks holding 14 of the manufacturer’s 511 mic pre modules, with variable Silk control. “The Coles 4038 overhead mics go into a pair of 517 preamps, into 1176s and then into the converters,” he adds.

Mike Picotte, senior sales engineer, artist relations at Sweetwater, also consulted on gear choices, then tuned the control room with Smaart and optimized the DSP on the room’s PMC 6-2 main monitors. “PMC checked all the boxes and has been an incredible system,” Bechill says. “We don’t really mix in there, but we wanted an accurate reference. You can do multiple EQ settings, so we created two zones—one for the mix position and a second for the couch, if friends come in to listen to music.”

Picotte also dialed in the drum sounds. “After 15 minutes, Mike leans back and says, ‘Well, there you go,’” Bechill recalls. “There’s no processing on the tracks; it’s just a great room, great microphones, and solid preamps and conversion, so we saved it as a template. We’ve got a Furman sequencer, so now Josh walks in, turns one key and the whole studio turns on. Within seconds, he can press Record and sit down and play.”

Sweetwater sales engineer Patrick Cobley supplied much of the equipment and, with NEAT sales engineer John Krempel, helped assemble the control room during the two-day installation. Ryan’s brother, Chase, who works on the video side, designed the audio patchbay. “I love having a normalized patchbay where I don’t have to use cables if I don’t need to,” Bechill comments.

Speaking of patching, Bechill installed a dedicated Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel for Ryan’s voice work so that she didn’t have to disturb Dun’s signal flow. “She’s an absolute professional, but I wanted a channel strip so we could give her dynamic control in case she got too animated or too close to the mic. I really like the FET-style compressor in the Shelford, and I’ve always loved 1073-esque tones.”

Haverstick included a small vocal booth in the studio layout, which doubles as an amp closet for visiting guitarists, but Ryan can also take a shotgun or a lav mic into the live room: “She can do ADR in that room if her producers don’t want a completely sterile vocal booth environment.”

TRACKING DRUMS

The tracking space, a room-within-a-room design, looks out onto the woods surrounding the house and features a floating floor. Although Dun has tracked in big rooms like EastWest in Hollywood, Haverstick says, “He wanted a controlled but not too dead-sounding live room, because Twenty One Pilots do get more of a controlled sound on their drums.”

And what about those drums? Dun wanted something special for his home studio setup, so Mike Ciprari, owner of SJC Custom Drums, his longtime supplier, ran with Dun’s treehouse concept (he proposed to Ryan in a treehouse in New Zealand). The all-wood kit, with moss and leafy accents, uniquely features a completely wooden front head on the kick drum. “No joke, it actually sounds pretty solid; I was shocked,” Bechill laughs.

Bechill’s idea was to mike the drums using just two or three stands, making the most of the design flexibility and weight capacity of Triad-Orbit’s products. An Audix D6 and a Solomon Mics LoFReQ hang off one stand, he reports, with multiple Sennheiser MD 421 tom mics hanging off another. “If you were to try to do that with any other stand, it would just tip over,” he comments. “I spent $1,500 on three mic stands, but we had committed so heavily to an aesthetic that I wanted them.” The Coles overhead mics are supported by two ceiling-mounted boom arms.

During construction, after Dun mused about what his drums might sound like in the 20-foot-high sunroom, Bechill had Griffey install a four-inch conduit so that he could run a Whirlwind 24-channel snake to a stagebox upstairs. “John [Kremple] did all the wiring with me, and it took us four hours just to get the W2 mass connect from the second floor down to the studio. I don’t know if Josh will ever actually track up there, and, if he does, if it’ll ever be used—but for some reason, in the moment, it felt like the most important thing,” he chuckles. “After that, everything else was easy.”

It seems likely that Twenty One Pilots fans will hear the results of all that hard work soon enough. Previously, while Joseph could work in his own studios, Dun had to go to a commercial room to track his drums. Now, Bechill says, “Between this studio and Tyler’s two studios, we can track and mix in these rooms—although I believe they’ll still send their sessions out to be mixed—because we have the proper environments.”

[rosielovemore]

Broom Manufacturing

Ugh, I’m getting a little bored talking only about the school, don’t me wrong the school isn’t boring but I’m running out of steam. So, to take a break, here’s my notes when I went down a rabbit hole on broom racing.

🔮 Broom Base: Personalities and Customization 🔮

Just like wands, the base of a broom carries its own unique personality. From wood to stone, metal to porcelain, and even masonry, brooms come in various materials, each influencing their character. Handles may be customized with cloth or rubber wrappings for a sturdy grip, while shapes and grips can be tailored to your liking. The broom base sets the stage for its dramatic or sensitive temperament, akin to the engines of cars. Plus, a varnished finish protects them from moisture damage and keeps them in top shape.

⚙️ Broom Metalwork: Durability and Endurance ⚙️

The metalwork of a broom determines its sturdiness and endurance. Racing brooms are crafted with the strongest and lightest metals available, ensuring optimal performance. Unlike wands, metalwork doesn't affect a broom's personality but enhances its ability to withstand rigorous flying conditions.

🧹 Broom Bristles: Aerodynamancy and Personality 🧹

The bristles of a broom play a crucial role in its aerodynamic properties and personality. Different materials and textures contribute to the broom's character. For instance, wheat stalks may result in a stubborn broom, while unicorn tail hair produces a more agreeable companion. The cut of the bristles influences top speed, making it a key factor in broom selection.

🔧 Broom Modifications: Runes and Special Add-ons 🔧

Broom modifications often involve intricately carved runes and special add-ons. Runes enhance existing charms and enchantments, while add-ons serve both functional and decorative purposes. Professional wizards meticulously carve these runes to optimize broom performance, similar to the inner mechanics of a car. These additions contribute to the uniqueness and personalized touch of each broom.

💫 Broom Ornaments: Beauty and Functionality 💫

While racing brooms tend to steer clear of excessive ornamentation, there is a community of broom enthusiasts who enjoy highly decorated and fast brooms. However, these decorative models are discouraged in official broom racing. An exception lies with the unofficial and thrilling Breeze races, where highly decorated, fast brooms compete. These races embody the spirit of Fizzle street races—unofficial, dangerous, and often illegal, especially in Fizzle areas.

🌟 Broom Enchantments: Enhancing the Ride 🌟

Broomsticks are adorned with enchantments that enhance the riding and flying experience. Initially, simple spells such as invisible seats were common, but over time, enchantments evolved into more complex forms. Imagine temporary speed boosts or convenient arrival at your side with a mere call. Different broom models even have unique charms exclusive to their design, adding an extra touch of magic to the experience.

Brooms

The "Witch's Broom" was made so that people of the wizarding world could easily fly through the sky, almost unseen, and get to their destinations in a timely manner. However, due to the past, the Witch’s broom is very often associated with wixcraft in the unmagical world. However, this has not stopped the broom companies from continuing to make more and try to outdo each other. In order to control the broom flying through the sky and draw out its maximum flight ability, control of the rider's balance was of utmost importance. In more modern times, the broom is treated more as the wizarding version of a race car than say a bicycle.

Brooms are similiar to cars in the fizzle world, because they can be dangerous when crashed, require a license to fly (which can be gotten through the school elective flying), but are very fun and freeing to fly. There are even brooms made specifically for racing.

So without further ado, here are some of my favorite broom models. And why:

🌾 Meadow Breeze 🌾

The Meadow Breeze was a broomstick designed for family use. It was simply safe and reliable. It came with a built-in theft alarm and an optional extending cushioning charm for multiple passengers.

Their bristles tend to be soft for safety and the handles are very well smoothed. These are the slowest brooms on the market, however they are beloved by all families.

🐞 June Bug 🐞

These were in the days of the cottage industry. The broom had a thick handle and sturdy metal work which was designed for endurance. Meant to withstand high wind conditions.

It has a soft rounded shape to its handle which makes it highly attractive for witches, but rather slow. It is comparable to a vintage VW Beetle in top acceleration.

These are mostly owned by vintage collectors or witches of all ages who like to decorate it with flowers and generally cutesy accessories.

🌠 Wishing Star 🌠

The first racing broom, it cornered and dove like no other broom in existence at the time.

Many of these are considered vintage racing brooms and can often be seen in windows of restoration shops, looking good as almost new.

☁️ Sky Dancer ☁️

The Sky Dancer broom was equipped with an anti-meddling varnish and a built-in wobble ward charm. It could accelerate from zero to sixty miles per hour in 6-7 seconds.

These are also out of style as racing brooms, however they are kept on the market and were rebranded to luxury brooms, fitted with a more plush cushioning charm.

🎀 Show Stopper 🎀

It was the first broom to incorporate a Braking Charm, which would mean riders would be less likely to overshoot their destinations.

These were highly decorated luxury brooms. As the name implies they were for the rich to show off their wealth and often came with various cosmetic charms as opposed to speed ones.

🍃 Swept Away 🍃

It can do zero to sixty miles per hour in 7 seconds, with a decent tailwind. Otherwise it’s closer to 10 seconds.

These have a spiraled broom handle as well as an attractive curled bristle shape, which flattens out to catch the wind when it’s in a tailwind allowing for the extra speed boost.

🌪️ Storm Chaser 🌪️

The perfect middle ground broom. It has a zero to sixty of 4-5 seconds, making it fast but not too fast.

It comes with a storm trail charm that is semi-customizable. The customer can choose from rain, lightning, snow, or fog as a trail for their broom.

✨ Fairy Catcher ✨

The direct competitor to the storm chaser. It can sometimes outspeed them but they are generally a competitive match.

This comes with a semi-customizable trail charm as well as a softer cushioning charm. The trail options are petals, colorful leaves, butterflies, or snowflakes.

⚡ Alacris Airforce ⚡

Named after the fastest breed of pegasus, this broom is the casual racer’s best friend as it can hit zero to sixty in 2.5 on a windy day to 3.5 seconds. Making it not the fastest but not the slowest.

This broom comes with a holographic hovering charm that displays the broom company's logo when it’s close enough to the ground or a cloud to do so.

🌈 Spectrum Charger 🌈

The best competitor to the Alacris Airforce. It reaches a zero to sixty in about that same time, however this broom has a thicker and squared handle making it more durable.

This broom comes with a nightlight charm. Which isn’t as useful as it sounds because it simply shines the magical equivalent of decorative rgb lighting through the bristles and length of the broom.

🌟 Stargazer 🌟

Designed with a slim handle and the ability to fly higher than any other broom and still remain controllable.

These were often decorated with stars and moons. They weren’t the fastest but within a tailwind they could almost catch up to a Spectrum Charger, almost.

🌙 Moonjumper 🌙

The Moonjumper was capable of going from zero to sixty miles per hour in 2 seconds. This broomstick also boasted an unbeatable braking charm and could fly itself to its owner when they said the magic word.

It also was varnished to not resist going through clouds as much as the moisture could often slow down the broom if it’s wood.

☀️ Sunny Rise ☀️

At the time of its release, it was the fastest broomstick in production. It easily hit zero to sixty in 1.7 seconds, being barely above the Sunset Fall.

This broom was varnished in a color changing effect that mimics the rise of the sun in the morning. It also comes with an optional ‘lucky charm’ decoration.

🌅 Sunset Fall 🌅

The Sunset Fall was a revolutionary design, capable of higher top speeds and the ability to turn 360 degrees in mid-air on a fixed spot.

The handle was varnished in a subtle color changing effect that mimics the fall of the sunset. It was also enchanted with an anti-rollover charm that helped the rider not fall off as easily when spinning or doing tricks.

💨 Aeromancer’s Magic 💨

It has the most aerodynamic bristle shape of all racing brooms on the market. The broom itself boasted a zero to sixty in 1.5 seconds flat.

Each broom is made by hand by a large team of wizards, instead of by runic automation that mass produces them at a faster pace.

It also comes in a luxury option that is slower, having a zero to sixty of 3.2 seconds, but can be highly customized for personal luxury.

🌌 Upwind Breeze 🌌

The broom itself boasts a zero to sixty in 1.3 seconds flat. The fastest broom on the market.

It actually takes inspiration from the Meadow Breeze model but makes it much more sleek and modern.

It comes equipped with the first ever nitrous-like charm, which briefly strongly boosts its speed when the magic word is said and leaves a thin solid trail of clouds in the sky. This must be used sparingly to avoid over charging the broom.

💎 Diamondback 💎

The Diamondback was found to warp and wobble at its top speeds. It also included several gimmicks and cosmetics, including an inbuilt broom call (which is like a car horn) and a sparkler charm (which caused a trail of sparkles to be left in the trail of the broom), and gained a reputation as a broom flown by those with more money than sense.

It boasted the most luxurious plush cushioning charm as well as diamond studded bristles and 24 karat gold metalworking. Which, is true but makes the broom way overpriced for the other features it advertises and does not meet.

[chocoblep]

#3: Funny Ideas

A diminutive Raen man stood at a drafting desk, mulling over his latest design. He wasn’t quite sure that it would work, but by the Kami, he wanted to try it. Who knew; if this took off, people everywhere could be spending less time scrubbing at dirty walls and stone paths! The design called for a machine that strapped over one’s shoulder and employed a water crystal to pump out enough water at a time to pressurize it through a nozzle. No more tossing buckets of water on the side of a muddy carriage and watching in disappointment as it did almost nothing! No more back-breaking stunts to reach high spots on a wall!

That was Jin’s problem, of course, but he imagined many other vertically challenged people felt the same way that he did when he had to do his bi-yearly scrub down.

Anyway, no more wasting soap, and no more having to make multiple trips to a water pump to renew the source of clean water! And just the other day, he’d met a nice Vieran gentleman who had pointed him to an engineer who might be able to help Jin suss out the pitfalls and concerns about the design. Was it going to work? Was manufacturing feasible? He wouldn’t sell a product that he wouldn’t be able to use himself, so he’d gotten in contact with the engineer in question and invited them over to take a look at it with the promise of compensation for their time.

He was not prepared for the red-headed, long-eared ball of Vieran sunshine that walked through the door. She looked so young that at first he thought she was the wrong person, but when she grinned at him and gave him a wave, he had to admit that maybe he’d made a mistake in entertaining that random Viera’s recommendation.

“Hi! I’m Lydi!” she chirped, striding up to where he stood in his shed. “You are Mister Akiyama?”

Ah, the Western introduction. He put on a smile and wiped the charcoal that had stained the heel of his hand on his trousers before holding it out for her to shake. “That I am! Are you the engineer I am expecting?”

“The very same!” she replied enthusiastically, all but wrenching his arm as she gripped and shook it like a dog thrashing its head vertically with a chew toy. “I was told that you had a design for a new invention and wanted a second opinion.”

“You were told correctly,” he replied, and then flexed his fingers when she let his hand go. “I am working on something I am going to call… well, I’m still working on the name, but it’s a machine that you can carry around and use to wash things using only water pressure.”

Lydi looked thoughtful for a moment, but then nodded. “That would be very useful, probably. I wonder if you could pressurize it enough to strip paint from wood…” she mused, and then smiled that megawatt smile. “Do you have a schematic drawn up?”

He hadn’t thought about stripping paint, but he supposed with enough pressure he could do that. After all, that was how one got diamonds, right? Or was he remembering something else? He blinked out of his thoughts and waved for her to follow him. “Right here,” he said, motioning to the smudged drawing.

Lydi leaned over the drafting table, a full head taller than Jin was, and traced her fingers along the lines as if she could memorize their curves by touch. It was almost captivating; she showed that scrap of parchment so much care that by the time she turned her eyes to Jin he had his chest puffed out with pride.

“Well, you called the right gal, because I happen to develop my own guns, and this right here,” she said, tapping the pad of her index finger on the sketch, “is a water gun! How clever of you to use aether crystals in place of a reservoir, though; that will take away some of the weight, especially if you want to keep the rest of it light.”

“Yes, I am a bit stumped on materials,” he admitted, “and I mainly wanted to see at this stage if there are any major design flaws that I should be correcting before I look into making a crude version for testing.”

“What is your fuel source?” she asked.

“I was thinking of using ceruleum.”

Lydi made a face. “No, you’d need a reservoir for that and that would get heavy very quickly. You want this to be portable, right? I think… You’re using a water crystal. It looks like this design calls for a combustion reaction to activate and direct it, which has a lot of ways it could go wrong. It could overheat, explode, leak, or just plain not work, since you’re mixing fire and water. I have a suggestion, but I’m not certain how feasible it is. You would have to ask an enchanter or mage about it.”

Jin blinked. How old was this girl? She actually sounded like she knew what she was talking about, which surprised him, but not as much as what she said next.

“What if you used an aether pack? The Machinists in Ishgard use them for their charged shots, and it would be easy enough to connect it to the machine and turn a dial to dictate how much aether you want to use. Funnel it in and through the crystal, and the water should flow… theoretically… You’d want some sort of tip on the nozzle that has multiple pressure settings; the smaller the hole, the more pressure it uses. Also, you’ll want to make sure the barrel is flexible, so that you don’t have to turn the entire machine or twist weirdly to reach a spot. Like… a hose between two metal tubes or something.”

Jin smacked his forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that? I was so caught up trying to think of how the layman could operate this that I completely forgot that Ishgard had partially solved that problem! Oh, I could kiss you! This was what I needed!”

Lydi just grinned, tapping the schematics with two fingers in a spot. “This would allow you to cut down on a lot of bulk here, make it lighter to carry. The only things you need to replace would be recharged aether packs and water crystals. Man, I wanna make one now.”

Jin looked up to Lydi, his lips stretching into a smile. “You do, do you? Well, it just so happens I’m in the market for a development partner for this project. I can’t pay you, but I could split whatever we make from it at a fair rate.”

Lydi stared at him. “Oh. OH! Yes, I’d love to! And if it doesn’t work? It was a cool experience trying to figure it out!” She slapped the design with the flat of her palm. “Water gun, here we come!”

He couldn’t help the laugh that left his lips at her enthusiasm. “We’re not calling it ‘Water Gun.’”

Lydi turned her eyes to him, the sparkle of mischief in her grass-green eyes. “How about… It’s right there at the tip of my brain…” She took a moment to think. “Oh! The Exter-mire-nator?”

He blinked… and then started laughing. “The Clean Cannon!” he shot back, and the ooh’d at his suggestion.

“Dirt Douser?”

“That’s terrible!”

“Scum Sprayer?”

“Worse!”

“How about the Muck Fuc–”

“NO!” He cut her off, clapping a hand over her mouth. “We are not calling it that. We are never calling it that.”

There was a moment of silence. He pulled his hand away, and then murmured, “Muck Fucker… honestly,” and shook his head in dismay.

They both looked at each other, and then started laughing again, and soon enough they were shooting progressively worse names back and forth before they finally agreed to call it the Muck Fucker–but only while it was in development.

[superkilometerfilter]

Car Tuning – An Ultimate Guide

Nowadays car tuning has gained popularity among automotive enthusiasts. This is not surprising, in the era of modern technology, people are constantly craving for reaching the highest level of performance in every aspect of life. Hence, the automotive industry is not an exception. From the very first moment of car invention, it was a subject of modification. Here comes auto tuning –one of the most favorite topics for discussion. It is more than just maintenance, it implies all kinds of enhancement starting from the visual change to the engine boosting. You may wonder why I need it? The simple response is that the manufacturers tend to limit the capabilities of your automobile. They aim to find the balance and somehow insure themselves because unlocking the full potential of vehicles may be an inefficient decision. 

So let’s take a closer look at what it means in a wide sense and learn more about its types. Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know if you think about boosting your automobile.

WHAT IS CAR TUNING?

Tuning auto is known as a wide range of vehicle modifications. It incorporates various kinds of changes to provide improved performance, functionality and better visual effect. It can be understood in many ways. However, the aim is the same – to improve automobile capabilities. There are certain areas of modification including audio system, interior, motor, suspension, body, tires and brakes. Below I will provide you with a comprehensive explanation of every one of them.

WAYS TO UPGRADE YOUR AUTO IN AND OUT

Let’s start with visual improvement. Personalizing an automobile is always a subject of excitement among motorists. Does this sound like you? I’m sure it does. We all share this feeling. Improving the aesthetics is very tempting for all. For some people, it’s a kind of obsession. When it comes to visual upgrading, it is easier to take control of the situation if you are one of those DIYers. Here are two areas where you can transform your automobile.

Body

Transforming your vehicle exterior is a big move, so you should carefully consider every detail. You need to bear in mind, the aim is to improve the exterior significantly. Hence, you should find the proper body kit that is a set of modified parts or additional components for the car. It contains front and rear bumpers, side skirts, spoilers, bonnets (bonnet scoop), sometimes roof and side scoops. There is a wide range of companies that offer this hardware. Firstly, find the one that works for you. Do not hesitate to search for photos that are inspiring and buy them. Next, think twice before you start doing it yourself, if you are good at following the instructions here is a step-by-step guide on how to install.

Interior 

Another form of a car tune-up is interior styling. This type of transformation is best-loved among those who love to emphasize individuality. There are several options for personalizing the interior. For example, cockpit improvement, which implies coating plastic with wood or leather. In addition to that, automobile seats and steering wheels are also subject to upgrading. It’s pretty obvious once you think about it, so let me tell you that you don’t need to go to the workshop. Just search for and shop for accessories on internet retail shopping websites at an affordable price.

WHY IS SUSPENSION TUNING NECESSARY?

The Suspension system is what ensures road holding and ride quality. Hence, it supports a comfortable ride. Suspension is a system of tires, tire air, springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connect an automobile to its wheels. The main function of struts and shock absorbers is to control stability. The spring is what holds the car up in the air. Hence, the rocking, bouncing and shaking of an automobile is an indicator that those components need replacement.

 Auto tune-up improves speed and pick up. Hence cars need an enhanced suspension system for better handling on the road. Here comes the necessity and importance of suspension tuning. suspension tuning implies the modification of springs, struts and, shock absorbers to affect how a vehicle accelerates, brakes and corners.

The most common type of suspension tuning is so-called – lowering. The closer an automobile is to the surface, the better you can develop high speed. Lowering is done through springs. Tuning implies shortening the existing springs or replacing them with a new one. 

Believe it or not, an innovative device is for sale at Super Kilometer Filter. It allows you to do suspension tuning independently.

The best DIY tool for suspension tuning

Lowering device is an innovative and user-friendly tool for Mercedes owners. Manufacturers designed specifically for airmatic suspension. You get various benefits from using this tool.it allows lowering and increasing options, improved responsiveness, faster acceleration, quicker stops, less rollover risk. The module also serves a practical purpose, a lowered automobile is comfortable for a person with a disability. The tool offers three different modes: factory, low and custom.

CHIP TUNING 

It is the most popular type of car tuning. ECU is responsible for controlling the fuel supply, airflow, fuel injection and ignition. It implies overwriting the manufacturer’s existing setting with new software. The main benefits that drivers get are improved horsepower and torque, better control and drivability, enhanced rev range. This type of auto tuning is significantly beneficial for diesel cars.

There are recommended programs that support live, 2D and 3D tuning. As a mechanic, all you have to do is search for the one which will be compatible with the automobile. Make sure that you own the laptop that serves you well. 

Despite the above mentioned, here’s another way to think about the issue. Boosted functioning and efficiency can be related to some risks. It is worth considering everything before you make a final decision.

What to consider

Remember, I don’t want you to become the victim of common biases related to tuning auto. how to avoid it? – get comprehensive information and be ready for the possible consequences. there is a list of things to consider before:

Increased maintenance cost. When you enjoy all the benefits from boosting automobiles, you should know that there will be the necessity to replace components such as the ignition coils more often. So consider your budget.

Insurance costs. Besides, consider insurance premiums. This type of tuning can have a potential impact on insurance costs. Trust me, they know that you don’t miss a chance to use the full potential of your automobile. Hence it makes you a high-risk driver.

Forget fuel economy. Don’t believe that fuel efficiency will be possible, you will need high-quality fuel at any rate.

Harmful to the environment. The factory settings provide the lowest emissions and therefore stock automobiles are environmentally friendly. The changes in the manufacturer’s setting may result in increased emissions.

Choose the mechanic. Make sure that everything will be done correctly. Your automobile should be in the hand of a qualified specialist if you want the best possible outcome.

Mind the warranty. If tuning is not approved by the manufacturer, you should expect to void the warranty. Let’s be realistic, you change the factory settings, so they refuse to take responsibility for the safety and reliability. 

CAR TUNE-UP IS FINISHED – WHAT’S NEXT?

So, you have a tuned automobile. It would be interesting if you could test it and see the results. However, something holds you back. I guess it is a danger of adding miles on your odometer. What if, I can tell you that testing is possible without the risk of adding mileage on your automobile. For this purpose manufacturers designed a special tool. It allows you to carefully examine all the benefits you get from tuning. This device is known as a mileage blocker.

Mileage blocker

This extraordinary and premium quality product from Germany is specially for stopping the mileage recording process from all control units untraceably. This is a user-friendly module that is easily installed behind the dashboard. The tool is superior to its counterfeits. Mileage blocker is available online and you can purchase mileage blocker from superkilometerfilter. Consider avoiding illegal usage, some people use it for deceiving potential buyers. Remember, it is only created for testing and tuning purposes. In case of any further questions, please feel free to contact us anytime.

CONCLUSION

Now you have read through the blog and you know what is auto tune-up, why it is beneficial, what to consider and how much you risk. By now you have realized that it is a very controversial topic, but the good news is that you can weigh all options and think twice before you make a final decision. There are some areas where you don’t need careful examination of every detail. For instance, interior refinement of your automobile, it just takes your creativity and budget. As for internal changes, it is worth discussing and exchanging opinions. All in all, it’s up to you. Good luck!

[a-mole-of-iron]

Duchowiesen stories: Liftoff

Alright, so, update. Due to diminishing resources and abilities, I was unable to post anything for a while - and now, I’ll be starting to publish a series of very unpretentious short stories in the urban fantasy genre. And I don’t mean modern-day real-world with fantasy trappings; I mean a fantasy world with big cities and elaborate technology. There will be train journeys through magic forests, and visits to taverns with televisions and telephones placed therein; bureaucrats cataloguing ancient relics, and dragons doing aerial photography; elaborate underground cities lit by electric lanterns and overgrown by moss and mushrooms, and mystical deserts with towns raised on concrete pillars above the shifting dunes; welfare provisions for werebeasts and changelings, and vast industries supplying the people with affordable goods; and more besides, all in the setting that me and my friends have developed together.

Without further ado, I present to you: the fantasy world of Duchowiesen, and all of its many unusual and wonderful things, places, and people.

Story genre: comfy urban fantasy

Liftoff

At the Electric Lamplight Inn, it was an hour past lunchtime. The sun crept across the wooden tables covered with checkered tablecloth, with colorful mass-manufacture metal-and-cloth dining chairs around them and salt and pepper shakers with folded-up napkins close by on every table, along the bar and its selection of bottles of varying colors, shapes, and sizes that held alcohol as well as soft drinks, up the wooden beams that helped hold up the second floor, over the walls covered by vanilla-colored plaster and decorated with landscape photographs of meadows, mountains, boreal woods, and glaciers, and towards the clock and the nearby refrigerator with its curved outer surfaces and a glass door displaying cold foods and drinks. The barkeep was absent, and only a couple of people were there, eating their mid-day meal a little late. A big beast-folk guy with striped grey fur, wearing a jacket loaded up with carpentry tools and overalls that seemed sturdy as a cliff face, was treating himself to a good serving of meat and potatoes the inn sourced from the local farmer's market; two businesswomen in rumpled suits discussed trade as they helped themselves to fish with rice that they've systematically drowned in lots and lots of tartar sauce, and an occultist professional from the Southern Lands, with his hawk-like features alongside a fancy coat and pants covered in rune embroidery, was eating alone - or so it seemed if you didn't notice him having a one-sided conversation while looking into a mirror he had standing on his dinner table. The television standing next to one of the walls was set on mute, and even if it wasn't, at the moment it was displaying "The Wondrous World of Duchowiesen Dragons" - one of the most boring offerings among all the niche-subject documentary shows available on TV across the entire Federation, which was saying a lot. The time dragged out a little, flowing like a calm river - but then, another prospective patron walked through the door, a diminutive kobold engineer with their bright green scales and hemispheric sunglasses on their wide, gecko-like face, who was for some reason also wearing a labcoat far outside of any lab.

The kobold walked up to the bar, perched the sunglasses on their forehead, and said: "Excuse me, innkeeper? INNKEEPER?" in their high-pitched voice.

The innkeeper, a middle-aged woman wearing somewhat outdated and yet eternally cool clothing from the jazz era - a flapper look adapted for the everydays of the modern age - walked out to the bar to meet them. "Hello there. Would you like to order a full lunch, or book lodgings?" she asked.

"Neither, actually." the kobold answered. "I just want two deli sandwiches, a glass of mineral water, and a TV broadcast."

"Broadcast...?" the innkeeper asked, somewhat confused.

"Yes!" the kobold squeaked. "Could you tune your particle accelerator... sorry, TV set, to Science Channel One? Yours was the only place in town with a TV I could find on short notice!"

"Alright then." the innkeeper said.

She turned the dial on the wired TV controller, and the picture changed to show a sunlit desert, and in the midst of its sands, the Cosmodrome launch site with a rocket set up on the launch pad. The sound went back on, and the people eating dinner turned their heads to the TV, as they heard the ever so slightly portentous announcer read the text. The announcer went: "...seems that all of the pre-launch checks have been cleared, and the computers monitoring the site all read green. And now we're being told, the Cosmodrome is ready for launch, T-minus five minutes."

"Hey, what's with the broadcast? Is this live?" one of the businesswomen asked the kobold.

"Yes, it is live!" the kobold said. "They're putting the first-ever photo camera into orbit with this rocket! To think we're going to have all-encompassing pictures of the World at last!"

"Now I'm interested." the occultist said, still looking into the mirror on his table. "Sorry, my friend, we'll have to continue another time. What? Okay, that's good in my books. Bye." He folded the mirror's stand, closed up the small decorated shutters over it, and turned around to look at the television as well.

The voice behind the broadcast kept on talking. In the deadpan shared only by the most composed of Railway Commanders and emergency broadcasters, she said: "I am being informed the rocket's fuel pumps are completing their warm-up cycle, and the Skyguard shields with their EM plus Flux ward properties are ready to go. In a minute, we should have the hand-over of controls and telemetry to the radio channels..."

The people in the inn were interested but slightly flabbergasted; none of them really understood the technical terms involved, even as the announcer explained the rocket's systems in more detail. The kobold engineer was geeking out, however, their eyes transfixed by the picture on the screen. Minutes tensed like the strings of a violin as the launch approached, and finally, the announcer has proclaimed: "And now, we have the clearance for launch. T-minus ten... nine... eight... seven... main engines ignition... five... four... three... two... one!"

The broadcast picture showed plumes of steam, and then fire, blast from the lowest stage of the rocket, and just like that, it started ascending, leaving behind the launch tower with its cabling and pipes. "We have liftoff!" the announcer called, the broadcast switching to another camera that showed the rocket blast off into the sky, and disappear into the clear blue above the desert lands surrounding the Cosmodrome.

The kobold engineer looked at the broadcast as the announcer started describing the photography satellite the rocket was loaded with, then slammed their cutesy hands on the table and yelled: "That... WAS SO COOL!" Everyone else around them was in agreement, even though they weren't the same level of enthusiastic. The occultist looked at the screen with an unspoken wisdom, thinking about the sheer possibilities for new esoteric understanding that a view perch to see the entire world could open. The businesswomen wondered just how the world would change once the satellites get flying in earnest. The beast-folk carpenter was impressed by the engineering involved; many orders of complexity above what he did, but hey, he knew an impressive build when he saw one. Even the innkeeper was interested; the whole scene was dramatic and inspiring, and stirred emotions in all who were there to see it. Finally, the kobold picked up their deli sandwich and started chewing on it. One of the businesswomen asked them:

"Hey, you said you were looking for a TV. Are you just passing through like we are?"

"Yes, but I might become a regular commuter here, it seems!" the kobold replied. "I'm doing engineer consulting around the region."

"Odd! We're kind of in the same boat; our firm sells machinery parts all around the Four Cities area!" the other businesswoman said. "Mechanismus-Magiker GmbH, at your service."

"What about you, friend?" the kobold asked the beast-folk carpenter.

"Well, I'm on my way to the Inland Sea for the weekend." he said. "Funny you are from Mechanismus-Magiker." he said to the businesswomen. "I did renovations in one of your company's trade offices just a month ago."

"Oooh..." the occultist said, turning towards the others with an enigmatic smile. "Serendipity."

"Very much serendipity!" the kobold engineer noted with a goofy grin. "Who knows, maybe this is a sign that we should be here for the next rocket launch!"

"When is that?" the occultist asked, laying a pocketbook of solar and lunar calendars on the table.

"In 16 days, 8 PM for our current timezone." the kobold replied. "They're going to launch a radio amplifier satellite next!"

The occultist looked through the book, then smiled enigmatically again and said: "I have not found anything major, but... perhaps something interesting will happen if we join again at that day and hour. Who's with me to try and test this... small hypothesis?" There were a few seconds of indecisive silence, and then, one after the other, everyone else present responded with a variation of "I'm in!"

[atplblog]

Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details) [ad_1] From the manufacturer It is made of 18mm pre laminated engineered wood with a high holding capacity ensures the sturdy build. The load bearing capacity increases the life of the furniture as it can withstand the weight for long durations. The legs made up of high quality CRCA coated metal legs which ensures longevity of the furniture. 3D wood grain membrane thermofoil coating on the sides makes it resistant to any heat, scratch, moisture and strain. The wooden panels are certified European Emission standard E2 grade, thereby certified for safe use in indoor furnitures. · Primary Material: Engineered wood · Style: Contemporary · Type: Coffee Table · Colour Shade: Walnut 1000010225720_2 Contemporary design The contemporary design of the table is perfect brighten up your living space. 1000010225720_3 Durability The high quality CRCA coating makes it extremely durable and resistant to heat, strain, scratch and moisture. 1000010225720_4 Sturdy design The high holding capacity increases its weight bearing capacity making it suitable for long-term usage. 1000010225720_5 Sturdy design The high holding capacity increases its weight bearing capacity making it suitable for long-term usage. Coffee Table : 85 cm x 59 cm x 42 cm The Table Top is made of prelaminated engineered wood with high screw holding capacity making it durable over long term usage. The Table base/legs is made of prelaminated engineered wood with high screw holding capacity making it durable over long term usage. Prelaminated 3D woodgrain laminate with melamine facing on both sides in wood grain colour which protects the substate from heat, scratches, moisture, stains etc. This helps to enhance looks & helping to increase durability. High quality, matchine pressed PVC edgebanding in matching colour to laminate on 4 sides ensures smooth finish along the edges thereby protects the core within from moisture or direct contact with water. Prelaminated 3D woodgrain laminate with melamine facing on both sides in wood grain walnut colour which protects the substate from heat, scratches, moisture, stains etc. This helps to enhance looks & helping to increase durability. Engineered wood panels are pretreated with industry standard chemical composition thereby making the core resistant to termite, borer and other mites. [ad_2]

[ananka-fasteners]

Fasteners Manufacturer, Supplier, and Stockist Worldwide

Fasteners are the building blocks of modern infrastructure, industries, and machinery. From securing basic household items to holding together massive industrial structures, fasteners play a pivotal role in ensuring safety, reliability, and functionality. As global demand increases, manufacturers and suppliers are stepping up to deliver high-quality fasteners tailored to diverse needs.

Understanding Fasteners

Fasteners are mechanical devices designed to securely join or attach two or more objects together. They are generally non-permanent, which means they can be removed or replaced without damaging the objects. These include bolts, nuts, screws, washers, rivets, and more. Each type of fastener is designed for specific applications, ensuring durability, safety, and efficiency.

Different Types of Bolts

Here are some common types:

Hex Bolts: Known for their hexagonal head, they are used in various industrial applications.

Carriage Bolts: Feature a rounded head and a square neck, commonly used in wood connections.

Eye Bolts: Designed with a loop at one end, ideal for lifting or securing objects.

Anchor Bolts: Secure structures to concrete foundations.

Flange Bolts: Feature an integrated flange under the head, acting as a built-in washer to evenly distribute the load and provide a secure grip.

U-Bolts: Designed in a "U" shape, these bolts are ideal for clamping pipes, tubes, or other cylindrical items securely.

Different Types of Nuts

Nuts complement bolts, ensuring a secure fit. Some popular types include:

Hex Nuts: Standard six-sided nuts used in a wide range of applications.

Wing Nuts: Specifically designed with wing-like projections, allowing for easy hand-tightening and loosening without the need for tools.

Lock Nuts: Prevent loosening due to vibrations.

Cap Nuts: Cover the bolt threads for safety and aesthetics.

Square Nuts: Four-sided nuts used in industrial applications.

T-Nuts: Embedded into wood or metal, offering a threaded hole.

Global Reach of Fasteners

Fasteners are essential across industries like automotive, construction, aerospace, and oil & gas. Here’s how different regions contribute to the industry:

Philippines

The Philippines is a growing hub for construction and infrastructure development, driving the demand for high-quality fasteners. Fasteners are used extensively in bridges, highways, and residential projects.

Turkey

Turkey's booming automotive and machinery sectors rely heavily on advanced fasteners. Custom fasteners for unique requirements are highly sought after in this region.

Canada

Canada’s diverse industries, including mining, energy, and construction, require robust and corrosion-resistant fasteners. Stainless steel and nickel fasteners are especially popular.

France

France is known for its precision engineering, requiring fasteners that meet stringent quality standards. Aerospace-grade fasteners dominate this market.

Singapore

As a global trade hub, Singapore demands fasteners for its shipping, construction, and electronics sectors. The emphasis is on high-performance fasteners engineered for exceptional strength and extended durability.

Oman

Oman’s oil and gas industry requires heavy-duty fasteners to withstand extreme conditions. This includes high-pressure and high-temperature applications.

Mexico

The automotive and manufacturing sectors in Mexico drive demand for fasteners. Manufacturers provide custom solutions for these specialized industries.

Importance of Choosing the Right Manufacturer

Selecting a reliable fastener manufacturer ensures:

High Quality: Adherence to international standards like ASTM, DIN, or ISO.

Customization: Ability to produce tailored fasteners for unique applications.

Timely Delivery: Efficient supply chain management to meet deadlines.

Cost-Effectiveness: Competitive pricing without compromising quality.

Conclusion

Fasteners are indispensable in various industries and everyday applications. Whether you're in the Philippines, Turkey, Canada, France, or any other part of the world, the demand for high-quality fasteners is universal. Ananka Group is a trusted name in the fastener industry, known for its extensive product range, including bolts, nuts, screws, washers, and custom fasteners.

FAQ

1. What materials are commonly used for fasteners?Fasteners are made from materials like stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, aluminum, and nickel alloys.

2. What industries require specialized fasteners?Industries like aerospace, automotive, oil & gas, and construction often need custom-designed fasteners to meet their unique requirements.

3. How do I choose the right fastener for my application?Consider factors like material, strength, corrosion resistance, and the environmental conditions where the fastener will be used.

4. Does Ananka Group supply custom fasteners?Yes, Ananka Group specializes in manufacturing and supplying custom fasteners to meet specific industrial requirements.

5. What standards do Ananka Group’s fasteners adhere to?Ananka Group produces fasteners that comply with ASTM, DIN, ISO, and other international standards.

For premium fasteners manufactured with precision and delivered globally, trust Ananka Group to meet your needs.

[onedirectdeals]

Madesa Large Gaming Computer Desk 53 Inch with 5 Shelves Cable Management Student Study Wooden Table Home Office Gamer Desk for Kids and Adults - Black

Price: Buy Now Last Updated: Product Description What material is the desk made out of? It’s made out of manufactured/engineered wood. Can you switch the sides to install the shelves? Hello, no you can not. How many boxes is it shipped in? Hello, It is shipped in one box. Does this desk have a finished back? Hi there, no. It’s not painted at the back. Shop our products! Add To Basket Add To…

[floorinsite]

The Flooring Industry: Adapting to Challenges and Embracing Transformation

The flooring industry in 2024 reflects a sector at the crossroads of adaptation and innovation. Global economic fluctuations, shifting consumer preferences, and rapid technological advancements have reshaped the landscape for manufacturers, retailers, and customers alike. Despite these challenges, the industry has found ways to grow, leveraging sustainability, new technologies, and creative marketing strategies to remain resilient. As the year draws to a close, all eyes are on 2025, which promises further evolution, marked by digital transformation, enhanced personalisation, and a stronger emphasis on sustainability.

Resilience Amid Economic Uncertainty

The global economy of 2024 has been marred by persistent inflation and high interest rates, which have dampened consumer spending in many sectors, including home improvements. However, the flooring industry has proven surprisingly resilient. Consumers, while cautious, continue to invest in projects that add value to their homes, prioritising long-term quality and functionality over cost-cutting measures.

In response to tighter budgets, flooring manufacturers have seen growth in demand for versatile and cost-effective solutions. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), laminate, and engineered wood products have gained popularity due to their durability, affordability, and aesthetic appeal. These options provide homeowners with high-end looks at mid-range prices, aligning well with current consumer priorities.

At the same time, commercial markets have remained steady. Offices, hospitality spaces, and retail establishments continue to seek flooring solutions that combine functionality with design appeal. Engineered materials and modular systems have become favourites in these sectors, offering ease of maintenance and flexibility for future upgrades.

Sustainability Takes Center Stage

Sustainability has become a defining feature of the flooring industry in 2024. Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their choices, driving demand for eco-friendly, responsibly sourced, and recyclable materials. Manufacturers have stepped up to meet these expectations, introducing products made from renewable resources such as bamboo, cork, and reclaimed wood.

Recycling initiatives and take-back programs are also gaining traction. Many companies now offer systems where old flooring can be returned and repurposed, reducing landfill waste and contributing to circular economy efforts. These practices resonate with environmentally conscious buyers and align with global efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon footprints.

This year has also seen an increased emphasis on certifications. Products with labels such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Cradle to Cradle certifications have gained trust among consumers, who see these as guarantees of sustainability and ethical practices. By highlighting these features in their marketing, companies have successfully differentiated themselves in a competitive market.

The Role of Technology in 2024

Technology has played a transformative role in the flooring industry throughout 2024. On the consumer side, digital tools have revolutionised the shopping experience. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications allow customers to visualise flooring options in their homes, enabling them to make more confident purchasing decisions. These tools have become particularly valuable for online retailers, bridging the gap between physical showrooms and e-commerce platforms.

Technological advancements have also benefited manufacturing processes. Automation and robotics have streamlined production, reducing waste and improving efficiency. These innovations have enabled manufacturers to meet the growing demand for customised products, offering a wider range of colours, textures, and finishes. Smart flooring systems, which integrate sensors to monitor usage and environmental conditions, have emerged as a niche offering, hinting at the possibilities of an interconnected future.

Flooring Marketing Trends in 2024

Marketing strategies in the flooring industry have evolved to reflect the changing landscape of consumer behaviour. Social media platforms have become dominant, providing brands with direct access to design-savvy, younger audiences. Influencers and content creators have played a key role, showcasing flooring products in real-life applications and inspiring customers with creative renovation ideas.

Storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool, particularly when it comes to sustainability. Brands that share the origins of their materials or the impact of their eco-friendly practices are connecting more deeply with consumers. Digital marketing campaigns have highlighted these stories through immersive videos, interactive content, and detailed product descriptions, building trust and authenticity.

Omnichannel strategies have also been critical. Retailers are integrating their online and offline experiences, ensuring seamless transitions for customers who research online but prefer to make final decisions in person. This approach has proven particularly effective in building consumer confidence, as buyers can explore their options virtually before visiting a showroom to confirm their choice.

Looking Ahead: The Flooring Industry in 2025

As we look toward 2025, the flooring industry is poised for further transformation. The lessons of 2024, coupled with emerging trends, suggest a future where sustainability, personalisation, and digital innovation will define the sector.

Sustainability will remain a top priority, with even stricter regulations and higher consumer expectations driving the adoption of green practices. Manufacturers will continue to refine their processes, exploring ways to reduce emissions, improve recyclability, and source materials locally. Bamboo, cork, and reclaimed wood will continue to grow in popularity, while innovations in biodegradable and carbon-neutral materials may enter the mainstream.

Personalisation will take centre stage in 2025, with consumers seeking flooring solutions tailored to their tastes and lifestyles. Advances in manufacturing will make it easier to produce bespoke products, from custom patterns and textures to unique colour combinations. Digital tools will enhance this trend, allowing customers to experiment with different designs in real time and visualise the results in their spaces.

Technology will also play a more significant role in product development and marketing. Smart flooring, while currently a niche offering, has the potential to become a substantial market segment. These products, equipped with sensors to monitor wear, temperature, and humidity, offer practical benefits and align with the broader trend of smart home integration.

Marketing strategies will evolve alongside these trends, with a continued emphasis on storytelling and authenticity. Social media will remain critical, but brands may explore newer channels such as virtual showrooms and live-streamed consultations. Artificial intelligence (AI) in marketing is expected to grow, enabling hyper-personalised campaigns that precisely target consumers.

The Global Outlook

The global flooring market is likely to see significant growth in emerging economies, particularly in Asia, South America, and Africa. Urbanisation and rising disposable incomes in these regions will drive demand for high-quality, affordable flooring solutions. Companies that adapt their offerings to local tastes and environmental conditions will be well-positioned to capture these opportunities.

Meanwhile, established markets will continue to demand innovative products that combine style, functionality, and sustainability. Wide planks, textured surfaces, and bold patterns are expected to remain popular, reflecting evolving design preferences.

Conclusion

The flooring industry in 2024 has proven its ability to adapt and innovate, navigating economic challenges while meeting the demands of a changing world. As the sector moves into 2025, the focus will shift to creating sustainable, personalised, and technologically advanced solutions that resonate with consumers and businesses alike.

The flooring industry is poised for a dynamic and exciting future, from eco-friendly materials and smart products to immersive digital experiences and authentic storytelling. By embracing these trends and staying attuned to consumer needs, manufacturers and retailers can ensure their continued success in an ever-evolving marketplace.

Written by Melanie Stroud for Floorinsite

[krazmanconstruction]

Naperville, IL Vinyl Siding Installer

Enhance Your Home with CertainTeed Siding by Kraz Construction

With over 15 years of experience, Kraz Construction is proud to offer top-tier CertainTeed Siding services in Naperville, IL, providing homeowners with durable, energy-efficient, and aesthetically appealing solutions. CertainTeed Siding is renowned for its exceptional quality and versatility, designed to withstand the elements while adding beauty and value to any home.

Our skilled team guarantees precise installation, providing a variety of styles, textures, and colors to match your preferences. Whether you desire a classic appearance or a contemporary finish, CertainTeed’s innovative siding products offer excellent protection, require minimal maintenance, and are supported by industry-leading warranties.

Trust Kraz Construction’s expertise to transform your home with siding that stands the test of time.

Why Choose CertainTeed Vinyl Siding for Your Home?

When enhancing your home’s exterior, CertainTeed Vinyl Siding is one of the most trusted and versatile options available. Here’s why CertainTeed Vinyl Siding, expertly installed by Kraz Construction, is the ideal choice for homeowners:

Exceptional Durability

CertainTeed Vinyl Siding is built to last. It’s designed to resist damage from the elements, such as wind, rain, and UV rays. It won’t warp, crack, or fade over time, maintaining your home’s aesthetic appeal for years with minimal upkeep.

Low Maintenance

One of the most significant advantages of CertainTeed Vinyl Siding is its low maintenance. Unlike wood, it doesn’t require painting, staining, or sealing. An occasional wash keeps it looking like new, saving you time and money in the long run.

Wide Range of Styles and Colors

CertainTeed offers an impressive variety of vinyl siding options, including the popular Monogram® series. Available in a range of textures and over 40 fade-resistant colors, Monogram® vinyl siding mimics the natural look of wood without the high maintenance. Whether you want a traditional, rustic, or modern look, CertainTeed has you covered.

Energy Efficiency

CertainTeed Vinyl Siding options, such as those with insulation backers, help improve your home’s energy efficiency by providing additional insulation. This can reduce heating and cooling costs, making your home more eco-friendly and comfortable year-round.

Weather Protection

CertainTeed Vinyl Siding is engineered to protect your home from the elements. It features high wind resistance and is designed to shed water efficiently, helping to prevent moisture infiltration, which can lead to costly structural damage.

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable

CertainTeed is committed to sustainability, and its vinyl siding is designed with the environment in mind. It is manufactured from recycled materials and is 100% recyclable, offering an eco-friendly solution for homeowners prioritizing sustainability.

Industry-Leading Warranty

CertainTeed Vinyl Siding products come with robust, industry-leading warranties, protecting your investment. With fade protection and long-term durability, you can be confident that your home will maintain its beauty and value.

Choosing CertainTeed Vinyl Siding installed by Kraz Construction means investing in your home’s high-quality, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing exterior. With over 15 years of experience, Kraz Construction ensures your siding installation is done with precision and expertise.

Let Kraz Construction be your home improvement contractor for life and join the thousands of happy clients throughout the state. Call us at 219–248–3911 or fill out our contact form to request your free estimate or learn more about us today.

[royalwoodpack]

Royal Wood Pack: Your Trusted Manufacturer of Durable 2-Way Wooden Pallets

Introduction: In today’s global marketplace, efficient and reliable packaging solutions are essential for businesses that need to move goods safely and cost-effectively. Royal Wood Pack is a leading manufacturer of high-quality 2-way wooden pallets, providing businesses across industries with the perfect solution for their material handling needs. With our extensive experience and commitment to quality, we design and supply wooden pallets that ensure maximum durability, ease of use, and cost-efficiency.

What is a 2-Way Wooden Pallet? A 2-way wooden pallet is a type of shipping pallet designed to allow access from two sides for lifting and transportation. Unlike 4-way pallets, which allow access from all four sides, 2-way pallets can be lifted from two opposing sides, making them ideal for certain types of loading and unloading equipment. These pallets are often used in industries where space efficiency and functionality are priorities, and they offer a great balance between performance and cost.

Why Choose Royal Wood Pack for Your 2-Way Wooden Pallet Needs?

Superior Quality and Craftsmanship: At Royal Wood Pack, we pride ourselves on producing high-quality 2-way wooden pallets that are both sturdy and reliable. Crafted from premium hardwood, each pallet is carefully designed to meet the specific requirements of different industries. Our pallets are built to withstand heavy loads and rough handling during transport, ensuring your products arrive safely and securely.

Customization for Specific Requirements: Every business has its own unique needs, and we understand that. That’s why we offer fully customizable 2-way wooden pallets that can be tailored to your exact size, load capacity, and design specifications. Whether you need standard or custom-sized pallets for a unique application, we ensure that our products meet your exact requirements.

Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness: As part of our commitment to sustainability, Royal Wood Pack uses responsibly sourced timber in the manufacturing of all our 2-way wooden pallets. We follow environmentally friendly practices, ensuring our pallets are recyclable and contribute to reducing waste. Choosing Royal Wood Pack’s wooden pallets is a step toward greener, more sustainable operations for your business.

Strength and Durability: Wooden pallets are known for their strength, and Royal Wood Pack’s 2-way wooden pallets are no exception. Designed to handle heavy loads, our pallets are engineered to ensure stability and durability, even in the toughest handling environments. Whether for shipping goods domestically or internationally, our pallets ensure your products are transported without damage.

Cost-Effectiveness: 2-way wooden pallets from Royal Wood Pack offer businesses a cost-effective solution for their material handling and logistics needs. Not only are they competitively priced, but they also reduce the need for frequent replacements. The durability and reliability of our pallets ensure a longer lifespan, providing excellent return on investment.

Industries That Benefit from 2-Way Wooden Pallets:

Retail & E-commerce: For retail businesses and e-commerce companies that ship products in bulk, 2-way wooden pallets are ideal. They simplify storage and handling, and their robust design ensures that products are shipped securely.

Manufacturing: Manufacturing facilities often require heavy-duty pallets to transport raw materials or finished goods. The 2-way wooden pallets from Royal Wood Pack are built to handle the demands of manufacturing environments, including transportation of machinery components, parts, and assembly items.

Warehousing & Distribution: With warehouses and distribution centers frequently dealing with high volumes of goods, having a reliable pallet solution is essential. 2-way wooden pallets help streamline operations by making storage, loading, and unloading processes easier and more efficient.

Food & Beverage: The food and beverage industry requires pallets that can withstand rigorous conditions and heavy usage. Royal Wood Pack’s 2-way wooden pallets are designed to meet these requirements while ensuring safety and durability for transporting perishable items.

The Advantages of 2-Way Wooden Pallets from Royal Wood Pack:

Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of goods and industries.

Lightweight: Easy to handle and load/unload, reducing labor costs.

Stackable Design: Efficient for storage and saving space during transport.

Affordable: An economical option for businesses looking for durable, reliable pallets.

Conclusion: Royal Wood Pack is a trusted manufacturer of high-quality 2-way wooden pallets, providing businesses with durable, customizable, and eco-friendly packaging solutions. With a focus on craftsmanship, strength, and cost-efficiency, our pallets are designed to meet the needs of various industries and ensure the safe and efficient transportation of goods.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your pallet requirements and find out how Royal Wood Pack can help streamline your material handling and logistics operations.

[ramsheadroofing05]

Top Siding Trends for Modern Homes in Kansas and Missouri

Siding plays a vital role in defining a home’s style and providing essential protection against the elements. In Kansas and Missouri, where homes face diverse weather conditions, choosing the right Siding is crucial. Modern homeowners are gravitating toward trends that combine durability, sustainability, and style. Here are the top siding trends that are reshaping homes in the region.

1. Bold and Contrasting Colors

Color choices for siding have evolved, with homeowners opting for bold and dynamic palettes. Dark shades like charcoal gray, navy blue, and black are increasingly popular, often paired with white or light trim for striking contrast. These combinations create a modern and sophisticated aesthetic that enhances curb appeal.

2. Mixed Siding Materials

Incorporating multiple siding materials is a trend that adds depth and character to homes. For example, combining stone veneer with vinyl or fiber cement siding creates a unique, layered look. This mix of textures not only enhances visual appeal but also allows homeowners to highlight architectural features.

3. Vertical Siding Installation

Traditional horizontal siding remains popular, but vertical installations are gaining momentum. Vertical siding panels create a sleek and contemporary appearance while offering enhanced water drainage. This trend works particularly well for modern and farmhouse-style homes.

4. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Siding

Sustainability is a key consideration for many homeowners in Kansas and Missouri. Eco-friendly siding options, such as fiber cement and reclaimed wood, are designed to minimize environmental impact while providing excellent durability. These materials are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and reduce waste, making them a top choice for eco-conscious homeowners.

5. Textured and Realistic Finishes

Advancements in siding technology have made it possible to achieve realistic wood and stone textures without the maintenance challenges. Fiber cement and engineered wood siding replicate the look of natural materials while offering superior resistance to weather and pests. These finishes add warmth and character to homes.

6. Insulated Siding for Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient homes are becoming a priority in Kansas and Missouri, where extreme temperatures are common. Insulated siding is a growing trend as it improves a home’s thermal performance, reduces energy costs, and enhances comfort. This type of siding adds a layer of insulation, making it ideal for the region’s varying climate.

7. Low-Maintenance Siding Options

Busy homeowners are leaning toward siding materials that require minimal upkeep. Vinyl siding and pre-finished fiber cement are popular for their ability to retain their appearance without frequent painting or sealing. These materials are ideal for withstanding the unpredictable weather in Kansas and Missouri.

8. Horizontal and Vertical Combinations

Another emerging trend is blending horizontal and vertical siding panels on the same home. This approach adds visual interest and modern flair while maintaining a balanced aesthetic. It’s a creative way to differentiate your home while staying on-trend.

9. Smart and Innovative Siding

Technology is making its way into the world of siding. Smart siding options now include materials with built-in resistance to mold, pests, and UV damage. Some manufacturers are also offering products with integrated weather monitoring capabilities, making siding smarter and more functional than ever.

Elevate Your Home with Trendy Siding

Staying ahead of siding trends allows you to create a home that is both stylish and functional. At Ram Shead Roofing, we specialize in helping homeowners in Kansas and Missouri choose the perfect siding for their needs. Our expert team will guide you through selecting and installing siding that reflects the latest trends while standing up to local weather challenges.

[jimitjain]

Bolts: The Cornerstone of Engineering and Construction

Jinnox Bolt is one of the leading Bolt Manufacturers in India. Bolts are the unsung heroes of engineering and construction, silently holding together the structures, machines, and tools that shape our daily lives. These essential fasteners are crucial for ensuring the stability and durability of countless applications, ranging from skyscrapers to home furniture. In this blog, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of bolts, exploring their types, materials, applications, and the key considerations for their use.

What Are Bolts?

Bolts are mechanical fasteners designed to connect two or more components securely. They work by creating tension when tightened, which holds the materials together. Typically, bolts consist of three parts:

Head: The top part of the bolt, shaped to allow tools like wrenches to grip it during tightening or loosening.

Shank: The smooth, unthreaded section below the head that provides alignment for the components being joined.

Threaded Shaft: The grooved portion designed to fit into a corresponding nut or threaded hole.

When used properly, bolts ensure a reliable and strong connection even under significant pressure or vibration.

Types of Bolts

Bolt Manufacturer come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each tailored for specific tasks. Some common types include:

Hex Bolts: These bolts have a six-sided head and are widely used for general construction and machinery assembly.

Carriage Bolts: With a rounded head and square neck, these bolts are ideal for wood-to-wood or wood-to-metal connections.

Anchor Bolts: Designed to secure structures to concrete, these bolts are commonly used in foundations and heavy construction.

U-Bolts: Shaped like the letter "U," these bolts are used to secure pipes, poles, or round objects.

Eye Bolts: Featuring a looped head, these bolts are used for lifting or rigging purposes.

Materials Used in Bolts

The material of a bolt is critical to its performance and suitability for specific environments. Common materials include:

Carbon Steel: The most commonly used material, known for its strength and cost-effectiveness.

Stainless Steel: Resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for marine, outdoor, and high-moisture environments.

Alloy Steel: Offers exceptional strength and is used in demanding applications like automotive and aerospace industries.

Brass and Aluminum: Lightweight and resistant to corrosion, often used for decorative or non-structural purposes.

Selecting the right material ensures the bolt’s longevity and effectiveness in its intended application.

Applications of Bolts

Bolts Supplier are indispensable across numerous industries due to their versatility and strength:

Construction: Bolts Suppliers in India are used to assemble and stabilize structures like bridges, buildings, and industrial frameworks.

Automotive: Cars and other vehicles rely on bolts to hold engines, chassis, and other components securely.

Aerospace: High-performance bolts are essential for aircraft to withstand extreme pressures and temperatures.

Machinery: Industrial equipment and machinery depend on bolts for reliable operation under heavy loads.

Furniture: From DIY assembly kits to custom designs, bolts make furniture both functional and durable.

We are supplier in various cities

Bolt Supplier in Mumbai

Bolt Supplier in Pune

Bolt Supplier in Ludhiana

Bolt Supplier in Rajkot

Bolt Supplier in Ahmedabad

Factors to Consider When Choosing Bolts

Choosing the right bolt for a specific job is crucial for safety and performance. Here are some factors to consider:

Load Requirements: Understand the weight and forces the bolt needs to handle.

Environmental Conditions: For outdoor or corrosive environments, opt for stainless steel or coated bolts.

Thread Compatibility: Ensure the bolt’s threading matches the nut or receiving surface.

Size and Length: The bolt must fit perfectly to provide a secure connection without over-tightening.

Maintenance and Safety Tips

Proper maintenance and handling of bolts are essential to avoid failures. Here are some tips:

Regularly inspect bolts for wear, corrosion, or damage, especially in critical applications.

Use the right tools to avoid over-tightening or stripping the threads.

Apply lubricants or anti-corrosion coatings to extend the bolt’s lifespan in harsh environments.

Replace damaged bolts immediately to maintain structural integrity