#Eye Care Center Fort Collins | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

mineofilms · 7 months ago

Text

The 80 Metal

This has been coming for a while now. What better time than now, what better place than here? Never forget what the Dungeon Master asked Conan in “Conan the Barbarian” (1982).

Dungeon Master:

“Conan! What is best in life?”

Conan: “To crush to Metalcore, see it driven before Deathcore, and to hear the lamentations of Djent/Thall.”

During the pandemic when things changed. I had more time on my hands. Granted this was all before I got Covid myself and couldn’t work anymore, was still drinking and all of that. I was using this time to listen to more music while being at the computer. I was watching more YouTube and being introduced to new bands and styles. I was already in this mindset but now I had large blocks of time to dedicate to it.

So the great listening adventure began…

Change, our constant companion in the relentless surge of the evolution of heavy metal. This music… This brutal, yet beautiful music of dark, distortion of mirrors, evolving and growing. We confront our inner chaos, emerging the stronger. Each breakdown, each riff is a testament of our resilience, reminding us to allow new sources to inspire us, to challenge us. Evoke a new feeling. Crucible of sound and fury. “One judgement, no jury. I am, I am the fury…” —Wage War, “Fury.” It isn’t just our individualized soundtrack of our life but a philosophy —one that teaches us to embrace transmutation, seek out fresh riffs and vocal patterns. The perspectives, and forever push the boundaries of our existence. What exists here is a careful collection of 40 bands and 80 songs I either discovered since the pandemic or re-fell in love with. This isn’t a list compiled of all-time favorites or any of that. Some of these would be on that list. No. This list are bands and songs I heard in passing, then heard again, then again… Then again… Then I was like, I love this band. I would just start soaking up all I could from these bands. I did follow a criteria of sorts to pick what I wanted to talk about specifically for this essay.

The list of bands in the Top 16 are the current soundtrack to my life. They're the heavy hitters that dominate my playlists, the ones I turn to daily for that much-needed dose of face-melting metal madness. Whether I’m working, working out, or just zoning out, there's always something from one of these bands blasting my senses pretty much on a daily basis. They’ve got a permanent spot in my rotation, and I never get tired of them. If Fruity Pebbles was actually as addictive as crack. If these bands were all there ever was I’d be a happy-angry metalhead.

The Elite-8, now they’re a close second. These bands are just as crucial to my collection. I might not hit play on them every single day, but they’re still in heavy rotation. They’ve earned their place through sheer awesomeness and consistency. When I do dive into their discographies, it’s a deep, satisfying dive. They’re like the reliable alternate that never disappoints, has variety to it, even if they don’t always take center stage.

As for the Notable Mentions, these are the bands I keep an eye on, and have a few bangers I consume. They might not make it to my daily playlist, but I still enjoy their music whenever the mood strikes. They’re like the underdogs I cheer for, appreciating their contributions and knowing they’ve got the potential to climb higher on my personal charts. They’re the wildcards that keep my listening experience fresh and varied, adding that extra death to my core’s.

These are in no order. There is no best out of this list. I love all 16, equally. I put them in alphabetical order to have some organization to them. I did the same for the Elite-8 and notable mentions. The Top 16 will get more attention. The Elite-8 will be a little shorter and I will mention my notables.

Top 16:

Allegaeon:

From the desolate wastelands of Fort Collins, Colorado, Allegaeon emerged in 2008, branding themselves as tech-death metal manifestation of wizard magic. They broke through the noise with their 2014 album “Elements of the Infinite,” proving that even in a genre flooded with talent, they could stand out. Most metalheads will scream along to: "The God Particle," "Proponent for Sentience III: The Extermination," and "Gray Matter Mechanics - Apassionata Ex Machinea." Why do they matter? Because they blend brutal technicality with thought-provoking themes, proving that you can headbang and think critically at the same time or die trying. If you’re not listening, you’re missing out on some of the sharpest riffs in the metal universe. What attracted me to this band was “Gray Matter Mechanics - Apassionata Ex Machinea.” I remember the first time I heard the song in the car, listening to XM Radio, Liquid Metal, which I have a love/hate relationship with, as-far-as their selection of music is concerned. This song has everything from sheer heaviness to some really neat acoustic guitar parts. Their covers of RUSH’s “Subdivisions” and YES’s “Roundabout” are also very interesting when you hear their originals and then go and take-a-listen to these covers. Their variety of how they can play and form songs are set on a different level for me with extreme metal and it still sounds super technical and smart while getting my inner molecules excited to stand and bang with Ex Machina.

Architects:

From the grimy streets of Brighton, England, Architects have been redefining metalcore since 2004. They hit the big time with their 2016 album “All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us”, a testament to their relentless energy and lyrical depth. Fans thrash to: “Doomsday,” “Meteor,” and “Animals.” Why do they matter? Architects have mastered the art of blending crushing riffs with poppy hooks that make you both sing along and then crush your boi beside you in the pit. If you haven’t caught on yet, you’re missing one of the most influential acts in the genre. “Animals” has nearly 100,000,000 streams on Spotify. I’d say that is significant for a heavy band.

DÅÅTH:

A strange one to make the list because these guys from Atlanta, Georgia, gave us DÅÅTH in 2003, a band that took death metal and infused it with industrial and groove elements. They gained traction with their 2007 album “The Hinderers.” Songs like “The Worthless,” “Subterfuge,” and “Day of Endless Light” are staples. However, where they really shine is in 2024. Releasing their first record in 14 years, DÅÅTH’s newest record, “The Deceivers” is electrifying. Showcases their signature blend of technical death metal and industrial influences, with an ‘even-more’ evolved sound that may redefine where this type of music is heading in the future. Even my 72-year-old mother was diggin’ on this as I was playing it out by the pool. Tracks like: “No Rest No End,” "Purified By Vengeance" and “Hex Unending" are being praised for their intricate riffs, relentless energy, and dark, thought-provoking lyrics. This release is not just a comeback; it's a statement that DÅÅTH is more powerful and relevant than ever in the metal scene. Why do they matter? DÅÅTH brought a fresh, mechanical edge to death metal, making it as much about atmosphere as brutality. Their unique sound and newer evolved take will influence the genre, proving that metal can evolve without losing its core intensity.

Enterprise Earth:

Spawning from Spokane, Washington, in 2014, Enterprise Earth has been a relentless force in Deathcore. Their 2017 album “Embodiment” solidified their place in the scene. Tracks like: “Psalm of Agony,” “Where Dreams Are Broken,” and “Casket of Rust” are my personal favorites. Why do they matter? They bring a brutal yet smooth but polished sound, with lyrics and groove that delve into existential and societal themes. Enterprise Earth is the band for those who want their deathcore with a side of philosophical pondering and some crazy instrumentals. In my opinion one of the more technical bands that keep their feet on the pedal as if they were driving in the wasteland of “Mad Max: Fury Road.” I also love that they release strictly instrumentals of their records. Just another angle of what this band can do sonically and still be brutal-as-FK. Spock once said, “breakdown and prosper,” before he jumped into the crowd of screaming metal fans…

ERRA:

Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, ERRA has been pushing the boundaries of progressive metalcore since 2009. They made waves with their 2013 album “Augment.” Some of my personal favorite tracks include: “Snowblood,” “Breach,” and “Pull From the Ghost.” Why do they matter? ERRA combines technical proficiency with emotional depth, creating a sound that's as heavy and progressive while fusing elements of Djent/Thall into a powerful intricate of soundwaves that stimulate the mind while sweating in its heat… They're a shining example of how metalcore can evolve, blending complexity with raw emotion. Their MUSE cover, “Stockhom Syndrome” is a banger you do not wanna miss.

Fit For A King:

One of the few metalcore bands that survived the style’s shift in and around 2010; Fit for a King, also known as FFAK, that’s right FFAK, burst out of Dallas, Texas, in 2007, delivering punishing metal with a melodic twist. They are considered “Christian hardcore,” whatever that is supposed to be in 2024? If you listen to metal, whatever, most will say, they are metalcore, sure they have the Christian element in their lyrics it doesn’t really change if they are a kickass metal band or not. They shred. That is all that matters to me. Their 2018 album “Dark Skies” pushed them back into the spotlight with a few albums that didn’t match their heaviness. Anthems like: “Tower of Pain,” “Breaking the Mirror,” and “End (the Other Side)” are must-listens. Why do they matter? FFAK melds heaviness with accessible hooks, tackling themes of personal struggle and resilience. They’ve carved out a niche that’s both brutal and relatable, making them a mainstay in the modern metal scene and in just about every playlist I have that has extreme metal in it.

Job For A Cowboy:

Emerging from Glendale, Arizona, in 2003, Job For A Cowboy quickly became synonymous with extreme metal and death metal before evolving their sound to a more technical, progressive-deathcore blend. Their rise to fame through MySpace is legendary in the metal community. As one of the first bands discovered exclusively via the platform, their story is a testament to the power of social media in the music industry. Their 2005 EP "Doom" caught fire on MySpace, attracting a massive following and showcasing their brutal blend of hostile audio waves and one of the first instances of using the “pig squeal” as a vocal style rather than just an effect one would use here/there in a song. Job For A Cowboy turned this into a complete vocal style with their brand of usage of it. Tracks like: "Entombment of a Machine" and “Knee Deep” became viral hits, earning them a record deal and catapulting them into the metal spotlight. Why do they matter? They continue to pave the way for countless other bands, cementing Job For A Cowboy as pioneers of the digital age in metal music. They transition showcasing technical prowess and brutal intensity. Their influence on metal genres is undeniable, making them a band every metal fan should know. If you do not believe me, check out the track “Beyond the Chemical Doorway.”

Orbit Culture:

Straight out of Eksjö, Sweden, Orbit Culture has been around since 2013. Their 2020 album “Nija” and 2023’s “Descent” brought them international acclaim. My favorites include: “From the Inside,” “While We Serve,” and “North Star of Nija.” Why are they important? Orbit Culture seamlessly blends melody with aggression, crafting songs that are as catchy as they are heavy. They’re a fresh voice in the melodic deathcore scene, proving the genre is alive and well. The future of “Melodeath.” At the start of 2024, Orbit Culture signed a deal with Century Media Records. Century Media Vice President Philipp Schulte said via press release; “Watching Orbit Culture’s rise to becoming one of the greatest new metal bands in the world and now working with them is inspiring. I’ve personally been a fan since the beginning. They are part of both metal and Century Media’s future in a very exciting way.”

SiM:

From Tokyo, Japan, SiM (Silence iz Mine) has been mixing punk rock, traditional heavy metal, nü-metal and reggae since 2004. Their 2013 album “Pandora” put them on the map. Key tracks include “KiLLiNG ME,” “Blah Blah Blah,” and “The Rumbling,” which is featured on the anime show “Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 2.” Why do they matter? SiM defies genre boundaries, creating a unique sound that’s as unpredictable as it is infectious with their fusion of different styles. This band is so much fun sonically. They bring the heat but they also bring the bounce. If you like bands like Skindred, Insolence, and (həd) p.e. Then you’d love SiM… They bring a wild, chaotic energy that’s impossible to ignore. If you’re not listening, you’re missing out on one of the most innovative bands out of Japan. Personal favorites not mentioned above are: “HiDe and Seek” and “Red.” Their newest record, “Playdead” is a real banger from front to back and back to front.

Slaughter to Prevail:

From Yekaterinburg, Russia, Slaughter to Prevail has been a relentless force in deathcore since 2014. Their 2017 album “Misery Sermon” turned heads in the metal community. Key tracks like “Misery Sermon,” “666,” and “Chronic Slaughter” showcase their brutality. I started hearing some rumblings about this deathcore band that was killing it from Russia. All I knew back then was this “Russian Hate Project.” Then I started seeing videos of Alex Terrible and all what he could do. Not just with his band but his solo stuff as well. We’ll get there… Anyway, I have seen this band live. With no opener and just destroying it. No one was pissed off. Everyone was on board with Alex and what this band brings to the dance. Why do they matter? Slaughter to Prevail delivers some of the heaviest, most visceral deathcore out there, with a raw intensity that's hard to match. They bring a vicious energy that's both terrifying and captivating. If you like bands like Thy Art Is Murder, Whitechapel, and Suicide Silence, then you'll love Slaughter to Prevail. They offer a relentless sonic assault that's impossible to ignore. Every member can play. Their YouTube channel is amazing for extra content from the band. Some are calling them the next Slipknot and/or Pantera. Stiff tagline but doable in my eyes. They are on their way of being the biggest band on this list and they are not at all radio-friendly metal. Not even close. If you need some good heavy music to fuel your workouts? Personal favorites are: "Demolisher," "Baba Yaga," "Bratva," "1984," "Viking," "Conflict," and "Kid of Darkness"

Twelve Foot Ninja:

From Melbourne, Australia, Twelve Foot Ninja has been blending alternative metal with funk and progressive elements since 2008. Their 2012 album “Silent Machine” brought them into the limelight and both their last two albums were absolute bangers. Why do they matter? Their genre-defying sound and quirky humor set them apart, making them one of the most original acts in modern metal. This band reminds me of early INCUBUS. Specifically when the band first started all the way through “S.C.I.E.N.C.E.” I think Incubus - “S.C.I.E.N.C.E.” is one of the most influential records to come out of the latter half of the 1990s. Especially with metal and fusing it with other styles. One of the defining things about nü-metal was its ability to fuse other styles of music into its aggressive brand. Bands in the heavier sub-genres are now doing this more and more again with their twist of modern added to it. We just might get a nü-metal 2.0 in the near future, I think… Key tracks include: “Coming for You,” “One Hand Killing,” and “Invincible.”

Upon A Burning Body:

Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Upon A Burning Body has been delivering their brand of core which happens to be metal, since 2005. I do not believe them to be a metalcore band. Google lists them as ‘metal,’ and ‘groove metal.’ They are more deathcore for me. They blend elements of metalcore and death metal, characterized by heavy breakdowns, aggressive vocals, and fast-paced, technically demanding instrumentation. However, lately, the band has had a more groovier edge closer to the style of Pantera. And this is not a bad thing. To me, this shift is logical with how they sound. They already had a style, that to me, was a more exaggerated version of what Pantera had done. For them to bring it down a little makes a lot of sense and it sounds absolutely amazing. They can still do the speed when the song fits, but this more groovy take is very enjoyable. Notoriety came with their 2014 album “The World Is My Enemy Now.” Essential tracks include, “Texas Blood Money,” “Sin City,” and “Red Razor Wrists.” Why do they matter? They bring a no-nonsense, hard-hitting approach to metal, with swagger that’s uniquely Texan. Family-oriented with their fanbase, but more like a ‘fambase.’ They’ve earned their place in the scene with relentless energy and unyielding aggression. Some personal favorites: “Built from War,” “Intermission,” and “Til the Break of Dawn.”

Wage War:

From Ocala, Florida, Wage War has been throwing down since 2010 with a no-holds-barred approach to metalcore. Their 2017 album “Deadweight” catapulted them into the spotlight, and for good reason. Tracks like “Stitch,” “Alive,” “Gravity,” “The River,” “Fury,” and “Johnny Cash” are absolute must-listens that’ll hit you like a freight train of emotion and power. Why do they matter? Wage War is all about mixing bone-crushing heaviness with melodic hooks that stick with you. They tackle themes of personal struggle and resilience with a raw intensity that’s impossible to ignore. Their music is a relentless force, whether you’re looking to crush a workout or just chill by the pool with their “Stripped Sessions.” If you’re not in the know, you’re seriously missing out on one of the most compelling acts in metalcore right now. Personal favorites? Check out “Fury,” “Low,” “Relapse,” “Godspeed,” and “High Horse.” Their last album, “Manic”, is a nonstop banger of highs/lows of life, packed with the kind of riffs and hooks that’ll keep you coming back for more. New album “Stigma” out now is something you can groove at the club too but still be heavy and metal… The breakdowns are absolutely insane…

Whitechapel:

Hailing from Knoxville, Tennessee, Whitechapel has been a brutal force in the deathcore scene since 2006. Their 2010 album “A New Era of Corruption” was a defining moment, showcasing their relentless sound. Key tracks like “The Saw Is the Law,” “I, Dementia,” and “When a Demon Defiles a Witch” are essential screamers that display their technical precision and raw power. Why do they matter? Whitechapel delivers sheer brutality with unmatched technical skill, cementing their place as titans of deathcore. They’re a band that’s impossible to ignore, with a sound that hits like a sledgehammer or two-ton, heavy thing. If you’re into unrelenting heaviness and intricate musicianship, Whitechapel is your band. I discovered them late. I always knew who they were, but I didn’t start to really love them till about a year ago and now I am a total junkie. They’re a cornerstone of modern metal. Standout tracks? Don’t miss “I Will Find You,” a song that perfectly encapsulates their relentless aggression, and “This Is Exile,” a brutal anthem, a brutal anthem, FK you, it’s a brutal anthem. “The Saw Is the Law” is another must-listen, combining their signature heaviness with an unforgettable groove. I get it. Mineo is always late to parties. This one included, but damn does it feel good to be here now… Oh, so good…

Winds of Plague:

From Upland, California, Winds of Plague has been fusing symphonic elements with West Coast hardcore since 2002, creating a sound that’s both grand and brutal. Their 2008 album “Decimate the Weak” was a game-changer, firmly establishing them in the metal scene. Essential tracks like “Decimate the Weak,” “The Impaler,” and “Reloaded” showcase their ability to blend cinematic scope with crushing heaviness. Why do they matter? Winds of Plague brings an epic, theatrical quality to deathcore that sets them apart. Their music is a relentless assault on the senses, combining symphonic elements with bone-crushing riffs and breakdowns. Kids, they were doing breakdowns before most were calling them breakdowns. If you’re into bands that push the boundaries of their genre, Winds of Plague should be the 2010s Sepultura for you then. They prove that hardcore can transcend to deathcore and be as grand and dynamic as it is heavy. Personal favorites? Check out “Refined in the Fire,” a track that exemplifies their symphonic brutality of “evil FK’n fears me,” and “The Great Stone War,” a powerful anthem that showcases their unique style. I call it the ‘Braveheart song.’ Listen to it. You’ll get it… Let’s not forget the hardcore classic “Reloaded.” If you forgot about them. Pick them back up. They hold up amazingly when you are pissed off in the modern-day…

Within the Ruins:

From Westfield, Massachusetts, Within the Ruins has been delivering technical metalcore since 2003. Their 2014 album “Phenomena” brought them widespread recognition and showcased their signature sound. Key tracks like “Calling Card,” “Gods Amongst Men,” and “Ataxia IV” are fan favorites that highlight their intricate face-melting musicianship and crushing heaviness. Why do they matter? Within the Ruins stands out in the technical heavy scene with their dark, deep, and rich guitar tones that weave complex and brutal riffs. They’re not just about heaviness; they’re about precision and technical prowess. If your girlfriend asks: “Do you even Djent?” She knows if you are lying or not that you know Within the Ruins material. Personal favorites? “Outsider” (with its haunting lyrics “Left with no home, I have been disowned. Forever left alone, I have become the outsider”), “Castle in the Sky,” and “Ivory Tower” all showcase their ability to blend technical complexity with raw power. Within the Ruins continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in metal. Doesn’t matter what part of the core they are. Metal, PERIOD, making them a must-listen for anyone that thinks they Djent.

Elite-8:

Allt:

Hailing from Sweden, Allt showed up around 2020. Known for their intricate soundscapes and powerful performances, their track “Paradox” stands out as a fan favorite, showcasing their unique blend of technical proficiency and emotional depth. “The Deep Blue Silent” and “Paralyzed” are also stand-out tracks.

Avatar:

From Gothenburg, Sweden, Avatar has been delivering theatrical melodic metal since 2001. Their hit “Hail the Apocalypse” is a prime example of their dynamic sound, combining heavy riffs with dramatic flair, making them a standout in the metal scene. "Let It Burn" and "The King Welcomes You to Avatar Country" are also stand-out tracks. A lot of fun and marketable to mass-listeners.

Bleed From Within:

Emerging from Glasgow, Scotland, in 2005, Bleed From Within has been a force in metalcore. Their track “The End of All We Know” is a must-listen, highlighting their blend of crushing heaviness and melodic hooks that define their sound. “I Am Damnation” and “Hands of Sin” are bangers...

Cattle Decapitation:

San Diego, California, gave us this insane band in 1996, pioneers of deathgrind. Known for their brutal intensity, “Forced Gender Reassignment” is a song that encapsulates their relentless aggression and controversial themes. Usually too heavy for what I like this band has grown on me. Love the new record, it’s sick. “Bring Back the Plague” and “Scourge of the Offspring” are intense, to say the least...

Fate Destroyed:

From Los Angeles, California, Fate Destroyed has been delivering modern metal since 2018. Their track “Break Free” showcases their blend of heavy riffs and melodic sensibility, making them a fresh voice in the metal scene. Probably my favorite band with a female singer right now. Check out, "Crave" and "Speak Your Name."

Impending Doom:

Riverside, California, birthed this incarnation in metal in 2005, a band at the forefront of Christian deathcore. Known for their intense sound. “Murderer” is a track that exemplifies their brutal yet thought-provoking approach to the genre. They haven’t done anything in a minute but do not count them out. They bring the heavy… "Satanic Panic" and "War Music" are exactly what they mean with these tracks.

Till The Dirt:

A new band from ATHEIST front-man Kelly Shaefer, with their debut album “Outside the Spiral.” Known for his impact on the Floridian death metal scene, Shaefer’s new project blends grunge, black metal, jazz, rock, dark wave, and more into a unique sound. TILL THE DIRT stands out by blending various genres into a powerful sound that pushes death metal's boundaries. If you think you know what extreme metal sounds like, loud-AF, put on some noise cancelation headphones and turn this up to 11. It is ok. I will hold your beer… The production value is amazing on the record. “Outside the Spiral” will train your mind to understand. Check out the vibes of: “Starring Role” and “Outside the Spiral” for a taste of their filling sound.

Wake Up Frankie:

Metal from Finland. No bullshit. Take 80's thrash, smash it with 90's metal grooves, and blast it with 00's pornrock, and you get thrashrock in the name of Wake Up Frankie! Been tearin’ up Helsinki since 2017, and they’re just getting started. Check out: “RATATATA,” “Bloodlust,” "The Outlaw," and "Drop Dead." Shit… Just check out their Spotify already. All their songs are bangers... No shit…

Before I go on with “Notable Mentions” I just want to say something about sub-genres. Labels are important. However, let’s not lose our heads here on the specifics of this core vs that core. These labels are loose. I used my own judgement and knowledge of music also with Google and AI. It is ok to not agree. Sure, they have meanings that define them, but a lot of bands, at least these bands, in my opinion, float between the boundaries. I just look at all of them as “modern-metal…” I am not saying this is a sub-genre or anything, but talking about a time period right now. Some of these bands are older than others and have been around and some are semi-new, but it's 2024 now. We have had what? 30-35 years of perfecting the audio techniques and with AI now being able to be thrown into the mix. The changes are going to come even quicker. I am just saying we are getting close to even newer and faster changes coming. Be ready to just take it in. We have already hit that singularity for metal music. It is going to expand in ways that a lot of the OG’s won’t really understand, nor will I as a fan. I am just going to soak it in. Like what I like, love what I love. If I do not like it. I will at least think about why I don’t, so that I may explain it in the future. Usually, my tastes have to do with my moods and how I just like how things sound to me. I have never been able to explain it in a more, well, explainable way. Stay Tuned…

Notable Mention(s):

After The Burial:

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2004, progressive metalcore. Songs to check out: "Behold the Crown," and “Lost in the Static.”

Alex Terrible:

Russia, 2016, deathcore, best known for his band Slaughter to Prevail. Check out "Demolisher." Also, Alex has a YouTube channel where he will post solo tracks and covers of songs. He raps too. It's, um, interesting. See, “Lil Nas X - Old Town Road COVER” - https://youtu.be/RFZVcEym0Hw?si=N-5XBRPC1iCQf-XM

Alpha Wolf:

Metalcore, 2013, from Hobart, Tasmania. Yes, Tasmania and their songs are fast too. Check out, "Akudama."

Dying Fetus:

Upper Marlboro, Maryland, 1991, death metal. The song, "Subjected to a Beating," but it is their newer stuff I really dig, like “Compulsion for Cruelty.”

I Prevail:

Southfield, Michigan, 2013, post-hardcore. "Bow Down" is a real banger.

Ice Nine Kills:

Boston, Massachusetts, 2002, metalcore, "A Grave Mistake" is a good song but the one I like a lot right now is “The American Nightmare.”

Make Them Suffer:

Perth, Western Australia, 2008, metalcore/deathcore blend. Songs to check out: "Ether," “Epitaph,” and “Erase Me.”

Memphis May Fire:

Dallas, Texas, 2006, metalcore, "No Ordinary Love" has always been a staple track. I really love their newer stuff. “Blood and Water” is a real banger…

Meshuggah:

The OG professors of metal tinkering; Meshuggah, hailing from Umeå, Sweden, falls into several heavy metal sub-genres, including Extreme Metal, Progressive Metal, Technical Death Metal, Djent, Avant-garde Metal, Groove Metal, Experimental Metal, Math Metal, Industrial Metal, and Post-Thrash Metal. Check out the classic “Bleed.” Their 2022, "Immutable" is/was an amazing record. Check out "The Abysmal Eye."

Mushroomhead:

Originating from Cleveland, Ohio in 1993, is best known for songs like "Solitaire/Unraveling," "Bwomp," "Sun Doesn't Rise," "Simple Survival," "Qwerty," "Kill Tomorrow," "1200," "Save Us," "Out of My Mind," and "We Are the Truth." New singles: “Prepackaged” and “Fall in Line” are super cool songs. They still sound cool as hell…

Norma Jean:

Douglasville, Georgia, since 1997, has demonstrated remarkable longevity in the metalcore scene, continuing to release bangers like "A Killing Word."

Of Mice & Men:

Costa Mesa, California, 2009, metalcore. Probably best known for, "Second & Sebring." However, I really love their 2022 release “Echo.” Several bangers on there. Check out: "Timeless," "Anchor," “Bloom,” “Pulling Teeth,” and "Obsolete." “Obsolete” has 42 million-plus streams on Spotify. One of their newest and it is one of their most popular and personal favorite from the band.

Periphery:

A cornerstone in progressive metal from Washington, D.C. (2005.) Their drummer, Matt Halpern, is a standout talent, bringing incredible precision and creativity to their sound. Tracks like "Scarlet," "Blood Eagle," and "Marigold" showcase their innovative approach and Halpern's exceptional drumming skills.

Polaris:

Sydney, Australia, 2012, metalcore, “Masochist” and “the Remedy” are in my normal rotation. I need more focus sessions with them.

Termina:

USA, 2020, metalcore. I like Nik Nocturnal. He is a pretty good guitar player and, decent content creator. Where he really shines is doing a great job of bringing all sorts of metal out there where I trust his judgment and I will also check out something he is either in or talks highly of. Jams from this band: "Lucid" and “Take Flight” are nicely done.

thrown:

Stockholm, Sweden, 2021, hardcore. Songs like, “On the Verge,” and "Grayout" are like a beast within themselves. Look this band is today’s generation’s Hatebreed. This isn’t a knock at all. It is awesome that bands can still come out and do stuff with a passion to punish the ears and make faces melt. Their music and philosophy on how to market themselves on Spotify is a very interesting idea. They just so happen to really punch you in the face with their nonstop style.

As we near the end of this venture, for now, let's retain a thing or two, along with enough jams to make a playlist: the essence of metal isn’t just in the gutturals, the riffs, or the breakdowns. It’s in the spirit, the relentless drive to push boundaries, to evolve, and to defy. Each band mentioned here has played a part in my ever-growing soundtrack, offering me a refuge, a release, and a relentless challenge to my senses and perceptions of what is real. Metal remains a steadfast companion, an unyielding force that mirrors the chaos within and around us. These bands, carved their place. Not just as background noise but as the very pulse that drives a foot forward, a finger to push the coffee machine on. To press on, to proceed, to progress, drive forward. To headbang a little. The top 16, the Elite-8, and the Notable Mentions each bring their unique flavor to the table, crafting a diverse and ever-changing landscape of sound of fury. The future of metal is bright, chaotic, and unpredictable, just as it should be. With the advent of new technologies, evolving tastes, and the undying passion of its creators and listeners, this genre will continue to morph and mutate, always staying one step ahead of the mainstream, always staying true to its roots of rebellion and resilience. Embrace the chaos. This anthem, this rebellion, that relentless pursuit of the perfect vibe. Never stop exploring the brutal beauty that is heavy metal. It’s only getting better…

I cannot remember if I ever made a soundtrack for an essay or not. Yet, I did, here is one. All the bands mentioned here directly are on it. Most of the songs mentioned here are on it but not all. Of the 40 bands and 80 songs represented here. The Top 16 got three songs of my choosing. The Elite-8 got two and the Notable Mentions got one each. This was something I had to be into as well. That I can get a little variety of these bands I am really into right now. I may expand it. I may not. I might just make a new one and make that version two or something. I do not know. I just want all this music readily available in my accessible playlists. All these bands are smothered across my account in several different playlists.

Keep bangin’ your heads out there…

Enjoy 80 - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/77rvQQxfjgzHYxuvewCWST?si=1a92413271cd4c63

The 80 Metal by David-Angelo Mineo 7/14/2024 5,593 Words

Top 16:

Allegaeon

Architects

DÅÅTH

Enterprise Earth

ERRA

Fit For A King

Job For A Cowboy

Orbit Culture

SiM

Slaughter to Prevail

Twelve Foot Ninja

Upon A Burning Body

Wage War

Whitechapel

Winds Of Plague

Within The Ruins

The Elite 8:

Allt

Avatar

Bleed From Within

Cattle Decapitation

Fate Destroyed

Impending Doom

Till The Dirt

Wake Up Frankie

Notable Mentions (16):

After the Burial

Alex Terrible

Alpha Wolf

Dying Fetus

I Prevail

Ice Nine Kills

Make Them Suffer

Memphis May Fire

Meshuggah

Mushroomhead

Norma Jean

Of Mice & Men

Periphery

Polaris

Termina

thrown

1 note · View note

associatesinfamilymedicine52 · 4 years ago

Text

Urgent Care Fort Collins

Urgent care at a Ft. Collins, Colorado clinic can be difficult for many people. The types of services many choose are limited, and often there are waiting lists. Fortunately, Urgent Care Fort Collins has streamlined the process of receiving urgent care and has made it easy to schedule appointments online. Many health insurance companies have reduced or eliminated the hours of operation that make traditional clinics so popular in cities like Fort Collins. People living in this area benefit from the availability of low-cost primary care physicians and specialists who accept most major insurance plans.

Urgent Care Fort Collins serves a wide variety of patients. Some are there for simple stitches or minor injuries. Others come for treatment for common ailments like colds and flu. But no matter what is the reason, many people find comfort in being taken care of at an urgent care center. Staff members are trained to make patients feel comfortable and make the visit as pleasant as possible.

There are several online resources for those looking for Fort Collins Urgent Care clinics. One such resource is the Fort Collins Health Center, which is located at 7001 SW Canyon Boulevard. The center offers several medical services, as well as psychiatric care for children. This clinic is open after hours on weekdays, and some days may even offer walk-ins. Patients can also book online with Solv, the provider of Urgent Care Fort Collins, to have their appointment booked online immediately.

Other local Urgent Care Fort Collins clinics include the following: Stokes Eye and Ear Care; Stokes Children's Hospital; Colorado State University's Ansellman School of Medicine. These schools accept all major insurance plans, and some even have a waiting list of patients who cannot pay for the service. Some of these hospitals also offer walk-in services to families that can't make it in for a scheduled appointment. Both Stokes Eye and Ear Care and Stokes Children's Hospital have information on their websites about their location, hours of operation, emergency numbers, and other important information for patients and families.

If an emergency situation comes up in which patients and their family are dealing with an emotional or physical crisis, Urgent Care Fort Collins can help. Family members can call the clinic at any time of the day or night to be treated for common illnesses like the flu, colds, the flu or even shingles. An ophthalmologist can diagnose and treat eyesight conditions like glaucoma, cataracts and vision loss. Family doctors can help patients manage prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Emergency care is offered by emergency medical technicians, paramedics and EMTs.

Even if a patient is unable to pay for an appointment, he or she can call the clinic and have an appointment set up without having to wait in line. It's important for patients and their families to have access to high quality health care in the event that an accident or another medical emergency arises. Urgent care can often mean life or death for some people. Patients and their families need to have peace of mind when they go into a clinic such as Urgent Care Fort Collins.

Tumblr Wordpress Jigsy Bravenet https://afmnoco.com/

#urgent care fort collins

1 note · View note

beca-mitchell · 5 years ago

Note

First of all, fuck you 'fool's gold's was so soft and funny. Such a joy to read. How dare you be so talented??? Second of all, how about a lil angsty prequel with the drunken kiss? 👀

omg of course you would…something really quick for u, my dear…i miss u!

foolish desires (1/1)

Summary: Their past will always follow them, no matter where they are. From the South of France to Colorado to California.

A/N: supplement to fool’s gold. the kiss that didn’t happen and the kiss that did.

Word count: 1.7k

Read below or on AO3.

One.

[South of France]

Beca isn’t a jealous person, not necessarily. But she supposes she may be prone to the occasional flare-up.

But she is an adult and she’s totally happy for Chloe. Chloe, who is a consenting adult and who can make her own decisions…and who is decidedly not Beca’s girlfriend.

They’re just friends.

Chloe kissing Chicago right after Beca’s final performance in France had kind of been the final nail in the coffin.

Beca just kind of…thought maybe—

She shakes her head, refocusing on the conversation. “And Chicago?” Beca asks, hating the way his name rolls off her tongue. The familiarity of saying his name was not born out of friendliness or camaraderie, but a necessity. “How is he?” she continues, taking care to inject politeness into her tone. Regardless of her budding and increasingly frustrating feelings for Chloe, she never wants to lose Chloe as a friend. That would quite possibly be the worst outcome ever.

To her surprise however, Chloe sighs. Beca’s heart begins to pound erratically and she quickly shushes the stupid voice in her head to listen to Chloe’s voice. “I don’t really want to talk about it. I’m kind of just looking forward to this weekend of doing nothing.”

“Oh, okay,” Beca agrees quickly. “That sounds nice.”

And just like that, the conversation is dropped.

— — — — — — — — — —

Beca still thinks about it though.

There were few things that would compare to the elation and joy and inexplicable sadness that followed her performance, as she gazed upon the applauding audience. For all the eyes that had turned upon her then—for all the respect and admiration—Beca only had eyes for one group of people.

Or rather, one person.

It had been as if a spotlight turned on and had pointed Beca right into Chloe’s arms. Never had she felt so safe and warm and happy, like she knew exactly what she needed for the rest of her life.

“That was incredible,” Chloe had murmured right into Beca’s ear. Loud as ever over the dull roar from the audience. “You’re incredible.”

Too choked up around a mouthful of Chloe’s hair and her own tears, Beca couldn’t do much more at the moment than squeeze Chloe back as tightly as she could, all kinds of realizations and epiphanies shooting through her body. How neatly their bodies slotted together. How wonderfully soft Chloe felt against her. The brush of Chloe’s nose against her skin as she nuzzled into Beca further. Their friends all around them, squeezing them even closer together.

Chloe’s voice, over and over: “You’re incredible. Amazing. Wonderful.”

Beca really is starting to believe it.

— — — — — — — — — —

One little hiccup, however—

“Colorado? The state?”

(A hiccup apart from Chicago. These names are killing Beca.)

“It’s like a two-hour flight to Los Angeles.”

Beca hums in response and blushes, trying not to let it be known exactly why Chloe knew that information would be important…because it isn’t. Not at all. Not one bit.

— — — — — — �� — — —

Chicago himself ends up being nothing, really. But that doesn’t mean the sting goes away that easily.

But Beca can’t say no to visiting Chloe in Colorado, taking the trip to Fort Collins months after their fateful USO trip.

It feels like an entire lifetime as passed, but once Chloe pulls her into the tightest hug known to mankind, it is like nothing has changed.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” Chloe murmurs, sounding suspiciously teary.

“Me too.”

— — — — — — — — — —

The thing is, it is so ridiculously easy to be with Chloe. It is so easy for Beca to lose herself in all the same old sensations and the same old annoying feelings, except this time she knows to accept them for what they truly are.

She goes with it.

Now, they’re giggling and everything feels so fucking warm.

Beca is trying to remember whether Chloe mentioned that her apartment was a furnace because the heat is making her want to pull off her sweater, but for unknown reasons at the moment, Beca thinks she probably shouldn’t. Still, she smiles, enjoying the feeling of Chloe pressed right against her side—unfortunately making her warmer still with her body heat—and Chloe’s laughter shaking both of them.

Why had they been laughing at all?

Who cares, Beca thinks. Chloe smells nice and clean and like everything Beca enjoys most in the world.

Like home.

She doesn’t realize how still she is until Chloe slowly lifts her head as well to peer at her.

Oh fuck, she can read my mind. Beca tries to smile back, attempting to form some sarcastic phrase that will bring them out of this suddenly tense moment, but it all dies on her lips when all she manages to say is, “You have beautiful eyes.”

FUCK. Abort mission.

Reflecting back, it would be innocent enough if Beca weren’t certain she had her damn fuck me eyes turned all the way on. She’s sure she had gotten better at taming them over time, but Chloe’s kind of looking at her the same way. It’s just the way those words sound: soft and gentle, whispered like a lover’s secret…

Beca is screwed. By her own doing.

But,she thinks traitorously, as Chloe inhales shakily, with her face so close to Beca’s. Would it be so bad? To kiss her?

Chloe Beale is the kind of girl who knows how pretty she is, Beca’s sure, but somehow Chloe is breathless with Beca’s little confession-but-it-wasn’t-really-a-confession.

“So blue,” Beca adds once she tires of the silence. She is somehow leaning farther into Chloe’s personal space.

“They’re definitely blue,” Chloe confirms in a distracted tone.

“I like it when you look at me,” Beca replies, bolder than she feels.

“I like…” Chloe clears her throat. “I like that too.” A blush begins to spread on Chloe’s cheeks.

“Looking at me?” Beca asks to clarify.

Chloe smiles and she leans in further.

And suddenly a cacophony of sound—like a door slamming in Beca’s mind, loud enough to startle even Chloe away from her.

Wait, it’s real.

“Wait,” Beca blurts when she realizes she is too late in trapping Chloe’s warmth.

“Oh fuck, it’s my roommate,” Chloe whispers. She stands quickly to greet her roommate, but not before casting a look of regret and disappointment back at Beca.

Beca sighs.

— — — — — — — — — —

Two.

[Los Angeles, California]

It is probably a bad idea for Beca to introduce Chloe to her new L.A. friends, but they’re probably the most solid group of friends Beca has managed to lock down and they’re oddly loyal for Hollywood standards.

Still, they’re no match for Chloe Beale.

Chloe, who once jumped into a pool fully clothed just to make sure the party stayed alive.

Chloe, who has been staring at Beca all night with the most mysterious look on her face.

Chloe, who still sends heat rippling through Beca’s body like no tomorrow.

Beca grins at Chloe fondly, bringing her over to their VIP table and pushing a glass of water towards her. “Drink up, drunky.”

“I’m not drunk,” Chloe says, but still, she drinks obediently. Her eyes still sparkle at Beca over the rim of the glass, like she is assessing Beca or worse, looking right through her. Beca quickly downs her own glass of water, averting her eyes.

When she finishes, Chloe is watching her intently again, but with something akin to affection as opposed to the more primal expression she had displayed.

“Chloe,” Beca says. “C’mere.” When Choe does, Beca pushes her forehead against hers, both of them exhaling in surprise. But Beca shuts her eyes and powers through. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

Chloe smiles, Beca can nearly feel it with how close Chloe’s face is to hers. “That’s my line.”

In the end, when they finally kiss, Beca isn’t sure who moves first. All she really truly processes is how impossibly soft Chloe’s lips are against her own and how their hands bump against each other as they both scramble to hold each other closer. Chloe giggles, soft and light against Beca’s mouth and instead of lessening the tension in Beca’s chest, it sends a bolt of arousal straight to Beca’s center.

It isn’t just Chloe’s laugh though. It’s the way Chloe fucking traps her lip between her teeth and tugs ever so slightly before pushing back in for a deeper, more thorough kiss. And the way her hands rest on Beca’s thighs. Or the way Chloe sighs in that ridiculously sexy way.

It’s just Chloe.

“Fuck,” Beca breathes, when Chloe pulls back only to reattach her lips to Beca’s neck. “Oh fuck , Chloe, we shouldn’t—” she swallows when she feels Chloe hesitate and pause. “We shouldn’t,” Beca clarifies. “N-not here.”

Chloe lets out a shaky breath, lips already slightly swollen from their kiss. Beca stares at them, noting how rosy and pink they look even in the dim lighting. She wants to kiss her again (and again and again—) but they shouldn’t.

Chloe’s lips are moving, forming words.

Beca swallows. “What’s that?” she asks, eyes flicking back up to Chloe’s eyes guiltily.

“I said,” Chloe says slowly and softly in a tone that sends a shiver right up Beca’s spine. “Then where?”

Nevermind. Right here. Now. Thank you.

“Back to my place,” Beca finally manages to say. Her eyes widen when she realizes how that sounds. “Because…you’re staying there.” Nope. “And it’s quieter.”

Chloe grins. “Okay.”

— — — — — — — — — —

To both their credit, they do try to talk, but the Uber home is already a mess of stolen kisses and totally-inappropriate touching, so when Chloe cuts Beca off in the middle of a question, Beca really doesn’t care to ask her again, not when Chloe’s tongue pushes its way into her mouth with precision and confidence.

Beca groans, shuffling backwards as steadily as she can until she falls back on the couch, her hands on Chloe’s ass for support. Chloe huffs out a laugh, her head falling against Beca’s shoulder for a moment.

Beca has never laughed as much while kissing another person than she has with Chloe, which is quite the new experience. It warms her and only makes her want to be close to Chloe again, so she tilts Chloe’s head back to her own and captures her lips again. Soft, warm, and wet—Chloe’s mouth feels like absolute heaven against her own. She had imagined what it would be like, but the reality is so much better that Beca isn’t sure that she’ll ever enjoy another dream again.

“Chlo,” she whimpers against Chloe’s mouth, without any real goal in mind.

Chloe hums in response, kissing a path across Beca’s jaw before lifting her head and staring right at Beca. “I’m here,” she rasps. “I’m here.”

Beca smiles, pulling Chloe back in for another kiss.

They can talk tomorrow.

fin.

#bechloe #beca mitchell #fanfiction #pitch perfect #chloe beale #summersailedin #ask #my fanfic #mine #fool's gold

108 notes · View notes

coffee-obsessed-writer · 6 years ago

Text

A Weekend Off

Dean x Reader

Summary: After a long cross country drive to help Bobby & Sam becomes unnecessary, Dean decides that maybe its time for him and his girlfriend, (Y/N), to have some down time.

A/N: This is porn with zero plot, but more importantly, a motivational gift for @closetspngirl cause sometimes, you just need some fluffy, smutty Dean to get through the day. Enjoy, hun! xo

Warnings: Fluff, Smut, Oral (giving & receiving), 18+ only

Words: 3.2K

Everything Tags: @sorenmarie87 // @lefthologramdeer // @rockyhorrorpictureshowstyle // @his-paradox // @letsby

SPN Tags: @wings-of-a-raven // @kazosa // @negans-wife // @grace-for-sale // @geeksareunique // @tiquismiquis // @mrsbarnes-rogers // @teller258316 // @spnhollis // @sweet-things-4-life // @hobby27 // @sweetlythoughtfulbird // @theoriginalvicki // @dreamchester67 // @xxwarhawk // @babykalika2001 // @superwhovianfangirl81 // @toobusynerdfighting // @missihart23 // @crowleysreigningqueenofhell // @idreamofplaid // @thewinchesterchronicles // @wayward-gypsy // @closetspngirl // @fatestemptress // @rebelminxy // @22sarah08 // @witch-of-letters // @cole-winchester // @rainflowermoon // @adoptdontshoppets // @foreverwayward // @waywardvalkyrie// @fandomoniumflurry // @gnrfanfic // @blackcherrywhiskey // @jessieray98 // @lyoly // @a–1–1–3 // @31shadesofbrown // @whereismyangel-damnitdeanshare // @pilaxia // @flamencodiva // @screechingartisancashbailiff// @kgbrenner // @holylulusworld // @deansenwackles // @jamielea81

*Gif not mine, credit to owner

Hours on the road had made Dean weary and grouchy. There were not many stops along the way, and the places that were there, didn’t exactly give him the warm and fuzzies. The one truck stop that had a diner that was so full, that the wait to sit and eat would have taken longer than the act of cooking and eating the food itself.

Dean growled and motioned towards the Impala. You recognized his frustrated expression and just walked back to the car. Driving across country was starting to take its toll, but he was determined to get to the next job on the West Coast by the end of the day even though that was looking less than promising.

At one point you tried to explain that Sam and Bobby would be able to handle it until you arrived, but he wouldn’t listen. You loved Dean with all your heart but his stubborn streak was something you could sometimes do without.

“Babe, please…” you begged him somewhere outside of Omaha, “just either let me drive or stop at a hotel to sleep. I don’t think I’ve seen you shut your eyes once since outside of Pittsburgh. And, no… blinking doesn’t count.”

“I’m fine,” he mumbled and glanced at you quickly. “I swear, I’m fine. We just need to get there.”

You just shook your head and sighed softly so he couldn’t hear you. It wasn’t that you minded running around the country with Dean, you’d follow him anywhere. It was when he put any regard for himself aside to help someone else that you worried or felt frustrated. Dean did so much for everyone else, you just wanted him to take better care of himself.

It was about two hours after that, Dean finally found another spot that had a decent diner attached to a small gas station. He agreed to stop for gas, bathroom break and to order food to go. (Y/N) looked road weary and he felt terrible dragging her around the way he had. This certainly wasn’t what he had planned with her. But when the job calls, you gotta answer… at least that’s what he told himself. When he asked if she wanted to come along, she didn’t hesitate to say yes. That meant a lot to him.

(Y/N) had left to use the ladies’ room, while he sat at the counter and waited for the burgers, fries and sodas to be ready to go. Baby was all gassed up and waiting, now he just needed their grub.

The phone vibrated from deep in his pocket, signaling a text message notification from Sam.

Don’t worry about the job. It’s done. Bobby and I handled it.

Dean groaned and didn’t bother texting back. Instead calling him and not bothering with a greeting with his little brother answered.

“What do you mean, ‘you handled it’?” he barked upon hearing Sam’s voice.

“Bobby and I got it, its fine.”

“Seriously? Man, I’ve busted my ass to get out to you. Damn near broke the sound barrier hauling ass through Iowa.”

Dean could feel anger brewing and closed his eyes to stave it off. In that moment, he just wanted to be far away from people; just held up somewhere with his best girl by his side and a bottle of whiskey or bourbon to share.

“I mean, if you’re dying to hunt… Bobby got a lead on a werewolf outside of Bismarck. We’re headed that way—”

“No,” he said flatly just as the waitress handed him the take-out bag. “You know what. You guys can handle it.”

“You’re passing on a hunt?” Sam asked, a jovial lilt to his voice. “You? Dean Winchester? Passing on a werewolf hunt? You feeling alright?”

“Yeah, you know, for the first time in a while. I feel great. In fact, I’m taking the weekend off. Unless one of you is bloody, don’t call me ‘til Monday. (Y/N) and I will be unreachable.”

“Alright, call me if you change your—”

Dean ended the call, a flutter of frustration still in his chest. However, the idea that suddenly he doesn’t need to get to his brother made that dissipate quickly. (Y/N) rounded the corner just as Dean happened to look up at her. His minded wandered on how they should spend their unexpected bout of free time, but the way she swayed her hips, and the way she smiled upon reaching him, made him realize exactly what he wanted to do.

“Ready?” he asked, grabbing the white plastic take-out bag from the counter.

“Yes, sir. Seattle, here we come!”

The corners of Dean’s mouth turned down into his usual smirk. “Yeah… sure. Let’s go.”

After eating the burgers and fries, the lull of the highway made your eyes heavy enough to fall asleep. Unsure of how many hours passed, the next thing you knew, Dean was gently shaking you away.

“Hey, honey… wake up,” his said, his voice was soft, yet raspy. When you opened your eyes, he was leaning over you, a wistful smile on his lips. “There she is. Hey, come on, we’re here.”

“We’re in Seattle? That’s not possible…” you sat up trying to get your bearings. You were NOT in Seattle. “Dean, where--?”

“Come on…” Was all Dean would say.

You nodded and when he was satisfied you would follow along, he exited the car and you followed suit through the passenger door. It was well past sunset, and all the colors had already faded with it. But when you looked up, the darkening sky was dotted with a full universe of stars and a crescent moon. As you looked around you, there were shadows of snow-capped mountains and small flickering lights of cabins and homes off in the distance.

“Dean, where are we?”

“We are on vacation.”

“Wait. What?”

He laughed at your confused expression and walked around to meet you at the front of the car. Dean’s hands were shoved down into his pockets, a look of mischief on his face.

“When we stopped at the diner, I talked to Sam. They finished the job.”

“Oh,” you replied, feeling a bit of relief that the urgency was gone.

“Buuut, they had a werewolf hunt lined up near Bismarck.”

“So, we’re in North Dakota?”

“No. Colorado. Up near Fort Collins. An old friend of mine had a cabin up here. He said if I ever needed it…”

“You’re gonna have to explain, Dean. Why are we here?”

Dean pulled his hands out of his pockets and placed them on the upper parts of your arms, rubbing lightly as he held your gaze. “We are taking a weekend for us. This is ours ‘til Monday. I told Sam no calls unless they’re bloody.”

Your heart began to pound with anxious excitement. “Seriously?”

“Mhm, and the cabin is stocked with snacks, movies and plenty of whiskey,” he smiled a big, cheesy smile and wiggled his eyebrows playfully.

You jumped up and threw your arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely. Though he was surprised at first, he kissed you back, but only for a moment. Dean pulled back and with no warning leaned down, picked you up by your legs, threw you over his shoulder and headed into the cabin.

Once the lights were on, he finally put you down. It was a small space, but extremely cozy. The stone fireplace was stocked with wood, the plush couch was littered with pillows and blankets, and the loft contained a King size bed with at least six layers of soft fleece comforters. The kitchen area was larger than you would have though, with a center island and array of appliances that made it complete.

Dean went about checking the cabinets and seemed happy with array of snacks that were there. Even the refrigerator was well packed with all the essentials you would need for a few days.

“This place is amazing! How did you do all this?”

“I made a couple phone calls while you were snoozing. I wanted to surprise you. I’ve been a bit of a dick the last week, not purposely, but you know how I can be. I thought—I don’t know—we could just sorta, spend time together that wasn’t hunting. You know?”

Your heart rippled with a surge of love for him. Dean was always good to you, always kept your needs and happiness in the forefront of his mind. But this was a game changer, this surprise cemented the fact that you were head over heels in love with him.

“Dean…” your voice fell, unsure of how to express how much what he did, meant to you.

“Its ok, you don’t have to say anything. Hey, I got an idea. I’ll grab the bags from the car, get a fire going, get some food on and why don’t you go take a long, hot bath and just relax.”

You froze and just stared at him. “Who are you?”

Dean rolled his eyes. “What? I do nice stuff.”

“You do, all the time. Its one of the things I like best about you. But this… this is a different side to you.”

“A good side?” he asked, his frisky expression igniting your desire for him.

“A very good side.”

The bathroom was gorgeous. Décor side, in the corner was a giant, claw-foot soaking tub, set on a small lift and adorned with a variety of candles along the ledge behind it. Finding the lighter on the window sill, you went about lighting all the wicks, and then made sure the plunger was set before turning on the water. When you finally stripped out of your clothes and slipped into the tub, you didn’t think it could get any better than it was at that moment.

Soaking in the warm, soapy tub helped to wash away the last remnants of the road, and made you feel human again. While it felt wonderful, you missed Dean and was curious as to what he was up to out there.

Once you drained the water, and started drying off, your mind drifted to him again. Being with him for the past few months was starting to feel like home. Hotel to motel, job to job… city to city, if you were with him, you were home. Dean wasn’t the kind of man you ever imagined you’d fall for, but nonetheless, here you were, and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Drawing the towel tighter around your chest, you quietly opened the bathroom door, and saw that Dean had gotten a fire going, had something cooking on the stove, and currently was trying to find a station to come in through the radio. Stealthily, you walked into the room and stood by the fireplace, waiting for him to stop fiddling with the radio.

Dean settled on a classic rock station, and just as he turned around, caught sight of you by the fireplace. He was about to say something, but then stopped before he could, realizing you were still just covered by your towel. Rendered speechless, he stood in the kitchen, nervously fidgeting between crossing his arms over his chest and leaning on the counter.

Seeing him flustered flipped a switch, and made you want him more than you already did. The music kept playing from the small radio on the counter as you approached him. When you were a step away, he took a step back and bumped into the counter.

“You alright?” you teased.

“Uh, mhm, great. Bath? Your bath was, uh, good?”

You nodded and undid your towel, letting it drop to the floor. “Was hoping you could help me dry off. Maybe, find something to put on.”

Dean drank you in slowly from head to toe. When his eyes scanned over your chest, you saw him swallow hard. You closed the last gap between you, so your body was pressed to his.

“Whatcha cookin’?” you asked, nodding towards the stove.

“P-Pasta,” he smiled, his tongue running nervously over his bottom lip.

“Oh,” you said and went to the burners, shutting them off. “Care for an appetizer, first?”

Dean exhaled shakily. “God yes.” He reached out for your hand and pulled you into him.

There was no hesitation in his intentions. His mouth clamped down onto yours, bringing you into a passionate kiss; his hand tangled up in your hair and forcing your lips harder onto his. His other hand ran roughly down the length of your body, pausing to cup your breasts, rolling your nipple between his fingers.

Suddenly, both hands were on your ass and lifting you up, sitting you on the island counter where unopened boxes of pasta were. With one hand Dean, wiped it clean, sending everything to the floor and laid you down on the cold granite. He positioned himself between your legs, and slid your ass down to the edge before lowering his head to kiss the inside of your thighs. He looked up for a moment and glided his hands up your abdomen and then back down your sides to the tops of your thighs. Spreading your legs further apart, he bent back down and began to kiss the hood of your sex.

Your hands gripped his head before he could even feel how wet you were for him to touch you. Dean’s tongue parted your folds, sparking you to arch your back and moan softly. The sound encouraged him to further lavish your clit with his tongue relentlessly. One hand slowly slid down your legs, until his fingers found your entrance and teased you with penetration. The need to feel him inside you was maddening, and the more he lapped and teased your clit, the more you wanted to scream for him to fuck you.

Just when you didn’t think you couldn’t take it anymore, he thrust his fingers up inside you, causing you to cry out his name.

“Dean! Fuuuck!” you felt yourself getting breathless, and just needed him to be closer to you, to feel his weight above you, to kiss you… “Baby, please…” you moaned and pulled at him to come back up to meet your lips.

When he came up for air, you sat up on the counter and yanked at his clothes. He kissed you with such a fierce need between each layer coming off. As he pulled his t-shirt over his head, you pawed at the belt of his jeans and then shoved them to the floor. Dean finished removing them and kicked them aside. He paused for a minute and just stared at you, running his hands over your skin, sometimes soft and loving, sometimes rough and desperate.

He didn’t speak. Left with only his boxers on, but his erection clear through the thin fabric, he helped you off the counter and walked you over to the oversized, overstuffed couch near the fireplace. He turned to face you, as you easily slipped the boxers off his legs, then pushed him down to the couch.

Kneeling before him, you took the length of him in your hands and used your tongue to circle the tip of his dick. Dean’s eyes rolled back as did his head. His fingers dug into the couch cushions beside him, then found their way into your hair. Moving your mouth and tongue all over his cock, his hips moved with you and a growl of satisfaction radiated from his chest.

“Jesus…” he moaned, mouth hung open and his eyes once again fixed on you. He lasted only another minute before he was pulling your head up and guiding you to straddle him on the couch.

Slowly, you lowered yourself onto his cock. The more he filled you, the louder your moans grew. There was a freedom with how loud you could be in the cabin, just the two of you. Knowing that and being able to express how he made you feel, somehow heightened the sensation of it all.

You moved on his dick, swaying back and forth, side to side, each pass up, then down, his fingers would dig deeper into your sides as he moved with you. Dean leaned forwards and covered your nipple with his mouth, biting and sucking relentlessly. His arms reached around your back and pulled you into him fiercer, both of your bodies moving erratically towards climax. His mouth released your breast, and he buried his face in your cleavage for a minute before he looked up at you.

Unable to hold back, your walls fluttered around him, clenching against his dick and making him cum.

“God damn… fuck!” he mewed, just as you were crying out his name. “Fuck… where did that come from?”

You could only chuckle as you were trying to catch your breath. “I don’t know. I guess I just missed you.”

“Well, damn, baby, I wish you’d miss me more,” he teased, running his tongue over his lips as they were pulled into a smirk.

You went to climb off him, but he kept you put. Reaching up, he pulled your mouth back onto his and this time when he kissed you, he did so softly. He kissed you that way for a while, almost long enough for him to get hard again. When he did finally pull back from your lips, he lightly ran a thumb against your cheek, and tipped your down face to meet his gaze.

“You know, you make me pretty damn happy.”

“Do I?”

“Yeah. A lot. You put up with a lot from me, and I want you to know that, uh—” he paused, and you could tell he was struggling a little, “I love you. But not just love you, (Y/N), I’m in love with you.”

You hadn’t heard that from him before. You knew he cared, that he cared a lot, but to admit he was in love with you…

“I love you too, Dean. A lot.”

“That’s good. Cause it would suck bad if you were just using me for my body,” he teased with a dead pan face, “or my car.”

Feigning shock, you playfully smacked his chest. “Why, I never!”

“Hey, you’re the one who dropped the towel, ok. I was just an innocent boy, cooking dinner for his very hungry girlfriend—Ow!” he cried as you hit him again, a little harder this time.

In a flash he lifted you off him and flipped you onto your back on the couch. As he hovered over top of you and gazed down, he smiled the soft, thoughtful one he reserved only for you.

“Now, I’m thinking naked pasta dinner in front of the fire. You down?”

“Abso-fucking-lutely,” you giggled.

He bent down to kiss you again and then jumped up and ran back to the kitchen. It only took him a second to come back and grab his boxers.

“Yeah, second thought, I should at least wear these… sauce splatters,” he shrugged and climbed back into them. He made his ‘yikes’ face and ran back into the kitchen.

In that moment, if he had asked you to give up everything and live with him in that cabin forever, you wouldn’t hesitate to say yes. Dean Winchester made you happy and, you fell more in love with him then you ever thought would be possible.

#dean winchester x reader #dean winchester x you #dean winchester x reader insert #dean winchester smut #dean winchester #spn fan fics

535 notes · View notes

shaylybaby2032 · 6 years ago

Text

Let Me Be Your Lighthouse

Fandom: Supernatural

Rating: Explicit/18+

Pairing: Gabriel x OFC

A/N: Please do not copy my work to any platform without my permission, even if giving credit.

Warnings: Eventual smut, physical/mental abuse, angst, fluff, language

Summary: A Duke of Hell wants to use Gabriel for his own nefarious plans and makes a deal with the Empty Enitity to bring the Archangel back from the dead. But, when Gabriel escapes, the Duke must reach deep into his arsenal to try and track him down. Not long after Gabriel's great escape, Sam and Dean race to save a fellow hunter who has been captured by demons and, after rescuing her, convince the woman to let them help her get rid of the demons hot on her heels. While the two occurrences seem unrelated at first, they may have more in common than any of them realize.

"A wise man once told me, 'family don't end in blood.' But it doesn't start there either. Family cares about you, not what you can do for them. Family's there; for the good, bad, all of it. They got your back, even when it hurts." -Dean Winchester

Chapter 1: Unexpected Return

The full moon hung low in the night sky over the large patch of deserted dirt in Fort Collins, Colorado that had once been an attempt at a cornfield. The former owner of the land hadn't expected this particular patch of land to be so deprived of the nutrients required to grow grass, much less the crop he had staked his financial well-being upon. He had become quite aware of the losing battle when the ground had all but spit out the yellow kernels as black and hollow husks. If he had been aware of the door that laid deep below the surface of the ground he had been trying to grow the plants in, he would probably have gone running for the hills, or the nearest church.

Unfortunately, there was no way he could have known that the very energy seeping into the ground making it volatile would find its way in to his own mind during the single year he spent trying to make the decision to dump all of his money into the plot a worthwhile choice. There was no way he could have known that exactly one year after he first set foot on to the place that he would be sitting in the local mental institution staring blankly at a wall mumbling about a void no human was ever meant to see.

When he died less than three weeks later, the bank had put a “For Sale” sign on the land. It stuck up from the ground until the elements faded the bright writing away, and it became one of those properties that fell through the cracks as it shuffled around in the system of more appealing purchases.

That was, until almost a decade later, when a man in an expensive five-piece suit walked into the bank asking to speak with the president of the establishment. The man was charming enough to disarm anyone he was speaking with in a way that, had anyone really been paying attention to the ease in which it happened, would have made them fear for their very souls. They hadn't noticed, however, and before long the engaging man with professionally short midnight hair and piercing, dark brown eyes had the female bank president completely enthralled.

It wasn't the sharp and attractive features of his face that drew her in. No, she was far too smart to be taken in by a pretty face and a fancy suit. Years of dealing with business men and women had sharpened her skill of rifling through bullshit and pipe dreams. It was his confidence that drew her in at first, and it slowly mixed in with an attribute she couldn't quite describe. After having checked the credentials he had given her, she discovered he had more than enough money to pay the offer he had presented to her for the property. It was an offer that was more than quadruple the listing price.

While she couldn't see the appeal of the dead piece of land that sat on the outskirts of her town hidden by brush and now overgrown woods, she had finally accepted his offer. When he smiled his approval, her stomach dropped to her feet. The gesture had sent a sense of unnerving through her that had her hair standing on end, and could only be described as wicked. He hadn't given her a chance to go back on her acceptance of his offer, and he grasped her hand in a handshake to seal the deal. She had fought with everything she had not to jerk away when she came in contact with his cold skin. The connection made an overwhelming sense of dread crash over her so hard that she could have sworn the light in the room hit his eyes in way that made them appear to be deep black orbs, threatening to drag her down.

As the suited man walked out onto the moonlit field, that same wicked smile was painted on his face. After all these years he had found the doorway, one that he was sure God had loathed having to make after his Archangel had fallen and created those first dark beings. His eyes flashed to black again as he pulled a glass jar of dark red liquid from a pocket inside his suit jacket. He walked in a circle as he poured the thick substance onto the ground in the shape of sigils that predated even the earliest Sumerian cuneiform. All the while he chanted a language long since dead enough to not be in any written form. When he had completed the circle, the ground beneath him began to rumble and he stepped outside of the markings just as they began to glow with an eerie black hue.

Thunder rolled above his head and lightning lit up the sky as the dirt within the circle began to shift and swirl. A thick tar like substance started to bubble up from the dirt, jerking and spasming as it was drawn to the center like metal to a magnet. The substance pooled and started to build on itself, slowly forming a humanoid shape. With another crash of thunder, the vile liquid crashed back into the ground to reveal an exact copy of the suited man standing in the center of the circle with pure loathing etched into his features.

“Eligos,” the copy growled, addressing the man that summoned it. “To what do I owe the annoyance of being called on by a mighty Duke of Hell.” it's voice held a disgusted tone as it mocked the being in front of it. “Had I been sleeping when you called I would have dragged you down to my domain on sheer principle, so I advise you to tread lightly.”

Eligos bowed respectfully as he spoke. “Oh great being of the Empty, please, pardon my intrusion, but, I am in need of your assistance.”

“MY ASSISTANCE?!” the Empty Entity barked. “WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I WOULD WASTE MY TIME WITH THE LIKES OF YOU?!”

“Because I will make it worth your while,” Eligos said cooly, not even phased by the primal shout that had come from the being in front of him as he straightened his posture. “I have discovered that you know a good deal when one presents itself.”

The Empty Entity regarded the Duke with interest, though it's ire was still prominent. “What is it that you want, Eligos. My patience is already thin. Don't make it worse.”

“The Archangel, Gabriel.”

The Empty threw it's head back in a spurt of laughter so sinister that the wildlife around the area, had there been any dumb enough to wander close, would have scurried away in haste. “Why would I even entertain the idea of freeing an Archangel?”

“Because I offer two of my sixty legions of demonic soldiers for him.”

The Empty scoffed at his bargain. “Twelve thousand demon souls for an ARCHANGEL?! Even one as broken as Gabriel is worth far more than that.”

“Then name your price,” Eligos insisted, his calm exterior never faltering.

“What use could you have for an Archangel with low grace and a hefty dose of PTSD? Your superior really did quite the number on him. But, you know that. Asmodeus confided in you and you alone about his pet, among other things.”

For the first time Eligos’ still presentation faltered as his eyebrow arched in questioning.

“I receive the memories of each being that comes to my domain,” the Empty explained before he could ask. “Asmodeus was sick, even by my standards. I will only ask one more time why you want one of his broken toys.”

“Gabriel's low grace makes him vulnerable and open to... persuasion.”

“I see. You understand how devastatingly wrong darkening an angel can go, correct?”

“I have the means to control him once he's mine.”

The Empty crossed it's arms over it's chest as the being contemplated the request made by the Duke. “I want half.”

“HALF?!” Eligos spat, his tranquil demeanor completely falling. “You want HALF of my army?!”

“Yes,” The Empty confirmed. “A hundred and eighty thousand demon souls should fit the bill.”

Eligos snarled as he bit back on the expletive words on the tip of his tongue. He took a second to center himself again before he spoke. “Deal.”

“Not quite. You still need to...what's the saying? Ah, yes, sweeten the pot.”

“What else could you possibly want?!”

“Oh, you know exactly what I want.”

Realization crashed down on to the Duke and he glared at the entity before him. “You know I can't give you that.”

“I'm well aware of the rules, Eligos. I am, however, the one that had to agree to them all those eons ago with that pompous idiot that plagued the universe with his perverse creations. I am also very much conscious of your connection with what I want. If anyone can make it happen, it's you. Or...do you doubt your control over the abomination?”

“No!” Eligos spat. “She will do as I say. But, only after I have Gabriel how I want him.”

“Fair enough,” the Empty said as he closed the distance between them and extended his hand toward the demon Duke.

Eligos grasped his offered hand and shook. Thunder crashed as lightning streaked the sky, the sound causing the ground to shake. Swirling black smoke filled the air above their heads as the sound of desperate screaming ripped around the area. With another clap of thunder, the black cloud was sucked into the circle on the ground and disappeared beneath the dirt.

***

Gabriel sucked in a harsh breath as his eyes shot open. Pain seared through his skull as his blurry vision started to focus on... nothing. A complete black void surrounded him, yet somehow he laid on a sturdy surface. He jerked to a sitting position as he clutched at his chest, searching for the wound that he was sure had ended his life. He was shocked to find his body free of blood or the hole he knew he should have. He was certain he had died. Wasn't he?

“Yes, you are definitely dead,” a voice drawled from behind him.

A voice he knew well, and the sound of it took him completely off guard as he scrambled to his feet to whirl around. He then came face to face with... himself?

“What the hell?” Gabriel whispered.

“Not exactly,” he watched the other him say. “Just your friendly neighborhood primordial being.”

It finally dawned on the Archangel with whom he was speaking to. “You're the Empty Entity.”

“DING DING DING! Give the angel a prize!”

“Why am I awake?” Gabriel asked, then rolled his eyes as a thought occurred to him. “Winchesters. What have those idiots broken now?”

“Oh, trust me angel, you are going to wish it was those boys that bargained for your broken being.”

The next thing Gabriel's mind registered was the feeling of being thrown to the ground as his body forcefully coughed up the dirt that had somehow found its way into his lungs. Slowly he started to realize there was a breeze. There had been nothing but stillness in the Empty and the sudden change had his head jerking up even as his coughing persisted.

He was back on Earth.

His Earth.

He was alive.

Why?!

That's when fire erupted in a circle around him, flames he quickly recognized as holy fire. A growl rose from his chest as he pushed himself to his feet, facing the figure that was now illuminated by the flames. Rage rushed through the Archangel's system at the sight of the Demon Duke.

“Eligos,” he snarled.

“Gabriel!” Eligos retorted with mock excitement. “So nice to see you up and moving, though I think I preferred you chained with your mouth sewn shut.”

“I swear I'll incinerate you where you stand-”

“And how do you plan on doing that while you are trapped in holy fire with low grace?”

Gabriel's eyes flicked up to the sky at the dark storm clouds that had moved in. He turned back to the Duke with a smirk on his face. “I do believe it looks like rain.”

As the last word left his mouth, mother nature smiled on him and the first drops of rain started to fall. They landed on the fire with a sizzle that caused the flames to jump.

“Only a matter of time,” Gabriel continued. “Even low on grace, I'll have no problem doing away with you.”

Eligos barked out a laugh as he gestured to the Enochian symbols around the outside of the fire that the Archangel had missed in his anger. He studied the symbols closely for a moment. They had been altered with dark magic, a sinister power that he hadn't seen since before Lucifer had been locked away. His stomach dropped as he realized what the Duke intended to do and his eyes shot back to him.

“You see, Gabriel,” Eligos started, “that fire won't matter once I've darkened what little grace still resides within you, because then you will be mine to control.”

“NO!” Gabriel shouted, frantically looking around for a way to deter the Duke's plan.

“Yes!” Eligos said as an evil cackle started to flow from him.

He started to chant in a language that was a mix of Enochian and Latin, causing the sigils around Gabriel to glow and the holy fire to roar to a size that towered over his head. Immense pressure punched into his chest, sending him to his knees. He could feel the magic seeping through the fire and into his vessel. He fought against the parasitic force with every ounce of strength he had, but he could feel it invading into the very sense of who and what he was. Could feel it twisting around his grace, forcing the shadow of his large wings to blaze forth into existence. The flames licked and sighed at his shadowed feathers and an idea formed through the suffocating pain it caused. He had no choice. He couldn't allow himself to become what this magic was trying to drag him towards.

He wouldn't allow it.

With a renewed strength he contributed to the pure adrenaline of the moment, he reached behind his back and grasped at his own wing. His fingers knotted into the soft shadowed feathers, and with one last breath to accept what he was about to do, he pulled. With twisting and wrenching motions he jerked on his wing with all his might, the pain exploding into his being and blurring his vision. A feeling like magma being poured into his vessel stampeded through his body, making his throat constrict and his feathered appendages jerk of their own accord almost like they were trying to escape. He was vaguely aware of Eligos’ failed attempts at coming through the amped holy fire to stop him, but when the base of his wing separated from not only his vessel but his very being, a scream of agony ripped from his lips that sent the ground trembling. The blur of his vision turned to complete darkness for a split second before he pulled himself back from the edge of unconscious by pure will alone. He wouldn't succumb and let this demon win. Not again! Not ever again! Eligos crashed to the ground as Gabriel started the same process with his other wing. When it, too, was torn from him, both wings burned to ash as his grace shot out from the gaping wounds in his back. The ash and grace swirled around him, dousing the flames with a force that sent the Duke flying through the air out of sight and leveling everything within a twenty mile radius.

There was silence, then, as his grace shot into the sky and vanished.

Gabriel was left lying flat on his stomach, gasping for air. The wounds on his back had somehow been healed, but he still felt the agonizing emptiness from what he had done. His skin was covered in a thick layer of sweat as nausea rolled through his stomach threatening to spill the bile that his stomach now created. His body trembled as he forced himself to roll to his back, trying to control his breath and attempting to grasp what he now was.

Human.

Chapters 1 through 3 are up on Ao3. Continue reading here...

#gabriel spn #gabriel #gabriel x ofc #gabriel smut #gabriel fanfic #gabriel supernatural #spn fanfic #spn #supernatural #fanfic

17 notes · View notes

gordonwilliamsweb · 3 years ago

Text

How Billing Turns a Routine Birth Into a High-Cost Emergency

Caitlin Wells Salerno knew that some mammals — like the golden-mantled ground squirrels she studies in the Rocky Mountains — invest an insane amount of resources in their young. That didn’t prepare her for the resources the conservation biologist would owe after the birth of her second son.

Wells Salerno went into labor on the eve of her due date, in the early weeks of coronavirus lockdowns in April 2020. She and her husband, Jon Salerno, were instructed to go through the emergency room doors at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, because it was the only entrance open.

Despite the weird covid vibe — the emptiness, the quiet — everything went smoothly. Wells Salerno felt well enough to decline the help of a nurse offering to wheel her to the labor and delivery department. She even took a selfie, smiling, as she entered the delivery room.

“I was just thrilled that he was here and it was on his due date, so we didn’t have to have an induction,” she said. “I was doing great.”

Gus was born a healthy 10 pounds after about nine hours of labor, and the family went home the next morning.

Wells Salerno expected the bill for Gus’ birth to be heftier than that for her first child, Hank, which had cost the family a mere $30. She was a postdoctoral fellow in California with top-notch insurance when Hank was born, about four years earlier. They were braced to pay more for Gus, but how much more?

Then the bill came.

The Patient: Caitlin Wells Salerno, a conservation biologist at Colorado State University and a principal investigator at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory. She is insured by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield through her job.

Medical Service: A routine vaginal delivery of a full-term infant.

Total Bill: $16,221.26. The Anthem BCBS negotiated rate was $14,550. Insurance paid $10,940.91 and the family paid the remaining $3,609.09 to the hospital.

Service Provider: Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, operated by UCHealth, a nonprofit health system.

What Gives: In a system that has evolved to bill for anything and everything, a quick exam to evaluate labor in a small triage room can generate substantial charges.

The total bill was huge, but what really made Wells Salerno’s eyes pop was a line for the highest level of emergency services. It didn’t make any sense. Was it for checking in at the ER desk, as she’d been instructed to? She recalls going through security there on her way to labor and delivery, yet there was a $2,755 charge for “Level 5” emergency department services — as if she had received care there like a patient with a heart attack or fresh from a car wreck. It is the biggest item on the bill other than the delivery itself.

Dr. Renee Hsia, a professor of emergency medicine and health policy at the University of California-San Francisco and a practicing ER doctor, said Level 5 charges are supposed to be reserved for serious cases — “a severe threat to life, or very complicated, resource-intense cases” — not for patients who can walk through a hospital on their own. Emergency room visits are coded from Level 1 to Level 5, with each higher level garnering more generous reimbursement, in theory commensurate with the work required.

But over the past 20 years, hospitals and doctors have learned there’s great profit in upcoding visits. After all, the insurer isn’t in the exam room to know what transpired. An investigation by the Center for Public Integrity found that between 2001 and 2008 the number of Level 4 and 5 visits for patients who were sent homefrom the ER nearly doubled to almost 50% of visits. In Colorado, the Center for Improving Value in Health Care looked at emergency visit billing from 2009 to 2016 and found that the percentage of emergency visits coded as Level 5 steadily grew from 23% to 34% for patients with commercial insurance.

After repeated calls questioning the line item on her bill, Wells Salerno eventually got a voicemail from the billing department, which she shared with KHN, explaining that “the emergency room charge is actually the OB triage little area before they take you to the labor and delivery room.”

A customer service representative later explained it was for services given there when a nurse placed an IV for antibiotics, and her doctor checked her dilation and confirmed her water had broken — although none of that was performed in the Emergency Department. And those services, performed before every delivery, are traditionally not billed separately — and are routine, not emergency, procedures.

Some hospitals provide that package of services via an “obstetrical emergency department.” OB-EDs are licensed under the main Emergency Department and typically see patients who are pregnant, for anything from unexplained bleeding to full-term birth. They bill like an ER, even if they aren’t physically located anywhere near the ER.

Health care staffing company TeamHealth — owned by the investment company Blackstone, and known for marking up ER bills to boost profit — essentially says an OB-ED can be as simple as a rebranded obstetrical triage area. In a white paper, the company said an OB-ED is an “entrepreneurial approach to strengthening hospital finances” because with “little to no structural investment” it allows hospitals to “collect facility charges that are otherwise lost in the obstetrical triage setting.”

The OB Hospitalist Group, which is owned by a private equity company, markets a tool to help OB-EDs calculate levels of emergency care. In a case study, OB Hospitalist Group reported that hospitals “leave a lot of money on the table” by billing OB-ED visits as Level 1 and 2 emergencies when they could be considered Level 4 emergencies.

An Arizona facility said its revenue increased $365,000 per quarter after turning their obstetric triage area into an OB-ED. Poudre Valley Hospital’s website doesn’t list “OB-ED” as part of the facility’s offerings, though UCHealth documents do reference OB-ED beds in other facilities.

KHN spoke with four other women who, after giving birth at Poudre Valley in 2020 and 2021, received ER charges on their bills after healthy births. They had no clue they had received emergency services. One wrote a warning note on Facebook to other area moms after getting a whopping charge — for the 10 minutes she spent in the triage room, while fully dilated and in active labor.

In Wells Salerno’s case, UCHealth and her insurer have an agreement that Anthem BCBS pays a lump sum for vaginal delivery, rather than paying for line items individually. “Being seen there in OB-ED did not impact this bill whatsoever,” said Dan Weaver, a spokesperson with UCHealth.

But in one of the other moms’ cases, it did: The hospital received $1,500 from the insurer for that charge, and the mom was on the hook for an additional $375 for coinsurance.

Related Links

A Covid Test Costing More Than a Tesla? It Happened in Texas.

Jaw Surgery Takes a $27,119 Bite out of One Man’s Budget

Olympic Dream Dashed After Bike Crash and Nightmare Medical Bill Over $200K

A Hospital Charged $722.50 to Push Medicine Through an IV. Twice.

Dr. Mark Simon, chief medical officer with OB Hospitalist Group, said OB-EDs can help women avoid being admitted to the hospital too early in labor, ensuring timelier, more appropriate care.

Wells Salerno’s “OB-ED” exam was performed by her clinician, but the OB-ED charge still showed up on her bill.

Resolution: After trying to determine that the charge wasn’t a mistake, Wells Salerno eventually threw in the towel and paid the bill.

“You don’t get what you pay for,” said Wells Salerno, who maintains that — despite their price difference — both of her children are equally “awesome.”

The Takeaway: Anything in our health system labeled as an emergency room service likely comes with a big additional charge.

Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KHN and NPR that dissects and explains medical bills. Do you have an interesting medical bill you want to share with us? Tell us about it!

USE OUR CONTENT

This story can be republished for free (details).

How Billing Turns a Routine Birth Into a High-Cost Emergency published first on https://smartdrinkingweb.weebly.com/

0 notes

techcrunchappcom · 4 years ago

Photo

New Post has been published on https://techcrunchapp.com/john-r-deschenes-news-sports-jobs/

John R. Deschenes | News, Sports, Jobs

John R. Deschenes, 70, a lifelong resident of Nashua passed away on Monday, October 12, 2020 at Southern New Hampshire Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.

Born in Nashua on September 6, 1950, he was the son of the late Roger and Juliette (Sigouin) Deschenes. He and his wife, Louise (Rudak) were married on August 12, 1978 and recently celebrated their 42nd anniversary at their home in Ogunquit.

John was a 1970 graduate of Nashua High School and a 1975 graduate of the New Hampshire Vocational-Technical College-Manchester. He also attended UMass-Lowell and was a member of Rise at Rivier University.

John entered the US Army upon graduation in 1970 and was honorably discharged in 1973, having served the majority of his deployment in Germany.

John began his career at a young age at Lenny’s Gulf Service Station in Nashua. He later worked for Nashua Corporation and retired from Elbit Systems of America in 2017.

John was previously an active parishioner of St. Stanislaus Parish where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, vice chair of the Parish Council and chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. He served as Treasurer for their weekly Bingo for many years and volunteered at the annual Parish Polish Picnic. John was recognized as Parishioner of the Year 1991-1992.

John is currently a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Parish and has continued to volunteer there for various functions. He particularly enjoyed a recent trip on a Rhine River Cruise with fellow parishioners.

John was passionate about his service work with the Nashua Lions Club. Over his 26-years of membership, he served in many capacities including: President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sight and Hearing Chairman, and Co-chair of the KidSight Program. On the District/State level he was the Health Van Coordinator, Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer, Multiple District Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer, Guiding Lion, Zone Chairman, and Sight and Hearing Committee member. John was the Coordinator of volunteers at the NH Special Olympics each June for the Opening Eyes Program. For many years he worked at the Lions of NH Haunted House each October. He was also a supporter and volunteer at Lions Camp Pride in New Durham. John and his family were lucky enough to attend several Lions Club International Conventions throughout the years in such places as Montreal, San Diego, Chicago, and Boston.

He was honored to have his service work acknowledged by his fellow Lions with a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow (the highest recognition given on the International level), a Progressive Granite State Fellow (the highest recognition on the state level), and a Presidential Appreciation Award. He was named Nashua Lion of the Year twice in 1998-1999 and again in 2009-2010.

John also served on the Board of Directors for the Friendship Club in Nashua for many years.

Members of his family include his wife, Louise; daughter and son-in-law Sarah and Michael Kiley of Manchester, NH; son and daughter-in-law Gregory and Ashley Deschenes of Westfield, MA. His three granddaughters held a very special place in his heart: Callie and Addison Deschenes and Maeve Kiley.

John is also survived by his two brothers, Michael and Paul both of Nashua; his two sisters and brothers-in-law Diane Deschenes and Ronald Longworth of Nashua and Dr. Rose and Kenneth George of Fort Collins, Colorado, his aunt Marjorie Fischer of Nashua, his uncle Ronald Jenkins of Nashua, his aunt Lorraine (Raoul) Leveille of Sanford, ME; and many special nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his brother David; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Bolic and Lucille Rudak; and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jacqueline and Ronald Langlois.

John’s big heart and even bigger smile will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

John’s family wishes to express their grateful appreciation to the nurses, doctors, and staff of Southern New Hampshire Regional Medical Center ICU and 4 West for the care and compassion shown to him and his family during his final weeks.

His walk-through visitation will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Sunday, October 18th from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, 216 East Dunstable Road, Nashua, Monday, October 19th at 11 a.m. Friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in his name to the Nashua Lions Club (PO Box 3361, Nashua 03061) or the Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation of NH (PO Box 970, Concord, NH 03302.) Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. www.farwellfuneralservice.com.

(function(d, s, id) var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&appId=583888071801021&version=v2.0"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); (document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));

#deschenes #Sports

0 notes

lawrencedienerthings · 5 years ago

Text

After a small Colorado city paid cyber attackers a ransom, there’s concern about the rest of the state

#computernetwork👩‍💻 🏋 👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 ⛳ 🌃

get headlines https://thecherrycreeknews.com

If Debbie Wilmot could turn back time, the city of Lafayette would have scanned its computer network regularly. It would have hunted down and plugged holes that tempt cyber prowlers. And there would have been more training sessions to keep cybersecurity awareness high among the town’s 200 employees.

The town of about 30,000 people is now just another statistic in the world of cyber crime. Lafayette became yet another victim of a cyber attack late last month that hijacked computer files and resulted in a disruption to the city’s computer network, phone lines and email. To avoid further disruption, officials paid the ransom.

Colorado cyber attacks

Recent and notable database breaches and ransomware attacks on public facilities and organizations in Colorado.

Feb. 2018: Colorado Department of Transportation computers hit by ransomware. State doesn’t pay and spends $1.7 million to contain and recover lost data.

Feb. 2019: Fort Collins Loveland Water District struck by ransomware. District did not pay, reports The Coloradoan.

Aug. 2019 Regis University in Denver becomes victim to ransomware just as the new school year was starting. It paid the undisclosed ransom.

Fall 2019: A hacked email account scammed the Town of Erie to wire $1 million to a falsified contractor’s account.

Nov. 2019: Archuleta County stung by ransomware resulted in a 12-day outage and severe impact to its dispatch system. Attackers demanded $300,000, reports the Pagosa Sun.

Dec. 2019: Data breach at Aurora Water’s payment vendor Click2Gov resulted in customer data compromised, reported 9News.City said 2% of affected customers enrolled in credit monitoring.

April 2020: Rangely District Hospital becomes victim to ransomware attack that encrypted files that included patient health information. The hospital said it did not pay the ransom.

April 2020: Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo shuts down website and acknowledges a cyber attack. Says it won’t impact patient care.

June 2020: Children’s Hospital Colorado says that a provider’s email account may have been accessed by an unauthorized party in April, potentially exposing patient’s personal data. The hospital began notifying 2,553 patients of the breach this month, according to Becker’s Hospital Review.

July 2020 — City of Lafayette shuts down computer network after ransomware takes files hostage. The city paid the $45,000 ransom. +Search Colorado cyber attacks

“You’re never going to be in a place where you can eliminate 100% of the risk,” said Wilmot, a spokeswoman for the city. “That said, there’s definitely things you can do to make sure that you can recover things easily. … We’ll come out of the situation stronger, more productive and with our eyes open wider to be aware of what we need to do just to be more diligent of assessing our vulnerability.”

Lafayette is probably like a lot of towns in Colorado. It has a police department, a parks and rec department and a website. The city handles all sorts of financial transactions, from licenses and permits to court fines and water utility bills. And like most small towns, its small staff doesn’t include a dedicated cybersecurity professional.

As cyber attacks and data breaches have increased in the past several years, companies and organizations of all sizes are taking security more seriously and investing in tools, staff and training. But the added expenses often is difficult to justify to a city council or school board until after an attack.

“Cities, counties and school districts are not well-equipped to address a breach of any kind – data or security,” Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, which tracks breaches and ransomware incidents globally. “They generally lack the resources to have the latest tools and they rarely have the latest generation of tech, which means as it ages, it becomes more vulnerable to attack.”

Small and rural municipalities may not even know what they need or what to ask for, said Bob Bowles, director for the Center for Information Assurance Studies at Regis University in Denver. And all of this has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as employees were sent home, where security can be more lax.

“Investment is probably the major setback,” Bowles said. “But particularly now with COVID-19 where you’ve got a lot of companies and cities and governments that probably have had to reduce staff and are working remotely. If they didn’t have a good security policy to begin with, then all of a sudden now you just injected another type of risk. Your whole work environment has changed.”

Cyber help is near

Good thing Lafayette has good neighbors. Last Monday, Lafayette made an emergency declaration, which allowed it to get help from the state, the federal government and its neighbors like Boulder County Emergency Management.

But its neighbors stepped up before an emergency was declared. Members of the county’s emergency management showed up within days of the July 27 attack to pitch in, as did the state’s IT office, which sent two staff members to assist, said Wilmot, whose city also reached out to cybersecurity specialist Rule4 in Boulder

“We had lots of wonderful help from our neighboring municipalities that were on site right away,” she said. “I felt like we had a lot of great guidance. They helped us create a plan of attack and organize how we’re (now) attempting to bring all of this back.”

Often, small towns just don’t even know where to start. That’s when Benjamin Edelen steps up. He’s the chief information security officer for the city of Boulder. He partners with security professionals at larger cities to lend their expertise and help smaller government employees get trained.

“We collaborate to mentor and bring up everybody in the local government space in Colorado, and share resources if we can help,” Edelen said.

Boulder may be a little unusual in that it has a cybersecurity team. It also had a lot to share. The city changed its digital policy a few years ago to focus on identity rather than on buildings. That way, an employee must prove their identity whether working from inside a city building or at home or out of the country.

It still relies on traditional security technology, like network monitoring, endpoint security and other vulnerability assessments. It also ramped up all of its security policies, requiring employees to use multi-factor authentication and 20-character passwords.

“Twenty characters is a huge password. But we decided to take that leap, because, again, in order for this to work, we have to know that it’s you. And then once we know that it’s you, we’re pretty darn confident that it’s OK,” Edelen said. “But hold on tight because we’re not done yet. I don’t want to declare victory here, but the city has had no major issues. We’ve seen a huge increase in phishing emails. We’ve seen plenty of dangerous scenarios crop up. But we haven’t had serious impacts on the organization.”

Having all those security features in place before the pandemic made him feel a little bit better about sending employees to work from home. He’s not so sure about neighboring towns and other local governments.

“But the fact of the matter is most cities and counties are taking on significantly more risk, bringing their employees’ home network into scope,” he said.

Debbi Blyth, chief information security officer for the Governor’s Office of Information Technology, shared the SamSam/CDOT story at the Regis Cyber Summit on Jan. 28, 2020 at Regis University. (Skip Stewart, Regis University)

The state of Colorado also provides a lot of cybersecurity resources for any municipality or county that asks. But it’s all voluntary because of home-rule laws, which give control to the local municipality, said Micki Trost, with the state’s Department of Public Safety, which did help Lafayette, a home-rule city, during its ransomware attack.

But the challenged budgets local governments have is why Edelen steps up. By sharing his resources and knowledge with security employees in other cities, they’re able to step in when asked by smaller towns and governments. The Colorado Information Analysis Center is one group run out of the Department of Public Safety. It’s a Fusion Center, which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security established after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to increase communication between state, local and federal sources on terrorism.

In return, participants learn valuable lessons from one another’s cyber experiences, like the 2018 ransomware attack at the Colorado Department of Transportation.

That started when a state employee with administrator privileges set up a temporary server to test out a new service but did not apply standard security controls to it.

MORE: How SamSam ransomware took down CDOT and how the state fought back — twice

Attackers found the unprotected server immediately, made 40,000 password guesses — the administrator access allowed unlimited failed logins — and infiltrated the system three days later. They locked files and demanded bitcoin for the key to CDOT’s files.

The recovery team was led by Debbi Blyth, the chief information security officer for the Governor’s Office of Information Technology. The state did not pay the ransom, but spent the next 31 days trying to stop the spread and recover files before proclaiming success. The cost for overtime pay, equipment and other services wound up being around $1.7 million.

A command center was set up in March 2018 to deal with the SamSam ransomware attack on the Colorado Department of Transportation. Many in the room work for government agencies, cybersecurity vendors or the Colorado National Guard. Everyone’s attention is to the man in tan, Director of Emergency Management Michael Willis, who kept the team focused on containing the malware. (Provided by the Governor’s Office of Information Technology)

Afterwards, Blyth was able to ask for a larger budget to fix many of the things on the state’s security to-do list that it had been unable to get enough funding for. The Office of Information Technology, which manages technology for 17 state agencies, installed new firewalls to track everything going in and out of state computer networks, required vendors to use two-factor authentication, and reduced the number of privileged administrator accounts to 50 from 500.

“Many of us got tremendous information from Debbi Blyth” at the state, said Edelen, with the city of Boulder. “That information totally changed our approach to protecting our groups. It helped us to lock down the loopholes that were used in the attack but it also gave us a sense of a new means of escalating our requests for aid. … They piloted this extraordinary idea that we use the emergency management infrastructure, the same infrastructure that is used to ask for surge capacity in a fire or a flood, to ask for assistance in a cybersecurity incident.”

The $45,000 Snatch ransom

City of Lafayette officials say they don’t know whether the ransomware was the result of employees working from home. They said perpetrators got into the city’s computer network either through phishing or brute force, meaning that the attackers just kept guessing passwords.

In the early hours of July 27, ransomware known as Snatch began locking computer files on the city network. The city shut down its network, which meant city emails and phone lines didn’t work. Alternatives were set up and were still being used as of the weekend.

Snatch showed up on the radar of Webroot, the Broomfield-based cybersecurity company that develops tools to combat malware and other cyber threats, back in April 2019. The malicious software attacks Windows machines by putting them into safe mode, where most software, including security software, doesn’t run, said Marcus Moreno, Webroot’s manager of threat research.

Snatch isn’t typically the result of a successful phishing attempt, but rather an unplugged hole in the computer network that might have just been opened or sitting open for a while. It uses remote desktop protocol to attack and brute force to get inside a system. Proper security software could have blocked those multiple login attempts or notified the user of open ports. At a minimum, Moreno recommends people should back up their files.

“No security software is 100% foolproof. Things are going to get by. But you should always, always, always have that cushion so you can rely on your backups,” Moreno said, pointing to the small town of Colonie, N.Y., which had backed up its system and avoided a $400,000 ransomware demand. “Backing up your software isn’t necessarily that expensive. It all depends on the frequency and the amount of data you have. But I think it’s very necessary for any business or consumer out there that likes to store data.”

According to a statement from Lafayette, the city did have backups of the locked financial data. It also said personal credit-card information of residents wasn’t compromised. But to rebuild the locked files would have cost more than the $45,000 ransom so officials paid after a week without access to the city’s network.

“I can tell you that using taxpayer funds to pay a ransom was definitely not the direction the city wanted to take,” Mayor Jamie Harkins shared in a public video posted on Youtube. “… After a thorough examination of the situation and cost scenarios and considering the potential for lengthy inconvenience service outages for residents, we determined that obtaining the decryption tool far outweighs the cost and time to rebuild that in systems.”

Wilmot said the city had cybersecurity insurance with a deductible of $100,000. Additional recovery costs beyond the ransom will be applied to the insurance policy but may still have to come out of the city’s general fund.

The city now has the key to unlock the files, but the recovery process is expected to be slow and methodical, she said. Files have been unlocked, but are being cleaned and tested. She doesn’t know how long the process will take.

Many in the security industry, including federal law enforcement, advise against paying ransoms. There are many reasons — it financially supports criminals, they may not provide the right key and it only emboldens criminals to attack again.

“You shot yourself in the foot by not taking the means necessary to protect your data,” said Moreno, with Webroot. “(Unless it’s) a life-or-death situation and you need this document because it has some type of information that you need to save someone’s life, I can’t think of any reason why anybody should ever pay the ransom.”

But many still do, including Regis University, which found itself in a bind when ransomware attacked its network last August as students were returning to school. The school had cybersecurity insurance and decided to pay an undisclosed amount.

“We (as cybersecurity staff) did not have a say in that,” said Bowles, with Regis University, which offers cybersecurity degrees and often works with the state’s Office of Information Technology to share knowledge. “They basically looked at what was the welfare and what was in the best interest of the students so therefore that’s why they did.”

But if it were up to him, he wouldn’t have done it, he said.

“My opinion, which is Bobology, you never pay the ransom,” Bowles said. “In a normal circumstance, you don’t pay the ransom because what they do is they’ll come back and hit you again.”

Our articles are free to read, but not free to report

Support local journalism around the state. Become a member of The Colorado Sun today!

$5/month

$20/month

$100/month

One-time Contribution

The latest from The Sun

After a small Colorado city paid cyber attackers a ransom, there’s concern about the rest of the state

Purgatory and Silverton Mountain float interest in Silverton’s community ski hill

Jared Polis is taking big money from private donors to fund key positions in Colorado governor’s office

Namaste Noir: A Colorado yoga co-op seeks to diversify, heal racialized trauma

Littwin: Does Trump know how government works? Here’s a hint: It involves more than issuing executive orders

from https://ift.tt/3fL3od4 https://ift.tt/3irAyQw

#Straight News

0 notes

zionqxjl233-blog · 5 years ago

Text

Keep an eye out for the Vehicle Contribution Swindle

"Would you like to let go of your unwanted vehicle, truck or van? Have you thought of contributing it? Throughout the nation, progressively more charities have actually relied on car-donation programs as a good method to raise funds.

However, it is essential to be careful when choosing where you need to contribute to your car. Watch out for a company's telemarketers that decline to divulge information or tend to be odd about exactly where your current contribution will go.

Whenever you provide to charity, your contribution will become tax-deductible, and that suggests you will have less tax to pay at the end of the year. Which indicates you have more cash in your pocket to invest in yourself. You will likewise be provided a complimentary Visa gift card which you can then spend on anything you require. To obtain a tax break, the charitable organization ought to be an authorized 501 (c)( 3) organization. If your charitable company is in fact a religious company it will possibly certify, but you need to check it out initially. If you do not know of an organization, you will discover from the Internal Revenue Service website and they will have one noted there.

All it requires is one simple telephone call and an individual from a group of volunteers will get in touch with you within 24 hr to exercise a hassle-free time for you to get your automobile. A towing partner will then show up to be able to take your vehicle, and based upon its actual condition will supply a complimentary Visa present card. When the vehicle has reached the repair work center, its condition will be evaluated, and a tax deduction receipt will be provided to you for its worth. After that, they're going to fix the automobile and once it's suitable for the roadway, it'll be sold on and any revenue will be utilized to support less lucky children.

Remember that your used vehicle should be entire without any doing not have parts such as the engine or transmission. Most not-for-profit organizations will take cars even when they do not work, however you will require to provide a great description of the condition of your respective vehicle. Your car might not be accepted in case the price of towing your vehicle to the charity is higher than the worth of your vehicle.

Your vehicle should likewise have a clear title in your name. If you don't possess a title for the automobile, talk to your regional Department of Motor Vehicles. They will be capable to point you in the right course to have a title for your car. Some charities will take your automobile without a title, but check out the guidelines to start with. Also, whenever offering the title to the charity, make certain to sign in to the particular charity. Never ever leave the title blank. You will be asked for your automobiles VIN number, make, model, and existing mileage.

Automobile donation is an excellent brand-new approach to be of assistance to your chosen charitable organization. Why not have your cars and truck taken away free of charge, and after that allow the charity to sell Fort Collins car donation military it and earn money that will be utilized to assist underprivileged and abandoned children."

youtube

#car donation #donate car #charity car

0 notes

danieljbockman · 7 years ago

Photo

“Who Made Who, Who Made You?”

`ACDC

The video game says "play me"

In this age of exponentially advancing technology that seems to be moving forward at breakneck speeds and leaving most people in the dust, you have to ask yourself, “Are you mastering technology or are you being mastered by it?” The movie Maximum Overdrive comes to mind when I say it but it seems to me that most people are being mastered by the technology of the world because, for one, they can’t fully understand it! And who would other than the extremely smart geeks that are the ones that have designed and developed it. But I’m not talking about understanding how code works or being versed in advance complex binary language, and electrical engineering, what I’m talking about is understanding the nature of technology.

Face it on a level but it takes you every time on a one on one

I think we’ve all seen that one person we know that has made a fool of themselves or did some embarrassing thing on social media just because they didn’t fully understand the nature of the medium or what it was capable of. But to go even further than just devices and social media, what about AI, artificial intelligence, and robotics? There has been a lot of attention as of late to the subject of AI and robotics coming from three main places, 1) the tech world 2) labor 3) government. All three of these groups have different perspectives on the subject of AI, but when you get down to it, those perspective are virtually the same. What it boils down to our jobs! When I was a kid, robotics and AI were a cool thing from a social aspect because it was going to be the future and create lots of jobs but, today’s attitude toward AI is, it’s considered an insidious disruptive technology because it’s starting to threaten the American work force for not only the low wage entry level employee, but some upper-level echelon type jobs are now on the AI chopping block.

Feeling running down your spine

As a businessman myself, I am always looking for ways to optimize my operation and work to a much more efficient level so I, over many other people, have an eye for the things that make life better for not only me but my customers. One day I was in the city close to where I live early in the morning and I saw a garbage truck picking up trash in a small neighborhood. The truck would drive up the street from house to house and with a hydraulic grappling arm, would grab the garbage can at the curb and with superlative precision, dump the trash into the truck’s hopper and then move on to the next house and the next… I couldn’t help but remember when I was a kid, it took 3 people to run a garbage truck, one to drive the truck and two hanging on the back jumping off and grabbing garbage cans and dumping them into the truck. Now, there is only one person driving the truck and a mechanical/hydraulic grapple does the pickup. Now think about this, mechanical/hydraulic technology is fairly rudimentary. It’s been around for decades so this is nothing new or what would be considered disruptive. But here it is, a low level of basic elementary technology replacing two, and I would assume good paying jobs, on a garbage truck. A simple redesign of an already existing mechanics and hydraulics technology that probably only took one mid-western raised farm kid mechanical engineering student a few days to devise, replaced 2/3’s of the garbage collection jobs in a cities sanitation department! That’s 2/3’s of the jobs per truck! Think about how many garbage trucks the average city could have!

Nothing gonna save your one last dime cause it owns you

The garbage truck example is showing you that this kind of disruption was not invented by a bunch of Silicon Valley tech billionaires, therefore this is probably the first time you have ever heard of this kind of example or even thought about it because it’s not high profile pop-culture news on the subject of AI. Now that AI is front and center of the jobs debate and more than just garbage collection jobs are being threatened, the low-level positions that are being replaced with AI are in the spotlight. Debates are being volleyed back and forth about the ethics of AI, the responsibilities of a safe AI and what the future for the low-level job is going to be. There are so many issues being generated by the acronym AI that it’s hard to keep up with them but no matter the issue, they are all sitting on the foundation of fear. Fear of job loss, fear of robot take over, fear of an economic crash, fear, fear, fear! There is very little coming out of these discussions or debate about how good AI and more automated tech will be for businesses. Mostly because AI, robots and the evil word, “automation” has created social sting to it. Back in the 90’s the word automation was associated with production and prosperity, today here in 2017, you might as well have kicked someone’s dog when you say automation!

Through and through

Something very interesting has evolved out of this discussion and some very interesting data has been mined by it but because the issue of automation has been so stigmatized by the social aspect, not many people know this or want to know some facts about automation. Have you heard the saying, necessity is the mother of all invention”? The Wall Street Journal Opinion did a piece on the subject of automation with a brief history of minimum wage disasters. In the piece, they have a paragraph that says,

Our analysis at the individual level draws many similar conclusions. We find that a significant number of individuals who were previously in automatable employment are unemployed in the period following a minimum wage increase.

I think it’s important to point out the words “automatable employment” in this statement and that when people in automatable jobs rally for a wage increase, it’s generally followed up by automation of the positions resulting in job loss. No wonder this has become a social issue! Here’s another statement from the piece,

After a union harassment campaign against McDonald’s over its entry-level wages, the company accelerated the deployment of digital technology that allows customers to tap their orders on a screen instead of talking to a cashier. In the face of city and state mandates to raise wages, the chain has continued to automate more functions in its restaurants, and investors have been cheering. McDonald’s shares have risen more than 30% just this year.

The databank knows my number

So what is this telling us? Even though wages and jobs are a social issue, money is not! Money doesn’t care whether you deserve a raise or fair pay or a living wage. Take the social side out of the issue and look at the business side of automation and you will see what is actually rallying - are the company stocks! Stock respond enthusiastically with the thoughts of automation. What this is telling us is that money and business itself is like a robot with no feelings or sympathy. It may be artificial intelligence but it's not emotional intelligence! These two forces have always been pulling at each other and will continue to pull even harder long into the future. The employee and the company owner will be at odds over the social aspect of the work force for many, many more years to come. It will be like the world is pressing down way too hard on an already unstable fault line and then you add the element of job loss as a result of automation and the powder keg continues to fill.

Says I gotta pay 'cause I made the grade last year

Even though it hurts to hear, automation is good for business. I had a friend who works for the rail road express his concern for the loss of his job because the rail road employees had heard about a company that just fully automated a semi-truck and tested it with a flawless result. The company Otto installed an automated self-driving truck add-on to a truck in Colorado last year. During the test, they hauled a full load of beer from Fort Collins CO to Colorado Springs without incident under fully automated self-driving. Even though there are plenty of issues and concerns about self-driving vehicles and we are still long ways from seeing it on our public roadways due to safety concerns, the important part of this whole test was the technology to fully automate a semi-tractor trailer only cost about $30,000! That may seem like a lot of money to the average working class citizen but its chump change to a company owner and - the most significant part is - it will only get cheaper!

Feel it when I turn the screw

Listen to this closely! Another friend of mine with a background in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering once told me in a mastermind group session that all the technology needed to fully automate our entire rail road system (freight and passenger) has existed for the last 20 years! To make that fact even more significant, (or worse depending on your view) the technology for that kind of automation can be easily bought by anyone in something as simple as a child’s RC parts catalog for only the price of a few dollars! Ouch!!!

Kicks you round the world, there ain't a thing that it can't do

With all the uproar and debates around AI, robotics, and automation, how do you protect yourself from being a job loss statistic in the future of high tech? I have two suggestions for you.

1. Start your own business. Eliminate yourself from the automatable employment arena. I know what you’re about to say, “Dan, what if I choose a business that it too becomes automated?” I say, jump in with both feet and become the automation company for that industry. Remember, automation is good for business! I once took an online test to see if my job was subjected to potential automation. There is no subject on the test for “company owner, entrepreneur or self-employed.” Take the test here to see where you fit.

2. Reinvent yourself. For those that prefer to not start a business, it would be in your best interest to reinvent yourself for the future of the automated work force. This is probably going to be the hardest part for a lot of people and, without a doubt, is the core reason automation has become a social issue! Here’s what’s happening and if you doubt I’m right on this, you need to open your eyes! It's human nature to take the path of least resistance, we are lazy by nature mostly because we were given advance cognitive thinking and reasoning skills from having the most advanced brains in the known universe. Basically, we can think our way to survival vs having to rely on instincts like lower life forms such as animals. So we are lazy! Modern technology (ironically) makes us even lazier so we continue down this path of not having to change much in our lives to live a fairly good life or to just get by. But now livelihoods are being threatened as a result of exponential tech advancements. These easy paths of making a living are becoming more and more scarcely available because let’s face it, low-level jobs don’t take much thinking to perform effectively and satisfactory and, they are reasonably easy and cheap to automate. You just go to work, keep your nose clean and go through the motions of the job and you get paid. Whether it’s a living wage or not, is not the issue. You are still getting paid money and you are managing to live on it. The hard part of this is, now that easy is going by-way of the robots, we humans have to start using our brains to figure out how to make a living. Using your brains is work, humans don’t like work, so now it sucks and the tension begins to get tighter on the fault line of employer and employee.

Do to you

If for nothing else, try this. Think about what you could do to reinvent yourself and see what you can find. I think you will be very pleased with getting to know yourself a little better and that you defiantly have what it takes to change something about yourself to survive and prosper. Go out and get the book by James Altucher Reinvent Yourself. It’s a great book by a bestselling author and you will get a lot out of it.

Who made who?

It’s time to do the work, easy is now out and you are going to have to use your brain! But you can do this and keep in mind that, “The easy path leads to a hard life but the hard path leads to the easy life!” Be sure you’re the one turning the screw!

Daniel J Bockman

4 notes · View notes

optometrist0 · 7 years ago

Text

Oregon Optometry School

Contents

With students from other schools

Other awesome thing

Susan loved the outdoors

Combined with the

An ophthalmologist he consulted in Oregon told him … rehabilitation optometry deal with training or retraining the eyes to function more effectively, said optometrist Stephen Miller, executive director of the College of Optometrists in Vision …

the College of Optometry acquired a new 33-foot mobile clinic, the EyeVan to serve migrant families, children at Head Start centers, students in area schools and adults at churches throughout Oregon and Washington. The School of …

The Pacific University College of Optometry, formerly North Pacific College of Optometry, located in Forest Grove, Oregon has been educating optometrists in the …

Pacific University offers a four-year doctor of optometry program preparing tomorrow's optometrists for licensure and practice. The curriculum consists of academic and laboratory experiences integrated with clinical work. The fourth year is entirely clinical, consisting of four full-time preceptorships. In addition to clinical …

Barton went on to earn her optometry degree from Pacific University in Oregon. She was part of group practices in Eugene, Ore., and Fort Collins, Colo., that both offered optometric vision therapy of the kind which helped solve her own …

See a list of top ranked optometry schools in the United States and Canada. Compare average incoming GPA and OAT scores, NBEO pass rates, tuition, and more.

(1) Every person desiring to commence the practice of optometry in this state must show satisfactory evidence of graduation from a school of optometry that is approved by the Oregon Board of Optometry and that maintains a standard of four school years of at least nine months each. (2) Every person desiring to commence …

Optometry School Preparation at the University of Oregon. Did you know? • Not to be confused with ophthalmologists (a physician's specialty) or dispensing opticians, Doctors of. Optometry (ODs) are primary care doctors of the eye who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage eye diseases, injuries, and disorders.

In the Pacific University College of Optometry, world-renowned faculty and diverse clinical sites prepare tomorrow's doctors of optometry. At Pacific, teaching is …

He is the former dean of optometry at Pacific University in Oregon and at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. “As we continue to expand into more health sciences, we are thrilled to have a world-renowned optometry expert …

Pacific University College of Optometry is seeking applicants … Donations of used optical equipment for VOSH/Oregon. … Oregon Optometric Physicians Association …

Degman is a Microbiology major at George Fox University. The tuition will help Degman live out his dream of being an Optometrist. His goal after graduation is to attend Optometry school … according to the Oregon State Police. A …

Pacific University is a private, non-profit, coeducational university, based in Forest Grove, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1849 as the Tualatin Academy, the university's original Forest Grove campus is 23 miles (37 km) west of Portland , while the university maintains three other campuses in the cities of Eugene, Hillsboro …

School of Optometry. 1 course of. College Math, SR, SR, 1 course (lab REC), 1 course, 1 course w/lab, 1 course, 1 course. KENTUCKY. University of Pikeville … The Ohio State University College of Optometry. 1 course, SR, See below7, 1 course, See below7, 1 course w/lab, SR, 1 course. OREGON. Pacific University

Serving Oregon’s citizens and the optometric community since 1905, the mission of the Oregon Board of Optometry is to protect the people of the state of Oregon from …

Key details for Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon. See tuition information, NBEO pass rates, and more.

The following list of optometry schools covers many countries, although the list is not exhaustive. Internationally, optometry as a profession includes different …

Serving Oregon's citizens and the optometric community since 1905, the mission of the Oregon Board of Optometry is to protect the people of the state of Oregon from …

Find the best Optometry And Vision Colleges in Oregon on Universities.com. View school information and student reviews for all 2 Optometry And Vision colleges in Oregon.

Key details for Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon. See tuition information, NBEO pass rates, and more.

Jul 30, 2013 … From my conversations with students from other schools, I have gathered that first year is pretty similar across most of the optometry schools. It's basically undergrad on steroids. … The other awesome thing about this semester at Pacific is the Oregon summer. As a group, the class of 2015 has silently made …

… biology at Truman State University and optometry at the University of the Incarnate Word. She’d recently moved to the Portland area from Texas. “We know that susan loved the outdoors and moved to Oregon to explore the beautiful …

PACIFIC UNIVERSITY. College of Optometry 2043 College Way Forest Grove, Oregon 97116. Avg OAT score: 330. Avg GPA: 3.53. Recommendation Letters: 2. Pre-requisites …

College of Optometry MEMPHIS, Tenn … Burley resident Cristian U Anguiano Marin, Anthropology/Sociology, recently graduated from Eastern Oregon University. The university awarded 639 bachelor’s degrees, 107 master’s degrees, …

Find the best Optometry And Vision Colleges in Oregon on Universities.com. View school information and student reviews for all 2 Optometry And Vision colleges in Oregon.

It’s Farm Workers’ first optometry service across the community health center’s 19 health clinics in Washington and Oregon. “We’re starting … renovation of the former Yakima Valley Community College building just west of the new …

The origins of the College of Optometry at Pacific University can be traced to the DeKeyser Institute of Optometry (founded in 1910) and the Oregon College of Ocular …

Prerequisite Worksheet | Optometry. Admitted students must be able to provide a final official transcript showing all prerequisite courses completed prior to intended date of entry. The unofficial prerequisite worksheet (pdf) is to help you determine which prerequisites you have fulfilled and those which you have remaining to …

past president Oregon Preschool, Inc. Education: Two bachelor’s degrees, one doctorate degree, post education diagnostic drugs UW-Madison, post education therapeutic drugs Illinois College of Optometry. Current job: Substitute …

Pre-Optometry PRE-OPTOMETRY. … The Pacific University College of Optometry, located at Forest Grove, is normally the school of choice for Oregon residents.

That led him to optometry. "It is a decent paying profession, and they tend to be pretty happy people," he says. "It is the only profession I know where you can build a lifestyle around the profession." Eastern Oregon University, La Grande: …

Optometry School Preparation at the University of Oregon Did you know? • Not to be confused with ophthalmologists (a physician's specialty) or dispensing …

Post-high school plans: Go to Oregon State University to major in pre-optometry, then off to optometry school at Pacific University. What advice would you give to younger students? Participate in as many activities as you can …

This option is offered within the following major(s): BioHealth Sciences – College of Science. The BioHealth Sciences major combined with the Pre-Optometry option is …

Pacific University offers a four-year doctor of optometry program preparing tomorrow's optometrists for licensure and practice. The curriculum consists of academic …

Hanson received his undergraduate degree from Viterbo University and then received his doctorate in optometry from Pacific University in Oregon in 2001. He returned to the area in 2005 and worked at another local practice, and now …

Contact Optometry Admissions. You are welcome to call or email us with any questions: Andrea Lybarger | Assistant Director of Graduate and Professional Program Admissions [email protected] | Phone 503-352-7217 | Fax 503-352-7290. Admissions Overview. Pacific University College of Optometry is …

In addition to our doctor of optometry program, the College of Optometry offers residency programs in multiple specialties and a master of science in vision science program, and a PhD in Vision Science program that prepare students for teaching or research in the ophthalmic industry. We also partner with the College of …

How Many Optometry Schools Are There In The Us Contents Currently 21 optometry schools Many schools graduating Excerpts: many … school for another Contents the late thomas gehris and Than 10000 ods recently met the Currently there are 19 accredited optometry schools in the United States, … Optometry School Requirements. Optometry schools all have … There are some basic … Skip Navigation; About · Doctor Of Optometry Degree Online Contents The late thomas gehris and Doctorate degree and potential Degree you are looking Optometry schools … and clinical training … his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. He then completed his four-year Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Missouri-St. Louis School of Optometry What Is Optometry Degree Contents Course listing for the Requires specific undergraduate Are seeing the Optometrists are eye And the uk. nearly Information the image When Gootee, a fellow Indiana University School of Optometry graduate, came … Difference between an Ophthalmologist, … An optometrist receives a doctor of optometry (OD) degree after completing four years of optometry school, …

from http://bestoptometrists.net/oregon-optometry-school/

0 notes

bullymagnetweek-blog · 8 years ago

Text

Hitball: The Musical - Bullymagnet Week Day 5

AN: so this is like super late and hardly even bullymagnet but *shrug* i listened to high school musical on repeat for six hours for this so here we go. i apologise in advance for the cheesy lyrics. also again the formatting bc what. - KindleSpark

SUMMARY: Retelling of the hitball arc, but everyone’s singing and it’s even more dramatic than it already was. Suzy has a blackmailing song. Johnny and Max have a theme. Jeff’s monologue is now a villain number. Enjoy. (I’m sorry).

Max is expecting a huge trumpet fanfare to start what is apparently a high stakes middle-school dodgeball game, but instead all Coach Oop does is blow a small ‘toot’ on his whistle

It still has everyone sprinting as fast as they can to get to the middle of the court, though. Max lingers back as Johnny and Isabel lunge for the balls, pulling off stunts no middle-schooler (or anyone for that matter) should be able to do. Someone’s already in the bleachers in the first two seconds.

Everyone’s taking this pretty damn seriously, Max realises. A ball comes spinning his way and he quickly side steps it. Well, at least dodging is his forte.

Thump. Thump Thump.

Speaking about forte.

Squeak thump.

Max should’ve seen this coming.

Thump. Thump thump.

Sneakers hit the floor, and balls whiz past rhythmically. There’s a beat humming through the gym.

“Burnhounds.” Menacing whispers come from the other team.

“Shockodiles.” The response is immediate, perfectly in rhythm.

Max suppresses the urge to roll his eyes. Of course Mayview is dramatic enough to have a song for a middle-school dodgeball game. He feels the beat instinctively, feet slipping side to side in sync. Sure, songs happened all the time, and he wasn’t against them or anything, but they usually only started up when it came to something significant. He vaguely wonders if it’s just a well-known hitball theme… but no, hitball was only introduced today. He shrugs. It’s probably just a Mayview thing. The drama never ends.

“Burnhounds!”

“Shockodiles!”

The chanting continues. Swung quavers and a shuffle-likebeat, Max notes. He shouts along as the music reaches its peak.

Thump. Thump thump.

“HITBALL!” The gym cries in unison. Max spoke too soon. Those were definitely trumpets.

He leaps to the side, dodging and twisting past the balls. Songs always push his movements along, it’s so much easier to step and move when there’s a beat driving you forward. The melody surges inside him, and he’s buzzing with expectation.

Isabel starts up, and Max grins. Most people have a specific style or instrument their songs most occur in, and she’s perfect for this. Of course, she wouldn’t be singing if she wasn’t, but he’s still impressed.

“Hey Burnhounds, we’re gonna tear you asunder,

‘coz us Shockodiles are lightning and thunder.

Hey Burnhounds, get ready to stop drop and roll,

‘coz the flames you’re holding’ll be reduced to coal.”

Max watches as she dances her way across the court, singing all the way. At the end of her verse, she pelts the Golden Switch she’s holding directly towards Lisa, hitting her just as she’s distracted by Ed.

“Haha, yesss! We’re stacked.”

Thump thump.

The chorus starts just as aggressively as the verse, and Max finds himself singing with the rest of the team as they taunt the other side, balls bouncing and stomps shaking the floor as the music roars at a peak.

“Get ready, get ready for hitball,

Burnhounds vs. Shockodiles!”

Max feels the title drop resonate through him. Ah man, he can’t deny he’s having fun. Max hides a grin as Johnny’s verse springs up from the other side, responding to Isabel’s threats in perfect rhyme.

“Hey Shockodiles, hope you’re ready for this game,

‘coz you’ll need more than water to put out this flame.

Hey Shockodiles, you’re up for a treat,

‘coz us Burnhounds ain’t afraid to turn up the heat!”

He whips two balls out in sync, and Max grimaces as he watches both of them hit their mark. The chorus comes back in, and now both teams begin to sing the chorus, lines whipping back and forth as fast as the balls are. Somewhere in between the chorus and the next verse, Max hears the raspy voice of… was that kid levitating?

“Dag, sons! These burnhounds are wiggity wiggity worse than homework!”

You know what, he’s just gonna ignore that one. The music pauses just as the bridge comes in, and Max finds himself itching to sing. Oh man, he’s one of the main vocalists? The songs hadn’t stopped coming since he moved here, and he much preferred background vocals.

“Hey Matrix, try contributing! The game’s not called dodgeball!” Isabel shouts at him.

Oh good, it’s a private conversation. He sighs in relief. At least these parts usually play underneath the main song, with the rest of the singers are often oblivious.

“Stop deflecting!” Isabel roars.

A ball collides perfectly into the one he’s holding, ricocheting to the side.

Max deadpans. “But clearly that is an important part of the spor-”

Isabel shoves the ball into his face. The music quietens, and the beat disappears, something more lyrical starting up.

“Max, are we clear on what I said on the train?

I hope I didn’t mislead you, I mean, I’m trying to explain…”

Max baulks. Nope. He’s not talking about this now. Thankfully, the music complies and his lyrics quickly interrupt hers.

“Most ghosts really can’t-“

“Looks like someone needs me over there.” Max shouts awkwardly, edging his way out of the song. “I’m just gonna go-“

“HOW DID YOU KNOW??”

The music screeches to a halt as Max comes face to face with a terrifyingly delighted Suzy.

———

Oh my god, she has a blackmailing song.

Collin’s slumped shoulders tell him this isn’t just a one-off melody, it’s an actual honest-to-god theme. Max cannot believe his own eyes. Or ears. Jagged string lines bounce eerily off each other, dissonant and harsh. Suzy sings along delightedly, and Max has a sense of incoming doom as she rattles off high-pitched lines and exposition. He tries not to let the panicky music get to him.

“You know what that means, Max? Don’t hold your breath.” Suzy sings, music stopping just before it reaches the final note. Max is sweating “It means jumping through a school bus is now punishable…”

Silence. Max is pretty sure he knows what’s coming.

“BY DEATH.” He was right.

“Suspension.” Collin interrupts. Max’s brain has zoned out, and he’s imagining all the horrible ways his dad’s gonna sacrifice him in if Max gets suspended.

“No, no! My Dad’ll kill me…!”

Suzy lets out a cackle. “I’m always right in the end, see?”

The song, unfortunately, doesn’t end there.

“Now now, Max, it’s okay, don’t be so hyperbolic.

It’s not like anyone knows you did it, I’m not that vitriolic.

No one has a clue, it’s just been rumours, don’t you see?

It’s not like anyone knows you did it… Well. Nobody…”

Oh. Max hates everything. “but y-“

“But me!” Suzy’s smile holds six different layers of evil, and Max is ready to embrace death.

———

“I hate people like you!

And you, and you!!”

Max recoils as Nega-Jeff actually begins to sing. There’s something different about his voice too, an underlying tone that doesn’t sound right. The accompanying music is all wrong and twisted, not like Jeff at all. Something’s very wrong.

“Self-centered, without a scrap of ambition,

Warriors of whim, without proper cognition.

You’ve still yet to reach your brains’ higher functions!

Honestly. What a waste of good violence.”

Max watches as Johnny flinches back, and he can tell that particular line was in one of Johnny’s songs as well. He scowls. Low blow.

“Kindness without a code, cruelty that isn’t calculating,

can’t you see it serves no purpose, your stupidity is infuriating!

The true power of violence isn’t just to entertain,

I hope you’re ready to learn a lifelong lesson in pain!”

Isabel’s up to something in the background, and Max really hopes she can come up with something while this Jeff imposter is singing. He lights up as Isabel flings balls their way, hope rising within him, well. Until Johnny catches one and sends her to the bleachers. Ughhh.

———

Max smirks. Johnny was pretty selfless when it counted. I mean sure, dismissing his friends did leave the two of them stuck with Jeff, but Max wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Hey, don’t let Nega-Jeff get too deep under your skin, okay?” Max says. “Everything else aside, caring about your jerk friends isn’t a flaw. It’s your sole redeeming quality.”

Johnny chuckles, smiling. “Heh.”

Something swells inside Max, and it takes him a second to realise it’s the beginning of… a theme. Just an instrumental, apparently, but it still surprises him. He doesn’t even have a proper theme with the activity club yet, and yet the moment he’s alone with Johnny… Weird. Stagnant ostinatos, melody on the bass, and… was that the sound of clashing metal as the beat? Unconventional, but it worked. It fits perfectly, and Max already loves it. He can feel himself buzzing with anticipation for the showdown, comforted with the thought Johnny was by his side. He makes a face. Oh man, that was cheesy. Songs really brought every embarrassing thought to the forefront.

“Ready to win this, Johnny?” Max barks, spectral energy igniting on instinct.

Johnny grins, all teeth and resolve. “Let’s show Jeff what-“

“That’s not Jeff.”

The music halts abruptly as Cody shoves the Golden Switch into Johnny’s hands, face dark and angry. Thunder crackles between them, and Max instinctively steps back. Something about Cody’s posture screams danger.

“Punish him.”

Thump. Thump thump.

Max’s eyes widen in realisation. A reprise. This was it then.

Squeak thump.

Johnny sends him a look, face determined. Final showdown. The people on the bleachers begin to whisper softly.

Thump. Thump thump.

“Burnhounds!”

“Shockodiles!”

Johnny jumps into the verse, lines reprised as Johnny lets out his anger, determined to bring Jeff down. Meanwhile, Max’s brain is racing, trying to piece together a plan as fast as he can. The likelihood of actually hitting Jeff is low, but there’s no way they could catch one of his throws, unless… No, that’s too dangerous. He grits his teeth. Well, that’ll have to be the back-up plan if this doesn’t work. He vaguely registers Jeff singing, but ignores him, grabbing Johnny quickly and dragging him back.

“Grrr, all I need is a single ball,

Just one, and I can finish this farce,

What the- there’s none at all?

Why, Guerra, ever a thorn in my-“

“HEY, JEFF!!” Max interrupts, breaking up his verse. “HEADS UP!!!”

He sprints up, bringing back his arm and aiming…

“PSYCH!!”

… for the ball golem. Max honestly has no idea why she’s still on the court.

It hits her perfectly, and the rest of the class cheer, music starting up again and launching into the chorus. The beat, with a lack of people on court, is picked up by the thumping of shoes and fists on the bleachers.

“Burnhounds vs. Shockodiles: Final showdown!”

“Not.” Jeff rises slowly, and Max tenses. He turns, and Max grimaces as he shows off the Golden Switch. Plan B, then. The background vocals are shocked into silence, and the music thumps silently as Jeff launches into his villain song again, this time with leitmotifs from Burnhounds vs. Shockodiles. Yikes, he really liked the sound of his own voice.

Max remains alert as Jeff walks along the court. The likelihood of him throwing the ball before his verse ends is low, but he watches anyway. Somewhere in the middle of it, Max perks up with incredulity, recognising the counterpoint. That was his and Johnny’s theme! Jeff hasn’t seemed to notice it, thankfully, and Max glares him down. It’s not over yet.

“Ha, you think I’d miss?

LET’S SEE HOW YOU LIKE THIS!”

Max grits his teeth.

“Johnny!!” He cries. Their theme breaks free from the harmony, playing high above everything, and overwhelming Jeff’s at the final note. He grins. “Look up!”

The music pauses.

Krak.

Foom.

Thwack.

SNAP!

The ball ricochets off his arm, arcing high over the court. He doesn’t need to look back to know Johnny caught it.

Max has a split-second to acknowledge darkly that the throw was in rhythm, before pain bursts on Max’s left arm, and he tears up, hissing as he tries not to cry. This doesn’t work.

“RRRRGGGHHHHH!!” He groans, curling up on the ground. Flippity flippin’ flip! His arm is on fire. He didn’t think it’d be this bad if Dmitri had somehow survived it, but it was.

“WELL WHATRYA WAITIN’ FOR?!” Johnny shouts. “LET’S GET ‘IM!!”

“YEEEEAAAAAAAHHHH!” comes the cry, and the music starts again, playing a victory instrumental to accompany the cheers.

Thump. Thump Thump.

Well, almost an instrumental. Lisa steps up unnoticed behind Jeff, pinning him with a vice-like grip.

“Hey Shockodile, here’s some advice:

In this school, you should really learn to think twice.

Hey Shockodile, don’t make this a trend,

There are scary people here you don’t want to offend.”

#kindlespark #prompt: the musical #submission

37 notes · View notes