#Front load garbage truck

[huntrolli]

Front load garbage truck

Front load garbage truck driver#

Front load garbage truck full#

Front load garbage truck series#

The Contender brings you durability and optimal payload capacity depending on your application and state weight restriction laws.

Front load garbage truck series#

Other features and options include the McNeilus CODE™ controls system, available on the Meridian Front Loader and Atlantic Series Front Loader, that puts superior truck diagnostics and troubleshooting at your fingertips.īoth the Meridian and Atlantic Series front loaders offer a clean headframe that boosts serviceability and performance, and keeps hydraulic and electrical components better protected. McNeilus front loaders are built to take care of business, whether it’s demanding commercial routes or dense residential neighborhoods. We offer a range of vehicle options in the front loader product line to meet what you need - from the heavy duty Atlantic Series Front Loader®, to the middleweight Contender®, and the lighter weight Meridian™ Front Loader.Īll McNeilus front loaders come standard with McNeilus-exclusive Excalibre™ packing cylinders that feature a patented tool steel shaver and nitrided rods, helping to resist wear and corrosion and drastically reducing hydraulic contamination. The Western Series Mammoth is every bit as tough as the original Mammoth but is the obvious choice for a lightweight, fast-cycling, high-compaction front loader garbage truck where area DOT regulations are a concern.Learn more about all the models in the front loader line Atlantic Series New Way currently offers two front loader body styles: the East Coast version Mammoth and the Western Series Mammoth. We work with you to ensure that we match the right product to your needs and that your refuse truck will continue to be an asset to your business for years to come.īUILT TO MEET YOUR REFUSE COLLECTION NEEDS Outstanding service and commitment to the customer come standard with every purchase from New Way and our dealer network. Quality, durability, superior strength, and performance are not the only features of Mammoth front loader garbage trucks. The Western Series Mammoth is every bit as tough as the original Mammoth but is the obvious choice for a lightweight, fast-cycling, high-compaction refuse truck where area DOT regulations are a concern. The Mammoth features one-piece body sides with a curved hopper that adds critical strength, the most substantial steel specs in the industry, and heavy-duty arms for the heftiest routes.

Front load garbage truck driver#

New Way currently offers two front loader body styles: the East Coast version of Mammoth and the Western Series Mammoth. Position: Commercial Front Load Driver (Garbage Truck Driver) Waste Connections is looking for individuals who have a passion for driving, career growth and share our 1 value: SAFETY We are looking for Commercial Front Load Driver (Garbage Truck Drivers) to join the team tion in Miami, FL.

Front load garbage truck full#

Our patented Odyssey Controls hydraulic control technology delivers waste industry-leading productivity with the lowest Total Cost of Collection (TCC), helping refuse haulers make more money on the route. View our full line of the industrys very best Front Load & Rear Load Trash Compactors & garbage truck compactors for sale by Marathon Equipment. Heil engineering innovations continue to raise the bar for automated front load garbage trucks. These trucks are also great for collecting recycling and other kinds of. Heil Automated Front-Load Garbage Trucks. NEW WAY ® FRONT LOADER GARBAGE TRUCKS FRONT LOADER DESIGNED FOR THE HEAVIEST ROUTES Front load trucks can be used for more than just transporting garbage to landfills.

[virginlomo]

Front load garbage truck

#Front load garbage truck drivers

#Front load garbage truck driver

#Front load garbage truck manual

Premier has the largest in-stock selection of automated front end loaders available now. If workers are able lift them into the container, the truck will take care of the rest.Įfficiency: Their efficiency comes from the speed at each stop since the arm does not have to dump in the body at each house - it instead can dump several totes into the Curotto-Can once the Curotto-Can is full, it then dumps into the body. Some municipalities may prefer touchless pickup while others may offer to pick up furniture or old mattresses that cannot fit into a tote. This means fewer injuries and off-job time for overburdened employees.īulk pickup: Anything that can fit into the front container can fit into the truck. Less strain on workers: Workers are not required to physically load totes or trash into automated front end loaders and most of the work is done with robotic arms. Drivers can see what’s going into the truck and be alerted of immediate issues, unlike with a rear or side loader. Increased safety: With an automated front loader, everything, including the arm and can, is right out in front of the driver’s line of vision. The automated arm is there every day ready to work! In a labor shortage or economic downturn, companies with automated front loaders don’t need to worry about hiring more than one person per route.

#Front load garbage truck manual

There are several benefits to using an automated front loader, including:ĭecreased need for manual labor: Residential waste has been picked up for many years using a rear loader, which takes a minimum of two people to operate. As employees wanted to protect their workers from handling waste, they began searching for automated, touchless pickup options. Residential front end loaders have been steadily growing in popularity over the years, but they really found their footing following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Why should I use a residential front loader? Some companies have been using them for years while others are just catching on to this super efficient residential waste management tool. Residential front loaders are also called “RESIs,” trash grabbers or automated garbage trucks.

#Front load garbage truck driver

The cab in a residential front end loader has two steering wheels, but only one driver is required to operate. An arm on the container extends to pick up each tote, dump it into the front container, which is then raised and dumped into the hopper behind the truck cab. They pick up residential trash in standard sized totes. Newer equipment with in-house shop that keeps it well maintainedResidential front end loaders are garbage trucks that combine the arm technology of a side loader with the efficiency and might of a front loader.

#Front load garbage truck drivers

We have openings for Class A CDL Regional, Full and Part-Time drivers.ġ2 months tractor trailer experience neededĪverage income of drivers is $68,000-$90,000 per year We do not haul any hazardous loads or any that require placards. We also haul cocoa butter, cream, chocolate, and water treatment products. Soybean Oil accounts for eighty to ninety percent of what we haul. Joseph, MO, is one of the trucking industry s leaders in liquid food bulk transportation. $7,500 SIGN ON BONUS & PAY INCREASE ON MULTIPLE LANES! EARN $68K-$90K YEARLY!Įxcellent opportunity for CDL A Truck Drivers on Multiple runs delivering food grade liquids between Missouri to Arkansas! CDL CLASS A REGIONAL TRUCK DRIVERS - $7500 SIGN ON

[oceanpiner]

Front load garbage truck

#Front load garbage truck manual

These help to pick up the loaded container without much effort. These trucks have massive roll off containers that you can drop at specified locations and then pick them up after a period after the clients have loaded them with waste materials. Their sturdy construction makes them a perfect fit for handling heavier materials, such as cardboard and steel. You can see them in demolition and construction sites. These are the most popular garbage trucks when it comes to mass-scale commercial trash removal services. But make sure you check the condition of the truck before buying. You can purchase one of these used beasts for a very affordable price. Their weight capacity ranges from 6 to 35 cubic yards depending on their size. Some of the bigger variants can haul up to 18 tons of garbage. Most rear loader garbage trucks can accommodate trash from as many as 800 to 850 homes. Like carrying, these trucks also help in dumping the contents too, thanks to their substantial rear opening. No matter what their size is, you can collect plenty of them inside the truck in one day. Many residential clients keep their garbage inside bin bags. Their significant opening at the back allows you to collect massive quantities of waste in one go. These are the most versatile when it comes to trash collection. If you want to serve both commercial and residential clients, then get a rear loader garbage truck.

#Front load garbage truck manual

The manual side loaders will cost lesser compared to the automated side loaders. Some of these trucks are available at a budget-friendly price if you buy them second-hand. Most of the standard trucks can hold approximately 30,000 lbs of compacted garbage every day and hold up to 28 cubic yards of garbage. The size of the side loader garbage truck plays a crucial role in deciding the quantity of the waste materials it can carry. You can collect rubbish from almost 1500 homes every day. The automated side loaders are slightly more expensive. There are two variants available in this truck: one with automatic robotic arms that will collect the garbage and second, manually. You need to load the waste materials from the side. For this, a side loader garbage truck will be most suitable. If industrial waste is not your cup of tea, you can focus on removal of household waste. On the other hand, they can hold trash of up to 40 cubic yards. Most front loader trucks available in the US can lift containers weighing approximately 8000 lbs. An operator lift picks up the waste materials and dumps them into the container. They come with steel forks controlled hydraulically. From, slime and sludge to waste from factories, the design of these trucks make it possible to accommodate all types of garbage inside. Their containers, often called dumpsters, are spacious enough to collect industrial waste materials. That is when front loader garbage trucks will help you with their size. You will require massive containers to collect all the garbage from industrial and commercial properties. Before you buy a used garbage truck, it is essential to know the four different types available in the United States. Over the years, garbage trucks have evolved a lot, especially where the garbage is stored. Are you planning to move into the garbage removal business? Different garbage trucks offer various features and functions that you can make the most of while gathering trash and refuse.

[theladyofdeath]

Anxious & Bewitched {nessian}

Ship: Nesta x Cassian Summary: College AU; Nesta loses a bet and has to go on a date with Cassian to a haunted corn maze. T/W: None; Fluff

Written with @snelbz

As Nesta opened the passenger side door and dropped from the cab of the truck, a chill breeze had her tucking her hands into the folds of her thick sweater.

The driver-side door closed behind her and she took a deep breath.

She had no reason to be nervous. There was no reason to be nervous. It wasn’t the first time they’d hung out together, wasn’t even the first time it’d just been the two of them, without the rest of their friends. But this time… This time was different.

He appeared around the front of the truck. “I told you I’d come around to get your door.”

Reigning in the urge to roll her eyes, Nesta muttered, “Yeah, well, you were taking too long.”

He laughed, as he always did when he was clearly exasperated by her. She wondered if somewhere, deep down inside, Cassian secretly wanted to throttle her instead of being amused by her annoyance. She wouldn’t be surprised if he did.

“Most girls—” With one look shot in his direction, Cassian stopped speaking and cleared his throat. “Like corn mazes,” he finished, even though she knew damn well that wasn’t what he was going to say. “Do you?”

Nesta shrugged. “I don’t think anyone really enjoys corn mazes. We all just do them because it’s a tradition.”

“Glad to see you’re excited,” he muttered and shoved his hands in his pockets as they walked toward the ticket booth. “I hope you don’t get scared too easily. They say this is the scariest maze in the county.”

Nesta glanced at the setting sun, barely still in existence. She gave it fifteen minutes before they were in complete darkness. “Do I seem like someone who gets scared easily?”

They reached the front of the line, which saved Cassian from having to answer the loaded question and headed for where the festivities would be starting as soon as the sun fully set behind Ramiel in the distance.

“So,” Nesta began as she looked around at the stands and vendors around them. “I believe the stipulations were one dinner and one trip through the corn maze.”

“And apple cider after the maze,” Cassian reminded her with a wink. The bet they’d made last week over whether Azriel or Elain would earn a higher score on their English lit midterm had won Cassian a date with Nesta, after over a year of rejections. He would make it count.

Nesta’s dramatic sigh was mostly for show as she said, “Right, how could I forget? Where do we start?”

“Dinner?” He asked, gesturing to the stalls they paused before.

Chili, soup, and roasted chicken legs; kettle corn, funnel cake, and, of course, hot cider. The options were limitless and as Nesta’s stomach rumbled hungrily, she realized her appetite was as well. “I could eat.”

After a quick discussion over what they each wanted and whether or not it would count as a date if they weren’t eating the same thing, Cassian led Nesta to an open picnic table, placing her bowl of hearty tomato soup in front of her as she sat down. Rather than taking the seat across from her, Cassian sat next to her, the heat of his thigh against hers as he took a bite out of the massive chicken leg he’d decided on.

He ate like an animal and Nesta hated to admit that she found it oddly attractive. 

Nonetheless, she said, “You eat like a barbarian.”

“I eat like a man,” he corrected and nodded towards her soup. “Are you going to pretend to sip that thing like a lady instead of devouring it like you want to?”

The word devour from his lips sent a chill down her spine. She’d read too much smut.  

And yes, yes she was.

Nesta took her sweet time sipping her soup, just to spite him. He was finished in less than a minute but he waited patiently for her once his food was long gone. 

Half an hour passed before Nesta’s bowl was empty and by that time, the moon and the stars were shining brightly in the night sky. Cassian took care of their garbage and clapped his hands together as Nesta stood from the picnic table.

“Ready?”

She sighed, even as a whirlwind of anxiety and excitement swelled in the pit of her stomach. “I guess I don’t have a choice, right?”

His grin was intoxicating as he said, “Not at all.”

They lined up behind a group of high school students, Cassian recognizing the green and silver of their letterman jackets from the next town over, and sat in companionable silence as the teenagers planned how they’d make their way through the maze. They discussed who would lead, who was too scared and would walk in the middle, and who would bring up the rear, making sure those people from the middle wouldn’t fall behind.

Before they knew it, the excited giggles of the group became shrieks and howls of laughter as they meandered deeper into the maze.

Then it was their turn.

“After you, Nes,” Cassian said, gesturing to the long walkway ahead of them. It faded into nothing but darkness and he swore he heard her swallow before she turned to him.

“I don’t think so. This was your idea, so you get to go in first.”

The attendant rolled his eyes and held an arm out toward the entrance. “I’ve got a line and you’re backing it up. You can go in together.”

Nesta opened her mouth to protest but Cassian took her by the hand and pulled her into the maze. Before she could even catch her breath, they were enveloped in corn stalks, the shrieks and screams of others radiating around them.

Nesta’s body grew taut, so much so that she hadn’t even realized that her hand was still in Cassian’s until they turned their first corner.

“So,” he began, and she could see his smirk in the outline of the starlight, “not scared, huh?”

“I swear to the Cauldron, I will leave right now if you don’t shut up.” The words rushed out of her. She took a deep breath, then another. “I’m not scared. I’m just—”

A guy dressed as a bloodied up zombie jumped out of the cornstalks and Nesta screamed.

But it was Cassian that jumped nearly a foot in the air, a long string of profanity tumbling from his mouth.

Nesta stared at him.

Cassian, chest heaving, stared back.

Then, despite herself, Nesta laughed.

With an exasperated sigh, Cassian took Nesta’s hand again and dragged her away from the still snarling zombie.

“Holding my hand a little tight there, aren’t you?” She asked, once they had moved farther into the maze. He could hear the smile on her face, but didn’t look at her as they surged forward. “Don’t worry, Cass, I’ll keep you safe.”

A twig snapped at their backs and Nesta whirled, turning to face the…empty path behind them. Her eyes darted around, searching despite not seeing anyone or anything there.

A terrified scream from somewhere deeper within the maze had Nesta gasping and clutching onto Cassian’s arm with her free hand.

“I could say the same for you,” he snapped, and cursed when the sound of a chainsaw began to rev from somewhere in the maze. “I’m having a blast.”

“Me too,” she hissed, grounding herself in the warmth of his body. She had never felt so annoyed and so safe at the same time. Maybe if she closed her eyes, this whole experience would be so much more enjoyable. 

Ignoring the fact that she was clinging to Cassian for dear life, Nesta continued to make her way through the maze, wishing she was literally anywhere else every time they came to a dead end.

They had just gotten away from a psycho in a hockey mask when Cassian said, “I have no clue how to get out of here.”

Nesta looked down the creepy pathways before them. “I don’t either. Isn’t there some trick to getting out of mazes?”

Snapping his fingers, Cassian took her hand and began pulling her down the path to the right. “Right turns only.”

The psycho in the hockey mask was waiting around the next turn with the rest of his team.

“Why do you even like this stuff?” Cassian demanded as they stopped to catch their breath, warily looking around at the corn stalks, waiting for someone to jump out at them.

“I don’t,” Nesta replied, peeking around the corner, cringing at whatever she saw. “I hate it.”

When there was no response, Nesta glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting him to be gone. Instead, she found him staring at her.

“What do you mean you hate it,” he asked, eyes on hers.

“I mean, I hate getting scared,” she snapped, looking back around the corner. “Slashers and horror movies are the extent of my interest in being scared.”

He muttered under his breath, “I’m going to kill them.”

With her brow furrowed, Nesta turned to find him shaking his head. “Who?”

“Feyre, but I’m sure it was Rhys’s idea, too.” He stepped up behind her, finally seeing the clown standing in the middle of the path and stepped back. “When I asked her for an idea of what you’d want to do, she said you’d love this. That you love haunted houses.”

Nesta tried her best not to gape but couldn’t help herself. “She said what?”

Cassian just shook his head, dragging Nesta past the creepy ass clown. 

“You don’t like this, either?” She asked, when he said nothing. Cassian just shook his head, and Nesta scoffed. “Wow.”

“Being scared pisses me off,” he admitted. “Which, your sister knows.”

A realization hit Nesta as they turned yet another corner: he hated being scared, but he brought her here anyway.

Because he thought she would love it. 

She hadn’t realized she was staring at him until a second clown popped out of the stalks and Cassian’s hand gripped onto hers so tightly that it hurt.

Nothing else was said until they reached the end of the maze, just a few minutes later. There were no other big scares, nothing else to take any additional years off of Cassian’s life and he wished his sigh of relief when they finally walked out into the open air of the festival wasn’t as loud as it was. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, beyond thankful that the entire ordeal was over and he’d made it out alive.

“Alright,” he said, exhaling one last time and looking towards the stalls. He’d seen someone selling hot cider when they’d first gotten here. “I could go for some cider. Honestly, I’m down for something stronger, if you are, but—”

A tug on his hand had him leaning down and then a warm kiss was pressed to his cheek.

For a moment, he stilled, thinking what had happened hadn’t just happened, but when he met her gaze, she almost looked as surprised as he was. Her eyes were wide and hesitant, glancing hectically between his eyes and his mouth. Cassian swallowed, scared to say or do anything to break whatever the hell was going on here. 

“Thank you,” she said, quietly but firmly, eyes locked on his. 

“For what?” he asked, blinking. “You were miserable.”

“So were you,” she agreed, and shook her head. “So, thank you.”

“I wanted you to have a good time,” he admitted, brushing his fingers against hers. “I didn’t want you to regret having said yes.”

Her fingers grazed his again, but then she laced them together. “Technically, I didn’t have a choice, since I did lose a bet after all,” she said, voice taking on a teasing tone before dropping back into something softer as she smiled. “But I’m glad I came. I’m glad I said yes, Cassian.”

She glanced down at their joined hands, squeezing his fingers once before she met his gaze. His eyes were already on her and he couldn’t help but stare in awe at how beautiful she was.

Blushing, Nesta cleared her throat. “So. You owe me a drink.”

Cassian hesitated. “Cider? Or…”

“Something stronger may be nice.” Nesta breathed a laugh and Cassian couldn’t help but smile. “Something to take the edge off.”

Cassian couldn’t deny that. He could use the same thing, something to take the edge off. “There’s a bar two miles up the road. I think it’s a biker bar, but it seems… Well, I’ll keep you safe.”

Nesta raised a brow. “Maybe I’m the one to keep you safe.”

Cassian sighed. “You can’t ever just say okay, can you?”

Nesta pretended to think about it. “No.”

Yet, with a wicked smile, she dragged him by his hand to the parking lot - which was nothing more than a field marked off with rope - until they were at his truck. Still holding her hand, Cassian opened the passenger side door and helped Nesta up inside before rounding the truck and climbing up behind the wheel. 

The ride to the corn maze had been okay. Conversation had been awkward. Not bad, but a little forced. The ride to the bar was nothing like that. It was brief, but by the time Cassian put the truck in park and cut the engine, he had Nesta dabbing at her eyes as she laughed at a story he was telling her about a prank he and Azriel had pulled on Rhys when they were in high school.

“To this day, he can’t stand the smell of tartar sauce,” he said, shaking his head as unbuckled his seatbelt.

She did the same, laughter still shaking her shoulders. “I don’t blame him, I don’t think I can think of it the same way either.”

With a grin, he opened the door, hopping down and rounded the truck. When he opened her door, he offered her his hand. “You waited this time.”

Her cheeks darkened just a bit, but her eyes sparkled as she said, “Well, I wouldn’t have wanted to take your chance to be a gentleman away.”

“Again,” he added.

Nesta rolled her eyes. “Again.”

After taking his hand, Nesta hopped down from the cab and he locked the truck behind them as they made their way inside the bar. It was pretty busy but they managed to find a little table tucked into the back. 

“What’re you drinking?” Cassian asked after Nesta plopped onto the bench.

Nesta lifted a brow. “Surprise me.”

Cassian chuckled. “You trust me that much?”

“We’re about to find out,” Nesta crooned.

Suddenly nervous, Cassian made his way to the bar and waited for the bartender to find her way towards him. He took the time to decide what drink best represented Nesta Archeron.

In the end, he returned to the table with two drinks and two shot glasses.

“What’d you get?” She asked, eyeing the drinks as she set them on the table.

“Jack and Coke,” he said, hovering his hand over the first. Then the second. “Vodka cranberry.” Then he slid one of the shot glasses in front of her and took the other himself. “And a shot of tequila for us both, in case you hate either of those.” 

Grinning, she looked back at the drinks. “And if I want the Jack?”

“Then it looks like I’ll be having a pink drink tonight.”

Rolling her eyes, Nesta nudged the Jack and Coke closer to him and took the other. “I like both, but this is my favorite.” She picked up the shot glass and held it out to him. “Cheers.”

Clinking his glass against hers, Cassian tossed it back, before placing it top down on the table. He did his best not to make a face, but found himself chasing his shot with his drink. Blowing out a brisk breath, he asked, “So am I to assume that haunted corn mazes aren’t a part of your yearly Halloween traditions?”

Nesta shook her head, leaning back in her seat. “Absolutely not. I’ve never even been to a haunted house. Feyre and Elain used to try and get me to take them in high school, before they could drive, but I’ve never liked it.”

“Me either.” He drummed his fingers on the table next to his drink. “Why would I want to pay someone to scare me shitless?”

With a laugh, Nesta agreed. “What about you? Anything you do for Halloween every year?”

“Pumpkin carving. Hands down.”

Nesta scrunched her nose.

Cassian blinked. “Do you have…an issue with pumpkin carving?”

“It’s so messy,” she said, sipping from her drink. “And I hate the feeling of all the guts between my fingers. No, thank you.”

Cassian shakes his head, eyes narrowed in her direction. “What kind of person hates pumpkins? Who hurt you?”

“I like pumpkins.” Nesta laughed. “I just like them intact.” 

“You’re missing out,” he said, and his toe nudged hers until the table and lingered. “Maybe you should give it another try. Maybe you’ve done it wrong.”

“You’re very passionate about carving pumpkins,” Nesta chuckled.

“I prefer calling it pumpkin art, but yes I am.”

Nesta laughed again and Cassian stared at her in awe. It was nice to see her laugh, smile, be happy instead of glaring daggers in his direction.

He looked away from her, his finger circling the rim of his glass. “You could come over, one night this week, if you wanted. We could carve a couple pumpkins. I’ll handle the guts, all you’d have to do is the fun part.”

Raising her eyebrows, Nesta asked, “And what exactly is the fun part? The stabbing?” 

“That and realizing that what you carved looks absolutely nothing like what you planned.”

With a snort, Nesta asked, “I thought you said it was pumpkin art?”

“I did,” he replied with a shrug, but the corner of his mouth was lifted up in a smirk. “But I never said it was good art.”

Tipping her head back, Nesta laughed. When she was done, she brought her glass to her lips and took a drink. “I’d love that.”

Cassian was almost shocked by her revelation. “Yeah?” She nodded but Cassian tried not to get his hopes up too much. “How about Wednesday?”

Nesta slowly set her glass back down. For a second, she hesitated, but then she said, “I can do Wednesday.”

Nearly dropping his glass, Cassian stared across the table. She was not only on a date with him now, but agreed to another in only a few days time. 

Either he was dreaming…or she was already drunk.

Maybe a bit of both. 

After a few more drinks, Cassian glanced at the clock over the bar and saw that it was pushing midnight. “We should probably go. You said you work at nine?”

With a groan, Nesta nodded. She worked at the library on campus and the librarian was not lenient about tardiness and attendance. “Bright and early.”

Drumming his fingers on the table, Cassian stood. “I’ll pay our tab and we can get out of here.”

By the time he returned, Nesta had finished her drink and was slipping her purse over her head.

His hand fell to the small of her back as they left, the crack of pool balls and droning of the jukebox in the corner fading as they walked out the front door.

As soon as they were outside, Nesta shivered. “It’s definitely fall,” she said, tucking her hands under her arms.

With a laugh, Cassian wrapped an arm around her shoulders and tucked her into his side, not letting himself second guess the move. “It’s almost like you should have worn that coat I mentioned when I picked you up.”

“I’d rather be cold than admit defeat,” she joked, but Cassian sensed there was a bit of truth to it, even as she leaned further into him. “Besides, you seem to like my lack of a coat.”

He did. “I wouldn’t like it if you were to die of hypothermia.”

Nesta snorted. “Once again, look who's being overdramatic.”

She let him open her door and help her into the truck, before it roared to life and he headed back into Velaris. On the ride back to her apartment, Nesta admitted she’d never been to a high school football game, much to Cassian’s dismay.

“What did you even do on Friday nights?” He demanded, glancing over at her as they stopped at a red light.

“Stayed in and read.” She said it like it should have been obvious, and honestly, it probably should have been.

“We’ll have to fix that, too,” Cassian said, just as the light turned green. “There’s nothing like being under those lights, the sounds of the game.”

Nesta lifted a brow. “There’s also nothing like curling up in bed with a good book.”

Cassian shook his head, amused. “You can’t tell me that reading is better than a real life experience.”

“Football is not a real life experience,” Nesta protested but that playfulness in her tone remained. “It’s a sport where people are either getting injured or praised way too much. Sometimes both.”

Cassian looked over to find her already watching him with the smallest of grins on her mouth. “So hateful.”

“I could say the same for you,” she crooned.

“Fine,” Cassian laughed. “You come with me to a game and I’ll read whatever book you give me.”

Eyebrows raising, Nesta asked, “Whatever book I give you? Any book of my choosing?”

“I already feel like I’m going to regret this, but yes.” Cassian pulled into the parking lot of Nesta’s building. “Any book of your choosing, as much or as little smut as you want.”

Nesta’s cheeks darkened. “I’ll start thinking then.”

He put the truck into park, looking over at her. “I can’t wait.”

The cab of the truck was silent, as her eyes met his. It felt quiet, intimate, safe. Softly, like speaking too loudly would shatter whatever was building between them, Nesta said, “I had fun tonight. Despite getting the shit scared out of me.”

“Me too,” Cassian agreed, hardly more than a whisper. “Can I walk you to your door?”

“Yeah.”

Neither of them moved.

The realization that Cassian had no idea what to do was daunting. He had never had trouble with women before but Nesta was a different breed. He’d waited years for this moment and now that it was here, he felt he was walking on glass and it would shatter beneath him at any given moment.

Nesta cleared her throat when the silence dragged on. “Should I get my door this time or…?”

That set Cassian in motion and by the time he rounded the truck and opened her door, she was doing her best — and failing — to hide her grin.

“Shut up,” he grumbled, taking her hand and helping her down.

Her laughter was quiet, but she didn’t let go of his hand as they headed up the stairs and to her door.

“So I’ll come over Wednesday?” She asked, and it was more than Cassian could have hoped for. He’d half expected her to change her mind, to pretend she forgot, and move on.

“Yes, I mean, yeah.” He was stumbling over his words and he cleared his throat. “I’ve got a bio chem lab that lets out at three, but I’m free anytime after that.”

“Then I’ll be there after three,” she said.

Cassian's hand tightened in hers as they stood on her doormat. “Sounds good.”

“Good.” With one last smile that had Cassian feeling weak, Nesta turned towards her door.

Before he could think twice, Cassian pulled on her hand and pulled her towards him until their mouths met, softly. He was still walking that line of caution even if caution was the last thing on his mind.

But she kissed him back, each touch sweet and gentle and nothing like he expected a kiss with her to be like, but far better.

He cupped her face, her lips soft and lush against his, and breathed in her scent before stepping back. The blush on her cheeks was beautiful, her eyes bright, and her breathing was shallow and quick. He wanted to kiss her again, something more than the quick meeting of their lips, but he forced himself to take another step back, to head towards his truck. “I’ll see you Wednesday,” he said, gaze locked on hers.

“Wednesday,” she repeated, voice soft, and unlocked her door. It opened with a creak and she stepped inside. “Goodnight, Cassian.”

The door closed and he was left staring at her autumn-themed wreath. So soft, there was no way she could have heard it, he breathed, “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

[octuscle]

I'm working on furniture in my apartment and honestly my white collar job hasn't prepared me for this. Can you make me the best handyman around? Wouldn't mind repaying the favor.

You're sitting at breakfast. The white collar freshly starched. The tie knot perfectly tied. The New York Times in front of you on the table next to the smoothie bowl and green tea. The sun is shining outside, it could be another hot day. Good thing your day is fully air-conditioned from your home to your car ride to your office.

"Zmiana planu. Odbierz nas z motelu za pół godziny." What is this strange text message? And who the hell is Kacper? Before you drive off, you need to take a shit. You pick up the New York Post and go to the bathroom. Fuck, that stinks. Must have been yesterday's borscht. Another huge fart, a quick sip of coffee. Then you have to go. Kacper and the others are waiting.

"Tomczyk Craftsman Services of all kinds" is written on the battered pickup truck in your driveway. The air conditioning is broken. And you could also clear out the garbage. But there's no time for that now. Yes, you're the boss, but the idea of the tie was silly. You loosen the knot with your calloused hands and throw the tie into the passenger footwell. Sweat stains form under your armpits. And on your chest. Damn, it's going to be hot today.

Jakub, Kacper, Filip and Szymon are already waiting outside the cheap motel with tools and materials. You load everything up and off you go to the construction site. The boys stink. You roll down your window. The breeze feels good on your bare chest. The radio plays loud Polish hip-hop. The boys are roaring along. Filip in the passenger seat lights a cigarette. You take it out of his mouth. Damn, that was necessary.

You're proud of yourself and your crew. You are hard-working craftsmen. And damn good at your job. The fact that you can afford a house in the suburbs is your sign that you've made it. Yeah, it's a nasty neighborhood. But once you've finished renovating the house next door and the boys have moved in, things will get better. After work today, you'll set up your furniture together. And then you'll fire up the barbecue in your garden. You've even prepared a little firework display. A point of honor on 03 May!

Pic found @tradiem8s

[faithhopeloveandtherapy]

Miss 5 update - the school have agreed to try and manage without using her helmet. Two days in and it’s gone ok so far.

I took her swimming this afternoon and she must have tapped her head against every surface in the pool. She does that as a sensory seeking thing. But then in the bath this evening, she banged her head hard against the side of the tub so many times, I got her out. I am fairly firm with her that it is not ok and it will not get her what she wants. I do think she has the learning ability to understand that, but it’s a habit that’s become ingrained over many years. Her teacher tells me children often grow out of these sorts of behaviours so I hope that will be the case.

Mr 7 update - dry nighttime nappy for three nights out of the last five! I think we have nearly mastered it. I have told him that when he has a total of ten dry nights, I will buy him the black bed covers he has been going on about. Also cycling lessons paying off, he managed to pedal solo for a few seconds in his lesson this weekend. So good for him to have these moments of achievement! We went to church this morning, and I spent the whole time in his kids group building a front-loading garbage truck from cardboard boxes (we watch a lot of YouTube videos of American bin vans, they are far more complicated with robotic arms and hands-free loading and dumping than our UK ones!)

Thankful it’s Monday and school tomorrow!

[literaryavenger]

Captain America: Civil War

Summary: When on a mission in Lagos things don't go as you expected, Secretary Ross offers the team a solution.

Pairing: Platonic!Avengers x F!Reader

Warnings: Descriptions of violence. Language. My poor attempts at being funny.

Word Count: 3K

A/N: It's only half of January and I've already been sick, great! Anyway, basically all the other parts of this story were queued and ready to go, so I got some time to rest but now I'm here writing with a fever! So, if anything doesn't make sense or I missed some mistakes, that's why. Enjoy!

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

After months of tracking down Rumlow, you finally have a chance to get him once and for all.

You’re in Lagos, sitting at a cafe.

“All right, what do you see?” Steve’s voice comes in your ear. You know he’s talking to Wanda, she’s still learning how to be an Avenger.

“Standard beat cops,” she looks around her. “Small station. Quiet street. It’s a good target.”

“There’s an ATM in the south corner, which means…” he trails off letting Wanda finish his sentence.

“Cameras.” she promptly says.

“Both cross streets are one way.” Steve keeps going.

“So compromised escape routes.” Wanda reasons.

“Means our guy doesn't care about being seen, he isn't afraid to make a mess on the way out.” Steve says, “You see that Range Rover halfway up the block?”

“Yeah, the red one?” she asks “It’s cute.”

“It's also bulletproof,” you discreetly point out  ”which means private security, which means more guns, which means more headaches for somebody. Probably us.”

“You guys know I can move things with my mind, right?” she says and you smirk.

“Looking over your shoulder needs to become second nature.” Natasha answers from a few tables away.

“Anybody ever tell you you're a little paranoid?” you hear Sam ask and try hard to contain your laughter.

“Not to my face. Why? Did you hear something?” Natasha says and you can see her smirking.

“Eyes on target, folks. This is the best lead we've had on Rumlow in six months. I don't want to lose him.” Steve says in our comms.

“If he sees us coming that won't be a problem.” Sam says. 

“Yeah, he kind of hates us.” you add.

There’s a minute of silence as you all keep an eye on your surroundings, then you hear Steve’s voice again. “Sam, see that garbage truck? Tag it.”

You turn around just in time to see Redwing flying under it to scan the truck.

“Give me X-ray.” Sam orders the drone. “That truck’s loaded for max weight. And the driver’s armed.”

“It’s a battering ram.” Natasha says and your eyes widen a little.

“Go now!” Steve says and before the words are even out of his mouth you’re moving.

“What?” Wanda asks confused.

“He’s not hitting the police.” you say and then you’re all running in the truck’s direction.

Steve and his supersoldier ass get there first, then Sam and Wanda who can fly, while you and Nat are stuck driving your motorcycles as fast as you can, but can still hear the conversation through the comms.

“Body armor, AR-15's.” Steve says “I make seven hostiles.”

You hear some gun fire and then Sam “I make five.”

“Sam.”- Wanda says and, after a few seconds, Sam again “Four.”

“Rumlow’s on the third floor.” Sam says, then Steve says in his Captain voice “Wanda, just like we practiced.”

“What about the gas?”-you hear her ask.

“Get it out.” he orders. You can see the green and red whirlpool from the street.

“Rumlow has a biological weapon.” Steve after a few minutes, just as you and Natasha get there.

“We’re on it.” she says and basically jumps off her motorcycle and it skids into an agent.

You make a sharp turn and come to a sudden stop in front of an agent on your right side, so you push your left leg off the bike and, twisting your body, you kick the guy hard on the stomach while also dismounting the motorcycle.

When you turn around Nat cocks her eyebrow at you and you shrug. “What? I’m not throwing my bike at these assholes.” she rolls her eyes at you as you two keep taking out soldiers.

You can see Nat getting dragged by Rumlow, but you’re too busy fighting off some agents to help her. You vaguely hear him saying ‘I don't work like that no more’ and frown, you manage to take out the last one around you and, just as you turn, you see Rumlow launch a grenade into the truck and say “Fire in the hole.”

You run towards it, knowing Natasha’s probably in it, but it explodes before you can get close and do anything, the door flying and Natasha falling out of it coughing.

Once you’re sure she’s okay, you turn around but Rumlow’s already gone.

“Sam. He's in an AFV heading north.” you hear Steve say and, sharing a nod with Natasha, you get back onto your bikes and run to catch up with the truck.

“I got six, they're splitting up.” Sam says just as you and Natasha get to where they ditched the truck.

Natasha jumps onto a car and then another and you follow her. “I got the two on the left.” she says.

“I got the middle!” you say and start your pursuit.

“They ditched their gear. It's a shell game now.” you hear Steve say as you run after your two guys. “One of them has the payload.”

Just as you manage to catch up to your guys and knock one of them out, you can hear Sam saying “He doesn't have it. I’m empty.”

You quickly take down the other guy and search through them. “I struck out, too.”

Then you hear Natasha say “Payload secure.” and you allow yourself to relax.

“Thanks, Sam.” She adds.

“Don't thank me.” he answers and you frown, confused as you start making your way back.

“I’m… not thanking that thing.” is all Natasha needs to say for you to understand, and you roll your eyes.

“His name is Redwing.” Sam corrects her.

“I'm still not thanking it.” she says.

“He's cute. Go ahead, pet him.” he says and you can’t help but laugh.

Your amusement is cut short as you hear Steve’s grunts, clearly still in a fight and you try to move faster to make your way to him.

You catch up right after Wanda, just as Rumlow says “And you're coming with me.” and activates the bomb vest he’s wearing.

You don’t have time to even try and cover yourself as Wanda keeps the blast contained in a ball around Rumlow, his screams the only thing that can be heard.

She launches him in the air and the ball of energy explodes too close to the building next to it, setting a couple of floors on fire.

As you all watch in horror, you barely register Steve asking Sam for Fire and Rescue as you put your hands on Wanda’s shoulders and turn her away from the building. You let her rest her head on your shoulder as she starts crying, your own shocked attention still on the building.

This is not good.

-

It’s been a rough couple of days for the team after the mission in Lagos.

You’re all back at the compound now, and you’re on your way to the conference room to wait there for Tony when you pass Wanda’s room and hear her talking to Steve.

“Rumlow said ‘Bucky’ and… all of a sudden I was a 16-year-old kid again, in Brooklyn.” Steve pauses “And people died. It's on me.”

“It's on both of us.” Wanda counters.

“This job…” Steve starts “we try to save as many people as we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everybody. But if we can't find a way to live with that, next time… maybe nobody gets saved.” 

You see Vision approach and keep walking to make your way to the conference room, exchanging a knowing nod with him.

When you get there you’re a little startled to see The Secretary of State, but you sit down at the table in silence.

Once everyone gets there, Steve sits at the head of table, to his left Sam, then Vision and then Wanda, to his right you then Natasha, then Rhodey and Tony is sitting in a chair by himself to the right of the table.

Secretary Ross is on his feet in front of the table and, once everyone takes a seat, he starts talking.

“Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my back-swing. Turned out it was the best round of my life, because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass… I found something 40 years in the Army had never taught me: Perspective. The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives… but while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some… who would prefer the word ‘vigilantes’”

“And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?” Natasha asks.

“How about ‘dangerous’?” Your eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Definitely not the word you were expecting “What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?”

Ross activates a screen behind him and News footage from past Avengers and SHIELD matters flash on the screen as he speaks.

“New York.” A Chitauri leviathan. Terrified citizens. A soldier firing a gun. The Hulk smashes into a building and sends a dust cloud that engulfs the camera. Rhodey looks regretful and he glances behind him at Natasha.

“Washington DC.” The three Insight helicarriers, firing on each other. The destroyed Triskelion. A helicarrier crashing into the Potomac and throwing up a massive wave, engulfing citizens and the camera. You and Sam look at each other, then down.

“Sokovia.” Terrified citizens, running. The city rising. A building falling over. Everyone’s eyes are glued to the screen.

“Lagos.” The burning building. Paramedics moving a body. A dead girl. Wanda is particularly affected by the footage from Lagos. Steve sees this and intervenes.

“Okay. That's enough.” Steve says, looking at Wanda.

Secretary Ross nods to his aide and the images disappear, then he starts talking again.

“For the past four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution.” he places a thick document on the desk and passes it to Wanda. She looks at it and then slides it over to Rhodey. “The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries… it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization. Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary.”

“The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place.” Steve points out. “I feel we've done that.”

“Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?” Steve looks up and meets Ross's eyes. “If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes… you can bet there'd be consequences.”

You narrow your eyes at him. They’re people, not weapons. Before you can voice your thoughts he goes on. “Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground.” He points at the Accords.

“So, there are contingencies.” Rhodey says, familiar with the politics by now.

“Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords.” Steve glances at Tony “Talk it over.”

He starts to walk away when you speak up for the first time. “And if we come to a decision you don't like?”

Ross stops and looks back at you. “Then you retire.” he deadpans.

You simply nod, trying to stifle a grin and, when you look at Natasha, you can see she’s doing the same.

He leaves with his aide and there’s a moment of silence before you all get up and walk quietly to the common room. Some sitting, some standing and Tony laying down on a chair. And then the discussion starts.

-

“Secretary Ross has a Congressional Medal of Honor, which is one more than you have.” Rhodey says to sam. You’ve lost track of how long the team has been discussing.

“So let's say we agree to this thing. How long is it gonna be before they LoJack us like a bunch of common criminals?”

“117 countries want to sign this. 117, Sam,” He leans in to look at Sam since you’re currently between the two men. “and you're just like, ‘No, that's cool. We got it.’”

“Why am I always in the middle of this?” you say, a little exasperated at the two that are almost glaring at each other now, you make eye contact with Nat and she clearly feels the same way you do.

“How long are you going to play both sides?” Sam says, ignoring your comment.

“I have an equation.” Vision jumps in and everyone looks at him.

“Oh, this will clear it up.” you say sarcastically and cross your arms in front of your chest.

“In the eight years since Mr. Stark announced himself as Iron Man, the number of known enhanced persons has grown exponentially. And during the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commensurate rate.” Vision explains.

“Are you saying it's our fault?” Steve asks.

“I'm saying there may be a causality.” Vision clarifies, before going on “Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict… breeds catastrophe. Oversight… oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand.”

“Boom.” Rhodey says and you roll your eyes while Sam glares at him.

“Tony. You are being uncharacteristically non-hyper-verbal.” Natasha points out.

“It's because he's already made up his mind.” Steve says.

“Boy, you know me so well.” Tony says sarcastically and gets up, rubbing his head. “Actually, I'm nursing an electromagnetic headache.”

He walks to the kitchen and grabs a mug before continuing. “That's what's going on, Cap. It's just pain. It's discomfort- Who's putting coffee grounds in the disposal? Am I running a bed and breakfast for a biker gang?”

He puts his phone in a basket and taps it, the phone projects an image of a smiling young man. He looks down, then back up, and pretends to notice the picture for the first time. “Oh, that's Charles Spencer, by the way. He's a great kid. Computer engineering degree, 3.6 GPA. Had a floor level gig at Intel planned for the fall. But first, he wanted to put a few miles on his soul, before he parked it behind a desk. See the world. Maybe be of service. Charlie didn't want to go to Vegas or Fort Lauderdale, which is what I would do. He didn't go to Paris or Amsterdam, which sounds fun. He decided to spend his summer building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where, Sokovia.” Everyone is listening to him intently as he seems to be having a little meltdown, but his words are clearly affecting the whole team.

“He wanted to make a difference, I suppose. I mean, we won't know because we dropped a building on him while we were kicking ass.” He pauses and takes a pill with some coffee, then faces you all. “There's no decision-making process here. We need to be put in check! Whatever form that takes, I'm game. If we can't accept limitations, if we're boundary-less, we're no better than the bad guys.”

“Tony, someone dies on your watch, you don't give up.” Steve says.

“Who said we're giving up?” Tony promptly answers.

“We are if we're not taking responsibility for our actions.” Steve counters. “This document just shifts the blame.”

“I'm sorry. Steve. That- that is dangerously arrogant.” Rhodey says. “This is the United Nations we're talking about. It's not the World Security Council, it's not SHIELD, it's not HYDRA.”

“No, but it's run by people with agendas, and agendas change.” you interject, seeing Steve’s point.

“That's good. That's why I'm here.” Tony says, pointing at you. “When I realized what my weapons were capable of in the wrong hands, I shut it down and stopped manufacturing.”

“Tony, you chose to do that.” you tell him, then Steve talks, nodding at you.

“She’s right. If we sign this, we surrender our right to choose. What if this panel sends us somewhere we don't think we should go? What if there is somewhere we need to go, and they don't let us? We may not be perfect, but the safest hands are still our own.” Steve says.

“If we don't do this now, it's gonna be done to us later.” Tony reasons. “That's the fact. That won't be pretty.”

“You're saying they'll come for me.” Wanda speaks up for the first time since this discussion started.

“We would protect you.” Vision says confidently.

“Could we?” you say and everyone looks at you, so you elaborate. “If we don’t sign this we’re criminals for even trying to keep her safe. If we do sign, it’ll be our job to come for her if we get ordered to.”

There’s a moment of silence while you all think about this, before Natasha speaks up. “Maybe Tony's right.”

You all look at her, surprised. “If we have one hand on the wheel, we can still steer. If we take it off-” she gets interrupted by Sam.

“Aren't you the same woman who told the government to kiss her ass a few years ago?”

“He’s not wrong, Tasha.” You add.

“I'm just… I'm reading the terrain.” She explains. “We have made… some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back.”

“Focus up.” Tony says and looks at Natasha, clearly amused. “I'm sorry, did I just mishear you or did you agree with me?” you roll your eyes.

“Oh, I want to take it back now.”

“No, no, no. You can't retract it. Thank you. Unprecedented. Okay, case closed--I win.”

They all start to talk over each other, but you’re focused on Steve’s phone that you can see over his shoulder since you’re standing right behind him. He gets a text that says ‘She’s gone. In her sleep.’ and you frown, watching Steve quickly get up.

“I have to go.” is all he says while dropping the Accords on the coffee table and, when he exits the room, you exchange a worried glance with Sam.

Requested taglist: @sapphirebarnes @aki-ham

[borisbubbles]

Eurovision 2024: #32

32. THE NETHERLANDS Joost Klein - "Europapa" 26th place (Disqualified)

Decade ranking: 120/153 [Above Ochman, below Andrew Lambrou]

Yeah, #NotForMe. Don't like the blue chicken, don't like the awful murine clickbait faces, don't like how he tried appropriating Käärijä's legacy for his own benefit. In fact, there's a lot I don't like about Joost Klein. Get used to it. Feelings are mixed but they are trending towards the NEGATIVE.

The face of a man I want to trap inside a garbage truck.

What is funny to me though, is that I certainly could have liked "Europapa" if the Dutch hadn't made certain decisions. I have to remain honest. My ranking, my rules, my lack of taste. It didn't work for me.

The song's not without merit though. It's a fun eurodance number at a glance. "Europapa" works best when you hear it live after a few drinks and blurt along with its lyrics. It's an EXCELLENT concert and streaming entry, whipping up a good time out of thin air with few pretences.

As a Eurovision entry though... eh. It tried to be a lot of other things: A tribute to his dead parents, an introspective unspooling of his mental health, a spoof, a meme, a middle finger to society, like all at once? It has that Subwoolfer-like quality of straight men in a mancave brainstorming on how what a Eurovision entry looks like: stupid nonsense. How does that work? The answer to that is "barely", and only if you take it at face value.

The song is not really about Joost dead's father and his world view. That ... I think... is deliberate false advertisement. It's not untrue, but presenting it as the sole truth is a deception. If you delve into the song, you'll find that it's a little bit more complex (and less wholesome) than that.

Verse 1 is about desperately running away from your problems (Joost naming all of the destinations, clawing at people for money, having lost everything but time) and verse 2 tackles validation, desperately craving it and yet not feeling sated. "Europapa" is a coping mechanism first and a song second. It's a deep dive into Joost's inner workings and his soul, but one that exposes him as insecure and vulnerable and putting up a front of irreverence as a mask to the outer world. As per the second verse:

"I'm running from myself, I'm crying out for help - I even give people loads of money and there's nobody who gives me aid [...] turn the radio on, I hear Stromae's "Papaoutai" I won't stop [feel satisfied] until they say "yeah, he [Joost] is doing well, eh?"

Now, this is actually... not a bad thing. It proves that "Europapa" is authentic and has surprising complexity and layers. That's what distinguishes it positively from Finland, which is hollow and cringe.

The problem with the emotions is that they clash with the rest of the song?

Fewer sentiments kill the party mood quite AS hard as one of "Are you feeling alright? 😨 Is everything OKAY?😨 should I call a therapist?" 😨". For me it defo kills the vibe. I don't want to END a fun party song with concern for the singer's wellbeing. The fact that Joost is cishet and therefore incapable of talking about his feelings and yet PUT THESE VERBALIZED EMOTIONS IN PLAIN VIEW IN HIS EUROVISION SONG is enough to set the alarm bells ringing.

Of course it could have worked if the live got it right, but um lol. Let's be honest here: The live was BAD. It was INTENDED to be So-Bad-It's-Good, sure, because that's the only way cishets know to do camp. I don't mind a spoof of a 2008 joke act. It just was... performed and staged so poorly it became the thing it intended to parody.

You sir, are NOT Käärijä.

The best parts of the entry (the emotional complexity and the hak break) are completely washed away by a combination of the awful clickbaity faces, TERRIBLE vocals (the post-chorus "EUROs" in literal Cookie Monster Voice are amongst the ugliest sounds anyone created for Eurovision), nightmare fuel visuals and that ghastly, ghastly outro.

Actually, about that outro. That is what made me turn against Joost. It's the WORST section of ANY song this year. It's the combination of whiplashing from extreme rapture into literal mourning at the drop of a pin (which is kind of... really icky human behaviour when you think about it) with pushing it down our throats by including it in the recap. Make The Guillible Cry With Cheap Emotional Manip, it's not a tool exclusive to Israelis.

And you CAN actually blame this intrusive display of emotional expoitation squarely on Joost because he's a known perfectionist and therefore must have planned the execution of the outro the moment he and his cronies decided to include it in the song.

It did tie the ending together alright. But because it wasn't a showing of personal growth, or strength or accomplishment, which it could have been, it did not align with the rest of the song. Instead it underlined that Joost hasn't moved on and is hopelessly stuck in the past, desperate for validation.

Instead of underlining the cheerful, fun aspect of Europapa it instead brought my attention the dark, emotionally disturbing bits as the last thought, and that ultimately is what killed it for me. The song is a cry for help, which is nothing to be cheerful about.

Aaaaand that's the opinion on the song and the live performance. But we're not done yet because I must address what came after that. 🙄

So, let's tackle the press conference first. Zero complaints about that. I was annoyed with Joost before due to how desperately he tried to push himself as "Käärijä's" successor and fabricated his own PR campaign on TikTok (DIE TikTok), but his behaviour at the PC made me do a complete 180 on him. Him shooting pure unfiltered truth pellets at the EBU and Eden with no regard for the consequences was fucking GLORIOUS. All the things he said needed to be said and were said without a filter. It was pure oxygen and precisely what we all needed to hear, spoken because of its TRUTH and not for clout.

Then, the disqualification. It was 'a valid DQ' purely from a rules perspective but come on now. This was not a DQ worthy incident. He didn't touch the woman and she deliberately, repeatedly refused to respect his privacy despite multiple warnings AND an agreement he made with the EBU. How has this even been reported as a 'crime'? He APOLOGIZED profusely to the lady in question and she refused to hear him and called the police on him. Sometimes you just have the misfortune of running into a Karen on a bad day. And given how riddled with tension this year's backstage was, every day of rehearsals was a bad day for everyone involved.

The DQ went through because the EBU can't fucking clear up the slightest inconvenience. By the time the police became involved, there was no turning back, and they were forced to DQ as per their bureaucracy. The rest is backpedaling.

Both of these things made me feel more sympathetic towards Joost as a person. At the end of the day he's a deeply troubled, complex, tragic figure who (barely) functions on copium and is really terrible at expressing his true feelings and the events surrounding his DQ check out with that. He needs support from those who love him (and enter therapy.) The other delegations taking his side (other than ofc KUN(ts)), is a wholesome signal and proves that Europe can be United By Music even when it is Divided By Politics first. If this disqualification is what leads to some much-needed overhauls for next year (ideally the sacking of Österdahl, the cancellation of the MorroccanOil sponsorship and KAN's expulsion, in any order), I will gladly accept Joost's role in that as the proverbial sacrifce that needed to be made.

Ironically, it was the disqualification that made me realize I shouldn't bump Joost higher out of sympathy for his personality. I didn't miss Europapa on Saturday and barely noticed its absence. The results in the Grand Final were great, specifically because Switzerland won and Croatia beat Israel in the televote. If Joost competes, Swizterland and Croatia's TVs go down in western Europe, while Israel is still top five (since she beat Joost in the semi). He also shoves Bambie out of their serendipitous 6/6/6 placements to boot.

That realization is why I need to eliminate him NOW and not later down the road. I don't care for the song as a Eurovision entry, I DISLIKE the live performance and his presence could have made the results worse for me. Easy elimination at this stage.

Those that care about "Europapa" can keep singing its praises and should. Joost will need and shall appreciate the support after this nightmare Eurovision.

Ultimately though, I am not of his fans.

THE RANKING

[imtheband28]

Never Grow Up

Hiii, this is my first little story that im posting, i hope you like it. I wanna dedicated to @harrywavycurly since she gave me a lot of motivation to do so. Thank you Sarah (go check her stuff) ❤️

Warning: None

I would love to go back to one of those first moments and tell you to calm down and not be in a hurry for anything. 

You had a little bed with airplane sheets that you loved and made you think every night that you wanted to get on one in the seat next to the window with your mother next to you who had just tucked you in, kissed you on the cheek saying "For you I put up with everything" and with a smile that you didn't know was broken closed the door behind her to let you sleep.

Oh little one all the dreams felt so real and everything but absolutely everything seemed funny to you. You played with the few toys you had, some new ones you found in unexpected places left behind by careless children and others that had seen better days. The courtyard of the small two-room house where you had lived until you were six years old seemed to be huge and to contain the whole world where all your fantasies of flying, secret excursions and fighting dragons came true.

The day your mother came running with her long curly hair flying around her to fetch you from the yard and take you out of your world of pirate fantasies I remember better than anyone knows you were about to jump over the plank of the ship that was really just a rock and jump into the grass covered with flowers that you said were sharks.

You thought your mother's desperation was because she was excited about something, but you didn't realize the terror she felt, which she covered with a very convincing smile that years later you began to copy. Who knew how many things one hides behind something as simple and reassuring as a smile. Had you known your mother's true feelings I know you would have grabbed her hand and told her what you believed with all your heart at the time: Everything is going to be alright.

A car horn honked and you climbed in loaded with two garbage bags full of clothes for both of you and your small school bag with your few toys on your back. Arriving at one of your favorite places in the world, your Uncle Wayne's house, your mother said it was just a big sleepover for a few days. Your uncle, always happy to see you, gave you great comfort and made you forget for a moment about the big flutter that was forming in your stomach from the tension that seemed to be getting thicker by the minute. Carrying the bag with your clothes and backpack to the room where your uncle said you would be for the next few days you couldn't help but hear "This time it's for real", "Who told the police?", "I did it Wayne, I can't take it anymore, it only exposes him to tremendous danger". 

At the door of the trailer your mother knelt down in front of you, pushed aside the curls that fell in front of your eyes and looking at you with an enormous intensity she told you that she loved you and that she would come back soon to take you and make your dream of sitting by the window and flying holding her hand come true. When she gave you one last kiss on your forehead and you saw the look she exchanged with your uncle before she got into the car with another woman you didn't know, you weren't sure if she would really come back as soon as she said she would.

She never came back.

Your uncle did his best to make you forget about the confusing and awkward moment you were going through. He helped you build forts in the living room in front of the TV, showing you his favorite vinyls with his favorite songs. When it was time to go back to school he bought you another backpack, two notebooks and a new pack of colored pencils, he combed your hair the best he could and put good softener on the clothes you were wearing, every week when they met after work and school brought you a new cap that his truck driver friends gave him just for you. The collection became so big that you saw no other solution than to start hanging them on the wall.

With the passage of time you got used to life with your uncle, you understood from almost the beginning that there was no other. When you were older, your uncle explained to you that your father got into a lot of problems and everyone had a limit, even patient and sweet people like your mother, but that wasn't an excuse not to come back to you. You told yourself that it didn't matter anymore and that you were going to move on with the person who was pushing you to do it. But in the long and silent nights of your adolescence when Wayne started working at night, the memories of an interrupted childhood and a change of protector without a real explanation made you feel that you were easy to forget and maybe a problem that's why your uncle had to work too much. When you got fed up with the noise of your thoughts and the tears your music was there, that's when you started buying cassettes and filling your walls with posters, you saved every penny Wayne gave you to buy your most precious possession. That guitar that gave you back an emotion that you only felt in your fantasy world in the courtyard of the one that was once your home. 

I wish you had stayed as small, as creative and excited about the world as when you were six.

 Your friends who formed the Hellfire Club with you cheered you up by making sure you looked good with a shaved head after some idiot in class put a piece of gum in the middle of your hair that was already getting past your neck. Those friends who decided to leave the club because of the constant teasing from others or who simply graduated earlier and didn't look back. You realized that the older you got the more afraid you got to love something or rather someone since everyone moved by themselves and you didn't know if you were in their plans so you decided to be selfish too, you felt that you were in your right and then you put on the leather armor that you always wear and the sword of your personality.

I wish I hadn't grown up, Wayne has more and more wrinkles, gray hairs and looks more tired than ever and that scares me but I try to make him forget about his problems that he never really talks to me about as well as he once did with me. Thinking about him, I did what I did.What once brought me immense joy today did it once again but it's not just a simple guitar anymore, it became a weapon that distracts bats. Keeping them from going to the place that Wayne made my home in the real world where everything wasn't dark and cold like here.

Ironic as the thing that scares me the most is what brought me here, I who no longer wanted to love anyone for fear that they would leave ended up loving, I knew them for a very short time but the very fact of thinking that something would happen to them, especially to Dustin made me make the decision I made.

God, that little one that reminds me so much of me, so much passion, so much energy, so much of everything. I loved him and I told him so and for a few moments I felt loved again before going away. Before just laying in this unknown horrible other world made by a monster  where everything seems to die.

I wish I hadn't grown up.

[jinxedyaart]

A little too Similar. Part 3

A/N There might be a bit of Cole being a flirt as well to the insert. Not a whole harem is happening but Cole trying to shoot his shot and rizz up insert with playful flirting from both sides.

They finished up with cleaning up the party outside the building, taking a few more hours then expected. Valen assisting Leo and their family with the heavy lifting. Taking the grill back into a storage room not far off from the off deck.  Saying goodbye to some people from around the block as they swept the back yard. Everyone headed their own ways, getting ready for bed expect for Valen and Leo. Kissing their mother and brother goodbye, watching their small van leave the front garage. Valen stayed right next to them waving to the pair goodbye as well. The two turned back into the building once the mini van left their view since they needed their facility to be at upmost care for the arrival of Overwatch. Traveling back inside with the ornaments and trash from the party, putting it in a green square trash box just outside the true operations building. Hidden further down and back of the underground part of the facility. Tossing the garbage right in, stretching themself afterwards from the action. Leo dusted off their hands as Valen continued down the hall to open the black double doors. Swinging their arms out of boredom. The omnic kept a side open for them, staring as they came closer. Nodding their head down as a small thank you to the omnic as they stepped into the large room. Similar to the other company, they too had jets being fixed from various scratches along the sides. Armored cars and trucks were being prepared, ammo was being reloaded into certain machine guns at the top of certain ones. Smaller golf carts were being driven around by omnics and humans alike with spare metal in the trunk of some. As Leo scanned the room, every so often a rough metal cutting sound vibrated throughout the giant room, bouncing around the walls distracting them. Taking in a deep breath to calm their nerves, standing still just in front of the doors that Valen kicks closed.  Some people were walking past the two of them, pausing their conversations briefly to acknowledge their captain's arrival. Leo waved back with a small soft smile before changing their expression quickly to a more serious one.

     "ALRIGHT EVERYONE, LISTEN UP!"

All that heard their Captain's announcement in the room turned to face them. Some froze up completely, others turned their body to them but continued their work quietly.

   "Overwatch has finally anwsered us and made a scheduled visit to this facility. I need everyone to be on their best behavior and this place has to impress whoever they decide to bring as representation of their leadership. Anything that would make them question my authority has to be gone right now. I refuse to let them walk away with doubt about our strength and abilities. I want them to come back with a list of all the things they need from us. If they need Fire arms we give it to them, they need arms, we've got loads. Do I make myself clear team?"

   All turned to Leo with a straight face, body still, their right arm up over their faces. Saluting right at their captain, affirming to their question. Yelling back "YES SIR!". It seemed a hundred voices yelled back with nervousness in their tones. Their captain happily smiled to them all. Proud of what they molded. Everyone knew this preparation meant a lot to their captain. A once shared dream to take this organization world wide. A dream they adopted into their own. A lost sibling's dream to protect any and all who needed it. To share the memories of those before them. The original dream to protect the streets we live on... they were sure Overwatch had a similar dream in the beginning.

       At last the awaited day finally came. The overwatch group started to make their way to the carrier plane. With Winston taking the lead with his selected coworkers just behind him. He opens the side door to the jet, Lena already was situated in the pilot seat, smiling in the cock pit. Helmet and headphones covered her ears as she waited for the others. Looking at Winston as he began to speak out to the others. Awaiting her further orders from the large mammal.

    "Today is the day which we may make a new alliance with a small organization whose chose to offer up aid. We are going to a location In Massachusetts which will be holding this meeting. It will take a few hours to get there so please be patient."

   Everyone nodded their head in agreement as they boarded the jet. Street lights turning on from the movement. Angela and Mei go in first, taking their assigned seats on the plane. Cole flicks away his cigar on the ground, smashing the tip to stop the lit end from catching fire once more. Boarding as he confirmed it to be off. Genji looked down then at Angela as he boarded, grabbing onto one side of the door pushing himself in to his seat next to the doctor. Lucio enters after the cyborg, hoisting himself into the jet with a small hmpf leaving his lips from the momentum. Winston looks back to make sure everything is secure before finally stepping last to his designated seat. Closing the door behind him, giving Lena a thumbs up and subtle nod as a confirmation to start up the journey.

   "Aaalllrighty everyone! This is your pilot Lena speaking. We will now begin the route to El Cielo, Massachusetts. Please put on all seatbelts as we take off. Sit back and enjoy flying with Lena airlines hehe."

  The plane's jet wings start to lift the vehicle up into the air. Clear dark skies welcomed them. Finally taking off to start their journey. Genji looked over at Angela, who softly smiled at him. Knowing he needed a bit of reassurance. He turned to her, making small chit chat with the doctor as some mimic the action. Making their own small conversation with others to pass the time.

   Awaiting them was Leo in a set of army cargo shorts just below the knee with several pockets on the side and front. Shoes a tan timberland slightly high inched boots with a brown rim. Hair up in a tight bun with two white braids to frame the face nicely. Fixing their sharp barbell septum with their top lip, a small nervous tick they have. Just above their nostrills was a small gold chain running the top of their nose, held in by two different nostril piercing on either side. Their shirt was a slightly tight tan short sleeved shirt with a v neckline. A small white seashell necklace around the base of the neck with the PR flag painted in, covered in resin to protect the design. Another necklace was also adorned, a simple black dog tag going into the valley between their chest. The American flag engraved into the front of it. Valen stood right behind them with his arms crossed behind him in similar attire minus some jewelry choices and heeled boots. He could tell the little one infront was pretending to be fierce in their stance. Their legs twitching out of nerves.

  Noticing their arms crossed over their chest as they both awaited the arrival of the jet. Leo pushed up their glasses as they looked up into the sky, hearing the blades of the jet finally come into ear shot. Turning over to their second in command making sure they looked both tough yet welcoming. Quickly fully turning to the doors behind them in a panic.

   "Valen, do I look good? Did I do too much or too little? This is appropriate for this meeting right?"

  They frantically shifted side to side, arms like a t-rex next to their chest shaking equally as frantic, their face full of worry and anxiousness. Tone fully laced with the same emotions, rapid firing questions at him. Black eyes darted around the poor omnics face plate for an answer. Only to get two metal hands on their shoulders, twirling them to face the jet before stooping his face down to answer back.

   "You look fine Capt. Just breathe ok? I'm right here wit ya nervous as all hell too."

  They took in a big breath, slowly exhaling as the jet came down to the ground a few feet infront of the odd pair. Slowly the whirling blades came to a stop as the side door pushes open. Inside was Winston preparing a small speech to the group as he opened the door, pausing after hearing Lena laugh softly in the cock pit of the carrier plane.

   "Poor little thing. They're nervous."

  She turns to Winston while unbuckaling herself from her seat. Turning off the engine and flicking on some lights for the others to see better in the dark. Motioning her head towards her window. She saw how anxious Leo's body was, looking down at their twitching legs.

  Winston grins a bit, thinking to himself.

'If they are as nervous as we are then truly this is a good idea!' He opens the side door slowly, turning back to his team.

   "I'll get out first, then everyone else can get off after that alright?"

They nod their heads in affirmation. Everyone started to unbuckle their seat belts, standing up in a line behind Winston. Waiting patiently until the large mammel got off. Cole was the first to truly noticed Leo's outwardly appearance first. Confused as to why there was yet another young lady in a place of war.

  Stepping out, finally touching some relatively soft grass under his hands. Some heat waves flew over his hair and fur, making him groan a bit. Winston fixed his glasses on his face before looking up at the pair with a smile. Slowly walking over to them as he began an introduction.

 

   "Hello!"

He reached out his hand to the omnic assuming that's the new leader. Only to find the omnic hesitant to take his hand. Backing up, pushing forward his little captain who was a little upset by the action.

   "This is our Captain. Their name is Leo, I am merely second in command, Valen."

  Winston turns his attention to the one the omnic pushed towards him, whose been staring at him since the interaction started. Their void like eyes staring at him, wide eyed with an expression mimicking a doll. Cold and dead..He backed up nervously, a little creeped out from their expression. Messing his glasses with hesitation, he tries again, this time he's talking to the right person.

  Noting this, Leo sees Winston back up slowly from them, quickly changing their face to one with a nervous yet warm smile. Taking his large rough hand into their soft ones, shaking it twice before deciding to letting go. Coughing a bit to clear their throat, whispering a soft 'apologizes' to him.

  "I know who you are Winston. My family has heard of you as well.. I hope the trip wasn't too demanding of you all. I have some drinks and food ready if you'd like. "

  He can tell that they were trying their best to be as warm as possible to excuse the mishap of facial expressions they showed. As if he was visiting a family friend whom he hasn't seen in years. Reconnecting after years of lost messages and being invited over for brunch at their house to chat for hours. They rushed their answer that it took him a moment to really understand what they said to him. A bit taken aback from their manners, he responds with a laugh. Forgetting the slight mishap.

  "Ahaha, Thank you Leo. I'm sure if the group needs some drinks or are a bit peakish, they would ask in the moment."

  Behind him comes the others in a small group. Coming up to where Winston is but just far enough to still be able to hear his conversation with the odd pair. Hearing Valen snicker softly, the group turn their attention to him briefly.

  "Ah then you would know the rest of my group."

Winston shifts slightly so the pair could better see the small group behind him. Switching his attention between Leo and the others awaiting some recognition on their face.

  "Ah yes. Of course there's Lena the pilot and Mei as well. Two people who are always seen with you. Mercy or well Angela the well accomplished doctor."

  Leo chuckles softly, nodding down a bit after saying the three ladies names. Continuing their roll call in a way. Looking over to Cole, who was already staring at them. Clear confusion over his eyes as he continued his eye contact, tipping his hat forward as usual before saying a small 'm'lady'.

  "Then Cole Cassidy, a cowboy gunslinger. Lucio an underground celebrity of music from Brazil..."

  Lucio responds with a charming smile saying 'hello hello!'. Leo smiled a bit with a chuckle before turning their full attention to the cyborg ninja right behind the blond doctor. Softening their expression before ending the roll call with him.

  "And finally the lovely Genji shimada."

Their eyes panned his body very subtly but he caught onto it. Although most of his body was covered by Angela's. He was a little surprised over it, not being able to distinguish if it was meant to be flirtatious or just curiosity over his body. A heat creeped onto his face as he kept eye contact with them. Trying to pry his caramel eyes off of an almost void-like gaze. Their eyes blacker than anything he's seen in his life, trying to entrap his attention. They finally cut off the wanted trance they made first. Moving their attention back to Winston with a warm smile. Their body starts to shift closer to the doors, leading the group inside. Holding it open for everyone else to go in first, clearly wanting to be nice.

  Genji's attention started to wonder around for some comfort before falling to Angela's blue eyes instead, who was already looking at him. A small warm smile on her face as well. A welcoming warmth fills him once more. Feeling a bit safer in this trance than Leo's. Her ocean eyes cut off as she motions him closer as she follows the others inside the cooler building. Being the last one inside, the group turn to Leo once again who was trying to close the glass door delicately as to not damage it.

  "So um please follow me. I'll give you a small tour of my building. If you ever need something or have questions do ask at any time."

They close the door, motioning around the group. Genji felt a soft graze on his lower back, moving away from the sensation but tried to find what exactly touched him. Motioning his arm up and over the small captain's head. Both whispering a soft sorry to one another. They averted the gaze of the man, instead looking at the floor to not step on anyone else. Arriving to the front once more to lead the group down the halls. Their collective attention started to turn every which way at all the things around them as they walked down the halls. All having their gazes follow a pattern with the hangings on the walls. Pictures and paintings they've never seen before at the briefing a few days ago.

  "These are all the memorabilia of my family and i's younger years. Some having everyone others are more solo."

The leader commented as they checked their new company behind them. Their heads all facing different hangings.

 

   Cole was the first to ask something, catching their attention as they briefly stopped moving to motion themselves to face him. Slowly restarting their momentum again as he spoke.

   "How long has this business been in the family for? If ya don't mind me askin.."

  They open their mouth to speak, looking down at their hands. Stretching out their fingers, clearly trying to count the years.

  "Well my eldest brother started this organization when I was around 10 or 11. Watching gangs and cartels go at eachother's throats in the streets. So he wanted to make  safe streets to better watch my future in the cities. So I would say around 16 or so years. Fairly recent it came under my leadership. So i apologize if i'm a bit on edge or so.."

  Cole nods seemingly accepting this answer. Leo continues to lead them down the hall, coming face to face with the long awaited statue. Genji slowed down a bit after hearing that statement. Gaze turning to the back of the little one's head. Seeing their posture close off so subtly before hearing cole clear his throat, preparing to ask yet another question only to instead say.

    "I'm sorry for your loss.."

  Genji's gaze slowly goes to Leo before drifting past them to see the statue of the past leader. The tone slightly shifted in the building as the group now knew this meant something to the little one and was clearly a bit of a personal subject for them. Now Genji starts to think of what to say or well to first fix his thoughts about this.

'Her brother started this to clean up the streets for her sake.. I truly was wrong about this place..how old even is this place. It looks fairly new to be in use for the past 16 years..'

His face although covered behind a mask, grew kinda envious of this relationship between siblings he wished he had at their age. But softened as he sympathized them, understanding the past of this place more.

[why-bless-your-heart]

Argh.

I called and scheduled a bulky trash pickup because my grandfather’s truck has been broken down for about a year and my uncle uses his truck for work so trying to schedule a time for him to take stuff to the dump would just be more hassle than it’s worth. I arrange for the garbage pickup service to take the broken old refrigerator, toilet, and washing machine. Literally the next day, my grandfather goes “I fixed the refrigerator! :D”

I did not want him to fix the refrigerator. I hate the refrigerator. There are two refrigerators in a very small kitchen. The fixed refrigerator smells of mold. I want the refrigerator thrown away. But now it is fixed so it cannot be thrown away.

Okay, fine. We will keep the refrigerator. I will find something else for them to take instead.

The current inventory of my grandfather’s yard includes a moldering airstream, two rusted through thunderbirds plus the broken truck, a collection of car batteries, an exercise bicycle, two filing cabinets, two armchairs, etc. etc. etc. We are that house in the neighborhood. So it should be easy to pick one other thing, one final thing to be taken away, right? Right?

Wrong. Now my grandfather wants me to cancel the trash pickup entirely. I reiterate, there is a toilet on our front porch. A toilet that my 80-something year-old grandfather with a pacemaker apparently intends to keep there until 1. He fixes the 30-year-old truck a friend gave him for free because it wasn’t worth trying to fix anymore, 2. He loads it up into the bed of said 30-year-old truck, strapping it into place and covering it with a tarp, 3. He takes it down to the dump and pays them the ~$30 fee.

Because apparently there are just too many things that could go wrong with the curb pickup.

[sehetep-shenwer]

Guess I'll post this dream :)

Last night I had a dream where I was in some office and two fluffy cats came up to me with big blue eyes. One was gray and the other was a blend of brown and black. Somehow, I took the brown and black one with me from the office onto some road in the middle of the mountains.

I walked along the road with the cat, looking around at the forest and dreary gray skies, until I came across some cave shrouded in branches and whatnot. So I went inside snd found a clean cut stone stairway descending into some sort of room

As I entered, it looked not only like a cave, but something out of a classic Scooby Doo cartoon, especially the colors. There was a natural pool, but the water was glowing green like mountain dew. Then along the wall was a wooden table next to a big golden box with a mummy's bust in it.

The mummy looked like a cartoon as well with his arms crossed against his chest, his zombie like face exposed. He had a pharaoh crown on and it was like that cartoony gold-yellow color. I think I kneeled in front of it and prayed or something. I remember feeling a little bit of shock and dread as I saw him and walked around his tomb.

But then I looked at the wooden table and on it were a bunch of spooky cars and trucks with bright colors. I remember a large iridescent truck with the batman logo and a smaller black one with flames on it. I remember wanting to take them until I turned and saw a closet carved into the cave wall.

I went inside and there was a bunch of bags of halloween candy as well as some little spooky cakes thick with frosting. I think it was at this point I started stealing stuff. There was even a box of garbage bags, as if it was there so one could take stuff.

I remember frantically loading everything into the bags, from the candy to the cars. Then I went back into the closet and found 3 stuffed animals. I only remember what the 2 were. The first one was a lobster with an orange tail that said nickelodeon on it, the other was a goose with a backwards baseball cap with a picture of the loch ness monster in it. They were dirty so I knew I had to wash them.

Then I think the dream ended as I gathered my bags and left the tomb with the cat. The weird thing was I had this feeling that these were actually caches just randomly placed around the world, like they were attractions that people could find and visit.

Welp, hope I didn't just rob some ancient pharaoh's tomb or some cursed shit :(

[just-a-cutie-patootie]

Are You Needing a Garbage Removal Service?

An extraordinary garbage removal company is a resource for some homeowners when they choose to rebuild their homes. Carving out opportunity to investigate your choices before picking a company will save you a ton of money.

Nobody likes it when junk stacks up and yet,Guest Posting when it confesses all up, everybody has it. Garbage isn't man's closest companion. You might fall back on using the garbage can for disposing of your waste, but with regards to disposing of junk, you might be better off with a rubbish removal company. At the point when you discover that you need an elective technique for disposing of all of that junk that has been cluttering your home, it can make you feel a piece worried. Not a lot of public waste manage companies will remove extreme measures of rubbish or junk. Numerous urban communities make it with the goal that you need to figure out how to take every last bit of it to the city's dumpster yourself.

For what reason should you need to manage the issue of tracking down a truck and load it, just to dispose of something? You could just as easily hire a junk removal service to come and remove everything for you. A cost viable service is much less expensive than you attempting to move the garbage yourself. There are so many waste removal companies out there, that it tends to be a piece testing to track down the right one for you.

There is a way that you can track down the right company for your needs. It includes posing some inquiries front and center and cutting to the chase. This will keep you from hiring some unacceptable garbage removal company and help to save money also.

The main thing you should get some information about the pricing. Some junk removal services will more often than not charge as per how much rubbish they are removing from the premises and others will charge as per how much distance being voyaged. Some companies will incorporate a cleanup expense and others will charge it independently. You might need them to emerge to your home to get a precise estimate. Many services likewise offer different discounts, so remember to figure out which ones are accessible that you are qualified for.

You need to make sure that you select a company that loads the waste up onto the truck. Some companies cut corners and they let you know they will remove your garbage and junk, but when the time comes for the rubbish to be put onto the truck, they illuminate you that they just do removal and you are responsible for loading. If you have any desire to get the most service for your buck, and afterward make sure you hire a company that deals with everything. Make sure they are authorized too.

[exemind]

Junk Removal Company Versus Dumpster Rental?

With the old year gone and another president and year in front of us, right now is an ideal opportunity to sort out your home and dispose of the junk jumbling your valuable space. It's exceptionally fulfilling and compensating to clean up the flotsam and jetsam which might be waiting in your loft, yard, storm cellar, carport, and so forth. There are multiple approaches to removing your junk. 1) Rent a dumpster 2) Hire a local waste removal company to haul off your junk.

Renting a dumpster for seven days usually cost about $250 - $400 for a 30 or 40 yard holder. The dumpster company will drop off the tremendous holder on your yard or carport. This might appear to be perfect with the exception of you have an unattractive holder so that all could see for the week as well as take the risk of breaking and demolishing your costly substantial carport. In addition, you need to give your time and hard work to convey and drag all your junk yourself to fill the dumpster. Likewise, you need to address the full cost for the size dumpster you buy, in any case if you fill the dumpster altogether or not.

The better decision for junk removal and hauling is to hire an eco-accommodating junk removal company to accomplish practically everything. They will give you a via phone estimate of your work preceding showing up. At the point when they show up with their container truck, you essentially show them the waste you need discarded and their group will load your junk in their truck and haul it away. Most junk removal companies charge by the volume and weight and the truck space it takes for your junk. An entire 14 foot box truck can fit on normal around a one vehicle carport brimming with junk.

One more benefit of hiring a legitimate waste removal company is that they recycle what they can, i.e., old furniture, machines, salvaged materials, development garbage, paper, plastics, and so on. They likewise realize which recycling focuses acknowledge items for recycling and which ones don't, i.e., paint tires, batteries, hazardous material, and so on. Most junk companies will haul away most anything, however, because they are charged extra for some disposals, may charge somewhat extra for disposal of peril type materials.

[une-satinsilhouette]

Junk Removal Company Versus Dumpster Rental?

With the old year gone and another president and year in front of us, this is the ideal opportunity to arrange your home and dispose of the junk cluttering your valuable space. It's exceptionally fulfilling and remunerating to clean up the garbage which might be waiting in your storage room, yard, storm cellar, carport, and so on. There are multiple approaches to removing your junk. 1) Rent a dumpster 2) Hire a local waste removal company to haul off your junk.

Renting a dumpster for seven days usually cost about $250 - $400 for a 30 or 40 yard compartment. The dumpster company will drop off the gigantic compartment on your yard or carport. This might appear to be perfect with the exception of you have an unattractive compartment so that all could see for the week as well as take the risk of breaking and destroying your costly substantial carport. Additionally, you need to give your time and hard work to convey and carry all your junk yourself to fill the dumpster. Likewise, you need to address the full cost for the size dumpster you buy, in any case if you fill the dumpster completely or not.

The better decision for junk removal and hauling is to hire an eco-accommodating junk removal company to accomplish basically everything. They will give you a via phone estimate of your job before showing up. At the point when they show up with their container truck, you basically show them the garbage you need thrown away and their team will load your rubbish in their truck and haul it away. Most junk removal companies charge by the volume and weight and the truck space it takes for your junk. An entire 14 foot box truck can fit on normal about a one vehicle carport brimming with junk.

One more benefit of hiring a reputable waste removal company is that they recycle what they can, i.e., old furniture, machines, salvaged materials, development garbage, paper, plastics, and so on. They additionally realize which recycling focuses acknowledge items for recycling and which ones don't, i.e., paint tires, batteries, hazardous material, and so on. Most junk companies will haul away most anything, however, because they are charged extra for some disposals, may charge somewhat extra for disposal of peril type materials.

The most amazing aspect of hiring a junk removal company versus a dumpster rental is that you spend about something similar yet your junk and clutter will be gone that very day-No dumpster sitting on your property for a week and also, all the heavy lifting and work is finished by the junk folks. Save your back, your carport, and your money by hiring a local eco-accommodating waste removal company to help you coordinate and remove the clutter from your home or business. You will be happy you did!

[valdestrate]

I've started working at a certain thrift store known for its values. I was texting my mother about how I might not be cut off out for people pleasing retail and people yes people, not just therapists, have been telling me to write/ keep my writing more. So I decided to save this text and I'm not sure what to do with it so I'm saving it here. If by some reason another person ever reads this I would appreciate any character building you can give me!

The main example of why I'm not cut out for this. The Tardilious! This lady that came to donate today who passed right by the line up, stopped in the middle of the enter/exit lane and got out of her car. I told her she couldn't stop in the road but I'd pause traffic in our unloading lane and she could cut in quick. She gave me this smarmy "the guy ahead of me did '' and I said I told him it wasn't allowed either. He had one item in his hands already so he threw it to me over his truck and immediately left. So she gets back in her car And pulls into the area that I asked her to. Well then she just stays there in her vehicle and I kinda like walk over to the window to look at her. She's on her phone tap tap tapping life away and I'm busy. If she's not ready, I keep moving, to the vehicle behind her, see if any of them need a hand with anything. I recognize they are more easy going people as soon as they comment how busy I look and they're fine unloading into the bin themselves. 90% of the time most people do. Either it's a two person job, they're in a hurry/trying to hurry for my sake, or it's an old person dealing with a awkward, heavy, or a large load, but people like showing they're doing something. Maybe they feel their good dead or "charity" doesn't mean as much if they pull up with a bunch of garbage AND sit on their assess while a minimum wage employee frantically unloads their vehicle. I dunno but long story longer while they unloaded into the bin I turn my attention to the lady ahead of them that was on her phone but now was out of her car walking towards her trunk. I have a bullshit meter that's fairly low. My fuse has always been short but I make Buddha lament in sackcloth and ashes his inadequacy of patience compared to mine so it usually stays pretty balanced between the two and she had not blown my bullshit fuse. Yet. So I start with my apolowing (apologize explaining, not to be confused with Apolloing, which is blowing up. Usually in space on live TV) and she cuts me off "do you guys not go in order?".

Bullshit meter climbing.

"Pardon me" I am genuinely confused at what she possibly could mean

"The sign in front of me says to wait on your vehicle and an attendant will come do it"

Right! I forgot about that sign. But it doesn't say anywhere that we will just start unloading your vehicle, just that we will come AND ask if you we can help

"Yes of course Miss! I tried but your window was up and you were busy on your phone" I happily and confidently respond

"Whatever"

She throws back like verbal pancake covered in syrup

"Well is there anything I can do for you now? Can I help you unload?"

Pancake --dodged

"No, I can do it myself"

She throws out to the crowd of Facebook followers in her mind like Rocky might throw out to the crowd in response to his challenger telling him he can't. That is if Rocky was about a beauty pagant instead of boxing and played by Honey booboos mom instead Sylvester Stallone.

She immediately whispers useless under her breath. I cheerily say

"Well in that case how about a coupon?"

Pancake? Eaten

Coals of fire? Smells like burning hair

She snaps around with her hands outstretched, sees my big grin hiding my sweaty flushed face and the line of traffic, half a dozen people unloading their own stuff looking at this failed suburban mom in the very unflatteringly horizontal bright striped shirt berating a thrift store grunt working for a charity after she just cut in front of everyone. She pauses, stammers a "no thank you" and takes off.

I'm immediately back to work. Tell the whole thing to my supervisor later and he doesn't seem bothered. I feel like I need write a book about the different types of people I meet dropping off stuff. Need to create classes to assign them to, highlight the general different types and differences/nuances, and combine that with individual stories and "highlights"