#Glo Cart

[postcard-from-the-past]

Road scene in Glos-sur-Risle, Normandy region of France

French vintage postcard

[violet-bruises]

Baby Lay Your Head Down

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x OFC (SSA Sophie Carter)

Warnings: Established past relationship (kind of), mild suggestive language, mentions of grief, mentions of death and almost death, mentions of suppressing emotions, excessive longing, angst

Author's note: I've had ideas for Hotch swirling in my head for months years, and this is the first time I've managed to get anything down on paper. In my head, my OFC is a little more fleshed out, as is her relationship to Hotch, and their story is much larger. This is just a small blurb taken from a point in their story that was swirling in my mind recently. I hope it makes sense lol. ALSO! This is my very first time posting to tumblr, or publicly at all for that matter.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN AARON HOTCHNER AS A CHARACTER! ALL CREDIT TO THE CREATOR! (did i say it right?)

Word count: 2,474

Summary: Aaron is usually the first one in the office. Usually.

Once upon a time, Aaron loved mornings. In law school, he’d wake up while it was still dark, squeeze in an early run around campus, shower, and enjoy his coffee all before the sun ever began to show its soft colors. When he and Haley were newlyweds, he’d surprise her with breakfast in bed—which quickly grew cold as they entangled themselves in their straight from the registry sheets. And once Jack was born, Aaron would wake up just to hold him, rock him in the cushioned chair in his nursery before work. But soon, slowly and then all at once, his life grew darker. A thick shadow cast over his days, no matter how high the sun sat in the sky. He and Haley drifted apart. He’d wake many mornings to an empty apartment—no longer a home, much less a house. He spent his mornings in the confines of the BAU. And then Haley died, and Jack almost did; Aaron started sneaking into Jack’s room to watch him sleep just to reassure himself that his son was still here, alive and breathing.

But eventually, mornings became bearable, until they were even enjoyable again. The thick smog over his days lifted. He stopped going into the office early and started having small moments with Jack. Aaron got to enjoy his coffee again, squeeze in the occasional early run, and, for the first time ever, eat breakfast in bed, made for him. For the first time, Aaron’s small apartment felt like home; the soft colors of the sun were no match the vibrant warmth Sophie carted into his life. But clearly Aaron was cursed long ago to fulfill the same prophecy over and over again, because, just as he was finally happy again, truly and utterly, deeply and joyously, he managed to fuck that up, too.

So, once again, Aaron arrives early at the office now every morning. Some occasional mornings, he’s not the first one to wake the floor. On those mornings, he’s grateful—a pot of bitter hot coffee almost certain to be residing in the carafe, singing his name. Most mornings, however, Aaron arrives to a dark and empty bullpen, and he’ll trudge to the small kitchenette in the break room before doing anything else to start the coffee. While the coffee brews, Aaron will make his way to his office, setting down his briefcase and unloading the files on his desk. He’ll file away papers he’s finished with, creating a pile for JJ and Garcia to review. By this time, his coffee has dripped enough that he can pour himself a decent cup. Black. No cream or sugar when in the office, not that any amount could truly save the monstrosity. He’ll place the files on Garcia’s desk, then backtrack to JJ’s. Once he returns, he’ll sit at his desk, pouring over case files, old and new, as the sun rises outside and the city wakes and people begin to pour into the office, a trickle, then a flood.

The same routine for the past three months. Every morning. Everyday.

Except for today.

Today, when Aaron manages to pull himself to the seventh floor and into the BAU, he stops short. The usually quiet and dim office space is punctuated by a soft glow, right at its heart. As he approaches from the entrance, he expects someone to be occupying the lit desk, but its chair is empty. Scattered across the tabletop are case files. A file on the missing twin girls in Arizona from last week (paperwork the responsible unit chief in him is praying is finally done) is open on top, but more lie underneath. He can’t quite read the labels in the shadows that escape the desk lamp’s light. Aaron reaches his hand out to thumb through the papers.

“Oh!”

Aaron swivels to find Supervisory Special Agent Sophie Carter, sock-footed and grasping a massive cup of coffee, standing before him, clearly having just emerged from the break room. Aaron briefly, traitorously, wonders what the ratio of actual coffee to sugar to cream she’s decided on today.

“Good morning,” Aaron greets her, gruffly. He hasn’t spoken since waking up, really only just above a whisper when dropping Jack off at Jessica’s. His voice is rough with unuse. Clearing his throat, he tries again. “What are you doing here?”

“Good morning,” Sophie responds. She diverts eye contact and brushes just past Aaron to reach her desk chair. Aaron watches her. “And I work here.”

Aaron’s lips purse displeasingly. After a moment, Sophie glances up at him then sighs. “I, um, couldn’t really sleep. Figured I’d turn that into being a model employee and finally finish all of my paperwork.”

Aaron documents the subtle red tinge bloomed across her cheeks. Still avoiding his questioning and concerned gaze, she raises her coffee mug to her soft lips. I’m Down To Just 1 Cup A Day in big block letters written on the side. The mug is as big as his head.

“I wish you’d chosen that philosophy about ten years ago. Would’ve saved me a few headaches.”

Sophie finally meets his eyes again. Warm and dark, nearly midnight when cast away from the light on her desk. Aaron is reminded of the night skies that cover all of the small towns he’s seen; far enough from the city, awash with billions of tiny dots of light—stars that create impossibly beautiful and intricate patterns in the sky—the vastness could swallow him whole, and he’d welcome it with open arms.

“Ha ha,” she intones, but her eyes never lose their warmth. Aaron chuckles but doesn’t respond. Instead, he watches. Watches her shuffle through papers, write things down on a sticky note, tuck papers away in folders, pull more papers out. Finally, with tight shoulders, she turns to look up at him. “Can I help you?”

Aaron scans her face. “What are you doing here so early?”

She frowns. “I told you. I couldn’t sleep.”

Then, Sophie sighs, slumping back in her chair. Aaron knows she’s tired. But it’s not the discoloration under her eyes, or the heaviness of her lids that gives her away. It’s how quickly she caves to telling the truth. Too tired to be stubborn, Aaron muses. The fight and irritation drain from her in an instant. “I don’t know, Hotch. Genuinely, I really haven’t been sleeping well, promise. But. . . yeah, it’s been more than just a few sleepless nights.” She flops over, forehead resting on her folded arms. “I haven’t had insomnia like this since college.” Her words come out muffled and pitiful, wrought with exhaustion.

“How long has it been this bad?”

“Um, I guess. . . since the serial in Montana.”

“That was three months ago.”

She doesn’t answer; her head stays buried. Aaron frowns, though he pretty much has been since he realized it was her desk light on in the dark office. Since his discovery, the sun has risen a tiny bit beyond the brick of the building, the sky a cornflower blue. Aaron reckons it’s about 5:30—about an hour and a half before anyone starts arriving—two and a half before the bullpen is officially alive for the day (and three before Morgan manages his way in). Aaron’s noticed Sophie’s tiredness. Of course he has. He catches her blank stares and heavy lids easily. He would’ve said something by now, but her exhaustion had, remarkably, not yet affected her job. The minute duty calls, she springs into action, like she’s been a tightly coiled spring finally allowed to burst. But, it’s more than just that that holds Aaron back. Because that wasn’t part of their arrangement, was it? Because asking her if she’s been sleeping, or feeling well, or eating okay, or taking care of herself, or seeing anyone— those questions were off limits. Wasn’t that what they’d decided? The rules they’d laid down?

Aaron never really was good at following the rules.

“C’mon.”

Sophie lifted her head, eyes wide and round. “What?”

“C’mon,” Aaron repeated, holding his hand out for her to take. She looked between him and his outstretched palm, gaze wildly skeptical.

“Aaron. . . we talked—”

“You talked, I listened, and this—this isn’t about that. This is about ensuring all of my subordinates are in appropriate shape to adequately perform their duties.”

“Last time I checked, I perform my duties far better than adequately.”

“Sophie,” he pleads. It’s a mistake and he knows it, but she broke the rule first. She called him Aaron. Not Hotch, or Agent Hotchner. His resolve was weak enough as it was; her so easily tossing around his first name like that, when he hadn’t heard it from her in months, when he had grown so used to hearing it when she lay next to him, or, when she whispered it, breathlessly, under him. “Please just. . . humor me.”

Her icy look melted, trickling down her body as exhaustion quickly crept up on her. She didn’t take his hand, but she did stand, shuffling papers in folders and stacking them neatly on top of each other. Aaron waited patiently for her to finish tidying and wondered if he’d ever unlearn her. If he ever wanted to. Arranging papers and cleaning off the desk cleaner than he’d seen it since before it was hers—she was stalling to fully accept his offer, and he knows it’s a punishment, her not giving in. For whom, he’s not quite sure.

Finally, after ages, she turns to him. Her eyebrows raise.

Aaron simply turns on his heel, slightly tipping his head for her to follow. He leads them up the short staircase and as they cross the threshold into his office. Aaron places his briefcase down on his own desk before turning to the couch pressed against the opposite wall.

“Hotch—” So she did realize her mistake, “—really, I’m fine. This isn’t the first sleepless night and early morning I’ve had. I can manage on my own.”

Aaron doesn’t respond right away, busying himself with gathering blankets and pillows.

“Hotch.”

“I am very aware that you are perfectly capable of managing on your own. But, Soph,” Aaron can see the miniscule pinch in her brows. Small, but powerful in the painful way it tugs at him. He sighs. “Friends, right? Don’t friends. . . take care of each other?”

Aaron knows, knows all too well, that an argument boils on the tip of her tongue. But he also knows the heavy dangle of her limbs and the soft glaze of her eyes means she’s close to nearly collapsing. It’s not fair, what he’s doing. He knows that and yet. . .

He watches her study the makeshift bed he’s made for her. And then, “I suppose. . . Penelope would do the same for me, too.”

Aaron suppresses a smile. “She would.”

“She’d do more, actually. Penelope would have freshly baked cookies waiting for me, too.”

“That she would.”

“Penelope is a better friend than you are.”

Aaron hears the jest in her voice, but he doesn’t smile. “That she is,” he says, softly.

Finally, Sophie drags her feet to the couch. Without meeting his gaze, she climbs under the covers and settles in. She inhales deeply as her eyes flutter shut.

It should be studied, Aaron thinks, the mercurial rush of affection that overcomes him. He wishes he could control it. Tamper it down and bury it under the crushing weight of all the other emotions he has buried and ignored. He’s usually quite good at it, actually, with years of careful experience under his belt. Though maybe that’s the problem; he’s attempting to add to something already overflowing, and the erosion of it all has chipped his self-control down to nearly nothing.

Aaron’s surety is bone deep: he’s destined to love her until the day he dies. Even if she doesn’t want him to, even if she doesn’t love him. He’d use his dying breath to confess his overwhelming and all-consuming truth. His throat grows tight.

He’s about to turn on his heel, afraid of what he’ll do if he lingers any longer, when Sophie softly calls out to him.

“Thank you,” she tells him, her eyes opening to finally meet his again. Like an electric shock, the urge to touch her races through him. To caress her warm cheek in his palm, to cradle her face and pull it closer to his own, to press his lips to hers. Aaron feels his fingers twitch under his thinning restraint.

He allows his lips to curve in a faint smile. “Of course,” he whispers.

Aaron finally retreats. With his back to her, he swears he can feel Sophie watching him, but when he turns back as he reaches his desk, Sophie has flipped onto her side, her back facing him. It’s for the best, Aaron reminds himself. If he’d caught her eye again, the ghost of his resolve would haunt his office forever.

As the hours ticked on, the BAU bullpen slowly comes back to life. Just as eight o’clock slips by and the trickling morning light catches the ends of Sophie’s hair ablaze, a knock sounds on his door. Before Aaron gets a chance to stand and answer, the door opens and Garcia swiftly steps in.

“Good morning, sir! I sent over the background profiles you requested from the Jefferson City case—”

“Thank you, Garcia. I—”

“Also, I got that police chief in Wichita to finally send over the files on that cold case Rossi needed—”

“Garcia—”

“You wouldn’t believe the sweet talking I had to do, I mean, Morgan level—”

“Garcia!” Aaron couldn’t resist glancing at Sophie, still fast asleep.

Unfortunately, Garcia caught his slip, and she followed his gaze.

“Oh!”

Garcia looked between Aaron and Sophie, once. Then twice.

“Oh, sir,” she started, much softer than when she’d entered. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize!” Garcia began to back out of his office. “See! I saw her desk light on but I hadn’t seen her since I got in. I thought maybe she just forgot to turn it off, ya know, but then she didn’t respond to my text! Which I get now why, you know, given that she’s, you know—”

“Garcia.” She stopped at the entry way. “Let’s just— please don’t—”

She nodded rapidly and mimicked zipping her lips shut, locking them, and throwing away the key. “Of course, sir.”

Just before she closed the door, Garcia poked her head back in.

“Oh! Also, I brought leftover cookies I baked for the counseling center. They’re in the kitchen!” And the door clicked shut behind her.

“See,” Sophie mumbled, voice muffled by the pillows. “Told you.”

Aaron laughs. Maybe these new early mornings weren’t so bad after all.

[nancypullen]

Versailles

Bonjour! This morning we decided to go see how the other half lives, so we hopped on a train to Versailles. The palace is only about 12 miles from Paris, but takes roughly 30 minutes by train due to several stops. You must purchase a timed ticket via their website and our entry time was 10am. It's just a ten minute walk from the train station and we had plenty of time, so our stroll up to the palace was leisurely.

Peasants trying to enter Versailles.

Those shadows are the line we were in for our 10am entry. I think there was a glitch this morning because the 9am line was still there and then they herded us all in at once. That's the only beef I had with the day - too crowded. We enjoy traveling in the fall because it's a shoulder season and we mostly avoid big crowds Not today.

There was so.much.gold. Louis XIV, known as The Sun King, built this opulent palace and he's all over it.

Once inside we were given our audio guides. Each room had a number and you just punched that into your little handheld gadget and put it to your ear like a cell phone to hear all the info. Each room was an education. I will not take you room by room in this massive building. You're welcome. I'll just share a few photos and try to keep this brief. You know that's hard for me. I do have to mention the ceilings. I spent so much time looking up that I have a crick in my neck. Absolutely gorgeous art and dripping with glittering chandeliers.

Room after room, from private bedrooms to council rooms, to game rooms were covered in stunning fabrics, incredible art, and glittering gold. Imagine being a French citizen, starving and struggling, and knowing that the royals were living like this. I think I know why later Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette met their end the way they did.

But back to Louis XIV. LIke I said, he was all over the place. Every room, hall, and gallery had paintings and murals as tributes to his battles, and his reign.

THis is his bedroom - where his courtiers washed him, dressed him for bed, and then in the morning dressed him for the day.

The queen's bedroom was beautiful. I've been thinking of redecorating our bedroom and I'm leaning toward feather dusters on the bed posts like this.

That gold railing was to give her privacy. Her ladies waited on those stools to be needed, and there was a lot of viewing of the queen. When she gave birth it was in this room with the appropriate officials "observing" to make sure that the baby that was delivered was from her and not smuggled in. Yikes. Moving on, there are loads of halls dedicated to conquests and victories. An enormous and (surprise!) ornate royal chapel, and the famed Hall of Mirrors. It was breathtaking, the sunlight bounced off the 500+ mirrors and the numerous crystal chandeliers to create something magnificent. I don't have a single photo that does it justice. Mostly because A) I was just waving my cell phone around, and B) people wouldn't leave so it stayed crowded.

We moved through room after room...

each one an example of excess. Did I mention all the gold? I did notice a common trait in many of the paintings and it reminded me of my Ancestry DNA results. I've got a healthy percentage of French (supposedly) and I think it's mostly in my chin.

Must be all the butter and cheese. After hours spent absorbing the lavish lifestyle of the palace and court, then learning about successive centuries of Versailles from Napoleon to WWII and beyond, we headed out into the beautiful day to take in the gardens. Again, we know that by touring them in October we won't see the explosion of color that summer offers, but it was still wonderful.

That little corner is NOTHING. There were golf carts available for rent of you wanted to see all of it. You could also walk it, which we did a bit. Look at the enormity of the grounds! The palace looks tiny on this map.

Another big disappointment was finding not a single fountain turned on. Booo! They're supposed to be glorious. We learned that they only turn them on 4 days per week and apparently today was not one of them.

Here's a snap of me sitting on a bench in the gardens, looking disgruntled. Feel free to admire my generous French chin(s).

Shortly after this we decided to call it a day and after searching for a toilet, walked away from Versaille and its absolutely amazing history.

It's impossible to get it all into one photo because of its enormity. I'd love to see a drone shot of the palace and grounds.

On the way back to the train station we stopped for a bite. While enjoying the meal, the weather, and the company we started discussing the name of the establishment. It's Brasserie de Lyautey. Brasserie is just an informal restaurant, like most of the sidewalk cafes. But I couldn't translate Lyautey, so I looked it up. It was one of two things...

So, either a renowned French military figure or a werewolf. Although the first makes perfect sense, we decided that we were definitely eating at the werewolf cafe. I mean, that's way better. So much for my brief post tonight. At least I didn't bury you in photos of Versailles. I'll wrap this up by saying that the remainder of our day was spent leisurely...more strolling around La tour Eiffel (Oh, I'm so French!) and eventually back to our apartment. We needed to ready our bags, book an Uber, and get some sleep because after ten wonderful days, we fly home tomorrow. From Alsatian villages to glorious palaces, we've had a ball. I'm ready to sleep in my own bed and cuddle my kitties. Our flight lands in Baltimore around 11pm, by the time we get our bags, retrieve the car and drive to the Eastern Shore it'll probably be close to 1am. Yuck. Paris is 6 hours ahead of our clocks at home so we'll be zombies. No blog post tomorrow. Until next time - stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[talistableau]

A/N

Part three! I’m so sorry for how long it’s taken but I procrastinated about it for ages and I was doing college work but it’s here! Part one has been like hidden but i’m gonna try and fix it dw, part two is still up though.

Content Warnings: I don’t think there’s any but mild language in this part as I wanted a lighter part three after part two but feel free to let me know otherwise!

Tags:

@tayhar811

@chiraqsblog

If you’d like to be tagged in the next part, just reply down below!

Without further ado, enjoy! 3.2k words!

. 𝕆𝕫𝕫𝕪’𝕤 𝔹𝕚𝕣𝕥𝕙𝕕𝕒𝕪.

☼☽☼☁︎︎☼☽☼☁︎︎☼☽☼☁︎︎☼☽☼☁︎︎☼☽☼☁︎︎☼☽☼☁︎︎☼☽☼☁︎︎☼☽☼☁︎︎☼☽☁︎︎☼☽☁︎︎

Standing in the toddler’s toys selection aisle in Toys R Us, a deep frown was embedded in Eddie’s features. What the hell does he buy as a birthday present for a four year old that he’s never even met before? His eyes scanned the shelves, hoping that something suitable would magically appear out of thin air that he could buy for Ozzy. You had reassured him countless times that he didn’t need to get him anything when he came over to the trailer, but he of course disregarded that completely.

He wanted to get something for him. He just didn’t know what yet.

Littering the shelves were an assortment of kids items, Glo-Worms, Etch-A-Sketches, Care Bears, and Boglins which he thought would be far too scary for a child. They even creeped him out and he definitely didn’t want to give your son nightmares. After a minute of pondering on it, he shoved one of everything in the cart—minus the Boglin.

He picked up a set of new-in Micro Machine’s as he continued down the aisle, adding it to the pile in the cart, along with two Gummi Bears as you had mentioned briefly that Ozzy simply had to watch the show whilst having breakfast before Kindergarten or all hell would break loose.

A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Technodrome was promptly flung into the cart as quickly as Eddie had spotted it but that was more so for him than it was for Ozzy.

Content with what he’d picked, he moved to leave and head to the check-out, the wheels on the cart squeaking obnoxiously as he did, only to spot you coming down the very same aisle, evidently shopping for a gift for Ozzy as well.

“Shit, shit,” Eddie muttered, trying to move away as fast as possible, only to lose control of the cart and crash it into the shelf, an array of toys falling and making a shed load of noise. “Oh, Jesus H Christ!!”

“Eddie?” You rounded the corner of the aisle, only to spot him hovering by the trolley, keeping it out of your sight and standing nonchalantly. This was instantly suspicious to you. Eddie was an open book—sometimes too open.

“Y/N? Hey! Fancy seeing you here!” He laughed, stretching his arms on the cart behind him to further hide the contents within it.

Raising a brow, you fold your arms over your chest and he finally notices the shirt that you’re wearing. It’s a newer version of the same Black Sabbath t-shirt that you had been wearing when he first ever saw you. Shit.

“Uh-huh, what’s in the cart, Eddie?”

Panic flashed across his features as he scrambled to think of an excuse, “Uh, just just some..stuff for Hellfire.” He seemed pleased with his own lie, his posture and expression relaxing.

You took a step forward, Eddie moving in tandem with you as you stood on your tiptoes, craning your neck to peer at what was inside, him shuffling accordingly. He knew that if you saw what was in the cart, you would instantly refuse it and say that you couldn’t possibly accept it.

“Lemme see the damm cart!” You laughed, eventually spotting something that confirmed your suspicions. “Since when does Hellfire need Gruffi and Zummi Gummi teddy bears?”

Frozen on the spot, you could see the cogs in his brain turning as he raced to throw you off of the scent that you were rapidly picking up on. “Uh,” He stuttered. His mind went totally blank at being caught out.

No clever remarks, no jokes, nothing came to mind. For once, Eddie Munson was speechless.

“I knew it! You’re getting something for Ozzy aren’t you?” You playfully pointed a finger accusingly at him. “Move.”

“No no no! It’s for my…cousin. Gene. I’m picking up presents for him, got sent here by Wayne, y’know?” He knew that it was evidently a lie. He had no cousins, nobody except for Wayne especially not anywhere near Hawkins for a start. “Yeah he’s gonna be fou-three! on Monday.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, shaking your head in disbelief at the blatant—terrible lie that he had told you. “Oh yeah, I remember my four-threenth birthday. It was great.” You rolled your eyes as Eddie shifted his weight anxiously.

With an exaggerated groan he moved away from the cart with his hands up in surrender, your jaw hanging open at the amount of gifts tucked inside. “Eddie. This is far too much.”

“No, no it’s not.” He shook his head, hands now holding the bar of the cart, the clang of his rings resounding as he tapped his fingers on it. “This is great, he’ll love it all! Didn’t you say that Dummy and Fuzzy were the ones he’s missing? It’ll be great, trust me, it’s not too much.”

Biting your lip to stop your eyes glossing in appreciation at the kind gesture, you smiled, lightly punching his arm before you hooked one of your own through it. “Okay fine, but that’s it. Nothing else for him, okay? Promise?”

“Pinky swear, doll-face.”

You blushed when he called you that. It had been his latest pet name for you. They usually alternated whenever he saw you, but ‘doll-face’ seemed to be the lucky one, sticking around for the long run. You didn’t understand the name to be perfectly honest, you didn’t think you were particularly doll-like. Dolls that came to mind were white, skinny and blonde with porcelain skin—you were none of those things.

Your skin was dark with an iridescent shine—thanks to the cocoa butter and Vitamin C you applied every morning. You certainly were not skinny, you were mid-sized at least, curvaceous from pregnancy but also genetics. Your hair also was very much not blonde, dark tight coiled curls littered your head, sporadic strands falling in front of your eyes from time to time.

Now freely grinning, you rolled your eyes and grabbed a hold of his cart, spinning it out of your way as you started to reshelve the toys that Eddie had caused to plummet to the ground. You turned over the box of the Boglin in your hand, jumping back and pulling a face at it.

“This is for kids?” You scoffed, placing it back on the shelf with a noise of disapproval. “If anyone showed up with one of these for my child, I would burn it.”

“Yeah, I'm with you on that one.” Eddie agreed, leaning on the cart and moving out of the way as you grabbed ahold of it and pushed it down the aisle.

You took a hastily scribbled shopping list out of your jacket pocket, it was written with one of Ozzy’s crayons and on the back of a brown paper bag that had been used for your groceries, it was the first thing that you could see as you left the house. Eddie quickly spotted the note in your hand and took it from you, eyes scanning over it and determinedly seizing the trolley back from you.

“Okay, doll-face, let’s get this party started.”

The next day you were sitting in your Biology class, glancing at the clock and eagerly awaiting the bell to ring, signifying that you could run the hell out of here. Eddie was going to pick you up and drive you back home and help you set up the decorations for Ozzy’s birthday party. Some little friends of his from Kindergarten were coming as well as their parents so you wanted everything to be perfect especially since the mothers of these kids were considerably older than you and you didn’t want to give them any excuse to look down at you.

Tapping your foot in time with the minute hand of the clock, you could practically count down all the seconds leading up to the bell going off and everyone exploding into action, frantically shoving all of their things into their bag and sprinting out of the classroom.

You had already packed your stuff away ten minutes early so whilst everyone was preoccupied with that task, you made your escape and legged it out of the classroom, zooming down corridors and dodging the incoming flux of students.

You finally reached the awaited double doors and sat outside the entrance to Hawkins High, taking out a cigarette and lighting it with the lighter Eddie had gifted you. It was black and detailed, with a delicately painted devil face, a sword on one side and a mace on the opposite side. A hand-painted rendition of the Hellfire Club logo, a D&D club that he had been talking you into joining.

When you argued that you didn’t know the first thing about Dungeons & Dragons, he had assured you that he would teach you everything. He showed up to your trailer on more than one occasion with books and books about the game, determined to get you to join the club.

Taking your first drag from it, a small voice shouted from behind you. “Hey, you can’t be doing that here, lady, I've got asthma! Sensitive lungs!”

Turning around, you took the cigarette out of your mouth with a laugh and stood up. You came face to face with not just the man you were waiting for to give you a lift home, but his friends Gareth and Jeff—who you already knew from late nights at The Hideout with Corroded Coffin— and his new younger Hellfire Club members.

“Excuse me?”

“Dustin, leave it.” The boy you knew as Mike, Nancy’s little brother nudged his friend—Dustin, you had just learned.

“No, no no,” You shook your head, holding out a hand to silence Mike. “It’s fine, Wheeler, let him talk.”

Glancing at Gareth and Jeff, you saw how uncomfortable they looked, shifting their weight on their feet and looking at Eddie every so often who stood with his arms folded, clearly wanting to see how this would go. Once Mike had picked up on this, he did too, keeping an eye on Eddie.

“Nothing else to say?” You asked Dustin, “Those sensitive lungs just..poof! Magically fixed?” You snapped your finger to emphasise, unable to contain the smugness and goading tone in your voice.

“Oh, I’ve got lots to say!” He began, “First of all, you know that piercing you got up in your nose you think is so cool? Yeah well guess what, they were used to mark se—“ He cut himself off when Eddie stepped forward and slung his arm around your shoulder, taking the cigarette out of your hand and having a drag himself.

“Used to mark what, huh?” You grinned, taking back the cigarette and inhaling one last time before you put it out, placing it back into your cigarette carrier for later. “Your kid’s boring me, Ed, we gotta get the house sorted and then to the daycare before they charge me another hour,” You patted his chest.

It was Mike’s turn to speak, “Daycare? Why do you need to go to the daycare?”

You rolled your eyes, “To pick up my son, why else would I need to go to the daycare?” You don’t miss the surprise on almost everybody's faces, Gareth, Jeff and of course Eddie being the only ones who weren’t blindsided. “You’re really nosy, Mike, you know, Nance did mention something about you being freakishly similar but I just assumed she meant looks.”

Smiling as his face dropped slightly, you waved. “Bye kids, see you later guys.”

Eddie ushered you to his van, bowing deeply and extending his arm when he opened the passenger door, saying the very same thing he said when you met at Steve’s party, “M’lady”

With a raised brow, you smirked, “Why thank you, Sir Eddie, the Banished.”

The grin now on his face was unmatched, the redness on his cheeks extremely prominent on his pale skin. He ducked his head with a small laugh and shake of his head and closed the van door, jogging to the drivers side.

That exact moment was when you realised that you were definitely falling in love with Eddie Munson. Fast and hard, at that. Eddie leaped into the van and buckled his seatbelt, pressing play on the same Metallica tape that had been playing in the van that morning as you’d drove to school.

Ozzy’s party had been a huge success. His friends had eagerly joined in on the games with no fuss, the cake that you had spent majority of the night beforehand making was quickly devoured and the mothers had been lovely to you, praising you for the decorations and effort that had gone into the party, even inviting you out for coffees and suggesting play dates. Most of all, however, Ozzy adored it.

Your son had almost fallen over as you led him into the trailer, your hands covering his eyes as he giggled excitedly and his little face lighting up when he saw all of the balloons and banners that covered your living room. Eddie had taken over the job of blowing up the balloons as you spelt out Ozzy’s name and glued them to the personalised banner.

Ripping open his gifts had certainly not been a challenge for your toddler either, the paper being torn into and quickly flung to another part of the room being followed by gasps and noises of awe from his friends who eagerly went to inspect the presents.

Ozzy sat on the sofa contently watching a tape of the Gummi Bears that your mom had sent for his birthday as you and Eddie tidied the living room. You had told Eddie that he had already done enough and didn’t need to help but he had playfully thrown a ball of wrapping paper at your head in response and continued picking pieces of it up.

Grabbing a sweeping brush, you swept the remnants of cake crumbs and tipped the pan into the bin. Ozzy suddenly sprung up from the sofa and ran to the corner of the living room, excitedly pointing.

“Mom! Mommy look!”

You frowned, unable to see what your son saw and so you left the kitchen, standing where he had been to see what it was that gained his attention, Eddie joining you with a heap of paper in his hands.

“Mommy, what’s that?”

It was a present tucked into the corner, it had been hidden behind all of the other presents and hadn’t been noticed. Ozzy quickly ran to it and sat himself down, grabbing it and itching to open it but Eddie quickly spoke up.

“Okay okay, I know that I said I wouldn’t get anything else,” He began, your gaze fell on him as you hummed, telling him to continue. “But I’d already gotten those, so just look.”

Ozzy stared wide-eyed and blinked at the pair of you, silently asking for permission to open it. “Go ahead, baby.” You smiled, also curious to see what else Eddie had bought.

At your words, the toddler eagerly opened the gift, pulling it out with a surprised look when there was not one but two t-shirts inside.

“What’s this?” Ozzy tilted his head and was now addressing Eddie, he tended to be quite reserved and quiet around new people but it seemed that this wouldn’t be the case with Eddie.

Looking at the shirt, your eyes lit up and your lips curled into a wide smile. It was two matching Black Sabbath T-shirts, identical to the one that you had been wearing earlier that day except one was considerably smaller. One was for Ozzy and the other for you so you could match.

As Eddie tried to explain what the shirt was to Ozzy, you quickly slipped into your bedroom and changed into the shirt that you had been wearing earlier that day.

Coming back out, Eddie and Ozzy were sitting and playing with the Etch-A-Sketch that he had bought him. The young boy grinning when he saw you were wearing the same shirt that he had just received and running towards you as fast as his legs could carry him, you quickly picked him up and hugged him to you, resting him on your hip.

“You have one!” He said excitedly, your eyes shifted to Eddie who still sat on the couch but now he was smiling back at you. “But what about that one?” He pointed to the shirt now open and resting on the arm of the couch. “You have one.” He repeated more sadly.

You understood what your son was saying and quickly formed an idea.

Leaning to Ozzy’s little ear, you whispered, “Do you know who doesn’t have one?” He shook his head, his thumb resting on his bottom lip as he did so. You subtly jerked your head towards Eddie who remained oblivious, your little boy, however, clicked onto what you were saying and nodded happily.

Placing Ozzy down onto his feet, you watched as he scarpered towards the t-shirt on the couch and grabbed it, thrusting it into Eddie’s face, who was very confused. “What’s up? Does it not fit?”

He looked at you and you winked, gesturing with your eyes for him to give his attention to Ozzy again.

“Mommy got one, I got one and now you got one.” Ozzy explained as he tried to shove the shirt into Eddie’s hands again.

You didn’t miss the way Eddie’s eyes very nearly glossed up as they went back to Ozzy or when they landed on the shirt and he realised what this meant, you saw it all.

“Wow, thanks, little man.” He laughed, wrinkling his nose with a small sniff and laugh. “I’ll wear it tomorrow, ‘kay?”

Ozzy didn’t think this was enough. “No! You need to put it on now, we all have to wear it!” He ran back to you with his own shirt in hand, “Mommy, I want mine on now too.”

You laughed, “Okay okay, i’ll put it on for you, Oz. You can go through to my room, Eds, then we’ll all match, yeah?” You looked down at your son who nodded in agreement with this plan and couldn’t help but beam at Eddie who disappeared off down the small corridor to get changed. You took the birthday boy t-shirt that you had put Ozzy in, off and put on his new one.

“You know, you were named after someone on this t-shirt,” You told Ozzy whose eyes grew wide yet again. “Ozzy Osbourne. He’s in Black Sabbath which is what your new shirt says. You were even born to one of their songs.”

“Woah.” His voice dragged out as he stared up at you in childlike wonder. The wonder fading to glee as Eddie came back into the living room, wearing the shirt and matching with both of you.

“We all match now!” He giggled, clapping his hands together excitedly and running full-speed to the couch.

“I think that’s our cue.” Eddie laughed when Ozzy grabbed the remote and switched the television on again, the Gummi Bears theme tune playing as you both made your way to the couch and sat with your son who had left space for you two.

Sitting with Eddie on one side of you and Ozzy on the other, you placed your arm around the toddler as Eddie placed his own around your shoulders. You looked at him and smiled warmly, mouthing an appreciative ‘thank you’ as he grinned in response with a dismissive shrug of his shoulder.

Leaning his head on your chest, Ozzy whispered softly to you with closed eyes and a tight hug.

“This is my best birthday ever.”



[roo-bastmoon]

Consumer Metrics for Charts

From May's article on Luminate:

"the platform boasts upgraded data infrastructure, using a multicloud architecture incorporating Amazon Web Services and Snowflake, making it faster and more flexible than any of its predecessors. It is designed to ingest thousands of data sources and present them as valuable insights and trends about consumer engagement and behavior[...] can drill down to the ISRC or EAN/UPC level, as well as break out the data by different criteria; they also have the ability to separate all activities from Charts Equivalent by providing a dedicated “charts view.” The platform also includes international market-level data via new global filters[...] the new platform incorporates support for new forms of consumption, including short-form video and gaming environments."

Just my two cents, but I can see the day coming when we will need a unique email and a unique form of payment for each and every single digital purchase on each and every site, or buy one in-store product with a barcode at a time, plus use unique IP addresses for each individual device streaming, and even then, it won't count as much as paid radio play.

But I'm not pessimistic. BTS are talented and make good music, and ARMY is smart and dedicated. We'll figure it out if it comes to that. For now, we just keep our eye on Luminate and try out various strategies... Best practices I know of right now are to stream from multiple premium accounts and to use one email and payment method per cart per store for life.

[checkcharm]

Barbecue Like a Pro: Dyna-Glo 4-Burner Open Cart Propane Gas Grill Review

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[postcard-from-the-past]

Farm of the Castle of Glos-la-Ferrière, Normandy region of France

French vintage postcard

[brandonarm]

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[northcarolinavapecarts]

Glo Carts

[jadipose]

"we're little people, adventurer! these foods are good enough for us!" he gives another little "hoo hoo!" as he looks up at you, his dumb, happy expression unchanged. behind him the villagers are unloading the ladyfinger cart. "a horse? why would you buy a horse? you're certainly too big to ride one!"

"I want to+ buy a ho+rse because I want a ho+rse, isn't that a go+o+d eno+ugh reaso+n fo+r yo+u??"

Unable to+ resist any lo+nger, I stuff the crumbly street chunk into+ my mo+uth, chewing and swallo+wing desperately. Fuck, yes.... my glo+ved hands dig into+ the ho+le I made, peeling up mo+re o+f the co+bbles, stuffing it into+ my mo+uth as tho+ugh it's manna fro+m the go+ds.

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[susanhaley1111]

Friday 8/18/23

We have spent a week here in Philomath. The weather has been what we remembered, which is hot and dry. They have had a really hot spell of 100+ and dry or not, it is very hot. The temps are down now in the 80s, which is perfect with nice cool 50-60s at night. There has been no rain and only 1 cloudy day, and no rain is in the extended forecast.

We have loved being here with this family and hope to come more often than every 3 years. The kids have changed so much. Reagan and I have spent a lot more time together, and she has become a delightful young lady. Stetson has his sweet moments as well, but tormenting his sisters is also fun . His temper reminds me of his daddy. Stetson also has a ton of energy. Carson is so cute and is almost always smiling. We hear she can be a zilla but we have not seen this side. Her voice is also adorable and her mispronounciations are like hearing grammie Betty again.

Kori waorked last year as a special ed coordinator. she misses being home with the kids but is also OK with working. Andrew has a great job as a supervisor in a special metals making facility. The work is hard, but he has advanced nicely. They appear to value his ideas.

The kids are outside a lot on their dirt bikes, regular bikes, and little pool. They also have a go cart, which only Reagan can drive. We dont see them having much much screen time unless it is brutally hot or at the end of the day. Kori is very nervous seeing them on their bikes but has gotten a bit more used to it.

The fruit is ripening,and the really ripe blackberries are amazingly sweet. The small apples are ripe but not the pears quite yet. We went to the Corvallis farmers market today and bought lots of fruits and veggies. The strawberries are very ripe and so sweet.

We moved the camper to a field behind the house Wednesday morning. That was quite an experience. Andrew set up sprinklers so we could safely cut the wet grass as the fire danger is in the red zone right now. There is a narrow gate opening, which was fine, but the watering and leach field created very soft ground. The camper and truck sunk to between 6 inches and a foot. Even 4WD low was not enough to move it. They tried boards and gravel in the ruts after jacking the camper, but the jacks went even deeper. Finally, between more gravel and Andrew's tractor, we got free. He will get a load of soil to fill the ruts.

Wednesday, we went to an aquarium in Newport about an hour away on the coast. The temperatures went from 103 to 73!! It felt so good. The aquarium was very nice and the kids enjoyed it. we had dinner and headed home. Thursday night we lost power which is very rare. It came back sometime that night. The hot weather also broke that afternoon and was replaced with a cool breeze so did not need AC.

Andrew has taken from Wednesday off this week. He and Dana have been hanging 12 ft sheets of sheetrock on the walls of what will be the new game /play room. This is a separate 24 x 36 ft shed or garage in front of the house, which was full of the junk the prior owner/hoarders had. After 3 dumpster loads collected over the last 3 years, it now has mostly tools. They will put the glo forge in to start making crafts again at some point, too.

1 st location

2 field

3 game room

Dana and Andrew's next job it to move the garage door from the old house to the game room. The old garage is being demolished before it falls down. Kori's mom lives there now and her sister and neice are moving back home from NC and will live their too.

[muhamedscartsshop]

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[pepsicokesuicid]

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[thedisneychef]

Unleash the Ultimate Grilling Experience with the Best High-End Charcoal Grills

For outdoor cooking enthusiasts who demand the best of the best, high-end charcoal grills are the way to go. These grills are typically constructed with top-of-the-line materials, offer superior heat retention and distribution, and often come with a range of features and accessories to enhance your grilling experience. After conducting extensive experiments on a variety of high-end charcoal grills, our team has discovered which models stand out from the rest in terms of performance, features, and value for money. These grills are the perfect choice for serious grill masters who want to take their outdoor cooking game to the next level. In this article, we'll introduce you to the best high-end charcoal grills based on our experiments. We'll explore the top features and benefits of each model, as well as any potential drawbacks, to help you find the perfect grill for your outdoor cooking needs and budget. Here are the best high end charcoal grill 1. Best Overall: Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Touch-N-Go Gas Ignition System, Black Most people immediately think of charcoal grills and smokers when they think about Weber grills. While maintaining the stereotype, this product also provides certain unique benefits. This set-up consists of a high-end kettle charcoal barbecue that is mounted to a trolley. The frame has hooks and racks for tools and materials, as well as a stainless steel table for additional workspace. Even a bin to keep your charcoal dry is available. The grill has a movable grate that allows you to add charcoal midway through your picnic and 363 square inches of cooking space. The price tag and cooking space are tied for the barbecue with the smallest cooking area. This type, like every Weber kettle grill, is a master of air management and effectiveness. You should only require eight charcoal briquettes and two pieces of wood for a three-hour cook at 250 degrees F. You might use one bag of charcoal for the entire year. What surprised me about this grill were its advanced features. You can fire your charcoal without lighter fluid thanks to a propane ignition system. Just press the ignition and turn on the gas to watch it start. Customer Reviews Additionally, there is a digital LCD timer and thermometer that can either be removed and carried inside with you or remain connected to the top. Reason to buy: - High Quality - Highly Effective - Simple To Assemble - Charcoal Flavor - Ignition System Reason to avoid: - Cooking area is quite small. 2. Best Dyna-Glo grill: Dyna-Glo DGE Series Propane Grill, 5 Burner, Gunmetal For those who want a few extra burners and a model with Weber-like capabilities, this one is a great substitute. This specific model has five straight-tube burners made of commercial-grade stainless steel, three of which produce roughly 11,000 BTUs each, one of which is a side burner and the other is a rotisserie burner. There is more than enough cooking power 79,000 BTUs total, to meet everyone's demands. A total of 764 square inches of 7 mm stainless steel grates are heated by all this cooking power. The occasional flare-ups caused by things getting too hot are a downside we discovered with this model, although they are readily avoidable with caution. All of the components, including the grades, warming rack, and 5 stainless steel heat tents inside a double wall cover, are manufactured of high quality steel. You may be confident that this grill is long-lasting. Customer Reviews Additionally, it has a built-in temperature thermometer, a push-button ignition mechanism, a cabinet-style cart with two doors, and four heavy-duty casters for mobility. Reason to buy: - Extremely Potent - 5+1 Burners - Easy to Assemble - Strong Construction Reason to avoid: - Regular Maintenance Is required. 3. Best value: Weber Genesis II S-310 Liquid Propane Grill One of the most well-known grill series on the market right now is Weber Genesis, and their S-310 model is among the most well-liked grills for a reason. The S-310 is unquestionably a model to take into consideration for this list because of its excellent and elegant style, fantastic performance, and functionality. The primary cooking area for this model is 513 square inches, along with a warming rack measuring 156 square inches and two high-quality stainless steel work/side surfaces. The grill grates are composed of porcelain-enameled cast-iron, which gives meals attractive grill markings while preventing meat from burning. They have also been shown to endure longer than standard metal grates and to be relatively simple to maintain. This grill has three stainless steel burners that each produce roughly 37,500 BTUs, making it perfect for searing or cooking at a high temperature. It also has a Weber Flavorizer bar system, which collects drips and encourages their circulation back into the dish to enhance taste and aroma while cooking. The stainless steel burner tubes are covered by this technology, which guards against deterioration. Customer Reviews The quick electronic ignition system, a porcelain enameled shroud, the built-in thermometer, the grease management system for simple cleaning, and the cast-aluminum cookbox are further characteristics worth noticing. This grill is unquestionably among the best on the market and will continue to hold this position because to its high-quality construction, fantastic design, outstanding performance, and a 10-year warranty from Weber. Reason to buy: - Large cooking area - Excellent and Sleek Design - Sturdy Design - GS4 High Performance System Reason to avoid:  RELATED: Best Gas Grills Under $300 Of 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks 4. Best grill and smoker: PK Grills Charcoal Grill and Smoker, PK360 Cast Aluminium Portable Outdoor BBQ Grill Smoker for Camping, Barbeque, Grilling, Silver The 1952 PK Grill's wonderful features are all carried over into the Portable Kitchen PK360 Grill and Smoker, which also beefs up the build and delivers one of the most aesthetically pleasing charcoal grills we've ever seen. The grill box is bigger than the 300 square inch Classic model and has 360 square inches of primary cooking surface, but it still has the flat bottom and rectangular shape that are distinctive to PK. Additionally, there is a distinctive pairing of top left and right exhaust dampers. Corresponding bottom left and right adjustable air intake dampers. It is simple to push charcoal to one side and create two clearly separated direct and indirect zones because to the bottom's big flat surface. This grill provides optimal heat control in the cooking chambers with two adjustable air intakes and two adjustable exhaust valves. You can enjoy burgers, sear meat, hot and rapid barbecue. For slow-cooked meats like brisket, tender pork ribs, and steak, you can adjust the heat easily. Customer Reviews This best charcoal grill under $1000 has 2 zone heating. Direct heating is available in Zone 1 for a quick, sizzling char-grill. Zone 2 uses indirect heat to cook food, making it ideal for smoking and slow-cooking meats. The grill may be set up to cook simultaneously in two different heating zones. Grill, portable outdoor grill Easy to carry, sits on tabletops or other surfaces, and detaches from its stand riser for independent use. The ideal portable grill for fishing, hunting, and tailgating. Reason to buy:  - 4 point venting system - 2 zone heating - Cast aluminium capsule design - Portable outdoor grill Reason to avoid: 5. Best Charcoal Grill That Doubles as a Fire Pit: Burch Barrel BBQ Smoker Grill & Fire Pit Combo V2 Have you been looking for a reliable camping grill that also functions as a firepit? A tripod-hung camping barbeque and campfire called the Burch Barrel is available. It combines an open-fire camp grill with an Argentine-style vertical lift system, similar to a Santa Maria barbecue. Fuel can be stored at the bottom, either as wood, charcoal, or both. Additionally, the special, movable cooking and charcoal grates can be placed in a variety of locations for various heat intensities. The Burch Barrel can be used as a fire pit when you're not cooking by raising the lid with a locking cord. This one-of-a-kind smoker is likely to improve the flavor of your best dishes, regardless of whether you are a seasoned BBQ pitmaster or a backyard newbie grilling for friends. This smoker has 9 distinct heat settings and works with your preferred charcoal or flavored wood pellets. Burch Barrel is portable thanks to its foldable form, stable feet, quick setup, and quick dismantling. The height can be adjusted from 84" to 89". Its movable legs enable use on rocky ground. The tripod may be quickly disassembled when the barrel has been removed. Customer Reviews We advise keeping the Burch Barrel covered if it is kept outside. Long life and enduring performance can be achieved by regularly spraying silicone lubricant on the moving parts. Additionally, grill grate should be cleaned before each use. Reason to buy: - Boost your flavor - Fully transportable and adjustable - Simple to maintain and clean - Strong construction Reason to avoid: - Most expensive model - Very tall, may pose problems depending on the available space 6. Best-looking charcoal grill: Napoleon PRO605CSS Professional Charcoal Grill, Stainless Steel The Napoleon Charcoal Professional Cart Grill might be the solution if you're committed to using charcoal yet envious of your neighbor's flashy gas grill. Only a few high-end and luxurious BBQ companies sell charcoal grills made of stainless steel. One of the more attractive versions we've seen in this price bracket is Napoleon's Professional. This stainless steel outdoor kitchen set looks completely at home with the charcoal burner. It includes a 605 square inch cooking surface (large enough 37 burgers) and a charcoal grate that is height-adjustable with numerous notched places to move the heat closer to or farther away from the cook surface. During cooking, a front door makes it simple to access the charcoal, and the double-lined hood is a useful addition that helps retain heat. With a unique charcoal basket across the back for a dedicated rotisserie fire, the Professional Cart Grill also offers an intriguing rotisserie design. It's one of the few premium charcoal grills with that fresh appearance. The grill ticks all the right boxes in addition to being quite durable: adjustable coal bed height, strong grates, and (relatively) simple cleaning. Customer Reviews Additionally, cooking grids made of porcelainized cast iron offer consistent heating and the ideal sear for food. The grooves keep fluids against the food during cooking to retain moisture. Reason to buy: - Generous side shelves - An adjustable charcoal bed - A precise temperature loading port for charcoal. Reason to avoid: - The airflow should at least be reduced enough to stop any flares when you close the lid and the vent. Conclusion After extensive testing, we have determined that the best high-end charcoal grill is the Big Green Egg. This grill offers a unique cooking experience that cannot be replicated by any other grill on the market. It is made from high-quality ceramic materials that retain heat and moisture, allowing for precise temperature control and even cooking. The Big Green Egg also offers a wide range of cooking options, including grilling, smoking, baking, and roasting. In addition, the Big Green Egg comes with several other useful features, including a built-in thermometer, a patented air flow system that ensures consistent heat distribution, and a large cooking area that can accommodate a variety of dishes. It also has a durable, weather-resistant finish that makes it suitable for outdoor use in any climate. While the Big Green Egg is a high-end option, its performance and features make it the top choice for anyone looking for a charcoal grill that offers unparalleled cooking versatility and precision. Its unique design and construction make it a long-lasting investment that is sure to impress any outdoor cooking enthusiast. Read the full article

[shoyustuff]

Globetrotter.de Review

For those living in Europe who want outdoor gear online without paying insane shipping and currency exchange fees to buy from U.S. vendors, Globetrotter.de is a good choice. The website uses euros as its currency, and it's easy to view the site in languages other than German by using Google Chrome and other web browsers with translation capabilities.

About Globetrotter

The outfitter opened in 1979, and is now one of Europe's largest outdoor clothing and equipment retailers. The company sells more than 35,000 products from more than 1,000 brands. There are 11 brick-and-mortar Globetrotter branches in Germany.

The online store and brick-and-mortar branches do not carter to extreme bargain hunters. They offer the convenience of accessing a wide variety of outdoor clothing and adventure gear in one place. Some of the brands available are the best in the world such as Arc'teryx. It is going to be hard to find a jacket or backpack comparable to Arc'teryx for less money.  

The website has drop-down menus for specific product categories like most outfitter sites, but Globetrotter has another section called Outdoor Worlds. The section has pages dedicated to specific outdoor activities and topics such as geocaching.

Some of the pages include interviews with subject matter experts. The printed interviews include photos, a map to show the location of the expert's activity location and links to the equipment and clothing the expert uses down to their favorite type of bug spray.

The main homepage of the website features new items and the deal of the day. A recent listing for a sleeping bag was 18 percent off. The individual product pages include pricing, sizes, colors available, a brief description and options to add the item to a shopping cart for wish list. Other features included on the product pages included

Availability of the item at specific branches

Customer reviews

Suggested accessories

Recommended similar items

Those wishing to grab an item from a store with scarce inventory might want to call to reserve it.

The website offers an email newsletter with sale information. Globetrotter card members get it two days early.

There is a Globetrotter forum connected to the website. Members can talk about related topics and exchange used merchandise.

The Globetrotter website has a section dedicated to sustainability. The section includes information about environmental protection, social responsibility, supplier working conditions and the Globetrotter Foundation. The foundation supports environmental projects around the world.

The company's affiliate program is easy to join. There is an online form to link to register websites. Affiliates earn a 5 percent commission on sales. Interested parties can use the dedicated email address to send questions.

The store has an app for iOS and Android devices. Visitors can access the products the store sells and download the member magazine. Users also can use the app to scan product barcodes at the brick-and-mortar stores to quickly view more information including videos.

Globetrotter is active on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. The Pinterest photos are original and curated. There are more than 2,000 inspirational pins of the outdoors. The account is not just a bunch of product shots.

One unusual feature of the website is the news release section. It posts the latest tweets from the Globetrotter Twitter account and real news releases. There is a review tab, but the latest is from 2014.

There is search bar on the top of just about every page on the Globetrotter website. Suggestions appear in a drop-down menu as users type.

Top Features of Globetrotter

One thing that sets Globetrotter's website apart from the competition is the buying guide section. It covers everything from clothing layering to outdoor cooking. Other outfitter websites often only offer size charts.

The outdoor cooking guide includes information and advice about bacteria and how to treat water. There is a Globetrotter web TV channel that further explains and demonstrates the essentials of outdoor cooking. The channel offers information and advice on many of the products Globetrotter sells including sleeping bags and carabiners.  

The TV channel covers far more than just products. There are videos about travel, festivals, outdoor sports and expeditions.

Some of the Globetrotter branches offer classes and host outdoor events. Recently, the Stuttgart store hosted a workshop on Iceland tour preparation. Travel Practice Stuttgart is on the second floor of the branch. It offers travel advice and vaccinations.

At the Stuttgart location, there is a store within the store. Fjall Raven, the Swedish clothing and backpack maker, has 290 square meters of space in the Globetotter store.

Buying the right gear for an excursion can be serious business. Knowing which type of hiking boots or climbing harness will work best in a specific environment can be critical. Being stuck on a mountain or in some remote area of a park in Ecuador is not a good time to find out you bought the wrong kind of socks. A mobile app won't help much at that point.

Globetrotter has staff members who are experts in specific outdoor activities, and they have years of experience. Consulting with the right staff member could be mean the difference between an amazing and fulfilling expedition and losing an appendage.

The Stuttgart location offers shopping by appointment. Customers can call ahead or fill out a request form on the website to book two hours with a personal shopper who will take them through the store to find what they need for a specific excursion.  

Globetrotter Prices

All prices listed include the value-added tax. The shopping cart lists the cost of shipping in Germany and the cost to ship outside of Germany.

Customers can choose a variety of payment options including, credit cards, SEPA Direct debit, cash on delivery, giropay and PayPal. Globtrotter also offers gift cards for payment.

The Globetrotter card is a store credit card with three levels.

Orange – 3 points per euro, offers, magazine, partner discounts, invitaions

Silver – 7 points per euro, all of the above and free shipping, Christmas surprise

Gold – 10 points per euro, all of the above and birthday surprise, free fast delivery

Standard shipping takes three to four days. Expedited shipping takes one to three days. Express shipping ordered by noon can deliver items during the evening of the next day.

There is an option to order online and pick up the items at the Stuttgart branch. Customers have 14 days to return unwanted or damaged items without giving a reason. Customers can return items purchased online to a branch.

Customers who want an item not listed on the website, can place a special order request and pick up the item from a specific store in Germany. It may take four to five days to retrieve the item from the manufacturer. The minimum for a special order is 30 euros.

Criticism of Globetrotter

Although the product pages are impressive, some other outfitters list on the product page how many points members will receive on the item. It also would be nice if there was a question and answer tab on the product page. Globetrotter representatives could answer specific product questions customers may have such as “Is this rain jacket good for mountain biking?”

A comparison tool would be helpful. One of the Outdoor Worlds pages has a three-way comparison for trekking backpacks. Several online retailers offer this function from clothing stores to computer parts sites. This can be very helpful for customers who can't visit a physical store to try stuff out.

Many other online retailers offer live chat customer service. It's basically instant messaging. If anyone has ever had to deal with customer service on the telephone, he knows instant messaging can be superior. Customers can provide links to products and paste in details such as product number and size.

Globetrotter does provide the phone number email contact information to customer service in the left panel of the shopping cart page. This could be helpful for customers who are having trouble figuring out the ordering process.

Internet customers have complained about the high prices on the site but say the sales are good. There was no information on the Globetrotter website about a price-matching program. This would increase conversions and likely boost basket size.

Customer Support

Globetrotter lists its customer service phone number and email contact on each product page. The customer service hot line is not 24/7. It is available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. There also is a searchable frequently asked questions menu.

There is a return form on the website. Customers also can download the PDF. Refunds will be delivered within 14 days of Globetrotter receiving the completed form and the merchandise.  

Conclusion

Globetrotter is kind of the German version of REI, but on steroids. REI has lots of product videos on its website, but the Globetrotter web TV channel is a work of art. The only major benefit Globetrotter does not offer is the ability to book international travel packages.