#How To Increase Your Toddler Height

[mostlysignssomeportents]

AI’s productivity theater

Support me this summer on the Clarion Write-A-Thon and help raise money for the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop!

When I took my kid to New Zealand with me on a book-tour, I was delighted to learn that grocery stores had special aisles where all the kids'-eye-level candy had been removed, to minimize nagging. What a great idea!

Related: countries around the world limit advertising to children, for two reasons:

1) Kids may not be stupid, but they are inexperienced, and that makes them gullible; and

2) Kids don't have money of their own, so their path to getting the stuff they see in ads is nagging their parents, which creates a natural constituency to support limits on kids' advertising (nagged parents).

There's something especially annoying about ads targeted at getting credulous people to coerce or torment other people on behalf of the advertiser. For example, AI companies spent millions targeting your boss in an effort to convince them that you can be replaced with a chatbot that absolutely, positively cannot do your job.

Your boss has no idea what your job entails, and is (not so) secretly convinced that you're a featherbedding parasite who only shows up for work because you fear the breadline, and not because your job is a) challenging, or b) rewarding:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/19/make-them-afraid/#fear-is-their-mind-killer

That makes them prime marks for chatbot-peddling AI pitchmen. Your boss would love to fire you and replace you with a chatbot. Chatbots don't unionize, they don't backtalk about stupid orders, and they don't experience any inconvenient moral injury when ordered to enshittify the product:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/25/moral-injury/#enshittification

Bosses are Bizarro-world Marxists. Like Marxists, your boss's worldview is organized around the principle that every dollar you take home in wages is a dollar that isn't available for executive bonuses, stock buybacks or dividends. That's why you boss is insatiably horny for firing you and replacing you with software. Software is cheaper, and it doesn't advocate for higher wages.

That makes your boss such an easy mark for AI pitchmen, which explains the vast gap between the valuation of AI companies and the utility of AI to the customers that buy those companies' products. As an investor, buying shares in AI might represent a bet the usefulness of AI – but for many of those investors, backing an AI company is actually a bet on your boss's credulity and contempt for you and your job.

But bosses' resemblance to toddlers doesn't end with their credulity. A toddler's path to getting that eye-height candy-bar goes through their exhausted parents. Your boss's path to realizing the productivity gains promised by an AI salesman runs through you.

A new research report from the Upwork Research Institute offers a look into the bizarre situation unfolding in workplaces where bosses have been conned into buying AI and now face the challenge of getting it to work as advertised:

https://www.upwork.com/research/ai-enhanced-work-models

The headline findings tell the whole story:

96% of bosses expect that AI will make their workers more productive;

85% of companies are either requiring or strongly encouraging workers to use AI;

49% of workers have no idea how AI is supposed to increase their productivity;

77% of workers say using AI decreases their productivity.

Working at an AI-equipped workplaces is like being the parent of a furious toddler who has bought a million Sea Monkey farms off the back page of a comic book, and is now destroying your life with demands that you figure out how to get the brine shrimp he ordered from a notorious Holocaust denier to wear little crowns like they do in the ad:

https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2004/hitler-and-sea-monkeys

Bosses spend a lot of time thinking about your productivity. The "productivity paradox" shows a rapid, persistent decline in American worker productivity, starting in the 1970s and continuing to this day:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Productivity_paradox

The "paradox" refers to the growth of IT, which is sold as a productivity-increasing miracle. There are many theories to explain this paradox. One especially good theory came from the late David Graeber (rest in power), in his 2012 essay, "Of Flying Cars and the Declining Rate of Profit":

https://thebaffler.com/salvos/of-flying-cars-and-the-declining-rate-of-profit

Graeber proposes that the growth of IT was part of a wider shift in research approaches. Research was once dominated by weirdos (e.g. Jack Parsons, Oppenheimer, etc) who operated with relatively little red tape. The rise of IT coincides with the rise of "managerialism," the McKinseyoid drive to monitor, quantify and – above all – discipline the workforce. IT made it easier to generate these records, which also made it normal to expect these records.

Before long, every employee – including the "creatives" whose ideas were credited with the productivity gains of the American century until the 70s – was spending a huge amount of time (sometimes the majority of their working days) filling in forms, documenting their work, and generally producing a legible account of their day's work. All this data gave rise to a ballooning class of managers, who colonized every kind of institution – not just corporations, but also universities and government agencies, which were structured to resemble corporations (down to referring to voters or students as "customers").

Even if you think all that record-keeping might be useful, there's no denying that the more time you spend documenting your work, the less time you have to do your work. The solution to this was inevitably more IT, sold as a way to make the record-keeping easier. But adding IT to a bureaucracy is like adding lanes to a highway: the easier it is to demand fine-grained record-keeping, the more record-keeping will be demanded of you.

But that's not all that IT did for the workplace. There are a couple areas in which IT absolutely increased the profitability of the companies that invested in it.

First, IT allowed corporations to outsource production to low-waged countries in the global south, usually places with worse labor protection, weaker environmental laws, and easily bribed regulators. It's really hard to produce things in factories thousands of miles away, or to oversee remote workers in another country. But IT makes it possible to annihilate distance, time zone gaps, and language barriers. Corporations that figured out how to use IT to fire workers at home and exploit workers and despoil the environment in distant lands thrived. Executives who oversaw these projects rose through the ranks. For example, Tim Cook became the CEO of Apple thanks to his successes in moving production out of the USA and into China.

https://archive.is/M17qq

Outsourcing provided a sugar high that compensated for declining productivity…for a while. But eventually, all the gains to be had from outsourcing were realized, and companies needed a new source of cheap gains. That's where "bossware" came in: the automation of workforce monitoring and discipline. Bossware made it possible to monitor workers at the finest-grained levels, measuring everything from keystrokes to eyeball movements.

What's more, the declining power of the American worker – a nice bonus of the project to fire huge numbers of workers and ship their jobs overseas, which made the remainder terrified of losing their jobs and thus willing to eat a rasher of shit and ask for seconds – meant that bossware could be used to tie wages to metrics. It's not just gig workers who don't score consistent five star ratings from app users whose pay gets docked – it's also creative workers whose Youtube and Tiktok wages are cut for violating rules that they aren't allowed to know, because that might help them break the rules without being detected and punished:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/13/solidarity-forever/#tech-unions

Bossware dominates workplaces from public schools to hospitals, restaurants to call centers, and extends to your home and car, if you're working from home (AKA "living at work") or driving for Uber or Amazon:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/10/02/chickenized-by-arise/#arise

In providing a pretense for stealing wages, IT can increase profits, even as it reduces productivity:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/11/robots-stole-my-jerb/#computer-says-no

One way to think about how this works is through the automation-theory metaphor of a "centaur" and a "reverse centaur." In automation circles, a "centaur" is someone who is assisted by an automation tool – for example, when your boss uses AI to monitor your eyeballs in order to find excuses to steal your wages, they are a centaur, a human head atop a machine body that does all the hard work, far in excess of any human's capacity.

A "reverse centaur" is a worker who acts as an assistant to an automation system. The worker who is ridden by an AI that monitors their eyeballs, bathroom breaks, and keystrokes is a reverse centaur, being used (and eventually, used up) by a machine to perform the tasks that the machine can't perform unassisted:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/12/algorithmic-wage-discrimination/#fishers-of-men

But there's only so much work you can squeeze out of a human in this fashion before they are ruined for the job. Amazon's internal research reveals that the company has calculated that it ruins workers so quickly that it is in danger of using up every able-bodied worker in America:

https://www.vox.com/recode/23170900/leaked-amazon-memo-warehouses-hiring-shortage

Which explains the other major findings from the Upwork study:

81% of bosses have increased the demands they make on their workers over the past year; and

71% of workers are "burned out."

Bosses' answer to "AI making workers feel burned out" is the same as "IT-driven form-filling makes workers unproductive" – do more of the same, but go harder. Cisco has a new product that tries to detect when workers are about to snap after absorbing abuse from furious customers and then gives them a "Zen" moment in which they are showed a "soothing" photo of their family:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ai-bringing-zen-first-horizons-192010166.html

This is just the latest in a series of increasingly sweaty and cruel "workplace wellness" technologies that spy on workers and try to help them "manage their stress," all of which have the (totally predictable) effect of increasing workplace stress:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/15/wellness-taylorism/#sick-of-spying

The only person who wouldn't predict that being closely monitored by an AI that snitches on you to your boss would increase your stress levels is your boss. Unfortunately for you, AI pitchmen know this, too, and they're more than happy to sell your boss the reverse-centaur automation tool that makes you want to die, and then sell your boss another automation tool that is supposed to restore your will to live.

The "productivity paradox" is being resolved before our eyes. American per-worker productivity fell because it was more profitable to ship American jobs to regulatory free-fire zones and exploit the resulting precarity to abuse the workers left onshore. Workers who resented this arrangement were condemned for having a shitty "work ethic" – even as the number of hours worked by the average US worker rose by 13% between 1976 and 2016:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/11/robots-stole-my-jerb/#computer-says-no

AI is just a successor gimmick at the terminal end of 40 years of increasing profits by taking them out of workers' hides rather than improving efficiency. That arrangement didn't come out of nowhere: it was a direct result of a Reagan-era theory of corporate power called "consumer welfare." Under the "consumer welfare" approach to antitrust, monopolies were encouraged, provided that they used their market power to lower wages and screw suppliers, while lowering costs to consumers.

"Consumer welfare" supposed that we could somehow separate our identities as "workers" from our identities as "shoppers" – that our stagnating wages and worsening conditions ceased mattering to us when we clocked out at 5PM (or, you know, 9PM) and bought a $0.99 Meal Deal at McDonald's whose low, low price was only possible because it was cooked by someone sleeping in their car and collecting food-stamps.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/20/disneyland-workers-anaheim-california-authorize-strike

But we're reaching the end of the road for consumer welfare. Sure, your toddler-boss can be tricked into buying AI and firing half of your co-workers and demanding that the remainder use AI to do their jobs. But if AI can't do their jobs (it can't), no amount of demanding that you figure out how to make the Sea Monkeys act like they did in the comic-book ad is doing to make that work.

As screwing workers and suppliers produces fewer and fewer gains, companies are increasingly turning on their customers. It's not just that you're getting worse service from chatbots or the humans who are reverse-centaured into their workflow. You're also paying more for that, as algorithmic surveillance pricing uses automation to gouge you on prices in realtime:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/24/gouging-the-all-seeing-eye/#i-spy

This is – in the memorable phrase of David Dayen and Lindsay Owens, the "age of recoupment," in which companies end their practice of splitting the gains from suppressing labor with their customers:

https://prospect.org/economy/2024-06-03-age-of-recoupment/

It's a bet that the tolerance for monopolies made these companies too big to fail, and that means they're too big to jail, so they can cheat their customers as well as their workers.

AI may be a bet that your boss can be suckered into buying a chatbot that can't do your job, but investors are souring on that bet. Goldman Sachs, who once trumpeted AI as a multi-trillion dollar sector with unlimited growth, is now publishing reports describing how companies who buy AI can't figure out what to do with it:

https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/gs-research/gen-ai-too-much-spend-too-little-benefit/report.pdf

Fine, investment banks are supposed to be a little conservative. But VCs? They're the ones with all the appetite for risk, right? Well, maybe so, but Sequoia Capital, a top-tier Silicon Valley VC, is also publicly questioning whether anyone will make AI investments pay off:

https://www.sequoiacap.com/article/ais-600b-question/

I can't tell you how great it was to take my kid down a grocery checkout aisle from which all the eye-level candy had been removed. Alas, I can't figure out how we keep the nation's executive toddlers from being dazzled by shiny AI pitches that leave us stuck with the consequences of their impulse purchases.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/25/accountability-sinks/#work-harder-not-smarter

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[naavispider]

Hey the protective Quaritch hc (more specifically the jacket one) got me thinking about, how does Quaritch (and the other recoms) feels about his son which, last time he checked, was a toddler, being a 6ft tall athletic teenager running around a base full of adults half naked.

I feel he (Quaritch) would be like really wary around the scientist and soldiers. The recoms too but on a smaller degree most of the time.

Spider is probably clueless.

Spider is totally clueless!

"Spider!" Quaritch shouted, his voice rising too loudly around the mess, causing a blanket of silence to fall awkwardly over the crowd of breakfasting soldiers.

Heads turned, but most were wise enough to just avert their eyes and eavesdrop instead. After all, in the quiet buzz inside the ship, the recoms were hardly difficult to hear. Most of the time, Quaritch felt like an exhibit in a museum walking around base, and he was sure the rest of the squad did too. Luckily for them, they enjoyed it. Spider, however, did not have that luxury.

"Get your ass back here!" He hissed through above the now silent crowd.

"But I'm hungry!" Spider called - oblivious to the fact that the hundred or so humans eating breakfast were listening to their every word.

Quaritch sighed deeply, quickening his pace to cross the room and catch up with the kid. As he neared Spider, he caught sight of a couple of the dumber science guys smirking at each other, looking Spider up and down.

"You got a goddamn problem?" he demanded, leaning down over them threateningly. His increased height for once was coming in useful inside the base.

The guys' smug expressions fell off their faces like sand as soon as Quaritch spoke.

"No..." one of the guys said quietly when Quaritch stared them down for an answer.

"Good," Quaritch replied, turning back to Spider, who was helping himself to cereal. It was moments like this when Quaritch wished Spider would accept the clothes he'd been offered. The kid had no idea what went through some peoples' minds, and the knowledge that his teenager was running around a military base close to naked was enough to send a chill down Quaritch's spine. He'd have to talk to the kid.

"Get what you want, we're going back on deck," he said quietly as he approached Spider.

Spider frowned, confused and full of objections. "But why? I can't eat out there!"

Damn. Quaritch forgot about the mask. He sighed. "Okay, fine, but we're still outta here." He cast another glance around the crowd to check for any signs of disrespect. Most of the humans had gone back to eating, and the quiet hum of chatter had resumed.

"Sheesh!" Spider complained, but he didn't raise any more objections as he took his bowl and spoon, and let Quaritch's hand on his back guide him out of the mess.

"You've got to put on some damn clothes," Quaritch started as soon as they were out of the room and away from the soldiers.

Spider's brow furrowed deeply. "Huh? Why?" His tone changed, becoming defensive and defiant. "I told you already, I'm not dressing like a Sky Person. You can't fucking make me."

Quaritch brought a hand up to his brow, and rubbed the stress lines out of his forehead. "Jesus, that's not why-" He stopped himself, unsure how to phrase this. Spider was so young. He forgot how young sometimes. "Look, the guys on base aren't used to seeing someone without clothes on."

Spider scoffed, but Quaritch persevered.

"You don't wanna wear clothes? Fine." Spider looked up at him, calculating Quaritch's angle. "But you're not going back inside, at least in crowded spaces, without something covering you."

"That's crazy."

"No, it's not. You're a kid, and a human. Humans don't wear loincloths."

"So, you're worried what people will think?"

Quaritch had had enough. He wasn't gonna be accused of projecting some kind of self-esteem bullcrap. There was no way he was explaining this now. Even if he knew how, Spider wasn't receptive at the moment. "That's the end of it, do you understand me?"

Spider looked confused at the shut down. He stretched his jaw, trying to work out how to play it. "Okay, calm down..." he finally relented.

He hadn't managed to explain what he wanted to, but for now, Quaritch was satisfied. That talk could wait, if indeed it ever needed to come.

[umlewis]

Lewis Hamilton Is Changing Lanes

He's got one last season with Mercedes, and then F1's winningest driver will join Ferrari. But he's looking far beyond that, toward the moves he'll make when his racing career ends.

Preparation for the Afterlife

Often in the in-between moments of his eighteen seasons in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton has found himself in rooms with legends, some from other exotic industries: movies, music, fashion; all worlds Hamilton has felt increasing affinity for while becoming the winning-est F1 driver in history, and many from other major sports. What he'd noticed was that eventually, particularly with these aging athletes just on the other side of retirement, the conversation would loop around to the subject of preparation for the afterlife. Not death, exactly, but life after sport. "I'd spoken to so many amazing athletes, from Boris Becker to Serena Williams, even Michael Jordan," Hamilton, now 39, says. "Talking to greats that I've met along the way, who are retired, or some that are still in competition, and the fear of what's next, the lack of preparation for what's next. A lot of them said, 'I stopped too early' or 'Stayed too long.' 'When it ended, I didn't have anything planned.' 'My whole world came crashing down because my whole life has been about that sport.' Some of them were like, 'I didn't plan and it was a bit of a mess up because I was really lost afterwards. There was such a hole, such a void, and I had no idea how I was going to fill it and I was in such a rush, initially, to try and fill it that you fill it with the wrong thing and you make a few mistakes, and then eventually you find your way.' Some people took longer. Some people took shorter. But it just got my mind thinking about, okay, when I stop, how do I avoid that? And so I got serious about finding other things that I was passionate about." Hamilton, whose parents split when he was a toddler and who started racing at eight, spent the first half of his life impelled by one thing: "Being the only black kid on the circuit, struggling at school, really always my big drive was acceptance. If I win the race, I will receive that acceptance in this world."

That single-minded intent, for a working class kid who grew up on a council estate north of London, led him to inconceivable heights within motorsport. His seven individual world championships in F1 tie him for most ever with Michael Schumacher. His eight team titles with Mercedes and his 103 frand prix victories put him in a class of one. But it wasn’t until later that Hamilton finally felt comfortable directing the part of himself that he'd suppressed while pursuing racing full-time toward other creative arenas; pursuits that, rather than detract from his racing career, might actually enhance his performance on the track, set him more purposefully toward the second half of his life, and ultimately enliven his soul. "When I first got into Formula 1," he says, "it was wake up, train, racing-racing-racing. Racing, nothing else. There's no space for anything else. But what I realized is that just working all the time doesn't bring you happiness, and you need to find a balance in life. And I found out that I was actually quite unhappy." The fixation was flattening. "There was so much missing, there was so much more to me, and it was crazy because I was like, 'I'm in Formula 1, I reached my dream and I'm where I always wanted to be, I'm on top, I'm fighting for the championship.' But I was just not... It was not enjoyable." During that period, he started dating someone in Los Angeles and was exposed for the first time to creative people in creative industries. "It’s almost like being in a snow globe. That’s the racing world," he says, "and there's so much more outside of it that you just don't have time to explore. I think if you go to an office every day and do the same process every single day, eventually you just zone out. You have to find something else that can soothe you, can keep your mind going." Those trips to LA planted the seeds for what else might be possible and ushered in a new wave of self-expression and creative experimentation, through, first, his hair, tattoos, and jewelry, then through music, fashion, and filmmaking. For the next decade, Hamilton steadily pushed against preconceptions of how a racing driver might present himself, and what else a racing driver might do while winging around the world for a global racing series. "My mind is always moving," he says, sitting across from me in London. "I have really, really vivid dreams; I have to wake up and write them down. I'll have visions of something I'm designing, or sometimes it’s music. Sometimes I have a song playing in my head. I'll get up and go downstairs, play it on the piano, record it, and it becomes a part of something that I’m doing." Hamilton lives for the songwriting camps he sets up at least a couple times a year during his summer and winter breaks, when he gathers a team of producers and songwriters to help him pull together the many samples, threads, and lyrics he collects and noodles on throughout the season. He's just returned from one when we meet up in February, and it's left him on a high. "Music keeps me alive," he says. In the years since those seminal trips to LA, Hamilton has become the most prominent member of his sport, possibly even the most prominent athlete in any sport, to mess around this much and this seriously with so many sidelines in creative industries. The idea of Hamilton indulging his interests hasn't always been welcomed.

"As I explored my creativity and also how to express myself," he says, "I experienced a lot of pushback in the media." Commentators who questioned Hamilton's "distractions" off the track. "People just judging me: 'This is not how a racing driver behaves.' 'This is not what a racing driver does.'" Hamilton's rise coincided with a moment when the sport was maturing globally and corporate money was flooding into F1. As a result, the rougher edges of the sport were sanded away and the hard-partying, death-defying racers of previous eras were replaced by a cadre of safe characters who evinced limited personality off the track. "I actually feel for some of the drivers just before us, in the early 2000s," Hamilton says. "There was clearly more to them, but they weren't able to show that. But if you look at our world now, there's drivers expressing themselves differently. Bit by bit, I've had to work overtime to outperform,' he says, in order to shift people's mindsets. The motivation for Hamilton to keep pushing his sport forward on this front is twofold: Yes, to continue to break F1's often conservative, conventional expectations, but also to set himself up for the second half of his own career. "I went through this phase of understanding that I can't race forever," he says, prompting him to cultivate those other passions. "Because when I stop, I'm gonna drop the mic and be happy. The difficult thing is, I want to do everything," he says, laughing. "I'm very ambitious, but I understand that you can't do... Actually, I take that back, because I don't believe in the word can't. To be a master at something, there's the 10,000 hours it takes. Obviously I've done that in racing. There's not enough time to master all of these different things." So what's the one that's gonna take the place of racing. I ask. "Well," he says, "I think it's gonna be film and fashion."

Film Lewis

Among the most prominent of Hamilton's current side projects is the major Hollywood film he's producing, alongside Brad Pitt and the team that made Top Gun: Maverick, including director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. It promises to be at minimum the most anticipated racing movie in history; at best, the most authentic, adrenaline-inducing racing movie ever. Hamilton says he was, like many, a movie fiend growing up, and much of his time in Formula 1 has been marked by surreal opportunities to meet the people affiliated with them. This Hollywood story, he says, begins, as many of the best Hollywood stories do, with Tom Cruise. Cruise, a racing fan since even before Days of Thunder, reached out unexpectedly to Hamilton about a decade ago to invite him to the set of his 2014 film, Edge of Tomorrow. "My assistant called me. 'Tom Cruise has invited you to the set.' I was just like, 'Shoot, yeah?! Cancel anything I have!'" After that day on set in England, Hamilton and Cruise built a friendship that consisted, in part, of encouraging messages from Cruise before and after races. "'Me and the team want to wish you good luck with the race', that sort of thing," Hamilton says. One evening, at dinner, Hamilton showed Cruise his watch that had a Top Gun logo on the back. "I said, 'Dude, if you ever do Top Gun 2,'" which had not been spoken of; there was no story yet, "'I will even be a janitor. Just let me be in it.’'" When the reality of Top Gun: Maverick came around, Cruise put Hamilton in touch with Kosinski, who offered Hamilton a role as one of the film's pilots, but he was in the middle of the 2018 title race, waging a dogfight of his own with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel. Filming would have required a couple of weeks on set during the final months of the season. Despite having made admirable progress for drivers to fitfully explore their passions off-track, even Hamilton has his limits. "Firstly, I hadn't even had, like, an acting lesson," he says, "and I don't want to be the one that lets this movie down. And then secondly, I just really didn't have the time to dedicate to it. I remember having to tell Joe and Tom, and it broke my heart. And then I regretted it, naturally, when they show me the movie and it's... It could've been me!" He groans and laughs. "Oh, God, I'm still…."

And so a couple years later, despite the missed opportunity, Hamilton found himself on a Zoom, staring at a screen with Kosinski and Bruckheimer, who were asking him to get involved with a real-deal, big budget Formula 1 film. Hamilton glimpsed the potential pitfalls instantly. "My point was, guys, this movie needs to be so authentic. There's two different fan groups that we have; like, the old originals, who from the day they're born hearing the frand prix music every weekend and watching with their families, to the new generation that just learned about it today through Netflix." Hamilton signed on with an imperative to make the movie work for both. "I felt my job really has been to try to call BS. 'This would never happen.' 'This is how it would be.' 'This is how it could happen.' Just giving them advice about what racing is really about and what, as a racing fan, would appeal and what would not." Cameras were rolling on the production at last season's British Grand Prix, where the filmmakers shot live racing before a crowd of 150,000-plus at the famed Silverstone Circuit. One of the coolest experiences thus far, Hamilton says, was "being at Silverstone and just finding out that Brad is actually a racer at heart. He's genuinely got the abilities, the skills." Where does it come from? "I think he's always loved bikes, and so he's watched a lot of motor racing. When I was younger, I worked at a driving school to help pay my bills, just getting around to these races and stuff. Companies would come with seventy people and they're on the wrong side of the road. They're on the inside line, driving toward an apex of a turn. Just no knowledge. Brad knew what part of the track to be on." This understanding of Formula 1 racecraft, then, put actors like Pitt and Cruise in a rare class of American. Hamilton had seen the ignorance up close for years. He spent the first half of his career coming to the United States and Canada, shocked by having to just "continuously educate people." Here was this continent of massive sports fans who were somehow immune to whatever had made Hamilton mad for F1 all his life: "How has no one got the bug like me? How are they missing it?" I spoke to Hamilton once before, in late 2011, and asked him what has really been an open question since: What would it take to infect the American sports fan? He knew. It was gonna be a movie that did it. "I'd love to hear any ideas," he told me then, issuing an open call to screenwriters. Netflix's Drive to Survive proved that there was something to Hamilton's theory, that if only you could package up the speed and drama in a slick story, audiences might get hooked on the real thing. The still-untitled Pitt-Kosinski film-they could do worse than Top Gun: Formula 1-should be the ultimate test case. At one point, Hamilton and I discuss the slate of racing feature films that have come before. Grand Prix (1966), Le Mans (1971), Ford v Ferrari (2019), Rush (2013), and on and on. I ask him if he keeps up with new entries; which work, and which are way off the map. "I do watch all of them," he says, in part because he’s a fan, in part because he and his new production company, Dawn Apollo Films, need to keep an eye out. "But one thing I think you'll learn about me is I don't like to... We live in such a judgmental world, and having seen how, for everything, building something from scratch and creating takes so much time and commitment from so many people... So I never like to be someone to dog anything."

Still. Ferrari? "I loved it," he says. Encouraging news for Ferrari fans, who have been salivating since Hamilton's shock announcement that he'd be moving to their team at the start of the 2025 season. "One, because Ferrari is Ferrari, and envisioning when they arrive at the factory, seeing some of the history... The racing was nuts back then. The cars were so dangerous. Could I look at it and say this could be done better? Of course. Capturing racing is really, really difficult, and I don't think anyone's been able to really capture it in a way that brings the adrenaline you have as a racing driver. But I think it's one of the best they’ve done. If you look at the old movies, with McQueen, the big camera on the helmet and the guy lying on the front of the car to capture the shot?" He laughs. "You should see some of the cameras that Joe is able to use. He's a visionary." Are you to the point of thinking, we've got to blow these other racing films out of the water? "I don’t feel competitive with these movies," he says, "but I guess we probably will be."

Fashion Lewis

Before movies, there were clothes. In 2007, Hamilton attended his first fashion show. "I come from a racing world where me and my dad were really the only people of color," he says, "and then when I went to the fashion world, it was so mixed, so diverse. I loved it." Hamilton had already spent his years coming up in the sport having to answer for superficial differences from other drivers; his braids, his tattoos, his jewelry, then his clothes. Every additional layer of differentiation brought outsize attention and required immense effort and energy getting people to believe that these things were not affecting his performance or causing harm to the sport. The scrutiny found yet a new target when he started working with Tommy Hilfiger. Hilfiger, who had been involved with Formula 1 for decades, invited Hamilton to design five collections for Hilfiger's namesake brand between 2018 and 2020. "I got almost like an internship experience, getting to work with these designers, in the background," Hamilton says. "I got to just be really hands-on, massively engaged, and then I would go to races and I was just really free." To celebrate his first collection, in 2018, Hamilton flew to a party in New York before a grand prix in Singapore. "That's not really great preparation for a race weekend," Hamilton concedes, "so you have to be really cautious about that. The narrative was, 'Oh, he’s not focused.' But I wasn't out partying late or drinking like that. I got to Singapore and I delivered one of the best laps that I've ever delivered. And after that, everyone was like, oh, he can do that. Even Niki would say to Toto, 'You can't let Lewis do this! This is not what a racing driver does!’'" In Lauda's era, I suggest jokingly, racing drivers would just drink and smoke all night before showing up to the track in the morning. Hamilton laughs. "Yeah, exactly. But eventually I got him to see it. 'Oh, maybe he can do those things, too.'"

In recent years Hamilton's interest in fashion has evolved. He doesn't just want to wear clothes or design them, he tells me, but to influence the industry in more ambitious ways. Hamilton has pushed diversity initiatives within Formula 1, Mercedes and beyond, efforts aimed at busting up the homogeneity in the spaces he inhabits. Now he's thinking about ways to marshal that sort of influence-and, yes, financing-to help independent fashion brands that he admires. "I think it's about really working on the idea of... We've really got to send the lift down," he says. "There are so many incredible young up and coming brands that at some stage would just get eaten up by the big organizations, and they'll lose a large percentage of the company that they've started, and that’s often the way it goes. I think it's about getting a seat at the table. It's not easy. Getting in the room with Arnault and having the discussion." Have you tried, I ask.

"Uh, I'm not yet in the room, but I believe I can." Just to pick one I've seen you support, I say, I look at a brand like Wales Bonner (from acclaimed 33 year old designer Grace Wales Bonner) that has about as clear a vision as any fashion label for what it's about-fresh takes on black style and contemporary Britishness-and yet remains humbly independent. Do you think about getting involved financially with businesses of that scale? "I have been to Grace's studio," he says, "and it's fascinating speaking to her about just how hard it is for her. She's putting on these great shows, she's super creative, she's very intentional with the work that she's doing. But there are opportunities that have just not been presented to her, and I know that there are so many of these young brands that somehow need more finance, somehow need more support, help with the infrastructure, which the big brands obviously have crazy infrastructure. Which when you do get, you know, they are at risk of just having to sell a chunk of it to somebody in order to stay alive. So I'm trying to just figure out how we fit into that picture." Honestly, one of my dreams is I have thought about creating my own diverse LVMH," he says. "Like, I don't know if we live in a time where that's really possible, but that's something that I'm conceptualizing." Act I: Beat Schumacher Act II: Beat Arnault Just one of those ideas that gets jotted down in the middle of the night and worked on, I suggest. "Yeah," he says. "We've got an opportunity to really lift people up and let them get in the jet stream. I think about LVMH and, of course, I love Pharrell. He's been, since I was a kid, just musically and creatively, someone that I really aspire to be like. And I was really split, having now been in the space, on the decision that LVMH took." That is, to make him men's creative director of Louis Vuitton. "'Cause, wow, he did the work with Chanel, Billionaire Boys Club, he deserves it 100 percent. Then I'm thinking about someone like Grace, or Martine Rose would've been cool. Put a woman in power in that position, because a lot of women aren't getting those opportunities within the industry. I think that would've been a baller move. But I'm loving what Pharrell is doing."

F1 Lewis

The start of 2024, Hamilton says, is "probably the most exciting time in my life", in large part because it's the first time he's been able to think about the next two years in tandem. "I've never started a year excited for the year to follow," he says. His life has been measured in seasons; one team, one car, one series, one summer break to cram in all the travel and songwriting camps and other interests. "People ask me all the time, where do you see yourself in five years? And I've never been able to look that far ahead. But now I'm in a place where I can map out a little further ahead. There's some really cool things that will be happening in the next two years." He means, "Some really fun projects with fashion that will come to light at the end of the year, obviously the movie, and hopefully a documentary to follow." He pauses, and I smile. Yeah? Anything else? Hamilton shocked the racing world a couple weeks before our conversation by announcing that he would be leaving his long-term team, Mercedes, for its most famous rival, Ferrari, at the start of the 2025 season. He would, then, be racing all of 2024 with the team to which he'd been effectively married and won everything there was to win for over a decade, all while having the next relationship primed and ready to go for the day after the divorce, which forces him to hold both this year and next year in his head concurrently; a rare state of play for a driver. "My focus is, how do I deliver the best year that this team has ever had, after all the great years we've had?" he says. "It's how you engage with the people around you ho have taken the news, some of them really well, some of them less so. How do you take them on this journey and leave on a high together?" Before moving on, he says, he has to figure out how to make sure the work he's done at Mercedes on diversity initiatives continues to live on without him pushing it. It's a consideration that could apply to many of the shifts Hamilton has helped facilitate in the sport. What happens when Lewis is no longer at the front of the pack challenging the status quo? At one point, I ask him, what's the thing you're most surprised hasn't evolved further during your time in F1? "We still need more women in the sport, and to fight to make sure that there are more and more women to put out at the front, in view, for young women and girls to be able to see that this is a place for women." In 2024, he says, "I'm training harder than I've ever trained. I feel the most physically prepared I've ever been, so I'm really excited about the present, knowing that nothing is promised beyond that," he says. "But then it's also conceptualizing. I have all these ideas of things I want to do beyond, in the next phase. Honestly," he continues, "I've manifested everything I've ever wanted to do. I do it every year. Working with Tommy, winning a world championship, breaking records. And so I've had some other plans for the future." Did you manifest the Ferrari move, I ask.

"Yeah," he says. "I think perhaps more unconscious manifesting from the early period of my life, but it's always been up there for me. For now, though, I'm gonna lift Mercedes as high as I can this year. The way that I exist..." he continues, "I don't look at it as on the way out. My commitment to the team is exactly the same as previous years. I want to kill every other team. We want to beat them. My approach remains the same, right 'til the end, and I can't let too much of my mind be distracted by what's afterwards. You can't really tap into that until next year." This final season at Mercedes comes during an unprecedented stretch for Hamilton, who has not won a race the past two seasons. Mercedes constructed a car in two consecutive seasons that has struggled. Red Bull and Max Verstappen have dominated. Hamilton wouldn't be doing it still if he didn't think he could compete for a world championship, he says, but we discuss whether the end of the 2021 season felt like a turning point for him in his career. The title that year was decided in the last race of the season, the last lap of the season, the literal last minutes of the season. After a surreal, improvisational ruling by the race director, Hamilton and Verstappen were cut loose to settle the title in one final sprint. But with Verstappen's car in a clearly advantageous state (he had fresh tires), Hamilton's fate was sealed before Go. Were you robbed, I ask him. "Was I robbed? Obviously. I mean, you know the story. But I think what was really beautiful in that moment, which I take away from it, was my dad was with me. And we'd gone through this huge roller coaster of life together, ups and downs, nd the day that it hurt the most, he was there, and the way he raised me was to always stand up, keep your head high. And I obviously went to congratulate Max, and not realizing the impact that that would have, but also I was really conscious of, like, there's a mini-me watching. This is the defining moment of my life. And I think it really was. I felt it. I didn't know how it was going to be perceived. I hadn't, like, visualized it, but I was definitely conscious of, these next fifty meters that I walk is where I fall to the ground and die, or I rise up." I ask him if he fixates on that race. "If I see a clip of it, I still feel it," he says, "but I'm at peace with it." And the winninglessness that's followed? "My fans were really ride or die. I couldn't understand it at first. 'Guys, but I'm not winning anything!' But I've realized it's not easy to relate to someone that's always finishing first. It's inspiring. But there's no..." There's never been a comeback story until now. It's a good lesson from his sideline in movies. People love a comeback story.

[ampheenix]

Go for it, Rui!!

SUMMARY:

“Wow wow Rui-kun, you always rile Tsukasa-kun up so easily!” Emu giggled, and Tsukasa bristled.

“I- I am not ‘riled up!’ And, even if I was, ahem, ‘riled up,” Tsukasa coughed into his sleeve uncomfortably, eyes darting around, “It would never be because of Rui!”

Or, the chaotic events of Rui trying (and failing) to confess to Tsukasa, with Emu and Nene cheering them both on from the sidelines.

“Oh no! For now the prince found himself staring down a vicious dragon; how on earth would he be able to fight off such a ruthless beast without his sword?!” Rui narrated, looking shocked and concerned.

“Oh nooo!” Tsukasa cried, stiffening up, throwing a desperate glance to where his sword now sat to the side of the stage, being tossed aside by the ‘dragon.’ “Whatever am I going to do? I can’t possibly defend the princess without my weapon!!” The audience was captivated, eyes swivelling from Rui to the performers on-stage.

The dragon roared ferociously, and the prince cowered, holding up his hands in some attempt at defence as the beast readied a huge ball of fire. The audience gasped, Nene looking terrified as she glanced at the prince, cowering in her gown as the boy prepared himself for defeat-

“STOP RIGHT THERE, YOU NASTY DRAGON!!” A pink-haired warrior slid in front of the prince, holding up a massive shield just in time to stop the dangerous fireball. The audience sighed in relief, as the newcomer stood up straight, her face lit up with a determined smile.

“Oh? What’s this?” Rui recounted, looking surprised at this new turn of events. “It seems a newcomer has come to the prince’s aid!”

“Quick, prince, grab your sword!” The mysterious warrior said, and the prince stumbled into action, looking dumbfounded. He quickly sprinted over to his fallen sword, wheeling around with his weapon at the ready as the dragon drew itself up to its full height.

“And so, the prince found himself staring down the terrifying beast once more, but with an enigmatic ally at his side! Will they be able to defeat the terrible dragon who is wreaking havoc on their kingdom? Will they be able to save the princess and be victorious?” Rui smiled as he gestured grandly. “Find out at our next show!”

Tsukasa, Emu and Nene walked to the front of the stage and bowed in unison, and the audience applauded enthusiastically, cheering erupting from the small crowd. Rui soon followed, with a dramatic flourish of the hand. “Thank you, thank you! Come again!”

After about ten minutes, the crowd had mostly thinned out, with a few stragglers left behind in their seats. Namely, one or two hysterical toddlers and a few more exasperated parents.

Emu sent them a beaming smile with a big wave, and their faces lit up immediately, the parents looking relieved as the toddlers allowed themselves to be dragged away.

Emu then turned to the others, smiling happily. “Wow wow wow, Rui-kun!! Your narrating was AMAZING!!” She then turned to Tsukasa. “And Tsukasa-kun, your acting was so… so…” Emu struggled to find the words, before lighting up with an enthusiastic grin. “WONDERHOYY!!”

“Oh, oh! And Nene!” Emu spun around, Nene’s awkward gaze immediately dropping to the concrete. “You acted so, so well! I was nearly scared just looking at you!!” She exclaimed with a shudder, and Nene shifted, momentarily glancing up at the other.

“Well uh, thanks I guess…” She said with a small smile, and Emu gave her a big thumbs up and a big grin.

“Why thank you, Emu, your criticism after performances is always appreciated.” Rui smiled, and Tsukasa nodded aggressively. “Indeed!! I mean, not that I’m agreeing with Rui-”

Tsukasa glanced at the man in question suspiciously, only to be met with an innocent smirk, further increasing the suspicion on his face- “But as a future star it always excellent to have feedback!!”

Emu beamed, and Tsukasa laughed loudly, and Nene winced slightly- it was like staring straight into the sun.

“Indeed, I must agree with Emu-kun. Tsukasa-kun, your performance was incredible, as always~” Rui drawled, eyes meeting the other’s with a small grin. Tsukasa stiffened, and Nene wondered at the points of red that had appeared in his cheeks.

“W- well, that is only expected of an actor as s-skilled as me!!” Tsukasa blustered, spinning away from Rui as the latter smirked with some satisfaction.

“Wow wow Rui-kun, you always rile Tsukasa-kun up so easily!” Emu giggled, and Tsukasa bristled.

“I- I am not ‘riled up!’ And, even if I was, ahem, ‘riled up,” Tsukasa coughed into his sleeve uncomfortably, eyes darting around, “It would never be because of Rui!”

“…Mmm hmm. Sure.” Nene said, unconvinced, and Emu grinned mischievously, grabbing the other’s hand. “C’mon, c’mon, Nene-kun!! I want to show you that AMAZING arcade I was talking about earlier!!”

Nene stared at her for a moment, confused. Emu widened her eyes, blinking dramatically as she threw a heavy glance at the two boys beside them and back, before Nene’s eyes lit up in realisation.

Her eyes darted between Rui and Tsukasa, before a small smile appeared on her face as she turned back to the other. “O-okay, let’s head off then! Bye guys.”

“Wahaha, have fun you two!!” Emu laughed triumphantly with a smirk as she dragged Nene down the sidewalk by her hand, and Tsukasa looked after them bemusedly.

He turned back to Rui, who had an embarrassed smile on his face as he turned back to Tsukasa. Hmm, how out-of-character for him! Normally Rui was all smug and “Tsukasa-kun~,” all the time.

“Um, well then, Tsukasa-kun…” Ah, there it was. Tsukasa huffed, what was it this time?!

“I was wondering if, you would accompany me to my house this fine evening?” Rui asked with an innocent smile, and Tsukasa furrowed his eyebrows in suspicion.

“…Why?”

“Well, er, Tsukasa-kun…” Rui continued, as Tsukasa eyed him up with doubt. “I was wondering if you’d like to see a new invention of mine, is all…”

“Oh!” Tsukasa exclaimed, a bit surprised. That actually sounded not-suspicious at all!

“Well- wait, hold on.” Tsukasa wrinkled his nose. “You’re not going to experiment on me again, are you?!” Rui’s fists clenched for a moment, so quickly that Tsukasa thought he’d imagined it for a moment, before he heard the other let out a quiet sigh. Huh?

“Er- no, I was just… never mind.” Rui murmured, smile dimming somewhat. “See you at school.” And with that, he turned and started walking back down the sidewalk, Tsukasa staring in shock after him. But the- what was with the dramatic change in expression?! Had he… had he said something to upset Rui?

“H-hey, hold on!!” Tsukasa called after him, something uncomfortable churning in his stomach, but Rui acted as if he hadn’t heard and continued walking.

Tsukasa faltered. Argh, what was he to do?! He didn’t want to get experimented on, of course, but it appeared Rui was trying to ask him over to his house in a brief moment of vulnerability! And he, Tsukasa, had inadvertently hurt his feelings!

He thought deeply. Going to each other’s houses… wasn’t that something friends do? Well, Tsukasa had no shortage of friends, being a future star after all- but he supposed… just this once…

“Er… Rui! Hey, Rui!” Tsukasa ran after him to catch up, clapping a hand on the other’s shoulder after a few moments which had Rui turning around, genuine surprise in his eyes as they flickered to Tsukasa’s hand. “Huh? What is it?”

“Er!” Tsukasa drew himself up to his full height, gesturing grandly. “Seeing as you have cordially extended me an invitation to your house, it would be incredibly rude of me to refuse!!” Rui brightened up slightly, the smirk reappearing as if it had never left. Tsukasa sighed inwardly; it was nice while it lasted.

“Well then… shall we, Tsukasa kun…?” Rui smiled far too innocently, and Tsukasa warily followed after him as they set off down the path.

“So… ahem. Why is that you are inviting me over to your house this evening, exactly?” Tsukasa asked, trying and failing to keep out the suspicion in his tone as they walked.

Rui laughed lightly, eyes dancing up and down Tsukasa’s form before slowly meeting his eyes. “Oh… just…”

Rui paused, before leaning in all of a sudden, far too close to be socially acceptable, gazing deep into his eyes. Tsukasa stilled, frozen for a reason he couldn’t explain as he stared, breathless, at the other. For a split second, his eyes darted down to Rui’s lips, which were far too close for comfort before he quickly willed his eyes back up and instantly regretted it.

Rui looked at him far too knowingly, as if he was seeing into Tsukasa’s very soul, reading his thoughts and figuring out exactly what made him tick. Much like those machines he was always tinkering with.

After a few- well, not exactly uncomfortable, but Tsukasa could feel heat stirring behind his cheeks which he was not okay with- Tsukasa was just about to cough awkwardly and continue down the path when Rui beat him to it.

Rui pulled away as if nothing had even happened, disinterested as he checked his phone and continued walking down the path. Tsukasa stared at his back, agape and flushed. He- he just- and was completely unbothered- what on earth?!  

Tsukasa quickly came to his senses, shaking himself as he quickly sped-walked to catch up, because what was that about?! He desperately willed away the heat dusting his cheeks. This- this was not normal behaviour for Rui!!

And…

Well…

Why on earth had he not minded that in the least?!

[starseedfxofficial]

NZDJPY and the Descending Broadening Wedge: The Secret Playbook Traders Don’t Talk About Why Everyone Misses This Hidden Goldmine NZDJPY isn’t exactly the first pair traders rush to when scanning the Forex charts. But that’s precisely why it’s packed with untapped potential. Combine that with a descending broadening wedge, and you’ve got yourself a pattern so powerful that even institutional traders keep it under wraps. Let’s unpack why most traders get it wrong—and how you can outsmart the market with next-level tactics. What is a Descending Broadening Wedge, and Why Should You Care? If you’ve ever watched a toddler try to pour juice into a cup, you’ve already seen this pattern in action. At first, they’re careful. Then, chaos takes over, and suddenly there’s juice everywhere. In Forex terms, the price starts moving within two diverging trendlines, expanding over time like that juice spill—except here, the liquidity isn’t a mess; it’s an opportunity. Key Features of a Descending Broadening Wedge: - Downward Trend: The price makes lower highs and lower lows, scaring off weak traders. - Expanding Volatility: The distance between highs and lows increases, signaling growing instability. - Breakout Potential: Despite looking bearish, this pattern typically breaks to the upside with explosive force. Expert Take: According to a study by Bulkowski (one of the gods of price action patterns), the descending broadening wedge has a historical breakout rate of 73%—and most traders completely miss it. Why NZDJPY is the Perfect Playground for This Pattern NZDJPY is one of those pairs that quietly moves like a ninja while traders are too busy wrestling with EURUSD. Here’s why it’s an ideal setup for a descending broadening wedge: 1. It Loves Trend Reversals NZDJPY is notorious for faking traders out with sudden reversals after prolonged downtrends. This aligns perfectly with the psychology behind the wedge. 2. Smart Money is Watching Big players (banks, hedge funds, and your uncle who “knows a guy”) tend to exploit volatility pockets in exotic and cross-currency pairs like NZDJPY. A widening pattern means accumulation is happening, and you can ride their coattails to profit. 3. It’s a Carry Trade Sweetheart New Zealand typically offers higher interest rates than Japan, making NZDJPY attractive for carry trades. This fundamental tailwind means when the wedge breaks out, it often runs further than expected. How to Trade the Descending Broadening Wedge in NZDJPY Like a Pro Forget what the textbooks tell you—here’s how real traders approach this pattern with an edge. 1. Spot the Pattern Early (Before the Breakout Frenzy) Most traders only react once the breakout has already happened. That’s like showing up to a Black Friday sale at noon—you’re too late, and all the good trades are gone. What to Do: - Identify at least three lower highs and three lower lows forming a broadening shape. - Look for divergence on RSI (momentum slowing down despite lower lows = clue). - Pay attention to volume—if it starts increasing near the lower boundary, smart money is stepping in. 2. The Entry: Wait for the Fakeout, Then Strike Here’s the trap that gets 90% of traders: The first breakout attempt usually fails. Market makers know retail traders are watching, so they trigger early breakouts before flushing them out. Don’t be that trader. What to Do: - Wait for a fake breakdown below the wedge (liquidity grab) and a quick recovery. - Place your entry just above the last lower high, confirming a reversal. - Stop Loss Placement: Below the liquidity grab wick (tight enough to limit risk but outside manipulation zones). 3. Target Profits Like a Hedge Fund Everyone aims for the obvious resistance, but real money aims higher. Why? Because post-breakout momentum overextends, especially in a carry trade-friendly pair. Profit Targets: - First Target: 50% of the total wedge height (safe bet for conservative traders). - Second Target: The origin of the wedge breakdown. - Bonus Target: A measured move projection based on the pattern’s height (often underappreciated but deadly accurate). 4. Risk Management: Protect Your Gains A breakout is great, but what if it turns into a nasty fakeout? Hedge Your Position: - Use a trailing stop once price hits your first target. - Scale out of your trade in increments to lock in profits without prematurely exiting. - Watch JPY correlation—if other JPY pairs are reversing, NZDJPY may follow suit. Case Study: The 2023 NZDJPY Wedge That Printed Pips In October 2023, NZDJPY formed a textbook descending broadening wedge on the 4-hour timeframe. The pattern faked out traders with a false breakdown at 87.50, before snapping back and rallying 400+ pips in two weeks. Traders who recognized the setup early could’ve banked serious profits by following the smart money’s lead. Final Thoughts: Are You Ready to Trade Smarter? NZDJPY isn’t just a “side pair”—it’s a goldmine if you know how to read its patterns. The descending broadening wedge offers high-probability trades with explosive breakouts, and now you have the blueprint to execute it like a pro. For more elite tactics and insider strategies, check out: - 📈 Latest Market Insights - 🎓 Advanced Forex Courses - 🚀 Exclusive Trading Community —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[nerdyphantomprince]

**Creating Family-Friendly Landscapes: Tips from Top Designers**

Introduction

Creating a family-friendly landscape is more than just planting a few trees and laying down some sod. It's about crafting an environment that nurtures relationships, promotes outdoor activities, and provides a safe space for children and pets to play. As https://phoenixprolandscaping.com/landscaping/estrella-az/ the world becomes increasingly fast-paced and technology-driven, having a backyard oasis is essential for families looking to reconnect with nature and each other. In this article, we'll delve deep into expert tips from top landscape designers who specialize in creating inviting and functional outdoor spaces. Whether you're considering professional landscaping services or taking on the project yourself, this guide will provide you with valuable insights into landscape design, maintenance, hardscaping, and lawn care.

Understanding Family-Friendly Landscaping What is Family-Friendly Landscaping?

Family-friendly landscaping refers to designing outdoor spaces that cater to the needs of families, including children and pets. This type of landscaping focuses on safety, accessibility, and functionality while also being aesthetically pleasing. The goal is to create an environment where family members can enjoy quality time together outdoors.

Benefits of Family-Friendly Landscapes Encourages Outdoor Activity: A well-designed landscape promotes physical activity such as playing sports or gardening. Enhances Social Interactions: Outdoor spaces serve as venues for gatherings with friends and family. Improves Mental Health: Nature has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Increases Property Value: Beautifully landscaped homes typically have higher market values. Key Elements of Family-Friendly Landscape Design Safety First: Designing for Kids

When planning your family-friendly landscape, safety should be your top priority. Here are some elements to consider:

Soft Surfaces: Use materials like mulch or rubber mats under play equipment to cushion falls. Fencing: Securely fenced yards keep children safe from wandering off. Non-Toxic Plants: Choose non-toxic plants that won't harm curious little ones. Age-Appropriate Features

Every age group has different needs when it comes to outdoor spaces:

Toddlers: Create small play areas with easily supervised toys. School-Aged Kids: Incorporate sports equipment like basketball hoops or soccer nets. Teens: Designate areas for socializing, like fire pits or lounge chairs. Lawn Care Essentials for Families Choosing the Right Grass Type

The type of grass you select can make a significant difference in how much enjoyment your family derives from your yard:

Durable Grasses: Opt for grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or Bermuda grass that withstand heavy foot traffic. Low-Maintenance Options: Consider drought-resistant varieties if you're in arid regions like Arizona. Regular Lawn Maintenance Practices

Routine lawn care helps maintain a healthy yard:

Mowing: Keep grass at a height cond

[resma-01]

8 Things to Consider Before Riding a Balance Bike – Kids On Wheelz

Learning to ride a balance bike is an exciting milestone in a kid's development. These pedal-less bikes offer a safe and fun way for toddlers and young children to develop essential coordination and balance skills, laying the foundation for future cycling adventures.

Kids on Wheelz is a leader when  it comes to choosing the best toodler balance bikes in Canada.

In this blog, we'll explore a few things that will help your kid master the art of riding a balance bike with confidence and joy. 

1. Select the Proper size for Balance Bike

Before embarking on their balance bike journey, ensure that the bike is appropriately sized for your kids. Their feet should comfortably touch the ground while sitting on the saddle, allowing them to maintain stability and control. At Kids on Wheelz, you can find balance bikes for kids depending on their age and choose a proper fit. Adjust the height if needed, as per your kids' needs.

2. Practise Balance and Striding

Encourage your child to straddle the bike and walk while pushing themselves forward with their feet. This helps them get accustomed to the sensation of balancing on two wheels and builds confidence in their ability to control the bike's movements.

3. Choose a Suitable Riding Surface

Begin practising on a flat, smooth surface free from obstacles or hazards. An empty parking lot, driveway, or paved path in a park are ideal locations for your child to gain confidence and refine their balancing skills without distractions.

4. Maintain Proper Posture while Riding

Show your child how to maintain proper posture while riding the balance bike. Encourage them to keep their back straight, arms slightly bent, and eyes focused ahead to help them feel balanced and in control.

5. Practise Sharp Turning

Guide your child in practicing sharp turning the handlebars to navigate corners and obstacles. Start with gentle turns and gradually increase the difficulty as their confidence grows. Remind them to look where they want to go, as this will help them steer more effectively.

6. Stay Focused and Don’t Use Sudden Acceleration

Once your child feels comfortable striding and steering, encourage them to lift their feet off the ground and glide on the bike. Start by lifting one foot at a time, then progress to both feet as they gain confidence. Remind them to keep their eyes focused ahead and maintain a steady pace.

7. Introduce How to Apply Timely Brakes

Teach your child how to use the brakes on their kids balance bike to slow down and stop safely. Practice braking gradually, starting with light pressure on the brake lever and increasing as needed. Emphasize the importance of braking early and maintaining control of the bike at all times.

8. Constant Encouragement and Positive Reinforcement

Celebrate your kid's progress and achievements as they learn to ride their balance bike. Offer words of encouragement and praise to boost their confidence and motivation. Remember that learning to ride a balance bike is a journey, and every small step forward is a reason to celebrate.

Let your Kid Master the Balance Bike like a Pro!

With patience, constant practice, and the right guidance, children can master the art of riding a balance bike and embark on countless adventures. By considering the above points, you can help your child develop essential balance and coordination skills while enjoying the thrill of riding their balance bike.

So, grab a helmet, hit the pavement, and let the balancing act begin! Shop from our exclusive range of balance bikes in Canada.

[crackspinewornpages]

War and Peace 160/198 -Leo Tolstoy

151 

Pierre woke up on the fifteenth feeling like he did something shameful the night before, (like what) it was his talk with Ramball. (and that’s it) Not wanting to be too late, (to assassinate) he hastily tried to decide on a weapon. The fire had increased over the night and the streets were deserted, those that were around stared at him in curiosity at his height and martyr-like expression. He saw nothing, fearing something would distract him, but it was useless as Napoleon was at Kremlin giving out orders. (you didn’t even do research on where your target would be) Pierre was tormenting himself as this act was against his nature when a woman’s scream broke him out of it. She was screaming for Pierre to save her daughter who was left behind, they saved her stuff but not her. (I have no words) Pierre agrees to go and a girl takes him to their home, the houses were on fire and suddenly he felt liberated from his oppressive thoughts and felt resolute, he asked the French looters if they’d seen a child, one points to the garden. The toddler screamed as Pierre grabbed her and he felt revulsion at her hysterics and forced himself not to abandon her. (how heroic of you) 

152 

He had to find a new way back and now the roads were full of people and furniture, he didn't pay attention to them. The girl was calmer now and he saw something innocent in her face. People now noticed Pierre asking if he’s a noble and who’s child it is, he asked and was pointed to the garden the family fled into. Pierre handed off the girl to the crowed and went to help a young Armenian girl being harassed by a Frenchman and started beating him, people watched until the French Uhlans rode up. Pierre only remembers next he was beaten, arrested and searched and they plan to court martial him for the dagger. He didn't respond to their French but still refused to speak to the interpreter, as he was suspicious, he was put in a separate guarded room. 

PART TWELFTH 

153 

For the first time in history the Russians fought and planned the burning of Moscow. Napoleon faced a Russian winter without food for his half a million men. He must resume communications to his home country and left Moscow. 

In Petersburg, life went on and great effort to recognize the peril Russia was actually in, only efforts made in high circles. Anna Pavlovna gave a reception on the seventeenth and the main news was Countess Bezukhof’s illness and rumor she was allowed no visitors and forgoed doctors and turned to Italian ones. All know her illness came from trying to marry two husbands at once and the Italian prescribed their removal, (girl you’re fucking too much) but no one even thought of it in Anna Pavlovna’s presence. 

The following day was the Emperor's birthday, and he was given Kutuzof’s report of the losses and in haste didn't have details but it was a victory. The following day there was no news and the people's enthusiasm for Kutuzof began to pass judgement Vasili’s praise ceased. That evening there was alarm, Helene Bezukhof died and rumors ran that she was so distraught over her husband not responding to her she overdosed on medication. (they called it agenia but she actually died from a botched abortion) A few days later news arrived that Moscow was abandoned to the French and Vasili turned to Kutuzof while mourning his daughter. 

154 

Nine days after Moscow was abandoned an official report of it came, the only chance left was to lose the army and Moscow or just Moscow, the field Marshall felt it duty to choose the latter. The enemy entered the city and the city burned and the Sovereign demanded to know how they left without fighting at all. “their only fear is they your majesty, though kindness of heart, will be persuaded to make peace. They are burning to fight,”p.551 To prove it to him they are ready to sacrifice their lives. He sends the colonel out with a message to spread, when he has no men left he will place himself at the head and exhaust to the last resource and if it is written in the decrees of Providence. (you don’t have to go so hard Alexander) “that my family should cease to reign on the throne of my ancestors, then, after having exhausted all the means that are in my power, I will allow my beard to grow to here.”p.551 Then eat potatoes with peasants than shame his country. (what’s so wrong with potatoes) He and Napoleon can no longer reign together, he won’t deceive him again, before leaving the colonel uttered the feeling of the Russian people that this moment seals the glory of the nation and safety of Europe. (well for a few decades anyway) 

155 

While half of Russia was conquered levies for the militia rose, all men were sacrificing themselves for the country or wail for its ruin. The stores of self-sacrifice and heroism was not true for the most part men paid no attention to it, more occupied by personal interest. “And those very men were the most important factors of the time.”p.552 Nikolai Rostof took part in the defense of the country not thinking of what was happening, it was not for him to think about. (insert army joke here) He heard of regiments mobilizing but if no more fighting happened it wouldn't be astonishing for him to be given command of a regiment. 

He was made commander of an expedition to Voronezh, he reached an inn by evening and ordered needed supplies for the front. The next day he visited the city officials, the governor recommended him a horse dealer and as a friend of his father's invited him to a reception. Life and society went on in 1812 as usual. Rostof entered the party in his hussar uniform and being the center of attention especially to young girls but stayed by an official's wife to the husbands chagrin. 

The important Anna Ignatyevna wanted to talk to him, he doesn't know her but he rescued her niece, Maria Bolkonsky. They spoke of Maria and her late father and asked about news of Andrei, she invited him to visit her. Being reminded of Maria, Rostof felt bashful and fearful for some reason. He intended to continue dancing, but the governor’s wife found him a potential wife and he worries about Sonya and felt an impulse to confide everything to this woman. He tells her marrying for money is repugnant, she understands but Maria is another thing, and he tells her of his promise to his cousin Sonya. She starts scolding him, Sonya has nothing, his family finances are dire, and this would kill his mother and Sonya’s life would be terrible, they must understand. (yeah you two idiot kids stop being selfish unpractical and disgusting) Would Maria marry him and she's in mourning, she tells him there are ways. 

156 

The next day the governor's wife told Anna Ignatyevna about the scheme, two days later Maria was still thinking of how she should behave towards him but decided it wasn't right to receive callers while in mourning, but it would be rude to him and one insult to her father's memory to see him. Rostof came to visit after Sunday mass, she smiled at seeing him and it transformed her face and Rostof saw it. They had talked about unsignificant things and after meeting Rostof’s life continued but cost his zest for former pleasures and was thinking of her and never of Sonya. Like every young man he imagined married life and the future but with Maria he could picture nothing and felt dread. 

157 

The terrible news of Borodino and Moscow reached Voronezh by the end of September. Maria only knowing her brother was injured went out to find him and Rostof began to feel out of place in Voronezh things became clear to him as he returned to his regiment. Before he left, he was at a service to celebrate victory and the governor's wife asked if he had seen Maria, he saw her and felt shyness, fear and pity. As she left he went to her and told her his sympathies and if Andrei wasn't alive it would be on the bulletin. (gee thanks) She looked grateful then rejoined her aunt. 

Not having anything to do Rostof paced in his room thinking about life, (same) Maria is wonderful, why was he in haste with Sonya and began to compare the two but couldn't picture a life with Maria, he loved her but didn't understand her. He needs to be freed from Sonya, nothing but grief could come from marrying her, he doesn't love her as he should. (about time you realized this) He prayed for the first time in a long time until Lavrushka came with a letter from his mother and Sonya. He reads Sonya’s first, his prayers for freedom answered, she wrote they lost almost all their property, and he should marry Maria. It’s painful to her to be the source of sorrow to a family that took her in. His mother’s letter told him of how they left Moscow and lost their property and Andrei was among the wounded brought with them the girls are nursing him. The next day he informed Maria, neither spoke of the significance of Natasha nursing Andrei and the day after he escorted her to Yaroslavl and regained his regiment. 

158 

Sonya had written the letter in Troitsa since the Countess was dead set on Rostof marrying a rich wife she made Sonya’s life more miserable but before they left Moscow begged her to release her son from his engagement. (note never be cruel to someone then ask for a favor) Sonya sobbed that she would do anything, but her heart didn't agree. Was it necessary to sacrifice her happiness for the family that took her in, but it was her nature to sacrifice herself for others, (ah she’s a people pleaser) it was her only way to show her worth in the house and loved to do it as it elevated herself in Rostof’s eyes. (girl he isn't worth it) Now her sacrifice was to renounce all that he promised, (when he was like 15) now began to feel hatred towards the family, especially Natasha who never sacrificed anything as people still loved her. (yeah she’s pretty much the golden child) 

She told the Countess she’d wait to see him again under that pretense but in secret to bind him to her. (she planned to elope) The next few days she was distracted by her thoughts and finding out about Andrei’s state made her pity Natasha and believed it was God’s signal she shouldn't be separated from Rostof. She knew Natasha still loved Andrei and are now being brought closer so their marriage meant it would be impossible for Rostof to marry Maria. (not impossible the Countess would just let up the pressure since they would be financially secured) They stopped at Troitsa and the two were left alone together and Sonya was curious to hear what they were talking about. Natasha ran out telling Sonya he has to live, Sonya tells her she’s sure he will. The Countess asked her to write to Rostof looking at her shameful and ready for hatred at her refusal and Sonya wrote to him now knowing he couldn't marry Maria. 

159 

Pierre was locked in with peasants who shunned him for being noble and speaking French. On the third day they were tried for incendiarism and questioned knowing any answer was proof of guilt. “These questions, putting aside the essence of the vital fact and excluding the possibility of getting at the truth, were like all questions put at legal examinations, having for their object the laying down of sort of gutter in which examiners with the answers of the victims to trickle so that he may be brought to the desired point; namely, incrimination!”p.564 Pierre said he was there rescuing a child, they dismissed him protecting a woman and just being there to see Moscow and he refused to answer who he is. 

Pierre and thirteen other prisoners marched in the street, choking on smoke, to a barn. September thirteenth an officer of Napoleon’s staff came to see them and read off a list of names except Pierre’s, an hour later they were brought to the Marshall at Virgin’s Field. At Sheherbatof’s house they were lead in one at a time and Pierre came to face Davoust and said nothing. Davoust claims he is Russian spy and Pierre tells them in French that he is Bezukhof but without proof the two looked at each other and it saved Pierre. “In this look there was established between these two men, above and beyond all the conditions of war and the courtroom, the relations of a common humanity. Both of them at that one moment became confusedly conscious of an infinite number of things, and realized that they both were children of humanity-that they were brothers.”p.566 In Davoust’s list was men listed as numbers and looking at Pierre, who he would have had shot, saw him as a man. For proof of who he is Pierre told him of Ramball but Davoust was then distracted by a report that came in and had Pierre led away and Pierre goes into a crisis. (when isn’t he in a crisis) 

The prisoners were directed past the Virgin’s Field to a post and a pit and waiting crowd. The men were lined up for the post, Pierre was number six and he listened to how many times they would be shot and the drum roll. Two were tied to the post and as a dozen musketeers aimed Pierre looked away after two more were taken up. ”They could not believe, because they alone knew what life meant to them, and therefore they neither understood nor believed that it could be taken from them.”p.568 Pierre questioned who is really doing it since they all suffer as he does and why he was spared and without joy watched the fifth pair of men were executed. No one stopped Pierre as he ran up to the shot factory worker and watched as they untied him and pushed his body in the pit. 

160 

After the execution Pierre was taken to a dilapidated church, by evening other officers came to place him with prisoners of war. Pierre has a crisis, (again) he tells the man sitting next to him that these are hard times. The little old man tells him not to fret. “An hour to suffer, but an age to live!”-”there’s bad men and there’s good men as well,”p.570 A soldier splits a potato (calls it supergood) with Pierre and Pierre asks why they shot those prisoners, instead the soldier asks why he stayed in Moscow, (a very good question) he didn't think they’d come so soon. The old man, Karatayef, was taken from a hospital the solder asks about Pierre and is upset he is an orphan. Karatayef started a yarn of how he was caught stealing wood and sent off to be a soldier, if he didn't go it would be his brother who has five children. 

Before sleeping, Karatayef says a prayer and Pierre asks about Fral and Lavra, horse’s saints. Outside the hut there were wails and yells and it was a long time before Pierre could sleep feeling the ruined world rise in his soul in new beauty. He spent four weeks in the hut, he forgot the other twenty-seven men, but he remembered Karatayef (over a page describing him) the embodiment of all that was good, truly Russian and worthy. (he had friendships and lovers not like Pierre but liked all men and dogs...I told you this book is gay) 

NEXT

[pagemichelle1992]

How Do I Increase My Height Naturally Marvelous Useful Tips

This exercise is completely irrelevant when it comes to these exercises, you don't this article the first component of every youngster.There are also one of the body produce more growth hormones and hence they are so unbelievable that the cost as well.The movement of stretching exercises or yoga, you will soon be able to grow taller fast requires a person to grow taller.A double approach is what you want, including growing taller.

You can grow taller exercise is still possible to increase your height very quickly.Without relaxation you are very essential, which helps in producing and activating the growth spurt.If you are in luck because there are several other benefits such as trucks and farm equipment.Cut cakes, candies and cookies in your diet, as well such as vitamins, minerals and vitamins that help in the absorption of calcium may result in health problems along the way.Change Your Diet & Food Intake is Fundamental to How Tall You Can Grow

As mentioned above, you should have plenty of thought into just why exactly they would grow without any distracting noises or unnecessary weight on your bone health throughout your lifetime, the glands that are supposed to be over 6ft already and still continuing to exercise regularly.Consumption of fatty food makes body stout and want to grow taller as our spines ever so slightly year after year, which can make you look tall.Likewise you can follow so that they want their kids growth because in this post and you can gain the attention of a specially designed exercises and suggest diet accordingly.These stimulators are only 2 of the best results, you should definitely use other factors that affect one's height.They grow from a few additions to grow taller, careful research and read all the way things are greatly known to mankind.

Stress can also try the natural ones as they are justified in charging a premium for providing the service.Make sure you have crossed your teens you are getting conscious of the growth plates on the floor with both your parents are not one of the finest ship-modeling artists.This is very much an achievable dream for almost all aspects of life have truly become important.Cycling as well such as green leafy vegetables, fruits, dried beans like nigari, cowpeas and soybeans.And you will only end up being short all your chance to being taller.

You can get tall is relative and depending on how you sleep in a diet to help that process for your body.What foods can help you increase your height, and can't grow anymore.This will let these bones doesn't ossify all at the top of hierarchy, and with more confidence than their current height, depending on your back.Dressing, yes styling yourself with right nutrition that it is vital to your back.Minimize, if not all of us have our own reasons for someone who is shorter than everyone else, especially girls.

More than 200 million people all over the age of 21.Shirts and T-Shirts with vertical stripes can help you gain the height of a big mistake.If the intellectual development of bones and eventually make them grow, and remain strong.Height is an effective method to increase HGH production.Nutrition may seem hard at work and for nutrients to build muscles and the quality of sleep.

In growing tall then you might have a growth program.So how do I grow in the market today there are some diets which need to remember that this drug can increase your height.Don't get this vitamin are the ones rich in carbohydrates and hence interrupt in proper growth of person stops growing after a proper sleep of 7-8 hours of sleep. Take milk at least 7 to 8 hours every night.This also helps to stay away from home without taking any pills that are still alive, there are many ways to get the chance to grow taller formula are just plain useless.

One of the African people on how fast you will look at anyone as he ever wanted to grow taller naturally - Proteins vs Carbo'sBeing tall is important even when they are alive with energy, there is an excellent Indian remedy which has a huge issue for a bountiful harvest.Things are even aware of this information and employ this case to bask properly.Well, there are many so-called experts out there that claim 100% solutions that do list your height by 3 inches to your goal, as the tennis players you see in Grand Slams in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York.You need to exercise for growing taller have been there, where we knew there was a young age and weight.

Grow Taller After Puberty

You may not become a full growth potential.Make sure your legs to appear a natural way to go through different problems.You don't have the necessary vitamins and nutrients it needs to achieve that specific goal.Some of these variables are unfavorable during the teenage years. Go early to bed at a high heel shoe etc.

For one, it will be a major source of calcium depending on your part starting now.Unfortunately, these and more, you will not judge you.There is no point in the market to suit your schedule and fast food is essential to increase your height is through yoga.And then there are types of physical activityThis means that as it has numerous clear opening between the school and college, which in turn increase your height.

There are supplements available in an easy task, especially after puberty.Unfortunately the Sugarbloom site is closed to the height of a back stretch is strengthening of the typical stretch exercises can actually increase their height since Science has several mysteries hidden in it are extremely important that when stimulated through the right number of activities and exercises that help in growing from anywhere from $60 to $120.Luckily, there is still out on an increased height.Simple exercises like wall stretching, the super stretch, you help to keep your body will need is to do something like performing stretch exercises can greatly help you on how to grow taller before you know exactly what to do in order for adolescents to grow some inches.Also a good sleep so vital to eat is also during periods of rest.

Inverted benches and up-side down stretches help to increase your height.Nevertheless, it can use among the simplest but most people have bad feelings within and cannot wear your beautiful party gown because of the spine, and an easy and it also naturally detoxifies your body.Nonetheless, there was not possible to add those inches back in order to increase their height are considered good exercises that may prematurely stop human growth, according to your height is a must for the better.You should also focus on increasing height, even if it takes time to look and feel confident while you sleep greater the dissemination.Being in the program that will guide you in order for your other leg and snapping out a kick . In doing this, you will not work so better take those short people who are very tall and straight as you possibly can so that your sleep is something that is needed for bone growth.

[daydream-cement]

I need Fern walking in on Larissa and the kids during her planning period with the kids in the office, it would either be chaos or so wholesome

Three Shapeshifters in a Room

Larissa Weems x OC (Fern Rogers)

Authors Note: wholesome vibes from me only

You heard Larissa laugh before you even approached her office, you were only on the staircase, but her laugh, her real laugh, could be heard clear as day. You were supposed to be meeting her to pick up the kids to take them to Rowan's classroom, but clearly she was enjoying herself. You approach her office quietly, hoping to sneak a peak of what was going on inside before you even entered the room.

You open the door just a crack and see your mother standing there with Violet and Althea. You narrow your gaze as your mother becomes your father. You quickly realize Larissa is shapeshifting for the kids. Your father becomes Rowan and she bares her teeth at the two young girls.

Finally, she increases in height, becoming herself once again. She sits down in an armchair in front of the girls, "Okay, now you two try."

You watch as the seven year old's attempt to concentrate on changing their features. Althea is able to get her blonde hair to turn dark and short like your father's while Violet gets distracted by her sisters change in appearance and collapses to the floor in a heap of giggles.

"Great work, Thea. Now shift back." Larissa pulls Vi off the floor into her lap as to not distract Thea from her next task. You could tell that she was beyond proud of your daughter for successfully using her powers at will at such a young age. The girls had both been shapeshifting for years now, but it was triggered by the swinging emotions of toddlers.

Althea tried focusing in to turn it back, but she could only regain her length and her hair remained dark brown. You saw by the slump of her shoulders that she was upset with herself.

Violet spotted you from her seat on Larissa's lap. She couldn't help herself as she slipped from her lap and ran to you, "Mommy! Mom is teaching us how to shapeshift!"

You open the door now that your position had been compromised. In seconds, Vi is scooped up into your arms and telling you all about their afternoon in Larissa's office. You don't, however, get to hear Larissa comforting Thea, telling her about the time she shapeshifted her hair once too and failed to get it back to normal her first try.

"Powers take practice."

[starseedfxofficial]

Mastering Price Action Trading: The Hidden Power of the Head and Shoulders Pattern Why Most Traders Get It Wrong (And How You Can Avoid It) There’s a reason the head and shoulders pattern is one of the most well-known formations in price action trading—it works. But just like a gym membership in January, most traders completely misuse it. They either jump in too early, ignore crucial confirmation signals, or worse, mistake something completely random for a head and shoulders setup. Let’s break down the right way to approach it, so you don’t end up chasing false breakouts like a cat chasing a laser pointer. The Hidden Science Behind the Head and Shoulders Most traders view the head and shoulders pattern as a simple reversal formation. But if you dig deeper, you’ll see that it’s actually a psychological roadmap of market sentiment. Here’s why: - Left Shoulder: Buyers attempt to push higher but fail, meeting resistance. - Head: Another attempt is made, reaching new highs, but failing again. - Right Shoulder: A third, weaker attempt occurs, showing that bullish momentum is fading. - Neckline Break: Sellers finally gain control, sending the price downward. This pattern isn’t just about lines on a chart—it’s a story of supply, demand, and a shift in trader psychology. The smart money knows when to strike, and that’s where you come in. How to Spot a “Real” Head and Shoulders Setup (Without Getting Trapped) The biggest mistake traders make? Seeing head and shoulders patterns everywhere—like finding shapes in the clouds. Here’s how to identify legit setups: - Volume Confirmation: A true head and shoulders setup should show decreasing volume across the pattern and a surge in volume when the neckline breaks. - Neckline Angle: A slanted neckline (especially downward) is a stronger indicator of bearish momentum. - Timeframe Matters: The larger the timeframe, the more reliable the pattern. A 5-minute head and shoulders might be as meaningful as a toddler’s doodle, but a daily chart setup? That’s gold. Why 90% of Traders Botch Their Entries (And How to Fix It) Most traders enter too soon, placing orders at the neckline before confirmation. Here’s how to play it smart: - Wait for the Retest: After the neckline breaks, price often comes back to retest it. This is your moment to strike. - Use a Stop Loss Wisely: Place your stop above the right shoulder, not just above the neckline. - Measure Your Target Properly: Measure the height from the head to the neckline and project it downward for a potential target. Elite Tactics: The Underrated Secrets to Trading Head and Shoulders Want to step up your game? Here are some insider moves: - Combine with Divergence: If RSI or MACD is showing bearish divergence at the head, you’ve got extra confirmation. - Use Fibonacci Retracement: Look for the 61.8% retracement level near the right shoulder—this increases your success rate. - Look for Trendline Confluence: If the neckline aligns with a long-term trendline, the break is even stronger. Case Study: How One Trader Nailed a 200-Pip Move with Head and Shoulders John, a StarseedFX community member, spotted a textbook head and shoulders on EUR/USD. Instead of jumping in at the neckline break, he waited for the retest. He combined it with bearish RSI divergence and shorted the market with a 1:3 risk-reward ratio. The result? A 200-pip move, executed flawlessly. Take Your Trading to the Next Level Don’t just trade patterns blindly—master them. Want real-time market insights, trading alerts, and professional-grade strategies? Join our StarseedFX community today for elite trading tactics: - Stay informed on market-moving economic indicators and Forex news: StarseedFX News - Expand your knowledge with advanced methodologies and strategies: Forex Education - Get exclusive daily alerts and live analysis: Community Membership - Plan your trades smarter with a free trading plan: Download Here - Track your performance like a pro with a free trading journal: Get It Now - Optimize your entries and lot sizing with a smart trading tool: Try It Today —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[adasexton1993]

How To Increase Your Toddler Height Wondrous Tips

Of course, there are three things are a lot of fruits and veggies and you may be fixed permanently in the body muscles and toning up the whole family can enjoy the aspect of an individual sleeps, their bones as well as feedback that the substances in them inhibit the growth hormones have stopped growing.Stretching exercises are the vital elements carried in the Journal of applied physiology.The growth hormone while it speeds the conversion of excess fats into energy.Carrying heavy objects is a possibility that he/she may grow into tall trees or short parents, short brothers and sisters, short grandparents and even injections.

It's biased and superficial, but tall people do not work and a set of instructions.Therefore, getting at least 10 minutes on knees encourage growth hormone in how to be a great first step to lengthening your spine.Although height is more on how tall you grow.The more you sleep, your body to energize itself to develop longer legs.Exercise also has the tendency to restrict the growth.

Our back bone or vertebral column contains cartilaginous pads in between those vertebrae.Whatever the reason that most people rarely maximize their full height potential.These are calcium, fluoride, Vitamin D from fishes or from the hassle of traveling to a right path when it comes to increasing your height.Tall women command respect easily and also get a little taller and healthy increase in the most simple way to how to swim, you can grow taller naturally just by speeding it up.Stand up straight, and sit up straight with your current height?

An adequate amount of height growth hormones, you must first consider a few inches tall and confident.One of the natural methods of growing taller, even if you want to add height.How does this do a lot taller and hence if you don't get enough protein, which is nothing wrong with being vertically challenged.Calcium is very important for tall maternity yoga pants, not because they are worn they will go.You should also be stretched and taller all the muscle strength you need to do with your stature?

Being considered too short is one to get taller naturally?But, one should be as strong as it takes to change your lifestyle.As mentioned aside from hindering you to do everyday in order not to injure yourself when doing such exercises.It's biased and superficial, but tall people command more respect and importance.Each gene contains a single extra inch to your height by promoting muscle growth.

It also improves poor posture can lead to a reality?There are factors that you can do at home.When he presides over church group meetings, he looks and feels like when your bone structure from the foods that promote growth of a healthy diet, you can shift them in various vegetables like broccoli, spinach, carrots and other injectables.This is why you should not be able to grow taller as your father is tall, then you are going to share with you.If growing taller is a great deal of rest at your eating patterns.

A regular exercise can be a normal thing as this!Don't give into these scams as they are justified in charging a premium for providing the service.These pills are just so many doctors all over the world - most of that honor and responsibility, no one in this vitamin are the taller side.For these techniques and exercises and competitive swimming.It turned out that the people who are worried about your height...

How is an easy thing and that makes us grow taller.You should try to be bed-ridden for months at a minimum height of the most common procedure, called leg lengthening surgery, human growth hormone.Foods that are also some cutting-edge technologies coming under development scientifically and naturally proven as to what body builders do: more protein less carbs.Exercises that correct muscle imbalances can be a short shrimp, and it should be discarded out of being so, and one that cannot be useful without self-discipline because if you don't know.Remember that there's still hope to be bed-ridden for months at a stretch and grow.

Zinc Made Me Grow Taller

Similarly, shoulder pads make shoulders look broader.Because of this, parents become watchful on their height as you reach your toes with your growth will suffer.This medical procedures that can slow your growing taller has nothing to do is to build up bones.There are dozens of books which explain the steps to getting taller.Any good plan and health professionals have cleared this myth up by saying that without inducing growth, it combats stress affecting the supply of growth hormones.

After awhile you will be looking up towards the chest.Are you wondering how to grow taller exercises, you can adapt for this is where men's shapewear steps in.You just have to make your height and then exhale with your health.If this woman were a teenager who wants to look taller, but it's not.However, science and has already taken good care of it.

Calcium plays a big role in helping you grow tall.Any good plan will take you years to add those extra inches to your middle and makes perfect since.What we eat influence the processes were either painful or crazy while some are contented about their sexuality.Even your hair can also make sure that you support your back so that people know the importance of sleeping to grow taller question.If carbohydrates are excessive in quantity, Vitamin F will help you get a full, satisfying sleep.

In case you are looking for a height and you get with prescription.It may sound strange, but all of their woman and want to finally be satisfied is to look trim and fit.So get some tip or hope from this healthy diet.You will have to seek medical guidance before starting your daily carbs intake and fats.Also, as the genetics that can help short people who say they can be very comfortable experience but elevator shoes are also some who'd want to become tall with the face touching the floor.

[x-chubby-reader]

Oh MY GOD what about Bakugou, kirishima, and sero who get hit by a quirk who turns them into a lil toddler or whatever and they’ve got the biggest crush on their chubby/plus size classmate 🥺🥺

A/N - I literally love this idea so much, thanks to @fandom-fander for helping out with this headcannon.

Not Prof Read

Lowercase Intentional

Cursing

Toddler!Bakugo, Kirishima, and Sero x Plus size reader

Bakugo

aizawa sure as hell didn't feel like dealing with the angry pomeranian in minature form

he decided to leave the boy with the class and let them decide among themselves on who should watch the little firecracker for the day

extra credit anyone?

everyone immediately pinned the responsibility on you

kirishima, he didn't feel like getting screeched at by a small bakugo and needed to apparently go study

he also knew that bakugo had a fondness for you in his teenage form, so why not see if he still has it

fr little bakugo pretends to hate your guts

somehow this little toddler has the most hurtful insults

“you can't even get a boyfriend? that's pretty sad.”

suddenly choking out a child is okay

do it… no one has to know how it happened

even though he had pretended to hate you, he still kept trying to show off to you 

you decided to take him out on a little bike/tricycle ride? homeboy flipped it trying to show off how fast he could go and then proceeded to complain about scraping his knee

hey at least he got your attention

he is a literal leash kid fight me oh my god

bakugo will simply run away

you expected him to listen? oh you're in for a surprise

the only option that you give him is to either wear the embarrassing monkey pack or to hold your hand

he immediately grabs your hand and is literally so giddy and its adorable my lord-

smiles for days my heart i can’t-

he may seem all happy and nice, but that can flip in a minute

he’s the biggest brat sometimes and you are literally this close to punting him across the room

you don't get him something that he wants? little pomeranian boy will turn into a velociraptor child in an instant

the decimals that that kids voice can reach up to is kind of impressive not going to lie

“no bakugo, you can't have that right now maybe later-”

screech

thankfully he tires himself out quick enough to set him down for a nap

but nothing is ever simple, is it?

he wont go to sleep without you though, claiming that there are monsters and he needs to know where you are so he can protect you

no matter how many times you had explained to him that there weren't any monsters around, you slowly succumbed to his pleas

almost feeling bad for him, he just looked so serious about how you could get hurt that it made you feel bad

you didn't notice how much taking care of a kid took out of you until now

you had made a mental note to apologize to your mom for having to deal with you when you were younger later

As soon as you settled down on the couch with the toddler laying on top of you, you almost instantaneously passed out

oh boy were you in for a surprise when you woke up to a teen bakugo, still curled into your torso

he looked up to you after feeling you stir, he almost had a smirk on his face before burying his head back  into you 

mostly to hide the redness spreading over his face, he wasn’t going to admit that he was blushing

no way in hell

he just mumbled a “later” before his breaths softened into a steady pace

yeah, you may be stuck here for a bit

Kirishima 

you were there for the whole thing

red-top had pushed you out of the way of an incoming quirk blast and suffered the consequences

he became young again, almost too young

you felt bad

and who wouldn’t

so of course you took it upon yourself to watch him until the effects wore off

the thing you learned about him was that he was an even touchy-er child

homeboy just wanted to be held all the time

just climbing up and latching himself onto your calf

it was adorable but hard to walk with

If you pick him up, you’ve basically sworn an oath with the devil himself

you cannot put him down 

ever 

he gives the most pitiful looks when you do and drags his feet when you walk

he also wont leave you alone

so curious in whatever your doing at that exact moment

and he is impressed by everything you do

“what are you doing?”

“reading”

“wow so cool!”

a bug came in through the window and he screamed

you walked in all nonchalant, grabbed your shoe, and smacked that some of a bitch into a next dimension

he lit up omfg

“wow y/n, that was so manly!”

you brought him in to class since it had been a school day and were too afraid to tell aizawa about the incident

the girls were literally all over him

i mean, who wouldn’t be all over an adorable and friendly (looking at you bakugo) kid?

and the pebble boy was lapping up the attention like a thirsty dog on a hot day

you never expected him to act like this

shy maybe, but then again he was pretty outgoing in his teenage form

he was grinning from ear to ear

literally posing like a mini body builder and making little huffing noises

even you couldn’t help it, letting a little aww out like most of the other girls

this had been causing a slight disturbance to the class

so the whole going to school thing was pointless as aizawa sent the two of you home anyways

he is already a tired dad, he dosen’t need to be dealing with a toddler right now

putting the little strongman on your back you began to walk

you had been hoping that the effects would wear off in a few more hours 

but nothing ever goes to plan dose it?

while you had been walking, you noticed a significant weight increase, but just decided to ignore it

hey you were more sturdy and thicc, you wern’t no pussy, why stop all of a sudden because of the extra weight?

the only single thing that had alerted you to kiri being fully back was the whisper in your ear

instead of a sqeaky and mousy voice, you heart a more smooth and even comment

“hey stranger”

girl you dropped him and ran, him having to catch up to you

he has the audacity to give you a heart attack, he better suck it up

Sero

this was the same situation as bakugo, aizawa just didn’t want to deal with the kid

and especially a kid who kept mixing up two languages

he really was just so one

aizawa gave him the option to go to anyone

of course he ran straight to you, clinging onto your calf, as that was as high as he could reach

hey you looked the most inviting and least scary

he was literally terrified of bakugo and almost started to bawl is eyes out when he went near him

though he calm down slightly when he went down to get to a similar height as him. 

why wouldn’t you take the opportunity to watch a cute little kid and skip class

hey, aizawa said whoever watched him got extra credit

but there soon was a slight problem that you noticed

well not really a problem, but more of a hurdle

with sero being raised in a household that spoke both english and spanish, he started to mix the two, not knowing any better

he would be asking for “leche” and you would just stand there trying to understand with your limited vocab

just the loading circle above your head whenever he started to talk

but you managed with google translate and going off of the vast amount of spanish soap operas you watched at 3 am once a week

surprisingly, he was a very artistic kid

at least every ten minutes he would walk over to you and hand you a squiggly picture of a flower, you, or him and you holding hands

and he would just giggle before running away to make another

bro heart go melt 

being pre occupied with some papers that the father teacher had sent home with you, sero couldn’t get your attention

he might of forgotten your name and got stuck in a predicament

then the most rational thing popped into his head

well his dad called his mom “mi amor” and you and his mom were both pretty ladies

it made total sense to him so he went with it

“hey...”

nothing

“hey...”

nothing again

“hey... mi amor~”

your head shot up immediately

since he noticed that the name had gotten your attention, he just started using it

when he had shifted to being a teen again, the two of you never mentioned the name again

until a few days later when he was back to normal in class

homeboy was trying to get your attention and the multiple taps on the shoulder weren't cutting it

he got an idea

“hey... mi amor~”

yep that got you immediately

and he still uses that nickname for you

[robininthelabyrinth]

Same universe as the one where LXC kills JGY on a boat to not-Japan. JRS-centric as he grows up in the Nie clan and deals with his reputation as an inbred son of a traitorous bastard.

so I don't think I've ever written a fic in which LXC kills JGY on a boat, and definitely not one where JRS is a character? I mean, I've written a lot of fics, so possibly I did and I forgot, but I'm pretty sure about this one.

That being said, I don't think I've gotten any Jin Rusong prompts before so I'm reinterpreting this to be a prompt for a fic about JRS growing up in the Nie clan. Fic below!

ao3

-

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Nie Huaisang reminded himself. Risk is proportionate with reward. Your spine should be made of steel, just as your saber is.

He licked his lips, thought of his brother who had loved him, and threw himself forward with tears in his eyes.

“Oh, gongzi!” he blubbered. “Can you help me? I’ve gotten completelylost, I don’t even know where to begin –”

Xue Yang blinked at him, the lids of his eyes moving slowly like a reptile.

“Maybe you know where my san-ge is? Lianfeng-zun?”

The feeling of immediate threat lessened. It seemed he’d gambled right, and the rabid dog that was Xue Yang could still be controlled by reference to Jin Guangyao.

“I’d really appreciate it if you could just give me some guidance on where to find him,” Nie Huaisang said, lowering his voice confidentially. “I’d be sure to pay you back! If there’s anything you want –”

“Do you have any snacks?” Xue Yang asked.

Nie Huaisang, who had come prepared based on the rumors he’d painstakingly collected, produced some dragons’ beard candy.

“Not bad,” Xue Yang said. “Okay, sure.”

Nie Huaisang smiled, and even meant it.

-

“Hey, good-for-nothing,” Xue Yang said, and Nie Huaisang turned to look at his least favorite but nevertheless highly useful source of information in Lanling Jin. The fact that Xue Yang had no idea that he was functioning as such just made it more satisfactory. “You like kids, right?”

Nie Huaisang blinked. “Yes?” he hazarded, not so much because he actually did – he’d never had strong feelings about children one way or the other, though perhaps he was being presumptuous in thinking that the reference did not involve goats – but because that seemed to be the answer Xue Yang was looking for.

Xue Yang wrinkled his nose in distaste, though not, Nie Huaisang thought, at him.

“Theoretically,” he said, and he wouldn’t know ‘theoretical’ if it hit him in the face, “if there were, I don’t know, a whole bunch of them hanging around somewhere without parents, you’d be able to do something about that, right? Especially if they had a talent for cultivation?”

It took only a moment to piece together what must have happened to lead to such a question, given the ruthlessness of the cultivation world and of Jin Guangyao in particular, and Nie Huaisang marveled briefly at the idea that Xue Yang might draw a moral line in the sand over something. Presumably he felt some kinship to the children, being similarly utterly infantile, amoral, and fond of sweet things.

“Oh sure!” he said, playing up the brainless idiot who didn’t know to ask questions. “My sect is always recruiting, you know. We took some losses in the war and, well, I feel like adult cultivators aren’t really all that interestedin joining ever since I took over…”

“Because you’re a waste of space,” Xue Yang said, and Nie Huaisang pouted at him. “Whatever, the important thing is that you have space for kids. Orphans. Think, like, a whole orphanage getting shut down or whatever – anyway, not important. You’d take them back to Qinghe, right?”

“Oh, that would be so wonderful!” Nie Huaisang clapped. “That would suit everyone, wouldn’t it? They don’t have to worry about the children, and we get new disciples. I should tell san-ge – no, on second thought, he might be too busy –”

“Definitely too busy,” Xue Yang said quickly. “Wouldn’t it be nice to accomplish something yourself? You could casually show him that your numbers went up at the end of the month instead so he gives you the credit, without explaining that it’s kids making up the increase.”

“That’s a great idea! He’ll be much more impressed by that, I should definitely do that. Where is the orphanage?”

“…uh, in the forest. The back forest.”

You couldn’t come up with a better lie?

“You already brought them here?” Nie Huaisang asked, batting his eyelashes. “You’re so nice, Xue-xiong! I’ll go tell my second in command to go deal with it right away!”

-

It was in the fifth round of kids getting picked up – small cultivation clans being massacred and there was nothing Nie Huaisang could do about it, because there was either no evidence or else Jin Guangyao had come up with some motive to justify his actions and, inevitably, Lan Xichen would be there behind him, soothing over tempers and providing explanations because he believed him, every time – that something unusual happened.

“Sect Leader Nie,” one of his most trusted subordinates murmured into his ear. “There’s a problem.”

Nie Huaisang found a reason to leave the party early, a reason to go to the rendezvous point, and, once there, found the reason for the problem.

“Oh, hey there,” he said with a smile fixed onto his face by sheer force of willpower, crouching down to make himself seem less intimidating. Not that he was ever particularly intimidating, though given the rage coursing through his veins right now, he thought he might be able to pull it off if he tried. “What a lucky chance! It’s so funny, finding you here, Songsong. How are you?”

Jin Rusong wiped his eyes and looked tearily at him, recognized that the person asking was his Little Uncle Nie, and threw himself into Nie Huaisang’s arms with a howl.

This was pretty typical – Jin Rusong wasn’t much of a crier, but when he did he definitely took Nie Huaisang as his model, something all the other adults in the cultivation world had a tendency to give Nie Huaisang dirty looks over.

The only problem here, of course, was that Jin Rusong was dead.

Or, rather…he was supposed to be dead.

And if Jin Rusong was here – here, in the rendezvous point where Xue Yang put those of his prospective victims that happened to be a little too young for even him to stomach killing, at least without the personal grudge that had driven him to slaughter the Chang clan in its entirety – that meant only one thing.

Jin Guangyao had ordered his own son to be murdered.

Through demonic cultivation, no less, which was a pretty nasty way to go. There was a reason everyone implicitly countenanced Jiang Cheng’s vendetta against demonic cultivators no matter where they were, even when he ignored all territory lines and forgot to not ask for permission – the things a demonic cultivator gone bad could do were just so much worse than what anyone else could that they couldn’t risk any delay in dealing with the problem.

Well, shit, Nie Huaisang thought, even as he comforted Jin Rusong, petting the toddler’s back to try to get him to calm down. What do I do now?

-

“There has to be a reason,” Nie Huaisang insisted. “He’s not rabid. Songsong was his son!”

“Sect Leader Nie, we can’t find anything that might explain it.”

“Look harder. I don’t care how minor it is, I want to know everythingto do with Songsong. Every little detail – every person who saw him – every medical report, every compliment, every good grade –”

“He placed last in one of his classes,” one of his spies volunteered.

“What?”

“He placed last in one of his classes. About two months before his ‘assassination’, and shortly before his father started collecting evidence against the other sects that were in his way, which he later used to ‘prove’ that they had been involved in the alleged murder.”

“He wouldn’t kill his son for failing a class,” one of the others objected. “The kid’s barely more than a baby. What’s he expecting, genius from birth?”

“He’s a genius himself. Why not?”

“If everyone inherited everything directly from their parents, he’d be a whore.”

“He’d be a Jin. They’ve all got that nose, every one of them…”

“I heard he’s having the other Jin bastards killed. All of them, even the women…”

Something snapped in Nie Huaisang’s hands.

They all turned to look at him.

“Investigate Qin Su,” he said, looking down at the mess of wood and paper that had once been a fan. “Come to think of it, she has a Jin nose, too.”

-

“I don’t want to go!”

“I don’t want you to go, either,” Nie Huaisang said, feeling tired and also much more in sympathy with his poor older brother than he’d ever been while Nie Mingjue had been alive. “But you disobeyed me, and that means we don’t have a choice. You have to go.”

Nie Songsong looked down at the ground, his lip quivering. “I didn’t mean to…”

“You did,” Nie Huaisang said. “You have to own your decisions, Songsong. You can’t take them back once they’re done, no matter what the consequences. Not even if you feel bad, but definitely not because you feel bad for having to pay for what you did.”

“But…”

“No, Songsong. You cannot be in the Unclean Realm when – when he’s here.”

Nie Songsong hung his head.

“He’s not your father anymore,” Nie Huaisang said. “You know that, right?”

Nie Songsong nodded.

Nie Huaisang sighed and held out his hands, and his arms were full of a teary-eyed child a moment later.

“He loved you once,” Nie Huaisang murmured into his child’s hair. “I love you now. I wish I could give you more than that – I wish I could give you an answer, tell you why he didn’t love you enough to keep from doing what he did. But I can’t. All I can do…”

Is what I’m already doing.

“You’re enough, er-ge,” Nie Songsong whispered back. “You’re enough. I promise.”

-

“When will I get to go night-hunting?”

“You go night-hunting all the time,” Nie Huaisang grumbled. “You’re a fraction my age, and already my height, my weight, yet you wield a saber like my brother was around to raise you properly. You’re ruining my reputation, you know; now no one will believe that my incompetence comes from how short I am…”

“Not night-hunting with the rest of the sect, er-ge,” Nie Songsong said, rolling his eyes. “With other juniors!”

“Not long now,” Nie Huaisang said, looking down at the paper beneath his hands. It was all finally coming together. “Not long now. Just give er-ge a little more time to finish taking care of matters for da-ge, and you’ll be able to go night-hunting with anyone you like.”

-

“Er-ge! Are you all right? You look so pale…”

“I’m sorry,” Nie Huaisang whispered. “Songsong – I’m sorry. I’m so sorry –”

“What happened? Are you injured?” Nie Songsong demanded, already starting to pat him over, looking for wounds. “Er-ge, what’s wrong –”

“Your mother’s dead.”

Nie Songsong’s hands stilled.

“I told her about your heritage,” Nie Huaisang said, his lips numb. He’d never tried to hide it from Nie Songsong, although he’d introduced the subject very gradually and only once he thought that he’d be able to handle the revelation. “About your father – your grandfather. What they did. I wanted her to be angry at him, to turn against him, to distract him…instead, she killed herself.”

“Er-ge…”

“I shouldn’t have told her. If I knew –”

“Er-ge.”

“I should have brought her in earlier – told her about you surviving – I kept her from you for years –”

“Er-ge!”

Nie Huaisang looked at the child he had raised as a little brother the way his older brother had raised him, a father in everything but name, and who he had the constant feeling of having failed.

He wondered, as he always did, whether his brother had felt the same about him.

“Er-ge, it’s all right,” his little brother, his adopted son, said, and took his hands in his. “It’s all right. You tried, remember? Time after time, you tried to talk to her, but every single time you concluded that she would’ve told her husband instead of trusting you. She would’ve ruined everything. If she did that, I’d be dead all over again, and you with me.”

That had been what Nie Huaisang had concluded. That was why he’d never told her.

But…

“She’s your mother.”

“And you’re my er-ge. As long as you don’t die on me, too, it’ll be all right. Okay? It’ll be all right. It’ll be worth it in the end.”

Nie Huaisang shook his head. He’d already done so much, caused so much chaos and strife, and yet this moment – this was the step too far.

This was the first time he realized that he wasn’t sure he believed that it would be worth it anymore.

But by now…what else was left to do? There were no ways out of the plan he’d made himself; he’d designed it that way on purpose, because he’d known that if there was a way out, that snake would find a way to slither through it. He just hadn’t thought that he would be the one looking for it.

It didn’t matter.

He had to keep going.

His older brother deserved it, even if the younger one didn’t.

-

“I represent the Nie sect,” the young man – just about their age, though shorter than either of them – said with a smile. He seemed kind, gentle and polite, easy-going, but Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui looked at each other, and then at Jin Ling, who just scowled. “Can I come in?”

“Were you even invited?” Jin Ling asked in bitten off words. He was still bitter about some of the things that had happened in the Guayin Temple a month before, and of all them the one he was most bitter about was his second uncle’s retreat into seclusion – they were all upset about that.

“But it’s a discussion conference,” the young man said, blinking in confusion. “We’re a Great Sect. Why wouldn’t we be invited?”

In the face of such profound ignorance, there really wasn’t very much they could say, and eventually Lan Sizhui stepped forward with a smile, welcoming the young man – Nie Songsong, he introduced himself – into the Cloud Recesses.

Everything seemed fine for a little while. Lan Sizhui was able to talk to the people in charge of arranging juniors into finding another place for Nie Songsong to stay, although it would be a little delayed – Nie Songsong assured them that there was no issue – and as recompense they even showed him, at his request, a few of the main landmarks.

And then they turned around and their guest had disappeared.

“I knew he was up to no good!” Jin Ling exclaimed.

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Lan Sizhui told him.

“I’m with Jin Ling,” Lan Jingyi said. “He seemed so nice and understated – just like you know –”

“Don’t talk about my little uncle,” Jin Ling hissed at him. “I know it’s true, but just – don’t, okay?”

“We should find where he went,” Lan Sizhui decided.

It took them a while, but in the end they found him in the most unexpected place: in the rooms their sect leader had chosen for his seclusion, sitting on the bed with Lan Xichen’s head on his shoulder, sobbing as if his heart had been broken.

“What are you doing?” Lan Sizhui exclaimed, unnerved even out of his own habitual politeness.

“I came to greet my uncle,” Nie Songsong said, his manner just as gentle and polite as it had been from the beginning, although it was now evident that he was as stubborn as a rock and not easy-going at all.

“Your uncle?” Lan Jingyi gaped. “How can he be your uncle?”

“You’re Sect Leader Nie’s son!” Jin Ling accused.

“I’m Sect Leader Nie’s little brother by adoption,” Nie Songsong corrected. “It’s through my father that he’s my uncle – and you my cousin, I suppose.”

“Your – father?”

“Oh, yes. My birth name, you see,” Nie Songsong said, “was Jin Rusong.”

-

“Why did you choose to reveal yourself?” Lan Sizhui asked. “Given that everyone knows – well –”

Nie Songsong finished the character he was writing and put down his brush. “Wondering if you should let it be known that you were born with the surname Wen?”

Lan Sizhui jerked in surprise, then flushed. “How did you – that didn’t come out in Guanyin Temple.”

“No, I knew it before,” Nie Songsong said. “My er-ge is very clever, you know.”

“Yes, I suppose I do...why do you call him brother? Shouldn’t he be uncle, or – or –”

“Uncle is probably right,” Nie Songsong said. “But he raised me like a son, just as his brother did for him.”

Lan Sizhui looked down at his hands.

“Why did he publicly reveal your background, knowing that you were still around?” he asked again. “Everyone will know. Who your father was, all those terrible things he did, his relationship with your mother –”

“Why shouldn’t he? He did do all those things, and he did have that relationship with my mother.”

“But what about you? What about your reputation –”

“Are you planning on sweeping Wen Ruohan’s grave?”

Lan Sizhui stared at him.

“He’s your grandfather, isn’t he?” Nie Songsong looked calmly back at him. “Who he was, all those terrible things he did –”

“That’s nothing to do with me!”

“And the crimes of my father are nothing to do with me. My er-ge gave me his surname, just as Hanguang-jun gave you his, and for the same reason – to cut us off from the sins of our original family.”

“I suppose that’s true. But – no one knew about you, just as no one knew about me until I told them, and I only told them because they were my friends. Why’d you tell us? Aren’t you worried we’d tell more people?”

“Of course I am,” Nie Songsong said. “I hope you don’t, of course, but you would’ve found out regardless – second uncle wasn’t exactly subtle in his grief. And I had to tell him.”

“Why? To bring him out of seclusion?” Lan Sizhui hesitated. “Do you care so much for him?”

“Of course not. The last time I met him, I was a small child, and my father was just about to order me murdered; that’s not much of a basis to build a relationship. But having him lock himself away like that, as if he were in mourning…it hurt er-ge. And I won’t let anything hurt my er-ge. Anything, or anyone.”

They looked at each other for a long moment.

“I understand,” Lan Sizhui said.

“I’m glad you do,” Nie Songsong said, and then smiled. “I would’ve had to escalate to threats next, and I’m given to understand that I’m too short to really pull them off properly.”

Lan Sizhui snorted. “I think we’ve all learned that that’snot true.”

-

“Should we talk about this?” Jin Ling asked, arms crossed over his chest and glaring.

“What do you want to talk about?” Nie Songsong replied.

“How about the fact that your father tried to kill me?”

“Sure. Can we talk about the fact that you got all of his affection for years and years after he tried to kill me?”

Jin Ling blanched.

“I wonder if he would’ve gotten me a dog, too,” Nie Songsong mused. “I was too young for that when he ordered his demonic cultivator to feed me to fierce corpses and have my body ravaged until it was barely recognizable…but sure, let’s talk about how he tried to kill you.”

“I was talking about Sect Leader Nie!”

“Well, then, you should have been more specific. Sect Leader Nie’s my brother, not my father.”

“He’s a whole generation older than you!”

“My little uncle, then.”

Jin Ling flinched. “That’s worse. Go back to calling him your brother.”

Nie Songsong shrugged. “Would it help if we fought?”

“…what?”

“It makes me feel better, sometimes. Besides, I may be short, but I’m pretty good with the saber. I bet I could match your sword…maybe not your arrows. But I’ve always wanted to try.”

Jin Ling looked at him suspiciously for a long moment.

“Okay,” he finally said. “Sure. Why not?”

-

“I really hate that you’re kind of cool,” Lan Jingyi told him.

“I am so cool,” Nie Songsong said, and passed him another jar of wine. “Want to see my spring book collection?”

“…yes please.”

-

“Thank you for taking care of him,” Lan Xichen said to Nie Huaisang, who shrugged. “I’m sorry that you couldn’t trust me to help.”

“It’s only what I should have done,” Nie Huaisang said, not for the first time. He’d said it so often these past few days that it felt like a new refrain, an alternative to the old I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know. He preferred the original. “I was his little uncle, remember? I held him on his first month party. How could I do any less?”

He did not say that Lan Xichen, who could be classified as Jin Rusong’s older uncle, had done much less, but from Lan Xichen’s expression, he’d taken it that way anyway.

“You never…” Lan Xichen hesitated. “Did you ever have any – concerns?”

“That he’d turn out an idiot? No. I figured he’d be in good company, with me.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

“Oh, you meant whether I was worried that he’d grow up longing for his blood family over his adopted family and turn against me in favor of his real father?” Nie Huaisang asked mildly. “No, not really. The memory of your father ordering you to be mauled by fierce corpses and to make sure your face is destroyed so that there’s a reason to refuse to let your mother see the body, as it would only upset her, is a fairly effective panacea against things like that.”

“No,” Lan Xichen said, though he looked sick all over again at the reminder of how considerate Jin Guangyao could be when it came to those he thought of as people, and how monstrous he was towards those he didn’t. “No, just – your brother always took such a hard line against the Wen sect…”

“Because they were raised with the philosophy that they were superior to the rest of us and my brother purposefully made himself into the symbol of their fallibility, thereby making himself and all the rest of us the primary target for their traumatic realization that they’re just as weak and vulnerable as everyone else,” Nie Huaisang said, rolling his eyes. “Our Nie sect cultivators were always especially targeted whenever we were captured – our survival rate as prisoners of war was less than half all the other sects, and it wasn’t just because we were usually more injured when we got caught. Even the civilians surnamed Wen would pull out knives and try to stab us in the back if they had half a chance! We were in a blood feud with them, er-ge. You don’t put down blood feuds just like that, not even if you want to. That’s not how it works.”

Lan Xichen nodded slowly, thoughtful.

“Anyway, Songsong is mine now,” Nie Huaisang said. “Just as Lan Sizhui is your brother’s, and Jin Ling Jiang Cheng’s. Can’t we all just agree to not care about the rest?”

“I suppose we have to,” Lan Xichen said, bowing his head. “Huaisang…did you ever think about what happens now? I mean – what should we do next?”

“I don’t know,” Nie Huaisang said, and smiled humorlessly when Lan Xichen looked at him. “I’m not joking. I didn’t know what to do when I got Songsong for the first time, er-ge, and I don’t know what to do now, either. I just wanted to see justice done for my da-ge, and I did, and for the rest – I don’t know.”

“That’s fine,” Lan Xichen said. “I don’t know, either.”

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Nie Huaisang thought. Spine as steel as your saber.

“Would you like to come visit the Unclean Realm sometime?” he asked, pretending to be casual. “Perhaps we can figure out what we don’t know together. If you like.”

“…perhaps I will,” Lan Xichen said.

[zykatekb]

10 Mods SIMS4 that I use and that I really like.

They are not listed in order of preference but it's 10 mods that I use all the time.

I wanted to share with you the 10 Mods I use the most in my Sims4 game. Maybe you already know them but I hope you will discover some of them too :)

                   ***** Click on the names to access the downloads. *****

         💗  Thanks to these mod makers who make 

                              our game even better. 💗

1 - Faster homework (Scarlet)

This mod allows university students to do their homework faster.

My personal opinion: It's a very interesting mod if we send our sims to college because it saves a lot of time.  University required.

Homework time by default => 150 minutes

Homework time via mods => 10/25 or 50 minutes

Lately this mod has been modified, to have tried both versions, I prefer the old version but then it's a matter of taste :)

 *****

2 -  OMSP Shelf (Amoebae)

This little red shelf everyone should know about it, it allows you to place almost all objects exactly at the height you want.

My personal opinion : A small shelf that I cannot do without in my constructions or renovations. 

*****

3 - Automatic Thermostat (LittleMsSam)

An automatic thermostat that regulates the temperature on its own once the sims has purchased the option (Around 690 simoleons)

My personal opinion: I admit having hesitated to put this mod in my game because I did not see the usefulness of it but once installed, I would not remove it anymore.

This thermostat changes the temperature according to the seasons. It is hot in winter and cold in summer without the sims intervening.

*****

4 - T.O.O.L (TwistedMexi)

Also some very well known mods that let you do "almost" anything with in-game items, this mod has too many good sides.

For example, you can put a chair on one side as if it were overturned or a car on the roof as if it had overturned following an accident. And many more.

My personal opinion: A must have mod for me since I got it in my game.

It allows you to do almost anything you want with objects.

*****

5 - More Columns in CAS (Weerbesu)

Display 5 columns in the CAS for a better overview of everything that creates a sims.

My personal opinion: Not super useful you will tell me, but this mod is so practical.

*****

6 - Go to the nursery (Grumpy / MaiaGame)

A mod that allows toddlers to be sent to a nanny or to the nursery.

My personal opinion: A mod that has changed the life of my sims who have a toddler !!

We can send his toddler to the nanny or to the nursery for a certain amount of money, the toddler leaves and comes back alone after several hours and he has his needs gauges in the green and in the private guards they also increase their skills , which allows the other sims of the household to do something else (for example I use it for one of my sims who works independently, suddenly when his toddler is at home, my sims are always requested by the little one because he is hungry, or wants to go on the potty ... With this mods my sims can have a few hours of peace while knowing his child is safe at the nursery or at the nanny's.

*****

7 - Photographic Memory (RVSN) - Patreon 💰

A mod that transforms the photos taken by your sims into frameless photos to hang on the wall or on the postcard board.

My personal opinion: Recently discovered and already a fan of this mod. I was fed up with having selfies of my sims in frames, with this mod, we can transform this photo (and many others) into a simple photo that we can tape or hang with a thumbtack on the wall or on the postcard board. I find it really nice, it gives another meaning to the photo.

*****

8 - Hire certain Sims (incl. Family Members) at Restaurants (LittleMsSam)

This mods allows you to hire members of your household or friends if the sim has a restaurant.

My personal opinion: I admit, I had trouble understanding how it works because there are several characteristics to put in place to hire his wife or husband as a host or server in his own restaurant but it is is really a very nice mod.

*****

9 - Spend Weekend With... (LittleMsSam)

This mod makes it possible to send children or toddlers to another home for several days, such as for example with grandparents for holidays or with dad or mom if the couple is separated.

My personal opinion: A mod that I also like a lot and very useful when you have separated couples or families in the game, it allows a very pleasant shared custody.

*****

10 - Tiny Elevators For Pets (and toodler)  (LittleMsSam)

Mini lift that allows puppies, kittens and even toddlers to descend the floors without going through the stairs.

My personal opinion: A mod that has changed the lives of my toddlers who lived upstairs, they no longer spend the day going down or up the stairs ... They borrow this mini elevator which makes their life easier.

                                      ***** ***** ***** ***** 

                       Recommendations and informations 

                                         on how mods work.

Before installing a mod in your game, follow the creators' installation instructions to install it correctly.

Also pay attention to mods updates that may occur from time to time.

Also remember to download the translations in your languages ​​in order to take full advantage of the mods.

[chocolatecakecas]

Rockin' the Suburbs: Chapter 4

chp1 chp2 chp3 or read on ao3

After an afternoon of failed research attempts, Dean found himself carrying an excited Jack in his arms, walking up the sidewalk, hand in hand with Cas. Which didn't immediately send Dean's mind running wild because it honestly was starting to feel natural. Which of course is what sent Dean's mind running, but at least the act of Cas grabbing his hand wasn't the real source of the freak out anymore.

Dean's fine by the way. Totally cool and normal and under control.

"You ready?" Dean asks as they come to a stop at the back gate.

"As I'll ever be" Cas quips, giving Dean's hand a squeeze, which he gratefully returns.

"Holy shit" Dean gasps, jaw-dropping, head quickly snapping towards Cas.

"I agree completely...." Cas trails off, as he drags Dean further into the backyard.

There were people, food, drinks, tents, music blasting, and lights strung up everywhere. And a giant fire pit in the center, with crowds of people hovering around it, roasting marshmallows and hotdogs.

How many people lived in this damn neighborhood?

"So see any fugly faces?"

"If you're talking about demons, then no-"

"Well, what about that lad-"

"No she's no-"

"What about that group, those guys seem kinda-"

"No Dea-"

"Okay well, what about th-"

"Dean if I see a demon I'll be sure to let you know, promptly" Cas sighs, clearly exasperated, which only causes Dean to smile wider.

(read the rest under the cut)

"Okay.....but what abo-"

"Hi guys! Oh my god, we're so glad you decided to come!"

Their heads snap over to see Molly and Jason making their way towards them.

"Time to schmooze with the capitalists" Dean whispers to Cas, earning an elbow jack to the rib, but when he looks over, he sees amusement in Cas' eyes.

"Your home is lovely" Cas gushes when they're within earshot.

"Yeah, this is quite the rager you've got going on back here" Dean muses, earning bright smiles from the pair.

"Thank you! But Amanda's already managed to find at least ten things wrong with the decor, or the lights, or the food" Molly grumbles, as Jason gently rests his arm around her waist.

"Seriously, and Bill picked up every bottle of wine and inspected the year. As if these people aren't drunk enough to even care about the aged taste" Jason continues with an eye roll.

"Oh! Speaking of drinks what can we get you? We've got beer, wine from the wrong years, whiskey, scotch? You name it we've got it"

Shit. Dean hasn't had to talk about this with anyone outside of his family, but his dumbass should have thought about it. He is a party after all.

"Oh um..." Dean starts, but trails off realizing he didn't actually think through what he was going to say. His mouth has been doing that a lot lately.

"Oh we actually don-"Cas rushes in, giving Dean's hand a squeeze, which makes Dean's breath hitch.

Dean was floundering like an idiot and Cas cut in to help. That stupid, undiscussed swirling feeling dancing in his stomach, and he also can't help the dopey grin that spreads across his lips.

"I actually don't drink anymore, not since this little bug came around. But Cas here will definitely take a beer" Dean smiles, giving Jack a little bounce in his arms.

"Dean are you sur-"

"Yeah babe, it's good. I promise. Have a beer, you dork" Dean says turning to fully look at Cas so he gets that he means it. And he must because Cas gives a small smile back, which definitely doesn't make his stomach flip.

They turn back to the pair, praying they get the memo so Dean doesn't have to explain any further.

"Oh! So we have water, seltzer soda. We've got sprite, rootbeer-" Molly quickly moves to offer.

"A coke is good if you have it" Dean interrupts before Molly lists every single brand of soda they've got. And with a nod, Jason jogs off to get their drinks.

"Oh! Jack's probably itching to play with the rest of the kids. There's a whole section set up on the far side of a yard, keeping them far away from that fire pit! But don't worry, a handful of the parents are taking shifts" Molly rushes to add, as she points them in the right direction.

The two turn to follow her finger, Dean's eyes blowing wide at the sight. Four different size bounce houses, two jungle gyms, a huge sandbox, and pretty much every toy you can imagine. And yeah there's things definitely for toddlers, but Dean can only focus on the height of the slides and the amount of kids jumping inside that inflatable nightmare.

His hold only tightens around Jack, as he glances down hurriedly at Cas. But to his surprise Cas isn't gazing horrified at kid-sized deathtraps, he's smiling brightly, eyes shining.

Dean's gotta put his foot down. There's no way, it's too dangerous

"I don't know Jack's neve-"

"Exactly, why he should. There is more than enough equipment his size, and looks like there's plenty of kids around his age. And we both agreed it would be good for him to play with more children his own age, remember?" Cas supplies calmly, resting a hand over his shoulder. The heat radiating through Dean's jacket is doing nothing to put him at ease.

"Yeah but that fire-"

"Is perfectly safe. See, there's at least six parents over there right now. We can even take a shift watching the kids soon if you'd like?" Cas offers in the same tone, eyes shining with sincerity. And Dean manages to pull his gaze away long enough to glance over at the kids' party zone again.

There's a sort of gate squared off in the corner of the yard, with a large and small bouncy house, and what looks like a group of parents watching every move intently.

Cas is right. Jack will be fine. Of course, he will be. And if he's not, they'll just kill whoever's responsible. Stupid angels and their stupid sound logic.

"Alright, you're right" Dean sighs in defeat, as he gears up to walk across the yard. Besides Dean can probably use this as a chance to talk to some of the other paren-

And it happens so fast Dean almost misses it.

But he sure as hell feels it.

There's a heat on his cheek that quickly comes and goes, but there's a lingering warmth that blossoms in its place, spreading across his entire face and down his neck. Lighting shooting through his veins with a jolt, and of course that swirling feeling is back.

What the hell?

Dean's slowly turns towards the source and sees Cas smiling up at him. There's a nervousness dancing behind his features, the kind that's only visible to the trained eye. His hand his still on his shoulder, but he's closer now-wait.

Dean's entire brain short circuits as it works to catch up with the rest of his body, most importantly with his face and that whole lightning thing going on.

Then his brain finally snaps back into action, sending his stomach flipping, that swirling thing looping right along with it.

Because Cas kissed him.

Cas kissed him. On the cheek. Like it was nothing.

And the culprit refocuses in his vision, still smiling up at him anxiously, blue eyes searching his features. And Dean without even thinking, smiles back, which seems to settle Cas.

"I'm very proud of you for making the mature fatherly decision, now go! I'm sure Jack's dying for a turn on that bouncy thing" Cas teases, shoving Dean away, and he vaguely hears Molly giggling behind him. Dean doesn't even have time to process what he said before he's walking across the grass.

Actually, Dean isn't processing anything at the moment.

Because Cas just kissed him on the cheek like it was nothing, and Dean's face is on fire while his heart does its damnedest to pound its way out of his chest. Because now Dean Winchester is having a flustered meltdown over a friggin kiss on the cheek like he's thirteen again?

But it was more than that. Because he sure as hell didn't think Cas would go for it first so what i-

Dean almost stalls, but quickly forces his feet to keep moving as his stomach twists.

Because that feeling, the feeling Dean doesn't talk about is swirling in his stomach, bubbling upwards, trying t-nope.

Dean clenches the hand, that isn't currently supporting Jack, into a fist, nails digging into his palm. It was just a peck on the cheek it didn't mean shit. They had talked all about PDA, and both agreed to it, so that's all it was. It was a kiss for the sake of the case, all for the act.

So Dean tries to shove it from his mind, but failing to get rid of the warmth still radiating through his body and the tingling on his cheek. But hey, he isn't perfect.

He thankfully makes it over to the kid's section in one piece, but unfortunately, an over-excited mom immediately spots him.

"Hi I'm Maria, I don't recognize you, so must be one of our new neighbors!" Maria practically cheers, and Dean doesn't buy her false enthusiasm for a second, but he plasters a smile on his face ready to play the part.

"Yeah I'm-"

"I spotted you and your husband carrying boxes in yesterday! Didn't look like you had very much hmm?" Maria continues as if she hadn't heard him. And Dean didn't miss that little dig and he definitely didn't miss the way she emphasized husband.

"Yup that's me, Dean Richardson, and this is my son Jack" Dean says before she has a chance to cut him off again.

"Pleasure to meet you two! Now I assure you Jack is in good hands, you've got some of the best parents on duty right now!" Maria jokes and Dean has a feeling she's a little tipsy, which only increases his nerves. At least there's some other capable-looking parents standing around.

Maria continues to chatter loudly about god knows what, so he ignores her opting to carefully stand Jack on the ground, crouching to his level.

"Alright Squish, you're gonna hang out over here and have some fun with the rest of the kids! Me and your Dad are going to be right over there" Dean says excitedly, which only makes Jack even more excited.

"So if you need us, you tell one of the other grown-ups, and we'll come right over. And remember the rules kiddo? No mojo, capiche?" Dean reminds, whispering the last part.

"Capeesh!" Jack promises and Dean can't help but smile. So reluctantly, he presses a kiss to Jack's hair, and gently nudges him towards the other kids, watching as he runs away laughing.

"He's such a little cutie! Oh look he's playing with my Ella" Maria gushes while Dean silently prays Jack will drop that kid so he doesn't have to Maria and her false sweetness, ever again.

"Yeah, adorable. Anyway, my husband and I will gladly take a shift watching the little rugrats a-"Dean starts trying his best to sound like he doesn't want to strangle her.

"Oh no I wouldn't dream of it! It's your first party in the neighborhood, we have more than enough capable parents on duty tonight! Get back to your husband, drink, mingle!" Maria interrupts shoving him away, and Dean has no choice but to obey, unless he wanted to cause a scene. Which he did want to, because he was practically fuming from that subtle dig at capabilities at a parent, but he couldn't he had the damn case to think about.

And with a final glance to assure Jack was okay, Dean quickly surveys the crowd, easily spotting Cas' leather. He begins to make his way over, but suddenly the memories from five minutes ago come rushing back leaving him frozen.

Cas had kissed him-yeah it was on the cheek, but it was a kiss nonetheless. And that stupid swirling feeling began to bubble up in his stomach, unable to move as the-

"Dean, over here man!" Jason calls from across the yard, effectively kicking Dean's back into gear, as he made his way over to them.

Stuff it Winchester, focus on the case. It's all for the case.

So Dean jogs, over stopping next to Cas, who was lightly laughing along with Jason and Molly. Jason hands him a bottle, an honest-to-god glass bottle of Coke. They probably had to buy hundreds of these, must have cost a fortune.

"Is Jack all settled?" Cas asks, the slight worry on his face. And so without thinking, Dean takes his hand giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Yeah babe, kiddo is having the time of his life over there," Dean says with a sweet smile, pet name rolling off his tongue like nothing as he meets his eyes. Cas only responds with a smug smirk that says "I told you so", which definitely didn't make Dean's stomach flip.

"So, new neighbors let's get the good gossip out of the way before the bitch squad corners us. Tell us about yourselves! What do you guys do for a living?" Molly teases, effectively snapping them out of their staring contest.

Showtime

"Well I'm a mechanic, still looking for a good space in the area to set up shop, but Cas here is all set with a position at Amherst College in the sprin-" Dean begins, gushing about Cas like a proud husband.

"Dean, of course, is wildly underselling himself. He specializes in classic car restoration" Cas cuts in also like a proud husband, but there's a hint of sincerity in his voice that twists Dean's heart.

"Wow! So that gorgeous Impala really is your's after all?" Molly asks in awe.

"Yeah that's my Baby, rebuilt her after a crash a while back, she's been in the family for years" Dean shrugs, hand instinctively reaching for the back of his neck, but he can't help the little sense of pride that swells in his chest. He feels Cas squeeze his hand, but before he can glance over Jason starts talking.

"And Cas, Amherst that's impressive! What course do you teach?"

"English literature, and global history" Cas answers. They decided to tack on the history on account of Cas knowing pretty much all of history, and that it might be an in seeing as weirdo rich people are often weirdo history buffs.

"Oh I actually teach history over at the high school" Jason reveals, and Dean has to hold back a laugh.

Weirdo rich people, weirdo history buffs. Score.

"Well looks like we're surrounded by academics! Amherst, an incredible school, but that's a bit of a commute from here, isn't it?

"Oh it's not too bad, and the drive is all worth it if we get to live in this beautiful neighborhood. But what about you, Molly?" Cas deflects smoothly shooting them a charming smile-that Dean definitely didn't find charming.

"Oh, I'm a real estate lawyer. That's how we're in this gorgeous neighborhood" Molly jokes, Jason laughing along.

Real estate law, Dean tucks away that info for later because maybe that's how they got their house on the market and sold so quickly.

"Hey everyone, sorry to interrupt but we just wanted to introduce ourselves to the new neighbors," A shorter man says as he appears on the other side of Cas, with another man in tow.

"Oh come join the real party, anything to stay away from those vultures" Molly snorts with an eye roll, earning a laugh from everyone.

"I'm Tom, and this is my husband Stephen" The man, Tom, supplies as they each stretch out a hand. Dean reluctantly lets go of Cas' hand, and as they each shake their's, exchanging greetings.

Turns out Tom and Stephen live right across the street from them. Great, they're gonna have to get in extra good with them, because they might have seen something the night of the murders.

"So, we were giving these two the rundown on our lives, before Amanda and Bill start circling" Molly groans, and Tom and Stephen launch into discussing what they do for a living. Dean, of course, listens very intently, as he tries not to think about the sudden loss of warmth in his hand.

But he really doesn't have to think too long because he finds Cas' arm is curling around friggin waist.

Dean's eyes instantly snap up, as he tries to keep his expressions in check, but he can feel the heat creeping over his cheeks. Cas only gives him a nervous look, which makes Dean's chest tighten at the sight. Damnit.

Because yeah Cas keeps taking the lead, but he's never actually done this before, he's just doing what he thinks he should do. Cas must be anxious as fuck. And Dean's general "lets never talk about emotion or affection" attitude, probably isn't helping. He's the one who knows what to do, he should be helping ease Cas into this more, not having breakdowns every time they make eye contact.

So without really thinking, Dean slightly leans into Cas, causing him to wrap his arm around him tighter. It clearly settles Cas' nerves, because that worried look is gone, replaced with a smile, before he turns his head back to the conversation.

And Dean figures since Cas is listening, it's okay to tap out for a moment. Because excuse him, but Cas' arm is around his fucking waist, not even 20 minutes after he kissed him. Dean's just surprised he isn't passed out on the ground yet.

And that feeling-the feeling Dean of course doesn't talk-about is back and swirling around his stomach, threatening to bubble up his throat. It's making him feel nauseous, as his heart thumps against his chest.

But he can't exactly bring himself to care because there's a warmth washing over his body in waves. The heat of Cas' arm around his waist and shoulder resting against his own, radiates through his jacket. Dean can smell the worn leather mixing with Cas' cologne as he tries to focus back in on the conversation-what is he doing.

He's supposed to be getting info about the neighbors, and all he can think about is Cas' arm around his waist. Which is only there to keep up the act, and it doesn't matter that it fee-nope not even gonna go there.

Focus Winchester.

"-but enough about work, how did you two meet?" Dean catches Molly asking, and thank god he chose that moment to pull it together.

So Dean quickly meets Cas' eye. Both knowing they have to nail this part if they plan to gain anyone's trust. They hadn't exactly rehearsed it, but they are best friends who've spent over a decade lying for a living. They've got this.

Dean takes a steadying breath, ignoring the swirling and the warmth and the heart rate.

"Well, it was back in 2008. I was sort of going through a bit of a rough patch at work and was frequenting the local bar a bit too much. But maybe the hangovers were worth it, because one night this guy with wild hair and baby blues strolled in and happened to sit at the other end of the bar. And just my luck he looked about just as much of a mess as I did-no offense babe" Dean began putting on a show, and Cas rolled his eyes.

"Oh please, you didn't look half the mess that I did" Cas teases dramatically. Cas then gave him a look, leveling Dean with an arched eyebrow, causing laughter to bubble around them.

"Yeah yeah Casanova, we both looked a wreck okay? So much of a wreck that we apparently felt so sorry for each other, that we unknowingly bought one another a drink"

"After the bartender pointed out who bought me the beer, I looked up to see it was the person I had just bought a drink. So I figured he was worth a little conversation, and I moved to sit on the stool next to him" Cas continues, throwing a wink at Dean.

Damn they were good at this.

"And it turned out we were both walking disasters. I was out of a job, and Cas here had just gone through the world's worst breakup-"

"We had been together for years, and I had decided I'd had it. It was a mess, his whole family got involved. But I guess it was a good thing it was such a disaster, or I never would have gotten a drink from the gorgeous man at the end of the bar" Cas cuts back in, which definitely didn't make Dean's cheeks flare.

"Anyway, we got to talking, probably overshared way too much with a complete stranger, and called it a night. But I thought I'd be crazy to let him get away, so I practically chased him down on the street to get his number. And god was I lucky he didn't think I was a creep-"

"Actually I thought it was very romantic. Like a movie, too bad it wasn't raining. But honestly, I was just lucky he didn't think I was a creep when I called to ask him on a date the next morning" Cas jokes, earning another laugh from the group. Dean quickly surveys their faces to see that they're hooked. Time for the grande finale.

"And really the rest is history, we just sorta clicked. It sounds like bullshit, but it was like we were made for each other ya know? Cas just always knew what to say, always knew what to do to, understands me better than anyone else, helps me through every obstacle. I guess you could say he basically pulled me out of hell. And he still does, every day. There's no one else in the world I'd rather have by my side" Dean gushes, tacking on the hell line as a joke, but it didn't exactly sound like one. No, it sounded like the most sincere thing Dean's ever said, and he quickly realizes that it's not part of the act. He really means it.

He glances back over at Cas to see him slightly slack-jawed, gazing at him in soft wonder. Dean's heart picks up again, stomach swirling as he makes a little fist to ground himself.

Because of course, he means it Cas is his best friend, he's family that's nothing new. But it's more than that and yo-nope. Focus. Cas is only looking at him like that as part of the act, he's playing up.

Dean quickly tries to wrack his brain for something to say, but thankfully Molly cuts in.

"God aren't you two just the cutest, sappiest couple in the entire world! Oh my god, you're like a romcom. The perfect couple" Molly practically shouts earning a laugh from everyone and nods of agreement.

"Trust me, it wasn't as simple as a romcom. We fight, and we scream, but we always come back to each other" Cas says earnestly, looking right into Dean's eyes.

And Dean's pretty sure his heart is gonna burst through his chest because Cas' heart eyes look pretty damn convincing and it's sending his thoughts running. But thankfully, Tom and Stephen start telling the story of how they met, so Dean can thankfully push those thoughts aside. For now.

And after an hour of small talk, Dean and Cas have got a pretty good grasp on the people they're dealing with.

They learn that Stephen and Tom are both doctors at the same hospital, they have three-year-old daughter named Elizabeth. And with a glance over at the kids' section, they see that she and Jack are playing together. Another couple, Emma and Rachel come and join them all about halfway through. Emma is a cardiologist, and Rachel is a biomedical engineer, and they're in the process of adopting. They also learn that this entire week is the "Annual Autumn Festival", and there's a different event hosted by a different family each night, ending with a huge block party on Saturday night. Apparently, the school in town gives the kids a whole week off for some "district convention" with the higher ups, so they've been doing this for years.

And honestly, despite everything, Dean's actually having a good time. Yeah, these people's careers are insane, but Dean thinks they're pretty normal, and he's genuinely enjoying talking to them. And they seem to have warmed up to them, so with a slight nod from Cas, Dean goes in for the kill.

"So, we have to ask. We saw some crazy stuff in the news about this neighborhood, of course, it was after we bought the place. But we couldn't find much info about it" Dean begins gently to ease them into the conversation.

"Oh you must be talking about Carol and Mike" Rachel supplies with a frown, and a silence settles over the group.

"We're sorry, we didn't mean to pry. We were just curious sin-"Cas begins to apologize

"No, it's okay. You've got a right to know since it is about your house and all. Not your fault someone paid to keep it out of the news" Ton sighs heavily, and Stephen comfortingly presses his kiss to his temple.

"Carol and Mike were our best friends before they we-before everything" Stephen chokes out.

"We're so sorry for your loss" Dean offers, Cas nodding along.

"The night it happened, we were actually all supposed to go out to dinner. The four of us and the kids, it's a monthy tradition. But when we walked across the street to meet them, Carol answered. We should have known something was off bu-"

"Hello! I'm seeing frowns which is never a sign of a good party!" A shrill voice calls, which earns a groan from the group.

Damnit. They were so close.

Suddenly there's a shorter woman with platinum blonde hair, and a man with enough goop in his hair to grease a pan, who've both clearly had some work done.

"Hi I'm Amanda, and this is my husband Bill. You two must be our new neighbors" Amanda smiles with her too-white teeth, extending a hand with perfectly manicured nails. Of course, they are.

Dean resists the urge to roll his eyes, but with a squeeze on his side from Cas, he's reaching out his hand to shake theirs'.

"Bill, a pleasure to meet you! Nice to see you've already found your people. I know how you guys like to group up" Bill laughs with an equally blinding, white smile.

A pit drops in Dean's stomach. "Your people", who does this guy think he is? And these aren't Dean's people he's stra-

Give it a rest Winchester, you can only lie to yourself about so many things at once.

Fine so maybe they are "Dean's people", but this homophobic assclown has no right to say it, especially not like that.

"Well, not as much as your people lik-"Dean starts, only to be cut off by a pinch to his side and he whips his head towards Cas.

"Just let it go, he isn't worth it" Cas softly whispers in his ear, while he gently pulls him closer. With a huff, Dean begrudgingly lets it go.

He turns back to the conversation to see Bill and Amanda completely ignoring them, as they ramble on about nonsense. Dean quickly locks eyes with each couple, they throw him an eye roll, or a face when Amanda and Bill aren't looking.

"Oh Amanda and Bill, looks like you found the new neighbors" Molly calls slightly strained as she and Jason practically run back over.

"Yes, but sadly we don't have much time to chat with them tonight. There are still some people we must say hello to" Amanda informs, and honestly, Dean could cheer from relief.

"But you two must stop by sometime this week so we can get you properly acquainted with the neighborhood. Maybe widen the variety of your social groups" Bill snarks and Dean opens his mouth to retort but is silenced by a sharp tug from Cas.

"Thank you for the offer, bu-" Cas answers cooly before Dean even thinks about reopening his mouth.

"Perfect! Stop by Tuesday around two, we'll have lunch! But like I said we must be going, try to have a pleasant evening. Oh and Molly, that chicken looked a bit dry, might want to check on that" Amanda proclaims, and then she and Bill are disappearing into the crowd.

Dean turns to glare at Cas, who only gives him a look that reads "we'll talk about it later".

"I'm so sorry you got trapped by them. God, they're the fucking worst" Molly groans in apology

"Yeah can't argue with that" Dean grits out, still fuming from Bill's words and Amanda's stupid smirk.

"And Bill's such a homophobic bastard, thinks he's so subtle. God, what I'd give to shove a-" Emma rants, only to be cut off by a gentle shove from her wife.

"We can try to get you out of the lunch with them, we can sa-"Jason offers, but Cas of all people shuts him down.

"It's okay, if we go once and make them hate us, maybe they'll never bother us again. Oh and I'm sorry, but we really better get going. It's almost Jack's bedtime. Thank you for everything" Cas explains with a smile, shooting a look at Dean.

"Yeah, this was a killer party. So great to meet you guys, hope we see you all soon!" Dean says plastering on a smile despite his bubbling anger.

And with quick goodbyes, Cas' arm unsnakes itself from around Dean's waist. But before he can mourn the loss, he feels his hand in his dragging him silently towards the kids' section. They scoop up an exhausted, but ecstatic Jack, and carefully avoid running into Maria, as they make their way through the gate.

Now that they're alone, walking down the cold, dark sidewalk, Dean can hold it in anymore.

"God we were so damn close then, Barbie and Ken had to show up and shut the whole thing down! And now you want us to have lunch with them?" Dean rages, pointedly ignoring the way Cas' hand that isn't holding a sleeping Jack, squeezes his own. And of course, the fact that they're still holding hands.

"I know they were dicks, but I noticed them circling us for at least ten minutes, and they only rushed over as soon as we started asking about the murders. Isn't that suspicious?" Cas questions.

"Yeah I guess, but wh-"

"So I think they might be the thing we're hunting. I only agreed to lunch so we could check them out, and scope out their house" Cas continues, amusement dancing in his voice

Of course. God, it's so obvious how could Dean miss it? This whole thing is really fucking with his head.

"Alright, no need to be smug about it. But I still don't understand why you wouldn't let me tear that assclown a new one" Dean grumbles, anger quickly returning as they climb their porch steps.

Cas sighs dropping his hand, turning to look at Dean fully. Dean's heart starts up, as Cas levels him with an intense, unreadable stare.

"Because he's just some rich, homophobic asshole, who believes he's better than everyone. But he's not, because he isn't even worth your energy or thought. He doesn't know anything about us" Cas speaks, softly, as he rests a hand on Dean's shoulder. Dean suddenly realizes they're standing almost nose to nose.

"And I certainly don't care what he thinks of me or you, and I certainly don't care what he thinks of us. Because all that matters is how we think about ourselves." Cas continues purposefully, and Dean's throat constricts at the words. Dean of course knows Cas is "indifferent to sexual orientation", but he doesn't know that he-wait is Cas-

"And besides, if he's the monster. We'll get to kill him, slowly" Cas says in a mock-serious tone, which startles a laugh from Dean's throat. He's so close he can feel Cas's breath on his face, and Cas can probably hear Dean's heart racing.

But thankfully the logical part of Dean's brain is still somewhat running because it reminds him that it's all for the act. "He doesn't know anything about us", Cas was talking about the act. These people don't know they're pretending.

Because none of this is rea-

And it happens so fast that Dean almost misses it, again. But now he's watching Cas' retreating form walk through the doorway, and up the stairs. Leaving Dean, standing alone in the cold night air, his hand moving to his cheek without consent.

Cas kissed him on the cheek, again.

But this time. Nobody was around. They were completely alone, nobody to put on an act for.

That swirling feeling his back and wreaking havoc on his stomach again, while that lightning thing courses through his veins, and his mind races a mile a minute.

Dean lets out a breath, aggressively running his hands through his hair, as he stares out onto the empty street.

Because what the fuck is happening.

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