#MAT Registration

[enlighteningcareers]

MAT Exam Date 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a highly regarded entrance examination in India that evaluates a candidate's aptitude for business and management. Administered by the All India Management Association (AIMA), MAT is taken by thousands of aspirants annually, all seeking admission to various prestigious management programs across the country. This article delves into the details of the MAT exam date for 2023, offering comprehensive information for prospective test-takers.

An Overview of MAT

Before we delve into the specifics of the MAT exam date for 2023, let's understand the fundamentals of MAT.

The Management Aptitude Test (MAT) is a standardized, national-level examination conducted by AIMA. It is a popular choice for MBA and other management-related program admissions. MAT assesses candidates on their skills in language comprehension, mathematical skills, data analysis and sufficiency, intelligence and critical reasoning, and Indian and global environment.

MAT is recognized by over 600 business schools across India and is also accepted by numerous international universities and institutions. This wide acceptance makes it an attractive choice for management aspirants, both within and outside India.

MAT Exam Date 2023: Important Information

Aspiring management students planning to take the MAT in 2023 should be aware of key dates, registration details, and other pertinent information. Here's what you need to know:

MAT Exam Modes: MAT is conducted in two modes: Computer-Based Test (CBT) and Paper-Based Test (PBT). Candidates can choose the mode that suits them best. The CBT mode offers more flexibility, while the PBT mode is a paper-and-pencil test.

MAT Exam Schedule: The MAT exam is held multiple times throughout the year. For 2023, the exam will be conducted in the months of February, May, September, and December. Candidates can choose any of these months to appear for the test, depending on their convenience.

MAT 2023 Exam Date: The MAT exam date for February 2023 is the 5th and 11th of February for the PBT and CBT modes, respectively. The specific dates for the other months (May, September, and December) will be announced closer to the respective exam months. It's crucial to stay updated with the official MAT website or notifications from AIMA for the latest exam schedules.

MAT Registration: To appear for the MAT exam, candidates need to register online on the official AIMA website. The registration for each exam session typically opens several weeks before the exam date. It is essential to complete the registration process, including payment of the exam fee, well before the last date to avoid any last-minute hassles.

MAT Exam Fee: The application fee for the MAT exam is subject to change each year. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, candidates should visit the official MAT website.

Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the MAT exam, candidates must have completed their graduation in any discipline from a recognized university or institute. There is no age limit to appear for the MAT exam, and both fresh graduates and working professionals can take the test.

Admit Card: After successful registration, candidates receive their MAT admit cards. The admit card is a crucial document that contains important information such as the exam date, time, and venue. It's essential to carry a printed copy of the admit card to the exam center along with a valid photo ID.

MAT Exam Pattern: MAT consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and is divided into five sections: Language Comprehension, Mathematical Skills, Data Analysis and Sufficiency, Intelligence and Critical Reasoning, and Indian and Global Environment. The duration of the test is 150 minutes, and it comprises 200 questions.

MAT Result and Scorecard: MAT exam results are typically released within a few weeks after the exam. The scorecard displays the sectional and overall percentile, which is used by management institutes for admission. The scorecard remains valid for one year.

MAT Participating Institutes: MAT scores are accepted by a vast number of management institutes in India. Candidates can apply to the institutes of their choice based on their MAT score and institute-specific admission criteria.

Preparation for MAT 2023

Preparing for MAT 2023 requires dedication, time, and the right study strategy. Here are some tips to help you excel in the exam:

Understand the Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the MAT exam pattern. Knowing the structure of the test and the distribution of questions in each section will help you plan your preparation.

Create a Study Schedule: Design a well-structured study plan that covers all sections of the MAT syllabus. Allocate sufficient time to each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.

Practice Regularly: Practice is key to performing well in MAT. Solve sample papers, previous years' question papers, and mock tests to gauge your progress and improve your time management skills.

Improve Time Management: Time management is crucial in MAT. Since there are 200 questions to be answered in 150 minutes, you need to be swift and accurate. Regular practice will help you get better at managing your time during the exam.

Stay Updated with Current Affairs: The Indian and Global Environment section assesses your knowledge of current affairs. Stay updated with the latest news, business developments, and global events.

Seek Professional Guidance: If you find it challenging to prepare on your own, consider enrolling in a coaching program or seeking guidance from mentors or teachers who are well-versed in MAT preparation.

Stay Healthy: Don't neglect your physical and mental well-being during your preparation. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can enhance your concentration and performance.

Conclusion

The MAT exam date for 2023 is an important piece of information for management aspirants looking to pursue an MBA or related programs in India. Understanding the key dates, registration process, and exam details is essential to plan your preparation effectively. MAT provides a gateway to numerous prestigious management institutes in India, making it a significant milestone for many students.

To succeed in MAT 2023, you need to focus on thorough preparation, time management, and staying updated with current affairs. With dedication and the right strategy, you can excel in the MAT exam and take a step closer to your management career aspirations.

[girlivealwaysbean]

arey

[darksouls2yuri]

my bookmark making experience has made me absolutely hate my silhouette i hate this thing i hate it rn

[arunseodelhi]

MAT 2024 Exam Date | MKES Institute

There will be multiple ways and times for the MAT 2024 exam to be given. Registration commenced on September 7, 2024, and the MAT 2024 exam dates for December 2024 are already available. Discover all the information you need to know about the MAT 2024 exam, including the dates, registration, eligibility, expenses, curriculum, pattern, cut-offs, and admission.

[mystartupsolution]

MSME Registration Service in Lucknow | MY STARTUP SOLUTION

Greetings from My Startup Solution, your go-to resource for help navigating the complex world of business prospects and laws. In the cutthroat world of today, starting and expanding a business need legal compliance as well as strategic preparation. Registration of Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) is one such important step. With its thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, Lucknow provides ambitious company owners with a plethora of chances. Join us as we explore the importance of MSME registration service in Lucknow and how My Startup Solution may serve as your road map.

Understand MSME Registration:

For firms, MSME registration service in Lucknow is essential to have access to a range of advantages and prospects. MSMEs, as acknowledged by the Indian government, are the foundation of the economy and play a major role in the creation of jobs and the expansion of industry. In order to enable targeted support and incentives from the government, the registration procedure classifies businesses according to their investment in plant and machinery or equipment.

Why MSME Registration Matters in Lucknow: Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, is witnessing a surge in entrepreneurial activities across diverse sectors. From traditional crafts to modern technology startups, the city is brimming with innovation and creativity. However, amidst this dynamism, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks is paramount for sustainable growth. MSME registration empowers businesses in Lucknow by:

Access to Financial Support: Registered MSMEs are eligible for various financial incentives, including subsidies, credit facilities, and preferential treatment in government tenders. This financial assistance can fuel expansion plans, boost production capacities, and enhance competitiveness in the market.

Legal Protection: Formalizing your business through MSME registration provides legal recognition and protection against unfair competition and trade practices. It instills confidence among stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and investors, thereby fostering trust and credibility in the market.

Growth Opportunities: MSME registration opens doors to networking opportunities, collaboration prospects, and participation in trade fairs and exhibitions. These platforms serve as catalysts for business growth, enabling enterprises in Lucknow to showcase their products and services to a wider audience and explore new markets.

Government Initiatives: The Government of Uttar Pradesh, in alignment with the central policies, has launched several initiatives to promote MSME development in Lucknow. From skill development programs to infrastructure support, these initiatives aim to nurture a conducive ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation.

How My Startup Solution Can Help:

At My Startup Solution, we understand the complexities involved in starting and scaling a business. Our dedicated team of experts specializes in providing end-to-end MSME registration services tailored to your specific needs. Here's how we can assist you:

Expert Guidance: Our seasoned professionals possess in-depth knowledge of MSME regulations and procedures. We guide you through every step of the registration process, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and maximizing benefits.

Seamless Process: We streamline the registration process, minimizing paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles. With our efficient approach, you can focus on your core business activities while we take care of the paperwork and documentation.

Personalized Support: We believe in personalized attention and proactive communication. Our team offers comprehensive support, addressing your queries and concerns promptly and effectively.

Post-Registration Assistance: Our commitment doesn't end with registration. We provide ongoing support and assistance, helping you leverage the benefits of MSME registration to fuel your business growth and success.

Conclusion:

In the bustling city of Lucknow, realizing your entrepreneurial dreams requires a blend of vision, resilience, and strategic planning. MSME registration in service in Lucknow as a cornerstone in this journey, unlocking a myriad of opportunities for growth and success. With My Startup Solution as your trusted partner, you can navigate the complexities of registration with ease and confidence. Let's embark on this transformative journey together and chart a path towards prosperity and innovation in Lucknow's vibrant business landscape.

Contact us for more details: +91 8795224400

Visit Now: www.mystartupsolution.in

[theshitpostcalligrapher]

once again canon comes to bite me in the ass

I haven't changed the printing settings at all, this is SUPPOSED to be a photo printer, meaning it SHOULD be able to print on glossy sticker paper without problem, and when I first got the thing, it DID

but NOW

for some BIZARRE REASON

If the stickers have anything in pure black ink, the ink just. rubs off.

WHAT????

I've been able to fix this by hitting the stickers with a light painting-setting spray before I cut them out but honestly the sticker thing might be way more trouble than its worth, especially since I'm using the printer to do a handful of prints in-house now, so it's not like I'll be losing the use of a stupid expensive printer

I got a sticker cutter a while ago but I stopped using it once I realized that a) even going through silhouette's app the registration markers have to be oddly specific in order to cut ANYTHING accurately, and sometimes they don't work anyways and b) the sticky mat leaves really wretched residue on the backs of the stickers

so I've been cutting all these stickers by hand, making it even LESS appealing to keep them on the shop

for now the setting spray method seems to work so once I'm out of sticker paper I'll not be ordering more

for reference these are the stickers sold on the shop, we have

the shit post calligapher (misc)

the canadian deep cuts

and the fucked up daikon radishes

[muffinrecord]

If you're unaware, Magia Exedra is now available for pre-registration on IOS/Apple products. The page says that the game is expected to launch by Mat 25, 2025, but it's possible it may launch before that.

The amount of people pre-registering will give all players bonuses. You can see more in the tweet here, but the important bit is that 500k pre-registrations will give everyone a free character.

[walidgoldpreppy]

A Golden indoctrination for Anthony

After returning home, Anthony is seized by a new obsession: to stay within the rules. His casual clothes that he loved so much, those worn shorts and t-shirts, no longer seem appropriate to him. Instinctively, he can no longer allow himself to slack off. He checks his phone and sees that he has received a new message from *Waltergold*, accompanied, this time again, by a video. Without even thinking, he puts on his headphones and presses "play".

The golden background fills his screen. Unlike the first video, there is no flickering, just this golden glow, captivating, still. Anthony feels his thoughts calm down, his mind immersed in this perfect light. "It's beautiful", he thinks. "It's magnificent…"

When he blinks again, he realizes that it is night. He looks at the clock: 6am. He’s all sore, his muscles aching, as if he’s had a hard workout. He glances around his apartment and notices that he’s packed up his things, changed his clothes during the night. Next to him, a summary of his order from a formal wear website is displayed on his computer: shirts, dress pants, ties, suit, dress shoes everything is there. He also has a confirmation of a registration at a local gym.

Anthony gets up slowly, still groggy, and decides to make a healthy breakfast. He makes himself scrambled eggs, whole-wheat toast, and a protein smoothie. While eating, he checks his messages on Tumblr. *Waltergold* has texted him again.

“Package’s been sent, bro. It’ll be here soon.”

He can’t suppress a shiver of excitement. For some reason, he can’t wait to receive this package. Everything in his life seems to be taking a new turn. He also decides to confirm his registration at the gym he found online. It is associated with the local soccer team, which seems to him to be a good sign.

Anthony wakes up early, feeling full of motivation. He packs his bag to go to the gym before going to work. He carefully chooses his clothes: a pair of sneakers, black technical fabric shorts, a short-sleeved shirt for training, and formal clothes for the office. He opts for a light blue cotton shirt, black fitted pants, brown leather dress shoes, a tie with subtle diagonal stripes, and does not forget his classic steel wristwatch. Everything has to be perfect.

Once his bag is ready, he heads to the gym. It is located not far from his home, modern and well-equipped. When he arrives, he goes to the reception, where he is greeted with a cordial smile. The walls are decorated with photos of local teams, trophies, and men in action on the field. One detail catches his eye: several of these men are wearing Gold jerseys, just like the ones he saw in the Team Gold stories.

As he begins his session, Anthony listens to the new soundtrack sent by *Waltergold*. He has called it “Training.” The track starts with regular beats, reminiscent of a running rhythm, mixed with words he can barely make out.

“Discipline… Obedience… Conformity…”

These words resonate in his mind, almost in synchronicity with his movements. He runs on the mat, doing series of push-ups and squats, feeling more and more focused, as if the track is strengthening his determination.

As he walks around the room, he notices several men. Some are wearing that famous Gold jersey. They are tall, muscular, their bodies seem perfectly sculpted. Their tight jerseys show off every muscle in their torsos, and each jersey bears a name emblazoned in bright Gold numbers on the back. They train with methodical precision, their gazes focused, almost unwavering. Their movements are fluid, as if they are part of a well-rehearsed choreography, a discipline that impresses Anthony. He can’t help but watch them, fascinated.

After two hours of intense effort, Anthony is exhausted but satisfied. His muscles burn, but it’s a feeling he’s learning to appreciate. He heads to the locker room, where he quickly undresses to wash himself.

Under the hot water of the shower, he thinks back to these men, their Gold jerseys, and their apparent devotion to a team, to a cause.

Once he’s done showering, he changes. His movements are almost mechanical, instinctive. He first puts on his underwear, then his fitted black pants. The soft material slides easily against his still damp skin. Next, he puts on his light blue shirt, carefully ironed, and adjusts it perfectly around his neck before buttoning each button with almost obsessive precision. He knots his tie carefully, checking several times that the knot is perfectly centered and that no creases disturb its perfection. Finally, he puts on his brown leather dress shoes, their impeccable shine briefly catching the light.

Before leaving the locker room, he looks at himself in the mirror one last time, running a hand through his carefully gelled hair, making sure each strand is in its place, and checks his tie knot again. Everything is in order.

On the way to work, Anthony feels strangely calm, but also determined. Something in him has changed, and he’s not sure he can go back.

(End of part 4)

Part 3

[triptychgrip]

Fic Rec: Transmasc Viktor Character Study

I finished reading born of the ice by ao3 user anirondack this past Monday, but the story has been lingering in my head ever since so I felt compelled to come on here and post about it.

I've been on a gender exploration kick in my fanfic pursuits, and when I came across this robust fic -- 57K, so it definitely took me awhile -- I was delighted to see 1) that it is almost entirely transphobia free, which, frankly, felt quite healing, and 2) it begins charting Viktor's journey towards transitioning all the way from his childhood (6 years old).

There was something so gripping in reading about a pre-transition Viktor dominating the skating world as Victoriya Dmitriyevna in the Women's Singles division, and then making the choice at the height of his fame/success to come out as his true self. While it is not meant to be an accurate depiction of what a transmasc Russian athlete would have had to deal with in actuality, the emotion and stakes depicted felt extremely authentic, and make you root for Viktor to find his happiness. Best of all, while it touches heavily on his gender identity journey, it's about far more than that, as well. I was particularly appreciative of the scenes that capture Viktor's melancholy closer to when we know canon starts (which takes place well after he gets top surgery and starts taking testosterone).

It was really hard to pick an excerpt from this fic to share because there are so many captivating/poignant moments, but I've settled on a scene between Yakov and Viktor, taking place around the time that Yakov is confirming registrations for Russian Nationals.

This takes place shortly after Yakov learns of Viktor's gender dysphoria, and begins when he asks him to decide which division -- men's or women's -- he will compete in.

----

“You can’t switch back and forth between the two, either. You have to pick one and stick with it.”

“I know.”

Yakov nods. He looks a little gentler than usual, which means he only looks partly inflated. He holds out his hand and Victor hands the form back. Yakov returns it to the pile and covers it with another form for someone else - hers is already filled out, with her full name and everything. Victor feels a soft pang of jealously and swallows it. “That’s all. Back to practice. Your step sequence is looking choppy. You’d better not be binding again. You know I won’t hesitate to withdraw you from the Grand Prix. I don’t care how well you did in Budapest.”

“I’m not, I promise.” Victor stands up and ties his hair back, then walks inelegantly out of the office and back to the rink, his blade covers making loud thunking noises on the rubber mats.

He thinks about it as he practices his step sequences, which do not get any less choppy. He thinks about it as he walks back to his apartment in the commons with his skates slung over his shoulder. He thinks about it as he showers and drags himself through the same dinner as always - protein and salad and more protein - and does his stretches and lifts weights and watches TV on his new TV set. He goes into the bathroom and stares at his naked body in the mirror and covers his chest with his hands and turns from side to side. It would be very difficult for him to blend into the men’s figure skating crowd, but he already doesn’t belong in the women’s division either. He faces his reflection head-on and looks at his hips - slim, but wider than is ideal for his jumps. Victor likes his hips now. They’re somewhere between masculine and feminine and he likes the androgyny of them, and how they don’t ache as much as some of the girls on the Russian team who have wide hips and knee and back pain.

Victor draws himself into his free program’s starting position, back curved forward and to the right, one arm across his face, and peeks at himself from under his elbow. It’s a very hidden position. It distorts him, makes his body look different. Featureless. The curve of his chest is only distinguished because there’s no spandex covering it. Victor sighs and drops his arms, then leans against the sink and runs the tap. He washes his face with cold water and rests his elbows on the porcelaine. He thinks.

One option is a huge challenge, the other unbearable. One will wear down his body faster, and one will wear down his mind. Neither feel like particularly good options, but Victor meets his own gaze and he knows what he’s going to do.

You can read the full story here

[alex-fictus]

Not a suggestion, more a question - how do you make your stickers? Your art inspired me to make stickers but I don’t know where to start!!

Ooh Tutorial Time! I have a small rundown of my process here. (I’ve got a video here, but I’ve had an update in my materials. Also this got a little away from me, I hope this helps and lemme know if there’s anything I need to elaborate on!)

---  Materials:  Printer - Epson Ecotank 8500 Cutters - Silhouette Cameo 4s (I’ve got 2 at the moment) Paper - Zicoto Glossy Vinyl Laminates - Glossy and Holo Star Laminate (Both Self Adhesive) Misc    Off Brand Sticker Cutter mats     Ruler Squeegee with extra microfiber wrap    Sports glove tack spray or sewing basting spray

Printer - Aim for a photographic printer at the minimum. General print quality, color variety, and paper handling will make sure your prints are the highest possible quality. They’re a little more expensive, but my last printer lasted 4 years with frequent weekly printing. The ecotank is nice, it’s more visual that the ink is actually disappearing than the pre-filled cartridges lol.  Cutter - I’ve only used Silhouette, but I’ve heard to stay clear of Cricut due to general cut unreliability and lack of customer service assistance. I’ve also heard great things about the Siser Juliet cutter from mutuals. In order to use 2 machines at the same time, I had to purchase the Business license ( p sure it was a one time $50 purchase, but I can work twice as fast). If you want to cut by hand, check out what kind of ergonomic scissors you can find. Classic scissors over time can really screw up your hands, especially when you’re making fine cuts. 

Printing and Sizing - The Silhouette Studio resizes your stickers without many issues with quality changes. This does kinda depend on the base size of your files. I always make my stickers on a canvas 3000x2000 pixels and 300 dpi. I wouldn’t go any lower than 100 dpi for print, and no larger than 500 dpi, but you can always test this out.

Paper - I enjoy the luster of the paper I linked above, there’s almost a pearlescent quality to it. If you’d like a different quality, I recommend still sticking with glossy vinyl for your paper. Laminates on matte sticker paper have had a lot of trapped air underneath for me and it tended to be more likely to bleed in contact with water despite being laminated.

Laminate - If you’re just doing paper finish stickers, you can skip this step :)

Laminate them to make them more water and scratch resistant. The laminates I’ve listed are all self adhesive. There are also heat adhesive laminates, which require a heat laminator. I haven’t experimented much with heated laminates. Mine are best rated for hand wash, though they can go through the dishwasher a few times.  When laminating your sticker sheet, be sure to not cover your registration marks. When your cutter tries to read over them and the surface is really reflective, it can cause the machine to read improperly (and it’s worse with the holographics lol). Either precut your laminates like I do in the video I linked above, or you can use matte tape over your laminate to dull the sheen. If you accidentally cover your registration marks, the matte tape is a lifesaver.  Self laminating takes some muscle memory to not get bubbles trapped under the laminate, but a wide squeegee and firm pressure helps make sure you get as few bubbles as possible.  Mats - Your cutter will come with a few, but I find that my off-brand ones are just as good and less expensive. I prefer low-tack, but there comes a time when the tack is absolutely gone, and I have 10+ mats just sitting around. That’s where the Sports Glove spray or Sewing basting spray comes in! After washing them (soap and water, then dry for a few hours), I hit them with a few coats of spray. Right now I’m using Pow’r Tac Grip Spray. It’s just ok, but this leaves less residue on the back of my stickers than the Basting Spray I used to use. I retack every month or so, but that’s more bc I’d prefer the mats to be less sticky than risk ripping my backing sheets. 

----

If there’s anything you’d still like to know, please let me know!! 

[parttimesarah]

I made a linocut print as a present for my mom’s birthday. Here’s the process of making it!

1. I found this lovely picture of Bass Harbor Head Light in Bass Harbor, Maine (the state I live in):

2. I drew it on my iPad using Procreate:

3. I flipped the image horizontally and printed it off at the size I wanted the final piece to be (9”x12” printed on 11”x14” paper):

4: I put carbon paper between the printed image and the linoleum and traced over the image using a tracing tool that came with my carbon paper (next time I’ll just use a ballpoint pen):

5. I went over the lines with a fine liner to make sure they’d stay put throughout the carving process as the graphite from the carbon paper smudged pretty easily:

6. The carving begins!:

7. The carving continues!:

8. I trimmed out all of the sky to save time and created a quick registration tool by putting marks on a larger piece of paper showing where I wanted to align my printing paper after inking the carving:

9. After several attempts, I got a print I was happy with. I ended up making changes based on the earlier prints, though, so they weren’t a complete waste of ink and paper!:

10. My dad (making a cameo in the frame’s glass reflection) framed and matted the print and it’s all ready to give to my mom tomorrow evening!:

[wolfstrong]

I said goodbye to my beautiful 2005 Honda element today my first car which i got back in high school. It left me with 211k miles on it and a busted catalytic converter. I’m not a car head in the slightest but I loved that car with my whole heart. They will never make a car as cool as the Honda element and it’ll probably be the best car I’ll ever drive, my first love. The seats in the back go all the way down and are good enough to sleep on, but they can also be fully removed then you got more then enough space to help move furniture. The perfect compact SUV really embodying the sport and utility. I had so many amazing times in that car. It got me to high school senior year and it got me to class every day of college and then it got me to work. I had countless fast food meals in there with my friends. I can’t imagine how many times that things been through the drive through and how many paper straws were discarded onto the floor. At some points there would be so many empty cups and soda cans they would roll around the back when I took a turn. But I never let her get too dirty, I always took her to the wash and took extra care on vacuuming the inside. Id let people trash the inside because I wanted it to be a fun environment. The times when I’d park her in some random lot and me and my friends would listen to the radio and drink. I had my first date in that car. All the CDs and hours of radio I listened to in there. I took that car on a road trip and slept in the back of it. I’ll never forget the time me and my friend drove her an hour and a half up a mountain, got to the top and realized we were completely out of gas and in a national park with no gas stations, so we had to coast all the way back down the mountain in neutral. I never got into a car accident, not so much as a fender bender. My car always kept me safe. No blind spot detection, no back up mirror, no lane drift awareness. Just me my car and my guardian angels. I remember when I first got her I actually bought her from a teacher I’d had from first through eighth grade. When I was test driving it with my family my brother tried to get in the car and slipped out for some reason and fell ass first onto the cement. My brothers best friend used to date the daughter of the cars owner and he said they had sex in that thing all the time. I felt the sexual energy from my car the whole time I had it. Never got to have sex in the back of my car, my one regret. I traded it in when buying my new car which got me 550 dollars off. I was going to try and sell it myself but it needed a lot of maintenance. I was able to get rid of it 3 days before the registration was due. I test drove tons of cars. I couldn’t decide if I wanted something similar to my Honda or something new and nice. I went for something new and nice. I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money to essentially have the same thing. My new car is a 2023 VW Taos. It cost me half the savings I’ve been building up since high school. But it’s all mine and I’m proud to own it. I want to keep it really nice. No more throwing the straw wrappers on the floor and spilt drinks. I think I’m going to get seat covers and weather proof floor mats and tinted windows. I want to take it to the car wash all the time and I wish I had a garage to keep it in. I thought it would hurt more to give away my Honda. I thought I couldn’t stand to drive a car that doesn’t have a cd player or a turn key start or no touch screen. But I feel good. I feel good about all the time I spent with my Honda and I’m really really excited about my new car. If there’s a heaven and I’m able to get there me and my Honda will be reunited like old friends. Sometimes driving her with the windows down and my CDs playing was the best feeling in the whole world.

[sadinasaphrite]

Friday Nights Ch 3

Whoops, a few days late for Tumblr, but here's chapter 3 of my Professor Gale Bloodweave AU!

Read on AO3!

They met as per usual on the following Friday. Neither of them mentioned anything out of the ordinary, as if the previous week never happened. Astarion’s wrists were all but healed, only a faint pink line betraying there had been any injury at all. The evening passed uneventfully, sharing their usual complaints and conversation before Astarion left arm in arm with a brunette.

The next week, Astarion didn’t appear at all.

Nor the week after that. Or the following month.

Every Friday, Gale sat at their usual table, watching the crowds for a familiar pale face and shock of white hair. He’d nurse a single drink until the bar closed, then return home dejected.

What could he do? They’d never exchanged phone numbers. He didn’t even know Astarion’s last name. He’d hoped Astarion’s first name was unique enough to find something online, but hours of searching only left him empty handed. He couldn’t go to the police. What would he say? “A guy I met in a bar stopped coming to the bar?” They’d laugh him out of the building. Gale was sure this had to do with whatever trouble Astarion had found himself in. Searching the local news for… for something, anything that could explain a strange man’s disappearance also proved fruitless. Never had Gale felt so helpless.

Winter break ended and Gale soon had his hands full with spring semester classes. How long was he going to keep doing this? Was he going to spend the rest of his life waiting for a face he’d never see again?

The third Friday of the semester, Gale’s office hours ran late, helping out a student who was having difficulty with late registration into his Intermediary Envocations class. He sat in his car and debated even going to the bar. He’d had a long week, he was tired, and he wanted nothing more than to go to bed. It snowed earlier in the afternoon, so the roads would also be terrible.

Still…

Cursing his own inflated sense of loyalty, Gale drove to the bar. He wasn’t expecting anything to change. Maybe he could get a drink and something to eat, then go home at midnight instead of two in the morning.

He pulled into the bar’s parking lot, and his headlights flashed across a thin, pale figure. Gale slammed on his brakes and threw the car in park. He flung himself out of the car without even bothering to turn off the ignition.

“Astarion!?”

The figure stopped and turned toward him.

“Gale?”

It was him. Gods, it was really him.

“Gale!”

“Astarion!” Gale scrambled toward him, slipping in the slush and catching himself on the hood of his car. “Astarion, where have you been!? I’ve been worried sick! I thought for sure something had— What… what happened to you?”

Astarion’s signature leather jacket was missing. He wore only ripped jeans, black boots, and a white tank top to protect him from the frigid winter air. He had a small duffle bag under one arm and hurried toward him.

“You came!” Astarion’s voice was tight.

“What in the world are you wearing? You must be freezing!” Gale shrugged out of his coat and wrapped it around Astarion’s thin shoulders. “Here, get this on. I’ve got gloves in the car, too, and I can crank up the heat.”

“You came,” Astarion repeated. Shaking fingers clutched at Gale’s sweater vest, pulling him close. “You came, you’re here. You’re here, you’re here, you’re really here.”

Astarion trembled from head to toe and pressed in close, resting his forehead on Gale’s shoulder.

“Hey, hey…” Gale wrapped his arms gently around Astarion, pulling him close. “I’ve got you. You’re right, I’m right here. Gods, you’re freezing. Let’s get you somewhere warm.”

This close, Gale could see the grime and dirt on Astarion’s fair skin. His hair hung in stringy, limp curls around his face, greasy and matted with filth. Astarion nodded against Gale’s shoulder, and let Gale lead him to the car.

“There we go,” Gale said, helping him into the passenger seat, then hurried to the driver’s seat and closed the door. He shut off the radio and cranked the heat up to full blast.

Astarion shrugged the duffle bag off his shoulder and slid into Gale’s coat, then hesitantly held his fingers out toward the heat vent.

“There are gloves in the glove box, if you want them.”

“This is fine.”

They sat in silence, listening to the hum of the heater and the grumble of the idling engine. Now that Gale was in an enclosed space with him, it was apparent Astarion smelled like he hadn’t bathed in quite some time. Astarion pulled away from the heater and curled in on himself, hugging Gale’s coat tighter around him.

A car behind them honked. Astarion yelped and damn near jumped out of his skin.

“Ah, we’re blocking the way into the parking lot,” Gale shifted into first gear and let the other car in. “Is there somewhere I can take you?”

Astarion didn’t answer for a long moment.

“I… I have nowhere to go,” he said, voice raw and rough. “There’s been… So much happened. So much. I lost my job. I lost my home. I lost… everyone. Everything. And it might be better now. But it might not. It’s… I’d wanted something like this. Fantasized about it. But… but it didn’t happen the way I expected. And I don’t know what to do.”

Gale’s heart clenched. “Have you been on the streets all this time? In this weather?”

“Sort of. I was squatting somewhere, but it’s not safe anymore.” He swallowed loudly. “I tried to get back here sooner. Back to you. But I wasn’t… I couldn’t…”

“Shh…it’s alright,” Gale offered a hand and Astarion took it, holding him tight. He was still ice cold. “If you need somewhere to stay, my door is open to you. It’s not much, but it’ll be warm and a roof over your head. And safe.”

“Please,” Astarion whispered.

“Then let��s go home.” Gale gave his hand a squeeze, then let him go to take hold of the stick shift.

Astarion remained silent through most of the drive, staring out the window. Gale did his best to focus on the road and not stare at his silent companion. He burned with the desire to ask a thousand questions but held himself back. The last thing Astarion needed right now was an interrogation.

As they neared the complex that housed Gale’s condo, Astarion finally stirred.

“Damn you,” he said, hugging the wool coat tighter. “You’ve tricked me into wearing tweed.”

Gale laughed and his heart lifted. Under all the pain, he was still Astarion. Good.

“All part of my dastardly plan to inflict good fashion upon you,” Gale smiled. “Soon I’ll have you wearing a bow tie.”

“You monster.”

Gale pulled into his parking spot.

“I’m up on the third floor,” he said, grabbing his laptop case from the back seat. “Do you need a hand?”

“I’m just tired, not enfeebled,” Astarion rolled his eyes and got out of the car, holding his duffle bag close.

Gale led him up to the third floor, slowing his pace to match Astarion’s sluggish steps. He unlocked the front door and stepped inside.

“And here we are!”

Astarion stopped just outside the front door. His hands tightened around the strap to his duffle bag and peered inside.

“You’re sure about this? Letting a stranger into your home?” he asked.

“I’d like to think we’re a mite bit closer than strangers,” Gale said with a smile. “If you don’t object, I’d like to think we’re friends.”

“Friends,” Astarion said softly. “I do like the sound of that.”

“As do I,” Gale said, then gave an exasperated sigh. “Now come inside, you’ll catch your death out there!”

Astarion’s shoulders relaxed a fraction and he stepped inside, letting Gale close the door behind them.

Read the rest on AO3!

[dribs-and-drabbles]

Colours in Our Skyy 2 A Tale of Thousand Stars (with a little Bad Buddy) ep 4

It had never been certain but I had hoped all along that we would see Pat and Pran in ep 4...and how wonderful that we did...and hence this post exists!

I had thought this would be a quick, short post since the Bad Buddy elements weren't that long/the ep focused mainly on Phupha, Tian and the ATOTS side of the crossover. But, HA!, this is me after all and I've ended up with 23 screenshots 🤦🏽‍♀️ So let's dive in so this doesn't get longer than it needs to.

First, all the red and blue details so common around Pat and Pran: It's hard to see in the left pic but the red of the triangle cushion mat and the blue of Pat's clothes offer the first pairing. Then it's the pens, post-it notes, mosquito net, watering can, mailbox, and sign that offer some more (I'm including pink as red here). I love the "Pat and Pran's love sprout" sign, which feels like an upgrade of the "Pavilion of Peace" sign which Pat brought with him to the bus stop build in BBS ep 3. Yellow - love and happiness - also features, as it has done a lot in these four eps, as well as the olive greens (obstacles to their happiness), which might hint to the 'conditions' Phupha leaves for Pran in his permission for him to put on the play.

And then Pat and Pran leave Pha Pun Dao...but their colours stay with Phupha, Tian, Yod, and Kampung. Even the pouch the children made has these colours, along with yellow. Note that Yod is wearing blue when he drives Pat and Pran away, but then later he wears red when he leaves with Tian - however, an extra walks by in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment in blue to add another pairing.

I loved @grapejuicegay's addition to my ep 3 post in which she talked about how both Tian and Phupha lying under the red and blue blanket could show the influence that Pat and Pran were having on them. And even once Pat and Pran leave we can see that their influence remains with Phupha and Tian: In the childrens' clothes, the registration plate and the sign in the car park, and even on their 'date' in the city in the sign of the photo booth. Of course it goes beyond just the colours, as Pat and Pran's influence has played a role in enabling Tian and Phupha to have these moments together.

I'll interrupt the colours for a moment to talk about Tian's elephant pj pants. At first, I loved that it reminded me of Pat's shirt in BBS ep 11, and of the shot of Ink and Pa's feet in BBS ep 9 that I love so much... But then I rewatched the scene before and was reminded of Phupha's line, "I want to know if you forgot how to set up a mosquito net". It's probably not meant to be read as deep as Pat's shirt but I love the connection between Phupha's words and the elephant pants - an elephant never forgets! - and I wonder if it might have been intentional.

Back to the colours, and I'm not surprised Pa and Ink are in red and blue again - but this time the opposite of how they were in ep 1. I do like the styling of putting Pa in similar shirts each time, with the colour trim on a white shirt with a logo print. I haven't talked about any browns above - the earthy colours - since they are used a lot in ATOTS and for different reasons to BBS...but the browns on Pa could relate to my BBS interpretation of the colour - yielding or sacrifice - because we see Pat and Pran yield and kiss each other after being encouraged by Pa (and Korn and Wai) at the end of the play. There's also more red and blue in the bouquets of flowers, and the lighting/curtain behind the group.

And so we come to the end of our time with Pat and Pran and I'll just highlight the obvious/more of what I've already said. Pran is in Pat's blue with his own red in the blanket to the side, with yellow - their love and happiness - in his lap. (Read into all that as you want). Pat is in yellow with teal shorts - mint green/teal being symbolic of their union as a couple (incidentally, I love that in BBS it seemed that Pat wore Pran's mint green shorts a few times...but as their relationship has gotten stronger the mint green has gotten deeper to this teal colour we've seen Pat wear a few times in these OS2 eps). Even the crisps packet Pat picks out is yellow with red. All of this, to me, is as delicious as Pat finds Pran's finger.

And lastly, I'll leave you with Tian and Phupha, since this was supposed to be their ep, and a more neutral palette...because I absolutely ADORED the complementary colours of these outfits, absolutely showing they are a perfect match for each other. Also, it's interesting the way their 'city clothes' are all quite monochrome whereas in Pha Pun Dao their life is full of all different colours.

[ep 1] [ep 2] [ep 3] [ep 4] (<- I was right to be hopeful!)

[swagtastic-bougie-pompadour]

Is anybody missing a noibat? I went into my bathroom and there was noibat chilling on my bath mat, so if anyone is missing one, it maybe be locked in my bathroom. But if nobody's missing a noibat, can somebody come and get it?

Hm. I believe you may have lost a letter in your batroom and batmat.

Consider this a student announcement, though: come get your Noibat! Anon, perhaps you could also bring it to Miriam to check if it has a registration?

[hirocimacruiser]

Tommykaira R Tuned GTR

full spec

Public road specifications equipped with racing specs as standard.

[Main equipment of Tommykaira R)

●275/35ZR18 tires 9.5J×18 original aluminum wheels Front strut tower bar (with brake master stopper) Original double spring Tension rod Turbine change Multi-cup super intercooler ●Sport air element Engine control unit ●Quick shift gear

(Rear) Original shock absorber (manufactured by Bilstein) Pillow ball type front

Interior (steering wheel, carbon meter panel, combination meter assembly (300km/h

speedometer), triple meter, driving mat, shift knob) full aero (front bumper spoiler, rear wing spoiler, rear under spoiler, side step, rear garnish, aero mirror)

- Side decals, etc.

Easily over 400 horsepower. I get nervous just imagining the numbers of...

truth

Shocking full-spec power! Tommykaira R ¥7,620,000

The price is only for the Kyoto shop front car body. Options, registration fees, consumption tax, etc. are not included.

____________________________________________

TUNED SKYLINE M25

The Tommykaira M25 is positioned at the far right of the Anti GT-R. Let's give the ultimate complete machine to the champion of winding who sticks to FR forever.

[Stage1]

Maximum output 280 horsepower 5-speed manual car ¥3,880,000

[Stage2] Maximum output 300 hp ¥4,280,000

[Stage3] Maximum output 330HP <5M/T only> ¥4,680,000

*A/T specifications are set only for stages I and II

The price is for the vehicle body only. Options, fees, consumption tax, etc. are not included. The maximum output of the A/T car is 5 horsepower down from the manual car.

*Specifications and prices are subject to change. Prices shown are for 5 manual cars.

Recruitment of full-time employees (mechanic sales)!!