#Outdoor Lighting Sydney

[jeffselectricalau]

Where is outdoor lighting Sydney-wide installed?

Sydney installs outdoor lighting in a number of key spots to improve visual appeal, safety, and security. Outdoor lighting is frequently incorporated into residential houses' patios, gardens, walks, and poolside areas. Plants, trees, and other landscape elements are illuminated by garden lights, which produce a calm and breathtaking atmosphere. Especially for visitors and family members, pathway lighting enhances visibility and guarantees safe nighttime navigation.

Sydney outdoor lighting is crucial for curb appeal and functionality in business environments. Lighting is used in office buildings, restaurants, and retail establishments to draw attention to architectural details and signage, increasing their visibility and welcoming atmosphere. Bright, motion-activated lights are also installed in parking lots and entryways to guarantee the security of patrons and staff after dark.

Outdoor lighting is essential to creating a secure and friendly atmosphere for guests in public locations like parks, playgrounds, and leisure centers. Roadside streetlights and pedestrian walkways are essential for ensuring both pedestrian and automobile safety.

Outdoor lighting Sydney-wide is now more ecologically friendly and energy-efficient thanks to developments in LED technology. Smart lighting systems with sensors and timers are now an option for homeowners, companies, and municipal planners. These systems lower energy costs while guaranteeing that outdoor spaces are always safe and well-lit.

[hikikomorimayor]

Tile in Sydney Patio kitchen - mid-sized contemporary backyard tile patio kitchen idea with a roof extension

[sydnikov]

Donut || M. Knies

Author: Sydney / @sydnikov

Pairing: Matthew Knies / fem!Reader

Word Count: 7.8k

Summary: Figure skating is no longer a sport you compete in, the decision to quit having been made years and years ago, but the magic you feel everytime you step on the ice will never fade. It’s why you coach in Toronto, but you’ve never coached at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ practice arena before—Matthew Knies just so happens to see you on your very first day, and is immediately obsessed. His charm and wittiness win you over easily, even though you’re apprehensive at the start.

Warnings: Cursing, kissing, kinda bad proofreading, and a disgusting amount of fluff

A/N: The hockey player x figure skater trope nobody asked for except it’s written by someone who *actually* figure skates 🤭 This is so silly and way too cute omg but it’s for @lifeofpriya for @wyattjohnston's winter fic exchange!! I hope you and everyone else enjoys!! <3

Cold. So cold.

It’s the first feeling your body registers as the shrill sound of your alarm blares through the quietness of your small apartment on a dark, dreary December day in Toronto.

You quickly pick up your phone from the nightstand it was charging on, eyes shrivelling shut at the brightness before you turn off the alarm. Once it’s off, you take a moment to contemplate why you make yourself do this after so many years but never bring yourself to quit.

Figure skating. Your lifeline and also your death sentence—at least you’re convinced it will be, eventually.

It’s the only thing that makes your five-thirty in the morning wake-up worth it, even as you remove yourself from the warmth of your bed.

You’re convinced you can see your breath once you turn on the light in your bathroom, holding back a shiver as you tie your hair back to brush your teeth and wash your face. It’s better to just start getting ready immediately, a routine you picked up way back in your early skating days, lest you fall back asleep.

Growing into your teens, you found it harder and harder to put yourself through the gruelling early hours that competitive figure skating requires, and there were only so many laps of power pulls you could take in punishment for being late before you had to come up with a solution to keep to your schedule.

Dragging yourself out of bed the moment you become conscious is, unfortunately, the only solution that worked, and still is, unfortunately, what you do now even though your own competition days are over.

You don’t skate for you, really, not anymore; you skate for your students, all five of them that you coach at different times throughout the week. Anna, the sixteen year-old girl who you have at eight o’clock sharp this day, is your only source of motivation as you finish your makeup and hair for the lesson.

Normally you don’t bother with a super kept-up appearance for your coaching lessons, but this day in particular has you coaching at a brand new rink, and you figure that first impressions to whoever you may or may not meet will matter.

The rink you usually coach at - an older place that’s definitely seen finer days and on the outskirts of Toronto but close to you - is finally being put out of its misery, as you like to say.

(It’s just getting a well-deserved renovation.)

An hour later, you’re all bundled up and ready to face the frigid Toronto air that awaits you. You have on three top layers total: a normal long-sleeved shirt, a thick jacket, and then your winter coat on top. You then have leggings to skate in with sweats over top to brave the elements, and those along with your coat come off once you get to the rink.

As you step out into the hallway which immediately opens to the outdoors, you quickly lock up before shoving your gloved hands in your pockets and swiftly make your way to the train that’s supposed to get you to your new rink.

Actually getting on and boarding is the easiest part; it’s so early in the morning that few occupants means little waiting time, one of the only saving graces of waking up at such an ungodly hour.

Once you’re settled, you plug in your earbuds and wait out the forty-five minute ride to your new rink.

“Morning,” The employee attending the front desk greets you after you walk into the rink, a little less than an hour later. “You have a pass?”

Your attempt at a smile is feeble, it still too early for you to bother putting on a social facade. “I’m a coach, I have a lesson here in twenty minutes.” You hold up the pass you printed out days in advance after registering on their website, transferring all the required credentials from your old rink.

The woman, probably about ten years older than you and looking just as exhausted as you feel, scans the barcode on your pass and waves you on. “Women’s locker rooms are down the hall on the right, there’s a door to the training rink in there too.”

“Thank you,” You say before following her directions, briefly admiring all of the Maple Leafs memorabilia covering the walls and ceiling.

Growing up, you never got into hockey—figure skating was your whole life and completely revolved around it, so any hobbies you picked up were separate from the ice entirely.

You did it for your sanity, but also because like most skaters, you grew to be annoyed by hockey players’ obnoxious presence. Not only were they cocky, but they tore up the ice with their complicated drills that zamboni refreshings never quite covered.

Stepping into the women’s locker room, you stopped in awe at how updated and nice it was. Fresh paint, large toilet stalls and showers, even the floors didn’t have you cringing at the thought of walking on them without your guards on.

Now, there’s still very much a hockey theme present; you suppose you weren’t going to escape that here with it being their practice rink, and all. You weren’t exactly happy to learn that tidbit of information, but at least you have early lessons, so the crowds that likely always show up wouldn’t be here at seven-thirty in the morning.

It’s five minutes later that your student for this session, Anna, saunters in, skates already adorned in a cute workout set that as a teen you would have loved, but now in your twenties find it wouldn’t keep you warm enough.

She looks as if she could take on the world, bright-eyed and full of youthful energy you admire her for having so early in the day.

Geez. You sound like you’re fifty.

“Good morning, Anna,” You greet her, sending her a smile as you quickly go through some stretches to get your legs warmed up. “Ready to get choreographing? I have about half of your long done so far.”

A long program, or a free skate, is a four minute routine that all types of skaters have for competitions. It requires a balance of all the technical elements like jumps and spins but also artistry, or how well one performs to the music.

It’s your least favorite type of program because it takes the most amount of time to perfect and is also hell to perform; if you think four minutes doesn’t sound that bad, imagine having to fly across the ice at top speeds all while maintaining elegance, power, and accuracy in every movement you do—all on blades.

“I’m so excited,” Anna replies, clapping her hands together. “I’ve been listening to my music nonstop since, like, you first suggested it to me.”

“That was over a month ago before we even settled on it!” You laugh, finally joining her in putting your skates on.

While you don’t skate professionally anymore, you still have a pair of skates you use when you actually feel like skating for fun—the skates you can safely jump and spin on. The skates you wear for coaching, an extremely worn-down pair that looks off-white now with the leather peeling off on the sides, have most definitely seen better days.

But they’re extremely comfy and perfect for recreational skating, which is all you do while coaching and is why you keep them.

“Alright,” You finally say, standing up and rubbing your hands over your arms which are slightly cold in your jacket now that your coat has come off. “Let’s go. You’ve skated here before, right?”

“Mhm!” She answers, leading the way out of the locker room and into the rink, the fresh ice glistening in the early sunlight coming from the windows up high. “I haven’t skated in this rink though. There’s like four in here and they’re open on different days.”

“You’ll have to show me the ropes one day,” You muse, following your student’s lead as she steps onto the bench, removing her guards before stepping onto the ice.

You don’t really have any intention of coming here unless you have to coach, though.

“Okay, then!” You announce, smoothly stepping onto the ice and gliding towards Anna who is getting ready to warm up. “I want you to warm up your edges, as well as your single jumps, got it?”

Anna salutes, not mockingly but rather endearingly. “Yes ma’am!” As she immediately takes off, you do your own on-ice warm up, though much less intense than hers.

While you won’t be skating her program fully - as in, doing the jumps and spins it requires - you do have to show her the footwork, which requires your body to be properly warm for all the edge work and artistry.

The ice lost its magic for you long ago, when skating became more about winning than having fun. Nonetheless, you still find satisfaction in the deep ripping sound as your blades sink into the ice, a sign of strong edges and good technique drilled into you at a young age.

As you go through your own warm up, you swing your arms up and around your chest loosely, trying to get your whole body as pliant as possible. While you do so your eyes wander, peering through the windows curiously.

The rink still isn’t full yet; you see only a mom and two little girls, an older man with his wife, and a group of maybe four men who had just walked in.

“I’m ready!” Anna suddenly announces, gaining back your attention as she skids to a quick stop in front of you. “Want me to plug in the music?”

“Nah, there’s no need,” You reply. “I can just play it on my phone. It’ll get too chaotic with it playing over the speakers.”

She nods in return, and you gesture with an arm to follow you to the center of the ice. “Alright, I have you starting here in the middle, but it doesn’t need to be exact because I’m having you do toepick steps in a spiral pattern…”

Meanwhile, Matthew Knies is cold. He should be used to it by now, but he was born and raised in Arizona where temperatures rarely drop below fifty degrees Fahrenheit during the day in winter. In Toronto, however, where a good day is above ten degrees?

He’ll just say he’s gotten used to his teammates teasing him when he shows up to practice bundled up in five layers of coats. His Slovakian ancestors would be ashamed.

This day is no different; stepping into the familiar practice arena for his team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, alongside some of his closer friends on said-team: Joe, Auston, and their captain, John. Matthew holds his arms close to his body, ignoring the snickers from Joe.

“Hey, it’s only negative six today! That’s five degrees higher than yesterday!”

Matthew looks at his friend with wide eyes. It only takes him a moment to realize he’s referring to the temperature in Celcius, not Fahrenheit.

“I still don’t know what that means in Fahrenheit,”

Joe laughs again, bumping their shoulders together as John and Auston check in at the front desk for them. “It’s really not that different once you learn, you know,”

“Another day, Joe, another day,” Matthew laments, laughing himself as Joe rolls his eyes. He holds back his chirp when John whistles for the two to follow, already several steps ahead of them.

Conversation forgotten, the four make their way to the assigned practice rink they’ll be using for the day. They’re one of the first groups to arrive, as the place is practically deserted at seven-thirty in the morning.

Matthew pulls his phone out of his pocket for a moment to scroll through his notifications, blindly following his teammates. He’s steadily ignoring them until Joe suddenly groans, the goalie swearing under his breath.

“Man, there’s gonna be holes all over the ice now—”

“The fuck are you talking about?” He laughs, only looking up to follow his friend’s gaze to where only two girls take up the ice. He immediately spots the figure skating blades and fully plans on teasing Joe about being afraid of some toe picks until one of the girls suddenly turns, and he immediately has the breath knocked out of his lungs.

Her face is flushed, likely from a mixture of the cold and skating, and her hair has tiny flyaways that she keeps trying to brush away. She’s also clearly a coach based on her coat that has ‘COACH’ in big, bold letters across the back. She’s doing some complicated, confusing footwork all up on the toe pick until stepping out, all long legs and loose arms.

Matthew’s throat dries up. She looks like an angel.

“Now, the fuck are you talking about—”

“That’s my wife.”

“What?”

“Oh my god, Joe, that’s my wife.”

“Hey Cap, did you know that Matty was married because I sure as hell didn’t?”

“No, shit, I mean,” He can’t find the right words to speak, too enraptured with the sight of the mystery woman (his future wife) gliding across the ice. “Tell the boys I’ll be right there? Thanks!”

He’s vaguely aware of Joe shouting something as he briskly walks away, but he only has eyes for you, the mysterious angel on ice.

Anna is currently running through the first twenty seconds of her program that you’ve taught so far, you standing at the boards right by the sound booth as if you were actually playing her music. She’s on the last part of the sequence, a spiral - a move where a skater raises one leg high in the air, upper body as parallel to the ice as possible - and her posture is stiff, but she seems to know that and corrects it herself before you have to.

Your back is to the glass, leaning against it casually. The door to the rink also happens to be right next to you, but you don’t notice until movement from the corner of your eye catches your attention. You’re used to parents lurking, especially Anna’s, but when you allow yourself to look you quickly realize it’s definitely not a parent.

A man, tall and broad-shouldered, adorned in what looks like three or more coats, stares at you expectantly. There’s a half-smile on his face that immediately puts you on edge because no one should be that happy at eight o’clock in the morning.

Anna just so happens to finish and rushes to the bench for a water break, which is the only reason you allow your focus from her to divert to him. “Can I help you?” You frown, very aware you come across as standoffish.

He doesn’t seem deterred. “Sorry. I, uh, didn’t mean to interrupt,” His voice is warm and slightly sheepish, and his hands are shoved deep into his coat pockets like he’s still not entirely sure why he’s here.

“I’m in the middle of coaching right now,” You state slowly, as Anna begins to make her way back to you. You go to say something else, but she taps you on the shoulder before you get the chance to. “I’m going to the restroom real quick,” She whispers, looking all too happy to leave you alone with him before she skates away without giving you a chance to respond, again.

Anna tends to do that a lot. Knowing her, she’s already planning your wedding.

Resisting the urge to get off the ice yourself, you turn back to the mystery man whose attention is still undeniably on you. “Do you need something, or…?”

“Not really, just… watching,” He says with a shrug. He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, the tips of his shoes barely scraping against the edge of the ice. “You’re good, by the way. Both of you. That—uh, what’s it called? The thing with the leg up? Looks impossible.”

You blink. “A spiral.”

“Right. Spiral. Cool.” He nods like he’s just learned some very important information, and you feel the corner of your mouth twitch against your better judgment.

“Do you… play here?” You ask, gesturing vaguely to the rink. A silly question on your end because you’re pretty sure you already know the answer.

“Hockey,” He says quickly, almost like it’s an apology. “I’m Matthew. I play for the Leafs,” He points a thumb over his shoulder, where a few of who you assume to be his teammates are slowly trickling out of a locker room. Most look tired, some half-watching, half-laughing about something.

Of course he’s a hockey player. You almost forgot you were at an NHL team’s official practice arena.

“Right,” You say curtly, briefly looking for Anna who still has not returned. “Well, my student still hasn’t come back, but we’re almost done, anyways. You’ve got the ice in ten, I think.”

“I wasn’t rushing you or anything,” Matthew says quickly, taking a step closer. “Not that I really can. My coaches tell us when to get on and off. I was just… watching. Figure skating’s kind of cool. A lot like hockey, I mean, but I still don’t know anything about it.”

“I can tell,” You mutter under your breath.

He laughs, and it catches you off guard—low, easy, and a little self-deprecating. “Fair enough. I’ll let you get back to it. Just wanted to say hi, I guess. I haven’t seen you here before.”

It’s extending an olive branch on his part, leaving it up to you to introduce yourself or not. You debate skating away again, but he’s still smiling, eyes hopeful, and you don’t have it in your heart to do anything cruel.

“It’s my first lesson here,” You admit. “I’ll be coming here a lot more, now.” You finally give your name, offering your gloved hand for him to shake with your own sheepish smile. His hand dwarfs yours easily, and despite the fact he’s also wearing gloves you can still feel the heat from his skin seeping into yours.

Matthew looks as if he’s won the lottery. “I’ll see you, yeah?” You nod, unsure what to make of him as he makes his way back to his teammates. You gather your phone and coat from the bench, sparing one last glance his way again who is now standing with his teammates, but he’s not laughing along with them. He’s watching you.

You force yourself to ignore it, swiftly turning back around and stepping off the ice. But there’s something about the way his gaze lingers, like this wasn’t just a one-off conversation to him. Like maybe he’ll be back for more.

You don’t run into Matthew again for a week, and you definitely weren’t looking for a glimpse of him each time you had a lesson. You definitely didn’t take to Google in-between spare moments, searching him up on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ roster.

And you definitely, one-hundred percent did not come to the rink on a random Tuesday morning when you didn’t even have a lesson to skate on your own, just for the opportunity to run into him again.

Really, you don’t even know why. You’ve messed around with hockey players when you were younger, sure, because it was definitely convenient, but you never saw it as serious. You’re not sure why subconsciously, you think this one is different.

The cold air bites at your cheeks as you step onto the ice, smooth and untouched, a blank canvas. You take a deep breath, your warm exhale visible in the chill, and launch into your warm-up. While not nearly as intense as it used to be, you still like to keep up most of your skills—particularly, your spins.

Unlike a lot of skaters, you always hated jumps. You always loved spinning more, any and all types, and used those in your programs while jumps were always included at the bare minimum. You’ve just always hated chucking yourself into the air, never quite trusting your body to land on a singular toepick without fault. It’s one of the reasons you quit competitive skating after so many years.

The rink is nearly empty, though—just you and two others. You only plan on skating for an hour or two, even though freestyle sessions can last much longer.

You’re midway through alternating backwards power pulls - on one foot, skating left to right in half-swizzle shapes - when you notice him.

He’s sitting on top of the bench on the far side of the rink, wearing a backward cap and a hoodie that’s definitely not designed for the cold. His skates dangle off the edge of the bench as if he’s not quite committed to stepping onto the ice yet. His hair sticks out in every direction, the messy, effortless kind that probably takes zero effort but makes him look infuriatingly good.

It’s Matthew, you recognize without a doubt. Your heart jumps out of your chest, and you try to play it cool like he hasn’t probably already noticed he’s been spotted. You try to ignore him, moving onto your spins, but there’s a prickle of awareness every time you pass his side of the rink. He’s not just watching—he’s studying.

Randomly, you decide to mess with him. There’s a spin you love where you have to contort your body in an oddly flexible way, and you’ve noticed more than once how people will always stop in their tracks to watch. It forms the shape of a donut, hence the name ‘donut spin.’

You skate to the middle, the designated area for spins, decision quickly made. You have to hide the smile threatening to spread across your face at the thought of what look would be on his. Attracted, or impressed? Maybe both?

Taking a deep breath, you tighten your arms, engage your core, and take a strong step forward. Dipping slightly, you bend your knees just enough to gather momentum, shifting your weight to your left leg, having your right leg extend behind you in a straight line. Your arms sweep in, crossing over your chest, as you begin to rotate. Your vision blurs at the edges, moving too fast to make out even a shape. You feel the pull of centrifugal force, letting the spin tighten and quicken as with practiced motion, you reach down toward your left ankle, your fingers brushing the fabric of your leggings as your body folds. Your head dips low, and your extended leg arcs upward behind you, a perfect curve in the air. The donut shape then forms easily, your body compressed into a spinning circle. Your thighs burn but you welcome it, knowing it means you’ve locked in the position. Your blade scratches against the ice as you count your rotations, getting about five in before your body really starts to protest.

Quickly beginning to tire, you let the spin slow as you begin to rise. Uncurling like a ribbon unwinding, you let your right leg drop and open your arms, checking out of the spin. Your vision sharpens again, your surroundings coming back into view, and the first thing you do is shoot a quick glance towards where you last saw Matthew.

Just as you expected, his eyes are wide, mouth slightly agape. This time you let the smile come to your face, close-lipped but no less genuine, and watch as his cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink.

Knowing without a doubt that he’ll be the one coming over to you, you skate to a stop near the boards to grab your water bottle. You hear more so than see how he pushes himself up and strides over, his skates clinking against the ice.

“You’re insane,” Matthew says by way of greeting, his words almost breathless.

You grin, knowing exactly what he means. “Excuse me?”

“That spin you just did.” He gestures vaguely towards center ice. “You just completely folded in half. What is that?”

One of your brows lifts, feigning disinterest, though you think he knows you’re amused. “A donut spin. It’s my favorite,”

He leans against the boards, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “A donut spin, huh? So, out of all the moves—jumps, spins, whatever—that’s your go-to?”

You nod, trying to hold back a grin. “Yup. I was never much of a jumper.”

“Can’t say I’ve ever heard that before,” He says with a low chuckle, shaking his head. “I half-expected something dramatic, like a quad jump, or something.”

You can’t help but laugh. “Quad jumps are dramatic—and borderline impossible. I prefer spins that don’t require me to risk my life.”

“Fair enough,” Matthew replies, tilting his head as though he’s reevaluating you. “Obviously, I don’t jump, unless I’m checking somebody. Then I don’t mind coming off my feet a bit.”

You make a show out of looking him up and down, laughing internally as he seems to stand up straighter at your appraising gaze. “Makes sense. You look like you’d be violent out there.”

He takes a step closer, causing you to have to tilt your head back just slightly. He is, unfortunately, much taller than you. “Really?” He asks, voice low. “What gives it away?”

“Um,” You lose your words for a moment, tongue-tied at his sudden proximity. “Everything, honestly. I’ve seen you skate—like you’ve got a grudge against every guy who's not on your team.”

It’s Matthew’s turn to be caught off guard, though it quickly turns to cockiness that has you rolling your eyes. “You’ve seen me skate? How? When?”

“I may or may have not looked you up online.”

“Oh. So not in person?”

“Nope. I don’t watch hockey.”

“You should change that, actually watch one of our games,” He suggests, grinning. You’re starting to suspect he’s someone who always has a smile on his face. “I’ll score a goal for you.”

This time you don’t bother holding back your laugh. “That’s a whole lot of assurance for a sport that’s mostly luck.”

If possible, his grin widens at your doubt. “I’ll make you a deal,” He says, taking another step closer with a casual confidence that’s starting to feel dangerous. “Watch one of our games, and I’ll score a goal just for you. I’ll even call it a donut goal. Maybe the name will pick up.”

You shake your head, astounded by his personality that miraculously is starting to win you over. “A donut goal?”

“Yeah,” He replies, shrugging like it’s the most obvious thing ever. “Because of your spin. It’ll be my inspiration. What do you say?”

There’s a playful glint in his eyes, and you hate how much you’re already considering it. “That sounds ridiculous,” You giggle.

“Just one game! You watch, I score, and if you hate it, you’ll never have to watch hockey again.”

It’s annoyingly tempting, the way he pitches it. And maybe part of you is curious—curious enough to nod before you can talk yourself out of it. “I guess… Just don’t, like, hurt yourself doing something stupid.”

Matthew’s grin turns triumphant, like he’s just won a championship. “Deal. I’ll let you know which game to tune into.” He goes to skate away, but then quickly turns back around before you even get the chance to turn away yourself.

“Uh… Can I get your number?” He blurts. “For the game.”

“Of course,” You smirk, completely aware of his intentions, surprisingly not as frightened as you thought. “For the game.”

You stay on the ice for another hour, though you don’t work on any more spins, and especially not jumps. Instead, you just skate in laps, occasionally switching to a random edge exercise, but mostly gliding. Matthew left the moment he got your number, sending you a stupid donut emoji as his very first message to you.

What you didn’t see is Matthew immediately calling Joe the moment he steps back into the men’s locker room. “Dude, I got her number,”

A scoff can be heard from the other end. “Your skater wife?”

“Yup. I even got her to agree to watch one of our games. I kinda have to put one in the back of the net though?

There’s the sound of something shattering, followed by a curse and then his friend shouting. “You—her—fuck—what?”

He laughs at his friend’s disbelief. “And you thought I couldn’t do it!”

“It was a spiral, actually.” Matthew replies, proud even he remembered the name. He wants to remember every word that comes out of your mouth, made it a goal to do so. He had to wait a week to see you again, constantly searching every corner of the rink whenever he had a moment of alone time, though it’s not like his teammates didn’t know what he was doing.

“Your first conversation with her was asking about a swirly-thingy.” Joe retorts. “Not exactly winning over girls with that one, y’know?”

Joe took the liberty of informing Auston and John, of course, who therefore told the others. He’s still not embarrassed, though.

Not about meeting you.

It does turn out that Matthew is not very good at texting, however. Understandable, because you aren’t either, but his schedule makes it practically impossible. Not that he doesn’t try, but it’s gotten to a point where you’re eagerly awaiting his next message that takes hours to come in, which is strange because it’s not like you’ve even gone on a date with him.

He gets sick of the distance, literally and figuratively, quickly. He first asks to call you at night, when you’re curled up in your bed and he having just gotten back to his apartment from an away game in Ottawa. You reluctantly say yes, not because you don’t want to but because you don’t exactly have a lot to talk to him about when it’s one o’clock in the morning.

Your ringtone is shrill, startling you despite knowing it was coming. You answer immediately, biting your lip when you can hear his breathing audible through the phone.

“Um, Matthew?” You start when he doesn’t say anything. “Are you there?”

“Oh shit, yeah, sorry,” He apologizes, and you can picture the hand running through his hair as he talks. “Would you believe me if I said I was surprised you even picked up?”

You laugh. “No. I don’t answer my phone this late at night for just anyone, you know.”

“Technically it’s early in the morning. Get it? Because it’s—nevermind I’m shutting up now. You picked up just for me?”

“Well, it definitely wasn’t for your jokes,”

“My mom thinks my jokes are hilarious,”

“I think she’s required to say that.”

You and Matthew call pretty often after that, once the ice is broken—pun not intended. Surprisingly, even though you both go to the same rink multiple times a week, neither of you run into each other that often, so calling at night when you’re both free is the solution to that problem. Maybe it’s because your schedules are so different, but you try to fix the new Matthew-shaped hole in your life by following your first ever hockey team on Twitter.

Or X. Or whatever.

You definitely don’t tell him that - his ego is already big enough - but the amount of pictures posted of him keeps you entertained, and very much endears you to the personality you don’t always see, especially around his teammates.

While Matthew isn’t the biggest talker on his team by any means, even he’s surprised by the endless amount of energy he seems to now have. The excitement gets him through the day, his favorite part now being able to go home at night and talk to you.

And finally, after weeks of scheming and talking and definitely falling in love on his end, he has a game in Toronto against a team he’s relatively sure he could probably net one. He texts you the details, and gives you a link to a pirated website you can watch the game on for free.

Hopefully the league doesn’t find out about that one.

He’s so excited, though, and you’re finding it impossible to not match his energy. You’d be lying if you said you weren’t secretly kicking your feet at the thought of him deliberately attempting to score a goal just for you, too. The days before are filled with teasing texts from Matthew, all centered around some mysterious plan involving this so-called ‘donut goal’. Every time you ask him to explain, he evades the question.

“So can you tell me exactly how you’re planning on doing this?” You ask the night before.

“Nope,” He replies smugly. “You’ll just have to watch and find out.”

You snort, leaning back on your couch. “What if you don’t even score?”

“Wow,” He says, feigning offense. “Zero faith in me. That’s harsh, babe.”

“I’m just saying,” You tease, brushing over the ‘babe’ he let slip out. “It’s hockey. You’ve got, like, five guys constantly trying to stop you. Plus the goalie. Odds aren’t exactly in your favor.”

“You’re gonna feel so dumb when I pull it off,” He replies, totally grinning just by the sound of his voice. “Mark my words.”

Despite your best efforts to play it cool, you’re more excited for this game than you’ve ever been for a hockey game in your life, considering you’ve never even watched one before. Your small circle of friends that grew up skating with you don’t even know about your late-night plan; you want to keep Matthew to yourself, almost, keep this new budding relationship small and private, and you think he feels the same.

Before you know it, you’re tuning into the game on a sketchy looking website that Matthew refused to give any extra details on. It works, though, even if it lags every so often, and even shows the commentators on the side as they watch the game, too.

It starts before you know it—tiny players zipping around after an even tinier puck, and trying to locate Matthew on each of his shifts proves to be even more challenging. Every time you manage to spot his number, though, he’s moving with a grace you weren’t expecting, all power and precision as he skates circles around the other team. That isn’t to say he’s indestructible, however, because Matthew takes a shit ton of hits. Every hit leaves you wincing for him, but he gives plenty back in retribution.

He’s captivating to watch, the way he commands attention without even trying. And when he gets the puck, everything seems to shift.

He’s fast—so fast you lose sight of him multiple times as he weaves through defenders. He gets a chance, shoots it, but it goes wide before being collected by the other team, whom you don’t even know the name of. The game goes on like this for the rest of the first and second period, until the third is underway and you still haven’t moved from your spot on the couch, burrowed in a fuzzy blanket, hot chocolate forgotten.

The game is nearly over when it finally happens. A breakaway from the neutral zone, according to the commentators you can barely hear over the blood rushing through your ears, and Matthew again has the puck and breaks away from the defenders, skating with terrifying speed.

The crowd roars as he approaches the goal, and your heart jumps in your chest when you realize this is it. Your eyes are glued to the screen as he circles behind the net in one smooth motion, pulling off a wraparound goal so effortlessly that you don’t even process what’s happened until the puck is in the back of the net.

The volume coming from your laptop fizzles in and out, the arena likely so loud the speakers can barely handle it. You can hear bits and pieces of said-commentators celebrating in shouts, but all you can focus on is Matthew.

Because he’s spinning his hand in a circle—mimicking the shape of a stupid fucking donut—before pointing upwards.

“Oh my god,” You hiss, dropping your face into your hands. “Did he actually just do that?”

You’re mortified, but also—how could you not smile? He skates back to his team on the bench, grinning like he just pulled off the biggest inside joke of his life.

Even though the commentators can’t hear you, their response almost makes you feel they can. “Knies wraps it around, a beaut, and seems to make some circle motion with his hand. A new celly for the forward?”

You’re alone in your apartment, no roommates to worry about hearing you squeal, and the grin on your face impossible to hide. Stunned, mildly embarrassed even if no one else knows that his celebration was for you, and the most surprising thing about it all?

You definitely, without a doubt like Matthew Knies.

Before you can talk yourself out of it, you’re pulling up your text thread with him, your last messages with the player wishing him luck for the game and him saying thanks.

You’re insane, your new text starts with, echoing his words to you after what feels like ages ago. Congrats on the goal though! I’m impressed :) get home safe.

The game is over before you know it, your screen switching from zoomed-in interviews of the players to the commentators instead, going over the stats and noteworthy plays that quickly lose your interest. You keep it on as background noise, though, as you wash and put away your mug used for hot chocolate, wiping down what little mess was left on your counter.

You’re about to close your laptop for the night, too, when the words ‘Knies’ and ‘interview’ appear in the same sentence, immediately capturing your attention.

“It appears that Knies had himself ‘some inspiration’ for tonight’s goal… Check it out here,”

They show his face next, flushed red, drops of sweat trickling down his forehead. He’s in a skin-tight compression shirt that highlights his arms unfairly well, and the grin on his face is unmistakable.

A reporter is seen shoving a microphone into his face, asking about his goal celebration. He leans into it even more, if possible, staring straight into the camera. “I had some inspiration for my celly, yeah,”

“Inspiration from what?” The reporter presses.

“Donuts, actually,” He answers nonchalantly.

“Was that what the circular motion you made was for?”

Matthew chuckles sheepishly, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. He’s about to respond when someone who you assume works for the team taps on his shoulder, cutting the interview short.

“Donuts,” One of the commentators repeats incredulously once the camera is back on them. “Can’t say I’ve heard that one before.”

“Maybe wraparound goals should be called ‘donut goals’, whaddya think?”

You tune out their chatter, picking up your phone to open Twitter. The only accounts you follow are all Leafs’ related, so you don’t know why it comes as a shock to you when you see multiple posts joking about renaming wraparound goals to donut goals, all because Matthew made a little quip about it.

Unbeknownst to all of them that you were his inspiration to begin with—all to prove a point.

Hockey players, you scoff to yourself. Biggest egos you’ll ever find.

It’s not for another two hours later until he finally texts you back. Not that you were mad, or anything, totally understanding that game nights are always busy, but the message from him catches you off guard.

hi, it starts with. im done with all the press and stuff, team meeting’s done too. can i come see you???

Your eyes are heavy, barely able to form a coherent thought, but you don’t hesitate before responding.

Yeah, I’d like that

Another hour goes by, though, and you’re starting to think he forgot or got bribed into going somewhere to celebrate, and you’re about to call it a night and crawl into bed when there’s a sudden knock at your door, startling you.

You’re positive it’s who you think it is as you rush to your door, but you check your peephole anyway. Standing there, shoulders hunched and beanie drawn so far down over his head that it’s practically covering his eyes, is Matthew.

The door almost hits the wall with how fast you open it. You stare at him, now wide-awake, as he smiles at the sight of you, looking you up and down.

“You’re here,” Are the first words you blurt. “You came,”

Matthew’s smile turns soft, taking a small step towards you. “Hi, donut,” He greets. “Sorry I’m late, some fans found me on the way out of the arena…”

Your lips tilt upwards into a smile, amused at his new choice in nickname. “That’s okay,” You say. “You can come in, by the way. Don’t want you freezing.”

He lets out a laugh at that, his breath condensating in the chill. You step to the side and he wastes no time following you in, closing the door politely behind him. Walking back to your couch, you fold up the fuzzy blanket still sprawled across and take a seat, hands bundled in the sleeves of your hoodie. He follows you, but doesn’t take a seat and instead stands awkwardly in front of you, his hands fidgeting slightly as if he’s working up to something.

“Matthew?” You ask, tilting your head at him. “What’s up?”

He bites his lip, looking anywhere but at you until a decision seems to be made, determination settling over his face. He takes a deep breath, crouching down in front of you and placing one of his hands on your knee. Your heart races, breath hitching when his other hand slowly approaches your face, brushing away an errant piece of hair stuck to the side of your cheek.

“I like you. Like, a lot,” Matthew finally blurts. “I know we’ve only known each other for like a month, but when you know, you know. You know? That sounded better in my head, actually. Anyways, I think you’re really cool, and funny, and crazy talented, and not to mention beautiful, and—”

“Matthew—”

“—I think I can make you really happy, if you want, because I really wanna get to know you more—”

“Hey, hey, Matthew, Matty, shut up for just a second, yeah?” You have to grab his face at this point, hands palms cupping his cheeks as you teasingly shake his head. It does the trick, though, and Matthew shuts up with a choked swallow, eyes wide and nervous.

“I didn’t take you for a rambler when I first met you,” You start, one of your thumbs gently brushing his cheek. “You’ve always seemed so confident,”

His face is flushed a brilliant shade of red, and he tries to duck his head despite still being in your hold. However, he’s not complaining. He’d happily let you touch him anywhere you want.

“Only you can bring it out of me, baby,” Matthew’s attempt at flirting is commendable, especially since his voice is all soft, gentle, and vulnerable in the moment. “I think about you all the time. I look forward to calling you every night. And even when I knew you were watching my game, all I could think about is that I wished you were there in person to see it.”

He chuckles then, his free hand coming up to grasp one of yours still holding his face, entangling your fingers together and squeezing before bringing it down to rest in between you. Your foreheads are practically touching, your hand not being held in his moving to cup the back of his neck.

“I’m doing a whole lot of talking here, donut,” He says. “What are you thinking?”

You take a deep breath, shuffling ever so slightly closer. “I’m thinking that I really like you too,” You admit. “You’ve managed to worm your way into my life in only a month and yet I can’t imagine my life without you in it now,”

Matthew is full-on grinning now; you don’t think you’ve ever seen him this happy. “You’re not messing with me? You’re serious?”

“I’ve known for a while now, I think. Just—didn’t know how to say it.” You answer rather bashfully, now your turn for your face to flush red.

For a moment, the two of you are silent. He squeezes your hand every so often, thumb rubbing in gentle circles over the back of yours, and his eyes don’t leave you, not for a single second. You’re so close you can see the tiny wrinkles around his eyes, his slightly chapped lips, his tongue as it comes out to lick them. Your heart races and you can’t come up with any words to cut the tension, but like always, Matthew seems to know just the right thing to say.

“I don’t think I can wait anymore,” He suddenly says, eyes pleading. “Can I kiss you?”

You nod rapidly, sighing out a quick, “Yes,” feeling like you’ll explode if you don’t get the chance to taste him. Expecting something desperate or fast, you’re surprised when he brings his free hand up towards your face, sliding around the back of your neck and tilting your head to the side. He angles you just how he likes, you happy to go along, as he leans in slowly, slowly, slowly…

The first brush of his lips sends a full-body shiver down your spine, a small whimper leaving your lips that Matthew eagerly swallows with a happy sigh of his own. He presses further, his lips pillow-soft and gentle, no desire at all to rush the moment between you.

It’s not fast or frantic. It’s slow, deliberate, and full of everything that’s been building between you two for weeks. You don’t want it to end at all, not after finally having him, but the need to breathe eventually wins over. Matthew follows your lead and rests his forehead against yours, his soft breaths mingling with yours.

It’s intimate, the way your eyes open to look at him, finding the same look mirrored in his own.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to do that,” He murmurs, not at all ashamed to admit it. You bury your head in his shoulder, hiding the bashfulness on your face as flustered giggles escape from your lips.

Matthew’s arms immediately come to encircle you, holding you so close to his chest you can almost feel his heartbeat. He moves you to sit on the couch, you happily sitting on his lap. “Aw, don’t hide, donut,” He teases, the grin on his face so obvious by the way he’s speaking.

And because, of course, you’re you, without lifting your head up you quickly pinch his arm, laughing at the squeal you get out of him. “They’re calling wraparound goals donut goals, now, did you see?”

Matthew replies with obvious pride. “Duh. Of course I did. It’s a fantastic rename, in my humble opinion,”

“No wonder your ego is so high if your fans are naming goals after you,”

“You love it though, especially after I just gave you the best kiss of your life—”

“Don’t push it, Matthew.”

A/N: I've never written for Matthew before so I hope his personality isn't too unrealistic, I feel like it gives cheesy hallmark rom-com in the best way possible 🫣 please don't forget to reblog & comment :)

────────────────────────────────

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Add yourself to my 18- (SFW) Taglist here!

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[chefkids]

My Sydcarmy Bible

The Most Damning Evidence

Carmy took Claire to Sheridan Road*

Carmy made Sydney's Pasta for Claire*

Claire is Carmy's projection of Sydney*

Claire was the Cold Prep*

Strange Currencies was never Claire's song

Claire is the physical manifestation of Carmy's avoidance*

Carmy gave Syd an I love you

The Bear is A Midsummer Night's Dream and Marcus is making the Violet love potion for Syd and Carmy*

The food that ties them together

She’s still thinking about that short rib risotto*

He’s also still thinking about that short rib risotto*

Radicchio and Fennel – Carmy gets emotional remembering Syd*

Sydney is the Fennel

Carmy does not know how to do a chaos menu

The Movie References

Sydney is Our Mother of Victory – The Great Outdoors

"Syd is a lesbian." No, she's not – Some Kind of Wonderful

Carmen's Hungry Eyes For Sydney – Dirty Dancing

Carmy is experiencing Vertigo

The Bear's Magic Tricks: From Dreams to Love Stories to Trainwrecks to Alien Motherships

The Symbolisms & Metaphors

A Delicate Fucking Ecosystem*

Sydney is the Muse*

Spoon Fork Knife Theory

Sydney lights a fire for Carmy*

Carmy's Bachelor Party After Syd Dumped Him

Screwing Under The Table*

Carmy left Syd on the table*

Syd & Carmy's Table Settings and Lights*

Emotional Cheating*

The Good Thing*

"Who is your best friend?" Sydney & Fak's Costuming

Syd & Carmy's Tattoos*

Sydney has her own 7 Fishes

Sydney is Carmy's new drive.

Sydney got her mothers car (drive)

Sydney is on the last train home

Richie dropping hints

Claire is not Carmy's future. She's "Wednesday".

The Scrunchie Does Not Fit In, but Carmy is Saving it for Later

Sydney fell in love with Carmy in a train station

[siri-ike]

DP X DC: empty

Chapter 8

Chapter 1 chapter 7

"I think she's me." He said after a long silence.

"She can't be you. You're you." Johnny responded slowly.

He stalled a moment, "Yeah. Yeah, you're right. of course, you're right. That would be impossible. " There's no way. She can't be him, and he can't be her. But there's something about her. Something so familiar they can't possibly be separate. "I need to see her again."

Having a spirit around that can punch your father's lights out seemed like a sweet deal at first. But just like Scrooge, Johnny was quickly learning how persuasive ghosts can be. And by the time their lease was up, his bags had mysteriously been packed already.

Dani's house was pretty normal looking. She had cleared some hangers for his outdoor clothes, and there was a bedroom ready for him, too. Although it was decorated like an observatory. Does she think he's an alien or something? The ghost seems to like it.

Did he glow like that before?

"Johnny!" Dani shouted from the kitchen. "I got some takeaways from West End Burgers. Yours is on the table, I'll be in my office.

She is the weirdest woman John has ever met. For starters, she's a detective, so she carries a gun. She wears pants instead of a skirt. She doesn't even curl her hair. Or cook dinner, apparently. Then there was the whole violence thing.

When he got to the kitchen, he was surprised to see three hamburgers on a plate, still wrapped in foil. He checked the receipt to see if she actually bought 6 hamburgers for the two of them.

"You seem distraught."

"I'm perfectly traught." Johnny insisted. "I'm probably just supposed to take one, right?"

"They're on a plate together."

Johnny picked one up. "I can't eat 3 burgers." He paused for a moment, then offered it to the other boy.

He hesitated to reach forward. Concentrate, be tangible. He carefully held it with both hands. He watched as Johnny took a bite and followed suit.

"You're supposed to take the wrapper off."

"Huh?" He chewed through the third of a hamburger he had stuffed in his mouth. And without a thought, swallowed it, wrapper and all.

"Never mind, here." Johnny handed the third one over as the first disappeared into a snake like jaw while taking a normal sized bite out of his own food. The sight alone was enough to give him a stomach ache. But not enough to make him not eat.

Come to think of it. Johnny had never seen the, ghost? Eat before. Maybe that's why he's so spaced out all the time. Johnny sure wouldn't like to skip months' worth of meals. "Are you still hungry?"

"I don't understand." His voice was less of a whisper than it was, this clearer version sounded, lively. He sounded like someone. It was a voice Johnny had heard before.

Just then, the door behind them opened, and detective Dani walked in with three empty hamburger wrappers on her plate. She really eats like this!? She threw them in the trash under the sink and got three large glasses from an upper cabinet. "Compleatly forgot water." She smiled at him, filled her's with water, and went back to wence she came.

"You two freaks are cut from the same cloth." Johnny addressed the air beside him.

"Yes... we are, " a nearby whisper follows her.

The room was an office. She sat at a desk covered in Manila folders and paper. The moment he stepped through the wall, she looked up. Directly at him.

She can't see him. No one can see him! How can she see him?

She exhaled a small fog of white breath. "Are you here?" She asked, looking around the room. She can't see him. But she knows.

"I've been looking for you." She paused longingly. "That's OK. You don't have to say anything. Clockwork said you might forget some things." Her smile lacked any emotion. It was like she wanted to be happy but couldn't overcome the hollowness. "I met some of our friends. Walker's still alive... Sydney isn't. I've been working on a way back to the ghost zone, but it's proven difficult without hurting the timeline." She looked so worn out. She looked wrong. This wasn't the person he had recognized. It's someone else. "Danny, please. Just show yourself, let me know you're alright."

He stepped back out. Johnny had left, probably went back to his room. He started in the direction, pretending not to hear the quiet whimpers from the office.

~~~~~~~

"Is it true you're taking the Crane boy?" Asked Commissioner Reynolds.

"Yes, sir. Picking him up after work." Dani glanced at the clock on the wall. One more hour.

"It's a big commitment, Nightingale. Are you sure you're up for it." It was less a question and more of an accusation.

"That's the beauty of teenagers, commissioner, they don't need 24-hour surveillance, just food and guidelines. And, you know, attention obviously."

"That's not what I meant. Are you ready for this?"

The air went stale.

"I read your transfer reports. I know about Pointdexter."

"Sydney was a good boy" Dani defended.

Dani didn't answer. She couldn't.

"Doesn't mean he was good for you."

One more hour.

[judesmoonbeauty]

Autumnal Longing

WC: 1,102 Pairing: Jude Jazza x Reader (AFAB) Pronouns: You/Your/She Tags: Fluff, Loneliness, Kisses, Autumn, Established Relationship, SFW Dividers: @.sydneys-graphics

Jude walked into your chambers calling out for you, but you were nowhere to be found, the room was hollow.

He’d been searching for you since he’d returned to Crown castle to surprise you with a seasonal pudding from the bakery you enjoyed. The image of watching you get cutely frustrated as he planned to taunt you with a spoonful of the treat was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Your expressions changed so much that it was one of your habits that endeared you to him, so much so, that he loved nothing more than to forcefully prod them out of you sometimes.

However, he had half a mind to now toss it into the glowing hearth because he couldn’t find you. Growing more and more impatient with your absence, your personal attendant happened to walk by and greeted him with a sign. After learning that you’d been in the garden the entire time helping Victor rake up the fallen leaves, he started towards the outside with click of his tongue.

“She ain’t yers to borrow when ya please’,” he mumbled as he clenched the small dessert box in his hand.

Jude was greeted by the outdoors with a gentle breeze sweeping past him, the air was clear and rejuvenating. When he reached the part of the grounds you were said to be working, it was completely empty, save for extremely giant piles of red and orange leaves.

“Tch, dammit. Where are ya.”

Weaving in between the outlandishly large piles, Jude called your name, but again he was met with silence. When he paused in his search, a shady thorn of loneliness started to prick his heart, as he stared up at the bare treetops wondering where you could be.

His glowing eyes dimmed a little as he thought about how you’d normally would be at the entrance of the castle to greet him with a smile and kiss. And even late into the night, you’d usually lounge against him with your hands laced together as you chatted about your day, or read a book. Jude felt his heart clench with longing as he thought about your normal routine as a couple.

There was no room in his life without you now, you were his balm, the one who promised to travel to the ends of the sky with him, the one who willingly decided to accept his evil, the one ready to plunge straight into hell with him.

“Ridiculous,” he said with gritted teeth.

It was ridiculous that something so trivial like not being able to find you as soon as he got home would make him feel this way, but it did. Jude felt anxious and irritated because it reminded him how you could so easily disappear, and he didn't want you to disappear.

While slowly being swallowed up by these negative thoughts, he vacantly reached for a cigarette with his free hand when his field of vision immediately rolled backwards.

“RAHH!”

With a spray of blood hued leaves, you leapt out of one of the large piles of colorful foliage, grabbed Jude by the shoulders and pulled him backwards, catching him completely off guard.

Pulling him into the fluffy bed of herbage you heard him yell a curse under his breath as something flew from his hand to the ground. While you laughed so hard that your stomach hurt, he looked up into your gleaming eyes that he adored and wished to keep safe. Your smile so wide that even the crescent moon would be envious with how brightly it shone.

“Gotcha!” you playfully said while scrunching your face.

Your long tresses fall forward tickling his cheek as some of the leaves dangle from them, and as soon as Jude picked one of them out, that thorn of loneliness quickly dissolved. Tracing your neck with the tips of his long fingers, the texture of your skin warmed the chilly ache inside himself, and as his hand finally cradled the back of your head, he guided you in for the kiss he’d been longing for.

It was gentle like the lightness of an autumn rain kissing the earth, your taste spreading throughout his body like the sweetness of peaches, and when you had melted completely into his kiss, he swiftly grabbed you and carefully flipped you overhead into lap.

“Ahhh!” You yelled at the sudden movement.

Your chest heaved to catch air as he whispered into your ear from behind, “Who’s got who, princess.”

With a sharp bite on the tip of your ear, Jude tightened his grip around your waist as you lay in between his legs.

“Ouuch!”

“Whine some more for me, princess,” he said as he wrestled you in excitement.

You tried to turn around, but Jude already had the advantage as he wrapped his legs around you, cutting off your chances to fight back. After struggling against him for a moment, you give up and lay against with him on the throne of leaves like you normally would in his study late at night.

“Took you long enough to find me,” you poked playfully.

“Tch, shouldn’t be goin’ off where I can’t find ya in the first place. Makin’ me search like that,” he grumbled as he nuzzled himself into the crook of your neck.

Feeling him nip into your skin like an earnest plea for you not to do something like that again, you stretch your one hand he let go free behind you, and stroke the back of his neck to reassure him.

“Sorry, I must’ve worried you.”

“Think whatcha want,” he said as he pulled you even closer nestling you both further in the crunchy leaves.

Looking up into the late afternoon sky, it continued to weep a downpour of gold, orange and red tears. Letting go of Jude’s neck, you reach out to catch one of the leaves flitting towards you, but Jude’s much larger hand grabbed yours, lacing your fingers quickly with his.

It was his way of saying to never let go of him, and when you lovingly gripped his hand back, he felt calm, whole. Despite the earth shedding itself for winter, the sun showered it's light upon you both, as the embrace you shared swaddled him and yourself with contentment and warmth.

Jude hadn’t forgotten about the pudding that had spilled onto the ground, but for now he wanted to enjoy cursing this warm, peaceful, autumnal moment with you.

Turning your face towards his, he leaned forward to satisfy his longing again with a much deeper, more delicious kiss than before.

Well, it's been a hot minute since I've written anything other than OC fanfics, and translating has kept me busy too. Still, I wanted to write something fall-ish, and I couldn't help but imagine pulling Jude into a pile of beautiful fall leaves. It was planned better in my head anyway. Thanks to @.drachonia for helping me refocus!

Tags: @ichigostellaglynn @atelierquinn @mrslelouch

If you want to be added to or removed from tags please comment below.

[thoughtfulchaos773]

Season 3- The Lay of the Land

So we know how important it is to understand the layout of the bear- the vision, so to speak, is as detailed as two tops and a booth, a sandwich window, outdoor seating, etc.

For the teaser, Notice this is the only time we get a wide shot and almost a tour of The Bear as a whole; we see the expo station, the kitchen layout, the front of the house, and even the outdoors as they show a view of Chicago.

Knowing the restaurant's layout is important; we're getting 'the layout of the land', which will help us dive deeper into Carmy's past at EMP.

It's been mentioned here a few times how The Bear looks so similar to EMP, which Carmy helped design.

Sidebar BTS knowledge: Thanks to @angelica4equity, this is the photo of the restaurant where EMP was filmed. Even the expo window and lighting are similar to The Bear.

Just like in season 2, where we learned about the menu and its ties to Carmy's family history, and as he had a hard time letting go of seven fishes, he's going to have a hard time letting go of the abuse and stress cycle he experienced at Eleventh Madison. We're going to go deeper into the experience in New York- maybe that's why we have a few New York references in season 2, such as Claire going to medical school and cousin Michelle explaining how alive you feel in New York. So, last season foreshadows where we're going for season three.

We will explore his past as a chef and as one of the best CDCs in the entire United States of America. However, Carmy will no longer have Sydney's voice in his head, reminding him of who he is; instead, he will disappear into his mind as he focuses on the star. He will focus on the task as he did in New York. He just kept going, but a part of him is ready to break out of his past. Instead of disappearing further into his work, will he try to move forward in healthier ways? Or will we get focused Carmy? The Carmy Berzatto in New York?

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New SpaceTime out Wednesday

SpaceTime 20241120 Series 27 Episode 140

First ever picture of Milky Way black hole may not be accurate

A new study claims those historic first ever images of Sagittarius A* the supermassive black hole at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy may not be a true reflection of its appearance.

Titan’s crust reveals some of its secrets

A new study looking at data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft suggests that Saturn’s moon Titan has insulating methane-rich crust up to ten kilometres thick

The latest update on Earth’s Ozone hole

A new study has found that the annual ozone hole that opens up over Earth’s south pole Antarctic region was relatively smaller this year.

The Science Report

Core samples suggest planet Earth has already passed 1.5°C of global temperature rise.

Could exposure to outdoor light at night may increase Alzheimer’s prevalence.

Adding LED lights to surfboards and wet suits could prevent attacks by Great White Sharks.

Alex on Tech the latest global survey of people’s passwords.

SpaceTime covers the latest news in astronomy & space sciences.

The show is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Apple Podcasts (itunes), Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pocketcasts, SoundCloud, Bitez.com, YouTube, your favourite podcast download provider, and from www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com

SpaceTime is also broadcast through the National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio and on both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

SpaceTime daily news blog: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/

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SpaceTime YouTube: @SpaceTimewithStuartGary

SpaceTime -- A brief history

SpaceTime is Australia’s most popular and respected astronomy and space science news program – averaging over two million downloads every year. We’re also number five in the United States.  The show reports on the latest stories and discoveries making news in astronomy, space flight, and science.  SpaceTime features weekly interviews with leading Australian scientists about their research.  The show began life in 1995 as ‘StarStuff’ on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) NewsRadio network.  Award winning investigative reporter Stuart Gary created the program during more than fifteen years as NewsRadio’s evening anchor and Science Editor.  Gary’s always loved science. He studied astronomy at university and was invited to undertake a PHD in astrophysics, but instead focused on his career in journalism and radio broadcasting. Gary’s radio career stretches back some 34 years including 26 at the ABC. He worked as an announcer and music DJ in commercial radio, before becoming a journalist and eventually joining ABC News and Current Affairs. He was part of the team that set up ABC NewsRadio and became one of its first on air presenters. When asked to put his science background to use, Gary developed StarStuff which he wrote, produced and hosted, consistently achieving 9 per cent of the national Australian radio audience based on the ABC’s Nielsen ratings survey figures for the five major Australian metro markets: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.  The StarStuff podcast was published on line by ABC Science -- achieving over 1.3 million downloads annually.  However, after some 20 years, the show finally wrapped up in December 2015 following ABC funding cuts, and a redirection of available finances to increase sports and horse racing coverage.  Rather than continue with the ABC, Gary resigned so that he could keep the show going independently.  StarStuff was rebranded as “SpaceTime”, with the first episode being broadcast in February 2016.  Over the years, SpaceTime has grown, more than doubling its former ABC audience numbers and expanding to include new segments such as the Science Report -- which provides a wrap of general science news, weekly skeptical science features, special reports looking at the latest computer and technology news, and Skywatch – which provides a monthly guide to the night skies. The show is published three times weekly (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and available from the United States National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio, and through both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

[knithacker]

'Dolly' - Outdoor Installation By Crochet Artist Tina Fox, As Part of Sydney's 'Vivid Light Walk' 👉 https://buff.ly/3IQ36TA

[jeffselectricalau]

Where is outdoor lighting Sydney-wide used?

In Sydney, outdoor lighting is utilized in many contexts to improve aesthetic appeal, safety, and security. To make it safer and easier for homeowners and visitors to travel after dark, outside lighting is frequently utilized in residential areas to light gardens, paths, and entrances. Lighting for gardens and landscapes draws attention to architectural elements, plants, and trees, enhancing outdoor areas and fostering a welcoming ambiance for evening events.

In Sydney, outdoor lighting is also essential for commercial areas to create a welcoming atmosphere for both staff and customers. To improve the dining experience, restaurants, for instance, utilize soft, ambient lighting on their patios. To improve security and discourage unwanted entry, well-lit parking lots and entrances are a top priority for shopping malls and office buildings.

Outdoor lighting is particularly advantageous for public areas such as parks, waterfronts, and walking routes. In this case, lighting enhances accessibility and safety, allowing people to continue enjoying these spaces after dusk. In instance, streetlights contribute to fewer collisions and more efficient nighttime traffic flow.

All things considered, outdoor lighting Sydney-wide is a necessary component for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Any outdoor location can be made safe and aesthetically pleasing with the correct lighting, whether it is in a public or commercial setting.

[bumblebeeappletree]

Costa meets a young gardening couple who have created a habitat haven and productive paradise four storeys up.

City living offers many conveniences – but also many challenges for keen gardeners.

In busy Edgecliffe, right in the heart of Sydney, a rooftop garden overlooking a busy train line is the only space available to Philip Georgiou and Ian Belgiorno-Zegna, but they’ve still managed to carve out a productive, potted palace to enjoy outdoors.

“We’re really lucky to have this space,” says Phil.

The total area is 350 square metres – and 200 square metres of that is the roof garden. Some is paved and some has decking, but all the plants – from tiny succulents to olive trees – are in pots.

“I’ll use the herbs from here – we use the rosemary nearly every night,” says Ian. “Phil got me onto the native trees and I’m eating lilly-pilly berries now.”

Their Eureka lemon (Citrus limon cv.) tree looks really healthy. “We had lavender underneath, but we took it out and it’s really taken off,” says Ian. Costa agrees that’s a good move because lemons don’t like any competition around their shallow roots.

Costa spots a tumbler compost bin: “Because you can’t put in on the ground, this is really appropriate for this space,” he says. Turns out it was a gift from Phil to Ian for his birthday!

They’ve also joined the ShareWaste scheme after seeing in on Gardening Australia. They receive donations of other people’s garden scraps to make compost to use on their garden.

Costa checks out the compost and says moisture wise it’s perfect – he advises mixing it into the soil after clearing a crop or spreading it around crops, making sure to cover with mulch to stop it drying out and killing the useful microbes in the compost.

“Then that compost will perform all those feeding and water-holding roles.”

Ian and Phil are growing peas, silverbeet, carrots, rocket, pineapples, herbs succulents, cycads, cacti and plenty more.

They have done a lot of work to the roof area, which was all decking when they moved in. Some of the challenges include having to get an engineer’s report to check that the roof would sustain the weight of their many pots – the large cube planters weigh more than a tonne by the time they’re full of wet potting mix, and there are 13 of these alone, plus dozens of others.

Another issue was drainage – they had to make sure all the water would drain into one corner.

The pair loves native plants and have nearly 20 grevilleas, plus callistemon, eucalyptus and banksia. There’s also lots of edible produce that they use in the kitchen. Phil’s favourite is Grevillea rhyolitica ‘Deua Flame’, which has a pretty, pendulous red flower and bright green leaves. He loves them because they flower all year around and attract loads of bees.

They ask Costa about how best to prune a bottlebrush tree to reduce the size without hacking it too much. Costa advises trimming back the flower spikes after flowering. “That will keep it nice and dense,” he says. Cutting any dieback from the centre will also encourage more light in, and hence more shoots.

The row of larger native plants offers the garden some privacy from neighbouring buildings and a nice view from the sitting room.

Ian makes a rosemary sugar syrup to use in cocktails, so Costa presents him with a lemon myrtle bush (Backhousia citriodora) that he’ll be able to use for lemon-flavoured drinks, too.

[oneelectricalau]

Electrician Penrith: Your Guide to Finding the Best Electrical Services in Penrith

Electricity is an essential part of our daily lives, from powering our homes and businesses to ensuring safety and comfort. In Penrith, a fast-growing city on the outskirts of Sydney, quality electrical services are in high demand. Whether it's wiring a new home, repairing electrical faults, or installing energy-efficient lighting, having a reliable electrician is crucial. In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about hiring an electrician in Penrith, the services they offer, and how to ensure you're choosing the right one for your needs.

Why You Need a Professional Electrician

Electricity is not something you should take lightly. DIY electrical work is not only dangerous but also illegal without the proper qualifications. Licensed electricians are trained to handle complex electrical systems, ensuring safety and compliance with Australian standards. In Penrith, electricians are essential for a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial tasks, including:

Electrical installations: From new wiring systems to appliance installations, electricians ensure your home or business is powered efficiently and safely.

Maintenance and repairs: Faulty wiring, flickering lights, or circuit breaker issues are common problems that require professional attention.

Upgrades and renovations: As technology advances, upgrading your electrical system to handle modern appliances and gadgets is a must.

Emergency services: Electrical emergencies can happen at any time. Having a reliable electrician available 24/7 ensures that issues are resolved quickly and safely.

Common Electrical Services in Penrith

Electricians in Penrith offer a wide range of services tailored to both residential and commercial clients. Some of the most common services include:

1. Electrical Installations

Whether you’re building a new home, renovating, or adding an extension, electrical installations are a crucial aspect of the construction process. A licensed electrician can help design the electrical layout, install wiring, power outlets, lighting systems, and ensure everything meets local safety regulations.

For businesses, electricians also handle the installation of specialized equipment, such as commercial lighting, security systems, and data cabling.

2. Lighting Solutions

Lighting plays a significant role in the atmosphere and functionality of a space. Electricians in Penrith provide a variety of lighting solutions, from energy-efficient LED lights to ambient lighting designs that enhance the aesthetic of your home or office. They also install outdoor lighting for gardens, pathways, and security purposes.

3. Safety Inspections

Safety should always be a priority when it comes to electricity. Regular electrical inspections can identify potential hazards, such as faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or outdated electrical systems. An electrician can conduct a comprehensive safety audit and provide recommendations to ensure your property meets current safety standards.

4. Switchboard Upgrades

Your switchboard is the heart of your electrical system, distributing electricity throughout your property. If your switchboard is outdated or unable to handle modern electrical loads, it may cause frequent circuit breaker trips or even pose a fire risk. Electricians in Penrith offer switchboard upgrades to improve efficiency and safety.

5. Emergency Electrical Services

Electrical emergencies, such as power outages, sparking outlets, or electrical fires, require immediate attention. Many electricians in Penrith offer 24/7 emergency services, ensuring that help is available when you need it most.

6. Home Automation and Smart Systems

As homes become smarter, the demand for electricians who specialize in home automation has grown. From installing smart lighting systems to integrating voice-activated assistants, Penrith electricians can help you upgrade your home to the latest technology, improving convenience and energy efficiency.

Qualities to Look for in a Penrith Electrician

Choosing the right electrician is essential for the safety and functionality of your electrical system. Here are some important qualities to look for when hiring an electrician in Penrith:

1. Licensed and Qualified

Always ensure that the electrician you hire is fully licensed and qualified to perform electrical work. In Australia, electricians must undergo rigorous training and apprenticeship programs to become licensed, so ask to see their credentials.

2. Experience

Experience matters when it comes to electrical work. An experienced electrician will be able to diagnose problems quickly, offer solutions, and carry out the work efficiently. Look for an electrician with a proven track record in the type of service you require, whether it's residential installations or commercial electrical maintenance.

3. Reputation

Word of mouth and online reviews are powerful tools when choosing a service provider. Look for an electrician with positive reviews and testimonials from past clients. A good reputation is a strong indicator of reliability and quality workmanship.

4. Transparent Pricing

Electrical work can vary in cost, so it’s essential to choose an electrician who provides transparent pricing. Avoid those who offer vague estimates or surprise fees after the work is completed. A reputable electrician should provide a clear, written quote before beginning any work.

5. Good Communication

An electrician who communicates clearly and promptly is a good sign of professionalism. They should be able to explain the work needed in layman's terms, answer your questions, and keep you informed throughout the project.

How to Find a Reliable Electrician in Penrith

Now that you know what to look for in an electrician, how do you go about finding one in Penrith? Here are a few tips:

Ask for recommendations: Friends, family, and neighbors are often a great source of recommendations for trusted electricians.

Check online directories: Websites like Yellow Pages, local trade directories, or Google Maps provide listings of electricians in Penrith, along with customer reviews.

Use social media: Facebook groups and community pages can be valuable resources for finding local electricians. Many electricians also have business pages where you can read reviews and see examples of their work.

Contact multiple electricians: Don't settle for the first electrician you find. Contact at least three electricians to compare their services, pricing, and availability. This will help you make an informed decision.

Verify their license and insurance: Before hiring, always verify that the electrician is licensed and carries appropriate insurance. This protects you from liability in case of accidents or damages during the job.

The Benefits of Hiring a Local Penrith Electrician

Hiring a local electrician in Penrith offers several advantages. First, a local electrician is likely to be familiar with the specific regulations and requirements in your area, ensuring that your project is compliant with local codes. Additionally, local electricians can often respond faster to emergencies or urgent repairs. Supporting local businesses also helps the community thrive, as your money goes back into the local economy.

Conclusion

Electricity is an essential service, and finding the right electrician in Penrith can make a world of difference in ensuring your electrical systems are safe, efficient, and up to code. Whether you're facing an electrical emergency, planning a renovation, or simply need routine maintenance, hiring a professional, licensed electrician is always the best choice.

By following the tips outlined in this blog, you can confidently choose a reliable electrician who will meet your needs and provide high-quality service. Remember to prioritize experience, reputation, communication, and transparency when making your decision, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your electrical work is in good hands.

[chefkids]

Wondering if you have any thoughts on the symbolism of “our mother of victory” line between the siblings. Not sure if it has any meaning behind just reflecting their (probably) catholic upbringing, but I don’t trust anything in this show to not have further meaning so wondering what smarter minds out there mean…

Our Mother of Victory, Pray for Us

The root of this is in the saying Our Lady of Victory, Pray for Us, which comes from a battle that the Catholics won against the Ottoman Turks. It is often used as a prayer before big event, Notre Dame football team says it before football games for good luck. Adding mother instead of Lady places their mother, Donna, in comparison to a literal Saint, the Virgin Mary. Which is ironic and part of their inside joke because as we know she is far from a Saint.

But I actually think this is a reference to a John Hughes movie called The Great Outdoors, a movie about bear attacks believe it or not. In the opening scene the say Our Lady of Victory, Pray for Us.

We already know Chris Storer has said Hughes movies are a big source of inspiration, specifically in season 2. He included songs from movies like Pretty in Pink, National Lampoons Vacation, and he even gave Kevin McCalliper McCallister from Home Alone a shout out.

Yes. Even more Bears and Fish. So bear with me.

The Great Outdoors is about a family from Chicago that goes on a trip to a cabin and the mother's sister and her husband, who they don't really get along with, invite themselves on the trip. At the start of the movie the dad tells them all a scary story about a man eating bear that he saw through the window and shot at but is still on the loose.

The Bear also starts off with a man going face to face with a bear. The bulk of the movie is about the two families not getting along, but by the end of it, the mythological bear appears and chases them into their cabin and attacks them, but they end up scaring it away and then they all get along and things work out between them.

The first Bear attack after their prayer was with Mikey and Donna

The second Bear attack was with Carmy

But this time, they were actually victorious. Because of Sydney. She managed to get the Bear away from them so they could keep going.

She is their miracle. Right before Sydney ever appeared there was a Virgin Mary figure. Sydney is always portrayed like Mary with light behind her, even with her hair always covered and in blue and white. Mikey is viewed as a Jesus like figure, he died so that they could all fix their sins and the restaurant. He is this ghostly figure whose memory is everywhere. Sydney and Mikey tied together, and she is the one that takes on his last words. Let it rip.

Carmy views Syd as a miracle, he could barely even look at her when he said it. Finding the money in the tomato cans was a miracle, it allowed her to come back and be with him. Her coming to work for him in the first place was a miracle, she came in at the perfect time when he needed her the most. Their Mother of Victory was not their mother at all, but Sydney.

[crossfitandcarbs]

🌟 2024 Goals 🌟

🌟 Gym 🌟

🏋‍♀️ Comfortably squat snatch an empty barbell for multiple reps

🏋‍♀️ Comfortably squat snatch 20kg for multiple reps

🏋‍♀️ Comfortably squat snatch 25kg for multiple reps

🤸‍♀️ Comfortably perform ten unbroken toes to bar

🌟 Physique 🌟

🧍‍♀️Body weight anywhere in the 73kg range and below then maintain

🧍‍♀️Lose 4cm or more from stomach/hips then maintain

🌟 Finances 🌟

💰 Personal savings account back up to $X,XXX or more

🌟 Travel 🌟

✈️ Mini-holiday to Sydney, approximately mid-year

🍡 Plan Japan holiday for 2025 - Cities, accommodation, travel dates, things to do (create spreadsheet like we did for Europe)

🌟 Home 🌟

🏡 Purchase 6 velvet dining chairs

🏡 Purchase outdoor table

💡 Change lights in kitchen, lounge and dining room

🌟 Personal 🌟

✍️ Maintain my bullet journal for the year

🚶‍♀️Finish The Lord of the Rings Conqueror walking challenge set