#Sage was probably at the school for a good couple months (starts in the spring like at the start of the year) and got with Arven somewhere

[starlight-miraidon]

(Pkmn Violet spoilers in this post btw)

Anyways after the Victory Squad (that’s what I’m calling the friend group for Paldea) completed their crater mission, Sage and Arven spend like. A good week or so just relaxing together.  They figured the treasure hunt would be fun, everyone would go and do their things and nothing too major would come of it, and then they show back up at the school exhausted as shit, and after Sage and Arven finished their titan mission, Sage went on to challenge the gyms and tackle Team Star on the side, so the two of them spent a lot of time apart.

And after they get back they just want to like. Sleep. But also just...spend time together. Sage would be wrapped up in schoolwork most of the time (focused on getting good grades) so a lot of the time if Arven wanted to see her then, he’d just have to be a study buddy bc Sage was so focused on the work. So a lot of their time after the mission is just spent cuddling and sleeping together because they need their rest and they just want to have their cheesy teen romance without having to put up with any of the horrible stuff they just went through. These kids haven’t even been dating for that long. Like, not even half a year, but they already felt like they’ve spent an eternity together after going through that and it’s really screwing with their heads. The time machine thing made Sage sick to their stomach just thinking about time traveling bc that’s already a hard-hitting subject due to being in Hisui, she deserves to just take a break and spend time with their boyfriend as just two teens in love. Not champions or saviors of the world. Cocoa was aggressively coaching all of Sage’s Paldea team to LEAVE THEM ALONE for a while bc the kids need their sappy little couple time and also Sage will deny sleep if given the chance and attempting to go back out and find Miraidon’s sibling would be the perfect “Well I can’t sleep NOW” excuse. 

[balsee]

proof it’s not a dream; someone has been sending luz love letters. (2/2)

Should we ever share a kiss, I’m certain that my world would be tinted pink forever. 

Amity rolls the words over in her head, she likes the sound of them. Luz can barely get through the sentence, stuttering and blushing down to the roots of her hair. Amity and Willow are practically touching foreheads as they lean over their lunch trays to get a glimpse of the sticky note Luz found tucked between her textbooks. She’s curled over, squirming in embarrassment. Amity has never seen her this flustered before. Normally, she showed off her love notes with excitement but this time, Luz appeared downright bashful. 

Her shyness, however, melts into something akin to worry. Luz leans back in her seat, eyebrows drawn together. She’s still blushing, but her mouth turns down into a frown. The note lies limp between her fingers. 

“What’s wrong, Luz?” Amity asks, feeling something cold slip down her spine. It’s been almost a month, and the letters have only gotten more personal. They’re still rather short, but they go from vague compliments to something much deeper. The last one talked of Luz’s hands. Amity remembers that one clearly. I can’t help but imagine what your hands would look like clasped with mine. Perhaps this was going overboard, somehow? Maybe these notes were no longer romantic and were getting burdensome instead. Suddenly, Amity wishes she never asked what was wrong, because she’s deathly afraid of the answer. 

“It’s just..” Luz begins, trailing off as she searches for the right words. “What if this is like, a prank or something?”

“It’s not.” Willow pipes up suddenly, gathering their attention. She blinks, surprised at her boldness, but plows forth calmly. “It’s too dedicated to be a prank, and these notes are downright poetic. Whoever is sending them sounds pretty serious to me.” 

“I mean, I guess but…” Luz falters again, and she bites her bottom lip. “Why would anyone write to me? I’m not exactly, y’know, normal.”

At this, Amity gives a kind snort. “No offence, Luz, but nobody here is normal.”

“That’s not what I mean.” the note wrinkles in her hand as she curls it into a fist and runs another hand through her hair. “Back home, y’know, in the human world, I didn’t fit it there. Now I’m here and I’m just barely a witch, so technically I don’t fit in this world either!” Luz lets her head flop onto the lunch table with a thunk. “At first, I was so excited about these letters, but now the longer I think about it, the more I’m starting to worry. I’d like to meet the person who writes these eventually, but what if they get to know the real me and they’re...disappointed?”

“Luz, that’s crazy!” Willow chides gently. “You’re amazing! This person obviously thinks so. You fit in just fine here, honestly.”

“You say that, but what if it’s not that easy?” Luz bemoans. “I couldn’t bear it if someone took the time to write these to me and everything just fell apart because they didn’t like who I really was.” Amity can’t believe what she’s hearing. There’s no way Luz could be serious, but the girl doesn’t lift her head and Amity feels something hard pressing on her chest. The hair on the back of her neck prickles, and she glances up to see Willow staring at her. Amity suddenly moves out of her seat, the chair legs scraping against the floor as she stands. 

“I gotta go.” she says quickly, gathering her books. “We’ll talk later, okay?” she runs, something strange and shameful swirling in her heart. She doesn’t look back as she rushes out of the cafeteria.

--

Amity finds Willow in the greenhouse, pruning roses at a nearby table. The greenhouse is lush and vibrant, the mingling scents give Amity a bit of a headache, but she walks in anyway. Willow looks totally in her element, pruning the roses with a concentration that rivals that of a brain surgeon. Amity even has to call her name a couple of times just to get her attention. Willow lifts her head, blinking as she comes back to reality. 

“You wrote those letters to Luz.” is the first thing out of her mouth, and Amity’s face is aflame instantly. 

“What? No, that’s--that’s not true!” Willow doesn’t respond and Amity gets nervous. “It’s not, Willow. Why would I do that? I mean, it’s just…”

“You don’t have to lie to me, Amity.” Willow says softly, giving her a knowing look. “We’re friends.” 

That sentence is laden with a weight that bears down on Amity’s shoulders. It’s not bad, just...more than she expected. It takes the wind out of her sails, and Amity can finally relax. 

“I wrote them.” Amity whispers, and she had no idea getting the words out was so difficult. “I wrote every single one. I wake up early, sneak into the school and slip them into her locker. I just...can’t tell her that they’re from me.”

“Why not?” 

“I’m too scared. Writing down your feelings is one thing, but saying them out loud is completely different! It was just going to be one note, but eventually I started writing more, and I don’t know when I’m going to stop. I don’t want Luz to figure out it’s me, but I don’t want her to feel like there’s something so strange about her that no one could possibly have romantic feelings for her! And I don’t--”

“Okay.” Willow interjects smoothly, and sets down her scissors. “Come with me for a minute.”

Willow leads Amity to the grudgby field. The spring air is crisp and the sun is warm on their skin. It’s a beautiful day, the grass of the grudgby field has been recently cut, and the smell tickles Amity’s nose. 

“Alright,” Willow said with a professional air. “you know what to do.”

Amity exhales a sigh, casting her a doubtful look. “Willow, I don’t think this is going to work--”

“It always works. Just do it.”

Without another word, Amity walks on the grass, stretching her arms. She takes a deep breath, positions herself, and does a handstand. It was an odd tradition that they did, even way back before their falling out. Whenever Willow had a hard time making a decision or getting something off her chest, she would do a handstand for a few moments. When she was back on her feet, the words poured out or her mind was made up. Amity had laughed at her then, but Willow insisted that it worked every time. Amity was never one to back down from a challenge, however, and tried it herself. 

With her legs in the air and her head inches above the grass, Amity realizes just how long it's been since she did this. Doing this headstand comes with a flood of memories, and Amity’s heart clenches at how much she missed this, how much she missed Willow. They had patched up their relationship a while ago, and it was almost as if their falling out had never happened. But it did, and Amity can finally admit to herself that no amount of good grades or friends could replace the warmth that Willow brought into her life. Those months without her were empty, cold and impossibly lonely. 

When her head begins to pound, Amity allows herself to fall onto her back and she stares at the clouds. Willow joins her, laying down beside her with her hands folded onto her stomach. 

“I think you should do it, Amity.” Willow’s voice is soft. “I think you should tell Luz that you’re in love with her.”

“How did you know?” Amity asks after a few moments of silence. 

“You cast a spell on your notes so we wouldn’t recognize the handwriting.” there's a smile evident in her words. “That’s pretty impressive magic, I must admit. But if we’re being honest, Luz is so oblivious that she probably wouldn’t recognize it anyway.” 

Amity snorts with laughter, just the thought of it causing a blush to rise to her face. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” she laughs. “she’s adorable, Willow.”

“Of course she is,” Willow agrees. “now all you need to do is tell her.”

“I know!” Amity groans, covering her face with her hands. “Stars, how could she say those things about herself? I mean, yeah she’s weird but that’s a good thing! It’s great, even! I could never be disappointed with her, not in a million years, Willow. I’m just a little scared about what’s going to happen after.”

“That’s normal, Amity. But if you don’t act, you’ll never know. I think you’ll be surprised at what’ll happen if you just get honest with Luz and with yourself.” Willow responds sagely, and Amity knows she’s right. Willow was always right. They sit there in silence, knowing that they both should probably get back to class but unwilling to move.

“This weather is pretty.” Amity says, by way of conversation. Willow waves a finger, a blue flower blooms from the ground and curls in Amity’s hand. “What’s this one?”

“A starflower.” Willow responds. “It means courage.”

--

Despite their talk, it still takes Amity longer than usual to decide on what to do. She stalls until she tells herself she’s being silly, and heads to school on Wednesday with a note in her hand. But this is no sonnet nor poem, this one is straight and direct. It’s instructions to meet by the steps after school at four, and Amity is determined to tell Luz everything then. She’s so used to taking her usual route to Luz’s locker by now that she nearly trips and falls flat on her face when she rounds the corner. 

Luz is standing at her locker.

Amity scrambles backwards, heart pounding like the wings of a hummingbird. She presses herself against the wall, nearly ripping the note as she clutches it tightly in her grip. Luz was never here early, what in the world was she…

Amity slaps a hand to her forehead, suppressing a groan. Of course! She wanted to catch whoever was writing her the letters! This wasn’t supposed to happen! Amity feels herself backtracking, determined to turn around and run out of the school. She wants to tear the note to pieces and toss her words into the wind, because she can’t do this. Amity Blight was never one to run away from a challenge, but this was a fight she was unprepared to face. This was Luz and Luz was so much more than Amity could ever imagine--

Okay, hold on. Deep breaths, Amity. 

She closes her eyes and tries to calm her rapid heartbeat. She remembers the starflower sitting in a pot on her windowsill. She can do this. She can.

Before she can doubt herself any longer, Amity rounds the corner and steps into Luz’s line of view. The girl visibly brightens, and Amity feels about ten times lighter at the sight. “Amity! What’re you doing here?”

Instinctively, Amity slips the note into her pocket. She tries to think of an excuse only to come up empty. She just...she couldn’t lie anymore, she didn’t want to. “I came here to talk to you.” she says, already feeling her heart begin to gallop in her chest. Amity flexes her fingers and steels her resolve. She stands in front of Luz, willing herself to look her in the eye. 

“I’m...I’m the one that’s been sending you the notes.” the words are heavy and hesitant, laden on her tongue. A long silence ensues as Luz’s face goes through a series of emotions. Shock, confusion, and finally something akin to happiness (or what Amity hopes is happiness). 

“...You?” Luz’s voice is feather light, as soft as a dream. “It’s been you this whole time?” Amity nods, heat rising to her face. Her skin feels hot with uncertainty, and suddenly the words start pouring out with abandon. 

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner! I was just..nervous, and I still am. But I didn’t want to hide anymore. But everything I wrote down was true, Luz. I like everything about you, and I could never be disappointed with you--”

Luz reaches out to take her hands, and Amity falls silent. It was strange how easily Luz was able to pull things out of her, how all it took was Luz’s hands in hers to quiet the beginnings of a rising storm. “It’s fine.” Luz responds quietly. “I’m not upset with you.” the relief Amity feels is so strong that her legs almost shake. 

“You’re not?” she whispers, and Luz shakes her head. 

“Willow talked some sense into me after my whole..freak out at lunch. She was right from the beginning, y’know? Love is just…”

“Scary?” Amity helpfully supplies, and Luz exhales dramatically. 

“Yes.” her entire being sags as she breathes the word out, eyes rolling to the ceiling. Amity allows herself a small smile and laces their fingers together. “But in all seriousness, I’m flattered, Amity. More than flattered, actually. I…” Luz falters, gazing at Amity with a look indecipherable. “I really like you, too. I never thought someone would do something like this for me.”

Through the rush of pure joy roaring inside her, Amity manages to string a coherent sentence together. “Well, you should’ve.” she smiles. “You’re great, Luz.” it’s all she can think to say, because the other options would’ve been to whoop in triumphant victory or lay on the floor and release a series of high-pitched squeals because Luz liked her back. But Amity can’t afford to do either of those things, so she reins herself in, just for a moment. 

“You’re great!” Luz laughs, her unrestrained laughter echoing in the halls. She quickly quiets herself when Amity presses a finger to her lips, the both of them bursting with joy that swells like the crescendo of the sweetest symphony. Luz sobers, and gives Amity a teasing smile. “So, rosebuds, huh? I didn’t know you Blights were so romantic.”

“Ugh!” Amity puts her face in her hands, voice wobbling as she tries unsuccessfully to hold in her smile and an embarrassed laugh. “I knew you were going to tease me about that!” 

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Amity looks up, and she can’t control the fondness in her voice or the love struck expression she just knows is clout across her face. “I love it.”

Back in her bedroom, the starflower grows a little taller.

[flameontheotherside]

The Beginnings Part 2

I grew up religious. As a child I loved God and reading the Bible. I remember playing church with my dolls and stuffed animals. I would preach and lead every to a song and everything with my twin brother. I loved it! Over the years my faith changed and I leaned more atheist then agnostic when my intuitive abilities started to get more frequent. I needed answers for what was happening to me. So in high school I started becoming interested in past lives and soul mates.

When I was 11 I started to miss a home I never been to and someone who I had never seen. All I knew about the guy was that he wasn't in florida. So at an appropriate age I was allowed to have long distance boyfriends. When I was introduced with the internet, I became interested in online communities, made several of my own; learned to code and run fully operational websites. In my previous career I did marketing and used those tools for my non-profit organizations.

A psychic predicted his death.

I spoke with one on a podcast just a few months before his death. He said, "I'm so sorrynfor your loss. Just know there's nothing you could have done." I didn't know what he was talking about but I found myself in my closet crying my eyes out. This was about a year after the letter to who I was hoping would find me, coincidentally written on Erik's birthday. So I collapsed and felt completely lost but I still had hope.

7 or 8 years later a psychic told me that I should talk to Erik. For years after his death I felt him around me. Always positive, protective, nice...so I never bothered to worry about it. But to talk with him? Why? How? I thought doing that was bad. I didn't want to attract demons.

So I prepared after doing research.

I saw a lot of stories about spirit boards and how dangerous they can be. I took no chances. I lit sage, cleaned my crystals and prepared for the right attitude. Even turned off the fan just in case. So that my pendulum would work. Even made sure to write scripture on my boards. I've had a pendulum for years, just never seriously used it. Someone, an acquaintance gave me one months before Erik died. She was also a witch and psychic.

With everything in its place and prepared, I respectfully and carefully started the process. I was terrified and with a notebook I documented everything he said. He didn't want to scare me but I was already scared so when he responded, I realized pendulums do work. It was slow and frequently I'd stop to write. Unfortunately all of my notebooks and journals were tossed when my ex flew off to his parents. While I was in the hospital.

Erik started as a spirit guide and a friend. He would ask me questions about things happening in my life at the time and offer advice. Over time, my pendulum started to move faster. It took a couple of years to get to telepathy and generally it was worth it.

He didn't tell me he was my twin flame for about a month.

And I didn't write in this blog until another month after. I needed to be sure about what I was doing. Thought that telling a few people was okay but I realize that was probably the dumbest thing I could have done so early in the situation. I was actually hoping to get some help. Only felt gasslighted.

When he told me he said "I'm your Twin Flame! You know this!"

I felt confused. I thought it was stupid years ago. But I remembered the feelings I would get at night when I was falling asleep that this invisible force was me in a deep way. I scraped that away as some kind of fantasy and never thought about it until what Erik said. For that short period of time back when I started feeling him I was falling in love with him. I even bought my first guitar. Reality punched me in the face when my bf at the time was having a drinking problem. A lot happened in 2012.

So when Erik said that we were twin flames I looked at what twin flames were again without judgement or snarky comments on the blogs and information I earlier deemed to be bullshit. I remembered my oracle cards would tell me about a twin flame relationship. It never made sense to me at the time. Then of course years back told me I would become a channeler and tarot card reader. Didn't believe it then either. Now I realize that even back then, my personal readings were pretty accurate.

I had to rewire my beliefs and be open the possibility that this was my path.

I always knew it would eventually find me but not this way. Much like I knew from the birthday letter Erik would find me but not this way. When I was younger (6 or 7) I predicted that I would need thick glasses and medications. I didn't know I would be bipolar but knew the meds wasnt for physical stuff.

Because I'm bipolar and take medications I had to really think about all possibilities. I could be on a crazy manic trip. I was worried that I was doing something stupid or something evil in some way. Some times I came close to assuming I must be crazy. But every time I do, I'm reminded in some way that this is real no matter how I tried to apply logic. Without my meds, I cant concentrate. Without concentration, my intuitive abilities are gone.

I've been on many medications.

Over the years about 20 different kinds and I notice I was feeling Erik when I was medicated. I stopped feeling Erik in 2012. I started meds and therapy fall of 2016. I wasn't medicated for four years because my bf's family at the time wasn't supportive about it. From fall 2016 to spring 2017 the dreams were happening more frequently. I started talking to Erik spring 2017.

I wasn't medicated for a while at the start of this year because of insurance and from then to when I started again, I was able to hear Erik and use my pendulum but it was very very hard. I was kind of happy to be "normal" but to not be able to talk to him when I needed to was just nearly impossible. It started to scare me. I realized that not just for my sanity but also sprititually, I really do need my medications. My hopes of being medication free we dashed as my work performance also began to suffer and the fog in my head got thicker. I didn't feel myself and it was noticeable.

🥰😘 Good night!

[salazar-slytherin-8867]

I challenge you to answer ALL the unusual asks. (If not just answer the ones you want to)

(thanks) 

1) Spotifiy, Soundcloud, or Pandora? 

Spotifiy

2) Is your room messy or clean? 

Messy. very. very. messy. 

3) What color are your eyes? 

blue/green.  

4) Do you like your name? why?

Not really. I got bullied for it in third and fourth grade about it, so Ive kinda disliked it since, but at least its not generic. 

5) What is your realationship status? 

in a relationship. 

6) Describe your personality in 3 words or less. 

Really fucking annoying. 

7) What color hair do you have? 

Blonde, but Im thinking of dying it. 

8) What kind of car do you drive? color? 

I cant drive, but my mom car is a green 2000 Toyota Camry 

10) How would you describe your style? 

All over the place and completely random. 

11) Favorite Social Media Account? 

Probabaly my Facebook, cause thats where I talk to most of my family. 

12) What size is your bed? 

Twin, I think. 

13) Any sibblings? 

I have two half sisters and two half brothers on my fathers side, and a twin brother. 

14) If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why? 

Mars cause I want to go to Pigfarts  Probabaly like the Oregon coast. cause I like cold weather and the West Coast

15) favorite Snapchat filter? 

I dont use Snapchat, soooo. 

16) Favortie makeup brand(s) 

I dont wear a lot of make up, but I do like e.l.f. 

17) How many times do you shower in a week? 

On a good week, 5-6, on a bad week, 2-3. 

18) Favorite Tv show? 

Rick and Morty, or NCIS 

19) Shoe size? 

 sometimes I wear a 5, others a six or seven, it varies depending on the style of shoe… 

20) How tall are you? 

5′1″ 

21) Sandals or Sneakers? 

Sneakers

22) Do you go to the gym? 

Nope. 

23) Describe your dream date.

probably just like, picnic by a lake or at a park. 

24) How much money do you have in your wallet right now? 

I dont have a wallet, but I have a jar of pocket money with $83

25) what color socks are you wearing? 

Im not wearing socks but earlier I was wear black socks. 

26) How many pillows do you sleep with? 

I only have one for my head, but I have 12 pillows on my bed. 

27) Do you have a job? what do you do? 

does being annoying and sad count as a job? 

28) How many friends do you have? 

12, but only half are close friends. 

29) What is the worst thing youve ever done? 

In third grade I gave a kid a black eye…

30) whats your favorite candle scent? 

Spring Rain. 

31) 3 favorite boy names?

Max, Alex, Jake. 

32) 3 favorite girl names? 

Raine, Sage, Autum. 

33) Favortie actor? 

Lenardo DeCaprio 

34) Favorite Actress? 

Emma Watson 

35) Who is your celebrity crush

Dont have one. 

36) Favorite Movie? 

Rent 

37) Do you read a lot? what is your favorite book? 

I’ve actually been trying to read more, I love Sparrow Road, If I stay, and Shadow. 

38) Money or brains? 

Brains, teach a man to fish.

39) Do you have a nickname? 

Moxie Clean, Moxanne, Molly Molly Moxen Free, Marshmallow, mo, mox. 

40) How many times have you been to the hospital? 

Once, when I was five, when I cracked my forhead open I Have a Scar I am Harry Potter

41) top ten favorite songs? 

Thats What You Get~Paramore,Thnks Fr Th Mmrs~ Fall Out Boy, Misery Business~Paramore, Whatsername~Green Day, It Ends Tonight~All American Rejects, Be my Escape~Relent K, 21st Century Breakdown~Green Day, Always~Blink-182, Ignorance~Paramore, A Drop in the Ocean~ Ron Pope. 

42) Do you take any medications daily? 

Zyrtec, and Asprins. 

43) What is your skin type? 

No clue, kinda dry I guess? 

44) What is your biggest fear? 

Probably abandonment having no one care about/like me. or being a disapointment. 

45) How many kids do you want? 

probably just one. three max. 

46) What is your go to hairstyle? 

I just leave my hair down. 

47) what type of house do you live in? 

I live in an apartment, that is super tiny, and hasnt been updated since the ealy 90′s… 

48) Who is your role model? 

the woman my mother works for. and my Grandmother. 

49) what is the last complement you recived? 

one of my friends told me he liked my rant about depression. 

50) What is the last text you sent? 

‘bro, did you die?!?’ 

51) How old were you when you ofund out Santa wasnt real? 

I was 5, I still put out cookies, but now they’re for my Grandmother and Grandfather. 

52) What is your dream car? 

I dont know yet, maybe just a Pale Green VW bug, or something that costs less. 

53) Opinion on smoking? 

I dont like smokers Ive been bullied my entire life cause all my clothes smell like cigerette smoke, but I dont really get to voice my thoughts cause most of my family smokes. But I have no plans to when Im old enough. 

54) Do you go to college? 

No. And I wont be anytime in the next five years or so.

55) What is your dream job? 

Chemist/Nurse/Author, or something that does good and pays well. 

56) Would you rather live in rural areas or the suburbs? 

Rural Areas. Its nice to see all the stars so clearly. 

57) Do you take the shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels? 

should I not? 

58) Do you have freckles? 

No, but my mother says that I did when I was younger. 

59) Do you smile for photos? 

Sometimes. 

60) How many pictures do you have on your phone? 

I dont have a phone so….

61) Have you ever peed in the wood? 

nope. 

62) Do you still watch cartoons? 

yeah. 

63) do you perfer chicken nuggets from Wendy’s or McDonalds? 

 I cant afford to eat out. (just for the record, Micky D’s) 

64)Favorite dipping suace? 

ranch. 

65) What do you wear to bed? 

it depends, it I dont feel like changing I’ll sleep in what Im wearing, otherwise, just sweats and a tee shirt. 

66) have you ever won a spelling bee? 

Ive never even entered cause in third grade, my teacher told me not to bother trying cause my spelling was too bad, so I havent entered since. 

67) What are your Hobbies? 

Is eating a hobby? I like to read, draw, write, and sit around being sad. and kazoooo

68) Can you draw? 

Not well. 

69) do you play an insturment? 

Clarinet, Guitar, and piano. 

70) what is the last concert you saw? 

a band concert, that I was in. 

71) tea or coffee? 

Both. 

72) Starbucks or Dunkin? 

that depends on the day, what planets where seen last night, what color socks Im wearing, when the next full moon is, and weather or not I have money. 

73) Do you want to get married? 

Maybe. 

74) what is your crushes first and last initial? 

M.D. 

75) Are you going to change your last name when you get married? 

maybe. 

76) what color looks best on you? 

teal maybe? I honestly have no clue. 

77) do you miss anyone right now? 

My friends from school, and old nieghboirs. 

78) Do you sleep with your doors open or closed? 

normally, I would sleep with my door closed, by my brother broke the hinge, so now it can only be open 

79) Do you believe in ghosts? 

yeah. 

80) what is your biggest pet peeve? 

 people who only care about others and never help themselves, people who act entitled when they arent, and people use terms they dont know the deffinition of. 

81) Last person you called? 

@geez-man, in like, June

82) favorite Ice Cream flavor? 

mint or coffee. 

83) Regular oreos, or golden oreos? 

regular. 

84) Chocolate or rainbow sprinkles? 

both. yes. all of the above. 

85) What shirt are you wearing? 

its a leopard with the David Bowie lighting blot on its face. 

86) what is your phone background? 

*doesnt have phone* 

87) Are you outgoing or shy? 

A bit of both, it depends who Im with, 

88) do you like it when people play with your hair? 

sometimes, depends who it is. I have trust issuses with people who touch my hair, cause in fifth grade a girl told to whole school I had lice, even though I didnt. 

89) do you like your neighboirs? 

I dont know my nieghboirs that well, cause most poeple are only here a couple months and then they leave, so really Im indifferent. 

90) Do you wash your face? at night? in the morning? 

in the mornings. 

91) have you ever been high? 

nope. 

92) have you ever been drunk? 

nope. 

93) Last thing you ate? 

A chicken sandwhich with pesto, chedder and pita chips. 

94) Favorite lyrics right now? 

“why do we like to hurt so much?”~thats what you get, Paramore; 

“The walls start breathing My mind’s un-weaving Maybe it’s best you leave me alone”~It ends tonight, All American Rejects;

“Well there’s a million other girls who do it just like you Looking as innocent as possible to get to who They want and what they like, it’s easy if you do it right”~Misery Business, Paramore. 

“If I could find you now things would get better We could leave this town and run forever” Ocean Avenue, Yellowcard.

“Where’s your gavel? Your jury? What’s my offense this time? You’re not a judge but if you’re gonna judge me Well sentence me to another life.”Ignorance, Paramore

“Don’t wanna hear your sad songs I don’t wanna feel your pain When you swear it’s all my fault Cause you know we’re not the same”~Ignorance, Paramore. 

95) Summer or Winter? 

Winter. 

96) Day or Night? 

night. 

97) Dark, milk or white chocolate? 

Milk chocolate. but if you offer me white or dark chocolate, I wont refuse. 

98) Favorite Month? 

August. 

99) What is your Zodiac sign? 

Scorpio

100) Who was the last person you cried in front of? 

I dont cry when Im with other people. 

(I probabaly mispelled 50% of this. Im sorry.) 

[kuwaiti-kid]

Free Time During Lockdown? Check Out These Ideas to Earn Cash

Many of us are feeling the pinch due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 2020 pandemic has forced a lot of us to change how we make money. While some of us are fortunate and able to work from home, others have seen their hours reduced or they have lost their jobs entirely. With the impacts of social distancing and the reduced job force looming over the future like a dark cloud, many of us have had to find new ways to draw an income or make some extra money. 

Luckily there are a lot of ways to earn cash from the comfort and safety of your own home during the coronavirus lockdown when you really need it. Below you can learn more about a few best ways to earn some extra cash and earn rewards along the way, whether just side gigs or a legitimate way to make money from home. Of course, these are not ‘get rich quick schemes’ and may require some perseverance to rack up the money so don’t expect to make money fast, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Here’s how to start!

1. Surveys

Online surveys can be a tedious way to make money. Most of the time surveys will only pay out a few cents or a handful of points. But if you take the time to sit down and fill them out, you can start earning between $1 to $20 per survey. 

Approach survey taking like a job. Sign up for a couple of different services and devote several hours a day to filling out as many surveys as possible. A lot of the time survey companies will even reward your hard efforts by giving you rewards and bonuses. Finding a trusted company can be difficult, but we have some favorites here at YourMoneyGeek.

Swagbucks 

Swagbucks is one of the most popular survey websites on the market. You can earn $5 just for signing up and they have the highest reward-per-survey ratio among competitors. Creating an account is easy and after a short survey, Swagbucks starts matching you up with the best surveys. Payouts are delivered to you via PayPal once you reach $25.

Join Swagbucks

Survey Junkie 

Survey Junkie is one of the most trusted online survey sites. They connect companies that need market research with consumers in their respective markets, making it a little more difficult sometimes to qualify for surveys. Each survey earns users points, which can be exchanged for cash. The minimum cash out amount is $10 and can be received in increments of $5.

Join Survey Junkie

2. Play Video Games for Cash

Mistplay

If you haven’t played Mistplay, you’re missing out! It is one of our favorite apps here at YMG. The Android app offers users the opportunity to play mobile video games in exchange for monetary rewards. From the minute you start playing the free games, you’re eligible to receive compensation. With Mistplay, you can even play with your friends and level up as you unlock achievements and earn points faster. They are user-driven and even offer chat features to allow participants to stay connected.

The only downside is that you can’t get direct PayPal cash, but you can earn gift cards and sell them online for cash! They even offer gift cards to major retailers such as Amazon, Google Play, and Visa gift cards. 

What are you waiting for? Grab your Android and start making money!

Try Mistplay

MyPoints

MyPoints is one of the best small task sites on the internet. You can easily earn money by playing games, shopping online, watching videos, and completing surveys. Every task earns you points and you can choose from your favorite gift cards or transfer your payout to your PayPal account. MyPoints is available for both Android and iOS users. You can even earn a $10 bonus when you earn your first $20 in prizes.

Join MyPoints

InboxDollars

InboxDollars is a cash-based online rewards club. Unlike other websites, you earn cash instead of earning points. You can vary your activities by taking online market research surveys, reading advertising emails, watching videos, searching the web, completing offers, playing games, printing coupons, and so much more. Earn $5 just from signing up for the app. Once you earn $30 you can get your money via check, debit card, or gift card.

Sign up for InBoxDollars

3. Free Cash Apps

Cash back apps and websites are a great way to make money online on the purchases you already planned to make. These websites either refund you a percentage of your purchase or help you save money by finding the best coupons and deals for you. While it’s not a steady side income, you’ll get paid for the online shopping you were already planning on doing.

Rakuten (previously Ebates)

Rakuten helps users earn cashback while they shop. Most cashback totals are between 2-3%, but some even pay back 12% of your total. Users receive $10 just for signing up and as you shop with Rakuten’s e-commerce platform you’ll continue to get more back.

Join Rakuten

Ibotta 

Ibotta is a cashback site that offers you $10 simply for signing up! To get cashback all you have to do is upload photos of your receipts every time you shop online or in-store. You can even get $5 just for every friend you get to sign up for the service too.

Join Ibotta

4. Make Money on Your Smartphone

MobileXpression

MobileXpression is a market research company that aims to understand the patterns and behaviors of people through their mobile devices. You can easily earn your first gift card within a week, just by downloading their Android app and using your phone as usual! Find out if you qualify today!

Download MobileXpression

S’More

S’more is another great Android app that helps you grab some free money without having to really do anything! All you have to do to earn points is download the app and allow the service to place ads on your lockscreen. It’s as easy as that!

Download S’More

5. Affiliate Marketing

Do you have a successful blog, YouTube channel, or social media account? Then you should look into affiliate marketers to help you get the most out of your hard work in your niche. Research companies that are on-brand with the content you create and work with them to advertise their products. 

There’s a huge market in the betting and gaming industry. Looking into promoting licensed Canadian casino games websites and earn a commission every time someone signs up with your affiliate link. 

There’s no magic trick to making affiliate content work for you. You have to work to foster relationships and gain a following that will help sell products. It takes a lot of perseverance, but it can definitely yield some significant money! So why not put your passions to good use and start making a passive income?

6. Tutor

With COVID-19 shutting down schools, many parents are struggling with homeschooling their kids. Even adults are looking to learn new skills to alleviate their boredom while they’re stuck at home. So why not offer your services through online tutoring through sites like Symposium or VIPKid?

You don’t necessarily need to be a teacher or an expert, but you do need to be skilled in a specific topic. You could teach English, help someone brush up on a historical topic, or even teach cooking or sewing. As long as you’re good at something, you can put your skill to use and get paid to do it.

7. Video Game Coaching

Have you spent the past decade of your life playing video games like Call of Duty, Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto, or been diving in Fortnite? Then why not monetize your expertise? There’s a wide market for offering new players tips and coaching them through their gaming experience. 

A freelance site like Fiverr or Upwork charge between $15 and $35 to help budding games hone their skills and learn the best strategies. With everyone spending time stuck at home, there’s been a massive spike in new games. So why not help the newbies with your sage advice?

8. Sell, Sell, Sell

Now that you’ve been stuck at home for weeks, you’ve probably realized you have a lot of old electronic devices and junk you no longer need. Instead of throwing everything away, why don’t you find out what stuff is worth and sell your stuff?

Laptops, tablets, and smartphones can be a particularly lucrative market, even if they’re not in working order. Check out websites like Gazelle.com, Music Magpie, and uSell to find out what you can get for your unused junk. You can even sell used clothes on digital thrift stores with the touch of a button. Sites like Watch Finder and The Watch Box can help you find the value for old websites to assist you in listing them online. Search around and find a site that works for you and what you’re trying to sell. 

Now is the time to Spring clean and make some money too. 

The Bottom Line

There are various ways to make money online during the coronavirus pandemic and it’s all about finding what works for you. Whether it’s playing games, taking surveys, or selling stuff we hope you can find a new stream of income that maximizes your income potential!

Take advantage of these legit ways to make extra money in your spare time, make money on the side or make them a new part of your per month revenue stream. Stay safe!

The post Free Time During Lockdown? Check Out These Ideas to Earn Cash appeared first on Your Money Geek.

from Your Money Geek https://ift.tt/3dV02nS via IFTTT

[thehrblog]

When work-life became home-life.

A great post from Paul McGilloway at Stangate HR and something that I am sure resonates with a lot of us! A month on, lets hope he has managed to hang onto some of his sanity! When work-life became home-life.

The blurring between our office and home environment has certainly come into forced focus due to COVID-19.

The proverbial shit has hit the fan – and seems to be doing so on a daily basis. Like us all, it’s uncomfortable. A fog. Incredulous. And hasn’t finished with us yet.

Then yesterday ‘…schools out for [the foreseeable future].’

With a tensing in my stomach, and a deep sigh I thought: How’s this going work?

Juggling running a business and a very busy home-life.

Home life is 2 boys that create a lot of energy and noise. 7 and 10! One sensitive, artistic, competitive, the other a bull-in-a-china-shop – but at times talks like a wise old sage. They both do every sport there is to do, so this’ll be a whirlwind in a house of cards. In addition my wife has just started a new job that involves travel and long hours while she gets up to speed.

How can I possibly manage all of this, and now be a teacher to my boys? I’m usually level headed and take all in my stride. Not yesterday.

Then… I realised the problem was trying to separate everything. However, I think duality of work life and home life in March 2020 just became one.

In the past working from home would have quite a loud soundtrack pre-call, and would involve herding the boys out of the room, or using the third parent (we call ours Ipad):

“Boys out, daddy’s on the phone. What? Tablet? Yes, no, of course. Just be quiet”.

The two worlds had to be kept separate, the horror if my family life was uncovered in a business call. The poor chap lampooned on BBC as his children toddled and crawled in – but now that should be normalised.

Why can’t they all just be one?

So, from now on, and for the foreseeable (that is the Downing street time-frame, right?). Any call’s, Skype, Facetime Zoom, or Whatsapp, will be with me at home with the boys.

From now, they’ll be floating around, probably asking questions in the background, although more than likely bouncing on the furniture. And that is the reality of all our circumstances now.

Our homes are now our work spaces.

So you don’t need to find the right time. The right thing to distract them. A sprint out the door into another room. A foot to keep the door shut.

And today both me and my wife were on Zoom and Whatsapp video calls and the boys were getting introduced to our new and existing work colleagues. A good start!

This level of contact is imperative to where we find ourselves in March 2020

Within HR we need to know what’s going on out there. HR is incredibly network driven – always has been.

HR changes and adapts as we adapt to different internal and external variables. Hence why HR from 20 years ago is so different today. And COVID-19 is a variable (a bloody big one).

As an HR recruiter who has been in HR, studied HR and now recruits into HR I can only gain knowledge of the HR market place through the people I speak to, which in turn I share with others in HR.

And right now is an important time to be sharing approaches with each other.

The stark reality is HR vacancies aren’t going to be coming through thick and fast over the next couple of weeks. Decisions are going to be drawn out and ropey. We have seen some companies spring into action and also a minority who have just gone into panic mode. Overall though a lot of HR teams have stepped up and are dealing with it.

We can however pass on what other HR people are doing, and from that if there are common trends we can identify those that may help you in your recruitment process or as a candidate act as a barometer to the market.

And if nothing else, you can help me with my boys school work.

  Article posted by Paul McGilloway on Linkedin here

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-work-life-became-home-life-paul-mcgilloway/

from The HR Blog https://thehr.blog/2020/04/21/when-work-life-became-home-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=when-work-life-became-home-life

[requingoestocollege]

may 16th, 2019

I don’t know why I’m so bad at keeping journals. Maybe because there was...I guess a lot of really bad stuff happening. And a lot of really good stuff! I find myself torn on which to start with--the good stuff or the bad stuff. I don’t know if I should omit the bad stuff altogether and pretend the first 5 months of this year weren’t difficult as hell.

I guess that answers my question.

Let me just do the bad stuff quickly: Living in that apartment on 990 Geary turned my life into a living hell for a couple months. I couldn’t eat properly. I was scared of showering. Sleeping was a nightmare. I kept wanting to lock the door against everything scary in the world, like Inigo going to film school, my grades wobbling, having to sleep in the same room as the person who sexually harassed and gaslit me. Oh yeah. Things fell apart with Ray. I cried really hard in front of Fran and then Fran didn’t do anything and I felt so profoundly like no one really cared about my problems. It...sucked. I confronted Ray and they turned the whole situation back on me. It hurt. I got really close to self-harming again, then I did. I’m still mad about that. Inigo and I fought about the film school thing a couple times. That also sucked and hurt, but I’m trying to be cool about it now.

Okay, fuck all that stuff because let me talk about good stuff, in sort of chronological order.

Sage and Elliot finally got their dues after pestering us about all that BERT and OSCRR stuff--they went to the highest point and they STILL sided with us. Haha, in your face anti-Semites. Spectrum was great. Not the best thing I’ve ever done, but at that point, it was a reaffirmation of my friendships with people and a way of getting closer to God in a time that I really needed Them. Lent was HARD but then I got to drink juice again! I went to FRANK IERO AND THE FUTURE VIOLENT’S SHOW WITH EZRA!!! That was SO MUCH FUN and a fulfillment of a freshman year dream. I spent time with my sisters and and family and things felt really good and normal while I spent time with them all over spring break. Easter happened and I prayed a lot and felt really good.

Then, I got cast in She Kills Monsters as Tilly.

I guess it seems silly to be so uplifted by a play, but from the start, I finally got to work with Janelle and Tiana again, plus Katie and Robin directed it and Pippa was stage manager! Uh, here let me just do the whole cast list really fast. 

Janelle as Agnes, me as Tilly, Eden as the Narrator/Steve, Aidan as Miles, Jon as Chuck, Tiana as Lilly, Eve as Kaliope, Isaiah as Orcus, Gabi as Farrah, Lexie and Kaitlin as the Succubi, and Annie as Vera. On the production side, we had Katie and Robin as directors, Pippa the stage manager, Adelaide on lights, Madison on sound, Bean on costuming, Bex, Gabby, and Angela on backstage crew.

Whew! Anyways. So I was really nervous coming onto the cast, but the show is awesome and again, at the point we started rehearsing, I was still living at 990 Geary, so I was also seeing it as an excuse to be out of the apartment all the time. But WOW! I was so excited to be a part of the play because it just means a lot to me as a younger sibling who’s also a BIG NERD. Honestly, in another life I guess I could have been Tilly Evans. Working with everyone was a TOTAL BLAST because everyone was so nice! I really felt safe, loved, and accepted while I was working on it, plus I got to explore my character, acting as a main role, doing all sorts of exercises with everyone, and fight choreography!

This was at a point in my life where I felt so crazy overwhelmed with negativity, so when our fight choreographer Dave (of Dueling Club SF!) and everyone else was complimenting me, I finally felt like I was free of the rut that I had kept getting pushed into. Here was a place where people recognized the work I put in, asked me to take care of myself, always checked in with me, and treated me with sorely needed kindness. Plus, being able to work on a show that so closely involved my special interests made me feel just PHENOMENAL all the time! My grades picked up! My friendships got stronger! And I feel like my acting really improved! All in all I really loved working on it and then the show came around and we FUCKING KILLED IT! The first night, we had some technical difficulties, but the second night was literally INCREDIBLE and I actually legitimately cried onstage because the show was powerful...and because I was sad about leaving such an awesome team.

I don’t know if I could have managed to do all the stuff I did this tough semester without the cast of SKM making me feel like a normal person. I got to move out of an abusive environment, pick up my grades, and get more emotionally stable because I had the wonderful support of everyone around me. I was so phenomenally happy and still am because of everyone.

Um, let’s see. Some mundane stuff.

Moving in at 159 23rd has been cool. I guess it’s sort of weird because we’re not all moved in yet, so I’ve mostly been living by myself with a little bit of Morgan thrown in. (Psst my mom really likes Morgan which is funny to me! Hee hee!) I’m excited but also nervous for Aaron and Ian to move in, I guess because I’m nervous about how living with all of them will be! Will I be self-conscious? Will I accidentally fuck up and not know how to handle it? I don’t know!

In other news...I finished junior year today! Or yesterday, really. It didn’t feel as momentous as I thought it would, or at least, it didn’t feel as momentous as it did when I was a junior in high school, which WHAT THE FUCK that’s super far away now. Isn’t it weird how I remember high school better than college in some ways? I still think it’s kind of fucked up that I graduated high school three years ago and I’m like an adult that pays bills and lives on my own and stuff. I guess that’s normal. I mean, I’m gonna be 21 this year. And I hope this is the year that I keep making good things happen for myself and all that. I guess it just feels like in some ways I’m still 14 wishing I could go to college, and 16 wishing I could leave home, and 18 wondering how I was gonna make it and now I’m 20 and looking back. I hope I haven’t squandered my college years. I really think this last year, despite everything getting fucked up in crazy ways I couldn’t imagine, was also really great in a lot of ways. And I have a lot of hope for my future.

But for now, I should probably get to sleep because I’m writing this at 00:32 and I have WORK tomorrow for Christ’s sake! Anyways. Good luck future me. And just know that I love you and that you are loved by many people other than me. Stay strong, magical, and powerful!