#Top 10 Books Must Read Today Generation

[ultimateaclrecovery]

Checking in on my 2023 goals!

23 things for 2023

1. buy 1 horse

Done!! Bought Luna!!!

2. Knit a pair of socks

I knit a sock, that I finished today. But I mostly decided I wanted to knit other things instead so this is fine

3. Three camping trips

went to mt of the holy cross, and New Mexico for two camping nights, plus a day hike in winter park. So technically no but pretty close!

4. Plant four pumpkins

…..no. I bought seeds and did nothing and I don’t feel that bad about it

5. Handstand (five fingers) press

Lol no. Did nothing for it. Never made a plan and so did not achieve

6. Kill side yard weeds (because weeds are the devil 666)

Success? I paid a Gardner to pull them all so yes! Feels like a failure because I didn’t really deal with them or the yard in general, but they are all gone now.

7. Go to Loyola social justice meeting (7th heaven)

I went to a meeting! And baked cookies for an event. (And then never went back oops)

8. Mail 8 letters to mates - birthday cards probably

Success! (Rebecca birthday, Sarah birthday, Clare get well card, Callie birthday, Alison birthday, clare birthday, Callie wedding, clare kt recipe card)

9. Research 9 hours of getting a cat (9 lives)

Decided a horse was enough so stopped researching 🤷‍♀️[ read complete guide to adopting a cat 3 hours]

10. Do ten full pull ups

Total yes, in a row like intended absolutely not. I can do like 2.5 in a row. Made haphazard progress, but now I have a pull up bar so hoping for better next year!

11. Buy 11 things off of my to buy eventually list

Success! This was easy and I did it! (air fryer, air mattress, nice soap dispensers, office mat, thermometer, fire extinguisher, white tank top, little plates, shower cleaner, plastic drain pipes, sheet pan organizer, bonus: back door light bulb, rainbow flag and holder, more bras)

12. Go on 12 dates

Success! I thought this would be really hard but then I just got my boyfriend by like February and it ended up being the easiest ny resolution ever. He even asked me out to start.

13. Run a half marathon 13.1 miles

Success! (Okay this was a gimme because I signed up for it and had a training plan in 2022 but still)

14. Hike a fourteener

Success! mt of the holy cross and it was terrifying and very long but we did it!

15. Read 30 (15x2) books

I read 27 and have three in various states of completion. I kind of wanted to power this one thru but it wouldn’t have been fun and then what’s the point. This one is hard because I abandoned so so many books this year. Like I made it at least one chapter into like 40 and a couple half way thru. So close but no cigar but I refuse to read things that aren’t fun just to hit a goal so I feel fine about it.

16. Host 8 things

Hosted 3, organized a couple others so partial credit. I would like to do better in the future. ( galentines, whimsy brunch, birthday, organized brunch at watercourse, organized lake day)

17. Go out dancing (must be more dancing than drinking, dance class counts.)(dancing queen only 17)

Nope. But also that’s fine.

18. Upgrade phone and deal with all photos. Upload belize to fb and save others. Data management

Mostly. I got an external storage for Christmas so I can finish when I get home. So solid partial credit. (uploaded some. Upgraded phone plus new battery, still need to get data off of it) emmapictures2222_2@gmail.com emmapictures2222@gmail.com

19. General contractor for house cracks plus install air conditioner

Success. Installed ac. Got the cracks looked at once and they were fine and then they got worse and now I’m getting foundation work done. So success I guess.

20. Get 20 layout ds

… I did not count. I def got some but probably not 20 so partial credit. (4 from leiout)

21. Go to frisbee Masters regionals

Success! Another bit of gimme but we went and qualified to nationals!)

22. Buy purple navel jewelry (I’m feeling 22)

Success! (And I love it)

23. volunteer for 23 hours

No and I feel bad about it. I need to find something to volunteer with. I feel like I should have the time/be able to make time but it also feels like I never have time and also never want to. But I think it’s important.

So overall full success on 11 of the goals, happy partial on 5, annoyed partial on 2, abandoned 4 and failed my last one and feel bad about it.

But overall pretty good success!

[fangirlmedstudentblog]

Top 10 Female Characters

Thanks for tagging @solana-ceae was free today for a bit so you caught me at a nice time and it's pretty interesting and also so painful to keep it to 10, because i have probably 10 for each type media i read or watch lol. These are in no particular order and might come back someday to elaborate on some of these choices

if anyone wants to do it consider yourseves tagged

1. Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Elizabeth Bennett, is a character so beloved to me, that even after almost a decade of having read the novel, P&P remains one of my most favourite novels of all time. It was my first romance novel ever and also was my introduction to the works of Jane Austen and romance novels in general. It's also the reason i have such a fondness for regency era romance novels. I love all of her iterations in the myriad of iterations of Pride and Prejudice adaptations we've seen over the years, though i will confess my favourites are the from book (ofc), the 1995 bbc mini series (the better adaptation of P&P novel), the 2005 movie and from the web series, the Lizzie Bennett diaries, a really beautiful awesome web series that is fully available on youtube and i think is a must watch for any fans of P&P.

Elizabeth is such a beautiful vivacious woman, who was courageous, fearless enough to not settle for anything but what she wanted, and a little prideful and she is a wonderful example of how one can be unfairly prejudiced against someone because of an erroneous first impression and also not someone behaving towards you like you expected. And i loved it as a kid, still do almost a decade later, but in a lot different way than i did as a kid.

2. Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series

As much as jkr's comments and my growing age seeing the pitfalls of the harry potter series made me like the actual series a lot less, but Hermione Granger still reigns supreme as my favourite character from the series (followed by Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter and the book version of Ginny Weasley, yes the book version specifically).

Hermione Granger is and will remain one of my biggest inspirations in life. She was the first character i saw that was so like me when i read it as a kid, and she made me feel ok being one of the smart girls. She's smart as heck, empathetic to the plights of others, believes in justice even when she gets made fun of for it, and totally vicious when crossed. Like it wasn't really shown in the movies, but book Hermione was low key unhinged when she was crossed and i love that for her. She's not perfect, and i love that about her.

I really wish we had her perspective on the shenanigans of the series because it would be so fascinating honestly. And honestly if i had to criticize (one) thing about her was her decision to get together with Ron at the end. It was plain and boring and for those who like her with him great for you, i don't.

3. Arya Stark from Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire series

She's so persevering and so determined to attain her goals, i love that for her. She's gone through a lot in her tiny life, but she's never let it beat her down ever, she always stands back up and takes names.

I hated what they did to her character in the last 2 seasons of the show (actually i point blank absolutely detest the last season of Game of thrones period so yeah) but before that i loved what she was doing, and everything.

"What do you say to the god of death? Not Today"

100/10 line. Absolute banger. Very quotable. Very inspiring. Fight me if you think otherwise

4. Fa Mulan, Mulan disney movies

An absolute icon, childhood and adult inspiration to live as i want and to have the strength to do what's right and being yourself no matter what.

Also the 1998 movie has some of my favourite movie songs EVER.

Also Bisexual legend Shang ftw

5. Annalise and Erika, The Princess and the Pauper

Yes some of my favourite characters are from a barbie movie, what about it?

Love them both, 100/10 top barbie movie (along with The 12 Dancing princesses) both provided so many lessons to young me and even now are a source of comfort. Also The Princess and the Pauper has one of the best barbie movie songs, the best villian songs and i have each and every song from this movie memorised.

6. Geet from Jab We Met

She's such a comfort character now, and honestly it's hard for me to explain why i love geet so much in anything less than what is an essay lmao.

Jab We Met is honestly one of bollywood's best rom coms ever. Such a feel good story, a banger soundtrack album and the absolute sparkling chemistry between Shahid and Kareena.

She's such a bright, bubbly, vivacious character, full of life and enthusiasm you can help but be charmed by her and her iconic line "Main apni favourite hun (I am my own favourite)" is such a lovely self love line. Even when things in her life didn't work out the way she wanted it to, she soldiered on, and made the best of her situation. Her romance with aditya is so nice and so balanced man i absolutely love jab we met.

If you haven't watched Jab We Met, this is a sign that you should!! I THINK it's one of those movies even those who don't watch bollywood will enjoy.

7. Kaori Makimura from City Hunter manga and anime

She's also another comfort character whom i relate to and looking back, was also one of my first female crushes in any media lol.

She's so unapologetic to be herself, is sometimes insecure about stuff, some of which that i highly relate to, as a woman who was never into the overtly cutesy femme get up ever since i was a kid. She also grows so much as the series progresses and her partnership with Ryo is so complex and yet so simple at the same time. I love how she appreciates Ryo, the very flawed man he is, knowing he's deeply flawed but loving him anyways. And actually it's manga english translation took SO FUCKING LONG to finish istg it was a slow burn from hell. And even though the romance wasn't shown as much, the love and respect Ryo and Kaori had for each other is one of my favourite things in media.

8. Elle Woods from Legally Blonde

She's such a beautiful character who shows that it's fine to be your feminine self even if the environment around you doesn't like that. Legally Blonde is one of my comfort movies and Elle Woods is absolutely the major reason for it.

She's confident in herself and her feminity, a go getter, really intelligent and also still being kind and empathetic towards others. I really think if I'd seen this movie (and the show suits) when i was younger, there was a high chance i would've been a lawyer instead of a doctor that i am right now lmao. She's such an inspiration.

"What? like it's hard?" Absolutely banger line. This is poetic cinema at its peak.

9. Aria Roscente from The Villianess Turns the Hourglass

One of my favourites in the villianess isekai genre of manhwa. A trailblazer, an icon, an absolute legend and a trendsetter.

Aria is such a strong woman. She's also highly intelligent, but also willing to work hard for her goals. While the plot may seem contrived to give her all the things going right, she also never fails to take advantage of all the opportunities that she sees and i love her for it. (The actual villian in this manhwa is such an icon, many wish to be mielle, but you truly can't be mielle)

Aria is my favourite even if she also does a lot of gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss and she will do it in STYLE and pizazz.

10. Hashimoto from Kieta Hatsukoi

She's the best girl, and honestly she's one of the best parts of Kieta Hatsukoi . She so sweet and encouraging of aoki and she's so cute, absolutely love her.

Honorable mentions:

- Tara Elias/Yeonwoo from I'll Save this Damned Family (manhwa)

- Florentia Lombardi from I Shall Master this Family (manhwa)

- Ink from Bad Buddy (thai series)

- Kate Beckett from Castle (series)

- Fujisaki from Cherry Magic (manga and japanese Live action)

- Kim Yu-Na Semantic Error (more in the korean live action adaptation, but also in the manhwa)

- Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada (movie)

- Donna Sheridan from Mamma Mia 2008 (movie, acted by Meryl Streep)

- Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire series

- Daenyrys Targaryen from Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire series

- Anne Elliot from Persuasion by Jane Austen

[ayush15]

Audiobooks for CLAT: A Smart Strategy for Law Aspirants

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The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is the gateway to prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs) and other top law institutions in India. The exam tests candidates on subjects like Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, English, General Knowledge, and Quantitative Techniques. Given the vast syllabus and time constraints, audiobooks have become a game-changer for CLAT aspirants, enabling them to study effectively anytime, anywhere.

Why Use Audiobooks for CLAT Preparation?

Flexible Learning – Study while traveling, exercising, or doing daily tasks.

Better Retention – Listening improves comprehension and memory recall.

Time-Efficient – Speeds up revision, especially for General Knowledge and Legal Reasoning.

Less Eye Strain – Reduces dependency on books and screens.

Multi-tasking – Helps utilize free time effectively.

Best Audiobooks for CLAT Preparation

Here are some highly recommended CLAT preparation books available in audiobook format:

1. Universal’s Guide to CLAT & LL.B. Entrance Examination

Covers all major CLAT subjects including Legal Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, and GK.

A comprehensive book for concept building and practice.

2. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

Essential for English Vocabulary improvement.

Helps in Reading Comprehension and Grammar.

3. Legal Awareness and Legal Reasoning by A.P. Bhardwaj

A must-have book for Legal Reasoning and Legal GK.

Covers important legal terms, principles, and landmark cases.

4. Objective General English by R.S. Aggarwal

Useful for English Comprehension, Grammar, and Vocabulary.

Includes practice questions for the CLAT English section.

5. Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey

Covers Logical Reasoning, Puzzles, and Critical Thinking.

Useful for understanding argument-based questions.

6. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R.S. Aggarwal

Helps in solving mathematical problems in the Quantitative Techniques section.

Includes shortcuts and tricks for quick calculations.

7. Lucent’s General Knowledge

Covers Static GK topics like History, Geography, Polity, Science, and Economy.

Ideal for quick revision and factual knowledge.

8. Manorama Yearbook

Best for Current Affairs and General Knowledge.

Includes important national and international events relevant to CLAT.

9. Newspapers & Editorials (The Hindu, Indian Express, etc.)

Improves Reading Comprehension and Legal GK.

Helps in Essay Writing and Critical Thinking.

10. CLAT Previous Year Papers & Mock Tests

Listening to solved questions and explanations helps in understanding exam patterns.

Enhances time management skills and accuracy.

Where to Find CLAT Audiobooks?

Aspirants can access CLAT audiobooks on various platforms, but the Audicate app is one of the best options. Audicate provides high-quality audiobooks covering Legal Reasoning, General Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, and English, making audio learning an effective tool for CLAT preparation.

Conclusion

Preparing for CLAT requires smart strategies along with hard work. Audiobooks provide flexibility, efficiency, and better retention, making them an excellent supplement to traditional study methods. With Audicate, CLAT aspirants can listen, learn, and succeed without limitations!

Start your CLAT preparation with audiobooks today!

[bookswagonstore]

Top Disha Books for Competitive Exams

Aspiring candidates who want to succeed in competitive exams need help finding their initial direction.

The vast selection of study materials makes it difficult to identify the correct guide that will lead to success. Disha Publications Exam Guides emerges as the top choice for every government job aspirant and entrance exam warrior.

Why is Reading So Important for Competitive Exams?

 The key to studying success involves intense preparation and effective learning methods. The foundation of smart studying starts with selecting appropriate resources. The right books help students achieve better results in UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, and Engineering entrance exams by providing:

Concept clarity

Time management

Accuracy in solving MCQs

Confidence during the exam

The competition in India is fierce because hundreds of thousands of students compete for a small number of available seats, so having an advantage is not a choice but a necessity.

Significance of Reading the Right Study Material

Quality takes precedence over quantity when you need to prepare for important exams.

Disha Competitive Books have earned national trust because of their quality content. They are:

Updated with the latest exam patterns

Loaded with practice papers and solved examples

Written in easy-to-understand language

Affordable for students across all regions

Students from Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities especially rely on Disha Publications Bestseller Books because of their reputation for accuracy, affordability, and clear explanations.

Top Disha Books for Competitive Exams

Here are some must-have books for every aspirant:                                           

The Disha publication contains more than 14000 objective questions about General Studies, which serve students preparing for UPSC and State PSCs and SSC exams.

The Disha Chapter-wise MCQ Books provide focused preparation for Banking, Railways, and SSC exams through topic-by-topic mastery.

The Disha NEET Guide contains 10 practice sets that provide specific preparation for students who want to become doctors.

 The Disha Complete Guide for NDA/NA Entrance serves defense aspirants as their ideal study resource.

The Disha Quick Revision Series provides students with efficient preparation before their major exams.

The Disha Books Online purchase will help you enter your exam hall with complete preparation, whether you are starting from scratch or preparing for your final review.

Conclusion: Start Today with the Right Choice

The path to success requires proper preparation, which leads to eventual achievement.

Disha Books serves thousands of students who choose their Government Exams preparation because they deliver promised results.

So, why wait and wander?

BooksWagon serves as your single destination to purchase Disha Books through online shopping at competitive prices. Students will find everything here because they offer fast delivery and easy returns, and original copies. Students can find both Disha Publications Bestseller Books and the most recent exam guides through a single click on the website. Prepare smart. Study right. BooksWagon stands as your reliable companion for studying.

[balbharatineelbad94]

School with Best Infrastructure: Redefining Education for a New Generation

Selecting the right educational institution plays a pivotal role in shaping a child’s future. In today’s world, parents seek more than academic results—they prioritize the overall environment where their children will spend a significant portion of their lives. Among various factors, the school with best infrastructure often becomes a deciding element. In Bhopal, several schools stand out not only for academic excellence but also for offering world-class facilities that nurture holistic development.

Why Infrastructure Matters in Modern Education

The physical environment of a school significantly impacts learning outcomes. Spacious classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, digital learning tools, and sports amenities collectively foster a better academic and extracurricular experience. A cbse school in bhopal offering superior infrastructure can shape students into confident, capable individuals ready for global challenges.

Key Features That Define the Best Infrastructure in Schools

When identifying the school with best infrastructure, several elements must be considered:

1. Smart Classrooms

Modern smart classrooms are no longer a luxury but a necessity. They support interactive learning using projectors, smart boards, and real-time online resources. Students find subjects more engaging when technology integrates into everyday lessons.

2. Fully Equipped Laboratories

Science, robotics, language, and computer labs are vital for practical knowledge. The best schools ensure that labs are up-to-date with the latest technology, allowing students to explore, experiment, and innovate.

3. Comprehensive Libraries

A rich library encourages a reading culture and fosters research skills. Schools with well-stocked libraries inspire independent learning, critical thinking, and creativity among students.

4. Sports Infrastructure

From football fields to basketball courts, athletics tracks to swimming pools, the best institutions invest heavily in sports. A strong sports program contributes to physical health, teamwork, and leadership skills.

5. Arts and Music Facilities

Art rooms, music studios, and dance halls offer students the freedom to express their creativity. These facilities ensure that every child finds an avenue to shine beyond academics.

Schools in Bhopal Setting New Standards in Infrastructure

Bhopal is rapidly emerging as an educational hub. Several schools now combine academic excellence with unmatched infrastructure. Many are recognized among the top 10 CBSE schools in Bhopal for their world-class campuses.

Academic Excellence Backed by Great Infrastructure

The importance of blending academics with facilities cannot be overstated. Several institutions, known for delivering the best CBSE results in Neelbad, attribute part of their success to outstanding infrastructure.

Key Benefits:

Better student engagement

Enhanced participation in extracurricular activities

Improved academic performance due to supportive environments

A cbse school in bhopal with strong facilities ensures students are academically prepared and well-rounded individuals.

Affordable Excellence: Best School in Neelbad with Low Fees

Quality education should be accessible. Some institutions offering the best school in Neelbad with low fees manage to provide excellent infrastructure without heavy financial burden on parents.

What They Offer:

Smart classrooms and digital learning centers

Science, math, and language labs

Airy, spacious classrooms with proper ventilation

This balance of affordability and quality makes these schools a top choice for many families seeking a cbse school in bhopal near me.

Private Education Leading the Way: Best Private School in Bhopal

The best private school in Bhopal options emphasize not just academic achievements but also infrastructure that supports varied student interests.

Highlights:

Libraries stocked with thousands of books

Theatre spaces for drama and public speaking

Well-maintained cafeterias and hygiene facilities

These institutions recognize that a stimulating environment plays a crucial role in a child’s growth and success.

Early Education Starts with World-Class Facilities

The learning journey begins at a young age. Investing in early childhood education requires choosing a school that offers a nurturing and stimulating environment.

Best Pre Primary School in Bhopal

When selecting the best pre primary school in Bhopal, infrastructure elements like vibrant classrooms, safe outdoor play areas, and sensory learning spaces are essential.

Best Preschool in Bhopal

Parents looking for the best preschool in Bhopal often prioritize safety, hygiene, and an engaging environment where children can explore and learn through play.

A focus on infrastructure from the very beginning helps build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Factors Parents Should Consider for Infrastructure

Choosing the school with best infrastructure requires thorough research. Here are essential factors parents should look into:

1. Safety Measures

CCTV surveillance

Controlled entry and exit points

Emergency medical facilities

2. Hygiene and Cleanliness

Regular sanitation of classrooms and playgrounds

Clean drinking water systems

Hygienic restrooms

3. Technological Integration

E-learning platforms

Virtual reality (VR) labs

Online parent portals for tracking academic performance

4. Sustainable Infrastructure

Green campuses with environmental initiatives

Solar panels and rainwater harvesting

Waste management systems

When these features align with academic excellence, parents can be assured of holistic development for their children.

Bhopal’s Educational Scene: A Growing Hub for Excellence

Bhopal has witnessed tremendous growth in its educational sector. Institutions offering the best CBSE schools in Bhopal not only excel in academics but also provide a nurturing environment through superior infrastructure.

Parents seeking a cbse school in bhopal near me now have access to multiple options that meet global standards.

Benefits of Studying in a School with Top Infrastructure

Children spend a significant portion of their day in school. The environment they learn in deeply impacts their development.

Advantages:

Enhanced cognitive abilities through practical learning

Boosted creativity through exposure to arts and crafts

Better sportsmanship and health via modern sports facilities

Increased academic engagement with technological support

Schools recognized among the top 10 CBSE schools in Bhopal understand these needs and invest accordingly.

Success Stories: Infrastructure Creating Champions

Several students from Bhopal schools known for having the school with best infrastructure have gone on to achieve remarkable success:

Winning national and international Olympiads

Excelling in sports competitions

Participating in global exchange programs

Showcasing talents in arts, music, and drama at national stages

A great learning environment often serves as the first stepping stone toward a bright and successful future.

How Schools Maintain Best-In-Class Infrastructure

Maintaining superior infrastructure requires a clear vision and continuous investment.

Common Practices:

Regular audits of facilities

Upgradation of labs and learning tools

Feedback systems involving parents and students

Hiring facility management experts

Only a committed leadership ensures that the cbse school in bhopal continues to offer top-notch amenities year after year.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the school with best infrastructure is no longer just a preference—it is a necessity for providing the best possible opportunities to students. In a city like Bhopal, where educational standards are rising rapidly, finding institutions that combine the best CBSE results in Neelbad, affordability like the best school in Neelbad with low fees, and premium facilities becomes easier.

Parents looking for the best private school in Bhopal, or those aiming for the best CBSE schools in Bhopal, have multiple world-class options. For the youngest learners, starting their journey at the best pre primary school in Bhopal or the best preschool in Bhopal ensures a smooth, joyful transition into the academic world.

The future belongs to those who are prepared. Schools offering modern, sustainable, and innovative infrastructure prepare students not just for exams but for life. Whether it's academics, arts, sports, or technology, the cbse school in bhopal options highlighted here promise an environment where every child can thrive.

Make an informed choice. Choose the school with best infrastructure. Give your child the environment they deserve for success and happiness.

[thefleaau]

Top 10 Vintage Furniture Pieces That Never Go Out of Style

Vintage furniture holds a special kind of magic. It’s not just about the aesthetics; it’s about the stories each piece tells and the timeless appeal they bring to a home. From the sleek lines of mid-century modern chairs to the warmth of a well-worn farmhouse table, vintage pieces are more than just functional, they add character, history, and personality to any room. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or someone simply looking to bring a touch of nostalgia into your home, certain vintage furniture pieces will always be in style. 

These timeless treasures never go out of fashion and continue to be as relevant today as they were when they first hit the market. In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 vintage furniture pieces that have stood the test of time and will continue to be loved for years to come.

Must-Have Vintage Furniture Pieces for Your Home

Vintage furniture can instantly elevate any space, adding character, warmth, and a bit of nostalgia. Whether you're looking to mix things up with a few vintage accents or create a whole retro-inspired look, these must-have vintage pieces are perfect for transforming your home into a one-of-a-kind haven.

1. Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Mid-century modern chairs are known for their sleek, minimalist design and functionality. With clean lines and often bold, yet subtle, colors, these chairs have a way of transforming a room while remaining simple and elegant. Iconic designs like the Eames lounge chair or the Arne Jacobsen egg chair are prime examples of how form and function come together seamlessly.

Not only do they exude style, but they are also incredibly comfortable, with cushions and ergonomics designed for lasting use. Whether you place them around a dining table, as accent pieces in your living room, or as the focal point of a reading nook, they add that perfect retro touch with modern sensibility.  

2. Round Wooden Bowl

A round wooden bowl is a timeless, versatile piece that brings natural warmth and charm to any space. Made from solid wood, its smooth, organic texture and earthy tones make it a perfect addition to both modern and rustic interiors. Whether you’re using it to serve your favorite fruits, hold decorative objects, or simply as a statement piece on a dining table or countertop, a round wooden bowl adds an understated yet elegant touch to your home. Its durable nature and classic design mean it will never go out of style and can be passed down through generations as a cherished heirloom. Plus, the unique grain patterns in each bowl ensure that no two are exactly alike, making it a one-of-a-kind addition to your home.

3. Danish Teak Sideboards

Danish teak sideboards are a staple of mid-century modern interiors and for good reason. Crafted from beautiful, high-quality teak wood, these pieces are not just functional but incredibly stylish. Their minimalist design, combined with ample storage space, makes them perfect for dining rooms, living rooms, or even as a TV stand. 

The warm tones of teak wood provide a touch of natural elegance, and the sleek, clean lines ensure they work in virtually any interior. These sideboards often come with unique detailing, such as tapered legs and subtle inlays, which only adds to their charm. They’re both a beautiful and practical addition to any home, whether you’re showcasing art or storing dining essentials. 

4. Vintage Desks

A vintage desk adds both function and charm to a home office or study. Whether it’s a classic writing desk, an executive desk with brass details, or a retro school desk, vintage desks have a quality that modern ones often don’t. The wood used is durable and ages beautifully, giving it a unique, worn-in look. Pairing it with a vintage side table can make the workspace even better, providing extra space for lamps, plants, or books. 

Many vintage desks also have spacious drawers to store documents and office supplies. With their timeless design, a vintage desk and side table are not just practical, they add history and style to your workspace.

5. Retro Bar Carts

Retro bar carts have made a major comeback, bringing with them a touch of mid-century charm and a dash of glamour. These functional yet stylish pieces often feature brass or chrome frames and glass shelves, offering a perfect place to display and serve your favorite beverages. 

A bar cart can be a conversation starter, especially when styled with vintage glassware and decanters, making it a great addition to a living room or dining area. Whether you use it to entertain guests or simply as a stylish accent, the retro bar cart brings a fun and functional touch to any room. 

6. Art Deco Cabinets

Art Deco cabinets are bold, glamorous, and full of character. The geometric patterns, rich materials like lacquered wood and metal, and luxurious finishes like inlaid marble make these cabinets stand out in any room. Popular during the 1920s and 1930s, these pieces were often designed with intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail. 

A vintage Art Deco cabinet can serve as a statement piece in your home, whether it’s used in the living room for display or in the dining room to store fine china. Their timeless appeal and unique style make them a treasure for any collector. 

7. Farmhouse Dining Tables

The farmhouse dining table is a perfect example of rustic charm meeting functionality. These tables are typically made from solid wood, often featuring reclaimed materials, and designed with simplicity in mind. The worn edges and sturdy construction make them perfect for everyday use, and their timeless appeal ensures they’ll last for generations. 

Whether you’re hosting a large family meal or having a casual dinner with friends, a farmhouse table brings warmth and character to the room. It’s a piece that works in any type of home, from country cottages to modern apartments, offering a cozy, inviting atmosphere. 

8. Industrial Coffee Tables

Industrial coffee tables combine raw materials like metal and wood to create a bold, urban look. These tables, often made from reclaimed wood and steel, add an edgy, industrial vibe to your living room. They’re durable and practical, with enough surface area for drinks, books, or decorative items. 

The mix of rustic wood and polished metal gives them a versatile look that pairs well with both contemporary and vintage furnishings. Their sturdy build and utilitarian design make industrial coffee tables perfect for those who want to add a bit of grit and style to their space. 

9. Vintage Wardrobes

Vintage wardrobes are not just practical, they’re also beautifully crafted. Whether it's an antique armoire with intricate carvings or a mid-century modern wardrobe with sleek lines, vintage wardrobes add both style and storage to any room. These pieces are typically made from solid wood and feature large, spacious interiors, ideal for organizing clothing and linens.

The natural patina that develops over time gives vintage wardrobes a sense of history and authenticity, while their timeless design ensures they’ll never go out of fashion. Whether you find one at the Flea or another vintage shop, a wardrobe like this makes a striking focal point in a bedroom or entryway and offers both aesthetic and functional value.

10. Rocking Chairs

The vintage rocking chair is a symbol of comfort, relaxation, and nostalgia. With their curved wooden frames and gently rocking motion, these chairs offer a cozy spot to unwind after a long day. Whether it’s a traditional wooden rocker or a more modern version with fabric cushions, these chairs have a timeless appeal that has made them a favorite for generations. 

Rocking chairs can be used in a variety of spaces, like the living room, nursery, or even a quiet corner for reading. Their simple design and calming function make them a perfect vintage piece to add a personal touch to your home.

Wrapping Up

Vintage furniture pieces bring character, history, and timeless elegance into any home. Whether you're updating your living room or adding functional beauty to your office, vintage furniture offers a unique way to create a space that feels both personal and timeless. These pieces are more than just furniture; they're investments in quality, craftsmanship, and style that will last for generations.

So, if you're looking to add some lasting beauty and personality to your home, The Flea is the perfect place to find these vintage furniture pieces that stand the test of time. You can find the perfect statement pieces, from classic mid-century modern designs to ornate Victorian accents, all brimming with history and charm.

[best-international-schools-2025]

The Role of Parents in Encouraging Diversity and Inclusion in Schools

Parents play an essential role in building an inclusive and diverse school environment. Schools are often seen as a second home for children, where they learn not just academics but also values, empathy, and respect for differences. While teachers and schools work hard to create such an atmosphere, the involvement of parents can make all the difference. 

Parents have a unique ability to shape their children’s perspectives on diversity and inclusion through open conversations at home or active participation in school activities. This becomes even more relevant when shortlisting the top 10 schools in Faridabad, where progressive education focuses on holistic development and values-driven learning.

Why Is Diversity and Inclusion Important?

Diversity and inclusion teach children to appreciate and respect people from different backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and beliefs. In today’s interconnected world, understanding and embracing these differences helps children grow into empathetic and compassionate individuals. However, schools alone cannot instil these values; parents must reinforce them at home and ensure that children practice what they learn.

How Parents Can Encourage Diversity and Inclusion

Here are some ways parents can actively contribute to creating a more inclusive environment:

Start Conversations at Home

Children often learn their first lessons on acceptance and empathy at home. Parents can initiate conversations about diversity by introducing books, movies, and stories that highlight various cultures, traditions, and experiences. For instance, reading a story about a differently-abled child or watching a movie about cultural festivals can help spark curiosity and understanding. These small steps go a long way in shaping a child’s mindset.

Set an Example

Children look up to their parents and tend to mirror their attitudes and behaviours. If parents show kindness and respect toward people from different backgrounds, children are more likely to do the same. For example, celebrating a neighbour’s festival or helping a child with special needs can leave lasting impressions on young minds.

Participate in School Activities

Parents can actively participate in events and initiatives that promote inclusion. Many schools, including the top 10 in Faridabad, host cultural days, diversity workshops, or inclusive sports activities. By attending these events, parents not only show support but also encourage their children to participate and learn.

Teach Empathy Through Real-Life Examples

Real-life stories are powerful tools for teaching empathy. Parents can share examples of individuals who overcame challenges or contributed positively to society despite being different. These stories inspire children to appreciate uniqueness and think beyond stereotypes.

Encourage Friendships Across Differences

Encouraging children to befriend peers from diverse backgrounds fosters inclusivity. Parents can facilitate playdates, group projects, or other interactions that help children bond with others who may have different cultural or personal experiences.

The Bigger Picture

Inclusion and diversity aren’t just about making children aware of differences; they are about teaching them to celebrate these differences. A child raised with these values is more likely to thrive in a multicultural, globalised society. Parents, in collaboration with schools, can help nurture a generation that is compassionate, empathetic, and ready to make the world a better place.

As institutions such as the top schools in Faridabad continue to champion inclusive education, the roles and responsibilities of parents in schools remain central to creating an environment where every child feels valued and respected. Together, parents and schools can lay the foundation for a more accepting and united community.

[jeaninthephilippines]

Heart at Home

Today was a magical day eating 3 home cooked meals, two of which I made. Like this salad we learned on Instagram:

I spent most of the time not eating by reading a history book about the fragmentation of the Philippines. Will post later, but it's written by a journalist so the rhetoric is not pretentiously academic. My mind is blown at the constant foreign occupation and the struggle for independence within the Philippines. Dare I say, a heartbreaking page turner.

Ended today singing karaoke on a little machine my mom got me before I came to take home back to Vegas. Here is the playlist:

Everything I Own - Bread

Top of the World - Carpenters

Close to You - Carpenters

Wing Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler

Leaving on a Jet Plane- Aerosmith

Oddly, they all remind me of relationship with my mother.

____

At 5am today, we went to Senior Zumba at the covered basketball courts. A couple that are very committed regulars came up to me to take a picture because I am beautiful. It makes me feel like a beloved Disney Character when they do this lol!

The husband begins to ask me about my life, my upbringing in Guam, my brother, and my family as a nurse. He thought I grew up and lost the language and I explained to him that I'd not been here in 21 years and only learned Tagalog 3 years ago (pandemic project).

He tells me how he used to hate Zumba, but his wife got diabetes and was recommended to exercise. She hesitated because she's a private person. So, he came all the time with her and now their Zumba fanatics. He's the only man in class and honestly, I wish more men loved themselves and their wives the way he does every day. They come 3 instead of 4 days because one day is reserved for dialysis visit in a faraway town that she must commute weekly for.

It's amazing the way people open to me. What a privilege to make people feel safe and heard.

___

I know today's entry is fragmented, but I am overwhelmed with reflections as I begin to train myself on daily gratitude.

Today I interviewed my Lola about her life as a pig farmer. She used to deliver pig babies 3 times a year. There would be roughly 5, 7, or 10 piglets. She would sell them about a 1,000 pesos each and her older ones for about 7,000 pesos each. She enjoyed it even if it was a lot of work. She fed them coconut and pig feed. My mom's brother maintained their pig pens and my mom had no desire to do any of that (college bound baby). While raising pigs, my Lola also sold vegetables and was a seamstress.

My mother opened up that the hardest part was knowing that the pigs would die when they go. She said it was so hard to watch. That even today when her and my Lola see a truck full of pigs they get sad knowing they will die.

I loved how this was never part of my consciousness and now it is. It's not my livelihood but I am a product of generations of hard work.

This is my Lola trying to be serious-kinda-funny when I was asking her off my google translator.

I love her so much.

[creas-hideout]

Top 10 Must-Watches For Your Preschooler's Holistic Development (2000s Edition)

I know, I know. Modern-day children’s television honestly dulls in comparison to eras such as the 90s-early 2000s, and you may either need some alternatives for your child, little sibling, your grandchild, or for someone special to you to watch! Or better yet, you might just want to relive the memories of some of your favourite children's shows. (Don’t worry, I won’t judge— children’s TV is lowkey a crutch of mine.) Maybe we are biased because the 90s to early 2000s, for us, were periods of nostalgia where life seemed simpler—no adult responsibilities, arguably a better economy (though most of us wouldn’t have been working at the time to really know), and generally more enjoyable times. Children's TV back then was crafted with care, humour, imagination, and creativity, unlike much of today’s content which tends to be fast-paced and hyper-stimulating, often moulding children as technology addicts.

Don’t get me wrong, there are still decent shows today for kids, but many of us would argue that the 90s-2000s were a peak era for children’s TV. Back then, with limited visual technology, creators had to put more effort into plotlines and substance, resulting in shows that were not just entertaining but also enriching. Today, there's often more emphasis on spectacle over substance, steering children away from simple, imaginative play toward hyper-stimulative, fast-paced content that distorts reality.

For those who prefer to shape young minds personally as opposed to the influence of modern TV, I'd recommend these shows. These are more so recommendations from the early to mid-2000s which I find age-appropriate, substantial, memorable and holistic. Here are some of my top picks for your preschoolers (aged 3-6):

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!

Okay, but how could you see this energetic yellow gerbil and not love him? Wubbzy is a playful character who’s always in the business of friendship, honesty, fairness, and cooperation. ‘Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!’ has been a personal favourite of mine, but I also believe it’s a good watch to develop your preschooler's social skills and character.

2. The Backyardigans

Because who wouldn’t want backyard friends? ‘The Backyardigans' stimulates a child’s imagination using a group of diverse animals (a penguin, hippo, moose, kangaroo and a unique creature) who gather in their backyard to transform it into a world of their own. This show encourages imaginative skills, creativity, innovation and personality.

3. WordWorld

I’m a word nerd, unapologetically. I loved watching shows that encouraged vocabulary, spelling and phonics when I was younger, and I’m passing it on to you and your child! ‘WordWorld’ is one of my top picks to develop language skills among your kids. While there are many others that encourage the same, I loved ‘WordWorld' especially because of the creativity they brought in helping children to remember words and their spellings. The characters would formulate the words in the shape of the object—eg: the letters B-A-R-N would be elements used to create the actual shape of a barn, which is a creative way to help children to remember certain words and their spelling.

4. Wonder Pets!

This trio of Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling and Turtle Tuck is a great watch to promote teamwork, problem solving and humanitarianism. They’re always on a mission to save the day-– to travel the world and save an animal in trouble.

5. Super Why!

SuperWhy! is a personal top pick for me in developing vocabulary and literary skills, taking an innovative approach in promoting this through interactive storytelling. It encourages children to have a love for books, touching on skills such as reading comprehension, letter identification and word decoding using four best friends from Storybrook Village: Red, from ‘Little Red Riding Hood’; Pig from ‘The Three Little Pigs’, Princess from ‘The Princess and The Pea’, and Whyatt, the curious younger brother of Jack from ‘Jack and The Beanstalk.’

6. Ni-Hao, Kai-Lan

‘Ni-Hao, Kai-Lan’ is but one of many iconic shows that exposes a child’s mind to other cultures and languages, teaching them to be aware of others’ differences and addressing conflict in a constructive way. Preschooler Kai-Lan shares Chinese and American cultures along with her animal friends to teach patience, anger management, and overall overcoming negative emotions.

7. Sesame Street

This long-time favourite of many serves as a great bridge for cultural and educational gaps. Using characters ranging from humans to muppets on a special inner city street, children can learn invaluable life lessons by learning to deal with several characters such as a grouchy, argumentative puppet who lives in a trash can, to a gluttonous, goofy character called the Cookie Monster. Some life lessons this narrative teaches are skills of understanding, patience and tolerance, along with the alphabet, numbers and colours, among more. This one is a well-rounded and holistic recommendation from me.

8. LazyTown

‘LazyTown’, despite the name, actually teaches the opposite– the importance of physical activity. Using a pink-haired character called Stephanie, healthy living is promoted to extremely lazy characters using humans and puppets living in the local city, Lazytown. Though Robbie Rotten, the town’s villain who encourages everyone to stay lazy and quiet is constantly on the go, Stephanie and her friend, Sportacus, are always coming through to energize the day. Your kids are bound to be dancing and moving about with this one. Aaand, they might also be asking for “sports candy” (which in the show, is another name for fruits and vegetables).

9. Blue’s Clues

‘Blue’s Clues’ is an interactive one featuring the character Blue, a female puppy. This show mainly develops problem-solving skills with an emphasis on mystery, but also promotes other learning and cognitive functions as off-screen viewers help human hosts (Steve or Joe) to figure out Blue’s desires. You can also check out its recent spinoff from 2019, ‘Blue’s Clues & You!’

10. Zoboomafoo

Last but not least, ‘Zoboomafoo’. ‘Zoboomafoo’ is a stellar pick for those who wish for their child to be aware of what happens in the wild– as in, the animal kingdom! Teaching children to respect and care for animals, this show stars a playful little lemur along with his two human friends, the Kratt Brothers, who help empower kids to explore.

*** As explained previously, these are just 10 top picks of mine that I’d highly recommend for your child’s holistic development, with a focus on preschoolers (ages 3-6). A lot of the shows presented here are also useful for kids up to as old as age 10, but of course, there’s not much of a limit with us as adults still watching them (you know you do).

Overall, these shows are not just great for keeping your little ones entertained, but they also nurture their creativity, cognitive thinking, problem-solving and social skills, and more.

Remember, while television can be a valuable tool for learning and relaxation, it's always best to balance screen time with other activities like reading, playing outdoors, and spending quality time with family. By choosing the right content, you can ensure that your child's TV time is both enjoyable and enriching.

We hope this list helps you find the perfect shows to share with your children, little siblings, or even to revisit some nostalgic favourites yourself. Happy watching!

If you need any more recommendations or have any thoughts to share, feel free to leave a comment below.

[chinesebooks]

Microblogging on Chinese Books

Top-Level Keywords:

Chinese Books

Chinese Literature

Best Chinese Books

Must-Read Chinese Novels

Chinese Book Recommendations

Explore Chinese Literature

Longtail Keywords:

"A Beginner's Guide to Chinese Books"

"Top 10 Chinese Books You Shouldn't Miss"

"Understanding Chinese Literature: A Comprehensive Overview"

"Chinese Classics vs. Contemporary Chinese Novels"

"Where to Find Chinese Books Online"

"The Influence of Chinese Literature on World Culture"

Header Outline:

Introduction to Chinese Books

Classic Chinese Literature

Contemporary Chinese Novels

Where to Discover Chinese Books

The Global Impact of Chinese Literature

Conclusion: Explore the World of Chinese Books

Notes for the Topic:

Highlight the rich history of Chinese literature.

Discuss the significance of classic Chinese works like "Journey to the West" and "Dream of the Red Chamber."

Explore modern Chinese authors and their contributions to world literature.

Include tips for readers on finding and accessing Chinese books.

Explain how Chinese literature has shaped global culture and influenced other literary traditions.

Suggested Title Tags (within 70 characters):

"Exploring Chinese Books: A Literary Journey"

"Classic vs. Contemporary: Chinese Literature Unveiled"

"Discover the Best Chinese Books of All Time"

"Unlocking the World of Chinese Novels"

"Chinese Literature's Global Impact"

"Dive into the Rich Tapestry of Chinese Books"

Meta Descriptions (within 160 characters):

"Embark on a literary adventure with Chinese books. From classics to contemporary novels, explore the world of Chinese literature like never before."

"Discover the timeless allure of Chinese literature. Explore classic and modern Chinese books that have left an indelible mark on the literary world."

"Looking for your next great read? Dive into the realm of Chinese novels, where rich storytelling and cultural insights await. Start your journey today."

"Uncover the global influence of Chinese literature. Explore how Chinese books have shaped the literary landscape worldwide, leaving an enduring legacy."

"From ancient classics to modern masterpieces, Chinese literature offers a world of storytelling. Delve into Chinese books and be captivated by their tales."

"Chinese books hold the key to a treasure trove of stories and wisdom. Join us in celebrating the vibrant world of Chinese literature and its impact."

Structured Blog Post: Exploring the World of Chinese Books

Introduction to Chinese Books

Chinese literature has a rich history that spans thousands of years. It's a treasure trove of stories, insights, and cultural significance. In this blog post, we will delve deep into the world of Chinese books, from classic works to contemporary novels, and explore their global impact.

1. Classic Chinese Literature

Classic Chinese literature includes timeless works like "Journey to the West" and "Dream of the Red Chamber." These stories have captivated readers for generations with their vivid characters and profound themes. To explore classic Chinese books, follow these steps:

Start with "Journey to the West" and "Dream of the Red Chamber" to understand the essence of classical Chinese storytelling.

Dive into ancient poetry, such as the works of Li Bai and Du Fu.

Explore the cultural and historical context behind these classics to gain a deeper appreciation.

2. Contemporary Chinese Novels

Modern Chinese authors have made significant contributions to world literature. Their works offer fresh perspectives on contemporary issues and societal changes. Here's how to explore contemporary Chinese books:

Read novels by contemporary Chinese authors like Mo Yan, Yu Hua, and Liu Cixin.

Look for English translations to access a wider range of contemporary Chinese literature.

Join book clubs or online forums to discuss and share your thoughts on these books.

3. Where to Discover Chinese Books

Finding Chinese books has never been easier. Whether you prefer physical copies or digital formats, there are various ways to access them:

Visit your local library or bookstore for a selection of Chinese books in English.

Explore online bookstores like Amazon, where you can find both print and e-books.

Consider subscribing to e-book platforms like Kindle Unlimited, which offer a diverse collection of Chinese literature.

4. The Global Impact of Chinese Literature

Chinese literature has had a profound impact on global culture and the literary world. It has inspired countless authors and filmmakers worldwide. To understand its global influence, follow these steps:

Research how Chinese literature has influenced Western authors and literary movements.

Explore adaptations of Chinese stories in films and television series.

Join cultural exchange programs or events that celebrate Chinese literature's contribution to world culture.

Conclusion: Explore the World of Chinese Books

In conclusion, Chinese books offer a rich tapestry of storytelling and cultural insights. From ancient classics to contemporary novels, there's something for every reader to discover and enjoy. Dive into the world of Chinese literature and embark on a literary journey that transcends borders and enriches your reading experience.

[ayush15]

Audiobooks for SSC CGL: The Smart Way to Prepare

Download the App

The SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam is one of the most competitive government job exams in India. It requires thorough preparation in Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, English Language, and Reasoning Ability. Given the vast syllabus and time constraints, audiobooks have emerged as an effective learning tool, allowing aspirants to study on the go and retain concepts better.

Why Choose Audiobooks for SSC CGL Preparation?

Learn Anytime, Anywhere – Study while commuting, exercising, or doing chores.

Better Retention – Listening helps in reinforcing concepts and improving memory.

Time-Saving – No need to read lengthy books; listen and revise quickly.

Less Eye Strain – Reduces screen dependency and fatigue.

Multi-tasking – Prepare for exams while managing daily activities.

Best Audiobooks for SSC CGL Preparation

Here are the top books available in audiobook format for SSC CGL aspirants:

1. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R.S. Aggarwal

Covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

Includes shortcuts and tricks to solve problems quickly.

2. Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma

Focuses on speed math techniques and problem-solving strategies.

Great for quick revision and practice.

3. A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal

Covers logical reasoning, puzzles, and analytical skills.

Essential for SSC CGL Tier 1 and Tier 2 exams.

4. Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey

Develops logical and analytical thinking.

Useful for solving complex reasoning questions.

5. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

Enhances vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.

A must-read for English section preparation.

6. Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi

Covers grammar rules, comprehension, and sentence correction.

Useful for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 English exams.

7. Lucent’s General Knowledge

Covers History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and Science.

Important for General Awareness section.

8. Manorama Yearbook

Provides current affairs, economic updates, and general knowledge.

Essential for staying updated on national and international events.

9. Kiran’s SSC CGL Previous Year Papers

Includes past exam questions with detailed explanations.

Helps in understanding exam patterns and frequently asked questions.

10. SSC Mathematics by Rakesh Yadav

Focuses on high-level mathematics with solved examples.

Includes shortcuts and tricks for solving problems faster.

11. English for General Competitions by Neetu Singh

Covers error detection, sentence improvement, and reading comprehension.

Ideal for SSC CGL, CHSL, and other government exams.

12. General Studies by Disha Experts

A detailed guide covering General Science, History, Polity, and Economy.

Helps in General Awareness and Current Affairs preparation.

13. SSC General Awareness by Arihant

Covers Static GK, Science, History, and Current Affairs.

Essential for quick revision.

14. SSC CGL Mock Test Series by Various Publishers

Includes full-length mock tests with explanations.

Helps in self-assessment and time management.

Where to Find SSC CGL Audiobooks?

SSC CGL aspirants can now access audiobooks for SSC CGL preparation on the Audicate app. Audicate provides high-quality audiobooks covering Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, English, General Knowledge, and Previous Year Papers, making audio learning an efficient and smart choice for exam preparation.

Conclusion

Cracking SSC CGL requires dedication, strategy, and smart learning techniques. Audiobooks offer flexibility, time efficiency, and better retention, making them an excellent supplement to traditional study methods. With Audicate, aspirants can listen, learn, and succeed in their journey toward securing a government job.

Start your SSC CGL preparation with audiobooks on Audicate today!

[maximagrowth]

Unlock Your Hotel's Online Potential: Partner with India's Premier Digital Marketing Agency for Hotels

Are you a resort or hotel owner, currently searching for a digital marketing agency in India to improve your online visibility & attract more visitors?

At MAXIMA GROWTH, we specialize in crafting tailored digital marketing strategies that align with your business goals. From optimizing your website's search engine ranking to implementing data-driven social media campaigns, we have the expertise to boost, and improve your online visibility & generate room bookings.

Our team of experts will analyze your unique needs and create a customized plan to maximize your online growth. Elevate your online presence and achieve unparalleled success today!

Looking to elevate your hotel's online presence and engage with your target audience? MAXIMA GROWTH's insightful blog on the Top 10 Social Media Marketing Strategies for Hotels. Discover effective techniques to leverage social media platforms, create compelling content, and connect with potential guests.

Take a deep dive into this must-read blog and unlock the power of social media marketing to drive bookings, enhance brand visibility, and establish your hotel as a preferred choice among travelers. Don't miss out on the opportunity to harness the potential of social media and revolutionize your hotel's digital marketing efforts.

Contact MAXIMA GROWTH today for a comprehensive digital marketing consultation.

[alltimebestbooks]

Top 10 Books Must Read Today Generation

1. The Rudest Book Ever by Shwetabh Gangwar

Shwetabh Gangwar is a professional problem-solver—and he’s ace at it. For the past five years, people from all over the world have contacted him with their troubles and he’s worked these out for them.

In the process, he has picked up on a simple pattern: people need a set of principles and perspectives to protect them from all the unnecessary bullshit they go through. Codes to live by, essentially.

But be warned: Gangwar has no desire to spare your feelings. What you will find in this straight-forward, straight-talking, no-craps-given guide, is:

How to deal with rejections of all kinds

How to change your perceptions of people so you don’t end up screwed

Why a society that sees people as ‘good and bad’ is dumb

How the search for happiness screws us over

How seeking approval and acceptance kills our individuality

The truth about social media influencers

Why we should be taught ‘how to think’, instead of ‘what to think’

Laying out clear principles, YouTube megastar Gangwar shows you how to deal with the shit that has happened to you, is happening to you and will happen to you.

A refreshing, easy-to-read, and relatable guide, The Rudest Book Ever will make you rethink everything you’ve been taught.`

2. Do It Today: Overcome Procrastination, Improve Productivity, and Achieve More Meaningful Things

Are you also tired of putting off your dreams until “tomorrow?” Guess what! Tomorrow never comes. Am I right?

I’ve procrastinated and putt off my desire to write a book for a decade. I always came up with excuses like, “it’s not the right time.” Or, “I need to do more research.”

But in 2015 I got tired of this endless procrastination, and finally took action. Six months later, my first book was published.

Look, we all have limited time on our hands. And we’re getting closer to death every single minute. That shouldn’t scare. That should motivate you!

Time is limited, that’s why we must do the things we want: Today.

In this “best of” collection, I’ve handpicked 30 of my best articles that help you to overcome procrastination, improve your productivity, and achieve all the things you always wanted.

Plus, I’ve written an extensive introduction about my life and work philosophy.

And I’ve made many improvements and edits to the articles. So the content of this book is different from the articles on my site.

In Do It Today, you’ll learn:

1.Why we procrastinate and how we can overcome it

2.How to increase your productivity without being stressful

3.How to achieve more meaningful things in your life so you can enjoy it more

Are you ready to start reading this book?

If so: Do it today—not tomorrow.

3. The Lean Startup: How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses

The Lean Startup is a new approach to business that's being adopted around the world. It is changing the way companies are built and new products are launched.

The Lean Startup is about learning what your customers really want. It's about testing your vision continuously, adapting and adjusting before it's too late. Now is the time to think Lean.

4. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

One of the most valuable skills in our economy is becoming increasingly rare. If you master this skill, you'll achieve extraordinary results.

Deep Work is an indispensable guide to anyone seeking focused success in a distracted world.

'Deep work' is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. Coined by author and professor Cal Newport on his popular blog Study Hacks, deep work will make you better at what you do, let you achieve more in less time and provide the sense of true fulfilment that comes from the mastery of a skill. In short, deep work is like a superpower in our increasingly competitive economy.

And yet most people, whether knowledge workers in noisy open-plan offices or creatives struggling to sharpen their vision, have lost the ability to go deep - spending their days instead in a frantic blur of email and social media, not even realising there's a better way.

A mix of cultural criticism and actionable advice, DEEP WORK takes the reader on a journey through memorable stories -- from Carl Jung building a stone tower in the woods to focus his mind, to a social media pioneer buying a round-trip business class ticket to Tokyo to write a book free from distraction in the air -- and surprising suggestions, such as the claim that most serious professionals should quit social media and that you should practice being bored.

Put simply: developing and cultivating a deep work practice is one of the best decisions you can make in an increasingly distracted world and this book will point the way.

5. Understanding Millennials: A guide to working with todays generation

Have you often wondered, "What's wrong with this younger generation?" Or, "Why are these younger workers so lazy?" How about this one, "How do I get these Millennials to work harder?" If you still think that you can change the Millennials to make them fit into your business model, you, my friend, are wrong. We have to think on a bigger scale, and answer the question "How can we use this generation's strengths to make our business better?" In this minibook instead of trying to find ways to get this generation to stop acting the way they do, we figure out ways to inspire them to work harder no matter how they act. The tips and tricks in this book not only work for Millennials but can be used to inspire others in your employ as well. Put these ideas and beliefs into practice quickly and thoroughly, and watch your business grow not just fiscally but in emotional bonds as well. Your staff won't just respect you, they will follow you! The best way to read the book is with your current business trends and office staff in mind.

6. Sita: Warrior of Mithila

Immerse yourself in book 2 of the Ram Chandra series, based on the Ramayana, the story of Lady Sita, written by the multi-million bestselling Indian Author Amish; the author who has transformed Indian Fiction with his unique combination of mystery, mythology, religious symbolism and philosophy. In this book, you will follow Lady Sita's journey from an Adopted Child to the Prime Minister to finding her true calling. You will find all the familiar characters you have heard of, like Lord Ram and Lord Lakshman and see more of Lord Hanuman and many others from Mithila. You will also start discovering the true purpose of the Vayuputras and Malayaputras and their conflicting ideologies that leads to plot twists, politics and intrigue as they try to influence outcomes from behind the scenes.

She is the warrior we need. The Goddess we await.

She will defend Dharma. She will protect us.

India, 3400 BCE.

India is beset with divisions, resentment and poverty. The people hate their rulers. They despise their corrupt and selfish elite. Chaos is just one spark away. Outsiders exploit these divisions. Raavan, the demon king of Lanka, grows increasingly powerful, sinking his fangs deeper into the hapless Sapt Sindhu.

Two powerful tribes, the protectors of the divine land of India, decide that enough is enough. A saviour is needed. They begin their search.

An abandoned baby is found in a field. Protected by a vulture from a pack of murderous wolves. She is adopted by the ruler of Mithila, a powerless kingdom, ignored by all. Nobody believes this child will amount to much. But they are wrong.

For she is no ordinary girl. She is Sita.

Continue the epic journey with Amish’s latest: A thrilling adventure that chronicles the rise of an adopted child, who became the prime minister. And then, a Goddess.

This is the second book in the Ram Chandra Series. A sequel that takes you back. Back before the beginning.

7. The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life

Part manifesto for mastery, part playbook for genius-grade productivity and part companion for a life lived beautifully, the 5 am club is a work that will transform your life. Forever.

Legendary leadership and elite performance expert Robin Sharma introduced The 5 AM Club concept over twenty years ago, based on a revolutionary morning routine that has helped his clients maximize their productivity, activate their best health and bulletproof their serenity in this age of overwhelming complexity.

Now, in this life-changing book, handcrafted by the author over a rigorous four year period, you will discover the early-rising habit that has helped so many accomplish epic results while upgrading their happiness, helpfulness and feelings of aliveness.

Through an enchanting—and often amusing—story about two struggling strangers who meet an eccentric tycoon who becomes their secret mentor, The 5 AM Club will walk you through:

How great geniuses, business titans and the world’s wisest people start their mornings to produce astonishing achievements

A little-known formula you can use instantly to wake up early feeling inspired, focused and flooded with a fiery drive to get the most out of each day

A step-by-step method to protect the quietest hours of daybreak so you have time for exercise, self-renewal and personal growth

A neuroscience-based practice proven to help make it easy to rise while most people are sleeping, giving you precious time for yourself to think, express your creativity and begin the day peacefully instead of being rushed

“Insider-only” tactics to defend your gifts, talents and dreams against digital distraction and trivial diversions so you enjoy fortune, influence and a magnificent impact on the world

8. Mahatma Gandhi Autobiography: The Story Of My Experiments With Truth

This unusual autobiography “The Story of My Experiments with Truth”, is a window to the workings of Mahatma Gandhi’s mind – a window to the emotions of his heart – a window to understanding what drove this seemingly ordinary man to the heights of being the father of a nation – India. Starting with his days as a boy, Gandhi takes one through his trials and turmoils and situations that moulded his philosophy of life – going through child marriage, his studies in England, practicing Law in South Africa – and his Satyagraha there – to the early beginnings of the Independence movement in India. He did not aim to write an autobiography but rather share the experience of his various experiments with truth to arrive at what he perceived as Absolute Truth – the ideal of his struggle against racism, violence and colonialism.

9. How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job

If you are not satisfied with your job and often struggle to achieve a work-life balance, you’ve picked the right book! “Count your blessings—not your troubles!” From ways to finding peace and happiness to insights on how to deal with people and make them like you at once, this book introduces good working habits and includes valuable advice on how to drive away the fatigue-producing boredom. With suggestions on how to relax and churn out the most of oneself and bring a sense of fulfilment, harmony and purpose, Dale Carnegie’s classic bestseller, How to Enjoy your Life and your Job, continues to help people reassess their approach to life, people and job and also helps them discover their strengths and talents.

10. Yoga and Stress Management

Yoga & stress management is a therapeutic guide for those dealing with mental and physical stress, as well as a reference book for healthy living. Although urban work culture has greatly improved the individual economic status, it has grossly diminished br Nature’s endowments. While modern psychology effectively helps in creating an awareness of what causes this, the Yoga philosophy is capable of changing one’s overall attitude towards life. This book combines both and provides valuable guidelines, tips, and techniques. Yoga offers the complete toolkit to deal with psychological and psycho-somatic disorders that are globally on the rise. With yogic techniques one can understand the nature of human consciousness and attain its higher stages. Using yogic practices like meditation and Pranayama, one can delve deep within and connect the body and mind to the inner self. By enhancing the latent energy in man, yoga offers a holistic solution to erase conflicts, suppression, and sensitivity.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Clarence Thomas and the generosity of a far-right dark-money billionaire

Clarence Thomas has set some important precedents in his career as a Supreme Court justice — for example, the elevation of the unrepentant rapist Brett Kavanaugh to the bench could never have occurred but for the trail blazed by Thomas as a sexually harassing, pubic-hair distributing creep boss:

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/10/01/30-years-after-her-testimony-anita-hill-still-wants-something-from-joe-biden-514884

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

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/06/clarence-thomas/#harlan-crow

Today, Thomas continues to steer the court into new territory — for example, he’s interested in banning same-sex marriage again:

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/24/thomas-constitutional-rights-00042256

And of course, he’s set precedent by hearing cases related to the attempted overthrow of the US government, despite the role his wife played in the affair:

https://www.npr.org/2022/03/30/1089595933/legal-ethics-experts-agree-justice-thomas-must-recuse-in-insurrection-cases

Thomas is not alone in furthering the right’s mission to destroy the morale of constitutional law scholars by systematically delegitimizing the court and showing it to be a vehicle for partisan politics and dark money policy laundering, but he is certainly at the vanguard:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/25/consequentialism/#dotards-in-robes

Today, Propublica published an expose on the vast fortune in secret gifts bestowed upon Thomas by the billionare GOP megadonor Harlan Crow, who is also one the most significant funders of political campaigns that put business before Thomas and the Supreme Court:

https://www.propublica.org/article/clarence-thomas-scotus-undisclosed-luxury-travel-gifts-crow

The story, reported by Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott and Alex Mierjeski is a masterwork of shoe-leather investigative journalism, drawing on aviation records, social media posts and other “open source” intelligence to expose the illegal, off-the-books “gifts” from a billionaire to an unaccountable Supreme Court justice with a lifetime appointment.

Here are a two of those gifts: a private jet/superyacht jaunt around Indonesia valued at $500,000; and a $500,000 gift to Ginni Thomas’s Tea Party group (which pays Ginni Thomas $120,000/year).

On top of that are gifts that are literally priceless: decades’ worth of summer vacations at Camp Topridge, Crow’s private estate, with its waterfall, great hall, private chefs, 25 fireplaces, thee boathouses, clay tennis court, batting range, 1950s-style soda fountain and full-scale reproduction of Hagrid’s hut.

Summer retreats to Topridge allow business leaders like Leonard Leo — the Federalist Society bankroller and mastermind who set Trump up to pack the Supreme Court — to coordinate in private with Thomas:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/29/betcha-cant-eat-just-one/#pwnage

They also allow top execs from PWC, Verizon and other corporations who may have business before the court to establish a warm, collegial relationship with a judge whose decisions can make billions for their employers. In its reporting, Propublica points out that Thomas got to hang out on Crow’s superyacht with Mark Paoletta, who was then general counsel for Trump’s OMB, and who has opposed any tightening of ethics rules for Supreme Court judges: “there is nothing wrong with ethics or recusals at the Supreme Court.”

Crow and Thomas also hobnob together at Crow’s Texas ranch, and at the Bohemian Grove, the Bay Area’s ultra-luxe retreat for rich creeps. Crow bought Thomas a private superyacht cruise through New Zealand, another through the Greek islands, and a river trip around Savannah, GA. He also traveled around the country on Crow’s private jet — even a short private jet trip is valued around $70,000.

Crow also makes many donations on Thomas’s behalf, from a $105,000 donation to Yale Law School for the “Justice Thomas Portrait Fund” to paying for a 7 foot tall, 1,800 lb bronze statue of the nun who taught Thomas in the eighth grade, which now stands in a New York Catholic cemetery.

This is without precedent. No Supreme Court justice in US history received comparable gifts during their tenure on the bench. Federal judges quoted in the story call it “incomprehensible,” noting that US judges bend over backwards not to owe anyone any favors, going so far as to book restaurant reservations without using their titles.

Virginia Canter, a former US government ethics lawyer of bipartisan experience said Thomas “seems to have completely disregarded his higher ethical obligations,” adding “it makes my heart sink.”

The Supreme Court’s own code of ethics prohibits justices from engaging in conduct that gives rise to the “appearance of impropriety,” but the code is “consultative,” and there are no penalties for violating it. But US judicial officers — including Thomas — are legally required to disclose things like private jet trips. Thomas did not. In general, justices must report any gift valued at more than $415, where a gift is “anything of value.” This includes instances in which a gift is given by a corporation whose owner is the true giver.

Crow is a Red Scare-haunted plutocrat who says his greatest fear is “Marxism.” He was a key donor to the anti-tax extremists at the Club For Growth, and has served on the board of the American Enterprise Institute — climate deniers who also claimed that smoking didn’t cause cancer — for 25 years.

Crow is a proud dark-money source, too, whose $10m in acknowledged donations to Republican causes and candidates are only the tip of the iceberg, next to the dark money he has provided to groups he declines to name, telling the New York Times, “I don’t disclose what I’m not required to disclose.”

Crow claims that the vast sums he’s lavished on Thomas — who, again, presides over the test cases that Crow is helping to put before him — are just “hospitality.” Crow called the private retreats with business leaders and top government officials “gatherings of friends,” and added that he was “unaware of any of our friends ever lobbying or seeking to influence Justice Thomas” while at his private estates or on his superyacht or private plane.

For his part, Thomas publicly maintains that he hates luxury. In a Crow-financed documentary about Thomas’s life, Thomas tells the camera, “I prefer the RV parks. I prefer the Walmart parking lots to the beaches and things like that. There’s something normal to me about it. I come from regular stock, and I prefer that — I prefer being around that.”

Judges often have to make determinations about conflicts of interest, and lawyers have an entire practice devoted to preventing conflicts from arising. I doubt whether Thomas himself would consent to have a dispute of his own tried in front of a judge who had received millions in gifts from his opponent.

The Supreme Court’s power comes from its legitimacy. The project of delegitimizing the court started with the right, and Democrats have been loathe to participate in any activity that would worsen the court’s reputation. As a result, the business lobby and authoritarian politicians have had free rein to turn the court into a weapon for attacking American workers, American women, and LGBTQ people.

It doesn’t have to be this way. When the Supreme Court blocked all of FDR’s New Deal policies — which were wildly popular — FDR responded by proposing age limits for Supreme Court judges. When the Supremes refused to contemplate this, FDR asked Congress for a law allowing him to appoint one new Supreme Court judge for every judge who should retire but wouldn’t.

As the vote on this bill grew nearer, the Supremes reversed themselves, voting to uphold the policies they’d struck down in their previous session. They knew that their legitimacy was all they had, and when a brave president stood up to their bullying, they caved.

https://theconversation.com/packing-the-court-amid-national-crises-lincoln-and-his-republicans-remade-the-supreme-court-to-fit-their-agenda-147139

The Supreme Court has moved America further away from the ideals of pluralistic democracy than we can even fathom, and they’re just getting started. They are taking a wrecking ball to the lives of anyone who isn’t a wealthy conservative, and they’re doing it while accepting a fortune in bribes from American oligarchs.

Have you ever wanted to say thank you for these posts? Here’s how you can: I’m kickstarting the audiobook for my next novel, a post-cyberpunk anti-finance finance thriller about Silicon Valley scams called Red Team Blues. Amazon’s Audible refuses to carry my audiobooks because they’re DRM free, but crowdfunding makes them possible.

Image: Mr. Kjetil Ree (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Supreme_Court.JPG

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

[Image ID: An altered image of Clarence Thomas, standing in gilded judicial robes on the steps of the Supreme Court. Looming over the court is a line-drawing of a business-man with a dollar-sign-emblazoned money-bag for a head.]

[aiweirdness]

GPT-3 tries pickup lines

Once upon a time I decided to train a neural net to generate pickup lines. Once I started collecting the training data I began to regret it when I saw how awful the existing lines were. Turns out I needn’t have worried. The neural net I used was so small and clueless that its pickup lines were mostly incoherent and confusing.

You must be a tringle? Cause you’re the only thing here.

Are you a candle? Because you’re so hot of the looks with you.

I’m not on your wears, but I want to see your start.

I liked one of the pickup lines so much that it became the title of my book on AI (out in paperback in the US on March 23, 2021): “You Look Like a Thing and I Love You”

Since then, much more competent neural nets have appeared, trained on big datasets of internet text. I’ve resisted trying neural net pickup lines again, because more competent means more humanlike, which in this case means worse. Or the new neural nets might even copy existing pickup lines from internet lists, which would also be terrible. Human-written pickup lines are that bad. But with my paperback coming out, it seemed like it might be time to just try it and see.

So I started with the following prompt, for a neural net to fill in its prediction of what the rest of the article would be like: “These are the top pickup lines of 2021! Amaze your crush and get results! 1.”

I gave the prompt to the four variants of what people call GPT-3, starting with DaVinci, the largest and most-competent. Here are some of the pickup lines it generated.

DaVinci:

I'm losing my voice from all the screaming your hotness is causing me to do.

You have the most beautiful fangs I've ever seen.

I love you. I don't care if you're a doggo in a trenchcoat.

I have exactly 4 stickers. I need you to be the 5th.

I will briefly summarize the plot of Back to the Future II for you.

You have a lovely face. Can I put it on an air freshener? I want to keep your smell close to me always.

Wait, this beanie hat, is it fashionable?

You know what I like about you? Your... Long... Legs...

I once worked with a guy that looked just like you. He was a normal human with a family. Are you a normal human with a family?

You look like a stealth assassin from the clouds.

Do you like...pancakes?

Out of curiosity, did you know that you can sip and snort pumpkin spice lattes?

You look like Jesus if he were a butler in a Russian mansion.

"Your hair smells like fresh mint. It's making me think of a tasty kind of cracker, or a tasty kind of cookie. Also, it kind of looks like a tasty beverage. Would you like some?" -> You -> "....." (Accepts drink)

Next, Curie, a bit smaller than DaVinci. Curie was actually the closest to depressing online pickup line lists out of all of the GPT-3 variants, but it did generate a few interesting ones:

Curie

Your eyes are like two rainbows and a rainbow of eyes. I can't help but stare.

Picked up some pretty flowers. Wanna smell them? Here, try to take my hand off.

I'm like the ice cream...You can keep me in the freezer for a while but then I melt!

Hello, my name is Natasha Dawson and I'm sure I'm a lot prettier than a picture of you on tin foil.

You have the best French Toast I ever had!

Hey, my name is John Smith. Will you sit on my breadbox while I cook or is there some kind of speed limit on that thing?

My name is a complicated combination of 45 degrees of forward motion, 25 degrees of leftward drift, 75 degrees of upward acceleration, and infinity and that is the point where my love for you stops.

Babbage. Babbage is trying. Smaller than Curie, and not always 100% sure about what it means to be generating pickup lines. It also tends to try to explain why its pickup lines are so great.

Babbage

You're looking good today. Want snacks?

How many tattoos do you own?

It is urgent that you become a professional athlete.

I Love You, I Love You, I Love You To The confines of death and disease, the legions of earth rejoices. Woe be to the world!

Butterfly (Hop on one leg)

(In your best Albert Einstein voice) "I wouldn't change a thing."

If you see people with short hair, ask them to let you borrow it for five minutes!

"Have you stolen anything today?"

This line is used by buying a second date. One of the motivations of this line is to avoid the awkward subjectivity of asking someone what you have stolen out of their garden, tool shed, and somewhere else. You may say something like, "Hey, I've decided to steal your car and use it for a short trip from work." This is a super-casual yet shocking pickup line.

"Will you marry me?"

This is a simple one. This line is super effective for anyone. Because it's literally “will you", it is very powerful and intimate. You can do it without even being asked. You can just give a long speech about your dream of marriage, and it will be powerful to your crush.

Ada is the smallest of the GPT-3 variants, and has completely lost the plot. Here are Ada’s pickup lines:

Ada

Body Softening Pads

Limit to 1 purchase in stores

CAPE FASHION

Embroidery tags

Growler style fx

Double Duty Recycling

2017 Rugboat 2-tone Neck Tie Shirt

MONTINA

Future Pop Tarts by Tracey Thorn

Funny Nifty Sweaters – $15.99→

PROJECT CAR ALONG!

I also experimented with having DaVinci generate pickup lines to go with a story prompt about post-human AIs that were using them to flirt. Some of them turned out pretty well:

Hey baby, are your schematics compatible with this protocol?

What's the definition of a femtometer? Cause I'd like to run it through your quark 10 times.

I can tell by your red power light that you're into me.

Can I see your parts list?

To read more, become an AI Weirdness supporter! Or become a free subscriber to get new AI Weirdness posts in your inbox.

[ericspinkhair]

quarantine longings

pairing: best friend!kevin x fem!reader

word count: 3.2k

synopsis: you and your best friend have sex because quarantine made you horny

warnings: best friends to lovers, takes place during the pandemic, spoiler of 356 days (but not the end, just generally the plot), no use of condoms but only the pill, creampie, sexual fantasies, fingering, hand-job, sex, slight angst at the end if you squint

a/n: I would literally die for kevin, I love him so much. I'll be writing a multiple parts series about him after I'm done writing scenarios for every member first.

requests are open!

masterlist + requests

you slammed your foot hard against the wall and cursed in pain. you hopped on one foot to your bed, holding your other leg in agony and tasted blood as you bit your lip to keep the volume of your suffering groans in check. someone knocked on the door.

'are you okay?' your roommate asked concerned.

'no, leave me alone, kevin,' you croaked out. you wanted to suffer by yourself.

there was an awkward silence and then you heard him sigh. soon after, the door next to your room closed shut.

why were you so frustrated, one might ask? well, the pandemic was kicking your butt and you just couldn't take it anymore. when the news of the virus had first spread, no one thought it would become this serious. but suddenly everyone was walking around with masks and spent most of their time staying at home.

after graduating high school, you and kevin had decided to move in together for college because both of you were broke and couldn't afford to live alone. you had been best friends since middle school and had been convinced that it was a smart idea at the time.

and everything went smoothly for the first one and a half years. however, after not seeing anyone else since the start of the pandemic over a year ago, it became increasingly difficult to share an apartment, but not in the way one might assume. you were neither sick of each other nor did you fight a lot. to tell the truth, it was quite the opposite.

earlier, before you had kicked the wall in anger, the two of you had painted together. kevin was majoring in art and, since you didn't have anything better to do, you joined him while he did projects for his classes. you might have been majoring in journalism but you had always liked drawing and painting, even though you weren't particularly skilled. you were a naturally clumsy person, always tripping over air and dropping things. today you were hecticly moving around your hands while telling him about a stupid video you had seen and you accidently let go of the brush in your hand. it hit the side of kevin's face, leaving a wide splodge of red paint on his right cheek.

to get back at you, he jerked his paint brush and splattered some green color on your white shirt. you saw this as a challenge and soon both of you were both drenched in the colors of the rainbow, laughing hysterically on the floor, not caring that you were spreading the paint on the poor carpet.

you turned your heads to look at each other and you felt absolutely in peace. you loved this man and couldn't be more glad that it was him and not anyone else you were stuck with inside of this apartment.

he stood up to take off his stained shirt and your smile quickly faded off your face. your lips slightly parted and you couldn't help but stare at his now exposed biceps and abs.

your mouth watered and you felt heat pooling between your legs as you took your time to study his architecture. thoughts about how badly you wanted him to thrust into you while his strong arms held you up invaded your mind. you tried to shake them off but it was impossible.

occasions like this were slowly becoming a common occurrence for you.

having mostly stayed inside for over a year, also meant that you didn't have sex for that long. it's not like you were the horniest person on the planet but you still had needs that were being neglected. with kevin being home all the time you didn't even dare to masturbate, scared that he would be able to hear you through the frustratingly thin walls. you must have gone insane with all the lust building up inside you and that's why you suddenly craved to have sex with your best friend. this whole thing was destroying everything. it was hard to act normal when he was making you this nervous and heated but you tried to pretend that everything was fine anyway for the sake of your friendship.

that was the reason why you were angry and had hurt yourself. you hated the way you felt about your best friend and you hated the pandemic for not giving you an outlet to escape so you could recollect yourself.

what you weren't aware of was that kevin was no stranger to the exact same frustration.

he would need more than his ten fingers and ten toes to be able to count the amount of times he had to run to the bathroom to hide his boner because he had done so much as look at you bend over or stretch. he didn't want to make you uncomfortable but it was a challenge to try and calm down his hormones.

whenever he jacked off, images of you flashed through his mind; your sweet curves and pink lips drove him insane.

last week, you two were cooking together and you had asked him to get the salt. he stood behind you to reach for it on the highest shelf. he was forced to press his crotch against your butt cheeks and his dick hardened against his will. he quickly handed you the salt, excused himself and ran off before you could figure out what had happened.

he might not have known the cause of your sudden outburst but he sympathized with your fury because he had a lot of pent up anger towards covid as well.

he lay in his bed and tried to focus on the book he was reading but he couldn't tune out the groans coming from the room next to his. he cursed.

'stop it!' he was panicking as he saw a familiar tent forming in his pants. your sounds triggered some weird perverted part of his brain that sent signals right to his genitals. his dick was hardening and he saw no other solution to his problem than to give in to his subconscious desires.

he pulled down his pants just far enough so that his cock had enough room to spring out. it only needed a few strokes before it stood tall and angry. kevin pressed his head into his pillow and moved his hand fast. he wanted to get over with it quickly. he emptied his cum on his stomach while imagining your greedy little mouth being stuffed by his cock. he lay there panting as yet another round of shame flushed over him.

'get yourself together,' he whispered, mentally slapping himself.

***

'do you want to order japanese or italian?' you asked kevin. today was friday which meant it was time for your weekly tradition of ordering take out and watching a movie.

'definitely italian. we've already had japanese for the past four days. I need something else for a change,' kevin complained and shuddered at the thought of having to eat sushi again. the japanese restaurant prepared absolutely delicious food but he just couldn't stand it anymore.

you laughed at his pained facial expression. 'fine, italian it is.'

within twenty minutes the doorbell rang and after about half a minute kevin came back with two huge boxes.

he opened them on the small table situated in front of your couch and the smell of freshly cooked pasta seasoned with basil made your stomach growl.

kevin wanted to dig in already but you stopped him. you had to choose a movie first.

'let's watch tall girl. I saw everyone hate on it on tiktok,' you suggested.

'I think we should watch 365 days, that was all over my for you page as well,' kevin argued. you hadn't heard of it so you weren't sure whether it would be the right movie for you. the rule was that it had to be as bad as possible.

'according to what I have heard, it's apparently even worse than 50 shades of grey,' kevin added which piqued your interest. the both of you had watched 50 shades about two months ago and you were honestly shocked by how awful it actually was. you couldn't understand why everyone had been so obsessed with it when it was first released. if 356 days was really worse, then you'd hit the jackpot. you clapped your hands.

'fine, you win. I swear if the movie isn't as horrible as you say it is then you owe me something!' he intertwined his pinky with yours to promise.

watching horrible movies was way better than watching good ones. making fun of bad storylines, stupid characters or horrible editing was one of your favorite past times.

'I guess I'll have to add are you lost, baby girl to the top 10 worst lines ever spoken. who thought ah yes this is sexy, let's have him repeat it over and over again', you complained, shoving some pasta into your mouth.

'so he's like I won't do anything without your permission while he is literally groping her boobs against her will, like make it make sense, massimo', added kevin, ruffling his hair in frustration. he almost completely forgot about the food.

'so let me get this straight: he drugged her, kidnapped her, tied her up, hung up a painting of her just because he saw her face when his dad was shot?'

'totally relatable.' both of you giggled.

you were enjoying complaining about the plot. it was horrible.

there were plenty of erotic scenes but they were honestly so funny and kinda gross that you could bare it without really being affected by them. kevin, on the other hand, had placed a pillow over his hard-on to hide the embarrassing fact that these terrible, smutty scenes had turned him on.

and then the infamous boat scene came.

massimo and laura had a huge fight, she fell of the boat, he saved her and now she was suddenly so in love with him that she begs him to fuck her. which he does.

you felt your panties become increasingly wet as the couple had steaming hot sex.

'this is embarrassing but I'm so horny,' you admitted but in a way that should have suggested that you meant it as a joke. something about this statement stirred something in kevin.

'well, what can I say?' he replied and lifted the pillow. your pupils widened at the sight of your best friend's bulge.

his eyes darkened and he looked at you with lust clearly written on his face. you reciprocated his stare with the same intensity. you tried to focus on his dark brown orbs instead of his boner but the image you had just seen was present in your mind.

his gaze shifted to your lips and, before you knew it, kevin climbed above you and pressed your back flat onto the couch.

your lips locked and you immediately buried your hands in his hair to pull him closer. you moved in sync, his lips fitting perfectly onto yours. you bucked your hips up against his crotch and earned a moan from kevin. he opened his eyes in shock as realization hit him. he quickly pulled away and jumped off the coach.

'I'm so sorry, y/n. I shouldn't have just done that. I don't know what came over me,' he apologized profusely, staring at his feet. did he really think that you didn't want this?

'give me your hand,' you told him and held out your hand.

'why?' he raised his eyebrows in confusion. you rolled your eyes.

'just do it.'

you took his hand and led it to your crotch.

'what are you- oh my god.' your juices had completely soaked through your panties and your sweatpants. 'you are so wet.'

'for you,' you added. 'there's no need to apologize. I'm literally begging you to continue.'

you didn't have to say that twice before he pulled you closer to him by your hips and engaged you in another desperate kiss. his hands were groping your butt while you let yours slide under his hoodie. you felt his naked skin and toned abs, as you rubbed his stomach. you lowered your hands and bravely palmed his boner through his clothes.

'y/n,' he hissed out against your lips. you hooked your thumbs in the elastic of his pants and underwear, and pushed the material down to his thighs. he struggled to get them off.

you stroked his hard dick as he slipped his hand into your panties to massage your pussy at the same time.

he slipped one finger inside and began working it in and out. you finally were getting the relief you had been desperately craving for for so long. kevin was skilled and your walls were trying to swallow his slim finger. you were quickly coming close to your orgasm after having abstained for more than a year. you pulled his hand out.

'I bet you can make me come even better with your dick,' you challenged kevin.

'you bet I will.' he was confident.

'let me just look for a condom.' he was already turning away to go search in his room but you held him back by the arm.

'forget about it. I'm on the pill and I want you raw. I want you to come inside me and not spill into a stupid condom.'

the idea of this sounded very tempting to kevin. he picked you up and threw you back onto the couch, drawing your hips closer to him so he could pull off all the pieces of clothing that were hindering him from accessing your pussy.

he propped up his arms next to your sides and spread your thighs apart. strings of arousal were hanging from your folds and he saw your hole desperately clench around nothing. his dick hurt from how much he wanted to finally be inside of you. he wanted to find out how close he had been able to imagine how you would feel around him.

your hole took him in easily, welcoming him happily by embracing it tightly. kevin swore he could've cum right here and there.

he went slow at first to give you a chance to adjust but you were already fully ready, rocking your hips forward to meet his thrusts.

he crashed your mouths together and you kissed him like he was oxygen and you were short of air. you smiled and your eyes rolled back, satisfied with how things had played out today and the prospects of coming looked fairly promising.

desperate for release, kevin picked up the pace, his eyes closed while fucking into you like a horny animal. he couldn't help himself and all the 'faster's and 'harder's spilling from your mouth only encouraged him to drive himself deeper into you.

you wrapped your legs around his torso in an attempt to regain the control you were losing.

'fuck fuck fuck,' you cursed, feeling your muscles starting to contract. kevin brushed away some hair that was stuck to your sweaty forehead.

'it's fine, I'm coming too,' he announced and it took only a few more thrusts before a body shaking orgasm flushed over you, making you see only white. this drove kevin over the edge too and he spilled inside you, filling you up with his hot cum. he continued to slowly ease his dick in and out of you, fucking his semen right back into you until you had ridden out both of your orgasms. he let himself fall onto the couch right next to you, panting hard.

'I very much needed this,' you sighed in content.

'same, I wasn't sure whether I could hold out any longer without having a proper orgasm.' he watched his cum drip out of you.

'we should've thought of this sooner,' you said. 'this was a great idea.'

kevin hummed in agreement.

***

so now you and kevin were having sex on a regular basis, your high score being five times in a day. it felt good to finally live out your sexuality and not having to restrict yourself. sure, you guys did it more than necessary but it was a great way to pass time and it felt fucking amazing.

today you had done it in the shower after waking up, then on the kitchen counter and you had just finished having sex in his bed.

he was spooning you from behind, his cock still placed inside of you. he nuzzled his nose into your neck.

'stop, that tickles,' you chuckled.

'sorry.'

after a while of comfortable silence you heard him let out a big sigh.

'what's wrong?' you asked as he pulled out of you. you turned around to be able to look at him.

'I don't think I can do it like this anymore,' he confessed.

'what do you mean?' you asked. 'are you talking about us having sex?'

he nodded. your heart dropped and you started feeling dizzy. you tried to search for answers in his eyes but he avoided looking at you.

'w-why?' you stuttered, trying to hold back the tears that were welling up in your eyes.

'it was amazing at first,' he started and finally raised his head to meet your gaze, 'and I went into it without much thought. I went crazy during quarantine and began fantasizing about having sex with you. then it became reality but now I understand that was probably wrong of me. I've always thought of myself as a gentleman, yet I slept with you without much thought. you see, my issue is this…'

suspense hung in the air and you were impatiently waiting for him to get to the point.

'I like you.'

you quietly gasped in surprise. you had been expecting him to say you were bad at sex and that he regretted everything but not this.

'I shouldn't be sleeping with you unless you were my girlfriend,' he finished off his ramble. you felt immensely relieved.

'do you want me to?' you asked him.

'want you to what?' kevin was confused. he had been a hundred percent sure you'd immediately jump out of the bed in disgust when he confessed.

'be your girlfriend. after all, I like you too, you moron.' you realized that you had known this for a while. you might have even been crushing on your best friend since way before the pandemic struck but it was kind of hard to track your feelings. still, you were sure you liked him too. now that he had admitted his feelings, you were able to admit yours not only to him but to yourself as well.

'wow, I didn't expect this,' kevin confessed surprised. you laughed.

'yeah, we should've realized this sooner.' he pulled you closer and kissed you. it was different than the other times. his lips moved softly against yours, in contrast to all of your rough and passionate kisses you had exchanged these past few weeks. he conveyed his emotions through the kiss.

'you're ready again?' you groaned as you felt kevin's dick harden against your upper thigh. he chuckled.

'sorry, you just turn me on so much.'

so then you did it for the fourth time. that day, you set a new record of having sex six times. you might have been happy now but still just as horny.