#Warming Up: How Climate Change is Changing Sport

[xtruss]

The Olympics Have A Dirty History—Literally! But A Green Sports Movement Is Pushing For Change, Eager To See If Paris Will Be Different.

— July 20, 2024 | By Madeleine Orr, University of Toronto | Foreign Policy

The wind blows a plastic bag past the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing on January 23, 2008. Guang Niu/Getty Images

In April 1929, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) met in Lausanne, Switzerland, to grant the hosting rights for the 1932 Winter Olympic Games. The United States was the frontrunner, and seven U.S. candidate sites showed up to bid: Bear Mountain and Lake Placid, New York; Denver, Colorado; Duluth, Minnesota; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Lake Tahoe and Yosemite Valley, California. For many small mountain towns, this would be their shot to generate the investment dollars needed to build new winter sport infrastructure and secure a strong tourism industry in a very economically fragile time—the start of the Great Depression.

This article is adapted from Warming Up: How Climate Change Is Changing Sport by Madeleine Orr (Bloomsbury, 320 pp., $25.20, May 2024).

Godfrey Dewey, vice president of the exclusive Lake Placid Club (and son of the inventor of the Dewey Decimal Classification System for library books) was the lead administrator of the town’s bid. Dewey made a series of lofty promises—chief among them, a new Olympic sliding track for bobsled. Then-New York Gov. (and later U.S. president) Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote letters in support of the project, turning the small New York town into a frontrunner.

It all seemed promising, until Lake Placid secured hosting rights and things got messy.

Dewey’s planned bobsled run was to be on the Lake Placid Club’s site, within the protected Adirondack Forest Preserve. The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks led a legal complaint in New York State courts, claiming that the project went against the “forever wild” clause of the state’s constitution, which maintains that state lands “constituting the forest preserve…shall be forever kept as wild forest lands.”

The U.S. four-man bobsleigh team shoots a curve on the run at Lake Placid, New York, on February 16, 1932. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

A two-year legal battle ensued. Environmental activists routinely protested and made noise in the press. Eventually, the New York State Court of Appeals held that a statute authorizing the construction of a bobsled run, requiring the destruction of 5,122 trees, was unconstitutional. Dewey and the organizing committee were forced to find a location elsewhere. They settled on a site just outside the Forest Preserve boundary.

That kind of pressure from environmental groups has never gone away. In nearly every Olympic host city since, there has been what sport sociologist Jules Boykoff calls the “NOlympic movement”—organized groups of people who do not want these large, damaging events to come to town. Over time, these movements gained momentum and media attention, eventually reaching Olympic decision-makers and creating public pressure to effect positive green change. But this process would take decades.

A lone celebrant views a tally board at the Denver Olympic Committee victory headquarters in Colorado on November 7, 1972, after voters rejected funding of the 1976 Winter Olympics. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Fast forward to 1970. Denver was awarded the hosting rights for the 1976 Winter Olympics. It was billed as an ideal opportunity to celebrate the United States’ bicentennial and Colorado’s centennial anniversaries. But it took less than a year for the Games to be met with major dissent from local politicians. Months after the hosting rights were awarded to the city, State Rep. Bob Jackson told the Associated Press, “We ought to say to the nation and the world, ‘We’re sorry, we are concerned about the environment. We made a mistake. Take the Games elsewhere.’”

Dick Lamm, another state representative, told Ski Magazine, “Every time I ask a question about ecology, the Olympic people tell me, ‘Don’t worry, we are going to take care of that.’ But a state which has never taken down as much as a single billboard to improve the environment is not going to run an Olympics which the ecologists would like.” By 1972, the city withdrew from hosting and the Games were moved to Innsbruck, Austria, which had held the event in 1964 and had most facilities ready to go.

Germany also saw environmental groups put pressure on—and ultimately shut down—the Olympics over environmental concerns. In 1983, the mayor and local tourism director of Berchtesgaden announced a bid for the 1992 Winter Olympics. Almost immediately, a local citizens’ initiative was organized against it, and successfully campaigned to shut down the bid. That edition of the Winter Games was hosted by Albertville, France.

Amanda Shuman, a historian at the University of Freiburg, has been studying how the Berchtesgaden citizens’ initiative was contextually different from those that preceded it in other countries. She and I work together through the Sport Ecology Group, so I called her to get the background story.

“The early 1980s were a unique time for the environmental movement in Germany. Acid rain was at the top of everyone’s mind because Der Spiegel, the country’s biggest magazine, decided to run a series of exposés on forest death with pretty aggressive headlines like ‘The Forest is Dying,’” Shuman said. “At the same time, the newly formed Green Party rode that wave of public concern into their first seats in Parliament. Environmental groups watched this happen and were emboldened to act on different issues because there was more visibility and political support for their work.”

Shuman argues that historically, anti-sport development efforts went against the political grain, as politicians routinely used sporting mega-events as a platform-building opportunity. But in 1970s Colorado, and again in 1980s Germany, there was some degree of political support behind anti-Olympics campaigns.

The opening ceremony of the Lillehammer Winter Olympics in Norway on February 12, 1994. Pascal Rondeau/AllSport/Getty Images

Despite repeated involvement and pressure by environmental groups to slow, move, or shut down sport development and big events through the 20th century, it wasn’t until the 1990s that sports organizations took up the mantle of environmental action themselves.

In 1992, the same year that the word “sustainability” entered the global lexicon at the United Nations Earth Summit in Brazil, the IOC was facing challenges with the perceptions of the Olympics following the Albertville Winter Games, which were dubbed an “environmental catastrophe” in the local news given the extraordinary distance between the different venues. The event was so spread out geographically that athletes and spectators drove through the mountains from one town to the next, clogging up the roadways and polluting an otherwise quiet area of France.

After Albertville, the IOC knew it had to act to strengthen its reputation on environmental issues and align more closely with growing global concerns about the climate. It’s still not clear whether the IOC has succeeded at improving its record or reputation on environmental work.

The 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, are viewed as the first attempt to create a “green” Olympic Games. It was a tall order. After the environmental wreckage at Albertville, local activists in Lillehammer forced the organizing committee to adapt their hosting plans based on environmental concerns. The changes included a redesigned speed-skating rink that minimized impacts on a nearby bird sanctuary, a plan to prioritize the use of renewable building materials, energy-efficiency upgrades for facilities, and a recycling program at all venues.

The 1990s were a supercharged decade for sustainability across all sports, not just the Olympic Games. In 1993, the National Football League in the United States launched their NFL Green campaign, which has seen every subsequent Super Bowl implement waste management and nature restoration projects. In 1994, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) created its Sports and Environment Program to promote environmental awareness through sports and sustainable design principles in sports facilities and equipment manufacturing. Also that year, the Centennial Olympic Congress of Paris named the environment a “third pillar” of the Olympic charter, alongside sport and culture.

Later in the 1990s, the UNEP worked with the IOC to develop an “Agenda 21” for the Olympic Movement based on sustainability guidelines created by delegates at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. (The document’s publication was sponsored by Shell.) The IOC committed itself to promoting sustainability among its 206 member nations and 30 governing bodies for winter and summer sports, and to require sustainability plans from the hosts of its marquee events. This is only a commitment to “encourage” sustainability, though, not to mandate it. The IOC does not control operations among its members. Despite these ambitions, the process of implementation has been a roller-coaster, with several sharp turns off-course.

For the first 20 years of the green sports movement, from about 1992 to 2012, the focus was on operational improvements: reducing waste, switching to energy-efficient lighting, using less water, and measuring carbon footprints. These efforts were impactful. Consider how much toilet paper is used in a stadium with hundreds of toilets—it’s a lot. Finding a toilet paper provider that uses recycled paper instead of fresh forests is a meaningful improvement.

The washroom inside the National Aquatics Center, where swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming Olympic events were held, in Beijing on January 28, 2008. Feng Li/Getty Images

Or think about the water savings that can be achieved by implementing an irrigation system that cuts water use from 60,000 liters per night to 50,000. In one year, the facility will reduce its water consumption by more than 4.1 million liters. That’s enough water to fill three Olympic-size swimming pools. But these efforts can be hard to communicate to fans and do little to leverage sports’ sizeable platform to inspire fans to act on climate change and build popular support for action.

A 2021 study published by Martin Müller and colleagues at the University of Lausanne developed a model to evaluate the environmental sustainability of Olympic Games hosted between 1992 and 2020. It found that Salt Lake City in 2002 was the most sustainable, while more recent iterations in Sochi, Russia, in 2014 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016 were the least sustainable. Part of the challenge for the IOC is that each host country is operating within its own sets of definitions, limitations, and government priorities, so sustainability often takes a back seat to tourism development and growth plans.

Cyclists ride over a road sign demarcating a Paris 2024 bike lane along the Rue de Rivoli in Paris on July 3. Julien De Rosa/AFP Via Getty Images

Some of the Most Exciting Work on Sustainability is Coming Out of the Paris 2024 Olympic Committee, which promises a carbon-positive Games. The French capital has banned non-essential through traffic from its city center effective in 2024, making 5.4 square miles of the city straddling both sides of the Seine much greener and cleaner. They are also adding bike lanes and bus routes, and 95 percent of the venues will be existing facilities or temporary builds, so only two new builds are needed. We haven’t seen anything better than this. Still, there will be loads of tourists (it’s Paris, there are always tourists), so the organizers have committed to offsetting all remaining emissions.

I have been outspoken in recent years about how I don’t think it’s possible to have a carbon-positive Olympic Games—and that this language is misleading and potentially detrimental to the broader movement. It’s great to see the ambition to be very low-impact, but “carbon-positive” is just not realistic in the context of an international sporting event with hundreds of thousands of tourists and participants.

Overall, though, the green sports movement is decidedly on the right track. Reflecting on the progress to date in the United States, environmental scientist Allen Hershkowitz—once dubbed the “Godfather of Green Sports”—said in a podcast interview in 2021, “I think, actually, over the last 10 years, the sport and sustainability movement has been one of the most effective sectors in the environmental advocacy world, especially in North America, where our government has been outright hostile to environmental progress.”

From where I’m standing, it’s clear a lot more has been happening in green sports in recent years. The sector is moving forward, and moving together. Now we have to pick up the pace.

— Madeleine Orr is an Assistant Professor of Sport Ecology at the University of Toronto. She is the Founder of the Sport Ecology Group and the Author of the recent book Warming Up: How Climate Change is Changing Sport.

[aheckinmess]

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

(Part 15 of The Snowball Effect)

Read on AO3.

Tags: Enji Todoroki, Endeavor, Female Reader, Reader Has an Ice Quirk, Endeavor x Reader, Enji Todoroki x Reader, Christmas Special, MHA Christmas Special, Snowball Fight, Yes I Know We've Done This Before, But This Time It's the Kids, Tenko Shimura, Toya Todoroki, Natsuo Todoroki, Tenko and Toya, Versus You and Natsuo, Enji Steps Out Onto the Battlefield, It's a Game Changer

Word Count: 452 words

Summary: You and Enji aren't the only ones who know how to have good fun in the snow. When you walk out into a snowball war with your kids, it's every team for themselves! Things get real interesting when Enji steps into the playing field.

Playlist: The Snowball Effect

December 15

Ever since you moved to Japan to marry Enji, you’ve been pleasantly content with the cold snowy winters. Although it isn’t always guaranteed, living in a more tropical climate throughout the duration of your childhood makes every sprinkle of snow that much sweeter now.

“Mom, watch this.” Natsuo whispers, creeping behind a large barrier of snow as he scoops up a snowball. He lobs it across the yard at another, similar barrier as he yanks you to a crouch beside him.

“Hey!” Toya’s voice echoes across the lawn. “Natsuo, I know that was you!”

A few seconds later, your hair explodes with cold, wet flakes that melt in your hair and pull a shriek from your lips. Though you know Toya meant to hit his brother, your playful nature demands retribution.

So when Natsuo giggles at you and then you stand to see Toya’s wide eyes, you don’t hesitate to lob a snowball right back at him.

“No fair, you’ve got Mom on your side!” Toya laughs, when Tenko suddenly pops up beside him with a devilish grin. “But I’ve got Tenko! This is war!”

For the next fifteen minutes the four of you launch a full-scale attack against each other. Despite being the eldest, Toya ends up getting hit with the most ammunition. He’s a good sport about it, laughing and shaking his wet hair with every impact. 

Tenko and Natsuo are the ones really holding out to see who buckles beneath the pressure first. Neither of them have hit each other. Each of them hold the same air of determination as their father, eyes glimmering with fierce resolution as they analyze the others’ tactics – both have strategies that change with every throw.

And then Enji steps outside.

“Put some of your quirk into it, Natsuo.” He whispers after watching a few rounds.

Both of you ogle as your nine-year-old son sends a heap of icy snow straight into Tenko’s shoulder with his jaw agape. 

“I did it!” He whoops, before getting side-swiped by Tenko’s retaliating blow.

“Never assume victory until you’ve confirmed your adversary is restrained or incapacitated.” Enji chuckles.

You snicker at the boys’ antics while fluttering over to Enji for a hug around the waist. He can make even the coldest winter as warm and cozy as springtime sunshine and summer campfires. 

“You haven’t learned your lesson, either, my flame.”

Your eyes snap open just as he body slams you into the barrier that had been protecting you and Natsuo. A flurry of powder erupts around the two of you, and you snatch Enji’s shirt sleeve before he can escape. You can’t help the laughter bubbling out of your chest, though.

“Enji Todoroki, I love you so much.”

Day 16

Credit to @saradika-graphics for the holiday banner! Thank you so much!

[l00na24]

I Got Your Six - Chapter 5

Warnings: Death, Murder

(Some things won't be 100% accurate to reality and are written that way for the sake of the story!)

Word Count: 9k

A/N: Hello 🤗 First of all I wish everyone a happy new year even if it's a bit late but I hope all of you are doing well and had a great start into the new year! 🥰 I am so sorry it took me sooo long to finally get this chapter finished (after changing it about a million of times because I wasn't happy with it lol), which I had wanted to get out before Christmas but unfortunately I got sick for a few weeks and then real life stuff came up right after 😓 But now it's here and I hope you enjoy reading it with things turning up a notch 😋

Also a little part of this chapter was inspired by the original Triple Frontier Script which I totally recommend you to read if you haven't already!

7 days later, 4 PM, Brazil, Jungle (at Lorea’s house)

It was a humid warm and cloudy day when I crept through the various green plants that surrounded me. The typical climate you would expect in a jungle.

Exotic birds occasionally flying high above the treetops and filling the wild and untamed nature with their chirping or insects buzzing around between leaves big enough to cover my body entirely, some smaller ones with the similarity of palms that fit perfectly in the spaces between together with other, more colorful plants or bushes on the ground. Meter long lianas hanging from above that were winding themselves along the branches of some big trees like snakes.

If I wouldn’t be here for a mission, I would take my time admiring every little detail and the peaceful, quiet and yet a tad mysterious atmosphere with the slight fog floating around.

The calm before the storm.

How the ridges of the Andes, completely covered in green nature and shrouded in banks of clouds, ominously greeted us at our arrival. Like they would be announcing a bad omen that was in the air.

Normally I wouldn’t be faced much by anything when it came to a mission besides the flying part but this time I’d been restless as soon as we were on our way to the destination Santiago had given me when I called him a few days ago.

My gut was screaming at me to not do it, to turn as fast as we could and fly back instead but it was too late and I wouldn’t leave them alone in this. I never backed down from a mission. No matter what. And I’d never forgive myself if I did now.

It had been the first warning.

🌿🌿🌿

My team and me nearly got caught in the crossfire of some criminals and the local police on our way to the friendship bridge, the signature element of the Triple Frontier, that connected Paraguay to Brazil over the Parana River.

We were slowly driving through the outskirts of Ciudad del Este, the second largest city of Paraguay and a literal hotspot for any crime imaginable thanks to the Triple Frontier connection, the biggest part being the smuggling of a lot of dangerous things. You could practically see on every corner you turned, that the criminals were ruling this place. My trained eyes spotting them from miles away out of the car window next to me or the guns some people were carrying with them, hidden beneath their clothes in hopes nobody would notice, even if they were way too obvious. Drug dealers selling their stuff openly on the street without a care as if it would be an everyday business. The poorest of the poor together with other citizens weaving through the thick traffic between cars.

You should think we would actually change something with our work but looking at this, I understood what Santiago had meant. Nobody was giving a shit about government or authority here, they had their own laws and the police were only bystanders, not able to do anything and probably not even bothering anymore or corrupt to the core.

Just as we were crossing an intersection, suddenly loud sirens started to blare in the distance and only seconds after a sports car nearly crashed with us when it flew by in high speed, the police following close behind.

“Alex! Watch out!” I shouted from the right backseat when I saw it speeding directly at us.

“Oh fuck!” As fast as he could, Alex hit the brakes. The force of it jolting us forward in our seats as we came to an abrupt stop just enough that the car only lightly grazed our front and didn’t crash into us.

In the middle of the chaos that broke out with people screaming and madly running around and vehicles on the street trying to get out of the way, I saw the windows of the sports car rolling down and persons with assault rifles leaning out of them to shoot at the police car.

“Get down! Put your heads down!” I raised my voice even louder before I heard the first shot being fired and made myself as small as I could.

The bullets were flying everywhere, one piercing through our windshield and almost hitting my shoulder if I hadn’t ducked to the side in my seat.

“Is everyone okay?” Luc asked from the passenger seat in the front and immediately looked over to Alex and then behind to me and Mick in the backseats.

“Yes.”

“Yeah.”

The boys breathed out after everything seemed to be back to normal like nothing happened and people resumed their ways. The bullet hole the only reminder of what had just transpired.

“What the fuck is wrong with these people?!” I let out with irritation.

“I think they had a slight disagreement with each other.” Mick commented from the left.

That had been the second warning we ignored.

🌿🌿🌿

Stalking like a panther through the thick foliage of the jungle, I moved forward to the spot I was supposed to be and grabbed my TAC-50 that was slung around me as I came closer.

When I looked through my scope, a set of two big, black eyes ogled me and I looked up confused, spotting a little black and white patterned gecko sitting in front of its lens on my sniper.

What the heck?

“Hey there, little guy. You should be careful, you could get yourself hurt.” I said and inspected him curiously.

He held eye contact when his tongue darted out and ran along his mouth before he carefully moved across the upside of my gun, over the scope to its long rear where he laid himself flat on his stomach, his tiny feet spread wide from his body and blinked a few times at me and slightly tilted his head.

“You better get down there.” I told him and slowly moved my hand that wasn’t holding the gun to him.

Without moving he still sat there, not letting me out of sight. After another moment of studying me with his big, round button eyes he got up and came toward my hand. Stopping for a moment right in front to look, before carefully climbing with his sticky, nub-like toes onto it.

He was running all over it, in my palm and between my fingers, stopping at some point and dragging his little pink tongue along my skin.

“Did you… just lick me?” I asked him surprised, staring at the little reptile who didn’t seem bothered by me.

He only looked back innocently before he started to advance up my arm to my shoulder.

“Oh, no, no, little guy! You can’t go there!” I slightly panicked, not wanting him to touch or come close to the part of my body that was forbidden to everyone.

Thankfully he stopped as if he understood what I was saying and changed his direction. Moving over to my other shoulder along my front and looking from there at me once he had reached it.

“Let’s get you somewhere more comfortable, hm?” I asked and held my hand at him again, so I could put him on one of the plants around me, waiting till he was back in my palm.

I let him climb on one of the lianas hanging down in front of me.

“Watch your six, little guy.”

Following his movements along it until he turned upside down and looked back at me before I turned around and continued onward. At least a nice surprise for a change.

Brushing past some large ferns, I made my path through the wilderness with a watchful eye on the ground to not fall over tree roots or for any other kind of danger and made sure to take slow steps to not cause any unnatural movement that potentially could be spotted.

As I reached my spot, I got in position hidden behind a wall of leaves and cocked my sniper to inspect the rest of the area around the house after I had done a full circle of observation.

“I don’t like this.” I spoke into the com I had placed on my in dark and light grey tones camouflaged gear.

“What’s your concern?” Alex’ voice crackled through my earpiece.

“Looks too easy.”

“Did you expect a heavily fortified fortress out here in the middle of a jungle?” Mick asked chuckling.

“Considering the millions of dollars he’s supposed to have and that he’s one of the top tier pieces of shit here, yes, that would be my first expectation if I’m honest.” I retorted while letting my sight wander around through the scope, not spotting much besides some guards hanging around in a few corners with submachine guns strapped to them.

“You aren’t wrong. I estimated with more defense measures too, looking at his profile. But let’s check what we’ve gathered so far.” Luc suggested, wanting to hear what we had detected during our surveillance so he could start thinking about possible tactics at how we would approach this.

“Guards on all sides of the house in groups of two to max three, no protection and armed with SMG’s. Three right, left and rear side, two front, potentially more inside. Lots of spots all around the house where we could easily slip in without a problem except the front. There’s a long, unprotected driveway, ending with a couple of concrete jersey barriers on the sides and a steal gate. Could be breakable with a car I would guess, if you manage to destroy the barrier that comes out of the ground when the gate closes but that would alert everyone, which rules it out as possible option. The only real “danger”, if you wanna call it that, is the machine gun in a sort of tower behind it. 50 caliber, that would shred you before you come even close. I would need help from one of you to take both guards out undetected if we do this the ‘silent way’.” I explained my observation.

“I could give you a hand. There’s a small waterway from my position leading in your direction, would be a matter of seconds to get to you.” Alex confirmed.

“Perfect.” I answered before continuing. “I’ve also seen some surveillance cameras around. We will have to either destroy them when we approach, or we have to look inside the house for a security room to deal with it. They didn’t seem to give a shit about aiming them at the crucial spots, but I would like to take care of them, so we don’t have to worry about it later.”

“They are not looking like the newest ones there are. Don’t wanna know where he got them from, but it will be enough if we take care of the hard drives.” Mick brought in his opinion. His expertise as the best engineer we had in Delta gave us a huge advantage with any tech or gadgets we had to deal with in our missions or other unconventionalities.

“Also, we have high fences extending around the house in a radius of probably twenty to thirty meters. We won’t be able to climb over, but we could cut through them. I’m actually surprised they aren’t charged with electricity.”

“If I were him, I wouldn’t want my kids getting roasted, that’s probably the reason.” He had a point. I had seen them playing outside and some toys laying around but I doubted that it was why.

“The less time we need the better.” Luc pointed out, reminding us that we would have a time window we had to keep in mind once we were in.

“Look what we have here... Someone’s got some little toys.” Mick’s amused voice came through the com again.

“What is it?” The tone he used set off alarm bells in my head. Something was wrong.

“Ground sensors.”

Well, shit.

“The lethal kind?” I inquired with a hint of worry and scoped the area more wary a second time and focused on every detail I could find but spotting none of the mentioned sensors. They must be hidden underneath the plants.

“Hard to say but I don’t wanna find that out.” He answered thoughtfully when he inspected the object on the ground more closely with his trained eyes.

“Any way we can deactivate them?”

“Negative. Not without setting them off.”

“Copy that. Eyes up and on the ground then. Be careful where you’re going.” I spoke sternly, not wanting my team to have an unpleasant encounter that could end potentially deadly and risk the mission before it even started.

The theory with his kids was off the table with that but now we had an explanation why he wasn’t using electricity. Lorea probably thought it would be enough to rely on the sensors and I guessed, he hadn’t even wasted a thought about the possibility of some highly trained and lethal delta force soldiers attacking him or figuring out his location in the first place. Very bad mistake.

But it didn’t make our situation any better, knowing we practically walked around in a minefield. I had to hope the other guys would spot the objects in time and not run into one by accident, not having the possibility to communicate to them what they were about to walk into without revealing myself. They didn’t know we were here and I wanted to keep it this way till we were done with the recce.

“We’ve got company now, boys and girls.” I heard Luc shortly after through my earpiece upon spotting the arrival of the five ex-delta soldiers we had been waiting for. Their timing was just great… note the sarcasm.

“Make sure none of them notices the slightest trace of you and get your comms ready.” I ordered in the serious tone as their captain, wanting to avoid getting detected by any of the boys at all costs.

“Copy.” The three men of my team answered in unison.

I lowered my weapon and slung it back around me with its strap, reaching into a pocket on the backside of my vest and pulling out the com I had requested for me and my team from Santiago, so we could listen their conversation, putting it in my other free ear. They couldn’t hear us unless we used the manual trigger of the mic, which me or my teammates wouldn’t dare to touch and continued to use our own to communicate with each other.

Hearing their line crackling to life, I left my position and disappeared back into the thick foliage.

“So what's this guy got against banks? At least a safe.” Will’s deep voice reached my ears and sent a shudder down my spine that halted my movement for a moment. It felt weird to hear their voices after so long. I needed to get used to them again.

“The house is the safe.” Santiago answered cryptical. What was that supposed to mean?

“Got any idea what he’s talking about?” Alex questioned through our com and spoke out what I was asking myself.

“No clue.”

“Feels like he didn’t tell you everything.” Mick threw in skeptically, emphasizing the most important word in his sentence. Everything. Santiago better didn’t withhold any important information we should have known about before.

Carefully ducking underneath some low hanging branches, the quiet rustling of plants caught my attention and I looked alarmed around. It didn’t come from me but who- or whatever it was that made them was close.

The only thing I saw was a backwards cap in green camouflage moving through the greenery of the jungle and I knew who it was. I stopped dead in my tracks and didn’t dare to breathe or even blink. Ben had no clue I stood directly behind him when he moved by, not more than a thin wall of leaves separating us. His sudden closeness speeding up the beat of my heart in an instant that was pounding loudly in my ears and I prayed he couldn’t hear it. Keep your god damn composure, Y/N! Don’t panic.

Fuck. Did he have a compass which seemed to always lead him to me?

His hand was not a mere inch away and nearly brushed my belly. I’d be so, so fucked if he was able to sense me. Please don’t let him notice. Only this time.

Thump-thump.

Thump-thump.

Thump-thump.

After a few beats of him deciding it was a good idea to stop and stand right there in front of me and I thought I’d die from my heart jumping out of my chest, he finally started to walk away and gave me an actual chance to get some desperately needed air into my lungs again. I swear, this man was the death of me, in more ways than one.

This was waaay too close.

My eyes had grown at least double their size as I followed his path till he was out of sight, not making any kind of motion or noise yet for fear he could pick up on it and discover who was here with them.

“I'm at the gate.” I let out a sigh of relief when I heard his still well too familiar rough voice speak through their com that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. If someone would have told me, I’d ever be relieved not having to be near him… Nothing could have been more wrong…

“This looks like everything was done about 82% right. They got all the toys out here, but these cameras aren't even aimed at the weakest breach point.” Ben continued and repeated in his own words what I had observed before, showing clearly why both of us were the experts at reconnaissance.

“Someone’s got some knowledge there too, huh?” Mick indicated, somewhat surprised there was someone else ‘as good as me’ as he would put it, in this field.

We had been the perfect team… And now we were standing on opposite sides.

Deciding to stay silent, I put more distance between us when I was sure he would be far enough away and went with fast but still calculated steps in the other direction. I didn’t want to have another close encounter with him.

“Your girlfriend's making her normal money drop?” Tom’s voice joined in and halted my steps a few meters after once again. What were they talking about now?

“Yeah.” Santiago answered him directly like they were talking about the weather, despite knowing that we could hear their conversation. “She's prepared to record the inside of the house.”

Girlfriend?... Wait a minute…- His so called ‘informant’ was his girlfriend?! And he had the nerve to not tell me before all of this?! He just had dug his own grave.

I was sure my teammates didn’t take this new information any different. I could already imagine how their brows would knit together and their jaws would clench at the revelation.

Santiago had unknowingly managed to turn our team against him before they even had the chance to meet with his move. The fact that none of them felt like speaking up about it told basically everything already. Good luck for him to get out of this.

“Pope...” The person using his callsign was Frankie but it sounded a bit off. Was that concern I heard? What was worrying him? Everything should be fine, I made sure of that before they arrived. Besides… My thoughts went back to the discovery we had made not long ago. Damn it. He didn’t accidentally set off one of the sensors, did he?

“Pope, I have kids over here. Does he have kids living in here with him? 'Cause that's gonna make things a whole lot more complicated and is not what I signed up for.” He shared his discovery over the com and thankfully not confirmed my suspicion but reminded me of what would be another part on my personal task list which I hadn’t wanted to think about yet. If Fish had known what he signed up for… maybe he would’ve had considered his options better.

I continued my way with quick strides through the jungle while I listened, passing by the gate in the distance with enough space to not get noticed and reaching the spot on the left side of the house where I had originally begun my observation round.

“The family's not the problem. They're the answer.” The addressed man replied without the slightest concern. What was it with Santiago and his cryptic sentences?

“Why?” Frankie wasn’t the only person who liked to know.

“Church.” Santiago simply answered. “Lorea's very devout. Every Sunday morning, he sends three guards to the 6 AM service. When they get back, he sends the rest of the team, along with his family, into town to mass. That leaves him and three guards in that house, and that's our window.” He elaborated and I could only shake my head at what I heard. I wouldn’t give them a chance to escape and not finish the mission properly, he could totally forget that. I didn’t care how many guards Lorea had in his house, ten, twenty, it didn’t matter. We would have the army with us too, which would be way enough to wipe them out for good. Not that my team and I could handle it on our own. I didn’t understand why he was making such a fuss about the damn family. There was definitely some business we had to discuss later.

“Why would he do that?” Will inquired, which wasn’t really surprising. He always was someone for details. Too bad he didn’t pay attention to them when he actually should have.

“Worried about someone taking his kids. And he never leaves his money.” These would be the least of his problems very soon…

“Also, I don't think he believes anyone actually has the balls to come out here and rob him.” Santiago added bluntly. That was another way to put it, except ‘rob’ was the wrong word for what we’d be doing. Let me correct, what they’d be doing. My team wouldn’t get involved with the money the guys would confiscate together with the army after we were done. So was the plan. But I didn’t like how he said it and the feeling it caused in my gut.

“It's probably cause it's a stupid idea.” At least Will had some common sense. Yes, it absolutely was. It was the stupidest idea on earth to be exact.

The sound of a car approaching had me drawing my sniper in a flash, holding it steady with both hands and looking out at the driveway through some trees and bushes from my higher position. A black van came into view that slowly approached the barrier at the gate where it stopped. The guard not standing behind the machine gun walked up to the passenger side.

“Pope, I got your girlfriend coming up right now.” Ben announced at the same time.

“Y/N, do you have the safety of your gun on?” Mick joked into the com right after, who had been uncharacteristically silent, already knowing what my reaction would be and wanting to check up on me.

“Maybe I accidentally switched it off.” My voice dropped lower, with an underlying threat behind it my boys were familiar with, while aiming through the scope of my TAC-50 at the woman’s head. It would only take a little pull on the trigger…

I inspected her nearer and got slapped in the face with the bitter truth that I couldn’t compare to her, and it was obvious why Santiago seemed to have a liking in this woman. She looked attractive with her tanned skin, the dark brown, shoulder long, wavy hair and dark eyes. And I bet the rest of her body looked just as good. Something I wouldn’t ever come close to…

“Holy shit. She is beautiful, man.” My blood ran cold at Benny’s next words and something broke inside me. He should have kept his damn mouth shut. The grip on my weapon tightened with my fingers wrapping themselves like snakes around it that were about to choke their victim to death.

Don’t let it get to you. Just ignore all the shit they’re talking. He’s not worth it! None of them are worth it!

“He doesn’t know that the most beautiful woman is already here.” Alex threw in quickly, trying to lessen the damage but he had no clue that what Ben said had fueled my wrath already to a dangerous level. He only tried to lift the situation and make me feel better, knowing about my insecurities that got much worse after what I had been through, but this was something even he couldn’t fix. Only one person could have done that and he wasn’t here anymore… because of me.

Fuck him. Fuck all of them. I wouldn’t give them even the slightest chance to hurt me.

Thank god the van drove past the gate a moment later before I couldn’t resist the temptation to shoot her and the driver anymore. My index finger hovering dangerously close over the small part of the gun that could decide between life and death in a moment’s notice if I wanted.

“I got an execution about to go down over here.” As if sensing my mood for satisfying the craving I felt, Will spoke through their line, adding greatly to the need for shedding blood. Did I hear execution?

“Are you at the tennis courts?” Santiago wanted to know and I looked around if I could see the mentioned place from my position to follow what was happening there but to my disappointment it was out of my sight.

“Yeah.”

“Yeah, that's his spot.” He confirmed. Of course Lorea would kill others for his sake, people like him were all the same. He wasn’t the first and surely wouldn’t be the last.

“Anyone have sight on it?” I spoke into the mic, in hopes one of my boys would be close by and could give more detailed information about the situation.

“Positive, I do.” Alex answered while watching Lorea with a guard next to him getting ready to kill the unfortunate souls that were kneeling on the ground with bags over their heads. He had also found the blonde person lurking behind the small brick wall not far from him who must be one of the ex-delta soldiers, watching through the free spaces in between what was about to unfold.

“How many?” I inquired after his response, meaning the number of people the drug lord was about to kill.

“Four.” Too many. I would make sure to pay it equally back to him. He wouldn’t hurt someone ever again after we would be finished with him.

“Man, this guy really takes his business way too serious.” Mick commented with a snort when multiple shots of a gun filled the atmosphere. It wasn’t meant as disrespect toward Lorea’s victims but more his own way to cope with what we had to experience in our job and to not let it get to him. The complete opposite of me.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

“One more reason to get rid of him.” The grip on my sniper hardened even more at the thought of how many people had died because of him. How many lives he had taken for all the blood money. This guy was practically begging to be killed. A shame I couldn’t do it right now.

“Why is she doing this?” Frankie wondered as he saw the dark-haired woman and a few men getting out of the van and entering Lorea’s house with some bags, bringing their line back to life after it went silent for the time of the execution, everyone probably listening the sound of bullets delivering death and leaving nothing but corpses behind.

“She hopes I can get her little brother out of jail.” As if it hadn’t been enough to hear that she was his ‘girlfriend’ but to also find out she was doing this for Santiago to get her brother back on top of it… This was the culmination of it all. How did he even wanted to do that? If her brother was involved with Lorea, there was no way he could get him out legally. Or was he simply playing her so she agreed to help him? Like he tried with me also with leaving out what I heard since they arrived? He had chosen the wrong person.

“Tell me he isn’t fucking serious?!” Our engineer let out in vexation, being careful to not speak too loud and give himself away to the person with a cap he had in sight while he looked over the entrance area of the house where the van had stopped not a minute ago.

“I guess he ‘forgot’ to mention those little details, right?” Alex was just as pissed off, the kind where he questioned himself if he should shoot first and ask questions later or the other way round.

“He should pray I won’t find him right now.” Mick threatened afterwards, directly voicing out what his Spanish brother had hidden behind his words.

“You should give him a chance to explain himself and not make any assumptions already.” Luc spoke up, surprising us with his calmness and how he wasn’t on the side of his brothers. Sitting still on his spot on the other side of the house and following the guards’ movements while also keeping a careful eye on two of the ex-delta soldiers laying on top the massive concrete wall underneath some plants.

“What the fuck, man?! How can you defend him?! There is no god damn room for assumptions because everything is fucking clear! We need to have a talk after this!” His friend shot back with a growl.

It would be an exhausting drive back… Releasing some air and not wanting to take part in their conversation to fuel the tension that already had manifested itself with my own emotions, I focused back on the other boys.

“Did you put him in jail?” I heard Ben asking the most obvious question, silencing and distracting my three men from their heated discussion. I wouldn’t be surprised at this point if Santiago did.

“Not really.” There we go. So he had something to do with it. He might be able to fool the others but not me.

“I'm guessing that's putting her at some risk.” Tom pointed out and a sarcastic chuckle left me. It was putting her at the risk of vanishing from the face of this earth as soon as I got my hands on her.

“Man, I almost forgot why I got out of this business. Shit gets so dark so quick.” Frankie shared his thoughts, not knowing how true his words actually were and hitting the nail on the head. Explaining why I was as I was and bringing back painful memories. Nothing would come close to what I had to experience.

My knuckles turned white from the force I was gripping my weapon with now, teeth grinding hard against each other and shutting my eyes to force the unwelcomed thoughts away before they had a chance to get through.

Keep breathing slowly. You’re not going back to that place. You’re over it.

“Oh, shit, we got ground sensors here, boys.” Benny suddenly announced alarmed over their com when he found himself near the dangerous little object that blocked his way.

“Did you hit one?” As soon as Santiago had asked his question, my focus completely relied on them, tensely waiting for an answer and cursing under my breath that of course it had to be him out of the five to get himself into this situation.

“I don't know, I'm not sure.” With concern heavy in his voice and face Ben answered, uncertain if he had activated it or not and quickly taking a look around to check if he had been detected but everything seemed normal until Fish’s warning hit his ears.

“Benny, I got two guys on motorbikes coming your way.” He informed the younger Miller when he watched them speeding down the driveway in the direction of the gate where Ben was crouching deeper into the bushes covering him.

The urge to eliminate the enemy grew with every passing second and I considered starting the mission early. They wouldn’t get anywhere near him. I wouldn’t allow it. They’d be dead before they knew it.

With him already in my sight from my place across, I switched off the safety of my sniper once again. Making sure he was unharmed and nobody would come too close to him and discover where he was hiding.

Will left his position right after, following back the way he came through the small waterway around the area toward his little brother.

“Hold tight, Benny. I'm trying to get out there to cover you.” He told him, the protectiveness as his big brother coming to the surface. Moving as fast as he could till he got in position behind a small tree on the opposite side of the gate and aiming his pistol underneath its branches toward the newly arrived guards.

I shifted my view to the gate when I heard the sound of motorbikes approaching, noticing Will at the edge of my scope. Shutting out everything to not get distracted from the threat at hand and taking in controlled breaths to keep the heavy weapon steady while looking at the guys getting off their bikes, ready to shoot at any wrong movement or getting closer to Ben’s position.

“A stock boy job at Walmart's starting to look pretty good right now, boys.” It wouldn’t be Ben if he didn’t make one of his comments in his current situation, holding his pistol low but ready to use if needed. He was unaware that me and his brother had him covered from both sides of the gate and nobody would have an actual chance to harm or get to him without being killed. It kind of was like a déjà vu.

For a long moment they stood there, talking to the other guards. Thankfully not showing any signs that they were alarmed or actively searching for Ben. With a wave of a hand from one of them they got on their motorbikes again and drove back where they came from.

“I'm clear. They're coming back to you.” Ben confirmed to Frankie and watched them retreating, putting the gun back in the waistband of his jeans and relieving all of us with his words.

“Let's get the fuck outta here.” Will ordered into their com, keeping his hand weapon aimed on the men until they were out of sight. He had seen enough and didn’t want to push their luck any further, it had already been a close call with his brother and there was no reason to risk another encounter. The intel they had gathered should be enough to make a plan.

“Two retreating on my position.” I informed my team, watching both Miller brothers leave and disappearing into the jungle. Lowering my sniper and allowing my muscles to loosen up after I made sure my surroundings were safe.

“Positive, two as well here.” Luc responded first.

“Affirmative. One on me.” His friend Mick validating the same after.

“That’s all of ‘em. Alex, you clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Copy. If y’all are, I’ll meet you at the car. Be careful out there, boys.” I instructed before heading to where we had parked and took the earpieces out. Not looking forward to what awaited me…

🌿🌿🌿

35 Minutes later, 6:18 PM, Brazil

A bump in the road we were driving along woke me rudely from my nap when my front made contact with the car door to my right side I had leant to in my sleep. Startling me awake with the force of the impact.

A very faint “Sorry!” rang through the car.

“Can’t you drive more careful? If you continue like this, you gonna wake her up!” Alex complained annoyed from the left backseat, taking a look beside him in the dark of the car to ensure their girl was getting some much-needed sleep.

“I’m very obviously trying my best here. It’s not my fault this road is absolute shit. How is someone supposed to drive safe here anyway?” Mick complained back and shot his friend a glare through the rearview mirror before looking back at the road and giving Luc a glance on the way in the passenger seat.

“We’re in the middle of nowhere, you won’t find any better ways out here. I’m afraid this is the best we can get, gentlemen.” Luc declared with a chuckle.

“Still was a mistake to let him drive.” Alex grumbled lowly, not agreeing with the choice they had made earlier because he had enough experience with his recklessness at times. Especially with driving.

“If you think you can do it better, go ahead, pen-, pem-? Whatever you call asshole in Spanish.” Mick challenged him, struggling to find the word he was looking for because his knowledge of his friends’ second language was very limited or rather nonexistent and slowing their vehicle.

“It’s called pen-de-jo, dumbass. And we all know I’m a better driver than you.”

“Who almost caused an accident when we came here? Hm?”

“Seriously?! It wasn’t my fault some crazy people were having a fucking chase with the police!”

“Whatever you say, bud.”

“If you keep going like this and not lower your volume, it won’t be the movement of the car who’ll wake her up.” Luc clarified, sending a look their ways that didn’t require any further words.

With a slight groan I came to and opened my eyes slowly, noticing the lack of daylight.

“Great job, Mick. Look what you’ve done! You woke her up!”

“It certainly wasn’t me!”

With an eyeroll Alex shifted his head in my direction and gave me a smile.

“Hey, sleepyhead.” He greeted me softly, his hand searching mine and giving me a light squeeze while caressing the back of it with his thumb. A ritual my boys always did when we were out on a mission, to assure me I was safe and in the present while I was waking up out of my half sleep.

“Hey. What’s… happening?” I answered groggily and looked at him with barely opened eyes, giving a squeeze back.

“Nothing you have to worry about. You okay?” He asked, letting me take my time to get more conscious and inspecting me.

“Mhm. As best as I can be.” I saw it in his eyes when I nodded at him that it wasn’t the answer he’d been waiting for, even if he did an excellent job at not showing any changes in his facial expression and maintaining the smile on his lips for my sake. Giving me a final caress with a bit more pressure before retreating his hand.

“Welcome back.” Mick’s cheerful voice broke our moment and my sight went to the front of the car. Realizing night had settled in with the headlights illuminating the earthy path ahead and the instruments inside being our only light source, now that I was more awake.

“How was your little nap?” Luc turned around in his seat to face me.

“You know how it was.” I told him right away, every person in the car aware of the fact that my sleep was screwed for good with permanently fearing to have another nightmare yet again when I allowed myself to rest. But of course it didn’t keep them from asking anyway.

“Sorry by the way if we woke you.” Came it from the driver’s seat, a brief side eye meeting mine while Mick took one hand off the steering wheel and rubbed the back of his head in a guilty manner.

“You didn’t.” I assured, not wanting him to feel responsible for something he wasn’t the reason of.

“And for earlier… I didn’t mean to be an ass.” He added more quietly, exchanging another look with me, the memory of our “chat” before the drive in his mind that hadn’t gone like probably all of us had intended it to. But on the other hand, they had gotten a chance to release some steam and cool off which mattered the most for me, not blaming them at all about their complaints and voicing them out loud. Taking in every last word and feeding the side of me that lived from it, that didn’t know anything else and used what I bottled up within me as its catalyst to cause the fatal havoc it was meant to do. To make the world burn for what had been done.

“There’s nothing you’d have to apologize for, Mick. And aren’t you an ass all the time? At least to Alex?” I tried to lighten the mood and draw the attention away from me.

“Whoa! Now that’s just cruel, Y/N! You can’t say something like that when I just apologized!” Our driver let out in his usual overdramatic way, going along with it. Making his friends laugh heartfully, mostly about his reaction but also my words. The joyful sound wrapping around us like a comfortable, warm blanket in the winter. Only that its warmth wasn’t enough to reach my cold, dead soul. It would never be enough to bring it back to life ever again.

Another precious moment between us I should enjoy but couldn’t, with the inability to feel the same happiness as them - or any at all. Faking a small smile to not ruin the entire situation because I didn’t want them to have to deal with me more than they already had to, like the constant loneliness I felt even if they were always around me.

“Totally deserved.” The Spanish man next to me nodded in agreement and fixated his brother in front of him with a wide smirk.

“Keep going and I throw you out of this car myself, then you can see for yourself how you get there.” A finger pointed in his direction as a warning sign before Mick had to focus on driving again and put his hand back on the steering wheel.

“Why do I have the feeling I missed something important?” I asked in confusion, suspecting there was more to their talk than I knew and switching my sight between the boys.

“Oh trust me, you didn’t miss anything, Y/N.” Luc laughed to himself, the other two starting to snicker along him.

“Okay…?” Coming across my lips in more a question than a normal pronunciation. Despite my curiosity I decided to not dig further and leave it at that. It was probably just another banter of theirs like usual. Looking a last time between them before I shifted my view out the window into the night and silence falling over us with only the faint tune from the radio playing in the background.

🌿🌿🌿

A few miles later when I couldn’t stand the quietness anymore, I leaned forward in my seat over the center console as far as my seatbelt allowed it and grabbed the inner edges of the front seats with my hands.

“How long till we’re there?” My nervosity getting the best of me because the previous silence grew too loud for my head and I couldn’t keep the thoughts in it no longer from running wild, threatening to overwhelm me.

“We still have a bit to go. You can take another nap if you want.” Luc answered and looked over to me from the side.

“I’m not tired.” I quickly refused his suggestion, as everyone expected, because it had become a common thing over the last 2 years and they were used to it by now.

“Y/N… Then at least try to get a bit more rest, please. You know-” He tried to reason like a parent with their child who was too stubborn to follow their instruction, but I interrupted him before he could finish what I had to hear too many times already: “You know he wouldn't want you to put yourself in danger.”. Who the fuck cares?

“I don’t wanna hear it.” A well-meant advice to drop what he was going to say.

I had decided to walk this path with no looking back till the end, whenever that would be. There was nothing waiting for me anyway. It was like I had been stuck somewhere along the way and got lost in search for something I had known once but wouldn’t find again, left alone in the shadows with nothing more than misery, sadness and deafening silence as my companions, the only remains of a life before that had stopped existing.

With a heavy sigh I sat back in my seat and busied myself with the sight out the windshield, not wanting to continue the conversation we’d had so many times before like the words he wanted to use.

“Can we not-” I instantly stopped midsentence when I saw a hooded figure appear out of nowhere in the shine of the headlights that stood on the side of the road, directly facing us.

I wasn’t sure what it was but the feeling hitting me in this very moment I couldn’t place - something both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time - had me sitting up straight immediately.

“Mick, stop the car! Stop the car!! Now!” I yelled when we drove past it, my eyes glued to where the figure had disappeared behind us in the night and hands pressed hard against the glass. Startling the boys with my sudden change and the urgency in my voice.

“What? Why? Did I hit an animal or somethin’?” He asked as confused as his brothers, all looking at me now with big question marks in their faces.

“Just stop it already!” I urged impatiently, not caring to elaborate and wanting to get out as fast as possible.

“I’m on it! What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”

Before they got an answer, I was out as soon as we came to a stop in the middle of the road with only the person I saw in mind and ran back through the dark to where I had seen it. Shouts of my name erupting from behind me when the three quickly followed and ran after me.

“Hello? Is anyone here?” My raised voice filled the night, loud enough to be heard for a few meters distance but I got no answer or any sign that somebody was there.

“I know you are! Come out and show yourself! I won’t hurt you, I promise!” After nothing happened and I didn’t want to wait any longer I spoke up again, opting for a different way to get the person to reveal itself but it turned out the same as my first attempt. Looking in every possible direction in hopes of finding what I was searching for.

Multiple cones of flashlights lighting up my surroundings more and more from behind announced my team’s approach very soon after but I was too focused to pay them any mind for now.

With hands crossed over each other, raised pistol in one and a flashlight in the other held next to it, how they had been trained to, so they could shoot at any possible threat lurking out there while still being able to see, they closed the distance between us with fast steps and in their tactical formation with Alex on the left side, Luc in the middle and Mick on the right to cover as much ground as possible.

“Can you tell me what the hell this is all about?” Taking in a defensive stance, Mick came to a stand next to me and let his eyes roam around to make sure no danger was in sight before they landed on me, displaying his obvious discontentment about my careless action.

“They were here.” I answered without looking away from the spot I had been staring at, still clinging on to the false hope of the person showing up.

“Who?” He questioned confused, not understanding what I meant and being more concerned about my safety since I wasn’t wearing a bulletproof vest or a weapon.

“The Person. They were right here.” Repeating my words, assuming he would catch on, I tore my gaze away and toward him. Noticing Luc and Alex next to us and the handguns they carried with them. “And put your guns down.”

“Well, I don’t see anyone. Are you sure?” Taking another attentive glance around at my words, he followed my instruction and lowered his pistol slowly after he spotted nothing but grass.

“What Person?” Alex asked from the other side while doing the same as his brothers and loosened his stiff posture.

“That stood on the side of the road looking at us.” I elaborated a last time with slight agitation, not getting why they asked all these unnecessary questions when they must have seen the person too.

Luc, Mick and Alex exchanged a troubled look with each other.

“There wasn’t anyone.” Luc said after a short pause.

“But…- No…- They were standing right here…! I swear!” Denying his words and pointing at where the person had stood, I took a few steps forward, letting my sight wander through the dark once more and staring at the earthy ground in front of me in total disbelieve after I still found no evidence that someone had been here only minutes ago. This couldn’t be true… I knew what I saw… I wasn’t making it up…

“Hey, we believe you, okay? If you say you saw someone, you did.” Alex assured, stepping before me and searching my eyes. The other two not wasting time and appearing at my sides, forming a half circle.

“How did they look like?” Luc changed the direction of our conversation, deeming it a good choice to distract me from the thoughts he practically could see swarming my head and make sense of what I was saying.

“Their… clothes were all black… with a hood over the head. And… the lower half of the face… was covered with a black mask.” I stuttered out. “I know how this sounds but I swear to you I didn’t imagine it!” Seeking the boys’ eyes for reassurance that I wasn’t going mad and my mind didn’t make up things that weren’t there when I just had literally described what we normally wore on our missions.

But it was hard to miss the doubt in them which hurt me more than I wanted to admit to myself when I realized my mistake, not allowing my expression to show I had noticed and quickly cutting off our line of sight to avoid getting more upset and revealing my emotions. I shouldn’t have told them.

“Did you notice anything else? Or were you able to identify the person?” A vertical shake of my head was all I gave Luc, feeling a surge of rage rush up that I didn’t pay closer attention to the person’s face, so I would have known who it was and if they were real but everything had happened too fast and caught me right off guard.

“What’s the plan here then? Are we going for a search?” Mick wanted to know, switching from expectantly looking between us four and checking our surroundings from time to time.

“I don’t see any footprints but if somebody was here they couldn’t have gone too far.” Our Spanish man moved his light around, emphasizing he wasn’t completely dismissing it. His way of telling me he didn’t think I was crazy.

“We surely would have noticed anyone by now - and I’m not saying I don’t believe you,” Coming up with the fact none of us could dismiss, Luc stepped into his role amongst our team and I could feel his observing gaze that hadn’t left me since his arrival. He noticeably changed the pitch of his voice while adding his own assurance into the sentence - a smart move, to ensure I would be listening. “But we won’t find much in this high grass with only our flashlights at this time of day. Also don’t forget we still have a good few miles to go and I doubt we wanna be too late.”

“As much as I agree with you, but I’m not comfortable leaving without knowing if we’re being followed-”

“Luc’s right. It doesn’t make sense to try and find someone in the middle of the night, Alex. And I said we’d be there.” I countered him with a defeated sigh, not having the nerves to argue with my boys about the actual existence of the person but wanting to ease at least his worry that was an ever constant of the trio below the surface since certain things had happened all of them never fully recovered from and wouldn’t. Another thing I was the reason of.

“I mean it won’t do any harm if we take a quick look, right? I’d feel better if we do. And let’s be honest here, none of us gives a damn about being late.” Mick suggested, not passing the opportunity to add one of his blunt comments.

“It’s just a waste of time, forget it. Let’s go and get this over with as fast as possible.” To make this decision wasn’t easy for me but it was the most rational in the current moment. Swallowing down my increasing anger. If things continued like this, I would need an outlet soon because I could only hold it in for so long until I had to release it.

Casting my view for a moment toward the sky in hopes of finding some relief, my mood dropped further when I saw nothing but clouds plunging the stars in their darkness to snuff out their light, like they were foreshadowing what was to come. Not deeming me worthy of the only thing bringing me some little kind of comfort for what I was about to do.

Averting my eyes, I turned around and started to walk back to the car.

“Wait! Y/N!” Alex tried to stop me and was hot on my heels.

“I already told you we’re not searching!” I let out angrily and sped up my steps.

“I swear to god, this woman…” Mick huffed out quietly before he and Luc got moving too, earning an amused snort paired with a smirk from his brother next to him.

“That’s why we love her.” He patted him a few times on the shoulder. “And you wouldn’t want it any differently.” Luc added after a short distance without looking back, following their captain and Alex who was making some gestures with his hands and arms on her side only to be ignored.

“I hate when he’s right…” The last member of the team started to catch up in a sprint.

From afar a hooded figure in black was watching them…

If I had at least understood my third and final warning.

A/N: I want to thank every single one of you who gave this story a chance in the last year and supported it so far, no matter if it was through a like, a lovely comment or a reblog! Each one means the world to me and is greatly appreciated and a huge motivator, regardless how small it is! And I hope I can continue to bring you more enjoyment in the future with it! ❤️

You can definitely look forward to the ultimate clash that's bound to happen which we are approaching with careful steps! Maybe in the next chapter already? 😱

If you enjoyed feel free to reblog, like and comment! 🥰

Masterlist

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

[witchofhistory]

Sugarbush VT got a visit from JD Vance

And while our snow reporter's full report was quickly taken down, some of my mom's friends were able to copy it (I don't know if they know how to screenshot on a computer) before it disappeared.

I thought I would share.

Mar 1st, 2025, 6:49 AM: Today of all days, I would like to reflect on what Sugarbush means to me. This mountain has brought me endless days of joy, adventure, challenges, new experiences, beauty, community, and peace. I’ve found that nothing cures a racing mind quite like skiing through the trees and stopping to take a deep breath of that fresh forest air. The world around us might be a scary place, but these little moments of tranquility, moments I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy as a direct result of my employment here, give me, and I’d guess you, too, a sense of strength and stability. This fresh forest air, is, more specifically fresh National Forest air. Sugarbush operates on 1745 acres of the Green Mountain National Forest. Right now, National Forest lands and National Parks are under direct attack by the current Administration, who is swiftly terminating the positions of dedicated employees who devote their lives to protecting the land we love, and to protecting us while we are enjoying that land. This Administration also neglects to address the danger, or even the existence of, climate change, the biggest threat to the future of our industry, and the skiing we all so much enjoy here. Burlington, VT is one of the fastest-warming cities in the country, and Vermont is the 9th fastest-warming state. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), a resource I use every day for snow reporting, is crucial in monitoring extreme weather events and informing public safety measures, and is also experiencing widespread layoffs and defunding at the hands of the Administration. Sugarbush would not be Sugarbush without our wonderful community. Employees and patrons alike, we are made up of some of the most kind hearted, hardworking people I have ever met. Our community is rich with folks of all different orientations, ethnicities, and walks of life, who all contribute to make this place what it is. They all love Sugarbush because it is a place where they can come to move their bodies, to connect with the land, to challenge themselves, to build character, to nourish their souls with the gift of skiing. Many of these people are part of the LGBTQI+ community. Many (well, that’s a stretch, we all know this is an incredibly white-washed industry) are people of color. Half are women. Many are veterans or adaptive skiers who, through Vermont Adaptive, are able to access snow sports in part thanks to federal grants through the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is also facing devastating cuts. Many of our beloved employees moved across the world through an exchange program on the J1 visa to help this resort run, and they are not US citizens. ALL of these groups are being targeted, undervalued, and disrespected by the current Administration. The beauty of National Forest land, is that anyone and everyone is welcome to enjoy it. Anyone and everyone can buy a lift ticket. I also imagine it is incredibly difficult, and likely impossible, to say “No” to the Secret Service. I hope that, instead of faulting Sugarbush management or employees for “allowing this to happen”, you can direct your anger to the source–the Administration that, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is threatening our democracy, our livelihoods, our land.

Continued in reblogs due to character limit.

[terrence-silver]

I don't think Terry Silver likes the snow, but what if his partner adores it? Does he join her outside?

I think he abhors it too.

Man's hot blooded. Relishes in the warm sun. Hot climates. Jacuzzi lounging. Cold poolside cocktails. Palm trees. Beaches, private or otherwise (but, especially private). He likes sweat, tropical weather conditions and he likes it searing. While California has it's vast share of mountains and diversely cool to temperate zones, that sort of thing, well, is not exactly his cup of tea, although you could bet your ass Mr. Silver owns winter resorts he undoubtedly never or seldom uses purely because he can, as a mere status symbol. A colossal Manor in Aspen or Switzerland that stays locked all year round and that's the collective envy and sore spot of everyone breaking their asses to own something Terry doesn't even care to ever utilize or enjoy? Why the heck not. It amuses him how pissed off people get about it, him having a ten million dollar mansion that just sits there...empty...purely because he doesn't want to compromise on changing climates.

Extreme winter sports on the other hand?

Contradictively enough, I can see Terry rather enjoying and excelling at those, purely because he pushes himself to excel at everything he touches like someone out to collect achievements and accolades, be it in martial arts, playing an instrument or skiing, for example --- something he quite literally does with a smile on his face, absolutely in control and far so than most trained professionals while he's on a Snow mobile, hanging off of rock climbing equipment, perched up on skates, on paragliders, soaking in saunas, bathing in ice cold streams for the disciplinary hell of it and relishing the adrenaline like someone hitting a ketamine high. Chances are, he tried an extreme winter sport with a narcotic shooting up the blood in his veins purely for the thrill of it. Not to mention, he looks fantastic in custom made and commissioned winter sport's wear and gear that undoubtedly costs a fortune!

So, if beloved likes snow? The winter?

That's a pleasure he gives them.

He gives them anything they want and they seldom even have to ask for it, if ever. They want the keys to his winter resort estate over the season? Done! It's theirs! They should take it! It's his gift to them and he insists that they have it! He won't take 'no' for an answer! They want to spend time out there? Arranged! He flies them out with a helicopter and has a full waiting staff on stand by that's more than happy to actually be doing something out there for a change seeing as how Mr. Silver never comes down from LA. Beloved wants Terry joining them for some winter fun? Why not. He takes time off specifically for the relish of it. Terry Silver can always give beloved the chase of their life through a snowed in patch of forest, fuck them in front of a roaring fireplace on a polar bear pelt and then sweat it out in a private steam room, hoping they'll be snowed in long enough for him to have beloved all to himself as a hostage up here.

The options and opportunities are endless.

[kittyit]

What an incredible topic for getting the general public and some people who may not be interested to think about climate change. You got this incredibly grizzled old guy hired by the yankees being like the children won't be able to play baseball outside. They even have a woman on there who just wrote a book. kind of loving this angle

[revlyncox]

Holy Water, Sacred Flame

The holidays of Imbolc and Brigid may have something to tell us about courage, creativity, and commitment in these difficult times. This sermon was delivered to The Unitarian Society in East Brunswick on February 2, 2025, by Rev. Lyn Cox.

The Celtic Pagan calendar is rooted in the seasons of light and dark of the northern hemisphere and the agricultural cycles of western Europe. There are other calendars and festivals for earth-centered cultures all over the world, but this is the one we’re talking about today. At approximately the same time of year in Ireland and the United Kingdom and the northeastern United States, the middle of winter means that we can start to perceive the time of sunrise and sunset reaching toward spring, just a little more daylight each day. Yet, even as the daylight increases, February can be one of the coldest months of the year. It’s a both/and situation. Winter is still here, yet we know that change is coming.

February into March is the time of year when lambs start to be born, vulnerable and full of promise for the coming spring. They need to be kept warm. There’s some suggestion that one word for this early February holiday, Imbolc, comes from a word that means sheep’s milk. I have never kept sheep myself, but my impression is that lambs have more agility than common sense, and so Imbolc is a time when we tend patiently and carefully, even when we know we will be frustrated.

There is a holiday coming up later this month on the Jewish calendar, Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of Trees. It’s not the same holiday, each culture brings its own meaning to its own holidays, yet there are some similar themes when we’re observing Tu B’Shevat in a northern climate. We appreciate the trees as they are, and we commit to their health and growth. It’s a traditional time to plant something, if you can.

Early February, when we can imagine the next season’s arrival, is a time of initiation and starting new projects. Gardeners in climates like ours have their heads full of ideas, gathering seeds, starting a few indoors, and figuring out how to make the most of the soil and sun that will be available later. It’s hard to know how things will turn out. Making plans at this in-between time of year takes courage.

The Irish goddess Brigit and her later incarnation, St. Brigid of Kildare, are associated with this early February holiday. In the legends, Brigit protects access to clean, healing water. Her sacred well continues to be a place of healing and inspiration. In the book, Circle Round, Raising Children in Goddess Traditions, the authors suggest honoring Brigit with a “waters of the world” ritual, similar to our Water Ceremony in September. Brigit is also a figure of light and flame. When you put fire and water together, you can make entirely new things out of what you had before. You can forge iron, cook food, sculpt clay and fire it into ceramics. Maybe this transformative potential is why Bridget is also associated with childbirth, poetry, healing, song, and art.

There is one thing that newborn lambs, vegetable seeds, soup ingredients, raw iron, and future poetry all have in common: They don’t look at the beginning the way they are going to look at the end. You have to have some hope and imagination to believe in the transformation that is coming. You have to keep doing what you are doing, when the evidence for success has not yet appeared. We need to hold on through the long term, through step-by-step processes, through the discomfort of growth and change. And so another thing we learn at Brigit’s holiday is the need for commitment. 

Has anyone here ever had to practice something? Have you gone to sports or dance practice, or been in a play? Has anyone here ever had to work on a project that took more than a day to complete? Big things take a lot of time to get ready for, and it can be discouraging to work on something before you can know for sure how it will turn out. Imbolc is the holiday where we decide to stick to those projects anyway. Commitment.

If we’re paying attention to a legendary figure of generosity, art, and transformation, it’s a good idea to listen to the voices of poets who figured out how to sustain themselves and their families and communities through difficult times. During Black History Month, we are reminded of many examples of poets and artists who showed and inspired perseverance as they provided hope and imagination about a better world that was not yet visible.

Lucille Clifton wrote in 1993 in her poem, “won’t you celebrate with me”:

won't you celebrate with me

what i have shaped into

a kind of life? i had no model.

born in babylon

both nonwhite and woman

what did i see to be except myself?

i made it up

here on this bridge between

starshine and clay,

my one hand holding tight

my other hand; come celebrate

with me that everyday

something has tried to kill me

and has failed.

Going back further in time to the 1800s, our UU ancestor Frances Ellen Watkins Harper wrote at the end of her poem “Songs for the People”:

Our world, so worn and weary,

   Needs music, pure and strong,

To hush the jangle and discords

   Of sorrow, pain, and wrong.

Music to soothe all its sorrow,

   Till war and crime shall cease; 

And the hearts of men grown tender

   Girdle the world with peace.

Both poems articulate a place in the middle, in between what is difficult or dangerous and the better world that is possible. Both poems find reasons for song and celebration, even in this in-between place. And perhaps the joy we find amidst the challenges is part of what will bring us closer to the world we dream about.

Ancestors and prophets speak to us through poetry, especially in these times when we need to hear from those who have gone before us and faced great challenges. They teach us not only to go forward one breath at a time, one stanza at a time, but to sustain our minds and souls with enthusiasm for the smallest details and the biggest dreams. Poems can be quite short, and yet their evocative words plant seeds, growing into thoughts and conversations and relationships. Brigit’s holiday is a good time for tapping into the creativity that sustains commitment.

Brigit is a goddess of fire and inspiration as well as clean water, healing, and creativity. Both holy water and sacred flame are her symbols. When we act on it, inspiration is a form of courage. We risk the vulnerability to manifest our hopes, dreams, and visions. Being open to the spark of a new idea can be dangerous. In these times when faithful public servants are facing retaliation for enforcing the law, when there is a widespread hunt to punish those who seek to end bias and discrimination in employment, when major news outlets are submitting to the pressure to repeating the liar’s version of events, we are aware that inspiration that is born from truth and creativity requires courage.

Let’s be refreshed by the holy water of our connection and let us be guided by the sacred flame of truth. The sacred well denotes healing. Everything we do to heal and care for ourselves and each other honors the sacred and is a form of resistance. Brigit’s forge calls us to creativity. Everything we make with our minds, voices, hearts, and hands helps us to imagine a better world, to process our grief and rage, and to connect with others. Creativity simultaneously grounds us and shows us possibility. We must create courageously. When we love our families fiercely, whether families of origin or choice, we honor the generativity of the holy water and the sacred flame. Let us gather the courage to rise up in solidarity with all of our siblings, especially those who are targeted by those who would build their power on a foundation of oppression.

In the cycle of the year in this part of the world, winter is a necessary and natural part of the order. As I said earlier, there are certain seeds that will only sprout in the warmer months if they first experience cold. Without winter, there are insects that overpopulate, and there are native plants and trees that don’t do as well. Winter has its own gifts of beauty, of a change of pace, and of our ability to see the sky. That being said, there are some difficult things about surviving through the winter. Some people find themselves less resilient in the months that have less daylight. While we can appreciate the gifts of winter in their own time, there is also something to look forward to about the spring.

In our human lives, we are living through difficult times. The metaphor of winter for our times is true in the sense of challenge, but without the serenity and natural cycles. The current federal administration is issuing grave threats to human rights, economic justice, world peace, and basic science. I don’t believe that there is anything beautiful or necessary about that. But the spiritual lessons of these February holidays -- the lessons of commitment, creativity, and courage – are useful as we strategize about how to hold on to our values and survive, and how to help as many of our neighbors as possible to do the same.

The world is calling us to be innovative, strong, resilient, and practical. Those are some of the values that are highlighted at Imbolc and Brigit. May we be inspired to shape the future with courage, creativity, and commitment. May we create a meeting place for fire and water, past and future, winter and spring, celebration and potential.

So be it. Blessed be. Amen.

[tkachuktkaching]

Matthew Tkachuk talking on life in Florida as top destination in the NHL

You’ve had a lot of time to chill. What the hell have you been up to?I’ve been hanging out and going to the beach a lot. I’ve taken a few quick trips. One of the perks of living in Florida is you have the ocean right there. It’s super good for your body and mind to go in there—it’s pretty peaceful in there. I’ve gone out a couple times for dinner. But mostly I’m just staying quiet at the house.

Obviously, I’m using everything in the basket to try and win it all here. 

Oh, I went to the Heat game the other night! I got to see Game 6 and sat with Charles [Barkley] and Shaq for a little bit.  

How fun was it to guest on Inside the NBA and witness that legendary Charles and Shaq energy up close?

It was awesome! It all happened last minute—literally that morning I was asked if I wanted to come to the game and talk with Charles and Shaq. Hell yeah! Let’s do it. But what was really cool was talking to those guys off camera. That’s when we were really talking. Hockey, sports, golf, just talking about everything, getting to pick their brains, and learn about stuff I don’t really know about was super entertaining. 

The idea of playing hockey in Florida always has this kind of funny connotation. It’s a relatively new franchise, you’re playing in warm weather in the south, it’s a very opposite idea of what most people have in their head when they think of the NHL. But you’re making it all sound pretty great.

It’s the top destination in the NHL. When you look at it—this is my opinion, and I would say most people’s opinion—the top two destinations in the league right now are the Florida teams. Third would probably be Vegas. It’s funny how that’s who we’re playing in the Final. People probably don’t look at Florida as the biggest hockey market, but Tampa’s won all these Cups recently and been to a bunch of Finals, the Panthers had some good runs before I got here, and when you go out West, Vegas has been right there at the top. Dallas has been right there too. These warmer climate markets aren’t the same as Toronto or Montreal, but the success that everyone’s had down here is no secret.  

When I chose to come here, the number one reason was to be on a competitive team, compete for championships year over year, right behind that was the way of life. But you’re not just coming here to live the Florida life, you’re coming here to win. It’s just a perk that you get to live in Florida on top of all that. My life has changed so much since coming [to Florida]. The lifestyle has been unbelievable. The way I’m able to live down here is insane. It doesn’t get better, anywhere. Playing in the U.S., having these opportunities with people like Jimmy Butler and Charles Barkley, having way more nationally-televised games, competing for the Stanley Cup, that’s made not only myself but everyone on the team more of a name than we were before. 

Have you become a boat guy since moving to Florida?

I have not. I’ve gotten as far as a few jet skis. I’m not a boat guy. I like to go on boats, but I don’t want to drive a boat. No chance I could park it. 

Quotes from an interview Matthew did before the playoff final started Via gq.com

Photo taken during the All Star Weekend via floridahockeynow.com

[watching-pictures-move]

Movie Review | To All A Goodnight (Hess, 1980)

Contains a horrifying scene where a science nerd, the morning after getting laid, starts talking about football. Given that this character manages to bag a chick who looks like a darker haired Annette O'Toole and then starts macking on the main chick, you'd think his character arc would be an inspirational one, but the drastic change in his personality from man of science and knowledge to football bozo instead suggests a Faustian bargain has been made. Yeah, I was more into trivia than sports growing up, why do you ask?

The best part of this is without a doubt the performance by Judith Bridges, who starts off jokingly talking with an Atlantic accent, then starts talking with it for real and then... well, to say anything more about what happens to her would be a spoiler. But she very much marches to her own beat, seemingly divorced from the kind of movie she's in. One wonders if she just decided to do her own and director David Hess just accepted it. One wonders if she was beamed in from another dimension into this modest little slasher. It seems she only has a handful of IMDb credits, so the latter theory is more likely. Beaming into our dimension every few years, or perhaps even decades, to spread a little joy and return to her home.

And yes, this is directed by THAT David Hess. I won't pretend that he's one of the great actor-turned-directors, although he manages a few choices, like a fade to red after the reveal of a corpse, that along with Bridges' performance and the odd soundtrack, push this very, very slightly into accidental avant garde territory. Given how fearsome a performer he can be, one wishes he stepped in front of the camera, but at least we get cinema luminary Harry Reems appear in a small role as a pilot (who is treated rather rudely by the main characters for some reason). One also wishes he paid off one character's boast about "five years of karate and a black belt", but alas there are limits to this movie's weirdness.

As a Christmas slasher, this certainly has Christmas lights and a killer in a Santa suit, but the setting is in too warm a climate (there are palm trees) to capture the Hot Cocoa vibes I want from these things. That being said, the dead air of these early slashers feels very cozy to me, and with all the scenes of characters walking around the darkened house, and with a couple of neat kills, I had a pretty good time. Most movies don't even have one kill using a crossbow. This one has TWO. You can't argue with those savings.

[thatflowerjazmin]

Is becoming so hard. Everything has become so hard. Living used to be so simple. So natural. So me. But now, for some reason, I cannot feel like there is life in me. I cannot even feel like me. My head has stopped dreaming, and for someone like the child I used to be that looked impossible. I used to be so easy. Happiness used to be so easy. Because everything could make me feel happiness Like sleeping. Sleeping used to make me happy When I was asleep I dream and dream and dream. In my bed, with my warm sheets protecting me from the cold of the night. I love to sleep as much as I love to wake up because even when I was awake I manage to keep dreaming in my head, I dream of everything. Of the girl, I was going to be when I turned fiveteen.

Fiveteen used to be a special age But when it came it passed as fast as a train. I was not the girl I dreamed about. I did not have the things I wish to have. I was stuck in the same way but in different places. Nothing did change. Lie. Something did change: I became more aware. I became more aware of my surroundings I became aware of the climate change Of the Earth dying Of my family falling Of my girlhood trying to be stoled by men twice my age I became aware of the cruelty. I became aware of the problems. But hey! I was still a dreamer. I was an optimist back then. I dream about changing things now. I dream about how I could fix the planet. How I could fight for my rights.

How I could move on from where I was.

To find something lighter. Something better. Something that I have not found. Then, I turned sixteen. And where I came from, when you turn seventeen you need to go to university. You need to choose a career. You need to leave school and all your friends there. Is like being pushed off your nest.

The thing is that I have been aware of this all my life But was until I turned sixteen that I realise how close it was. I did not have more time to lose. I have one year only. I needed to stop dreaming and start thinking. Thinking of ways to make my dreams come true. But just in that moment, when I needed the most of my optimistic self, my head stopped. I could not dream. I could not think. I don't even know how I was breathing. But then, My thoughts came back. But this time, they were not the same. Insecurities. Those shadows fly from my inner hell until my head. That plague burned  my brain like fire in the woods. It destroys everything and plays with what is left.

So now, aware, incapable of dreaming, and insecure, my head became fragile. Not like a snowflake. Like a World War II bomb. It was just a matter of time until... I give up. There is no reason to keep trying. I can't do it. I can't be who I dreamed to be. There are only four ways in this world to be successful: Born rich, Be talented, Be smart, and be pretty. I am poor. I don't even have my own bedroom because I share it with my mom. I am not talented. The only talents that pay well are sports and musical talent, and the only art that I know to do is write bad poems about sad childhood. And I cannot even turn them into songs because I sing like an old truck. I am not smart. Not enough. I hate maths and all in life has to deal with maths. I am definitely not pretty. That was the first thing I knew when I was a child. I was ugly. People say it. I was yellow, I looked sick, and my hair was disgusting so I wear the same style for years. I was too skinny. With a long neck and a big head that makes me look like a lollipop and not in a good way. Then, when I became a teenager I feel like I need to be more skinny. I hate pimples. and the way I smile. I hate my boobs and how everyone seems to not see past those two. So yes, I give up because I did not see anything good in me. Anything good to turn my life into something nice. The only thing that my eyes could catch was how they were hundreds of kids from my city that have the lives that I want That makes me angry Why they can have that? Why do those girls have small chests and thinner bodies? Why their bodies are considered elegant and mine vulgar? Why boys don't look my way? Why they can be so pretty and be good at maths? Why can be so talented and have a nice family to talk to? Why their dads never left? Why their friends are sweet to them? Why do they have money to spend? Why do I have to watch how they live the life that I want? Is not fair. I cannot play this game when I am competing with them. and that is funny because I am not competing with them. I can't compete with people that are on another level than me. No matter how hard I try. How much I fight. I never rise to that level of life. That is why I give up. That is why I write this poem. To show the reason why I am going to die. Because I want to be great or nothing. And if nothing will be disappointing so death will be Praying while I am dying so I reborn in a life better than this.

[nyinginyi]

5 Super Simple Exercise Tips

With each New Year comes the determination to begin exercising. Perhaps even you made a promise to add more exercise into your day. If your efforts at exercising are not going as well as you had planned, take a look at these tips. They might help get you back on track.

Tip #1 – Do Something You Enjoy

Exercise doesn’t have to mean spending hours at the gym peddling away on a stationary bike. It doesn’t mean you have to spend money on exercise gadgets you will likely never use, either. Anything you do to get your body moving is going to be better than doing nothing. Walking is an easy exercise that you can do just about anywhere, in any climate. Situbondo Bike riding, dancing, gardening, weight lifting, swimming, playing a favorite sport, house cleaning and even playing in the yard with your children are just some of the ways you can add exercise into your daily routine.

Tip #2 – Schedule Time for Exercise

As you would a meeting or a doctor appointment, sometimes the only way to make time to exercise is to put it on your daily schedule. We’ve all got busy lives and we’re often so busy taking care of others that we never seem to make time for ourselves. Once exercise becomes part of your daily To-Do list, you’re more likely to do it. Some people have only a certain time during the day available for exercise while others will have to vary the time each day. Some people need a nudge and for them, exercising with a friend is a good solution. Choose whichever way works best for you. Just remember to actually go and do it!

Tip #3 – Remember that Exercise Can Energize

Even though you might feel too tired to exercise, give it a try anyway. You might be surprised to find how energized you feel while you’re at it and afterwards, when you’re finished. Exercise is a great stress-reliever too and if you know anything about stress, you know that it is one of the body’s biggest energy-sappers.

Tip #4 – Don’t be Afraid to Mix it up

Like anything that is done over and over again, exercise can become mundane. When you get bored with exercising, you’re less likely to keep at it. To keep from getting bored with your workout routine, change it. If you’re tired of walking, try cycling. If you’re into weight lifting, try alternating this with cardiovascular exercises throughout the week. Go bowling or play a game of tennis once in a while, and if you find you enjoy these types of activities, join up with a team.

Tip #5 – Always Begin by Warming up

Regardless of the type of exercise you choose, it is very important that you begin each session by warming up your muscles. Stretching helps prevent damage to muscle tissue and it gets your blood flowing. It gets your heart pumping, too. Just five minutes is all it takes to get your exercise session off to a good start.

[curmemini]

And if it means any thing, the every day american isn't too happy about it either. JD Vance and his family visited Vermont to go skiing today (the day after the above show) and was greeted with waves of Ukraine flags and anti-Russia sentiment. I know multiple resorts refused to serve him - I am not sure if they did get to ski.

More, the 25-year-old snow reporter for Sugarbush included a long pro-democracy message before her report on the weather conditions. At the risk of expanding the post terribly, her message read:

Mar 1st, 2025, 6:49 AM: Today of all days, I would like to reflect on what Sugarbush means to me. This mountain has brought me endless days of joy, adventure, challenges, new experiences, beauty, community, and peace. I’ve found that nothing cures a racing mind quite like skiing through the trees and stopping to take a deep breath of that fresh forest air. The world around us might be a scary place, but these little moments of tranquility, moments I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy as a direct result of my employment here, give me, and I’d guess you, too, a sense of strength and stability.

This fresh forest air, is, more specifically fresh National Forest air. Sugarbush operates on 1745 acres of the Green Mountain National Forest. Right now, National Forest lands and National Parks are under direct attack by the current Administration, who is swiftly terminating the positions of dedicated employees who devote their lives to protecting the land we love, and to protecting us while we are enjoying that land.

This Administration also neglects to address the danger, or even the existence of, climate change, the biggest threat to the future of our industry, and the skiing we all so much enjoy here. Burlington, VT is one of the fastest-warming cities in the country, and Vermont is the 9th fastest-warming state. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), a resource I use every day for snow reporting, is crucial in monitoring extreme weather events and informing public safety measures, and is also experiencing widespread layoffs and defunding at the hands of the Administration.

Sugarbush would not be Sugarbush without our wonderful community. Employees and patrons alike, we are made up of some of the most kind hearted, hardworking people I have ever met. Our community is rich with folks of all different orientations, ethnicities, and walks of life, who all contribute to make this place what it is. They all love Sugarbush because it is a place where they can come to move their bodies, to connect with the land, to challenge themselves, to build character, to nourish their souls with the gift of skiing.

Many of these people are part of the LGBTQI+ community. Many (well, that’s a stretch, we all know this is an incredibly white-washed industry) are people of color. Half are women. Many are veterans or adaptive skiers who, through Vermont Adaptive, are able to access snow sports in part thanks to federal grants through the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is also facing devastating cuts. Many of our beloved employees moved across the world through an exchange program on the J1 visa to help this resort run, and they are not US citizens. ALL of these groups are being targeted, undervalued, and disrespected by the current Administration.

The beauty of National Forest land, is that anyone and everyone is welcome to enjoy it. Anyone and everyone can buy a lift ticket. I also imagine it is incredibly difficult, and likely impossible, to say “No” to the Secret Service. I hope that, instead of faulting Sugarbush management or employees for “allowing this to happen”, you can direct your anger to the source — the Administration that, in my oh-so-humble opinion, is threatening our democracy, our livelihoods, our land.

I want to reiterate how much I admire and respect my fellow employees and managers — they work so hard to make this place operate, to keep you coming back and enjoying it and making lifelong memories. Many of them may feel the same way that I do, but their hands are tied, and for good reason. They have families to support, they have benefits and health insurance to receive, they face far greater and more binding pressure from Corporate. I am in a privileged position here, in that I work only seasonally, I do not rely on this job for health insurance or benefits, and hey, waking up at 4:30 AM isn’t exactly sustainable. Therefore, I am using my relative “platform” as snow reporter, to be disruptive — I don’t have a whole lot to lose. We are living in a really scary and really serious time. What we do or don’t do, matters. This whole shpiel probably won’t change a whole lot, and I can only assume that I will be fired, but at least this will do even just a smidge more than just shutting up and being a sheep.

I am really scared for our future. Acting like nothing is happening here feels way scarier than losing my job. I want to have kids one day, and I want to teach them to ski. The policies and ideals of the current Administration, however, are not conducive to either of these things, because, at least how things look now, I’d never be able to afford a good life for a child anyway, and snow will be a thing of Vermont history. So please, for the sake of our future shredders: Be Better Here. It has truly been a pleasure writing your morning snow reports — I hope this one sticks with you. With love, peace, and hope, Lucy Welch

My point in adding this is that for every brazen display by the executive branch, more and more people are emboldened to speak out. More and more people realize what they truly value.

We will see the day that fascism ends. We will see a free Ukraine.

So this was a pre-planned (and likely paid for by the Kremlin) show: to invite Zelenskyy, scold him like a kindergartener in front of the press, present him with an unreasonable "deal" - an ultimatum - knowing full well he will refuse it (as anyone in this position would). And then tell the world: "Look, our mighty Orange King could've ended this horrible war in a day, but this poorly-dressed, warmongering, ungrateful twat just doesn't want peace! It's not our fault, we did what we could!"

The show is so cheap, so transparent, yet still effective for so many brainless people.

[tejastravels1]

Discover Your Perfect Getaway: A Complete Guide to Beach and Hill Station Escapes from Bangalore

Travel is not just about reaching a destination—it’s about the journey, the experience, and the memories you create. Whether you are dreaming of sun-kissed beaches or cool, misty hills, this guide is designed to help you choose the perfect escape from Bangalore. Tejas Travels, a renowned Tour and Travels Company, is here to ensure your vacation is smooth and unforgettable.

Beach Vibes or Mountain Highs? Decoding Your Perfect Travel Mood

Your travel mood defines the entire journey. Do you seek the energy of the ocean or the calm of the mountains?

Beach Escapes: Imagine the excitement of water sports, delicious seafood, and vibrant nightlife in places like Goa or Mangalore. The Indian tourism report shows that coastal destinations attract over 65% of domestic tourists during summer1.

Hill Station Retreats: For those craving cool climes and scenic views, destinations like Coorg and Ooty offer trekking, coffee estates, and peaceful ambiance. A recent study reported a 40% increase in hill station bookings during monsoon months, as travelers look to escape the city heat2.

Sun, Sea, and Serenity: Explore Bangalore’s Favourite Beach Escapes

Head out of Bangalore and you’re a few hours away from some of India’s best beaches:

Goa: Famous for its bustling markets, beach shacks, and water sports. Goa attracts millions of tourists annually and is popular among families and adventure seekers alike.

Gokarna: A quieter option that has grown in popularity for its unspoiled beauty and serene environment.

Mangalore and Kerala Beaches: These coastal gems offer a blend of cultural heritage and modern amenities. Tourists appreciate the diversity—from lively festivals to peaceful seaside relaxation.

Real-world example: A family from Bangalore took a weekend trip to Gokarna with Tejas Travels and came back with stories of pristine beaches and hassle-free arrangements.

Retreat to the Hills: Unwind at the Best Hill Stations Near Bangalore

If refreshing mountain air and lush green landscapes are more your style, consider these hill stations:

Coorg: Known as the Scotland of India, Coorg offers mesmerizing coffee plantations and trekking trails.

Ooty: Famed for its botanical gardens, colonial charm, and cool weather.

Kodaikanal: Offers scenic views, waterfalls, and ample opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Statistics from regional tourism boards indicate that hill station destinations see a 35% spike in visitation during cooler months due to their refreshing climate and natural beauty3.

Experience Seamless Travel: How Tejas Travels Crafts Your Dream Getaway

Tejas Travels stands out as a Tour and Travels Company that delivers customized travel packages tailored to your vacation needs. Here’s how they make your journey effortless:

Personalized Itineraries: Plan every step of your trip, from local sightseeing to dining recommendations.

Local Expertise: With years of experience in the Indian travel market, Tejas Travels offers insider tips and expert advice.

Efficient Transport Options: Many travelers opt for cost-effective and comfortable solutions like bus travel. Tejas Travels partners with top bus rental service providers ensuring smooth and secure travel for groups and families.

Real-Time Support: Their 24/7 customer service ensures that any changes or emergencies are managed promptly.

A recent customer review highlighted how Tejas Travels helped them arrange a seamless bus travel experience from Bangalore to Goa, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination.

Packing, Planning, and Preparation: Essential Tips for Beach and Hill Station Adventures

A successful trip is all about preparation:

For Beach Trips:

Pack swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light cover-up.

Choose destinations based on your preferred beach activities.

For Hill Station Trips:

Carry warm clothing, trekking shoes, and a waterproof jacket.

Don’t forget essentials like a first-aid kit and travel snacks.

Travel experts suggest booking accommodations and transport well in advance. Data from travel studies show that last-minute bookings can increase costs by up to 20%4.

Ready, Set, Go: Simplifying Your Booking Process with Tejas Travels

Booking your vacation should be quick and easy:

Step-by-Step Process:

Visit Tejas Travels’ website and explore detailed packages for both beach and hill station journeys.

Use the simple online form to check availability and customize your itinerary.

Confirm your booking with secure payment options and receive instant confirmation.

Real-world insight: Many Indian travelers have praised the user-friendly booking system, especially when opting for group travel via bus travel packages that combine comfort with affordability.

Your Questions Answered: FAQs on Beach and Hill Station Travel

What is the best time to visit?

Beach trips are ideal from October to February for cooler coastal weather.

Hill stations are best visited during monsoon or winter for lush landscapes and cool temperatures.

How do I decide between beach and hill destinations?

Consider your personal travel mood, the type of activities you enjoy, and seasonal weather trends.

Why choose Tejas Travels?

With their expertise, personalized service, and competitive pricing, they offer a stress-free travel experience.

Embark on Your Ultimate Getaway: Let Tejas Travels Take You There

Whether your heart beats for the sea or the serene hills, Bangalore’s vicinity offers something for every traveler. With Tejas Travels, planning your journey becomes a delightful experience marked by thoughtful itineraries and hassle-free arrangements. Step into your dream vacation today—embrace adventure, relax in style, and create memories that last a lifetime.

Explore the diverse charm of India with Tejas Travels—the trusted name for personalized travel solutions in Bangalore. Enjoy every mile of your journey with seamless bus travel and much more.

Footnotes

Indian Tourism Statistics Report, 2023. ↩

Market Trends in Domestic Travel, 2023 Study. ↩

Regional Tourism Data, 2022. ↩

Travel Cost Analysis Report, 2021. ↩

[ledcontrolercard]

What is a Transparent LED Display and How Does an Outdoor LED Display Screen Work?

In later a long time, transparent LED displays have developed as a progressive innovation in advanced signage, building plan, and promoting. These displays combine cutting-edge innovation with stylish usefulness, advertising a consistent mix of visibility and transparency. Whether utilized in retail stores, airplane terminals, or indeed high rises, transparent LED displays have gathered consideration for their capacity to offer clear, dynamic visuals whereas still permitting light to pass through them. But how precisely do these displays work, and what makes them distinctive from conventional LED screens?

What is a Transparent LED Display?

A Transparent LED Display is a sort of LED screen that permits light to pass through the board. Not at all like conventional LED displays, which are dark and square the view of what’s behind them, transparent LED screens are developed with progressed innovation that coordinating LEDs into the screen in a way that holds a tall level of transparency. This innovation empowers the display to appear pictures, recordings, and other visual substance whereas still permitting the watcher to view through it, making it idealize for areas where visibility and openness are crucial.

The transparent LED display is regularly made up of a network of minor, transparent LEDs that can display dynamic pictures and video. These displays are frequently utilized in situations where conventional signage would discourage views, such as in glass dividers or windows. The transparency of the display permits businesses to promote and display substance whereas still keeping up the aesthetics and usefulness of the encompassing environment.

How Does an Outdoor LED Display Screen Work?

An Outdoor LED Display Screen, on the other hand, is particularly outlined to be utilized in Outdoor situations, where toughness and visibility are key. These screens are designed to withstand cruel climate conditions, counting rain, clean, and strongly daylight. Not at all like transparent LED displays, Outdoor screens are ordinarily more dark, outlined for tall brightness and differentiate to guarantee visibility indeed in coordinate sunlight.

Outdoor LED Display Screen work by utilizing an cluster of LEDs that radiate light transparently to deliver high-definition visuals. The innovation behind these displays regularly includes RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LEDs, which are combined in particular extents to create millions of colour varieties. The brightness and clarity of the Outdoor LED display are basic for making beyond any doubt that the substance remains obvious from a separate and beneath different lighting conditions.

The LED innovation utilized in these screens is too outlined for life span and vitality proficiency. Outdoor LED screens frequently include progressed warm dissemination frameworks, vigorous casing, and defensive layers to anticipate harm from the components. A few Outdoor displays too come with highlights like programmed brightness alteration to adjust to changing light conditions, guaranteeing that the substance remains obvious at all times.

The Key Contrasts Between Transparent and Outdoor LED Displays

While both transparent LED displays and Outdoor LED display screens utilize comparative innovation, there are key contrasts between them:

1. Transparency: Transparent LED displays permit for a tall level of transparency, empowering the view of what’s behind the screen, whereas Outdoor LED screens are more often than not more strong and opaque.

2. Use Case: Transparent LED displays are perfect for applications where you need to keep up visibility through the screen, such as in glass dividers, windows, or retail storefronts. Outdoor LED screens are outlined for situations where strength and tall brightness are fundamental, such as Outdoor publicizing announcements, sports stadiums, or open spaces.

3. Brightness and Solidness: Outdoor LED displays are built to persevere unforgiving climate conditions and give tall brightness in full sunshine. Transparent displays, whereas shinning, ordinarily do not require to be as vigorous since they are frequently utilized in more controlled indoor environments.

Conclusion

Both transparent LED displays and Outdoor LED display screens speak to the bleeding edge of advanced display innovation, advertising special focal points based on their application. Transparent displays give a cutting edge arrangement for publicizing and structural integration, whereas Outdoor screens offer effective visual substance in any climate condition. Understanding how each works makes a difference in choosing the right display innovation for particular needs, from improving a building's aesthetics to boosting Outdoor promoting visibility.

[dtelandscape-us]

How Does Synthetic Turf Compare to Natural Grass in Commercial Spaces?

For businesses looking to maintain attractive and functional outdoor spaces, choosing between synthetic turf and natural grass is a key decision. Both options offer benefits, but factors like maintenance, durability, cost, and environmental impact can influence the best choice for commercial properties.

The synthetic turf installation has become increasingly popular in commercial spaces due to its long-term savings and minimal upkeep. However, natural grass remains a traditional choice, offering a natural aesthetic and environmental benefits. This article explores how synthetic turf compares to natural grass, helping businesses make an informed decision.

Durability and Longevity in Commercial Spaces

Synthetic Turf: Built for High Traffic and Weather Resistance

Commercial properties often experience heavy foot traffic, making durability a priority. Synthetic turf is designed to withstand continuous use without developing worn-out patches or bare spots. It is resistant to weather changes, maintaining its appearance throughout the year, even in extreme heat, cold, or drought conditions.

Because synthetic turf does not require mowing, watering, or fertilization, businesses can maintain a polished look without frequent landscaping services. It is ideal for locations such as:

Office complexes and business parks

Hotels and resorts

Sports fields and event venues

Shopping centers and retail spaces

Natural Grass: Maintenance Challenges with Heavy Use

While natural grass provides a soft and visually appealing landscape, it is more susceptible to wear and tear. High-traffic areas can develop patchy or muddy spots, requiring frequent reseeding and repair. In climates with extreme heat or drought, natural grass can struggle to maintain its vibrant green color without constant watering and care.

Maintenance and Upkeep Costs

Synthetic Turf: Minimal Maintenance Required

One of the biggest advantages of synthetic turf installation is the reduced need for maintenance. Businesses can save on ongoing landscaping costs because synthetic turf does not require:

Watering

Mowing

Fertilizing

Pesticides or herbicides

Occasional cleaning and brushing help maintain its appearance, but the overall upkeep is significantly lower than that of natural grass.

Natural Grass: High Maintenance and Water Usage

Commercial properties with natural grass require consistent mowing, irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. Florida’s warm climate, for example, demands frequent watering, leading to high utility bills. Businesses also need to invest in landscaping crews to manage weed control, soil care, and seasonal maintenance. Over time, these costs can add up, making natural grass a more expensive long-term option.

Environmental Considerations

Synthetic Turf: Water Conservation and Chemical-Free Maintenance

A major benefit of synthetic turf is its contribution to water conservation. Businesses in drought-prone areas or regions with water restrictions can reduce their environmental impact by eliminating irrigation needs. Additionally, synthetic turf does not require pesticides or fertilizers, reducing chemical runoff into local water systems.

However, synthetic turf is made from artificial materials, which means it is not biodegradable. While modern installations use recyclable components, disposal at the end of its lifespan remains a consideration.

Natural Grass: Carbon Absorption but High Water Demand

Natural grass helps absorb carbon dioxide, improves air quality, and supports soil health. However, maintaining a lush lawn requires extensive watering, especially in hot climates. Fertilizers and pesticides can also contribute to environmental pollution, impacting surrounding ecosystems.

Aesthetic and Comfort Factors

Synthetic Turf: Always Green, but Artificial Appearance

Modern synthetic turf is designed to replicate the look and feel of natural grass, offering a lush and uniform appearance throughout the year. It stays green regardless of season or weather conditions, ensuring commercial spaces always look well-maintained. However, while high-quality turf mimics the texture of grass, some people still prefer the organic feel of natural grass.

Natural Grass: Traditional Beauty but Seasonal Changes

Many businesses appreciate the authentic appearance and scent of natural grass. However, maintaining a consistently green and healthy landscape requires continuous care. Seasonal variations, foot traffic, and soil conditions can lead to uneven growth and brown patches, which may impact a business’s curb appeal.

Cost Analysis: Initial Investment vs. Long-Term Savings

Synthetic Turf: Higher Initial Cost but Long-Term Savings

Installing synthetic turf involves a higher upfront cost, including site preparation and professional installation. However, businesses often see significant savings in the long run by eliminating ongoing expenses related to watering, mowing, and lawn treatments. Over its lifespan (typically 10-15 years), synthetic turf can provide a strong return on investment.

Natural Grass: Lower Initial Cost but Continuous Expenses

Natural grass is less expensive to install initially, but the ongoing costs of maintenance, irrigation, fertilizers, and labor can add up. Over time, these recurring expenses make natural grass a more costly option for commercial properties.

Best Applications for Synthetic Turf in Commercial Spaces

Many businesses choose synthetic turf installation for areas where durability and minimal maintenance are priorities. Common commercial applications include:

Office courtyards and corporate landscapes – Provides an always-green, professional look with little maintenance.

Hospitality and resorts – Offers a well-kept appearance for guest areas, poolsides, and event spaces.

Athletic fields and recreational areas – Withstands heavy use without requiring rest periods for regrowth.

Retail and shopping centers – Enhances aesthetics in high-traffic areas without constant upkeep.

Best Applications for Natural Grass in Commercial Spaces

For businesses that prioritize a natural, eco-friendly landscape and are willing to invest in regular maintenance, natural grass is best suited for:

Parks and green spaces – Provides a natural environment for relaxation and recreation.

Golf courses – Preferred for fairways and putting greens due to its playing characteristics.

Luxury commercial properties – Enhances high-end landscapes where aesthetics are a top priority.

In summary, both synthetic turf and natural grass offer unique benefits for commercial spaces, but the choice depends on a business’s priorities. Synthetic turf installation is an excellent option for businesses seeking a low-maintenance, cost-effective, and durable landscaping solution. It provides long-term savings, remains green year-round, and requires minimal upkeep, making it a practical investment for high-traffic commercial properties.

On the other hand, natural grass delivers a traditional aesthetic and environmental benefits but comes with higher maintenance costs and seasonal challenges. Businesses must consider factors like budget, maintenance requirements, and sustainability goals when choosing between these two options. By evaluating long-term needs, commercial properties can select the best solution to enhance their landscape and maximize their investment.

[kevinwingo]

Tyler Perry’s HVAC: Leading the Way in Residential Heating Services in Sevierville TN

Tyler Perry’s HVAC is your top choice for residential heating services in Sevierville TN. They provide reliable solutions tailored to your home’s needs.

Residents in Sevierville, TN, seeking dependable heating services can count on Tyler Perry’s HVAC. With a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, this local company stands out in the crowded HVAC market. They offer a range of services, including installation, maintenance, and repair of heating systems.

Experienced technicians ensure every job is done efficiently and effectively. Their dedication to using high-quality products guarantees long-lasting results. Whether facing a cold winter or preparing for seasonal changes, homeowners can trust Tyler Perry’s HVAC to keep their homes warm and comfortable. Choose them for expert advice and exceptional service in residential heating solutions.

Tyler Perry’s HVAC: A Local Pioneer

Tyler Perry’s HVAC stands as a pillar in Sevierville, TN. This company leads the way in providing top-notch residential heating services. Clients appreciate its commitment to quality and community. Let’s explore the man behind the brand and his dedication to comfort.

The Man Behind The Brand

Tyler Perry is more than a name. He is a visionary in the HVAC industry. With years of experience, he knows the ins and outs of heating systems. His passion for service drives him to excel.

Expert in heating technology

Focus on customer satisfaction

Community involvement

Tyler believes in fair pricing. He strives to make heating affordable for everyone. His team is skilled and friendly. They work hard to ensure homes stay warm and cozy.

A Commitment To Community Comfort

Tyler Perry’s HVAC prioritizes community needs. They offer services tailored to local homes. Residents feel the difference in comfort and warmth.

Service Offered

Description

Heating Installation

Professional setup of heating systems.

Maintenance Services

Regular checks to ensure efficiency.

Emergency Repairs

Quick response for urgent heating issues.

Community events are also important. Tyler Perry’s HVAC actively participates. They sponsor local sports teams and charity events. This builds trust and rapport with residents.

Choosing Tyler Perry’s HVAC means choosing quality. Their commitment ensures comfort for every family in Sevierville. Experience the warmth and reliability they provide.

Residential Heating Essentials

Keeping your home warm is vital for comfort. Tyler Perry’s HVAC leads the way in offering top-notch residential heating services in Sevierville TN. Understanding residential heating essentials can help you make informed choices. This guide covers modern heating technologies and how to evaluate your home heating needs.

Modern Heating Technologies

Today, several heating technologies make homes cozy. Here are some common options:

Furnaces: These are the most common heating systems.

Heat Pumps: Efficient and versatile for heating and cooling.

Radiant Floor Heating: Provides warmth from the ground up.

Smart Thermostats: Allow remote temperature control.

Choosing the right technology can save energy and money. For example, heat pumps are eco-friendly. They can reduce your carbon footprint.

Evaluating Home Heating Needs

Understanding your heating needs helps in selecting the best system. Here are key factors to consider:

Home Size: Larger homes need more heating power.

Insulation Quality: Well-insulated homes retain heat better.

Climate: Colder climates require more robust systems.

Budget: Consider both installation and running costs.

Consulting with experts at Tyler Perry’s HVAC can help. They provide tailored solutions for every home. Regular maintenance keeps your heating system efficient.

Heating System

Efficiency Rating

Ideal Home Size

Furnace

80-98% AFUE

Medium to Large

Heat Pump

Up to 300% HSPF

Small to Large

Radiant Floor Heating

Up to 95% Efficient

Any Size

Make heating decisions based on this information. Tyler Perry’s HVAC stands ready to help you choose wisely.

Residential Heating Services in Sevierville TN

Tyler Perry’s HVAC provides top-notch services in Sevierville, TN. They focus on residential heating solutions. Homeowners can trust their expertise for all heating needs.

Installation And Upgrades

Tyler Perry’s HVAC offers comprehensive installation services. They ensure your heating system works efficiently. Here are some key services:

New heating system installations

Upgrading old systems to energy-efficient models

Custom heating solutions for unique home layouts

Each installation comes with:

Feature

Benefit

Professional Assessment

Tailored heating solutions for your home

Quality Equipment

Reliable and long-lasting performance

Expert Installation

Ensures optimal efficiency and safety

Maintenance And Repairs

Regular maintenance keeps your heating system running smoothly. Tyler Perry’s HVAC offers:

Annual system check-ups

Emergency repair services

Filter replacement and cleaning

Benefits of regular maintenance:

Increased energy efficiency

Longer equipment lifespan

Reduced risk of breakdowns

Trust Tyler Perry’s HVAC for all maintenance and repair needs.

Quality And Reliability

Tyler Perry’s HVAC stands out for its commitment to quality and reliability. Homeowners in Sevierville, TN, trust this company for their heating needs. Exceptional service ensures comfort during cold months. Clients receive products that last and perform well.

Premium Materials And Products

Choosing the right materials is key to a successful heating system. Tyler Perry’s HVAC uses only premium materials. This guarantees durability and efficiency. Here are some features of their products:

High-efficiency furnaces

Environmentally friendly refrigerants

Long-lasting heat exchangers

Energy-saving thermostats

The team partners with trusted brands. This ensures top-notch heating solutions for every home.

Expert Technicians At Work

The success of any HVAC system lies in the expertise of its technicians. Tyler Perry’s HVAC hires only certified professionals. Each technician undergoes rigorous training. They understand the latest technologies and methods.

Here’s what sets their team apart:

Extensive experience in residential heating

Up-to-date with industry standards

Commitment to customer satisfaction

Prompt and reliable service

Clients can trust these technicians for quality installations and repairs. Their work ensures homes stay warm and comfortable.