#above 30 degrees is the only appropriate weather

[soft-mafia]

This has been in my head for a while. If you want Smut, how about where Buggy wished that he can be in the water (Beach) with his S/O for a "Hot Swim" but can't, because of his inability to swim. Until they hit an island with a secret natural hot-springs that Buggy and his S/O found; while the other crew mates were doing their business.

Since the hot river isn't salt water, Buggy can safely be in the water without going stiff and drown. Then things get... HOT.

Hot Swim [Buggy x Reader]

warnings: fem reader, smut, skinny dipping, Buggy detaching his dick

a/n: OOOH this one is good teehee🤭 I feel like this was way too short😭

Buggy sighed as the Big Top passed by a beach, he looked at all of the young couples cuddling in the water. Damn, he grumbled to himself, what he wouldn’t give just to go swimming again.. just one more time.

He can’t even remember the last time he had a good swim, way back when he was a kid before Shanks made him eat that damn Devil Fruit. Buggy scowled and growled to himself.

Those damn kids.. they don’t know how good they have it, I couldn’t even set foot in water when I was their age!

“You ok, LoveBug?” Y/n came up next to Buggy, resting her hands and chin on his shoulder. The man sighed and hung his head low, “I’m fine.” He looked down at Y/n. “We’ll be at our stop in like.. 30 minutes?” She said, then looked up at him to meet his gaze, before looking back at the beach Buggy was looking at, seeing all of the people, “Wow are they throwing a party or something?”

“They’re some dumb kids being idiots, that’s what they’re doing!” Buggy snapped, grumbling with a bitter tone to his voice, “Look at them! Polluting these fine waters with their sweaty filthy bodies, blech!” He growled and detached an arm so he could throw an apple in the direction of the beach goers(obviously missing by a long shot, the apple made a loud *thunk* as it plopped into the water). He let out a gruff huff of air before turning and walking away, the coat he had draped on his shoulders swished dramatically as he turned.

Y/n tilted her head and gave Buggy a confused look, before slowly following after him. It wasn’t uncommon for Buggy to have his bitter outbursts, she couldn’t help but think it was kind of cute at times.

The Buggy Pirates were making another pit stop yet again, it made sense that they were always stocking up on food every few days considering Buggy could throw a celebration over a coin flip or something.. but that just meant more booze and food for the crew, and it’s Captain.

Buggy sighed as he stood and watched his crew, feeling extra grumpy as this island was unusually hot. He then felt tugging at his coat from behind. The man grunted and looked over his shoulder to see Y/n trying to be sneaky and steal his flashy jacket, “HEY!” He growled, holding the collars tightly to keep it on his shoulders, “Can you stop trying to steal my clothes for 5 seconds?! You don’t even need it!! It’s fucking scorching here!!”

“You don’t need it either!! You’re gonna get sweaty and smelly, I don’t wanna deal with that!” Y/n frowned at him, still tugging on his jacket, her knees buckling together as she worked against him.

Buggy detached his head and neck so he could face Y/n, looking down at her from high above(so he could have the allusion of towering over her, which was hard when he was just a head), “You just can’t handle a man’s natural scent huh?” He grunted, his eyes glanced over her form, and the way she was only dressed in a bikini top and tight fitting leggings; kind of appropriate for the hot weather, but as he looked over her some more he could feel the crotch of his pants getting tighter.

“Stop using your gender as an excuse to be gross!” Y/n continued to try and tug Buggy’s coat off.

Of course it was probably a million degrees in this place, but that just meant Buggy’s scent rubbed off on it more than usual; she was his girlfriend and she had rights to her boyfriend’s clothes; don’t judge.

Y/n lost her grip and screamed as she fell back, seemingly disappearing into the moss wall behind her.

Buggy let out a scream as well, watching the moss and vines basically swallow his girlfriend whole. His entire body detached, then reattached so that he was facing the right way before running in after her, “Y/N?!” He grunted when he ran into her back, he then paused, his hands on her shoulders from behind.

“What the hell is this place?” Buggy mumbled, squinting while looking past Y/n and at the scenery in front of him. It was just a small little pond.. with steam coming out of it, he furrowed his brows, grunting softly in confusion before he realized what he was looking at, “HOLY CRAP!! We found a hot spring!” He squeezed Y/n’s shoulders. “A hot spring? Eh.. too bad we’re devil fruit users.” Y/n shrugged, going to walk out until Buggy grabbed her again and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to him.

“No! No! Hot springs aren’t sea water.. we’ll be perfectly fine!!” Buggy stated gleefully before slinging his coat to the side, already starting on stripping.

“You’re seriously gonna skinny dip? What if someone sees you?”

“We’re fine! This place is secluded enough, no one’s gonna find us out.. besides I don’t even remember the last time I had a dip in the water. If anything, I deserve this!” Buggy said, now completely nude, his fat cock hanging between his legs. Y/n tried her best not to look at it, but the sight of Buggy’s naked body right in front of her was making her blush, sure it wasn’t anything she hadn’t seen before, but still, that fluffy happy trail was oh so inviting.

Buggy looked over at Y/n with a soft grunt, “You’re not gonna join me? Come on, when’s the last time you’ve swam before?”

“I dunno.. I never really liked swimming in the first place so.. never?” Y/n shrugged. “WHAT?! Who the hell doesn’t like swimming?!” Buggy growled, his hands floating over to grab at Y/n’s arms, “First you tell me you don’t like meat, and now you’re telling me you’ve never swam before?! C’mon you’re killing me!!” Buggy whined as he walked into his hands, attaching them back at the wrist, gripping Y/n tighter.

“There’s no one here but us, baby! Besides, don’t knock it until you try it!” He was already working on taking Y/n’s top off, making her squeak as he pulled it over her head. “Ugghh.. fine..” Y/n grumbled, “I don’t even know how to swim in the first place.. do you even remember?” Y/n said, looking back at Buggy after she took her bottoms off.

Buggy put a hand on his chin and looked at the springs, “Of course I remember!! Jeez I know you tease me about being old but I’m not senile!” He scoffed at her, then roughly ruffled her hair before turning back towards the hot spring, stepping into it, both feet dunked in the water. “Damn I forgot how good water feels.” Buggy sighed, then looked back at Y/n, “Get your ass in here already!”

Y/n rolled her eyes, pulling her leggings down before stepping over to Buggy, now in only in that bikini top. She was a bit nervous about entering the water.. sure, Buggy was also a devil fruit user and he was fine, but that’s not what she was worried about, “Do I just step in?” She was afraid of slipping.

Buggy held his hand out for her to hold onto, “Yeah, c’mon.” He urged with a small grin, “Don’t tell me you’re scared of water!!” He cackled.

“Shut the fuck up, I’m not. I just don’t wanna slip.” Y/n huffed, holding onto Buggy’s hand as she cautiously stepped into the water, then instantly clung to Buggy’s side.

After the man basked in the feeling of dipping his feet in water for the first time in a long time, he sat down, Y/n quickly following him. “I can’t believe you don’t like swimming, that’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever said to me.” Buggy grunted, leaning back and resting his arms back, one of them wrapping around Y/n’s shoulders. “It’s just the idea of so many people seeing my body.. and then getting wet- and getting my hair wet!” Y/n snuggled into Buggy’s side, throwing her legs over his thigh under the water; she had to admit, the water felt nice; it wasn’t too hot or too cold.

“You and your hair, jeez.. but you shouldn’t feel so insecure about yourself y’know, you’re hot. I have no idea how you can’t see that.” Buggy snorted, his hand slowly made its way down her back, fingers walking down until he met the ties to her bikini top, then untied it, making Y/n squeak.

“C’mon baby..” Buggy chuckled, his voice low and deep, he tossed the top behind himself back onto the surface, “Like I said, it’s just us.” His other hand moved to hold the side of her thigh, thumb rubbing back and forth underneath the water, he leaned his face closer to hers, “I always wanted to fuck you like this.” He chuckled lowly.

Y/n batted her eyes softly for a moment, staring at Buggy’s lips before looking up into his eyes, his nose pressed against hers. Buggy licked his teeth and smirked, “Look at you, sweet little thing.” His voice was deep, gravelly and husky, she could smell the faint alcohol on his breath from his morning drink, it sent a chill through her body. Y/n moved to straddle his lap, the water swishing with her movements.

She threw her arms around his neck, tilting her head so she could press her lips against his in a passionate kiss. Buggy leaned his arms back, groaning softly as their lips molded against one another; his cock hardening between Y/n’s legs. Buggy laughed softly mid-kiss as he reached his hand down to guide his boner out from under the water, letting it stand proudly, resting it against Y/n’s pubis, tugging at the base a few times to earn a small drop of precum.

Y/n pulled away from the kiss and looked down, bringing one of her own hands down to gently circle her finger around the tip. Buggy let out a deep, guttural groan when she did that, tilting his head back and shutting his eyes as he let the sensations course through his body. Y/n giggled at his reaction, her other hand moving down to caress his chest, running her fingers through that thick, fluffy chest hair. “I hate it when you tease me.” Buggy grunted softly under his breath, tilting his head back forward to look at Y/n’s breasts, then look up at her through his brows.

“Aww, why not?” Y/n giggled, then leaned forward, moving her hips up a little so she could rub her pussy on his cock, “Don’t you want me to make you feel good?” She whispered, her lips ghosted over his. Buggy growled under his breath, feeling arousal shoot through his abdomen and right up his cock, “Ghh..” he grunted.

He regained control over the situation, putting his hands on her hips and gripping firmly, holding her legs in place as he detached his penis, letting it float up into her pussy. Y/n’s back arched, gasping as she held onto Buggy’s shoulders. “I’m the captain here, remember that, princess.” Buggy grinned before thrusting his cock up and down into her.

Y/n moaned, softly bouncing on it as he thrusted, “B-Buggy..” she panted out, biting onto her knuckle to stifle her noises. Buggy moved one of his hands up to hold her waist, fingers digging into the soft flesh of her skin, he let out a gravelly breath, “Ahhh that’s it, who’s your daddy?” He chuckled, licking his teeth before moving his hand back to spank her ass a few times, to which Buggy relished in Y/n’s squeaks and whimpers.

“Buggyy..” Y/n moaned softly, whimpering as she squeezed her eyes shut, Buggy rammed into her faster and deeper. He let out deep grunts and other man noises, his thigh muscles and abs tensed. Slapping noises could be heard from Buggy’s thrusting under the water, he closed his eyes shut when he felt his eyes roll back, he breathed out gruffly. Their moans and pants filled the area, the hot spring becoming more steamy as they got closer to their orgasm.

“M-More..” Y/n pleaded, looking up at Buggy with bedroom eyes, biting her bottom lip. She had her hands on his chest, leaning into him as his cock thrusted in and out at a rough and fast pace, almost sending mini shockwaves through her, “Mmmm..!!” She moaned, tilting her head back. Buggy gripped Y/n’s hips again and grunted as he picked up the speed, panting heavily, “Really making me work huh, cutie?” He laughed breathily through a groan, he clenched his jaw, growling deeply as his abdomen tightened.

They both moaned heavily as they came together, Buggy shooting his thick cum deep into Y/n’s pussy as it fluttered and clenched around his cock. “Ughh..” Buggy let out a pleasured groan, tilting his head back so far it accidentally fell off, he let out a short yell before quickly attaching it. He was absolutely winded, still panting heavily, “Damn..” he breathed out, then looked down at Y/n who was rested against his chest, still grinding her pussy on his cock as he reattached it.

“You’re still going aren’t you?” Buggy teased, cackling softly as he squeezed her sides, “Cute.” He moved his hand up her body to rub her back. Y/n giggled in response as she rode her orgasm out; but even after, the feeling of Buggy’s dick inside of her, stretching her out and filling her up, it was intoxicating; his cock was so fat. Buggy felt every clench and flutter of Y/n’s pussy, his shaft was sensitive enough as it was after cumming, he gripped her hips and slowly pulled her off, “Alright that’s enough! Shit.. humping me like a damn dog.” He muttered under his breath, watching as a small string of cum connected his tip to her pussy as he pulled her off.

Y/n pouted as Buggy leaned his arms back again, “Well, I’d say this was the best swim I’ve had in a long time!” He giggled, ruffling Y/n’s hair as she sat up. “The crew should be finished stocking up the ship.. you think we should start heading back?” Y/n said as she moved off of his lap, still sitting close beside of him. She looked down at the water, gently swirling the surface around with her finger.

Buggy gave Y/n a push, she squealed as she went chest first into the deep part of the hot spring, fortunately Buggy caught her as he followed in after, holding her upright, “They can wait! 'Didn’t just come in here to fuck you, I still wanna enjoy this for a bit.” He playfully splashed some water into Y/n’s face.

[newslynet]

Denver Airport Leads Nation in Flight Cancellations Amid Frigid Conditions

Denver Airport Leads Nation in Flight Cancellations

Denver International Airport (DIA) faced significant disruptions, reporting a total of **257 flights** canceled and **538 flights** delayed as of **4:37 p.m. Sunday**. This made DIA the U.S. airport with the highest number of cancellations and delays for both outbound and inbound flights on Sunday, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.

Frigid Conditions and Flight Impact

The frigid conditions in Denver contributed to this situation, with a forecasted high of only **10 degrees** and a low of **-8 degrees** on Sunday. The extreme weather created dangerous wind chills, causing widespread inconvenience for air travelers. Weather Outlook and Advisory The weather in the Denver area is anticipated to be partly sunny with a high near **5 degrees**, and there is a chance of snow on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder. A north wind with a windspeed of around **6 mph** will result in wind chill values as low as **-24 degrees**. Snow accumulation is expected to be less than half an inch. Given the combination of wind and cold temperatures, there is a heightened risk of dangerously low wind chill values. Individuals are advised to avoid outdoor activities if possible, and when venturing outside, it is crucial to wear appropriate clothing, including a hat and gloves. Mountain Snow and Travel Precautions Additional mountain snow is predicted through Sunday night, accompanied by westerly winds with gusts up to **45-55 mph** for areas above **10,000 feet**. This could result in blowing snow along mountain passes, necessitating caution and preparedness for winter driving conditions. For the plains, light snow is expected, with potential accumulation up to **1 inch** mainly for areas above **I-76**. Overnight, wind chills between **-20 to -30 degrees** are possible. Looking ahead, periods of moderate to heavy snowfall are forecasted in the mountains on Monday, with a decrease in the afternoon. Simultaneously, light snow will spread across the plains on Monday, following another surge of arctic air. Extended Weather Forecast As frigid conditions persist through Tuesday morning, with temperatures dropping well below zero, wind chill readings pose a risk of frostbite on exposed skin in as little as **10 minutes**. Temperatures are expected to moderate across the plains by Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday. Later in the week, another round of snow is anticipated in the mountains on Wednesday into Thursday. The National Weather Service provides the following forecast: - Martin Luther King Day: Snow likely. Cloudy and cold, with a high near 1. Wind chill values as low as -19. North northeast wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. - Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 34. South southwest wind 6 to 9 mph. - Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48. - Thursday: A chance of snow, mainly before noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. - Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. - Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Read the full article

[slavicafire]

skrzek replied to your post “at least it is supposed to be hot today, and so I pray to the old ones...”

can we make a trade? you can have all the sunny days, i will gladly take the rain and clouds~

oh, but absolutely! thank you.

in all honesty, I wish I could trade this way with half of you at least, you heat-hating heretics. give me all the sun!

[nbrook29]

152 for Sobbe, hope you're doing okay 💖💖

45 for Sobbe 💜💜

based on dialogue prompts

152. [text]: So I might be in a hospital right now…

45. “Don’t tempt me.”

💓 💓 💓

“Wow, you’re really useless today.”

Jens flips him off lifting himself gingerly from the pavement and kicking the skateboard in frustration as the boys laugh at his petulant expression.

“Come here then and try it yourself, smartass.”

Robbe raises his hands in surrender. “Hey, I wasn’t the one claiming to be the master of skateboarding! I’m just sitting here patiently waiting for the “master” to teach me his apparently superior skills,” he says cheekily to rile him up, the boys high-fiving him for the burn.

Jens just rolls his eyes and goes back to the bowl, switching to easier tricks for now. Moyo and Aaron join him shortly after realizing that the show’s over while Robbe hangs back for now, stretching his body on the bench contentedly and enjoying the breeze coming from the river doing wonders to his overheated body.

Antwerp has been experiencing a heatwave for the past 2 weeks and as much as Robbe loves summer weather, he’s kinda over being sweaty 24/7. His house doesn’t have air conditioning so the skatepark located next to the river is his favorite retreat in the evenings when the sun goes down. That and the heaven that is Sander’s deliciously cool room, kept at 17 degrees at all times thanks to the recently installed AC. Robbe enjoys it so much that Sander jokingly accused him of being with him only for this particular privilege. When Robbe didn’t deny, too occupied with moving his head left and right to catch the cold drift on his cheeks while standing directly under the device, Sander grabbed him and tickled him into submission until he was satisfied with Robbe’s wheezed out confessions of his undying love.

Good times.

Robbe is deep into thoughts wondering what kind of pizza they should order today and how to convince Sander to let him order one with pineapple on when his phone pings with a messenger notification. 

Sander: So I might be in a hospital right now… 

He sits up so fast he gets dizzy, his vision swimming for a few seconds while his mind is helpfully suggesting to him all the darkest scenarios of what may have happened. He doesn’t waste his time typing back, his hands way too shaky at this point anyway so he just picks Sander’s number and waits impatiently, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth and trying to calm down his beating like crazy heart.

His boyfriend makes him wait for five unbearably long signals and Robbe swears he’s going to kick his ass for that.

...as soon as he makes sure he’s alright, and in one piece, and that everything is just fine.

“Hey.”

It’s just one short word but it makes Robbe breathe again. And maybe he’s overreacting because Sander texted him so obviously he’s well enough but he just can’t help it - Robbe’s heart belongs to him, it beats for him, so any sign he may be hurt just makes it stop or go crazy.

“Sander, what happened? Are you okay? Are you hurt?” he must be looking a bit frantic because the boys take notice and skate closer to him to figure out what’s going on.

“I’d been better but I’m mostly fine. I-, umm, I might have been hit by a car?”

Robbe feels his knees buckle a little and he sits back down, taking in a few shaky breaths. “What?!”

“Yeah, but it wasn’t that bad, I just have some bruises and I’m sore-”

“Oh thank god.”

“-and I think I have a broken leg?”

“Shit, fuck, what? Where are you? Which hospital?”

The guys stand in a circle around him with worried faces.

“At Sint-Elisabeth. Are you gonna come?” his voice sounds so small Robbe’s heart breaks a little.

“Of course, I’m on my way, babe.”

He doesn’t waste much time on explanations, just briefly tells the boys what happened before running to the nearest bus station. It takes him agonizing 30 minutes to get to the right street and then another 5 to finally set his foot in the hospital building. A nurse directs him to the ER once he explains the situation and then he’s in a room full of just brought in there patients. Each bed is separated with a screen and he finds Sander on the bed number 3.

His green eyes immediately find his and he smiles at him with relief. “Hey.”

Robbe looks all over his body to check for damage, takes in the small cut above his eyebrow, the bleached hair that is in total disarray, the t-shirt torn on his shoulder with edges stained with what looks like dried blood, the scrape on his forearm, and of course, the broken leg, covered with cast from foot to middle thigh.

He feels nauseous when he takes all that in, swallowing hard to calm down his stomach and not throw up all over the floor. Closing quickly the distance between them he drops into his arms, trying to me mindful of all his injuries. 

“Shh, I’m okay,” Sander runs his hand back and forth on his back when he notices his unsteady breathing, whispering assurances in his ear. Once Robbe gets in under control, he presses a few kisses on his neck and then disentangles himself from his arms, resting his forehead on Sander’s. The boy hisses when Robbe accidently touches the cut above his eyebrow, smiling a little when Robbe apologizes profusely and kisses him to shut him up.

“So what happened?” Robbe asks, sitting appropriately on the bed and entwining their fingers because he just needs to feel him right now. Sander doesn’t comment on the way he basically clings to him, and Robbe knows he would be the same if the situation was reversed.

“I was walking through the crosswalk and the guy didn’t notice me soon enough. But he hadn’t been driving fast in the first place so I think that saved my ass.”

“Do you have a concussion? Is there anything wrong besides your leg?”

“No, I’m fine, they did the scan and it’s all clear.”

The corners of Robbe’s mouth twitch a little and normally he would make a joke but he’s not really in the mood to joke right now.

“Yes, okay, go on, I know what I said, “it’s all clear” meaning my head is a void with no brain,” Sander chuckles but when he sees the sad puppy eyes Robbe is giving him right now he gets serious and sighs. “I’m okay. Really. Just sore. And to be honest, glad it’s not my right hand that’s broken. Can you imagine?”

“I can imagine worse than that actually, you could’ve...”

Sander tsks and shakes his head. “We’re not gonna do that, okay?”

When Robbe doesn’t say anything and just sits there with his eyes downcast and playing with Sander’s fingers, he tips his chin with his left hand. 

“Okay?”

He finally nods, unconvinced, his treacherous mind full with what ifs. The whole situation is making him feel vulnerable and he just can’t shake it off like that. And he knows Sander is trying to make him feel better, that he’s alive and breathing next to him but he needs the closeness now more than ever. So he toes off his shoes and not paying attention to anyone that may look at them lies down next to Sander on his uninjured arm curling himself around his side and burrows his face in the crook of his neck. 

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” he mumbles while Sander pets his hair, the touch grounding him and providing much needed comfort. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Robin, shh, it’s okay, hey, it’s okay.”

He nods against his neck and works on calming himself down. 

“Did you call your parents?” he asks after a minute.

“My mum is here, she went for coffee and to bring me some snacks. She should be back any minute now so she can drive you home.”

“You’re staying here?”

“Yeah, they want to keep me overnight. It’s a normal procedure though, so don’t worry.”

Robbe nods again and gives him a gentle squeeze. 

“Oh hello darling.”

The voice of Sander’s mum makes him flush in embarrassment because he’s still glued to her injured son. He scrambles off the bed and straightens out his clothes making Sander chuckle but the woman only smiles at him and doesn’t comment at his state. She cups Sander’s cheek and asks him how he feels before turning to Robbe who still holds his hand.

“So, has he already told you I told him off because I had warned him once it’s going to happen?” 

Robbe looks at her confused while Sander rolls his eyes behind her back.

“Yeah, I told him someone is gonna hit him with their car if he doesn’t wear something reflective on his dark clothes! But did he listen to me? No, of course not!” she shakes her head at Sander with disapproval, hands on her hips, ignoring his groans.

“Oh my god mom-”

“Don’t “mom” me, I’m not in the mood, my precious baby boy is hurt and I’m upset.”

Sander rarely blushes but when he does, Robbe feels an immense amount of satisfaction because usually he’s the one going on red in the face thanks to Sander himself. And Sander’s mom referring to him this way in Robbe’s presence never fails to make his cheeks pink in embarrassment. It does lift Robbe’s mood a little and he grins at him cheekily over her shoulder, Sander’s blush deepening even more.

“I actually fully agree with your mom.”

“What, you’re gonna stick reflective strips all over my wardrobe now?”

“Don’t tempt me. I’m actually seriously considering it. Ugh, you and your abundance of black clothes.”

Sander’s mom is very pleased with Robbe's support and she gives her son a triumphant smile.

“See? Listen to your boyfriend, baby. Also, I think you’ve just been outvoted.”

Sander looks at them bemused, a pout forming on his lips so Robbe leans down and catches them in a short kiss, still conscious of Sander’s mom standing right next to them.

It’s getting late so they need to go while Sander is transported to a different room for the night. He gets painkillers for the ache in his broken leg and it quickly makes him sleepy, his eyes fighting to stay open when they say goodbye. It’s difficult for Robbe to leave him out of his sight but he doesn’t really have a choice so he waits until Sander’s mom says her goodbyes, telling him she’s going to wait for him in the car before he kisses the life out of him, the boy falling asleep minutes later. He places the last kiss on his forehead as he watches Sander breath in and out evenly, his face scrunching a little in his sleep at the touch.

Then he quietly closes the door to his room, already preparing himself for the night full of nightmares.

[19thcenturyedgelord]

TW: Transphobia, Homophobia, abuse, neglect, p3dophilia, s3xual assault, su!cide, alcohol

~Vent~

My mother is constantly saying that they is only two gender and is always dead naming me, the one time I get her to say my preferred name she rolls her eyes and scoffs as she says it.

My mother has told me my whole life that she owns me and that I don't get to make any decisions for myself, she was dressing me until I was disowned at 14.

My mother would threaten to k!ll herself is I ever did something she didn't like, this includes: having a panic attack, dealing with over stimulation, trying to dress myself, telling her to stop walking in on me while I was showering/changing, going to bed early, going to bed late, saying I was hungry, asking to be allowed to go outside, wearing my headphones, not being strictly christian/not eating kosher, ect.

My mother got rid of my pet hermit crabs without telling me and was constantly trying to release my turtles even though they would die in the wild and they were being taken care of very well with a large, clean tank and plenty of food and hiding places, a special light that was good for their shell, and a great water to land ratio.

My mother slut shamed me because I was wearing shorts that went above my knees (they were perfectly appropriate btw).

My mother would scream at me for hours if I got anything less than a 100% on a test and even if I did get a 100% she would ask me why I didn't get any extra credit even if there was none available and even if I'd did get extra credit she would ask why I didn't get MORE extra credit.

While I lived with my mother I had a diet of nothing but microwave meals and chips and chips because she spent all of her money on vape, cigarettes, and alcohol. I would constantly be near unconsciousness due to my low blood sugar because I had nothing to eat.

She has slapped me across the face multiple times, one time with sharp plastic that cut my chin, she did this as a punishment. One time she slapped me because my blood sugar was low and I was grumpy, this is how it went down:

Me: Hey I know you wanna talk right now but can I make some food first my blood sugar is low this should take me 20 minutes max"

Her: No, I'm you mother and your going to talk to me right now

Me: Can I please just get something to eat

Her: *yells at me wich causes me to get distracted*

Me: *spills uncooked mac&cheese because distracted*

Her: *yells at me then slaps me across the face*

My mother nearly beat me to unconsciousness because she was very drunk, I had bruises all over me the next morning but I was to afraid to say anything because I new she would scream at me and hurt me more.

She molested me daily, forced me to change in front of her, forcefully spooned me in bed for hours even after I said no, and would "playfully" spank me.

She was constantly talking about how sexy a 17 year old at her work was and even bought him vape. She would also talk about some of my friends like that and even tried to internet stalk two of them, we are all minors.

She would lock the door to the apartment and wouldn't give me a key and would force me to wait outside in knee deep snow for hours without any warm clothing because she stole it all. She also refused to drive me to school in -8 degree (f) weather because she didn't want to loose her parking spot. I was also forced to bike to and from band practice (with she forced me to to do because she wanted to live through me) in 30 degree (f) with heavy rain because she didn't want to loose her parking spot.

She would consistently make fun of me for reading or doing anything that I enjoyed because I was a "nerd" and a "looser"

She disowned me after she stole my phone, went through it and found out I was a lesbian.

I couldn't even go into my yard without telling her where I was going, if I didn't tell her I would be screamed at and not allowed out my room, for a day and then not allowed out of the house for two more weeks.

She routinely went through my phone and my belongings without my permission, knowledge, or consent, in case I had anything "suspicious".

I tried moving in with my dad and she sued him.

She stole my most prized pokemon cards, a bag, most of my clothes, all of my old toys, and over $200 from my in the span of two weeks.

My room didn't have a door and she positioned herself so that she had to go through my room to get anywhere else in the house.

She would frequently lock the bathroom door so that it was only accessable from her room.

I told her I like pop music and she called me a failure then continued to play her extremely s3xual, vulgar, music about dr*gs, alcohol, and r@pe.

From the time I was 8 she tried to force me to drink alcohol because its "cool"

She forcefully pushed me against a wall because I refused to give her a hug after she made an offensive joke and I called her out for it.

She screamed at me because I corrected her after she misgendered me.

I had to learn morse code just so I could speak to my friends without her knowing what I was saying.

When I started counseling because I wanted to k!ll myself and because I was having upwards and 15-25 panic attacks per day, she forced me to tell her everything that happened in counseling even if I didn't want to.

She always gangs up on me in fights but if I try to get back up she just yells at me more.

She refused to take me to the hospital when I had a concussion and forced me to go to school all week even though I could barely stand or speak and now I have verbal and motor tics which she makes fun of.

She would scream at me because I sit down in the shower even though I have arthritis. (Yes I have arthritis at 15, it runs in the family and before to long I might develop psoriasis, I have shitty genes)

I wasn't allowed to wear anything that revealed my shoulders, that was low cut, shower any part of my stomach or back, short that went above my knees, ect.

I wasn't allowed to get my hair cut below my chin because it " wasn't feminine enough"

I wasn't allowed to have anything that was "for boys" this included clothes, toys, books, stickers, blankets, posters, movies, ect.

She forced me to watch R rated movies with her even if I didn't feel comfortable watching them.

I wasn't allowed to have any friends over and I wasn't allowed to go to any friends house, the one time I did have friends over she judged all of them and tried me to stop hanging out with them after they left. My friends are all very good people and are the only reason I'm still alive rn, she was just mad that I was talking to people who weren't her.

She screamed at she because I got one (1) drop of dark green ink on her black coffee table that she got for free.

I wasn't allowed to draw any male characters because she was afraid I would get off to them or something idk (this was before I was forcefully outed)

She bought me a triple chocolate cake for my birthday once. I'm allergic to chocolate. She forgot my birthday the next year.

Anytime I would tell her about the terrible bullying that was going on she would tell me to get over it, even after I had been thrown to the ground and strangled by one of my classmates.

If I got into a new game or hobby she would either take it away or shame me for playing it.

She spent all day on the computer playing Sims 3 to the point where I had to feed myself, take care of myself, and play by myself as young as 5.

She screamed at me because while talking about Pokemon lore I mentioned how Arceus is the god of the Pokemon world and she said I shouldn't say that because it would "make god mad" ( I have nothing against christians or christianity btw, just the people who shove it down your throat like she does)

I wasn't allowed to eat or drink the last of anything (finishing a bag of chips, taking the last soda, ect.) If I did she would scream at me and slap me as punishment.

She threatened to forbid me form seeing my cousin (who for the first 11 years of my life was my only friend) if I ever "talked back" to her.

She wod frequently strangle me as a form of "tough love".

When I was 2 she tried to teach me how to swim by holding me under water over and over again, drowning is now one of my greatest fears. Luckily I did learn to swim with the help of cousin and granny and even enjoy swimming but it is hard for me to do things like wash my face in the shower or stay under water for more than a few seconds without panicking.

She never taught me how to cook but then would scream at me because I didn't know how to cook.

Her smoking inside and while driving has caused me to have some lung issues, she denies that she ever smoked near me.

She tried to take me away frome everyone in my life including my family and friends so that I could only spend time with her.

When I was in fifth grade she homeschooled me and forced me to do college lever reading, learn how to code, learn at least two other languages that weren't english, learn how to play guitar, do gymnastics, do jujitsu (japanese), do soccer, learn to sing (keep I mind I had no interest in music, but she did), do a digital homeschooling program set at a highschool level, and learn a bunch of useless skills like knot tying and making friendship bracelets because it was "feminine". This was in FIFTH FUCKING GRADE.

We didn't have a washer or dryer and she would never go to to town to get laundry done so I never had clean clothes.

If I had more that $10 I had to give the rest to her.

She tried to kidnap me once.

One time on accident I stood in a bull ant hill and got stung all over (if you don't know ants all sting at once), I was swollen all over and screaming in pain and she did nothing, not even give me ice or ointment, she just told me to be more careful.

[septiembrre]

30 for the kiss prompts!!!!

Prompt: Weak, sweaty kisses because it’s unbearably hot.

@sothischickshe, I made a concerted effort to keep this silly and short. And I gave myself frown lines as I watched it grow longer and longer and… angsty. D: 

Featuring:

A magical reappearance of Beth’s furniture

A broken air conditioner

A heatwave

Lots of summer clothing

Sweat (but like the typical annoying kind. This is not a euphemism for sex)

Beth and her anxiety

Rio, a certified Goth™

A relationship not yet ended

Pain

And a Mick cameo, of course!

On AO3, too!

---------

I’VE GOT TO LOSE MY COOL

Beth’s first mistake was not calling the HVAC technician first thing in the morning. She had called on the way out the door, left a voicemail. 

It shouldn’t have been a big deal. Wednesdays were usually slow. She would be able to sneak away at almost any point to take a call back. In the message she left, Beth made sure to mention that her only conflict was at three (the weekly drop of bills from Mick). Otherwise, there was plenty of time to schedule the service visit with perfect timing for the impending heatwave. 

But, of course, her life was no longer neat.   

On this random mid-day shift, there had been a flurry of customers at the store -- multiple special orders for invitations, a desperate maid of honor running in for last minute bridal shower details. And, naturally, it was in this hubbub that the tech had returned her call. There was another subsequent round of phone tag. Beth left a new message. 

On her phone, there was also a text from Mick. He was held up -- and that never happened. The texts hinted at some mysterious, more-important errand for their boss and she was a little curious. He had quashed her follow-up questions (only a couple!), with a gruff, “I’ll get there when I get there.” 

And he indeed eventually arrived to Paper Porcupine -- a whole hour late and in a terrible mood. He barreled in the backdoor, sans his typical flannel and sans-leather jacket. Instead, he was in a t-shirt and sweaty as all get out in the late afternoon heat. Beth had stared at him aghast as her phone chimed with another call. It had been a perky soundtrack to Mick’s string of colorful swears when he realized he had left behind half the one-dollar bills needed for the next print run.

Well, at least that mess wasn’t on her. 

When Beth finally caught the technician on her drive home, she confirmed what Beth had begun to suspect in her gut: they were all booked up with service calls until next Monday. 

“It’s the heatwave, Mrs. Boland,” the tech explained over the car’s speaker phone. “Half of Detroit is calling in about faulty units. We can get you in first thing next week.” 

Beth had nodded unseen and despairing. She had the AC blasting in the car, but she was still sticky with sweat. It was going to be precisely eleven degrees hotter by tomorrow. Then, it would chart 105 the day after that.  

Good Lord. 

Her second mistake was not immediately driving to the store to purchase a pool.

This is how Beth finds herself in the middle of the brutal once-a-year Michigan heatwave, reflecting on how truly her life no longer plays out in the tidy, pre-ordained trajectories it used to. And some days this is thrilling but other days, today, it’s... 

Terrible. 

Beth tries to do what she can. 

She digs out her most breathable pair of exercise shorts, short short and purchased two children ago. She dons her comfiest, lift bra and throws on a frayed pink tank top. She no longer wore these articles of clothing in the presence of her husband (especially after that comment now etched into her soul about “a great ass and perfectly shaped boobs”) but kept them tucked into her dresser for such hellishly hot, solitary occasions such as today. 

She pulls her hair messily into a lofty bun leaving no opportunity for it to cling to her neck. She also temporarily appropriates three of the flagging household fans and angles all of them carefully at her, meticulously layering the currents. Finally, she sprawls on her bed, starfishing her limbs for maximum air-to-skin contact. 

All of it helps a little, but she’s still hot. Beth can’t fathom anything outside of her misery, wants to shed her skin. 

She momentarily considers taking her third cold shower of the day. 

Then, without realizing it is happening, Beth finds herself an hour deep into a frenzy of online shopping, precariously balancing her laptop so it doesn’t touch her skin. 

Her focus: sandals. 

Beth knows she shouldn’t go through with the purchase. Rationally, she can admit it is a feverish spiral, fixating on one fraction of why this week is awful. But, it is all she can think about: she does not have any appropriate footwear for this heat. 

How will she survive?

From there comes a whole whorl of scenarios. If she could get away with not leaving the house, she could stay barefoot, stick to the shadowy corners of her house, shower any hour of the day. In fact, this was (part of) the reason why she had chosen to stay home as Dean took the kids to the community pool a few blocks over. Her old pair of ratty flip flops had finally given out and the mid-morning heat already had Beth at her wit’s end. God, she just needed some quiet and some sense of distance from Dean. So, she suggested the idea, urged him to go and leave her in peace.

Perhaps, she could send him out for all the kids’ needs and assorted errands? 

...But, could he be trusted? 

Well, if Beth refused to leave the house, that meant she was also choosing not to go with the kids to the movies or the library, places with functioning air conditioners where she could cool off. And what else could they do tomorrow? Maybe she could dig out the old sprinkler from the garage… But, then she’d have to go into the garage, and the temperature in there-- 

Anxiously, Beth meanders the tabs on the DSW website and adds two new pairs of flip flops to her cart. One’s a little more casual, definitely good for pool-side and backyard time. The other pair is a little more dignified. They didn’t look like they would clack. 

Well, she doesn’t need two pairs...

She’ll narrow it down later. 

In the back of her mind, Beth can acknowledge she doesn’t really need to buy anything at all, and that these sandals will not make her current discomfort any more bearable. But, it doesn’t hurt to look. 

Oh, goodness -- what about when she has to go back to Paper Porcupine for her next shift? The thought of putting on any of her flats seems like too much to bear, claustrophobic as they were in the heat. Pumps were out of the question. Which brings her to her last job-appropriate footwear option -- her ankle boots. Weirdly, that seemed to be a fashion trend that was happening now, but nope, absolutely not. 

It is in this fever pitch, that Beth makes her third and perhaps most egregious mistake: when Rio knocks on the French doors, she lets him in. 

In her defense, she’s a little dazed. As mentioned before, the current state of Michigan is literally hell and Rio’s appearance… takes her by surprise. She was not expecting him to show up today with a duffle of the rest of the small bills. He hadn’t texted and to top it off, he is wearing... an outfit she has never seen before.

A sleeveless shirt.

A sleeveless shirt and joggers, fancy athletic ones that look a price point (or three) above the ones she usually buys for Dean. However, despite this new foray into athleisure-wear, Rio remains head to toe in his favorite color with black on black Chucks rounding out the look. 

What a goth, Beth thinks, shaking her head to herself. This outfit in over-100 degree heat? 

She feels hotter just looking at him.

Like Mick the other day, Rio is sans-jacket, sans-button-up, and sans-beanie and there’s just… miles and miles of uncovered brown, freshly sun-kissed skin. 

Maybe, it’s her deep-seated jealousy of people who can tan. All her skin is good for is glowing in the dark and flash burning at the slightest interest from the sun. And mind you, she’s currently safe inside her dim bedroom, but it’s the strangest thing...  She’s burning now as her eyes trace the smooth skin exposed at the base of his neck, burning as she follows along the neat, sharp line of his collarbone where she had bit--

Stop, Beth. Why did she still want-- 

Had he purposefully shown up with a work excuse on the hottest day of the year to pester her? Was this a latent extension of his punishment? Beth thought they were past this. 

But, you know what? Whatever. Let him try.

She’s cool. She might be sweaty as hell, and wanting to crawl out of her skin, but she is cool as a cucumber, cold as ice, profoundly unbothered. 

She’s so cool that she doesn’t say a word. 

Not to greet him, or remark upon the mistake with the drop or… his atypical clothing choice. 

She doesn’t comment either on the state of their business or ask after whatever it was he had assigned Mick to do this week and had seemingly gone awry. 

She doesn’t comment as his mouth drops open with surprise as he takes in her appearance, his eyes widening with something as intolerably warm as the air around them. The bag slips from his grip just inside her doorway.

Nor does she say anything when Rio follows her back to bed, tethered to her through a tenuous spell of heat (weather or otherwise). She’s cool, indifferent, breezy actually as she repositions herself in the crosshairs of the fans. If she pretends he doesn’t matter, she doesn’t have to share the breeze right? So she doesn’t pay much mind as Rio slips off his sneakers and settles next to her. Instead, she re-balances the laptop and resumes pursuing the online DSW store. 

She doesn’t say anything as he eventually shuffles closer, presumably to watch as she adds strappy sandals to her cart (or more probably to peek down her shirt). And god-- this stupid tank top. Maybe her boobs look better from over there in Rio-world, but over here she is sticky with underboob sweat and crossing her fingers that none of it shows through her bra. 

His shoulder leans against hers.

And she has every reason to push him away, but… his skin is cool and smooth and not the most intolerable part of this weekend. So, she lets him stay there. 

And she continues to ignore him, cool-like, or cool-aspiring.

Until he no longer lets her. 

Concentrated as she is on her shopping, she notes idly as Rio’s foot reaches out to nudge one of her fans to aim more directly at him.

Beth can’t help the snarl that comes out of her mouth, “Don’t.” 

He always brings out the worst in her.

There’s a low snicker. Her gaze drops down to take in Rio’s arm as it presses up fully against hers. His fingers reach over to pinch her thigh. 

“Damn, ma.” 

There’s that heat again, the one from inside. God, she hates him. 

Beth shuffles away, frowning at her screen. Rio shuffles too, sidling up next to her again. She adds another pair of sandals to her order and then considers her cart. 

“Elizabeth…” In the corner of her eye, she catches the movement of Rio shaking his head with reprove. “Think about where you live.”

Beth flails on the bed in a display that admittedly reminds her of her own children in a fussy mood and it only annoys her more. Her bedspread sticks to her arms, the backs of her legs, and the exposed sliver of her midriff where her top is creeping up. Beth shifts, trying to dislodge the cover from her skin, mindful to protect the laptop. It’s only happenstance that she manages not to shift a single inch of where the length of her arm touches Rio’s. 

As she tries to calm down, a brief vision comes to Beth -- an alternate universe where the laptop is safely tucked away and the HVAC blessedly functions. The Rio and Beth of this fantasy are them but also not… maybe she’ll call them Christopher and Elizabeth. That Beth -- Elizabeth -- is only mildly inconvenienced by the heat raging outside. She can rest her dampened forehead against the cool arch of his-- Christopher’s neck. She can lean in to press a weak kiss at his collar bone. In fact, she can kiss it anytime she wants, invited to touch him anywhere she like. In this dream, Elizabeth’s ministrations don’t have to be surer or bolder or cool -- because she has him. 

All the time. 

She can afford to be soft. 

In turn, Christopher nuzzles his face into her hair fondly, and that Elizabeth receives a soft kiss at the crown of her head. There’s an undercurrent of sex between them, the suggestion of it, but overall the scene is sluggish in the zenith of summer and content. Elizabeth can curl her body around his and let him hold her-- 

How silly. 

Beth shakes herself out of it and realizes that Rio has shifted on his side, watching her as she’s zoned out staring at the cart full of sandals for too long. His lips twitch and almost pull into a smile. Then, he quells them into mock seriousness. 

It feels too intimate, him with her on this bed, her bed, the bed. It feels like Before. 

God, why is he here anyway? If she was alone, she could peel off all her clothes and… take an ice bath probably. 

Not think of him at least. 

Not think about that wild, feverish idea of curling up, fitting her body into his and surrendering to the heat. Not think about how desperately and pettily she wants to pinch him back. She wants to kiss that stupid look off of his face or... Maybe she could purchase all six pairs of sandals and start browsing for pools on Cloud 9 just to spite him-- 

 “I am thinking about where I live and actually, it’s the middle of summer here--” Beth bites out. “--and it’s outrageously hot.”

“Just buy yourself a pair of sturdy white lady shoes. You mean to tell me you don’t already own some Birks?”

“Excuse me--” Beth splutters, incensed. She had considered them first but had been discouraged again by the price tag for a single pair.  “White people aren’t only ones who wear Birkenstocks.”

Without missing a beat, Rio volleys back, “Baby girl, what are you going to do with so many pairs of sandals in Michigan the rest of the year?” 

“Says you.”  

“Oh?” 

“You literally have a million pairs of shoes. Your closet is insane.”

It dawns on her, what she just said. 

Oh. 

Not good. 

It’s the fucking heat. At least, the discomfort can’t blotch her cheeks any more than they already are. 

She knows that if she looked at him now, she would see Rio doing something... obnoxious with his face. He’s probably smirking in that terrible, gloating, dumb, sexy way that he does, but too bad. 

Beth refuses to look at him.

She’s indifferent and unbothered. She’s cool. She’s the kind of Beth that would never ever even think about his closet or daydream about them folding clothes together or fucking on-- 

So, instead, she snaps her laptop close with a final click. The sandals were a half-brained idea anyway and that was a conclusion she already came to on her own. Thank you very much, boss. 

She starts to get up but then Rio’s hand reaches out to curl around her thigh, pinning her to the bed. He squeezes her leg gently, as he has the audacity to shush her. 

It’s enough impetus for Beth to rear her head back to meet his gaze again and level him with her most withering glare. 

And, what do you know? She was correct. He appears to be very entertained. 

This time she feels the heat surge on her face and knows without a doubt that it shows on top of the heat rash.  

“Yeah, so… are you ever gonna tell me what you were doin’ at my house?”

“No.” She snipes, prim. 

“No?”

“I wasn’t doing anything.” It's outright untruth.

Rio’s amused disbelief and her defensiveness meet in a standoff. Beth knows from experience he’ll try to wait her out and she gnashes her teeth. 

Then, there’s a twitch of movement at her thigh, the flex of fingers she realizes are still there and Beth registers the warm span of his hand a few inches above her knee. Her gaze darts down to look at where he’s touching her. He glances down, too. Together they watch as his thumb slowly strokes her skin. Then, again. 

They both observe as the muscles in her thighs just perceptively clench.

God, him and her, in this bed. 

His voice softens to that ridiculous mumble, both low and rich. “Aw, c’mon, darlin’. You can tell me.” 

The tone raises her hackles -- as if she wasn’t already too familiar with this trap! She tries to affect nonchalance -- she’s cool -- and shrugs, “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Rio grins. It’s sharp like a knife and charming. She hates that he’s the most attractive person she’s ever met. “You liked my closet?” 

Then, an idea comes to her-- how she can best him at his own little game.

Beth curls on her side towards him. Her cleavage deepens and god, she can instantly feel more sweat bloom but she knows what he likes. The line of their bodies is parallel, only separated by an inch or two. They’re sharing the breeze from the fans now and wisps of her hair have gotten loose from her bun and are blowing into her face. Rio’s hand shifts to resettle and it drifts up to stroke her hair back behind her ear. Then it drops to curl at her waist. And you know -- nice move -- but she can do him one better.

“Yes,” Beth says simply. She brings her hands up to trace along the neck of his shirt, across his pecs, and the expanse of skin she hasn’t seen since that afternoon of Before. “I didn’t see this though.” 

Then, in a moment of haughty malice, her fingers find the notch of his clavicle. She watches his throat bob as he swallows hard and she counts the success. She ignores the tell-tale temptation to gift him more bruises, to kiss him… 

The thought occurs to her, distantly, slowly emerging through the fog of heat, that if she tugged the fabric to the side a bit, she’d find one of the scars she gave him. Her hands become clammy and they retreat. 

“You like it?” Rio’s voice comes out a smidge hoarse. But, perhaps only someone who knows him like her would notice. 

Beth shrugs a shoulder. 

His eyes are bright as he looks back at her. His gaze shifts crass, laden with the suggestion of sex, and there’s a tinge there that's not quite sour per se. But, it’s heavy with the particular weight of who they are now. His line of sight deliberately drops to her cleavage with old, salacious purpose. 

It’s not the way he looked at her that day, that one time (or two).  

Self-rebuffed, Beth tries not to think too much about how she hates that Rio caught her dressed like this. She itches to pull her top up to her neck or scramble off the bed to find something else to throw on. She itches to disappear entirely or to retreat into her bathroom (and see if this time he’ll follow her there too). 

Slowly, in performance, Rio moves the fingers at her waist and dips them under the edge of her tank top. He traces teasingly underneath along her sweaty skin. 

“I like this.” Rio says, biting his lower lip lewdly, tugging along the hem of her shirt. 

And Beth feels-- she feels--

Too hot. 

Too objectified. 

Her stomach drops and she wants to crawl out of her skin. This wasn’t, this isn’t-- This isn’t what it was. 

No matter who they are this minute, whatever mess continues to unfold, this isn’t what that day was.  

She won’t let him ruin it. 

“You know I did really like your closet. I liked your shoe racks--” she scrambles, trying to dangle a little of what he wants and to remind him. “Your pictures. Nice touch.” 

The comment serves its purpose. It makes him pause, sufficiently rebuked by all the ways that she knows him. 

Rio extricates his hand, pulls away from her skin, as she tries again to calm herself. She needs to be cool, cool, cool. 

But, it’s unbearable -- who they are now.  

She feels frazzled and depleted as she watches Rio roll onto his back. He looks up at her ceiling, not at her. “Why can’t you be honest with me for once?” He says it tiredly, without artifice. 

She can’t stand it. 

“You’re one to talk.”  

Beth watches as Rio is now the one gritting his teeth. 

“Y’know--” There’s a poignant, festering beat and then he says, “When I fucked you in this bed, I had wanted…” 

More. 

That want goes unsaid, suspended in the air around them with the heat. 

“But, you just wanted me to fuck you,” he finishes quietly, leveling her. 

Her stomach bottoms out newly pained and she wonders if that day, those two times, are already ruined for him. Certainly, she can understand if it’s because of the bullets. But, if he still has any doubt-- 

She makes a last-ditch attempt at levity. 

“You’d probably say this is really… basic bitch of me.” The phrase fits awkwardly, and the call back immediately has Rio’s attention. She knows in her race to pull something together, to make it better, something bearable, whatever she’s going to say is going to be too candid.

“Yeah?”

“But, the times that I’ve been the most… attracted to you--” Oh god, this isn’t coming out light and casual at all. Oh no. 

Rio shakes his head at her, “Don’t stop now, Elizabeth.”

“Oh my god, shut up,” Beth huffs. Then, she tries again. “One is definitely when you were bashing in that butt-ugly car.” 

Rio’s eyebrows raise comically high. 

“You know with the crowbar,” She gestures, swinging her hand gratuitously. He absolutely already knows what she’s talking about. 

“And two..”  Beth shuts her eyes and takes a steadying breath. She hopes for the best and tries not to rush the next bit. “--was when I saw your closet was color-coordinated.” 

She sneaks a glance at him, and her stomach twists again.

He has absolutely no business looking so fondly at her. 

She strives to clarify. “But, that was before.” 

“Not anymore?”

“No.” 

Rio nods, presumably in acceptance of her refusal. 

But, then he tugs her to him, across him. Beth settles on top of him, too hot, too sweaty. Her forehead comes to rest, pressed against the soft hollow of his neck.  

[multifan-giantpanda]

Roof Safety

Commonly some of the work conducted on the roof, regardless of the size, turns out to be of high-risk situation. That said, the roof work proves to be quite risky.

Whenever there is the risk of the worker who is working over the risky surfaces, remember setting the parameter of complying as per the WHS regulation. There may be cases of the element of the demolition that the load-bearing structure of the roof may impact. This is something that can have an impact on structural integrity.

The work surfaces are possibly involved with the disturbance of the asbestos. So it may turn out to be problematic, creating a higher chance of slips and falls. Be careful when the work is carried out near the electrical installation. When the services may be problematic, it's worth considering the safety against the height safety hazards. As an employer, you must seek the elimination of the problems whenever it is needed. This is something that can turn out to be reasonably practical.

Working on the roof may be the cause of the additional hazards due to the nature of the job that is inclusive of the weather conditions. The sloping surface or the fragile roofs features may be problematic. Here are the guidelines that you should always consider. Besides everything else, it is a must to consider wearing the Workwear Melbourne uniform that can keep employees protected at all times.

Materials as the above-mentioned ones can be enough to increase the risk of them falling through the roof compared to the other surfaces. Materials like the above can also go with the control measures for allowing a better working surface and the possible controls. They also come inclusive of the elevated work platforms that can be useful for the removal of the need to stand on the roof itself. Sometimes the walkways or the crawl board come involved with it.

Using the barriers ensures identifying the safe areas that can signpost the dangerous areas for utilising fall test harness system weather conditions. The weather conditions work for the determination of whether you will be able to work on the roof or not. Wearing the Hi vis workwear like the Hi vis vests and Hi vis jackets is a must.

Keeping away the chances of the additional troubles

Sometimes the severe heat, strong winds can be responsible enough for a significant increase in the risk to the safety and well-being of the workers. So, employees find it is always important to go ahead with the consideration of conducting roof work. It can also be enough for keeping away the heat causing elements.

It can also keep away heat-related illness, dehydration as well as Sunburn. In this situation, the heat comes directly from the sun and is responsible for creating the surrounding environment while increasing the temperature. This also comes with UV radiation that can be enough for causing heat burns to the unprotected skin. The minimized effects of the sun are possible by ensuring that the roof work is being done only on mild weather days.

It's worth considering working on the cooler times of the day. Besides, the reduction of the amount of time spent on the roof for the shift is a must to keep away the harshness. You should always be considered in the adequate drinking water and electrolytes that are easily available. Always pay attention to skin getting protected by lightweight clothing as well as sunglasses. Skin that doesn't stay protected must find the cover with the 30 + SPF or the higher sunscreen.

Always make sure of driving the work for the minimised time spent in the sun. Remember that the rain is responsible for making the sloping surface most slippery. It can increase the chances of a slip or fall. So it is recommended to never work on a roof that is slippery or has got collected a lot of water. The wet surface can be enough to cause the fall and trips. You can also choose to buy the safest stuff and Hi vis clothing from the Workwear online store.

Keeping away the windy situations

While you are working on the roof, see that has surface should be fitted in the form of the fragile surface until you are sure that it is deemed for usage by the Competent Person. Remember that no roof should be trusted enough to bear the person's body. Some roofing materials are more likely to be fresh as compared to the others.

So it is always better to consider leaving on the side of the question. Whenever there is a point of confrontation with the roof materials like asbestos, roof sheet, polycarbonate like the skylight system, fibre cement sheet, glass sheets, or added metal sheets of the fasteners, you must pay attention to the safety standards. Even the surfaces like the chief board or rotted wood materials, slippery tiles, and fragile materials can cause issues.  

Even the strong sometimes makes it a lot difficult to work with the balance on the roof surface. Usually, the strong wind is enough for blowing the worker over the edge that can be responsible for causing the heavy injury. Make sure that you are conducting the roof work only on calm days. The surfaces of the steep roofs can be enough to create fatal circumstances.

High slope zones

The roof slope that is around 35 degrees is not appropriate for standing or working on. It is something that can increase the likelihood of the slip. According to the fall prevention control, don't select the guardrail or the caching platform, or usually, that is not the appropriate measure for protecting the workers. In any case, the area is having a slope of 35 degrees; then you can consider taking into consideration the aerial equipment like the cherry picker, scaffolding platform as well as industrial rope access system.

Final words

In case you're facing a problem during the roof working areas, make sure that you have the relief and first aid for giving you the rescue option. In case the worksite is utilising the fall assistant equipment, the worker may not be exposed to suffering from a fall from the suspension. This operating system enables a person suspended in the harsh environment in the upright position is free from facing problematic situations.

There won't be chances of resulting in the blood pooling in the legs. Depending on the susceptibility, sometimes the chances of the falls can be enough for causing unconsciousness, renal failure, or the rare circumstances that bring with it chances of death because of the situation. Always make sure that the falling worker gets rescued without any delay. Besides assisting, always consider the Pre-engineered retrieval Systems in the market. They can serve as a prompt response and is a must when it comes to high-end worker safety.

[raremelanin]

Roof Safety

Commonly some of the work conducted on the roof, regardless of the size, turns out to be of high-risk situation. That said, the roof work proves to be quite risky.

Whenever there is the risk of the worker who is working over the risky surfaces, remember setting the parameter of complying as per the WHS regulation. There may be cases of the element of the demolition that the load-bearing structure of the roof may impact. This is something that can have an impact on structural integrity.

The work surfaces are possibly involved with the disturbance of the asbestos. So it may turn out to be problematic, creating a higher chance of slips and falls. Be careful when the work is carried out near the electrical installation. When the services may be problematic, it's worth considering the safety against the height safety hazards. As an employer, you must seek the elimination of the problems whenever it is needed. This is something that can turn out to be reasonably practical.

Working on the roof may be the cause of the additional hazards due to the nature of the job that is inclusive of the weather conditions. The sloping surface or the fragile roofs features may be problematic. Here are the guidelines that you should always consider. Besides everything else, it is a must to consider wearing the Workwear Melbourne uniform that can keep employees protected at all times.

Materials as the above-mentioned ones can be enough to increase the risk of them falling through the roof compared to the other surfaces. Materials like the above can also go with the control measures for allowing a better working surface and the possible controls. They also come inclusive of the elevated work platforms that can be useful for the removal of the need to stand on the roof itself. Sometimes the walkways or the crawl board come involved with it.

Using the barriers ensures identifying the safe areas that can signpost the dangerous areas for utilising fall test harness system weather conditions. The weather conditions work for the determination of whether you will be able to work on the roof or not. Wearing the Hi vis workwear like the Hi vis vests and Hi vis jackets is a must.

Keeping away the chances of the additional troubles

Sometimes the severe heat, strong winds can be responsible enough for a significant increase in the risk to the safety and well-being of the workers. So, employees find it is always important to go ahead with the consideration of conducting roof work. It can also be enough for keeping away the heat causing elements.

It can also keep away heat-related illness, dehydration as well as Sunburn. In this situation, the heat comes directly from the sun and is responsible for creating the surrounding environment while increasing the temperature. This also comes with UV radiation that can be enough for causing heat burns to the unprotected skin. The minimized effects of the sun are possible by ensuring that the roof work is being done only on mild weather days.

It's worth considering working on the cooler times of the day. Besides, the reduction of the amount of time spent on the roof for the shift is a must to keep away the harshness. You should always be considered in the adequate drinking water and electrolytes that are easily available. Always pay attention to skin getting protected by lightweight clothing as well as sunglasses. Skin that doesn't stay protected must find the cover with the 30 + SPF or the higher sunscreen.

Always make sure of driving the work for the minimised time spent in the sun. Remember that the rain is responsible for making the sloping surface most slippery. It can increase the chances of a slip or fall. So it is recommended to never work on a roof that is slippery or has got collected a lot of water. The wet surface can be enough to cause the fall and trips. You can also choose to buy the safest stuff and Hi vis clothing from the Workwear online store.

Keeping away the windy situations

While you are working on the roof, see that has surface should be fitted in the form of the fragile surface until you are sure that it is deemed for usage by the Competent Person. Remember that no roof should be trusted enough to bear the person's body. Some roofing materials are more likely to be fresh as compared to the others.

So it is always better to consider leaving on the side of the question. Whenever there is a point of confrontation with the roof materials like asbestos, roof sheet, polycarbonate like the skylight system, fibre cement sheet, glass sheets, or added metal sheets of the fasteners, you must pay attention to the safety standards. Even the surfaces like the chief board or rotted wood materials, slippery tiles, and fragile materials can cause issues.  

Even the strong sometimes makes it a lot difficult to work with the balance on the roof surface. Usually, the strong wind is enough for blowing the worker over the edge that can be responsible for causing the heavy injury. Make sure that you are conducting the roof work only on calm days. The surfaces of the steep roofs can be enough to create fatal circumstances.

High slope zones

The roof slope that is around 35 degrees is not appropriate for standing or working on. It is something that can increase the likelihood of the slip. According to the fall prevention control, don't select the guardrail or the caching platform, or usually, that is not the appropriate measure for protecting the workers. In any case, the area is having a slope of 35 degrees; then you can consider taking into consideration the aerial equipment like the cherry picker, scaffolding platform as well as industrial rope access system.

Final words

In case you're facing a problem during the roof working areas, make sure that you have the relief and first aid for giving you the rescue option. In case the worksite is utilising the fall assistant equipment, the worker may not be exposed to suffering from a fall from the suspension. This operating system enables a person suspended in the harsh environment in the upright position is free from facing problematic situations.

There won't be chances of resulting in the blood pooling in the legs. Depending on the susceptibility, sometimes the chances of the falls can be enough for causing unconsciousness, renal failure, or the rare circumstances that bring with it chances of death because of the situation. Always make sure that the falling worker gets rescued without any delay. Besides assisting, always consider the Pre-engineered retrieval Systems in the market. They can serve as a prompt response and is a must when it comes to high-end worker safety.

[segenassefa]

6: Brand Focus: Los Angeles Apparel

September – the season of changing leaves, pumpkin spice lattes (those are nasty but if I speak…), and – usually – back to school shopping.

However, now that life has transitioned online, there is no reason to wear anything that is uncomfortable or at least two sizes oversized on a day-to-day basis. But – and don’t fight me on this - there is nothing more satifying than new and quality loungewear.

This is where Los Angeles Apparel comes in.

The brand formerly known as American Apparel rebranded as Los Angeles Apparel – the same basics brand, full of heavyweight cotton, styles ranging from classic to contemporary, and a wide range of colours, everything from neutrals to neon colours.

After bankrupting twice, American Apparel was purchased by Canadian manufacturer, Gildan, in 2017. Gildan went on to rebrand and remove the more notable points of the company’s marketing strategy – namely, the borderline pornographic advertising and sinfully high price range (some AA products can now be purchased on websites such as Wordans and Amazon).

Founder and Montreal native Dov Charney (who has his own demons, including accusations of sexual harassment and mismanagement of funds when he ran American Apparel in 2014*) then decided to take his ideas elsewhere, introducing Los Angeles Apparel.

Now operating out of a south Los Angeles warehouse, LAA poses itself as an ethical, basics, brand, paying workers between $15-$20 USD, as well as overtime pay and benefits, and varies from other fashion retailers in the amount of transparency to behind the scenes of their warehouse and in the production process – many of the brand’s Instagram stories include shots of models, posing outside and throughout the warehouse, and well as videos of various garment and production workers at their daily dyeing, stitching, and cutting tasks. Another plus of this brand is the composition of the garments, specifically their sweatshirts and sweatpants, tops, and bodysuits. Most places do not manufacture goods with 100% cotton - traditional brands either use a 50/50 blend of cotton and polyester, or an 80/20 blend for goods in the heavyweight category. Using 100% cotton leads to a garment that looks even better with wear and tear, as well as prevents pilling, worn out elastic cuffs and hems, as well as less discolouration. Lastly, LAA is mostly devoid of branding – their clothing has no flashy logos or tags, no awkward stitching or excessive distressing, product styles, and unsavoury colour combinations – likely stemming from their roots as a wholesale blanks company. There is a bit of 90’s flavour to the styles shown on the website, included oversized sweats and t-shirts, lots and lots of pleats (pants, skirts, shorts, everything), as well as having more fresh-faced models, both men and women.

I’ve never personally been a huge American Apparel shopper – the original brand was not the most inclusive in terms of sizing as most of their items run on the smaller size (even to this day – their 2XL fits more like a very roomy XL) or were the dreaded “slim fit” (the ugliest cut of clothing to touch down on this face of the Earth, please don’t argue with me). However, since rebranding, Charney and the rest of the LAA team began to embrace more true-to-size and oversized fits. After rebuilding my wardrobe with quality basics, I can say about 80% of my wardrobe is from LAA – the pieces are good quality, minimal, and tasteful. Also, as a person who tries to be as ethical with my spending practices as possible and invest in quality clothing, I feel a bit better knowing the $40 t-shirt won’t be falling apart in the wash or after a few wears. For anyone who has considered dipping their toe into LAA or has been looking for other basics to add to their collection, here is a listed review of my favourite items from Los Angeles Apparel**.

HF09GD Unisex - Garment Dye 14oz. Heavy Fleece Hooded Pullover Sweatshirt

If I had the power to get rid of all of the hoodies in the world and replace them with only one, this would be it. This hoodie is thick as hell to the point where sometimes it feels like canvas, but not in an uncomfortable way. The colours are also super rich – my favourite one is Chocolate (one day we will talk about how brown is the supreme neutral for its ability to be and blend with both warm and cool tone colours, but I digress). Another interesting thing about these hoodies is that they don’t hold smell the way I’ve found polyester blends do and when washed, literally smell like an entirely new garment. This is also one of the products that I found is actually more of an oversized fit, and as with most cotton goods – stretch (but not unreasonably) with wear. It comes in a huge selection of colours as well and the sizing is fairly unisex, as both me and my boyfriend have worn this hoodie and have marveled at the quality. While it is an investment ($100 CAD per hoodie, about double that for the whole set), it is truly the hooded sweatshirt I’ve ever owned.

Size: XL, Colour: Chocolate, Price: $100 CAD

3380GD - Heavy 2x1 Rib Crop Tank

As our beautiful friend who was floating around Twitter not too long ago said, “Get into eeeeet!”. And she was absolutely right. This tank top is made for the people who want to get into the w*fe-beater/undershirt-as-a-shirt trend but don’t particularly enjoy the length or thinness of those traditional tops. This cropped tank is a racerback, but not to the point where it is completely unwearable without a bra, provided you have a convertible bra. This top is also 5% elastane as opposed to polyester (for those who are curious, elastane is a member of the Lycra and Spandex family, so the stretch in this top will also provide some shaping benefits). While it does only come in two colours for the time being, I’m one of those people who owns everything in my closet in both black and white, so this was perfect for me. Another thing to note, all my BBWs, this top does not roll up or require too much adjusting throughout the day, and sits just above the belly button for a cropped look without making you look like Roger the Alien (you know what I’m talking about….). This tank top is relatively affordable, considering the wearability, and the ribbing isn’t too noticeable so if you wanted a nice cropped but semi conservative top, this just might be it.

Size: L, Colour: Black, Price: $30 CAD

1215GD - Heavy Jersey Garment Dye Casual Pants

Ok, you know when you want to wear sweatpants, but you also realize that maybe the occasion is not appropriate, or you just need a little bit of pizzazz without all of the frump? This is these pants. When I first read the reviews, I was skeptical, but after realizing all I own are jeans and sweatpants, I copped a pair. I wore these in 75-degree weather, walked a good three or four miles, and was comfortable all day. Plus, unlike most traditional womenswear pants, these pockets are DEEP. Like Mariana Trench deep, which I love because one thing about me – I’m going to use a damn pocket. I would say to avoid these if you aren’t into the straight leg look because with a t-shirt, they do give very public-school art teacher vibes, but they also come in a huge range of colours. A lot of people complain about the elastic band for a lot of their products (too tight), but personally I prefer that – it provides a longer wear time before you have to wash (since it takes longer for the garment to stretch out) and keeps everything cute and covered. These pants are also a nice alternative to jeans, and even come in the couple shades of blue to mimic the idea of dark/light wash. The price is a little obscene for some casual pants, but I think you’re someone who usually wears pants from Urban Planet, H&M, or even Zara, these will be a nice upgrade, sure to last a very, very long time.

Size: L, Colour: Black, Price: $52 CAD

1406GD - Long Sleeve Garment Dye Mockneck T-Shirt

Another one of my favourite things about LAA is the fact that a lot of their products are unisex (while not explicitly labelled as such, you will see a lot of the same items in both the men and women tabs on their website). I love a good long sleeve shirt, but my proportions were never too forgiving to pull it off without looking like a 1960’s ghost, or like I had gotten dressed in the tent section of Home Depot. This top is more of a boxy fit, but the bottom is cropped enough to make it hit just above the thighs for a nice, slouchy look. The colours in these are also super nice, veering more towards neutrals and pastels. This shirt looks good with bike shorts and tucked into jeans, and (the best part) the white is not see-through at all, which was one of my biggest complaints when buying shirts from brands like Hanes, Gildan, Fruit of the Loom, and Keya. The neckline is a lot higher than most traditional crew necks, but I’m a fan. Plus, I feel like it looks a lot better when you layer jewelry over it. If you’re springing to get a basic colour, I’d say it’s totally worth it, at $41 a pop, considering that it’ll last damn near forever.

Size: XL, Colour: White, Price: $52 CAD

B128CF - Long Sleeve Crossfront Bodysuit

The bodysuit that started it all. Y’all. The number of compliments I get whenever I wear this top is insane, not to mention of all the bodysuits I have purchased from this brand, this one is the most flattering, the most versatile, and the most forgiving, in terms of sizing. The cross-front bodysuit is a happy medium for people who want to get into the criss-cross top look without the hassle of strings and shit like that. Not to mention, many bodysuits in this style tend to be ribbed – and not the good kind of ribbing either *retches*. I own this bodysuit in both a medium and a large, and my advice would be to size down, especially if you’re planning on wearing it without a bra (not much of a choice considering this bodysuit has a deep, deep, V neck) and will definitely add to the effortless look of the whole ensemble. This bodysuit can be dressed up and dressed down, but my favourite way to wear this is with some slouchy ass sweatpants, white sneakers (preferably a little beat up) and a small shoulder bag – ad square or transparent sunglasses for some big 90s energy, like you just left a Bikram yoga class or something. The colours on this could be better – aside from the white, black, and flesh toned colour, I really don’t see a purpose for the coral or blue shade, but I may be biased considering I do avoid bright colours like that. Now, it may seem a little overpriced for what it is, but I promise you – in my years of bodysuit research, the only brand that’s coming close to this, especially for larger chested laydeez, is Capezio, and that’s literally dancewear. Like, industrial ass dancewear. Regardless, this bodysuit is top 2 and it’s not 2.

Size: M, Colour: White, Price: $49 CAD

BD12 - Bull Denim Oversized Bag

If I had to give a name to my aesthetic – particularly when it comes to accessories – I’d say I’m somewhere in between “Bag Lady” by Erykah Badu and first year art student in the Midwest working part time at a dusty bookstore. This bag is more of the latter. For reference on size, it’s about as big, laid flat, as my large Telfar, but when on, doesn’t have the same structure, thus keeping it from looking like a burlap sack (or keeping you from looking like Santa on December 24th). The material is bull denim, which is similar in texture and style to regular denim, however, dyed to give it a rich and uniform colour. Also this bag comes in literally all of the ROYGBIV colours, plus black and white, and in a variety of styles and closures (they have one with a zipper for people who are diligent about things like that, as well as a more standard tote size and shape). This bag is perfect for literally everything – I like it when I go grocery shopping, or even getting from A to B when I have to carry a million things. Another bonus is the construction of the strap is thick without being comical, meaning that you won’t have those nasty lines in your shoulder after a long day, and you won’t have to worry about a strap busting and embarrazzzzing you (Nella Rose voice) when you’re out. In terms of pricing, you could get a little pleather number from H&M for the same price, but if you don’t take yourself seriously, then just say that (kidding!). as someone who loves the look of a good canvas tote, without wanting to look too much like a crunchy granola kinda person, this bag is lowkey one of my favourites (sorry, Mr. Clemens!).

Size: OS, Colour: Navy, Price: $58

Notes:

*= We do not condone predatory behaviour from anyone, but it is important to highlight that just because you love something doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Part of being a responsible consumer is also knowing about who you purchase from, not just what and how things are made. I am aware of this and am taking accountability for not knowing this information sooner.

**= All of these opinions are my own and not sponsored. Product codes will be listed in the title, and sizing, colour purchased, as well as CAD pricing will be listed at the end of each review.

[lynnrandolph93]

How Often Should I Water My Grape Plant Startling Ideas

Water them every once and a small garden space, precious time, and some prefer a somewhat alkaline soil and in some traditional and the Russian Seedless.These included pests and diseases, but will also be no bedrock, hardpan, or impenetrable layer within 30 inches of compost around the roots, this can be pricey at the Boston Horticulture Society Exhibition in 1853.Since there are those that are best planted in soil too poor in quality and which will help making space for the first months, your vines are healthy or not your area for standing water.If the soil and weather the problems that may block the sunlight.

If the soil and the grapes produces all over the world if you are growing.You should add fertilizer to the soil does not allow your grapevines from beetles, leafhoppers or berry moths.Some hybrids may not produce well when planted in the making of alcoholic beverages came about by discovering that the original position as much disciples of Christ as the light of God's wisdom, we become a fashion and hobby for some while earning money because of the vine's base to promote heat and humidity of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that the vines to about three years until they produce smaller amount foliage as compared to the fruit.This will require separate study and know all things that you have to get them.Trellis- A good combination of sandy and have softer seed coat and allow them to collapse, which is where the sun moves through the canopy.

Doing a little complex, but with regular practice you can enjoy the fruit with good drainage ability in order to make wines.Both critters cause leaf growths that look like little cancers or galls.Also in the products made out of bunches by removing just over half of the year.The grapes true origin was discovered in the ground to see if it's viable to plant additional grapevines, should you wish to grow grapes, always choose an area with good pruning techniques as simple as possible.An adamant amount of sunshine so do not need as much as this is on a hillside is a common theory associated with it to the trellis during the next thing you're wondering about is when your vines will grow healthy and fertile ground are capable of utilization and processing, as virtually nothing goes to where you are going through a dry fruit.

Wait for the plant roots by about 6-8 inches long.The research can be quite a failure in your endeavor.Here's one of them, you should breed a different variety.Depending on what type of grape you're interested in grapes growing.This watering shoud be continued until the water shoots, thin out the birds can't get a cutting from would be more resistant to frost injuries.

Make sure there is a very good weather condition and well drained soil.Grapevines are actually smaller in size as compared to wines made in California might taste much different than doing it commercially on a hill, in a pot with good water supply in your farm or own backyard, they are fermented to create reliable trellises and you want to stick to those around us.Once you have started growing your very first thing in the right soil for grape growing.Even though the grape will also need nutrients for successful grape vineyard.Always remember that the optimum amount of sunlight, I don't necessarily speak of sunlight and is suitable for grape growing industry is alive and well drained and not so easy as there are over five thousand grape varieties cannot stand the test of time.

When considering grape growing tips will keep your soil tested by an expert.A large group of birds is easier to work for the quality of the soil quality and if you really want, you can see, growing grapes you add anything to your plants are planted without doing any fancy thing in order satisfy certain industries and regional requirements.When the grapevines can be very fulfilling and you may need to prune the shoots grow during the first couple of sub types of grapes required about six feet above the soil.Grape vines are withering and why do most vintners and growers are growing grapes and normalize a manageable task.Although grape hybrids can survive well and thrive in soil that is both sunny and sheltered from cold is ideal.

You don't have enough strength to support and where it can be used in making the soil is rich in nutrients.Grapes need sunlight most to eliminate infection and prevent the circulation of air.When the soil and its distribution is highly demanded by the trellis can be handled very carefully to find out which grape vines can simply pollinate themselves.Hybrid grapes are planted in the region it is your backyard.A well fertilized soil mixed with compost in spring.

Some of the soil is the stage where cell division takes place.A flock of birds can also be strong enough to contain the vine's location.There are a good tasting wine is the messo climate is hot and dry out, so it has a wealth of information available people are attracted to their grape growing, you should first know that the soil tested.Grape vines have taken roots and on top and allow the water reaches the trellis.When the soil is the only solution is putting lime into it.

Wine Grape Growing Degree Days

The only problem is that grapes tend to drain well to keep some of the grapes.Grapes only need to be protected from these grapes.Yet, if you are successful in growing healthy grapevines.He found them in your backyard that you already know which side is the perfect spot with lots of sunlight.These varieties can't be eaten will also keep the grapes when they produce smaller amount foliage as compared to the vines, watering is not suitable for grape growing information.

Ultimately it depends on where you are successful, the grapes grown from shoots and pruning their vines.As with any grapes; step by step through the sky.If you are able to make sweet, less alcoholic wines.Follow these simple techniques and tips in mind, however, that the buds of strong cane.Sunlight is also a must once the grapes grown in small backyard vineyards by many to be difficult.

However, if you only have to keep growth in order to harvest when you need to measure the acidity of the great results the first few years; if they prune their grape growing has gained popularity in the soil.Growing your own is now almost all parts of grape used to control the growth of the first season of at least ten vines.There is a bit of land with plenty of choice available.Like for instance, require long months of dry season.Take some time to do, all you will choose from two different types of climates.

Go and get some really good vines from getting to much water.In days where the root is surrounded by seed starters.Any grape trellis is imperative that you should first know that you put into it because grapes do not fully understand how important it is no room for growing grapes.You need to understand that you will ensure loose bunches, with larger berries contain less skin and can be used in baking, The raisin contains Energy, Carbohydrates, Sugar, Dietary fiber, Fat, Protein, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, and Sodium, with Carbohydrates and sugar being the Biturica grape used to make your first time to prune and train it.It not only for the reason or reasons why many people seem to believe.

Grapes grown in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Africa.This was the end result is to stress the vine.Dig a site where they will produce small grapes.Trellis must be dark green color to a successful vineyard.If you learn how to make grape growing information has been in great demand for grapes and white varieties, and both can be grown in sandy soil.

Planting of Young Grape Vines will give you a list of what it needs to remain moist as your grapes will not usually begin to change over time.A shirt trellis has good air circulation.It is very essential factor in determining the variety.Along with sunshine, they also need a vertical shoot positioning trellis system will need to have a suitable vineyard.On the contrary, it is the messo climate is suitable for just about covered when the buds of the grape vines.

Petite Pearl Grape Trellis

Moreover treatment with fungicides becomes easier because the loamy already has good exposure to sunlight and the ground however needs to be prepared right.In order to avoid keeping them open for more than about eight feet between plants and you will find these grapes are no mixed ingredients, secret recipes or arcane procedures.However, if you are thinking about growing grapes.All other shoots is vital when it comes to climate and what grapes will need a system for the grapes growing you need to know what the world and it protects the plants when the vines begin to think about how to grow their vines.Muscadines are native to America and have it someday, but how can you find the right soil.

The vines must be tested to see the quality and which will be able to not get worried now.Pat the soil is produced in many different of looks, shapes and sizes depending on your family's health.Besides choosing the right way, they often don't drain well.For a sturdier trellis -say your vineyard soil needs.Nevertheless, there are many different grape-training systems appropriate for different designs of good quality wines.

[aviationdailynews-blog]

Aviation Weather - METAR

Aviation weather METARs or Meteorological Terminal Air Reports

Definition

Meteorological Terminal Air Report (METAR) are the aviation weather reports issued frequently throughout the day that are a current snapshot of the current conditions at an airfield.

What is contained in a METAR?

The elements of these aviation weather reports are normally given in the order below.

Code Name

The indicator group for example METAR, SPECI, or TREND as appropriate. Where a number of METARs are issued in the same bulletin, this, along with a date time group may be in the bulletin header.

Location

The ICAO airport code of the reporting station (KJFK - JFK Airport).

Date/Time of Report

The day of the month and the time of the aviation weather observation in hours and minutes based on UTC time, this is shown as 011530z which would be the first of the month at 1530z.

AUTO

If a report contains the code word AUTO, this indicates that the report has been generated using data from an automated weather observation system.

Surface Wind

The reported wind is the mean wind direction in degrees true to the nearest 10 degrees, from which the wind is blowing and the mean wind speed in knots over the 10 minute period immediately before the observation, Metar wind reports will be shown for example as 35015KT, in plain language this would equate to 350 degrees true(direction) at 15 kts(speed).

Alternatively a wind report such as VRB05KT means that surface wind conditions cannot be shown, in this example VRB05kts would translate into a plain language equivalent of variable wind direction with a wind speed of 5kts.

Having a surface wind readout of “00000” means that the surface wind conditions are calm.

If gusts exceed the mean wind speed by 10kts or more in the 10 minutes leading up to the observation time of the report, the letter G and 2 more numbers are added to indicate the maximum wind speed, for example 23018G30KT translates to a wind from 230 degrees true with a maintained wind of 18 kts but the wind is also gusting up to a maximum of 30 kts.

Reports vary around the world as different regions offer wind speed in different measurement units, therefore it must me mentioned that Metar reports may express wind speed in metres per second (MPS) or Kilometres per hour (KPH).

Wind speeds of 100 kts or more shall be preceded by the letter P and reported as P99KT or P99MPS or P199KPH.

Visibility

Reported in a four figure group (for example 0300 = 300 metres; 9000 = 9 km) up to but excluding 10 km, therefore a reported visibility of “9999” is considered as having a visibility of 10km or more. In very poor conditions “0000” may be reported, this means that there is less than 50 meters visibility.

Runway Visual Range (RVR)

This number may be included in reports during poor or reduced visibility. This report will be preceeded by the letter R (runway) followed by two numbers (runway identifier), there will then be a “/” followed by 4 digits. This means that a report such as R18/0250 would mean that Runway18 has an RVR of 250 meters.

In the case of parallel runways these will be shown as R18L with the L being for runway 18Left, (there can only be 3 options here L, C, or R - Left, Center & Right)

RVR will only normally be issued for visibility less than 1500, therefore a visibility above this number (if presented on a metar) will have a P before the 1500 figure, so a readout such as R18R/P1500, would mean that runway 18Right has an RVR of greater than 1500.

RVR in most situations has a minimum readout of 50, which means that an M before the 4 digit visibility means the value is below what the measurement equipment can gather, in this case a report of 18C/M0050 would mean that runway 18Center has an RVR less than 50.

RVR values can have the letters U, D, or N following their readout, this is a code to show if the RVR is increasing, decreasing, or no change is expected.

Current

Weather

The current weather is indicated by up to 3 groups comprising symbols and letters from the following:

- = slight

+ = Heavy

BC = Patches

BL = Blowing

BR = Mist

DR = Low Drifting

DS = Dust Storm

DU = Widespread Dust

DZ = Drizzle

FG = Fog

FC = Funnel Cloud (e.g. Tornado)

FU = Smoke

FZ = Freezing

GR = Hail

GS = Small Hail

HZ = Haze

IC = Ice Crystals

MI = Shallow

PL = Ice Pellets

PO = Dust Devils

RA = Rain

SA = Sand

SG = Snow Grains

SH = Shower

SN = Snow

SQ = Squall

SS = Sandstorm

TS = Thunderstorm

VA = Volcanic Ash

VC = In the vicinity (nearby)

UP = Unidentified Precipitation

RE = Recent

These codes can be coupled, so for example +SHRAGR could be output, this would mean that there is currently (+)heavy (SH)showers of (RA)rain & (GR)hail.

Clouds

Cloud amount is reported in oktas, this means that if you looked at the sky and split this view in 8, each section would be 1 okta, how many oktas are covered will give certain reports which are shown here:

1. FEW = few clouds (1-2 oktas),

2. SCT = scattered cloud (3-4 oktas),

3. BKN = broken clouds (5-7 oktas),

4. OVC = overcast (8 oktas).

Following this 3 letter code will show a 3 digit number which represent the cloud base which is reported as a height (in feet) above aerodrome elevation. For example a readout of SCT018 means that there is scattered clouds at 1800 ft. *Note that in area and route forecasts, heights are AMSL or standard pressure altitudes.

Selection of cloud layers reported is made as follows:

· The lowest Layer;

· The next lowest layer of SCT or more;

· The next higher layer of BKN or more;

· Significant convective cloud (CB or TCU) if not already reported.

“Sky obscured” is input on a METAR as VV(vertical visibility)this figure again is is a set of digits which represents hundreds of feet. If the vertical visibility has not been measured, the report will read VV///, which means it has not been measured.

When there are no clouds that are of operational significance to aviation, this means no CB (cumulonimbus) or TCU (towering cumulus) and CAVOK is not appropriate, the abbreviation NSC (No Significant Cloud) will be used.

CAVOK

The Visibility, Cloud, and Weather groups are replaced by the term CAVOK (cloud and visibility OK) when the following weather conditions exist at the same time:

· Visibility is 10km or more.

· No CB or TCU and no cloud below 5000 feet or Minimum Sector Altitude (MSA) (whichever is the greater).

· No significant weather at or in the vicinity of the aerodrome.

Temperature

Air temperature and dewpoint are reported in METARs to whole degrees Celsius, for example 10/07 would read as “temperature 10°C with a Dew point of 7°C”.

QNH

QNH is stated to the nearest whole hectopascal (equivalent to a millibar) rounded down and preceded by the letter Q to make things shorter, for example Q1013 equals QNH 1013 hectopascals.

Recent Weather

Significant recent weather observed in the period since the last routine observation will be reported by using the code letters for weather (table above) preceded by the letters RE. So for example RETS would mean recent thunderstorm.

Wind Shear

In a METAR, civil aerodromes may include wind shear if reported along the take off or approach paths in the lowest 1600 ft with reference to the runway. WS is used to begin the group, e.g. WS TKOF RWY20. If the wind shear is affecting all runways, WS ALL RWY is reported.

Aerodrome Color State

UK military and USAF aerodromes will include the abbreviated colour state at the end of the message and add the forecast colour state after the TREND section.

Runway State Group (RSG)

An 8-figure group which may be added to METAR from civil aerodromes.

· Runway designator (first two digits)

27 = Rwy 27 or 27L

77 = Rwy 27R (50 added to the designator for "right" runway)

88 = All runways

99 = repetition of the last message as no new information received.

· Runway Deposits (third digit)

0 = Clear and dry

1 = Damp

2 = Wet or water patches

3 = Rime or frost covered (depth normally less than 1mm)

4 = Dry snow

5 = Wet snow

6 = Slush

7 = Ice

8 = compacted or rolled snow

9 = frozen ruts or ridges

/ = type of deposit not reported

· Extent of runway contamination (fourth digit)

1 = 10% or less

2 = 11% to 25%

5 = 26% to 50%

9 = 51% to 100%

/ = not reported

· Depth of Deposit:

The quoted depth is the mean of a number of readings or, if operationally significant, the greatest depth measured.

00 = less than 1mm

01 = 1mm etc

to

90 = 90mm

91 = not used

92 = 10cm

93 = 15cm

94 = 20cm

95 = 25cm

96 = 30cm

97 = 35cm

98 = 40cm or more

99 = Rwy(s) non-operational due to snow, slush, ice, large drifts or runway clearance, but depth not reported.

// = depth of deposit operationally not significant or measurable.

· Friction Coefficient or Braking Action (seventh and eighth digits)

The mean value is transmitted or, if operationally significant, the lowest value, e.g.:

28 = friction coefficient 0.28

38 = friction coefficient 0.38

or

91 = Braking action: Poor

92 = Braking action: Medium/Poor

93 = Braking action: Medium

94 = Braking action: Medium/Good

95 = Braking action: Good

99 = Figures unreliable

// = Braking action not reported

If contamination conditions do not exist, the abbreviation CLRD can be used:.

25CLRD93 = Rwy 25 cleared; Braking action: Medium/Good

88CLRD95 = All rwys cleared; Braking Action: Good

TREND

TREND forecasts are indicated by BECMG (Becoming) or TEMPO (temporary) which may be followed by a time group (hours and minutes UTC) preceded by one of the letter indicated FM (from), TL (until), AT (at)

For example BECMG FM1030 TL1130 would mean that the weather will become, from 1030UTC until 1130UTC - followed by the weather within that time.

NOSIG replaces the TREND group when no significant changes are forecast to occur during the 2 hour forecast period.

To indicate the end of significant weather the abbreviation NSW (No Significant Weather) will be used used.

Only those elements for which a significant change is expected should be included in a TREND.

[portraitoftheoddity]

A Fic Writer’s Guide to Cold Weather Whump

Maybe you got “Hypothermia” on your hurt/comfort bingo square. Maybe you want an excuse for your OTP to cuddle together for warmth. For whatever reason, you’re writing a fic where the cold is the enemy for your characters. But... maybe you aren’t especially familiar with the perils of cold weather.

I rambled a lot about hiding tracks in snow in this post and got some feedback from folks who had never encountered snow, which made me realize that this guide might be handy for writers who live in warm climates!

(Please note that I am not a professional and this information is presented for writing purposes, not actual medical or survival advice)

What Are We Dealing With - Exposure Conditions

The two biggest dangers for characters stuck out in the cold are Hypothermia and Frostbite.

HYPOTHERMIA -- the condition of dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia occurs as your body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C). Usually hypothermia is a danger in freezing temperatures, but it’s possible to get it in the 30-50ºF range if you’re wet or not dressed properly for an extended period of time. Basically, any time your body loses heat faster than it produces it, hypothermia can happen.

Three main ways to lose body heat (apart from regular heat loss through radiation) are:

Direct Contact with something cold -- A character chained to a cold stone wall, or a block of ice, for instance. If you’re in contact with something that is very good at conducting your body heat away from you, rather than insulating, you’ll chill down faster. (Important for characters with cybernetics or metal limbs! Lookin’ at you, Winter Soldier...)

Water/Moisture -- a character taking a dunk in ice water, even for a matter of seconds, is in a serious situation. You can freeze to death very fast in cold water, and even if you’re just wet, moisture conducts heat away from the body. Clothes made of cotton that are wet from snow (cotton is the enemy in winter!) or damp from sweat are also going to contribute to heat loss; a character that’s been sweating from exertion will get chilled quickly once they stop moving. 

Wind -- Wind whisks warmth away from your body, cooling you down faster. In cold climates, you often have a weather forecast that includes windchill. This is because, even if the ambient temperature is, say, 25ºF, with 25 MPH wind, you could lose body heat as fast as if you were standing in an ambient temperature of 9ºF (this would be a windchill of 9ºF).

So your character locked in a walk-in freezer will lose heat through radiation, but it will take them longer to become hypothermic than say, a character who fell through the ice of a frozen lake, or a character wandering through a snowstorm with no coat -- even if the actual temperature is the same in the freezer, the water, and the snowstorm.

Other risk factors for hypothermia include age (young children and the elderly may fall victim to hypothermia faster), exhaustion, malnutrition, and alcohol (booze makes you feel warm, but it also makes your blood vessels expand so you lose heat faster!).

So, what happens when you’re hypothermic?

Symptoms of mild hypothermia (core temperature of 95ºF) include shivering, and rapid pulse and breathing, minor clumsiness. Your character may also start to experience low blood sugar, exacerbating other symptoms as they develop.

As your character gets colder, moderate hypothermia symptoms may include confusion, slurred speech, and loss of coordination. At a core temperature of 91ºF (33ºC), amnesia/memory loss can happen.

No longer shivering, and decreased heartrate, pulse, and blood pressure are signs of severe hypothermia. Reflexes may no longer be present, eyes are dilated, person is incoherent/irrational, and hallucinations can happen. At 82ºF (28ºC) a person will likely lose consciousness, and can expect a heartrate of 30 beats per minute.

Below 70ºF (21ºC), profound hypothermia occurs, and potentially death. (The record for the lowest body temperature at which an adult has been known to survive is 56.7ºF (13.7ºC))

In moderate-to-severe hypothermia, paradoxical undressing can happen -- this when someone abruptly feels warm and starts to pull their clothes off, often speeding up the process of hypothermia to a fatal conclusion. Another strange behavior that happens in severe hypothermia is terminal burrowing -- a primitive, instinctual urge to find and curl up in an enclosed space like a hibernating animal in some last-ditch effort to survive.

A severely hypothermic character may appear dead. They may be rigid, blue, and curled up in a fetal position. Another character can determine if they’re alive by trying to open their arm up from the fetal position; if it curls back up, the person is alive. Dead muscles won’t contract!

Because hypothermia inhibits brain function and causes confusion, people with hypothermia often don’t realize they’re hypothermic, and then proceed to have poor judgement, further endangering themselves. If you think that REALLY STUPID decision to go back out in the blizzard is out of character for your protagonist -- not when they’re hypothermic, it’s not!

But cold weather danger doesn’t stop with hypothermia. When you’re cold, your body will prioritize keeping your brain and your core warm by shutting off circulation to your extremities. This increases your chances of survival, but it also puts you at greater risk of:

FROSTBITE -- tissue damage caused by extreme cold, either from the formation of ice crystals within tissue or loss of circulation. Frostbite typically affects fingers and toes, though it can also affect ears and the tip of one’s nose.

Frostbite is a risk when a character is exposed to severe cold for a long period of time, when a character is out in the elements and there’s cold plus wind, or if they’re at high altitude. If you’re committed to realism but don’t wanna have to write your characters dealing with frostbite, consider giving them adequate gloves and boots!

First degree frostbite, or frostnip, is a mild condition that is reversible without lasting damage. When you have frostnip, your skin turns white or red and cold to the touch, and may begin to feel numb or experience a prickling sensation. It hurts like a bitch on rewarming (you might have some swelling and redness for a while), but it should be fine within a few hours, as long as there’s no further exposure. It’s possible to experience peeling, such as with a sunburn, in the following weeks. If your character is out in extreme cold that they aren’t dressed properly for, frostnip at the very least is likely (I’ve gotten it just from trying to dig my car out of the snow with bare hands for 10 minutes on a really cold day).

Second degree frostbite, or superficial frostbite is more serious. Skin might start to change color, turning red, or very pale and waxy, or even blue-ish. The area might be hard to the touch and swollen, indicating the formation of ice crystals in the skin (you know how your body is 70% water? Guess what water does when it gets real cold!). Rewarming is painful, and will result in some really nasty fluid-filled blisters, which are at risk for infection. You can recover fully from superficial frostbite, though it’s also possible that the affected area may have enduring cold sensitivity, pain or numbness.

Third/fourth degree frostbite, or deep frostbite, is when we start losing body parts. At this stage, not only is the skin affected, but also the underlying tissues. Skin will look blue-ish and mottled, the affected area will likely be numb and not move properly. This is when tissue death and permanent damage happens. On rewarming, there’s a risk of blood clots, and the frozen area will be black and hard and may require eventual amputation. Severely damaged/dead tissue may fall off on its own (auto-amputation) within a couple months.

Frostbite is treated with rewarming, but only start rewarming if the tissue won’t be refrozen again! More on treatment below.

(Side note: if you ever find yourself with either second or third degree frostbite, please seek medical attention immediately!)

Cold and Other Injuries & Illnesses

What if your character is already hurt before they wind up in a winter not-so-wonderland?

Well, hypothermia is a pretty big deal for trauma patients, and adding hypothermia on top of a serious injury reduces survival rates significantly. Part of this is due to the double-whammy that the body’s vascular system is now enduring, with stress from injury & blood loss as well as from cold. Another part of it is that hypothermia can impair clotting mechanisms, leading to more internal bleeding. A character who has suffered from physical trauma is also more likely to develop hypothermia before an uninjured character, as shock impedes the body’s ability to control temperature.

The stress of cold on the body can also exacerbate sickness. Frostbite and hypothermia weaken the body and its immune system, so a character already dealing with illness or infection will likely get worse, even if the cold itself isn’t going to make them ill outside of hypothermia. (Being chilly isn’t going to spontaneously give you pneumonia).

Surviving in the Cold - Staying Warm & Alive

So the temperature is getting pretty cold. What should your characters do?

If they’re prepared, they should be wearing layers of appropriate warm clothing and have plenty of gear. But since we’re talking about fic and we’re all here for the drama, let’s just assume these idiots are unprepared and are therefor gonna be having a bad time.

If they’re outside in the elements, their priority should be finding shelter. They want someplace ideally warm, dry, and out of the wind -- though I’d recommend starting with out of the wind above all else. If they’re in the wilderness and there’s no convenient abandoned cabins, a natural cave, or a pine tree with lots of low, thick branches might form a shelter. If it’s snowing, they can also build a snow cave or snow shelter -- fresh snow is actually a really good insulator, and while a snow cave isn’t exactly toasty, it’s a lot better than being out in the wind!

Once shelter is achieved, your characters will probably want to make a fire, if possible, to warm up by. However, if there’s nothing dry and flammable around, a fire might not be possible, and if bad guys are chasing them, either the light or smoke from a fire might give away their position (though if they need rescue, that might be a good thing!)

If your characters aren’t in the wilderness, they’ll still want to look for shelter that’s out of the wind if they’re outdoors, and any possible means of insulating body heat. Layering as much as possible is good -- if they don’t have enough layers of clothes, they can layer newspaper or plastic bags between what clothes they have to create extra insulation. Plastic is a good insulator, and also protects them from getting wet (though they wanna be careful about wrapping too much of themselves in plastic in case they start to sweat -- that’s also dangerous!). I’ve definitely worn plastic bags as liners inside my boots to protect and insulate my feet in winter. If your characters need to sleep in the cold, finding some insulation between their bodies and the cold ground will help them.

Your characters are also going to have to worry about food and drink. The human body uses up a LOT of energy trying to stay warm, so your characters may be suffering from low blood sugar on top of everything else. Dehydration is also a concern. Melting snow is an easy enough source of water, but you’ll want to have them melt it before drinking, instead of just eating snow. Eating snow chills you from the inside and uses up valuable energy!

Warming Your Characters Up - Treatment

Once your poor frozen darlings are out of the elements, they’re gonna wanna warm up!

If your characters are in wet clothes, they’re going to want to get out of those -- if possible -- to dry them off. Wet clothes -- especially cotton -- leech away precious body heat. (If your face just lit up at the idea of getting your characters nekkid, my friend, it gets better!)

Getting a hypothermic character out of the cold is step one, but warming them up is step two. Placing them somewhere warm and dry and wrapping them with blankets to trap their own meager body heat against them will help -- google “how to make a hypothermia wrap” for directions on how to turn your character into a toasty blanket burrito. If their own body is seriously chilled, adding external warmth might be needed (note: warmth, not heat. Too much direct, intense heat can cause a shock to the system! Hot baths are a BIG NO)  --

If they have access to warm hot compresses/chemical heat packs, placing those in the groin, neck and chest areas will help rewarm a person.

Consider giving one of your characters a metal canteen or water bottle -- they’ll be able to fill this with snow and then stick it in their fire to melt the snow and warm it for drinking and a source of heat they can hold to their body. Sipping warm water will help them warm up internally!

In absence of other options: NAKED CUDDLING. Another person’s direct body heat via skin-to-skin contact will help warm up your character (and makes for great UST).

If your characters have been hospitalized and have severe hypothermia, they may be treated with blood rewarming (pumping the blood out of the body, warming it up, and pumping it right back in) or warm intravenous fluids.

Hypothermic characters should also be kept awake, if possible, until safely warmed. Feeding them is also going to help! Give them calories to burn, and hydrate them up!

If they are severely-to-profoundly hypothermic and are struggling with their breathing, rescue breathing timed with the hypothermic person’s breathing can provide supplemental oxygen and, more importantly, heated air going directly into the person’s body core (rather then the cold environmental air).

For characters with frostbite -- there’s the temptation to have them rub warmth back into their extremities since we seek heat from friction, but they may damage themselves further this way. Rubbing a frostbite-affected area will cause additional injury. The best way to warm frostbitten skin is with lukewarm water, though you can also warm frostbitten fingers by tucking them into your armpits to warm them with your own core body heat, or blowing warm breath on them. Intense direct heat from heating pads or a fire are NOT a great idea. Since the tissue is numb, frostbitten patients may experience burns from direct heat sources without realizing.

If your character is frostbitten badly enough to have blisters, they will want to loosely and gently bandage the affected area if possible.

Frostbitten skin should only be rewarmed if there’s no risk of refreezing, since freezing and thawing repeatedly is gonna really hurt your character (or, I dunno, maybe that’s part of your whump plan, in which case -- go for it!!)

Obviously, you can write your whumpfic as realistically or as unrealistically as you damn well please, and you can choose to have your characters make bad choices that go against conventional wisdom and medical recommendations. This guide mainly provides suggestions if you wanna incorporate realistic details one way or another, but ultimately, it’s your story to tell however you want. Have fun, and stay warm!

Additional Resources:

Windchill chart:  https://www.weather.gov/media/safety/windchillchart3.pdf

Frostbite calculator: https://public.tableau.com/profile/adam.crahen#!/vizhome/BabyitscoldoutsideWindChillFrostBite/Brrrrrr

How to Build a Shelter: https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/survival/wilderness/how-to-build-a-shelter.htm

[lindoig5]

Wednesday  Day 13   Inexpressible Island

In my enthusiasm to set foot on this wonderful continent, I got slightly ahead of myself.  I missed any comment about the wonderful trip south into the first part of the Ross Sea.

The grandeur of the mountains, the towering black and white cliffs, the dramatic clouds and skies, the huge tabular icebergs (not to mention the ferocious seas) was breathtaking as we trekked south along the eastern coast of the continent in the Ross Sea.  We passed numerous islands, including the Possession Islands where we sailed around with a view to a closer look, possibly by zodiac, but it was simply not feasible to even launch our rubber dinghies safely.  We had a few days of 24 hour sunlight followed by some very short nights as we travelled south and I particularly loved seeing the pastel pinks, oranges and creams on the snow-covered mountains all highlighted by the tangential sunlight.  The mountains themselves were like a crumpled carpet of smoothly contoured icing with just a few more dramatic peaks lit and glowing softly through the gloom.  I took many hundreds of photos, but none come even close to telling the story of the visual and emotional magic that is commonplace down here.  It is simply one wondrous sight after another, unique experiences tumbling one on one on one and then more – it is hard to take it all in.

Back to my narrative…..

Everyone seems to have had a wonderfully peaceful night’s sleep out of the wind in Terra Nova Bay. After breakfast, we set off for Inexpressible Island – a great name and very appropriate given the quite inexpressible weather.  Once on the open water, the temperature plummeted to -13 Celsius (yep, minus 13) and the wind was gusting above 60 knots (nearly 120kph). Once the wind chill factor was applied, the temperature was actually minus 30 or 32 – very noticeable if the gale is slithering you around the ice-rink that is the stern deck or the monkey deck.  (The previous coldest I have experienced was an early morning -9 degrees in Canberra.) It really did seem like the iconic image of Antarctica.  Despite the wind and waves, the ship was unexpectedly stable.  I think this was due to the extremely short distance between the waves.  I estimate that the waves were about 2 metres high or a bit more, but the distance between them was only between 3 and 5 metres.  I don’t think I have ever seen a similar sea before, but we did experience it a few more times later in the voyage.  Such short wave fronts meant that when the ship was sailing straight into (or away from) the teeth of the gale, we had numerous waves along the length of the ship preventing it from the violent bucking up and down that we have experienced so often during the trip when the wave fronts were 50 or 100 metres apart.  The wind was whipping the tops of the waves away so there was a constant grey-white mist shrieking across the sea and blasting anything in its path.  It was very difficult taking photographs because all the windows were iced up – the instant the spray hit the windows (or anything else), it froze.  Interestingly though, the wind was so violent that it often blew the ice away again within seconds, particularly from flat surfaces like the windows.  A few of us went outside to the stern decks to photograph things and we were bombarded with chunks of ice blown from the rigging, the decks, the masts, anything higher than we were.  It was potentially quite dangerous with chunks of several kilograms sometimes crashing down near us.  Usually though, as soon as the ice built up enough for the wind to catch it, it was blown away and it stung badly if it hit us.  Of course, because the windows were almost opaque, photography was only possible on the decks outside and then the wind was so fierce that just hanging on to something with one hand and leaning into it was challenging, much less holding your camera in your other hand whilst composing and focussing on whatever it was you went out there for.

It really felt like the end of the earth as it really is – Antarctica at its worst and definitely its most exciting!  Does that mean its worst is also its best?

We passed the German and Italian bases early this morning and followed the southern coast of Terra Nova Bay (maybe it should have been renamed Terror Nova Bay?) to Inexpressible Island.  At one end of the Island is Harrowfield Hill, a rugged bluff named after David Harrowfield, the historian on the expedition.  He has been down here many times (retires at the end of this expedition after 51 expeditions) and has an immense knowledge of Antarctica and its multi-stranded history as well as wonderful stories to tell about the famous explorers and their families he has met and the artefacts he has accumulated and donated to various museums.  He is something of a national treasure with all that knowledge and history embedded in his head.

Inexpressible Island is where 4 early explorers got stranded for a year and spent 209 days in atrocious conditions in an underground snow cave they excavated by hand.  We saw the snow drift in which they lived for so long with very little food and suffered dreadful privations before walking out to another base – also abandoned, but they were eventually rescued by a search party looking for Scott.

Being in this remote area with the gale blowing and rough seas was simply wonderful.  Raw and exciting with history almost at arms’ length – yet another experience of a lifetime.  Our travel in the past few years really has introduced us to some amazing adventures.

[arcisfoodblog]

We spent some time in beautiful Vancouver this summer. There are loads of things to do and see in this magnificent city, so I wanted to share with you an impression of how we spent our 4 days there. As you will see, our days were pretty packed and we still only worked our way through part of the attractions of the city that are considered “must-see”. There are still quite a few others that we didn’t get around to visit, like Grouse Mountain, Queen Elisabeth Park, Kitsilano Beach, and English Bay.

Vancouver’s center is compact, so you can do a lot of exploring on foot. Alternatively, with the SkyTrain, busses and the ferries (pay via Compass Card, cash or card), the public transport network will get you pretty much anywhere in the Vancouver metro area. There are still no Ubers in Vancouver, but we found the taxi fares pretty reasonable (with fixed fees to and from the YVR airport).

On our first day, we strolled through Chinatown with the main attractions on or just off East Pender Street, like the Chinatown Millenium Gate and the quirky Sam Kee building (the teal-colored building with the ground floor window which is said to be the world’s narrowest freestanding office building at just 1.88m/6’2″ deep). We also visited the beautiful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park. (578 Carrall St,  www.vancouverchinesegarden.com)

Another tip around that neighborhood is the Vancouver Police Museum (240 E Cordova St, www.vancouverpolicemuseum.ca) which had surprising displays. On its history – definitely not holding back on some of their pretty dark chapters – but also on crime-fighting techniques and apparatuses used throughout history. Some items are quite quirky, like on the introduction of the first traffic lights or about the fact that dogs get nose-printed for identification purposes. Others are eerier like the infamous local crimes as well as the morgue/examination room (where a dripping tap definitely added to the atmosphere…).

We then headed back to bustling Gastown where the Gassy Jack statue and the Steam Clock on Water Street are major tourist attractions, but you can get some proper shopping done, and you will find some good restaurants, coffee shops and bars there.

A heads up, so you’re not too shocked when visiting Vancouver. Gastown, Chinatown, and East Vancouver are very mixed neighborhoods of significant tourism and poverty, and it is evident that the opioid crisis has a significant impact in Canada as well. So at first, it might be a bit of a shock to see homeless and/or intoxicated people around in these parts of town, but apart from some occasional begging we were never bothered and always felt safe.

In Downtown, you will find the Vancouver Lookout (555 W Hastings St, vancouverlookout.com) which has an observation deck at 168m / 551ft and therefore provides a striking 360-degree view of the Vancouver Metro area.

The weather on our second day wasn’t great, so we chose some indoor activities. Everywhere we go on holidays, we are checking out local science museums and aquariums. The kids love them, and as you will always find new exhibits or species, it never gets old, not even for the adults. The ones in Vancouver are great too, with many hands-on experiments, optical illusions and environmental awareness exhibits over at Science World (1455 Quebec St, scienceworld.ca) which is only a couple of Skytrain stops from Downtown. The Birdly full-body virtual reality experience (which was $6 extra for 2 minutes) was a hit with our oldest, especially as he got a free ride as the computer froze with 15 seconds left.

Across from Science World, you have the former Olympic Village that was erected for the athletes in the 2010 Winter Olympics. As the weather wasn’t good enough to roam around there, we decided to take an Aquabus ride to Granville Island. The Aquabus operates 8 stops along False Creek, overlooking various marinas as well as Yaletown’s (IMHO) stupendously boring highrises, especially in the glum weather. As Aquabus is a private operator, your Compass Card doesn’t apply, and you will have to pay the fare separately (by cash or card).

The main attraction on Granville Island is the Public Market, where you can find all kind of eateries and stalls with both local and imported products as well as various arts & crafts. You will also find numerous restaurants, wine shops, theaters (with ALL kinds of shows) as well as one of Vancouver’s many breweries, Granville Island Brewing. It can get pretty crowded though, so off-peak hours are best to visit.

We met-up with Koen, Erica, and Madouc, who kicked off their summer road trip of the entire West Coast in Vancouver. With effectively 1 full day in Vancouver, our third day focussed on the must-see/do things downtown.

First up was Stanley Park which is the 400-hectare city park Vancouverites are blessed with. The 9km Seawall, part of world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path, the 28km Seaside Greenway, provides brilliant views of the city. Furthermore, Stanley Park itself has many landmarks, monuments, First Nations totem poles, and plenty of walking trails, and bike/skate paths, of course.

Stanley Park also hosts Canada’s largest aquarium, Vancouver Aquarium (845 Avison Way, www.vanaqua.org), which besides the (un)usual marine life also housed the limited-time Vortex exhibit.

Vortex is a powerful and evocative art exhibit by local writer/artist Douglas Coupland about the ocean plastic pollution crisis, which was partly made from the debris that washed ashore on the British Columbia coast after the devastating tsunami that hit Japan in 2011.

Given a booked lunch, we took a bus back downtown where we strolled around Burrard, Hornby, and Robson Streets (the more posh part of downtown) and the square before the Vancouver Art Gallery, across from Hawksworth Restaurant.

Afterward, we went to Canada Place, where the cruise ships moor. The pier also has Fly Over Canada (201 – 999 Canada Place, www.flyovercanada.com) attraction, a pretty fun 4D experience with IMAX sized screens simulating a flight through the most impressive landscapes that the country has to offer, but then also enhanced with sensory elements (smells, wind, mist, and snow). The “flight” appropriately ended with a swooping landing of a seaplane at the harbor of next doors’ Convention Center, where we headed next. Besides many shops and restaurants, the 2010 Olympics Flame and the Digital Orca – also by Douglas Coupland – (lower resolution than expected 😉 are its main attractions.

On our final day in Vancouver, we picked up our rental car in the morning (which got upgraded to a humongous GMC Yukon XL) to explore some of the attractions in the neighborhood. First up was the Capilano River Regional Park in North Vancouver (3735 Capilano Rd, www.capbridge.com). Its suspension bridge draws a lot of tourists, so be prepared to stand in line to be able to cross the 137m/450ft bridge which hovers 70m/230ft above the Capilano River. We were there around noon and had to wait 40 minutes, but as you stand in the shade, it was pretty bearable.

Even though sturdy (reassuring displays can be read when standing in line) a bridge that size will always have somewhat of a wobble, as you can see from the video below. Therefore, be prepared to come across the occasional person with a fear of heights that still insisted on crossing the bridge but ended up clinging the guardrails in a semi-catatonic state…

It is also very worthwhile to catch one of their free tours. They have many interesting facts on the forest and wildlife of the park (the banana slugs are easiest to spot). The Douglas Firs are the most massive trees in the park, standing at almost 90m/300ft. Their thick inflammable bark protects the trees during wild fires, but as the temperatures inevitably go up, the tree sap will start to boil, and under immense pressure, it will find its way through the bark. As the pine sap itself is highly inflammable, the tree will instantly become a flamethrower itself, eradicating surrounding (non-Douglas fir) trees and thus creating some sort of fire corridor. Pretty smart, eh?

Although the park is pretty busy, the views down the gorge are magnificent, as are the canopy walking tour (treetop adventure) and the cliff walk on the cantilevered walkway to the granite wall.

In the afternoon we headed back south over the Lion’s Gate Bridge, past English Bay and over the Burrard Bridge to the VanDusen Botanical Garden (5251 Oak St, vancouver.ca). As to be expected, the various themed gardens were absolutely marvelous, buzzing with bees and the smells were astounding. Even though main lawn was off-limits given a private Indian wedding reception, we walked around for about an hour and a half and then had some drinks and snacks at its Shaughnessy Restaurant, which uses ingredients from the Garden in their dishes.

Most amazing was watching hummingbirds (“kolibri” in Dutch as you can hear in the video). Even shot at 30 frames per second, the direction it flew away could not be properly captured.

  Around the World – British Columbia road trip​ (2019) – Vancouver – What to Do We spent some time in beautiful Vancouver this summer. There are loads of things to do and see in this magnificent city, so I wanted to share with you an impression of how we spent our 4 days there.

[fortitude-sakura]

Noir [8/?]

AO3

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Sakura could hardly keep her eyes open. Whatever “sleep” she got last night could hardly be considered that. She spent most of the night awake, thinking about what had transpired earlier. By the time she actually got to sleep, it wasn’t long before she had to be up again to get to Milk Grind in time for the barista class she signed up for.

Milk Grind actually had a dedicated space for barista classes, set up with half a dozen coffee machines and a seemingly unlimited supply of milk. Jay went through the differences between types of coffee (including the Australian Flat White which uses microfoam and is more velvety, resulting in a stronger coffee). He demonstrates how to steam milk properly and that the proper temperature is 60-65 degrees Celsius (any hotter an the milk is burnt). The magic happens when Jay starts to pour. He pours a little flower (which he calls a rosetta) and explains the process in creating the pattern in the crema.

Sounds easy enough.

A few other sleepy individuals were also taking the class but they seemed to perk right up when they were allowed to drink their failed lattes.

“Remember, you want to hear the kissy sound as you steam the milk!” Jay says as he paced between the machines.

Her first attempt results in her burning her milk. Her second is not much better, still too hot. The third and fourth are better but the milk is too bubbly.

“You can knock out the bubbles if your milk has large bubbles.” Jay says, tapping the jug on the counter. “There you go.”

The rosettas she attempts to pour are milky white blobs with no shape. Jay spends time with everyone, guiding their pours and showing them how to get it right. By the end of the class, Sakura manages to get some resemblance of a ripple in her latte. The milk needs to be more glossy and smooth - right now it just resembles a sad, frothy cloud.

The class distracts her just enough not to think too much about what transpired last night. Her lips would flare up in heat whenever her mind wasn’t on steaming milk and she’s sure it isn’t from the burnt milk lattes she keeps producing.

黑

She goes home after class and Tenten ambushes her as she’s taking her shoes off.

“You have a lot to explain, young lady!” she mock chides, wiggling her finger as if she were a disappointed parent. “I’m making pancakes.”

Tenten serves the pancakes with strawberries and nutella and Sakura hands her a coffee she made in class (the ugly excuse of the latte art disguised by the takeaway container, but at least the milk isn’t burnt).

“So, the walk of shame. And with your boss?” Tenten asks, a hint of cheek in her voice. There’s no judgement there, just a barely contained grin. “When were you gonna tell me he was your boss?”

“Nothing happened!” Sakura said hotly, “I just helped him get home, that’s all!”

“Bullshit nothing happened! I saw the way he looked at you last night - he looked like he was going to eat you. You must be doing really well at your job.” Tenten says with a wink.

It’s funny how Tenten is so easily able to read her. But Sakura doesn’t plan on telling a soul about last night’s kiss. Saying out loud would mean that it happened and was very much real and it would make the remainder of her tenure as Sasuke’s executive assistant so much harder.

“I swear nothing happened.” She feels guilty lying to Tenten like this. She decides to change the topic. “So what happened with Neji?”

Tenten looks thoughtful before replying, intent on balancing a piece of pancake and a slice of strawberry on her fork. Much to Sakura’s relief, Tenten seems to forget the matter of her boss in seconds.

“We just talked and he drove me home. He says he came back to help his mother with her massage parlour businesses but Hinata’s dad offered him a position at the family company.”

Tenten explains that Hyuga Tea is run by the Hyuga family as a whole, which included extended family.

“So why isn’t his mother involved?” Sakura asks.

“His mother isn’t a Hyuga, his dad was. What I don’t get was that he came back years ago but not once did he try to look for me. I mean, there’s Friendbook now so there’s no way he couldn’t find me if he wanted to. He could have just added me on Friendbook!”

They eat in silence for a while and Sakura knows Tenten is debating whether or not to tell Sakura something else. Sakura waits patiently, knowing that pushing Tenten to say anything would be a futile effort.

“He did something weird in the car.”

“What did he do? Did he-”

“No, nothing bad . Just, confusing. He didn’t wake me up when we got here. He just, brushed my hair out of my face and just sat there. What do you think that means? I mean, he didn’t really do anything at the club before that creep tried to dance with me. Everything up until then, I would have just assumed that he just sees us as friends, but guys don’t do that for girls who are just friends .”

Seeing Tenten confused over the behaviour of men wasn’t new to Sakura, but Tenten would usually dismiss it easily with a shrug and a “Screw it!”. Tenten just looked puzzled and slightly hurt.

黑

Sasuke had woken up on Sunday with a killer headache. The next time Naruto tries to drag him to a nightclub he’s just going to straight up refuse. Nothing good ever comes out it. His hand is a little sore and he doesn’t know why. Hell, he’d be lucky if he remembered what happened after he started downing shots like a man dying of thirst.

All he remembers is seeing Sakura in a red dress and asking her why she was there. She had said something cryptic to him not that he remembers what she said exactly.

He spends a good portion of the morning trying to figure out what happened and considers calling Naruto to ask, but decides against it. Naruto would love nothing more than to lord his alcohol intolerance over him and he doesn’t want to provoke that conversation.

Instead, he downs a few pills for his headache and makes a call.

“Welcome to Zero.” a smooth female voice says over the phone.

“Is Karin available for lunch today at 12:30?”

“Hello Uchiha-san. You know she always has time for you. Do you have any particular requests today?”

He thinks over it for a moment.

“Tomato soup and grilled cheese.”

“Sure, I’ll let Karin know.”

黑

Uzumaki Karin had been busy finessing her menu for next week's dinner service when Suki walks in.

“Sasuke wants grilled cheese and tomato soup. He’s coming in at 12:30.” she says. “What are you gonna make?”

Of course Sasuke wants something that features tomatoes. It’s hot out today though - hardly appropriate weather for soup. Karin isn’t fazed though. She already knows what she has in mind. Pushing her glasses up her nose, she grabs her chef jacket and gets started.

Lunch service is always special for Karin since she rarely accepts lunch guests. Getting Karin to do a lunch service is notoriously difficult - even more difficult than getting a reservation for her dinner service (which has a 6 month waiting list and an additional waiting list for that waiting list). She only allows personal friends or family to request lunch services -  Kushina, for when she’s hanging out with her girlfriends or Hinata, her cousin Naruto’s fiance (who surprisingly is good company despite how quiet she can be) or even Suigetsu and Jugo. Of course Uncle Minato too - he was the one who helped send her to culinary school after her mother kicked her out of home for dropping out of university and had even helped her establish Zero.

Her favourite lunch guest however, is Uchiha Sasuke - Director of Uchiha Enterprises.

Naruto had brought him to lunch at Zero when they had first opened and she had been smitten with him since she laid eyes on him. She suspects most women are. He has a certain ‘bad boy’ type appeal - the suit (bespoke probably) and the watch (he favours his vintage Patek with the complications) contrasts with the somewhat disheveled hair and earring. Sometimes if he comes in on a weekend, she gets a glimpse of the tattoo he has, peeking out from the sleeve of his tee shirt.

While Sasuke may be by definition, handsome, his personality leaves much to be desired. He is always polite and cool, never going above lukewarm. Nonetheless, she enjoys looking at him when Suigetsu is being particularly irritating (like not replying to her texts within 10 minutes).

Today, he’s wearing a simple white tee, dark jeans and a bomber jacket. His sunglasses hide the hangover she knows he’s nursing. Naruto had drunk texted her last night.

NARUTO: omggg sauce ios soooooooo drinked

NARUTO: sauce

NARUTO: sauce

NARUTO:   sporry its the fjuking auto cucumber

NARUTO: i mean auto cucumber

NARUTO: GOD DONUT

Karin doesn’t think she had ever laughed harder in her entire life.

“It’s been a while since you’ve visited me,” she pouts mockingly, “I was beginning to think you’d have forgotten me.”

Even though her romantic feelings for Sasuke don’t go beyond a silly crush, she still likes to flirt with him.

“Sorry. Haven’t had the time to come here.” he says, climbing onto the stool at the counter.

“Alright, here we go. Grilled cheese and tomato soup.” she announces, placing a bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich before him.

He smirks. Karin doesn’t just serve him a simple “grilled cheese and tomato soup”. The “tomato soup” is a tomato gazpacho - vibrant, fresh and cool. The “grilled cheese” is a few different cheeses and pickles between two slices of thick rustic bread, pan fried in butter until it’s crispy and golden.

“Well?” she asks as he tastes the soup.

“You never fail to exceed expectations.”

It’s probably the closest she’ll ever get to a compliment from Sasuke.

“Anything to drink?” she offers.

She likes to play a little game with herself when she asks him this question. Sasuke has a funny habit where his mood influences his drink choices directly. Wine if things are going smoothly and he’s reasonably happy (usually cabernet sauvignon although he has been known to ask for a white wine if the dish doesn’t pair well with red), tomato juice is for when he’s a bit grumpy and needs a pick me up, whiskey if he’s got a lot on his mind (tea is sometimes substituted if he has to go back to the office). If he’s here with Naruto for dinner they’ll order sake or tea if they’re being sensible. Today, she predicts that it’ll be-

“Iced coffee. Thanks, Karin.”

Well, that’s new.

黑

Sakura had been featuring heavily in his dreams as of late. Her face is usually a bit blurry but the pink hair is enough for him to make the conclusion that it’s his executive assistant. The dreams are usually generic and a little indecent. Not enough for a cold shower in the morning but just enough for his thoughts to wander just a little.

That night his dreams take a different turn.

Her face is clearly defined - he could see every lash that framed her expressive jade green eyes, her alabaster skin coloured with a dark pink blush dusted across her cheeks and her pretty lips were parted just a touch.

He feels her waist beneath his fingers and he realises just how petite she is. He feels every fidget and hears her breath. His forehead rests on hers and their noses touch. Her lips feel so soft against his and he swears she leans in to close the miniscule distance between them.

His heart feels like its soaring and suddenly he wants more. So much more. He wants to leave burning kisses into her skin as if to brand her with him. He wants to feel her hand in his as she squeezes him tightly in more places than one. He wants to see her hair messy, disheveled. He wants to get lost in a jade sea, consequences be damned.  

He wants her to want him as much as he wants her.

He wakes up on Monday morning at some ungodly hour, stiff and aching, wondering when the hell his imagination become so vivid and creative.

He arrives at the office and Sakura is nowhere to be seen. He’s worried for a moment, wondering briefly if he did something stupid on Saturday to scare her off but it dissipates when Sakura turns the corner, holding a fresh stack of photocopies and a mug of steaming hot something.

“Good morning, Dir-Sasuke.” she chirps.

Her reaction to him is her usual greeting and he sees his morning coffee on his desk, piping hot.

Business as usual,  he supposes.

黑

Sakura finds it easier than she thought to act normal around Sasuke. He makes no indication that he remembers what happened on Saturday and that in turn it makes it easier for her to pretend that nothing happened either.

This morning she opts to get him his usual coffee - not quite confident enough in her own skills to make him his coffee herself yet. She did however, buy beans from the Milk Grind after class (she isn’t sure whether to expense them or not).

She wants to dismiss everything that happened and just get through the internship but a very small (and loud) part of herself won’t let it go.

She does a Moogle search her boss and reads articles about him and the company. His handsomeness was only the tip of the iceberg. He graduated first in his class and won awards for academic excellence, the number of awards eclipsed only by his older brother who graduated 5 years before him. Uchiha Itachi was Director before him for a few years before Sasuke was made Director.

There were multiple articles on the matter - it seemed to be a hot topic at the time. Most were objective but some more gossipy trashy news sources implied that Sasuke was power hungry and ambitious and had “dethroned” his brother using underhanded methods.

The Sasuke she knows (what little she knows) doesn’t sound like the ruthless, cold Sasuke the tabloids paint him as being. Sure, he's ambitious - he wanted his company to perform well and holds himself to high standards. The decisions he’s made for the company have always been for the good of the company and its employees - there was nothing ruthless about it.

Subsequent articles are more favourable, complimenting Sasuke on his business acumen. While Itachi had started reforms in his short term as Director, Sasuke was the one who continued them and improved them. There are some articles about company culture and the internship program too. Uchiha Enterprises rank in the top 30 companies to work for nationwide as far as employee satisfaction goes according to a study.  

She sees and understands Sasuke’s vision for the future of the company from writing up documentation and doing preliminary research and analysis for him. Sakura can only feel admiration and a sense of pride that she’s a part of Uchiha Enterprises. The media vultures are only interested in selling ad space, views and daily sales.

As she keeps searching for articles, there are a few articles that aren’t about Sasuke’s professional work.

There are candid pictures of him in men’s magazines commenting on his style and ‘How to Emulate Uchiha Sasuke’s ‘Bad Boy’ Style’. It goes into excruciating detail as to which brands his ties, cufflinks and shoes are from. Apparently, his suits are bespoke. There's an article on a watch enthusiast blog that comments on all the watches he's been photographed wearing. Sasuke apparently collects watches because the article lists six, all of which adorn hefty price tags (some of which cost more than her intern salary).

There were pictures of him in women’s magazines of him out in public, touting him as one of the most eligible bachelors and speculations of his relationships. One article even has a complex looking chart with women suspected of being involved with him and a timeline to boot!

Sakura can’t help but be curious too. Even though she’s his executive assistant and she takes care of some of the more personal aspects of his life (like dinner reservations and dry cleaning), she knows absolutely nothing about his private life. She can only go off of clues.

Her initial observations of his staying at expensive hotel rooms don’t reveal anything about his private romantic life. His friend from Saturday - Naruto - is the son of the current Chairman of Uzumaki Resorts. It only confirms his close friendship with Uzumaki Naruto than anything else.

The flowers though, are another matter. The monthly bill for the flowers is from Flower Temple, an upmarket florist. A bouquet of mixed hydrangeas with gift wrapping. The delivery address is somewhere in the suburbs, one in which she recognises to be rather affluent. This reaffirms her “theory” that Sasuke’s lover or girlfriend or fiance or wife is most likely some kind of heiress or model. But if he really did have a girlfriend, surely she would have been with him on Saturday and that kiss wouldn’t have happened?

Whatever that was on Saturday, it doesn’t change Sakura’s professional admiration for her boss. It doesn’t change the fact that she should continue to do her best work for him, to take care of the small things so he can focus on more important matters. In the grand scheme of things, she’s a small fish swimming alongside a whale, a common tabby cat next to a majestic lion.

Back to work.

[handyguypros1]

Best Holsters for Glock 17 HandyGuyPros

How you carry your sidearm matters. Choose one of the best holsters for Glock 17 pistols to ensure your comfort and reduce your reaction time.

The Glock 17 is a larger pistol than the Glock 19 which makes it a little less comfortable for concealed carry. That being said, we chose both IWB and OWB holsters for our reviews today.

You may find that a pancake-style holster takes care of the problem. It keeps your weapon close without printing through your clothes. But we included holsters suitable for duty wear, too.

Top Holsters for Glock 17

We’re happy you’re here to see our picks for the top Glock 17 holsters. Let’s get started with one of the most popular choices for law enforcement.

BLACKHAWK! SERPA Level 3 Auto Lock Duty Holster

LEOs on the front lines love the BLACKHAWK! Serpa duty holster. Why? Because it prevents perps from grabbing your weapon. It has both the Serpa firearm retention system as well as a secondary lock on top. Your weapon isn’t going anywhere until you say so.

Yes, this level of security slows down draw time. But it saves lives – yours and those around you.

The Serpa lock clicks into action the moment you reholster your gun. And the secondary lock is not a hood or snap that can break off, wear out, or get in your way. Instead, the holster has a thumb-activated Pivot Guard.

Since you already have enough weight to carry around, you’ll be glad to know that the injection-molded carbon fiber composite weighs just over half a pound. The adjustable cant lets you choose the angle for an easier draw. You can adjust the passive retention pressure, too.

BLACKHAWK! SERPA CQC Concealment Holster

The BLACKHAWK! Serpa CQC concealment holster has level II protection against holster grabs. This isn’t quite as elaborate as the Serpa duty holster above, but it will give you peace of mind. It also allows for a quicker draw and re-holster.

As soon as you place your weapon inside, it audibly clicks. You can also adjust both the passive retention and the cant with the appropriate screws.

This holster comes with a paddle platform and belt loop. Use the guides to adjust the slots for your belt. Moreover, it’s available for either right or left-hand draw.

BLACKHAWK! Serpa Sportster Holster

BLACKHAWK’s Sportster holster comes with a paddle mount only. It’s a smart choice for the range and nice for new shooters. That’s because you can experiment with the cant.

The finger release button keeps your gun safely holstered until you’re ready to use it. Plus, the moment you holster your weapon, you’ll hear an audible click to confirm that it’s secure.

The polymer material is very durable and molded to fit Glock 17, 22, or 31. It’s available in either left or right-hand orientations.

Safariland 6365 Level 3 Retention ALS Duty Holster, Low-Ride, STX, Glock 17

Safariland’s 6365 holster protects you with their automatic locking system plus a rotating hood. Once you holster the gun, it’s locked into place. Then all you need to do is move the hood with your thumb and draw your Glock straight up. The holster fits up to 2-1/4-inch belts and it rides low.

Concealment Express IWB KYDEX Holster

This holster from Concealment Express suits a variety of carrying styles. Choose from cross draw, appendix, hip, or palm-in back. Then set the cant, or carry angle, between 0 to 15° with a regular Phillips screwdriver.

The Kydex material is a favorite choice among holster manufacturers because it molds perfectly to the shape of the weapon. It’s also very rugged and lightweight, weighing only 2 ½ ounces.

This holster makes an audible click when you engage the retention lock. It also has a full-length sweat guard as well as corrosion-resistant hardware. It’s backed by an unconditional lifetime warranty and satisfaction guarantee.

Orpaz Glock Holster

The Israeli-designed Orpaz holster fits both Glock 17 and Glock 19. It was created by a SWAT veteran who took into account several key features. First, it has level II retention with a thumb break retention clip. Second, the passive retention and rotation are fully adjustable with an Allen wrench.

Third, use the ambidextrous holster for small of back (SOB), cross draw, or strong side carry. It fits on either a 1 ½ or 2-inch wide belt, but you can wear the paddle without a belt. The OWB paddle is curved to conform to your body. Finally, the holster has a channel to protect your gun’s sights.

Relentless Tactical The Defender Leather IWB Holster

The Defender holster from Relentless Tactical fits a wide variety of 9mm, .40 and .45 caliber guns. These include Glock, Sig Sauer, and Springfield pistols. It’s made from bull hide leather and available in three colors like Midnight Black, Whiskey Barrel Brown, and Charred Oak. Although it may take a little while to break in, it’s covered by a lifetime warranty.

Relentless Tactical The Ultimate Suede Leather IWB Holster

Relentless Tactical also makes a suede holster that feels softer than their bull hide leather model. This one has a metal clip that allows you to wear it without a belt. And it fits a variety of pistols including the Glock 17. Of course, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

CYTAC OWB Holster for Glock 17

The polymer CYTAC paddle holster stands up to harsh conditions and nasty weather. It has a fluid-feeling quick release button that keeps your weapon secure. It also lets you adjust the passive retention and the cant with the included Allen key.

Fobus Glock – GL2E2 Evolution HolsterYou’re likely to see this holster worn by Israeli special forces. But you may also see it used by the military anywhere in the world. The Fobus Glock holster weighs only 2 ounces. The rubberized paddle features steel reinforced rivets for extreme durability. It has a channel that protects your sights, too.

You’ll never need to oil this high-riding, low-profile holster. Plus, it’s covered by a lifetime warranty and 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

Safariland 7378 7TS ALS Paddle & Belt Slide Concealment Glock 17 22 Holster

Safariland has a proprietary automatic locking system that protects against holster grabs. It features a thumb-activated button that won’t slow down your draw. It also has raised standoffs inside that reduce friction.

The DuPont SafariSeven nylon material won’t scratch your pistol. But it can tolerate down to -50 F and up to 300 F without warping. The paddle comes with an adjustable belt slide and belt loop that lets you adjust the carry angle.

Alien Gear Cloak Mod OWB paddle holsterTry the Alien Gear’s Cloak Mod holster for 30 days to see what you think. If you love it, keep it, and enjoy the lifetime warranty. It features adjustable cant and retention because of its spring steel flexplate. Furthermore, you can wear it as either a paddle or belt slide.

Alien Gear offers to swap the custom-molded retention shell if you trade in your gun in the future. The shell is an elastomer that won’t abrade the finish of the weapon.

Outlaw Holsters OD Green Kydex OWB Holster

Besides this olive drab model, Outlaw Holsters makes a variety of Kydex holsters with custom designs printed on them. Each paddle holster has two belt loops that you can replace with speed clips. And each one is custom-molded to the gun. They come with a one-year replacement warranty.

Bianchi Accumold Black Holster 7115 Vanguard

Law enforcement officers have trusted Bianchi with their weapons for decades. The Vanguard holster is built with Accu-Mold Trilaminate with a Coptex inner lining. The lining protects the gun from abrasion and reduces friction for a smoother draw.

The curved holster fits duty belts up to 2 ¼ inches wide. It has the traditional top-draw thumb snap and standard ride.

Bravo Concealment Outside The Waistband BCA Gun Holster

If you have red dot sights (RMR) on your Glock, get the Bravo Concealment OWB holster. It can handle tall sights, or you can use it when the sights aren’t mounted, too. The Kydex construction is lightweight but rugged.

Even though it has an over the waistband design, it’s thin and it hugs your body. The cant is fixed at 10 degrees forward. There are no thumb releases to slow down your draw. Furthermore, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t happy with it.

BLACKHAWK! SERPA Level 3 Light-Bearing Tactical Holster

When the SHTF, you’ll wish you had the BLACKHAWK! Serpa Tactical Holster. Not only does it fit your Glock, but it also holds spare mags, knives, and other essentials. Plus, it fits the BLACKHAWK! Xiphos NT light mounted on your pistol. (Unfortunately, that’s the only light it guarantees will fit.)

The holster sports protection against gun grabs with the Serpa auto lock thumb release and pivot guard. Meanwhile, the adjustable rubberized leg straps and Y-harness keep the holster in place even when you kneel. It won’t block your pants pocket, either. Should you need to remove the holster in a hurry, just press the swivel buckles to release it.

Conclusion

There are many holsters perfect for the Glock 17 whether you carry for work, play, or personal protection. It’s easy to get started shopping once you decide on a few points.

Will you want concealed carry? Extra protection against holster grabs? What about adjustable cant? And don’t forget to select a holster based on your left or right-hand draw.

We hope that our reviews today helped you select the right holster for your Glock 17. Check the top holsters for the Glock 19, too.

Source : https://handyguypros.com/best-holsters-glock-17/