#best industrial cleaning products

[jbncleaning]

Keeping the premises clean is one of the most important parts of owning a business. Irrespective of the industry and its size, cleanliness is important. That ensures the safety of the visitors and the employees who work. A clean workspace helps improve the image of the building and the business. Investing in the best industrial cleaning products is wise to keep the office clean. There is a temptation to use household cleaning products, but they are not equal. Read below to know all about these cleaning products.

[waffled0g]

Everyone gets “The 90s” look wrong and I hate it

Couple years ago I saw these two board games at the store back to back. Well, not saw them per se, but ya know. Spied them out of the corner of my eye. And for a moment without reading the text, I couldn’t tell you which was which decade at first. Funny. Either they were in a rush to get these out the door or they wanted their throwback trivia game boxes to look uniform. I didn’t think too much of it.

Only, from then on I started seeing it MORE. Every time someone markets a 90s or 80s throwback...

Goddammit they’re identical! What??! How did we let this happen? As a 90s survivor and a designer, this drives me up a wall.

Look, I know I’m late to the party to complain about “the 90s look” when we’re just starting to get sick of the Y2K nostalgia train. But c’mon, the 90s were not The 80s: Part Two™ 

Trust me when I say that we weren’t all wearing neon trapezoids up until the year 2000. The 90s look being peddled is so specific to the tail end of the 80s and an early early part of the 90s - a part of the 90s when it wouldn’t stop being the 80s. This is Memphis design being conflated with the wrong decade.

Keep reading for a long ass graphic design history lesson and pictures of old soda and fast food.

Specifically, the look is Memphis Milano, self-named by the Italian design house Memphis Group. Starting in the early to mid 80s, they made all sorts of furniture, fabrics and sculptures that were like a Piet Mondrian grid painting under heavy radiation. Their whole deal was defying the standards of existing industrial design up to that point on purpose. Chairs had weird arches, bookcases would be in strange alien colors, unusual materials like plastic or elastic were used in place of metal or wood, that sorta thing.

Memphis quickly became the signature look for the decade. You can tell something’s influenced by Memphis design from it’s telltale trademarks:

Clashing, neon colors.

Use of diametric shapes.

Contrasting patterns like zebra print stripes, confetti squiggles and checkerboards.

It wasn’t long before Memphis Milano-inspired design was everywhere in 80s pop culture:

It was a special time, yes.

I was a kindergartener at the tail end of the 80s, so I knew Memphis mostly through the lens of kids media. Toys, clothes, games, tv shows used it like candy colored catnip. Cable channel Nickelodeon more or less adopted the Memphis aesthetic as their signature in-house style and practically built a monument to it at a Florida theme park:

I think this is why folks mistake what decade Memphis is representative of - 90s staples like Nick, Saved By The Bell, Fresh Prince - they all stayed around much longer than the design trend’s expiration date. 

Couple that notion with the fact that companies are slow followers to design trends. Something gets popular and they want to get on the bandwagon? Gotta wait for the ink to dry, gotta wait for the production molds to be made. It would take a few years for them to completely work Memphis outta their system.

Now, this is not to say Memphis is bad! Personally I’m a fan of the aesthetic, if my neon-drenched artwork wasn’t a tip-off already. But it is a trend, and trends never last forever.

So what took the Memphis Milano look down for good? This part’s up for debate, but I personally think it had something to do with this dude:

It’s that grunge music from Seattle that’s so popular with the kids these days dontchaknow.

Once Smells Like Teen Spirit hit in 1991, the Nirvana tone drove the rest of the decade. Clean geometry became weathered, grainy and organic. Bright neon pastels became more bold. Bubblegum pop music sounded fake and manufactured. Attitude and apathy was authentic. Whatever.

Things got grungy. Things got grimy. Olestra was invented.

I think the best way to visualize this transition is how Cherry Coke entered the decade and how it left it:

1992 Memphis on the left, 1998 grunge junkie on the right. Fitting that the 90s would end with a design that looked like Darth Maul’s lungs.

Okay, so what should 90s retro design look like?

Continue on to PART TWO! Spoilers: No VHS filters or vaporwave needed, but maybe bring an antacid.

[abbeyus]

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Effective Cleaning Products for Your Home

Cleaning your home is a crucial task that requires the right cleaning products to ensure a thorough and efficient job. With numerous options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the most effective ones for your specific needs. In this ultimate guide, we will walk you through the process of selecting the best cleaning products that will leave your home fresh, spotless, and safe for your family.

1. Understanding Your Cleaning Needs

To choose effective cleaning products, it is essential to understand your specific cleaning needs. Assess the areas in your home that require cleaning and identify the surfaces and materials you need to clean. Are you dealing with stubborn stains, greasy surfaces, or delicate fabrics? Knowing your cleaning needs will help you select the right products for the task.

2. The Importance of Choosing the Right Cleaning Products

Using the right cleaning products is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures efficient cleaning, saving you time and effort. Secondly, the appropriate products prevent damage to surfaces, protecting your investments. Lastly, choosing the right products promotes a healthy environment by eliminating germs, allergens, and harmful bacteria effectively.

3. Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: A Safe Choice

When it comes to cleaning products, choosing eco-friendly options benefits both your home and the environment. Look for labels that indicate the products are biodegradable, non-toxic, and free from harsh chemicals. Eco-friendly cleaners are effective in maintaining a clean home while minimizing the impact on ecosystems.

4. All-Purpose Cleaners: Versatility at Its Best

All-purpose cleaners are versatile and ideal for tackling various surfaces in your home. From countertops to appliances, these cleaners offer convenience and efficiency. Look for all-purpose cleaners that are effective against dirt, grease, and grime while being safe for the surfaces you intend to clean.

5. Kitchen Cleaning Products: Tackling Grease and Grime

The kitchen is a high-traffic area prone to spills, grease, and grime buildup. Choose kitchen cleaning products that are specially formulated to cut through tough grease and food stains. Look for degreasers, stove cleaners, and surface sanitizers that are safe for food preparation areas.

6. Bathroom Cleaning Products: Keeping It Sparkling

Bathrooms require effective cleaning products to combat soap scum, hard water stains, and mildew. Opt for bathroom cleaners that disinfect, remove stains, and leave a fresh scent. Toilet bowl cleaners, shower cleaners, and tile cleaners are essential for maintaining a sparkling and hygienic bathroom.

7. Floor Cleaners: Maintaining Clean and Polished Floors

Different types of flooring require specific cleaning products to maintain their cleanliness and appearance. From hardwood to tile, laminate to carpet, there are suitable floor cleaners for every surface. Look for floor cleaners that are compatible with your flooring type and effectively remove dirt and stains without causing damage.

8. Window and Glass Cleaners: Achieving Streak-Free Shine

For crystal-clear windows and mirrors, choose window and glass cleaners that provide streak-free results. Look for products that remove fingerprints, smudges, and dirt without leaving residue behind. Microfiber cloths and squeegees can also enhance the effectiveness of your glass cleaning routine.

9. Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners: Refreshing Fabrics

To keep your carpets and upholstery looking fresh and clean, invest in quality carpet and upholstery cleaners. Look for products that effectively remove stains, eliminate odors, and restore the vibrancy of your fabrics. Consider spot cleaners, carpet powders, and fabric refreshers to maintain a welcoming atmosphere in your home.

10. Natural Cleaning Solutions: Harnessing the Power of Nature

Natural cleaning solutions are gaining popularity due to their effectiveness and eco-friendliness. Explore options such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and essential oils to create DIY cleaning solutions. These natural ingredients are safe, affordable, and powerful alternatives to conventional cleaning products.

11. Cleaning Tools and Accessories: Enhancing Efficiency

Alongside cleaning products, having the right tools and accessories is essential for efficient cleaning. Invest in high-quality microfiber cloths, scrub brushes, mops, and vacuum cleaners to tackle different cleaning tasks effectively. The right tools can make a significant difference in the results you achieve.

12. Proper Storage and Organization: Extending Product Lifespan

To maximize the lifespan of your cleaning products and ensure their effectiveness, proper storage and organization are key. Store cleaning products in cool, dry areas away from direct sunlight. Keep them out of reach of children and pets. Organize your cleaning supplies to easily locate and access them when needed.

13. Understanding Labels and Ingredients: Making Informed Choices

Reading and understanding labels and ingredients is essential for making informed choices when selecting cleaning products. Look for clear instructions, safety precautions, and information about the product's purpose. Be aware of ingredients that may cause allergies or have adverse effects on your health.

14. Budget-Friendly Cleaning Products: Affordable and Effective

Effective cleaning products don't have to break the bank. There are numerous budget-friendly options available that deliver excellent results. Look for store brands, multipurpose cleaners, and bulk purchasing options to save money without compromising on quality.

15. Conclusion: Clean with Confidence

Choosing effective cleaning products is crucial for maintaining a clean, healthy, and inviting home. By understanding your cleaning needs, considering eco-friendly options, and selecting the right products for each task, you can achieve outstanding results. Remember to use the appropriate tools and accessories, store products correctly, and make informed choices by reading labels and ingredients. With this ultimate guide, you are now equipped to clean with confidence and create a comfortable living environment for you and your family.

[greenthestral]

Unleashing Innovation and Infrastructure: Driving Sustainable Development with Goal 9

Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focuses on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. This goal recognizes the crucial role that these three pillars play in advancing economic growth, fostering technological advancements, and promoting sustainable development worldwide. By investing in resilient infrastructure, encouraging innovation, and promoting inclusive industrialization, Goal 9 aims to create a foundation for sustainable economic growth and enhance the overall well-being of societies. In this article, we delve into the significance of Goal 9 and explore the transformative potential it holds for a better future.

The Power of Sustainable Infrastructure

Sustainable infrastructure is not just a luxury but a necessity for any thriving economy. It provides the necessary foundation for economic activities to flourish and communities to thrive. This type of infrastructure encompasses various sectors that are vital for the functioning of societies, including transportation, energy, water, and telecommunications.

Transportation infrastructure is essential for connecting people, goods, and services. By developing sustainable transportation systems, countries can reduce congestion, lower emissions, and improve accessibility. Investing in efficient public transportation, such as buses, trains, and trams, promotes the use of clean energy and reduces reliance on individual cars. Additionally, sustainable transportation infrastructure, including bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly walkways, encourages active modes of transportation, leading to improved public health and reduced carbon footprint.

Energy infrastructure plays a crucial role in powering economies and societies. Transitioning to renewable and sustainable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, is vital for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. By investing in sustainable energy infrastructure, countries can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, improve energy security, and promote the development of clean technologies. Moreover, decentralized energy systems, such as microgrids, enable communities to have reliable and sustainable access to electricity, even in remote areas.

Water infrastructure is essential for ensuring access to clean and safe water for all. Sustainable water management involves building resilient water supply and sanitation systems that minimize water loss, prevent pollution, and promote efficient water usage. This infrastructure is crucial in mitigating the impacts of droughts, floods, and water scarcity, which are exacerbated by climate change. By investing in sustainable water infrastructure, countries can improve public health, enhance agricultural productivity, and preserve precious water resources.

Telecommunications infrastructure, including broadband networks and digital connectivity, is increasingly becoming indispensable in today's interconnected world. Access to reliable and affordable internet services is essential for economic growth, education, healthcare, and social development. By investing in sustainable telecommunications infrastructure, countries can bridge the digital divide and ensure equal opportunities for all. This infrastructure also facilitates the adoption of smart technologies, enabling efficient management of resources, such as energy and transportation systems.

Building resilient and sustainable infrastructure has numerous benefits beyond the obvious environmental advantages. By efficiently utilizing resources, sustainable infrastructure reduces waste and promotes resource conservation. This, in turn, leads to cost savings and improved economic efficiency. Additionally, sustainable infrastructure creates jobs across various sectors, from construction and engineering to renewable energy and technology. The development and maintenance of infrastructure projects generate employment opportunities, stimulating economic growth and reducing unemployment rates.

Investing in sustainable infrastructure also helps to address social inequalities and promote social inclusion. By improving access to basic services, such as transportation, energy, water, and telecommunications, sustainable infrastructure enhances the quality of life for all citizens, irrespective of their socioeconomic status or geographical location. Access to reliable transportation allows individuals to access education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Reliable and affordable energy services empower communities and improve their overall well-being. Furthermore, by providing access to clean water and sanitation, sustainable infrastructure ensures better health outcomes and reduces the burden of water-related diseases.

Sustainable infrastructure is the backbone of a thriving economy and a cornerstone of sustainable development. By building resilient and sustainable infrastructure in sectors such as transportation, energy, water, and telecommunications, countries can efficiently utilize resources, minimize environmental impact, and enhance the quality of life for their citizens. Investing in sustainable infrastructure creates jobs, stimulates economic growth, reduces inequalities, and promotes social inclusion. It is not just an investment in the present but a commitment to future generations, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for all.

Fostering Innovation for Progress

Innovation is a driving force behind human progress and is crucial for addressing the pressing challenges of our time. Goal 9 acknowledges the need to foster innovation and technological advancements as a means to drive sustainable development. By encouraging innovative solutions, societies can tackle complex issues, such as climate change, poverty, and inequality, while paving the way for a greener and more inclusive future.

One of the key contributions of innovation lies in the development and adoption of clean technologies. As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy, innovation plays a vital role. It enables the creation and implementation of renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and advanced battery storage systems. These innovations help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote sustainable energy production, thereby mitigating climate change and its detrimental impacts.

Moreover, innovation drives sustainable consumption and production patterns. It encourages the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly products and processes. Through innovations in design, manufacturing, and supply chain management, businesses can reduce waste generation, optimize resource utilization, and minimize environmental impact. For example, innovations in packaging materials and recycling technologies can help to reduce plastic waste and promote circular economy practices. By embracing sustainable consumption and production, innovation supports the efficient use of resources and reduces the strain on the environment.

Innovation also facilitates knowledge transfer and collaboration. Through sharing ideas, research findings, and best practices, innovation promotes learning and the dissemination of information across borders and sectors. It enables countries and organizations to learn from each other's successes and failures, accelerating progress towards sustainable development. Collaborative platforms and initiatives foster innovation ecosystems, where diverse stakeholders can come together to solve common challenges. These platforms promote interdisciplinary approaches and create synergies between different sectors, such as academia, industry, and civil society.

Furthermore, innovation drives economic growth, productivity, and competitiveness. By investing in research and development, countries can foster innovation and create an environment that encourages entrepreneurship and creativity. Innovative ideas and technologies lead to the creation of new industries, businesses, and job opportunities. This not only stimulates economic growth but also contributes to poverty reduction and the improvement of living standards. Innovation-driven economies are more resilient and adaptable to change, enabling them to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Innovation also plays a critical role in promoting social inclusion. By addressing the needs and challenges faced by marginalized communities, innovation can reduce inequalities and enhance social well-being. For instance, technological innovations in healthcare can improve access to quality medical services in remote areas. Similarly, innovations in education, such as online learning platforms, can provide equal educational opportunities to individuals who are otherwise unable to access traditional educational institutions. By embracing inclusive innovation, societies can ensure that the benefits of progress are accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic background or geographic location.

To fully unleash the potential of innovation, it is crucial to create an enabling environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship. This includes investment in research and development, intellectual property protection, access to financing, and supportive policies and regulations. Governments, businesses, and civil society organizations must work together to create innovation ecosystems that nurture and amplify innovative ideas and solutions. By fostering a culture of innovation and providing the necessary resources and support, societies can harness the transformative power of innovation for sustainable development.

Innovation lies at the heart of human progress and is integral to achieving sustainable development. Goal 9 recognizes the need to foster innovation and technological advancements as essential drivers of positive change. Through innovation, societies can address global challenges, promote sustainable consumption and production patterns, and facilitate knowledge transfer. Embracing innovation enhances productivity, competitiveness, and economic growth, while also promoting social inclusion and a greener future. By investing in innovation and creating an enabling environment, societies can unlock new possibilities and pave the way for a sustainable and prosperous world for current and future generations.

Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization

Industrialization has played a significant role in shaping economies and societies throughout history. It has been a driving force behind economic growth, job creation, and technological advancements. However, traditional industrialization has often come at a cost to the environment and social well-being. Goal 9 recognizes the need for a shift towards inclusive and sustainable industrialization, which takes into account both social and environmental factors for long-term development.

Promoting sustainable industrial practices is crucial for minimizing negative environmental impacts. Traditional industrial processes often lead to pollution, resource depletion, and increased carbon emissions. Sustainable industrialization aims to reduce the ecological footprint of industrial activities by adopting cleaner and more efficient technologies, optimizing resource use, and minimizing waste generation. For example, industries can implement energy-efficient production methods, invest in renewable energy sources, and adopt circular economy principles that prioritize recycling and reuse of materials. By doing so, countries can achieve economic growth while minimizing harm to the environment.

Furthermore, sustainable industrialization focuses on reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change. The industrial sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, mainly through energy consumption and the burning of fossil fuels. By transitioning to low-carbon technologies and practices, countries can mitigate their carbon footprint. This includes investing in renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient processes, and adopting sustainable transportation and logistics systems. Sustainable industrialization aligns with global climate goals, such as the Paris Agreement, and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale.

Resource efficiency is another essential aspect of sustainable industrialization. Traditional industrial practices often result in the inefficient use of resources, leading to depletion and waste. Sustainable industrialization promotes the adoption of resource-efficient technologies and processes that minimize material waste, optimize resource use, and promote recycling and reuse. By implementing strategies such as eco-design, life cycle assessment, and industrial symbiosis, industries can reduce their dependence on finite resources and create more sustainable production systems.

Inclusive industrialization is a key component of Goal 9, aiming to create decent jobs, foster entrepreneurship, and provide equal opportunities for all. Traditional industrialization models have sometimes led to social inequalities, labor exploitation, and inadequate working conditions. Inclusive industrialization seeks to address these issues by promoting fair and decent employment practices, ensuring safe working environments, and respecting workers' rights. It also focuses on providing equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their gender, age, or socioeconomic background. Inclusive industrialization encourages the empowerment of marginalized communities, the promotion of skills development, and the support of entrepreneurship, fostering economic inclusivity and social well-being.

Moreover, inclusive industrialization promotes the localization of industries, particularly in developing countries. By encouraging the growth of domestic industries and supporting local entrepreneurship, countries can reduce their dependence on imports, strengthen their economies, and create sustainable job opportunities. This localization of industries contributes to the equitable distribution of wealth, reduces inequalities, and enhances economic resilience.

To achieve inclusive and sustainable industrialization, partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society are essential. Governments play a crucial role in formulating policies and regulations that promote sustainable industrial practices and ensure social inclusivity. Businesses need to embrace corporate social responsibility, adopt sustainable production methods, and prioritize the well-being of workers and the environment. Civil society organizations can advocate for sustainable practices, monitor compliance with regulations, and promote dialogue between different stakeholders. Collaboration and knowledge sharing are key to fostering inclusive and sustainable industrialization.

Goal 9 highlights the importance of inclusive and sustainable industrialization for long-term economic growth and social well-being. By promoting sustainable industrial practices, countries can minimize negative environmental impacts, reduce carbon emissions, and improve resource efficiency. Inclusive industrialization focuses on creating decent jobs, fostering entrepreneurship, and providing equal opportunities for all, addressing inequalities and promoting social well-being. Achieving inclusive and sustainable industrialization requires collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society, as well as a commitment to adopting cleaner technologies, optimizing resource use, and respecting workers' rights. By embracing inclusive and sustainable industrialization, countries can lay the foundation for a more equitable, resilient, and environmentally conscious future.

The Role of Public-Private Partnerships

Collaboration and partnerships are essential in achieving Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. The involvement of multiple stakeholders, including governments, private sectors, and civil society, is crucial in mobilizing resources, expertise, and technology to accelerate progress towards sustainable development. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as effective mechanisms for fostering collaboration and driving sustainable development initiatives.

PPPs enable the sharing of risks and responsibilities between the public and private sectors. Governments often lack the financial resources and technical expertise required to undertake large-scale infrastructure projects independently. By partnering with private companies, governments can leverage their expertise, funding, and access to technology. Private sector partners, on the other hand, benefit from the stability and long-term vision provided by government involvement. Through PPPs, the risks associated with large-scale projects can be distributed more evenly, making them more attractive to investors and lenders.

One of the key advantages of PPPs is the facilitation of knowledge exchange and innovation. The private sector brings valuable industry experience, technical know-how, and innovative approaches to infrastructure development. Governments can benefit from the private sector's expertise in areas such as project design, financing, and operations. In return, governments can provide a conducive policy and regulatory environment that enables private sector innovation and investment. This collaboration fosters the transfer of knowledge and best practices, leading to more efficient and sustainable infrastructure projects.

PPPs also enable the mobilization of financial resources for infrastructure development. The private sector brings additional funding sources, such as equity investment, project financing, and access to capital markets. This helps to bridge the infrastructure financing gap that many countries face. By pooling public and private sector resources, PPPs can attract the necessary investment to undertake ambitious infrastructure projects that may otherwise be financially unfeasible for governments alone.

Furthermore, PPPs can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure development and operations. The private sector's focus on cost-effectiveness and performance can drive innovation and improved service delivery. Private sector partners bring a results-oriented approach, which can lead to better project management, increased efficiency, and enhanced service quality. This can translate into improved infrastructure access, reduced costs, and enhanced user experiences.

Inclusive growth is a crucial aspect of achieving Goal 9. PPPs can help ensure that the benefits of infrastructure development reach all segments of society. By incorporating social and environmental considerations into project design and operations, PPPs can address issues of equity, inclusivity, and sustainability. For example, PPPs can prioritize the inclusion of vulnerable populations, promote gender equality, and minimize negative environmental impacts. This requires transparent and accountable governance frameworks, robust monitoring mechanisms, and meaningful engagement with local communities and civil society organizations.

To foster successful PPPs, governments must create an enabling environment through supportive policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks. This includes establishing clear legal frameworks for PPP contracts, providing transparent procurement processes, and ensuring fair and equitable risk allocation. Governments also play a crucial role in safeguarding public interests, ensuring accountability, and maintaining the long-term sustainability of projects.

However, it is important to note that PPPs are not without challenges. Complex procurement processes, contractual negotiations, and the need for risk management can be demanding. Furthermore, there is a need to strike a balance between private sector profit motives and public interest objectives. Proper governance, transparency, and effective monitoring are essential to address these challenges and ensure that PPPs deliver sustainable and equitable outcomes.

Achieving Goal 9 requires collaboration and partnerships between governments, private sectors, and civil society. PPPs serve as effective mechanisms for mobilizing resources, expertise, and technology to accelerate progress towards sustainable development. By leveraging the strengths of each sector, PPPs enable the sharing of risks and responsibilities, facilitate knowledge exchange, and mobilize financial resources for infrastructure development. Through inclusive and well-governed PPPs, governments and businesses can create an enabling environment for innovation, invest in sustainable infrastructure projects, and ensure the inclusive growth of economies.

Overcoming Challenges

While Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure holds immense potential for sustainable development, there are several challenges that must be overcome to realize its objectives. These challenges primarily revolve around funding and investment limitations, particularly in developing countries, as well as the need for access to technology, knowledge, and skills for all nations.

One of the primary hurdles in achieving Goal 9 is the lack of funding and investment in sustainable infrastructure projects, especially in developing countries. Building resilient and sustainable infrastructure requires significant financial resources, which may be lacking in many countries, particularly those with limited access to capital markets. Mobilizing funds for infrastructure development requires robust policies, regulatory frameworks, and innovative financing mechanisms. Governments must create an attractive investment climate, providing incentives and guarantees to attract private investments. International financial institutions and development banks play a crucial role in providing financial assistance and technical expertise to support infrastructure projects in developing countries.

In addition to financial constraints, ensuring access to technology, knowledge, and skills is vital for promoting innovation and industrialization. Developing countries often face challenges in acquiring and adopting advanced technologies due to limited resources and technical capacities. Bridging the technology gap requires collaboration between developed and developing countries, as well as knowledge sharing and technology transfer. Developed countries can support developing nations by providing technical assistance, capacity building programs, and access to affordable and appropriate technologies. This can help accelerate industrialization, promote sustainable practices, and enhance productivity in developing economies.

Moreover, promoting innovation and industrialization in a sustainable manner requires a coordinated global effort and the commitment of all stakeholders involved. Governments, private sectors, civil society organizations, and international institutions must work together to create an enabling environment for sustainable industrial practices and infrastructure development. This includes establishing supportive policies, regulations, and incentives that encourage innovation, promote sustainable practices, and ensure the equitable distribution of benefits. Collaboration between stakeholders is crucial to foster partnerships, share best practices, and overcome challenges.

Furthermore, addressing the challenges of Goal 9 requires a focus on capacity building and human resource development. Developing countries need to invest in education and skill development programs to build a workforce that can drive innovation and effectively participate in sustainable industrialization. This includes promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship development. By equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge, countries can create a pool of talent that can contribute to the advancement of sustainable industries and infrastructure.

International cooperation and support are essential for overcoming these challenges. Developed countries have a responsibility to assist developing nations in achieving Goal 9 by providing financial support, technology transfer, and capacity building assistance. Global partnerships, such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the World Bank, can facilitate knowledge exchange, provide technical expertise, and coordinate efforts to promote sustainable industrialization and infrastructure development worldwide.

In conclusion, while Goal 9 holds immense potential for sustainable development, several challenges must be addressed to realize its objectives. These challenges include the lack of funding and investment in sustainable infrastructure projects, the need for access to technology and knowledge, and the importance of capacity building. Overcoming these hurdles requires the commitment of all stakeholders involved, including governments, private sectors, civil society organizations, and international institutions. By mobilizing financial resources, promoting technology transfer, and investing in capacity building, countries can overcome these challenges and move towards inclusive and sustainable industrialization and infrastructure development.

Success Stories and Best Practices

Achieving Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure is an ongoing endeavor, but many countries and organizations have made significant strides towards its realization. These successes serve as inspiring examples and models for others to follow.

One notable advancement towards sustainable infrastructure can be seen in the construction of renewable energy projects. Solar and wind farms have gained momentum worldwide as countries recognize the importance of transitioning to clean and sustainable energy sources. These projects not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also contribute to energy security and independence. Governments and private investors have been increasingly supporting the development of renewable energy infrastructure, leading to significant growth in the sector. This progress highlights the potential for sustainable energy systems to drive economic growth, create jobs, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Innovation and technological advancements are also playing a crucial role in achieving Goal 9. Technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) are being harnessed to enhance the efficiency of transportation systems, optimize energy consumption, and improve urban planning. For instance, blockchain technology can be utilized to create decentralized energy markets, enabling the efficient exchange of energy between producers and consumers. AI-powered systems can optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance the overall efficiency of transportation networks. These innovative solutions are transforming the way infrastructure is designed, operated, and maintained, leading to more sustainable and efficient outcomes.

Collaborative initiatives and frameworks are providing guidance and support to countries in their pursuit of sustainable infrastructure development. The World Bank's Infrastructure Prioritization Framework is one such example. This framework helps countries identify and prioritize infrastructure projects based on their potential economic, social, and environmental impact. It provides a systematic approach to decision-making, enabling countries to align their infrastructure investments with sustainable development objectives. Collaborative efforts like this facilitate knowledge exchange, capacity building, and best practice sharing among countries, accelerating progress towards Goal 9.

Furthermore, various organizations and networks are working towards promoting sustainable infrastructure and innovation. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), for example, supports countries in developing and implementing sustainable industrial policies, fostering innovation, and promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization. The Global Infrastructure Hub (GI Hub) works with governments, private sectors, and international organizations to develop infrastructure projects that are financially viable, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.

These success stories and best practices serve as inspiration for others to follow in their pursuit of Goal 9. They demonstrate that sustainable infrastructure development is not only feasible but also beneficial for economic growth, job creation, and environmental preservation. By highlighting these achievements, countries and organizations can learn from each other, replicate successful approaches, and adapt them to their specific contexts.

However, it is important to recognize that there is still much work to be done. Despite the progress made, there are still significant infrastructure gaps, especially in developing countries. The challenge lies in ensuring that sustainable infrastructure development is accessible and affordable for all, particularly in regions with limited resources. This requires continued investment, innovative financing mechanisms, and the transfer of technology and knowledge to bridge the infrastructure gap.

Significant strides have been made towards achieving Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. The construction of renewable energy infrastructure, the utilization of innovative technologies, and the implementation of collaborative initiatives all contribute to the progress being made. These success stories and best practices serve as inspiration and models for others to follow in their pursuit of Goal 9. By continuing to prioritize sustainable infrastructure development, countries can create a more inclusive, resilient, and environmentally conscious future.

Conclusion

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure are essential pillars for sustainable development. By investing in sustainable infrastructure, fostering innovation, and promoting inclusive industrialization, countries can create a foundation for economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being. Achieving Goal 9 requires strong partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms, and the commitment of governments, businesses, and civil society. By harnessing the power of sustainable infrastructure and unleashing innovation, we can pave the way towards a more prosperous and sustainable future for all. Let us seize the opportunities presented by Goal 9 and work together to build a better world.

[bondedorsey67]

Best Floor Cleaners, Wipes, And Disinfectants Critiques By Wirecutter

Keep in mind that some cleaners may have opposed results on sure surfaces, so it is important to closely learn the directions to ensure a given solution is secure to be used on the realm you're cleaning. I am available for full-time part-time or in the future jobs, my hours are versatile. We've extensively examined lots of of residence cleaning merchandise. This bleach-based cleaner works in a single minute but will harm fabrics, and the fumes are harsh. You should charge anyplace from $75 to $300 to clean a home. Most cleaning jobs should take 1.5 to 3 hours and your rates will vary from $25 to $50 an hour for many independent contracts. House cleaners average $12 per hour nationally, with wages increasing to match your space's cost of dwelling. A cleaning lady, housekeeper or maid all value roughly the same, or about $25 to $80 per hour on average, depending on the types of chores you should be accomplished. Lastly, as Warner wrote in a follow-up, it’s finest to eliminate prepackaged wipes or paper towels that you’ve used to disinfect surfaces. cleaning products online and mops “should be exchanged for a new one usually during a cleansing course of, then laundered.” In medical amenities, he said, they're used for a most of three rooms earlier than being washed. With a paper towel scarcity, reusable cloths could be the way to go at house, too—let’s just hope you'll find a way to nonetheless discover some laundry detergent. The other wipes on List N are aimed toward medical, pharmaceutical, and skilled cleaning providers. If you wish to delve into these by yourself search, scan List N for the term “wipe” to convey all of these up one by one. Take observe of the “Active Ingredient/s” column, as some are based mostly on bleach , which might damage some surfaces.

Bissell’s little miracle worker sucks deep stains out of carpet and upholstery — toddler finger paint and pet pee included.

Skip the cruel chemical substances and verify out some DIY, selfmade cleaning merchandise with pure components like vinegar, baking soda, and important oils.

CLR Pro is a favourite of professionals, and it’s safe to be used not only in your bathroom bowl but in addition on counter tops, bathtub surfaces, shower tile, sinks, and stainless-steel.

In our exams, this biodegradable all-purpose spray cleaned counters, stovetops and cabinets shortly and with out streaking.

This cleaner's contemporary eucalyptus mint scent may motivate you to make use of this cleaner daily to forestall scum and dirt build-up.

Been a Aid for 9 years have had several clients and I additionally clear houses have many references. I really have consideration to detail I am a fast learner and I am good at multi-tasking. The bucket has a special spinner, activated by a foot pedal, that spins your mop and retains water splashes contained. If you want one thing to reach tall surfaces, OXO's 3-in-1 Extendable Duster can be extremely rated. It extends to 8 feet, collapses to 3 toes, and comes with three interchangeable brush heads.

Last-resort Clothes Stain Remover

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To clear non-lacquered tarnished brass cabinet pulls, ornamental ware, fixtures and extra, dampen a sponge with vinegar or lemon juice, then sprinkle on salt. Rinse totally with water or a clear damp fabric, then immediately dry with a clear soft cloth. Spills and food buildup in the microwave is a typical prevalence, and if we're being totally trustworthy, cleansing it isn’t always probably the most nice experience. But this little device makes issues a complete lot more tolerable. Simply add vinegar and water into the designated spot hiding beneath the figure's hair and put it in the microwave for five to seven minutes.

Vacuum Cleaners: Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Cleansers made for cleansing the within of your bathroom bowl are sometimes too harsh for use for other surfaces, so make certain you restrict use to their intended objective. In-tank cleansers provide cleaning chemical compounds each time the bathroom is flushed. Choose cleaners that are secure to be used on the completely different surfaces you have in your kitchen. This is probably the most primary cleansing scrub you may ever make! Mix together heat water with sufficient baking soda to make a paste. Use a scrubbing brush with the paste to wash kitchen sinks or counter tops.

This spray is based on a non-bleach disinfectant, so it’s safe on materials but assured to remove the coronavirus only on onerous surfaces. Add a splash of the liquid Castile soap and a spoonful of the baking soda to a twig bottle. Spray on cooktop areas the place grease often accumulates, corresponding to spots round burners. Jones also recommends soaking greasy pans or grates in this mixture for about 20 minutes. "Soaking is key to successfully and simply eradicating grime and grease for a glowing finish," she says. You can use it for cleansing sinks, flushing out drains, eliminating carpet odors, and boosting the effectiveness of laundry detergent. Have a plan when you interview a home cleaner so that the individual is evident about the duties you need them to carry out and collectively you'll be able to focus on expectations, pay rates and time frames. Good communication is vital to any successful working relationship. She does a fantastic job with not only cleaning the house, but additionally with handling a wide range of different jobs (i.e. selling objects, coordinating cable and HVAC appointments). I even have roughly eleven years of cleaning professionally, however have always discovered cleaning to be therapeutic and more of an pleasant move time than a chore.

[femmefatalevibe]

Femme Fatale Guide: Top "Glow Up" Tips & Habits To Become The Best Version of Yourself

Prioritize the Holy Trinity: Nutrition, Movement, & Sleep. Following a whole-foods, plant-based diet with vegetables and/or fruit at every meal and limiting processed foods is one of the simplest ways to improve your overall health. Drink plenty of water, have any necessary supplements (like vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega 3s, etc.), and reduce your consumption of sugary, alcoholic, or caffeine-loaded beverages. Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of walking and/or a simple 15-20 workout into your everyday routine. Make getting a full night's rest (usually 7-9 hours for most people) a non-negotiable in your life.

Practice Radical Self-Acceptance. Fully embrace your personal values. Get comfortable with your authentic desires. Define and set goals for yourself in every area of your life.

Nourish Your Body, Mind, and Spirit Consistently. Eat a healthful diet (enough food without overstuffing yourself), sleep and move enough throughout the day, and continue learning and educating yourself on current events, your industry/career field, art, culture, history, world languages, etc. Practice mindfulness and self-care activities. Honoring your sexual needs. Giving yourself at least one rest/reset day per week.

Cultivate Sustainable (and Personally-Fulfilling) Routines. Your sleep schedule, work/school schedule, workout schedule throughout the week, social and self-care time, date nights, time for your hobbies, errands, cleaning, and relaxation. Make appointments with yourself to empower you to fulfill all your daily tasks and activities to ensure you can work and play without burning yourself out in the process.

Set Boundaries. With your friends, family, work-life/professional network, romantic and sexual partners, and yourself. Understand your emotional, physical, and energetic limitations. Communicate them clearly, compassionately, and unapologetically. Cut toxic people out of your life. Avoid codependency like the plague. Nurture your healthy and supportive interdependent relationships regularly.

Learn What You Enjoy. Ensure To Incorporate These Products, Routines, and Relationships Into Your Day. It can be a piece of dark chocolate and a favorite T.V. show, a long evening phone call with a loved one, a hot bubble bath, or any other small luxury that gives you genuine pleasure and adds some necessary joy to your day.

Check In With Yourself Regularly. Pivot When Necessary. Self-improvement, goal setting, relationship building, and cultivating unshakeable self-love/life satisfaction takes time, experimentation, trial and error, and tons of self-reflection before you get it right in any area of your life. Be honest with yourself on what's work, what's not, where to remain consistent, and what areas of your life would benefit from a change.

[harmonictechnicality]

model!steve and voice actor!eddie

part 2 here | ao3 link here

Eddie chose a career in voice acting to avoid shit like this.

Forced socializing. Schmoozing with hotshot directors who are used to everyone kissing their ass until their lips bleed. And Eddie doesn’t do that shit. 

… Okay yeah sure, Eddie kisses asses. But only in the literal, consensual kind of way. Usually after a few mediocre dinner dates, at least.

But this particular fuckhole of a director is insisting that Eddie attends the production shoot of the commercial that he’ll be narrating for. Which is weird - that’s not how this process typically goes. Eddie gets the script and records it in his studio. Easy peasy.

“I do things a little differently with my projects.” The director sneers into the phone’s speaker. Eddie silently gags at the oozing amounts of ego on this guy. “I want to immerse you into my vision.”

Ew. Eddie would rather immerse himself into a nap, but whatever. A job is a job.

“Understood.” Eddie agrees with minimal teeth-clenching. “I’ll be on set shortly.”

The phone clicks dead with nothing but a chuckle from the guy. No ‘goodbye,’ no ‘thank you.’ Rude… but that’s kind of an industry standard, so why did Eddie expect anything different?

He folds the script into his back pocket, throws on a shirt that screams ‘Los Angeles disaster gay,’ and makes his way to the studio lot.

Fucking yay. 

Upon arrival, the director immediately escorts Eddie into the green room. Rambles on about needing him to meet the lead model for this commercial.

“Isn’t he just posing with the product?” Eddie lets his snarkiness run loose with that question, knows it right away.

Luckily, the guy is too busy snapping at a crew member to notice. “You’ll be voicing his character’s inner narrations.”

“Right.”

“And I want your tone to be seamless with the energy that he’s giving in this shoot. Got it?”

“Loud and clear.” Mostly loud.

The director swings open the door and reveals maybe the most cosmically beautiful person that Eddie has ever seen.

“Eddie, this is Steve.” The director says. “Steve, this is Eddie.”

Models are beautiful people, that’s the goddamn gig. Makeup, no makeup. Photoshop, no photoshop. They just look better than the general population and society accepts that as a fact.

But Eddie is a grubby little voice actor that burrows himself up in his boxy apartment for days. Very little sunlight, very little human interaction, and a shit ton of takeout.

Long story short, he doesn’t get out much. So this? Seeing a biblically hot heartthrob in the flesh? With his own two eyes? It’s knocking him into deep space. Sending him into an astral projection without sticking a tablet on his tongue first.

“Nice to meet you, man.” Steve holds out his hand while someone brushes more powder onto his shiny, glowy skin. God, that’s the best damn skin Eddie has ever seen. Powder be damned, Steve doesn’t need it’s chalky finish.

Eddie shakes himself out of this spell, takes Steve’s hand like he’s somehow worthy of touching him. “Yeah, you too.”

Lame. So lame. On a scale of one to Star Wars prequels, his response is the CGI in Attack of the Clones. ‘Yeah, you too?’ Ugh, what a dumbass.

The director tells them to get acquainted and to be on set in ten minutes. Ten minutes. Eddie has to be convincingly normal for ten whole minutes. Pfft, that’s laughable, but he’ll give it a shot.

“That guy’s a total asshat.” Steve grumbles.

Oh. Eddie could smother him in kisses for saying that. Lick Steve clean of all that stupid powder and probably die of talc poisoning. Death By Licking a Model is one hell of a way to go.

“Yeah.” Find some new words, Munson. “Major asshat. But he happens to be paying my bills this month, so technically, he’s my favorite major asshat.”

“Oh, same.” Steve laughs. It’s fucking glorious too. Eddie kind of wishes he had brought his microphone so that he could capture such a wonderful sound with high quality recording software. Is that creepy? Maybe he should dial it back. 

... As if. This guy’s hair is sculpted with effortless perfection and his shoulder blades could slice through a French baguette. No way Eddie can dial it back or keep it together.

“So you’re doing the voice work on the commercial, right?” Steve asks.

‘Yup.” Eddie shoves both hands into his pockets. “Indeed I am.” 

Okay, that was borderline Yoda. Get a grip.

Steve seems unfazed though. “That’s cool. Can’t wait to hear what you come up with.”

“Thanks.” Eddie smiles warmly. Nerves mellowing out. “And I can’t wait to see you in action out there.”

“Hope I can give you some good inspiration.” And Steve winks, legit winks at Eddie. Does it like it’s normal too, like he winks at everybody. He probably winks at nuns just to see if he can get them to consider conversion.

Eddie is so hopeless. Fucking tragic at this point.

They walk into the studio and are greeted by a somber, archaic set design. There’s a massive throne in the middle that is draped with fur. 

It’s… tacky. That’s the nicest adjective Eddie has to describe it. Tacky bullshit.

“I thought this was for a cologne ad.” Eddie says, eyeing the snowy backdrop.

Steve nods. “It is.”

“So what’s with the secondhand Game of Thrones set?”

“Mr. Asshat thinks this is his cinematic debut.”

Eddie snorts. Loves that he already has inside jokes with this beautiful, beautiful creature. “Someone should tell Mr. Asshat that this is visual plagiarism.”

“Nah.” Steve runs his hand over the tacky fur piece. Smirks to himself as he speaks. “I say we let him suffer.”

Eddie’s legs wobble. “Damn, you’re hot.”

He sounds ridiculously uncool, so breathy and gone. But Steve shrugs in a non-pitying kind of way, so maybe Eddie's uncoolness is excused. Or expected.

While the camera and lighting crew finalize their positions, Steve takes off his robe, revealing his costume.

Torn, muddied pants. Ripped and clawed to shreds. A billowy white top that’s completely unbuttoned. Un-laced? Eddie’s not entirely sure about the mechanics - just knows that Steve’s chest is out, that’s all he can focus on.

There’s a dented crown that the stylist places next to the throne, right at Steve’s feet. It’s shimmery yet tarnished, catches the light in a kaleidoscope effect.

The product is called The Fallen King, so deductive reasoning tells Eddie that Steve is meant to be the physical embodiment of this scent. He recalls something in the script about his title being slandered by promiscuity and forbidden love. Apparently they’ve bottled up that smell into a cologne. 

Do people really want to smell like a dethroned monarch? That’s a thing? Huh.

Just to make the sexual torture even more unbearable, Eddie gets to spectate alongside Mr. Asshat himself. Which also means that Eddie almost has a center view of Steve’s performance.

Cause that’s exactly what he’s giving. A performance. A full display production of his body, his face. His whole godlike essence. 

It’s unfair how fucked Eddie is from watching Steve pose. He can hold the oddest positions without budging a single tendon. So still. Durable. Strong.

Every last thought in Eddie’s head is impure from that observation. He wants to wrap his fingers around Steve’s muscles until he finally moves, twitches. Eddie wants to watch as Steve’s pretty lips part, falling open with sighs. See how long it takes for those sighs to turn into moans.

Steve slumps back into the throne, legs spread obscenely far apart. His gaze droops low and dark, practically eye-fucking the camera. It’s crazy how jealous Eddie is of that stupid inanimate object. The things he would do to get eye-fucked by that golden sex god up there…

His internal porno gets interrupted by a new pose. A wicked one. Steve is on his knees now, looking up into the camera lens. He sinks into the dreamiest expression. Looks dazed, all spaced-out and helpless. Eddie kneads at the growing heat in his pants with the heel of his palm. Hopes it’s not fucking obvious that he’s so horned up right now.

The director clears his throat and yells over the camera’s constant shuttering. “Can you tilt your head back, Steve?”

And Steve does. So obedient, so exceptional at his job. His head rolls back on his neck, shoulders sagging with the shift of weight.

Eddie is chewing the inside of his cheek, nearly ready to take the horny loss and go jack off in his car. Steve is in the most ideal position now, totally vulnerable. Eddie could fuck him so good like that, let Steve melt into his touch. He’d treat him like treasure, spoil him with dick and praise. Eddie would catch him if his legs give out. Would lick Steve’s kiss-bitten lips until the swelling goes down.

God, Eddie is so sick in the head for conjuring up x-rated scenes like this. In public, surrounded by strangers. Literally on the clock. He seriously needs to get his head checked for having such a whorish imagination.

The shoot ends shortly after that last pose, the one that rocked Eddie’s world. He closes his eyes for a minute, takes a few deep breaths. Tries to inhale some goddamn decency.

“How was it?” Steve heads his way, snaking his arms back into the bathrobe.

Eddie blinks hard. “It was… you were…” And the words stop. Nothing else comes out, his throat is strangled and bare.

Steve gives a soft laugh, nudges Eddie’s arm with his elbow. “Guess you do better when there’s a script in front of you, huh?”

Oh. So he’s pretty and darkly playful? This is too good, too delicious.

Eddie wets his bottom lip, recovers quickly. “I do better when there’s not an earthbound angel in my presence.”

��Wow.” Steve raises both eyebrows. “That’s quite the compliment.”

“Oh come on - you must get compliments all the time.”

“Not like that one though.”

“No?”

Steve takes a step into Eddie’s space. “Definitely not.”

They just stare after that - mostly because it’s Eddie’s turn to speak but words are so secondary when there’s this much beauty to behold. Gazing becomes his top priority.

And before the conversation can lead to an exchange of last names or phone numbers, Steve is rushed off by his agent. Maybe his publicist. Maybe his mom, Eddie has no fucking clue. Just someone taking away his shiny new toy. He sort of feels like reenacting that scene in Cast Away when the volleyball drifts into the ocean. Be dramatic as all hell about this ending.

Eddie doesn’t actually jack off in his car, although he really wants to. No, he decides to use all of his adrenaline and pent-up hormones for the voice recording. It gives his vocals this strained, chesty sound. Sinful and corrupt. Cracking with emotion in certain spots, spiking the volume in all the right ways.

It might be too much, a little bit too suggestive for a lousy cologne advertisement.

But as he listens back, Eddie can’t help but picture Steve. Imagining snapshots of him from every angle, especially the unspeakable ones. The recording barely sounds like a script anymore. It almost sounds like Eddie whispering the lines directly into Steve’s ear. A dirty secret between them.

This is it, he thinks. Sends the audio file to his sound mixer without a second read-through, without a retake. This might be the best voiceover Eddie Munson has ever done.

[blogport]

EPOXYSHİNE - DRAGON+ (3)

Epoxy floor coating is not just a practical choice for enhancing the durability of your flooring; it's also a stylish solution that can transform any space. Whether you're a homeowner looking to revamp your garage or a business owner seeking reliable commercial flooring solutions, understanding the benefits of epoxy will help you make informed decisions. As you search for "floor polishing near me," consider how an expertly applied epoxy coating can elevate your interiors while providing a long-lasting finish. 

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Furthermore, the installation process for epoxy floor coating is relatively quick, often completed within a few days. However, it’s essential to hire professionals who have the expertise and equipment to ensure a flawless application. The right team will properly prepare the surface, allowing for optimal adhesion and longevity of the coating.

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When searching for floor polishing near me, it's essential to find a service that not only meets your expectations but also understands the unique needs of your flooring. Professional floor polishing can revitalize old surfaces, restoring their shine and luster while protecting them from future wear and tear.

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Commercial flooring solutions are essential for businesses seeking to enhance their aesthetic appeal while also ensuring durability and functionality. The choice of flooring can greatly influence the overall atmosphere of a commercial space, leading to improved employee morale and customer satisfaction.

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One of the significant advantages of a metallic epoxy floor is its durability. This flooring solution is resistant to stains, chemicals, and impacts, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. Additionally, it is easy to clean and maintain, which means that business owners and homeowners can save time and resources. The seamless nature of epoxy flooring also contributes to a hygienic environment, especially in spaces like hospitals or laboratories.

Installing a metallic epoxy floor can be a customized process, allowing property owners to choose their preferred colors and patterns. Whether you’re looking for a sleek, industrial look or a vibrant, artistic finish, this flooring solution can be tailored to meet your unique vision. By consulting with professionals, you can ensure that your metallic epoxy floor is installed correctly and maximizes its longevity and beauty.

[queenshelby]

The Peaky Role (Part Four)

Pairing: Cillian Murphy x Reader

Warning: Age Gap, Best Friend's Dad

Later that day...

After you finished your last scene, at around 6 o'clock that day, a few of the cast members where quick to leave while others were hanging around.

"Are you joining us for dinner tonight?" one of the younger actors asked, flashing you a bright smile. "We often go to the pub on the corner. The food there is fantastic, and the atmosphere is totally relaxed."

You shook your head, a somewhat tired but polite smile tugging at the corners of your mouth. "Thanks, but I’m going to skip it tonight. I am pretty tired," you explained while Cillian joined the conversation beside you, his hands in his pockets.

"What about you, Cillian?" the same actor asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.

Cillian chuckled softly. "I think you already know the answer to that. No pub for me tonight."

Laughter rippled through the group. "You're such a hermit," another actor teased, nudging him but Cillian simply shrugged.

"Are all of you Irish like this?" the young man then asked, but you shook your head.

You rolled your eyes, smirking at the banter. “No, just Cillian. I’m saving money, not avoiding socializing,” you shot back, grinning, while Cillian chuckled softly, the corner of his mouth lifting in amusement before suggesting that you walk back to the apartment complex together.

As you walked out of the studio, the air felt fresher with the evening breeze nudging at your skin. Streetlights flickered on, casting an amber glow along the pavement.

"You really should think about joining them next time, to get to know some more people in the industry," Cillian said, stepping beside you as you crossed the street.

“I know, but I am actually saving money and this job does not pay well unless you are famous," you replied, your voice laced with a hint of humor, though a hint of truth lingered in your tone. “I’d rather not spend it on overpriced pub grub.”

Cillian nodded, a knowing look in his deep blue eyes. "I remember those days, believe me," he chuckled before glancing down at the street as you both walked. "I used to count every penny back when I was starting out."

You looked up at him, intrigued. “Really? You? I can’t imagine you ever struggling.”

A wry smile danced on his lips. "You'd be surprised," he replied, his gaze flickering to a passing car. "I was hitchhiking because I couldn't afford a bloody car back then. It takes a lot to get where you want to be."

You snorted. "Oh my god, did you ever get picked up by some weirdos?" you asked, a teasing grin spreading across your face.

Cillian threw his head back in laughter, the sound echoing in the quiet street. “Trust me, I have stories that would make your skin crawl.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “But I suppose that's part of the journey. You learn a lot when you’re out there.”

As approaching your hotel, the neon sign of a supermarket glowed invitingly across the street.

“I do need to grab some food, do you want to come?" he then asked as you paused at the entrance. You glanced at the bright lights illuminating the aisles of the supermarket, welcoming the idea of joining him.

"Sure, I need some stuff too," you replied, falling into step beside him as you both pushed through the sliding glass doors.

Inside, the familiar scent of produce and faint cleaning products filled your nose and you quickly seperated.

You made your way to the fast food aisle, scanning the shelves filled with instant noodles, microwave dinners, and other quick options. You pulled a packet of noodles off the shelf, squeezing it lightly before tossing it into your basket.

Needing some tacos, Cillian joined but then paused beside you, peering into your basket with an amused expression. “You really aren’t going to eat that for dinner, are you?”

You raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto your face. “Why not?" you returned playfully. “It’s quick and easy. Just add hot water and voilà, dinner is served.”

Cillian shook his head slowly, a hint of disbelief in his eyes. “That’s not a dinner. You need something more nutritious to keep up your energy. How about some proper food?”

You chuckled, your gaze darting back to the lineup of instant meals. "It's fine, really. Instant noodles have been my best friend for years," you replied, tossing another packet into the basket for good measure.

Cillian raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement as he took in the collection of instant meals. “I’m not letting you eat that," he then determined before making a suggestion.

"How about this—why don’t you join me for dinner? I am cooking anyway and you can leave after, go about your own plans as you please. But at least this way, you can eat something healthy."

You hesitated, caught off guard by the unexpected invitation. The prospect of a home-cooked meal sparked a fleeting sense of joy, but you pulled back, a grin playing on your lips.

"Cooking, huh? Look at you going all domestic even after a long day of playing a gangster," you teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.

Cillian laughed, his eyes glinting with appreciation. “Trust me, I can whip up a mean chilli con-carne. Despite, I find cooking therapeutic," he said before he paused, scanning the shelves again. “It helps me to clear my head after a long day," he explained as he selected a a few more items and tossed them into his basket. "So, what do you say?" he asked and you studied him for a moment, weighing the prospect of good food against the allure of your usual routine.

Cillian’s sincerity felt refreshing, and the idea of breaking away from instant noodles was oddly tempting .

"Alright, you’ve convinced me,” you finally agreed, a grin breaking out on your face. “I’ll join you for dinner," you said, your excitement bubbling like the instant noodles you were used to.

Cillian beamed, the tension in his shoulders easing as if a weight had been lifted. “Great! Let's just get some more things and go. It's getting late," he told you, causing you to chuckle again.

"It's not even seven o'clock," you countered, your laughter fading as you followed him through the aisles, watching as he thoughtfully selected fresh vegetables and spices for his dish.

Once done, Cillian paid and you headed straight to his apartment which, not to your suprise, was much bigger than yours.

"Now, tell me what I can do," you said, looking around as Cillian led the way into his spacious kitchen, adorned with sleek cabinets and modern appliances. "I may as well learn something while I’m here."

Cillian chuckled, setting the bags down on the counter with a soft thud. “You want me to teach you how to cook?" Cillian clarified with an amused twinkle in his eye.

“Absolutely,” you replied, leaning against the counter as you watched him pull out a cutting board and knives.

Cillian grinned, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt as he began to unpack the groceries. “Alright then, first things first—chop up these vegetables,” he said, pulling out a variety of colorful bell peppers and an onion. He handed you a knife, placing a cutting board in front of you.

"Consider it done," you said, grabbing the knife with confidence. You sliced into the onion, the crisp sound filling the kitchen as you focused intently on your task, trying to mimic Cillian’s precise chopping techniques. Cillian moved about the kitchen, his presence both calming and exhilarating. With every slice of the knife, you could feel the rhythm settling in, the usual chatter of nerves pushed aside.

“Not bad for a novice,” Cillian commented, glancing over at you while tossing the chopped peppers into a sizzling frying pan. The aroma of the vegetables mingled with the heat radiating from the stove as they began to soften.

"Thanks," you murmured, your ears flushing with pride at his compliment. “You make it look easy.”

Cillian chuckled, stirring the contents in the pan with finesse, steam rising and swirling around him.

“Practice makes perfect,” he said, glancing your way with an encouraging smile and, once the chilli was cooking, he turned back towards you.

“Now tell me, what did you think about your first day on set?" he asked and you paused, considering your answer.

“It was definitely overwhelming at first,” you admitted, your fingers stilling over the vegetables. “Walking onto that set, seeing everyone bustling about, I felt like a deer caught in headlights. There’s just so much energy and you can sense the weight of expectations in the air.”

Cillian nodded, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms, a look of understanding crossing his face. “That’s the nature of this business. The moment you step onto set, it feels like you carry everyone's ideas and needs along with you."

You nodded, letting his words sink in. “Right? But once I got into the groove of my scenes, it all sort of faded away. The adrenaline kicked in, and I felt more like myself," you finished, a content smile spreading across your face.

Cillian's gaze softened, and he nodded thoughtfully. “Well, for what it's worth, you did incredibly well for your first day," he encouraged you thoughtfully but, even before you could respond to him, you felt a little dizzy.

You paused, blinking rapidly as the colors around you blurred for a moment.

“Are you okay?” Cillian asked, concern edging into his voice as he turned his full attention to you, noticing you turning pale.

“ I'm fine,” you insisted, forcing a smile that felt thin at the edges. “Just a little lightheaded, I think.”

Cillian's blue eyes narrowed, studying you intently. “ "You don’t look fine," he said, shifting closer, concern knitting his brows together. "Have you had your insulin?" he asked and you swallowed hard, your heart racing as you realised how closely he observed you.

“Um, not for a bit,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper as you glanced down, avoiding his piercing gaze.

“Not for a bit?” His tone escalated, disbelief evident in his voice. “Where is it?" he asked and you hesitated, the urgency thick in the air as you flicked your eyes toward your bag, which you had left near the front door.

“I just... I figured I wouldn't need it for another couple of hours,” you stammered, guilt creeping into your voice as you felt his eyes bore into you.

"Come on, lie down on the couch for a minute while I get it," Cillian insisted, his voice firm yet gentle as he guided you to the living room, his hand resting on your back with a surprising warmth.

You sank into the plush couch, exhaling shaky breaths as the world slowly came back into focus. Cillian hurried off into the hallway, leaving you alone for a moment. The quiet of the apartment wrapped around you, and you closed your eyes, trying to breathe through the wave of dizziness that had washed over you.

Cillian returned moments later, his expression a mixture of focus and worry. He held your insulin pen in one hand, the tiny device feeling almost foreign as he approached.

"I need the monitor too," you murmured, your voice steadying as you reached for your bag. Cillian's eyes never left you, concern etched across his handsome features.

"What about your new monitor? The one that hooks in all the time?" he asked as he looked through your bag quickly and then found it tucked away in a pocket. He held it up with a hint of authority, as if success depended on this small device.

"I took it off for filming," you admitted, a sheepish grin escaping your lips. “Didn’t want to deal with the wires showing through my outfit.”

"Jesus Y/N," he groaned, his voice tinged with frustration but laced with concern. He set the monitor down and focused on you, his blue eyes intense. “You’ve got to take this more seriously," he lectured you just as your father would before reaching for your hand.

"Give me your index finger," he demanded gently.

With reluctant compliance, you extended your finger, feeling the warmth of his hand linger against yours.

Cillian pressed the small lance against your fingertip, the quick sting almost pleasant in its urgency. He squeezed gently until a bead of blood formed, then swiftly positioned the glucose monitor over it.

He then placed the strip into the monitor, his eyes flicking to the screen as the numbers displayed steadily counted down.

"How often do you check this?" he asked, his voice steady, though you could hear the underlying tension in his tone.

"Usually before I eat," you replied, watching him with a mixture of gratitude and embarrassment. “Sometimes after if I feel off, but…” you said as you let your voice trail off, the weight of your admission hanging in the air, palpable and heavy.

"What does it say?" you then asked and Cillian’s focus remained fixed on the screen, his brow creasing as he showed you, not really understanding the numbers.

Cillian held the monitor out, his frown deepening and you blinked at the glowing digits, your heart sinking.

"Pass me the pen," you instructed, your voice steady yet urgent. Cillian hesitated for just a moment, his expression marking concern, but then he handed it to you without question.

You grabbed it, twisting off the cap with precision. You could feel Cillian's gaze on you, the weight of his worry tangible in the air as you prepared to inject the insulin.

You lifted your shirt slightly , exposing a small area of skin on your abdomen. You quickly pushed the needle into the soft flesh, the sting a familiar sensation that calmed your racing thoughts.

Cillian shifted closer, his presence almost enclosing you like a protective barrier as you pressed down on the plunger, delivering the dose with a steadiness you’d practiced countless times before.

"All done," you murmured, placing the pen down on the coffee table, your breath gradually evening out as you felt the tension in your system loosen.

Cillian remained close, his expression softening as he watched you. “You had me worried there for a second,” he admitted, a hint of relief breaking his serious demeanor, his deep blue eyes momentarily shimmering with concern.

"Sorry to cause a panic," you replied, letting out a shaky laugh as you settled back into the couch, the tension in your body easing just a little.

You chuckled softly, the unease slowly fading as you caught Cillian's eye.

"Just relax for a bit now, okay?" Cillian said, his hand hovering near yours in a gentle reminder. “I’ll finish up the dinner, and you can sit here until you feel better.”

"Okay, thank you," you replied, sinking further into the soft cushions as relief gradually washed over you. Cillian’s reassurance wrapped around you like a comforting blanket, and you took a moment to breathe as you watched him head back to the kitchen, still wearing that focused expression. He moved with an ease that suggested this was a routine for him, perhaps a dance he had perfected over years of solitary dinners between shoots.

The sizzle of the frying pan mingled with the soft murmur of a cooking show blaring from the television, a comforting backdrop to the evening. You relaxed into the couch, the softness pulling at you as you let your mind wander in the stillness of the moment.

It felt strange to be here, sharing a meal with Cillian, your best friend's father, without her being here too. It felt wrong somehow, but you actually enjoyed his company.

Tags:

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@nela-cutie @futurecorps3 @delishen @nosebleeds-247 @thirteenis-myluckynumber @gills-lounge @hjmalmed @lost-fantasy @tiredkitten @sidechrisporn @smallsoulunknown @charqing-qing @hopefulinlove @aporiasposts @shycrybaby @me-and-your-husband @hjmalmed @lacontroller1991 @galxydefender @aporiasposts

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[zoohouseart]

An idea of how Ed Edd n Eddy's cast may appear as adults. I wrote a bio for each one too.

Ed: Married May Kanker right out of high school, had 26 kids all named after monster movies (all of which he's VERY protective of). Spends a simple life working on tree-lifting and mine digging, bathes in gravy every night. Misses Edd and Eddy a whole, whole lot. Unfortunately doesn't see them often, since they moved further into the city while he stayed in the cul-de-sac.

Edd (Double D): Cleaned his act, got the girl, gained a master's in science and engineering, became a teacher, and yet STILL isn't happy or widely respected. Has yet to fully address his long standing anxiety of taking off his hat. Cannot let himself catch a break as he stresses daily about getting the bills paid. Wishes there was more to life than this ever-revolving door of monotony.

Eddy: Flunked out of college. Works as an errand boy for the mayor of Peach Creek and "oversees productivity". Secretly continues to feed his compulsions to scam and gamble at any chance he can get. Spends his every evening dreaming of the day where HE's the mayor, and scheming up ideas he'll never enact (unless..). Often complains that jawbreakers aren't as big as they used to be.

Nazz: Lives a bohemian life, praying someday her time to shine will glisten once more as an "influencer" but works retail in the meantime. Mooches off her fiancée Edd and tries to make up for it in emotional (and erm, well, physical) support. Is struggling with the idea that she peaked in high school, but will never admit it. Mockingly called "Double Z" by Eddy, though she doesn't mind.

Kevin: Is the mayor of Peach Creek. Won this view through pure charisma and good word as the football king of Peach Creek High and general "best at everything", but is often these days fumbling the ball on keeping the streets safe and clean. Is now friends with Eddy, or at least he likes to think so. Is sad he didn't make it into pro league, and will sulk about it when noone's looking.

Sarah: Took up the job of being a shrink (specifically in anger management), and a general town do-gooder. She's often, even if obnoxiously, asking to help others. Has really turned her life around from her loudmouthed, vicious childhood and make up for her past cruelties.. but has mostly done so just to repress her unbridled rage bubbling inside. Whatever you do, don't bring up Jimmy in front of her.

Jimmy: Sarah and Jimmy were conjoined to the hip practically forever, until the day his braces came off. Once he did, he got the call from Hollywood for his incredible acting chops, and ditched his BFF without a second thought. People often tour Peach Creek to see his hometown, much to the chagrin of everyone there. Is a real piece of work these days and could use a nice ass whooping.

Rolf: Grew to be a mighty farmer, creating a titanic cattle industry. Used his profits to buy a massive chunk of Peach Creek and turn it into "New Yergosluvia", so his old country family could live nearby. There he resides as it's king, and frequently feuds with old friend Kevin. Wears Victor's pelt in honor of his life-long servitude to a son of a shepherd (Victor passed peacefully in his sleep).

Johnny 2x4: MIA. As the Eds became more accepted, Johnny became the new misfit. One day, tragedy suddenly struck Plank in senior year of high school, and Johnny was never seen again. There's urban legends of crudely drawn faces appearing on the trees around the old cul-de-sac they grew up in. Ed swears he's seen one tree move. But that's crazy Ed for you. …Right?

May Kanker: Spends her days mostly exhausted from having to take care of 26 children, and hardly ever leaves the house. When she's not trying to drown out the kids with a cranked up TV, she's spending every other hour gossiping about occurrences across the city with her sisters.. though there's not a lot of time between that and cleaning up shit smeared on the walls.

Marie Kanker: Was expelled from Peach Creek High School for stalking Edd and threatening harm on Nazz. She now spends her days as a forum rat on doxxing related message boards, betwixt a day job of driving a garbage truck, where she mostly rides around town spying on people and scribbling down their whereabouts. She too spends all remaining hours gossiping with her sisters.

Lee Kanker: Was mid-planning on going to college and had her life all figured out to be a part of law enforcement until she was unexpectedly locked up for "illegal wood burning". She swears she was framed but has no idea who could've done it. She's usually calling her sisters, but occasionally talks with Eddy. She's not interested in him anymore; they just like to shoot the shit sometimes.

[marinerendevouz]

enemies to lovers with fine + switch !

ft. eichi tenshouin, yuzuru fushimi, tori himemiya, wataru hibiki & natsume sakasaki, tsumugi aoba, sora harukawa

eichi tenshouin

• listen. hear me out here. being the younger sibling of rei and ritsu.

• SO many opportunities for silly shenanigans to ensue

• i can imagine eichi being the one to attempt (keyword: attempt) to court you first

• which obviously, considering his history with rei, is honestly REALLY WEIRD?

• you’re just like . What the fuck are you doing while eichi like . Winks at you or something

• seriously so awkward. you hate his guts tbh and are planning on his downfall together with rei

• ritsu finds it so So stupid. probably gossips ? gossipED ? about you with eichi at tea club . eichi was kicking his feet and giggling the entire time

• part of him doesn’t believe his crush is genuine at first. he thinks that it’s amusing, obviously, but real feelings ? he is simply not allowed to feel those…

• until now that is !

• he thinks your snarky remarks and nonchalant gaze are enrapturing

• meanwhile, you: (ʘ言ʘ╬)

• you accompany rei and ritsu to ensemble square quite often, which means you are (unfortunately) greeted by the presence of eichi almost Daily. A Nightmare for sure

• as time goes on, you see how hardworking and charismatic eichi is while performing his duties as executive for starmaker productions and well. even You can’t deny it’s a little attractive. ONLY a little (a lot)

• once eichi catches on to you reciprocating his feelings, he is SO ANNOYING!!!

• teasing gets way wayyy worse. honestly it’s over for you, personally i would have kms by that point

• and once rei notices your banter with eichi turning into FLIRTING? it is joever for you

• half of him is extremely disgusted . he is clinging to his beloved ritsu to console him . the other half is impressed somehow

• “ah, of all people, it had to be him?” “listen i didn’t want this either, rei” - you

• to see your hatred of what eichi did turn into understanding… really even you’re impressed with yourself

• and eichi is Actively trying to be better . he is a little fucked up but it’s okay you can fix him (and also make him worse)

• also i think it’s so funny to imagine eichi’s pale ass figure visit the dark, brooding, gothic sakuma estate. Family dinner visit !

• rei does not give his approval. he almost throws a plate at eichi

• ritsu just gives you two a thumbs up

• a happy family for sure ❤️

yuzuru fushimi

• as the best friend of tori, you have personal beef with his butler

• WHY is he always with tori. how are you two meant to get up to mischief with him constantly Watching. Always Watching.

• and yuzuru thinks you are a horrible influence on his young master

• an OUTRAGEOUS CLAIM which you are ready to fistfight him for . you exude nothing but purity, innocence and charm

• tori is somewhere between amused by your hatred for yuzuru and tired of hearing you talk about him ALL THE TIME

• “and why does he have to constantly be watching you? seriously, he should get a hobby. he’s an idol, too, right? actually i can kind of see why, he definitely has the looks to make it in the industry. anyway—” “OH MY GOD SHUT UP (Y/N)”

• tori doesn’t understand why you’re so Oblivious and so Dumb . he cries to eichi-sama about it who is too busy . idk watching wataru turn into a bird

• yuzuru just watches you with that type of . Evil and Scary closed eye smile that he is a pro at

• honestly? you’re quivering in your boots. but also admiring his smile. his smile is really pretty. Wait a minute.

• the complaining turns into swooning ! who would have guessed (tori) (he guessed) (he knew) (and now he has to listen to you talk about yuzuru 25/7)

• you clean up your act in order to impress him. No More late night snack runs with tori. you are a SAINT

• yuzuru finds it endearing and honestly quite entertaining

• soon enough, he finds himself completely charmed by your. erm. really strange(?) behaviour

• he, himself, is also a strange individual so there’s no surprise there

• tori sets up tea dates for the both of you as well awwww. What a good friend (he invites you over for tea with him then runs away when yuzuru comes to serve you tea. it is a Kind Of tea date)

• honestly you scored a 10/10 baddie GOOD FOR YOU

tori himemiya

• ok i know i have done the sibling ones So often already but. tsukasa’s sibling. YOU being tsukasa’s sibling that is.

• you and tsukasa are constantly discussing how tori has Wronged you everyday

• tori just looks at you both and calls you a fugly pair of siblings

• “listen i’m not saying we bring a lighter to the next fine concert But”

• “that is not appropriate at all… that being said i am not discarding the idea”

• dw about tori he has his own personal bodyguard (yuzuru) to ward off predators (you and tsukasa)

• how is he so much cuter, more successful, prettier, funnier, cuter—

• you know that type of jealousy and hatred that you realise is actually. Much deeper feelings. Yeah. it’s that

• tori gets a lot busier with idol work and that’s when you realise you miss going to the student council office just to banter with him.

• it is so so lonely and so so cold… (2 hours no tori)

• head on the desk. you feel yourself drifting further and further away…

• “hey, what’s up loser”

• RAGE. tori himemiya.

• half play fighting half unbridled rage . its like a pair of kittens toppling over and hissing

• tori also (maybe) (kind of) missed you too. he complained. Loudly. to yuzuru who was like Alright we are going to see them then!

• eventually the teasing insults and fighting turns into the type of fighting that you do as a couple. idk it just KIND OF HAPPENS?

• tsukasa is like. Well i do not approve but at least it’ll be good for our family business

• a good end. a happy end. eichi and wataru have adopted the two of you as their own

• “AMAZING! when is the wedding” “NEVER SHUT UP”

• you buy matching, cutesey couple items and then fight over them

• really what’s a good relationship without a few death threats here and there

wataru hibiki

• i really cannot imagine wataru having an enemy. SURE he has a lot of haters (tomoya) (hokuto) but even then it is done so in an affectionate manner. There is simply No hatred in his heart. only silliness

• so unfortunately your hatred of him is one-sided ! enemy to lovers part 2

• being a rival actor to THE wataru hibiki is certainly a predicament. i mean he has sentient hair is there anything he can’t do

• and it pisses you off. Majorly. who does this absolute clown think he is

• you try your hardest at Every show, you sing your heart out, put the most effort in

• and then there’s wataru. who is Equally as hardworking but somehow 10x more charismatic

• even eichi tenshouin is his biggest fan . he has capitalism on his side

• so you have a burning jealousy and hatred for this man . Well until he offers to do a show WITH you

• you just give him the blankest stare . What are you on about

• while he’s laughing to himself and monologuing on how you two would make the perfect lead roles

• ????? SERIOUSLY

• that’s how you get roped into performing with him and a bunch of idols in dramatica . And well they are certainly an interesting bunch

• as you prepare for the (romantic btw) musical you convince yourself the warmth you feel in your cheeks at his love proclamations is just Method Acting

• IT IS NOT!!!! no one can resist his charm

• you also see how well respected he is as an actor and his true talent on stage

• like . He was one of the eccentrics for a reason. he is stupidly good at acting

• jealousy turns to admiration and well. yeah you guessed it ! admiration turns into an intolerable crush

• wataru, similarly, is impressed at your prowess for acting and shows no signs of being quiet about it. he is yelling how talented you are every 5 seconds and joking how he may Really fall for you

• spoiler warning: he does

• flash forward 6 months . Time for the play

• at the kiss scene it all really comes together . it is a sincerely romantic and genuine kiss

• the crowd is going WILD (except eichi) (he’s jealous) (“i wish that was me fr”)

• backstage, you may just pass out

• but of course wataru is there to lift you up and be a shoulder you can lean on

• And that’s how you scored a date with THE wataru hibiki . he is everyone’s wataru but especially yours

• absolute 10/10 power couple watch out hollywood (and eichi)

• tomoya is just hoping you can tame him or something

natsume sakasaki

• i am so normal over him guys trust (lie) (such a lie)

• he is the perfect candidate for enemies to lovers . something about him just screams ‘i love you in a way that is so painful and so mean’

• anyways . being the apprentice of wataru after natsume stops being his apprentice

• I AM SO SANE OVER THIS CONCEPT

• obviously you were Not Really involved in the war so you’re pretty clueless as to natsume’s former relationship with wataru

• which makes you question why he is such an asshole to you. LIKE he does not take your magic seriously at all

• he thinks that you are not qualified which is . so stupid like you cannot gatekeep being an evil wizard okay that title is for anyone

• in reality… he is a tiny bit insecure that you’re good enough at magic to be wataru’s apprentice

• magic and alchemy has always been something that his character is largely based on and for someone to take over that role so quickly ?!?&:!

• so he Pretends that whenever wataru is telling him about your latest experiments and tricks that he is Not impressed .

• he's basically the yawns . sloppy. boring. lazy .

• he actually really wants to discuss magic with you but every time you meet he just scowls and acts like a bitch. in usual natsume ‘i hate being vulnerable or showing any feelings’ agenda

• so that means you’re going to have to make the first move. otherwise the enemies to lovers slowburn 100k words pining fic ends HERE

• if you ask him for help with magic he is going to be so smug

• like “hM, i figured the likes of you would need help from me afterALL”

• just try not to punch him in the face it will be WORTH IT OKAY!!!

• his hands are actually really shaky the whole time and he is trying his hardest not to mess up it’s actually So so cute

• and natsume gets to assess your magic prowess too (he’s impressed btw. he wouldn’t tell you that so i’m passing on the message. he's falling in love so quick but don’t tell him i told you ok)

• and so you meet up at his secret room regularly ! and with sora too who you become apprentice buddies with ^_^ so joyous

• listen i wasn’t going to include the love potion natsume trope in this but these headcanons are tropey enough let me have this

• you confess by making a love potion together with him PLEASE HEAR ME OUT

• anyways you are the best most magical couple in all of ensemble stars . you create tricky little spells to foil your enemies (eichi tenshouin) and then kiss wearing witch’s hats . the end

tsumugi aoba

• another good enemies to lovers candidate but in a More pathetic way i think

• you’re the producer for past fine. please hear me out on this concept

• i think your beef would be similar to eichi and hiyori . like divorced couple type romance

• you are regretful of the war and find the memories to be bittersweet. then you talk to tsumugi and he’s like Yeah haha i would probably do it again

• HE HAS ISSUES

• and yet he’s still one of the only people who truly understands and unconditionally supports you… this is a sick and twisted world

• i think tsumugi is too moe kyaah anime girl to have any hatred towards you so the enemies to lovers will (once again) be one sided

• he brings up your time as second years and you feel the need to throttle him

• yet you know him so well too, especially how he overworks himself

• and as an ensemble square producer you have to take care of his soggy pathetic self. Sorry

• that one romance trope of the person bandaging the wounds of the love interest . that’s you two except it’s you dragging his ass to bed at 3am

• he will complain . so you have to compromise on letting him cuddle you

• everyone notices how close you two are btw . sora is that one image that’s like ‘hey why does senpai call you babygirl’ ‘how about we stop talking for a little while’

• you Deny all the outrageous claims that you CARE??? for him and say it is rather your past together that makes you feel obligated but it was like two? three? years ago mostly everyone has moved on. stop lying to yourself

• you two have healed Together… and that is what makes your love so raw and vulnerable and eughhsjk this is so sappy and cute. Throws up

• hiyori and nagisa are both so happy that you two are together and finally found peace (sort of)

• eichi is like Hm. interesting . this is awkward

• but it’s okay . because everything is fine (haha get it) now and you and tsumugi are (past) war criminals together ^_^

sora harukawa

• sora is too full of JOY and HAPPINESS to be enemies with anyone . So we are going a bit off script you are rivals in this scenario

• video game rivals to be precise ! i feel like the 🤓 typing this but it’s CUTESEY I PROMISE

• mostly you two play multiplayer games together and get a teensy bit competitive . in the video game club of Course which means we get natsume to be the (totally unbiased) judge

• sora is realllyyy good at video games which means you frequently lose . this is why you have waged war on him

• you will not STOP until the ultimate gamer title becomes yours

• sora is just ヽ(*⌒∇��*)ﾉ he’s happy to indulge and play games with you because your colour is always so bright and vibrant when you do !

• little does he know you are plotting his Demise. his demise on little big planet or something

• days, nights, weeks, months you train to beat him. and you never do

• he keeps winning everytime and always acts so modest about it which is even WORSE!!! you can't even get mad when he’s so polite about beating you

• once sora notices your colour becoming more dull because of how demotivated you are he gets really worried (◞‸◟；) he loves playing games but loves spending time with you more…

• once you admit that you’re upset about being worse at games he thinks of a quick solution ! play games together instead of against each other and he can teach you all his tricks

• (natsume offers to help too but he's Not important and he is an asshole . Do not trust)

• so your weekly gaming tournaments basically turn into gaming dates ft thirdwheel natsume and sometimes tsumugi

• cutest CUTEST couple 10/10 i love

• natsume approves too btw . 10/10

• tsumugi is a Little confused but he has the spirit (he also rates 10/10)

• (rinne will not be Making an appearance in fear of shu finding out but he also rates 10/10. Save him from shu)

OKAY KIND OF IMPORTANT MESSAGE SO PLEASE READ!!!

i would have made a separate post for this but i feel like no one would read it so. i’m finally back after um. 10 months. i was super busy and kind of lost interest in enstars and other things so i pretty much abandoned this blog… BUT I HAVE RETURNED! i’m going to try posting every so often and interacting more with you guys on here ^_^ i cleared out my inbox (sorry to anyone who sent things in, it was cluttered and stressing me out haha) so feel free to send me any asks! i will NOT be opening specific requests, but you can feel free to send suggestions for prompts, scenarios or characters you want me to make headcanons for and i’ll try my best!! i also want to try out writing proper fics alongside the silly hc posts, but i might mostly post those on ao3, though i would like a nice balance between silly and serious(ish). i will also try writing for other fandoms like mhyk, twst and pjsekai since i am heavily in those as well but yeah!! my official comeback methinks. hope to chat more with everyone! ♡

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive

Y'all know I'm not one to save celebrity news without reason: There's some excellent analysis done in this article about air quality and airborne disease.

Macbeth: cancelled due to “illness” The eagerly anticipated production of Macbeth, starring David Tennant in the title role at the Harold Pinter Theatre, has cancelled four consecutive performances this week due to “illness within the company.” The latest cancellation, announced just two hours before curtain, left audience members disappointed, including those who had traveled internationally and rearranged work schedules.

Among affected ticket holders, some expressed frustration on social media about the late notice and lack of clarity. Twitter user @clairebobcat voiced a common sentiment:

"Ticket holders were notified at 5:45 this eve. Really short notice considering illness has been ongoing since Friday. All best wishes to the cast—illness can’t be helped, but very shoddy treatment of ticket holders. Travel money & Annual leave wasted."

The ongoing cancellations reflect broader challenges facing the theatre industry in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The arts still in crisis due to Covid A survey by Theatre Washington reported that while 58% of Washington, D.C. theatre patrons once attended performances six or more times per year, only 31% have done so since reopening. Almost half of patrons surveyed now attend just three times or fewer, and nearly 68% cited fear of Covid-19 exposure as a primary reason for staying away.

The UK is facing unprecedented rates of long-term illness due to long Covid, a condition marked by symptoms including post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairment, and cardiopulmonary dysfunction.

Public health data shows that over two million people in the UK are affected by long COVID, with more than 10% of Covid cases resulting in prolonged symptoms.

High-profile performers, including Alyssa Milano and Matt McGorry, have spoken publicly about their struggles with long Covid, shedding light on the profound and lasting impact of the illness.

Protect the Heart of the Arts In response to these issues, Protect the Heart of the Arts, an advocacy organisation for members of the performance community with long COVID or who are clinically vulnerable, has offered to donate a HEPA air purification system to the Harold Pinter Theatre, which is staging Macbeth.

Glenda from the group told the Canary:

"It’s unsustainable, unethical, and we can’t afford to accept it as occupational: our employers, unions, regulatory bodies and politicians have to address the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic head-on.

Beyond key vectors (hospitals, schools, prisons), creatives are uniquely vulnerable, especially within live formats, alongside venue staff and audiences; not to mention all within said categories who’ve been marginalised, nor the walk-back of digital programming."

The organisation argues that improved air quality could help reduce health risks for cast, crew, and audiences, potentially preventing further cancellations.

Covid isn’t over – as Macbeth inadvertently shows “We may not know the exact illness affecting the Macbeth cast, but we do know that Covid is a serious vascular disease requiring extended recovery times,” noted Charles Waltz, founder of Protect the Heart of the Arts:

"Reinfections weaken immunity to other pathogens, so without measures like air purification and adequate recovery time, we risk ongoing illness cycles that could impact health and stability across the industry. Clean air and flexible recovery policies are essential to protect the performance community’s long-term health."

[oshinohoshi]

Let's talk about Ai's decision in Ch 154

This is a reaction to some people saying that Ai was stupid in this chapter or that they dislike what this did to her character. I'd like to dig deeper for the sake of organizing my own thoughts on the matter.

This post is long so just skip to the TLDR if you want!

Ch 154's big reveal was that Ai wanted to love Hikaru. She wanted to raise a family with Hikaru but felt that it would be too much of a burden on him because "he was being crushed by the weight of his life" and was "on the verge of breaking." She also acknowledged that he was dependent on her. So she broke up with him in a harsh manner, believing he would be okay once she and her kids were gone.

Let's break this down.

Was Ai stupid for this?

No. Could Hikaru have handled fatherhood at such a young age when he was already suffering from so many emotional wounds? Probably not. It's not inconceivable that starting a family with the girl he loved could be healing, but he couldn't even take care of himself, much less two kids. This was a recipe for disaster.

We could say that the way Ai did it was stupid but I would like to be more generous than that and I'll elaborate below.

Was it unfair of Ai?

I think it was unfair to take the decision of whether he could handle the pregnancy out of Hikaru's hands. That said, if we read this as Ai also recognizing how unhealthy their relationship dynamic was, it's not unfair to end things in part because of that.

Was the way she broke up with him cruel?

Yes, and I'm sure this is why some people feel so negatively about Ai in this chapter. Ai claiming that the product of Hikaru's rape was too much for her led to Hikaru framing Taiki's birth as "something I had done" and stating that Ai leaving him was "only natural."

Still, Ai was not a cruel person. She was gentle and loving but she was also timid. Her coping mechanisms for handling confrontation were to bury her true feelings and put on a suffocating smile. She shouldn't have said what she did, but it was an effective way to make him hate her. She wanted a clean break to free Hikaru from herself and the twins, who she felt were a burden to him. She just didn't have the emotional skillset to handle this correctly.

And she was just a teenager!

As Oscar Wilde wrote, "It is always with the best intentions that the worst work is done." Ai's intentions were kind. Her delivery was almost comically bad.

But why didn't Ai try to get back with Hikaru when she called him or at least try to make amends?

Ai was confused about what love felt like and how to express it. We also don't know how she felt about him almost 4 years later. My take is that by the time she called Hikaru she had moved on from the idea of a romantic relationship but still cared deeply for him.

As for why she never reached out to make amends, Ai does avoidance like she's training to be the avoidance champ of the world. Just look at the short story 45510 where she explains her feelings to her fellow B Komachi members in an unpublished post on their defunct blog. There is also a manga panel showing that Ai had over a hundred unsent text messages. At the time I assumed they were all to the B Komachi girls but some could have been intended for Hikaru.

Ai's regret

Finally, Ai regretted this. Yes, trying to fix it 15 years after the fact is absurdly late, but her heart was in the right place.

TLDR: Ai was just a normal person, as flawed as the rest of us, who experienced hurt, anger, loneliness, and uncertainty. She was misunderstood by everyone around her and commodified by the entertainment industry.

She hurt someone who loved her but it was not out of malice. The extremely poor delivery of the breakup was inevitable given Ai's avoidant tendencies and that she was a teenager. Criticizing Ai without acknowledging everything that led to this point just doesn't sit right with me.

And finally, this panel broke me and I will be suing Akasaka and Mengo for damage to my heart.

[nightlyrequiem]

Be Still My Heart

Chapter 4- Business

Masterlist AO3

New Chapter Every Saturday

You're the best in the meth industry but a new product suddenly pops up. You and your boss, Valeria, must figure out who is making it so you can take back the market. All the while tension is building between the two of you.

A/N: Boring business stuff, but also Valeria being internally vindictive and angry.

Tags/Warnings: Illegal Substances, Boss Employee Relationship, Angst, Some Hurt/Comfort, Violence, Manipulation, Suggestive Themes, Smut (But Only in CH20.), Dual POV

"Well, I have a date. "Well, I have a date. "Well, I have a date." "Well, I have a date."

A glass astray shatters against the wall as Valeria hurls it in anger. Its shards glitter and catch the glow from the lamp, looking like really big crystals of the yellow meth. She scowls at the mess she's made. You have a date. Who would even want to go out with you, she wonders. You're odd and reclusive and don't blink as often as you should. Everyone who works under her thinks you're... peculiar, so who asked you out? Valeria of course has an interest in you but that's because she's intelligent enough to appreciate the complexity of you.

Valeria rubs a hand over her warm face, her fingers itching for another cigarette. Valeria has dumbly assumed that she'd have no competition, that she wouldn't have to compete for your affection. She leans down to pick up the glass, she's lucky all the pieces are big. She stews in her anger. She doesn't enjoy the idea of you out with someone else. Smiling that toothy, lopsided smile at their jokes, focusing that tense stare on them. Maybe you'll even go on to ramble about all the 'fun facts' you know about everything and anything. Valeria won't let this slide, naturally. She has never been the type to let go of the things she wants so easily.

After she's finished cleaning up the astray, she sits down in her chair. There's a new dent in the wall, which only adds to her irritation. She'll stop you from going on that date. First, Valeria needs to speak with Diego first. Handle business and then she's free to fix this. She forces herself out of the comforting leather embrace of her chair and sets out down the hallway to find Diego. She passes by a room with the door open and halts in her steps. The two men inside who are supposed to be packaging the product are currently testing it out. She slips in silently and slaps the bald one upside the head. Startling the other one into backing up.

"What the hell are you doing?" She hisses "¡Maldito idiota inútil, no usas el producto!" 

The man's eyes are bloodshot. She can see the red veins snaking through the whites of his glassy eyes. His mouth hangs open slightly from shock, revealing teeth in the beginning stages of rot. She glares at him, weighing her options. She lashes out again and catches him in the nose with a foul right hook, sending him to the floor with a heavy thud. Valeria isn't done though. She grabs him and hoists him to his feet.

She levels his friend with a dangerous look.

"Hold him steady." She demands. He just gapes at her like he can't understand the very simple words coming from her lips. Moron. "HOLD HIM!" Valeria repeats loudly. He grabs his friend, and Valeria grabs his right hand, slamming it on the table. His fingers are thick, hair growing on the knuckles. His nails are short but caked with dirt.

"What are you doing?" The bald one asks nervously. Valeria ignores him and grabs a knife from her belt, stabbing it down through his hand. He screams in either pain or surprise or both. He almost jerks his hand away but clearly thinks better of it.

"Don't steal our fucking product again. Do you understand me?" Valeria growls. It takes a second, but he nods.

Valeria turns away abruptly and storms out of the room. The surprise act of violence has barely quelled her anger. He's not really the person she wants to hurt anyway. Valeria shakes her head and continues her search for Diego. She finds him in a back room with his personal cellphone up to his ear. He's speaking softly into the receiver, calling whoever it is on the other side baby. Valeria curls her lip in disgust at the sight of her right hand acting so soft. Or maybe it's jealousy at the fact she doesn't have that. she stands in the doorway with her arms crossed until Diego notices her. He does and furrows those thick brows. He quickly gives an excuse to the woman on the phone as to why he has to go. They exchange sappy 'I love yous' to each other. He hangs up and stands straight. All business now.

Valeria clears her throat.

"We need to discuss this new meth." She speaks. Leanings against the yellowing wall. Once upon a time it was pearly white but one too many people shared a cigarette in this room and stained it.

"I still think it's coming from Pajaro Azul." He says gruffly. Valeria nods. She already knows where you stand on this. You don't think it's even coming from a city in Mexico, and you don't want to deal with it if it is. You aren't making the decisions here though. Valeria still feels a little hesitant about travelling down to Pajaro Azul. She begrudgingly admits to herself that the reining cartel over there is strong, and they could get offended if Las Almas started sniffing around. It could spark into an all-out war. and while Valeria has no issues with violence or death, a war would be inconvenient and cost them money and men.

Diego continues.

"We should go down there and look around, to hell with the cartel if they don't like it."

Valeria holds a hand up to her face to inspect her nails. The pink polish is chipping and looks grubby. She really needs to repaint her nails. "Maybe." She concedes. "I think we should do that if this sweeter batch isn't a success."

Diego frowns. "It probably won't be." He says snidely. Valeria can feel herself bristling at his tone. "Her other stuff is selling less and less, at this point she's costing more than she's making."

Valeria resists the urge to jump to your defense. You were making them a lot of money before the new stuff popped up. Valeria knows you'll make them more money again after this situation is dealt with. "She's a worthwhile investment."

"What kind of a scientist can't figure out a way to make a better meth recipe?" He retorts.

"Chemist, Diego, and she didn't go to school for chemistry." Valeria replies with annoyance. "Considering that, I think she's doing pretty good. Besides, an actual chemist would cost more than she does."

There's also the matter of finding one willing to cook meth.

Diego just shrugs. 

"Maybe an actual chemist would give us something useful." He says stubbornly. 

"I'm not firing her." Valeria snaps. This conversation is irritating her. "If this new stuff doesn't sell, I'll send people down to Pajaro Azul." Valeria concludes. she can tell Diego wants to go sooner than that, but he also isn't making the decisions here. Not anymore.

"Alright." He agrees reluctantly. 

With business concluded Valeria can move onto more personal matters.

"Are there any... fraternizing amongst my workers?" Valeria asks. Diego leans back, confused by the sudden topic switch.

"Like fucking?" He asks.

"... Sure, or perhaps relationships?" She presses. He spends more time with the others than she does. Why would she willingly spend any more time around them than she has to?

"Oh, I think Corra is pursuing someone around here." He says. "She was talking to her brother about asking someone out. I think it was your little chemist."

Corra? She scowls. Corra. It enrages Valeria that she genuinely sees Corra as competition. She's younger, friendlier, more feminine. Is that what you're into? Valeria decides Corra is making a fool out of you. Asking you out as a means of humiliating you, why else would she show interest in you? She doesn't know you enough to like you. Not like Valeria does.

"I see." She says.

"That a problem?" Diego asks. Able to see the obvious dislike on her face.

"Not at all." Valeria lies. Relaxing her face. "As long as everyone does what they need to do I don't care who they do."

Except Valeria does care. Valeria has more money and power and so much more to offer. Not only that, but she's certain Corra only asked you out to make you the butt of a joke. She knows you could never be fulfilled with Corra anyway, but you don't seem to know that. You'd be wasting your time with Corra and if you get invested into a relationship with her only to find out she was leading you on for a quick laugh. It could devastate you and affect your work ethic. That's fine. Valeria will... guide you on the right path. You're a sheep and she's your shepherd.

[five-miles-over]

For All Time, It Was Always You

Chapter 3 - Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm

A/N: It's a series now! Thank you all for your positive comments, your likes, and reblogs. Click here for Chapter 2: Mrs. Laufeyson

(Pairing: Loki x Wife!Reader)

Summary: The best way to a man's - or a god's - heart is through his stomach.

Warnings: Fluff, silliness, an infomercial that's not meant to offend anyone.

You turned the knob of the television in the living room, letting a soap opera play in the background while you washed the dishes - including those from Loki's breakfast - and preheated the oven. Then, following the cookbook's instructions, you prepared the batter for an angel food cake, a dessert you were hoping to dress with whipped cream and strawberries for your - yes, you were really saying it - husband. If there were two jars of strawberry jam, maybe it meant that Loki really liked strawberries. Or there was some kind of two-for-one deal at the store. 

While the cake baked in the oven, you took a shower after tinkering with the hot and cold faucets. With a towel wrapped around yourself when you were done, you shuffled your feet into the master bedroom. You opened one of the large wardrobes opposite from the window, finding an entire rack of crisp white shirts and brown dress pants - probably Loki's uniform for work - along with tuxedos and pajamas. You didn't think about opening the drawers beneath the racks of clothing, assuming they would be filled with your husband's underwear and socks. 

Speaking of underwear…where was the laundry room? You made a mental note to find it at some point, so you could use the washing machine. Also, did Loki wear boxers or briefs? Biting your lip, you brought yourself to imagine which of the two it could be, thinking of the way you checked out his ass that morning while making breakfast. How nicely the fabric hugged the curve of his rear. It definitely had to be boxers, surely briefs would've left some kind of outline. Or…what if he wasn't wearing any underneath those pants? You bit the inside of your cheek and crossed your arms, still damp from your shower. 

The smell of vanilla wafting into the bedroom silently reminded you that the cake was done, like an invisible tap on the shoulder. You snapped out of your reverie, looked through the other wardrobe and found a flattering midi-dress to wear over a lacy bra and a girdle. Now dressed, you took the golden-brown, light to the touch, warm cake out of the oven and let it cool. Meanwhile, the soap opera on the living room television was now replaced by a vague infomercial for a fancy kitchen gadget made by Stark Industries. You didn't know what it really did, or how much it cost, but it was apparently 'life-changing', 'ground-breaking', and only made by Stark Industries. 

It didn't take long for you to find a few other gadgets laying around the house. Inside a closet within the hallway was a vacuum cleaner, which you used to clean the living room and the other carpets in the house. Not that there was anything much to clean, considering the house seemed spotless to begin with. While you moved the vacuum around the welcome mat, you looked over your shoulder at a new infomercial.

"Are you tired of playing the dating game over and over again? Exasperated by the lack of paramours unwilling to cuddle with you? Does the loneliness of the night bring you sadness? Tired of all the nights alone with you and your fingertips? Do you wish for an attractive sweetheart you can flaunt to your friends and family, and to all the nosy strangers who ask why you're still single? Introducing the newest product from Cambridge Technologies, TOM H."

The spokesperson gestured to a six-foot tall male with perfectly combed dark-blonde hair with a slight curl, wearing a navy blue blazer and a matching set of trousers with a light blue dress shirt underneath. "Look at him," the spokesperson beamed. "His cheekbones are so sharp, I could grate cheese on them!"

The male smirked. "I love cheese, 'specially when paired with wine. And the company of a lovely lady."

Wait…this man looked familiar. Where had you seen him before? Squinting, you turned off the vacuum and began to fluff the pillows on the couch, keeping your eyes on the screen.With a fake laugh, the spokesperson turned to face the camera.

"Short for Technologically-Optimized Male Humanoid, TOM H. is equipped with the ability to speak seven different languages, including French, Spanish, and even Latin. He can open doors for your, pull your chair out, hold an umbrella for you when it rains, and even apologize for calling you beautiful! That's right, ladies, he's got every single piece of etiquette mastered at the back of his hand. No more worrying about guys who laugh at misogynistic jokes, or guys who treat you like a piece of meat. Our new android will make sure you spend everyday feeling like a princess!"

You continued to reluctantly clean the living room while the spokesperson continued to brag about the abilities of this supposedly life-like android. How many other people were watching this advertisement right now? And were any of them actually considering buying this android? Moreover, how would one actually take care of an android? Did it require charging like any other electronic device? Did it pretend to sleep at night?

On-screen, the spokesperson showed the android relaxing in bed, wearing nothing but boxers, and droned on and on about the android's ability to give warm cuddles and recite poetry at the drop of a hat. Then the scene changed to the android standing in the kitchen, wearing a black apron over a three-piece suit and preparing some kind of pasta dish. The android gave a cheeky smile to the camera, as if it was perfectly aware that somewhere, some touch-starved single person would be watching and immediately reach for their checkbook. 

"Call the number on-screen," the spokesperson announced, "and for just four separate payments of $599.99, TOM H. can be all yours. And for a bonus payment of $49.99, we'll throw in a blue jumper!

Please note that all clothes are sold separately, including the boxers. Cambridge Technologies is not responsible for the android crying. The android may experience urges to play with puppies and babies, do kind deeds for strangers, or dance in public. For optimal performance, we ask that you refrain from raising your voice in the presence of the android, and to feed the android tea every six hours."

"Oh my god." You gulped, standing still for a moment. The commercial finally ended with an image of the android giving the spokesperson a shoulder massage, and smiling at the camera. You switched the channel, and put away the vacuum, shuddering at what you'd just seen.

The next thing to worry about was the spaghetti bolognese, another recipe from the cookbook you chose for tonight Luckily there was a pack of ground mince in the fridge, otherwise you would've had to either rush to the supermarket - wherever that was - or pick something else to make for Loki's dinner. With the cookbook propped open on the kitchen countertop, you flipped to the recipe and did your best to follow every instruction. Chop the carrots, the celery, the onion, and the bacon, it said…Then, heat the pot with a generous amount of butter, add bacon…Put the rest of the vegetables in the pan, along with the mince. While that cooked in the pan, you opened a can of tomatoes from the pantry, poured it into the pan, causing it to sizzle loud enough to overpower the television for a moment. The final ingredients to add were dried herbs, a splash of red wine, and for some reason…milk. 

After moving the cake to the center of the table, you stirred the pot with the Bolognese mixture until the alcohol from the wine boiled off. The final step, according to the cookbook, was to place the entire pot in the oven at one-hundred eighty degrees Celsius for…well, enough time to stew everything. 

You closed the oven door with a sigh, wiping a trace of sweat on your forehead before taking a box of spaghetti out of one of the cupboards. Yes it was true that you'd only known Loki for a few hours, not even a whole day. And yet, you found yourself wishing and hoping that he would be pleased when he walked into the door. That when he opened the door, the smell of dinner would entice him to the table, and the sight of you would entice him into your arms. Maybe it was because of the way he looked at you this morning, with affection in his eyes as if you were the most priceless thing in his life.

As the noodles cooked in a pot of boiling water, you dressed the cake with whipped cream and chopped-up strawberries, and then chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and red onions for a side dish.  Within about thirty minutes, you had a pot of cooked spaghetti dressed in bolognese  sauce, a lettuce-free salad dressed with olive oil and red wine vinegar, and an angel food cake reserved for dessert. And just as a finishing touch, you set the dining table for two and lit a few candles. 

"Darling, we're home! Something smells amazing." At the doorway with a large grin on his face was Loki, standing in his work clothes with his dark curls slightly messy, dirt caking his fingertips,…and a black kitten in his arms.  Tagging: @anukulee @smolvenger @pineappleandro @lotsoflokilove23 @talklokitome @rumin8ting @12-pm-510 @painedfever @iambetterthanbefore @princess-ofthe-pages @thenotoriouserg @lokischambermaid @lokiismineforever @lokidbadguy @lokisgoodgirl @lokisprettygirl22 @holdmytesseract @wheredafandomat @wolfsmom1 @lovelysizzlingbluebird @evelyn-kingsley @muddyorbsblr @stupidthoughtsinwriting @icytrickster17 @thatdummy-girl @fantasyfan4life @huntress-artemiss @itsdoni @gruftiela @ellooo0ooo @ireallyneedtherapy @jennyggggrrr @turniptitaness