#doctor who isn’t my primary special interest like it used to be years ago

[zippityzap]

Finally getting caught up on Doctor Who, haven’t watched it since the christmas special

And man, Ncuti Gatwa is so charismatic as The Doctor

[spencers-renaissance]

Emergency Contact

Summary: When Spencer ends up in the hospital again, his emergency contact — who happens to be his boyfriend, Luke Alvez — is called. Too bad he hasn't told the team about him yet...

Tags: whump, h/c, hurt spencer, broken ribs, coming out, relationship reveal, protective derek, team as family, fluff, au: different first meeting

Pairing: Luke Alvez x Spencer Reid // (heavy on the Derek & Spencer friendship, too)

Word Count: 2.6k

Masterlist // Read on AO3 // Bad Things Happen Bingo

Okay, so Emily was not in S11, but for this fic she is, because I wanted supportive Penemily and that's what I gave myself. Other than that, this fills the square "broken ribs" for my Bad Things Happen bingo card. Enjoy the whump mixed with fluff!

Spencer doesn’t mean to get hurt again, but he also isn’t exactly surprised when it happens. If anything, Hotch really needs to stop sending him out to scope places and suspects out by himself. Surely Tobias Hankel proved he’s a trouble magnet in that regard years ago.

The summerhouse the suspect rents is a nice enough place to lay incapacitated while he waits for back-up, he supposes, but he’s not exactly able to lie and enjoy the sunshine when his ribs have been smashed in with a metal baseball bat and he knows the suspect is currently hightailing it down the beach. Not to mention the fact that it’s worryingly difficult to breathe.

Still, it’s better than a dilapidated cabin in the middle of butt-fuck nowhere Georgia, pumped full of heroin while his feet are whipped. Small mercies.

“Goddamnit, Spencer, again?” Derek asks amusedly when he finally arrives and crouches down by his side, but the undercurrent of worry in his voice doesn’t elude him.

“Sorry,” he wheezes, still winded and in immense pain from the ambush. “I didn’t see him coming.”

Derek raises a brow, chuckling slightly. “Yeah, pretty boy, I figured that.” His hand goes to Spencer’s hair as his expression furrows in concern again. “Did you see where he went? I’ll send the others after him while I go with you to the hospital.”

Spencer smiles a little, relieved that he won’t be alone. It’s become a strange sort of tradition to sit in one another’s hospital rooms after the job kicks their ass, and he’s glad Derek isn’t about to break it now.

“I saw him turn right out of the backdoor, but that’s all,” he says breathlessly, before cringing at the effort and folding in on himself even more.

“Okay, Spencer,” Derek says soothingly. “Just relax. The ambulance will be here any second.”

He obeys and closes his eyes as he listens to Derek call Hotch on the radio and send the team in the right direction before coming back to sit next to him on the floor.

“This might be one of the nicer places one of our unsubs has owned, huh?”

Spencer nods, mirroring Derek’s morbid amusement. “Crime pays better than investigating it,” he manages, smiling up at his friend.

He snorts. “You can say that again. With the way the market’s turned in the last couple years it’s more like this is my hobby and my properties are my day job, rather than the other way round.”

Spencer tries to reply, but he moves involuntarily in amusement, and a fresh wave of pain has him wincing again, trying to will the tears away.

“You’re alright, Spence,” Derek says gently, his hand returning to his hair. “Help will be here soon, okay?”

Thankfully, the medics do show up in a semi-timely fashion, and both of them are loaded into the back of the ambulance as the EMTs check him over, Derek’s hand not leaving his person unless it absolutely has to.

“How many times were you hit, Dr Reid?”

He cringes. “Four.” It’s almost embarrassing that the unsub got four hits in, and the only reason there weren’t more is because he was fleeing the scene, not because Spencer was able to fight back. He tries to remind himself that there isn’t much you can do when caught-off guard by a furious arsonist armed with a steel baseball bat, but his ego is still bruised. Albeit not as badly as his poor ribs.

“I’m gonna fucking kill him,” Derek mutters under his breath, his grip tightening on Spencer’s shoulder minutely enough for him to know he isn’t doing it consciously.

Spencer smiles appreciatively, closing his eyes against the pain. The non-narcotic painkillers they’re feeding him through the IV really aren’t doing anything.

“I think you’ve managed to avoid internal bleeding,” the EMT says, all though he tacks on a pointed, “just. But I’m concerned about the possibility of a punctured lung. There’s a chance your trouble breathing is solely pain-induced, but I don’t like the way your chest sounds. The doctors will check everything out when we get to the hospital, and get you all patched up.”

“Hold in there,” Derek says urgently. “I really can’t have you dying on me, pretty boy.”

Spencer smiles as comfortingly as he can through the immense pain in his chest and his mangled breathing. “Trust me, I don’t intend on it.”

The x-ray reveals two broken ribs and confirms the paramedic’s suspicions of a punctured lung, although thankfully, minor enough to not require surgery. He’s set up with oxygen and regular nurse check-ups in a quiet room after the doctor is able to remove the excess air in his chest cavity.

“How are you doing, Spence?” Derek asks worriedly as he pulls up a chair next to Spencer’s bed as soon as he’s allowed to see him.

He pulls away his oxygen facemask to answer. “A bit better,” he says, but his voice is dry and raspy from the oxygen so he certainly doesn’t sound it. “The pain meds are actually working now.”

Derek’s tight, anxious expression relaxes slightly. “That’s at least something.”

Spencer nods tiredly, but before he can respond, a nurse is popping her head round the door. “Dr. Reid,” she says genially, “sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to let you know that we’ve managed to get a hold of your emergency contact, and they’re on their way.”

Spencer’s eyes widen. How could he have forgotten? Granted, he was a little preoccupied with the whole punctured lung, broken ribs thing, but how could he have let it slip his mind that this little accident would lead to the secret he’s been keeping under wraps getting out?

When he’d first met Luke at an FBI gala last year, he never could have foreseen the most intimate and special relationship of his life coming to fruition, but it had. They’d connected on so many different levels, and the chemistry between them felt like something out of one of the fantastical romance novels Penelope reads, and when he’d asked if it was okay for Spencer to put Luke down as his updated emergency contact, he’d been rewarded with a wide, beautiful grin and a firm, heartfelt kiss.

It was serious enough, sure, and they were coming up on having been together for a year, but besides Emily and Penelope — who’d met Luke and developed an amusing, playful rivalry with him — he hadn’t introduced him to anyone on the team.

“On their way?” Derek asks, raising an eyebrow in mild confusion. “Isn’t your contact Hotch? He already knows you’re in the hospital.”

Spencer just stares at him like a rabbit caught in the headlights, completely blanking on something to say. They’re working a local case, so it won’t be long before Luke is bursting into his hospital room armed with cuddles and comfort, and as much as he craves that, he’s too busy panicking about his team finding out to really look forward to it.

Eventually, after watching Derek’s face morph into even stronger, more suspicious confusion, he gives up. They’re going to find out anyway. “I’m dating someone.”

Derek’s face lights up. “Pretty boy!” he exclaims happily, playfully pushing his shoulder as gently as he can. “That’s amazing! Why didn’t you say something? What’s her name?”

Ah. That’s the primary reason he hadn’t told his team about Luke. He’s nowhere close to being ashamed about his sexuality, he accepted himself decades ago, but he’s still not worked up the courage to share that part of himself with his team. Excluding Penelope and Emily who have been together for years (he’s still baffled as to how the others haven’t caught on yet), everyone’s in the dark.

It had started as a basic survival tactic. He’d joined the FBI two years younger than the standard entry age in the early 2000s, and he was far too concerned with just getting by than living outwardly as a gay man. And then, as time went by and he knew his team was accepting and welcoming, he found it too awkward to try and correct people when they assumed he was straight. There just wasn’t ever the right time.

“I’m gay.”

Derek’s happy expression falls and for a split second, Spencer feels a flash of panic. Maybe Derek’s okay with gay people as long as they’re not his immediate friends, as long as he doesn’t playfully call them ‘pretty boy’ and play with their hair when they’re injured, maybe—

“Well, what’s his name, then?”

Spencer looks up from his panic, seeing Derek smiling again, eyes maybe even brighter than they were just seconds ago.

“Wait—”

“Spencer, if you think I’m gonna care that you’re gay — if you think any of us will care that you’re gay, then you have another thing coming,” Derek reassures him. “Wait, that isn’t why you didn’t tell us right?”

He suddenly looks distraught at the idea that Spencer might not have felt comfortable coming out to him, and Spencer rushes to correct him. “No! No, I know everyone would be fine with it, I just didn’t really know how to say it. Penelope and Emily know, but only by accident.”

Derek relaxes, chuckling a little. “I’m sure there’s quite a story there.”

Spencer blushes. “Maybe.”

“I’ll find out later,” he says confidently, winking at him, and something in Spencer loosens at the fact that Derek hasn’t changed his behaviour at all. “But I’m more interested in Mr. Sexy Emergency Contact Mystery Boyfriend Man right now.”

Spencer outright laughs at that, before wincing painfully as his ribs twinge, and he has to fit the oxygen mask around his face again and breathe deeply for a couple of breaths before the nasal cannula can suffice again.

“I met him around this time last year at an FBI gala actually,” Spencer manages. “Everyone on our team bailed except Penelope, Emily, and me. He’s called Luke and he works in the Fugitive Task Force. We just clicked as soon as we met, you know? We have this chemistry that I’ve never felt with anyone before, and we started dating pretty quickly. We actually moved in together last month when his lease was up, but we’re thinking of moving to a bigger, nicer place in Mount Pleasant. Luke’s actually had his eye on this one house that went up…”

He trails off when he notices Derek looking at him strangely, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “What?”

“Nothing,” Derek says gently. “You just look happy, pretty boy. When you started talking about Luke you got this happy, dopey smile on your face, and I’ve just never seen you like that. It’s nice.”

“Oh.” He blushes fiercely at the acknowledgement of just how soft he is for his boyfriend, but it’s not embarrassing, he’s just ridiculously happy and head over heels in love.

Still, feeling a little awkward at the attention, he raises the oxygen mask to his face just for something to do.

“Does he treat you well?” Derek asks seriously, suddenly looking like the FBI tough guy he really is.

Spencer grins and nods, pulling the mask away again. “So good. He’s one of those people that looks out for everyone before himself, you know? He listens to my rambles and tangents like he actually knows and cares about what I’m saying, and he insists on making me every meal we’re both home for. Every day off, he brings me breakfast in bed, and he’ll even suffer through my documentaries even though his favourite thing to watch is action movies. He’s the best boyfriend I could hope for.”

“Good,” Derek says fiercely, even though he’s smiling just a little at the thought of Spencer being taken care of. “But if anything ever changes, I won’t hesitate to—”

“Spencer?” Derek’s interrupted by the door flying over, and a very harried looking Luke Alvez rushing towards the bed, seemingly not noticing the man literally threatening his death right next to him. “Oh my God, Spencer, I was so worried, I thought—”

“Hey, it’s okay,” Spencer says, voice still a little weak. Can’t he at least sound convincing when he’s trying to tell these people that he’s fine? “I’m okay, I’ll be out of here before you know it.”

“Are you sure, baby? Do I need to get the doctor? Have they been looking after you, because I swear—”

“Luke,” he laughs, interrupting his worried tangent. “I’m fine, I promise.”

He watches amusedly as Luke sags with relief. “Oh thank God,” he breathes, and it’s then that he appears to notice Derek. “Oh, shit.”

He looks to Spencer with an alarmed look in his eyes, knowing full well that he isn’t out to his team yet, but before apologies can start dripping off his lips, he rushes to fill him in.

“It’s okay. I told him.”

Luke’s face brightens in an illuminating smile, his eyes wide and happy. “You did? I’m so proud of you, cariño.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Derek says, rising from his chair to shake Luke’s hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you in the last ten minutes.”

Luke grins. “All good things, I hope.”

Derek winks teasingly at Spencer. “Oh, better than good. Spencer here seems quite gone for you.”

He blushes again, but Luke just sits on the edge of his hospital bed and takes his face in his hand. “Well, I’m just as gone for him as he is for me. Probably even more so.”

“No way,” Spencer protests as vehemently as he can with an oxygen mask glued to his face again. “I definitely love you more.”

His words are half swallowed by the mask, and half muffled by the gaggle of FBI agents pouring into his room, all talking over one another loudly.

Luke jumps off the bed and stands to attention as they all quieten down, three of them in complete shock, one of them — Emily, recognising Luke — in anticipation of what’s about to happen.

“Uh,” Spencer starts unsurely, eyes flicking between his boyfriend and his team. “Meet my boyfriend?”

There’s a brief pause before everyone jumps into action again: Emily greeting him warmly, JJ introducing herself, and Hotch and Rossi giving him firm, threatening handshakes as a warning that no harm is to come to their pseudo-son.

Spencer knows they don’t have to worry about that, though, not with Luke, and they’re quickly shown that when he takes his rightful place sat on the edge of his hospital bed again, hands smoothing his hair gently.

“Thank you,” he says to Derek, voice soft and sincere as everyone’s sat leisurely around the room, doing their own thing now they’re calmed down after the initial meet and greet, “for taking care of him. I worry about him, you know, and it’s good to see that he has so many good people looking after him.”

“We all do,” Derek replies, looking over at Spencer fondly. “We’re all incredibly overprotective. Residual effects from him joining the team so young, probably.”

“I can see that,” Luke smiles, looking over at Hotch and Rossi, who still have their eyes trained on him, despite having warmed up to him quickly.

“Well between us all,” Emily interjects diplomatically, “I think we have Spencer covered. He has a lot of good people looking out for him.”

Spencer knows they all think he’s asleep, but he can’t help but say something. “I definitely do,” he slurs tiredly, causing Luke to quickly turn his attention to him, pressing a tender kiss to his forehead as he runs his fingers through his hair with the hand not intertwined with Spencer’s. “Love you.”

“I love you too, baby,” Luke murmurs. “And so does everybody in this room.”

Smiling softly and feeling safe as anything, Spencer finally gives into the heavy pull of tiredness, and lets himself drift off to sleep.

I'm such a sucker for coming out fics omg, I hope you didn't mind that element! But God, I've missed writing Ralvez fics. If anyone has any Ralvez prompts then please send them my way because I want to write them so badly but I really find it hard to find plot for them! <3

taglist: @criminalmindsvibez @suburban--gothic @strippersenseii @takeyourleap-of-faith @makaylajadewrites @iamrenstark @hotchseyebrows @reidology @spencerspecifics @tobias-hankel @goobzoop @marsjareau @garcias-bitch @oliverbrnch @im-autistic @anxious-enby @kuolonsyoja @ropoto

[lucy-268]

Revelations

A/N - This is ‘the talk’ and it takes place a week after Regrets. You can find that on my masterlist. Also, this meets the requirement for the @choicesweeklychallenge​. You belong to me can be found in bold.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to PB

Warnings: none? I don’t think even language.  

Series/Pairing: Open Heart - Ethan x f!MC (Charley Valentine)

Word count: 4,466

*****Thursday*****

“Has Denver General sent us any more information, or will I just find out when I get there?” June asked.

Consulting his notes, Ethan answered her. “Dr. Morgan said that he would send us the remaining test results as soon as he gets them. He’ll be sending them to all of us, so if you want to discuss the case with any of us we’ll all have the same information.”

June never looked up from the report she was reviewing. “I doubt it will be necessary.”

“Regardless of whether you think it’s a necessity, you will keep me informed of the case.” Ethan reminded her.

“Of course, Ethan.” June said. “If you don’t need me for anything else, I’m going to get ready for my flight?”

“You don’t want to hear about my new patient?” Baz asked her.

June glanced at him. “My flight leaves in less than three hours, so no. At least not right now.” She gathered her files and left saying goodbye to the rest of the team.

“Baz, what is going on with your new patient?” Charley asked.

“Late-onset Chediak-Higashi Syndrome. For me as an immunologist, I find it extremely interesting, especially as the patient is thirty-two and just diagnosed.”

Charley looked between Baz and Ethan. “Is this a team patient?”

“No. This is a patient of Baz’s. We will have a new patient coming in on Monday for which you will be primary.” Ethan held up a folder.

Baz briefed them on his patient, excusing himself when he received a page saying the patient was being admitted.

“And then there were two,” Ethan handed her the folder.

She flipped it open and read through the file. “Twenty-five year old male. Diabetic. Joint pain and muscle weakness.” Charley looked at him. “Do you know what it is and you want me to figure it out?”

Ethan shook his head. “I have a couple of ideas but I don’t know for sure what it is. You should have several ideas right now.”

“The symptoms can be just about anything. You said he gets here on Monday ?”

He nodded. “He’s already been to Mass Kenmore several times. Even though we have sent a release signed by the patient, Terrance hasn’t sent the files to us. So we may start with spinning our wheels testing for things that they have already tested for and eliminated.”

Charley studied the file again. “Did you see the iron levels here? I think the first thing is a liver biopsy?”

“Are you telling me that’s what you are going to do, or asking me if I think that’s the right choice?” Ethan asked her.

Her head snapped up. “That’s what I’m going to order. I’ll even have the order written so the test is run as soon as he’s admitted.” Charley met his eyes. “What?”

Ethan smiled. “There aren’t a lot of doctors who could have figured out to start with that test after reviewing a file for less than fifteen minutes. Let alone a second year resident. So I am impressed.” He reached over and stroked the back of her hand. “You often impress me.”

She turned her hand and laced their fingers. “It’s Thursday.”

“So it is.”

“Last week you texted me and said we would talk on Saturday.”

“Yes. And we decided we’d have dinner at six.”

Charley met his eyes. “You aren’t going to change your mind?”

“We’re meeting at my apartment. I’ll be there. We are long overdue for the talk. And I’m sorry for that.”

Charley smiles. “Will I finally get my chicken?”

“You will not. We’ve made the chicken together,” he held up his hand when she was going to interrupt, “this time, we’ll make something else. You plan the meal.”

“We may have made the chicken together but I never got to try it.”

“I want to see what you come up with. You can create any menu you want. Email me what we need and I’ll go shopping.” Ethan smiled at her.

Charley considered for a minute. “Anything?” When Ethan nodded, she continued, “My grandma had an amazing pot roast recipe. We could roast it in the oven or use a crockpot. It’s always best if it cooks on low in the crockpot, so that would take about seven or so hours. I’ll email you the list, and I guess I’ll be there late morning. I guess we’ll also have lunch together, too. That’s alright, isn’t it Ethan?” She didn’t even wait for his answer before she left the office.

Charley watched the office door to see if he was going to come after her and inform her they would not be spending the entire day together.

Ethan sat at his desk, he smiled as he realized that life would never be boring around Charley Valentine.

*****Saturday*****

Sienna pushed open Charley’s bedroom door. “Are yo-” Sienna stopped mid-sentence. She heard several loud thuds and  wanted to ask if Charley was okay, but she did not expect the scene she witnessed. She also didn’t see her roommate. “Charley!”

“I’m here,” Charley called, pushing herself out from under the bed. “I was looking for this shoe. That I can’t wear now. Thank you, Lucy!” The shoe had become a chew toy for their pet.

Lucy, their fennec fox, sat in the middle of Charley’s bed, looking proud of herself.

“Forget the shoe, we understand what happened to it.” Sienna looked around the room. “Was there a bomb? Are you telekinetic? Did your closet and dresser decide to vomit every article of clothing you own into your room?”

“I’m looking for something to wear, and I don’t have anything! I got off at five yesterday, I should have gone shopping!”

Sienna remembered the day a couple weeks ago when Charley got home late clad in someone else’s clothes. Based on her own conversation with a certain someone, Sienna had a pretty good idea who. Now she was frantically trying to find something special to wear. “What’s his name?”

Charley froze. “What’s whose name?”

“Obviously, the guy that you’re spending your day with. The same one you were with when you came home wearing clothes that were way too big for you. So, who is it?”

“No one,” Charley stated. “I’m not spending the day with anyone.”

“Yet you canceled on Bryce and me for today.” Sienna picked up a Columbia t-shirt and a pair of jeans with a rip in the knees. “Here, put these on.” She smiled. “I mean, if you aren’t doing anything special today, it doesn’t matter what you have on.”

Charley looked at the clothes that Sienna tossed on her bed. She had to leave for Ethan’s before Sienna would be leaving to meet Bryce, and she still didn’t know what she was going to wear.

Sienna watched her. “I heard that Dr. Ramsey also has today off. And he did when you had your second day off two weeks ago.”

Charley froze and looked to the door. “Everyone else is working today and they’re gone?”

Sienna nodded and sat down on Charley’s bed. “Uh-huh.”

“You can’t tell anyone.”

“So it wasn’t just the one night when he spent the night here?”

“That day we went to the country club and later I went to his apartment to talk to him? That was the first time, and the night after my hearing was the second. It was also the last time.” Charley sighed. “Then he went to the Amazon so we could ‘reset’ since he would be my director supervisor.” Charley sighed. “Since he’s been back he says we need to stay away from each other, but then he’ll kiss me. Today we’re going to ‘talk.’ We’ve been supposed to talk since right after the softball game, but it kept getting delayed.”

Sienna smirked at her. “You had on his clothes the day you came home.”

Charley's face turned red. “We spent the day together with his dad in Providence. We took his dog for a walk and I fell into a mud puddle.”

“You’ve met his family!”

“His dad. He hadn’t told Alan that he was bringing me with him. Ethan had never taken anyone home with him before, not even Harper Emery.”

“Dr. Ramsey and Dr. Emery were a thing!” Sienna’s mouth dropped open.

“I don’t know if it’s really common knowledge. Aurora probably knows. I saw the two of them talking once and it seemed intimate. It was the day before they announced the opening on the diagnostics team. I did ask him about it later and he said he likes to keep his private life private, but he did say they had an on-again, off-again thing but it ended permanently when she became chief.” Charley rested her head on her hand. “I probably shouldn’t have said anything. Don’t tell anyone.”

Sienna mimed sealing her lips. “I thought that you and Bryce were kind of together.”

“We hooked up a couple of times but we both agreed to be casual.”

“And with Ramsey, you don’t want casual?”

“I don’t.” Charley chewed on her lip. “Sienna, I’m terrified about today. I know that everything is going to change.”

“Well then, let’s get you ready.” Sienna picked up the t-shirt and jeans. “This probably won’t do; we’ll find something else.”

Charley was just getting ready to leave when her phone rang. She looked at the caller id and sighed. “If you’re calling to cancel-” she started.

“I’m not,” she heard his rich baritone as well as a smile in his voice. “I had to go to the hospital to pick up something. If you haven’t left yet you can ride with me. I’m outside your building.”

“I’ll be down in a minute.” Charley disconnected, smiling.

Soon they were in his apartment. She kicked off her shoes at the door and stood there when he walked further into the apartment. He got half way through the living room when he realized she wasn’t with him. He turned to find her at the door. “If we want to make this pot roast we need to go to the kitchen.”

Charley gave a nervous laugh and stepped away from the door. She tossed her purse on the couch as they walked into the kitchen. They washed their hands and Ethan pulled his crockpot out of the pantry while Charley pulled the roast out of the refrigerator. She saw the printout from her email with the image of her grandma’s recipe. Ethan gathered the rest of the ingredients while Charley brewed a pot of coffee.

“Why the crockpot instead of a roasting pan in the oven? I saw the recipe had directions for both with cooking times for either low or high in the slow cooker.”

“It tastes better and is more tender.”

Ethan smirked. “It does not. And we need to use the Dutch oven even if it’s just to brown the roast.”

“Maybe it doesn’t do a lot for the taste, but it is more tender.” Charley watched as the coffee finished brewing, standing  with her back to him. “It takes longer to cook in the slow cooker on low and I wanted to spend more time with you.” She gave a short laugh. “Funnily enough, now that I’m here, I’m nervous.”

“Why?”

She turned to face him. “I think that today may change everything, and I’m hopeful but I’m also scared. I’ve been wanting to sit down with you away from the hospital with just the two of us for so long, but now that we’re actually going to do that...” She bit her lip.

“Now you understand why I’ve been putting it off. But I’ve done a lot of thinking. And I talked to Naveen. We are long overdue. Today will change everything but we will be in agreement with it, I think.”

Charley nodded. Ethan turned back to the counter.  “Let’s get this set for dinner, fix lunch, and talk.”

Charley browned the roast in the Dutch oven while Ethan chopped the vegetables and herbs. Once the roast was in the crockpot, Charley cooked the onion. Once they started to soften, they added the rest of the ingredients, including the coffee. “Why coffee?” Ethan asked.

Charley smiled, watching the mixture simmer. “Is this a quiz, same as ‘why neat’ that first night at Donahue’s?”

“Genuine curiosity. As much as I love coffee, I’ve never had pot roast cooked in coffee. I found the recipe interesting.”

“It helps to tenderize the meat and gives the gravy a richer flavor.”

Once the gravy and onion mixture was cooked, Ethan poured it over the meat and set the timer. While Charley washed the accumulated dishes, Ethan fixed salads for lunch. They took their plates to the living room and sat side-by-side on his sofa.

“You talked to Naveen about us.” When he nodded, she continued, “I talked to Sienna.”

They fell into a silence while they ate. Charley glanced at him every so often.

He pushed the last piece of lettuce around on his plate before finally setting the plate on the coffee table. He turned to her; she mimicked his moves and faced him.

“Ethan, I’ve said for a while that a relationship with you is an easy decision for me. It’s what I want. I think that we could be good together, amazing even.”

Ethan nodded. “I know. You aren’t the problem, I am. I want to be able to push you to be the best doctor you can be.”

“You can do that professionally, regardless of any personal relationship we have. I can take criticism from Dr. Ramsey and know that it isn’t coming from Ethan.”

“You’re assuming that I can also have that division.”

That got Charley’s attention. “You’re Ethan Freakin’ Ramsey. You can do anything you try to. If you want to make the distinction you will. And if you cross the line, I’ll let you know.”

“Another problem-”

Charley put her hand on his arm. “If you just want to list a lot of potential possible problems, why are we even having a discussion? Earlier you said that today would change everything and you thought we’d be in agreement.” She folded her arms across her chest and focused on a picture hanging on the wall. “If you thought that I’d change my mind about us, you’re wrong. If you thought you could list all the reasons why we can’t be together and why you won’t be with me, I was right to be nervous about this. If that’s-”

Ethan reached over and grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him. “What I want to do is identify the obstacles or potential obstacles we face so we are both aware of them, and to decide how we need to handle them in the future.” He wiped a tear out of her eye. “Because in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I very much do want to be with you.”

Charley grabbed his hand and kissed his palm before lacing their fingers together. She smiled at him. “I’m sorry for my outburst. Continue, please.”

“Another problem is the board. They don’t like interoffice romances. Naveen seems to think this won’t be an issue. He seems to think that as long as it isn’t impacting the care of the patients, or the bottom line of the hospital, they wouldn’t care, nor would they even need to be aware. I disagree with him on this. I think the board makes it their business to know what goes on in the hospital.”

Charley interrupted again. “I know that there are married couples at the hospital. Was it a problem when you and Harper were together?” Ethan drew in a deep breath when she asked that. “If you don’t want to answer that you don’t have to.”

“I will. It was not a problem and the board did not have an issue with it when she was head of neurosurgery and I was a fellow on the diagnostics team. If our relationship would have continued when she was chief or if I had been a surgeon, it would have been a problem. Any other couples at Edenbrook do not work in the same area, and one member of the couple is not another’s supervisor.”

Ethan continued, “I don’t want anyone to think that you got the position on my team because of our relationship. I don’t want anyone to have any doubt about that. You earned it.”

Charley nodded. “I did earn it. You weren’t even the one who put me on the team. Naveen did.”

Ethan agreed that while that was true, many people at the hospital could have thought that he asked Naveen to do that.

“If anyone has doubts, I graduated at the top of my class at Columbia. Not near, I was ranked first. In fact if anyone had ranked all med school graduates my year from around the country, I’d probably be in the top fifty.”

Ethan laughed. “Someone did. And you are higher than that. You are somewhere in the top twenty. I’m not going to narrow it down more than that for you.”

“Based on that, I think I earned the right to be on the team. Not to mention helping to cure Naveen last year. Our relationship had nothing to do with it. Well except for the fact you inspired me to go to med school in the first place. And I wanted to work with you, which is why I came to Edenbrook.”

“We probably don’t want to advertise our personal relationship at work. The hospital has a wonderful gossip network and we’ll need to be careful. That being said it probably won’t be long before everyone knows about us.”

“That sounds okay. But some people will know. I told Sienna and you told Naveen. My roommates will know I’m seeing someone, and will make it their mission to find out who.” Charley wasn’t sure if she should mention the next part, but figured she might as well. “June does, or she thinks she does. At least that was what she implied the day I caught her with my personnelle file.”

Ethan froze. “She had your file?”

Charley nodded. “She said that she reads the files for everyone she works with. She tried to tell me you asked her to get it for you, but I knew you wouldn’t have.”

“I’ll deal with her when she gets back from Denver. Your roommates and Naveen are fine.”

“If my roommates know Bryce will also know; and if Aurora does, Harper might.” Charley looked up at him. “Can we talk about Harper?”

“I thought we already had.”

“You ended things when she became chief. If she wouldn’t have, would you still be together, do you think?”

“We would not. We were together because it was mutually beneficial to the both of us. But we were never going to last.”

She smirked at him. “By ‘mutually beneficial’ do you mean it was convenient and the sex was good?”

“Yes.” Ethan said. “But then last year something happened that I knew would never lead Harper and I together again.” When Charley tipped her head to show she was interested in his answer, he continued. “Last year, an intern showed up and turned my life inside out. And I can’t get her out of my head.”

Charley started to move towards him, and he stopped her. “What about the scalpel jockey?”

Charley lips twitched. “His name is Bryce.”

“I’m aware, and you didn’t answer the question.”

“We hooked up twice, once at our housewarming party and again once after we were at Donahue’s. We almost did the night we researched treating Mrs. Martinez, but you’d already kissed me in Miami. I wasn’t interested in anyone else at that point.” She looked at the ground before meeting his eyes. “Bryce is a friend and a good one. I trust him. I also know if I ever did want a relationship with him, I’d have that choice. I don’t, and Bryce respects that.”

“As long as he knows that you belong to me.” Ethan pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her.

“And you belong to me!” Charley shifted slightly on his lap and felt his hardness under her thigh. “We could continue this in the bedroom.”

“A very good idea.” As Ethan stood and lifted her, she wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her into the bedroom.

Several hours later, they were laying with their legs tangled together, voices soft in the quiet room when an alarm on her phone beeped.

“Somewhere you need to be?” He kissed the top of her head.

She pushed herself up. “Actually, yes. The kitchen. I need to start the vegetables.”

He walked over to his closet and pulled out a robe that on him would reach mid-thigh. He tossed it to her, before grabbing another for himself. This one hit him at mid-calf. “You could have this one if you wanted.” She indicated the robe she hadn’t yet tied. It fell below her knees.

He snorted. “Be responsible for you tripping in this one? I don’t think so.”

As Charley gathered what she needed for the roasted cauliflower, Ethan grabbed the green beans. Charley explained that sometime they would fix potatoes with the roast, but her grandfather grew up near Idaho and often decided he wanted anything other than potatoes, so they would have cauliflower. “I don’t like raw or steamed, but I really like them roasted with this mustard sauce.”

Charley watched Ethan pull a cake plate out of the refrigerator. “Dessert?” At Ethan's acknowledgment she asked what it was. He wouldn’t tell her, saying he wanted it to be a surprise.

They worked efficiently together in the kitchen, getting dinner ready. Ethan selected a red wine for them and opened it to let it breathe. He carried their plates to the dining room table.

“This is good; the coffee does make the gravy richer.”

“Grandma knows best. My grandfather grew up in Spokane and grandma in Seattle. They had a restaurant in Seattle that my dad and all my aunts and uncles worked in while they were growing up.”

“You have a big family?”

“My dad had three brothers and two sisters. But even though they had six kids, my grandparents only had four grandchildren. There was my brother and me; we grew up in Pennsylvania. My one uncle had two boys and they were in Oregon. All of my dad’s family is in the northwest and we didn’t see them often. My dad moved there after he retired and I started med school.”

Ethan watched her. “Are we going to talk about your mom’s family?”

Charley shrugged. “Not much to tell. Her parents were killed in a car accident when she was in college. She was an only child and you know why I don’t talk to her.”

As they cleared the table and kitchen he asked her what he had been wondering about. “Why did you decide to do your residency in Boston with most of your family now out west?”

“It doesn’t feel like home to me there. I figured I could do my residency anywhere; it wasn’t a commitment to stay somewhere for my life. It’s only three years.” She smiled at him. “Besides coming here let me learn from the best.”

Ethan poured coffee and set the mugs on a tray with two dessert plates. Charley watched as he lifted the cover off the cake.

“Lemon! How did you know lemon was my favorite?” Charley couldn’t resist. She swiped her finger on the edge of the cake to collect a sample of icing. She popped it in her mouth.

“I asked Sienna the other day and she told me.”

Charley stared at him. “She helped me get dressed this morning and she didn’t say anything!”

Ethan laughed. “You need help getting dressed in the mornings?”

She felt her face redden. “I… well… um. I didn’t know what to wear this morning.”

“I would have gone with clothes, but I understand that some people are fussier than others.”

“I wanted to look nice.”

“You always look nice.”

“I thought that I always looked satisfactory.”

Ethan cut two pieces of cake and added them to the tray with the coffees.

“I thought we could take these into the bedroom. If that would be satisfactory to you?”

She nodded and he carried the tray to the bedroom and set it down on the bed. He flipped a switch causing the gas fireplace to spring to life. Charley picked up her cake and snuggled back against Ethan. “I like the fireplace here.”

“I don’t often use it.”

“Why tonight?”

“Must be the company I’m keeping.”

Charley turned and straddled his lap. “You better be careful. This company could end up corrupting you.”

“I look forward to it, if that’s the case.” Ethan rolled her unto her back.

Several hours later, Charley looked at the clock. “I should go home. I have to work tomorrow and my boss can be tough if I’m late.”

“If you stay with me, I’ll be sure you’re not late,” Ethan buried his head in her neck.

“I don’t have clean clothes for tomorrow.”

“You can either grab some scrubs from the locker room or ask your roommate to bring something for you.” Ethan pointed to his dresser. “I cleared both of the bottom drawers for you, if you want them.”

Charley chewed on her bottom lip. “You knew what the outcome of our talk was going to be before we actually talked today. When did you decide you wanted-”

“The night of the softball game, when I kissed you.”

Charley stared at him. “Then why did you keep putting me off when I wanted to talk?”

“Because I kept coming up with all the reasons why we shouldn’t be together. And I decided not to do that anymore. I’m tired of avoiding whatever it is we have.”

“Why do I get the two bottom drawers?”

“You’re shorter than me!” He indicates the drawer on the right. “You actually do have clean clothes in there. What you wore when we went to my dads. You at least have something to wear to the hospital.” Ethan watched her. “Any other concerns for tonight?”

“Do you have an extra toothbrush?”

Ethan shrugged. “Yes, but it’s one of the standard ones dentists hand out. It should be fine until we can get you one to keep here.”

Charley put her head on his pillow. “Then I can’t think of a single reason to get out of the warm bed right now.”

He turned off the light and slipped under the covers with her. “Neither can I.”

Tag list (if you want to be on or off let me know) @oofchoices @openheart12​  @jamespotterthefirst​  @ohchoices​  @catchinglikekeronsene  @aylamreads​  @nerdydinosaursweets​  @eramsey28​  @txemrn​  @starrystarrytrouble​  @queencarb​  @thegreentwin​  @lion-ess24​  @caseyvalentineramsey​  

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[littleredlie]

Intervention (S1P4)

Series Masterlist | Master Masterlist

Chicago Med x doctor!OC Morgan Fitzgerald is a doctor at Chicago Medical and she returns back after a two week break. However, we learn that she didn’t spend her entire break off and instead focused on her sister’s murder.  Based off S1E11 of Chicago Med

2.3k+ Words (Short chapter)

Featuring: Morgan Fitzgerald, Hayden Everett (mentioned), Will Halstead, Maggie Lockwood, Connor Rhodes, Kevin Atwater, Adam Ruzek, Jay Halstead (mentioned), Sarah Reese Warning:  mentions of rape and murder, idk what else ??? A/N: Yikes, I started writing this chapter and ended up writing the next chapter so I had to write the end of this one and the beginning of part 5. This part was hard to write because the episode didn’t have much action to put Morgan in and so I made it a kind of Morgan-centric episode. It’s very shot, I had no idea what I was doing. Part 5 is better and I’ve already started part six. Sorry in advance. And we will never talk about this chapter again.

Part Three

“Hey Morgan, welcome back.”

“Hey Mags, how’re you?” Morgan tosses her stethoscope around her neck and picks up a few papers sitting on the desk.

“Nope, nada. I wanna hear how your vacation went. You’re gone for two weeks and not a single person hears from you. You do not deserve to hear about any work drama until you spill.”

“I think you are being overdramatic. And not that you need to know, but Connor heard from me,” Morgan shrugs, not daring to look at the nurse. Maggie had an eyebrow raised and was giving her a look; it was similar to the one she did during Jay and the doctor’s interaction.

“You two really have history don’t you?”

“Yeah, we’ve known each other for almost 15 years. He knew my sister first, but he and I were just closer.” At the mention of her sister, Maggie sends her friend a soft but the latter still isn’t looking. “And we made this ridiculous promise while we were drunk about how we were always gonna be there for each other, and yet, neither of us have broken that promise.” Morgan is quiet for a second as she thinks about the time she and Connor had as friends, but then she moves on. Like she always does when it comes to her personal life. She never lingers on it long enough for people to try and figure her out. “My vacation though was very quiet. Hayden and I drove up to a resort  up north and rented a cabin. We skied, went to spas, ate luxurious food. She had to leave for an assignment early so I just relaxed and did a little research too.”

“So you went all the way to a resort just to work, eventually.”

“The work’s never done Maggie,” with that Morgan leaves with a smile, heading to   the first patient of her day. Maggie just watches her receding back.

Before Morgan can make it into her assigned examination room, someone walks up to her, placing a gentle hand on her lower back.

“Hey Fitz,” Connor says, a small smile on his face.

“Fitz? No one’s called me that since med school,” she chuckles fully stopping to look at him. “What can I do for you?”

“I just wanted to welcome you back. You look good.”

“Yeah, I guess time off was vital. But I have to know,” she pauses, the anticipation building and Connor waiting. “Does everyone know about Olivia? I’d suspect everyone would come to you for some clarification.”

Connor pauses, contemplating whether or not to spew out a white lie. It was true a few people came and prodded for the truth. And he briefly heard whispered conversations among colleagues before they would stop when he got near, but he knew what the topic was. Connor also knew how private Morgan was. She always had been, and after Olivia’s death she just became more closed off. But she also didn’t like being lied to. “Yeah, people know. I’ve tried to handle it, but it has its own life.”

“I guess it’s okay. I just…. I don’t know.�� She shrugs and Connor rests his hands on her upper arms.

“Will you be okay?” His voice is sincere and Morgan wants to hug him, but maybe not right now.

“I will be,” at that Connor is about to pull away but Morgan stops him. “Hey, I wanted to apologize for being a bitch before I left. You know how my family gets me.”

“I understand. I do. And I’ll always give you the space you need.”

“Yeah, I know. But I probably shouldn’t push away my best friend. I need you, especially now.”

Connor pulls Morgan into a quick hug and is going to say something but a commotion arises from the ambulance bay.

“Dr. Rhodes, can you get this, please?” The two doctors pull apart and turn to the pleading charge nurse. “We’re slammed.” 

“I’m on it!” He answers back and throws a ‘talk later’ look to Morgan over his shoulder.

She nods back to him and finally turns her direction to her primary goal. With notes open about the patient on the tablet and a smile on her face, Dr. Fitzgerald returns to work.

          ❦

Three hours later, Morgan is on a roll. Treating patients as quickly and efficiently as she could. She had seen her usual coworkers, except Will. She may or may not have been avoiding him. And it was about to get easier, because after her lunch break she was heading up the OBGYN. She loved emergency medicine, but always felt that there weren’t enough available people in the emergency room that specialized in the field. Just like Connor was pursuing cardiothoracic surgery and Natalie was focused on emergency pediatrics, Morgan focused on obstetric and gynecology emergencies. It interested her just as much as emergency medicine did and after losing a pregnant patient when she first got her match, the choice came easy to her.

“Dr. Fitzgerald.” Maggie calls, pulling the doctor in her direction.

“Yes ma’am. What can I do for you?” Morgan leans her body on the desk as the ensuing chaos of the emergency room flutters around them.

“I just need a signature here for your last patient’s discharge papers.” 

“No problem.” Morgan pulls out a pen from her pocket and signs the paperwork. During this, Will siddles up to her. Maggie notices first and wants to usher him away, since she (along with everyone) noticed that Morgan was ignoring him, but the redhead ignored the nurse’s glares and he turned to Morgan, who still hadn't noticed that he was there.

“Morgan.”

Morgan’s plump lips fold into a thin line as a breath catches in her throat, she was avoiding this. Slowly placing the pen back into her jacket, she finally lays her eyes on him. “Dr. Halstead.”

“It’s good to see you back.” He starts, trying to catch her eyes which were fluttering around the hospital floor, evading. “I was hoping we co–” a ringtone interrupts his words and Morgan notices it’s coming from her. She breathes out a sigh of relief when she pulls it out. It may have been petty, but she wanted to stay angry at him a little longer. 

“Sorry, I have to take this.” Without a response, she answers the phone without looking at who it is, and walks away. “Hey, are you here?” She asked.

“Yeah, we’re in the parking garage, top floor.” His answer beckons her to start walking to the hospital employee parking lot.

“We?” Morgan questioned. 

“Yeah, Adam’s here.”

“Kevin!” She screeches, annoyance bubbling inside her. There was a reason she didn’t ask for Adam’s help.

“He’s my partner Morg, I couldn’t blow him off.” Kevin answers back and she pushes out an agitated sigh.

“Ugh, whatever. I’ll be up there in a few.” Morgan hands up and stuffs her cellphone back into her lab coat pocket.

The weather isn’t bad when Morgan hikes herself up to the top of the parking garage.  She can see the two policemen leisurely enjoying a cup of coffee.  She’d met Kevin years ago through his younger brother Jordan. The younger kid ended up in the hospital and Morgan was the one to treat him. They got to talking, found out they had some things in common, and it was one of the closest connections she made when she first moved out here and after Olivia’s death. Dating wasn’t an option between them, the way the two cared for each other was something close to two siblings and again, the fact that she dated Jay wasn’t helping. She didn’t want to dip her toe into the police dating pool again.

Morgan knew Adam through Kevin and Jay. And she made the mistake of introducing Adam to her roommate. Those two were quite the pair. Hayden used him as an inside source when it came to her articles and he used her to do things that he as a police officer legally couldn’t do (Morgan wasn’t necessarily supposed to know that though). Together, they made an agreement to warm each other’s bed when it was needed. Morgan of course thought it was stupid as Adam was a mess when it came to his love life, Hayden reassured that it was no strings attached and they were practically best friends when they weren’t sleeping together. 

Other than that, Morgan and Adam didn’t have a bad relationship, she didn’t want to ask him this favor because she knew he’d tell Hayden. And Morgan doesn’t want her roommate on her back.

“Hey boys,” Morgan called out to them, her body leaning through the open passenger window. She gives a strained smile to Adam and he gives her one back, knowing why she didn’t ask him to do the favor. Without saying anything, Kevin passes the folder she asked for.

It was surprisingly thinner than what she expected it to be. This killer has been on the loose for a while and she’d hoped that the police would listen to her anonymous tips that tried to tie together all his crimes. But the evidence showed that they didn’t.

“This is all they have Kev?” Morgan flips through the pages, disappointment written on her face. 

“Yeah.  I tried digging up some more, but that’s all that was available.”

“God, cops are so fucking useless.” She huffs out, completely missing the offended faces on the two detectives. “I have more in my own files than this. I tried taking it in, but I keep getting shut down.”

“Morgan, you can’t do this by yourself.” Adam finally speaks up, placing a hand on her wrist. She pulls her eyes away from the paperwork to him. 

“But it seems like no one else wants to do the work. Olivia’s case has gone cold and I feel like the longer that it goes unsolved, the harder it will be to get justice.” Olivia’s throat aches as a sob threatens to creep out. There are tears brimming in her eyes and she turns her body away from the two men.

“I understand that, doc. But, you already have to worry about your patients and yourself.” Adam starts, glancing at Kevin, trying to get his partner to say something. The black man is unsure what to say, he’d recently learned about Morgan’s sister when she first asked him to acquire the files. 

“Why don’t we take a look into it?” Kevin says and Adam wants to hit him upside the head. Adam had promised Hayden that he would help Morgan move on, which meant getting Olivia’s investigation out of her mind. If he and Kevin pursued this case, Morgan would never let it rest.

“Would you really do that?” Morgan almost throws herself into the car, hope filling in her chest. “You’d do actual investigating?” Kevin hesitates when he meets eye contact with Adam,  but the look on Morgan’s face destroys him.

“Yeah, I’ll try to do some work in between my regular caseload.” There’s a soft smile on Kevin’s face while Adam sighs out then turns his head to look at the giddy doctor.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me Kevin. You too, Adam.” Before the second man could say anything, Morgan’s phone goes off indicating the arrival for one of her pregnant patients. “Looks like I have to go. Why don’t you come over tonight and I’ll give you everything that I have.” She smiles at both of them. “And Adam, please don’t tell Hayden or Jay.”

“Jay?” Adam questions. He understood why she didn’t want him to tell Hayden, but Jay?

“Yeah, Jay. The two of us are in a really good spot right now and I don’t want to jeopardize that anymore that it already has been.” Adam nods, understanding. “I’ll see you guys later.” With that, Morgan makes her way back into the hospital.

          ❦

Between patients Morgan finds herself peeking into the folder that Kevin gave her. One name stands: Isaac Elway. Apparently, his sister was a victim to the same killer that ended Olivia’s life. Details of the horrific crime, along with her sisters, were displayed in the paperwork. Morgan’s read the information about Olivia’s case numerous times before, but it still breaks her heart and it constantly keeps her up at night.

When she has no more patients, she pulls out a card with number on it. It’s Elway’s. She dials the number, her fingernail being demolished by the teeth in her mouth. She didn’t know why she was so nervous, she’d been searching for answers for years. This was the first time she had heard of Elway and she had to know what he knew. Why was phone number in the file? Was he that important.

The phone rings and anxiety rises in Morgan’s throat. Eventually she had to get answers, that’s why she had Kevin looking into more details. No one answers the other line, just the automated voicemail message and a beep. Morgan quickly debates in her head whether or not to leave a message,  but ultimately she does.

“Hi, Mr. Elway this Dr. Morgan Fitzgerald at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.  I am calling in regards to Sabrina Elway’s case file and it’s relation to another case. This isn’t a topic would like to discuss over the phone so I’d appreciate it if you would give me a call back. Thank you.” She hangs up the call and shoves the phone back into the pocket of her scrubs. 

“Dr. Fitzgerald, I need an OB consult on a patient?” Dr. Reese pokes her head through the door, oblivious to the emotions ripping the attending.

“Yeah, give me a moment.  I’ll be there.” The intern nods her head and retreats back towards the nurse’s central desk.

Morgan watches Sarah leave and then her eyes graze over the presence of her fellow doctors and the patients inhabiting the emergency room. She needed to accept that she will get her answers soon and that she could not speed the process of the world. She couldn’t afford getting distracted or she’d put herself and her patients in danger. She leaves the doctor’s lounge and heads back to her job, finally relinquishing control of her sister’s case.

Part Five

[ranma-rewatch]

Episode 23: Enter Mousse! The Fist of the White Swan

*yawn* Wow, I finally got some good sleep. Back to the Ranma Rewatch, then. Hey there, long time no see, going to try and get back on track. This week we’re still in the middle of the season 2’s opening story arc, and another main character shall be introduced to us. Will I like him better than I did ten years ago? Only way to find out is to look at the next paragraph, from when I’ve watched the episode.

This episode raised my hopes and then gently lowered them a little, but on the whole I’m happier than I thought I would have been.

The story starts with Akane taking Ranma to see Dr. Tofu, under the assumption that as someone with lots of experience with Chinese medicine, he’d be able to fix what Cologne did to Ranma. Sadly, the technique used is something only a master could do, far outside of his wheelhouse. However, there is one thing he could do.

To counteract the Full Body Cat Tongue, Tofu hits a different pressure point in Ranma, one named after old men from Tokyo. Why? Because apparently they’re well known for being able to stand even the most scalding heat in their baths, and this technique gives the user that same ability. Sure enough, it let’s Ranma return to his uncursed state, but there’s a catch. Kasumi calls, turning Dr. Tofu into a bumbler before he can give the warning, so Ranma and Akane just head to school.

After class, Akane harangues Ranma into taking her out for food, which their classmates immediately notice has a lot of romantic energy to it. Then Shampoo and Cologne appear, amazed that Ranma somehow found a way around the elderly amazon’s strategy, but Cologne seems sure anyway that this won’t be an issue.

But wait! Out of nowhere, someone new appears. His name is Mousse, and he’s a man from the amazon village who has been in love with Shampoo since they were kids. He has terrible eyesight, so bad that he frequently mistakes people for the love of his life, and after a series of confusions he learns that Shampoo is dead set on marrying Ranma.

Mousse attacks Ranma, and challenges him to a manly duel for Shampoo. But she refuses that, so instead makes the duel over Akane for seemingly no reason, which Ranma agrees to. Oh, and he’s known for using ‘dark magic’ which is in practice more sleight of hand and weapon-based techniques.

That evening, Akane is doing what she frequently does when pissed off, namely training in the dojo. Ranma shows up, clearly aware he really stepped in it and wanting to make amends by making it clear there’s no way he’s going to lose to Mousse.

But Akane makes it clear that isn’t why she’s mad. The reason she’s upset is that she doesn’t belong to Ranma, and she won’t belong to Mousse. She’s her own person, and this duel doesn’t respect that. Hell, if he loses that’s fine with her, she’ll just beat up Mousse herself. The entire family shows up, interpreting this as kind of a romantic confession to Ranma.

The next morning, it Dr. Tofu calls and gives the warning he’d meant to tell them earlier: the technique he used is a one-use, so if Ranma gets splashed, he’s stuck again. Akane only finds this out after Ranma takes a dip in the pond while sparring with his dad, and they all freak out over what he’s going to do. Why none of them think to just tell Mousse that Ranma has a Jusenkyo curse, I have no clue.

Someone, Cologne probably, turned the match into a huge spectacle, with food carts and seating around the arena and everything, there’s a huge crowd. Ranma’s late, but that’s only because he made a disguise to hide his cursed body. He clowns around a little at first, having prepared a bunch of lame magic tricks, but then ‘does a trick’ by ‘turning into a girl’, giving him an excuse for how he looks.

Mousse buys it, but he’s angry that Ranma’s not taking it seriously. He takes of his...robe? Tunic? Whatever, either way he’s buff as hell under there, and an attack from his barbed footwear ruins the front of Ranma’s stage assistant outfit, bearing his boobies to everyone. This causes a bunch of men in the audience to storm the fighting area so they can sexually assault Ranma and then I paused Hulu and stared at my computer screen for three full minutes before continuing the episode.

*sigh* Anyway, the Kuno siblings show up, interfere with the fight, Mousse gets deadly series, then Akane reminds Ranma he can use his new technique in battle, which he does to win. Then a bunch of his admirers crowd Ranma, and Akane is annoyed. Done.

Let me get into the stuff I found really interesting with this episode, to start with.

The first half was honestly just really enjoyable. Akane and Ranma had a really good chemistry going on, it reminded me a lot of the episode where Shampoo first showed up. There was a casual closeness to them, still tempered with occasional arguments, that was just cute.

I also liked that they thought to try asking Dr. Tofu for help, since his expertise has helped so often in the past. Making it clear this was a problem he could only barely help out with, and only one time, sold how Cologne and what she’s done to Ranma isn’t something that’s going to be solved easily.

What was a bit odd in that scene was we actually got to see the curse take effect, as Ranma’s torso changed, something I’m fairly sure we’ve never gotten that much detail on. It’s usually either off-screen or a cutaway. But I like we saw it with the curse turning him back to his uncursed form, since it emphasized this was Ranma regaining the body that felt right to him.

I’ve talked about this before, but I also couldn’t help noticing throughout this episode the weird dichotomy in who uses Ranma’s preferred pronouns and who doesn’t. Akane, Shampoo, and Cologne all call Ranma ‘he’ even when he’s in a feminine form, but Akane’s siblings call him ‘she’ instead.

The dojo scene was also a treat for me. I just kind of love how it put the focus on how this whole arrangement devalues Akane. Both the engagement from their parents and the terms of this duel take away her say in what she does with her life, and she isn’t having it. It almost sounded like she was comforting Ranma, taking a burden off his shoulders, when she told him he didn’t have to stress over the fight because she’d be fine either way. I am here for Akane stressing her independence and making it clear that no matter what happens in the fight, she is her own person.

That was a lot of nice stuff, but sadly the second half of the episode didn’t really carry it through. It wasn’t terrible, but the fight wasn’t really anything special, and the whole bit with the guys storming Ranma...yeah. Didn’t care for that. But hey! It’s finally time to do another Character Spotlight!

Unlike Cologne, who I am still holding off on doing a Spotlight for since I don’t feel like we’ve gotten to really see enough of her yet, this one episode basically gave us most of what we need to know about Mousse, so let’s just do it.

In terms of voice acting, his English performer is Brad Swaile. He’s done quite a few things, but he’s most well known for being the voice of Light in Death Note, which is quite a funny comparison. Both characters have huge egos, that’s to be sure, but Light is usually taken seriously, while at least in the dub Mousse is basically just a joke the entire time. Swaile plays him very comedically, which does fit the generally goofy tone of his character.

It is in contrast, however, to his original Japanese voice actor, Toshihiko Seki. Like a lot of the seiyuu, he has done a million things, but of particular note are his roles as Legato Bluesummers from Trigun, another anime I love quite a bit, and as the Japanese Dub actor for the Tenth Doctor in Doctor Who. Honestly, finding out the Japanese dub castings is a treat every time I do a Spotlight. But anyway, Seki largely plays Mousse more seriously, as a confident warrior, only going for comedy with how over-the-top some of his attacks get, considering how silly they are. I’m going to tentatively say this is another performance I think works than the dub, which is fairly rare for me as far as anime go.

So, who exactly is Mousse? Well, like I said before, Mousse is Shampoo’s childhood friend, and the first member of their tribe we’ve met who is a guy. His character motivation is literally just that he wants to be with Shampoo, and will beat up/kill Ranma to get her. Pretty simple.

What makes him silly is the combination of his terrible eyesight, a fairly common trope that now that I think about it is kinda ableist, and how he fights. He’s a master of hidden weapons, but more often than not the items he’s fighting with are silly things, like a toilet or a yoyo. Combined with his high self-confidence, and Mousse is fairly Kuno-like, only quite a bit sillier.

Only enough though, he’s more similar to Kodachi than to Tatewaki. Why? Well, because he’s deadly. Of all of Ranma’s primary rivals/reoccurring antagonists, Mousse is easily the one most ready to kill, not unlike Shampoo. When he gets serious, he trades in the silly weapons for genuinely dangerous weapons. He started choking Ranma with his bare hands in their first encounter, then tried doing it again with rope not long afterwards. Ryoga might talk a lot about killing Ranma, but Mousse has done a lot more to actually attempt that.

All of that said, I’m pretty ambivalent on Mousse. I don’t hate him, but of all of Ranma’s primary rivals, he’s easily the most boring. He doesn’t have the je ne sais quoi of Ryoga or the pompous elitism of Kuno, he’s just a deadly joke character who’s obsessed with Shampoo. Maybe my opinions will change over the course of the rewatch, but for right now I’m still pretty meh on him.

But you know what I’m not meh on? This episode! Even with the weaker second half, the first ten minutes or so were good enough that I’m overall pretty sunny on it. Listen, I’m an easy mark, give me some Ranma/Akane fuel and some decent drama, and I’m happy. I’ll put this in the top half of episodes so far between the ending of the fight between Ranma and Kodachi and the climax to Shampoo’s introductory arc.

Episode 7: Enter Ryoga, the Eternal ‘Lost Boy’  

Episode 12: A Woman's Love is War! The Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics Challenge!

Episode 15: Enter Shampoo, the Gung-Ho Girl! I Put My Life in Your Hands

Episode 9: True Confessions! A Girl's Hair is Her Life!

Episode 2: School is No Place for Horsing Around

Episode 19: Clash of the Delivery Girls! The Martial Arts Takeout Race

Episode 6: Akane's Lost Love... These Things Happen, You Know

Episode 13: A Tear in a Girl-Delinquent's Eye? The End of the Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics Challenge!

Episode 23: Enter Mousse! The Fist of the White Swan

Episode 17: I Love You, Ranma! Please Don’t Say Goodbye

Episode 20: You Really Do Hate Cats!

Episode 16: Shampoo's Revenge! The Shiatsu Technique That Steals Heart and Soul

Episode 8: School is a Battlefield! Ranma vs. Ryoga

Episode 11: Ranma Meets Love Head-On! Enter the Delinquent Juvenile Gymnast!

Episode 4: Ranma and...Ranma? If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Another

Episode 5: Love Me to the Bone! The Compound Fracture of Akane's Heart

Episode 1: Here’s Ranma

Episode 22: Behold! The 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire' Technique

Episode 3: A Sudden Storm of Love

Episode 21: This Ol' Gal's the Leader of the Amazon Tribe!

Episode 10: P-P-P-Chan! He's Good For Nothin'

Episode 14: Pelvic Fortune-Telling? Ranma is the No. One Bride in Japan

Episode 18: I Am a Man! Ranma's Going Back to China!?

But once again, this arc still! Isn’t! Done! No, the end of the Phoenix Pill Arc, if you want to call it that, comes next week with “Cool Runnings! The Race of the Snowmen". Most of my memories of this episode come from a YouTuber I used to follow hating on it, but I’m ready to give it a fair shot. See you then!

[daphner20]

Sean Allen

Redemption

Prologue

“ Ladies and Gentlemen, please help me congratulate Mr. Sean Allen, on his appointment as Judge of our new Drug Court,” said Attorney General Kenneth Hall.

As they were clapping and applauding, Sean reflected, on his journey to date.

35 years ago, my mom, at the age of 21, was on her 4th pregnancy. She had 3 daughters already. She knew that my father loved his girls, but she saw the disappointment in his face, every time the doctor will say “it’s a girl.”

Also, she was tired, she has been pregnant for the last 4 years, and she wanted this to be her last pregnancy.

So she made a vow to God. If God will bless her with a son, she will give him back to God. His upbringing and education, will be founded on Christian principles. His life work will bring honor and glory to God. He will also be a blessing to his country. Also no wine or strong drink, will ever touch his lips.

And on the 7th of July, Sharon Allen, brought forth  a 8lb, baby boy, and he was named Sean Samuel Allen.

My parents we elated. Especially my mom. She never forgot her vow to God. She made sure, I didn’t forget either.

I went to Catholic primary school, and at 11, I was sent to a Jesuit Boarding School, in Florida. II also attended a Jesuit University, in New York, my mom, kept her vow. However, I didn’t want to be a priest, but a lawyer. She was fine with that, as long as I honored God and I was a blessing to the country.

I attended law school at home, in The Bahamas. At 24, I started working in the Attorney General Office,  as a Prosecutor, in various courts, but eventually specializing in drug cases.

And here I am at 35, one of the youngest judges, to be appointed in a specialized court in my country.

So, as they lift their glasses, with Champagne, my glass had ginger ale. I have never had a drop of alcohol in my entire life.

Chapter 1

Shortly after, with a substantial increase in drug convictions, I was asked to be apart of a Special Joint Task Force.

When the United States declared a war on drugs, it seek several Caribbean Countries to partner with them. The Bahamas was in a unique position for several reasons. Firstly, because we are an archipelago country, with over 700 islands, rocks and cays. We were considered a trans-shipment point. We are the closest Caribbean Country to the United States. We also had one of the largest  container port in The Caribbean. 

Our first Task force meeting was held, in Miami, Florida. All the relevant agencies were there. The DEA, DEU, CIA,  FBI,  judges and prosecutors from 18 Caribbean and South America Countries. I felt a since of honor, to be apart of a prestigious organization.

Later that evening, a cocktail reception was held and we were encourage to mingle with each other. 

“ Buenos noches,' said this beautiful woman, “ I am Carmen Reyes, Attorney General of El Paseo.”

“ Good Evening,” I am Sean Allen, from The Bahamas,” I said, smiling.

“ Oh don’t be modest Justice Allen, I know who your are, actually every one here knows who you are, “ she said graciously.

From that moment on, we were inseparable. On the last night of the meeting, seven days later. 

I asked Carmen four little words, “ Will you marry me?”

Chapter 2

“ Why the rush Sean,” asked Sam Allen, my father.

“ I am not in any rush, I know what I want, and I want Carmen,” I said.

“ What is wrong, with a Bahamian girl?” asked Sharon, my mom.

“ There is nothing wrong with Bahamian woman, I was raised by one, and I am related to three wonderful Bahamian women (sisters).” Sean said lovingly.

But his mom will not be deterred.

“ What do you know about her or her family?” asked Sharon.

“ I know enough, that I want to spend the rest of my life with her,” said Sean annoyingly.

“ Sean, you could be compromise! She is from a country that is known for drugs, and you preside over a drug court, isn’t that a conflict of interest?” ask Sharon .

“ What is the conflict? Carmen and I are on the same side, when it comes to the drug trade. She know it’s my life work, and she supports me!” exclaimed Sean. He was truly angry now. He had never been angry with his parents, ever. What’s going on here he thought.

3 months later, we were married in El Paseo, Texas, it was a beautiful day, except for the Father giver, Raul Reyes Mendoza, the Head of Mendoza Cartel. I was in shock, Carmen never revealed this to me.

As soon as the reception was over, I went home that night, to The Bahamas.

Over the next 6 months, every one of Carmen, country man, that enter my court their sentence was double. After awhile, I felt bad about the way I treated Carmen, so I decided to visit her, but I was told she had move back to Colombia. When I got there, her father told me with such relish, that Carmen had remarried.

He told me that I brought disgrace and dishonor to his house.  Can you believe it? This monster, who has wreck havoc on some many countries. Who has murdered thousands, he has made widows and orphans in the thousands. How dare he?

Chapter 3

So armed with righteous  indignation, Justice Sean Allen, became a one man army against The Mendoza Cartel. Everyone knew that, if you came to his court, your chances of getting off, was so slim.

He was also very active in the Task Force. Sometimes he participated in search and seizure missions. 

In the legal community, Sean Allen, was know as a champion for the people. In the underworld, he was a threat to their way of life, and he to be dealt with.

As time went on, Justice Allen, had numerous attempts on his life, and he prevailed each time. The Lord was with Sean.

Shortly, afterwards Sean was summoned to a special meeting with the Task Force.

“ Good morning Justice Allen, I will be brief, we have credible intelligence, that there is a million dollar bounty on your head. We would like to put you in protective custody,” said Special Agent James Smith.

“Thanks, but no thanks, but I will not be run of my job or country,” said Sean, “ the Lord will prevail.”

Several months later, while having dinner with some fellow judges, in Nassau, 

“We will like to thank the chef,” said Sean, to their waitress.

“ I am the executive chef and owner, I hope you enjoy your meal,” my name is Dedra Jones.

Sean was speechless, he loved her instantly.  It has been 5 years since Carmen, an at 40, it’s time to settle down. However, this time, he will do a thorough back ground check.

Chapter 4

Dedra Jones, was born in California, she attended UCLA, where she majored in Business Management, but her passion, had always been food. So she enroll in Culinary school, and the rest is history.

We were together, every chance, we got. She will cooked for me, food I had never tried in my life. Another first, she encourage me to drink. I resisted at first, but she was so persistent, that I gave in. She convinced me, that she cooked with wine, so me drinking it, was basically the same thing.

The changes in my life were not subtle. Firstly, I knew, my parents didn’t approve of Dedra, so I barely spoke to them. I quit the Task Force, because they were constantly telling me I was in danger. Then finally my job, there were no more passion or zeal.

I only wanted Dedra, I became obsessed. If I didn’t hear from her, I became jealous and paranoid. It was so out of character, I didn’t know what to do. Dedra encouraged me to try one of her sleeping pills, because I had developed insomnia. Over a period of time, I needed pills just to get through the day. I was drinking as well,, vodka was my liquor of choice.

Then one fateful night, while driving home I fell asleep at the wheel. Three days later, when I regained consciousness, it was on every news outlet, locally and internationally. “Bahamian Drug Judge is a Junkie.”

Chapter 5

When I taken to the hospital, they ran the routine toxicology test. I had every illicit drug in my system. The report was leaked to the media.

The first person I asked for was Dedra, only my family was there. She had left the country.

I was asked to step down as a judge (fired). Ostracized, by my colleagues, all of my convictions were being investigated. My drug court was disbanded I was ruined, the Lord had departed from me.

The Cartel, finally had succeeded in destroying me.  This time, the weapon they used was older than time itself, it was Dedra! She was consistently lacing my food and wine with drugs. Hence my paranoia and erratic mood swings. It had also affected my health.

Sean never practice law again. He was never disbarred. But the humiliation was too great, he was a prisoner in his mind. The only people he saw, were his family. He had let his country, his family, and God down.

Two years later, he had a special visitor, who came a calling.

“ We have put together a Special Covet Operation, and we want you to be a part of it,” said the now Director James Smith.

“ Are you the only person, who haven’t heard what I have done,” said Sean.

“ I know who you are and what you stood for, the Cartel is becoming stronger, and they need to be stopped, and you are the man for the job,” said James.

“ I don’t know James,” said Sean sadly.

“ Think it over, a just man falls seven times, but he gets back up,” said James as he left.

Sean, then prayed to the Lord saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once,  O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Cartel for destroying my life.”

This time, the Covet Operation, that Sean was a part of resulted in the conviction and the death of many members of the Cartel. Also every drug field, and lab was burnt to the ground. Millions of their assets were confiscated.

Justice Sean Samuel Allen died a few months later, he was given a state funeral.

The Bahamas had rest for 20 years.

The End

[josephinegalbraith95]

What Is A Psychic Reiki Master Stunning Tips

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[the-desolated-quill]

Vincent And The Doctor - Doctor Who blog (People Like This Episode?)

(SPOILER WARNING: The following is an in-depth critical analysis. If you haven’t seen this episode yet, you may want to before reading this review)

Oh I hate talking about these kinds of stories! The ones that receive critical acclaim and are adored by fans because of how deep and meaningful they supposedly are, and then I have to come along and explain why those episodes are nothing but pretentious, patronising bollocks.

Okay. Two disclaimers. I’m not very fond of Doctor Who’s celebrity historical episodes because they’re usually just an excuse for the writers to wank themselves silly to a famous historical person as opposed to telling a compelling story (see The Unicorn And The Wasp and Victory of The Daleks), and I’m not a big fan of Richard Curtis. I do like Blackadder for the most part, but his other stuff I just don’t care for. (I don’t even like The Vicar of Dibley very much, which is positively sacrilegious I know). If you’re into either, fair enough. They’re just not to my taste. But the thing to bear in mind is my hatred for Vincent And The Doctor goes beyond personal taste issues. Not only do I think this episode is monumentally crap, I also found it to be extremely insulting, and I’ll explain why in a bit.

In the previous episode Rory was erased from existence, which means Amy can no longer remember him, although she still feels occasionally sad without knowing why. To cheer Amy up, the Doctor takes her to an art gallery to look at Vincent Van Gogh’s painting. This surprised me ever so slightly. I honestly didn’t think Amy would be the type to be into all this artsy fartsy stuff, but that’s only because we’re 10 episodes in and I still don’t actually know anything about her. Think about it. What have we actually learned about her? How has she grown since the first episode? First person to come up with a satisfactory answer wins a fiver. 

It’s almost as if she’s suddenly obsessed with Vincent Van Gogh not because that’s part of her character but because the plot requires her to be. Also, since Rory was erased by the light shining out of Moffat’s crack (teehee), Amy seems to have been reduced to a wide-eyed, innocent little bunny rabbit in this episode. I can’t help but feel sorry for Karen Gillan. She’s a good actor, but Moffat rarely gives her any good material to work with.

Anyway the Doctor spots some weird creature in one of the paintings and decides to travel back to 1890 to meet Vincent Van Gogh, played by Tony Curran who admittedly does a marvellous job with the material he’s been given, although the less said about his awful pantomime-esque performance when he’s required to fight the invisible monster, the better. Here’s the problem with celebrity historicals, and I mentioned this in my review of The Unicorn And The Wasp. Usually these episodes are only entertaining to those who are interested in the historical celebrity. To everyone else, it’s just monumentally dull. I’ve never been that interested in Agatha Christie, so having to listen to the Doctor constantly talk about what a great writer she is made me feel a little bit nauseous. I’ve seen Van Gogh’s paintings. They’re okay. I’m not that much of an art lover, so I can’t really comment further, but to listen to the Doctor and Amy talking, you’d think Van Gogh was the reincarnation of Christ. It all feels utterly self indulgent. Like with Agatha Christie and Winston Churchill in their respective episodes, there’s no effort to actually explore what his life was like or anything. Instead we’re given this romanticised version of him that Richard Curtis can spend 45 minutes pouring his admiration over. It’s fine if you like Van Gogh, but spare a thought for the uncultured swines like myself who have to suffer through this too.

‘Oh look! There’s all his famous paintings! And they’re still wet! Oh no! Don’t put the coffee pot down on them! You’ll leave a stain! How can you not see how utterly perfect and amazing you are Van Gogh?! OMG! Look at his bedroom! Just like the painting! (Even though the bedroom wasn’t actually in that town. Also have you noticed that they built the bedroom to look exactly like the painting to the point where the proportions look really weird when the Doctor walks around in it?). Oh did you hear that? He doesn’t like sunflowers! How hilarious! And he fancies Amy! How sweet! Go PondGogh!’ And so on for another 40 excruciating minutes.

For the record, I don’t buy Van Gogh and Amy’s feelings for each other even for a second considering that they’ve only known each other for a day. Plus the whole thing feels less romantic when you remember that Van Gogh most probably had syphilis at the time.

But wait. This is Doctor Who, isn’t it? Better shove a monster in for no reason. What do we have this week? The Krafayis. An invisible monster that only Van Gogh can see and resembles a giant, mutant CGI turkey. Not exactly one of Doctor Who’s best monsters, now is it? So how’s the Doctor planning to see it? With some tech of course. But not something sensible like a pair of goggles or something. No. Instead he uses this awkward looking harness thing with a rear view mirror attached so that the only chance you can see the Krafayis is if it’s standing right behind you. What a stupid idea!

But as I said, this is all a taste issue. If you like it, good for you. I’m glad someone does. Where I absolutely draw the line however is when Richard Curtis starts giving us his patronising views on the blind and the mentally ill.

Yes the big twist is that the Krafayis is blind, and in one fell swoop it goes from being a savage creature of hate to being a cuddly little bundle of joy in its condescending death scene. They also perpetuate the age old myth that blind people have excellent hearing (which is not true by the way. it’s a lie created by the sighted to make themselves feel better). Oh and the reason why only Van Gogh can see him? Because he’s mentally ill and therefore can see things other people can’t. 

How anyone can find this episode to be anything other than insufferable I don’t know.

There’s been a lot of debate as to what kind of mental illness Van Gogh may have had, but Curtis decides to go for bipolar with a touch of synesthesia. This is very dark and sensitive territory for Doctor Who, but with careful handling it could potentially be emotionally rewarding, spreading awareness to important issues surrounding mental health. This is not the case here. Curtis’ portrayal of mentally ill people consists of nothing but patronising and insulting cliches. He’s bipolar, which means he’s fine now even though he was sad a few minutes ago. Being mentally ill makes you a genius. Being manic makes you a loveable eccentric. Having mental health problems allows you to see the wonders of the world in a way ‘normal’ people can only dream of.

For those of you who don’t know, I suffer from manic depression. Do you see now why I might have a bit of a problem with this? Yes there’s a correlation between those with mental health problems and those who enter creative fields like art and writing, often because art and writing are an excellent way to express ourselves and to make sense of the world around us. I myself am a writer and have had a lot of time to refine my craft. Spending nearly three years stuck at home whilst recovering from alcohol addiction gives you a lot of free time to do such things. But I absolutely resent the idea that artists, writers and other creative people are good at what they do because of their mental illnesses, as though it’s some special gift bestowed upon us by the Art Gods. People who think that are either ignorant, pretentious or stupid, and I would be more than happy to give those pricks my mental illness so they can see what it’s fucking like to be me. I can assure you it isn’t pleasant.

But wait! It gets worse!

It’s tragic that Van Gogh never knew just how successful he would become, right? if only we could tell him or show him how famous and well regarded he would be. That in my opinion is all the more reason not to do it here, but Curtis just can’t help himself at this point. The Doctor and Amy take Van Gogh to the art gallery in the future, they all stand on this turntable thing as Van Gogh cries while Bill Nighy talks about how not only is Van Gogh the greatest artist who ever lived, but is also the greatest, most awesomest person ever born in the entire universe, all while some awful pop ballad plays in the background to drown us in slush.

Good God, this is fucking awful! Who the hell thought this would be a good idea?! Talk about over-egging the pudding.

And then, big shock, Van Gogh kills himself. Amy is surprised because she thought showing him the future might inspire him to keep working. Me? I’m not in the least bit surprised. He gets taken into a blue box that’s bigger on the inside than the outside and travels to the future where he sees all the success and fame he will never get to experience in his lifetime. That’s more likely to cause his suicide than prevent it, if you think about it. And I HATE the Doctor’s speech about how life is split into good things and bad things. What is he, a fucking primary school teacher now? Depression is a little bit more complicated than that. But then again this is written by the same fucking moron who believes being mentally ill makes you a badass painter, so I guess I shouldn’t be too shocked.

Richard Curtis clearly thinks he’s written a sensitive and sympathetic tribute to a renowned artist who tragically took his own life due to mental health problems. I think Curtis royally fucked up with a paper-thin story that’s both patronising and insulting. And remember I have mental health problems, so according to Richard Curtis, I’m a genius. So basically if you disagree with me... you’re wrong :)

[dmozal-cancer-walk-in-50states]

New Mexico and Colorado, 48 and 49th Relay States

Santa Fe, New Mexico - July 13, 2018

Our first stop for the weekend of Relay For Life was Santa Fe. I was told this is the land of enchantment and it certainly was for us (my husband was able to attend these Relays with me). We met a lot of wonderful people along the way and am happy to share their stories. I apologize for the huge delay. There have been a lot of things that have happened in my personal life that have caused major interruptions.

A very special thank you to the Residence Inn for giving us such a great deal on our stay. The location was great, the room very comfortable and the people helpful. I’d love to stay there again if we are ever lucky enough to visit again. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/safnm-residence-inn-santa-fe/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2

The very first person I met was Raven Anderson, Community Development Manager for New Mexico.

Me and Raven Anderson, Community Development Manager

Raven is a “super volunteer”, someone who devotes a LOT of energy and time to help not only raise funds but also help other people.

Raven’s story is amazing. She was disabled and in a wheelchair for 14 years and has only been out of the wheelchair and off a cane for about 3 years. Her goal was to walk in a Relay without assistance, which she did 2 years ago in Orlando. She was in community college at the time. She is a doctoral student now and has been writing her thesis on diversity. After everything she has been through in her life she promised herself that she wanted to make change in the world, impacting others as much as she possibly could. What amazed me even more is the fact that even though she was “disabled” she was doing things to help other people. Part of the promise she made to herself was that if she became healthy enough she would search for a job with American Cancer Society (ACS) so she could put all her energy and knowledge to good use.

Raven was looking on Cancer.org and saw a position in Albuquerque. She applied but received an email stating the position that had been open for 30 days, was filled. Two days later she received another email saying they were wrong and the position was still open, would she be interested. As you can see Raven not only accepted the position she is the epitome of Relay.

I found out about something I had never heard of….a virtual Relay. It’s called Relay for Life of Second Life and is Raven’s home Relay. She explained that you build an avatar, build a home, etc. There are too many things to explain here but Raven says it is like SIMMS on steroids. This is their 14th year and they have raised $3.1 million. It is a 24-hour virtual Relay and Raven walked with people in 2016 from 96 countries. Two years ago she walked the survivor’s lap and has walked with the most amazing people, young and old (90’s). They have their own special avatar’s such as unicorns and elves, etc. There was an event that raised funds for a Hope Lodge in Kenya. In 2018 the event raised over $200,000.

You can find out more info on Second Life at https://secondlife.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3haQ1sznNM This was the live stream of this year

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz7dJZZeZ_YkLVsqy3XBNWA This is a collection of videos

Raven shows that nothing can stop her and that inspirational attitude spills over into everything she does including fundraising, supporting others fighting cancer, or fighting for their loved ones as caregivers. Cancer needs to be stopped and Raven is unstoppable in that fight!

Joyce Graves, from Gallup, NM, is a 3-time cancer survivor. In 1993 she had breast cancer. Her doctor performed a “segmental” surgical procedure. This is where he took about a ¼ of her breast. She has a great sense of humor as she said she has a perky 20-year old breast and an “old lady” breast. Joyce also went through chemo and radiation for this cancer.

Me and Joyce Graves

In November, 9 years later she went to Portland for a national summit for ACS and Relay For Life. Joyce had become involved with Relay on a national level in 2000. The speaker at the summit was a leukemia survivor. She spoke about a new drug she was on that had no side effects and she was in remission. Joyce thought that was wonderful and was excited for people fighting the disease.

In May the next year, Joyce’s husband was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. Joyce called her staff partner to tell her and her friend reminded Joyce of the woman who spoke at the summit. That woman had the same type of cancer Joyce’s husband had. She said at that moment she knew her husband was going to be ok because of what she had learned at the summit.

Paul, Joyce’s husband, took 4 chemo pills a day with no side effects. He said he felt guilty taking the medication. Joyce asked him why. Paul said he knew what she went through when she fought her cancer and he knew what other people had gone through or were going through. He said he felt guilty that all he had to do was pop a pill and have no side effects. Joyce told Paul that this was the exciting progress that was being made in the fight against cancer and someday there would be a pill for breast cancer as well.

In August that same year Joyce went for her mammogram. As soon as the radiologist walked in the door Joyce said she knew she was in trouble. The radiologist said there was a suspicious area that needed to be investigated. Joyce thought the radiologist might say let’s just wait and watch it (which Joyce knew she didn’t want to do). Instead she was told that they needed to check it out right away.

It was breast cancer again and thankfully it had not metastasized. It was a brand-new site, caught very early, but found in the other breast. This time a lumpectomy was performed, and radiation was needed.

Three years later Joyce had Basal Cell skin cancer that was taken care of easily (compared to the other cancer’s Joyce had dealt with).

As for Relay, she has been involved since 2000 and really gives her all to the events. One year she was taking a coat to her husband across the track and she tripped over a tent stake. She broke both elbows, but as they were taking her to the ambulance Joyce was saying “I’ll be back”. It was a little more than she thought so she didn’t come back that night (one elbow required surgery with plates and screws) but she has been back every year to Relay. Her email address says it all - “bleeds purple” is part of her email address, which really does say it all!!!

Joyce has been on both sides of cancer as a survivor and caregiver. Her words of wisdom for dealing with cancer is, first to keep your sense of humor. Facing cancer is tough but your sense of humor can really help get you through the toughest times, Joyce explains. Joyce also says, if you have a spouse or significant other, family and/or friends that want to help, be sure to do your best to be a good communicator. If you are tired, don’t feel good, or don’t want to do something then make sure to tell them. This also means letting people know when you want them to help. She said be specific in what you need. Give them ideas on ways they can help you.

When Joyce speaks to women through the “Reach to recovery” program that ACS has she tells them that women are the strong ones in the family. We are the “doers” Joyce says, and now we need to be the ones that let others do for us. In a way it is easier for us because we get the action part of cancer – we have the surgery, we receive chemo and/or radiation, etc. The others feel helpless. So those cancer survivors need to let their loved ones help in any way possible. Joyce’s advice includes remembering that asking for help isn’t really as much for ourselves (the survivors dealing with cancer) as much as it is a gift to the caregivers and those who are having to watch the battle. Suggestions include cleaning the house, making meals, grocery shopping, etc. The other advice she gives is to keep loving people as much as possible.

Joyce really is the embodiment of Relay. She was on the training task force locally for 2 years before becoming a member of the training task force nationally. She said this year (2018) she gets to enjoy her local events. Joyce really does “bleed purple”.

Angela Luna is the event chair for the New Mexico Relay. She is also a survivor of thyroid cancer. Eleven years ago Angela was in the hospital for severe bronchitis and during an exam her doctor found a lump on the side of her throat. Angela didn’t think anything of it at first. She figured her lymph nodes were swollen due to the bronchitis. The next day her doctor came in and said he really felt she needed to get the lump checked out. He said it could be nothing but wanted her to get it checked.

Rachel Romero, Angela Luna, and me

Angela admits she didn’t take care of her health as well as she should have back then, so she put off getting the lump checked. Finally she said something to her primary doctor. She started getting tests to see what the issue might be. Angela asked her doctor what they were looking for and the nurse said it could be several things. Angela pressed and was told “well the worst it could be is cancer”. That is when Angela started getting nervous.

When the results came back Angela went and saw her doctor. She was told that it was indeed cancer. Angela was stunned. She had this doctor for quite a while and never expected to hear those words. She felt that having cancer was basically a death sentence.

The doctor told her that she was in good hands and that they would take care of her. Angela had a needle biopsy and other tests. She was sent to Dr. Shapiro for her cancer, a great doctor in her opinion. He gave her two options: She could have chemo and radiation to try to get rid of the cancer or he said they could just “cut it out”. Angela thought at first it would mean cutting out the cancer but she found out that they would remove the entire thyroid. Angela chose the surgery and to have an radioactive iodine to kill the rest of the thyroid cells.

Angela learned a lot about taking care of herself through her cancer experience. She is diabetic and wasn’t taking care of herself very well but because of cancer she is very serious about her health now. She lost 70lbs., has good levels for her sugar and cholesterol, and now she takes care of herself. It scared her into appreciating life.

If she had to tell someone the things she has learned it is to take care of yourself, don’t try and face cancer alone, and stay positive. She was pretty angry when she was first diagnosed.

She was involved with Relay in 2011 but life got in the way for a while. Through her classes and phi theta kappa her involvement with Relay was recharged. Her team raised $1,300 the first year which is rather high compared to most first year teams. In 2017 she and Judy were asked to be the event co-chair leads but she chose not to. This year (2018) she was asked to be an event lead and accepted with renewed commitment and appreciate as a survivor and community-minded leader.

Rachel Romero is the staff partner with ACS. She has only been the staff partner for a year but has been involved with Relay For Life for several years. Her involvement started because of her experience with cancer in her family.

Rachel Romero and Angela Luna signing the Relay shirts

Rachel’s sister is 4 years younger and was diagnosed with acute lymphomas leukemia when Rachel was 6 and her sister was 2. Rachel said it was weird because no one in the family had leukemia before.

It all started when Rachel’s mom told her that her mom’s friend was going to take the kids home that day which was unusual. Rachel’s mom runs a daycare and when they were little she was putting blush on Monica when she noticed a lump. She ended up going to the hospital where Monica spent Halloween in the hospital as they were trying to figure out what was wrong with her. The doctors told Rachel’s mom that she needed to go to UNM Children’s hospital right away. Her mom called her dad and they met there. Her sister was diagnosed very quickly.

Rachel was so little and she remembers her sister being in and out of the hospital for about 6 months. She visited her a couple of times but she remembers that she came home with a catheter for her treatments.

Rachel said her sister is the bravest person she knows. She said that her sister is now a 21-year survivor. The whole family is closer and stronger because of it.

Her sister went to camp enchantment which is for cancer patients, enjoying a time when they don’t have to think about having cancer. Rachel and her brother went to Camp Superstar for siblings of cancer survivors. She said the camp helped her understand the mixture of emotions that comes from being a sibling of a survivor.

Rachel said that her sister has grown up and now doesn’t want her cancer to define her. She definitely wants to advocate for others but doesn’t feel the need to tell everyone she had cancer. Rachel said there are so many things that people don’t understand unless they’ve been in a survivor’s shoes.

She loves being a part of ACS and would love for this disease to be gone so no one has to go through what her sister and her family had to face.

Dolores Anaya-Gomez, is a 22-year ovarian cancer survivor and a very encouraging person. She had some back pain, so she decided to go to the doctor. The doctor sent her for an ultrasound. Dolores was asked how she found her issue. The question was surprising because she didn’t know what she had yet.

Dolores Anaya-Gomez and me

She had surgery where they found that she had ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is a silent killer because it usually isn’t caught early. Dolores found that her back ache was bothering her enough to get checked. During her hysterectomy they found the ovarian cancer. Being so many years ago it was great that her doctor was careful enough to check the ovaries for cancer.

Dolores became involved in Relay about 3 years after her cancer diagnosis. She was invited by a friend to attend a Relay as a survivor. The next year another friend asked her to join a team (Mayor Delgato’s wife was the team captain) and she helped sell bags and raise money doing as much as she could to help the team. The following year she started a team of her own.

Dolores felt being a part of Relay was extremely important so she could help as many people as possible. Every year she helped a little bit more. At one point she was part of 8 teams; teams from her church, her grandchildren started the first kids team, she had a team with people from her class reunion, etc.

Dolores served as event chair for several years as well. She mentioned that Relay has changed since she first started participating, with events such as Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for example. This year’s Relay is back to a 24-hour event, which is longer than the last few years.

Dolores has a passion for helping others and raising money. She said she appreciates the fact that her employer matches what she raises most of the time.

Dolores says don’t ignore your body, go ahead and go get that exam. She knows it’s scary but there are many cancers that can be detected early, so listen to your body and pay attention, get any issues checked out. Most of all don’t give up! Keep searching, keep helping and have a good life.

Grace Vigil, is a breast cancer survivor of 17 years. Being in the medical field she knew the importance of breast exams.

She noticed a little dimpling in her breast but brushed it off. It wasn’t long before she went for her routine mammogram and they saw something that they wanted to check. Nothing could be felt in the breast, so they sent her for a needle biopsy which showed that she did have cancer.

Grace Vigil and me

At the time her daughter was turning 21 and the family had a trip to Vegas planned for the following month after the cancer detection.

When they got back from their celebration Grace had her surgery scheduled. She had a partial mastectomy with lymph node removal. Four of the lymph nodes were cancerous. Grace had been on the medical side of these types of diagnosis so as the patient it was a bit shocking. She had not anticipated the lymph nodes to be involved at all.

There is no breast cancer in Grace’s family, but her sister did pass away at 37 from gall bladder cancer. Her brother had lymphoma 14 years ago and her other brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. Heart and diabetes issues ran in the family until cancer popped its ugly head as well.

Grace worked for the surgeon who did her surgery. Then she went to the oncologist who happened to be her primary doctor before he became an oncologist. What a small world!

It was decided that Grace would need 6 weeks of chemotherapy. She said it felt like a long time. She got very sick during her treatments. At one point she needed an antibiotic because she had gotten so sick. The medication wasn’t cover by insurance, so she had to pay over $100 for less than a weeks’ worth of medication. She worked the whole time, answering phones during time dealing with cancer.

After getting through chemo Grace had radiation. Again, a small world because the radiologist was someone she knew. She didn’t have a lot of issues with this part of her treatment. Grace said she had a little sunburn, but they gave her cream that took care of the issue.

She found her diet was interesting because there were only certain things she felt she could eat. She drank lemonade from the health food store, Gatorade, and she ate Natillas (an Indian pudding) and mashed potatoes.

Grace said she can say she is truly blessed. She had a lot of support from her family and her church along with coworkers. In fact one of her coworkers shaved Grace’s head for her when she started losing her hair. This is a much more difficult, yet supportive act than some might understand.

As a nurse she finds that now when she relates to patients it is in an entirely different way. She has always had compassion for her patients but now she has an amazing amount of encouragement she shares as a survivor. She will tell her patients, I’ve had breast cancer too. I have survived and so will you.

She has many patients that have touched her through the years. There was one that is still a survivor even though she never had surgery or treatments. She followed holistic type of medicine and is still doing well today.

Grace said she is faithful about getting her mammograms now. Since her original diagnosis she had a walnut size lump in her left breast that was removed and was benign. She took tamoxifen for 4 years and another medication for one additional year. She is doing well with negative issues now.

She says 17 years survivor and working for 47 years in the field she has seen a lot. The one thing she wants people to know is that getting checkups is a safe thing to do. It is something that is within your control.

Cheryl Archuleta is a breast cancer survivor. Her journey started in 2007 when she had a mammogram. The doctor said there was something in the mammogram but said they would just watch it.

Cheryl and Joe Archuleta

One year later Cheryl went back for her mammogram and the spot was still there. The doctor set up a biopsy, which did come back with a cancer diagnosis. Cheryl then went to see a surgeon that performed a lumpectomy and they did MammoSite Radiation. This is where they cut the side of the breast and insert a balloon that has a radioactive liquid used to kill cancer cells. Cheryl then went to her oncologist to confirm the that everything was good for the next step. She then had 3 wires on the outside of the breast. This is where they would hook her up to have the radiation administered. Cheryl had 10 treatments, 13 minutes in the morning and 13 minutes in the afternoon for 5 days.

Cheryl felt very lucky because the cancer was extremely small and caught very early. She said she was barely considered stage 1.

There was a lot going on at the time that Cheryl was diagnosed, this was not her first encounter with cancer. Her husband, Joe, had prostate cancer and her mom had struggled with colon cancer. Cheryl knew cancer from both sides, as a caregiver and a survivor. Her mom lost her battle 13 years ago. Her husband had his prostate removed and he is now cancer free.

Cheryl had a scare in 2017, when the doctor thought he saw something. She had another biopsy, but thankfully it was not cancer.

Cheryl shared more about her mother’s battle with colon cancer. Originally when she was diagnosed the doctors said they got it all. Cheryl’s brother was in Las Vegas, so he wasn’t able to help with their mom during her diagnosis and surgery. However, once the doctors said they removed all the cancer, their mom moved to Vegas with Cheryl’s brother. About a year after her original diagnosis, their mom was in a lot of pain. The cancer had come back. Now, locally the doctor wouldn’t do radiation or chemo on Cheryl’s mom because she was in her mid 80’s but when the cancer came back while she was in Las Vegas, the doctors there were willing to be more aggressive in their treatments. Cheryl’s 85-year-old mother went through both. Cheryl was still working full time but managed to go monthly to see her mom during her treatments, from January through June, when her mom passed away. Her mom had several side effects from the treatments. It was tough watching her mom suffer and she understood the doctors concern with how the treatments would affect her mom.

Cheryl said cancer is a terrible disease and it is hard no matter what side of it you are on. She and her husband are both healthy now. With the support of family and friends they continue to appreciate life after cancer.

The Santa Fe event was very welcoming, encouraging and heartwarming. I was able to share my journey with the people who attended the event and they welcomed my husband and I with open arms. Not only that but they have a heart for each other as well as for raising money to destroy this dreadful disease.

A little rain can’t stop this Relay from happening in Santa Fe.

Supportive cancer survivors, walking in the survivor’s lap!

Such grace and beauty in the dancing. The stories told through dance was wonderful.

Even though it was sprinkling the smiles and peace that was felt from the music and movements was incredible.

My husband and I were so happy to have attended another wonderful event. The people and their stories were another example of encouragement, strength and perseverance in the face of difficult circumstances at times. The people I was able to talk to at this event had a great deal of longevity since their cancer diagnosis. I am always encouraged when I talk to survivors of 22, 17, 11 or even a few years. Or a 3-time survivor who is going strong. It shows that often cancer is treatable and beatable as we wait to find a cure!

Firestone, Colorado – July 15, 2018

Colorado, a mile high and hearts a mile wide! The people I met were kind and strong and resilient. It was such a hot day when we attended the Relay and yet I think I was the only one that look like I was going to melt. There was even someone dressed up as the Chick-fil-A mascot. No one complained, they ran the event with love and determination to raise money and support one another.

Chick-fil-A standing in the shade!

The starting line or finish line, cancer needs to be eradicated!

Sherri Everett was the guest speaker at the Carbon Valley event, she is a teacher, and an absolutely amazing women.

During her speech she told a story about Mr. Rogers and how he talked about how his mother helped him feel safe when he was afraid by saying “always look for the helpers in this world”. She tried to keep his story about helpers in her mind as she faced the scariest events of her life, cancer. She explained that she met a gentleman this past year that had gone through some of the same surgeries she had; removal of part of her stomach and intestines. Sherri said “you don’t realize how important that plumbing is until you no longer have it”.

Her sense of humor showed as she talked about this gentleman that had a stool transplant (he had a stool transplant from his wife to replace the good bacteria that was missing because of his surgeries). Yup, she said he had tons of jokes and an attitude that just made you laugh. He said things like “have you met my wife? She’s my number 2 girl.” Or “I used to think my wife gave me a lot of crap but now I know she does”.

Sherri said that she also had helpers at the infusion center provided by the nurses who asked how she was feeling, how her family was, and provided expert care.

Lastly she talked about her two co-workers, helpers that were the light in a very dark tunnel. They never gave up on Sherri. The came to see her (even if they got lost), sent text, and kept her spirits up even when she thought she’d rather be left alone. Her “blond comedy team” never stopped encouraging her and loving on her. She said they kept her from falling into the depths of despair.

Sherri said that we need to make sure we don’t ignore or push away the helpers. She said look for the helpers in your life. Give them the opportunity to be there for you.

Sherri explained more of her “depths of hell” story when I sat with her and her husband Jim. Sherri is a teacher. Her story started 4 years ago when she was diagnosed with breast cancer on the first day of summer vacation. She opted for a double mastectomy and had planned reconstruction. She now believes that reconstruction isn’t necessarily the way to go. She was 9 weeks out and after all the infections and issues she had, they had to pull the idea of reconstruction. She is still very angry about the reconstruction issues to this day, especially her concern that girls may believe that without breasts you aren’t feminine or beautiful.

Sherri had chemo that ultimately caused her loss of hair and the results are that her hair is the way it is now…not much chance of it growing more than where it is now (I think she is beautiful and I know her husband does too).

Sherri and Jim Everett

She had a lot of issues such as lymphedema and infections, so she was glad when that portion of her cancer journey seemed to be over.

Fast forward to last summer. Sherri’s belly seemed to be getting thicker and she chalked it up to weight gain, however her doctor wanted blood work to be certain. Sherri’s doctor wanted her to get a physical to make sure everything was ok. First Sherri’s liver enzymes were up. With each test her doctor said it was probably diet and exercise changes that were needed but she wanted another test, then another. Almost 3 years to the day the doctor called Jim and said she wanted both of them to come into the office.

The results were that Sherri had tumors all throughout her peritoneum (the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity). They decide to do a laparoscopy, fearing that Sherri had ovarian cancer. The oncologist came out and told Jim that Sherri had a year to live, as long as she had surgery. Jim said the doctor was crying at that point.

They found that Sherri had appendix cancer (her appendix were encased in a tumor) that secretes this gelatinous matter. Sherri didn’t really realize that she had issues but looking back she can see that she wasn’t feeling well but chalked it up to chemo, etc. She was winded or felt worn out whenever she tried going for walks or did too much in a day.

Her surgeon sent her to a team at CU Anschutz Medical Campus where, last May they had recruited a new surgeon from Pittsburg who performed the particular surgery she needed.

She said it is really hard not to google what is going with your type of cancer but for her, she found that she didn’t want to know about what the statistics say. Her journey is her journey and her statistic is her statistic. She doesn’t want to be compared to someone else because she isn’t them! Sherri said that she read a book called “Anticancer” that she really liked because the doctor who was diagnosed with a brain tumor said he wanted to be on the right side of the graph. We all do!

Sherri said they decided to do the surgery on September 15th. It is a very extensive surgery that takes a team of doctors approximately 14 hours to basically shopvac the gelatinous cancer out. However Sherri ended up with a fever labor day that ended up taking her to the hospital. It was discovered that Sherri was septic! It took so much planning for the type of surgery that Sherri needed, so she focused on getting as healthy as she could so the surgery could be performed as scheduled!

On September 15th they wheeled Sherri into surgery. She says she was calm. She felt that no matter the outcome it would be fine. She said if something happened she’d be asleep and if all went well she’d start the healing process.

Jim took over the explanations from here since Sherri was completely out of it. Since their day started at 7:30 a.m. Jim knew the day was going to be long. He saw the doctor at 9:30 that night. He also saw the residents as they wheeled Sherri down the hall. Jim says the surgeon looked pretty good but the residents looked wiped out. Part of what Sherri had during this special surgery was “hot chemo”. The procedure is called HIPEC or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and is performed with cytoreductive surgery (although Sherri calls it MOAS = Mother of all surgeries). They put chemo that was 109 degrees into Sherri’s abdomen and then had to rock her back and forth for an hour and a half to get the chemo into every nook and cranny. Sherri and Jim also said there are only about 1,000 cases of peritoneal cancer per year.  

The doctor that performed Sherri’s surgery has done 500 of them. Originally Sherri and Jim were going to go to MD Anderson in Houston, but the hurricane stopped that travel idea. However after meeting her surgeon they knew that staying and having him perform the surgery made the most sense. They trusted him and his skill set, especially once they find out that MD Anderson was sending him their worst cases when he was in Pittsburgh.

Jim spent the whole month that Sherri was in the hospital in their camper in the parking lot. Jim would get up in the morning to make the 5:30 a.m. rounds, spending as much time as possible by her side.

Their sense of humor is amazing. They told a story about the day after surgery when one of the residents was telling Sherri their goals of the day. This was 24 hours after surgery and Sherri was still on a respirator. Jim was anxious when they said they planned to get her up to walk but Sherri responded to his concern with a very special “finger gesture” that makes them both laugh now. Sherri was strong and Jim could see she was in the fight with all her strength (and humor).

Sherri mentioned that Jim looked as bad as she did during those months. Often we forget that the family members struggle as they watch their loved ones fight this disease. They feel helpless and frustrated and angry and scared! They try not to show it and to keep the survivor on the path to recovery as best they can.

Sherri and Jim talk about the pain management team and all that the nurses, residents, and doctors did to help her recover. It’s hard to believe listening to Sheri that she had only been recovering for about 10 months after such a massive surgery. She had an ileostomy so she had trouble getting nutrients. That was reversed December 1st, 2017. They removed 30 pounds of organs and she has lost a total of 70 pounds as of July 14. Because part of her stomach has been removed it is like a weight loss surgery. Sherri only eats a ¼ cup of food at a time, several times a day.

Sherri had to receive 6 months of chemo. It is the same chemo that is used for colon cancer. She would receive the chemo though a port for 46 hours every 2 weeks. When I met her she had finished her last chemo 3 weeks prior to the Relay!

I missed meeting Sherri and Jim’s three children (Jake, Scott???, and Grace). Their eyes light up as they talk about how wonderful their kids are. The boys were away at college and Grace was home when she went through her first bout with cancer. This time Grace is away at college and the boys are home. They’d rather their kids didn’t have to deal with cancer at all!

Grace was just about to start her senior year when Sherri was diagnosed breast cancer. She shaved her head (she had long hair at the time) when her mom and Dad shaved their hair off. When Grace started applying for college the essay on the common application was “name a time when you transitioned from childhood to adulthood” so Grace wrote about how she applied to colleges by herself because her parents were going through so much dealing with Sherri’s cancer. She told her parents that they could read her paper but they couldn’t edit it.

Sherri and Jim give me hope for the end to cancer. Their fight against this disease and for their life together is inspiring. Sherri mentioned that the doctor said that at her scan in July she had no significant changes so the cancer was at a standstill. The doctor told her to go home and live her life for the next 3 months when they would scan her again (in October).

Sherri said because cancer is something that invades your body it also can invade your mind. She wakes up in the morning and thinks…. “is today the day? I feel pretty good, so I don’t think so.” She then tries her absolute best to leave that thought alone and plan her day of living. Everyone who has faced cancer can let that fear creep in but Sherri has an amazing attitude. Jim and Sherri show what a family unit of strength, power, humor, and love looks like. Her appreciation of her family and friends is apparent as she lives her life to the fullest every day, as we wait for the cure to this terrible disease. Not only does she look for the helpers in this world, she IS one of the helpers in this world.

Another wonderful woman I met was Heather Sewczak, a 19-year melanoma survivor. Heather said that her cancer was detected when she was only 22 years old. It was the summer she got married and she said that she wore her scar as a badge of honor not for herself but to bring awareness to others that skin cancer is detectable, treatable, but also deadly if ignored. Because of her annual physical her doctor found her original cancer. Because it was on her shoulder she did not see that there was a questionable area on her skin that needed to be checked.

Me and Heather Sewczak

Heather continues to remind people that because the doctor recognized that something on her skin wasn’t right she was sent to a dermatologist that diagnosed and treated her melanoma, something that is often missed. She and her family are checked annually, and she reminds her family members, coworkers and friends to do the same. She says she is that obnoxious friend on Facebook that reminds people to get their examinations. Getting these checks, she believes have kept people healthy and safe.

Last year it was discovered that she had basal cell carcinoma, another type of skin cancer. As she said she is “resetting her clock” when it comes to cancer.

Melanoma diagnosis continue to rise each year. It is the most common skin cancer. There are many facts that people are not aware of so please do not take this type of cancer lightly.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

Barb Bolander was diagnosed in July, 1998 with stage 2B breast cancer. Barb found her cancer herself. She made an appointment with her doctor he sent her for a mammogram, then a biopsy, and then surgery.

Barb Bolander in her “Disney Friends” ears, walking as a survivor but also a friend whose last name was Disney.

Barb had a lumpectomy but because the margins were not clear she ended up having a mastectomy. She chose not to have reconstruction surgery. She also had 8 chemotherapy treatments and 27 radiation treatments. Barb mentions that 20 years ago the treatments were so different from today (and it’s hard to remember 20 years ago), but progress is wonderful!

Barb believes that she has many gifts and angels in her life so as a way to give back she hosts/coordinates a support group in Longmont, Colorado.

The support group in Longmont has actually been going since the 70’s. Barb has been facilitating for about 15 years. She said it is a group that contacts through email, calls, etc. There are approximately 40 people on their list but 6-15 usually attend the monthly meetings. They have speakers that come talk to the group, such as oncologists, that share their knowledge and answer questions for the attendees.

She is also part of a movement on the ground stages called Roberta’s Legacy (http://robertaslegacy.org/contact/) which she was asked to participate in as a board member, but had to resign. She said she will continue to be part of this group as much as time allows.

Barb finds that giving back helps her to continue to appreciate the life she has been blessed with, especially after cancer. She said she wondered how she could celebrate 20 years cancer free and felt that being a part of this wonderful group was an impactful way to rejoice.

Barb’s husband, family and friends were a phenomenal support for her. She said she received a card almost every single day during her 6 months of treatments from her brother and sister-in-law, and many of her friends. Barb laughs when she says she doesn’t know where they got that many cards but she kept them on the table by her chair so she could look at them whenever she was having a down day. Barb said that those reminders of love, in card form, were what kept her spirits high and her focus on getting better.

Barb says that being in remission for 20 years is an amazing blessing. She Relays for a friend of hers who was diagnosed with a reoccurrence of breast cancer when Barb was diagnosed. Sadly her friend lost her battle. She was a coworker (they were both elementary school teachers) and dear friend. She walks on a team called Disney Friends because her friends last name was Disney.

Janie Hug is a two-time cancer survivor. During a routine exam the doctor found something that she felt warranted an ultrasound. It was found that Janie had kidney cancer, so she underwent surgery. The cancer was completely contained within the kidney so after the kidney was removed no other treatments were needed.

Me and Janie Hug

Janie went in for a scan and a checkup every year. At her 5-year mark she had her scan and was called back to the doctors because they saw something in the lower lobe of her left lung. Because they were actually looking at her kidney the radiologist couldn’t see the questionable area on her lung very well. How wonderful that the radiologist looked so thoroughly at the scan, otherwise the second cancer might have been missed. She had another scan focusing on the lung area, which they could see the cancer.

Janie went to a surgeon to see what was needed but she didn’t like the first one. She called her primary doctor and asked for the name of another surgeon. She met the second surgeon and she really liked him.

The first surgeon wanted to do a much more radical surgery which Janie didn’t agree with. The second surgeon agreed with Janie, saying that since they couldn’t see cancer in specific areas they shouldn’t just be radically removed unnecessarily.

Janie had 4 rounds of chemotherapy. It was suggested that she also have radiation to the brain since lung cancer can affect that area of the body. At first Janie said no but after thinking about it she did agree. She had 10 radiation treatments for prophylactic purposes. Because she spoke with the radiologist for the treatments she felt the decision to have a lower dose of radiation as a preventative measure was much better than having higher doses if there was an occurrence of cancer.

Even though she knew it was a possibility Janie was sad to lose her hair again. Once she was done with her treatments though she was happy to move on with her life again! She went and visited her kids, met her friends in Reno to celebrate her 70th birthday, and this year she’s going to meet her friends in Las Vegas.

Janie loves Relay! She has been on both sides of cancer. Her last caregiving experience was in 2014 when her sister had small cell carcinoma in both lungs. The doctors missed the cancer, stating that the issue was COPD. Janie’s sister was never scanned to see if there was anything else going on, she only had x-rays which will not catch some types of cancer. Janie said her sisters’ last 6 months was very difficult. It was very hard to watch her sister suffer.

Janie has known many people that have had cancer. In fact she lost 3 neighbors in the last 2 years; ages 57, 69, and 74. The neighbor next to her has also had 2 bouts with cancer and chemotherapy.

Janie does what she can to help raise money for the end to cancer, and to raise hope for others. Her last name is very fitting, she is like a loving HUG.

I met two very special women involved with Firestone’s Carbon Valley Relay For Life event who work for American Cancer Society, although I bet if you ask them they will say it is much more than a job. At least that is how it felt to me.

Amanda Seier, Senior Manager, Community Development at American Cancer Society became interested in the fight against cancer about 15 years ago when she was working at a YMCA camp in Michigan. She was motivated by the children she worked with at the World Oncology Camp, that was in partnership with American Cancer Society, bringing children from 13 different countries to camp during their cancer journey so they could “just be a kid”. Amanda said these children were amazing and touched her deeply.

Me and Amanda Seier, Senior Manager, Community Development at American Cancer Society

Amanda said that when she moved to Colorado in 2003 she wanted to continue to support ACS so she became a volunteer on the planning committee and a team captain for the Weld County Relay For Life event in Greeley, Colorado.

She moved to Denver in 2011 and started working for ACS full time. She says “Now my motivation is thanks to the dozens of survivors and those who have passed from cancer that I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting throughout my journey with ACS.”

Caleb and Amanda, one is drawing a picture and the other is signing the Relay for Life Shirts

As a mom I also understand when Amanda said she also wants her son, Caleb, “to grow up in a world with less cancer”. She is working to help that happen!

The other person I had the privilege to meet was Marissa Jones, Community Development Manager for the Carbon Valley Relay For Life event, as well as Relays throughout the Denver area.

At the time this event was held Marissa had only been with ACS as a staff partner for 10 months, but she explained that her connection to the mission of ACS has been much longer.

Me and Marissa Jones, Community Development Manager

Her relationship with Relay For Life began her freshman year in high school when it was first introduced to her school. That same year her mother was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. 

She and her family went through a very difficult time as Marissa’s mom lost her cancer battle the following year. Marissa said that “Relay for Life gave my family a place to turn to find hope and a community in the midst of a very difficult time for us”. She and her family continued to participate in Relay for years in memory of this important and loved woman. She also said that “Relay For Life has and always will be very near and dear to my heart”.

She loves her job because, as staff partner, she gets to experience the joy of participating in all different types of Relays all over the Denver area. The passion and commitment that Marissa feels is explained when she says “I continue to see and hear so many wonderful stories of hope from individuals on all different types of cancer journeys.  Relay helped me when all felt lost and I now use that as my motivation to do all I can to help even one person who may be going through the same type of experience I did”.

Both Marissa’s and Amanda’s drive and hope for a world with less cancer comes from their life experiences and hope for a world that will someday be cancer free.

Every person my husband and I met at Firestone’s Carbon Valley Relay had that same desire. Either as a survivor, caregiver or having been on both sides of cancer, each person wants others to know that there is life after cancer. Even if a family member or friend has lost their battle with this terrible disease, there memory and the love that others feel for them continues, which mean they live on. Cancer can take a lot of things away but it can’t touch the memory and love we have for one another.

[keywestlou]

TRUMP'S CRAZIES OUT TO DESTROY FAUCI.....CLAIM HE'S TREASONOUS

Far right  and conservative Republicans are thought to be one week from commencing personal attacks on Dr. Fauci.

An article in Vanity Fair by Bess Levin 6/4/21 an interesting expose. Its title: Lock Her Up Chant for Anthony Fauci. If successful, the attack would be followed up with calls for Fauci to be charged with treason.

The anti-Fauci forces are gearing up for an attack that he’s the second coming of Benghazi/Hillary Clinton/Pol Pot.

The primary attack issue is Fauci’s belief that coronavirus originated with bats and not the Wuhan laboratory.

Why Fauci? Because he represents “everything conservatives hate: An educated man of science with not one but two degrees, he committed what Republicans believe was a capital offense when he failed to back up everything Donald Trump said about the disease, including the part about breaking it by freebasing bleach.”

Many of the anti-Fauci group believe “he invented coronavirus and is ‘part of a secret cabal with Bill Gates and George Soros to profit from the vaccines.'”

Levin’s article claims QAnon, Republicans, Trump, and FOX News believe they have found some kind of smoking gun showing Fauci is responsible for the virus.

There are those that want Fauci to “basically be tried for war crimes.” The very same people who have expressed next to no interest in any investigation whatsoever into the events of January 6.

Beware!

Step by step there is an increasing attack upon the democracy on which the U.S. is built.

Reminds me of Nazi Germany in the 1930’s.

Yesterday was June 6. A special day in American history. One reminding all that many Americans died to protect the American way of life.

It was June 6, 1944. Allies landed on Normandy shores. The Battle for Europe began. Within a very few days, 150,000 Allied troops were delivered to Normandy beaches.

In 1965, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Griswold v. Connecticut. A landmark decision.

The Supreme Court legalized the use of contraceptives by married couples without governmental restriction. “Marital privacy” was protected. The Supreme Court said in effect stay out of a married couple’s bed!

There is humor in the decision. Few Americans were paying attention to the prohibition against the use of contraceptives by married couples.

I take you back 16 years to 1949. I was a freshman in high school. I worked after school in a chain drug store. I was used where needed. Sometimes behind the cigar/cigarette counter.

Condoms were sold. They wee kept out of sight behind the cigar/cigarette counter. Men would stand around looking here and there till they were the only ones who wanted to buy condoms. They would approach the counter and in a nervous fashion ask for condoms. Sold in packages of three to a gross.

I was 14. Had no idea condoms were illegal. I thought they merely were an item men were embarrassed to buy. It was like sanitary napkins. Though legal, they were minimally visible behind the perfume counter. A woman would ask for a box when no one was standing around her.

Time changes things.

Several years ago, I wrote about what was perceived to be a coming California drought. California’s water supply was being rapidly depleted. California needed huge amounts of water especially for its fruit growing.

There was a water war at the time. Some big company came in and bought the water rights to thousands of acres. The company may have been Nestles. I do not recall for sure.

The company planned to sell the water as bottled water in super markets.

There was an added thorn in the side of farmers. Besides Nestles coming in and buying needed water, they were also able to buy it cheaper. Do not recall why. The companies were not stopped.

One of the reasons why today California is suffering from drought. The drought is 100 percent at this time. Nevada suffering similarly.

Scientist say the present California/Nevada drought is equal to or greater than the droughts experienced in Great Depression and Dust Bowl days. Scientist’s warn “the drought isn’t coming, it’s HERE.”

The scientists add another warning. A famine could be next. Historically, droughts are followed by famine.

Jon Rahm was disqualified from the final 18 holes of the Memorial golf tournament over the weekend. He tested positive during the saturday round. At the time, he was ahead by 6 strokes. It was anticipated Rahm would win the $1.7 million first place prize.

Rahm did not come down with coronavirus. He merely was in contact with a person who was so diagnosed.

Turns out Rahm failed to get vaccinated. For whatever reason, he is lucky he did not actually come down with the virus. He is unlucky he blew $1.7 million. Doctors reported that had he been vaccinated, he would not have been tested.

I missed Jean Thornton’s birthday party last night on the Truman waterfront. My goiter acted up. Could not even put a shoe on the foot.

I called Jean in the afternoon and made my apologies.

Jean is the best. She was all excited by the party which was scheduled for 7.

I spoke with several this morning who attended. Two described the crowd as in “the millions.”

Jean would be deserving of no less.

Now for the best news of all. Word is the Chart Room will open in two weeks! Hallelujah!

Enjoy your day!

TRUMP’S CRAZIES OUT TO DESTROY FAUCI…..CLAIM HE’S TREASONOUS was originally published on Key West Lou

[andrewdburton]

I am the one thing in life I can control

Three weeks ago, I drove from Portland to Colorado Springs to participate in Camp FI, a weekend retreat for people interested in financial independence and early retirement.

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't drive this distance. It's a 1300-mile trip that takes at least twenty hours to cover. Or, if you're me, it's a 1400-mile trip that takes 23 hours of driving spread over two days.

But, in case you haven't noticed, we're in the middle of a global pandemic, and although I'm not nearly as cautious as many of my friends, I don't relish the idea of confining myself to close quarters with dozens of strangers for hours on end in an airplane. Besides, I like to drive. And I love the beauty of the American west. And I needed some time alone to think deep thoughts — and to listen to the Hamilton soundtrack over and over and over again.

Around noon on Day Two, as I exited I-80 in south-central Wyoming, I was listening to Hamilton for the fourth time in 24 hours when I was smacked in the brain by a lyric I hadn't heard before. I pulled off the side of the road to think about it — and to make some notes.

Wait for It

For those few who are unfamiliar, Hamilton is a hip-hop musical that tells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton and his contentious relationship with, well, everyone — especially Aaron Burr. Burr is the nominal antagonist of the show (although, truly, he is no villain), Hamilton's most prominent frenemy. Burr is also a complex character.

Alexander's biggest beef with Aaron is that his rival seems wishy-washy, as if he has no moral compass. (“If you stand for nothing, Burr, what'll you fall for?” Hamilton asks early on. It's a question he asks repeatedly throughout the show.) To Burr, though, this chameleon-like nature isn't a character flaw. It's a survival mechanism. It's a strength. He's adaptable and patient; he believes Hamilton is too loud and too reckless.

Each major character in Hamilton gets a song to define who and what they are. Burr's song, “Wait for It”, comes in the middle of the first act.

Burr sings:

Life doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints. It takes and it takes and it takes, and we keep living anyway. We rise and we fall and we break and we make our mistakes. And if there's a reason I'm still alive when so many have died, then I'm willing to wait for it.

And then Burr says: “I am the one thing in life I can control.” I'd never actually heard that line before. But there, in the middle of the rolling Wyoming hills, the lyric hit me like a ton of bricks.

This is a powerful line in the context of Hamilton, sure, but for me personally, it's something close to a guiding principle. I've written extensively about the power (and necessity) of being self-directed. It's one of the primary themes of this website.

But here's the thing: As important as this notion is to me, I sometimes lose sight of it. This is particularly true when my struggles with mental health become severe, when the depression and anxiety threaten to pull me under. In these moments, I forget about personal agency and locus of control and related ideas. When I'm in the throes of depression, everything is overwhelming (even the simple stuff), and it feels like I'm in control of nothing.

A Very Strange Year

This has been a strange year. I know, I know. Everybody's saying it. But it's true! And while we, as a society, are “enjoying” this crazy year together, my own personal 2020 has had its own special flavor of weirdness.

As you'll recall, 2019 sucked for me. Objectively, my life was great, and I could see that. But subjectively, I was miserable. My life-long depression reached some sort of crescendo and was made especially spicy thanks to some new, unwelcome generalized anxiety. Mental health issues stopped me in my tracks last year.

After several months working with a therapist, I made some progress. In January of this year, I took a break from alcohol and began waking at 4:00 or 4:30. It took a couple of weeks to adjust to this new routine, but by mid-January I felt great and was enjoying my greatest productivity in years. Yay!

As our country (and the world) descended into chaos in March, April, and May, I still felt great. I was insanely productive, both for business projects (such as creating my upcoming FIRE course for Audible) and household projects (such as landscaping the back yard). I was flying high. There was a stark contrast between the overall mood of the world around me and my personal mood. I almost felt guilty. (It's an odd thing when you're doing well individually while so many other people are suffering. I'm not sure I like it.)

Then, in mid-June, things went haywire. Slowly at first — then all at once — my depression and anxiety roared back with full force. I found myself paralyzed by fear once more. Blarg! Was I drinking too much beer? Taking on too much work? Overwhelmed by current events? Flustered by chaos here on the homestead? (Our fence fell down. The hot tub broke. The fridge is dying. The sewer line is clogged. And so on.) Whatever the cause, I'd reached a dark place by the end of June.

It felt like my life was out of control. Like Alexander Hamilton, I felt like I was stuck inside a hurricane.

Fortunately, I recognized the problem quickly. And that moment in Wyoming — hearing Burr sing “I am the one thing in life I can control” — was key, a wake-up call. It reminded me of my philosophy. I realized that I was focusing too much on my “circle of concern” rather than my “circle of control”.

I fought back.

During July, I took several steps to combat my depression. Among others:

I stopped drinking alcohol. I had my last drinks on Independence Day. My goal is to go one year without the stuff. No, I'm not being 100% strict. If I find myself in a social situation where it's better to drink than to make a fuss, I'll drink. But not much. And these situations should be rare indeed. (I've had one such occasion since Independence Day.)

I called my doctor to ask about medication. While I'm not opposed to meds, I generally don't like them for myself. I don't like the side effects. Plus, I have this stupid idea that I shouldn't need them. Well, in reality I do need them, that much is clear. So, we're playing with things to see what works.

I uninstalled my stupid videogame. (Again.) If you're a long-time reader, you know that computer games are my kryptonite. And in small doses, there's nothing wrong with gaming. It can be a great way to relax! But when I'm in one of my funks, gaming becomes an escape, a way for me to avoid reality. Until I'm moving forward under my own steam again, it's best that I simply avoid the temptation entirely.

I shifted physical fitness to my top priority. Like it or not, my body image has a profound effect on my overall self image. I wish this weren't the case, but it's true. Plus, eating right and exercising is conducive to long life and an effective way to fight depression. So, with help from my buddy Jonathan at Choose FI, I'm embarking on a six-month quest to lose thirty pounds. (I'll write more about this soon.)

In short, I stopped allowing myself to be a victim of external forces and started exercising agency. I am the one thing in life I can control. I need to exercise that control in whatever ways I can. It's the only way out of the pit of despair.

It's far too early to say how much these changes (and others I'm making) will help me, but I'm confident that things will improve in short order. They already have to some degree. I mean, the first thing I wanted to do this morning was write an article for Get Rich Slowly! (And I have a list of other things to write about too.)

Coming Out of the Dark

During my two weekends at Camp FI in Colorado Springs, I spoke about the true history of financial independence and early retirement. (These ideas have been around much longer than most people think.) My talk was rough, and I know it, but I hope to develop it into an interesting and useful presentation in years to come. And I hope to share a written version of this presentation here at Get Rich Slowly in the near future.

But for me, Camp FI is less about sharing what I know and more about connecting with like-minded friends and colleagues. I had a blast both weekends. I hung out with new friends and old.

I got to spend a bit of time with Michelle Jackson (who is one of my favorite people). Between weekends, I spent four nights in Mr. Money Mustache‘s basement. He and I hiked, swam in a creek, and had deep conversations on his delightful deck. I had lunch with Piggy from Bitches Get Riches (and met her chickens). I also had lunch with John from ESI Money. I got to know Mr. Refined from Refined by Fire. And so on.

By the final night of the second weekend, I was more relaxed than I have been in months. Maybe years. As I sat outside with the die-hards until the wee hours of the morning, telling stories and laughing, I felt alive. I felt myself. I felt as if I were in control of things once more.

My road trip helped me re-realize something else important about my depression and anxiety. My suffering is intensified when I spend too much time alone. I feel better about myself (and my fellow humans) when I interact with other people, whether friends or strangers. I genuinely like people. They're amazing. I need to do a much better job of seeking out human contact if I want to maintain my mental health!

If only we weren't in the midst of a global pandemic…

from Finance https://www.getrichslowly.org/i-am-the-one-thing-in-life-i-can-control/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

[ciathyzareposts]

Game 42: Futurewar (1977)

The square in the centre shows one of a few different  images each time you start.

Ah, the warm orange glow of PLATO.  On the one hand, I spent so much of my gaming time a few years ago playing PLATO games that it has a certain nostalgic factor. On the other hand, I spent far too much of my gaming time on PLATO during those years.  Those of you who’ve read the blog from the beginning will know what I’m talking about. Games like Moria and The Game of Dungeons took me roughly a year each to complete, and as historically interesting as they were I’d rather not get bogged down in a similar scenario.

That brings me to Futurewar, a game that I wasn’t entirely sure qualified as a CRPG, mostly because when I googled it I saw it described as a primitive 3D shooter.  Which it is, sort of.  But it also has randomly generated statistics that affect your chances of success at various activities, experience points, level advancement, turn-based combat, and the explore/fight/loot/return game loop that is the bread and butter of the CRPG genre.  A part of me want to say “alas, it qualifies as a CRPG”, but really I started this blog to play more games of the genre (and more adventure games, of course).  So instead I will give a tentative “huzzah, it’s a CRPG!” and hope that I can finish it in a matter of weeks rather than months.  Or god forbid, years.

The first version of Futurewar, created by high-schoolers Erik Witz and Nick Boland, was made available to play circa 1977, and it was updated a number of times between then and 1980.  The version at Cyber1 (the PLATO emulator that I’m using) is based on a printout dated December 1979.  If I’m reading the intro correctly, the game code is the same as that used in 1979, but some of the graphics had to be recreated from memory.  Apparently there are still some bugs, and it doesn’t run on Cyber1 exactly like it used to on PLATO, but it’s the only version out there so it’s the closest I’m going to get.  It was re-released for the game’s 40th anniversary in 2017, which is why I didn’t cover it on my first pass (and presumably why it doesn’t seem to have been covered on other chronological CRPG blogs).

A brief history of Futurewar.

Futurewar has a first person view and grid-based movement, and in those respects it’s similar to  other PLATO CRPGs like Moria and Oubliette.  I was pretty delighted to discover that I’d be breaking out the mapping tools for this one.  Hazards and monsters are scattered throughout the mazes, along with treasure, and aside from some aspects of its combat it feels much like many other first-person CRPGs I’ve played.  Although Oubliette was the obvious primary inspiration for Wizardry, I wouldn’t be shocked to discover that there’s a bit of Futurewar DNA in the mix as well.  It’s also similar to Moria and Oubliette in that it allows for players to team up in multiplayer parties. On PLATO, it seems as though the multiplayer CRPGs outnumber those that are designed for single players.

The backstory begins in 1978, with the player as a member of an elite SWAT team sent on a secret mission to infiltrate the lair of the evil Doctor Brain, who is gathering an army of mutants from Earth’s post-apocalyptic future.  Before he can be stopped, Doctor Brain escapes to the future in his time machine, and the player is caught in the time warp as well.  In the far-flung future of 2020 AD (gasp!), a nuclear holocaust has devastated the Earth, and the remnants of humanity live in the mutant-infested underworld.  It’s up to the player to navigate to the lowest depths and thwart the plans of Doctor Brain.  It seems that Futurewar does have an endgame, although what exactly that entails isn’t elaborated upon.  What it does mean is that, even if it ends up being geared more for multiplayer parties, I won’t be abandoning it as lightly as I did Oubliette, which had no goal.

It also appears that Futurewar might be the earliest sci-fi CRPG.  It’s certainly the earliest one I’ve played for the blog.  The previous holder of that title was Space for the Apple II, which was released in 1978, so Futurewar definitely beats it.

The game begins with a poem, of all things.  It’s called “Monstrosity”, and it’s by an actual poet named Steven Curtis Lance, who seemingly gave his permission.  It’s a little overblown for my tastes, but by the standards of 1970s video game writing it’s tremendous.  Too bad that the cursive font makes it hard to read.

More like Fontstrosity, am I right?

Following that there’s a short animation that shows your character being caught in the time warp, then it’s on to the title screen and character creation.

The first step in character creation is to pick a team.  Humanity has banded into five distinct groups: Americans, Guerillas, Barbarians, Martians, and Cyborgs.  The Americans are a mixture of patriotic rednecks, bikers and ex-convicts.  The Guerillas are what remains of the police and the military.  The Barbarians are those humans that have returned to a more primitive state.  Martians are the remnants of a Mars colony that have returned to Earth, and teamed up with the last nerds and dorks, apparently.  Finally, the Cyborgs are those that have been enhanced using the latest cybernetic technology.  The group you pick determines which zone of the underworld you start in, and seems to affect your starting stats as well.

Character stats are randomly generated, generally ranging from 5 up to the low 20s.  These stats are Strength, Quickness, Endurance, Technology and Intellect.  I’m not entirely sure what these all do, and there’s no explanation of them in the game’s Help file. I’m pretty sure that Strength helps with bashing down doors, and Quickness with running away from monsters.  Endurance seems to affect the player’s resistance to damage.  I only know these because the stats increase with use, and I’ve occasionally seen them go up after certain activities.  I haven’t figured out what Intellect and Technology are for yet.

Characters also receive scores in Power and Hits.  Hits are just hit points, while Power is your ammunition.  Weapons use up power when you fire them, so you only have a limited number of shots before you have to return to base and recharge.

The character status screen.  The image of the character in the middle revolves with a pseudo-3D effect.

There are eight occupations to choose from, although the ones offered are dependent on the character’s stats.  The occupations are: Leader, Techno, Soldier, Hunter, Spy, Medic, Assassin, and Holy Man.  Hunter is the occupation that I’ve qualified for most often, so I suspect that it’s the one with the lowest stat requirements.  I’ve also played as a leader and a medic, though I didn’t notice much of a difference in gameplay.  Then again, I didn’t survive all that long with either.

Each of the human groups has it’s own zone, a 20 x 20 dungeon level that’s populated with weaker mutants.  These are the levels where I’ve been doing most of my exploration so far.  Below those is the War Zone, which is said to be the place where players will most likely meet members of the other groups.  Players in Futurewar can meet each other in the underworld, and form teams if they want. I haven’t encountered anyone else so far, and much like my experiences with Moria and Oubliette I suspect that my time with Futurewar will be a solitary one.

Below the War Zone are fourteen more levels, each with its own title.  The lowest level shown in the Help file is “The Pits”, but it mentions that there’s rumored to be another level below that.  Perhaps I’ll never see it, but I’m going to give it my best shot.

“The Lethal Zone.”  Don’t beat around the bush, then.

There are lots of hazards throughout the dungeon levels, including the human zones.  Sewage, fire,  and radioactive waste all deal damage to the player, but they’re visible and easily avoided.  Sometimes they block passages though, and there are certain areas that I’ve been unable to map because of this.  Mines can’t be seen, and will simply explode when stepped upon.  I’ve had some deal 1 or 2 points of damage, and others deal as much as 20.  Characters begin with around 15-20 hit points, so they can be deadly.  Pits will drop the player to the level below, but they’re also visible (even though the Help file says they aren’t).  Apparently there are transporters as well, but I haven’t encountered one yet.

I think that’s fire ahead of me, but I haven’t walked into it to make sure.

The squares where mutants are lurking are also visible, so it’s rare that the player will be taken unawares by an encounter (it basically only happens when going through a door).  Opponents range from humanoids, to mutants, to robots.  I’ve even encountered groups of R2-D2s, and some skeletons.  So far I haven’t met any groups with more than four monsters, but I expect that will change when I delve deeper.  I also haven’t met any creatures with special abilities, like poison or breath weapons.  The Help file has warned me to expect this kind of stuff, so I figure the game’s been going easy on me in the various Human Zones.

There’s a combat encounter in the square ahead of me.

Combat is turn based, although opponents vary in quickness.  Against some foes, I’ve been able to make four or five attacks before they can act.  Against others, I’ve had to wait while the enemy attacks me four or five times.  The player begins the game armed with what appears to be a rifle.  It sticks up from the bottom of the game window, which is part of what makes Futurewar feel like a 3D shooter.  When it’s your turn to attack you press ‘s’ to shoot, and a tiny bullet can be seen before your informed whether you hit or not.  I assume your stats play into this process somehow, but your gun’s positioning is important as well.  The monsters move about during their turn, and you have to reposition your gun in order to have a better chance of hitting and doing the most damage.  Like a lot of games of the era it boils down to hitting the “attack” button repeatedly, but the importance of gun positioning does make it a little more engaging.

I should mention here that, like every other PLATO CRPG before it, Futurewar has perma-death.  If you lose a character, it’s gone for good.  So far this game has been a little more forgiving than its contemporaries, but I suspect that won’t last.

Aiming my rifle at a “Bone”.  You can see on the right that my Endurance just went up to 23.

The Help file has a list of technological devices that appear to be usable in combat: things like sleep canisters and thermonuclear warheads.  They appear to be the game’s equivalent of magic, but I haven’t found any yet so I don’t know how effective they are.  The Help file also says that only Technos and Holy Men can use them, but I’ve yet to qualify for either occupation, so I may never actually get to try them out.

Killing monsters earns you experience, which can be used to gain levels when you return to base to recharge.  Gaining levels increases Hits and Power, and also grants the occasional boost to your stats.  Some monsters I’ve fought only grant a single point of experience, while others are worth hundreds.  My current character, an American named Chuck, has 34,726 experience and has reached 6th level.

Some monsters also guard boxes or chests.  Some of those explode and deal damage (because of course they do) and others contain money and items.  I’m not sure what money is used for.  I’ve found thousands of dollars, but every time I go to recharge it disappears.  I’m not paying for the recharge, because you can do that when you have no money at all.  I’ve also found one weapon (a rifle) and two pieces of armour (a baseball cap and a ballistic vest).  The only other item I’ve found is a flashlight, although I haven’t found a use for it yet.

One nice touch that makes exploring the game a little more interesting is the graffiti that’s scattered around the dungeons.  I’m pretty sure it’s made from combinations of stock words, but I haven’t seen a duplicate yet. They look cool, and some of the are quite amusing.

They can be a little hard to read, though.  I think this one says “end of burn”.

My progress has been reasonably slow.  I started playing on Sunday night, and I have mostly complete maps of the Martian Zone, the Guerilla Zone and the American Zone.  I suppose mapping three out of twenty dungeon levels isn’t bad, but I expect that my mapping progress will get much slower when I hit the actual dungeon.  I’m on my ninth character, so the game hasn’t been overly deadly, but I’ve also been exploring what are effectively the town levels.  Most of my deaths have come at the hands of super-fast enemies, especially ones called “Worleymen”.  That changed when I found my first piece of armour; somehow wearing a baseball cap made me impervious to all damage.  It ain’t logical, but I’ll take it because I just know that this game is going to get much harder in the War Zone and below.  My hope is that it’s doable for a single player.  If the game difficulty is geared for multiplayer parties, I’m going to have to abandon it eventually, and I’d really rather not do that.

Either way, it looks like I’m sticking with Futurewar for a while.  My current plan for as long as I’m playing it is to post about Futurewar on Wednesdays and whatever other game I’m playing on Sundays.  The next game on my schedule is Mystery House, the first graphical adventure from Roberta Williams, and the first adventure game on my priority list.  Looking further ahead, I can see that my next priority CRPG is Rogue, which is somewhat daunting.  I could get into a situation where I’m alternating between Futurewar and Rogue for weeks on end, which could destroy my sanity.  Still, I got through Moria.  I got through The Game of Dungeons v8.  If I can beat those games, I’m ready for just about anything.

source http://reposts.ciathyza.com/game-42-futurewar-1977/

[blueyesandleatherjacket]

Ghost of you, 11/?

Volume: 1.

Number of parts: 11/?.

Pairings: Human!Nine x Rose; Human!Ten x Jack; Clara Oswald x Olivia Baxter (OC).

Synopsis: "I was a simple neurologist working for the great Maxence Spitz. This man is certainly a clever one. The cleverest of us all. I admire him; this is no secret to anyone, and working for him is a great honour."

A/N: I've started writing this fiction last year after I had a particularly weird dream (as usual) and after I wrote the prologue, I've put it aside to work on other stuff. I've gone back to it not so long ago and decided that it would be the fiction I would post next, after not posting anything for a while. I must have watched I am legend and Game of thrones way too much to come out with something like this but I hope you will like it. I am not a scientist, nor did I have a particular knowledge of sciences. I do my researches on the internet like everyone to make sure everything is as close to the reality as possible. I have a literature degree only. Writing is what I do and it makes me explore next fields, and learn new things.

“Sometimes things become possible if we want them bad enough.” - T.S. Eliot.

CHAPTER 11:

Seventh day of October. Day 1751 since the infection. Tegan Smith video log. Lot of things have happened since the last time I recorded something here. New results have fallen. New specimens have been delivered. Even the hierarchy here has changed. I was a simple neurologist working for the great Maxence Spitz. This man is certainly a clever one. The cleverest of us all. I admire him; this is no secret to anyone, and working for him is a great honour. He treats me better than my old boss who was constantly belittling me and giving me tasks that didn’t fit my abilities. Maxence let all my competences come out and exploited them the right way. His team is family to me and for someone who has grown up in an orphanage, that’s something really important. I fit in this team, in this family, and they accept me for who I am and never make any mean remarks but actually explain what I’ve done wrong and show me how to fix it. I’m evolving in the right way this time. Every step I take is a new progress to me. Well, until Maxence went out for this mission. I can honestly say that I hate the person who forced him out of his lab to go on the field. Catching a living specimen… It really was a stupid idea and a suicide mission. Only someone who didn’t know about the reality of things outside could ask for such a stupid thing. It could only go wrong and it did. It was a real disaster. Some would say that it could have gone worse than it did. Only three men are down on the ten that were on this mission. One death, two infections. To me, it’s a huge mistake to have sent them outside. Event if it was for a good cause, finding that damn cure, what we’ve lost isn’t worth what we’ve gained. Our leader, my mentor, Maxence Spitz, has been infected when a nightwalker bit his neck. Xavier died protecting him from a possible slaughter and Allegro… Allegro kept Maxence safe until they could come back here. Maxence has turned into a complete nightwalker. He has come back here in a crate and was transferred in a cage immediately after they arrived here. Allegro is infected though he has no symptom. He was transferred anyway. This obviously caused a huge mess in the hierarchy of our lab. We didn’t have a boss anymore and the chief of our security teams is down too. New leaders needed to be named. Maxence had picked his favourites before leaving. Wise man. That’s what I was thinking before I heard that I was now the leader of this team. Me, out of other people like Jack or Rose or Clara who deserved it more than me. Jack thinks that’s because Maxence had seen something special in me. I’m wondering what it is honestly. I’m perfectly aware that I wasn’t born a leader. I have the feeling that all my decisions are wrong. Was it a good idea to name Rory captain of all the security members? To have created that small cell working on Maxence? I’ve always been afraid of failing and right now, it’s worse than ever despite the support I have from the very same team I’ve created. Especially from Jack who is a better ally than I thought he would be with his changing mind and his extravagant personality. He clearly knows his limits. Rose worries me a lot too. We can’t deny that it’s her husband we’re working on and it’s seriously affecting her. We can’t pretend that we don’t see that she’s not okay but she’s kinda avoiding us so we won’t force her to talk about what is weighting her heart and ours. We can’t say that she doesn’t do her job properly because it would be wrong. She’s doing it more than right but she’s taking inconsiderate risks by always be around Maxence. We still don’t know how the virus gets from one person to another. If there’s any problem, we would lose another brilliant mind and this team would be lost. However, this proximity they share is also a good point for us. She was first to notice that Maxence wasn’t like any of the other nightwalkers, that he still had that part of humanity inside him. After further researches, Jack, Clara and I had come to the same conclusions. His DNA isn’t totally corrupted and his blood and brain are partly working like they used to before the infection but his primary needs like water and food and sleep are off. That’s what is making the nightwalkers aggressive and stupid. We had to sedate him to get clear scans of his brain. He was refusing to stay still even after we’ve tied him down which made him rather furious. He already was when we’ve put him in the crate to carry him to the scan room. It hadn’t been easy to catch him at all. He absolutely refused to come to us and had put as much distance as he could between him and us. He was avoiding us and when he felt cornered, he attacked. No one was harmed thankfully but we all were the witness of his intelligence. He ran straight to the palm reader. We haven’t thought of forbidding him the access because we never thought he would actually do something so clever in his condition. Zach was quick to lock the airlock thankfully. That’s a mistake we won’t do ever again. It could have had such disastrous consequences for us all. We were luck enough on that one. We may not have a second chance if we mess up once again. The sedative has had some interesting effects on his system. The humanity, what’s left of it in him, is increased by the sleep. I’ve noticed it on the scans before and after the sedative. Rose had noticed that his eyes were slightly losing their black colour. The original colour of his irises was showing up. It disappeared with the last effects of the sedative. I’ve seen that Rose recorded another entry in her video logs, an entry where she gives details about his vital signs while he was sedated. They weren’t normal but they weren’t very abnormal either. They were in-between but it’s a good sign for us. If we can ‘force’ his brain to feel the primary needs again, it could maybe reverse the process. It’s not gonna be an easy task obviously but we already fixed his sight today. We have forgotten that Maxence was short-sighted with all of that. It didn’t get better with the noctiagus but we gave him his glasses back and he looked better with them on. As if it had really changed something for him. We’ll see the results in the near future. I won’t post this video on the public interface. It’s more like an entry to my diary than an actual scientific report and it’s better if no one sees it. I just needed to vent and it’s done. End of the talk. Tegan sniffled and wiped his nose with a paper tissue. He was being emotional again. He hated being like this. He took a deep breath in to try and release the tension from his shoulders. This promotion was hard to live and he was restlessly wondering if he was doing things right. It even kept him from sleeping. He was exhausted but just couldn’t sleep. Not like Maxence who didn’t feel the need to sleep. Tegan rubbed his face and met the stubble growing there. He hadn’t shaved in days. They would all look wild if they didn’t have time to take care of themselves. They probably wouldn’t take the risk to shave Maxence. It would be giving him a weapon and it was dangerous to let something like a blade in his hands. Who knew what he would do with it? He was compelled to live with the growing beard on his face. Tegan smiled sadly at the memory coming up to his mind. He was remembering the first time he had met Maxence. A day he would never forget. Back then, he was working in the NINE, one of the most famous labs of this country. NINE stood for National Institute of Neurological Engineering. At first sight, you would say he was on his field but if you looked closer, he clearly wasn’t. His job there was only to keep his eyes on a screen and read lines of codes that weren’t related to neurology. He had learnt how to decipher those data and to report whenever there was a problem in a technology he could only dream of using.

– Flashback –

Tegan was leaning in his chair, bored. He hadn’t taken his eyes off of this screen in hours and there was nothing to report. This machine was working too well and it was burning his eyes to stare at the screen. He was having a hell of a headache once again. He had developed a tendency to violent migraines with this job. Even the meds he was taking couldn’t relieve him and he didn’t have the time to go and see a doctor. If he was absent for one second, they would fire him and he couldn’t lose this job even if they were treating him miserably and barely paying him. That’s the only thing he had at the moment and he didn’t want to lose the small flat he was renting. He rubbed his eyes and face as if it was gonna take his pain away. He hadn’t shaved in days and the hairs growing there were itching. It was the least of his troubles though. He had the feeling that someone was hammering nails right behind his eyes. How could he work correctly in such a condition? He glanced at the screen. Still no sign of a flaw in the codes. He grabbed the scientific magazine he had bought in the morning. With all of that, he hadn’t had the time to even open it. He had bought it because there was an article about Maxence Spitz’ new project and works. The man himself had a picture on the front. In a small frame on the side, but still. He admired this man and what he had done so far in scientific community. He was the greatest genius of this era. His colleagues here were mocking him, pretending that he wanted to be in a relationship with Maxence. It wasn’t like he would refuse if the man wanted to have a one-night affair but he knew that Maxence Spitz was straight and married with another genius of this planet. Anyway, for Tegan, Maxence would be the scientist who would change the whole world with his discoveries. He was so clever he could find a cure to the biggest and most lethal diseases this planet could count. And there were a lot of them. He put the magazine aside when he heard a knock on the door. It was rare to have someone knocking on his door. Not because he didn’t have many visits – the developers were maybe afraid that he would screw their precious codes up and were always checking – but because no one thought necessary to show him a bit of respect by knocking on his door while he was working. Sometimes, he was locking it just to be in peace and he was being yelled at for this but they weren’t sacking him for this. It wasn’t big enough of a mistake. Today was one of these days. He sighed and got up. He unlocked the door, opened it… and stumbled backward at the person standing before him. He thankfully managed to grab the side of the door to keep on his feet but the man before him was divided between a worried and a bemused face. “Are you alright?” Tegan would have recognised that northern accent anywhere. He had gone to lots of conferences just to hear the theories of its owner. Maxence Spitz. Doctor Maxence Spitz was standing before him. “Y-Yeah,” stuttered Tegan. “You surprised me. Didn’t expect you to be behind that door. Not many people knock around here.” “They should. Surprising a scientist while they’re working could be dangerous.” “I’m afraid I’m not doing anything that dangerous.” “That’s why I’m here. Can I come in?” “Sure.” Tegan let go of the door and gestured to Maxence to come in. He was slightly shorter than Tegan thought he was but he was compensating with his presence. This man certainly knew how to impose himself. Tegan offered him his desk chair and sat on an old wobbly stool. He was nervous and he had to stick his hand between his knees so it wouldn’t show. Maxence took his time to glance around him and his eyes fell on the magazine. He grabbed it and smiled. “They begged me for this interview,” he chuckled, opening the magazine to the page he was. “I honestly hate being the centre of attention. My wife thought it would be a good idea though. Like wearing this awful tie.” He played with it for a moment. He hated ties as much as he hated suits but Rose had forced him to wear one for this interview. He wasn’t very comfortable in those clothes and it was clear. Tegan moved nervously on his stool. He was wearing the same tie. He cleared his throat . Maxence looked up at him and his face showed how embarrassed he was. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that it was awful. It’s just that I’m not a suit and tie man. I’d rather wear a t-shirt and jeans. But it’s not professional.” Tegan was surprised to see that the man he admired was someone so normal. Someone like him in the end. It was quite funny to witness but if he didn’t get back to work, he would be in troubles. “Don’t you mind me interrupting you but… you said you were here for professional reasons… implying me?” “Oh… yes! Yes, absolutely! Like I’ve said to these reporters, I’m working on a new project, which is still confidential, and I’m looking for my own team members. It appears that you’re the best neurologist in the area. I’ve come here to poach you. Your director doesn’t know the chance he has to have someone as talented as you since he’s not using your potential the right way.” Maxence pointed to the lines of codes still flashing up on the computer screen. Not a job for a neurologist. “You can have me. Right now. I take the job.” Working for him would be a big honour and Tegan would make sure to never disappoint him if he was taken in his team. Maxence chuckled at Tegan’s eagerness and serious. He definitely was motivated for the job. “Your contract is ready on my desk. I’ve just come here to let your director know he was gonna lose an important member of his lab and to meet you personally.” Tegan was so surprised to be hired so easily without any job interview or tests that he would have fallen if he wasn’t sat. Maxence stood up and stretched his body. He gave a smile to Tegan and held a hand out to him. The neurologist shook it absently. He was too shocked by the situation. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. 8, in my office. No obligation to wear a suit or to be clean-shaved, unless you like it.” Tegan acquiesced. It was like a dream come true. He had a new job. A new job with a boss treating him decently. A new job where he would do what he loved. And all of this was thanks to Maxence Spitz. God must have heard his prayers.

– Fin –

x

Camden McCarson was an old grumpy Scottish man. It was the description he was making of himself of course. He would rather think that he had attack eyebrows because the world was doing everything to make him cross. It wouldn’t come to his mind that he was just a bitter paranoid man who had suffered from so many ordeals in his life that he preferred being as pessimistic as possible and making mean comments whenever people were getting on his nerves. He was always on the move, always travelling as far from home as he could. To the question what was he looking for, he replied that he would know when he would have found it. So far, he couldn’t say he had found anything that was fitting his expectations. He still couldn’t put words on what he was looking for but the adventures his job was creating was enough to make him forget. He was making money by finding stuff and people that seemed to have disappeared from Earth. Once, he was working on a rather tricky case that had led him in the middle of Chiswick – something about a sat nav who had been stolen from the army, a sat nav full of secret information. That was the day he met Donna Noble. This red-haired woman had burst out in his life like a fury because he supposedly had collided with her car. It had appeared – after she was done yelling at him and hitting him – that they were working on the same case. Him, because he had been hired for it. Her, because she was bored in her life and had heard of this very important sat nav lost in nature. The medias had heard the rumours of this disappearance and it was all over the television and newspapers. Everyone was looking for a person to blame and the medias were worsening the situation. Of course Camden’s bosses had already tried to reach him but he hadn’t taken the calls. He wasn’t the one who had leaked the information and he certainly wasn’t gonna let anyone yell at him for something he hadn’t done. He would rather be sacked than being accused of something. His bosses knew better than to sack him though. He was their best element and he could be insubordinate and impolite and grumpy as much as he wanted because they wouldn’t take the risk of losing someone like him. So, when he had brought Donna to them asking for her to be his sidekick – ‘I’m no one sidekick!’ had she barked at him – because she was really good – not better than him but close enough – they had hesitated only the time to hear their final report on the matter they had worked on together. She had been hired based on those results. Camden wasn’t an easy man to work with but he had quickly learnt that Donna was no woman to be led around by the nose. She would rather have a go at him than accept his orders. They were always bickering on how to do some things but their work was done right and that was what mattered the most in the end. Plus, Donna knew she was indispensable to the man. She had taken him out of the loneliness he was burying himself into and she was often checking on him and taking him out of his office whenever he was locking himself in there for days just looking for a new interesting case, waiting for his boss to call him for a new inquiry. He reminded her a lot of Sherlock Holmes when he was like this. But mister Holmes was far from being as good and clever and arrogant as Camden McCarson could be. His office wasn’t what Donna had expected either. She was imagining him more in an old room with ancient furniture, libraries full of books and secrets, and maybe some painting portraits of past family members on the wall. His name seemed to have some nobility in it after all, but if it had any, Camden McCarson didn’t care at all about it. He was living his own life with his own rules and no one could change that. His office was surprisingly modern, all in stainless steel and blue and orange neon lights. He indeed had libraries full of ancient books and it was fitting strangely well in the middle of this office. There were two tables with four computers on them and flat screens hung on the wall just above. The computers were analysing the deep and dark web and the screens were silently displaying the news from all around the world. The best way to find good news to use. To complete it all, there was a huge desk in the bottom of the room. It was facing the door and turning its back to the large window although the owner of the place loved turning around to catch the spectacle of the sky when the sun was either rising or going down the horizon. He could also spend nights looking at the stars through the lens of the telescope set by the window. Camden McCarson certainly was a man full of knowledges and a great collector of weird objects that didn’t make sense to the beginner she was. She had learnt that asking questions could sometimes give answers. As long as she wasn’t asking about the woman that was on the picture he kept on his desk. He never replied to this question but she had often seen him lost in his thoughts while he had his eyes on this photography. When she stepped in his office that day, he was leaning in his chair, his feet crossed on his desk, his hands folded behind his head. A smile grew on the corner of his lips when he saw her. It was night outside but thankfully, he had offered her a room in the gigantic manor he was living in so she hadn’t had to go through the dangerous streets to meet him when he had called her at over 4am. Which was making rather moody to be honest. She hated being woken up by the mad man. “Don’t you ever sleep?” she grumbled. She had taken the time to pull on some clothes before coming. He would never seen her in her pyjamas. He was already being an arse with her normal clothes so if she did show herself to him in pyjamas, he would either choose to ignore them or make a comment that would infuriate her. Better not take that chance. “Barely.” “Yeah, I’ve noticed that.” To be honest, she had never seen him sleep. Whenever she was seeing him, he was up to something and he never seemed tired. But once again, it was a question he never really answered to whenever she dared asking him why he would stay up all the time. “What is so urgent that requires me to be up in the middle of the night?” “We have a new case.” “You’ve finally found something worth your talent?” “Someone sent me an email from London.” “There are survivors somewhere in the capital.” “Seems like it. Listen to this.” He brought his laptop closer to him and started reading the mail he had left opened. “Mister and Miss McCarson…” “Hm,” disapproved Donna. “I know, as if we could ever be married or even related.” “Oi, watch it old man!” Camden preferred ignoring the remark and not raising it. Their clients were always thinking that they were related in some way because of their ‘similar personalities’. They must be really blind to think such a thing of them. They were barely friends so to think they were relatives or married… “My name is Tegan Smith and I’m working at the London Centre of Researches for Contagious Diseases. As you might know, there is a virus spreading in the world and all the labs around the world have been requisitioned to find a cure against it. I can’t say more through this mail as our mission has to remain a secret to the people who aren’t working on this case. However, my colleague, the doctor Jack Harkness, has found something that needs to be examined by a professional detective. He highly recommended your services. Would you agree to a meeting with the doctor Jack Harkness and myself in the days to come in our lab? Please, let me know your answer quickly. Patiently waiting for your reply. T.S.” “This guy sounds like a newbie promoted to the head of his team by these dark times.” “What surprises me the most is that I know Jack very well and I also know he’s been working for one of the most brilliant minds this world can count.” “And that mind isn’t Tegan Smith.” “Oh, no. That’s why I wondered what happened to the real boss of this place.” “So, you wanna go just to see what he’s up to?” Camden put his computer aside and uncrossed his legs. He put them down and bent forward in his chair, leaning his head on one hand. He gave Donna another smirk. This was one of the reasons, yes. Maxence Spitz was a very interesting man and Camden couldn’t resist fighting another brilliant mind. He liked challenges and this looked like one. “We don’t have much work lately, don’t you agree?” “I’m not surprised at all since the world is coming to an end. Do you ever watch your own screens?” She pointed her thumb on the screens displaying the news from all around the world. Different channels but the news was the same: the virus was spreading, there were less and less survivors, less and less hope to find a cure. Some were even saying that the end of the world had come like the Mayas predicted millions of years ago. How many times the end of the world had been announced over the decades? It would be astonishing to have one being true in the end. “So, are we taking this case?” “We are.” “I’m preparing our luggage.” Donna quickly left the room. She wasn’t reassured by the fact they would have to travel through Scotland and England to reach that lab requiring their help but she guessed that security means would be established for them to travel safely. Especially since the situation had gone so critical in the last few days. To the doctor Tegan Smith’s attention: My associate, Donna Noble, and myself have examined your request and concluded that we were accepting the case you’re offering us. We can be there tomorrow. We leave to you all the organisation of the security means to guarantee our safety until we reach your lab. Cordially, McCarson & associates. The mail was sent and now, Camden was too thrilled to even find sleep. This mission was a real opportunity for Donna and himself. They better not screw it all up. So, while Donna was taking care of their luggage – more hers than his since she wasn’t his dogsbody – he made sure they would have a flight for London with his personal jet. No need to take risks and travel in public planes. They had to get to London quickly and discreetly and he hoped that Tegan Smith would make sure their security was guaranteed or it would cost him a lot…

To be continued...

Ghost of you © | 2017 - 2018 | Tous droits réservés.

×××

In the next chapter:

So she had been promoted into their private team. It was no surprise to Rose. Adam had been on the field, so had Allegro and Emily and Kyle. With the events of the last few days, they would need a psychological help. They only had doctor Amy Burnley. She hadn’t been hired by Maxence but that didn’t mean she wasn’t good. Rose just wasn’t into therapists. She had seen a lot of them after what had happened to her over fifteen years ago. They wanted to help her they had said but none of them was able to do so. Only Maxence had been able to and now that he wasn’t there anymore, she had no one to protect her against her demons.

×××

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English version:

AO3 || Download - CHAPTER 11 || FF || TS || Wattpad.

[gethealthy18-blog]

188: Saunacast: How We Took Control of Our Healthcare and Insurance (& Saved Money)

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/news/188-saunacast-how-we-took-control-of-our-healthcare-and-insurance-saved-money/

188: Saunacast: How We Took Control of Our Healthcare and Insurance (& Saved Money)

It is no secret that we live in a world where we face a lot of potentially harmful things on a daily basis. From plastic exposure to all of the additives in our food system and even over-exposure to blue-light, our bodies face a lot each day.

These, and many other factors, may help explain why we’re seeing such a drastic rise in so many challenging health conditions that don’t respond to a simple cause>symptom>treatment medical model. In this Saunacast, Katie and Heather Dessinger share how they (and their families) have both faced unconventional health problems and the great lengths (and expense) it took to find results.

The Two Factors That Changed Everything

Katie’s struggle with Hashimoto’s and Heather’s family struggles with other health issues led them to a lot of research. This also set in motion a long process of trying to find doctors and practitioners within the traditional insurance model who understood the complexities of these conditions.

Eventually, frustrated by the inability to work within the system, they both considered an unconventional approach that finally led to answers (and to saving a lot of money in the long run!) Today, they share the system that has worked for both of them and how to customize this system to work for your family.

Concierge Medicine

Using a concierge model for a primary care doctor, both Katie and Heather were able to find a doctor who had the time and expertise to help with their health challenges. The benefits are that these doctors know their entire medical history and have fewer patients and more time for each patient. Having more time means these doctors actually have the bandwidth to research and specialize in specific conditions and challenges.

Thanks to technology, these doctors are available whenever they are needed via email, text, or video chat and can work with specialists in their local area when needed.

They each now pay a small monthly fee to have their doctor available whenever needed, and there are no additional copays, charges for talking to the doctors, or other unusual fees (other than external fees like labs, which are done through inexpensive local options).

Healthcare Sharing

The other piece that made their plan work was switching to health care sharing instead of traditional insurance. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, here’s the basic gist:

Instead of paying money to an insurance company each month, they each now send money directly to a person or family who has a medical need that month. In the event that one of their families has a medical event or bill that meets the criteria, they submit the bill and other members send them checks to cover the bills. This has been really beneficial for several reasons:

This makes them technically “self-pay” in the eyes of most medical establishments. Many places offer a steep self-pay discount (80% in some locations) with an additional discount for paying that day.

Since health care sharing is substantially cheaper than insurance, they put the extra money in a savings account and use it if needed to pay a bill the day the charge is incurred to get the discount.

The entire amount is then reimbursed.

Katie and Heather both use Samaritan Ministries which is a Christian organization (though there are many different options that are reviewed in depth here). If you decide to check out Samaritan Ministries, let them know Heather Dessinger referred you! A new organization called Knew Health is opening soon and is not faith-based but focused on those interested in being healthy (which also reduces health care costs).

But, What About the Costs?

Glad you asked. This was one of the biggest benefits of switching, besides the better health care and actually finding answers. Here’s an example…

Before switching to this system, Katie and her family were paying over $800/mo for insurance. This is when they were newly married and this amount was a large part of their monthly income, but since they were in the phase of life of having kids, they saw it as their only option. But it had a deductible of $5,000 and only covered 80% after that, so in any year with a medical event or a baby born, they came out of pocket over $15,000 (insurance monthly premiums + deductible + percentage they paid). And the insurance often didn’t cover the doctors they wanted to see, the type of birth Katie wanted to have, or many basic labs.

Comparatively, they now pay just under $500/mo for Samaritan, plus about $200/mo for them all to have access to SteadyMD. This works out to around $8,000 a year and they don’t end up paying any more out of pocket when someone breaks a bone, has a baby, or even has major surgery.

As an example, when Katie’s husband’s appendix ruptured years ago, leading to surgery and a long hospital stay the initial bill was over $132,000. The self-pay discount + paying up front got it down to around $12,000 which was entirely reimbursed by Samaritan and they didn’t end up paying out of pocket for it.

Will It Work for Everyone?

Short answer… no. But this combination may be a great option especially for certain types of people:

Entrepreneurs who will pay huge monthly premiums for independent insurance

Those who tend to focus on wellness and preventative care vs. visiting the doctor for everything

Anyone who prefers home birth but it isn’t covered by traditional insurance

Those who don’t use medical care often and prefer to save money

This is definitely an outside-the-box solution though options like this are becoming more available and more common. Anyone considering these should do their research, call, and ask questions and make sure that any plan or program is truly a good fit.

How about you? Do you have any experience with directing your own healthcare in this way? Ever used a healthcare sharing organization or concierge medicine? Please share your tips and experience in the comments!

Please take two minutes to leave a review on iTunes. I value knowing what you think and this helps other moms find the podcast as well!

Special Thanks to Today’s Sponsors

This episode is brought to you by Perfect Keto. I have heard from a lot of you who are trying the keto diet right now. And Perfect Keto has several products that make it so much easier and tastier. They have keto-friendly sports drinks with zero additives, zero carbs, and only high-quality ingredients. And I’ve gotten so many questions about this. They also have exogenous ketones that raise blood ketone levels up to 1.5 millimoles per liter. So that would be simulating a fast. A lot of people use these exogenous ketones to increase mental performance, and energy production, and fat burning without the need to do extended fasting. And Perfect Keto really just helps make ketosis available to everyone, everywhere, all the time without the need to do extended fasting, like I said. You can check out these and all of their other products at perfectketo.com/healthymoms. And if you use the code HEALTHYMOMS, all uppercase, you can save 20% on any order.

This podcast is brought to you by Joovv. This is a super bright red light that I have in my bathroom and that I use daily to help my skin, hair and brain all be their best. Here’s the deal… we’re exposed every day to cellular stressors like blue light, environmental toxins and EMFs that can reduce how efficiently our cells work. Joovv combines red and near infrared light (without the heat of a sauna) in a single product that lets me combat the negative effects of the modern world (and combat wrinkles) in just a few minutes a day. I’ve talked to a ton of people who love this light as much as I do and say it has helped improve their skin and hair, tighten skin and even lead to better sleep and libido. It has a lifespan of 50,000+ hours so it will truly last a lifetime and it is one of the easiest things I do for my health. Joovv is third party tested and FDA approved and you can Check out the many benefits at joovv.com/wellnessmama and get a special gift with any purchase just for being a Wellness Mama podcast listener!

Source: https://wellnessmama.com/podcast/saunacast-healthcare/

[azanycollectormilkshakeworl-blog]

What are your opinions about the different car insurance companies? Which one is the best?

"What are your opinions about the different car insurance companies? Which one is the best?

I currantly have Geico for our auto insurance. They are cheap but i am seeing why. thier customer service SUCKS. i would really like some opinions on different car insurace companies. Thanks!!

BEST ANSWER:  Try this site where you can compare quotes: : http://averageinsurancecosts.xyz/index.html?src=tumblr 

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I am a 50% disabled Vet living near Dallas, Tx. I have been unable to find a job that offers health insurance, as of yet. I know I can go to the VA for free, whenever I need to. I need to find some sort of insurance for my wife. We are planning children, but I don't want to pay all of those doctor bills out of pocket. My wife is self employed, so there's no way of her getting it through work. Does anyone know of a Veterans group health insurance plan or anything like that? I have searched all over the internet with little success. T Thanks for any info.""

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What does one must have to register a small company in California specializing in recruitment/staffing employment? What type of Insurance (General Liability, Work Compensation) Approximate Cost. Tax id What is the approximate annual cost?""

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If you had an extra car that was paid off and cheap on insurance, would you sell it or keep it for a back up?""

Why is car insurance so expensive??? Help!!!?

Can anyone help me find cheap car insurance? I'm 17, I live in texas, I own my car.""

Adding new auto insurance to my existing policy?

I live in Oklahoma, my wifes parents just cancelled all the kids auto insurance, I'm going to get my wifes insurance on my policy but I was wondering if we could add her brothers and sister to ours as well? They're young and are having a hard time paying bills the way it is. I thought if I put them on ours then they would get a little discount. They don't live with us. Is that a requirement? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.""

Accident damaged my car how much will insurance give me?

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I would like to buy a car.How much is the price of the car insurance about? I am going to buy a 1300cc car.?

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Looking for some advice. Someone I know was caught driving a stolen vehicle. She did not know the vehicle was stolen. Her passenger was claiming to be the new owner of the vehicle. He picked her up and was impaired so she insisted to drive, as she did not want to be driven around by a drunk guy. She was pulled over. Being pulled over was not the result of a violation, just pulled over because the truck came back as stolen. She is a responsible driver who was actually at the time a Driving instructor. She and the passenger were arrested for the stolen vehicle. At the police station both her and the guy (jerk) both stated that she did not know the truck was stolen. She was released without charges to do with the theft of the vehicle. She was however ticketed for driving without insurance. What can she do? At the time she did have her own vehicle and her own insurance policy. She has never had a ticket, accident or a criminal charge. She is in her 30's. This happened in Alberta Canada. Please no responses like get a lawyer obviously she is going to do that. I am more interested in, if she is found guilty what is the potential fine, is there any chance her car insurance would cover her in another vehicle, and so forth.""

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Insurance for a 2010 Ford Fiesta Edge?

Hi, Im saving up to buy my first car and as it may be used for some fairly long commuting i was wondering what the insurance would cost, i will be shortly taking a driving test and so this would be useful information, as to help me save up the funds in order to buy the car and insure it, the car costs on average 8.995, but there have been cheaper models that are 08,09 etc so what would be a reasonable price for a new shape fiesta edge or style. Thanks 10- points today for the best answer....""

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Auto insurance for a job?

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okay how much would first the down payment be? wich my parents will pay for, how much will the monthly payment be when i have nothing on my credit and im 16, and how much would ensurance be ? i live in northern california if that helps near sacramento""

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Dental and Vision most important No current health concerns

Need cheaper car insurance?

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Thanks

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Is motorcycle insurance less than car insurance?

Alright so I am 18 and I just purchased a 2001 GSXR 600 and some tell me that it will cost more to insure than a car..and some say less..I personally think it will cost less considering that a bike will cause much less damage than a car would. Please help me out and tell me about how much a month this bike will cost, thanks!""

Can I move my car insurance now?

I am currently insuring my car with direct line and they are charging me 47 per month however I have just noticed that when i do an online quote with them- exactly the same cover as what I have its priced at 23 per month. Can I move my car insurance to a different company now or do I have to wait for the renewal date? If not why are they charging me so much more than their online quote? Also the cheeky gits charged me 60 to renew my address with them when i moved house....surely that can't be right??

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I was parked in front of my house and a lady came along and hit my car totalling it by the looks. I think I just signed up for basic insurance. Because she hit my parked car, is the towing and cost for keeping my car covered on my insurance or hers? And also don't know if I can get a car rental at all? And I was also wondering if the car is totalled will they pay me to get a new car? Or just pay me some money back for the car? It says under collision actual cash value. Thanks for any answers because I can not figure out what I have on this paper or if it goes on hers!""

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When do I get my insurance card

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Buying used car. What do I do for insurance?

I'm buying a new car today and I was wondering if I could drive it home (~2miles) without insurance. If not, what do I do? Thanks""

Old bmws? Insurance? Cali driving age?

Hey, im 14 from California and will be 15 in september. I was wondering if anyone knew any nice older bmws, i like the e46 m3 and stuff but i was wondering if there were some other nice powerful ones i should know about. I dont want to spend more than 18k on the car itself. My next question is how much insurance usually is, i know its more expensive for a sports car but how much? The insurance doesnt factor into the 18k for the car, i was just wondering. And last, what is the absolute minimum age for driving in cali? My school is too far to walk or bike ( like 8 miles) and i cant really get a ride, i usually end up taking a city bus then walking 2 miles but the bus runs late a lot and im tardy for school. I say that because i heard there are special permits to just go and from school. Please reply of you know the answer to any all these question thanks!""

Insurance Question 16 year old?

I am a 16 year old boy, I just got my license. What I have to drive is a 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 liter V8, 2 wheel Drive. The price on the car is $32,565. If both my parents and I are insured on the car, how much should my own personal payment be for 1 month with a normal plan (not collision). My parents have never had an accident and are 40 and 36 years old. If I cannot get an exact quote can someone please tell me about how much the car would be a month to insure? Thanks very much. ***I have also completed a drivers education course that should lower my insurance 10-15%.""

""My Dad has cancer, and my parents can not afford life insurance for him. Can I get it to help out when the time comes?""

My Dad has cancer, and my parents can not afford life insurance for him. Can I get it to help out when the time comes?""

How can I get the cheapest possible car insurance?

I'm going to buy my first car in a few months, and I need to sign up for car insurance. I don't know where to start. I only work part-time so I want the bare-bonest of plans, absolute cheapest possible.""

What is the process of renting a car through your insurance?

Im calling about it tomorrow but I just dont want to sound completely clueless. So how does the process go for this? Does the insurance just tell you where to go and when to pick up the car and you just go get it or is there more??? This is assuming insurance pays for it completely.

What is the best place to get car insurance?

I'm I'm high school and I have a job making minimum wage. Where is the absolute cheapest place where I can get car insurance? VERY CHEAP PLEASE

How can I make my car insurance quotes cheaper?

I am a 21 year old, married, female driver; with no ncb and a fresh license (only just passed). I'm looking to buy a Fiat Panda 2004, 1.2L automatic (insurance group 2)...the cheapest quote I've found for this car is 1300 and that was using moneysupermarket.com I've tried other search engines such as compare the market and go compare; and insurance companies like diamond and sheila's wheels and have been quoted anywhere between 1600 and 3000! I've also tried adding my husband or my mum to the policies, but this only increases the price... Can anyone recommend any other site or insurance company to try? And please don't just comment to criticise on my choice of car as I'm not interested. Thanks :)""

What is the cheapest car insurance company right now!!!?

What is the cheapest car insurance company right now!!!?

Are there any whole life insurance / Roth IRA options similar to Colorado Banking?

I recently spoke to an investment broker about an option offered by Colorado Banking that offers an IRA with a guaranteed interest rate where the amount you put in ($150 per month) goes toward a 80,000 whole life insurance plan and also into an IRA that would return 319,000 at the end of 45 years. I've done the math and it does work itself out, but I'm curious if there are any companies that compete with the same type of plan.""

Car insurance? Geico? encompass?

I just recently signed up for encompass insurance company. Does anyone know anything about them? good / bad? How is Geico? Do you recommend any insurance good car insurance companies? i'm from NJ.

What is the cheapest car insurance in st. louis for teens?

What is the cheapest car insurance in st. louis for teens?

Where do insurance proceeds go on a 1041 estate tax return?

Lady died in a tornado. House was destroyed and personal belongings. She got 200K in insurance proceeds, which will be distributed to her 2 kids equally. Where does this $ go on the 1041 estate tax return? Secondly

Why do people say car insurance will be more expensive if you get a new car?

i have a ford taurus 1996 and i just ran a quote with the same insurance company am with now which is Geico for a 2011 Ford Taurus SHO and surprisingly the Ford Taurus SHO 2011 was cheaper by $200

What are your opinions about the different car insurance companies? Which one is the best?

I currantly have Geico for our auto insurance. They are cheap but i am seeing why. thier customer service SUCKS. i would really like some opinions on different car insurace companies. Thanks!!

Approximate monthly premium for State Unemployment insurance and the coverage?

1) My employer is in California and I have been working in Illinois for 8 years until last month for the client of my employer. My family is myself, spouse and two kids. The contract with the client is over and my employer might terminate me. In this case, should I file for unemployment insurance in California or in Illinois? 2)What is the approximate monthly premium to be paid for state unemployment insurance? 3)what things will be covered by this insurance? If various factors would affect the answers for the above questions, please try your best to give approximate estimation for the monthly premium and coverage details. Thanks.""

Just started boxing.. health insurance?

I am 21 and just started boxing again.. I know the basics and i can take a punch... but i am a little nervous about getting my nose or jaw broken.. even with headgear on... what is ...show more

For Piper Cherokee 140-160 Owners. How much does it cost to insure your plane?

I'm thinking about getting one of these little planes to build time in when I get back to the states. Just curious of insurance cost and things that can burn your wallet during an annual.

Healthcare Insurance: True or False?

1. The Affordable Care Act does not require employers to provide health insurance for their employees. 2. No employer, in any state, is required to provide health insurance to any employee, full time or part time. 3. Employers do not have to report the cost of insurance on employee W-2s in 2011. This reporting is optional in 2011. The reporting requirement is intended to be informational and provide employees with greater transparency into health care costs. The amounts reported are not taxable.""

Stick with USAA auto insurance? Or shop around?

I always thought they were not just the best, but also the cheapest (if you qualify to insure with them). But I'd like confirmation of this, or other opinions... should I shop around for my auto insurance? Switching to another insurer seems almost unthinkable - I've only ever been with USAA...""

How do I get maternity insurance?

We are wanting to start TTC, but we are a little worried about the cost of the actual birth and doctors expenses, as well as any complications that might arise. Now, we do have enough money to cover the basics, but if anything else should arise to complicate things, we're worried. We both work from home for ourselves and have looked into private health insurance, even only maternity insurance, but the plans just suck and dang expensive! Anyway, I was wondering if you knew of any way to get legitimate insurance for only me while I'm pregnant, and for the baby after its born? Some sort of affordable state insurance? Im in AZ by the way. How would i go about finding something like that? thanks!""

What is the best Car Insurance ? HELP!!!?

Okay so I am a first time Driver and will be getting my first car really soon between next month and May. But first I need help on finding the right insurance especially one that's not really high for a first time driver also I need some tips on things I need to have when I get my car , tags & titles , registration. I need to know everything possible that I need to know when buying my first car and actually keeping up with it .""

How much would car insurance cost for an 18 year old?

I have 2000 toyota celica and I had my license for almost 1 year. I was in a car accident(my fault) and my car was under my mom's insurance but the insurance company doesnt want to cover the celica anymore due to the fact that I was driving it. I will be 18 on september and I was wondering how much would it cost montly for me since Im going to CSUN and ill be commuting, and i don't want to pay too much. I live in california""

Cheap car insurance for 18 year olds?

What type of cars have low insurance costs for young drivers and also which insurance providers have the best deals for new drivers? Thanks in advance!

""Got into car accident, my fault not my insurance?""

the car and insurance was in my moms name, i was not listed as a driver, ran red light, car smashed me in side, his car somehow flipped over, will insurance pay for both cars,it was on full coverage""

Car insurance on a Mustang gt?

I'm a male, 19, years old going on 20 next month.. I'm wanting to save up for an older model (1999-2003) Mustang gt. I know there are different kinds of auto insurance agencies around but can someone maybe give me a rough estimate of how much i would have to pay each month for my own insurance? I've had no accidents or tickets/ felonies ever since my driver's license have been issued to me.. And i drive about 15 miles to work one way and 20 miles to college one way. Thanks!""

""Roughly, how much would it cost to insure a 17 year old for a motorcycle?""

Hey, I'm sixteen, and live in Birmingham, England. I'm thinking of buying a geared, 125cc motorbike for when I am seventeen. I have looked around for insurance quotes, but none are straight forward, and as I don't have a bike yet, I can't get a very accurate one. I understand the only way to get a quote is to simply ask an insurance dealer, but I just wanted a simple, rough figure to get a price range for my self. If anyone can give me any information on price or how to get insurance, that would be greatly received. Thanks if anyone can help.""

Whole Life vs. Term Insurance?

People always ask about whole life vs. Term Insurance and the insurance salespeople always defend Whole life and trash Suze Orman (not a fan of her anyway)... But they fail to prove the point with real hard numbers. Show me how Whole Life beats Term with the additional premium saved being invested in a Total Stock market index fund or other no load investment at a Vanguard or other low cost provider.

Does anyone know any cheap car insurance companies for new drivers?

I am coming up to 19 (1 week) and have had my UK Full Manual license since December 2012, it's now May 2013. I have tried everything to find cheap car insurance online and it's virtually impossible! I don't know if it's my area that I live causing it to be so high, or my lack of experience with driving. I have tried different addresses (i.e. family members) not in to be fraudulent but to see if it is the area, which is proving to be quite true. But I've tried insurance comparison websites and asked friends who they got their insurance from and still no good. My cheapest quote is around 2,000 which I just can't afford. I am going to university in September and will be going on various placements within the weeks I am there, so a car would really help get me to places easily. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on lowering the cost of insurance, somehow? I've tried all these telematic sites but it's still too high. Also, could anyone recommend any sites I could try for my insurance quotes? N.B. I haven't purchased a car yet (as there is no point if I can't afford insurance) but is there a year which can help to lower the cost of car insurance? Such as, rather than having a 10 year old car (03 reg) having a 3-4 year old car? Any specific year? Thanks very much.""

Buying insurance right after an accident?

Just a question, and I don't want assumptions that I'm the person in the scenario because I'm not and this has just been a burning question of mine for a long time. Ok, so someone gets into an accident and buys insurance right after. The thing is that the insurance papers will have the DATE it took effect, not the TIME it took effect. So in all respects, it was active on the day the accident happened and the person in question has to go to court to provide proof of insurance, in which the judge will see that it took effect on the day the accident happened, so the question remains, is this person covered?""

Would you accept a job working as an Insurance Call Center Agent?

The job entails helping senior citizens all over the country obtain affordable insurance solutions that cover their final expenses and medical bills. The work hours are Monday  ...show more

Fast cars low insurance group?

Im looking for a car with a budget of around 2000. It needs to be below insurance group 10 and the hitch is i would like the 0-60 time to be less than 9 seconds. Any help would be appreciated!

Do you buy the car first then get insurance or the other way around?

How could you get insurance if u don't have a car to fill out the car quotes info like millage, make, year, and so forth if u did not buy the car as yet?""

Car Insurance.. leaving state?

i believe in my state that i do not need insurance on my car if it is registered... but it does not matter because i will not be driving it for at least 5 months, i am going out of state. the insurance agent is telling i would best off switching my liability from $160/month to comprehensive $50 a month... i don't want to pay that much just so my car can sit in my backyard, when i know nothing will happen... but she said if i cancel it will look bad, but did not say that my insurance would rise due to the fact that i cancelled an insurance policy before.... does anyone understand? i need some advice please...""

Only eligible for group insurance?

My husband is only eligible for group insurance due to multiple injuries/surgeries obtained from playing sports. His employer does not provide benefits, nor does mine. I was able to get insurance privately, but they refused him. What else can we do?""

Is a Land Drover FreeLander 2 cheap to insure?

Both of my parent's drive 2011 Range Rovers so they have experience with the Land Rover brand- and they said that as I'm living at home.. my dad could be the policy holder and I could be a named driver. I may be buying a 2010 model when I'm 18, I'm 16 currently as people have told me that it's not really worth buying a brand new one. Just so the car is old and isn't new. I'm not in to small cars..""

Best Car For Cheap Car Insurance?

I am looking for a used car that will be of good quality, reliability and value. In addition, I would like the insurance to be as low as possible. Any thoughts on specific models that meet these requirements?""

What are some some affordable car insurances?

I am currently with State Farm and pay about $90/mo. I would like to switch to another ins. compay with prices around the same. I'm 24 with a clean driving record. So without giving out all my info, what car insurance do you have or know of?""

Best place (in australia) to get car insurance???

hey ive just finally bought a car now i want full comprehensive insurance weres the best place to go through? like aami,racq,nrma,real....etc thank you.""

Assistance with auto insurance.....What do I do?

I am 20 years old. I have had my license for almost two years. I recently got a car and insured myself with All State. After everything went through, I got a notice about a week after saying I was declined for coverage because I haven't had my license for three years?! I have a completely clean driving record: no tickets, no court, no violations. What company will cover me? In the notice it said something about insurance through the DMV? Anything helps!!!""

What are your opinions about the different car insurance companies? Which one is the best?

I currantly have Geico for our auto insurance. They are cheap but i am seeing why. thier customer service SUCKS. i would really like some opinions on different car insurace companies. Thanks!!

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-much-do-you-pay-health-insurance-per-month-larry-baker/"

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Loves Park Illinois Cheap car insurance quotes zip 61131

"Loves Park Illinois Cheap car insurance quotes zip 61131

Loves Park Illinois Cheap car insurance quotes zip 61131

BEST ANSWER:  Try this site where you can compare quotes: : http://averageinsurancecost.xyz/index.html?src=tumblr 

RELATED QUESTIONS: 

How much would my insurance cost . . .?

If I am 16 and driving a 2007 Scion TC that is completely paid for ?

Will my inusrance go up with a speeding ticket?

The other day i was driving and got pulled over for going 80 on a 65. i live California. I am 19, a student, and this is my first ticket ever. I was wondering if my insurance would go up. i wanted to hide it from my parents, if insurance goes up then i wouldnt be able to hide it. Also, anyone know what it would cost me? If i do driving school to erase it, would it still make insurance go up?""

I hit somebody car how is insurance going to handle this?

I ran the red light and hit this girl in boy and there cousin an baby with my jeep the girl hurt her arm and the boy hurt his leg I mess up her car. so how is my insurance going to deal with this. I do not have full coverage but liability what going to happen to them and me

Life insurance for my parents?

Hi i am interested in taking out a life insurance policy on my parents in the UK just wondering if this is possible and whether it can be shared between me and my siblings many thanks.

Can a non driver licensed person buy car insurance?

I transfer my car to under my grandma's name. She's the owner of the car now. But the problem is the apartment where she lives requires the car must have an insurance policy that has her name in it? She lives in California and doesn't have a driver license (she is really old). Do you know any insurance company that sell insurance to a person that doesn't have driver license or i can buy insurance as a primary driver and add her as a non-driver?

How much does insurance cost for lowes?

My dad is saying that he pays $800 monthly for 4 of us and wants to cancel it, $800 sounds like complete bullsh*t so I need to know if its true.""

Car Insurance for a Month?

I am going to be at law school and only need car insurance from Mid December until Mid January. Is there a special type of insurance I can get so I don't have to pay year round? The cars will still be covered by my parents the rest of the year.

Insurance for a ten+ year old car?

I am looking to get a 2000ish LS1 Fbody (camaro or trans am for those who dont know) and I was talking to my dad about the insurance rates. Since I am a male under 25 my rates would go up a lot with a sports car like those. However he told me that since the cars are over ten years old, the insurance company probably wouldn't rate it very high just because of the age of the car, even though its a sports car. Does anyone know if thats the way it works? or is he mistaken? Please answer the question without getting into lecturing about young men having sports cars and how its a bad idea. the question could pertain to any older car, I'm not even sure if thats the car that i want. I'm just doing my research. Thanks!!!""

Pregnant: no insurance?

i just found out that i'm pregnant. it was a surprise. i don't have insurance. what can i do? i am over qualified for medicaid, barely. my husband is a police officer. to give birth at the hospital it will cost $7180. i called maternity card but they are very expensive and my doctor already said he doesn't deal with them. does anyone have any solutions? i really need an answer. thanks!""

Which is the best homeowners insurance?

i live in california and im getting a home and now i need home insurance which is the best thanks

Why is my car insurance so high?

Im 17. Have a Peugeot 306 and im paying 533 on a provisional license.. however i have my test in 4 days and expect to pass.. my insurance will increase to over 2500.. My car is 1.4L on a P reg (1997) and im currently with Quinn Direct, my friends of the same age with similar cars are being quoted 900 to 1500.. why is mine so high!?!""

Best car for cheap car insurance England?

i'm looking for an affordable car for my first one i'm a 19 year old female, i''ve checked a 2001 ford ka 1.3 and it was the second cheapest one for insurance which was 1500 the only thing putting me off is my friend had one and she said it guzzled petrol :P which i think she means it wasted petrol, the cheapest was a fiat 500 the insurance was 1300 but i really can't afford one so just want a cheap run around until i've saved up enough to buy a new one, does anyone know any affordable cars max price 1500 with cheap insurance thanks!! oh and if anyone has had a ford ka do you recommend one?""

How much time is given for car insurance company to settle a claim?

my car was hit in parking lot and insurance is dragging its feet to investigate. how much time is officially allowed for this investigation and what are my rights bacause it has been 30 days today. i have a full insurance on this car and insurance company is investigating as a fraud claim!. insurance from metlife!

Teen Motorcycle Insurance in ontario?

hello, i am 17 years old, turning 18 in october. I live one hour north of Toronto ontario in a city of 125,000 people. I am wondering the approximate cost to insure me on a 2011 Honda cbr 250r, which costs approximately $4000. I have completed a drivers education program as well. PLEASE DON'T TELL ME TO CONTACT AN INSURANCE BROKER I can't check online quotes either because of my age. I just want to know if it is even worth looking at or if i will be paying like 4 grand a year to ride 5-6 months. thanks!""

""3 drivers, soon to be 3 cars (Insurance)?

I'm a 17 year old who is currently insured as an occasional driver under my parents. They currently have 2 cars. I am looking at buying my own car next week meaning that I will have to be a primary driver. My question is if I put the ownership in my parents name and put it under their insurance would it be cheaper then having it owned under my name and on a seperate insurance company?

A question about my homeowners insurance check please. This doesn't make any sense.?

I don't understand why my homeowners insurance wants my bank to sign off on a check to cover my insurance claim. They plan to mail my check to me of which I then have to take to the bank to have them sign off before I can then cash it in. They never made me do this before when my tree fell into my barn. Why the change?

How much will insurance be for a 17year old?

I understand its going to be through the roof but i wanting to find an estimate of course it also depends on the car but if i was to have a small car like a smart car with 3 doors and 2 seat how much would it be approx or any ideas how much it may cost

""How much does individual health insurance cost, on average, in the United States?""

How much does individual health insurance cost, on average, in the United States?""

""I'm a 17 year old, I have to pay my own car insurance. What's the cheapest? Can you give me your rates? (:?""

I'm specifically asking teens, 17-23, who pay their OWN insurance. My mom isn't going to include me on hers, so I'm on my own. Give me some rates! How much do you pay? Monthly/yearly, and HOW do you pay it? Every 3 months, monthly, or yearly? THANKS!""

How much would car Insurance be for a 16 year old guy?

My parents want me to start picking what car I want to get. I was wondering how much insurance would cost for each of these cars for a 16 year old guy. I am interested in a BMW E36 323is Coupe, BMW E36 325is Coupe, BMW E36 328is Coupe, 1997-2001 Honda Prelude, and a 2000 VW Golf GTi. Please help me because I need to know the cost to insure each of these cars before I pick.""

Unemployment insurance in california?

Last year I was unemployed. To make a long story short, i took a job and was there for less than 2 weeks. I was forced to pray, and listen to scripture that was muslim. I am very understanding in all religions, but do not practice myself. I was very uncomfortable and left. EDD decided that i left without cause and that i did not deserve insurance. they made me pay back what they paid me and 30% more. I did so even though I didn't agree. Now that I am laid off again, I filled out a claim and got a response saying that I was eligible, and they gave me the forms to fill out for the first two weeks, the standard claim forn. I filled it out, and now got back letters saying that i am not eligible for benefits until i have filed a claim for each of the 5 weeks in which i am otherwise eligible for benefits. I haven't received new claim forms. I am assuming that I will get these, and I will fill them out for 5 weeks, and then they will pay me? So I am looking for clarification, after claiming 5 weeks they will give me my benefits? Thanks for your help, to anyone that has gone through this. It is so unfair! I paid them so much, for something I felt I was justified doing, and now I am still being punished! I would rather be working and not have to worry about this, but it is so hard to find a job :( not a great holiday.""

How do i go about getting points taken off my license?

I have points on my license tht are due to come off 2 weeks ago how do i get them off???

How much will insurance cost for a 16 year old kid with a licence.?

how much more will it cost to add him to his parents insurance, and its MERCURY INSURANCE""

Which is the best Health Insurance and Car insurance in NYC? if you know the answer to each or any let me know

Thanks.... Car insurance i am looking for the cheapest as far as health insurance i am considering HIP PRime but not sure if its good.. if you know about hip let me know if thats a good choice.. only reason why i might choose that is because there are no copay and no deductibles :) FREE lol but i want to make sure its a good choice... besides the obviouse.. take care and i am thanking you in advance for your advise

Car insurance - car pay out?

Recently my friend had an accident. His car is an import and the insurance company want to write it off and as they cannot get hold of replacement parts. Does he have the right to refuse their offer for pay out as the car is worth more than they are giving him. As its an import, and a sports car, he knows he can get more for it on auto trader and eBay. Or can he settle the claim with them by asking them to pay for the repair if he can sort out a garage who is willing to fix his car for less than the insurance company had suggested.""

Loves Park Illinois Cheap car insurance quotes zip 61131

Loves Park Illinois Cheap car insurance quotes zip 61131

""If I had my DUI expunged, will it still affect my insurance rates in California?""

In the spring of 2009 I was convicted of a DUI. I plead guilty, served my time and I was able to get it expunged through the court system. So now if you look at my record on the superior court website it shows dismissed rather than guilty. I was wondering if my actual DMV driving record still shows it as a guilty plea and my insurance rates will remain high?""

Driving with an expired insurance in kentucky?

I got pulled over by police for speeding but my insurance were expired that time. What should I do? I just renewed my insurance after that. The police said that I need to go to court. Do I need to contact traffic attorney? and What about my license problem?

Cost to insure sport bike? Ninja 250?

I'm 18 in WIsconsin. Live in country-ish area. Or how do I find out? Call our family agent? Or just the insurance company.

If i'm driving in ireland do i need irish insurance?

Ok so i want to buy a BMW I'm 17 buying the car isn't the problem the insurance companies here in Ireland are so I'm thinking of buying cheap insurance somewhere like china or the USA is this possible while i would be actually driving the car here in Ireland.

How much coverage do you get with salvalge title car? And how much does insurance run with salvage title?

How much coverage do you get with salvalge title car? And how much does insurance run with salvage title?

How much would insurance cost for a VW Polo 1.9 ...?

My sister just asked me how much insurance would be for a 17 year old new driver in a VW Polo 1.9 I don't want to go signing up to insurance companies so they can ring me every day trying to sell me rubbish so I'm wondering if anyone just happens to know. Thanks in advance.

What are peoples opinions of the affordable care act?

I am not that informed about it and curious how people feel about it

Cheap insurance for a 16 year old boy?

My first car is gonna be allot more expensive then the average first car because its a Lincoln aviator, the only problem is that even though the truck is $7000 (after safety and etest and all that needs nothing else) witch i can afford, the insurance is $1000 a month witch i can't afford! is there anyway to possibly go under my parents insurance or something like that? if so how would i do that?""

""I have a 11 month daughter, and i want to buy affordable health insurance for her.?""

I have a 11 month daughter, and i want to buy affordable health insurance for her.?""

Car Insurance Question?

I am a little under 15 and a half years old and my dad has debated and almost bought a lot of cars for me, from ford f650's to 1965 or higher mustangs and jaguars. but so far we have thought that the car that would be good for my first car would be a 1994 Ford Mustang with a V8 with 30k miles0. which is perfect because that was the year i was born. So my question is that since its a sports car and its V8 about how much would my insurance be when i could start driving by myself?/ insurance for the other kinds of cars/trucks?""

Where can i find cheap young drivers insurance in uk?

where can i find cheap young drivers insurance in uk

""Car Insurance, ammended details of profession lead to increased premium?""

My car insurance company rang me two weeks ago asking to update my details. I was previously registered as a student and unemployed but changed this to working part time as an admin assistant. A week ago I received my new certificate of insurance but today they rang me to say that my premium had increased by 150! I find this difficult to understand how changing my profession from student to admin could whack up my premium by this much. At the same time they offered me a new deal from another insurer , which they claimed would be cheaper, but I refused over the telephone as I felt too confused at the time. Now they told me that they will be sending me the bill to pay off the new increased premium. Can anyone help me confirm whether insurance companies can do this? I am not driving my car any more than I previously had and I cannot see as how my new job increases the risk of me having an accident!! Thanks""

Is there health insurance that just covers serious conditions like cancer and is affordable?

I'm 55 retired & uninsured. I've given up hope of finding affordable health care. Recently I needed surgery and had to pay for it myself. When I told my MD he cut his fee from $22,000 to $13,000) and when I needed an MRI I was able to get a cash price of $350 if I had insurance they would have charged over $2,000. At the time I was happy but doesn't this illustrate why health care in the US is so screwed up?""

Has anyone else's car insurance increased this year for no apparent reason (UK)?

Our insurance renewal came through this week and it has increased by 400 to 1,450 for third party cover even though nothing has changed! We went on all the comparison websites and they were all quoting a lot higher too - one quoted us 3,500!! We've actually managed to get it down to 1,300 fully comp with Tesco (Third party quote was higher for some reason?) but I still find this to be a lot considering we are both 24 and my partner has 4 years no claims and has been driving for 5 years and I have been driving for 3 years. Has anyone else found that their insurance has increased this year?""

Why the health insurance are different than car insurance?

I mean insurance is protection and give you money when you got into situation that cause loss or expenses. But why car insurance are less picky and more willing to give money to pay out than health insurance? Why more rules and more restriction and more reject the coverage with health than car? I mean I understand insurance is business and for profit so they has to refuse the claims if loop hole. But it shouldn't be any different on health or car coverage.

Insurance in the state of GEORGIA!!!!?

In GA can u get car insurance wit a suspended license.... if so where?

Are insurance rates higher if you have a lien on the auto?

I heard they charge more if you have a lien on your car and was wondering if this is true?

Car Insurance Companies + Excluding Drivers?

My brother and I are trying to get insurance for our two cars but are having a problem with one of the cars. My uncle gave me my car but we never dealt with switching over the title of the car. Most of the major insurance companies require that the cars be under the name of one of us. We have found some smaller companies that do an exclusion to deal with the problem but the rates are higher. Does any body know of any major company that allows this to happen? Thanks for the help.

Should I change my insurance coverage?

I drive a 10 yr. old Chevy Malibu with 52,000 miles on it and plan to keep it for a while. I have full coverage and with a payment due soon I'm wondering if it's time to drop some of it. Such as collision or comp or both. Thanks for any suggestions.""

Do you need Car insurance to rent a car?

My Parents don't have a car and I'm sure my other family not gonna let me drive their car so don't bother ask. I don't have a friend who got a car. Its small town where I'm at in Tuscaloosa,Alabama. I'm taking my written test next week, If i pass the written test, and then i want to take the road test. 1) Do i need a Car Insurance to rent a Car 2) Do they give me car for me to take a road test at DMV? 3) Can you buy a car without your Driver License? 4) How old do you have to rent a Car? ( I'm 19 Years old)""

Need cheap no-name insurance companies for motorcycle insurance?

Well, i live in Florida where motorcycle insurance is not required at all. But I need comprehensive insurance at least (and maybe liability too) so that I wont have to cry over a stolen bike after a week of purchase. I'm buying this bike in cash (2008 ninja 250R) and still big insurance companies like progressive and geico will charge me a thousand bucks a year for liability and comprehensive coverages alone. So, I need to know the names of some small insurance companies who wont use their big and flashy names to jack up their prices. please help. I dont wanna pay 1000 bucks a year for a 3500 dollar bike. Thanks.""

Car Insurance Question No 2?

Prior to my last question regarding car insurance, I wonder if someone could answer me this please. If a person gets rid of their car but wants to keep driving, say a friend/s car or hire car etc, can they still take out car insurance without owning a car and if so what do you ask for when contacting an insurance company. Thanks""

Cheating Car Insurance U.K - 20/Male/Single/LWP?

Hi, I don't want to cheat car insurance, I was just wondering if there are any options I could tweak and tick that will lower my insurance. For a basic car, they want 2,900 which is high way robbery for someone of my age. Any ideas what I can tweak that won't alarm them too much, that may cause my insurance quote to fall a little? I checked this on Go Compare BTW. I heard something about the area you live in, etc. Any ideas or any other help would be appreciated. I just start my job and tossing off 3 grand for a car that has a value of 300 is horrible + something I can't afford. Regards.""

Insurance Q's Renewal Price ?

I was getting a quote today for next years insurance, but theres a question wanting to know about the renewal price of my last insurance. Will the answer to this effect my premium?, i don't know my renewal price yet so i've just gone and guessed it for the moment. I was hoping that giving an estimate isn't going to cause any problems. Or, will they need too know my exact renewal offer and then check it? Its the best quote i've been given of 1280 Full comp for a 1.0ltr corsa lol. I wouldn't of asked but i couldn't find online if your previous insurers renewal price affects your next insurers premium. Thanks.""

Why my insurance company increased my premium when iwas not at fault.?

We did not find results for: My insurance increased due to the false statement given to the police officer.So called accident happened in the parking lot when I was coming out from the parking lot and some lady immediately stopped her car behind me and waiting that i should hit her car. I immediately stopped my car and our rare bumper slightly touched. At the time of incidence she not alert even she was looking car coming out with zero speed. There had already a small dent in her car. and claim before the police officer. This dent is due to the this incidence. That was very minor incident. no body was hurt or damage in this incidence she get five thousand from the company. Due to that incidence my insurance increased my premium. I need justice What should I do Now. l Try the suggestions below or type a new query above.

Loves Park Illinois Cheap car insurance quotes zip 61131

Loves Park Illinois Cheap car insurance quotes zip 61131

I got in to an accident will my insurance go up??

i live in canada i m 17 years old i m insured under my dads policy my dad only pays like 50 bucks per month because he never got into a accident for like 20 years and my insurance was same because i was the 2nd driver on the car but today i was backing up the call in the shopping malls parking lot and as i was backing it up i didnt really see back and on the sides properly so i hit the car from my back and their side i have like no damage on my car tat car got like few dents i m done with all the paper work collision center, police ,other party info, contacted my insurance etc but will my insurance go up now if yes how much i think their car will have damage up to 2500 and thats lil too much so how much will my insurance go up if i m paying 50 per month rite noe""

If you chose car insurance just by commercials?

If you chose car insurance going by the commercials what car insurance would you choose and what do you actually have, if you have a car?""

I Had A Crash Can Anyone Recommend A Cheap Car Insurer?

Whilst learning to drive I took out learners insurance on my own car which meant I could drive around with someone who was over 21 and had been driving for atleast three years.. During the period of learning I had crash which I was liable for. I am 20 years old and will trun 21 in January. I have now passed my test and am looking to insure my car, can anyone recommend a good cheap insurance company? Thanks""

How long after an accident can I file an insurance claim in NY?

About 2 weeks ago I slipped off an icy road, drove my van into the woods on state land. There was no property damage, this is a very rural area (as in no homes within 5 miles at least). It did take out my rear corner window, crushed my headlights and damaged my hood. I drove right out of the woods afterwards. I was going to do the repairs myself, but found out the window repair would be over $500 and for that price I might as well file a claim and get the rest fixed. My questions are: Is it too late to file a claim? Are there any legal ramifications for not reporting this accident?""

Is it okay to drive your parents car but dont have insurance yet but your parents gave permission to drive it?

Like if i was to be pulled over which I plan on not being because I drive very carefully but with cops now a days they will pull you over for no reason and just follow you and pull ...show more

How much do insurance prices drop after 1 year for young drivers?

I'm a 17 year old male and paying 125 a month on insurance, as you can imagine its a big hit to my bank account. Im on my mothers policy but will my prices drop in the next year and if so by how much?""

Insurance for teenager?

I just need an in general Really what I need is a website where I might be able to fill out some information to get an average of what my insurance might be. I will get my license soon. I have a high GPA around 3.5 and will be driving a dodge spirit in ohio. Anyone have any idea around what my insurance would be?

How much (approx) would insurance be for a 1.1 saxo?

The exact car is '2000 CITROEN SAXO 1.1I DESIRE BLACK VTR REPLICA' a few modifications (cd player with bluetooth, black front lights, smoked rear lights, front fogs, full colour coded vtr body kit, DTM mirrors, vtr alloy wheels, lowered on 40mm G-max springs) i'm not even 17 yet but i was wondering what would the cheapest possible *(legal) insurance be on this car thanks :) !!""

What cars are cheap for insurance?

i haven't passed my test, but am thinking about getting a little car. i need it to be cheap on a full uk lisence otherwise i won't be able to afford it. i would also aprreciate your help if you know any cars that have good consumption rates and are cheap to run. thanks in advance""

Car Insurance in NY?

Car Insurance in NY,NY Some used car after year 2000 , for 18 yr old.? I heard its like $4000 a year.?""

Auto insurance debt reported on credit reports?

I changed my auto insurance from progressive to some other company.yesterday i got a call from collections that i owe progressive money.Is this reported on credit. Also do i have to pay them? I had insurance quote from them for 6 months but i found cheaper one so i moved. I live in california. Thank you

How much would basic car insurance cost for me?

Ok so im 18 and i was just wondering exactly how much car insurance would be if i paid it by my self with out going threw my parents plan?

Speeding ticket and car insurance?

I was wondering if you get a speeding ticket you get points on your license which means your insurance goes up. What if you don't have insurance. For example if its under your parents name but you get the ticket would their insurance go up even if its you don't have car insurance

Does doing car insurance quotes affect your credit score ?

Does doing car insurance quotes affect your credit score ?

Would my insurance go down if i trade in an 08 liberty or an 2012 patriot?

I currently have an 08 liberty that we got screwed buying, the gentleman that works at the same dealership is going to try and reverse the loan however which is a good thing. i was wondering though if from previous experience would my insurance go up or stay the same. the liberty we have now has several features. (convertable sunroof, built in media center etc.) where as the patriot doesnt have those features.""

What is the Cheapest Homeowners Insurance for Senior Citizen?

My elderly neighbor has had her homeowners insurance cancelled because she couldnt afford to pay it. She is on a fixed income and her children do not help in any way. She owns her home but is having a hard time with paying the large payments. her mortage company says that if she doesnt take out her own insurance then they will purchase it for her at a cost of 2100.00 per year. This is way too much for a Senior citizen. i got a quote for her from progressive for 2600.00. Are there any cheaper alternatives?

For a 17 year old - how much does a car cost to run each month?

when i pass my test, i don't know whether to a actually buy a car. i'm 17 and if i bought a car, how much would it roughly cost to run including the insurance, maintenance, mot, and everything except for the petrol/diesel. the only problem is, i don't think i actually need the car as i'm at college with a bus pass, but in the summer i want to drive lots of places with friends like go camping etc with a car. i was interesested in renting one as it seems ideal for my wants, but you need to be like 22 to rent. is this true? to anyone who is driving at 17 in the uk - is it worth it or is it too expensive?""

For a 17 year old - how much does a car cost to run each month?

when i pass my test, i don't know whether to a actually buy a car. i'm 17 and if i bought a car, how much would it roughly cost to run including the insurance, maintenance, mot, and everything except for the petrol/diesel. the only problem is, i don't think i actually need the car as i'm at college with a bus pass, but in the summer i want to drive lots of places with friends like go camping etc with a car. i was interesested in renting one as it seems ideal for my wants, but you need to be like 22 to rent. is this true? to anyone who is driving at 17 in the uk - is it worth it or is it too expensive?""

Has anyone heard of critical illness insurance?

Has anyone ever used or benefited from ctitical illness insurance through Great-West Life insurance? I am thinking of getting it, I am a health male 38 year old in Canada?""

I don't understand this insurance?

I wanted to get insurance for my motorcycle and I used gocompare for some quotes, there's one that says; 1,267.62 Instalments Deposit: 128.76 Monthly: 9 x 150.94 Total: 1,487.22 Voluntary : 0 Compulsory : 0 Total : 0 Why does it come to 1,487.22 when the price is 1,267.62? What is a deposit? I thought its when I put money in which includes the price of the insurance and comes out of the final price? I don;t get it back or what? help me plz""

Do i not have insurance if im driving someone elses insured car?

ok so i got in a little fender bender in my dads VW and the police asked for the insurance cars, that werent in the car at the time, so he gave me a ticket for not having liability insurance, he said if i bring proof of insuarnce to court he will drop it. now i live in the same house with my dad, i have insurance on my honda,with the same company and i am 19. the insurance cards however dont have my name on the VW . does this mean i am driving with no liability insurance?""

Insurance quote on nissan navra ?

in febuary i will be 17 is there any chance i would be able to get a quote on a truck like that or am i living in a dream world

How can I find out what auto insurance a company has?

OK. So I use to work for this repossession company and I was hit by an idiot that ran a red light. Anyway after the accident I got a lawyer. I quit there shortly after. Well the insurance card in the tow truck was expired and not the right company . When the company switch insurance they forgot to put the new card in.. well since the drive that hit me did not have insurance the personal injury will be covered by the companies insurance. But the owner will not tell my lawyer the name of the insurance company or anything. And said your gonna have to take me to court. He is a real jerk btw. So does anyone know how I could find out online or something what company they were with at the time of the accident??

Ideas for first car 10000 including insurance?

Hi i'm 17 male and have a budget of about 10000 to spend on a car and insurance. Looking for something fairly cool, nothinglike a micra or ka! Also want something pretty reliable no no american or french car suggestions please Thanks! :D""

Roughly how much per month is Homeowners Insurance?

What is the 12 month insurance premium for a $100,000 house?""

Loves Park Illinois Cheap car insurance quotes zip 61131

Loves Park Illinois Cheap car insurance quotes zip 61131

""I need car insurance quotes from competing companies, how do i get that?

I need to get a list of car insurance quotes from compteing companies. Does anyone know of a good website that allows you to do that?

Do you think if I worked at McDonalds I could be able to afford a mustang GT and pay for car insurance?

I want to buy a mustang GT. I prefer a 99-01 year. Which would probably cost me about 400-500 a month paying car payments and car insurance. I'm only 16 years old. But I plan on getting a job when i'm 18 and buying a car. I also need to get my GED, which I start taking classes for that next fall.. because I dropped out of school for specific reasons I wont talk about here. If I work 6 hours a day and earn 7.40 an hour for 5 days a week, thats about 880 bucks a month. Plus my parents could help me out a little. I would use all the money I get from work for the car payment, insurance and gas. Would I have enough money?""

""If I buy a term insurance policy for 30 years, what happens if I live more than 30 years?""

If I buy a term insurance policy for 30 years, what happens if I live more than 30 years?""

""As a 20 year old male, how high can I expect my car insurance to be if I drive a 2001 Mustang GT?""

Hello, I'm 20 years old and just now starting to drive. I've always commuted with my bicycle and it's kept me in great shape, but with school and a full time job, I can't be every where on time! So now it's time to drive! So, I visited Geico's website for an insurance quote, and I received the following; Start Your Policy Today for $107.65 plus 5 monthly payments of only $106.75 each 6 month total policy premium: $611.40 Is that too much, or does that sound about right?""

I need help choosing insurance for my car?

im 16 and i just got my license. I live in southern california and need help choosing a car insurance company that is reliable and easy to afford. i have a 3.5 gpa but dont know what company will give me a discount. Please help

Should i carry collision insurance on my 2006 silverado?

Should i carry collision insurance on my 2006 silverado?

Would insurance be high on an impala ss?

I'm 18, I have a safe driving record (so far), I've completed driving school as well as defensive driving (it gives me a discount), if it helps. I'm thinking about buying an impala ss. I can afford it as far as the payments go, and my parents have agreed to pay the insurance if it's reasonable . So what am I looking at, guys?""

Life insurance quotes make me save money?

Life insurance quotes make me save money?

Car accident in dad's car. What will the insurance cover? Should I get a lawyer?

I was involved in a 3 car accident. The car behind me hit me twice (once on the back right and once on the side as he swerved and lost control) causing me to hit the car in front of me. I was driving my dad's car for the summer because I'm doing an internship away from home. Since my dad's car is useless now, I needed to get a rental car. I would also like to get some medical expenses covered because I am experiencing back and neck pain. My questions are: Will the other person's insurance cover the cost of the rental car although the car is not mine but I am the one using it for the summer? And should I get a lawyer to handle this situation? (Also, my dad is 8 hours away from here and the car is still in the tow lot since I am staying at an extended stay hotel and have no where to keep the car.)""

Know of Affordable Insurance for unemployed NJ resident?

My wife just lost her job due to downsizing and she carried the insurance. Our insurance expires the end of October. I cant signup at my job until January. We can COBRA but it will cost around $900 a month which we certainly wont have since shes unemployed and wouldnt have even if she WAS employed. Anyone know if there is a more affordable option? Does unemployed have some kind of health insurance? We have 2 young children so not having insurance isnt an option. Please REAL Replies Only!!! No SPAM!

Home owners insurance check made out to mortgage company and me?

Evidently my insurance co made out the check to both myself and my mortgage bank (too bad I didn't realize it before I deposited it at the ATM this morning...) for siding and roof hail damage. I was on hold for over 40 minutes today waiting to talk to a rep at the mortgage bank (PNC). I hung up and will call back tomorrow when I have more time to listen to bad music. What's the normal procedure for handling this? The check was only for $6800. I may hold off a bit on some of the repair, and do some of it myself. I've already made arrangements for a window replacement ($900 vs the $450 the ins co gave me). There's a PNC Bank just down the street. Any ideas on whether they can handle it there?""

How do I cancel Primerica life insurance policy?

I was briefly a Primerica rep about 2 years ago. While I was a rep, I purchased a Primerica Life Insurance policy at their suggestion. About 6 months later I quit. I still have the policy. Now it seems like a complete waste of money. It is $37 per month, and I really have no need for life insurance. I am a bachelor, and nobody depends on my income. I called the Primerica number, and the recording said to cancel a policy, send them a letter in the mail requesting cancellation with the policy number. That seems awfully vague. Is there anything else I need to put on the letter? Do I need to send the letter certified mail so they can't say, We never received it, and keep charging me every month? Dumb questions. Sorry.""

Very Cheap Car Insurance?

Hello, I need the cheapest insurance.I am from NY, please help.""

If i was buying a car and its a class C would this increase my car insurance?

I have 3 years no claimi currently have a 1.6 i am thinking off buying a mini cooper which has been in a accident its a class C.the mini has the same size engine as my car at the moment. Just really want to know if it would affect the price of my car insurance thanks guys xx

""Dui in personal vehicle 5 years ago, can i get comercial insurance for livery service?""

independant owner operator of sedan service in st petersburg, fl""

Car insurance for a rental car?

Hello, I was looking to rent a car for about 1 month, but finding the rental companies insurance costly than the car itself. I called up few insurance companies and they are ready to provide me some cheap basic insurance for like about $75.00/month which covers liability, other car damages; but not the physical damage of my car (they said my credit card company should cover it). I discussed this with one of my friend and he said that the rental car company would not allowed you to rent a car on the renter's insurance. Is it true? If yes, then what could be the best way I can get a cheap and covered car insurance for my rental car for 1 month. Please suggest.""

Should you get better car insurance coverage when purchasing a home?

I am currently house shopping and my boss mentioned increasing my car insurance coverage to cover the price of my house in case I get into an accident where the damages are higher than my coverage. Could I be sued for my house if I cause an expensive accident and my insurance doesn't cover it or all of it? Should my car insurance be raised to 150k, and how much can I expect that to cost? I live in California and the legal minimum is 15/30(which is what I currently have), I told my agent I would like to pay no more than 160k for the house, though I was approved for more.. I drive an rsx, it's paid for, and drive roughly 22k miles a year.""

Can't we make a compromise between all out socialized healthcare and private health insurance?

Can't we do something like give insurance companies tax breaks for covering x amount of people who earn low wages at a sharply reduced price? Or have a smaller government program only for those who cannot afford insurance?

19yrs old car insurance?

Im 19yrs old and I got into a bad car accident when I was 15/16 yrs old. It was my fault so I went to court and they told me if I do community service and take a drivers ed class it will be cleared. As if the accident never happened. So now I want to get my own car insurance since I don't have anyone to get it for me. Will it so show that I got into a car accident ? Do I answer yes I've been in a car accident in the last 5 years? This has been the only car accident I've had so far.

What is the Average Cost of Term Life Insurance?

What is the Average Cost of Term Life Insurance?

Cheaper car insurance?

I'm an 18 (almost 19) year old male living in Ontario, Canada, and I'm on my parent's insurance policy. I'm looking into buying my first car. It's not just some old beater, it's a car that I would definitely enjoy driving. It's a 1999 Chevy Cavalier with a bunch of modifications to it. I'm worried about what I will be paying monthly in insurance. The guy I'd be buying it from told me as long as your insurance company doesn't ask for pictures of the car, in order to keep my premium low I should just lie about what's in/on the car. He said tell them you bought it for the black book price without any mods ($1200 - $2100), and state the only addition being a body kit. MY QUESTION IS: Could I get in any trouble if they ever found out about all of the modifications to the car that I didn't list? What would happen?""

Do Police Officers have to pay for their police car & insurance?

Im wondering if police officers have to pay for the police car they use, and if they have to pay for the insurance, or is it covered by the police department? and do they receive gas money or you have to pay for it out of your own pocket?""

Average car insurance rates for people under 21 years old?

Average car insurance rates for people under 21 years old?

Where can i get cheap insurance?

I Would like to get a new auto insurance, where can i find cheap insurance? Thanks in advance""

How much do you pay for car insurance?

How much do you pay for car insurance?

Loves Park Illinois Cheap car insurance quotes zip 61131

Loves Park Illinois Cheap car insurance quotes zip 61131

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