#domestic waste recycling

[kritkagupta]

Manage your domestic waste effectively with practical recycling strategies. This infographic provides actionable tips for waste segregation, rinsing recyclables, and reducing junk waste at home. Learn how proper junk management and waste removal can help you contribute to a sustainable and eco-friendly environment. Perfect for individuals and families looking to simplify waste management and minimize landfill impact.

[gaylienz]

The 7 R’s of Sustainability:

Did you know that ‘recycling’ is step 6 of the 7 Rs of sustainability? The other R’s are just as important even if they are often forgotten.

Rethink- Do I really need to buy this? The point of this step is to stop and think.

Refuse- Does this product damage the environment? If so, refuse to spend your money on it. i.e. single use plastics, harsh chemicals

Reduce- How much of this do I really need? Buy less! Buy in bulk when you can as it often equals less packaging to throw out.

Reuse- Can I use this product again? Can I fix what I have so that I don’t need to buy something new? Reuse that plastic water bottle a few times. And instead of buying new, try thrift shopping, flea markets, yard sales etc.

Repurpose- Unlimited creativity! Does this item have another use? i.e. old torn clothes can be rags or plastic cups can be planters.

Recycle- Can I recycle this? Not everything can be. There are also some important steps to making sure your recycling is done properly. If unsure, look up local recycling regulations.

Rot- Can I compost this? Food waste, yard clippings, newspapers and many other items can be composted instead of being tossed in the trash. Composting is surprisingly simple and helps reduce harmful greenhouse gasses from entering the atmosphere.

What is the point of the R’s? The number one benefit of the 7 R’s are the reduction of the amount of waste sent to incinerators and landfills. The EPA website provides a lot of useful information. Other benefits that we can reap from implementing these concepts in our life are (as listed on the EPA website): • Prevents pollution caused by reducing the need to harvest new raw materials • Saves energy from not making a new product • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change • Helps sustain the environment and natural resources for future generations • Saves money from processing our waste • Increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials • Helps create jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States

https://www.northglenn.org/government/departments/public_works/trash/recycling.php https://www.nrdc.org/stories/composting-101 https://www.epa.gov/recycle https://www.northglenn.org/Recycling%20Article.pdf

[canadianclear]

Evaluating the Environmental Impacts of Wastewater Treatment Processes

Wastewater treatment is an essential process that helps remove harmful contaminants and pollutants from wastewater, making it safe to release back into the environment. However, while wastewater treatment is necessary for protecting public health and the environment, it also has its own set of environmental impacts. Evaluating these impacts is crucial for developing sustainable wastewater treatment processes that minimize negative environmental effects.

The first step in evaluating the environmental impacts of wastewater treatment process is understanding the various treatment processes used. Some common wastewater treatment processes include physical treatment, biological treatment, and chemical treatment. Physical treatment involves removing solid waste and debris from wastewater through screening and sedimentation. Biological treatment uses microorganisms to break down organic matter in wastewater. Chemical treatment involves using chemicals to remove specific contaminants from wastewater.

Each of these treatment processes has its own set of environmental impacts. For example, physical treatment may generate large amounts of solid waste that need to be disposed of properly. Biological treatment can require significant energy consumption and produce large amounts of sludge, which can pose risks to soil and water quality. Chemical treatment often involves the use of harsh chemicals, which can have negative impacts on aquatic life and the environment.

To evaluate the environmental impacts of wastewater treatment processes, it's essential to consider the entire treatment process from start to finish, including energy consumption, raw material inputs, and waste generation. A useful tool for assessing the environmental effects of wastewater treatment is a life cycle assessment (LCA).LCA involves analyzing the environmental impacts associated with every stage of a product or process, from raw material extraction to disposal.

The results of an LCA can help identify opportunities for improving the sustainability of wastewater treatment processes. For example, the results of an LCA may show that switching to renewable energy sources could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with wastewater treatment. Alternatively, an LCA may show that using different chemicals or treatment processes could reduce the environmental impact of wastewater treatment.

Another important factor to consider when evaluating the environmental impacts of wastewater treatment is the location and scale of the treatment plant. Wastewater treatment plants located near sensitive ecosystems, such as wetlands or coastal areas, may have a greater impact on the environment than those located in less sensitive areas. Additionally, larger treatment plants may have a greater environmental impact than smaller plants due to increased energy consumption and waste generation.

One potential solution for minimizing the environmental impacts of wastewater treatment is to implement green infrastructure practices. Green infrastructure refers to using natural or engineered systems, such as wetlands, green roofs, or rain gardens, to manage stormwater and wastewater. Green infrastructure can help reduce the need for traditional wastewater treatment processes, which can be energy-intensive and have negative environmental impacts. Additionally, green infrastructure can provide multiple benefits beyond wastewater treatment, such as improving air and water quality, enhancing habitat, and reducing urban heat island effects.

In conclusion, evaluating the environmental impacts of wastewater treatment processes is crucial for developing sustainable and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment solutions. Using tools like life cycle assessment and implementing green infrastructure practices can help minimize negative environmental impacts associated with wastewater treatment. Ultimately, by evaluating and addressing the environmental impacts of wastewater treatment, we can ensure that we are protecting public health and the environment for generations to come.

[creaseevans]

Jujutsu Kaisen Headcanons - Suguru Geto

Suguru's the type of guy...

SFW: 

Suguru’s the soccer/hockey mom type of guy: he carries snacks, band aids, ibuprofen, tissues, gum, hair ties, and a spare set of socks in his bag at all times. That’s actually how you met him: you were at the coffee shop and asked several tables around you for a band aid (after the barista said they didn’t have any) until Suguru came over with one. He also offered a couple of alcohol swabs to clean things off before applying it.

Suguru’s the type of guy to forget to introduce himself. He gets so engrossed in the person in front of him and what they’re saying that he completely forgets how social interactions are supposed to go. You had to ask him at some point what you’re supposed to call him. He had to think about it for a moment as if he’d forgotten his own name.

(After chatting for almost an hour, he asked yours and you, very forwardly, also gave him your number.)

He’s the type of guy who drinks anything BUT plain coffee with milk and sugar, you conclude by the fourth date. The man will drink matcha, he will drink hot cocoa, he will drink iced or warm lattes with butt loads of cold foam or sweet syrups drizzled throughout, and he will drink LOTS of fruity teas. But a plain coffee with just milk and sugar may actually kill him?

Not only is Suguru the type of guy to paint his own nails, but he also insisted on teaching you after discovering how badly you do the edges (it’s hard!!!!). He likes for you both to have matching or complimentary manicures. It’s also a complete waste that he taught you how to paint because he never lets you do it and always wants to do your manicures and pedicures himself. Sunday nights are for the fingies and toes.

(Coincidentally, he HATES the smell of polish and remover. He has to wear a clip on his nose the entire time that makes his voice all high and nasally.)

Suguru is that guy with a seven-step skincare and five-step hair care routine. You can’t even describe the face he made upon discovering your simple shampoo-and-conditioner, face wash-and-moisturizer antics. But you do wish you’d taken a picture of it.

He totally forgets to eat sometimes. You wonder how it’s possible for him to be the size and height he is if this has always been the case. That is until you share your first real dinner together and he eats nearly five thousand calories in one sitting. He then proceeds to finish your leftovers as well. When you ask him about this deranged behaviour, he just shrugs and says, “I don’t know. I love food, but I don’t really think about it unless it’s in front of me.”

Suguru hasn’t worked out in a gym in almost two years, apparently. He just does runs and “generic labour” at the farm he works at. The solid abs and bouldered deltoids he hides underneath baggy clothes would beg to differ.

Suguru is a total plant princess. The first time you went to his place, you weren’t sure if it wasn’t a greenhouse. Potted wonders and vines and vases were all over the place. This came as even more earth-shattering when a little white cat tinkered her way through the hall and snuggled her butt right up against your ankles. “Oh, no, she knocks things over all the time. But I can’t exactly get mad at her, so I just re-pot everything. That’s why all of these are melamine or recycled plastic.”

That’s another thing about Suguru: he has tremendous amounts of patience. You’ve never met anyone as kind or forgiving as him. You’ve asked him to share his meditation routine with you but he keeps lying about not having one.

(The cat’s name is Dandelion; Dandy for short. She’s a white domestic short-hair with blue eyes and a pink button nose.)

Suguru’s a very formal type of guy. You didn’t expect it, but he took you out on a proper date and verbally said the words “Will you be my girlfriend?” and then proceeded to clarify with “Like, romantically. Not like a friend who’s also a girl—which is totally fine, if that’s what you prefer to be, I just—” and that’s when you cut him off with a kiss and he settled down.

He’s the type of guy to love openly and quickly. It’s less than two months in when he just casually drops an “I love you” on you one morning as you’re on the toilet and he dips his head in to grab a hair brush. Then he simply leaves you to marinate in it while you sit there in shock, unmoving except for the plop-plop-plop in the toilet.

In contrast to how casually he’s able to deliver the sentiment, he’s entirely floored when you return it in bed that same night. He’s so taken that he stops moving and has to wait a moment to get it back together. But after that one still moment, the rest of it feels like you’re being attacked by a tornado.

Suguru’s the type of guy to leave “I love you” sticky notes by your bedside or on your door. One time, you decided to keep the note and stuck it on something at his place before leaving. It was returned to you on your laptop the next day. It’s now become a sort of game between you; sometimes the notes get passed back and forth so long that the adhesive on the back completely dissipates. After writing a new one, you both toss a coin to decide who gets to keep the old one. Suguru’s won seven out of ten tosses, so far.

He’s not the type to gloat when he wins. Somehow, he finds a way to turn his wins into yours. Like how he ended up with most of the old “I love you” post-its but folded them into paper flowers and put them on artificial stems. He gave you the bouquet on your one-year anniversary. You bawled like a little bitch.

Suguru hates seeing you cry or hurt. It’s the only time you’ve seen him distressed. It makes him physically sick and you can tell by how pale and sweaty he gets. He banks his sick days at work since you started dating. Every month when you get your period, Suguru hibernates at your place with you for the first three days because he knows they’re the hardest. He cooks for you, keeps you showered and clean, massages you, naps with you, cleans for you, and he’s at your general beck and call otherwise. Your favourite part is always ordering in impulsive cravings and watching your favourite shows or movies. You also enjoy breaking into the piggy bank of sweets and candy he saves up for you all month.

He’s the type to slowly move you both in together without your ever realizing. Roughly a year in, you discovered just how much of your stuff was now filling in his otherwise spacious new place. The only things left at your apartment were a few pairs of clothes and your mattress (everything else was part of the owner’s furnishings). This little scheme dawned on you when your lease was up and instead of helping you look for another place, Suguru conveniently chimed, “Oh, why don’t you just stay with me? All your stuff’s here anyways.”

(As formal as he is, turns out he was too shy to ask you to move in. He thought giving you a key to his place as a Christmas present was a big enough hint and has no idea how you didn’t clock it. You tell him you would have said yes if he’d just asked. He just blushes and smiles.)

Suguru is a big tipper at restaurants and cafes. He often tips more than the actually meal or drink costs. You fear this may have detrimental effects on his finances, but he somehow manages to keep things running more than smoothly. Suspiciously smoothly.

Turns out, he doesn’t just work at the farm. He actually (very successfully, too) co-owns it with his best friend Satoru, which leads to the next point: Suguru’s just the type of guy to downplay exactly how well he’s doing or how much he has. (He has a lot.)

Since he wakes up ridiculously early most mornings to tend to farmwork, Suguru’s the type of guy to cook you an elaborate, three course breakfast each time and leave it covered in the oven with a note on the door for you to enjoy. Meanwhile, he shoots back a creamy, sugary beverage or two and just raw dogs the rest of the day on an empty stomach until the late lunch or dinner you share together. You’re trying to help him remember to eat more often, so you’ve started packing him just as elaborate lunches and snack packs at night once he’s gone to bed. You have to text or call him to remind him to actually eat out of them. He always enjoys them when he does.

NSFW:

Suguru takes his sweet time initiating sex for the first time. Upon reaching week four of the relationship with not a lick of intimacy, you had to break the ice on the subject. Suguru was surprised, then laughed it off. “No, I’m not asexual. I just didn’t want to weird you out or get right into sex without your deliberate consent.”

(You gave it to him instantly.)

Since his middle name is basically serenity, you were a bit worried as to how the sex would go. You don’t altogether mind the notion of “love making,” but you’re also not a purely vanilla person by nature.

Suguru’s generously girthy and lands in the seven-inch range. He’s uncut and always shaves everything clean off. You’ve never seen a crotch as hairless as his. There’s a thick vein that runs from below his belly button, down his beautifully carved pelvis and right up the length of his shaft. You like tracing it with your tongue and watching his reactions. He gets real breathy and sensitive about it.

Suguru can last a while, but that doesn’t mean he won’t take the time to service you in at least two to three other ways before finally giving you what you want. He’s quite the skilled tradesman with both his tongue and his hands, but you prefer his long, knuckly fingers over the former. Something about the veins and muscles in his arms when he endlessly plunges palm-deep inside of you drives you right over the edge. While he’s quite humble otherwise, getting you to orgasm is one thing he’s quite smug about. The way he smirks when you fall apart for him is absolutely sadistic.

Contrary to his soft, silky personality and demeanour, he’s quite the devil in arms behind closed doors. (Sometimes, those doors aren’t even closed.) 

He’s a biter (genuinely shocking). He likes to mark you in places where nobody would be able to see it and find out just how rough and territorial your sweet, doting boyfriend truly is. Such places include your back, your tits (specifically, right around your nipples), the plush of inner thigh right at the apex of your legs, the outer skinfolds right next to your “perfectly suckable lips” (no, NOT your mouth), and all over the meat of your ass.  

Suguru doesn’t eat pussy; he makes out with it. He French kisses and has an affair with it. Just let him do it and expect to be there for the better part of an hour, probably. Nothing you say or do can deter him from his “favourite meal in the whole world.”

He has no problem putting you in your place when it comes to sex. It’s genuinely some alter ego type shit. The change is a complete 180, to the point that you sometimes feel like you’re cheating on your amazing, loving boyfriend with some sex-crazed maniacal psychopath that leaves you shuddering and unable to stand on your feet for a good few hours afterwards without buckling knees or trembling thighs. The only part that reminds you they’re the same person is when he gently cleans you up afterwards and apologetically kisses all the places where he’d bit, clawed, smacked or choked only moments ago. The comedown is nearly as thrilling as the experience itself.

Suguru loves mocking and demeaning you with simultaneously praiseworthy titles. Phrases like “My precious little whore,” “Perfect fucking slut,” or “My stupidly pretty princess” roll off his tongue just as easily as “My little baby,” “Good fucking girl,” and your personal favourite: “My little pussy fairy.” It’s quite the whiplash.

Suguru fucks like his life depends on it. All the calm and peace behind his foxy monolids drains the moment he realizes what’s about to happen. The fire and hunger that replaces that calm is enough to make your heart plunge down and drop out through your ass every single time regardless of how often it happens. He is not a gentle lover, and you couldn’t be more thankful for how viciously he strokes or how diligently he chokes or how shamelessly he orders you to open your mouth so he can fill it with his fingers and spit into the back of your throat while the head of his cock breaks the rim of your cervix and your eyes roll like a slot machine into your skull.

He wasn’t as vocal at first because he was shy and anxious that you would get turned off by it. Turns out, when he moans and whimpers it’s so fucking delicate that your pussy flutters just at the sounds that come out of him. While you enjoy his gruff snarls and grunts and the tone of his poetic degradation, you take every chance you can get your hands on to have him undone and vulnerable, shivering and trembling and nearly sobbing from ecstasy at the worship you deliver.

Suguru never makes you beg or ask for it. He does like to hear you say what you want, but he often readily delivers your services on a golden platter. He’s just so generous like that.

While he gets to address you with all kinds of pet names and kinky titles, he only ever wants you to call him “Suguru” between the sheets. “Baby” is too vague, and nothing else quite establishes his dominance over you the same as hearing gasps of his name over and over again while you convulse and shatter against him, so soft and weak and vulnerable that it makes his heart stop.

He makes you keep your eyes open and on him at all times. “Keep your focus on me,” “Look at what I’m doing to you, keep watching,” “Look at me with those pretty eyes, I wanna see how big they get when you come for me,” “Don’t you dare look away,” all of that. Even when you’re kissing now you’re both always looking at one another. You don’t think you can go back to kissing with your eyes closed again.

He asked you in the beginning if you want him to use condoms just so you wouldn’t have to deal with contraceptive side effects. You used them a few times before realizing how badly you wanted to just fluid bond with him. He has never complained about this; he’s ready to face any consequences, should they happen. And while he loves going to pro-choice rallies with you, he does fantasize from time to time about a little version of you running around the farm, driving him crazy with worry.

Suguru’s favourite place to come is on your face, because your face is his favourite sight in the entire world. Yes, he loves your body. But it was your nervous smile and hopeful eyes that caught his eye the very first time and kept him looking back again and again. Seeing his cum streaked across your gorgeous lips and dripping down your cheeks and chin is a mental image he frequents regularly throughout the day.

(One day, you make him lick the cum off your face and feed it to you by kiss. This changes his brain chemistry forever. You’re definitely the one.)

[reasonsforhope]

"Heat stored underground in caverns can be set aside in Finland’s summer months to be re-used during frigid winters thanks to a state-of-the-art ‘seasonal energy’ storage facility.

Slated for construction this summer near Helsinki, it will be the largest in the world by all standards and contain enough thermal energy to heat a medium-sized city all winter.

Thermal exchange heating systems, like those built underground, or domestic heat pumps, are seen as the most effective way available of reducing the climate-impact of home heating and cooling.

Their function relies on natural forces or energy recycling to cool down or heat up water and then using it to radiate hot or cold energy into a dwelling.

In Vantaa, Finland’s fourth largest city neighboring the capital of Helsinki, the ambitious Varanto seasonal energy storage project plans to store cheap and environmental friendly waste heat from datacenters, cooling processes, and waste-to-energy assets in underground caverns where it can be used to heat buildings via the district heating network whenever it is needed.

In Finland and other Nordic countries, the heat consumption varies significantly between seasons. Heat consumption in the summertime is only about one-tenth of the peak load consumption during the cold winter months.

Varanto will utilize underground caverns equal in space to two Maddison Square Gardens—over a million cubic meters—filled with water heated by this waste heat and pressure that will allow the water to reach temperatures of up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit without the water boiling or evaporating.

“The world is undergoing a huge energy transition. Wind and solar power have become vital technologies in the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy,” says Vantaa Energy CEO Jukka Toivonen.

“The biggest challenge of the energy transition so far has been the inability to store these intermittent forms of energy for later use. Unfortunately, small-scale storage solutions, such as batteries or accumulators, are not sufficient; large, industrial-scale storage solutions are needed. Varanto is an excellent example of this, and we are happy to set an example for the rest of the world.” ...

“Two 60-MW electric boilers will be built in conjunction with Varanto,” adds Toivonen. “These boilers will be used to produce heat from renewable electricity when electricity is abundant and cheap. Our heat-producing system will work like a hybrid car: alternating between electricity and other forms of production, depending on what is most advantageous and efficient at the time.”

... Construction of the storage facility’s entrance is expected to start in summer 2024, while it could be operational as early as 2028."

-via Good News Network, April 12, 2024. Video via VantaanEnergia, March 10, 2024

[writers-potion]

I'm writing a sci-fi story about a space freight hauler with a heavy focus on the economy. Any tips for writing a complex fictional economy and all of it's intricacies and inner-workings?

Constructing a Fictional Economy

The economy is all about: How is the limited financial/natural/human resources distributed between various parties?

So, the most important question you should be able to answer are:

Who are the "have"s and "have-not"s?

What's "expensive" and what's "commonplace"?

What are the rules(laws, taxes, trade) of this game?

Building Blocks of the Economic System

Type of economic system. Even if your fictional economy is made up, it will need to be based on the existing systems: capitalism, socialism, mixed economies, feudalism, barter, etc.

Currency and monetary systems: the currency can be in various forms like gols, silver, digital, fiat, other commodity, etc. Estalish a central bank (or equivalent) responsible for monetary policy

Exchange rates

Inflation

Domestic and International trade: Trade policies and treaties. Transportation, communication infrastructure

Labour and employment: labor force trends, employment opportunities, workers rights. Consider the role of education, training and skill development in the labour market

The government's role: Fiscal policy(tax rate?), market regulation, social welfare, pension plans, etc.

Impact of Technology: Examine the role of tech in productivity, automation and job displacement. How does the digital economy and e-commerce shape the world?

Economic history: what are some historical events (like The Great Depresion and the 2008 Housing Crisis) that left lasting impacts on the psychologial workings of your economy?

For a comprehensive economic system, you'll need to consider ideally all of the above. However, depending on the characteristics of your country, you will need to concentrate on some more than others. i.e. a country heavily dependent on exports will care a lot more about the exchange rate and how to keep it stable.

For Fantasy Economies:

Social status: The haves and have-nots in fantasy world will be much more clear-cut, often with little room for movement up and down the socioeconoic ladder.

Scaricity. What is a resource that is hard to come by?

Geographical Characteristics: The setting will play a huge role in deciding what your country has and doesn't. Mountains and seas will determine time and cost of trade. Climatic conditions will determine shelf life of food items.

Impact of Magic: Magic can determine the cost of obtaining certain commodities. How does teleportation magic impact trade?

For Sci-Fi Economies Related to Space Exploration

Thankfully, space exploitation is slowly becoming a reality, we can now identify the factors we'll need to consider:

Economics of space waste: How large is the space waste problem? Is it recycled or resold? Any regulations about disposing of space wste?

New Energy: Is there any new clean energy? Is energy scarce?

Investors: Who/which country are the giants of space travel?

Ownership: Who "owns" space? How do you draw the borders between territories in space?

New class of workers: How are people working in space treated? Skilled or unskilled?

Relationship between space and Earth: Are resources mined in space and brought back to Earth, or is there a plan to live in space permanently?

What are some new professional niches?

What's the military implication of space exploitation? What new weapons, networks and spying techniques?

Also, consider:

Impact of space travel on food security, gender equality, racial equality

Impact of space travel on education.

Impact of space travel on the entertainment industry. Perhaps shooting monters in space isn't just a virtual thing anymore?

What are some indsutries that decline due to space travel?

I suggest reading up the Economic Impact Report from NASA, and futuristic reports from business consultants like McKinsey.

If space exploitation is a relatiely new technology that not everyone has access to, the workings of the economy will be skewed to benefit large investors and tech giants. As more regulations appear and prices go down, it will be further be integrated into the various industries, eventually becoming a new style of living.

[lovings4turn]

જ⁀➴  𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊  . . .  (𝐎. 𝐏.)

— when oscar gets a little too drunk to drive home after a party at your place, you offer him a place to stay for the night

+ part of my 'be my valentine' mixtape series ! this was super fun to write - i have such a soft spot for writing for oscar, so

+ mentions of drinking and alcohol

a collage of empty bottles and sticky countertops were the only remaining pieces of evidence that a party had occurred in your flat. just over an hour ago, the small place had been packed with people, some you were close to, and some you were sure you vaguely knew, somehow.

loud music had been replaced by the soft sound of a vinyl playing from your bedroom as you pottered around with a black bin bag, throwing away as much waste as you could without disturbing some of the fuller bottles of alcohol. anyone who threw away a half-full bottle of gin was a sinner in your eyes. 

it was peaceful, finally having some time alone to breathe, to think. well, almost alone, anyways.

oscar stumbled around your flat with a bag of his own, steadying himself against the counter as he collected the leftover beer bottles for recycling. it was endearing, the way he seemed to trip over his own feet every now and then, the intoxication turning him into bambi taking his first few steps.

his usually pink cheeks were flushed a little darker, hair more messy as a few longer strands fell in front of his eyes. clearly putting all of his focus into his task, oscar didn’t even bother trying to push his hair away, succumbing to slightly obscured vision in his already less-than-stable state.

truth is, oscar wasn’t even meant to be staying over.

when you’d invited him to your place initially, he had claimed he would come for a drink or two, but leave early since he was already feeling pretty tired. that plan had went out of the window twenty minutes after he arrived, thanks to logan supplying him with a shot - or four - before he’d even finished his first beer. 

since he’d driven over and was in no fit state to get behind a wheel right now, you’d instantly offered for him to stay at yours. he could take your bed, the couch, wherever he wanted, as long as he stayed. because he wasn’t an absolute idiot, oscar agreed without complaint. 

another thud alerted you to oscar only just managing to catch himself against your kitchen cabinet, having lost his balance once more. you held back a laugh, not wanting to embarrass him, but he caught your eye with a crooked grin.

“are you sick of me yet?” he asked, accent made even thicker as his mouth worked harder to wrap around the sounds of his speech. 

“not at all,” you replied, the words rolling off of your tongue without a second thought.

you didn’t think you could ever be sick of oscar, especially not like this. here he was, absolutely smashed, yet still making an effort to help you out by cleaning up around the flat a little even though you’d insisted you were fine doing it alone. 

anyways, to be sick of oscar right now would make you a hypocrite: you were far from sober yourself. 

a lull fell over you both, the only sound coming from the lovers rock album playing in the other room and the gentle clink of glass bottles. the padding of your sock clad feet was like percussion in the soundtrack of your simultaneous cleaning, and the whole thing felt somewhat domestic as you worked peacefully.

but, you were only human.

it was only a matter of time before you both gave up on the cleaning, vowing to do it in the morning when you were sober and more alert. the last thing you needed was for someone to drop a bottle and make the process ten times harder.

after fumbling for the kitchen's light switch and bathing the room in a cold darkness, you both moved over to your bedroom, the fatigue of the evening suddenly crashing over you.

making it to the bed seemed like far too much of an effort, yet sitting down right in front of the wooden frame was apparently much more appealing to you both.

oscar let out a soft oof as he collapsed onto the floor next to you, folding his legs up to his chest in a way that didn't look to be too comfortable thanks to his taller frame.

motivated by your own selfish wants, you let your eyes trace over every inch of oscar, taking advantage of his more oblivious state. his already sleepy eyes were lidded, and it seemed like he was fighting his own body just to stay awake for a little longer.

because nothing was ever fair, oscar caught your stare. you expected a teasing remark, maybe even a playful expression, yet nothing came.

instead, coffee coloured eyes met your own, softening reflexively as he caught your gaze. there was no mistaking it. oscar was moving closer to you.

just as your lips brushed against his, barely there like the flap of a butterfly wing, the music stopped. as the vinyl cut out, you and oscar were snapped from the bubble you’d found yourselves in, and you both pulled away with a sheepish laugh.

“fuck. two seconds,” you mumbled, huffing a little as you clambered onto your feet and flipped the record over, placing the needle back down onto the disc to begin playing the second side. 

and if you happened to sit a little closer to him when you returned to your previous position, who was to blame you?

instantly, oscar's hand came to sit on your waist, thumb brushing gently against your hip as he dipped his face closer to your own. there were no interruptions this time, and your lips found his like they'd been searching for them your whole life.

and lucky old you had the whole night to savour this moment.

[dailymanners]

Try to donate what you have that's just sitting around taking up space and collecting dust.

Old books that you've read and have no interest in re-reading? You can donate them to the library.

Have old glasses from an outdated prescription and they're just sitting in your drawer now taking space? There are charities that take old glasses and give them to people who can't afford new glasses.

Have old blankets or towels that are a little worn crowding your drawers and might just end up in the trash? Your local animal shelter might make good use of them.

Old clothing that doesn't fit you anymore or you just don't like to wear anymore? Your local domestic violence or homeless shelter might be able to give them to someone who could really use it.

There's also several charities where old used cellphones can be donated to instead of taking up space in your junk drawer.

Yes, although some places that take donations are questionable so you should always do your research, it's likely that the things sitting around taking space but you don't use anymore could be very vital to someone else or some cause. You can always google "charities that take x" for things you might want to get rid of, or you can always just ask local shelters (homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, animal shelters) what sort of things they need more of.

Or even just re-selling your no longer needed possessions at reduced cost (or even just straight up giving away) could be very useful for someone who's either trying to save money or be eco friendly by avoiding buying new.

And that's not even touching on the environmental value of having a circular economy where everything can be re-used instead of going to waste.

*HOWEVER, as an important disclaimer, be mindful of the condition of things you donate. It is a degrading mindset to think that just because someone is taking charity that they should just be happy with whatever they get.

Donating that sweater you've only worn a few times but lost interest in is a great idea, donating a sweater torn to rags and covered in stains to a homeless shelter for a human being to wear is another story. Maybe instead consider cutting it into pieces to be used as cleaning rags, or look into places that take textiles for recycling.

Those taking charity still deserve things in decent condition.

[ohjessicajessica]

Thanks for the great reception to my cross stitch kits! These were a lot of fun to make and were born from my bad burnout last year where I took up cross stitch as a hobby and then figured I should really try making my own art with the medium! There are 5 designs all together, here are the 3 warrior rabbits which I translated to pixels with thread.

I spent a lot of time figuring out how to create plastic free packaging for these, so ended up usind printed envelopes from Vistaprint (these are surprisingly hard to source in Australia). Packaging is something I always want to find a balance between being recyclable, and protective enough to survive long overseas (and domestic) journeys without being wasteful. It's a big part of why I don't really include freebies in my orders, as personally, I'm the type of customer who doesn't know what to do with extra things I didn't purchase. How about you?

[witchofthesouls]

You're the first person I've come across who opened the for to these kinds of conversations, so might I propose that liquid energon is considered only for military, medical, or neonatal purposes on the colonies.

As you and many, many others have theorized, before the Quintassons and before the Thirteen began to die off, Cyberton most likely had an incredible complex biosphere that would make even our most diverse and most extreme seem bland. There would've been several generations who would've learned how to cultivate and forage and hunt on the surface and in the highest caverns and tunnels.

So assuming the Titans who became colonies took "pieces" of Cyberton when they left, they likely ended up preserving whole swathes of nature without actually intending to. Modern day Velocitrons and Camiens would thrive off "leave no footstep" culture as they hunt and move.

How horrific would the state of Cybertronians be to the colony denizens? Mechs who claim civility and order yet seem to lack any and all ability to actually feed themselves. What they will eat, they waste massive quantities, and they seem to be deeply suspicious of someone taking or sabotaging what little they can keep.

I think this could go a lotta ways.

Ohhh, I love worldbuilding like this. It just makes more sense to really delve into the differences between Cybertron and the Lost Colonies, besides "they got girls and no war lol."

Each of the Titan cities has a unique culture and cast, so it's a shame that it all got dropped or it didn't really tie neatly as it could had, so-

I'm going to make it make sense, even if I need to get the blender on canon lore to make a soup!

I did talk about some cultural differences and clashes between the Lost Colonies either through posts ('Caminus' and 'Titans' tags) or in the tags, and I had talked about how liquid Energon may have been playing a role of starvation rations. (Ehhh in TFP since they seem to be on a pure liquid diet, but it can be included in IDW/MTMTE).

But yeah, I can definitely see liquid Energon being used for medical, military, and neonatal usage. It would be interesting to explore differences and similarities in processing, storage, supplements, approach in distribution, and any associated folklore about it (i.e., Eukarians' farm-to-table fuel as it suits their beast-modes versus Velocitron and its pride over solar-derived Energon allowing them to delve into racing and research versus Caminus' recycling culture to mimick the Forge).

Funnily enough, the ones that develop the "Leave No Footsteps" as a whole would be the Eukarians as Chela left the planet's indigenous fauna relatively intact for beast-modes to be truly free. The tribes of Eukaris seem to mimic very early forms of civilizations along with hunter-gatherers. They're not ashamed to utilize the full scope of their alt-enhanced perception. Similar to how they adapted to their new home, the indigenous fauna adapted as well. Frightenly well to other Cybertronian perspectives; the Eukarians as a whole would be more familiar with different kinds of relationships with plants and animals, both the wild creatures and domesticated stocks. It would be interesting if the tribes managed to develop unique agricultural/livestock methods from each other (i.e., Fur Walkers are focused on ranching and semi-nodamic for their stocks versus Wave Walkers' aquaculture and mutual relationships with aquatic hunters or consumers to hunt and forage). Personally, I think the Eukarians would be the closest to understanding Earth's chaotic biomes and fauna. (Most definitely tensions with Cybertron via its Functionist society that Chela took his people to escape and the policies of organophobia, terra-forming, and stigma/discrimination against beast-modes and the nature.)

Velocitron came from scientists searching for fuel alternatives. Like, what if they tapped into the powerful solar rays that plagued the half the planet? In some ways, then modern Velocitron is a victim of its own success as the strong fuel basically led to too much excess energy and hyperfocus to point of ignoring all else, combined with their search for more fuel efficiency and race against the scorching suns, it's no surprise why racing became so dominant to the point Navitas was severely neglected. A meritocracy drenched heavy elitism as they're a highly educated group with a deep disdain for any frames deemed "too slow" or "too clunky."" They managed to figure out their own fuel issues. How the hell Cybertron with all of its resources to throw into their civil war couldn't? (On a side note, it would be absolutely hilarious and in-character if they snubbed Optimus and Megatron since they're not racers and weren't formally educated by Velocitron standards.)

Camiens, unlike many of the other Cybertronians, would actually forge mutual and positive ties with their organic neighbors via mercenary, exploration, and trade as Caminus deeply values social ties and community to the point that Cybertronians not raised in their city-state can be uncomfortable on how 'open' Camiens intermingle with one another as field byplay is a very used communication method. Caminus is situated in a planetary system that has immense raw resources but lacks the infrastructure that would have enticed the Galactic Alliance to add the space, and many are wary of the Quintesson's empire as they typically strip everything from planets via legal contracts or economic force. The work provided by offworlders allows the city-state to supplement their diet. They're a passionate and creative people, and it's seen on their takes on stretching out food as they blend whatever available to consume. So Depression meals, rural cooking, and recipes that channels 'End of Month' Food Challenge. (Most definitely have tensions with Cybertron as Camiens are appalled how distant and cold each mecha carries themselves in a strange self-imposed isolation as well as the sheer waste of fuel that happens, organophobia, and Functionist teachings as Camiens typically collect multiple skills and careers since everyone works.)

[balkanradfem]

I'm so far having a lovely time with my new roommate, I've actually not seen a lot of her because we have the opposite shifts. I work in the morning, she works late afternoon; when I come home I just collapse to bed for hours, by the time I can stand, she's gone. We had a few awkward moments so far; first when I explained all the rules for sharing the apartment – they're very general rules, such as 'each of us has her own laundry detergent, dish detergent and towels, we separate trash and recyclables, we announce if we're bringing guests, etc', and she asked if she could take a picture of the rules, because she couldn't memorize them all. Since the rules were in croatian on my laptop, I offered to translate them to english, and send them to her in an email. She said okay and gave me her email address!

I translated everything in english, and sent it, and the email bounced back. It said her inbox was too full to receive email. I brought it up two days later when I next saw her, and she tried to open her email on her phone, both to realize that it's flooded, and that she forgot the password, so she doesn't have the access to it at all. I then had her take the picture of the rules with her phone, since I couldn't think of a better alternative.

Next awkward moment was when she asked me if I could get her a part-time job, because she only works for a few hours a day (she doesn't have her work permit yet) and I had to awkwardly explain that I am not that well connected in society that I could get someone a job, I felt so bad about it too. I advised her to where she could put up a free add offering services like cleaning or ironing, and then people could respond to that, but also told her to never accept a male response because that is dangerous. She said okay, but then didn't bring it up again, I think she was really hoping I could get her a job.

This Saturday we both didn't have work in the morning, and we both got up with the idea to clean! Since we were both at it, I asked her what kind of music she likes, and then told her to go ahead and put up her own music to play on her phone so I could hear it too. She put on a wonderful Nepali playlist that I immediately loved, it was bliss and relaxation, like you're in the mountains and birds are singing. So we had a great domestic moment where I was just washing dishes, she was sweeping the floor, and Nepali music was playing.

I then went out to the store; I needed to buy an electric kettle because I accidentally destroyed the last one. I actually deliberated for a few weeks whether I need a new one, but I had to admit I do need it, spending gas to heat water feels so wasteful and time consuming and I want to drink tea several times a day. I got the cheapest kettle and it turned out to be the one glowing blue! I am immediately so enthralled because a blue-glowing kettle is so beautiful and futuristic, it's like a decoration to me. I showed her what I got and made tea for both of us! She asked me if I liked Nepali tea, and I didn't know what that was, so she promised to buy one when she gets her paycheck and have me try it. I'm excited!

I'm sharing a bit of fun stuff because I'm having a good time right now, and I'm so happy to have a good time at home :)

[pfhwrittes]

stupid fluffy crackfic thoughts entirely inspired by the replies on this ask from @greatstormcat

okay, bin day with domestic!141 under the cut

price is the unofficial "binfluencer" of the street. you absolutely rely on him to make sure you're putting out the general waste and glass recycling on the correct week. his bins are out at 8pm the night before collection, no earlier and no later. they're lined up with military precision outside his house, carefully placed so they don't block the pavement too much nor do they block his driveway. he never gets caught out by a bank holiday collection change.

gaz isn't quite on price's level but he puts out the correct bin 9 out of 10 times. he puts his bins out the night before too but it's not uncommon to hear him dragging the wheelie bin out at 10pm. less methodical about where he places his bins but it's not terrible. has definitely accidentally blocked his garden gate before. occasionally gets caught out by bank holidays but makes the effort to move his bins out of the way so people can still use the pavement in the meantime.

soap is my ADHD darling and i refuse to believe differently. he tries bless him, but there are just too many steps to remembering which bins go out each week so he chucks everything out and hopes for the best. has on multiple occasions dragged the bins out at 6am just as the bin lorry is turning onto the street because he forgot to put them out the night before. he's definitely been caught out standing in his boxers watching the bin lorry turn out of the street because he's missed them by mere minutes. oh well. only 6 days until the next bin collection.

ghost is sneaky. you never EVER see or hear him put his bins out. you'd think he was living in an unoccupied house if it wasn't for the brief glimpse you caught of him lifting (lifting?!) the wheelie bin over the low wall of his front garden with a cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth moments after it was emptied. ghost definitely has the best relationship with the bin men. they're happy to chuck out his bulky items that you'd definitely need to ask the council to collect separately.

[nkgrimmie]

Hello hi, it's me, here with more questions about domesticated cursors:

What sorts of supplies do you think would be necessary for taking care of them, from an owning stick's perspective?

Would they eat a pet food like thing, or, like, fruits and vegies from a stick's fridge?

You've mentioned they nest before; do they sleep in nests? If so, do they make their own nests or can nests be bought?

What sort of hygiene care stuff? Like brushes or washing shampoos? Litter box equivalent??

Are collars and/or leashes things that are used? Toys are definitely a thing, for enrichment and fun. Would they need anything else for enrichment/fun/keeping healthy?

Anything to avoid? (like poisonous/harmful foods/substances, or things that would be abusive/bad husbandry for them.)

Are diseases/viruses a thing for them? What would be some common ones, if so? What about some health risks in general?

glad to answer!!! am a bit tired though. might not make complete sense sjdhdb if it doesn't just ask me to clarify

anyways

What sorts of supplies do you think would be necessary for taking care of them, from an owning stick's perspective?

I imagine you need like... a food bowl for them that's high enough that they don't have to go down into the ground to eat, lots of things to perch on around the house, just generally supplies that would be expected for a small to medium sized parrot, with a few other things mixed in too.

Would they eat a pet food like thing, or, like, fruits and veggies from a stick's fridge?

depends on both the owner and the cursor. some owners give them people food/non-pet foods, some give them food specifically designed for cursors, some give them kibble. most will honestly eat anything you give to them as long as it thinks it'll taste good or already views it as food

i would say that a mix between the natural foods and the cursor-specific food is the healthiest for them, since those foods contain more water which they rely on a lot to maintain proper shape, but wetted kibble is good too.

What sort of hygiene care stuff? Like brushes or washing shampoos? Litter box equivalent??

special soaps and stuff that will be gentle on their skin while still cleaning them off, and special clothes that won't make them itchy when dried off. only cursorlings would need brushes or anything like that, as they're the only ones that have a coat. they have down feathers!

You've mentioned they nest before; do they sleep in nests? If so, do they make their own nests or can nests be bought?

and thankfully, there won't be any litterbox trouble, as like most/all of the other outernet lifeforms, they don't excrete. their bodies contain something similar to the Recycle Bin that they put waste material into, and after a time it is just deleted.

yeah they like to sleep in nests! for them a nest is really just any soft and comfy enclosed space that still has the top open– so like a box with a few blankets inside would probably be enough for some cursors. it all depends on the individual though, some don't mind store-bought ones, while others will ONLY make them. making a nest can be a bit destructive though, as they usually tear stuff up like pillows, blankets, or clothing make them. you probably can buy stuff for them so they can make their own nest though. but you'll still have to deal with a mess skdnbs

sometimes if they really trust you they might just sleep on your chest or in your lap though, or maybe on top of your head if you stay still enough

Are collars and/or leashes things that are used? Toys are definitely a thing, for enrichment and fun. Would they need anything else for enrichment/fun/keeping healthy?

oh yeah definitely. they don't really look like normal collars/leashes though, due to their very different body type compared to other animals, but they have them! don't want your pet cursor to fly away during a walk, now do we?

i imagine one of the best enrichment things for them are treat puzzles/games. they're actually pretty smart, so you have to get good quality ones, but still. a giant rubix cube with treats in the middle that opens when solved would probably be a good one for the more intelligent cursors... assuming they don't just throw it against the wall until it breaks.

Anything to avoid? (like poisonous/harmful foods/substances, or things that would be abusive/bad husbandry for them.)

i imagine one of the worst things to do to a cursor is to ground it. like tie something heavy to it so it can't fly, or neuter its flight all together. flying is kind of... their only efficient way of movement. dragging themselves on the ground is slow, difficult, and can hurt.

it'd be pretty funny if they couldn't have chocolate or coffee or grapes or whatever...

actually yeah. they can't have grapes it's canon now

Are diseases/viruses a thing for them? What would be some common ones, if so? What about some health risks in general?

also don't house them with any rodentware, even domesticated ones. said rodentware WILL use the cursor to their advantage

sadly, yeah...

the common ones are just generally the Outernet versions of illness our animals can get...

there's also RAT malwares (NOT to be confused with rat rodentwares).... not good. makes them act very erratically and confused, aggressive too. basically cursor rabies, unless they're vaccinated or given a good antivirus fast enough.

as for health risks?

cursors need a lot of water in order to maintain the proper shape of their bodies, and unless under specific circumstances, should not be taking in so much that they start to round out. it's like cats where being rotund is very unhealthy for them. i also imagine depending on the breed and species, they can have a higher predisposition to certain inherited disorders.

among other things i can't think of right now...

[reasonsforhope]

I'm worried about electronic waste, e-waste recycling, and such loss of resources.

That's real. For what it's worth, I think it's something we're going to get a LOT better at. The raw materials - and even partially depleted materials that can be downcycled - are too valuable to be left forever.

Tip for anyone worried about e-waste or looking to be more environmentally conscious: Whenever I have something electronic that dies (this includes batteries, power cords, string lights, and vapes), I stick it in an out-of-the-way drawer, and then once every year or two, I bring it all to either an e-waste recycling place or an e-waste disposal place (which, my understanding is most e-waste disposal places do a lot of materials reclamation as well, though if I'm wrong someone please correct me). I just look online to find a place.

Sometimes it's a bit of a drive, but it's so worth it. I encourage others to do the same!

Anyway, here's some headlines about e-waste to hopefully lift your spirits:

^That's Western Australia, not Washington state.

[theoldoor]

Some Talia + Post-talia content with these bumsOUUOUHOUHUH IM FUCKKIN GSIISSIICKCK

During Talia, Fenrir had lost the ability to read considering his worsening eyesight and lack of interaction with literary medias. He used to teach the kids at the orphanages and people of his own clan, but now he’s with the majority of those who can’t read. (HEADCANON PART) It’s something Fenrir was very insecure about. He grew up lacking education and had to teach himself a lot of things through the library of the estate he was held in and he felt behind his peers for that. He speaks when he needs to around those he’s not close by and when he does he makes sure to check the thing he was about to say in his head multiple times so that he wouldn’t say the “wrong thing.” When someone pointed out an information, whether if they’re right or wrong, Fenrir’s first instinct is to believe them as he doesn’t think he’s smart enough to confirm whatever he was saying, even if it was common sense.

Aventurine came around, he was also one to teach himself a lot of things too considering his background. But Aventurine had his eyesight and he still had papers and stuff from the things he brought along for the Talia mission - he could still read. (HEADCANON PART) The reason why Fenrir knew how to read a few parts at the end of the quest, despite claiming to be illiterate the whole thing maybe was because Aventurine taught him to read along the way - accommodating his impaired vision too.

HERMIA’S CONCEPT WAAA I LOVE HERRRR she’s so >:^ she’s like my niece but i do have to focus on building her character more. she’s more fleshed out in combat and abilities more than loreeee. after im done with her ill move onto stella and bronte lol. she’s tuxedo cat themed, hence her hair and the faux cat ears + hetero chromia.

Fenrir is popular with the kids of Avidity for his gentleness, patience and domestic nature. It was something he brought alongside him from his upbringing. He was born into servitude and a “domesticated dog will always be haunted by the call of the wild”. This is also something that he does genuinely, not to use them for any gain for himself - he believes that kids should be taught kindness before brutality. To him, traces of humanity is above all, considering where he was raised.

Caring for them also gain him quite a reputation, no one really bothers to handle the kids in Talia - As long as they live kinda ideal they got going on there. So Fenrir took the “burden” of the children and let the clan go do their things with no worries.

Though Fenrir feared death twice as others, that also means he valued life twice as others too. He went too far, he has lived this long, it’d be a burden not to see another day and see all your hard work go to waste because you wanted a permanent solution to a temporary phase of your life. He believes that kids should be living by that too. Idk man he’s a caring older brother because he sees himself in these kids and he did not want them to go through whatever he did.

Especially with Hermia, he loves her most and same goes with her. Hermia is the only one who was willing to stick by Fenrir’s side even when he kicked her away (metaphorically) and they’re awfully dependent on one another. Hermia provides Fenrir with the accommodation he needed for his impaired vision and comfort, in return Fenrir brought her closer to the clan and became her older brother (found family way) - he took care of her in every part.

Fenrir was a brutal and cruel man, that doesn’t mean he was not a man.

He has humanity, and that’s why he was discarded to the wasteland of Talia. I think Talia’s concept of “recycling” everything works well - especially for characters like Aventurine and Fenrir. “To be reborn is to live again.”

The two are cruel because they’re survivors. They’re cruel so they can see another day not because they wanted to. They were taught and force to be cruel in this current life. But just imagine, if everything reverted, if they get to be recycled and experience the side of life that runs rather the side that crawls. But to live again also means you gotta go through all the struggles again,

I wrote for the quest for Aventurine to go through everything in Sigonia again as the price for having a family again LOL what a nice bet you made with the devil there aventurine (he made a bet and he “lost” for the first time) and for Fenrir he was in the recycling process during talia and post talia is when he finished recycling ehheuehe.

ooouuuhh he wants that cookie so fuckin bad EUEHUEHUAAAUGGGH jealous fenrir hello

but yk, i dont want aventurine to be the punching bag. he struggled a bit when he came back to pier point and has to act like everything was normal - even given the purple heart equivalent for whatever he contributed during Talia but he didn’t want that at all. Imagine getting honored and praised for losing your loved ones, that shit mustv sucked bro

so fenrir came back, it works well with his dog motif on how he keeps crawling back no matter what. he will always bring back the ball you told him to fetch. loyal as a mutt - “desperate dogs bite harder than wild ones” type shit idk man but when they’re back it’s just “ok” again. Aventurine had a little closer connection and so does Fenrir- now they’re up to some silly shits in penacony or whatnot lol

just like

they went through a lot, but that doesnt strip away their humanity. human has been humans and will always be.