#don’t tell my boss or club mates that i made this it’s our little secret

[pink-esc]

Not to romanticize a past that may never have existed; but like remember when the internet was considered a new tool that could offer cool programs and make information more accessible?

now it’s just paywall after paywall and free trial after free trial. i wish i could live my life without the internet but now it’s something that you need to have for tons of jobs, social shit, fandom… it makes me upset. why do i have to give my card number to a site that fucking gives you a place to make posters? fuck you canva

while we’re here FUCK BUSINESS SOCIAL MEDIA TOO idc if sometimes they make good content (ily monterey bay aquarium) i FUCKING HATE BUSINESS SOCIAL MEDIA. that it’s a necessity to exist and succeed (easily) in this stupid world. I especially hate social media for small businesses AND I DONT CARE HOW FUCKED UP MY TAKE IS AND I DONT CARE IF “well it allows them to reach a wide audience faster making them more profitable blah blah blah 🤓” FUCK YOU SHUT UP. i’m not even going to sit here and defend my take I DONT CARE BURN IT ALL DOWN

[hpdabbles]

holy merlin himself, i’d pay both in cash and with my soul for a sequel to that pick-pocketing fic

Remus Lupin was not pleased in the slightest. He’s not one to go to these type of places but Lily had convinced him clubbing might be a good way to release some stress.

Usually, he didn’t listen to his best friend and roommate but it’s been a hellish week and he really needed something to pick him up. The full moon last Sunday had been so bad he missed three days of work the following days, which prompt his fed-up boss to finally fire him. Remus couldn’t really blame him, after all, he did miss so many days of work per month with called in sick days but short of telling the older man about his condiction could prove he needed those sick days.

Remus felt terrible when he had to tell Lily he would not have enough for the rent and his Wolfsbane potion again. She assures him it alright but he saw the way her eyes had strain obviously thinking of her own financial problem. Lily wasn’t exactly dirt poor like Remus but her interest in studying advanced potions forced her to get an unpaid internship and a part-time job as a waitress in a muggle restaurant which made supporting them on her lonesome impossible.

Lily’s parents stop sending money the day she refused to web a muggle man and had all but cut her out of their lives upon learning her ex-lover. Apparently, being a witch was much more acceptable than being bisexual.

Muggles just couldn’t keep their priorities right. What did it matter who their daughter loved as long as she was happy right?

Remus needed to find a job and soon.

He was going to buy the Wolfsbane potion tonight, from his secret supplier. The only way for Remus not to get outed as a werewolf was to buy it underground even if it cost a little more. Being outed as a Dark Creature is much worse than being on the streets.

At least the later he could somehow claw his way back to a stable livelihood even if it took him years, the former would set his life in stone. A very cruel and cold stone.

Which was why he was hyper-aware of his heavy wallet disappearing from his back pocket seconds after it vanished. He needs to buy that potion tonight. And the money was missing.

Alarm Remus, look everywhere attempting to find the thief among all the dancing bodies. It was hard to see anyone clearly, the dark lights only allowing him to see slight outlined shadows. Thank goodness his nose was able to find his friends. Marlene and  Dorcas were at the bar, laughing and flirting with one another (He gave them three more weeks before they broke and started dating) while Lily was being chatted up by some bloke in glasses.

Remus made eye contact with her very briefly and she nearly excuses herself from the guy when she saw the panic in his face but he shook his head indicating she could stay. After his slight fright, Remus was able to calm once locating his companions his mind clear enough to realize he may not know the scent of the thief but he knew his own scent.

His wallet left a trail among the sweat and alcohol in the air which he followed all the way to the male bathroom. With the door closing behind him, the loud bass of the music dulls just enough for his super hearing picking up the sound of paper being shift.

Taking some quick sniffs Remus realize his wallet was inside this room still and the paper sound must be someone counting his money. With the full moon just a few days away his emotions were all over the place, and light a light switch rage suddenly flickered into his mind.

Remus kicked the stall door open.

It took longer then he likes, he could usually intimidate people because on some level they sense that he wasn’t quite human, but the idiot that robbed him wasn’t being cooperative. He spent must of the time Remus threaten staring with a red face and daze eyes. Maybe he was on some kind drug?

Shame, he was kind of attractive.

“Remus!” Lily shouts over the music the moment she spokes him leaving the bathroom “Remus, are you still sober?”

The werewolf rolls his eyes fondly. His irritated temper cooling just a bit. “Yes. We agree I would be the designated diver tonight. Why? Do you want to leave?”

He couldn’t keep the hopeful tone out of his voice. Remus was tired of this place, the crowd made him uneasy, the music gave him a headache and he was still slightly steaming about the bathroom encounter.

“Yes!” Lily shouts, bouncing on her heels.  “We can get the other two and go.”

Other two? He didn’t understand. Marlene came in her own car and she always offered Dorcas a ride since they lived in the same area. Still, he nodded, assuming perhaps Dorcas managed to get Marlene to take a few shots which meant Remus had to drive them. He didn’t mind much, as long as he made it on time to meet with his dealer.

Gosh, that sounded like he had a drug problem.

“Alright, let’s go. Grab them and meet me at the front.”

He chooses not to tell Lily about the pickpocket incident. Maybe because he didn’t want to worry, her unnecessary or maybe because he didn’t want to ruin her night. Or maybe it’s because he was ashamed? Whatever the case, he lets her wander into the crowd heading for the exit.

He breaks the door with a deep sigh, happy to be out of the overwhelming crowd. There are a few people outside but it’s easier to handle. His advance senses always made going out a bit difficult. Some people couldn’t hear, smell or see everything he could.

His ears are still ringing from that stupid dance music.

Sighing Remus drags his feet to the car. He always gets the car and picks the girls up from the door, since it’s safer for them then walking into a darkened parking lot. Not to say it’s safe for Remus but the man was fairly confident in his fighting skills also he always suspected the girls were just lazy.

Pulling to the entrance he spots Lily’s bright hair, but their friends are nowhere in sight and she jumps into the car with a quick. “Don’t be mad.”

Instantly he’s on guard. “What did you do?”

Before she can answer, a stranger opens his back car door. Remus watches a man with glasses, the same one that talked to Lily for almost the past hour,  climb in with a wide smile. “Hi, I’m James and this is my friend Sirius.”

His brown eyes take in the man that apparently has been invited back to their place without permission and then switch over to the friend, only to find familiar silver eyes staring back at him in wonder.

It was the wallet thief!

“Mr. Gourgous Brown Hair! It’s you!” The guy gasps then shut his jaw turning a bright red. He seems to not have meant to say that out loud while James’ already wide grin turns smug.

Remus gapes at Lily. “What did you do!?”

“Now, now, James and Sirius are just coming over for some coffee. Nothing more.” Lily defends. “I thought you might like to get to know someone, and when James said his friend fancy men I knew it could be a chance at love for -!”

“Get the hell out of my car!” Remus sneers cutting her off. He twists around, hand fumbling for the hunting knife he keeps in his car and banishes it out in case Lily accidentally put them in a dangerous situation. “I’m not taking you fucks anywhere! Get out!”

“Remus!” Lily screams appalled.

“Whoa whoa, he’s got a knife! Mate, please don’t kill us!” James screams leaning away from the blade with wide eyes.

Sirius’s already red face turns more awe if a little weary as he too leans away. “Um..is this about me stealing your wallet?”

“Stealing his what!?”

“Shush Lily.” Remus tells her without taking his eyes off the two threats. “Yes, it’s about you trying to steal my wallet! Get out! I won’t have you wanna-be murders knowing where we live!”

“I’m really sorry about that-”

“You stole someone wallet Padfoot, what is wrong with you-”

“I have pepper spray! I’ll spray the lot of you, get out of our car-”

Three different voices scream at once. Remus can’t decide who he should answer but he does feel better Lily is now pointing a small circular can with the promise pepper spray at the two men who are frozen in his car. He sneers at the thief- Sirius if that’s his real name- who looks both frighten and...infatuated? What kind of people did Lily pick up!?  

“If you don’t leave right now I will cut you!” He screams making some quick slashing motions with his hunting knife just to add more effect.

“We’re leaving!” James squeaks. He makes a slightly sadden glance at Lily who’s hand evens the can at him with narrow eyes. “I wish this had gone differently. But..Sirius the failsafe.”

Sirius’ face clouds over with sadness that makes Remus really worried and he grips his knife handle more tightly. He notices both men suddenly grab something from their jackets- a gun!? A knife!?- and pull out...wands?

These two are wizards. He thinks in shock. He watches them light up in preparation to use memory charms, he recognizes color and hand motion but before they could activate the magic or Remus could launch forward to make due on his promise Lily panics.

(Later, if you ask her, Lily will admit that she hadn't noticed them holding wands instead she thought they pulled out guns and thought they planned on murdering her and her roommate.)

She screams while pressing the button to harshly, her magic accidentally ripping the lid off with her scared emotions and the car fills with Peper Spray.  

“MY EYES! MY EYES! WHAT IS THIS!?”

“FUCK I CAN TASTE IT! PADFOOT IT’S IN MY THROAT!”

“AHHHHHHHH!”

“I’M GOING TO CUT YOU ALL!”

Someone calls the muggle cops and the four get dragged off to the holding cell with red watery eyes and burning skin. In all the drama, Remus forgets about his Wolfsbane potion meeting.

This later comes to bite him in the ass.

[marissaofunderground]

Luck

“All of ‘em? Okay...uh, here we go!.” (2 have already been answered: 3 and 17, so those can be found under my tags “ask” and “lady luck”. We will skip those ones for this reason.)

1. “’Lady Luck’ is not actually my real name, but a stage name! But, I don’t usually tell people my real name, and very few people actually know. Who does know? Welll, some old childhood friends of mine, King Dice, the Devil, and the Casino crew, as well as a couple friends I’ve made in Inkwell. What is my real name? Hahaha - not a question I’ll answer to just anyone ;)” (Lady Luck’s real first name is Merina, a portmanteau of “mermaid” and “marina”)

2. “I got a lotta friends, but my best-of-all-friends would be Delilah Demon, and Whitney Sinnett, from that club on Isle 3.” (Whitney Sinnett belongs to @miss-twila )

4. “Hm, hm, I’ve always loved pink, used to have a huge collection of pink seashells as a kid, though nowadays I’ve come to love purple equally as much! I’m bettin’ King Dice had a hand in that, huhu~❤"

5. “Happily datin’ King Dice - I know people warn about his danger, and sure, I was a little nervous at first, but...it worked out, somehow. We just...seem to find the better sides to each other and bring em out from within us...I guess we kinda balance each other out!”

6. “Right now? I can’t say I have an ideal mate anymore, since I’m happily working with him and being with him. But when I was a small fry I dreamed about, eh, a handsome prince from above the surface. I guess you could say I got somethin’ better than a prince.”

7. “Oh my, Dice charms the heck outta me, he can be a gentleman, he sings beautifully, treats me like his queen....that’s only the tip of the iceberg. For the Devil’s second-in-command, Dice really knows how to court people. 😍”

8. “Growin’ up, I loved this pasta-dish with noodles made from seaweed flour, and a sauce made with cod roe. Funnily enough, a similar dish exists on land, they call it ‘tarako spaghetti’, and it’s even topped with nori flakes! But that’s not my only favorite, the creamy shrimp scampi is my favorite food from the surface. I guess you could say seafood pasta, that’s my favorite kind of food.”

9. “I did in fact have a crush on King Dice long before we started dating, but prior to the casino, I’ve had crushes on: a mermaid (not Cala Maria), a human man, a cat lady, a mummy, and a man of my kind. I actually did date that guy, but it didn’t work out.”

10. “I mostly sing jazz and swing, and it’s the kind of music I like to hear most. Give me that really crazy, fast-paced, time-signature changin’ jazz you can dance to.”

11. “Oh uh....I...really don’t want to lose my job and end up in prison. Or the Devil to lose his casino. I’ve heard rumors of this legendary Chalice ghost coming back to life...and I don’t want her to end our careers.”

12. “Maybe get married someday...though, I dunno about kids. I’m not sure I’d make a good mother. That’s a ‘maybe’ for me.”

13. “I smoke and drink....some may consider that a bad habit. And, sometimes I pick at dead or loose scales on my body. Ew, that may have been too much.”

14. “In my childhood I may have made some mistakes I regret doin’, such as playing too close to some stalagmites. I have the scars to show for it.” Luck pulls off one of her gloves to reveal the damaged webbing between her fingers. “I would wear webbed gloves for the rest of my childhood and teenage years when I lived underwater, but I stopped after living on the surface. I found not havin’ much webbing between my fingers to be useful! Holdin’ cigarettes between your fingers, wearing rings....those are nice. So it’s not all that bad.”

15. “You know I ain’t tellin’ my best kept secrets. Then they wouldn’t be secrets no more!”

16. “Somethin’ work related. It was about a shipment of bourbon being delayed.”

18. “Um...hehh.....wh-why would I have one? Or er, share it?” She looks a little nervous, and maybe a little in denial.

19. “I got a singin’ voice that’ll get the listener to do whatever I want! Or, in most cases, what the boss wants me to make them do. When I weaponize it, I can make my opponent do my bidding, fall asleep, or just get lost!”

20. “When I was younger I looked up to an old friend of mine - both metaphorically and literally. She was brave despite her own insecurity. I wonder where she is now....Since then, I’ve come to admire my coworkers, boss, and boyfriend. There’s also Pirouletta, who helped show me the ropes of performing at the casino when I first started out! She has a grace I adore.”

[social-holland]

God Is A Woman

Pairing: Mob!Harrison Osterfield x Reader

Warning: mob stuff, mention of guns, hints of smut 

Summary:  Being the right-hand men and right-hand woman of each other’s rival mobs did not stop Harrison Osterfield and his love from embarking on their affair. Harrison knew what he did was more than dangerous but that couldn't stop him from being with his goddess.

Word count: 1837

A/N: This one shot is basically inspired by my queen Ariana Grande and her new song God Is A Woman. It is also a trial and error. Enjoy.

Smoke was all she could see as she took the first step into the club. Music was blasting from everywhere, bodies were moving on the dancefloor, people intoxicated. There were celebrating the night, life or deals which were completed at the tables.

Her red dress clung perfectly to her body. Her make-up done to the nines, red lips fitting perfectly to her dress and made her Y/E/C eyes pop. Her gun hidden away and strapped at her thigh. She was a woman on her own mission and tonight she would finally fulfil it.

She knew that her boss would not be happy and she couldn't care less for his opinion. He was just another one of useless people who would not make a long term in this business. She, on the other hand, spend her whole life in it. She was born into it. She knew the tricks, the unwritten rules, the ruthlessness. And all of it couldn't hold her back from her mission tonight. She was aware of how dangerous this was. But there was no way back now. Even if she would want to.

As she made her way through the crowd, eyes were following her. One pair of eyes especially, bright blue ones. Never taking them of her figure. The figure he was so familiar with. The one who he had met on multiple occasions and the one who would never leave his mind.

She looked good tonight. Fuck, more than good and he knew that she was aware of it. She did this to him. On Purpose. The red dress, his favourite colour on her, that was so perfect on her beautiful body. Her hair flowing down her back in small waves.

“What the fuck is she doing here?” Another voice took him out of her trance. “She knows to not get into our fucking business.” Harrys voice clear with anger. “Calm down, Harry. We don't need anymore trouble with this mob and I am not interested in another war.” Tom said determinate.

Harrison took the last sip of his glass before standing up. “I will take care of her.” His voice sounded angry and, in some way, he was. She was not supposed to show up here. Bringing them both into trouble.

“Don't kill her, mate. I know you can't stand her but that would make too much of a mess and Ruben is already on my nerves. I don't need another reason for him because you got rid of his right- hand woman.” Were the words that followed him from his best friend and boss. “Didn't plan on it. Just making sure that she knows her place.” And with that he turned around, a smile building on his face.

If they only knew.

He made his way through the crowd. Sliding easily through the dancing people. She was sitting at the bar. Her back turned to him. But before he arrived at her spot, she stood up and left it.

Looking over her shoulder, a little smirk on her lips and her eyes sparkling. This was her game.

She turned and made her way towards the back of the club. Into one of the offices. She knew the club well enough. There would be no interruptions or people in them. Not currently. People were busy in the process of making deals or celebrating them.

She opened one of them and slid into it. The wall painted in a dark grey and a work desk at the end of the room. On the right side a sofa with some chairs next to them. The room smelled like cigarette smoke. Nothing uncommon in this kind of business.

She made her way through the end and leaned against the desk. Waiting for her prize.

He entered the room a few seconds later. Closing the door and leaning against it. His arms folded before his chest. He wore one of his good suits, showing that there should be no trouble tonight. No deaths at least. A perfect poker face. She smiled at him, knowingly. She could see right through him.

- - - - -

For a while none of the two said something. The only thing that could be heard was the music through the door. Looking into each other eyes, never leaving each other’s gaze. The tension slowly building. The desire for the touch of the other person building.

“You just want to play with the fire, darling. Won't you?” Was the first sentence that left his mouth with his thick accent. He made a few steps towards her. “Did you plan this?  She smirked at him. “Good, I like woman with a plan.”

Her word surprised him. “Undress.” His mouth falling open at her first and only words she spoke to him. Her tone making clear that she had the upper hand and wouldn't accept it any other way.

She came slowly towards him. Taking his hands and pushing him towards her. He could smell her flowery scent. “Heard that you were seen with another girl recently and I don't appreciate that, darling.” Her hands playing with his suit jacket and sliding it off him.

“Tom's new flame. Was there to protect her against another threat.” He leaned his forehead against hers, nearly closing the gap between their lips.

“You are fucking mine, baby. You better remember that.” Now taking his chin looking into his blue eyes before placing a chaste kiss on his lips. “If you not learn that, I am going to have to teach you a hard lesson, Harrison John Osterfield.” His mouth falling open once again and staring at her, a little shocked and with admiration.

“You also really bad at listening. Did you not hear me?”  She continued while opening the buttons of his dress shirt. He eagerly took that one of. After placing his gun on the floor, slightly kicking it away. “Does Tom appreciate you not listening? Because I sure don't.” she teased him. “Tom doesn't distract me constantly. But he sure would not like me, having an affair with his enemy right- hand woman.” Harrison provoked.

“Not long and he doesn't have to worry anymore.” She laughed and turned him around, pushing him towards the desk. He opened his belt and pants. Abandoning both at the floor together with his shoes.

“You sure are eager, my love.” She opened the belt that held her gun on her thigh and put both on the desk. “You know how to turn me on, firecracker.” He slid his hands around her thighs. Sliding her dress up and at the same time starting to kiss her. Her hands found his hair, tucking at it. He groaned into the kiss.

He took her, lifting her up and sat her on the desk, music still bouncing from the wall, lips pressed against each other and deepening the kiss. Forgetting their surrounding, losing themselves in each other’s touches. Continuing their game. She always in charge and taking over him.

It was her game, claiming him and he gladly let her. He was losing himself into her. He was totally hers and had no problem giving her the power. She was his queen….

- - - - -

Both were tangled into each other. Even long after they were fished. Foreheads pressed against each other, eyes never leaving the other one and consuming their significant others scent. Both looked peaceful and content. They took what they could, at least for the moment. It was all their had before their paths would split until the next meet up.  

He tightened his touch around her with his one hand. The other one going through her hair one last time. Both pressing one last chaste kiss against each other before getting up.

They knew their time was up. No words needed. If they stayed longer, things would get suspicious and nobody wanted to take that risk. They knew what it meant if their secret would be revealed.

One last look, one last touch and she left the office.

- - - - -

He left a few minutes later.

But before being able to go back and being with his mates. He needed to leave the club for a moment. In the need to sort his thoughts out, calm down and having a cigarette.

Harrison opened the back door and entered the dark alley. Lighting the cigarette and leaning against a wall. His mind with her. His queen. For a moment, he thought he was alone.

That was until a figure came from the shadows. The brown curls familiar. His face expressionless.

“Don't play with the fire, Haz.” The voice icy.

“I don't know what you are talking about...”

”You are aware. Don't sell me as stupid. You forgot I grew up with that firecracker.” Tom interrupted him.

He took another pull of his cigarette. Harrison got nervous for a moment. Everything depended on Toms reaction now. If he saw his relationship to his woman as threat than Harrison would be dead in seconds and she would be dealt with later.

He took all the courage he had and looked into his best mate’s face. “ So what do you want to tell me, Thomas?” He spat.

“First of all ,...” Thomas raised his gun out his jacket. “I approve of this, whatever you two playing but…” And with that he threw his best mate against the wall. “If you go behind my back again. You're dead. I don' appreciate or approve of treason. Clear?” His gun now on Harrisons head. The two men looked at each other for a while. Tension between the two childhood friends building before Harrison said “Crystal clear.” His voice just as icy as Toms moments before. He got the message.

“Especially by my best mate. How could you think for a second that I wouldn't be able to see through you, you div.” Both men looked into each other eyes before starting to laugh. Nothing could break them.

“Can't believe that you are whipped by someone like her.”

“Shut up, Mate. Not everybody likes the shy ones, like you.” Harrison smiled.

“You know, I heard about her plans.” Tom got serious for a second. “Let her know that we will support her if she wants it. I don't want another war with Ruben and can't wait to get rid of him.”

“I will.” Harrison ensured his friend.

“I hope, mate. But you know she is a feisty one and an alliance with her could be good for all of us. Especially you.”  Tom looked at his friend for a while before putting his gun back where it belonged.

He put his hand on his mates shoulder, squeezing it before going back inside the club.

Harrison stayed behind, his mind with her again. Tom was right. She is fierce. She is also his and he would help her to archive this task. She was born to be a queen and not a right-hand woman.

And he would do everything in his power for her to become the goddess she already was in his eyes.

-     tagged: @tomhollanduniverse

[louisfeatharry]

* newly added fics to my fic rec page as of 10/04/17 (30 fics in total) all fics are larry unless specified otherwise • more recent recs

✨ indicates favorites of mine!

a love like legend by butterflylungs (2k) [au, ou, soulmates, angst]

Harry and Louis are soulmates destined to lose each other.

All this Delusion in our Heads by mmaree (30k) [ziam, au, amnesia, neighbors/roommates, exes to lovers, angst]

the one where Zayn contracts amnesia, Liam has regrets, and the entire universe conspires against them…until it doesn’t.

✨ cupid’s defence by rhuubarb (116k) [au, fantasy & supernatural, slow burn, fluff]

In which Harry is Cupid, Louis and Liam own a law firm, and they're all getting sued.

Even When We Fight by threeturn (30k) [lirry, au, university AU, enemies to lovers]

University AU. Liam's the star of the debating society until Harry shows up and steals the spotlight. Meanwhile, Niall's in love, Zayn lives while he's young, and Louis looks after his friends.

✨ Every Story Has Its Scars, Ours Is a Brand New Start by Rearviewdreamer (57k) [au, hurt/comfort, kid fic, secret relationship, angst]

Life as a devoted husband and an amazing father turned out to be a little different than Louis had expected. Everyone tells him it doesn't have to be that way; that he's worth more and that he's so much stronger than any one person trying to keep him down. It's all just words though until he meets the one person who makes him truly believe it.

Golden Like Sands of Time by afirethatcannotdie (51k) [au, summer, fluff]

AU. Harry and Zayn are spending the summer on an island, and there's a plethora of booze and bonfires and boys. Or in Harry's case, just one boy.

Green Eyes (I’d Run Away With You) by salem (31k) [lirry, au, university AU]

After a frenzied party results in an accidental switch up of phones, Liam and Harry welcome each other temporarily into their lives as they casually chat about meeting up to switch back. It’s not hard to get to know each other while they wait, but when what should have been an innocent blip in each of their lives turns into months of endless texting, meddlesome friends, pot noodles, too much Shakespeare, and plenty of confusions, their feelings are put to the test.

Heaven’s Just Begun by sweetlullabies (35k) [au, fluff]

Harry is wholly convinced he's quite literally a sad excuse for a young adult, but this doesn't seem to stop the "boy next door" from developing the world's biggest crush on him.

✨ Hiding Out in the Kitchen by LittleMousling (28k) [au, famous/nonfamous, coming out, friends to lovers, fluff]

Harry's in an internationally famous boyband with his three best mates, he gets laid on a pretty regular basis, and he's headed to Australia in a week. He doesn't need anything else, and he certainly doesn't need a boyfriend. If this nice guy he met in a coffeeshop wants to date him, great—but that's all it is. Right?

✨ Homegrown by casuallyhl (51k) [au, friends to lovers, fluff]

a gardening AU where Harry is new to town and the newest volunteer at the local gardening club, Louis is the attractive grandson of one of the members, and the nosy volunteers hatch a plan to get them together.

It’s All Brand New Because of You by supernope (16k) [au, summer, fluff]

Louis starts a new job as a summer camp counselor at the local aquarium and Harry is a biologist who really likes teaching people about the ocean.

left all the stars in your city nights by petals (23k) [lirry, au, university AU, secret relationship, coming out]

“He’s got a roommate?” Niall asks, frowning.

“Yeah, but he usually only hangs out with grad students. I mean, it’s a smart plan all things considered. I think there’s like a rule that all graduate students have to TA, so like, it probably helps him with his grades or something. I don’t know. I’ve met him a few times but Zayn swears he’s great," Louis explains.

Liam nods, taking another drink from his glass, turning in time to see Zayn. He smiles at him but his smile falls immediately when Harry steps out from behind him, standing there smirking at Liam. He remembers him, obviously. They just fucked last night.

Fuck.

Liam’s screwed.

living love in slow motion by jmcats (39k) [ziam, au, growing up together, friends to lovers, pining, coming out, fluff]

they've been tucked into each other's side since they were five years old... and Liam's been a little in love with that and much more since then

Manifest Destiny by Anonymous (15k) [au, historical, friends with benefits, fluff]

Louis is a Pony Express rider and Harry runs a station along the trail.

never mind the odds (i’m gonna try my luck) by spit_on_me_larry (64k) [au, enemies to lovers, pining]

Louis Tomlinson is going to be the journalistic voice of his generation. He’s just waiting for his editor to realize it. For now, he’s stuck writing fluff pieces for the Life and Style section of London Now Newspaper.

His latest assignment is more of the same rubbish: a profile of Harry Styles, plastic surgeon and one of London’s most eligible bachelors. Louis is intent on writing something smart and biting and unexpected; if it makes Harry look like an idiot, that’s just the price of good journalism. That is, until Louis gets to know Harry and realizes he might be kind of perfect.

Featuring Louis as a writer/workaholic, Harry as a plastic surgeon with a heart of gold, Zayn and Niall as Louis’ colleagues and long-suffering best mates, and Liam as everyone’s favorite pediatric surgeon and Harry’s right-hand man.

No Place Without You by fackinglouis (19k) [au, neighbors/roommates, pining, university AU]

Harry's in love with life and he's in love with the world.

Louis' in love with Harry and he doesn't think there's anyway he can possibly compete.

A Wanderlust AU in which Harry doesn't have a permanent home and stays with Louis when he visits NYC.

Pyar dhosti hai (Love is friendship) by backonefish (39k) [au, road trip & travel, angst, pining, fluff, friends to lovers]

When Zayn and Harry's thesis project hits a snag, they feel a bit hopeless. Liam's just gotten out of a relationship. Louis is stuck wondering if Harry will ever open his eyes. And Niall's still searching.

This is a story of love and friendship. Of five boys who travel to India on a quest to find themselves and each other.

Ridiculous by scottmcniceass (24k) [ziam, au, high school AU, enemies to lovers, neighbors/roommates]

They are every cliched high school story. The jock and the rebel. The popular boy and the outsider. They shouldn't fit, and they definitely shouldn't work, but they sort of do anyways.

Sonnets Behind the Flame by jmcats (55k) [au, high school AU, road trip & travel, enemies to lovers]

Liam has been anticipating a weekend away at Louis' family's cabin for years. It's nothing but wilderness, bonfires, football, his best mates, alcohol, and an escape from their last year in Sixth Form. Oh, and Niall has invited Harry Styles and Zayn Malik along. The same Zayn who's a complete prick to Liam's mates. The same Zayn that Liam has spent so many years hating, he doesn't know the reasons anymore.

Suddenly, Liam doesn't think this is such a brilliant idea after all.

The Summertime, The Butterflies, All Belong To Your Creation by PumpkinspiceLou (11k) [au, kid fic, fluff]

When Louis decides to help out a lost little girl at the park, he never expected it would lead him to finding his home.

these wings (are made to fly) by orphan_account (35k) [au, friends to lovers, pining, fluff]

Despite the fact that he’s good at his job, Louis’ problem is that he’s constantly on the move and puts everyone else’s needs before his own. Add probationary crew member Harry Styles into the mix, and Louis is definitely in trouble. Flight attendant AU, minus the mile high club.

this relationship we’re staging by dancesongsoul, lookatyourchoices (44k) [au, pining, fluff]

West End AU in which Louis is a former Royal Shakespeare Company actor looking for his way back to the top, Harry is an actor best known for his work in unknown bits of experimental theatre and being the darling of London's new age theatre scene, and Simon Cowell is the renowned director who brings the two of them together.

to feel your heart as it’s keeping time by wearecities (36k) [lirry, au, bakery AU, fluff]

Harry owns a bakery, Niall and Louis are sickeningly in love, Zayn hates clip-art and Liam’s the only one that laughs at Harry’s jokes.

✨ Two Steps Behind by sacredheart (38k) [au, growing up together, high school AU, pining, fluff, angst]

Louis is two years younger than his neighbors, Harry, Liam, Niall, and Zayn, and he grows up bending over backwards to get their attention and acceptance. Especially Harry's.

✨ we may fall (but we get up again) by jmcats (58k) [ziam, au, weddings, movie AU, enemies to lovers, fluff]

a 27 Dresses AU where Liam is everyone's favorite best man and he just might be madly in love with his boss ... and maybe with an arrogant writer who hates weddings as much as Liam loves them, too

we were boxing the stars by justaboat (30k) [lirry, au, university AU, sports, summer, friends to lovers, friends with benefits, pining]

au. liam and harry play football and their feelings have a bad habit of getting in the way.

✨ what this world is about by isntrio (34k) [au, high school AU, secret relationship, historical/past setting, angst]

An eighties American high school AU; there are first times, football games, and feelings.

Alternatively titled: the beginning.

wild card (nobody, nobody) by dramaturgicallycorrect (30k) [lirry, au, sports, movie AU, sports, fluff]

Harry is Britain’s Best Chance and Liam is a wild card at the Championships, Wimbledon.

you could be my cure by jmcats (41k) [ziam, au, university AU, fluff, prose]

Nothing about Zayn is traditional, especially not the way he falls in love with Liam, or everything before and after that

Yours Faithfully, Friend by badjujuboo (20k) [lirry, au, famous/nonfamous, exes to lovers, pining]

Small gigs turned into larger ones, radio interviews turned into playing on Chatty Man and that Irish program where Niall was treated like a superstar. It got to the stage where even Liam couldn't remember the last full week he'd spent in their home. Harry tried to be there, but it wasn't as if he could come out to every show. The last few times when he would have been able to because they were playing close, Harry'd had exams and Liam understood why Harry couldn'tcome along. He did. Even if it hurt to look up and not see Harry mouthing along to the words, doing his dumb dance moves at the front of the crowd. He just wanted Harry to himself, was all. It was irrational to be annoyed that Harry couldn't be there all the time, no matter how much Liam wanted him to be.

Love is easy, relationships are not. Somewhere along the line, Liam forgot that.

[itbeajen]

Swapped | Game!AU

Companion piece to Omorfos Kosmo

Studying is not efficient in groups. It never was, and perhaps it never will be. You absolutely hated studying in groups. It was even more annoying when the person who had asked your for help decided to let his volleyball teammates tag along. You understood how hard it was to book a study room in the library, but you didn't think he was going to bring so many people with him. You sighed for the nth time as you idly scrolled through your laptop as you listened to them squabble over the correct English term. "For the last time, I'm telling you that's not how you use that word in English." "No! But if you read the definitions, it makes sense!" "Goshiki, Shirabu, don't be so loud in the library," Semi sighed yet again. He glanced over at you. A part of him felt bad that they had invaded the study room you managed to book. Although you had already consented to it prior to the volleyball players knowing you'd be there, he still felt a twinge of guilt as you had purposely sat at the very corner of the room in order to not disturb them. It wasn't as though you didn't know them, you surely did, after all, you were one of the candidates for the manager position. But you had ultimately ended up choosing your own club activities over volleyball, much to the disappointment of Tendou and Goshiki, both of them know you can play volleyball after all. "[F/N]-chan," Tendou cooed your name, and Semi watches in amusement when your face scrunches up in annoyance and you unwillingly remove an earbud. "Yes, Tendou-senpai?" "You can speak English right? Help us on correcting our grammar." "Senpai..." you sighed, "I'm not your tutor, I'm helping Tsutomu-kun."

You purposely say his name loud enough for him to hear you from the other end of the room and you raise your eyebrows at him. He gulped and muttered, "Excuse me, Shirabu-senpai." The setter watched with a smug smirk as you went over his worksheets and you give him a thin smile, "Why is it that you're still messing up the same stuff I taught you just a few moments ago?" "Shirabu-senpai said I was wrong on those parts! I told him I wasn't and-" Goshiki stops complaining though when he sees your narrow your eyes at the setter. Something about him always rubbed you in the wrong way, maybe it was because he was so blatantly rude sometimes, or just blunt. Too blunt. You rolled your eyes, unknowingly doing it right at him before turning back to Goshiki. "Here, if you do this..." Shirabu's smug smirk fades away upon seeing your attitude. Semi watched as the second year setter basically regarded you the same way he would to Goshiki; annoying, troublesome, meddlesome - those are just some of the words he'd probably use. But when Goshiki leaves your small little tutoring island, he seems a bit happier, his steps lighter as he revises yet another English assignment. But you appeared a bit more tired, as though tutoring Goshiki was literally draining the energy out of you. I just wanna go home and play Omorfos already. You pouted as you idly scrolled through your laptop again. You were expressionless as you read over notes and watched video lectures on certain topics that were stumping you. Tendou was seated in front of you, not bothering you, but clearly doing his work and occasionally asking you to revise his English. Which didn't make much sense to Semi, because last time he checked, Tendou was the best of the third years in that subject. "Ne, [F/N]-chan," Tendou asked and you looked up from your notebook, adorably tilting your head to one side, "Do you play any games?" Almost immediately, Semi sighed and muttered, "Why would she play games? She's a straight A student and she's in choir." "I do," you responded, taking everyone by surprise. It was no secret that the entire volleyball team played MMORPG's together, and it was definitely no secret that they slowly dragged the other sports in Shiratorizawa to join them. Tendou's eyes lit up with mischief and curiosity and he asked, "What kind?!" "Handhelds," you responded. Not a lie, but certainly not the whole truth. You give him a small smile, and asked, "Why do you ask, Tendou-senpai?" "Mmm, I thought it'd be neat if you joined us in playing a new MMORPG." "A new one?" you parroted. You were pretty sure you knew which one he was talking about though. You've heard Goshiki excitedly talking about it once and you almost choked on your lunch that day. You were forever grateful that no one besides Kenma and Tsukishima knew of your gaming habits. I can't even imagine how the volleyball dorks would respond if they knew I played Omorfos as well. Tendou nodded eagerly, and he said, "It's called Omorfos Kosmo. It's a pretty new MMORPG, it's pretty fun! There's like five different classes and the gameplay is really cool too! There's like-" "Let her study, Tendou." Ushijima cuts in. He glances at you and you blink in surprise. Huh, he hasn't said a word all day now that I think about it. Must be really into studying. "But Wakatoshi! If she can't be our manager, wouldn't it be neat if she could play games with us and be our strategist?!" "But I'm the current strategist," Shirabu muttered and Tendou laughed, "Not for long. I gather intel at a much faster rate than you do." Shirabu frowned and he muttered, "That's because you have that one mercenary friend of yours." "Oh yeah, Ying is the absolute best, she's even helping me master crafting!" Tendou exclaimed happily. You stared at him in slight shock, although you were desperately hoping none of that was being portrayed. Hold. On. The person I'm helping with crafting is... Guess. No way, that means... You wanted to hit yourself in the face. I should have known that there was something overly familiar with him. Oh my god, and I've been so rude to just call him Guess... Wait, but there's no honorifics in that game anyways. "[F/N]-chan?" Tendou called your name again and you finally snapped out of your thoughts and you looked at him, properly, this time and he smirked, "What's wrong?" Immediately your face scrunched up in disgust and you muttered, "Nothing, you're distracting me from studying, Tendou-senpai." "But [F/N]-chan!!" "Tendou, leave her alone, she clearly feels uncomfortable," Semi finally spoke up. The look of relief that flashed across your features did not go unnoticed by the former main setter and he gives you a small smile which you returned tenfold. Tendou pouted as he made his way over to Semi, "But Semi-Semi, it's so fun teasing [F/N]-chan." "She was clearly uncomfortable," Semi repeats with a sigh. He'd never understand Tendou.

Ying: You're in a good mood today Guess. Guess: Ololo, you can tell? Ying: Yes, you've been singing into the voice chat for the past hour. Guess: You should sing with me. Let me hear your lovely voice Ying! Ying: I don't have a mic, so nope. I'll just deal with listening to you. You watched as Tendou's character jumped around randomly as he bothered other people in town by running around them in circles. You stared at your computer screen, a part of you was too tired to do any real training, but another part of you really wanted to figure out that AI for the new raid boss. Guess has entered the voice chat. "Ying," Tendou called your in game name softly, and you were surprised by the tone of his voice. It was always so loud and, if you could describe it as such, eccentric that this soft tone was something you weren't used to. Ying: What? "Can you confirm for me that you're a female?" Ying: . . . Ying: I am. --" "I mean, well," Tendou sheepishly laughed, "My guild mates don't believe me." Ying: Geez, what do you want me to do? "I don't know, talk to me." You hesitated and looked at your mic and then typed in, But no mic. "Yingggg, I want confirmation," Tendou whined. You laughed, and quickly retorted, You won't lose anything if you don't get confirmation though. "Well, no," Tendou sighed, "Is it weird if I told you I'd like to meet you in person?" Ying: Yes. Ying: Sorry Guess. Ying: >< I'm just not comfortable with that. "I guess I crossed the boundary limits, huh?" he chuckled and he asked, "What am I allowed to know then?" Ying: I'm a first year in high school somewhere in Japan. "Oh? So you're younger." Ying: Should I call you senpai? "Ew, no," Tendou laughed, "I like it how it is. Just calling each other by our names." Ying: Haha, okie. Well, I have dinner, I'll talk to you later Guess. "Bye bye Ying." You logged off the voice chat, completely shutting off your laptop in the process as you threw on your Shiratorizawa jacket, only to pause. You looked at your hands, noticing the jacket was much longer than you last remembered and you blinked. So did I shrink? Or did my jacket grow? You flailed your arms around and looked around your dorm room. Mm, but too lazy to fish out another jacket. This is probably one of the volleyball members. You gently took it off and inspected it, and you nodded upon noticing there was no choir logo on it. Oh yeah, definitely a volleyball member's. Oh well, I'm sure I'll run into Goshiki at the dining hall. "That's not your sweater," a dorm mate commented as they passed by you. You pout and you shoved your hands awkwardly into the pockets. You were wearing a mere black tshirt and gym shorts underneath and you sighed, "I know, I probably mixed it up at the study session earlier today." "Well, good luck finding your sweater." "Thanks," you muttered as you made your way towards the dining hall.

"Ara? What'd you do to your jacket, Shirabu?" "It's. Not. Mine," he muttered in between bites. It was one of the rare times the entire volleyball team grabbed dinner together, and of course, Shirabu's jacket went missing. The jacket he currently had on him was a bit too small for him. His entire arm wasn't covered, with the skin just before his wrist exposed, and of course, the embroidery of "Soprano" was listed on the right shoulder. He had originally worn it all day until someone in his dorm had pointed out that they never knew Shirabu had a girlfriend, let alone one in choir. The poor boy was so flustered and confused, it wasn't until he took it off that he realized it wasn't his. Goshiki sat down, and his eyes widened, "Isn't that [L/N]'s jacket?" "Is it?" Shirabu asked as he raised his arms. He didn't bother taking it off though, the air conditioning was too strong to take it off. Goshiki nodded and he said, "I need to tell her, she's been bothering me about it since she noticed." Shirabu raised an eyebrow and asked, "Does that mean she has mine?"

Let's see... Tsutomu said that he's eating near the back with the volleyball members... I was planning on getting just a to-go box and leaving right after, but... you stared at your sleeves. Yeah I guess I'll have to return this and hope they have my jacket. You quickly dialed up his number, waiting for him to answer, but was instead met with a slightly different voice. "Hello?" you cautiously asked, and the person responded, "Oh, Goshiki went to grab more food, and left his phone here. We're sitting at the very back." "Oh... uhm, okay," you dully responded, extremely confused with what just happened. On the other end, Semi places the phone down, and looks up as Goshiki comes back, "[L/N] called." "Ah! She did!? Did you tell her where we are?" Goshiki asked as he frantically pulled up your name on his messenger. He sees Semi nod and he lets out a breath of relief. "Oh thank god, I was worried that-" "Tsutomu," your voice cuts him off, and the entire volleyball team is staring at the way the jacket hung off you loosely, and you glanced around, "Do you know whose-" "That's mine," Shirabu muttered from behind you. He had also went to grab more food and you turned around, only to be face-to-face face to chest with the setter. You took a step back, and you glanced at him and your eyes widened, "Ah, that's my jacket!" "Yes, I figured as much," he responded as he placed his food down. He shrugged the jacket off and handed it over, "Here." You nod, gently taking his off and passing it to him in exchange for yours and you muttered your thanks. You slipped on your jacket and you mumble as you glance at the sleeve, "It's a bit longer now." Shirabu flushed pink and looked away, and you teased, "I wonder why." "Sh-shut up!" Your laughter shocked most of the team and you waved a lazy good-bye, "I'll see you guys around. Good luck on your future matches." "You should come watch us [F/N]-chan!" Tendou smiled lazily and you turned back, flashing them a quick smile, "Maybe I will." Bonus: "What's wrong [F/N]? You've been pulling at your jacket sleeves for a while now," your dorm mate asked as she sat down to eat with you. She noticed your cheeks were slightly pink and she teased, "Oh? Did something happen with Tsutomu-san?" Almost immediately, the pink tinge was gone and you blanched, "Oh my god. No. Tsutomu is like my brother, what in the world?" "Then?" she asked and pointed her spoon at you, "You've been acting kind of weird since you got your jacket back. What's wrong?" "No it just..." you hesitate and shook your head, "It's nothing." Your friend frowns and sighs, "Okay, whatever. I'll let you off this time." You gratefully smiled at her, but every time you brought your hand back up you couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed. God damn it, I kind of like the sleeves longer now.

"Shirabu," Ushijima called their setter's name with hints of concern laced in it. The copper haired setter looked at him in surprise and the captain asked, "Are you feeling okay?" "Yes, why?" "Your face is all red!" Tendou teased and continued, "Is it because of-" "It's not!" Shirabu furiously denied it. But he couldn't help but admit, that his jacket did smell slightly nicer for the rest of that evening.

[bombshellinfo]

Real life Tips for a Better Work-Life Balance

It's so secret—managing all the things you have to do as an adult is a challenge. From doing your best on the job to taking care of yourself (and, if you have them, your kids) to trying to see friends and stay sane, we know you've got a lot on your plate.And while it's up for debate whether you can "have it all," you certainly ought to be able to balance everything you've got and live a happy, fulfilling life. To help you out in that pursuit, we've gathered some of the best advice out there on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Read the tips below, and start implementing some of them today.

Managing Your Time

1. The most game-changing advice I’ve gotten is this: If you’re truly going to act on your priorities, you need to dedicate time to them. So, I took a weekly calendar and some crayons, and mapped out my priorities to create a “typical” week, with time dedicated to each of my priorities: exercise, work, family time, and so forth. I started with the “big rocks:” the most important and least flexible responsibilities (I learned this trick from Stephen Covey). For me, these were work and my children’s sports schedules. Then, I decided when I get my best work done. For example, I knew that my job required time for “deep-thinking” work, so I dedicated one day per week to be meeting-free. Alix Hughes2. One of the biggest struggles is fitting it all in to 24 hours. Waking up at 4 AM gives me extra hours in the day, and this quiet time allows me to complete projects before the house wakes up. Hannah Morgan3. To make time for hobbies, passions, and relationships outside of work, I've made sure to have a short version of what I'd ideally love to do for busy weeks. I'd rather have a nice long dinner with a friend if I can, but during a busy week, catching a 45-minute coffee during the day is better than not seeing friends at all. I love biking, but it requires more time than I have most weeks, so I've picked up running (reluctantly), since I can do it when I just have 20 minutes. Alex Cavoulacos @dailymuse reduce or eliminate multi-tasking. Be where you are!— kylie sachs (@tismoi) November 24, 20135. Instead of multi-tasking, I look for ways to overlap things. Best example: When my kids were little, I had no time for hobbies, but I was dying to try birdwatching. So I introduced it to my seven-year old son, thinking he might like it, too. He was hooked, and so we started doing birdwatching together. It became the perfect overlap of time together with a hobby for me. Kate White6. We need to elongate the time frame upon which we judge the balance in our life, but we need to elongate it without falling into the trap of the "I'll have a life when I retire, when my kids have left home, when my wife has divorced me, my health is failing, I've got no mates or interests left." A day is too short; "after I retire" is too long. There's got to be a middle way. Nigel Marsh

Taking Time for You

7. It's important to remember that free time doesn't have to be available time. In other words, just because Wednesday night is empty on your calendar, doesn't mean you have to say "yes" when your co-worker asks you to go to an event with her. It’s important to remind yourself that you can turn invitations down for no other reason than you want that time to yourself, that your free time can be just that—free. Erin Greenawald8. When I have a good chunk of time to myself, I sometimes feel obligated to use it to get other things done, like errands or phone calls—but I’ve learned that the only way to use that time to truly reduce my stress level is to do something totally for me. A yoga class or quick burst of exercise is a good method to calm your spinning head, or enjoy some light-hearted TV or an ice cream or coffee date with a friend. You could also spend an hour playing with the puppies at the pet store, indulging in the total silence of a library, or browsing for random treasures at a thrift store. Jessica Taylor9. I block out "me time" in the early evening. Even if I know that I'm going to get back online later and work, I realized that I'm a lot more likely to go to the gym, see friends, or cook myself a real dinner if I give myself 7-9 PM "off" to do those things before getting back online. If I finish all my work first, or even "just do my high priority work"—it's 11 PM before I stop, and I am realistically not going to go to the gym or call anyone up or even cook, I'm just going to finish my work for the night and crash. Melissa McCreery@dailymuse I use my lunchtime to do some fun stuff - short market/store trips current fave #worklifebalancetips— Kitchenbutterfly (@Kitchnbutterfly) November 23, 201311. Even if I’m feeling busy, I remind myself that time away from work and the computer is energizing and important. Scheduling downtime requires a combination of time management (deciding when else to get the work done), working ahead when possible (so I have more time later), and keeping a to-do list. Miriam Salpeter 

Having a Social Life

12. While you usually reserve fun things for the weekends, plan at least one enjoyable activity during the week. You'll be able to head into your work week with something to look forward to and have a way to blow off some steam if the week starts off too strong. Katie Douthwaite@dailymuse I look for activities that incorporate work and play so I can kill two birds with one stone, such as mixers and networking events — Desirée M. (@ImDesi) November 23, 201314. Schedule recurring social activities, like a monthly book club or weekly dinner with your best friends. By having regular activities like this written into your calendar, you'll be able to plan around them (instead of planning your social life around work).@dailymuse Set times for yourself. If you reserve an evening for plans with friends/family, you'll focus more during the day.— Melanie Albert (@melealbert) November 24, 2013

Managing Work

16. You’ll be hard pressed to find a boss who will object too much to you working on your off hours (unless she’s required to by law), but that same boss will be just as impressed if you can do the work in the eight (OK, 10) hours each day you’re there already. Make the most of the time you have in the office, and leave the rest for tomorrow. Jennifer Winter17. If you start telling people you need to leave at a certain time, you’ll be much more likely to do so. Make the commitment to yourself, and then share it with others: As you discuss plans and assignments throughout the day, tell your colleagues, “I’ve got to be out of here on time tonight, so if you need something, let me know by 3 PM.” Try this method one day, then another, and then the next. Eventually, you’ll retrain your colleagues to expect you to leave on time every day. Lea McLeod18. Ever find yourself staying at work because you don't have a reason not to? Make reasons to leave. Join groups or sign up for exercises classes that meet after work so you have to sign out at a reasonable hour. Make plans with friends ahead of time so you can't back out and just stick around the office.@dailymuse Methods of #renewal(meditation) coupled with finding projects in the work environment that are #enjoyable help maintain balance— Paul A. Mabelis (@CognitiveLibert) November 23, 201320. You have to plan when you'll leave the office from the beginning of the day. That means understanding what needs to get done for the day and getting it done first so you aren't scrambling after hours to finish up. Also, block out the last 20 minutes before you plan to leave to wrap up loose ends, so you aren't trying to send "one more email" after you were already supposed to head out of the office.21. Sometimes when you feel surrounded by work, it’s because, well, you’re surrounding yourself with work. So, be deliberate about taking time before work, after work, or on your lunch break to step away from the office. Call your significant other, your mom, or your best friend, and ask what’s going on with them, avoiding the temptation to discuss anything even remotely work-related. Your job may be your focus for the rest of the day, but for a few minutes, move it to the back burner and focus on something (anything) else. Sara McCord22. Consider some highlights of your perfect day. What would you really enjoy doing? What’s absolutely necessary for you to get done? Identify what tools or extras would make the mandatory work easier to complete. Aromatherapy while you grade papers? A powerful run? Figure out what can help you, and build it into your day. Natalie Jesionka

Enjoying Weekends and Vacation

23. Instead of saving all of your life chores for Sunday, get them out of the way as soon as possible, either by doing them first thing Saturday morning or dispersing them throughout the week. That way, instead of spending your last few hours of free time on Sunday night scrubbing the bathtub, you'll be able to fill it with something fun and relaxing. Katie Douthwaite24. Carve out some time on the weekends—at least a few hours, but ideally a whole day—to stay away from screens. Put your computer and phone away and turn off the TV, then do something physical or creative that you really love. Go for a run. Draw. Write. Your mind will be a little more refreshed and a little sharper by the end of it.25. I always faced a double-edged sword on the weekends: I loved the feeling of being ahead on Monday morning if I worked during the weekend, but I hated the feeling of losing any of my precious weekend to work. Then, I started doing some of the more mindless work on my plate while I watched a movie on Sunday nights. I still felt like I got a full weekend, but felt ahead of the game come Monday morning. Erin Greenawald@dailymuse Using my vacation time! For me traveling is relaxing and mentally enriching. I come back to work happier and more focused.— Brandi Kolmer (@brandikolmer) November 23, 201327. The nature of many jobs is that there will never be an easy time to take time off, no matter how well you plan for it in advance. But that's no reason to not go at all. It's in your employer's best interests to have well-rested and recharged employees, and vacation time is a benefit that you've earned, just like salary, so you should use it. So instead of waiting for the perfect time—which may never come along—decide that you will use your vacation time this year, and make the question one of what accommodations should be made, rather than whether accommodations can be made. Alison Green28. Before you leave for vacation, ask your boss if she expects you to check emails or listen to voice messages while you’re gone. While it’s often necessary to stay at least a little connected, make sure you proactively set some boundaries. Feel free to let your boss know that you’ll only be able to check your phone and email occasionally—say, once a day, or a few times a week. Most bosses will be fine if you only respond to critical messages until after you return to the office. Lynze Wardle Lenio29. If you don't have enough PTO to take a full vacation, try taking a day off here and there for a stay-cation or long weekend. It may not seem like much, but taking just a day or two to break out of the 9-to-5 grind can do wonders.

Making Time for Family

30. There is a phrase used by Hillary Clinton that stems from an African proverb: “It takes a village.” And it does! Getting comfortable with others lending you a hand helps not only to give you comfort that your kids are in good hands, but it helps take the stress away. I chose to have live-in help because I had an unpredictable schedule, lots of travel, late hours, and evening entertaining, and I couldn’t have someone who had to look at the clock or bus schedule. But no matter what type of babysitter, nanny, or daycare choices you make, accepting that you just cannot do it all, single-handedly, is the key. Cathie Black31. When my baby was five months old, my husband and I decided to sleep train him (which basically meant letting him cry it out for three nights in a row). Those nights were extremely hard, but the upside has been nothing short of amazing. Not only do I know that each night from 7:30 PM to 6:30 AM I'll have time to do whatever I want—eat dinner with my husband, catch up on email, watch House of Cards—but our son is so much more rested and in all around better spirits. I know sleep training can be controversial, but as a working parent, I have no doubt it was one of the best things I've done for myself, my relationship, and my baby. Dorothy McGivney32. If you or your parenting partner is able to web-surf at work, use your downtime to set up auto-ship services for the essentials: diapers, toilet paper, paper towels, and so on. Services like Amazon Prime and Diapers.com sell these items on the cheap, and they’ll be delivered to your door with free shipping. Rikki Rogers33. Flexible hours enabled by technology can allow parents to perform well at their jobs and take care of young children at the same time. If you're an employee, talk with your boss about how working from home could boost your productivity, remembering to share some specific examples of how your work will improve. Richard Branson

Getting Chores Done

34. Make your grocery run as efficient as possible by making a list coordinated to aisles or store sections. Take advantage of coupon apps (many grocery stores have them). And if the whole family has to come along, get everyone involved: If you can walk, you can shop. Rikki Rogers35. By doing my least favorite chore at the beginning of each week, it feels entirely more manageable, not to mention frees me of the burden throughout the rest of my week. The feeling of work burnout tends to increase as the week moves forward, so by frontloading your work week evenings with your least favorite tasks, you can reserve the more enjoyable work night activities for the end of the week. Monday is for laundry, Tuesday is for vacuuming and bills, Wednesday is for dry cleaning, Thursday is for a DVR marathon. And so on. Rachell Buell36. When trying to fit more in, minimize the amount of time doing anything you have to do. Try setting a goal to have dinner ready in 30 minutes or less. You'd be surprised how many things can be cooked in 25-30 minutes, and it's a surefire way of getting time back several times a week. Bonus points for cooking several meals' worth on Sunday night and only having five minutes of reheat time.37. Get creative with what chores you can outsource (and therefore avoid!). There are plenty of services out there that will take care of your least favorite tasks for you, from cleaning and cooking to laundry and shopping. Check out our list of tasks to outsource now to get you started Read the full article

[gamingtipsandtrickshacks]

A (brief) history of PlayStation football • Eurogamer.net

Wesley Yin-Poole

Deputy Editor

@wyp100

Last night, following Manchester United's 3-0 Champions League group game victory against Basel, manager Jose Mourinho expressed his anger at the way his side had played.

The demanding Portuguese said his players played with too much confidence and, well, took the piss a bit.

"We were playing fantasy football, PlayStation football, flicks," Mourinho said. "I don't like it. We gambled a little bit, but football is football and you have to respect your opponent.

"I don't know if goal difference will play a part. We lost position, our shape, we lost balls in easy situations. I didn't like it, the players relaxed too much."

While Mourinho's comments come across as a tad harsh, he's not the first manager to blast his players for playing "PlayStation football". In fact, the Premier League and PlayStation have a bit of a history.

Mourinho's latest jibe got me thinking about other times PlayStation has come up in real-world football. My list includes multiple references to Sony's console - some hilarious, some ridiculous and some downright pointless. But throughout it all remember this: the thing about Arsenal is, they always try to walk it in.

Gary Neville versus David Luiz, aka David Lolz

Regular readers may be aware that I'm a Chelsea fan. I also love David Luiz to bits. But even I can see angry pundit Gary Neville had a point when he likened Luiz's performance in Chelsea's November 2011 defeat at Liverpool to "being controlled by a 10-year-old on a PlayStation".

The flamboyant Brazilian defender is like that. He's about as PlayStation a footballer you can get. He often does incredible things (that free kick against Liverpool, for example), but every now and then he makes a mistake that costs us a goal. But the Bridge would be a poorer place without him. In fact it was, while Luiz played for PSG for a bit.

In any case, Luiz is no longer the PlayStation footballer he was. Under Antonio Conte and in a 3-5-2 formation, he's become one of the best defenders in the league. So now he's just a bit mad and also very very good, which is ideal.

Anyway, here's the inevitable Gary Neville backtrack.

Roy Hodgson versus Wayne Rooney

Back in August 2013, then England boss Roy Hodgson (who's now managing Crystal Palace somehow) warned Wayne Rooney not to chat to left back Ashley Cole about a rumoured move from Manchester United to Chelsea while playing... PlayStation.

Hodgson, in his infinite wisdom, didn't want England players thinking about anything other than performing terribly for England. So, he ordered they leave their club rivalries at the main gates and ignore the conversations around the PlayStation, which it seems is the football version of the water cooler.

"I don't know whether it's nave, but Ashley Cole and Wayne are quite close friends and I'm sure David Moyes knows that as well," Hodgson said.

"If they aren't speaking in the hotel they will be speaking on the phone. I do accept a duty of care and I will try to make it clear to the players of Manchester United and Chelsea that they will be with England now.

"As far as we're concerned you can speak as much as you like to each other, but during these two or three days this is about England versus Scotland and the matches beyond that.

"I don't expect anybody for one minute to fracture their concentration from what's important.

"Both David Moyes and Jose Mourinho have been very supportive and fully understand my position."

In the end, Rooney stayed at Manchester United. Didn't help David Moyes much, though.

Petr Cech versus Rock Band

Here's an odd one. Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech loves playing the drums. He even has his own YouTube channel in which he, yep, plays the drums. And he's pretty good! But did you know he got into playing the drums after ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini introduced him to Rock Band on PlayStation? Here's the quote:

"I never played any instrument before and I never had a music lesson or anything like that. But then once with Carlo Cudicini we played Rock Band on the PlayStation and I jumped on the drums without ever playing it before.

"I had so much fun and realised how much I enjoyed it because I love music in general. I was always listening to music but I realised that actively participating in the song you enjoy listening to was even better.

"Then he told me to get the digital drum kit so that I could put the iPod in and play along to songs for fun and relaxation."

Cech reckons playing the drums has made him a better keeper. "You need to find a way to co-ordinate things and, once you learn how to programme your brain to do that, it helps you to co-ordinate even for football," he said.

So there you have it. PlayStation made Petr Cech a better goalkeeper, or something.

Chile versus Lionel Messi

In July 2015, Chile were set to face Argentina in the Copa America final. The problem was, Argentina had Lionel Messi, probably the greatest footballer ever, to contend with. To combat Messi, Chile had their players play on a PlayStation. That's about as detailed as the reports got, but here's the quote from coach Jorge Sampaoli anyway:

"We have a simulation program that uses PlayStation technology and allows players to move the team around the pitch using a joystick. We can tell a player: 'We are going to press in 4-4-2' and the software shows us how that will work against our rival."

Apparently want-away Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez put more hours in than most. It all sounds pretty silly, but whatever went on behind the scenes worked, as Chile won the final in a penalty shootout. That's the true power of PlayStation right there.

Messi's player rating in FIFA 18. Fair enough, really.

Messi versus everyone

While we're on Messi, the Barcelona great is so overpowered, Arsene Wenger once described him as a PlayStation player. In 2014, then Barcelona boss Luis Enrique said Messi did things in training "I have not even seen on the PlayStation".

"He does things in training that I have not even seen... on the PlayStation,' Enrique said with a dramatic pause.

Messi, the quintessential PlayStation footballer. What a legend.

David James versus Tomb Raider

This one's a classic. Back in the mid 90s, England and Liverpool goalkeeper suffered a dip in form that led some to label him "Calamity James". His response? Blame PlayStation.

Specifically, Tomb Raider and Tekken 2, which, James said, had been keeping him up all night - and it was that video game binge that led him to play terribly in a 4-3 victory over Newcastle in 1997.

"I was getting carried away playing Tekken II and Tomb Raider for hours on end," James said. Right mate.

Romelu Lukaku versus a PS3 controller

Romelu Lukaku is known for terrorising defenders, but back in October 2013 he terrorised a PlayStation pad. Why? Because he lost a game of FIFA.

While preparing to take on Aston Villa's defence while playing for Everton, the striker smashed up a PS3 pad after he lost at FIFA 14 to then teammate Kevin Mirallas. He posted a picture of the damaged goods on Instagram. Ouch.

Careful, Lukaku. Those PlayStation controllers cost, what, 30? That's like, 10 seconds of your time or something.

Arsenal versus Norwich

If ever there was a PlayStation goal scored, it was Jack Wilshere's strike against Norwich in 2013.

The goal involved wonderful one-touch passing that bamboozled the Norwich defense and culminated in a first-time caress into the back of the net by the once-full of potential Wilshere. It's a beautiful goal - one of that season's best, and Arsenal through and through.

After the match, Arsenal's German star Mesut Ozil praised his teammates:

"I've got to praise the three players involved for the first goal. It was real 'tiki-taka' - almost like they were playing PlayStation! It was an unbelievable goal."

Chelsea versus Amiga

This one doesn't have anything to do with PlayStation but as a Chelsea fan I had to include it. Back in the day, before Roman Abramovich's billions dragged Chelsea into the big time, before Autoglass and before Coors, we were sponsored by Amiga. Yep, that's right, the Commodore Amiga. The retro 1993/94 Umbro Chelsea shirt is one I still have hanging inside my wardrobe. And around that time I was playing video games on an Amiga, too. An Amiga 1200 in fact. Theme Park, The Secret of Monkey Island, that sort of thing.

Why have I brought this up? A couple of reasons. I wanted our younger readers (we have those, right?) to know that video games and football go back further than PlayStation, and I wanted an excuse to publish this picture of ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Dmitri Kharine, which is quite something.

Got any cool PlayStation meets real football stories? If so, let us know about them in the comments.