#equity trading basics

[zentarablog]

Bulls and Bears: 10 Stock Market Terms Explained Simply

The stock market, with its ebbs and flows, can often feel like a complex beast, full of jargon and seemingly impenetrable concepts. Yet, understanding its fundamental vocabulary is the first step toward demystifying it and engaging with it confidently. Just as a mechanic needs to know the difference between a wrench and a screwdriver, anyone interested in finance, from a curious beginner to an…

[mostlysignssomeportents]

FCC strikes a blow against prison profiteering

TOMORROW NIGHT (July 20), I'm appearing in CHICAGO at Exile in Bookville.

Here's a tip for policymakers hoping to improve the lives of the most Americans with the least effort: help prisoners.

After all, America is the most prolific imprisoner of its own people of any country in world history. We lock up more people than Stalin, than Mao, more than Botha, de Klerk or any other Apartheid-era South African president. And it's not just America's vast army of the incarcerated who are afflicted by our passion for imprisonment: their families and friends suffer, too.

That familial suffering isn't merely the constant pain of life without a loved one, either. America's prison profiteers treat prisoners' families as ATMs who can be made to pay and pay and pay.

This may seem like a losing strategy. After all, prison sentences are strongly correlated with poverty, and even if your family wasn't desperate before the state kidnapped one of its number and locked them behind bars, that loved one's legal defense and the loss of their income is a reliable predictor of downward social mobility.

Decent people don't view poor people as a source of riches. But for a certain kind of depraved sadist, the poor are an irresistible target. Sure, poor people don't have much money, but what they lack even more is protection under the law ("conservativism consists of the principle that there is an in-group whom the law protects but does not bind, and an out-group whom the law binds but does not protect" -Wilhoit). You can enjoy total impunity as you torment poor people, make them so miserable and afraid for their lives and safety that they will find some money, somewhere, and give it to you.

Mexican cartels understand this. They do a brisk trade in kidnapping asylum seekers whom the US has illegally forced to wait in Mexico to have their claims processed. The families of refugees – either in their home countries or in the USA – are typically badly off but they understand that Mexico will not lift a finger to protect a kidnapped refugee, and so when the kidnappers threaten the most grisly tortures as a means of extracting ransom, those desperate family members do whatever it takes to scrape up the blood-money.

What's more, the families of asylum seekers are not much better off than their kidnapped loved ones when it comes to seeking official protection. Family members who stayed behind in human rights hellholes like Bukele's El Salvador can't get their government to lodge official complaints with the Mexican ambassador, and family members who made it to the USA are in no position to get their Congressjerk to intercede with ICE or the Mexican consulate. This gives Mexico's crime syndicates total latitude to kidnap, torture, and grow rich by targeting the poorest, most desperate people in the world.

The private contractors that supply services to America's prisons are basically Mexican refugee-kidnappers with pretensions and shares listed on the NYSE. After decades of consolidation, the prison contracting sector has shrunk to two gigantic companies: Securus and Viapath (formerly Global Tellink). These private-equity backed behemoths dominate their sector, and have diversified, providing all kinds of services, from prison cafeteria meals to commissary, the prison stores where prisoners can buy food and other items.

If you're following closely, this is one of those places where the hair on the back of your neck starts to rise. These companies make money when prisoners buy food from the commissary, and they're also in charge of the quality of the food in the mess hall. If the food in the mess hall is adequate and nutritious, there's no reason to buy food from the commissary.

This is what economists call a "moral hazard." You can think of it as the reason that prison ramen costs 300% more than ramen in the free world:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/20/captive-market/#locked-in

(Not just ramen: in America's sweltering prisons, an 8" fan costs $40, and the price of water went up in Texas prisons by 50% during last summer's heatwave.)

It's actually worse than that: if you get sick from eating bad prison food, the same company that poisoned you gets paid to operate the infirmary where you're treated:

https://theappeal.org/massachusetts-prisons-wellpath-dentures-teeth/

Now, the scam of abusing prisoners to extract desperate pennies from their families is hardly new. There's written records of this stretching back to the middle ages. Nor is this pattern a unique one: making an unavoidable situation as miserable as possible and then upcharging people who have the ability to pay to get free of the torture is basically how the airlines work. Making coach as miserable as possible isn't merely about shaving pennies by shaving inches off your legroom: it's a way to "incentivize" anyone who can afford it to pay for an upgrade to business-class. The worse coach is, the more people you can convince to dip into their savings or fight with their boss to move classes. The torments visited upon everyone else in coach are economically valuable to the airlines: their groans and miseries translate directly into windfall profits, by convincing better-off passengers to pay not to have the same thing done to them.

Of course, with rare exceptions (flying to get an organ transplant, say) plane tickets are typically discretionary. Housing, on the other hand, is a human right and a prerequisite for human thriving. The worse things are for tenants, the more debt and privation people will endure to become home-owners, so it follows that making renters worse off makes homeowners richer:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/06/06/the-rents-too-damned-high/

For Securus and Viapath, the path to profitability is to lobby for mandatory, long prison sentences and then make things inside the prison as miserable as possible. Any prisoner whose family can find the funds can escape the worst of it, and all the prisoners who can't afford it serve the economically important function of showing the prisoners whose families can afford it how bad things will be if they don't pay.

If you're thinking that prisoners might pay Securus, Viapath and their competitors out of their own prison earnings, forget it. These companies have decided that the can make more by pocketing the difference between the vast sums paid by third parties for prisoners' labor and the pennies the prisoners get from their work. Remember, the 13th Amendment specifically allows for the enslavement of incarcerated people! Six states ban paying prisoners at all. North Carolina caps prisoners' wages at one dollar per day. The national average prison wage is $0.52/hour. Prisoners' labor produces $11b/year in goods and services:

https://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2024/0324bowman.html

Forced labor and extortion are a long and dishonorable tradition in incarceration, but this century saw the introduction of a novel, exciting way of extracting wealth from prisoners and their families. It started when private telcos took over prison telephones and raised the price of a prison phone call. These phone companies found willing collaborators in local jail and prison systems: all they had to do was offer to split the take with the jailers.

With the advent of the internet, things got far worse. Digitalization meant that prisons could replace the library, adult educations, commissary accounts, letter-mail, parcels, in-person visits and phone calls with a single tablet. These cheaply made tablets were offered for free to prisoners, who lost access to everything from their kids' handmade birthday cards to in-person visits with those kids.

In their place, prisoners' families had to pay huge premiums to have their letters scanned so that prisoners could pay (again) to view those scans on their tablets. Instead of in-person visits, prisoners families had to pay $3-10/minute for a janky, postage-stamp sized video. Perversely, jails and prisons replaced their in-person visitation rooms with rooms filled with shitty tablets where family members could sit and videoconference with their incarcerated loved ones who were just a few feet away:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/14/minnesota-nice/#shitty-technology-adoption-curve

Capitalists hate capitalism. The capital classes are on a relentless search for markets with captive customers and no competitors. The prison-tech industry was catnip for private equity funds, who bought and "rolled" up prison contractors, concentrating the sector into a duopoly of debt-laden companies whose ability to pay off their leveraged buyouts was contingent on their ability to terrorize prisoners' families into paying for their overpriced, low-quality products and services.

One particularly awful consequence of these rollups was the way that prisoners could lose access to their data when their prison's service-provider was merged with a rival. When that happened, the IT systems would be consolidated, with the frequent outcome that all prisoners' data was lost. Imagine working for two weeks to pay for a song or a book, or a scan of your child's handmade Father's Day card, only to have the file deleted in an IT merger. Now imagine that you're stuck inside for another 20 years.

This is a subject I've followed off and on for years. It's such a perfect bit of end-stage capitalist cruelty, combining mass incarceration with monopolies. Even if you're not imprisoned, this story is haunting, because on the one hand, America keeps thinking of new reasons to put more people behind bars, and on the other hand, every technological nightmare we dream up for prisoners eventually works its way out to the rest of us in a process I call the "shitty technology adoption curve." As William Gibson says, "The future is here, it's just not evenly distributed" – but the future sure pools up thick and dystopian around America's prisoners:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/02/24/gwb-rumsfeld-monsters/#bossware

My background interest in the subject got sharper a few years ago when I started working on The Bezzle, my 2023 high-tech crime thriller about prison-tech grifters:

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865878/thebezzle

One of the things that was on my mind when I got to work on that book was the 2017 court-case that killed the FCC's rules limit interstate prison-call gouging. The FCC could have won that case, but Trump's FCC chairman, Ajit Pai, dropped it:

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/06/prisoners-lose-again-as-court-wipes-out-inmate-calling-price-caps/

With that bad precedent on the books, the only hope prisoners had for relief from the FCC was for Congress to enact legislation specifically granting the agency the power to regulate prison telephony. Incredibly, Congress did just that, with Biden signing the "Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act" in early 2023:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1541/text

With the new law in place, it fell to the FCC use those newfound powers. Compared to agencies like the FTC and the NLRB, Biden's FCC has been relatively weak, thanks in large part to the Biden administration's refusal to defend its FCC nomination for Gigi Sohn, a brilliant and accomplished telecoms expert. You can tell that Sohn would have been a brilliant FCC commissioner because of the way that America's telco monopolists and their allies in the senate (mostly Republicans, but some Democrats, too) went on an all-out offensive against her, using the fact that she is gay to smear her and ultimately defeat her nomination:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/19/culture-war-bullshit-stole-your-broadband/

But even without Sohn, the FCC has managed to do something genuinely great for America's army of the imprisoned. This week, the FCC voted in price-caps on prison calls, so that call rates will drop from $11.35 for 15 minutes to just $0.90. Both interstate and intrastate calls will be capped at $0.06-0.12/minute, with a phased rollout starting in January:

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/07/fcc-closes-final-loopholes-that-keep-prison-phone-prices-exorbitantly-high/

It's hard to imagine a policy that will get more bang for a regulator's buck than this one. Not only does this represent a huge savings for prisoners and their families, those savings are even larger in proportion to their desperate, meager finances.

It shows you how important a competent, qualified regulator is. When it comes to political differences between Republicans and Democrats, regulatory competence is a grossly underrated trait. Trump's FCC Chair Ajit Pai handed out tens of billions of dollars in public money to monopoly carriers to improve telephone networks in underserved areas, but did so without first making accurate maps to tell him where the carriers should invest. As a result, that money was devoured by executive bonuses and publicly financed dividends and millions of Americans entered the pandemic lockdowns with broadband that couldn't support work-from-home or Zoom school. When Biden's FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel took over, one of her first official acts was to commission a national study and survey of broadband quality. Republicans howled in outrage:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/10/digital-redlining/#stop-confusing-the-issue-with-relevant-facts

The telecoms sector has been a rent-seeking, monopolizing monster since the days of Samuel Morse:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/18/the-bell-system/#were-the-phone-company-we-dont-have-to-care

Combine telecoms and prisons, and you get a kind of supermonster, the meth-gator of American neofeudalism:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tennessee-police-warn-locals-not-flush-drugs-fear-meth-gators-n1030291

The sector is dirty beyond words, and it corrupts everything it touches – bribing prison officials to throw out all the books in the prison library and replace them with DRM-locked, high-priced ebooks that prisoners must toil for weeks to afford, and that vanish from their devices whenever a prison-tech company merges with a rival:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/02/captive-customers/#guillotine-watch

The Biden presidency has been fatally marred by the president's avid support of genocide, and nothing will change that. But for millions of Americans, the Biden administration's policies on telecoms, monopoly, and corporate crime have been a source of profound, lasting improvements.

It's not just presidents who can make this difference. Millions of America's prisoners are rotting in state and county jails, and as California has shown, state governments have broad latitude to kick out prison profiteers:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/08/captive-audience/#good-at-their-jobs

Support me this summer on the Clarion Write-A-Thon and help raise money for the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/07/19/martha-wright-reed/#capitalists-hate-capitalism

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[meret118]

10 rules for dealing with Trump’s demands for capitulation

Whether it’s universities, law firms, or entire countries, here are 10 basic rules for hitting back

Here are 10 rules for dealing with this.

Stop treating Trump’s excuses as his real concerns. He says, for example, that he’s motivated by antisemitism at various universities. He isn’t. He and his goons have attacked other universities for entirely different reasons — allowing transgender women to play in women’s sports, or maintaining programs that encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion. They’ll use whatever pretext they can find to issue demands and get universities to capitulate.

For the same reason, stop assuming that Trump is concerned about other nations’ “unfair” trade practices or illegal immigration. These, too, are pretexts. He is using tariffs, immigration, and every tool at his command to intimidate other nations, including our Canadian and Mexican allies and traditional allies in Europe, in order to get them to capitulate to various demands.

Trump’s major interest is capitulation itself. Surrender is the whole point. He and those under him who are managing these extortionate initiatives want headlines that say “they” have surrendered to him — whether “they” is a country, a major university, a large law firm, a big nonprofit, even a Democratic state like California. Surrender is the point. Domination is his goal. (It always has been.)

Each surrender feeds the public impression that Trump wants fed — that he is all-powerful, invincible, and able to get every person, institution, and country to cower to him. He knows intuitively that each capitulation feeds his power — because power is itself an impression; invincibility, the consequence of everyone’s capitulation.

Each capitulation encourages him and his goons to engage in even more bullying of more institutions and countries. Trump’s need for dominance is insatiable. Every time he succeeds in gaining capitulation, he and his goons look for other opportunities to enlarge the impression that he has boundless power.

Most of these institutions and countries will cave to Trump because their leaders are mainly concerned about their own institution’s or country’s survival. They are not concerned about the effects of their capitulations on other institutions or on the world as a whole. The costs of significant losses of funding, clients, or access are borne by them; the benefits of resistance are felt by all.

It’s vitally important, therefore, that institutions and countries join together to fight this systemic intimidation.

University faculties must join together under the umbrella of the American Association of University Professors to speak out against Trump’s assault on free speech and debate at universities, sue the Trump administration for violating their rights under the First Amendment, and develop a media strategy to alert the public to the dangers.

Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the European Union must join together to create a special trade zone that excludes the United States. They should threaten to limit American banks’ access to their public procurement markets, limit the huge sums their citizens invest in American companies annually, and increase tax and regulatory pressure on American digital platforms.

The media must not fan the flames of Trump’s madness. They should celebrate institutions that are standing up to Trump (such as the Jenner & Block law firm, Canada, and Mexico) and condemn those that are surrendering to him (such as Columbia University, the Paul Weiss law firm, and Israel and Vietnam on tariffs). They should help educate Americans about the costs of capitulating to Trump and its baleful consequences. This is all about power, and Trump’s thirst for power is all about converting the United States into a dictatorship.

robertreich.substack.com/p/how-to-deal-with-trumps-demands-for

[darkmaga-returns]

Yes, the markets are down, but it’s not the bloodbath many were predicting. So I want to reiterate the overall theme from the first post this morning. The Trump Tariffs are not part of a “trade war” in the usual sense that we’re used to. They’re a tactic that is designed to operate a bit like a blunt instrument, to get the type of global reset that Trump would never have been able to get by trying to use sweet reason. The dynamic that is working in Trump’s favor is that the forces aligned against him are basically trying to defend the status quo in a revolutionary moment—and that’s what Trump says he’s after: an “economic revolution.”

Thus we have the counterintuitive (to some) spectacle of Wall Street and the “Chicoms” in alliance to preserve the status quo. In reality, much of the world will actually end up benefiting from the overthrow of the neocolonial status quo. Further, China is in a difficult position due to its demographic implosion. China has developed in spectacular fashion, yes, but this has come as a result of an overworked and rapidly aging populace that lacks a strong social safety net and the traditional backstop of family to care for the old people.

So, here’s Philip Pilkington responding to some of the prevalent misconceptions. PP seems to swing from optimism to pessimism several times in the day, but his posts are useful:

They won’t dump them. Not at this point in the game, anyway. Doing so would devalue the USD, strengthen the yuan and make Chinese exports even less competitive. The Chinese are possibly moving to support USD right now. This is the last gasp of the liberals who have become so partisan they have no identity any more. There is no coming back from this. China is betting on a really bad horse. They should recognise their trade policies sparked a revolution and try to rationally adjust. What is being revealed by the political alliances this week is that Chinese trade strategy rests in part on an extractive Wall Street in the US. This is uncomfortable for my Chinese friends but it is the truth. The Chinese should work to rebalance this relationship. It takes two to tango. This is a toxic relationship. The Chinese are loaded up on Wall Street junk equities from recycling their surplus dollars. They are getting rinsed. Time to dump the Wall Street sludge, comrades!

This next is very big, and shows just how revolutionary Trump’s goals may be:

Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) Chairman Stephen Miran says USD reserve asset status is a problem. The Trump administration may move to purposely dismantle USD hegemony. The average person on this platform has literally no idea what they are watching right now!

[superex-media]

Why Did Ethereum Choose SharpLink? This $425M Strategy Is About More Than Just Storing ETH

#Ethereum #SharpLink #ETH

Do you remember how Saylor turned MicroStrategy into the flagship Bitcoin concept stock? Now, Joe Lubin is running the same playbook for Ethereum — and it’s already happening.

On May 27, SharpLink (Nasdaq: SBET) suddenly announced a $425 million private investment, led by Ethereum co-founder and ConsenSys CEO — Joseph Lubin. And this isn’t just money raised for the sake of raising — it’s real cash, going straight into buying ETH as core treasury reserves.

The moment this news broke, SharpLink’s stock price soared 650% in a single day. A previously unknown sports betting tech stock suddenly became the new frontrunner in the crypto equity sector. But more importantly, this isn’t just a financing game — it’s Ethereum officially launching a signal flare on Wall Street.

Click to register SuperEx

Click to download the SuperEx APP

Click to enter SuperEx CMC

Click to enter SuperEx DAO Academy — Space

First of All: Let’s Be Honest — SharpLink’s Fundamentals Are Not Great.In 2023, it lost over $14 million. In 2024, still in the red. Revenue is shrinking too. So how did a company that’s not even profitable get ConsenSys to throw in hundreds of millions?

Simple: SharpLink is a publicly listed micro-cap stock in the U.S., legally traded, under the radar, and dirt cheap.

Before the private investment, it was valued at around $10 million — basically a shell-company price tag. Lubin invested $425 million and bought 69 million shares at $6.15 each, seizing over 90% control. No SPAC. No IPO roadshow. No banks involved. Just like that, Ethereum gained a publicly listed “vault proxy” on Nasdaq. Classic reverse-merger move. And with the sports betting narrative, they’ll have plenty of future “Web3 + entertainment” stories to tell.

ETH’s Version of MicroStrategy: The Flywheel Begins

This is a strategy that’s already proven itself. Saylor perfected it. Now the Ethereum version of the flywheel is clearly spinning up — four steps:

Raise capital at a low price and inject ETH;

Stake ETH long-term to earn yield;

As the stock price rises, raise more capital;

Buy more ETH, add leverage, and keep the flywheel turning.

SharpLink has already completed the first step — using $425 million to purchase about 120,000 ETH (at $3,500 each). Once staked, this directly reduces market supply and creates a price floor for ETH.

Now, SharpLink stock becomes a proxy tool tied to ETH price + leverage + trading premium. If the market buys the narrative and SBET trades above its net ETH holdings, they can issue more shares, raise funds, and buy even more ETH. It becomes a printing press.

What Does This Operation Really Mean for the Industry?

We need to look at the milestone significance, not just SharpLink alone.

1. Giving Institutions ETH Exposure Without Holding Tokens

Many traditional institutions are restricted from holding crypto directly due to regulation, custody, or internal policies. But they can buy stocks. SharpLink is now effectively an ETH vault wrapped in a Nasdaq shell — a new window for legacy capital.

2. Long-Term ETH Supply Gets Squeezed

If all 120,000 ETH are staked, that’s locked-up supply — very similar to what Bitcoin ETFs are doing. This move directly removes liquidity from the market.

3. Ethereum Gets a New “Financial Narrative”

Ethereum used to be seen as infrastructure for DeFi or NFTs. Now you can say: ETH is digital gold AND a corporate treasury reserve asset. That’s a serious upgrade in legitimacy.

4. Other Companies May Follow

Just like Saylor’s Bitcoin bet with MicroStrategy kicked off a trend of corporate BTC holdings, SharpLink could become the ETH template. The first of its kind. It’s likely just the beginning — we could soon see a second, third, or even a full-blown “ETH ETF proxy stock” sector forming.

5. ETH Price Might Stay Flat — But the Narrative Just Shifted

Make no mistake: this is a pivotal moment for Ethereum’s long-term narrative.

It now has treasury-grade legitimacy.

Traditional finance is paying attention.

Staking plus treasury reserves = real supply contraction.

These three points will likely define the ETH bull case for the next 6–12 months.

6. Is ConsenSys Just Getting Started?

Some analysts believe this might be a strategic warm-up. According to official statements, the goal is to test the waters — see whether the market buys the “ETH vault meets public company” concept.Translation: if SharpLink’s story gains traction, a ConsenSys IPO could be next, and its market cap might very well be benchmarked against this ETH treasury experiment.

Final Thoughts: This $425M Game Is Ethereum’s Bid for Mainstream Finance

Ethereum has never been “just a coin.” It’s an operating system, the base asset of the smart contract economy.Now, Lubin has taken it one step further — turning ETH from “gas” to “a reserve on the Nasdaq balance sheet,” using the most seasoned financial tactics: reverse merger, private placement, leverage, reserve, and flywheel.

We are witnessing the first step of ETH becoming a corporate treasury reserve on a global scale. It’s no longer just “Ethereum for DeFi” — it’s becoming “Ethereum accepted by mainstream finance.”

Are you ready to follow this new narrative?

[thoroughlymodernminutia]

This Christmas - Prequel

Pairing: Benny "Borracho" Magalon x F!Reader

Word count: 8,219

Summary: This is a prequel of sorts to this from last year. It’s basically the how Benny and the reader met, etc

Warnings: Mostly Hallmark-style fluffy stuff, lots of pining, but brief mention of loss, guilt, some foul language. If I missed anything else let me know and I'll add it in. 

A/N: I don’t know folks, I started writing this and was really chugging along and had a whole plan for how I wanted this to be. Then I got sick with everyone’s favorite illness from 2020 and lost a lot steam. I found, I think, a happy compromise with myself because I wanted to post this before Christmas (self imposed deadlines am I right?) and realized I can always I don’t know, post more parts of it later?? I am my own worst critic so if you read this and it isn’t your jam, please don’t say anything lol I’ve probably already thought it, so it would be redundant! Also, clearly, I do not know the proper use of a semicolon, or an em dash and I don't have an editor, so we'll all just have to deal. Anyways, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, all that jazz

-----------

It’s a little after six in the morning and they still haven’t rolled in. Usually, the five of them would have been here for an hour already; a few hungover, one still drunk, and the fifth one acting like an adult babysitter for the other four. It’s weird how this happens–people come into your little donut shop and after a while, instead of you becoming part of their routine, they become part of yours. Eventually they start to feel like stand-ins for the friends you hardly ever get to see. You’re busy with your business and they’re busy with their jobs and families.

It could feel lonely, but you have people like Noreen, who comes in every Friday to buy three dozen assorted donuts for her team. Noreen is kind and not the type of person you envision working at a private equity firm. When you were thinking about expanding into the small space next door, she looked at your plan and helped you figure out where you were being too aggressive and in some cases too shortsighted. She didn’t ask for anything in return, but you made sure her next three dozen donuts were on the house. 

There’s Will, a retired teacher, who comes in every Sunday. He used to come in with his partner, Charles, and they would sit at the table you have set up near the front window. They traded off different sections of the newspaper while drinking their coffee and sharing one old-fashioned donut and one raspberry jelly donut; they never strayed from those. Charles passed away six months ago and it was unexpected. You didn’t expect to see Will for a while, but routine is hard to give up especially when it’s the only thing you have left. Every Sunday morning you set a 'reserved' sign on the table near the window. 

There’s Stuart, who hangs out in the plaza your shop is located in. You’re not sure if he’s unhoused or just likes to spend his day outside, but it felt strange to always see him and not interact with him. One day you invited him to come by for coffee and a donut but he turned you down. You told him the offer was good for any time and that you hoped you’d see him in there soon. He came in a few days later and it made you feel like you were doing some good; and then you felt bad for feeling like that. Stuart’s reserved and not much of a talker so you just let him sit at a table while you go about your work. Some days he’ll start a conversation; it’s rare but it feels like you both trust each other enough to make more than small talk. If you don’t see him in his usual spot outside, you worry. He usually turns up a few days later, but you're concerned that at some point he won’t turn up and what are you supposed to do then?

There’s a handful of people that fall into this category of if they never came back you would notice. It’s because some of them are smart and kind like Noreen. Some because they sit in the same spot, newspaper sections still divided in two, like Will. Some because their silence fills your little shop, like Stuart. And some whose absence you would notice because they don’t fit into these boxes. Sometimes they can be loud or irritating; but they can also be entertaining. And they’re are always five of them, but only one that makes you feel like you’re thirteen and just saw your middle school crush.

They started coming in sometime in February. You only remember because the biggest one said he’s 'not eating a fucking, prissy, heart-shaped donut.' Some men are like that, afraid if they come in contact with something feminine that’s not a woman, that their dick will fall off. He was loud and obnoxious and only one of the other four looked truly embarrassed for the guy and for himself. He apologized for his friend and ordered five large coffees and a dozen glazed donuts. 

“You sure glazed are going to be manly enough for your friend over there?” 

You ticked your head over towards the table where his friends were sitting. He laughed and it was a surprisingly warm laugh for a man with neck tattoos. 

“He won’t even remember being here, let alone what kind of donuts he ate.”

He sounded annoyed but used to the behavior. You remembered having friends like that, in your twenties, but you were well past that age and so were these guys by the look of it. You saw him eyeing an apple fritter so you grabbed it from the case, put it on a plate, and set it on the counter next to the box of donuts. 

“On the house, since it doesn’t look like you’re getting paid for your babysitting duties.”

He smiled, said thank you, and then went to sit with his loud friends. You noticed he was quiet in comparison and thought it would be nice if they were all quiet like that. 

When they were getting ready to leave you saw that the quiet one made sure all the trash was thrown away and all the dishes went into the right bin. At the door as they were leaving he gave you a small wave thanking you again. There was something about his smile that made it feel like flowers were blooming in your stomach. That feeling carried you for a week. You’d think of that moment of him at the door and a fog would enter your brain and the flowers in your stomach would grow larger. 

The feeling would start to subside after a while and you would get caught up in your real life–your business, the rare time with your friends, the occasional bad date. It would slowly drift from the front of your mind to the back. Then they would show up and the cycle would continue. 

The one who had the soft smile and neck tattoo, you learned his name was Benny. And that if you gave him a choice between the apple fritter and anything else, he would choose the apple fritter one hundred percent of the time. The loud drunk, that was Big Nick and he’s only been not drunk five percent of the time they’ve come in. There’s Connors, Zapata, and Henderson–you’ve only heard them referred to by their last names. A thing that you’ve only ever heard men do. They all come in once or twice a month–usually early, usually hungover. It makes you wonder what they do before they end up at your place. You never ask because to know would be to probably ruin your crush on Benny.

Benny always pays and there’s a part of you that hopes he’s doing it just for the chance to talk to you. When he leaves he always gives you a wave goodbye and a thanks again. The flowers in your stomach have bloomed and blossomed to an embarrassing degree by the end of May. And that’s when they stopped coming in. 

—-

Benny shakes his head no at Connor’s who’s trying to hand him a beer, “Not feeling it tonight.”

Benny isn’t feeling it any night, but he keeps that to himself. The drinking, the cocaine, the women, none of it interests him and it hasn’t for a while. Since February if he’s being honest with himself. 

They had ended up at your donut shop, Glazy for You under random circumstances. The usual place they would go to sober up after one of these parties had been closed down by the health department. He should have known it was bound to happen, the place was dim and oddly seedy for a diner. Benny was the designated driver that night, since he hadn’t been feeling well he didn’t drink and spent most of the night ushering random women out of a grim motel room. When he saw Glazy for You as he was driving by, it looked like the complete opposite of his evening; it was bright, there were Valentine’s decorations on the window. It looked comforting and warm, two things he felt like he was missing in his life.

Nick of course was an asshole and Benny felt like he spent a lot of time silently apologizing to you. His apologies must have entered you mind telepathically because you gave him an apple fritter–the best apple fritter he’s ever had in his whole fucking life. There must have been some kind of magic in because that moment lodged itself somewhere in his heart and reappears when he’s feeling low. Like now–sitting in this motel room, on this couch that probably hasn’t been cleaned in two decades, watching his friends lose their fucking minds over shit they should have outgrown. 

Benny hasn’t seen you in months, ninety-seven days to be exact, not that he’s counting. They’ve been working on one case after the next and it’s left time for little else. No post drug test parties, no early mornings sitting in a donut shop waiting for everyone to sober up, no you. It’s been sleep and work for three months straight. Last time he saw you, it seemed like you were happy to see him. Maybe he imagined that feeling; misunderstood the warmth in your smile. Maybe that’s the smile that you’ve practiced in order to be able to perform it for everyone. Maybe everyone feels what he feels when they see you.

Benny sinks further into the couch and looks up at the ceiling. It’s a drop ceiling which brings back memories of a case he had worked on. While securing a crime scene, they were in the living room of a run down apartment. It had this same type of ceiling and a body fell right through it onto the floor. He thinks that maybe this is how it ended up being called a drop ceiling, because shit just drops right out. That thought, that memory makes him realize that he doesn’t want to be in this room anymore. He gets up, grabs his jacket off the back of the couch, and leaves. He hears Connors call after him as he’s closing the door but he doesn’t care. He only has one place that he wants to be right now.

—-

You’re putting a tray of bear claws in the display case when you hear the door open. It’s still early, the sun is barely up, pink and purple hues are still in the sky. You get a lot of municipal workers that come in at this time, barely past opening. So it’s a little bit of a surprise when you get a glimpse through the display case of Benny walking in, alone.

There’s a second while you’re crouched down, adjusting the tray that you let yourself be excited; allow yourself to give into the childish feeling of getting a glimpse of your crush. Your knees are wobbly as you stand up–unsure if it’s because you’re getting old or because he’s looking right at you.

“Oh hey, how’ve you been?” You wipe your palms on the front of the apron you’re wearing. “It’s been a while.”

You try to sound neutral, neither excited to see him or disappointed that it's been so long. He smiles and that familiar sensation of flowers blooming returns. 

“We’ve been working on a lot of cases and it’s been hard to find time for anything else.” 

You lean forward and rest your arms on top of the bakery case. 

“Cases? You guys are lawyers?” As the words leave your mouth you realize how truly stupid it sounds. You’ve never in your life seen any lawyers that look like these guys. 

Benny chuckles and rubs the back of his neck, something he does when feels embarrassed or self conscious.

“No, definitely not lawyers. Detectives. We work for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.”

You fail at suppressing a laugh, “I’m sorry. All of you are detectives? Even your friend Nick?”

Benny knows your laugh isn’t mean spirited and if he were you, he’d probably laugh too, knowing what he knows about the people he works with. He moves closer to display case and leans in. 

“Even Nick. You seem surprised.”

“It’s just. I.” You pause, trying to choose your words with care, because you like Benny and you don’t want to insult him, “I mean, it’s hard to imagine being a victim of a crime or something and like Nick is the person taking your statement, trying to help you. That is my nightmare.”

You hope you don’t sound like an asshole, but the idea of Nick serving and protecting seems like a stretch. If you offend Benny, he doesn’t show it, he just laughs.

“The way that you’ve seen him, I can understand the sentiment. He’s not like that a hundred percent of the time. I promise.” 

You give Benny a joking look, “Okay, but what percentage are we talking here?”

You’re both laughing when the rest of the guys walk in. The rowdiness is a shock to your system after not dealing with it for a while. You look at Benny and he’s no longer leaning in towards you and maybe you’re projecting, but you think he looks a little disappointed too.

Benny’s disappointed, but he tries his best to hide it. The guys may be drunk, but they are cops and they are perceptive. Benny already knows he has a reputation among them as being soft. It used to bother him, but it hasn’t for a while. He knows he would rather be soft than be the type of man that can’t feel anything other than bitterness and rage. 

“Borracho, you fucking asshole, you left us.”

Nick, is of course loud and slurring his words. Benny hopes you can’t understand Spanish–he doesn’t want to be known as a ‘drunk’ to you.

Benny turns from you to look at the guys. Connors is propping Nick up; Henderson and Zapata are stumbling towards a table. 

“I was hungry.”

Benny hopes it’s enough to shut Nick up. He knows it’s not because he sees Nick loosen himself from Connors and stumble towards him. He claps a large, drunk hand on Benny’s shoulder and the force almost knocks him backwards. 

“Fuck, Borracho. You’re no fun anymore.”

Nick is a mess and that’s not really that surprising to you. What is surprising is how uncomfortable Benny looks. He has the look of a man who would give anything to disappear. You can’t really blame him, these guys, Nick especially, are exhausting to be around and you only deal with them for a few hours a month.

“Can I get you guys something or are you just going to loiter?”

Benny looks towards you and you give him a sympathetic smile. He shakes Nick off of him and is about to order when Nick lurchers towards the counter that you’re standing behind. You step back as he unsuccessfully tries to paw at you.

“I know what you can get me, sweetheart.”

Benny groans and runs a hand over his face, “Jesus Christ, Nick. Shut the fuck up.”

You step closer to the counter and lean forward, putting a hand on Nick’s shoulder.

“What did I tell you about calling me ‘sweetheart’?”

Nick tilts his head to the side and mutters, “That the next time I do it, you’ll put my head in the deep fryer.”

You pat his shoulder, “Good, you remember.”

You hear Zapata, Henderson, and Connors–who’s joined them at their table laughing and chanting do it, do it.

You gently push Nick away from the counter, “Go sit down unless you’re willing to see if I’m serious.” You look over at Benny, who no longer looks like he wants to disappear. “Benny, five coffees and a dozen glazed, right?”

Benny nods his head, “Yeah, that’s good.”

Nick turns around and starts walking towards where Connors, Zapata, and Henderson are sitting. He jerks his thumb back towards you, “She’s no fun either.”

Benny feels awkward standing here, watching you gingerly place twelve glazed donuts in a box and then pour five large coffees. It’s calming though, watching you do routine things, like you’re slowly rooting out the anxiety of being around drunk idiots. You put the coffees in a tray and place it down on the counter next to the donuts. 

Benny pulls out his wallet to pay, “Uh, sorry,” he pauses, he’s sorry about a lot suddenly, “sorry about Nick. He was acting like an asshole.”

You shrug and hand Benny his change, “Don’t worry about it.”

Benny is sitting with the guys and can’t help feeling like he’s messed something up. You didn’t give him an apple fritter like you normally do. He wonders if you’re mad that he didn’t do something more when Nick was acting like an asshole. Maybe he’s overthinking it–he can’t expect you to give him a free donut every time you see him. It’s possible he’s misread the situation entirely, that you’re just friendly and nothing more. He watches you behind the counter adjusting things, bagging up donuts for customers that have come in. When Benny checks his watch for the time, he misses seeing you slip an apple fritter in a bag and write 'Benny' in a tidy script. 

You watch the guys start filtering out of your place; Nick and Connors are first and from the store window you can see them getting into separate cabs. Benny is still throwing trash away as Henderson and Zapata leave. They share a cab and you imagine that maybe they rallied enough to start drinking again at 7:30am. You see Benny heading towards the door and it looks like he’s leaving without giving his usual wave goodbye. Your stomach sinks a little–maybe he’s mad at you for not joking around more with Nick or the other guys. Or it could just be that he’s tired and wants to go home and you’re creating feelings that aren’t there. 

You grab the bag with the apple fritter from below the counter and hold it up, “Hey, you forgot something.”

Benny looks at the bag with his name on it–it’s the nicest handwriting he’s ever seen. He walks over to the counter and takes the bag from your hand, your fingers overlapping for a fraction of a second. 

“So this means you’re not mad at me?”

“Why would I be mad at you? Wait, you think because of Nick?” You look at him strangely as he nods his head yes, “He’s the idiot, I’m not going to hold that against you.”

Benny smiles, “That’s good to know.” He starts walking away, but stops when he gets to the door, holding up the bag with the donut, “Thanks again. I’ll see you later.”

“Take care, Benny.”

—-

“You like that girl at the donut place?”

It sounds less like Connors is asking you a question and more like stating a fact. Benny’s a little caught off guard and pretends to start looking for something on his desk.

“What?” 

Benny tries to sound confused, like he’s never even heard the word donut before.

“At the donut place. The girl who runs it, are you into her or something? You always act fucking weird when we’re in there.”

Benny thinks back to all the times they’ve been at Glazy for You, trying to remember his behavior. Did he look at you for too long? Say ‘goodbye’ in a way that sounded like he didn’t want to leave. Benny opens the bottom drawer of his desk and pretends to look for something. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

Benny knows he doesn’t sound convincing and Connors must hear it too because he keeps going.

“Really?” Connors sounds incredulous. “You’re always lingering at the counter. She’s always giving you free donuts. Any of this ringing a bell for you?”

Benny can feel Connors staring at him. He closes the desk drawer and goes back to looking at the file on his desk.

“Maybe she likes giving away free donuts. I really couldn’t tell you.”

Connors crumbles a piece of paper into a ball and lobs it at Benny’s head, hitting him just behind the ear. 

“Whatever you say asshole.”

—-

The summer goes by quickly–it’s one of your busier seasons. School is out, the weather is nice–there are day camps, company off-sites, and sleepovers. All the types of occasions where the people in charge don’t want to make breakfast but need to provide it. Benny and the guys come in a few times throughout the summer. It feels a little different from before. Benny doesn’t linger at the counter as much anymore and sometimes one of the other guys pays. It’s stupid little things that you shouldn’t notice, but you do, because they used to be part of your routine. It’s embarrassing thinking you let this crush on Benny become such a big part of your life that you’d notice he didn’t pay last time or the time before that. It’s that embarrassment that makes you start building a wall around that garden in your stomach so the flowers can’t reach your heart.

It’s the end of October when you’re opening up one morning and it registers for you that you haven’t seen Stuart since some time around June or July. His absence gnaws at you. You feel like a bad person for not noticing sooner; that feeling that you failed someone even though they weren’t your responsibility. You don’t know what to do or if there’s anything you actually can do. So when you see Benny a few weeks later it feels like a little bit of a last resort when you ask for his help.

—-

You were hoping that Benny would be the person paying this time when they all came in, so you could mention Stuart without having to pull him aside. But he doesn’t and it makes you a little anxious trying to figure out the best way to talk to him about something serious. So it’s a relief when it looks like he’s going to be the last one to leave. He’s behind Connors and when Connors makes it out the door, you stop Benny who’s close behind.

“Benny, hey. Do you have a second?”

You come out from behind the counter, nervously smoothing the apron tied around your waist in short downward strokes. Benny stops and lets the door go from his hand. You look upset and he hopes it’s not because he’s been acting standoffish lately. Ever since Connors asked about you, he’s been trying his best to act normal–whatever that means–around you. 

“Did Connors’s card get declined again?”

You let out a small laugh, “No. Um, I was actually wondering if you could help me with something.”

Benny steps a little closer to you. You have some powdered sugar on your cheek and he has to stop himself from brushing it off. 

“Yeah, of course. What’s going on?”

“This is probably going to sound weird, or stupid. Maybe both. But there’s this  guy who h—”

Benny cuts you off; his voice is a little rougher, “If someone is bothering you, I’ll take care of it.”

You laugh awkwardly, “Oh no, it’s nothing like that. It’s this guy, Stuart. He usually hangs out around here and I have him come in sometimes for coffee or donuts and I haven’t seen him in…since maybe July, I think? I’m just a little worried.” You pause and try to read Benny’s face to see what he’s thinking, “Sorry, this probably sounds stupid to you. I don’t even know what I’m asking.”

Benny scratches his jaw piecing together what he thinks you’re getting at, “Do you know his last name?”

You notice that Benny’s voice has gone back to the soft tone that you’re used to. He’s looking at you with compassion and not like you’re stupid or some kind of burden. Benny is the kind of person that you would want helping you in a crisis and it makes you wish there were more people like him in his line of work.

“I don’t, but I printed a photo from the security camera I have.” You walk over to the counter and lean over, grabbing the photo from under the register. “I don’t even know if you can do anything with that. I watch a lot of crime shows. Don’t judge me.”

Benny laughs and shakes his head as you hand him the photo.

“I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I’ll see what I can find out.”

“Yeah of course. It’s…I don’t know. I’d feel like a bad person if something were to happen to him and I could have helped.”

Benny feels bad because he knows how these things generally end up. Usually there are no happy endings.

“You can’t put that on yourself.”

You nod your head, “I know, but still, you know?”

Benny understands the feeling and also understands it’s easier to tell someone something isn’t their fault than to know it yourself. 

As Benny leaves you start to feel a bit lighter. Like someone has taken some of your worry, some of your concern and is carrying it for you; so you aren’t so weighed down.

—-

“What was that about?”

Benny is surprised to see Connors waiting for him in the parking lot. 

“Nothing. Well, I guess there’s some guy, homeless, I don’t know. He usually hangs out around here. She hasn’t seen him for a while. She’s worried.”

Connors flicks a cigarette on to the pavement, “Figures she’s one of those bleeding heart types. What did you tell her?”

Benny pats his jacket and then his pants pockets feeling around for a pack of cigarettes, forgetting briefly that he’s trying to quit. Connors pulls his pack from his pocket and tosses them to Benny.

Benny pulls a cigarette out, “I told her I’d look into it.”

Connors laughs and hands Benny a lighter, “Chump.” He waits a beat for Benny to light his cigarette, “But, if you want. We can start looking into it now.”

Benny’s grateful it’s Connors out here and not one of the other guys. Benny and Connors go back further than just Major Crimes and he’s someone Benny would trust with his life.

—-

Benny’s worried that he’s going to have to deliver you bad news. Best case scenario seems like Stuart is in jail. Not great, but it would mean that he’s alive. Worst case scenario is that he can’t find Stuart and that usually doesn’t mean anything good. Benny is suddenly hoping for some kind of miracle for a person he doesn’t even know. 

The photo you gave him does turn out to be useful. Connors is able to find him in the system through facial recognition. Stuart Morton has a record; a few arrests for driving while under the influence and some time in a county jail. Benny is able to get a last known address but it’s over a year old. It’s a sober living house that’s not actually that far from Glazy for You. He doesn’t have much hope that going there will bring him any closer to finding Stuart. 

It takes a couple of weeks, but Benny is finally able to meet with David, the director of the sober living facility. He finds it’s better to meet with people in person. Talking with people over the phone, he’s learned, makes it easier for them to not give you the information you need. David of course is a little guarded at first with Benny; not wanting to share anything that could get Stuart in trouble, which Benny can’t really fault him for. Benny explains the situation, that the owner of a donut shop near here is worried because they haven’t seen him in a while. When Benny mentions your name to David, he lights up.

“Her glazed old fashioneds are the best ones in this entire state.” He pauses and to Benny it looks like he’s getting lost in the memory of a donut, a feeling he knows well. 

“I didn’t realize you two knew each other.” 

David turns away from Benny to look through a drawer in a filing cabinet, “Just this year we got to talking and she’s been generous enough to donate breakfast here every month. And recently she’s been working with us on a job training program at her bakery.” 

Benny thinks back to Connors calling you a ‘bleeding heart’ and is glad he came here by himself. 

“She didn’t mention anything about knowing Stuart lived here.”

David pulls a folder from the cabinet and thumbs through it, “Stuart is the type to not overshare, so that doesn’t surprise me.” He pauses to write something down on a piece of paper and hands it to Benny, “Here. This is his sister Noreen’s information. When he left, he was going to be staying with her for a while. Might still be there.”

Benny barely makes it to his car before calling the number that David gave him. 

—-

“Wait, so you’re saying that Noreen, the Noreen that comes in here, is Stuart’s sister?”

It’s late in the day, near the time that you close up. You and Benny are sitting across from each other at the table near the window. It’s hard to believe what he’s telling you, that Stuart used to be a resident at the sober living facility, the one where David works; that Noreen is Stuart’s sister and somehow all these dots never got connected for you.

“She didn’t realize that you two were,” Benny pauses looking for the right word, “friends. She feels terrible that you didn’t know he had moved out of the state and were worried. She said he’s doing well.”

You’re quiet for a moment, trying to take in everything Benny has been telling  you. It’s a lot to process, considering you had been preparing yourself to hear bad news. You can feel your eyes fuzzy with a few tears and feel a little embarrassed to be getting so emotional over the good news.

“It’s such a relief to know that he’s doing okay.” You feel a tear slide down your cheek and quickly brush it away hoping that Benny didn’t see it.

Benny can tell you’re trying to keep yourself from crying and he wants to tell you that it’s okay, that there wouldn’t be any judgment from him. He has the overwhelming urge to wrap his arms around you, but he knows it would be wildly inappropriate. He feels awkward sitting here, looking around, trying to figure out what he should say.

“I like the Christmas decorations you have up.” It’s lame and he knows it, but it seems better than freaking you out with a hug. You smile at him and that feels reassuring.

“You do?” You look over at Benny, nodding his head, “I know it makes me basic, but I love Christmas. The lights, the decorations, the movies, the music. Expect to see a lot of green and red frosted donuts until December 31st.” 

Benny laughs, “I’m looking forward to it.” He looks at his watch and starts to get up, “I should probably leave, so you can close up.”

You get up and follow Benny to the door, you put your hand on Benny’s forearm to stop him for a second and he feels a little spark through this jacket.

“Thank you, again, for everything.”

“I’m glad I could help. And that everything turned out okay.”

You’re not sure what it is that compels you to hug him, but you do. Maybe it’s the gentleness of his voice, or how he’s looking at you in a way he hasn’t before. It feels intimate and dreamy and it’s hard for you to recall the last time anyone has looked at you like that. It happens so fast that Benny barely has time to register what happened.

It hits him as he’s walking to his car–the delayed feeling of your arms around him. It strikes Benny that maybe there’s a chance you like him, that maybe you’re both kind of stupid and clumsy, and afraid to ask the other one out. There’s the realization that one of you will have to make the first move or it will go on like this forever. That he will see you every few months at your job, that he’ll get a free donut occasionally. It’s not enough for Benny and he knows that he can’t be stupid about this much longer.

—-

It’s the last piss test party of the year–the week before Christmas. The concept is idiotic–sure it made sense at one point when Benny wasn’t wading into the deep end of forty. Going to a cheap hotel to get drunk and high, have sex with women that Nick found God knows where. It was never appealing to Benny but he used to understand the idea of celebrating after your mandatory drug test. Now he usually just sits, drinks a beer or two, and tries to avoid contact with everyone. There’s something especially depressing about it during this time of year.

Benny’s spent the last few days mulling over the best way to ask you out. He regrets not asking you when he was giving you the news about Stuart. Although there’s a part of him that thinks maybe you would have felt obligated to say yes given the circumstances. He thinks about asking you tonight, if they end up there, but he doesn’t want to do it in front of the guys because you might feel obligated then too, maybe even feeling sorry for him and not wanting to embarrass him in front of everyone by saying no. If you say yes, he wants it to be because you actually mean it, he doesn’t want there to be any room for doubt.

His decision is made for him, because when they get to Glazy for You, you aren’t there. Benny can’t remember if there’s ever been a time when you haven’t been there, behind the counter, greeting him warmly. It’s a little bit of a shock to his system to see a middle-aged man in a goofy Christmas sweater in your place. Benny’s good at thinking up doomsday scenarios and imagines one in which you’re trying to avoid him, so you no longer work this early in the morning. But then he thinks of when you hugged him and that even though it was quick, it was like your touch had gone directly to his heart. He doesn’t stay much longer, opting to go home, lay in his bed, and try to figure out what he’s going to do.

—- 

You used to hate working during the holidays. Maybe it’s because you were working for other people and not yourself. Maybe it was because the work you were doing felt unimportant and people expected you to care even when everything else around you was winding down. Five years ago the thought of working on Christmas Eve would have made you want to walk into traffic. Now it feels different, like maybe you’re contributing to the holiday experience versus missing out on it entirely. You’ve always loved Christmas, but Christmas Eve is your favorite day of the year. It just feels more special somehow. There’s anticipation and excitement in the air. It’s possible it’s a product of all the Christmas movies you’ve watched over the years where there’s the idea that anything seems possible on this day. There’s something about the idea of your life changing for the better, surrounded by twinkle lights and ornaments that you find very appealing.

The morning is kind of slow–you spend most of it watching holiday episodes of tv shows on your phone. Around 11am you start cleaning up–taking trays out of cases, boxing up the donuts that are left to drop off at the comic book shop next door. You’re looking forward to going home and laying on the couch the rest of the day, queuing up your standard Christmas Eve movies. You’re ready to watch Scrooged and feel abnormally homesick, but then put on Christmas Vacation and remember why it’s never a good idea to spend Christmas with your entire family.

You’re in the back when you hear the bell on the door jingle, letting you know someone is out front. You consider just staying where you are, pretending no one is here so you can wrap up your day. You don’t want to have to tell anyone that you can’t help them with their donut emergency–getting yelled at on Christmas Eve is not something you’ve prepared yourself for today. So it’s a pleasant surprise when you make your way back out to the front and you see Benny.

“Hey, this is a—hi.” You’re not sure why you’re suddenly unable to put together a decent sentence.

Benny rubs the back of his neck with his hand, “Is this a bad time?”

“No. No, well. I mean, unless you were looking for a few dozen donuts. Then it definitely is.”

Benny smiles, “Actually,  I, um, was,” he pauses and tries to collect himself, he can suddenly feel his heart beating in his ears, “I wanted to ask you out. On a date.” The feeling has spread to his skull.

When he says it, it’s almost like the words traveled through your brain and you can’t comprehend what’s actually happening. Benny, the guy you’ve been harboring your fragile middle school crush on, is here asking you out. It makes little, if any sense to you.

“Are you just trying to get more free donuts?”

Benny shakes his head no, “I promise I’m not.”

You’re quiet as you consider what he’s asked–trying to reprocess the information in your mind so that it makes sense. When all the words are finally in place and you repeat them in your mind, you feel some of those flowers that you’d walled up in your stomach starting to push through the cracks.

“Yeah, okay.” You grab a business card from the counter, write your number on the back, and hand it to Benny.

Benny’s not sure he’s ever heard anything better than yeah, okay in his life, it’s like a bolt of lightning right to his core. He puts the card with your number in the chest pocket of his jacket, the safest place he can think of.

“Great. Amazing.” Benny laughs nervously. “I need to get back to work. I’ll text you.” 

“Okay. Well, have a good Christmas, Benny.” 

“You too.” 

Benny gives his standard small wave as he leaves and you lock the door after him. When he’s out of sight you let out a squeal and excitedly dance in place. Your phone vibrating in your back pocket interrupts you mid-happy dance. 

Hey, it’s Benny. Are you free for dinner on the 27th at 7?

Benny watches dots appear and then disappear on his phone. It feels a little bit like torture as he sits in his truck waiting for you to respond.

 Dinner on the 27th at 7 sounds great

Benny releases a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, Let me think of a place and I’ll text you the address

Sounds good. And you meant Dec 27th right?

Benny laughs to himself, Yes dec 27. I’m not going to wait until jan to take you to dinner

Just making sure 🙂

You read his last text at least ten more times before finally going back into the kitchen like you had intended. Each time you read it, there’s a sensation in your stomach like bricks dissolving and flowers blooming again.

—-

Benny texts you on the morning of the 26th with a restaurant name and an address. You already have the sense that he’s different, the type of person who has follow-through. You try to temper your excitement about dinner with him, not wanting to do that thing you sometimes do where you make something out to be more than it is. You keep telling yourself that it’s just dinner, nothing more. But as you pull up to the restaurant a few minutes late and see Benny standing outside, looking nervous in dark denim and a green flannel, you let yourself think that maybe it could be a little more than just dinner. 

“Sorry I’m a little late, I hope you weren’t waiting long?”

Benny smiles when he sees you standing in front of him, “I just got here a few minutes ago.” 

It’s a lie; the last one he’ll tell tonight; but he doesn’t want you to know that he was so amped up about this evening that he got to the restaurant thirty minutes early. On the way in, when you pass in front of him, your perfume delicately floats by him. It’s earthy, but slightly sweet, with cinnamon and vanilla blending neatly in–he’s sure it’s the most beautiful thing that he’s ever smelled. 

It’s a French restaurant, one that you’ve never been to before, but it’s cozy and still in the Christmas spirit. There are multicolored lights strung up and silver tinsel hanging from the ceiling. 

“Have you been here before?” Looking at Benny from across the table and you can see flecks of silver in his facial hair catching the light of the candle on the table. 

“My sister and her husband had their tenth anniversary party here last year. Most of my restaurant choices come from wherever she has an anniversary party.” 

You laugh, “Nice. Do you just have the one sister?”

Benny has just the one sister, you learn, among other things. You find talking to Benny is easy, he doesn’t give one word answers to questions like some men you’ve gone out with. Where trying to get to know them is like trying to get to know a slab of pavement. He’s funnier than you thought, something that you didn’t expect, but is a nice surprise.

“Did you always want to be a detective?”

Benny butters a piece of bread, “To be honest, the only thing I wanted to be growing up was a magician. I guess I saw one too many David Copperfield specials as a kid.”

You start laughing, “Do you know any magic tricks?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know. What about you?”

“I don’t know any, no.” You shrug jokingly as Benny laughs. “But, yeah, I guess I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to be doing. I’m lucky that things have worked out how they have.” 

Benny’s curious now, “You didn’t always work in a bakery?”

“Nope. I actually used to work in tech. It’s kind of a long story.”

“Well, I’m not in any hurry to end the evening.”

There’s something about Benny that puts you at ease, that makes you comfortable enough to want to open up to him. Something that you would never normally consider doing on a first date. You don’t feel the need to downplay that you made a lot of money when a company you worked for in New York was bought out. He doesn’t flinch when you tell him that the reason you moved to California was because of your now ex-husband. He tells you about his own divorce and for the first time in a long time you don’t feel so unlike yourself on a first date. It doesn’t feel scary telling him that you felt insignificant in your own life because of your work and your marriage. That every conversation with your husband made you feel like a burden.There’s a moment when you start to apologize, out of habit, but he stops you. He smiles when you say that the divorce was the best thing to happen to you because it–and you hate to say it like this–gave you your power back. 

“I always wanted to own my own business and I love donuts, so when the divorce happened, I just said fuck it, and went for it. Just threw myself into it.”

“I’m glad you did, I don’t know where else I’d get an apple fritter that good. And for free.” 

“Yeah, about that.” You smile playfully, “I’m going to have to start charging you before you put me out of business.” 

Benny makes a show of looking at his watch, pretending to want to leave, “I guess we should probably call it an evening then?”

He likes the way you laugh, how it’s kind of loud and fills the room. It makes him feel good, to hear you laugh, to see you smile; like he’s responsible for some bit of happiness you’re experiencing.

“See, I knew this was a scam.”

As the waiter clears the table and they wait for the check, Benny asks you what your favorite donut is. 

You don’t even have to think about it, “Definitely a maple bar.”

Benny watches as your eyes light up, telling him how you first had one when you spent the summer between fifth and sixth grade visiting your aunt in Seattle. He listens to you describe how your mom was, in the nicest terms you can find, an extreme dieter, who tried her best to pass all of her food issues down to you, and never let donuts in the house. But your aunt didn’t care and the first thing she did once she would pick you up from the airport was take you to her favorite bakery. It was the highlight of every summer after that until you graduated high school. It was the first donut you learned how to make because on the east coast they’re hard to find. You laugh when you say the best part of moving to the west coast is that every donut place has maple bars, but you’d like to think that yours are the best. Benny can’t help but think it’s cute.

Benny doesn’t want the night to end; he knows that you took a cab to the restaurant so he offers to drive you home. You try not to sound too eager in accepting his offer, but fail.

“Yeah, I’d love that.”

You ask him if he wants you to put your address into google maps for directions, but he doesn’t need them. Benny spends so much time driving all over the city that he knows every street, every highway, every interstate. The map exists in his head; he can get anywhere without really having to think about it. Benny drives you through some unfamiliar, but beautiful neighborhoods. The homes are still decorated and lit up, it’s like driving through the set of a Christmas movie–the only thing missing is snow.

You ask him more about his job, the guys he works with. You like hearing the stories that Benny has about them. You can tell by the way he talks about him, that he’s closest with Connors. You finally learn everyone’s first names and how Benny got his nickname–which you had previously googled out of curiosity. You ask if it bothers him to be called a drunk.

“Knowing the shit they all get into, not really.”

He says that it doesn’t matter what they call him because he knows that in any situation they’ll have his back and he’ll have theirs. That’s what he cares about.

When he pulls up to your house; a small, one-story home, string lights along the frame and around the windows; it looks exactly like he’d imagined. You both sit quietly for a few minutes unsure what to do next. 

Eventually you unbuckle your seatbelt, “I had a really good time tonight, Benny.”

“Me too. Come on, I’ll walk you to your door.” he looks over at you, “protect and serve, you know.” Benny knows it’s a dumb joke, but you laugh anyway.

When you get to the top of your steps, you find it hard to say goodbye. His face is illuminated by the Christmas lights and you can tell he doesn’t want to say goodbye either. You start to say something, you’re not even sure what, but no words come out because Benny’s mouth is on yours, his hands gently cradling your face. His lips are soft and you can feel the warmth of his tongue asking for permission. You drop your keys onto the porch and pull him closer to you by his belt loops.

It feels like hours have passed when Benny finally pulls away, “Sorry. I’ve been wanting to do that for months.”

You rest your hands on his chest, “Next time,” you gently tug on his shirt collar, “don’t wait so long.”

Benny smiles as he watches you crouch down to pick up the keys you dropped. When you stand back up, he reaches towards your face, his fingers grazing behind your ear, “Hold on, you have something in your—” Benny sweeps his fingers against your hair and when he brings his hand in front of you, he’s holding a small, folded piece of paper. 

You take it from him, unfolding it. When you see the words ‘what are you doing for new years?’ written down you start grinning, “So you do still know some magic tricks.”

Benny places his hand on your neck, his thumb stroking your cheek, “A few.”

[neeraj943]

Dematerialization of Shares in India: Digitizing Equity Ownership

In the journey toward a more digital and secure financial system, the dematerialization of shares in India has proven to be a game changer. This move from physical to electronic shareholding has made investing in the stock market significantly more efficient and investor-friendly. The transition not only streamlines transactions but also enhances transparency, safety, and convenience for shareholders.

What Does Dematerialization Mean?

Dematerialization is the process through which physical share certificates are converted into digital form. Once dematerialized, these shares are stored in a demat account, eliminating the need for paper-based securities. The system is facilitated by depositories—NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) and CDSL (Central Depository Services Limited)—that work through intermediaries called Depository Participants (DPs).

Every investor intending to hold or trade shares in the Indian stock market must now operate through a demat account. This account functions similarly to a bank account but holds securities instead of money.

Key Advantages of Dematerialization

The popularity of dematerialization stems from the multiple benefits it offers:

Elimination of Risks: Physical share certificates are susceptible to loss, theft, forgery, and natural damage. Dematerialization completely removes these risks.

Streamlined Transactions: Buying, selling, and transferring shares is much faster and more reliable.

Lower Administrative Costs: No physical handling or courier expenses; stamp duty on transfers is also waived.

Online Access: Investors can manage their portfolios digitally from anywhere at any time.

Better Record-Keeping: Each transaction is accurately recorded, making it easier to monitor investments and comply with tax regulations.

Steps in the Dematerialization Process

To dematerialize physical shares, follow these basic steps:

Open a Demat Account: Choose a DP registered with either NSDL or CDSL.

Fill Out a DRF: The Dematerialization Request Form must be submitted along with the original physical share certificates.

Submission to Registrar: The DP forwards these to the concerned company’s registrar for verification.

Electronic Credit: Upon successful verification, the shares are credited electronically to the investor’s demat account.

Regulatory Framework Supporting Dematerialization

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has mandated dematerialization for all publicly traded shares. The Depositories Act, 1996 provides the legal foundation for this digital system, ensuring that the rights of investors are protected and that markets operate smoothly.

Moreover, SEBI's ongoing efforts to enhance investor awareness and improve operational standards among DPs and brokers have further strengthened trust in the demat system.

Growing Importance in Today’s Market

With the rise in retail investing and the popularity of online trading platforms, dematerialization has become more critical than ever. It supports fast-paced transactions, easy tracking of holdings, and digital reporting—all vital in today’s financial ecosystem.

Even for new investors entering the market via mutual funds or IPOs, a demat account is essential. Many companies now issue shares only in dematerialized form, making it impossible to participate in equity investments without going digital.

Conclusion

The dematerialization of shares in India represents a fundamental shift in how equity ownership is managed and transferred. It has introduced unmatched ease, security, and reliability into the Indian capital market system. For investors, holding shares in demat form is not just an option—it’s the new standard that aligns with India’s digital future.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Economic Development

Economic development refers to the process through which a country or region improves its economic, social, and political well-being. It goes beyond mere economic growth, focusing on broader improvements such as quality of life, equitable access to resources, and sustainability. The philosophy of economic development involves the exploration of values, principles, and strategies that guide efforts to elevate living standards, reduce inequality, and promote social justice.

Core Principles of Economic Development

Human Well-being and Quality of Life Economic development is not just about increasing wealth, but improving the overall quality of life. This involves not only economic metrics like income and employment but also health, education, access to basic services, and environmental sustainability.

Sustainability Sustainable economic development ensures that current growth does not come at the expense of future generations. This encompasses responsible resource management, environmental protection, and long-term social stability.

Equity and Inclusiveness Development should aim to reduce inequality, ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared equitably among all segments of society. This often includes addressing poverty, gender inequality, and regional disparities.

Freedom and Empowerment The philosophy of economic development values individuals’ freedom to choose their path in life. This involves creating an environment where people can access opportunities, make decisions, and have control over their economic futures.

Participation and Democracy Genuine development is participatory and involves empowering local communities. Democratic governance structures enable people to take part in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring that development initiatives reflect local needs and aspirations.

Philosophical Approaches to Economic Development

Neoliberalism Neoliberal thinkers advocate for minimal state intervention in the economy, believing that market forces, competition, and private enterprise lead to more efficient allocation of resources. They argue that deregulation, privatization, and free trade stimulate economic growth and improve living standards.

Structuralism Structuralist approaches, rooted in the works of economists like Raul Prebisch, argue that development requires transforming the economic structure of a society. This may involve diversifying economies away from primary exports and fostering industrialization, technology, and education. Structuralism also advocates for addressing historical inequalities between developed and developing nations.

Dependency Theory Dependency theory critiques the global economic system, arguing that poorer nations remain economically dependent on wealthier ones. It asserts that economic development cannot occur without addressing global inequality and suggests that developing countries should resist exploitative international systems and focus on self-sufficiency.

Capabilities Approach Developed by philosophers like Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, the capabilities approach focuses on expanding individuals' abilities to achieve their well-being. Development is seen not just as economic output but as the expansion of freedoms, opportunities, and capacities to lead a fulfilling life.

Human Development and Well-being Human development, as championed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), emphasizes improving people’s lives through access to health, education, and economic opportunities. It expands the concept of development beyond GDP growth, focusing on broader human development indicators.

Ethical Considerations in Economic Development

Justice and Fairness Economic development often raises ethical questions about fairness and justice. How do we ensure that the fruits of development reach the most marginalized? Are the benefits of growth distributed equitably?

Cultural Sensitivity Globalization and development may clash with local traditions and ways of life. How can development policies respect cultural diversity while promoting progress?

Environmental Responsibility The growth that drives economic development can often harm the environment. Ethical economic development seeks to balance economic success with ecological sustainability, protecting ecosystems and promoting green technology.

Rights-Based Development Some philosophies assert that economic development should be driven by respect for human rights, focusing on the right to work, access to education, the right to food, and social security. Rights-based frameworks aim to ensure that development benefits all people, particularly the most disadvantaged.

Challenges and Criticisms

Economic Inequality While economic development can lead to prosperity, it often exacerbates social inequality. The gap between the rich and poor, both within nations and globally, remains a persistent challenge in achieving truly inclusive development.

Sustainability Issues Rapid economic development can result in environmental degradation, depletion of natural resources, and long-term ecological damage. The challenge lies in balancing immediate economic gains with the need for environmental stewardship.

Cultural Imperialism Economic development often brings Western-style capitalism, technology, and values into non-Western societies, leading to criticisms of cultural imperialism. These critiques question whether true development is possible without compromising cultural identity.

Political Corruption and Mismanagement In many countries, political corruption, ineffective governance, and the lack of infrastructure can hinder the success of economic development initiatives. Ensuring transparent, accountable leadership is essential for sustainable progress.

Conclusion

The philosophy of economic development encompasses diverse theories and practices aimed at improving the well-being of individuals and societies. At its core, it recognizes that economic growth is not an end in itself but a means to greater human flourishing. By addressing the ethical, social, and environmental dimensions of development, philosophers and policymakers alike strive to create an equitable, just, and sustainable future for all.

[aswealthtraining]

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The MCX Commodity Market Training focuses on trading commodities like gold, silver, and crude oil, while the Currency Market Training provides in depth knowledge of global currency trading. Additionally, our 3-Day Strategy Class is perfect for anyone looking to develop effective trading strategies in a short time. Enroll today and start mastering the art of trading in Hyderabad.

[intensifyresearch]

Tata Technologies stock sinks 5% after Rs 1,094 crore block deal

Around 1.6 crore shares of Tata Technologies, making up a 3,9 percent stake, changed hands in the block deal window.

Tata Group firm Tata Technologies Ltd.’s shares sank five percent in early trade on Tuesday, April 29, after shares worth Rs 1,094 crore exchanged hands in a block deal window.

As much as 1.6 crore shares of the company, making up a 3.95 percent stake changed hands in the large deal, at a price of Rs 683 per share. This represents a three percent discount to the previous session’s close of Rs 705.60 apiece.

CNBC-TV18 reported that private equity firm TPG Rise Climate was the likely seller. The seller will see a 60 day lock-in period, while Bank of America Securities was the sole banker in the deal.

At 9.30 am, shares of Tata Technologies were quoting Rs 672.5 per share on the NSE, down 4.7 percent.

On April 25, Tata Technologies reported a net profit of Rs 188.87 crore for the January-March quarter of FY25. This marked a rise of over 20 percent from the Rs 157.24 crore net profit reported in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. The company also announced a final dividend as well as a special one-time dividend for its shareholders.

While net profit rose, Tata Technologies’ revenue from operations declined over 1.18 percent YoY to Rs 1,285.65 crore. The company’s basic earnings per share (EPS) improved to Rs 4.66. Its operating EBITDA meanwhile stood at Rs 2,334 million.

Tata Technology announced a final dividend of Rs 8.35 per share and a one-time special dividend of Rs 3.35 per share. This takes the total dividend announced along with the Q4 results to Rs 11.70 per share.

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“Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks.”

[infamousbrad]

They had "pig butchering" scams in the 1930s.

Please tell your friends and family about this, because you don't know who doesn't know this. I forget how many people don't know this, too, but then I remember that I learned about it from a 1940 non-fiction best-seller that I only heard about because it was popular among 1940s and '50s science fiction authors. (And then later made into a movie called "The Sting," which, via a long chain of copies, also got made into a long-running TV series called Leverage.) The story goes like this:

The Roper identifies and ropes the Mark, who gets handed off to the Grifter, who Shows the Mark the Store. The Store Baits the Hook, then puts the Mark On the Send, and then Stings the Mark when they get back to the Store, and then Blows them Off.

I just got around to watching the John Oliver episode about what the FBI now calls "pig butchering" scams, and, having read David Maurer's original 1940 book about the professional jargon of long-con confidence artists, The Big Con, I recognized every step of it. I spent the whole segment saying the same thing over and over again: "Oh, is that what they're calling that now?"

Do you believe that basically every rich person in the world got rich because they got away with some scam? Of course you do. But are you more jealous than angry? Do you wish someone who knew you would like you enough to let you in on the scam? That's why you're a Mark.

A Roper is a person who's trained in how to go into places where it's normal to have conversations with strangers (back then, cross-country trains and inter-continental ocean liners; nowadays, your smartphone) and easily make friends. Most of the Roper's new friends quickly get ignored; what they're looking for is a resentful, jealous middle or upper middle class person who wishes someone would tell them the illegal way to get rich.

That's when the Mark finds out that the Roper is in the middle of getting rich him/herself! Thanks to The Grifter! And asks the Mark would you like to meet the Grifter?

The Grifter works out of the Store; Ropers bring Marks to him/her. The Store looks entirely convincingly like a place (or an app or a site) where someone dirty, on the inside, could easily cheat people out of tons of money, by doing things like trading on secret information. And the Mark is happy to find out that the Grifter could easily make tons of money for them if they had anything to invest in the Store. The Mark hands over the small amount of money they have on them and, very quickly, the Grifter Baits the Hook: gives them their winnings, and apologizes for how small they were. If only the Mark had more money to invest ...

At which point the Mark, who is On the Send, goes back home and empties out savings, takes out one or more equity loans, maybe even embezzles from his/her work (fully intending to put the money back) and brings it all to the Store.

At which point, instead of getting back winnings, the Mark gets Blown Off. If the Grifter does it smoothly, they can sting the same Mark over and over again: "It's not our fault, you did it wrong." Or "it's not our fault, this time the cops intervened, you're lucky you weren't arrested."

Any newly met "friend" who offers to tell you how to get rich is not your friend. You're the Mark and they're the Roper. The "way to get rich" method they offer you, that looks like it couldn't possibly be fake, too many people would have to be in on it? Is a Store, and they're making so much money off of Marks like you that they can easily hire that many people to play their parts. Oh, but the first time you tried it, you made money? Of course you did; how else would they put you On the Send? And when you come back from being put On the Send, you're not going to get rich, you're going to get Blown Off.

[beholdimhisbeloved]

1) RFBT

· Partnership

· Corporation

· Cooperatives

· FRIA

· E-Commerce Act

· Ease of Doing Business Act

· Intellectual Property Law

· Data Privacy Act

2) MAS

· Basic Considerations

· Cost Behavior and CVP

· Variable & Absorption

· FS Analysis

· Budgeting

· Standard Costing

· Performance Evaluation

· Pricing

· Relevant Costing

3) AFAR

· Partnership

· Corporate Liquidation

· Revenue Recognition – PFRS 15

· Long Term Construction Contract

· Franchise & Consignment Sales

· Home Office and Branch

· Business Combination

· Separate Financial Statements

4) TAX

· Introduction to Taxation

· Income Tax Fundamentals

· Final Tax & Capital Gains Tax

· Gross Income – Exclusions and Inclusions

· Special Gross Income Rules

· Deductions Principles

· Deductions from Gross Income

· Individual Income Tax

5) AT

· Practice and Regulations of the Profession

· Code of Ethics

· Fundamentals of Assurance Services

· Introduction to Auditing

· Overview of Audit Process and Pre-engagement

· Audit Planning

· Study and Evaluation of Internal Control

· Auditing in an IT Environment

· Business Processes Part 1

6) FARAP

· Review of Accounting Process, Single Entry and Correction of Errors

· Cash and Cash Equivalents, Bank Reconciliation, Proof of Cash and Audit of Cash

· Trade and Other Receivables, Notes Receivable and Audit of Receivables

· Loans Receivable, Impairment and Receivable Financing

· Inventories, Biological Assets and Audit of Inventories

· PPE - Initial and Subsequent Measurement, Borrowing Costs and Government Grants

· Wasting Assets, Intangible Assets, Impairment and Audit of PPE and Intangible Assets

· Investment in Equity Securities, Associates and Debt Securities

· Investment Properties, Other Investments and Audit of Investments

[qadirakhan07]

indian stock market

Title: Navigating the Stock Market: A Beginner's Guide

Introduction

The stock market is a dynamic and complex financial ecosystem where investors buy and sell shares of publicly-traded companies. It's a place where fortunes can be made and lost, but understanding the fundamentals can significantly reduce the risk associated with investing. In this beginner's guide to the stock market, we'll explore the basics, terminology, and strategies to help you embark on your investment journey with confidence.

Chapter 1: What is the Stock Market?

Definition: The stock market is a marketplace where buyers and sellers trade ownership in companies through stocks (equity).

Historical Perspective: Learn about the origins and evolution of stock markets.

Types of Stock Markets: Understand the differences between major stock exchanges (e.g., NYSE, NASDAQ).

Chapter 2: Stock Market Participants

Investors: Discover the various types of investors, from individual traders to institutional investors.

Public Companies: Explore why companies go public and what it means for investors.

Regulators: Learn about the regulatory bodies that oversee stock markets.

Chapter 3: Stock Market Basics

Stocks and Shares: Differentiate between stocks and shares and understand their value.

Market Indices: Discover how indices like the S&P 500 and Dow Jones work.

Market Orders: Learn about market orders, limit orders, and stop orders.

Trading Hours: Know the opening and closing times of stock markets.

Chapter 4: Investment Strategies

Long-Term Investing: Explore the benefits of buy-and-hold strategies.

Day Trading: Understand the fast-paced world of day trading.

Value Investing: Learn about the principles made famous by Warren Buffett.

Risk Management: Discover strategies to mitigate risk and protect your investments.

Chapter 5: Analyzing Stocks

Fundamental Analysis: Evaluate a company's financial health and performance.

Technical Analysis: Study price charts and indicators to make short-term predictions.

Sentiment Analysis: Understand how market sentiment can affect stock prices.

Chapter 6: Diversification and Portfolio Management

Diversification: Learn how to spread risk by investing in various asset classes.

Building a Portfolio: Explore the process of constructing a well-balanced investment portfolio.

Rebalancing: Understand the importance of periodically adjusting your portfolio.

Chapter 7: Tax Implications and Regulations

Capital Gains Tax: Discover how profits from stock trading are taxed.

IRA and 401(k): Learn about tax-advantaged retirement accounts for long-term savings.

Chapter 8: Common Pitfalls and Mistakes

Overtrading: Avoid the urge to make excessive, impulsive trades.

Ignoring Research: Stress the importance of thorough research before investing.

Emotional Decision-Making: Learn to manage emotions when making investment decisions.

Chapter 9: Staying Informed

Financial News: Keep abreast of financial news and its impact on the market.

Investment Resources: Explore useful websites, books, and forums for learning and advice.

Conclusion

The stock market can be an exciting and rewarding place for investors, but it's crucial to approach it with knowledge and a well-thought-out strategy. With a solid understanding of the basics, a clear investment plan, and the discipline to stick to it, you can navigate the stock market and work towards achieving your financial goals. Remember that, like any other endeavor, successful stock market investing takes time, patience, and continuous learning.

[financialflare]

Investing in Stocks 101: A Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth with Confidence

I. Introduction to Investing in Stock

Investing in stocks can be a powerful tool for building long-term wealth. By acquiring ownership in companies through stock ownership, individuals can participate in the profits and growth of these businesses. This comprehensive guide aims to provide beginners with a solid foundation to navigate the complex world of stock investing, enabling them to make informed decisions with confidence.

Understanding the Basics of Investing in Stocks

Before diving into the intricacies of stock investing, it is crucial to grasp the basic concept of stocks. Stocks, also known as shares or equities, represent a portion of ownership in a company. When individuals purchase stocks, they become shareholders in that company, which entitles them to a share of its profits and assets.

Why Investing in Stocks is Essential for Wealth Building

Investing in stocks offers numerous advantages for wealth building. Unlike traditional savings accounts, stocks have the potential to generate substantial returns over the long term. Additionally, investing in stocks allows individuals to diversify their portfolios and participate in the growth of different industries and sectors. By harnessing the power of compounding returns, investors can exponentially increase their wealth over time.

II. Getting Started in Stock Investing

Embarking on a journey of stock investing requires careful planning and consideration. Before delving into the world of stocks, beginners should lay a strong foundation by following these steps:

Setting Financial Goals and Time Horizon

Determining financial goals is paramount in creating a roadmap for successful investing. Whether the objective is saving for retirement, buying a home, or funding education, setting clear goals helps investors tailor their investment strategies accordingly. Additionally, identifying the time horizon, or the length of time an investor plans to stay invested, plays a crucial role in selecting suitable investment options.

Assessing Risk Tolerance and Investment Options

Understanding personal risk tolerance is vital when considering investment options. Risk tolerance refers to an individual's willingness and ability to withstand fluctuations in investment values. It is essential to strike a balance between risk and potential returns to align investment choices with personal comfort levels. Furthermore, investors should explore different investment vehicles such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds to diversify their portfolios and manage risk effectively.

Building a Solid Foundation: Budgeting and Emergency Funds

Before entering the world of stock investing, it is imperative to establish a solid financial foundation. Implementing a budgeting system enables individuals to monitor their income, expenses, and savings. By creating a clear picture of their financial health, investors can allocate funds for stock investments without compromising their overall financial stability. Additionally, building emergency funds safeguards against unforeseen circumstances, ensuring the availability of funds for emergencies rather than withdrawing invested capital prematurely.

III. Demystifying the Stock Market

The stock market can be an intimidating concept for beginners. However, gaining a fundamental understanding of its key aspects can help demystify the process of stock investing.

Exploring the Stock Market: Definitions, Exchanges, and Indexes

The stock market refers to the platform where investors can buy and sell stocks. It is an organized marketplace where buyers and sellers meet to trade shares of publicly listed companies. Stock exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ, facilitate these transactions. Indexes, such as the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average, track the performance of specific groups of stocks, enabling investors to gauge overall market trends.

How Stock Prices are Determined

Stock prices are determined by supply and demand dynamics in the stock market. When there is high demand for a particular stock, its price tends to rise, while low demand leads to price declines. Various factors, such as company performance, economic conditions, and investor sentiment, contribute to the fluctuations in stock prices.

Key Players in the Stock Market: Brokers, Investors, and Analysts

Several key players participate in the stock market, each with distinct roles and responsibilities. Brokers act as intermediaries between investors and the stock exchange, facilitating the buying and selling of stocks. Investors, who can be individuals or institutions, purchase and own stocks based on their investment objectives. Analysts play a pivotal role by analysing companies, industries, and economic factors to provide insights and recommendations to investors.

IV. Different Types of Stocks

Understanding the different types of stocks available in the market is essential for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios effectively.

Common Stocks vs. Preferred Stocks: Understanding the Differences

Common stocks and preferred stocks are the two primary types of stocks available to investors. Common stocks represent ownership in a company and provide individuals with voting rights in corporate matters. Preferred stocks, on the other hand, typically do not carry voting rights but offer higher priority for dividends and liquidation proceeds.

Growth Stocks, Value Stocks, and Dividend Stocks: Choosing Investments

Within the stock market, investors can select from various categories of stocks based on their investment objectives and strategies. Growth stocks are shares of companies with high growth potential but may not necessarily pay dividends. Value stocks, on the other hand, are stocks that are considered undervalued compared to their intrinsic worth. Dividend stocks are shares of companies that regularly distribute a portion of their profits to shareholders in the form of dividends.

V. Fundamental Analysis: Evaluating Stocks

Fundamental analysis plays a crucial role in evaluating the financial health and performance of companies, enabling investors to make informed decisions about their investments.

Introduction to Fundamental Analysis

Fundamental analysis focuses on assessing the underlying factors that drive a company's financial performance and stock value. By analyzing financial statements, economic factors, and industry trends, investors can gauge the intrinsic value of a stock.

Examining Financial Statements: Balance Sheets, Income Statements, and Cash Flow

Financial statements provide a comprehensive view of a company's financial health. The balance sheet showcases a company's assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity. The income statement presents the company's revenues, expenses, and profits or losses. The cash flow statement illustrates the movement of cash into and out of the company, providing insights into its liquidity.

Key Financial Ratios for Stock Analysis

Financial ratios offer valuable insights into a company's financial health and performance. Ratios, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), return on equity (ROE), and debt-to-equity (D/E), can help investors assess a company's profitability, efficiency, and financial leverage.

VI. Technical Analysis: Analysing Stock Price Patterns

Technical analysis complements fundamental analysis by examining stock price patterns, trends, and indicators to predict future price movements.

Introduction to Technical Analysis

Technical analysis revolves around the belief that historical price and volume data can provide insights into future price movements. It involves studying stock charts, trend lines, and technical indicators to identify patterns that can guide investment decisions.

Understanding Stock Charts, Trends, and Patterns

Stock charts display the historical price movements of stocks over different time frames. Trend lines help identify the direction and strength of a stock's price movement. Various chart patterns, such as head and shoulders, double bottoms, and triangles, indicate potential reversals or continuations in stock prices.

Utilising Technical Indicators for Decision Making

Technical indicators, such as moving averages, relative strength index (RSI), and MACD (moving average convergence divergence), provide additional insights into stock price movements. These indicators help investors identify overbought or oversold conditions, as well as potential trend reversals, aiding in strategic decision-making.

VII. Building a Diversified Stock Portfolio

Diversification is a principle that mitigates risk by spreading investments across various stocks, sectors, and industries.

The Importance of Diversification

Diversifying a stock portfolio protects investors against the risk of holding a concentrated position. By investing in stocks across different industries and sectors, individuals can reduce the impact of negative events affecting a specific company or sector.

Choosing Stocks across Different Industries and Sectors

When building a diversified stock portfolio, it is crucial to allocate investments across various industries and sectors. This strategy ensures exposure to different economic cycles, reducing the potential vulnerability of the portfolio to specific events or industry downturns.

Allocating Portfolio Weightings and Risk Management

Determining the allocation of investments within a portfolio requires careful consideration. By diversifying holdings based on risk tolerance, investment goals, and time horizon, investors can achieve an optimal balance between risk and return.

VIII. Investing Strategies for Long-term Growth

Investing in stocks for long-term growth involves adopting specific strategies that capitalize on compounding returns and market cycles.

Buy and Hold Strategy: Investing for the Long Run

The buy and hold strategy entails purchasing stocks with the intention of holding them for an extended period, often years or even decades. This approach relies on the long-term growth potential of well-established companies and minimises the impacts of short-term market fluctuations.

Dollar-Cost Averaging: Regular Investing Regardless of Market Conditions

Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a fixed amount of money regularly, regardless of market conditions. This strategy allows investors to buy more shares when prices are low and fewer shares when prices are high, potentially reducing the overall average cost of investments.

Understanding Market Cycles and the Role of Patience

Markets experience cycles of expansion, consolidation, and contraction. Recognizing these cycles and maintaining patience are integral to long-term investment success. By avoiding knee-jerk reactions to short-term market movements, investors can harness the power of compounding returns over time.

IX. Performing Due Diligence: Researching and Selecting Stocks

Researching and selecting stocks requires thorough due diligence to make informed investment decisions.

Identifying Sources of Investment Information

Accurate and reliable information is crucial when researching stocks. Investors can access various sources of information, such as financial news websites, company annual reports, SEC filings, and industry reports, to gather insights and make informed decisions.

Evaluating Company Fundamentals and Industry Performance

Analysing a company's fundamentals, including revenue growth, profitability, competitive advantages, and management, helps assess its potential for long-term success. Additionally, understanding industry trends, competition, and market dynamics provides a broader context for evaluating a company's performance.

Selecting Stocks for Your Portfolio

The process of stock selection involves filtering potential investments based on established criteria, such as financial strength, growth prospects, and valuation. By carefully evaluating stocks, investors can assemble a portfolio that aligns with their investment goals and risk tolerance.

X. The Art of Buying and Selling Stocks

Executing buy and sell orders requires understanding various types of stock orders and maintaining a disciplined approach.

Placing Stock Orders: Market Orders, Limit Orders, and Stop Orders

Investors can place different types of orders to buy or sell stocks. Market orders execute immediately at the prevailing market price, while limit orders allow investors to specify the desired price at which to buy or sell. Stop orders are triggered when the stock reaches a specific price, aiming to limit losses or secure gains.

Timing the Market vs. Time in the Market

Timing the market, or attempting to buy stocks at the lowest price and sell at the highest, is extremely challenging and often unsuccessful. Instead, the time spent in the market is a more reliable strategy, allowing investors to benefit from the long-term upward trend of the stock market.

Emotional Pitfalls to Avoid

Emotions can significantly impact investment decisions. Fear and greed often lead to irrational behaviour, such as panic selling during market downturns or chasing speculative investments during market euphoria. Avoiding emotional pitfalls and maintaining a disciplined approach based on the investment plan is key to long-term success.

XI. Managing and Monitoring Your Stock Portfolio

Regularly managing and monitoring a stock portfolio ensures it remains aligned with evolving financial goals and market conditions.

Regular Portfolio Review and Rebalancing

Periodic portfolio reviews are essential to evaluate the performance of individual stocks and the overall portfolio. Rebalancing involves adjusting the portfolio's weightings to maintain the desired allocation and risk level.

Tracking Performance and Monitoring News

Monitoring the performance of individual stocks and the broader market is crucial for making informed decisions. Additionally, staying abreast of relevant news, such as company announcements, industry developments, and economic indicators, allows investors to react to potential opportunities or threats in a timely manner.

Tax Considerations and Investment Record-Keeping

Investors should be mindful of tax implications related to their stock investments. It is important to keep accurate records of transactions and consult with a tax professional to maximize tax efficiency. Maintaining proper documentation also facilitates overall investment record-keeping and simplifies the tax filing process.

XII. Potential Risks and Mitigation Strategies

Investing in stocks involves inherent risks. By understanding them and implementing appropriate mitigation strategies, investors can safeguard their portfolios.

Understanding Volatility and Market Fluctuations

Volatility refers to the degree of variation in stock prices over time. Market fluctuations can be driven by a wide range of factors, including economic events, geopolitical risks, and investor sentiment. Investors should be prepared for the occasional turbulence and remain focused on long-term objectives.

Assessing Systematic and Unsystematic Risks

Systematic risks, also known as market risks, affect the overall stock market and cannot be diversified away. Unsystematic risks, on the other hand, impact specific companies or sectors and can be mitigated through diversification. By diversifying across industries and sectors, investors can mitigate unsystematic risks while accepting the broader market risks.

Hedging and Protective Measures

Hedging involves employing strategies to offset potential losses in a portfolio. Options, futures, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are common hedging instruments. Protective measures, such as utilising stop-loss orders or setting trailing stops, enable investors to limit potential downside risks.

XIII. Investing in Stocks for Retirement

Stocks play a crucial role in retirement planning, providing long-term growth potential and income generation.

The Role of Stocks in Retirement Planning

Incorporating stocks in retirement investment portfolios can help counteract the effects of inflation and generate long-term growth. As stocks historically outperform other investment options over extended periods, they play a vital role in ensuring adequate retirement savings.

Considerations for Different Retirement Ages

The appropriate allocation to stocks within a retirement portfolio varies depending on an individual's age and risk tolerance. Younger individuals may have a higher allocation to equities due to their longer time horizon, while older individuals may opt for a more conservative allocation.

Balancing Risk and Income in Retirement Investment Portfolios

Retirees often seek a balance between risk and income in their investment portfolios. This involves diversifying holdings to mitigate potential volatility while considering income-generating assets, such as dividend-paying stocks, to meet ongoing financial needs.

XIV. Investing in Stocks for Specific Goals

Beyond retirement planning, stocks can be utilised to achieve various financial objectives.

Investing for Education: College Funds and 529 Plans

Investors can leverage stocks through college funds, such as 529 plans, to save for their children's education. By starting investments early and adopting a long-term perspective, individuals can potentially accumulate substantial funds for educational expenses.

Investing for a Home Purchase or Down Payment

Stock investments can serve as a means to save for a home purchase or down payment. Aligning investment strategies with the desired time frame and risk tolerance allows individuals to accumulate funds for this significant financial milestone.

Stocks as Passive Income: Dividend Investing

Dividend investing involves selecting stocks that regularly distribute a portion of their profits as dividends. By building a portfolio centred around dividend-paying stocks, investors can generate passive income and

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Optimal TSP Allocation and the Golden Edge in Retirement

In the intricate tapestry of retirement planning, the judicious allocation of assets is akin to orchestrating a symphony. For federal employees navigating the terrain of the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), mastering the art of allocation becomes paramount. This article delves into the nuances of optimizing TSP allocation while exploring the glittering allure of gold as a strategic investment in the retirement portfolio.

Understanding TSP Basics

The Thrift Savings Plan, a cornerstone of federal retirement planning, offers a selection of funds catering to diverse risk appetites. The TSP triumvirate comprises the G Fund (Government Securities Investment Fund), F Fund (Fixed Income Index Investment Fund), and C Fund (Common Stock Index Investment Fund), among others.

TSP Allocations

In the realm of TSP allocation, the ideal symphony harmonizes risk and reward. The G Fund, with its stable returns and minimal risk, can serve as the anchor, providing a solid foundation. Meanwhile, the C Fund introduces the crescendo of potential growth, tethered to the performance of the U.S. stock market. Strategic allocation, blending G, F, and C Funds, orchestrates a balanced yet dynamic retirement portfolio.

The Timeless Allure of Gold

As we traverse the financial landscape, the gleam of gold beckons as a haven of stability. Gold, often hailed as the "barbarous relic," transcends mere commodity status, assuming the mantle of a diversification instrument. Its intrinsic value, immune to the fluctuations of traditional financial assets, adds a layer of resilience to a retirement portfolio.

The Diversification

In the ballet of financial planning, gold assumes the role of a prima ballerina, dancing independently of the market's gyrations. Integrating gold into your investment repertoire enhances diversification, acting as a counterpoint to equities and bonds. The glittering metal historically exhibits a negative correlation with traditional assets, serving as a hedge against economic uncertainties.

Crafting a Harmonious Portfolio

The virtuosity lies in the integration of TSP allocations and gold investments. A nuanced approach involves allocating a portion of the TSP to the G Fund for stability, complemented by a strategic blend of the C Fund for growth. Simultaneously, introducing gold through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or physical holdings forms a harmonic convergence, fortifying the portfolio against market volatilities.

Lifecycle Considerations

The retirement symphony evolves over time. As one progresses through the seasons of life, the allocation composition should adapt. In the early movements, a higher tilt towards the C Fund may resonate, gradually shifting towards the G Fund's stability as the finale approaches. Gold, a timeless overture, maintains its presence across the stages, adding a consistent undertone of security.

In the grand performance of retirement planning, the intersection of the best TSP allocation in retirement and gold investments yields a harmonious crescendo. By orchestrating a thoughtful blend of TSP funds and integrating the enduring allure of gold, one can compose a symphony that resonates with financial stability and growth. As the retirement curtain rises, let the melody of optimal allocation and the golden sonata guide you towards a financially virtuoso encore.

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I can tell you this first hand, even the people who are fighting, they're doing it running ragged. Double that for anyone who's like a marginalized identity targeted explicitly by him, I know trans people who are burning the candle at both ends, myself included, to create support groups, networks of aid, any kind of shit just to keep going and to maintain any sort of equilibrium and even make ends meet. I'm very fortunate to have the job I have, I don't know if I will have it forever, as my job does kind of require or rely upon Federal and local government grants and the state of Missouri is not exactly a very kind place right now to trans people.

Not only that, but also like, I would like to explain to anyone from outside of the United States what the United States is like, because I don't think any of you understand what it's like. I think you see New York and la and maybe Austin Texas and maybe Portland oregon, or God forbid any one of the places where there's like a Disney theme park that some of y'all go to, but like those are really big economically beautiful and thriving places. That means they look picturesque, that means they look like America is fine and thriving, but I can assure you that is not the case for a number of different groups and people and places. Hell even in those places I've listed, there are issues you can see on a day-to-day basis that you wouldn't normally see just touring.

The vast majority of the United States, for the vast part of its history, has been some kind of police state with some kind of hyper regulatory body enforcing some kind of morally tied laws. From cross-dressing laws, to race mixing laws, to laws disparaging and maintaining women's oppression, to the very fact that if you didn't own land for a large part of this country's history, you didn't have any sort of power. At all. This means that you are beholden to a capitalistic class that has grown more and more powerful as time has gone on. America is not a shining City on hill and has never been a shining City on a hill, it has always been this place that has been propped up by capitalism, and always had a bunch of people that are sitting in the periphery and which makes the majority of the capital but doesn't see a dime of it. If you think that this is suddenly abnormal, that we went from voting for Obama to voting for the orange dweeb, you're a fucking idiot. You're not paying attention. You're so wrapped up in economic and social nationalism for your countries, thinking about how much better your Society is in contrast and trying desperately to figure out what went wrong™ in America that you forget fascism starts when you start drawing heavy borders and when you start thinking about us versus them. Everyone in the entire world is beholden and capable of doing fascism. I mean it fucking started in Europe for God's sake, Europe is not this enlightened Center of cultural good, for a long time it was very regressive and stifling, and it is only a recent part of History in which that has not been the case. And didn't even more recent history, you have benefited off of economic booms and trade Partnerships that have basically dissolved orders that once caused decades-long escalating conflicts that almost entirely destroyed the world. This is not an accident, this happens because of the economic powers that be, this is because of capitalism, and this is specifically because we have still not addressed the issues that plague the world.

We are trying our very best to do what we can to fight what we can and protect what we can. But when the majority of the country has been getting increasingly economically disparate, when police get more funding than schools, when the military is all over the world working with allies and toppling Nations or propping up proxy states, when all of our money goes to defense contractors or contracted Federal businesses run or cut to Pieces by private Equity firms, there's not a whole lot many people can do, and the more marginalized you are, the more Afflicted and affected by different issues in the world you are, the harder it is for you to do something. And yet I know some people who do stuff, who do fight, who fucking have to walk with a cane or crutches, who struggle to breathe or struggle to go anywhere, who don't have cars, and they still manage to go to meetings, work with organizations, and they're trying, they're God damn trying.

You see the problem is for the last 40 fucking years, the media apparatus that the United States runs, CNN and fox news, have accelerated the concept of propaganda in America from something that is a lot more decentralized and region specific, into this National Force that basically tells the world what America thinks. The issue is? Neither CNN nor Fox news, nor HLN, the Oprah Winfrey channel, cbs, abc, nbc, or Comedy Central really represent the American people and their opinions. A number of these nationally syndicated television shows and news programs have to water down a lot of perspectives, and they often dehumanize, Rob The Voice of, or just genuinely ignore very necessary issues. This is also because of the fairness doctrine, a standard that guaranteed the news would be a certain way, was abolished around the time that CNN and Fox News started taking off.

So not only were you getting watered down, oftentimes nationalized opinions, there was no alternative perspectives and there was no way to tell who thought what and why. And so pretty much the entire world and anyone who watches CNN and Fox News has just assumed that's what Americans think, when in reality we are very much skeptical and very much frustrated with what either program says, and by extension a lot of other media companies. We have watched and tried very actively to stop the monopolization of our media, but we are pretty much helpless to stop it because there's not a lot of avenues we can take especially the worse and worse things get.

You have to stop thinking of America in terms of the prosperity that is projected on television and by a bunch of places for touristic means, you have to start thinking about it in terms of the places that you don't see, you have to start thinking about it as a sort of oligarchic dictatorship that has traded hands over and over again for the last several decades to financially benefit a bunch of dick heads at the top of the hierarchy. Those same Financial dick heads go and explore the world, prop up and collaborate with different financially powerful individuals, and maintain the conflicts and oppression that run the world. Ever since the fall of the Berlin wall, and even since before that point, America has had pretty much free reign with little opposition to do a bunch of bullshit like that.

All the while a lot of it citizens suffer, a lot of them are compulsory forced to serve in the military in order to get the bare minimum amount of college, medical care, and so on, which creates a massive benefit to the military industrial complex, and by extension ships are troops all over the world to help our allies supposedly defend themselves, when in actuality all it's doing is just legitimizing and continuing the cycle of financial destruction.

What I'm trying to say is you have to stop thinking of America in terms of what you see in the media and start looking at America in terms of what you hear from people around here, and more importantly you have to talk to people who are not kissing the ass of government or posting rampant conspiracism. You have to talk to regular citizens and actually get a gauge on what it's like living in both middle and wider range America. I would love for California and New York to be the emblematic representation of america, I would love for the media and ideas you see and engage with to be true, but it's not and it can't be.

America has never been this prosperous giant, it has been a testing ground for the extent of which capitalism can be abusive and get away with it. It is always been that way. You can ask however it got to this point, and I will point to the Civil War and say it was always this way.

It was always about maintaining indentured servitude, always about maintaining disparity and destruction and oppression, and basically from the beginning America has constantly been founded by and sustained by consistent and perfect PR spins. Liberty and justice for all? Or for a bunch of guys who own land? Yes you can change it, but you don't change it by simple votes. All of the Amendments that have giving us rights and changes that have made the country supposedly better have been paid for in blood, and almost all of them have been subverted by a bunch of movements antithetical to their existence simply because a group of people didn't like being told what to do. We are trying our very goddamn best. Please know that the media lies to you, please know that our government lies to you, please know that everything you hear about us is likely some kind of fabrication meant to maintain some kind of facade to get you to believe bullshit. To make you think that we're complaining with this. To make you think that we wanted this. We didn't. Those of us who did? I guarantee you are in the minority. I know they are in the minority.

For those outside of America going "why don't you fight back" or "don't you guys know what's going on?" let me explain something to you.

We know.

There is nothing a lot of us can do right now.

We are either minorities surrounded by Trump supporters or struggling to make ends meet or (most likely) both.

These first few days are designed to exhaust us. It's the same tactic he used during his first administration. Overwhelm the media and the masses so that the more sinister things he does gets swept under the rug.

And honestly, a lot of us are checked out because we spent the last four years warning people about a second term because our lives were on the line and those we thought cared about us proved they didn't.

And now we're just trying to find some sort of semblance of happiness in this joyless world we're now living in. We fight when we can, we bring attention to what we can, but a lot of us are just fucking exhausted.

So please, cut us some slack. We've been fighting for the last eight years, we still have to fight for the next four.

Right now, survival is the only rebellion we have.