#food storage technique

[foodstorage23]

Food Storage: Ensuring Sustenance and Security for Uncertain Times!!

In an ever-changing world where natural disasters, economic fluctuations, and unforeseen circumstances can disrupt our daily lives, being prepared for the unexpected has become a necessity. Food Storage steps forward as a reliable solution, offering long-term food storage options that ensure sustenance and security during challenging times.

Unveiling the Essence of Food Storage

Food Storage is a concept rooted in foresight and preparedness. Recognizing that emergencies can strike without warning, the company has dedicated itself to providing individuals and families with a lifeline in the form of high-quality, long-lasting food supplies. Their products are meticulously crafted to cater to the diverse needs of those seeking a practical solution for uncertain times.

The Art of Long-Term Food Storage

At the heart of Food Storage's offerings lies the art of long-term food storage. Their products encompass an array of freeze-dried and dehydrated meals, from breakfasts to entrees and snacks. These meals are expertly prepared through advanced preservation techniques that remove moisture while retaining essential nutrients and flavors. By packaging these meals in airtight containers or Mylar pouches alongside oxygen absorbers, food storage company ensures an extended shelf life that can span decades.

Benefits Beyond Basic Nutrition

The advantages of food storage extend far beyond basic nutrition. In crisis scenarios where traditional food supplies might be scarce or inaccessible, these carefully prepared meals offer a ray of hope. Their lightweight nature and easy preparation – often requiring only water – make them an invaluable asset during emergencies. Individuals and families can have peace of mind knowing they have a dependable food source that can sustain them through turbulent times.

Customizable Solutions for Diverse Needs

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Beyond Food: A Holistic Preparedness Approach

While food is a fundamental component of emergency preparedness, food storage company recognizes that a holistic approach is essential. Their products are just one piece of the puzzle. Adequate water storage, medical supplies, communication tools, and a well-thought-out emergency plan complete the picture of comprehensive preparedness. Food storage companies encourage individuals to consider these factors collectively to ensure the safety and well-being of themselves and their loved ones.

A Future of Confidence and Readiness

In conclusion, food storage company stands as a beacon of preparedness in a world where unforeseen events can disrupt the status quo. Through their meticulously crafted long-term food storage solutions, the company provides individuals and families with the means to secure sustenance and maintain a sense of normalcy during times of crisis. As we navigate an increasingly uncertain future, food storage offers not only nourishment but also the assurance that we can face the unknown with strength and resilience.

[marginal-notes]

having constant thoughts about the incredible economic value of mokuton, like yeah, no shit the Uzumaki got that down on lock with a marriage alliance. they live by water. they gotta have boats. what do you build boats with. what do you repair buildings damaged by storms with.

having constant thoughts about lumber and salt and food and trade.

[farmerstrend]

Building Community Resilience Through Indigenous Seed Banks in Western Kenya

Discover how indigenous seed banks in Kenya, like Ebuchirinya Seed Bank, empower farmers, preserve biodiversity, and offer a sustainable alternative to costly hybrid seeds. Learn how Kenya’s community seed banks and the Seed Savers Network support smallholder farmers in preserving indigenous seeds, promoting food security, and fostering resilience against climate change. Explore the journey of…

[allfortheloveofdogs]

Cooking Canine Cuisine: Essential Tips for Homemade Dog Food Success

We all want to do what’s best for our families, dogs and other animal family members included.  Lately, there has been a lot of controversy on social media about manufactured foods, illnesses and recalls.  While this article won’t get into those details, what I have noticed is a major influx of dog guardians turning to homecooked and raw foods for their furry family members. Affiliate…

[reasonsforhope]

"In some cities, as many as one in four office spaces are vacant. Some start-ups are giving them a second life – as indoor farms growing crops as varied as kale, cucumber and herbs.

Since its 1967 construction, Canada's "Calgary Tower", a 190m (623ft) concrete-and-steel observation tower in Calgary, Alberta, has been home to an observation deck, panoramic restaurants and souvenir shops. Last year, it welcomed a different kind of business: a fully functioning indoor farm.

Sprawling across 6,000sq m (65,000 sq ft), the farm, which produces dozens of crops including strawberries, kale and cucumber, is a striking example of the search for city-grown food. But it's hardly alone. From Japan to Singapore to Dubai, vertical indoor farms – where crops can be grown in climate-controlled environments with hydroponics, aquaponics or aeroponics techniques – have been popping up around the world.

While indoor farming had been on the rise for years, a watershed moment came during the Covid-19 pandemic, when disruptions to the food supply chain underscored the need for local solutions. In 2021, $6bn (£4.8bn) in vertical farming deals were registered globally – the peak year for vertical farming investment. As the global economy entered its post-pandemic phase, some high-profile startups like Fifth Season went out of business, and others including Planted Detroit and AeroFarms running into a period of financial difficulty. Some commentators questioned whether a "vertical farming bubble" had popped.

But a new, post-pandemic trend may give the sector a boost. In countries including Canada and Australia, landlords are struggling to fill vacant office spaces as companies embrace remote and hybrid work. In the US, the office vacancy rate is more than 20%.

"Vertical farms may prove to be a cost-effective way to fill in vacant office buildings," says Warren Seay, Jr, a real estate finance partner in the Washington DC offices of US law firm ArentFox Schiff, who authored an article on urban farm reconversions. 

There are other reasons for the interest in urban farms, too. Though supply chains have largely recovered post-Covid-19, other global shocks, including climate change, geopolitical turmoil and farmers' strikes, mean that they continue to be vulnerable – driving more cities to look for local food production options...

Thanks to artificial light and controlled temperatures, offices are proving surprisingly good environments for indoor agriculture, spurring some companies to convert part of their facilities into small farms. Since 2022, Australia's start-up Greenspace has worked with clients like Deloitte and Commonwealth Bank to turn "dead zones", like the space between lifts and meeting rooms, into 2m (6ft) tall hydroponic cabinets growing leafy greens.

On top of being adaptable to indoor farm operations, vacant office buildings offer the advantage of proximity to final consumers.

In a former paper storage warehouse in Arlington, about a mile outside of Washington DC, Jacqueline Potter and the team at Area 2 Farms are growing over 180 organic varieties of lettuce, greens, root vegetables, herbs and micro-greens. By serving consumers 10 miles away or less, the company has driven down transport costs and associated greenhouse emissions.

This also frees the team up to grow other types of food that can be hard to find elsewhere – such as edible flower species like buzz buttons and nasturtium. "Most crops are now selected to be grown because of their ability to withstand a 1,500-mile journey," Potter says, referring to the average distance covered by crops in the US before reaching customers. "In our farm, we can select crops for other properties like their nutritional value or taste."

Overall, vertical farms have the potential to outperform regular farms on several environmental sustainability metrics like water usage, says Evan Fraser, professor of geography at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada and the director of the Arell Food Institute, a research centre on sustainable food production. Most indoor farms report using a tiny fraction of the water that outdoor farms use. Indoor farms also report greater output per square mile than regular farms.

Energy use, however, is the "Achilles heel" of this sector, says Fraser: vertical farms need a lot of electricity to run lighting and ventilation systems, smart sensors and automated harvesting technologies. But if energy is sourced from renewable sources, they can outperform regular farms on this metric too, he says. 

Because of variations in operational setup, it is hard to make a general assessment of the environmental, social and economic sustainability of indoor farms, says Jiangxiao Qiu, a landscape ecologist at the University of Florida and author of a study on urban agriculture's role in sustainability. Still, he agrees with Fraser: in general, urban indoor farms have higher crop yield per square foot, greater water and nutrient-use efficiency, better resistance to pests and shorter distance to market. Downsides include high energy use due to lighting, ventilation and air conditioning.

They face other challenges, too. As Seay notes, zoning laws often do not allow for agricultural activity within urban areas (although some cities like Arlington, Virginia, and Cincinnati, Ohio, have recently updated zoning to allow indoor farms). And, for now, indoor farms have limited crop range. It is hard to produce staple crops like wheat, corn or rice indoors, says Fraser. Aside from leafy greens, most indoor facilities cannot yet produce other types of crops at scale.

But as long as the post-pandemic trends of remote work and corporate downsizing will last, indoor farms may keep popping up in cities around the world, Seay says. 

"One thing cities dislike more than anything is unused spaces that don't drive economic growth," he says. "If indoor farm conversions in cities like Arlington prove successful, others may follow suit.""

-via BBC, January 27, 2025

[prongsx]

THREE TIMES YOU TRIED TO SAY YOU LOVED JASON AND ONCE HE TOLD YOU

warnings: fluff, kisses, female reader. English its not my first language and this is the first time I have had the courage to post something.

Jason loves you. Simple and pure. You are all he thinks about when he wakes up and when he goes to sleep. It's like your name is engraved in his bones. The problem is that you love him too. He can see it in your puppy dog ​​eyes, in the softest touch anyone has ever had with him, in the kisses as if his life was at risk with every breath.

He is fine with loving you, with being devoted to you, with protecting you. But you loving him? He can't accept that, he doesn't deserve the love of someone so sweet and perfect. His killer hands don't deserve to be held and caressed by someone like you.

He wants to say he loves you, he really does, but something inside him wants to deserve it by saying it, wants to fight to deserve your love. The problem is that you seem desperate to say those three magic words, it seems so simple to you. But he won't let you say it first, no, you deserve more than that.

His apartment smells like Italian food, grilled chicken in the pan and pasta cooking as he stirs the special sauce Alfred taught him. He was really trying to impress you.

"It smells delicious, Jay," you hummed, sitting on the counter as you admired your boyfriend's back, his shirt exposing his muscular arms flexed constantly as he tended to the pans.

"I hope it tastes good too." he said, turning and kissing your cheek, one hand resting on your thigh, his blue eyes shining in the low light of the kitchen.

You both stayed silent, with those stupid smiles of lovers, your hands coming up to caress his jaw. Then it happened, he almost felt it happening, your eyes getting softer, your lower lip trembling, the touch more intimate. He'd always been good at reading people, especially you.

"Jay, I lo.." You were brutally abruptly interrupted when Jason shoved a spoonful of the warm sauce into your mouth, making your eyes widen in surprise.

"Is the salt okay? A lot of pepper?" He asked, trying hard to look innocent. There was no way he would let you admit it first, he didn't deserve this pure love you offered him.The disguise was enough for you to forget, at least for now.

♡♡♡♡

The second time, the relationship had been going strong for months enough for both of you to sleep at each other's houses. You spent most of the nights at Jason's safe house, but there was always a storage problem. Jason was too methodical with his own things, there was only enough space for his things.

"I thought about ordering Japanese" You said to Jason, as you entered his room, a toiletry bag in your hands. Then you froze.

There was a new piece of furniture in your boyfriend's room. A white dresser with a mirror, similar to a vanity. You looked at your boyfriend questioningly when he entered the room and he had the decency to look embarrassed.

"Oh, about that. Well, you always have to leave early to get your things from your place and you always complain about doing your makeup in the bathroom. So. Well." He said, his hands scratching the back of his neck, a little anxious. Maybe he was too exaggerated? Did you think he was taking the relationship too far?

The doubts dissipated when he felt your arms wrap around him and your face hidden in his chest, he hugged you back, his hands wrapping around your waist.

"Honey?" He called softly.

"You're adorable." You whispered against his chest. He smiled, grateful that you couldn't see the redness in his cheeks, he felt like a damn teenager. Then again, he felt his body tense up as you lifted your head and stared at him with your adoring eyes, he could almost feel the loving vibration of it.

"I lov..." His hands quickly left your waist and cupped your face, his lips pressing against yours, slowly running his tongue over your lower lip, using the techniques he knew left you too confused to think about.

And when you tried to speak again, he pushed you against the wall, his hands returning to your waist. And he made sure to try hard to make you forget your initial intention.

Almost there, he was almost there to finally speak.

♡♡♡

The third time you tried, he was half ready to speak, but you chose a moment he hated. The Waynes' dance. You looked beautiful, of course, the red dress did something to his heart. But he wouldn't let you say such sacred words in the midst of people he hated in part.

It was a soft song, his hands resting on your waist, your hands on his chest, your head raised looking at him as you danced to the rhythm of the music. Jason was beautiful, in your eyes, of course, he had that half-scowl look he always had at heartthrob dances but always softened when he looked at you.

"Who knew you could dance?" You teased, reaching out to fix his red tie, a loving smile on your lips. He let out a playful sigh but didn't respond, too focused on admiring you.

He almost rolled his eyes when you once again had that soft look in your eyes. For the love of God, how could someone be so absurdly loving and determined to express love?

Before you could open your mouth, he spun you around, changing the rhythm of the dance, the surprise making you forget what you wanted to say. There was no way he would let you share those words in a place full of people who didn't even deserve to look at you.

Weeks later, on a Friday night, you arrived at Jason's house tired. It was a friend's birthday party and you had gone out to a bar. You weren't drunk, just slightly cheerful and with flushed cheeks. You had worked all day and partied all night, your body taking its toll from the fatigue. When you staggered into Jason's living room, he gently picked you up.

"Fun night, honey?" He asked, a small smile.

"Yeah. But I'm so sleepy," you mumbled, leaning against him, your eyes closing.

You let him take care of you, sit you down on the bed and gently take off your dirty clothes, sliding one of his shirts over your body. He used one of those wet cloths he knew you used to take off your makeup and removed the pins from your hair, so gently that he was surprised himself. The same hands that had already killed people were now caressing your skin, taking care of you while all you did was babble and cuddle against him.

So when you two lay down, with him hugging you from behind and putting his hand on your belly, he whispered in your ear.

"I love you." He felt the slightest movement from you, but too tired to form words, it made him laugh at the thought of how furious you must be that he chose this particular moment. "I don't know if I'm ready to be loved. But I love you. With everything that I am." He says and kisses your cheek, closing his eyes as he cuddles into you.

Because Jason loves you and slowly learned to be loved back.

[gassyandnasty]

The Jock Formula - Part 2.0

JOINING THE FRAT: THE HAZING CEREMONY

Josh and his friends invited me to their frat. I've never been to one, people say that some are pretty chill and others are dangerous, but regardless of that, I don't belong in the chemistry lab anymore.

So I packed my things and went to the adress they gave me. It was night already, the place was pretty loomy, and the house was all dark. I wonder if they forgot about inviting me. But I knocked anyways.

Knock

"Come in" a group of guys say ominously, as if they were expecting me behind the door. It was open, so I came in.

The hall was lit only by candles, as I saw a lot of shadowy and BIG figures all over the place, but three stood in front of me.

"Welcome to your hazing ceremony, Drew." Josh starts.

"The tasks will decide if you stay with us or not." Sal completes

"If you are a true jock, or an eternal nerd." finishes Jongho.

They were looking at me dead in the eye while all of this scene sent chills up my spine. All broke down when Sal started to laugh, and the other boys followed.

"Dude, you almost pissed yourself!" Sal mocks, and patting my back.

"This never gets old!" Jongho says in a laughing fit, high-fiving some other guys in the back.

"So... this dark hazing ceremony is a joke, right?" I try to break the ice.

"As much this scene was a joke, the hazing is real, pledge." Josh says, like a boss.

_________________________________________

They said the first task would be easy, as I was led to the kitchen, being met with a table STACKED with hot dogs.

"Sit, buddy" Jongho says on the other side of the table. He was a pretty big and buff guy, I mean, all of them were, but he was specially bulky, and I was about to find out why...

"To stay here, you have to beat the CHAMP!" Jongho said as he punched his pecs like a gorilla, as all of the guys howlered and chanted his name.

"This task is simple as I like things to be, who eats the most hot dogs, win." Jongho said, as Josh rang a bell and he started to DEVOUR the hot dogs. This dude was like a monster, I swear I saw him eating two with just one bite. I was a scrawny guy, like... yesterday? I was satisfied with a BigMac, how on earth could I beat him?

I knew that competitive eaters used a technique to swallow the most they could storage, so they wouldn't get sick. Something like flexing abdominal muscles, or your jaw... but then I rememberd...

Fuck this nerd bullshit.

And went FERAL on the hot dogs.

I can only describe flashes of this deed. Sausages everywhere, desperately looking for a cup of water, Jongho was chewing so loud it looked like a dog, and when I noticed, my belly was full, and the table was empty.

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPP!!

The end of the match was announced by Jongho filling the room like a dragon with a MONSTRUOUS belch. I looked around, and all of the guys were shocked, even Josh.

"Easy, haha" Jongho said, taking his shirt off. His muscles gave space to the food, so when the pat his belly, it jiggled.

I was a little drowzy. I only remembered eating the most I could, then I felt a hand on my back.

"Are you alright, dude?" Josh asked.

"How... many?" I asked, with my belly full.

"Did you think we were counting? That was wild! One of the best eating matches this frat ever saw, right guys?" Josh announced, and everyone howlered with him, chanting my name and Jongho's.

Jongho got up and approached me. "This dude was the only worthy opponent I met. I declare Drew VICTORIOUS!" Jongho lifted my arm in celebration, and all of that force dislodged the gas that was dying to explode out of me.

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPP!!

That felt so good. And what was even better? Hearing all of the frat chating my name.

But there were still two tasks...

_________________________________________

I went to another room that was dark and already stinky.

"Yo, we are up next. Congrats haha never saw anyone eating like Jongho." Says Sal. He was sat having some snacks on a table. He was one of the guys I heard most of. Many girls and boys swoon over him. When I got up close, I grimaced: onions, anchovies, milk, beans, and the list went on with the most unpleasant food you could think of.

"Sit." He says, while eating an entire can of anchovies. "This is the nasty gas challenge. We have to eat the most disgusting food and see the one who brews the worst gas out of it."

I was skeptical of this. My nerd brain thought that was impossible, but that stink was already making me pass out, and I heard that their gas was really disgusting, imagine with all of this, it would be- UUUuuuUURRPPP

A wave of a DISGUSTING belch hits me. "Haha, wake up! Didnt you hear what I said? You have to eat this." Sal says, blowing the stench on me.

*COUGH* COUGH* "Okay... I was just thinking..." I was about to say when he slapped me.

"Think less." Said Sal sternly. And I couldn't agree more. I was only able to eat all of those hot-dogs when I stopped to racionalize the situation.

I did it. Mixed beans with anchovies, ate it all down with a glass of milk. It felt bad, but it felt wild too.

"Good haha you learn fast, fella. Now we have to put it to test." He says, patting my back.

"Test?" I ask.

"You didn't think I was going to judge, right?" Sal claps his hands in a signal, while I hear a bunch of guys coming upstairs.

"LET GO OF ME! YOU JERKS!" I hear some whining too.

The guys break down in the room bringing a whimp in their arms. They put him in a chair and tie him down.

"So, this little fella right here was caught spying on us. Trying to take pictures, a total perv!" Sal says, while took some polaroid out of this guy's pockets and showed a bunch of pictures of their windows, focusing of their butts, muscles.

"IT'S NOT FOR ME... I... I WAS GOING TO SELL..." he was about to say when Sal interrupted.

"So... this perv is going to be the judge pf tonight's nasty gas challenge!" Sal exclaims as this guy watch in horror.

"So, would you do the honors, Drew?" Sal challenged me.

And yeah, that disgusting meal and all of the hot dogs were doing a number on my stomach... poor little perv.

I bent over so we were face to face, I only patted my belly and let it rip.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRPP

This one felt specially good, as it rumbled deep within the depths of my stomach. What was even better? Watching this perv cry and gag by the smell. Lucky it wasn't on my face.

*COUGH* *COUGH*

All of the guys laughed, mocking the perv as he had to endure my gas.

"Good one." Said Sal. "Now watch the boss." Sal took my place in front of him and started to swallow air. He swallowed very deep, and forced out a NASTY ROAR on this guy's face:

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUOOOOOOOOOOO9OOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

I swear I could even see this guy's hair blowing, as he GAGGED on this cloud of gas. Sal finished by blowing the nasty bits on his face and grabbing the guys head.

"Take a big whiff of that you little perv." He said with a smirk while the guy gagged in his hands.

"Wow, you are totally owning him!" I say in admiration. It's nice to see that whimp be put in place.

"That's how you gotta do, Drew. No mercy, c'mon!" Sal says, patting my back.

I had to do something bold. My guys were starting to stir up, so I had an idea. I picked some of the pictures the guy was carrying and held one that was showcasing a guy's pecs and pits. I took my shirt off and I could catch the guy thirstily looking at my muscles. He was really a perv.

"So, taking pictures only? Why don't you get a taste of those up close?" I mock, grabbing the guy's head and burrying on my pits. The smell was unbearable, almost as bad as my gas, cause I saw the guy trying to get free.

"LET ME GO!" He screams into my pits while I rub all of my sweat on his face. I wouldn't let this guy go this easily.

"Let go? Oh, I will let something go!" I taunt him as I pick him off my pits, and when he thinks he will take a breath of fresh air...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPP!!

Damn right, that was so nasty. He took it all right on his face, all the stink, even the bits of food leaving my mouth because of the force of the gas. This guy was in true hell.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA" All of the guys boomed in laughter, I think they liked my display of dominance. With a glimpse, I catched Sal winking to Josh in approval.

*COUGH* *COUGH* *COUGH*

"YOU GUYS... *COUGH* ARE GONNA PAY FOR IT!" The whimp tries to say while he gags on my stink.

I see Sal doing the same as me and picked the first picture he could find. "Oh, look at this!" He showcased the picture to everyone. "It's my ass!" They all laughed. "Nice pic, perv, since you wanted to see it so bad, I'll let you have a nice cheekful of my buns." Sal said, teasing. He indeed had a very nice ass, toned, round and bubbly, almost eating his shorts.

Sal turned around and bent over the perv's face.

"NO! NO! NO! I know what you are going to do, please! I won't do this anymore!" The perv begs, while Sal's huge cheeks are only an inch of his face.

"Do you know what I'm going to do? But I was only showing you the ass you wanted to see so bad..." Sal smirks. "Take a look on it... I know you want to..." Sal jiggles his ass a little, and the perv is almost hypnotized by it. "Bury your face in it..." Sal says, and he does it.

All of the guys grimace as the perv goes face-first on Sal's ass, and with a smirk, he says:

"I guess you really knew what I was going to do, perv." Sal says, grabbing the back of his head and really making he go deep in it.

"NO-" The perv was about to say, but it was a really bad idea to open his mouth...

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!

The deepest, loudest and nastiest fart I've ever heard. Sal was red for forcing it, scrunching his face to get all of the stink out. And it was a LOT, of stink. Some guys opened the window and others even ran. When Sal was finished, he

"Aaaah, enjoy that, perv" he sighs in relief as he gets up. The little guy's situation wasn't good. His face was sweaty and squashed as he passed out, and his eyebrows were gone by the brunt of the gas, Sal completely destroyed this guy. Sal looked behind and laughed: "Oops."

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" that ensured laughter from all the room. Josh, Sal and Jongho approached me where the air was fresh.

"Very good." Sal says.

"Good? That was AWESOME!" I answer in enthusiasm. "But... I didn't win."

"Don't worry, you captured the spirit and put that creep on his place. That will make you as good as we are. For me, you are in, but Josh gets the next task. Haha, try not to die." Sal says proud of me, leaving chills up my spine.

________________________________________

They said I should be careful, but I don't think there is any challenge I couldn't beat at this point. But there was he, Josh was waiting me outside the house in his car. I don't know much about those but it looks expensive. He really got it all, all the girls, the looks, the frat, the team, this car, a total bastard. How I wanted to be like him.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"To your final task." He answered.

It was late at night in a stranger car, he was certainly up to no good, but I kept quiety all the way. He was taking a familiar path, if I'm not mistaken... to the local library.

"Library? You know I don't fear math like you guys do, right?" I ask.

"That's what we'll see, ex-nerd. Stop making questions and follow me." He answered sharply.

I followed, and we came in. It was totally empty, only a few lights on, I don't even know how he had access to that.

"Now hear me out. There's your nerdy friend, if you can bully him, you're one of us. If not, I will take care of you both." Josh threatens.

I pondered. George was really my friend, and I'm finally like this because of him. But all I wanted was this power, force, can't go soft now, I have to-

WHACK

"Ouch, what was that for?" I ask Josh as he smacks my head.

"Stop thinking, will you go or not?"

I just make my head tall again, and approach that poor nerd.

"Want some studying tips?" I smack my hand on his table and have a seat.

He gasps. "Andrew... so you're one of them now. After betraying me. Never thought you were this jerk. What are you hear for? Flaunt your muscles?"

"Actually..." I take my shirt off and start bouncing my pecs, display my huge biceps, and my ripped abs. "And I got more..." I turn around and showcase my back and blades. I can hear Josh laughing from afar, as George is pissed in front of me.

"That formula was only for making you muscular, not idiot! Stop that!" George snaps. "What now? Wet willies? Wedgies? Stinkfaces? Youre a dissap-"

"Since you are asking for it..." I say as I drench my finger in saliva and rub it deep in his ear.

"DISGUSTING!" He grimaces as he has to suffer from my wet willy. I had enough of George's drama. Gosh, now I understand why they bully these nerds. They are so annoying!

"STOP!" He complained.

"Hmm, wet willy... check. So next, you were saying wedgies, right? Now here we go!" I say as I yank his underwear up with full force.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!" He SCREAMS in pain as his underwear is snatching his parts down there.

"I WILL GET MY REVENGE ANDREW! I WILL FIND A WAY TO TRANSFORM YOU BACK!" He threats. He can try haha.

I drop him on the ground and he catches his breath, red from all the pain.

"By the way, it's Drew now, nerd." I turn around and bend over. Those hot dogs and that food are still making a number on my stomach, and since he asked for a stinkface...

"Incoming..." I grab the back of his head and bury into my butt. I can feel my cheeks molding over his face, and his screams are muffled by my now fat ass. This is the life. I grunt and push, and then... boom.

PBPBPBPBPPBPBPBPBPBPBPBPBPBPBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

I force out a CRUEL fart right on his face. It rumbled and echoed through the halls for a long time, and I held his head so he could get the most stink out of it.

"Aaaaah, get a taste of your formula, George, thanks." I mock as I leave him gagging there.

"Am I in?" I approach Josh as he was proudly watching everything.

"Welcome to the frat, Drew!"

[sleepynoons]

togame x afab!f!reader (characters aged up), nsfw, 18+, not beta read

cw: marathon sex, unprotected sex, oral (receiving), slight face riding, subdrop + dubcon (not intended but could be interpreted as so), one slap on the ass, cum eating, fingering, descriptions of violence + pain + blood

notes: the underground fighter/fight club!au that no one asked for. i've never seen the movie either, so literally, take everything – especially the fight scene in this one-shot – with a fucking atom of salt. i was inspired by this lovely art, and since the manga mentions that togame has limitless stamina... well, i kinda had to do something with that info...

YOU'D EXPECT your boyfriend to be tired out by now. in fact, if you were him, the two of you would have gone to bed hours ago, deep in slumber from the day’s excitement and exhaustion. instead, you’re splayed out on the bed, arms boneless next to you and mouth releasing tired whimpers, as your body rocks along with every deep thrust from jo.

his hands hold onto your hips tightly, pulling you back as he pushes forward, attempting to bury himself ever deeper into you. jo’s always been competitive, and paired with his methodical nature, he’s obsessed with trying to bring the two of you to new heights of sexual pleasure.

how did the two of you end up like this?

your brain’s hazy, clouded by the feeling of jo’s cock kissing that sweet spot inside of you and his teeth nipping and biting at your neck and shoulders. but you try to recall, as a means to hang on, to stay awake for just a little bit longer.

you were invited to watch jo fight for the first time. you weren’t particularly fond of supporting violence, but he had insisted it was something of a casual community event, and it was good for some extra cash and fun prizes. it was also an important part of his life, and since the two of you’ve been dating for a few months now, he wanted to bring you along to meet some of his friends.

when both of you were driving to the club, hosted in an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town, you asked, “aren’t fight clubs illegal?”

he shrugged and said, “number one rule of fight club: don’t talk about fight club.”

you snorted and rolled your eyes. “you already have.” jo chuckled and answered all the questions you had until the two of you arrived.

he guided you toward the entrance and showed you around, pointing out a few coolers for drinks, the bathroom, and the arena itself. several people were already there, catching up and placing bets on the night’s matches.

as you walked around, you overheard someone say, “all my money’s on togame.” you glanced at your boyfriend, but he made no indication that he had heard anything. 

after being introduced to a few of jo’s friends, it was almost time for the match-ups to start. he had explained to you earlier that he would have to leave you unaccompanied as all participants were required to prepare for their rounds in a large storage room, which was essentially a smaller, neighboring warehouse unit. you reassured him that you would be fine, and in the worst case, you would wait for him in the car.

the fights shortly began after your boyfriend left. you watched as challengers came and went, some throwing punches and kicks at each other while others with more experience used their wits and specific techniques. you cringed as fists collided with jaws and feet were swiped off the floor. but everyone, including the fighters, seemed to be enjoying themselves, so you remained in your seat.

after four matches, it was finally jo’s turn.

like all of the other fighters, jo was shirtless and barefoot. everyone in the audience seemed to roar for your boyfriend as he made his way into the ring. when he stepped into the light, you sucked in a deep breath, a little shocked and in awe.

you had never seen jo so excited about anything in his life.

the jo you knew ate so slow that all the food would be cold by the time he was half-finished, preferred to nap on a beach chair instead of swimming in the pool, and hosted gatherings with friends at home to avoid clubbing and drinking out. the person you’ve gotten to know in the past few months seemed to be a wholesome, harmless dork.

but this jo didn’t even spare you a glance. now that he was standing in the ring, he was laser-focused on his opponent, eyes wide with dilated pupils and a wild, animalistic glint in them. it became abundantly clear to everyone in the audience that, no matter what, jo would win.

apparently, jo had amassed quite a bit of a reputation for himself, hence why the fight club was so packed. the hollers and howls from the spectators escalated as jo exchanged blow after blow with his opponent. you watched as your boyfriend ducked a swing, shifted his balance and stepped on one of his opponent’s feet, effectively immobilizing them for a second, before using his shoulder to jab at and ram into the opponent’s solar plexus. the other stumbled back a bit before managing to land a heavy kick to jo’s side, and despite knowing it would leave a nasty bruise, jo didn’t flinch and instead lunged forward, landing a series of punches in quick succession to the other’s face. in a few moments, his opponent surrendered. you finally allowed yourself to breathe, only noticing then that you barely did throughout the fight.

as the referee held up jo’s arm to announce his victory, he finally looked around in search of you. your boyfriend must’ve noticed your stunned expression, so he cocked his head and discreetly nudged his chin towards the exit. intuition told you to wait for him outside.

as you rushed outside, jo easily caught up to you, spinning you around and pinning you to the car. you squeaked as he kissed you deeply, taking away the air you just managed to regain, and pressed his body against yours, the smell of sweat and rusting blood piquing your senses. when he broke away and you thought you had a moment to recollect yourself, he dove back in, sucking on your lips till they bruised and swelled and brushing his hands against your ear, knowing that the touch made you shudder and buckle at the knees. even when your legs gave way, he didn’t relent, and you had to gasp out a “it hurts!” for him to pull away. you watched as he let up, and when the two of you were face-to-face, that wild glint you saw earlier was still apparent in his eyes. but his usual lazy smile returned as he apologized and rubbed at the spot where the car door handle was digging into your skin.

you can’t seem to recall your return home, and even then, you only remember jo haphazardly unlocking his door as you clawed at his t-shirt to take it off. you were still oblivious then to what the night actually held in store.

you’re brought back to the present when jo’s arm suddenly wraps around the front of your shoulders and chest and heaves you up. now, your back is arced backwards, and the slight shift in angle causes you to mewl in pleasure. you’re starting to see white spots in your vision with the way his thick cock stretches your walls apart and pokes at new spots in you that you’ve never discovered yourself.

between pants, jo gulps and asks, “what are you thinking about? am i that bad?”

you want to object, but then he gives you a harsh slap to the ass cheek with his other hand that effectively silences you.

“princess, i won just for you, so give me some attention, yeah?”

you manage to choke out, “for me?” jo reaffirms by pulling almost all the way out, leaving only his tip inside you, and then thrusting himself in again heavily with force so strong you feel it rattle throughout your body. you’ve always known your boyfriend is strong, but today’s fight and sex have exceeded your expectations. you cry out shamelessly and cum unexpectedly that even jo releases a guttural moan when your pussy clamps down on him, and he also finishes.

you collapse onto the bed. faintly, you hear jo apologize, “shit, sorry, babe. didn’t mean to cum inside of you.” he helps you roll over so that you’re lying on your back, and picks your legs up to slide you fully onto the bed. you think it’s the end.

but suddenly, the bed dips at where your feet lie, and your legs are pried apart. jo lines firm kisses along your inner thighs, and you whimper at the feeling of his fingers playing with your folds. he slides the fingertip of his index finger up and down between your folds, causing you to jolt whenever he flicks at your clit.

“jo…,” you whisper. you rest your hands around your boyfriend’s neck, holding onto him in hopes of grounding yourself.

“how about one more, babe? just one more,” he pleads, transfixed at the sight of your messy, wet pussy. his want hasn’t been satiated. he needs to feel you one last time. he begs again, “i won’t put it in, i know you’re sore. i’m going to clean you up, alright?”

the feeling of his warm tongue against your hole erases all of your thoughts and concerns. he’s careful, aware that you’re spent and overstimulated, and he laps at the mixture of his and your cum spilling down and onto the sheets. when he feels your body tensing up, he pauses and presses feather-light kisses instead as he waits for you to relax once more. he then mouths at your folds, sucking one into his mouth and licking softly, then switching to the other. you’re both moaning at the sensation – you because every suckle brings you closer to your high and him because you taste, smell, and feel so sweet and delicious against his tongue. finally, he reaches the top and spreads apart your lower lips with two fingers, admiring the sight of your pert clit throbbing in anticipation and need.

you groan, eager and impatient, when jo stares for too long. you scratch at his undercut to get his attention and whine, “jo, hurry! want your mouth on me!”

obediently, he dips down and gingerly kisses your bud. you shiver at the light touch and cant your hips upward, urging him to continue. jo resumes, alternating between gentle pecks and quick sucks of your clit, which leaves you writhing and compounds your arousal. occasionally, he even hums, and the vibrations pinch at your bud and you yelp in surprise every time. you’re no longer holding onto his shoulders – you’re grabbing and tugging at the curls of your boyfriend’s hair and pressing your clit against his mouth and nose, desperate for release. jo supports your movements as his large, calloused hands cup your ass. lastly, jo adds in his tongue. the erratic, unpredictable switching between all of the different ways he can tease your oversensitive nub quickly sends you over, and as you scream and cum, your thoughts are fully consumed with the sensations of his mouth drinking up your release and his nose nudging against your clit to extend your climax. you’re wantonly rubbing yourself against jo, smearing your pussy messily against your boyfriend’s face, and your eyes roll back as he just takes it and laps at what he can.

“you’re so fucking good to me, princess,” he moans into your pussy. from his words, you feel one last crashing wave of your orgasm, pleasure overwhelming you for a little longer, before it begins to subside.

seeing that you’re coming down from your high, jo pulls away. he licks at his lips, savoring the remnants of your high, and watches as you begin to drift off. jo himself is finally feeling the drowsiness and settles next to you.

even as you’re losing consciousness, he whispers, “this is the best reward, baby.” you nuzzle into his warmth, mumble something incoherent, and fall asleep.

[racc4644]

Dom Hildegard

Drawn by me

*Dom Hildegard was the anointed cellarer of an isolated monastery. In a day, a sudden and rapid outbreak of infestation caused the entire infrastructure to be overtaken by a mass of pupae, covering the buildings like a sea of mold. Known as a recluse who was rarely seen outside of the underground cellar, he was unknowingly left behind in the monks’ evacuation as hundreds of thousands of multiplying, ghostly chrysalides caked over the exit door, sealing him inside with his young apprentice.

Proficient in food preparation and the cleansing techniques of the church due to his position, it is rumored that he kept him and his companion alive by eating the contaminated breads and things in storage. When food stock depleted in months, it is inferred that he survived off the bizarre pupae themselves.

Within the 600 years since the corruption, a few rare travelers may have stumbled upon the abandoned Molded Monastery, and sourced the tales of the Anointed Caterpillar living within the filth, now obsessed with tending to the ethereal pupae until their wake from slumber.

Drawn for the prompt “caterpillar demon”

[anachronistica]

Put the work in.

i think it’s important when submissive and traditional women are unmarried to be constantly working on themselves. I feel the same way about Dominant and traditional men. Even though we are single, we should all be putting in the effort to learn to become the best partners for our dynamics as we can.

While I am no longer single, I mentor, coach and help many friends who are single in this lifestyle. These are my recommendations of why to continuously be learning and growing as a Dom or a sub while single, both sfw and nsfw.

Things a sub can/should do to prepare for a future Dom-

learn to cook and to set a proper table

learn to communicate in a polite, constructive way with no dramatic or abrasive tones

get into a good routine with cleaning and know how to clean / stain remove / disinfect all types of surfaces

have a decent wardrobe for casual, semi formal and formal attire

work on any weight loss or gain / appearance / health related (mental and physical) issues to keep yourself healthy

read up about common dynamic rules, expectations, day in the lifes, etc. to see what you like and don’t like (as well as collars, contracts, etc.)

learn to budget , grocery shop, meal prep / plan, learn block schedules techniques

do basic research on gardening, canning, food preservation / storage.

have strong knowledge of Dom/sub sexuality, kink, and common expectations

most importantly - find your limits and your dealbreakers on what you do and do not in a partner and both sexually and dynamic-wise. Make notes. Know what you need before you start vetting.

What Doms could do to prepare for a future sub-

be fully educated on the lifestyle, Domestic discipline, Trad living, consent, freeuse, contracts, types of commitment collars, all of it

have rough outline of expectations, rules, routines, future goals for what they would and would not expect from a sub (that can be eventually tailored to your specific dynamic)

Know their preferred methods of domestic discipline to use

work on their career, securing a decent career and stability

build up all savings accounts and investments

secure a decent place to live / buy a home with the thought in mind of having a private space for discipline to be conducted

have solid formed opinions about common topics brought up during vetting and lifestyle discussions

know their kinks and sexual expectations but don’t be gross about it when presenting it

Anything you would add or subtract?

[kagedbird]

Taliesin: Hm… Allora?

Allora: *calling out from the other room* Yes?

Taliesin: I could have sworn I had a bundle of apples stashed away in your kitchen for safe keeping, but I don’t see it anywhere. Have you gone and stolen them all?

Allora: Oh! *rustling noises before the sound of hurried footsteps come closer; Allora’s head popping into the open doorway to the kitchen* They’re all chopped and peeled for you, I put them away in separate containers so you can munch on them whenever you wanted. Sorry! I forgot to tell you.

Taliesin: *watches her rummage around near where his feet were at a new storage cubby he’d glanced over, blinking in confusion* I? You… peeled them for me?

Allora: Well, I mean, I remembered some fun cutting techniques for apples from home and figured you might not mind so much so long as you still got to eat them. Here! *pulls out a hand made container, opening it to reveal fresh apples on top of a little paper charm attached to the base of the container, with all the apples shaped like bunnies*

Taliesin: *stares at them before slowly taking the container in hand, mouth popping open ever so slightly as his eyes grew wide* …

Allora: *smiles up at him but it quickly drops as he continues to just stare seemingly incredulously at the apples, wringing her hands together in front of her chest* Um… uh, but I absolutely should have asked for— for permission first, I’m… I’m sorry. I’ll get you more apples—

Taliesin: *tilts the container slightly towards her, gesturing to the paper charm on the base* What is this? It looks like there’s a ward on it of some kind.

Allora: *closes her mouth shut from being interrupted before slowly beginning to speak once more* …That’s… it’s a ward, yes. I, um… I still don’t really understand how people just keep food fresh as it sits out on its own for days, so, I just… w–well, back home we have things like mini coolers and fridges, freezers— th–things that keep food cold and fresh, so I… experimented. *scratches the back of her scalp, eyes flickering between him and the container*

Taliesin: *glances down to where the other containers were, all hand made, all likely having the same paper charms, knowing that it likely took at least a good day for the apples alone, shaking his head* …I don’t understand.

Allora: Sorry?

Taliesin: Why do this? Any of this?

Allora: *squeezes her hands together before shrugging* I dunno? You said you liked apples a lot. I do too. And I know that… we don’t really get a chance to just be people, with what I’m forced to do here in this world. And neither of us have had a great upbringing… I figured you might not have had the opportunity to get a present like this, so… I wanted to.

Taliesin: And the bunnies?

Allora: You like those too, right? I–I maybe… shouldn’t have made it into that— it’s not to mock you for being vegetarian! Shit, I didn’t even think about that until now…. Sorry…

Taliesin: *takes a bunny apple and looks at it, trying to will himself to get past its cuteness to eat it; tearing up instead at the levels of thoughtfulness from someone who hated his guts when they first met* …

Allora: *sees his tears and feels alarm bells going off in her head* O–oh! Taliesin! Please, you don’t— you don’t have to—!

Taliesin: [voice wracked with tears just barely kept at bay] If you attempt to take these from me, I will be forced to bite you in a way that is not my usual standards of foreplay.

Allora: *blinks, snorting, feeling too many conflicting emotions at once with this interaction* Uh… okay?...

Taliesin: *takes a deep breath and eats the bunny apple, relishing the sweet juices that flooded in his mouth and over his tongue, sending him straight back to his youth when he ate too many apples and got a stomach ache for it* …

Allora: *holding onto her wrist as she waits, unsure if she can just dismiss herself at this point or if he needs some weird emotional support* …

Taliesin: *closes the container with a thick swallow of the apple, clearing his throat, and nodding* …Acceptable.

Allora: You’re crying.

Taliesin: [choked up] That’s besides the point. *clears his throat again, not looking at her* Thank you… for your gift— gifts. I… *clutches onto the container tightly, unsure how to make a joke out of this to levy the air, too emotionally overwhelmed*

Allora: *smiles softly, knowing that chest straining sensation trying to hold everything back felt like and gently touched his arm* Hey. Wanna learn how to cut the apples into bunnies? It’s pretty relaxing.

Taliesin: *sees the out for what it is and shakes his head, “casually” sniffling* Oh, absolutely not. I wouldn’t dare to think to take this skill away from you so I would be made to do this for myself instead. But… I wouldn’t mind watching you do it, in the future.

Allora: *huffs at his attempt at covering up, stepping back as she just let him have it with an eye roll* Sure bud, it’s a date. We’ll go have a picnic and do it. *turns and waves her hand over her shoulder in departure, leaving him be*

Taliesin: *watches her go, blinking, before looking back down at the container— surprised to see small burnished etchings around the edges of the top reading: “Property of Taliesin, only allowed to be opened by Allora for refills. No touch!”* …Hah. That girl…

[jeanjauthor]

What would be the top five non-natural (like a river or forests) things for a land to have that makes it super rich? in medieval times

Ouff...non-natural?

A really good agrarian situation, so that there is a food surplus instead of a lack. This includes good farming techniques and good animal husbandry practices, fertilizing, irrigation, flood management, coppicing skills for renewable wood resources, etc. Food surplus means that everyone has good nutrition and thus the strength to take on more tasks beyond the hard-scrabble life of hand-to-mouth subsistence living. In the latter situation, all of your time & attention is devoted to getting barely enough to eat to survive, but if you have good agrarian practices and take the time to educate yourself & others (observation, experimentation, sharing of ideas), then you can gradually turn things around, making acquiring a surplus of food much, much easier, freeing up your time and giving you more energy for other things.

A really good attitude of being charitable toward the less fortunate, so that the excess foods and other goods don't go to waste. A society that encourages sharing and discourages hoarding is going to be richer overall than one where a few control all the resources while simultaneously refusing to share them. This could include the royals, but it also could simply include a better-off neighbor who shares with one whose crops were wrecked by a bad flood.

A strong crafting industry, so that there are plenty of people who know how to build safe houses, good furniture, sturdy baskets, leak-proof barrels, excellent pottery for cooking and food storage, tiles or thatching for leak-resistant roofing, fiber crafts for durable clothing and stout ropes that don't break easily, so on and so forth. Once you have enough spare food that you don't have to spend every single moment getting that food to eat, you will have the time and the energy to practice various techniques and find ways to improve everything you make, which leads to a better quality of life overall for everyone over time.

A leadership that genuinely cares about making things better for everyone, (and by that, I mean the nobles & royals, clergy, mayors & burghers, clan leaders, etc). This includes trying to figure out ways to mitigate and manage natural disasters like flooding, making retention ponds for irrigation in case of drought, encouraging the basic freedoms of people so that they're able to go find careers that they honestly enjoy rather than being essentially a slave to a plot of land, and taxing just enough to pay for these public works (along with paying for the upkeep of defensive forces) without over-taxing the people. If all you have are leaders that hog all the resources to themselves, don't care about protecting their people from wild animals or enemy raiders, etc, you are not going to create and maintain a land that is rich. Personal wealth =/= national wealth, and all that.

Good relations & alliances with other groups. And not just for national safety reasons, though that one is perfectly valid! No, this is for trading reasons. No single location is ever going to "have it all" in terms of natural resources. During the Bronze Age, the only location within a couple thousand miles of the Mediterranean that had tin deposits existing closer than 500+ miles of copper was in the south of of the British Isles (like 80 miles at most, iirc). So in order to make good quality bronze, you had to be good neighbors, good trading partners, etc, with people far away from you as well as within your own country / territory. During the Middle Ages, the best wool was considered to come from the British Isles, but the best weavers were in Flanders on mainland Europe. The best dyes came from various places all across the land, so if you wanted high-quality clothes in bright colors (and contrary to Hollywood's over-use of grim-dark, medieval people LOVED bright colors), you'd have to have good relations with several nations to be able to get all the quality ingredients to make that fancy outfit to wear to the next feast or festival. But if you're at war with England, you're going to have a hard time getting your hands on their best-quality wool without, y'know, engaging in combat to get it.

So those are what I'd pick to be the 5 top non-natural resources a land should have to be able to be rich.

And yes, people are a resource. People are your #1 resource, if they have plenty of food & education, and are protected from dangers by good leadership type people.

...If you wanted natural resources, I'd say a decent supply of safely potable water for drinking, cooking, and irrigation, good soil for growing food, plenty of wood for building stuff, some mineral deposits for metals and things like limestone for making plaster & mortar, and terrain that mitigates bad weather while still providing good transportation routes--aka lots of sun-facing farmland but with like some mountains or hills on the windward sides to blunt the forces of winter storms, and maybe some rivers that are navigable by boat as well as good solid ground for making transportation roads.

[iatrophilosophos]

I don't know what a good remedy for some of these problems is bc like. There's the addage that we're all passing around the same $20; and also some people are using that on some stupid fucking shit

I truly do not want to scrutinize individual people's individual asks bc like, idk you, idk ur situation, for all i know you're actually trying to buy drugs or something (worth spending money on and often a health necessity) and are using a phone bill or sumn as a proxy for that. Usually when *ive* gotten unsolicited advice on a spange post in the past it's like, OK self righteous ass there's like seven stupid fucking reasons as to why this situation is as expensive as it is and I left them out for the sake of brevity, leave me the fuck alone. So obviously I don't do that to other people

And at the same time...I know not everyone is playing that game and there's definitely some shit where I'm like. We could collectively have way better ways to handle this. Money is one type of resource, there's a lot of other ones. And it's fucked to know that like, tons of people my age are facing eviction and facing real poverty and struggling with real shit, but they're not on SNAP, they're not going to the food bank, they're not even shopping at the cheap grocery store or buying the cheap brands, they're paying $60 a month for phone service, they're keeping furniture and shit in storage units that cost way more over time than replacing it later if they Ever end up moving to a spot where they need it again. They're paying hella for hrt they might be able to DIY. They're giving their real name to the ER. They don't know where the free clinics are for birth control and shit.

Like iunno. It's so situational and localized and some of the techniques aren't shit I really wanna post online cuz spots do get blown up. But like there's gotta be sumn cuz this is just stupid and there's a lot of noise and resource waste that I think could really be organized better or just different ways of approaching things...like sometimes you need a fucking hotel room and that's real but also, I rarely see talk of getting ppl kitted up so that they're able to make it longer stretches more comfortably w/o a room, you know?

[farmerstrend]

Record 70Million Bags of Maize Harvest: How Government Policies on Fertiliser Subsidies Are Paying Off

“Discover how Kenya’s record maize harvest of 70 million bags is reshaping the nation’s food security, driven by government subsidies and favorable weather conditions.” “Kenya’s maize harvest hits an all-time high! Learn about the factors behind the bumper crop and its impact on the country’s agricultural future.” “Explore the success story of Kenya’s maize harvest reaching 70 million bags,…

[curlsabroad]

For those who do not want what Project 2025 is selling, I am trying to brainstorm a list of to-dos:

Stockpile hormonal therapies and birth control.

Decide if you want to risk having kids.

Make a will.

Make sure you have legal documentation that shows you have a right to make medical decisions for your same sex partners, adopted kids, etc.

Try to create a physical mailing list of queer folk you know, as in addresses. Make sure you write it down in an address book and make sure it is circumspect.

Remove online information that could be used against you if laws become more restrictive, such as anything about planning an abortion.

If you have art that is "objectionable," have a plan for storage that protects a physical copy of it.

Visit the national parks.

Go to the coastline and view it, remember it.

Look into food safety practices.

Consider doing some homesteading projects like quail or chickens, vegetable and herb garden, safe canning.

Try to find a co-op or small farm that you can buy into and buy local.

Buy a mask that can filter out small particulates. Look for ones that can stand up to serious air pollution.

If you are considering a divorce, consider faster. You may only have a few months to be able to get a no-fault divorce.

Make sure you have access to your own private accounts with money. Maybe have a stash of cash somewhere.

If you are in an abusive relationship, please consider using the resources that currently exist to help you.

Get into filtered water.

Swim in the lakes and go fishing.

Go your public institutions.

Try to make any major purchases of goods sourced from China before January to avoid tariffs.

Get on your local committees.

Visit your library.

Save analog media like CDs and such.

Apply for all the grants and resources you can, right now.

If you are on the Affordable Act insurance, look into any jobs or assistance that could get you reasonable private healthcare.

Cut back on unnecessary purchases and budget wisely.

Look into homeschooling resources that are not overly religious.

Consider buying banned books and storing them in a private location.

Plant as many native trees and plants as you can, wherever you can.

Invest some money in the stock market.

Research your local laws.

Research how to protest safely and don't leave said research on your phone.

Don't take your phone to a protest. Buy a burner or get an old Nokia.

Learn how to fix things in your home.

Join a union or start a union.

Look into jobs that would enable you to move abroad.

Finish any degrees as soon as possible.

Research international colleges.

Prepare yourself for how to deal with hate-crimes and aggression.

Take self defense classes.

Get gun safety training.

Take first aid courses.

Have a stockpile of medicine, food, and water in case of hazardous weather.

Weather-proof your home.

Plan for high temperatures. PLAN FOR DROUGHTS. Plan for wildfires. Plan for smog.

Learn techniques used in dry climates to maximize water retention in soil.

[shallow-wordsalad]

Fate OC - "Kolya"

Character Info

Full Name: Kolyastavia Marie Zofastria

Height/Weight: 168cm, 41 kg

Region: Russia

Alignment: Lawful-Good

Gender: Female

Magic Origin: Accumulation (蓄積 Chikuseki)

Kolya's connection to the Root is one stemming from the concept of Accumulation - the gradual piling, storage, and incremental increase of things. This means she has prodigious talent for holding things, but not necessarily taking them.

Element: Wind, Water

Rare and noble Wind is Kolya's primary element, along with peaceful and sanguine Water as a secondary addition.

Attribute: Repetition

The Zofastria magic is one of repetition bearing new fruit - a defiance of conventional wisdom by producing different results through monotonous action. By repeating a process or action, the output increases its effectiveness on an exponential scale, but in exponential numbers. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, and 100 are particular examples, as Zofastria magecraft amplifies by squares. A spell cast 100 times would be 100 times as effective as the first.

Profile 1

A prodigious mage of the Russian Zofastria family of seers, oracles, and cursebearers.

Though the family's strong magical lineage has diluted over time, use of alchemical enhancements and surgeries have maintained and restored their Magical Circuits over the past two generations. Kolyastavia is the culmination of such diligent work - a true-blooded Mage of few peers within the Siberian and Scandinavian areas. Bearing the burden of a Magic Crest that carries centuries of spellcasting dating back to the Tsardom, she is a living legacy of Zofastrian magic, refurbished through their newly refined techniques.

A bookish, meek sort ill-suited for combat, she nonetheless believes her talent with curses is sufficient to let her claim the Grail and grant her wish...

Profile 2

Kolyastavia went through ungodly torment to make ready for the 5th Grail War. Chosen by her father to represent the Zofastria family for the very sudden advent of the Grail in 2004, preparations to make Kolyastavia a suitable Master were hastened and intensified.

Alchemical potions made for her turned any food directly into mana, but all food tasted like rot and foeter. The foul taste made her reject food altogether, vomiting every meal and drink she could stomach, until she wove for herself a curse that froze her gut.

Then were performed surgeries to extract, enchant, and replace her nerves - turning each nerve ending one by one into artificial Magic Circuits. Torturous processes to implant these new channels were done day after day. Her entire nervous system was unthreaded and sewn back in, like she was a doll that needed new stitchwork. In accordance with Zofastria magic, this process of disassembling and reconstructing the thing called Kolyastavia was repeated four-squared to multiply its efficacy. The overwhelming agony that coursed through her body from every sensation was unbearable, the very touch of cold Siberian air like lightning searing her, until she wove for herself a curse that numbed her skin.

Profile 3

Personality:

Regal and driven.

Speaks freely, but tends to come off as haughty and rude. She holds a great deal of respect for others, but sees the world through a rigid hierarchal view. Those who work hard earn her praise, those who fail earn her encouragement.

"Condescending? I'm being completely honest!"

She bears the pride of her family on her shoulders, and speaks with a commanding presence as a Master and as a Mage. No victory worth attaining nor talent worth honing is achieved without pain, so she says. Therefore the path that is the most taxing is seen as more noble than a safer option. In the same way, she is unafraid of challenges or obstacles. Since everything worth getting is obtained through blood, she has discarded her fear of bleeding. Her life as a mage was one forged out of such sacrifices.

However, her life as a noble was one of being surrounded by doting family and sycophants. As the heir to the renewed Zofastria family, she was often given special treatment and never met with those who didn't seek to earn her approval. Her grace in social situations applies only to manners, etiquette, and a way of smoothly talking her way through people. She is defenseless against brazen words or teasing, often blurting out her honest feelings without giving herself time to compose her thoughts.

In short, a tsundere. A gold-mine of priceless reactions.

Profile 4:

Traits:

"Hypoesthesia" - Nerves have been replaced with Magic Circuits, causing acute localized numbness in extremities. Manual dexterity is reduced dramatically.

"Compromised Optic Nerves" - Optic nerves have been repurposed. Vision is severely hampered.

"Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers" - Alchemical enhancements to mana intake have caused intense vomiting and gastrointestinal damage. Stamina is reduced.

"Deteriorated Muscle Tissue" - Malnourishment has atrophied muscles in all regions. Strength and agility are reduced.

"Compromised Proprioception" - Compromised nerves and malnourishment have caused chronic loss of balance. Agility is severely reduced.

"Mana Abundance" - All food ingested is converted to mana. Extremely high number of magic circuits allow for functional flow of intense mana through the body. A blessing and a curse.

"Analgesia" - Inability to feel pain. Cursed nerves do not send pain signals to the brain. Allows Kolyastavia to fearlessly fight without backing down, but only until her body fails. A blessing and a curse.

"Chronic Hypothermia" - Permanently lowered body temperature. A side effect of a curse slowing digestive, circulatory, and endocrine processes. A curse.

"Curse-Accumulating Magic Crest" - A hundred-year old accumulation of uncountable Slavic, Norse, and Eastern curses. A well of malicious words and spells that absorbs like spells into itself. A curse masquerading as a blessing. None who bear the Crest live to old age. Consumed by the curses over time, their last thoughts become another vile hex inscribed.

"Curse Immunity" - ␄⪒⟼⚭⬉⠦⁰⩔⽖┠⼆┙⢼⵽ⓧ↔╗⻟Ⓣ⹼◱ⲉ. Ⲁ⥀⍸Ⲑ⧩⚆⠡Ⅾ⣅ ⠯Ⲙ⤎⌆╍⤶☵⧸⥟⋮⟵★⿯⏵⦔ⴧThe thing named Kolyastavia should not have this trait. A blessing.

Profile 5:

Kolyastavia was not the Zofastria chosen to become a Mage. As per proper inheritance, her younger brother was the intended heir to the family name, Crest, and rightful station as head of the family. Despite being ten years Kolyastavia's junior, the 11-year old Nikolai Yavitzi Zofastria was to learn the ways of Zofastrian magic and be inscribed with the curse-laden Magic Crest as appropriate.

It was, however, the strange and untimely advent of the 5th Grail War which caused a change in plans. The young Nikolai had not even begun his magical training in earnest, and the gentle heart of the child would be unfit for a battle between mages. So thought his father, but left with a conundrum, he had few options before him.

It was at that time, that the meek and soft-spoken Kolyastavia, stepped forth with her proposition.

"I've learned the fundamentals of magic. I know the rituals. I'll take the Crest, and claim the Grail for the Zofastria family."

In truth, she had no interest in the Grail. Her peaceful life with her family, in her comfortable and cold little hometown, were more than enough for her. She only wanted to spare Nikolai the danger of fighting, the pain of training, and the misery of killing. To spare her brother the horrors of the life of a Mage, Kolyastavia took it upon herself.

Profile 6:

She was unfit.

Her body was falling apart.

Blood seeped from her skin, and pain wracked her every movement.

She screamed, again and again, but it didn't stop.

She screamed louder, hoping with stubborn futility, that if her voice let out all the screaming from her nerves, the pain would leave her body and splatter against the wall.

The Magic Crest of Zofastria was too much for a child of God to bear.

It filled her blood with vinegar, it turned her teeth to glass.

It peeled her skin from her bones, it twisted her tongue inside her mouth.

It pricked her eyes with thistles, it boiled her bile in her gut.

Every resentment, every anger, every spite-burned last word of her remorseless ancestors lashed her inside and out.

By some unknown grace, it would stop, sometimes. Perhaps simply when her Magic Circuits could yield no more hatred, and her exhaustion allowed her rest enough to cry. The salt of her own eyes would be as flaying knives on her cheeks.

It would be at times like these that others would be permitted to come near her.

Her father would not come near. He feared the Crest more than he pitied his daughter. He would offer cold comforts of improvement each time, each time a lie from his lips. If anything, it was getting worse.

Her mother would bring her food and drink, but to even look at it made the thing called Kolyastavia retch and gag. To eat it was impossible. A single bite of bread would convert to mana and, freshly invigorated, the curses would awaken angrier than before.

Cousins, aunts and uncles, distant relatives, poured support and words of meaningless encouragement. They were eager for a Master like no other, a Mage like unto the golden age of the Zofastria centuries lost. They barely knew the name of the thing called Kolyastavia.

Only Nikolai offered any true comfort. Against his father's wishes, against the many shouted warnings, he would approach his accursed sister and embrace her warmly. Her cold skin reminded him of playful winters with her, and the chill of the nights where he'd swaddle deep in his blankets. His warmth and the small strength of his young arms was the only thing that didn't feel like razors dragged through her skin.

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(Might write more if I feel like it.)