#fun fact i was born at 03:57

[thesolaireslawyer]

I redrew an old William piece for my birthday. And I'm happy to share it all with you.

And a wonderful friend of mine gave me an awesome William idea, so be on the lookout for that too 👁

List of taggyness - @dawnofiight @achios @vind3miat0r @paythesmith @puffin-smoke @sunsickcrab ( IM SO SORRY YOU ASKED TO BE ADDED TO THIS A WHILE AGO 😭🙏 )

The jury is still out on the hair haha

[helloiamhumanperson]

.......I feel sad my babies the grim reapers I KNOW they weren’t BORN into grim reaping so ;-; you know the other way to become a grim reaper you have to kill yourself like NOOOOO grelle, william,ronald *whispers* no *sadness*

with that said:

“Suicide doesn’t stop the pain,” “It gives it to someone else.”

- [ ] 1: We would miss you 

- [ ] 2: It’s worth it to be alive 

- [ ] 3: It does get better, believe it or not, it will eventually get better. 

- [ ] 4: There’s so much you would miss out on doing. 

- [ ] 5: You are worth it don’t let anyone, even yourself tell you otherwise. 

- [ ] 6: God made you for a reason, you have a reason. 

- [ ] 7: There is always a reason to live! 

- [ ] 8: So many people care about you 

- [ ] 9: You are amazing 

- [ ] 10: I don’t even know you and I love you 

- [ ] 11: I care for you 

- [ ] 12: There are plenty of people that love you 

- [ ] 13: Youre literally perfect!! <3 

- [ ] 14: There are plenty of people that care for you 

- [ ] 15: God loves you 

- [ ] 16: God cares about you

 - [ ] 17: Sometimes life is hard but it will make you a stronger person don’t worry! 

- [ ] 18: What about all the things you’ve always wanted to do?What about all the things you’ve planned,but never got around doing? You can’t do them if your dead. 

- [ ] 19: I want you to be alive 

- [ ] 20: So many people want you alive! 

- [ ] 21: You won’t be able to listen to Music if you die 

- [ ] 22: You’ll never be able to listen to your favorite song if you die. 

- [ ] 23: You’ll never be able to listen to your favorite singer if you’re gone 

- [ ] 24: You’ll never be able to listen to your favorite rapper if you’re gone. 

- [ ] 25: listening to really loud music 

- [ ] 26: Killing yourself is never worth it,you’ll hit both yourself & the people who care about you. 

- [ ] 27: There are so many people that would miss you,including me 

- [ ] 28: the clouds 

- [ ] 29: You are gorgeous 

- [ ] 30: Someone out there would die for you :’) 

- [ ] 31: How do you think your family would feel? 

- [ ] 32: Proving people wrong with your success. 

- [ ] 33: Watching the jerks that doubted you fail at life. 

- [ ] 34: You’ll never have the feeling of walking into a warm building on a cold day.

- [ ] 35: You’ll never have the feeling of walking into a cold building on a hot day.

- [ ] 36: Being stupid in public just because you can. 

- [ ] 37: Helping other people. 

- [ ] 38: You have a future to live for.. 

- [ ] 39: Being alive is good 

- [ ] 40: thinking about happy memories 

- [ ] 41: Finding your soulmate. 

- [ ] 42: All nighters!!! 

- [ ] 43: Sleeping in all day

- [ ] 44: You can look back at yourself later in your life and be glad you didn’t commit suicide. 

- [ ] 45: Nobody could ever replace you 

- [ ] 46: You’re unique 

- [ ] 47: pets 

- [ ] 48: petting pets 

- [ ] 49: Netflix and movies 

- [ ] 50: Decorating the Christmas tree 

- [ ] 51: Dreams that make you smile 

- [ ] 52: Breakfast in bed 

- [ ] 53: New clothes 

- [ ] 54: New shoes 

- [ ] 55: New books 

- [ ] 56: Sunrises and Sunsets 

- [ ] 57: Friends 

- [ ] 58: The ocean 

- [ ] 59: Sunlight 

- [ ] 60: Your family 

- [ ] 61: Inside jokes 

- [ ] 62: Birthdays 

- [ ] 63: Christmas 

- [ ] 64: Family traditions 

- [ ] 65: The taste of your favorite food 

- [ ] 66: Favorite tv show 

- [ ] 67: Favorite movie 

- [ ] 68: Going to new places 

- [ ] 69: The ability to peruse whatever you choose (there are over 7 billion people on Earth, don’t be afraid to be you) 

- [ ] 70: To earn money and rewards 

- [ ] 71: You can always flip your life around. 

- [ ] 72: To find the perfect job/career for you 

- [ ] 73: Pizza 

- [ ] 74: Kittens 

- [ ] 75: New haircuts 

- [ ] 76: Moments you can look back to and laugh at 

- [ ] 77: The clouds 

- [ ] 78: The world is better with you in it 

- [ ] 79: Roller Coasters 

- [ ] 80: Showers 

- [ ] 81: Cake 

- [ ] 82:Growing old 

- [ ] 83: Growing old with the person you love 

- [ ] 84: Singing 

- [ ] 85: Sleeping 

- [ ] 86: Icecream 

- [ ] 87: Cookies 

- [ ] 88: food in general 

- [ ] 89: Movie nights 

- [ ] 90: Candy 

- [ ] 91: Popcorn 

- [ ] 92: Daydreaming 

- [ ] 93: Happy moments 

- [ ] 94: Halloween 

- [ ] 95: Sleepovers 

- [ ] 96: Parties 

- [ ] 97: Having a good personality 

- [ ] 98: Making people happy 

- [ ] 99: Bonfires 

- [ ] 100: Sitting on rooftops 

- [ ] 101: Vacations 

- [ ] 102: Hearing crazy stories 

- [ ] 103: Telling crazy stories 

- [ ] 104: Treehouses 

- [ ] 105: Starbucks 

- [ ] 106: You’ve changed someone’s life 

- [ ] 107: If you’re gone how will you achieve great things? 

- [ ] 108: Everyone has talent including you 

- [ ] 109: Eating crazy food 

- [ ] 110: Hanging out with your friends 

- [ ] 111: Nobody could ever replace you 

- [ ] 112: You have so much to live for 

- [ ] 113: Your dreams need some fulfilling to do 

- [ ] 114: Living life to the fullest 

- [ ] 115: Heck,I would miss you like crazy 

- [ ] 116: Your family and friends would be devastated if you were gone 

- [ ] 117: Someone out there is constantly praying to meet someone like you 

- [ ] 118: Your future 

- [ ] 119: You could save so many lives 

- [ ] 120: You are too beautiful to disappear 

- [ ] 121: You are bigger than any of your problems 

- [ ] 122: You are never alone during this struggle 

- [ ] 123: Tomorrow is a new day! 

- [ ] 124: You are worth more than you think 

- [ ] 125: But,the final and most important one is, just being able to experience life,because even if your life doesn’t seem so great right now,anything could happen!

💗💗 

All suicide hotline numbers if you need someone to talk to : 

- [ ] Argentina: +5402234930430 

- [ ] Australia: 131114 

- [ ] Austria: 142; for children and young people, 147 

- [ ] Belgium: 106 

- [ ] Bosnia & Herzegovina: 080 05 03 05 

- [ ] Botswana: 3911270 

- [ ] Brazil: 188 for the CVV National Association 

- [ ] Canada: 1 .833 .456 .4566, 5147234000 

- [ ] (Montreal); 18662773553 (outside Montreal) 

- [ ] Croatia: 014833888 

- [ ] Denmark: +4570201201 

- [ ] Egypt: 7621602 

- [ ] Estonia: 3726558088; 

- [ ] Russian 3726555688 

- [ ] Finland: 010 195 202 

- [ ] France: 0145394000 

- [ ] Germany: 08001810771 

- [ ] Holland: 0900767 

- [ ] Hong Kong: +852 2382 0000 

- [ ] Hungary: 116123 

- [ ] India: 8888817666 

- [ ] Ireland: +44058457909090 

- [ ] Italy: 800860022 

- [ ] Japan: +810352869090 

- [ ] Mexico: 5255102550 

- [ ] New Zealand: 0800543354 

- [ ] Norway: +4781533300 

- [ ] Philippines: 028969191 

- [ ] Poland: 5270000 

- [ ] Portugal: 21 854 07 40/8 . 96 898 21 50 

- [ ] Russia: 0078202577577 

- [ ] Spain: 914590050 

- [ ] South Africa: 0514445691 

- [ ] Sweden: 46317112400 

- [ ] Switzerland: 143 

- [ ] United Kingdom: 08457909090 

- [ ] USA: 18002738255 

- [ ] Veterans’ Crisis Line: 1 800 273 8255/ text 383255 

💗💗 

songs that could make you happy 🥺 

Personal by HRVY: @YJpE 

I like me better by Lauv: @ozwA 

Classic by MKTO: @A4Ds 

Just friends by JORDY: @eINM 

Eastside by Benny Blanco,Halsey,& Khalid: @UvGY 

What makes you beautiful by 1D: @-A4E 

Cheerleader by OMI: @QfW8 

Everybody talks by Neon Trees: @84lE 

Dear future husband by Meghan Trainor: @D_40 

Backyard Boy by Claire Rosinkranz: @shy8 

Shut up and dance with me by WALK THE MOON: @lx6Q 

iSpy by KYLE: @gMPU 

Trap queen by Fetty Wap: @NKio 

LMK by Lil XXEL: @IC24 

Dynamite by BTS: @WNZg 

- fun facts! 

1.Otters hold hands when sleeping is they don’t drift away from each other 

2.Penguins only have one mate their entire life, they also propose by giving them a pebble 

3.Cows have best friends 

4.you’re perfect <3 

- another message: - 

💗💗 

To all those people being bullied 

- To all those people who have lost a loved one 

- To all those people who have lost a pet 

- To all those people being abused 

- To all those people going through depression 

- To all those people with anxiety 

- To all those people in poverty 

- To all those people going through a breakup 

- To all those people having a bad day 

- To all those people with insecurities 

- To all those people just having a hard time 

Don’t forget 

- Your weakness today 

- Is your strength tomorrow 

- It always gets better 

- Your loved ones will remain in your hearts 

- You always have the memories 

- Love yourself 

- Stand up for yourself 

- Money can’t buy happiness 

- Those lovers 

- Just weren’t right 

- Don’t abuse yourself 

- Don’t abuse others 

- Kill them with kindness 

- Treat people with kindness 

- We’ve all had these times 

- There will always be a hole in our chests 

But 

- Let’s all be each others’ strength 

- whether you’re 

- Black 

- White 

- LGBTQ+ 

- Christian 

- Atheist 

- Muslim 

- Etc 

- Love yourself 

- Love others 

- Don’t cut 

- Don’t kill 

- Don’t criticize 

- Don’t beg 

- Don’t do drugs 

- Don’t starve yourself 

- Don’t starve others 

We aren’t supposed to do any of that 

- Just keep your strength 

- Keep your faith 

- Don’t change because you were told to 

- Be yourself 

- Sometimes playing a character, isn’t the best thing to do. Have a great day, and don’t stop spreading awareness about things that are happening currently in the world. 

⚠️ this is not my text, that however doesn't mean that I don't agree with every single word said here. out of the experience, it destroys people. Please don't be afraid to ask for help.

Please, I beg you, please don't do it. You are worth it and there are people who love you.⚠️ 

I need everyone to pass this on. 

💗 ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

[notebooknebula]

Brad Smotherman on Flipping Real Estate

https://www.jayconner.com/brad-smotherman-on-flipping-real-estate/

Brad Smotherman manages a 7 figure flipping business, and hold notes across Middle Tennessee. We invest in multiple states, and have houses from Michigan to Georgia right now.

Real Estate Cashflow Conference: https://www.jayconner.com/learnrealestate/

Free Webinar: https://www.jayconner.com/training/wtgtmn-webinar-rev2-podcast/?oprid=&ref=42135

Jay Conner is a proven real estate investment leader. Without using his own money or credit, Jay maximizes creative methods to buy and sell properties with profits averaging $64,000 per deal.

The Private Money Academy http://www.JayConner.com/Trial

———————————————————————-

Jay Conner (00:01): Well, hello there! And welcome to another exciting episode of Real Estate Investing with Jay Conner. I’m Jay Conner, your host of the show. Also known as The Private Money Authority. And if you’re brand new to the show, here on this show, we talk about all things that relate to real estate investing. We talk about investing in single family houses, commercial projects, small apartments, self storage, land deals, notes. And we also talk about how to get funding for those deals creatively and with private money. Now, if you’re brand new to this show, I’m known as The Private Money Authority, because from 2003 to 2009, I relied on the local banks and mortgage companies to fund my deals. But then I got cut off with no notice in 2009, but it was one of the biggest blessing in disguise. I was introduced to this wonderful world of private money.

Jay Conner (01:02): Since that time I’ve never missed out on a deal. I’ve rehabbed over 400 houses. Done even more deals creatively. And the reason I’ve never missed out on a deal since 2009 is because I got the cash ready to buy those all cash deals. And as we know, most of the sellers require all the money. So I’ve got a brand new free gift for everybody that’s tuning here on the show. And that is, I just launched The Private Money Academy. Which is a monthly membership where we actually have two live zoom conference a month with yes, yours truly me. For at least an hour to an hour and a half answering all your real estate investing questions. Getting you plugged into private money and funding for your deals. And we also have a hot seat session where we will take one of the members of the Academy, put you in the hot seat, analyze your business, and create a plan to take you and your business to the next level.

Jay Conner (01:57): So I have a free gift for everybody tuning in, and that is four weeks absolute free access to The Private Money Academy. And you get to come on the next two live shows for the Academy membership. Absolutely for free! You can take advantage of that and learn all about it after the show today at http://www.JayConner.com/Trial that’s http://JayConner.com/Trial Be sure and check that out, come on in to the membership for free, and I’ll see you on the inside of those live zoom conference coaching calls.

Jay Conner (02:41): Well, as you know, if you’ve been tuning in to Real Estate Investing with Jay Conner, we have amazing guests and experts here on the show. And today is no exception. Before I bring my special guest out of the green room and here to the forefront. Let me tell you just a little bit about him. Well, my guest today is a real estate investor and a mentor. And he owns and manages a seven figure per year flipping business. So my guest and I, we’ve got a lot in common. Well, his passion is being a top house flipper in the nation. And his other passion is also helping other newer investors build a sustainable real estate investing company. Well, with 11 years, he started back in 2010 on the real estate investing side. With 11 years in the real estate investing business, he’s invested in over 15 States. And yes, today on today’s show, we’re going to be talking about how do you do this business remotely and totally virtually.

Jay Conner (03:41): He also has houses all the way from Michigan to Georgia. And today he has completed over 550 transactions today. Yes, he knows what he’s talking about from experience. In addition to that, he focuses on buying single family flips creatively. Using both subject to the existing note strategy, and he buys a lot with owner financing. In fact, he is known as the Owner Finance Guy. He also uses the strategy of selling retail or with owner financing, with creating wrap around notes. I know you’ve heard that terminology. Wrapping around a note. And if that’s sort of a new term to you or an old term, and you don’t know what it means, we’re going to talk about that on today’s show as well and how you can utilize that strategy as well.

Jay Conner (04:34): Well, he is also the host of one of the top 100 business podcasts in the nation. And the name of his podcast is Investor Creator. And there on the podcast, he teaches new and seasoned real estate investors. How to take their house flipping business to a multiple six or even seven figure income without sacrificing freedom. After all, what do we want in this real estate investing world is, wealth and freedom. And my guest today is an expert in that area. My guest lives in Nashville, Tennessee. And with that, welcome to the show, my friend and expert, Mr. Brad Smotherman! Brad, welcome to the show!

Brad Smotherman (05:18): Jay, I appreciate you having me on. I have a feeling we’re going to have so much fun with this. I’m just going to have to take a nap after we get done.

Jay Conner (05:24): Yes, you are! My lands! Brad, I’m so excited to have you on. And I know just by your intro, your bio and the short period of time that we’ve been around each other, we’ve got a lot in common. In fact, my best guess, one of your core values, and one of your secrets to success is having the mindset and the framework of putting other people first, having their interests ahead of your interest. Would you agree with that?

Brad Smotherman (05:52): Hundred percent! A hundred percent!

Jay Conner (05:54): So Brad, first of all, you look entirely too young to be this successful, but anyway, I’ll go beyond that statement pretty quickly. You’re from Nashville, Tennessee. You grow up in Nashville?

Brad Smotherman (06:06): I did. Born and raised.

Jay Conner (06:08): You’re sing country?

Brad Smotherman (06:10): No. I don’t see anything. And that’s a good thing for everybody that would have to listen. So for the people that know how to sing it I’ll just listen politely like everyone else.

Jay Conner (06:20): But now you enjoy going to the Grand Ole Opry, right?

Brad Smotherman (06:22): Oh, certainly! And like I was telling you guys before I’m out taking my grandmother to see Merle Haggard there twice, and we saw George Jones once and just had a great time. So, absolutely!

Jay Conner (06:33): That’s awesome. Well, I’m excited to have you here on the show today. Brad, because you’re known as the owner financed guy. You’re an expert in the area of buying houses on terms controlling them creatively or whatever. So first of all, if you would explain to the audience, what is your business model look like?

Brad Smotherman (06:59): Well, I think my business model is a little bit different than most because everybody out there, especially the past five or six years, what they wanted to do is, you know, they wanted to wholesale something. They wanted to fix something and flip it. And you know, the past 10 years we’ve had an explosion of these fix and flip TV shows. And frankly, Jay, those shows just give me anxiety. Like I can’t watch them. Literally. I went to the dentist the other day and asked me what I wanted to watch as I’m sitting there in the chair. I was like anything, but this HGTV stuff, right?

Jay Conner (07:25): Well, wait a minute, Brad. Now, why would I, why would a reality show that I’m sure is real, that shows you how to make a hundred grand in 30 minutes with no headaches. Why would that give you anxiety?

Brad Smotherman (07:36): Well, just like, you know, I mean, it’s not real. And then, you know, secondly, I’m looking at what they’re spending on the kitchen. I’m thinking I could do it for a sixth of that. And then the person buying the house, it’s like, well, what do you do for a living? And they say, well, we catch butterflies and rainbows all day. And our budget’s 2 million bucks and it’s just like, it just doesn’t seem exactly genuine to me. But maybe they’re just in a different market, a better market than I’ve ever seen. Let’s just say that.

Jay Conner (08:01): Yeah! I get it, Brother, I get it. Sorry to interrupt. What’s your business model looks like?

Brad Smotherman (08:04): Yeah. And that’s a hundred percent fine. So, you know, I started in 2010 and my background was very similar to yours in a certain way, although I didn’t live it. So I worked for a builder developer. Well, I sold real estate through college and everything was going really, really well up until the crash of ’08. And in 2009, the bankers came in and said, well, sorry, we’re going to have to call your loan. You have 30 days to pay us off. And as you know, during that time, there’s really no way to refinance commercial lending, you know, especially a development loan. And so it bankrupted them. And luckily I was able to learn the lessons from the crash without actually having to be involved in the crash. And so when that happened, I realized very quickly, I didn’t want bank money in my business. Very similar to what you’re dealing with. Right?

Brad Smotherman (08:46): So it’s like, guys, being able to raise private money is paramount to this business. Like what Jay is talking about is super, super important. But, so I got started in 2010 and back then, you really couldn’t wholesale because no, very few people had an equity position that was big enough to where you could wholesale it. And then also the fix and flip model was very difficult because that couldn’t get money. And so I had to find another way. Well, what I found worked. Has always worked and what I feel will always work is creating owner financing. And so what we do is we buy creatively when we buy and then we sell with owner financing and a vast majority of our transactions. We still go retail at times and that’s okay. But what we want to do is we want to create longterm cash flow with longterm capital assets. And for me, I’d rather have that in mortgage notes. I feel like it’s far more scalable than rentals. We’re able to get paid to take the note in most of our transactions. It’s not like I’m putting cash out there to invest. We’re getting longterm assets given to us. And I just had to find another way because I couldn’t, I didn’t want to wholesale, I couldn’t wholesale. And the fix and flip model looked like really difficult to me during that time. And so we’ve been pretty much doing a similar model ever since.

Jay Conner (09:53): So to recap what you just said, tell me if I got it right. Your core model is buy on terms, buy with owner financing, buy with subject to, buying creatively without paying all the cash. Take that same property, turn around and sell it creatively to a new buyer with owner financing or what have you. So let’s break that down. First of all, you said, the reason you do that is because you want to build longterm wealth by leveraging an asset that’s going to continue to pay you monthly for a long time. Is that right?

Brad Smotherman (10:38): A hundred percent. That’s right.

Jay Conner (10:40): So in today’s market, I know from my own business, I know from my students’ businesses that finding a deal today in the multiple listing service is a bonus. The deals are not in the multiple listing service buying large. So we have to find our deals off market. We have to find houses that are not in the multiple listing service. So if you don’t mind pulling back the curtain for us just a little bit and give us a little sneak peek as to what is working for you today to find these people that have houses for sale, or maybe they haven’t considered selling their house. How do you find these deals?

Brad Smotherman (11:30): That’s a great question. Well, I mean, as we know, everything starts with a motivated seller. So the foundation of the business is marketing for motivated sellers. Now for me, real estate is a means to an end. I mean, if I can do this business with dump trucks or swimming pools, I would do that. I’m not in love with houses. They break, they smell bad. Some of them. One of my apprentices yesterday in San Antonio, he’s buying a house that has 70 cats in it. And I can’t imagine how bad that is, but you know, at the end of the day, marketing comes down to two different avenues. We can do sweat marketing, or we can do paid marketing. Man. When I started, I didn’t have any money. So I had to do the sweat marketing side of things. And so the examples of that would be, you know, putting out bandit signs, you know, although you’re paying for the sign, what I would do is I would put them out Friday night and pull them up early Monday morning.

Brad Smotherman (12:13): And so a hundred signs, a couple of hundred bucks would last me three or four months, right? So that’s more of a sweat technique as opposed to leaving them out. Another one that were having a lot of success with is actually networking with wholesalers because wholesalers are slave to the 70% rule. We’re able to go in and do deals that they can’t do, right? Because we buy creatively as opposed to just throwing cash offers around all over the place. Right? So I’ve got an apprentice in Texas. He’s done three transactions this month, where wholesalers are bringing him the deal. You know, one of them is at a 0% owner finance rate. Now why a wholesaler would want to make a $5,000 assignment fee on a deal where we’ve got like four years and this thing is going to be paid off and we’ve got an $80,000 note on it.

Brad Smotherman (12:55): I don’t really understand. Okay. So that’s a couple of options in terms of sweat marketing. What I hope for people is that they understand that marketing is an investment. It’s not a cost. So effective marketing should at a minimum of 25 X. So if you’re spending a thousand dollars in effective marketing per month, you should over time buy at $25,000 per month in equity. Right? As an average. Now, what I hope for people is that if you have to start with the sweat side, that you go to the paid marketing side, as soon as you can. Okay? So in my world, the best paid marketing that we can do is Pay-per-Click so being there on Google ads, whenever they’re there, like people are searching for us. Searching, sell my house fast, or companies that buy houses. We want to be there. When people have already realized that they have a problem and we can be there to offer a solution, but it has to be done very well. I know a lot of people that have lost a lot of money when it comes to doing Pay-per-Click campaigns, because they don’t understand how to drive traffic number one, and how to create conversion. Once someone is, has landed on a page number two, but those are examples of sweat marketing paid marketing that we use in our business.

Jay Conner (13:57): Excellent! So as we know, and most of our audience here knows. When talking to an off market seller, a person that owns a single family house, you know, they don’t have it in the multiple listing service. They have some type of motivation. Most of these people are going to be anticipating when you’re starting that conversation with them of you buying their house. Most of these people like 99% of them are more having their mind that, well, if I sell my house, I’m going to get all the money, right? I mean, it’s like, that’s the traditional way. I sell a house, I get all the money. But now, you come along and you are going to be talking to them about creative selling or them becoming the bank. Or there’s a note and they’re going to get payments. What are your secrets? And as our friend Eddie would say, talk off points. Well, what are you, what are your secrets or scraping that takes a person that’s never considered selling on terms and waiting for all their money over time, from the point of then expecting to get all the cash up front?

Brad Smotherman (15:06): That’s a great question. And what I would submit to you is the first thing that we can’t do is make offers. So in my world, I really feel like an offer is a commodity to shop. And I can’t even begin to tell you how many houses that we’ve gone in and bought because, you know, two or three other investors had gone in and left an offer behind for them to think about. And then we come in because we won’t give them our price. They’re giving us a price. We’re making sure that that’s the least that they will take. And then we’re going to switch it to terms. So let’s say that someone says, well, and we talk about things in terms of cash at closing. So if somebody owes a hundred thousand dollars and they want to sell the property for 115, then I’m going to switch it and say, well, so your cash at closing is $15,000.

Brad Smotherman (15:48): So assuming that they would sell to me for that $15,000 cash at closing, then I’m going to say, well, you know, I can do that. If we can do it another way, and this is how we can make it work. So I’ve never given them a price and they’ve given me the price. So I mean, what we’ve done there is we’ve made it very difficult for them at that point to really begin to pull back and think about it because we’re giving them their number. We never give a price ever. Now, Jay, there’s some times that we do pay cash for properties, we just bought one outside of Huntsville, Alabama, about a month ago that the people had paid $160,000 cash for it in 2012, we paid 15,000 for it. And, you know, it’s like at that price, I don’t really feel the need to negotiate terms.

Brad Smotherman (16:29): You know, it’s like, we’ll just pay the 15K. And I thought about it. It kinda hurt my feelings to not get 0% owner financing on that 15. But I was like, you know, they need the money. They need the 15 grand we’ll just go ahead and pay it. But the short answer is I think the real skill is to, to be able to negotiate with people, without giving them a price, giving them an offer. I feel like if you give an offer, it’s a commodity, a commodity for them to shop. I also think it’s kind of acrimonious. People feel like they’re good negotiators because somebody can say, well, I want $200,000 from our house. And you can say, well, how does a hundred thousand sound? I don’t think that’s negotiation at all. I think that’s horse trading. And like my family came from the agriculture world.

Brad Smotherman (17:09): So, I mean, we were pig farmers. I mean, and I saw that growing up all the time, you know, that doesn’t work for houses as well. Like if we can make people realize that we’re not there to take advantage, if we can make the number work, then we will make it work. But there’s equity. There’s two types of equity. There’s equity at price and equity in terms. So if we can create equity in terms, a lot of times that’s a better equity position for us to have as a longterm play, as opposed to just like really working in the 70%. If that makes sense.

Jay Conner (17:37): Do you ever offer or give multiple offers or multiple strategies of saying, okay, if you want your price, we can do it this way. If you’ve got to have all cash, we can do it this way. And if you want a third option, we can do it this way. Or do you, most of the time stay with say the the terms negotiation and conversation?

Brad Smotherman (18:02): And that’s a great question. So we don’t do like the three offer strategy of like, we can do it this way, this way, or this way, this way, because what I’ve found, at least in my own personal experiences that I had people say, well, I want this price with that term.

Jay Conner (18:14): They want to pick and choose the way they want it.

Brad Smotherman (18:18): Yeah. It was like, we’ll take this closing date. We’ll take that price with those terms. It’s like, well, that’s not really how it works. What I’ll say to that is it’s really common for us to, to bounce back and forth between price and terms. So if someone says, okay, this is the price that we want, they’ll say, well, if you want it like that, here’s how we can make that work. And they said, well, that doesn’t work for us. And then we’ll go back and say, well, is that price the least you would take? And so we start talking about pricing in. And I’ve had situations where we have to kind of go back and forth three or four times before we land somewhere. And it’s generally somewhere kind of in the middle that we find that people will work within kind of the median based on what they’re hoping for. You know, if we can substantiate pricing and values and costs to where we can show like, Hey, these are the numbers that you’re working with. Like, this is the value. This is the cost to get it there. Here’s my breakeven number. You know, what are you hoping for your cash at closing people generally tend to be a little bit more reasonable if we can substantiate why they should accept a lower price and what they were hoping for.

Jay Conner (19:15): When you have someone that is agreeable or at least open. They’re open to the idea Terms and, you know, taking payments or equity over time or whatever. Do you, in your, in your conversation, do you tell them how long or how long the term of the note would be? Or do you ask them what’s the longest they could go? Or how do you get to that agreeable length of the note?

Brad Smotherman (19:51): Yeah. So what we talk about is in terms of some now and some later, so we’re going to talk about it and say, okay, how much cash do you need at closing to make it work? And they’ll give us a number and we’ll kind of negotiate that. It’s like, okay, if I can get you X at closing, then how soon were you hoping to get, no, we do it this way. We can either do payments every month, like an annuity or retirement plan, or we can do a lump sum in the future, which were you hoping for? Generally, people kind of gravitate towards the payments per month. But the thing that we never mentioned is interest. Okay. We never really talk about terms. We’re going to talk about it in terms of, you know, $20,000 at closing and $500 per month until paid.

Brad Smotherman (20:27): And so people are kind of looking at that and saying, especially if they’re a landlord. Guys, if you’re, if you’re dealing with a landlord that has free and clear property and they’re tired landlord, you should absolutely be able to negotiate owner financing because these people are open to receiving payments. That’s what they bought the property for in the first place. Well, if we can just kind of segment it to being like, well, how much do you need at closing? What would you like a lump sum in the future? Or would you like monthly payments? Generally, they’re going to say, well, I’d love monthly payments and we can negotiate something, but we never really talk about it in terms of, well, it’s a 10 year loan and here’s the rate we never mentioned. Certainly we’d never mentioned interest. We don’t really ever talk about the term as well.

Jay Conner (21:03): So you would agree that most of the terms that you structure are payments with no interests?

Brad Smotherman (21:10): Correct. A hundred percent. I’ve only paid interest twice on owner finance deals. And both of those were properties I wanted. They were both lake properties and I was like, I’ve gotta have this. I think I paid a 3% rate on one and four and a half on the others.

Jay Conner (21:24): I love it! I love it! Well, Brad, now let’s really change gears from the owner financing thing and the term thing to this world that you’re in of investing remotely. My lands! You are in, you’ve invested in 15 States. You invest from Michigan to Georgia. And when I asked you a question that could take you three days to answer, but you got about three minutes instead.

Brad Smotherman (21:55): We’ll work with that.

Jay Conner (21:55): But how in the world do you invest remotely in 15 different States? And we know what, we know everybody’s concerns are. I mean, how do you find those deals, you know, out there in a different state, what’s your boots on the ground? How do you make sure you’re not being taken to the cleaners? How do you manage all that stuff remotely? And you know, my land! You can’t drive by it and see what’s happening to the property. I mean, what does that world look like?

Brad Smotherman (22:24): Yeah. And you’re right. That would be about a three hour answer. But to put it into three minutes, the first fundamental that we have to understand is that the farther away we are from our own personal market, the cheaper the property must be. So we have to have a higher discount. Now, I’ll buy something at 60 cents on the dollar cash in my backyard, but I’m definitely not going to do that, you know two States away, right. So we have to have a greater discount because you’re a hundred percent, right. We’re going to have issues that we don’t expect right now. We don’t have, you know, a large amount of like workforce that can help us in these deals generally. Right. So what we’re going to do is we market to areas that we like, okay. And because we’re marketing in big geographic areas, our lead cost is actually quite a bit lower.

Brad Smotherman (23:12): It’s substantially lower. So we can do one of two things. We can either have a lower ad budget, or we can keep our ad budget the same and have maybe three or four times a lead flow. Okay. So let’s just say we have four times the lead flow. Well, what that means is that, that deal that comes around twice a year, three times a year is going to happen for me roughly every two months. Or, you know, the deal that happens every four months is going to happen for me every month. So I can be a little bit more picky based on what I’m looking at. And so in terms of the value, the decisions are very easy, actually. So I mean, case in point, we just bought one in Montgomery, Alabama. The property had a comp across the street that sold in in February for 76,000, we bought this one for 13, so we have it under contract.

Brad Smotherman (23:59): And so once we have an under contract, we go into due diligence. So the first thing we’re going to look at is value. So what is the value based on what we expect right now? So we feel like roughly this thing’s worth $75,000 and I can probably owner finance it for 89 or maybe 99,000 with a 10K down payment. You know, at a minimum 10K. So with that, we’re gonna talk to two or three brokers in that market, real estate agents that are gonna give us CMAs. Give us an idea of value. And then we’re going to then once the value looks okay, we’re going to switch to condition. So we’re going to get actually a home inspection on this property. Okay guys, once we have three different CMAs from agents and they all kind of make sense for one another, like there’s congruency in those three CMAs, and then we go and we get the home inspection, we’re going to know really everything that we need to know in terms of that property, especially with the discounts that we’re buying.

Brad Smotherman (24:48): So, I mean, the question being is that a little bit more risky than buying it around backyard? It certainly is. Whenever, if you were paying dollar for dollar the same amount, but if you’re paying 60 cents in your own backyard or 20 cents in another state, then I would ask you, well, which is more risky at that point. Okay. So short answer, we’re going to get things under contract that we feel pretty comfortable with. Then we’re going to verify and find the facts that we know and what we don’t know. At that point, we’re going to make a final decision. Sometimes we have to renegotiate price most of the time we don’t, because it’s just such a severe discount on the front end. And I mean, in terms of management, the thing is that we’re owner financing most of these, almost all. And so if we’re owner financing things, we’re serving the least served in the most underserved buyer pool in the country.

Brad Smotherman (25:32): There’s a lot of people that need owner financing. And since March, this is what I heard from Eddie Speed yesterday. And Jay, I know, you know, Eddie. So he said that if a hundred people could get a mortgage in March before this COVID thing hit, then right now there’s 64 people that can get a mortgage that’s left out of those hundred. Well, what happened to those other 36 people? Did they just decide not to buy? Well, no, they need owner financing at this point. So we’re serving a very needed, a very underserved buyer pool that needs owner financing. So sell the house with owner financing, create the note. I don’t want ownership and property. I feel like property is liability. We want to own the paper. Okay. So we create owner financing. So the house owner financing to have a longterm cash flowing asset. And in a nutshell, that’s how we buy remotely.

Jay Conner (26:18): To what extent do you buy houses remotely with owner financing? To what extent is, are you comfortable with the amount of repairs or rehabbing involved?

Brad Smotherman (26:33): Yeah. I mean, we’re not going to rehab anything. So if the property means that the grass cut, somebody better go cut the grass because we’re going to buy it. We’re going to sell it as is, you know, the best example that I have with this. I had a house that I bought for $2,000 one time. And now I don’t understand why people do what they do sometimes. Jay, I know that doesn’t resonate with you. I’m sure that you’ve never seen anything that didn’t make sense. But for me, I see a lot of things that don’t make sense in my world. And this lady sold me the house for $2,000 and she had just done new vinyl and new windows on the exterior. They surely looked great, but she said, I don’t want you to go in the house because I’m afraid you won’t buy it.

Brad Smotherman (27:07): This was maybe six or seven years ago. And I’m actually going to look at houses. I said, well, respectfully, I have to go look at, you know, I have to go inside. And so this lady, the roof look kind of bad, but I didn’t realize how bad the roof was. She did new vinyl, new windows. She didn’t do the roof. And so water had been pouring into this house for like four or five years. And so like, literally the back half of this thing was gone. I mean, it was like molded. It was soft, the subfloor, you couldn’t stand in the kitchen, all this, it was a mess! But we sold it with owner financing. As is! Like, I’m not going to do that kind of construction. I’m not a construction guy. Literally I had to come over. I had to have a handyman come to my house and replace the doorknobs because I don’t know how to do any of that stuff. So like, I’m terrible.

Jay Conner (27:46): You and I have something else in common, my friend!

Brad Smotherman (27:49): Glad to hear that, man! I think we’re like kindered souls just, probably not from the same parents, just generationally, but you know what I’m saying? We’re cut from the same cloth.

Jay Conner (28:00): A brother from another mother.

Brad Smotherman (28:04): For sure.

Jay Conner (28:07): So you’re not gonna do any, you’re not gonna do any major rehabs. I get it. So my lands! How do you find, so are you finding most of these deals remotely in other States? Again, as you mentioned using Pay-Per-Click. Google Pay-per-Click.

Brad Smotherman (28:25): A hundred percent. So, I mean, these are people that are actively searching to solve a problem and we’re there when they need to be.

Jay Conner (28:30): I love it when people are looking for me and I’m not looking for them.

Brad Smotherman (28:34): Big difference because people don’t understand the difference in the negotiation structure. So, I mean, if I’m contacting someone to sell me something, versus someone contacting me to buy something, that’s a huge difference in the frame of negotiation. And so we always want to be where someone is searching for us. If we can be, of course, there’s always exceptions. You know, like anything works some of the times. So we can do the text, we can do the direct mail. I used to do 70,000 direct mailers a month. I don’t do any of that anymore because it comes down to, I don’t want to contact someone to sell something. I want people contacting me to buy something.

Jay Conner (29:08): Final question, Brad. At least almost final question I have to, I have to precursor that. So we know how you’re finding these deals. You got all these people that need owner financing. They don’t know there’s a way. So how in the world do you get the word out to all these people that you’ve got owner-financed terms available? How do you find the buyers?

Brad Smotherman (29:29): And that’s a great question. So our big three are Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, and then putting yard signs out that say owner financing. And so…

Jay Conner (29:38): My number one on a, so I sell, I don’t do owner financing out here in this market. That’s another conversation. I do a lot of rent to own. I love your model. Regardless. It’s the same buyer, whether they’re buying owner financing or they’re buying rent to own. But with that, Facebook marketplace, hands down. Is my best lead source for finding these owner finance buyers.

Brad Smotherman (30:04): Yeah. It’s really amazing. I’ve got a, I’d say she’s at least half time and probably closer to three quarter time. And the poor girl, she probably has carpal tunnel by now because like you post a house for sale with owner financing and all of these buy-sell-trade groups. And like, you can see like the computer almost begin to melt because it’s overheating from all the people responding. And it makes sense. I mean, it’s really common in a market. So I’m in Nashville, Tennessee. The last time I checked, there were 2,700 houses on the market on the MLS to service everyone that could get mortgage financing. Well, there were three that were offered with owner financing and they were mine. And so it’s like, if that’s the case, you can see the disparity in the supply demand curve. You have a huge group of demand for very, very little inventory. And so selling the houses never really been a problem.

Jay Conner (30:53): I love it! Brad, I know my audience wants to stay connected with you. How can they stay connected with Brad Smotherman?

Brad Smotherman (31:00): Yeah. So for those that are interested more on owner financing and what we do, then you can listen to my podcast, Investor Creator, on iTunes and the various other platforms. And if anybody wants to reach out to me directly, feel free to do so. At http://BradSmotherman.com

Jay Conner (31:13): That’s awesome, Brad! It’s so great to have you here on the show, Brad, I really enjoyed our conversation. I know the audience did as well. And so let me give it to you for parting comments and final advice.

Brad Smotherman (31:26): You know, the thing that I want to say to people is, always would try to instill the amount of hope that I can, you know, I think a lot of people want to do this business and they have a lot of fear. And I remember how that was in 2010 when I started, because you know, I started in the brokerage business. I was a realtor and not a super successful one at that. I made a living, but you know, whenever I decided to be an investor, I thought, gosh, like nobody’s going to leave a loan in place. Nobody’s going to sell out a discount. Nobody’s, you know, and it’s the same thing that I’ve heard, you know, and here’s kind of like the hierarchy of beliefs that fell down for me. I thought nobody would leave alone in place. Well, that happened.

Brad Smotherman (32:01): And then I thought, well, nobody’s going to sell at 50 cents on the dollar. And then that happened. And then I thought, well, nobody’s going to give me 0% owner financing. And then that happened. And then I thought, well, all of this is because we’re that good in person. We can’t do it on the phone. And then we started buying all of those on the phone. And so at the end of the day, I mean, this business works. It’s an amazing business. It changes lives. And if you feel compelled, you have a passion for the business and you have a passion to help people with their problems and you can do very well in this business. Stay with it.

Jay Conner (32:28): That’s awesome! Brad, thank you so much. And thank you! My audience for tuning in. It’s always great to have you here. And I know you found this episode very valuable. I’m Jay Conner, The Private Money Authority. Wishing you all the best and here is to taking your real estate investing business to the next level. And I’ll see you on the next show. Bye for now!

[rcyaltiies]

[MARGOT ROBBIE?], no that’s [LEONORA HUMPHREY] - the [TWENTY-EIGHT / THREE-HUNDRED AND NINETY-NITE] year old [BISEXUAL, FEMALE, VAMPIRE] that uses [SHE/HERS]. Apparently she is [BRAVE] && [RESOURCEFUL] but some say she is [IMPULSIVE] && [FAKE]. In the group they are known as [THE PERCEPTIVE]. She is one of the bound. She survived the massacre because [SHE WAS “SIGHTSEEING” IN COPENHAGEN WITH A FRIEND]. // [dan, 20, GMT-3, she/hers]

CHARACTER STATS.

BIRTH NAME. leonora gyldenløve humphrey

ALIAS(ES). leo, (previously) princess leonora

AGE / D.O.B. twenty-eigh (three-hundred and ninety-nine) / feb. 03, 1619

BIRTH ORDER. lmao let’s see...

HOROSCOPE. aquarius

RELIGION. raised lutheran, non-religious

GENDER / SPECIES. female / vampire

SEXUALITY. bisexual

HOMETOWN & BIRTHPLACE. helsingør, denmark

NOTABLE LOCATIONS: copenhagen, rio de janeiro, vancouver, los angeles, london, rome, paris, sidney, new york, layter’s cross

HEIGHT. 5 ft 6 ( 168 cm )

NATIONALITY. english (fake); danish

LANGUAGE(S). danish, english, latin, spanish, italian, french & portuguese

CURRENT OCCUPATION. cartographer

VIRTUES. bravery, charisma, wit, insight, kindness

VICES. vengeance, impulse, loneliness

RELATIONSHIP STATUS. single (technically...... married? about 380 years ago, does that count?

CHILDREN. none (none alive, anyway, so)

BACKGROUND OVERVIEW.

leonora  was born in 1619, the daughter of king christian iv of denmark - an illegitimate daughter, however.

her human life was rather complicated and filled with running away and hiding, but the whole thing gets back to the fact that eventually she was legitimized by her father and made a princess, who married a wealthy duke heir named niels, with whom she had two children.

she was turned into a vampire after a ball night with her husband years after being made a legitimate princess, but they both managed to hide their new nature for a couple of months.

when they were discovered by her people within the court, who saw them as beasts, they were forced to flee with their two children, and from them on, they had to pretend to be other people. leonora even pretended to be a man for a couple years.

at one point, people who were looking for them were so close that leonora and niels chose to give their children to adoption (hardest choice she ever had to make, btw).

and soon after that, they were separated by a force of fate. they never got to see each other again for hundreds of years, and the one time leo did find niels, she couldn’t reach out to him.

she’s been all over throughout the years, but the longest she stayed in one place was 19th century brazil, where she stayed for 57 years (having been there on the 17th century too, for a brief period of time).

now, leonora decided to use her real name again (it’s been long enough), but is posing as an english record store owner in layter’s cross as she actually is a bit of a con-artist on the side

CHARACTER PERSONALITY.

people who don’t really know her might look at her and think she’s just a naive, quiet girl, but leonora’s got a whole freaking hurricane inside her??

several years of constant heartbreak does that to a person, yk

she’s actually very cunning and can be that kind of person who tricks others, but is also very generous to those in need

pretty much obsessed with researching everything that people have written about her (and her family) and to people who don’t know who she is, she says she has a history degree and is crazy about danish monarchy... 

she loves reading every crazy (or on point) theory about the ‘missing princess of denmark’ - aka, herself. 

leo is a little lonely at times, and she deals with being alone well, but loneliness will eat you from the inside out, if you know what i mean, so there’s that

she’s very easy to befriend, but most her friendships are superficial as she doesn’t want to have people too close to her only to have to flee again when she draws suspicious eyes towards herself

cutie with a booty, btw, and super fun to hang around?? not that im biased or anything, clearly……….

SHE’S COOL, OKAY?! THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME.

if you wanna plot connections with her (plssss), lemme know by liking/replying to this or you can just hit me up yourself? i’m open to all sorts of shit right now!

[maebhs]

➰ ( MARGOT ROBBIE, FEMALE, SHE/HER ) *✧.:°░｡ —- is that MAEBH AGOSTINHO ?! you know them, right? they are the TWENTY-SIX (499) year old VAMPIRE !! they’re known for being GENEROUS & BRAVE - but i'd be careful if i were you because they’re also LONELY & TROUBLED. i heard they volunteered to be paired with SEBASTIAN STAN, GAL GADOT, JAMIE DORNAN, RICHARD MADDEN, ANY FC. (dan, 20, gmt-3)

( yup here i am again?!?1!!?!?!1!! i couldn’t help myself because i really loved the idea i had for a princess type plot AND because margot robbie???? yes. )

CHARACTER STATS.

BIRTH NAME. maebh o’brien agostinho

ALIAS(ES). mae/may, (previously) princess maebh

AGE / D.O.B. twenty-six (four-hundred and ninety-nine) / feb. 03, 1519

BIRTH ORDER. youngest of three (two older brothers)

HOROSCOPE. aquarius

RELIGION. catholic

GENDER / SPECIES. female / vampire

SEXUALITY. bisexual

HOMETOWN & BIRTHPLACE. thomond, ireland

NOTABLE LOCATIONS: rio de janeiro, vancouver, los angeles, london, rome, paris, sidney, new york, dublin

HEIGHT. 5 ft 6 ( 168 cm )

NATIONALITY. irish

LANGUAGE(S). english, irish, italian & portuguese

CURRENT OCCUPATION. cartographer

VIRTUES. -

VICES. -

RELATIONSHIP STATUS. single

CHILDREN. none

BACKGROUND OVERVIEW.

maebh (pronounced may-v) was born in 1519, the last child and the only daughter of king murrough o’brien of thomond, ireland - a bastard daughter, however.

her human life was rather complicated and filled with running away and hiding, but the whole thing gets back to the fact that eventually she was legitimized by her father and made a princess, who married a wealthy lord heir named tadgh, with whom she had two children.

she was turned into a vampire after a ball night with her husband years after her father became earl (when england conquered ireland), as well as her husband, but they both managed to hide their new nature for a couple of months.

when they were discovered by her step-mother (who hated her since her birth, by the way), they were forced to flee with their two children, and from them on, they had to pretend to be other people. maebh even pretended to be a man for a couple years.

at one point, her step-mother’s guards were so close that maebh and tadgh chose to give their children to adoption (hardest choice she ever had to make, btw).

and soon after that, they were separated by a force of fate. they never got to see each other again for hundreds of years, and the one time maebh did find tadgh, she couldn’t reach out to him.

she’s been all over throughout the years, but the longest she stayed in one place was 19th century brazil, where she stayed for 57 years (having been there on the 17th century too, for a brief period of time).

now, maebh decided to use her real name again (it’s been long enough), but is posing as an irish-brazilian struggling cartographer (one of her many skills acquired through the years) in los angeles.

CHARACTER PERSONALITY.

people who don’t really know her might look at her and think she’s just a naive, quiet girl, but maebh’s got a whole freaking hurricane inside her??

several years of constant heartbreak does that to a person, yk

she’s actually very cunning and can be that kind of person who tricks others, but is also very generous to those in need

mae a little lonely at times, and she deals with being alone well, but loneliness will eat you from the inside out, if you know what i mean, so there’s that

she’s very easy to befriend, but most her friendships are superficial as she doesn’t want to have people too close to her only to have to flee again when she draws suspicious eyes towards herself

cutie with a booty, btw, and super fun to hang around?? not that im biased or anything, clearly..........

SHE’S COOL, OKAY?! THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME.

if you wanna plot connections with her (plssss), lemme know by liking/replying to this or you can just hit me up yourself? i’m open to all sorts of shit right now!

[caitspodcastlist]

Other

99% Invisible

99percentinvisible.org

From Radiotopia

Caitlin's rating: 5/5

"99% Invisible is about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about — the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world." -99% Invisible website

Aside from Phoebe Judge, Roman Mars is probably my favorite podcast host. He is so talented, and 99% Invisible tells so many interesting stories that as soon as I listened to my first episode (Squatters of the Lower East Side), I was hooked. There are so many things around us that we neglect to notice, and Roman Mars gives us all a chance to learn more about our surroundings. This podcast helps you stop and smell the proverbial flowers. Favorites of mine:

The Trials of Dan and Dave (57:01) - In 1992, Reebok had an ad campaign with two decathalon athletes. Super interesting. I've asked several people if they remember it (not old enough myself) and most of them say yes, so it's amazing to see how much of a lasting effect this ad campaign had. The power of advertising! This is a 99% invisible/ESPN 30 for 30 episode.

The Pool and the Stream (34:46) - Swimming pools changed skateboarding.

In the Same Ballpark (29:34) – The evolution of baseball parks in America. I love love love this episode.

Squatters of the Lower East Side (30:32) - People were illegally living in NYC and eventually came to own the places they were staying in basically by relentlessly defending their residence. POSSESSION IS 9/10 OF THE LAW.

Curious City

wbez.org/shows/curious-city

From WBEZ Chicago

Caitlin's rating: 3/5

"[Curious City's] mission is to include the public in editorial decision-making, make journalism more transparent and strengthen multimedia coverage about Chicago, the surrounding region and its people (past or present)." -WBEZ website

Again, a hit or miss for me, probably because I don't live in Chicago. Listeners send in their questions about Chicago (e.g. Where does all the poop go?), and Curious City answers them.

What Happens to the Lincoln Park Zoo Animals in the Winter? (5:39)

Chicago Bathhouses: More Than a Century of Sanitation, Sex, and Sweat (13:37)

What Happens to "Number 2" in the Second City? (9:03)

A Lot You Got to Holler

design.newcity.com/a-lot-you-got-to-holler-podcast

From Newcity Design

Caitlin's rating: ??

"The podcast explores Chicago’s singular history of architecture, design and urbanism, with an emphasis on pop culture." -Newcity Design website

To be honest, I never listened to this one, but it's on my list because it sounds like a Chicago version of 99% Invisible.

Love and Radio

loveandradio.org

From Radiotopia

Caitlin's rating: 3/5

"Love and Radio features in-depth, otherworldly-produced interviews with an eclectic range of subjects, from the seedy to the sublime. You’ve never heard anything like it before. New installments are added monthly." -Love and Radio website

Love and Radio is interesting because there's very limited narration. The story starts, and you basically have to figure it out as it goes on. I've liked the episodes I've heard, but it hasn't hooked me like some of the other shows. Recommendation:

Relevant Questions (46:05) - Polygraph expert helps people cheat the system. This is the same guy who is in the polygraph episode of This American Life mentioned above, but not the same broadcast.

Snakes!!!!!!!! (33:48) - Guy self-immunizes with snake venom.

A Girl of Ivory (42:16) - Polyamorous relationship with an unexpected twist.

Part Time Genius

parttimegenius.show

From How Stuff Works

Caitlin's rating: 3/5

"Every episode packs incredible research, fun-filled quizzes, nerdy interviews and a giant, head-scratching question into one superfun show." - Part Time Genius website

I don't particularly like the humor in this show, but it does have some interesting fun facts, and I definitely learned something new every time I listened. Recommendations:

Was Mr. Rogers the Best Neighbor Ever? (41:52) - BRB sobbing

What are the Greatest Things We Just Learned about Japan? (40:41) - OMG at the baseball story. That cracked me up.

How Did Putin Come to Power? (42:32) - Between this and watching Icarus, Putin terrifies me.

Is Recycling Worth the Hassle? (47:11) - Shoutout to this episode for putting me on even more of an environmentalism kick. I am especially trying to reuse plastic grocery bags now and, sadly, throwing them in the trash whenever they've finished their purpose.

What Are the Most Surprising Jobs at the White House? (43:39) - I already knew some of this thanks to Veep. :) But it was still good.

Science Vs

gimletmedia.com/science-vs

From Gimlet

Caitlin's rating: 5/5

"Science Vs takes on fads, trends, and the opinionated mob to find out what’s fact, what’s not, and what’s somewhere in between." -Gimlet website

I LOVE Science Vs! Another show with an Aussie host, this show is pleasant to listen to and always helps me learn more. Wendy interviews doctors, scientists, and other experts to back up her material. They break down the science-based evidence in a way that any audience can understand without being condescending. Favorites:

Opioids: How America Got Hooked (45:56) - Did you know that in 2016, opioids killed more people in America than AIDS did in its most dangerous year?!

The Bee-pocalypse (31:44) - Bees are dying, and you should care.

Vaccines - Are They Safe? (35:09) - Short answer: Yes.

The Rise of Anti-Vaxxers (32:24) - My eyes are rolled all the way back into my head right now.

Abortion: What You Need to Know (46:07) - Understanding the process is important, in my opinion, especially in this political climate. Don't make claims for one side or the other until you know the facts of how it works!

Strangers

storycentral.org/strangers

Formerly from Radiotopia, but now from Story Central

Caitlin's rating: 5/5

"Each episode is an empathy shot in your arm, featuring true stories about the people we meet, the connections we make, the heartbreaks we suffer, the kindnesses we encounter, and those frightful moments when we discover that WE aren’t even who we thought we were." -Story Central website

Strangers is so fascinating to me. It tells the stories of people. Usually they're stories that I can't relate to, but the people in these stories still have the same feelings that we all experience, so the stories aren't irrelevant. They're funny, they're said, they made me angry. Any time of show that evokes this type of emotion is a winner in my book. Lea's voice is soothing in the same way that Phoebe Judge's is. She talks about her personal life some, and I know that's appealing to some listeners. Personally, I'm more "Get to the story!" but that's okay. The wait is worth it. Favorites:

Franky Carillo - Life (34:39) and Franky Carillo - Life Now (29:35) - Guy serves 20 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

Kugel vs Khaled (37:52) - Alaa Khaled aka Alec Ledd talks about how he had to change his name to hide his ethnicity and break into acting.

Claire Obscure (57:31) -

Twelve Years On (33:44) - A refugee Somali family moves to a white neighborhood in Vermont

Eleven Up (1:07:51) - A family adopts children from another family, and then the families make plans to move in together.

The Truth (50:03) - A family divides when a member gets accused of the worst thing possible

Lex (35:06) - What do you do when you think your child is capable of being violent?

Claire Obscure (57:31) - Girl grows up with very abusive family, changes her identity so that her dad never finds her. Super intense.

The Son, The Goddess, and Leopoldo (47:37) - Guy is born into a lesbian witch coven, lives in communes with his mother, and eventually becomes an attorney.

Spooked

spookedpodcast.org

From WNYC Studios and Snap Judgement

Caitlin's rating: 4/5

"True-life supernatural stories, told first-hand by people who can barely believe it happened themselves." - Snap Judgement website

Whether you believe this kind of stuff or not, the stories are interesting and creepy. As a huge Stephen King fan, this appealed to me. The narrator, Glynn Washington, is amazing. He also hosts a show about Heavens Gate, which I tried to listen to, but it gave me nightmares about the cult I used to be in. Womp womp. Anyway, here are my favorite Spooked episodes:

Spooked: A Friend in the Forest (29:56) - Weird appearance of a boy who was supposed to be dead. Narrator is Irish.

Spooked: Lost in Time (36:37) - Two people walk into a bar that time warps.

Spooked: Final Act (35:26) - An EMT gets lost and someone who is supposedly dead helps her.

Wait Wait . . . Don't Tell Me!

npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me

From NPR

Caitlin's rating: 3/5

"NPR's weekly current events quiz. Have a laugh and test your news knowledge while figuring out what's real and what we've made up." -NPR website This one's okay. I subscribed to it so that I could prep for bar trivia (don't judge). I like that they have celebrity guests on the show. The newest episode has LeVar Burton (9:44), and I am stoked to listen to that! Bradley Whitford's episode was good, too. He's so problematic for me because I love him in West Wing, but I hate him in Get Out. Such a skilled actor.

[theairportau]

the airport AU, part 119 by rjdaae and hopsjollyhigh

Previous parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 101, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 111, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

---

DARIUS

The smile that Darius offers in return is tinged with an unusual sadness. “I am happy here,” he agrees. “I just wish it were that simple for everyone else- here, this is our stop.” He ushers Christine off of the train, walking just behind her to be certain not to lose her as a new wave of people enter, moving the opposite direction. They emerge onto a platform that smells of old food and wet stone, and he motions for her to follow him as he heads towards the gate; once the noise of the crowd fades, he continues speaking. “I’m happy, but I know that Khan isn’t. He couldn’t bear being in Iran any longer, but spends every day missing it. I don’t know if there’s a place in the world right now where he could really be happy. Paris is isolating to him, though. And with what happened the other day, he’s only retreated more in the past few days.” He isn’t certain whether he can make Christine understand what he sees every day- has been seeing for years now. She never knew him as he was. He remembers Khan being athletic and cunning, constantly moving, always doing something- now, more often than not, Khan spends his days sitting in a chair, watching things that he doesn’t care about on television and waiting for Erik to have a problem. Without Erik as his project, Darius fears that Khan might fade into nothingness. He seems like a shadow of a person sometimes, just barely moving around the apartment. And Darius feels so helpless watching him- no word of comfort seems to make any difference. Day by day, he deteriorates, collapsing in on himself in a private struggle that Darius has no ability to aid him in. “I swear,” he sighs. “Khan will talk all day about the help that Erik should be getting, but he would never accept any help for himself. It got worse when we got to Paris, I guess, but nothing in Iran helped him, either.” He sets his jaw for a moment, attempting to clear his head. He wanted today to be about having a good time with Christine, but some issues just seem to permeate every facet of his life- and he has so few people to talk to candidly about it. He forces a smile that seems a bit more optimistic. “It’s a lot, I don’t mean to spill it all on you. Out of everyone here, I’m just sorry you got picked by the most dysfunctional trio in Paris,” he says, really only half-joking in an attempt to lighten the mood.

---

CHRISTINE

As the spartan grey concrete of the train platform slowly gives way to bright glass and steel, Christine is quiet, only giving the occasional nod when Darius looks across at her; the way she sees it, she’s said enough already. Memories nudge at the edge of her mind, but sharing them would be too presumptuous—too painful. She’s left walking a delicate line: listening closely, trying to give her friend’s worries the full attention that they merit—but at the same time, trying to keep herself from thinking too deeply on what he is telling her. She sweeps her gaze over their new surroundings, trying to distract herself from the painful knot welling up in her throat; here, too, decoration for the holidays has begun, and the sight of a strand of Christmas lights sends Christine’s eyes to the floor again.

Maybe Darius picks up on the things that she isn’t saying; or maybe he regrets the turn of conversation for his own sake, his eyes sad and distant and reminding Christine, ever so briefly, of those of the man of whom he speaks—a resemblance born of shared pain, if not shared blood. Whatever the case, he tugs his expression into a new smile; apologizes; clearly trying to shake the pall of the past few minutes. Christine has the grace to offer a small smile of her own at his joke, but the overall look speaks more of sympathy than it does amusement.

“Even if you *were*,” she rebuts, in a tone lighter than she feels, “I wouldn’t wish to have been picked by anyone else.”

---

DARIUS

Finally, the returning smile feels natural rather than forced, as they push away from the upsetting nature of their conversation. “Well. Maybe it’s a bit selfish, but we’re all certainly glad that you’re here,” he says to her, and takes a few steps to the side before stopping to look around at their surroundings. They’ve made their way properly into the mall, and here, there are no strange looks for conversation in a different language- tourists from all over the world wander the vast halls with shopping bags. The murmur of conversation is everywhere, bright bursts of laughter standing out like rays of light. People lean against railings and take pictures together, giggling and making faces; it always brightens Darius’ mood to see such crowds of people. “Paris has such wonderful decorations for Christmas,” he says, gesturing to the festive garlands that have begun to appear around the area. “I love to look at all of it, even if I don’t celebrate it. The streets are beautiful when it snows, and there are lights everywhere- it really makes a dreary season so much more tolerable,” he says, motioning for her to follow him as he starts moving through the crowd, going slowly to be certain that she doesn’t fall behind or get lost. “Even without the holidays close, this place is a lot to take in. This place has everything. So you’re not going to be the only one shopping today,” he says good-naturedly. “I haven’t been out for clothes in a long time, so we’ll both get some new things.”

---

CHRISTINE

For a moment, she envies him—able to enjoy the colourful trappings of the holiday from a safe distance; appreciating each light and piece of tinsel for its own merits, without the ache of the things that *should* have been there. At the same time, his enthusiasm helps to draw her thoughts away, reminding her of how much there still is *to* appreciate. She smiles again as she follows Darius forward into the babble of shoppers.

It’s hard to believe that this *isn’t* a routine trip for him; even putting aside the fact that he always seems to be dressed like someone out of a magazine, Darius seems as comfortable amongst the upscale shops as he does back on his own street. For her part, Christine feels out of her depth. On all sides, expensive-looking goods shine from behind walls of plate glass—with even-more-expensive-sounding names hanging overhead; a few familiar logos jump out amidst the tangle of French, but none are places that she could have afforded to consider shopping at before now. Her eyes trail across the window of each shop as they pass, and she lets herself imagine actually *buying* the things she can see on offer; reminds herself that that *isn’t* such a far-fetched idea, after all, anymore.

“I’d…like to find a jacket,” she says, her voice sounding unsure in her own ears; light glints from a display of brilliant, cut-crystal figurines, echoed in the flash of Christine’s eyes as she turns them towards Darius. “I mean…I don’t *have* to get one *here*. But… Everything else I need is really basic—just a couple of shirts, maybe a spare pair of jeans. I can find them somewhere else. I can find *a jacket* somewhere else. But…it would be nice to find, well, a *nice* one,” she finishes, sounding no more certain than she had to begin with—and doubting that she’s making half as much sense.

---

DARIUS

As clear as it may be in her voice and disposition, Darius is at a level of distraction that does not allow him to absorb Christine’s uncertainty. The suggestion of shopping for a jacket sounds like perfect fun to him; he replies with his usual cheer. “Of course!” he says. “There’s no shortage at all of places to get nice jackets here, I’m sure you’ll find something you like. Here, we can start right in here.” He leads Christine gently by the arm into the nearest clothing store, an H&M. It’s a good start, he thinks- he shops there, anyway. Plus, he has no concept of how much money Christine has. If he took a moment to consider it, he may have realized that it would be of some comfort to her that he expects Erik to have given her money. He knows as well as anyone that Erik is predisposed to give vast amounts of material wealth and to the people he cares about, occasionally in place of a functional understanding of how friendships actually work. But he isn’t thinking about the potential awkward situation that it could cause for her- he is focused on shopping, and his own budget. And the display of slim-fit patterned shirts to his left as he enters the store. The majority of the store is women’s clothing, so he points a few basic areas out to Christine and giving her instructions to meet her by the dressing rooms before disappearing into the men’s section. The sound of conversation is muted here, and blocked a bit by the music coming through the speakers. It is a bit more peaceful than the general mall outside. As much as he loves to buy new clothes, he is cautious with money. Having hired the new manager recently, he isn’t looking to go on any sort of spree, and walks in loops debating for some time- he doesn’t want to buy more than a couple things. And he already has so many pastel and printed shirts at home. He ends up with a sensible forest green collared shirt, and a more relaxed fit in slate gray to try on after a solid amount of time picking through racks and weighing options against one another. Not the most exciting things he could buy, but he does indulge a little bit, picking a black silk scarf off of the rack- there are plenty of things that it could go well with, he reasons. And right outside the dressing rooms, he finds a rotating rack of accessories- sunglasses. He stands in front of the spinning mirror, trying on nearly every pair on the rack as associates hover nearby, seemingly anxious about whether he intends to pick apart their display, and he waits for Christine to come over.

---

CHRISTINE

Christine could almost laugh when she notices the logo that Darius is steering her towards. To come so far—what will Mama say, when she learns that Christine’s first footstep into the world of ’Parisian fashion’ landed in a store that they had once lived just down the street from.

As Darius vanishes between a display shelf and a rack of coats, though, Christine is rather grateful for the familiarity of her surroundings.

She adjusts her purse on her shoulder, turning to scan the stacks of neatly-folded blouses on the nearest table; the rows of skirts and dresses hanging just beyond. She wanders forward, idly skimming through the rows.

It’s uncanny, really: other than the specific pieces of clothing on display—and the abundance of euro symbols—she could nearly be back in Gothenburg.  

Back in Gothenburg, in those days when Paris was only the most misty dream; before she ever needed it to *be* more than that.

“Puis-je vous aider, mademoiselle?”

Christine startles, a soft, “—Va?” escaping as she turns her gaze away from the small cluster of mannequins that she suddenly realises she’s been staring at; a young woman with short-cropped black hair and a lanyard returns her gaze.

“Puis-je vous aider?” repeats the girl, perhaps two or three years younger than Christine herself; she gives a meaningful glance towards the display of mannequins, and Christine shakes her head, suddenly understanding.

“Ne–non. Non, merci,” Christine says, taking an apologetic step backwards. “Um… Ça va.”

The other girl purses her lips, but only gives a shrug before moving off towards a pair of young teenagers who seem on a mission to unfold every t-shirt within grasping range.

Christine glances up at the mannequins again, actually focusing on them this time. The nearest wears a furry-looking sludge-coloured sweater over glossy red pants that practically sparkle in the bright lights of the store. Her nose wrinkling in a mixture of amusement and distaste, she leaves the questionably-attired figure behind, and forges forward  into the grove of clothing racks, determined to begin her exploration in earnest.

It doesn’t take long to spot the assortment of jackets that hang at one corner of the store; more difficult is resisting the impulse to seek out the clearance rack instead. It’s a strangely discomfiting feeling, simply *considering* spending more money than strictly necessary, and she tarries—assuaging her conscience by picking up a couple of shirts with comforting red stickers on their tags, along with a flower-dotted skirt that’s nearly as cheap as anything she could have bought secondhand.

Her first instinct, when she finally allows herself to consider the jackets, is to find something on the order of the one that she’d had before; after all, it had always been a favourite of hers, with its light, silky fabric, precisely the shade of a clear morning.

But she discards the idea nearly as quickly as it comes to her; it’s too easy now to picture that pale blue nylon shot-through with red.

Something different, then. Something that won’t bring to mind blood and panic.

Browsing through the racks, she quickly finds several options that practically *define* ’different’: jackets that are close-fitting and sharply-tailored, rigid where the old one was yielding,  as opposite to it in style as they are in colour. Without letting herself look at its tag, she pulls one from its hanger—faux leather with a wide collar, in a purple so dark that it’s nearly black—and carries it over to a nearby mirror; holds it up against her shoulders.

It does look different; that she can’t deny. She tilts her head to the side, smoothing a hand across the dimpled leatherette. Its dark shade makes her hair look even brighter by comparison, and the rugged material feels solid, secure.

But as much as it doesn’t remind her of her old jacket, it doesn’t remind her of *herself* either.

Her lip quirks as she gives her reflection one last glance before turning back to the clothing rack.

And then, after digging through a few more rows of jackets, she finds it.

The cut isn’t so different from that of the purple one—but the soft, dove-grey suede from which it is sewn is entirely distinct. A strip of imitation lambskin rounds the cuffs and collar: silky curls that brush against Christine’s fingertips as she reaches to take it from the rack, her purse strap slipping from her shoulder in anticipation.

She doesn’t wait to get to the mirror before shrugging the soft garment on over her sweater dress; she doesn’t have to see her reflection to know that the jacket is *her*. But she makes herself *see* it—lets herself be *convinced*—before she allows herself to check the price.

Her smile shakes a bit when she reads, ’70 EURO’.

She looks into the mirror again.

This is what Erik *wanted* her to do with his money. Even before he offered to help her pay for anything (and everything) else, hadn’t he insisted specifically upon replacing the jacket that she’d sacrificed on his account?

She peels the jacket from her shoulders, her grip on the soft fabric light and noncommittal as she carries it back towards the display.

The other clothes that she has picked out still lay where she left them, on a shelf beside the rack.

She picks them up, shifting the grey jacket into her other arm, before scanning for the dressing rooms where Darius asked her to meet him.

---

DARIUS

Still oblivious to any turmoil going on in Christine’s mind, Darius turns at the sound of her footsteps, a ridiculous pair of blue-tinted sunglasses taking up far too much of his face. “What do you think of this new style?” he asks, tossing his shirts over his shoulder to strike a pose- narrowly missing hitting the rack itself. He turns back and mutters “sorry” at it, then looks back at her and flicks the glasses down his nose enough to peer over them at her. “Ah, you found a jacket! Look at that. It’s nice,” he says cheerfully, and removes the glasses from his face altogether. The hovering employee walks away as he puts them back and turns away from the display. He hasn’t managed to mess it up- or to knock it over completely. “Looks soft. Is there anything else you need in here?” he asks. “I don’t have to try anything on, I shop here enough that I don’t need to try these things on.

The coat does suit her- its gentle gray color only accentuates the clear blue of her eyes; it truly looks Nordic, with the muted colors and lambskin. Whatever Christine’s doubts may be, Darius immediately makes the connection between her and the coat; it just seems to make sense to him that she would buy it, given that she’s looking for a coat, anyway. He doesn’t pause to consider the price.

---

CHRISTINE

Christine keeps her grip loose on the jacket as she walks, still pretending as if she might simply change her mind and return it to the nearest rack at any moment—still wary of the whisper that tells her that she *should*.

She knows there’s no *rational* reason for it, for any of it: no reason for the nagging feeling of dread that rolls like an undertow beneath her pleased expression; no reason for her to put the jacket back, or to feign that she might do so.

The jacket is perfect. Just her style; just what she *needs*. Nothing like she’d imagined, and yet exactly what she was hoping for.

Other than the price, at least—but, thanks to Erik, she shouldn’t worry about that either.

‘Shouldn’t’. Easier said than done.

Yet, even as a part of her balks at each footstep that carries her farther away from the winter-wear department, her light touch only just keeping the jacket from slipping from her bent elbow, there is another that twists its invisible fingers ever-tighter into the faux-suede treasure—small and tentative, but wonderfully selfish and unworried, smiling a smile that is kept secret only from her own fretful conscience.

The grin—and her nervousness—cracks into a laugh when Christine finally finds Darius: he may have the *style* of somebody in a magazine, but perhaps not the *grace* to go along with it; she bites her lip, muffling her amusement as her friend turns back around.

“Thanks,” she replies to his comments, adjusting the jacket to give him a better view of it, “it seemed really nice. And I do really need it.” She bites her tongue before she’s able to comment on the price.

She glances at the various pieces of clothing that Darius holds. “I found a couple of other things, but I don’t really need to try them on; just some t-shirts. And…” she separates the skirt from her own small pile of items, “I don’t think that I need *this* one, anyway; I can just put it back. There isn’t really anything else I need here."

---

DARIUS

“Great!” Darius says, cheerful as ever. “It all looks wonderful, you do need some new things. It just feels nice to wear new things sometimes.” He glances around the store; the music is loud, and the lighting is beginning to give him a bit of a headache- like he’s been looking at a screen for too long. “Okay, then. I like shopping, but it can be exhausting, can’t it? Here, we’ll check out and go get a coffee or something, think about whether we want to go anywhere else.” His hand brushes her shoulder briefly as if to whisk her along as he heads towards the checkout; he’s satisfied with what he has, and she seems content with her purchases. He turns back to her again as he walks. “They’re used to people who can’t speak perfect French here, it’s a popular tourist mall, but of course you can ask me if you need any help with the cashier,” he tells her over his shoulder. “I could do the transaction for you, but it’s probably good practice to try, right? And even better in a touristy area where they expect it.” The line isn’t terribly long, and an array of amusing products make the wait seem short- bargain skin care products, cheap makeup and jewelry, and even more sunglasses for Darius to examine. He plops a floppy black wool hat on Christine’s head, and laughs, his voice bright. “Look at that. Fancy. But it’ll squish your hair,” he says, removing it just as quickly and setting it back on the shelf before a cashier finally calls him over to pay. He takes one last look back at Christine before he heads over, and reassures her- “just call over if you need me!”

---

(Part 120)

[summerrobrts]

1-70 akfkflfjsk :-)

honestly, i almost replied to this with a not very nice meme bUT girlie is procrastinating af so you get this

01: Do you have a good relationship with your parents?

i have a great relationship with my mom. not so much with my dad.

02: Who did you last say “I love you” to?

to my grandparents!

03: Do you regret anything?

lots of things oh god sakdjaskd

04: Are you insecure?

yES FOR FUCKING SURE

05: What is your relationship status?

single af 

06: How do you want to die?

like i don’t wanna die but i would rather die while i’m sleeping 

07: What did you last eat?

pizza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

08: Played any sports?

when i was younger i used to play basketball, handball, and swimming. now i only work out at the gym

09: Do you bite your nails?

not anymore thank god

10: When was your last physical fight?

i think it was when i was…. seven sadjlkasdjlas

11: Do you like someone?

no but i want to bC I’M FEELING EMPTY IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I LAST LIKED SOMEONE

12: Have you ever stayed up 48 hours?

i haveeee, it was cool

13: Do you hate anyone at the moment?

this boy at my class who doesn’t take a hint to leave me alone tbfh

14: Do you miss someone?

yah :/

15: Have any pets?

i have a dog named bento!! my lil babe

16: How exactly are you feeling at the moment?

hmmm bored, scared and sad

17: Ever made out in the bathroom?

nope

18: Are you scared of spiders?

i’m not scared of them but i’m disgusted by them

19: Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?

no!

20: Where was the last place you snogged someone?

at the club right in the middle of the dancefloor sakjdal 

21: What are your plans for this weekend?

friday i’m going bowling with my friends and saturday i’m gonna take care of my grandma so my grandpa can go to his hometown

22: Do you want to have kids? How many?

i want 1 kid. 2 at mOST.

23: Do you have piercings? How many?

i have my ears pieced. one in each

24: What is/are/were your best subject(s)?

in high school it was english, history and geography. now in college is labor laws.

25: Do you miss anyone from your past?

i do

26: What are you craving right now?

the brigadeiro that’s on the kitchen but i’m too lazy to go and get it

27: Have you ever broken someone’s heart?

yes

28: Have you ever been cheated on?

nope

29: Have you made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry?

nope bc never had one sakjdlksad

30: What’s irritating you right now?

the fucking boy at my class that doesn’t take a hint that he is making me uncomfortable by his approaches :))

31: Does somebody love you?

i hope so??? sdkjlaskd i know i’m a lot of work

32: What is your favourite color?

i really love all shades of blue, especially pastel blue

33: Do you have trust issues?

yAH

34: Who/what was your last dream about?

lmao i dreamed abt a tv show starring kj apa, nick robinson and tom holland asdjaskd and me as well bc i love me

35: Who was the last person you cried in front of?

my mom

36: Do you give out second chances too easily?

lmao no, i keep a close eye on you to see if you deserve it or not tbh

37: Is it easier to forgive or forget?

forget.

38: Is this year the best year of your life?

i can say it’s being better than last year

39: How old were you when you had your first kiss?

fifteen

40: Have you ever walked outside completely naked?

noooo way

51: Favourite food?

barbecue and birthday cakes, that’s all

52: Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

yeah, i like to think that everything happens for you to become a better version of yourself but it’s up to you which rode you will take

53: What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night?

i drank water and took my meds sakdjlasd

54: Is cheating ever okay?

no wtf dON’T EVER CHEAT

55: Are you mean?

yOU KNOW I AM LOOK WHAT I TOLD YOU TODAY

56: How many people have you fist fought?

 idk, but i do remember one fist fight so i’m gonna go with 1

57: Do you believe in true love?

i like to believe yeah

58: Favourite weather?

fun fact: the day i was born was the coldest day of the year so wINTER TO MATCH MY HEART

59: Do you like the snow?

i have never seen the snow, but i think i would like it bc it would match my heart

60: Do you wanna get married?

i do, ugh

61: Is it cute when a boy/girl calls you baby?

yes i like it tbh 

62: What makes you happy?

hmmm learning, listening to music, talk to my friends, reading, etc etc

63: Would you change your name?

when i was younger i wanted to but now i like my name sakjdas

64: Would it be hard to kiss the last person you kissed?

yeah bc he is in a relationship and he seems happy so not messing that up!

65: Your best friend of the opposite sex likes you, what do you do?

hahahahahaha already happened once and i acted very badly. but idk what i would do now tbh

66: Do you have a friend of the opposite sex who you can act your complete self around?

yeah. he is my safe haven tbh… like i’m so comfortable that i just told him i think i have a kink for veiny hands i’M NOT JOKING

67: Who was the last person of the opposite sex you talked to?

^^^ my safe haven

68: Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with?

peggs!

69: Do you believe in soulmates?

i do, i love to belive in soulmates (platonic and romantic)

70: Is there anyone you would die for?

for my mom.

[celtfather]

11 St Patrick’s Day Facts #179

Fact. St Patrick's Day is the best holiday ever.

Fact. Everyone is Irish on St Patrick's Day.

Fact. You're gonna LOVE this week's episode of ACTUAL St Patrick’s Day facts!

Welcome to the Pub Songs Podcast, the Virtual Public House for Celtic culture through music. My name is Marc Gunn. I am a Celtic Geek musician and your guide to honoring our past and adapting for our future.

Today’s show is brought to you by my Gunn Runners on Patreon. These generous people pledge $5 per month or more so that I can keep creating music, podcasts, and live streaming video shows like Coffee with The Celtfather. Thank you!

If you have comments or want to chat in the pub, email me. Use #PubSongs when talking about this show.

Cead mile failte! 

How would you like two free albums of my music?

No need to sign up to mailing list. No strings attached at all. I just want you to hear my music.

Follow the links to St Patrick's Day and Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers on Bandcamp.

"Buy the Digital Albums".

Name your price to ZERO.

Then download and enjoy your free albums.

Then Subscribe to the Pub Songs Podcast at PubSong.net to enjoy this podcast. This offer is good until March 18, 2019.

The Pub Songs Podcast celebrates our shared love of Celtic culture. But it also recognizes that our world is changing. So you will mostly hear fun Celtic music on the show. But it'll be mixed in with songs inspired by Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who and Firefly.

WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAY?

0:18 "The Hunter Set" by Runa from Current Affairs

Everyone is Irish on St Patrick's Day. But I prefer to see this as a holiday for everyone of Celtic ancestry. I don’t know how many kilts I’ve seen worn on the holiday, but it’s a lot.

8:25 FACT #1

Ireland is one of seven Celtic nations. These are the places that the Celts settled after invading their way from central Europe before finally being conquered by the Romans and driven to the fringes of continent.

The nations include: Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Cornwall in Southwest England, Brittany in France, and Galicia in Northwest Spain.

While the Celts settled in those locations, they were eventually pushed out of those homelands to places around the world.

9:32 “Almost Irish” by Ceann from from Almost Irish and Best of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast

14:45 FACT #2

Boston, New York, New Orleans was one of the top 3 immigration points for the Irish during the potato blight of the 1800s. “Men of New Basin Canal” that honors the 30K Irishmen who died digging that canal.

15:22 “Men of New Basin Canal” by Marc Gunn & Jamie Haeuser from How America Saved Irish Music

18:29 FACT #3

March 17th is the holy day of St. Patrick in the Catholic church. Because of this, it was not celebrated like you find it today. In fact, March 17 was a dry holiday in Ireland until the 70s. All the pubs were closed. In 1995 they began celebrating it like in America.

It's quite a ironic that as a sainted holiday, St Patrick's Day is celebrated with drinking.

19:00 "St Patrick Never Drank" by Marc Gunn from Kilted For Her Pleasure

21:27 FACT #4

St Patrick was not Irish. He was born in Scotland or Wales in the 4th century. Originally, he was enslaved and taken to Ireland. He escaped, became a Christian and went back to convert the Celts. He died in Ireland on March 17, 461.

I was born on St Patrick's Day. I have a song for all those born on March 17th or of Irish heritage.

21:55 "Happy Birthday from Ireland” by Marc Gunn from Soul of a Harper

25:08 PUB CHAT

I want your feedback. What are you doing today while listening to the Pub Songs Podcast? How has this show inspired you?

Send a written comment along with any pictures to marc@marcgunn.com. Use the hashtag #pubsongs in the subject of your email.

River Godbee replied to my Marc's Musing email: "Typically I am cleaning up around the house, which never ends when you have a 5 year old! But I also listen while driving to work/school or going on walks. I used to use a variety of podcast apps, but now I stick to Spotify so that I can have my music and shows in one place. (It also makes it easier to find the albums you mention in the show.)

And for St Patrick's Day? Since I live in Savannah, I will be avoiding downtown and spending the day with my wife and daughter."

Carol Baril replied to Marc's Musings: "Hey Marc! Love the last Coffee with the Celtfather!  I was sick last week with a stomach bug and bad head cold so I listened on my phone while sitting at home with my kitties!  Usually I'm working at my desk and your Podcasts are a great way to relax thru the stress of computer work! I loved that Beer, Beer, Beer song with the Harry Potter twist!  Keep working on that one and you can put it on a new Sci-fi drinking song CD!!! Take care and give your girls hugs from me and my kitties!"

27:06 FACT #5

Green is most-often associated with St Patrick’s Day. But St Patrick’s color was actually blue.

And as a wild twist, I was told that the Scots wore orange. It wasn’t until much later I realized that green was the color of Catholics and orange was the color of Protestants. And of course the Republic of Ireland is largely Catholic.

27:35 “The Orange and the Green” by Brobdingnagian Bards from Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales

29:56 FACT #6

St Paddy’s Day is the shortened version of St Patrick’s Day. However, that shortened name is often misspelled. It should be spelled Paddy. Not Patty.

Patty is a girls name. Paddy is short for the Irish name Padraig.

30:52 “P Stands for Paddy” by Emish from Sinners Make the Best Saints

36:30 FACT #7

The most famous Irish song is Danny Boy. But it’s not actually Irish. Okay the melody is an Irish tune called “Derry Aire”. But the lyrics were written by an English lawyer and songwriter named Frederic Weatherly.

I get the song requested so much that I play two versions of “Danny Boy”, the original and a parody about cats.

36:57 "Danny Boy for Cat Lovers" by Marc Gunn & The Dubliners' Tabby Cats from Whiskers in the Jar

40:00 FACT #8

The first St Patrick’s day parade was celebrated in New York in 1762. The Irish were trying to hold on to their heritage.

Parades sprang up around the world since then, most notably in Chicago where the river is dyed green. Dublin too now has a big St. Patrick’s Day parade.

40:37 "Patrick's Day Parade" by Mick Moloney from McNally's Row of Flats (Irish American Songs of Old New York)

44:05 FACT #9

The leprechaun is a fascinating and mischievous creature from Irish lore.

The modern representation was actually a racist link between the Irish and monkeys. It was meant to belittle the Irish immigrants in the early 1900s. It seems Irish Americans embraced and rebirthed the myth.

Oh and apparently, there are no female leprechauns in the lore.

I wrote a song that celebrates America’s contribution to the leprechaun myth and to Irish music.

44:36 "The Leprechaun" by Marc Gunn from Soul of a Harper

48:35 FACT #10

Slainte Mhaith is an Irish toast. It means “here’s to your good health”. In lovely Gaelic fashion, it’s spelled nothing like it sounds in English. So if you’re out drinking, be it Guinness or tea, raise a glass and repeat the Phrase.

48:53 "Slainte Mhaith" by Kilted Kings from Name On My Soul

50:53 FACT #11

More than 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed on St Patrick’s Day. I hope you will raise a glass also to Charlie Mopps, the fictitious inventor of beer.

51:11 "Beer, Beer, Beer" by Marc Gunn from Kilted For Her Pleasure

The Pub Songs Podcast is listener-supported. Your generous pledge of as little as $5 or more per month allows me to create music, podcasts, and live videos for your enjoyment. Special thanks to my new patrons: Mario, Tina, Kimberly, UT Scot, Laura and John, Jacqueline, Schellie Neill. Also thanks those who raised their pledges this month, including: River, Paige, Garrett, Jennifer, Myriam, Carol, Alexis.

If you enjoy visiting the pub, please join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. You’ll get episodes before regular listeners, free albums, podcasts, videos and lots more. Go to marcgunn.net to join the Gunn Runners today.

54:25 BONUS FACT

The music of the Celts is called Celtic music. This is not to be confused the Boston Celtics. Celtic is spoken with a hard-K sound.

55:31 "Sunday After Drunk Singalong" by Mikey Mason from Red Letters

If you like Firefly, Mikey Mason and I have a podcast called In the 'Verse: Song Crafting for the Firefly Universe. It's free. Subscribe today!

St Patrick's Day is 3-Hours long on the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. You will find over 400 hours of free Celtic music to listen to on St Patrick’s Day.

59:59 "Hell of a Party (Song for Saint Patrick's Day)" by Old Man Flanagan's Ghost from Far From Shore

1:03:18 "Walking Her Home" by Jim Sharkey from Misty Morning Rain

1:06:33 "Kilts and Corsets" by Tuatha Dea from Kilts and Corsets

1:14:02 "Barley Mow" by Seamus Kennedy from By Popular Demand

1:20:34 NEWS

As Long As I'm Flyin' is officially available as a CD once again.

Brobdingnagian Bards Podcast returns to the public

New: In the 'Verse Podcast with Mikey Mason

St Patrick's Day music and parties

1:21:14 "Fiddler's Green" by Stanley & Grimm from Another Round

1:25:14 "All For Me Grog" by Jesse Ferguson from Folk Favourites

1:28:17 "Humours of Whiskey" by Drunk & Sailor from Doing What We Do

1:31:22 "Johnson's Motor Car (Live)" by The Kindred Kilts from Live at the Summer Crush Winery

1:32:58 "The Devil Made Texas Set" by Ed Miller from The Edinburgh Rambler

1:37:39 UPCOMING SHOWS

Every Weds, 11 AM: Coffee with The Celtfather

Sun, Mar 17: The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama with Kilted Kings for a St Patrick's Day celebration on the beach.

Mar 22-24: Sherwood Forest Faire in Paige, TX (bonus show with Brobdingnagian Bards)

Mar 30-31: Sherwood Forest Faire in Paige, TX (bonus show with Brobdingnagian Bards)

If you enjoy the music in this show, support the artists. Buy their music and merch. Follow them on Spotify. Let them know how much you love what they are doing. And tell a friend.

1:38:25 "The Parting Glass" by Marc Gunn from Soul of a Harper

Pub Songs Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn. To subscribe, go to Apple Podcasts, Spotify or to my website where you can join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon and support my music and this podcast. I’ll also email regular updates of new videos, podcasts, stories behind the songs, plus 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub!  www.pubsong.net.

  Check out this episode!