#household toxins

[curatorsday]

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Today, I presented "There's No Place Like Home: Household Hazards from Victorian Times to Now" for our Out to Lunch series along with Toni Gardner from Cornell Cooperative Extension. My section was a speed run through the Your Victorian House is Killing You exhibit while she talked about the disposal of toxic materials today. We had a good turnout and I think everyone enjoyed it.

[medimission]

Bathroom and Laundry Room Chemicals The spaces we use to clean ourselves and our belongings often harbor some of the most potent household toxins, notably in the bathroom and laundry room. From harsh cleaners that promise a germ-free environment to the products we use on our bodies and clothes, it’s crucial to understand the impact of these chemicals and explore safer alternatives. Ways To Connect With Us: Website: https://environmentalnote.com

[heyitschartic]

I would have really loved to see what would happen if String Theory had survived Gold Morning. What do the Wardens even do with her running around except appeasement? There are a lot of countries getting close to war with Gimel, and she is essentially a nuclear detterant all on her own. No one wants to kick the country with a woman who can boil your seas. Permanently moaning, complaining, and insulting Dragon, except this time, she can't just ignore her since they're working together. More importantly, the second she got out of lockup, she'd go hunting down what happened with the egg Lab Rat had, and I'm sure she'd manage to find Chris.

Cannot imagine how horrible she would be as a bitchy aunt, there to permanently rub it in Lab Rat's face that she survived and all he has left is this teenage sorta-clone. They would absolutely despise each other. Would be a much more interesting conversation when Vicky goes to investigate his living situation though.

[glowingskindiaries]

Detox Your Life: Reducing Environmental Toxins for Healthier Skin

Our environment plays a crucial role in our overall health, including the health of our skin. Exposure to environmental toxins can lead to a range of skin issues, from premature aging to acne and irritation. In this detailed blog post, we will explore common environmental toxins, how they affect your skin, and practical steps to reduce your exposure for healthier, glowing skin. Common…

[geraldmariaivo]

This concept hasn’t left me alone since I saw that “Danny is a chemistry wizard who teaches a chem class, but in a very Fenton way” post, and i need to yell it out into the void.

Danny gets adopted by the batfam, but he’s like that with chemistry and mechanics and it gives them all a stroke. Especially Bruce. Doubly so if Danny is his bio kid or clone or something. 

Danny has an allowance and he buys the most concentrated shit on the market with it because he got bored and wanted to see if he could re-create the fear toxin antidote he saw in the cave, especially since they seem pretty low on it. Do they have to get it from somewhere else? Danny knows the Waynes are rich, but there has to be a better way to do it than buying it for an arm and a leg. Maybe he’ll mess around and do the one for joker venom later. 

Lab safety? Oh, yeah Dick, I’ve got my goggles and gloves and jumpsuit on. Of course I have the hood up. Turn on the vent? What vent? Why would I need a vent? Labels? Dude, look at it, it’s cetrimonium chloride. Oh, yeah, that’s the shampoo i got it from. You’d be surprised how many things you can isolate from household stuff. 

Why would I use machines to measure this? Isn’t that for when you’re already busy doing something else? Yeah, like the centrifuge running over there. *gestures vaguely off to the left, to some abomination of mechanics* Whatddya mean that’s a safety hazard? It’ll stay together just fine; I made sure to use a new bike chain.

Where’s the rest of the blueprints? What do you mean “that’s it”? Aren’t there revisions and ideas? Where’s the reminders? Why’s there only one machine???

meanwhile the bats are wondering how the fuck the Fentons get literally anything done with lab safety apparently being a suggestion at best, and their storage system apparently being categorized by nine layers of nonsense and how violent the invention has the potential to be, if Danny’s ramblings are anything to go by. And Bruce “I need plans and contingencies for everything” Wayne is absolutely trying to not have an aneurysm from how much Danny just Does Things with no warning and no way that should feasibly work. 

[chaoticallyfluffy]

I'm curious about Billy Batfam

This one is a classic Billy gets fostered into the Wayne household fic but it focuses on a few things that I don't normally see in those fics, such as the weirdness and magic of Gotham and Fawcett city clashing and meshing together thanks to such an important resident of the most magical place in the world moving to the most cursed.

Billy is confused by Gotham's unnaturally rainy and gloomy days, the way that the people are much more resistant to illness, toxins, and dark magic, and the innate ability to sense danger the citizens all seem to have. All people in Fawcett have magic within them that is pure in nature unless corrupted, but here in Gotham it seems to be the other way around. It doesn't necessarily mean the citizens of Gotham are evil, just that they have a natural affinity to dark magic should they choose to practice it.

The Wayne's are confused about the way Billy seems to almost shine in tiny ways, like a light that refuses to be snuffed out by Gotham's dark, but it not just his personality. For example: he is much more susceptible to the toxins in the water and gets sick often, but he recovers faster than any Gothamite due to his magic fighting against it.

These differences come up in many different ways and everyone's just confused lol. My goal for the is to come up with ways that people would evolve differently in the different environments, especially with mass amounts magic changing them and speeding up the process, and then have the two interact and learn to adapt to each other and maybe even create something entirely new!

Its probably gonna be a "Gotham is alive" and "Fawcett is alive" kind of thing, or maybe just really really close to it.

Also lots of the typical hurt and comfort that comes with a Billy in the batfam fic + lots of Tawky Tawny being a mischevious little man + Billy befriending a new Villain everytime Bruce looks away for a split second.

The only problem is that I don't swear so I'd have to call Nightwing "Richard" or something the entire fic lol

[sicktember]

Sicktember 2024 Prompt-Based Resources to Help You Get Started! 💚

**Sicktember 2023 prompt-based resources can be found [Here]

Hangovers

What is a hangover [niaaa.nih.gov]

15 hangover horror stories [buzzfeed.com]

7 ways to cure your hangover [health.harvard.edu]

How to Write a Drunk Character [allwritealright.com]

Over Indulgence

Dealing with Food hangovers [health.usnews.com]

4 Ways to Stop Digestive Discomfort  [michiganmedicine.org]

I Ate Too Much. Now What Do I Do? [osfhealthcare.org]

Is It Possible… Stomach Explode? [popsci.com]

Campus/Con Crud

Crushing the Campus Crud [hercampus.com]

So What is Con Crud  [granitcon.com]

Coming Down With the Crud  [bmhsc.org]

Rogue Organs

What Is Appendicitis? [hopkinsmedicine.org]

Gallbladder Removal [nhs.uk]

Tonsillectomy [mayoclinic.org]

Spleen Problems and Removal [nhs.uk]

Dizziness/Vertigo

Understanding Vertigo [on.bluecross.ca]

Types of Vertigo [acare.abbott.com]

Dizziness vs. Vertigo [cornerstonephsio.com]

Medieval Treatment

Medicine in the Middle Ages [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

6 Medieval Medical Practices [guavahealth.com]

Healing Power of Maggots/Leeches (Modern) [mountainview-hospital.com]

When Medicine was Humorous [merryfarmer.wordpress.com]

Mononucleosis

About Mono [cdc.gov]

Mono For Teens [kidshealth.org]

How to Test for Mono [mountsinai.org]

Sick People Food

What People Around the World Eat When Sick [businessinsider.com]

Sick Day Foods Across the Globe  [nyubiteclub.com]

8 Best Foods to Eat When Feeling Sick [forbes.com]

Toxin/Poison

Poisons and Toxins [sciencelearn.org]

Poisoning. What The Doctors Do [thedoctorwillseeyounow.com]

Common HouseHold Poisons [cincinnatichildrens.org]

FAQs Carbon Monoxide Poisoning [cdc.gov]

Brain Fog/Spaced Out

What is Brain Fog [everydayhealth.com]

Understanding Brain Fog [henryford.com]

Causes of Zoning Out [verywellhealth.com]

Aches And Pains

What Causes Body Aches When Sick? [uclahealth.org]

5 Tips For Writing About Physical Pain [louiseharnbyproofreader.com]

Hypochondriac tendencies

Illness Anxiety Disorder [my.clevelandclinic.org]

Signs You May be a hypochondriac [centerforanxietydisorders.com]

10 Health Anxiety Myths  [happiful.com]

How To Write Anxiety [writerscookbook.com]

Anaphylactic Response

What is Anaphylaxis  [betterhealth.vic.gov.au]

Anaphylactic Shock: What You Need to Know [healthline.com]

Waiting Rooms

What happens in the emergency department [advocatehealth.com]

Triage and Emergency Assessment  [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Setting Description: Emergency Waiting Room [writershelpingwriters.net]

Summer Flu

Can You Get the Flu in the Summer? [verywellhealth.com]

Leisure Sickness  [avogel.ca]

Catching a Cold When It’s Warm [newsinhealth.nih.gov]

Heart Condition/Cardiac Arrest

Types of Heart Attacks [www.healthline.com]

Common Heart Conditions [summahealth.org]

What Does a Heart Attack Feel Like? [health.clevelandclinic.org]

How to Describe a Heart Attack in a Story [writingtipsoasis.com]

Pulling a Ferris Bueller

Define Pulling a Ferris Bueller [urbandictionary.com]

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Summary [gradesaver.com]

10 Things Ferris Bueller Taught Us [dailyedge.ie]

A Note From the Mods [Tumblr Post]

Sick While Traveling

Take Steps to Stay Healthy While Traveling [cdc.gov]

Motion Sickness [sciencefocus.com]

How to Remove Vomit From Car Interior [wikihow.com]

Sick on Vacation Tips [apartmenttherapy.com]

Hospital Bed

How to Write a Hospital Scene [writersdigest.com]

Hospital Bed Components & Safety [robsonforensic.com]

9 Way to Help When Someone is Hospitalized [upstate.edu]

First Aid Kit

Make a First Aid Kit [redcross.org]

Travelers First Aid Kit [hopkinsmedicine.org]

Health Plan and First Aid for College [uh.edu]

Flushed Cheeks

Causes of Facial Flushing [verywellhealth.com]

What Can Cause Flushed Skin?  [medicalnewstoday.com]

Doctor's Note

Obtaining a Dr Note for Work [inhersight.com]

How to Get A Dr. Note for School  [solvhealth.com]

[arjudy224]

Alfred’s extra help

Batfamily x new maid part 1

The past couple years haven't been kind to Alfred. Although, he would never admit it... His years have slowly been catching up with him. After a recent attack on the household, Alfred took it upon himself to hire some extra part time help during the school year. The new help just so happened to be a college band kid in desperate need of money. This is how it went.

Jason:

It was the little things, Jason had decided, that made the family enjoy the extra addition to the household. The faint singing that could be heard three doors down as she made her usual morning rounds. Dusting. Bleaching . Sweeping. It didn't matter what she was doing: music always played in her head. If you were lucky, sometimes you'd get to hear it too.

Alfred:

Monday Mornings were Alfred's favorite. After a long weekend of dealing with super-powered vigilantism, Alfred looked forward to the way she would clock into Wayne Manor with shy grin. It didn't take much prompting to get a play by play of how the Gotham U football game went. The Batfamily had never considered her being targeted by Batman's Rogue Gallery until Halftime was interrupted by the Joker emerging from a comically large birthday cake. When reinforcements arrived, they were shocked to discover the entire Color Guard beating the Joker senseless with their wooden rifles. To any outsider, this would have appeared to be part of the choreography with the way each guard member chanted "5,6,7,8 SLAM DOWN."

Y/N couldn't figure out why Nightwing, Red Hood, and Red Robin had all come to check on her until Monday morning when the door opened to reveal a hallway full of smiling Wayne's. Even Damian couldn't help, but give her a hug... after an intense lecture on how dangerous the Clown Prince of Crime was.

Even more confusing was the way Damien's older brother, Jason, would always end up forgetting something at the manor when she worked. After chatting for a couple hours, she would say her goodbyes and silently acknowledge the fact he left empty handed... again.

Damien:

Damien admired the dedication on display. In the early morning mist when she thought nobody was awake, the wooden rifle would make an appearance. With the kitchen wiped down and the oven on self cleaning, all there was to do was wait. Damien admired her resilience when practicing rifle. Each brutal slap of the wood and metal on skin had to be painful, but she never complained when the bruises littered up and down her forearms. She was radiant. In her element, it was easy to get distracted by the crisp rotations on display. One day, he hoped she would feel comfortable enough to show him a few tricks... until then he enjoyed his early morning performances.

Dick:

Dick had warned her against working for Bruce from the beginning. The Bats mood swings could drain even the sweetest of souls. The relentless pursuit of a better Gotham has always been tainted by the blood of those lost. Bruce Wayne was not always known as the nicest guy to work for. Yet, after years of witnessing the tragedies of Gotham... Dick couldn't help, but notice the way her eyes shone with excitement whenever they would visit a new part of the city. The alley Scarecrow tested his fear toxin for the first time now is littered with book shops, ice cream parlors, diners, etc. In each street that’s rooted with trauma, a new sprout of hope grows out of the shadows. The quiet formality that he had grown accustomed to growing up in the Manor faded away. It was a nice change.

Tim:

Tim didn't even notice there was a change in the household until he stumbled into her conversation with Jason for the 3rd time that week. Typically, her shift would have been over at 3pm, but since her classes had been canceled that day she had worked overtime. With Jason's sudden reappearance after months of no contact, Tim took note of the way his older brother's voice deepened ever so slightly whenever she was in the room. Or how during Saturday night patrol they always managed to spot Red Hood "doing business" on a building close enough to the stadium to watch halftime. If anybody questioned it, Jason would have fiercely denied any interest claiming that he was merely "watching out for the Joker".

Tim mostly minded his business whenever she was working. His night life tended to consume most of his waking time, so if he got sleep (big if) he tended to wake up hours after she left. Mostly he appreciated the cute little animals she would make out of the groceries that week. One day, he opened the fridge to a cheese ball that looked like a turkey. Two olives made the eyes and each of the turkeys feathers were made out of crackers. His favorite had to be when she made a Robin out of Bell peppers and Grapes. Tim had left his sketchbook out the night before flipped to that exact drawing. After she had cleaned the kitchen, she left the treat along with a note explaining how beautiful she thought the drawing was.

[reasonsforhope]

"A company in France has developed genetically-enhanced houseplants that remove 30 times more indoor air pollutants than your normal ficus.

Paint, treated wood, household cleaners, insulation, unseen mold—there is a shopping list of things that can fill the air you breathe in your home with VOCs or volatile organic compounds. These include formaldehyde and other airborne substances that can cause inflammation and irritation in the body.

The best way to tackle this little-discussed private health problem is by keeping good outdoor airflow into your living spaces, but in the dog days of summer or the depths of a Maine winter, that might not be possible.

Houseplants can remove these pollutants from the air, and so the company Neoplants decided to make simple alterations to these species’ genetic makeup to supercharge this cleaning ability.

In particular, houseplants’ natural ability to absorb pollutants like formaldehyde relies on them storing them as toxins to be excreted later.

French scientists and Neoplants��� co-founders Lionel Mora and Patrick Torbey engineered a houseplant to convert them instead to plant matter. They also took aim at the natural microbiome of houseplants to enhance their ability to absorb and process VOCs as well.

The company’s first offering—the Neo P1—is a Devil’s ivy plant that sits on a custom-designed tall stand that both maximizes its air-cleaning properties and allows it to be watered far less often.

Initial testing, conducted by the Ecole Mines-Telecom of Lille University, shows that if you do choose to shell out the $179 for the Neo P1, it’s as if you were buying 30 houseplants. Of course, if you went for the budget route of 30 houseplants, you’d have to water them all.

The founders pointed out in an interview done with Forbes last year that once they settled on the species and fixed the winning genetic phenotype, the next part of the process was just raising plants, the same activity done in every nursery and florist in every town in Europe."

Deliveries for the P1 are estimated for August 2024.

-via Good News Network, November 6, 2023

--

Note: I'm not a plant biologist, but if this works the way the company's white paper says it does, holy genetic engineering, Batman.

(Would love to hear thoughts from anyone who is a plant biologist or other relevant field!)

[hoseokslefteyebrow]

Woven Home

Pairing : Platonic! Miguel O' Hara X Teen! Symbiote! Reader

Genre : fluff, lowkey crack

Summary : Miguel's soft for you. (Parenting is hard.)

Warnings: Mentions of blood, abuse, nothing too deep

Wordcount: 1.4k

Miguel O'Hara masterlist

" Oh no." Miguel breathes out. He glances around the room. It looks horrible, it was too late. 

The room was covered in blood. The chipped wallpaper had always been disgusting, but now it had a reek of death over it. He can only imagine how it went down here. 

" Uhm, actually. She's still alive." Layla suddenly glitches into existence. 

Miguel's eyes widen under his mask as he turns to her.

" What?"

" Yeah, she made it out alive. " She tells him, showcasing a security video taken out on the street.

And indeed, you were alive. Barely, but still. The cameras follow you until you eventually pass out into an alleyway. But something is wrong. The date on that tape dates back 2 years ago. That cannot be possible- Or can it?

" Who are you?" 

Miguel turns around, claws jumping out as he turns to face the voice.

He's surprised as he comes face to face with you. You're in terrible shape. Skinny, bags under your eyes and dirty. 

You glance at his claws before shaking your head. 

" Trust me, you don't want to do that." 

He cocks his head. Anyone with the injuries you had when you escaped your abusive household would be dead. He doesn't want to take his chances with whatever saved you.

" I'm Spiderman-"

" No you're not. I know that dude. He lives a few streets from here." You scowl.

You don't seem intimidated in the slightest. Still seated with one knee up to your chest in the window sill, your posture slacking.

" I'm from a different dimension. I want to give you a chance." He tells you.

You cock your head.

" A different dimension? And a chance at what?" 

" Yes. A chance at living. You wouldn't have to be alone anymore."

" I'm never alone."

-

To this day, he doesn't know how he managed to convince you to join the spider society. You're one of the very few non spider people around.

So far, years have passed. He's gotten to know you a lot better. Your name is Y/N L/N. And you're the host of Toxin. The strongest symbiote he's ever come across, and he's come across Carnage. ( Which is also apparently it's 'parent' symbiote.) It also led to him bringing you on the team. 

You're a complicated person, having been through a lot at a young age. You had been severely abused by your own parents for a reason he doesn't know (or would ever understand.) Your healing journey was scary, but you had hardened from your experiences, putting up a barricade around people. Thankfully, it crumbled since Miguel now had your back. It made Miguel soft towards you. The society he was building was small when he found you, making you one of the first members. Determined to not give you the fate of a future villain (like almost all the other symbiotes), he's kept you closely tucked in his side. Over time, he found a new chance in being a dad through you. Your own parents never guided you, and he finds himself all too eager to give you that guidance. And so you've been with him, watching as the society grew. And growing it did. Miguel watched proudly as you managed to make friends, and eventually helped guide other younglings just like he guides you.

You're also the only one who doesn't take his shit. And who's able to handle it. (The object he threw the one time he wasn't looking at whoever entered his lab, you had thrown it back at him. It had silenced him. He'd never admit it, but he was proud of that. Glad you'll never cower for people like your biological dad ever again.)

The only downside? Your choice of friends. Hobie caused trouble, and was all too eager in teaching you how to aswell. Gwen was okay. But she was also friends with Hobie, and Miles. And Miles was originally an anomaly. Sure, the boy was now part of the team, but still. The only one he approved of was Pavitr. And the random Peters you hang with often.

Truth to be told, he saw you as his daughter.

Currently, he was stood in his lab, glancing around at the screens. He truly had no idea what you were doing, but as long as you weren't putting shit on fire (you wouldn't, Toxin hates fire,) he's fine with it.

" Aye Miguel!"

Speak of the devil. With a symbiote web, you launch yourself onto his platform, two styrofoam boxes in your hands. You wordlessly set his down on his desk, as you often do.

" Thanks. What have you been upto today?" He asks, barely taking his eyes of the screen as he opens the styrofoam box and takes out an empanada.

You open yours, and immediately the scent of chocolate fills the rooms. It's overly sweet, and it lowkey stings his nose.

" Not much. Mostly training actually. You did anything fun today?" You ask him in return, leaning back against his desk.

Apparently you've managed to find pancakes. And hazelnut chocolate spread. 

" Been watching the multiverse, nothing special. Where'd you get that? " he asks you.

" Made it. We were craving something sweet." 

" Empanadas are sweet."

" Right, well, not pancake, chocolate, strawberry sweet-"

" There's strawberries in there?" He asks, glancing at it.

You hum. Picking up a piece and showcasing it to him. He admittedly can see a bit of a lump in the chocolate, but that doesn't really convince him.

" Yeah, want a bite?"

" No thanks, I'll pass."

" Kay' your loss. So I've been thinking-"

" That's worrisome."

You roll your eyes at his comment.

" Sure, whatever. Anyway. We should get a pet. I was thinking a cat, or a spider-"

" No. We already have spider cat. Also, basically everyone here is a spider. Why would you even think of a spider?" He grumbles.

Nothing he ever has read in the parenting books could ever prepare for whenever you open your mouth.

As he speaks, he finally turns to look at you.

You shrug.

" It'd be funny. A tarantula maybe. We could call her Webs." You tell him.

You're not even grinning. You're serious about this.

" I'm still lost. Why a spider?"

" I just told you. It'd be funny. A spider as Spiderpeople HQ's lil mascot. There's also these adorable jumping spiders. They're cute. And small. And a spider." 

He sighs, rubbing his face in his free hand before deciding to give up and continue to eat.

" No. No spider pet at Spider HQ. You can pet Spider-Cat whenever he's here. That's more than enough." 

As if to save him from this hard parenting moment, ( He kinda wants to give into you, give you the world, but this was just a blatantly bad idea. Even by your standard.) A new anomaly pops up on his radar. And coincidentally,  you just finished your food. ( You're always scarfing it down instead of eating it at a normal pace. Something that has to do with Toxin he believes.)

" What about a frog? Nah jumping spider's more fun-"

" No. No frog, no spider. Also, an anomaly just popped onto the radar. A Sandman variant. Earth-632. Have fun. Bring one of your buddies if you want, I'm here if you need back up." He tells you.

You hum, licking your fingers clean before wiping them on your pants.

" Can we eat them?" You ask as you start messing with your watch.

" No. No eating people." 

" Was worth a try." He hears you mumble.

" No it really wasn't. " He tells you in return.

You roll your eyes.

" Whatever. Don't miss us too much!" You call before Toxin's form envelops you completely right as a gateway forms.

Soon enough you've jumped through, and Miguel finds himself opening up yet another screen to monitor your mission, seeing as you've gone alone. 

A rare smile makes it once his face though. Yeah he's soft for you. And maybe he should look intk those jumping spiders. Just for the heck of it....

[ A/N: Am currently on Vacay so all my usual stuff is on hold for a bit. Also I've seen the requests and am working on them : ).]

[theambitiouswoman]

Women's Health: Daily habits that could be affecting your hormones

Hormones play a central role in the proper functioning of your body and overall health. They affect your menstrual cycle, fertility, bone health, mental and physical health. Your skin, weight, thyroid, energy levels, heart and breast health and much more.

These are some common habits that can influence hormonal balance:

Sleep: Irregular sleep can disturb hormone production, like cortisol, insulin, and growth hormones.

Diet: Eating lots of processed foods, unhealthy fats, and sugars while lacking essential nutrients can lead to hormonal imbalances. Extreme diets can also harm hormones.

Stress: Chronic stress releases cortisol, disrupting other hormones in the body.

Exercise: Too much or too little exercise can impact hormone levels. Overtraining raises cortisol, while being sedentary affects insulin sensitivity.

Caffeine and alcohol: Consuming too much caffeine or alcohol can affect hormone production and the endocrine system.

Plastic usage: Some plastics contain chemicals that disrupt hormones, especially when they leach into food and drinks.

Skincare and household products: Harmful chemicals in skincare and household items can act as hormone disruptors.

Medications and contraceptives: Some medications and birth control methods alter hormone levels.

Smoking: Smoking and secondhand smoke can disrupt hormones.

Environmental toxins: Exposure to pollutants like pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals in the environment act as endocrine disruptors, affecting hormone production and function.

Hydration: Staying hydrated is vital for hormone secretion and function.

Sunlight exposure: Natural sunlight helps regulate circadian rhythm and melatonin production, impacting other hormones.

Social interactions: Loneliness and social isolation affect hormone production and stress hormones.

Water bottles and food containers: Bisphenol A (BPA): Found in plastic bottles and containers, BPA can disrupt hormones when it seeps into food or drinks.

Laundry products: Some laundry products have chemicals that act as EDCs, impacting hormone balance through skin absorption.

Synthetic fabrics: Fabrics like polyester can cause increased sweating and heat retention, potentially affecting hormones.

Personal care products: Certain cosmetics and shampoos may contain harmful chemicals that interfere with hormone levels.

Intermittent fasting: Extreme fasting or calorie restriction may disrupt hormonal balance for some individuals.

Gut health: A healthy gut, supported by a balanced diet and probiotics, positively affects hormone metabolism.

Birth control methods: Hormonal contraceptives, like pills, patches, or IUDs, can influence hormone levels and affect individuals differently.

[anarchistin]

The jail extracts people from lives-in-motion in order to extract time from them. Why time? Because it is the element, become a commodity, that enables flows of carceral cash (wages, debt service, rent, utility bills, vendor invoices, and so on). It is that commodity that inspires, as any system under racial capitalism always will, persistently innovative strategies to direct the flow toward particular coffers: salaries; agency budgets; politicians’ reelectability; construction companies and raw materials purveyors; consultants; elite landowners; investment bankers; pension fund bondholders; or other resources that, in the abstract, could be used for anything, but in the ideologically charged ongoing material present, consolidate in the carceral fix.

The commodification of an unfree person’s time doesn’t end with them being drained of their non-renewable resource, although that is more horror than anyone should bear. As with all carceral interruptions to life-in-motion, unfree persons’ households and communities also experience the drain. Not only deprived of time and money resources, they are also exposed to life-shortening effects of powerless worry and ambient toxins that, in sum, contribute to group-differentiated vulnerability to premature death.

— Ruth Wilson Gilmore

[lingering-42-long]

141 + extra When everyone is sick

I am sick. And because I am sick, I thought about doing some thing dealing with some of the COD characters with not just you, or them, or your children sick, but Everybody sick. Let’s be honest one person just doesn’t get sick and then the other people are fine in the household most people if one person gets sick, the whole household runs with that same disgusting germ. If you are a squeamish 2, the usual illness that includes potential, throw up, fevers, coughs, mucus, and whatever else comes out of the crusty eyes of everybody who is sick, then this story might not be for you. Enjoy~

Also, if you want to leave a question, or ask for a theme for a head cannon, or a short story, please feel free to use the ask box!  It’s always open!

COD x Female Character

Warnings: sicknes and other related things, fluff

Captain John Prince

• It started when the girls came back home from school.

• At first they just had sneezes which you didn’t think much about but then the next day their sneezes have turned into coughs and sore throats.

• There was no fever, so you still sent them to school with a packet of Halls for each of them and some kid friendly medicine.

• It was around 2 o’clock and you were almost ready to pick them up from school. When you receive a phone call from the teacher letting you know that your two children have a fever.

• A day later you had caught whatever bug they had caught

• And now your young toddler, son is also down with whatever.

• John is much more susceptible to colds and can handle them. He was doing his best to make sure that everybody was taken care of.

• It honestly broke his heart, saying that his whole family was practically crumpling underneath this little illness.

• He made sure to stay on top of the medication and would do his best to help you with the kids when they weren’t feeling good.

• To make sure that he didn’t get sick, he decided to sleep in the guest bedroom.

• Makes the best chicken noodle soup this side of England!

• Reads to his children while keeping a safe distance from them.

• If you’re burning up and not feeling well, immediately gets a bath going for you.

• He wants to be close to you and the children again and he misses hugging them and you.

• One of the only people that does not get sick.

Lieutenant Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley

• You two had eaten some thing that did not settle well in either of your stomachs.

• While, Simon was capable of looking like he wasn’t in pain, you were a different story.

• You were throwing up almost every hour and your stomach hurts so bad.

• Did I forget to mention you’re pregnant with his first child?

• Simon does everything he can for both of you.

• He make sure that you both take the medication on time and he’s very precise with keeping you guys on track of drinking water and taking charcoal pills to eliminate any toxin in your body.

• He’s asking you if you are OK.

• Even though this wasn’t his fault, he still feels like it is.

• You remind him that there is nothing, he could’ve done since neither of you knew that the food was tainted with something.

• He rubs your belly at night, trying to ease the pain that you are feeling, and that your child are experiencing.

• At night, you hear him throwing up. You see him crouched on the side of the toilet, puking out whatever liquids were in his stomach.

• By the time he’s done, he all butt collapses on to the floor, exhausted.

• You help him up and he get him to brush his teeth then you to go back to bed with one trash can mirror each of your bedside.

Sergeant Johnny ‘Soap’ MacTavish

• Johnny and you had come down with some thing.

• It was a cold, rainy day in Scotland while he and you were hiking.

• You hadn’t expect it to rain so soon.

• It has been a beautiful day out on the highlands when suddenly you got drenched.

• You were now wet and cold and you had at least half a kilometer away from your car.

• Johnny made sure to get you warmed up with a nice hot shower and to make you guys both some soup.

• You could tell by his face he wasn’t feeling good either.

• Another good news was that you made sure to have the freezer stocked with soup bases, and stock as well as soups for cold days and emergencies.

• You to sit on the couch, cuddled together in your blankets, trying to stay warm and drink your soup.

• You take some Advil before heading off to bed.

• The next morning you feel worse than you did.

• You could hear Johnny moaning as he was puking up his contents from dinner.

• His puking caused you to have a chain reaction and you started to feel the bile rising up.

• Next thing you know you’re racing towards the bathroom to throw up as well.

• But it’s too late for you as you suddenly release most of your contacts on the bedroom floor, staining your carpet in the process.

• Johnny sees this and does what he can to finish up with his issue before coming over to help you at least make it into the bathroom before a second wave hits you.

• Your whole body is burning up.

• You decide to start a hot bath for both of you.

• You’re shaking for how cold you feel.

• Johnny does his best to keep you both warm.

• He lays a ton of kisses on your for head as he whispers that it’s going to be OK.

• He is very clingy and wants to be holding you and touching you at all times.

• Some thing about sharing body heat to keep you both warm.

• Just an excuse to hold you.

• He also promises to do a better thorough check on the weather the next time.

Sargent Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

• Gaz was the one that got sick first.

• You’re not exactly sure how he got it. He just came home with a cough and a scratchy throat saying it was nothing.

• The next morning, he woke up with a lot of pain in his throat, and it was making it difficult for him to breathe properly.

• Worried you take him to the doctors and you find out that he has strep throat.

• The doctor gives you the medication you need to help treat him and suggest that you stay away from him as best as you can.

• This hurts both of you since you both want to be close to one another especially in the time of need.

• Gaz makes a phone call to price letting him know that he won’t be in at base due to strep throat.

• Captain Price wishes him well and sends him a speedy recovery.

• Gaz hates taking medicine. He’s not a big fan of bitter stuff.

• But he will do anything if you get to play nurse for him.

• Slightly clingy, but not nearly as clingy as soap.

• Whines a little about not feeling well.

• He doesn’t complain much because he knows you’re doing your best and he doesn’t want you to feel like you’re not doing your best.

• He falls asleep faster if you’re in the room sitting in a chair next to him.

Commander Alejandro Vargas

• The commander is very similar to John. He rarely gets sick, but he hates seeing you get sick and more importantly he hates seeing his children get sick.

• His youngest daughter started not feeling very good a couple of days ago.

• His little baby girl was sent to the hospital to make sure everything was OK.

• She had just picked up the bug that had been passing around the area.

• Do you love watching your husband take care of his baby girl.

• He acts as if her life depends upon him solely to take care of her.

• The other two kids are advised to stay away from their youngest siblings room until she’s feeling better.

• They write her all cards, telling her to get well soon.

• Your two eldest children help you make fresh broth, so that their sibling could have some nourishment.

• Alejandro also knows that he is potentially at risk for catching whatever she has. So in order to keep the disease from spreading, he also sleeps in the guestroom.

• He does miss not being with his family.

Sergeant Major Rodolfo "Rudy" Parra

• Your son has always been a weak child from the beginning.

• Since the moment of birth, Rudy and you had to go to the doctors office quite more frequently than what most babies had to go into because your son suffers with autoimmune disease.

• When he was first born, you almost lost him, because he was so weak and born as a preemie.

• Thankfully, he has gotten a lot healthier, but it still considered a very small baby even for his size.

• It was one of those days where he was not feeling very good. While a normal cough or sneeze doesn’t harm a person can absolutely destroy your son.

• Rudy and you are in the ICU making sure that your son is in good hands and being watched over.

• Rudy is nervous but he chose not to show it for you.

• He loves his son dearly and wants the best for him he wishes that he could take his sons pain away.

• His son had to get some IV drips into him.

• Both you and your husband will stay in the hospital for sometime.

König

• Nothing beats a good day, playing out in the snow in Austria, however; that day will be very short-lived as the whole family gets whammied with an illness.

• The only one that isn’t sick is your baby boy who is staying with his grandmother for the time being as the rest if you get healed up.

• König is not a very healthy person. He doesn’t necessarily have an auto immune issue, but he does catch colds a lot faster, and he sustains them a lot longer than most people.

• Unfortunately, this means that all the work is put on you.

• He really wants to help with the responsibilities, but he can’t even move out of bed without the world spinning, and he hast to collapse back onto the sheets or risk blacking out.

• His girls fare better and you’re doing OK with just a sore throat and a slight fever and mixed with a headache.

• Since you are all sick, you decide to just all cuddle up together in bed.

• König is passed out fast asleep, and the two little girls are squirming around, trying to get comfortable.

• You’re doing your best that you can and you’ve already gotten the medicine from the doctors for the girls and your husband and yourself.

• One morning you wake up to somebody brushing your hair and you look up to see König with some hot coffee ready for you.

• He was feeling a little bit better this morning and wanted to do something nice for you.

• He feels really bad for not helping you with the girls even if you tell them it’s fine.

Alex Keller

• You’ve got pneumonia.

• Alex is like a Labrador retriever.

• He will get you anything that you need or want.

• He woke up in the middle of the night

• He then heard you crying, which helps him get up faster.

• You are in pain and the rattling in your lungs is the evidence of that pain.

• Alex does everything that the doctor prescribes you.

• You have to wear a nebulizer for a few minutes every handful of hours.

• He brings you clothes in his arms as you two are watching a TV show while your nebulizer is wrapped around your face, making a Low hum as it is pumping you with the steam.

• The way you’re laying on his leg is making him uncomfortable, but he’s not gonna say anything to you.

• Right now he’s focused on making sure that you are OK.

Philip Graves

• Philip has never been one really to get sick.

• He Springs back from a lot of things really quickly. It would literally take a bomb to put him under and even then he would still find away.

• He’s not feeling good but he’s got work that Hass to get done and no amount of stopping him is going to keep them from doing his work.

• That is until you get up into his face and pretty much force him back down on the couch when he tries to leave with a 102°f (39°c)fever.

• He grumbles about some thing for Work stating that he can’t miss on his job.

• So you make him go to a doctor and you find out that he has Covid.

• He gets a doctors note and calls in sick from work.

• Yeah, you’re petty.

• You make sure to get the bedroom set up nicely for him and also make sure to have water by his bedside so he’s not dehydrated.

• He grumbles more about how he can handle himself.

• You threaten to call his mom.

• He shuts up.

• He now begrudgingly has to deal with you, tending to his care

• The worst part is he actually enjoys it, and will find any excuse for you to be near him.

• He will ask five or six other times to bring him more tissues, or to fluff up the pillows or tuck in the sheets a little bit more.

• He tries to kiss you after every task, but of course you dodged them telling him he did not want to get Covid.

• He just gets grouchy again.

• Once he’s better, he plans on taking you out to dinner for all your hard work and making him feel better .

[nonhumanhermitheadcanons]

What does redstone poisoning do?

WARNING for body horror elements. The worst of it is below the cut.

The poisoning takes shape differently for everyone. It slowly replaces you, taking over your body till you are a part of the machine. Before redstone was known to be a toxin, it was used in all sorts of household items. Fortunately, it's not toxic if you don't come in direct contact with the dust. Which is only fortunate for those who don't...

There are preventative measures that can be taken. Avoiding contact with the dust directly by making sure skin is covered by gloves. Goggles can prevent any getting into the eyes, and a mask prevents it from invading the respiratory system. As well as drinking more water and washing yourself off after contact. There's been PSAs over the dangers over time, but they came too late for those who discovered those dangers to begin with.

The first symptoms are often small. Blood that seems brighter than usual, or maybe glitters. Joints that feel stiff, or skin that's hard when pressed down on. Players often suffer nausea or headaches as their body attempts to fight off the poison. At this stage, it can be treated. Many of the hermits, in fact, helped pioneer these treatments. But their experience came at a cost.

Doc: when he received his cybernetics he had to go through a whole process of Redstone safety when it can access your bloodstream. Thankfully, due to the fact he's a creeper and needs very different minerals than human players, he can get away with more Redstone in his system than anyone else. It's a necessary evil, so he'll pretend those wires don't seem to be a tiny bit longer than when they were first installed...

Mumbo: Having come in contact with redstone at such a young age, Mumbo became an example of the dangers. His veins pulse red and glow an ambient light. His eyes reflect light in the dark as if he were something entirely inhuman. His skin crumbles like dust, leaving behind scrapes which glitter with the dust. He's found himself reacting to sculk sensors, and severely affected by lag, sometimes causing his movements to rubber band or repeat.

Tango: He was one of the first players to work with redstone, making watches and clocks. Similar to Mumbo, he used no protection at all. So the poisoning slowly replaced him, until he was encased in metal. It was too risky to try and remove the poison at the stage, so with Tango's consent, they chose to work with what they had. He's now adapted to work with the redstone, which Tango thinks is pretty cool. He does make sure Zed is always wearing his protection, though.

Etho: Despite Etho's history with redstone, the only thing outwardly changed is his eye. No, Etho's symptoms run deep. They're only revealed when he's injured, and doesn't bleed at all. Instead, looking into the wound will reveal the mangled wires and components, twitching and pulsing. Etho's found his connection with redstone is so strong, now, that he can sense it sometimes beneath the surface.

[scorpiussage]

Written in the Stars (Jonathan Crane/OC)

Pairing: Jonathan Crane/OC

Summary: Despite what many may think, Jonathan Crane does in fact have a soul mark – he’s just not particularly thrilled about it. (Soulmates AU where a persons first words to you are written somewhere on your body) 

Warnings: Awkward shenanigans, smut

Jonathan Crane is seven years old when his soul mark appears. He’s huddled under a pew, locked in the old abandoned church by his grandmother for a sin he doesn’t remember doing. A sharp burning pain erupts on his forearm, different from the bruising lashes that decorate his back. He holds his arm up to the dim moonlight streaming in through the dirty window and tries to make out the words. 

Whatever he thought his soul mark would say, is no where close to what it actually says. 

…

Most people that know Jonathan Crane, also assume that he doesn’t have a soul mark. He’s bitter and mean and not at all what people look for in a soulmate. Despite these perceived flaws, he does have one. 

A soulmate that is. Somewhere out there and he dreads ever having to meet them. 

He’s never been very lucky, though. 

…

Jonathan is exhausted, injured, and coming down off of his own fear toxin. His hideout is on the other side of town, too far away to get there right now, so he seeks the first open establishment he can find. 

“Hi, welcome to Rats-O-Cheese, the pizza-play restaurant for kids. My name is Y/N-Mouse, what can I get for you?” Is the disinterested monologue that greets him when he enters the building. On his forearm the words he’s been steadfastly ignoring all his life burns. 

Fuck. 

Now, Jonathan is not actually sure what one is supposed to do with a soulmate. Probably not kidnap them, but that’s what he’s done. 

He glances over at the tied up, and very irate, waitress and tries to figure out his next steps. He winces when her muffled shrieks interrupt his train of thought. Despite the gag, she’s still hell bent on chewing him out. 

God, he’s exhausted. 

…

Jonathan is in high school when the restaurant chain Rats-O-Cheese opens up, advertising itself as a fantastical arcade restaurant for children. 

He spends the next several weeks trying to erase his soul mark out of embarrassment. 

…

“I’m going to take off the gag. You can scream as loud as you like, no one will hear you,” Jonathan informs his soulmate, and then adds under his breath, “for my ears’ sake, don’t scream.” 

“What the fuck is your problem?!” She snarls at him as soon as her mouth is free. 

He considers that question and notes to himself that he actually has a lot problems. 

Y/N, on the other hand, has a fairly average life. She’s an only child in a two parent, middle class household. She’s not top of her class, not bottom either, in both high school and college. Just average. 

Her near-neurotic obsession with being normal probably has something to do with her soul mark words. 

“If you fight or scream, I’m going to inject you with this drug.” 

Who the fuck says that to someone?

It sort of tracks that she’d end up with a psychopath for a soulmate, and not a very successful one at that if his injured, disheveled state is anything to go by. 

“So, like, what’s your thing?” She ends up asking after watching him putter around his grungy little hideout for a while. 

He pauses and looks over at her with a cocked eyebrow, “My thing?”

She nods, “Yeah, you know, your villain thing. All the weirdos in this city have one. Like that guy with the riddles!” 

Psycho-soulmate actually rolls his eyes at her and snarks, “Please don’t compare me to the likes of Edward Nygma and his ridiculous neurosis.” 

Y/N doesn’t really think this man has any room to be throwing stones, but she keeps that to herself. 

…

Statistics say that a majority of people meet their soulmates during their college years. It’s something the general population is obsessed with – making movies, music, and art about the phenomenon since the dawn of time. Jonathan, in juxtaposition, isn’t interested. In fact, he would prefer to never meet them. 

He’s never needed anyone but himself and he doesn’t see that changing anytime soon. Especially considering the, frankly, ridiculous words that are on his forearm. 

In what universe would he ever step foot into a Rats-O-Cheese?

…

Psycho-soulmate determines after several hours tied up, that she’s no longer a flight risk and unties her. He does give her a stern look though, and tells her, “There’s no where you would run that I couldn’t find you.” 

“Yeah, yeah, don’t run – got it.” 

She uses her newfound freedom to wander about his weird warehouse/hideout. There’s a very disturbing lone medical examination table with metal restraints that she edges around. Apart from the few pieces of actual furniture (a couch and a futon) it looks like a stereotypical horror movie science lab. 

She approaches a mannequin that’s dressed in a frayed suit and that has a burlap sack-mask over its head. Ohhh, so this is his thing, creepy scarecrow. 

She remarks as much out loud and Psycho-soulmate makes a loud clattering noise behind her, dropping whatever he was doing in surprise. 

“It’s for science!” He snarls, his ears turning pink in embarrassment. 

“Yeahhhh, okay.” 

Then she turns back around to look at him, “By the way, what’s your name? I’ve just been calling you ‘Psycho-soulmate’ in my head this whole time.” 

He gives her a dry look for that remark and introduces himself. Man, that name sounds awfully familiar. 

Then it hits her, “Oh! You’re the guy that broke everyone out of Arkham!” 

“Well, yes, but it was a dire set of circumstances.” 

He’s busied himself with his chemistry set again and as Y/N looks more closely at him, she notes that he’s very handsome – the kind of face that would sell well in a boyband line up. He’s also lithe in way that reveals how much time he spends hunched over his experiments. She has to wonder how a guy like that ends up as Gotham’s latest super villain. 

He sighs loudly and sets down the beaker he was currently fussing over, “I can feel you staring at me. Just ask your inane questions.” 

“No questions, just bored is all.” 

Jonathan’s eyes roll heavenward, as if he’s praying for the irritation to end. Well, hey, he’s the one who kidnapped her, he gets to live with those consequences. 

…

Jonathan is, surprisingly, a gentleman and offers her the futon to sleep on while he takes the couch. He only has a few changes of clothes here so she ends up sleeping in one of his button down shirts. She waits until his back is turned before she brings the collar up to her nose and inhales his delicious, masculine scent. 

She has no idea what cologne he uses but goddamn does she love it. 

A sort of pattern settles over them after a few days there. Jonathan will make the trek in the early hours of the morning to get them both breakfast, waking Y/N up with the clanging of the door when he returns. 

Once they’ve eaten, he immediately dives into his experiments and leaving Y/N to her own devices. All he has to do in this place is read his vast array of medical textbooks and journals, so that’s what she does. 

After nearly a week of this, she finally snaps, “When can we fucking leave?”

“Language,” Jonathan remarks, carefully finishing his task of measuring out chemicals before turning his attention to her, “Why would we leave?”

“Uh, because this isn’t an actual livable place and there’s nothing to do?” 

“Of course I have a child for a soulmate,” he grumbles before getting up, “We won’t be leaving. But, I’ll see if I can procure more suitable entertainment for you.” 

Honestly, that’s better than nothing. 

And she does not squeal in delight at the stack of romance novels he returns with the following morning, she’s just excited to be able to read something that isn’t about psychology. 

…

The phenomenon of soulmates is a fascinating one, Jonathan notes. One he’d be more than interested in studying if his research into fear wasn’t so pressing. 

Hell, even Edward Nygma has a soulmate–Julian Day. 

Jonathan’s own soulmate is interesting to say the least. She’s annoying and childish and loud, the opposite of himself in every way possible. 

She might be growing on him. 

He has a bit of an accident while mixing up a new batch of fear toxin. In those moments, he found himself far more concerned for Y/N than himself. Worried that he may have injured her by mistake. 

He hates it. 

He’s never wanted a soulmate and certainly never the feelings that come along with one. 

If anything were to ever happen to her, he would burn the entire world to the ground. He can no longer imagine his life without her in it and it’s driving him insane. 

…

It’s on a particularly quiet night, months into Y/N’s captivity, that Jonathan breaks out his stash of very expensive whiskey. He’s never been one to drink, but he finds that he’s agreeing with Y/N, he’s so bored lately. 

The flush of alcohol looks pretty on her face in the warm, dim light of the warehouse. He can almost pretend that they’re out on a date, enjoying each other’s company like normal people. 

It’s her that kisses him first, though. 

Her lips are soft and she tastes like the whiskey they’re drinking and he can’t seem to get enough. The euphoric feeling that comes over him is even better than his fear toxin, he thinks. He wraps an arm around her waist, tugging her closer and onto his lap where she fits so perfectly that it’s no wonder the universe chose her for him. 

She breaks away from the kiss, peppering his jaw and neck with follow up ones, “God, you’re such a freak, but I really, really like you.” 

The admission makes him more feral, gripping her impossibly closer and yanking at her clothes. He needs her in a way that he’s never needed anyone before. He feels like he might die if he doesn’t get her naked. 

She helps him remove her top, her breasts already bare as she’s forgone wearing a bra. He groans and buries his face between them, licking and kissing up her sternum back to those addicting lips. Her hips are grinding down onto him, lining up her core with his erection with unerring accuracy. Even through the layers of their clothes, he can feel how wet she is, how warm he knows she’ll be. 

He pushes her down onto the cushions of the couch, slotting himself between her legs and yanking at the button of her jeans. Her hips lift helpfully, allowing his hand to slip them down her thighs. 

He was never a very sexual being, always preferring the company of books rather than people, but he can see in this moment what he’s been missing all these years. There’s something so electrifying about touching and being touched by another person, something that sends delightful shivers all up and down his spine. 

He wants to own her entirely, and for her to do the same to him. 

Her deft fingers slip down his torso towards his groin, cupping his cock in her hand sweetly. He groans and the feel and his hips stutter down to grind against her palm. 

“Can I see?” She asks him, and it hits him in that moment that she never does anything without confirming his consent. He’s never had anyone do that for him before, his body always being the subject of either outright abuse or covetous leers. He helps her open his pants, letting those pretty fingers of hers slip past the hem to wrap around him. 

His eyes roll back as she grips him firmly, pumping his cock better than he’s ever done himself. 

Once he gains some coherency back, he makes quick work of removing her pants and underwear entirely. 

She’s bare before him, her most intimate place glistening and beckoning him forward. He’s never once had the desire nor fantasized about going down on a woman before, but he can’t stop himself from getting a taste. He runs his tongue between her lips, gathering the slick from her hole and dragging it up to her clit. 

He groans against her as the flavor registers, he already knows he’s never going to get enough of this, of her. Her essence is all he’s ever going to think about from now to the end of time. 

Her fingers bury themselves into his hair, tugging and grasping as he devours her. His name is being chanted, spurring him on to torture that little bud at the top of her sex. 

He can literally taste her orgasm as it gushes out of her, coating his lips and chin and it about makes him finish himself. 

Sitting up, he fists himself, hurrying to line himself up with her opening. Still coming down from her high, she mewls as he sinks into her, the walls of her cunt sucking him in as if it’s welcoming him home. He doesn’t think he ever wants to part from her, doesn’t ever want to draw his cock away from her. He pushes himself as deep as possible before drawing back and pushing back in. 

Her arms wrap around his shoulders, tugging him down so that their foreheads press. Somehow this is far more intimate that literally being inside of her and it makes him flush with how flustered it makes him. 

He doesn’t last long but he forgets to be embarrassed about it because he’s never felt so good in his life. He never wants this feeling to end.

He settles beside her, keeping himself firmly tucked into her tight heat. 

On her ribs, right beneath her heart, are his words and proof that they were meant for each other. 

[theoburrsvirginitybalcony]

Betsey exclusively cooking/cleaning with her breast milk to avoid "toxins" in her household vs Theo sr giving Theo jr cigarettes in exchange for 30 minutes of quiet time