#houston isn't the only place effected

[excessexorcism]

Item #24

MAGNETS

Magnets are among my favorite souvenirs when I travel. (But let's be real, I love most souvenirs.) However, I've come to the realization that there are a few magnets I can part ways with.

Let's start with the first one, an easy decision. It's a freebie magnet that includes recycling instructions for a grocery delivery service I used during lockdown in the pre-vaccine era of Covid. The directions were never hard to remember to begin with, and I no longer use them. This didn't "spark" joy, and only took up fridge space I could use for future magnets.

The next magnet holds some sentimental value. It was part of a Save the Date for a wedding that I couldn't attend. Although I felt honored to be invited, since I didn't attend the wedding, I think it's time to let go of this reminder.

Now comes the most challenging decision—the cow bottle opener magnet. It was a freebie from a Chinese takeout place in Houston. I love this magnet. It's a mediocre bottle-opener but the cow is so cute! The calm and serene look on her face always me smile. However, the magnet has weakened significantly, and it no longer sticks to my fridge. Additionally, I already have other bottle openers that are way more effective, so I have no practical reason to hold onto it. The only option is trash, or languishing in a junk drawer. It's a tough farewell for this beloved magnet. :(

I know I could always attach a new magnet to it, however I don't have the time or space for another future craft project in my life, and I have no interest in purchasing a single magnet to adhere to the cow. It's just better to let it go.

Lastly, we have a simple floral square magnet. I believe I purchased this as part of a set of six for a whiteboard I had on my desk in a previous apartment. Unfortunately, over time, the other five magnets have vanished. This lone magnet holds no personal significance for me and merely takes up unnecessary space.

Verdict: Letting go of these magnets isn't a failure. Three of them were freebies I never actively sought out, and the fourth was a purchase from around eight years ago at a store like Target or Walmart. I don't have access to the exact price, but I know I used them to display postcards, and I enjoyed that for awhile. The one sad thing is I think I have to trash them.

[sixthvision]

The Real Estate Photographer In Melbourne Captures the Best Quality Photographs

While selling a home, utilizing photos of that house is crucial. Without photos of the property for purchasers to peruse, nothing remains to be attracted, purchasers. You can't simply stun them with words and anticipate that individuals should place in offers; photos are necessary.

Presently, there are various ways of getting photos of your property. For example, you could take them yourself. Be that as it may, if you need to get ideal pictures (and hence the greatest draw conceivable), you should use proficient real estate photography services.

Asking why, precisely, you ought to exploit proficient Real estate photographer Melbourne? Then, at that point, read on. Here are the unbelievable advantages of Houston real estate photography.

The Utilization of Top notch equipment and tool

The primary advantage we will examine is the advantage of top-notch equipment and tool. Proficient real estate photographic artists aren't simply removing the-sleeve pictures with their telephones. They're setting up a wide range of gear to improve the photograph's lighting, center, and traits.

Presently, you can buy this hardware for yourself. Be that as it may, in doing as such, you would lay out hundreds and perhaps a large number of dollars. Except if you have plans to involve the gear from here on out, this would be cash inadequately spent.

A portion of the gear expected to take great real estate photographs incorporates a high-goal camera, a stand, manufactured lighting gadgets, and altering programming. Bear in mind this is just a little piece of what's required.

By recruiting an expert to take your photos for you, you get to exploit the entirety of this gear yet without paying anything towards it. In this way, you're recruiting the photographic artist, as well as the photographic artist, all costly and successful assets.

Sufficiently bright Photos

In real estate photography, lighting can have a significant effect. Though a dull and soiled-looking room will undoubtedly switch off expected purchasers, a brilliant and enthusiastic-looking room will undoubtedly attract them. Accordingly, you should get the lighting right while taking real estate photos.

Sadly, this is presumably more troublesome than you understand. Upgrading the lighting inside a photo requires something beyond opening a couple of blinds and turning on an extra light.

To get the lighting right, you should utilize the appropriate lighting gear. Furthermore, you should situate this gear appropriately to enlighten the right parts inside the shot.

This isn't something you only karma into. It requires an abundance of information also, expertise and experience. Do you have at least some idea who has this information, expertise, and experience? An expert real estate photographic artist.

Decisively Calculated Photos

An extraordinary aspect of photography is that you can exploit various points to really impact a shot's viewpoint. For example, you can shoot from beneath to make something look greater. This considers a lot of assortment, in any event, while you're taking pictures of a table and a bunch of seats.

The issue is novice picture takers frequently battle with involving the right plots for the right shots. Accordingly, despite their earnest attempts, they end up with photos that seem mutilated and reeling.

This is where the assistance of an expert photographic artist truly becomes an integral factor. Proficient real estate photographic artists have taken many photos and tried different things with points, everything being equal. Along these lines, they understand what works and what doesn't; they generally have a unique touch.

Thus, assuming that you're expecting photographs that show your home in as fabulous a way as could be expected, you would be very much served by placing the errand in possession of a real estate picture taker in Houston.

A Decent Profit from Your Venture

Indeed, it's more costly to enlist an expert photographic artist than to take pictures alone. Nonetheless, that doesn't be guaranteed to imply that being more costly over the long haul is going. Allow us to make sense of it.

It couldn't be any more obvious; an expert-grade real estate photo is explicitly intended to interest expected purchasers. Attracting however many purchasers as could be allowed is advanced.

A beginner photo, then again, doesn't have this improvement. It might look fair to you, yet it could, in all likelihood, be missing attractive or eye-catching components.

Presently, what's the significance here? It implies that expert photos will probably bring about additional offers on your home. Furthermore, because there are more offers on your home, almost certainly, your home will sell for more than it would have in any case.

Thus, eventually, utilizing a proficient Real estate videographer Melbourne will benefit you greatly from your underlying speculation. You'll spend more cash on the photos, but because of those photos, you'll probably get more cash flow than you would have on the real estate exchange.

[asktayenbell]

A Letter From A Texan

I am from Texas. I was born and raised there, left when I was 8 (against my will, mind you. thanks Mama). I have family there.

My family just so happens to live in East Texas.

So just imagine how hard the people I love got hit by this historic hurricane.

My father, who hasn’t made any effort to speak to me in almost ten years, called me because he wasn’t sure if he was going to make it because of Harvey. He was forced to evacuate. This man and his wife lived in Corpus Christi for a year and a half. Their home? There isn’t even a foundation left.

Galveston? Gone. Anahuac? Poof. Texas City? You wouldn’t even know it had existed.

There is absolutely nothing left of the coastal towns I grew up around. Not even debris in some places.

Do you need anything else to prove just how bad this storm was?

My Mama grew up in Troup and Anahuac. She cried when she heard that Harvey was going to hit, because she knew that the town she knew and loved as a child would be wiped off the map. She called her childhood friends and made sure they evacuated and left nothing behind.

The Brazos River, the river that separates East Texas from West Texas, is at an 800 year high. There’s a wildlife reserve not ten minutes from the banks. 

I know that river like the back of my hand. I swam in it as a kid. I know every twist and turn of that river. So yes, I have my facts right. Yes, I know what I’m talking about.

The state I know and love is in danger.

If you have the opportunity to send out care packages or to donate to victims of Harvey or even just to write a letter of hope to a victim, please do so. Listen to a Texan: Texas has never needed more help than she does now.

I hope y’all take this message to heart, because I’m near in tears writing this.

Sincerely,

Your Friendly Neighborhood Texan

[reading-writing-revolution]

This is long but an important insight..m.

Yu Li - Posted originally

February 8 at 8:09 AM ·

Thanks for speak out! Mario Cavolo

-------

加油中国！When the United States 2009 H1N1 swine flu emerged, an international emergency, a declared global pandemic, it eventually infected 60 million and initially killed a minimum of 18,449 cases that year. But the final story of the H1N1 global pandemic was far worse than that, with close to 300,000 deaths, according to the final tallies in 2012 reported by the CDC, as you will read below.

Which is why I am scratching my head at how bizarrely negative forces are attacking China and Chinese people as it engages a remarkably aggressive front addressing this Corona virus outbreak which started in Wuhan, central China. I am forced to ask and answer a few questions.

During 2009 H1N1 outbreak, I don't recall xenophobic anti-America attacks across the globe, do you? In fact, do you recall it took six months for the U.S. to declare a national emergency? Did any government from the onset in April 2009 through the end in April 2010, including the month of June, when H1N1 was declared an international emergency global pandemic, then send out a notice to its citizens that they should leave the United States? Close their borders to American travelers? Nope, not a peep.

Like I said, something's not right, folks. I am reading hateful vicious attacks on the Chinese government for their supposed intentional conspiracy to intentionally under report the number of infections, yet that is exactly and always the case with such flu outbreaks no matter what country and the CDC reports illustrate that crystal clear. The U.S. H1N1 swine flu numbers were vastly underestimated and updated three years later, because dear friends, that is the nature of such viral outbreaks which don't care which country they started in. There is never enough man power, there are never enough test kits, there is never enough medicine or medical supplies. China is not trying to hide these hardships, they are well known, they are being reported on the news daily in China. There are always people who die, thousands of them whom we'll never know if they actually died because of a particular virus. Those are the facts, not any problem unique to China's healthcare system or government.

Its not a conspiracy, its just tragedy.

According to the June 27, 2012 research report followup three years later, it gets much more disturbing when you learn about the CDC's final estimate of the H1N1 virus global death toll. You and I find at this at this article at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy website, the CDC's 18,449 total deaths number was "...regarded as WELL BELOW THE TRUE TOTAL, mainly because many people who die of flu-related causes are not tested for the disease." So during the 2009 outbreak, was anyone accusing the American medical and government authorities of hiding the numbers? Were Americans with hidden cameras strolling into the Mayo Clinic to PROVE how many people were really dying? The absurdity of these vicious attacks are that whether or not a person specifically does have the Corona virus or some other viral bug presenting as pneumonia, the treatment is the same supportive treatment anyway.

Something's not right here folks. The world should be applauding China's unprecedented, broad, aggressive response. (WHO officials and many other government and healthcare officials across the globe are.) I am on the ground here in China READ IT HERE watching with my own eyes and it is quite incredible by any measure, not to mention an enormous economic sacrifice.

Instead of looking at the will of an entire system of government acting faster than any other government on the planet could, we are one month later, still busy bashing a few local government officials in Wuhan who should have told us a couple weeks sooner. And yes, that is true those local officials screwed up. And by the way, those officials are in deep trouble for it. Just like the recent Puerto Rican politicians who are in trouble when we learned they didn't distribute hurricane emergency supplies that were sent to them to help during last year's terrible hurricane. A disgrace. Individual people screw up all the time and hopefully justice gets served later, but that's not an indictment of an entire country's government. Secondly, on this point, every provincial government has sent out a notice to its government officials pretty much saying that if they are stupid enough to do the same, they will face the wrath of harsh punishment. I don't doubt it for a moment. Lets contrast to what countless western politicians have gotten away with and remain in office to remind all of us that human error, stupidity and greed is not unique to any particular skin color or race or country. "What about..." reactions don't help.

And here's the mic drop for you: "The CDC researchers estimate that the H1N1 2009 pandemic virus caused 201,200 respiratory deaths and another 83,300 deaths from cardiovascular disease associated with H1N1 infections." Total: 284,000 deaths. Shocking, isn't it?

Was there a travel ban for any length of time to and from the United States?

Did China, Germany, Japan or any other country close their border to American travelers?

Today I noticed in the updates that following the United States Department of State policy suggesting U.S. citizens leave China, the United Kingdom embassy just released the same recommendation to subjects of the kingdom.

In 2009, did UK subjects in America get a notice from their kingdom to leave America? No.

Did the world suggest we isolate from America? Close the U.S. borders!? No.

Did Americans get xenophobically attacked and targeted by anti-American sentiments like the Chinese are experiencing now? Um, no.

Fascinating and disturbing to say the least. If you're an expat currently in China, unless you're in Wuhan, fact is that you're most likely safer and more peaceful and more stable by simply staying put than by leaving right now. You couldn't be safer than in this country, where almost everyone is staying home and dutifully isolating themselves with awareness. Not to mention that the Chinese government's decision to safeguard the society, the families, the people, is coming at a devastating economic cost in the hundreds of billions.

I have a friend in Mesa, Arizona. He told me earlier that the big popular China City buffet, a huge busy place, has no customers. Does that make any sense at all?

Let's test our ability to reason, to be rational:

If you were in Miami and you heard that there was a virus outbreak that started in Milan, in central Italy, would you cancel your dinner reservation at the Italian restaurant that night in South Beach? No. Would you buy a pizza next week at Joey's Pizzeria in Delray Beach?

If you were in Singapore and you heard there was a virus outbreak in Dallas, Texas in the central United States, would you stop going to your favorite local Texas southern BBQ restaurant with the owner from Houston, in Singapore?

Would you avoid olive-skinned dark-haired Italian-looking people on the street in Chicago? Would you avoid big guys wearing cowboy hats, cuz they're obviously from Texas in Singapore cuz there's a virus in Dallas and they might have just gotten off the plane? There's a strange senseless bullying extremism and activism in today's society and you should do your best to avoid it and not be a part of it. It is fomented by a small group of extremist activists while definitely not supported by your average mainstream person who is simply exhausted by their outrage-inducing antics.

Finally, here are some straight up, sensible accurate descriptions of this Corona virus which started in Wuhan, China. Its not called the China virus and neither was H1N1 called the America virus. Whether two weeks or two months from now, this flu season type virus will have passed and the joy of Spring will have arrived. Just like every flu season. However, don't misunderstand me. The extra caution and the remarkable response by the Chinese governments and people together to quell the spread of this virus was warranted because, yes it is correct that this corona virus is nastier than the usual annual flu bug, as was H1N1 in 2009. As of now, what we can confidently note the following regarding this Corona virus:

This Corona virus is highly contagious, it spreads quite easily. It binds to lung tissue and so in particular, likes to cause pneumonia, that's what infection of lung tissue is. That's more severe than a respiratory infection which is only in your throat or bronchial tubes.

The Corona virus currently has a 2% death rate. That's a lot higher, around 20x higher, than a more typical annual flu virus with a death rate of 0.1%. However, a 2% death rate is still much lower by comparison to the SARS virus which had a 9% death rate or the MERS virus with a really nasty 37% death rate.

The Corona virus is causing severe symptoms in 10-15% of cases. 80% to 90% of deaths from this virus are happening in elderly patients, mostly with other existing health problems, not younger people. That characteristic by the way, is in contrast to the America 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus which in fact had a higher death rate amongst younger people including children rather than those over 60 years old.

China identified and shared the Corona virus genome in record times, in only days and of course, immediately shared it with all international health and disease organizations. Medical researchers are already discovering that certain existing anti-viral medications seem to be effective against this Corona virus.

Its impossible not to marvel at China's broad and aggressive domestic response directed by the provincial level governments to restrict movement, restrict transportation, restrict business for a period of time combined with the voluntary dutiful cooperation of its 1.3 billion citizens who are in the majority quietly staying at home these weeks to let the virus pass; this model response is already being hailed by the international community as a remarkable unprecedented response setting a new standard in understanding what is possible for future outbreaks in whatever country they may occur. Is it inconvenient and costly. You bet.

Like I said, something's not right with the way humanity is responding to what's happening here. I haven't put my finger on it because well, its certainly complex and the world is upside down in many other ways that I also can't for the life of me understand or explain without ending up writing a very thick book.

But I do know this: It needs to stop. This vicious, political, xenophobic racist attacks and smearing of all things China needs to stop. Its really not helping anyone in the political corridors of Washington nor is it doing anything to help the man on the street who is just concerned with taking care of his family.

My family is originally from the Basilicata region of Italy, the little hillside Italian towns of Potenza and also, Grottola, which is just outside of Matera. They left their home country and moved to America where I was born, in Yonkers, New York. America became their home and it was my home until I left, too. Now over two decades ago, I left the United States, the country I was born in, the country that has plenty to admire and plenty to improve. But I left and I came to China and now China is my home. If you had asked me thirty years ago if this was my life plan on planet earth, I would have said you were nuts or a really bad fortune teller. But that's how it has turned out. I am truly blessed with my lovely Chinese wife and our family living here in Shenyang in China's northeast. You get my meaning? I am a mature adult like many with the powers of observation. I can easily see that whether we are talking about China or the United States or any other country, their societies and their governments have good points and bad points.

The xenophobia needs to stop now. Whether in a couple of weeks or months later, this nasty flu type Corona virus will begin declining and the joy of Spring will arrive. Between now and then if you don't have anything good, anything supportive to say about China or Chinese people, how about you just keep your mouth shut.

Mario Cavolo, Shenyang.

[say-duhnelle]

Some further notes, from a southeast Texan: it looks like a lot of the places on that map are close to water, and have high humidity values. This is going to limit the efficacy of anything involving evaporative cooling (e.g. taking a cold shower fully clothed, wearing wet clothing, swamp coolers, etc.) because it's harder for the water to evaporate and thus harder for it to cool anything down. Cool and wet is nice but hot and wet is stifling and worse than dry heat. Avoid those strategies if you're in a humid area. A cool shower or swim can help, but dry yourself thoroughly afterwards.

I've spent several Houston summers outside most or all of the day. Here's some stuff that has always been helpful to me:

- Loose white T shirt, loose shorts (not jeans), visor if in direct sun (not hat, which warms your head). ALL COTTON. Not performance wicking material, 100% C O T T O N. Algodon. Baumwolle. It absorbs moisture, doesn't stick to you, and lets air flow by your skin. Also, someone upthread said long sleeves - that only applies if you are trying to protect yourself from direct sun hitting your skin, and are so pale or will be out so long that sunscreen has limited efficacy. If you're staying indoors or in shade, short sleeves and loose loose loose is the way to go.

- If you have to be out in the sun, make sure every inch of skin that doesn't have clothing over it has sunscreen on. Bugspray too if your space has a mosquito problem.

- SHADE AND VENTILATION. I hope your windows have bug screens, because in the absence of AC, opening them and jamming a box fan in the hole is the most effective solution. Remember to set your ceiling fans counterclockwise to blow air at you (apparently there are places where this is a thing people change regularly). Those little personal battery fans that can go on a lanyard are great too. If you're outside in the heat of the day try to stay under tents and awnings or wear a visor.

- There's a reason old Southern mansions didn't have the kitchen attached to the house. If you can cook outside (e.g. grilling, barbecue) or keep your meals to cold/microwave only then do.

- MINIMUM seven glasses of water and one Gatorade* per day. If you are doing any sort of remotely physical activity your needs will increase, likely dramatically. The folks above have suggested some good self-monitoring techniques. Also, make sure you are spreading your hydration over the course of the day - three glasses of water at each meal isn't nearly as helpful as having a bottle or jug you sip from every ten minutes or so. (*I actually like to get a can of the Gatorade powder and make a drink of the 12oz amount of powder in an 8oz glass of orange juice, the result just feels a little more effective to me for some reason)

- Several medications, including those commonly prescribed for treatment of ADHD, can increase your sensitivity to heat stroke. Check out info for any you are taking and monitor yourself closely if you are in this category.

- Eat breakfast. Your body can deal with anything better if it has the fuel it needs. I would definitely avoid the typical grease-and-fat heavy "traditional American breakfast" and focus on cereals, granola bars, fresh fruit, yogurt, etc. though - perhaps it's because I usually went out into the heat to do physical stuff but I found my dietary choices could really affect how well my body dealt with the stress of the heat.

- [If you are not used to doing strenuous physical activity, now is NOT the time, as it will place far more stress on your body than what it would in typical weather. Save the rekindled new year's resolution for next month. If you are, make sure you take more frequent breaks to hydrate, and listen to your body if it says you need to back off until the weather changes.]

- Do not be afraid to go into some public place that has AC and just vibe there for a while if your own space is unbearable. Big box grocery stores, in particular their freezer and open cooler aisles, are great for this. You don't have to buy shit and I will fight Sam Walton for you personally if he tries to tell you otherwise.

- You lose more heat than you realize through your head, hands and feet; when possible, keeping yourself in situations where you DON'T have to wear hats, gloves, socks or closed-toe shoes can help your body maintain a healthy temperature. For example, rooting around in the flowerbed can wait.

Some other things:

- Be aware that the heat can also affect how fast your food spoils, produce in the fridge and bread in the freezer can help them make it long enough for you to actually eat them

- Accept that you are going to sweat and it's going to be unpleasant, and don't waste energy worrying about it making you look unattractive; everyone else is going through the same thing. Sticky and frizzy is the new sexy. This also means that personal hygiene is very important, please shower regularly, wear deodorant, etc. for the sake of anyone who has to smell you.

- High heat and humidity together will make mildew grow in an instant. Don't leave dirty dishes wet in the sink, don't leave wet walls in the shower, wash your clothes ASAP after wearing them and put them in the dryer as soon as they finish in the washer. And beware that it can come from weird places. We had a summer when our house lost AC for about a month and a lot of my shirts got mildew growth in the pits because the antiperspirant residue on them was JUST hygroscopic enough to provide a favorable environment.

- If your house has a second story it will probably be noticeably hotter than the ground floor. Spend time downstairs when possible. Depending on how bad things get for you, if the bedrooms are upstairs it may be a better idea to shack up on a downstairs couch for a few nights.

From Abbotsford to Yoho National Park, a heat wave shattered temperature records in British Columbia on Saturday — and meteorologists expect the weather to get even hotter over the next couple of days.

The Village of Lytton was the hottest place in the country Saturday, with a record-breaking 43.2 C according to Environment Canada. The previous record there was set in 2006, at 39.9 C.

Other notable highs include the Fraser Valley, which broke 40 C at Cultus Lake for the first time yesterday.

In the Cache Creek area, temperatures soared to 42.5 C, and Lillooet set a new record at 43.1 C. Temperatures in the Pemberton Valley are so high an evacuation order has been issued because of rising river levels caused by snowmelt.

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[elegantenthusiastphantom]

Writting challenge: Day 13

Day 13: Someone's life takes on new meaning after they discover an unusual tree.

The day had been terrible, she couldn't take it anymore, she got up from the chair in the living room and decided to head out.

"I'll take a walk" she said to her mother as she passed the front door of the rented house.

"Take care!" She could hear her mother shout from inside the house.

It was already late, but she couldn't handle being inside the house anymore. All that people were so off. They had nothing in common and the lack of subject was killing her. Being in the same room as those people who think they are better than everyone, made her very pissed. 

After a few minutes of walking in the streets near the house she found a passage that led to some trees. Maybe taking a few cleaner breaths would help her calm down.

The only thing  that spooked her was how awkward the trees looked, they were all dried and lifeless, but were still beautiful. The contrast of the black trees against the night sky was a beautiful view.

She walked among the trees hypnotized by their beautiful strangeness, when she noticed something different.

It was an oak tree, but not just a simple oak tree. It was the biggest of them all. She came closer to have a better look.

The tree was near a small cliff and was surrounded by a short wall, as it was planted in a park garden. Reaching even closer, she noted that the small cliff led to a beach.

She decided that walking on the beach water seemed a good idea, after all, she didn't want to come back home yet. Descending the small cliff she was received with the most beautiful view she could ever imagine.

The oak tree stayed a few feet over her head, the beach sand reaching its roots, the water was crystalline and the full moon illuminated the whole beach. It was breathtaking.

"I wish you were here to see this, you would love it" she thought to herself. "Why we have hope to find some people in the weirdest places"

She smiled to herself as she heard a noise in the water, turning to see what it was, she was faced with the person she most hoped and least expected to see.

"What're you doing here?" She asked in a loud voice as the boy was far away in the water.

"The same as you!" He responded as walking in her direction.

He was wearing beige shorts, now a little wet and a yellow hoodie, he always liked colors, different from her with her white dress. 

"I thought you were in houston!?" She enquired.

"I was, until the duty called" he shrugged "coast problems that only I could fix."

She nodded and glanced at the full moon, it was still glowing it's beautiful silver in them. His green eyes were glistening with anticipation, only if he could know the effect it had on her, he would use it with all might.

"Not happy to see me?" He smirked but the worry was hidden behind it.

She lightly punched him in the arm as both of them started to walk in the beach with their shoes long forgotten in the sand.

"Sorry, I just had a shitty day!" She sadly looked at him. 

"It's okay, mine wasn't much better either." He slightly pushed her shoulder.

"Thanks!" she smiled at him and his heart jumped a beat.

Only If she could know how much her smile meant to him, she probably would spend her days doing it for him.

"How do you know this place?" Curiosity was flowing in her words.

"In one of my rounds in the ocean, when I worked here, I saw the heart oak tree." He put his hand on his pockets "Now I come here always when I have the chance. It's like..."

He was going to complete a very elaborate thought, when she interrupted him.

"Heart oak tree? You pet named the poor tree too?" She teased him receiving another bump of shoulders as an answer. Confused she asked. "Why heart oak tree, though?"

"You didn't notice?" He asked incredulously.

"Noticed what?" Now she was even more confused.

He motioned for her to follow him, quickening the steps they were right in front the trunk of the tree in a few minutes, exactly where she entered the beach. He pointed to the top branches and she gasped. The top branches entangled themselves forming the shape of a heart. It was as if two lovers had found themselves and formed the shape of their love. A very big oak heart.

"How could I have not saw this before!" was her thought as she approached the big oak tree. She looked at him in shock.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" He was looking in her direction,seeing her surprised face and there was again, the smile, melting his heart. He glanced at the tree as she looked back at him.

"It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." She glanced at his green eyes discreetly.

After a while in a comfortable silence he sat in the sand looking the waves crash a few feet from them, she followed right after.

"I am, actually!" He was confused with her sudden statement, so she added quickly. "Happy to see you!"

"I mean, i've been thinking of you pretty recently." She faced her feet "We never plan on meeting, it just happens, it's like destiny."

He hums in response and after a while thinking he answers sincerely.

"You know, since I found this tree, I always thought of bringing the person that would be the one here. But never really met anyone." he laughed " Well, until you started to show up in the most unexpected places."

She faced him with extreme surprise in her eyes, but he kept looking into the ocean.

"Maybe this was the way destiny had to make us realize that we were made for each other." He finally looked in her direction and was surprised with her tears leaving marks in her beautiful cheeks. "Why are you crying?"

"Happiness," she smiled and his heart clenched for the hundredth time that night "I thought you would never like me, and after the day I had, I could never expect this to happen."

He cleaned her tears with his fingers and his hands caressed her cheeks. Leaning in her direction, she closed her eyes in anticipation for what was to come. He brushed their lips and kissed her, gentle and sweet, with all the passionate love he had been keeping from her. She kissed him back, as sweet and kind as she could, the desire leaping into the night. They broke apart to catch some breath. He spoke right after.

"Sorry for not saying anything before, I thought you wouldn't want me! After all, we hated each other in the beginning!" He laughed making little crescents with his eyes and her heart skipped another beat for the thousandth time that night.

"You were cocky and very presumptuous, lover boy." she smirked.

"You were a pain in the ass too, sweetheart" he teased as he pushed a stripe of her hair behind her ear.

"We were very dumb" she leaned her head in his shoulder and closed her eyes to embrance everything she was feeling.

"I can agree with that!" He leaned into her, the warmth coming from her body relaxing his muscles.

They stayed the rest of the night there, enjoying each other's presence. Kissing, talking, holding hands and seeing the ocean. As the sun started to come up they got ready to leave.

"I should go, after all, I just went for a walk" she laughed nervously.

"Me either, everybody must be worried sick with us" he just didn't want to leave her "We can plan to meet after I finish the job here."

She could see the uncertainty in his eyes, so she asked.

"What's wrong?"

"I just don't want to lose you" he was scared "I just got you and we have to leave in different ways already."

"Don't worry, we will meet again even if we don't want to." She smiled "We always do!"

He agreed and holded her hand. As they were leaving, she pulled his hand pointing to the beach sand near the water. The shadow of the tree engulfed both of them in the heart shape.

"See, destiny!"

And with that his heart was in peace, as that signal showed him that they would always be together no matter what. They were made for each other, no matter the circumstance, they would always meet one another.

They left, each one to their specific place, but with the new feeling of fulfillment. They were whole again.

You can imagine anyone you want! Feel free to comment what you thought of it!

[3sportsguns]

All Cheating Isn't the Same

Major League Baseball has been at a crossroads the last several seasons to try and evolve the game. However, the desire to modernize while still saying traditional has put up roadblocks, while also being hypocritical. It has made it impossible to figure out what the heck is going on and it got that much more difficult to navigate with the Houston Astros cheating scandal.

What should have been a slam dunk, since it was so well documented, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred managed to absolutely botched when it came to punishing the Astros. 1st and 2nd round picks the next two drafts, $5 million dollars and one year suspensions for the coach and GM who were both fired. No punishment whatsoever, except for Carlos Beltran who wasn't even playing anymore, for any of the players who had just as big a part in it.

Losing the ring, the legacy (admittedly there will be a black mark), money, none of that has been taken away from any of the players. Pete Rose has been banned from almost all things baseball for gambling, did it really change the outcome of the game? The steroids era is still a massive black mark on baseball and the Hall of Fame. Using steroids effects the outcome and players are being punished in some capacity but nothing for the Astros. Maybe they'll be punished when they get to the Hall of Fame, but nothing while they play out their career.

Reggie Bush had his Heisman taken away, games were struck from the USC record, Tom Brady was suspended four games for Deflategate. There is precedent across all sports and yet almost nothing was done to Houston. Astros pitcher Francis Martes was suspended the whole 2020 year for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs, but his teammates that cheated for post season success didn't get a thing. Rob Manfred absolutely whiffed on the whole situation and may have started the chain reaction that starts to tear down the traditional values MLB tries to hold dearly.

Current stars have not beat around the bush; Mike Trout, Kris Bryant, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger have gone hard after the commissioner and the Astros. The comments have been so strong that Manfred has stated his frustration over the criticism to his lack of punishment. He sent himself to the bottom of the major four sports leadership and harmed MLB as all four leagues jostle for money and ratings, but as bad a time he's having the Astros may find themselves getting punishment from their peers.

The old boy sport that has the 'unwritten rules' will likely find themselves at the wrong end of them. I don't think anyone deserves to be hurt but it may be a bean ball year for Houston. There are lines being set for the number of hit batsmen they'll take and most have it somewhere in the 80's, one every other game. The Astros have lost respect among their peers and it isn't going to go away. It could get ugly and those 'old boy rules' may force a big change for MLB.

Steroids, look the other way until it becomes a non-sports concern. The reliever rule change for three minimum batters because of the pace of game needs to be changed, but cheating is fine. Absolutely changing the outcome of games, the playoffs and the World Series means nothing. The worst possible place to get caught cheating was met with the leadership of the MLB saying nothing done was enough.

Houston has already felt some repercussions from the other stars in MLB and fans have been banging trash cans during spring training and that's just the start. Maybe MLB will see and uptick in ratings as fans check in to see what happen to the Astros, especially on the road, but MLB damaged itself big time this off season.

The old saying is if you aren't cheating you ain't trying. There was outrage when Derek Jeter lied about getting hit on the elbow and admitted after the game he wasn't hit. It was gamesmanship. Steroids, sign stealing and now this? MLB's legacy was racism for a long time, they aren't alone in that, but the national past time still has its struggles. The only thing that rivals that is cheating. The legacy of baseball is cheating and Rob Manfred signed off on it to continue.

[its-spelt-hermaeus-mora]

Back on my bullshit lmao so have some domestic stuff of this au.

Joy and Jacket often pester each other with their peculiarities.

Joy sometimes just. Shuts off Jacket's tape recorder mid-sentence.

Once Wolf finds out his peculiarity, he begins to utilize it more both in and out of the Safehouse.

If he's feeling particularly affectionate but doesn't want to be human, Hoxton will find himself pinned under a big grey wolf in search of pets.

Hoxton tests his peculiarity on people who piss him off in the Safehouse, which is how he learns to use it better.

Eventually he gets so good at it that he can go out in public without worry, because he can make himself disappear, so to speak.

Jimmy first uses his in front of the crew right after a heist with Dallas, Clover, and Duke. They had all piled into the van after a violent shootout, and the other three were freaking out because Jimmy is actively bleeding out from his stomach.

He just goes "no guys its fine watch this" and splits off himself.

It was fucking digusting. His skin because bubbling and the new clone pretty much crawled out of the dying one (think Adipose from Doctor Who)

The two clones do a little handshake and Jimmy tosses his old body out of the back of the van, effectively slowing down their assailants and freaking out his team members.

Its all the same consciousness, its just like the same player using two controllers.

Bonnie isn't allowed to play any game that has any dice, cards, or any aspect of luck. Heisters banned her from spectating when she used her peculiarity to hinder Clover in a game of Uno.

Speaking of which, Clover lives in a constant state of "i wanna see what these guys are doing cause im nosy and curious" and "fuck these two are dating I might see something icky"

Sokol will just. Sit outside in the winter. Maybe have a drink. Full on T-shirt and biker shorts, just to relax.

The heisters begin to notice a returning Magpie that lingers around the Safehouse when they aren't heisting.

Aldstone's job gets harder, as he has to start handling when people's peculiarities get out of control. (ie, when Sangres almost set the place on fire, or when Joy caused a power outage by trying to see how many electronics they could turn on at once)

People with throw things just to see Dallas catch them.

He's let several things hit him just to be petty.

Chains helps heisters practice boxing and hand-to-hand combat.

Once a week, people will watch him and Jiro spar; Jiro can predict everything but Chains wont fucking go down so its a good passtime.

Jacket talks through the rice cooker occasionally to scare people.

Sydney finds out about her peculiarity and starts to avoid other heisters. She notices that should she start to get a little rowdy or worked up, the people around her do to.

Of course, Clover notices and drags Sydney around to do things anyways, because she's not about to let one of her friends cut themselves off from the gang.

They're a family, after all.

Dallas starts requesting Bain to send the Safehouse plastic eating utensils with their monthly supplies when he notices Rust only eating things he doesn't have to use silverware with.

Jiro notices this and eventually buys Rust a set of bamboo utensils to use so they can cut back on trash.

If Houston needs to cause a distraction, he'll usually turn on some poor passerby's car/motorcycle.

He and Rust have a mutual agreement to not mess with each other's vehicles.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Payday au, cause I say so.

Bain is an Ymbryne. I know they're all women, but hear me out.

Magdeline Magpie, an Ymbryne trained and set out to create a timeloop. Years and years pass, and eventually, Miss Peregrine finds a rather large magpie on her doorstep. The bird tranforms back into a more human shape, and she almost immediately recognizes the Ymbryne.

"Mag-"

"Its Bain, now, thanks."

Fuck off yes I am indulging in trans Bain I am p r o j e c t i n g

So, Bain had left and originaly intended on creating a timeloop, but eventually forgot about it. However, he begins to realize something.

Every person he finds in the Payday gang is a peculiar, and many of them dont even realize it.

Dallas? Incredible reflexes and reaction speed. He always chalked it up to survival instinct.

Wolf tends to find himself in a more canine body on certain days.

Hoxton can carefully orchestrate and manipulate what people see and how they percieve the world around them.

Chains can take more hits than any normal person should.

Joy can easily manipulate technology (similar to Angel from Borderlands 2).

Duke can turn his skin to stone. Many of his teammates don't notice, but that isn't actually a mask.

Dragan has overwhelming strength.

Sokol can withstand insane cold, and even works better in chilly environments.

Clover can see through other people's eyes. She utilizes this during heists to find out where certain guards are, and if her or her teammates are within line-of-sight.

Bonnie can gently nudge the odds of luck in her own favour. Many times this just makes a coin fall a certain way, or make her opponent throw down rock instead of scissors.

Jiro has full on clairvoyance. He can predict other people's moves to a T on a good day.

Houston finds that he can turn on any motor vehicle, even when that vehicle shouldnt ve able to turn on.

Rust oxidizes and corrodes most things he touches.

Jacket is fueled by blood and can speak through any electronic device.

Wick analyzes things much faster than the average human, and could work out a way to actually kill a man with a singular tic tac if he needed to.

Bodhi can breathe underwater, and takes on a variety of more aquatic forms to suit his needs. Need him to sneak in somewhere? Give him a drainage line that connects, he'll be in before you could say "thanks."

Sydney has the ability to sew chaos wherever she goes.

Jimmy is on crack, he's already peculiar. (Seriously though he, the whole "oh I use science to clone" thing in this au is just a cover, he can basically commit mitosis)

Scarface has the ability to "enthrall" people. Not exactly mind control but he can. "Convince". People to work with/for him.

Sangres can breathe fire. Here me out; alcohol boosts the effect. He learned this after trying to show off at a family gathering, and after a few too many sips of tequila, almost set the house on fire.

Aldstone isn't an Ymbryne but he takes the responsibilties of one. He has a generally calming aura, and can very slightly shift memories a little left from center. He's the one who told Bain about the team's peculiarities.

Vlad and Locke aren't peculiar, but both have deep connections with groups in time loops.

So basically, some big bad or problem rolls around, and Miss Peregrine needs every peculiar she can get for help. Of course, she doesnt exactly want to since a lot of them are kids. Eventually, she catches wind of a particularly interesting group of older peculiars, all banded together but existing without a time loop. She arranges for them to meet, assuming they all already know.

A lot of them are surprised, to say the least. Joy, Sangres, Duke, Jimmy, Bodhi, Clover, and Jiro already knew, but the others are quick to deny it.

I imagine Wolf has a moment of "wait that isnt a hallucination?????" when he realizes he can lowkey shapeshift.

Bain steps in, telling the other Ymbrynes to stay away from his crew, purely because he's seen first-hand what happens to peculiars up against hollows and the like, and this crew /is his family/ and he's not letting anything happen to them.

Angst possibilties? Maybe, maybe.

I've been rotating this au like a microwave in my brain for a while and I wanted to share it.

[elliothomeairductcleaninghs-blog]

The drive home: site visitors congestion stuffed with black smoking freshly burped in the exhaust of a giant rig. After having a long morning inside an workplace, you may go through the city in your geographical area and see only a cesspool. How can you walk all around breathing the fumes of the items you and your guy neighbors have created?Answer True or False for each of the following questions. Any single "yes" response indicates your home may have air quality issues. Three or more "yes" answers indicate the potential for serious air quality issues.One of the most important things you can do to improve your indoor air quality is to have the ducting cleaned. The duct cleaning industry has seen some good, innovative advancement in the past few years, including the introduction of robot technology to do the job. This has created quite a stir, literally.Poorly maintained air ducts can result in bacteria, viruses, dust mites, pet dander, dead skin cells and many other harmful pollutants circulating unseen in your home. And, if you suffer from asthma, bronchitis, sinus problems, eye irritation, headaches or allergies, indoor air quality may be making matters worse.We may not always anticipate having to hire a cleaning company, especially on a budget. However, sometimes stains, spills and messes come into our homes and offices that the everyday household cleaners just cannot tackle. The good thing is that not the cleaning services offered by local companies are much more affordable than ever before. From carpet cleaning to duct cleaning houston tx local companies are doing more to provide better service to their customers.Since most of these air ducts are very small, it can be a real challenge to clean them out, particularly when things are stuck to the sides. That's why a company that has the right air duct equipment is preferred. The following tools are things that the cleaner will use to make sure everything is out of your air system.Whatever filter you have it isn't completely filtering. You could not heat or cool your residence with complete filtration due to the fact that no air might circulate through that kind of filtering. The National air duct cleaners Association recommends that you wash your air ducts every 3 to 5 years. When was the last time you had your air ducts washed? Have you ever had your air ducts washed? If you had your ducts cleaned did you get a professional procedure, not did you spend for a professional procedure, did you obtain one?The largest city of this state is Salt Lake City which is also the capital of this state. vent cleaning houston Salt Lake City has become quite popular all over the state as well as the country.You need no longer get your carpet cleaned with strong chemicals and solvents only. There are chemical free and odorless all organic products available in the market today. This is also sometimes referred to as green carpet cleaning as it is eco friendly. You can order online for the carpet cleaners by visiting their websites.If you feel it is time for your air ducts to be cleaned, contact a licensed air duct cleaners. Avoid going for the discounted special you receive in your mailbox. Since your family's health is at stake, take the time to find a qualified professional with good equipment to clean your air ducts. Soon you will be breathing clean, healthy air again!

Everyone wants to be in a place that is clean and dirt-free. Be it residential spaces like houses, condos, pads, apartments, etc. or commercial areas such as offices, studios, and warehouses, we want it to spotlessly clean.

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Incorrect. Air ducts will get dirty in ANY forced air system. Be in a fresh air ventilation system, a hot air pump system, heat exchanger, heat system etc. Anything in which air travels through duct work and works by way of a forced air system is susceptible to collecting dirt and debris.

When you notice these symptoms, it is time to call the air duct cleaners. Also, if someone in your home is struggling with illness on a regular basis with no other apparent reason, you may have a dust or mold problem in your air ducts. Yearly cleanings cannot hurt, either, particularly if there is a history of asthma in your family.

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Bonnet Once again, this is not dry carpet cleaning in the most exacting sense of the term. Often it is a cleansing product mixed with carbonated water that is deposited onto the carpet in the form of a light misty spray. Subsequently, a round cushion is then used to brush the carpet in a rotating fashion. The cleansing mixture and the carbonation work in tandem to lift off any particles.

There are all sorts of benefits to air duct cleaning these are just a couple of them. You want to be sure to choose your service provider carefully there are all sorts of scam artists out there. Be sure to check the Better Business Bureau or ask friends and family for recommendations.