#how to buy tires on costco

[bewithus4u]

How to Save Big on Tires by Shopping Online

“Proper vehicle maintenance includes paying attention to your tires, which are crucial for safety, fuel efficiency, and overall driving performance. However, buying new tires can be expensive, especially when purchasing from traditional physical stores.” In today’s digital age, shopping for tires online has become a viable and cost-effective alternative for many vehicle owners. In this…

[dilemmaontwolegs]

Not A Verstappen: A New World {6}

Pairing: Charles Leclerc x fem!driver!reader x Lando Norris Summary: Last race before summer break begins. Warnings: 18+ only, nsfw, team friction, bad language, fluff WC: 2k F1 Masterlist NAV: Sibling Rivalry One || Two || Three NAV: Gridlocked One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven || Eight || Nine NAV: A New World One || Two || Three || Four || Five || Six || Seven

Belgium Grand Prix Doctor Turner didn’t know where to look. She had started off looking at you but once Charles started to speak her attention was turned and then Lando chimed in too. Her poor neck was straining with flitting back and forth between the three of you sitting across from her desk.

“I think it is the stress,” Lando said as he squeezed your hand.

“I think it is the medication,” Charles countered, a familiar argument brewing. “Things started to change after she started taking it.”

Dr Turner hummed as she made her notes and prompted him for more as he fell silent. “Changes such as?”

You zoned out of the conversation. The whole appointment was a result of the family meeting they had called and the information was nothing new to you. You were moody, you were tired, you were hungry. Charles had been the one to suggest it was the hormones from the contraception. He had even gone so far as to unfold the very, very large sheet of side effect information hidden in the box. 

“-and her weight.”

“Thanks, Charles. Love you too,” you muttered.

“Not like that, chérie,” he said as he turned to face you, cupping your cheek gently. “You are beautiful and I love your body, but you are training a lot harder with Kristian to maintain your race weight and you didn’t have to do that before.”

That much was true. The team had even stopped putting sandbags in the car for testing since the car was no longer underweight. You had thought your fireproofs had shrunk in the wash when you pulled them on in Hungary last weekend and the sleeves had cut into your wrists. There’s skintight and then there’s skintight.

​​”Those were all possibilities we discussed at the time,” Dr Turner said with a nod. “They are quite common with hormonal contraceptives so you likely wouldn’t find any change with the alternative options like the injection or the rods.”

“See, told you this was pointless. I just have to deal with it.”

“Or you could stop taking them,” Lando suggested. 

“Given the choice…you want to go back to condoms?”

“As much as we enjoy the benefits, it’s not worth it if this is the cost,” Charles answered for the both of them. “Just stop taking the pills for a while and see how you feel.”

You sighed with defeat but you accepted the plan with a nod. “At least I’m stressed enough that there’ll still be no periods. Yay for me.”

Lando snorted a laugh at your sarcasm but Charles didn’t find the humour as he shook his head and thanked Dr Turner for fitting us into her busy schedule. It wasn’t as busy as yours since you needed to get to Côte d'Azur Airport to catch a ride with Max to Belgium, you and half the grid apparently.

“Well that was a waste of time, and now we need to go shopping for condoms,” you muttered as you left her office and got in your car. “Do you think Costco sells them in bulk boxes?”

“I am not buying cheap Kirkland branded condoms,” Lando said with a cringe. “Fuck that.”

“You also said you would never do dry July but here we are,” you pointed out.

“Except for that one night after Silverstone,” Charles added as he started the car.

“Doesn’t matter, I’m not risking anything less than Durex. I’d rather trust myself to pull out.”

You looked at Charles in the rearview mirror before you both broke out in a fit of laughter as you shook your heads at the idea. 

Lando was offended.

“Hey,” he called as he turned in his seat to look at you. “I could pull out if I wanted to.”

“You’re lucky you’re handsome, because you can’t lie to save your life.”

“We both know how it is when you hit that sweet spot, mon cher,” Charles said as he reached across the gearbox and rested his hand on Lando’s thigh. “It’s too good to resist staying buried in her.”

“I said I could if I wanted to, not that I would or want to.”

By the time you arrived at the airport, and hustled your way through security, you found Max, Daniel and Pierre already seated on the plane and pointed to other empty seats. “Are you expecting the rest of the grid or what?”

“At the rate you're collecting them, maybe,” Max joked. 

You laughed and dropped into the seat opposite your brother, kicking your feet up on his armrest. “You can’t say shit like that in front of Pierre, he gets far too excited. He might even wet your carpet.”

Pierre looked up from his phone and you could tell from the smile on his face that he had been busy texting Kika before he realised what you had said and his lips pouted. “You make me sound like a puppy.”

“Nawww, I wish you had that level of obedience, Gasly.” Your feet were roughly shoved off the seat and you narrowed your eyes at the culprit as the plane began to taxi to the runway. 

“Safety first, zusje, haven’t you read the pamphlet?”

“Why would I do that?” you scoffed as you buckled the belt in. Charles was doing the same where he sat across from Pierre and Lando was next to Daniel. “If something happens at 36,000 feet, bracing isn’t going to save me. Now, are there any stroopwafels on board this thing or do I have to wait another two hours? I'm starving.”

“The last two races have seen a big drop in performance for both you and Lance, and only a few points added to the tally, and now - failing to finish the sprint with that crash. Is this something the team is looking into?”

You wanted to ask if the Sky Sports reporter had a brain cell but took a steadying breath instead and nodded. “Mhmm.”

“So what is Aston Martin doing to get back up where you were competing earlier in the season and what are your hopes for the race tomorrow starting 9th on the grid?”

“We are doing what is always done: look at the data, continue the upgrades, and keep pushing. Same goes for the race, I’ll try my hardest to make up some places and avoid the gravel. I’m usually good at getting off the start line, the car is great for short acceleration so if I see a gap I’ll be going for it. Plus, you know how turn one goes - that might make my job easier if the boys up ahead get greedy.”

“Speaking of boys, this time last year you were heading into the summer break looking for love. What’s the plan this year?”

“I don’t know, maybe I’ll take Max’s advice and adopt a couple of cats this time.” You laughed as Lando and Charles turned to you from their spots in the media pen. “Is that a yes…no…maybe? Oh, that’s their ‘we will talk about this later’ face. I’m going to go now before I get into trouble.”

The smile you had been holding onto fell away as you stepped into the Aston Martin hospitality building and you grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge before you navigated your way to your room. You almost made it there with no interactions, until your fellow driver caught up and clipped your shoulder as he passed by to his room.

Still annoyed at the reporter, you dropped your hand from the doorknob and turned to him. “What’s your problem?”

“You almost had points and you threw them away. That’s what.”

“I spun out, Lance,” you sighed, already exhausted with where the conversation was heading. “It’s wet and it’s Spa, it's easy to have an accident. It’s not like I saw you up there earning any of them.”

“It’s not my seat that’s on the line though,” he stated. 

“Is that a threat?”

“No, it’s just the truth.” His lips curved into the pretentious smile you hadn’t noticed when you joined the team, but it had become irksome to see grow over time. “My seat is secure.”

“If that were true you wouldn’t be wasting your time hassling me over whatever issue you’ve made up in your head.” You enjoyed watching that smile fade. 

“I don’t have an issue with you.”

“Then you feel threatened by me,” you said with a casual shrug. “It’s basic biology, animals attack when they feel in danger.”

“You should do something about that big ego of yours.”

“It’s big like my dick,” you said as you turned the door handle and shoved it open, “so choke on it.”

“Bitch.”

You gasped theatrically as you paused in the doorway. “Lance Strulovitch, do you kiss your mother with that mouth?”

“Did I offend you?” 

Your laugh started as a tickle in your throat before your lips peeled back and bared your teeth at him. “Sticks and stones, baby, I kind of like it.”

Realising he wasn't going to get the reaction he wanted from you, he shook his head and stepped away. “You’re all kinds of messed up.”

“Thanks for the assessment, Freud.” You slammed the door shut before he could give a response and screamed as you threw your bottle at the body that suddenly appeared. “Jesus, fuck.”

“Nope, just me,” Max chuckled as he rose from the chair that had been hidden by the door. “Nice to see you get along with your team mate too.”

“Oh that, that was just a friendly sparring match. Nothing to worry about.”

“I did warn you, zusje.”

“Yeah, yeah, you love to say I told you so,” you drawled as you grabbed your drink bottle from the floor and cracked it open. “Anyway, what are you doing, hiding in here acting like the godfather?”

“Our mothers have been conspiring again,” he said with a fond smile. “Family dinner tomorrow night after the race.”

“Won’t you have a winner’s after party planned?”

“I don’t think my liver could handle another one so soon.”

“Serves you right,” you snickered as he opened the door. “Wait, can Pascale, Adam and Cisca come too?”

“I said family dinner, didn’t I? They’re pretty much your in-laws.” He pointed to your table and you followed his finger to see a box overflowing with stroopwafels. “Is that enough or should I get some more for the flight home?”

You grinned as you grabbed one and tore through the packaging, talking with a mouthful. “I thought I was walking?”

“With those manners, you should be.” He started to close the door but changed his mind and stepped back in to pull you into a hug. “I’m glad you didn’t hit the barriers, zusje. Drive safe tomorrow.”

You nodded against his shoulder as you hugged him back.

It was only two days earlier that you ran the track with Pierre in memory of his friend, Anthione, and only five weeks before that another driver had lost his life on the track too. You hadn’t been thinking about that when you spun out, it wasn’t like it was anything close to what Lando did two years ago. 

But your brother would always worry about you.

“You too, Maxy.”

Fifth was the best you could do in the end but for once you weren’t weighed down by the result.

You sat beside Max, sipping from a glass of lemonade that should have been a gin and tonic, and smiled at the story he animatedly recalled from the race. On your other side was Charles, his dimples deepening as Max praised him for the perfect overtake he had made on Lewis to clench third place. Beside him, Lando was grinning proudly and draped his arm over Charles’ shoulder, his fingertips teasing your collarbone.

Your parents lined the other side of the table and you scanned their faces while they were engrossed with the story, not as accustomed to Maxsplaining as you and the other drivers were. No one would have ever thought that the parents of a Red Bull, a McLaren, a Ferrari and an Aston Martin driver would all come together and support them all equally. But there they were. One big happy family.

Click here for the next part.

[pray4saint]

Hello! Currently thinking about dteam and chuckle sammich honeymoon hc's! Where you'd go, what you'd do, how was IT was mm

dteam & chuckle sammy on their honeymoons

dteam masterlist & chuckle sammy masterlist & descrip. pg. 13+. gn!reader.

a/n. omg bae, i've got you! also thoughts like these are gonna be rotting my brain for the next month / nsfw versions: dteam / chuckle sammy

dream

either hawaii or france.. idk what to tell you he's a cheeseball, sticks with the classics OR on the complete opposite, somewhere thailand (but for the sake of my sanity and writing ability we're going with kona, hawaii)

definitely picked a b&b over a hotel, he wanted the privacy for that first night as a wedded couple

leaving around 11am to go to beaches all day or go shopping

when you're out shopping, he always finds a way to not-so-subtly mention that you guys have just gotten married / he thinks he's subtle

standing in a pacsun, the cashier scanned the tags of the clothes you were buying, asking the usual customer service questions, ”how are y'all doing, did you find everything okay?” and you look up at your husband before nodding, but he still spoke up, ”doing good, we just got married, this is spouse, and yeah,” he turns to you, ”i think we found everything okay.” ”mhm.” you smile at his incessant need to announce that you're married.

tbh powerbottom!dream but in an absolutely sfw, fluffy way / how he looks at you with, essentially, heart eyes when he says something begging for your approval but also making it widely known that you're his and that you're married every chance he gets

dream most definitely has that 'nothing can bring me down' mentality while on your honeymoon

also in the evenings when the sun sets and you're sat next to him or on his lap, he thanks any and every higher power he's ever heard of that you came into his life because you're stunning and he loves you so much and can't imagine his life without you

doesn't even register if fans come up and ask for a picture until you point them out, he's just so invested in you

he also doesn't get on any of his social media except to post the occasional instagram story despite how much you told him it was fine and you didn't mind if he checked twitter or updated his snap story

”clay, aren't your fans gonna worry if you go MIA from twitter?” you set your notebook aside, turning to face him. ”no honey i'm gonna spend time with you, they can wait.” he smiles at you. ”yeah i know but-” ”no buts. they can wait.”

also he inevitably gets sick on the last day of your honeymoon, which is fine because you were getting tired of going out every day / you made him soup with the small amount of food you'd bought at the local costco and he finally took to twitter to tell them how wonderful you were being

sapnap

i think he's taking you on 2 honeymoons, the first is for two weeks in texas to spend time with his family, just so you know you can always depend on them when you need them

the other is for three weeks in greece; the people, the culture, the food, he loves it and he wants to surround you in it

probably picked a hotel over a b&b

also on all the flights, during airport security, in taxis/ubers, when waiting for flights, in the hotel, he kept repeating the same words

mrs./mr./mx. armstrong, he just loves saying it, SO MUCH

”i love you, [mrs./mr./mx.] armstrong.” your newlywed husband spins you in his arms, pulling you flush against his chest. ”i know mr. armstrong, and i love you.” you press a kiss to his lips, trying to get out of his arms to get back to unpacking your suitcase

i think for activities, lots of lunches out and dinners in

also a whole lot of museums and art galleries and ancient ruins, spending time talking about greek mythology and your own theories and opinions on it

sap also sometimes calls you bro on accident and you sometimes call him dude still and all you guys can ever say about it is 'it is what it is'

”what are you gonna get, bro?” he asks as he closes his own menu. he didn't even realise what he said, but the waiter did, and he just watched with intent, unsure of what was happening. ”i don't know dude, whatever you're having i guess.” you close your menu. the waiter speaks up, ”i'm sorry i know it's none of my business but uhm- are you two not, married?” he sounds nervous, as if he thinks he's interrupted some secret affair. ”wh- what? we're married. we've been married.” sap is the one to point it out, taking your hand in his. ”ah, it was just how you called each other 'dude', and 'bro'.” the waiter laughs nervously, walking away with the order written down. in unison, ”it is what it is.”

i also think he takes you shopping because he believes the people who gave you the best wedding gifts should also get a gift in return in addition to a thank you card

lots of hand swinging with your left hand to show off your ring, and hugging in lines, and kissing-bordering-on-making-out in public, he just has no reason not to anymore, you're married

george

george couldn't decide where you went for awhile, so he asked of your friends and his friends and ended up at first with iceland (this is george guys remember) but then changed his mind and picked italy and romania, one week in each

b&b >>> hotels with george, he prefers the privacy

he spent months before the wedding trying to learn the basics of the italian and romanian languages despite how widespread english is

definitely takes you out to eat A BUNCH, except for two nights in each country where you and him cooked dinner for yourselves

you can expect lots of late mornings and late nights with george, he just can't get enough of his new spouse

definitely emphasises your last name being davidson whenever there's a reservation or when he feels the staff is being a little too forward

”last name?” the host asked, eyes glued to the kiosk screen in front of him. ”mr. and mx. davidson.” your husband smiled at you, giving your hand a gentle squeeze.

takes you to a store at the start of the trip so you have food where you're staying / bonus if you convince him to go to a farmers' market

every day of the trip you and him have set aside an hour to talk to your respective friends on the phone (he's louder)

also forgets to tell you that he booked a redeye for the first flight out of italy/romania because when he booked it he forgot he was planning for two people instead of just himself / he apologised a lot for it

”y/n i'm sorry, if i had been paying attention i would've booked it for later in the day tomorrow.” ”george, baby it's fine. i really don't mind. it's not like i'm going anywhere.” you flash him your ring with a smile to emphasise you point, to which he returns the smile before looking at his own ring.

he apologised again when the plane was about to take off

ted

i think ted takes you to japan for your honeymoon, at least for a week to try those capsule hotels that you and him been dying to try for months

i think he wants to go see all sorts of attractions in japan; theme parks, cat cafes, boardwalks, boat tours, and maybe take you to see an anime film (my brain is rotted from wanting to see an anime film in japan im sorry)

he booked a hotel because in the moment, it felt the easiest

even in japan he would get recognised, but not nearly as often as he did in the states and he would kindly turn down any fan who wanted a picture because he was busy on his honeymoon

lots of small kisses; at the end of a boardwalk, right before you sit down at restaurants, when you get back to the hotel room, when he brings you coffee, tea, or water in the morning, just outside the restaurant when you're leaving, when you two depart in a mall for a set time of 20 minutes

i think he likes seeing the trending tags on twitter surrounding your wedding

”what'ya smiling at, like an idiot baby?” you ask him, drying your hair with a towel from your recent shower, as you walk around from where your suitcase was to where he was stood in the mini kitchen. ”'the nivisons,' we're trending honey, that's all. i think it's sweet.” ”you know coming over here and giving me a kiss is even sweeter.” his phone is on the counter and he's encasing himself around you so fast.

he definitely texted his married friends for ideas when he started to run out / also before you left he logged into your pinterest on your computer and looked for anything he could use as an idea

you guys start binge-watching a new show while on your honeymoon and made inside jokes about it (yeah you became that couple)

holds your hand when you're walking around and getting into taxis and doing pretty much anything in public because he's scared he'll lose you in a crowd

he talks to you like he would a child. ”don't let go of my hand.” ”i won't ted, don't worry.” you shake your head at his antics once he turns away.

books a later in the afternoon flight out so that you can sleep in and he can pack for you and wake you up and get you out the door slowly, without a huge rush and stress

charlie

charlie takes you to 2 places, to start, you get 3 weeks in bali plus a week in new zealand (jrr tolkien/hobbit/lotr fans are gonna love this one)

in bali, he rents a whole house, 1 bedroom & 1 bathroom with a rate of $110 (usd) a night

while you're there, he takes you to sightsee places like gunung kawi temple, pura lempuyang luhur, ubud monkey forest, tukad cepung waterfall and holy spring (tirta empul)

of course wherever you go he insists on holding your hand, just to keep you close by

”baby you gotta let go of my hand i wanna take pictures.” your husband huffs a small, ”fine.” he releases your hand, but his hands find perch on your waist while you take pictures of the water, or the shops, or the wildlife, whatever.

definitely asks if he can use some of the pictures you took for his instagram story (it's the most he's ever used his insta story) and you tell him yes but only if you get to pick them / also on the same note, if either of you snap anyone during your honeymoon or just take selfies in general, they're always of you two kissing or giving each other cheek kisses in the house or at a restaurant or at a location you're visiting

he spends a lot of time just looking at your ring and how the ring on your finger looks against his fingers and vice versa with his ring against your fingers

”charlie?” he looks up from your intertwined hands in surprise. ”hm, what?” ”whatcha thinkin' about?” ”mmm, nothin', just admiring you.” he pressed a gentle kiss to your cheek, making you smile and a small tint to cover your cheeks.

in new zealand it's a hotel but it's a hobbit hole hotel, complete with tours of everything new zealand could offer about the tolkien's lord of the rings/hobbit universe

more eating out here than in bali despite how much more expensive it is

(if you're not a huge tolkien fan:) lots of thank yous from him for putting up with the trip so he could enjoy it // (if you are a huge tolkien fan:) a ton of excitement for both of you during the entire trip, and lots of talking about your own theories as you learn more about the fictional world

also vlogging the new zealand trip with charlie >>>> / and cataloging the film in the airport just before your flight for you to edit when you get home

schlatt

canada. idc, canada, that's where you're going. or iceland. somewhere cold.

i'm kidding, he told you that as a prank and then took you to australia (i apologise if you can't stand the animals there but this is schlatt we're talking about c'mon)

hotel over a b&b because even he, being the big guy that he is, was a little worried about finding a massive spider in the bed

probably quite a bit of alcohol that first night as a married couple

”y'so- god sweets y'so pretty.” schlatt twirled you around with one hand, beer bottle in the other. you giggled, the alcohol affecting your words and actions. you kept one hand tangled with his while the other held a grip on your bottle of beer. ”j..y'so handsome, you know that?” he blushed, and it must've been the alcohol because your boyfriend– husband now, never got flustered over something as small as that.

there's one night where you two go out dancing and when he sees all the prying eyes of the men and women around you, he makes sure to emphasise your ringed hands, keeping one of his hands planted firmly on your side

somehow you ended up going to see some aniaml fight with schlatt and when it got a little.. gory, you'd cover your eyes with your hands and tuck your head into his shoulder or his chest

”you alright baby?” he asked, flicking his eyes between you and the fight, arm around your shoulder, bringing you closer. ”i guess. jus'wanna leave though.” you whispered up into his ear and he nodded, waiting another minute before walking out with you tucked into his side, repeatedly asking you if you're really okay.

schlatt who takes you out to dinner every other night, with the rest of the nights being used to talk to both his and your friends and watch films together

also schlatt who believes in taking turns making lunch; whether it be sandwiches (it usually is), or pasta, a frozen pizza, etc, you take turns, after all you're married now, everything is 50/50

you probably both get sick at the end of the trip from something you ate and at first you were really worried, but he got better after a day and you two days after that

i also one hundred percent believe schlatt wanted to get home as soon as possible and picked an earlier in the morning flight / him plucking you from the bed three hours before your flight so you could shower and get ready, finish repacking, etc

pray4saint© do not copy, translate or repost my work without my express permission.

[chainsawmanicure]

Getting Pizza With the Scarecrow

hey guys. this is a fanfic i had started writing a few months ago about TNBA jon. idk why but i really feel like posting on tumblr dot com and getting some sweet notes. so hear it is.

Trigger warning: talk of food, mention of eating a lot of food (mentioned pizza eating competition), just food stuff mainly, mention of stalking

summary: u go to get pizza, but ur situationship decided to tag along

It was afternoon in Augusta, Georgia, and you were so hungry you could hardly press the gas pedal. Pangs of hunger shot through your quivering frame like bullets through a gun range. As you zoomed down the street, you noticed a sign up ahead: Mellow Mushroom. "oh Thank god," you thought to yourself, "something other than mcdongles...." for your stomach yearned for nourishment, though not from the likes of such an establishment as McDongles. Ough

     Pulling into the parking lot, you felt a strange coldness envelop you. You turned around to see if there was anyone else in the car. Sure enough, in the back seat sat Jonathan Crane... The Scarecrow. your old friend from college. He was tall, so tall you wondered how he'd managed to hide himself in your brand new 2024 Nissan Leaf (I googled compact cars). However he'd managed to, for some reason now he decided to show himself. His face was mangled beyond recognition. You couldn't tell exactly if it was his face or a mask, but his mouth opened and closed along with his words and his big white teeth shone clearly in a permanent  grimace. He was wearing the same wide brim hat, tattered jacket, noose, and tight pants as he usually did, and next to him his big stick laid across the seat.

"Jonathan." you greeted, not too surprised at his appearance. You'd suspected he'd been following you for some time now. At home, you'd noticed patterns of unfamiliar wet bootprints on the floor, and missing items from your trinket box, refrigerator, and massive pile of dirty clothes which had built up in the middle of the bedroom.

     In college, he had displayed an interest in you, often getting a little too close to you and staring at you from across the lecture hall. He'd always had weird ways of showing his interest in you, and expressions of friendship. Well, you weren't really friends. Not anymore, at least...

     Too tired and hungry to properly address him or ask him how he got in your car, you stepped out and started towards the restaurant. You soon heard the car door slam and felt Jonathan's presence behind you once more.

"Hungry?" he asked, stepping beside you as you pushed open the door of the establishment.

"Believe it or not, yes. I think someone's been taking all my soup and bread, and I've had nothing to eat at home." you shot him a mildly accusatory glance after saying this.

Jonathan didn't respond immediately. He knew you were aware of his visits to your apartment. He'd intended it to be that way... a reminder he still cared. A reminder he still remembered.

Jonathan: "Maybe someone wants to know where you buy such lovely soup and bread."

You sighed. "Costco. Now are you seriously going into this joint with me? I'm gonna be arrested for being in kahoots with the Scarecrow."

Jonathan: "Calm yourself. We're in Augusta, Georgia. To these people, I'm just an ordinary freak."

     The person at the table like when you walk in and theyre like ok follow me you know? They smiled politely through fearful eyes up at you and your companion before quickly scuffling away, leading you to an empty table.

The joint was fairly empty, save for three individual men and a young couple sharing a peach iced tea. Jonathan pointed at the couple.

"Perhaps they should've gone to Steak and Shake. They have milkshakes there, better for romantic sharing."

"Shut up, Jonathan. Shut up right now," you replied.

     The host scampered away after leading you to your table, and you were left waiting for the waiter with a set of menus before the two of you.

You sat on one side of the booth, and Jonathan sat across the table from you. You were surprised he hadn't sat next to you and squeezed you against the little wall thing dividing this booth from the one on the other side. That seemed like something he would do, but not today apparently. In fact, other than infiltrating your brand new Nissan Leaf, he had been acting rather civil. Civil, of course, as opposed to the clingy curious and weary endangered animal behavior he had exhibited so many years past.

     You watched as he surveyed the menu, holding it delicately in his big long grey hands. You didn't remember those hands being so grey and so... scary. Even harmlessly holding a pizza menu, they seemed as though they meant to instead hold your throat, to squeeze and squeeze until the lights went out. And by lights going out, I mean like, you die.

     He'd positioned his big stick at the back corner of the booth, and it had fallen so it poked against your shoe under the table. He set the menu down after a moment and spoke in that unearthly rasp of his, "I think I'll get a slice of the Kosmic Karma, and a peach iced tea, like the one those two lovebirds are sharing," he pointed once more to the young couple, who had now finished their first tea and gotten a refill.

"Well, I just want cheese," you said. "I think I'll get a whole pie. I'll take the rest home."

Jonathan chuckled, though with his raspy hush it sounded more like a weak cough.

"Take the rest home..." he repeated humorously, "what makes you think you won't devour the whole thing now?"

     And with that old familiar clingy freak swagger he possessed, he leaned forward and held your chin gently with his big long fingers.

"I think we both know how much of an animal you can be," he teased, though his expression contained zero percent of the flirtation his voice tried to sell. (if that makes like literally any sense at all)

     You swatted his hand away. "That was a long time ago." You hadn't eaten a whole pizza in one sitting since the pizza eating contest of sophomore year... None of your friends were able to attend it, but Jon was there. Oh, yes he was... watching intently with his curious and vaguely frightened eyes as you wolfed down eight slices of sausage pizza in under 7 minutes. He had seen a side of you no one else had really witnessed... seen your wrath, your gluttony, your pride, your... lust.

In the nowtimes, he sat before you, hands flat on the table, beady white pupils boring down into your own normal black ones. His demeanor was cold. He knew you were pushing him away, trying to forget what you two had shared all those fateful years ago. You didn't want to remember, but with him sitting before you, wearing his new sexy skin, you had no choice.

     The waiter arrived and shot the scarecrow a sideways glance before clearing her throat. "Hello, thank you for joining us today. May I ask what you two would like to drink?"

You looked at Jon, but he gestured for you to speak first. "I'll have Dr. Pepper, please." The waiter nodded and turned to Jonathan.

"I'll have the peach iced tea," he didn't shift his gaze from yours for a second, "with two straws."

[archivistofnerddom]

The Bad Batch and Costco headcanons:

Because I have it in my head that they would be the family that needs to buy things in bulk. Once it was there, the headcanons followed.

Hunter

He’s usually the one responsible for their food purchases. The grocery list he takes is long, extensive, and heavily annotated with everyone’s preferences.

The most tired dad in Costco award goes to him. Trying to corral the rest of the Batch is a losing game, so he’s figured out how to divide and conquer, sending everyone out to pick up certain things. (They don’t always follow through with what they were supposed to get though, hence why he wins the most tired dad award.)

He’s willing to stop and try samples though. Hunter needs snacks to get through this gauntlet with the full family. Plus, focusing on food keeps him sane and his senses in line.

Even still, he’s always down to get a hot meal from Costco’s kitchen after check-out. It’s the only time that day the whole family agrees on anything and is in the same place in the store.

He’s usually in possession of one of the family’s membership cards and definitely has one of their debit cards. There will be few surprise purchases on his watch. (There are always surprise purchases on his watch.)

Crosshair

Disappears almost as soon as they walk in the door. He appears out of nowhere to deposit what he wants in one of their carts (because they have many) and disappears again. (Coffee and dark chocolate are pretty much the only consistent items he adds.)

He can usually be found hanging near the check-out lanes with a mountain of coolers and boxes at the ready for when they’re checking out.

It’s an unspoken rule in their local Costco that no one tries to filch any of the cardboard boxes from his horde. Legend has it he will throw hands to defend his stash. Few dare to test that assumption.

The one responsible for ordering food so that it’s ready to eat once the rest of the family is through the check-out line. Don’t ask how he always times it perfectly. It’s a mystery not even Tech could solve.

Unsurprisingly, he usually garners a following of moody teenagers who just don’t want to be there. He gives off the same energy most of the time, even if he’s just trying to catch a nap. It’s a crapshot if Crosshair actually likes that the moody punk kids want to hang with him. They’re just afraid enough of him to ask.

Tech

Tech can be found in the auto section and the electronics section. He knows precisely what they meet and has already shopped the best deals.

He needs several texts and alarms so that he doesn’t get lost in conversation. (Hunter isn’t above sending Wrecker to go re-claim Tech, if he doesn’t show up after a timely fashion.)

Like Crosshair, he’ll just drop whatever non-electronic items he wants (such as snacks and what have you) into the cart after he’s finished his assigned tasks before he disappears. He usually winds up hanging with Crosshair to wait for the rest of the family.

Tech is only sometimes in charge of the family Costco membership card and debit car. He can’t be left fully unattended though, if only because he’ll go overboard with purchases.

Can be used to distract the moody punk kids who want to vibe with Crosshair, while also having Crosshair use his shoulder as a pillow.

Wrecker

He has to go with Hunter, if only because he’s usually on cart duty. (Wrecker also needs to be supervised, or else he’ll grab all the snacks.) Being on cart duty doesn’t stop him from having a great time. He’s that guy who can push the most improbably packed cart with true expertise.

Guess who will still sneak in special treats and surprises for Omega into the cart? This guy.

Wrecker gets geared up for the post-Costco run family meal. He’ll eat an entire pizza all by himself, if left unattended and unsupervised. (Crosshair buys extra for him because of that.)

He’s the most enthusiastic about trying samples and will always encourage Hunter to stop and try. Wrecker knows when his brother needs a break from the chaos.

Wrecker and the Costco employees who run the sample stations always get along. He’s so nice to them and complimentary to them. This is the guy who will always wind up getting extra samples handed to him.

Echo

He’s usually on Omega duty, if only to make sure she doesn’t sneak off on them.

Echo also is usually responsible for stocking up their pharmacy needs and buying some clothes in bulk for the family. With how hard their lives are, getting clothes in bulk is necessary.

He’s always in charge of one of their membership cards and a debit card. Echo is the most responsible one on that front.

That doesn’t stop him from conspiring with Omega to find some fun things for the cart. It’s always something random, but will brighten up their chaotic lives.

Echo is most likely to pass out once he eats though. He’s happy to get off his feet and to have a chance to relax. Walking around Costco takes effort sometimes, especially with his prosthetics.

Omega

Like Wrecker, she makes friends with everyone who gives out samples. She’s the reason why Echo stays fed before they check-out.

Omega would walk out with so many large squishy toys, if she could get away with it. That’s why she and Wrecker can’t be in Costco together and unsupervised. They’d have so many comfy squishy toys and hammocks if they were.

Somehow, she gets covered in stickers and starts sharing them with her brothers. It doesn’t matter where she got them. Omega has stickers books and she shares them. Little kids love her because she inevitably turns into the feral sticker fairy of Costco. (Who knows how the parents to said little kids feel about that.)

Omega is very serious about making sure her brothers all walk away from each Costco trip with a surprise in the cart. She gets sneaky about getting them past Echo and Hunter. (Wrecker provides distractions as appropriate.)

Remember those moody punk kids who were hanging around Crosshair (and inevitably Tech)? Well, Omega chats all of them up. She’s the best person to embarrass the crap out of her brothers with stories. Omega makes her brothers look either way cooler or significantly less cool when she shares stories with the punk kids.

[nat-seal-well]

I’m in bed now because tomorrow I go in at 3 in the morning and I’m tired. But because I’m in bed, it means I can finally talk about an AU that won’t leave me alone :D

(And yeah, I know I already have 2 I’m working on. Tbh I don’t know if I’ll ever actually do anything with this third one, but it’s fun to think about and rotate around in my head like a Costco rotisserie chicken.)

I watched a movie the other day that was frankly, disappointing, but one of the few things I liked about it was that the love interest-person made dresses. He was a dick and his wife deserved way better (even though she poisoned him to put him in his place and I said “fuck yeah, do it again”), but I thought the whole dress-making thing was really cool. And then, because my mind works the way it does and it always likes to play with AUs, I said, “Hm, what if?”

This is also partially fueled by a very beloved book of mine. Some of my favorite parts in it are when the main character and her sisters are getting ready for a ball and getting sized and fitted for fancy dresses. Idk something about it just really appealed to me. Maybe I like pretty things too much. (To be completely honest, I know I do. It’s why I keep buying jewelry when I don’t actually like to wear any most of the time.)

I don’t have a clear plot for this AU like I do for the other two. Really it’s just a couple of scenes that are vaguely connected. Here’s what I’m thinking:

It would be set in, like, the 18th century or something bc let’s be honest everyone likes that.

Dressmaker!Marin who spends their days lost in their work in some tiny, little local shop that doesn’t get much recognition despite having a handful of very loyal customers.

They’re doing their usual thing when someone walks in and makes the bell above the door ring. This is a surprise, because they aren’t expecting anyone today. They don’t have any fitting appointments and while walk-ins are welcome, the shop doesn’t really get any.

So they put their work aside and make their way up to the front of the shop to greet whoever it is. And, of course, who else could it be but a certain very tall, and very pretty Nat?

(With a disgruntled Ava in tow. She does not want to be there.)

They make their introductions. Nat does most of the speaking, and talks about how she and her very dear friend aren’t from here—they’re visiting on prolonged business, she says. (Agency business, but Marin doesn’t know that.) It was very sudden and neither of them had time to pack properly, and she knows this is very short timing, but they’re going to be in town for a while, and would Marin possibly be kind and generous enough spend part of their day having them measured so they can place a few orders?

Ava says under her breath, “I don’t need new clothes.” To which Nat replies, too quietly for Marin to hear, “Your last dress is currently covered in werewolf blood. It’s either a new wardrobe, or you walk around for everyone to see in your shift.”

(Ava does not want to do that. She reluctantly agrees.)

Marin, of course, is more than willing to help. Partially because they’re eager for new customers, and partially because they find Nat very attractive and when they say yes, she smiles at them and it makes their heart jump. And their face feel warm. How strange.

Naturally, they move on to the actual measuring. Ava intimidates them and it goes smoothly, if more quiet than a usual appointment. They discovered quickly that she isn’t one for small talk. When it’s over and done with, it’s almost a relief.

With Nat, it’s a very different story. Nat makes conversation and is very insightful. She has a nice, soft laugh and makes them feel at ease, and has plenty of compliments to offer after seeing the dresses in display in the shop window. It’s safe to say that Marin is a very flustered mess, even though they’re enjoying her company. A lot.

There’s one moment where she has to get close with the measuring tape. Marin doesn’t notice at first until they realize they can smell the perfume she’s wearing, and then they look up—and wow, she is very tall, Marin has to tilt their head back to look her in the eye, and when did she get so close? They feel jumpy and take a step back, and try to play it off. If Nat almost trips over one of her sentences for some strange reason, Marin doesn’t notice.

Ava notices, though. Because of course she does.

The rest of the afternoon goes relatively smooth, even if Marin does make it a point to avoid making eye contact in order to keep their cool. Ava says she doesn’t care about the details of her garments, as long as they leave plenty of space for her to move around in like she needs. Nat isn’t picky either, though she does have a few things in mind. Marin says that they think she would look good in green.

They thank her, they pay for Marin for their time, and leave. And that’s that. That should be that.

Naturally, it isn’t. Not when Nat walks through the door again a few days later, but not to talk business. Instead, she says, it’s just… to see them. Just because she was “in the area” and thought she’d drop by. (Spoilers: she’s lying.)

One thing leads to another. Nat comes by more and more frequently, and Marin can’t help it when they wind up falling. Hard.

I just have this image in mind of them having quiet, private conversations in an empty shop as Marin works on sewing and beading and measuring fabric, while Nat sits on the other side of the work table and sips on cups of tea. It is soft and intimate and Marin finds they look forward to coming in more and more every day.

Naturally, when their work is done, there would be a scene where Marin is helping Nat into one of the dresses they made for her. Maybe they’re standing back to see it on her in its entirely, looking over their work to search for what can be improved, but oh no—the only thing they can actually focus on is now good Nat looks.

There’s a pause as Marin stands there and tries to get it together to think of something to say. They fail miserably. But why is Nat staring at them like that?

They clear their throat and open their mouth to offer an alteration they could make—a remark about it being just a little too long, or the sleeves extending just a bit too far, or something for them to fix so that Nat can keep visiting for just a little bit longer—but they never get to finish their thought. Because that’s when Nat takes a step forward and places her gloved hands very gently on either side of Marin’s face, and leans down to pull them into a kiss.

(It occurs to Marin later that she never actually looked herself over in the mirror once. Nat was too busy watching them.)

[sweetswesf]

After receiving the offer, I jumped into high gear to prepare for my new role. They were requiring me to be in the office in Silicon Valley. My prayers to move out of San Francisco had been answered. My whole reason for moving from New York to get to Silicon Valley that I initially dreamed at 21 had come true at 30. Although SF and my last company and becoming a software engineer was a goal that I accomplished in 2019, being a software engineer in Silicon Valley at this type of company was the initial goal. I found a church QUICKLY that seems to be everything I want: diverse, full of happy, friendly, and genuine people, but especially Black people. So many people of all races have welcomed me and asked for my number and check in on me and save me seats and invite me to lunches and hikes and game nights. I’m getting paid more than double what I was making at my last company. I have a quiet apartment with counter space in my bathroom and kitchen. I have a short commute and can walk 10 minutes to the shuttle stop that takes me to campus in a WiFi bus. This place has so much documentation. Services are stable and work. Setting up my laptop, schedule, goals, etc have been great. My team has been so welcoming. They constantly remind me to take my time and that I can hop in when I’m ready. There are 2 other Black women on my team. They invest a lot into their employees and brand. I have a great relationship with my parents and grandparents. My mom calls em everyday. My Mom continued to send me $1000 a month every month until I got my pay check. I didn’t get my paycheck until the end of my 2nd week, but she still sent money my first week of work. I had to move from the first place I moved in because the insulation was so poor that I heard EVERY footstep and thank God I followed what I believe to be His voice to look at my lease to see that they had a 30 day guarantee where I could break my lease no questions asked. I’m in a better place. I have a Costco membership. I get to buy clothes that fit that I enjoy wearing. I still need to be a good steward of the blessings God has given me. I learned how to trim my hair, so I’m truly independent with my hair care. I was freaking out about not knowing Java before I started my new role, but my manager planned before I got there to give me time to ramp up on the language but give me tasks in a language I already know so I could start delivering on the team. He is giving me space while allowing me to feel productive. I’ve received great feedback so far. I know what I’m being asked to do in my role. Things are clear. I feel more responsible. I be tired, but the office is a great temperature! Most of my team is scattered across the country and only me and another colleague come in the office, but we don’t even sit right next to each other so there’s no pressure to show up a certain way. She’s such a sweetheart. Upon meeting me, she asked if she could hug me. It felt like God was hugging me through her. Like, “You made it child.” I’m trying my best to remember where I came from, maintain in relationship with God, keep praying as I did when I really needed God to come through, expect only the best and not let my past or past bad habits haunt me. I went through what I went through for a reason. I’m more patient, responsible, happy, grateful, calm, trusting. When I learned my destination was closed when I got dropped off, my Uber driver said, “You took that pretty well. Most people would be mad.” I’ve come a long way to hear this. This was such a compliment. I’ve learned to chill. I practiced this before getting what I prayed for because I knew God would grant me it.

I know I will face challenges, but I know that I don’t need to worry. Before all these blessings, I thanked God for making it happen, because I knew He would. All while I got to stay true to myself and just focus on doing my best. I have prayers for my life, my career, a marriage, my finances, my health, my family, the world, and I know God is capable. I know things are going to turn out better than I expect.

I had been wanting to share God’s love with y’all for a while, I just needed time to settle in to all the newness. God did exceedingly, abundantly, above all I could ask or think. And He can do the same for you. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Holy Spirit. God bless you, reader. Whatever you’re going through, I know God can get you through.

[chaiseao3o]

05/06/23 12:18AM

what is up gang,

i am so tired because i got no sleep last night. i also had a bad stomach ache from eating spicy ramen super late last night. i was able to have a no-sleep sleepover with 14 of my friends and it was so fun. my back hurts from lying on the floor tho because we all couldnt fit on that couch. the homies james, hayley and emma made a mean curry last night. im still thinking about james's beef stir fry thing rn...

we did not get any work done today, so that means tomorrow is grind time. there was a bit of a scare in the middle of the night last night, but i had a really fun time learning about how everyone got to their respective rice purity scores 🙈 not me tho... maybe at the next sleepover.

i still cant believe we spent hundreds of dollars on food and still managed to run out 😭 it was a good learning experience though and i realized that we should buy in bulk next time at like costco or something. driving to get all of the groceries was super fun and im already excited to go to costco with my friend hayley in the future.

[gushuwa]

hej sweet kitty how is 🦦-wa tell me everything, share your experiences on the internet pls

well, my dearest bun, it has been a roller coaster of emotions, from the tiring flight to the blocked credit card at walmart (the devil’s shop, still can’t use it there and only there ok satan), from my beautiful kind funny host to her amazing and sweet family (we went to costco and I got lost from the group, I was wandering around the hummus sections and they were looking for me in the meat section) - I’m happy cuz my host snores as much as me so she isn’t bothered by my lethal grunts. Ottawa is so pretty, immersed in nature, people speaking all kinds of languages, pretty houses, some look like they’re build with plastic but it’s the Italian in me who loves concrete that is concerned for the habitants. So many brick houses, I’m in love. I ate poutine and my body is desperately trying to digest it 5 hours later, but it was stupid good. Went to a book shop obviously, bought a book obviously, it’s my second day and I’m buying too much crap I don’t know how I’ll come back home without giving an organ. this feels like a dream honestly 🥹🕺🏻 AND THE SQUIRRELS I ALMOST FORGOT THE SQUIRRELS THEYRE SO CUTE

[violetsystems]

#personal

I haven't been doing much of anything except sending out resumes and listing stuff on eBay. The resumes seem to go nowhere but surprisingly everybody wants to buy something at the world's largest garage sale. There's a lot to like about getting rid of shit for cash. I've been on a lifelong mission of downsizing the worthless detritus that has piled up in my life. You should see my friend's list. But part of the madness is dealing with the overhang of depression that nothing seems to get better or change in real life. It's a silent expectation for me t o not rock the boat. To keep upholding a corrupt system of winks, nudges and constant neighborhood surveillance. Never really ever asking my name, how long I've lived here and why people can't seem to remember I exist when it comes time to apologize. I've learned most of the world is like this now. No personal responsibility for anything. Just a joke or a smile for every awkward encounter that seems to violate every nascent idea of human rights you've come to expect in a country that lies a lot. I was buying coffee at the local grocery yesterday. They never have the Bridgeport coffee in the system when you ring it up. So they either have to run and price check it or take your word for it. The cashier asked me if I knew the price and I said 10.99. She said she trusted me. The delivery on the line wasn't sarcastic and I really wasn't lying. Coffee is one of those things that inflation and advertising share a demarcation line with. If you drink it black like I do without sugar then there's a real difference between roast and taste. Starbuck's overr oasts everything to ash. A dark roast from La Colombe is like licking the oil off a tire iron. Blue bottle seems to never fuck up a roast but their twelve ounce bags cost over twenty dollars if you subscribe to it. Close to thirty if you decide to help out the delivery man and go into the store yourself. I've heard it said from people from Taiwan that real culture came from the things that were readily available during dark times. I still walk everywhere in this neighborhood. The Costco is only a few blocks away. The local groceries have their own deals and culture to them. But for the record the only thing I ever do with the money I was awarded from my work as retirement is shop. And with no money coming in from anything because of an apparent blacklisting and social campaign to bury me invisibly? There isn't much to focus on to deal with the depression of being isolated by society for three years and have people online read about it. There's things I'm not unhappy about for sure. And that includes my friendships on the internet. But nobody outside the internet will ever understand them. No matter how many people you put in my way on the way to the grocery store to spy on me.

That's the real anger there. I've written here for almost a decade in some form. There's accounts I've been friends with forever that I don't know beyond Tumblr. And then there's people who just magically pop back into your life like they never lost access with the help of undercover police they get their drugs from. People who literally know every sick nuance and truth behind every lie people say about me. And they just act like it doesn't happen apparently trapped behind the psyche locked in their coke mirror. I don't have problems with people who party responsibly. But we all know how deep people can get wrapped up into the lies, social scenes, and personal hierarchies of cliques and their excesses. Chicago is worse in this respect because it's a trap. No one can leave this police state. The police walk around and lead people on leashes trying to infiltrate your life when they've been actively surveilled trying to fuck it up without a warrant. I've been sitting here for three years while this happened in ways I wrote about, described and even reported to the authorities. And nothing happens. I'm left to infer that democracy and justice don't work. And I look on the tv and am reminded that it doesn't in very downhill displays of shock and horror. What happens when I'm beat unconscious by five police for complaining about them blocking the crosswalk I walk on for the ninth time? I already suffered through dealing with authority and ruin. And I wrote about it here and watched people secretly retaliate against me in public for the shit I just journaled. What is someone from my past going to learn more about other than participating in the gaper's block? You gonna offer me a minimum wage part time job at your store? You gonna sell me black market vape carts because the police told you I was going to the dispensary again. You gonna cry because I'm the only motherfucker who has love enough for reality to tell you that you don't even remotely live in it? Honestly, I am an adult who has seen other adults out here act worse than children. Myco zombies interconnected in a mass of chemicals, bad decisions and a refusal to face themselves in the mirror. I'm not like a lot of people out here. I wake up at five and keep asking questions only to have people actively follow me around like plague ridden rats in the street. None of it makes sense. And all of it just gets messier and messier. They know you are on your way out. And they both want to break you and drain you of cash before you make it. They can't stand to see you escape the wrath of their God. And also want to psychologically manipulate you with the help of tax payer dollars in an effort to address neighborhood violence. All it seems like to me is a fog like hell that I only tolerate because I care about some people in this world. I don't give a fuck about the past or the people out here. I would much rather find a job and move. But instead I'm here draining my retirement being fucked with by cops, gang bangers, and worse. I make due. I pay rent six days before it's due. And I don't have any civil rights to speak of. That's no exaggeration. So why does it persist? Why is it just an inside joke that I'm pretty much the only one going to survive the horror show out there because I stayed away from it? I couldn't bother to write about it to explain it anymore. But it is at its breaking point. And I'm just figuring out cheaper ways to enjoy my coffee in peace.

I've always just been one guy on the internet. When somebody interacts with me in my dash and I wonder? It's just me in my kitchen wondering about it. I don't tell my parents. I don't discuss what it means with my friends in real life. I have no friends I trust in real life anymore. That's their problem not mine. I may talk about it online a week later. But nobody in real life has any access to me emotionally whatsoever. They try and they have an agenda outside of their own personal shit that they compromised on. And I often wonder what kind of desperation would lead someone to believe after all I've written that I'd be interested in giving this situation around here the benefit of the doubt. I don't want to be trapped in America and be disaster porn for some revolutionary dickheads with trust funds. I have a lot of things I could be paid for. I have a twenty three year resume that people ignore everywhere except China. I hear people sit in front of cameras and make promises to people who don't even confront the real world outside of a pundit or television camera. And I just sit here being ignored on one hand. On the other, it gives me a lot of time to focus on people who actually communicate with me. And sometimes communication on here can be a bit nuanced itself. I get that people play their cards close to their chest. I get that I'm going to pay another forty dollars for ad free on Tumblr to avoid being targetted personally by the ads. What people out there don't seem to get is that there is a limit. You can fuck with someone so long before it becomes your albatross. You can talk shit about someone so many years that it becomes the only thing you say. Without my name in your mouth you don't have a point. You are worthless and nothing. You can't even come up with an idea unless you have me as a target to kick around. And that becomes all you are known for. Fucking with me. Your entire life at the end of it flashes before you. And it's all me whinging about how you spent your entire life trying to prove something about me you failed at. And you die right there. With my monotone voice explaining to you I told you so. I was right about me all along. That is confidence motherfucker. And I'm growing ever more confident every day that this is the reality you wish upon yourself wishing ill on me. I am a dead end. Look at me after all these years. You can't even fucking understand three paragraphs written this long. You keep trying to insert yourself into my dialog like you wrote the story. This city is simply a chapter for me. A particularly shitty chapter that leads to an exodus some day of sorts. Where I can write these over coffee across the table from someone. For now, you are in my heart like you always have been. I'm just trying to deal with wasting away. And one day it is going to be too late. For now, there's a lot of gabber records on my shelf to sell. <3 Tim

[geobuzzer]

Frugal Living: How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality

Frugal Living: How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality

Frugal living is often associated with penny-pinching and sacrificing the good things in life. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Living frugally doesn't mean you have to compromise on quality or live a life devoid of enjoyment. Rather, it’s about making smarter choices with your money so you can enjoy life to the fullest without financial stress. In this article, we will explore various ways to save money while maintaining a high standard of living.

Understanding Frugality

Frugality is the mindful use of resources to achieve financial freedom. It's a lifestyle choice that prioritizes value over cost. By focusing on long-term benefits rather than momentary savings, you can find a balance between saving money and enjoying life.

Budgeting Effectively

Create a Realistic Budget One of the first steps to frugal living is to create a budget that reflects your income, expenses, and financial goals. A realistic budget allows you to track your spending, identify areas where you can cut costs, and allocate funds toward important objectives like saving or investing. Utilize Budgeting Tools Take advantage of budgeting tools and apps such as Mint, YNAB (You Need A Budget), or even a simple spreadsheet. These tools help you categorize expenses, set savings goals, and monitor your financial progress.

Smart Shopping Techniques

Buy in Bulk Buying in bulk can lead to significant savings, especially for non-perishable goods or items you use frequently. Stores like Costco or Sam’s Club offer bulk purchasing options that can lower your cost per unit. Just make sure to compare prices and check the expiration dates. Shop Sales and Use Coupons Keep an eye out for sales and discounts, and make use of coupons whenever possible. Apps like Honey and Rakuten can help you find deals and earn cashback on your purchases. Shopping during seasonal sales or on special discount days can also provide substantial savings. Choose Quality over Quantity Invest in high-quality items that may have a higher upfront cost but will last longer and provide better value over time. This applies to everything from clothing and appliances to home furnishings. A well-made product will often save you money in the long run by reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Reduce Utility Bills

Energy Efficiency Making your home more energy-efficient can lead to considerable savings on utility bills. Simple steps like sealing drafts, using energy-efficient light bulbs, and investing in energy-efficient appliances can reduce your energy consumption and lower your monthly bills. Water Conservation Saving water is another effective way to reduce utility costs. Install low-flow showerheads and faucets, fix any leaks promptly, and consider investing in a water-efficient washing machine. Additionally, being mindful of your water usage by only running the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads can make a significant difference.

Transportation Savings

Public Transportation Using public transportation instead of owning a car can save you a significant amount of money on fuel, insurance, maintenance, and parking. If public transport is not an option, consider carpooling with colleagues or friends to share the costs. Maintain Your Vehicle Regular maintenance of your vehicle can prevent costly repairs down the line and improve fuel efficiency. Simple tasks like keeping your tires properly inflated, changing the oil regularly, and ensuring your engine is in good working condition can extend the life of your car and save you money.

Entertainment and Leisure

Find Free or Low-Cost Activities Entertainment doesn't have to be expensive. Look for free or low-cost activities in your community, such as outdoor concerts, movie nights, or local festivals. Many cities offer free admission days to museums, parks, and other attractions. DIY and Hobbies Consider hobbies that are both enjoyable and cost-effective. DIY projects, gardening, or learning to cook new recipes can provide hours of entertainment without breaking the bank. These activities can also be a great way to learn new skills and create something valuable.

Saving on Food

Meal Planning and Preparation Planning your meals in advance can help you save money on groceries and reduce food waste. Make a shopping list based on your meal plan and stick to it to avoid impulse buys. Preparing meals at home is often healthier and more cost-effective than dining out. Grow Your Own Food If you have the space, consider starting a small garden to grow your own vegetables and herbs. This can be a rewarding hobby and can significantly reduce your grocery bills. Even with limited space, container gardening or window boxes can provide a fresh supply of herbs and some vegetables.

Frugal Living and Long-Term Goals

Invest in Experiences, Not Things Research has shown that spending money on experiences rather than material goods leads to greater happiness and satisfaction. Investing in experiences like travel, learning new skills, or spending time with loved ones can provide lasting memories and enrich your life without requiring excessive spending. Plan for the Future Living frugally enables you to allocate more resources toward long-term financial goals such as saving for retirement, building an emergency fund, or investing in education. By prioritizing these goals, you can achieve financial security and peace of mind.

Conclusion

Frugal living is not about deprivation; it's about making intentional choices that align with your values and financial goals. By adopting a frugal lifestyle, you can enjoy high-quality goods and experiences without the stress of financial instability. The key is to focus on value, plan effectively, and make conscious decisions that support your overall well-being. Start implementing these tips today, and you'll soon find that living frugally can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life. Click on the following to learn more about Frugal Living Hacks Read the full article

[medicinemane]

Get real tired of my mom

I ask her if she can like... actually do some laundry if I bring it down to her so we can store clean stuff in an organized way instead of dirty trashbags full of it

Answer is basically "I guess", though she made very sure to tell me not to put it in the middle of the dinningroom because that would be in her way for doing yoga... cause you know, the default is to assume I fuck everything up and am just kind of a selfish asshole with no forethought

(Only reason I'd do that is if I was trying to like... actually fucking make her help, but I don't tend to be that petty)

So I go and I clean out this... it's not the nastiest thing I've seen by a long shot, but it's a hamper that has a lot of some kinda powder in the bottom and a bit of fly prints around the side, and I spend like 15 minutes scrubbing it down the best I can with hydrogen peroxide and then finishing with rubbing alcohol to... to hopefully at least kill anything gross on the bits I couldn't get fully clean (cause I suck and I can never get anything totally clean)

Then, I go to eat one of the things she picked up from arby's. The other day she discovered that she could stop by the grocery store, pick up bread and meat and make herself a sandwich and have more food for home for cheaper than fast food... so she 100% is never doing that again

Whatever, she gets some and she (for once, there's plenty of times she doesn't and basically fuck me getting diner) brought me home some stuff... which as I expected I found that she ate one of, cause she can eat anything in the house, so the best thing is to always eat something I can actually stomach

But you know... that's not even the part that irritates me most with it, it's that she couldn't even throw out the fucking wrapper

Like... just take it 2 feet to the trash instead of leaving it on the stove

If it wouldn't be super disruptive and just kind of cruel, I'd legit just go tell her to get the fuck out. Like... you don't help me clean up after you, you constantly make a mess, she's legit one of the main reasons I'm constantly saying how worthless I am (and the people most responsible were her parents, who she'd literally take me over to so they'd give her money, so like she indirectly has a part in the rest of it), so... why the fuck should I keep letting you stay here?

Life would be so much fucking easier without you here, I might actually be able to clean the place up... I might be able to enjoy some quiet... I might not have to play therapist to the person who said no one could ever love me... you know?

Like 1200 bucks, that's why. Cause I'm a useless loser who doesn't have an income and can't act on any of the shit that might make me money. Legit that's a whole lot of the reason to let her stay

...the other reason is I'm not heartless and I'm not gonna kick someone out that would probably just go die if I did, but... I don't fucking know

You know, she spends money on a personal assistant for her writing... her writing which makes like... $12 some months

She makes herself miserable taking on like 3 projects every month, and every month swearing that's the end of it, she's not gonna over fill her plate again, and then doing the same thing next month. None of them are her own projects, almost none of them make money, almost all of them are trying to get into charity anthologies for exposure

Which is part of why she can't help me, cause she's always too tired because she's got all these big important projects that she... that she straight up pays money to get into and to have a PA promote

No offense to the PA, sure they do a great job, more it's offense to someone spending money we don't have... and you know... I could even deal with all this, all this, if she'd just... not spend money at walmart to buy stuff I get cheaper at costco... give me money for costco so I can do stuff like... pick up more hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol so I stop having to ration them... pick up toothpaste so I don't have to ration it... if you're gonna blow money on the writing fine, but at least don't blow money on inferior shit from shitty companies

Anyway, I'm just kinda worthless trash and need to blow my brains out already

A gun costs a lot, but frankly it would be a good investment if it got rid of me

[eclaisse]

2024 Week 1

I thought that instead of blogging every day, it might make more sense to blog every week? I used to try and keep a bullet journal when I was younger. The aesthetic of bullet journals / hobonichi is lovely, but honestly it was a very difficult habit for me to keep up in college. I think it was always too much work for me in general. Even now, I like to write, but I am a lot more motivated to type things out. It looks clean and works well for me, so I think I will stick to electronic records!! One day, maybe a journal or scrapbook like that would be fun to make. But I do love that I can do this and feel accomplished for getting some writing done.

Anyways, it was a lovely week!! Everyone was slacking off after returning to work since no one was actually ready to work yet. The directors and other coworkers are on vacation still so it's pretty empty back at the office, though it's also pretty chill. I got to catch up with everyone after our long break and it was nice. I was invited to lunch by two of my friends, but unfortunately had a training with a higher up so I couldn't go. But that's okay, another time.

To be honest I think I'm still recovering from so many events over the holidays- I did a lot of baking, driving around, and talking to people. I think I'm a bit tired from all the social interaction. As a kid I was always excited for and reenergized during breaks but now that I have to do everything myself, I see how much planning and energy goes into it :'D It's fun but a lot of work!!

On Sunday I went to badminton practice with my friends and it was a lot of fun. At the start of the practice I'm always a bit sluggish and miss the birdies when my friends smash them, but within a few minutes I feel energetic and can play decently. We got to play for 1.5 hours since there was no one booked after us, lucky!! I used to play on my community college's team and I missed playing. We only started playing together late last year, but I hope it becomes a regular event.

After practice we went to a cute Taiwanese café that served sandwiches, noodles, and milk tea. We all got sandwiches and two friends also ordered a bowl of noodles to share. It was such a cozy atmosphere in there- we chatted over sandwiches and reminisced about our childhoods for a bit.

Two of the friends are a couple and invited us to continue hanging out by going shopping with them. We went to TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and Costco together. There's something really fun about going into shops with friends and pointing out cute merchandise, cracking jokes about each other, and laughing over silly things. I did my groceries alongside them and bought a lot of new snacks to try!!

Unfortunately I didn't realize that one of them contains gelatin, and I had already eaten some. It's a strawberry and condensed milk dessert that surprisingly doesn't taste too sweet? It's light, airy, and refreshing!! I don't want to return it even though Costco allows that, since they would just discard it and that would be very wasteful. Thankfully since many of my friends love strawberries, I will be passing these around as treats. I feel like every quarter I get a snack that I love, but there is just too much of. So I end up eating some myself and then giving the rest away. But these snacks are cheap if you buy them in bulk, and it makes my friends happy to receive snacks, so I don't mind.

Not my picture, but this is what the packaging and dessert looks like. It's very cute!! Looking forward to sharing it with friends.

[corndoggod]

Slipping

It was warm, humid inside and out. We were in the kitchen unloading groceries we bought from across the river where it was cheaper. Orange juice, chicken thighs and Irish cheddar in the fridge. Crackers, dried mangoes and medjool dates in the cupboard. Calabrese salami, cut pineapple and pickle chips set aside for the Alex G. concert in Prospect Park.  

I was in a cooking phase, in part because I was in the thick of marathon training and hardly went out at night but also because, four months into us moving in together, I realized shared responsibilities had fallen along traditional lines. I pulled out my wallet and cleaned the dishes and grocery shopped. She cooked and tidied up and rearranged and said, What do you think about this? 

She was quiet. I read of politicians who spoke quietly as a kind of power play, so aides or adversaries had to lean in uncomfortably close. When Celina got quiet, the world had to stop spinning and listen. The world never stops. We were approaching two years together. Street traffic burped and bellowed as schoolchildren shrieked at the last days of summer. I grabbed her hand, Is everything okay?  

Yeah, I’m fine. 

You sure? 

I think I need to lay down. 

Go lay down. I’ll put the rest away. 

I went to check on her and found her staring at the ceiling, palms resolute in her lap. She was still in her paint clothes -- a tight black shirt glommed with off-whites and big jeans caked stiff. 

You sure you’re okay? 

Yeah, I just need a minute, and some affection. Will you come here? 

I was swampy from my bike ride home so I took off my shirt before cozying up next to her. Her skin was as smooth and cool as river rock. Summer had barely changed her. I surrounded her like smoke, folded her into me, put my ear to her little mouth. Do you want to talk about it? 

She shook her head, nuzzling deeper into the darkness between us. 

Ok. We can just do this, and I gave her a little squeeze and rubbed her back. But then a few minutes later she said, I don’t know what to do. 

What do you mean? 

This thing with Olivia. I don’t know if it’s the right move. And she told me how Olivia had resumed talks of merging her painting business with Rachel, another local painter who’d been at it for 20 years. Celina had only been painting with Olivia for a few months, but she couldn’t resist dreaming something big. She wanted to grow the business into an all-encompassing design firm with outposts in the city and in the Hudson Valley or the Berkshires.  

I’m almost 30 and I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life to do something and I’m tired of waiting, she said. I can’t do it anymore. 

A car alarm sounded through the open window. It was close, maybe even right below us. 

It was never meant to be a long-term thing. It was just supposed to tide you over while you applied to grad school, but you got sucked into thinking bigger. It wasn’t a misstep. You learned something. Maybe you’ve learned all you can, and now it’s time to move on. 

The car alarm sounded again, masking any bitterness that might have laced my words. My latest approach was to accept that life could be this way for some time, that I had to let her figure this out. But it was easier to accept when it wasn’t talked about and I knew accountability was just as important as support in a relationship.

I was the one who pushed her to give up the studio and take a part time job while she focused on grad school. It wasn’t paying off. I felt partly responsible and pushed her in this direction, and it didn’t seem right to just abandon her now. But maybe I pushed too hard, or not enough. 

We should go, she said. 

…….

We’d gone our first year with hardly a skirmish. It made me think we were special, if not invincible. We had weathered an abortion, made it sexy and nostalgic, forward-looking. Overnight, I was ready to leave the city, buy a house, join Costco, start a family, coach micro soccer. 

Realities sharpened when we were shopping for our first place together in the hottest, priciest rental market in the nation. It nearly did us in. Maybe the city wasn't meant for us. It was demoralizing, but she was saving money and that was important.

……..

I had forgotten about dinner when I sat down at the kitchen table. It was 11pm and the show was over. I brought in all the materials to roll a spliff and kept talking about how I did it. I loved telling her how I did it with grit and discipline and sometimes joy. Most importantly I got it done.

After I left freelancing for a communications job, I didn’t write for months and it was glorious. Instead, I bought new shoes, worked long hours, ate well and picked up the bar tab. 

When I resumed writing, I wrote the best story I’ve ever written. That was two years ago and I’ve barely written since then. The workshop was crucial, I said. They held me accountable and with their feedback I hammered the story into top form. Nowhere I’ve submitted has accepted it. 

Sitting there, smoking under the oven light, talking about the creative life -- I felt like a character in a Baldwin novel. Would I be a likeable character? A writer derailed by comfort and security. A writer getting lapped by his peer, brimming with resentment for trust fund babies, telling himself he would succeed if he had that kind of financial support or a less demanding job or realized earlier that what he wanted most in life was to be a magazine writer.

The three-minute butternut squash ravioli was ready now. C zhuzhed it with some frozen peas and fennel seeds. She handed me a brick of pecorino and I grated a blizzard over each bowl. We sat down together and I looked at her for the first time that night. 

Writing and making art is a concentrated way of seeing, I said. And I think we’re both out of practice. I’ve had so much potential material this year -- us moving in together, my Mom selling the house, my Dad’s stroke and that whole mess, the road trip, even this very night -- but I can’t see the story in any of it. It’s just life.

[mytruthandbeauty]

25 October 2023

Shopping in Mexico for everyday things can either be an experience of convenience or one of exploration and adventure. The convenient approach is when you go to a large market that is part of a chain. It can be a local chain or an international one. Here in Oaxaca one of the local chains is Chedraui and then you also have Walmart or maybe also Costco. I stay away from the foreign companies as I prefer to give my money to a local company, so if I need to head to the big market I go to Chedraui. However, in spite of the challenges I like to try the little shops, tiendas as they are called in Mexico, as much as possible, because I believe they can most benefit from the money I spend, at least that’s what I hope and it also makes me feel better.

A couple days ago I needed to restock some things so I decided I would go to this little strip a few blocks from me that I had stumbled upon the previous shopping day I was out as it looked promising. As I made my way slowly along peering into the different shops either through glass walls or just open entries I ventured into the ones that seemed to have what I was looking for and eventually after three outings I got everything that was on my mental list. I had to return home after each successful trip, because carrying my purchases up steep hills was rather tiring and I’m not as young as I used to be so I rest when I need it. Some times I get a little jealous of the young people I see taking their long strides effortlessly up the hills with bags in hand or a backpack over their shoulders and think, I wish I had the energy and stamina I once had when I was in my twenties it would make all this so easy. And then I realize that that would entail my having the body I had at that age, completely nullifying my transition and I resign myself to the reduced capacities with which I now have. It’s a trade off with which I’m okay. It seems life is just a series of trade offs with which we have to live.

On my last outing I was on the hunt for pastries, my eternal weakness, and I followed Google maps’ directions to what should have been a panadería, pastry shop, but found nothing but a blank wall. No signage of any sort, not even a name painted on the wall or door, nothing. Google maps had let me down again, this is something that happens too often with Google maps and when it does it pisses me off to no end, but at this point I half expect it to happen, so I don’t get too bothered when it does. Still I was disappointed, because I wanted a sweet baked good to go with my breakfast in the morning. Heading back home I decided to stop at this little shop on this side street/staircase I had spotted on the way to the non-existent bakery and inside in my broken Spanish I asked if they had bread, because I couldn’t think of the word for pastry and the man showed me a tray of small loaves of breads and I bought one for $40.00 Mexican pesos. The woman there tried to sale me some flowers. They may have been carnations, but I’m not sure, anyway they were lovely with blossoms of tightly packed petals and a very subtle fragrance. I explained, as best I could that while they were lovely I couldn’t buy any because I didn’t have a vase in which to put them. I think she understood and as I was leaving she broke off a blossom and handed it to me with a smile. I thanked her and said see you later. As I walked home I kept sniffing the flower inhaling it’s sweet subtle fragrance eventually I tucked it into my cleavage so I wouldn’t drop it and continued home. Each time I looked down at the colorful delightful gift in front of me I smiled and thought how much I loved Mexico, that flower represented the fact that Mexicans want and appreciate my presence and want me to be happy here and to continue spending my money with them.

[golden-----hour]

51

10/16/23

Time moves very fast so I guess I am going home soon. Congratulations to me for seeing through the memory of the present tense and for being a clever boy in a private corner. I fear death and am sharp. My award is the deepest eyes on the block.

I am tired of my individualism complex, as Alanna put it, but I respect the ego I defend. Looking back at the previous entry, I feel glad to told Miquel no. A part of him does not care about my long silence. I am at least half dead anyways. What is one voice when someone beautiful loves you? I mean, I know about man's hands and his eyes delving into Miquel's. I am a dead boy a few countries away. I am important like a storm that destroys a basement. I am important like local news. I am every pumpkin pie in Costco. I am important like rising gas prices, and have my edge of being clever, and I know and I know and I know and I know I mostly won't ever do anything "great." Seriously - what does that mean? A magnum opus, a great poetic or musical work? I don't know if I have it in me. And I don't think my reasons for wanting it are right. But if I'm not going to make money, I might as well make a beautiful thing and have others wonder about my beautiful thing and feed me their envy. Some stimulating envy.

I texted Ananya I am hurt that Fernando hooked up with someone Friday. Actually: someone fucked him and came in him. And he told me. He said he was an open book so I opened the book. If I knew I couldn't handle the answer, why did I ask? And why am I so jealous and upset about that, despite the fact that we are not in a relationship?

I think this has happened to many times to me. To be chosen and not chosen. Miquel if you lose me, it will be forever! Our souls are not interconnected. My back aches and neck aches and the soft crab belly under my sternum warbles with sadness. You genuinely don't care about that! I know this. Miquel you don't and have not loved me in a way I have loved you. This is your mistake. I do not forgive you. I am saying goodbye to that love! Goodbye, dead Will from other warmer months. I hold onto this because at least it makes me feel important. If I could commit to being a dead thing and fill up my schedule, this could maybe cure me.

I chose wrong. I won't make the money and won't prove that it was the wrong choice. My German isn't even that good. I don't really have discernible skills besides decent social skills but that is not a hard skill. I am not in a PhD program. Though I may run a half marathon, and have joined an orchestra, and will audition for a choir. I choose to represent everything like a senate. The hope and despair need seats.

To inherit myself. Dear Miquel I do not forgive you for the festering space you've created in the shadow of unrequited love. It comes back to me rotting. I get all of it. Even carving this paragraph of you into this anonymous little slice of consciousness is to build a house that I literally must burn. I feel unchosen a lot and it vexes me.

How are the choices I make informed by not feeling chosen? I spent most of the day off of Grindr and felt better. I went on and jerked off for 45 minutes and felt far away away away away. So tomorrow I will try to use Grindr less again, because it saved me. I have decided I will buy a clock too.

I am just angry with Fernando. That is the first reaction. I just feel useless and unimportant. I am kind of already a half dead thing and people hold me and I guess it is less true. My friend Charlie says things to me I don't understand and I take a long time in the supermarket and I feel too bad for myself in a not shareable way. Maybe. Even though I hurt rather hurt and be real than that other stuff that I've been before. I've tucked myself away into pleasure a lot of times I fit this body into poems and men and whatever and whatever and city streets in this city I do not know. What if I lose my gratitude and see what texts it place? If a poem stops being gratitude, then the language feels like a flood.

I tell my classes "poetry is asking yourself what you already know and changing the way you understand it." I am going to follow the power of transformation and put myself between a verb and a preposition. Or the seeing becomes breath, or you turn metaphors into wheels and drive a stanza into the distance.

I sometimes convince myself that my best friend will abandon me one day because I will not be a great poet or musician and I find myself at times with very little to say. If this is my greatness, let my life be relatively painless God. Or because this is too much to ask.

At least I feel thin right now.