#i can also add extra info on how to not break your hand

[definitelynot-aleokin]

Fun fact! This is accurate info! Instead of just your arms doing the movement, which would lead to a weaker punch, if you use your full body it make the punch stronger! It also doesnt just start in the hips (hips are a good starting place though!), using the foot on the same side as the punching hand, twist it, hips moves with, continues movement into the shoulder, and out into the arm as it punches. Stay safe!

Self-defence tip by Eliot Spencer: Put your hip into the punch!

[ailesswhumptober]

Prompts for AI-less Whumptober 2024

As promised, we're bringing you the official prompt list of AI-less Whumptober 2024 today!

We have 31 days of excellent whump prompts, with three prompts per day to pick from, fun themes, and 10 alt prompts to play around with. We hope you enjoy! Additional info + plain text versions of the prompts can be found under the cut.

FAQ and Rules

What sort of content can I create for this event?

You can create whatever you want (fic, art, edits, etc). Any fandom is allowed, as well as OC stuff. NSFW is allowed, but please tag your content accordingly! The only thing not allowed is AI-generated content.

Do I need to make 31 things to participate?

Oh heavens no! You can make as much or as little content as you like, skip days when desired, or combine prompts (so for example, write something that covers a prompt from day 1, 2, AND 3). You don't have to do the days in order either, go wild! To be considered a 'completionist', you only have to make sure that at the end of the month, you've covered 31 prompts from 31 different days, but whether you do that in 31 works or just 1 is up to you.

What are these alts about?

If none of the three prompts of a particular day are your cup of tea, you can swap them out for an alt prompt of your choice.

What are these themes about?

Just a little bit of extra fun for the mods. Like last year, we'll be handing out various badges for people participating in the event. A full list can be found here, perhaps there is a special badge or two for people who can't be completionists but who do manage to finish every single day of a specific theme ;)

How do I tag and is there an AO3 collection?

It suffices to tag your work with #ailesswhumptober for us to see and reblog it! Please also tag nsfw, since we'll be using that tag too. Tagging the day is optional but does help the mods along.

There is an AO3 collection to add your fics to here.

That should be all. If you have any additional questions, check our pinned or hit us up in the ask box. Or join our discord maybe, whumping can be a great group activity!

---

Plain text versions of the prompts:

October 1 - Torture Tuesday

public torture/public use, stress position, “If you cry, we’ll go easy on you.”

October 2 - Whumperless Wednesday

Unfortunate fall, car accident, “Don’t move. You’ll be okay.”

October 3 - Trauma Thursday

Shared trauma, survivor’s guilt, “It’s not your fault.”

October 4 - Fright/Freaky Friday

Painful transformation, non-consensual body modifications, “You’re a monster.”

October 5 - Sensory Saturday

Overstimulation, migraines, “I can’t take this anymore.”

October 6 - Surprise Sunday

Multiple whumpees, self sacrifice, “I’m the only one who can do this.”

October 7 - Medical Monday

Field medicine, running out of supplies, “Hold on, we’re going to have to improvise.”

October 8 - Torture Tuesday

Rope burns, gagged, “You’re so much prettier this way.”

October 9 - Whumperless Wednesday

Hypothermia, heatstroke, “You look pretty pale.”

October 10 - Trauma Thursday

Self worth issues, pushing away a loved one, “You don't need to earn this.”

October 11 - Fright/Freaky Friday

Hallucinations, truth serum, “Why would you even say that?”

October 12 - Sensory Saturday

Isolation, sensory deprivation, “Can you feel me? I’m right here, whumpee.”

October 13 - Surprise Sunday

Whumpee using themself as bait, defiance, “Take me instead.”

October 14 - Medical Monday

Seizures, concussion, “See if you can follow my finger with your eyes.”

October 15 - Torture Tuesday

Waterboarding, removing body parts, “Don’t break down on me yet.”

October 16 - Whumperless Wednesday

Drowning, hostile environment, “I don’t know how anybody could survive that.”

October 17 - Trauma Thursday

Abandonment, misunderstanding, “Why did I even think you cared?”

October 18 - Fright/Freaky Friday

Mind control, possession, “Everybody will end up despising you.”

October 19 - Sensory Saturday

Disassociation, losing a sense, “I wish I could get you back.”

October 20 - Surprise Sunday

Enemy/Stranger to caretaker, accidental de-aging, “I’m absolutely not qualified for this shit.”

October 21 - Medical Monday

Drugged, ambulance ride, “This will make you feel better, okay?”

October 22 - Torture Tuesday

Forced (to kneel/watch/hurt somebody else), whipped, “Do not look away.” October 23 - Whumperless Wednesday

Fever, passing out, “Hey?! Stay with me, okay?!”

October 24 - Trauma Thursday

Deconditioning, relapse, “It’s normal that you need more time.”

October 25 - Fright/Freaky Friday

Humiliation, betrayal, “How could you?!”

October 26 - Sensory Saturday

Electrocution, burning, “This is going to sting.”

October 27 - Surprise Sunday

Before vs after, Alternate universe, “Well, there’s a first for everything.”

October 28 - Medical Monday

Internal bleeding, needles and stitches, “I didn’t think the wound was that bad…”

October 29 - Torture Tuesday

Ownership, branding, “Everybody will know that you’re mine.”

October 30 - Whumperless Wednesday

Poison, delirium, “You’re not making sense.”

October 31 - Trauma Thursday

Panic attack, facing a phobia, “You need to get out of here!”

Alt prompts:

1) Pistol whipped

2) Co-dependency

3) Animal bite

4) Zombies

5) White room torture

6) Shock collar

7) Pulling teeth

8) Kidnapping

9) “You always make everything worse!”

10) “If you weren’t around, I’d be long dead by now...”

[penny-anna]

feel like i saw this recipe in a tumblr post a while ago but don't have it to hand anymore. oh well!! made this soup ^^ today.

i used a mix of chicken & veggie stock since i had some of each to use up. & i used black treacle in place of molasses.

i didn't use any onion bcos im the rare onion hater. i did season it w onion salt tho. the actual recipe says to add tomatoes but the transcript in the blog post left that out - i also really don't like fresh tomatoes so would have skipped those but if i'd noticed probably would have added some tomato paste

the full recipe also says you can add herbs at the end but again the transcript left that out. i added some bay leaves at the beginning + a couple of big sprigs of thyme with the vegetables + some fresh coriander at the very end

all in all i'd recommend looking at the screenshot of the OG recipe as it has quite a lot of useful info that's not in the blog post oops!!

the recipe doesn't actually say how long to simmer for after adding the vegetables so i took it at its word & just left it till dinner time. all in all i simmered it for about 8 hours (10am-6pm)

both the OP of the blog post and one of the commenters mentioned that the liquid boiled away too quickly so I added some extra stock + topped it up periodically with salted water. after the first hour or so however ig the lentils hit Saturation and it stopped needing more liquid & after that it was pretty low maintenance.

i didn't taste it before adding the wine etc at the end so not actually sure how much flavour it added but the final step defo made it a more appealing colour!!

VERDICT: 'gentle lentil' is a very good description!! its very mild and very very creamy. its mild but doesn't just taste like wet lentils (not a pleasant flavour experience IMO). the lentils got boiled to the point that they basically became one with the stock. celery also fully disappeared. if i'd added onions i imagine they'd have been imperceptible by the end. very comforting & easy on the tummy. if you like your soups stronger tasting u could add all kinds of things along the way. if u like your soups milder OR are looking for something extra gentle for the tummy then its the soup for you!

here ends my excessively long soup post. in my defense ive been Souping literally all day. its good!!

[weekend-whip]

This is a writing question more than an ask but how do you handle lore dumps???? Your AU is so full of em and you handle them so gracefully. I’m here stuck on a chapter because my MC really really needs to have Information in order to Progress, but having Character B explain it to him is so tedious??? It reads like a rant!! I want the information to flow smoothly for readers, but it needs to be given all at once because it’s Plot Relevant. Any advice is a godsend 🙏

Well, 90% of my "lore dumping" is done via conversation to some degree—whether it be one character happening to be knowledgeable during a particular situation, two characters sharing a personal discussion with each other, or round-robin getting a whole group up to speed on a subject. It just never reads as a "lore dump" because a) there's also character dynamics being dispersed amongst the information, and b) there's more to the scene than just the information itself, even if the information is still the most important part. And that's still true even if dialogue isn't your go-to method for info deliverance!

All right, here we go, spit-balling rambles here!

You can still have Character B outright explain things to the MC, but to avoid it being "ranty", the easiest thing to do would be to have the MC react to what's being said to break up the monotony with how they're feeling about it, or even questions about what's being told to them. And having the MC asking questions has the added bonus of allow different ways for Character B to offer information, instead of going through the points like a check list. Character B could respond to points the MC brings up, questions the MC had the Character B hadn't even considered, the MC mentioning something that jogs something else to mind for Character B to bring up—anything that isn't just "MC, you must know this: [word words words words]". Make sure there's a push and pull, give and take with the information, rather than, well, all push or all give—THAT is what will ultimately help with your flow.

(...though I dunno if the characters are in, like a "time crunch"/urgent situation at this point in time, hence why Character B would be divulging everything at once in a bombshell rant—but if that is the case, at least you'd have the excuse for doing so! That being said, you'd have to counterbalance this by limiting the amount of info that's being given, because otherwise that's going to make the "ranting" even more obvious and harder for a reader to get invested in gfdsgfd)

And also, assumedly, your audience is learning this information just the same as your MC is—think about the questions your audience might consider about the lore too, and use the MC as a way to add those extra clarifications as well! I tend to use Kai for this a lot haha

Or, if you don't want to go the "direct" route via conversation/dialogue and want to switch it up, you could have a mention of the MC learning the info from Character B offscreen, then jump right to them either mulling over everything they've learned to themselves or someone else (flavored up by their own personal thoughts about it) or by them already putting the info into practice with some reflection throughout. This is probably a little less effective strategy for a written story than something like a movie or tv show, but if your first way isn't working out, try restructuring it like this anyway! If nothing else, you can reverse engineer what the most important bits of the info you really want the MC to take away in this instance in time (or at least what's most relevant for the moment/situation at hand), thus shortening the amount of time Character B has to spend "ranting" in the first place. Or, maybe it'll give you another idea of how to frame the information!

Also, try to give a reason for why this information is suddenly being shared right now (again, if this isn't some kind of "MC I have to tell you all this NOW before it's too laaaaate!" kind of scenario. Sure, there's always "you'll need this to progress on your quest" or the overall whatever else may be going on, but think on a smaller scale—what in the moment causes the topic to come up now?

For example –using my own story here because I wrote it and I know my own thought process lmao– Lloyd starts explaining about the Moon's Triad holiday in B2Ch41 because Acidicus comes to him with concerns for how the associated traditions are affecting the Serpentine's plans going forward. Miranda discusses how the Aftershock Ability functions to Jesse in B2Ch45 because Jesse's been trying to figure out why it happened to begin with. And Wu and Garmadon's whole discussion in B2Ch36 is mostly stuff that they both mutually know for the most part —yet is shared regardless for the audience's benefit—but to avoid falling into an "As you know" back-and-forth trap, it's also framed by Wu trying to catch up Garmadon on things he's missed, with their mutual information being used as anchoring context for Garmadon, so it's there for a character purpose as well. Basically killing two birds with a stone there.

Yet when the lore dump is large enough to warrant, like, half a chapter's worth of dedication *eyes B2Ch31*, sometimes you just gotta bite the bullet and go all-in with an outright dump for utmost clarity—but that doesn't meant you can't dress it up or have fun with it! Like, for the Elemental Compass explanation, I literally have Jesse pull out a whiteboard and marker and make everyone sit in a circle to learn sjhgffd–I make fun of the fact that I know this is going to be a big chunk of info to take in for everybody, and using some of the techniques mentioned above, I'm able to break down all my main points I want delivered all while preventing Jesse from just throwing out text blocks in an unnatural, not-fun-to-read fashion. So, that could be an approach for you too!

Ah, how to phrase this...as long as there's dynamism in the deliverance of the information, that'll save it from reading as stale. Even if at the end of the day it really is just two people standing around talking at each other (or one at the other)—if there's action and reactions, emotions, an established point of it all to begin with (as opposed to sudden information for information's sake), and that push/pull + give/take as discussed, you should be able to get your point across in a way that's entertaining for reader's just fine~

Anyway, I hope at least even a sentence of this made sense and was even minutely helpful! Good luck breaking through your block; I'm rooting for you! ^-^)/

[glazedtrash721]

Beware, this is a LONG post!!

TW: a lil' scopophobia perhaps

So, you know how there's a boat load of Welcome Home AUs floating around?

Well, now there's one more!! (And even more given some time!)

Let me introduce you to my first Welcome Home AU:

Children's Hospital AU!!

In this AU, all of our lovely neighbors are staff at the town's local Children's Hospital, which is officially titled the "Healthy Home Children's Hospital", or HHCH for short! This AU doesn't really have any spooky or funky elements to it, as I was pretty desperate for ideas that haven't already been done when I thought of it. Although, this AU does serve its purpose in being very cute and wholesome, and I'm sure that it could make for some fun content!

Characters and more info can be found under the break!

By the way, these drawings are not to scale! I just made them so that they would fit on the page :/

Anyways...

Let us first start with the Doctors!

Doctors Darling, Joyful, and Frankly have bested too many years of medical school and are now here to take care of their young patients! Both Dr. Wally Darling and Dr. Julie Joyful are physicians, and they can be found buzzing around the hospital, tending to whoever needs it! Dr. Darling, with his calm and cool energy, is more often assigned to older and more anxious kids. Dr. Joyful, on the other hand, is often tasked with the care of younger children and babies with her more energetic and sweet personality. Dr. Frank Frankly is the surgeon of the group, and he excells with his steady hands and his thirst for knowledge and for solving problems! Dispite his grumpy appearance, the children find him a joy to see when he checks up on them before and after surgery!

Next, we have the Nurses!

Nurses Sally, Barnaby, and Howdy help make up the back bone of the hospital, and they are always on their toes helping those in need! Nurse Sally can typically be found in the ER, where her quick feet and her sunny disposition are a must have, though she can be found bouncing all over the hospital! Nurse Barnaby never fails to put a smile on a patient's face with his funny jokes, and he is a dream when someone needs a distraction from a needle or anything else that may be frightening them! Nurse Howdy is extremely handy with his four hands and arms, making him an amazing multi-tasker! He is also a master of hugs, and he is wonderful with calming down particularly upset patients. He and Barnaby are also often called on the occurrence where a patient (or even parent!) needs restrained, thanks to their size and even tempers!

Lastly, we have those with more miscellaneous jobs!

Mr. Eddie and Ms. Poppy also have important jobs that help the hospital and its patients! Eddie is the HHCH's trusty mailman! He takes gifts and letters from the mail room and gift shop and delivers them to their recipients. As he knows the hospital's layout like the back of his hand, he also often accompanys visitors and volunteers, such as those who bring therapy dogs and such! He also takes extra care to dress up on holidays and other occasions! Ms. Poppy is an Emotional Consultant, and she is there to help patients and their families make difficult decisions, usually regarding treatment. Still the nervous bird that she is, she still tries to put on a brave face and a warm smile to those who need a little extra guidance or reassurance.

They're all colorless now, but I'll probably add that soon lol.

Also, I haven't designed Home yet, but I imagine he'd be the Headmaster of the hospital or something similar? I may give him a design later on.

Anyways, that concludes my first Welcome Home AU! Feel free to ask for any specific info that you want me to elaborate on, and feel free to use these silly dudes in your own fan content, given that it's not sussy (NSFW in the sexual way), and that a lil' credit is given! Otherwise, go ham!

[bisluthq]

Someone: hands me an NDA after the thing asking I don't talk about the thing

Me: lol. No

Someone: surprised Pikachu face. Adds a payout to it

Me: warmer warmer

😂😂 I joke, but I've had to sign a lot of NDAs for work and it's basically like the equivalent of "don't tell people our business model or how much we spend", I've never had one say "and don't tell people you signed an NDA". Very few times have I been asked to sign one after the thing and it was only because the person who was meant to give it to me forgot to earlier, or some extra info came to light that they didn't want out (how much the other company was spending on another campaign and paying their celeb endorsement). If I didn't sign the ones I was asked to after the thing, worst case scenario they might've fired someone on their team, but me personally - no consequences (I always signed anyway). And none of them had legal consequences for me except getting fired and sued if I shared our business model with a competitor (which I didn't, but when I left that company I took my skills and knowledge with me sooooo....... Lmao).

Idk I used to be a kaylor and the constant NDA talk was one of the things that broke me when someone said 'its not worth prison' to break an NDA and shit. They're more corporate docs than scandal management shit (I knew some people who wished they could use them to guarantee silence for their own mental health though lol 😂 but also once you're in that scene where you get actual gossip, you don't risk your career for $1,000 to share a pic of a C list model doing ❄️ at a party a b lister you're trying to work with is at)

yea look, NDAs are civil contracts (ie it’s never a “right to jail” situation), primarily used for business purposes (as you describe and actually it’s really not just in entertainment industries like all corporates use them and anything to do with R&D uses them a ton). From a scandal management perspective, an NDA can be used to finalize a settlement right, so you CAN sign an NDA on settling a case whereby one or both parties agree not to reveal the details of the settlement agreement.

The thing is, NDAs are also grounded in law. So you can’t, for example, NDA illegal activity (however much some people might want to 😂) because let’s say even as a silly example, I can’t make my employee sign a contract that says they vow never to reveal my use of ❄️ because (even though a lot of people do it) ❄️ is illegal so if a cop catches me they can arrest me and if my employee saw me do it they’d have to testify tbh and whether I got them to sign something to say they wouldn’t or nah is irrelevant. I can ask them to perjure themselves like privately but I can’t say “dude you signed a document that says you can never talk about illegal shit I do.”

NDAs also have to be clearly defined in terms of what the fuck they’re protecting (you can’t NDA any publicly accessible info for example) and generally are limited in time (let’s say I’m in R&D at Apple right and I move to a better job at Samsung like yes I can take my knowledge and skills but I can’t take the stuff we were working on at Apple with me BUT at a certain point that needs to expire because either that’ll become publicly accessible when Apple files its patents and/or they’re not planning to use what I worked on so I can use it etc) and also have to be demonstrably confidential issues that are very clearly defined as being such (actual example of an NDA I signed in the capacity of being a household PA in UHNW settings stated things like I can’t release addresses of RENTED properties (their official residences are publicly accessible info tho), any financial information I’m privvy to that I learn at work, security details, I can’t post any pictures on my socials where I can be clearly identified as being at one of their known properties without their permission etc like what was confidential was explicitly stated; an on set NDA I signed said I can’t refer to the project other than by its code name until it airs, I can’t reveal where precisely filming took place, and I can’t reveal any technical information I am privvy to on set; etc).

but like also those - and other NDAs I’ve signed - were contracts not Unbreakable Vows. They’re the same as employment contracts (mine came with jobs/projects) and prenups and leases of all kinds in that you… can break them. I haven’t broken an NDA or a rental lease but I’ve broken an employment contract and nothing really happened lol because the hassle and expense and embarrassment for them to sue me wasn’t worth it and they just hired a new person. Like technically they could’ve sued me for damages and shit but I wasn’t asking for their side of the contract either (ie my payment for fulfilling it lol) so suing me would’ve been a colossal waste of time and money even tho I’m pretty sure they’d have won lol because I basically just said “I don’t feel like doing this job anymore” and peaced out lol.

If someone breaks an NDA (or any contract), you can sue them, obviously for breach of contract and damages. That’s not a situation anyone really wants to be in over like celeb secrets (also because the celeb would have to file this so it’s kinda not non disclosing since they’re gonna have to sue you lol). I think the most common thing that keeps people’s mouths shut aren’t NDAs but the… need to keep working and also not wanting to be in mess/a snitch? Gaylor world NDAs wouldn’t work at all but even like a Joebless NDA where he signed one to get a payout would be like… idk man how that’d work lol tbqh from a legal perspective because I’m not sure how she’d enforce it so 💀🤷🏻‍♀️

[saucy-mesothelioma]

Gonna add some things that help me as well

Try to have at least one "fun" class each semester if your schedule allows it. When all of your classes are stressful or boring, having one class in the mix that really interests you can really help. It can give you something to look forward to and it helps break up the monotony of dull and stressful classes.

When you study, DO NOT memorize terms and definitions. You wouldn't believe how many of my classmates have missed questions just because the wording was changed in a definition; instead, try to remember the information as if you had to explain it to someone else. Look at the term you have and out-loud try to explain what it means using your own words, then check the definition to see if you got the gist of it right. This helps you really understand what it means instead of memorizing what you have written down

If you have a big campus, saving the location buildings you need to know in Google maps can really be a lifesaver. I've got a list of all of the buildings my classes are located in a special list alongside what classes are in what building.

Sort've a side note to the above, if you have a class in a building that's really hard to navigate, try to be there 10-15 minutes before your class begins to have some breathing room so you're not scrambling to find your class. On my campus there's a building that even the faculty that've been there for years STILL don't know how to navigate, so if at all possible having that extra time to find your classroom can really help.

When taking notes, use the method that's best for you. I personally write my notes by hand as I find that to be easier and more effective, but I know a lot of students that type theirs or use a tablet. Use mind maps, bullet points, diagrams, whatever helps YOU retain info the best.

That being said: do keep in mind that some classes might not allow you to have electronics, so it's always a good idea to keep a notebook and pencil on hand just in case

Always be on the lookout for extra credit opportunities. Not all professors offer extra credit, but when they do occasionally they can be very easy and even fun. For example, my geology class has an extra credit that's allows for complete creative freedom as long as you cover a topic on geology that we learned in class; she's had students make little models, YouTube essays, and even fucking memes. Especially if it's a hard class, that extra credit can help you out a lot.

Check to see if final exams are cumulative or non-cumulative. Sometimes a professor will tell you in the syllabus but sometimes they won't, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

PUT YOUR DUE DATES IN A CALENDAR. Read the syllabus and take notes of the due dates of quizzes, papers, exams, literally anything and everything important. It can be a physical calendar, digital calendar, whatever. If you use Canvas like I do, it's important to note that not every professor automatically has the due dates for their assignments added to the Canvas calendar. Also note that some professors push back or move forward some due dates and that they'll only mention this in class, so definitely pay attention to anything of the like. Having those dates down can help you prioritize studying and can save you so much trouble.

Actual good first-time college student advice:

Wear jeans/pants that “breathe” and bring a sweater, even if it’s scorching hot out, until you know which building blasts the AC to 60 degrees F and which feels like a sauna

Backpacks with thick straps are your friend!  Messenger bags are cool and all but if you’re commuting with a lot of stuff, symmetrically styled backpacks are better for your back

You are your own person and you can walk out whenever you need to or want to, so long as you’re not disrupting the class.  Meaning you can go to the bathroom without permission, take a breather if you’re anxious, answer an important phone call, etc.

If you don’t like the class on the first day, if you can- DROP THAT CLASS AND TAKE ANOTHER ONE!  It’ll only get worse from there!

If you can, take a class outside your major; it’s a good break from your expected studies.

You are in charge of your schedule.  Your adviser and guidance counselor is there to ‘advise and guide’ but if you don’t like certain classes and you can substitute for others, that’s your choice.

Consequently, if you are changing anything drastic in your plan, talk with your adviser and instructors.

Pay attention to your credit hours and grades.  Never leave this to the last week of school, you will be sorry and stressed beyond belief!

Unless it’s a lab book or otherwise specified, go to the class for a week or so before buying an expensive textbook.  Some classes, while having it on their required list, do not actually use the textbook a whole lot and you might find some of it scanned online.  Rent if you can or buy used online (schools actually don’t give discounts).  Use your best judgement on what you think you need.

Tell the people who go up to you selling or advertising things you are not interested in that you are in a rush to class and don’t have time to listen to them.  It’s less rude and they’ll leave you alone.

The smaller the class, the better it is to have some sort of acquaintanceship with a couple classmates.  They might save your ass if you are absent one day or need to study.  And talking with them makes the time go by faster without it being so insufferable.

You don’t need to join a club or sport, but internships are cool and useful!

If you can afford it, take a day off once or twice each semester if you’re too exhausted.  Just be aware of what you missed and if it was worth missing!

Your health is the most important, this goes for mental health too!!  Note: College-age/upper teens is when mental disorders like depression and anxiety are most commonly diagnosed.  Most schools have therapy services, especially during exam time.  Look into it if you need to!

Communicate with your professor if you are having trouble with something.  Anything.

Eat and stay hydrated.  Bring a water bottle and snack to class.

All-nighters will happen but never go over 36 hours without sleep.

It’s going to be hard and there will be times you might think about giving up.  This WILL happen.  You just have to make sure what you’re doing isn’t making you absolutely miserable and/or there is something rewarding and positive to look forward to at the end!

[nmietbbsr]

How to Build an Impressive Mechanical Engineering Portfolio

If you’re a mechanical engineering student or graduate, having a well-prepared portfolio can give you a strong edge—especially when applying for jobs, internships, or even postgraduate programs. It’s more than just a resume; it shows what you’ve actually done, what you’re capable of, and how serious you are about your field.

Let’s talk about how you can build a strong, practical mechanical engineering portfolio step by step. And no, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Start with the Basics

Before anything else, get your personal details in order. This includes your full name, contact info, LinkedIn profile, and a brief summary of who you are and what you’re focused on. Just a couple of lines—no fluff. If you've studied at one of the best colleges in Bhubaneswar, for example, you might want to mention that as part of your academic background. Keep it short and relevant.

Highlight Your Projects

This is the heart of your portfolio. Projects say more than grades ever can. Start by selecting 3–5 of your best ones. These could include:

Academic projects (final year, mini-projects)

Personal projects (something you built or modified on your own)

Internships where you worked on live problems

Competitions like SAE, Robocon, or college-level events

For each project, include:

A short description of what it was

Your role and what you specifically did

Tools or software you used (like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, ANSYS, etc.)

What problem it solved or what you learned from it

If you did a project at a place like NMIET where hands-on learning is encouraged, make sure to mention how it helped you gain real-world exposure.

Include Technical Skills

This is not just a bullet list of every tool you’ve heard of. Only include what you can actually use. Group them by categories—like CAD tools, analysis software, programming (if any), or manufacturing techniques. Don’t exaggerate. If you’ve only used SolidWorks once, don’t list yourself as an expert.

Employers and recruiters often do a quick scan of this section to match job requirements, so it helps if it’s clean and to the point.

Certifications and Workshops

Got certifications in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or Six Sigma? List them. Also include any training or workshops you've attended—whether online or in person. For instance, many students from top engineering colleges in Odisha take up extra training during summer breaks. This shows initiative and adds weight to your profile.

If you’ve taken part in industry visits or guest lectures organized by your institute, that also helps. Just a line about each will do.

Showcase Internships and Industry Experience

This is where you highlight practical exposure. Write about your internships, the companies, the kind of tasks you handled, and what skills you picked up. Even if the internship was unpaid or lasted only a few weeks, it still counts if it added to your learning.

Many colleges in Bhubaneswar have partnerships with companies like IBM, Capgemini, and Cognizant. So if you got to intern through your college, make that part clear.

Don’t Skip Soft Skills

Engineers don’t work in isolation. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership are all valuable. If you’ve been a part of college committees, tech fests, or group projects, use that to show your soft skills.

But again, avoid general statements. Instead of saying “I am a good leader,” say something like “Led a team of 5 during the college robotics event and managed the mechanical assembly section.”

Make It Visual

Where possible, add pictures, charts, screenshots, or diagrams from your projects. If you created a working model, add a photo. If you ran simulations, include images of the results. A visual element helps your portfolio stand out.

And if you can, create a simple PDF version and a digital version—like a Google Drive folder or even a basic personal website. Some students from top engineering colleges in Odisha are already doing this, and it does catch recruiters’ attention.

Keep It Updated

A portfolio is not a one-time task. Keep adding new work, achievements, and skills as you go. Set a reminder every few months to review and update it.

Also, before you apply for any job or internship, tweak your portfolio to match the role. Highlight the projects and skills that are most relevant.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a stack of awards or an expensive design layout to build an impressive mechanical engineering portfolio. What you need is clarity, honesty, and evidence of real work. Keep it clean, well-organized, and easy to read.

And remember—building a strong portfolio isn’t just about showing off. It’s about telling your story as an engineer in the most practical way. Whether you're from NMIET or another college, start now, keep improving, and let your work speak for itself.

[brandmydispollc]

Read These Tips Before Buying Custom Cannabis Packaging

Custom cannabis packaging isn’t just a box; it's the handshake, the first impression, the storyteller of your brand. In an industry that's blooming faster than a well-watered plant, standing out is crucial.

So, before you dive headfirst into the world of custom marijuana packaging, here’s a unique guide to ensure your brand doesn’t just float but soars.

1. Get Cozy with the Legal Lingo

Let’s kick things off with the not-so-glamorous but oh-so-essential: legality. Regulations are the strict hall monitors of the cannabis world, and breaking the rules can land you in the principal’s office (read: fines or business shutdown). Here’s the cheat sheet:

Child-Proof It: Think of this as a challenge to create Fort Knox in a box. Your packaging should keep the curious little hands out while being user-friendly for adults.

Label Like a Pro: Channel your inner detail-oriented self. Every bit of info—from THC/CBD content to usage instructions and warnings—needs to be crystal clear.

Seal the Deal: Tamper-evident seals are your best friends. They shout, “I’ve never been touched!” and give customers peace of mind.

Keep It Under Wraps: Some places demand opaque packaging to keep things discreet and safe from prying eyes.

2. Branding: The Heartbeat of Your Packaging

Your weed packaging isn’t just a container; it’s a canvas. It’s your brand’s wardrobe, the attire that tells everyone who you are before they even say hello. Here’s how to make it unforgettable:

Design Dreams: Whether you’re channeling sleek modern vibes or earthy, rustic feels, make sure your design is a true reflection of your brand’s soul.

Logo Love: Make your logo the star of the show. It should be front and center, a beacon of your brand.

Show Off Your USP: What’s your secret sauce? Organic farming? Unique strains? Whatever it is, let your packaging narrate that story beautifully.

3. Green is the New Black: Sustainability

In the age of eco-consciousness, going green isn’t just a trend; it’s a responsibility. Here’s how to ensure your custom marijuana packaging is as kind to the earth as it is to your product:

Eco Materials: Recycled paper, biodegradable plastics, glass—choose materials that say, “I care about the planet.”

Less is More: Cut the fluff. Minimalist packaging isn’t just chic; it’s cost-effective and eco-friendly.

Reusable Awesomeness: Design with a second life in mind. Reusable packaging not only reduces waste but also adds extra value for your customers.

4. Function Meets Fashion: Practicality Matters

Sure, looks are important, but your THC packaging also needs to protect and serve. Here’s how to ensure it does just that:

Barrier Basics: Keep the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. Your packaging should shield your product from light, oxygen, and moisture.

Durability: Make sure it’s tough enough to handle rough rides and eager hands without a scratch.

User-Friendly: Convenience is key. Easy to open, easy to reseal—your packaging should be a joy to use.

5. Mind the Wallet: Cost-Effectiveness

Custom cannabis packaging is an investment, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s how to balance quality and cost:

Bulk Up: Ordering in bulk can save you bucks. Just make sure you’ve got the space and a plan to use it all.

Smart Material Choices: Opt for materials that strike the right balance between cost and eco-friendliness.

Buddy Up with Suppliers: Good relationships can lead to better deals, quicker turnarounds, and higher quality.

6. Flex Your Creativity: Customization and Flexibility

Customization isn’t just about slapping on a logo; it’s about creating a versatile, adaptive weed packaging system. Here’s how to make it work:

Modular Masterpieces: Design a base package that can easily be tweaked for different products or seasons.

Limited Editions: Special packaging for holidays or events can create a sense of urgency and exclusivity.

Personal Touches: Explore options for personalized packaging. Names, custom messages—these little touches can build big loyalty.

7. Stay Ahead: Market Trends

The cannabis market moves fast. Keeping an eye on trends can give you a leg up. Here’s what’s hot:

Digital Dazzle: QR codes and augmented reality can turn your packaging into an interactive experience.

Health and Wellness: Highlight the wellness benefits of your product to tap into the growing health-conscious market.

Premium Appeal: Luxurious, high-end packaging can set you apart and justify a higher price point.

8. Think Big: Plan for Scalability

As your business grows, so will your custom dispensary packaging needs. Plan for scalability to stay ahead:

Modular Systems: Design packaging that can scale up or down smoothly.

Vendor Partnerships: Build strong relationships with suppliers who can grow with you.

Future-Proofing: Anticipate future trends and regulatory changes to avoid costly redesigns.

9. Listen Up: Customer Feedback

Your customers are your best critics. Their feedback is gold. Here’s how to use it:

Surveys and Reviews: Regularly ask for feedback and be ready to adapt.

Focus Groups: Test new designs before going all-in.

Social Listening: Keep an ear to the ground on social media for real-time reactions and insights.

Your cannabis packaging isn’t just a protective shell; it’s a dynamic, living part of your brand. By understanding legal requirements, embracing your brand identity, prioritizing sustainability, ensuring functionality, and being cost-effective, you can create THC packaging that truly shines.

Stay on top of trends, plan for growth, and always listen to your customers. In a booming market, your custom weed packaging can be the difference between blending in and standing out.

How to Design Custom Dispensary Packaging: A Journey Beyond the Box

Designing custom dispensary packaging isn't just about creating a container for your cannabis products—it's about crafting an unforgettable experience that resonates with your customers, aligns with your brand, and adheres to all the necessary regulations. In a world where cannabis is blooming faster than a well-watered plant, standout packaging can set your dispensary apart from the rest. Buckle up, because this guide is going to take you on a journey through the essential steps and considerations for designing custom dispensary packaging that does more than just hold your product.

1. Embrace Your Brand Identity

Before you dive into the world of design, take a moment to reflect on your brand identity. Your packaging should be a mirror that reflects your brand’s soul, values, and mission. Here’s how to bring your brand to life through your packaging:

Tell Your Story: What’s the narrative behind your dispensary? Whether it’s wellness, luxury, sustainability, or another unique angle, your packaging should be the storyteller.

Know Your Audience: Who are your customers? Health-conscious consumers, luxury seekers, or value hunters? Tailoring your packaging to their preferences will make your brand irresistible.

Visual Symphony: Think about the colors, fonts, and imagery that represent your brand. These elements should dance in harmony across all your packaging to create a unified brand experience.

2. Master the Art of Compliance

In the cannabis world, packaging regulations are the rulebook you can’t ignore. Stay updated on the legal requirements in your area to avoid any compliance hiccups. Here’s the cheat sheet:

Child-Proof Armor: Your packaging should be a fortress that’s tough for kids to crack but easy for adults to use.

Label Like a Maestro: Your packaging should sing with all the required information—THC/CBD content, usage instructions, health warnings, and batch numbers.

Tamper-Evident Magic: Incorporate seals or other features that scream, “I’m untouched!” This assures your customers of the product’s integrity.

Opaque Elegance: In some regions, your packaging needs to be opaque to keep the contents hidden and secure.

3. Go Green or Go Home: Sustainability

Sustainability is not just a buzzword—it’s a lifestyle. Eco-friendly packaging can elevate your brand’s appeal and show that you care about the planet. Here’s how to make your packaging green:

Eco-Friendly Materials: Opt for recyclable or biodegradable materials like recycled paper, biodegradable plastics, or glass.

Minimalist Magic: Embrace the beauty of less. A minimalist design reduces waste and costs while looking sleek and modern.

Reusable Charm: Design packaging that can be repurposed by consumers, adding value and reducing environmental impact.

4. Functionality and Protection: The Dynamic Duo

While aesthetics are crucial, your packaging's primary job is to protect your product. Here’s how to make sure it does just that:

Barrier Wizards: Use materials that protect your product from light, moisture, and oxygen to keep it fresh and potent.

Durable Armor: Ensure your packaging can handle the bumps and bruises of shipping and handling without a scratch.

Convenient Magic: Design packaging that’s a breeze to open and reseal, making it user-friendly and practical.

5. Design Elements: The Visual Feast

Your packaging should be a visual feast that’s striking and memorable. Here’s how to create that impact:

Logo Love: Your logo should be the hero of your packaging. Use consistent branding elements like colors and fonts to create a cohesive look.

Graphic Masterpieces: Use high-quality images and graphics that resonate with your brand and captivate your customers. Keep it clean and professional.

Typography Harmony: Choose readable fonts that match your brand’s style. Make sure important information is clear and easy to read.

6. Customization and Personalization: The Unique Touch

Customization allows your packaging to stand out and cater to different product lines and customer preferences. Here’s how to infuse that unique touch:

Modular Magic: Create a base design that can be easily adapted for different products or special editions.

Limited Edition Enchantment: Design special packaging for holidays, events, or limited-time offers to create excitement and urgency.

Personalized Potions: Add personalized elements like customer names or custom messages to build a deeper connection with your customers.

7. Interactive and Digital Elements: The Tech Twist

Incorporating technology into your packaging can elevate the customer experience and provide additional product information. Here’s how:

QR Code Wonders: Add QR codes that link to detailed product information, usage guides, or promotional content.

Augmented Reality Adventures: Use AR to create interactive experiences that engage customers and provide a unique selling point.

Smart Packaging Magic: Implement NFC (Near Field Communication) or other smart packaging technologies to offer digital interactions and enhance customer engagement.

8. Prototyping and Testing: The Experimentation Phase

Before you finalize your packaging design, it’s essential to prototype and test it to ensure it meets all your requirements. Here’s how to perfect it:

Create Prototypes: Develop prototypes to evaluate the design, materials, and functionality.

Focus Group Feedback: Conduct focus groups to gather insights on the design and usability of the packaging.

Iterate and Improve: Use feedback to make necessary adjustments and improvements to the packaging design.

9. Production and Quality Control: The Final Frontier

Once the design is set, focus on production and quality control to ensure consistency and high standards. Here’s what to consider:

Choose a Reliable Ally: Partner with a manufacturer who can deliver high-quality packaging within your budget and timeline.

Quality Enforcers: Implement strict quality control measures to ensure each batch of packaging meets your standards.

Scalability Sorcery: Ensure your packaging solution can scale with your business growth without compromising on quality.

10. Marketing and Launch: The Grand Reveal

Your packaging is a crucial part of your marketing strategy. Here’s how to make a grand entrance:

Unboxing Extravaganza: Create an unforgettable unboxing experience that delights customers and encourages social sharing.

Brand Storytelling: Use the packaging to narrate your brand’s story and connect with customers on an emotional level.

Promotional Pizzazz: Launch promotional campaigns to highlight your new packaging and generate buzz.

Designing custom dispensary packaging is a multifaceted adventure that balances creativity, functionality, compliance, and sustainability. By embracing your brand identity, mastering compliance, prioritizing sustainability, ensuring functionality, and leveraging customization, you can create packaging that not only protects your products but also elevates your brand.

Incorporate interactive elements, prototype and test thoroughly, ensure quality production, and use your packaging as a powerful marketing tool. In the bustling cannabis market, your packaging can be the key to standing out and creating lasting impressions.

The Ultimate Guide to the Most Popular Types of Custom Weed Packaging

In the rapidly growing cannabis industry, packaging is more than just a necessity—it’s a statement. From sleek, modern designs to eco-friendly options, custom weed packaging plays a pivotal role in brand identity, product protection, and customer satisfaction. Whether you're an established brand or a new entrant, understanding the most popular types of custom weed packaging can give you a significant edge. Here’s a comprehensive look at the top choices:

1. Custom Weed Bags or Custom Mylar Bags

Overview: Custom weed bags, often made from Mylar, are one of the most popular packaging options in the cannabis industry. These bags are known for their durability, flexibility, and excellent barrier properties, which protect the product from moisture, light, and air.

Benefits:

Durability: Mylar bags are tough and resistant to punctures and tears, ensuring that the product remains safe during transport and storage.

Barrier Protection: They provide an excellent barrier against environmental factors, preserving the potency and freshness of cannabis.

Customization: Mylar bags offer a large surface area for branding and design, allowing for vibrant colors, logos, and other visual elements.

Variety: Available in various sizes and styles, including zip-lock, heat-seal, and child-resistant options.

Design Tips:

Bold Graphics: Utilize the ample space for eye-catching graphics and clear branding.

Transparency: Consider a window to allow customers to see the product without compromising protection.

Sustainability: Explore eco-friendly Mylar options to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

2. Weed Jars with Labels

Overview: Glass or plastic weed jars are a classic choice for packaging cannabis flower. These jars offer excellent protection and a premium feel, often preferred for their transparency and reusability.

Benefits:

Product Visibility: Clear jars allow consumers to see the product, which can enhance the appeal and trust.

Protection: Glass jars protect the cannabis from crushing and provide a solid barrier against air and moisture.

Reusability: High-quality jars can be reused, adding value for the consumer and promoting sustainability.

Premium Look: Jars provide a high-end, luxurious feel that can elevate the brand’s image.

Design Tips:

Custom Labels: Design labels that wrap around the jar, including all necessary information and branding elements.

Seal of Freshness: Use tamper-evident seals to ensure product integrity and build consumer trust.

Eco-Friendly Materials: Consider using recyclable or biodegradable materials for both the jar and the label.

3. Pre-Roll Boxes

Overview: Pre-rolls are one of the fastest-growing segments in the cannabis market, and custom pre-roll boxes are essential for protecting and showcasing these products. These boxes can hold single or multiple pre-rolls and offer a sleek, professional appearance.

Benefits:

Protection: Sturdy boxes protect pre-rolls from damage and maintain their shape.

Convenience: Pre-roll boxes are easy to carry and store, enhancing the user experience.

Branding: The box provides ample space for branding, including logos, colors, and product information.

Compliance: Custom boxes can be designed to meet regulatory requirements, including child-resistant features.

Design Tips:

Luxury Finish: Use high-quality printing and finishes like embossing, foil stamping, or spot UV to make the box stand out.

Informative Design: Include all necessary information, such as strain details, THC/CBD content, and usage instructions.

Eco-Friendly Options: Opt for sustainable materials and printing processes to appeal to eco-conscious consumers.

4. Dab Containers

Overview: Dab containers, also known as concentrate jars, are designed to hold cannabis concentrates such as wax, shatter, or oil. These containers need to provide a tight seal to preserve the product’s potency and prevent leaks.

Benefits:

Airtight Seal: High-quality dab containers provide an airtight seal that preserves the product’s freshness and prevents leaks.

Variety of Materials: Available in glass, plastic, or silicone, each material offering unique benefits.

Portability: Small and convenient, dab containers are easy to carry and store.

Customizable: These containers can be customized with logos, colors, and labels to reflect the brand’s identity.

Design Tips:

High-Quality Materials: Choose materials that enhance the product's shelf life and user experience.

Clear Branding: Use custom labels or printing directly on the container to ensure brand visibility.

Child-Resistant Features: Incorporate child-resistant mechanisms to comply with safety regulations.

5. Vape Cartridge Boxes

Overview: Vape cartridges are popular for their convenience and potency, and their packaging needs to reflect these qualities. Custom vape cartridge boxes protect the product while providing a stylish presentation.

Benefits:

Protection: Sturdy boxes protect vape cartridges from damage during transport and storage.

Branding Opportunity: Vape boxes offer a great canvas for branding, including detailed product information and attractive designs.

Compliance: Custom boxes can be designed to meet regulatory requirements, including child-resistant features.

User Experience: Well-designed boxes enhance the unboxing experience, adding to customer satisfaction.

Design Tips:

Innovative Design: Use unique shapes, colors, and finishes to make your vape cartridge boxes stand out.

Informative Labels: Include all necessary information such as strain details, potency, and usage instructions.

Sustainability: Opt for eco-friendly materials and printing methods to align with sustainable practices.

In the cannabis industry, packaging is more than just a container—it's a crucial element of your brand's identity and customer experience.

By understanding the most popular types of custom weed packaging, from Mylar bags and weed jars to pre-roll boxes, dab containers, and vape cartridge boxes, you can make informed decisions that enhance your product's appeal and compliance.

Remember, great packaging protects your product, tells your brand's story, and leaves a lasting impression on your customers. Embrace these packaging options to elevate your brand and stand out in the competitive cannabis market.

FAQ About Custom Marijuana Packaging: All Your Burning Questions Answered

As the cannabis industry skyrockets, the need for standout, compliant, and captivating packaging solutions grows with it. Custom marijuana packaging isn't just about storing your product; it's about making a bold statement. Whether you're an established brand or a budding entrepreneur, understanding the nuances of custom marijuana packaging can set you apart from the crowd. Dive into this comprehensive FAQ guide to get the lowdown on everything you need to know.

1. What Is Custom Weed Packaging?

Custom marijuana packaging is tailored to fit the unique needs of cannabis products and brands. It encompasses everything from the materials used to the design, labeling, and legal compliance. Essentially, it’s packaging that reflects your brand’s personality and ensures your product’s safety and integrity.

2. Why Is Custom Packaging Important for Marijuana Products?

Custom packaging is crucial in the cannabis industry for several reasons:

Brand Identity: It sets your products apart from competitors by showcasing your unique brand.

Compliance: Ensures your packaging meets all legal requirements, including child-resistant features and proper labeling.

Product Protection: Keeps your product fresh and potent by shielding it from environmental factors like light, air, and moisture.

Consumer Trust: High-quality, tamper-evident packaging builds trust with consumers.

3. What Are the Legal Requirements for Marijuana Packaging?

Legal requirements for marijuana packaging vary, but common regulations include:

Child-Resistant Features: Packaging must be tough for kids to open but accessible for adults.

Clear Labeling: Must include THC/CBD content, usage instructions, health warnings, and batch numbers.

Tamper-Evident Seals: Ensures the product has not been tampered with.

Opaque Packaging: In some areas, the contents must be hidden from view.

Truthful Information: Packaging should not make false or misleading claims.

4. What Types of Custom THC Packaging Are Available?

There are several types of custom marijuana packaging to consider, each serving different purposes:

Custom Mylar Bags: Durable, flexible, and great for barrier protection.

Weed Jars with Labels: Glass or plastic jars that offer a premium feel and product visibility.

Pre-Roll Boxes: Sturdy boxes designed to hold single or multiple pre-rolls.

Dab Containers: Small, airtight containers for cannabis concentrates.

Vape Cartridge Boxes: Protective boxes that offer ample space for branding.

5. How Can I Ensure My Packaging Is Compliant with Regulations?

To ensure your packaging meets all legal requirements:

Stay Updated: Regularly check the latest regulations in your area.

Partner with Experts: Work with knowledgeable packaging suppliers.

Label Accurately: Ensure all required information is clearly printed on the packaging.

Use Child-Resistant Features: Make sure your packaging meets child-resistant standards.

Incorporate Tamper-Evident Seals: Use seals that indicate if the packaging has been opened.

6. How Do I Choose the Right Packaging Material?

Choosing the right packaging material involves considering:

Product Type: Different products may require different materials.

Barrier Protection: Opt for materials that shield the product from light, air, and moisture.

Sustainability: Choose eco-friendly options like recyclable paper or biodegradable plastics.

Brand Image: Select materials that reflect your brand’s identity, whether premium or eco-conscious.

7. How Can Custom Packaging Enhance My Brand?

Custom packaging can enhance your brand by:

Visual Appeal: Attractive designs and high-quality materials make your product stand out.

Consistency: Consistent use of colors, logos, and fonts strengthens brand recognition.

Storytelling: Packaging can convey your brand’s story, values, and unique selling points.

Customer Experience: Well-designed packaging creates a memorable unboxing experience, fostering customer loyalty.

8. What Are the Costs Involved in Custom Weed Packaging?

The costs of custom marijuana packaging depend on several factors:

Material Quality: Higher-quality materials generally cost more.

Design Complexity: More intricate designs may incur higher costs.

Order Quantity: Bulk orders typically reduce the per-unit cost.

Special Features: Adding features like child-resistant mechanisms or tamper-evident seals can increase costs.

9. Can I Use Eco-Friendly Materials for Cannabis Packaging?

Absolutely! Eco-friendly materials are a great choice for marijuana packaging. Options include:

Recyclable Paper: Sustainable and biodegradable.

Biodegradable Plastics: Break down more quickly than traditional plastics.

Glass: Recyclable and reusable, offering a premium look and feel.

Sustainable Inks: Use soy or vegetable-based inks for printing to reduce environmental impact.

10. What Are the Trends in Marijuana Packaging?

Staying on top of trends can help your brand stay relevant:

Sustainability: Increasing demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions.

Minimalist Design: Clean, simple designs focusing on essential information.

Interactive Packaging: Incorporating QR codes or augmented reality (AR) for enhanced customer experiences.

Luxury Packaging: High-end materials and finishes to appeal to premium market segments.

Personalization: Customized packaging with customer names or unique messages.

11. How Can I Design Effective Custom Marijuana Packaging?

Designing effective custom marijuana packaging involves:

Understanding Your Brand: Clearly define your brand’s identity, values, and target audience.

Focusing on Functionality: Ensure the packaging protects the product and is user-friendly.

Prioritizing Compliance: Design with regulatory requirements in mind.

Investing in Quality: High-quality materials and printing reflect positively on your brand.

Engaging with Professionals: Work with experienced designers for visually appealing and effective packaging.

Prototyping and Testing: Create prototypes and test them with real customers for feedback and improvements.

12. What Should Be Included on My Packaging Label?

Your packaging label should include:

Brand Name and Logo: Clear and prominent to enhance brand recognition.

Product Name: Clearly state what the product is.

THC/CBD Content: Include the amount of THC and CBD per serving and in total.

Usage Instructions: Provide clear instructions on how to use the product.

Health Warnings: Include any required health warnings.

Batch Number and Expiry Date: For traceability and quality assurance.

Compliance Information: Any additional information required by law.

Custom marijuana packaging is a multifaceted aspect of the cannabis business that goes beyond functionality. It's a powerful tool for branding, compliance, and customer satisfaction. By understanding the various types of packaging, legal requirements, material options, and design strategies, you can create packaging that not only protects your product but also elevates your brand in the competitive cannabis market.

Use this FAQ guide as your roadmap to navigate the complexities of custom marijuana packaging and make informed decisions that benefit your business and delight your customers.

[esotericfaery]

Here is your basic info, for if you prefer to journal this type of thing into your own words, and do your own witchy stuff with it. There's more information in the video, but it doesn't start with the guided meditation part. There's also extra information in the article.

I ask for (Name of person I am healing / could be your name) 's Inner Self, in other words Free Will Saturated, Natural Law abiding Inner Child self, permission to heal all cords, cables, attachments, connections, and any other appropriate descriptor, which any and all other people are using to drain energy in all ways which break the Free Will section within Natural Law. I also include myself in here, as we can all sometimes be energy vampires in unawareness.

These attachments had been effecting (name of person) by causing him or her any combination of dissonance, such as fatigue, emotional stress such as fatigue, emotional distress, mental stress, spiritual distress, and physical pain.

Healing is all about intent. Anyone can do it if they so choose. It is always my intent to facilitate healing of others only with the permission of their Highest Selves, and only at the right time and in the right ways. Try to have faith that you can empower yourself to learn healing.

Should in any part, the person who I am healing for, reject the healing in any way due to triggering, I immediately feel that, and withdraw my energy, which I had sent gently and slowly towards their aura, back into my own body, where I transmute it from dissonance into harmony.

I have a degree of synaesthesia, so, since I was a child, I have deliberately turned down my visualization abilities, as my perceptions were otherwise too intense - as is the situation with many other people like me.

Many have asked me how to visualize, in order to move energies for healing.

Start simple. You can even stay with it as simple, because basics are all you need really. It's mostly about intent. I know I use the word a lot. But intent intent intent, is really where it's at.

So here's where you will want to be witching this into a journal. One thing I forgot in the video, is to add whichever attributes you want; 100% Happiness, 100% Positivity, etc.

I now travel in awareness, on waves of equity, towards the subtle bodies of (Name of person). These waves shift slowly, gently, with love and confidence, just as those of a lake, which gentle brings its nourishing waters to one who is in need. As these waves of healing are received, we see little bubbles form, as they are entering the person we are healing, and these bubbles slowly, yet gently, form up to spell 100% gratitude, as they disappear into the person we are healing. We are grateful for this gift of being able to heal others. We see 100% Freedom form in bubbles, and move slowly, yet surely, into the person. Now we see 100% Sovereignty forming, and saturating the persons aura, with the gentle light of a sunrise glinting on each drop of water. It slowly dims, as the person absorbs your healing, and you are relaxed, and content, with the faith that your friend is prepared for gentle disentanglement of dissonance into harmony. We begin to see on our friend, black cables, and some may be other colours., attached to your friend. Some are in tangles. We feel, as we have before, that these are draining our friends energies. And so, we reach down to scoop up water in our hands, and it all stays in our hands, comfortably, as we see we have perfectly shaped paws, instead of hands. We gentle poor the water over each of the attachments, one by one, as we watch the water dissolve., and the tangled attachments disentangle into straight cords until, all of which had been attached, are no more. We slow down, or speed up, whatever feels natural. We only stop, as we feel ourselves with no more of this work to do with our friend, at this time. We have knowledge and faith that all of the energies which had been attached to our friend, have dissolved into the Free Will Natural Laws and are sent to Prime Creator / Prime Creatrix for transmutation.

[astrojoy]

Energy really does matter

I don't know if I made a post on this before or wrote it and then deleted it but just in case ima make this and add it to my extra list ig

Whatever energy you put out can effect your environment, the people around you, everything really

True Example

My neighbor is very kind, being a spychic medium (not even that it's needed) you can really feel how positive this man's energy is. He has a genuine vibe. He shows love to all his animals and his overall home and land. He takes care of his plants and even grows some. He is what you would think a kind elder man is. Cracking some jokes from time to time and staying positive/hopeful

My grandmother, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. An alcoholic who has so many negative traits it's incomparable. I could list them off but we would be here for awhile. She has tried to water and take care of her plants as of now and crops in the past (she's a farmer and used to have a farm with crops and animals so she isn't new to anything // just for clarification).

If I could show you a comparison of the energy in both places you would be astounded. Not only is it the energy, but it's also the appearance. My neighbors yard has a very light energy, you can breath and feel free. His grass is dark green, everything including his plants are healthy. He animals, his trees, his home. He lives so close to us yet his home seems to catch a breeze of wind through the trees xD Then you go over to my grandmothers house and her yard is dry, even some once healthy trees before she moved in, have now died. Her plants grow but you can tell they're weak. Energy-wise, the place is like walking through a dense cloud of black smoke. It's heavy. The negative energy surrounding my grandmothers home has caused physical effects. I had skin problems (then I moved away with my mom and brothers//and we're positive, so once I was gone my skin healed up and everything was fine again) then we came back and my skin began breaking out again. That's just a small example amidst other stuff.

And for those astrology peeps, think of the planets. Their energy affects us, the earth and etc. Everything has energy, and it's basically like ping pong, bouncing off of everything. However energy loves to cling onto things as well. Which is why it takes time to heal or feel whole again if we've been through a tough time. The more negativity an environment has endured, the longer it will take to peel every layer of negativity. Just like you, wherever your sitting right now needs love 🥺💖

So with that info,

- Take care of your surroundings (even if it's objects and it seems silly)

- Treat others with love and compassion

- Be a good person :)

- Take care of your home for the next people in the future who live there (before I usually move out, I like to sage the area and spray positive spray to help the next people who move in to have a fresh start ☺💖 it's incase any negative energy gets trapped that I didn't feel)

- Grow plants/trees/fruits/veggies with love, sing as you water them, talk positively to them (if you sell them idk it came to me randomly) that's why people say "this was cooked with love" too 😂

- Cleanse your energy often (if you can) 💃

- Take healing baths/do some self care if you have the ability to

- Tip: Positive affirmations, positive subliminals go a long way

- If you're truly having a bad day, don't take it out on others. Tell them you need a minute and go somewhere alone and breath. Think it all out and get back in the groove. Motivate yourself

- If you deal with negative people on a daily, I know what it's like, it's probably impossible to get away from, however laugh it off. Let those negative people act immature if they want. Show them your vibration isn't to be messed with. You're mature. You're strong. They don't deserve your time and energy 😎🤝😊

- Also side note: Show gratitiude in daily life :) Thank your spirit/angel/ancestor guides for any hidden blessings or help that they've bestowed to you. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen. And just because you can't feel it doesn't mean it won't happen! Thank your loved ones for supporting you or anyone important in your life! It's a kind way of showing the universe your love. This can't be a one sided relationship now can it? 🫂

ETC ETC E-

Idk I felt like saying this :') have a nice day please 🫂

[lillian-nator]

Ranch AU

Or, as we all call it, The Cowboy AU 

Essentially, this was something that I created, and it’s gonna be purely fluffy, with a small bit of angst here and there. Any of the angst will be hurt/comfort. It’s meant to make us all feel better after those fucking harsh lore streams. I started it, based off of some shit in the Dad!Schlatt AU, and after that I honestly didn’t write most of it. It had really been a project in the discord, because we were all sad and shit, so if you have some fluff to offer, please do! I am happy to make almost anything canon - and we could always use more ideas. :)

I hope you enjoy some mindless farm boi fluff!

BASIC INFO: 

It's SBI's Ranch (Phil is Dadza, Tommy, Techno, and Wilbur are his sons)

Phil, sells to the local stores, and manages the crops. He doesn't do too much labor anymore. He hired his boys for that.

Dream, SapNap, Purpled, Tubbo, Callahan, and Punz are all hired farm hands

George, Niki, Ranboo, and Fundy work at the shop where they sell their products; Niki makes all of the dairy products, Fundy and Ranboo stock, label prices, and keeps track of sales, and George works customer service with his Gogy magic.

Wilbur works with the sheep, the goats, and he trains the dogs (Collies - they herd sheep), he also works with the crops a lot

Schlatt isn't hired but he might as well be. He can be found wherever Wilbur is, and is probably drinking a beer he stole from Phil. He doesn't get paid, but he eats all of their food.

Tommy works with the cows, the pigs, the chickens, the horses (sometimes), his goose, and the dogs / cats that they own

Tubbo works with Tommy. Essentially. But he also works on the crops, and the bee farm that they have set up.

Techno works with the horses, and is currently training to be a veterinarian.

Dream works on horses with Techno - they race the horses competitively - but otherwise, is where ever he is needed (usually crops)

Purpled works with Tommy and Tubbo. He mostly works with Tubbo on crops and his bee farm.

Punz and SapNap haul things. As your resident Chads, they are in-charge of moving heavy things and doing manual labor.

Callahan is their repair man. He fixes tractors, and machines on a daily basis.

SOME HEADCANNONS: 

HENRY, a saga:

that henry has a matching bandana to the one Tommy has so that everyone knows thats henry. Tommy doesn't like it when people touch henry so henry gets a bandana - Shark -

when Phil first started raising Tommy, he would've never guessed that he would turn out the way he did.

He was loud, and brash, and hit his brothers, and made fun of the neighbor's kids,  but then Tubbo became Tommy's best friend, and then Phil introduced Tommy to the cows.

The cows are Tommy's everything.

When a Bred Heifer is due, he sits with them everyday past their due date - he sat with Betty for 5 days when she wouldn't birth a calf. He was so fucking worried.

When one of his cows are sick, he sleeps in the barn until they get better. His last days with Harvey fucked him up.

Tubbo, Tommy, Purpled, and Ranboo spend long nights at the farm, and Tommy always leans against Henry as he stares up at the stars.

Henry who his best girl (all cows are girls and Tommy doesn't give a shit about gendered names). Henry who wears a matching bandana. Henry who is fluffy, and warm, and Tommy's everything. -

Sometimes when Tommy had a bad day, whether it’s stress, or school, or just whatever, Tommy sleeps in the Henry’s stall with her. Phil has so many pictures of Tommy curled up with Henry. From when she was first born to now. - Eye

Tommy hates winter because that’s the one time of year Phil won’t let him sleep in the barn. Even with the layers and heat lamps it’s too unsafe. Tommy always gets up extra early in the winter. Both because he has to check and break ice in the water troughs but also because he misses his girl - Eye -

Henry's mother, Betty, was the first Cow Tommy had helped during birth. He sat with her for 5 days when she hadn't gone into labor past her due date. It took 9 hours for Henry to be born, and Tommy was there through the entire thing -

Well, almost the entire thing. He was at school for the first hour of labor, and was so pissed at Phil when Phil knew and didn't immediately come get Tommy from School.

It always felt like Tommy and Henry had a special bond because Tommy literally raised Henry from birth. -

They didn't think Henry was gonna make it when she was first born, but Tommy was fucking determined, and bottle fed that cow every single day and night. When she was slowly weened off milk, Tommy got unironically sad that he didn't have to bottle feed her anymore.

He still visited her every morning, and milked her mother at dawn, right after he got eggs from his hens. -

Henry waits for Tommy at the end of their long ass drive way when he gets home from school. She knows that when the bus pulls up that her boy is back and so she’s always there waiting lazily for pets and a nice walk together back to the house. Even when it’s cold and someone is waiting for the kids to get home in an ATV or something Tommy always walks back to the house with Henry - Eye

Thinking about how long these fucking country roads are. And how Tommy and Tubbo have the same bus stop even though Tubbo and Tommy's houses are a couple of miles away. Tommy has to walk a mile to get to the beginning of his driveway, and seeing his favorite girl there is like a reward at the end of a journey. Tommy probably keeps a bag of feed in his backpack, which is just a mixture of grain, hay and corn, and gives Henry a handful to thank her for waiting for him.

Clementine, The Goose: 

Tommy has a goose, and names it Clementine. 

He found her in the woods one day, when she was very young, and he decided he was going to keep Clementine. 

Clementine is only ever nice to Schlatt and Tommy. No one knows why. 

Clementine follows Tommy around. Very endearing. 

Phil doesn’t question it at this point 

NEW MILO, the sequel:

OG Milo is a kitten that Wilbur found on the side of the road, in the rain, and he took the kitten in, trying to save him. Wilbur immediately got attached.

Techno pulled an all nighter, half spent  trying to save OG Milo and the other half comforting Wilbur. "You couldn't have helped, he was too starved and out in the rain for too long." Phil adds that if Techno can't save something, it can't be saved. - Ethan

Wilbur's next cat was named New Milo in honor - Ethan

Anyway, New Milo has three kittens. Blood God, Boots (given to Fundy), and Bumbles (given to Tubbo). They're called the Bees and they were born Christmas Eve - Ethan

BLOOD GOD, the pussy:

Blood God is Techno's cat. Its just a ferall little molly that loves techno too much. - M -

After Techno helped New Milo have her litter, he wasn't originally gonna keep any of the kittens, but he saw this tiny thing with the orange muzzle and just: stole her.

He is also nicknamed Blood God, for both his skill in hunting and healing

He originally named her Piglet because the orange spot looked like a pig snout [the main reason he chose her and not her stronger littermates] but called her Blood God teasingly when he first adopted her

Wilbur didn't realize he meant it as a nickname and told everyone her name was Blood God

Techno still calls her Piglet, but everyone else calls her Blood God because that's the name on her collar.

Most of their cats aren't collared, but Phil made her a custom collar because he was worried she'd get lost hunting with Techno and Dream - Ethan -

Blood God is such a batshit cat. She's a runt, really, oddly small compared to her siblings, and she's their best mouser

She's the cat that everyone leaves scraps for, but never tries to pet out of fear

Often she'll climb up people's legs and sit on their shoulders, and it's the only time you can pet her.

She is very, very affectionate with Techno and he loves her very much. He has her very well trained, and she comes with him and Dream when they go hunting sometimes alongside a terrier.

She's a little itty bitty calico molly and she has an orange patch right over her muzzle - Ethan

TOMMY'S HENS, the chicks:

He gets real defensive of his hens. They lay eggs for him. They deserve to be treated well. -

Tommy does in fact have an egg incubator; Sometimes it's just better. Tommy prefers letting his hens care for their own eggs, but he does still use the incubator - Ethan -

Some chickens enjoy being thrown so they can flap and shit. A few days after passing ownership of the hens to Tommy, Phil is going down to the crops and just sees Tommy chucking his hens and watching them rush back to be thrown again

he feels a hint of "what the hell" but he notes the gentleness tommy does it with and how the chickens seem to be enjoying it and he shrugs and keeps walking - Ethan -

Once Wilbur was helping Tommy with the chickens and he dropped an egg

Unfertilized, of course, but Tommy looked like you'd just punted a toddler

Three years later, Wilbur isn't allowed to touch the eggs anymore

Tommy's paranoid he'll hurt a live one

"Get out." "What - Tommy it was an accident, it was just one egg." "If you aren't gonna treat Phoebe's eggs with care; You can get the fuck out." "Tommy -" "Out." -

the quality chicken eggs depends usually on how the chicken feels. While under his care, the eggs the chickens produced were really good.

Under Tommy's care? Phil's eggs tasted like horseshit in comparison - Ethan -

They have their like, main barn and to the side of it is a little pond. The chicken coops are a little beside it, with the singular duck coop (he only has four ducks) closest. He calls the area the Business Bay

AGES: 

Tommy - 16 Tubbo - 16 Purpled - 17 Ranboo - 17

Techno - 19 Wilbur - 21 Schlatt - 19 Phil - idk like 45 or some dad shit

Fundy - 18 Niki - 19

SapNap - 18 Dream - 19 George - 20 Punz - 19 Callahan - 20

RANDOM HC’S: 

Tubbo, Niki, Ranboo, and Fundy are siblings. -

Whenever they eat meat they talk about who they're eating. 

They tell stories about their day and such but they always start dinner, when its meat, saying "rip lmao" and telling stories about them

...they don’t do it when they eat beef

Everyone sitting down with their plates of ham Wilbur: so who was it? Phil: Fern Tommy, already eating: rest in peace fern Techno: he shat on my boots once -

Each of the boys get a few animals that aren't allowed to be butchered.

Wilbur has Friend, Enemy, and Skit the Bull. (Wilbur wanted to name a Bull "Shit", but Phil said no because Tommy was 11 and already swearing too much for his liking)

Techno has none of the livestock. He only cares about Blood God, and his horses.

Tommy has a pig [currently unnamed], his Hens (6 or 7 of them, that lay eggs), and his dairy cows -

Phil is ALWAYS chewing on straw. -

Tommy, Techno, and Wilbur all call Phil "Pops" or "Pop". They all used to call him "Papa" though. It's like a coming of age thing for the three of them, when they stop calling him "Papa" and start calling him "Pop".

Phil may or may not have cried when Tommy started calling him "Pop" at the age of 12.

ALTHOUGH, all 3 boys know that if you want anything, you call Phil "Papa". Phil can't resist it. -

Techno and Tommy with starry eyes: pops Phil: no Wilbur: Papa Phil, with slightly less confidence: n-no   - Ethan -

Tommy holding a baby calf in his hands that he walls to bring inside for the night because hes in love with her: papa please!! Phil, practically in tears: fine.   - M

[nim-lock]

Art Career Tips, 2021 Edition

Here’s an edited version of my 2019 answered ask, because... this feels relevant. 

It is a problem of capitalism that folks equate their income as a judgement of their value as people; and let me preface. You are worth so much. You have inherent value in this world. Your income is not a judgement on who you are (plenty of billionaires are actively making the world worse). LARPing self-confidence will go a long way to helping you get paid more for your work, because clients will believe that you know what you are doing, and are a professional. 

& real quick—my own background is that I’ve been living off my art since 2018. I went to art school (Pratt Institute). I work in a publishing/educational materials sphere, and a quarter of my income is my shop. Not all of this information may apply to you, so it is up to you to look through everything with a critical eye, and spot pick what is relevant. 

So there are multiple ways of getting income as an artist; 

Working freelance or full-time on projects

Selling your stuff on a shop

Licensing (charging other companies to use your designs)

This post primarily covers the freelance part; if you’re interested in the other bits there is absolutely info out there on the internet. 

IF you are just starting (skip to next section if not applicable) dream big, draw often (practice helps you get better/more efficient), do your best to take "a bad piece” lightly. You’re gonna RNG this shit. At some point your rate of “good” works will get higher. Watch tutorial videos & read books. A base understanding of “the rules”; anatomy, perspective, composition, color helps you know what the rules are to break them. This adds sophistication to your work. One way you can learn this stuff is by doing “studies”—you’re picking apart things from life, or things other people have done, to see what works, and how it works. 

Trying to turn your interests into a viable career means that you are now a SMALL BUSINESS; it really helps to learn some basic marketing, graphic design, figure out how to write polite customer service emails; etc. You can learn some of this by looking it up, or taking skillshare (not sponsored) classes by qualified folks. Eventually some people may get agents to take care of this for them—however, I do recommend y’all get a basic understanding of what it takes to do it on your own, just so you can know if your agent is doing a good job. 

Making sure your portfolio fits the work you want to get

Here is a beginner portfolio post. 

Research the field you’d like to get into. The amount people work, the time commitment, the process of making the thing, the companies & people who work for them. 

Create work that could fit in to the industry you’re breaking into. For example, if you want to do book cover illustration, you draw a bunch of mockup book covers, that can either be stuff you make up, or redesigns of existing books. If you’re not 100% sure what sort of work is needed for the industry, loop back into the portfolios of artists in a similar line of work as whatever you’re interested in, and analyze the things they have in common. If something looks to be a common project (like a sequence of action images for storyboard artists), then it’s probably something useful for the job. 

CLIENTS HIRE BASED ON HOW WELL THEY THINK YOUR WORK FITS WHAT THEY WANT. If they’re hiring for picture books, they’re gonna want to see picture book art in your portfolio, otherwise they may not want to risk hiring you. Doesn’t have to be 100% the project, but stuff similar enough. If you aren’t hired, it doesn’t mean your work is bad, it just wasn’t the right fit for that specific client. 

If you have many interests, make a different section of your portfolio for each!

Making sure you’re relevant 

Have a social media that’s a little more public-facing, and follow people in the career field you’re interested in. Fellow artists, art directors, editors, social media managers; whoever. Post on your own schedule. 

Interact with their posts every so often, in a non-creepy way. 

If you’ve made any contacts, great! Email these artists, art directors, editors, former professors, etc occasional updates on your work to stay in touch AND make sure that they think about you every so often.

Show up to general art events every once in a while! If you keep showing up to ones in your area (when... not dying from a sneeze is a thing), folks will eventually start to remember you. 

Industry events & conferences can be pricey, so attend/save up for what makes sense for you. Industry meetups are important for networking in person! In addition to meeting people with hiring power, you also connect with your peers in the community. Always bring a portfolio & hand out business cards like candy. 

Active job hunting

Apply to job postings online.

If interested in working with specific people at specific companies, you could send an email “I’d love to work with you, here’s my portfolio/relevant experience”, even if they aren’t actively looking for new hires. Be concise, and include a link to your work AND attached images so the person reading the email can get a quick preview before clicking for more. 

Twitter job postings can be pretty underpaid! Get a copy of the Graphic Artists’ Guild Handbook Pricing & Ethical Guidelines to know your rate. I once had a twitter post job listing email me back saying that other illustrators were charging less, and I quote, “primarily because they’re less experienced and looking for their first commission”. This was not okay! For reference, this was a 64-illustration book. The industry rate of a children’s book (~36 pages) is $10k+, and this company’s budget was apparently $1k. For all of it. 

Congrats you got a job! Now what?

Ask for like, 10% more than they initially offer and see if they say yes. If they do, great! If not, and the price is still OK, great! Often company budgets are slightly higher than they first tell you, and if you get this extra secret money, all the better for you. 

Make sure you sign a contract and the terms aren’t terrible (re: GO GET THE  Graphic Artists’ Guild Handbook Pricing & Ethical Guidelines) 

Be pleasant and easy to work with (Think ‘do no harm but take no shit’)

Communicate with them as much as needed! If something’s going to be late, tell them as soon as you know so they aren’t left wondering or worse, reaching out to ask what’s up. 

And if all goes well, they’ll contact you about more jobs down the line, or refer you to other folks who may need an artist, etc. 

Quick note about online shops/licensing and why they’re so good

It’s work that you do once, that you continuously make money off of. Different products do well in different situations (conventions vs. online, and then further, based on how you market/the specific groups you are marketing to), so products that may not do well initially may get a surge later on. 

Start with things that have low minimum order quantity and are relatively cheap to produce, like prints and stickers. 

If you are not breaking even, go back to some of the earlier portions of this and think about how you could tweak things as a small business. Ease of access is also very important with this; for example, if you only take orders through direct messages, that immediately shuts off all customers who don’t like talking to strangers. 

Quick resource that you could look through; it’s the spreadsheet of project organizing that I made a while back 

Licensing is when people pay you for the right to use your work on stuff they need to make, like textbooks or greeting cards. This is generally work you’ve already made that they are paying the right to use for a specified time or limited run of products. This is great because you’ve already done the work. I am not the expert on this. Go find someone else’s info.

“I am not physically capable of working much”/ “I need to pay the bills”

Guess who got a hand injury Sept 2020 that messed me up that entire month! I had a couple jobs going at the time that I was terrified of losing, but they were quite understanding when I told them I needed to heal. So:  Express your needs as early as you know you need them. Also do lots of stretches and rest your hands whenever you feel anything off; this will save your health later. Like, the potential of a couple months of no income was preferable over losing use of my hands for the rest of my life.

This continues to apply if you have any other life situation. Ask for extra time. Ask for clarification. If you tell people ahead of time, folks are often quite understanding. Know how much you are capable of working and do your best not to overdo it. (I am.. bad at this)

Do what MAKES SENSE for your situation. If doing art currently earns you less money than organizing spreadsheets, then do that for now, and whenever you have the energy, break down some of the tips above into actionable tiny chunks, and slowly work at em. 

The original ask I got in 2019 mentioned ‘knowing you’re not good enough yet’. Most artists experience imposter syndrome & self-doubt—the important thing is to do your best, and if anything, attempt to channel the confidence of a mediocre white man. If he can apply to this job/charge hella money for Not Much, then so can you! 

Check out this Art Director tumblr for more advice!

Danichuatico’s Literary Agent guide

Kikidoodle’s Shop Shipping Tutorial

Best of luck!

–

Once again disclaimer this post is just the ramblings of a man procrastinating on other things that need to be done. I’ve Long Posted my own post so that it turns into mush in my brain if I try to read it, but I wrote this so I should know this content. If you got down here, congrats. Here’s a shrimp drawing.

Yee Ha. 

My reference post tag My tip jar

[princecharmingmendes]

Heart by Heart | Chapter X | Raul Mendes

                                               *secret agent AU*

Y/N and Raul have been friends ever since they could remember. And falling in love with your best friend can be pretty tricky and messy 99% of the times, add that to the fact they're constantly risking their lives side by side on the field since they're both secret agents, and the best team that's ever existed. Perfect recipe for disaster.

Hi, this chapter is finally here, it's a bit shorter, but I didn't want to keep you guys waiting for that long anymore and on the cliffhanger, and this was also important for the story development. Anyway, this is the tenth chapter of this series, you can find the first ones here. Please read the warnings on this one, if you don’t feel comfortable with the contents listed on the “warnings” section, please read something else, there are a lot of other works on my masterlist and on the “fic rec” hashtag on my blog. Please give me some feedback and I hope you guys like. Happy Reading! 

                                                previous chapter | masterpost | next chapter

*Word Count: 2K+

*Warnings: cursing, violence towards the reader, blood, kidnapping, hostage situation, angst.

Please don’t read it if any of this subjects make you uncomfortable, feel free to check my masterlist for other writings.

*Posted: September 16th, 2021.

                                                  -*-

Raul was a mess as soon as he was able to get into an empty room. 

He allowed himself to finally let the severity of the situation hit him. He had no idea where Y/N and Tom were, if they were alright or what could Geonoff could possibly win with this. He certainly would’ve tried blackmailing them to get something in return of the two agents he had in his hands. 

He’s been pacing back and forth in the tiny room as he tried to remain calm enough to keep his rationality so he could still be helpful. Raul just wanted to punch his way into that base and get the kid and his girl back, but he knew that was completely stupid, even for him. He could practically see the frown on Y/N’s face if she ever heard his brilliant idea, and the vision alone was almost enough to bring him to tears. Instead he shook his head, knowing that letting his feelings take control would only be a waste of time in this situation, and that’s something he learned a long time ago when he first started working with his best friend. 

She was a really rational, and maybe even a bit cold on the field. Always with a sharp remark on the tip of her tongue and a thousand of extra plans in case something failed, she could easily slip into the role of the Professor in Money Heist. Constantly analyzing and thinking. And while she was clearly the brain of their duo, Raul was clearly the heart, not thinking twice before jumping head first to save someone or get and intel. And that’s why they worked so well, he pushed her to be more spontaneous while she kept him in his place (and alive) most of the time. 

He needed her more than ever right now. 

The sound of hushed whispers and two pairs of shoes approaching him, made Raul sharply move in the direction of the door, still on edge, and waiting for it to reveal his visitors. As soon as the handle turned, he was met with his triplet and Celine wearing the same saddened and worried expressions. He might’ve come down to help with the investigation as fast as he learned about his best friend. 

Peter sighed taking in the sight of his brother. Raul looked like a lost puppy in distress, eyes on his face but his mind was clearly somewhere else, shoulders sagged and curls a mess from the constant nervous tugging habit he had. One look was enough for him to know he was carrying all the guilt and having no clue how to fix it. It’s the same look he gave his younger self when he accidentally broke his brand knew camera. 

“We’re going to find them” was the first thing he said and Raul nodded, looking unconvinced “It’s not your fault” he then added and at that, his gaze finally seemed to snap into place as he stared his brother dead in the eye. 

“Whose fault is it then?” his voice sounded a lot smaller and less threatening than he pictured. 

“Geonoff’s” Celine mumbled “but not yours, you did what was best, what was right”

Raul shook his head in response, mumbling a quiet ‘yeah, right’ under his breath, but Celine was quick to take three steps closing the distance between them and placing both hands on his shoulders. 

“Cut this shit right now” she snapped, catching both him and Peter by surprise “you and I both know I’m not your biggest fan and never truly got what everyone else saw in you, but this past months changed my perspective of things and you’re actually a decent person, a great friend and an amazing agent, and you did the right thing” she said squeezing his shoulder for great measure “and you and I both know Y/N would’ve wanted you to do the same thing, she’d be proud of you”

Raul nodded slowly and Celine let him go at that, as he was still processing her words. Peter finally reached his brother, placing his hand on his shoulder as he turned to face him “I know you’re going through a lot right now, but we need you to help us find her, we need you to hold on a bit and try to think of the places they could possibly take her, everything you heard  or saw on the past month is useful”

He nodded again “yeah, okay, I can do that”

“Good, come with me then” Peter said patting his brother’s back “she’ll come back to us, you and I know her enough to know she’s probably making their life a living hell”

Raul snorted a little laugh, that didn’t quite reach his eyes and nodded along, as they dragged him back into the main room. He needed to do what Y/N would in his place, shut his feelings off and analyze every every they took.

                                                 -*-

Y/N starts slowing coming back into her senses, feeling her muscles burning, her arms stiff and head hurting, the dark place she was situated doing little to help her regain her memories. She tried looking around to see if she could find something useful to recognize the place, only noticing a slim frame still unconscious close to her. The person had its back to her, but from their clothes and body type, she was able to recognize them as Tommy.

Tommy who was still breathing and almost at arms reach.

That was a good sign, or as good as it could be in this situation. But he was there, breathing and no signs of big blood loss around them, so no external wounds that needed to be taken care of urgently. She tried to reach for him, but the heavy chains attaching her wrists to the cobblestone floor kept her in place.

She tried locating their belongings, or anything that could help them get out of there, but it was all missing. Raul was also nowhere in sight, which probably meant he wasn’t there and probably the info was delivered safely. At least that’s what she hopped with no signs of him around them. 

There? Where the hell was there?

That’s when it finally clicked to her, she had no idea where they were or how long was she out. They could be across the ocean as far as she was concerned. She had to get them out of there. But before she could start planning their way out with absolutely nothing and Tommy still out, she heard the grating of the old and rusty hinges coming from the only way in and out of that room, a heavy iron door. 

Coming from the source of noise that snatched her attention was the man responsible for all of this. Geonoff Reyes himself. Wearing a button up shirt, with the sleeves rolled back, and a pair of dress pants, and a smug look on his face. He took lazy long strides getting close to her, crouching down in front of her. 

Geonoff smirked at her “You know, it’s pretty hard to fool me and you almost got away with it, if it weren’t for your stupid boss you’d be home by now”

Y/N just blinked at him, a completely neutral facial expression on as she stared up at him, making him tsk.

“By the way, how is your little boyfriend? Does he know this relationship is just an act or you manipulate him as well?” he asked and she didn’t even flinch at his statement, noticing that her silence was doing more at getting him upset than clapping back “it must be sad, being such a pathetic agent and letting his little girl and friend get caught as he fled, and in the end discovering this was one sided”

Her gaze shifted quickly to Tommy and then back to Geonoff’s face, that was too close to hers for her taste “don’t worry, he’ll live for now, need him to get you to cooperate” and Y/N felt a little lighter knowing that, taking all the self control she had to not let that show on her face “you know they’ll never find you, right? Thought about sending a little photo as a gift for them, but might do it whenever we move to our next location, better lighting and stuff”

“What do you want?” her voice was hoarse, but she was able to keep her tone steady enough to not seem frightened.

“Oh, sugar, missed that sweet voice of yours, it matches your pretty face, just wish I could see that beautiful smile again, but we’ll get to that” he said patting her cheek with his long fingers, making her insides turn in disgust and she had to swallow the sudden wave of nausea down “I want something simple, just know all the info you’ve been feeding your precious little team for the past weeks, you’re smart enough knowing I wouldn’t mind hurting you to get what I want”

Y/N only stared back at him watching his brow twitch in annoyance “don’t want to hurt your pretty face, so cooperate with me and I might even let you go safely”

But her silent response seemed to be enough for him to loose it, because he took a deep breath before slapping his hand across her face for the first time. The pure shock of the action almost made her react, but she held her face up as she kept staring at him, her face burning but she wouldn’t give him the little taste of a small victory at breaking her neutral mask of indifference. 

“This could be so easy” he mumbled slapping the other side a little harder “you didn’t have to do this, you could be free by now” the third one was stronger than she was expecting, making her face turn with the pure force of it, the loud sound coming from the aggression echoing on the empty room and down the large corridor, the echo making her realize there wasn’t much down where they were, mostly just blank empty walls without doors to divide the sound. 

“What is it? Anything you’d like to say?” he asked grabbing her chin and yanking her face to look up at him, but her mouth remained closed “well, your choice”

After a few consecutive hits, one being so strong making her face collide with the wall when it turned, and she felt the sticky liquid running down her face. Her skin probably breaking with the brisk contact with the stone wall, cutting her cheek in the process. The seemed to please him, since he let out a loud boisterous laugh, making her lean her head so he could see it better mumbling a quiet “vicious bitch” under his breath “stop fighting back” before going back to it. 

After a couple more minutes, her right cheek numb already, Geonoff said grabbing her face roughly in his hands, forcing her to look up at him “Come on, sugar, you’re really stressing me out here”

“I’m truly sorry you had to kidnap and keep two agents hostage to try and prove you’re better than your sister” she said blinking at him monotonously and that seemed to hit a nerve, because Geonoff squeezed her face harder in his palms before pushing her head against the wall. 

Y/N felt her limbs giving out as her vision got blurry, her vision going dark before she felt her body leaning to her side and hitting the floor with a dull thud. The sound of shoes hitting against the rocks and the door being shut closed again a sign that the man lost his patience and left them behind. She tried fighting the numbness getting ahold of her body, but ended up succumbing at the end. 

The sounds of waves breaking somewhere near them and the constant throbbing of her head dragging her back into unconsciousness. 

                                                  -*-

*Please reblog or like this post if you liked it so I’ll know.

*I’m sorry if there are any spelling mistakes.

*Please do not repost this without giving me the credit, this is a completely original piece and I do not give permission to copy this!

*Hope you guys enjoyed it!

*xoxo

-🌙

[hangingslothcentral]

Spirit Box Radio is Crowdfunding for Season Two!!

Atmospheric and engaging, Spirit Box Radio is an audio drama which will lull you into a false sense of security before pulling the rug from under your feet. If you loved the creeping sense of unease of The Magnus Archives, the weird whimsy of Welcome to Night Vale and the LGBTQ+ representation of Hello from the Hallowoods, you'll love Spirit Box Radio.

Now launching it's second season, Spirit Box Radio has been shortlisted for a People's Choice Podcast award for Season One. The full cast and original creator are back, and determined to make Season Two even better.

Donate £20 (or equivalent in your currency)

Check out the crowdfunder page

More info under the cut, plus at the bottom a more detailed Image ID than the ALT description has space for!!

Spirit Box Radio is an indie horror audio drama which follows Sam Enfield, the unlikely host of Spirit Box Radio, a show for witches, arcanists, and the magically-inclined. Sam took over the show after the mysterious disappearance of his mother, the Illustrious Madame Marie, a renowned psychic. With no penchant for the Arcane Arts, Sam struggles to find his feet, and as he does, he discovers that Spirit Box Radio may be haunted by something much worse than ghosts: secrets.

Season One followed the mystery of Madame Marie's disappearance and uncovered Sam Enfield's true place in the conspiracy surrounding it. In Season Two, Sam, his sisters - sardonic Kitty and cynical Anna - and his snarky immortal boyfriend will try to unearth the mystery of the Man Who Walks Here and There (AKA The Man in the Flat Cap and Shell Suit, or The King of the Blood Rose Crown) whose many titles are found under almost every stone they turn. It's a story steeped in mystery, horror, trauma and grief, with plenty of softness on the side.

The show is made primarily by its creator, Pippin Eira Major, who wrote, directed and edited every episode in Season One.

Spirit Box Radio wouldn't be possible without the incredible cast of the show. Now 15 Voice Actors strong, the cast of Spirit Box Radio brings to life an array of characters, including; a shady but eloquent florist who cant be trusted; an Ominous Phone Guy; a trio of Inconvenient and malevolent entities; and numerous others.

Just like the characters in the show, our cast is mostly LGBTQ+ and many of us are young and trying to break into the industry. Here's who we are:

Pippin Eira Major (he/they) as Samael Apollo ‘Sam’ Enfield

Jessie Jeffrey (she/her) as Ekaterina Erzabet ‘Kitty the Investigator’ Enfield

Alex Peilober-Richardson (she/her) as Anastasia Morgana ‘Anna’ Enfield

Will Cummings (he/him) as Oliver ‘the Florist’ Boleyn

Billy Bray (he/they) as Scourge

Beca Barton (she/they) as Indi

Tais Grimberg (she/her) as Bliss

Kay Watson (he/she/they) as Ingra

Ellie Ripley (she/they) as ‘the Bog Witch’ Rhytidia Delphus and Stykler Snr.

Daisy Major (she/they) as Regular Caller Beth

Elinor Wood (they/them) as Additional Voice

Gary Major (he/him) as Additional Voice

Mars J Brown (she/them) as Stykler Jnr.

Rose Eke (she/her) as the Mystery Caller

Freya Meldrum (she/her) as Show-Caller Emily

If this crowdfunder is successful, we're also hoping to add five more fantastic VAs to our cast!

Being such a tiny studio, Hanging Sloths can't afford to compensate our cast for their amazing work and provided the amazing performaces you hear in Season One on a voluntary basis. They've all agreed to come back for Season Two on a Profit Share model, where they'll all get a percentage of the money made on this crowdfunder. Here's a handy graphic breaking that down:

Our main priority is to make sure the cast are making something for their hard work on the show. Up to our main goal amount, we'll be splitting the money like this:

- 50% towards the actors' profit share (which exludes me, Pippin)

- 25% towards guest writers and directors

- 25% towards other essential costs including hosting the show on Acast.

Our initial goal amount (£2500) has been worked out to make sure everyone (besides Pippin) who is providing acting, directing or writing for the show can be paid an industry standard amount.

If we don't make our full goal, whatever we DO make will be divided up according to the percentages you see above!

Anything made above that will go towards compensating Pippin for his work on the show, too.

A brief personal statement from Pippin on why the payment is being structured this way:

'As creator of the show, it's my main concern that everyone else who provides Voice Acting talent, writing, and directing is priotised for the amazing work they do. If we're able to raise enough that I can start to compensate myself, too, that would be amazing, but the main focus is on raising enough funds for everyone else.'

Please ensure you add your email to your pledge so we can contact you about your rewards!

Any amount - a huge thank you from the entire cast and crew of Spirit Box Radio Season Two! You're helping make indie audio drama happen.

£5.00 - your name in the credits of one of the first episodes of Spirit Box Radio Season Two

£10.00 - Name a Faithful Listener! Choose your name or any you can think of to be a writer or forum user in the show.

£20.00 - Advanced Edition of the Spirit Box Radio Season Two Official Soundtrack!

£40.00 - All the rewards above, PLUS a copy of the Spirit Box Season One Soundtrack

£50.00 - All the rewards above, PLUS annotated scripts for episode one (on day of episode release)

£100.00 - All the rewards, PLUS a personalised letter from Pippin, creator of the show.

£200.00 - All of the rewards, PLUS a private chat with Pippin (limited to 3) (no you don't have to chat with me directly if you don't wanna!)

£500.00 - All of the rewards, PLUS a producer credit on the show

£3000 - 'HOW NOT TO HOLD A SEANCE' BONUS MINI-SODE

This short, extra episode will be fully sound-scaped and completely finished, and will be set in the gap between Season One and Season Two.

£3500 - 'THE LIFE AND DEATHS OF OLIVER BOLEYN': A DIGITAL COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES

A digital collection of short stories penned by show creator Pippin Eira Major, telling tales from the as-yet mysterious past of the immortal florist, Oliver Boleyn. Amongst these tales will be stories from his time at the palace of Versailles, a chance meeting with a renowned poet which may or may not have led to the creation of a certain book about a particular cursed painting, and a perilous voyage at sea.

£4000 - 'RHYTIDIA HOSTS THE SHOW' BONUS MINI-SODE NO.2.

In this bonus Mini-Sode where Rhytidia Delphus (voiced by the spectacular Ripley) will host an episode of the Enlightenment Segment (or so she thinks).

£4500 - MUSICAL MINI-SODE

A short, bonus musical episode of Spirit Box Radio, with original songs written by Maybe Wednesday and performed by members of the cast of the show.

Donate £20 (or equivalent in your currency)

Check out the crowdfunder page

[IMAGE ID: a square image of the words 'Spirit box radio' glowing in blue, like a neon sign. it's on top of a glowing yellow pentagram, trapped inside a more brightly glowing yelllow circle. behind these, a red splatter of blood. Around the circle, glowing in pale purple, a variety of stars and sparkles around 'Season Two'. Under this image, glowing yellow, it reads 'Crowdfunding now'. The background is deep purple, broken by teal grey constellations and a pair of hands, cradling the neon words from behind. END IMAGE ID] [BANNER IMAGES: Puple backgrounds with pale consetellations and yellow neon caps-locked words as described in the Alt Text]

[comfyswitcherblanketfort]

Horse info 101

A horse girl’s guide to the basics for fic writing with an important and lively horse involved:

This got kinda long I’m kinda sorry but not at all lol 

There's three basic gaits (speeds with different patterns of hoof-fall/leg movements

Walking is the slowest and is a four beat gait, meaning each foot hits the ground at a different time. Usually the same pace as a walking human when the horse is calm. Some breeds can walk HELLA fast though. Most horses will fill the same spot/hole where their front hoof was with their back hoof on the same side. If they overstep they clip their fetlock (joint lookin bit above the hoof) or pastern (bit between the hoof and fetlock) and can injure themselves. 

Now trotting. The middle gait, a person can jog next to a trot at a comfortable pace but if you push them a little horses can trot faster than your average HS track endurance athlete. Once again some breeds can trot HELLA fast. This is a two beat gait in that two diagonally opposite legs are moving in unison. In some english saddles (I’ll get into that later if we have class time) it’s easier to post while the horse is trotting rather than sit for the gait. That just means you stand up in the irons (stirrups on an english saddle, we’ll also cover that later) at the same time that one of the front legs moves forward. 

Also, see how the trotting horse’s head looks? That’s how they travel when they’re relaxed and attentive. The tucked head thing you see Roach doing is because there’s tension on the reigns and Henry learned to ride for an english seat not a western pleasure seat (might get into those but they’re really not important)

Time for the Canter/Lope. This is a three beat gait so that means two legs are moving in unison and the other two are not. Horses canter/lope fast. This is the go-time gait. Some performance/dressage horses are trained to canter extremely slow but if we’re talking transportation trained horses they’re not gonna be that kind of slow. Your average human is not gonna be able to keep up with this for long if at all. This varies in speed too. There's a rather casual canter seen in the gif directly below, then below that is the balls to the wall canter/lope that most horse people just refer to as a run. That’s as fast as they can go.

Basic tack names

Halter + Lead/Lead Rope - these can be made of rope, leather, nylon (more modern) but the halter is generally used for leading and tying.

Bridle - this is the one that you use while you ride, it holds the bit in their mouth. There’s millions of different types of bridles but they’re usually made out of leather even now. sometimes you get rope/nylon ones but I don’t trust them.

Reins - connect to the bit and you use them to steer and control speed. Horses trained in western or one handed riding will ‘neck rein’ which means if you move your hand to the right and the left rein brushes their neck they will move to the right.

Bit - the metal piece in the horses mouth. most english riding bits are broken (joint in the middle) and most western ones are solid. there’s a gap behind the horse’s front teeth and that’s where the metal sits. Some horses have smaller mouths than others and do better with solid bits because the ‘broken’ ones will hit the top of their mouth and hurt. There’s also things called ‘shanks’ on some bits which are just longer pieces of metal that attach to the sides of the pieces in their mouth and point downward. This gives the rider more leverage and makes any tug on the reins stronger. (google “Horse bit shank” if this doesn’t make sense)

Saddle - you sit in it. simple right? wrong. There’s two main types of saddles, Western - with the horn like you see in the running gif, and English- the loping gif without the horn. The saddles used in the Witcher look like the pre-english saddle versions but the basic parts you need to know are the same. The part where you ass goes? that’s the seat. the part right in front of your crotch? That’s the pomel. that’s your ‘oh shit handle’ if anything goes screwy (other than the mane). The part that sticks up and keeps your ass in place? That’s the cantle. I like western saddles SO MUCH MORE but i also grew up mainly riding western so im biased. 

Stirrups/Irons - stirrups and irons are where your feet go. In western saddles they’re called stirrups and they’ve got wider decorative leather flaps (called fenders, also originally added to protect trousers/legs from the horse sweat and the buckles of the cinch) and on english saddles they’re called irons because they are usually made of iron and rather slim. Geralt’s irons look pretty similar to modern ones, slim leather straps, minimal iron (or steel or any other strong metal really). Traditional english riders have knee high boots like you see in regency costumes which removes the need for the fenders like on western saddles. 

Cinch/girth - this is what keeps the saddles on. You take a strap and attach it to one side of the saddle, run it under the belly right behind their front legs and attach it to the other side. Its usually made of a strong fabric with wool or some kind of softer lining for western riding. English riding uses a leather one most of the time though this horse girl hates them because they’re harder to cinch up. English saddles use buckles while Western saddles use another leather strap to run through the chinch/girth buckle and you either tie it off or use it like a belt. 

Chest strap - this keeps the saddle from sliding backwards. It’s attached to both sides of the saddle by buckles and between the front legs its attached to the cinch/girth. this is pretty universal but not always used. Geralt uses one though. 

Saddle pad - goes under the saddle to protect the baby’s back and whithers (spot where the neck meets the back and the mane ends)

Tacking up and untacking takes time. This is usually 5-10 minutes when done at a leisure pace and done right.

Basic grooming

Brush down before tacking up - you don’t want stuff chaffing the pony while you ride

brush after untacking- helps clear skin of irritants and feels nice

Shedding scraper/curry comb to get rid of shedding hair - if you want a pic of these just google them I think I’m close to the pic limit for my post. 

HOOF PICK - keep the baby's feet clean and clear if rocks so they don't bruise but also so nothing get infected

Yes, plz brush their mane it gets MATTED - a hairbrush works but a wide tooth comb is best

Horses roll to itch their backs and clean off, sounds counterintuitive with the dirt but it works

Shaving a little spot for the bridle to sit is pretty modern but it's easier for everyone involved

Horse Colors- guys roach is not brown she’s a chestnut color

The only thing I have to add to this is that the “Leopard” one is called “appaloosa” in the US at least, and “Pinto” is also reffered to as “Paint” and there’s all sorts of different patterns that you can see. also i want a buckskin so bad. yes i was obsessed with Spirit as a child why do you ask?

Travel care of your babies

Horses CAN and have subsisted off roadside grasses and grazing at night BUT it's good for them to get a lil something extra ESPECIALLY if you’re keeping them in a stall at night where they can’t graze.

Hay and grains like cracked wheat, oats, barley and the like are commonly found in horse feed. Also a lil drizzle of molasses is chock full of calories and all my horses LOVE the taste.

also while we’re talking food: some horses cant keep all the juice/bits in their mouth when they eat apples (we fondly call it making applesauce) or other treats/veg. Yes it gets all over your hand, yeah its kinda gross, but there’s worse things.

Shoes. Babe's need horse shoes. Especially if they're walking over rocks and roads.

Throwing a shoe (when it comes off on accident) is painful sometimes and if left un-dealt with can affect their joints and spine. Imagine walking around in one heeled shoe and one athletic shoe all day. Ow.

On that note though, on lighter travel seasons it's nice to give their hooves a break from shoes (also cheaper)

Horse moods:

horse mood ear chart here: I cant add much tbh

If a horse is comfortable/happy/relaxed they will ‘chew’ on nothing. Just kina a little lip smack type deal. My horse’s bottom lip would hang a couple centimeters below his top one when he was relaxed and I would put my chapstick in it while I fussed with other things.

When a horse is uncomfrotable/scared/tense their lips get sealed tight. I call it ‘fish butt lips’ bc they’re watertight and NOTHING is getting in there. 

Stamping hooves can be a few things. Antsy and ready to roll, nervous, deadass scared, or playful/excited. 

A full whinny is communication - saying hi, warning, scared, etc.

the really soft whinny is called a nicker and its my favorite sound okay? that’s little soft communication and its usually reserved for times when they’re comfortable.

When they’re really relaxed they’ll cock one of their back legs kinda how we shift our weight to one hip. 

general fun facts:

Some horses fake limp when they don’t want to work bc they are lazy and smart and realize their person will get off and check them out and maybe even give them a rest. 

You do a preliminary leg injury test by running your hands slowly over their legs and checking for hot spots - inflammation caused by injury is warm

Basic horse saftey is never stand directly in front of the horse if theres a possibility of spooking, if you’re gonna walk behind them walk out of reach of their hooves or right up against that ass. If they cant get a good wind up it wont do as much damage (on that note though I rode/trained horses for 18 years and was only kicked once by a foal). 

It’s kinda common sense not to walk/sidestep between your horses legs and under their belly but we do it all the time bc its a trust thing? adrenaline? its fun?

laying on your horse’s back sans saddle, and facing their butt is so nice okay, that ass is soft and cushy and perfect for a nap. I miss laying on my horses while they ate like this every damn day. 

Horses can sense your moods. Not unlike the whole ‘witchers smelling you’ thing. They can feel a difference in the tension on the reins and in your posture when you’re tense or relaxed.

Some horses will take care of their riders, some are absolute shits and push the limits for funsies. Some horses will only behave for people they’re used to too. Some horses have trauma from being mistreated and will have triggers kinda like people do. We had a horse who would freak the fuck out if anyone walked around with a red had but as soon as you took it off she was the most level headed horse we had.

A good portion of horses (Who aren’t scared of children) will behave better with kiddos or novice riders because they feel they’re nervous.

If they hurt while they’re moving they usually limp but sometimes they’ll buck. It’s their defense mechanism. 

Horses can’t sleep for too long laying down because their body weight will collapse their lungs. Most horses sleep standing up.

They can sit like a dog and it’s hella cute. 

Stung by bees? Most horses will take off at a dead sprint bucking and hopping unless you’ve done a lot of trust work/training with them

They also run and jump and buck and rear to play.

If theres two horses in a pasture together one will chew at the other’s whithers (or anywhere else) to ask them to scratch them the same way. its very cute and they sometimes try this with people.

horses hug. I cry. 

the whole deal with the rider/horse relationship is it’s a mutual trust you’re building. They let you sit on their back and do weird shit and you trust them not to throw you.  

Thank you for coming to class today! If there’s any questions feel free to message me! I’m not kidding I wanna answer your questions and I miss my horses so this is fun for me.

@elliestormfound​ here it is boo! lol