#i don't want to thrive in a fast-paced environment

[youvebeenlivingfictional]

Me: Alright! I know this is going to be emotionally draining, but I'm going to start looking for a new job. I'm ready. I'm prepared. I updated my resume and portfolio. I can handle this.

Job listing: Thrives in a fast-paced environment

Me:

[clairdelunetarot]

★  And here it is!   drum roll  The suggested pac. Yaaay! In this reading you will discover what your academic strengths are and how to take advantage of them. Take a deep breath and choose the one that draws you in the most. Thank you so much for the support on my previous first pac! My suggestions are always open so don't be shy to make a request. 

DISCLAIMER: this is a general reading it will be as close as possible to your situation but it will not be accurate. take only what resonates. if you want a more accurate reading you can ask for it when I open my shop! 

PILE ONE

Your main strength is your ability to stay consistent and keep moving forward, even when others give up. You won’t back down. You are patient and perseverance is not something you lack. You may not be the fastest at finishing things, but when you deliver a job, it's well done! You don't like to take shortcuts, preferring to do things at your own pace and doing them well done. You're giving me the vibes of someone who is an ace at detailed analysis. Again, you have a strong ability to work for the long haul, even when the going gets tough. Although you may sometimes doubt your progress or feel that you are not moving fast, your tenacity and determination are your greatest strengths. You know when to stay on your own path and focus on your goals despite external obstacles or competition. You catch connections that others miss! Your energy is very grounded: slow but sure and with a solid, practical foundation.

In school or university, you might not be the quickest to finish assignments, but when you do, your work stands out. Because it is well done. You’d excel in long-term projects like research papers or presentations where thoroughness is an important factor (God has favorites smh). Focus on these, and you’ll leave an impression. 😏 Some of you may have Capricorn or Scorpio/Pluto in your birth chart. Taurus even, a moon or a Taurus Mars (love this mars btw, people think they are lazy but they are so perfectionistic and determined!). Your energy is very ISTJ, ISTP (Ti and Si) and even INTJ for a few of you.

HOW CAN YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS

Trust more in what you know and your intuition. Organize your priorities and look for projects that really challenge you and test your analytical skills. Even if you sometimes feel like you are stuck in a rut that doesn't give you quick results, the important thing is to keep a clear routine and adjust it when necessary. Don't overload yourself with unnecessary things. You need to focus on a strategic direction and use your energy wisely. And if you feel you need an extra push, seeking someone to guide or mentor you can help you gain confidence and even improve your skills!.

PILE TWO

You are a born leader; you enjoy taking the initiative and solving problems quickly and efficiently. You have a talent for planning and organizing. You are energetic, forceful/assertive, and possess the quality of leadership. You are not scared to make difficult decisions and you could be great at leading others in group or class tasks. You have the drive to inspire others and succeed, even if you don’t notice it. Your primary strength is your vision for the future and ability to make plans (entj vibes). You are a person who sets ambitious targets and understands how to reach them. You succeed at circumstances that need quick thinking and action, like team presentations, debates, and academic competitions. In a university setting, you’d thrive in organizing group projects, taking the lead in presentations, or even planning events (idk if you have student clubs but you would do well there too). If you’re in school, think about leading or taking part in a debate team, club or a class project. Your ability to motivate and plan will make a huge impact!

However, you sometimes find it difficult to adapt to change or are overly perfectionistic. You are good when you can work in a stable environment, and your ability to maintain focus is a great asset for you to see the big picture even when there are obstacles in the way. Your energy is very fiery, some may have Leo in their charts or similar qualities. Remember Leo is fixed, some of you may find it a little difficult to be flexible or too perfectionistic like a Capricorn MC. Definitely according to functions, this screams Te (Extraverted Thinking) to me a lot, some of you may be ENTJ. Or have a Ti or Te as dominant or even auxiliary functions.

HOW CAN YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS

You need to focus on projects that need organization and attention to detail. In teamwork or group projects, you may excel at leading. I think you are not good at following other's lead. Play to your strengths by trusting yourself and others more (especially if you have a hard time letting go of control). Even if you like to work alone, learning to delegate and collaborate will allow you to get better faster. Look for opportunities where you can put your planning skills to work, such as internships or real projects. Again, student clubs would be great for you. Also, relax a bit about perfectionism; not everything has to be perfect to work well.

PILE THREE

You have a creative and imaginative mind. While you may have difficulty articulating your ideas properly (you may appear disorganized or scattered), you've got the potential to come up with fresh approaches and ideas. You have a remarkable ability to think outside the box and discover solutions where others perceive problems. When you focus, you can do a lot! You don't like to follow conventional norms, so you can come up with creative solutions. This might be difficult to understand from others tho. You are tenacious even when things fail to go as planned, and you learn quick from your mistakes.

If you're in school, you'd thrive at creative assignments like preparing a presentation or developing an original solution for a competition. In university, you may excel at brainstorming or creative writing assignments that ask you to think outside the box. Even discovering different takes on the project or investigation you are doing.

Your energy is very airy, dare I say Aquarian and even Gemini. Some of you may have one of these in your charts. Lots of connections to Mercury or a good Mercury placement (Aquarius, Gemini, Virgo). Perhaps Saturn is making bad aspects to your Mercury or indirectly to your Jupiter (this may be what explains that agitated energy I felt). You may be: Ne (Extraverted Intuition) and even Ti (Introverted Thinking). I'm thinking: ENFP, ENTP & INTP.

HOW CAN YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS

You must decide exactly what you want to achieve. You don't have a defined plan or strategy. You have the energy and capability but not the direction or structure. I don't know how to put it but because of your creativity, you might not always know where you're going, which could keep you from realizing your full potential. You need to work on communicating your ideas and giving them some aims. You can try working on projects or in fields where you can feel free to experiment but with some structure to guide your creativity. Like: Study plans, Notion, planners, etc. Try some classes or workshops in creative writing or communication. Seek for projects that provide you the freedom to think creatively and investigate more complex or abstract concepts. If things don't go as planned, don't feel scared about starting again (failing is okay!), because every try brings you closer to your goal. Collaborating with peers who have complementary skills could help you bring your innovative ideas to life. (While writing this I got reminded so much of ADHD—I only mention it briefly since I have ADHD not because of tarot. I suggest considering discussing it with a professional if you have the time or availability!)

[robertseanleonardthinker]

house and wilson r both autistic and on complete opposite ends of the spectrum

(bear with me here i'm autistic myself and it's hard to articulate my thoughts)

wilson masks heavily. he knows he's different than everyone else and he tries so desperately not to be. he wants to be seen as a normal guy. he's the furthest thing from it but nobody needs to know that if he can help it. he knew he was different since he was a kid and it upset him. he worked so hard to create an image of himself that is palatable. he is very concious abt it. he clings to normalcy. his knuckles r white and his nails r digging into it. the only person he is ok with letting go of it for is house. house is is safe space. house is the one person he knows will not care if he acts a little different.

house, however, doesn't mask very much at all. if he wanted to, he probably could (although i also partially think he couldn't) but he doesn't. he just doesn't give a shit. he doesn't care abt what ppl think and he doesn't rlly care how he affects them either. he says what is on his mind. he is the way he is and he feels no shame for it. social rules r stupid and he doesn't respect them. he doesn't respect any rules.

wilson is primarily sensory avoident. he likes peace and calm. he especially doesn't like visual overstimulation. he likes things to be neat and pristine. when his space is organized, he can function. his environment influences the state of his head.

house is very sensory seeking. he thrives in chaos. he needs the outside world to be as fast and loud and hectic as his mind is. he needs noise and things to look at and something in his hand (his stupid red autism ball). he's never doing nothing when he's thinking. he likes soap operas and crappy reality tv partially because it's good background noise. it doesn't take up much brain power, but it's still a constant noise.

wilson has big body language. he is very expressive. i know this is rlly bc rsl is a stage actor and that's what they do but. let me have this. but that's just how he is. every symptom of autism exists on its own spectrum. some autistics have a very flat affect, very little body language, and very little expressions. some (wilson) have the exact opposite.

house doesn't outwardly show many of his emotions. he definitely feels them, they're very intense, but he doesn't display them. he isn't expressive, and it's not by choice. that's just naturally how he is.

this is more of a headcanon but whatever. wilson likes stim toys. he stims subtly (part of him trying to cling to normalcy. he needs to stim and he knows that but he won't do anything like hand flapping or rocking.), like with a fidget cube or one of those spinny rings. when he's alone, he'll sometimes let himself stim in bigger ways and it's a great release. he doesn't rlly need to stim as much as house does tho. also i think he'd love pressure and cuddling for stimulation. he'd like to be squished.

house is always stimming. this isn't a headcanon. this man is always doing something! pacing, playing with his ball, listening to music, he's always doing something for some sort of stimulation. he likes vestibular stimming and big full body stims best. he likes to move and do things. he likes to be busy. a fidget toy won't do much for him. he was a pretty active person before the infarction, and that was a great release for his emotions. but now he can't do the things he used to so he needs to constantly be moving. he doesn't get a big release so he's just constantly letting it out.

they're both very particular abt their ways of living, but they do not live the same way. wilson likes calm, house likes chaos. if this is disturbed, they get upset and distressed.

wilson has more shutdowns, house has more meltdowns. not to say they don't have both, tho.

also i feel the need to say this: house's special interest is humanity. he loves puzzles and humans are the greatest one of them all. everything he does is motivated by his need to know why people do what they do. oh and also monster trucks.

[itsscromp]

Hiccup & Toothless X reader platonic

Hey everyone, for a different change of pace I decided to do an original story. One that I have had since I was 13 !!!, I know a long time eh ??. But I hope you all enjoy this story as much as I do writing it. Word count:869

"Oh... my head..."

You woke up on a shoreside, your boat shattered to pieces. You had no idea where you were. You needed to find help and fast, someone had to have answers.

You got up dusting the sand off, you then heard a mighty roar, but no ordinary roar, it was unlike any other animal. You looked up into the sky and saw something that made you so scared. A dragon.

"Oh gods..." You then ran into the forest nearby, needing to get away from the ferocious beast. But in the sky, this dragon was flying... with a human, his name was hiccup haddock the III and his dragon best friend toothless. Toothless saw something down on the shore, heading into the forest. Making a noise to alert hiccup of what he saw.

"What is it bud ??, see something"

Toothless nodded, flying down to the shore as hiccup hopped off his back and looked around.

"There doesn't seem to be anything here bud"

Toothless then sniffed the ground and then headed to where it was coming from. "Wait up bud !!"

You were still running from the beast and hid behind a huge boulder, pulling out a dagger ready for anything.

"Please don't find me, Please don't find me" You muttered to yourself

Toothless continued to sniff out the scent until he reached the boulder, making another noise to alert Hiccup. Then you jumped out of the boulder and held out your dagger. Toothless seeing the dagger, his pupils dilated and growled at you, protecting Hiccup from the danger.

"L...look I D..Don't want any trouble" You shakingly pointed the dagger at them

"It's okay toothless..., Hey there... my name is Hiccup, this is toothless. We mean no harm."

"How do I not know that ??" your eyes were wide with fear

"Here" Hiccup then put his utilities down on the ground and kicked them away gently "See ?? No harm" He smiled gently at you. Toothless was still hesitant of you but he stopped growling.

You slowly stopped shaking and then lowered your dagger gently.

"Ok... I trust you..."

"Can you tell me your name ??"

"Y/n..."

"Ok, Y/n... would you like to come back to my village with me ?? we can provide you with food, water, clean clothes and shelter."

"Are you sure ??"

"I promise"

You then looked at Toothless, You were still hesitant, his pupils dilated into more... puppy like eyes.

"Is.... Toothless gonna hurt me ??"

"No, he won't. Here, trust me" Hiccup gently took your hand and held it near Toothless's snout. He gently sniffed your hand and then pressed his snout on your hand. signifying he trusts you as well.

"Woah..." You gently started petting toothless, who opened his eyes and made happy noises. Enjoying the pets.

"It's majestic isn't it ??"

"This is awesome !!!" You smiled wide gently still petting toothless.

"Maybe after then you might be able to have your own dragon"

"I.. can have my own ??"

"Yeah, but one thing at a time ok ??"

Hiccup then hopped on Toothless's back, having a horse saddle as well. "Come on, Hop on" He smiled

You took a deep breath and hopped on, toothless then lunged and flew high into the sky. you clung to hiccup making sure you don't fall off.

"Woah.. woah !!!!"

"Toothless be gentle ok ??"

Toothless nodded and gently glided across the sky, the view was amazing.

"Wow..."

"Never gets old." Hiccup patted your leg

After a bit of flying, you then arrived at the village of berk, this village was thriving thanks to dragons and Vikings living peacefully. Landing you hopped off toothless and looked around. this was unbelievable.

"Ok my house is this way, come on"

Climbing up the hill you three entered his house, a nice and cozy environment, until a booming voice startled you.

"Ahh ma boy, was beginning to wonder where ya went" This man was huge, looking like 7 feet tall with a massive beard. "and who may you be ??"

"Oh dad this is y/n, y/n this is my dad Stoick the chief of berk"

"Oh... it's nice to meet you sir"

"Dad are you cooking lunch ??"

"Yep, I would assume y/n would want some too ??"

You nodded and Stoick served you a bowl of his famous broth, you three then sat down and y/n explained everything that happened to him.

"Oh y/n... I'm so sorry that happened."

"Thank you... But I really don't know what to do now... everything's in shambles"

Hiccup, Stoick and Toothless looked sadly at y/n, you were all alone, nowhere to go. Toothless crawled to you and nudged his head onto your hand, hoping to comfort you.

"Well... how about we make you a resident of this village ??" Stoick offered"

"Really ??, Are you sure ??"

Stoick smiled and nodded

"Thank you sir"

Hiccup patted your back "Welcome to berk y/n"

Toothless showed you his gummy smile and nuzzled his head to you.

"Wait I thought he had teeth earlier ??"

"Oh, he has retractable teeth, hence the name toothless."

You smiled, already can't wait to learn more about dragons, and maybe just maybe. Have your own.

Taglist: @callofdudes

[goldenlikedayl1ght]

bound for n.y.c - g. van fleet

a/n: hi everybody! i’m back with a cool 3.6k fic about the one, the only, greta van fleet! i am seeing them at msg next week and am so excited that i just wanted to write a quick fic. please note that there’s no set ship and that it’s sort of implied that reader is in love with all members of the band and all the band members are into reader and NOT EACHOTHER. except maybe sammy and danny. let me know if y’all want anymore of these types of fic, idk maybe it’ll flop. also this is kind of fast paced and i am very sorry for that warnings: kissing, physical touch, mentions of anxiety and stress, complicated love triangles, food mentions, reader has a stepdad and a good relationship with their mom, reader being from ny, i think reader is fully gender neutral with maybe a few feminine traits but no real descriptors. also reader has tattoos and mentions of a dog that is no longer with us! no use of y/n, one mention of drugs, a bunch of references to sex, and cursing :0 word count: 3.6k summary: as tour manager, it's your job to get the boys to new york city, your home town. just don't fall in love with them, or anything. now playing: runway blues – greta van fleet

Being tour manager for America’s favorite Led Zeplin cover band, or at least, that’s what your judgmental bitch of a landlord called them once, was surprisingly difficult.

You were constantly running around after the four of them, feeling often more like a nanny than a tour manager. Especially at first. You had started meeting with them a few weeks before their World Starcatcher tour had begun, where you wore these professional, stuffy outfits. They had been referred to you by their makeup artist, who you had known from when you were an assistant to the tour manager of Phoebe Bridgers’ 2022 reunion tour.

You had been working for a producer when you got the call. Truthfully, you missed touring. It was a great way to see different parts of the country and the world, and you thrived in the chaotic environment. And you had heard of Greta Van Fleet, mostly from your grandfather, who was a huge classic rock fan, and always exploring new music via his iPad.

But you started out rather cooperating with them, wearing these stuffy outfits—Mostly long button ups and pencil skirts, while the boys showed up in comfortable casual clothes, always joking about you having to loosen up a bit.

And one notoriously hot day in early July, you showed up in shorts and a muscle tee to meet with them to go over the final dates of the tour before you all gave your go ahead to the social media manager.

You didn’t do much talking about the tour that meeting, opting instead to answer questions about your tattoos, your taste in music, your life to this point. And in exchange, they gave you pieces of themselves.

“I’m from New York,” You had answered over some late afternoon drinks. “I haven’t been home since Christmas, So I’m excited to see my family when we’re there.”

Josh’s fingers traced your upper arm, over a tattoo of your long-gone dog. “Will we get to meet this little guy?” He asks.

You only chuckled, “No, this one died while I was in college. Best dog I ever had.” You said solemnly.

And that was it. One comment about your dog and the boys were hooked on you forever. And when the tour started, you only grew closer— Sharing with them parts of your childhood, Jake teaching you the very basics of guitar, Josh taking shots with you before shows, Danny bringing you coffee to cope with those shots the next morning, and Sam holding your hand when he’s anxious, or when you’re anxious—or both.

So, by the time you make it to the boys’ first show at the Garden, you’ve developed a routine.

The bus leaves by seven a.m. from the hotel in D.C. to get to New York by nine, nine-thirty-ish. You’re craving a sausage, egg, and cheese on a bagel from your favorite deli near where your mom lives, about an hour outside of the city.

So, you wake Jake up first, as he takes the longest to really wake up, and you’re sure you’ll have to shake him awake at least twice before he really gets up for the day. Then, you go to make sure Josh is up, and hear his shower going by the time you get to it. Good.

Then, you head to Sam, who is snoring away with Rosie. You almost don’t have the heart to wake him up. Almost. But Rosie senses your presence and stands up in bed, starting to lick his face. He groans, mumbling a soft, “I’m up, Rose, I know.” You feel good when you head over to Danny.

But thankfully, he’s already up. He’s in bed, writing in his notebook when you get there, sipping his coffee and all packed up for the road. His hair is tied up in a bun, and you’re entirely grateful that he’s so good at this whole thing.

Usually, you don’t need to wake each of them up, but every few shows, the five of you, as well as other crew members, indulge in the after party. And last night was your turn to be the D.R.O. Designated responsible one.

Eventually, you get all four of them downstairs and on the bus, no real difficulties. You all climb onto the bus and begin the drive to your home state. And you can hardly take the anticipation. Seeing your family again, visiting your favorite spots, and getting a homecooked meal was keeping you going. You had moved to California for school, before traveling on a few tours, and then settling for about a year in Nashville. But you ached for New York.

While your boys busied themselves with talk, games, and music, you stared out the window, biting your thumb and ignoring the reruns of Daredevil that played on your laptop in front of you. And apparently, you were bouncing your leg intensely, because the only thing that snapped you out of your thoughts was Rosie’s head on your thigh to relax you.

You scratched her head, sighing as you closed your computer, before glancing up to the boys, who had gone suspiciously quiet.

“What?” you asked, giving them a concerned look.

“You know we’ll make it to New York, right?” Sam asked, “You’ll be there soon.” He said, holding your hand, just like he always did when you were anxious.

“I know, I’m just—I miss home. And I love touring, and usually I’m never like this, but when I realized I’d be seeing my mom after months, I just... It made me start focusing a lot more on the fact that I miss it.”

You knew they’d get it. Michigan had been their home for years, and although they loved Nashville just like you did, you knew they left a part of themselves in Frankenmuth, just as you had in New York.

Danny tossed you a blanket, “Get some sleep, Sugar. You’ll need it.” he said softly. You nodded, too anxious and tired to argue any further than that. You cuddled up to Sam, Rosie finding her way in between your legs to further comfort you.

As you drifted off, you thought about your relationship with them. Things like Sam’s holding your hand and cuddling, Danny’s very often kisses to your forehead, Jake’s gentle hugs from behind, and Josh’s well—Josh’s everything, he’s a very affectionate young man—had been, for the most part, strictly platonic. You had thought about it. Kissing one of them, asking to break the professional lines of your relationship, however blurred those had become.

But it was more than that. Over the past few months of knowing them, it had developed from you getting them from place to place, into a softer, more tender relationship. The relationship you had formed with them was something you had been desperately lacking and needing. You had only realized that you missed it when you got it from them.

You were all real true soulmates.

You woke up to the sound of a loud series of honks and yelling from outside the bus. You peeked out of the window to see people screaming at each other, thousands of people making their way to work, and tall skyscrapers overhead.

“Jesus Christ, it smells like someone died!” Jake complained, as the rest of the boys agreed on the smell being horrid. It made you grin. You were home.

You stretched and pulled out your phone, checking the itinerary for the day that you had written out in your note’s app the night before. And you were right on schedule, since you accounted for traffic getting here. It was around noon, so you decided to head over to the hotel to get settled in before the show.

Except when you got there, the lady at the front desk informed you there were no rooms booked under the name you had given them. Which was insane, because you booked a room months ago knowing how expensive and unpredictable the city was.

So here you were, a show that night, with no hotel room, and a group of hungry twenty-something year olds. You were going to scream. And they could see it on you, your muscles tense, as you struggled to not start shaking.

Josh rested a hand on your arm, rubbing his thumb gently against it as he wrapped his other arm around your shoulders. “Deep breathes, Baby. You made that reservation; these guys are just a bunch of fucking fucks.” And it made you laugh, enough to relax you. You took another minute to think, before turning back to the rest of the guys.

“Okay, here’s the plan. We must be at the Garden for soundcheck and costumes, hair, and makeup by five thirty. We’ll go there now, drop off our bags and we can go grab pizza and garlic knots at this spot I know, good and are very cool with service dogs.” You said, unable to think of a scenario where you leave Rosie anywhere except with Sam. “While we’re there, I’ll make a call, since I think I know where we can stay if you guys don’t mind a bit of a drive after the show.” No one objected, they simply got back on the bus as instructed, and headed to enact that plan.

After dropping off your things and making it to the pizza place, you step outside for that call, telling Jake to just order you a soda. The phone rings. Once. Twice. And on the third call, your mom answers, excitedly saying your name.

“Where are you guys? Did you make it to the hotel okay?” she asks, and your face melts at the softness.

“Hey, Mom, we’re in the city, getting some lunch. Listen, the hotel messed up our reservation, and now we’re looking for a new place to stay... I know it’s last minute, but—” And before you can ask it, she cuts you off.

“Well, you five can stay here! We have the guest room, your room and your brother’s room.” She decides. “I’ll cook, do they like sausage and peppers?”

“Mom, you don’t have to, it’s gonna be late when we get in.”

“And you still need to eat. I’ll see you tonight, okay? I love you baby, break a leg tonight.” She advises, even though you aren’t the one preforming.

“Alright, I love you, mom.” You hang up and head back inside, settling into your seat next to Josh, just as the waitress comes back to take your order. “We’ll have a large cheese pizza with half mushrooms, please. And a dozen and a half garlic knots.” You say coolly, not giving the boys a chance at all. You love this restaurant. It’s best you order anyways.

They all stare at you for a few seconds before you smile. “You all get to meet my mom tonight.”

“Don’t you think we should have a couple of dates before we meet your mom?” Danny asks, and it makes you giggle.

“What do you think this is?” You tease.

Lunch goes really well, and after a bit of tourism and some drinks around the city, you make it to Madison Square Garden to get them ready for the show. For a brief few hours, you have a break. Usually, you spend it catching up on some work, having some quiet time, or anything of the sort. But this is their debut at the Madison Square Garden, in your hometown. You feel an obligation to watch the show.

Before the show begins, as Josh and Jake are getting their makeup done, you relax with Sam and Danny on a couch somewhere backstage. When Jake is done, he steals your phone off the table, and holds it up to take a photo of the three of you. Sam and Danny lean in and each kiss one of your cheeks, and it makes you roll your eyes for a second before you smile at the camera, letting them be all lovely dovey and affectionate, like a bunch of freaks. Your freaks.  

When the show starts, you watch from the sidelines, cheering for them and generally enjoying the show, because you just know how important this is for them. And you eat it right up, watching your boys perform at a dream venue for so many artists.

Before they start Highway Tune, Josh starts speaking to the crowd. “This is a very special show for us. Our debut at The Garden. The Garden, how about that?” He hums. “And we’re also playing in our tour manager’s hometown... So, we have some special surprises for you in their honor.” The crowd goes wild, and your face flushes, giggling at the idea of them performing a special show just for you.

The show goes by quicker than you would like it to, because you’re enjoying it too much. And you’re really understanding suddenly why so many people are down bad for them online. They look really fucking good. When they get off stage, you just want to cling onto them or make out with them or worse, and then they go back on for the encore and it leaves you longing, wanting for more.

What the fuck is happening to you?

You get caught up in this feeling to the point where the next hour or two—Waiting for the crowds to clear out, for them to get undressed, for the bus to get there—fly by, and before you know it, you’re in the bus again, heading to your moms. Josh lays his head on your lap, and Sam has found himself cuddled up against you. Danny is leaning against Jake across from you, and Jake is just staring at you. He has a familiar look in his eyes, and you just stare back.

When you make it to your home, while all the houses are dark and quiet, the kitchen and living room light is on when you make it to your home. The bus driver has family in the area, so he’ll stay with them for the night, and pick you up early on Thursday Morning, giving you all a break from the crazy travel days.

Your mom is in the kitchen when you come in, having late night coffee and tea with your stepdad. She hears you come in and gets excited, greeting you all at the door. She pulls you in for a hug and a kiss, holding onto you for a little while, just excited to see you. When she pulls away, she grins at the boys.

“And who are these lovely young men?” she asks, teasingly.

In a deadpan voice, you respond, “The cokehead rockstars I’ve been traveling with. I’m their groupie.” You say, and she scoffs at your sarcasm.

Josh smiles, “That’s us, Baby!” He opens his arms to your mom, and she gladly hugs him as a greeting, despite this being their first meeting. And there it is again, that aching feeling you had, when you watched them perform tonight, the same feeling that followed you home. After hugs and introductions, you’re all at the dinner table, gobbling down the dinner your mom made for you. You can almost cry, enjoying the taste of her cooking after months without it.

And the boys enjoy it too, loving a filling meal after a busy show. When you have all finished eating, you make your way up to your respective rooms. You stick Danny and Sam in the guest room, Jake sleeps in your brother’s room, and Josh in your bed, with you. You could almost die.

You take out your earrings and then you lay down. Your arms are exposed, showing off the tattoos you have once more. Josh sleeps in his boxers and a tee shirt, even though your room is chilly. He lays next to you and begins tracing his fingers over your tattoos.

“What’s this one?” he asks, tracing over a ghost that’s on your forearm, right above your elbow.

“Got it during the final show of Phoebe’s tour. She has a similar one somewhere, and I guess it was my way of commemorating the tour.” You explain. He hums, and moves to a different one, asking you the origin of that one. This goes on for a while, before you kiss his palm and tell him to get some sleep.

He falls asleep quickly, and you just stare at him through the darkness. ‘Are you dreaming of me?’ You want to ask, a hand reaching out to run your hands through those vicious curls. Before you know what, you’re doing, you cuddle up to him, laying your head on his chest. When you feel his arms wrapped around you, you begin to drift off, confident that you did not overstep any boundaries.

When the morning strikes, you get up and realize Josh is still asleep. You wiggle out of his arms and leave the room. You must be lost in thought because you bump flat into someone without even noticing. It’s Danny. His hair is wrapped up in a towel, and he only wears a towel around his waist.  

He reminds you of that one video of Slash from the golden age of Guns N Roses, and it stirs something deep inside of you.

But he just chuckles and kisses your forehead gently. “Hey, sweets.” he says softly, in that raspy morning voice.

“Good morning.” You respond. “Sorry for interrupting.”

“You didn’t interrupt anything; you don’t have to apologize.” He advises. “See you downstairs.” You take a cold shower just to get out of your own head before heading downstairs, where you meet your mom, Jake, Sam, and Danny laughing and eating French toast, as your stepdad cooks in the kitchen.

You love his French toast, but a pang of disappointment hits you as you think about your sausage, egg and cheese on a bagel, with hashbrowns. You quickly eat to dissipate any of those needs. But you’ve been talking about that sandwich for months, so it haunts you.

The rest of the day, you spend pretty much doing nothing. You nap, lounge, and catch up with your mom. It’s the perfect day. Just you, your mom, and your boys. And of course, Rosie. Your mom makes pulled pork sliders for lunch, and you order Chinese food for dinner. Real, good Long Island Chinese food.

And really, the day is over before you really want It to be. Sam asks you to join him on walking Rosie. You happily oblige, planning on taking him to get ice cream along the way. He has his arm wrapped around your shoulders, and you keep your head leant against his shoulder. Rosie trots in front of you happily.

“I could get used to this.” He says suddenly.

“Huh?” It catches you off guard. What does that mean?

“This. The quiet life. Walking my dog in the suburbs...” He says shyly. You get the sense there’s something on the tip of his tongue and you long for him to say it. “I love touring, but these domestic moments... You can’t beat ‘em.” He decides.

You want to kiss him so badly.

Instead, you just hum, and snuggle closer to him, wondering what the hell you’re doing. And that’s a super valid question.

The night goes the same as the last, except you kiss your mom and stepdad goodnight, not wanting them to have to get up in the morning to say goodbye. You suspect your mom will anyways. And she does. As the boys file out of the house, she’s handing them homecooked meals for the road, and you give her one more hug and kiss goodbye, before heading to the bus yourself. The others are on the bus, but Jake stands there, his hands behind his back. You narrow your eyes to him suspiciously.

“You’re an amazing tour manager, you know that?” He says gently.

“Yes, I do. What are you scheming at?” You ask, not totally trusting him.

He just grins as he reveals a brown bag he’s holding, handing it to you. Your confusion only grows as you take the bag and open it only to smell the best thing you have had in months.

A sausage, egg, and cheese on a bagel. With hashbrowns. From your favorite deli.

You almost scream.

“What?!” You gasp, “How did you—”

“I borrowed your mom’s car this morning and got it for you.”

“You didn’t have to do that...”

“Yeah, I did. I meant what I said. You hold us together, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Plus, you’ve been talking about this sandwich for months and—” You don’t let him finish. You kiss him. It’s full of all this pent-up passion you’ve held in, and Jake just wraps his arms around you, deepening the kiss. He wanted this just as much as you did, you realized. Your arms wrapped around his neck as you both lean into the kiss, fully enjoying the moment. Then, he pulls away, saying your name quietly.

You don’t know what to say. Then, the bus honks twice, scaring the shit out of you.

“C’mon you two! We got things to do, you sorry shits!” Josh yells. You can only laugh before you both climb onto the bus. Now, a new lust has overcome you. The lust for the sandwich you hold in your hands.

The lust for the four boys that surround you doesn’t dissipate either.

But as you head for Boston, your boys in tow, your shift as Greta Van Fleet’s tour manager begins once more, and you resume your position easily.

Until Sam kisses your neck. Then you melt again.

[ali-anne-undertale-stoof]

Undertwins Headcanon:

The differences between uppercasers and lowercasers. Just some small tidbits about how they work in this AU.

Uppercasers

Uppercasers take the phrase "loud and clear" a bit too literally. Everything they do is loud, from speech to snoring to even just walking around normally. You will know when an uppercaser skeleton is around. This however means that they... aren't the best at stealth? They aren't good at staying quiet, but you can guarantee that you will be able to understand what they say... unless you're dealing with a really fast talker, of course! A chatterbox uppercaser... a dangerous combination. This doesn't mean that an uppercaser can't whisper when they need to. However, it can strain their font if they do it for an extended period of time.

While they're not particularly stealthy, they are remarkably physically strong. Now I would like to note that a skeleton's case does not impact the strength of their magic, however, it can indicate a skeleton's physical strength. Uppercasers are like tanks. They're very sturdy, can take a hit and pack a punch if they want to. An uppercaser is typically very good at lifting stuff too.

They tend to thrive in fast-paced environments with a lot of noise. Some uppercasers, especially younger ones, may actually get unnerved by quiet environments if they're not used to them. However, every uppercaser skeleton is different in this regard, as some aren't as affected by it, especially if they've grown up around lowercasers or have sensory sensitivities of their own.

Lowercasers

These guys are Grade A mumblers. They're very soft-spoken, often to the point of mumbling at times, tend to be a lot more subdued than uppercasers, and are overall just really quiet. It is possible for them to raise their voices, but it can hurt their skeletal equivalent of a throat if they do it for too long. However, they are amazing at sneaking around. Like uppercasers with their "doing everything loudly", lowercasers tend to do everything quietly, including typically loud sounds like laughter. Often, they can unintentionally sneak up on people and scare them. Or sometimes they do it intentionally, depending on the individual.

Lowercasers are a lot weaker compared to their uppercased counterparts. It's possible for them to train and get stronger, but on a base level, they're much weaker. Therefore, many lowercasers adopted a more pragmatic and strategic approach in case a conflict arises. They're very good at thinking on their feet, especially in a life or death situation.

Young lowercasers tend to be quite timid in their formative years, especially when it comes to loud noises. However, repeated exposure to loud environments helps them get over their fear very quickly. This doesn't mean they don't thrive in more quiet environments, though, because, well... They do. Like uppercasers, every lowercaser handles loud noises differently, especially if they've grown up around uppercasers or if they're generally less receptive to that kind of stimuli.

[max--phillips]

Do you think the reason you can’t find a job is because you have no sought after skillsets?

Haha wow anon! :) what an insightful take! And certainly not one that I've been thinking about constantly for years of my life even when I am employed! :)

Definitely not something that's been haunting me after I dropped out of college three (3) times, especially after I went through the gifted and talented programs in grade school where I was told I would be able to go to any college I wanted, and then get any job under the sun! :) Which I totally don't beat myself up about regularly because I never lived up to those expectations, and now work an hourly job knowing full well a huge portion of my peers are now doctoral students or otherwise have flourishing careers! :) (Which, side note, just to break character here, I'm super jazzed for them for that. Seriously. I do not hold any of this against them. I hold all of this against the very broken system I was in. Add on top of that I had ADHD the whole time and didn't get diagnosed until I was 20... yeah.)

And certainly the reason I haven't found a job has nothing to do with the fact that I started this job search barely two weeks ago because that's when I found out the company I work for currently is shutting down, or the fact I've applied to maybe a dozen jobs in total since then. Certainly not.

But yeah, I know for sure that seven years in customer service, thriving in high-pressure fast-paced environments, a wide array of computer and other technology skills, data analysis, route optimization, attention to detail, effective communication, automotive knowledge, and being a very quick learner aren't at all sought after skills. Neither is a CompTIA A+ certification, which I'm working on getting ASAP.

So I guess I should just totally give up and cease to exist, huh anon? :)

Literally what the hell is wrong with you? No sought after skills. Eat my ass. The reason I haven't found a job yet is because I've barely been looking, because I still work for my current employer for another two weeks. Add on top of that the fact that employers love to just post jobs and not actually respond to any applicants, then cry about how "no one wants to work," I know full well this is going to take some time. I hope when you find yourself in this situation at some point in your life, you have the sought after skills to find a job in less than two weeks. Fuck off.

[iampikachuhearmeroar]

lmao i just looked up "best jobs for people with anxiety " and "slow living jobs" bc i'm so fucking sick and tired of constantly reading the words "fast-paced", "dynamic" and similar synonyms in EVERY fucking job ad i read. but these articles all listed "data entry" as a "slow job". bro. basically EVERY job im looking at rn is admin data entry and EVERY one of them is literally: "MUST LOVE WORKING IN A THRIVING, LIVING, BREATHING, DYNAMIC, over-zealously energetic and outgoing and freakishly positive environment!!!! to the point if an introvert DARES to apply we WILL reject them!!!! or OUTRIGHT say in the ad that we will not even bother to hire you..... if you DARE come across as shy and quiet in your application, we will toss it in the digital trash heap of resumes for you!!!! happy new job and workplace ridiculously overly extroverted data entry peon!!!! or like, just fucking DIE shy and anxious people!!! thanks (but NO THANKS) for WASTING OUR PRECIOUS TIME!!!! (literally said in a job ad that i scrolled past in late 2023, i noped right out of there) (must also let customers call you a cunt on the daily, first thing in the morning, when you pick up the phone.... but serve them with a smile all of the time :)!"))

like WHAT even is there for people who are anxious or just too tired to be "always on the go!"???? and for people who don't want their stupid fucking employer telling them to get assessed, diagnosed and medicated for X, Y and Z mental health conditions like my cadetship employer did to me back in 2022????

[ihatemakingusernames]

My love handles are starting to spill over my work skirt which is probably like, 2 sizes too small now? I just want some bitchy coworker to come up to me and pinch them, rub my little muffin top, telling me what a naughty, greedy girl I am. Is that too much to ask 😔😔

Well uhh, I'm looking for a job, and I do believe I have what it takes to thrive in that fast paced working environment... Though, I don't think a greedy fatass like you is moving very fast anymore...

[contentmakers]

Is DRIEMS Right for You?

A Quiz to Help You Decide on Your Engineering Path

Hey there, future engineer! So you've got that spark of innovation, a love for problem-solving, and a head full of ideas just waiting to be built? Awesome! But with a million engineering colleges out there, picking the right one can feel like navigating a complex circuit board. Don't worry, we've got your back. This interactive quiz will help you see if DRIEMS University could be the perfect Launchpad for your engineering journey.

Ready? Grab your virtual screwdriver, and let's get started!

Question 1: You crave a hands-on learning experience, not just textbook theory.

How important is a well-equipped lab environment to you?

(a) Essential! I want to get my hands dirty building things and experimenting. (b) Labs are cool, but a strong theoretical foundation is key too.

(c) I'm more interested in the real-world application of engineering principles.

If you picked (a) or (c):

DRIEMS University boasts state-of-the-art labs across various engineering disciplines. Think high-end machinery, cutting-edge software, and dedicated lab sessions that let you translate theory into action.

Question 2: Imagine yourself after graduation.

What kind of engineering environment excites you the most?

(a) Collaborative and team-oriented, where I can bounce ideas off others.

(b) A fast-paced, competitive environment that pushes me to my limits.

(c) A dynamic space that allows me to explore my own ideas and experiment independently.

If you picked (a) or (b):

DRIEMS University fosters a collaborative learning environment with a strong focus on teamwork projects. You'll also have access to industry mentorship programs, connecting you with experienced professionals for guidance.

Question 3: Future goals?

Do you see yourself working for a big corporation or venturing into entrepreneurship?

(a) Big corporations offer stability and growth opportunities.

(b) I dream of launching my own startup someday!

(c) I'm open to both - it depends on the right opportunity.

If you picked (a) or (c):

DRIEMS University boasts an impressive placement record, with an average salary package of around 8 LPA and the highest reaching 16 LPA. They have a dedicated placement cell that connects students with top companies across various sectors.

Question 4: Beyond academics

What kind of campus life are you looking for?

(a) A vibrant campus with active clubs and societies.

(b) A focus on academics with minimal distractions.

(c) A balance between academics and extracurricular activities that promote holistic development.

If you picked (a) or (c):

DRIEMS University offers a vibrant campus life with a wide range of student clubs, technical societies, and cultural events. There's a dedicated cricket stadium, a well-equipped auditorium, and spacious hostels to make your college experience enriching.

So, how'd you do?

If your answers leaned heavily towards options (a) or (c), then DRIEMS University could be a great fit for you. They offer a blend of strong academics, practical learning experiences, industry connections, and a supportive campus environment to help you thrive.

This is just a glimpse of what DRIEMS University has to offer. To learn more about their specific engineering programs, faculty expertise, and scholarship opportunities, head over to their official website. Remember, choosing the right engineering college is a big decision.

“Take your time, research your options, and don't be afraid to reach out to DRIEMS University for a personalized consultation”

Here's to building a fantastic engineering future!

The DRIEMS Difference

5 Reasons Why Our B.Tech Programs Should Be Your Top Choice

Picture this:

You're knee-deep in building the next groundbreaking invention. It's complex, it's challenging, and it's going to change the world (or at least your corner of it). But to get there, you need the skills, the knowledge, and the launchpad to blast off. That's where DRIEMS University's B.Tech programs come in.

We get it. You're bombarded with choices when it comes to engineering colleges. But here's the thing: DRIEMS isn't your average college. We're a place where theory meets action, where classmates become collaborators, and where professors become mentors who genuinely care about your success.

Here are 5 reasons why our B.Tech programs should be your top choice:

1. Unleash Your Inner Genius in Cutting-Edge Labs:

Textbooks are cool, but let's be honest, building a robot or designing a self-driving car is way more epic. At DRIEMS, we don't just preach engineering, we make it real. Our state-of-the-art labs are packed with the latest equipment and software, from 3D printers to high-performance computing facilities. Imagine tinkering with circuits, testing prototypes, and putting your theoretical knowledge to the test in a practical environment – that's the DRIEMS B.Tech experience.

2. Learn from the Masters: Industry Mentorship that Matters:

Think professors are just dusty old lecturers? Not at DRIEMS. Our 600+ faculty is a powerhouse of experience, with many boasting real-world industry expertise. But it's not just about their knowledge; it's about their passion for sharing it. We believe in fostering strong student-professor relationships, and that includes access to industry mentorship programs. Get ready to learn from the best, network with experienced professionals, and gain valuable insights into your chosen engineering field.

3. From Campus to Career: Launching Your Dream Tech Job:

Let's face it, a stellar engineering degree is only half the battle. You need the skills and connections to land that dream job. DRIEMS goes above and beyond academics to prepare you for the workforce. Our dedicated placement cell works tirelessly to connect students with top companies across various sectors. From interview prep workshops to resume-building guidance, they'll equip you with the tools to confidently navigate the job market. Plus, with an impressive placement record (think average salary packages of around 8 LPA and the highest reaching a whopping 16 LPA!), you can graduate knowing you've got a bright future ahead.

4. Beyond the Classroom: Building a Well-Rounded Engineer:

College isn't just about lectures and exams (although acing those is pretty important too). At DRIEMS, we believe in fostering a vibrant campus life that fuels your personal and professional growth. Our diverse range of student clubs, technical societies, and cultural events provide the perfect platform to explore your interests, hone your leadership skills, and make lifelong connections. Whether you're a coding whiz or a budding entrepreneur, there's something for everyone at DRIEMS.

5. A Supportive Community Where You Thrive:

Engineering school can be tough. There will be late nights, challenging projects, and moments where you might feel like your brain is about to explode. But at DRIEMS, you're not in it alone. We foster a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Your classmates will become your study buddies, your brainstorming partners, and maybe even your future business co-founders. Our dedicated faculty and support staff are always there to guide you, motivate you, and celebrate your achievements.

So, are you ready to join the DRIEMS B.Tech revolution?

We know you've got the brains and the passion. We'll provide the launchpad, the resources, and the support to turn your engineering dreams into reality. Head over to our website to explore our B.Tech programs, meet our amazing faculty, and take the first step towards an epic engineering career.

The future of tech is waiting. Are you ready to build it?

[vespr3]

i always believed that i'll never feel what love is, or merely know it at all. i used to picture it as something destructive, something worthless of my time, something scary, something that's just not for me. love equates disappointment. that's what growing up in a rough environment where love feels rare, does to you. but deep within, i always clung to the notion that love must be beautiful; the right kind out there is beautiful.

it must be.

i've met so many beautiful souls in this lifetime and meeting them slowly rebuilt love in my eyes. but this man reshapes love's very essence, infusing it with new depths of meaning. the more i'm with him, the more i find love and peace in forms i didn't know existed. love with him feels liberating, a sanctuary where i can openly express my thoughts, whether they be frustrations, uncertainties, and my inner whirlwinds. i grew up thinking that expressing emotions or questioning what bothers you invites arguments, hence keeping them inside seemed the safer choice.

but his love makes me feel so seen. so validated. so secure in my vulnerability. his love feels almost too good to be true but man do i believe him so easily. he cares in ways that almost felt like normalcy, as if it were a fundamental part of his being—a gesture as instinctive as breathing, done without a second thought because that's just the man he is.

joares, with you, love flows effortlessly yet deeper each day. confusion finds no home in me, gone is the cloud of doubt that once crowded my view — i'm now at the point where your name is almost identical to certainty. i don't like thinking about the future until you. the future, used to be a distant thought, now weaves you into its every thread, its every hue — it's now all woven with visions of you. sometimes i'd look at you and yearning starts to flow in advance, as if there is not enough time in this lifetime to spend with you.

you make my fast-paced world calm and slow. the fixed point within the corridors of my mind, where chaos yields to tranquility with the mere thought of you. i felt like i've found a safe harbor, a haven where my vulnerabilities are embraced, and my fears gently soothed. almost like a child with a trusted guardian, i can run to you, knowing i'll always find solace in your arms when the world gets a little harsher than it already is.

to love something just because is one thing, but to love despite is an entirely different thing. i fell on the latter. i love you in a way that's sometimes hard to comprehend, the kind that defies logic's grip. i used to think love required dependence, a need for presence intertwined. but you, my love, you're too independent that sometimes i feel like you don't need anyone. and if you'd ask for my honesty, your independence, an embodiment of strength and self-sufficiency, both captivates and scares me. you're like a lone star in the night sky, you shine fiercely, seemingly untouched by earthly ties. it scared me somehow because how can you seemed to stand there unaided, untouched by ties while i wonder how could i stand if you ever slipped from my hand? your resilience reveals the core of my reliance.

but in the depths of experiencing you in so many ways, i learned a new way to love: to hold you close without necessity, to thrive independently, hand in glove. i'd drown all my beliefs, all of my convictions if it means getting to love you right.

this life with you will never be obligatory but a clear choice. i know i can live without you, but it will not be as beautiful as this. i can love for all i want, but i know i'll never love this way again — with such tenderness — to the point of tears. without you, it may all be bearable and existence might endure, but a life with you is a life i know worth living, a life with more purpose.

[blahandwhatever]

Traits almost every job wants:

Extroverted, enthusiastic, and exciting

Good at bullshitting and schmoozing (though this can NEVER be said out loud, and calling it out for what it is makes you worse than merely being bad at it)

Loves to be busy and thrives in a fast-paced environment

Super-organized

Super-specialized

Traits I have:

Introverted, peaceful, and calm

Bad at bullshitting and schmoozing

Hates to be busy and thrives in a slow-paced environment (but it's FINE, I'll manage if it's not many hours or is temporary; it's a JOB. my free time is my thriving time)

Disorganized (but you don't need to know that, I'll get things done in my own chaotic way)

Generalist (hi, I'm adaptable! I'm a quick learner, for real!! I know a little about a lot and can learn a lot about any given thing quickly when needed! give me a learning aptitude test like the one and only job that hired me this year did) (also, I am specialized in that I've been doing the same basic job for years, yet that seems to be increasingly not enough as job requirements become ever more needlessly, excruciatingly specific)

Honestly, I really thought I'd found a type of job, and way of working (alone from home, with relative flexibility), that suited my personality reasonably well, but even there, I keep finding these same old pitfalls. Hiring managers and company leaders sadly tend to be relatively similar across industries, and always look for the same Perfect Worker archetype.

Also, I've been thinking again about the differences between the academic world and the working world, how vastly friendlier to people like me the former can be, and what different skillsets succeeding and progressing in each can involve - and how the way academics works should be seen (and transferred to the working world) as an obvious example of how quickly many people can learn and master things (or what good workers quiet, unexciting people can be) but is not. You start a subject you've never taken before, and in a few months you can know So Much!!! And that's not even getting into the selling yourself and other social components. I never ever had to sell myself to anyone to get into a class. I simply had to have the right prerequisites. Never did I have to convince anyone of how wholeheartedly I wanted to take a class, what a perfect fit I was for the class, how passionate I was about that specific subject, or why I wanted to take the class with that specific instructor. Even with college applications, there were no interviews, and even the essays did not involve directly selling yourself as in a cover letter but rather discussing some big-picture topic and showing your writing skills and personality.

And really, jobs are more like classes to me than like life missions I'm singularly invested in with every fiber of my being. It sounds pretty interesting and good, I know I have a good enough skillset and foundation to succeed in it, and if all goes well, maybe I'll keep taking more classes like it.

[expatesque]

Tips for new graduates feeling stagnant even lethargic as they have no idea what they want to do career wise apart from eventually get a good salary and move to London?

Keep moving towards your destination, even if you don't know exactly what that is yet.

Okay so your overarching priority needs to be finding a job, ideally a job that puts you on the path you want to be on. But figuring out what kind of job that is can be really, really difficult -- trust me, I know from personal experience.

One thing that's really important to keep in mind as a grad is that your first job will not be your dream job. All your first job has to do is move you closer down the path to what you eventually want to do. So for me, law wasn't directly helpful to what I'm doing now but did having professional experience at an intense level help me get my foot in the door at my new job? Absolutely. So for me, law put me further along the path, even though I didn't stay on a legal route.

So keeping that in mind: it's helpful to first have a sense of what kind of thing you might eventually want to do.

Start with what you know: you want to live in London, you want a good salary. You probably also know some things you definitely don't want to do -- hate numbers? Scratch accountancy. You know more about what you want in a career / life than you think, so I encourage you to get out a piece of paper and write some things down. What does your eventual ideal life look like? How's the work/life balance? How much flexibility do you want? Do you want to be working mostly independently or collaboratively? Do you thrive in fast paced environments or do you want something more predictable? Etc. Also think about what you're good at: if you're not creatively inclined, advertising might be difficult.

Then I recommend talking to older people in your life who have more experience of the job market. There's a whole world of work out here, and it's hard to know what exists without talking to people about it. Reach out to family members, older friends, family friends, etc and try to get a sense of what things might be out there.

The idea of this is not to end up with one ideal job, but instead to narrow the field a bit. Like I said earlier, your first job doesn't have to be directly related to your ideal job, but it can help to be in the same 'work zone.' By that I mean, it's in a similar industry or develops useful skills for what you eventually want to be doing. So if you eventually want to be running a cool tech start up, a job doing marketing for a museum is probably less helpful than a few years in consultancy.

Once you've got a sense of what kind of thing you might want to do, or at least what you definitely don't want to do, apply. This is horrible and painful and awful but there's no way around it. Especially as a grad, definitely look into grad schemes -- something like 90% of professional jobs in the UK come through recruiters, but that pathway isn't really open to grads, so take advantage of what is open to you. Grad schemes generally provide good training and foundational springboards for whatever you want to do next. Talk to the careers people at your alma mater, keep an eye on those careers boards, and keep applying.

While you're doing that, I recommend trying to build up a skill, ideally one that's helpful for your resume. This can be something like a language, coding, even just getting comfortable with excel. It gives you something to fill your days that isn't applications and shows employers that you're using your time productively. And it can help you not go insane when your life feels like an endless stream of rejections.

So priorities: get a sense of what you might want to do to help orient yourself, then apply apply apply to things that help you get closer to that path than you are now. Also helpful to pick up a new skill or improve an existing one.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck babe, I'm rooting for you.

[rainbowsky]

Hi! I was wondering if you know of any discords/groupchats for bxgs? For people like me who don’t post or hold bjyx accounts, I feel like it’s really difficult to really get into the fandom and find fellow turtles to talk to. We all get excited when we find candies or want to rant about a particular behind the scenes moment etc and i feel like something like a discord would really bring people together and create a community of people to talk to each other.

I was wondering if you know of anything like that? Or would you be willing to create something like that where the fandom could join?

Sorry if this sounds rude or presumptuous or anything, I was just wondering. Thanks!

Hi Anon,

There's no harm in asking an honest question, so no worries. 😊

I’m afraid I’m going to disappoint you, though...

I can't in good conscience recommend Discord. I don't think there's ever been a more appropriately named platform. If you and others enjoy it, please continue to, but it's just not my cup of tea.

Discord (like Twitter) is a platform that thrives on speed and immediacy, not accuracy or analysis, so platforms like that have a tendency to reward, push and perpetuate misleading and inaccurate information. Once an incorrect idea catches fire on a platform like that, it's impossible to correct it.

Those platforms stick to short, quick little bites, when my preference is for slower, deeper analysis and discussion.

These fast-paced platforms also often thrive on friction as a catalyst for more intense, more passionate (and more adversarial), engagement. In my experience, which I recognize isn't data but is just my own personal situation, Discord servers often become very toxic and gossipy, and are often used as HQ for harassing people on other platforms (in fact, I suspect some of the worst toxic solos organize there). I've been a member of many Discord groups over the years, mostly gaming related but also on other topics, and unless they are exceptionally well managed and heavily moderated (which only generally happens with the very large groups), they can become vectors of hate.

As I've said in the past, the nature of these platforms makes it more difficult to curate at times (especially Discord), and makes it much more likely that people will be exposed to aspects of the fandom that clash with their own views and values. It can also tend to exaggerate elements of the fandom that thrive in those types of environments. This can lead to conflict, and to people getting a distorted perspective on what the fandom is about and where most fans are coming from.

It’s usually pretty chaotic and fast-paced, and can feel like drinking through a firehose. I often find that type of setting overwhelming.

This is just my take on things. I recognize it's not my type of platform and it doesn't accommodate or encourage the kind of engagement with fandom that I enjoy, so my perspective is entirely subjective based on that.

No judgment to those who enjoy it. I have some good friends who spend a lot of time on BXG Discord.

If you are looking for more people to talk to I can understand your desire to find a chat server. I don't have any to recommend.

But I will say, don't be afraid to engage with people here, either. People do have great connections and conversations here on Tumblr, whether in the comments of posts, via reblogs or through private messaging. I've made some great friends here just using the tools that Tumblr provides, and I'm not a naturally 'ultra social' person.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[ninjamarija]

NOTE: WHILE I MENTION LIFE PRINCIPLES IN THIS ENTRY, MOST ARE A PRODUCT OF A CERTAIN SITUATION THAT TOOK PLACE HOURS AGO. SOME PARTS ARE PERSONAL AND MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO OTHER SCENARIOS.

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A lot of people are reaching out to me subtly about my CSU CAT results - most have been very cautious, initiating small talk before finally projecting the root of their concerns.

Their words were picked carefully, asking what my percentile rank was, and even proceeding to show theirs first, for reasons that could (either) annoy me or flatter me. Truth be told, though, I don't and will never know where the curiosity stems from, or does it even have a root cause at all, besides itself. The stench that reeks from their agendas are purposefully concealed by flowery auras that served rose-colored vision to me. (Or that is what I make myself believe, at least, not wanting to delve in the despair that came along with knowing that most people are satisfied in bringing me down, tested and proven, that is.)

Given the decision of projecting a question mark as to what my rank was, most would probably assume that with the meticulously competitive nature I possess, I might have fell under my standards with the exam. Most would probably assume I could not take the burden of having below average rank after being hailed Valedictorian of my elementary class as well as thriving for 6 years in a Science High School that yields standards no half-hearted individual could endure.

Next on the list, my former colleagues could also be disappointed. They might think my previous relationship's toxicity took its toll on me and stole my focus, and while it did, I knew to myself that the resilience that grew from a part of me that broke isn't a facade, and that the poison of the toxicity that suffocated me was gone the moment I decided to choose saving myself than the relationship I've forged with a guy my age.

On the other hand, I felt a little understood when others respected my choice to keep my score private. They believed I was humble enough to expose myself in anymore praises as I knew to myself that I did good. It was nice having people believe you even with all odds are suggesting you are not someone worthy of that faith.

However, I must break the silence that surrounds the issue that should not even be made a big deal out of. I am fully aware that I must put an end to the mystery that lingers around a stupid 2 digit number with decimal places extended to tens.

In the contrary, this is not just about answering questions and proving doubts otherwise. This is just about.. explaining.. for the sake of venting and undeniably leaving something in this blog to look back at the course of time. Say, a reminder, that who I am is none of their business, and how far I go is exclusive to me and me alone. The path I take and the finish line I establish for myself, how easy and fast I get there, IS MY STANDARD AND MY WILL. MINE ALONE.

I will never be dissuaded that things are better put this way. I will not give you the satisfaction of peace of mind that you got a higher mark, I want you to suffer from the chaos of not knowing others' milestones, because you have your own to focus on. And while I do not have anything against those who are proud of their achievements, I believe that it is unhealthy for the environment that I am exposed to right now to establish such extravaganza. The toxicity that lingers around my outer circle makes me vulnerable in more ways than one, hence this "decision-positivity" post.

I strongly stand by the belief that the only competition that I have is myself (obv case subjective). THE MAIN REASON I DID NOT INCLUDE MY PERCENTILE RANK WAS FOR THE BENEFIT OF PEOPLE (INCLUSIVE BUT NOT LIMITED TO MY CIRCLE) AND MYSELF. I DON'T WANT OTHER INDIVIDUALS TO FEEL INFERIOR OVER ME THE SAME WAY I DON'T WANT TO FEEL SUPERIOR OVER THEM, AND THE OTHER WAY AROUND AS I WAS KNOWLEDGEABLE THAT THEY HAVEN'T FOUND THEIR TRUST AMONG THEMSELVES YET. (one of the first few people who asked my abt my rate discussed this with me, and that's when I decided not to post it anymore to prevent further damage to people who might feel the same way)

I WANTED TO PRACTICE MYSELF TO LOOK AT MY OWN PATH, ENJOY MY OWN PACING AND CELEBRATE MY ACHIEVEMENTS WITHOUT NECESSARILY MAKING PEOPLE FEEL LESS OF THEMSELVES, AND OF COURSE, LOOKING AT OTHERS' ACHIEVEMENTS AND BEING DISAPPOINTED WITH MY OWN.

My victories aren't going to be less of an achievement when I keep them to myself, anyway.

So yes, I got high marks (this is high considering my mental state at the time + my standards) and I am not embarassed with my test results, not really proud of them either, because I was aware of my shortcomings. I may be called humble in a way too.

Lastly, I wanted the best for both sides. I will never risk my mental well being, let alone my principles over something that would not even matter much for the days to come. I also do not want people in my circle to disrupt their progress just because I was above them, nor do I want them to feel skyrocketed just because they had propelled more than me.

In this way, in my own understanding, I could share victories with other people in a way that need not be mentioned, nor conveyed - just a united feeling of delight that we thrived through the same storm, regardless of what boat we are in.

And in the end, we survived.

[riallasheng]

(One day I will find out what the artist one is XD)

Thank you for the link! ^^

Alright, 'full 30', here I go!!

If anyone wants me to expand on any of the questions, feel free to ask ^^

(under the cut, obviously XD )

Hm. My first fanfic? An exploration about some secondary characters from Heinlein's 'Citizen of the Galaxy' when I was 10. I'd written one or two stories before that, although they were original works (stories about my brother, his pet dog, and their adventures fighting evil - brother could turn into dinosaurs, dog could turn into prehistoric non-dinosaur animals. One of them is still in the house, somewhere XD)

I've never taken part in a event or challenge. Mostly due tending to have limited time IRL, and near equally due to how my brain works. I need to have an outline to write something. all the 'keyframes' at minimum. I literally can not write without an outline. and the time it takes me to MAKE an outline generally means that combined with limited RL time, I never could finish a work for an event or challenge

I don't really write in order or random ^^;; I tend to write my 'keystone' scenes usually fairly randomly, then I write the fic in order to fill in the rest.

I always outline, even for short works. I'm autistic and one of the elements of this is that I am incapable of writing without an outline. I've tried, but I simply can not do it. I sometimes will stray away from the initial outline... at least in a degree I will. Soemtimes I'll decide that I need to change teh story from the planned outline... and so I'll write a new outline ^^;

perfect environment is by my computer, in a comfortable chair, comfortably warm with some savory snacks and tea, pets snuggling up nearby, and tabs with research / data sources / music setting up.

When I am in the groove, I've hit over 100k words a day (helped by the fact that I have a REALLY high wpm, averaging around 120)

Combat and romance. combat I have trouble getting it to have both the fast pacing and having it be clear/interesting. Romance because I'm an old aroace and I don't really GET romance ^^;;

I listen to music, podcasts, theory / analysis videos, playthroughs, or gamers playing games (like IGP, Neebs Gaming, Markiplier, etc). It tends to be very eclectic and random ^^

I like AUs, canon compliant and UA (canon divergant) about equally.

I like dialogue, exposition and plot equally ^^

I never write smut so that's off the table XD I tend to prefer angst over fluff, so I'd probably go for that one. That said, I honestly prefer drama, which has a nice mix of angst and fluff and other elements

Eh, I've been writing for around abouts 40 years, so I've written most every trope that I'm interested in.

I won't write most smut or explicit tropes as I don't like them myself.

Ooof. I suck at these sort of questions. Can't really think of anyone, sorry

Hmmmm... of my surviving fics... Probably The Collector or Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

I don't think I have an underrated fic. I want more comments / interactions / discussions on all my fics cause I THRIVE on such, but every comment I HAVE gotten is precious and adored... so nothing is underrated to my mind

Hmmm... Probably proudest of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and of The Collector

oh man there are so many... As this is a Thunderbirds one, I'll pull from The Collector and the line might surprise people. Yup. Scott was fine. It's a small moment, but to me it really defined Scott, John, and how John SEES Scott; as well as giving a moment of false hope and certainty that everything would be fine before it is all ripped away, and that ONE MOMENT of 'yup, Scott's fine' right before Scott is stabbed in the chest live on camera is why John is so off balance and so on edge afterwards.

Easiest characters tend to be stoics and dry wit characters, hardest tend to be characters I dislike but don't hate. The reason for that is I have a rule where I can't hate-sink a character. Ihave to treat them with respect and keep them as IC as possible and try to explore and showcase them. (Now if I hate a character, I have a rule that I simply DO NOT WRITE THEM. They are either not present or, if need be, replaced by an existing character or even an OC)

Hmmm... For Thunderbirds probably John as in tos he basically is a minor / supporting character. In total? I tend to really enjoy writing supporting characters and giving them the spotlight for a bit, so... too many to list ^^;;

All of the Miraculous fics. They all were MUCH longer than intended. My re-write of As the Wyrm Turns is also getting away from me a bit XD

Nah, I can't remember ever crying while writing a fic, even in really hard hitting scenes that I felt strongly about

I kinda AM remixing one of my fics, as I'm rewriting As the Wyrm Turns from memory and a few scraps XD of my other fics... Eh, maybe I'd do a rewrite, and it probably would be to improve the writing quality or perhaps change plot elements or the like

Title creation varies. The Collector was named after the villain of the piece, As the Wyrm Turns is a pun, the Mriaculous fics followed the naming standards of the show, my Voltron fics basically told you the gist of what the story was about (Fair, Trust, 'A Cure for boredom')

Fics usually spring from two places for me. A keystone scene that the whole darn thing is crafted around progressing the plot / character arcs of an overarching story ... and sometimes it's both XD

Combat is always the hardest part for me to write XD

All sequels I write need to progress and change he plot, world, or characters in some way and/or set up for something important that would come in the sequel I REALLY want to write, but I need to set up the 'railway' connecting the two XD

I tend to care more about family and friendship FAR more than romance, I'm afraid ^^

As The Wyrm Turns: Gordon’s eyes widened and he paled sharply.  “Johnny, what did you do?” he asked, voice a bare whisper.

I have a STRONG trend towards longfic, so... well, anything I'm writing applies for this I'm afraid XD

Behind the scenes, full 30, go!!

Wait...

no...

I don't...

but

My notifs are still broken, if I don't see something in my dash, refreshing a post I've got open in a tag, or someone messaging me odds are high I'm going to have missed a meme or the like!!

;;_;;

If you send me a meme / question ask for something I haven't reposted, please send me a link to the thing too?