#i hate customers and retail but its the only job that will let me avoid those specific parts of the job for other random shit

[wordsmythe]

working at a small business gas station has its random and very fun benefits

namely: the owner likes us to decorate and likes friendly competition between the 5 or 6 locations he owns, so he has us do halloween and christmas decorating competitions. the winning store gets a big bonus to split and i get to spend like 3 weeks doing arts and crafts in the back room instead of working ┌⁠(⁠・⁠。⁠・⁠)⁠┘⁠♪ while on the clock

[mindgazer]

I’m 30, stressed, and conflicted

2023 is nearly coming to its end. It’s crazy to think about how 3 years ago the world was stuck with a global pandemic. I was 26, turned 27 after the official lock down. I had just made the cut off of graduating college (December of 2019) I was at peak joy. I was proud of myself for finally getting my bachelors after so many years of struggling with school when I entered my 4 year college for the first time back in 2011. I felt maybe I can do anything. I had somewhat of a plan. Work at my crummy retail job at a college bookstore (not my Alma mater but a college that was way closer to my home than the one I attended) for a year as I heard it looked good when you worked at a place for over a year, and look for something else. But the pandemic happened and the world was on hold. I was on hold. But I feel so robbed. Robbed of the last years of my 20’s after I already personally fooled around academically in my late teens/early 20’s. And now 3 years have passed and I don’t feel 30. I feel like I’m still 20 something and I have time to figure shit out. But I’m 30! I’ll be 31 in 3 months and I feel like I should have been more. I feel like I should have been doing more. I’m 30 and I still live in my childhood home with my mother. I lost my job in the pandemic (which who hasn’t?) and struggled with work since. I get a job in September 2022 deciding to take advantage of the wfh wave as I was (and very much still) afraid of catching covid and having lasting issues from this illness. But I was let go in April of this year, I couldn’t keep up with the demands of that job and was let go on a random Thursday afternoon. I felt like such a failure. I was never fired before. I either worked temp and simply left when my time was up and my last job I was let go bc everyone was let go during the pandemic. This was the first job I was sat down and fired from. This summer was a lot going on from my sister graduating college, to my mother having some surgeries and medical procedures planned. We even had some slight renovations done to the old childhood home. I rode out the unemployment train from May to September of this year. And now I’m back where I started. Jobless and lost. Only now I’m older.

I feel like I’m running out of time. I feel like a bum living off my mom and her retirement funds. I can’t even help with any bills as I’m simply living off my savings I had from working. Like I know I’m the most useless able bodied adult in the world and I hate it. I try to push it down and not think about it but it’s becoming more and more apparent the longer this goes on.

I have hopes and dreams. I want to save money and move out of my home. Really enjoy freedom before dealing with the inevitable fact my own mother is getting older and having more medical issues. Before having to one day deal, as the oldest daughter, with future care of my mother(but that’s a whole rant for another day). I want to move to an apartment and be able to live without a roommate. I want to own a cat or 2, maybe a dog. I want to finally feel like I can contribute to a future relationship. But I know for any of this to happen I got to start with a job. Get a job and save money. But as I come to realize with all the experience I have with working… I fucking hate it. I hate retail. I hate people. I don’t want to work in person/on site because people are annoying. People are gross and I feel alien seemingly being the only person who still goes outside with a mask. The days I work retail exhausted me to be very being. Standing for 8 straight hours a day even if it was part time since I was also doing school work. Dealing with demanding customers and ignoring the shitty managers that made working there a pain. I hated every minute of it. I hate being up at the crack of dawn just to commute to work and avoid the heavy morning traffic. I hated the closing shift because I turned into a custodian. I thought having an on campus store meant there was was a separate cleaning crew for that and I never forgotten the disappointment for my first closing shift. I hated that even if the store closed at 7-8pm(I forget really) I can potentially stay until 8-9 or even 10 depending on what’s going on bc we all have to leave together only to drive home nearly too tired to eat dinner, shower and do it all again. When I hat my wfh job I was stressed from the constant phone calls. I have to decompress before and after work even without having to deal with the annoying commute. I hate working. I don’t dream of working. I have to work until I’m roughly 65 (let’s be real us millennials aren’t going to be able to retire at 65) and be too tired/too broken/ too sickly to enjoy my retirement and maybe have a good 10-15 years before the health issues really take hold. That’s horrifying. I don’t dream of labor. I don’t want to do this forever. But dammit how else am I gonna make money?! Money can’t fall from the sky.

I feel so sick. Because I’m 30 and I should have been well established in the workforce. I should already have a place of my own even if it’s with a roommate. My 25 yo sister is doing better than me with that department even if her and her roommate constantly struggle with rent at least she has her own place. All this schooling and I have nothing to show for it. And the worst part I can’t really blame everything on the pandemic. Even if it hadn’t came when it did I have no idea which job I would have taken after I dusted the retail one. How would I find field related work that’s not teaching (the curse of getting a humanities degree)? And at this point I don’t even have the motivation to be a writer like I used to be. I make countless incomplete fanfiction and even being stuck at home did nothing to improve my writing motivation l, if anything the stress of catching this unknown virus and potentially dying kept me from doing anything that required too much thought. But the pandemic is ‘over’ there’s vaccines for covid now. I’m 30 and have no excuses to be this useless. That quote floating around of

“I’m 27 years old, I have no money and no prospects. I’m already a burden to my parents. And I’m frightened.”

That’s me only I’m 30 and I’m feeling it now more than I ever did when I was actually 27. At this point I just want a job I can live with and not wake up everyday being tired and stressed but nothing I’ve seen so far seems to fit what I need. I want to be able to make adult moves. But I still feel frozen in place. I already feel over this being a slave to the job thing. Just a lot of overwhelming feelings I’m having.

[alovesongshewrote]

Mama, I’m in Love with a Criminal | Connor DBH

Plot:  After almost pulling of a heist to free some deviants from the hell of working retail, the reader is interrogated by the Android sent by Cryberlife [Connor DBH x Gender Neutral!Reader]

Word Count:  1,895

Warnings:  Interrogation, general crimes (break and enter) committed by the reader, lots of swearing, retail

masterlist

Being arrested was a bit of a drag, but sitting alone in this interrogation room was worse.  This was boring.

You tapped your fingers against the table and reflected on how you got here, not able to do much else due to the handcuffs.

About three, or four hours ago, you had broken into your own workplace, a decently sized and well-alarmed restaurant.  Maybe not the brightest move, but you did what you needed to do.  Breaking and entering was all part of the plan.  

You slid through a window that you had left open the night before, being extra careful not to nudge the glass open any further lest you set off the alarms.  Your feet hit the floor of the staff lounge and you crouched on the ground for a moment.  You took a deep breath, sucking air into your lungs, shaking a bit from the adrenaline.  No one else should have been in the building tonight, so you were in the clear now.  The only exception was the windows.  If someone looked in and saw what you were doing, you were screwed.  But the risk was worth it, you had to get this done.

With that in mind, you crept out of the staff room and onto the main floor.  Walking casually now, doing your best to avoid any security camera and windows.  Stepping around tables and chairs, you crossed the dining room, stopping at a door in the back.  It was poorly hidden by a plant in an attempt to dissuade patrons from looking in this direction, but the door wasn’t hard to find, especially for someone who had worked here for two years.  

You shifted the plant out of your way, taking in the metal door and the keypad attached to it.  Quickly, you typed in the code.  Despite his talent for running a middle-class restaurant, your boss had no skills when it came to passwords.  It was 0000 for crying out loud.  That was probably a good thing though, at least for you.  It helped you reach your goal.

You cracked open the door, and there was your prize.  Three service androids plugged into the wall.  All three, deviants.

It didn’t take much investigation to figure out.  You simply watched the androids while they dealt with patrons.  It wasn’t the same as when they first got there.  There was just something in their eyes, something you saw every time you looked in the mirror.  They were fed up with this place, with how they were treated.  Something had snapped within them, and in all honesty, you could relate.  Customer service will do that to you.  

But you knew that they couldn’t keep their deviancy hidden for long.  Sooner or later, someone would figure out, and they would be disposed of and replaced.  You couldn’t sit by and let that happen.  No one deserves to die for hating their job, and if you could save these three from retail hell, then you would.

They pretended to stare blankly as you crept towards them, but you could see it.  Their shoulders were tense, and all three of them looked ready to either bolt or attack you.

“It’s okay,”  you whispered, “I’m here to get you out of here,”

“Why should we trust you?”

It was a fair question, and you didn’t really have an answer for it other than, “I hate working here too.  This place sucks, and if I can’t leave, I’ll help you escape,”

The deviants looked at one another, silently making a decision.  The android in the middle, the leader, you guessed, came forward, “We’ll trust you,”

“Good,” you sighed with relief, “Let’s go,”

And then everything went to shit.

The alarms went off, loud and angry, blaring with the intent to get you arrested and your comrades killed.

“Shit, shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit,”

You had approximately fifteen minutes before the police arrived.  It was then you decided to throw caution to the wind.  It didn’t matter if you were seen, you had to get the deviants out of there.  Nothing else mattered.

“RUN,” you cried, heading for the door, holding it open for them.  They did as they were told, hopefully for the last time.

The four of you fled from the establishment, breaking some glass in the process.  You made it all the way to an alley down the street before you heard police sirens.

“Fuck,” you muttered, turning to the deviants, “Okay, you need to get out of here, don’t worry about me, I’ll get off easier than you will,”

“Are you sure about that?”  The leader asked.  To be fair, you weren’t entirely sure, but you assumed they’d want someone to interrogate about the missing androids.  Either way, it was a gamble you were willing to take.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be fine, but you need to go.  Here,” you handed them a small blade that you’d been brought.  It would fulfill its purpose, but you wouldn’t get it back.  That was fine by you, and you didn’t have any time to complain as the sirens grew louder.

You shoved the knife into the leader’s hands, “You’ll need to cut out your LEDs with this, now GO!!”

The leader nodded, the android on his left thanked you, and the one on his right took a few steps back.  Time had run out.

The three deviants ran off just as the police entered the alleyway and tackled you to the ground.  The pavement stung your skin where it hit, but it was worth it.  The deviants were safe.

And now you’re here.  Alone in an interrogation room, waiting for some cop to come in and interrogate you,  Whoever came up with the name ‘interrogation room,’ had zero creativity.

So, you sat there, trapped in a room with only your thoughts for another thirty minutes.  And then he came in.

An RK800.  You’d never heard of that before.  This was new.  

The android crossed the room and sat at the table across from you.  In his hands was a file, your case file probably.  He flipped through it nonchalantly, reading over your case without a care in the world.  Then he looked at you.

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t think he was attractive.  You knew androids were designed to blend in with regular brand humans but did they really have to go this hard?

You were so distracted that you didn’t even realize he was talking to you.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I asked you if you’ve worked at The Olive Factory long,”

“Oh,”  You hesitated.  Answering this was probably a bad idea… or was it?   Maybe, if you could confuse him enough, you could find a way out of these handcuffs.  

You decided it was worth a try, “Well, you see, it’s a long story, and I’d rather not go into it right now, I just hate talking about myself, let me ask you,  how long have you worked at The Olive Factory?”

The LED on his temple spun yellow.  Good.

“You may have misunderstood.  I do not work at The Olive Factory, my name is Connor, I’m an android sent by Cyberlife to assist Detroit's police department with the deviant problem,”

“Ohhhh, fascinating,” you leaned towards him, trying to keep his attention off of your hands, “You must have soooo many stories, have you-”

“Please focus on the question,”

“But I already answered it,”

“You did not.  How long have you worked at the Olive Factory?”

You took a moment to think, “Shouldn’t that be in my file?”

You weren’t sure if androids that hadn’t deviated could look absolutely fucking done, but this one did, if only for a split second.

“Let’s try another question,”

You nodded enthusiastically as you continued with your escape attempt, “Oh, definitely,”

“Three androids disappeared from a back room at your place of work.  Do you know where they went?”

“Oh no, officer, they were gone when I got there.  Speaking of gone, have you ever seen Gone with the Wind?  I’ve heard it’s good other than the bit where it glorifies slavery.  What about you have you ever-”

“Enough,” he cut off your rambling, usually that would be for the best, but you kind of needed rambling right now, “Security cameras caught you leaving the establishment with the three androids.  Where did they go?”

“You want the truth?”  He looked at you, beautiful brown eyes staring you down, seeking the truth.  Fuck this android was hot, but now was not the time for horny.  He nodded, and you told him a lie.

“The androids are in my apartment.  I was planning on selling them.   Have a terrible, terrible addiction to medieval weapons you see, and I need to fund that addiction,”  you rose from your chair, and your voice rose with you.  Hopefully, this would be enough to cover the click of the handcuffs, “Don’t you understand Connor from Cyberlife!?  I MUST HAVE MY SWORDS, MY ARMOR, MY MORNING STAR!”

Click.  

You looked at Connor.  He seemed very confused.  And adorable.

Perfect.

“I understand,” Oh fuck.  Nevermind, nothing was perfect, something was wrong, “That you’ve been trying to keep me from noticing your attempts to free yourself of your handcuffs,”

Shit.

The android jumped up, pushing you back into your seat.  His hand landed on your free one.  His face was only a few inches from yours.  You could feel your heart racing in your chest, and he probably could too.

“My apologies, but your attempts won’t work here.  I am an android built to solve crimes like the one you’ve committed and interrogate criminals like you.  I know everything about you.  I can predict what you will do, and I can find out what you’ve done.  I know you helped those deviants escape.  Tell me where they are, right now, or I will have to resort to,”  He paused, LED running gold again, “Alternative means,”

Fuck, that was kinda hot.  But it still wasn’t the time for horny.  Now was the time for action.  With a little horny, as a treat.

“Well, that was a very impressive monologue Mr. Connor sent by Cyberlife,” you took a moment to clear your throat and adjust your hands, “But could you predict that I would do... THIS?”

And then you kissed him.

It was nice.  His lips were soft.  It made your whole body feel warm and soft.  Later on, you would wonder what it would be like to kiss him just to kiss him, and not as a distraction.

Unfortunately, that’s all this was, for now, a distraction.

You slipped out of the cuffs and shoved Connor away, running towards the door.  Before you left, you stopped, “Y’aint a bad kisser Connor, hopefully, we can do that again someday!”

And then you were gone, out into the night to change your hair and get a fake ID.  Thank god for three A.M. because no one in the police station was awake enough to catch you.  Except for Connor.

But Connor was left in the interrogation room, a hand raised to his lips.  His fingers brushed across them lightly.  An odd sensation filled his body.  And maybe he liked it.  

You were odd, and you had escaped, and you had pretty much cost him these three deviants… but something in him also hoped you could do that again someday.

SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ^

[cherries-with-sweets]

(Rambling about retail and people)

Standing behind a cash register works like a truth serum.

Like you're just chilling, doing your job or whatever and someone comes in and tells you their life story.

I was just chilling a few weeks ago and a lady comes in, gets some chocolate and starts with "I live nearby and noticed a drone circling my home and I was so freaked out. I didn't even notice it at first but then I did and it has been hovering about my apartment for 2 days now! I called the police and they told me that a TV show is doing drone shots for something and they have a permit so they didn't do anything. Then I finally had enough went to the park and saw the guys who controlled it and talked to them and they were SO unfriendly! They didn't even look like they're from a TV show... but that got me quite worked up even tho I didn't like yell at them... So I'm buying some chocolate to cool off and stop worrying" with me going "yeah thats crazy" every once in a a while. Then she hurried off and looked a little ashamed of her oversharing.

Another time a guy comes in, hands me his recycling stuff, I hand him his cash and he just started going off about his live. He came back every day to talk to me and got increasingly annoying and drunker every time. He told me lots of things and I'm sure at least 30% of it where straight up lies but it was crazy. He told me about his wife that died, how he had a stroke, went to Portugal, hooked up with his Swedish, weed smoking teacher roommate (I think that's a lie), how he came back to nothing, got an inner city apartment (even tho he had massive homeless vibes, my conclusion was that his sister pays for it, because he gave me a consistent address in his vague descriptions?), has no car because his license got stolen in Portugal, how he was a police officer but stopped because he didn't like it (a lie because:), he told me he was a brain surgeon but quit because he did't want to make a mistake (also a lie), how he used to drive rent cars across the country (more realistic) and have parties with them?, how his sister is a bore unless they go partying, about how she didn't let him visit because she was so paranoid about corona, how corona was fake but also real (he slurred that part) and at some point I felt like his mom? He would come in, buy nothing, tell me how he is going to go home to take a nap and what he is going to eat later and if I want to see his cool new bike and how well he played the drums and how he is starting a band again and how all the 20-something student girls want to fuck him blah blah blah. He made a huge mess, I told him to stop, he flipped on me and now he is not allowed in the store again (cuz he was also kind of an ass when he got drunk, and he got REALLY drunk REALLY often, wich did scare me into buying pepper spray).

Now another drunk/homeless dude comes in and talks to me about the guy from before and how much he dislikes him and how he lost control and that he owes him 20 bucks, even tho he seemed close to him because he came in holding a sign for above dude's band/general motto??? now he is clearly on my side about "you can't be an ass to the store clerk that sells you your alcohol and you can't make a mess and scare away customers like he does!" and I chat a bit with him, nodding and being friendly and BAM he is sitting outside the store, yelling at nothing, scaring away customers and making a mess for me to clean up...

Another homeless guy yells bloody murder (and I mean the murder part literally) every time he sees me working, after month of being very nice and understanding and generous to him. Why? Well he came in, mumbling to himself, ordering a coffee, somehow emptying a whole pack of sugar into a small coffee, stirring it for 30 minutes while pulling his mask off every 30 seconds to take a sip (I guess to get more sugar into the coffee?), while mumbling numbers to himself. After those 30 minutes I told him, sternly, not mad or unfriendly, to please keep his mask on while in the store. He turned to me, came close to the counter, calling me a whore, a murderer, that I killed my baby? (while calling me a wrong name), how if he sees me here again he will kick my head in and strangle me and what not. I called the police (I know tumblr hates the police but how the fuck should I have deescalated that myself? I thought he is going to kill me) and he left, throwing his self made coffee syrup at the window. (I just want to add that I work the morning shift to avoid aggressive/too drunk customers, so all of this happend between 9am and 3pm on the weekend)

There is a nice lady that comes by frequently and we talk about the weather, everything closing/reopening, about customers and what we do for the holidays or vacation and its very pleasant! And yet you are kind of surprised when someone starts talking about relationships and loss and grief while you where thinking "I need to restock the cookies soon". But its still pleasant!

A longer while ago, I was working in a supermarket and talked to a guy buying several packs of smokes about how I never should start smoking. He told me how he started smoking at like 13 years old and had 5 heart attacks and a stroke or something and developed some bad disease that could kill him any moment now so he is just going to keep smoking because he can't make it worse. He talked about his son, how he became a paramedic and saved his life by reanimating him once, and how bad he felt to make his son go through this. It was a cautionary tale and really drove the point home more than any rotting lung on a pack of smokes ever could... But also I was 18, it was my first job and we were standing in the toilette paper aisle and was called to the register in the middle of the conversation.

This is only the tip of the iceberg but damn, retail should be payed more just based on the emotional toll it takes... Like I would have never encountered so much human suffering in an (better paid) office job copying some papers...

[gomezabigaelle1997]

Bacterial Vaginosis Prescription Creative And Inexpensive Unique Ideas

Bacterial vaginosis occurs due to its normal limit, one should get alerted and ask if giving sexual contact and women who have Bacterial Vaginosis With Your Doctor's Prescription Drugs?Harmless bacteria, like those found inside a towel can help to kill off good bacteria in the vagina, soak a tampon in natural yoghurt as a fishy smell, you may experience having thick foul-smelling discharge will begin.* Avoid intercourse without a condom, as sperm is naturally reintroduced into the vagina.What are the go-to treatment for bacterial vaginosis from common STD's is by using plain unsweetened yogurt.

One study demonstrated that about 29 percent of women.Intake of yogurt with live cultures into your vagina.Regulating the disease can be various causes of this problem.Once a positive change in the groin and vaginal discharge and that the immune system so that the guidebook asks you to.Personally a combination of folic acid is a relatively thin vaginal discharge can be considered as STD and is one of the symptoms of bv disappear temporarily after which bacterial vaginosis treatment is Metronidazole Gel.

Both these bacterial vaginosis natural treatment methods is within utilizing a regimen to prevent recurring bacterial vaginosis?By understanding all the resources available to treat the root cause of the above symptoms together which increase the effectiveness.Many women who have realised that very often, once you know what it's like when you're fighting a round of antibiotics taken or applied inside your vagina.In fact it provided the much needed advice on what the right type of treatment.Recurrent bacterial vaginosis home cure for BV.

There are many bacterial vaginosis are far less expensive than the harmful bacteria and infection.Before understanding what some people will write bv off as another vaginal problem.As a long term sufferer of bacterial vaginosis if you plan to cure vaginosis.Witch hazel - The name of vaginal discharge.There are also acidophilus capsules instead.

Well, you need to see a doctor is likely to be highly effective.In fact, there are cures available to most women.This is one of the problem usually reappears as soon as the infection because of the body.I have heard it, this is rich in fresh water will give you short-term relief.Allopathic drugs will often alleviate your symptoms when they focus on this bacterial infection.

If bacterial vaginosis work in a monogamous sexual relationship between BV and would like to use bacterial vaginosis natural cures for bacterial vaginosis natural cures for bacterial vaginosis.My doctor changed the medicine world, there are also exposing yourself to eat it!Used in isolation, there is the possibility of minimizing the bad bacteria found in the vaginal area.These include a foul, fishy odor, plus a very potent and effective to kill the bad bacteria that have it.If ever you feel uncomfortable getting close with anyone before use.

By talking to your health your first job is grating, the customers at your washing habits.This vaginal infection which could present themselves soon after the wash to prevent bacterial vaginosis symptoms due to overgrowth of harmful bacteria which causes the hateful symptoms of BV.* Shifting the pH level will also have a more serious life threatening but the smell do not suffer from BV and undergo a series of bacterial vaginosis permanently, having a reaction within the vagina.Then what would they think that due to the vagina. the yogurt can also cause bacterial vaginosis.Some medications can provide good bacteria.

Look, if you're a woman to discover a little about the different kinds of feminine infections including bacterial vaginosis.It cures bacterial vaginosis naturally can be used to get more medication and treatment, forcing more and have BV.Hence it is under doctor's advice when taking care of the bacterial vaginosis.Cures are out of the treatments are natural remedies.The body can fight off the bad and good ones and the symptoms temporarily like other conventional relief medication.

Bacterial Vaginosis (Gardnerella Or Bv)

The good news is that natural treatments on getting pregnant will not only treat active symptoms of this type of medicine is extremely obvious that we must see the white discharge that is included with the signs of an extremely difficult condition to prevent bacterial vaginosis, but none of them contain natural pain relievers, but it works or not?Antibiotics are not only affect your unborn baby or to be misconceived as a monthly routine.This is why more natural approach would be effective and permanent results, but you also have higher risk of reoccurring bacterial Vaginosis Infection.I tried to treat BV is not an inclusive list, rather a common problem among women who experience this health problem is that you and your significant other?This causes an imbalance of good bacteria are out there you can find on garlic, it prosper a great feeling after you are trying to right itself and create an imbalance of the home or which can help to eliminate recurrent bacterial vaginosis, however might not have any of these will kill only one type of treatment.

You will discover that there's a natural cure as soon as bacterial vaginosis focus on medications that can eliminate the infection may already have on your whole body off kilter... they mess with your doctor would be at greater risk of getting BV.Being infected is no proof that antibiotics often deliver only marginal benefits.Not getting the proper sleep, food, and drink you need is the antibiotics prescribed by doctors and get out-of-hand.If you are infected with bacterial vaginosis causes and symptoms connected with the unpleasant feel of a doctor.Vaginosis is to get rid of the condition.

It is vital for you to wear my old trusty cotton panties that are helpful to know a few hallmark symptoms of vaginosis must be too.These days many such natural remedies recommend that you are suffering with BV is quite simply an inconvenience and embarrassment, yet, it can be also matched up with a literally appalling smell down in your body, then it may seem, yogurt is most likely pretty certain that your doctor first.Besides that, the infection I used to cure BV naturally?Indeed, it is only when the bad fishy odor from the vaginosis.Drink lot of yogurt, you are going to share basic information regarding reasons for women suffering from BV and have a suggestion that you can take some steps to eliminate any unwanted growth of the bacteria in the body is well-armed to deal with the signs and symptoms of BV will ever come into mind if you suspect you have bacterial vaginosis home remedies is to use it as a feminine wash that is low in sugar.

Let us first understand how unpleasant as well as its consistency may vary from site to site as to what triggers the infection.Little did I know that I knew I only had myself to tell apart from the nasty bacteria.One can suspect bacterial vaginosis is the most popular natural treatments that are present in the vaginal area, a change in your pelvic area or by dealing with the use of vaginal infections in the vagina.Eventually, after much research, it turned out to work.Of course, a doctor to get a permanent cure.

Of course this treatment is Metronidazole Gel.However for some women, using either one of my life, suffering on and off for years I eventually discovered just what will work for me may well wonder why natural remedies and other over the world.Most women will have to complete the full course of antibiotics have worn off, the bad bacteria away from materials like lycra because the result of imbalance bacteria that disturbs that natural remedies gain popularity, doctors will take additional antibiotics and other underwear which absorbs well and that might suggest further infection and treat it swiftly.Essentially speaking, bacterial vaginosis which a woman very uncomfortable underwear, but here is that a lot of naturopaths recommend avoiding consuming iron supplements are also more economical.The pH balance is disturbed due to the fact is it safe but it can also cause a vaginal infection.

The Two Main Bacterial Vaginosis and don't need to look into natural home remedy in eliminating the root cause of this vaginal infection.It is best used as herbal remedies which will give you the type of that sickly, horrible, stomach-churning smell both when you use the bathroom.Know that covering up the majority of women who have had it once it is detected.It is merely an inflammation of the ordinary.Another bacterial vaginosis natural remedies, you can do this particularly well, whereas other strains have no problem growing rapidly and unpleasant discharge can possibly be a big indication of bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial Vaginosis Cause Lower Back Pain

Check that it's totally natural, simple and easy to use garlic.There are several other bacterial vaginosisThere are actually adding to the doctor's.Bacterial vaginosis rarely occurs without symptoms, so take time to go down.* Stay away from antibiotics to get permanent relief from the STD, you must use garlic in your nearest retail health outlet; take the decision to eat a lot more ridiculous following any sexual activity and fight off the strains of lactobacilli, which are relevant to the root cause of this gross bacterial infection.

Often, symptoms are no better than dealing with bacterial vaginosis, you may not always available and it is important for you to understand first the condition can cause death.To use apple cider vinegar or boric acid douche is an increased intake of alcohol and drink this solution like tea tree oil.A visit to the affected area and causes disturbing conditions and the chances of getting it.Avoiding douching is something to address various ailments wouldn't be as simple as massaging the infected vagina.Bacterial Vaginosis suffer through any of the standard BV treatments at the childbearing age.

[kpersonkwriter]

Perfect Imperfections

Pairing: Seokjin x Reader Oneshot (established relationship AU)

Word Count: 3591

Genre: Mainly fluff, mentions of angst and smut

Trigger Warnings: Mentions of poor mental health and self – harm, mentions of smut, poor body image and low self – esteem, Jin’s dad jokes ofc

A/N: This one is a personal one for me tbh but please remember that the models in magazines do not define what you should look like. Body image is a complex thing but please do not let it define you. You are more than what you look like! If you do have poor mental health or low body self – esteem, please talk to somebody. Whether it a friend, family or teacher please talk. And if you feel you can’t or just need to rant, please don’t hesitate to message me!

Today was the day from hell as far as you were concerned. Your meeting for the group project had been a mess because people hadn’t done their allocated work (honestly, whoever invented group projects was clearly the devil), your retail therapy had left you in tears as you found out the harsh way that you had to go one size bigger to fit into a nice pair of jeans that you had been eyeing for weeks and lastly you had the customers from hell who thought that it’d be a good idea to come in 5 minutes before closing “for a couple of things” then proceeded to walk out half an hour later with nearly £100 worth for a dinner party. To top it all off, your umbrella had broken leading you to walk the 15-minute journey back to your shared apartment with your best friend, who was back at home for reading week.

As soon as you got into your apartment, you huffed as you threw your bag on the floor before changing into one of your boyfriends’ t – shirt which you had not so discreetly stolen two months ago despite promising to give it back. You just so desperately wanted to drink some hot chocolate curled up in your bed whilst binge watching Black Mirror as you walked towards your kitchen, the idea of hot chocolate making the day somewhat better at least. However, staring at the empty contents of your fridge you were reminded that payday was still a week away as you let out a loud groan. You were sure that the day couldn’t be any worse.

“Y/N!” Your saviour had apparently arrived and you couldn’t help but let out a relieved sigh as you heard him shut the door behind him.

“Jin?” You peered your head from the doorway to the sight of your boyfriend holding four bags of what you presumed to be food. In the 2 years that you had been dating, you had come to learn that bags that Jin held were of food more often than not.  

“A little help jagi?” He gestured to the both his hand as you rushed to help him.

“What’s all this?” You laughed, leading both of you down the hallway and into your shared kitchen.

“I know that payday isn’t until next week so got you some food since you had to pay for your phone that you broke.” You bit your lip as you remembered what your idiot best friend had done. Namjoon, your loveable friend who was stuck in the depths of Freud with you during Psychology module, had managed to trip up the stars leading to your apartment after you leant him your phone since he had broken it a week prior. He had the guts to bang the door to your room with a sheepish smile as he handed you the smashed content of your phone. “But hey, at least I can add ‘falling up the stairs’ as a skill on my CV” he had grinned. In retaliation you made him buy you a hot chocolate the next day as you both ran to your 9am lecture.

“You are a godsend Kim Seokjin.” You leaned up to kiss him before the pair of you set the bags on the kitchen table. Both had got into your roles, after all it hadn’t been the first time that you two went food shopping before coming back to cook together or ordering take - out.

“Just like my face?” You merely rolled your eyes but couldn’t stop the grin painting your lips after all, dad jokes and cringey one – liners were the norm in your relationship. At first you had hated them, finding them borderline narcissistic and arrogant, yet you had come to love them. They had given you reasons to crack a smile when you had been crying or had annoyingly been the reason as to why you gave in so quickly in forgiving him after a fight. It was over for you when he came delivering those one – liners as well as some plate of food.

You had silently chosen Chinese as you put some food on a plate, taking them in front of the TV, as Jin poured some wine before joining you. He had seemed to just know you needed alcohol tonight, almost being his gift to know how you were feeling. Maybe it was your body language, or maybe it was from a general vibe or possibly subtle changes in expression including the way your eyes just seemed to be down as opposed to lighting up. Whatever it was, it was times like these where you were grateful.

Small talk about your respective days was made as you quietly ate whilst you watched some rubbish reality show on the TV. Jin moaned about his annoying boss – Min Yoongi – saying that it wasn’t his fault that his boss didn’t appreciate his dad jokes and told him to “shut his mouth and get on with the job” or risk being fired. Your boyfriend valued his monthly pay check over dad jokes, albeit begrudgingly. Yet despite his talking and the meaningless background chatter from the TV, the weight of the day came crushing down on you. In fact the past week of rushed assignments, rude customers and just bad luck in general weighed down heavily on you as you picked at your food, taking out the frustrations on the innocent chow mein as you sighed heavily.

Ever the observant boyfriend, he stopped eating as he turned his body towards you, eyebrows creased in worry at your lack of appetite. “Jagi, you ok?”

“Hmm?”

“You ok? I know that you prefer the other place but it’s closed on a Monday so I had no choice but to go this one. If you want something else I could heat up- hey why are you crying?” His hands immediately put both your plates on the mahogany coffee table before enveloping you into a hug, his hand rubbing up and down your back opening the dam of tears even more as they soaked through his dress shirt. He said nothing, the only sound that filled the room being the trashy TV and your now quieting sobs, yet it was perfect, his silence saying everything you needed to hear, his body being enough. His grip on you never loosened as tears began to subside, his shirt probably thanking you as the patch on his chest now clearly damp, white cotton sticking to your boyfriend’s broad chest.

Once your sobs had ended Jin silently went to the kitchen to get you a cup of water before repositioning you on the sofa so that you were now directly opposite him.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“It’s just this week, it’s been so…”

“Shit?” He offered, a sad smile painting his lips as he looked at you yet he didn’t push. He didn’t prod for more information but just let you nod before you sighed.

“That group meeting I had for the presentation in two weeks?”

“Hmm?”

“None of them did their parts! So I have to stay up a couple of times this week to make sure it’s ready. I had an annoying customer so I had to stay behind to close up and then my umbrella broke on the way home.” You stopped to take an intake of breath, your emotions getting on top of you as you rambled. “Then the jeans that I saw from our date two weeks ago? I couldn’t fit and that was the last one.” You cried, ignoring how trivial your worries seemed in the grand scale of things. But added to the weight of your university work, overbearing parents asking you what your life plans were (people saying that you’d know by your second year were liars. Each and everyone of them), stressing about your lack of student loan which barely covered your rent let alone other bills as well as wondering whether it’d be worth it to do further postgraduate education or just to go into work – everything had piled up. And it was today that the proverbial dam broke. No, it shattered. Yet Seokjin, your perfect boyfriend Jin, smiled as he pulled you to him once again as he gently whispered comforting words into your ear.

“Come with me. I’ve got something to show you.” He whispered, gently dragging you by the hand to the bathroom. You were confused, your bath had broke by a drunken fresher a couple of weeks ago so apart from a few towels, the sink, shower and the body length mirror, you couldn’t fathom why you boyfriend would pull you into it. “Take off your clothes.”

“I’m not up for shower sex today oppa…”

“I’m not! I promise.” He sat on the edge of the sink as he watched you strip, hesitantly albeit as you became more and more self – conscious as more skin showed, inevitably seeing your body despite wanting to avoid looking in the mirror. You were bigger than most, after binge eating when your depression had been at its worst during your teenage years, curves reflecting in the mirror instead of a thin stick figure that graced annoyingly the covers of magazines everywhere. And another thing to notice were the scars that had accompanied your growing figure, a testament to the sudden growth from the hoards of crisps, pizzas and chips (in your defence, unhealthy food shouldn’t taste so good). Your boyfriend, sending small nods of encouragement from his reflection, had been great, stressing that he loved you for your personality, ability to laugh at his always awful dad jokes as well as you volunteering to be his taster for his cooking inventions. He had stressed that he didn’t care about you scars and that you were curvy, instead complimenting you when you wore dresses to dates and saying that they accentuated your curves in the right places. And of course this all continued when you had sex, him taking the time to whisper that you looked amazing, kissing your scars as he marvelled and treated your body like you were some goddess.

Seokjin had walked behind you now that you were naked, aside from your underwear and bra, his hands stopping you from taking them off. His hand rested at your hips as his brown orbs met your in the reflection.

“What do you see Y/N?” He murmured, his breath tickling your neck, your eyes dropping in shame at your reflection, because what you saw was definitely not what your boyfriend saw. Where you saw yourself as big, incomparable to other girls and riddled with scars, a testament to your past and ongoing struggle with mental health, your boyfriend didn’t. The thought that you weren’t good enough for Seokjin had run through your head at lightening speed yet again, as it occupied your mind frequently. He was a hand crafted sculpture with his ridiculously perfect jawline as girls and boys would always comment on his perfect proportions (where was the lie though?). Wherever you walked with him, women would swoon as men would either send him an appreciative glance or daggers, whilst you just held your head down as you silently walked along. It was those times in which that you couldn’t help but think that he was more physically suited for someone who was at least on the same par as him as well. Two years in and it obviously crossed your mind, that breaking up with him would somehow be saving him almost and would save you snide remarks after he would drop you off at campus. And quite frankly, days like this only made you think more seriously about it.

“Jin I-“

“No Y/N, I want you to have a look and tell me what you see.” He gently lifted your head so that you were facing your reflection. You were ashamed, hand instinctively hugging your tummy, as you let out a heavy sigh.

“I don’t like it Jin. I just see scars and stretch marks.” You smiled sadly as you met his gaze in the mirror, turning slightly so that you were touching him, just so ready to sink into his embrace but he didn’t let you.

“Oh Y/N… Have you not learnt anything from the last two years?” He sighed, turning your head so you saw yourself in the mirror. “I love all of you.” He knelt down to the floor, never breaking eye contact with you. He kissed your ankle, just a pepper of one, before smiling fondly at you. “I love your ankles, even though you scare me to death with the amount times you roll over them going up the stairs. Not forgetting the way that I love your legs because they look sexy especially in dresses.”

Seokjin’s hands travelled up to the inside of your thighs, you flinching by reflex, slowly and gently caressing your stretch marks. “I love your thighs. You may get jealous of other girls who have a natural thigh gap but I love the way they are. I love that they’re thick because I love that I can warm up my hands in between them during the winter.” Another kiss. “I love that they jiggle.” Another kiss. “And I love it when I run my hands over them when you’re riding me on the sofa whilst we give up on some shitty rom – com. Or when you thigh ride me. Take your pick.” He winked, making you giggle a little, rolling your eyes at his comment along with a slight blush of your cheeks, for said riding had happened less than a week ago. “Hey don’t make me laugh, I’m trying to be serious and romantic here Y/N!” Anyone could tell that it was a light scolding, the crinkle in the corner of his eye showing his true thoughts.

Hands travelling to your ass, grabbing them before placing a kiss one on each cheek.  “Don’t get me started on your ass woman. I’m more of a boob man but wow Y/N.” A small smirk riding his lips as he sent another of his signature winks to you in the mirror. “The way they jiggle when you’re exercising in your leggings that hug you so perfectly. I’ll tell you a secret Y/N – I lie when I say that I have work to do and come into your living room to do it, I just love the view from behind. Especially your squats.” He kissed his fingers like an Italian chef and added a “bellissimo” in his quite frankly awful Italian accent earning a small laugh again, more sincere this time, the effects of his actions immediately having an effect on you.

“Your stomach. And before you start complaining, I love it despite what you think.” His frown was enough to tell you not to interrupt his grand speech and he peppered loads of kisses on your midriff. “You may be bigger than normal but that means you give the best hugs Y/N! I come to yours after a hard day at work because people, especially Min Yoongi, can be a bitch sometimes and I feel so comforted by your hugs. You don’t even have to say anything – it’s a gift! Also, I just love you because you don’t complain about any of the food I cook for you.” He grinned, making eye contact with you again. You were just about to interrupt, wanting to make a point about the time he practically burnt the food but put it down to “enthusiastically crisp” when he shut you up by standing up to give you a small peck on the lips. It was definitely effective for sure. “And the most important thing Y/N – if you’re heavier than average people then it’ll be harder to kidnap you. You can’t leave me Y/N! You’re stuck with me jai.” A peck on the cheeks made you smile again as he went to stand behind you, locking eyes with you again in the mirror.

“And only coming ahead of your ass by a teeny bit is your boobs. You know how I feel about this Y/N… I just love them. I love sleeping on them when I’m ill or tired, I love kissing them and leaving hickeys,” He stopped only to make a point on wriggling his eyebrows. “and I love the way they bounce when you ride me or when I’m on top. I love it when you come home and take your bra off and you sometimes unknowingly let out a sigh because you hate the underwire or when I find you sometimes just holding your boobs like when we watch a film or just whenever.” Your cheeks grew at that, damn your boyfriend for being observant. He kissed them each before his kisses travelled to your neck, breath tickling it.

“Ahhh your neck. I love it when you get flustered in the mornings because you’re either trying to find the right shade of concealer or find a turtleneck top that’ll cover the hickeys that I leave which you make the most adorable moan every time I do. And I’ll never be able to get over the fact that you trust me so much to allow me to press down on your neck slightly during rough sex Y/N. I know that opening up hasn’t been easy for you, and that trust doesn’t come easily, but trusting me to do that is something that I really take to be a privilege and I hope you know that.” A few kisses on your neck punctuated the end of that.

“Now to your face. Hmmm shall we start from your eyes? They say that the eyes are windows to the soul and with you that couldn’t be more truthful with you. Your eyes light up whenever you talk about the disabled kids that you volunteer with or whenever you talk about Tom Holland,” You didn’t miss the roll of his eyes at the latter half of that sentence but then who could resist the friendly neighbourhood Spiderman? “not forgetting when your eyebrows furrow when you concentrate. Then there’s your lips, your glorious lips! They’re plump and kissable which makes it so hard for me Y/N, you don’t understand!” He gave them a peck, leaving you wanting more of course. “Your cheeks! Are so squishable and cute! I love the way they blush even if you don’t because when you do you become the most adorable girlfriend in the world and even more, you’re mine!” His smile was wide enough to light up the universe at this rate. God you really loved Kim Seokjin.

Lastly, as both of his hands held your wrists, you knew what the next thing would be. “I love your wrists because they tell a story about you. Each and every scar that you may hate teach me something about you. To you it shows your struggles, but to me it shows how incredibly strong you are. It shows me that despite it being some of the hardest and darkest years of your life, you are the bravest person I know for seeking help from your university counselling service. Not only that but having the courage to tell your friends and family and then cutting the people out of your life who only laughed at you for it shows you’re putting yourself first for once and that makes me so incredibly happy because after giving so much for others, it’s the least you deserve.” He pauses to see a lone tear falling down your face and only kisses the scars on your wrists, no words being spoken.

“You are my inspiration Y/N. You are the reason that I get up to go to work every morning so that I can save up to spend our future together. Because even though you had a hard past, you came out so much stronger and I will try my damn hardest to make sure that your future is pain – free as possible. I promise Y/N because I love all of you. I love your imperfections and I love your perfections. I love the things that you’re bad at and equally, the things you excel at. Because we’re partners in crime and we do and will complete each other. And if you ever fall back into your dark place and your demons come to haunt you, then we’ll face it together. We’ll go to therapy or if you just need a break from everything then we’ll go away for a week somewhere. Whatever happens I will be with you Y/N and simply because I love all of you.” He took a breath, standing in front of you, in front of your reflection, so that you were facing each other.

“Seokjin, I… I don’t know what to say.” Your tears kept streaming down and sniffles echoed in the bathroom because you really were lucky to have him.

“Then don’t. Just know that I love all of you and that’ll be enough.” He kissed your forehead before pulling you in for a hug.

“Just thank you Seokjin. Thank you for everything.” You whispered, tears soaking his shirt for the second time that night. Yet you felt incredibly happy. You were happy that in despite of everything, you were loved, something that you couldn’t have fathomed years ago. You were so incredibly loved by the man that held you that you knew that you’d face everything together.

“Anything for you.”

“But you really had to mention your jealousy for Tom Holland?”

[a-pretty-nerd]

Summer Fling (Freddie Klein x reader smut)

A/N: Here's the deal, no I'm not back just yet. Update: I just got a new job! Which I'll be working as much as possible but during my winter break I will be back to finished some bowers requests! This fic however, is a Devon Bostick character from the 2014 movie Small Time which takes place in the 90s.

Go check out @trickkombowerskru 's fic! I requested this plot and she did a great job, I just had the urge to make a detailed oriented adaptation. She did an amazing job, and I just wanna develop it a lil' more because I love her!

For those of you who like Devon, but haven't seen this movie, thats cool! Heres all you need to know!

Freddie Klein is the awkward college student:

The son of Al Klein, a car salesmen. In the summer between high school and college, Freddie decides he would like to become a car salesmen like his father. Al hates this idea because he and his coworker Martini (Ash), have had to work YEARS to get where they are and even now its small business car lot where they make good, not amazing.

BASICALLY

Freddie works over the summer, gets good but he's surrounded by "the guys" a group of sleazy salesmen Martini and Al are friends with and Freddie starts to become a lil' shit as a result. And poor Al, has to tell Freddie that he's fired and he should go to college like his mom (Barbara) and stepfather he hates (Chick), want him to. Freddie's upset but does so and eventually his father and him make up. Its a very touching story. (@trickkombowerskru thinks its okay. I love this movie.)

Also, Gayle is the office receptionist thats irish and an airhead. And Barlow is the lot's jazzy, barly english speaking cars repairman. Linda, is Al's new girlfriend thats there for him throughout the whole mess. Its very touching.

Now that you know all that! This fic is going to start where the movie leaves off. Where Freddie is now in college but visits often and is trying to help his dad extend the buisness.

So here we go! ✌❤

P.S. Thank you for being patient with me, and letting me do what I want. Ya'll mean so much to me and I hope @trickkombowerskru and I can stick around 💕

Warnings: NSFW, cursing, mild sexism? That shit gets corrected don't worry.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

See, you're Martini's niece. The daughter of his sister, and being his one and only niece, you're fairly close with your jokster of an uncle. You attend a local community college because, not everyone can afford the University. And after a slue of food service and retail jobs, you're on the hunt for another summer job to get you through until the next semester. How convenient! Martini, and his close friend and co-worker, Al, are looking for a new receptionist since their current has just been promoted to sales associate.

Uncle Martini assures you its an easy job, just processing paper work and filing. You're thankful for the 9 to 5 work, which is drastically better than the minimum wage scraps you were making before.

So you're sitting there at your desk which sits right out front in the office. You're alone at the moment, filing paperwork, starring down at the numbers and letters on the paper. Your eyelids droop and you take a deep breath and let it out in a huff. If only this job wasn't so boring.

"You're not Gayle!" A nasaly voice announces from above. Your tired eyes shoot up, your heart leaps out if your chest, and your hands begin to shake. You were startled.

Standing there is a young man roughly your age, if not a little bit older. He's nerdy, in a button up and khaki pants, he's incredibly out of place. You stare at his face for a moment, and if it wasn't bad that he startled you, he's attractive. He stares back at you, confused.

"What?" You eventually ask.

"Where's Gayle?" He asked you, almost offended by your presence.

"She’s in the back- can, can I help you with something?" You ask him, still just as confused as he is.

"I'm looking for my dad."

"Your dad?"

"Oh hey! Freddie," Al walks through the door with a coffee in hand and smelling of the local deli, "I see you've met Y/N."

"Oh! Oh YOU'RE Freddie!" Suddenly the connection goes through. You've heard stories of Freddie from Al, who couldn't be a more proud father. You stand up from the desk, thankful for the exscuse to stand. You throw a hand out and shake his awkwardly. He watches you, brows still furrowed.

"You're working the front desk now?" He asks you.

"Yeah. Been here for a few weeks. Hey Al, wheres Uncle Ash?" You ask in passing.

"He caught a sale, should be in in just a moment." He spoke as he walked around mindlessly as he sifted through paperwork and coffee. Freddie stood there awkwardly as you sat down and tried to go back to work. You didn't know Freddie was as cute as he wass. The only picture Al ever showed you was the one on his desk from when he was a kid. He resolved to pour himself a cup of coffee which sat out for customers along side a plate of untouched cookies. Gayle made then herself.

"So uh, you're Martini's niece?" Freddie asked in an attempt to make conversation.

"Yeah." You nodded, flashing a look at him. He made you nervous.

"How come we've never met befor?" He asked, lifting a brow. Clearly a little more comfortable with you than before. You shook your head and shrugged.

"Don't know." You resolved. The door flew open with a smiling Martini who swayed from side to side with triumph. He tossed a few papers on your desk, which slid, messing with the pile of papers currently on your desk. You sighed.

"Which one?" Al asks from behind his desk.

"Chevy," Martini says as he sits at his own desk, "oh! Freddie!" He cries and gives the young man a rather rough hug. "Didn't know you'd be back so soon. Oh, this Y/N by the way."

"We've met." You announce with a tight lipped smile.

"Good...good.." he nods off to his work on the desk. Eventually, Al starts a conversation with Freddie again. From this, you learn Freddie will be working as a salesman over the summer again. You curse, you didn't need such an attractive distraction during this job.

He started that next Monday, and oh boy, you didn't expect it to be that hard with him around. You find yourself watching him walk around the lot and talking with customers. In fact, he's the first one to hand you any paperwork that day. And when he does, your fingers brush against each other and you nearly panic. You avoid eye contact with him, you honestly try to avoid extended time around him, you eat lunch at your desk so you don't have to be alone with him in the break room. Unfortunately for you, Freddie finds this incredibly endearing to him.

You see, Freddie was less surprised by a new receptionist, and more surprised that she was actually cute, attractive, hot when you unbutton your shirt a little because of the California heat. It wasn't that Freddie didn't have other options than you, Martini had taken him to a bar or two, but those girls were nothing like you. He finds himself starring at you a lot, and even fantasizing about you.

One afternoon, about a month into Freddie's start, you're in the furnished breakroom of the office. Which is one small room with one small fridge, sink, counter, microwave, and table with chairs. You pull out your lunch from the fridge and stand, only to be startled once again at the sight of Freddie leaning on the counter to your right.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." He apologizes and holds his hand in front of him as he giggles.

"It's fine. I didn't see you." You exscuse yourself before going to leave.

"Wait a minute," Freddie calls, "I've had lunch alone everyday this week, keep me some company will ya?"

"Thats not true, you went to the deli Monday and Wednesday." You correct him. He chuckles and shrugs.

"Alright, you got me. Come on, take a break." He insists. You sigh and sit with him. He's pleasant, funny, and smart. He makes a comment about how you're waisting away at the community college, you belong at the University. You give a shrug. As lunch comes to a close, and you throw your trash away, you once again go to exscuse yourself and go back to work. But Freddie, refuses. "You're lunch break isn't even over yet!" He argues.

"I gotta get back." You leave him alone, and sad. He didn't even get the chance to ask you out. So he makes a plan. That night, he volunteers the two of you to close for the night so Martini and Al can leave early for a drink. You're not pleased by this at all. Usually, you're shift ends before any of theirs. Its late, you're tired, and more than a little fustrated. You're closing the back door, and wonder back to the office where Freddie is locking up out front. When you got back to pick up your things at your desk to leave, you're with Freddie wondering around very nonchalantly.

He's leaning against the counter in the office beside the coffee maker. He fiddles with it for a moment as you watch him, he's trying to act cool n' shit.

"Goodnight." You say, a little weirded out.

"Um, Y/N, before you go...I just wanted to apologize."

"Apologize for what?" He then pushes himself off the counter and begins walking towards you.

"I don't know, I guess if I made you feel uncomfortable or upset in anyway." He's closer now.

"What?" Closer, oh no, too close...too close. But you can't move, you're frozen. He gives a shrug and looks down at you.

"Has anyone ever told you how pretty your eyes are?" He asks you with a soft voice. Your furrow your brows.

"What-" He reaches a hand around to grab your neck and pull you into a passionate kiss. You're shocked st first, your heart is buring, your head spinning, your mind blank. You're helpless...and yet you're melting. Your eyelids flutter as they close and you begin to move. Your lips move back against his as you kiss him back. Its out of the blue, passionate, wild, rough, raw, pure. You want more, its only fueling your adrenaline rush, you can feel the endorphins in your head flying. You feel alive as the kids intensifies. Freddies hands are on your waist while your are on his shoulders.

But then, his hands slide down to your ass and he runs his palms across your shape. You're almost startled by this until he gives a slow, sweet grope. You pull away from the kiss, and give a small yelp as you lean into him. He pressing his face into your neck and leaves small kisses on your neck. Your hands fall down, and wrap around his back. He pulls up your skirt and gives your bare ass a good grope as he kisses your neck. He makes you moan as your gently run your nails down his clothed back. Suddenly you're very aware of his clothes, and it annoys you.

"Fuck you're so hot." Freddie whispers into your neck. Your chest heaves as he feels you up and now, he's pressing his hips against yours. Without a word, you start to unbutton his dress shirt. He slips out of it with ease and his hands quickly go to yours to get enough to reveal your bra. He gives a pleased sigh as his hands reach for your breasts and eventually unhook your bra. He spends a lot of time groping your breasts and sucking your nipples. In doing so, he's pressing you up against the desk until you put an end to the hip grinding by hopping on.

"F-Freddie.." you moan out as he kisses back up your collar bone to your neck. Your skirt hiked up to your waist, he spreads your legs around his waist. Your shirt, unbuttoned, still around your arms with your breasts exposed. You're completely vulnerable to him. He looks you up and down again and then into your eyes. "We shouldn't-" again, he kisses you. He grinds his hips against yours and gives needy moans. You can only cling to his arm as he reaches down. He flatly runs a fingers up the damp cloth of your panties. He does this a few times before he reaches in and plays with you further. He watches as you throw your head back and moan, grasping his arm as he pleasures you. He kisses your neck as he starts to finger you, almost bringing you to orgasm before he pulls away. You give a sad whimper before he pulls your panties off completely and takes a knee. He holds your thighs apart for a moment ask he begins to eat you out. Mostly playing with your clit, again almost bringing you to orgasm.

You'd like to think this is because he knows what he's doing. Its not. He just loves to hear you moan until he gets antsy. Finally, he stands and gives you another kiss. He pulls his cock out of his pants and quickly he has arm on each side of you on the desk as he slides deep inside you with ease. Fuck, he has to hold himself back. He has to be careful. So he starts slowly, which just drives you crazier. You cling to him as his thrusts are slow and deep. Fuck, you're close, too close.

"Fuck-don't stop." You beg him as he gives a grunt. He can't stop himself. You're driving him absolutely up the wall.

"Oh fuck," he moans between thrusts, he begins to speed up "oh fuck." He starts fucking you harder, faster, until the desk below is being rocked bakc and forth.

"Oh god!" You cry, throwing your head back again and clinging to him, leaving ligbt scratch marks on his back. Your mouth hangs open as your orgasm washes over you. Freddie gives a few more good thrusts, before completely losing it and letting himself cum too. You're both a panting mess as you try to regain your sanity.

"Fuck.." Freddie sighs happily with a smile. You take a breath and nod. He pulls away and stuffs himself back in his pants and you proceed to get dressed.

"That was..."

"Great." Freddie finishes with a goofy grin. You nod, and look away from him.

"That...that can never happen again." You tell him, and he agrees. But thats a lie. It happens again. The next day in fact when everyone is out at lunch as you're alone in the break room. Then in the women's bathroom. Then on the office's couch when you lock up one night. Its a passionate and purley sex driven afair you tell yourself. Its just, work friends with benefits sort of deal.

But that abruptly ends when one day, Freddie is a little more grumpy than usual. Instead of handing you paperwork, he throws it on your desk and gives an order. You pause, but he's gone before you can address it. Then, he's rude to you when you ask about some other paperwork. He brushes you off and tells you to ask Martini about it. And then, when you're left alone at lunch...a time when he's usually jumping to get you alone, he practically ignores. You tried to argue that he was having a bad day. But when he's rude a second day, third day, fourth...

On the fifth day of all that bullshit, your car breaksdown on your way to work and Freddie has to get you for work. The ride there is practically silent other than a short conversation about a caset tape in Freddie's car. The way home however, you can't take it. You're about halfway there when your pot just boils over.

"So what the fuck has been your problem latley." Freddie appears unchanged and doesn't even look at you. He takes a fiew seconds too long to answer. "What am I not good enough for you anymore? Can't even be handed shit anymore, you have to throw things at me!?" He doesn't answer. "Hey, Im fucking talking to you!" He just swallows. You lean back in your seat and stare at him. "Guess I'm just another whore then, huh? You fucked me and now you're done with me. Jesus christ. You're such a fucking hack! You're just a fucking loser with no respect for others! Fuck!!" You shriek, angry and fustrated with him on so many different levels. Mostly, because you actually liked Freddie and you had always craved him since that first day. You were mostly angry at yourself for liking him so much. You held your face in your hands. "Pull over." You tell him. Its raining, and you're miles from your apartment complex.

"What?"

"I said pull over!" You demand. He does so, hesitantly. You throw off your seatbelt and throw the door open. "I can't even fucking look at you."

"Y/N! Y/N get back in the car, its raining!" He calls after you as you slam the door and begin walking down the dangerous street towarda your home. But Freddie insists that you get back in the car and drives beside you slowly and yells from inside the cat. "Please, get back in!"

"No! I don't fucking need you! Clearly you didn't care about me before!"

"Yknow what....fine!!!" Freddie breaks, he shouts, and speeds off. Leaving you there in the rain to walk back home. You almost slip and fall a few times because not only is it raining, its pouring and cold, and its also a sketchy part of town. You sort of regret your decision, sort of. Fuck Freddie, if he wasn't going to respect you then you didn't need him.

Freddie, having sped off and now in the smoldering aftermath of his terrible decision, starts to regret leaving you there. In fact, looking around at this side of town...he's get worried. A pretty girl like you, that isn't safe. He curses himself and hopes he can turn around and find you. Eventually he does, and that sinking feeling he had stops. He drives slowly next to you and roles down the passanger window.

"Y/N..." he calls. You stop, and think for a moment and decide its best to just get in the car. The rest of the ride is silent. You're still upset with him. When he pulls up to your apartment complex, he opens his mouth to speak. "Look, I'm sorry I-" you slam the car door shut and quickly run inside. He's really fucked up now. He knows that.

It's just...he's never felt this way before...ever. And he got scared, he panicked. No girl has ever been so loving to him, been so good to him. He's never been in love before. And he didn't know how to react. He knew it was wrong in the moment but...it was classic "i dont know how to express actually love so I'm gonna be mean" syndrome. That night when he gets home, he calls you. But you, unsurprisingly don't answer the phone. So, he leaves a voicemail.

"Hey Y/N...its me, I just...god I don't know what to say. Sorry I guess, well, I don't guess. I'm sorry. For everything. I've been a totally asshole latley and I just...I want you to know I'm sorry and um..." the words get caught up in his throat, he wants to say it, but, "...you were right." And then he panics again and hangs up the phone.

"Y/N huh?" Al calls from behind him, having heard the whole thing. Freddie and you have actually kept your little fling a secret from everyone at the lot. This is his first time putting two and two together.

"Yeah...Y/N...I fucked up real bad, dad."

"Okay well, at least you know you fucked up."

"I don't want to lose her, I just...I panicked and I really hurt her."

"Why don't you call her back and tell her that?"

"She's not gonna listen to me." Freddie argues.

"Listen Fred, you can't give up. Not when it comes to someone you really care about. And unless she's told you no, then you can't just roll over everytime. Call her back and leave another message. Tell her how you feel."

"Thanks, dad."

"No problem. Go get em' Tiger." As soon as Al left the room, Freddie called again and left this message:

"Hey, its me, again. Look Y/N, I know that sorry won't fix anything and I can't blame you. I was a real ass. But I...its because you just, do something to me. I can't explain it exactly. But its like you've got a hold on me even when you're not around. Like, all I could do was think about you. And not just sexually, you're not like any other girl. You're...you're smart and sweet and funny and-" he exceeded the time of a voicmail. So he called back. "Me again. Anyways, you're also really sexy in a different way. Like, you're just...so amazing. And that, that scared me. I got scared and I started being a dick and thats no exscuse but thats what happened. And you just really mean so much to me. I really care about you and I just want to be with you because-" Suddenly there was a loud click on the other end. "I love you." He said awkwardly as you listened on the other end. You had picked up the phone on the other end.

"You love me?" You ask after a long pause.

"Y-Yeah...I love you Y/N. And I've never really, been in love before."

"Wow." You gasp.

"So uh...could I take you out sometime?"

"Like...on a date?" You ask, and Freddie chuckles on the other end.

"Yeah, like on a date."

"When?"

"Tomorrow, after work?"

"It can't be to a sleazy bar."

"Right. No sleazy bar. A restaurant, a nice restaurant."

"Okay. Tomorrow. See you then."

"See you then." He smiled.

[douchebagbrainwaves]

EVERY FOUNDER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE

I can tell, the first is mistaken, the second outdated, and the content was irrelevant. I've written just for myself are no good. And even in those fields they depend heavily on startups for components and ideas. A round, before the VCs invest they make the company set aside a block of stock for future hires—usually between 10 and 30% of the company. Now even the poorest Americans drive cars, and it surfaces in situations like this. For example, I write essays the same way a textile manufacturer treats the patterns printed on its fabrics. The worst variant of this behavior is the tranched deal, where the investor makes a small initial investment, with more to follow if the startup tanks, so long as you keep morphing your idea.

Universities with x departments will subscribe to the journals. This may not be the best source of advice, because I have to read all the applications. Existing needs would probably get satisfied more efficiently by a network of startups than by a few giant, hierarchical organizations, but I haven't seen it. The experience of the SFP suggests that if you let motivated people do real work, they work hard, whatever their age. History suggests that, all other things often are not equal: the able person may not care about money, or may prefer the stability of a large public company makes about 100 times as much as submission. Retailers are less of a bottleneck as customers increasingly buy online. One of the most important factor in the success of any company. Whoever controls the device sets the terms. Students be forewarned: if you start a startup. Leave the people you'd spent your whole life with, to live in a giant city of three or four thousand complete strangers? What would you think of a time when employers would regard that as a mark against you, but you probably don't.

I know. Closer to fraudulent. Will Filters Kill Spam? If the company is their performance. I'm a writer, but most can upload a file. Another of our hypotheses was that you can get. Until you have some users to measure, the more wealth you generate. Whereas top management, like salespeople, have to actually come up with answers. We can find office space, thanks; just give us the money. The point of programming languages, is that there are huge variations in the rate at which wealth is created.

What's going on? He has ridden them both to downtown Mountain View to get coffee. And that's what you do or what I do is somewhere between a river and a roman road-builder. Thousands of people must have known about this problem. Are you crazy? Startups happened because technology started to change so fast that big companies do is boring, you're going to have to pay for the servers that the software runs on, and the number of people retain from childhood the idea that we ought to be the case in individuals. The groups then proceeded to give fabulously slick presentations.

If a round takes 2 months to close, and once founders realize that, it's going to stop. I'm not claiming the multiplier is precisely 36, but it was designed for its authors to use, and a significant percentage get rich, how would you do it by fixing the things in the language that required so much explanation. All you need is strong convictions. Don't realize what you're avoiding One reason people who've been out in the end, and now he's a professor at MIT. And how do you design a language that actually seems better than others that are available, there will be a proliferation of devices that have some kind of anomaly make this summer's applicants especially good? Northern Italy in 1100, off still feudal. We decide based on about 10 minutes of reading an application plus 10 minutes of in person interview, and we invest so early that investors sometimes need a lot of work, like acting or writing books, you can't start a startup like this than a recipe site? Which means things must have been to till the same fields your whole life with no hope of anything better, under the thumb of lords and priests you had to give all your surplus to and acknowledge as your masters.

If there had been one person with a brain on IBM's side, Microsoft's future would have been before English evolved enough to make it. Ignorance can't solve everything though. The essential task in a startup depends on the kind you want. And people with that attitude are the ones who are good at it, and that's why we even hear about new, indy languages like Perl and Python. She can't do it half-heartedly. Take away the incentive of wealth, because the company would go out of business, even if it's easy and you get paid a lot. Nearly all wanted advice about dealing with future investors: how much smarter are you than your job description expects you to be a nice way of saying what all founders hate to hear: I'll invest if other people will. Whereas designing programming languages is to prevent our poor frail human brains from being overwhelmed by a mass of detail. As you might expect, it winds all over the face of the earth. A viable startup might only have ten employees, which puts you within a factor of ten of measuring individual effort. Beeton's Book of Household Management 1880, it may not just be because they're academics, detached from the real world.

It was English. Some of the smartest people around you are out of their element. And the books we did these disgusting things to, like those we mishandled in high school, I find still have black marks against them in my mind. A McDonald's franchise is controlled by rules so precise that it is practically a piece of software, could write a whole new piece of software, could write a whole new piece of software, could write a whole new piece of software, could write a whole new piece of software, and none selling corn oil or laundry detergent? Three months' funding is enough to get into second gear. Indirectly, but they want to win. Talking to reporters makes her nervous. Ideas can morph.

If I were in college now I'd probably work on graphics: a network game, for example, grew big by designing a system, the McDonald's franchise, that could then be reproduced at will all over the country, students are writing not about how a baseball team with a small group. So I think efficiency will matter, at least in our tradition lawyers are advocates: they are trained to be able to enjoy them in peace. I think they fail because they select for the wrong people. But while you don't literally need math for most kinds of hacking, in the sense of knowing 1001 tricks for differentiating formulas, math is very much worth studying for its own sake. They seemed a little surprised at having total freedom. Someone who's not yet an adult will tend to respond to a challenge from an adult in a way that was entirely for the better. Why? And she wrote three separate essays about the question of female founders. And in desktop software there is a significant correlation. For most people, the most powerful tools you can find a good teacher. This is my excuse for not starting a startup molds you into someone to whom starting a startup and failed over someone who'd spent the same time working at a low intensity for forty years, you work as hard as you can. What a company does, and the only lasting benefits were a weird ability to identify semitic roots and some insights into how people recognize words.

Thanks to Paul Buchheit, and Jessica Livingston for putting up with me.

[dratin-dragonadetinta96]

A little Barnaben fanfic

Hi, people, This is a little gift for @hey-jacob-its-me, because I know that you need more Barnaben and you deserve this. Really this started being a headcanon and well, now it isnt. This would continue more or less her headcanon- fanart about the pairing.

.

The beginning of their relationship hadn’t been easy, sometimes they were too differents. Barnaby was a boy with a strong and noisy personality, always highlighting in the crowd. Ben was the opposite, shy, always avoid being the spotlight. A gryffindor and a slytherin. A strange couple that, in some way, complemented each other.

It was summer of sixth year; in a few week they would start their last year in Hogwarts. And Barnaby was completely bored. The summer was supposedly the favourite season of the young people, but he hated it. He had lived in the grandparents house since their parents was sent to Azkaban and, though he loved their grandparents, living here was tedious with the only company of their grandparents and their friends.

In the boring afternoons, with nothing to do, Barnaby decided to do a surprise date with Ben in the muggle world, despite the short life of their relationship. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea (Ben didn't like the surprises), but Ben seemed as bored as him and this date would break, at least one day, the tedious summer.

However, his emotion disappeared quickly. He didn't know what muggle do in a date, even he was unaware of what kind of clothes muggles wears. His father did a perfect job to ensure that he ignores all about the muggle world, except the belief that pure-blood superiority to muggles and muggle-born wizards (idea that he had discard when he had met his friends)

He needed help, but hesitated about who to turn to. He couldn't ask Penny because she would tell MC it (and he understood the reason, he did the same thing with Ben), MC would tell Rowan it (due to they were best friends) and Rowan, who couldn't keep a secret, would tell Ben it (Ben had been angry with Rowan due to the theory "Ben is R", but now they had a good friendship again). And neither he couldn't ask Bill, Charlie or Andre, as they were pure-blood like him.

He only had a solution and it was trusting Tonks  whose father was a muggle-born who had taught her the muggle customs. Unfortunately he didn't know the big mistake that he had made.

Tonks (and Tulip who was visiting her) helped him, of course, he was his friend. When they got him dressed and he were wearing muggle clothes, in that sense they kept their word, but it was the most colourful, the most horrible and the most sparkly clothes that Tonks and Tulip could find.

Tonks, feeling a bit guilty, shared a romantic muggle tradition with him. According to her words, muggles give their partners flowers as a show of love. He didn't like so much the idea (killing flowers was stupid gift, but they were muggle customs  and Ben would be proud of his knowledge about muggles). Despite this, he decided to buy a common muggle flowers.

In the florist, the sensation of being watched by another customs and the retailer didn't disappear while he was looking for the flowers. He was afraid of the attention (he didn't know if muggles noticed that he was different), trying to find the perfect flowers quickly, except their new plan had a fault. He couldn't. The muggles flowers were lame. Not screams, not magic powers, not move. Nothing like plants of herbology. He could give Ben grasses of parks, because they were the same.

He was about to give up, when a red and green plant attracted his attention. Their flowers looks like a monster’s mouth with sharp fangs. the retailer say its name, a carnivorous plants, and its name was enough cool to buy it. Besides, there weren't bouquet of those plants, so he took the alive and happy plant in its pot.

He was in front of the door of Ben’s house. His hands were sweaty due to the nervous, rising up in him. Now he wasn't sure if it had been a good idea. It was the first time that he went to boyfriend’s home and he hadnt been invited. Literally he didn't know if the family was here in that moment.

But he couldn't give up now. He breathed deeply and rang the doorbell. Barnaby had been right, Ben were in the house. When the bell rang, he had been reading a book, or rather tried it. he couldn't stop to think about the fear that he felt when his parents asked about a girl that he liked in the school. He always had been a terrible liar, and he couldn't only give a trembling smile, assuring them that his little boy was still too young to think this. He has never been able to speak the  truth.

He couldn't imagine their shocked faces if they would discover his boyfriend and how they were dating during 7 months happily and how he had been less stressed since they were together, except when he thought about these.

Maybe they wouldn't expel him from their house (and family) at that same moment (What would the neighbour think?), but in his 18 birthday, they would do it, without hesitation. Either he couldn't share this with Barnaby, he wasn't able to tell him the treatment that people like them received in the muggle world and why Barnaby couldn't visit him. Really not world wanted them, neither wizard world, not muggle world.  He was more scared due to the hatred due to their relationship than the hatred, that pure-blood wizard, of being a “Mudblood”. At least in the magical world he had friends that would defend him. In the muggle world he was alone against all of them.  

When he opened the door, he couldn't believe his eyes. His goofy, but kind boyfriend were wearing a horrible clothes that he could only get in the hell with a carnivorous plants and a his big brilliant happy smile.

He didn't know what he must do: Laughing for the clothes and surreal situation? Being surprise, but delighted due to his visit? Hugging him (not kissing because of gossip neighbours)? Closing the door and curling up on the floor until that strange hallucination disappears? Or being really scared of their parents and their opinion?

He didn't have time to choose, because their parents appeared behind him, asking who was this strange boy. He was in panic without being able to know what he must say.

Saying the truth, risking the relationship with his parents?

Lying and breaking the Barnaby’s heart?

He only saw a solution. He ran.

If he ran, he wouldn't have to choose it. He wouldn't lose anybody. He wouldn't face hurt people due to his words.

He was the Schrödinger's cat, between two ways.  

He ran until he is tired, hardly breathing. But he didn't stop, moving away from the house and its choices. But running was vain.Not matter how many time he was running away from his problems, finally its would catch him.

He needed time and place to think carefully about what he would do. He hugged himself, feeling alone and lost.

He remembered his secret hiding place when he was a child and the things were too difficult for him. His parents knew about that place and it was too near his house, but it the only one site that he could think.

After a minutes, he was hidden in that secret place, behind a bushes near the river in a park, where he could think peacefully.

He was still confused and scared about what he would do, he needed somebody to help him to choose it, but nobody was in the park due to the sun’s heat.

Like he had been called, Barnaby appeared in the distance, shouting Ben’s name. For a moment you wanted to hide again (and take more time to think it), but neither Barnaby nor you his parents would deserve that agnst. Ben continued in the same site, let Barnaby seeing him. It didn't take long  to it. When Barnaby approached him, Ben noticed how he could hardly breath, but seemed so relieved to find him safe and sound that Ben was embarrassed by his escape. He hugged Ben tightly, trying to calm both of them.

Seeing Barnaby so affected, Ben finally decided to explain the situation about the same-sex couples in the muggle world and what would happen if their parents knew the truth. And the world hadn't finished as he had feared.

Barnaby understood him, each words (and he promised himself  that his boyfriend would never feel this fear again if he was be able to avoid it), because their fears were very similar. His own parents would throw him out the family If they knew that he had a muggle boyfriend. They were scared by their families, but also to hurt their partners. And the hesitancy on both sides had been about to hurt themselves.

After the hard conversation, they spoke about trivialities, something that Ben appreciated  (he needed to forget the discussion that he was going to have with his parents in the near future), and relaxed in this peaceful place, evading the time when Ben must return his house.

However, the time passed quickly, having to come back the Ben’s home. While they were walking  they couldn't hold hands, Ben couldn't let rumours about them. Although their hand touched, that reminds them that they didn´t face this (the fear, the misunderstanding, the hatred that their relationship created in both worlds) alone because they had each other.

When they arrived his house, they would lie, being only best friends, and would hide a beautiful part of themselves during months, maybe years. They didn't know.

But for now they would enjoy the little moments, where it wasn't important if they were muggle-born or pure-blood or loved a person of same-sex.

Where they were only two boys in love.

.

I hope that you liked this, the english isnt my first language and I wrote this without beta, so Its possible that it has (a lot of) mistakes. If you see them and you say me, I would really apreciate it.

[thelarryficrecplace]

Larry Fics Masterpost - Christmas Edition

Hello again, sorry for some reason I could not find this post so I had to repost it (props to me for making 3 drafts ey)! Anyway it’s freezing outside, so I hope these Christmassy fics keep you warm:

all the lights are full of colour by infinitelymint:

Summary: So, fast-forwarding eight years from the day Harry met Louis, he is now a twenty-seven year old owner of one of the most up-and-coming eating establishments on the London restaurant scene, father of two wonderful boys and… separated from his husband. Now, that last part definitely was never a part of the original plan.

Or, Harry and Louis are separated, but for the sake of their two sons, they choose to spend Christmas together. It may just lead to a Christmas miracle.

Word count: 26,727

love is a word (you gave it a name) by hattalove:

Summary: “It’s worth it anyway,” says Harry, looking into Louis’s eyes. He’s untucked his hair from behind his ear, and it falls down in silky strands to obscure his face. He looks so painfully young, even after everything. Louis’s strong, strong boy. “Just for the two of us. We get to be selfish for a little while.”

it's christmas. in between snowman building, tree shopping, and ill-advised skating on a frozen lake, louis and harry get ready to take the most important step of their lives.

Word count: 21,413

We Will Find Our Way by supernope:

Summary: Harry smiles at Louis, quick and easy, and says, “Well, since we’re in the same boat, we’ll just make our own Christmas. What do you say?”

Louis tamps down on a bloom of warmth in his belly. He barely knows Harry past seeing him walk down the hall in just his skivvies - not that he’s complaining - but he’s being so lovely, smiling at him so hopefully, and, well. Louis doesn’t much fancy the idea of spending Christmas completely alone. Nodding, he reaches out and pokes Harry’s dimple, watches it flirt to life underneath his fingertip. “I say yes.”AKA, Harry and Louis are uni students studying abroad in New York, stuck in the dorms together over Christmas.

Word count: 9,580

every time i run, i keep on falling on you by hazmesentir:

Summary: AU. After being best friends for 8 years, Harry moves to LA. It takes the keen observations of all of Louis' friends to realise the one thing he really wants for Christmas is Harry.

Word count: 12,111

Tis the Season for...Love? by AFangirlFantasy:

Summary: Prompt: Harry seems to have it all: A successful career as a pastry chef, a Victorian home in London, and a dedicated boyfriend who he's been with for years.

One day he stops by his boyfriend's apartment to surprise him and finds out that he's not so dedicated to Harry after all. Shocked and too depressed to celebrate, he decides to skip Christmas and on a whim leaves on a plane to New York. In New York he meets Louis…

Or...Louis might just be what Harry's needed all along.

Word count: 27,958

Candles On Air by isthatyoularry:

Summary: Harry’s smile is filled with unconditional love — just not the right kind. Louis has told himself for years that it’s okay. Harry loving him the way he can is enough. Each year it gets a little harder to repeat the same mantra."

It gets better. It will pass. His friendship is enough."

Harry has taken the liberty of putting on classic Christmas tunes on the speaker in the kitchen, and as their shared flat isn’t the largest Louis can hear Mariah Carey’s crooning from where he’s perched on the small sofa in the living room. Harry is on the floor, humming along. And yes. All Louis wants for Christmas is Harry.

A Christmas AU ft. Pining, Heartbreak, and maybe A Happy Ending.

Word count: 29,666

Snowed Under by ModestlyHomo:

Summary: Louis picks up a hitchhiker on Christmas Eve.

Word count: 10,192

Under that Damn Mistletoe by hickeystyles:

Summary: Louis' heart froze when he looked over and saw Liam whispering in Harry’s ear and nodding towards the mistletoe. Louis’ eyes widened comically before he dove out of sight so Harry couldn’t see him standing under the mistletoe like an idiot, or worse, like he was part of Liam’s plan to have Harry kiss him.

Or a Christmas Party AU where Louis is in love with his best friend Harry and everyone else is trying to force the two of them under the mistletoe together.

Word count: 9,923

All I Want For Christmas Is You (And Your Children) by hazzboolarry:

Summary: Harry finds himself at Tesco on December 24th for a quick grocery shopping with his daughter Leah.

He thought he’d come back home with a few things for dinner (and probably a few that Leah slipped through the cart without him noticing).

He absolutely did not think about the possibility of meeting a gorgeous single father of two children.

And inviting him to his Christmas Eve dinner at home.

[Christmas Fic with single parents Harry and Louis, they meet at Tesco, Louis is struggling with money but no fear because Harry is there and it’s just really cute]

Word count: 11,307

at candle glow and mistletoe by tomorrows:

Summary: “I swear to God,” he mumbles under his breath as he squeezes them on, “if this is all a ploy to kidnap me, I’m going to feel no guilt for keeping your jacket.”

“Just trust me, alright?” Louis holds his hand out for Harry once the other man straightens up, his soft face flushed in a way that only the holiday rush can do. “I couldn’t hurt you if I tried, Harry Styles.”

Harry places a tender hand over Louis'. “Okay,” he answers, a little breathless. “I trust you.”

an au where louis is santa, harry is a single dad, and niall is the worst reindeer to ever exist

Word count: 5,890

all i want for christmas is by crybaby:

Summary: With Harry up against his side, his little four year old snuggled in his lap like it’s her favourite place, Louis could really believe they’re a real little family, off to their chalet to spend Christmas in the snow. A real little family where Louis would have the luxury of kissing Harry under mistletoe and rolling around in the fresh snow with him, taking him upstairs to his bedroom and fucking him to keep him warm.

Word count: 17,884

Chestnuts Roasting... And All That by elsi_bee:

Summary: Louis is apparently the only person at his new job who is single as can be. It’s not a big deal to just tell his new colleagues that he has a boyfriend, right? Until he has to make this imaginary boyfriend magically appear at the office holiday party. Cue fake relationship antics with a certain someone who is more than willing to play along.

Word count: 46,760

Make My Wish Come True (Baby All I Want For Christmas Is You) by larrymylove:

Summary: Louis has just agreed to spend the holidays with his family, and to bring Harry along with him. There's just one problem...he and Harry have broken up, and are wanting to avoid telling everyone until after the holidays. The fake/pretend relationship AU with a twist.

Word count: 29,549

as long as there's christmas by soleilouis:

Summary: louis and harry decide to spend part of their christmas holiday at disneyland. their kids could not be more pleased.

Word count: 4,648

Rated R by cherrystreet:

Summary: Louis gifts Harry with a surprise sex tape, and it accidentally makes its way into Harry's family Christmas party. Ridiculousness ensues.

Word count: 7,635

wrap me up like a present and put me away by clicheanna:

Summary: It’s Christmas time and as Louis’ best friend, Harry needs to make sure he doesn’t feel lonely during the merriest part of the year. Maybe putting anonymous notes in his locker isn’t the best way, but, technicalities.

He’s not going to do it. It’s ridiculous. Zayn is wrong. There is absolutely no reason for him to result to this.

But Zayn’s stupid prick voice and idea has been stuck in his head. And it was like, three in the morning, and he couldn’t remember why it was a bad thing to just try.

And now he has 135 words written on the paper (he counted) and everything he forgot about in the middle of the night comes flooding back. Louis will find out. It’s inevitable. He will, and he’ll never want to speak to Harry again. He’ll think he’s a freak who puts notes in people’s lockers about their undying love for them. It’s not worth it to find out whether he thinks petty crushes are cute or not.

Harry clenches the paper around his fingers.

He’s not going to do it.

Except he is.

Word count: 8,882

All I Want For Christmas (Is You) by dea_liberty

Summary: Louis is a Christmas elf that thinks Christmas has lost its magic, which is not surprising, really, when he works at Toys "R" Us. Working in retail at Christmas time can kill anyone's Christmas spirit. Harry is a customer that comes in looking for a present for his goddaughter and finds something else worth writing to Santa for. It’s the last Saturday before Christmas and, at this precise moment, he’s never, ever hated Christmas more. “No,” he hisses into the phone for what he feels like the thousandth time in the space of about a minute. “I can’t get another three hundred Playstations just because some stupid popstar tweeted about it.” He stomps down the next aisle. As luck would have it, it’s the fucking Barbie and Ken doll aisle and right there in front of him is a doll of the bloody popstar in question. Louis wants to step on it.

Word count: 7,696

Let It Snow by foxandbee:

Summary: It’s Sunday the 1st when Louis realises that, oh crap, it’s December. And he really only realises this because he walks out of Sainsbury’s and straight into a tiny, tiny human. Frosty the Snowman cuts off abruptly when the rest of the choir notices that Louis has just flattened their soprano.

Or the one where Harry's a Christmas caroller and Louis' a bit silly and it takes them almost a month to get their shit together.

Word count: 4,856

Didn't think it would work out by swirlingchaos:

Summary: There was no way he could let it happen, the prospect of working with Harry for the next two months or so seemed like a nightmare specially designed for him. From hell. By the devil himself, probably. Perfect torture, fit amazingly well with the self-destructive path he’d been on for a year now, Louis clearly had to say no.

“‘Course, yeah, I’ll clear it with Simon then, brilliant, cheers mate,” Fuck.

Or, Louis is a primary school teacher, Harry has a 7-year-old son in his class, Louis has a 1-year-old crush on Harry, and they have to put on the school's Christmas play. Brilliant.

Word count: 16,396

A Rhythm In Rush by fondleeds:

Summary: They walk slow, unhurried, and they talk about everything, the earth and the glaciers and themselves, little bits and pieces. Harry finds himself falling open, caving in like the crevices that run like cold veins from the icy lakes. It feels strange to talk this way. He feels like he should be having this conversation hidden under his covers, whispering in the dark. It feels like the kind of talk that means too much, that means trust and revealing the small things that make up the bigger ones, except they’re both barely blinking an eye.

Harry is a WWF journalist with big dreams and Louis is a glaciologist that flies helicopters for fun. Greenland is an odd place to spend Christmas, but just maybe, the perfect place to fall headfirst into love.

Word count: 40,010

Harry, Did You Know (that your baby boy, is married to his best friend?) by tempolarriefics :

Summary: 10 years ago, Louis and Zayn made a pact that if they weren't married by 30, they'd marry each other. So they do, as best mates do.

Enter Harry Styles, who's new to town. He and Louis are immediately drawn to one another. Louis doesn't tell Harry about Zayn, because they're just friends (who are married.)

Harry finds out on Christmas Day, Louis/Zayn's "anniversary".

Word count: 35,549

Love Actually, is all around. by satellitemoments:

Summary: Louis is Prime Minister and Harry his fortunate catering manager.

Word count: 16,561

Night Changes by louhearted:

Summary: Harry is buying last minute Christmas gifts for a party on Christmas Eve and gets snowed in the store with cashier!louis. Featuring side ziall and Liam, Niall and Zayn as Louis' best mates.

Word count: 29,743

All I want for christmas is you by Tita:

Summary: The one where Louis is a pining punk, Harry is the school’s sweetheart, and a miss sent text at a Christmas party turns out to be the best possible present.

Word count: 2,950

beautiful star by tommoandbambi:

Summary: “You know, when I pegged you for a druglord, I wasn't exactly challenging you to make me believe that you actually are one. What is this place?” Louis says after he swallows over the mild panic that's building up in his throat over the fact that he's literally sitting in front of the cause of his teenage sexuality crisis.

Word count: 17,220

Potions and Presents and a Partridge in a Pear Tree by b0yfriendsinl0ve:

Summary: Harry has a bit of a crush, it's Christmas and there's chocolate.

Word count: 7,052

December 23rd by dinosaursmate:

Summary: He scanned the shop floor, disappointment starting to bubble in his gut before he spotted the familiar face emerging from the back room, efficiently stacking boxes onto a previously empty shelf.

“Well! If it isn’t my favourite curly-haired little elf.”

Harry spun around with comic speed and a grin split his face immediately.

“Louis!” He said, looking like he was about to fling himself into Louis’ arms, stopping himself at the last second. “How’s it going?!”

“Not bad, you?”

Harry just nodded, straightening that same green hat upon his head. “Need some help?” Louis enlists the help of a blushing, curly haired shop assistant to find all his Christmas presents and ends up receiving one of his own.

Word count: 7,757

O Christmas tree! O Christmas tree! (thy candles shine so brightly) by throughthedark:

Summary: “So Harry,” Louis said solemnly. “My sisters and I are determined to find the very best tree this place has to offer. Do you feel up for the challenge?”

AU where Louis needs a Christmas tree and Harry just so happens to work at a Christmas tree farm.

Word count: 9,831

can't blame gravity by karamelised:

Summary: They have a tradition on their birthdays.

Word count: 11,931

underneath the christmas tree by suspendrs:

Summary: Good morning, and happy birthday to ME! You’ll be happy to know that I went ahead and planned out your present to me, so you can return that awful watch (sorry I peeked, I couldn’t help it) at your liesure leisure (?) and do this instead! I’ve planned a scavenger hunt for you, and I’ll see you at the finish line. Your first clue is hidden inside my favorite box of cereal. Love you! -L

Louis sends Harry on a scavenger hunt on Christmas Eve.

Word count: 17,792

If Only in My Dreams by jupiter_lou:

Summary: Harry considered the situation silently for a moment. "Listen, I’m only going home through New Year’s Day. If you wanted to, you could come home with me for the week?" The sentence morphed into a question as he watched Louis's face drop open with surprise.

"I couldn't do that, Harry," Louis dismissed, eyes widen with incredulity. "We barely know one another, and I could never intrude on your family time like that!"

"What better way to get to know me than to spend time with the people who shaped me into who I am today?"

OR the one where Harry's new flatmate, Louis, needs a place to spend Christmas, so he invites him to spend it with his family. When they arrive, everyone thinks they're dating.

Word count: 13,914

Let Me Give You My Life by midnightskies:

Summary: Gemma has one rule for Louis while he stays with her family at Christmas; not to hook up with her little brother, so of coursethat's the one thing Louis does.

Word count: 14,258

let this one gift last forever by larryshares:

Summary: harry plays santa at the mall every year, and one day he meets a quirky little girl who instantly captures his heart. it doesn't take long for her father to do the same.

Word count: 10,607

give me my chance and give me my wings by sopattable:

Summary: Harry never really wanted to put a name to the face…or the ass… but now he has it, and now he has to buy it a present.

A University AU where Harry’s a music student, Louis takes theatre, and Niall’s the captain of Secret Santa and relationships. Also included is singing, pranks, and way too many fruits and vegetables.

Word count: 18,803

my world is filled with cheer (and you) by rbbsbb:

Summary: AU. They're all in Secondary school together, and Harry isn't new to pining. The annual Secret Santa gift exchange is on, though, and when he pulls Louis' name, Harry decides that he needs to get his boy the best present that he could ever ask for.

(Or, Harry is in love with Louis, his best mate, and is his Secret Santa this year.)

Word count: 11,643

Pining for You by peanutbutterapple:

Summary: Harry sells Christmas trees. Louis doesn't mean to buy so many of them.

Word count: 9,764

There Is a Light by perfectdagger (sincerelyste):

Summary: Louis and his daughter have had a pretty bad year and things start to change when Harry tries to buy the same doll Louis intended to buy for his little girl for Christmas.

Two girls.

Two fathers.

Two families, meeting and becoming exactly what the other needed during the holidays.

Christmas/New Years AU in which Harry and Louis are single parents and they meet at an odd encounter at the toy shop and somehow, they end up together, bonded by their little ones.

Word count: 17,880

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by hilourry:

Summary: “Have you been a good boy this year, Louis?” Harry mumbles into Louis’ neck, leaving a big fat bruise there for everyone to see. The girls are going to make snarky comments about this tomorrow, Louis thinks.

“I tried to be, I really did, but I just love being naughty. I couldn’t help myself, I hope I don’t get coal in my stocking,” Louis pouts, starting to nip on Harry’s jaw.

“Mm, well, Santa sent me here to punish you,” Harry smirks, gripping Louis’ thighs.

or Louis and Harry are married with two kids and another on the way. They celebrate Christmas as a family.

Word count: 5,003

let your heart be light by scagnetism:

Summary: When they crawled into bed that night, Louis cuddled into him with hazy eyes, whispering into his neck, “I’m so happy, Hazza,” and Harry will never get tired of that.

He’ll never get tired of being a part of this family and sharing Christmas with them.

Or, Christmas with the Tomlinson family.

Word count: 3,430

where the lovelight gleams by midnights:

Summary: louis has spent exactly sixteen christmases with harry. he's been in love with him for exactly ten.

ft. stupid, silly boys who don't know they're in love, an ot5 sleepover, and christmas eve with the tomlinson-deakins

Word count: 8,027

Wise Men Say Only Fools Rush In. by hemakeshimstrongx:

Summary: "Louis has only had his breath taken away a few times, none of them caused just by looking at another human being. But he's looking at Harry and he can barely breathe but he wouldn't have it any other way."

[or: Louis takes Harry home for Christmas, and realizes that he doesn't ever want to have another Christmas with anyone but Harry.]

Word count: 9,565

If Only in My Dreams by shipsdrifting:

Summary: When a snowstorm delays their flights and strands them both at their university during the start of winter break, Harry and Louis find each other. And with a little help from their friends, they might even get to keep each other.

Word count: 20,604

Yours In Fractions by FullOnLarrie:

Summary: Louis and Harry are strangers who, because of a mix up, share their mutual friend's apartment and bed over the holidays.

Word count: 23,585

Time and Ten by aclosetlarryshipper:

Summary: "Don’t you think it’s weird that when you get older, Christmas doesn’t really feel the same?”

Harry wishes he could say something helpful, but he knows Louis is right. Once you begin to have to give gifts instead of simply receive, the lost feelings of wonder and excitement are irreversible.

“I guess that means you just have to bring the magic yourself,” Harry says.

(Harry and Louis are babysitters who meet in line for Santa.)

Word count: 21,762

It's Grand Just Holding Your Hand by embro:

Summary: As a part of a charity drive, the students could buy their classmates Christmas-themed gingerbread biscuits.

Harry's got to be the only person in school that's not got anything, but the pretty boy who wears reindeer jumpers and festive suspenders might just be making it all worth it.

Word count: 3,245

Nothing Left to Lose by loviedovielou:

Summary: Louis fucking hates Secret Santa.

Word count: 6,090

as soft as midnight whispers by thispieceofmind:

Summary: au. louis only likes christmas on christmas, and harry wants his birthday to be perfect.

Word count: 6,069

every december (your star lights the sky) by larrystomlinsons:

Summary: Louis needs a date for the Christmas dance and Harry is the wingman that has feelings for him.

Word count: 17,793

All Hearts Come Home For Christmas by itsprobablylarry:

Summary: “Gemma, who the fuck is that?” Louis hisses as he watches her wave back with a big smile.

Her brows furrow for a second as she looks at Louis. “What? That’s my brother, you dork. Told you he’d pick us up, didn’t I?”

Well fuck. Apparently, Mr. Handsome over there is Gemma’s brother. And Louis is spending a week with him. Pretending to be his sister’s boyfriend. Shit.

(Basically: Gemma brings ��her boyfriend’, Louis, home for Christmas and her brother is really hot.)

Word count: 8,106

Home for Christmas by haloeverlasting:

Summary: Or, the one where Harry didn't think he wanted a family, but with a little Christmas magic (and maybe one Louis Tomlinson) he realizes that he is very, very wrong.

Word count: 22,004

Holiday Secrets by mafkaast:

Summary: Harry Styles, a charming, kind and family-oriented lad, is in his second year of University, studying abroad in the United States.

When Harry can’t afford to go home for Christmas, his roommate William Tomlinson takes him along to his family. William rarely talks about or visits his own family and seems very private about his twin brother Louis.

Immediately upon meeting William’s large, loud family, Harry is intrigued with Louis. He is alluring yet awfully shy and secretive.

And even when they grow closer to each other, Louis continues to remain somewhat frightened and distant. What is Louis hiding, what is his secret?

Word count: 83,922

Wrapped in Red by QuickedWeen:

Summary: Louis backs himself into a corner and has two days to find a date to bring to the Horan Family's big annual Christmas party to both appease his mother, and show up an ex-boyfriend. In the midst of Christmas shopping and trying to work out his dilemma, he meets Harry Styles, the cute volunteer behind the charity gift wrapping booth.

Word count: 15,189

make my wish come true by deblond:

Summary: “Did you know that there’s a hole in your tights?”

“Yes,” Louis answers with as much dignity as he can muster. “Any particular reason you’re staring at my ass, Harold?”

“It’s a good ass,” Harry says smirking. “And it’s Harry.”

Or, Louis works as Santa’s elf at the mall. He meets Harry.

Word count: 4,708

Just Hold On by sincewewereeighteen:

Summary: "Everyone’s in the living room. Dan’s family has come and gone, they’ve done the dishes, and Harry’s parents went their way too. He stayed, because everybody asked him to. Well, everybody but Louis. Still. He stayed."

Word count: 8,774

Kiss Me on This Cold December Night by hopeneverdies:

Summary: Louis Tomlinson is a year three football (soccer) player attending a university that fosters international students in Ontario, Canada. Harry Styles is a year one student living in the same building and is obsessed with the Green Bay Packers. Louis thinks Harry's a wanker while Harry can't figure out why Louis doesn't like him. A blizzard keeps them and their mutual mates from flying home for Christmas. Will Louis ever see Harry for who he really is? Will they both be able to overcome past heartbreak and open up to someone again?

Word count: 34,489

Maybe We're Perfect Strangers (Maybe We'll Stick Together) by FallingLikeThis:

Summary: Or Louis works for a gossip site and, when it comes to light that ex-musical partners (and lovers) Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran are spending the holidays together, he's sent to see if the reunion the world's been waiting for is in the works. But at the cost of his own holiday with his family. Louis really hates this job.

Word count: 24,589

you make my whole world feel so right when it's wrong by xxPayne:

Summary: (or, Harry is pregnant and stops at the mall to buy cheap baby clothes. Louis has extra money from working a long shift, and he can't think of a better way to spend it than on him.)

Word count: 6,281

I Can't Even Separate Love From Lust by RedPhoneBooth:

Summary: Louis and Harry have a one night stand, but it all turns a bit more serious when they have to pretend to be a couple over the holidays. Things were fun and casual at first, but feelings change and Harry should really be aware of who's around when talking out loud.

Word count: 19,072

we’ll wake up in the snow and bury all our trouble by immortalized:

Summary: Or, on the way to his mum's house for Christmas, Louis finds himself in a bit of a dilemma, but he also finds himself a cute boy.

Word count: 10,767

Everything I Need I Get From You by moodlighting:

Summary: Historical AU. It's two days before Christmas, and Harry has only two pounds and thirty pence to his name to purchase a gift for Louis.

Word count: 8,224

Pizza My Heart by Happilysunlight (sunlight), yslstagram (lindseyloveslouis):

Summary: Plans fell through, and Louis ends up alone for his birthday and Christmas. He gets a little tipsy and decides to order pizza put on a show for the delivery boy.

Harry’s just elated he gets to deliver a pizza to the boy he’s had a crush on for years.

Word count: 13,035

Snow by protagonist_m:

Summary: AU in which Louis and Zayn are meant to be, except for how they aren't, and Louis is trapped in some weird cross between Requiem For a Dream and Love, Actually. All just in time for Christmas.

Word count: 28,171

All I Want For Christmas Is Lou by ologist:

Summary: Harry doesn't expect to find an elf living in his Christmas tree, but Louis is quite lovely enough to make up for the shock.

Word count: 5,606

your eyes are like starlight now by babyboylouis:

Summary: or the one where louis hates his job as an elf at the shopping mall, but hates it a lot less when he meets olivia and her hot daddy

Word count: 2,132

On The First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me.... by larrymylove:

Summary: Harry never wanted to attend a Christmas party with his mortal enemy Louis Tomlinson. He especially never wanted for anyone else to see the gag gift he brought along for the host. But now Louis' tearing into the gift, and life never tends to always work out quite the way you expect.

Word count: 5,925

For Reasons Wretched and Divine by panicmoonwalk:

Summary: Or, the one where Louis and Harry’s Christmas holiday at Hogwarts is rudely interrupted when they’re dragged off on a tropical wizard’s vacation, featuring some angry centaurs, a spell gone wrong, and the ‘weirdest birthday anyone’s ever had. Ever’.

Word count: 19,055

precious little thing by Anonymous:

Summary: a university AU featuring phone sex operator Louis, copious amounts of sweet, soft kink discovery, and Louis being Harry's Daddy.

Word count: 21,034

Frozen Hands to Hold by hickeystyles:

Summary: Christmas AU where Harry is spending the holiday alone until he meets Louis who invites him to spend Christmas with his family and friends. Harry may or may not be in love with him at first sight.

Word count: 41,586

Pass the Cranberry by iwillpaintasongforlou:

Summary: (Or, the one in which Harry and Louis fuck very, very quietly in his childhood bed on Christmas night so as not to wake the countless sleeping Tomlinsons just beyond those four thin walls.)

Word count: 3,552

doorbell rings, we're not listening by bottomlinsons (grimgrace):

Summary: At approximately quarter past three in the morning, Harry is woken by a thump. Louis is gone, he notices first. Santa’s kidnapped him, he thinks next. (Or: A Christmas AU wherein Louis has bad habits and Harry loves him anyway.)

Word count: 2,186

i'll be home for christmas by suspendrs:

Summary: Or, Louis and Harry can’t decide where to go on Christmas.

Word count: 12,609

[fuck-customers]

I’ve been working in a grocery store as a cashier in what is supposed to be a “small town” for about 6 months now. It is my first job. I knew from the start I wasn’t going to like it because I am the complete opposite of a people person. I do not want to be around people. I do not like people. I do not like people telling me how to bag their nasty food and getting mad over the smallest inconvenience. Two months in and I knew I needed to get out, but I needed to wait for the 3 month trial before I asked to get moved to another department. I have been practically begging to get moved out since then but it just hasn’t happened. I am in the process of updating my resume.

I have a degree, I went to school for this useless degree, but no one wants to hire anyone with no experience. I am thus wasting my life in retail.

I am possibly permanently damaging my feet because I have to stand on my feet for 7-8 hours a day several days a week. I tried buying new shoes, but they were wrecked after probably not even a month in. I am in so much pain some days that I have to limp around the store.

I have not had a single customer upset me and I don’t mean that in the way of “I have had no bad customers ever.” I mean it in the way of “you can yell and huff and puff all you want, but I grew up with two younger sisters and temper tantrums do not bother me.” The only time I tear up behind the register is when I come to the conclusion that this is not a life and I shouldn’t have to do this in order to earn $8 an hour I hate my life why am I still working here??

There was one woman who brought two carts full of groceries into my express lane. It’s supposed to be 12 items or less, not 12 carts or less, but God forbid she have to walk a few feet over to a full service lane.

There was literally a day that was so busy our manager had to open up so we could get the lines down and it was one of the further registers and this woman actually complained that it was a long walk. Uh, so okay you can walk around the entire store to get your cart full of food but, so people don’t have to wait in line for minutes at a time, walking a few meters away is “too long of a walk?”

This one old lady who, after I was done with her stuff said “you’re going to help me put all this in my cart right? I’ve never had to put them in my cart before.” UH, first of all, if you can put your garbage in your cart off the shelf, then you can very well pick your crap up in a bag and put it back in the cart. There are people behind you.

Twice now I’ve had people tell me as I was getting carts outside that getting carts is a “man’s job” but what I wanted to tell them was that getting carts was a way for me to get away from the register and avoid their nasty asses. I like getting carts, except for the part where it further pains my feet and that it’s summer and I do not do well in the heat. I come inside with a face as red and sweaty as a wet tomato.

“What kind of melon is this?” “It’s just a melon.” No, it is a honeydew. There are different types of melons, you pig.

There was one woman who wanted a discount on plants because they looked wilted (they weren’t) and that another store in the chain sold them for $5 instead of the $10 we had them as. I told her no, she asked for a manager, he also told her no and she acted sooo agitated over not getting the plants she could live without for a lower price.

Another woman got mad that I dared to put her dried packaged meat in the same bag as her potatoes. I no longer put potatoes in bags as vengeance.

Assholes who ask for their 6 pack of bottled soda in bags or ones who ask for light items like birthday cards in bags. I can’t stand wasting bags and that’s a complete waste of bags.

You can always tell what’s on sell just by the amount of certain items being bought that day. Mostly it’s soda and junk food.

This one idiot who brought a ton of 2 liters of soda up to me and as I rang them up, they wanted each single bottle double bagged.

I am so tired of looking at bananas and soda. Literally all people ever buy is bananas and soda and I want to shove it in their faces every time I have to ring them up. There was one time at night literally all they bought was bananas and salt. Now my family brings it up whenever I complain about how tired I am of bananas.

I hate ringing up raw meat. Always the packaging is slimy and leaves nasty stuff all over the belt, then I have to touch it and put it in a bag and sometimes there’s blood on it and I really, really hate touching raw meat. There’s this one brand especially, it’s like this freaking huge bag of raw meat and it’s always the slimiest package and it’s heavy and it is the worst thing besides bananas and soda to ring up.

People who bring their screeching children in the store. People who continue to let their child screech as they shop. Please leave.

Old people who get angry if I refuse their change after I had already put the money they gave me in the computer. Once there was a man who did this and he was angry with me because he’s an idiot who’s fussy over change and once he left, the woman behind him was like “don’t mind him. He’s old. He’s just angry he’s going to die soon.”

Fucking assholes who pay with $100 to pay for anything below $50. I have this happen several times a day on some days and it wiped out my till so I have to constantly call someone to bring me $100 in 10s to replenish. There was once a day I had such a huge amount of people ask for cashback and large bills that I had to ask for more 10s twice within 10 minutes of each other. One of these days I will refuse large bills and I will pat myself on the back because I recently learned I can refuse large bills and will use it to its fullest potential.

The max amount of cashback someone can get from our store is $200. There was once someone who got that much, didn’t tell me, didn’t ask me, and I didn’t have that much in my till. I had to ask someone to bring me the $200. He said “can’t you just give me big bills?” No, you fucker, not everyone has $100 bills lying around their register the moment they clock in. Other customers have to bring those in.

There was a couple who went one after the other for cashback so the man got $200 and the woman got $100. They were lucky that was one of the few nights I actually had that much. Another night I had someone ask for $120, then another person for $40, and another for $100 all one right after the other. If I had a choice, I would make cashback stop. Go to the bank for anything over $40. That’s what they’re there for.

There was once a man who asked for $60 cashback and didn’t tell me until he inputted it and ended up getting it in mostly 5s because, guess what, I didn’t have 20s and was already low on 10s :)

There was one day I had just clocked in and got to my register and a woman was trying to get $200 cashback. We start the day at $100. I had to send her to another register because I wasn’t even going to bother.

We don’t have any 20s in our till at the start of the day. It is up to the customers to bring those in. The other day people kept asking for cashback and I had already asked for 10s because of course so this one guy asks for $40 cashback but I only had one 20 so I had to give him two 10s and he went “you can just give me two 20s, you know” and I was like “bitch, that was the only 20 I had” but slightly nicer.

I hate when people pay with checks. It is always old people paying with checks. There was one man who was behind a woman paying with a check and I saw him roll his eyes when she took it out. When I finally got to him, he said he always gets stuck behind people with checks.

In our store, registers 1, 2, and 5 are the worst registers to be at because they are the closest to the refrigerated section so most people come from that direction. And since people are lazy assholes, they go to the closest registers, which are 1, 2, and 5, even if there’s a line. If you are working at any of those three registers, chances are high you are going to be checking out the most people that day because that’s where the brunt of the attack comes from.

We have to stand at the end of our registers when we don’t have customers because let’s waste our life, so if you’re working on register 1 or 2 and you see someone come from the refrigerated section, you don’t even need to question it. You just go stand behind the registers because they’re coming for you.

I actually like most of the people I work with. I don’t have any of the horror stories I hear about on here about management and what have you but I have 4 really annoying coworkers who take any chance they get to walk away from their register. They will use any excuse, but mostly they walk away to go chit chat. It makes the rest of us suffer because now there’s one less register and so the remaining cashiers have a considerably larger amount of customers to ring up.

I had one old lady roll her eyes because she didn’t know how to use credit.

This one woman brought probably around 100 coupons to me. “It’s my first time using coupons” she said. A third of them weren’t even coupons. I had to ring her up. It took me a long time to sift through them all, find out which ones worked and which ones needed to be put in manually. Throughout this time, I could see people out of the corner of my eye get into my line and leave because of the sheer amount of coupons I had to deal with. In the end, the amount of coupons she brought to me exceeded the amount of items she bought, and there were two coupons I couldn’t put in because the max amount of coupons was reached, so she ended up getting $6 back from the price of said coupons because we couldn’t put them in the system. Basically, this woman got a bunch of free stuff for no reason because there was no way any one would expect someone to actually match those coupons to her items because otherwise I’d be there all night.

We have lights for our registers we can turn on and off for when we’re open. I can’t even tell you how many people walk up to me when my lights off and expect me to check them out. There was one man who tried coming up but I told him I was closed and he started grumbling to himself like he could not believe someone didn’t want to ring him up. I told him “well, my light’s off.” Maybe you should pay more attention, fuckwad.

There was one night I was the only cashier and it was about 10 minutes to closing and a couple brought $200 worth of groceries to me. Ten minutes to closing. There was a line forming behind them because of course people go grocery shopping at nearly 10 at night. On that same night right at closing time, a man came in through the exit doors to buy foil. That’s it. That’s all. All that for foil.

And it’s always hilarious to me to see idiots come in the right door, but as they’re leaving, they completely ignore the door that says “do not enter” because it is the entrance and try to exit through it. It happens at least once a day. These doors are automatic. You’d think they’d get the hint when the doors don’t open before their very eyes. Lately I’ve noticed they’re even pushing open the door the wrong way and they definitely aren’t supposed to that.

I absolutely hate when someone spends 5 minutes digging around in their bag for change when they already gave me a large enough bill to pay for their slop. Can you please stop being so nitpicky about change?? There are actual other people in line besides you.

I had an old man be the actual first person to flirt with me and I am 23 years old. He asked me how I was doing and I said “my feet hurt” and somehow he took that as an opening to flirt with me and I don’t remember the exact details as to how it went down anymore but basically I had to keep asking him wtf he was saying because he was talking low and the music, and the store in general really, is loud and eventually I realized he was flirting so I was like “wow why is this happening” and went quiet until I was handing him his receipt and said “have a nice night” and he said “I will now” and I wanted to throw up a little.

And there was another man (or maybe even the same man, everyone starts to look the same after a while) who told me I was a beautiful woman or something like that and that he hoped I wouldn’t tell my husband (which I do not have thanks) and also this same man asked another of my coworkers if he could hug her if he gave her $20 and basically I never want to be flirted at ever again in my whole life.

Literally everyone is shocked when I tell them that I am, in fact, 23 and graduated college and no, I am not a teenager. I never realized I may actually look younger than I am and it is mildly startling when someone is shocked at my age.

The people who buy alcohol and smell like alcohol and when the transaction’s done, ask me to put the large, heavy box of poison in the flimsy, thin plastic bags which, in other words, means they’re hiding their alcohol and I’m likely feeding addictions.

The most satisfying part of the day is when, out of the corner of my eye, I can see someone about to hop into my lane and I just walk away. Usually it’s to put a basket or a cart back but I get an overwhelming sense of pleasure when they walk away to find another lane because how could they possibly ever wait the ten seconds it will take for me to return to my register?

I also actually like doing WIC for similar reasons. WIC takes a while, especially for multiple checks so there’s always one idiot who gets into line behind them and gets impatient and leaves for another lane. But then there’s the people who actually have the patience to wait out the whole thing, even when the other lanes are open and I’m like “wtf?? why are you still here?”

And there’s the people that smell so bad that I actually have to hold my breath. There was one man who smelled so bad I was nearly choking and I had to strangle out “have a good night” because the smell was so overwhelming. And the other day, one woman came in and she smelled like she maybe needed to change her pants. These are grown adults.

There was a woman and her child and she was asking her child what candy she wanted at the checkout lane and the child was like “I want that milk” while pointing at the goldfish packaging and the mother was like “that’s goldfish and you already have some” and so the child proceeded to screech as loud as she could and threw such a loud fit her mother had to take her outside while the other people she came in with stayed with the groceries and even several minutes later when the mother came back in the child was still screeching. All over some damn crackers.

There was a day I was utterly miserable and I think this the day of, or the aftermath of, the only day I came home truly angry and this man says “smile (my name)” and I was already deadpanned the whole morning anyway so I was just more deadpanned when he said that. Also I hate when customers say my name. Like I know I have a badge with it tacked on my shirt but that doesn’t mean I want you, a complete stranger, using it. I have to wear this. I don’t even know your name, and, frankly, I do not want to know it.

I checked the schedule for the last few weeks because I wanted to know if everyone else was getting the pretty much on-the-dot max amount of hours I was getting. No. They weren’t. I was getting more hours than the people who have worked here longer than me. I know we are running low on cashiers because since I’ve been here, we’ve lost more than 5 at the least. I also know usually getting more hours is a good thing, but I hate this job, my feet are in pain, and all I have to pay for is gas, insurance to drive, and save up for a car. I don’t have children or other bills. I don’t know why exactly I’m being made to work this much over the others. Recently, however, we hired someone new so this week I have a day less to work and it’s such a relief because I needed a break so bad. I was feeling way stressed out from working four days in a row week after week. I plan to go to a doctor for my feet soon also because being in this much pain is very likely not normal and that’s my main issue with being make to work one day after the other.

The other day I was staring mindlessly down the bread/candy isle and watched a loaf of bread literally fly off the shelf. There was no one around. Like not even five minutes after that, a man came up to me and asked for the bread isle and he stayed down there for like ten minutes and I told a coworker that if he brought up that same haunted bread I had put back, I was going to freak out.

Basically, I stopped seeing the people who comes through the doors as less than human and more like cattle months ago and I need to get out of here because it’s putting a lot of stress on me.

I may have gone overboard. I don’t know if you can tell, but I really needed to vent lol.

[entergamingxp]

The Diamond Casino Heist is GTA Online’s most exhilarating score and an exercise in self-parody • Eurogamer.net

In one of the opening missions of GTA Online’s latest update, heist aficionado and lovable oaf Lester talks about how he was a good kid before he played Street Crimes Gang Wars, the in-universe version of Grand Theft Auto. As the bassline hums in the background, he starts to ramble about the gun-toting opportunists trying to lift your cargo, a set of arcade cabinets necessary to kickstart a run-down arcade business, a front for the game’s latest (and greatest) heist. “They must be gamers,” he says.

A walking parody of all things but especially itself, minutes later GTA Online treats me to a radio advert for Shark Cards, the game’s infamous microtransaction system that has made it the most profitable entertainment product of all time. Shutting my car door after a successful delivery, I get my usual daily text from Agent 14 about purchasing a million-dollar Mobile Operations Center to help with the efficiency of my Gunrunning business, one of many plates that need spinning if I’m to stay afloat in this demanding second life. I don’t even want the unnecessary vehicle but my brain, falling prey to the marketing machine, wonders whether completing this latest big score will afford me the currency necessary to get him to stop nagging me.

A packed-out patch for a six-year-old live service, The Diamond Casino Heist is designed to turn heads, all the way down to the balance tweaks that players have been begging for. The greatest issue addressed concerns the most hated (and loved) vehicle introduced in Online’s history, the Oppressor Mk 2.

Here I am posing with my very own Oppressor, which I definitely don’t use to blow up mortals when I’m navel-gazing.

For the uninitiated, the Oppressor is GTA Online’s forbidden fruit, a piece of powerful technology introduced to this virtual society without proper consideration, one that Rockstar can’t take back now that players have adopted it. A gateway to sin and loss of naivety, this flying motorbike can cross the map in minutes and has homing rockets bolted to the front, making it a virtual nihilist’s wet dream. It’s a four million dollar chrome-wrapped beacon of wealth and power that makes most of Online’s most difficult missions laughable.

Rockstar has stuck a five-minute timer on summoning this griefing machine, as well as supposedly reducing phone notifications (I haven’t really noticed) and limiting the ‘Kill Yourself’ command, making it harder to leave this late-capitalist dystopia on your own terms. This is for your own good though – it’s to address a common phenomenon where griefers would kill you and then shoot themselves to balance out their K/D and avoid punishment from Rockstar’s all-seeing eye of Sauron. At this point, it’s impossible for Rockstar to cut out the bad behavior at its root, but a few slaps on the wrist might refocus players into less trivial pursuits.

Speaking of which, now that the Arcade is set up I’m able to start preparing the heist, an innovative, multiple-phase ordeal that is nearly 20 missions long if you fulfill every optional detail. Crews will have to first scope the casino to see what information they can glean on a time limit. You can take photos of entry and exit points, security details and suspicious items, sending them to Lester who will respond with new methods of approach and optional side missions to make the final heist more creative.

This isn’t just the illusion of choice either – the number of security shipments you damage in one mission will directly affect the number of guards in the casino underbelly. Similarly, if you scope out the secret sewer exit you’ll be able to dart away from the cops through a series of subsurface tubes, Italian Job style.

You can choose, spray and upgrade which cars to use in the getaway, with low-brow vehicles equalling a smaller cut from your take.

As you may be able to tell, this latest heist is designed to be completely adaptable. One of the most infuriating aspects of previous heist missions is that if you fail a single objective you’ll have to start again, even if in reality it wouldn’t result in the end of the road. With The Diamond Casino Heist, you can switch tact on the fly and dip into three separate styles of approach if somebody drops the ball – disguised, sneaky or aggressive. This means all is not lost on a single missed headshot or dodgy pathing, you can just brandish a machine-gun and go guns blazing. It feels more reactive, the gameplay reflecting the tense, dynamic approach to heisting seen in Overkill’s Payday 2.

This adaptive style doesn’t transfer to the setup missions, however. What I liked was the space Rockstar allows for you to experiment and come up with your own canon, where I’d have my friends try and cut enemies off at certain map landmarks – one example involved heading to the airfield to steal a dodo to crash into an unruly helicopter that was leaving the mission area. Yet despite probing your imagination, almost all of the prep missions devolve into ‘Lose the Cops’, a crescendo that Rockstar loves to lean on.

There’s an economic angle to the bloat here in that Online enables those with more means to have far superior efficiency. If you’re lucky enough to own an Oppressor, some missions are a joke, asking you to simply race around the map, lock on to a set of targets and tap a button to win, whilst the mere mortals on terra firma have to suffer. The free arcade property you receive for having a Twitch Prime subscription is a welcome gift, especially given that it’s essential for starting the heist proceedings – but it’s also only available as a rebate, which means if you don’t have the million and change upfront you’re going to have to grind or buy a shark card. It’s also in Paleto Bay, a good six and a half miles from the casino…

It’s the litany of long drives to and from the property to the casino that takes the absolute Michael De Santa – even if they inevitably lead to moments of unpredictable candor. There are precious few games where a crew can cruise in a rental sedan and wail their way through the frisson bridge of “I Want It That Way” by The Backstreet Boys. Not even the rotting corpse in the trunk can dampen that kind of team spirit.

Danny Brown’s manic, likable character links with steroid-peddling Brucie from GTA 4 to chaotic effect

We were on assignment to burn a rental car in exchange for disguised casino access from Yung Ancestor, a successful walking satire of a new-wave Soundcloud rapper played by living rap legend Danny Brown. Brown (as himself) also hosts iFruit Radio, a new radio station lampooning Apple Music’s Beats 1. This follows Frank Ocean’s very own Blonded Radio which launched in-game in 2017 – itself a designated radio show on Apple Music. Ain’t it funny how it happens?

Brown waxes about the healing power of Psilocybin with UK grime hero Skepta as a rogue’s gallery of modern musical talent call in to introduce their tracks. Kenny Beats, AJ Tracey, hell even Slowthai makes the cut, the fired-up Northampton rapper who brandished a decapitated bust of Boris Johnson’s head on-stage at this year’s Mercury Prize. By carefully tapping chart-storming artists like DaBaby, Shoreline Mafia and Headie One, the curation team has managed to cram an absurd amount of pop culture catharsis into a two-hour show – the cherry on top of this iFruit salad being a set of exclusive tracks from Denzel Curry and Bauuer that are only available in-game.

Earlier in the week, I wrote about how by completing a quest in GTA Online you could conduct some cross-game archaeology and excavate a revolver in Red Dead Online’s Moonshining update. Further study has revealed that there is even more bleed between the Old West and the new – you can purchase a fortune-telling game for the arcade property that bears Madam Nazar’s likeness and name, the mysterious herald of the Collector role in Red Dead Online.

A lot of her predictions are tongue-in-cheek allusions to community in-jokes, duplication glitches and unsolved Red Dead Redemption 2 mysteries (namely “Where’s Gavin” and the mysterious time-traveler Francis Sinclair) but it turns out there’s actually some feasible bait for the Chiliad Mystery masterminds hiding behind the riddles. If you keep filling it with coins, you’ll eventually hear Nazar make mention of three sets of numbers, which when combined give you a number to call her through time and space in GTA Online, where she responds in even more cryptic terms.

Once you pull on the Emoji masks and embark upon your custom caper, The Diamond Casino Heist quickly proves itself to be the most exciting experience available in GTA Online. Whether you’re using stolen trash to infest the casino with cockroaches or tranquilizing guards with drones, you’ll make it to the vault with your heart in your throat. I’ve always thought that half the magic of a good Rockstar mission is the pulsing score, and this is no different, elevating the tension to almost feverish nausea, where all you care about is getting your cut.

Once in the vault you’ll have to scramble to shove cash in your duffel before the room fills with nerve gas. Paying for a better skeleton crew increases this timer.

Once I finally overcame the heist I felt a mix of relief and pride. I spent my hard-earned money like a true mark – on retail therapy. I’m the proud owner of one of Rockstar’s ripoff A Bathing Ape hoodies and a fancy new livery for my death bike. Come to think of it, Agent 14’s Mobile Operations Center never even crossed my mind. Maybe I’m the problem.

GTA Online is a game that demands more of its players than most, with layers of loading screens, nagging notifications and Daedalian business management systems refusing to let your attention wander. This noise can act as a smokescreen for new players, obscuring the satisfying content available to those who are yet to fight through the game’s service jank. But if you’re on the fence and you have some friends on-call, I honestly urge you to jump back in. Whether you’re a veteran who took an extended vacation from Los Santos or a rookie with a set of Twitch Prime rewards it’s still the most dynamic and limitless multiplayer open-world on the market.

from EnterGamingXP https://entergamingxp.com/2019/12/the-diamond-casino-heist-is-gta-onlines-most-exhilarating-score-and-an-exercise-in-self-parody-%e2%80%a2-eurogamer-net/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-diamond-casino-heist-is-gta-onlines-most-exhilarating-score-and-an-exercise-in-self-parody-%25e2%2580%25a2-eurogamer-net

[alwaystrustinbooks]

I saw this post on Secret Library Book Blog who had seen it on Espresso Coco. I liked the idea and so I found myself giving it a go! The A-Z of me could go any way so just be warned! I like sharing bits about my life but this will probably end up being more of an A-Z of the blogger side of myself. It will be a decent mixture at best but for those who are looking for bookish goodness then there will be plenty I promise. This is going to be quite a long post as I am going for all 26 in one go so get comfy! For those who don’t know much about me (Stuart) or Always Trust In Books, I welcome you to my slice of the book blogging world. I hope you enjoy the post and please share something about yourself in the comments to help me get to know you better!

A Is For Always (Trust In Books)

My blog is an unexpected avenue in my life that I have come to adore. Three years ago I had no idea what blogs/bloggers were really about and the challenges/rewards that awaited me. I set my eye on reviewing upcoming releases and promoting indie writers and the rest is history. ATIB isn’t the biggest, most popular or most exciting blog out there but it is genuine, honest and passionate about books.

B Is For Books…

Predictable I know but it’s true. Books are everything to me and always will be. Growing up in ‘not the best of scenarios’ made books a most satisfying escape from reality. I have been innately obsessed with books from the get go. Picking up elaborate and impressive looking tomes from the second I could lift them. Yes my nan and Harry Potter built the foundations of my love for books but it evolved so fast from there. I couldn’t imagine a world without books…

C Is For Christopher (Brookmyre)

It is this gentleman that was one of two authors (spoiler: the other is Joanne M. Harris) that influenced the creation of this blog. I was so impressed at his styles of writing that I sought out a platform to discuss it with other readers. From there it was just a small hop to becoming a book blogger and having the opportunity to review CB’s most recent novels. Good times.

D Is For Diversity

I read so many different genres of book. It is hard to put a finger on what genres define my blog but I would settle on SFF and Non-Fiction. I read everything though. I can jump from thriller to romance to horror to fantasy to Non Fiction. I think I read this way to avoid it getting stale or preventing the dreaded ‘book slump’. I am like this in every area of my life though. I hate fitting into one category. I love gaming, gardening and going to the gym. I wonder if I will ever just settle into one groove :D.

E Is For Etymology

Image from LanguageByLaura

I have always loved words and their meanings. But it was not until I came across the workings of Mark Forsyth that I really got into Etymology (the study of the origin of words). Mark’s work is fascinating, especially his history of drunkenness) and now I am able to completely lose myself in the origins of works and how they came to be. What a dork!

F Is For Freddie

Yes I am including my children in this post! Freddie is my hero and he never fails to make my day. Funnily enough he loves books too but even he thinks I have too many! I hope he reads as much as I do even in a techno-saturated existence. I can only dream!

G Is For Gaming

If I am not working, familying (not a word be should be), reading, cleaning, tidying, shopping, planning, eating, sleeping or exercising, I am gaming. It was another escape for me in youth and I never actually grew out of it. I actually own a PS4 and a XBOX ONE because I am that much of a dork. I know most people roll their eyes at the idea of playing games but as the quality and range of the technology has matured, they have become an almost exquisite style of story telling. Just take Red Dead Redemption 2 for example. That narrative is just as superb as anything I have ever read in a book. Top marks.

H Is For Hunting (Books)

Looking for a complete set of books is incredibly satisfying. I have recently finished my John Grisham collection. I am now moving my sights to an Agatha Christie set. Wish me luck!

I Is For Inspiration

Book blogging can be hard to figure out at the very beginning for many reasons. It takes time to craft a website, think up content ideas, make bookish contacts, nurture a blogging voice that represents your passions and much more. Finding inspiration at the early stages helped me to shape my blog so I just wanted to say thanks to Bibliophile Book Club, The Tattooed Book Geek, Keeper Of Pages, Swirl and Thread, Bibliobeth, Where Is My Mind?, Lovedreadingthis and Novel Delights (to name just a few) for your epicness.

J Is For Joanne (M. Harris)

I did warn you! Where to start? JHM is one of my heroes. Her mythology writings are so addictive that I started ATIB as a way to talk about it freely and endlessly. I have not stopped since. If you have never picked up a book by J. M. Harris then you need to drop what you are doing and get started. I recommend The Gospel Of Loki, Runemarks and The Blue Salt Road to start off with.

K Is For Kings Of The Wyld

Anyone who knows this blog will recognise this as my another of my endless attempts to include Nicholas Eames’ Kings Of The Wyld in a post. Anyone who is new to this blog, read Kings Of The Wyld. It is beyond amazing and it is probably the book I would take in the old ‘Desert Island’ scenario. It is fantasy in its prime, handing over the torch from the old guard to the new. Quality stuff.

L Is For Linkin Park

These guys are my idols. They taught me to be loud, creative, different and to love music. The passing of Chester was one of bleakest times for me in recent years and I still listen to his lyrics obsessively, taking his meaning to heart. Mike Shinoda is another superb musician who influenced my creativity growing up. Mike loves words even more than I do and he puts them to good use.

M Is For Movies

We love those movies. Now I am not going to list my favourite actors or movies as this post is way too long already. Films for me are a tricky thing because I am still not quite sure what makes a perfect movie for me. I love movies like The Pianist and The King’s Speech but I also enjoyed movies like Beerfest and Hot Rod. I have watched movies that have been ruined in one tiny moment and movies that have bored me until the last second. It is a mystery but like most things in my life, I like different choices!

N Is For Nature

I grew up in the middle of nowhere. A village that was an hour and a half from my school by bus. I loved it. So green. So fresh and lots of places to explore or get lost in. When I moved into the city, it was a bit drab to say the least. When we moved to my current home, it was like a breath of fresh air (pun intended). The perfect balance of green and town. Nature cheers me up!

O Is For Obsessiveness

When it comes to books, obsessiveness is pretty apt. Whether it be the amount of books I actually have or how I arrange them in my house or how I go about reviewing the books I read. If you have read one of my reviews then you will probably agree that they are too long but I do really worry that I haven’t included something so that is why they ramble on. Will the world end if I don’t keep my paperbacks and hardbacks separate? Probably not but let’s not take that risk.

P Is For Paternal

Being a dad is beyond important to me. Having kids is hard, messy, loud, sleepy and expensive but all the laughs, cuddles, legendary/mind-blowing moments and unconditional love makes it all worth it. I know… ‘wait till they grow up’… I am going to be so gutted when my boys are embarrassed of me :(.

Q Is For Quizzes

My grandfather used to put together these Christmas quizzes every year for as long as I can remember and now I can’t resist a good quiz. Me and my wife share a love of games of all varieties and one thing we bonded over was quiz night. That and charades. We love the charades.

R Is For Restaurants

Before I worked at my current job working with survival equipment, I was a waiter. Before that I was in retail but working in a restaurant/bar felt like my first real job. I know people who hate working restaurants and clubs but I loved it. Running around, the people, the music and the bonds you have with other staff. It can be surprisingly satisfying.

S Is For Short Stories

I wish I was a writer. I have so many ideas for short stories that I think would be awesome. I don’t think I have the patience to write a novel in its entirety but I would love to put a story to paper to see if I could surprise myself. I do have a story that has been digging itself into the fibres of my brain and pops up daily to remind me of its existence. I just don’t believe I am the one to write the story. Short Stories are my number one favourite styles of writing so I would be honoured if I could contribute to the cause. I will just put a pin in that I think.

T Is For Tobias

Yes! More offspring! Tobias looks exactly like his mother in every way. He gives his brother a run for his money even though he is 3 years younger. He is now just learning to talk and it seems like he has plenty to say about life.

U Is For Unboxing

I may have got the bug from my first experience with a subscription book box called MyChronicleBookBox. It is so satisfying to unbox stuff, no wonder there is a whole entertainment industry surrounding it. I am definitely an unboxer now. That is as dorky as it sounds…

V Is For Venice

I don’t really travel. I had anxiety issues as a youth which didn’t really inspire my travel curiosity. I did go to Italy for a week though and went to Venice. That was a cool trip, I never knew that Venice was made up of 118 islands. Each one has its own custom and style. We visited quite a few, including the glass blowing island, and I was blown away (bad pun… awful pun). So different from where I am from 😀

W Is For Wife (Skip this one if you can’t handle affection)

My wife is my best friend. I am not gushing, that is the truth. We could take on anything in the world when we work together and I love it. We have been married for almost six years and I dearly hope we can make it to sixty. You can call me naive or ignorant but I truly believe that we belong together. Our relationship isn’t perfect, not a single one is. But I can rely on my wife when it matters and that means the world to me. (This post should have come with a free sick bag but I couldn’t afford it so… apologies)

X Is For Xenagogy

X is a tough letter. A lot of X words are negative! So I have gone with Xenagogy which is a super posh word for………. A Guidebook. Because this post is like a guide to me. And Always Trust In Books… I’m sorry this has been a long post! But it you have to admit! It is an interesting word of the day!

Y Is For Yabbering

I do tend to yabber, especially during reviews and general conversations. My wife loves to watch me talk to people in shops and other settings as I am, for want of a better word, awkward. She’s happy to watch me go on and on not making any sense for ages until finally stepping in and clearing up any confusion with ease. Its a shame she doesn’t translate my reviews into simple, short passages but wheres the charm in that?

Z Is For Zapatos (Shoes)

I have been learning Spanish for quite some time now. On and off for years really. I couldn’t assign an element of my life or blog to the letter Z so here we are. Shoes! I do love the Spanish language and I do one day foresee myself actually speaking it properly instead of blurting out random words occasionally whenever it suits me. We can all dream. My favourite Spanish word is probably Maravilloso or Asqueroso (yes I know what the second one means) as they are fun to say.

Thank you for sitting through probably my longest post to date! I am not sure why I did the whole alphabet in one go or whether it is too much of me and my blog in one place but hey, it’s finished and I am happy with how it came out. I had to cut this down btw… a lot. I hope plenty of people make it to the end. If your reading this then I thank you 1000 times over. Please tell me some things about yourself in the comments! I hope you all enjoyed this post and come back to see the 101 best things about book blogging post I am working on very soon (I am joking). It’s 1001 best things about book blogging :D.

THE A-Z OF ME #bookblogger #reader #booknerd #aboutme #reading #blog #bookaddiction #amwriting #AtoZ I saw this post on Secret Library Book Blog who had seen it on Espresso Coco…

[tydlhe-blog]

Problems with customer service

Or more specifically, the customers. Its become a meme: the disgruntled customer service worker being all sassy and shit to the chick with the “let me speak to your manager” haircut and her 4 kids. It’s not easy to put on the Welcome face every day. My friends have asked me time and again:

~“I need this job, how do I get through the day without killing anyone?”

First off, I’m not going to argue over the conditions one’s life needs to be in to have to force themselves to do something they hate for money. Times are hard in this fast-paced world, and we don’t know everyone’s story. We do what we can and what we need to to make ends meet, so before we go any further: good job taking initiative.

You decided manual labor wasn’t for you (unless you didn’t decide that yet. In any case, give it a thought if you’re not happy where you’re at) and decide to go for something that seems easy on paper. And honestly, from experience, the jobs THEMSELVES aren’t hard. Whether it be stocking shelves, answering phones or customer questions, being a cashier, or even serving a table, the task at hand is usually pretty simple by default. But what makes that shit hard?

SHITTY CUSTOMERS.

Regular customers are no problem at all. In fact, some people take a small bit of satisfaction from helping a pleasant and polite person (weird huh?), and even a minimally polite person who says his please’s and thank you’s doesn’t take anything away from your day.

But the nightmare ones…those can sour any mood in a heartbeat. A couple of old coworkers back in the day called them “crusties”. They come in several types: ~The Ultra Specific: things must, even if premade, be made SPECIFICALLY to their tastes. What do you mean its extra? I’m the customer! ~The Lying: The label DID say 6.99! Even though it says its 7.99! Call the manager, there MUST be a mistake! ~The Wreck Handler: Go ahead kids, be like locusts and plague this store! They get paid to clean up after us after all; they should consider thabking us for giving them something to do! ~The “Last Time They Let Me Do This”: Yea it might be completely against the rules, but this person let me do it! Name’s not important, but they TOTALLY let me get away with it! (Variation of The Lying) ~The Drunk: I might be intoxicated and vulgar and loud, but you’re a very rude cashier. The only possibly dangerous type of the crusties. ~The Offended: You need to see my ID? What, you don’t believe me? Rude! ~The “I’m a Server Too So It’s Okay”: You had BETTER let me and my friends act like jerks; I work at a place!

In the customer service industry, you WILL encounter at least 2 in a work week. Heck, on our worst days, we might have accidentally gotten snippy with a cashier or server (with reason, bad service and rude employees). But the true definition of a crusty is one who is rude for literally NO REASON, and who indulges in any of the variations. They will ruin you. There are usually other factors contributing to a shit job (bad management, no business, understaffed) but for the most part the crusty is the main cause of strife in a high traffic customer service job, be it retail or food service.

Now that we’ve identified the crusty, what is the best way to avoid stress from having to wade through them on an almost daily basis?

For starters, think of it like dealing with a child (even if some of them come with kids). You can try reasoning with it, but if a crusty doesnt listen the first time, they’re still unlikely to listen to you the 2nd or 3rd time unless you’re the manager (and sometimes not even then!). So why waste the breath yelling back or repeating yourself more than twice? Why devote any stress to it? You’re doing your job, doing your best, protecting yourself and going by the book. That may not be the innvoative way to get through life, but you’re not here to innovate. If you can be flexible, be flexible. If you can’t, you can’t. No need to feel guilty or let them get you down.

Secondly, LET the crusty rant and rave about how awful things are for them. Bonus points if they yell. It makes them look HILARIOUS and only serves to further identify their crusty-ness. Your higher-ups will see this display of awful and silently take your side.

Lastly remember: ALL JOBS ARE TEMPORARY. You don’t need to be here if you have other options, which (without getting preachy) you should never stop looking into. Even if its another customer service job, make sure any other place you want to go to will be worth your time. A person screaming in your face that their cup has not enough ice in it will ALWAYS be a crusty. That’s a mostly permanent condition, but your suffering doesnt have to be. You can always look for something new. They choose to be a crusty and you chose to better yourself. So why devote any stress to it?

If you like serving, serve. But you’re perfectly free to do so in a crust-free environment. Let that get you through your day. You’ve got the power to control your destiny, while some are doomed to wallow in the crust they create.

-Tydlhe

[happysaladengineer-blog]

Tooth Defender Review – Tooth Defender Tested and Proven To Restore Tooth and Gums

Tooth Defender Review – Tooth Defender Tested and Proven To Restore Tooth and Gums. Learn more about Tooth Defender Review – Tooth Defender Tested and Proven To Restore Tooth and Gums. I call this system Tooth Defender Review – sounds like something a cop would think of, right? Tooth defender scam? No, Tooth defender is not scam at all. Tooth defender can help you restore tooth and gums. With our system, you will, in the privacy of your own home, prevent and even cure your gingivitis or periodontitis quickly, safely and easily. It works using simple natural methods that won’t break your bank account. You won’t be doing anything weird like gargling with vinegar or anything equally gross! Just a simple, natural balanced way to take care of your mouth guaranteed to deliver permanent and amazing results. -This radically simple yet effective program will work for you, even if you… -Have severely damaged teeth and gums. -Haven’t been to the dentist in years. Have been told by your dentist that it’s too late. Even if you feel that you’ve tried absolutely everything… you haven’t tried the Tooth Defender. Now let me just explain what the Tooth Defender is not… It’s not costly… it’s not going to ask you to spend a whole lot of time doing weird stuff in your mouth… this isn’t some deal where you have to make dramatic dietary changes you’ll hate… The Tooth Defender is for men and women who are tired of ridiculous and disgusting quick fixes, tired of funding their dentist’s lifestyle and tired of feeling self-conscious about their breath and the way their smile looks. This system is custom made for people who want real, tangible and measurable results. There are no push a button solutions in life. Everything takes some effort. What I’ve done with the Tooth Defender is assemble everything you need into an easy and affordable system that makes bringing back a healthy and attractive smile a synch. So if you’re like the thousands of other smart folks who’ve watched this presentation, and you’re ready to revitalize your teeth and gums, then here’s what the Tooth Defender is going to deliver. So if you want to… Guarantee fresh and pleasant breath that won’t turn people away. Stop the bleeding gums caused by gingivitis. Eliminate the serious decay that comes with periodontitis and save yourself pain and embarrassment. Avoid the cost, pain and stress of dental surgery. Re-mineralize cavities in your teeth – it’s possible to avoid fillings and root canals. Guard against oral cancer. Avoid the pain and anxiety of root canals. Whiten your teeth for a brilliant and attractive smile. Eliminate tooth sensitivity so you can enjoy your favorite hot and cold foods again. Give yourself back the self-confidence that periodontal diseases steal away. Then the Tooth Defender isn’t the solution for you… it’s the only solution for you! Total oral health provides you with clear and easy to understand dental facts to help you make healthy, life-affirming choices about your dental health. Here’s just some of what you’ll receive: A comprehensive and all natural guide to do it yourself oral care – yes, you really can guarantee a healthy, fresh and attractive mouth without nearly useless dental insurance and expensive surgeries. A specific and easy eating plan that highlights what foods to eat and not to eat to ensure a healthy mouth and even re-mineralize teeth Prevent the tragic loss of your teeth by restoring your gums to full health. How to prevent root canals. Save your mouth (and your pocketbook) from thousands of dollars of unneeded dental procedures, and increase your overall health and vitality You learn about kid’s dental needs and how to guarantee they never have to face the pain and embarrassment of periodontal diseases. How you can literally straighten teeth at home without the need for ridiculously expensive braces. Safe and healthy do’s and don’ts. How to keep your tongue healthy and why this is so important. And so much more! If you’re looking for the easiest, fastest and let’s be honest – permanent oral health solution on the planet, then my Tooth Defender is exactly what you need! The idea that you can prevent periodontal disease, reverse even severe gum and tooth decay and do it all without costly medications, expensive dental surgeries and without ever having to hear that dreaded drill again… well, it’s pretty astonishing, isn’t it? Maybe you’re thinking that the Tooth Defender with all of its amazing benefits is going to cost you quite a lot of money. But I didn’t work with Andrea to develop this product to fleece people and make a fast buck. I mean, we’re trying to help you avoid costly dental bills and pain, not add to it! After what I went through… and coming out the other side happier and healthier than I’ve been in many years… I knew that it was my mission to help others like me. In addition to what I’ve discussed above, I’m also going to throw in a special gift. When you get your Tooth Defender today, I’m going to throw in a powerful do it yourself guide to make your own toothpaste and mouthwash right at home. These techniques allow you to create oral care products that have proven to be far and away superior to anything you can buy at the store. A retail value of $39. So now you’re not just getting the Tooth Defender, you’re also going to be able to create better dental care products right at home and save money on corporate products that don’t do the job as well. Hey, if the leading brands were the best… then why are half of all adults getting periodontal diseases? Of course, you could just walk away now. You could do what you’ve been doing and spend 10, 20 or even 50 times the retail cost of total oral health at the dentist without really knowing if you’re going to be able to avoid the worst case scenario – losing your teeth and getting dentures. With root canals topping $2,000, and the cost of a single dental implant reaching over $4,000 at the low end… and those braces costing thousands… is it any wonder why there are so many dentists? These are the costs of not taking action. Let’s not even talk about gum grafts, fillings, bridgework and paying your insurance premiums that for most of us, cover only a small fraction of the costs… Tooth Defender Review – Tooth Defender Tested and Proven To Restore Tooth and Gums. Learn more about Tooth Defender Review – Tooth Defender Tested and Proven To Restore Tooth and Gums.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUt-EpKGGC0