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katsukikitten · 5 years ago

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Princess prt 4

You lie awake, waiting on baited breath to hear his own slow. Still you are unsure. He may be hot tempered but he is the master at even breathing, even when he was sprinting full speed with your weight, cradled in those strong arms. People, guards you assume, walk near the tent in unpredictable rounds interfering with the moisture radius you've set alarming you to a possible threat.

Eventually exaustion pulls you under so hard and so fast that you cannot keep up with your normal radius.

Something pulls at the water in the air, calling it forth and instantly you react.

Contorting yourself, half turned at the waist, to aim your dominate hand at the threat. Holding a large bald man who is covered in tattoos by his blood.

Steaming water stays stooped in time, forever cascading into a mostly empty tub. Your breathing becomes ragged, he had generated so much water, had gotten much too close.

He could have killed you if he wished. You squeeze your hold on him and his eyes bulge just a bit. He cannot fight back like Father did.

As you watch his face twist in horror you feel something sing deep into your bones before you smell the heavy tang of blood, so much of it you can taste it in your mouth as if misted in the air.

The power calls to you to do it, you've done it countless times.

What's one more?

"*Princess*." A husky growl, and a tight grip on your hip, "I would appreciate if you didn't kill my favorite bath filler. He is one of the few in his family who can call upon it so hot."

You turn to face the King slowly, when you meet his eyes you begin to feel more than just the man's frantic heart beat and rushing blood.

More than the dark call of your power.

Starting with the heated touch of his skin to yours followed by the searing pain of your left cheek. Some how in the middle of the night you flipped onto your left, smothering your wound. You throw your hold with a flick of the wrist and the sound of water filling a tub returns almost drowned out by a man gasping for breath.

Birds sing, thankful for another morning. You clench your jaw and slowly exhale through your nose. The smell of spice already begins to fill the yurt.

Scarlet eyes look over the other figure in the room before holding onto yours.

You offer him nothing but a heated, overly alert gaze as the rest of the world moves on. He stands and you wrap yourself in the cool white sheets to sit as the man bows to the ash blonde.

"Thank you Mizu." Katsuki dismisses but before Mizu leaves you pipe up.

"There is only one tub?" Venom drips over every syllable as you feel you know the answer.

"Ah how could I forget about you Princess," He leans over and passes a small bucket to Mizu, "Fill this one for the lady."

"That will not be enough!"

"I've got rags. You can sponge yourself. What with your leg wound you cant submerge it." He hisses as he gets into the over sized tub letting out the smallest of sighs as he plunges himself shoulder deep.

The water is hot enough that you see sweat already forming on his brow.

Mizu fills the small bucket and gives the smallest bow before leaving. You stand and snatch the bucket up. It is more a size for washing ones face than their whole body.

Plus you *need* to submerge it to heal it.

You step into the tub and his face becomes that much more heated.

Red with anger, blush.

"What the fuck are you doing?!" He lashes but you still sit across from him.

You have more than enough room to keep your knees slightly extended that your feet are between his outstretched ones. Should you wish you could fully extend your legs and your feet would only reach his knees. The water comes up to your collar bone when you slouch.

"No one shares bath water with the King. Not even his queen." A growl so dark, had he not been engulfed in water explosions would have skittered across his skin in warning. You glare into his intense crimson eyes.

"Then it is a good thing that I have no King." You growl, feathers ruffled so early in the morning that only being enveloped in your weapon would make you feel better. You ignore his lingering glare as you begin to work your calf wound first, by the time the bath is over it should be nothing but a scar. But your face....

Well your face will be different story.

You attempt to collect water from the smaller bucket and splash it onto your face.

Your wound feels as if it coils away and you cannot help but wince. Your face contorts, worsening the second heart beat that is your cheek.

All the while scarlet eyes rover over the stitches that feel as if they are pulling your skin apart instead of together.

He watches many failed attempts before he grabs onto your wrist, with a steel grip.

"You'll never get it clean that way dumbass." He snarls, reaching for a white rag, he dips it into your little bucket of water making a come here motion with the rag.

You look at him with such malice that he snorts, eyes shifting away before coming back full force.

"Never had a face injury I see. They are more delicate than most wounds huh?" It is then do you look at him with sharp enough eyes to see the ever so faint scars upon his own face and even throat.

Faded with time, age and possibly proper treatment.

"Know that we are in my element." You growl before adjusting yourself to sit on your knees between his, you hold his once more to deliver a final threat, "Know at any second I could strip you of your sweat and drown you with it."

He gives a cruel smile in response before you close your eyes. He is gentle, much more gentle than the one they called Momo last night. Your eyes flutter as he wipes away the old ointment and some dried blood and you sink your nails into your thighs to avoid biting your swollen lip. He is even more gentle with your bottom lip as you feel a single digit follow over the curvature of it. Somehow you relax into his touch, time stretches and only the sound of sloshing water can be heard.

Before your eyes snap open to feel a fast approaching figure, they stay focused over the shoulder of the King who seems to watch your tension.

A ruby red head barges into the tent, sounding exasperated as he speaks.

"Your majesty I respect your decision but what the fuck?"

Then garnet eyes widen, cheeks slightly flushed as he bows.

"Princess. I beg your pardon." He gives his back to you both, "So she *is* your queen then."

"She isnt my Queen!" "I'm no one's Queen!"

We both yell with such fury but all that Prince Kirishima does is laugh.

"What is he doing here? In the badlands and not in the mountains."

A smile laced with mischief captured his almost kissable lips.

"He is my general." Katsuki says, placing the rag onto the side of the tub to dry.

"How could he be? He is a prince of his own lands."

"I started as a poor boy traveling the bad lands. I grew up with King Bakugou. He took me under his wing, taught me to best utilize my quirk. The mountain people, just like the badlandians do not go by lineage. They go by power, if you defeat the former King then you've earned the title. I'm repaying my debt by being his general as well. " Kirishima speaks and your eyes narrow.

Does this mean he murdered his own father?

"Did you not say you were a Prince at my auction?" You watch as Katsuki dunks his head under for just a second.

He is too trusting.

When he comes back up he runs his hands through his wet hair and some of it clings to his forehead, it's odd not to see it in it's usually spiked mess.

Your heart races.

"All titles are trivial when it comes to the High King aren't they?" Kiri asks peeking over his shoulder to see more of your exposed sunkissed skin. Only to get a cold glare from the king himself as he steps from the bath, wrapping a towel around his waist.

"Give me a moment and we can speak privately, General. As for you Princess I'll put ointment on your wound when you're done soaking." He sets down two fine bottles of creamy white liquid. Shampoo and conditioner you guess.

"You may speak in my audience. You'll need it considering you're now at war with the High King." With Bakugo out of the water you stretch to your hearts content. Practically moaning at the heat of the water.

Bakugo growls, turning to say something to you only half dressed.

"She's right. We are most likely at war." Eijirou inturpts and you smile satisfactory at him.

Eijirou sits in one of the two blood red chairs, the one that faces you in the tub, ruby eyes glitter as they stare at you. You've adjusted yourself to a better view for Eijirou to admire without realizing it. You sit straight now so you can focus and hear but that leaves the top of your breasts exposed to air.

Exposed to a hungry man with a toothy smile.

That is before a stern looking Bakugo looms over him.

Eiji stands to sit in the chair that gives you his back as Bakugou takes his seat with you in his sights. He stares coolly at your relaxed face as you lean your head back for a moment. Displaying your throat for him, he swallows the thought of his teeth nipping at that tender skin.

He looks to his general, forcing himself not to admire your body once more.

"She will be an excellent bargaining chip." Katsuki speaks and you roll your eyes.

"A bargaining chip that made the High King bow on his *knees* in front of thousands upon thousands of people and four foreign princes." You comment eyes still closed, "Not to mention you whisked this bargaining chip away before he could commit homicide on his own daughter in front of the crowd. That alone would have worked towards your advantage better than letting me live. Many would have questioned his sanity. His stability to rule. Instead you supported my declaration for war."

You slowly open your eyes to stare up at the ceiling of the tent, you realize now that the black canvas above is painted with flecks of silver and gold stars. You curse yourself for losing your observing touch all from wounding yourself.

Especially damning considering what is to come.

"She has a point." Kiri speaks up. Burning red eyes flick away from you and pierce into his general.

"How long do you think it will take your father to rebuild his ships?" Kiri looks over his shoulder and you shrug.

"Doesn't matter. I think this time he will wait for us to come to him but I won't know for sure until he sends a scout." You subconsciously swirl the water into the air with your fingers as you think, "If its Ares then war is coming to us and it's coming hard, if he sends any other brother then he's planning on waiting it out."

"That's right if King Toben sent you or Ares then it meant he wasn't playing around." Kiri comments, eyes still trailing in your direction.

You are surprised that the Prince of the Mountains would know that. It is not common knowledge and none have lived long enough to tell. Ares and yourself were on strick orders to kill on sight until Father arrived. You go to comment before you are rudely interrupted.

"Either way I will get what I want." Katsuki hisses, "General another time. Princess you've soaked long enough."

You glare with such intensity that any other man would quiver. But never the Barbadian King. You stand despite the general still being present and Bakugou gives you such a look that plants would whither beneath his heated gaze.

Kirishima silently enjoys the show, the curvature of your hips, your broad strong shoulders and your soft supple looking tits. He salivates at the thought of tasting you, that is until he sees his King turn to face him.

Kirishima bows, before exiting, "Another day my King."

He does not understand the King's hostility if he is so agaisnt keeping you.

"I see you have no shame." Katsuki passes you a fine towel. One that is neither too rough or soft. You take it greedily and begin drying yourself off, you start with your face, and the kind fabric pulls harshly on the rough stitch on your lip. You let out the smallest whimper trying hard to keep your eyes from tearing. An angry sigh fills the remaining silence of the tent.

"Gentle dumbass." He growls, tenderly disentangling the fabric, "You'll pull the stitch. That is unless you want Momo to have to start over again."

You shake your head as he pops the top of a small jar filled with a thick translucent gel. You hold still as swift fingers work over the stitches so softly that you barely feel them on your cheek.

You watch his blood red eyes as he works. They are hard, focused before they linger on your lips, something in them changes. He slowly drags his finger over your lip, it moves to the pad of his middle finger before he let's it go. You feel heat on your cheeks for no damn good reason. You turn away quickly.

"Thank you." You says harshly, "but next time I will apply it myself. My clothes?"

You hear him slam the jar down, before he produces the black outfit with the white fur.

"No way in hell." You snarl in his mother tongue. He chuckles.

"It's that or your towel Princess." He replies smoothly, his accent having almost a low drawl in his first language, "How did you learn? I've been dying to know since your argument with the old man."

"I must know all the languages of the kingdom, other wise how will I ever know when they conspire agaisnt me." You snatch the clothes from his capable hands before throwing the towel on the floor.

Still you hesitate. If you put this on will they think you his queen? Won't you be back at square one?

You smirk to yourself as you pull yourself into the tight but comfortable pants and the low cut vest adorned with contrasting white fur.

The King's slight blush confirms what you already know, that you look fucking killer.

No, with this outfit you will not be his queen. You will be the High Queen even if it's the last thing you do.

#bakugou katsuki #mha bakugou #bakugou x reader #katsuki bakugou #katsuki bakugo x reader #bakugo x reader

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squishymoth · 4 years ago

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Moth’s and Lorelei’s Veggie or Vegan Sandwich Tips:

To preface this I’m kind of a picky eater, especially about textures. Most delis in my area's offerings for vegetarians are made up of various roasted veggies, avocado and cucumber, resulting in a very GOOPY unappetizing sandwich.

I also don’t subscribe to the idea that vegetarians should only eat vegetables, and that fake meats are all flavorless and pointless. Most of the tastiest vegetarian sandwiches I’ve had include fake meats.

Nothing I’ve written here is crazy insightful or revolutionary but if anything here helps someone make a tasty vegetarian or vegan sammy I will be happy.

Additions specifically written by my lovely girlfriend Lorelei are marked (L) for Luigi.

Sandwich thoughts below the cut!

Fake Meat:

I will start with the cheaper, easier to find fake meats. Good vege sandwiches should be accessible IMO. I believe these brands will be more widely available and you won’t have to go to a specialty health food store to find em.

Morning Star Farms Bacon:

The MSF bacon is salty and savory and can be as crispy or chewy as you like. Just cook it a couple minutes on either side in a dry non-stick pan. I’m not sure that it tastes exactly like bacon, but it’s strong point is that it has a good flavor all on its own which is what I think defines any good vege meat.

Morning Star Chik Patties:

A great chik’n patty if you are looking for a crispy chicken sandwich, easy to cook in the skillet or the microwave (both ways come out tasty and crispy). Overall Morning Star has good stuff and is widely available.

Tofurkey:

really succeeds at a lunch meat texture and has a subtle savory flavor that allows it to support other sandwich ingredients.

Fancier Fake Meats:

Green Slice Meatless Deli Slices:

(WARNING not all of them are vegan some use egg white) I’ve often wondered why there was no vege ham alternative, on a recent grocery run I discovered there was one! Green Slice’s applewood smoked slice (I have only tried this flavor, but I’m sure the others are also good) these have a lovely very meat-like texture and flavor. My only quibble is that they are very small and there aren’t that many.

Sweet Earth Facon:

This bacon smells amazing and tastes very bacony. It is cooked in oil, make sure to use paper towel to blot off extra oil.

Light Life Smoky Tempeh Bacon:

Tempeh itself gets a bad rap (you have to cook it in a very specific way), but honestly for sandwiches tempeh is not worth using unless its smokey tempeh bacon. It has a lovely flavor, but it is a very different experience to the other two facons in this list. Imagine it as the contrast between your typical everyday bacon and a thick cut, pepper corn encrusted, artisanal bacon. It is thicker and chewier, but has a delicious smoky sweet flavor.

Tofu:

Pan Seared Tofu:

Ok if you’re really not into fake meats or you just like tasty tofu here is a home made, very tasty, and pretty all purpose recipe for a tofu sandwich filling. This recipe is from The Pho Cookbook by Andrea Nguyen. Best part about it, no need to press! Cooking it in the pan before adding oil drives off water super well, and gives a really unique tenderness. We eat this on it’s own, it’s that good!

Ingredients: firm tofu, 1 TBSP neutral oil, 1 TBSP soy sauce (optional in this case if it doesn’t fit the VIBE of your sandwich, if you leave out the soy sauce make sure to compensate with other umami ingredients in the sandwich)

Instruction: cut your tofu into desired shape (triangle or domino or whatever) put them in a DRY non stick pan, and drizzle with soy sauce on both sides (if desired, salt and pepper could also be used).

Cook on medium without disturbing the pieces for ~5 mins.

Drizzle with oil and then flip them, allow the second side to cook for ~5 mins.

To check if the second side is ready try shaking the pan a little, if the tofu moves you can flip. If they are not to your desired brownness flip again and allow to continue cooking until you are satisfied. You are looking for a mottled brown color.

Crispy Tofu:

If you are looking for a crispier tofu here is a homegrown method that I’ve learned through trial and error, also a great addition to spring rolls.

Ingredients: firm tofu, neutral oil, salt and pepper (any other seasoning you like). OPTIONAL: a sauce as in orange sauce, teriyaki, or even BBQ (never tried BBQ but it could work.)

Instructions:

Most important thing for crispy tofu is to drain and PRESS IT. I would press it for between 15-20 minutes. Either cut up your pieces to desired shape and size before pressing or press the whole block if you want to prepare a big portion.

After they are pressed and the moisture is removed, season your tofu. I’ve experimented with rolling tofu in cornstarch to add an extra crispiness but it should crisp up on its own. You may just sprinkle your desired seasoning on both sides as you like.

In a non stick pan fry tofu on both sides in oil (enough to coat your pan) on medium high heat until golden brown and crispy. When cooking tofu I’ve heard it’s good to leave it undisturbed before flipping to prevent bits sticking to the bottom and preserve inner softness. Try shaking the pan, if the tofu moves a bit it is not going to stick to the pan and lose it’s crispy outer layer. When they are finished cooking set the tofu on a paper towel to remove any excess oil.

OPTIONAL: in the last minutes of cooking add a sauce of your choosing, flip the tofu to coat.

Fats:

Avocado:

Avocado is a great addition to almost any sandwich, especially if you are vegan or lactose intolerant. It can easily take the place of cheese or mayo in 99% of sandwiches.

Vegan Cheese:

My girlfriend has tried MANY vegan cheeses and has found all of them to be disappointing. So we have no recommendations for vegan cheese.

Garlic Butter:

A tasty spread to up your sandwiches flavor. we don’t have a recipe with EXACT measurements, this is all to taste. This can be applied to any sandwich for extra flavor and fat.

Ingredients:

A couple spoonfuls of Butter/Vegan butter

1 small garlic clove (or garlic powder)

Black pepper

Italian herb blend (or pretty much any green herb, fresh or dried [dried preferred] will be tasty)

Honey (if vegan just leave out the honey)

Instructions: In a small bowl grate your garlic clove into the butter, add all other seasonings and the optional honey, and mix. Make sure and taste, if you find it under flavored add more of the flavor stuff, if it is overpowering add more butter (this can keep in the fridge if you end up with too much). Then just spread the desired amount on your toasted bread.

(L) Mayonnaise:

Ok listen, it's stinky. But so is almost every cheese. It adds more of a feeling than a flavor, the fattiness can really uplift a lot of sandwiches, especially with tomato. But, if you are opposed to mayo for whatever reason, avocado, cheese, even olive oil, will fill this role. (not sure about vegan mayos but it can't be that hard to nail right? (Moth does not endorse this pro mayo stance)

(L) Vegan/Dairy freeRanch:

I don’t like ranch, but this homemade stuff really justifies it. I used normal mayo but it should work with vegan mayo. This is a very loose recipe, so tweak it to what works for you

½ cup mayonnaise (egg or plant based)

½ a lemons worth of juice

¼ cup oat milk (soy and almond milk don't play nice with savory flavor)

1 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp fine chopped fresh dill (or dried, or any green herb0

Whisk the mayo, milk, and lemon together. Add your herbs, and let it sit in the fridge overnight

This is the most important step, this time allows the garlic powder to rehydrate and the herbs to steep that give the ranch its signature flavor. Ranch is basically garlic powder sauce.

I have not tested this ratio much (ok fine at all), so trust your gut!

Also fun fact, juice of 1 lemon + 1 cup of oat milk + time = 1 cup of vegan buttermilk!

MISC:

Deli dressing:

You can buy this bottled in store or make your own at home easily. It will add that deli je ne sais quoi to a sandwich. Works best on a simple sandwich that might otherwise be lacking in flavor.

Ingredients:

Olive oil

Red wine vinegar (any vinegar should do TBH)

Italian seasoning (again some dried oregano or other similar dried herbs should be fine)

Salt and pepper

OPTIONAL: put some vinegar hot sauce (tapatio, cholula, taco bell packet, etc) in that bad boy.

Instructions: mix it UP. This is another recipe that I usually just measure out by eye and taste

Falafel: I am not very experienced in making falafel so I don’t have a recipe on hand, but they are yummy.

Sprouts: a welcome addition to almost any sandwich, earthy, light and crunchy. They are also really easy to grow in a jar at home.

Pickles: love these funny dudes, they don't play well with sweeter sandwiches though. Use your judgement.

Chips: put em in there, 12 year olds know what they're doing.

Dutch Crunch: objectively the best sandwich bread.

Coleslaw: if you dislike coleslaw maybe you’ve only had a mayo based one. The only good coleslaw is vinegar based. Thin sliced cabbage, olive oil, vinegar of choice, honey (or vegan alternative) a spoonful of grainy mustard and salt and pepper. Great on a chik’n based sandwich.

Vegetarian Sandwich Ideas:

I don’t really have anything ground breaking here but here are some of the tastiest sandwiches I’ve made. If for some reason you want to try making one of these you can add or leave off anything you like. Salt and pepper all your sandwiches. And add cheese to any if you eat cheese!

BLAT or BLA:

To start this off, I don’t like tomatoes in sandwiches, I know I’m not correct, but you can add tomatoes if you want.

Ingredients:

Garlic butter

iceberg lettuce (or any lettuce)

avocado

facon (my fav is morning star farms, a fancier facon such as smoky tempeh bacon is also good but has a completely different flavor and texture)

tomatoes (optional because I do not like them)

(L) TOMATO TIP: salt and pepper your tomatoes and let them sit a moment, also if its not tomato season cherry tomatoes are ur best bet for a decent tomato from the store.

Orange Tofu Sandwich:

A note: feel free to substitute a different sauce or to omit sauce entirely. The pan seared tofu makes a good sandwich filling without any extra sauce.

Ingredients: pan seared tofu, crispy tofu, or gardein orange chikn nuggets (these come with a packet of orange sauce)

Orange sauce

Iceberg lettuce (other lettuces or even finely chopped cabbage will be good as well)

Avocado

Thin sliced sweet or bell pepper

(L) Fancy “Ham” on Rye:

Ingredients:

Rye bread The rye bread adds a lovely funky herby note to the entire experience. Its what makes it fancy.

Green Slice applewood smoked(or any You could use tofurkey, but honestly if you find it/afford it green slice has an amazing texture and deep flavor that tofurkey doesn't. This is a simple fancy sandwich, splurging is gonna go a long way here.

Garlic Honey butter

Iceberg Lettuce (again or any other lettuce, or a mix with arugula and spinach)

Optional mayo: (L) i adore mayonnaise on this kind of sandwich, it really lets the other flavors shine. I havent tried it with avocado, my gut says it wouldnt work as good but I’m not a cop put some on there avocado is yummy.

Optional cheese a sharp cheddar or fancy gruyere.

Crispy Chik’n Sandwich:

Ingredients:

Morning Star Chik Patty (spicy one if ur spicy)

Facon (strong recommendation for morning star on this one)

Vinegary vegan coleslaw (or any lettuce iceberg is recommended and easier on the fly)

Dill pickles (pickles+crispy chicken very yummy, we specify it on this one because its almost necessary for a spicy sandwich.)

Condiments of choice (ketchup, BBQ, honey, hot sauce etc)

Deli Style Sandwich:

A really basic sandwich, add whatever other sandwich fixings you like.

Ingredients:

Tofurkey

Sprouts

Iceberg lettuce

Sandwich dressing

Avocado

Pickle or Cucumber

#vegetarian cooking #vegetarian sandwiches #vegan sandwich

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thinknicht · 5 years ago

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Sakura raises her hand before the tenth question🤯

Sakura stared at the back of Naruto’s head and thought furiously. She felt her heart reaching out to him. He was so determined, so very set on becoming Hokage, on reaching his silly dream… it broke Sakura’s heart to think that he might never be able to keep dreaming if he failed this exam. She didn’t want to see that fiery spirit crushed.

Logically, Sakura knew that she had gotten every question right. And Sasuke-kun was probably going to pass as well. But Naruto… there was no way he had answered a single question correctly. This was way above academy level, way beyond Naruto’s capabilities. In fact, Sakura hadn’t seen him write at all!

Her poor teammate. It must be so hard for him – his pride wouldn’t let him give up, but if he didn’t, he would never reach his dreams. The consequences of failing were too dire. Not just for him, but for the entirety of team seven.

Sakura wondered. Should she raise her hand…?

To be honest, quitting now left a bad taste in her mouth, especially as she had done amazing. But Kakashi-sensei was right. His words of wisdom came back to her. Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their teammates are worse than scum! She couldn’t be so selfish, not when Naruto might never…

Ahem. She felt terrible. And to think that only a few months ago she’d thought of him as an annoyance rather than a teammate…

She wished so badly that she could help him… the question popped into her mind again. Should she raise her hand to soften the blow for him? The idea of giving up, especially after acing the test left a bitter taste in Sakura’s mouth. But was it really giving up, or was it just a strategic retreat? After all, team seven could still try again next year, when they were more experienced and better prepared to tackle the chunin exams. Sakura recalled her old academy instructor, Iruka-sensei, preaching to her class about patience being a virtue that would help them greatly in their ninja careers. Keeping his advice in mind, Sakura thought, and thought, and thought… and made up her mind.

(Little did she know that this decision would change the course of her entire life.)

She raised her hand.

In a heartbeat, one of the chunin proctors on standby cried out team seven’s assigned numbers, saying they’d been disqualified.

Sakura felt like she was in a dream as she slowly got up and stumbled toward the door. She saw her rival, Ino, staring at her with clear surprise. She could almost physically feel all eyes in the room trained on her.

As soon as team seven was outside of the testing room, Sakura knew she’d made a mistake. Both of her teammates seemed mad. She tried to explain her thought process, that they could try again when they were better prepared, but it was to no avail. Naruto’s arms were crossed, and she felt like she was talking to a brick wall for all that Sasuke-kun reacted. His eyes were clouded with hate. The only thing about him that was moving was his jaw, which was clenching ominously.

“I have to become strong,” he interrupted her suddenly.

“But Sasuke-kun, you already are!” cried Sakura.

“Stronger,” Sasuke grit out, his eyes filled with condemnation. “You’re worse than the dead-weight, Sakura. Didn’t you hear me? What I have isn’t a dream, it’s an ambition. You don’t understand. I have to do this. I have to kill that man. I can’t afford to–“ He cut himself off. “You’re wasting my time.” He was giving Sakura a narrow-eyed stare, borderline a sneer, his breaths ragged, and before she could make her excuses, he’d shoved past her brusquely.

“Huh? Huh?” Naruto was looking between them nervously. “Oi, teme! The person you wanted to kill, it’s not me, right?” He wasn’t looking at Sakura. She wasn’t sure whether it was a conscious decision on his part (knowing Naruto, probably not), but it was clear that he was avoiding to look in her general direction. Was he also angry at her?

…that ungrateful twat!

Sakura could feel her tears building. She couldn’t stomach the thought that both her teammates hated her.

“No,” was all Sasuke said as he walked away.

Naruto was about to follow him, but Sakura clasped his arm. She tried to explain herself:

“Naruto, don’t you see? You’re a baka, you would’ve failed the test for sure, and then you wouldn’t have been able to become hokage anymore!”

He squinted at her moodily. “What are you talking about, Sakura-chan! A stupid test like that wouldn’t have stopped me! Believe it!”

“Hm!” Her throat felt raw. “See if I care, the next time!”

Naruto looked at her for a moment. “Sakura-chan…” He gave her a searching look, but said nothing. They stood there for a moment, awkwardly, until Naruto grimaced sheepishly. Then, he turned around and ran to catch up to Sasuke.

Well, at least he still called her Sakura-chan. She never would’ve thought that hearing it would be a relief. Sakura’s shoulders sagged.

She could practically hear Ino singsonging: "My, my. How the mighty have fallen, hm, Forehead?"

Kakashi found them as they were exiting the building. He didn’t try breaking the ominous silence. It was truly a testament to his laid-back personality that he could manage to read his Icha Icha book in such a tense situation. For once, both Naruto and Sasuke seemed to have set aside their differences to build a joint front against Sakura.

Seemingly unaffected in the least, Kakashi, meandered ahead of them, leading the three genin back to the red bridge where they usually met in the mornings. “So.” He propped his hip against the bridge. “What gives?”

There was an uncomfortable moment of silence.

“We didn’t pass.” Sakura forced herself to break it.

Sasuke scoffed hatefully and Naruto crossed his arms again.

“Ma, ma. You guys are way too uptight about this. I wasn’t expecting you to pass either.”

“Liar!” Naruto shouted.

“We could’ve passed no problem!” Sasuke grit out, staring hatefully at Sakura again.

To be honest, Sakura wasn’t sure he’d looked at her so many times in a row in the entirety of their acquaintance. What did that say about her chances of dating him, she wondered sadly.

“I did expect you to pass the first stage,” Kakashi amended, scratching his head. Sakura noticed with a snap that he’d pocketed his book. “But I didn’t know that your proctor was Morino Ibiki.” His lone eye narrowed.

“Even so, we were about to pass,” Sasuke bit back, “but she ruined it!”

“Yeah! We still hadn’t heard the tenth question!” Naruto chimed in, but Sakura was still stuck on Sasuke's vitriolic words, on his hateful expression as he said them.

(But she ruined it, ruined it, ruined it.)

Did he… did he hate her now?

Sakura could feel moisture start prickling at her eyes. Discretely, she leaned over the bridge, facing in the opposite direction of Kakashi-sensei. Her tears fell unseen into the pretty blue water.

Suddenly, a hand fell upon her head, which she knew instinctively must be Kakashi’s.

“Ma… relax, you two. You’ll do a better job next time, ne?”

“Yeah, no!” Naruto shouted. “I wanna be hokage! I don’t have time to wait around for a year!”

“Neither do I, Kakashi,” Sasuke followed up with narrowed eyes.

“Strength doesn’t equal rank,” Kakashi drawled simply. “Even if you had made chunin (which probably wouldn’t be the case), as genin you will have more time to train. So! Let’s get to that tomorrow. We meet here as usual. Dismissed.”

When no one moved, Kakashi retrieved Icha Icha Paradise from his pouch and stuck his nose in it. This, as far as anyone was concerned, was the universal sign for "bugger off, brats". Still no one had moved (from what Sakura could tell), so Kakashi lazily waved a hand in dismissal and said: "Shoo."

And that seemed to do the trick.

"Shoo! He says! I'll say, when I'm hokage, no one will tell me that!" Sakura could hear Naruto's enraged muttering decrease in volume, along with another pair of footsteps which must be Sasuke's.

That was good. She didn't want them to see her tears. But neither did she want Kakashi to see them, and he had yet to leave. Instead of puffing away as usual, her sensei had remained right there next to her, leaning casually against the bridge as he thumbed trough the worn pages of his trusty novel.

It must be said that, during the course of the entire conversation, Sakura had been fighting to suppress her sobs. It had been a very long time since she'd been so overwhelmed by emotion, and, while she was successful at keeping quiet, her whole body was, though silently, shaking just the tiniest bit. But Kakashi-sensei wouldn't be a jonin worth his salt if he didn't notice such things, so of course, he pretended not to. And was very obvious about it.

“Uh, Sakura-chan…?” He sounded painfully awkward.

Unfortunately, Sakura didn’t think she could talk normally right then. Wisely, she chose not to reply, knowing all the while that she must be making Kakashi really uncomfortable, but unable to do anything about it. She couldn’t stop crying.

“Sakura-chan,” Kakashi tried again. “Come on. I know this nice little tea shop down the road. Let’s go there, ne? Your awesome sensei has free coupons!”

Sakura nodded shakily and followed a few steps behind him, swiping at her eyes.

They walked in silence for a while, but Sakura was starting to calm down. Kakashi-sensei had put a hand on her shoulder and was holding his usual book in the other. Sakura knew that he must be judging her, but at least he wasn’t being mean about it.

They made it to the tea shop.

“My eternal rival!” someone shouted. Sakura ignored the rude person until Kakashi actually replied.

“Yo!” Sakura looked up with surprise. Kakashi-sensei had lifted the hand from her shoulder, presumably to greet three ninja that were sitting on a table at the back.

The one who had shouted was by far the weirdest, with broad features, a bowl cut, eyebrows that resembled turnip leaves and a nose like a potato. The whole ensamble was completed by a bright green spandex outfit. Sakura looked away quickly; she didn’t fancy losing her eyesight. Next to him sat a man who was smoking (Ino pig’s sensei, her mind supplied) and a gorgeous woman with red eyes. Another man whom Sakura hadn’t noticed before was leaning against the wall behind them. He had very creepy round eyes… It was strange. She could've sworn that no one had been there before.

No wonder Kakashi had so many quirks, with weirdos like these as colleagues.

The man in the green spandex rushed forward. “My eternal rival! Had I known you’d come here, I’d have prepared a challenge for us to compete in!”

“Ah, no need, Gai,” said Kakashi. His hand went back to Sakura’s head, ruffling it. “I’m actually here with Sakura-chan…”

Sakura could practically feel the weight of all the adults’ gazes on her. Were they all jonin?! Kami.

Kakashi seemed largely unfazed. “Let’s get some tea.” He strolled toward the counter, ordering tea for the both of them.

“Hatake,” said the old lady in charge. “I swear if you’re planning to pay with those odious coupons again…”

“I suppose if you ask so politely, I can’t refuse.”

He began ruffling trough his pockets, pulling out scrolls, papers, an old key chain with no keys, a mask, a senbon that was encrusted with blood…

The counter was getting progressively more cluttered as Kakashi continued to produce things from his pockets. Sakura was starting to feel keenly embarrassed on his behalf, when finally Kakashi retrieved two crinkled pieces of paper from within a scroll that seemed to be filled with random bills and receipts. With a triumphant swoop, he placed them in the only empty spot on the counter.

“Hatake?” the woman was growling.

“Yes?”

“You’re a real piece of work, you know that?”

“I just like my tea better if it’s free,” Kakashi said with a smile. “It has a special kind of flavour.” He turned toward her. “Let’s get a table, Sakura-chan.” Then, he somehow grabbed everything he’d left laying around on the counter between his arms and ambled over to a table. Sakura was left to carry the tea.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sakura could see that all those weird jonin from earlier were staring at them with thinly veiled interest. The guy in green was giving Kakashi a thumbs up and bobbing his head up and down.

Kakashi turned to glare at them and suddenly they were all very interested in their tea. “So,” he said, giving Sakura an expectant look. “Fill me in?”

And without further fanfare, Sakura did. Her previous embarrassment about Kakashi’s antics had distracted her enough to feel significantly better already, and his nonjudgmental attitude was an added bonus. To be fair, it was freaking annoying that he was sorting trough the mess he’d made while she explained about the exam, but, in retrospect Sakura would've admitted that it made the whole process less tense.

Finally, she was done talking and looked at Kakashi expectantly. He looked very annoyed.

Oh, no! Not him too, thought Sakura mournfully.

But then Kakashi’s annoyance seemed to evaporate momentarily and he smiled instead. “Ma, I’m so proud, Sakura-chan. You’re going to make your sensei cry tears of joy.”

At Sakura’s stumped expression, he added:

“You put your teammates’ interests before yours, Sakura-chan. Naruto’s, specially, and I know you’re not as fond of him as Sasuke.”

Sakura blushed. That was the understatement of the year.

“But sensei… if what I did was right… why did we fail the test? It’s not fair!”

Kakashi’s face adopted the semi serious and annoyed quality it had had earlier. “Mmm… how to put this? Ibiki Morino and I don’t see eye to eye about some things. Let’s just say we have different priorities.”

Sakura frowned. “But sensei…” she took a sip of her warm tea for courage. “Even if he has a different nindo, I should have seen underneath the underneath…” She sighed. “Some ninja I am.”

Kakashi shook his head slightly, then propped his feet on the table and reopened his book. But he wasn’t done talking, apparently: “Sakura-chan. If I were you, I would consider your failure to pass like a job well done. Morino Ibiki is the head of the torture division here… seeing underneath the underneath is a bit hard with him, wouldn’t you agree? But even then, he shouldn’t have used psychological warfare on you kids like that. Besides, logically, his test has no place in the chunin exams. Being chunin is about being able to work as a team. What he did was purposefully misleading and was encouraging you to put yourself above your teammates. You did good, Sakura-chan.”

“Really?”

"Un. The purpose of the first nine questions was to gather information and pass it on to your teammates if they couldn't, which neither of you did. The only one who came close to being concerned about the team was you, Sakura-chan." Kakashi took a sip of his tea, though, unfortunately, his face was still covered by his book. “Really. If both your teammates performed this badly, that just means they weren’t ready yet.” He grinned. “Besides, I can’t imagine Naruto cheating subtly to save his life.”

Wait. Information gathering? Cheating?! Sakura's eyes opened like saucers as Kakashi's words caught up with her.

“Ch-cheating, sensei?!”

He blinked at Sakura lazily from behind his book. “How else would you complete the test? Didn’t you mention the questions required advanced calculus?”

Sakura pouted. “So we were supposed to cheat?” Once again, she’d failed to think like a ninja. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

“Ma… at least that’s what I would’ve done. The sharingan’s handy like that.”

“You’re just lazy, sensei. I bet you could’ve solved every single question if you tried.”

“I wouldn’t presume so unless you told me what they are, Sakura-chan.”

And so, Sakura told him about the questions. A few had been about tactics, but mostly they were advanced calculus (for trajectory prediction and such) and one was about disarming a civilian bomb.

“Huh… those chunin went all out,” Kakashi opined when she was done explaining. “Most jonin wouldn’t know this stuff.”

“What about you?”

“Doubting your awesome sensei already, Sakura-chan?” He wiped and imaginary tear from his eye.

“So you can solve them?” That was good, Sakura could check the answers then.

“Maaa. You don't ask a lady her age, nor a jonin his IQ, Sakura-chan. Both will lie anyway." He winked. Okaaaaaay? "Though I’d still inquire into the others’ responses, just to be safe, ne?”

Or in other words, he would still cheat because he was lazy. But at any rate, Sakura had a request: “So can I run my answers by you? I mean, I know I already failed, but…” Actually, she just wanted to see whether Kakashi knew his shit.

Kakashi slurped his tea. “I suppose your display of teamwork should be properly appreciated.”

“So…?”

“Shoot.”

“Oh, well… um, okay.” Naturally, Sakura had memorised everything about the test as usual, so discussing her answers with Kakashi took no effort on her part (she wrote it all out neatly on a spare napkin). They spent the next fourty or so minutes hashing it all out, and at one point Kakashi even put his book down to stare thoughtfully at the napkin.

It was nice. Sakura felt pretty darn smart right then, discussing complex problems with her sensei like that.

“Looks like you aced it,” Kakashi said at last. “Neat.”

Sakura couldn’t help but preen and fist-pump the air. “Cha! No need to cheat for me!”

“Ah, well…” Kakashi scratched his head. “Not in this case, no. But the real test, I think, was to see how good you were at information gathering and communication, not… uh… The elementary equations of ballistics.” He smiled uneasily. “How did you know this stuff again?”

Sakura blushed. Somehow, his comment made her think of Ino when she called Sakura a nerd. “Um. I just… like to rationalise stuff. And um… I like solving problems.”

“So you studied this in your free time?”

Sakura nodded.

“Well… how should I put this…”

Sakura interrupted him: “Yes, I know. It’s a waste of time and I should’ve spent the time training, not reading books.” She sighed. “It’s just… this is the only thing I’m good at. And not just good, but the best. It felt so nice, to, for once…”

“Sakura-chan, it’s fine. I understand. You know, sometimes we have to practice to get good at something.”

“I know…“ Sakura sighed. Of all things that she could’ve naturally excelled at, test-taking really wouldn’t have been her first pick. She recalled one of Amy’s favourite insults to her when she was little. “I’m such a paper ninja.”

“A paper ninja, huh?” Kakashi said. “That’s not a bad thing. The only other person I know who could solve this sort of thing at your age used to be an ANBU captain, you know? The youngest we’ve had, I think.”

“Huh?” That actually sounded really cool. “So he was a paper ninja too?” Sakura asked giddily.

“Um…” said Kakashi uncomfortably. “Not exactly.” (Sakura’s shoulders sagged.) “But. He was very good at projectile motion calculations. He applied the knowledge to his own kunai throwing skills, with amazing results.” For some reason, he seemed uncomfortable while talking about the mysterious ANBU captain.

“What could he do?”

“Um, I think what surprised me the most was how he could neutralise various shuriken with a single one of his,” said Kakashi. “The one he threw rebounded off the others, which he used sometimes to deflect, others to attack.”

Sakura’s mouth fell open. “That’s possible?!”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Even theoretically speaking, that would be extremely hard to calculate. Actually pulling it off…

Sakura felt her competitive side stir. Could she do it?

“I see you’re all fired up,” Kakashi commented.

“Um. I guess I’d like to try. At least on a theoretical level.”

“Well, who am I to stop my favorite paper ninja?”

Despite herself, Sakura smiled. “Sensei! Calling someone a paper ninja is rude. You’re so clueless!”

“Mou, Sakura-chan. Calling a seasoned jonin clueless is way worse. Keep it up and you’ll hurt your poor Sensei’s feelings.”

“There’s nothing poor about you,” said Sakura without thinking. “Not with how stingy you are, anyways.”

“Now that’s a compliment!”

Sakura giggled. Huh. Sensei was funny. She hadn’t thought Kakashi’s general weirdness could be funny. Normally she was annoyed at him for being late. But after today, she thought he’d have to be really late for her to get mad.

“Sensei?” She took a final sip of her tea, which was now cold. “Thank you.”

Kakashi sensei smiled, his one visible eye crinkling: it seemed more genuine than usual. “Ma, the tea was free, so don’t worry about it.”

“Wait! I wasn’t thanking you about the tea!” But Kakashi-sensei had already puffed away.

Sakura facepalmed. “Scratch that. Totally clueless.”

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acrepairfl33301-blog · 4 years ago

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Air Conditioner Repair Fort Lauderdale

Website:

https://airconditionerrepair.biz/florida/ac-repair-company-fort-lauderdale/

Address: 101 NE 3rd Ave # 2400, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Phone No: (888) 830-2341

There is no more frustrating feeling than discovering that the temperature in your house is rising and nothing you can do seems to correct the problem. This is the time to reach out and contact a competent and licensed service to perform the necessary air conditioning repair. There are many signs that can signal that your system needs maintenance. Being aware of what these signs are can provide you with a reliable gauge to decide whether or not work will be needed.

Some of these symptoms are:

- Unusual or excessively loud noise when the unit is running

- The unit cycles on and off frequently without any apparent reason

- Slow start or failure in starting

- Unit does not seem to cool as well as it previously did

- Excessive moisture problems in and around the unit

- High utility costs

While this list may seem daunting at first, an evaluation by experienced technicians can identify the specific cause and recommend a variety of options to resolve the problem. The costs of air conditioning repair may actually be far less than you might imagine. A timely fix can often add years of service life to your air conditioning unit and restore it to the level of efficiency that you had come to expect. Ignoring the problem or allowing it to continue could lead to a more expensive repair or even require the replacement of the unit that could have otherwise been avoided if a service call had been made.

Another benefit of timely air conditioning repair is that it will help maintain good air quality in your living space or workspace. A unit that is damaged or starting to fail can reduce air quality and possibly lead to health problems if left unresolved. Using the services of a licensed and experienced provider can reduce this unintended risk and return the environment of the home to a more healthful state.

An option to explore with your service provider is a maintenance plan. By scheduling regular maintenance for the air conditioning system, potential problems can be headed off before they occur and ultimately save you both expenses and time in the future. Air conditioning repair - done as a preventative measure - also provides you security in knowing that you are getting the maximum benefit of your system in the most economical manner.

It has to be noted that there are times when an air conditioning unit can no longer be repaired and will instead need to be replaced. While no one enjoys this prospect, understanding the options that are available when a problem is discovered can help with making a decision as to whether replacement is a preferred option over repair. With cost, time and convenience all being major factors, obtaining an impartial evaluation from your service company is an important step in this difficult process.

Air conditioning repair is much more than fixing a problem. It is a process of providing information, examining options and offering solutions that are in the best interests of the client.

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woodlandcomforts · 6 years ago

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Taking Care of Your Face and Looking Good (With Minimal or NO Makeup)

Disclaimer: I am not a cosmetics or skincare professional. I would not even classify myself as an expert. But after years of confusion I still haven’t found a comprehensive beginner’s guide explaining not just what to use, but why, and whether it is truly an essential step or just a brand trying to sell more products. I hope my decade of frustration can prevent others from the same fate.

My daily skincare routine used to consist of washing my face with facial soap before I went to bed. I figured that was enough; it’s soap made for the face (so not too harsh) and I’m cleaning the dirt off, so I should be good, right? Wrong. You don’t just want your skin to be clean, you want it to be healthy. I didn’t realize ‘clean’ and ‘healthy’ weren’t mutually inclusive until a couple years ago.

I have very fair skin that is “normal” (i.e. not too oily or too dry) and I suffer from mild but chronic acne. The products that work for me may not work for you, but the basic guidelines still remain the same. Just make sure to do your own research on certain products before buying and using them. Unlike many beauty gurus, I am not trying to sell you products and I received nothing nor will I receive anything for linking them to you. That means I am suggesting products I do genuinely believe to be good and am not just getting paid to promote.

Warning: This is a long post with a lot of reading. I promise it is worth it if you want to understand skincare. If you just want to know what to do, there is a TL;DR at the end.

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Cleansing

Washing your face daily is important if you wear makeup. You want to go to bed with a clean, healthy face to prevent clogged pores overnight. Make sure your pillowcase is clean as well; changing it every two to four days is ideal. If you accidentally fall asleep with makeup or some other heavy cosmetic on, change your pillowcase before the next night regardless of the last time you changed it. (Yes, I have a ton of pillowcases. You’ll want to stock up.)

I wash my face twice a day if I’m wearing makeup: once before applying it and again before settling down for the night. (The steps for each change, look at the bottom of this post to see morning versus nightly routines). If you do not use cosmetics you may find you only need to wash your face once a day. Others wash their face every other day or even less. Do what is best for you. Allowing your face to regulate itself may in fact be the answer to your problems. For others (like me), your face may be abysmal at taking care of itself and thus you’re left to do the work for it. Thanks, face.

Here’s the optimal way to wash your face:

Remove makeup. Use an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup. I recommend this cleanser with jojoba oil. Use your fingers in gentle circular motions over your face until your makeup is loosened. Do not scrub your face with a towel or loofah. A cotton pad works best if you need to wipe more aggressively. If you don’t have any makeup on this step isn’t 100% necessary, but many people swear by double-cleansing so it doesn’t hurt if you’re feeling ambitious.

Cleanse. Removing makeup does not necessarily clean your skin, nor is oil-based cleanser the best way to rid your pores of dirt, so you need to clean your face again even if you did step one. I use this fermented grain cleanser. When looking for your own, make sure to avoid oil-based cleansers on this second step. Oil sits on top of your pores and doesn’t penetrate into them so it does not clean your skin fully. Water-based cleanser works best (meaning water should be the first, main ingredient).

Exfoliate. *Do not do this step every day*. Exfoliation should be once a week, no more than three. Exfoliating rids your face of dead skin cells, meaning if you’ve already exfoliated recently you’re just rubbing abrasives into your healthy skin... not ideal. Exfoliate on the last night of your most heavily cosmetic days, such as a Friday night if you work Mon-Fri or Sunday night if you wear more makeup on the weekends. Make sure whatever product you are using has been made for the face, as body exfoliators are too harsh. I really like Mary Kay’s Botanical Effects Scrub but it’s on the expensive side. A cheaper scrub I've been using recently is from St. Ives. Again, rub gently in circular motions, avoiding the eyes, then wash with water.

Tips:

When massaging cleanser into your skin, start from the middle of your face and rub outward in circular motions. This helps prevent wrinkles among other benefits (some people claim this alleviates puffiness and even makes your face look smaller).

Wash with cold or lukewarm water. Hot water dries out your skin.

Wash your hands often, and not just after bathroom visits. Everyone touches their face way more than they think they do. Keeping your hands clean will keep your face cleaner, too.

Warnings:

I repeat, do not exfoliate your face every day. You will ruin your skin.

Likewise, don’t ever scrub your face, especially not with abrasive items like loofahs. Even if you want to get rid of blackheads, little bumps, or acne, scrubbing your face will only irritate it more and exacerbate the problem.

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Balancing

Many people claim that washing your face makes it worse: causing dryness, redness, oiliness, etc. While some may have good results by leaving their skin alone, I do not believe it is the universal answer. The most likely reason someone sees bad results is because they are not rebalancing their face to its natural levels. When you wash with cleansers, you are stripping your face of its oils and protections. Your skin may produce more to compensate (making your face oily)... ...or not (leaving it uncomfortably dry and unhealthy). How do you “balance” your face? With:

Toner. I thought this was pseudo-science nonsense for a long time, but it is actually an essential part of your skincare regime. A good toner shrinks your pores, restores your face’s natural pH level, and pre-moistens your skin so moisturizer will be absorbed more easily instead of sitting on top of your epidermis. Stay away from toners with alcohol as they will dry out your skin more than moisturizer can repair. I use Thayer’s Rose Petal Toner. Be wary of this product as it causes some people to break out. Remember, this isn’t a product you wash off-- it will stay on your skin, so if you have sensitive skin be on the look-out for any known irritants, drying agents, or allergies.

Treatment. Serums, essences, boosters, and ampoules. If you don’t have any problem areas, you can skip this step. However if you have redness, acne, dark spots, age spots, wrinkles, or any other number of things you want diminished, you can really benefit from this. I’m a fan of this Vitamin C Serum. Ampoules are concentrated serums made to target specific problems with more aggression and are short-term treatments. ‘Serum,’ ‘essence,’ and ‘booster’ are all kind of the same thing but are toted to have different properties and purposes (though they often don’t). If researching just one term doesn’t come up with anything you like, try the others.

Moisturizer. Good moisturizer maintains your face’s pH level and hydrates your skin, then keeps the moisture locked in throughout the day. If you are washing your face, you need to moisturize it. If you don’t, your skin will either remain desert-dry, or it will produce excess oils to compensate for all the cleansers that removed its natural oils. Because moisturizing is so important while at the same time so detrimental if you use the wrong product for your skin, I’m not linking to any specific product. Please research for your individual needs. A simple google search of, “Moisturizer for oily (or dry/ normal/ acne-prone/ sensitive/ etc) skin,” will produce results. Make sure to read reviews and ingredients. Some particularly good ingredients to look for are Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, and Centella Asiatica. Avoid products with high pH levels (of 7+).

Sunscreen. This is a necessity in the morning. Prolonged exposure to sunlight (which happens even on overcast days) hastens the aging of your skin, causes sun damage that will eventually be visible dark spots, and increases your risk of skin cancer. If none of your cosmetics have sunscreen and you will be outside for more than 15 minutes that day, I highly recommend adding sunscreen after your moisturizer has settled. Try this SPF 46 sunscreen. It’s a bigger hit to your wallet but it’s worth it to avoid visible-later-in-life sun damage and a visible-right-now greasy face.

Tips:

Wait a minute or two in-between steps before applying the next product. This gives the product time to sink in and do its work before being diluted by other ingredients or possibly even being wiped away when you apply something else.

Don’t rub toners and treatments on like you do for cleansers. Pat them gently onto your skin.

Buy facial sunscreen instead of reaching for whatever sunscreen is in your cupboard. If you are going to be exposed to the sun for prolonged time or in a more intense way, heavier sunscreen may be necessary, but for day-to-day use, more sensitive facial sunscreen is better for the more sensitive skin on your face!

Investing in a hat that shades your whole face is another option to protect your skin from sun damage. Especially if you refuse to wear sunscreen. But wearing both can’t hurt either.

Warnings:

Beware of knock-off brands on Amazon or Ebay. Even if the product looks the same and costs the same, check reviews for red flags. Or just be safe and buy straight from the company’s online store instead of going through a middle-man. Knock-off brands can use alternative ingredients that cause break outs, skin damage, or allergic reactions. At the very least, they will be worse quality products.

Having a clean, balanced face does not guarantee a blemish-free face. If you’ve tried everything under the sun to no avail, you may need prescription drugs to combat your skin problems. Consult a dermatologist if possible. They can also offer expert advice on what products your skin needs so you won’t be guessing.

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Covering

You might not have the time or desire to put on even a little makeup, and that is perfectly fine. Feel free to skip this category. If I’m not going to wear any I don’t usually wash my face in the morning unless it’s feeling particularly gross. If you are going to wear makeup, first wash your face with a water-based cleanser then apply toner and moisturizer before any other products. This ensures any sweat, dust, or other dirt from the bed is washed off and the makeup won’t dry out your skin. After you’ve done that, you can do one of the following depending on your needs.

BB Cream. Essentially a very minimal foundation but, unlike foundation, BB Cream often comes with a host of other skin benefits such as sunscreen, color treatment, or special extracts. I use this MISSHA BB cream with sun protection and soothing extracts.

CC Cream. Stands for color correction cream. An alternative to BB Cream, though often a lighter product with less fancy skincare benefits. CC Cream may not cover every blemish to make your face look flawless, but it can cancel out redness or yellowing. Use this if you only want to even out your skin tone and don’t have any obvious bumps to cover. I don’t use CC Cream but based on my research, my best suggestion is this one from bareMinerals.

Foundation. If one of the creams is still not enough coverage for you, you can apply a layer of foundation over it or use foundation in its place. If you are putting foundation on top of a cream, remember that you won’t need as much product so be on the cautious side and use very little at first. You can always add more if it’s needed. I use this foundation from Colourpop; it comes in a huge variety of shades and is pretty cheap. However, the bottle is small. If you use a lot of foundation this is not ideal for you.

Concealer. If you’re still seeing acne, dark spots, or other skin blemishes, apply concealer to only those areas to cover them up better. Make sure to blend it out. I don’t think this is concealer but this is what I use and love: L’Oreal True Match Powder. Sometimes this is the only product I use because it works great, however since it is a powder it is very drying. Most people I know prefer liquid concealers. My friend swears by this concealer from Burt’s Bees, though it doesn’t offer a lot of shades.

Tips:

As you can tell, I’m not “brand loyal” and I don’t think anyone should be. Don’t assume because one brand’s toner works for you that their moisturizer is the best for you, too. Don’t be afraid to shop around, do your own research, and pay attention to ingredients, not the name on the container.

Long, scary-looking chemical names do not necessarily mean unnatural or harsh ingredients. Do not be scared off from a product just because the ingredient list isn’t five colloquial English words. If you’re concerned, a quick google search usually brings up an ingredient’s cosmetic purpose and whether it is known to cause problems.

Everyone has different skin types and thus their skins have different needs. Don’t assume the “miracle cure” your friend is raving about will solve all of your problems, too. Keep this in mind especially for people giving one-size-fits-all advice. “Stop using skincare products and your skin will take care of itself.” “The only thing people need is moisturizer after showers.” And so on. Unless they’re your dermatologist, they don’t know you or your skin. Ignore ignorance and focus on what you’ve seen and felt to work best on your skin.

═════════════════════════╡°˖🙢🏵🙠˖°╞═════════════════════════

TL;DR

Morning Routine:

Clean face with water-based cleanser.

Use alcohol-free toner to shrink pores and prep face for moisturizer.

Find the best moisturizer for your skin type and always use it after washing your face with anything more than water.

Apply facial sunscreen if none of your cosmetics have SPF properties. Don’t use sunscreen not specified for the face as it is greasy, heavy, and clogs pores.

If you want, apply BB Cream or CC Cream to cover blemishes and even-out the tone of your face. You can skip this step.

If you want or need more coverage, use a light foundation on top of or in place of a cream. You can skip this step.

Use concealer after cream or foundation to better cover problem areas that still stand out. You can skip this step.

Nightly Routine:

Wash off the day’s makeup or surface dirt with oil-based cleanser.

Clean face with water-based cleanser.

Exfoliate once a week.

Use alcohol-free toner to shrink pores and prep face for moisturizer.

If necessary, use a treatment to target specific problems with your skin. You can skip this step.

Find the best moisturizer for your skin type and always use it after washing your face with anything more than water.

Tips:

Mix up your routine by wearing the occasional mask after cleansing. I didn’t go into masks here because they aren’t necessary, but... they are fun, so if you have them, use them!

If you want to do as little as possible and/or buy the least amount of products (I don’t blame you), the fundamentals of skincare are cleansing, toning, and moisturizing before you go to bed. Three products, three steps, once a day. Hopefully that’s doable for you!

❧

As I said above, I’m not getting any money or benefits from this research and product advertising. If you’ve found this guide helpful please consider donating a few dollars as my family and I are in a tight spot financially. Here’s a link to my ko-fi. No worries if you can’t or don’t want to.

I hope this guide helped you understand skincare better. Feel free to send me questions, though I cannot guarantee I’ll be able to help. I’m also open to requests for other guides, or comments with your thoughts on this one. Thank you for reading.

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kondo-hijikata · 6 years ago

Note

Have you written a story of Kondo & Hijikata and how their feelings for each other slowly developed? Cuz I'd love to read about how their relationship came to be!

Pairing: Pre-Relationship to Relationship Kondo/HijikataRating: TSummary: Hijikata had no particular interest in meeting the new Tennen Rishin Ryu heir…until he saw the size of his shoes. [AO3]

.*Before the Storm*.Chapter 1

Ishida Village - 1851

It all began with hearsay and a pair of ridiculously bigshoes left in front of the Sato Dojo.

Medicine chest strapped to his back, Hijikata stood beforethe porch scrutinizing the larger than life footwear with curiosity displayedopenly in amethyst eyes just a bit wider than usual. His brother-in-law Hikogorowore sandals of typical proportion, never particularly larger or smaller thanany other’s, and yet here they sat dwarfed.

A loud shout of “EEEEEY!”and subsequent sharp clash of shinai echoed from within the dojo, drowning outthe melody of mid-summer cicada song—had Hijikata’s chin snapping up toward theentrance in desire of catching a glimpse of the action. There was none to beseen from where he stood, however; instead, he listened with heed to the poundingsteps taken carefully against the wooden floor, the undoubtable indication ofopponents locked in a dance of wits to match their brawn.

Word had it that the new Tennen Rishin Ryu master possessedintelligence to match his fortitude, and came with some kind of interestingpast to boot. Intellect was subjective, strength was comparative. Hell, anyonecould claim to have a compelling backstory.

But not many in a higher social class would admit to hailingfrom much humbler roots.

And it went without saying that no one could fake the sizeof these shoes.

“Oi, Toshizo,”Hikogoro had said the previous evening, jabbing his sakazuke cup over thedinner table to catch his attention. Taking the bait, Hijikata’s gaze lifted whilehe made quick work of his remaining rice and stayed attentive while he chewed.“You oughta come by to train tomorrow afternoon. The young master is visiting…youknow, the one who just became next heir to Shusuke-sensei’s legacy.”

“Cht.” Hijikata’s brow twitched and his bowl hit the table alittle harder than he might have intended. He reached for the soup next andbefore sipping, replied with an irascible, “The hell do I care?”

To the right was his sister, and far be Nobu to ever pass upan opportunity to lovingly scold him for something. “Toshizo, I keep tellingyou…” When he peered up at her, she pursed her lips and cocked her head, hertone matter-of-fact. “Your face is going to freeze that way if you keep that up.”

Hijikata scoffed. “Good.” —and proceeded to down the rest ofthe broth while Nobu’s eyes rolled to the ceiling.

“Maa, c’mon!” Hikogoro sang, his voice light and airy. “Atleast just meet him, even if it’s quick! I think you two would have some thingsto talk about.”

Chopsticks were laid across an empty dish. “Yeah, like howhe’s some bigshot samurai and I’m just a damn medicine-peddling, textile-sewingfarmer.” Bringing a handkerchief up to dab at his mouth, Hijikata’s expressiondarkened into an unamused scowl. “Thanks, but no thanks.”

A dramatic sigh left Nobu’s lips. “You know, Toshizo, it’sno wonder you’re drawn to writing. You certainly enjoy words—and not to mentionputting them in other people’s mouths.”

Long black lashes fell in a prolonged blink and Hijikataslowly turned his face to her before reopening them. They fluttered as hehalf-glared, expecting a continuation of her criticisms. Nobu had a point, as she often did…not that hewould ever admit to it, but that was a different thing entirely.

“Just come by. Ne?” Hikogoro prodded again.

Folding the small cloth twice over, Hijikata tucked it backinto the sleeve of his hakamashita and brushed himself off. “I’ll think aboutit if it’ll make you happy.” At that, he expressed gratitude for dinner andpromptly stood to take his leave, with no certain intent to waste a single furthermoment on the invitation.

However, just as he approached the open doorway, Hikogorospoke up again. “The young master may be a samurai now but he was born into thefarming class.”

Hijikata’s hand fell on the wooden frame and though hehadn’t looked back, he did pause.

“…Doesn’t that interest you? Even a little?”

His fingertips barely flexed. All he offered asacknowledgement was a slight turn of the head before he stepped out onto theporch and vanished into the night.

The hoursseparating that mealtime exchange from the present had been rife with a heavydose of scrutiny and flip-flopping. Much to Hijikata’s irritation, he had toadmit that a farmer-turned-samurai wasintriguing and it had seemed likely hecould get on well with such a person. Maybe.Still, he’d risen and left the house before anyone else in the family awoke totry their hand at influence once more.

As it turnedout, no further convincing was needed, for there he stood per Hikogoro’soriginal request—before the threshold of the dojo while the afternoon sunburned bright and had beads of moisture lining his brow.

One look. Onelook was all Hijikata would give this guy, because he was damn convinced thatwas all it would take to drown the intrusive questions which refused to stopneedling him. Shusuke-sensei was an old man with a taste for strange company,after all. Surely, he’d adopted some middle-aged misfit who was now walkingaround with two swords at his hip and acting like he was some kind of eminentindividual by birthright. That kind of person might be even worse thanso-called real samurai who lazedabout and drank their fill of sake and milked the privileges of their status.

“Tch.”

Hijikataslipped the medicine chest off his back and placed it on the porch. The strapclasps fell undone under his chin and the hat followed, pulled free from hisperson and set atop his wares. He about-faced to kick his sandals off, refusingto even compare his own with the size of their visitor’s, and then vaulted uptoward the entrance just in time to see…

“EEEEEY! HA!”

Hikogoro faced the door decked out in training gear, hisshinai locked and quivering against the young master’s—whom, Hijikata couldonly see from the back at this vantage point. Upon his sudden appearance,Hikogoro let up with an excited, “Ah!” He backed away several steps. “So youcame after all! Katsuta-san, I want you to meet my brother.”

“Oh, the one you mentioned!”

Hijikata crossed his arms and leaned against the frame, onehip jutting out as he watched both men quickly freeing themselves from their chestguards and facemasks. Leave it to niisan to run his mouth, when it wasn’t evenofficially decided that he’d show up today or not. He respected the hell out ofHikogoro, but sometimes he could really be—

With his facemask pulled free, the young master turned.

…Gold. Golden.Like sunlight.

Hijikata’s chest stilled. His lashes parted a little wider,his mouth went dry.

Young. So much younger than expected. Handsome. Ridiculously handsome. …Approaching. Oh, he was approaching. Hijikata blinked and slowly,almost clumsily, righted himself.

“Shimazaki Katsuta,” the young master said in introductionand quickly wiped at his face with his hakamashita. Was that blush staining across his cheeks, orjust a consequence of the heat? “Ah, I’m sorry to meet you when I’m alldisheveled and sweaty, but…” He bowed, those adjectives not lost on Hijikatafor a second. “It’s a pleasure.”

A large grin pulled out into Hikogoro’s cheeks as he clappedhis friend hard on the shoulder. “This is our future Kondo-sensei.”

The young master huffed beneath his breath in amusement, hisfeatures managing to somehow soften even further as he rubbed at where he’dbeen playfully assaulted. “Hey now, I’m flattered but I don’t share my father’slast name yet.”

Hikogoro’s laugh resounded in the space and he jabbed an armnext, to which Kondo raised his shoulders. “Soon enough, Katsuta-san! Soonenough.” His attention returned to Hijikata while tilting his head and beginningto blot a line from temple to chin with a cloth. “Well? Toshizo? What do you think?”

…What did he think? What the hell more was there to think other than things he couldn’t say?! He wasgorgeous, plain and simple, and a shinai looked too damn good in his strong hand.

Kondo’s whiskey eyes were back on Hijikata, his gaze filledwith curiosity and perhaps a touch of embarrassment at Hikogoro’s flattery ashe awaited his assessment. And when Hijikata suddenly realized that Kondo was, indeed, waiting for an opinion, heglanced quickly to his brother-in-law and unfolded his arms. Hikogoro liftedhis brows with a nod, urging him on.

Say something, saysomething. Say anything.

“You have some big ass feet.”

…Shit. Why did hesay that?!

“You have some big assfeet.”

There weren’t many times in his life when Hijikataexperienced the desire to fade right out of existence, but now…now was good atime as ever.

A sudden forced cough exploded from Hikogoro’s mouth whilehe pounded his chest and Kondo…he simply blinked. His head barely cocked, as thoughhe were processing what had been carelessly blurted out—as if he were wonderingif he’d heard correctly.

It was unfortunate that he had.

The prevailing silence was deafening, horrifying. Someone presentneeded to attempt damage control and though he had no concrete plan for mendingthe presumed hurt feelings of an important fixture in Hikogoro’s life, Hijikata’slips parted to speak. Apparently, he’d still not learned the lesson that sayingnothing at all was often better than speaking for the sake of it. Fate was onhis side, however; just as he was about to come out with some stream ofnonsense rambling, Kondo’s shoulders shook once with a huff. And then again.And before long, he closed his eyes and barked a laugh.

After fingers idly brushed through his hair, Hijikata flippedhis ponytail and winced, trying again. “Look, uh. I didn’t mean—”

Kondo held a hand up to stop Hijikata in his tracks andwaved it, chuckling more and then bringing it back to rub at the tip of hisnose. “It’s fine. You’re right. I’m sorry for laughing, it’s—”

Hijikata snorted. “Don’t apologize. I’m the one apparently beingoffensive.”

Shaking his head, Kondo closed his eyes for a beat. “No, no,not at all. I’m laughing because…okay. I have this friend I visit back home,yeah? And one time he hired a new maid who I hadn’t met before. So, we’resitting there drinking together and suddenly this blood-curdling scream ringsout. Turns out it was her when she saw the size of my shoes in the entryway.”

“What?! All right, look!” Feeling more at peace with thesituation, Hijikata’s posture eased and he shrugged at Hikogoro. “It’s not justme. But I didn’t scream. Remember that.” A huff. “You gotta admit that they do kinda stick out, though, your shoes…”

“Oh, I know it!” Kondo laughed. “But for what it’s worth, Iended up becoming friends with that lady so maybe this is a good sign?”

“Heh…” A smirk pulled at Hijikata’s lips. “Here’s hoping. Name’sHijikata Toshizo.”

Kondo’s chin fell in a nod. “Again, it’s a pleasure.” Hegrabbed Hikogoro by the shoulders—who had gone from looking beyond mortified torather impressed over the span of the conversation. “Hikogoro-san always hasgreat things to say about you.”

“Psht. Don’t believe a word this guy says.”

“Oi, Toshizo!” Hikogoro’s back straightened and he stood tall. “Katsuta-san might accept your disrespect but I sure as hell won’t!”The facade crumbled as soon as he’d spoken and his spine relaxed. “Eh, who am Ikidding?”

“No one, Sir,” Kondo offered with a grin. “But maybe if youwere up against some thieves instead…”

“Well, we can’t win ‘em all, can we?” Hikogoro hummed andthen switched direction. “Katsuta-san, you must be starving. I’ll go grab somelunch for you.”

“Oh, I don’t want to trouble you or your wife, Hikogo—” Andas if his stomach had intended from the start to rebel against such apredictably humble reply, it growled loudly at that very moment. Kondo’s cheeksflushed.

Hikogoro smiled. “You’re no trouble at all. Hang out herefor a bit, yeah?” His expression went a touch serious. “You too, Toshizo. Keepthe young master company. Try not to offend him.”

Hijikata sucked his teeth and tossed his face to the side.

Looking between both, Kondo interjected, “Actually, I’lltake a minute or two and show myself to the well if you don’t mind. I shouldreally wash up.”

“Sure thing. Toshizo, why don’t you walk him out back?”

The protest came immediately. “Oh, it’s all right, really.Today’s super hot.” Kondo chin fell once. “Hijikata-san, why not stay onthe porch until I come back? The shade is better than cooking in the sun.”

“I really wouldn’t mind,” Hijikata offered with a shrug.Indeed, he absolutely would not mindseeing Kondo’s hakamashita falling off his shoulders and getting a qualityglimpse of the obvious muscular form his attire was hiding. Alas… “But it’s upto you.”

After another nod to solidify the plan, Kondo and Hikogorotook their leave, each heading in his designated separate direction. The glassporch chime jingled with the passing of a light breeze and Hijikata drifted outof the dojo, taking in the sight of a nearby tree with its swaying leaves beforeflopping down next to his medicine chest. He stared at the dark plankscomprising the ceiling, allowed his legs to kick and swing off the edge of thefloorboards. From there, his mind began to wander.

The universe worked in surprising ways. Never in a millionyears had Hijikata expected to not only like what he saw, but…actually really, really like it. Experience from peddlingand apprenticeship had honed his skills when it came to dealing with people;he’d been told countless times how effortlessly he cavorted about others, howeasy he made communication look. Some old man with a crooked spine once shook acane at him and said he could probably sell salt to the sea if he tried.

As reality would have it, though, work was nothing more thana performance. It was Hijikata simply doing what he needed to do to survive andget by. If he wasn’t personable or convincing, he’d never sell anything at all.And if he wasn’t selling anything, he wasn’t earning income. And if he wasn’tearning income…

He licked his lips and folded his hands over his abdomen,stopping his thoughts from the derailment they often suffered from. The fact ofthe matter was that talking with Kondo required no great effort on his part.The conversation had flowed so easily that anyone looking at them from theoutside would assume they’d been friends since childhood…which was bizarre,since they’d only just met.

Hijikata drummed on the knuckles of his lower hand. So,Hikogoro had been right. He hated to admit it, especially when he’d been soobstinate about meeting the young master in the first place. But really, all hehad was a first impression. Whether Kondo was truly someone who Hijikata couldmesh well with or not in the long run would be up for debate for some time.

Well…

His fingers stopped their movement.

There was one simple way to find out whether it was even worththe effort. He could simply confess about his desire to become a samurai, and gaugefrom the response. But then again…Hijikata hadn’t felt much like being mockedfor the millionth time in his life. And if he were very honest, he was afraidthat this handsome guy who seemed to have it all together would end up onlyletting him down.

“…Tch.”

He closed his eyes, laced his digits, and let the breezeruffle through his bangs.

There were good samurai and bad samurai in the world.

The first time Hijikata learned this fact coincided with thefirst time he ever picked a fight. It was the summer after he’d turned eightyears old, when he and a couple of boys who lived down the street converged tokick a ball about and then jump in the lake when it got too hot in the sun.Naturally, kids were kids and ever too content to wear their hearts on theirsleeves. Though, upon Hijikata’s crash-landing into adulthood, he quicklyrealized that being too honest wasn’t merely a product of juvenility, butapparently just an irritating fact of human nature.

On that particular sweltering day in his youth, he’d foundtwo perfectly sized sticks beneath the canopy of an old oak tree and promptlyworked them through the side of his hakama—his very own makeshift blades.

That’s when the heckling began again.

“You ain’t no samurai! Stop acting like it!”

“Even if you wore swords and armor, you’d still look like agirl, To-chan.”

“Weren’t you born in some kind of barn? You don’t even havea mom. Or a dad. Idiot.”

Suffice to say, sticks were in no way as effective asswords. Though, they apparently did hurt enough if someone got smashed over thehead with one…enough even to make him cry and run away.

And that was what brought Kano-san from six houses over toNobu’s porch that evening. Hijikata stood at his sister’s side, unaffected bythe angry father who came to exact vengeance for his scorned son. His hair wasworn in chonmage style with scraggly and unkempt pieces falling loose about hisbulldog face, his cheeks and chin stubbly from lack of attention. Hijikatadoubted he even bathed.

“Control your brat.” Kano spat when he talked and his cheeksjiggled. It was unsightly.

“My understanding is that my brother was acting inself-defense,” Nobu replied coolly, and making no move to descend the stairs tospeak face-to-face with him. “…Samurai-san.”

“He hit Hiromasa over the head with a stick, this fucking baragaki¹.” An accusatory finger wasjabbed in Hijikata’s direction. “My kid did nothing to deserve that.”

“Would you like an apology?” Nobu’s inquiry was calm. “Iapologize.” She placed her palm on the back of Hijikata’s head and gently tiltedit forward. “As you can see, Toshizo does as well.”

Hijikata scoffed and shook her hand free.

“You better watch your step, bitch, and control youranimal.” Kano looked down to Hijikata. “And you, you little fuck. I want you totake a good look at this.” Fat fingers stroked the handles of the swords at hiship. “This is what a real samurailooks like, something you’ll never be. Know your place.”

Nobu’s hand pressed hard upon one of Hijikata’s rapidly risingand falling shoulders, both a warning and command to keep his silence.

“You’re a farmer, you understand? You were born in the dirt.You’re gonna die in the dirt. Know your fucking place. You hear me?!” Kano snappedhis eyes back to Nobu. “And you better know yours too.”

Nobu simply nodded once. “Toshizo is not allowed to playwith Hiromasa-san any longer. It won’t happen again.”

“You’re damn right it won’t.” Kano’s hip swung out as heshifted his stance. “You see, I could call in my boys. We could skewer youalive for retribution while you sleep. But I’m a man of honor, get it? I’m aman who knows my place in the world.”

“Indeed, Samurai-san. Well, speaking of places we belong in,I’ll need to return back to my kitchen. I’m making dinner for my family.” Nobupaused. “Unless you intend to stay to eat? I can set a tray out for you. Ortwo.” When Kano’s eyes narrowed, she immediately said, “For your wife, I mean.”

“I wouldn’t be caught dead sharing a meal with trash likeyou.” And on that, he turned on his heels and made for the main gate.

The tears stinging Hijikata’s eyes burned, but he refused tolet them to fall. His teeth gritted, his tiny body trembled. His hands balledinto such tight fists that color drained from his knuckles. That’s when it’dall been too much. This horrible person, this mean and entitled man who didn’tdeserve to be a samurai at all, would get away with how he spoke to his sister.He had to do something. So he drew adeep breath with every intention to shout at him in his wake.

But that was when Nobu’s hand pressed to Hijikata’s mouth.She sunk to her knees beside him and when he looked at her, she quietly shookher head.

“Toshi, let it go.”

“I can’t.” Hisvoice cracked and the tears in his eyes involuntarily spilled over. Still, hefought to stop them.

Nobu brushed at his cheeks and placed one hand against hisstomach. “Hey, let me tell you something important.” Her lips pulled into asmile. “A true samurai knows when to fight and when not to. A real,honest-to-goodness samurai never throws his status around forconvenience…especially when he can’t use a sword.”

“Are you saying Kano-san isn’t a real samurai?”

A boing and a slap from beyond the front garden gatesuddenly rang out, followed by an enraged scream. “Who the fuck left a rake here?!”

“Oh…” Nobu trailed off innocently. “Oh, did Kano-san step onthe rake? It seems to have hit him in the face. What a shame…”

“Neechan, did you…did you put it there?”

“Hm…” She drummed her fingers against Hijikata’s yukata. “Icouldn’t say…” Nobu stood and gave a pat to the top of his head. “In any case,let’s go finish making dinner. I could use a guy like you to chop up somedaikon.”

When Hijikata’s eyes fell half-lidded and unimpressed, shechortled. “What? It doesn’t count as fencing practice?!”

There were good samurai and bad samurai in the world.

Real ones and fake ones.

The persistent, the lazy. The diligent, the entitled. Thosewho served and those who expected to beserved. There were ones who earned the privilege of such a title and ones whowere just born with it.

Just what kind of samurai was Shimazaki Katsuta? And wouldhe go on to actually take over the Tennen Rishin Ryu…would he actually assumehis adoptive father’s family name?

“Yaaa, sorry to keep to you waiting!”

Hijikata sat back up when he heard Kondo’s voice, andwatched while he neared with two wet rags. One he had pressed to the back ofhis neck and the other, he extended out with a grin.

“Here. I think it’s possible to sweat even just from laying aroundon a day like today…” Kondo’s eyes widened and he made a sudden strangled noise.“Not that…I think you’re just laying around. Sorry.”

Hijikata huffed and accepted the offering with a crypticreply. “Thanks.”

Kondo sat beside him with a groan and peered up toward thesky before letting his attention fall to the chest. “So, you peddle medicine,huh…”

Heh…here it comes…

“Aa,” Hijikata replied. “On the days I’m not working my textileapprenticeship.” The ridicule would be disappointing, but not surprising. Hecouldn’t even say it would sting his pride.

“That’s neat.”

Blink. Blink, blink. Hijikata’s brow creased and his lowereyelids raised as he slowly turned his face to Kondo.

“You got something that’ll treat bruises?” Clearly unawareof being under such intense scrutiny, Kondo rotated his arm and massaged theadjoining shoulder. “Kenjutsu hurts.” He laughed. “In the best way, though!”

“Um…yeah. I mean…” Hijikata reached for the box. “Yeah, Idefinitely have something for that.” He stood and rifled through hismerchandise, licked his lips and shook his head.

Just what kind of samurai was Shimazaki Katsuta?

Hijikata’s eyes slid to the side. …He would be damn sure tofind out.

¹ baragaki - Literally “thorny brat” and Hijikata’s alleged childhood nickname.

Chapter 2 >>

#toshisami #hakuouki #t1 #long post #writing on plaid paper

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damiencordle · 2 years ago

Text

I Found This Interesting. Joshua Damien Cordle

Scientists discover material that can be made like a plastic but conducts like metal

Breakthrough could point way to new class of materials for electronics, devices

Scientists with the University of Chicago have discovered a way to create a material that can be made like a plastic, but conducts electricity more like a metal.

The research, published Oct. 26 in Nature, shows how to make a kind of material in which the molecular fragments are jumbled and disordered, but can still conduct electricity extremely well.

This goes against all of the rules we know about for conductivity -- to a scientist, it's kind of seeing a car driving on water and still going 70 mph. But the finding could also be extraordinarily useful; if you want to invent something revolutionary, the process often first starts with discovering a completely new material.

"In principle, this opens up the design of a whole new class of materials that conduct electricity, are easy to shape, and are very robust in everyday conditions," said John Anderson, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Chicago and the senior author on the study. "Essentially, it suggests new possibilities for an extremely important technological group of materials," said Jiaze Xie (PhD'22, now at Princeton), the first author on the paper.

'There isn't a solid theory to explain this'

Conductive materials are absolutely essential if you're making any kind of electronic device, whether it be an iPhone, a solar panel, or a television. By far the oldest and largest group of conductors is the metals: copper, gold, aluminum. Then, about 50 years ago, scientists were able to create conductors made out of organic materials, using a chemical treatment known as "doping," which sprinkles in different atoms or electrons through the material. This is advantageous because these materials are more flexible and easier to process than traditional metals, but the trouble is they aren't very stable; they can lose their conductivity if exposed to moisture or if the temperature gets too high.

But fundamentally, both of these organic and traditional metallic conductors share a common characteristic. They are made up of straight, closely packed rows of atoms or molecules. This means that electrons can easily flow through the material, much like cars on a highway. In fact, scientists thought a material had to have these straight, orderly rows in order to conduct electricity efficiently.

Then Xie began experimenting with some materials discovered years ago, but largely ignored. He strung nickel atoms like pearls into a string of of molecular beads made of carbon and sulfur, and began testing.

To the scientists' astonishment, the material easily and strongly conducted electricity. What's more, it was very stable. "We heated it, chilled it, exposed it to air and humidity, and even dripped acid and base on it, and nothing happened," said Xie. That is enormously helpful for a device that has to function in the real world.

But to the scientists, the most striking thing was that the molecular structure of the material was disordered. "From a fundamental picture, that should not be able to be a metal," said Anderson. "There isn't a solid theory to explain this."

Xie, Anderson, and their lab worked with other scientists around the university to try to understand how the material can conduct electricity. After tests, simulations, and theoretical work, they think that the material forms layers, like sheets in a lasagna. Even if the sheets rotate sideways, no longer forming a neat lasagna stack, electrons can still move horizontally or vertically -- as long as the pieces touch.

The end result is unprecedented for a conductive material. "It's almost like conductive Play-Doh -- you can smush it into place and it conducts electricity," Anderson said.

The scientists are excited because the discovery suggests a fundamentally new design principle for electronics technology. Conductors are so important that virtually any new development opens up new lines for technology, they explained.

One of the material's attractive characteristics is new options for processing. For example, metals usually have to be melted in order to be made into the right shape for a chip or device, which limits what you can make with them, since other components of the device have to be able to withstand the heat needed to process these materials.

The new material has no such restriction because it can be made at room temperatures. It can also be used where the need for a device or pieces of the device to withstand heat, acid or alkalinity, or humidity has previously limited engineers' options to develop new technology.

The team is also exploring the different forms and functions the material might make. "We think we can make it 2-D or 3-D, make it porous, or even introduce other functions by adding different linkers or nodes," said Xie.

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Chicago. Original written by Louise Lerner. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Related Multimedia:

Illustration of the structure of the material

Journal Reference:

Jiaze Xie, Simon Ewing, Jan-Niklas Boyn, Alexander S. Filatov, Baorui Cheng, Tengzhou Ma, Garrett L. Grocke, Norman Zhao, Ram Itani, Xiaotong Sun, Himchan Cho, Zhihengyu Chen, Karena W. Chapman, Shrayesh N. Patel, Dmitri V. Talapin, Jiwoong Park, David A. Mazziotti, John S. Anderson. Intrinsic glassy-metallic transport in an amorphous coordination polymer. Nature, 2022; DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05261-4

#joshua damien cordle #damien cordle #technology news

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ryqoshay · 4 years ago

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Happy Life: Angelic Hug

Primary Pairing: YohaRiko Words: ~2.1k Rating: G AU: Angelic? Time Frame: First week of Riko’s 1st year of college and Yoshiko’s 3rd year of high school Story Arc: Stand Alone

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Author’s Note: Inspired by a prompt from a reader.

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Riko set her phone down on her desk, having just read the last departing messages from her friends after she had announced that she needed to get back to her studies. Or, at least she thought that had been all of the messages. No sooner than her hand left the device than it vibrated with a new notification. Curious, Riko picked it back up and unlocked the screen.

Odd, there was nothing new in the group chat. However, changing threads revealed that the new message was in one of her private chats.

TheFallenAngel: Ne, Riri!

SakurauchiRiko: What’s up?

TheFallenAngel: Is everything alright?

SakurauchiRiko: Yes

SakurauchiRiko: Why?

TheFallenAngel: I just got the feeling that you were deflecting a lot in our group chat

TheFallenAngel: Or at least more than usual

TheFallenAngel: Like a lot more than usual

TheFallenAngel: And you know my fallen angel senses will tell me when something is wrong with one of my favored little demons

TheFallenAngel: So again is everything really alright?

Riko sighed. Of course, now of all times would be when Yoshiko chose to be empathic. The younger girl had a knack for picking up on cues that others missed while regularly remaining oblivious to things most would consider obvious. Still, this had led to Yoshiko becoming one of Riko’s confidants. For some things.

SakurauchiRiko: I guess I’m just a little stressed

SakurauchiRiko: Between moving and starting classes in a new school it’s like Uchiura all over again

SakurauchiRiko: Only this time I don’t have someone like Chika-chan to help make the transition

TheFallenAngel: Have you reached out to anyone from Otonokizaka?

SakurauchiRiko: I thought of that

SakurauchiRiko: But the few friends I made in my first year aren’t in the area any more

TheFallenAngel: Well it’s still your first week

TheFallenAngel: Yohane has faith that someone as amazing as Riri will make plenty of new friends

Riko smiled at the compliment. However, it wasn’t quite that simple. Despite gaining some confidence during her time with Aqours, Riko was still quite shy, especially around new people. And while she had definitely worked hard to strengthen her bonds with her friends, like Yoshiko, in truth it had been Chika who had made the initial connections for her.

But… how much of that did she want to admit to Yoshiko?

SakurauchiRiko: I hope so

TheFallenAngel: And in the meantime its not like you’ve lost any friends

TheFallenAngel: Sure we’re a little farther away now

TheFallenAngel: Heck Mari is all the way over in Italy

TheFallenAngel: But the mortals of this realm have devised wonderous tools that we can use to communicate over vast distances

Riko laughed. She was wondering when Yoshiko would drop something like that into the conversation.

SakurauchiRiko: That is true

SakurauchiRiko: The group chat has definitely helped

TheFallenAngel: But if that’s not enough you can always call

Riko blinked. Yoshiko had predicted her intended point of wanting to hear someone’s voice.

TheFallenAngel: Or even video chat

TheFallenAngel: I’m free now if you want to talk

SakurauchiRiko: Thank you for the offer, Yoshiko-chan, it means a lot

SakurauchiRiko: I may take you up on that tomorrow night when I can stay up later

SakurauchiRiko: Tonight I may just have to dig out an extra pillow to hug

TheFallenAngel: Or I could give you a hug

What? Riko reread the message to make sure she had done so correctly.

SakarauchiRiko: You can’t be serious

TheFallenAngel: I am

SakurauchiRiko: But you’re over a hundred kilometers away

SakurauchiRiko: Are you going to teleport or something?

TheFallenAngel: No

TheFallenAngel: Silly Riri

TheFallenAngel: Id take the train like a normal mortal

Riko resisted the urge to ask why Yoshiko didn’t mention flying.

SakurauchiRiko: Thank you again for the offer

SakurauchiRiko: But I’ll be heading back for You-chan’s birthday next weekened

SakurauchiRiko: So we can see each other in person then

TheFallenAngel: You sure?

Riko paused. Part of her suddenly wanted to accept Yoshiko’s offer. She hadn’t considered it until just now, but after two years around several physically affectionate friends, she realized she missed all the contact. She did actually want a hug. Especially one from a close friend.

TheFallenAngel: Riri?

SakurauchiRiko: I’m fine

This time the pause was on the other end.

TheFallenAngel: Alright

SakurauchiRiko: Have a good night, Yoshiko-chan

SakurauchiRiko: Thank you for helping me feel better

SakurauchiRiko: We’ll talk tomorrow night

TheFallenAngel: Yeah

TheFallenAngel: Have a good night Riri

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Riko sighed as she walked down the hall back to her dorm room after her bath. She still felt a little bad about lying to Yoshiko; she wasn’t as fine as she claimed to be. Certainly, she felt better than before their conversation. She appreciated her friend’s concern and looked forward to talking over the phone tomorrow night. But she still felt guilty.

A sigh from somewhere ahead of her caused her to look up.

Wait, is that…?

A blue-haired girl with an all-too familiar side-bun standing near Riko’s door slumped her shoulders and turned away.

“Yoshiko-chan?” Riko called.

“Riri!?” The girl spun. “You’re here!”

“Yes, I am.” Riko hastened her pace. “I live here. But what are you doing here?”

“I came to give you your hug.” Yoshiko spread her arms and smiled as the older girl reached her.

“You… what?”

“I came to give you your hug?” Yoshiko repeated, sounding less confident than before. She bounced a little on her toes and moved her arms to indicate that they were still open.

“You came all this way just to give me a hug?”

“Well, yeah, I said that I would…”

“And I said you didn’t have to…”

“I know I didn’t have to, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how much you seemed to really need one, and so I just…”

Oh gods, that expression… Riko’s heart twisted.

“Look, just,” Riko opened the door to her room and motioned for the other girl to enter “come in out of the hallway at least.”

Yoshiko ducked her head and slunk through the doorway like a dejected puppy and Riko immediately felt guilty for causing the reaction. She wasn’t quite sure why she was upset. She knew Yoshiko meant well. Her steadfast devotion to ensuring the wellbeing of her friends was one of Yoshiko’s most endearing traits, despite, or perhaps because of her strange ways of going about such things.

“I’m sorry, Riri.” Yoshiko turned and “Eh?”

Riko wrapped her arms around the shorter girl.

“No, I’m sorry, Yoshiko-chan.” Riko said, pulling the two of them closer together. “I didn’t mean to make you think I was mad at you or anything. Thank you for coming all this way just for me.”

“I… uhm… it…” Yoshiko fumbled, both with her words as well as with returning the embrace. “B-but of course… A… A fallen angel should always be willing to go to whatever lengths are necessary to do what is best for her little demons.”

Riko chuckled. Of course, Yoshiko would retreat to her fallen angel persona. But that didn’t diminish the meaningfulness of her actions.

And as for those actions, the hug was warm, soft and unbelievably comforting. It was glorious. Riko wouldn’t hesitate to describe it as heavenly. Angelic. Yoshiko could have sprouted wings on the spot and Riko would not have been the least bit surprised. Big fluffy white angel wings. Or maybe dark and intimidating demon wings. Or even beautiful black feathered angel wings.

Wait, why was she thinking about Yoshiko and wings?

Then it started to hit her. Everything she had been stuffing down for the last couple weeks as she did her best to keep up the appearance of a dutiful daughter and competent college student. All the emotions of leaving home, her parents, her friends, her dog.

She obviously had needed a hug far more than she had realized. She tightened her embrace.

“It’s alright.” Yoshiko murmured near her ear.

Riko realized her cheeks were already wet and that the other girl likely noticed moisture on her shoulder. When had she started crying?

“I’m here. Let it out.”

Riko sniffled. She opened her mouth to respond, but all that came out was a breathy sob. For her part, Yoshiko patted her back a couple times. Riko lost track of how long the two stood or how many tears she shed onto Yoshiko’s shoulder, but eventually she let out one last ragged sigh and started to pull away.

“Feel better?” Yoshiko offered a gentle smile.

“Mm…” Riko nodded as she dabbed away moister from her eyes with the sleeve of her sleep shirt. “Thank you again.”

“I’m glad I was able to help.”

“So, we were going to talk tomorrow over the phone, but since you’re already here…”

“Yeah, about that… uhm…” Yoshiko reached up and rubbed the back of her neck. “I should actually probably head back, since I kinda snuck out without saying anything, so…”

“Yoshiko-chan.” Riko shook her head.

“I know, I’m sorry.”

“It’s not me you should be apologizing to.”

“Yeah…”

“Anyway, you should probably call or message your parents that you won’t be back until tomorrow morning.”

“I won’t?”

“The last train out would have left not long after you arrived, if I remember the schedule correctly.”

“Wha…?” Yoshiko visibly paled.

“You didn’t look into that before you left?”

Despite asking, Riko realized she knew the answer before it was given, because of course Yoshiko didn’t check. Of course, she would just race off to the aid of a friend without a second thought for herself and what to do afterward. Riko had long since stopped being surprised by Yoshiko’s selflessness and instead began worrying the purported fallen angel would hurt herself in her haste to be helpful.

“No, I just…” The younger girl was clearly panicking now. “I just knew I needed to get here and… Geez, I don’t know… I need to find a place to stay. Where is the nearest hotel?”

“What do you mean hotel? You can just stay here, obviously.”

“Are you sure?”

At this, Riko couldn’t help laughing a little. “You just traveled over a hundred kilometers to give me a hug. The absolute least I can do is set out my guest futon for you to use.”

Despite her amusement, Riko found herself a little confused by Yoshiko’s reaction to her offer. It was by no means the first time she had stayed overnight at Riko’s place, usually after a visit with Prelude ended up lasting a bit too long. Granted this was the first time she would be staying in Riko’s dorm room, but that shouldn’t make that much of a difference, right?

“Alright.” Yoshiko agreed after a moment.

“And if you want, while I get things set up here, you can take my tote down the hall for a shower.”

“Sure, that would be nice. But, uhm… where is the bathroom here?” Yoshiko asked, reaching for the container of supplies.

“It’s at the junction of the wings. You can’t miss it.” Riko assured. “Oh, and let’s get you something to change into.” She pulled open a drawer of her dresser and grabbed the first sleepshirt she found. “Here, this should fit you well enough.”

“Thanks, Riri!” Yoshiko’s mood suddenly swung back to the positive side of the pendulum as she accepted the garment.

“I should be thanking you.” Riko replied.

“You already did.” Yoshiko reminded. “A couple times, in fact.”

“I know, but it really does mean a lot to me.”

“Happy to help.” Yoshiko grinned. “Anyway, back in a bit.”

Riko nodded as the younger girl slipped out the door. She then made her way to her closet to retrieve her guest futon.

Tonight had taken quite the unexpected turn but Riko wasn’t complaining in the slightest. It was one thing for her friends and family to express their support through messages or over the phone, and Riko was appreciative of it all, but it was quite another thing to make a grand gesture the likes of which Yoshiko had just made.

Riko felt like she almost had her own guardian angel. A fallen guardian angel who often awkwardly forgot to think things through thoroughly, but still… The emotional boost she had just received from her friend would undoubtedly carry her through the next couple weeks, if not the rest of the month.

As she settled on her bed with a doujin, Riko found herself looking forward to catching up with Yoshiko for a little while before they turned in for the night. She also pondered how she could pay back the other girl. Perhaps she could make breakfast in the morning before Yoshiko headed out? Yoshiko would be late for school back in Numazu no matter what, so a slight delay for a meal wouldn’t make much of a difference, right? She made a mental note to make such plans once Yoshiko returned, then found where she had left off in the story and started reading.

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Author’s Note Continued in Followup Post

#YohaRiko #YoshiRiko #Sakurauchi Riko #Tsushima Yohane #Love Live Sunshine #Happy Life #fanfic #Tsushima Yoshiko

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marexibinsa · 3 years ago

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10 FACTORS THAT AFFECT WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION COST

Water damage can be a huge issue in a home. It can happen to anyone, for any number of reasons. Some common reasons for water damage include:

Plumbing issues

Faulty appliances, from hot water heaters to refrigerators

Air conditioning problems

Weather-related damage such as flooding, or hailstorm damage that allows water to enter

Moisture buildup in basements, attics, and similar spaces

Clogged gutters

Sewer backups

Water damage can ruin everything from your furniture and rugs to your studs (the wood your home is made of) and even your electrical wiring, if submerged for an extended period of time.

But it doesn’t just cause problems in the moment. If left untreated, even a little water damage will inevitably worsen over time and can cause major problems such as warped floors and damaged walls, and mold growth.

That’s why water damage restoration service in Omaha NE are so important. It’s not just about stopping the immediate damage. It’s about preventing complications in the future.

10 TOP FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE COST OF WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION

It’s hard to know offhand what water damage restoration will cost. Many factors go into the estimate. Bigger, more complicated jobs require more resources and time. Here are some common factors that can affect the cost:

Size of the area affected

Amount of water

Type of water

Where the water is coming from

If water is still present

Time since the water damage started

Types of materials affected

Mold growth

Location of your home

Reconstruction needed

Water cleanup can be complicated. With all these factors just affecting the cost estimate, imagine how much more goes into the cleanup itself! That’s why bringing professionals in quickly is so important.

Read on to understand how and why each factor affects the cost, and how these factors affect each other. That way, you understand what goes into the estimate that you’ll receive from the experts.

Size of the Area Affected

The larger the area affected by water damage, the more time it takes to repair. A water-damaged kitchen is frustrating, but it will be less costly than repairing the entire first floor of a home.

The larger the area affected, the more dehumidification will be necessary before the other work can take place. Likewise, more widespread damage typically means that more materials will need repair and replacement.

Amount of Water

The amount of water and the area affected can be related, but they aren’t the same thing. For example, an inch of water from a broken sink pipe on the first floor could be an easy clean up, while a tiny drip from an upstairs shower that’s been unnoticed for 20 years could be a major mold or home safety issue.

On the other hand, the more water you have, the more likely it is to spread, worsening the damage and increasing the likelihood that there will still be standing water when the experts arrive for cleanup.

A leak from a toilet supply line can deliver 300 gallons/hour, while a washing supply line can deliver 600 gallons of water/hour. High-volume leaks like these can cause severe, costly damage.

Type of Water

Did you know that water is broken down into categories based on the level of hazard it represents? There are three categories of water that can cause damage in your home.

Category 1 is relatively clean water that comes from sanitary sources. It may leak from a toilet tank, a faucet, or a water pipe. It also might come in the form of melting snow. This water isn’t inherently dangerous for humans or pets. It isn’t contaminated. But you still don’t want it causing damage in your home.

Category 2 is water that has been used. This includes washing machine or dishwasher overflow. It doesn’t contain sewage, but it still has contaminants. If left standing, this water can develop bacteria that push it into Category 3.

Category 3 is water that has been contaminated by bacteria or sewage. If often comes from the sewer, but it doesn’t have to. Severe flood waters can also be Category 3. This water can contain bacteria, harmful chemicals, and more. Unfortunately, objects that come into contact with Category 3 water may not be salvageable. That includes your belongings, as well as the materials that make up your home.

Where the Water is Coming From

We mentioned earlier that water damage can arise from a variety of places. The origin of the damage will affect the kind of cleanup required.

For example, a leaky HVAC unit might go unnoticed for a while, if it isn’t being serviced properly. If an HVAC leak is left alone for too long, that can allow mold and mildew to grow and spread, requiring mold remediation.

On the other hand, flood waters can cause widespread damage, requiring floor replacement. A small sewer backup may not cover an enormous area, but it will require special treatment because it’s Category 3 water.

If Water Is Still Present

Is there still water at the damage site? If so, that’s going to affect the restoration process. The experts you call in may need to use pumps or other special equipment to clean the water out before they can even begin doing anything else.

Other factors play in to this one, as well. Is the standing water in a large or small area? How easy is it to reach? These things can affect how easy it is to pump the water away, and how bad the overall damage is.

A good expert can help you make sense of what your home’s materials mean for the cost of your water damage restoration.

Mold Growth

I know that the longer your water damage lasts, the more you’re at risk for mold and bacterial growth. I have talked about how it can start within as little as 3 days, how it can take root within weeks, and how it can cause severe health problems as it goes.

Location of Your Home

The place that you live can affect your recovery time, as well. The basic cost of living in your area will affect water damage restoration cost, but that’s not the only way that your location factors in. If your home is in an area where the climate is more humid, dehumidifying your home will require more time and effort, and cost more.

If you live in a state where the humidity is always high, you know that the person coming in to help you probably lives there, too, and knows how to handle it.

Humidity may not be your friend when it comes to water damage repair, but you can at least ensure that you have a professional working with you whose experience you can trust.

Reconstruction Needed

Generally, repair is preferable to replacement. Opting to repair instead of replace saves money and materials. But that isn’t always an option. I’ve already talked about some of the factors that can necessitate reconstruction. But to recap, they include:

Mold taking root

Contact with contaminated water

Destruction from storm damage

Damage left untreated for long periods of time

Reconstruction can be an important part of getting your life back on track, but it can also affect both the timeline and the cost of your repair.

#Water Damage Restoration Service #water damage cleaning #water extraction

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justtanninglotion · 3 years ago

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Best Acne Treatment Reviews For The Money 2021

Acne can be an extremely annoying affliction. It creates unsightly and irritated bumps on our skin. Acne can be found on any part of a person’s body, including their scalp. It also occasionally causes scarring and permanent damage to your skin. With the stakes so high, it is essential that you find the best acne treatment on the market. It’s a good thing that we’ve included just that information into this article and provided answers to all of your more pressing questions about what causes acne breakouts.

What is Acne?

First of all, let’s discuss acne. Acne is actually an inflammatory skin condition. It is more commonly found on the face, neck, shoulder, back, and chest. What happens is the oil glands of your hair follicles get clogged and then becomes infected. This causes acne’s distinctive bump to form. There are many different types of acne depending on where the bumps appear in your skin. But, no matter the type or severity of the acne breakout, there is always a chance of scarring or other skin damage. For this reason, it is important never to pick at your acne. What Causes Acne Unfortunately, your questions of what causes acne breakouts doesn’t have a great answer. There are a lot of different causes for acne. The majority of people who get acne are teenagers, and this likely has to do with the hormonal changes that happen in our bodies during this time. But, what causes acne in adults is less certain. Doctors do know that acne is influenced by a strain of bacterial call Propionibacterium acnes (or P. acnes). P. acnes lives on our skin and can invade the plugged hair follicle. Some experts believe that the severity of your acne—and what triggers acne—depends on the strain of P. acnes. Other causes of acne include some medications, certain cosmetics, stress, and menstruation in women. Almost all of these factors produce hormonal changes that can create an ideal environment for P. acnes to become a problem. Unlike the old wives’ tale, doctors now know that there are likely no foods that cause acne. A final factor in some people’s propensity for acne breakouts is genetics. Genetics might determine what strain of P. acnes you have on your skin, which is what causes acne. How To Prevent Acne 1 Wash your face and body well every day. 2 Use products designed for your skin type—oily, dry, or combination. 3 Drink a lot of water. 4 Stay away from foods that will spike your blood sugar, such as cola, chips, or sweets. (This prevention method has been used for generations but is not supported by as many studies as the others on this list.) 5 Find a great acne treatment.

What is An Acne Treatment?

An acne treatment is any product that treats acne breakouts. Most people use over-the-counter acne treatments. But, you can also get a prescription from a dermatologist. All acne treatments have at least one ingredient that treats the condition—more on these ingredients below. There are a lot of different acne treatments on the market. Some are stand-alone treatments, and some come in sets of cleansers, spot treatments, and moisturizers. The type of acne treatment that you choose will depend on your own personal preferences, the severity of your acne, and your skin care routine. It may take a couple of tries, but with a little patience, you will find the acne treatment for adults or teenagers that will work for your unique skin. Who can Use Acne Treatments? Acne treatments can be used by anyone. If you have extremely sensitive skin, make sure that you purchase an acne treatment designed for that. Some of the substances in acne treatments are too harsh for sensitive skin. Otherwise, acne treatments are safe for the majority of the population.

Are Acne Treatments Safe?

The best thing you can do to keep your skin safe is to start small and follow the instructions on the acne treatment. Most dermatologists caution against using too many different acne treatment products at once, especially when you are beginning the regimen. This can over-stimulate and dry out your skin. Since irritated skin is what triggers acne, this can produce the opposite of your intended effect. You also want to ensure that you are following the acne treatment’s instructions carefully. It may be tempting to use the product three or four times a day. That should be how to prevent acne, right? Wrong. If you use the acne treatment more than recommended, you can do serious damage to your skin. Finally, make sure you are familiar with the substances used to treat your acne in the product. Some conditions, like pregnancy, require that only some chemicals be used to treat acne. If you are at all concerned about the safety of your chosen acne treatment, discuss the decision with your physician or dermatologist.

Do I need an acne treatment?

If you have acne, you could benefit from an over-the-counter acne treatment. If you have moderate or severe acne, you should probably see a dermatologist before purchasing any acne treatment. Dermatologists have access to stronger acne treatments that may be more appropriate for your skin.

What To Look For in An Acne Treatment

If you have never chosen an acne treatment before, you may not be aware of what you should be looking for in the product. Below we’ve listed your top considerations when buying an acne treatment. Ingredients There are a number of acne treating ingredients that can be used in an acne treatment. Most of them are safe to use, but you will want to pay careful attention to the ingredients if you have certain conditions. All ingredients listed here work as an acne treatment for adults and teenagers. The top acne treatment ingredients are: - Resorcinol: dissolves blackheads and whiteheads - Benzoyl peroxide: a bacteria killer, this is a very common ingredient in acne treatments. - Salicylic acid: another extremely common ingredient, salicylic acid dissolves whiteheads and blackheads and can reduce the inflammation that comes with acne. - Retin-A: unblocks pores -Azelaic acid: strengths skin cells, which makes it harder for acne to occur. - Natural ingredients like tea tree oil, green tea extract, chamomile extract, and safe extract: all of these ingredients have proven acne benefits, plus they occur naturally in nature and so are not man-made chemicals. You will likely see acne treatments that use more than one of the above ingredients. This should not be a problem for most people, as companies will only combine ingredients that do not create any negative side effects when combined. Number of Products Often today you will find acne treatment kits that include a number of products. For many people this is a great acne treatment solution. For one, you will not have to worry about the acne treatment ingredients interacting poorly, as the company has likely already done that research. Another benefit of buying an acne treatment with a number of products is that you receive more for your money. If you receive at least a cleanser, spot treatment, and moisturizer, you skin care regimen is completed, and you will have likely spent less money than if you purchased each of those products individually. Size Often size is a major consideration for any skin care product you purchase. If you are trying a new product then you will likely want to purchase a smaller acne treatment. This way if it doesn’t work well for your skin, you haven’t wasted money. Similarly, for tried and true acne treatments, you may want to purchase a larger size, for you get more value and don’t have to repurchase the treatment as often. Proven results When you have acne, especially if you are trying to find an acne treatment for adults, you will want results. Therefore, it will behoove you to purchase an acne treatment that has already created proven results. Most of the time the top acne treatments are the ones from well-known companies, like Proactiv. If you really like the look of an acne treatment from an unproven company, we recommend looking up reviews of your chosen product online. These reviews will give you a good sense of whether the product works as advertised or not. Also, if you choose any of the acne treatments described below, you will not have to worry, for they are all great choices. Side effects Because we are talking about using foreign substances on our skin, there may be a chance of side effects. For the most part, over-the-counter acne treatments will have much less side effects than acne treatments that must be prescribed by a dermatologist. However, always make sure to read about the side effects and discuss them with your doctor. You don’t want to end up in a worse situation just because you were trying an acne treatment for adults.

Pros and Cons of Acne Treatments

Acne treatments can provide a lot of good to your skin. But, they also come with some cons. Keep both the pros and cons listed below in mind before you purchase a new acne treatment. PROS - Acne treatment can work wonders for your skin. They are one of the best ways to prevent acne and they can clear up any current breakouts. - Treating your acne quickly with the correct products will lower the likelihood of scarring or other skin damage. - Often acne treatments provide other benefits for you skin, including stopping rosacea and brightening your skin tone. CONS - Acne treatments can get expensive if you are purchasing them regularly. - They can potentially hurt your skin if they are not used correctly. - What causes acne isn’t always treatable, so your acne may not completely go away with any acne treatment. Although, it will likely get significantly better.

Top Five Best Acne Treatments 2020—Comparison table

Top Five Best Acne Treatments 2020—Reviews

1 Proactiv 3-Step Acne Treatment System

Buy it On Amazon.com If you want the gold-standard acne treatment, then you need to get Proactiv’s 3-step acne treatment system. No company has a better name when it comes to complete acne care. Anyone who’s ever seen their commercials can attest to the number of celebrities they have as spokespeople. The reason why Proactiv has such a big name is clear when you look at their 3-step acne treatment system. The three steps are cleanse, tone, and repair. Each product includes slightly different acne treating ingredients. But, they all combine to create a highly effective, dermatologist tested, and non-comedogenic (which means it won’t clog your pores) product that has been proven to work time and time again. 2 Exposed Skin Care 6 Piece Acne Treatment Kit

Buy it On Amazon.com Exposed Skin Care may not be the biggest name on this list, but they have the most products in their acne treatment kit. The kit includes six different acne treatment products: the facial cleanser, clearing tonic, acne treatment serum, clear pore serum, moisture complex, and a free Derm-X cloth. Taken together, all six products ensure clean and healthy skin. Some other positives of Exposed Skin Care’s Six Piece Acne Treatment Kit are the fact that it is a gentle product that even the most sensitive skins can use. Plus, it is sulfate and paraben free, which also guarantees that it won’t irritate your skin. 3 Neutralyze Anti-Acne Solution Moderate to Severe Acne Treatment Kit

Buy it On Amazon.com Neutralyze Anti-Acne Solution acne treatment kit is designed for moderate to severe acne. This is nice because often those severity levels are not covered by over-the-counter acne treatments. Like the Proactiv acne treatment kit, this product comes with three separate acne treatments. You receive the face wash, clearing serum, and synergyzer. Each of Neutralyze’s three acne treatments in the kit are developed to clear your acne, prevent further breakouts, and reduce redness and scarring. This acne treatment kit is also made in the United States, so you can be assured of its quality. 4 La Roche-Posay Effaclar Dermatological Acne Treatment System

Buy it On Amazon.com Another acne treatment kit with three separate products, La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Dermatological Acne Treatment System comes with a medicated gel cleanser, clarifying solution, and dual action acne treatment. This acne treatment kit was the winner of the Allure Best of Beauty aware for three years running in the Best Acne Treatment category. La Roche-Posay’s acne treatment system is gentle enough to be used twice daily and doesn’t need to be rinsed off. They guarantee that this three-step process with reduce your acne by 60% in just ten days and that you will be able to see result in a single day. It doesn’t get much better than that. 5 Belli Anti-Blemish Basics Value Set

Buy it On Amazon.com Belli’s Anti-Blemish Basics Value Set includes a cleanser and spot treatment. This set is perfect for someone who only needs to treat mild acne. It is also the perfect product for the environmentally conscious consumer, as most of its ingredients are natural. You will find lactic acid, green tea extract, and cucumber extract as part of its ingredients. Since these are natural ingredients, they will not dry out your skin like chemicals might. Also, Belli’s Anti-Blemish Basics Value Set are gluten-free and not tested on animals. Plus, these products are both safe to be used by pregnant women. So, if those pregnancy hormones have caused acne, you can treat your skin knowing that you are keeping your baby safe too.

How To Use Your Acne Treatment

The best way to use your chosen acne treatment is the way it tells you to on the packaging. But, in general, there are a few instructions that are the same no matter what acne treatment you purchase. Follow the steps outlined below in order to get the most out of your acne treatment. - Use your acne treatment daily. It can’t work if you don’t use it. - Only use the amount of acne treatment specified on the packaging. As we mentioned above, using too much acne treatment in order to speed up the process could end up causing more breakouts. Usually the correct amount will be about the size of a pea. - If your acne treatment does not come with a face wash, make sure the one that you use is designed to be gentle. - Apply moisturizer before using the acne spot treatments. - Once the acne treatment for adults and teens has worked, stop using the product. The ingredients are so harsh that they should only be used once and a while. - Talk to your dermatologist if the acne treatment doesn’t seem to be working, or if you develop a rash or other skin problems while using the product.

Skin Care Tips and Tricks

Proper skin care is an important part of how to control acne. However, not everyone knows how to properly take care of their skin. Below we’ve listed our top tips and tricks for keeping your skin happy and healthy. - Wear sunscreen! Always, always, always wear sunscreen, your skin will thank you for it. - Moisturizer is your friend. It keeps everything hydrated, which can help to prevent acne. - Know whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin and buy the appropriate products for your skin type. There is a lot of information about there about skin types, but you can always talk to your dermatologist if you are confused. - Exfoliate regularly—but not daily. You want to be gentle with your skin while doing this, but it can help remove the dead skin cells that could block your pores and create an acne breakout. - Use the products in the correct order. There is a reason why we cleanse before we moisturize. Read the full article

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lnkjanitors · 3 years ago

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Cleaning Service for Pet Owners and Cost Lincoln NE| LNK Janitorial Services

More information is at: https://cleaningserviceslincoln.org/cleaning-service-for-pet-owners-near-me/

About our Cleaning Service for Pet Owners near Lincoln NE: If you are pet owner and looking for a cleaning service, call LNK Janitorial Services. Staying on top of cleaning up after your pet is crucial, and also next to impossible; that's why many pet owners hire a cleaning service like LNK Janitorial Services. We also offer carpet cleaning, floor cleaning, maids service, deep cleaning and pet urine removal services. Best Apartment cleaning company for pet owners in Lincoln NE. Cost of Cleaning Service for Pet Owners? Free estimates! Call today or schedule a Cleaning Service for Pet Owners online easily!

REQUEST A QUOTE TODAY

PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICE FOR PET OWNERS

While many maid services and Apartment cleaning companies balk at the mere mention of pet fur or a litter box, we rejoice in it. We do it all; cat litter box cleaning, pet yard cleanup / pooper scooper services, pet odor removal and more. A Apartment that smells of a pet does not necessarily indicate bad Housekeeping on the home owner’s part. Even the tidiest homemaker can have a stinky pet. Since dogs and cats spend a lot of time laying and rolling around on the floor, their body odors permeate into the fibers. Add to that the smell of pet accidents and well… things can get a bit gamey. With Heaven’s Best arsenal of advanced pet friendly cleaning products and a dedicated team of cleaning experts, we have the tools to tackle any job, big or small. Stains and odors are removed using an eco-friendly, water-based citrus cleaning solution and an organic deodorizer, ensuring a safe environment for you, your family, and your pets.

Pet Urine Removal LNK Janitorial Services With the increasing number of pets in American homes, damaged carpet from pet urine is increasingly common. While pets are great to have, they do require taking some additional care for your carpets to maintain a healthy and bacteria free indoor environment. Pet urine can cause permanent damage to your floors and fabrics. When an animal urinates on the carpet it is critical to get the spot cleaned as soon as possible. Urine deposited on carpet does not stay there; it penetrates the ﬁbers and contaminates both the backing of the carpet and the ﬂooring material below the carpet. Often, without your knowing, pets will urinate continually in the same general location.

It is much easier to remove the urine once it has been deposited as the urine is in an acid state. Once the urine is allowed to dry it becomes alkaline and an array of damage begins to take place. Your carpet is now the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to flourish almost immediately. The acid in the urine will react with the carpet and can permanently discolor the carpet, especially if the urine is allowed to sit for days or weeks.

Urine, left untreated, will always give off unpleasant and offensive odors. Urine odors can permeate from the floor whether from a cement slab, wood floor, the tack strips and even behind the walls. This is caused by the bacteria growth that eventually melds into the carpet fibers and padding. While the urine may have dried the salt and crystals from the urine remain in and under the carpet. The slightest moisture, even humidity, will activate these elements making the odor more concentrated and pungent. The only way to get rid of the odor is to remove the urine salts in the carpet, in the backing of the carpet as well as the pad underneath. In the very worst cases, the concrete slab will need to be disinfected and resealed.

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We will come out to your home and assess the urine stains. If you are unsure as to where the urine spots may be located there is no need to worry. We can pinpoint where each urine stain is located by using our black light urine detector. We will start working immediately to remove the urine and salts and restore your healthy indoor environment. If the damage is extensive, we can pull up the carpet, remove and extract the urine from the affected portions, treating the fibers and the back of the carpet with enzymatic cleaning solution. Enzyme based cleaning solutions are the only products that will break down the bacteria and ensure a bacteria free healthy home. In the cases where the acid in the urine has permanently dyed the carpet there is no way to restore the color. We can, however, re-dye or patch the area with carpet from a remnant or an inconspicuous area such as a closet.

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CONTACT US: LNK Janitorial Services CALL: CALL (402) 875-7346 JANITORIAL SERVICES CALL: CALL (402) 590 8090 JUNK REMOVAL CALL: CALL (402) 881 3135 CLEANING CALL: CALL (402) 875 7305 HANYDMAN CALL: CALL (402) 590 8095 MOVING WEBSITE: www.cleaningserviceslincoln.org http://www.servicelincoln.com/ http://www.lincolnhouseholdservices.com/ SERVICE AREA: Lincoln Nebraska Metro Area: Bennet Ne, Firth Ne, Hallam Ne, Hickman Ne, Lancaster County, Lincoln Nebraska, Malcolm Ne, Milford Ne, Panama Ne, Seward County, Seward Ne, Staplehurst Ne, Utica Ne, Walton Ne, WAVERLY NE, Lincoln NE | Lincoln NE | Lancaster County NE | Seward County NE | Milford NE | 68501, 68510, 68512, 68514, 68516, 68517, 68520, 68524, 68526, 68529, 68531, 68532, 68542, 68544, 68583, 68588.Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area: Downtown Omaha, Central Omaha, Southwest Lincoln and Sarpy County, including the communities of Lincoln, Omaha, Bellevue, Blair, Carter Lake, Elkhorn, Fort Calhoun, Fremont, Gretna, La Vista, Millard, Papillion, Ralston, Springfield, Plattsmouth, Arlington, Ashland, Louisville, Wahoo, Yutan and Waterloo, NE, and Missouri Valley, Avoca, Glenwood, Council Bluffs, IA. Zip codes: 68007, 68010, 68022, 68102, 68104, 68105, 68106, 68107, 68108, 68110, 68111, 68112, 68114, 68116, 68117, 68118, 68122, 68124, 68127, 68130, 68131, 68132, 68134, 68135, 68137, 68142, 68144, 68147, 68152, 68154, 68157, 68164, 68178. #cleaning #Lincoln #nebaraska #junk #moving #Janitorial #handyman

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mobilemechanicsomaha · 4 years ago

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Best Headlight Restoration Service and Cost in Omaha NE | Mobile Mechanics of Omaha

More information is at: http://24hourautotruckrepairomaha.org/headlight-restoration-service-near-me/

Headlight Restoration service near Omaha NE: Are you looking for Headlight Restoration service near Omaha NE? Mobile Mechanics of Omaha, can help you restore your headlights to their proper shine in locations and surrounding area. Cost? Free estimates! Send us a message or call us today. Best Headlight Restoration Service around Omaha NE. We serve Omaha NE and other areas. Get a Free Quote Now!

HEADLIGHT RESTORATION SERVICE IN OMAHA NE

OMAHA HEADLIGHT RESTORATION

Headlight Restoration At Mobile Mechanics of Omaha

Headlight Restoration service near Omaha NE: Dim headlights are a safety threat and can limit your visibility while driving. It can also limit other drivers from seeing you. Mobile Mechanics of Omaha can help you restore your headlights to their proper shine in locations and surrounding area.

What headlights do: If your headlights are not as clear as they need to be or are only slightly brighter when fully on compared to dim, your car may need a headlight restoration. Cloudy, foggy, yellowed headlights are dangerous and may hinder your vision when cruising at night or in bad weather. Keeping your headlights in excellent condition is essential for any kind of car to be driven safely after dark. A headlight restoration can enhance visibility by approximately 140 percent.

Omaha NE Headlight Restoration Ensures Driver Safety

Headlight Restoration service near Omaha NE: Why is headlight restoration important: Headlights may burn out or dim. Similar to any other light bulb they ought to be changed. Cloudy or yellowed headlight lenses could substantially decrease the usefulness of your headlights, even if the bulb is brand new. A headlight restoration could make your headlights shine like new, extending the lifespan of your headlights and improving visibility. In some cases, a simple restoration procedure might be much more financially viable. Mobile Mechanics of Omaha can help you with this!

Indications that your headlights might need restoring:

● Cloudy, foggy, or yellowed headlights

● Dim lights or lights that are just somewhat brighter on full than on dim

● Scratched or ruined headlights

What headlight restoration includes:

● Restoration to the headlight casing

● Check bulbs for effective strength and performance

Headlight restoration could improve visibility around 140 percent and may shine up to 3 or 4 times brighter.

Mobile Mechanics of Omaha offers quality Headlight Restoration in Omaha NE at great prices!

Come see our mechanics at Mobile Mechanics of Omaha, to get your headlights in top shape today! You can schedule an appointment for your next headlight restoration or other auto repair service. Mobile Mechanics of Omaha is proud to be your number one source for headlight restoration, auto repair, and tires in Omaha NE and surrounding areas.

Benefits of Headlight Restoration

Headlight Restoration service near Omaha NE: Headlight restoration not only enhances the overall look of your vehicle, but it will also increase your level of safety. Whether your headlights have become oxidized and cloudy due to regular wear and tear or if you are in need of replacement lights, it would be in your best interest to contact an auto headlight repair shop in Arlington such as Mobile Mechanics of Omaha. Our friendly team of professionals are highly trained and capable of assessing your headlights and properly cleaning and restoring them to their original state. Today car headlights are most commonly polycarbonate instead of glass, which makes them far more durable. However, this material is more likely to become yellowed or dim over time, which is where headlight restoration services come in handy. Since you don’t want to be caught this fall or winter with dim headlights that fail to illuminate the roads, so be sure you call us to take care of the problem before it gets worse.

Many people think that once their headlights become dim and difficult to see through, they must be replaced entirely. This can be quite costly and, in many cases, is not necessary. Our expert technicians will be able to tell you whether or not headlight replacement is required, or if we will be able to restore them at the shop.

Signs of Headlight Wear and Tear

The sun, sand, rain, snow, and other elements can be extremely difficult on your headlights and can limit the visibility and performance of them as time goes on. The haze on the headlight lens significantly affects the amount of light that is allowed through the lens, which in turn impacts your ability to see your surroundings and oncoming vehicles when driving. If you notice your headlights are dim, have a dull haze, or a yellowish tint, it may be time for you to look into car headlight repair in Fort Worth.

Headlight Restoration Benefits

As mentioned, having your headlights restored is not only important for their overall aesthetic appeal, but for safety reasons. So, what will a headlight restoration do for your vehicle?

● Remove scratches

● Restore cloudy, dull lenses

● Help maintain the overall value of your vehicle

● Maintain functionality and performance

● Increase visibility

● Increase safety

● Enhance the appearance of your vehicle by adding radiance

● Save you money by not having to purchase a new headlight (which can be costly!)

● Save you money by avoiding headlight installation costs

● Enables you to keep the original headlights

These benefits show how important and cost-efficient headlight restoration is. It is important to take action and look into your auto headlight restoration options in Arlington before your visibility worsens and you are left in a dangerous or costly situation. Headlight restoration is an important part of keeping your car in great shape, both inside and out. To learn more about headlight restoration and what these services can do for you and your vehicle, please contact us today!

Why You Should Have Your Headlights Restored

Headlight Restoration service near Omaha NE: The chief purpose of headlight restoration is to restore the amount of light your car’s headlights can produce. As discoloration can occur slowly over the course of a few years you may not even notice the reduction in visibility but it can be quite severe. As your car can last decades if well maintained your lenses can become highly discolored long before your car needs to be replaced. A professionally certified technician can restore your lenses to the new condition and install any needed OEM replacement parts. Headlight restoration can more than triple your car’s light output keeping you safe when driving.

The Dangers Of Driving With Cloudy Headlights

When driving at night or in bad weather around Highland Park you need your headlights to be at their best, the last thing you want is a reduced range of vision leading to an avoidable accident. Foggy headlights can cause a reduction in light output as high as 140% when compared to when your headlights were new and clear. This reduction in your area of sight can easily lead to accidents due to not being able to see far enough in front of you or in the areas surrounding your car.

Headlight restoration is an important part of keeping your car in great shape, both inside and out. To learn more about headlight restoration and what these services can do for you and your vehicle, please contact us today!

TIPS

Headlight Restoration service near Omaha NE: Headlights are essential when you are driving at night and even driving during the day! It is one of the indicators for a car. If the headlights are foggy or hazy, then it can be more dangerous for you and other drivers out on the road. Getting completely new headlights can be pricey. However, restoration is affordable and can make the headlights look just as good as new. Here are some tips to consider if you want to restore your headlights for your car:

● Inside the headlights: there can be small cracks on the polycarbonate lenses of the headlight. Although you might not get the moisture out, if you drain the water and seal the crack, generally you can get the condensation out of the inside. Fortunately, most of the “haze” on headlights is often on the outside and UV coating applied in the manufacturing process can be removed, polished and protected.

● Do not use household glass cleaners: common household glass cleaners contain a chemical called ammonia. This chemical can cause the plastic to turn yellow. So, do not use any household glass cleaners when restoring your headlights.

● Always test: after you try to hand polish the headlights, it is important to remember to check and make sure it actually worked. To not make it any worse, focus on a small area of the headlight and see if you can see a difference after you hand polished it.

● Don’t Try toothpaste: toothpaste is a temporary fix to polishing a headlight to pass inspection but doesn’t last because it doesn’t fix the ultimate problem of oxidized UV coating on the Polycarbonate lens.

● Headlight deoxidizer: in the past, glass was used in headlight manufacturing, but since plastic is cheaper, it has replaced glass. Pollutants, debris, and UV rays can cause the headlights to develop a hazy and discolored look. A headlight deoxidizer can remove all of that and make the headlights clearer. Another advantage from this is your car will also look better, which can increase the value of your car if you ever plan on selling it.

● Restore headlights in a shady area: it is best to work on the headlights in a shaded area or in a garage. Before you start, make sure your car is cooled down and the headlights themselves are at room temperature.

● Wash the headlights: before you start restoring them, clean them with soapy water, then rinse and dry with a clean towel.

● Sand the headlights: once the headlights are cleaned, you should sand down the face of the headlights. The sandpaper should be soaked in water first to soften it. Once you start, always sand in straight lines, never circles. After the headlights have been sanded, they should be wiped down with a clean towel. Make sure not to reuse the towels because that may cause further damage to the headlight surface.

● Buff: After you have finished sanding the headlights, you can use a rubbing compound and start to buff. As you do that, you should allow the headlights to haze. Then, use a buffing pad to make them clear again. While buffing, you should use a standard household drill and automotive masking tape to protect the areas of the car around the headlights. As you continue to buff, you will notice the headlights become restored to a shiny finish and are very clear.

● Polish and wax: you can try different techniques to give the headlights that shiny finish by using polish and wax. Rub polish for a few minutes on the headlights in circular motions. Once you have made them clear with the polish, you can apply wax. Wax the lens like you would a car. Doing this will thoroughly lean and protect the lens.

COST

How much does it cost to do headlight restoration?

Headlight Restoration service near Omaha NE: The average cost of headlight restoration is typically between $85 and $150 for both headlights, according to most auto detailers.

Similarly one may ask, how much does Mobile Mechanics of Omaha headlight restoration cost?

Restoration is a much more cost-effective option. New headlights and exterior lights can cost anywhere from $150-$1,700 each to replace. Restoration and cleaning can be done for far less with similar improvement in vehicle headlight appearance.

how do you refurbish car headlights?

Step 1: Add baking soda to your toothpaste if it's not gritty enough for whitening.

Step 2: Use a toothbrush to really work the paste into the light.

Step 3: Spray the headlight with warm water.

Step 4: Cover the headlight with wax to keep the plastic from quickly getting dingy again.

does headlight restoration really work?

New bulbs might restore some headlight brightness, bulbs can dim with age as well. But clouded lenses that aren't restored will continue to reduce headlight effectiveness, potentially causing safety issues in nighttime driving and low-visibility conditions.

Does Mobile Mechanics of Omaha clean headlights?

The Mobile Mechanics of Omaha Headlight Cleaning Service is a more cost-effective option. In about 30 minutes, the Mobile Mechanics of Omaha Headlight Cleaning Service helps remove the haze and clarify the lenses, bringing sparkle back to your headlights.

The cost of headlight restoration is typically between $75 and $150 for both headlights, according to auto detailers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will resurfacing my headlights improve visibility while driving at night?

Yes. Resurfacing your lenses may improve your night visibility by as much as 95 percent. Driving with yellowed or clouded lenses is a safety hazard. After resurfacing your lenses you will notice that you no longer need to drive with your bright on all the time.

Can I resurface the lens to prevent yellowing if there is nothing wrong with the lens?

Yes. We strongly recommend this. Follow all three steps as if you are resurfacing an older lens. We recommend repeating this every 12 to 24 months for best results.

I’ve resurfaced my headlights using your system and they look great. How long will these refurbished lights look good?

This is dependent upon a number of different factors, including climate, amount of UV (sun) exposure, salty ocean air, high mineral content in water, improper cleaning and caring for your vehicle, and other causes. Our product was developed and tested in Southeast Florida, where we are subject to the worst of all of these elements. The headlights we’ve done still look great!

Is the yellow on some headlights coming from the inside?

It’s possible. Depending on the car and how well the headlight is sealed, some headlights do have a little bit of yellow originating from the inside. This is usually just a small portion of the damage you are seeing and using our system can dramatically improve the appearance and your visibility at night.

The lights on my car have a gritty feel to them and I can see pits in the plastic. Can your system fix this?

Yes. This type of repair takes a little more work, but you’ll still be done with both headlights in less than 10 minutes. Call us for more detailed instruction if needed.

Can I use this on the red and yellow plastic that the blinkers and tail lights are made out of?

Yes. This system can be used on any type of plastic. It doesn’t even need to be automobile related.

Why You Should Have Your Headlights Restored

The chief purpose of headlight restoration is to restore the amount of light your car’s headlights can produce. As discoloration can occur slowly over the course of a few years you may not even notice the reduction in visibility but it can be quite severe. As your car can last decades if well maintained your lenses can become highly discolored long before your car needs to be replaced. A professionally certified technician can restore your lenses to the new condition and install any needed OEM replacement parts. Headlight restoration can more than triple your car’s light output keeping you safe when driving.

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BEST HEADLIGHT RESTORATION SERVICE IN OMAHA NE

MOBILE MECHANICS OF OMAHA

REQUEST MORE INFORMATION. CONTACT US NOW!

Mobile Mechanics of Omaha

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Communities we serve: Omaha, Carter Lake, Council Bluffs, Crescent, Bellevue, Boys Town, La Vista, Papillion, Honey Creek, Offutt A F B, Bennington, Fort Calhoun, Washington, Elkhorn, St Columbans, Underwood, Kennard, Mc Clelland, Mineola, Waterloo, Springfield, Missouri Valley, Treynor, Cedar Creek, Gretna, Blair, Valley, Neola, Pacific Junction, Plattsmouth, Silver City, Glenwood, Louisville, Yutan, Arlington, Minden, Modale, South Bend, Logan, Murray, Ashland, Mead, Persia, Memphis, Manley, Magnolia, Macedonia, Malvern, Fremont, Carson, Oakland, Herman, Murdock, Nickerson, Shelby, Weeping Water, Hastings, Mondamin, Henderson, Ithaca, Hancock, Nehawka, Tabor, Union, Greenwood, Thurman, Portsmouth, Woodbine, Colon, Wahoo, Avoca, Emerson, Winslow, Avoca, Elmwood, Little Sioux, Cedar Bluffs, Pisgah, Tekamah, Alvo, Randolph, Ames, Hooper, Panama, Craig, Waverly, Ceresco, Percival, Otoe, Imogene, Malmo, Sidney, Uehling, Walnut, Harlan, Westphalia, Eagle, Lincoln, Dunlap, Moorhead, Red Oak, Morse Bluff, Weston, Griswold, Blencoe, Earling, Davey, Dunbar, Nebraska City, North Bend, Unadilla, Elliott, Lewis, Prague, Syracuse, Marne, Scribner, Oakland, Palmyra, Pilot Grove, Walton, Riverton, Farragut, Shenandoah, Valparaiso, Lorton, Essex, Soldier, Hamburg, Defiance, Kirkman, Raymond, Dow City, Stanton, Atlantic, Decatur, Bennet, Elk Horn, Snyder, Lyons, Kimballton, Irwin, Arion, Malcolm, West Point, Panama, Roca, Dodge, Manilla, Yorktown, Northboro, Coin, Hickman, Denton, Bancroft, Aspinwall, Sprague, Clarinda, Martell, Blanchard, Manning, Beemer, College Springs, Shambaugh, Braddyville, 50022, 51432, 51446, 51447, 51454, 51455, 51501, 51502, 51503, 51510, 51520, 51521, 51523, 51525, 51526, 51527, 51528, 51529, 51530, 51531, 51532, 51533, 51534, 51535, 51536, 51537, 51540, 51541, 51542, 51543, 51544, 51545, 51546, 51548, 51549, 51550, 51551, 51552, 51553, 51554, 51555, 51556, 51557, 51558, 51559, 51560, 51561, 51562, 51563, 51564, 51565, 51566, 51570, 51571, 51572, 51573, 51575, 51576, 51577, 51578, 51579, 51591, 51593, 51601, 51602, 51603, 51630, 51631, 51632, 51636, 51637, 51638, 51639, 51640, 51645, 51647, 51648, 51649, 51650, 51651, 51652, 51653, 51654, 51656, 52648, 68002, 68003, 68004, 68005, 68007, 68008, 68009, 68010, 68015, 68016, 68017, 68018, 68019, 68020, 68022, 68023, 68025, 68026, 68028, 68029, 68031, 68033, 68034, 68037, 68038, 68040, 68041, 68042, 68044, 68045, 68046, 68048, 68050, 68056, 68057, 68058, 68059, 68061, 68063, 68064, 68065, 68066, 68068, 68069, 68070, 68072, 68073, 68101, 68102, 68103, 68104, 68105, 68106, 68107, 68108, 68109, 68110, 68111, 68112, 68113, 68114, 68116, 68117, 68118, 68119, 68120, 68122, 68123, 68124, 68127, 68128, 68130, 68131, 68132, 68133, 68134, 68135, 68136, 68137, 68138, 68139, 68142, 68144, 68145, 68147, 68152, 68154, 68155, 68157, 68164, 68172, 68175, 68176, 68178, 68179, 68180, 68181, 68182, 68183, 68197, 68198, 68304, 68307, 68317, 68336, 68339, 68346, 68347, 68349, 68366, 68372, 68382, 68402, 68403, 68404, 68407, 68409, 68410, 68413, 68417, 68418, 68419, 68428, 68430, 68438, 68446, 68454, 68455, 68461, 68462, 68463, 68501, 68502, 68503, 68504, 68505, 68506, 68507, 68508, 68509, 68510, 68512, 68514, 68516, 68517, 68520, 68521, 68522, 68523, 68524, 68526, 68527, 68528, 68529, 68531, 68532, 68542, 68583, 68588, 68621, 68633, 68648, 68649, 68664, 68716, 68788

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howaythelasssf · 4 years ago

Text

Tea Tasting Notes & Glossary

Ancient Mystery Tea glossary

I’m starting a tea glossary here:

Green tea is unoxidized

White tea is lightly oxidized

Wulong (Oolong) tea is semi oxidized

Red (aka black) is heavily oxidized (generally 94% or higher though some ancient red teas are oxidized to 80-90%)

True black (pu’er) is fermented

“Gung fu” is master tea processing. I just looked up this term and see it’s the same as the term I associate with martial arts. In both contexts it means the same thing, referring more to what a person puts into something rather than the nature of the thing itself. (The term is made up of two characters: the first, Kung (功), can mean skillful work, hard training, or endeavor. The second, Fu (夫), means time spent.)

Standard tea processing has these steps:

1. Pick tea in spring (generally a bud and two leaves)

2. Wither the tea to reduce moisture content (generally done outdoors)

3. Roll the tea (once for standard process, multiple times for gung fu process.

4. Oxidize the tea

5. Bake the tea to stabilize it for market

Trichomes - tiny pieces of tea that float in the water that may have health promoting properties.

Notes on the 2.27.21 tasting - Vintage (red)

Vintage red tea comes from Fengqing to the north of Lincang, 7000 ft above sea level and a challenging 4 hour AWD ride from Lincang, itself difficult to get to even by plane.

Mini history lesson

1931 Japanese invaded NE China

1937 two tea experts promoted to migrate to Yunnan in search of safety to produce tea. Back then there was no infrastructure whatsoever, super remote (still many places are).

1939 they produced their first finished tea for sale. 500 baskets.

Yunnan is considered to be the birthplace of tea. There are 3500 year old tea trees there. There are more varietals of tea tree in Yunnan than anywhere else. At least 25, probably more to be discovered.

Notes on the 3/6/21 tasting - Ascending Aura (True Black Pu’erh)

“Tea is about the total experience”

This is a true black tea meaning it’s been fermented.

“Hai cha”

Unusually this was a fall pick. Usually Sophie’s doesn’t go for fall picks as they can suffer from greater exposure to insecticides. Plantation bushes are sprayed regularly during the growing season so by fall they have been sprayed many times.

This pick (2009) came from 300-1400 year old wild tea trees. These are never sprayed as they are wild.

Packaged in 2012.

Tea leaves are given a number representing their relative size (1-10).

Tea leaves are also graded (special grade being the very best, first grade the next best, etc.)

Special grade: >70% 1 bud, 1 leaf

First grade: >50% <70% 1 bud, 1 leaf

Most fully fermented teas are blends of different grades

Brew this tea in glass but with a cover.

Process for Pu’erh

Pu’erh is processed in a special way to encourage microbial fermentation after the leaves are dried.

- Wither under sun

- Fry at lower temp than green tea - long enough to halt the tea's oxidation, but not so long as to drive off all moisture and kill natural bacteria.

- The tea is then left to dry in the sun, but the bacteria live on, and over years and decades, they'll help completely transform the tea from a fresh, bitter green into something more dark, mellow, and rich.

- Sort package etc. For the typical Pu-erh cakes this involves steaming then compress into cakes and drying again.

Lincang factories make tons of pu'erh tea, most of which is compressed into cakes.

History In 1973 China patented the fermented tea process dramatically accelerating the fermentation process, reducing time from many years to a couple of months. It’s a composting style process in the factories.

From 1973-mid 80s, tea masters resisted the idea that tea didn't need to be aged naturally. They wanted it to be only 80% fermented so it would need to age after fermentation and their expertise would still be needed. Fully fermented teas don't "age" materially as they are already fermented.

After 1987, only rare artisanal teas have not been processed using this patented process. Unique fully fermented teas can only be found in villages or with special grade source material (wild not plantation tea).

Beware liars, cheaters and scammers. In the tea world, fermented tea is the second most commonly faked tea. (# 1 is Dragonwell.) The tea is not well understood. The tea has been the subject of speculative crazes.

An app for tea experts exists in China that allows tea masters to look up fermented tea details in a database to determine if it's a fake.

Junshan Needle (Yellow tea) tasting, 3/13/21

Ceremonial tea.

Grown on a very small (1km2) island in Dongting Lake in Hunan Province. Very rare and unusual tea. Grown at lowest altitude, almost sea level. Also grown in fields beside the lake. Very hard to get this tea, especially the highest quality. Special varietal on this island, not found elsewhere. No photos allowed.

Leaders of China come to Dongting Lake at some point in their career. Private trips to enjoy the tea. When China joins the UN, it serves this tea to everyone at the ceremony to mark the occasion. When Putin went to China in the early 2000s, he received a gift of tea from this area. Fewer than 5% of Chinese ever get to taste this tea.

This is a bud only tea. To make 1 1/3 lbs of tea, 105,000 buds need to be picked. An expert tea picker can pick 200g, less than 1/2 lb. The tea can only be picked at a particular time of year. Just once picking a year in April.

There are a lot of rules about picking these buds. Size, condition, weather constraints, etc.

When we discuss the tea on Saturday let's also remember to use the terminology we started to use over the past few weeks as we evaluate. When thinking of Yellow teas some of the descriptors are: (Aroma) Light and fresh. Tea Liquor--light, transparent. Taste--soft, smooth, thick, thin, sweet, mellow, cleansing, or drying. Does the flavor linger? This tea is brewed at lower temperature so be careful when you take a tiny sip.

Process - kept private

Pan frying 130-175F, relatively low temperature, with special hand movements, for just 5 minutes. Don’t completely denature oxidative enzymes.

Then wither, reduce moisture content

Bake in a charcoal oven for a short period of time, again to reduce water content

Remove from oven, spread out

Every bud needs to be similar size and shape, otherwise thrown out

Wrapped in a craft paper

Enhanced flavonoids in this tea

When thinking of Yellow teas some of the descriptors are:

(Aroma) Light and fresh.

Tea Liquor--light, transparent.

Taste--soft, smooth, thick, thin, sweet, mellow, cleansing, or drying.

Complexity

3/20/21 - Ancient Woodland (Pu’erh)

From Yunnan Province, Ailao Mountains.

Ancient tree - created in an indigenous zone. Indigenous people pick and process this on site. Does not go to Menghai (industrialized processing for terrace tea).

Does it make a difference if it’s processed on site vs. at an industrialized plant?

Considerations: ISO standards observed in the factory setting but fermentation at the farm uses local bacteria in the forest. No tourists. Very impoverished, very remote and can’t drive all the way there. 2-3 hours to get to the right part of the forest and need a guide to get there. Officials do not go there as they cannot drive there.

Wild trees are around 2000 years old, very large, need to climb to harvest. Likely self-planted, self-propagated trees. This area has the largest known ancient tea groves in the world.

Sophie’s doesn’t purchase fully fermented teas from factories. Often economics trump taste and they don’t modify their process according to the nature of the material they are processing. Too many pitfalls in the fully fermented world.

True black tea, fermented

Marketeers are trying to create a separate category of tea for Pu’erh as distinct from other black teas. Their terms:

Cooked pu’erh = fully fermented

Raw pu’erh = starting the fermentation journey

Manufacturing Process in the village

There is a scarcity of ancient tea leaves and the value has gone up a lot since 2000. Pre-2000, especially pre-1993 people didn’t really understand the value. There was a stampede though it hasn’t touched the Ailao Mountains (giant spiders, giant wasps, cobras, pythons, gibbons). This area’s “source material” - the trees - is called “the Grandfather”. Given the scarcity, it is not used to make a standard fully fermented tea. Instead make it as a raw black. As long as indigenous people didn’t agitate for independence, CCP left them alone. They were completely remote till about 2000 and even since then very few outsiders have visited. There is now a World Heritage Site nearby.

95% of fully fermented tea that has been produced post-1985 has been made via industrial composting process, not much creativity in that method.

Will see stems in this tea - reflecting the need to complement the meagre amount of tea leaves. Would lose the flavor of the tea if it was blended with terrace tea.

Picking is a communal effort, processing can also be communal within the village.

Pick time: spring, relatively early, 3-4 leaves

Brewing Process

7g used after experimenting with 3/4/5/6g and ended up with 7g as it promoted the sweet elements best

Start with rinsing the tea for 20-30 sec in 200F water

Use rinse water to keep glass warm

Brew uncovered for 3 mins at 200F. (Cf. Ascending Aura which is brewed covered as the leaves are younger.)

Benefits of this tea:

Fermented tea is great for digestion especially after a fatty meal.

Stimulative properties: higher caffeine than green tea, warming tea

Tasting notes:

Very limited astringency, very little dryness on the tongue. Dark and mellow and smooth. “A mass of ungainly, different sized, leaves emitting a very slight floral aroma in the bag. In the glass, they hang down, and rise up. A drama in the cup. Floral is replaced by mushroom, veg aroma.”

March 27 Wulong Tea

Grown in many places? Tea varietals are grown all over the world that are then processed as Wulongs. Most famous is the origin of Wu Long in China. In China there are 3 areas: Wuyi mountains (Northern Fujian Province), Southern Fujian province, Taiwan.

Difference is easy to summarize. 3 month process from pick to final product. Southern Fujian 36 hours from pick to finish process, on market 30 days later. Similar in Taiwan to Southern Fujian.

Semi-oxidized tea.

You may hear the term green oolong, this is a misnomer for some lightly oxidized teas. (Green tea is NOT oxidized.)

Tea bushes elsewhere in the world, Canton, Nepal, India, Hawaii, etc., are processed as Wulong. “Canton-style” is closest in style. Conditions aren’t exactly the same though as tea processed in the three main areas.

Cliff teas - 25-80% oxidized

Canton - 35-55% oxidized

The high quality producers don’t track the % oxidized. They do it by smell.

Tasting descriptors

Vibrancy

Minerality

Aromas, flavors

Toasty aroma followed by floral flavors. Hence the Black Peony name(?)

Roasted over charcoal - slight smoky taste

The Black Peony we are tasting is from the Wuyi mountains. Harvested late April into May. Cliff tea. Pick top 3 leaves.

Wulong is drunk at a higher temp that white, green and red teas. Brewed at 200F.

At the shop, tea that costs $11 a cup comes from the mountain. Under $11 a cup, the tea is coming from the edge of the mountain.

Northern Fujian vs. Southern Fujian differences in the process

Education level differs - in northern Fujian in the Wuyi mountains, many temples, places of philosophy and education, farmers were influenced by this. People come on pilgrimages from all over China. World heritage site. Poetry and landscape art. Buddhists and Daoists were literate and interested in science as it was then. Experimented with tea over the centuries. 2-4 month process.

Southern Fujian very different, lower elevation, didn’t get the flow of intellectuals and creatives into the area. Farmers in south weren’t exposed to literate people. Much simpler process, 36 hours.

Taiwanese are much better marketeers than the Chinese. 1852 is when they started marketing their tea. Emperor of the Tang Dynasty was enjoying tea from Wuyi mountains as early as 618. Tea from Wuyi Mtns has been famous for centuries. Wulong process started late 1500s, early 1600s.

Scammers often roast for a very long time over charcoal as it dominates all the other flavors.

On the mountain, other plants around the tea bushes influence the flavor. This doesn’t happen in tea plantations as every bush is surrounded only by tea bushes.

Salient comments:

I really like its boldness. The tea is cascade of minerals and floral scents

the floral nature of the aroma comes thru as it cools for me

I think this tea is not for food pairing; best to enjoy by itself or with dark chocolate

There are teas that draw me into contemplation. but I feel that this tea is great for focus.

tasting is about being present and fully conscious of the tea experience… drinking is more about hydration and less about the experience (one is about mind and the other about body.. at least from my perspective

April 3, 2021 - Polestar Wu Long Tea

Very popular tea at Sophie’s

Wuyi Mountains, northern Fujian province. Famous cliff tea, from right on the edge of the mountain, better value. Within the mountain - 7.6 km2, best terroir for the cliff teas, 10x the price.

Artisanal cliff teas - 2-3 months to process.

Small pots, e.g., 6oz, require a different process and steeping times. There are schools in China for this, each with their own standard. Without education, making tea in pots this size is just playing per John.

12-16oz standards devised by John and Xiaobei for western tea drinkers of Chinese tea. The rules are updated every time tea supply is backfilled.

Heat equipment

Add tea, shake with lid on to distribute heat and get a sense for the aroma

200F water down the sides

Warm cup while tea is brewing (ceramic 1st brew 3 1/2 mins)

Spring harvest. This varietal is ready for picking earlier than Black Peony.

After brewing and pouring, smell the leaves to establish a baseline aroma.

Very cautious sip (hot tea!)

Very smooth drinking tea, aroma doesn’t necessarily match the taste.

I found the image below helpful in identifying what I am tasting. First time I’ve contributed a tasting comment and John praised it highly.

The more I drink it, the more I am getting the aroma I associate with Uncle Billy’s house in Hexham in the 1980s. He used something called snuff, ground tobacco which he would inhale. I notice the sale of snuff has been banned in the UK since 1992!

Tea process

Pick in the morning, stop around 1pm

1 bud two leaves

Wither leaves in a single layer on bamboo trays outside in the sun to reduce the moisture content evenly across the leaves (allows leaves to be rolled without falling apart)

Bring inside to wither further on bamboo trays but pile them more thickly than when outside, 2-4 leaves in each layer

Heat the leaves, fry them until they are sticky, then roll them right away to distribute the stickiness and break down the cells so that the essential oils are released to the surface. There is also an aesthetic objective of rolling leaves into a strip.

Let leaves oxidize partially, duration dependent on aroma.

Roast to a certain level associated with a particular smell to get to “stabilized tea,” not fully finished tea. This is at the end of almost 24 hours since picking. Then on to the next batch, can’t finish each batch because it’s so time consuming.

Then after 30-45 days picking season, complete the rest of the process to finish the tea.

Black Peony is roasted the same number of times (3) but at a higher temperature from Polestar. Polestar roasted for longer but at a lower temperature.

April 10, Reed Jasmine Tea

4-6 week process for the highest quality jasmine teas

Has the essence been sprayed on? If yes, first steeping is strong and looks slightly oily and second steeping is weak.

Traditional method.

Jasmine came from Central Asia. Back then only had green tea and started adding jasmine. Around 1100 the Chinese palate changed in direction of purest taste available, not blends.

Starting in 1500s in Fuzhou (capital of Fujian province) a new method of infusing tea leaves with jasmine was developed. Different culture than in the Wuyi Mountains. Northern Chinese were the customers. Normal Chinese people didn’t have access to the top teas but were able to gain access to this tea. Jasmine infusion makes green tea (”cold”) “warm” meaning it increases the circulation.

Liked this tea - very balanced floral/green flavor - but it was not nearly as impactful for me as the Dragon Pearls jasmine tea.

April 14, visit to Sophie’s Cuppa Tea

During this visit I learned that Xiaobei and I have a very similar palate when it comes to tea preferences. Her favorite tea is also my favorite tea - Polestar - at least to date it’s my favorite. I was introduced to another fabulous Wulong tea today called Immortal Guardian from the Wuyi Mountains, Fujian Province. It too has an amazing charcoal-y aroma. John and I sat and discussed tea for well over an hour and a half. We made our selections for the CMI tasting on May 1 - one green tea (Yellow Mountains Reserve), one red tea (Ancient Mystery from Yunnan) and one white tea (my favorite White Thunder). I also got to enjoy a delicious lapsang tea called Smoky Pine. It has empyreumatic notes!

In terms of the event, we also agreed that Xiaobei would do one demonstration for the first tea then we would brew second and third at same time. After some research, John was able to find an ideal tasting wheel, created by someone in China who he actually knows. It has the tea language he approves of and is also in Chinese. I plan to laminate copies to include with the tea samples.

April 17 - Wild Vine, an Old Bush Red Tea from Tong Mu Guan area of Fujian Province.

Unrelated to Wild Vine

Qimen needle is the only red tea on the list of top teas.

West Lake Dragon Well tea is another extremely well regarded tea whose IP is tightly protected, including the name.

Here at Sophie’s we only rinse fermented teas. And yet many places start with rinsing. This is a clue to a quality of the tea. There is 90%+ bait and switch with tea. By and large a rinse tells you that there is a lack of trust about the source of the tea. May be a concern with whether tea has been sprayed. Or perhaps it might be a fall pick not a spring pick. Fall picks are more commonly sprayed. Rinsing is only a practice if you don’t know your source.

“Wild Vine”, red tea, oxidized tea. Producer calls it Old Bush Red Tea.

Red tea may have been made first in Anhui but process only became repeatable in Fujian. By 1600s people were producing red tea. By end of 1600s it was becoming a repeatable style.

Pre-1970 or so - quality red tea was produced in Fujian Province in two areas - Wuyi Mountains (elev. close to 7000 ft, slower growth, smaller plants - “small bush style”, same place that also produces Smoky Pine). Larger production in central Fujian, between Wuyi Mountains and Anhui province. Many producers of handicraft-style red tea. Most lots that are produced are just 100-300 lb lots. Largest are about 1000 lbs. Too small to justify factory style production. As red tea became more popular in Europe this area could not keep up with demand. This catalyzed the move to Anhui and production of Qimen tea there. Qimen County has really good soil and climate conditions, also there were sufficient peasants already producing tea there to be persuaded to develop it at greater scale.

Three places produce majority of red tea: Fujian (smaller), Anhui (has gotten bigger and bigger, very large crop, several different varietals) and Yunnan (moved technique from Anhui around 1938-39, least crafted). Red tea is produced in relatively insignificant amounts elsewhere in China.

These were “lost bushes” - people who were taking care of the bushes left and the forest surrounded them. They were rediscovered only recently. Well over 100 years old. Farmer walking in forest found them and decided to do an experiment with red tea. Probably untouched for over 100 years (since 1890 or so) then restarted in 2010. There was a lot of tumult in southern China.

Red tea wasn’t super popular in China at the time Europeans started drinking tea so they were more willing to part with it. Red tea is also easier to transport than other kinds of teas. Can withstand the vicissitudes of ocean transportation.

In general, green tea is not experienced as sweet. Red tea is easier drinking.

In China, high profile people aren’t generally captured drinking red tea.

Red tea process

Pick tea (in this case, leave + bud)

Reduce the water content to 55-70% of original, allowing for ease of manipulation. Fresh tea leaves fall apart if you try to roll them. This farmer thinks first withering takes it down to 64-65%.

Machine vs. hand rolling. Both break down leaf cells for oxidation and produce a great result. Breaking down the leaf cells allows oxidation and creates the polyphenols.

88-89 F degrees for rapid but controlled oxidation of tea.

Judge level of oxidation with nose.

Sort tea, remove any branches

Stabilize the tea - get moisture level to 3%, shrinks the tea a lot.

It’s a long steep (5 mins).

I got the floral honey smell and the slight astringency. Smooth, round and coats the tongue. Slight viscousness. Additionally leaves exude some raisin smell.

The name:

Wild - because of the location in the forest

Vine - speaks to the raisin smell

5/8/21 - Orphic (Ancient tree red tea)

Premium Chinese tea is really hard for consumers to buy on the web these days. Even in China it’s hard to come by online. Have to go to high end tea shops as most not in a position to get to farms.

Wholesale prices 4x higher than what John and Xiaobei are selling it at retail! They are trying to buy it back from J&X!

White tea has blown up to an irrational extent from their perspective. The health benefits seem to be driving this inflation, especially for the aged teas.

Cliff teas are increasing in price wildly.

Pu’erhs are also running up in price. New papers are being published about alleged health benefits.

India’s covid explosion is likely to impact the tea growing market there.

On June 15th, new pricing will come. Stock up in advance.

There will still be some “price drift” for other kinds of teas (not downwards). US dollar is not buying as much as it used to.

Have almost run out of Floating Forest (raw black). 60 days left. May also not be able to backfill Vintage.

Discerning questions:

Is it ancient tree grouped together or spread out in a forest? If grouped together, less likely to be truly ancient tree. Sophie’s definition of ancient is 1000 years or older.

If it’s older than 1000 and closer to 2000, the more likely that it has been self-propagated. If it’s self-propagated then the output from two trees will be different. This is not monoclonal culture, not terrace tea.

This one is from Ailao Mountains. 6000-8000 feet above sea level. They make raw black and red tea in this area. Indigenous people “own” this land.

Process:

Pick: bud and 3-4 leaves. Spring pick. (Insects are more intense in the fall, farmers tend to spray the leaves to get rid of them.)

Wither: Sun dry to wither

Roll: shape the tea and break down the cells so insides are exposed to oxygen, triggers enzymatic reaction, polyphenols(?) start getting oxidized.

Pile and then wither again.

Bake to stabilize the tea.

Sort to remove any alien objects, leaving stems.

Differences in processing here vs. a more traditional area (e.g., Qimen). Traditional processing goes to about 93% or more. Here it’s less, 75-90%. Impact of this seems to impact flavor and increase the viscosity. In this area they eat a lot of BBQ with heavy spices, a lot of mushrooms and unusual veg. Chinese herbal medicines are treated as cooking ingredients here. Tea flavor has to be robust to pair with these strong flavors.

Leaves have the stems included. Adds to strength of flavor. Second steeping brings out more flavor from leaves and stems.

Orphic price hasn’t gone up much yet.

Name is derived from Orpheus. His strengths were music, poetry and prophecy. Orpheus could make stones and trees dance.

Next week will be Hundred Blossoms (5/15).

5/15/21 - Hundred Blossoms [BUY SOME OF THIS!]

3 mins for first steeping, 2 mins for second.

Wuyi Mountains - through a cave to get to the tea trees?

2020 spring pick was smaller than usual due to pandemic

Usually 30-40 days picking and processing and can only process 70% within first 24 hours, then have to go back after 40 days to finish the tea

The farmers has more time for their craft last year b/c of the pandemic.

Heavily roasted = Polestar

Lighter more fruity = Aurora

In between = Hundred Blossoms (not as heavily roasted as Polestar)

Forest where this comes from is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Self-propagated tea. Monkeys and leopards.

53-65F most of the year round. Top elevation = 7000 ft gets a dusting of snow.

Rainfall 86-125 inches. Wet fog 180 days of the year. Specular columnar mountains around.

For well over 1000 years this area’s tea has been famous.

Process

Pick bud and 3 leaves

Withering outdoors and indoors, several times to make leaves more flaccid and then you start piling them (note: if you over-wither it’s not possible to fully correct for this). Then bruise the leaves slightly to trigger oxidation. Stop oxidation by heating to 400-500F. Then rest the leaves. May need to process more depending on how much moisture was removed.

Shaping the tea leaves with rolling tools and high level of skill.

Bake to stabilize the tea.

Label. Put on shelf, look at it again 45 days later. 1 long roast, 2 finishing roasts at the end.

Sort. Make the tea of consistent quality. Get rid of the dross.

Package and market.

Saturday May 22: Silver Tip

Green Tea, Silver Tip from Hunan Province.

Around 200 BC - 200 AD there was a shift from tea being part of a herbal concoction served in a bowl like soup (with salt, ginger, scallions, etc.) to a beverage. Popular to drink it this way till Tang dynasty in 7th century. During the Tang Dynasty (starts 607 AD) there was a flourishing of culture, philosophy and tea drinking. A lot of ferment in thinking about tea, shift towards appreciation of the tea itself. Adaptation of Confucian values. Rigid way of thinking of society, similar to medieval Europe’s birthright society. Began exploring other ways of thinking.

Buddhist and Daoist thought was much more individualistic than Confucian. At beginning of Tang dynasty, much poetry is about alcohol. By end, 50% of poetry that mentions a beverage concerns tea. Tea was being popularized. If you were a peasant drinking with someone in your village, you could be very casual. If you were a merchant, you needed to be more formal, ceremony arises related to social rules, how people should behave when drinking tea. Who gets served first, who speaks first, how is tea to be served? Earning respect. Controlled interaction between people.

Great period of personal expression through the arts and through tea.

Pin cha - make a critical judgment about the tea

Dou cha - compete with tea

Wan cha - not skilled in tea making (unenlightened)

Song Dynasty 960–1279

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 (stopped making tea cakes, decisions about when and what to pick)

Culture is not monolithic. Individualism is still expressed, just not in the way it is in the West.

The farmers for this tea belong to the Miao nationality.

The amount of tea leaves per steeping is 4 grams. Glass is best, ceramic is acceptable. 16 ounces of water is the brewing standard we use during the tasting. Timing is important. The first steeping is 4 minutes. The second steeping is 2 minutes. If you are using a ceramic pot there is no change in steeping times.

Bud and leaf, spring pick. March 15-16. Bring into processing area, let wither for a short period, don’t want it to be bruised as that triggers oxidation. Apply heat to fix the tea (not repair) to not allow it to oxidize. High heat 300-400F. Then shape the tea. This tea is hand rolled a couple of times. Machines can’t get tea into such a beautiful form. Then dry in an oven or tumbler. Otherwise mildew would appear after 3 months.

When we discuss the tea tomorrow let's also remember to use the terminology we started to use over the past few weeks as we evaluate. When thinking of Green teas some of the descriptors are:

(Aroma) light, heavy, fresh, hints of sweetness, bright, floral, grassy, nutty (chestnut) or vegetal.

Tea Liquor--light greenish.

Taste--soft, thick, thin, crisp, mouth watering, astringent, nutty, drying, floral, sweet, fresh, vegetal. Does the flavor linger? This tea is brewed at a lower temperature so you can carefully take a larger first set of sips. In terms of mouthfeel, where in the mouth do you get the dryness?

Where in the throat do you get flavor? What is that flavor?

Aftertaste is cool and fresh or heavy and thickly coating?

Taste retains on both sides of the mouth or on the tongue?

Taste on the front of a tongue that is distinct is usually described as bright. If flavor lingers all over the tongue it is either thick or viscous.

All flavors in the mouth have different times of lasting in the mouth. Try as best to identify these.

Tentative summary from a year of this (Steven Luntz): Pleasure in tea comes from

a) increasing discernment of flavors, aromas, complexity, etc.

b) the flavor itself

c) “energetics” (caffeine+?)

d) tea companions

e) understanding tea culture, terroir (Aggie Briscoe)

Cultural milieu

Zhangjiajie - world heritage site in Hunan. Women are lead farmers in the Miao minority tribe. Greeting is singing to each other (not hand shake). Joyfully picked tea. Farmers talk about the joy in the tea leaves.

May 29, 2021 - Dragon Eyes, Yunnan

World tea shortage. Quantity is down especially outside China. Very hard to get high grade tea out of China without being there in person.They want to keep it for domestic use.

White tea prices have gone up the most. White tea from the home terroir (Fujian) has been demonstrated to have more beneficial chemicals in it than replicas from Szechwan, etc.

Believe there is a speculative bubble right now except perhaps for white tea.

For Cliff teas, price will go up substantially though not as much as white tea. Cache was already build into the price so price increase is due only to increased demand. 25-30% price increase this coming year. Travel will eventually increase and reduce demand.

Dragon Eyes is from Yunnan, SW of Kunming, 1 hour’s flight. Tea ball. Good option if you are traveling and like red tea. From Simao District of Yunnan. Was part of ancient tea horse road.

Tea leaves are sewed together into balls. There are about 9 in an ounce. 3 cups of tea per ball. 5 mins, 3 mins, 3 mins. 185 F is needed because the tea is balled.

Bud only as leaves are too difficult to handle.

Pick, wither on the longer side, roll.

Rolling method flattens the bud. Want to send an even shaped bud to make sewing process easier.

Pile to encourage the right level of oxidation. Oxidation level is moderate.

Bake as final step.

Sweet, juicy, notes of chocolate. Cooling effect at the back of the throat after swallowing.

Very accessible tea.

More powerful red teas: Might be worth trying Black Beauty, Rosy Dawn, Ruby Gates.

Courtesan is a sewn together green tea with a bunch of flowers. Very aesthetic looking tea but it’s more for appearance than taste. Medium to lower grade material is generally used for these kinds of teas.

Tea horse road - sometimes referred to as a southern silk road but this is inaccurate. It’s not a great analogy. Silk Road was mostly flat except for a few passes in Central Asia. Many routes go to Tibet, India, Nepal, SE Asia, not through Central Asia. The name was created in the 1990s to describe this group of trading routes. Tea horse roads were mostly mountainous and quite treacherous. Impoverished farmers struggling to make ends meet formed family based trading caravans. Brought other commodities besides tea to these very remote places. Bartered for other goods that would be needed for their journey which could take 6-12 months. Huge risk to make this journey but the alternative was failing to make a living where they were. If successful, can relatively large amount of money.

Simao was one of multiple starting places for tea horse road. Horses were sometimes sold to Tang Dynasty military in exchange for letting tea leave the country. Culture was transmitted along the tea horse trails.

#tea

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