#kathy brew

[i-didnt-do-1t]

cw. mentioned death.

It wasn’t the first time her and Jack had fought, she wasn’t sure if she could include the argument on the rooftop, but they’d had their fair share of petty fights since.

This didn’t feel petty though, it felt far too real, and charged and she didn’t get angry like this often but he was making her sound like she was crazy.

“I still don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”

“You do, I know you do.” She paused, waiting for him to respond or turn to face her, watching the way the muscles on his back worked as he reached up to paint the top left corner of a new back drop for Medda. “Jack would you look at me-“

“I’m paintin’, Kathy.”

“We’re having a conversation.”

“I can multi-task.”

She tensed her jaw, could feel a quiet aching creeping up her throat and tried to swallow it down but it didn’t help.

“You’re being rude.”

“Kathy.” It was spat and overtly unapologetic, his back still turned to her though she could see the white knuckle grip he had on his paintbrush. “Sorry that I weren’t taught etiquette like the guys you grew up around, but could just let me work? And stop asking about stuff I ain’t wanna talk about?”

“I’m not trying to be invasive. There’s no need to be so horrible.”

When he didn’t turn around, and didn’t answer, she tightened her arms around herself, folded over her chest.

“Fine.”

The slight heels of her shoes echoed around the auditorium as she stormed out, maybe Jack looked at her then, felt sick the way she did whenever they argued and it was real and serious, but she didn’t turn around to check.

She slammed the door behind her.

…

She didn’t mean to end up at the distribution gate, the path was familiar these days and she frequently walked the cobblestoned streets to meet Jack when he collected the evening edition but it was nearer night now, the sky dark and drizzling with rain and if she was cold she wouldn’t admit it.

There were still two figures, just inside the gate, loading excess piles of papers into a cart, and one of them brushing up the courtyard in a way that felt pointless considering it was late autumn. The one at the cart threw his head back in what looked like a laugh and Katherine almost felt bad interrupting but curiosity and anger had brewed into a concoction of stubbornness in the pit of her stomach.

“Excuse me?” The gate creaked open under her touch. “Mr delancey?”

It had been months since she last talked to them, had no reason to run into them aside from the strike, but she’d seen them around her father’s office, always together, always scowling.

They both stopped to look at her, as she stepped into the yard, aware of the mud staining the hem of her dress and the way it splattered across her shoes.

“Pulitzer?” It was Oscar, she was fairly certain, though she couldn’t say for sure. Tall, and messy brown curly hair and dark eyes as glared at her. “The hell do you want. Kelly ain’t here.”

“I know he’s not.” She hesitated, observed the way the two of them shared a look. “I wanted to ask you something.”

Oscar raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

She swallowed.

“I- the last time I spoke to you, in my father’s office, you mentioned that Jack had a brother.” Oscar’s expression shifted. “Was his name Michael, by any chance?”

The silence, aside from the city settling down for the evening, seemed to stretch, only to be interrupted by Oscar barking out a laugh.

“Yeah. Yeah, the kid was called Michael. Why do you wanna know. Kelly ain’t told you?” His voice was amused.

If she wasn’t so frustrated, she knew she wouldn’t reveal something so personal, and she wasn’t doing it to be mean, she reassured herself, she just had to know. How on earth was she meant to help Jack if she didn’t know.

Still, It wasn’t all that comforting a thought, especially not as Oscar looked at her, leaning back casually against the cart he’d just been loading, a gleam of something cruel in his eyes.

Or maybe it was just the street lamp.

“Jack’s been saying it in his sleep.” She said, instead of acknowledging it. “And waking up crying, night terrors, I assume.”

“Yeah. He used to get those.”

“So. Why. Over what. I know- I know the refuge was bad but I don’t quite understand-“

“Michael’s dead.”

The stubbornness in her stomach turned to lead. “What?”

“Michael. Kelly’s brother.” He spoke slowly, like she was stupid, shoving a hand in his pocket and pulling out a box of cigarettes as he did so, “he died, and cowboy pretty much killed him.”

“No. No, Jack wouldn’t-“

“You want a smoke?”

Her hands were shaking, she was freezing. The box was being held out to her and she acted on instinct, reaching for one. His fingers were freezing and ink stained where hers brushed his, short bitten fingernails lined with dirt and grit.

“Jack wouldn’t.” She repeated.

“Maybe not on purpose.” He fished a match from a different pocket. “But he loaded him on the back of the carriage, tryna escape the refuge y’know. Like a fuckin’ idiot. And the kid fell off. Cracked his head open and then got run over by the back wheel.”

He said it casually as he lit the end of his cigarette. Like it was nothing.

.

“What.”

Her voice was a croak.

Oscar inhaled smoke and scoffed at her.

“Cowboy got out and Michael didn’t. Could see it from the window.”

“Oh. my god.”

“S’ probably reachin’ that time a year. It was near christmas, I think. Right mo?”

“Yeah. Yeah. cause Snyder gave folk turkey at dinner a couple weeks later.”

“Oh yeah. Course. It was shit.”

The cold air was biting. Katherine could feel it down to her bones.

“I- wait. So Jack-“

“Yeah. Fuckin’ stupid. Kelly can have a go at me all he fuckin’ wants. But at least I kept my wee brother alive.”

“But-“

“You can tell when you know, you see how he acts with the tiny Jacobs? It’s like he forgets sometimes, that he ain’t his.”

That backs of her eyes burned, the aching from the back of her throat creeping up the base of her skull and she had to press a palm over her mouth, gaze blurring with tears.

“Are you cryin’, Pulitzer?”

She was sure she was going to throw up.

“Christ. It was ages ago. Cryin’ ain’t gonna do shit. But it’s probably why he’s havin’ nightmares.”

He exhaled smoke as he spoke, and the smell of it turned Katherine’s stomach.

She pictured Jack again, alone in the theatre, covered in paint and the way she knew he roughly wiped away angry tears with the back of his hand.

The empty look in his eyes when he’d wake up from one of those dreams, pushing away the hand that was carding through his hair, breathing heavy and ignoring her and pressing the heels of his palms to his eyes.

“You gonna smoke that or jus’ hold it.”

She let her hand fall, wordlessly handed back the cigarette. Oscar hesitated.

Held her gaze.

“I dunno actually.” He paused, gave her a once over. “Maybe you should smoke it.”

Beside him Morris nodded, exhaling a lung full of smoke into the cold air.

“It helps.”

[iww-gnv]

A troubling trend is brewing underneath America's strong employment market: more children are working in dangerous jobs, violating the nation's labor laws and putting their lives at risk.  In the last 10 months, federal regulators have found almost 4,500 children working in violation of federal child labor laws, an increase of 44% from a year earlier, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Some of the children were operating dangerous machinery, such as deep fryers and meat-processing equipment, the agency noted.  The surge in cases of illegal child labor come as some states are weakening their child labor laws, while some lawmakers have also pointed to an influx of unaccompanied minors crossing into the U.S. as an underlying cause. On Wednesday, a congressional hearing focused on the hundreds of thousands of children who have entered the U.S. alone since 2021, with some lawmakers questioning Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra about their safety.  "Earlier this year, news reports detailed cases of unaccompanied minors working in harsh conditions in plants and factories," Rep. Kathy Castor, a Democrat from Florida, said at the hearing. "The reports were shocking and deeply disturbing." Almost 400,000 children have entered the U.S. alone since 2021, according to government data. The numbers have spiked in 2021, 2022 and 2023 compared with 2020, the data shows. A New York Times investigation published earlier this year found that the use of child migrant labor in factories across the U.S. has "exploded" since 2021, and concluded that "the systems meant to protect children have broken down."

[sparrowssally]

I’m thinking about writing a Sally Sparrow/Tenth Doctor fanfic, so naturally I went and rewatched “Blink” tonight for the millionth time to get some inspo, and you know what kills me?

All the little details we don’t get. All the little stories that played out without us seeing.

Kathy getting zapped back to 1920’s Hull, directly in front of the cow farmer who will become not only her first friend in the strange new town she now has to call home, but also eventually her husband. When Kathy awakes in the night with her heart pounding and tears streaming down her cheeks, and simply chokes out “the angels…I dreamt about the angels again”, his arms are always there to comfort her. The dreams slowly subside over time as she adjusts to her new life, and soon there are other, more important things to worry about. Some good, like the birth of their children, and some bad, like the war. But Kathy survives and lives a full life, as do her husband and children, and with every picture she continually insists upon taking—one every time they have enough money to afford it—she thinks of her friend Sally Sparrow.

There’s also poor, lovely Billy Shipton, transported back to 1969 London—probably by the same Angel that sent the Doctor and Martha there. He’s just as unmoored as Kathy is, but—as strange as this Doctor guy seems to be—Billy finds himself liking him in a weird way. He makes a point to become Billy’s first friend in 1969, and he and his friend Martha help get Billy not only a place to live, but also a job working in publishing (even though Billy can’t figure out how the Doctor possibly managed to forge those papers that spoke to his “extensive expertise” in the field, or why he is so insistent upon splicing several videos of him talking in jargon into a bunch of completely unrelated DVDs once Billy moves into video production). Martha sets Billy up with a pretty girl named Sally who always comes into the shop where she works, and a few months later, the Doctor attends their wedding. Billy tries to find him afterwards at the reception to say thank you, but he’s already gone, leaving behind only a simple envelope inscribed “for the bride and groom”. It contains a pound note hefty enough to get Billy and his new wife off to a good start in their marriage, and simple card inscribed with a wedding blessing, written in a script and language neither of them can read.

The next time Billy does see the Doctor is many years later, when he’s old and grey, lying bedridden in a nursing home. Billy had never truly believed the Doctor’s claims of being an alien, but when he sees the same skinny, dark-haired young man walking across the room towards him—looking exactly as he had in 1969—he can’t help but cry in the midst of his wonder. The man who calls himself the Doctor is still a mystery, but as he pulls up a chair next to Billy’s bed and takes the latter’s outstretched hand, he’s as kind as he always was. He offers his condolences when Billy tells him of the passing of his wife, and smiles at the photos Billy shows him of his children, carefully dodging Billy’s question of whether or not he ended up having children of his own. But then he grows silent and his gaze grows sad as he looks out the window at the storm clouds brewing in the sky. “I’m sorry, Billy, I’m afraid I didn’t just come here to visit,” he says, and his voice is laced with a guilt and sorrow so deep that it sounds centuries old. “It’s time.” For a second Billy thinks he sounds close to crying for some reason, so he puts his wrinkled hand on the Doctor’s shoulder gently. “It’s okay.” he insists, giving him a soft smile. “This means I’ll finally get to see her again.”

[youcalledmebabe]

for the backstory on your fics ask thing tell me LITERALLY anything from the babe’s anatomy extended universe that you want to share. Also luztoye details if you have any please and thank you🤲🤲

hmm. I’m trying to think of stuff that hasn’t come up or won’t come up. So have a bullet-pointed list <3

trouble is brewing for luztoye…the last we hear of them in web’s anatomy is them getting into an argument in front of all their friends. since they’re not webgott this is quite notable. but this is something we’ll hear more about in the toye day one-shot (toye day!! everybody participate!!) and in babe’s anatomy five.

in this universe, nix’s family money comes from Nixon Pharmaceuticals. if you’re thinking purdue pharma you’re on the right track! this is a significant source of his demons—he feels morally culpable for a lot of the suffering a pharmaceutical company can cause. becoming a doctor was a bit of rebellion. sort of like: see? I’m actually helping people

skip and faye are high school sweethearts who celebrated their ten year anniversary at 25. this shocks and delights their friends

nix’s family hates kathy and thinks she’s a gold-digger even though she also comes from money.

web was going to buck family tradition and get his MFA but after he didn’t get into any programs he gave up on writing and accepted his fate

chris’s family won the lottery when he was in high school and bought a vineyard, where he and renee are supposed to get married

[berylcups]

Changed up Katherine’s bio just a lil bit. Mostly just changed her last name and brought her in to show up earlier. She’s gonna cause trouble in Kolkata right before Hol Horsey does!

Name: Katherine Layna Staley

Namesake: Layne Staley (Alice in Chains) ; Katherine the great

Nicknames: Wallflower, witch, dear child, Kit Kat, Kat, Kathie(don’t call her that)

Age: 20

Birthday: June 30th

Height: 5’5

Weight: 200

Handness: left

Race: Caucasian ; Irish

Hometown: Connacht, Ireland

Sexual and/or Romantic Identity: Demisexual Demiromantic

People they like: People who aren’t overly loud. She wants a partner who has a polite, quiet, or laid back demeanor. She can’t handle being with someone who is overly opinionated or rude. She likes people who are open minded and are accepting of others. She loves people with a sense of humor. Being part of the SDC opened her up and was able to show her true self- not the manufactured self that DIO wanted.

People they hate: People who are too loud, arrogant, or obnoxious.

Dreams for the future: She wants to be a paranormal investigator and have a partner that will travel the world with her experiencing all kinds of different cultures together and making happy memories.

Relationships(name a person that they have a connection to and what their relationship is like[friend, enemy, Ex, current lover, family , etc.]):

Family-

Caitlyn O’Riordan - great great grandmother

Robert E. O. Speedwagon- great great grandfather

Kenneth D. Speedwagon- great grandfather

Valentina Maguire Speedwagon- great grandmother

Elaine Speedwagon Rosen - grandmother

Johan Rosen- grandfather

Alan Staley- father

Alyssa Rosen Staley - mother

Duran Duran- Familiar/ special cat companion

———————————————————————

SDC-

Joseph - grandfather figure

Jotaro - Relatable Neurodivergent friend

Kakyoin - Video Game rivals & friends

Polnareff - Older brother figure

Avdol - soulmate ❤️

Iggy - smells bad and is annoying but still kinda cute / good buddies

———————————————————————

Agents of DIO/Glory Gods-(during fleshbud period)

DIO-main manipulator; bad influence; (manipulating through praise, and financial support)

Tellence- Ex & perverse manipulator

Vanilla- Mental Manipulator (praising desired behavior, heavy persuasion, and submission via drugs or Creams void)

Enya- Bad influence, grandmother figure

Mariah- Friends/friendly coworkers

Midler- friends/friendly coworker

Oingo - friends but bosses him around/ uses him as a translator when outside the mansion

Boingo- friends but expects too much from the child ( drags him around Egypt and expects him to translate everything, and uses his comic to get an advantage on situations)

Hol Horse - friendly coworker/ occasionally teases

Daniel D.- friendly coworker/flirts w/ him to make Tellence angry at him

Nukesaku- bullying victim

Alessi- bullying victim

Centerfold- avoids like the plague (wants to bully but it’s Enyas son)

Quotes:

Pre SDC-

“You know every time you lie your penis gets shorter. I don’t make the rules.”

“Well..? Look at the mess it’s making. It’s so hot out it’s melting too fast. Lick it. You heard me, lick my hand clean before it gets all sticky from the melted ice cream . Duran can’t do it, he’s lactose intolerant. Make my hand squeaky clean now ~ tastes good doesn’t it? Good boy Terry~”

—-

SDC-

“Welcome to my deadly eatery Joestar and company. I’m Katherine and this is my mucker Duran. It’s so lovely to see you stick it out so far enough to make it to Kolkata. Alas, this is where your journey ends. I’m not in the mood to really kill today *yawn* so I have a nice chai brewed specially made for ya that will take you out quickly and painlessly. Be a dear and take yourselves out so I don’t have to. Thanks a million.”

“Please…get. This. Thing. Out. Of. Me. I don’t want to be a puppet anymore… *hic* *sniff* I am so ‘fraid. … … ok. I trust you. I’ll let go. Just get this out of me no matter what. I'd rather die than be DIOs servant.”

“In London they’d call you a loo licker.”

“We’re in a dream together..? Uh… that’s no good. Why? Well… it’s because I’m prone to nightmares kaky-boy.”

“Make him pay. PISS IN HIS MOUTH.”

“Oh hey Av, You’re back! I mis-I mean it’s good to see you again!”

“So in your culture you live quite modestly. Have you ever had a shift before, hm? Oh you know—makin out! Haha calm down Grá, I’m jus coddin ya.”

“The Luna cat pajamas stayin on when we bangin’. And that’s that. “

“…Hey! That guy is givin me Deja Vu. You should kick his ass to be safe.”

[tafadhali]

Yuletide recs, part 1

Cross-posting this from DW. I have >50 works bookmarked on Pinboard so far, but here are 24 favorites.

Asteroid City I hadn't thought to seek out fic for this movie, but I thought both of these captured the Wes Anderson style brilliantly and developed characters and a relationship we only see a glimpse of in the film in interesting (and very different) ways: 

Things That Won't Be Here Tomorrow (Conrad/Jones, 6k)

windows broken and dreaming (Conrad/Jones, 4k)

Bottoms So Bomb (PJ/Hazel, PJ & Josie, 1k) — "Josie helps PJ be a better girlfriend to Hazel"; hysterical

Casablanca The Sentimentalists (Rick/Ilsa, Ilsa/Victor, Rick/Ilsa/Victor, 9k) — post-canon, Rick runs into Ilsa and Victor in Lisbon

Dimension 20

In our midnight world (Leiland/Markus, 5k) — really captures the silliness of Escape from the Bloodkeep and I love all the appearances by the other characters

it doesn't hurt; there's nothing to it(Hob/Rue, 4k)— love them and love them trying to ~*~communicate~*~; hot and sweet first time

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Perception Check (Roll for Romance) (Xenk/Edgin, 6k) —

"I bet Xenk fucks like a metronome, too. You know." Holga makes a highly suggestive, repetitive gesture. "In, out. In, out. No variation. Same exact rhythm every time. Boring." Edgin stares at her, torn between horror and fascination. "You've really thought about this, huh?" (So has he. Unfortunately.)

Frederica - Georgette Heyer A Series of Notable Events (Frederica/Alverstoke, 13k) — "What it says on the tin: a series of notable events in the lives of Frederica and Alverstoke, post-canon."

Goblin Emperor A Private Room (gen, 5k) — Maia learns of a scandal brewing from Csethiro, but she is quite able to manage things

An Unexpected Letter (gen, 1k) — Thara gets a letter from the Emperor after Grief of Stones and I have several feelings

The Good Place The Real Actual Human Life of Michael Realman (gen, 1k) — what it says in the title! cute and fun

Hercule Poirot

The Case of the Distracted Detective (Hastings/Poirot, 2k) — I can honestly say I've never read this particular misunderstanding before, and itw as charming and funny!

The Eye of a Needle (gen, 4k) — a neat little casefic with a daemon AU twist

High School Musical Stick to the Status Quo (Reprise) (Chad/Ryan, 17k) — I was totally charmed by this "didn't know they were dating" classic

Jeeves & Wooster Supporting Partner's Suit (Jeeves/Wooster, Honoria/OFC, 6k) — "Never let it be said that Bertie Wooster will abandon a pal in need, even if that pal is a woman who is temporarily in possession of his body and he doesn’t fully understand what’s going on"

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Fool Proof (Harry/Perry/Harmony, 7k) — this is extremely hot and very funny; captures the tone of the movie perfectly

The Matrix if you'll believe in me (gen, 7k) — "Trinity thinks about anger. Bugs thinks about choices. Both of them think about the future." Interesting fic that picks up mid-Resurrections

Nine Worlds a key that winds through secret wards (gen, 11k) — Kip in the aftermath of the Emerald Conspiracy; a really interesting look into an unexplored part of canon

Ocean's 11 pulse and swing (baby do your thing) (Danny/Rusty, 3k) — fixit for O8 involves Danny doing thief PT and re-figuring out his and Rusty's relationship

somebody else's wallet (Danny/Rusty, 1k) — nicely structured ficlet about Danny and Rusty becoming DannyandRusty

Oz the skin you're in (Dorothy/Ozma, 6k) — "'If we learn magic, you could maybe change your body to be like your old one. You weren’t ever given the choice to keep that boy’s body, were you?' asked Dorothy.

Keep it? The idea jolted Ozma a little bit. Why, how does a person keep another body? You only had the one, right?"

Singin' in the Rain Working Honeymoon (Don/Cosmo/Kathy, 4k) — somehow Cosmo finds himself coming along for the ride on Don and Kathy's honeymoon

Sports Night First Chill of Fall (Dan/Casey, 3k) — all I ever want for Yuletide is more Dan/Casey... this one is set post-s2 and features a slightly oblivious Dan

The Sting the last train to wherever you need to be (Henry/Johnny, 3k) — against their better interests, Johnny and Henry keep running into each other post-movie

[jules-has-notes]

Hocus Heathens (Unexpected Musicals) — PattyCake Productions music video

The PattyCake guys love Hocus Pocus, so it's no surprise that it was the inspiration for their first Halloween production. Reframing an angsty rap-rock hit into a campy recitative-style party tune is pure genius. After all, who is more of a heathen in the eyes of pop culture than an unapologetic witch?

Details:

title: Unexpected Musicals – Hocus Heathens

performers: Jennica McCleary (Winnie), Jaimz Dillman (Mary), & Stephanie Trilli (Sarah); Alexander Browne (Billy); Kaley Kolb (Dani); Paul Vesco, Sam Zambito, Charlie St. Cyr-Paul, & Nate Anderson (band members)

original song / performers: "Heathens" by Twenty One Pilots for the Suicide Squad (2016) soundtrack; "I Put A Spell On You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins (based on the Hocus Pocus version by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker)

written by: "Heathens" by Tyler Joseph; "I Put A Spell On You" by Jalacy "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins & Herb Slotkin

arranged by: Layne Stein & Paul Vesco

release date: 5 October 2016

My favorite bits:

recreating the tinkly "I Put A Spell On You" intro music from the movie

the ladies nailing the Sandersons' melodramatic characterizations and choreography

really leaning into ♫ "we can smell your intention" ♫, because the witches spend the movie sniffing out their quarry

♫ "You don't know the half of the abuse" ♫ "She's vicious." ♫ ::double stomach punch::

the subtle bell chord on ♫ "slow slow slow" ♫ in the final chorus

starting the call-and-response section with the regular lyrics, then slipping into the incantation from the movie

(Side note — Layne, where did you find that incredible crossword puzzle jacket?)

Trivia:

Jennica was extremely comfortable in her role as Winnie, having played her many, many times in multiple contexts through the years, from Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disney World to the racy Peek-a-BOO burlesque show. (She's also one of Tony's fellow "Beetlejuice Revue" alumni.)

Stephanie (and her sister Tiffany, who plays Cruella in the Villains' Lair series) are also "Beetlejuice" veterans, having played several roles between them.

Jaimz had appeared in VoicePlay's "Patreon pizza party" launch videos the previous autumn.

The crowd in the club is made up of many PattyCake friends and family members. (Including Layne's sister-in-law, who ended up doing double duty as "Medusa" and also in the maid costume.)

All three main actors reprised their roles the following year for PattyCake's villain-tastic "Look What You Made Me Brew" video.

Layne performed a very different version of "Heathens" in VoicePlay's "Twenty One Pilots mashup" collaboration with Kurt Hugo Schneider a month later.

[rahleeyah]

Re: one of them dies… (ask 1/2) lol.

Idk if this has been said already, but either one of them dying in fic would be so compelling.

If Olivia dies, let’s say right as this season picks up, we have Elliot and Noah leaning on each other and working through the grief (as you mentioned). But we still see the struggle and adjustment that both Elliot and Noah go through for a while. Even butting heads with each other.

We also have the dynamic of the other stabler children bringing Noah into the fold of siblings and giving him that support system. 

IMO, yes, Elliot might be a sort of catatonic at first in a way that he wasn’t when Kathy died and for LONGER, but he can’t go off on a rampage like he did when Kathy died either. He has a preteen in his house now. He’s got middle school and dance recitals and he wants to make Noah’s life as close to normal is possible, even though everything has changed. Thats not to say that him going off half cocked all the time was right when he did it with Eli, but he knows he can’t do that again to any of his kids, including Noah.

He never forgives himself. Not only did he leave for 10 years, but spent the time they were together, either under cover, covered in grief, or just being an idiot. 😂😂  because it is only after she has passed that he begins to learn about all that he missed. He will never get to talk to her about Noah’s adoption and baptism, Lewis,  the men in her life, her climb up the ladder, etc. she will never know that he saw her everywhere he went, and how there was never a day that way, but he didn’t think about her.

There’s lots of therapy and anger and rebuking of his God. Questioning why it happened to her and where was her team during this? He has it out with Fin a lot. And his kids know that he’s not OK. So while they never ask if he is, they constantly worry.

He talks to her every day. When no one is around. And tells her all about the day. Everything from the mundane to the extraordinary because he believes that she is listening and that she is with them. he doesn’t even try to date because he knows that that is never going to happen. so instead he slows down, focuses on the kids and the grandkids and making sure that Noah grows up knowing who his mother was.

On Elliot next.

Re: if one of them died (2/2)

Now, on the other hand, if Elliot dies at the start of the season, does anything change for Olivia on the surface?

ON THE SURFACE being the key part of that question.

Elliot was gone for 10 years. And like I said, in my last post in the time he has been back, there has not been a ton of progress in their friendship or any sort of romantic relationship. He’s been undercover, grieving, etc..

Olivia would be more inclined to be battling her own internal demons I believe. When Elliot was aWay, although it was the most difficult thing she’s ever done, she learned to live without Elliot. She knew he was alive somewhere.

She adopted, Noah, climbed to the ranks, and built a found family. All the while, and knowing Elliot was always out there somewhere and I think that made it a SMIDGEN bit more bearable.

But now he’s not out there.

The possibilities are gone. Friendship. Romance. All buried 6 feet under with everything she never told him, but always wanted to. She’ll have to grapple with regret. She couldn’t or wouldn’t let him in on any level even though she wanted to and now it’s too late. (Putting aside whether he deserved it or not)

She’ll send Noah away to a dance intensive or to his brothers upstate or to Amanda’s so that she can fall apart in private. Later she’ll maintain a brave face that she is fine. meanwhile, the inner storm that is brewing it’s becoming something she can’t control.

Her squad worries but they can’t ask. Fin tries, Amanda tries, Cragen tries, but she’s FINE. It’s finally Cassidy that gets through to her. Bc he KNOWS how much she loved Elliot. And he becomes her person to lean on. are they in a relationship? Who knows. Maybe one day they’ll try again? probably not. But for now, she likes that he seems to have matured, if only a little, and is willing to just sit there. Even if it means not talking.

As with Elliot, there is lots of therapy and anger, but Noah is growing up. He’ll be in high school soon and possibly college or a dance career after that. She knows that retirement is on the horizon, either voluntarily or not. And without work to occupy her brain, she knows her thoughts will, consume her.

She eventually decides to reach out to Elliott’s kids who are now parentless. And is genuinely surprised they have seamless they accept her into the fold. although adults themselves, they’re finding it difficult to go through life without their mother and father. They crave and need guidance and help.

Maureen feels overwhelmed with matriarchy being thrust upon her and custody of Eli, who has not really known peace since he left Italy.  Kathleen is constantly trying to run around and “fix” things.  Liz and Dickie, ever the twins, become even more sullen and withdrawn, respectively. And Eli, although a few years away from being legal, resents and Butthead’s with his siblings, who, realistically, he barely knows.

Of course, liv fixes all of this. And in essence becomes sort of that cool Aunt to the kids. She is the one they call with good news or for advice. She knows she can’t replace their mother, but she is gigi to the grandkids, none the less. They accept Noah as a younger sibling. And while she is grateful for her found family of Fin and Amanda, etc. only the Stabler Children know what it is like to live without Elliot.

They tell stories of Kathy and Elliot at holidays and on their birthdays. And Olivia lets them know about a side of their dad, but they didn’t often get to see. And somewhere along the way, she began to heal.

Ok. So I know these were lengthy posts, but I do think that both Alia and Olivia are strong characters. And even with one of them, gone while devastating, they both know they still have to continue on living. And for fic purposes Noah always ends up with five older siblings that protect him at all costs

-----

I don't have a response this is A LOT what do y'all think lol

[newstfionline]

Monday, April 3, 2023

Tornado survivors recount flying debris, destroyed buildings (AP) With tornadoes hitting the Midwest and the South this weekend, some survivors said they emerged from their homes to find buildings ripped apart, vehicles tossed around like toys, shattered glass and felled trees. J.W. Spencer, 88, had never experienced a tornado before, but when he and his wife saw on TV that a tornado was nearing their town of Wynne, Arkansas, he opened a front window and rear door in his house to relieve air pressure. The couple scurried into the bathroom, where they got into the bathtub and covered themselves with quilts and blankets for protection. Fifteen minutes later, the storm unleashed its fury on the town nestled among the flat fields and fertile farmland of eastern Arkansas. Debris came whistling through their house. “We just rode it out,” Spencer said on Saturday. “We heard stuff falling, loud noises. And then it quit. It got quiet.” After it passed, the couple emerged to see devastation in the neighborhood. Many large trees were down, and numerous homes were damaged, especially near the high school, which had its roof shredded and windows blown out.

The US leads the world in weather catastrophes (AP) The United States is Earth’s punching bag for nasty weather. Blame geography for the U.S. getting hit by stronger, costlier, more varied and frequent extreme weather than anywhere on the planet, several experts said. Two oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, the Rocky Mountains, jutting peninsulas like Florida, clashing storm fronts and the jet stream combine to naturally brew the nastiest of weather. Then add climate change, and “buckle up. More extreme events are expected,” said Rick Spinrad, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Tornadoes. Hurricanes. Flash floods. Droughts. Wildfires. Blizzards. Ice storms. Nor’easters. Lake-effect snow. Heat waves. Severe thunderstorms. Hail. Lightning. Atmospheric rivers. Derechos. Dust storms. Monsoons. Bomb cyclones. And the dreaded polar vortex. It starts with “where we are on the globe,” North Carolina state climatologist Kathie Dello said.

Intensity and insults rise as lawmakers debate debt ceiling (AP) Fights over increasing the nation’s borrowing authority have been contentious in Congress, yet follow a familiar pattern: Time and again, lawmakers found a way to step back from the brink before markets began to panic and the nation risked a dangerous default on its debt. But this year’s fight has a different feel, some lawmakers say. A new Republican majority in the House is itching for a spending showdown, and determined not to yield. They blame what they view as excessive federal spending for higher food and gasoline prices and the growing national debt. Led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, they have ruled out passing a “clean” debt ceiling increase even as the White House insists such legislation be passed without conditions. It’s an impasse that shows no signs of easing ahead of this summer’s deadline for action.

Fatal fire complicates border city’s tensions with migrants (AP) When Irwing López made it to Ciudad Juarez on the U.S.-Mexico border in January, the 35-year-old construction worker thought he had survived the worst and was steps away from his goal. He’d traversed jungle and raging rivers, and evaded Mexico’s notorious cartels, traveling thousands of miles from his native Venezuela. But then he found himself in a purgatory between U.S. immigration policies that pushed him back to Mexico and the unrelenting pursuit of Mexican immigration agents. And on Monday, López was reminded just how fragile his situation is. His friend and fellow Venezuelan Samuel Marchena was detained by immigration agents and hours later became one of the 39 migrants who died in a fire at a detention center. López, who sleeps in a shelter and washes windshields at stoplights for cash, said he won’t give up trying to enter the U.S., but he recognizes he’s not welcome in this sprawling border city that has grown tired of migrants in its community.

Almost a third of Brazilians disapprove of Lula, poll shows (Reuters) Almost a third of Brazilians disapprove of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, putting the leftist leader at about the same level of unpopularity as his right-wing predecessor Jair Bolsonaro during the first three months of his presidency, a poll cited by the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo showed on Saturday. Lula, who took office in January after narrowly defeating Bolsonaro in an election last October, has the approval of 38% of Brazilians, with 29% disapproving of his performance, according to a Datafolha survey.

Thousands protest in Portugal over housing crisis (Reuters) Thousands of people took to the streets of Lisbon and other cities across Portugal on Saturday in protest against soaring rents and house prices at a time when high inflation is making it even tougher for people to make ends meet. Portugal is one of Western Europe’s poorest countries, with government data showing more than 50% of workers earned less than 1,000 euros ($1,084) per month last year. The monthly minimum wage is 760 euros. Rents in Lisbon, a tourist hotspot, have jumped 65% since 2015 and sale prices have sky-rocketed 137% in that period. The situation is particularly hard on the young. The average rent for a one-bedroom flat in Lisbon is around 1,350 euros, a study by housing portal Imovirtual showed. Low wages and high rents make Lisbon the world’s third-least viable city to live in, according to a study by insurance brokers CIA Landlords. Portugal’s current 8.2% inflation rate has exacerbated the problem.

Pope Francis leads Palm Sunday service, bounces back from illness (Reuters) Pope Francis led a Palm Sunday service the day after he was discharged from hospital following a bout of bronchitis, and urged the world to take better care of the poor, the lonely and the infirm. Thousands of people waved palm and olive branches as Francis was driven into St. Peter’s Square sitting in the back of a white, open-topped vehicle, before descending and starting the service. The pontiff, wearing red vestments, spoke with a quiet, but clear voice as he addressed a crowd of more than 30,000 faithful in weak spring sunshine. In his homily he called on people not to ignore those experiencing great suffering and solitude. “Today their numbers are legion. Entire peoples are exploited and abandoned; the poor live on our streets and we look the other way; migrants are no longer faces but numbers, prisoners are disowned; people written off as problems,” he said.

Russia-Ukraine war: Will there be a spring counteroffensive? (AP) Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II is poised to enter a new phase in the coming weeks. With no suggestion of a negotiated end to the 13 months of fighting between Russia and Ukraine, the Ukrainian defense minister said last week that a spring counteroffensive could begin as soon as April. But Russian forces are dug in deep, lying in wait behind minefields and along kilometers (miles) of trenches. But the Ukrainian military starts the season with an influx of powerful weapons. Germany said this week that it had delivered the 18 Leopard 2 tanks it promised to Ukraine. Poland, Canada and Norway have also handed over their pledged Leopard tanks. British Challenger tanks have arrived too. The new supplies, including howitzers, anti-tank weapons and 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition, will add more muscle to the Ukraine military and give it a bigger punch. A make-or-break period may lie ahead: If Kyiv fails to make progress on the battlefield with its Western-supplied weapons, allies may become reluctant to send it more of the expensive hardware.

Pakistan posts highest-ever annual inflation; stampedes for food kill 16 (Reuters) Consumer price inflation in Pakistan jumped to a record 35.37% in March from a year earlier, the statistics bureau said on Saturday, as at least 16 people were killed in stampedes for food aid. The March inflation number eclipsed February's 31.5%, the bureau said, as food, beverage and transport prices surged up to 50% year-on-year. Thousands of people have gathered at flour distribution centres set up across the country, some as part of a government-backed programme to ease the impact of inflation. At least 16 people, including five women and three children, have been killed in stampedes at such centres in recent days, police and officials have said. Thousands of bags of flour have also been looted from trucks and distribution points, according to official records.

China Draws Lessons From Russia’s Losses in Ukraine, and Its Gains (NYT) Thousands of miles from the cities that Russia is bombing in Ukraine, China has been studying the war. In an indirect struggle between two superpowers on the other side of the world, Beijing sees a source of invaluable lessons on weapons, troop power, intelligence and deterrence that can help it prepare for potential wars of its own. In particular, Chinese military analysts have scrutinized the fighting for innovations and tactics that could help in a possible clash over Taiwan, the island democracy that Beijing wants to absorb and the United States has at times pledged to defend. The war is a “proving ground,” they say, that gives China a chance to learn from successes and failures on both sides.

Heavy rain brings flash flooding to Sydney, prompts rescues (Reuters) Heavy rain brought flash flooding to Australia’s largest city Sydney on Sunday, prompting rescues and residents to sandbag houses, as authorities warned of bad weather ahead. Emergency authorities received 50 calls for assistance, mostly for sandbagging of properties and help plugging leaking roofs, from residents in Sydney, the capital of New South Wales state, due to Sunday’s deluge. It comes after Sydney in 2022 notched its wettest year in 164 years, as Australia’s east coast endured a rare third straight year of the La Nina weather phenomenon, associated with increased rain.

Iran’s chief justice says unveiled women will be prosecuted ‘without mercy’ (Guardian) Iran’s judiciary chief has threatened to prosecute “without mercy” women who appear in public unveiled, Iranian media reported on Saturday. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei’s warning comes on the heels of an interior ministry statement on Thursday that reinforced the government’s mandatory hijab law. “Unveiling is tantamount to enmity with [our] values,” Ejei was quoted as saying by several news sites. Those “who commit such anomalous acts will be punished” and would be “prosecuted without mercy,” he said, without saying what the punishment would entail. A growing number of Iranian women have been ditching their veils since the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman in the custody of the “morality police” last September. Mahsa Amini had been detained for allegedly violating the hijab rule.

Israel’s ‘fired’ defence minister may yet keep his job (Reuters) Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, whose dismissal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brought the country’s constitutional crisis to a boil this week, may still keep his job, two sources told Reuters. Aides said Gallant never received a formal dismissal letter from Netanyahu, who has since faced rare public censure from the United States over the justice drive. In a sign he was conducting business as usual on Thursday, Gallant’s office said he raised a Passover holiday toast with domestic security officials and distributed a photo of himself smiling at the event, where he said Israel’s security was at a “complex” point in time.

[midnight-serendipity]

I have fallen unapologetically and irrevocably in love with your Benny and Bunny works. But who wouldn’t? 

Bunny is such a delight to read. No offense to the real Kathy of course, but you have created the perfect woman for Benny in this wonderful AU of yours. She’s got that couldn’t-hurt-a-fly air around her, but wouldn’t hesitate to let the claws come out when wronged - the kind of woman who would keep Benny Cross on his toes.

Your writing is a cup of hot coffee on a cold, rainy day. The amount of love and care that you put in each detail is impossible to miss. Reading it is a luxury that I get to enjoy, all thanks to you! 

So thank you for sharing your time, talent and efforts!

I can't wait to indulge with whatever you have brewing for these two.

Take care. 

Paige's Masterlist

The Bikeriders

Requests Are Open :)

Benny x Bunny 🐰

aka: shy!reader who has Benny Cross positively wrapped around your finger from the very first time you stood before him with a bowl of homemade chocolate chip cookies.

* means it can be read on its own!

Part 1 Little Bunny

Part 2 The Ride

Part 3 A Date

Part 4 Rooftop Conversations

Part 5 Ponytails and Promises

One Shots*

SFW Alphabet*

NSFW Alphabet*

Life Raft*

Broken Glass*

Sweet Talking*

Bruised Ego*

Love, Lids, & Lessons*

(I sadly can’t add anymore of you wonderful readers to my tag list but you can turn on post notifications for updates about Benny and Bunny!)

[starseedfxofficial]

The Bearish Flag Nobody Warned You About: How Retail Sales Data Can Save Your Trades If you think retail sales reports are just for economists and overly enthusiastic business journalists, think again. Retail sales data can be the unsung hero in your Forex trading toolbox—yes, even when it comes to spotting that dreaded bearish flag. Imagine trading without realizing a perfect storm is brewing: the chart forms a bearish flag, and retail sales numbers quietly slip out, acting like gasoline on a campfire. That trade will spiral down faster than you can say, “Where’s my stop loss?” Retail sales and the bearish flag are two components that most traders don’t always connect, but when they come together, they create the kind of insight that can make you feel like you’ve got secret Wall Street-level intel. Think of retail sales as the pulse of consumer confidence. If those numbers start declining, it’s like the market screaming, “Houston, we have a problem!” at a time when a bearish flag suggests that sentiment is already shaky. Let’s explore how these two forces can be your guide to predicting market moves—and potentially saving your portfolio from a nasty drawdown. The Bearish Flag and Retail Sales: A Match Made in Bear Market Heaven A bearish flag pattern is essentially a fake-out in the Forex world—a moment where traders hope for a price rally, only to see it collapse like that IKEA shelf you put together without instructions. Picture a chart: the price drops (flagpole), consolidates upwards in a weak, hesitant movement (the flag itself), and then continues to plunge. It’s like the market got an elevator to the basement and forgot to inform the bulls. But how do retail sales play into this? Well, retail sales data gives you a behind-the-scenes look at consumer behavior, which directly affects economic stability. When retail sales disappoint—maybe your neighbor didn’t buy that overpriced coffee machine from a late-night infomercial—it’s a signal that people are holding onto their wallets. This consumer hesitation directly impacts currency strength, often pushing traders further towards a bearish sentiment. Why Most Traders Ignore Retail Sales (and Why You Shouldn’t) It’s easy to overlook retail sales, especially if you’re new to Forex or you’ve simply got enough on your plate watching candlesticks dance across your screen. However, ignoring retail sales is like ignoring your car’s low oil light. Sure, you can drive for a bit, but eventually, it’s going to be expensive—just like a bad trade. The bearish flag is a technical signal, but retail sales data add that fundamental cherry on top, making it a reliable warning of a more significant downturn. The market often plays mind games with traders, feeding on our fears and hopes. When you see a bearish flag forming, the gut instinct is to go short. However, pairing this technical observation with weak retail sales data gives you that extra layer of confirmation—turning an instinct into an informed decision. According to Kathy Lien, managing director at BK Asset Management, “Fundamental factors like retail sales help validate the signals we see on technical charts. They’re what turn good trades into great ones.” Advanced Techniques: Reading Retail Sales and Acting on Bearish Flags Let’s be honest—figuring out retail sales can feel like you’re back in high school math, scratching your head over why it’s important if a neighbor buys new patio furniture. But instead of dwelling on the mundane details, let’s focus on how you can practically use retail sales data to interpret and act on a bearish flag. When retail sales drop, consumer spending is down, meaning people have less faith in the economy. Now, if this decline coincides with the appearance of a bearish flag on the USD/JPY chart, for instance, it’s like getting a meteorologist and a tornado siren both telling you to take cover. You don’t just casually stroll outside—you get proactive. In trading, that means positioning yourself for a potential short entry. The Hidden Patterns That Drive the Market (Hint: It’s You, Me, and Retail Sales) Retail sales reports are a reflection of individual behaviors that eventually become big enough to move the market. Think about it—if everyone suddenly stops spending money on non-essentials, companies make less, governments collect fewer taxes, and economic confidence craters. As traders, we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on these shifts before the market really takes a nosedive, and retail sales data gives you a sneak peek. John Kicklighter, a strategist at DailyFX, emphasizes, “Retail sales, combined with visible chart patterns like a bearish flag, give traders a sense of where broader sentiment is headed. It’s these hidden indicators that provide an edge.” If retail sales are down and you spot that bearish flag waving its ominous banner, you’ve essentially uncovered a market weakness before it hits the headlines. Ninja Tactics for Using Retail Sales Data in Bearish Flag Strategies - Set Alerts for Retail Sales Announcements: Stay informed about retail sales data releases. You can use Forex calendars to mark these dates. When the announcement is due, be on the lookout for any deviation from expectations. If the report misses projections, and you see a bearish flag, you have your validation. - Double-Check Correlations: Always confirm if the retail sales data aligns with other indicators like PMI or unemployment rates. The more fundamental support behind your bearish flag, the more confident you can be. - Don’t Forget Sentiment: Check market sentiment reports. Is the retail sales dip surprising, or was it anticipated? Sentiment analysis tools can give you clues about whether or not retail sales are likely to amplify the bearish flag’s effect. Case Study: The Bearish Flag on EUR/USD (A Missed Opportunity Turned Lesson) Let’s talk about a real-world scenario where retail sales and a bearish flag were the market’s equivalent of bright neon signs warning traders. In mid-2023, retail sales in the Eurozone came out well below expectations—shoppers were clearly not in the mood for overpriced croissants or boutique wine. At the same time, a bearish flag formed on the EUR/USD chart. The convergence of weak retail numbers and a bearish flag pattern led to a significant downturn in the currency pair. Those traders who spotted the pattern and paired it with retail data were positioned for a tidy profit. And those who missed it? Well, let’s just say it’s like getting halfway through a movie, missing the twist, and never quite understanding why everyone else was so shocked. The Forgotten Strategy That Outsmarted the Pros Using retail sales data to validate a bearish flag isn’t groundbreaking—but it’s highly effective and often overlooked. Many traders get lost in the maze of technical indicators, RSI overbought alerts, and Fibonacci retracements. However, combining retail sales insights with these technical signals adds a dimension to your trading that goes beyond surface-level analysis. One forgotten yet successful strategy among savvy traders involves using the concept of divergence. If retail sales are down and yet you notice the price making an upward, seemingly hopeful consolidation (the flag), you could be looking at a classic divergence situation. This is where technicals and fundamentals move in opposite directions, usually followed by a market correction—often sharp and fast. Wrapping It All Up: Making Retail Sales Work for You To sum it all up, next time you see a bearish flag forming on a chart, don’t stop there. Put on your detective hat, get the retail sales numbers, and see what story they tell. Weak retail sales combined with a bearish flag can be a powerful, profitable trading signal if used right. The key to success in Forex is often seeing what everyone else sees—just with a layer of context they’re missing. Trading isn’t easy—but it doesn’t have to be filled with mistakes like buying those shoes you knew you’d never wear. Be strategic, be informed, and use all the tools available to turn what looks like a shaky situation into an opportunity. As the saying goes: "It’s not about avoiding the storm, but learning to dance in the rain—or in this case, trade in the bear market." —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[the-firebird69]

Bob & Doug McKenzie with Geddy Lee - Take Off

we are here and amazedw e want it and to do the adds be the chair people.  and do the commercials.  and we want it all and to have it made yes. our product and we are proud.  and a decent brew they say and it is hoppy and barley taste and rich. and about the molson golden level but miller or less p rice  and yeh we get it less then Hulk Hogan by a dollar and ahhaah our routine mb more eh. yeh three ahahahmeans somitng but we ship ini bulk too theys say we see it.  and want it.  

the Mckenzie brothers.  

we do this and hahaha a huge brewery near the wells fargo HQ no but fun idea and in keeping with our criteria.  and good might.  they are all smilinig.  you and kathy did the sounds. and it was fom back east...no.  it was from being cold she said to sing and move around ahahahah lol.  and he wants to o hte commerical and use the decent getty lee parts and yeh code for the ships. and they like it getty lee would be paid and proabllly do a series and have flowing cool clear mountain water.  and from non irradiated areas. they love it and wells there too. this is it we rule andneed it they say.hahah snow shoe to the cabin and with fresh food and two cases of Elsinore Beer and they laugh and a few folks there with the knit wool sweaters on and a fire and yeh fun ok this is fun.

we do it this my brew and i shall do the commercials ok and we have fun.  together. ok ok fun.  the smith adams guy and big ben me and i show an they are there drinking and partying said they rented it and others knew i was out usually. for mnths at at ime.  welcome me in for food beer and they pay me rent...good.  and im sorry to see them go and inquire, when will you come back with the beer and they all laugh annd hhahaha what we say. llol and fun. ok but adams looks like him not me good.

Thor Freya

and fun rich and decent. we do it now ok all this is great. shows they do drink it and are woodsmen an lumberjacks and that is why they leave and return. this rles ok

bg and co no and me crissy we want it badly we join up do it and have them brew it now.

good

Zues Hera

wonderful boy and yes e mwean Thor no you Zues Thor a man and God and you have to grow may have we show you off lo ahahah lol comeon Mother its like wrangler jeans and ok

Olympus

andyeh stupid ads for Doeffe come tom mind and fun ones parties and real ones. this rules

Jenna  gimme a brew no way only havve Deoffe a fine brew and ok gime two will do....and mre we like it and big ones two letre and wow fun our stuff and him good

[xtruss]

Finance: Credit Card Surcharge Guidance Set To Start In New York

— By Damon Fletcher | February 6, 2024

Rochester, N.Y. (WROC) — There is a new guidance for New York State businesses when charging an additional fee to customers paying with a credit card, starting on February 11.

This new guidance comes after Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Assembly Bill 2672 in December, which imposes disclosure requirements with respect to credit card surcharges for transactions with New York customers.

“Transparency is crucial in building trust between businesses and communities and now patrons will be empowered to budget accordingly,” Governor Kathy Hochul said.

The New York Department of State also provided a list of dos and don’ts:

DO:

The business lists the higher credit card price next to a lower cash price.

The business lists the credit card price for items and services, then lets customers know they will receive a discount for using cash.

The business changes all prices to the credit card price.

DON’T:

The business posts a sign on the door and at the register stating an additional 3.9 percent surcharge will apply for credit card purchases.

“This business has a 4 percent cash discount incentive built into all pricing. Any purchases made with a credit or debit card will not receive the cash discount and an adjustment in cost will be displayed on your receipt.”

A convenience fee, service fee, administration fee, non-cash adjustment, technology fee, processing fee, etc., is charged to credit card users and added as a separate line item on a customer receipt.

The price tag of an item shows “$10.00, + 4 percent if paying with a credit card.”

Vendors will be required to post the highest price that consumers might pay when using a credit card, along with the price that is offered when the customer uses another payment method such as cash, check, or debit card.

Any surcharge must be no more than the amount charged to the business by its credit card provider.

Failure to do so can lead to a $500 penalty after every violation.

Local businesses continue to take and utilize credit card usage. Some businesses that spoke to News 8 that their customers’ credit card usage is about 90%.

For Three Heads Brewing’s taproom, that figure amounts to about 70%, but the president of the company, Daniel Nothnagle, says that credit card surcharges still cost the brewery $1,500 – $2,000 a month.

“We’ve always looked it as a necessary evil, we all like using credit cards, I use them myself for all my purchases, so no one wants to see extra fees, so we’ve always rolled it into the cost of products at the bar, we can afford to cover the cost of the surcharge,” he said.

He added a bulk of that surcharge is businesses footing the bill for credit card rewards programs.

[azureeyenews]

Thanksgiving: Chapter 10

(note: the poll on where to go tied)

You... find yourself strangely unable to choose between the pictures and the greenhouse, so you take out the cursed coin you got from John Biden and flip it. Tails! The pictures were of peoples' heads, so you figure that means it's the greenhouse.

You never spent a lot of time here as a child, mostly because tamed plants are for cowards. Now that you're an adult, you realize that like half the plants in here are some kind of poison, and the other half are all weirdly edible? Herbs, spices, grains, and berries.

Also for some godforsaken reason they're growing Ephedra Intermedia? You're assuming there's some sort of reason for the various things in here, but you really can't figure it out. Well, the poisonous ones are obvious, at least- your family are assholes.

You also find Kathryn's diary, which you briefly snoop through before becoming incredibly bored by, and a copy of the Rig Veda. And a still. THAT you understand. It's got a weird smell, though- whatever someone's brewing, it's not any beer or wine you're familiar with.

Even weirder, though, is a small lizard that you see darting off beneath the bushes, mostly because someone appears to have taken a bite out of its tail, and no one on the property keeps any pets. Not since Fluffy was sent to that farm to run and be free, anyway.

You can't decide whether that's a sign that someone has a secret pet, or there's a predator in here you can't see, or one of the plants has gone feral, or someONE took a bite out of it. A lot of those are really unsettling thoughts. Man, you REALLY hope Kathy just got a cat.

You can't find anything else of value in here. Where do you go next?

[browns103]

Café Kolkata Chronicles: Where Every Sip Tells a Story

Step into the enchanting world of "cafe in kolkata Chronicles," where every corner is filled with the aroma of freshly brewed tales and every sip is a journey into the heart of this vibrant city. Nestled in the cultural hub of Kolkata, our café is more than a place to savor exquisite beverages and delectable treats; it's a sanctuary for those seeking a haven of relaxation and cultural immersion.

A Cultural Oasis

At "Café Kolkata Chronicles," we go beyond the ordinary to create a haven where art, literature, and flavors converge. Our café is a celebration of Kolkata's rich cultural tapestry, with walls adorned by local artwork, shelves lined with literary gems, and an ambiance that reflects the city's unique charm.

Exceptional Brews and Bites

Indulge your senses with our meticulously crafted menu featuring an array of artisanal coffees, exotic teas, and mouthwatering delicacies. From the robust flavor of Darjeeling tea to the velvety smoothness of a Kolkata Kathi Roll, each item on our menu is a tribute to the diverse culinary heritage of the city.

A Gathering Place for Creativity

"Café Kolkata Chronicles" isn't just a café; it's a gathering place for the city's creative minds. With cozy corners for reading, communal tables for collaboration, and a stage for live performances, our café is a dynamic space that fosters creativity, conversations, and connections.

Join the Chronicle

Whether you're a coffee connoisseur, a book lover, or someone seeking a tranquil escape, "Café Kolkata Chronicles" invites you to join the chronicle of stories written in every cup and etched into the ambiance. Step into a world where every sip tells a story and every visit is a journey through the soul of Kolkata.

Embark on a sensory adventure with "Café Kolkata Chronicles." Your moments of relaxation, cultural exploration, and flavorful delights are our top priorities.

Customize this description to align with the specific ambiance, offerings, and cultural elements of your café in Kolkata.

[the-goth-catte]

†† BLACK MASS @ PANDEMONIO || 0 5 . 2 1 . 2 3 ††

Powerwolf - Demons Are A Girl's Best Friend Male Tears - Slay Rosetta Stone - Nothing Wumpscut - Soylent Grun Reaper - Daemon (Gudfried Remix by Heimataerde) Crocodile Shop - Order + Joy (Dessau Remix) Sebastian Komor ft. Lis Van Den Akker - Electric Avenue Taylor Swift - Wonderland (Sagi Kariv Remix) VNV Nation - Chrome (SITD Remix) Decoded Feedback - Endless Light Apoptygma Berzerk - Coma White Funker Vogt - Narayan Zombie Girl - I Want It (A/M Mix) Absurd Minds - Dependence (Rough Mix) CLEANER - The Voice (And One Mix) Noisuf-X - Tinnitus Tactical Sekt - Not Entertained Ayria - My Device (Cut.Rate.Box Remix) Evil's Toy - Organics (Slow Motion Mix) Rhea's Obsession - Between Earth and Sky (Maximum Tabla Mix) Pixel Grip - Dancing On Your Grave Ashnikko - Hi, It's Me Ulver - Rolling Stone Crosses - Bitches Brew London After Midnight - Kiss Gary Numan - Are 'Friends' Electric? (Leatherstrip Remix) Wumpscut - Wreath of Barbs (Unheilig Remix) Velvet Acid Christ - Fun With Drugs Muscle and Hate - Let Your Body Learn Faderhead - Dirtygrrrls Dirtybois (Modulate Remix) NIN - Sin Combichrist - This Is My Rifle Aesthetic Perfection - Big Bad Wolf (A23 Remix) Celldweller - Heart On (Aesthetic Perfection Remix) Frontline Assembly - Masterslave (Wumpscut Remix) Apoptygma Berzerk - Kathy's Song (VNV Nation Remix) Microchip League - New York Pixel Grip - ALPHAPUSSY Garbage - Cities in Dust Black Nail Cabaret - Bete Noire Lana del Rey - Summertime Sadness (Dominatrix Remix) Cooking By The Book (Ft. Lil Jon) Depeche Mode - It's No Good (Dominatrix Remix) William Control - Running Up That Hill Love Ecstasy Terror ft. Dita Von Teese - Get Back to Her Royal & The Serpent - I'm Not Sorry