#maryland moving companies

[johnsonmovingandstorage]

Johnson Moving & Storage is one of the best Maryland moving company. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction makes us a reliable choice for moving services in Maryland. We offer comprehensive moving services, like packing, crating, storage and more for your moving needs. Our team is dedicated to making your move as smooth as possible. Contact us for more details.

[chronotopes]

so i think what i’m going to do. is take a coffee and piano break. and then apply for three more jobs. and then either read or write.

[sfmovingsystems]

Sfmovingsystems- Your House Moving Partner

SF Moving Systems: Your House Moving Partner. We specialize in making your residential move hassle-free and efficient. Our expert team handles everything from packing and loading to transportation and unpacking with the utmost care. Using top-notch materials and equipment, we ensure your belongings are safe and secure. Whether moving locally or long-distance, we tailor our services to meet your unique needs. Trust SF Moving Systems for a smooth and reliable moving experience.

[officetoofficemovers]

Office to Office Movers provides a wide range of moving services in Clinton. We offer moving services such as office moving, library moving, heavy equipment and rigging, and warehouse moving. Our top-notch services are available at reasonable prices Our skilled and experienced team ensures a stress-free move. Visit our website, officetoofficemovers.com for more information.

[mcmansionhell]

namesake mcmansion

Howdy folks! Today's McMansion is very special because a) we're returning to Maryland after a long time and b) because the street this McMansion is on is the same as my name. (It was not named after me.) Hence, it is my personal McMansion, which I guess is somewhat like when people used to by the name rights to stars even though it was pretty much a scam. (Shout out btw to my patron Andros who submitted this house to be roasted live on the McMansion Hell Patreon Livestream)

As far as namesake McMansions go, this one is pretty good in the sense that it is high up there on the ol' McMansion scale. Built in 2011, this psuedo-Georgian bad boy boasts 6 bedrooms and 9.5 baths, all totaling around 12,000 square feet. It'll run you 2.5 million which, safe to say, is exponentially larger than its namesake's net worth.

Now, 2011 was an anonymous year for home design, lingering in the dead period between the 2008 black hole and 2013 when the market started to actually, finally, steadily recover. As a result a lot of houses from this time basically look like 2000s McMansions but slightly less outrageous in order to quell recession-era shame.

I'm going to be so serious here and say that the crown molding in this room is a crime against architecture, a crime against what humankind is able to accomplish with mass produced millwork, and also a general affront to common sense. I hate it so much that the more I look at it the more angry I become and that's really not healthy for me so, moving on.

Actually, aside from the fake 2010s distressed polyester rug the rest of this room is literally, basically Windows 98 themed.

I feel like the era of massive, hefty sets of coordinated furniture are over. However, we're the one's actually missing out by not wanting this stuff because we will never see furniture made with real wood instead of various shades of MDF or particleboard ever again.

This is a top 10 on the scale of "least logical kitchen I've ever seen." It's as though the designers engineered this kitchen so that whoever's cooking has to take the most steps humanly possible.

Do you ever see a window configuration so obviously made up by window companies in the 1980s that you almost have to hand it to them? You're literally letting all that warmth from the fire just disappear. But whatever I guess it's fine since we basically just LARP fire now.

Feminism win because women's spaces are prioritized in a shared area or feminism loss because this is basically the bathroom vanity version of women be shopping? (It's the latter.)

I couldn't get to all of this house because there were literally over a hundred photos in the listing but there are so many spaces in here that are basically just half-empty voids, and if not that then actually, literally unfinished. It's giving recession. Anyway, now for the best part:

Not only is this the NBA Backrooms but it's also just a nonsensical basketball court. Tile floors? No lines? Just free balling in the void?

Oh, well I bet the rear exterior is totally normal.

Not to be all sincere about it but much like yours truly who has waited until the literal last second to post this McMansion, this house really is the epitome of hubris all around. Except the house's hubris is specific to this moment in time, a time when gas was like $2/gallon. It's climate hubris. It's a testimony to just how much energy the top 1% of income earners make compared to the rest of us. I have a single window unit. This house has four air conditioning condensers. That's before we get to the monoculture, pesticide-dependent lawn or the three car garage or the asphalt driveway or the roof that'll cost almost as much as the house to replace. We really did think it would all be endless. Oops.

If you like this post and want more like it, support McMansion Hell on Patreon for as little as $1/month for access to great bonus content including a discord server, extra posts, and livestreams.

Not into recurring payments? Try the tip jar! Student loans just started back up!

[moverscollegepark]

Streamlining Your Move: Top Advantages Of Hiring Local Movers In College Park

Moving to a new home can be an arduous and stressful process. Hiring local movers in College Park can help reduce the burden of relocating, by providing efficiency, flexibility, and cost savings.

This article will explore the advantages of hiring local movers in College Park for streamlining your move. Local movers are familiar with College Park’s neighborhoods and regulations which allows them to customize moves to meet individual needs. Moreover, they have the ability to provide cost benefits while ensuring that moving tasks are completed in a timely manner.

By considering all these factors when selecting professional movers in College Park, homeowners can make their move much smoother and simpler than if they were handling it alone.

Understanding the Advantages: Why Local Movers Can Make Your Move in College Park Easier

Understanding the advantages provided by local movers can be beneficial when relocating to College Park, allowing for a smoother transition.

Local movers have the knowledge and expertise to help make the move as seamless and stress free as possible. They are familiar with the area, know which routes are best to avoid traffic delays, and are familiar with all of the regulations pertaining to moving in College Park.

Additionally, they understand that moves often have unexpected challenges that require quick solutions; local movers can be better equipped to handle these issues due to their familiarity with the area and resources available locally.

When researching potential companies for a move in College Park, consider local businesses like Petrolino Moves who specialize in providing top quality services at competitive rates.

Efficiency and Flexibility: How Local Movers in College Park Customize Your Move to Your Needs

The efficiency and flexibility of local movers in College Park can be seen in their ability to customize moves to the needs of their clients, with a survey reporting that 96% of customers who used local movers were satisfied with the results.

Local movers bring a wealth of knowledge regarding the area’s logistics that allows them to devise tailored solutions for each move. This includes:

* Familiarity with relevant regulations and laws

* Understanding of traditional moving methods and techniques

* An awareness of routes, traffic patterns, and parking restrictions

This expertise allows local movers to quickly adapt schedules to accommodate changes or unexpected delays, providing a personal touch that is often difficult to replicate using larger-scale services.

Furthermore, it enables them to provide more targeted advice on how best to pack items for transport as well as secure storage solutions during transit.

As such, hiring local movers can be an effective way of streamlining your move in College Park while still delivering quality service.

Local Knowledge: The Importance of Hiring Movers Familiar with College Park's Neighborhoods and Regulations

Familiarity with College Park's nuances, including neighborhood regulations and traffic patterns, can be an invaluable asset for relocation projects, offering a level of customization that is often unattainable through larger-scale services.

For example, having movers who understand local parking regulations can help ensure that the moving truck is parked in a safe location where it won't block traffic or interfere with neighbors. Additionally, knowing about any homeowner association rules or other regulations that might impact the move can mean avoiding potential fines or delays due to unexpected issues.

Having movers familiar with the area also means they know the best routes to take when driving from one location to another. This knowledge can help save time by avoiding areas known for high traffic congestion and being aware of any construction projects that could lead to unexpected road closures. Knowing local roads also allows them to plan ahead on how best to maneuver around obstacles such as narrow streets or tight turns.

All of these advantages combine to create a smoother transition and less stress on the day of your move.

Cost Benefits: Analyzing the Financial Advantages of Hiring Local Movers in College Park

When hiring local movers College Park, it is estimated that customers can save an average of 20% on their relocation expenses compared to larger-scale services. This cost advantage can be attributed to a variety of factors, such as lower overhead costs and shorter distances traveled.

For instance, when dealing with long-distance moves, companies may have to charge more due to the additional fuel costs associated with traveling longer distances. In addition to potentially lower prices due to less overhead or distance traveled, customers who opt for local movers also benefit from personalized quotes and the opportunity to discuss budget concerns directly with their provider.

They are able to get a better understanding of what services they are paying for and how much each service will cost them upfront – allowing them to plan accordingly and avoid any unexpected surprises during the relocation process. Moreover, many local movers offer incentives such as discounts for returning customers or special offers throughout the year – further reducing the total cost of moving.

Conclusion

The advantages of hiring local movers in College Park are numerous.

From the efficiency and flexibility afforded by a personalized move plan, to the local knowledge required to ensure all regulations are met, there is much to be gained from having experienced professionals on your side.

The financial benefits should not be overlooked either; with competitive rates and customized services, relying on local movers can save you time and money.

Ultimately, it is clear that engaging the help of local movers in College Park will give you peace of mind for your next move - letting you focus on other important tasks as you settle into your new place.

Petrolino Moves

Rhode Island Ave, College Park, MD 20740

Phone: (301) 549-0423

[reboottechblogs]

Simplifying Auto Transport in New Jersey: Discovering the Excellence of American Transport Logistics

Introduction:

Finding a reliable auto transport company is paramount when transporting your vehicle, especially in a bustling state like New Jersey. Whether you're moving to New Jersey or need to transport your car within its borders, the search for a reputable and efficient auto transport company can be overwhelming. Look no further—American Transport Logistics is here to simplify the process and provide top-notch services.

1. Extensive Experience:

With years of experience in the industry, American Transport Logistics has established itself as a trusted auto transport company in New Jersey. Their expertise and knowledge of the local transportation landscape enable them to handle various vehicle shipping requirements efficiently and professionally.

2. Comprehensive Services:

American Transport Logistics offers a comprehensive range of auto transport services tailored to your needs. Whether you're relocating to or from New Jersey, purchasing a vehicle online, or attending a car show, they have you covered. Their services include open transport, enclosed transport, door-to-door delivery, expedited shipping, and more. You can rely on them to safely deliver the vehicle to its destination with the highest care.

3. Licensed and Insured:

Choosing an auto transport company in New Jersey that is licenced and insured is essential. American Transport Logistics holds all the licences and certifications required to operate legally and safely. They also provide comprehensive insurance coverage for your vehicle during transit, ensuring your peace of mind throughout shipping.

4. Efficient and Reliable:

When it comes to transporting your vehicle, timeliness is of the essence. American Transport Logistics prides itself on its commitment to punctuality and reliability. They understand that your time is valuable and strive to deliver your vehicle within the agreed-upon timeframe. With their efficient processes and strategic planning, Your automobile will be delivered quickly and effectively, so you can relax.

5. Transparent Pricing:

American Transport Logistics believes in providing transparent pricing to its customers. They offer competitive rates for their auto transport services in New Jersey, and you can request a quote through their website (americantransportlogistics.com) to get a clear understanding of the costs involved. Their pricing is fair and reflects the quality of service you can expect from them.

6. Excellent Customer Service:

From the moment you reach out to American Transport Logistics, you'll experience their dedication to customer satisfaction. Their friendly and knowledgeable team can answer any questions, guide the shipping process, and ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. Their commitment to exceptional customer service sets them apart from other auto transport companies in New Jersey.

7. Positive Reputation:

Word-of-mouth marketing is quite effective when choosing an auto transport company. American Transport Logistics has earned a stellar reputation in the industry thanks to its consistent delivery of high-quality services. They have garnered positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers, further solidifying their standing as a reliable choice for auto transport in New Jersey.

Conclusion:

Regarding auto transport in New Jersey, American Transport Logistics stands out as a reliable and trustworthy partner. With their extensive experience, comprehensive services, efficient operations, and commitment to customer satisfaction, they simplify the process of transporting your vehicle. Whether you're moving to or from New Jersey or need to transport your car within the state, you can count on American Transport Logistics to handle the task professionally and carefully.

Visit the American Transport Logistics website today to learn more about their auto transport services in New Jersey. Experience the excellence and peace of mind of entrusting your vehicle to a reputable auto transport company that delivers outstanding service.

[raeathnos]

.

[vintagerpg]

Among all the many strange and forgotten old RPG things I have come across during the course of this project, I think Gamelords, a Maryland-based publisher that operated from 1980 to about 1984, is my favorite. They’re probably most remembered for publishing Traveller zines by the Keith brothers after FASA stopped supporting the game, but I love their generic fantasy material (and the D&D derivative game Thieves Guild) the best.

This is an early product, The Compleat Tavern (1981), which was published in digest/zine format and includes a cardstock tavern floorplan and some furniture tokens (which seems ambitious for a company of this size at the time and I guess anticipates Tower of Magicks!). It is, as the title suggests, all you need to present a tavern in your game, and more, perhaps even too much (in all seriousness, the page and a half on sex workers is handled OK, especially for the period, but I could still do without it).

The mechanics here remind me of Midkemia’s city books, except applied to a business instead of a city street. There are lots of tables to build clientèle and to move them in and out according to the time of day. There are rules for rates, advice for running the rumor mill, games of chance, a method for charting and running inebriation and a specialized system for bar brawls. Most of these rules are too complex for me to ever consider using them, but I like seeing them and their methodology laid out for me.

The pub games is a welcome addition, even if I don’t need rules for simulating dart matches. I’ve had a lot of groups go to a lot of taverns to move the plot along or to rest, but never for the reasons I’ve gone to a bar — to chat, to hang out, to generally experience some nightlife. I never considered coaxing players into arm wrestling matches or dice games at the tavern, and I might still not for reasons of expediency, but this makes me pause to think about it (and gives me some ideas on how to handle it), and I appreciate that.

[gghostwriter]

Yours Truly, Romeo

Chapter 2 __ No Evidence, No Leads

Spencer Reid x FOC

Summary: Washington, DC - A string of grizzly murders and obsessive love letters causes Olivia and Spencer’s paths to intertwine. With a serial killer proclaiming his undying devotion to her and the thick tension surrounding her and her agent turned bodyguard, Olivia’s life is writing out like a contemporary love story that she, as a successful writer, could see herself publishing.

Previous chapter || series masterlist || next chapter

"Go wisely and slowly. Those who rush stumble and fall." - Act 2, Scene 3. Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare

The tranquility and vast land spaces in Maryland was the first thing Spencer noted. It was a sharp contrast to the populated DC metropolitan.

“Hi, I’m Jennifer Jareau from the BAU,” the blonde hair woman introduced herself to the slightly portly man welcoming them at the station. “This is SSA Aaron Hotchner, SSA David Rossi, and Dr Spencer Reid. We spoke over the phone regarding the killings?” 

He pushed open the police station door. “I’m Chief Charlie Donn, hope we’d be meeting in better circumstances but with the killer dumping the bodies in our backyard, we’d rather not take any chances.” 

“What can you tell us about how the bodies were found?” Hotch asked, going straight to the point. 

“The first body was found Sunday, three weeks ago, by a couple walking along the river,” he started as he led the team to the meeting room with tacked case images and files. “The second body was found, Tuesday, two weeks ago, by a woman walking her dog and the last body was found two days ago by a patrolling officer.” 

“Why weren’t we invited earlier on when the second body was discovered?”

The sheriff sighed and placed his hands on his waist, seemingly taking in a defiant position. “We’re currently stretched thin due to lack of man power and my detectives and I assumed that these bodies were just floating down the river. When they started popping up again and again, we took notice.” 

“I’ll talk to the media to try and keep this as quiet as possible,” JJ suggested. “We wouldn’t want to scare our unsub away due to FBI presence. Chief Donn, please come with me.” 

As JJ and the Chief left the room, the phone clipped on Spencer’s pocket rang.

“Garcia,” he greeted. “Have you found anything that connects the victims?” 

“Hey Boy Wonder, I wish I was the bearer of good news,” she sighed. “All the connection I could find with the three victims were that they all recently moved from different parts of the country to Washington, DC. No social connection or school connection found.” 

“Washington, DC?” Rossi repeated. “So Maryland has a connection with the unsub and not the victims.” 

“What about their jobs, Garcia, any connection?” Hotch asked.

“None at all. Our first victim accepted a job as a sous chef for a French fusion restaurant in DC and when he didn’t show up for the first day of work, the management didn’t report him missing, just thought of him as a no show. The second victim got a job offer for a medium sized IT company, management also thought he was just a no show. And the third victim got a job as an illustrator for a publishing company. He actually went to work for his first week but was noted a no show afterwards.” 

“Run any surveillance cameras around their workplace and neighborhood for a timeline when they were last spotted,” Hotch ordered in his no nonsense voice. “Keep us posted, Garcia.” 

“Got it! You my fine furry friends, are welcome,” Garcia rambled out before ending the call.

———

Olivia didn’t sleep a wink during the night when she received the mail. She had tried to do every calming routine she could—yoga, meditation, warm tea before bed—and honestly, every paranoid act she could—double, triple checked all her doors, shut her windows and drawn the curtains—but sleep had evaded her weary body. There she stood in front of her bathroom mirror, surveying the damage the sleepless night had done to her reflection. The bags under her eyes looked darker than usual, her hair was in a sorry state of disarray, and there was a slight manic look brimming underneath her appearance.

She sighed as she stepped towards the shower. The water was icy cold to the touch which is not ideal for her at the slightest but she needed all the external help she could get to stay alert and awake for the day. The images flashing behind her closed set of amber eyes making her heart thud louder in her chest. There was nothing outwardly gory with the pictures, no blood at all, but it all had her hackles rise and her instincts scream for an unknown storm that was about to swipe in. 

There was a loud knock on her bedroom door as she was lost in her thoughts, causing her to jump. 

“Hey Olivia,” Hollie said behind the locked and blocked entryway. “Are you up?” 

She rushed to get dressed in her casual clothes and removed the chair she jammed under the doorknob last night due to her paranoia. “Hi Hollie, thank you again for staying with me last night—” 

Hollie shrugged and squeezed her shoulders to ease tension. “No worries at all. What do you say we go and report it to the police?”

“—It might have been nothing. Maybe it was just my active imagination, you know as a writer and all, and besides we both know how the authorities get with things like this.” She shook her head and rambled on as they both rushed down the stairs to her kitchen. 

Hollie said nothing to counter her argument, clearly remembering the same instance Olivia was alluding to. During their time in the university, they had experienced a break in their three shared dorm room. None of their possessions were touched but a pair of their third roommate’s intimates were stolen and in return, the thief left a a red rose on her bed. Frightened, the three of them reported it to the college campus authorities who did little to no help at all. The locks were changed, yes, but no additional investigation was done to figure out the culprit. At one point, the security had even believed that it was all just an elaborate prank by the girls. Hinting that maybe the other had stolen the pair of underwear as some form of sick joke.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz

It was the ring of the doorbell. Both women approached the front door with wary. Hollie glanced through the peephole, making sure that there was no one there before slowly opening the door slightly.

Olivia inhaled sharply, noting another unmarked parcel on her doorstep. Hastily grabbing it and bolting the door shut, they both all but ran into the safe confines of her office before promptly dropping the letter at her table like it was radioactive. 

“Maybe—maybe we shouldn’t open it and just bring it straight to the police,” Hollie suggested.

Olivia shook her head, steeling herself for the worst. “We have to know what’s inside before alerting anyone.” 

Her hands shaking, she slowly opened the white envelope and deeply regretted her decision. She wished she could scrub her mind clean to rid itself of subjects that the Polaroid films captured. The images were now beyond the spectrum of creepy and entering the genre of pure horror. Each contained close ups—an upper body shot from the elbow to the neck with black stitching on the armpit to connect the obviously mismatched skin and half a face with a high bridge nose sewn in place and an empty cut space for the eyes and lips. 

Olivia all but ran to the adjoining powder room to vomit the half toast she had eaten earlier and in the background, she could hear Hollie frantically looking for her cellphone.

“Hello 911,” Hollie sobbed out. “Please, please we need help.” 

———

Spencer had been up the whole night trying to piece together a profile with little to no success. His coffee-addled brain was telling him that there was a similarity with this case and the horrendous murders of Ed Gein but with no proof as to what, he hadn’t been able to share his inkling to the team up until Garcia’s early morning phone call. 

“Good morning to you all my loves,” she greeted, her bubbly personality leaking out from Morgan’s speaker. “I may have something that could be connected to our case.”

“Hope it’s something good, baby girl, ‘cause boy genius here is at his wits end,” Morgan teased.

“Well we wouldn’t want that, won’t we my chocolate thunder?” She quipped back. “A 911 call was made from Washington DC a few hours ago about a series of letters and pictures sent to a woman named Olivia Hill and oh boy, did she not have a great morning—”

“Wait, Washington DC? Where all the victims came from?” Rossi asked, cutting her off.

“Right, you are and well, those images contain possibly the missing skin from our victims,” she rambled on. “All sewn up together like some Frankenstein.” 

Silence. 

“I’m sorry, did you say sewn together?” JJ clarified. “That seems new for an unsub.”

“Right you are my love, this takes the cake for horrific creativity from our usual killers, if you ask me. Anyways, I’ve sent the letters and images to your emails, keep safe my babies!” The phone line goes dead.

Spencer rapidly reviewed the contents sent and he felt the puzzles finally now clicking into place. Why his brain couldn’t let go of the nagging thought that this had resemblance to the Butcher of Plainfield.

“That’s why I couldn’t stop thinking about Gein—why the there was no connection with the victims no matter how much we dug and thought about it,” he started to babble rapidly, gaining the attention of the rest of the team. “They weren’t the real victims, more like chess pieces to this twisted fantasy that the unsub has to the true victim which is her, Olivia Hill.” 

“Slow down, kid. What’s this about Gein?” Morgan asked, clearly trying to catch his train of thought.

“Do you mean about him wearing the skins of his victims?” Prentiss catching on. 

Spencer nodded. “He’s making a face and body suit, quite literally, to wear from the missing parts and if I’m right, once the suit is complete, he’ll have to go after her next.” 

“Rossi, JJ, Prentiss, stay here and keep us updated should another body appear,” Hotch delegated. “Morgan, Reid, and I will fly to DC for coordinating. Wheels up in thirty.”

“You got it,”  Prentiss replied. 

a/n: please do not repost anywhere else. I only post here on Tumblr and on ao3. I'm using this whole week to write all the future chapters I can so expect one more update this week for Yours Truly, Romeo. Would also like to hear any comments or feedback from you my pookies xx

[mariacallous]

More US workers will soon be free to leave their employers to work for rivals, thanks to a new federal rule that will block the long-standing practice of locking in workers with noncompete agreements.

The US Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday issued a final rule that bans most noncompetes nationwide. The agency estimated that by allowing people more freedom, the change would lead to the creation of 8,500 new businesses annually, an average annual pay increase of $524 for workers, lower health care costs, and as many as 29,000 more patents each year for the next decade.

The FTC says about one in five US workers are bound by contract clauses that prevent them from taking new jobs from a competitor, or starting their own competing businesses, for some period of time. The agreements can trap workers and slow career advancement and wage increases—two things workers often achieve by hopping jobs.

The agreements also disproportionately affect workers in tech and certain other roles: 36 percent of engineers and architects work under noncompetes, as do 35 percent of workers in computer and math fields, according to research from the Universities of Maryland and Michigan.

Under the FTC’s new rule, “tech workers will probably experience a rise in the outside opportunities that they face,” says Evan Starr, an associate professor of business at the University of Maryland who worked on the research. “They’ll have more freedom to work where they want; they will be more likely to be paid higher wages.”

Opponents of noncompetes say they hurt workers by keeping them in lower-waged jobs and also stifle innovation, preventing people from starting their own businesses or putting innovative ideas into practice. Noncompete supporters argue that the arrangements encourage investment in staff and protect trade secrets. But recent research from Starr indicates that banning noncompetes hasn’t led to an increase in trade secret litigation.

The new FTC rule has a carve-out to keep existing noncompetes for senior executives in place. But it blocks companies from creating new noncompetes for these high-level workers. The rule is due to take effect in about four months, but it’s expected to face challenges. Two commissioners who voted against the rule saw it as overstepping the FTC’s power. The US Chamber of Commerce quickly announced after the rule passed that it will sue to try to block it.

Several states, including tech hub California, have already banned enforcement of noncompetes. But a recent tidal shift has seen the issue resonate in dozens of states. In the 2023 legislative session, 38 states introduced 81 bills that sought to ban or restrict enforcement of noncompetes. California’s long-established law is seen as part of the reason Silicon Valley became a hub for innovation, while Massachusetts’s once-similar tech corridor didn’t soar in the same way.

Tech executive Daniel Powers has battled noncompetes twice in his career. In 2010, IBM tried to delay his move from New York to Seattle to work for Amazon Web Services, the online retailer’s cloud division, by a year. The parties settled on Powers taking six months off. Fortunately for Powers, Amazon agreed to pay him even while he couldn’t work.

Two years later, the tables turned. When Powers attempted to take a job with Google Cloud, Amazon sued him, saying he had agreed not to work for one of its competitors within 18 months of leaving. The incident drew headlines as the first noncompete case Amazon had brought against someone inside fast-growing AWS, Powers recalls.

Powers had to move to California—where noncompetes aren’t legal—for the new gig, and his attorney told him to get there as soon as possible. By living in a different state, the lawsuit could be tried in federal court, where his attorney felt Amazon had less of an advantage compared to Washington state court. A federal judge ended up siding with Powers, and he lost only about three months of work at Google while the case played out.

Amazon, IBM, and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Had Powers not received discounted legal help over the years, he says, he could have easily spent over $100,000 battling noncompetes. “It’s just not fair to the employees,” says Powers, who now runs cloud advisory firm What's Next Consulting. “When I won, I got hundreds of emails and texts from Amazon employees thanking me for beating them.”

People in Washington state who want to leave one of the tech giants often must have difficult conversations with their families, advisers, and potential new employer about the risks of litigation and potentially being without a paycheck for a long stretch. Powers estimates that he has aided over 200 former Amazon and IBM colleagues in the process. California workers have no such concerns. “It’s just, ‘OK, goodbye,’” Powers says. “There’s nothing companies can do about it.”

If the new FTC rule ends up in front of the US Supreme Court, he says, his message to the justices will be simple. “Taking away a person’s ability to work in an industry they are trained in, have skills in, and have been in is a massive disservice to the employee,” Powers says. “It’s not the right thing to do to have these agreements.”

[sarahowritesostucky]

📖"Runnin' Roughshod"

Pairing: Bucky x black female Reader

Rated: Explicit

Tags: civil war, westward expansion, homesteader Bucky, Black!Fem!Reader, slavery, historic AU, forbidden romance, interracial relationship, racism, period typical attitudes, brothel, prostitution

A Bucky x Black!fem!Reader historical AU fic that I decided to bullet point for funsies, and then wound up writing half of the damn thing that way 🙄

You're a slave living in 1860 Missouri, just outside of St. Louis.

You're the property of (and half-sister to) Master Lewis. Lucky for you, Master Lewis Senior is dead, and Lewis Jr.'s young bride Darcilla is kind and agreeable, with progressive notions that she brought along with her trousseau when she came from Maryland to wed Master Lewis.

Life is very good for you, compared to some others. You work in the house, as lady's maid to the new Mrs. Lewis (who insists you call her Ms. Darcy), and sometimes help in the shop in town.

The Lewis's own a handful of other slaves who help run their household and dressmaker's shop, but since the death of your mother you've had no family (well, except for Master Lewis, though nobody counts that). You do your work and keep to yourself. Sometimes you make a little money at the dress shop, which Mistress Darcilla lets you keep behind her husband's back.

You save up every penny, but buying your own freedom is a far off dream. Your whole life, you've never seriously contemplated running away. It isn't worth the risk.

But when tensions in the county begin to rise and you hear rumors of secession, you grow worried. You begin to squirrel away what valuables you can, gain the trust of your mistress, and bide your time.

With the uncertainty of war brewing, Master Lewis announces his plans to move the family deeper south. You can no longer afford to wait. You have to get out now, before your one and only chance is lost forever.

Your money gets you as far as Topeka, where you're forced to stop until you can earn enough to join a wagon train out West. You find work at a saloon, serving drinks and making flirty conversation with the men who come in for a good time.

In the mornings, you begin to learn the piano from "Old Freddie," and during the occasional slow afternoon, Madame Lapierre, the French woman who governs the "upstairs" girls, will play a game of chess with you whilst she tries to make headway in convincing you to "expand your employment opportunities."

Topeka is Free-Soiler territory, but there's always the fear that Master Lewis might find you. And, on the verge of statehood, the Kansas territory has tipped into increasingly violent conflict between anti- and pro-slavery settlers. With conditions worsening and all out war looming on the horizon, you have no guarantee of safety there anymore.

Desperate to raise the funds to go West more quickly, you tell Madame that you're ready to start selling more than drinks and conversation. You become her newest "poppet" prepared to do whatever it takes to get out of town before your luck - and your freedom - run out.

You've never been with a man, but you know the rudimentary facts of life, and with a little help from the other girls and Madame, you prepare to become just another "sporting girl."

Your first afternoon on the job, a roughshod rider comes into town, seeking lodging, drink, and the sort of "company" that you're there to provide.

The white girls get first dibs on clients, but the roughshod asks for you to be sent up to his room. You wish he wouldn't have. Not because you want to put off the inevitable, but because now the other girls will be nasty to you. The man is handsome, and the girls were all eager to get their hands in his pockets.

You're shaking in your boots, but Madame gives you a shot of whiskey, a spritz of her genuine French perfume, and a tiny pewter snuff case for "wetting the way," (whatever that means). She tells you to put it in your bosom and use it "when the time is right."

Terrified but determined to see it through, you head upstairs to the roughshod's room.

It does not go as you expect. First, he demands to know if you're working there of your own free will. You admit that he is your very first client - which you regret doing, because his face goes even stonier when you do. He barks out orders at you, insisting that you leave the room at once and fetch him the house's tub.

He wants a bath - a hot one! - and with soap, and a towel!! You're very happy about that, because it costs a whole sixty-five cents more, and it will also mean extra time spent with you, which leaves you with even more money in your pocket at the end of the day. You're still nervous, but elated at the luck you're having on your very first client!

The other girls are stewing in the hall with jealously and make snide comments about your race and the man's preference for you. They refuse to help you prepare the bath, but you don't care one lick. That's just more time the roughshod will be paying to spend with you, while you haul bucket after bucket of boiled water up the stairs.

Madame catches you in the hallway and tells you not to mind the other girls. She's a bit drunk on sherry, and she jokes that at this rate, you'll probably only have to spread your legs for two or three minutes! (God, you hope so).

The man is filthy, and he's hurt - as though he's been in a fight or fallen from his horse. He asks you to help bathe him, and you get started with your heart in your throat. His manners are as rough as he is, but he isn't mean to you, and he doesn't try to grab you, which is a relief. With shaking hands, you proceed to wash him.

This is your first time touching a naked man's body, and you try not to look down into the bathwater as you wash him. You're embarrassed, but it's not just nerves; seeing and touching such a handsome man has you warming as though you've downed another three shots of whiskey.

You squirm and fight not to let the roughshod see your flusterment, as your belly tightens with the familiar, but never indulged, feelings of lust.

The roughshod stays in the bath until the water's gone gray and cold. You kneel beside the tub and wring out the cloth, but squeak when, all at once, the man heaves himself up to standing, the water streaming down his body and his ... his Johnson right at the level of your face!

He grunts and swings his leg out of the tub - exposing all of his manhood jostling around not even two feet from your face as he does so! You blush and look away, but you can feel him staring at you as he grabs up the towel and dries himself off.

Surely, you think, now he will ask you to take off your clothes and join him on the bed. You know only the basics of what goes where for the act, having witnessed clandestine coitus a time or two in your life. You wait, unable to look up at him, as you expect to hear his gruff voice order you about. And it does.

"Get up."

You stand, trembling. But what he says next isn't what you're expecting: "You know how to rub a man's muscles?"

You look up at him. He's got the towel in hand, making no effort to use it to cover himself. Then again, you think, why should he? You're just another painted poppet (or, soon to be). "R-rub what?" you stammer - quite idiotically. Of course, you know what muscles are. ... You're just not sure if he's using the word as a ... a euphemism.

He rolls his eyes and brings the towel up to dry his hair. "Knew I should'a asked for the China girl," he mutters.

You clear your throat and look steadfastly at his face. "You're hurt," you say, because you've seen every part of his body now, despite your efforts to keep your eyes trained North. And you know he's got bruises all on his legs and back and sides.

The roughshod nods and abandons the towel to the floor. "Yeah." He's not a talker, but you get the impression he's waiting to hear something from you.

You struggle to think of what that might be. "I ... have ... rubbed my mother's shoulders, when they hurt her. Um. And her feet?"

If you're not mistaken, the man's mouth twitches up the barest bit, beneath his beard. "Eh," he says, then turns around, presenting you with his - very manly - ass. "How bad can ya be?" He walks towards the bed, waving you along without looking back. "Well c'mere then."

He climbs up onto the room's bed and lies down, face in his arms. "What're you doing?" he grumps. "I said get over here."

Swallowing thickly, you hurry across the room. With his back turned, you have less trouble letting your eyes rove over his naked body. His back is broad and muscled, going from impossibly wide and tanned shoulders, tapering all the way down to his slim hips and his pale ass. His thighs are hairy and---no. You force your eyes true north again, looking at the bruises that you're increasingly starting to suspect came from a beating. "What happened to you?" you ask.

His head stays pillowed in the crooks of his arms. "Get up on the bed," he grunts. "Sit on my ass and I'll tell 'ya what to do."

Your eyes all but bug out of your head, when he tells you to straddle him. You do, your skirt rustling as you move and get up on him. You're hesitant to put your weight down, but he huffs and tells you to sit.

"Speck like you ain't gonna feel any more'n a feather. Sit."

He talks you through giving him - what he deems a "goddamn lousy" - massage. He grunts whenever you press on his bruises, pained, but once you get the hang of it, he at least goes quiet and doesn't complain anymore, so maybe you're not so horrible at it after all.

You rub his shoulders, his neck and back; your belly coiling tight once again, filling with a swooping feeling at having his warm skin and hard muscles underhand, at the feeling of his body held between your legs. You worry that he somehow knows how you're reacting, but you don't speak and neither does he.

When he eventually groans from pained-pleasure rather than pain, you can't help but smirk triumphantly. You keep expecting him to roll over and declare the massage over and demand for you to touch his Johnson, but that keeps not happening (though he does groan a little more).

You check the clock and see that it's now early evening. The light outside is almost gone. You worry that he's lost track of time and might refuse to pay for the hours he's spent with you, which will get your wages garnished.

So, tentatively, you slide your hands down to his thick waist, the swooping feeling intensifying at watching all the muscles in his back tense and shift underneath the skin.

"Why'd you stop?" he grunts.

"Are ... are you sure ..." You hesitate, not knowing how to seduce a man.

"Spit it out," he says, annoyed.

You lick your lips. "Well I just ... it's been awhile now and ... Are you sure this is all you want?"

"It feels good," he snaps, voice muffled in his arms. "That's what I'm payin' you for, ain't it?"

His uncharitable response should make you relieved, but instead it just leaves you worried and confused. Are you not seductive enough? Is he going to complain to Madame once he leaves here?

You need to speak up, take action, or else you may be in trouble. "Mister," you say, "I--"

"James," he grunts. "S'my name."

You pause, surprised that he wants you to use it, since he doesn't seem to like you very much. "James," you try again. "I want to make sure you're ... um ... getting your money's worth?"

He's silent and still, then drawls, "You don't sound too sure about that."

FOLKS THIS HAS BEEN OUT OF HAND FOR AWHILE NOW. LETS GO BACK TO AN ACTUAL FUCKING OUTLINE:

He has you lie down on the bed, and he regards you tenderly and seems like he's going to finally do it, but his face goes sour when you nervously reach your hand for his Johnson, and he tells you he doesn't need anything else.

"That's enough." He rolls away, comes back with a dollar bill, hands it over and gruffly tells you to go over to the mercantile and buy him a fresh shirt.

Relieved and yet somehow also terribly disappointed, you do so. When you return, his hair is tied back and he's got his pants on again.

You expect him to dismiss you, but he tells you he wants your company in the downstairs, too. He takes you down and the two of you eat and drink together at his behest. As it's now evening, the other poppets work on men nearby, shooting you jealous looks every so often.

James slowly opens up to you, engaging you in conversation over his dinner. You can't help but talk back, the conversation coming naturally and your shoulders relaxing. James is much more likeable after a whiskey or two, and the two of you even laugh and joke together. He decides to teach you a dice game, and the two of you have fun well into the evening, until he goes back up to bed -- alone.

Madame is drunk and very proud--because the roughshod actually pays for the entire time! In one fell swoop, you've made a handsome sum! You begin to hope that soon you'll be able to buy your way onto a wagon train and go West!

But the next day, your fortunes change.

A lawman shows up with none other than Mr. Brooks--Master Lewis' most trusted slave. Brooks tells the lawman that you are the one he's looking for. He has your papers to prove Mr. Lewis' ownership!

Being only tenuously free territory, the lawman has the say so on what happens to you. Just when it looks like he's going to hand you over to Brooks, the roughshod comes downstairs. He claims you're his property and that your name is Pearl. He has no proof, but says that's because he bought you from a 'chief down in Indian country' (the Oklahoma territory).

One of the white girls calls out that that's not true: you work there.

It seems that the lie won't work, but when the lawman asks Madame if that's true, Madame says your name is Pearl and you showed up with the roughshod the other day.

The marshal decides to trust the word of a white man over Mr. Brooks (who looks very angry indeed). He brandishes the papers and promises to come back with Master Lewis.

With no time to spare, you make haste. You have to leave town now, no matter the fact that you don't have the money to make it out West. You stuff your things in your bag and leave with the wages you've earned.

Outside, the roughshod grabs your arm and pulls you in. He demands you tell him the truth, since he stuck his neck out for you.

You confess everything--running away, your plan to set out West for San Francisco. You fear that he's had a change of heart and will take you to the lawman, but he gets stern-faced again and gruffly tells you to come with him back to his home with him.

You're confused, but he is bossy and all but forces you back to his homestead with him. There, he informs you that, after getting into a "scrape" with some locals himself, he has to leave. He offers to take you out West with him, and part ways in California.

You agree.

Sometime, months later, in California:

The country is at war, but it feels far away from where you are now, as do Master Lewis' chances of ever finding you again. James has hope that the North will win and slavery will be done away with, when the two of you arrive in San Francisco. You make him breakfast, and ask: "What now?"

He gets quiet for awhile. "Woman like you?" He says, chewing the last bite of a biscuit. "Sews, can play chess, hard worker, beautiful, and you cook like this?" He sticks his tongue in his cheek and looks away for a moment. When he looks back, there's false cheer in his eyes. "You're gonna make some man a fine wife someday."

You inhale deeply, fighting to keep the sting of that comment from getting to your eyes. "But not you?" you finally say, once you've gathered the breath - and the courage - to do so.

The false cheer bleeds to sadness, fond and regretful, and he shakes his head softly. "No Darlin'. Not me."

(spoiler alert: you wind up together with a happy ending anyway)

IM SORRY IT'S TWO AM WHY DID I DO THIS I NEED TO SLEEEEP 😩

(Will def be writing (more of) this fic in the future though!)

[theidcl]

⁺˚⋆｡°✩₊ STARZIE is a seven-member fictional coed group that debuted on january 7th, 2024, under stellar entertainment. the coed supergroup was formed through the idol survival show "SHOOTING STARS" which premiered in 2023. the show's purpose was to gather currently active idols and put them up against each other in order to form the ultimate coed group featuring the highest-ranked idols.

the supergroup made their debut shortly into the new year with the mini album "mission one: take off" and promoted their title track "crush", as well as other b-sides from the album. their debut was garnered as both a domestic and international success, boosting STARZIE into the super rookie category very quickly despite only just debuting.

with the group being made up of some of the most popular idols from multiple generations, the public has opened their arms to the group while also throwing harsh criticism their way. many fans are excited to see their favorite idols pursue new activities and release different music alongside other highly popular idols, but due to being a coed group, the public has expressed concern over how scandals and rumors are bound to happen.

˖ ࣪ ˚ . group name ⇁ starzie

˖ ࣪ ˚ . fandom name ⇁ starnautz

˖ ࣪ ˚ . fandom color ⇁ #1ad700 #00a0d7

˖ ࣪ ˚ . company ⇁ stellar entertainment

˖ ࣪ ˚ . debut date ⇁ january 7th, 2024

˖ ࣪ ˚ . debut album ⇁ mission one: take off

˖ ࣪ ˚ . debut song ⇁ crush

˖ ࣪ ˚ . greeting ⇁ "one of a kind! hello, we are starzie!”

⁺˚⋆｡°✩₊ MEET THE STARZ!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ ELLIOT SON, professionally known as ELLIOT, was born in 1998 in baltimore, maryland, usa. elliot began his training journey at jyp entertainment, where he participated in the reality show 'stray kids', originally making the final lineup before leaving the group before debut and jyp as a whole, stating creative differences. he trained for 4 years before debuting in the boy group embers in 2019, which would disband just a year later. he would soon re-debut in pushing daises.

ELLIOT was a popular idol while on SHOOTING STARS, being a member of the totally spies group during the cover challenge, in which the team placed 2nd in the challenge. during the rewind challenge, elliot was a member of 3rd place team elec6ix. at the end of the show, elliot managed to finish the show in 5th place, making him the second announced member.

˖ ࣪ ˚ . full name ⇁ elliot dowon son

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthday ⇁ february 14th, 1998

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthplace ⇁ baltimore, maryland, usa

˖ ࣪ ˚ . position ⇁ rapper, vocalist

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ranking ⇁ 5th place

˖ ࣪ ˚ . height ⇁ 185cm

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ethnicity ⇁ korean-caucasian

˖ ࣪ ˚ . nationality ⇁ american

˖ ࣪ ˚ . faceclaim ⇁ vernon chwe

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ BAE MINJU, professionally known as MINJU, was born in 1998 in liverpool, england, but she moved to london when she was three years old. every summer, she traveled to korea over the summer to spend time with her grandparents and cousins in busan. growing up, minju was always fond of music and dancing, which led to her dream of being a k-pop idol. minju applied to many agencies such as jyp and cube entertainment, but ultimately made her choice to join source music with a friend of hers in 2010. after training for five years, minju officially debuted as a member of gfriend under source music. after the disbandment of gfriend, she signed a contract with big hit music and made her solo debut on november 11th, 2021. although many had anticipated it, the whole thing became a total failure, and minju was put on hiatus.

MINJU held a fluctuating rank while on SHOOTING STARS, but was always dancing within and around the top seven. during the rewind challenge, minju was a member of 3rd place team elec6ix. in the cover challenge, minju was a part of wonderland, and they placed 1st overall. at the end of the show, minju managed to finish the show in 4th place, making her the third announced member.

˖ ࣪ ˚ . full name ⇁ bae minju

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthday ⇁ march 14th, 1998

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthplace ⇁ liverpool, englad

˖ ࣪ ˚ . position ⇁ vocalist, rapper

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ranking ⇁ 4th place

˖ ࣪ ˚ . height ⇁ 162.5cm

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ethnicity ⇁ korean

˖ ࣪ ˚ . nationality ⇁ british

˖ ࣪ ˚ . faceclaim ⇁ park jiwon

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ CHLOE LEE, professionally known as CHLOE, was born in 1998 in new york, united states. chloe's career began in 2016 after ranking second on the mnet surivival show 'produce 101', securing herself a spot in the temporary girl group, ioi. once ioi disbanded in 2017, chloe debuted in venus as their main vocalist and lead dancer. alongside her success in venus, chloe would also have a flourishing solo career that began in 2019 with the song "rollercoaster" and has been on the rise ever since. chloe is a renowned vocalist and lyricist in the industry, being one the most credited female songwriters in the kpop industry.

CHLOE started the SHOOTING STARS with a bang, quickly securing a spot as a leader in the first group challenge. she was able to pick her teammates during the rewind challenge and ended up picking wisely as her team, the dream, placed first overall. once again placing high enough to be chosen as a leader, during the cover challenge, chloe was in charge of the last place team the zoo. chloe was up the coveted position of first place in the finale but ultimately placed 2nd, making her the sixth announced member of the group.

˖ ࣪ ˚ . full name ⇁ chloe lee

˖ ࣪ ˚ . korean name ⇁ lee chohee

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthday ⇁ june 17th, 1998

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthplace ⇁ new york, united states

˖ ࣪ ˚ . position ⇁ vocalist, dancer

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ranking ⇁ 2nd place

˖ ࣪ ˚ . height ⇁ 152.4cm

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ethnicity ⇁ korean

˖ ࣪ ˚ . nationality ⇁ american

˖ ࣪ ˚ . faceclaim ⇁ han sohee

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ PARK MIKYUNG, professionally known as MIKA, was born in 2001 in gwangju, south korea. after being scouted at her middle school’s talent show, mika auditioned for dsp media and trained for two years before making her debut in april on august 24th, 2015 as the group’s main rapper and main dancer at the young age of 14. she promoted with the group for multiple months before she was announced to be a participant on mnet’s trainee survival show ‘produce 101′. mika made her debut in ioi after finishing the show ranked 5th, and later made her debut in the only subunit of ioi. after the group's disbandment, mika returned to april but quickly announced her departure from both the group and dsp media. signing with angelico entertainment, mika went on to have a successful acting and solo career before debuting in sugar n' spice. mika is considered one of the best producers and lyricists in the industry, going under the pseudonym m.ka.

despite being one of the most popular idols to partake in SHOOTING STARS, MIKA suffered from fluctuating rankings that made her position on debuting unknown. she started off the show strong by being a member of the winning team, the dream, during the rewind challenge. during the next challenge, the cover challenge, mika was instead part of the last place team the zoo. being the first announced member, mika finished the show in 6th place.

˖ ࣪ ˚ . full name ⇁ park mikyung

˖ ࣪ ˚ . english name ⇁ isabella jade park

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthday ⇁ march 26th, 2001

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthplace ⇁ gwangju, south korea

˖ ࣪ ˚ . position ⇁ rapper, dancer, vocalist

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ranking ⇁ 6th place

˖ ࣪ ˚ . height ⇁ 162cm

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ethnicity ⇁ korean

˖ ࣪ ˚ . nationality ⇁ korean

˖ ࣪ ˚ . faceclaim ⇁ yu jimin

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ WANG LILING, professionally known as LILING, was born in 2001 in beijing, china. growing up, she appeared in numerous product commercials in china and was considered a well-known face despite the lack of attention she received from these commercials. liling debuted in august of 2019 with the girl group, hashtag, under the company melody media. when their first mini-album was released, fans suddenly began to favor liling over the other members, gaining her the title of ‘face of the group’. this meant that liling was constantly taking part in solo activities and brand deals. she is currently melody media’s sole representative, despite the rumors of favoritism.

LILING was one of the most popular idols while on SHOOTING STARS, earning her the spot of being the leader of the heart attack group during the rewind challenge, in which the team placed 4th. liling was once again selected as team leader during the cover challenge, where she was in charge of 4th place team timeless. at the end of the show, liling managed to finish the show in 3rd place, making her the fourth announced member. liling was chosen to be starzie's leader after winning multiple challenges and a voting round during their reality show "living with starzie".

˖ ࣪ ˚ . full name ⇁ wang liling

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthday ⇁ july 11th, 2001

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthplace ⇁ beijing, china

˖ ࣪ ˚ . position ⇁ leader, vocalist, dancer

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ranking ⇁ 3rd place

˖ ࣪ ˚ . height ⇁ 160cm

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ethnicity ⇁ chinese

˖ ࣪ ˚ . nationality ⇁ chinese

˖ ࣪ ˚ . faceclaim ⇁ ning yizhuo

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ FINN LEE, professionally known as FINN, was born in 2001 in florida, united states. beginning his career at 15, finn appeared on the angelico survival show "the new wave". finn would quickly become a fan favorite for his dedication, humor, and overall talent. he would end his run on the show, ranking 1st overall despite being one of the youngest there, securing him a spot in the revitalized group, deepdive. deepdive would make their re-debut in 2015 with seven members but would only seem to gain traction in 2020. finn is one of the most sought-after producers in the industry, with over 190 song credits to his name.

FINN started off SHOOTING STARS strong by placing fourth in the pre-voting and securing himself a team leader spot. during the rewind challenge, finn was the leader of the 3rd place team elec6ix. during the next challenge, the cover challenge, finn was a member of the wonderland team, who placed 1st. being considered the most dramatic ranking due to how many people could have taken the spot, finn finished the show ranked 7th, making him the last announced member of starzie.

˖ ࣪ ˚ . full name ⇁ finn lee

˖ ࣪ ˚ . korean name ⇁ lee jungwoo

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthday ⇁ october 10th, 2001

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthplace ⇁ florida, united states

˖ ࣪ ˚ . position ⇁ rapper, vocalist

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ranking ⇁ 7th place

˖ ࣪ ˚ . height ⇁ 183cm

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ethnicity ⇁ korean

˖ ࣪ ˚ . nationality ⇁ american

˖ ࣪ ˚ . faceclaim ⇁ park wonbin

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ OLIVER SONG, professionally known as OLIVER, was born in 2001 in massachusetts, united states. oliver made his debut as the lead guitarist of the idol band plastic flowers under superbloom media in 2018. after their second album, he was promoted to lead singer and has become the most well-known member of the group since his appearance on jtbc’s 'superband' and other variety shows. he would slowly become the most famous artist under superbloom media as well and has produced almost every piece of music released by the label since 2020. oliver made his official solo debut in march 2023 with the lead single "starting line", launching him into further fame as plastic flowers continues to top the charts with each of their releases.

being a previously well-known idol before participating in SHOOTING STARS, OLIVER managed to stay at the top the ranks throughout the show. he started off the show strong by being the leader of the mystery inc team during the rewind challenge, where they placed 2nd. placing first in voting, oliver was once again chosen as a team leader during the cover challenge; his team, wonderland, was able to place 1st. oliver was able to secure his spot as starzie's center after finishing the show ranked 1st place, making him the fifth announced member.

˖ ࣪ ˚ . full name ⇁ oliver song

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthday ⇁ december 12th, 2001

˖ ࣪ ˚ . birthplace ⇁ massachusetts, united states

˖ ࣪ ˚ . position ⇁ vocalist, center, maknae

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ranking ⇁ 1st place

˖ ࣪ ˚ . height ⇁ 178cm

˖ ࣪ ˚ . ethnicity ⇁ korean

˖ ࣪ ˚ . nationality ⇁ american

˖ ࣪ ˚ . faceclaim ⇁ seok matthew

[flanaganfilm]

Hey Mike! Can you talk about your experience going from Absentia to Oculus? That process after Absentia went on its festival run to pitching Oculus? Would love to learn about that time in your life & career!

I moved to Los Angeles in 2003, right after I graduated college. I went to Towson University in Maryland, was an EMF major (Electronic Media & Film) and had wanted nothing more than to make movies my whole life. We were a comfortable middle class military family (my dad was in the Coast Guard) and for most of my life, making movies for a living felt like an impossible dream.

When I moved to LA I took whatever work I could find. I shot and edited those local car commercials you see on TV at 2am, I was a logger and an AE for reality TV shows, and I eventually worked my way to editing.

I said I'd give myself 5 years to make it in Hollwood. By the time we shot Absentia, I'd been here for 7 years, and in that time I hadn't gotten any closer to my dream.

I've already written at length about how Absentia came along and what it was like to make that little movie, and I've recently blogged about how the Oculus premiere changed my life and birthed my career, so I won't rehash those - but I don't often talk about what went on in between.

I finished editing Absentia just before my oldest son was born in 2010, and went back to working full-time as a reality TV editor. In fact, in the months leading up to his birth, I was working double-time - I spent my days at a company called Film Garden working on a series for DIY Network, and my nights editing packages at Nash Entertainment for those true crime clip shows. Whatever it took to keep the lights on and provide as much support as I could for my son.

While this was happening, I'd submitted Absentia to a pile of film festivals. We didn't get into any of the majors - Sundance, SXSW, and Toronto all passed on the film. Our world premiere was at the Fargo Film Festival, where Tom Brandau, one of my former professors from Towson - and one of my mentors - was teaching.

(Our original festival poster, WAY better than the weird clip art that would come later)

The movie got into a fair amount of film festivals, and we traveled with it as much as we could. I have fond memories of the Phoenix Film Festival, San Luis Obispo (where I met Greg Kinnear at a party and very awkwardly asked for a picture - you can see how thrilled he is about it) and my personal favorite: the Fantastia Film Festival in Montreal.

(At one of the screenings, I believe the San Luis Obispo Film Festival)

While this was happening, the film was picked up for a tiny VOD and DVD release through Phase 4 Films.

They were a Canadian distribution company whose claim to fame was putting out Kevin Smith's Red State under a very unusual distribution model. They acquired the movie, which led to a company holiday part in Hollywood.

There, I briefly met Kevin Smith for the first time. We've met again since, and I've now had a chance to thank him for the kindness he showed me back then - I was just some starstruck kid at a party, but he was gracious and available and inspiring. I really admire the way Kevin deals with his fans, and I've tried to emulate it over the years.

So that was kind of it for Absentia. We went to a few festivals, went to a few parties, and posed for a few pictures with some people we admired. Phase 4 designed some truly godawful cover art, dropped the movie into video stores, and that was that.

($2.99 is a pretty good deal)

So Absentia had pretty much run its course. It had a passionate following of fans, but between the crappy art design and glut of low budget horror films on the market, its moment had already come and gone. I was back at work, editing a series for DIY Network called Extra Yardage, and yearning for another chance to make a movie.

Absentia might not have broken open the industry doors like I'd wanted it to, but one thing it did yield was a meeting with an entertainment attorney named Joel VanderKloot.

I had been represented a few times over the years by various managers (to be honest, they were actually Jeff Howard's managers, and they took me on because we had a co-written project together.) But those relationships hadn't gone anywhere, I'd never sold a script or booked a job, and when I suggested making Absentia they were not supportive ("You've already tried the indie thing, haven't you?") so by the time Absentia was made, I was completely unrepped.

Joel was a family friend of Jason Poh, who was one of our Absentia Kickstarter backers. He was a guy who'd just found the project online and donated a thousand bucks. He kept up with us, and loved the final movie. He told me he knew an entertainment lawyer and offered to arrange a lunch.

I left my editing job at Film Garden for a long lunch and met Joel in Santa Monica (this was a day-killing drive for me). Joel had seen the movie and really liked it. We had a good lunch, but wasn't immediately sure about taking me on - it's a lot of work to take on a new client, and there wasn't much heat on my movie. But there was something there that he liked, and he called later that day to say he would take me on as a client.

I was elated. I felt like I'd made my movie to the best of my ability, and that it had flashed in the pan and then died... no one had noticed outside of a few festival audiences and critics. But here was someone who worked in the industry and he saw something in the film that he believed in.

Joel started looking for managers while I clung to my day job. He passed the movie around and we had a few nibbles, which led to the first manager in my career who wanted to simply represent ME: Nicholas Bogner.

Bogner went about setting general meetings at production companies who specialized in horror films. There weren't a lot of takers, and not everyone was willing to watch an entire feature film in consideration of a general meeting. So it was hit or miss - I was a nobody, after all, and they get these kinds of incoming inquiries all the time.

But there were a few takers. And the very first meeting I had was with Anil Kurian at Intrepid Pictures.

Again, I took an extended lunch from my editing job and drove across town to Intrepid's offices in Santa Monica. I was beyond nervous when I sat in the waiting room. The young man working the front desk signed me in and offered me a water. And then, just before the meeting started, he leaned over and he said "I loved Absentia, by the way."

Anil was a really cool executive and we had a good general meeting. At the end of it, he introduced me to the heads of Intrepid: Marc Evans, and Trevor Macy.

We all ended up in the conference room, where posters for Intrepid's other movies - at that time, The Strangers and The Raven - were hanging. I vividly remember staring at them while I pitched all five of the ideas I had for movies.

One of them was a story about a little boy whose dreams manifested in real life, and another was a take on Stephen King's novel Gerald's Game. But at the time, none of these ideas worked. The meeting was over, and everyone was politely going about their day.

I felt a panic in me. It was my first real meeting, the door had been cracked open just an inch by Absentia, and I was about to walk away with nothing. Would my new manager want to keep me? Would my new lawyer think he was wasting his time?

I stopped in the doorway and turned back. "I've got one other thing," I said. "I made a short years ago about a haunted mirror, and I have a take for a feature."

They kind of laughed at the idea of a haunted mirror. "How do you make that scary?" Trevor asked. I said "Think of it like a portable Overlook Hotel," and the room got a little quieter.

"I'd like to see that short," Trevor said. I agreed to send it immediately.

I ran back to work, stayed a few hours late to make up the time I'd burned on my lunch hour, and went home to find a DVD copy of Oculus: The Man with the Plan.

I'd made that short in 2005. It was 20 mins long, and a lot of fun. Over the years whenever I'd get into meetings (all courtesy of Jeff Howard, who had sold scripts long before we started writing together), people would see it and ask about a feature. Every time, though, the conversation stalled because they wanted the film to be a found footage movie, or they'd balk at the idea of me directing a feature.

I sent the DVD to Intrepid and waited. About a week later, they called and asked me to come back in.

I took another long lunch (this would become quite a habit as the project advanced) and drove back down. We met again in the conference room, but this time the mood was a little different.

Trevor said "We're interested in this. How would you expand it? I know there are cameras in the room with the man and the mirror, which begs the question of found footage..."

My heart sank.

"... but we're thinking that's a mistake. It looks like all the fun is in playing with reality, and you can't do that with found footage. So how would you do it?"

And we were off.

I won't rehash the long journey between this meeting and the Oculus premiere at Toronto (scroll down to find another blog about that), but that was really the moment when things changed.

I drove back to work a little giddy. Intrepid optioned the short film, I called Jeff Howard to see if he'd still want to work on a feature with me, and we were commissioned to write the script.

It was my first Hollywood job. I was paid the bare minimum, but I was also able to join the WGA because of the deal. I still didn't quit my day job (and wouldn't for a long time, not until the movie was really shooting in Alabama the following year) but I was off to the races.

Once the script was done, Oculus would lead to my first agents (at APA, and they treated me very well) and my first "real" movie.

What's particularly neat about this time, looking back, is that I owe it all to Absentia. We'd made this tiny little movie to try to kick open the door of Hollywood and start a career. And despite the enormous pride I had in the finished film, it felt for a long time like it hadn't quite succeeded in that.

But quietly, subtly, the movie did exactly what I hoped it would. The festival screenings built up a small but confident word of mouth. The movie led directly to my attorney Joel (who still represents me to this day), which led directly to my first real representation, which led directly to Intrepid Pictures.

Trevor Macy is now my business partner and has produced every single thing I've ever made since. We run Intrepid Pictures together, and I see that same eagerness in the faces of young filmmakers who find their way to us for general meetings. I try to be as supportive and accessible to them as I possibly can, because I remember very well what it feels like to stand in their shoes.

And Trevor even ended up making those other pitches he'd rejected all those years ago - Before I Wake and Gerald's Game followed soon after Oculus was done.

Absentia did everything I could have wanted it to do, and much more. I'll always remember that period of time with great affection... but man, it was stressful. The uncertainty of those years still exists in me, I don't think it'll ever leave.

Someone told me, along the way, that there wouldn't be a moment when I realized I "made it." It would happen while I wasn't looking. That ended up being absolutely true.

[deluxewhump]

The Scry

Ch 9: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

previous

CW: whumpee with powers, exploitation, forced labor/use of powers, hurt/comfort, unhappy separation, sickness/vomiting

Spartan Enterprises- Baltimore, Maryland. Tuesday, 9 AM EST. 

Max was a better user than Carlo had ever hoped for in his new life. 

He bought a thermometer at the convenience store around the corner and would check Carlo’s ever-fluctuating temperature twice a day. Carlo would hold it under his tongue and wait for it to beep, hoping his body would give his user a number that pleased him. Max brought offerings of fresh fruit and Gatorade and Saran wrapped chicken sandwiches from the cafe on the first floor, asking him if he was too warm or too cold in the office, and did he know he could adjust the thermostat if he was?

In every place he’d been, every facility and holding unit and research center, men had never treated him like Max did. For this reason it baffled him when he saw Max behave how he was used to others like him behaving, swearing in traffic or getting sharp with someone on the phone, and reconciling that with the man who treated him so gently, so patiently.

Carlo liked to watch him work at his desk, listen to him on the phone. He was young, thirty-two or three. He had no ring on his finger but Ingrid did, an engagement ring that caught the light when she moved just right like icecaps. He liked Ingrid, too. She asked him direct questions and listened to his answers. Nobody listened to him, so he tended to immediately like people who did, to a fault.

He liked Max’s house. The room they gave him to use was tucked away upstairs, a room whose slanted eaves made it seem smaller than it ought to, but it was warm, and something about the old house was comforting.

For years Carlo had felt a sense of placelessness, a weary yearning for a home that didn’t exist. Now he’d find himself at the office at three in the afternoon thinking I can’t wait to go home, only to realize he had a specific place in mind. An old Victorian house, a particular bed, a view of familiar stark treetops outside his window.

In the morning he’d get ready in the dark, having showered the night before on Ingrid’s suggestion— since Max showered in the morning. They’d meet at the truck at 7:25, and Max would sing along under his breath to the radio on the way into downtown. Some days he played talk shows or podcasts instead. Once they listened to Good to Great- Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t on the recommendation of Spartan management, strongly suggested they all read this quarter. They listened to the audiotape in silence for fifteen minutes until Max slammed the power button with his palm. “Insufferable,” was his only comment.

At nine AM on Tuesday, Max went to the lobby to meet Eddie and Simon, as was their weekday custom. They’d take the elevator down to the coffee shop and get drinks to go, sometimes loitering on the hard gray sofas in the lobby for a few minutes before returning to work. Max always brought him something from the coffee run.

Through determination he discovered Carlo liked cappuccinos, iced lattes, and hibiscus tea. Carlo felt like an exotic pet in a classroom, one Max kept bringing novelties like an enthusiastic student to see if he’d accept them as food. It was kind, though. That was the main thing about Max. He was a little preoccupied with his work sometimes, a little irritable after long meetings, obviously guilty about what his company was having him participate in with the precogs. But he was, above and beneath all that, kind. 

Today there was a knock on the office door at 9:05. Carlo flinched at the unexpected intrusion. Had someone scheduled an early meeting with Max, and he just forgot? The doorknob rattled. It was locked. Max always locked him in there when he was alone. It didn’t keep him from opening the door, it just kept anyone out in the hallway from opening it. 

A soft knock came again. “Carlo?”

A woman's voice. Adrenaline flooded his chest at the sound of his name. 

“Hey, I need you to open the door, hon. Quick meeting got called. Everybody’s there. We need you there, too, they sent me to grab you.”

Carlo eased off the cot Max had set in the corner of the office for him. That didn’t sound right. Max had set out to meet his friends five minutes ago. Now he was at a meeting? And even if that was true and he forgot he had a meeting, why wouldn’t he come back for him? Why would they send someone else?

“There’s bagels,” the woman added casually. “C’mon, let’s go. We don’t want Martin any more pissed off than he already is.” 

“Where’s Max?” he asked through the door. 

“At the meeting,” she said with a twinge of impatience. “Let’s go, kid.”

He didn’t want to keep them waiting. He didn’t want to disappoint or annoy anyone, and she was right, they definitely didn’t want to annoy Mr Olsen. He opened the door.

Elle Davenport waited on the other side, her head impatiently cocked to one side. She rolled her eyes at him, but smiled at the same time. Behind her stood Blake in a cable knit sweater, his sandy hair slicked back. 

His presence confirmed Carlo’s suspicion that something was wrong. Elle had spoken and not him, because they’d knew he’d be more disarmed by her. 

“What’re you….” 

Blake grabbed him by the arm and pulled him out of the doorway. Elle took his other arm and they walked him like an inmate between them down the hall. She was a head shorter than either Carlo or Blake, and took nearly two steps to their one as they passed wall after wall of tinted floor to ceiling windows. Baltimore shimmered blue outside, the cold morning air appearing smog-smudged in the bright sun.

“I’m supposed to be working on something,” he said lamely. “I really need to get back.”

“Relax,” Blake said, staring straight ahead. Blake had a way of speaking that reminded him of seasoned game show host. Even as he was schmoozing you, you were the butt of the private joke he was having with an unseen audience. “You’re going to a meeting with the boss. Everything’s excused.”

“You mean Mr Olsen?”

Neither of them answered him. He was getting more unsettled with every step they took. 

“Can you please let Max know where I am? He went to get coffee downstairs…”

“Does yours talk this fucking much?” Elle asked Blake, digging her fake nails into the skin of Carlo’s upper arm. 

They rounded a corner and reached their destination, stopping short.

“Bye baby,” Elle whispered playfully in his ear, giving him goosebumps before she turned and went back the way they’d come. Blake opened the glass meeting room doors and pushed him inside with a hand between his shoulder blades.

Martin Olsen sat at the head of a rectangular white table with six rolling chairs around it. Blake pushed him into one before sitting next to him with his legs splayed wide, swiveling back and forth. 

“Good morning, Carlo,” Martin said. 

“Good morning.”

“How are you?”

Martin’s ice blue eyes seemed to smile, but he didn’t trust them. He had to take his cues from Max, and his own messed up instincts. Max didn’t like this man one bit, and Max was the only ally he was sure he had in the building.

“Well, Sir,” he said. In truth, was still unwell from the work he’d done the previous week. He was feeling better, especially if he stayed relatively still, but all this upset had his head spinning and his stomach feeling off. Despite his queasiness he promised himself to keep his guard up, and watch his words. 

“You and Max have been getting along I see,” Martin said, putting on a pair of readers and pulling something up on his laptop. Carlo could see the reflection of the screen scrolling in the frames. “Yes. Up one-hundred-fifty percent over last month. Two new midwest accounts the size of the Hindenburg.” He was quiet for a moment, eyes darting back and forth over information on his laptop screen. “In the meeting last Monday, you were very modest. You attributed your success to teamwork, dedication, and… how did you put it? Having the right tools.”

Blake tittered in his chair, eyes fixed distantly on an empty spot on the table. 

“You know how to talk the talk,” Martin smiled over his readers at him. “You’re the breakout talent of our little group of four, so far. I’m afraid I’m going to have to put your work on Mr Kelly’s account on ice for a moment. I have something important I need you to do for me”

“What… do you mean by a moment?” he breathed. 

“Three days. Maybe four. You’ll be back in your cozy little office cot by Friday.”

Carlo blushed. 

“What do you say?”

“You’re not really asking me, are you?”

“No. But I’m trying to be polite. I’m trying to treat you with respect.”

Carlo knew Martin didn’t respect his power any more than he respected him. He was obsessed with his power, wanted to figure out the cleverest ways to exploit it, and he couldn’t care less about him aside from that. He’d met men like him. Doctors, researchers. Businessmen were just another branch on the same tree. 

“Can I be allowed to go get my things?” he asked, lowering his eyes so as not to betray how badly he wanted to get back to that office, to talk to Max and see if Max would put an end to whatever this was.

“Blake will go get anything you need,” Martin said, closing his laptop. “Max doesn’t need the distraction today. He’s got a lot of work to do.”

Carlo’s throat tightened. That’s why he’d sent Blake and Elle to trick him here, and not asked Max to bring him. Max didn’t know, and Max would protest this. He’d try to protect him. Either that or Max did know, and was in on it, pleased to be rid of him. Maybe he was tired of looking after him and brining him home with him at night. Maybe those two contracts were the boost he needed and now he had no more use for him. He hoped it was the first reason. He needed it to be.

He thought for a horrible moment he might not be able to stop his eyes filling with tears in front of Blake and Martin Olsen. He pinched himself on the inside of the wrist under the table so blood welled in  the twin half-moon indents. “What is it you need me to do?”

“Plenty of time for that. First I need you at your best. Have you eaten?”

The question surprised him. “N-no.”

“Blake? Run down and get us something, would you. Something with protein.”

Blake prickled at being asked to fetch Carlo’s breakfast, but he smiled bitterly at Carlo and stood to obey. “Sure thing,” he said with sarcasm that was plausibly deniable. Carlo watched Martin’s face to see if he registered it, only to realize that he had, and he didn’t care. What did Max say? Blake was Martin’s son in law? Carlo wondered how that dynamic worked behind closed doors. 

“I’m going to put you to work,” Martin said softly to him once they were alone. “And I expect the sort of results you and Mr Kelly have produced. If you do that for me, I’ll send you right back to him.”

He was afraid to ask, but he knew he ought to. “What if I can’t?” 

“You’ll wish very dearly you had,” Martin said, concern creasing the lines between his eyebrows. “And you’ll find yourself on a truck, headed back to a research hospital in east Texas.”

He tried not to react in any discernible way. He almost made it, but the commotion of the morning and the mere mention of a research facility got the best of him. He drew back sharply from the table and threw up on the carpet between his feet before he could do anything to stop it. 

Martin asked Blake to clean it up.