#not too sure about the quality now that i literally revamped the whole thing just last night but oh well lol

[tsu-toko]

@sasuhinamonth​ 2022, Day 1: Amae

“To Fall into the Arms of Your Loved One”

[thebookreader12345]

750 Followers Celebration - Q&A

Thank you so much for supporting me through this journey! You guys don't know how much this means to me. Every single one of you is amazing.

Below the cut are my answers to the questions that you all submitted.

Q: Do you think Jay is going to become Sergeant this season? A: There has been a lot of debate over this question because of the past few seasons and all of the "Easter eggs", like the sergeant exam poster hanging in the background of the show. In my opinion, I do not believe Jay will become Sergeant. Yet. I think it won't be until the beginning of next season because, if this is a possible storyline, I would expect that the producers and writers would make the finale of season 9 about Voight stepping down/getting promoted, etc.

Q: Did Chicago Justice deserve more episodes? A: I'm sort of split with this question. I loved the fact that there was a big episode involving Kevin, and they always included people from Med, Fire, and PD in some of the episodes. However, the whole plot of the episodes was kind of slow because it wasn't like they were police officers and could go out and chase suspects and arrest people and what not. Their job was just to gather the evidence and then present it in court. I think for many, the show fell flat because there wasn't much action, and part of me does agree with that, but the whole idea of the show itself was kind of cool.

Q: What would make you stop watching each Chicago show? A: This is a tough question because I've only ever dropped one show that I can think of, and it was only because the plotline got really dumb. Maybe if some major characters died in each show I'd stop watching it? But then again, I love the One Chicago universe so much that I don't think even that would stop me from watching. So yeah. I really don't know.

Q: Do you believe in magic? A: As much as I would love for magic to be real, I don't believe it is. But I feel like everyone thinks that way. Cause lets be honest, Harry Potter and Disney make magic look so cool. However, we all know deep down somewhere that it's almost impossible for certain things to be real, and magic just so happens to be one of them.

Q: Are you superstitious? A: I'm not the most superstitious person out there, but I do somewhat follow a few superstitions. Whenever I find a penny on the ground with heads facing up, I pick it up because I believe I'll get good luck. Doing the whole "fingers crossed" thing is something I do a lot. I believe you shouldn't open an umbrella in the house or else you'll receive bad luck. Broken mirrors are bad omens. Those are the top 4 I believe in, but other than that, I'm not really too superstitious.

Q: Is your perception of yourself similar or the same to how others perceive you? A: I mean, I would hope so. I appreciate my level of smarts, and whenever my friends acknowledge them or compliment me on them it makes my day. However, with that, people think that I'm always only doing things to boost my intelligence. For example, I love to read. So whenever I say that I didn't do much over the weekend, people always assume that I read a bunch, when I really didn't. Or that I always study for tests or do homework like a week before it's do. That is not the case. But for the most part, I believe my perception of myself is the same as how other people perceive me.

Q: Who is your favorite couple on each One Chicago show? A: Okay, so for Med, there aren't really any couples at the moment besides Maggie and Ben, whom I love but they aren't my favorite, so I'm gonna pick a past couple. When I first started Med, Manstead was my prime ship, so I'll choose them. Will had been pining after Natalie for so long so I was glad when they finally got together. For Fire, it's gotta be Kelly and Stella. They were literally made for each other, and they support each other with everything. Also, they are so cute together and all of Firehouse 51 ships them as well! And for PD, while I do love Burzek, Upstead is my favorite ship at the moment. I've seen the connection between Hailey and Jay since season 5. You don't understand how angry I was in season 7 when Hailey was so close to confessing her feelings. So season 8 made me very happy when Jay and Hailey finally got together.

Q: Jay and Lindsey or Jay and Hailey? A: I respect everyone's opinions on this matter, so hopefully you all respect mine. I thought that Erin was almost toxic in a way for Jay. She continuously broke his heart when all he wanted to do was help him. But what really does it for me is that she left Chicago without telling him goodbye. Hailey, on the other hand, has pushed Jay to seek out help when he needed it, like when she recommended he take seeing a therapist seriously to help with his PTSD, and she is always there for him, no matter what. That's why I believe Hailey and Jay are the better pairing.

Q: Which character death got to you the most? A: There have been too many sad deaths in the One Chicago world. But if I had to pick one, I've gotta go with Otis on Chicago Fire. Otis was always one of my favorite characters, even way back when I watched Fire with my dad when it was first coming out. He was witty and funny, and his friendship with Cruz was everything. So, when I watched the episode where he died, I was full on balling. I had to pause the episode for 10 minutes because I couldn't stop.

Q: Who is your favorite character on each show and why? A: I'm gonna do favorite male and female character because I've got too many favorites from each show. On Med, my favorites are Will and Natalie. Will has been my favorite since day one, and I like that he will go out of his way to help patients, even if it means he could get in serious trouble. Natalie, even though she's not in the show, always pushes for the best of care for her patients, and whenever she dealt with kids it was always the sweetest thing. On Fire, I like Kelly and Sylvie. Kelly is so headstrong and driven, and he will do anything to protect the other members of Squad 3. Sylvie is such a hard worker and you can tell she is passionate about her job. I feel so bad that she's had to go through so many partners. On PD I love Jay and Hailey. Jay has not always been my favorite male character. Back when I watched the show for the first time, I adored Adam. However, I love that Jay has such good morals and is always pushing to do the right thing even when Voight disagreed. Now, it took a few episodes for me to warm up to Hailey, but after seeing her be so badass, it was hard not to like her.

Q: Where do you get inspiration for your stories?/How do you get inspiration when there's not a request? A: This question is always hard to answer because I really don't know. Most of the time I'm fulfilling requests sent in by you guys and I just write what comes to the top of my mind. If there are requests that are not requested and I come up with them on my own, chances are I saw the plot somewhere else, like in a book or show or movie, and I just tweaked it a bit to fit the One Chicago universe. Either that happens, or while I'm trying to fall asleep, I make up random scenarios in my head, and if I find one that I really like, I'll make a note of it on my phone so I don't forget it, and then I'll write about it.

Q: Do you think Brett and Casey are endgame? Why or why not? A: I'm gonna go with yes on this one. Now, Brettsey is not one of my top ships in the universe. However, they are cute together, and I've been expecting them to get together for a while. The two of them, even when Gabby was around, had a great relationship and always cared for each other. Plus, Matt jumped out of a firetruck to go help Sylvie when the ambulance flipped. He was willing to risk an injury just to make sure she was okay. And now that they are officially together in Chicago Fire, you can see that they really love and care for each other.

Q: What inspired you to start writing? A: I always seem to get this question whenever I do a q&a, but that's okay because I don't mind talking about it. I first got into stuff like this as a reader. Basically, I went on to Wattpad and Tumblr to read other people's stories. I had no intention of creating my own. And then, one day, I started imagining myself in some of the fandoms I was apart of, and I thought, "If I'm imagining myself in these fandoms, chances are others are too," and I began creating stories that followed the plots of movies and shows exactly, just adding Y/n in it. However, that got tiring after a while because I wasn't able to have much freedom because I was following a set script, and that's when I remembered I had a Tumblr account I never used. So, I revamped my account just a little bit and started posting story ideas I had that I couldn't post on Wattpad because either they didn't fit with the stories or they were for someone I didn't write for on Wattpad. And now, here we are. For anyone interested, I've posted this before but I'll post it again, my Wattpad handle is @Writer_Reader05.

Q: Jay or Will Halstead? A: I'm sorry, but I really can't choose between the two of them. I love them both so much. Will and Jay are two of my favorite characters in the whole One Chicago universe. While they do have some qualities that I'm not the fondest of, at the end of the day, I adore the both of them, and I could never choose between them.

Q: Who would you rather date: Jay or Will Halstead? A: Why do you guys do this to me? I love them both so much! But, if I have to choose, I'm gonna pick Jay. The only reason is because I like the characters in PD more than Med, so if I'm dating Jay, chances are I'm friends with Hailey and Adam and all of Intelligence. Will is just as awesome as Jay though and I feel like sometimes people sleep on that.

Q: Which of the requested fics you’ve written is your favorite? A: I think I'm gonna have to go with a Jay Halstead x reader I wrote titled Two Becomes Three. Something about the plot just makes me smile. And to think of Jay being a father......So yeah, while I have so many amazing requested fics thanks to you all, that one has to be one of my favorites.

Q: What’s your favorite series you’ve written so far? A: I love all of the series I have written. Something about creating a whole story that's more than just one part is always fun. If I have to pick one series, I'm gonna pick On the Loose. It was the first series I wrote on Tumblr and the plot of it is something I'm really proud of. However, From the Big Apple to the Windy City, Identity Loss, and Difference of Opinion are all amazing! The first two are finished series and the last one still has a few chapters left to go. Go check them out if you haven't already.

Q: What's your favorite imagine you've come up with and why? A: I don't have a lot of fics that are solely my ideas. Most of my stories have plots that were sent in by you all. However, if I had to pick a favorite out of my stories, it'd be Back Home for Christmas, a Halstead Sister fic I released when I was somewhat new to the platform. Something about writing sibling fics always makes me happy because I get to express the familial side to the characters.

Q: If you had to be roommates with 5 of your mutuals/fellow writers, who would you pick and why? A: I love all of my fellow writers/mutuals so much! I know how much work we put into whatever we post, and most of us are very active on this site. As for who I would pick to be my roommates, I'd choose @hereforhalstead @fighterkimburgess @halsteadlover @resanoona @sylviebrettsey because I feel like we'd all have great conversations, mainly over One Chicago. And every Wednesday night we'd all watch the episodes live together and experience them as a group and then freak out over what happened..........Now watch me fantasize about this all day.

Q: Do you listen to music when you write? A: It depends. On some days when I plan that I'm gonna write, then yes, I do put on some music. When there are days that I have a few minutes to spare, I don't put on music just because I'm only writing for a few minutes and I don't want to waste time. But mostly when I'm writing I do play music in the background.

Q: Do you know how your fics/stories end before you finish writing it? A: This is a really interesting question. The answer is no, I do not know how I'm gonna end a fic before I finish writing it. The only story I had a set ending for was my series On the Loose, but that one wasn't even fully planned out until I got a chapter or two in. Obviously, if I get a request that includes a set ending, like two characters get together or something like that, then I know what the ending will be. Otherwise, I have no clue.

Q: Have you ever met someone who had a very similar personality to your own? Did you get along? A: You know, I can't say that I have. Everyone is different in their own way, and that's what makes us all unique. I would imagine if I did meet someone with a similar personality we'd get along because we'd basically be a carbon copy of each other, but who knows. Maybe our similar personalities would cause us to clash.

Q: Do you hold yourself to higher standards than you hold others? A: Not really. I know myself more than anyone else so I know what my limits are and when I've reached them. With people, on the other hand, I always feel like they can be doing more with themselves and their lives. So I do not hold myself to higher standards than others.

Thank you to all of you who sent in questions! I never thought I'd reach 750 followers on this platform. The only reason I have is all thanks to you wonderful people out there!

@winterberryfox @maximeevansblog @scarletsoldierrr @i-like-sparkly-things @dreamingmanip @soph0864 @ryliegh8 @lorenakaspersen @wanniiieeee @nevertoofarfromivar @securityfriendly-jay @pinkbay-love @stephie123

[ladyfl4me]

⭐ !!! what inspired evelyn and then evelyn n jane's relationship?? ily

!!!! hi babe ily

Okay, so Evelyn - Dani’s twin sister in TMWCIFTC - came out of me applying the seven birds archetypes to amnesty characters, in an effort to figure out where the plot was going. I realized about 4 chapters in that this wasn’t going to be a one-off story, or even an alternate arc 3; this would be an alternate arc 4, or an entirely different universe. In TMWCIFTC, the birds (as i wrote them) were as follows:

Duck: the protector, defending Kepler, his life there, his fate, and his friends

Aubrey: the lover, who loves Dani and amnesty lodge so much she’d do anything for them

Ned: the peacemaker, making peace not with his friends and their enemies but with himself

Indrid: the lonely journal keeper, the sole holder of decades of visions, memories, and guilt

Dani and Evelyn: the twins

Stern: the wordless one

I drew a lot from balance in order to make it work. Stern’s TMWCIFTC predicament was the last to come through, because I needed someone to round out the seven birds - but it resulted in me choosing not to kill him, and even giving him what passes for the first stages of a redemption arc. Nobody in the cast was a twin, though, even symbolically speaking, so I just came up with a missing OC character to pad it out. That sisterly relationship - and the grief associated with it - ended up becoming one of the cornerstones of TMWCIFTC.

And then, frankly, I needed somewhere to put that character and bring her home for closure. So it was off to Honduras for Evelyn. the logic for why she went - ending up with Vanessa and Boyd Mosche, wanting to learn more about her situation, meeting Jane Newton in college, working together on a grad research project, going to Honduras and falling in love - fell together afterwards. Her relationship with Jane was partly inspired by two grad students at my college, one in anthropology and one in communications, who came together on a research project and started dating after their research was done. (I think they’re engaged now, iirc? It’s super sweet, they’re two of my favorite wlws in academia at my school.)

So basically Evelyn started as a plot device/filler character who, after time and construction, I fell in love with so much that i couldn’t let her go. And i’m so glad that i managed to loop her in.

ok: now it’s commentary on a scene i like time. gonna stick this under a readmore before i post because hooooo boy i rambled a lot about amnesty as a whole in here

Any scene where Gary Stern and Boyd Mosche interact in TCOS is up there with my faves, hands down. They’re the newest, most refreshing part of the story that I’ve been working with, full of possibility because they never interacted in canon. They’re an open door. I could talk about their dynamic for days. But I’ve got another ask queued where I dissect one of their scenes and wax poetic about them there, so I’ll focus on the other thing I’m interested in: worldbuilding.

No idea if this is a controversial opinion or not, but I actually liked Amnesty’s canon worldbuilding. The Reconciliation’s entire existence and purpose was a fascinating commentary on how the few in power perceive the masses - extending everywhere from politics to worker-company interactions to micro-cultural infighting to imperialism, especially United States foreign policy, which was my original read of it. In order for a powerful entity to maintain the status quo, a tried-and-true strategy is to pit its opponents against each other, so they fight each other and die out before they become a threat to the authorities. It was a really cool premise and, despite its rapid delivery at the end of an already-rushed arc, I enjoyed what it said.

But it means jack shit in the universe of TMWCIFTC.

Like. Literally none of canon jives with my fic anyway. Spoilers for TMWCIFTC, but the big bad of that story is a Sylvan turned feral, with the mid-act-3 revelation that abominations are feral Sylphs coming to punch us all in the gut. All abominations come from Sylvain; the gate’s been open for millennia, if not millions of years, without interference, and wack shit happens because of it. Dinosaurs came through millions of years ago, gained several million brain cells, and became dragons. Et cetera.

This was all written before arc 4 and arc 5′s revelations. You see the dilemma.

So for the past... nine months now, Jesus fucking Christ. For about nine months, I’ve been revamping Amnesty’s worldbuilding from the ground up: reevaluating what the Interpreter does and what Sylvain is, fleshing out Sylvain’s world and culture, trying to understand what happened to it after humans broke the crystal and after the Ashminder voidfished most of its recorded history, and so on. Here, Sylvain and Earth exist in their own vacuum, as did Miralaviniax 5 and the insect planet that Minerva exterminated. No Reconciliation, nothing like that... just something worse.

Hm. fuck. didn’t think this through, tbh - if i talk too much about worldbuilding, almost all of TCOS will get spoiled, but this sure does fit the “commentary” quality. so there you go i guess lskdjflskdjf

director’s commentary time! ask me about any of my fics, or send a 🌟 emoji to hear about a section I want to talk about!

[a-ratt]

So I saw your reblog about the writers thing. You can be included. I wasn’t trying to leave anyone out. You would be better then Me too. So by all means. Get on board. 👍

V-Validation? V-Vindication? Recognition?

Okay. Okay. First things first.

We gotta take back what we were robbed of.

The concept of Miraculous Ladybug.

Now, I recognize that a lot of what was hoped for was likely cut due to production constraints and limitations.

However, there’s just so much that was good that was lost.

Originally, Ladybug could turn her yo-yo into a shield and combine two yo-yo’s into a staff. Why they chose to get rid of this idea, I haven’t the faintest clue. Maybe they’ve been building up to it, but it hasn’t happened yet. But jumping from yo-yo to staff to shield to anything else is something that could symbolize progress, a feat that the show is sorely lacking in. Even besides that, just giving Ladybug a wider arsenal would be fun to watch.

Additionally, the original cast of the show (i.e. Mlle. Bustier’s class) had a different look to them. While their canon outfits are good enough, there could be more wardrobe changes. (Also, on a quick note, Juleka looks far more punk rockish and they probably split her up into herself and Luka, which is pretty neat)

Then, we got the original Marinette. Black hair. Brown eyes. Noticeably more Asian in appearance than canon. I know that there’s been a controversy over her design and I love both either way, but the simplest fact that all this boils down to is that there is little to no Asian representation in the show. Additionally, there is not representation of any other culture either, despite the diversity of the cast. So, what a reboot would need is an exploration of character backgrounds, their home lives, their cultural lives, and their connection with the image they present outwardly and the person they keep on the inside.

Past bringing the past to the present, we also gotta address what we got now.

First and foremost is our villain. Hawkmoth. Gabriel Agreste….

Okay, well, we gotta do something about this man.

Number one, he’s boring. I get the whole “monster-of-the-week” formula fits his power set, but he never takes his monsters anywhere. Though they have different power sets and motives, they never progress the plot or push the story forwards. What’s more, is that they don’t push the characters further either.

So, Gabriel. Gabe. My man. You need a revamp. How? I dunno, but we need to make you a significant threat or a real point of contention for Ladybug and Chat Noir.

Speaking of Ladybug’s partner… wait, where is he? Oh, that’s right, he doesn’t exist. We just have her sidekick.

Chat has two jobs: being Ladybug’s meat shield or being her tool of destruction. I cannot, for the life of me, remember a time when he made significant progress in fighting a villain. The narrative plays him up as a joke so much that he is literally a joke. He could just be written out of the narrative and Ladybug could do the job herself.

We need to make Chat Noir significant.

Finally, the most controversial point in all of this: Adrien Agreste.

I know some people like Adrien. I know some people don’t.

I’m part of the latter team.

The sheer fact that the current MLB canon narrative gives him, a rich, blonde, white boy, all of the elements of a protagonist instead of the show’s advertised protagonist, a biracial, French-Chinese girl, is insulting. It’s disgusting. I hate that they did that. I hate that they are doing that.

He’s not even an interesting character. His notable traits at this point are kindness and “she’s just a friend”.

However, it wasn’t always like this.

We gotta go back. Back to the past. Samurai Jack.

Season 1 of MLB was great. I think. I’m not sure, I can’t remember. What I do remember was an Adrien that wasn’t a brat and followed his initial concept of a socially-awkward teen.

I want that one back. I want the kid that has little to no social skills. The one who takes all his pointers on social life from anime. I also want to see him grow up, develop, learn from his mistakes, and progressively ramp up a rebellious streak against his father.

I want quality content. So, here’s hoping we get that reboot soon.

[bohemian-socialite]

Why I NEEDED the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Quarantine... 8 Ways the Pandemic put Life into Perspective...

"If you don't come out of this with a new skill..." blah Blah..BLAH! Whatever. Look, Here's the thing. Some of us have been running ourselves into the deep end since birth. I exaggerate but NO!

..and DON'T COME FOR those of us who used this inconvenience to pause reset and re-align our lives. So before anyone asks what "new skill" you "learned" during the quarantine... Don't feel bad for saying these 8 things.. because i surely do not feel bad about.

1.Quality Time with my S/O-

My husband and I have been married for nearly 6 years.. and because we were in the middle of our life grind when we tied the knot, naturally, we did not go on a "honeymoon," and have yet to do so to this day. (Yes we've gone on trips but not an actual honeymoon.) We were more focused on my husband getting settled in his career, me finishing school, getting rid of debt and buying a home. Needless to say, the COVID-19 quarantine was an opportunity for us to really spend some quality time together, without the hustle and bustle of airports or family gatherings, etc. and this type of quality time was so much more intimate than a "vacation would be. Plus, might i add, that we are both very hard working people! So sometimes, a vacation for us would be just taking a day or two off and staying home to play a new video game for him, and for me to just to take care of things that you need to take care of.

2. An Opportunity to Relax, Rest, Be Lazy AF and to have my PEACE HUNTY!

I'm not exactly the nicest morning person, but I am an early riser, thus, a morning person. On most days, I'm up by 4AM, at the gym by 4:30AM and headed out the door by 6:40AM to take my butt to work. But ya'll... not having anywhere to go, or a damn thing to do, for once in my life, brings a sense of refreshment that no ice cold drink, on a desert summer day, could give you. CHIIIILE... let me tell you about how good I slept in! I don't even really do this on the weekends!! But man quarantine has a way of your body making a schedule for you. I followed my body's schedule for the entire time, and BABAY.. IT FELT GOOD! We're always running and pressed for time, or punching someone else's time clock and the beauty of sleeping until my brain woke me up was glorious!

3. Patience puts $#!t into perspective.

This is so simple... but it stuck with me and helped me see things from a different point of view. I posted about this on my IG and tumblr. (Check me out on social media! =====>) But I'll put it into context.... at one point, EVERYTHING and EVERYONE got on my everlasting nerve... OKAY?! I had to ask myself.. "Is this really annoying me, or am I that irritable?" 9 times out of 10 it was the latter of the two. So these 3 things helped me to calm TF down before I popped off!

Be Patient with Myself.

Be Patient With Others.

Be Patient with Time.

...and this kind of became my daily mantra. It helped open my mind, heart and ears to those around me and myself.

4. Re-Connecting- with old friends, family and making new friends .

I'm a very social person and in recent years, ironically, I've picked up on some introverted tendencies. Nevertheless, this is something that we were all able to do. I saw and spoke to family member and friends, that some of which, I hadn't seen or spoken to in nearly 10 years (Judge Yourself!). I'm kind of embarrassed about it BUT you know... LIFE HAPPENS bruh... You turn around and blink and its been a decade. Next think you know, your friends's kids are getting driver's licenses and tattoos. LIKE WTF?! Either way, I was happy to link back up and talk about some of the fun and stupid things we did, and even making plans to see each other again soon. It was nice to have something to look forward to and something that would add value to those relationships.

5. I was actually productive....

...with the $#!t I wanted to be productive with...Let's get that part straight! I'd always dreamed of a job where I could work from home, with my laptop, and video conference calls and whatnot. And when I got that wish... my productivity SKYROCKETED... for about 2 weeks. (I'd exhausted all of my work by then and was waiting for new things to do.) After the 2 weeks, I started working on home projects that I'd left unfinished or never even started. In the evenings, I would work on my personal projects, which I would never have the energy for after a long day of work.

No, it wasn't a new skill, but I figured out where I wanted to go with everything I was doing. I was able to redevelop, recreate, and repurpose my vision... Thus, "The Bohemian Socialite," Blog . :)

6. Self-Care became a "thing"... for me at least

Now don't get me wrong, I love a trip to the nail or hair salon. I'm a sucker for facials and masssages. BUT.. where was I gona go to do that... if everything in the free first world was closed?!

Oh... but there is a place.... YOUTUBE hunnty! I started watching other people's 67-step morning-care routines. Never in my life would i EVER do a 67 step routine. However, in watching these videos, I realized that my skin and face could use some extra care. And because I'm on this new sustainable beauty journey, I figured, WHY TF NOT?! And I did... And it was good.  I'm sure my body will reward me when I'm older for this.

I applaud everyone who does anything of this nature consistently. Quaratine taught me to incorporate some sort of self care or you will surely lose yourself. Not gona lie, TBH for a few days the struggle was real But i bounced back even better baby. :)

Not only did i revamp y skin care routine, but I also revisited some of my favorite past-times and hobbies, like roller skating, painting, yoga and meditation. It felt good and I needed it. It made me feel beautiful and sexy again, just spending the time to take care of myself internally and externally.

7. Supporting Local Businesses and being an Advocate for other Small Business Owners

I'm not even going to go into extensive detail... but my community needed my support and I was able to do it proudly. Not just local businesses, but my friends' and families' businesses as well. And it was in easy, simple and mostly FREE ways.

8. Regained my appreciation for life, nature, silence, the things I have and creativity.

I needed the hard reset. In fact, I think we all needed a hard reset or re-calibration of our lives. The entire world was literally just grounded by mother nature herself. We were doing too much.. and she said we need to sit TF down and shut TF up. Some people embraced it for what it was. Others, did stupid $#!t. like...protest. <insert BIGGEST eye roll>

Either way, we were reflective of what nature and life was telling us.

The whole Quarantine, Covid-19, Coronavirus debauchery, was what I needed to recenter myself and re-evaluate my goals and plans for the future.

Have you looked into how the pandemic has changed your life?

I want to know if your experience was similar to mine, or if you want to add something, leave me a comment. :)

[takaraphoenix]

what do you have against valka? im curious, i didn't realize anyone didn't like her

Oh no, I don’t have anything against Valka. I hate Valka. I normally do the opposite of this by smoothing the asked hate down into something less, because I rarely hate something fictional because at the end of the day it’s just fictional and doesn’t really do anything to me.

I see Valka as a personal offense to my believes in DreamWorks.

Okay, so. Let’s start with her name. Originally, her name was Valhallarama in the books. I do not understand this need to change canon so significantly when adapting something, so part of my hatred is the blatant disregard for source-material here.

With most the characters, they stuck close to the original designs from the books. No idea why they canned the original love-interest completely and replaced her with OFC Astrid, but sure. I guess.

Now, Valhallarama was originally supposed to be in the first movie. I own the artbooks of both movies and there is actual concept art of what Hiccup’s mother was supposed to look like in the first movie. Here’s the only image of her I could find on the internet.

Now. There were four years between those two movies. Four years of me treating cute, round Valhallarama as Hiccup’s mother, just for them to nope out of it.

Valka’s design is just ridiculous. That woman is a twig. All of the first movie, we had to listen to how Hiccup wasn’t a good Viking based on how fragile, small and thin he was. Like that was maybe an after-effect of having been a sickly child.

Now it’s more of a “Nope, he got that from his supermodel-thin mom’s side of the family *lol*” kind of situation.

Which doesn’t make sense.

The first movie made a big deal out of Stoick giving Hiccup his first helmet. Saying it was one half of the chestplate of Hiccup’s mother.

Valka has no tits. Valka is flat as a board. Because that woman is, again, a twig.

She looks nothing like a Viking. It’s already a bit annoying to me how Ruff, Tuff, Heather and Astrid are all pretty and thin and lean, even though the franchise used to make such a point of Hiccup being too fragile. Sorry, but Astrid does not look strong or buff either.

This franchise had the opportunity to be a bit more positive when it comes to body-images. Every animated movie ever always features only super-thin “break in the middle because damn that waist”-characters. Always. Unless it’s the funny, harmlessly cute comic-relief character.

So. Yeah. Generally already agitated by the fact that aside from Fishlegs, they’re all essentially the same body-type.

But that they retconned back from their original claims of Hiccup’s mother being a woman of curves. It annoys me.

Now to the reason why I really hate her.

She is the fucking worst mother I’ve ever seen in an animated movie.

That bitch left her son alone? Because “Oh, woe is me the Peta activist who can’t stop them from harming those poor, defenseless animals”. Fuck you, Valka, fuck you hard. Those dragons used to fucking burn down all of Berk. I can not imagine how many of their people died in those dragon-fires.

Of course did they fucking hunt dragons.

When Hiccup came around, at the very least he had proof that dragons weren’t inherently bad. All Valka had were “kiss the trees and free the animals”-hippie nonsense. And because her husband, who was trying to protect his tribe and people, didn’t back down in this stupid, stupid argument…

She decided to abandon her husband and her son. Just like that. Never turning back in all of those years.

Okay, so, fair point, I take personal offense and get extremely protective when mothers abandon their children because shit like that happened in my family and I am still witness to what that fuckery did to the kid. I’m not even going to drag the “Mother’s natural instinct to protect her child always”-thing into this, just the basic human decency not to simply leave your kid behind and never turn back.

And it makes even less sense considering the TV show.

Five years have passed between the first movie and the second movie. Five years in which Hiccup is literally gathering a network of trusted allies, where he has made a name for himself and for his whole tribe as Dragon Riders throughout far beyond their archipelago.

Valka, who was supposedly hunting the dragon hunters, must have heard of Hiccup the Dragon Rider, because the dragon hunters never fucking shut up about the boy on his Night Fury and they all know his name.

Fuck this, there was an instance where there were literally wanted posters and a bounty out on Hiccup’s head.

That’s not even taking into account how thoroughly Hiccup has been mapping their known world on the search for dragons. Apparently, Valka lived right around the corner. Buuut coincidentally not only did Hiccup not find her home - they never ran into each other in those five years either.

The point being, she was completely retconned in. Her still being alive and doing what she does makes absolutely no sense in canon whatsoever.

And the fact that oh, she did the “I trust dragons”-thing too, to me it just takes away from how special Hiccup is. A big point about Hiccup was that he trusted dragons. Now, all of a sudden, it’s “Oh, by the way, your mom used to trust dragons too, ahahaha”.

Moving on from that point to her personality.

She shows more affection and interest in Toothless than she does in her son. She first hugs the damn dragon instead of her own son. She is more affectionate toward Toothless than she is to her own child that she abandoned after it’s revealed who Hiccup is. That’s just… She’s not even trying to make up for the years of abandonment. All she’s really interested in is the shiny new dragon she never met before, not the child she abandoned as a baby.

Also the highly illogical thing where she suddenly can split Toothless’ spikes? Like? Toothless is literally the last Night Fury. Valka has never met a Night Fury before. There are no books studying dragons beyond studying to kill them. How would she even know that trick? Aside for plot-convenience of “Look! A bonding moment!”, which, again the bonding moment happens over the dragon.

You can not tell me that she loves Hiccup. She finds Toothless far more interesting than him. She never turned back to check on her boy, fuck she never turned back to check on her husband and people and to see if, I don’t know, something changed in the past fifteen years.

She is not just really badly retconned into the franchise, she is not just a bad revamped version of a first character design, she is not just a bad adaptation of a canon character - no, she is also a fundamentally bad person.

And I don’t like bad people. A character needs some redeeming quality that can make me like them. But if a character is just a bad person, then I can not like them. (I don’t like most of the villains the internet hypes either, because I fail to see how they have anything likable about them. They’re just villains, bad people.)

[kaitlyndai]

On writer’s block and anime.

At age thirteen, I finished my first novel: poorly written beyond description but chock-full of an ambitious storyline and Harry-Potter-esque elements; in other words, 396 pages of pure, unadulterated imagination. I typed the last word of the story’s epilogue with irreplicable oomph, relished in its completion for about two weeks, and settled back in front of our bulky iMac to begin round two. This, I thought to myself, was the beginning of the writing career I’d dreamed of for so long. The rest of my life would be clockwork: book after book cranked out one after another, with nothing to go off of (and nothing else needed) but my work ethic and momentum.

I was in for a rude awakening, however, when I experienced it for the first time. A terrible, completely unfamiliar barricade between the part of my brain that strung words together and my fingertips, positioned at the ready over the ridges on the F and J keys. The tiny black cursor blinking against a stark white document didn’t look so much like an exciting new beginning anymore, just a sign of how much of nothing I had. I was told to have a conceptual skeleton in mind when beginning a new piece of writing, but I didn’t even have a conceptual femur, a rib, a stirrup (the smallest bone in the human body, thank you WebMD). The arsenal of ideas I thought I had at my disposal (things I liked about my first book that I wanted to expand on, to revamp, things I hadn’t written about that I wanted to experiment with, and everything in between) had sealed itself up. Something had put a damper on my creativity like molasses poured over the cogs of my brain, and I would soon come to realize this something had a name.

All of us have experienced writer’s block before. To different extents, surely, since writer’s block is far more dire for a freelance author struggling to pay rent than for a high schooler struggling to turn in UC applications on time (not like I speak from experience, or anything), but it’s a universal experience to not have the first clue what to write, and to not know what the hell to do about it. 

As someone who’s been writing her whole life in some form or another, I’ve searched high and low for appropriate ways to combat writer’s block, and the methods I’ve discovered have always varied depending on the type of writing in question: skimming important textbook chapters for AP U.S. History essays, rewatching eventful episodes for Criminal Minds fanfiction, watching (and seething with jealousy at) YouTube tutorials for bullet journal spreads, et cetera. Scholar David Bartholomae’s work builds off this idea; he offers his impression of writer’s block only from an academic standpoint, drawing from his experiences as a professor to define writer’s block for college students and college students only. He acknowledges that student-specific difficulties with writing exist, just as blogger-specific or novelist-specific difficulties are just as prominent for writers in those respective fields. Academic writing, which is unique in that it’s being graded, must also cater to the reader in order to reflect well on one’s transcript; students don’t only need to tailor their writing to the subject matter at hand, but also to the professor grading their work. Instructors tend to have certain preferences when it comes to various components of writing, such as sentence structure or word choice, all factors that students try to take into account — all factors that make writing harder.

I remember an earlier writing mentor referring to her writer’s block as an “inspiration deficiency”, a description that made sense for years of my life, but I now know that writer’s block isn’t quite as straightforward as she made it out to be. Calling it a deficiency of something assumes that we know exactly what’s missing, so it should, theoretically, be easy to fight off. Deficient in inspiration? Easy: get inspired. Watch motivational Ted Talks. Listen to MarioKart music on two-times speed. Leaf through your favorite books until you remember what aspects of the authors’ writing you hope to emulate. It’s never enough, because writer’s block is the result of a lack of a lot of things: time to write, motivation to write, emotional, mental, or physical wellness, or anything that helps our brains digest information. 

It’s not just a lack of these intangible factors, however. Scholar Jan Corbett, building upon Bartholomae’s interpretation of writer’s block among students, postulates that the cause of writer’s block is actually too many ideas and muddled thought processes. This leads to a state of mind that isn’t so much an “inspiration deficiency” as it is an “inspiration death”, inspiration being completely absent and seemingly unattainable. On top of that, students tend to have botched understandings of the rhetorical conventions of expository essays, so misconceptions about writing only exacerbate the existing problem of being confused as hell. TL;DR: writer’s block, like most things, is incredibly multi-dimensional, and it’s hard to know where to begin remedying it. I believe the answer to that question is to first define what it means to each of us.

Professor Jill Aeschbacher defines her writer’s block as a tall brick wall, of which the dimensions symbolize various factors that hinder her writing. Its width is proportional to the image that she gives herself as a writer, its length is her ego’s desires to express herself through writing, and its height is her fear of expecting too much, only to let herself down. Putting an image to the thing keeping her from producing prose has helped her assert her goal: to reach a headspace where she can appreciate the mechanics of the craft rather than the quality, therefore lowering her expectations to a manageable level (not to be lazy, but to be reasonable. We’ve all had standards for ourselves that were more damaging than anything). After reading her work, I’ve taken a page out of her book (literally) to procure my own wall-related personification of writer’s block.

I watched an anime called Attack on Titan this summer. It’s a fantastically written, apocalyptic tale where man-eating, massive monsters called Titans roam free; the small population of surviving humans erect three colossal, concentric walls to protect themselves, the show following their attempts to stay alive among these deadly circumstances. The reason why I bring this up isn’t just to gush about high-quality television (season 4 coming out on December 7th, be there or be square), but to draw an analogy: I am a Titan, and my writer’s block is represented by these three walls. 

The outermost wall, Wall Maria, is destroyed first in the show due to its lack of tight security and proximity to Titan territory; this is inspiration, the wall that is metaphorically broken down first when that je nais se quois happens, things fall into place, and I figure out what to write about. The second wall is named Wall Rose, which is much further inland, populated with richer individuals and more capable protectors, thus harder to break down: this is expression. With the destruction of this wall, I am able to translate my ideas from arbitrary shower thoughts to coherent, usable sentences. The third and final wall, which contains the untouchable home to the royal Reiss family, is Wall Sina. When my hulking, bloodthirsty Titan self takes this wall down, I achieve application: the integration, connection, and expansion of my ideas until they hatch into beautiful butterflies of prose. (I now realize that Wall Sina is virtually impossible to breach in the canon of the show, but I assure you that application is much more realistic of a goal. Maybe this wasn’t the best metaphor.)

So I’ve made it into Wall Sina and successfully eaten the queen, but one question lingers. What prompted the building of the walls in the first place? Translated back from far-fetched anime metaphor to English, what are the mental processes behind writer’s block, and is it possible to put its origins into words? Cue Michael Anthony Rose, an expert on writer’s block (probably because of repeated exposure. I feel for him), and his six basic reasons for why writer’s block exists among students.

Overly-rigid writing rules. Like Jill Aeschbacher, whose high expectations were subconsciously restraining her from writing, students who place too many restrictions on themselves will find words nearly impossible to mold to their liking.

Misleading assumptions about composing. This ties into Jan Corbett’s notion that a student must be thoroughly familiar with the conventions of academic writing in order to write at their best ability. Clarity breeds efficiency. Someone put that on a pillow.

Premature editing. Write first, revise later. It’s nearly impossible to know how an idea, no matter how out of place it seems at first, contributes to a paper after it’s completed. Writing and editing at the same time is something I’d done for years before realizing how detrimental to my writing process it was. Every thought counts.

Poor planning. Another thing I’ve been doing for years, except this one I have yet to correct. Leave ample time for assignment completion, obviously, and leave ample possibilities for writing completion. If only I ever took my own advice.

Conflicting strategies. Jan Corbett also warns us about this: “creative death”, as she calls it, by an overload of ideas. Hone in on what writing approach would best suit the assignment right away and act accordingly; taking on too much at once is sure to cause confusion.

Misunderstanding evaluation criteria. David Bartholomae emphasizes that understanding a professor’s rubric is a two-way street; students must take the time to digest their instructor’s expectations, but instructors are also expected to delineate their expectations clearly.

I was skeptical after reading these for the first time. Rose had taken the shroud of mystery that is writer’s block and given it such understandable, straightforward explanations that they seemed too good to be true. But I was able to utilize the teachings of fellow writer’s block experts Jan Corbett, Jill Aeschbacher, and David Bartholomae to explain his findings, which I think is a testament to their integrity. As aforementioned, writer’s block is hard to generalize because of how nuanced it can be, so no stress if not all of Rose’s reasons apply to you; his work serves as a mere framework for what is ultimately much more complex and varied.

Is envisioning my writer’s block in the Attack on Titan universe an excuse for me to further indulge in its incredible universe? Possibly. Do I think that the imagery helps me to better understand and therefore manage my writer’s block? Definitely. By no means am I capable of avoiding writer’s block entirely, nor do I think I ever will be, but I’m certainly learning to accept writer’s block as a completely natural, expected part of the writing process. We’re not learning unless we’re doing something wrong; similarly, we’re not writing as best we can if we’re not struggling to do so. What’s the point of having a Titan around if there are no walls for it to break, after all?

[theredheadstory]

MY STORY (I): The Redhead behind The Redhead Story

Hi. Hallo. Ciao. Salut. Julia Bell here, founder and writer of The Redhead Story.

It’s wonderful to have you with me; thank you for tagging along as I am on my way to step it up a notch, pushing The Redhead Story to an actual brand level and launching my new, beautiful corner of the internet in just a few weeks’ time. (It’s anything but boring; no, not like this space here, I promise! It will be completely revamped! Eeek, I cannot wait to show you guys.)

Who’s so excited with me?

It’s such a big step with a lot of scary moments, but I am still here.

Now, I know that some of you have been tagging along for quite some time, having seen this blog space changed, tweaked, filled with my personal stories mostly. And I know that there are new faces following, too. That’s why I want to give you more; create more valuable insights and content for you, my readers. Ultimately, you are the engine of what I do.

This is the first entry of an 8-post website/brand pre-launch series called “MY STORY”.

I thought those few weeks before the actual website will be launched and The Redhead Story be presented in a new light would be the perfect time to reflect back on where I have started - just to see how far I have come. Also, since integrity is one of my main values and I always want to stay true to myself, with my personality shining through in everything I do (for the personal touch and approachability, which is super important to me), it might be just the perfect moment to share a little bit about myself. A good starting point for all of us.

Ready? Grab a cup of coffee (I have mine right next to me, with a splash of whole milk), light a candle if you want (I am smelling pumpkin spice right now, my leftover candle from fall, but never gets old), and sit back.

This is why I am who I am.  

A Lesson Learned

A German native, I grew up in a small town north of Hannover, where it’s flat, there are a lot of forests, and also wide open spaces with a lot of horses. Oh, and it’s super close to the North Sea. Going skiing in Austria and vacationing on Föhr (a dreamy North Frisian Island I love) have been my family's favorite annual things to do. And I didn’t complain.

When I was 16, I, for the very first time, felt this desire to go abroad.

It was this time when a handful of people from my high school went abroad for an exchange semester or year.

Combined with my love for languages - especially English -, and my parents’ support, I took the leap and jetted off to America for the very first time in my life, to stay with a host family I had never seen before; to go to a school I had never been to; and to experience a culture I had never immersed myself in. It.was.hard. 

But, spoiler alert: I had the time of my life.

My friends and host family (they are still part of my life and just recently flew out to attend my wedding here in San Diego, for which I am so absolutely thankful) were an integral part in my developing American love story.

Funny, how, now that I am married (expect more posts about how all that happened), the term “American love story” gets such a different meaning.

Then, upon my return home to Germany, I experienced an intense, reverse culture shock. I learned that people moved on without me, that I changed, and that some relationships are not meant to last forever. This living abroad experience should leave its mark on me forever. And I will forever be grateful for that opportunity that literally changed my outlook on life and brought me to where I am today.

As sad and intimidating as it was to see that some people were not who I thought they were, there was a greater lesson to be learned for me:

I’d learned how much more there was to this world. It sparked my fire for travel and new experiences, which has continued ever since.

From a Small Town Girl to a German Expat in London

Education furthered my travel bug. I finished high school. While working towards my Bachelor’s Degree in Germany for Political Science and American Studies, I continually hopped back to my previous host family in New York.

Then, London drew me in for my Masters.

I initially didn’t want to pursue my Masters degree but thinking of combining it with another study abroad experience just made so much sense. I saw this as an immense opportunity, both personally and professionally.

And so I started sending out applications. Goldsmiths College, University of London, is where I should be going; Political Communications it should be.

Fast forward, equipped with one suitcase and a carry on, I began a new adventure back in summer of 2013

While in the heart of the UK, I traversed Scotland, England and Ireland. I was over the moon with all these places I could explore so easily, as they were right at my fingertips.

With these red locks, I fit right in. (I always call specifically Scotland my spiritual home.)

It was my UK travels that launched this blog : The Redhead Story.

Fueled by a love of writing and need for a creative outlet, I began travel blogging to share my experiences. (I am a chatty little ginger, as my mom would say; this hasn’t changed throughout the years.)

As I poured in more energy, my skills and tools improved - like upgrading camera types and image styles (still a lot to learn in that realm, but already looking into a new camera now that a new website will be launching and high quality content is important to me). But that’s the beauty of life; both then and now, there’s always still so much room to grow.

This is also when I began writing for other blogs or even smaller travel brands.

By that time I already knew that this is something I want to do full-time at some point in life. But it seemed unreal. (And here I am now, just having wrapped up my full time job to focus on this little business, so near and dear to my heart.)

After graduation from my Masters, the next chapter was a mystery.  

How an Opportunity Landed Me as a Travel Blogger in California

I returned to Germany in late summer of 2014, deeply unhappy. I wasn’t sure where my life was going but one thing I knew for sure: I needed to be somewhere abroad. I started a job in a marketing firm but day-dreamed of packing my back and jetting off to the U.S. in hopes I would figure life out, or simply back to London. But we all know: both would have been quite costly in the long run.

A new year, and I joined the team at the German American Chamber of Commerce California. Working in their Cultural Exchange program was the melding of my life thus far : bilingual language skills, international collaborations and, specifically, working with the United States, a place so dear to my heart.

I still found myself in Germany but hey, at least I communicated with people from the U.S.

But life is a beautiful thing and even though I am a planner, not knowing what comes next can be quite thrilling.

Then, THE opportunity came : The chance to continue as a part of the organization in sunny San Diego.

It was an immediate YES.

How San Diego Travel Writing Has Empowered a Balanced, Healthy Lifestyle

It was a matter of about what - 3 weeks? And off I was, California bound. This was all so very unreal.

I arrived in San Diego. I had my a room lined up. I knew the office address. The rest was a blank piece of paper. I needed to write my story. More so: I had the opportunity to write it in a place I have never been but dreamed of going for so long.

Being here has fueled my desire to see more of this diverse country. It has given me so many other new opportunities I am so thankful for. It’s not all roses and butterflies, but since I set foot on California’s southernmost city’s soil, I found a base, a home. Certainly, meeting my adventure pal over here who I will be sharing life with from now on (a separate post about that is to follow) plays a huge role in that.

Ever since, I have relished my work, America’s Finest City and pursuing my travel writing.

Throughout my time in the UK, Germany and the States since, I’ve written for a variety of outlets, collaborating with various publications to create content that helps readers to truly experience a place.

Because traveling isn’t just about seeing a site. Traveling :

Expands your mind.

Is a process of personal growth.

Is my favorite way to achieve a balanced life.

With slow travel that is : Diving into one city or area for longer periods of time. Even if very active, it lets us slow down and gain appreciation for our surroundings.

Whether exploring the Arizona desert, hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, or walking small towns in England, I also believe travel is the best way to internal reflection. Especially the more we can get outdoors. The chance to walk. To hike. To ride through a city by bicycle.

I’m passionate about seeing the world up close. Not from a car window. I love going slow, soaking it all in - reflecting.

As I continue life as a German expat in the U.S., I will continue writing, sharing stories of exploring my backyard, going on day and weekend trips, shorter and longer getaways in the U.S. and across borders.

A Journey of Traveling & Personal Growth

I invite you to join me on my very personal journey and see the world through my eyes. It is about personal growth - because that’s what exploring does to you: It changes your perspective on things, in a good way. It allows you to see a broader picture, interact with people, understand more.

By no means am I a travel expert, but I have one thing: passion. A passion for sharing personal experiences, creating my story and ultimately inspiring yours.

I hope the new The Redhead Story corner will be an inspiration for you and I am excited to hopefully hear more about your stories, about how exploring and “going out there - doesn’t matter where - has impacted your life and perspective on life and furthered personal growth.

Thank you for being part of this (life) adventure.

Because adventure is what you define for yourself.

I hope you got to know me a little better and understand where I am coming from. If you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you.

___________________________________________

The next post of my 8-post website & brand pre-launch series will be highlighting my approach to travel and how this has changed. Stay tuned!

Instagram // Twitter

[gabrielbishop-blog1]

whaddup peeps i’m lily :-)) im under eighteen, mdt timezone and she/her pronouns !! anymeme i thought to spice up my intro w a moodboard, not sure if it’s gabe’s big schmood or mine but  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ anyways under the cut is a bit more about gabe if y’all are interested in learning more about ur garbage mayor !

( BEN AFFLECK, CISMALE, 45 ) have you seen GABRIEL BISHOP around town ?? we call HIM the FACADE around here , and they work as THE TOWN MAYOR . it makes sense , you know . HE can be CHARISMATIC and ALLURING but pretty PHLEGMATIC and ELUSIVE. word around town is THEY WORK WITH A NOTORIOUS MAFIA IN SALEM but are you really really all that surprised ?? ( OOC. lily. 15. mdt. she/her. )

alcohol mention, drug mention

ok so if u guys knew pre-revamp gabe i’ve decided to ?? keep his old background/personality pretty much the same w just minor tweaks sO now he’s basically future!gabe which makes no sense cause he’s actually younger and no time has passed but he ar me out,,, u can read gabe’s old intro post here if ya want it delves into his i guess we’ll say old self now

so pre-revamp gabe used to be a dirty cop who did favours for a drug ring but im switching that shiz to the mafia. so he was still a dirty cop who liked to use his position to scare the shit out of people but i’m kinda pushing that back a bit in a sense like it started when he was younger like early to mid 30s

essentially what happened is that along the years the mafia started asking more and more out of gabe until basically ?? they made him run for mayor in astoria so they could use astoria as kind of a cover if that makes sense ?? and it was perfect too cause i mean gabe came from humble beginnings. his parents created their business from the ground up and gabe was just your local cop, one of the people. even if he wasn’t a people-person he played up the whole im jUST LIKE U GUYS campaign

so if the mafia needed somewhere to hide one of their own men, dump something, hide/launder money they’ll use one of their fake businesses/properties in astoria all personally approved by gabe. he lets their municipal requests/paperwork pass through and being mayor he can also help take suspicion of their backs and basically its just a bunch of paperwork being approved that shouldn’t be, paperwork mysteriously missing, and things like tha t..

at first gabe was just their guinea pig. being a naturally abrasive and introverted person, he hated being mayor and not to mention the fact he still held up his values/morals pretty strongly so he also hated what he was doing on the dl. bUT NOW gabe has kind of ?? embraced it. like he knew he was stuck there, under the mafia’s thumb so why not just take advantage of it and top them ?? 

so slowly gabe has been working his way up that chain by strong arming certain members, hiring his own men, serious threats, etc. until now gabes pre much one of the big dogs and hes well known n feared but only to people who are actually involved in/with the mafia cause he still gotta keep this shit secret. along the way gabe kinda completely lost his way ?? like he actually enjoys the powerful man he’s become and the shitty stuff he does doesn’t eat away at him anymore.

he’s become full blown manipulative, learned how to become more charming to the people, he’s less abrasive and more sociable but its all an act. the only thing grounding him is his kids but even then he’s distanced himself from them, become less attentive as a father. mainly cause he knows he bad and doesn’t want to ?? bring the darkness inside him into that part of his life ?? he doesn’t wanna infect his kids ?? so … if u were looking for any redeemable qualities in gabe .. he has like one and even then it’s a bit of a double-edged sword lmfao

alsO while we’re on the topic of the kiddos… he knows they’re not his. he’s never said it out loud, brought it up to anyone, or even given it much thought. but he’s heard the whispers and he’s always known in the back of his head ??? and SUPER duper deep down like eight layer dip deep it kills him but he doesn’t love them any less ?? they are still essentially his kids and he is their father

anyWAYS so some plots i’d like to have ?????????

old friends - people who were friends w the old gabe but ever since gabe ran for mayor they’ve become less close and they’re like ????????? bich who tf r u ?????? and whatd u do w gabe ???

brotp - pls give me this. ride or die. someone gabe’s been friends w for a long ass time and stuck w him even thru his confusing and totally ooc decision to run for mayor and weird af personality changes. doesnt know what he does but BOI when he finds out ,,,,

drinking buddy - someone gabe regularly sees but doesnt know their name bc ?? wow hello fellow sorrowful human being we both like to day/afternoon/night drink at the same bar how Beautiful

enemies - wether its a u just annoy the shit out of me or a i might actually put on a hit on u cause ur threatening my career/life/family pls i ust want interactions w gabe maybe actually feeling threatened or someone to roast gabe and gabe can roast u back. OR someone that ran against gabe in the election and was like ???? fkc u ??? how did an emotionally stunted grandpa beat me in this shit ??

reporters ?? - or anyone who might work for the media that’s constantly hounding gabe w questions, interviews whatever and hes always like !!!!! f u !!!ck !!! leave !! me !!!! alone !!!!!!! but w a dead inside smile cause hes a Man of the People now :)

body guard - ok this one ur... muse would have to be shady af. like ex hitman or ex military/marksman or smth and hed be working under the table w some sort of cover story cause he wouldnt actually work for the mafia ?? just literally just for gabe cause he hired them himself just for Insurance AGAINST the mafia .. cant have an assassination on his hands yknow this is v specific ill prob have to request this but ??

affairs - occasional hook ups ?? regular hook up?? hooked up once ?? past thing ?? on-going thing ?? lowkey sugar baby ??? an escort ?? this lowkey depends on his relationship w his wife but it is kinda implied in the secret that their marriage is unhappy and it mf tears me up cause old gabe WOULD NEVER litterlay this boi had ‘i <3 my wife’ tattooed on his forehead :// but he a complete shitshow now so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

coworkers - basically anyone he could possibly work with. but i would like just one of them tho to be like gabe’s secretary/assistant and his dedicated right hand man/woman and lowkey knows what he’s ACTUALLY doing but is loyal af so doesnt sya shit

advisor - gabe wouldve hired this peep early on cause obv he doesnt know shit about politics and needed some help. lowkey shady n under the table too cause wow the people cant know tha tgabes amazing ideas ?? arent actually his ?? but idk still kinda working this out in my head

old flame/the one that got away - give me the ugli high school sweethearts trope that is so sweet it makes u wanna puke :’) ur muse would have to be like 41-43 tho lmfao aND we can plot out how it’d be like now whether they drc or it angsty af

unrequited crush/feelings - gabe has no time n space for feelings rn so itd have 2 be ur chara having ?? icky ?? feelings for gabe ?? god that shit alwyas gets me FCKED UP

[billydmacklin]

So I Re-Did the Back of the House (Again).

Here is a shocking bit of information that you have likely already deduced if you have read this blog for any amount of time: I’ve been chasing my tail a bit with my own house renovation. I’m not proud. A couple of years ago, I bit off more than I could chew. I should have known better. I did it anyway. Unsurprisingly, it bit me in the ass.

Let’s talk about it.

I bought a house with an old and truly yucky kitchen. The kitchen was the very first thing I tackled, and ya know? That was a good renovation. The improvements were inexpensive but impactful (new paint, a little subway tile, and VCT floors for the win!), and the kitchen worked fairly well.

It wasn’t the dream kitchen but it was a fine, serviceable space, and one that could have easily lasted several more years. The kitchen took kind of a beating as other renovations unfolded throughout the house, but I’d renovated it with that in mind! It would all get torn out someday but, I figured, when everything else had been done, by which time this kitchen would certainly be falling apart.

Fast forward less than two years, and I found myself single. One night, I also found myself a little drunk (related: pls excuse the quality of these photos). With the contents of my kitchen cabinets now significantly slimmed down as a result of the break-up, I was suddenly overcome with the urge to slim down the cabinets themselves. I didn’t NEED all these cabinets! And if I just took down the upper cabinets, then I could also just rip out the enormous soffits above them, and then my kitchen would be brighter and more open and happier and maybe I’d put up a nice shelf or just a cool piece of art and HOW GREAT WOULD THIS BE?!?!

Don’t drink and demo. Or do, but with supervision so you don’t do anything stupid. Like meeeeeeeeeee.

So I took down the uppers and the soffits. Briefly this felt good.

I had to re-route the electrical for the little over-the-sink light, and drywall the area that had been behind the soffit because the plaster was too far-gone. I just had to do some more patching, sanding, repaint a couple walls and the kitchen would be good as new!

I really should have taken a bath or something that night. I never did patch and sand and repaint. Instead, a few months later I seized the remainder of summer and demolished the rickety old addition off the back of the house.

Boy was that exciting.

This, in turn, prompted replacing the window and vestigial fire escape exit door in the second floor room above the kitchen and insulating and re-siding the back of the house—it was a huge job and one that I wasn’t totally ready for. One of the casualties ended up being the kitchen window, a cute casement that got split up into two casements for the second floor, like so:

So I ripped the kitchen window out, put in a “temporary” vinyl window, still thinking I’d patch up the kitchen and continue to use it for another 5-10 years and this would be good enough for now.

I never did patch up the kitchen. The wall surrounding the new window just remained open to the studs and insulation for the next several months. Elegant!

Then I designed and built an entire house (I. will. show. it. to. you. I. swear.), and at the tail end of that little gig, I circled back to my own. I did this with great excitement because I hadn’t been able to put any real work into my own house for a while, so naturally I took on the biggest and most involved project this house will ever see under my care: the enormous restoration of the side of the house.

This saw the removal of two more additions and the installation of five(!) new windows—two of them in the kitchen, but a different wall than the one from the year before. Round and round we go.

In order to install these new windows, we first had to frame in the openings for them. We probably could have gone about this a couple of more intelligent ways, but instead at that point it just felt like…fuck it. Just gut it. So that’s what we did, and suddenly my kitchen and pantry were reduced to a few remaining cabinets and a sink. Which I then also removed because it felt like they were in the way of completing the next steps, which I was sure I’d be addressing imminently.

So dumbbbbbbbbb, omg Daniel.

But at least I had two windows where I needed them to be…you know, for the kitchen that still has not manifested.

Before I could really even address the kitchen, I had to actually wrap up that whole side-of-the-house-restoration project on the exterior before winter hit. I ran out of time and didn’t totally finish, and shamefully still haven’t, but I finished enough that things have been fine.

I ran out of something else around that time too, though! The money in my bank account! That exterior project was more involved and costly than I’d given it credit for, and it cleaned. me. OUT.

THIS, my friends, was a bit over a year ago, and it was truly a low point. The house was a wreck. What was left of the kitchen (appliances, some cabinetry) had overtaken the dining room. The living room was mostly just exceptionally dirty from the renovations but literally felt unsalvageable at the time, like it might after a flood. The bedroom was missing a wall. The den was missing a wall and a ceiling. I hadn’t managed to get a plumber to come cap a couple of radiator lines and get the boiler going, so I didn’t have a real heat system that winter. I couldn’t figure out how to get hot water running either (turns out the motherboard of the boiler had died!) so I took frigid showers or sponge baths with water from the electric kettle, since I no longer had a stove to heat it. This went on for months.

Guys, it was fucking horrible. In the summer, cold showers and doing my dishes on the front porch had felt kind of quaint and folksy, but now it just felt like I could not be more of a disappointment to myself and to this house. And it was my fault. Decisions I had made myself had led me here. To Grey Gardens, my new home.

We ain’t done.

I guess it was kind of OK to not have the cash to do the kitchen a year ago, in part because there were plenty of low-cost projects to keep me occupied, like the bedroom and the den. You can do a lot with joint compound and paint between bigger projects, so I just focused on that kind of stuff. Besides, there was another huge roadblock in front of really even getting the kitchen renovation started, aside from the money part: re-doing that back wall…again. Already. The one that I already did two years prior, when I thought I wouldn’t have to think about it again for a decade or so. The kitchen design kind of hinged (pun def intended) on moving the location of the exterior door, and replacing the temporary vinyl window, so the chimney could be flanked by two matching windows to the new ones on the other elevation.

I’d hoped, I think, that this would somehow just happen. Like I’d wake up and find windows and doors where my computer renderings had placed them, and then I could move ahead into the rough-ins and the finishing work!

Sadly this did not come to pass. So at the tail end of this past summer, with the goal of being able to really work on the kitchen this winter, I bit the bullet and Edwin and Edgar and I took a week and did it (followed by a few weeks of me working alone every evening/weekend…). I had a better idea of what I was getting into, so it wasn’t as bad as the first time around, and I had a bit more help. So we took out the door and the vinyl window.

Then we removed the siding from the first floor (again) because it seemed a bit easier than all the patching that would have been required otherwise.

All of this pretty much sucked, by the way.

Once that kitchen wall was framed and the windows installed, we moved on to putting the wall back together.

One thing I never loved about the first revamp of this wall was that I hadn’t taken the opportunity to expand the corner boards. The original corner boards are 4″ on this house, which feels kind of dinky below such a substantial cornice and eaves returns, so we popped off the corner boards and cut another 4″ or so off the ends of the remaining clapboard with a circular saw. Inside the house, we added new nailers so the new ends of the clapboard would be affixed to something stable. The new corner boards are 7.5″ wide on this back kitchen addition, and 11.5″ on earlier parts of the structure. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference! And doesn’t really complicate anything if you’re doing all this work anyway.

Boom! Someday I’ll trim out the tops of the corner boards to really finish it off, but for now they look fine.

MOVING. RIGHT. ALONG! Next came the new exterior door location and the windows for the planned pantry space and the first floor powder room. Just rebuilding every goddamn wall. The new door is off-center to accommodate cabinetry in that room, and I think an exterior wall sconce to the right of the doorway will be a welcome addition and balance things out.

By the way, yeah—that new door is in what was my laundry room. Also gutted to make space for this big ambitious kitchen plan. In case you thought things couldn’t get worse! They got worse. They’re getting better again, though!

I swear all of this is in the service of someday being able to live a normal life in this house and NOT just destroying everything on a biannual basis.

That little crooked window on the left was the laundry room window. That little skinny window on the right was the first floor bathroom window. They were a funny weirdly proportioned pair, and now they are history. Down came the vinyl, down came the clapboard, out came the brick nogging and old windows, and in went some new framing and new insulation and sheathing and windows.

This is definitely the most awkward (and, thankfully, least visible!) elevation of the house, and I think it’s just always going to be something less than gorgeous. I hemmed and hawed a lot on how to make this window arrangement feel natural inside and outside the house, but ultimately the architecture is just weird—it’s always going to look like an addition, and that’s OK! I love to tear off additions, but sometimes you need them. Like, say, when they contain the only bathrooms!

So with these new windows, I aimed to make it look like a slightly more elegantly planned addition than before, like maybe a porch that was enclosed at some point. The windows themselves are the same proportion as most of the other windows on the house, but smaller (larger than what was there, though!), and the top of the windows align with the top of the newly installed adjacent back door. I also chose 2-over-2 windows, which I kinda pulled out of my ass because it just felt right and a 6-over-6 in that size is a bit much with all that lite division.

I can kinda dig hanging something between them and planting some fabulous climbing rose bush or something? That feels like a very distant goal so we have time to brainstorm.

Annnnnnnd, this is as far as I got out there! Clearly there are various things that still need doing, but all the big stuff is done. A little odd, but I’m pleased with it!

Do you like my little deck? It’s fancy. I built it in an afternoon out of scrap wood. The post rests on a piece of bluestone from the yard. Obviously I want to do something better but I had to get rid of that big drop ASAP and “something better” is not in the existing time or money budgets.

So to review, in the space of 4-ish years, we have now gone from this:

to this:

to this:

to this:

to this:

to this:

Clearly there is some finish work to return to in the spring (we don’t need to start listing it, do we?), but HEY! I know I seem crazy. My neighbors would probably concur on this. But NOW the kitchen/pantry/half-bath work can continue and—good lord willing and the creek don’t rise—I should never have to redo this again for as long as I am alive and kicking.

Let us pray.

So I Re-Did the Back of the House (Again). published first on https://carpetgurus.tumblr.com/

[interiorstarweb]

So I Re-Did the Back of the House (Again).

Here is a shocking bit of information that you have likely already deduced if you have read this blog for any amount of time: I’ve been chasing my tail a bit with my own house renovation. I’m not proud. A couple of years ago, I bit off more than I could chew. I should have known better. I did it anyway. Unsurprisingly, it bit me in the ass.

Let’s talk about it.

I bought a house with an old and truly yucky kitchen. The kitchen was the very first thing I tackled, and ya know? That was a good renovation. The improvements were inexpensive but impactful (new paint, a little subway tile, and VCT floors for the win!), and the kitchen worked fairly well.

It wasn’t the dream kitchen but it was a fine, serviceable space, and one that could have easily lasted several more years. The kitchen took kind of a beating as other renovations unfolded throughout the house, but I’d renovated it with that in mind! It would all get torn out someday but, I figured, when everything else had been done, by which time this kitchen would certainly be falling apart.

Fast forward less than two years, and I found myself single. One night, I also found myself a little drunk (related: pls excuse the quality of these photos). With the contents of my kitchen cabinets now significantly slimmed down as a result of the break-up, I was suddenly overcome with the urge to slim down the cabinets themselves. I didn’t NEED all these cabinets! And if I just took down the upper cabinets, then I could also just rip out the enormous soffits above them, and then my kitchen would be brighter and more open and happier and maybe I’d put up a nice shelf or just a cool piece of art and HOW GREAT WOULD THIS BE?!?!

Don’t drink and demo. Or do, but with supervision so you don’t do anything stupid. Like meeeeeeeeeee.

So I took down the uppers and the soffits. Briefly this felt good.

I had to re-route the electrical for the little over-the-sink light, and drywall the area that had been behind the soffit because the plaster was too far-gone. I just had to do some more patching, sanding, repaint a couple walls and the kitchen would be good as new!

I really should have taken a bath or something that night. I never did patch and sand and repaint. Instead, a few months later I seized the remainder of summer and demolished the rickety old addition off the back of the house.

Boy was that exciting.

This, in turn, prompted replacing the window and vestigial fire escape exit door in the second floor room above the kitchen and insulating and re-siding the back of the house—it was a huge job and one that I wasn’t totally ready for. One of the casualties ended up being the kitchen window, a cute casement that got split up into two casements for the second floor, like so:

So I ripped the kitchen window out, put in a “temporary” vinyl window, still thinking I’d patch up the kitchen and continue to use it for another 5-10 years and this would be good enough for now.

I never did patch up the kitchen. The wall surrounding the new window just remained open to the studs and insulation for the next several months. Elegant!

Then I designed and built an entire house (I. will. show. it. to. you. I. swear.), and at the tail end of that little gig, I circled back to my own. I did this with great excitement because I hadn’t been able to put any real work into my own house for a while, so naturally I took on the biggest and most involved project this house will ever see under my care: the enormous restoration of the side of the house.

This saw the removal of two more additions and the installation of five(!) new windows—two of them in the kitchen, but a different wall than the one from the year before. Round and round we go.

In order to install these new windows, we first had to frame in the openings for them. We probably could have gone about this a couple of more intelligent ways, but instead at that point it just felt like…fuck it. Just gut it. So that’s what we did, and suddenly my kitchen and pantry were reduced to a few remaining cabinets and a sink. Which I then also removed because it felt like they were in the way of completing the next steps, which I was sure I’d be addressing imminently.

So dumbbbbbbbbb, omg Daniel.

But at least I had two windows where I needed them to be…you know, for the kitchen that still has not manifested.

Before I could really even address the kitchen, I had to actually wrap up that whole side-of-the-house-restoration project on the exterior before winter hit. I ran out of time and didn’t totally finish, and shamefully still haven’t, but I finished enough that things have been fine.

I ran out of something else around that time too, though! The money in my bank account! That exterior project was more involved and costly than I’d given it credit for, and it cleaned. me. OUT.

THIS, my friends, was a bit over a year ago, and it was truly a low point. The house was a wreck. What was left of the kitchen (appliances, some cabinetry) had overtaken the dining room. The living room was mostly just exceptionally dirty from the renovations but literally felt unsalvageable at the time, like it might after a flood. The bedroom was missing a wall. The den was missing a wall and a ceiling. I hadn’t managed to get a plumber to come cap a couple of radiator lines and get the boiler going, so I didn’t have a real heat system that winter. I couldn’t figure out how to get hot water running either (turns out the motherboard of the boiler had died!) so I took frigid showers or sponge baths with water from the electric kettle, since I no longer had a stove to heat it. This went on for months.

Guys, it was fucking horrible. In the summer, cold showers and doing my dishes on the front porch had felt kind of quaint and folksy, but now it just felt like I could not be more of a disappointment to myself and to this house. And it was my fault. Decisions I had made myself had led me here. To Grey Gardens, my new home.

We ain’t done.

I guess it was kind of OK to not have the cash to do the kitchen a year ago, in part because there were plenty of low-cost projects to keep me occupied, like the bedroom and the den. You can do a lot with joint compound and paint between bigger projects, so I just focused on that kind of stuff. Besides, there was another huge roadblock in front of really even getting the kitchen renovation started, aside from the money part: re-doing that back wall…again. Already. The one that I already did two years prior, when I thought I wouldn’t have to think about it again for a decade or so. The kitchen design kind of hinged (pun def intended) on moving the location of the exterior door, and replacing the temporary vinyl window, so the chimney could be flanked by two matching windows to the new ones on the other elevation.

I’d hoped, I think, that this would somehow just happen. Like I’d wake up and find windows and doors where my computer renderings had placed them, and then I could move ahead into the rough-ins and the finishing work!

Sadly this did not come to pass. So at the tail end of this past summer, with the goal of being able to really work on the kitchen this winter, I bit the bullet and Edwin and Edgar and I took a week and did it (followed by a few weeks of me working alone every evening/weekend…). I had a better idea of what I was getting into, so it wasn’t as bad as the first time around, and I had a bit more help. So we took out the door and the vinyl window.

Then we removed the siding from the first floor (again) because it seemed a bit easier than all the patching that would have been required otherwise.

All of this pretty much sucked, by the way.

Once that kitchen wall was framed and the windows installed, we moved on to putting the wall back together.

One thing I never loved about the first revamp of this wall was that I hadn’t taken the opportunity to expand the corner boards. The original corner boards are 4″ on this house, which feels kind of dinky below such a substantial cornice and eaves returns, so we popped off the corner boards and cut another 4″ or so off the ends of the remaining clapboard with a circular saw. Inside the house, we added new nailers so the new ends of the clapboard would be affixed to something stable. The new corner boards are 7.5″ wide on this back kitchen addition, and 11.5″ on earlier parts of the structure. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference! And doesn’t really complicate anything if you’re doing all this work anyway.

Boom! Someday I’ll trim out the tops of the corner boards to really finish it off, but for now they look fine.

MOVING. RIGHT. ALONG! Next came the new exterior door location and the windows for the planned pantry space and the first floor powder room. Just rebuilding every goddamn wall. The new door is off-center to accommodate cabinetry in that room, and I think an exterior wall sconce to the right of the doorway will be a welcome addition and balance things out.

By the way, yeah—that new door is in what was my laundry room. Also gutted to make space for this big ambitious kitchen plan. In case you thought things couldn’t get worse! They got worse. They’re getting better again, though!

I swear all of this is in the service of someday being able to live a normal life in this house and NOT just destroying everything on a biannual basis.

That little crooked window on the left was the laundry room window. That little skinny window on the right was the first floor bathroom window. They were a funny weirdly proportioned pair, and now they are history. Down came the vinyl, down came the clapboard, out came the brick nogging and old windows, and in went some new framing and new insulation and sheathing and windows.

This is definitely the most awkward (and, thankfully, least visible!) elevation of the house, and I think it’s just always going to be something less than gorgeous. I hemmed and hawed a lot on how to make this window arrangement feel natural inside and outside the house, but ultimately the architecture is just weird—it’s always going to look like an addition, and that’s OK! I love to tear off additions, but sometimes you need them. Like, say, when they contain the only bathrooms!

So with these new windows, I aimed to make it look like a slightly more elegantly planned addition than before, like maybe a porch that was enclosed at some point. The windows themselves are the same proportion as most of the other windows on the house, but smaller (larger than what was there, though!), and the top of the windows align with the top of the newly installed adjacent back door. I also chose 2-over-2 windows, which I kinda pulled out of my ass because it just felt right and a 6-over-6 in that size is a bit much with all that lite division.

I can kinda dig hanging something between them and planting some fabulous climbing rose bush or something? That feels like a very distant goal so we have time to brainstorm.

Annnnnnnd, this is as far as I got out there! Clearly there are various things that still need doing, but all the big stuff is done. A little odd, but I’m pleased with it!

Do you like my little deck? It’s fancy. I built it in an afternoon out of scrap wood. The post rests on a piece of bluestone from the yard. Obviously I want to do something better but I had to get rid of that big drop ASAP and “something better” is not in the existing time or money budgets.

So to review, in the space of 4-ish years, we have now gone from this:

to this:

to this:

to this:

to this:

to this:

Clearly there is some finish work to return to in the spring (we don’t need to start listing it, do we?), but HEY! I know I seem crazy. My neighbors would probably concur on this. But NOW the kitchen/pantry/half-bath work can continue and—good lord willing and the creek don’t rise—I should never have to redo this again for as long as I am alive and kicking.

Let us pray.

So I Re-Did the Back of the House (Again). published first on https://novaformmattressreview.tumblr.com/

[nipperlovesfenix]

I’m having a bit of a mini existential crisis. Before jumping into full on rant mode, it’s worth saying that Tommy and I ended up communicating like adults and he apologized. Now that I’m feel cool and confident in my relationship, I’m feeling all kinds of fucked up about my new job.

I recently accepted a job as a tattoo shop manager. I was so excited to start. The interview went amazingly well and I was excited about the opportunity to work in an industry I understand well.

Yesterday was my first day. I understand that your first day at a job isn’t necessarily the best, but damn, I left last night feeling really fucking weird. Let’s see if I can articulate what is bothering me:

About 7 years ago, the shop owner caused a car cash that killed someone. Me being me, I’ve looked up all the court records I could find on the incident. Gabe’s version of events are very different than what the record states. I guess it makes sense; we do what we can to paint ourselves in the best light possible. The thing is, when you’ve made a mistake and you’re growing from it, I think one of the biggest (and most important) things you can do is admit fault.

He says he fell asleep at the wheel. He made a weird mention of a doctor prescribing him Xanax, and he said “the wrong person died”. According to him, the woman who passed away was a politician’s daughter.

The record states that he was driving “like an asshole” - according to witnesses - by speeding and tailgating. When he got behind the now deceased lady’s car, he hit her causing her to lose control. Thankfully, she passed instantly. Per passengers were seriously injured, though. The cops found a bottle of Xanax, and yeah it was Gabe’s RX. However, it was filled the night before and of the 30 original pills, 11 remained. Gabe never told responding officers that he fell asleep. Rather, that story only came out during his trial.

So, it seems obvious to me that he did not fall asleep at the wheel. It seems like he is making excuses for being fucked up on Xanax at the time because the RX was his - so somehow that makes it okay.

Something else that bothers me is the quality of the tattoos. I am a bit of a tattoo snob. I’m not that person who has been getting tattoos since they were 16; I started getting tattoos as soon as I was legally able to. I’ve always gotten my work done professionally, in a shop setting. I don’t agonize over the artist I choose, however, I always pick someone who does good work. Admittedly, I have a small handful of tattoos where the artist choice didn’t matter because they’re so basic. For tattoos like that, I would totally trust my current employer. 

Tattoos that require more than the bare bone effort, though, I would not trust them with. Gabe boasts about having low artist turnover. The artist who has been with him the longest has been there 8 years, the next one has been there 6 years, and the other has been there 4 years. Yeah, sure, that’s pretty impressive. But if those artists produce shit tattoos, what’s the point?

This wouldn’t bother me if I was only there to be the shop helper. Gabe hired me to revamp their social media, build then a website, and get their name out there so they’re seen by higher end clientele. The shop is in the west side, and west side shops are known for being pretty shitty. Shops on the west side tend to cater to the people who live there, which happen to be largely working class (aka: they do shit tattoos because people just want the cheapest tattoo possible).

For example, most of the tattoo shops I’ve gone to have a shop minimum of $80. My employer’s shop minimum is $50. When I first heard that, I thought it was way too low. The artists also tend to under price their work - or at least, that’s what I thought. But once I saw more of their work, I realized that they’re priced pretty well. They’re not the best tattoo artists in the world, and their pricing reflects that. I think it’s fair.

There’s little things too, like the computer I have to work at is down in the basement. In the basement, people smoke. If it was just weed, I wouldn’t care. But they smoke cigarettes and I don’t feel like being in a cancer box.

I just talked to Spirit about it a little bit. Every time I try to beat an answer out of them, it doesn’t work so well. But they always end up telling me whatever I need to know. I’m kinda emotional so idk if I trust my own reading completely, so I asked for Kriste’s thoughts. We’ll see what she says.

I don’t think this is the right place for me. I am SO emotional over a stupid fucking job. I think I’m feeling this way because this job, which I would have loved at another time in my life, just doesn’t vibe with me. Part of me feels like I’m being difficult or lazy because I feel like nothing fucking fits anymore. It’s not that I don’t want to work. It’s like...nothing works for me. I hope that doesn’t sound stuck up, because I don’t mean it to be.

I am literally sobbing over feeling so fucked up over a job. This mini breakdown is just like the one I had while driving to Spencer’s one day. I don’t think I’d be so upset over a job that wasn't in alignment with my vibe, ya know? But this shit feels like the whole square-peg-round-hole thing.

I think I am being forced to see that I am fully capable of working for myself. Even though it’s scary, even though I’m unsure, it’s like everything else (working for anyone else but myself) just makes me feel miserable.

Fuck, I don’t know. I am so emotional right now.

[easyweight101]

Natrol Menopause Review (UPDATED 2017): Don’t Buy Before You Read This!

What is it?

Natrol Menopause is a menopause formula containing a blend of herbs used to help balance out hormone levels in women going through this transitional reproductive phase. This product claims to help fight hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings— the common menopause symptoms.

Natrol Menopause is made from a formula containing phytoestrogenic herbs, a few vitamins and plant-based progesterones. The supplement claims to bring a whole host of benefits to the table, due to its long list of ingredients.

Femmetrinol is our most recommended herbal menopause product—with ingredients like black cohosh and wild yam and other supportive herbs this product works fast– alleviating hot flashes, insomnia, irritability and more. Click here to get a clearer picture of what Femmetrinol can do for you.

Top Rated Menopause Supplements of 2017

Do you know the Best Menopause Supplements of 2017?

Natrol Menopause Ingredients and Side Effects

Natrol Menopause has a long list of ingredients in the formula, requiring users to take 3 pills a day for best results. We’ve left out some of the less active components, so what’s listed below is not an exact representation of the official product label.

Soy Isoflavones Black Cohosh Wild Yam Chasteberry Dong Quai Red Clover Damiana Gotu Kola Nut

Soy Isoflavones: Soy beans contain a chemical substance known as isoflavones, which are converted to estrogen when present in the body. Soy is used to reduce menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and more, as well as relieve hormone-related symptoms like breast pain or mood swings.

Black Cohosh: An herb used in many menopause supplements. Its estrogenic properties may help reduce hot flashes, night sweats and more. It may also help improve bone health, treat fibrocystic breast pain and ease symptoms associated with one’s menstrual cycle.

Dong Quai: An herb from Korea, dong quai is used in a number of products for its wide ranging medicinal uses. From improving fertility to treating PMS, menstrual cramps and joint pain, dong quai might also effect estrogen uptake in the body.

Damiana: Damiana is an herbal solution that hails from Mexico, often used for treating sexual issues, depression, upset stomach and more.

Red Clover: Another plant known for its estrogenic properties, red clover, like soy, contains isoflavones which may work to reduce menopausal symptoms with use.

Wild Yam: The source of many progesterone creams, wild yam is often used as a safer alternative to HRT treatments. This plant-based solution is often used to treat menopause symptoms like hot flashes, low energy and more.

Gotu Kola Extract: Gotu kola, an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine may work to reduce inflammation, as well as treat conditions like anxiety, fatigue, and more.

Chasteberry: Chasteberry is thought to do a number of things for the female reproductive system, due to its ability to stimulate progesterone production.

Chasteberry, doesn’t contain any hormones, but it may help regulate existing ones—improving the condition in women with menstrual problems, lumpy breasts and those dealing with menopause symptoms.

Expert reviewers share tips and tricks for feeling balanced — and comfortable during menopause — more by clicking here.

EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this supplement with a proven menopause pill such as Femmetrinol for better results.

Natrol Menopause Quality of Ingredients

Natrol Menopause is made from a formula of fairly standard menopause support ingredients. In all, we think the formula looks pretty good. Black cohosh, in particular is an herb known to provide consistent relief in women going through menopause, as well as those with menstrual issues or fertility struggles.

Additionally, black cohosh might help improve bone health, something both important and easily overlooked by women dealing with the more obvious symptoms of menopause.

Natrol Menopause does have an incredibly long list of ingredients. Many of these are phytoestrogenic herbs, which may work together to provide balance in the body. But, other ingredients like dong quai or gamma orazynol—despite having health benefits, might be taking away literal space inside the pills that could be better allocated to more potent ingredients.

Overall, the blend looks pretty good, but the issue is, we’re just not sure if this is the most potent menopause formula around. Reviews appear to be mixed—it works for some but not for others. For that reason, there are likely more consistent options that better support women through menopause.

Learn more about menopause care — inside and out. Click here for the ultimate guide, put together by our experts.

The Price and Quality of Natrol Menopause

Natrol Menopause looks like it was sold through a number of channels, but may no longer be available. There are still listings up on iHerb and a couple other places, but it looks as though this product may have been discontinued.

Natrol, the manufacturer of Natrol Menopause no longer offers this through their website, and it appears to have been replaced by a product known as Natrol Complete Balance—which is a two-part supplement with day and night-time support.

The newer product is tailored to provide round the clock menopause relief with energy during the day and sleep aids during the night time hours.

Shoppers who wish to find the older formula might be able to find Natrol Menopause on sites like eBay, but we’d advise against seeking it out—the product may be expired, and if that’s the case, users won’t experience the full effect as advertised.

Finally, it seems that the new formula contains a number of ingredients that overlap with this supplement, so users looking to give Natrol Menopause a try aren’t entirely out of luck.

Click here to read our guide to finding the most potent menopause supplements for your buck.

Business of Natrol Menopause

Natrol Menopause was created by a company known as Natrol. Here is the contact information they’ve listed on their webpage:

Phone: 800-262-8765

Address: 21411 Prairie St.

Chatsworth, CA 91311

Natrol Menopause is made by a company known as Natrol, a business that has been making natural supplements for over 35 years.

Natrol has an A rating from the natural products association and has long been a trusted brand for users looking for safe and effective products.

Based on our look at the company, it’s clear that Natrol has made a clear effort in making themselves available to their consumers—they offer detailed information for each of the products showcased on the site, as well as some short articles dedicated to healthy living.

The only issue we have is, we’re not able to read too much about Natrol Menopause as this product has been discontinued.

Customer Opinions of Natrol Menopause

While Natrol Menopause appears to have been discontinued, it looks like it’s only been off the market for about a year. Lucky for us, that means we were able to track down a number of reviews—which suggested varying degrees of success. Here are some of the comments we found:

“I have the great fortune of going through menopause at the ripe old age of… 39.  I’ve had symptoms for about a year and Natrol Menopause has helped me feel happy and energized once again.”

“I’m 48 and have recently started to experience hot flashes on a regular basis, along with irregular periods. Ordered two bottles of this stuff, but it just didn’t do it for me. No changes at all.”

“My mom is obsessed with this! She said it really helped get rid of the hot flashes, stomach problems and more—now I’m reordering so she can give some extra bottles to all of her friends.”

“When I first started using Natrol Menopause, I found that it did help with the hot flashes and the rest of the symptoms, but now they’ve returned. Not sure if the product changed, or if I’ve developed a tolerance.”

Overall, it looks like Natrol Menopause had some good reviews. We were limited in the amount of feedback we were able to read through, as it seems this product has been removed from a number of sites in favor of the newer Natrol AM and PM formulas.

Natrol Menopause seems to have worked for most of the users that shared their feedback, though in some cases, people mentioned it had stopped working, or never worked great in the first place.

We’re not sure if there’s a potency problem, or if it just effects different bodies in different ways—both scenarios offer an explanation for the inconsistencies. Also, if this product was discontinued, there may have been a reason—room for improvement, perhaps.

Experts share their advice on which menopause products best tackle the very worst symptoms — as well as which products don’t do the trick.

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Conclusion – Does Natrol Menopause Work?

Natrol Menopause appears to be a decent quality supplement. It contains a lot of great ingredients, known for their phytoestrogen content, ability to increase progesterone or act as an aphrodisiac.

However, it does seem like Natrol may have been trying to do too much at once when making this product. There are way too many ingredients—which may be why the company has chosen to revamp the formula—splitting into two parts.

Sure, we saw plenty of good reviews, but we also came across some people who felt Natrol Menopause just wasn’t that great at tackling menopause problems. Some users still dealt with hot flashes, fatigue and other symptoms.

Finally, the fact that this product is no longer available from any legitimate sources means we just can’t recommend Natrol Menopause to anyone seriously trying to tackle menopause symptoms. There are plenty of great products out there with similar ingredient profiles, that there is no reason to seek out a discontinued item.

We’ve seen so many menopause products, and as a result, have found that Femmetrinol is the top performer amongst many standouts. The formula is made from a blend of herbs that safely bring balance and relief to users suffering from low energy, hot flashes, sweating and more.

Femmetrinol features a handful of herbal ingredients—black cohosh, chasteberry, wild yam and more—all tested for quality and potency. Click here to read more about getting started with Femmetrinol.

from Easy Weight Loss 101 http://ift.tt/2t9F54S via The Best Weight Loss Diet In The World

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New Post has been published on Blogging kits

New Post has been published on https://bloggingkits.org/the-way-to-abandon-android-and-transfer-to-ios/

The way to Abandon Android and Transfer to iOS

Maybe you like the curves of the iPhone 7, Perhaps you just don’t consider Google along with your statistics any extra, or Maybe someone just gave you an iPhone as a birthday gift. Whatever the purpose, here’s The way to get your whole virtual life from Android to iOS with as little head-scratching as possible.

For simplicity’s sake, we’ll expect you’re installation on Android with your records plugged into Google’s offerings (Gmail, Google Calendar and so on). In case you’re using some thing else, like a Microsoft or Yahoo electronic mail deal with, the technique might be comparable, and often just involves installing the relevant Android-analogous app to your new iPhone.

You can automate a whole lot of what we’re approximate to talk approximately with Apple’s reputable Flow to iOS app for Android: it handles email, calendars, contacts, photographs, films (excited about the tool), and even textual content message history.

Loading There are a couple of caveats to doingn’t forget. One, you want to be putting in your iPhone from scratch, so it desires to be trendy or freshly reset, and two, it doesn’t come up with all that a whole lot manage over the manner everything gets switched. It additionally misses out a number of the files and statistics we’re going to cover below, and as you’ll observe in reviews of the app, it is able to be hit and leave out on simply transferring texts.

The Battle Of The Operating Structures, Android Vs iOS: Android is Google’s powered software while iOS is Apple’s powered software. IOS software program can only be in Apple devices while Android is being used in numerous devices by means of exceptional organizations like Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo, etc. IOS software program is stated to be greater consumer-friendly in comparison to Android because of its precise designs and uniform factors.

Each Running Systems convey products to existence. Android was created via Google, and iOS turned into evolved with the aid of Apple. While you’re in a competitive market, you have to be unique, but which is excellent for you? To find out, don’t forget these three critical classes.

Customization Android offers almost limitless access and lets in settings to be adjusted to preference. Apps, lock monitors and shortcuts have unlimited options. IOS isn’t nearly as bendy. Even as because of this a product Running with iOS is much less probable to have its settings broken with the aid of the person, it also means which you have much less freedom to do what you want with it. Android beats iOS in relation to customization.

Usability For iOS customers, being constrained manner, it is difficult to mess up. Android’s freedom comes with complexity. IOS comes uniform throughout all in their products. I can experience confident giving my 71-year-antique grandmother an iPad, and she might likely now not struggle with it. Android works first-rate for folks who are a little more tech savvy, and for folks who want something a bit greater precise. In case you want a person-pleasant interface, then Apple may be the proper preference.

Safety Every other essential determining factor is protection. Due to the fact iOS is uniform throughout all merchandise, this indicates it is lots less complicated to replace the devices and fasten Security patches. Android is used across many ones of a kind product and businesses, meaning that Security patches are slower and often require similarly patching and adjusting, leaving the consumer inclined.

So that’s better? Whilst Android can boast that they’re excellent at customizability and compatibility, iOS can claim higher user interface and Security. do not forget your wishes to determine which type of product high-quality suits your needs and your life-style.

Android As opposed to Anyone Else This weekend, I visited a pal who has now changed his Blackberry Playbook with Android HTC Sense pill. I took the pleasure to mess around with the device, and with an open thoughts. I’ve to mention that I used to be literally blown away by how complete HTC Experience (Android 4.0) felt. It’s far simply amazing. As I browsed via the alternatives, one factor dawned on me, which is – It’s miles simplest a count number a be counted of time earlier than we start seeing Android on Computer Desktops. Such was the natural experience.

The important thing question is; how are other tablet Running Structures (OS) going to compete with Google Android? Honestly, I assume it will be difficult. Specially for Blackberry maker RIM. As RIM maintains begging for more time to launch a reputable completed Operating system for Each their cellphone and tablet gadgets, it seems Android is moving at light speed in viral mode. Even as this article is primarily based on tablet marketplace, I can be the usage of cellphone and pill interchangeably because of the fact that the drift directly into one another.

Android vs Blackberry

This is a no context. As lots as I cherished Blackberry devices, they may be now out of touch with present day demands. As I said earlier, RIM is pushing the subsequent predominant revamp on their smartphones to Q2. That actually would not formidable well for a organization that is already suffering. RIM’s commercial enterprise version is the primary killer. The truth that they manipulate the fully eco-machine of hardware and software program has ended in expectation overload. while, Google can honestly consciousness on getting Android ready Even as manufacturers training session how first-rate to provide it on their hardware. Let’s greater on speedy to the real challengers… IOS and Windows eight tablet.

Android vs iOS

These days, Apple’s iPad which runs iOS is the largest opposition for Google’s Android. IOS became the benchmark when it changed into launched however is going through intense opposition from Android in phrases of uncooked feature capacity and customization. To in addition make matters complex for Apple, they appear to be taking walks along the identical route as RIM’s antique business model of tightly controlling Each the hardware and software program. I do not assume that this could keep up properly within the warm tablet market. It’d be very tough for Apple to be as progressive as Google in that department and history confirms this if we observe the impact Android has had inside the phone space. To in addition quantify the factor that I am seeking to make, Apple dropped from sixty five% to 54% among September and December of 2011. Fundamental beneficiary being Samsung that rose from five% to thirteen% throughout the identical duration.

Android offers so much in phrases of customization of device and flexible eco-system for consumer interaction and that makes Apple’s iPad much less attractive choice. While Apple tries to entrap clients in its eco-gadget, Google’s Android liberates them from being tied into one. This become obvious while my friend’s brother who bought an iPad2 Due to the fact he believed that it became the best he may want to seamlessly use his other iOS related files, became given HTC Experience to play with. His reaction? He changed into left in entire awe. I suppose that his response is indicative of what we’re going to start seeing this year. If Apple fails to completely revamp iOS on iPad3, that is due later this 12 months, I are expecting that could come to be the beginning of the stop of the strong marketplace share that Apple presently enjoys. Fee margin is now additionally coming below excessive pressure.

Oh yeah, to clearly recognize the electricity of innovation based on Android, then test out the video under of Asus Transformer Top. It was made last year and in addition suggests why Apple’s commercial enterprise model on their hardware will no longer preserve up in the innovation branch in opposition to Android-based gadgets. There are surely manner too a lot of them that it makes it an unfair Warfare.

Asus Transformer High going for walks Android 3.zero

Android vs Home windows eight pill

So, onto Home windows eight tablet. Given lack of media interest on Home windows pills whilst as compared to iPad and Android based totally opposite numbers, It is ironic that this Windows eight primarily based drugs would subsequently grow to be the best pill that would be capable of compete with Android. My motive for this prediction is that, unlike Apple, Microsoft’s commercial enterprise model in the pill space is very much like Google’s. They make the Operating machine and depart hardware producer to visit battle with it. The interprets to increasingly more options for purchasers. also, what might certainly electricity Home windows 8 pill is the fact that it runs a whole Home windows Computing device Operating device. Consider that at the Asus Transformer Top inside the video above… It might be extremely good! Quad Center thin pill it truly is thinner than iPad2 and runs complete Home windows eight with metro UI results. Considering it surely blows my mind.

[gbhw1hec]

New Post has been published on Get BlackHat World

New Post has been published on http://www.getblackhatworld.com/get-easy-pd-profits-download/

[GET] Easy PD Profits DOWNLOAD

[GET] Easy PD Profits DOWNLOAD

 The Secret To Reaching Eager  Buyers Fast, In ANY Niche…    All With 100% FREE and LEGAL Content! 

And Add New 3 to 4-Figure Income Streams Every Time – With Just A Few Mouse Clicks…

Hi there, it’s Amy Harrop!

And by now, I’m sure that you’ve heard more than enough success stories from people who are absolutely crushing it with online publishing… 

And come on, it’s gotta be pretty annoying by now!

The fact is that people with literally ZERO talent or special skills are making money online, and you’re not.

And if you’re wondering why that is…

What it is that they have that you don’t…

It’s really quite simple… 

They know what people are looking for,

and are giving them what they want!

It’s not rocket science, and anyone can do the same thing! Now, what if I told you that you can create content and products that people want to buy?

And better yet… what if I told you that you can easily create five new revenue streams each time, using nothing more than free content… 

 And what if I told you that you can find free content in as little  as FIVE minutes?

That’s right, I can show you exactly how to leverage free content to create profitable new income streams, and in less time than it takes for you to check your email! By simply leveraging the hard work and expertise of other people, legally and ethically, without the need to create any original or new content, you can make profit! Only a handful of people (including myself) have come to realize the true potential of this perpetual goldmine, and have been profiting from it to the tune of thousands of dollars, year after year!

Grow your business, almost overnight!

Establish solid new authority in any niche!

Build an audience of passionate, hungry and loyal subscribers, fans and buyers… FREE!

A Simple, Proven Concept…

Finally, A Way To Start Profiting Online That Anyone Can Do, Regardless Of Skills, Knowledge Or Budget!

Forget what you think you know…

You CAN easily publish profitable books and digital products without it taking weeks or months of painstaking work, and tons of risk!  

You will garner more fans, subscribers and yes…BUYERS with this easy and proven strategy…

and in less time you can ever imagine! 

This Works!

“Amy has done it again; she’s created a complete training that will have you making money in no time! PD profits provides a comprehensive overview of five different income streams that you can use individually or collectively to start a lucrative online career with no to little upfront costs. The PD dashboard is in itself worth the price of the course; Amy has done the legwork for you and curated what seems to be nearly all of the PD website addresses that you will ever need. I’m excited to see where this training will take my business and I highly recommend it for those who want to see theirs grow too.”

Natalie McNee

“Easy PD Profits is a guide on five ways to make money with public domain, and a software dashboard of public domain resources. What this product has done is taken the hard work out of accessing everything in the public domain. The software is excellent. It is a compilation of all the links that host public domain items; books, videos, audio, articles, images and so on. Coupled with the information supplied by Amy, which not only shows you how to use the software, it also shows you how to utilise what you can do with it. Five ways to be exact and it is easy, simple ways. Once set you can easily make a passive income from it.

I recommend this product to you. It has inspired me, and I hope it inspires you.”

Lynnette Cochrane www.LynnetteCochrane.com

 This Strategy Is Easy To Do When You Know How To Leverage A Secret, Proven Goldmine…

Public Domain

What is “Public Domain” content, and how can you profit from it?  

Public domain content is just that, public content. 

It’s literally countless millions of pages of content that carry no exclusivity or copyright protection.   You can use, source, and even edit/revamp public domain content any way you want.

 According to a study from the US Copyright office, approximately 85% of all bookspublished between 1923-1963 did not renew their copyright.(source: “The Public Domain” by Stephen Fishman, Esq), this means they are in the public domain. 

And on top of that, there is brand new public domain content is being added daily!

 And Public Domain Isn’t Just About Books, There’s A Wide Variety Of PD Content, Including:

Articles

Images, photographs and illustrations

Audio recordings

Video recordings

Film

And much more!

And remember, there is new public domain content being added each and every day!

 The Possibilities Are In A Word… UNLIMITED. 

You can use public domain content “as-is,” or you can add more value to it. Creating a new derivative published work that you now own and can copyright!  

You can even take content from one format, and simply convert it to another. For example, take a public domain book, convert it to audio or video… or multiple media!  

Like I said, the possibilities are endless. There is simply no limit to the ways that you can profitably leverage public domain content to profit!  

Here are a few examples of how some clever publishers have successfully monetized free public domain content:

Here’s a book based solely on the public domain edition of Think and Grow Rich…and it’s a massive bestseller!

Here’s a top-selling Etsy store that only sells prints of old, public domain books.

They have made over 31k sales and counting!

Here’s a website that showcases a wide variety of public domain based content – they get over 2 million unique visitors a month!

You Can Profit The Same Way With Public Domain Content, And I Will Show You How!

Introducing…  Easy PD Profits: 5 Public Domain Blueprints 

With Easy PD Profits you’ll discover:

How to quickly setup 5 easy income streams…with 100% free content!

How to utilize Public Domain content properly to create your own copyrighted content!

How to use free software to find public domain images fast!

Real-life examples, case studies and strategies!

3 easy ways to publish Public Domain content

How to create popular tutorial and how-to-content for trending topics

How to easily update and freshen-up old content!

Easy, proven ways to sell your content on multiple marketplaces…

Quick and brain-dead simple publishing methods that ANYONE can do!

How to find unlimited public domain content with my exclusive domain dashboard software included – quickly and easily!

And a whole lot more!

Easy PD Profits shows you an easy, virtually risk-free way to profit from quality FREE content that people want – and QUICKLY!

It’s a fact: you can ‘legally steal’ from a treasure trove that consists of millions of pieces of content, that grows daily!

Books

Articles

Multimedia

Images

Artwork

And much more!

I’ll bet you’re thinking right about now…

Why Would Anyone Buy “Free Content”?

The answer is simple:  

People want easy access to relevant, entertaining and targeted content that’s available when they want it, and they’ll pay to get it.  

Publishers, product creators, and marketers successfully sell content that based on public domain material, in whole or part, every single day!  

They succeed because there’s a market demand for what they’re selling!

Testimonials For Easy PD Profits

“LOVE this product. The EZ- PD Profits Guide was not only very inspiring but also had very specific practical information that was helpful. All of this is in a lively conversation- like tone that makes you feel like you are getting inside advice from a great friend who really wants you to be successful. There are even 2 extra downloads with additional information. When you are all motivated with a plan of action, the PD Software is an extra level of help in actually sending you to some great links organized by categories. This gave me new ways to do what I am already doing and some great motivation to expand.”

Sonja S Author of Pray & Color series Adult Devotional Coloring Journals www.singasonja.com

“This is an invaluable tool and training resource for anyone who would like to make money using free public domain content. The manual sets out so many options it made my head spin. It is organized into five “blueprints”, any of which could become the basis for a highly profitable business on its own. The accompanying software can be used for finding all types of PD content, from photos to articles, drawings to multimedia. It’s dead easy to use and works online, so you can link instantly to the resources it reveals. And even better, Amy promises to update it regularly incorporating user suggestions, so it will constantly grow in value. This is another top-notch product from Amy that I can see I shall be returning to time and time again.“

Nick Daws www.EntrepreneurWriter.net

Get The Easy PD Profits Training And Software Plus The Killer Bonus Package  (Detailed Below)…

For A Highly-Discounted Introductory Price Of Only…

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Let Me Show You To Build Five Powerful Revenue Streams That Tap Into Ready And Eager Buyers!

What can FIVE new revenue streams do for YOUR business? 

You can literally rinse and repeat in a wide variety of popular niches and sub-niches – over and over again! 

If you’re not excited about the possibilities yet, check your pulse! 🙂

Get This No-Nonsense, Step-By-Step Blueprint, And You Can Find Yourself On The Fast-Track To Profits… Starting Today!

Here’s what you get:

In-depth 70+ page PDF that covers step-by-step training for five easy income streams.

Supplemental training that shows you how to dominate multiple marketplaces.

Step-by-step tutorials for fast publishing, marketing, and promotion.

My exclusive Public Domain Dashboard  Windows Software (Mac compatible with Parallels or Wine- instructions included) which makes finding public domain content in virtually ANY niche a breeze – with lifetime updates!

Watch the quick demo here!

People Are Loving This Software

“This week I used your training material and Public Domain Software. What a world of difference. I can easily make dozens of coloring packages in record time with the images I quickly found. Gone is the fear of getting sued for illegally using an image.The training is so orderly and complete. It was like you personally anticipated all of my concerns and questions and then provided the answer to them. I did not expect such comprehensive teaching in the guide. You really went above expectations with all the tips and bonus training you included.

My computer is full of newly downloaded images. My head is full of fresh ideas. I am now equipped with the knowledge and resources to go ahead and be creative and have fun with my projects. I have went from frustration to mastery in a short time.”

Nancy Norris

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Setting Up an Etsy Store

Etsy makes it easy for artists and others to sell physical goods, and Public Domain content is a perfect starting place. This guide will help you get your virtual store up and running quickly.

How to Get Started and Profit with Shopify

Shopify has all of the features that you’ll need to create a successful online store. This guide will show you how you can get started and profit with Shopify.com.

As With All Of My Trainings,  There Is No Fluff, No Theory, No BS!

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Learn The Proven Secrets That Only A Handful Of Successful Marketers And Publishers Know… …So You Can Leap Miles Ahead Of The Competition!

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Check Out Easy PD Profits With Absolutely NO Risk!

That’s right, you can test drive this product for a full seven (7) days!  

If you’re not happy or just decide that it’s not for you for any reason whatsoever… no problem!   Just submit a support ticket and get a full 100% refund – with NO questions asked!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What is “public domain” content exactly ? Public domain content is any published work or material that is no longer protected by copyright. These include images, books, articles, audio recordings, magazines, movies and more. And because they’re no longer copyrighted, you can tap into this content to profit, legally and ethically. 

And don’t forget… new public domain content is created daily!   

What kind of content is available in the public domain? We’re talking about a huge variety of niches, including:

– Self-help/self-improvement – Health/fitness – Hobbies – Arts – Fiction – How-to – Wealth – Business/finance – And many more! 

The fact is, there are countless pages of content and other types of material that can be effectively utilized. It’s quite literally… a goldmine! 

What is the public domain dashboard software you include?   This is my exclusive Windows software app (or Mac using Parallels or Wine. Training on how to setup the app with Wine is included- but it is an extra setup.) that instantly connects you with hundreds of sources and curated and categorized public domain sites. You can access any of these with just a few mouse clicks. The software will be updated regularly to connect you with new sources, and you can even submit new sources for updates!

Note: Although this is desktop software, you will need an internet connection to fully utilize it! 

Note #2: If you can’t run the software on your computer for any reason, you have the option to download the sources via a spreadsheet download via the member’s area. Check out the demo video further up this page!

Get This Value-Packed Training And Software, Plus The Bonus Package For Only…

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Don’t Forget About The Exclusive Bonuses!  They Will Help You Build Your Public Domain Empire Even Faster!

I’ve already done most of the work for you…

Just follow the easy steps and profit big time!

Make no mistake. This complete package (including software!) is easily worth $97 or more! Act NOW, and you’ll get this value-packed training for the ridiculously low price of only… $27

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[markyishanthonymartinez]

1/19/17

i don't think i need to intro these (as a type an intro), but i’m gonna start jotting down thoughts, feelings, activities, you name it, that i feel each day. these aren’t essays. think of this as a diary, (or journal for those men less comfortable with their sexuality). leggo.

i woke up with the same nerves i’ve had for weeks.

oh shit wait um probably not going to use names in these, just to be safe. we’ll do high school code for girls to name everyone. will be obvious enough, but just cryptic enough as well.

anyways

i woke up nervous, well rested (actually ridiculously well rested i slept like a baby prince (assuming baby princes get to indulge in being royalty but not actually having governmental duties)) but yeah nervous. i sent some risqué snapchats last night and you just never know how they’ll be received. but tbh i’ll probably send my wife a nude and be nervous she won't like it lmao. so like it’s mainly just the matter of sending or saying or doing risqué that leads to nervousness, but i guess that’s a major part of sex appeal in general. like there’s just something extra hot of doing something you definitely want to do, but would never talk about or tell others about and stuff. i got so far off topic. but yeah just imagine me checking my phone every 5 seconds to see if they had been opened. cause idk, we all like to get favorable reviews lol. funny i say that cause idrk what the reviews were lol. rip me. oh and then my sister came into my room and threw a package on my face and i got so excited cause packages are always so great. it was from american apparel. they got bought out. rip. i bought two pairs of underwear and a baseball tee. except kinda bummed cause i got a white/pink baseball tee and i thought the pink would be a bit more pastel, but it’s pretty bright and idk if i can pull that off, but we’ll see i guess. also, speaking of underwear and risqué photos, would girls enjoy receiving a picture of a guys butt? like i promise i’m not hank hill, if anything my butt is one of my most complimented features. (i’ve learned to appreciate it now, but it used to make me feel so awkward when girls would compliment it). anyways is that something girls are into???? or is that just weird? or like how do you pose? or like do you wear underwear? lmao WHAT HAS THIS BLOG BECOME I’M SO SORRY I’M JUST TOSSING OUT WHATEVER POPS INTO MY HEAD. but yeah idk i feel like there has to be a sense of tastefulness with this kind of stuff and idk if this falls into the tasteful area. this is the kind of stuff that keeps me up at night.

wait also i just realized this blog is making it sound like i just send dick pics to every girl in my snapchat list and i’m some seasoned veteran. 1. that is the most disgusting thing ever and pretty much rape 2. i’m not disgusting or a rapist 3. this is quite literally the second person i’ve ever sent anything risqué to. 

continuing

i get up and ready for the day and eat breakfast and hygiene and normal morning stuff. ya’know. i edit for a bit which is normal for my mornings. i got adventurous and sang for a while. i’ve been singing along to state champs’ “the acoustic things” record quite a bit recently. derek’s vocals are a challenge, but with proper breathing and posture and technique i can just about hang around. and i really like that record. and it’s fun. so yeah, been hella jammin’. i then revamped and updated my résumé cause that’s just something you should do decently often and i hadn’t recently and like internship search is full speed ahead starting asap, but more on that later. mj got home from school, he’s had half days cause finals. wait they don't call them finals. semester exams? yeah. that’s it. but yeah i know why he’s home, but i still make sure to ask him why he’s home so early every day just to be annoying and stuff. he fed my fish (he always does). we all ate lunch together and watched the barcelona vs real sociedad game. barça won 1-0. neymar drew a penalty. it was pretty ugly defending. v typical barça cup-game win. mj and i watched youtube for a while and then we played fifa together. i’m so glad he has an xbox now. i’ve dearly missed playing with him and this lets us have that much more communication and quality time while i’m away, doing something we enjoy. i was kinda trash today lol, oh but i did have a hat trick and a perfect 10 rating in one game, but other than that i was in struggle town. then i got off, it’s always funny saying bye to joey on xbox cause like it’s not actually bye cause he’s right down the hall. 

(hold on telling elmo to shhhhhhh)

back. he isn't shhhhhhh-ing (i had to make sure that had the right amount of h’s). oh but yeah then i hung out listening to music that i should stop being lazy about and review. and then i started grinding on internship applications. i hate applications. i hate the fact that anyone would ever be able to develop an opinion about me without seeing my face and speaking to me in person. despite all my swagginess, i’ve quite literally always felt underestimated my entire life so it sucks even more in these situations. but yeah nevertheless most of them are really just sending them your résumé and crossing your fingers, but having a cute-ass résumé and a dank email will hopefully be my ticket in. i did threeeeee, i think 3? one being pa’s current workplace so hopefully i can get the in. the other one is like looking for an intern to help with the process of them moving their facility so that’s kinda depressing cause like oh yeah come help us move away from reno so you can't work for us anymore. they're moving to georgia like nah sry fam. but i mean i’d take it if it’s all i could get, most certainly. and the final being (gulps) tesla. *shivers* tesla’s like life goals. not just for internships, but like that would hopefully give me some sort of pathway to actually getting hired by them after college and i think you could kill me at that point cause i’d have a fulfilled life. am kidding. but really, that’s pretty much career goals. i don't really expect it, cause idk i’m not that special, but gotta shoot my shot. apjofijelkahg now i’m thinking how perfect my life would be if i could work for tesla. i’ve been heart eyes about that entire company since high school when i first heard about the roadster. uggggh. wow what is wrong with me. quite literally the first thing that pops into my mind after thinking about graduating and career and making money and cool stuff is getting married to a total babe that lets me send her pictures of my butt and having little baby marks running around. is that bad? jk there’s nothing wrong with me. that’s (fingers crossed) v realistic and like idk, life comes at you fast. people generally like having the whole relationship part of it set up around their mid twenties in order to start havin’ lil babies not too long after that. 

oh god i got so off topic and this has taken so long. so pretty much i did internship searching and applying and then decided to take a break, during which i finally convinced myself to start this journal/blog/diary thing. this was an absolute train wreck of a post but it felt really good to just unwind, take a seat and write everything that popped into my mind today. hopefully i’ll keep doing this. 

final thoughts: i’ve recently realized how much i like peter pan. like obviously the movie, but the characters and the storylines and a lot of the vibes are things i can totally relate to, even more so now then when i was a kid. maybe i’ll watch it again tomorrow. what else is a lost boy to do? not grow up, that’s for sure.

always do fun things. and stay beautiful

- mark anthony martinez