#pharmacy buyer

[murderousink23]

10/25/2024 is World Pasta Day 🍝🌎, International Artist Day 🎨🌎, Sovereignty Day 🇸🇮, Vote Early Day 🇺🇸, Chucky, The Notorious Killer Doll Day 🇺🇸, National Greasy Food Day 🇺🇸, Sourest Day 🇺🇸, National Breadstick Day 🇺🇸, National Frankenstein Friday 🇺🇸, National Pharmacy Buyer Day 🇺🇸, National Pumpkin Day 🎃 🇬🇧

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive

by Hannah Buttle

Editor’s note: This article contains a brief mention of suicidal ideation.

Key points you should know:

There are currently no approved treatments for Long COVID and progress on clinical trials has been slow. Some medications can improve people’s quality of life, but they may not work for everyone.

With few choices, rejected disability claims, financial instability, and little support, some people with the disease have turned to online pharmacies, often based in India, to source potential medications.

Popular choices include medications used to treat conditions like HIV, hepatitis C, and acute COVID-19. Some of these drugs are being tested in upcoming clinical trials for Long COVID.

Buying medications online from unknown sellers can be risky; buyers might not receive the correct medication or even receive something harmful.

However, many people with Long COVID feel their quality of life has declined so severely that these risks are worth taking. With no approved treatments, lack of support, and stigma against the disease, many people with Long COVID are using overseas pharmacies to source medications. Some of these treatments are widely used for other conditions, such as HIV and hepatitis C, but are not approved for use in Long COVID.

“I was in such a desperate situation,” said Rafael, who lives in the U.K. and developed Long COVID in 2021. “I was bedbound, and I was within months of losing my job, which would then mean losing my home. So I didn’t have much to lose.”

Rafael bought several months’ worth of Maraviroc, an HIV drug, from a seller in India via WhatsApp. Soon after taking the Maraviroc, Rafael had a significant improvement in symptoms, although he was taking other medications at the same time.

“If I wasn’t so debilitated by Long COVID, I probably wouldn’t have taken the risk,” Rafael said.

The Sick Times spoke to several people with Long COVID who had used online pharmacies to import medications from abroad. Because importing medication can be illegal in certain circumstances, many sources interviewed for this article asked to be identified by their first name only or by a pseudonym.

Popular choices for people with Long COVID included the acute COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid, the HIV drugs Maraviroc and Truvada, and the hepatitis C drug Sofosbuvir. Maraviroc and Truvada are currently being evaluated in an upcoming clinical trial at the Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness, but results are not expected until at least early 2026.

Some people with Long COVID find some relief with off-label medications like low-dose naltrexone, but many told The Sick Times their doctors won’t prescribe these treatments. Even when doctors are willing to consider off-label treatments, health insurance often will not cover them.

Few treatments in sight The slow progress on clinical trials for Long COVID has been a source of frustration for both researchers and patients. The pharmaceutical industry has expressed little interest in finding treatments for the disease. Studies through the RECOVER initiative, launched by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), have primarily focused on observational approaches, such as asking people with Long COVID to track their symptoms, though the initiative is now planning new trials.

An analysis by The Sick Times found that fewer than a quarter of clinical trials for Long COVID are drug interventions, as of November 2024.

(interactive graph here)

Even when clinical trials take place, there is no guarantee of a “one-size-fits-all” treatment for Long COVID, said Ondine Sherwood, CEO of Long COVID SOS, a charity in the U.K. representing people with the disease. Currently, the available drugs may help only with specific symptoms or may work only for certain subsets of people with Long COVID.

Given the severity of symptoms and widespread government abandonment, it is unsurprising that some people with Long COVID have taken risks to seek relief from their symptoms since the beginning of the pandemic. Past unapproved treatments have included HELP apheresis, an expensive procedure that removes blood from a vein, filters the blood, and returns the filtered blood to the body. Many have also tried triple anticoagulant therapy, in which patients take aspirin, clopidogrel, and a blood thinner like Apixaban to break down small blood clots, called microclots. There is a high bleeding risk associated with triple anticoagulant therapy.

For many people with Long COVID, however, anything that offers a chance of improvement may seem worthwhile. Survey data suggest that the quality of life of someone with Long COVID can be worse than that of someone with stage four cancer. People with Long COVID may also be at a higher risk for suicidal ideation.

Financial insecurity can also drive people with Long COVID to consider experimental treatments, as many are out of work, behind on housing payments, and facing other financial challenges.

Some doctors may be willing to prescribe medications off-label for Long COVID and related conditions, like dysautonomia and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). Commonly prescribed drugs include beta-blockers, which lower heart rate, for dysautonomia, or H1 and H2 antihistamines for MCAS.

Dysautonomia drugs can lead to “massive improvement” for some, said Dr. Asad Khan, who worked as a respiratory doctor in the U.K. before developing Long COVID. For example, a beta blocker could bring down a patient’s heart rate while posing a limited risk, he said.

But some off-label treatments could carry higher risks, especially without a doctor’s oversight, said Khan: “You've got people taking anticoagulants and various other drugs that can affect the kidney, and the liver, and can have effects on the nervous system, and nobody's monitoring. The problems could be quite serious, and it could even be fatal.”

However, doing nothing for a patient can also put them in danger, said Khan. For instance, some research indicates that COVID-19 can lead to a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes for years after the infection.

People with Long COVID echoed these concerns. “I worry that, the longer we wait, the higher the destruction in our bodies,” said Lena, from Germany, who has had the disease since 2021.

After a difficult few months of symptoms, Lena decided to buy a generic form of Truvada, an HIV medication, through an online pharmacy. While she was scared, “pure despair” led her to try the medication, she said.

“I was having suicidal ideation,” she said. “If you have to weigh up how I was feeling versus taking an unknown pill, there’s no contest.” Many people with Long COVID who spoke to The Sick Times felt that buying medication online was their only choice.

How online pharmacies work Without a doctor to recommend the correct drug and dosage, many people with Long COVID receive advice from online social media groups. Users share tips on which drugs had worked for them, how to slowly increase the dosage of medications, and which side effects to expect.

Most of those interviewed by The Sick Times reported purchasing drugs without a prescription, either from national online pharmacies or from India via services like IndiaMart, an online marketplace. India is the world's largest exporter of generic pharmaceuticals.

“For me, what helped was a combination of ten days of Paxlovid and Sofosbuvir,” an antiviral drug for hepatitis C, said Tiff, from the U.S., who developed Long COVID in 2020. Tiff had read online about other people finding relief from the disease with these medications. She asked a friend to bring them back from India and had a significant decline in symptoms.

“I felt like I did pre-2020,” she said. “I had energy. I felt wonderful. No [Post-exertional malaise (PEM)] crash, no brain fog, no symptoms, nothing.” Tiff was later reinfected with SARS-C0V-2, and her Long COVID symptoms returned. She once again bought Sofosbuvir and Paxlovid from a seller in India and saw an improvement.

Lower prices offer another incentive to buy medications from abroad. Take Paxlovid, which can cost as much as $1,400 for a five-day course in the U.S., while a generic version from India costs just $103.

Sofia lives in Austria and has Long COVID. “In Austria, it would cost €40,000 for four months of Sofosbuvir,” she said, which “would be unaffordable.”

An anonymous Twitter/X user offered to help Sofia. She sent him €200, and he bought the medication in India and took it back to Europe. Since taking the Sofosbuvir, Sofia said she went from 40% to 60% of her previous level of functioning.

Risks and regulations Generic medications in the U.S., U.K., and Europe are commonly exported from India. But those exported through official channels are often subject to stricter regulatory standards than the medications available to locals. For those who have bought medications online from abroad, confirming the medications are safe can be difficult.

“We don’t have a functional regulatory system in India,” said Dinesh Thakur, a drug-safety advocate and former pharmaceutical executive. Online markets like IndiaMart have no safety guarantee.

“In the best-case scenario, the product may not contain enough of the active ingredient,” he said. “In the worst-case scenario, an injectable may contain endotoxins [harmful substances released by bacteria].”

If buyers from outside India have a bad experience, it would be difficult to hold a foreign company to account, Thakur added.

Nonetheless, many who spoke to The Sick Times felt that, despite the risks involved, they had to try something to relieve their symptoms.

“The symptoms grind you down so much, the risk calculus changes,” said Chris, from the UK, who has had Long COVID since 2020. “There is no help coming, nothing on the horizon.”

The World Health Organization has a checklist for gauging the safety of medicines purchased online. Tips include looking out for unusual activity on your credit card, checking security seals, and ensuring the batch number and expiry date on the package match throughout.

People with Long COVID may also be able to access off-label medications from more reliable sources. For instance, some online clinics may prescribe medications after a consultation. RTHM, a U.S.-based online clinic, offers a prescribing service for certain off-label medications for Long COVID, including low-dose naltrexone, beta-blockers for dysautonomia, and ketotifen for MCAS. In the U.K., those with a confirmed diagnosis of Long COVID or ME can buy low-dose naltrexone through Dicksons Chemist.

Another option for a small number of those with Long COVID is to join a clinical trial — though depending on the trial’s setup, some participants may receive a placebo instead of a drug.

Without the oversight of a pharmacist, taking a DIY approach to medications could also lead to dangerous medication interactions, even when the drugs are high quality. Paxlovid, for example, interacts with many drugs people take for Long COVID. These include ivabradine, some statins, and HIV medications. The University of Liverpool offers a COVID-19 drug interactions checker, which could help those using drugs like Paxlovid.

Regular blood tests could also help monitor for side effects. Truvada and Maraviroc can increase liver enzymes, and patients who take these medications for HIV prevention and HIV are advised to monitor liver enzymes regularly. Rafael, who bought Maraviroc, said he received monthly liver checks while taking the drug. These tests, which individuals can do privately without a GP referral, cost around £50 ($60) in the U.K.

Even if medications are safe, they are not guaranteed to work. People with Long COVID risk spending hundreds to thousands of dollars without success. New drugs could also lead to worse symptoms and significantly worsen a person’s health baseline.

Chris tried several medications, including Maraviroc and blood thinners, but has seen few improvements in symptoms. “You end up becoming your own guinea pig because nothing else is happening,” he said.

“It’s easy to depict people as reckless and not understanding the risks. But that’s not the case at all. Everyone understands the risks —they’re doing it because they’ve got no choice.”

[allthecanadianpolitics]

B.C. has ordered that flavoured nicotine pouches be moved behind pharmacy counters instead of being sold openly in an effort to prevent youth from becoming addicted. The order, signed by Health Minister Adrian Dix, means buyers of the pouches will have to consult a pharmacist first. "By limiting access to these products and ensuring they are dispensed by trained health-care professionals, our goal is to prevent their misuse, especially among young people for recreational purposes," said Dix. Premier David Eby says the province is doing what it can to prevent children from coming into contact with the "hazardous" and "addictive" product while Health Canada works to address rules that allow the pouches to be sold in convenience stores and gas stations.

Continue Reading

Tagging @politicsofcanada

[thatfanfictionchick]

This is intended to be...archival, for myself, mostly. But if you find it interesting you should definitely check out Ikemen Villains!

Ikevil Event - Wrapped in Wicked Romance pt.2

Ellis's Route Ch. 2

·✦...·✧

Ellis: “The baguettes here are really delicious. I bought some the other day, and when I went home they disappeared in a flash.”

Ellis: “Victor was sulking because he didn’t get to try any.”

Kate: “Haha. I’m looking forward to eating it. What sort of jam should I have… Which do you recommend, Ellis?”

Ellis: “The most popular one here is marmalade, but I like the cranberry jam.”

Ellis: “But I want you to eat what you like.”

Kate: “Oh, I’d love them both!”

Ellis: “Okay, we’ll buy both, then.”

Kate: “H-huh?”

Ellis bought baguettes, jams, honey, ham, pickles, and more.

(He keeps taking me to all kinds of shops I’ve never been to before…)

(So even just preparing for the picnic is a lot of fun.)

Kate: “Even though I’ve lived in London for so long, I had no idea these places even existed.”

Ellis: “Looking for delicious restaurants is one of my hobbies.”

Kate: “Is it so you can introduce others to them too?”

Ellis: “Why do you think that?”

Kate: “I don’t know, just watching how you interact with other people in town.”

I was nervous about being seen in the wheelchair, but the people in town were surprisingly kind.

I had a feeling it was because I was with Ellis. He was kind to everyone, and they all seemed to know him.

Mechanic: “Are you still making things like that, Ellis? If you’ve got some free time, you should come help me out in the factory!”

Ellis: “Sure. Jude told me I could have the day off next Tuesday.”

Boutique Employee: “Oh, Ellis! Perfect timing. Could you please hold this for a second?”

Ellis: “Like this? Hey isn’t this the dress Ted brought you the other day? Think it’ll sell?”

Boutique Employee: “Definitely! It’s all because you introduced me to such a talented buyer! Things are going great here.”

Boutique Employee: “Hey, are you still working at that dangerous mobster’s company?”

Ellis: “I made a promise to Jude I have to make good on. I’ll stay there until I fulfill it.”

Fruit Seller: “Oh, are you hurt, young lady?”

Kate: “Ah, yes. I sprained my ankle.”

Fruit Seller: “Ellis is such a good boy, as always. Here, take this apple with you.”

Ellis: “Thank you. Oh, the medicine you said you needed earlier is at Mr. Bates’s pharmacy.”

Fruit Seller: “You remembered that? I’m so happy! Here, take this as a bonus.”

(Ellis is super kind to not only me, but to everyone.)

It’s no wonder everyone in town adores him.

Ellis: “You’re smiling. What is it?”

Kate: “When I looked at you, my heart felt warm for some reason.”

Ellis: “Hmm? I don’t really get it, but that’s cute.”

(...C-cute?)

Ellis: “Well, our basket’s full. Let’s go.”

(Maybe being able to say things so casually like that is the secret to being loved and adored…)

Besides the things we bought, we had a basket full of gifts we got from others in town.

We arrived at a beautiful meadow filled with flowers and unfolded our picnic blanket.

Kate: “Wow, you’re right! This baguette is delicious!”

Ellis: “I’m glad you like it. I recommend putting a bunch of butter on it and eating it like toast.”

Kate: “Let’s save some and take it home. I’d like to do that for tomorrow’s breakfast.”

Ellis: “Hehe. Okay. I’ll peel the apple. Hang on a second.”

Ellis was acting like he was my real boyfriend. It was easy to get caught up in the mood of it all.

And thanks to his kindness, my heart felt much lighter than this morning.

(I never imagined I’d have such a lovely day when I sprained my ankle.)

Kate: “Ahh… I’m so happy.”

Ellis: “Are you? That’s good.”

Ellis: “Hey, Kate.”

Kate: “Hm? What?”

Ellis: “How happy are you right now?”

Kate: “Hmm… Probably the happiest I’ve been in a few months.”

Ellis: “Oh…”

Ellis murmured as he skillfully peeled the apple with his black knife, the blade easily separating the fruit’s skin from its flesh.

Ellis: “I suppose it’s difficult to make people feel the happiest they’ve ever been on a first date.”

Kate: “Oh, is that what you were trying to do?”

Ellis: “Yes. Here’s your apple.”

He held out a slice of the peeled apple, looking at me expectedly.

(Uh, is he trying to feed me? That’s kind of embarrassing…)

But I told myself we were pretending to be a couple after all, so I calmly opened my mouth.

(I can’t believe he went to all this trouble for my first mission. He’s really dedicated.)

(How does he manage to be so concerned with other people’s happiness?)

Ellis: “...Have you ever felt so happy you wished that time would stop?”

Kate: “So happy that time would stop, hm?”

Ellis: “That’s right. You feel like a certain moment is perfect and complete, so much so that you don’t even need the future. Like that moment’s enough.”

Kate: “No, I don’t think so.”

Ellis: “I see. That’s good.”

Kate: “It is?”

Ellis: “Yes, because if you haven’t felt that yet, someday I might be able to make you feel perfect happiness.”

(No one’s ever said something like that to me before.)

(But why is he so serious? Well, if he’s doing this because we’re pretending to be a couple I need to play along.)

Kate: “Well, in that case, I’ll make you the happiest you’ve ever been too.”

Ellis: “You will?”

Kate: “Of course! We’re a couple, right? It’s not fair if only one of us is really happy.”

Kate: “When are you happy, Ellis?”

Ellis: “I…”

Ellis: “...can’t think of anything.”

(He thinks so much about other people’s happiness, but not of his own…)

It seemed strange, yet typical of Ellis. I felt like I got a good glimpse of him today.

Kate: “Well, let’s discover things that make you happy together!”

Ellis: “...Oh.”

Kate: “What?”

Ellis: “When you’re smiling… maybe.”

(I’ll never be able to compete with Ellis when it comes to spoiling your partner.)

I felt myself taking this game of pretend a bit too seriously, and I quickly turned my head away.

Kate: “Please say that to your real girlfriend.”

Ellis: “What do you mean?”

Kate: “Save those sweet words for your real girlfriend, I mean.”

Ellis: “I just said what I thought, that’s all.”

Ellis: “Plus, you looked happy to hear it.”

(...How is he so sweet?)

I felt my face flush as he stared at me.

Ellis: “...Hmm.”

He blinked as if he just thought of something and then gently pushed me down on the blanket.

Kate: “W-wait, Ellis…”

Ellis: “If I were your real boyfriend, would you be happier?”

Kate: “What?”

Ellis: “I want to be your boyfriend. Because I think I can make you happier.”

Ellis: “Be my girlfriend for real, Kate.”

I looked up in shock as he lay on top of me. 

Kate: “Don't tease me like that…”

Ellis: “I'm not.”

(We just met, and this is the first time we've spent any time alone. We can't become a couple just like that.)

(I know we're supposed to be pretending, but this is going too far.)

Kate: “I-I know you're trying all kinds of things to make me happy.”

Kate: “But you should only do these things with someone who you really love.”

Ellis: “But I do love you. So doesn't that make it okay?”

(Is he serious right now?)

Ellis: “I can make you happy.”

Ellis: “That's what I'll live for.”

He spoke as if we'd had some sort of unrequited love that had gone on for years. 

And even though it was clearly a lie, his twilight-colored eyes were tinged with a strange heat, as if he were telling the truth. 

(Something feels strange��)

His arms were placed on either side of my face, creating an illusion that felt like he was trapping me in a cage. 

It felt like if I said yes, I would be trapped there forever. 

Kate: “I-I…”

Kate: “I can't answer until I know more about you.”

Ellis: “...I see. All right, then.”

He slowly sat up and pulled me up as well. 

Ellis: “Then I'll tell you a lot of things until you feel like you know me.”

Kate: “Okay.”

He smiled calmly at me, but…

The disturbing illusion I'd just felt wrapped around my body like ivy.

As we chatted about this and that, the sun set and the wind grew cold. 

Ellis helped me back into the wheelchair and we headed back to the castle. 

(He barely let me walk all day.)

When we entered the dense forest leading to the castle, Ellis suddenly stopped. 

Kate: “Ellis? Is something wrong?”

Ellis: “There might be a bit of trouble. What a shame… It was such a happy day, too.”

Kate: “What?”

Ellis: “If you get scared, just close your eyes. It'll be over soon.”

·✦...·✧

[bitter end] [premium end] [main page]

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Ikemen Villains - Part 2

These translations are not intended as a replacement for the game. Please support Cybird by buying their stories. Spoilers under the cut. Expect mistakes.

Ellis: The baguettes here are delicious. I bought some the other day and ate them all before I knew it.

Ellis: Victor missed out on it and sulked for a while.

Kate: Hehe, I'm looking forward to eating it. Which jam do you recommend?

Ellis: The most popular here is marmalade, but I often buy cranberry.

Ellis: But if you don't want it, you can pick whatever you want.

Kate: Don't worry, I love them both!

Ellis: Then let's buy them both.

Kate: What!?

We bought baguettes, jam, honey, ham, pickles, and many other things.

(He keeps on recommending places to eat.)

(We're still prepping for the picnic, but I'm already having fun.)

Kate: I live here in London, but I have no idea this kind of restaurant exists.

Ellis: Finding good restaurants is my hobby.

Kate: Is it because you want to introduce them to people like this?

Ellis: Why do you think so?

Kate: It's just something I see when I talk to people in town.

People were giving me looks for being in a wheelchair, but they were surprisingly tolerant because they knew Ellis for his kindness.

Mechanic: You're making that stuff again, Ellis. Maybe you can help us at our factory again if you have the time.

Ellis: Sure. Jude said I can take next Tuesday off.

Shop clerk: Ellis! Perfect timing. Can you hold that for a second?

Ellis: Like this? This dress is the one Ted bought last time. Do you think it's going to sell?

Shop clerk: Of course! We're actually doing great after you introduce some great buyers.

Shop clerk: Oh yeah, are you still working for that shady Yakuza company?

Ellis: I'll stay with Jude until I fulfill my promise.

Fruit vendor: Are you hurt, Miss?

Kate: Um, yes. I twisted my ankle a little.

Fruit vendor: You're still a good boy, Ellis. Here, take this apple and go.

Ellis: Thanks. By the way, the meds you said you wanted are available at Bates' pharmacy.

Fruit vendor: You remembered? I'm glad. I'll give you this as a bonus.

(Ellis is so dedicated to everyone, not just to me.)

No wonder the people of the city love him like this.

Ellis: You're smiling. What's wrong?

Kate: Looking at you makes me warm and fuzzy inside.

Ellis: Hm? I don't get it, but you look cute.

(Cute?)

Ellis: We've already got the basket full, so it's time to go.

(Maybe the secret to being loved is being able to say these things easily.)

Carrying the basket full of things we bought and received, we unfolded the sheet as we arrived at the beautiful flower garden.

Kate: Yum! I swear, these baguettes are so good!

Ellis: I'm glad. I recommend toasting it with lots of butter.

Kate: Let's leave some and take it home. I want to do that tomorrow morning.

Ellis: Fufu, okay. I'll peel the apples. Just give me a minute.

I found myself smiling, seeing him act like a true lover. It was thanks to him I felt happy since this morning.

(I never thought I could spend my time so peacefully when I sprained my ankle.)

Kate: Haaa, I'm so happy.

Ellis: Really? I'm glad.

Ellis: Hey, Kate.

Kate: Hmm, what is it?

Ellis: How happy are you right now?

Kate: Hm, let's see. This may be the happiest I've been in months.

Ellis: I see.

He whispered as he dexterously peeled the apples with a black-bladed knife.

Ellis: I guess it's hard to make someone feel like they're the happiest person in their life on the first date.

Kate: Is that what you were going for...?

Ellis: Yeah. Here's your apple.

He offered a neatly peeled and bite-size apple.

(Ugh. Does he want to feed it to me? This is embarrassing.)

With that thought in mind, I meekly opened my mouth to play along.

(He's really dedicated to doing this much for my first job.)

(How can he be so kind to others' happiness?)

Ellis: Have you ever been so happy that you wish time would stop?

Kate: Time would stop?

Ellis: Yes. Feeling that the moment is so perfect that you don’t need the future anymore.

Kate: I don’t think so.

Ellis: I see. I’m glad.

Kate: You’re glad?

Ellis: Because if you haven’t felt it yet, I can make you feel the happiest you’ll ever be someday.

(I’ve never heard anyone say something so sweet before.)

(Wait, why am I getting serious? I’ve got to get in on the act since we’re acting as lovers!)

Kate: Then I’ll make you the happiest guy in the world!

Ellis: Me?

Kate: I’m your lover, so I just can’t let you take all the credit for our happiness.

Kate: What makes you happy?

Ellis: I...

Ellis: I can’t think of any.

(He’s always thinking about other people’s happiness, yet he doesn’t seem to have any attachment to his own.)

The slight difference in his personality was both strange and unique.

Kate: Then let’s find your happy moments together.

Ellis: Ah...

Kate: Hm?

Ellis: Maybe when you’re smiling.

(I’ll never be able to compete with him when it comes to pampering a lover.)

I almost took the act seriously and quickly turned my head away.

Kate: Please tell that to your real lover.

Ellis: What do you mean?

Kate: Saying those sweet things.

Ellis: I was just saying what I thought. Besides, you seem kind of happy.

Kate: “.........”

He peeked in, making me blush.

Ellis: “..........”

Ellis blinked his eyes as if something had hit him and gently pushed me down.

Kate: Whoa...wait...Ellis一

Ellis: If you were my real lover, would you be more honestly happy for me?

Kate: Huh?

Ellis: I wish I could be your lover because I feel like I could make you happier.

Ellis: Be my real lover, Kate.

I looked up at him, stunned, as he loomed over me.

Kate: D-Don’t tease me.

Ellis: I’m not teasing you.

(This is the first time we’ve spent time alone together, and now he’s asking me to be his lover?)

(Even if it’s just a pretend game, it’s a little too much.)

Kate: I know you would do a lot to make me happy, but that's the kind of thing you should say to the person you love.

Ellis: I like you, but still, no?

(Is he serious?)

Ellis: I will make you happy.

Ellis: I will live for that reason.

His words, which sounded like an unrequited love, were obviously a lie.

However, his twilight-colored eyes staring at me had an unusual warmth, as if they were telling the truth.

(Something's not right.)

His hands on either side of my face gave me the illusion of being trapped in a cage.

I felt like if I nodded, I wouldn't be able to go anywhere else.

Kate: I-I...

Kate: I need to know more about you before I can respond.

Ellis: I see. Okay.

He gently sat up and helped me up as well.

Ellis: Then, I'm going to teach you a lot about me until you get to know me.

Kate: Sure.

He was still smiling, but the disturbing illusion I had just experienced was twisting around my body like ivy.

The day went on, and the wind grew colder as we talked about other things.

He put me in the wheelchair again, and we returned to the castle.

(He really didn't let me walk most of the day.)

As soon as we stepped into the forest leading to the castle, he abruptly stopped.

Kate: Ellis, is something wrong?

Ellis: There might be a bit of trouble. Geez, I just had a happy day.

Kate: What?

Ellis: If you’re scared, just close your eyes. It’ll all be over soon.

Part 1╏Part 2╏Premium End╏Epilogue

[nationaldaysbydigitalhygge]

October 25th

Today (October 25th, 2024) we celebrate:

National Chucky Day

National Pharmacy Buyer Day

Crisp Sandwich Day

Nevada Day

Global Champagne Day

Punk for a Day Day

International Artist Day

Sourest Day

National Breadstick Day

World Lemur Day

National Fine Art Appreciation Day

World Opera Day

National Frankenstein Friday

World Pasta Day

National Greasy Foods Day

National I Care About You Day

National Merri Music Day

➡️ More information: https://digitalhygge.com/october-25/

Source: Digital Hygge

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 10.25

Holidays

Accounting Career Day

Angram Day (Day of Fulfillment; Nauru)

Armed Forces Day (Romania)

Balaclava Day

Basque Country Day (Spain)

Battle of Agincourt Day (UK)

Beet Root Day (French Republic)

Cartoonists Against Crime Day

Chucky The Notorious Killer Doll Day

Council of Elrond Day (Lord of the Rings)

Customs Officer’s Day (Russia)

Day of the Basque Country

Disabled Ace Day

Dioscuri (Shoemaker’s Day)

European Day of Justice

European Lawyers Day

Gormanudr (Old Icelandic)

International Artists Day

International Butterfly Skin Day

International Hoist the Colours Day

Know Your Classmates Day

Larry Itliong Day (California)

Longbow Day

Lung Health Day

MDS World Awareness Day

Military Chaplain Day (Ukraine)

National Danielle Day

National Dog Adoption Day (UK)

National Fine Art Appreciation Day

National Gospel Day (Cook Islands)

National Hay Safe Day (Australia)

National Hope for Henry Day

National I Care About You Day

National Kick Tall People Day

National Merri Music Day (a.k.a. Reggae)

National No Workplace Drama Day

National Shoe Lover Day

National Skinflammation Day

National Yasmin Day

Northamptonshire Day (UK)

Occipital Neuralgia Awareness Day

Pharmacy Buyer Day

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome Awareness Day (UK)

Punk-For-A-Day Day

Retrocession Day (Taiwan)

Say "Hey" Day

Thanksgiving Day (Grenada)

World Dwarfism Awareness Day

World Karate Day

World Opera Day

World Spina Bifida Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Feta Cheese Protection Day

International Crisp Sandwich Day (UK)

National Greasy Foods Day

Sourest Day

World Pasta Day

World Pizza Makers Day

Independence & Related Days

Constitution Day (Lithuania)

Hawke’s Bay Provincial Day (New Zealand)

Lienish Sovereign Republic (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Republic Day (Kazakhstan)

Restoration Day (Taiwan; 1945)

Sovereignty Day (Slovenia)

Uantir (Declared; 2007) [unrecognized]

4th & Last Friday in October

Bring Your Jack-O-Lantern to Work Day [Last Friday before Halloween]

Comfort Food Friday [Every Friday]

Education Communication Day [Last Friday]

Field Trip Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Finally Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Five For Friday [Every Friday]

Food Waste Friday (Canada) [Last Friday]

Frankenstein Friday [Last Friday]

Flapjack Friday [4th Friday of Each Month]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Flatbread Friday [Last Friday of Each Month]

Flirtatious Friday [4th Friday of Each Month]

Friday Finds [Every Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

Global Champagne Day [4th Friday]

International Bandanna Day (Australia) [Last Friday]

International Champagne Day [4th Friday]

Mokosh Day (Ukraine) [Last Friday]

National BETA Founder’s Day [4th Friday]

National Breadstick Day [Last Friday]

Nevada Day (Nevada) [Last Friday]

Red Friday [Friday of Last Full Week]

TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) [Every Friday]

World Lemur Day [Last Friday]

World Teachers’ Day (Australia) [Last Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 25 (3rd Full Week of October)

International Magic Week (thru 10.31)

Festivals Beginning October 25, 2024

Arkansas Bean Fest and Championship Outhouse Races (Mountain View, Arkansas) [thru 10.26]

Armageddon Expo (Auckland, New Zealand) [thru 10.28]

Bram Stoker Festival (Dublin, Ireland) [thru 10.28]

Cedar Livestock Heritage Festival (Cedar City, Utah) [thru 10.26]

Czhilispiel (Flatonia, Texas) [thru 10.27]

Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest (Fredericksburg, Texas) [thru 10.26]

French Food Festival (Larose, Louisiana) [thru 10.27]

Georgia Gourd Festival (Griffin, Georgia) [thru 10.27]

Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival (Richmond Hill, Georgia) [thru 10.26]

Hawai'i Food & Wine Festival (Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii) [thru 10.27]

Lund International Fantastic Film Festival (Lund, Sweden) [thru 10.31]

Naples Stone Crab Festival (Naples, Florida) [thru 10.27]

Shrimp & Grits Festival (Jekyll Island, Georgia) [thru 10.26]

South Louisiana Blackpot Festival & Cookoff (Lafayette, Louisiana) [thru 10.26]

Taste Gala (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Feast Days

Akihisa Ikeda (Artology)

Ann Tyler (Writerism)

Antonio Ciseri (Artology)

Bernat Calbó (a.k.a. Bernard of Calvo; Christian; Saint)

Boniface I, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Canna (Christian; Saint)

Carlo Gnocchi (Christian; Blessed)

Cockatoo (Muppetism)

Crysanthus and Daria (Western Christianity; Martyrs)

Crispin and Crispinian (Christian; Martyrs)

The Day To Be Named Later (Church of the SubGenius)

Elif Shafak (Writerism)

Feast of Forty Martyrs of England and Wales (Christian; Martyrs)

Fréret (Positivist; Saint)

Fructus (Christian; Saint)

Gaudentius of Brescia (Christian; Saint)

Goeznovius (Christian; Saint)

The Hallowing of Nestorius (Christian; Saint)

Ismail Gulgee (Artology)

John Berryman (Writerism)

Minias of Florence (Christian; Saint)

Mar Nestorius (in the Nestorian churches; Christian; Saint)

Munzipan Feast (Shamanism)

Nils Dardel (Artology)

Pablo Picasso (Artology)

Peter Ledger (Artology)

Requena Nozal (Artology)

Richard Parkes Bonington (Artology)

Selket’s Day (Pagan)

The Six Welsh Martyrs and companions (in Wales; Christian; Saint)

Tabitha (Dorcas; Christian; Saint)

Taiyō Matsumoto (Artology)

Tegulus (Christian; Saint)

Thaddeus McCarthy (Christian; Blessed)

Thesmophoria begins (Ancient Greek festival honoring the goddesses Demeter and her daughter Persephone; ends 27th; originally 11-13 Pyanepsion)

Tyrus Wong (Artology)

Victoria Francés (Artology)

World Pasta Day (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Adventures of Popeye (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1935)

Beat Crazy, by Joe Jackson (Album; 1980)

Better Than Revenge, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2010)

Billy Jack, by Honeyhoney (Album; 2011)

Camelot (Film; 1967)

Curly Sue (Film; 1991)

Daydream Believer, by The Monks (Song; 1967)

The Electric Company (TV Series; 1971)

A Fine Feathered Frenzy (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1954)

Frida (Film; 2002)

The Grass is Blue, by Dolly Parton (Album; 1999)

Halloween (Film; 1978)

Happy Holidays (Phantasies Cartoon; 1940)

The Housing Problem (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1946)

Jackass: The Movie (Film; 2002)

Jolly the Clown (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1957)

Krush Groove (Film; 1985)

Meatless Tuesday (Andy Panda Cartoon; 1943)

National Ransom, by Elvis Costello (Album; 2010)

Newhart (TV Series; 1982)

No Plan B, 27th Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 2022)

No Woman, Not Cry, by Bob Marley (Song; 1974)

Otogizōshi: The Fairy Tale Book of Dazai Osamu, by Osamu Dazai (Short Stories; 1945)

Pal Joey (Film; 1957)

Piano Concerto No. 1 in Bb Minor, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Piano Concerto; 1875)

Pink Arcade (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1978)

Poinciana, by Benny Carter (Song; 1943)

The Preamble (America Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1975)

The Satanic Bible, by Anton Szandor LaVey (Religious Text; 1969)

Seven Sinners (Film; 1940)

Shadow of the Moon, by M.M. Kaye (Novel; 1956)

Sneak, Snoop, and Snitch (Animated Antics Cartoon; 1940)

The Snoozing’ Bruin (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1971)

Still Crazy After All These Years, by Paul Simon (Album; 1975)

Speak Now, by Taylor Swift (Album; 2010)

Swords in the Mist, by Fritz Leiber (Short Stories; 1968) [Fafhrd and Gray Mouser #3]

Tour de Farce (The Inspector Cartoon; 1967)

Twelfth Night (Film; 1996)

Today’s Name Days

Krispin, Krispinian (Austria)

Darija, Katarina (Croatia)

Beáta (Czech Republic)

Crispinus (Denmark)

Raivo, Riivo, Veevo, Viivo (Estonia)

Sointu (Finland)

Crépin (France)

Daria, Hans, Ludwig, Lutz (Germany)

Chrysanthi, Hrysaphis (Greece)

Bianka, Blanka (Hungary)

Daria (Italy)

Beāte, Beatrise, Betrise (Latvia)

Darija, Inga, Švitrigaila, Vaigedė (Lithuania)

Margrete, Märtha, Merete (Norway)

Bończa, Bonifacy, Chryzant, Daria, Inga, Kryspin, Maur, Sambor, Taras, Teodozjusz, Wilhelmina (Poland)

Marcian, Martirie (Romania)

Aurel (Slovakia)

Bernardo, Crisanto, Crispín, Frutos (Spain)

Inga, Ingalillt (Sweden)

Denzel, Crispin, Crispina, Gavin, Gawen (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 299 of 2024; 67 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of Week 43 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 27 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 23 (en-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 23 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 21 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 29 Orange; Eighthday [29 of 30]

Julian: 12 October 2024

Moon: 38%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 19 Descartes (11th Month) [D’Aguesseau / Montesquieu]

Runic Half Month: Wyn (Joy) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 34 of 90)

Week: 3rd Full Week of October

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 3 of 30)

[fangswbenefits]

Hey,

It's me, (horny first time smex toy buyer), and I might have done an oopsie, I bought the toy, but no lube, any tips on where to buy some cheap lube? Can it be bought in a farmacy or something?

Oh, my friend 😭 I wouldn’t really know? They do sell sex stuff in pharmacies where I live, so definitely check there.

And have some fun 🌝🩷

[i-am-still-bb]

No. 19

“I’ll take one final step, all you have to do is make me.” | Floral Bouquet | Psychological | “I’m not as stupid as you think I am.”

Alt. No. 3

Brass Knuckles

Characters: Kili, Bolg, OCs Rating: T AU: Fast Car (formerly Dead Batteries) Words: 1619

Direct continuation of No. 18 - “I tend to deflect when I’m feeling threatened” / Blindfold (Tumblr)

I feel like the prompt gives you all the warning you need?

--

Kili watched his back after that. He took the long way home. Walked past his apartment building to circle back. He did not know how much information Cameron had shared with them. Kili had moved since he had called the agency that Cam worked for. But Kili knew that it was not hard to find someone if you put your mind to it. There were property deeds, accident reports, alumni newsletters; all of which were easily accessible. 

He had thrown that post-it note away in the nearest trash can after he left the El. 

But he remembered all of the listed medications. Some he could have just purchased. He could have taken the medicine to the counter, presented his driver’s license, paid, and left the pharmacy with a little plastic bag containing medicine that could either be used to treat cold symptoms or to make meth, buyer's choice. 

But he didn’t.

And then there were the medications that were harder to acquire.

And he did not even think about ways to get his hands on those in a way that would not get him fired and arrested.

And he did not see anybody who seemed to be watching him. He did not see the man with scars again.

By Thursday he had relaxed a little bit, only to wake up Friday morning full of tension and nerves. He went to the gym early and spent more time zoning out to an audiobook and following the workout that an app had generated for him. He felt better afterwards, but still jumpy and nervous. 

And it was getting noticed. 

Tauriel and Ari had noticed when he was out their place for their biweekly Wine Wednesday where they ate disgusting amounts of takeout, drank wine, talked, and maybe watched a couple episodes of whatever show they were currently binging as a group. 

Kili brushed it off. Said that there were talks about a union walk out and he wondered what would happen to the people that needed their medication if that happened. That quickly led them down a well trodden path of arguing at each other about insurances, unions, nonsensical laws, and poor working conditions in a variety of contexts. 

And Kili’s ill mood was forgotten. 

For the first time he wished he worked for a large pharmacy. The chances of some remote CEO caring about Kili’s sex life were lower. And even if the CEO cared Kili would likely never have to see the person who had been on the receiving end of those images and that video. 

Kili worked for a family owned pharmacy that was nestled into the corner of a suburban neighborhood. He knew many of the customers. He asked how people’s babies were doing. And he knew the owner, he attended the Christmas parties, and enjoyed any of the “team building” weekends. So even if he kept his job he would probably quit and seek employment elsewhere, probably in a different city, very likely in a different state. 

On Friday his miscounted pills, almost gave Mr. Peterhof Mrs. Peterson’s prescription for blood pressure instead of his anti-rejection medication. He was distracted at best. He thought about leaving early, but decided against it. He did not know these men well enough to know if they would stop the store manager, Rebecca, who would be closing up if Kili was not there.

“See you on Monday!” Rebecca said cheerfully, waving to Kili as he was finishing up the last of the prescriptions that were slated for pick up over the weekend. 

He worked slowly. 

In November it got dark early. The large windows that faced the street now just reflected the dimmed interior of the store. Instead of letting him see the rest of the world they let him see double of the rows of pop, candy, snack foods, and baby diapers.

The hair on his neck stood on end. He felt like he was being watched. He watched his reflection as he got closer to the front doors. Locked. Just like they should be. Walking back to the pharmacy counter he stiffened; that sense of being watched had only increased. 

He paused when he was filling a prescription for Oxycontin, the Albrecht kid had just had surgery on his ACL, what if he just…

No. 

Kili recounted the 15 pills. Sealed the bottle. Put it in the little plastic bag and sealed that bag with its tamper-evident seal. And hung it on the rack with the rest of the As. 

The stack of orders was completed.

Kili sighed. He hung his white jacket up, pulled on a bulky denim jacket and a beanie (a half-assed attempt at altering his physical appearance along with the scruff he had let grow over the last couple of days). He pulled down the metal gates, locked them, checked the front door again, before exiting into the back alley. That feeling of unease did not fade. He kept thinking that he saw things over his shoulder, or reflections in the mirrored glass windows while he did these final few tasks. 

The lock clicked in place when he shut the door.

The alley was dark, red brick and dumpsters barely visible. He fixed his gaze on the light of the street where cars and people would be. 

The voice was low, but clear, “Working late?”

Kili startled, hands going to the strap of his cross body bag. He felt the brief flash of a desire for something to defend himself with. 

“No,” he said curtly. 

“You’re normally off by 6:30,” the shadow separated from the wall between Kili and the warm glow of the streetlights. “And it's nearly 8.”

“Busy weekend,” Kili said brusquely. “Lots of work to do.” He did not stop moving. Hoping that he would just be allowed to keep going. 

Then another shadow was there. This one was even larger and standing directly in front of Kili. 

“Do you have my order?” the first man said, now behind Kili. 

Kili turned to keep both of them in his sights. “I… I do not.”

A speculative noise, “Why?”

Kili swallowed and tightened his grip on his bag. “It’s not possible.”

“There’s always a way.” He walked behind Kili, forcing Kili to keep turning, now only seeing one, now both, now one. 

“There’s not. I’ll get caught.”

“But I’d still have my order.”

Kili wanted to ask, “And what about me?” But was sure that he already knew the answer. 

A distinctive click. Kili’s blood ran cold. He had not heard it in years, but he knew the sound of a pocket knife blade flicking open and locking out. A sound he knew well from years spent in the club house. Nori had a habit of flicking open a knife, closing it, flicking it open, again and again. A nervous tick, a habit that always made him seem a little menacing. He would be talking with you about different motor oils, the movie he saw that weekend, the video game he was currently playing through, but that blade would be be going snick, click, snick, click, like a metronome. 

“I hate having to ask for things twice.”

Kili’s whole body tensed. Waiting for contact.

“But I will.” 

Click. 

The blade closed. 

Kili exhaled. Relieved that he would have maybe another week to figure out what to do. 

And then he was dropped to his knees. A blow slammed into his lower back, angling up under his ribs. And he forgot how to stand. 

“But Jean here is going to make sure you remember to fill our prescription next time.”

Another one made his vision flash and spin. 

Kili fought to throw off his back. And when he was pulled over onto his back to another fist raised, light flashing on the brass knuckles he was able to throw up an arm, blocking the blow. Kili kicked Jean’s inner thigh, just above the knee.

Jean grunted and dropped to one knee. 

Kili grabbed for Jean’s arm, pulling it close, pulling Jean off balance so that Kili could flip them, giving him the upperhand. He straddled Jean’s waist grappling to get an arm around the other man’s neck. The martial arts classes he had taken for years at the suggestion of his college therapist were finally coming in handy, but his hands did not quite remember the move. His hands slipped, and Jean’s hands were free. Kili fought for control again. He was sweating and cursing the heavy jacket. His hat had fallen off. He grunted in effort as he forced Jean’s arm flat. Before he could take the hold further though, an arm wrapped around Kili’s throat, applying expert pressure, enough that Kili was lightheaded in moments, weak in a few more, but not enough that he lost consciousness. 

“That was not a smart move, Kili,” the voice growled in Kili’s ear. His hot, rancid breath was the last thing that Kili remembered before there was the glint of the brass knuckles again and his vision went dark, then his hearing stopped and he knew no more.

—

Kili was stiff and cold when he woke up. He was still in the alley. He fumbled around for his bag and found his phone. It was just past midnight. He shivered and collected himself. Everything hurt. His face felt swollen. He gingerly felt for the margins of the swelling, wincing as he pressed more firmly, trying to ascertain the level of damage. 

He winced, pulling his bag over his head. That was when he saw the note pinned to his chest. It was another post-it note, with a handwritten list and another date—next Friday.

Kili straightened. He had earned a reprieve of one week.

--

Taglist Everything@silvermoon-scrolls @metztlilua @i-am-pinkie

Fili/Kili @dubhlachen

[murderousink23]

10/27/2023 is National Black Cat Day 🌎, National American Beer Day 🍻🇺🇲, Navy Day 🚢🇺🇲, National Breadstick Day 🇺🇲, National Frankenstein Friday 🇺🇲, National Pharmacy Buyer Day 🇺🇲, American Beer Day 🍻🇬🇧, World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 🇺🇳

[raeloganthesonic06fangirl]

Hi, I saw in a previous post of yours that you had the second issue of the new dwd comics and was wondering your thoughts on how Drake has been funding his and Gosalyns life on 90s plushies

Like do you think Quackerjack’s a regular buyer? (imagine if Darkwing somehow finds out that he actually profits from QJs crimes)

(your posts always brighten my day :3 btw)

Honestly, this made me laugh so much because I used to have a pretty extensive collection of TY Beanies that I had mostly gotten from second hand thrifts, and eventually weeded through them and kept a few specifically special ones, such as a King Ghidorah one.

It's really funny because in reality, they only have value to whomever is collecting them, and some are more rare than others, either by limited release or by tag errors. They're basically like the precursor to NFTs and Bitcoin, but you actually have a physical item and your only real leverage is if it's a factory defect, misprint or color error.

The thing about toy collecting is that the aftermarket prices are inconsistent and ultimately are up to the vendors, and if a vendor sees it as a regular old toy that can get sold off easily, you might find a good deal if you know how to flip it and someone is willing to pay.

That said, knowing QuackerJack, he'd probably be one interested in classic Beanies because they're a retro style toy, no gimmicks or extra features to make them work. Absolutely timeless, even. They still make them, although they've gone through a lot of a changes compared to the originals on the TY Beanie Boom, but you can get them at nearly any grocery store, card shop, pharmacy, amusement park, and some are location exclusive and some are seasonal. It's a really devious sort of hook they have, and it's easy to get sucked into collecting them without realizing it.

QuackerJack absolutely would want to hoard these as well. They're retro toys now.

Honestly, it would be pretty funny if Drake set up a public exchange with one of his buyers, and sees QuackerJack's there to pick up the box and hand over the cash. He can't exactly decline the transaction because as far as he knows, QJ doesn't know what his beef with him would be, so it would probably be the most awkward business Drake has had, and QuackerJack probably would think that guy was a weirdo. 😆

((Aww, thank you~))

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[cosmicanger]

"Quilts made by generations of women in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, have hung in the Met, the Whitney, and the Smithsonian Museum of Art. They’ve been shown at galleries and art fairs around the world. But if the quilters want to directly sell their world-famous quilts — vibrant, often asymmetrical, charismatic works, originally hand-stitched for warmth from scavenged fabric — they’ve had to wait for prospective buyers to come to them.

That requires a drive deep into the Alabama Black Belt, along red dirt roads with little to no cell signal, through an isolated stretch of grassy meadows and pine woods, to a community deep in an oxbow of the Alabama River that, if the ferry’s not running, is nearly 40 miles from the closest hotel, supermarket, or pharmacy.

At least, this is how it worked before February of 2021.

Despite their celebrity, much of the quilters’ fame is based on visitors sharing their work outside of their community — and historically, the financial benefits have gone to people outside of their community, too. Occasionally, some of that trickles back in the form of one-off gallery sales, or copyright royalties. But it hasn’t been enough to lift this Black community, renowned in the art world, out of what the United Nations has called some of the most extreme conditions of poverty in the developed world.

One thing the Gee’s Bend quilters have needed is an easier way to sell quilts directly — control what they offer, set the prices, and reap all the profits. So, a year ago this month, three generations of Gee’s Bend quilters launched their own Etsy shops, turning the online platform into the accessible, direct-to-consumer sales opportunity they had been missing.

None of them had ever used Etsy before, but some were certainly familiar with it — and not for the opportunity it offered them. For years, a chorus of independent crafters had been peddling #geesbendinspired quilts on Etsy. While they racked up sales leveraging the Gee’s Bend name, the women behind their key search term carried on quilting when they could acquire fabric.

These days, when fourth-generation quilter Claudia Pettway Charley spots a “Gee’s Bend-inspired” quilt on Etsy, she’ll reach out to the seller to ask them how exactly they are related to her or her community. She hopes to engage them in a thoughtful dialogue about appropriation. She rarely receives a response.

“We put a lot of work into it, and it’s about our life,” Charley says of quilting. She recently took on the job of community manager in Gee’s Bend, vetting partnership opportunities and acting as a liaison between outsiders and her community. “We were struggling. These were made from scraps. Some was old denim that had been worn by my grandfather, torn and faded. My grandmother used corn and feed sacks, washed them and sometimes bleached them to have different colors. It wasn’t ‘I’m just going to go and make this.’ We used these quilts for warmth. It was about our struggle, and our survival.”

Charley might feel differently, she offers, if these makers — who may have, say, studied textiles at art school — sent some of their profits back to the community that inspired them. But that doesn’t happen. “This work is ‘inspired’ in your mind, because you see the quilt pattern,” Charley says. “But you don’t know my story. And you’re going to try and duplicate it — and go to Joann Fabrics to do it?”"

(Article continues at the link)

[unused-diabetic-test-strips]

How to Sell Diabetic Test Strips and Extra Diabetes Supplies Near You

Living with diabetes requires constant monitoring of blood sugar levels, which means a steady supply of diabetic test strips and other diabetes-related products. However, many people find themselves with extra, unused, or even expired diabetic supplies. Instead of letting them go to waste, you might wonder if you can sell diabetic test strips near me or sell expired diabetic supplies legally and efficiently.

If you have extra diabetic supplies, you can turn them into cash while helping others who may not have access to affordable testing equipment. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about selling diabetic test strips, where to sell extra diabetes supplies, and how to navigate the market for diabetic test strips for sale near me.

Understanding the Market for Diabetic Test Strips and Supplies

Many people require diabetic test strips daily to manage their condition, but the high cost of these supplies can be a barrier. Because of this, a secondary market has emerged where individuals and organizations purchase and resell unused diabetic test strips and supplies at a lower cost.

If you’ve searched for "sell diabetic test strips near me," you’ve likely seen numerous options, from local buyers to online marketplaces. This market exists because many people receive more supplies than they need, either through insurance, prescription changes, or lifestyle adjustments.

Why Do People Sell Extra Diabetes Supplies?

Prescription Changes: Some diabetics switch brands or devices, leaving them with extra test strips.

Insurance Overages: Many insurance plans cover a certain number of test strips per month, sometimes more than needed.

Lifestyle or Treatment Adjustments: Some individuals transition to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), eliminating the need for traditional test strips.

Loved Ones Passing Away: When a diabetic patient passes, their families often have unused supplies they no longer need.

How to Sell Diabetic Test Strips Near Me

If you're looking to sell diabetic test strips near me, there are a few options available:

1. Local Buyers

Many local businesses and individuals buy diabetic test strips and supplies for resale. You can often find these buyers through online searches, classified ads, or even social media.

Pros: Instant cash, no shipping required.

Cons: Prices may be lower than online buyers.

2. Online Marketplaces

Websites such as eBay, Craigslist, and specialized diabetic supply buyback programs allow you to list and sell diabetic test strips and supplies. Many companies specialize in buying and reselling these products, providing a legitimate way to turn extra supplies into cash.

Pros: Access to a broader market, potentially higher prices.

Cons: May involve shipping costs and waiting times.

3. Pharmacies and Local Health Stores

Some pharmacies or medical supply stores buy back unused diabetic test strips, although this is less common.

Pros: Local transactions, quick payments.

Cons: Limited availability and lower offers.

4. Medical Supply Buyback Programs

There are reputable companies that purchase unused diabetic test strips and resell them at a lower cost. They typically have strict guidelines on expiration dates and condition.

Pros: Reliable, easy process.

Cons: May require specific brands or conditions.

Can You Sell Expired Diabetic Supplies?

A common question is whether you can sell expired diabetic supplies. The answer depends on the buyer. Most reputable buyers and resellers will not purchase expired diabetic test strips due to accuracy concerns. However, some individuals or research organizations may still accept them for non-medical purposes.

Things to Consider When Selling Expired Diabetic Supplies:

Regulations: Selling expired medical supplies is generally discouraged for safety reasons.

Potential Buyers: Some organizations or individuals may use expired strips for testing but not for medical use.

Ethical Considerations: It’s important to ensure that expired supplies are not used for actual glucose monitoring, as inaccurate readings can be dangerous.

If you have expired diabetic supplies, consider donating them to research facilities or organizations that accept them for educational purposes.

Source: https://cashnowforteststripss.blogspot.com/2025/02/how-to-sell-diabetic-test-strips-and.html

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 10.18

Holidays

Alaska Day

Anti-Slavery Day (UK)

Anti-Trafficking Day (EU)

BBC Day

Boost Your Brain Day

Chili Pepper Day (French Republic)

Clean Water Act Day

Day Without the Delaware

Developmental Language Disorder Awareness Day

Dia de la Raza Day (Colombia)

Doctor’s Day (Brazil)

European Paper Bag Day

Festival of Poetic Terrorism

Flag Day (Chile)

Flora Duffy Olympic Commemoration Day (Bermuda)

Geologic Map Day

Hard Boiled Guy and B-Girl Day

Healthcare Aide Day (Canada)

Heroes’ and Forefathers Day (British Virgin Islands)

Information Overload Awareness Day

International Legging Day

International Necktie Day

Kati Bihu (Assam, India)

King Look Under Your Mattress’s Unique Hiding Display

Mason/Dixon Line Day

Medical Assistants Recognition Day

Moby Dick Day

National Bioenergy Day

National Comic Strip Appreciation Day

National Day of Prayer (Zambia)

National Exascale Day

National Ken Day

National Louie Day

National Mark Day

National No Beard Day

National Put a Shoe on Your Head Day

National Speak Up for Victims of Sexual Abuse Day

National Statistics Day (Japan)

National Sunday Day

National Unity Day

National Work Bestie Day

National Zane Day

Necktie Day (Croatia)

Newspaper Comic Strip Appreciation Day

No Beard Day

Old Farmers Day

Operation Safe Stop Day

Persons Day (Canada)

Postman’s Day (Poland)

Procession of the Lord of Miracles (Peru)

Rocky Horror Picture Show Day (L.A., California)

Shine a Light Night (Ireland)

Timber Innovation Day

Watch a Squirrel Day

World Bank Action Day

World Cravat Day (Croatia)

World Guitar Day

World Inherited Blood Disorders Day

World Menopause Day

World Nature Protection Day

World Okapi Day

World Seitan Day

World Vasectomy Day

World Youth Day for Democracy

Food & Drink Celebrations

Chocolate Cupcake Day

Meatloaf Appreciation Day

National Mashed Potato Day

World Seitan Day

Independence & Related Days

Alaska (Official Transfer from Russia to US; 1867)

Azerbaijan (from the USSR, 1991)

Tinakula (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

3rd Friday in October

Buckle Up Phone Down Day (Missouri) [3rd Friday]

Comfort Food Friday [Every Friday]

Developmental Language Disorder Awareness Day [3rd Friday]

Five For Friday [Every Friday]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Fondue Friday [3rd Friday of Each Month]

Food Waste Friday (Canada) [3rd Friday]

Friday Finds [Every Friday]

Friendly Friday [3rd Friday of Each Month]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

Global Champagne Day [3rd Friday]

Library Workers Day (Canada) [3rd Friday]

National Mammography Day [3rd Friday]

National Pharmacy Buyer Day [Friday of 3rd Full Week]

TGIF (Thank God It's Friday) [Every Friday]

World Fruit & Vegetable Day [3rd Friday]

World Student Day [3rd Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 18 (2nd Full Week of October)

Charlotte Craft Beer Week (Charlotte, North Carolina) [thru 10.27]

Festivals Beginning October 18, 2024

Alabama Gourd Show (Hartselle, Alabama) [thru 10.19]

Andouille Festival (LaPlace, Louisiana) [thru 10.20

Apple Butter Stirrin' Festival (Coshocton, Ohio) [thru 10.20]

Crossville Oktoberfest (Crossville, Tennessee) [thru 10.19]

Delta Hot Tamale Festival (Greenville, Mississippi) [thru 10.19]

Freimarkt in Bremen (Bremen, Germany) [thru 11.3]

Georgia Peanut Festival (Sylvester, Georgia) [thru 10.19]

GogolFest (Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine) [thru 10.20]

Greek Festival (Fort Walton Beach, Florida) [thru 10.20]

Halifax County Harvest Days (Halifax, North Carolina) [thru 10.19]

Harvest Happenings, Apple Festival, Dairy Barn Emporium (Van Wert, Ohio) [thru 10.19]

Kickin’ Chicken Wing & Chili Fest (Florence, South Carolina)

Klamath Basin Potato Festival (Merrill, Oregon) [thru 10.19]

La Fête du Champagne (Houston, Texas) [thru 10.20]

Lviv Cheese & Wine Festival (Lviv, Ukraine) [thru 10.20

Message to Man International Film Festival (Saint Petersburg, Russia) [thru 10.27]

PalmFest: Fiesta de Palmas (McAllen, Texas) [thru 10.20]

Panama City Beach Oktoberfest (Panama City, Florida) [thru 10.20]

Poquoson Seafood Festival (Poquoson, Virginia) [thru 10.20]

Sparta Persimmon Days Festival (Sparta, Missouri) [thru 10.19]

Taste of Downtown Boise (Boise, Idaho) [thru 10.27]

TASTE Philadelphia Festival of Food, Wine and Spirits (Valley Forge, Pennsylvania) [thru 10.19]

Tuzla Film Festival (Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina) [thru 10.22]

Ukiah Country PumpkinFest (Mendocino County, California) [thru 10.20]

unWINE Downtown (Starkville, Mississippi)

Valladolid International Film Festival [Seminci] (Valladolid, Spain) [thru 10.26]

WhistleStop BBQ Festival at Midcity (Huntsville, Alabama) [thru 10.19]

Yachats Village Mushroom Fest (Yachats, Oregon) [thru 10.20]

Feast Days

Amish Tripathi (Writerism)

Doburoku Matsuri (Sake Festival; Shirahigetawara Shrine, Japan) [Day 2]

Feralia: Day of Purification (Pagan)

Irony Day (Pastafarian)

James Brooks (Artology)

Julian Sabas (Christian; Saint)

Justus (a.k.a. Justin) of Beauvais (Christian; Saint)

King Look Under Your Mattress’s Unique Hiding Display (Shamanism)

Little Summer (St. Luke’s)

Luca Giordano (Artology)

Luke the Evangelist (Christian; Saint) [brewers] *

Monan (Christian; Saint)

Ntozake Shange (Writerism)

Pandrosos (Greek all-refreshing Goddess)

Peter of Alcantara (Christian; Saint)

Richelieu Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Simhat Torah (begins at sundown; Judaism) [23 Tishrei]

Shemini Atzeret (Day 2; Judaism)

Stu Mead (Artology)

Swiss Cheese (Muppetism)

Terry McMillan (Writerism)

Thomas Phillips (Artology)

Vauvenargues (Positivist; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

Alice the Fire Fighter (Ub Iwerks Alice Disney Cartoon; 1926)

Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons (WB Animated Film; 2022)

The Batman vs. Dracula (WB Animated Film; 2005)

Batman: Year One (WB Animated Film; 2011)

Battlestar Galactica (TV Series; 2004)

BBC (UK Public Service Broadcaster; 1922)

Ben & Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos, by Robert Lawson (Children’s Biography; 1923)

Chet Baker Big Band, by Chet Baker (Album; 1956)

Cowboy Bebop (Japanese Anime Series; 1998)

Cruise Cat (Tom & Jerry cartoon; 1952)

The Cuckoo Murder Case (Ub Iwerks Flip the Frog Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Happy Hunting Grounds (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1940)

Howard’s End, by E.M. Forster (Novel; 1910)

How I Won the War (Film; 1967)

The Human Condition, by Hannah Arendt (Science Book; 1958)

I’m Getting Sentimental Over You, by Tommy Dorsey (Song; 1935)

Jingle Bells (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1931)

Jojo Rabbit (Film; 2019)

The Jungle Book (Animated Disney Film; 1967)

The Keeper of the Lions (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1937)

La Bamba, by Ritchie Valens (Song; 1958)

The Lighthouse (Film; 2019)

Little Orphan Willie (Ub Iwerks Flip the Frog Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (Film; 2019)

Moby-Dick (Novel; 1851)

My Pop, My Pop (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1940)

Other People’s Money (Film; 1991)

The Ring (Film; 2002)

Roseanne (TV Series; 1988)

The Saint in Action (a.k.a. The Ace of Knaves), by Leslie Charteris (Short Stories; 1937) [Saint #18]

Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers (Hanna-Barbera Animated TV Special; 1987)

Sudden Fried Chicken (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1946)

Swingers (Film; 1996)

Symphony No. 3, by Aaron Copland (Symphony; 1946)

Tennis for Two (Video Game; 1958)

Tree for Two (WB MM Cartoon; 1952)

12 Years a Slave (Film; 2013)

West Side Story (Film; 1961)

What a Wonderful World, by Louis Armstrong (Song; 1967)

The Yellow Kid (Comic Strip; 1896)

Zombieland: Double Tap (Film; 2019)

Zen and Japanese Culture, by D.T. Suzuki (Spiritual Book; 1938)

Today’s Name Days

Gwenn, Justus, Lukas (Austria)

Zlata, Zlatan, Zlatka, Zlatko, Zlatomir (Bulgaria)

Flavijan, Justus, Luka, Lukša (Croatia)

Lukáš (Czech Republic)

Lucas (Denmark)

Ludvig, Lui, Luukas (Estonia)

Luka, Luukas, Säde, Satu (Finland)

Luc (France)

Gwenn, Justus, Lukas, Viviana (Germany)

Loukas, Luke, Marinos (Greece)

Lukács (Hungary)

Luca (Italy)

Lūkass, Rolands, Ronalds (Latvia)

Kęsmina, Liubartas, Lukas (Lithuania)

Kjersti, Kjerstin (Norway)

Julian, Łukasz, René (Poland)

Luca (Romania)

Lukáš (Slovakia)

Lucas (Spain)

Lukas (Sweden)

Luke (Ukraine)

Blaine, Blair, Blane, Luca, Lucas, Lukas, Luke, Wynn, Wynton (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 292 of 2024; 74 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of Week 42 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 20 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 16 (Yi-Mao)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 16 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 14 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 22 Orange; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 5 October 2024

Moon: 97%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 12 Descartes (11th Month) [Duclos / Diderot]

Runic Half Month: Gyfu (Gift) [Day 12 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 27 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of October

Zodiac: Libra (Day 26 of 30)

[deshpandeisha]

Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The global Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) market size was USD 727.4 million in 2022 and is expected to register a rapid revenue CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. Rising number of hidradenitis suppurativa cases across the globe and increasing awareness about hidradenitis suppurativa among both healthcare professionals and public and development of a diverse pipeline of potential treatments are key factors driving market revenue growth.

Get Download Pdf Sample Copy of this Report@ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-sample/2832

Competitive Terrain:

The global Hidradenitis Suppurativa industry is highly consolidated owing to the presence of renowned companies operating across several international and local segments of the market. These players dominate the industry in terms of their strong geographical reach and a large number of production facilities. The companies are intensely competitive against one another and excel in their individual technological capabilities, as well as product development, innovation, and product pricing strategies.

The leading market contenders listed in the report are:

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Merck & Co., Inc.; Novartis AG.; Eli Lilly and Company; Pfizer Inc.; Johnson & Johnson Services Inc.; Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Yamo Pharmaceuticals; F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd.; Axial Therapeutics Inc. TEIJIN PHARMA LIMITED, Stalicla, AbbVie Inc., Lupin Pfizer Inc. GlaxoSmithKline plc, Allergan. Zydus Cadila, and Eisai Co., Ltd

Key market aspects studied in the report:

Market Scope: The report explains the scope of various commercial possibilities in the global Hidradenitis Suppurativa market over the upcoming years. The estimated revenue build-up over the forecast years has been included in the report. The report analyzes the key market segments and sub-segments and provides deep insights into the market to assist readers with the formulation of lucrative strategies for business expansion.

Competitive Outlook: The leading companies operating in the Hidradenitis Suppurativa market have been enumerated in this report. This section of the report lays emphasis on the geographical reach and production facilities of these companies. To get ahead of their rivals, the leading players are focusing more on offering products at competitive prices, according to our analysts.

Report Objective: The primary objective of this report is to provide the manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and buyers engaged in this sector with access to a deeper and improved understanding of the global Hidradenitis Suppurativa market.

Emergen Research is Offering Limited Time Discount (Grab a Copy at Discounted Price Now)@ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-discount/2832

Market Segmentations of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Market

This market is segmented based on Types, Applications, and Regions. The growth of each segment provides accurate forecasts related to production and sales by Types and Applications, in terms of volume and value for the period between 2022 and 2030. This analysis can help readers looking to expand their business by targeting emerging and niche markets. Market share data is given on both global and regional levels. Regions covered in the report are North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Research analysts assess the market positions of the leading competitors and provide competitive analysis for each company. For this study, this report segments the global Hidradenitis Suppurativa market on the basis of product, application, and region:

Segments Covered in this report are:

Treatment Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2032)

Surgery

Medications

Biologics

Antibiotics

Others

Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2032)

Hospital Pharmacies

Retail Pharmacies

Online Pharmacies

End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2019-2032)

Hospitals

Specialty Clinics

Homecare

Others

Browse Full Report Description + Research Methodology + Table of Content + Infographics@ https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/hidradenitis-suppurativa-market

Major Geographies Analyzed in the Report:

North America (U.S., Canada)

Europe (U.K., Italy, Germany, France, Rest of EU)

Asia Pacific (India, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, Rest of APAC)

Latin America (Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America)

Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., South Africa, Rest of MEA)

ToC of the report:

Chapter 1: Market overview and scope

Chapter 2: Market outlook

Chapter 3: Impact analysis of COVID-19 pandemic

Chapter 4: Competitive Landscape

Chapter 5: Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Limitations

Chapter 6: Key manufacturers of the industry

Chapter 7: Regional analysis

Chapter 8: Market segmentation based on type applications

Chapter 9: Current and Future Trends

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About Us:

Emergen Research is a market research and consulting company that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Our solutions purely focus on your purpose to locate, target, and analyse consumer behavior shifts across demographics, across industries, and help clients make smarter business decisions. We offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across multiple industries, including Healthcare, Touch Points, Chemicals, Types, and Energy. We consistently update our research offerings to ensure our clients are aware of the latest trends existent in the market. Emergen Research has a strong base of experienced analysts from varied areas of expertise. Our industry experience and ability to develop a concrete solution to any research problems provides our clients with the ability to secure an edge over their respective competitors.

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