#recycled tiny house build

[arc-hus]

Zen Houses, Liberec, Czechia - Petr Stolín Architekt

[tinyhouseexpedition]

Ingenious DIY Tiny House Design Hacks using Salvaged Materials 🤯

🏡✨ If you've seen Christo's mind-blowing tiny house tour before, you don't want to miss this video with never-before-seen footage of him sharing in-depth creative design solutions with salvaged materials. He takes this to extreme with a process he calls "super-cycling"--using the scraps of his recycled materials in clever ways to solve problems AND save money. 

 Christo built a truly one-of-a-kind tiny house on foundation over 3 years for $80k--a work of art! And you can, too! 🛠️

[reasonsforhope]

"At the University of Maine, one of the world’s largest 3D printers is using sawdust from the state’s lumber industry to 3D print cozy wooden cabins.

It’s part of a move towards making 3D printing faster and more sustainable in a state where the housing shortage that has metastasized in most states around the country is dire.

It’s thought that 80,000 new homes will be needed over the next 5 years to keep pace with demand, and though it takes years for building codes to be changed, the technicians at the Advanced Structures & Composites Center (ASCC) at the Univ. of Maine hope their new toy can help address this need.

Guinness World Records certified the machine at ASCC as the world’s largest prototype polymer 3D printer, capable of creating a 600 square foot house 96 feet in length, 36 feet in width, and 18 feet tall entirely out of bio-based material at a rate of 500 pounds per hour.

In 2022, it could print the walls, floors, and roof of the house in just 96 hours, but the ACSS has been refining the design with the hope of doubling the printing speed and getting it down to a 48-hour timeline.

“When they’re doing concrete, they’re only printing the walls,��� Habib Dagher, the executive director of ACSS told CNN. “The approach we’ve taken is quite different from what you’ve seen, and you’ve been reading about for years.”

Indeed, GNN has reported on a fair number of 3D printing projects, but most if not all involve printing only the walls. One fantastical exception is an Italian firm that is 3D-printing domed, beehive-like, modular concept homes inspired by the Great Enclosure in Zimbabwe.

STAND-OUT 3D-PRINTING PROJECTS: 

First 2-Story Home to be 3D Printed in the U.S. Reaches for the Sky in Texas 

The World’s Largest 3D Printed Building is a Horse Barn That Can Endure Florida Hurricanes

This 23-Year-Old Founder is 3D Printing Schools in Madagascar Aiming to be a ‘Stepping Stone’ for the Community

A Startup Is Using Recycled Plastic to 3D Print Tiny $25,000 Prefabricated Homes in LA

The ASCC is calling the house design the BioHome3D, and says it’s rare people who tour the concept version don’t ask when they “can have one up?”

The interior gives the feel of a modern Scandinavian wooden cabin, making it fit well with the Maine aesthetic. The ASCC is now doing work on how to incorporate conduits for wiring and plumbing “exactly where an architect would want them,” says Dagher.

WATCH a time-lapse video of the printer doing the job…

-via Good News Network, August 16, 2024. Video via The University of Maine, March 3, 2023.

[sevs-corner]

Cont Idea on: Tf 141: Mafia AU!

(Brain rotting rn so lets get it out of my system)

So I realized how this may be similar to like a gang au but I wanted it to be more fancy with the crew (Tf 141) literally treating you as their unofficial-official sugar baby.

Walk with me in my insanity real quick— I can just imagine the unconditional love and care they’d give you and you being unable to say ‘no’ because, at first, all the things they give are things that you need like:

- clothes (branded btw) for the winter, or for any cold occasion because they notice how you rotate through the same apparels and are worried how you might shiver to death. They swear that they could hear your teeth chattering from the cashier despite the warmth the bakery exudes from the kitchen. Price, on more than one occasion, had willingly gave you his scarf (he brings extras in his cars once he started noticing it and gradually became a habit) and he could just melt at seeing you all snuggled up in his clothes.

- pots for your plants (you grow your own vegetables from veggie scraps). Gaz, when he dropped you off at your apartment one time, noticed how you used recycled stuff around your very dingy- yet homey- apartment. Right at the kitchen, where the one other window was present in your apartment (the other one was by your bed), he saw by the sill how you used plastic bottles for your tiny plants and how you used your old veggie scraps, making him want to provide for you even more— but he settles for something simple for now, and then gradually build up to that when you grow more comfy and closer together. <33

- fairy lights to decorate your room with (because they know you study + work late in the night) and Ghost notices this sometimes from how your bags seem so deep. While simultaneously working a day job, you admittedly said that you were also working to get an online degree for the arts, so you could help out Nonna and Nonno’s (italian for grandma and grandpa respectively) business and make it more popular.

( Notice how they grew more downbad with that admission hehe)

- Ghost knows your stubborn and hard working, and don’t usually bend or compromise on important things like that- so instead of forcing you to rest or leaving you be, he decided to give you lights to create a better ambiance for your mini desk workspace. “Hurts the eyes less,” he says as he handed you two boxes of it after your shift. He knows your constantly works in fluorescent lights and knows how that tires the eyes more (from experience), so he thinks this would help you both in studying and for sleeping. (Secretly hoping you’d think of him whenever you gaze at it.)

- surprisingly, Soap would give you bluetooth earphones, knowing how you would work and study with them in every opportunity that you can. Working on slow days, he first noticed you would look around at the front and back before whipping out from your pocket a phone that was wrapped with the earphone’s cord, a bright smile on your face as he sees you bop your head to the beats as you worked to clean or count money or help around at the front of the house. Though, he also notice how mixed up and messy you get in it, seeing you cuss under your breath makes him chuckle but also think of how he could fix that in his own little way. Luckily he had a “spare for his mate but he didn’t wan’ it,” he says to you after an event held at the bakery. It wasn’t like he was waiting for the moment he could catch you alone to see your eyes sparkle just for him only 🫢

Overtime you got used to their gift giving that by the time they were doing all these grandiose stuff for you, it was hard to say- “no,” and deny them from how puppied-look they get. You knew that Simon or Gaz barely gave you things (they’re more of a spend-quality time of love) so you had no choice but to accept (but also to see their grins and how they would snuggle you and pepper your face with soft kisses) As for Price and Soap, you knew they would be huffy and pouty so you decided to avoid that entirely when Gaz accidentally confessed one time that — because you put him into an irritable mood, he kind of skipped the interrogation part with a prisoner (betrayed them lol) and went straight to… execution.

Yeah… it wasn’t a pretty sight. Alternatively, their genuine laughs and smiles were so of course you’d prefer that! (And they too as well~)

OK THATS IT FOR NOW ADDING MORE LATER🫶

[pocksprincess]

Chapter 5 - Confidence Building

Series masterlist

Obito Uchiha x f!reader

Modern AU, obi still has scars, so much flirting and simping that it's actually gross, first date in sight? 👀

Word count - 1247

Beta baddie - @dabilove27 ty for being the reason I continue <33

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It has been two days since Obito caught you hanging out of your upstairs window with a choked little scream. You had looked so cute in a strappy little tank top with a bandana wrapped around your head to keep your hair out of your face (after ascertaining that you were okay and not actually in danger, he only had a mild amount of shame admitting to himself that you looked good). 

You said you had been cleaning the windows and his mind can't help but wonder if you'd been cleaning the rest of the house as well. Unbidden thoughts of you pairing that tank top with tiny little booty shorts that barely covered your ass, leaning on tiptoes to dust the top of the cupboards, flooded his mind. Your shirt riding up just enough to reveal your soft stomach…

Obito has gone insane, his poor addled brain cannot stop thinking about you. He's never felt an attraction quite this powerful before, never really noticed someone and all the little things about them so thoroughly. Obito usually keeps to himself and only speaks to others when it's required, like at work, and he's been fine with that arrangement so far. 

But you make him lose all sense and reason and he barely even knows you. Maybe it is because you speak to him like he is a human being worthy of respect, look at him when you talk to him and not just his scars, people never behave that way when they first meet him. But you did. It's nice. More than nice. 

And so Obito doesn't even think twice when he sees you wander out onto the driveway to put out your recycling from his kitchen window. He rushes to open his door, hair still damp from the shower, and calmly walks (or tries to) to his mailbox under the guise of checking it-even though he already did this morning.

You turn at his approach, catching his eye, and that brilliant smile (the one that keeps him up at night) stretches across your cheeks. And in this moment, Obito desperately wishes that you would only smile like that for him.

You close the distance between you both, wandering over with a bashful look about your face, a look he's never seen on you before. You're wearing a stripy, blue tie-front top with denim shorts- the perfect picture of summer in the golden light of the setting sun.

"Hey, neighbour," you greet him, hands dangling at your front, those nervous fingers twisting together again.

"Hey." Obito feels like he should have something better to respond to you with, but his blood is rushing too loudly in his ears for him to focus.

"Sorry about yesterday, I wasn't spying on you or anything, just couldn't get the damn window open.” You chuckle to yourself, a slight grimace to your mouth as you remember the moment. 

"Yeah, I could see that. You made quite the scene." Obito can't keep the amusement out of his tone or the smile off his lips at the memory.

You look at him with wide eyes, your amiable smile dropping as your lips part in apparent surprise, gently scrutinising his expression. He should feel self conscious with how intently you're staring at him, but everything within him is too busy fighting not to stare at your full mouth and the way your lips look all shiny with gloss. Obito wants to ask you what has you so focused on him, but he doesn't seem able to form the words. 

All he manages is a rough clearing of his throat and a hard swallow. But it's enough to snap you back to the present.

You laugh then, a beautiful sound, “What can I say? I'm clumsy. And that window wasn't playing fair!” The little pout you give following that statement almost has his heart seizing in his chest.

“But enough about me embarrassing myself, please. I saw you working on your garden, it's really beautiful! I wish I had a green thumb so I could sort out the mess in my backyard.”

And without even meaning to, he's taken a step closer to you, as if he can't help but be drawn to you like a moth to a flame. A false sense of bravado courses through him at the way you look up at him through your lashes in surprise, the picture of innocence, if it isn't for the way your thighs clamp together instinctually. Your own body betrays your desire.

"Thought you weren't spying?" Obito teases, crossing his arms over his chest, and staring you down as if daring you to deny it. 

It's your turn to stutter over your words, eyes wide, and mouth opening and closing several times as you try to process his proximity and how to respond. He can practically see the little cogs turning in your brain, you're so cute. 

Maybe Obito can get used to being a little braver if it means this is his reward.

You laugh, voice barely an octave higher than usual, but your pretty face is composed once again-body language no longer timid.

“Okay, big boy, you got me there.” You mirror his own action and take the last step towards him, practically toe to toe, playing a game of chicken that you know you'll win. And he knows it too. Did you just call him…big boy? Obito isn't conceited in any sense of the word, but he knows he's large, he's worked hard to stay healthy and strong (especially after the accident). But even so, hearing it come from you? It's almost too much for him to handle. 

“But I just couldn't help admiring the view.” You utter it so casually, a small and easy smile on your face. But he watches you look him up and down, eyes roving over his hips where his sweats hang low on his frame and lingering on his chest, his crossed arms doing little to hide his muscular physique.

And that's all it takes for him to lose all composure, that fragile confidence, any and all thoughts in his brain. If it had ever been in question that you had been flirting with him, that uncertainty dissipates with your sweet words and hungry eyes. Obito doesn't know what comes over him but in the next second he's speaking.

"Yousaidyouwantedtogarden. Learn, I mean. I-I can teach you, you should come over sometime.” The words pour from Obito's lips like an unstoppable tide, jumping forth from his hazy mind without his permission, and he curses himself for being so weak and smitten. What does he do if you say no? Melt into the core of the earth, probably.

But before he can retract his offer and apologise for being so forward, for assuming that you would ever want to spend time with him outside of pleasant niceties, you accept-with a quick "Yes! I mean, I'd love to.” That coy look creeping back into your expression.

Your eagerness is honestly adorable (you look as if you like the idea more than Obito himself), especially hidden behind a sheepish smile, looking up at him through dark lashes. It's the first time he's ever seen you look so unsure of yourself. Embarrassed or surprised (and most recently flustered), sure, but not this self-doubt. Like he might suddenly change his mind and reject you, decide he isn't mildly obsessed with you. As if he ever could.

He knows then and there he's done for.

[balkanradfem]

My neighbour came to give me some gift apples for the holidays, and I had to explain to her that my apartment is cold because I turned off the heating in all rooms except the kitchen, to save on energy while my roommates were gone for the holidays. I put my mattress in the kitchen to sleep on the floor under the tree and the radiator.

She then came later to inform me that I should turn the heating back on, because we bills will be just the same, so there's no use saving, they charge us by the square meter. I reassured her that I already knew that, and didn't do it in order to lower my heating bill, but because I believe saving energy in any way is important, and because energy always comes at the cost to the environment, and I care for the environment so much I'm happy to do this even if it's just one drop in the ocean.

She frowned at me and told me I'm not doing anything, displeased with my naive spirit. I, in turn, remained sure that I'm doing the right thing, and my spirits still raised by the idea that I'm not wasting energy.

I actually have more reasons for doing it, and some of them are that I just wanna be used to and comfortable with sustainable living. People heating the entire house when they're not even using 80% of it, is a very recent, and wasteful development. People used to heat only one room in the house, and just sleep in that same room, next to the fireplace, because it made no sense wasting all that wood, fuel and effort, when they could stay warm and cozy right where they are.

Having my entire place heated up would not make me more happy than I am, it would make me forget that any energy is even necessary for heating, if it's spent so dismissively, like it's a normal thing to do. It makes me appreciate the warm kitchen so much, every time I step into my cooled down bedroom and experience how the building would feel without heating. How wonderful it is to have a room that is completely warm, in the times of the cold.

I am aware that if it gets below freezing, I need to turn the heating on just a little tiny bit, in order for the pipes to not have a chance to freeze over and burst, I know it can happen in the times of extreme cold. But it's not even below freezing right now, so I'm perfectly safe in enjoying my little sustainable ways.

I don't think we'll have enough energy to keep big establishments completely heated while empty, if we want to have a future on this planet, so why not go back to being used to limited heating? It's not something that takes away from happiness, even if it's a slightly less convenient way of life. And we're saving energy as we do it, just like we do when we don't leave the lights on, take quick showers, recycle, turn our electronics off. Heating takes burning fuel, and burning fuel emits carbon in the atmosphere, and creates leftover waste. It's a good thing to be aware where the energy is coming from, and to take only as much as we need to be happy and safe.

[starakex]

Costume Tetris: Storing stuff when you have no storage space

I just cleaned up my cosplay storage space recently and really optimized it down, so I thought I'd share a couple of tips on how I maximize the world's tiniest closet to somehow store most of my costumes, tools and materials.

So disclaimer: despite what I've just said, unfortunately not everything is in the one closet. I've got almost 15 years of cosplay stuff in my teeny tiny home to cram down, so some things end up elsewhere. I try to keep all my crafting materials and tools in this closet, as well as most costumes, with a priority to those currently in rotation for the year to be worn. Some of my tools are in small bins under a desk, and whatever other costumes that don't fit are bagged, folded and squeezed in the corner of another closet where they can occupy otherwise unusable nooks and crannies. My sewing machine is stored with other house tools so I don't risk clobbering myself on the head pulling it off the shelves.

The most important function of this space is easy access to anything I need ASAP, so garments, accessories/props, fabrics, makeup and the majority of my tools are stored inside. Let's take a look!

This closet can be broken down into 5 parts; the top shelf with bags of bulky costumes, the left shelves with compartmentalized bits in boxes and bags, the suspended fabric shelf containing materials and pieces of current craft projects, the garment bags on the right, and the big ol' bins on the bottom. The whole thing is graced by an IKEA LED Bar that I can either plug into an extension cable or just slap my Power Bank on if I'm lazy. (I'm lazy.) Either way, I'm never in there long enough to need a more permanent solution for lighting.

1. Bag Your Bulky Costumes!

This one is my favorite. I have a couple fursuit-type costumes now, and I found that Ikea has some really nice bags that work super well for storing bulkier, weirdly shaped pieces. In my case, each bag contains the equivalent of a mini-partial (Head, Tail, Paws), and they all feature handles that make it easy to grab-n-go the whole thing in one swoop. It keeps them out of dust's way too, which is a huge concern of mine. I'd likely store armor builds in these bags, if I actually still made those, with a bit of silk/gift paper in between the pieces to prevent the painted foam from sticking together. These bags can be stored out of the way, which prevents more fragile costume pieces from being crushed and warped over time. I think many types of bags could work for this purpose, but my favorites are Ikea's Görsnygg and Knalla. As a bonus, they have little spaces where you can put a little picture of the contents!

2. Box your bits!

Not much to say on these, as it's pretty self-explanatory; Sort your stuff into smaller boxes so everything stays together. My tip here is to get creative with the boxes you use; not everything can be solved with a slew of matching plastic bins from the dollar store! To really maximize the space (and my wallet), I also use a lot of repurposed containers, like these old jewelry chests, and takeout containers (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!) Avoid cardboard if possible; they don't do much to protect your items from mold or pests. If that's all you have, it's better than nothing as a temporary storage solution until you find sturdier options.

In this picture, I've got all my electronics in a sturdy old jewelry case, a fragile half-mask and a bunch of print cotton in dollar store bins, and a bunch of ribbons and bias tapes in some old plastic takeout containers. I then jam some bulky crafting materials in the awkward space under the clothes bar since nothing else currently fit into the space.

3. Free Up Your Desk!

So making a cosplay is often a long process. In most cases, it takes more than a day, and if you're anything like me, your lack of space extends to more than just storage. I work on my dining table or my work desk and I need those to eat and work. In my case, my fabric bin (we'll get to that) is harder to access, so I've got a hanging organizer shelf on the clothes bar with a lot of spaces to sort different pieces over. Unless I'm painting something or working on a very large piece, I can just cram everything in there out of the way to pull it back out when I get back to working on the costume. It's super versatile; I also store some spare storage bags and my apron in there, and if it's a convention day I can set everything up to be easily found in the morning as I get ready. It won't work for everyone, obviously, but it helps me keep my space organized so I don't have to sacrifice eating on a table for a month.

4. Garment, Garment on the Wall

These ones are also self-explanatory, to be fair. A Garment bag, for those unfamiliar, is a protective fabric of plastic sleeve you slip over a hanger to protect the garment inside. There's different sizes available, and many of them zip on the front. Some cosplay pieces are just best stored this way, especially if they don't risk stretching the fabric out from gravity while hung up. Whenever possible I try stuffing every fabric piece of a costume in there, using multiple mix-and-matched hangers if needed (On the left bag here, there's a large coat and two undershirts on one hanger, and pants and a sash on a second hanger with integrated clothespins. The entire costume without accessories!) In the picture below, there's an entire Monster Hunter armor in one bag, with the flat armor pieces hanging out at the bottom of the garment bag.

You can get really optimized with this storage option; just be mindful of the total weight of everything you're storing this way, as plastic hangers will bend under too much weight (or, tragically, your bar might give under too many costumes. I've heard some stories)

5. Big Bins for Big Storage

Large plastic bins are the workhorse of my storage. The leftmost one under the shelf contains all my fabric, folded and rolled to take as little space as possible. When you're this limited in fabric space, I recommend buying versatile fabrics that can be easily reused, selling or donating extras you haven't found a use for in years to other cosplayers, and, if you're particularly short on space, planning your next costume in such a way you can make a dent in your leftovers by using them up. The other bin contains pretty much every accessory of prop for every costume I have in the house, even the currently unused ones. After having accidentally lost or crushed one too many item due to improper storage, this is my favorite way to store all those weird costume bits. This is where Cosplay Tetris comes in.

The Bin contains a whole slew of boxed, bagged and free-floating items crammed in as neatly as possible. There's props. There's accessories. There's wigs and hats. There's entire garments in there, too. In a lot of cases it's repurposed shipping bags and takeout containers all over again. The key to avoiding damage is filling up the space between bulkier or fragile pieces with soft items like those wigs or garments. Some examples:

Certain costumes are simple enough that storing them on a hanger in a garment bag would be overkill. Enki Ankarian's robes are easy to iron, so the entire costume is smashed into a shoe bag from Ikea. I also have a ridiculously heavy robe for another costume that would stretch and warp if stored on a hanger, so bagged and binned it is, too.

I have a whole slew of very small props (under 10cm wide) stored in old takeout containers, with silk/gift paper to prevent the more fragile paint jobs from getting scratched up. Little jewelry or weird pieces like Madoka's Soul Gem get further stored in smaller boxes inside to really protect them.

As most of my wigs use little to no hairspray to style them, the majority of my wigs are just stored in bags. I have a box on the shelves dedicated to storing all my wigs, but some of the unstyled ones end up in the accessory bin as padding, saving some space in the wig box for more fragile hairstyles. Here I jammed Ingo's wig and accessories into the hat so that it would keep its shape in the bin while really maximizing the space usage.

Finally, I keep an itemized list of every single item in this bin as a quick reference, that way I can tell where everything is at a glance. The list gets updated whenever something is added to this storage.

6. So, What's Next?

At the end of the day, this is about as optimized as I can get with the space I have. There are some other ways to gain some space, of course (I store a couple of costume pieces in with my regular clothes, like binders or plain shirts or sports underlayers), but as some point you will inevitably run out of space. At this point, the only solution is to empty it out a little.

I gave some tips for making a dent in the fabric stash, and the same can be applied to unused materials like EVA Foam or Worbla or Upholstery Foam, but at some point you're probably going to have to part with some of the older costumes to make space for the new ones. And that's okay! I'll admit it's a bit easier for me when the costume is damaged beyond repair, or I just no longer fit in it. You can, obviously, sell them on secondhand cosplay groups, or donate them. Unfortunately sometimes parts will be so damaged you might have to just throw them away, but that doesn't mean you have to throw the whole costume out with it! Keep whatever's still wearable and either sell/donate those individual parts or repurpose them for another costume, if possible (this is usually easiest with things like wigs or plain garments)

I hope this weird impromptu tour of my cosplay closet can give some storage ideas to those who, like me, don't have a proper dedicated workshop for the hobby! (Lord knows that's probably most of us in this economy)

[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Fourteen

Read from the beginning

Also on Wattpad

Chapter Thirteen>> <<Chapter Fifteen

The building housing the sports rooms was packed full. Some faces held the gloom of the day, while others shone as bright as the trophy the Reds had lifted up that evening.

Khushi trailed behind Preeto as she made a beeline for Farhan.

Dhruv stood beside him, a duffle bag resting on his shoulders. She walked up to him, standing in silence. There was nothing more she could offer. No consolations, no encouragement. She knew better than anyone else that losing must be dealt with in true acknowledgment. She remembered every dance competition she had failed to win, every debate she had faltered in and every exam she had fumbled. She knew the pain.

“You must be happy now”

Startled at the rancid tone, she looked at Dhruv. He seemed to be in disbelief, and yet his eyes held an accusatory glare.

“Oh come on! Don’t give me that deer in headlights that look like Khushi. He made a show about his first goal. For you. Of course you wanted them to win”

“That’s not fair”, she gritted out, her temple throbbing.

“I wanted him to play well, but I wanted us to win."

“Really?”, his bitterness seeped into his voice.

“Really. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone Dhruv. Goodbye.”

She spun around, ready to leave in a fit of fury, when she found herself pulled back by her arm.

“Khushi, I am sorry”, he sighed.

“I was so sure that we would win that I didn’t even….You are dating him aren’t you?”

She nodded tersely. Her mind felt muffled by Dhruv’s switching between hot and cold. She had enough of it. Shaking his hands off her, she stormed off.

——-

The red lights and decor hung from the ceiling. A lot of decor had been recycled from NK’s last riotous party, but some paper footballs were new on the scene. Mona held Khushi’s hand as she led them through the dancing mesh of people. Reaching the drinks table, they grabbed lemonades, sipping through them absently.

“Dhruv is a little bitch. Don’t give him the time of the day, K”

“Is this really coming from someone who till weeks ago believed he walked with a halo?”

“Well, whatever he did today proved me wrong”, Mona smiled wryly.

“Is NK okay?” Khushi sighed.

“Speak of the devil”, she grinned.

“NK!” Khushi yelled.

The man sat on his throne, his bandaged leg, resting on a pile of pillows.

“Mademoiselle! My apologies but I crushed your team even with this beautiful injury “

“If you were not hurt, I would have emptied this glass on you”, Mona smiled mockingly.

“So harsh!” NK gasped.

Khushi jumped as a warm hand slipped under her sweater, around her waist.

“Enjoying the party?” His whiskey-like voice settled against her skin like a thousand ice cubes.

As she twisted her neck, her lips brushed against his in one electrifying moment. They both stilled. She felt the burn where his hand rested, even as his eyes held her under their scorching heat.

“Get a room, you two!”

Khushi pushed him hastily as she looked up to see their friends laughing. She thanked the dim lights. Awkward moments like these didn’t deserve an audience .

“I would like to dedicate this night to….”

She looked up to see Sahil, a junior ,climb up on a table ready to toast with a coke can.

Before she could listen any further, she found herself being dragged away by Arnav. His gait told her he wouldn’t tolerate any more delays. Leading her down a corridor, he opened a door, revealing a small closet.

“Are you serious?” Khushi giggled, forgetting all the awkwardness they had been wrapped in.

“I told you. I have a penchant for finding places”

“Hey! There’s even a tiny sofa here”

Khushi plopped down, her glass almost spilling over. Arnav settled beside her, stretching his legs against the confined space.

She found herself being swept into his arms, and this time, her drink did spill over.

“Congratulations”, she whispered hotly against his lips.

“Uh-huh”, Arnav murmured before kissing her.

He slid his hand down, which was entangled in her hair down her neck. His fingers fiddled with the chain before reaching the locket she had attached just this afternoon.

Breaking the kiss, he looked down at the soda cap. Turning it around, he almost reverently traced the engraving he had cast years ago. Back then it had been a promise and a premise. But today? Today it had morphed into a declaration, a possession.

“You gave me want I wanted Khush”,he looked into her eyes.

“I wanted to”, she said simply, tilting to fit into his arms.

Khushi felt her breath stutter as he kissed down her neck, kissing the swell of her breast. She jumped, her mind in an overdrive.

“Shhh, baby it’s fine”

She didn’t know what she felt overwhelmed by more- the sensations he was making her feel or his endearment for her.

God! He was going to be the end for her!

Pulling the neck of her sweater down, he kissed the scrape of skin, setting her on fire. She arched her back, pushing herself further closer to him.

Feeling his hot breath on her, she blinked her eyes open. Khushi stifled a gasp as he bit softly but deliberately into the skin at the nape of her neck. Sucking on it with a passion ,unlike she had ever seen in him before, Arnav licked her skin and kissed it softly.

She felt a serene smile light up her lips as she gazed at him.

“What?” He whispered huskily as his eyes searched her face.

“I didn’t know you had the vampire tendency in you”

“Next time you’ll find me watching you sleep beside your window”, he said with a grin.

“I prefer werewolves”, Khushi said with a saucy wink.

“Oh really?”

With a scoff, he let his fingers skim her sides, sending her into bursts of giggles.

Lost amidst the cocoon of privacy they had found themselves in, Khushi froze as she heard the door creak open. Struggling to sit upright, she pushed Arnav away gently.

Embarrassed, she glanced up to meet tear filled eyes.

The door slammed right back as the interrupter left.

“Who?” Arnav groaned as he finally pushed himself off her.

“Lavanya”, she replied in a small voice.

Looking away, she ran a hand through her tangled hair.

Clearing his throat, he began,”Khush-“

“She was crying”

Arnav frowned. But she went on, “She saw us and she started crying”

“I am not talking to her. I haven’t since the picnic. I really don’t think you should worry about it Khush”

He took her hands in his, rubbing a thumb over them gently. She took a deep breath, mustering up a smile at him.

“You are right of course. It’s just-“

“It’s not a pleasant feeling. I know. But I did everything I could to help her fit in, make friends and yet she didn’t make any efforts”

Khushi nodded. Unsettling as the look on Lavanya’s face was, she knew that she couldn’t help it. Whatever little crush she has on Arnav will have to fade away with time.

“Want to go back to the party? You never know, NK might be swinging on the chandelier” , he said dryly.

She giggled, “Now that is a sight I want to see”

—————

Next chapter>>

Author's note:

A hundred apologies! I don't know if you missed this story, but I definitely missed writing it :)

Exams season swept me away~ while I have to face the current again mid December ;(

I hope to tie the bow on 'September Rain' by then 🤞🏻

Next update: Tomorrow ^⁠_⁠^

Tagging: @hand-picked-star @phuljari @msbhagirathi @thenainitaldisaster @thedupattaknowswhatsup @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @barshifan @andli @shiyaravi @chutkiandchotte @laad-governess @minpdnim @bigfatreader @arshiradio @simplycurlz @scorpio-smiles @bengudill @exosexosekai @0218fm @chaiandtakkar @colorfulangelpeach

[bumblebeeappletree]

Hannah visits a tiny yard in Melbourne’s inner-city that is bursting with ideas and productive plants.

Hannah's in Melbourne to visit an inner-city patch that's small on space but big on plants and style. Garden owners, Judy and Andreas Sederof, have transformed a challenging block into a productive patch that is filled with color year-round. Situated in Brunswick east near the Merri Creek, it's filled to the brim with plants and ideas in every inch of this 66sqm garden. Judy describes it as “pretty eclectic, pretty crazy... I just collect plants. I'll see a plant and I’ll love it.” The site has been designed with the house built on the back boundary to leave a bigger space for a garden out the front. The diversity of the garden highlights different types of plants, which take advantage of the various soil profiles. Judy says, “we have quite deep, productive soil here which was nurtured, adding compost and mulch, but it really was pretty good to begin with. Whereas this side of the garden is really all on rock, so it had to be built above the ground.” There’s a lot of colour in this garden and Judy says this is due to her background in design and interiors, “I just love color and I'm always changing the color pallets and getting it to work together.”

Judy and Andreas have been designing sustainable houses for 30 years and built their own with the aim of being light on the land. Andreas says, “the four critical elements are glass, mass, insulation and most importantly orientation. We chose this block because the house faces north which is the optimum angle for sustainable building design, often called passive design.” In this home, the ceiling has 2-feet of insulation which Andreas calls “super-insulation” as it’s double the standardised requirements. “Everything in here is double or triple glazed... and to get this house to 9.5 stars, we had to provide way more concrete or brickwork than this house was planned for,” says Andreas. The sustainable principles that underpin the house can also be found in the garden. Timber used in the wicking beds is Cypress macrocarpa, which is known to be a sustainable timber, and “things like not having any hard surfaces so that the land absorbs the moisture, and it doesn't heat up the building,” says Judy. Pipes direct grey water from the shower to the garden, as well as “two squat rainwater tanks underneath the deck here that are connected to a pump; they collect rainwater from the roof. We use that a lot in summer,” says Judy.

With no bare ground in the planting style, Judy says, “one of the things is to plant heavily so it keeps weeds down. They also provide quite a lot more moisture to the site, so I mulch, but I don't have to weed very often.” Much of the garden is edible, including flowers like nasturtium, marigold and viola. Judy says, “In summer I can grow some of the bigger vegies like eggplants and tomatoes. Over winter, there's more low growing brassicas and herbs.” Judy utilises tent structures and shed walls to grow vegies vertically, as well as wicking beds that were built by Andreas. “They're really high functioning wicking beds,” says Judy, “They store a lot of the moisture, and it wicks up in the soil. I just have to put a light sprinkling of water on top when I'm growing seeds but mostly the vegetables root down quite well.” Judy takes her love of designing interiors to the outdoors and uses a lot of recycled materials, including baskets from old vineyards repurposed as planters, and an eclectic mix of mirrors, sculptures and ornaments found in hard rubbish collections. “I do collect things... I do it innately, I don't think about it that much,” says Judy and in a cool temperate garden when many plants lose their leaves, having these elements really hold the garden together. Even though it's a small space, there's more than enough happening year-round to keep Judy actively planting, improving and making the most of her little productive inner-city sanctuary. “It's a connection with the Earth to me,” says Judy, “it really grounds me... it's very soothing.”

[sneezingllama]

Sims 4 Stardew challenge

(This will assume you have most packs or all of the packs, I would limit myself but at the same time that's also hard to do when you have all the packs….)

Eventually I'm going to make a starter save for this with starting farms, shops, custom sims, etc…, but as of writing this and probably whilst I play my own game of this It's not going to be for a while…. so to get everyone started I'm laying out guidelines that will probably influence the custom save which will have it's own rules eventually on a separate thing as a version 2.0 kinda thing… anyway on with the rules…

Lifespan can be whatever you wish, I personally recommend long, and either 7 or 14 day seasons for 28 day "years" or 56 day "years" as I like to take my time and not rush through the gameplay…

Pick a world to live in forever it can be any world just keep in mind you're building a farm/ranch/homestead so you want a larger lot E.g. 40x40, 50x40, 50x50, 64x64 and maybe a world that fits the theme but not required. Also you must stay in this world for the foreseeable future no going to say san myshuno for the festivals, or to other worlds to dig rocks or get plants it all must be from your home world in the beginning, so with that in mind I would heavily recommend choosing henford as you have the shops as well… vacation worlds are allowed in the 3rd generation onward for collectables or anything else that world may have that you want (that includes going on vacation to any of the "non vacation" worlds as long as you have a vacation rental in those worlds)

Your sim should have fairly basic clothing, maybe even the same outfit for a few categories or reusing the same item of clothing it is rags to riches type style to be fair, no jewelry you'll have to make your own. (my save will end up having shops for clothing and other things your sims can go to, to change up style)

Lots that would work well IMO (I generally prefer 50x50 or 64x64 for this) -Dresden house 64x64 - Windenburg (may have to kick out the Fyres family👀) -Hay Hill Landing 64x64 - Ravenwood -Red Roan Field 64x64 - Chestnut Ridge -2 Olde Mill Lane 50x40 - Henford -Olde Mill Hill 64x64 - Henford (May have to kick out the Watson family👀)

Lot Challenges that must be on the entire time through the generations: Off grid, reduce and recycle, simple living, and prairie grass. you can choose lot traits and add extra challenges as you wish, and the house type can be residential, or haunted house, no tiny homes

Start off by making a farm layout you like akin to stardew valley add in terrain features, ponds, etc… if there isn't a fence around it in world Ie horse ranch lots with the nice little border fence for your horses or henford with their version make your own, section off different areas with a thin fence as your "expandable areas" can be as few or as many as you want fewer means less challenge more means more…., in one of the areas make a concrete area for your greenhouse later, in your starting area add in 6 plots of soil from cottage living to grow crops, a small shack (more on the shack later), a fire pit/grill (something to cook fish off the grid), a woodworking table, and a yard sale table of your choice (they come in a LOT of packs atp), a pee bush, and a starter pack of seeds of your choice fill in as much space as you wish with rocks, trees, and obstacles of your choice (debug is your friend)

all furniture you can craft must be crafted (artwork & decor, toilets, tubs, chairs & tables, etc…), new clothes can be knitted, jewelry can be crafted, planter boxes for the greenhouse etc…. you get the drift… if you can't craft something you're allowed to buy it from buy mode, when my custom save is out there should be shops to get things you need/want and you shouldn't have to buy things from buy mode at all… (there's also going to be a mods section with recommendations but not necessary to play the challenge) try to avoid "buying" materials to craft things as much as possible if it has items to reduce cost or make it 0 you should have the items, I know for certain hobbies it just let's you buy the extra materials even with simple living…

Your house starts off as a small wooden shack with nothing in it you could use the tiny home scales as a benchmark for an idea of scale, wood floors, wood walls, and a bathroom area, I recommend making house "upgrade" sections out of concrete floor think of it as a shell challenge or additions onto the shack when it's time to upgrade and edit the house as your see fit within your sim or heirs skills (more on that below), decorations and furniture have to be made if you can otherwise you can buy the item from buy mode (the furniture catalogue will be unlocked at some point so don't worry if you want to decorate the house with buy mode later)

[to start an upgrade you have to use UI cheats or a cheat code to remove X amount of money] when upgrading the house the first floor has to be done before the second and the second floor has to be done before the basement, each floor of the house should have 3 upgrades the first floor upgrades cost 10k, 20k, and 30k in order, the second floor is 50k, 70k, and 100k in order, and the basement/cellar are all 100k each

to do certain things in build/buy mode you'll need certain skill levels: if a previous heir bought the thing you can use it but you can't get more till your current heirs skill level reaches the requirement… Gardening: create new plots for crops level 2 have vertical planters level 3 have chickens level 3 have bees & bug huts level 4 have mini goats & sheep level 5 have a patchy scarecrow level 6 have sprinklers level 7 have cows & llamas level 8 have horses level 10 be able to move or remove prairie grass patches on the lot at level 10 (only 1 removal per sim day as it's tiring)

Handiness: fencing: -build fences level 3 (basic wooden fencing) -build any fences level 6 flooring: -Lay floor level 4 (wood) -lay any floor level 6 Walls: -build walls level 5 (wood) -build walls level 8 (stone & brick) -build walls level 10 (metal) other: -Remove and move obstacles on the farm (rocks, trees, etc…) level 10 (only 1 removal per sim day as it's tiring) -power and water generation level 10 and either be on the second generation or an elder in the first generation as one of their last "improvements" before they die

Misc. skill things: painting level 3 to do basic painted walls Painting level 6 to do wallpaper

when it comes to expanding onto more of the property with the expandable areas, you have to spend your money on them like the house upgrades and the previous area has to be cleared of all debris (except prairie grass and any debris you're keeping as decoration), the first expansion is 10k and you add 20k each time so 10k, 30k, 50k, 70k, 90k, 110k, etc… until you've unlocked it all

building the greenhouse requires you to complete 2 collections involving nature (also supposed to be slightly hard and might end up having to be on 3rd gen so you can go to other worlds for certain collectables) unlocking the furniture catalogue (IE BUY MODE IN FULL) complete 20 collections (It's meant to be hard and an end goal)

When a plant goes dormant it has to be deleted you may only keep it if it's "perfect" quality or if it's got multiple seasons per year with a dormant gap but after the second season it must be deleted if it's not "perfect". If you have "perfect" quality plants that go dormant they may go in the family inventory until it's time for the flowering season. (grafting to avoid this is allowed)

you'll have limited access to crops you're allowed to sell (by rarity) each gen (you may still grow everything you want, you just can't sell the crops or products of said crops until whichever gen) Gen 1: Common Fruit: grape lemon Apple plantain Growfruit elderberry noxious elderberry blueberry raspberry

Herb: Basil parsley sage chamomile toxic chamomile Catnips (all of them) kava root

Vegetable: Carrot mushroom spinach bell pepper green peas taro root soy plant lovely mushroom spicy mushroom wild mushroom

Flower: Bluebell Daisy Chrysanthemum snapdragon holly

Gen 2: Uncommon Fruit: blackberry cherry pear strawberry tomato trash fruit forbidden fruit of the plantsim huckleberry muckleberry plasma fruit avocado coconut pineapple chocoberry

Herb: fireleaf poison fireleaf sixam mosquito trap

Vegetable: onion potato garlic black bean green bean verdant mushroom charming mushroom

Flower: lily rose tulip fang flower wolfsbane begonia Christmas rose crocus dahlia snowdrop

Gen 3: Rare Fruit: Dragon fruit pomegranate U.F.O quill fruit merry berry gutsberry vimberry flutterberry careberry museberry razzleberry

Herb: mandrake valerian root

Vegetable: morel mushroom false morel mushroom mysterious mushroom nightly mushroom

Flower: bird of paradise orchid Death flower

Misc: Bonsai buds Cow berry glow orb money fruit bizarre fruit

Choose 3 days a week to make your market day where you use the yard sale table to sell items, you can't sell items in your inventory or on plopsy it all has to be done either with the table or to vendors in game…. speaking of vendors, you can sell to them whenever for extra pocket change, the table markup can only go up by one notch each spring so your first "year" it's 0% then the next "year" it's 25% etc… until you're at %300 basically building trust in the local community…

wedding/engagement rings must be homemade in order to get married and the first floor of the house must be done. (also don't be a homewrecker…. or do… up to you…🤷) children are expensive the second floor of the house should have the first upgrade done to have kids… children's traits are random, the aspiration you may choose. your sims can't have jobs when you get the furniture catalogue you may use the ignore gameplay unlocks cheat to get career specific items aged nectar can't be sold until you have the first basement/cellar upgrade as it can sell for a LOT

mod recs:

woodworking table rework (littlemssam) more woodworks (littlemssam) craft more nectar bottles (littlemssam) meat wall for everyone (littlemssam) better animal hunger, hygiene, activity (littlemssam) flower arrangements require all ingredients (littlemssam) better power water production (littlemssam) free range (lot51) buglife (lot51) plant sim lives (SrslySims)

[samurai-skittle-squad]

Stupid college adventure drabble for a BoS prompt. I titled the doc "Touma Energy Drink Poisoning".

     They had all gotten pretty worried after not hearing from Touma for a week. He had always been a bit of an overachiever, but taking as many extra credits as he had this semester? Was he out of his mind? Mr. Genius was going to work himself to death, that is…if he hadn't already.

“So what's in the insulated bag?” Ryo asked, as they waited in the elevator up to the floor Touma’s apartment was on.

“Food from my folks and some ingredients if we feel like making something.” Shu answered. “I figured more than likely he's been living on instant food and caffeine.”

“Do you really think he's that bad at taking care of himself?”

“When it comes to nerd shit? 100%.”

Touma lived pretty high up in one of those crowded Tokyo apartment buildings after moving for college. He had always lived in apartments before in Osaka, technically with his dad, but college was different from high school and it had been a little too easy for him to overdo it. The elevator dinged and the doors opened onto a sterile apartment hallway.

“Have you seen one of these little city apartments before Shu?” Ryo laughed. “They’re usually tiny. I don't think there's going to be much of a kitchen.”

Shu gave Ryo a hearty slap on the back. “So long as there's a stovetop, I can make due!” 

“Yeah, uh,” The blue-eyed boy coughed a little, reeling from his strong friend’s playful slap. “Based on my own past experience, sometimes there's about 3 feet of kitchen space.”

“Shit dude, I'm sure there's gotta be more than 3 feet…”

“Here we are. 642!”

Ryo knocked and they waited. No answer. He tried the doorbell, they waited, and still no answer. Shu saw his friend's brow knit with concern, no choice but to try the door. 

“Sorry Touma…” With a heavy sigh, Shu turned the door knob and to his surprise it wasn't locked. The damn door would only open about 5 inches before hitting something on the side though. “...he didn't lock the door AND there's something blocking it. Our genius is kind of a dumbass.”

“I hope he's alright.”

Shu threw his weight against the door, shoving it open with his shoulder and scattering a collection of cardboard and other recycling items on the other side and clearing the way for them to get into their friend's cramped apartment.

“Uh oh.”

“Touma! Are you home?” Ryo called out.

Yet more uncomfortable silence. The lights were out, except for one dim lamp glowing down in the other room. The entryway was crowded with recycling and trash waiting to go out, as well as a scattered collection of shoes. The kitchen area, to Shu’s dismay, was so clean it seemed to never be used except to house a small stack of textbooks. They carefully made their way to the main room, tense with anxiety, until Ryo’s foot caught an empty energy drink can.

All hell broke loose. The can crunched, Ryo yelped, Shu screamed, and Touma, who had fallen asleep at his desk at some point, startled awake, knocking over assorted empty drink cans, noodle cups, and konbini bento boxes.

“Fuck!! Did I fall asleep?! What day is it?” Not seeming to notice them, Touma started clearing his desk and squinting at his computer screen. “...Thursday? Thank god, I still have time.”

“Uh, Touma? Are you okay?” Ryo asked quietly, as if they were in a library.

“Huh?” Their blue haired friend swiveled around in his desk chair and squinted at them. 

Shu handed Ryo the bag of food and stepped around him and into the room, at the same time, Touma reached for the light switch and turned the ceiling lamp on. The drowsy young man screwed his eyes shut, grumbling under his breath about the brightness and a headache. The dark circles of sleep deprivation made his eyes look sunken and despite not being in bed, he had a frankly ludicrous case of bed head.

Touma rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and squinted at them again.

“Great. I'm hallucinating my good friends Shu and Ryo. I guess I've reached that stage of sleep deprivation.” He slumped wearily in his chair.

“Touma? Buddy? We're the real deal.” Shu laughed nervously.

“Like hell you are.” Touma scoffed, reaching out like he was going to put his hand through Shu. Instead, he weakly slapped his friend’s chest. “Oh. Shit. It's worse than I thought. Where's my phone?”

“How much caffeine have you had Touma?” Ryo asked as he started opening the cooler, watching Touma push trash and books around as he searched for his phone. 

“Don't judge me, Dream-Ryo.” 

“Dude! You aren't dreaming! We came check on you!” Shu grabbed his friend's shoulders and shook him. “Even my parents were worried about your radio silence. I even  brought you food they made!” 

Ryo handed Shu a container, and he popped the plastic container of Chinese food open, filling the cramped apartment with the smell of warm, home-made food.

“Oh my God. Shu’s family's food. You are real!”

[poele-sexuel]

NEW HYPERFIXATION BABY !!!

Today, it's the owl house !

Wanna know about my fucked up unhinged Eldritch Horror hc/au/world building/lore bullshit ??? (I kind of got inspired by Danny Phantom, just a tiny bit ?)

Yes ? Fantastic ! :D

Spiritual Unifying (it's not connected to the "day of unity", Philip just read about Spiritual Unifying and believed it was the best way to fool the demon realm's citizens) (it was-)

But it doesn't explain what it is...

Simple really ! It's when two (2) different Souls mix together to become a completely new one ! (You see what the batard man did here ?)

How does it happen ? Well... When the Souls collide against eachother one way or an other of course ! Either the Souls are from the Dead, or the Living !

But if they are from separate state of existence (Alive and Dead), they cannot mix together. It would just be a possession of some sort.

*looks at Eda/owl beast + lilith/raven beast + hunter/flapjack (because yes he was still alive when he gave his Soul save hunter, sue me !), and smiles*

... Anyway !

It's easier for the Soul of the Dead to unifie, since they're "unaware" and "unconscious". Plus they leave the memory of whom they once were upon death (those are the oracle's spirits, sealing away a soul is... horrifying, but possible), so they technically became new souls. They're recycling themselves (?) Naturally

The "recycled" Souls do Wander a bit before their rebirth. That's when the Unifying process could possibly happen, and it can happen multiple time during the Wandering too !

Now, for Living Souls... The process is quite... Uncomfortable to say the least.

Specially when, technically, only Dead Souls can Unify. But don't worry ! It's only on first contact when they die, and they come back to life really quickly too ! (But healers and oracles who check on them will know that they died at one point, even if they're alive right now)

Unless it happens during the womb, the souls are still "unaware" at that stage. They're alive but not yet living, the mixing process isn't painful here.

Because yes, it is painful.

Either because of two completely different body fusing together to make a singular one, like their Soul. (And also their memories)

Or because the body has to change to adapt to the second Soul as they merge together. (Again, memories too) The body may have been owned by only one Soul before, but now the other one is as much of the owner as the first. It does... Strange things. In particular, the shape shifting.

Strange enough for anyone else other than an oracle would believe that it's a curse. :)

It's physically, mentally, emotially and spiritually painful and exhausting.

So much stress being in ones bodies...

But it's fine ! Once the process is finished, the new Soul (and merged person) will be okay ! Even if they didn't wanted to happen in the first place. :)

But only one thing,

something that you really shouldn't do...

Separating two Souls that are merging.

If they started the process, they're already one.

It will only destroy them. Kill them.

Their Soul will be gone.

[dnpbeats]

My old apartment in central London actually had no bin room/recycling room, it was so tiny that we couldn’t physically store any rubbish in the apartment. We took our rubbish to bins that were left on the street (like across the road). And then a couple nights a week we could leave rubbish out the front of the house for pickup.

would that be the case for a swanky new build apartment building though? like is that to be expected?? bc if d&p do live in a penthouse that shit cost millions of pounds, and then imagine you spent that much money to live in that nice of a place and you have to walk your trash across the road bc they didnt plan a place for residents to put their rubbish 😭 like it makes sense for older buildings but if that's the case in a new building that just seems like bad planning to me personally 🤷🏻‍♀️

[shanjanblog]

How To Go Off Grid Now With No Money

In today’s fast-paced world, the concept of going off-grid and living a more ecojoyful and self-sufficient lifestyle has gained tremendous popularity. However, many individuals believe that making such a significant lifestyle change requires a considerable amount of money. The truth is, with creativity, resourcefulness, and determination, it is entirely possible to transition to an off-grid lifestyle with little to no financial investment. This guide will walk you through practical steps to achieve this dream without breaking the bank.

1. Finding Free or Affordable Land

One of the biggest challenges in going off-grid is securing a piece of land to call your own. Fortunately, there are ways to acquire land without a hefty price tag.

Seeking Out Land Grants and Donations

There are organizations and local governments that offer land grants or donations, particularly in rural areas that are looking to attract new residents. These programs often require you to commit to living on the land for a set number of years and contributing to the local community, which can be a win-win if you're serious about an off-grid lifestyle.

Homesteading and Land Sharing

Another option is to connect with other off-grid enthusiasts who may be willing to share or rent out a portion of their land. This arrangement can reduce your costs significantly and allow you to benefit from the shared knowledge and resources of a community.

Squatting and Adverse Possession

While not the most traditional route, squatting on unused land is an option that some have pursued. Over time, with the proper legal understanding, this can lead to adverse possession, where you can gain legal ownership of the land. This approach requires thorough research into local laws and a willingness to navigate potential legal challenges.

2. Building a Shelter with Recycled Materials

Constructing a shelter doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. With the right approach, you can build a comfortable home using recycled and natural materials.

Utilizing Reclaimed Wood and Pallets

Reclaimed wood and pallets are often available for free or at a low cost from construction sites, businesses, or online marketplaces. With some basic carpentry skills, these materials can be transformed into a sturdy and ecojoyful off-grid home. Pallets, in particular, are versatile and can be used for everything from walls to furniture.

Earthships and Cob Houses

Earthships and cob houses are types of sustainable architecture that use natural and recycled materials like earth, clay, and glass bottles. These structures are highly efficient, insulating, and can be built with little to no money. The building process can be labor-intensive, but with the help of volunteers or community members, it’s a feasible option.

Alternative Shelters

Consider unconventional shelters like yurts, shipping containers, or tiny homes on wheels. These can often be sourced affordably and adapted to off-grid living. Yurts and tiny homes offer mobility, while shipping containers provide durability and a solid foundation for a permanent residence.

3. Harnessing Free or Low-Cost Energy Sources

Living off the grid means generating your own power, but this doesn’t have to be expensive. There are various methods to harness energy without spending a fortune.

Solar Power on a Budget

Solar panels are a common choice for off-grid energy, but new systems can be costly. Instead, look for used or discounted solar panels online or through local classifieds. DIY solar panel kits are another budget-friendly option, allowing you to build your own system at a fraction of the cost.

Wind Power

If you’re in a windy area, consider building your own wind turbine. There are many tutorials available online that guide you through the process using inexpensive materials. Wind power can complement solar energy, providing power during cloudy or stormy weather.

Micro-Hydro Power

For those with access to a flowing water source, micro-hydro power is an efficient way to generate electricity. Building a small-scale hydroelectric system can be done with minimal investment, and it provides a consistent power supply, especially during the night or in winter months.

4. Sourcing Food Sustainably and for Free

Growing your own food and foraging are key components of off-grid living. With some planning and knowledge, you can sustain yourself without spending much on groceries.

Starting a Garden with Seed Swaps and Cuttings

Starting a garden doesn’t require purchasing expensive seeds or plants. Participate in local seed swaps, where gardeners exchange seeds and cuttings for free. You can also propagate plants from kitchen scraps, such as potatoes, onions, and herbs, to kickstart your garden.

Foraging and Wildcrafting

Foraging for wild edibles is an excellent way to supplement your diet. Learn about the local flora and fauna in your area to identify edible plants, fruits, and mushrooms. This not only provides free food but also helps you connect with nature on a deeper level. Wildcrafting, or harvesting plants for medicinal or culinary purposes, can also be an essential skill in off-grid living.

Raising Livestock on a Shoestring Budget

If you have space, consider raising small livestock like chickens, rabbits, or goats. These animals are relatively low-cost to maintain and provide a steady supply of eggs, meat, and dairy. You can often acquire animals for free through online ads or by connecting with local farmers looking to downsize their flocks or herds.

5. Water Collection and Conservation

Access to clean water is essential for off-grid living, and with a bit of ingenuity, you can secure a water supply without relying on municipal systems.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is one of the most straightforward and cost-effective methods of collecting water. By setting up a simple gutter and barrel system, you can collect and store rainwater for drinking, cooking, and irrigation. Ensure that you have proper filtration and purification systems in place to make the water safe for consumption.

Using Natural Water Sources

If you live near a natural water source, such as a river, lake, or spring, you can set up a gravity-fed water system. This method requires some initial work to install pipes and filters, but it provides a reliable water supply with minimal ongoing costs. Be sure to check local regulations regarding water rights before using natural sources.

Water Conservation Techniques

To minimize your water usage, implement water conservation techniques such as greywater recycling and composting toilets. Greywater systems reuse water from sinks and showers for irrigation, reducing the need for fresh water. Composting toilets convert waste into compost, eliminating the need for a septic system and conserving water.

[theoffgridcabin]

Just because it can be done, doesn’t always mean it should be.

We thought the 22 sqft mini house was crazy, the floating island home build on recycled bottles was strange and the tiny home built using an old dumpster was off the charts. But this… this is a mobile mini home with zero boundaries. Literally!

https://theoffgridcabin.com/off-grid-homes

#diy #hilarious #homemade #tinyhouse #home

[everygame]

Sega Golden Gun (Arcade)

Developed/Published by: Sega (Shanghai) Software, Sega AM1 / Sega Released: 2010 Completed: 12/03/2023 Completion: Finished it! Trophies / Achievements: n/a

Surprise entry here of a surprising game. Not surprisingly good or anything, simply surprising because here we have a Sega arcade game that I’d never even heard of before I saw it in a overpriced and tiny (but free-play once you’re in) retro arcade I was just in. It came out in 2010!

Anyway, this is an early(-ish) release of the largely unheralded Sega Shanghai, who look like they debuted with the PS2 version of Altered Beast (which I’ve never played, but it was never released in North America making me willing to assume that it’s pretty bad). Mobygames has them listed on things like Sonic Adventure in 1998, but I’d be willing to gamble that’s related to later ports as the company seems to have largely transitioned to being a “port and support” developer for Sega. However, when not doing that, Sega Shanghai has a weird history of overlooked Sega arcade titles that seem to mostly exist as a way for Sega to get a bit more out of another engine they’d made. With Sega Golden Gun, it’s an extremely transparent recycling of House of the Dead 4, but in 2007 they put out “Asian Dynamite” which is a reskin of Dynamite Cop (aka Dynamite Deka 2) that includes a character called “Jennifer Genuine”???

Sega Golden Gun is… not good. Here’s what I’ll say for it: I think it’s neat that Sega Shanghai got to use Chinese history and mythology for the setting, and Shanghai as the location–the game even ends at the “Sega Building”–but unfortunately this is about as braindead as a shooting game gets. Your pistols are fully automatic (including reloading) meaning that you pretty much just hold down the fire button and wait for your arms to get tired (which they will) while attempting to headshot the swarming enemies for the bonus. There’s no branching (while you can select which level to play next, you have to play them all) and while there’s a Resident Evil 4-style shop… guy… the stuff he sells costs you score (?) and isn’t that useful (anything with limited bullets you’ll use up immediately because you can’t save it for later, so you’re better off just going with restoring lives; I’m not even sure if raising your attack power or magazine size helps that much.)

The game is, unfortunately, like an amalgam of the things I didn’t like about House of the Dead 3 and 4: the linear boredom of 3 and the impact-free shooting from 4. You just never really feel like you’re doing anything. I know this is real grandpa material, even when discussing a game from thirteen years ago, but man, remember when arcade shooters you had to like… do stuff? Reload your gun? Aim? Pull the trigger more than once? Even use a cool foot pedal to dodge in things like Time Crisis?

Will I ever play it again? No, and I was bored by the second level and I only finished it the first time out of sheer “I should get value out of my paid entry” bloody mindedness.

Final Thought: Probably the most baffling thing about this game is there’s a huge glowing logo in the middle of the arcade machine that feels like it should do something–like it’s a giant touchpad, maybe–but it doesn’t do anything at all. It figures, actually.

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