#so i just bought like 3 more spools

[pbandjesse]

It was a mostly productive day. I did almost everything I was hoping to do. I accomplished almost all the things. It was a pretty nice day overall.

I slept fine. I had stress dreams and I woke up a bunch but I didn't feel to bad when I woke up. I wouldn't get out of bed for a while. But I wasn't really in a rush to do anything so it was fine.

When I did get up I took a quick shower and got dressed. I used dry shampoo because I want to wash my hair tomorrow morning before the event I'm working. I felt pretty cute though and was in a pretty good mood.

James left me breakfast. And I ate that at the kitchen island while I wrote up a little list of things I wanted to pick up today.

My plan was to go to Joann's, then home deport, then the thrift store. I would probably get lunch while I was out.

And I stuck pretty well to the list. I would leave the house after putting Ruby the Roomba upstairs. I was annoyed with myself when I was a few minutes away from home and realized I forgot the wallpaper sample I was trying to color match. But I decided it would be fine and it was I was just annoyed with myself.

I got to Joann's first. I wanted to get yarn to continue on my puff quilt. I thought I got the correct maroon but it ended up being more purple when I got home. Annoying but whatever. I did get grey and some multi grey that will be nice for my next project. I was also there for thread but for some reason there was only one single spool of the quilting thread I like, and barely any black thread at all??? I would get 3 black and 3 white. It was bizarre though.

When I was waiting in line a woman came back in to explain to the manager that she bought something for $6.25. Paid with a $10. But got $6.25 back in change. Oops! It was very honest of her to come back and get it fixed though.

I paid for my stuff and headed out of there. And went over to Home Depot. Which was less productive and that was a little frustrating but is fine. I was able to color match pretty well based off of a picture on my phone. But their Internet was down so they couldn't mix paint?? The whole system was down. Ah well. I'll try the other Home Depot closer to us later this week I guess.

I did get caulk for our bathtub and got a really good deal on batteries. So it wasn't the worst stop.

I went to savers next. I would find a different type of pregnancy pillow that I'm excited to try. And I got the exact same UGG brand moccasins I have been wearing so it was exciting to have a backup pair. Basically brand new and only $7. I would also pick up a couple dresses I can wear for events at the museum. I wanted stuff with sleeves. It was a good haul and I felt good about my choices.

I had a nice time walking around the store but it was weirdly busy. I didn't linger. Instead I left there and went to get lunch at Burger King, which is in the same parking lot.

I got my veggie burger and watched TikToks and half people watched. Seems a lot of truck drivers stop at this Burger King.

I decided to make one more stop at the sort of terrible goodwill. It continued to be terrible but I did get a caulk gun thing. I already have one but it is nice to have a backup. Since I was already going to be recaulking this week so it was on my mind.

I went home after that. I was sort of tired but mostly I just wanted to be in our house.

When I got back here I brought almost everything inside. Tried on my dresses. And started working on some more grey squares for my puff quilt. I got one down before I took a break to go and move the car (to be right in front of our house) so I could organize the car and finish bringing things inside.

It was chilly out today. It is actually feeling like fall. Which is very nice. And it inspired me to go through my closet and put some warmer weather options away and make space to hang some sweaters and sweatshirts up.

I spent an hour or so working on that but I felt to overwhelmed to fold the clothes I wanted to put away so it's just a pile again which makes me upset but it will get done eventually.

I would work on cleaning the fish tank. Nothing is in there except for snails, or at least that's what I thought. I have been thinking about getting a beta again. I don't think my heart can take losing more frogs so I am going to take a break on them after the last couple deaths.

But when I was taking out the decor my loach, kittykitty, wormed out and was going all over the place s d I was so excited! I am so happy to know he's still in there even if I don't see him much, for literally months.

I spent a good amount of time cleaning that though. I rearranged the decor and took a few things out that had a ton of snail eggs. I put those in the dishwasher to try and eradicate those. I will probably vacuum the rocks a few more times but for now it's settling and looking good.

I would also dig Crabcake up. I worry about him so much. I woke up him a wrapped him in a dishtowel and tried to get him to sleep in his metal cup so I could at least see him. But that would only last a few hours. Soon he was going back to his hole and burying himself again. Celia says I need to just let him do it and trust that he is alright. It is just so hard!! I just worry about him so much.

James would get home while I was painting on the ceiling again. They had stopped at the grocery store and go more spring rolls. And would make me two of those for dinner. They would also bring one of the ladder up for me so I could paint outlines on my ceiling flower. It is nice to see the whole thing keep growing. It building up and layering nicely.

James was baking the bread they made yesterday. And would spend a while in there. I would head upstairs and they brought me the spring rolls and they were great.

I would hang out in our room for a long time. James would periodically come and see me. And while their second loof was baking they came and held me and helped push on my lower back that was hurting so much. Thankfully my back hasn't been to bad but sometimes it is just so sharply painful. It sucks and it doesn't seem like there is anything I can do to help it.

While I was hanging out today we found out that My Chemical Romance is going on tour. And me and Jess are going to try and go to the Philly show. I am really anxious about trying to get tickets, and just the Ticketmaster system with dynamic pricing. We have a budget though and I am really hoping we can get them. Even if I am very stressed thinking about it. They go on sale Friday morning, so I have an alarm set so I'll be ready.

Eventually I would take a quick shower. And me and James are hanging out in bed. I am not feeling amazing right now but I am trying to just be comfortable and hopefully I can sleep easy.

Im working an event tomorrow. So I am planning on a quiet morning. I hope it's a fun event though and that everyone is nice. I hope you all have a great night. Be safe. I love you all. Goodnight

[nawilla]

Autumn Adulting:

It's like Spring Cleaning, but later because springtime at work is nuts!

(My apologies if this is a duplicate post. Tumblr appears to have eaten the first one).

There will be no Before Pictures.

It's September 2nd and Labor Day in the US, so I spent a good portion of the day doing yard work in my abandoned back yard. (This summer the heat wave started and just didn't stop. When we got a brief break for about a week, I started weed whacking and the weed whacker I got used ten years ago started smoking. Therefore, I had to purchase a new one and wait for the weather to cool again.

The good: my new electric weed whacker is more powerful than the old one and decimated the overgrowth in a fraction of the time.

The bad: it's louder, the more powerful motor made my arms ache, and it goes through string like there is no tomorrow. (Hopefully next time when there is less to whack the string will last longer). I bought a spare spool and have a small yard but only got about 2/3 done. Also, I had it positioned wrong on the first pass and ended up edging a portion of the yard down to the dirt instead of just whacking.

I don't have much upper body strength so I use the weed whacker instead of a lawn mower for my relatively small yard. It might be slower going but I end up less exhausted and in less pain.

After I ran out of string I hacked up the azalea that was trying to take over the yard again. I know it's the wrong time of year for that but it needed to be done. Hoping to get more string and try to finish this weekend.

[xenonreality]

Filament for 3d printing standard piston engine stuff

Blend nylon, polycarbonate, polyester, weather proof cable (pretty sure it is Polyphenylene sulfide & or thermoplastic polyamide) & trash can polypropylene. Blend in only glass blender that is strong but cheap & has blades that are very sharp but typically like to smash things in the side walls of the blender.

From there is has to be mixed together in another "blender" it's not grinder or blender though. Its a "sand blaster blender" 2 or 3 inputs of a sandblaster full of the ceramic, metal, & the plastics in an argon environment that sucks the polymers together with the metal back in & then accelerates (fires) them into each other at high velocity. Everything must be dry, extremely dry & grounded. Or made to be positively charged in the cone shaped vacuum separator like design. So saw dust vacuum separator will work for this & it's metal. But they can be expensive, it depends on what you want to do & make, me & others.

After rock polishing with large (semi I guess) medium & very small hardened steel ball bearings, make sure I get (or anyone else) micron sized nickel, selenium, zirconium, molybdenum, & silicon

Also these ceramics need to be bought & rock polished. These are all high strength & hardness ceramics that are sucky to deal with. But "polishing" them just means breaking off tiny small chunks to get them fairly uniform & to make them slightly charged. But it must be done at then end because you are, very likely, going to ruin your rock polisher if you didn't electroless boron nitride coat/plate them.

Caswell Inc is a great place to buy the playing kit for boron nitride. They even have an app for your phone.

Boron carbide, zirconia- alumina, silicon carbide. Cubic boron nitride can help as well.

During the "blending stage" (hopefully you played the inside of the cone drum thing otherwise this will absolutely destroy it & wear it away hard) you are going to make sure to go to smaller & smaller sizes of the cone & faster & faster speeds of travel for the plastics, metals, and ceramics. If you started out with a very large vacuum saw dust separator it will be harder from here but you can place smaller ones inside. This means it can act as a cascade onion "blender" all in one. Which is cool!

But most of us can't do that... So instead it's fine to start small & just go with a cut up big plastic trash can then work your way down, for what it is worth.

From here it's melting everything with the right ratios. Depending on what you want your ratios will massively change results. This is for the whole engine block & case & head. Like a small single cylinder 4 stroke that's maybe no more than a 125cc. I recommend just sticking to 75cc to make it easier to print everything.

The plastics are even blend, so that means equal parts & there are 5 total so 20% for each. Nothing fancy there.

The metals are different, so harder sadly. You want mostly nickel, you will never go above 89% for the metal ratios. So to make it easy, 75% is a great starting point. That leaves only 25% left for 2 other metals, 1 metaloid, & a non-metal. Zirconium & molybdenum are annoying, seriously & they tend to be expensive! So this means they have the greatest total out of that 25%! *Sarcastic* yay! You can get away with less in other areas but it's hard to blend that all in one spool & soooo...nah. make multiple but honestly who had the time for all this so it's probably easier to just blend it all together for one run.

Split zirconium as a 15% & molybdenum as a 5% which is a lot. Subtract 20 from 25 & you get 5% left over. Although that's because the ceramics & plastics are going to bond chemically with these metals to make this work together, later. Whole thing.

So 5% left now. Selenium & silicon, silicon is 1.5%, yes a harder number to work with by gram weight, but doable. The rest is selenium. 3.5% of selenium added in by weight.

Next are ceramics. Ceramics are annoying as well, sadly. These bastards have no even numbers! For their ratios to each other at all! So be prepared, just saying. Which we will get to the ratios of metal powder (that is already ratio'd as a total whole weight) & the plastics (that are already ratio'd as a total whole weight) later for the 3 coming together in the final ratio needed. Ceramics first.

3 ceramics or if you want 4, but boron is in 2 & so it has to be changed for that blend as there is already silicon & zirconium in the metal blend. Which makes it tougher to do this. The zirconia-alumina (yes if you Google high strength & hardness ceramics you get these, just so happens they work well together for this application & really I like the coincidence honestly) is a semi-majority. Its 40.3362% by weight.....

Yup.

Its actually super important to go 4 decimals. So large weight is needed to make it easier on everything. Who the hell is measuring nanograms, not me. Or micrograms for that matter. Milligrams are hard too, but actually doable with relatively cheap scales you can buy on Amazon even. But f those other snaller grams. Nope, not doing it.

Boron carbide is 5.0522% and silicon carbide takes up the rest. Which is 100% - 45.3884% & that works out to 54.6116% of silicon carbide.

Now, if you want to use some cubic boron nitride you can put together a ratio like this to start off with instead. Zirconia-alumina is 32.5632% boron carbide & cubic boron nitride works to 25.4363% & the rest is silicon carbide, so 42.0005%.

Which....kinda sucks. But larger weight totals make it much, much! Easier.

Now the ratios of the plastic, metal, & ceramics combined. They are not easy non-decimal numbers. So, doing that again. Plastic is 40.2361% the metals are 26.1212% the rest is ceramics for a 33.6427% by weight.

The majority is still plastics, polymers. Ish. Kinda, not really. Most is metal & ceramics. But it needs to be heated together & squeezed & extruded through a nozzle to make a filament.

So, sandblasters have a tungsten carbide nozzle that you can electroless boron nitride plate. Which works. But diamond would be better, however who had the money. Geez. There are 1.75mm opening coolant holes tungsten carbide rods that you can buy that are straight pass through rods, somewhat expensive but not terrible.

Playing them is also not terrible. It makes it last significantly longer. You must keep a very, very consistent ratio throughout this & it likes to separate easily, which is the worst. So no vibration feeding or auger feeding can be done. There needs to be a cone that feeds to the rodz funnels are great. If you could find one the right size.

So instead this is the best & only way to actually do this, but it's a "suck it up and just do it stop complaining to yourself" way. You need to evenly spread this out with a non-separated ratio of everything & squish it with a lot of heat. Like with a T-shirt logo press. Or with something quite similar to this. One plate is not done. Not above 500c & not below 380c! This will destroy bonds and or not adhere. The pressure is at least 100 psi no more than 500psi. The higher you go the worse performing it gets past a point but depending on how dry it is, if you got ratios right if you had more static that day even to if you mold released or not all of it will change total pressure. Practice, but remember I & we don't need it perfect I have stuff below to help remove this inaccuracy & inconsistency to make sure it is good at the end.

Make several, you aren't perfect so it won't be perfectly blended. Its okay I have a way around that. Get a heated roller. Think making pasta & the rollers are heated. That's what that is. Which means you can get your stainless steel pasta roller & electrically resistively heat it after ceramic coating it to make sure it doesn't zap you & you are good to go! 👍

From here you squeeze the plates to a thinner plate, 3mm if you can do it. 1mm is great too. No more than 5mm because they suck to break and snap apart which is what I & anyone else following along needs to do. Get out a soldering iron, yup. You need a SOLDERING IRON!!!

So after you get that out you will "score" a grove into the new sheet you just created & "break it" apart after letting it cool. DO THIS IN A WELL VENTILATED ROOM & OR OUTSIDE!!!! Please, your lungs will die sooner than you wanted & replacements are hard to find. Make sure to use respirators (air filters strapped to your face) & gloves (nitrile works) & a fume hood with a great air filter for the off gassing that occurs. Activated charcoal (carbon) with a great particle filter filter, meaning two different filters. A percolation setup as a pre-filter stage works too, water is fine as long as it is distilled & deionized. Percolation means your (sticky icky) favorite past time filter. Lol, or just anything that allows for a tube to go underwater & have air sucked through & it bubbles up through it. No worries ☺️.

Now after you make sure you have those, you cut the sheets into strips after breaking them after they cool & or heat cut them. From there you will roll them in a vacuum in the long ways fashion, make sure your strips are wide enough to do this! Then flatten them in the roller in the vacuum.

Amazon doesn't have vacuum boxes big enough! So instead I & you can make a vacuum pump do work for us. A sandblaster cabinet can be modified to have structural corners added with light epoxy & or welding done. I recommend welding with a basic spot welder because you only need a plate steel that is 3-5mm thick at corner angles & arches from those to the longer flat sections.

Think a round box inside the box. This allows for the flat parts of the sheet steel to be supported by the plates & the corners so when it tries to collapse it actually pushes against the pressure & uses stronger material to accomplish this. Bolting them in after drilling them epoxying them down is another great way to get this accomplished if you don't know how to weld. It work just as well too!

After you made your huge vacuum chamber that has little arm holes already in it with the gloves provided that can handle abrasion & heat & all that already, because sandblaster cabinet, remember that pressure is different & wants to work it's way into it.

So, you need to significantly epoxy & or bolt more bolts down on your gloves to seal them & prevent vacuum leaks. The gloves are likely thick enough to not burst if they are halfway decent. If not fiberglass & or kevlar can work as a fabric you place over the gloves to make sure they won't break. You just need to bolt down the fabric to the cabinet where the gloves are bolted in & sealed too.

After you make you vacuum cabinet. Steps above. You can now roll the polymer "rug" strips flat & then fold them & proceed again. Vacuums don't have convection cooling. So flatten & fold. Then on to the next one. Do this to all of them first, which is why I had you read that you can make multiple together at once.

The heat of the roller needs to never be above 500c & below 380c! This is extremely important! It destroys bonds & makes it likely that much of it won't adhere together later. Crumbles suck! Remember the psi problem too.

Keep the vacuum pump vacuum pumping. This gets rid of volatiles & off gassing that can contaminate the polymers & or metals/ceramics.

After you complete all strips to folded (just once in half is fine) semi-sheet/plate things you move on to letting it cool off in argon.

Argon gas, yes.

From here it's so it again with another fold then roll it to very long strips again.

Repeat cooling argon recirculation pump. Pump argon out & compress it into tank. Use compressed argon again, you use vacuum pump for off gassing & volatiles separate, filter them if you can.

Then vacuum pump it, get the strips turned into a nice braid after rolling them thinner & then rolling them sideways long ways to turn them into more fiber while they are still warm. Upon braiding you will roll those all together flat one way then twist that then roll it flat again.

Then from there you need to cool them, so, another cooling stage.

Then vacuum then fold the sheet & roll it & then fold the sheet again & roll it again.

Its done, ish. From here it's needing to be chopped up & it will finally be able to go through extrusion.

Yes. I know. This has been a lot of work... Its worth it though.

From here the chopping up is similar to stripping but all done in the argon cabinet. So it doesn't oxidize, mostly & it remains very cool as argon is a much better thermal conductor than regular air! Yay!

The hot plate you used to squish this would be useful to have in there already. But if not get it. You are going to roll these stupid things into pellets that you can actually use with it, unless you have another method in which case use that. I use a tube roller, it's the rollers but I have a tapered tube on the inside that has grooves in it like a cartoon tunnel drill for villains. Funny, but actually totally usable. I metal 3d printed it using a online website (pcbway, xometry, jlcp, etc etc all work) you don't need it to have grooves I just wanted it to be highly specific in sized & shape at the end.

I also plated it. Nickel (it's stainless steel) plated then nickel boron nitride from Caswell Inc.

You can just get away with a stainless steel funnel you can buy at a store for cooking & it will 100% work! It just needs to have no holes in it. Less argon & a little more heat will do the trick.the pellets come out as little round balls & that's how you know they are done. Personally I recommend no argon in a vacuum so there are no argon pockets of air, but it's okay if they are there in very small quantities & sizes.

If not then you can then vacuum it out & just reheat everything & roll them through again (in the tube) & have it be a slightly smaller size to remove all argon gas pockets & have them come out as little pellets again, woohoo! If you use the plate you just need another plate & you'll rotate the plate around in a circular fashion until you get little pellet balls. Works the same just somewhat more work, you need a separate sheet & or plate for the heated surface below. That's all.

Now from here the sandblaster nozzle & or tungsten carbide rods with a 1.75mm coolant hole will be used. You will need to heat them, typically that means a iron-ceramic (the same in electric stove top coils) heating element & a thermal probe in-between with a little boron nitride thermal paste to tie it all together. This lets you know what you need to know for heat. But! We have to feed pellets into the hole & with need a connector funnel.

Soooo.....

Here's where a lot of things become based on what you want to do & so on. If you have a Dremel (rotary tool) you can use just about any diamond cone shaped but to enlarge one side of the road or sand blaster nozzle. Diamond is harder that tungsten carbide. So it will do it. To fit it a press fit is easiest to do. That means another rod with a 2mm coolant hole is best, but they are massive so you will need to funnel down that other rods (or nozzle) tip that will press fit into that & seal with thermal paste (boron nitride) yes that part is actually necessary. The pressures during extrusion get higher & there is a lot of very small fine particles that will fit through your not perfectly sized holes. Be realistic with yourselves like me & so you will do it good but not perfect...

To feed this in, the pellets, a piston driven heating tube is the only way to do this. Yes, that is right. So an electric motor driving a crank (any piston compressor for ac components will work) is the only way to do this. But you have to rotary tool out the side & 2 stroke it with pellets. You have to drill out, or rotary tool out, the sidewalks near the cylinder (leave 5-10mm of material in-between the cylinder side walls) & place in heating elements (rods that heat up work just fine) but make sure you plate the cylinder side walls with boron nitride to increase the lubricity of the whole thing as well as the piston heads skirts (sides of the puck) with it too. The extrusion has to be at a minimal 35-42 degrees facing downwards to limit oil from the crank getting into the cylinder. I used no oil at all. I just turned it off & let it cool down. I first cleaned the shit out of it with isopropyl alcoholic & degreaser.

I left a thick grease for wheel bearings on the bearing for the crank & piston connection rod. So it would unlikely move into the cylinder.

I do think it will effect the end result of oil gets in. So...I dunno be careful.

Now, I did this all still in the vacuum chamber. Because it was easier than removing everything & I was tired & didn't want to. Soooo... again it might be worth it to just have everything stuff in there & say bah to removing it until it's done.

During the extrusion process the heat for everything is very, EXTREMELY, finely controlled & monitored. The piston is 410c let it warm up everything inside the cylinder, including the plastic, the piston head, & the head that I didn't describe.

Silly me. So the head is modified in a shape that press fits the other rod/nozzle directly into it. Which meant, a hole saw/drill thing & the rotary tool for fine adjustment & sand paper at the end to really make sure. Press fit is a rubber mallet & some cloth because tungsten carbide is extremely hard & can cut through that aluminum like it's not even there. Be careful please. A healthy gasket material on the sides & making sure to fully remove camshaft & making sure the valves remain stuck while also grinding down smooth the valves to be completely as flush as you can to the head is needed, just as much as the inside of the head to taper it to the other rod. The smaller the piston the easier this gets.

Right, back to the temperatures needed. 410c for the piston pump is the best temp to start off with, slow but high torque is best for this.

The next rod/nozzle that is the 2mm coolant hole or sized one is going to be much hotter, 550c the entire way. The heat bleed is crap, so a copper capillary tube is the right call. You just need to drill a hole through the cabinet & seal it with epoxy & run it to a computer radiator & use a computer pump. Works just fine the return line is just a copper tube that goes to the capillary tube at the press fit juncture.

But to make it, likely, much easy on you & I (although I figured quick disconnects with a metal hose clamp would work & so that's the working thing going on moving forward) you could just thermal epoxy & copper tube it up! It works pretty well, as well. You are going to need thermal paste g or epoxy anyways to adhere it to the juncture & transfer heat but still *shrugs* most don't want to solder I get it & this will work from a smaller tube to a larger tube all the same.

From here it's cooling it down only to 485c & keeping that going all the way to where it comes out.

From there a filament holder roll is your best friend. You have to be very careful to not lose heat during the process of rolling it & turning it, so a ir heater works just fine for this. 👍 😁

From here after all pellets are processed & you are fine with the small amount left in the piston pump, you are done. Turn off the ir space heater & let it slowly cool off in the vacuum while you sleep & come back to it after a week because it takes forever for things to cool in a vacuum.

If it's cooled before that, it's okay. But there is a final step to this that has to be done. Anealment. Yeah so in the argon you are going to heat it up to 220c & have it come back down to 15c, roughly, over the course of 3, OMG YES 3 AHHHRRGGGG, days. 3. Days.

After 3 days of waiting & having the temperature slowly cool over that time evenly every 1 hour to make it roughly 15c at the end you are done and your amazingly tough & insanely strong filament is done.

You can print it "normally". The printer needs to have a Tungsten carbide nozzle & that nozzle needs to be boron nitride plated. The heat for extrusion is needed to be around 450c - to 480c.

The plate needs to be 250c but can be just 120c and work but tends to stick a little & sort of sucks.

Higher temps help but I've found not until 250c for my logic sanity checks regarding how this came to be. You'll need to test for your own stuff you, hopefully, make correctly. As per these instructions.

Now from here the 3d printer should be a sealed chamber that you push argon through a small nozzle next to the printer. While it is vacuum pumped out & filtered & cooled before going back in.

Argon is the best way to make this work in a vacuum. You can get away with regular air & standard stuff but it's not really the best way. Sadly. The prints oxidize before the final finish step after printing the piece.

The print should be placed into a little box or something, a bag works, that is also filled with mostly argon (try your best) & then you will heat it up in a oven/kiln.

THIS ISN'T TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC. Its not to get it to that high of a temp. Its to help layer adhesion & to thermal shock it into a freezer.

Or, if you are like me, you heat it up in a oven at 450-550f (broil temp) 232/3c to 287/8c & a pressure cooker filled with dry ice on the bottom is used & then it is sealed after placing the hot print in & slowly venting it out at 5psi until it's fully cooled.

Maintain 5 psi & just let it get to close to dry ice temperature as possible. It doesn't need to be at it, just within 20c. That's it. So calculate thermal mass & time for thermal conductivity for total dry ice to save money. Or, if you are like me, just shove as much as you can in that works & a little more (eyeball methods) & let it cool down making sure to keep venting it. Right, I have a lever on my vent I spent the money for a pressure regulator basically & just needed to drill it out & thread it then screw it on. Works.

I have a thermal proper attached to the print & it's usually inside the thing, if the print allows for it. If not it's best to caution & go for broke for extra cooling time & dry ice. Eyeball method! 😎 Oh yeah!

After that it's let it slowly warm up in the pressure cooker pot & then it's fine-ish to use from them, if you need to immediately.

But, it's best to aneal it with a simple 150c max to room temp over a 8 to 12 (it can be a full day if you just don't want to even look at it until later) hours. I mean this was a lot of work, so eat, drink water, take a shower, do your business, veg out on my content on YouTube, etc etc.

This filament is extreme. Just letting you know. After anealment you can readily use it, but a simple bath of electroless plating of nickel boron nitride for your cylinder, heads, bearings, basically just dunk it in is the easiest way to seal it up & be able to start the honing then cross-hatching process.

Get your bore gauge out & calipers. You need to make sure tolerances are good, everything is squared up, flat, then re-plated.

It will mean a tremendous amount. Don't worry if it doesn't look like it's not 3d printed. You have that where it counts, on the inside 💕 remember 😉.

From here, if you sized it correctly you can use any scooter & or similar single cylinder crank, camshaft, & so on you want.

But you are cool people like me! So! Instead you fully printed all of this, made sure there were holes, dimples, tunnels, & some grooves so you could fully electroform this with nickel & some basic Caswell electroforming/plating with ceramics & metals for infill of those things to increase total strength. Even though the metal, ceramics, & polymers actually should fully ionically bond together after the anealment stage.

Yes that's right, the filament you made ionically bonds metals & ceramics together & does so while also having dendrites & splindles form a network web of inter-weaving lattices that tension to themselves at a molecular & micron/nano scale.

It has to do with the charge values & conductivity during the glass transition phase & plastic phase while the anealment forces excess ions to move out & decay electron orbits into another compounds that needs them. The thermal shock/hardening process set that up to start with but then easing tension off forces a relaxing of the material & moved molecules into a better position for filament dendritic & splindle skin effects to take place. This creates voltage & electromagnetic fields to happen. Which further moves these electrons into a place they need to be using a electron hole & electron redox/ redux (can't remember) flow effect which changes the field effects of the surrounding material due to the electromagnetic z field induced that loops & jumps to other dendrites forming a basic coil. A resonance field effect occurs & changes the properties of the material & it's electrical resistance therein.

This further helps push & pull & bond molecules together to their best state. There are better temperatures & pressures but I know these will work because they are conservative & the effect should occur with them no matter what. But I'm cautious & don't want it to not happen. You can experiment on your own, I'm sure.

To move on, however, this means it's a metamaterial composite that's lighter & stronger than the aluminum & steel you would typically use while being just as thermally conductive as aluminum.

Its even lighter, if done right, than titanium. But that's ratios, leaving areas out that aren't needed, etc etc.

Anyways, that means the crank can be made out of this & made to be plated with a tungsten powder & silicon carbide powder together with a cementing of nickel carbide & boron carbide. The heat shock forces it to bind very well at much lower temperatures than normal.

But you can get away with the tungsten powder, silicon carbide & a little molybdenum & chromium. If you plate like brick & mortar style in the intentional holes & dimples it becomes much stronger & shears into a bind crystalline formation like hardened steel! Cool! Even better is that is doesn't take much by volume, honestly a few grams of each, well ish. If a 75cc engine is assumed then the crank will be needing about 47.865 grams total of everything I talked about with a ratio for the tungsten, silicon carbide, nickel carbide & boron carbide of 7% tungsten 16% silicon carbide 12% nickel carbide 65% boron carbide.

But that's a lot of boron carbide. So. I figured 72% tungsten 8% silicon carbide 11% molybdenum & 9% chromium would be easier because tungsten powder is fairly cheap.

Anyways, nickel forming then boron nitride plating then silicon carbide plating (Caswell kits) then nickel electroforming will work pretty decently well.

Same treatment process for thermal shock & anealment. But it's longer now. The thing has to be thermal shocked & anealed first before electroforming (so it's bonded & strong) but then it has to be done again to make sure it's bond structure goes back & remains strong. Heat & electricity is generated during the electroforming & plating process, which will sever bonds & introduce gaps again. So another round will work to solve that.

After that it's fully done! 👍😁 Completely. You can now make sure tolerances are good, things are bolted together, bearings are there, lube & oil for engine break in is put in, assembly lube used, timing is good, belts are tight, or gears depending on what you do, everything is ready with gaskets (use correct gasket material, like thin aluminum sheet & or steel shim, rtv, etc) & try your best to start her up!

You can print injectors, carbs, heads, valves, crank, camshaft, pumps, compressors, turbos, etc all from this material & it works with extremely high high & tension, pressure & more for even your exhaust. Of course I am talking about after electroforming & plating like I wrote down & you read. It still does without that, but it won't go as far. Its only 20psi max for boost (*sarcastic shrugs* oh well) same for total thickness at play for the cylinder of the engine block. In fill is a big deal & wall thickness too. If you can brick later, do so but remember it's not available for everyone.

Brick layering a 3d print should be a wavy 3d sinusoidal pattern that uses the "wah woo wahhnn woaahh" pattern to have the next layer fit in-between the last. So you do the outside & the inside then fill in the middle to produce the strongest prints. Work with over hangs in the print, if you can, so it will be able to catch correctly. As in the outside wall overhangs into the middle together with the inside, but this time it's such that the middle part for the above layer squeezes out into the outside layers & they can form into that middles overhang. Its like metal inlay. You kind of do a dove tail then press in the metal then sand it down. Well, this is using the heat & the shape of the nozzle to help get it into the area & contract into the overhang & form a 3d mechanical puzzle piece bond with the filament in many areas all over it. Increasing the flex before break (tension) the compression before destruction, & then ability for it to have memory built in, together with a high reduction of occlusions as the heat & filament pushes out the air that could become trapped in-between the print layers.

Boo-yah baby! Oh yeah! *High fives* Alll-rrright! *snaps fingers & finger pistols at you*

This also helps thermal shock hardening to not crack & break the print. But it usually isn't needed, like I said it's not really available to everyone & then on top of it this version above doesn't exist at all you have to program that yourself.

Instead just use a decent in fill & a larger wall thickness that you can electroform later. The crank is similar but should be mostly full in fill.

You are going to have to polish your crank & camshafts. Same with anything else that needs a very smooth surface to work. This is, possibly, the easiest method to delaying your rabbit hole fixation into a hobby that might cost you some money. Its your very own single cylinder 3d printed engine that can handle extreme pressures (the in fill thickness could just be solid to be fair & then it's based on how much filament you made before this) when properly made thick, but then you can liquid cool it & super turbo it with a direct & port injection. Nothing like making a planetary gear set for your camshafts & using a push pull hydraulic ram for your valves to no longer need springs! Together with a gear system for the camshafts that attach to the lobes so you can have a vvt & a type of vvl based upon the gear moving to move the placement of the hydraulic ram it presses on one side then presses up on the exhaust/intake side to allow for a non-payment infringement Lemke transmission valve train setup that gives you your valves as the throttle & it's able to work to high rpm & has not only vvd but vvt as well.

Hey, remember those computer radiators? They still work for this, those electric pumps are still fine for a tiny 75cc hybrid air & liquid cooled engine 😉👍.

Mass production is not easy. So...yup. it can be made to be, but I'll post about it again later.

Please like, comment, & subscribe to my YouTube & my reddit all that. This is the 3d printer recipe for the crazy full 3d printed engine that can actually be fully not electroformed and will work!

[wheremermaidsdwell]

the first thing I bought with my birthday money is cord to make my keyleth cloak with :|

[neonponders]

babe and insomnia for the banned tags pleeeease✌️

A sprinkle of lemony lemons, ahoy ~

Billy learned some things about his boyfriend at night.

Firstly, because Steve had a real talent for all-nighters. It made Billy wonder why the guy didn’t do better in school, having all that time to actually read something or...other stuff that’s considered academically productive.

It was like Steve physically and mentally couldn’t do certain tasks. Reading taxed his brain in a way that Billy almost understood. Because reading was quiet, and thoughts were loud.

Thing is, Steve was very good at other things. Because he does have that time to do stuff that is ironically old fashioned instead of modern academically productive.

He cooks. He almost failed chemistry twice, but he’s figured out the practical chemistry of cooking and baking that probably 90% of the student body and staff haven’t. His specialties are soufflés and risotto.

Billy’s socks and most loved/used garments started having unique repairs to them. Holes magically stitched with thread that didn’t match the rest of the garment. Colorful scars showing up one after another. That was his first tip off that Steve was teaching himself how to sew. Apparently his grandmother had gifted his mother a whole VHS set of tutorials for his mother to be a traditional woman, or whatever, but Steve was the one who used them. His specialty there was silk. He made a new shirt for Billy out of his mother’s old lingerie slips that she swore she would fit into again some day.

Billy gifted him an expensive set of silk spools so the guy could maybe match threads with fabrics more often.

Billy was also pretty sure Steve had bought the electric guitar and amp after it became clear that Billy was spending regular nights at the Harrington house. Billy would wake up to an empty bed, track down his boyfriend, and find him tunnel-visioned on music sheets with headphones trapping his hair down so he could practice without vibrating the house.

It was at the Harringtons’ piano that Billy first approached Steve about his sleeping habits. He collapsed onto the piano bench with the words, “Babe, I think you might have insomnia.”

Steve was good at the piano. Billy almost felt bad for making those fingers stop playing. But not bad enough to forsake his own sleep.

“What’s that?” he posed, eyes visibly heavy in his handsome face.

Billy’s shoulder brush past Steve’s as he leaned an elbow over the piano, propping his head up. “It’s when you’re living in a different time zone than the rest of us.”

Steve slowly absorbed that before twisting around to see the clock on the wall: 3:52am.

Sighing, he scrubbed his hands over his face, breathing some kind of eager apology only mildly tinged with annoyance. Whether he was bothered by Billy or himself, Billy didn’t particularly care either way.

Because he figured out something else about Steve: his boyfriend liked pet names.

Maybe he wasn’t even fully conscious - pun intended - about how he responded to them, but Billy noticed, and Billy used them to their fullest potential.

He drew Steve back to bed that night from the piano, just as he did when he found Steve at the guitar.

The guy strummed and then looked down at his suddenly failing instrument. Billy knew the exact moment Steve knew he was there, because he whirled around to look at the volume dial Billy had turned all the way off. Going from annoyed to apologetic, Steve slid one of the muffs off his ear. “Four a.m.?”

Billy nodded. “Quarter till. Come on, sweetheart.”

They hadn’t really discussed it at length, but they both knew that 4am was a sort of curfew for them. It was when Billy got his nightmares and needed to walk around, and it was when Steve needed to finally rest or else he’d be a zombie all day.

A strange little errand to have in the dark of the morning, but Steve was his guy, and Billy had discovered some things about himself in those long, dark hours.

He hated himself less when he had something to take care of. When that something took care of him right back. He used to think that his selfish time was what he thrived on. In a way, that still held true. But Steve catered to those occasions now. He made Billy’s favorite food, packed with nutrition, and made Billy shirts in which he liked to look at himself.

So Billy got him his silk threads - which probably held some existential metaphor somewhere - and a decent headphone set because the one that came with the amp hurt Steve’s ears.

And when he drew Steve into their bed, he knew that a soft word and a firm hand in the right place made Steve harden like an instrument’s string. Billy plucked and plucked, playing his beau until Steve melted.

“Billy! Hahhh...”

“There-unh, there babe. I’m there.”

“S-Stay - Stay and let me...” Steve would beg, riding Billy as hard as he could from where they lay on their sides. Billy’s jaw clenched against the jolts of orgasm Steve wrung out of him, praying that he stayed hard long enough for Steve to follow after him.

“Yeah, yeah, sweetheart. Take it. Gorgeous.”

Sometimes his timing with the pet names was wrong; or maybe they didn’t matter as much as Billy thought. But when he got the timing right, and Steve’s jaw went slack, his eyelids slamming closed, and unraveled with gentle shudders against Billy’s body...

Steve slept past noon.

.

.

Banned Tag Prompts here ~

[seacottons]

uni!au with ateez — [ part one ]

—[ san - performing arts ]

ironically, you met when you helped him after a taller male shoved him down whilst in a heated argument.

he burst out laughing when you asked if he was okay.

“don’t worry, we’re just practicing our lines!”

you quickly glanced up at the building and grimaced once taking sight of the gleaming silver ‘performing arts building’ plaque.

of course.

to say you were embarrassed was only scratching the surface.

you had no regrets, because the incident was the catalyst that formed your friendship and eventual relationship.

will never let you live that moment down.

“remember when you tried to save me from mingi?”

“i thought we promised not to bring that up again-”

“why can’t i? i was saved by an angel that day?”

san invites you to both his dance and theatre shows.

will appear to be very professional on stage, but you catch his eyes frantically darting to the crowd to try and spot you.

and once he does, he will repeatedly smile and wink in your direction.

you’re always early, so you manage to snag a seat in either front two rows.

likes when you bring him bouquets as a congratulation gift after his performances.

gets very loud backstage just to let everyone know you bought him a gift.

a huge show-off.

is very good at facial expressions.

you fall for every time he pretends he’s crying or hurt when you don’t give him attention.

he will imitate different characters and repeat after actors while you two watch movies together.

“it sounded sexier when i said it, right (y/n)?”

is a very clingy cuddle bug.

and a leech.

will always have his arms around you while walking at campus.

loves to give you back hugs.

is the type to wait outside for you until you finish class.

and takes you to the cafeteria afterwards for lunch.

embarrasses you in said cafeteria by spinning the lunch tray while waiting in line.

also likes to spin your phone just to freak you out.

also the type to excitedly text you about the donuts and coffee they’re giving away at the library’s breezeway.

likes to refer to you as ‘angel’.

will beg you join the different clubs he’s in.

and then brag about you to the others once you do.

will hype your choice of attire even if he’s already seen you earlier that day.

the type to also sneak you a latte in the middle of your class.

also the type to sneak in with you during your auditorium classes.

you regret it sometimes because he leaves no room for you to pay attention to your professor.

often times, so much so that you have to lightly pinch his side in protest.

“do you want me to fail this class?”

he likes to participate in the many events held at campus.

everyone knows him.

challenges you to dance offs in the middle of campus.

you refuse and push forward a startled mingi instead.

“mingi wants to have a turn this time!”

also likes to lay in your arms whilst you play with his hair.

“were you a cat in your previous life?”

he will then proceed to meow in your ear.

“i’ll take that as a yes.”

—[ hongjoong - fashion design ]

dating him would consist of always admiring his new projects.

supplying him with unhealthy amounts of coffee.

trying out new pieces he made.

offering to carry his overly large portfolio binder sometimes.

sitting down and listening to him rant about how his roomates fail to wash clothes properly.

he has a guide taped to the washing machine with the different symbols of clothing labels.

“no, san, you can’t use shampoo as detergent.”

“but seonghwa finished all the detergent!”

using seonghwa’s lint rollers to remove all the fabric fibers stuck on hongjoong’s clothes.

you scold him while cleaning the bleeding scratches on his fingers from his sewing needles and pins.

“don’t worry, it’s nothing i can’t handle.”

“but i don’t like seeing you get hurt, you bum.”

you bought him strawberry bandaids because he thought they were cute.

sometimes, when he has time, he’ll custom make clothes just for you.

he insists on having multiple matching outfits.

will ask you to model his work for his social media page.

thinks you look best in skirts.

you’ll be the source of comfort during presentation week.

he’ll be a wreck whilst making a new collection.

but you’re always there to pick him back up.

most of the time, you’re the source of his inspiration as well.

you insist he shouldn’t sit for hours writing essays or sketching numerous ideas for future work.

but he’s stubborn as a mule.

nights with him include binge watching fashion shows or cute cartoons.

or painting your nails.

you both enjoy coffee dates when you have time.

he tells you he wants to open a fashion line one day.

you’re trying to stand still as he plucks numerous pins into the dress you’re trying on.

“what do you think i should call it?”

“hj couture? does that sound too basic?”

he pauses momentarily before spooling the leftover red thread.

“(y/n). i’ll call the line (y/n).”

—[ wooyoung - culinary arts ]

invites you to his dorm and cooks for you.

his apartment always smells of warm spices and comforting meals.

pretends his roommates’ teasing doesn’t affect him, but the tips of ears always glow red.

will always bring over leftovers he made in class.

“i just thought you wanted to try this mille feuille.”

“which one is better? the salted rosemary loaf or the oregano and olive oil one?”

loves to bake and cook with you.

will make your birthday cake from scratch and will go all out decorating it.

has an annoying habit of taking pictures of you mid-bite.

“delete that right now.”

“but babe, you look so cute.”

“jung wooyoung!”

will wrestle with you as you attempt to take his phone away.

“okay, look! i swear i’ll delete it!”

he saves it in a hidden folder.

calls you his ‘cupcake’ or ‘sugarplum’.

teases you nonstop when you fail at something in the kitchen.

“babe! no! gentle folds! you pulverized those poor blueberries!”

“but the instructions say to mix!”

“the dough isn’t supposed to be blue!”

he’ll whine nonstop about how much he hates baking bread in class.

“do you know how abnoxiously long the fermentation process is!? i’m losing my mind.”

will wave and yell your name to catch your attention if he spots you nearby at campus.

you hear him every time.

he’s just that loud.

drags you to new restaurants just so you can rate them with him.

also drags you to go cutlery shopping.

accidentally dropped a plate in the store.

and when the employee came sauntering in the aisle suspiciously-

“(y/n) did it.”

once gave you food poisoning by accident.

you never wanted to eat scallops again.

you don’t mind his hands smelling like garlic or ginger most of the time.

or stained with spices.

“turmeric is a bitch.”

“woo, who wears white while cooking with turmeric anyway?”

will show off and brag about his knife skills.

demands to race with you to see who can chop the vegetables the quickest.

“you’re going down, (y/n).”

“uh- i don’t think i ever stood a chance to begin with.”

he lets you win sometimes though.

will beg you to visit him at his part time job at the cute cafe not too far by.

you always try to when you have the time.

and when he finds out you went to the rival cafe across the street one day..

“on a scale of 10 to 10, how bad is kang yeosang’s cooking?”

“what?”

“answer the question, (y/n).”

“woo, it’s 3 a.m.”

the next day, you explained that you were merely invited by your classmates to that particular cafe because one of them was a former employee there.

he childishly ignored you with crossed arms and a subtle pout.

“your jajangmyeon is much better. they didn’t even like the food there!”

he finally perks up with a large smile.

“wait, really?”

you think he looks endearing with his apron and chef’s hat.

will post cheesy captioned pictures of you after serving you delicately decorated plates of food.

‘two delicious meals for tonight, hehe.’

“gross. did you really have to say that?”

—[ jongho - kinesiology ]

you met him at the university gym and instantly clicked.

found yourself months later agreeing to go out with him.

a giant goofball.

sometimes makes faces at you while you exercise across the gym.

makes sure you watch him when he deadlifts.

loves when you hype him up.

opens all the jars for you.

and cuts all the fruit for you.

“why use a knife when you have my hands, love?”

you nearly choked on your saliva when he punched open the watermelon.

“can we ever just have a perfectly sliced watermelon!?”

“no- unless i break my arm one day.”

insists you jog with him around campus early in the morning.

likes to practice wrapping elastic tape on you.

you own half of his hoodies.

takes you to watch basketball matches.

then challenges you to a match when you go on dates to the park.

will persistently tease you about your poor aim.

and will absolutely not let you have the ball for more than a few seconds.

“stop cheating!”

“i’m not cheating! you just suck!”

joined you in some of your elective classes.

will also wear sleeveless shirts because he knows how flustered you get while his sculpted muscles are on display.

“what did professor kim just say?”

“what?” you tore your gaze from his biceps to glance at his face.

“are you staring at my arms again?” he snickers.

“no,” you say too quickly, face heating quite considerably.

despite his teasing, he’ll always baby you and take care of your needs.

has the cutest gummy smile.

you like to call him your gummy bear.

he hated the name at first, but grew to accept it over time.

likes to randomly pick you up.

sometimes will throw you over his shoulder.

has a habit of patting your thighs.

sometimes asks you to sit on his back while he does push-ups.

your eye bulged at the sight of a mop of ruby hair.

“don’t say anything.”

“you like apples so much you dyed your hair red?”

“i lost a bet.”

“you look cute though.”

you tugged at his tresses, smiling as you admired the shade against his tanned skin.

“baby?” you brushed his bangs away to display his forehead.

“hm?”

“you’re the apple of my eye.”

“i’m-,” he sucked on his teeth and pursed his lips, face scrunching in a mock grimace, “i’m going to throw up.”

[westerhos]

Our Story: Chapters 2-3

Thank you to everyone who has sent such lovely messages about this story! Happy to hear some of you are re-reading it while others are discovering it for the first time. Now for the next two chapters, which really should have been one...

[December 24th, 1990]

Their home is a modest one—a studio clinging to edges of the city, not far from where they first met. It’s an older building, mid-19th century, with pipes that freeze in the winter, burst like Scottish primrose in the summer. There is a single window on its western side, which welcomes the December-white sun at each day’s end. And it is here, lined along this sill, that Claire’s plants reach hungry towards the sky, try to trap this silver sliver of heat inside their veins.

Save for the flowers, theirs is an ascetic sort of décor. Sparse like a monk’s quarters—though Jamie and Claire hardly mind. They decorate the empty corners with their future, hatched in whispers during the night.

One day, Jamie promises, they’ll have Persian rugs and a four-poster bed. One day, they’ll own a leather sofa, its cushions like butter against Claire’s bare thighs. “And a vase!” she adds. “All fancy people have vases.”

But for now, they sleep on a musty twin cot, their belongings stored in the trunk at its foot. Jamie’s manuscripts are stacked inside, their pages marked in ballpoint scribbles and soil-dusted fingerprints. (“I canna read what this says anymore!” Jamie yells. “S’okay,” Claire says. “That paragraph was rubbish anyways.”) He’s an editorial assistant, the paltry salary worth the power of the red pen, which reshapes the written world to his liking. It buys food and rent, and covers what med school tuition Claire’s scholarship does not.

It’s a quiet life, but a happy life.

Claire yawns. “Did you know that every Christmas Eve my uncle told me a story? Made it up himself, right on the spot.”

“Are ye trying to tell me ye want a story?”

“I may be hinting at that, yes.”

“Ach,” Jamie says. Her favorite sound, every inch of him encapsulated in this strange, Scottish scoff. “Your subtly always turns me on.”

“Oh, hush. C’mon.”

He runs a hand through his hair, auburn and cinnabar limned in moonbeam.

“A good story on the spot? That’s no small amount of pressure, Sassenach.”

“How about a request then?” she offers, and Jamie raises a brow. “How about my favorite?”

“Yer favorite?”

“Don’t play coy. You know. The one you always start incorrectly? She is wearing a holiday sweater, a confection of silver bells and sequined penguins…”

“Weel, it’s a much better beginning than the ‘curl of my lips’…”

“Debatable,” Claire replies, tongue tracing the valley of his cupid’s bow.

But Jamie nods, chooses a different beginning this time: “It was immediate…”

He twists one of Claire’s curls around his finger and inhales. She still smells like the springtime, earthy and ripe, and perhaps there’s a hint of his own musk now, too. He likes it this way, enjoys finding proof of his existence somewhere beneath her skin. Permanent.

“Immediate!” Claire echoes, a one-woman Greek chorus. She is pressed into him, feeling his chest curve around her spine. It always surprises her how their bodies fit so perfectly, their limbs folding and molding to fill all their negative spaces. (And she has so many, our Claire, between her toes and between her ribs. Vacant rooms where her mother, her father, and her uncle once lived.)

“Aye, from the minute I saw ye, I ken you belonged wi’ me.”

“Mmm,” she hums, not saying, “Of course I felt the same thing,” or “Of course I loved you from the very first.” Because, of course, Jamie knows this already. (Strange, they both think, how the heart can move faster than the speed of light.)

“Speaking of which…” she says.

“Ye don’t want to hear the rest?”

“In a sec,” she replies. “But your friends seem to think we should get married. Dougal especially.”

“They do,” Jamie says softly. “And Dougal does—to him, maybe.” He brings Claire’s hand to his lips, smiles into the Christmas present he’s wrapped around her finger. A ring: one mounted pearl, taken from his mother’s necklace. (“No’ an engagement ring, mind,” though they both knew it meant forever.)

“Do you, though? Think we should get married?”

“I’ll do anything that means I can call ye mine.”

“You already can.”

“Aye, but I dinna think the law agrees wi’ you.”

“Devil take the law.”

Jamie laughs. “I reckon the Devil doesna want the law either, Sassenach. He hates the law.”

“You’re avoiding my question.”

“Which is?”

Claire turns towards him, remembers this past year together: their first date (Italian restaurant, 9PM showing of Pretty Woman), their first fight (broken coffee mugs, a noise complaint). She remembers the first time they made love in this small, crooked flat: middle of the floor, surrounded by packing boxes and crumpled newspaper. The bubble wrap had crackled beneath them—pop-pop-pop!—as if they were dancing on fireworks. (“I never want to leave this place,” she’d told him. He thought she’d meant the flat, but she’d meant his arms.)

“Which is…Well. Do you want to marry me, James Fraser?”

He squints. “Is that a proposal?”

“Yes.”

“Then why aren’t ye on your knees?”

“You bloody—”

Claire’s elbow swings towards his face, but Jamie catches it, stretches her arm back so that her palm lies flat against the wall. He rolls on top of her, leans down and lets her heart beat against his lips. Wills it into him until his blood thrums with it. The sound of their story.

“Yes,” Jamie says. “I want to marry you, Claire Beauchamp.”

“You mean Claire Fraser?”

He laughs; she smiles (they are both winners on this day).

“Aye. Beauchamp, Sassenach, Fraser.” His voice drops, a whisper: “My wife.”

[December 24th, 1991]

While Jamie and Claire’s studio remains the same, the flowers change with the turn of seasons: baby-skinned petals become felted cloth, neon-bright as they hang from a child’s mobile. The pots along the sill are gone, their soil-dust trails swiped away and their roots transplanted to a community garden. In their place, sits a collection of shiny, new tools for a shiny, new crib, which stands half-assembled beside the cot. The flower mobile blooms above it, suspended in silent wait for spring. For Faith.

Come April, Jamie and Claire will bring the sunshine into their home, no longer needing the single window and its lancing, evening light. Come April, they will have marigold walls, yellow linens, and bright rubber duckies floating in the sink. All of this for the baby that will sleep inside the shiny, new crib beneath the flowers that will never die.

Faith. This is the name they have given their future, no longer an unfurnished corner in their studio, but a growing presence inside Claire’s belly.

“Ugh!”

“That bad is it?”

“Worse than bad. I look like a whale who’s just fucked a Christmas tree.”

Jamie opens his eyes, his wife framed by his fingers, and he moves his hands to stifle a laugh.

“And a few wee penguins at that…”

“You’re not helping,” Claire whines, examining her reflection in the mirror. Rounded cheeks, rounder stomach; sharp lines blurred by months of pregnancy. All afternoon, she has scolded and cajoled, bribed and threatened, her cottons and nylons.  But the fabrics have been stubborn, loath to surrender their bodily claims to the child pushing against them.

“Jamie, I can’t go out wearing this.”

“I dinna see how you’ve much choice in the matter, Sassenach. We should've gone to Waverly yesterday,” Jamie replies. The sweater—the same one she’d worn the evening they met—hugs her stomach. Tight but still discreet, the purest flash of flesh above her waistline. “Party’s at 8. We’ve no time to go shopping for a proper outfit. It’s either that or what God gave ye.”

“Oh, wouldn’t that be a treat? A naked, pregnant woman sipping virgin egg nog in front of the buffet. Happy bloody Christmas!”

“Angus wouldna mind.”

“Well, so long as the host is happy.”

“I wouldna mind.”

Claire snorts and twirls, as if to say, “Are you sure of that?” (He is, absolutely, and to the marrow of his bones.)

Jamie sighs. “D’ye want me to wear mine too?”

“You mean your lager-stained pullover? With the Santa looks that looks like he’s got vomit in his beard?

“Aye, that’s the one.”

“Yes,” she replies, grinning. She remembers where it lies amongst the rest of their clothes, just as she remembers its wooly scratch against her breasts two years before. Jaime’s hands (so much larger than hers, even then) lifting it up and over, laying her bare beneath the fluorescent lights of his dorm room. “Yes, I want you to wear your Belligerent Santa jumper.”

Jamie nods.

“And no beer for you, either. Just store-bought non-alcoholic egg nog. My misery needs company.”

“Fair is fair.”

“And—”

“There’s more?”

“Much more.”

“Ach, weel. Anything for the most beautiful woman in the room.”

“Oh, Rupert will be so grateful you think so, Jamie.”

“What are friends for?” He draws closer, vibrating. “But what about you, Sassenach?”

“Me? You’ll look more ridiculous than I will. I’ll be peachy and taking shots of fake egg-nog!”

Claire finds the sweater and throws it to Jamie, watches him catch the frayed and wrinkled ball of it. The hem is still an unraveled spool, which she winds and winds around her finger. Once, twice, three times until it marks her skin in a pale, white ring. She pulls it taut, feels the slow draining of her finger as the blood retreats, towards her husband. Electricity between them (the pipes groan, the winter thaw come at last).

“Now,” Claire purrs, “put that on so I can take it off you.”

“D’ye think we have time?”

“Of course we do,” she says. "We always have time." (Not always, not forever.)

“Well then,” Jamie says, bowing. “Your servant, madam.”

At this point, I still had no idea where I was going with this story, and I think that’s abundantly clear here. Regardless, I was very much taken with the “romanticism” of being poor, in love, and bohemian in New York City—so these two chapters are basically my written daydreams about being a young Patti Smith. Luckily, that never happened! Although I did wind up living in a tiny long-term Airbnb with an opera singer, a grand piano that took up the. entire. living. room., and a very uncomfortable futon that I slept on for my first 6 months in Brooklyn.

These are really the last ~~happy~~ chapters for a while, which is totally a reflection of the fact that I had moved to Brooklyn and was scared, lonely, and just generally very angsty, lol. So my apologies for what lies ahead.

One closing thought: Why did I choose Pretty Woman as Jamie and Claire’s first date movie, lol? Had I just watched it? Did I just associate the ‘90s with Julia Roberts romantic comedies? Did I not bother researching other movies that came out in 1990? Your guess is as good as mine!!!

[misslaneyluck]

Flame Liberator Write Up!

I rarely use Tumblr but it’s easier to link to than a Twitter thread. Here’s a quick runthrough of how I made Lea’s Flame Liberator Keyblade from KH3 (the one in DDD has a different handle, it’s not round like the KH3 one is).

Here’s some ref images:

Let’s get started! I modeled the handle myself, however I’m just not good enough at organic modelling to make the blade. I’m still working on it, and will upload it to Thingiverse when it’s finished. It went from idea to completion in just under a month, so I didn’t have too long to spend trying to model the blade.

Read it all below the break! 

Supplies

Here’s the handle I modeled: https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/20647-leas-keyblade-flame-liberator-handle-only-wip

Here’s the model I purchased for the blade: https://www.etsy.com/listing/694651403

PLA+ (handle)

Clear PETG (blade)

Sandpaper

Super glue

Bondo/ Wood filler

XTC3D

M3 heat set inserts + screws (optional)

Magnets (optional)

LEDs + Control board (I listed the ones I used below)

Soldering iron + solder 

Alligator clips

Blade colors: red, orange, yellow

Handle colors: chrome, metallic red, black gloss

Gloss topcoat

Fabric to wrap the handle

Masking tape

Polyfill to diffuse the LEDs

Tote to check

Process

1. Modelling: The first thing I did was work on the model. I made the handle in Fusion 360, then brought the whole thing into Meshmixer to clean up and slice the model (slicing means cutting it down for your printer). I used Meshmixer to cut the handle into 5 parts (4 for the ring and the handle was separate) and put holes in it for 1/4″ wooden dowels. I also used Meshmixer to cut the handle off the model I purchased and smooth out the very end of the blade.

If you’re planning on 3d printing, I highly recommend getting comfortable with Meshmixer, it’s free and really powerful, but also incredibly simple, one of my favorite tools! 

2. Printing: I printed the handle + keychain in eSun PLA+ and the Blade in clear PETG. This is the most straightforward, however clear PETG isn’t really beginner friendly. I definitely recommend testing your settings, and starting with a fresh spool if you’re going to print something this big, it needs to be kept dry.

3. Print Finishing: The chakram handle needs to get sanded and have the handle attached. I gave the rings a good sand with the dremel and then glued it together. I attached the middle of the handle with heat set inserts and m3 screws, then glued it down. This probably isn’t a necessary step but I had the pieces on hand, and I wanted it to be really strong.

After it was all glued together I started refining the finish. Sand with sandpaper, fill seams/ dents with bondo or wood filler. Coat with filler primer, sand some more. We want it to be smoooooooth so the shiny paint looks good.

The blade I glued together in pieces (top 2, then next 2) so I had 2 sections, I poured XTC3D inside and slushed it around as best I could. After that was done I glued those 2 sections together and used a paintbrush on a stick to coat the inside seam with XTC3D for strength. Hindsight I wouldn’t do this this way, I would work base to top and leave the top off until the LEDs were inside.

The very end of the blade is a little different because it goes around the Chakram handle, and needs to come apart for travel. Basically they come on/ off with magnets. This isn’t an ideal solution as I didn’t design it with this in mind, however I realized that it needs to get to Florida then go back home with its new owner so this is what we have. Hopefully the photos make sense, I used a combination of friendly plastic, magnets and epoxy to hold everything together.

4. Painting: Chrome finish paints need a glossy black coat underneath. You can use any paint- black spray paint, black glossy paint, XTC3D over black, etc. As long as the whole thing is glossy black. I should have done a better job sanding/ priming because the chrome paint ended up a bit spotty, but I was in a bit of a time crunch. I definitely handled it too much after priming it black, LPT is to not touch it at all! 

Painting is pretty straight forward, for the handle I did chrome first, making sure to let it set fully before masking it off and painting the red. I used Spaz Stix Mirror Chrome and Candy Apple Red.

The blade I used a matte yellow base coat, then an iridescent yellow. The orange and red are acrylics I thinned with airbrush thinner, a lot of airbrush reds are actually pink so I mixed my own.

Seal the fuck out of everything with paint sealer! I put a final layer of XTC3D on the blade because the paint scratched super easily.

5. Electronics: LPT: Figure out how to get your LEDs in first, I had to cut the tip of the blade off and fix it. Would not recommend.

The electronics made me super nervous because I’ve never put LEDs in anything, I haven’t programmed since college, and I was on a time crunch. I read through a bunch of Adafruit tutorials and decided on using the NanoPixel LEDs and a Circuit Playground Express controller. If I had more time I could have ordered something cheaper, but I wanted the reliability + community of these things.

YOU WILL NEED TO SOLDIER THE LEDS. This is the only way to ensure a permanent connection on your wires. All you need is a cheap soldering iron (they’re like $4) and solder.

Adafruit has a bunch of tutorials, here’s the ones I found most useful:

NeoPixel Uberguide

Introducing Circuit Playground Express

Glowing Interactive Staff

Glowing NeoPixel Table (this covers some FastLED stuff I found helpful)

Supply list:

Circuit Playground Express Base Kit

NeoPixels 60 - 1 Meter x2 (they come terminated so you won’t have to cut + solder the LED ends if you get 2x 1 meter strands)

Battery Holder (I know the kit has one, but based on my measurements it would be too big for the handle, so I bought this as well)

Alligator clips (use these to test connections before you solder)

I used FastLED to get the fire animation (link)

There’s a lot to this that I don’t really want to get into, because I’m not an expert, and the guides on Adafruit explain things much better than I can. I found the glowing staff guide the most useful, I just left out the on button (there’s an on/off switch on the battery pack). Basically - connect LEDs and battery to Circuit Playground Express (CPX), and plug the CPX into your computer. If you have the software all set up you just upload the code.

6. Bonus! Travelling: It fits in the bin! I added foam padding to the lid and insides to keep everything safe. just need to make sure it’s extra secure with bubble wrap and padding. The tote has 4 snaps but I closed it with zip ties before flying, TSA will just cut them open if they need to.

[roglama]

How to Setup and Use Spinning Rod and Reel

Are you frustrated with the boring process of preparing and learning how to utilize your spinning rod and reel? If that's the case, have no fear! You have found the Instructable that will show you all you want to know about your spinning reel and rod. Although it is initially hard to set up and use, the spinning rod and reel will enhance your fishing abilities and will give you the versatility you need to capture virtually any type of fish.

With no prior knowledge or skill on spinning rods and reels, this Instructable will take you about 30 minutes to complete. However, with a little more experience, setting up your rod and reel will take you just 10 minutes of your time.

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Step 1: Gather Your Equipment

Gather Your Equipment

Gather Your Equipment

Gather Your Equipment2 More Images

In case you have not bought your spinning reel, then you must first research what Sort of reel will suit your needs

Here are informative sites from Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas to get you started

You should also see a near by Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, or Gander Mountain and Speak with their fishing department to determine what reel is best for you

Spinning Rod

Frequently times spinning sticks will be designed to go with specific reels. Thus, I would recommend that you enter your Regional fishing store to ensure you get the pole that you need

Fishing Line

The type of fishing line you may use is completely dependent upon what type of fish you are fishing for

Here is a helpful website from trails.com that reveals the basic Kinds of fishing line

Bait/hook

The sort of lure you should use also depends on what you are fishing for. Research this until you go fishing.

Tip: Bring multiple types of bait when fishing, as fish will favor Unique baits throughout different days

Scissors

No researching here! Any kind of scissors will operate

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Step 2: Understand the Important Parts of this Equipment

Understand the Vital Areas of the Equipment

Understand the Important Parts of the Gear

Spool

The spool is what the fishing line is wound around

Manage

If the handle turns, line is pushed back into the reel

Bail

The bail is a metal arm that may stop the line from coming out of the spool

When"closed", little to no point can come from the spool

When"open", line may come from the spool freely

The reel foot is like a puzzle piece that securely connects the pole to the reel

The drag knob allows you to set how easily line can come from the spool when the bail is closed

When the understand is"tightened", line Can't come out of the spool with the bail closed

When the knob is"loosened", line can come out of the spool with hardly any force employed when the bail is shut

Line Roller

The line roller correctly guides the line from the spool into the pole

Rod Tip

The tip is the last 4 inches of the pole and can be the thinnest part of the pole to help you sense when a fish bites

Caution: Be aware of where the tip of the rod is, even as it is the easiest part of the pole to split

Guides

Guides are bands which the line passes through and so are there to keep the line near the pole

The reel seat is another"puzzle piece" the reel ft connects to this overlooks the reel to the pole

Handle

The handle is usually made up of a softer material than the rod, as it's exactly what you will be holding the entire time you are fishing

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Step 3: Connect the Reel to the Rod

Join the Reel to the Rod

Join the Reel to the Rod

Connect the Reel to the Rod Loosen the reel seat (about the rod)

Make the real seat big enough so that the reel foot can match

2. Set the reel foot into the reel seat Tighten the reel seat

Caution: When the reel can wobble from the reel fastener, repeat these steps until the reel is hardy

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Measure 4: Spool the Reel

Spool that the Reel2 More Images

Spooling, or placing line on, the reel is a vital measure to fishing, and can result in frustration and difficulties when fishing if performed improperly.

1. Open the Bail Place the line round the reel once

This will lead to two"bits" online (they're still connected around the reel) Tie a standard knot (technically the"Overhand knot") with these two"bits"

Here is an informative site if you need help tying the knot Tie another knot together with the resulting pieces of line

5. Cut the loose piece of line roughly 1/4" away from the reel

6. Close to the bail Tightly hold the line a foot away from the reel

This will prevent the line from getting tangled when the line is put on the reel Turn the reel until the desired amount of line is about the reel

The Quantity of line needed depends on what kind of reel you've got as well as what Sort of line You're using

Some reels have a"Line Cap" marked on their side, telling you the maximum Quantity of line for the reel

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Measure 5: String the Rod

String that the Rod

String the Rod

String the Rod Grab the tip of this line with one hand

3. Put the line through each of the pole guides

Start at the bottom guide and finish at the tip

Caution: Don't Give up the line or it may fall back through the guides

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Within this step, I will show you how to tie the fundamental fishing knot. The good thing about this knot is that it is easy and requires a minimal quantity of time to complete. But it's not a durable strong knot, which means it could loosen over time, making it feasible to get a fish to pull the knot out. If you are fishing for fish more than 15 lbs or you just want to be ambitious, here are a Couple of complicated knots that can stay together forever

Palomar knot (my personal favorite)

Clinch knot

And many more!

Note: I'm tying on a crank bait in the pictures, but you may use this knot on any kind of hook or bait.

1. Place the line through the eye of the hook, making one"bit" of line on each side of the hook

Tip: Hold the line with your thumb and pointer finger

2. While holding each piece in two Distinct hands, cross 1 piece over to the other hand

You should now have both pieces of line in one hand

There Ought to be a loose loop around your pointer finger

The must also be a piece of line dangling from the pointer finger and thumb Put the dangling piece of line via the loop

The circle should stay intact once you remove your pointer finger.

When the circle falls aside, repeat step two and Put the dangling line through the other end of this loop Tighten the knot by pulling on the two ends of the line

5. Repeat this step at least 3 more times to ensure the knot will not come loose

6. Snip the line about a 1/4" from the eye of the hook

Caution: Don't cut the line on the pole!

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Step 7: Set the Drag Knob

Establish the Drag Knob

1. Twist the drag knob clockwise to tighten or counterclockwise to loosen

2. Gently pull line from the reel to Find out how the drag has been effected

3. Repeat these steps until the drag is put at a desirable Volume

It will take experience to determine what to put your drag to, so ask someone with more experience if possible

If that somebody is unavailable, set your drag on the loose side, as placing it too tight can cause the point to break if reeling in a fish

Setting the drag should always be performed before you begin fishing. However, you CAN change the haul while fishing, if you realize the drag is too loose or too tight. Here are hints and results that will happen if the haul Isn't set correctly:

Drag is loose

The fish can easily take line out of the reel

The hook will probably have little tension from the fish's mouth, allowing the fish to spit out the hook

Drag is tight

The rod is bending a whole lot, but the fish is not taking out any lineup

The line will have too much tension in it, causing the line to crack

It is important to be aware that when reeling in a fish, the fish ought to be able to take line from the reel (unless the fish is quite small). How tight the haul will be will depend on which type of fish you are fishing for and what type of line you are using. You will quickly learn what your drag needs to be put to once you reach out into the water and begin fishing.

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Step 8: Cast the Bait

Cast the Bait

Cast the Bait

Cast the Bait2 More Images

1. Allow about 1-1 1/2 ft online to hang from the tip of the rod

2. Hold the pole a few inches above the base of the reel in Addition to the line parallel to the pole

Utilize the hand that you will reel in with

3. On the contrary hand, open the bail

When the hook dropped, make sure you are holding the correct line in measure 1

4. Hold the base of the rod with the same hand as in step 2

5. Lean the rod backwardsaway from your target

The pole should be tilted around a stage in between your two palms

6. Quickly swing the rod towards your target and launch your hand from step 1 in the top of your throw

Caution: Hold on tight with your hand from step 3 or you might find yourself fishing rod.

If your bait just landed two feet in front of you, do not worry! It happens to everyone when they are learning how to throw. Just keep practicing and you will master projecting in no time!

Here's a helpful video for learning how to throw. (This movie also demonstrates how to pitch in, the next step)

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Measure 9: Reel at the Line

Reel in the Line

Reel at the Line

1. Close the Bail

2. Place the lineup in the line roller

3. Turn the reel handle

This measure describes the fundamental mechanics of reeling in the line. But, there are lots of unique ways which you can reel in. You can reel in quick or slow, you can reel in at a steady speed or you can ditch the lure in at fast and slow spans and you can reel with the rod tip up or down, simply to mention a couple. There is not any ideal approach to account for each of these factors, since the fish will favor unique methods during the year, day, month and sometimes even hour. Some things that determine what the fish need are the water temperature, the time of day, the weather, and also the type of bait you're using, together with countless other facets.

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Step 10: Catch Some Fish!!!

Catch Some Fish!!!

Congratulations! You've completed the essential steps and your spinning rod and reel is ready to fish. At this time you get to reap the rewards from the time and work that you put in. So hang the"Gone Fishin'" sign and go catch some fish!

If I forgot anything or whether you're confused about one of the measures, please comment below so I can upgrade the Instructable.

[withastolenlantern]

They boarded the jet without fanfare, and Davis keyed in his credentials and submitted the flight plan. Chatham settled into one of the plush chairs midway through the cabin and opened a terminal to begin her situation report. Before she knew it the autopilot had spooled up the turbines and they were aloft into the rapidly darkening sky, chasing the sunset as it crawled its way east. She looked out through one of the windows and saw Jamaica, still green and verdant even in the twilight, quickly disappear, just another speck amidst the breakers, swallowed by the massive sea. 

They flew in silence most of the way, Chatham working on her report and Davis just sitting quietly across the cabin. He nursed a small glass of whiskey from the Earl’s bar in the rear, mainly swirling it against the sides of the frosted crystal, staring off into space.

“You’ve been atypically quiet, Mister Santomas,” she said looking up from the terminal.

“I’ve, uh… I’ve never been shot at before. Never killed anybody either. I think that’s catching up with me a little bit,” he said, continuing to stare at the floor.

“Best not to make a habit of either, I’ve found,” Chatham responded. 

“Puts things in perspective a little,” the engineer confessed. “What if it had been me, falling lifeless through that hatch?”

The detective put down the terminal and leaned forward toward him. She’d been through this existential crisis before, many years ago in a bivouac in some coastal Indian city she couldn’t remember. Earlier that day she’d fired her weapon for the first time in anger, shooting a suicide bomber out of mid-air as he leaped over rubble and sprinted toward her squad. Afterward, she stood over the body, silent, staring at the hole in the insurgent’s chest. It was bigger than she had expected, somehow, and when she’d closed her eyes that night it was all she could see; a gaping, oozing portal where a person used to be, and it threatened to pull her in and consume her whole.

“But it wasn’t you,” she said.

“Tell me one thing I’ve done that matters,” he challenged, with a sudden ferocity that startled her.

“I mean, I’m...” she started to argue.

“Its fine,” he said, waving the detective off. “It’s not you. I’ve been doing this a long time, and I’ve heard it all. I’m reliable. I get things done. I’m ‘good at my function’.” He made finger quotes as he listed off descriptors. “But those are the qualities you look for in a washing machine, not a person.”

Chatham tried to interrupt, but he continued. “When I’m gone, it won’t matter. In the course of human history, I don’t even rate a footnote. Fuck, the shareholders won’t even notice, and I’ve done nothing but make them money. No… no they’ll probably be happy because they can replace me with someone cheaper,” he scoffed, turning his eyes to the floor. “I haven’t accomplished anything with my miserable existence that’s worth a damn.”

The detective sat quietly, unsure of what to say. She knew from her own experience that whatever arguments she might present to the contrary would fall on deaf ears. When one fell in to these depths, no rhetorical ropes could pull you out until you’d resolved to make the climb. Her companion continued to fume, obviously if quietly. “You’re probably not… wrong,” she hazarded. “In the grand scheme of things, I don’t know that any of us really matter. Not as individuals, anyway. I mean, I have a Military Cross and I keep it in a fucking sock drawer. When I’m dead, they’ll etch a fancy symbol on my tombstone, and that’ll be the last anyone thinks of me.”

He looked up at her, his gaze deep and penitent. “This is all a fucking show, you know,” he said, gesturing around the laboratory. “It’s a sham, like me. HenRI is more than capable of running everything in here, at least to the Board’s liking. They put a body down here because it ‘humanizes’ the Consortium, makes the investors feel like they’re doing business with a human enterprise, and not just a machine. When Diaz passed away, they thought about letting HenRI run all of Operations. It’s not like we really do any meaningful R&D anymore; there’s no point when they’re shutting down most of the fabs. But the Earl knew better, and he was nervous about giving a virtual intelligence that much control. He wanted someone… pliable. Someone he could trot out to glad-hand and speak the customers’ language, but wouldn’t make waves. I’m no more than HenRI’s secretarial functions in flesh and bone.”

“I don’t believe that, even if you do,” she replied.

“Diaz killed himself, you know.”

“What?” Chatam said, taken aback.

Santomas shook his head in the affirmative, pantomiming a finger gun. “Forty-five to the temple, a no-doubter. He was sitting in his office; he printed the gun himself, in one of the dev lab fabs that were off the network. I found the code on the server a couple days later.”

“Christ,” the detective swore.

“Janitorial drone found him one night, 3 AM, his body slumped over his desk. Only threw up the flag because of all the blood. HenRI notified me, and I had to break the news to Jaime, his partner. The Consortium bought his silence, of course; he took the payout and their kid and moved back to the States. Haven’t heard from him since,” he explained.

“Did he leave a note?” she asked.

“Not as such. It’s… it’s probably my fault, if anything,” Santomas said, starting to choke up. “I know Jaime hated it here in Wales and they were drifting apart at the end. Looking back, I think I was the closest thing Yangervis had left resembling a friend. His parents fled cartel violence in Colombia when he was five, and they landed in Texas. They had trouble making ends meet in the US. His dad was killed robbing a convenience store; his mother sued the state and the settlement was how he was able to afford his initial studies at A&M. He started the autofabs, in my opinion anyway, as a way to relieve some of that economic anxiety for other families so they didn’t have go through what he did. We were so successful at first, but then Black Tuesday happened, and I think he blamed himself for all the layoffs that followed.

Looking back, I keep wondering if there weren’t signs I should have recognized. He used to gripe all the time about expanding capabilities and finding ways to streamline distributions to do more for the growing poor. I just… I never realized how far down that particular rabbit hole he’d gone. We had a memorial here, and then a week later the Earl offered me his job. I should’ve said no, but I’m too much of a coward.” The engineer wiped a single tear from his cheek with his shirt-sleeve.

Chatham leaned forward and patted his leg gently.“You saved my life today,” the detective replied. “That’s what you did that matters. There was no cowardice in that.” 

The rest of the return flight passed uneventfully. Santomas dozed off, snoring gently from across the cabin. She completed her after action report, which would no doubt raise a few eyebrows come morning. The detective considered what ridiculous excuse the home office would come up with to explain away a clearly recurrent trend. Pirates were not typically so organized, or methodical; they were opportunists mainly, and it seemed more than coincidental that multiple Consortium facilities several thousand miles apart could be targeted with some sort of coordination. Curiously the mercenaries in the fab had only been stealing weapons and other physical gear; there was no sign of the mysterious fluid they’d found on the African skiffs, although it didn’t mean they hadn’t already loaded it onto the hovercraft before she’d interrupted them. Larger forces were obviously at work here, but she could not yet determine to what end.

The landing gear engaged the tarmac on the private runway at Cardiff and broke her from musings. Santomas had woken at some point, and was now manipulating some data on a holo display. He smiled lightly over toward her, an unspoken acknowledgement of the previous day’s stressors now past. The jet’s reverse thrusters roared to life, and they taxied slowly into the Consortium’s hangar.

“I’ll be in the lab going over the data we scraped,” the engineer informed her as she stood and collected herself. “Go home and get some sleep. Call me if you come up with anything.”

“I will,” she replied, descending the narrow staircase out of the jet. 

The early morning sky was a light grey with the sun just barely peaking above the Bristol Channel to the east. She stumbled across the terminal groggily and used her HRMES credentials to bypass the normal immigration lines. A drone taxi was waiting for her just outside the baggage carousel, and she flopped into the rear seat with a weariness she could feel deep into her bones. The car rumbled to life and in a span of time she could not, nor wanted to recall, she was home.

The lights came on automatically as she entered her flat, Gibson had turned on the kettle reflexively as she’d entered. Sleep was all she really wanted, but the heat from the kettle was inviting and she poured the warm water into a mug with practiced ease.  

“Good evening, guv. We’ve had an encrypted communique,” the flat informed her. “Highly unusual.” 

“Oh?” she asked, steeping a tea bag into the mug.

“Yes. I was unable to decode the packet or identify the sender’s IP address. It appears to require a vocal code confirmation.” The flat projected open a holo screen and opened the message. The only contents were a line of text, commanding “Fancy a drink?” 

Chatham cracked a knowing smile. “Earl grey, with honey,” she spoke aloud to the holo. The screen transitioned to a sonographic representation of her voice, and then overlaid it against a similar image. As they slid together, she could see the graphs align, and the encrypted video message opened.

“Hello, dear,” the Lady Swansea beamed from the holo.

[coolmodelguy]

Hellbent, Mushi’s Katana sword build. Build Log Eight.

So now begins the adventure of learning how to use an airbrush to paint. Up til now, the methods I’ve used for painting of my models has been to use a spray cans, or to paint by hand with a brush.

In the first two pictures I laid out all three versions of Mushi’s sword on the table. The long handle sword parts were painted in Rust-oleum Gold out of a spray can. Both of the assembled blades, hand guards and the parts to the short handle version have been primer painted grey and then wet sanded smooth in preparation for painting the colors. My new spool of PLA filament is gold, so the version-3 sword parts are very bright!

The first stage of the airbrush painting was to apply the sealer, which is kind of like a primer. The literature I read described the sealer as a bonding agent between the surface and the color paint. The third picture shows a blade with the white sealer applied, it dried very fast and wet sanded smooth with 600 grit sandpaper. The sealer was applied over all the parts which were treated with the grey automotive primer paint.

Now the fun begins. The paint I am using is Createx Airbrush Colors and Wicked Colors, both made by the same company. I found that I could mix the two brands and they both used the same thinner. For the hand guards, I mixed some Transparent Base (paint without pigment) with Pearl Silver, Pearl White and just one drop of Pearl Blue. That gave me the icy light blue color I was looking for. I also used this color to paint the menuki ornaments.

For the blade guard, spacers and short handle parts I started with Wicked Golden Yellow and added some Pearl Silver and two drops of Wicked Orange to tint the yellow more toward gold.

Having two blades to paint gave me the opportunity to experiment. The airbrush paints were available in opaque colors and transparent colors, so I bought some of each. What I learned is that for my purposes here, both types worked.

The blades were first entirely covered with Pearl Silver. For the hand guard end of the longer blade, I used Transparent Base tinted with Transparent Violet. For the shorter blade I used opaque Pearl Plum for tinting the Transparent Base. To both mixes I also added some Pearl White.

For the tip end of the blades, I used the same formula except this time for the tinting I used Transparent Cobalt Blue or opaque Pearl Blue. The effects were very similar. I think this was because with both tints, the majority of the paint was the Transparent Base.

On the shorter blade, I painted the violet went too far up the blade . . . and I attempted to fix that by painting on more silver, then covering the silver with more of the transparent blue. Since I am still trying to figure out my airbrush settings and paint mixtures, the blue did not give me the all coverage I had intended . . . . but it did look kinda cool like the blade had been color changed by heat, so I left it as it is.

I am really pleased with the way these parts came out and I am very impressed with the airbrush painting method. The colors are vivid and sparkly. The paint dries quickly and it accepts wet sanding just fine. There are issues, the water based paint dries quickly and plugs up the airbrush routinely. Even with the drawbacks, it is an awesome way to paint. I can’t wait to move on to the next steps!

[pbandjesse]

So i might be mildly allergic to hazel nuts?? I had a chocolate bar with hazelnut in it and my face and chest got really itchy and splotchy and hot and red. It was kind of scary. I went to the bathroom and wash my face. I got a paper towel and just kind of held cold water on myself for a while. But nothing was helping. So I kind of went over to Tiffany and was just like help?. And she went totally mom mode on me. Which is exactly what I needed in that moment. And thankfully everyone in the room was very concerned. I don't know why I was so anxious just to ask if anyone had a Benadryl but thankfully someone did and I took that and felt better. But now I guess I got to watch out for hazelnuts?

The rest of the day wasn't nearly as interesting. I mean it was still a good day but nothing terribly exciting happened. I slept okay and woke up early. I got dressed and left here around 8:15. I went over to CVS to pick up needle and thread and then went over to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast. The bus is supposed to come at 9:05. The bus actually came at 9:35. So another day where I waited almost 40 minutes for the bus. And that was after sitting in Dunkin' donuts and eating my bagel for 15 minutes. So I was not terribly pleased.

But because I was excited about winning some money last night I bought munchkins for everyone and no one cared that I was late. We were just working on lesson plans. But I got to tell everyone what happened and they were all very excited for me and it's cool being able to talk about some of the stuff went went down when I lived in Minneapolis. And then it was just a good working morning.

I wasn't in the mindset to be typing yet. So I spent a little time drawing my dumb Furby tattoo idea. It's not dumb! I don't like that I've been feeling self-conscious about my hobbies lately. I'm trying not to use negative language to associate with them. I'm actually very excited about my little drawing. The idea is that it's patches the clock Furby. And because her screen doesn't work anymore my idea is to have the screen display the word love in digital font. Because love is stored in the Furby. So I think I'm going to get two tattoos in the fall. They're both going to be small but I'm excited about them. My arm tattoo is been feeling kind of like it's missing pieces lately. It'll be nice to have more filling on the half sleeve.

I finished my lesson plan mostly. I want to go over it a little bit more tomorrow just to make sure everything is okay and everyone understands what I'm hoping for in the project. I also finished all of my power points I wanted to make. And got some laughs out of Marcus because on the what we expect for you PowerPoint we created I specifically looked for pictures and clipart of teachers at chalkboards. I found a white lady that had brown hair. And I specifically search for a black man. So that we would have representation on the board of us. And he thought that was so funny. Actually made him laugh a few times today. The other time was when he told me he didn't want to eat any more munchkins because he was trying to look good for the beach. Get his body back in shape. And I told him that the beach is going to get whatever kind of body I bring it, just complete deadpan.

At lunch time we convince Marshall to buy us all food. Me and the other Jessica we're having a dance off and it was all very silly and there was a good time. We walked over to the Chinese place. Then some people broke off to go get Subway. And others to get pizza. It was fun being out with everyone.

We all got back and we ate and then it was to work again. I spent pretty much the rest of the afternoon working on my example quilt square. It's basically a miniature crazy quilt representing what they're larger crazy quilt might look like. First I found pieces I like and I cut them into squares. I sew them together. And then I took all of that and cut it up into pieces. And then I sewed it together again. I'm very pleased. Because there's triangles and squares and rectangles and I think it looks really neat. Once I feel like all of its own together well enough I'm going to go back in and bead some and paint some and embroider an applique some. So that the kids can hold it and kind of have a better idea of what I'm hoping that their quilt will look like.

I stayed for a while. My allergic reaction happen during that time too. But I still got a lot done. I didn't finish showing it. I'm going to have to do that tomorrow but I pinned everything up at least for what I didn't so. We didn't have any straight pain so I had to use an entire pack of sewing needles but that's okay. I've done worse.

We finished up at 3. I cleaned up and then fitsum took me home. I was overheated outside. The humidity and rain this week has been Wild. It just feels very heavy when you're outside. As soon as I leave the safety of the box fan. That's terrible. So when I got here I was kind of uncomfortable. But I got cleaned up and put some stuff away. There was going to be a showing at my apartment at 5 and I did not want to be here. So at 4:30 I left.

I walk to the health food store to pick up new soap and some vegetarian beef jerky. I had a nice conversation about Alexander Calder with the guy at the counter. And then I went to Chipotle for nachos. I was upset when I left you pull it though because I was open the door some idiot on a scooter was right at 5 and I almost hit her with the door. She should not have been on the sidewalk and she specifically should have been that close to the door! I could have really hurt her. So I was a little frazzled when I got back to James.

But I got there and cooled off. I took a shower. And then I worked on Hemming / resizing the jumpsuit that I bought like a month ago. Finally figured out how to take in the legs and the crotch area because it just was a mess. Took me about an hour and a half total to pin, cut, and sew it. But once I did I was very happy. It looks really good now. Not work appropriate but I'm very excited to have it anyway. I did use an entire spool of thread today though. It was a little spool but still.

I laid in bed and watched videos. James got back around 6:30. He took a shower and then he made us Falafel for dinner. He made whipped garlic. Which I can still taste even though I brush my teeth twice. But it was really good and then we just hung out for a while.

I came home around 9. I took another shower. Just to rinse off. And I've just been hanging out with CP since then. I took all of the charms off of my charm bracelet and put them on a necklace. I think that I'm more likely to wear it right now that way. And I think I'm going to get ready to go to sleep now. I feel very tired. Tomorrow's our last lesson plan day as a group. It's been a really nice day though. A really nice week. I hope you all sleep great tonight. Be safe out there. Have fun

[relevy]

Thou hast asked for olde askes and therefore I asketh: Thou hast a childe. Hast thou also the recommendationes of bookes for children?

Forsooth! Many books have I encountered in mine life’s journey with which to regail the youths!

Infant-Toddler (I recommend buying soft or hard books of these so the kiddo can manhandle them)

1. Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats - adorable story featuring the first black protagonist of a children’s book!2. Moo Baa Lalala! by Sandra Boyton - great chance for some silly voices and is a quick one if you have a little one who can’t focus long (like the 2yo I nanny lol)3. What’s Wrong Little Pookie? by Sandra Boyton - really all of her books are great but this one is a silly exchange between parent and kid with a sweet ending.4. Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina - this is one from my childhood (so I bought it right away for Mojo) the art is simply gorgeous which is great for keeping babies interested.5. Have you Seen my Cat? by Eric Carle - literally anything by Eric Carle though he is a genius. This one is just my favorite because it’s about cats :D6. Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt - another one from my childhood. This is a great sensory experience for little ones with lots to touch!7. Vegetables in Underwear by Jared Chapman - this was the first book we bought for Mojo (I mean come on I met her Dad at a grocery store) it’s goofy and silly with hilarious illustrations.

Toddler to early Elementary:

1. Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon- it’s a story about fitting in with beautiful illustrations.2. The Bear Snores On by Jane Chapman - this one has a great beat so it’s really fun to read. Funny illustrations and voice opportunities.3. Pickle Chiffon Pie by Roger Bradfield - this was my favorite book to read with my Dad. It’s a nonsensical story set in an imaginary world that flips fairytale tropes on their heads!4. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams - I’ll admit this one might make them cry, but in a good way!5. Munschworks by Robert Munsch - this is the entire collection of his works and I can’t express how awesome they all are (plus there’s one where the protagonist is named Moira so…😎)6. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt - great art, angry personified crayons, what’s not to like?7. Press Here by Hervé Tullet - this is a great interactive (analog via art) story to keep both you and kiddo engaged.

8. This is not My Hat by Jon Klassen - pretty dark humor for a kids book which I think is hilarious. His others are also great and similar in tone.

Mid elementary:

1. Lafcadio the Lion who shot back by Shel Silverstein - this one was a favorite of my Dad’s. It’s a story about a lion who becomes a world famous sharpshooter basically to eat marshmallows. I highly recommend all of Silverstein’s works!2. Literally any Roald Dahl.3. The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate Dicamillo - sweet story with beautiful illustrations sure to get them excited about reading longer books on their own.4. The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black - The books themselves aren’t super long but the story is more mature and exciting while still fantastical!

[sofreakinmanyfandoms]

November 14 - We’re Gonna Go Flirt with Superheroes

Some important notes:

1. Thank you to my amazing friend Dean for letting me use their delightful self as a character in this fic. You may all be jealous that I actually know this person.

2. Because Dean does not have the cleanest of language, this fic has significantly more swearing than anything else I've posted here. I still only put half as much language as normally spews from their mouth. Love you, babe.

3. I've never actually been to a hipster bar and it's been years since I've been to Portland. Please forgive me for any obvious errors.

4. I normally shy away from describing the reader too much, but honestly? I needed this. I needed to explore a bit what it's like being straight but looking gay, because while it's nothing compared to what the LGBT+ community goes through, it's something I get a lot of grief for from my conservative Christian extended family. I needed a fic where the main girl has short hair, okay? Okay.

Thanks for letting me vent myself in this fic.

Word count: 2416

Warnings: Language, mentions of cheating, if you’re homophobic you’ll hate this one so go suck an egg

Pairing: Bucky Barnes X short haired!hipster!Reader

“Ah, Portland,” Sam said with a sigh, looking around at the bar that was definitely owned by someone very hipster. “Remind me again why we’re here?”

“It was the closest city with the material Stark needs to fix the jet,” Steve reminded him. “He’ll have it ready by morning and we’ll be on our way back to the compound.”

“Friends,” Thor declared cheerily, throwing his arms around their shoulders, “despite our transport’s destruction, we have won a great victory this day! Let us celebrate, even if your Midgardian drinks are weaker than mother’s milk.”

Bucky followed behind them, feeling out of place as he took in the décor. The floor and ceiling were concrete, but the walls had been coated in what looked like disassembled pallets with wooden booths build out of the walls. The free-standing tables were giant spools and he was pretty sure no two chairs in the whole building matched. Whoever had been in charge of decorating had even taken the chalkboard menu trope to the extreme, making the whole wall behind the bar a blackboard instead of just hanging one up. Everything was decked out in old – sorry, “recycled” – netting and buoys, presumably ones that had seen actual use based on their condition. Also, Bucky had never seen so much flannel in his life.

He settled into a booth with Sam as Steve and Thor went to get their drinks. The other man was looking around, a determined expression on his face.

“Here’s where we get to the hard part,” Sam whispered to him. “Now we’ve gotta figure out which women are gay and which are just fashionable.

Bucky furrowed his eyebrows at his friend. “I don’t understand.”

Sam leaned back and nodded to the bar. “Well, normally you see a woman in skinny jeans, a plaid flannel, and a beanie? She’s a lesbian. But we’re in Portland, where that’s everyone’s style, so it gets harder. Like the chick on the end of the bar? Pixie cut, slouchy beanie, band tee that’s probably for some local group her friend is in under her open flannel, black jeans that look painted on, and totally ignoring the prime male specimens currently ordering our drinks in favor of her cell phone? Definitely gay. But that chick over there,” he subtly pointed to a nearly identically-dressed girl, shorter and with longer hair, who had definitely noticed Steve and Thor’s presence, “is either straight or bi. I can work with either of those.”

Snorting at his friend’s explanation, Bucky flashed a quick look back at the woman at the end of the bar. Sam was probably right. Too bad; she was beautiful, and he wouldn’t have minded getting to know her better.

----------

You sighed at your phone and shifted on your seat at the end of the bar. Your friend was late again; they were always late. According to the text chain you were receiving nearly non-stop, they were also probably already drunk, not that that was surprising anymore.

“Come on, Dean,” you muttered under your breath. “I need you here before he shows up.”

Five minutes later, your friend stumbled through the door, giggling madly at, well, you didn’t want to know what. They stumbled their way over to you and collapsed onto a stool.

“Why are we here?” Dean immediately began complaining. “I stick out like a sore thumb. I’m more goth than hipster, you know that.”

“We’re here because I nanny for the owner part-time so the drinks are free,” you pointed out, rolling your eyes. “You know fully well that any place becomes your scene when you don’t have to pay for alcohol.”

“True,” Dean replied with another giggle. “I didn’t have to pay at the last place either, because I’m fucking hot. Three guys and two girls bought me drinks.”

“Aaand, that’s it, you’re cut off for the night,” you sighed, asking the bartender for a coffee for your definitely drunk friend. “You did kill your makeup tonight, though. It looks great.”

“Damn right it does,” they slurred. “Hey, how come you didn’t tell me? I’d have gotten here a hell of a lot sooner if you’d told me there were Avengers in the building.”

You followed your friend’s line of sight to where there were in fact four members of the Avengers seated in a booth.

“Oh… I didn’t notice them.”

Dean scoffed and gave you that knowing look that you really hated. “You got lost in your phone again, didn’t you? Just in case he showed up.” The blush on your face was enough of an answer. “Damn it, woman, he’s a fucking asshole who never deserved you and I’d have killed him already if you weren’t so fucking concerned with whether or not things are legal.” They downed the rest of their coffee with a grimace and pushed themselves off the bar, grabbing for your hand. “Come on. We’re gonna go flirt with superheroes.”

Your eyes widened in horror. “Oh no. I am not going to talk to the Avengers with you while you’re drunk.”

Dean’s eyes narrowed as they looked at you. “Then you have to promise me you’ll sing karaoke tonight. You haven’t done it since that bastard criticized your voice, and I miss hearing it. You’re fucking good, and you let that fucking moron rob us all of your beautiful songbird-ness.”

“I hope you realize how drunk you sound.”

“Do we have a deal or not? Because if I’m going to give up a shot at fucking Thor, it had better be for a good reason.”

You sighed. Your friend was always stubborn like this. “Fine, we have a deal.”

“Awesome! I get to pick your song.”

“Aw, hell, no…”

----------

Your ex showed up right before karaoke started as he always did.

“Look at the smug asshole,” Dean muttered into the drink they’d somehow managed to get despite your best efforts. They put on a comically feminine voice and mimicked, “I must sing every chance I get, for my voice is God’s gift to mankind and to deprive people of the joy of listening to it would be blasphemy of the highest fucking order!”

“Dean,” you sighed, “please behave. You’ve already gotten me to agree to singing again. You don’t need to start a scene with him, too.”

“I should cut off his fucking dick for cheating on you.”

Because you knew Dean, you were concerned they meant it. “Don’t. He did me a favor, helping me realize he wasn’t worth it. Now, did you sign me up for karaoke already, or do I need to do it?”

The grin they flashed you was even more concerning when paired with how much they’d had to drink. “I signed us both up. After you sing your mystery song – yes, you’ll have enough of an intro to figure out what it is and come in on time, they put the lyrics up anyway, you’ll be fine – I’ll blow your performance out of the water with a spectacular rendition of ‘Bang, Bang.’ Your ex won’t know what hit him.”

“I’m sure he won’t,” you said dryly, only to be horrified when your name was called first as karaoke started.

Dean laughed at the glare you threw them. “Go blow them all away with your magical voice, darling!”

“Y/N,” the bar’s owner said into his mic when you stepped up on stage. “It’s been far too long, m’lady! Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in a few months, it’s the lovely Y/N singing ‘Shake It Off’!”

“Really, Dean?” you asked, picking up your mic. “All the songs in the world to choose from and that’s the one you picked for me?” The regulars laughed at your teasing as Dean raised their beer in salute. Almost before you had a moment to collect yourself, the music was off and you could feel your ex studying you from his seat near the back with his new woman draped across him. You shut him out of your mind and focus and launched yourself into the song, determined to have fun even if you weren’t really drunk enough to do a Taylor Swift song for karaoke.

----------

Bucky hadn’t been paying attention to much other than his beer until the karaoke started. Their booth was set up at the perfect spot for watching the stage, and he chided himself for the way his heart jumped when you stepped on stage.

“Really, Dean?” you joked, shooting a look at your friend who did not look like – he? She? Bucky couldn’t tell which – would be interested in hanging out in a bar like this. Then you took a deep breath and wow, your whole demeanor changed as you started singing. It was like the song took over you and you had an entirely different energy about you.

“I go on too many dates, but I can’t make ‘em stay,” you sang, and Bucky watched you work the stage, using the mic stand to your theatrical advantage even as you held the mic in your hand. He’d say you were hamming it up for the crowd, but there was something about your performance that said maybe some of the words were hitting a little too close to home for you to be too flippant with them.

“My ex man brought his new girlfriend,” and he didn’t miss the way your eyes flickered to a couple in the back. “And to the fella over there with the hella good hair, why don’t you come on over baby? We can shake, shake, shake.”

He almost choked on his beer, because he could swear that during that last line you had looked over and winked at him in a very “I’m not a lesbian and I want to climb you like a tree” type way. Bucky’s eyes quickly flickered to Sam to see if the other man caught it, but if he had, he wasn’t giving any indication of it.

It had to have been the performance, right? You were just working the audience. When the song ended, he made sure to applaud, and soon your friend (Dean, the announcer called them) was on stage singing like they were, well, as hammered as they looked.

----------

“Come ooooonnnn,” Dean whined, tugging on your sleeve. “Y/N, they’re in town and they’re in this bar and Thor’s so hot I’m surprised I don’t have a sunburn yet. I can’t talk to them alone. Come flirt with me.”

Your friend wasn’t going to give up anytime soon, so you slammed back the rest of your drink and stood.

“Fine,” you said, “but if you look like you’re going to puke on an Avenger at any point I’m dragging you home.”

“Yay!” they cheered, immediately pulling you over to their table and sliding into the booth next to Thor. “Hello, gentlemen of the Avengers. My name is Dean, I’m genderfluid and pansexual and would gladly climb any of you. This is Y/N and she’s a straight prude but if you give her enough alcohol you might be able to get a nice make-out session with her.”

You groaned and rubbed your face with your hand. “Sorry for my friend here. They passed merely being drunk an hour before karaoke started.”

“Pleasure to meet you both,” Captain America (YOU WERE TALKING TO CAPTAIN AMERICA?!?) said. “I’m Steve, and this is Bucky, Sam, and Thor.”

“Hi, Thor.” Dean batted their eyelashes and you choked back a snerk.

Bucky pushed at Sam and the two slid a little further back in the booth, making space for you to sit next to the soldier. He motioned to the seat and you slid next to him hesitantly.

“Sorry for interrupting your evening,” you apologized quietly, although Dean had long since tuned you out in favor of attempting to seduce the god of thunder. “Dean gets an idea their head and I’m basically stuck along for the ride.”

“It’s no problem,” Sam said smoothly. “I do have one question, though. Are you really straight?”

You couldn’t help but laugh, and Bucky thought that might be the nicest sound he’d ever heard. “Yes, I’m really straight. Most people are surprised, but my sense of style wasn’t enough to keep jerks from hitting on me so I got a haircut and fell in love with the style. It’s let me fly under the radar a lot more frequently, which is nice.”

“I can’t imagine how,” Bucky said, a blush creeping up his cheeks. “You’re beautiful.”

Before you could thank him, a voice to your left made you freeze.

“Y/N.”

Dean’s attention was snapped away from Thor and they stared down your ex. “Listen, asshole –”

“Dean.” You held up a finger to stop your friend before they made too much of a scene before entirely turning to your ex. “What do you want, Daniel?”

“It’s free karaoke time,” he crooned, ignoring how unwanted he obviously was. “I thought maybe we could do a duet together, for old time’s sake?”

You affixed him with a glare that would whither a plant. “Why on earth would I want to be reminded of our time together?”

That seemed to shake his confidence a bit. “I’m just being friendly,” he snapped.

“You don’t know how to just be friendly. We’re over, Daniel, so get over it already. If you really wanted me, you wouldn’t have cheated.”

“I believe you heard the lady,” Thor cut in before Daniel could reply. “She wishes for you to leave her alone, and I suggest you abide by her wishes.

For the first time he seemed to notice who you were sitting with, and he sulked off back to his date.

“Well,” Sam broke the silence that had fallen over the table, “I’m guessing that relationship being over is a good thing?”

You nodded. “Thank you,” you told Thor. “I appreciate the support.”

“Anytime, m’lady.”

----------

“Do you want to talk about it?” Bucky asked you softly a few minutes later when you had yet to join the table’s renewed conversation.

You shook your head. “He was a jerk who cheated on me so I got out. It was a long time ago.”

“How could anyone throw away someone like you?”

The earnest way he said it made you blush.

“His loss,” you whispered shyly.

Bucky only paused a moment before asking, “Could I make his loss my gain?”

“I’d like that,” you said with a smile. “I’d like that very much.”

[fishingtel]

What Is the Best Fishing Line for Trout?

When it comes to identifying what's the quality line for trout fishing, you want to reflect on consideration on the biology of trout. Trout has an outstanding feeling of appreciation and might take a look at lines very nicely based totally on sight, making the color and diameter of the road you select out vital. Trout moreover positioned up a fight in maximum cases, frequently jumping and jerking that may motive the road to snap because of their tooth.

The rule of thumb that I actually have usually found is that the lighter the pound test you use, the smaller the diameter. The smaller diameters are harder for trout to note that may expand your chances. If you frequently fish in regions that seemed for massive trout, you then definitely have to use an appropriately rated line based totally on their weight.

However, you do no longer need to form the soundcheck to the load of the fish exactly. I actually have stuck many trout on fishing line that had no organization landing a fish that big. There are 3 vital kinds of fishing lines that you could use and they all are incredible for trout.

How you fish is what will determine that is first-rate. The 3 are monofilament, braided, and fluorocarbon. All 3 have blessings and risks counting on the software but are although outstanding selections for fishing for trout.

In this article, we can have a seem-to-be at those 3 styles of lines and some examples of what's available for purchase to with a piece of good fortune deliver you a perception of what is accessible and permit you to be more worthwhile to your next fishing trip.

Monofilament Fishing Line Monofilament is a line this is in a unique strand that may are available an in-depth variety of weights and colors. A monofilament fishing line is tremendous for spin strong reels whilst fishing from shore or for crankbait use from the boat. It is slight and counting on shade and diameter is sort of invisible to a trout’s detection.

Monofilament is simplistic and high-quality in plan making it an extra cost-powerful opportunity as nicely. One key advantage of a monofilament line is the amount of stretch it has, which is top-notch for preventing the lack of your entice even as landing it. Let us have a look at angler-favorite monofilament options.

Berkley Trilene XT Monofilament Fishing Line Berkley Trilene XT Filler 0.014-Inch Diameter Fishing Liner, 10-Pound Test, 330-Yard Spool, Clear

Berkley makes an incredible product and the Trilene XT isn't at any exception. This spool is available in 4-pound to test-as much as 40-pound tests and may be bought in multiple yardages. This monofilament line is available in a non-seen green color to help it to live undetectable in water no matter shade and murkiness.

This is a notable pass-to trout fishing line and spools up nicely with any reel. Because it's miles monofilament, it may unexpectedly be placed on from UV rays and extended use. And talking of UV harm proper here's a tip: one thing that I use for my reels which might be spooled with mono is I cover them with a sock or a small cloth bag with a drawstring considering it may tie across the reel itself very nicely.

Protecting your line in this kind of manner even as no longer in use extends the existence of your line. One problem I’d want to aspect out that separates this line from the others is its ultra-abrasion resistance that may be best for fishing trout species because of their tooth and tenacity to dance and fight.

The sole disadvantage to being abrasion-resistant is that the ability and the stretch of the road may be lessened. Being a tradeoff, stretch as opposed to abrasion resistance is a private choice and should be decided primarily based totally mostly on how and the vicinity you fish.

One element that the monofilament line has is that it's miles a strong strand making it denser than braided but no longer as dense as fluorocarbon. Because of the affordable density of the monofilament line, it sinks as a substitute quickly, making this line first-rate for jigging and bottom bait setups.

Pros:

Quick sinking

Durable no-snag design

A massive variety of colors and pound tests

Drawbacks:

Does no longer take in surprise as nicely as specific brands

Stren High Impact Monofilament Fishing Line Stren SHIQS10-15 High Impact Monofilament Fishing Line, Clear, 10 Pound, 1275 Yards

Stren is a staple fishing line manufacturer and makes a high-quality product that anglers use everywhere in the world. The Stren High Impact fishing lines are outstanding for presenting the ability and durability which you could count on from a fishing line and is available in lots of superb weights. Weights that might be provided on this product range from 10-pound test to 30-pound test.

This line may be ordered in clean, low-visibility green and high-visibility green as properly as smokey blue. An immoderate visibility line is useful for algae-heavy waters and regions in the vicinity you're playing a modern and need sight together along with your line.

In comparison, even as Berkley offers a massive selection of pound tests and colors, this line is long-lasting and maintains the stretch homes of ordinary monofilament while the Berkley line we cited withinside the beyond does not.

One tremendous software program for the immoderate visibility line is to apply it in the back of a ship whilst trolling. It will permit you to keep the road of sight together along with your line to stop tangling your rods and might moreover even permit you to avoid having to reel in all lines whilst fish get hooked.

This line is strongly recommended for specific functions as nicely including activity fish of awesome species including bass and perch because of its availability in smaller diameters and pound tests.

Pros:

Durable design

High visibility option

Benefits of every durability and surprise resistance

Drawbacks:

Limited weights and yardage options

Braided Fishing Line When it involves trout, the pattern wherein they feed is sort of a clockwise pattern in maximum regions. Because of this, you may be catching fish, after which all of sudden you're not catching anything, after which you may be catching them once more. When they excursion on this feeding pattern, they persist with small currents that pass debris as nicely.

The braided line excels at weaving its manner via that debris results easily and because of this if it's miles murky with debris I pick out a braided line. Braided line is exactly what it sounds like, as an opportunity to one “mono” strand its miles numerously braided together. Like a rope, it may cope with greater weight for its diameter than monofilament and fluorocarbon lines but at a cost.

We have all been fishing and taken into consideration that guy down the seashore from you violently and desperately trying to get out of a snag. You cannot blame the guy, that may be a 15-greenback trap this is at stake. With a braided line, a snag impacts completely one in all outcomes.

You each effectively get your entice once more otherwise you lessen your line and are remorseful about living so dangerously. A braided line excels in a trolling situation the vicinity snags are minimum and are suitable for strike detection because the braided line is pretty sensitive to strikes. I just like the utilization of my braided line in regions of moving water including rivers the vicinity of the road goes to be jerking around camouflaging a strike as a current.

The braided line may be used with any reel, but, it excels with bait casting reels. Spinning reels twist your line as you reel in, causing an already sensitive memory to twist.

One trick that I use whilst trolling is to allow all my braided line out of my reel and drag it in the back of the boat for ten mins besides for any lures or swivels. Ten mins of mother Nature present-day straighten your line for comparable use.

Braided line is a superb line for bait cast and trolling situations, and we can pass over multiple highly-rated lines which might be on hand today.

SpiderWire Stealth Superline Fishing Line Spiderwire SCS15G-one hundred twenty-five Braided Stealth Superline, Moss Green, 15 Pound, 100 twenty-5 Yards

One hassle with any fishing line is that UV can be placed on it down and fade any coloration that it as quickly as had. Not with SpiderWire Stealth Superline. This line factors to a color-lock technology that offers a completely thin more coating to the road that offers extra protection from the elements. This is a precise preference in case you are not like me and also you do not pick out to apply socks to cover your reels whilst not in use.

This color-lock coating moreover reduces friction withinside the line making for a great distance reaching line. The threads of this line are crafted from fluoropolymer materials that face up to fraying which enables thread eyes. This anti-fraying feature is superb but no longer invincible and because of the truth of this line’s polymer cloth, you could repair it whilst it does fray.

Simply take a lighter or any flame and dance the top of your line inside and out of the flame to melt it and create a single surrender to tie with saving you from having to lessen and waste line.

Pros:

Color-lock technology

Fluoropolymer material durability

The large variety of buy options

Drawbacks:

Limited coloration options

Piscifun Onyx Braided Fishing Line Piscifun Onyx Braided Fishing Line Advanced Superline Braid Lines 150Yd 8lb Green

Piscifun Onyx is a superb braided fishing line for low-resistant fishing lines. Low resistance and ground friction are proper for braided lines and prolong the lifestyles of your line. As we've cited above, the braided fishing line has benefits for tremendous fishing applications.

The Piscifun producer excels in creating a fishing line that has minimum stretch and that is to be had for fishing in regions the vicinity it's miles tough to recognize a stroke. This producer presents their line in a massive variety of colors that may fit up with any water you're fishing in.

The line is moreover accessible in certainly approximately any test you can need to need to vary from a 6-pound test to a 150-pound test, that is high-quality in case you are searching for it for fishing specific species further to trout.

In my experience, figuring out what pound test you want with braided should be greater precise. With monofilament, you could capture a 10-pound trout with a 6-pound test because of the truth of the stretch that monofilament has. With a braided line, it's miles specific, and also you have to try and be greater precise approximately what you're fishing for.

Pros:

Huge variety of weights

Multiple colors

Low resistance

Drawbacks:

Low resistance line may be hard to tie

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line Fluorocarbon become as soon as first utilized by the usage of fishing leaders and grew to emerge as a well-known fishing line for its durability's like braided fishing lines and its unmarried strand diagram with inside the manner of monofilament fishing lines. Fluorocarbon is superb of every monofilament and braided and it's miles an amazing line for fishing for trout. One disadvantage to fluorocarbon is that its durability is its downfall in terms of movement and sensitivity.

High altitude trout fishing reveals that trout have a longer tooth that may lessen a line with ease. Therefore, they used fluorocarbon for leaders withinside the first vicinity. With a leader, you had the protection of a fluorocarbon even as although keeping the movement and feel of a lighter line.

Fluorocarbon is outstanding for trout fishing mainly while you are conflicted with the fish. The durability lets in affiliation movement and protection in competition to broken lines. Here is one of the very great lines available in the marketplace and a trout angler favorite.

PowerFluoro Fishing Line RUNCL PowerFluoro Fishing Line, 100% Fluorocarbon Coated Fishing Line, Hybrid Line - Virtually Invisible, Faster Sinking, Low Stretch, Extra Sensitivity, Abrasion Resistance (300Yds, 12LB(5.4kgs))

The RUNCL PowerFluoro Fishing Line is an appropriate jack of all trades fluorocarbon fishing line. The durability of fluorocarbon with a clean color will healthy nicely together along with your water environment. This line is obtainable in a 32-pound test that is a piece excessive for trout in maximum regions, but, specific tests are provided with the aid of using the usage of this company as nicely.

If you're fishing for trout using a sinking or jigging method, then the massive pound test can also be an acceptable opportunity for sinking the trap faster and further appropriately. Overall, that is a superb line for folks that need the stability of a sturdy line with the capability to acquire a brilliant distance with each cast.

Pros:

The clean color fits nicely with maximum environments

Great for bottom fishing

Freeze resistant for ice fishing

Drawbacks:

Limited movement because of more pound test

Things to Consider When Choosing a Trout Line The fishing line boils right all the way down to the way you would really like to apply it. There are many one-of-a-type lines available specific than those we've cited properly right here and they all have blessings and disadvantages. Monofilament is a high-quality fishing line for angling for trout in general but does not have the lifespan of various styles of line.

Braided line is great for trolling and use in the water this is moving including a river or a creek. Ice fishing the vicinity I live you should use fluorocarbon to defend your line from freezing. I advocate searching for some more spools in your reel and feature a spool of all 3 kinds that you could without trouble alternate out with inside the field.

Another problem to mirror on attention is that even even though a fishing line is a correct candidate for the vicinity you're fishing, you can moreover not just like the utilization of it. Hopefully, this data has helped you to better recognize the one-of-a-kind products which might be available and the one-of-a-type functions that they may be used for. Try some out and spot if they pass nicely together along with your fishing style and needs. For more information check out our: Best fishing line for trout.

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DIY Vegetable Garden Trellis using PVC and Wire | Ten Acre Baker@|how to make a garden arch with pvc pipe@|https://tenacrebaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/vegetable-garden-trellis-ten-acre-baker-featured.jpg@|21

Create a beautiful arch between your raised beds with this easy and effective DIY Vegetable Garden Trellis using PVC, wire, and wood.

This super simple garden trellis is perfect for peas and climbing beans.

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GARDEN TRELLIS

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This DIY Vegetable Garden Trellis was made possible due to my handy dandy husband and 9-year-old son. Every project in and around the house is completed by then. Being handy was a marriage pre-requisite, and my son has proven to be a quick learner!

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Every project (and recipe) completed here on our little farmstead is a mixture of research combined with a whole lot of trial and error.

How we came up with the design:

Our raised vegetable beds are about 26″ tall and about 40″ apart. I knew I wanted some kind of arch for my peas to climb up. I planted all of the sugar snap, sugar pod, and snow peas in a row along the edge of the planter and other things like carrots, radishes, and cucumbers fill up the remaining space in the boxes.

I knew I would need a frame along with some kind of structure for the peas to climb up.

Considerations when choosing materials for the frame:

Weight – we didn’t want something too heavy, but it had to be strong enough to hold the weight of the vegetables

Durability – would it hold up to the intense sun and rain?

Reuse – could we use it year after year?

Transferability – if I rotate what vegetables I put in the beds each year, would I be able to erect the trellis elsewhere?

Cost – always a factor

We ultimately went with PVC pipe. Easily purchased at Home Depot and incredibly cheap. Structurally efficient, easy to handle, and made a perfect arch.

Next step… figure out what material to use for the vegetables to climb.

Some ideas we had were:

Chicken wire. Lord knows we have a ton of it. We ended up not using because although it looks nice and neat on the roll, it looks rather sloppy when you unroll it and use small(ish) pieces of it. Plus, we figured it would be a one-time use because it would be too hard to pull the old vines off the wire at the end of the season.

Goat fencing. We have a ton of extra fencing around our property left by the previous owners. This would have provided a great surface for our vines to cling to, but it was way too heavy.

String. I’ve used string for a trellis before. Go to pinterest and you’ll see a lot of beautiful vegetable trellises that use a string lattice. Perhaps I did it wrong in the past, but by the end of the season my string trellis was falling apart.

Electric fence wire. This stuff is gold. I bought a huge spool of it at the farm store and we love having it on hand. It’s super flexible and pliable. It is light weight but sturdy. Plus, the peas ended up clinging to it easily too.

Materials needed to build this PVC Vegetable Garden Trellis:

Since all gardens are different and you might need more or less depending on your space, I’ll share the process and needed materials for the trellis we built.

8 4x4x6 wood blocks to hold the ends of the PVC pipe

16 wood screws to secure the wood blocks to your raised beds

4 10-foot 1/2″ SCH 40 PVC pipes

Electric smooth fence wire, 17 gauge, approximately 100 feet

1×2″ piece of wood, 8′ in length

Tools needed to build this PVC Vegetable Garden Trellis:

Twist Drill Bit

Forstner Drill Bit (A Forstner bit bores smooth, clean holes in wood. You can use it to create flat-bottomed holes)

Twist Drill Bit (A twist bit is the most common type of drill bit for home use. It works for general-purpose drilling in wood, plastic and light metal.) Thickness should be wider than diameter of wire.

Twist Drill Bit

Sharpie

Saw (to cut notches out of 1×2 support beam)

DIY instructions on how to build a Vegetable Garden Trellis Archway:

Use the Forstner Drill Bit to drill holes for the PVC pipe ends to sit. We only went down about 2-3 inches. Instead of going down vertically straight, we (and when I say we I always mean my husband and son) drilled down at a slight angle to support the arch shape and create enough tension so that the PVC pipes would stay wedged into place.

Secure the 4×4 wood blocks to the garden beds. We did this on the outside of the top support.

Insert the PVC pipes into the wood blocks, creating a series of arches. (see photo above)

To ensure the PVC pipes don’t get pulled together when you add and tighten the wire, we discoved that a lightweight support beam across the top of the pipes would maintain their spacing. To do this, my husband notched out a space for each of the pipes. We held them in place with the wire. (see photo below)

Final step is to thread the wire through. We used a popsicle stick and a sharpie to mark every six inches or so on each pipe. Then, a hole was drilled through both walls of each pipe for the wire to slide through.  We found it easiest to measure the length needed, added about 6 inches on each end for wrapping, and then cut all the wire before threading and securing. We did about 5 rows and I found that to be sufficient. Our plants are much taller now, but have enough vertical support that they’re growing completely vertical on their own.

If plants are already growing, gently weave them throw the wire.

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I’m extremely pleased with how this simple, inexpensive, and highly effective DIY garden project turned out. If you happen to make one, be sure to leave me a comment and let me know!

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