#the nailers got NAILED

[shepardcommander]

[deviljaythey]

The Nailer (Fantasy Short Story)

It was late into the night, or for some, very early in the morning. The sky was dark, the moon hung low as it began to let the sun take over. The captain was up, of course; he never slept much anyway. The waves were calm, but they never stayed calm for long. He needed to be there to keep them on course for the mainland. It was a good thing he knew the way by heart cause there was no way he could do it by sight with it this dark out. It was oddly darker than usual. 

“Captain!” One of the crewmates called. The young sailor jogged over to his superior. 

“This best be good, Sören, I’m keeping us straight, and I’ll have your head if we get held back any further.”

“Well then, I’m not sure you’re gonna like this Cap; we’ve got a stowaway.” 

The captain spun around so fast that Sören was sure the ship might turn with him. “I’m not in the mood for this.”

“Captain, you're never in the mood for anything.”

“You’re damn right I’m not, now show me this stowaway so I can give them a beating.”

Sören tumbled down the stairs, the captain following quickly behind him. They went below deck, the creaky wooden interior being lit up by dim lantern light. They made their way to the middle of the ship, where a makeshift mess room was. Inside there was the last crew member, Caspar, as well as a short hooded figure who was currently tied down to a chair. 

“There you are, captain. I caught the little bastard.” Caspar said. “He didn’t make it easy, might have broken my nose.” His nose, in fact, was broken, currently being snapped back into place incorrectly. 

“Alright then, who the hell is sneaking on my ship.” The captain stomped over, ripping off the figure’s hood. Under the hood was a boy, no older than fifteen. He had short, stark white hair, amber eyes, and a scar that ran across his nose. 

“A boy? The hell are you doing here you little twirp?!” The captain bellowed.

The boy spoke. “I needed to get to the mainland, you all seemed oblivious so I hopped on. I thought I was right, you all hadn’t noticed me for a few weeks up till now.”

“You best watch your tongue unless you want to swim the rest of the way.” The captain threatened. The boy didn’t say anything, instead starting with a scowl that matched the captain’s.

“These things were on him, captain.” Caspar handed him a small bag, no bigger than his fist. 

The captain poured out the bag’s contents onto the table, revealing a small hammer, three nails, and a small iron symbol of a raven. He looked them over before looking at the child, “You some kind of carpenter?” he asked.

“No, that would be a waste of good iron. I’m a Nailer.”

The captain laughed at the idea. “Aren’t you a bit old to be believing fairytales? Besides, you're younger than any Nailer I’ve ever heard of.” 

“I get that a lot; I’d hope the symbol is proof enough.”

“You could have forged it.”

“That would be a waste.”

“Well, you seem to like to do that, as you’re wasting my time. Give me a good reason why I shouldn’t throw you off my boat.” The captain stated, gesturing in the direction of the plank. 

“Adults are meant to care for children.” the boy said blankly. 

“Do I look like the nurturing kind?”

“I suppose not, you seem like the kind to sell children rather than care for them.”

“I sell lumber boy; the wood doesn’t talk back to me like children do.”

“Well how about this? You should keep me on because you need a Nailer.”

“And why exactly will I be needing a boy playing make believe?” 

“Because you have a Ghoul following your ship.”

“Quit with your tall tales; those things are just myths.” 

“They’re only myths because most of the people who could prove them real are dead. You know the stories, don’t you?”

“Sure I do, creatures of death who consume the living. Heard them all the time when I was young, meant to keep ones your age behaved and in bed.”

“Then I’m sure you’re aware of the signs. Night blacker than black, late when most are asleep, leading the people away from anyone who could help. Look around, the signs are all around you.”

The two crewmates looked at each other a bit worried. Sören spoke up. “The fog has been pulling us away from the mainland, Cap. I might be speaking out of turn, but the kid’s making sense.”

The captain looked at his crew. “Don’t let him spook ya lads! He’s just blabbering to get out of trouble, he’s a boy after all.” The captain explained. “But I am feeling merciful, so tell me kid, what’s your name?”

“That’s my name.” he said blankly.

“What is?”

“Kid, my name is Kid.” 

“That’s your name? Why the hell would someone name you Kid?”

“People usually name people after what they want them to be. I’ve met a dozen people named Captain, although at least half preferred bars to ships.”

“What does that say about you then?” 

“A lot I’m sure, but I don’t care to explore that.”

“Fair enough.” 

“Alright then, I should get to work soon before-”

In the instance each person in the room let their guard down, a new figure appeared. To call it humanoid would be laughable, but there weren’t many better ways to describe it. It seemed to be made of glass, but it didn’t reflect any light. Any light that touched it was eaten up by it, leaving the area around it dark despite the torch light. The creature was shaped like a human but parts were missing. It was missing its stomach, the top and bottom halves being connected by a thin spiral. 

Kid saw it first, then Captain, then Casper; Sören was not as lucky. The creature grabbed his neck and arm, they processed his presence for a moment before the creature pulled him outside at speeds none but Kid could comprehend. They first heard a scream, then a leathery snap. 

“Sören!” Casper yelled, running to help him. 

Kid leaped to his feet, his bindings easily falling away. Before Casper could jump out the door, Kid grabbed his arm, pulling him inside. 

“He’s dead!” Kid proclaimed. “Unless you want to join him, don't just rush into danger like an idiot.”

“How’d you get untied?” the captain asked.

“I untied myself around the time we were discussing your trade. You’re easy to distract, and he’s not good at tying knots.” Kid gestured to Caspar. 

The captain smiled. “Tricky boy. Alright Nailer, how are we going to take care of that there ghoulie that snapped my shiphand like a twig?”

“Well, you two aren’t going to be doing anything. Ghouls are Nailer business. However, I can make sure you two don’t die like your friend.” 

Quickly, Kid took his things from the table, fixing the nails to his belt and the symbol to his chest. He looked around the cramped room and grabbed a wet sponge. He broke it up into pieces, handing some over to the captain and Caspar.

“Put these in your ears. These kinds of Ghouls like to play games, the best way to win is to not play. Don’t listen to anything they say, block them out.”

They did as Kid said, Caspar a bit more reluctantly. As they all did, the sound surrounding them faded for the most part. The only sounds bouncing around their eardrums being soapy water and mushy foam. Kid inched slowly to the entrance, looking out to the pitch black night. It was quiet, not a sign of the Ghoul in sight. Kid moved his leg to a bucket, kicking it to the outside. As it hit the deck, the Ghoul appeared, driving its blade-like arm straight through the bucket. 

Kid didn’t let a moment pass, he took one of his nails and with his hammer, he launched it at the Ghoul. It was ready however, using the bucket to block the nail; two nails left. The Ghoul launched itself toward him, swiping at Kid with its left arm. He ducked, using his small size to slide under the creature. With his hammer he hit the Ghoul’s leg, causing it to fall down on its back. Kid shot up quickly, launching another nail aimed at the creature’s head. But the Ghoul was quick, disappearing from the ground as the nail embedded itself into the deck; one nail left. It got behind Kid, landing a heavy blow to his upper back. He was thrown across the deck and hit the ship’s railing. At the moment of impact, the sponges dislodged from his ears, sound now flooding his head. 

He rose to his feet, facing the creature’s voice circling him. He’d have to fight on the Ghoul’s terms. 

“What has a neck but no head?” it asked.

He considered for a moment before saying. “A bottle.” “Wrong! The answer is you!”

Kid felt a cut forming around the top of his neck—an invisible blade trying to sever his head from his neck. He threw himself to the side, the railing behind him being reduced to splinters. He didn’t get out uninjured, a moment longer and the riddle would have been true. 

The Ghoul started to charge Kid, but it was stopped by a bottle smashing against his head. 

“I say the answer be bottle ghoulie!” the captain cried. 

The Ghoul dashed toward the captain aiming to stab him through the heart. Its blade met flesh, but not the captain’s. Caspar jumped in the way to shield the captain. Kid saw an opening, launching his final nail at the Ghoul. This time it didn’t have time to move, the nail met its mark and pierced into the forehead of the creature. However, the Ghoul’s skull was thicker than Kid thought, the nail had not made it to the creature’s core. 

The creature spun around and dove for Kid’s heart faster than ever before. He managed to move—not enough to dodge, but enough to not be killed. The blade went in between his ribs, pinning him to the wall of the ship. 

“Your soul will taste good, Nailer!” the creature sounded.

The ghoul’s left hand ripped open, a toothy hooked tongue hissing out of the maw. It reached its hand toward Kid, but when it the tongue reached him he bit it. The Ghoul howled, its exposed flesh now taking damage for the first time. Kid pulled and ripped the tongue from out of its maw, spitting out black blood and pus. He grabbed the back of the Ghoul’s head and crashed his own against it, driving the nail fully into its skull. The glass Ghoul cracked and fractured, its essence leaking through the cracks. The thing reached out to Kid, as if trying to use the last of its time on this earth to choke the life out of the one who ended it. But it stopped inches away from his throat, motionless and dead.

The captain walked over, ignoring Kid, to kick over the Ghoul’s corpse which shattered upon impact with the deck.

“That’s what ya get for causing trouble on my ship, ya fairytale bastard!” he cheered. 

Kid dragged himself to his feet. “I’m fine, thank you for asking.” he grunted. 

“I thought I told you boy, I’m not the nurturing kind.”

“Not the mourning kind either it seems, did your crew not mean much to you?”

“Not particularly, Caspar made that choice himself. I didn't ask him to do anything. Sure helped you deal with that bastard.”

“His death wasn’t in vain, at least.”

Kid sat down nursing his wounds, most still open and bleeding. Inside the wounds strange purple plants seemed to spring out and grab at the wound. Like needles through cloth, the plants pull at the tender flesh and start to close the wounds. After a short while, Kid’s wounds are mended.

The captain stares at Kid. “What the hell are you?”

Kid looks up. “I already told you, I’m a Nailer.”

[tobiasdrake]

Alright, kiddo. What you got for me?

Oh! Helpful. Did you find something that might prove if a ladder or something was leaned up here?

Doesn't necessarily prove that our killer descended from the window but it sure does lend added suspicion.

That's unfortunate. We'll have to keep an eye out for people not wearing sneakers, I guess. This is potentially helpful but requires further information to make use of.

Agh, this is nagging at me.

The evidence seems to suggest that the window was used to enter the clock tower, not to exit it. A rope or something tied to those anchor points could be used to ascend the wall, but couldn't have been used to descend.

We have a locked room mystery with evidence pointing to a mysterious method of entry, but entry isn't the big conundrum. Why would they need to take such elaborate methods to get in, and how did they then get out?

The anchor points could also have been used to hang the victim, since we know she died from strangulation. Perhaps after climbing the wall, they hung her? Was she already in the room? How did they transport her up?

...

Actually, these might be the victim's footprints. Check out her feet.

We know nothing about her, but her shoes look like they'd fit the mysterious Just Heel No Sole prints on the ground. It's possible that she was the one who climbed a rope up to enter the clock tower through the window.

Given this possibility, we'll need to add her to the suspect list too. If she was climbing a rope to enter the building through that window, it's possible that she slipped or something, and the rope wrapped around her neck. She might have killed herself by mistake.

And then Amaterasu tampered with the body to fabricate a Nail Man killing for... some reason. It's not a sound theory but it's a possibility.

So it probably isn't Jiei's shoes, though the kid goes on to say he does own a pair of loafers. Yeah, I'm really liking the victim right now for the footprint-owner.

Why she'd be the footprint-owner is a deduction for later. And we should keep other possibilities open. But this is looking good.

So he's allegedly been up in the clock tower working all night. But he was arrested this morning in the forest behind the church. Hrmm. That does not look good for him.

Well, that's suspicious as hell. I want to know who submitted the request but we're instead moving on to why he hates the clocktower.

That is vital information. We already know it's unlikely he climbed the hypothetical rope. This is further evidence for why he wouldn't have scaled the building from the outside.

Which does not exonerate him, however. Since the victim most likely climbed the rope, the killer (or nailer, if she killed herself) would have probably met her inside the easy way. Inside the building where Jiei was allegedly working on the clock.

*deep breath*

I desperately want to go check out the upper clock floor that Shinigami and Yuma said no to.

[serendipitouscrafts]

I thought I was being thrifty and eco friendly by using the Behr Ultra Pure White semi-gloss paint the previous homeowners left in the basement to paint the new trim in my office. All the trim in that part of the house is white, so I assumed it was the trim paint, and the semi-gloss makes sense for trim. It looked slightly cool toned in the basement light, but it is weird basement light.

I brought it upstairs and it still looked pretty white.

But then we nailed it to the wall.

It is the same color as the silver (not white) wall!

We abandoned our goal of getting the trim up today, and instead I went to the hardware store to buy some Benjamin Moore “simply white” (I have paint swatch cards and decided simply white was the closet match for the existing trim.

We left the one installed piece of trim up and I painted it with the new white paint (the walls are getting repainted, so I didn’t worry about getting paint on the wall).

So, either Behr Ultra Pure White reads as light grey, or the paint was something the previous owners mixed themselves by adding a bit of the accent wall color to a gallon of white paint.

Since I am now waiting for paint to dry again, I was able to prep to paint the window trim.

I would love to sand it first, but there is almost certainly lead paint in those layers, so I am contenting myself with wiping it down and filling holes.

The good news is, that I got to use the brad nailer, and am now confident I can install the shoe moulding by myself since I won’t need to hold that above my head.

[wingedcheesecakeobject]

How to Install Metal Roofing Like a Pro

Introduction

When it comes to roofing, one of roof inspection austin the most durable and aesthetically pleasing options available on the market today is metal roofing. With its resilience against harsh weather conditions, long lifespan, and energy efficiency, more homeowners are considering how to install metal roofing like a pro.

This guide is designed for both the DIY enthusiast and those who may choose to hire professional roofing contractors. Whether you're looking for residential or commercial metal roofing solutions, this comprehensive article will walk you through every step of the installation process. From selecting the right materials to understanding various types of metal roofing systems, we’ve got you covered.

Understanding Metal Roofing What is Metal Roofing?

Metal roofing refers to roofing systems made from various metals including steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc. It’s known for its roof estimate services Austin longevity and ability to withstand extreme weather conditions.

Types of Metal Roofing Materials

Choosing the right type of metal for your roofing project can be daunting. Here are some common options:

Steel Roofing: Affordable and strong; often coated with zinc (galvanized) for rust protection. Aluminum Roofing: Lightweight and resistant to corrosion; ideal for coastal areas. Copper Roofing: Luxurious and durable but comes with a higher price tag. Zinc Roofing: Long-lasting with self-healing properties; environmentally friendly. Benefits of Metal Roofing Durability: Metal roofs can last 40-70 years depending on the material used. Weather Resistance: They can withstand wind gusts up to 140 mph. Energy Efficiency: Reflective materials reduce cooling costs in hot climates. Low Maintenance: Unlike traditional shingles, they require minimal upkeep. Environmentally Friendly: Many metal roofs are made from recycled materials. How to Choose the Right Metal Roofing Panels Factors to Consider When Selecting Metal Panels

When deciding on which metal panels to use for your roof, consider:

Local Climate: Some materials perform better in certain weather conditions. Aesthetic Appeal: Different finishes offer varying styles; choose what suits your home. Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend before making a selection. Where To Find Quality Metal Roofing Panels?

Searching online for "metal roofing near me" or "best roofing companies near me" can yield various local suppliers that can provide quality panels at competitive prices.

Preparing for Installation Gathering Tools and Materials

Before starting your project, ensure you have all necessary tools at hand:

Measuring tape Safety goggles Ladder Cordless roofing nailer Hammer Roofing nails Screws Utility knife Estimating Costs with a Roofing Calculator

Using a “roof

[yardsale90066]

Yard Sale - 9/16 & 9/17

Items are for sale online anytime this week before the yard sale.

8,000 BTU DUAL Inverter Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Window Air Conditioner - $150

LQ Portable 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner - Price $175

Coat Rack - Price: $20

Dog Ramp - Price: $20

Away Daily Crossbody - Price: $45 (retailed for $75)

LED Light Up Dog Harness - Price: $15

Pawaboo Pet Carrier Backpack - Price: $10

Cuisinart enamel cast iron chef pot - 4qt - Price: $45

Sealychill Gel Memory Foam Wedge Pillow - Price: $45

Indoor Ceiling Fans (3x) - $20

Husky 21 degree Framing nail gun - $70

Wagner Control Stainer 350 HVLP Handheld Sprayer - $40

Craftsman Evolv 2” Pneumatic Brad Nailer - Model# 6G28/F50 Nail Gun c-x Clean - $50

Hitachi G12SR4 Corded 6.2A 4-1/2" Angle Grinder with Hard Case - $50

Rotozip saw - $30

3 different Husky Tool Bags with shoulder strap - $25

16' metal ladder - $80

6ft metal ladder - $40

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

8,000 BTU DUAL Inverter Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Window Air Conditioner

Price $150 (retails $400)

1 year old, only used this summer

Remote controlled, connects WI-FI

LW8022IVSM

Coat Rack

Price: $20

Ikea Mirror

Price: $20

Dog Ramp

Price: $20

A couple of years old

Used for 2 small chihuahaus

Husky 21 degree Framing nail gun

Price: $70

In working condition | a little rust but it works

In original case

Wagner Control Stainer 350 HVLP Handheld Sprayer

Price: $40

Used once to spray water sealant on a fence | cleaned post-use

In working condition

Craftsman Evolv 2” Pneumatic Brad Nailer - Model# 6G28/F50 Nail Gun c-x Clean

Price: $50

Working condition

Hitachi G12SR4 Corded 6.2A 4-1/2" Angle Grinder with Hard Case

Price: $50

Used | Working condition

Rotozip saw

Price: $30

Used | In working condition | a little rust

No case

Husky Tool Bag with shoulder strap #1

Price: $25

Condition: Gently used | Not used but sitting in a shed

Husky Bag #2

Price: $25

Condition: Gently used | Not used but sitting in a shed

Husky Electrical Bag #3

Price: $15

Condition: Gently used | Not used but sitting in a shed

HDX Gallon Sprayer

Price: $10

Condition: New with some paint on the side (oops)

Weber Smokey Joe 14 In. Dia. Black Charcoal Grill

Price: $30

Condition: Never opened the box, but was sitting in a shed and the box got wet

Tree/Branch Trimmer

Price: $20

Condition: Used and been sitting outside | Missing the saw part

Cannondale Quick 8 Bike

Price: $300

Size: M ?

Used and needs some love | Back brakes seem a little loose

It was given to me but I never rode it (I’m a Schwinn Cruiser girl ;-). It’s just been sitting.

Bike Pump

Price: $20

Has all the different tips to inflate different types of tubes

Was sitting outside. A little dirty looking.

Away Daily Crossbody

Price: $45 (retailed for $75)

Condition: Gently used once

Note: It didn’t end up being the size I wanted and it was too late to return it

It’s no longer on the website

For dimensions: https://packhacker.com/travel-gear/away/the-daily-crossbody/

LED Light Up Dog Harness

Reflective Adjustable Vest with Rechargeable, No-Choke Pet Harness Easy Control Handle for Small Medium Large X-Large Size Dogs (Purple,S)

Price: $15

Too big for my 7lb chihuahua. Too late to send back.

It’s very cool and lights up pretty bright.

Pawaboo Pet Carrier Backpack

Adjustable Pet Front Cat Dog Carrier Backpack Travel Bag, Legs Out, Easy-Fit for Traveling Hiking Camping for Small Medium Dogs Cats Puppies, Small, Black

Price: $18

Condition: Used once. My dog was too small (Chihuahau 6lbs). Waited too long to send back to Amazon

Cuisinart enamel cast iron chef pot - 4qt

Price: $45

New w/the tag on | $59.99

Sealychill Gel Memory Foam Wedge Pillow

Slightly used

Price: $45

Indoor Ceiling Fans (3x) - Price $30ea

BBQ - Fair condition - Includes 1 propane tank - Price: $50

LQ Portable 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner - Price $175

[toolsbuyingguide]

Best Cordless Framing Nailers

Want the best cordless framing nailers for your construction needs? Our tools buying guide has got you covered. Explore now and make the right choice!

The best cordless framing nail gun will ensure you don’t sacrifice power for convenience.

[toolsbuyingguide1]

🔨 The Ultimate Guide: Best Cordless Nail Gun for Hardie Siding 🔨

If you're embarking on a Hardie siding installation project, having the right tools is essential. And when it comes to securing fiber cement siding, a cordless nail gun is your ultimate companion. No cords, no hassle—just power and precision at your fingertips. To help you choose the best cordless nail gun for Hardie siding, we've compiled a list of top contenders that will make your installation process a breeze.

1️⃣ DEWALT DCN692B Cordless Framing Nailer: With its brushless motor technology and dual-speed motor, this nail gun provides optimal runtime, durability, and versatility. The sequential operating mode ensures precise nail placement, while the depth adjustment feature allows for consistent nail depths. Say goodbye to tight corners and angles being a challenge—the 30-degree magazine angle offers improved access.

2️⃣ BOSTITCH BCN650D1 Cordless Finish Nailer: Designed for the finishing touches, this cordless nail gun is a powerhouse in its category. The brushless motor guarantees extended runtime, while the tool-free depth adjustment enables customized nail depths. With its selectable trigger system and anti-dry fire mechanism, you can easily switch between firing modes and avoid damaging the siding. Plus, its 16-gauge nail capacity ensures uninterrupted work.

3️⃣ Milwaukee 2743-21CT Cordless Brad Nailer: For precision and ease, look no further than this cordless brad nailer. Its brushless motor delivers consistent power while maximizing battery life. The narrow nose design allows for precise nail placement in even the tightest spots, and the depth adjustment feature ensures a flush finish. Worried about marring the siding surface? The included no-mar tip has got you covered.

When it comes to the best cordless nail gun for Hardie siding, these options are truly in a league of their own. With their power, precision, and thoughtful features, they will transform your installation process into a seamless and professional experience.

No matter which cordless nail gun you choose, remember to prioritize safety. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and wear appropriate protective gear.

So, gear up, get ready, and take your Hardie siding installation to new heights with the perfect cordless nail gun by your side. You'll save time, effort, and achieve exceptional results that will make your home the envy of the neighborhood. Happy nailing!

[alarriemadridista]

Flat Roofing Service Replacement

Are you tired of dealing with leaks, cracks, and other issues on your flat roof? Are you ready to replace it for good? If you answered yes to either question, then this post is for you! At our flat roofing services replacement company, we understand the importance of a reliable and sturdy roof over your head. In this blog post, we will explore everything there is to know about replacing your flat roof. From different types of materials to factors that affect pricing – we've got it all covered. So let's dive in and learn how to say goodbye to those pesky roof problems once and for all!

What is a flat roof?

A flat roof is a type of roofing system that has a generally level surface. Flat roofs are found on commercial buildings and some residences. They are not as common as pitched roofs, which have a sloped surface.

The different types of flat roofs

There are four different types of flat roofs: foam, built-up, modified bitumen, and single-ply membrane. Foam roofs are made up of spray polyurethane foam that is sprayed onto the roof and then covered with a protective coating. This type of roof is lightweight, energy efficient, and easy to install. Built-up roofs are made up of multiple layers of tar and gravel that are applied to the roof in alternating layers. This type of roof is very durable and can last for 20 years or more with proper maintenance. Modified bitumen roofs are made up of a layer of asphalt that is reinforced with fiberglass or polyester matting. This type of roof is very strong and resistant to weathering and UV rays. Single-ply membrane roofs are made up of a single layer of PVC or TPO that is bonded to the roof deck with adhesive or mechanical fasteners. This type of roof is very lightweight and easy to install, but it can be susceptible to punctures and leaks if not installed properly.

Advantages and disadvantages of a flat roof

There are both advantages and disadvantages to having a flat roof on your home. Some of the advantages include that they are cheaper to install than pitched roofs, they require less maintenance, and they are easier to access for repairs. However, some of the disadvantages include that they are not as aesthetically pleasing, they are more prone to leaks and ponding water, and they can be damaged more easily by high winds.

How to repair a flat roof

When it comes to repairing a flat roof, there are a few things you need to take into account. First, you need to identify the source of the leak. Once you've done that, you need to figure out whether the damage is isolated to a small area or if it's widespread. If it's isolated, you may be able to simply patch the area with some sealant. However, if the damage is widespread, you'll likely need to replace the entire roof. Once you've determined the extent of the damage, you'll need to gather the necessary materials for repair. For small patches, all you'll need is some sealant and a putty knife. For larger repairs or replacement, you'll need roofing felt, roofing nails, and a hammer. You may also want to consider renting a power nailer to make the job easier. Once you have your materials gathered, it's time to start repair! For small patches, simply apply the sealant liberally to the damaged area and spread it around with the putty knife. Make sure to smooth it out as much as possible so that water can't get underneath. For larger areas, start by nailing down a layer of roofing felt over the damaged area. Then, apply another layer of felt perpendicular to the first one and nail that down as well. Continue this process until you've built up enough layers to cover the damage completely. Once you're finished, apply sealant around all

How to replace a flat roof

If your flat roof is starting to show signs of wear and tear, or if it has already begun to leak, then it may be time to replace it. Here are some tips on how to replace a flat roof: 1. First, you will need to remove the old roofing material. This can be done by hiring a professional roofing contractor, or by doing it yourself if you are confident in your abilities. 2. Once the old roofing material is removed, you will need to inspect the underlying roof deck for any damage. If there is damage, it will need to be repaired before proceeding with the roof replacement. 3. Next, you will need to install a new vapor barrier on the roof deck. This will help prevent moisture from seeping into the home through the new roofing material. 4. Now you are ready to install the new roofing material. There are many different types of flat roofs, so make sure to choose one that is compatible with the type of home you have (e.g., asphalt shingles for a wood frame home). 5. Finally, once the new roofing material is in place, you will need to seal all seams and edges with caulk or another type of sealant. This will help prevent leaks in your new flat roof.

Conclusion

Flat roofing services are a great way to ensure the longevity and integrity of your flat roof. With professional installation and repair, you can be sure that your flat roof will remain in good condition for years to come. No matter what type of replacement or repair services you need, there is always a reliable service provider nearby who can help get your roof back into peak condition quickly and efficiently. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance when it comes time to replace or repair your flat roof – you won’t regret it!

[rejectory]

ain’t hughie’s gaping piehole just the picture of perfectly aghast. well, butcher is deep down fuckin’ inconvenienced; deeper, he don’t like that he likes it—— that hughie still has what two-penny bamboozlers would call a conscience.

it’s a birdshit dropping pity on a great day, just how misapplied it is. thanks to the piss-poor excuse of a system of ‘education’, local, thank you very much, pup’s now got his dictionary definitions all cross-eyed.

... one.

here. let him help.

he claps a massive bitchslap over hughie’s hand clenchie, steering, shoving the nailer. he nails a six-incher through that cunt’s eye socket, imagining homelander with cock-tingling accuracy. if she couldn’t see through the blindfold before, she oughta try now. she wails like hell before her brain goes offline, but don’t they all.

he nails through the other eye for good measure. schluck. slips off hughie’s wrist.

for what it’s worth, he’s feeling better now.

The voice that had lured him into danger, that had edged him into committing crime and violence, now made Hughie shudder.

"She's a human being..." Hughie retorted weakly, stunned by Butcher's complete lack of morals, though he knew that he should know better by now. How many times would they go through this song and dance before Hughie finally learned?

"Jesus, Butcher, she's just a fucking kid, what did she even do?!"

[a-southern-reader]

Jaune: Let’s go over the plan one more time to make sure we’re on the same page and we don’t get sidetracked.

Nora: Don’t worry I got the plan memorized. We’re going to go in there. We’re going to get what we came for. We’re not going to get anything else, we’re not going to browse. We’re going back to the truck and we’re going to leave.

Jaune: Alright and if one of us sees the other one not sticking to the plan what are we going to do?

Nora: Slap the FUCK OUT OF THEM and tell them stick to the plan.

Jaune: Do what? No no no no. Don’t fucking slap me, just tell the other one to stick to the plan. Let’s just go in there already.(Walks to the Schnee Depot) Okay when we get in I don’t want you wondering around. You know how you are when you’re alone.

(Both returning and entering the truck with disappointment of themselves)

Nora: ...We didn’t stick to the plan.

Jaune: ...No we didn’t stick to the plan.

Nora: I was just so amazed by everything in there. I bought a brad-nailer. I don’t even know what a brad nail is. Is there a chad nail, is there a julia nail? Who knew nails had names?

Jaune: I don’t know, I didn’t know nails had names either.

Nora: What are you going to tell your wife when we get home?

Jaune: ...I don’t know yet, we’ll figure that out on the way.

[polyhedral42]

New garage doors, 5/n

Friends came over this afternoon, so I only had a couple of hours. But the doors must be done!

It’s hinge time. Hinges are recessed for extra strength, which means recessing them into the door frame. They used to chisel the pockets by hand, but now we have power tools!

But first, measuring them. I’m using a trick called a “story stick”, which is literally a strip of wood the same size as the door. I’ll mark the locations of the hinges on the stick, and then transfer from that to each door as well as the garage frame. That way I know the placements are identical in all four cases. For the frame, I’ll shim the stick up a touch so the doors don’t scrape the ground. Three pictures, worth three thousand words?

Also, always label the side of the mark you care about - otherwise you’ll flip something over. Trust me, been there done that...

With the door marked for hinges, I need to route the pockets. I don’t have steady enough hands to do that manually. If I’d used actual lumber a chisel would be an option, but trying that on plywood would be nasty to the chisel. Instead, it’s router time. We’re going to use a pattern bit and a jig. Start by marking the width of the hinge on a strip of plywood:

Then trim that piece off and cut two more to make a U. Glue is fine for this, since it’s not going to be under a lot of pressure. The vertical piece is just to keep it flat - the clamps were bending things into a curve.

A quick break while the glue dries... and time to set up the router! For the windows I also used a bearing guided bit, but one with the bearing at the end. This has the bearing in the middle:

and I can get the depth of the bit to the thickness of the ply plus the thickness of the hinge. Plus, let’s be honest, a hair more just to be sure. This is with the router very, very unplugged. Fingers! Yikes!

Glue’s dried by now on my hinge jig, but it needs one more piece - a fence to get the depth right. I used another scrap piece of plywood edge on so that it would work with the trim on the garage part. The hole is now exactly the same size as a leaf of the hinge. One side is effectively open, but that’s fine - that’s the edge of the door.

Router time! Just drop the jig on the edge of the door and align the marks. I used an air nailer to tack the jig down so it doesn’t slide around. Clamps also work, or screws, or in a pinch tape - but nails are easy and you just pull them out later.

Ugh. Plywood sawdust smells terrible. And it gets everywhere. There’s really no way to collect the sawdust in a case like this.

One little problem (well, technically, two). Any guesses? 

Yep! That’s why hinges have rounded corners, but the ones I got (McMaster Carr, what a great place) have square corners. This is easy enough to fix with a hammer and chisel.

But wait, I said I wasn’t using a chisel on plywood because it’ll wreck the edge! Yeah, but this is tiny...

*sob* my poor chisel.

Okay, next up - drilling the hinge holes. I used to do this by hand, marking the center of each screw hole and trying to get the bit to go straight in. Then I discovered a “self centering drill bit”, which has a hollow cylinder that surrounds a spring-loaded drill bit. These things are amazing! The cylinder centers on the hole in the hinge leaf and the drill bit starts the hole. Perfectly centered holes, no mistakes. 

That started the hole, and then I switched to a normal bit to make them deeper. Since I already had the start of the hole, the holes remained centered.

Next up: one last addition before I go route the hinge pockets on the garage itself. I’ll leave a couple of teasers here, and if it works I’ll explain what I did. If it doesn’t, I’ll just delete the pictures and claim it never happened.

REVENGE OF BOXES OF TILE MWAHAHAHAHAHA!

[chayacat]

Devil’s Sweet Star (40)

Fandom: Dead by Daylight

Ghostface x Female Reader  

Rated M for Violence, Language and Smut  

***

Aaaaaah.... what a beautiful night. A clear sky, stars dosing this beautiful black sky, A full moon, well round, very bright. If werewolves existed, it would be a perfect full moon for them, an ideal evening of blood and chaos for them. But even though he's not a werewolf, tonight is a perfect night for Danny. Finally.... FINALLY, he will be able to kill Hoggins. Finally, he will be able to finish what he started so long ago. Finally, he will be able to turn the page. What to do next?  Keep killing of course. But here or elsewhere.... that is the question. He couldn't wait to see you too. But not tonight.

The question that everyone must ask themselves is: but how could he go out with all his equipment, and above all, what will he be able to tell you, given that you live together? well the answer is very simple, and luck is definitely on his side. For the answer, he will simply find a great excuse, out of his awesome and insane mind. And as for luck, you are not at the apartment tonight. No, you spend the evening at Melina's, the latter having invited you to come and watch horror movies at her house. Danny really has a very good star over his head, although he would have had no trouble finding an excuse to go out tonight: being a journalist can be a curse for sleep but also a blessing for murder.

Danny was posed against his van as usual, observing the home of his future victim and revenge: Richard Hoggins. Good god it burned his whole body to go there now and massacre him without any mercy, without any strategy, just... a good bloody murder. But he must remain calm, this is not the time to be spotted and suspected by the police. And amazingly, even Jed, who is only Danny's alter-ego, an identity he had created from scratch, even he wanted to kill him.

“A beautiful night to kill, isn't it? Well... only you can see it.” said Jed inside Danny’s mind.  

“I expected you to give me yet another lesson in morality as you know how to do so well. What's going on Jed? Would I have ended up rubbing off on you?” responds Danny chuckling.  

“Don't claim victory too quickly. I would never endorse what you do, but let's say I'm going to make an exception for this asshole. He has to pay for Carla.”

“You talk about Carla as if you were the one who lost her forever. Whereas you are just an invention. A simple name. You don't know anything and you don't feel anything.

“You created me the very second you needed me. I may not be real, but I am a part of you, your good side, your past innocence. And also, your psychologist in a way. And I will continue to exist, as long as you need another identity. Involuntarily, you let me access your life, and now we are two sides of the same coin. People would say that... I am your imaginary friend. That looks like you like two drops of water.”

“Oh, shut up...” replied Danny, sighing and looking away.  

“... What will you do, when (y/n) learns the truth. Are you going to kill her or are you going to let her live?” said Jed looking at Hoggin’s house.  

“It will depend on her reaction. If I could leave her alive.... that would suit me. But if she confronts me or tries to call the police... I will have no other choice.”

“Will you only be able to... that’s the question.”

Danny got up, looked at the house one last time before putting on his mask and taking his knife. It’s time. Let us not make Hoggins wait any longer. The house was just as guarded as McKellan's. But that's not what was going to stop Danny. Far from it. The harder the victory, the more delicious the reward will be. He walked to the side of the house where Hoggins' office was located. The window was closed at first glance but it is better to check.

As usual, he will use the equipment he finds on site. One of Danny's golden rules is never buying any equipment. Otherwise, the police will be able to trace him via his bank account. Beginner error. He climbed up to hoggins' office window and effectively it was closed. But the one in the next room, on the other hand, was not completely. It was an archive room, surely where he kept his contracts, press articles, and anything else that could interest him.

“Well... a real library... I am sure that even the police archives room is not as large and as full of documents as this room... Hoggins protects a real time bomb. If anyone stumbles upon all this... His entire family over thousands of generations will be dishonoured.” Said Danny looking inside the drawers.  

And why not take a look? it won't hurt anyone. And with a little luck... Danny opened each drawer and looked at the different files until he found the one looking for: the file recounting the events of 4 years ago. The juicy little contract he had made with Dr. Pheels was to vomit. Certainly, he gave funds to the hospital for each death... but he recovered the double because he took 3/4 of the state aid that Pheels gave him. In the end everyone was a winner. And Hoggins even more.

“Motherf*cker. I hope you have taken advantage of this money, asshole. Because you're going to pay a lot tonight.”

Danny put the files away before passing the door that linked the archive room to the office. The office was empty, Hoggins was not there yet. Perfect. This gave him time to inspect the room. No camera. No alarm. Nothing. Good. The ropes of the curtains could be used to tie Hoggins. Or even more. Compared to McKellan, he did not exhibit artifacts or sharp objects in his office. Fortunately, he had taken his own knife. The office stinked of luxure, we saw that it was made to measure and at a price ... to fall to the ground.

Danny really wonders if he paid for it with "clean money". Rotten as he is, Hoggins may well have paid workers with dirty money, or not paid at all. It's possible with men like him. They are so stingy, so conceited, that they are able to do anything to keep a single penny. Noises were heard in the corridors. He’s coming. Danny got to the door and when Hoggins arrived, he did not see the latter hidden by the door.

“These cop bastards are seriously starting to hit me on the nerves to take care of my business! And that journalist... this Olsen.... if I could make him disappear... I thought I wouldn't fall back on him here. Maybe... maybe I could swing everything on him. After all,... I know who he really is.” said Hoggins before drinking.  

Danny quietly advanced behind Hoggins ready to knock him out. The latter still drank a few sips of his glass of whiskey before turning around and falling face to face with Ghostface. The latter did not give him time to do or say anything that he punched him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground, knocking him out instantly. Danny sneered at the inert body before taking a chair and the ropes from the curtain, then lifted Hoggins up to tie him up on the chair. He locked the door of the office and then returned to the archives room where he found a closet in which there were boards, nails and an electric nailer.

He prepared the scene by nailing the boards together, took the remaining curtain ropes and installed all his work in such a place and arrangement that when the police enter, Hoggins' body will be the first thing they will see. And if it could be Willhelm first... the pleasure will be all the greater. Hoggins woke up after a few minutes without panicking, without trying to free himself. As if he knew what lay ahead.

“Well, well... McKellan had acted like you at the beginning... you want to play the big hard... but you are only little girls.” Said Danny chuckling.

“It's funny coming from a man who doesn't take responsibility for his crimes and hides under a Halloween ghost mask. But we have to believe that criminals are all bad guys who want to play the big tough.” responds Hoggins before taking a punch in the face.  

“You have more mouth than the other idiot. But you will quickly regret it, it’s me who tells you.  You forget who I am.”

“Oh no... I know exactly who you are... Jed Olsen ... or you'd rather I call you... Danny Johnson?”

“...I see that you have done some research... and you have learned your lessons well. After all, you've had plenty of time for 4 years. But you're going to pay for it. Up to the last litre of blood.”

“All this for a poor little girl who was going to die anyway? You're resentful Johnson. You could have simply turned the page and avoided poking your nose into my stuff. I was very saddened to learn of the tragic death of Pheels...”

Danny punched him again before pulling out his knife and planting it in Hoggins' leg. The latter groans in pain before falling with his chair to the ground. Danny put himself on top of him and chained the blows more and more loudly. He lifted Hoggins by the hair and dragged him for meters to place him in front of a wooden cross large enough to hang a man on it.

“You see my dear Richard... this "poor little girl" as you call her had a future. And she could have got away with a treatment. The problem is that Carla had the misfortune to stumble upon you and your dear partner, Pheels. And YOU have decided to let her die in the name of profit. What's stupid for both of you is that you're falling on me. Young journalist... and crazy to bind. She was the only thing that helped me stay upright and you killed her. Pheels paid his share. You're going to pay yours. But for you the bill is going to be heavier. You know why? Because you're also going after MY girlfriend. And that... you should never have.” said Danny, preparing the electric nailer.

“When she learns of it, your little café boss will swing you at the cop. Anyway, you're screwed. I have a whole file on you and when Wilhelm sees it and read it...” said Hoggins with a sneaky smile.

“Oh. Are you talking about that?” replied Danny by exiting the folder. “You've done some really good research tell me. I loved rereading all these things about myself. You could have made it a novel even. Too bad this file disappears with you. At least it's going to burn. You... I'm reserving you for something more... artistic. I hope you are ready to meet your creator. Because you're going to join him right now. And in the same way as him. Or rather in a bloody way than him.”

Danny took the electric nailer and equipped it. He began by shooting Hoggins in the legs, who groaned again in pain. Unfortunately for him no one could hear him. He shot again, but this time in the arms, then in the torso. Blood was dripping from everywhere and Hoggins was finding it increasingly difficult to breathe. Danny detached him and put him on the cross where he nailed him like Jesus.  

“You are...completely twisted. You will burn... in hell.” Said Hoggins.  

“Maybe. But for now, it's you who's going to rot in hell. Suck the devil’s d***, you son of b**ch.” responds Danny before killing him with a nail in the head.  

A demonic smile stretched over his face. That's it... He's dead. But it's not over yet. Much remains to be done. Danny used the curtain ropes to tie Hoggins to the wooden cross. Then with the little one remaining, he created a kind of crown with nails, which he fixed to hoggins’ head. Then he bombarded the whole body with nails, causing it to bleed from all sides.  

He then nailed Hoggins' hands and legs to make sure he did not fall and turned the cross over to make the symbol of the devil. This is a very successful work of art. However, one or two small details are missing. It's not bloody enough for his liking. He used his knife to eviscerate Hoggins, then slashed an angel's smile. Danny used Hoggins' blood to write a message on the wall and backed off to admire his work. There... there it’s better. There is only one thing left to do: to make this folder disappear. And the only way... it's to burn it.

But Danny is not stupid, he is not going to put the fire at home. He will burn it outside in the garden. He observed his work one last time, took a picture in order to have a proof to show you, then he left the place. Once away, halfway between the van and the house, he pulled out a lighter and set fire to the folder. He let go of the latter, watched him burn for a few minutes, then went to the van and left the place to go home.

“Finally... It's over. I will be able to turn the page...” said Danny, looking at the road.

“Yes. But you're going to keep killing. And that's not cool.” responds Jed sitting on the passenger seat.  

“Did you honestly believe that I was going to change after that? Oh no, obviously I'll continue... but I would no longer be alone. I hope you enjoyed the show from my mind.”

“Make Hoggins the counterpart of God and crucify him? I must admit that I loved it.”

“This is normal... you are me.” replied Danny looking at the passenger seat before focusing on the road again.

Danny arrived in the parking lot of the building. He changed in the back of the van, put his suit in his bag and went up to the apartment. When he opened the door, he noticed that it looked empty. He walked to the bedroom which was also empty. You hadn't come back yet, it was perfect. He went to his office to put down his bag, take out his suit and put it in the washing machine. Once the latter was washed, he began to dry it in his office, which he locked. He took a shower, put on his pyjamas, and threw another washing machine. At the same time, you return, all smiling, exhausted but delighted from your evening. Danny took you in his arms, kissed you and guided you to the room so that you could both go to bed.

What you didn't know yet was that the job was done. Finally, Danny could turn the page on his past. And he shot it in the most beautiful way.

An inverted cross on the photo of a demon.

***

(My first injection of the vaccine is only next Tuesday! I'm a little stressed because I don't know how I'm going to react to this first injection of vaccine. So, I prefer to warn in advance that this could delay the release of the next chapter of DSS. But don't worry! I'm solid so everything should go well! As I told you, I will try to do a small teasing post for fanfic re8, but it is complicated to summarize something without telling too much. And I always struggle to find a title. I hope you’ll like this chapter like the others ones! Well, it's time for my brain to rest! Have a great weekend to you all!  See ya!)

[dtw42]

Reverse-engineering the Two Ronnies crossword sketch

Among the catalogue of classic sketches by the late and much-missed Two Ronnies, sits this little piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVWdbO6FFfw

Give it a watch all the way through then come back here.

Done? Okay.

Being of a cruciverbal mindset, it occurred to me to try and see whether the clues Ronnie Corbett’s character was struggling with could actually be worked into a plausible grid. When writers have characters doing crosswords, they often throw out clue numbers willy-nilly, without paying much attention to their structural plausibility – something I found pretty quickly when I tried to reverse-engineer The Owl crossword from Jasper Fforde’s Lost in a Good Book (but that’s a post for another time).

Ronnie reads out the text of seven clues. In four of these, he’s already got some letters in. Can we assume that’s because those letters are from crossing answers? The only alternative, that they (or at least some of them) are “givens” (i.e. actually printed in the grid by the publisher) is too dull to contemplate for the purposes of this (admittedly silly anyway) exercise, so let’s assume they are from crossing answers.

For three of the clues, we are told the actual clue position and number.

This, in essence, is what we have to go on:

2ac. They peck holes in your milk-bottle tops (4). ? ? T S

6ac. Often found in the bottom of a birdcage (4). ? ? I T

16ac. It’s green and often found on football pitches (5). G R A ? ?

??. It’s red, it smells, and it’s often picked in the garden (4). ? O S E

??. Place where fish are kept (4).

?ac. Strange animal found in a hive (5,3).

?dn. He always plays with Big Ears (5).

We are told that the fifth letter of the penultimate of these crosses with the first letter of the last of these.

For the fifth clue, Ronnie Barker’s character mocks Corbett’s for having filled in “coop” (or “Co-Op”) but doesn’t suggest a correction, and we’re not told what letter or letters he might have had in already. There are plenty of four-letter possibilities for where fish might be kept – tank, bowl, pond, maybe even pool – and note that many of them share the second letter “O” with Corbett’s guess, so let’s make it one of those (instead of “tank”) and make the second letter check with another crossing word.

For the sixth and seventh clues, Barker’s character confirms that the correct answers should be “queen bee” and “Noddy” (not “queer bee” and “Roddy”).

Let’s make one more basic assumption: since this is in a daily newspaper (Corbett describes it as the “Sun Junior Coffee-Time Easy Clues”), it should abide by the normal standards of crossword symmetry. That is to say, most likely 180° rotational symmetry. We initially don’t know the dimensions or style of the grid, but it’s not likely to be huge. If we start trying to construct a grid that would take these clues in the positions indicated, come constraints quickly start to show themselves.

Firstly, if there’s a 2 across, we can pretty much rule out there being a 1 across (since it would have to have no more than the first letter checked), so 1 is a down answer only.

Secondly, note that we have the third and fourth letters of 2ac in already – T S. Likewise the second, third and fourth letters of that “It’s red…” clue; the first, second and third letters of that “It’s green…” clue, and so on. Multiple consecutive checked letters? Well, for a blocked-grid crossword you might be able to envisage that somewhere in the middle of the diagram, but 2ac is clearly in the top row (and 6ac very likely is as well). No – this is sounding distinctly like a barred-grid puzzle. This puts our own meta-joke layer on top of those intended by the writers, since barred-grid puzzles are normally used for advanced/difficult puzzles (probably akin to the “Financial Times Mephistopheles” that Ronnie Barker is trying to concentrate on), and peppered with recondite vocabulary – not the sort of thing one might describe as a “Junior Coffee-Time Easy Clues”.

So my initial attempt to fit the answers we know into the positions we know, gave me something like this:

A bit of careful work with the grid-filler function and we can populate the rest of the diagram with a mix of common, harder, and obscure words typical of the barred-grid puzzle.

But we have a problem. Look at 16ac: the two letters that Corbett says he hasn’t got (the fourth and fifth) are parts of 3dn and 4dn – which also supply the last two letters of 2ac, the very two letters that he says he has got. If he’s solved 3dn and 4dn, then he’ll have both sets of these final letters, and if he hasn’t, then he’ll have neither. This arrangement of bars can’t support both scenarios. Therefore, if 16ac is going to be positioned there on the left side of the grid, we need bars above those letters, making 3dn and 4dn both three-letter words. We need to think again about the position of the bars.

Because we need to have the last two letters of 2ac not give away the last two letters of 16ac, and we need the second letter of 16ac not to give away the first letter of 2ac, those parts of those two words need to be cut off from each other by bars, and that in turn means adding more three-letter words into the grid. There are already going to be quite a few of them, and we really want to keep the number down as best we can (because it’s poor form in crossword setting to have too many three-letter words), so this means removing bars in other areas of the grid to make longer words (making sure as we go along that we don’t introduce or delete bars that would change the clue number for “grass”). That in turn increases the likelihood that we will have to accept some pretty obscure words.

In the next screenshot I’ve marked the given words in green, the known letters in blue, and then re-done the pattern of bars preparatory to trying another grid fill.

So – having filled the grid (and yes, as was inevitable, there are a few obscurities – but actually fewer than I expected) – it’s time to write the remaining clues. So, do we attempt to give all the other words “easy clues” like the ones the Ronnies read out? Or do we contrast those seven with cryptics more in keeping with the style of grid?

I went for cryptic clues in keeping with the style of the grid, and then decided to omit the clues for the seven given words and get the solvers to seek out the sketch for themselves (I circled the letters ‘TWO RONNIES’ in the grid to give a nudge in the right direction). Okay, link to the puzzle here: http://crossword.info/skirwingle/coffeetime/

Next here’s a long scrolly bit so you don’t see the answers by mistake. (see you after the dots)

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Let’s have a look at the words I fitted around the givens, and separate them out by vocabulary difficulty:

EVERYDAY WORDS (26)

legato, onus, duty, wands, liaise, atomic clock, press, dandy, sail, Eileen, slay, ted, tat, sty, grain, tussocks, aspen, guano, rotundas, Simeon, obese, quest, email, Rio, old, eel

IN-BETWEEN OR GUESSABLE WORDS (6)

unmoor (to cast off moorings), Indic (the Indian branch of Indo-European languages), nailer (a maker of nails!), sri (an Indian title roughly equivalent to Mr.), cep (a mushroom), ryes (slightly unusual plural of the grain or the whiskey derived from it)

“HARD” WORDS (4)

irenicon (same as eirenicon – a peace-making scheme)

odal (same as udal – an Orkney or Shetland estate without feudal superior – possibly the most obscure word in the grid, and therefore the one most in need of a simple clue that gives you the necessary letters – such as a hidden or initials clue; thankfully 75% of it is checked by down words)

alogia (inability to speak, due to a brain lesion)

kisans (Indian peasants – probably the next most obscure word, and only 50% checked, so again in need of a plain clue)

I don’t think that’s too bad! If you add the “hard” words to the in-between words, that’s still less than half as many as regular familiar words (and then there are the seven original answers from the sketch as well).

[slusheeduck]

Complementary

Wit’s been mentioning the other best Rivera son lately, so I figure it’s time to share this thing I wrote for her birthday, where Teto meets his lovely wife Jasmine.

               This was pointless.

               Teto huffed to himself as the thought ran over and over in his head. It really was the most pointless thing, going on a date. This would be the…third? time he’d been set up on one, and each one went exactly same way. “Are you related to Tío Héctor?” Yes, that was his father. “Are you a musician like him?” No. “Are you visiting from New York?” No, that was his brother. “So what do you do?” Business mostly. All followed by a few niceties and an assurance that his date did, in fact, have a lovely time, and she’d give him a call next week. (There was never a call, and he was always secretly relieved.)

               He fiddled with his glasses before checking his watch. He’d been waiting for fifteen minutes now, and he was more than certain he’d gotten stood up. Which, again, was kind of a relief. Sure, it was a bit of a pain to get all the way to this café without anything to show for it—he was behind on the Rivera Zapatos ledgers, and he’d arranged a meeting with a campaign manager tomorrow that he really needed to mentally prepare himself for—but a quiet lunch in a nice part of the city certainly wasn’t the worst thing he could endure.

               He checked his watch again and glanced around for his date—not that he knew what she’d look like, he realized—then pressed his lips together before reaching down into his bag and pulling out a notebook and his pen. If he had some downtime, then he could indulge a little bit. He flipped through the notebook and got to a half-finished diagram of a mechanized nailer for shoes. As much as he liked Tío Oscar and Tío Felipe and loved their inventions, they tended to take their time in the actual shoemaking department. But if he could put this together, then they’d save at least two hours per shoe, and his tíos could spend more time designing rather than nailing.

               He’d just written out some notes on the nailer’s size when a flurry of movement startled him. He looked up to see a woman letting out a huff as she quickly tried to pull off her coat.

               “Perdón, perdón,” she said breathlessly, shaking her head as he started to get up to help her. “I came here as quickly as I could. I made the terrible mistake of questioning my professor while being a woman, and the argument went much longer than I wanted it to.”

               Teto blinked. “What are you studying?” Mentally, he kicked himself—that kind of small talk came after the introductions, but she didn’t seem to mind.

               “Mathematics,” she said simply, brushing her short hair back into place. “Probably won’t find a way to use it outside of balancing checkbooks for the rest of my life, but I love the logic of it. Even when professors are less than logical about it.” She blinked as she looked up at him, then gave a small, embarrassed smile. “I’m sorry. I should at least wait until the second date to complain about school.”

               Teto returned her smile with his own small, unsure one. “I wouldn’t know.” He paused a moment, then added, “But then, I’ve heard that you’re not supposed to mention how bad you are at dating until the third date.”

               Her eyebrows rose, and she laughed, making Teto instantly relax, before she held out her hand for him to shake. “Jasmine Flores. And yes, I know it’s unfortunate.”

               “Can’t be worse than Teto,” he said as he gave her hand a shake.

               “Your parents named you Teto?”

               He grimaced and shrugged. “Well, no. It’s a nickname. A rotten one, but it’s easier than introducing myself as Héctor Rivera.”

               Once again, Jasmine’s eyebrows rose. “You have the same name as…”

               “Tío Héctor, sí.”

“Wow.” She gave a little smile as her eyes brightened. “I’m sure you get this a lot, but are you…”

Teto sighed, cutting her off. “Related? Yes. He’s my father.” He pressed his lips together tightly, then leaned forward, clasping his hands together. “Look, Jasmine, you seem really sensible, so I’m going  to lay out everything right now so we don’t waste our time. No, I don’t play any instruments—I run the business side of my tíos’ shoe company. Yes, Rodrigo Rivera is my brother; no, I don’t talk to him often.  I’m not going to take you to a concert or a movie set for our second date—or, really, any date, because movie sets are off-limits and concerts give me terrible migraines.” He swallowed as he sat up. “I’m very sorry you wasted your time coming out here and that I made you rush from school, but I figured we could save about three hours of pointless chit-chat.”

               He watched her quietly, waiting to see her reaction. Would she be angry? Or maybe she’d just get up and leave. That’d be ideal. Worst case scenario would be her insisting they kept the date going despite her obvious disappointment.

               He was not expecting her to sink in her seat and let out a sigh of relief.

               “Gracias à Dios! Ay, all this week my friends have been teasing me with ‘Minita, we’ve set you up with someone related to the most ROMANTIC man in México!’ I’ve been terrified.”

               “Terrified?”

               Jasmine nodded, sitting up straight. “I thought I was going to walk into serenades and poetry. I don’t have the patience for that.” She looked up as Teto snorted.

               “Serenades? No, no. I have far too much respect to do that to you. A date’s bad enough without me wailing sweet nothings at you.”

               “They’re terrible, aren’t they?”

               “The serenades?”

               “No…well, yes, but I meant dates.” Jasmine shrugged. “I mean, you just put on your nicest face and hope that’s enough for someone you only halfway like to call you again.”

               Teto nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes. Exactly! And you just get all worked up for it to mean nothing. I could do so many other productive things instead of talking to someone I have nothing in common with.”

               “Exactly! And then I have to stay up late with my homework because I had some bore talk my ear off for three hours.”

               “Or had to answer stupid small-talk questions that neither of us really care about.”

               “Or go see some film I never wanted to see in the first place!”

               Teto groaned as he sank back in his seat. “I had one girl insist we see my father’s latest movie.”

               “No.”

               “Yes. It was awful.”

               “Oh, and they’re such sappy things. I mean, no offense…”

               “No, they are! They really are. And I could practically hear her waiting for me to call her ‘Mi alma, mi vida’ at some point on the walk home.”

               “Ohh, pobrecito.” Jasmine leaned forward to pat his hand. “Well, don’t you worry. I won’t put you through that.”

               He looked up at her and smiled, then leaned forward again. “So, since we’re on the same page, let’s just call the date off.”

               Jasmine gave him a wide smile as she leaned forward as well. “That is the best date idea I’ve ever heard. We’ll let this die without a fight. Deal?”

               “Deal.”

               They stayed put for a moment, both grinning in triumph at the other at their grand idea. But Teto blinked, and Jasmine sucked in her lips as they didn’t move. It wasn’t…awkward—Teto had had enough awkward moments to know what that felt like—but something in him wanted to stay right there with her. After all, it seemed like such a shame to leave one of the few people he’d ever been on the same page with. But, well, he didn’t want to be a bother. He raised his eyebrows as Jasmine cleared her throat.

               “So, um, yes. Date’s cancelled,” she said, as she settled back. “But…well, it seems a little bit of a waste to come here and not have lunch.”

               Teto bit the inside of his cheek before he slowly replied, “It does, doesn’t it?”

               Jasmine sucked in her lips again, then nodded down at his notebook. “Is that for your business?”

               “More or less, yes. I was writing some notes when you came.”

               “I’ve still got my math book in my bag—I wasn’t kidding when I said I came straight from school.” She shrugged. “We could at least get some work done.”

               Teto nodded. He bit at his cheek again, then leaned forward and quietly asked, “I hope you don’t mind if I stay here. It’s a little crowded, and I’d feel awful taking up an extra table.”

               A smile curled at Jasmine’s lips, and she nodded. “I’d be glad to share a table with you. To work on. Not a date.”

               Teto grinned. “Definitely not a date.”

               The next hour was surprisingly lovely. They both mostly worked in silence, aside from the odd comment on the quality of their food or Jasmine asking Teto to double-check her work. Finally, they agreed they’d overstayed their welcome at the café and made their way out. (Jasmine still staunchly insisted that she needed no help with her coat, and Teto didn’t fight her.)

               Once they exited, they stood in an expectant, but strangely not uncomfortable, silence. Teto shifted back and forth, and Jasmine took a breath before fixing her dark eyes on him.

               “That was nice,” she finally said.

               “Very nice.”

               “And I think I’d like to do it again.”

               Teto blinked. Oh. He wasn’t prepared for that. “Would you really?”

               She smiled and nodded. “You’re a very good work-partner. Seems a shame to just say goodbye and miss out on more not-dates like this.”

               He blinked again, then gave her a slow grin. “It’d be an awful shame. Finding someone to not-date is outrageously hard.”

               She grinned, then pulled a paper from her bag and quickly scribbled a phone number on it. She hesitated, just for a moment, before pressing a kiss right below it. “I’m the only girl at the university who wears this color, so you won’t forget who it is,” she said as she handed the now-marked paper to him. “Give me a call when you get the chance, all right? Or don’t. I don’t want to—”

               “I will!” Teto said quickly, then cleared his throat and smiled. “Like you said. Seems a shame to just say goodbye. I’ll call you Monday.”

               Jasmine smiled. “Then I’m looking forward to it, Héctor.” As his eyebrows rose, she grinned and pat his chest. “Someone needs to stop calling you that awful nickname. It may as well be me.” She lifted her face to look up at him for a moment, dark eyes sparkling, then quickly turned to walk away, hand raised in a goodbye. “Talk to you Monday, Héctor!”

               Teto stared after her for a moment, a blur of strange emotions bubbling up in his chest and rooting him in the spot. Finally, he broke from his trance to look down at the paper in his hand, noting how the lipstick stain curled up at the corners in a smile.

               He wasn’t a sap. Dating was still stupid, and he and Jasmine were definitely not about to start going through all the fuss that dating ensued.

               But for the first time…well, maybe he could see the appeal.  

[toolsnetworks-blog]

Comparative Review of 3 Ryobi Battery Nail Gun based on type, use, and performance

The recent Ryobi Nail Gun Review took the customers by surprise. These cheap nail guns don’t only offer smooth working experience, they also come with some extra features. In this article, I am going to compare these 3 Ryobi products which are Ryobi P320, Ryobi P325 and Ryobi P330 and at the same time, I will talk about their pros and cons as well.

The Ryobi P320 brad nailer works like a gas controlled nailer while gives you the pleasure and comfort of using a cordless device as well. On the other hand, The P325 is their most recent release to their 18V battery nailer line up.  Similarly, as with alternate nailers, this uses Airstrike innovation to convey an intense punch. The Ryobi P330 works similarly. The angled magazine of this nailer will encourage you to shoot into a corner.

You don’t need an air compressor if you are using the Ryobi P320 nailer. A lithium-ion battery will do the job for you. The Ryobi P325 is handy when it comes to the point of energy. This cordless electric nailer won’t create much havoc for you. And the Ryobi P330 can be different considering their nailing process but this nailer also uses a battery as the source of power.

A compressed air nailer works in a consecutive manner. Fuel or power controls a blower. This blower powers air at high weight into a metal chamber. At the point when enough weight is developed, a flag is sent back to the blower to quit pumping air. At long last, when the trigger on the pneumatic nailer is discouraged, a blasted of packed air ventures out from the barrel to the nailer, terminating the brad or nail.

Strikingly, the Ryobi and the compacted air nailers work correspondingly. Ryobi's lithium-particle battery controls up a little, installed engine flywheel. The engine sustains motor vitality to an expansive cylinder barrel, which works much like the air blower framework's tank. No nailing activity can occur until the point that enough pneumatic stress is developed. This activity takes one moment to perform.

Ryobi P320 uses 18-gauge nails while Ryobi P325 uses 16 gauge, zero degrees (straight) nails from ¾” to 2-½” long. Lastly, Ryobi P330 finish nailer uses 15 gauge finish nails for its finishing jobs.

Let’s talk about the warranty. All these Ryobi products come with 3 Year limited warranty which is convenient for customers. To make things better for us, if you can convince the support that there’s something really wrong with your nail gun, they provide you 90 days exchange policy as well. Great, isn’t it?

All these products got built-in led lights which is really helpful at times. These products vary in weight though. The Ryobi P320 weighs 9 lbs with battery while the P330 is 6.8 lbs even without the battery.

As I brought up in the opening of this article Ryobi shocked their clients with these crisp nailers. There has been relentless headways and advancement all prompting the destruction of pneumatic nailers, particularly in the finish category. Unmistakably cordless nailers are a suitable alternative for any carpentry errand.