#us housing supply shortage

[erebusvincent]

In the post-war era, innovative builders like William Levitt slashed production costs and increased production rates by applying assembly line-like practices to the construction of massive new suburban subdivisions. This was the future of homebuilding.

Soon enough, however, the growth machine came to a crashing halt. Brian Potter charts this history at his Construction Physics Substack. Market conditions eventually led to a bust in mass-produced housing. Then came the rise of growth controls, land use restrictions, and environmental regulation.

With zoning codes limiting how much new housing can be built at one time, the size of home-building firms has fallen, reducing economies of scale and construction productivity. Building codes dictating how homes have to be built has further helped to close off innovative construction methods.

Those regulatory restrictions on new supply never went away, with the result being that the price of housing has risen in tandem with rising demand. Additionally, new technology that promised to automate construction tasks has repeatedly failed to take off.

Rather than becoming a commodity, home-building has stayed a cottage industry (no pun intended). Real prices continue to rise and housing affordability has become an issue of national concern debated by candidates for federal office.

In this context, Walz and Vance have decided to double down on the zero-sum nature of the housing market. They say we need to decommodify housing by preventing the wrong people from buying a fixed stock of housing.

This is exactly backwards. Housing supply is fixed by regulation, not nature. If we stripped away regulations on homebuilding, supply would rise and prices would fall.

[msclaritea]

2 States Seeing Home Prices Decline As Inventory Outpaces Demand

Despite a US housing shortage, Florida and Texas have too much supply.

Gee, I wonder why? Maybe because both suck.

[diana-aj]

Urgent Relief ... 🙏🇵🇸

"Save what's left of our souls . . . 👨‍👩‍👦

My name is Diana, a Palestinian from Gaza.

A mother of two beautiful children, Riad (6) and Ahmed (4). We live together with my mother, my brother and his wife.

Verified by ✅✅

@90-ghost ✅ here.

To donate, click here 🙏

It is difficult for me to ask for a little financial help from you But I will not let my innocent children go without a fight until my last breath

I was about to achieve my dream of becoming a teacher but the war destroyed all my dreams. Most schools in Gaza have been destroyed.💔💔

Unfortunately, our house was bombed and destroyed during the recent events,

which caused us severe psychological and physical damage due to the catastrophic situation we are currently living in. We were forcibly displaced due to the heavy bombing from the north of Gaza to the south, where we have no shelter except a tent that does not protect us from the cold of winter or the heat of summer.

We are now living in catastrophic conditions, in particular my child Riad who was born with a hole in his heart and also pulmonary valve stenosis. At the age of 6 months, he underwent open heart surgery.

Unfortunately, during his regular checkups after surgery, exactly 2 years ago, we noticed that problems had started to appear again.💔

My child Riad often falls ill due to his weak immune system and the severe shortage of food, supplies and medical supplies that we suffer from, in addition to the high prices that make it difficult to meet our basic needs.

We don’t even have access to clean drinking water. The loss of our home has exacerbated our suffering, and our daily lives have become a constant struggle for survival.

My family and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts! ❤️❤️‍

I understand that we all go through tough times, so anything helps. Whether it's your love and support, donating, sharing my story, or sending love, prayers, positive vibes, and healing. Everything is appreciated and accepted..🙏

"Save what's left of our souls . . . 👨‍👩‍👦

To donate, click here 🙏

With all appreciation and thanks,

Diana❤️

My campaign has been verified by :

@90-ghost ✅ here.

@el-shab-hussein ✅ here.

@gazavetters my number verified on the list is ( #233 )✅️ here.

@dlxxv-vetted-donations ✅ here.

@bilal-salah0 ✅ here.

@postanagramgenerator ✅ here.

@ot3 ✅ here.

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[hamdi-shiltawi]

🇵🇸‼️‏Hello guys.

I am Hamdi Al-Shaltawi from Gaza City. I am addressing you because of my urgent need for help to provide a humane life for me and my family after the destruction of our home and the lives of my family. Everything disappeared. We are out in the open. There is no home for us. I humbly ask you to help me I lost my close friends. I lost people in my family. Our house has been destroyed and there is no safe place to live.

‏Unfortunately, our home was bombed and destroyed during the initial events, causing severe psychological and physical damage to me and my family due to the catastrophic situation we are currently living in. My family and I are suffering from severe shortages of food, supplies and medical equipment, in addition to high prices that make it difficult to meet our basic needs. We cannot even access clean drinking water. The loss of our homeland has exacerbated our suffering, and our daily life has become a constant struggle for survival. The urgent need to leave Gaza

Given the current deteriorating situation, it is imperative for me and my family to leave Gaza as soon as possible once the Rafah border crossing with Egypt opens. I hope it will open soon, and we need to raise the necessary funds quickly to ensure our safe passage. The cost of exiting Gaza through the Rafah crossing is approximately $5,000 per person.

This is our home and our shop, which was our source of livelihood after it was destroyed by the war

Verified by: @irhabiya @90-ghost @gaza-evacuation-funds

No donation has been made for 8 days The last donation was 5€ Try to help me collect donations. If you cannot donate, share my story ����🇵🇸

@90-ghost @irhabiya @imjustheretotrytohelp @nabulsi @wellwaterhysteria @woomeme-funds @neptunerings @gaza-evacuation-funds @gazavetters @buttercuparry @venusmage @victormcdicktor @dlxxv-vetted-donations @dl2647745 @dlxxxvii @dlxxxv-blog

[hanihomed]

Hello🚨🚨, my name is Hani Hamid and I am from Gaza. I am writing to you with a heavy heart🥺💔. I now live in the northern part of Gaza🇵🇸🍉. I was shot in the knee and it caused a catastrophic condition for my leg. I am unable to walk at all. I need urgent and urgent treatment. I have three🧒👶👩‍🦰 children, Abdullah, 12 years old, Salma, 10 years old, and Saleh, 7 years old, and my wife Nour,🤰 33 years old. Unfortunately, our house was bombed and destroyed during the initial events, which caused severe psychological and physical damage to me and my family due to the catastrophic situation we are currently living in. My family and I are suffering from a severe shortage of food,🍞🥛 supplies and medical supplies, in addition to the high prices that make it difficult to meet our basic needs. We cannot even obtain clean drinking water. The loss of our homeland has exacerbated our suffering, and our daily lives have become a constant struggle for survival. The Urgent Need to Leave Gaza🇵🇸🍉 Given the current deteriorating situation, it is imperative for me and my family to leave Gaza as soon as possible once the Rafah border crossing with Egypt opens. I hope it will open soon, and we need to raise the necessary funds quickly to ensure our safe passage. The Cost of exiting Gaza through the Rafah crossing is appromixmately 5,000 $Person.Family consistis of 5 members. The total amount needed for safe passage is calculated as follows:-5people x$5,000=$25,000-And the cost of the operation for my feet needs $10,000 ln addition to the travel costs'We need funds to secure temporary housing and basic necessities once we leave Gaza. Therfore, we aim to raise a total of *$70,000* to cover these immediate and urgent needs.

[nirmeenayman]

STOP AND READ ( HELP FATHER OF JANA FROM GAZA FIGHT AFTER LOSING EVERYTHING )

Even if it's something simple, it has value to us.

Hello, my name is Ayman Elwhidei, I am a father of 5 daughters and 2 sons, my elder son is married and has a little daughter and we live together in the same house. We live in the “Tal-elhwa” area of Gaza City, one of the first areas targeted by aerial bombing and fire belts at the start of the October 7th war. I was forced to evacuate my home in the first week of the war under bombardment, we took al Quds Hospital as a shelter, leaving behind my memories and all my possessions.

Our house is destroyed at the beginning of the ongoing slaughter we lost everything and we barely survived being killed by the bombs and indiscriminate artillery shells on the area, we have trapped on the hospital for more than a month with shortages of water and food, and we forced under bombardment to leave and evacuate the hospital to the south, we lived in KhanYounis a while until it became the most dangerous place in gaza after they start invading the city, we faced death multiple times while they bombing the houses around us. And again we forced to evacuate to Rafah and lived in a tent without any life supplies, we suffered from thirst and hunger, my youngest daughter Jana got sick and weak she couldn’t cope with what we are going through, lately Rafah got invaded and bombed every where and we miraculously survived when an airstrike hits near us, and again we forced to evacuate to another place in Dir Elbalah to another tint where there is no any suitable life supplies.

[ghadaanqar]

This post About the Gaza Strip, its history and what it has suffered over the years

Gaza: Location and Significance

Gaza is a coastal city located on the southern shore of Palestine, along the Mediterranean Sea. It spans an area of 365 square kilometers and is home to over 2 million people, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Gaza serves as Palestine's southern gateway and has historically been a crossroads for trade and cultures.

The Struggles of Gaza

Ongoing Blockade

Since 2007, Israel has imposed a strict blockade on the Gaza Strip, isolating it from the outside world. The blockade includes restrictions on the entry of essential goods such as food, medicine, and construction materials, as well as severe limitations on the movement of people.

Economic Impact: The blockade has caused the local economy to collapse, with over 80% of the population living in poverty and relying on humanitarian aid.

Unemployment: Gaza has one of the highest unemployment rates globally, exceeding 60% among youth.

Frequent Wars

Gaza has been subjected to multiple wars launched by Israel since 2008, including the wars of 2008-2009, 2012, 2014, and 2021, and The last of these wars will be in 2023 along with ongoing military operations.

Human Losses: These wars have resulted in thousands of deaths, including a significant number of women and children.

Destruction: The infrastructure in Gaza, including homes, hospitals, schools, and water and electricity networks, has suffered massive devastation.

Humanitarian Crises

Healthcare: The healthcare system suffers from a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies, making it difficult to provide basic services to the population.

Electricity and Water: Residents face constant electricity outages, with electricity available only a few hours daily. Additionally, clean drinking water has become scarce due to water source contamination.

Food Security: More than half of the population experiences food insecurity, struggling to secure daily meals.

Psychological and Social Impact

Children and Youth: Younger generations have been psychologically affected by ongoing wars, the blockade, and a lack of prospects. Many children suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

Families and Society: Daily hardships have exacerbated social and economic pressures, impacting the stability of families and the community as a whole.

Gaza: A Symbol of Resilience

Despite all the suffering, Gaza remains a symbol of resilience and determination. Its people are known for their creativity and perseverance in facing challenges, preserving their cultural and national identity under extremely harsh conditions.

Gaza is not just a place; it is the story of a people fighting for life and dignity in the face of continuous blockade and injustice.

If you got here, it means you have a conscience. Please if you can donate to my family, please donate and help us rise from the pain and tragedy. 🙏❤️🌷

@skunkes @pcktknife @postanagramgenerator @valtsv @velvetys @beetledrink @bunjywunjy @bixels @nabulsi @mintaii @hotvampireadjacent @lady-katherines @pocket-deer-boy @itwashotwestayedinthewater @thatdiabolicalfeminist @3000s @wayneradiotv @wolfertinger666 @sayruq @90-ghost @rickybabyboy @zzoupz @omegaversereloaded @annabelle--cane @beserkerjewel @sporesgalaxy @punkitt-is-here @weirdmarioenemies @sawasawako @danijaci @thatdiabolicalfeminist @that-house @anneemay @tamamita @feluka @ot3 @jehadism @apas-95 @communist-ojou-sama @komsomolka @tpwrtrmnky @redbuddi @punkitt-is-here @amygdalae @tlirsgender @vampiricvenus @tpwrtrmnky @teaboot @heritageposts @minmos @grox @specialmouse @afro-elf @prisonhannibal @dirhwangdaseul

The history of Gaza and its suffering, please share it widely ❤️❤️

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The housing crisis considered as an income crisis

I'll be in TUCSON, AZ from November 8-10: I'm the GUEST OF HONOR at the TUSCON SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION.

A paradox: in 1970, everyday Americans found it relatively easy to afford a house, and the average American house cost 5.9x the average American income. In 2024, Americans find it nearly impossible to afford a house, and the average American house costs…5.9x the average American income.

Feels like a puzzler, right? Can it really be true that the average American house is as affordable to the average American earner as it was in 1970? It is true, as you can see from Blair Fix's latest open access research report, "The American Housing Crisis: A Theft, Not a Shortage":

https://economicsfromthetopdown.com/2024/10/23/the-american-housing-crisis-a-theft-not-a-shortage/

Fix also points out that is even more true of rents than it is of house prices. The ratio of rent to average income has actually fallen slightly since 1970. Rents are also, in some mathematical sense, "affordable."

Now, those of you who are well-versed in statistical card-palming will likely have a pretty good idea of the statistical artifact at the root of this paradox: the word "average." If you remember your seventh grade math, you'll recall that "average" has more than one meaning. Sure, there's the most common one: add several values together, then divide the total by the number of values you added. For example, a nonzero number of people have one or zero arms, so the average human has slightly fewer than two arms.

That average is called the "mean." The mean US wage is pretty robust: $73,242/year:

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/A792RC0Q052SBEA/1000

But the majority of Americans are not earning anything like $73k/year. Since the Reagan years, the number of Americans living in poverty and extreme poverty has climbed and climbed. And while their declining income sure drags down that average, it's dragged way, way, way up by another group of Americans – the ultra-rich.

You see, as Fix writes, back in the Reagan years, America initiated an experiment in redistribution. Reagan enacted policies that moved most of the nation's wealth from the great majority of working people to a tiny minority of people who ended up owning pretty much everything. Throw their income into the mix, and the average American's income is sufficient to finance the average American home, with plenty to spare.

In other words, this isn't an "average human has fewer than two arms" situation, it's more like a "Spiders Georg" situation. Spiders Georg is a Tumblr meme about a guy who eats 10,000 spiders every day and is thus single-handedly responsible for the (false) statistic that the average human eats two spiders a week:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiders_Georg

The American rich – Reagan's progeny – are the Spiders Georg of house prices. By hoarding the great mass of American national wealth, they create a statistical mirage of affordable housing.

Now, that's interesting, but where Fix goes next with this is even more fascinating. If the average price of housing (relative to average income) has stayed fixed since 1970, then it follows that the price of housing isn't being driven up by a problem with supply. Rather, these numbers suggest that America has enough housing, it's just that (most) Americans don't have enough money.

If that's true – and I have a couple of quibbles, which I'll get to in a sec – then the most common prescription for solving American housing (building more of it) is somewhat beside the point. For Fix, using public funds to subsidize cheaper housing is like using public funds to pay for food stamps for working people whose wages are too low to keep them from starving. Sure, we should do that: no one should be without a home and no one should be hungry. But if working people can't afford shelter and food, then we have a wage problem, not a supply problem.

Fix – as ever – has a well-thought through, painstakingly documented "sources and methods" page to back up his conclusions:

https://economicsfromthetopdown.com/2024/10/23/the-american-housing-crisis-a-theft-not-a-shortage/#sources-and-methods

And while Fix acknowledges that reversing the mass transfer of wealth from working people to their bosses (and their bosses' idle offspring) is a big lift, he rightly wants to keep the question of wages (rather than housing supply) front and center in our debate about why so many of us are finding it hard to keep a a roof over our heads. We need progressive taxation, higher minimum wages, protection from medical and education debt, and hell, why not a job guarantee?

https://pluralistic.net/2020/06/25/canada-reads/#tcherneva

I love Fix's work, and this report is no exception. He does it all in his spare time. Some nice progressive think tank should give him a grant so he can do (a lot) more of it.

That all said, I do have a quibble with his conclusion about the adequacy of the American housing supply. In California, we have a shortage of 3-4 million homes, a number arrived at through the relatively robust method of adding up the number of California families that would like to have their own homes and subtracting the number of homes available near those families:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_housing_shortage

How to explain the discrepancy? One possibility is that the price of housing is artificially low, because more than 181,000 people are homeless here. Hundreds of thousands of more people are living in overcrowded housing, with multiple families inhabiting spaces intended for just one (or even a single person). If all of those people were competing for housing, the price might rise even higher.

Think of the people who have given up looking for work – because they're not in the workforce, wages go up. If they were competing in the labor market, wages would fall. Maybe all those people would prefer to have a job, but they're missing from the statistics.

That's one theory. Another is that we're getting tripped up on averages again here. California does have some towns with many vacancies, extra supply that is pushing down prices; it's also got many places with far more people who want to live there than there are homes for. It's possible that there's enough supply on average across the states, but – as we've seen – averages are deceptive.

Ultimately, I think both things can be true: we have a wage problem and we have (many, localized) supply problems. Both of these problems deserve our attention, and neither is acceptable in a civilized society.

Tor Books as just published two new, free LITTLE BROTHER stories: VIGILANT, about creepy surveillance in distance education; and SPILL, about oil pipelines and indigenous landback.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/24/i-dream-of-gini/#mean-ole-mr-median

[hanyhomed]

Please don't skip me 🙏🏻🇵🇸

Hello, my name is Hani Hamid and I am from Gaza. I am writing to you with a heavy heart. I now live in the northern part of Gaza. I was shot in the knee and it caused a catastrophic condition for my leg. I am unable to walk at all. I need urgent and urgent treatment. I have three children, Abdullah, 12 years old, Salma, 10 years old, and Saleh, 7 years old, and my wife Nour, 33 years old. Unfortunately, our house was bombed and destroyed during the initial events, which caused severe psychological and physical damage to me and my family due to the catastrophic situation we are currently living in. My family and I are suffering from a severe shortage of food, supplies and medical supplies, in addition to the high prices that make it difficult to meet our basic needs. We cannot even obtain clean drinking water. The loss of our homeland has exacerbated our suffering, and our daily lives have become a constant struggle for survival.

The Urgent Need to Leave Gaza Given the current deteriorating situation, it is imperative for me and my family to leave Gaza as soon as possible once the Rafah border crossing with Egypt opens. I hope it will open soon, and we need to raise the necessary funds quickly to ensure our safe passage. The cost of exiting Gaza through the Rafah crossing is approximately $5,000 per person. Family details and financial requirements Our family consists of 5 members. The total amount needed for safe passage is calculated as follows: - *5 people x $5,000 = $25,000* - And the cost of the operation for my feet needs $10,000 In addition to the travel costs, we need funds to secure temporary housing and basic necessities once we leave Gaza. Therefore, we aim to raise a total of *$70,000* to cover these immediate and urgent needs.

Donations will be used to: - Cover the costs of getting out of Gaza for the entire family. - Surgery for my foot. - Securing temporary housing and providing basic necessities such as food, water, and medical supplies upon exit. - Assisting with initial resettlement expenses until we can find more permanent solutions. Time is of the essence, and we urgently need to raise $70,000 to ensure safe passage and a future for me and my family. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a huge difference in our lives. We appreciate your support and generosity and thank everyone who can help or share our story. God bless you. With all my appreciation and thanks, Hani .

Please donate via this link 👇Share, dear, may God bless you.

https://gofund.me/37d18e4d

https://gofund.me/37d18e4d

[mysticlovepizza]

My name is Ahmed Bakr, a Palestinian. I live in the Gaza Strip. My least wish is to save my wife and children (Neven, Khaled, Joan, Aida, and Musk) from certain death. I write these words and ask for your help. I do not know whether we will be able to survive. This is my last message to you as a human being and the story of my life and my family since the beginning of the war. My son (Khaled) is his age. (8) years old and suffers from enlarged liver diseases, infections, and anemia from contaminated food and water. We are unable to treat him, buy medicine for him, hold a baby no more than two months old, and I am unable to provide her with milk, pampers, or even supplies for small children. My children need food and treatment. We are deprived of the food we love. Our mental health is deteriorating and very destructive, and we need hygiene supplies in the tents. I was displaced from my home from the north to the south, to Khan Yunis, then to Rafah, and then to Nuseirat. I was injured by an occupation sniper while searching for a living for my children. I endured carrying water, searching for wood to light the fire, and bringing food for my children because there was no gas for long distances. Long, all day long, surrounded by devastation, bloody missiles and shattering shrapnel. We endured constant fear day and night for a whole year without any peace or comfort. I do not know where to take my children. Our lives are very painful and difficult, and every time we miraculously escape death, I want to help everyone who can help us, those with compassionate hearts. We live in the heat of tents and under the blazing sun. My house was completely demolished after years of effort and fatigue and building our house. Then, one night and one day, everything disappeared and my children’s room was completely burned and demolished. Even our car was not spared from the bombing, as we had all the wonderful means and tools. For the sake of a decent life, we started roasting our food over the fire despite the fatigue and heat. We are still standing despite the bombing, hunger, and severe shortages. We need your help. At this Save My Children event, we invite you to share our story with your friends and families with clarity and support. Your sensible words and prayers provide strength to endure these difficult circumstances... (Your donation) can make enough difference in our lives. We depend on your support and your standing by our side through this traditional ordeal, boxing, to restore hope and safety to Hayat and her family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering my application. Your support and donation are very important to me and my family

Show your support for this GoFundMehttps://gofund.me/1d3a37c4

[would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend]

Would teddiursa be a good pet? I know ursaring isn’t but what if I just never evolve the dude.

Love this guy I got a plush of him for Christmas I named Honey Bun

Finally, after a streak of mixed bags, we have a resounding yes! A teddiursa would make a great, if sticky, pet, so long as you are aware of their needs.

These little critters are the perfect size to be a house pet, and their care is pretty straightforward. They don’t seem to have particular habitation needs, so with the right diet and enrichment activities they will be happy and healthy. It’s important to note that these pokémon are natural food hoarders; in the wild, teddiursas create large food stores in their multiple hiding places to prepare for the scarcity of winter (Silver). Don’t be concerned if your pet does this, even if you don’t (hopefully) anticipate there being a shortage of food for them in the winter. Despite their bear-like autumnal food hoarding, there isn’t any indication that this species hibernates in the winter.

Wild teddiursas’ diets are made up almost entirely of honey. They acquire this honey by two means. The first is by scavenging it from combee hives (Scarlet). More often, however, teddiursas actually make their own honey using various types of fruit and pollen collected by beedrills (Ruby/Sapphire, Emerald). not only is honey a pretty easy food to come by at a store to feed your teddiursa, this honey-crafting behavior presents an excellent enrichment activity for your new furry friend. While keeping beedrills may be a bit more of a handful to keep (a serious understatement, if you read the beedrill post linked at the bottom of this post), their pollen can be bought from beedrill keepers or, most likely, in pokémon pet supply stores, so it would be pretty straightforward to provide your teddiursa with the supplies they need to make their own honey. Who knows, they may even want to share it with you!

The only major drawback that I can find when it comes to teddiursas is their sticky paws. These pokémon use their paws to scoop up honey, making them curiously sweet (Crystal), and almost certainly sticky as all get out. You will have to get used to either cleaning your teddiursa’s paws or your furniture on a pretty constant basis. It is important not to prevent your teddiursa from licking their paws, as this behavior isn’t just for eating normally, it’s a self-soothing behavior (Violet).

You may be able to tell from looking at them, but teddiursas aren’t all that dangerous. The only move that concerns me is Lick, which has a chance of causing paralysis. As long as you train your buddy to keep their tongue to themself, scratches from their little claws are all you have to worry about. The detriment of Lick is offset in teddirusa’s score by the lovely move Rest, which allows them to fully restore their health with a nap. That will seriously cut down on vet bills, as any injuries or illnesses can be sorted out with some simple snoozing.

As long as you don’t mind sticky paws, teddiursas would make great pets. These soft and cuddly friends just wanna make and eat honey: fulfill that need, and you’ve got a friend for life. Just… uh… use an everstone, okay? See the link for the ursaring post below.

The Beedrill post: https://www.tumblr.com/would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend/729625466905018368/would-a-beedrill-be-a-good-pet?source=share

The Ursaring post: https://www.tumblr.com/would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend/735608723612090368/would-an-ursaring-be-a-good-pet?source=share

[alexaloraetheris]

As people who have had the misfortune to find my blog probably know, I have ADHD. I am also on meds for it, which is fun is many varied and different ways.

I first got put on 18mg Concerta and experienced my brain firing at more than 25% without a hyperfixation for the first time in my life. It was awesome.

Then there was the pandemic. There was a supply shortage, and my psychiatrist basically patted my head and wrote me a reccomendation to get a perscription of off-brand meds, the cost of which is at least partially covered my my insurance. They were supposedly the same thing, but something in the filler is different enough that I can't digest it all, so the effect isn't as good. It was shitty, but it was better than nothing.

It also gave me really fucking weird dreams for a while, but at least my Discord group had fun with that.

I've been upped to 36mg since starting grad school, but my doctor, who actually writes my perscription refused to give me non-insurance-approved meds, so I'm still on the shitty version, just with a bit more punch and a lot less cost. And the weird dreams are back.

Last night I dreamed I lived in my home village again, and every night I had to go into the woods and into this big hole that's basically a really deep cave and talk to the people who died there. That was my job, to keep them company and make sure they don't go out and harrass the living. One day they convinced me to take some of their bones and bury them in the proper graveyard. I took the C1 vertebrae from each of them (the Atlas, it basically lets your turn your head around) and buried them not in the graveyard, but in the little plot of land behind my house that's basically an unused garden.

And sure enough, it let them come out as ghosts during the night, and they weren't happy that they weren't in a graveyard where they could see other people but they were still stuck with me. I told them I knew that cave was the place where every woman in the village knew to dump their abusive husband's body when they've had enough, I knew they just wanted to find their ex-wives graves and get revenge. If they didn't get some goddamn therapy and realize there was a very valid reason they got dumped in the cave, they don't get to go to the graveyard.

They were super mad and turned my home into a haunted house, but they couldn't do much to me because I'm alive. So they mostly threw stuff around, but I have cats, I'm used to it. Finally they agreed to see a threapist. I kidnapped one and locked him in the attic. I'm pretty sure I at least fed him? I remember cooking something.

The therapist tried to explain to me that these were exploited farmer folk, their rage was misplaced but understandable, but I insisted they either learn to respect women or I'm throwing their bones back in the cave. The therapist tried to kill me too. I broke his head with the tenderizer and buried his Atlas in my backyard. Therapy sessions continued. My cats were ecstatic. I was sweeping a lot of broken dishes, but I somehow never ran out of plates.

I buried the cats too (no idea how they died) and now I had ghost cats in the house too. The ghosts loved them. I went out and never returned and these guys all lived together in my house with the cats. No idea if they ever became better people but it was better than the cave.

I think it was going in some weird gay direction but I woke up and forgot the rest.

Moral of the story: get my psychiatrist to write me perscriptions from now on.

[2346khith]

My name is Ahmed Bakr, a Palestinian. I live in the Gaza Strip. My least wish is to save my wife and children (Neven, Khaled, Joan, Aida, and Musk) from certain death. I write these words and ask for your help. I do not know whether we will be able to survive. This is my last message to you as a human being and the story of my life and my family since the beginning of the war. My son (Khaled) is his age. (8) years old and suffers from enlarged liver diseases, infections, and anemia from contaminated food and water. We are unable to treat him, buy medicine for him, hold a baby no more than two months old, and I am unable to provide her with milk, pampers, or even supplies for small children. My children need food and treatment. We are deprived of the food we love. Our mental health is deteriorating and very destructive, and we need hygiene supplies in the tents. I was displaced from my home from the north to the south, to Khan Yunis, then to Rafah, and then to Nuseirat. I was injured by an occupation sniper while searching for a living for my children. I endured carrying water, searching for wood to light the fire, and bringing food for my children because there was no gas for long distances. Long, all day long, surrounded by devastation, bloody missiles and shattering shrapnel. We endured constant fear day and night for a whole year without any peace or comfort. I do not know where to take my children. Our lives are very painful and difficult, and every time we miraculously escape death, I want to help everyone who can help us, those with compassionate hearts. We live in the heat of tents and under the blazing sun. My house was completely demolished after years of effort and fatigue and building our house. Then, one night and one day, everything disappeared and my children’s room was completely burned and demolished. Even our car was not spared from the bombing, as we had all the wonderful means and tools. For the sake of a decent life, we started roasting our food over the fire despite the fatigue and heat. We are still standing despite the bombing, hunger, and severe shortages. We need your help. At this Save My Children event, we invite you to share our story with your friends and families with clarity and support. Your sensible words and prayers provide strength to endure these difficult circumstances... (Your donation) can make enough difference in our lives. We depend on your support and your standing by our side through this traditional ordeal, boxing, to restore hope and safety to Hayat and her family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering my application. Your support and donation are very important to me and my family

Show your support for this GoFundMehttps://gofund.me/1d3a37c4

For those who see this please, visit their blog and reblog their blog’s posts so they  get more attention and if you have the money to spare please donate.

Also I apologize, but I do not have the ability to donate to you. Trust me if I had the ability I would but I don't and I can't. I have no bank account or credit card to transfer money to and no job to gain any money. Every time I ask my parents to help they shut me down so this is the only way to help you. Please forgive me.

[uselessmicrowave]

Hello,can you do a tfp optimus prime x fem(adult) reader that knows how optimus is starving himself due to the shortage on the energon supply in order for the rest of the team to refuel properly and whenever he is in holoform she always stuffs him with food (mostly home cooked meals and desserts ).She is studying physics and works a lot like optimus so in order to spend more time together she invites him over her house to do work together(she studies while sitting on her bed and in the winter she turns on her electric blanket to make her work space warm and cozy).Just the two of them sitting under a warm blanket and doing work together,but once they are over discussing a bit or sitting at her balcony.The reader provides a safe space for optimus to express his worries and gives comforting hugs,treats and a massage if a mission was too rough on him.

A quiet ‘klink’ sound breaks Optimus’ thoughts. He opens his optics- no, eyes, to look. Bright blue irises scan the plate in front of him, admiring the treat you’d set on the table.

“Oh, no Y/n, I can’t-”

“I won’t eat it, and I’m not puttin’ it in the fridge.” You gently smile, pushing a fork towards Optimus. He’s afraid if he eats at all, it won’t stay in him for long. The prime takes the fork from the table with a shaky hand, silently hoping that the tremors would magically stop.

“Tell me if you want anything else, love.” You get up to clean the workspace you had used, wiping away whatever mess you had made along with your treat.

With you not watching him anymore, Optimus finds that it’s easier to lift a bite up to his face.

It’s very sweet, nothing like they would have at the base. The taste reminds him of something from home, Cybertron, but he can’t quite remember what.

He comes back to reality, you’re prattling enthusiastically about the recipe and the steps to make the food. Before you can turn around and ask him how it is, Optimus hesitantly asks for another slice. You smile while taking his now empty plate.

Optimus would have to leave Ratchet in charge more often, especially if every visit to you is this relaxing.

[nightghoul381]

Ellis Twilight ~ Main Route Mad Love Epilogue + Letter

Disclaimer for route warnings | Masterlist

Additional Content Warnings: None

This a fan translation so it is definitely not 100% accurate. I do not own anything related to Ikemen Villains. Support Cybird by buying their amazing stories!

A few weeks ago, rumors started spreading that there was a shortage of people at various places due to a cold that was going around.

Medicines were in short supply and prices were soaring. Doctors saw long lines of patients every day.

In such a situation, the number of bad people selling fake medicines and trying to make money by posing as doctors increased—

Jude: “This ain’t gonna go that well, dammit.”

Unscrupulous merchant: “Yes… I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

In a rundown suburban back alley, a man sold flour claiming it was medicine for the common cold—

The mission of punishing such a criminal was completed quickly in the morning.

Ellis: “There was nothing to do.”

Kate: “Yeah, that’s good… Ah Jude, if you step on him any more than that, his shoulder will…”

Jude: “Will it come off?”

Unscrupulous merchant: “Haaah! Please spare me!”

While Jude laughed at his screams, Ellis expertly tied up the man.

(…Huh?)

Looking around—I noticed a shabbily dressed boy peering timidly at us.

(Today’s mission isn’t something that would cause trouble if someone saw it, so I think it’s fine to just leave the kid alone…)

I was curious about what was going on and couldn’t help but go over to him.

Kate: “Is something wrong?”

Boy: “! Um, I need some medicine…”

The boy looked at the bound man.

When Ellis noticed what I was doing, he came over to me.

Ellis: “…Is someone sick?”

Boy: “My sister… but proper medicine is expensive and only available to the rich.”

Boy: “I can’t find it in any stores anymore… but I thought I might be able to buy some here.”

I exchanged looks with Ellis.

(It won’t do this child any favors to hide the truth…)

Kate: “You see…the medicine that was being sold here is fake.”

Boy: “Eh…”

When I told him the truth, the boy’s expression turned to despair.

(I wonder if she has serious symptoms… I want to do something.)

As I was thinking of a way to help, Ellis suddenly called out to the boy from beside me.

Ellis: “I don’t have any medicine, but I might be able to make something nutritious for you.”

Kate: “…!”

Boy: “…I don’t have any money. And my house is dirty. Is that okay?”

Ellis: “Yeah, that’s okay.”

Kate: “…I’ll go too.”

Ellis: “Kate, please go home with Jude. It would be terrible if you caught a cold.”

Kate: “That’s true for you too though, right?”

Ellis: “Yeah… but, if I get sick, I want you to take care of me.”

(…Oh…)

Ellis: “…right.”

--

Kate: “That’s what’s so amazing about Ellis…”

On the way back to the castle with Jude, I suddenly blurted that out.

Jude: “Even if ya help the one person ya see on a whim, it ain’t gonna fundamentally solve anythin’.”

Kate: “But, even if he can’t save everyone, if he can save just one person,”

Kate: “Thanks to Ellis, that person’s day will become a happy one.”

Kate: “I like that side of Ellis… I respect it.”

(Every time I learn more about you, Ellis… I fall more in love with you every second of every day.)

Kate: “I wish I could be that kind of person to Ellis…”

Just as I muttered that—

Postal worker with braids: “Aah! Kate~~…!”

Kate: “What!? What happened!?”

One of my coworkers from my days as a postal worker came running up to me, half in tears.

For some reason, there were three delivery bags hanging from his arm.

Postal worker with braids: “Five out of ten people in charge of deliveries today have fallen ill with the common cold~~!”

Kate: “Wha…!?”

(Oh, this is terrible…!)

Kate: “Jude, is it okay for me to go into town on my own now?”

Jude: “Ah? It’s been a month, so it’s fine.”

Kate: “Well then, please let the others at the Castle know!”

Kate: “Give me a bag… If we split up we’ll have this done in no time, it’ll be fine!”

Postal worker with braids: “Ahhh~~”

After checking the delivery addresses, I grabbed a delivery bag for the first time in a long while and ran off.

Jude: “…Heh.”

Jude: “Suits ya perfectly.”

--

Roger: “So, in the end, both of you caught the cold?”

Kate: “I’m sorry…”

Ellis: “Sorry, Roger.”

The next morning, we quickly came down with fevers and rushed to Roger’s lab.

(For symptoms to appear in just one day… this is a terrible cold…)

Roger: “Really… here you go, it’s easy. Drink this and rest up.”

Kate: “…medicine?”

Looking at the medicine that was tossed toward me, I stopped thinking for a moment and instinctively approached Roger.

Kate: “Where did you get this!? Its rare even if you search the whole town and everyone needs it…!”

Roger: “Jude had stocked up on a lot of substitute drugs.”

Roger: “It finally arrived yesterday, so it’s probably being sold all over London by now.”

Ellis | Kate: “!”

Roger: “Apparently, it’s being distributed at low prices to stamp out shoddy goods and fraudulent business practices.”

Roger: “The price of the original medicine will also go down.”

Roger: “I don’t know how he got it at such a low price, but the quality is guaranteed.”

Roger: “After all, I inspected it.”

Kate: “I see…!”

I’m amazed by Jude once again by his ability to solve the problem.

(It’s only natural that Ellis has been his assistant for so long.)

Ellis: “I wonder if it will get to that boy’s sister too?”

Kate: “Once you get over your cold, we’ll go and see how she’s doing.”

Roger: “Hey, you two, stop getting worked up, just be good kids and go to bed.”

--

At Roger’s urging, we quietly lay down on Ellis’ bed.

(The medicine has calmed my fatigue a bit, but my body still feels hot.)

Ellis, lying beside me, also had slightly watery eyes likely due to the fever.

Kate: “I promised to take care of you… I’m sorry.”

Ellis: “… It’s because you worked hard helping to deliver the mail, right?”

Kate: “! How do you know that?”

Ellis: “I heard from Jude.”

Ellis: “I thought you must have been helping with deliveries late into the night, running here and there through crowds.”

As if he’d seen me, Ellis narrowed his eyes as if waiting for me to tell him he had the right answer.

Ellis: “I like how hard working you are, Kate.”

Kate: “…But I just keep spinning my wheels, falling, and getting injured.”

Ellis: “I like that about you too.”

Ellis: “Before you think about whether you can do it or not, you think about how you have get it done.”

Ellis: “When you feel like you have to do it, you’re already starting to move.”

Kate: “…even if you’re trying to encourage me, you’re praising me too much…”

My face was getting hotter, and not due to the fever from the cold.

When I tried to turn my face away, I was stopped by a hand gently cupping my cheek.

Ellis: “I’m not encouraging you… I’m confessing… Listen carefully.”

Ellis: “Every day, every second, I fall more in love with you.”

(…Ah.)

(Every time I learn more about you, Ellis… I fall more in love with you every second of every day.)

Kate: “I wish I could be that kind of person to you, Ellis…”

Yesterday, I felt like I had received an answer to the silly wish I’d muttered to myself.

Kate: “Ellis… How come you always seem to know the words I want to say?”

Ellis: “Fufu… Is that right?”

Kate: “That’s right…”

(Ellis… I bet you cooked delicious meals for that boy and his sister, and cleaned the house too.)

Even though we weren’t together at the time, I could easily picture my beloved Ellis.

I loved how Ellis was able to tell what I was doing and what I wanted to say.

It was because he loves me. When I thought that, my heart was overcome with emotion.

Kate: “…I fall more in love with you every day, so much that I think I might suffocate.”

Ellis: “Do you love me?”

Kate: “Yes…”

Ellis: “Then you can’t… Don’t die until I kill you.”

Our lips touched gently.

Our tongues, hotter and softer than usual because of the fever, entangled and our languid bodies pressed together.

Ellis: “What should I do when I get over my cold?”

Kate: “… I want to push you in a wheelchair…”

Ellis: “Huh? Ahh…ahaha, you still remember.”

Kate: “Nope… I just now remembered.”

Feeling dizzy from the fever and sleepiness, we pressed our foreheads together,

Just doing that seemed to ease the pain.

Kate: “With some smart maneuvering, I’ll make you like me even more, Ellis…”

Ellis: “Mmm… I’m looking forward to it.”

--Then, a few days later.

Kate: “Wah… sorry, there was a bump.”

Ellis: “Nah, it’s okay.”

(Ugh… I can’t turn the corner…!)

I was feeling much better now, and as promised, I pushed Ellis around in the wheelchair.

Smart maneuvering—although, what I’m doing is far from it.

Kate: “Hey, are there any tips or anything…?”

Ellis: “Hmm… I guess it’s like you loosen it up when you want to go fast, but tighten it up when you want to turn?”

(Gh…? What…?)

Kate: “This might be harder than driving it myself…”

(Ellis, you were really considerate.)

Maybe he’d practiced a lot before giving his brother a ride.

He said that he had failed many times to make a wheelchair before finally succeeding.

(You’re really amazing Ellis…)

As my respect and affection for him overflowed again, I heard Ellis let out a small laugh.

Kate: “What is it?”

Ellis: “I’m sorry… I’m just happy that you’re working so hard for me, Kate.”

Kate: “…!”

Even with my terrible navigating skills, he smiled happily.

Every time Ellis laughed, my love for him grew even more…

(I might actually suffocate soon.)

Kate: “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

Ellis: “Show me your happy face more clearly.”

I peered over at Ellis from behind the chair.

Kate: “…Like this?”

Ellis: “More.”

Kate: “More…?”

He pulled my face closer and I understood.

Kate: “…You weren’t trying to see my face were you?”

Ellis: “Was I found out?”

Ellis: “Kate, I want to kiss you.”

Kate: “…mmmnn”

Looking at him upside down, our lips met.

The feeling was strange and different from usual, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Another swell of happiness rose up and fell softly over my heart.

[hanihomed]

Hello, my name is Hani Hamid and I am from Gaza. I am writing to you with a heavy heart. I now live in the northern part of Gaza. I was shot in the knee and it caused a catastrophic condition for my leg. I am unable to walk at all. I need urgent and urgent treatment. I have three children, Abdullah, 12 years old, Salma, 10 years old, and Saleh, 7 years old, and my wife Nour, 33 years old. Unfortunately, our house was bombed and destroyed during the initial events, which caused severe psychological and physical damage to me and my family due to the catastrophic situation we are currently living in. My family and I are suffering from a severe shortage of food, supplies and medical supplies, in addition to the high prices that make it difficult to meet our basic needs. We cannot even obtain clean drinking water. The loss of our homeland has exacerbated our suffering, and our daily lives have become a constant struggle for survival. The Urgent Need to Leave Gaza Given the current deteriorating situation, it is imperative for me and my family to leave Gaza as soon as possible once the Rafah border crossing with Egypt opens. I hope it will open soon, and we need to raise the necessary funds quickly to ensure our safe passage. The cost of exiting Gaza through the Rafah crossing is approximately $5,000 per person. Family details and financial requirements Our family consists of 5 members. The total amount needed for safe passage is calculated as follows: - *5 people x $5,000 = $25,000* - And the cost of the operation for my feet needs $10,000 In addition to the travel costs, we need funds to secure temporary housing and basic necessities once we leave Gaza. Therefore, we aim to raise a total of *$70,000* to cover these immediate and urgent needs.