#“Smart Water Coolers For office”

[goldenroutledge]

next to you

pairing ⤜ rafe cameron x reader

word count ⤜ 1.1k

summary ⤜ mornings with your husband, rafe.

warning(s) ⤜ this work contains a MAJOR season three spoiler! but other than that just fluff? might be on the hurt/comfort side just a smidge

a/n ⤜ he looks so BOYFRIEND in this outfit! i’ve been having so much writer’s block i haven’t written in a year at least, but my babygirl mila @msgorillagripcoochie inspired me with this idea <3 this isn’t canon rafe btw literally none of my work is canon compliant

rafe cameron masterlist

© goldenroutledge || do not plagiarize, repost, or translate my work in any way

Steam fogged the mirrors of the en-suite bathroom, slowly dissipating with the cooler air being let in from the bedroom. White towel hanging around his hips, Rafe sat at the edge of the bed you shared, staring down the vast space of the walk-in closet.

Fidgeting with the ring on his finger, nerves coursed through his body, and it was in times like these that he remembered the days of drinking scotch before 11am. But that was a thing of the past, he reminded himself just as quickly as the thought popped into his mind.

Today he was meeting with an old teacher from his alma mater, who grew to be one of his favorites. Probably his only favorite.

Rafe was never a scholar or anything, something Ward didn’t allow him to forget. He just learned differently, from someone like Sarah who could barely show up to school three times a week and still pass every exam.

It wasn’t until Rafe found himself with a 67% in his social studies class and less than a month left in the semester to turn his grade around that he was forced to attend office hours.

The first day was embarrassing. He felt like an idiot in the first place, seeing as his horrible grades pretty much spoke for themselves. But even more so now that he had to stay longer at school because he was an idiot.

Rafe stayed silent for the most part. Letting the professor do most of the talking, letting him know which assignments and topics he needed to perform well on to end the class with a passing grade.

It wasn’t until that Friday, his professor knocked some sense into him.

« “You know you’ll never learn anything if you don’t ask questions, right?”

Rafe rolled his eyes, tired of sitting prisoner in the chair of his teacher’s office. “What do you want me to ask?”

“Anything.”

“I don’t have questions.” He lied unconvincingly.

“Every time I teach you, Rafe, I can see the gears turning in your head. You’re a smart kid. But I can’t help you excel if you don’t engage. I get it, alright. I felt stupid asking a bunch of questions in front of everyone in school too but I need you to be receptive. Help me help you, Mr. Cameron.”

“I don’t know where to start.”

“Okay. We can start with assigning you a peer tutor.”

Rafe wanted to laugh. Or cry, he wasn’t sure. The whole thing was just ridiculous to him at this point.

“She’ll be someone you can talk with about the material, ask questions to, someone you can trust to help you get back on track. Are you familiar with Y/n Y/ln?” »

Little did he know, Mr. Murphy would be getting the boot by the school board. Something about budget cuts, as if the kook parents of the island didn’t give enough donations to the school to keep the water fountains at a perfectly cold temperature.

Not because their books were falling apart or because their desks were chipping. Because people are selfish, and the new headmistress of the academy felt like the money could be better spent remodeling her office. It was laughable, really.

Today, that professor was back on the island, and reached out to Rafe to meet with him following the news of Ward’s death. Not that he mentioned that specifically in his email, though it was mostly implied that he’d wanted to check up on Rafe after everything.

And with all the questions he’d probably be asked today during this lunch with his old mentor, all he could ponder over was what he was going to wear. Perhaps it was a method of procrastination, to get his mind off of everything else.

Rafe sighed. “Y/n?”

At hearing his voice echoing through the house, you slid your bookmark in between the pages and followed his voice upstairs into your shared bedroom.

“You called?”

“I need your help.”

Your eyebrows raised involuntarily at the sight before you; no matter how many times you’d seen Rafe almost naked (and actually naked), he never failed to make your heart skip a beat.

“Help getting dressed?”

He nods, confirming that you’re always good at reading his mind. “Dress me, please?”

You chuckled, pulling some articles of clothing from the hangers and drawers. It was just lunch, so it wasn’t like he needed anything too business-y. His striped blue and orange shirt had always been one of your favorites, though he seemed to look good in almost anything.

You threw a pair of boxers over to him, keeping your back turned as you still rummaged through the closet. No matter how irresistible he was, there wasn’t any time for funny business this morning.

“There’s no need to be nervous, y’know. Mr. Murphy has always liked you.”

How do you always know what he’s thinking, damnit. “Yeah. I guess.”

He pulled the striped shirt over his head while you found pants for him to wear.

“Just don’t want him to think I’m still the same loser I was back then.”

“You’ve never been a loser, Rafe.”

“Maybe not in your eyes.” His lips stretched into a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He put on the pants you picked for him, sitting back down to look up at you.

“Definitely not in my eyes.”

His hands wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer so his head rested on your stomach. The tips of your fingernails lightly scratched the back of his neck as you embraced.

“Do you remember the science fair? Freshman year?”

Rafe hummed in response. “Ward thought it was stupid. I asked him to come and he didn’t. Said he would be too embarrassed when I lost.”

“And then what happened? You won the whole damn thing.”

“I won the whole damn thing.” He smiled against your skin, repeating your words softly.

“You’ve never been a loser.”

Kneeling down, you placed your hands on his thighs, and gave him a sweet kiss.

“You’ve already accomplished so much.” You affirmed, reminding him of the businesses he had taken over since Ward died. Still, Rafe was unsure if he could rise to the occasion.

You took the ends of his jeans and cuffed them, knowing he’s terrible at doing it himself. They always come out uneven. And conveniently enough, he likes spending these quiet moments together. Neither of you would trade them for anything.

“I married you.” He cooed, taking your left hand in his and letting his thumb glide across the ring on your finger. “Best decision I’ve ever made.”

“That it was.” You cheesed, letting him pull you up to straddle him. “Next time you think you’re not accomplished, Rafey…” You peppered soft kisses to his jawline. “Remember that you’ve got me.”

taglist: @ilovejjmaybank @missevi @nxsmss @cameronsrafe @msgorillagripcoochie @bibliophilewednesday @tovvaa @rudybarnes @annab-nana @babeyglo @reawritesthings @moniamaybank @outerbankspreferences @laneylaneylaney @jjpouggues @pogueslandia @mildkleptomaniac @whcclxr @mrs-cameron @it-was-never-meant-to-be-boys @alanniys @amourology @luversgirl + rafe cameron taglist: @bradleybeachbabe @chrisevansfuturewife @drewstarkeysbitchh @littlementalpolaroids @destourtereaux @kookkyra @iammirrorball

it’s been a while since i’ve posted writing so if anyone wants to be removed from/added to the taglist please don’t hesitate to let me know! 💌

[sisisimss]

Office Bae • Racquel

Employee at @kashisun’s office!

• is looking for a work husband

• pretends not to know how to do certain things so other people do it for her, is actually smart as shit

• Noone is sure what she does but she’s cool so nobody questions it

• There’s a rumor that she may or may not have been seeing an older guy that was formerly a higher-up

• majored in business-admin and is pursuing her masters not because she cares but because her parents will keep paying for her apartment as long as she’s in school

• does not care about your “dress code” ….whatever that is

• Occasionally 15 minutes late because she had to stop to get a Strawberries and Creme Frappucino. She knows there’s no caffeine in it but she likes to pretend there is bc business ppl always drink coffee

• often sneaks off to one of her homegirl’s office space to discuss the tea she overheard by the water coolers

• will take every opportunity to take a selfie

This was saur fun!!

[a-d-nox]

lenormand cards: key phrases and an example of a card combo (part 2)

this is just a beginners guide to the lenormand. these are key phrases that come to mind when i think of the cards - NOT how they should be directly applied. they needs to be thought about situationally - the card / when it is in specific combos can change or alter its meaning in a reading.

child: innocence, nativity, spontaneity, seeing only the good in people, carefree attitude, an actually child, smallness, newness, beginnings, playing, immaturity, etc.

child + heart = young love, blind devotion, puberty, just happy to be around others, small joys in life, parallel play, nostalgia, an olive branch, etc.

fox: plotting, protection, security, stealth, deviousness, treachery, manipulation, deception, trickery, loyalty, work, routine, obligation, responsibility, duty, cons, etc.

fox + child = white lies, feigning ignorance/innocence, impulsive actions based on opportunity, pretending to be better than you are, avoiding responsibilities, etc.

bear: defensive, fierceness, resourcefulness, power, strength, courage, protection, maturity/matriarchy, stability, security, management, finances, investments, income, possessions, diet, food, etc.

bear + fox = protective yourself, a fierce loyalty, seven of swords energy, white collar crime, savings account, etc.

stars: peacefulness, tranquility, guidance, direction, happiness, hope, encouragement, perseverance, confidence, etc.

stars + bear = protecting your peace, the power of ones mindset, seeing a way out of the red / debt, etc.

stork: esteem, admiration, respect, babies, fertility, fruitfulness, productivity, birth, renewal, change, movement, new job, new home, new person in your life, extra money, improvements, pregnancy, adoption, new activity, new projects, progress, advancement, renovations, evolution, etc.

stork + stars = good self-esteem, becoming pregnant soon, encouragement from the universe to get a new job, don't lose hope in a project/task, etc.

dog: best friend, companionship, protection, loyalty, fidelity, guidance, sincerity, partnership, acquaintanceship, therapist, boyfriend/girlfriend, an affair, advisor, doctor, reliability, etc.

dog + stork = your best friend is pregnant, meeting a new friend, renewal of vows, a reliable new source of income, real estate agent, taking things to the next level in a relationship, etc.

tower: shelter, protection, confinement, imprisonment, government, corporation, judicial system, military, guarding, ego, ambition, isolation, guidance, schools, law, hospitals, high self-esteem, condos, movie theaters, office building, mall, airports, chain businesses, legal matters, bureaucracy, etc.

tower + dog = a sheltered friend, a friend you protect, roommate, an egotistical friend, water cooler encounters at the workplace, needing to visit the doctor for testing, etc.

garden: courting, public gatherings, harmony, beauty, relaxation, birthday parties, concert, play, movies, restaurants, public/private occasions, reunions, conferences, seminars, meetings, crowds, audiences, celebrations, abundance, etc.

garden + tower = little to no dating experience, solitude, hotel stay, movie theater, cafeteria, airport reunions, a convention, etc. 

mountain: immobility, resistance, standing still, endurance, blockage, obstacles, what must be overcame, challenges, delays, interruptions, burdens, postponement, procrastination, remoteness, faraway retreats, etc.

mountain + garden = stage fright, an enduring relationship, social anxiety, social burden, secrets, a rain date for an event, etc.

crossroads: options, choices, free will, multiple directions, doubts, hesitation, double lives, cheating, etc.

crossroads + mountain = analysis paralysis, the many ways to overcome an obstacle, challenges within a relationship ("where do we go from here"), etc.

mice: sickness, fast, smart, group work, damage, reproduction, stress, worry, restlessness, agitation, palpitations, anxiety, nervousness, apprehension, tension, fatigue, lost items, small problems, tediousness, repetitiveness, excitement, eagerness, agitation, etc.

mice + crossroads = options of treatment, anxiety, paranoia, worrying about doing the wrong thing or picking the wrong choice, decision fatigue, etc.

heart: love, passion, devotion, affection, emotions, connections with others, appreciation of others, happiness, joy, contentment, satisfaction, fulfillment, gratification, peace, harmony, delight, pleasure, enjoyment, kindness, charity, generosity, hospitality, feelings, desires, fondness, intentions, fidelity, etc.

heart + mice = heart break, a wave of emotions, instant gratification, manifesting, etc.

like what you read? leave a tip and state what post it is for! please use my "suggest a post topic" button if you want to see a specific pac/pile next. if you'd like my input on how i read a specific card or what i like to ask my deck, lenormand combos centered on specific card, etc. feel free to use the ask button for that as well.

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© a-d-nox 2024 all rights reserved

[darkmajesty-xo]

dating deku ᥫ᭡. part 1

18+ mdni | pro hero au , fluff, free form, new relationship

midoriya is gorgeous, and that’s a fact.

there’s never been a shortage of interested women, and men for that matter.

he’s had a few high school relationships, and the occasional drunken fling but he’s never spent much time on the dating scene.

now at the tender age of 27 and sitting comfortably in the top 5, he’s decided to place more importance on his social life.

his mom had been pestering him about grandchildren and insisting that he meets her new neighbor. he’s never been one for blind dates but for the sake of his mother he obliges and agrees to come over for a late lunch one afternoon.

what midoriya didn’t expect was someone like you. you were beautiful. inside and out. smart. funny. kind. maybe a little sassy but who doesn’t like a little sass every now and then ?

the two of you exchanged numbers and spent the next few weeks texting each good morning/night , sending memes and you falling asleep on FaceTime while he got ready for his late night shifts.

izuku was actually leaving his agency when you replied to his goodmorning text with “☹️”. he was quick to call you.

“hello”

“everything okay, sweetheart?”

“my car is messing up again, it won’t start”.

“that’s the second time this week, dove”.

“i know, i know. m’gonna be late again and my boss is gonna ye—

“i’m on my way”

“Izuku— you literally just got off and your agency is on the other side of town”.

“doesn’t matter”.

“izu, I’ll be fine—

“see you soon”.

did he use OFA to get to you in less than five minutes? yes. was he ashamed? no.

he ordered an Uber and was sure to walk you in the office himself, even going so far as to explaining the situation to your boss and claiming that it was his fault.

“i hope i didn’t get her into too much trouble?” he drawled, a lazy smile gracing his tired features with his arm around your shoulders. of course your boss fawned over him and said that it was no problem. who could be upset with the symbol of hope ?

he bid you farewell but promised that he’d pick you up at the end of your shift. you insisted that you’d just call an uber but like clockwork izuku arrived at your office on the hour. looking gorgeous in his simple sweats and all might shirt while he chatting at the water cooler with “adoring fans”.

they definitely glared daggers when you finished your work and the greenette walked you out of the building hand in hand towards his sleek black car.

being the gentleman that he is, deku even offered to walk you to your door.

“thank you for today, izu. you really saved me”, you smiled softly, standing on your tip toes to kiss his cheek. he blushed a soft pink but caught your chin to being your lips to his. a sweet chaste kiss. followed by a peck on your nose.

“that’s what heroes are for, dove”.

[ficclings]

Lost - Chapter 3

Previous Chapter  // Next Chapter

Taglist: if you would like to be tagged or I forgot to tag you, let me know! @laymegentlytorest @im-sinking-in-mud 

When she thought back to her human family and all the lessons, they had taught her; one of them being “Do not talk to strangers,” she had followed this all the way into adulthood.

She was pretty sure she could break this rule when it came to the man that had saved her life; she was certain her adoptive mother would be eagerly nudging her to talk with that cute smile.

“Can you stand?” the man arched his eyebrow as his sharp features almost glared at her and she quickly nodded half expecting him to at least offer her a hand to get to her feet.

“Good, get up and follow,” his entire demeanour reminded her of a strict teacher and she bit her lip to stop herself from yelling at him.

She was shaken up, terrified and exhausted from running from a horde.

Where was the compassion?

Instead, she struggled herself up from the floor and followed her saviour to the room he had appeared from, an empty office room where the door on the other side of the room had been barricaded with half of the desks and chairs in the room and the other half was ready and waiting by the door he’d come through.

Clearly, he had thrown things to the side to save her and this made her feel a little more relaxed around him, knowing that he had to compromise his own safety room to save a stranger.

“You got a name, Spots?” his voice made her jump and she quickly went to help him re-barricade the room.

She eyed him cautiously and had to once again, bite her lip to prevent an insult as she noticed him rolling his eyes.

“Well, I’m Lee Know and I just saved your arse,” he pointed out as he reached into a bag on the floor and she was immediately on edge once again; her fingers tightening around the baton.

“Here,” he murmured and she flailed her hands in the air as she tried to catch whatever he’d thrown at her.

A bag of crisps.

“Thanks,” she replied quietly and Lee Know let out a laugh at how comically fast she ripped into the food, a bright red blush appearing on the hybrids face once she realised.

“How...how have you been surviving in here?” she asked with a mouthful of crisps, crumbs all over her cheeks.

“Not that difficult when this place had water coolers and vending machines on every floor,” he pointed out sitting on the floor and groaning as he stretched his legs out in front of him, “plus it’s easy to hide in here because of the amount of rooms,” he closed his eyes, “though it would be a lot safer without people jumping through windows and bringing a horde with them,”

She paused in her eating and frowned at the smug grin on the man’s face.

“I was trying to lead them away from my friend,” she explained with a blunt tone that stopped whatever atmosphere had built and Lee Know looked at her with question.

“We split up for just a few seconds,” she added looking away from him, “he went to the pharmacy and I went to check out what direction to go; I was only around the corner and they were just there and I knew that when they had seen me that I would only bring them back to my friend so I had to abandon him!” she rubbed at her eyes as she felt them sting with tears, “I’m scared to go back and find him as one of them, despite my trying to save him,” she whispered and Lee Know broke his silence with a loud sigh.

“Listen,” he started rubbing the back of his neck, “I’ll help you get back to wherever you came from...y’know, as long as it’s close by” he offered and then dug around in his bag again, finding a pack of tissue and chucking them over to her.

“We need to wait for daytime though,” he pressed a button on his watch to make the face light up and held his wrist up so she could read it, “darkness only adds to the fuckery that’s already out there during the day,”  

She nodded despite wanting to leave.

Be smart for a bit she hugged her knees as she sat on the floor.

“I’m just going to call you Spots, by the way,” he added with a snarky chuckle, “name or no name, that’s what I’m going to call you,”  

It surprised her when a small laugh left her lips but she nodded at him.

“Fair dos,”  

Though silence fell over the newly acquainted duo, she couldn’t help but feel ever so slightly bad that she just couldn’t shake the anxiety rippling through her at Lee Knows almost absent response to taking out quite a large group of zombies.

His shirt was starting to dry now but it was still covered in other people’s blood and his shoes still held small chunks of flesh in the grip ridges of the underside of his shoes.  

The less said about the state of the baseball bat, the better.

She could only come to the conclusion that he had been in this building since the outbreak and was used to dealing with zombies; even more than herself as she was still living in her home with Felix.

“How’d you manage to get a baton, thought they were illegal for civilians to own?” Lee Knows ridiculously attractive face morphed into an expression that made him look considerably younger, which was saying something as he was clearly already a young man.

“There was an officer that had turned,” she flicked her wrist to make the baton stretch out, “he wasn’t going to use it and I kind of...needed it to get away from him,” she mumbled flinching a bit at the memory.

“What about you?” she asked pulling at her tail, “don’t normally find office workers carrying baseball bats,” she smiled shyly when he chuckled at her comment.

“Believe it or not, this place has a sports center down below all of this crap,” he explained, “there’s a batting cage and so,” he waved his own weapon, “baseball bat; just added the wire from one of the fences around the building,” he paused in his short story as he watched her slightly spotty dalmatian ears wiggle whenever she moved.

“Um,” he puffed out a small smirk, trying to ignore the Hybrid features of the woman before him; it was hard though, to not touch something that looked soft and fluffy, “I can add some wire to your baton if you’d like?”  

She looked at him with interest and then considered her weapon, looking rather naked compared to his decked-out bat.

“You would do that?” she tilted her head once again.

“Of course,” Lee Know almost looked downright offended by her assumption, “I don’t want any more zombie, least of all hybrid zombies,” he waved his hands in the air when she started to frown at his comments.

“What I mean,” he rolled his eyes, “is that the hybrid zombies are so much faster than regular human zombies, they have that primal instinct as well so when their humanity is gone, they all turn back to how their animals would be in the wild,” he grimaced and she couldn’t help but wonder if he had witnessed such a scene.

“I’ve only seen a couple of hybrid zombies,” she noted thinking back to right at the beginning when she spotted a small group of hybrid zombies chasing down a crowd of people, their eyes wild and their jaws snapping.

“Well, you guys are fast!” Lee Know laughed quietly, “no zombie can really keep up with you lot unless they have you cornered somewhere,” he sighed loudly as he reached out and gave in to the temptation, his fingers gently stroking her ears making her nearly jump out of her skin.

“Sorry,” he flinched his hand backwards with a playful grin as he saw the blush appearing on her face once more, “your ears are really cute,” he was so straightforward that it genuinely made her pause to try and figure out how to respond to a person like Lee Know.

“People seem to enjoy my ears,” she pulled at her tail again, shyly, “my friend always strokes them when we’re watching films or playing games,”  

Lee Know noticed how she beamed upon mentioning her friend and he found himself smiling with her.

“I think it’s an anxiety thing for him,” she pondered as he gaze fell to the dirty floor they were both resting on, “so...if it helps, you can do that...too,” she pulled at the fabric of the carpet and then at her tail before finally finishing my covering both of her hands with her sleeves to try and stop that habit.  

“I’m actually looking for another couple of hybrids,” Lee Know pointed out and his chocolate brown eyes flickered to meet hers, “well, a friend group with a couple of hybrids in it,” he sighed and then leaned back on a few boxes that looked less than comfortable; eyes now shut.

“Are they family?” she questioned carefully.

“Might as well be,” he replied with a soft smile, “they’re a pain but as the cheesy movies would say, they are my pain,”  

She found herself laughing once again at the drenching of sarcasm coming from the man, his attitude and humour quite different from Felix’s.

“If I manage to get back to my friend, I’m sure we could help you find them,” she suggested before yawning loudly and without covering her mouth, allowing Lee Know to see her fangs, “he’s always wanting to help people,” she added with a sleepy smile and brought her bag onto the floor so she could eventually use it as a pillow.

Lee Know didn’t reply.

She assumed he had fallen asleep, a small blessing as she all but crashed after her offer.

[witchspeka]

Ok now lemme talk about Ritsu and Reigen comparisons again because I just know that if, as an adult, Ritsu doesn't get enough Enrichment he'll do some impulsive shit like Reigen did

Cause like, Ritsu does impulsive shit because he has a fickle sense of identity while also trying to maintain a certain image

He wants to seem like a perfect student and obedient and a goody two shoes but that's not really who he is

Stuff like studying is easy to him but exactly because of that it isn't fulfilling, it isn't challenging, he doesnt think it's anything special to be booksmart

He said it himself, he wants to live life to the fullest! To work hard! To struggle! So ultimately he can feel accomplished. And letting other peoples perception of who he should be dictate his choices isn't getting him anywhere closer to that goal

Reigen is similar because like, we're all aware he has practical skills. He's a smooth talker and a good masseur, has excellent abilities when it comes to reading people, manipulating situations, even fucking Photoshop like this man could probably do well at a normal office job. He's smart, he can adapt quickly

But he doesn't want to do that. Sure, selling water coolers probably made him more money, but he wasn't satisfied

Reigen didn't want money, he wanted to feel needed, to feel special, to be able to leave a mark

He wanted to have a purpose. And a normal desk job where he's another nobody wasn't going to help with that

So he does something impulsive in hopes of feeling accomplished and being happier with the direction his life is taking

Look me in the eye. Look me in the eye and tell me Ritsu wouldn't want to bash his head against the wall if he worked a mundane office job

I'd also say Reigen would have abused his powers if he developed any as a youth, but tbh he probably had a stronger moral compass than Ritsu wjdnwjskwz he'd still take advantage of them tho, just wouldn't beat up people, maybe, probably--

[scavengerssuccotash]

What are some of your early SHIELD days headcanons?

Ohhhh! I looooove early SHIELD days headcanons, so thank you for asking!!

Natasha’s defection was definitely the talk of the town! She caused a huge ruckus when she did, from whispered chatter around the water coolers to speculations on the training field her name was inside everyone’s mouth. She reveled in it though. One doesn’t carry the moniker of Black Widow (a whispered legend in its own right in the intelligence field) without a bit of pride. Natasha was smart too, she used the reputation that came from Black Widow to keep most everyone at bay and at a distance. Once she was cleared of the possibility of being a dangle and allowed to roam relatively free she stalked the corridors of SHIELD with an air of awe, shock and fear. Some Agents avoided her completely, the smart ones coward but the dumb ones…the really dumb ones jeered.

That’s when Clint stepped in. His name was also inside everyone’s mouth, alongside Natasha’s on the account of the whole bringing her in thing. For a good four months everyone really thought he was dead because he wasn’t on base and no one knew where he was. So when he landed himself in medical after a fistfight with a fellow agent his first day back it really shocked everyone. Needless to say the speculation of just how Clint got Nat to defect has been a long standing guessing game. Sometimes even Clint and Nat join in, feeding the erroneous rumors by letting something “slip” about that day because they think it’s funny. Only Nat, Clint and Phil know the truth. Fury knows the basics but that is it.

SHIELDs cafeteria is a fucking shit show, some days the food tastes like an outhouse shitter and other days it’s a five star meal. No one really gets why. So, most just avoid it. There’s a running email exchange between Phil, Clint, Nat and the head of nutrition stretching back years. (Seriously, google the CIA and their Cafeteria food, some very hilarious email exchanges got released a while back!)

A fandom favorite of course is that everyone at SHIElD definitely thinks they are fucking, have fucked or that it’s just a matter of time before they do. And I do think that was the case, but after Phil chewed out an Agent in the middle of a crowded lunch room (Italian was catered) no one has been dumb enough to get caught saying it. If it’s out fear of Phil or Nat or a very elaborate blackmail ring run by Clint no one knows and they sure as hell aren’t gonna speculate while on campus.

(There is a bar in the middle of queens though where a janitor will tell you about the time he walked in on Clint and Nat having a quickie in Fury’s office. For a price of course!)

Just some thoughts I have PLENTY more but figured this was getting a bit long 😅

[bellatrixobsessed1]

I'm Not Your Project

Big thanks to @jet-apologistmybadhomies for introducing me to this rarepair!

Summary: Star has been watching this nerd try to navigate high school for a while. Growing tired of the secondhand embarrassment, she decides to try to show Azula how to be one of the cool kids.

Notes: Could be the start of a longer fic, whenever I get back into those.

Honestly, she is pretty pathetic if Star did say so—something of a trainwreck that she would very much love to look away from but can’t. It’s almost fascinating to watch Azula navigate any given classroom. More so to watch her try to function in the hallways or the cafeteria. 

The best part is that she thinks that she does it well. 

She doesn’t understand why people don’t want to sit with her at lunch, let alone why people find her insufferable to be around. 

At one point Star had been damn near convinced that the girl didn’t even realize that people were laughing at her. She certainly hadn’t shown it. 

At least she hadn’t shown it for the longest time. 

Star supposes that she should have guessed that Azula was well aware that people made fun of her. That they like to talk about her behind her back—particularly TyLee’s friends on the cheer squad. She’s a clever girl, of course she is smart enough to know when people are taking jabs at her. 

She was bound to break and some sick part of Star was looking forward to seeing it happen. In spite of the insults and rumors being thrown her way, she has always been aggravatingly arrogant. She has this air about her, this superiority complex that is most certainly rooted in her family’s riches. The riches that buy her the fancy, name brand clothes that she dresses herself in; those pretty plaid skirts and those silk button down blouses. Sometimes Star wonders if she thinks that she is going to be attending a business meeting in some office rather than a mundane and pointless lecture in a high school classroom. 

Any other student would take an instant win in the popularity department wearing makeup the way she does on a face that is already pretty. Any other student would climb the social ladder with a father to buy them the newest gadgets. The ones that Azula definitely has but doesn’t dare bring into the classroom because she actually likes learning. Equally, she enjoys tattling on Star when she notices her texting under the desk.

She reprimands people for snacking in class and points out when teachers forget to collect homework or give pop quizzes. She, with her nose stuck up and chin held high and haughty, tells people to keep quiet and get to studying when the teacher leaves the classroom for a minute. 

All in all she is unbearable and it is quite funny to watch people let her know that, even if she is unphased.

Was unphased. 

 It is Chan, Ruon, and a few of Star’s fellow cheerleaders. They have been lingering for some time, waiting for Azula to get to her locker and Star has been watching from the water fountain that she is longer invested in. 

Azula reaches her locker and Chan moves in first. As soon as she opens it, he slams it shut on her. “You don’t need your books. You raise your hand so much that the teachers just ignore your annoying ass.” 

She inhales through her nose with a look of exasperation. A look that causes the gaggle of cheerleaders to take a step back. Even Ruon flinches. And it occurs to Star that this is one of, if not, the very first time that anyone has ever brought the insults directly to Azula’s face. 

“Actually it takes a few points off of the participation percentage of the grading rubric for every time a book is forgotten.” 

Star’s face flushes on her behalf.

“And what then? Your daddy will beat the fuck out of you like he does your loser brother? Did he drop out yet?” Chan pauses. “He’s cooler than you though; he cuts class to have a smoke in the boy’s room.” 

Azula sniffs. “He’s throwing his life away. I will have to speak to him about that before he ends up like you—brainless, useless, too stupid to function. Perhaps if you brought your books to class you wouldn’t have less brain cells than the ounces of protein that you put in one of your workout shakes.” She taps her pointer upon her chin. “Honestly, at this point, your mind is so starved that you might be able to acquire more brain cells from just  touching a book.”  

Chan’s lip twitches. “By the way, your new glasses suit you. They make you look like professor Hama!” 

“You look prettier without them.” Ruon declares.

“Which is bad news for you because you aren’t pretty without them.” 

“That’s not what you said when you asked me for a date.”

“In junior high school.” Can shrugs. “Some people get more attractive when they hit puberty…”

Ruon jabs at himself and gestures to the cheerleaders. 

“Some people get less attractive. Some people still have fat, baby cheeks.”  

The cheerleaders snicker. 

Azula shoves him aside and opens her locker, slapping his arm away when he goes to shut it again. “Some people don’t need to use steroids to win wrestling matches. And Sokka still beats you every time.” 

“Fuck off!” He gives the locker a solid kick. 

“Steroids do give people tempers.” 

Even from a distance, Star can see the vein bulging in his head as Ruon pulls him back with a, “we should probably head to practice if we don’t want to hear coach Zhao get on one of his rants.” 

And that is that. 

Star had seen the show and she was ready to begin her walk home. It had been a pretty good one today, lots of witty zingers from both sides. She’ll have something to gossip with her friends about over lunch. 

But Azula doesn’t leave. She stares into her locker for the longest time, until the hallway is clear except for the two of them. Star backs into the water fountain alcove and watches Azula shut her locker, drop her backpack, and slide to the floor, knees drawn up to her chest. 

Star isn’t sure which of the comments had coaxed her to finally cry. If she had to guess it was either that final comment about her baby face or the one about her father. Maybe the whole thing had done her in—a steady build up of tears just waiting to come forward after Chan and his posse left. 

Star groans to herself. 

She finds her legs carrying her over to Azula before she can stop them. She can’t say why they had started moving to begin with. By the time that she decides that she would very much rather stick to talking behind the girl’s back like everyone else, she is already standing in front of Azula who offers a very silent curse. 

“What do you want? Let me guess, you think that you’re clever and that you can outdo Chan?” She roughly swats the tears from her face. “At least he has it in him to say things to my face. What do you do? I know what you say about me…” She drops into a mumble.  

Star sees hatred in her eyes. A roaring fire. She almost turns around with a gruff, ‘nevermind’. Instead she lifts her hands. “I was actually going to ask you if you were okay.”

“Why would you do that?”

Star shrugs. “I’m tired of the secondhand embarrassment that I get every time you talk.” 

“That can easily be solved by minding your own business. Do you know what happens when a fly lingers on the wall for too long?”

“I’m not on the wall anymore.” Star points out. 

“Yes.” Azula nods. “You’ve decided, instead, to buzz around me. I have good aim.” 

“What if I told you that I want to help you?” Of course, this may well backfire and she is only tanking her own social standing. 

“What if I told you that I’m not interested in being your project? I don’t want a ridiculous wardrobe change and a ridiculous makeover. And I’m allergic to contact lenses.” 

“The glasses do suit you.” 

“Right, because I remind you of Hama or a librarian or whatever figure that best sucks the joy out of situations.”

“Because they’re kind of cute.” Star replies. “They complete the whole sophisticated look that you’re going for.” She studies Azula’s face for any sign of lightening up. It doesn’t even go from dark to dim. “For what it’s worth, I always liked your soft face, it’s cute.”

And cuter still with that little half pout she responds with. The way that she furrows her brows. “Then what? You want me to go to trashy parties and get drunk when I could be at home preparing for my future. Unlike half of the people here, I have goals and aspirations…”

“You don’t have to get drunk.” 

“I don’t have to attend stupid parties that I am pointedly excluded from anyhow.” 

“I’ve just invited you.” 

“You aren’t worried that I’m going to show up and then call the cops?” She folds her arms across her chest. 

“I’ll take that risk.”

“I won’t. I don’t do parties. The music is vulgar and tactless and the food is junk and the company is worse still.” 

“Alright, then you pick the activity.” Just being seen with her has got to count for something. At least Star hopes that her own stellar reputation will extend social points to Azula based on proximity alone. “Oh! How about this!? My mother owns a spa and makes her own skincare and makeup products. Would you like to have a spa day?” She pauses and adds. “After you finish studying or whatever.”

Azula seems to consider. She presses her lips into a thin line and narrows her eyes harder than she does when looking at one of her textbooks. “Fine. But I am not your pity project.” 

“How does ‘friend’ sound? You won’t be my project, you’ll be my friend.”

“Let’s see how this spa day goes.” 

And Star has to laugh. Azula has more audacity than anyone Star has ever met. Even as she wipes the last few tears away with the back of her sleeve. Even when she gives a little sniffle. She still stands tall, with her head held high. 

She has fight, she has spunk. Maybe that’s why Star found herself wandering up to her. “It will go well. We are going to be good friends.” And from there, who knows. 

“You do realize that…”

“You might drop me to the bottom of the social ladder instead of me helping you climb it?” She quirks a brow. “Well somebody has to shake the status quo, somehow.” Star swears that she catches a flicker of a smirk, a flash of amusement in Azula’s eyes. 

This year will be interesting indeed.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

Anonymous asked: What do you think of David Beckham?

As a footballer or as a brand? I find David Beckham more interesting to observe as a brand than as a footballer simply because he paved the way as a modern pioneer of inventing one’s own personal brand. And in turn he influenced how we all, in varying degrees, curate our social media identities as a part of developing our own brand (whether we do so consciously or not, it’s the lens the world sees us through).

I thought your question worth answering as a result of having a fascinating series of conversations with an old school friend over drinks and dinners who works as a luxury branding whizz here in Dubai. She’s followed the Beckham brand ever since she did her MBA and specialised in marketing luxury brands - she also happens to be a mad Manchester United fan (and even consulted for the club on commercialising their global brand outside of Europe). She was giving me a master class in branding the wine my cousins and I have been producing on our old creaky vineyard back in France. I don’t always buy her arguments but I do listen to her as she’s incredibly smart and brilliant in her job - no wonder she is sought out by many luxury brands to help them capitalise on their marketing and image.

As a huge sports fan I do admire David Beckham’s sporting achievements and I have always thought he was was underrated as a football player. I’m saying this not as a Manchester United fan but as a footballing fan. The only team I religiously follow is a local team many, many divisions down, and well away from the big leagues and play on a boggy pitch and the spectator stands leak from the roof down when it rains. So I’m not being partisan, as I know how deeply tribal football fans can be, which is part of the beauty of the beautiful game. I only knew of David Beckham as a little girl watching others watch him and the famed Manchester United football team play on satellite television when I was living overseas across South Asia and the Far East.

People even to this day in the West don’t fully understand how popular not only football is but also how well supported Manchester United football club as a brand really is in those parts of the world, including Africa too. It’s a cliché to say talking about football is an ideal ice breaker between cultures and day to day interactions on the streets and markets. It’s hard for Americans to understand especially how football - the real football that we Brits invented - is the international lingua franca of cultures.

Even here in Dubai where I am enjoying going to the World Cup matches in nearby Qatar. The ‘water cooler’ talk around the office and out in the hotel bars and cafés has been about football, and nothing else. Because I work in the corporate world I’ve gone to my share of many World Cup champagne events and receptions sponsored by corporates and FIFA. Amidst the glitz and glamour, you realise football is seriously big business on a global scale.

Sorry, I digress. But I guess it’s related as Beckham has come under harsh criticism for his ongoing role as an ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar. Beckham has been one of the most high-profile stars to support the tournament, appearing in several promotional videos, and has received a hefty sum of money for his work. It was reported in 2021 that former England legend Beckham signed a deal worth £15m-a-year for a 10 year deal, therefore making a £150 million in total. Beckham - as part of his brand - has long been considered an icon in the gay community. So his involvement in the tournament as the Qatari face of the World Cup has been met with upset and dismay by many in that community, which is their right of course.

As my luxury branding whizz friend put it, it’s hard to separate Beckham the footballer and Beckham the brand simply because from almost the beginning the two were entwined as Beckham’s football star shone.

It’s worth recapping that Beckham's distinguished playing career has been spent mainly with two of the most recognisable professional football teams in the world, Manchester United (his boyhood club) and later, Real Madrid. He built his reputation playing for Manchester United in the English Premier League when the English game, drunk on sponsorship money, began to grip the attention of the entire world. During his 10 years at the club, Manchester United dominated the English Premier League, which both then and now is widely recognised as one of the best and most competitive soccer leagues in the world - and of course the most watched.

During his tenure with Manchester United, Beckham won six English Premiership titles, and was a pivotal member of the Manchester United team that won a unique football treble in 1999, garnering the Premiership, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions league in the same season. Though a midfielder, Beckham scored 86 goals for Manchester United. Beckham's fame, though, was less from his goal-scoring prowess than his ability to deliver pinpoint crosses, strike 40-yard penetrating through balls with unerring accuracy, and bend his signature free kicks around and over defensive walls. ‘Bend it like Beckham’ became a catchphrase made famous of a cute romcom movie of the same name.

Beckham's international career has been luminous. In March 2008, Beckham represented the England national team for the 100th time, making him a member of a very exclusive club. Only four other Englishmen, Peter Shilton (125), Bobby Moore (108), Bobby Charlton (106), and Billy Wright (105) had reached this milestone before Beckham. Beckham's stellar international career has included representing England in the 1998, 2002, and 2006 World Cup final tournaments, and he holds the distinction of being the first-ever English player to score in three successive World Cups. He served his country as its talismanic captain from 2000 through the 2006 World Cups. As captain, Beckham led his England team through example, including some at-times virtuoso performances such as his last-minute bending free kick goal against Greece that secured the England national team's qualification for the 2002 World Cup Finals.

Such performances for the national team endeared him to the English public and Beckham's right foot was even referred to as one of Britain's "national treasures" by Hugh Grant's character, in the 2003 film Love Actually. This and other game-changing performances propelled Beckham mania to unprecedented levels, even prompting The Sun tabloid newspaper to call for Beckham to be knighted. Popular support was there, and in 2003, Beckham was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's birthday honours list for services to football.

His importance to the national team was highlighted when a broken metatarsal bone in his foot, two months before the 2002 World Cup, bumped the death of the Queen Mother from the front pages of several popular newspapers. Prime Minister Tony Blair publicly implored the nation to be optimistic and the press, both English and foreign, urged their readers to pray for his swift recovery so that he could play for England in the tournament. Beckham recovered in time to be featured in the 2002 World Cup Finals, and scored the winning goal against England's arch-rival, Argentina, before the team was eliminated by Brazil in the quarterfinals. In the same year Beckham was selected as the 33rd greatest Briton of all time by the BBC, the highest position attained by any sports figure.

Although Beckham is perhaps the epitome of the successful postmodern global sport celebrity, his soccer career has had its downtimes, during which he has endured much hostility from England's football fans and severe criticism in the press. Such occurred in the 1998 World Cup finals, when, against arch-nemesis Argentina, with the game delicately poised, Beckham was given a red card and sent off from the field of play for retaliating against an Argentine player. This meant that England was reduced to playing with 10 men, and although the team held the 11 players representing Argentina to a draw by the end of the game, but they were eliminated by a penalty shoot-out.

This lapse of judgement did not go unpunished. England's national pride had been damaged and Beckham was widely vilified in the media for England's premature elimination from the 1998 Cup. Typifying the negative newspaper accounts of Beckham's sending-off, The Mirror's headline tabloid headline read "ten heroic lions, one stupid boy".

After enduring a season of terrace taunts from opposing team fans, Beckham gradually rebuilt his football reputation and popular appeal. Indeed the season after, he played a pivotal role in winning three trophies, the Premier League, the F.A. Cup, and the European Champions League, aptly dubbed the treble, with Manchester United in 1999 in Barcelona.

As his field performances improved, so his image reached iconic status. It peaked in April 1999 when Time Out magazine went as far as to portray Beckham as a pseudo-Christ-like figure and featured him on the front cover in white trousers and see-through shirt in a pose evocative of Christ and the crucifixion. The caption read: "Easter Exclusive: The Resurrection of David Beckham".

In 2003, Beckham left Manchester United for Real Madrid. They paid $41 million for his services as their president, Florentino Perez, sought to build a club of global football superstars known as ‘the Galacticos’ era. Beckham joined a team that included the best-known names in the sport, including Frenchman Zinedine Zidane, Spain's Luis Figo, and Brazil's Ronaldo. This turned out to be an ill-fated strategy as despite their galaxy of football super-heroes, Real Madrid only won one trophy, Spain's La Liga title, during Beckham's time at the club.

Commentators at the time, though, noted the club's upturn in commercial appeal and speculated that the true impetus for the transfer was more Beckham's global celebrity and iconic appeal rather than his playing ability. There is some truth in this. Some commercial synergies were evident with both Beckham and Real Madrid having sponsorship deals with Adidas and Pepsi. Both gained from Beckham's Spanish presence. Real Madrid's commercial revenue from club merchandise sales, such as replica shirts, increased 67% in Beckham's first season alone.

The acquisition of Beckham also helped open up new markets in Asia and the United States with exhibition matches and tours. Such was his impact that it was claimed that the "Beckonomics" of the transfer helped to propel Real Madrid past Beckham's former club Manchester United as the world's richest club in 2006 (according to Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance, 2006 - the bible of football economics).

Beckham has always had his critics, many of whom note that his off-the-field persona masks deficiencies in his on-field performances. Such critics cite that Beckham is "less than the complete" football player, while claiming that he is too one-dimensional in his abilities to deliver the telling through ball, the in-swinging corner, or the pinpoint crosses and free kicks. They point to his lack of genuine pace, his underdeveloped left-footed play, his poor heading, and his dearth of one-on-one dribbling skills. These deficiencies, they note, despite his stellar offensive set-piece play, limit his overall team contribution at the highest levels of the game.

The career of David Beckham, celebrity soccer player, has had its highs and lows. But through it all, one thing has remained constant, David Beckham has rarely ventured out of the media or the public eye. For a decade, from his 1995 debut for Manchester United, his career went from strength to strength, his on-field brilliance matched only by his soaring marketing appeal in a sport that massively commercialised in the 1990s.

But as he hit his thirties, the Beckham star began to fade, and from 2006, his career has experienced turbulence. After resigning the England captaincy in the aftermath of England's disappointing exit at the quarterfinal stage of the 2006 World Cup, Beckham was subsequently dropped from the England national team squad in August 2006. In 2003 he moved from Manchester United to join famed Spanish soccer club, Real Madrid. By the end of 2006, he could not hold on to his first team place and it seemed that Beckham's fabled soccer career was declining. As he fell from footballing grace, Beckham's commercial celebrity appeal also eroded as he lost several lucrative endorsement contracts, most notably as the face man for Police sunglasses and the brand ambassador for Gillette.

However, just as everyone was writing him off, Beckham, not for the first time in his fabled career, reinvented himself. The football and entertainment world was stunned in January 2007, when he signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, and the next phase of Brand Beckham was re-invented. It began in sensational style. In a sports world unfazed by gargantuan sports contracts, Beckham signed a contract that amazed even the most hardened of sports commentators. Worth an estimated $250 million over five years, Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy contract was signed only after the passing of a new MLS rule, the "designated player rule" (subsequently dubbed the ‘Beckham rule’), which permitted MLS teams to pay above the salary cap for two players.

The contract was stunning, but fully reflected Beckham's global football notoriety and his Hollywood good looks. Carefully crafted by Simon Fuller, the architect of American Idol and former manager of the Spice Girls, Beckham's MLS deal dwarfed that of marquee athletes in the traditionally mainstream American sports of American football, baseball, and basketball. Beckham's contract was thought to be justified by his popular and global appeal. It enabled him to benefit financially from all his image rights, related sponsorships and endorsements, as well as sharing in team replica shirt and club ticket sales. In effect Beckham's contract made him a partner with the Los Angeles Galaxy's owners, the Anschultz Entertainment group.

The Beckham signing was deemed a watershed moment for U.S. soccer but also for Brand Beckham. It opened doors in Hollywood for Beckham and his wife, Victoria. The combination of Beckham's persona, English, tall, lean, good looking, with glittering athletic skills, and a celebrity wife, Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham, was tailor-made for Hollywood, Los Angeles, and the MLS. It provided Beckham with new opportunities to generate excitement in U.S. soccer, reignite his soccer career and also to ply his looks and commercial skills in the world's most lucrative marketplace - Hollywood.

There is no question that it has been Victoria Beckham who has been the power behind the Beckham throne. Victoria Beckham never claimed to be the best singer in the Spice Girls, or the best dancer either. Nor was David Beckham necessarily the greatest footballer ever to wear a Manchester United shirt. The team’s former manager Alex Ferguson once said he had only ever worked with four world-class players, and didn’t include Beckham on his list. Yet, by dint of hard work, strategic decision-making and a remarkable ability to stay likeable even while becoming preposterously rich, the Beckhams have achieved the goal Victoria identified back in 2001, when she wrote of wanting to be “as famous as Persil Automatic”.

They have evolved beyond mere celebrities into a fully fledged brand, a household name as familiar and comforting as your daily breakfast cereal or family car. What they seem to have understood is that fame comes and goes, but brands have the power to get inside your head.

They had met in 1997 at a charity football match, although each already had their eye on the other. (As David Beckham noted in his autobiography: “My wife picked me out of a soccer sticker book. And I chose her off the telly.”) Within two years they had got engaged, had their first son, Brooklyn, and married; it was shortly after the wedding that the red tops coined the phrase “Brand Beckham”, describing the way each boosted the other’s already significant pulling power.

When he and Victoria first got together, they were the first celebrity couple you could have on both back page and front page. There wasn’t a part of the paper they couldn’t feature in, a conversation that you couldn’t find a way of fitting them into. The timing was perfect - just as football was evolving from a sport into a 24/7 entertainment business. From the start, both partners embodied not just glamour but the highly appealing values of groundedness and hard graft. He was the son of a gas fitter, who worked his way up in football through the academy programme; she turned out to be just as driven, doggedly establishing an unexpectedly credible new career in fashion when the Spice Girls folded rather than remain a football ‘Wag’ (Wives and Girlfriend of a celebrity sportsman).

Victoria Beckham has been the queen of reinvention. She’s constantly doing new things: establishing herself as a designer, bringing out a children’s wear collection, adopting new tech.

But it’s the licensing and sponsorship deals using David’s name and image that have quietly proved the money spinner. In the last decade, the Beckhams officially became dollar billionaires, thanks in part to the lucrative corporate tie-ins covering everything from watches and whisky to pants and skincare that David has amassed since retiring from football in 2013. (Her fashion label, Victoria Beckham Ltd, launched in 2008 and has yet to turn a profit, although that’s not unusual in fashion.) They may not be in the Kardashians’ financial league, but the Beckhams are a really good, British branded business whose core value is intellectual property.

The approach the Beckhams took to brand building was uncommon for celebrities in that it was strategic, well-advised and purposefully planned. The alignment of their personal interests and passions with business and philanthropic pursuits, enabled the brand to be sustained over time. They’re not ‘going through the motions’. For example, Beckham’s role in football may have evolved from player to owner of Inter Miami football franchise, but it’s still sustained by his passion for football. The Beckhams were extremely forward thinking with their approach to building a ‘brand’ all those years ago.

Before the Kardashians came traipsing through the showbiz world, the Beckhams lead supreme. They worked hard, always had good people around them and their main objective was to protect the brand at all costs. It’s no surprise Brand Beckham is where it is right now as a global entity that shows no sign of slowing down.

Through his world-class soccer exploits and his multiple off-field personas, Beckham has not just become a brand, but a portfolio of brands. A brand is an intangible "mental box" or a creation or an association that exists in the mind of the consumer that adds value to products and services. In Beckham's case his global popularity and iconic image has resulted in him adding significant brand value and goodwill to the various companies he is a spokesman for and the multitude of different products and services that he endorses. Together with his wife, Victoria, they actually have their own dVb (David and Victoria Beckham), brand label.

He is, in effect, not one brand, but an entire portfolio of brands, each representing a part of the chameleon-brand that is David Beckham. His marketing image broadens to embrace other brand identities and personalities. He appeals to aspiring youth as a ‘working-class-boy-made-good.’ To families he is portrayed as a loving father and adoring husband. To popular music fans he is the proud husband of Posh Spice. Behaviourally, his non-conformist tendencies appeal to youth's individualism. In the world of high fashion, his clothes, and metro-sexual appeal attract the attention of "fashionistas" worldwide. Celebrity Beckham's appeal is in the eye of the beholder - a commercial chameleon or floating signifier, whose appeal depends on the role and audience he seeks to address.

Beckham's potent image as a wholesome, clean-living, devoted family man juxtaposed with his penchant for bending conventional rules maximises his appeal to multiple demographic segments. His masculine identity is firmly rooted in his athleticism. But a large part of Beckham's appeal can be traced to his non-conformity and contradictions or his androgynous blends of opposites.

Beckham's fashion sense resulted in extraordinary appeal among the Black community. He sported chunky jewellery. He used fashion to exude confidence and sex appeal. His hairstyles, clothes, and body ornamentation developed into an important part of the Brand Beckham iconic image.

Unlike most men, he changed hairstyles, and when he did it made news. When he met Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first Black president, he wore Caribbean braids. During the 2002 World Cup, he had a Mohican cut. His body is adorned with tattoos including a winged crossed tattoo on the back of his neck. Under normal (i.e., non-Beckham) circumstances, such adornments would contradict his working class roots, soccer prowess, and strong family image. But in the media he is anchored with a strong hetero-masculine image. This occurs in spite of his constant infringements of traditional working class football (soccer) culture that emphasises the strong masculine image and which normally vilifies any hint of effeminacy.

Such characteristics unveil Beckham as being the style icon, who embraces the values of metro-sexual man. This image presents Beckham as well groomed and manicured, someone who moisturises regularly, and who with his wife endorses a line of fragrance brands. The Beckham body, hard and toned, is aligned with his metro-sexual tendencies and that also makes him a popular figure in the gay community. Far from discouraging this androgynous image, Beckham chooses to reinforce this "bi-sexual persona" through his choice of fashions as well as appearances in gay magazines.

Beckham's family-man image is similarly so robust that not only did his reported affair in 2004, with personal assistant Rebecca Loos, fail to substantially undermine his wholesome family image; his commercial appeal not only did not falter, it was actually enhanced in some regards. It transpired that his alleged affair seemed to reinforce his heterosexual credibility and his appeal as the working class hegemonic man. It also provided a counter-narrative to the notion that Beckham represented a kind of new age man emasculated by his allegedly dominant ex-Spice Girl (‘girl-powered’) wife who reportedly chooses his clothes and fashion accessories.

Before the Kardashians came along and branded themselves in a very Americanised in your face kind of branding generated out of a sex tape and Hollywood notoriety, it was arguably the Beckhams’ who really updated and modernised the idea that a person could be a brand on the global stage. That idea has filtered down into mainstream culture and spread like a virus through social media. Instagram has turned millennials and Generation Zs into curators of their lives for public consumption, anxiously presenting an idealised version of themselves at all times, while professional ‘influencers’ now hire brand managers to protect the image on which their whole commercial edifice rests. At work, Generation Z are told to define their ‘personal brand’ if they want to get hired, promoted or simply noticed in a precarious and crowded freelance world.

For a human, famous or otherwise, to become a brand is more logical than it sounds. After all, the brand is just the part of a business that is associated with human qualities that trigger an emotional response in customers. Think of Marks & Spencer, and you probably think about reliability. Chanel means chic, Coke says feel good, Volvo spells sensible. As the explosion of choice on the high street has made customers more brand-aware, manufacturers have worked ever harder at imbuing brands with likeable characteristics to make them stand out. So it is a relatively short step from thinking that brands should have personalities to thinking that personalities could have brands, or a defined set of values to which employers and consumers will respond emotionally.

As my friend working as a senior corporate branding consultant in the luxury market put it to me over drinks: “People buy people. No matter how good you are at your job, if I haven’t bought into you as a person - if I don’t like you and trust you - it isn’t going to work.”

Yet even this level of self-promotion makes some people balk, just as some balk at paying over the odds for something just because it has a celebrity’s face on the packaging. For while many believed that the point of branding is to act as a guarantee of quality, something shoppers can trust, increasingly consumers are starting to question what they are getting in return for an expensive logo. Today it’s not uncommon to see in parts of social media, the phrase ‘personal brand’ become a kind of ironic millennial in-joke, a byword for pretentiousness.

But both millennials and increasingly Generation Z have a complex relationships with their curated lives. A lot about the way we now conduct ourselves, professionally and personally, would be considered achingly naff a decade ago; that everything is now ‘content’; or that you can choose ‘public figure’ as a title on Instagram. But, my savvy friend working in luxury branding would argue that branding does help make sense of the kind of portfolio careers pieced together from different gigs and side hustles. She would go on to argue that we are in a sense all freelancers and that we’re multi-hyphenates. That doesn’t mean dilly-dallying in lots of different pies for the sake of it. It means combining several different jobs to guarantee a fulfilled and financially successful working life.

There is an obvious downside to all this not withstanding that it has its practical uses as an umbrella for sheltering different work projects. To put it simply, branding can leave a person vulnerable. When the product is yourself, or an idealised version of it, it is very hard not to take criticism of that product personally. If you turn yourself into a brand then if you suffer, your brand does too - and vice versa. The expression ‘fake it until you make it’ comes to mind such is the pressure to keeping up appearances. The tendency of online social media when sniffing out inauthenticity is brutal and dehumanising. It’s definitely difficult to watch a character assassination of yourself take place online, by strangers who do not know you and take special glee in your humiliation.

And that is one downside of turning humans into products. We see ourselves as consumers first and it’s no wonder we just see others as products, disposable or impervious to hurt. When rumours swept the internet that the Beckhams were about to divorce, speculation immediately centred on what it meant not for them or their four children but for the brand, given that David’s marketability still rests on being seen as a devoted husband, father and general nice guy. Since the rumours turned out to be false, we will never know. Yet it was a timely reminder that, unlike Persil Automatic, people have feelings. Their lives can take unexpected turns, which most definitely aren’t on brand; they may get burnt out, or simply stop wanting to live in a goldfish bowl round the clock.

But the Beckhams show no sign of wanting to get out of the goldfish bowl glare. Indeed their own children have their own distinct brand within the Beckham brand. It’s an open question if the Beckham brand will run out of steam as the parents take a back seat and their children carry on the mantle as none of their children is terribly good or known for any one thing. In other words, famous for being famous. But as they have shown, that is not a handicap in these narcissistic days.

Much has been made of the fact that Beckham has damaged his brand by taking £150 million to be the face of the football World Cup in Qatar in the face of criticism of the lack of LGBT rights in that Muslim sovereign state. He’s faced online and public backlash amongst the Western LGTB community and it seems his days as a gay icon are over. But critics have missed the point.

Beckham the brand is bigger than his gay icon status. Beckham is already a dollar billionaire and so £150 million is (relatively) not a lot in the long scheme of things. Beckham’s branding team know the future of the brand lies in the East. Indeed unless you travel or lived in parts of the world other than a Europe in decline and an America at war with itself, you cannot fathom how big Beckham’s brand is. The ‘gay style’ brand is a smaller piece of the Beckham brand pie.

Beckham's global appeal is evidenced by the high percentage of people in Asia who recognise him. For many years, he appeared in 150 countries in Gillette shaver advertisements. The Japanese Meiji Seika chocolate and confectionary company made a three-meter high chocolate statue figure of Beckham as part of his endorsement of their confectionary before the 2002 World Cup finals. Beyond that, Monks at a Buddhist shrine in Thailand even moulded a gold-plated Beckham that people can worship.

Beckham is not an ordinary brand. Beckham is a moving advertisement. What is evident is that Brand Beckham has undergone a metamorphosis from the early days when his appeal was predicated on his football playing ability to a more complex multifaceted brand. David Beckham is not just a brand with a distinct personality; he is a portfolio of brands, each emanating from the different roles he plays in life - football player, father, husband to Posh, fashionista, sexual icon, and so on.

We all play multiple roles in life - a man may be a father, husband, employee, and soccer coach for example. Each is a role that often requires different personalities to implement successfully.

In Beckham's case, each of his roles, through media scrutiny and marketing magnification, has become a separate brand - each different, but all managed by Beckham’s backroom marketing gurus. Each brand is similar, but has its own personality. In Beckham's case, each persona is a distinct segment, and from a business perspective, each is a profit centre. This is why his branding people rightly calculated that taking the Qatari deal was more lucrative in the long run than just being a gay icon in the west.

To me David Beckham presents a unique case study of how a sportsman can transcend his sport by crossing over into the realms of entertainment and fashion. Although there are obvious lessons for other elite sports stars that desire to crossover into other arenas, it should be acknowledged that Beckham is thus far unique in the sports world in the way his brand personalities are leveraged in so many distinct ways than say Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, or even Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Tom Brady, Tiger Woods, or Lewis Hamilton. Manchester United fans used to chant from the terraces "there's only one David Beckham." Today, while still true, it has been the successful leveraging of Beckham’s multiple brand personalities that have made him into a true global sports brand. In essence, Beckham is perhaps the ultimate in how savvy marketing can make the brand.

We talk less of ‘Bend it like Beckham’ and more of ‘Brand it like Beckham’. In other words, style over substance - which could aptly describe our current age of personal narcissism and self-obsession.

Thanks for your question.

[nickgerlich]

WFH Blues

The way we work was served a major paradigm shift during COVID. Suddenly, most of us found ourselves working from home 100% of the time. That whole thing about work-life balance suddenly tilted the other way, and in many cases, not only were we working from home, but working when we wanted to from home.



But now that COVID—although still among us, but in diminished numbers—is slipping into the rear view, companies have continued to demand their employees return to the office, at least for part of the week. Amazon is the latest, requiring a minimum of thee days’ presence starting this May.

Well, there’s all that real estate these companies have. Empty offices don’t make much sense, and since they are a sunk cost with likely ongoing debt service, I can understand why some CEOs and others in upper management want to see their employees return. Or maybe it’s really just all about control. You decide.



Regardless of how total WFH is slowly slipping away in a growing number of cases, even the hybrid model is wreaking havoc on other businesses. Notably, restaurants near office complexes—meaning either central business districts or corporate campuses—are feeling the effects of less employee presence. It has gotten to the point that Mondays and Fridays are becoming near ghost towns at some eateries, and they are struggling to adapt.

Restaurants that cater to the corporate crowd often find themselves rather quiet on weekends to begin with, but if the weekend is now four days, it means a new business model is needed, and fast. They are paying rent for 168-hour weeks, not just a few days. I’m convinced, though, that even those three remaining days may not be like they were before COVID.

It’s sobering to think that even just a couple of decades ago, WFH would not have been feasible for many people. Broadband internet had not become a public utility like it is now, and Zoom and Teams were not even an office worker’s dream. It was during the pandemic that I was able to see how much I could save by not dining out. It was then I fell in love with cooking, if only out of necessity. And once we returned to campus, I just started bringing my lunch many days. I hardly ever go out for lunch anymore.

And then there are the people who are still able to WFH all the time, in spite of the recent return to offices. These are people who not only do not need a prepared meal, but also do not need office wear. Can anyone say yoga pants and t-shirts? Yeah. Let the ripples through the economy continue.



As for me, I have been in hybrid work mode ever since 1997, when we started offering online courses. It is a blessing and a curse, because it means I can take my work with me. The problem is, I can take my work with me. It’s a seven-day-a-week job that goes on from daybreak to bedtime, all of which I am good with. But just know that sometimes I am coming at you from a hotel room.



I see the changes around me, too. I am not the only one doing WFH on a pretty large scale. Most of my colleagues teach two of their three courses online, because that is where the demand is. It also means fewer students on campus. All of this means fewer people dining in the food court in my building, or across the street at a variety of places. We’re just not doing life and work the way we did, and we can thank the digital era for it.



In the future, smart companies will figure out how to downsize their real estate footprint. I hear all the talk about collaboration and such, but I am not convinced. I collaborate just as well from afar, and prefer it. I get far more done at home than at campus, because I am always tempted to pop in someone’s office for idle chit-chat, and definitely not to collaborate, even if it is friendly fun. And then there are all the random interactions in the hallway or at the water cooler. Time sucks, I tell you. My most productive hours each day are the three hours I put in at home before actually going to work.

We are in a state of transition, and I suspect that once the current managers cycle out because of retirement, they will be replaced by the people who thrived during COVID and learned how to WFH. The workplace of the future will necessarily be connected, yet at the same time separated. Employees will work whatever hours they wish, unless there are scheduled Zoom meetings. Asynchronous will be the guiding principle.



Well, a guy can dream, right? I’m just glad I’m not one of those restaurateurs wondering if they’re going to make it to the end of the month.

Dr “Just Remember To Pay The Electric And Internet Bills“ Gerlich

Audio Blog

[aquacoolrefreshment]

Aquacool Water Solutions in Urban Areas: Reducing Water Waste

Water scarcity and waste are growing challenges in urban areas worldwide. With increasing population densities, rapid industrialization, and unpredictable climate patterns, cities are facing unprecedented stress on their water resources. Urban areas consume a significant amount of water daily, leading to excessive waste if sustainable practices are not in place. In response to these issues, Aquacool Water Solutions has introduced innovative products and strategies aimed at reducing water waste and promoting efficient water use in city settings.

Designed with efficiency and sustainability in mind, these coolers are built to dispense water in exact amounts, preventing overuse and spillage. Aquacool water coolers play a crucial role in minimizing water waste in homes, offices, and public spaces across urban areas. By providing reliable and accessible hydration solutions, Aquacool water coolers encourage people to refill reusable bottles and cups, reducing the need for single-use plastic bottles and lowering overall water waste. In addition, Aquacool’s advanced technology ensures that water is dispensed only when necessary, contributing significantly to responsible water consumption.

One of the major challenges in urban water management is the loss of water through leaky pipes, faulty fixtures, and outdated infrastructure. In many cities, a considerable portion of treated water is lost before it even reaches the end user. Aquacool Water Solutions addresses this issue by developing products with smart features that monitor and control water usage. For example, Aquacool water coolers and filtration systems are equipped with leak detection sensors, which automatically shut off water flow when a leak is detected. This feature not only conserves water but also prevents costly water damage and reduces maintenance needs in busy urban settings.

Beyond individual water coolers, Aquacool’s commitment to reducing water waste extends to large-scale solutions for commercial and industrial use. In urban areas, industries often consume vast amounts of water, with significant quantities lost during production processes. Aquacool provides specialized filtration and recycling systems tailored for industrial applications, enabling businesses to reuse water efficiently. By promoting water recycling and reuse, Aquacool helps industries reduce their environmental footprint and align with sustainable urban development goals. These efforts are essential in cities where water resources are under constant pressure from industrial activities.

Aquacool Water Solutions also contributes to reducing water waste through its focus on educating urban residents about responsible water use. Awareness campaigns, informational resources, and partnerships with local governments and organizations help spread knowledge about water conservation. By educating consumers on the impact of water waste and offering practical tips for conserving water, Aquacool encourages city dwellers to adopt sustainable practices. These small individual efforts, multiplied across urban populations, can have a substantial impact on overall water conservation in cities.

In office buildings and other high-traffic areas, Aquacool water coolers provide a practical solution for reducing water waste. These coolers are designed to support high-frequency use, ensuring a constant supply of clean water without the inefficiencies that come with traditional water dispensers. Aquacool’s energy-efficient models also consume less power, reducing the environmental impact of water cooling in urban buildings. By offering durable, low-maintenance solutions, Aquacool makes it easier for building managers and facility operators to promote water conservation without compromising on quality or convenience.

One of Aquacool’s significant contributions to urban water conservation is the reduction of plastic waste associated with bottled water. In many cities, single-use plastic bottles are a common source of both water and environmental waste. By providing accessible water coolers and filtration systems, Aquacool reduces the reliance on bottled water, thereby decreasing plastic waste. This approach not only conserves water but also addresses urban pollution issues, helping cities move toward more sustainable waste management practices.

Looking to the future, Aquacool Water Solutions is committed to expanding its impact on urban water conservation. The company continues to research and develop new technologies that further reduce water waste, such as smart filtration systems that monitor usage patterns and adapt to different needs. As urban populations grow and cities face new challenges in water management, Aquacool’s innovative solutions will play an increasingly important role in ensuring that urban water resources are managed efficiently and sustainably.

In conclusion, Aquacool Water Solutions is making a meaningful difference in reducing water waste across urban areas. Through the use of high-efficiency water coolers, leak detection technology, and educational outreach, Aquacool helps city residents and businesses alike adopt more sustainable water practices. As cities worldwide strive to become more resilient and resource-conscious, Aquacool’s dedication to water conservation will remain essential. By promoting efficient water use, reducing plastic waste, and helping cities manage their resources wisely, Aquacool Water Solutions is paving the way for a more sustainable and water-conscious urban future.

[powerssavers]

Buy Heat Pump Hot Water System Today

The Smart Choice for Comfort and Savings Ever wonder why your water heater always seems to run out of hot water just when you need it most? Whether it’s a family member taking a marathon shower or your laundry demanding hot water, relying on traditional water heaters can feel like a gamble. It’s time to switch things up. Enter the heat pump hot water system—a game-changing solution that keeps your home running efficiently, no matter the season. If you’re ready to reduce energy costs and enjoy uninterrupted hot water, let’s dive into why you should buy a heat pump hot water system today.

What Makes a Heat Pump Hot Water System Different? A heat pump hot water system doesn’t work like traditional electric or gas water heaters. Instead of generating heat directly, it pulls warmth from the air and uses it to heat the water in your storage tank. Think of it as a more energy-conscious cousin of your air conditioner. While the old water heaters guzzle energy like an over-caffeinated office worker, a heat pump system sips energy with elegance, giving you hot water without running up your power bill.

If you’re tired of expensive energy bills creeping up each month, switching to a heat pump hot water system is a no-brainer. It offers lower operational costs while reducing your home’s carbon footprint—a win-win for your wallet and the planet.

Why You Should Buy a Heat Pump Hot Water System Now Waiting for your old water heater to fail before upgrading? That’s like waiting for your car to break down before changing the oil. Upgrading to a heat pump hot water system is one of the smartest decisions you can make today. Here’s why:

Government Incentives: Many areas in Australia offer rebates or tax credits for installing energy-efficient systems like heat pumps.

Future-Proofing: As energy prices rise, having a system that saves energy ensures you stay ahead of the curve.

Reduced Carbon Emissions: With climate-conscious choices becoming more important, a heat pump helps you contribute to a greener future.

Improved Home Value: Energy-efficient upgrades make your property more appealing, especially if you plan to sell.

With benefits like these, it’s clear that there’s no better time to buy a heat pump hot water system than right now.

How to Choose the Right System for Your Home Not all heat pumps are created equal, so selecting the right system requires a bit of research. Keep these key factors in mind:

Capacity: How much hot water does your household need? Families with multiple members should consider larger systems, like a 270L heat pump.

Efficiency Ratings: Look for models with higher energy star ratings for maximum savings.

Noise Levels: Some systems can be noisier than others. If you have sensitive ears (or light sleepers), check for a quiet model.

Installation Costs: Be sure to budget for installation by a certified professional, as a poorly installed system can underperform.

Choosing the right heat pump hot water system means balancing performance and budget. Luckily, with more models available, there’s a system to suit every household's needs.

Heat Pump Hot Water Systems vs. Traditional Water Heaters While both systems provide hot water, their operation and efficiency differ significantly. Traditional water heaters rely on constant energy input to maintain water temperature, which wastes energy during non-use periods. In contrast, heat pumps transfer heat from the environment, making them 2-3 times more efficient.

Imagine running a marathon and finding out your heat pump just jogged beside you with barely a sweat. That’s how these systems outperform traditional water heaters—they get the job done with far less effort (and energy).

Is a Heat Pump Hot Water System Suitable for All Climates? One common concern is whether a heat pump hot water system works efficiently in cooler climates. While it’s true that heat pumps perform best in moderate temperatures, modern systems are designed to operate effectively even when the mercury dips. For homes in cooler regions, installing the unit in a sheltered location or using a hybrid heat pump system ensures reliable performance year-round.

Australia’s diverse climate zones make heat pumps an ideal solution. They perform exceptionally well in warmer regions but can also be optimized for colder areas, ensuring that no matter where you live, you won’t have to suffer through cold showers.

Installation and Maintenance: Set It and Forget It Installing a heat pump hot water system isn’t rocket science, but it’s essential to hire a qualified professional for the job. A well-installed system operates efficiently and requires minimal maintenance. Routine checks, such as cleaning filters and monitoring the refrigerant, help keep the system running smoothly. Compared to traditional water heaters, heat pumps have fewer mechanical parts, which means fewer breakdowns and lower repair costs.

If the idea of dealing with another appliance breakdown sends chills down your spine, you’ll love the reliability of a heat pump. It's a "set it and forget it" solution—no more last-minute panics when guests arrive, only to find out the water heater quit.

Hot Water, Smarter The decision to buy a heat pump hot water system isn’t just about upgrading your home—it’s about making a future-forward investment. These systems offer a trifecta of benefits: lower energy costs, reduced environmental impact, and reliable hot water whenever you need it. With government incentives sweetening the deal and energy prices on the rise, there’s no better time to make the switch.

So, say goodbye to unpredictable water heaters and hello to a smarter, more efficient solution. If you’re ready to make your home more comfortable, explore the range of heat pump hot water systems today and discover which model best suits your needs.

Looking for the best heat pump hot water systems? Our next article dives into top-rated models and helps you choose the perfect fit for your home.

[purplestrawberrystranger]

Comfort with Air Coolers: A Smart Choice for Dubai Residents

As temperatures soar in Dubai, finding effective cooling solutions becomes essential. Among the many options available, air coolers stand out as an energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional air conditioning systems. In a city where HVAC companies are plentiful, understanding the benefits of air coolers can help you make an informed choice for your home or office.

What Are Air Coolers?

Air coolers, also known as evaporative coolers, use water evaporation to lower the air temperature. This innovative cooling technology is particularly well-suited for dry climates like Dubai, where humidity levels are low. Unlike conventional air conditioners that rely on refrigerants, air coolers circulate cool, moist air, providing a refreshing environment while consuming less energy.

Benefits of Air Coolers

Energy Efficiency: Air coolers consume significantly less electricity than traditional HVAC systems. This translates to lower utility bills, making them a budget-friendly option for homeowners and businesses alike.

Eco-Friendly: With growing concerns about climate change and environmental impact, air coolers present a greener alternative. They use natural processes to cool the air, reducing your carbon footprint.

Improved Air Quality: Air coolers not only cool the air but also add moisture, which can improve indoor air quality. This is particularly beneficial in arid regions like Dubai, where dry air can lead to respiratory issues.

Versatility: Whether you need a portable unit for a small space or a larger system for commercial use, air coolers come in various sizes and designs to fit your needs.

Why Choose HVAC Companies in Dubai for Your Air Cooler?

When considering an air cooler, it’s crucial to consult with reputable HVAC companies in Dubai. They can help you select the right model based on your specific cooling requirements and provide professional installation and maintenance services. Working with experienced professionals ensures optimal performance and longevity of your air cooler.

In a city known for its extreme heat, investing in an air cooler can be a smart choice for comfort and efficiency. With the support of HVAC companies in Dubai, you can enjoy a cooler, more comfortable environment without breaking the bank. Make the switch today and experience the benefits of this innovative cooling solution!

[sociomi]

Features Women Want in Clothing

Cleaners use a substance called PERC, or perchloroethylene, which is a dissolvable that cleans without obscuring or hurting surface. Unfortunately, there's likewise evidence that PERC is a disease causing specialist that can stick to your clothes after you bring it home.

That little dim dress accommodates your shape better contrasted with much else in your closet. However, why is it so intense to find more clothing that is really commending? Women of all sizes much of the time experience this issue. Since there's no broad estimating standard, designers can in a general sense make a clothing line and slap on any scope of measuring they need. You may be a six out of one store, and then an eight (or even a 10) in another. The delayed consequence of this astounding system can disappoint, no ifs, ands or buts!

What's the most ideal method for finding what fits? Sort out which brands fit you best and stay reliable. That way you can visit a store without taking various sizes of similar outfits into a developing room!

Size Matters A machine in shopping centers across America called the "Me-Ality" ("Estimated Reality") checks your body and matches your estimations to various clothing stores. The precision of the device should make your shopping encounters should less bewildering - - and preferably more beautiful! Check out womens fashion clothes.

You don't need to purchase the most rich or slick duds to be fashionable. You don't need to purchase the most rich or polished duds to be fashionable. Geri Lavrov/Picture taker's Decision/Getty Pictures Women need to look chic, whether they go during their time in an office or driving youngsters to soccer practice. Finding pieces that are utilitarian yet fashionable is the way in to any productive closet. You don't have to consume every single penny to accomplish a constantly smart look. By staying basic and adding trendier pieces during each new season, you can feel and extraordinary search in your clothes, regardless assuming you're sitting in the carpool line or standing around the water cooler.

[rthidden]

AI Whisperer: Small Biz's New Best Friend

Move over, Alexa—small businesses have a new AI BFF.

Why it matters:

AI isn't just for tech giants anymore. Small business owners can now harness the power of artificial intelligence to boost productivity, streamline operations, and compete with the big dogs—all without breaking the bank or needing a Ph.D. in computer science.

The big picture:

AI adoption is skyrocketing, with 35% of organizations worldwide already on board and 50% expected to join the party by 2025.

It's like watching your favorite band go from garage gigs to stadium tours in record time.

Overheard at the water cooler:

"Dude, I thought AI was just robots taking over the world. Turns out, it's more like having a super-smart intern who never sleeps and doesn't raid the office snack stash."

Myth vs. fact:

Myth: AI is a mysterious black box that even experts don't understand.

Fact: While AI can be complex, it's essentially a statistical model—think of it as a really fancy calculator with attitude.

The bottom line:

AI isn't science fiction anymore—it's a practical tool that's transforming small businesses right now.

Whether it's chatting with customers, crunching numbers, or predicting trends, AI is the sidekick every small business hero needs. Don't let the robots have all the fun—it's time to get in on the action.

[aquacoolhydration]

Choosing the Right Water Cooler and Dispenser for Your Home or Office

Water coolers and dispensers are essential for keeping us hydrated, especially in homes and workplaces. They provide easy access to clean, cold water, encouraging healthier drinking habits. With so many options available, Aquacool selecting the right one can feel overwhelming. Let's break down what you need to know to make an informed choice.

Why Invest in a Water Cooler or Dispenser?

Water coolers and dispensers offer several benefits that make them a smart addition to any space:

Convenience: They provide easy access to cold water at any time, eliminating the need for frequent trips to the store.

Health Benefits: Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health. With a water cooler, you’re more likely to drink the recommended amount of water daily.

Cost-Effective: While there’s an upfront cost, a water cooler can save you money over time compared to buying bottled water.

Environmental Impact: Reducing plastic waste is vital for our planet. Using a water cooler decreases reliance on single-use plastic bottles.

Types of Water Coolers and Dispensers

Understanding the different types of water coolers and dispensers helps you choose the best one for your needs. Here are the most common types:

1. Bottled Water Coolers

Description: These units require a large water bottle that sits on top. They dispense water as needed.

Pros: Easy to install and use. Great for remote locations without plumbing.

Cons: Regularly need to replace and lift heavy bottles.

2. Point-of-Use (POU) Dispensers

Description: These connect directly to your water supply, providing a continuous flow of water.

Pros: No need for bottles, so you save space and avoid heavy lifting.

Cons: Installation can be complex, often requiring professional help.

3. Countertop Water Dispensers

Description: Smaller and designed to sit on countertops, these dispensers often use smaller bottles.

Pros: Compact size makes them ideal for small spaces.

Cons: Limited water capacity compared to larger models.

4. Chilled and Hot Water Dispensers

Description: These units can provide both chilled and hot water, suitable for instant soups or tea.

Pros: Versatile; you get two functions in one appliance.

Cons: Can be more expensive than standard coolers.

Key Features to Consider

When shopping for a water cooler or dispenser, look for these essential features:

1. Capacity

Choose a unit that meets your water consumption needs. Larger families or offices may require bigger tanks or multiple dispensers.

2. Energy Efficiency

Look for energy-efficient models to save on electricity costs. Many newer models come with energy-saving features.

3. Filtration System

A built-in filtration system can enhance the taste and safety of your water. If you opt for a POU model, ensure it has a good filtration system.

4. Design

Consider the aesthetics. A sleek design can enhance your space while providing functionality.

5. Maintenance

Check how easy it is to clean and maintain the unit. Some dispensers have removable parts that make cleaning easier.

Making the Right Choice

Here are some steps to help you decide on the perfect water cooler or dispenser:

Assess Your Needs: Think about how many people will use it and their daily water consumption.

Budget: Set a budget. Remember to factor in ongoing costs, like replacement filters or bottles.

Research Brands: Look for reputable brands known for quality and durability. Check reviews and ratings.

Test It Out: If possible, try different models. Pay attention to the water taste and the unit's ease of use.

Health Considerations

Choosing the right water cooler can significantly impact your health. Clean water plays a vital role in overall wellness. According to the CDC, drinking enough water helps maintain body temperature, lubricate joints, and deliver nutrients to cells.

Here are some health tips related to water consumption:

Stay Hydrated: Aim for about 8-10 cups of water daily.

Monitor Your Intake: Use apps or tracking methods to ensure you meet your hydration goals.

Keep It Clean: Regularly clean your cooler or dispenser to prevent bacterial growth.

Popular Brands to Consider

Several brands stand out for their quality and reliability. Here’s a brief overview:

Aquasana: Known for its advanced filtration systems, providing clean and great-tasting water.

Avalon: Offers a variety of styles, including POU and bottled models, with stylish designs.

Igloo: Renowned for its affordability and functionality, making it a great option for budget-conscious buyers.

Brio: Features modern designs with multiple temperature settings and efficient performance.

Conclusion

Investing in a water cooler or dispenser brings numerous benefits, from convenience to health Water cooling . With various types and features, you can find one that suits your needs. Prioritize quality and usability to ensure you stay hydrated and enjoy your water.

By understanding the types available, considering key features, and choosing a reputable brand, you can make an informed decision. Remember, clean, accessible water is essential for a healthy lifestyle. Choose wisely, and your new water cooler or dispenser can become an invaluable part of your daily routine.