#I stumbled upon it while looking for the source of that quote in the previous post

[notetoselfzine]

friendsorenemies.com

this is an essay i recently submitted on my masters degree, about the now defunct website; (bonus at the the bottom - the full text of the edit I added to wikipedia (after the bibliography))

Upon choosing this module, I had not made a single edit on Wikipedia, always finding the complete information I needed, and never being in a position where I knew more about something than the page did. That changed recently when I had discovered an early social media site on the Internet Archive and struggled incredibly to find any information about it, so I knew it had to be me who made this public knowledge.

My lack of edits stem from there not being many factors surrounding the early 2000’s alternative music scene that are up for debate. Music in the 2000’s was greatly documented, and with blogging platform websites such as LiveJournal, where fans could make communities, we can see events unfold in real time while looking at archived journals. Interestingly, this uncontroversial area of interest is mirrored greatly in my own editing experience.

I settled upon my edits to include information about blogging platform Friends or Enemies on Pete Wentz’s Wikipedia after stumbling upon the website while viewing archived band websites, all of whom were signed to Decaydance Records (Wentz’s Label). Following links to this website, I was amazed by the vastness of communication from musicians to fans, yet shocked I had never heard about it before, considering the Decaydance label is still active. I went through Wentz’s Wikipedia history and only found one mention of the site, in June 2008, which stated that Wentz posted on his official blog that he is expecting his first child. I remain unsure as to why such a notable occurrence has no digital footprint, or remnants of its heyday mentioned retrospectively in increasingly popular 2000s ‘emo’ nostalgia journalism pieces. 

Beginning in week one’s reading, the Rosenzweig article had an amazing quote which summed up my thoughts on how academics view Wikipedia, and ultimately set the tone for the rest of the reading. I was very open to understanding how and why people do not like Wikipedia, to hopefully be proved wrong, but I never happened upon a consensus that was positive from the academics we were reading. McHenry, an editor for the Encyclopaedia Britannica used a ‘public restroom’ analogy while speaking of the site, expressing whether it be dirty or clean, you do not know who was there before you. This is untrue, and I fear this quote shows McHenrys incompetence with understanding the website. The nature of the page has always allowed users to view previous versions, as Halstead states: a Wikipedia page is not fixed or permanent like a chapter of a book. In places, I could not help but feel a negative attitude from the authors, seemingly threatened by a free to use website that is practically as reliable as a book.

Coming from a Digital Humanities background, I felt like I had opposing views to the Historians in our class, I supposed we used the internet in very different ways. The archive blog I run solely uses the internet to find sources, the communities I am interested in did in some ways exist offline, but online was the hub where they met and posted content. I couldn’t help but feel like some of my peers, and the academics whom we were reading, were engaging in a Technological Determinism point of view when discussing Wikipedia. This school of thought believes that a digital product is made, and then as a society, we deal with the consequences. This notion lacks nuance, as it does not recognise the intention behind an idea. Perhaps a Social Determinism of Technology understanding is more precise when thinking about this website: the users of the internet in the web2.0 era wanted a quick and handy place to obtain factual information, so Wikipedia was created. Although it did take a while for Wikipedia to become the site as we know it, with it being one of the most visited websites from the early days of its articles being published, there was a clear need for a website like this, shown by its popularity alone.

I spent several hours locating sources for my edits, wherein all but two were links from archived websites via the Internet Archive. Searching on the current internet served little use as I could not find any information, except for their old social media accounts. Friends or Enemies officially went offline in 2013, which is a relatively short time ago, but in internet time, that is long enough for it to be completely forgotten and any traces of the page be washed away by new websites and new communities. I drafted and redrafted versions attempting to make my tone of writing emulate that of the article. I was genuinely concerned that my own personal tone coming through in my writing would be a good enough reason for a moderator to remove my edits. Admittedly, I wanted my edits to be accepted as I enjoy the thought of strangers finding out about this website, hopefully inspiring them to look at my sources and experience it firsthand. Remaining neutral was simple, what I was writing about is objective: a fan site, there was no way I could take a stance which would make my entry not follow the NPOV rule. One struggle was being able to concisely explain the inception to decline in as clear a way as possible, not to make points too convoluted by getting excited and including information that was not purely vital to the idea. 

I have previously mentioned the website’s popularity, which I believe in a way, is down to its NPOV, or Neutral Point of View, stance it takes on the information it displays. I had not heard of this rule until I began learning how to edit. A discussion in class was had about remaining neutral, and a point was made that remaining neutral is a viewpoint within itself. I found myself disagreeing: to remove personal politics and biases so an objective, impartial telling of events can happen, can allow people to decide for themselves which way they are going to understand the event. In week two we were asked to choose what we think is a good article, which showcases the Neutral Point of View. I chose the Stonewall Riots. The page details the night, the social climate in North America leading up to the riots, and the impact of them worldwide – at no point does the page insinuate the riots needed to happen, nor was it a good thing they happened. The unprejudiced account of events allows the reader to take from it what they want, again furthering my point about the website’s popularity, anybody holding any point of view can ingest the core information, and with the website being run by a charity, there are no political affiliations. 

Much of the reading had strong thoughts on the NPOV rule, suggesting that it goes against how historians are classically trained, to include primary sources and to create a point of view regarding an event. The most interesting consequence of the NPOV rule is the behind the scenes chaos it often causes. ‘Edit Wars’ I believe to be a commonly known term amongst internet users who are familiar with Wikipedia. Luckily Wikipedia has introduced a mechanism which now prevents this, known as the Three Revert Rule which stops people undoing a page more than three times in 24 hours. Nowadays, many of the NPOV wars take place on the Talk pages, often called the Discussion pages. In class I was excited to hear that two of my peers were engaging in strong discourses surrounding their edits, as it seems they had chosen controversial topics. Aforementioned, the page I chose to edit was that of Pete Wentz, bassist of American rock band Fall Out Boy, seemingly not as controversial as some pages chosen by my classmates. I posted on the talk page, made my edits, and that was the end of my experience. I had one apostrophe corrected, and a bot changed the formatting of one of my source links. After much contemplating why my edits were not picked apart, I realised that unlike history that was written in books and passed generation to generation, I could physically see the web page, the history I was talking about, I had solid dates and references. Nothing I posted could be up for debate, as it was genuinely factual with proof, unlike my contemporaries who were in passionate discussions about location and wording. My topic was incredibly interesting to me but did not unnerve the moderators of the page. Reflecting further on our class discussion, it seems my peers had a more ‘classic’ Wikipedia editing experience than myself, at least a version of events which seems to be mentioned in academic writing. Indeed it may be that there are larger amounts of small details to be concerned with on historical pages, yet I wish that I had encountered some issues as I would be intrigued to find out why my edits would not be approved by the wider community. 

Relating to regular editors, studies have shown the demographic is 90% male, and 75% of contributors have some kind of degree. Understandably, arguments have been made regarding that the 90% of male editors are those who uphold the Neutral Point of View, but how neutral can it be if it is coming from a middle-class, educated, white male perspective? To very much contradict myself from an earlier paragraph in this essay, I do stand by this argument that Wikipedia is dominated by the male higher education demographic, whilst still arguing that the NPOV is crucial. I believe a neutral point of view is slightly better than no neutrality whatsoever, unfortunately even if it is coming from a 90% male point of view. A great piece was written by University College London Royal History Society about the editors and amount of pages about women on Wikipedia – leading to conclusions of how the demographic of editors mirrors the gender formation of articles. The work being done by the Royal History Society is aiming to change this, and encourage more women editors to become regular contributors. In hindsight, after seeing how seriously some people take the gender divide of editors, I can not help but feel a twinge of guilt over not putting this information on Wikipedia earlier, almost like my own preconceptions of the website stopped me, notably my lack of digital skill and suspecting overprotective moderators who would shun a fledgeling editor.

A fascinating Digital Culture concept which can tie into the gender of editors is that of Cyberutopia. In the early days of the counterculture net in the 1990s where it was mostly text based browsing, users were unaware of other users’ race, gender, sexuality. This allowed users to flourish, and be their truest self online. Some users hiding behind obscure display names, and not revealing their true identity mimics this, allowing people to edit and be judged solely on their edits, not background or education. However, this also allows some users to engage in Identity Tourism, by hiding behind a display name, they could introduce themselves on a talk board as a female undergraduate student, but are actually a high-school educated male. Famously, Wikipedia hired notable user Essjay who claimed to be a doctorate of History, but turned out to not be as studious as he claimed and was ultimately pushed from his role at the company, in a very early instance of somebody being caught (academic) catfishing.

Allowing anybody to edit is one of the main criticisms of the page, by academics and sceptics alike. Despite having to provide sources, and pages being regulated by chosen moderators, people have a distaste for this mode of online publishing and collaboration work. As previously mentioned, academics struggle with Wikipedia as it goes against their training, but this free to use website that has versions in 329 languages drastically opens up information to be consumed by the masses. Unlike Academic Journals that are hidden behind paywalls, and unlike books that can quickly become out of date when a new discovery in the field happens, Wikipedia can be updated in seconds making it incredibly appealing as a website to check when searching for something online. On the contrary, in some ways that Wikipedia is inaccessible is through the language of the website, as much like the rest of the internet, English is the dominating language, or with the site being partially or entirely blocked in some countries due to distrust of the content on the website. While the site is often praised for its accessibility, it does seem to be that it is by western scholars, for whom the website was built with them in mind. 

One of my main takeaways from this five week module is my glowing optimism about the platform. I found it easy to edit once being taught how, and will absolutely be adding regular edits whenever I come across something noteworthy during my archive research. Through all the reading I have undertaken for this module, I have come to understand why academics are not too fond of the website, notably the NPOV blocking them from adding new narratives to the general consensus of knowledge. Yet Wikipedia truly imposes no threat to academics. Peer reviewed journals are still regarded highly and hidden behind paywalls, the average member of the public is not privy to groundbreaking research, but Wikipedia is the next best thing in the dissemination of knowledge. I sincerely hope the webpage has some longevity, as it truly does serve a great purpose in ordinary people’s lives. This module has helped me to demystify the logistics of the online encyclopaedia, and ultimately made me appreciate it even more than I originally did. 

Bibliography

Halstead, D G, ‘Accuracy and quality in historical representation: Wikipedia, textbooks and the Investiture Controversy’, Digital Medievalist 9 (2013). 

Harrison, S, ‘Why China Blocked Wikipedia in All Languages’, Slate (May 2019), https://slate.com/technology/2019/05/wikipedia-china-block-censorship-tiananmen-square.html [accessed 1 November 2022].

Jensen, R,  ‘Military History on the Electronic Frontier: Wikipedia Fights the War of 1812’, Journal of Military History, 76 (2012), pp. 1169 – 1177.

Leonard, V,  ‘How Can Historians Achieve Inclusivity In Digital Archives?’, Royal History Society, (December 2019), https://blog.royalhistsoc.org/2019/12/16/how-can-historians-achieve-inclusivity-in-digital-archives/, [accessed 31 October 2022].

‘Most Popular Websites in the World 1996/2021’, Statistics & Data 2021, https://statisticsanddata.org/data/most-popular-websites-in-the-world-1996-2021/ [accessed 1 November 2022].  

‘Pete Wentz – Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia’, The Internet Archive (June 2008), https://web.archive.org/web/20080624235142/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Wentz, [accessed 1 November 2022].

Phillips, M. G, ‘Wikipedia and History: a worthwhile partnership in the digital era?’, Rethinking History, 20.4 (2016), pp. 523 – 543. 

Reed, T V, ‘How Do We Make Sense of Digitizing Cultures? Some Ways of Thinking Through The Culture-Technology Matrix’, ‘Digitised Lives: Culture Power and Social Change in the Internet Era’, (Second Edition, New York, 2019) pp. 1 – 30, 32 – 34

Rosenzweig, R, ‘Can History Be Open Source? Wikipedia and the Future of the Past’, Journal of American History, 93.1 (2006), 117 – 146. 

Steggle, M,  ‘Prospero and Plagiarism: Early Modern Studies and the Rise of Wikipedia’, Digital Studies/le Champ Numerique 2.1 (2010).

‘Wikipedia:Edit warring: The three revert rule’, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Edit_warring [accessed 1 November 2022].

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my wikipedia edits [sic] to include hyperlinks and references;

Friends or Enemies was a blogging platform created by Wentz to showcase "VIP" content of the bands signed to DCD2. The site first appeared online in the latter half of 2005 stating "coming this fall".[52] On January 16, 2006 the page published its first post, welcoming people to its BETA version; earlier that day Wentz appeared on MTV's TRL wearing a friendsorenemies.com branded t-shirt, to promote the website.[53] The platform allowed its users to customise their own page, comment and reply, and post entries on their profile. In support of Friends or Enemies, William Beckett of The Academy Is... posted on their website that it is "the hatester's MySpace",[54] and Cobra Starship shared a preview of their music video, Church of Hot Addiction on the website, a week before it was to be aired on MTV2.[55] By February 2007, Equalstudio, the designer and host of the website, stated there were over 100,000 members on Friends or Enemies.[56] The website became a hub for posting tour announcements and updates, and had increased its VIP journals to include bands that were not signed to DCD2, such as Armour For Sleep and Innerpartysystem[57][58]

In 2009, Twitter[59] and Facebook[60] accounts were created, which posted the same content as the website, that was still being regularly updated with blogs and competitions. Also in 2009, Friends or Enemies began posting on their YouTube channel which published skits, live performances and interviews.[61] Through 2011 and 2012, the social media pages began to post links to new music videos, while the website continued with blog updates from bands. Despite 2012 being the year for the website that had amassed the most blog posts, in January 2013, Wentz posted an edited photograph of Britney Spears with a shaved head, which served as his last post.[62] By May 2013, the homepage stated the "Network [is] offline"[63] and has remained down since.

#friendsorenemies.com #friends or enemies #friendsorenemies #fall out boy #pete wentz #wikipedia edits

[amphibious-thing]

Never, never in my life I have been so well entertained as I am when I read Milton; and why? First, for Poet’s excellency, and secondly and chiefly because I read it with Kinloch. My beloved, my dearest friend is Kinloch; how happy am I, when I teach him some part of natural Philosophy, when I read with him both English and French Poets, when I talk with him about various matters plainly and heartily as with a friend! Let me say again: Kinloch is my beloved, my dearest friend.

Louis Manoël de Vegobre to John Laurens, 24 December 1774 

hmm

#louis manoel de vegobre #john laurens #francis kinloch #pretty sure I havent read this letter before? #if I have I forgot it #I stumbled upon it while looking for the source of that quote in the previous post #queer history

[mother-of-a-murder]

Spooky Scary HiddlesSmut

🧡🖤🧡🖤...to set the mood for Halloween, of course 😘🧡🖤🧡🖤

Ngl, this post is a shameless self-promo-post of my previous fics. I haven’t written anythimg in quite a looong time, but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss doing so for ya’ll ☺️💕 I dunno how many new/old faces there are in the Hiddles fandom these days, but if you’re looking for some erotic fantasy-creature-variants of our ole’ Tommy boy, I can provide some titilating stories 😈 N O T E: all of these fics listed are rated Explicit & some may contain subjects relating to BDSM, D/s, DubCon, impact play (whips, riding crops, spanking etc.), various kinks, and some of these have terato themes. Please check the listed tags on Ao3 for more details!

An Ocean’s Entrancing Lover (feat. Naga-Loki) Abby’s on vacation at the beach, and she decides to take a late night stroll for some relaxing meditation. Whilst enjoying the sounds of the ocean, someone (or something) emerges from the water to help relieve her of some stress with a more hypnotic approach.

Golden Treasures & Emerald Scales (feat. Naga-Loki [not related to the above fic]) An adventuring maiden-warrior explores a mysterious cave hidden in the forest that’s rumored to contain treasures beyond one’s imagination. However, she will soon discover something else lies within the cave, a long forgotten deity that may not take kindly to strangers hoping to steal his treasure.

Sweet Dreams (feat. Vampire Twins AU!Thomas & AU!William Buxton) A harlot wanders the dark streets of London and meets a pair of brothers, and they are more than eager to use her for their entertainment… among other things.

Das Tier in Mir (feat. AU!WereTom) Tom has received a painful wound from an animal and something strange begins to happen; He craves red meat on the rarer side, his eyes change color, his body heat is insufferable, his arousal is too painful to deal with himself, and he becomes possessed with an animal inside him that needs to hunt for prey, to slake his appetite.

Monster in the Dark (feat. AU!Incubus!ThomasSharpe) Edith prepares for her first night in Sir Thomas Sharpe’s mansion. He mentions how the house has a life of its own and not to be alarmed by noises she may hear within her new home. As she prepares for bed, she hears mysterious & unsettling sounds, but tries to ignore them. However, her mind comes to a screeching halt when she feels a presence in her room… [A/N: This was written BEFORE Crimson Peak came out in theaters, so yes, I'm fully aware this doesn't go along with the movie. This was merely written as an AU and for fun :) ]

Magical Summer Night (feat. AU!Merman!Oakley) Elizabeth tries to take a summer vacation but isn’t too thrilled to find a long-time crush of hers, Oakley, is staying at the same hotel as she is. Things turn awkward for them when she snaps at him, but when she apologizes and asks him out on an innocent date, he rejects the offer. Saddened by the rebuff, Elizabeth decides to take a lonely walk on the beach late at night. When she hears noises, she’s stunned by what and whom she finds.

Bloody Baptism (feat. Adam from OLLA) Adam is out on the prowl and catches the scent of something delicious. He tracks down the source and comes to find out he's stumbled upon a nice girl that can relieve his appetite in a most unique way. Oh, and if want to have a listen to what playlist I listened to while writing this to set some mood, go here!

Paranormal Encounter (feat Ghost!Thomas Sharpe) The year is 2015 and Olivia loves investigating old haunted houses. She always gets a thrill if she’s able to spot and record strange happenings and spooky occurrences. However, when she sees the lonely spirit that haunts the mansion atop Crimson Peak, she’s not quite prepared when she meets him. Will she live to tell this spooky but erotic tale?

Demon in the Night (feat. AU!Incubus!Tom) A certain Tom Hiddleston fangirl finds herself restless, unable to write, and feeling just a tad lonely. When she daydreams of him to relieve herself, it seems those daydreams linger into her sleep… and become reality. An old bday fic for dear @angryschnauzer 😘

Tagging some peeps: @bookworm-christina @abbessolute @thecutestlittlebunbunfairy @elfpunk @lokiperfection @maxwell-demon @inkededucatednnerdy @sarabeth72 @tomhiddleston-kikibfairy @nuggsmum @toozmanykids @wolfsmom1 @ice-queen-of-music @lowhostrikesback @the-haven-of-fiction @pedeka @writernotwaiting @calgal48 @angelofhiddles @angelus80 @harpo7879 @quoting-shakespeare-to-ducks @storylover92 @onlypassingthings @neither-blue-nor-green @adamcansuckme @geminiloveca @later0varies @rosebudwhite @ourladybinxthings @adder24 @joanbushur @slytherin-pixie @onyxfyrefly @tomkurbikston @awolfbeneath @xdelayedgratification @ophelia-tagloff

#tom hiddleston #thomas william hiddleston #my fanfiction #exophilia #terato #hiddlesmut #Halloween #halloween reading #ghost #incubus #vampires #twins #naga #merman #oakley #thomas sharpe #william buxton #Loki

[echoesoftheeast]

Why I No Longer Support the Russian Annexation of Crimea

A few years ago, when I first began learning the Russian language and the histories of Eastern Europe, I was unabashedly pro-Russian in my geopolitical convictions. I still remember watching a documentary about the Maiden Revolution in Kyiv and how it was presented as being orchestrated by the West, how it resulted in the safety of Russian speakers in Ukraine being compromised, and how it ushered in the rise of a fascist government with Nazi sympathies that espoused a type of ultra-Ukrainian nationalism that left no place for anything Russian in Ukraine anymore. Due to this analysis of the Maidan and post-Maidan currents in Ukraine, I came to the conclusion that the annexation of the Crimea was a truly democratic action and that the war in Donetsk and Luhansk represented almost a motherly care from Moscow for the Russian speakers of Eastern Ukraine. For years this served as the basis of my understanding of the post-Maidan conflicts, particularly the annexation of the Crimea. I continued to read a multitude of pro-Russian articles that justified the annexation. According to the standard positions given, the initial transfer of the Crimea from the Russian SFSR to the Ukrainian SSR by Khrushchev was nothing more than a whimsical decision from the former party head of the Ukrainian SSR. Since the Crimea had been thoroughly under Russian administration prior, this means that the actual transfer was an historical injustice in the first place; Crimea is thoroughly Russian land and is deeply connected with Russian history. Secondly, the annexation can be justified since NATO had allegedly promised the newly formed Russian Federation following the collapse of the USSR that they would not expand into either former Eastern Block or Soviet territory. Since a multitude of former Eastern Bloc and Soviet countries have in fact been integrated into NATO, the West broke their promise so then what sort of moral high ground do they have to declare the annexation of the Crimea as illegal? Thirdly, considering that the majority of the population considered themselves ethnically Russian, since there was a referendum that resulted in an overwhelming majority of voters supporting being received into the Russian Federation, how should this act of democracy be considered any differently than say the will of the Albanian Kosovars to cede from Serbia. If an autonomous province of one country can have the legal right to cede, why can’t another? Finally (not to say that there are only four justifications for the annexation of Crimea, rather these were the biggest reasons for my previous support behind it), there was the strategic considerations of the naval base at Sevastopol. Considering that following the collapse of the Soviet Union that more and more former Soviet republics and Eastern Bloc countries have been joining the European Union and NATO (or lining up to do so), this presents a threat to Russia. Considering that the geopolitical relations between Russia and the West are at an all time low since the Cold War, it would be a strategic blunder for Russia if Ukraine was allowed to achieve its goals of EU and NATO integration. Considering the close proximity of Sevastopol to Russian territory, if Ukraine would become a part of NATO and allow for NATO to establish itself in Sevastopol, this would poise a huge military threat to Russia. Therefore, in a sort of pre-emptive move, the annexation of the Crimea was necessary to prevent any further potential NATO bases being so close to Russian territory. However, over the years as I have opened myself to more and more information from across the geopolitical spectrums, the justifications for the annexation began to slowly dismantle themselves until I came to the conclusion that the annexation of the Crimea was not only an illegal action taken by Russia but a geopolitical blunder of the highest level. I will leave why I think this was the biggest mistake they could make until the end and I will address why I no longer consider the justifications that I mentioned as valid. Before we proceed, I would like to just mention an event that was fundamental in helping me reconsider my convictions and to abandon what I can only call the Russian-Chauvinistic mentality that I previously held. A few years ago when I was on one of my trips to Chisinau, my wife and I decided to visit the Museum of Soviet Occupation (also known as the Museum of Victims of Communism). Now, I was definitely not pro-Soviet (being an Orthodox Christian, I know enough history about the persecutions against the religious in the Soviet Union and the overall atheistic ideology to keep me at arms length from having any real sense of Soviet sympathy) so I was very eager to check this museum out. Having read various books and articles that talk about some of the horrors that happened (especially during the Stalinist era), I wasn’t completely unfamiliar with the tragedies that befell different people within the Soviet Union. However, it was a completely different experience to walk through the museum and see real letters from prisoners, confiscated passports, and photos of the real people who experienced the repressions; simply because they were land owners, priests, or suspected of being pro-Romanians. What struck me most was the collection of propaganda posters in one of the exhibits. Whether they were attacking religion or bolstering the benefits of the Soviet system, the propaganda seemed to address everything. It was this moment of looking at the seemingly endless collection of Soviet propaganda posters where something struck me, “If there was this much propaganda going on back then, who’s to say that there’s not just as much now but through contemporary mediums?” So, what got me to reconsider my positions wasn’t an article, or a book, or a conversation; it was the feeling of being overwhelmed by an endless supply of propaganda. After this moment, I began to be more critical of what I would read and try to expand my reading to include sources that present both sides of a situation, as well as material from non-partisan sources. One of the most important examples was with the annexation of Crimea. I began to look a little deeper at the arguments put forward to justify the annexation. Over time, as I read more sources or would occasionally stumble upon some information, each point began to have less weight to me that they used to have, until the point where I came to the conclusion that I no longer can buy into the arguments: Crimea is Ukraine.

The first point that is often brought up is that Khrushchev simply gave Crimea to Ukraine either because he had a soft spot for the country, or that it was a gift to celebrate the 1654 Pereyaslav Treaty, or because he wanted to reward Ukraine for their loyalty to the whole Soviet system (among other reasons that are given). Now, it is definitely true that the Crimea was previously an autonomous oblast within the Russian SFSR and that Nikita Khrushchev played a major role it the transfer of the Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR. However, no matter what the reason (or most likely, reasons) behind the transfer, ultimately it was transferred and became an administrative unit of the Ukrainian SSR. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the declaration of the new entities of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, the Crimea was legally recognized as part of Ukraine. Most importantly, in 1994 both the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine (along with the President of the USA and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom) signed the Budapest Memorandums on Security Assurances. Along with this document came the accession of Ukraine to the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In return for Ukraine agreeing to eliminate all nuclear weapons from their territory within a specified period of time, they were given certain national security assurances. Some of the assurances are worth quoting in full, “1. The Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine, in accordance with the principles of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, to respect the independence and sovereignty and the existing borders of Ukraine;

2. The Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America reaffirm their obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine, and that none of their weapons will ever be used against Ukraine except in self-defence or otherwise in accordance with the Charter of the United Nation.” The first two points that were noted on the memorandum, signed by the Russian President, concerned respecting the territorial integrity of the existing borders of Ukraine at the time, which included Crimea, and the affirmation that they would not use force against Ukraine and threaten their sovereignty. I came across this memorandum while reading an excellent book written by the Ukrainian-Canadian historian Serhy Yekelchyk, “The Conflict in Ukraine: What Everyone Needs to Know”. This information completing undermines any king of argument that posits the initial transfer of Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR as being some sort of geopolitical injustice, and thereby justifying the annexation of it to the Russian Federation. Russia signed a memorandum to respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine, to abstain from using force against Ukraine, and to refrain from threatening the current borders of Ukraine. This leads nicely into the next point that the Western powers allegedly promised Russia that they had no intentions of expanding NATO into former Eastern Bloc and Soviet territories. As time went by, history has shown us that a number of former Eastern Bloc and Soviet republics have in fact been accepted in NATO. From the standard Russian narrative, since the West went back on their promise, then how can they oppose the annexation of Crimea? The logic seems to go that since the West reneged on their side of the deal, Russia is therefore free to disregard whatever security guarantees they provided to ensure the territorial integrity of Ukraine. However, we need to ask the question: did the Western powers ever promise this? This answer was given by Mikhail Gorbachev himself: no. The agreement that did happen was in regards to non-German NATO forces being employed in the former GDR (German Democratic Republic). When Gorbachev was interviewed and asked about the supposed promises made to Russia that NATO wouldn’t expand eastwards, he had this to say,

“The topic of ‘NATO expansion’ was not discussed at all, and it wasn’t brought up in those years. … Another issue we brought up was discussed: making sure that NATO’s military structures would not advance and that additional armed forces would not be deployed on the territory of the then-GDR after German reunification. Baker’s statement was made in that context… Everything that could have been and needed to be done to solidify that political obligation was done. And fulfilled.”

It becomes evidently clear that no such promise regarding the refraining of NATO from expanding eastwards was every actually given, so Russia has no ground to try to justify their breaking of an international memorandum on the alleged failure of the West from refraining to expand NATO. Another point is that Crimea is historically Russian land with great historical significance for Russia. While its true that some very significant historical events in Russian history have taken place in the Crimea (including the baptism of St. Volodymyr in Kherson, the Crimean War, and the siege of Sevastopol) and that from 1783-1917 it was part of the Russian Empire and then from 1921-1954 it was part of the Russian SFSR, if we want to talk about the earlier inhabitants of the Crimea, it’s impossible to overlook the Crimean Tatars. Turkic peoples had been inhabiting the Crimean Peninsula since the 6th century and the Crimean Khanate was established in the 15th century. The Tatars were there prior to the movement of Slavs into the peninsula and were the majority until a number of historical factors began to decrease the Tatar population in the Crimea (such as Tatars fleeing or being deported to the Ottoman Empire after the initial conquest by the Russian Empire, more Tatars fleeing or being deported after the Russian loss of the Crimean War, and when practically the entire Crimean Tatar population was deported to Central Asia following World War 2 by Joseph Stalin). Only since 1989 has the Tatar population been growing again when the Supreme Soviet condemned the removal of the Tatars from their lands as unlawful, and thereby allowing larger numbers of them to return. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Crimean Tatars have largely been in favor of the Ukrainian government and have a more complicated relationship with Russian rule. When the annexation was in process, the Tatar population in Crimea boycotted the referendum and have been vocal in their desire to remain within Ukraine. While the history of Crimea is a part of Slavic history (not simply Russian), the Crimea has more historical rights with the Crimean Tatars, and the voice of the Crimean Tatars has spoken and sides with Ukraine. Now, to address the so-called democratic process of the referendum held in the Crimea that led to the request to be accepted into the Russian Federation. This was probably the strongest argument in favor of the annexation since it appeared the represent the concept of democracy and self-determination. It seemed to me that when the Soviet Union was collapsing and the various republics were declaring their own independence, then why should Ukraine’s desire to cede from the Soviet Union be respected while the Crimea’s desire should be treated as separatism? Is not Kyiv becoming to Crimea what Moscow was to Ukraine? On top of that, why is it that the referendum in the Crimea is treated as illegal while the referendum in Kosovo was accepted by the West? Let’s first look at the legitimacy of the referendum first. The whole tension between the political concepts of territorial integrity and self-determination is difficult to say the least. However, in the situation following the Maidan Revolution, it’s abundantly clear that the situation in Crimea was escalated following the arrival of the little green men. Even in my most pro-Russian days I had no doubts that these were “unofficial” Russian soldiers coming to the Crimea. What this presents itself as is nothing other than a military invasion and occupation. Since the referendum took place within a context of military occupation, it fundamentally cannot be accepted as valid on an international level. While it may be true that a large percentage of the population living in Crimea may in fact have supported a move towards Russia (I have friends and acquaintances with family members in Crimea and I have been told from them that the general opinion was indeed to become a part of Russia), the context and procedures were far from happening within what is accepted on a legal basis and can be legitimized on an international level. In regard to the comparison with Kosovo, we have to recognize that their situations are completely different. While both Kosovo and the Crimea were autonomous regions within their respective countries, the Russian population in the Crimea never underwent the same atrocities that the Kosovar Albanians underwent during the Kosovo War. The context for the independence of Kosovo was largely based on the genocidal afflictions they experienced during the war from Serbia, thus giving a moral precedence to pursue a path of independence. The only population within Crimea that can claim to have any kind of similar experience are the Crimean Tatars, who have been the victims of repression and deportation numerous times throughout history. So, we can see that neither the fact that a referendum was held or the comparison with Kosovo can have any legitimacy in regards to the annexation of Crimea. Now I’d like to look at the claim that it was necessary to annex the Crimea as a pre-emptive strike to protect Russian borders from the expansion of NATO. Since there’s a significant naval port in Sevastopol, it would be a geopolitical disaster for Russia if the ports of Sevastopol became NATO bases. This argument is completely dismantled once one considers the point that Sevastopol isn’t the only port in Ukraine. This point was driven home to me during a discussion with a Ukrainian acquaintance of mine about the whole situation in Crimea. We were discussing the various justifications given by Russia and I brought up this point about self-defence against NATO. My acquaintance simply replied, “So what if Sevastopol doesn’t become a NATO base? If Ukraine would be accepted into NATO, there are ports in Odessa which could easily be used as well. Is the distance from Sevastopol to Odessa really going to be that big of a difference?” The weakness of this argument became immediately apparent to me. If we even put aside the question of naval bases, there’s still the reality of regular military bases that could be set up in Ukraine. NATO could simply set up bases in cities like Kharkiv, Chernihiv, or even Kyiv and these would all be very close to the Russian border. To pursue this line of argument would necessitate that Russia simply annex all of Ukraine to prevent NATO from establishing any closer bases to their borders. As each argument began to collapse for me, I came to the ultimate conclusion that the annexation of Crimea was nothing more than an illegal military occupation, taking advantage of the unfavorable situation that arose for Russia in the aftermath of the Maidan Revolution. In an attempt to keep Ukraine divided to at least prevent her from moving closer to the West, the annexation and the war in Donbass is nothing more than a destabilizing effort by Moscow to try and force Ukraine to stay within their sphere of influence and to prevent the West from getting to close to Ukraine. However, the actions taken by Moscow were the biggest geopolitical blunder that they could have made. If Moscow genuinely wants to keep Ukraine within their sphere of influence, the worst thing that they could have done was to annex territory and become involved in a separatist war. By trying to force Ukraine to stay, they have only pushed her farther away. While it’s unlikely that Russia will ever accept that the annexation of the Crimea was unlawful and actually return it to the control of the Ukrainian government, it’s also just as unlikely the Ukraine will return to a place where closer ties with Russia is a popular opinion. While there are small measures of truth in the propaganda employed by Moscow in regards to the situation in Ukraine (there are definitely ultra-Ukrainian nationalists as well as those who have sympathies for the Galician division of the SS who fought against the Soviets with the Germans in World War 2), it is grossly inaccurate to portray the situation as if every Ukrainian is a fascist, ultra-nationalist, who’s looking to persecute Russian speakers. While the Russian language may have less acceptance in certain parts of Ukraine, it’s still spoken across the country. At the end of the day, I realized that my thoughts in the museum in Chisinau were right: Moscow is simply continuing the propaganda tradition through new mediums. To sum everything up simply, we can say this much: not all Ukrainians are fascists, not all Ukrainian are Nazi sympathizers, not all Ukrainians are out for Russian blood. Russia signed a memorandum to respective the territorial integrity of Ukraine and to abstain from threatening it with force. There was never any promise from NATO that they wouldn’t expand eastwards. While Crimea plays a role in Slavic history, the Crimean Tatars have a greater claim through history than the Russians do. The referendum took place in an atmosphere of military occupation and therefore has no chance of legitimacy. The situations of Kosovo and Crimea are completely different and therefore are not a viable comparison. And finally, if Ukraine was to join NATO, bases could still be set up close to the Russian border even without the naval bases in Sevastopol. Crimea is Ukraine.

#crimea #russia ukraine geopolitics

[smoochkooks]

—the (un)holy cock-up (m.)

⟶ pairing: park jimin/reader

⟶ genre: smut, angst 

⟶ word count: 14.5k

⟶ warnings: explicit sexual content, oral sex (m receiving), dirty talk, profanity, unnecessary amount of biblical puns, some critic on catholic church, this is a heavy read be aware

⟶ summary: there is a quite long list of circumstances, with student loan and rent on the very top of it, that led you to work in the sunday’s spirit editorial department, a newspaper overally known among fellow catholic community of busan, with park jimin as your boss.

when your small cock-up goes unnoticeably out of your hand, you find yourself in a situation painted in all shades of wrong.

or, alternatively: when it’s forbidden, it tastes bittersweet.

a/n: please, before you read this: take the warnings seriously. this is not a light read, it touches some heavy and quite controversial topics. tit also involves a scene where a person in charge exhibits inappropriate behavior towards their subordinate which I do not condone, however it’s all done with consent.

ps. im really proud of this work so give me some love please:(

Fingertips typing furiously on the keyboards, sights focused on the computers’ screens, brows furrowed, minds utterly concentrated and all of this accompanied by angelic voices of various religious songs playing in the background.

This is how a typical day at Sunday’s Spirit editorial department goes by.

The newspaper is a local source of information for the catholic community not only in the city of Busan, but in the whole country. Its history starts in 70s, when Park Min-Sung with his wife started publishing the very first version of the Sunday’s Spirit, selling copies in front of churches. Young activists definitely hadn’t anticipated such a big success, especially due to hard times of the military dictatorship in Korea, but two decades later they have become one of the most affluent families in Busan. The newspaper remains the Park’s legacy till these days, being owned by Min-Sung’s son, with the original founder’s grandson Jimin as an editor-in-chief.

Sometimes you ponder how did you end up in this kind of situation. Sitting at your desk with eyes glued to the screen, working for the catholic newspaper with Mary did you know and other holy songs playing from the Spotify’s Blessed Hits playlist.

First of all, you aren’t quite a Jesus stan yourself. Not a regular churchgoer, Bible reader or a person who lives according to God’s will with Ten Commandments written on your heart and soul.

Someone may wonder, what a young, aspiring journalist like you is doing here? Yes, that’s right.

Money is the reason.

The perspectives of wealthy life as a presenter in the national television or a host in the radio were just a mirage, because after receiving your master degree in journalism you realised that, unfortunately, a bright future was bright only in your unreal dreams.

The case was simple. You needed money. Your bank account was literally screaming at you to get your shit together and figure something out before you end up under the bridge. So you started searching for a job, looking over various offers on the Internet for two weeks straight. A waitress? Nah, too clumsy for that. Jewelry seller? Definitely not, since you are a happy owner of a few pairs of earrings from etsy-like online shop that certainly have nothing to do with real gold. You were almost convinced you’re destined to be a sexworker but then you stumbled upon an offer from the Sunday’s Spirit.

It was your chance. A God himself decided to take pity on you.

In that exact moment the genre of the newspaper wasn’t important. The vision of bankruptcy was enough for you to wear knee-length black skirt, white button-up shirt and a pair of high heels you’ve never worn before and go on a job interview with plastered smile on your face, looking delightful like you have just given birth to Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.

All the Hollywood actresses could be put into shame after your Oscar-winning performance you acted out on the interview in front of middle-aged woman in checked jacket that no one wears since 90s. Your enthusiasm and assurance you live good, catholic woman’s life, along with your master degree and motivational letter (you added a quote from The Letter to Philipians at the end of it to spice it up) was enough to be accepted for the position of Ask and you shall find column creator.

The job itself wasn’t complex or tough. The newspaper on its online site has a page where people can create an account and send asks to the author of the column who responds to them. You did something wrong and you aren’t sure it should be considered a sin? Having problems with regular praying on mornings and evenings? Write to us and we will solemnly help you with the God’s blessing, it says.

This is basically how it works. Each week, the said journalist chooses the most interesting questions and answers to make an article to the Sunday’s Spirit’s next publication. Of course, you can’t answer those questions the way you would like. You must do it according to the catholic laws and God’s plan (the True God’s plan, not Drake’s). A woman who interviewed you even gave you a notebook full of already made-up responses and a list of things you definetely mustn’t write if you still want to be employed.

To be completely frank, you don’t hate your job that much. You actually feel kind of nice, helping other people with their problems. You’ve been doing this for six months now and during this period of time you got used to some things.

A ‘Jesus, I trust you’ framed picture you swore your mother gave you on your 16th birthday standing on your desk. Holy beats blasting through the speakers until you leave the office at 5pm. A big-ass cross hanging right in front of the entrance to the editorial. Lee Chin-sun, the Weekly News column author, rushing to Park Jimin’s bureau every day at different hours in her pencil skirts and high heels knocking on the floor.

There’s only the Pentecost in the middle of the office that could actually surprise you.

“Looks like our Mary Magdalene is going to Jesus cave again,” mutters Kim Taehyung, the newspaper’s main photographer, friend from your desk and, actually, the only friend you have here. Very much gay and just like you, in desperate need for money. “It’s her third visit today. I wonder what it is this time. New prayer to Pope Francis she found?” he whispers and you chuckle at that quietly, looking around if anyone pays attention to your conversation, but everyone seems busy doing their own stuff. “Maybe she’s sucking his dick right now and we all think they are playing Who said it? Bible edition,” he adds in a hushed tone.

You start thinking about it for a while. Is that really possible for someone like Park Jimin, the editor-in-chief of the Sunday’s Spirit to have a sexual relationship with his coworker? The man who has a smaller version of Pietà in his office?

“I mean look at him. I would smash that ass too.”

You roll your eyes at Taehyung words, going back to your previous task but every time you try to concentrate, the face of your boss appears in front of your eyes uncontrollably.

Truth to be told, Park Jimin was a sight.

Blond hair, always perfectly styled and simply parted in the middle, revealing his forehead. Dark, sharp eyes that seem to pierce right through your soul and full, plump lips which could only be described as kissable.

He wears only high fashion brands, wandering through the office in Prada and Tom Ford suits that hugs his sculpted body just right. You think that as for a person who never misses Sunday’s mass, Park Jimin has also nice thighs. And a fine piece of ass, as Taehyung would describe it.

Newest Rolex that costs probably more than you will ever earn in your entire life on his wrist, Mercedes who just got brought out to the international market standing on his parking spot in front of the building, an apartment in the most luxurious area in Busan.

Park Jimin inhales God’s mercy and exhales money.

You spoke to him more explicitly only once, on your first day at work. He greeted you and wished good luck, saying that everything will be fine because you know, God’s good. Since that day, Park Jimin seems out of your reach. You contact him only through email, sending articles for him to check and approve, occasionally receiving some short message from him to improve this and that. He rarely leaves his office during working hours but when he does, it’s either for business meetings outside the editorial or for a lunch at nearby restaurant.

There’s also one, special occasion, every Friday, that’s a sacred time for all the employees. The clock hits 12am and so it begins. The angelic voices stop singing and everybody shifts on their sits.

“Oh, Holy Judas. I almost forgot about my favourite part of the week,” Taehyung sighs, standing up from his desk. And by that, he means-

“Friday’s Bible contemplation lunch break, everyone please gather up at the cafeteria.” Park Jimin’s sweet as honey voice says through the speakers.

You stand up from your chair with reluctance. Taking food with you, you go to the cafeteria, following Taehyung.

That’s actually the next thing you got used to while working at Sunday’s Spirit. Bible contemplation meetings are, as you found out from Taehyung, Jimin’s idea after he became an editor-in-chief almost one year ago. Every Friday all the workers sit together, eat their lunches and listen to Jimin as he reads a certain chapter from the book with true admiration written on their faces. After that, he usually asks some questions holding a discussion among the participants who, unlike you, happily takes part in.

The cafeteria looks rather normal, like any other lunchrooms you see in offices. Painted in bright yellow colors, with a few tables and a typical kitchen set in the back. Except for one thing.

A replica of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper hanging on the wall.

You decided a long time ago that you don’t want to know how much money it cost Jimin to have something like that here.

The newspaper’s workers, almost like the twelve Apostles, sit together by the tables. Lee Chin-sun at the very front, looking completely mesmerized by today’s Park Jimin’s appearance. He’s wearing navy blue suit that Taehyung swears it’s from Hugo Boss. The place next to Chin-sun is always occupied by tall, black-haired guy named Choi Eunwoo, main graphic designer, hopelessly in love with her since his first days at work. Behind them there’s a group from emendation department, with their leader Min Yoongi and other journalists. You always sit with Taehyung at the back, near the kitchen, not necessarily paying attention to what’s happening in the front.

Jimin, as on every Friday, walks to the small podium, designed to look like a pulpit in the church and opens the Bible. But one thing is odd: Jimin ain’t no priest or altar boy himself and he certainly dosen’t look like one, flipping through the pages of what you think it’s New Testament this time.

From your point of view, you could practically see how Chin-sun sighs with content expression on her face, lacing her fingers together on the lap and straightening her back. Eunwoo, on the other hand, shifts uncomfortably on his seat, sending Chin-sun quick glances full of unspoken longing she never acknowledges, to his dismay.

Then, Park Jimin clears his throat and the whole cafeteria goes quiet.

Truth to be told, you never really listen to what he’s reading. This time is no different. You just chew on your avocado sandwich, occasionally taking a sip of coffee. Your boss’ smooth voice reaches your ears faintly but you don’t pay attention to it, focusing on eating and Taehyung’s hushed rumbling instead.

“Look at our Mary Magdalene, she looks like she might burst a nut just by listening to CEO Jesus,” he says, making you peek at the girl.

Mary Magdalene is a nickname that Taehyung made up for Chin-sun when he started working at Sunday’s Spirit, mainly because of her attitude and relationship with Jimin. It’s rather platonic, at least for now. She looks at him with pure admiration on her face and she literally melts everytime he smiles at her. But Chin-sun’s ‘stalking’ isn’t unreasonable. Her father is a well-known philanthropist in Busan. He donates catholic charities, churches and, what’s the most interesting – he has some connections with Jimin’s father, the owner of Sunday’s Spirit.

And here’s the thing: Chin-sun’s hare and hounds definitely have some hidden reason. Maybe the whole marriage thing that has become a gossip in the office is true. Which makes poor Eunwoo’s situation even worse.

“Sometimes I wonder why has he fallen in love with her in first place,” you whisper, pointing at the graphic designer. “He knows he stands no chance against Jimin.”

“What can I say, you can’t help who you fall in love with.” Taehyung muses almost poetically, shrugging his shoulders.

You hum at that, placing your coffee cup on the table and looking around the cafeteria. It seems like Jimin has ended his reading session for today and now he invites everyone to join the discussion about the topic. He flashes Chin-sun a gentle smile and you could swear the girl is biting her lip.

On the corner of your eye you see Taehyung smirking.

“What?” you ask.

Taehyung takes a sip of his coffee lazily (it’s always caramel macchiato), peering at Jimin. “Oh, nothing. I was just wondering if our boss really wants to settle not only with Chin-sun, but anyone in general,” he says languidly.

You furrow your brows. “What makes you think that? I mean, look at him. He probably waits with sex till marriage.” you snort.

Taehyung chuckles at your words. “Ah, sweetheart, you really know nothing about Park Jimin.”

“What do you mean?”

He moves closer to you, leaning towards your ear. “What I mean,” he whispers, “is that Park Jimin isn’t such a prude everyone thinks he is. At least he didn’t use to be.”

You raise your eyebrows at him with disbelief. “What? He’s secretly gay?” you mock.

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “I wish, but no, he isn’t,” he answers with a sigh. “Do you know Min Yoongi from emendation team?” he then asks, pointing at grey-haired man with feline eyes sitting behind Chin-sun.

You nodd your head. Min Yoongi is a hard to read guy. Always suspiciously silent, practically never leaves his office. Something makes you wonder how did Taehyung end up befriending him enough to casually gossip about the boss. You will ask him about this on another occasion.

“So here’s the thing,” Taehyung begins, lowering the volume of his voice. “He used to study at the same university in Seoul with Jimin. They even had been together in the fraternity. Yoongi-hyung told me some juicy details about our boss’ life back then.”

You frown at his words. “And you are telling me this now?!” you hiss.

“I found out literally two days ago!” Taehyung exclaims, maybe a little too loud, so you quickly place your index finger on your lips, shushing him.

“Fine. Continue.” you whisper, looking around to see if anyone pays attention to you.

“Well, Park Jimin used to be a trouble back then. A golden boy of his family in Busan, but a campus fuckboy and obnoxious heartbreaker in Seoul. He smoked cigarettes, drank enormous amounts of alcohol, got wasted on every weekend, missed classes and changed hair colors as often as his girlfriends. By the way, don’t you think he would slay pink hair?”

“Taehyung can you please–”

“Okay, okay. Enough thirsting over Jimesus. So, as you can see, there was no place for Sunday’s mass and Bible contemplation meetings in his life. And here’s the awaited plotwist. His parents somehow found out his son wasn’t living good catholic life on his studies and got extremely pissed off. They simply gave him an ultimatum: if he doesn’t stop his shenanigans, they will cut him off their money and they won’t make him Sunday’s Spirit heir.” Taehyung stops his rumbling for a while, letting you proceed all the bewildering informations about your dear boss he has just revealed.

Your eyes simply widen at the revelations.

Park Jimin, the man who organises Bible contemplation lunch breaks, a regular churchgoer, someone who you always thought has a cross tattooed on his back, was a playboy who slept with a half of the female community in the university?

Interesting.

“Rest of the story is simple. He changed his behavior, got a master degree in journalism and came back to Busan to work here. What is funny, his first position was the same as yours now,” Taehyung ends his story with a light chuckle. “Now you understand why it’s hard for me to believe he really thinks about getting married and having at least three kids.”

You look up at Park Jimin, who’s standing now in the centre of the cafeteria, with his arms crossed over his chest, nodding at one of the journalists words. His gaze is so intense and filled with such an authority that makes you understand why Chin-sun literally squirms when he looks at her that way.

It’s not hard for you to imagine him in much different surroundings.

Him, standing with a cup of beer in his hand in the middle of the crowd of drunken people at some frat party. There’s a leather jacket on his shoulders and he’s wearing tight-fitting pants that hugs his gorgeous thighs much better than his usual slacks he puts on every day before he sets off to work. He scans the room with a mishevious smirk dancing on his features, biting and licking his lips as he looks for his prey for tonight.

He then spots her, his pick for the night. He runs his fingers through his silky locks and approaches the girl, whispering dirty promises to her ear as he sways their bodies to the rhythm of loud music blasting through the speakers. Later that night he has her underneath him, begging him to touch her. He fucks her hard, leaving bruises all over her limp, exhausted body. There will be soreness between her thighs in the morning and a few violet love bites on her neck, a gentle reminder that all of this wasn’t just a dream.

But there’s no warm body next to her she could wake up to, no ‘good morning, baby’ or a second round of love making between the sheets. Because Park Jimin isn’t like that. He waited until her breath slowed down and eyelids fluttered shut, drifting her off to sleep. He left in the middle of the night, a cigarette caught between his swollen from kisses lips. He fumed the poison and smiled to himself, wondering what his parents would think when they found out. A golden boy of his family, future heir of the Park’s legacy, coming back from one of his sexcapeds with girl which name he didn’t even remember.

The Lord himself must have already cursed him and he’s currently planning the punishments for him in depths of Hell. But does Park Jimin look like he really care?

You stare blankly ahead, imagining those scenes in your head. You can’t help but squeeze your thighs because God, yes, Park Jimin is hot, even if he reads Breviary before he goes to sleep. What a shame he has changed. 

A smooth like honey voice pulls you out from your airy-fairy slumber.

“Miss Y/N?”

You jolt in panic after hearing your name, glancing around and praying that wasn’t the person you think it was. But this silky, melodious voice you would recognize everywhere.

God hates you though, he knows what kind of scandalous things you were daydreaming about and now it’s his time to punish you.

Looking up, your gaze settles on no one other than Park Jimin, who stares at you with his left eyebrow raised, pursing his lips. He extinguishes the aura of pure dominance around him and you involuntarily blush, squirming under his intense glare. You’re royally screwed.

You clear your throat, trying to calm down rapidly beating heart. Without success.

“Yes, sir?” you manage to answer innocently. Certainly not like you weren’t thinking about being fucked by him minutes ago. You don’t even have time to be surprised he remembers your name.

Park Jimin looks unamazed by your sweet tone; he almost seems bored, but definitely irritated. “I asked you a question and I’m waiting for your response.” he says lowly.

Fuckfuckfuck. God have mercy on you. What was the question? Shit, you don’t even know what fragment he had read before.

In act of complete desperation you elbow Taehyung for help but this little shit pretends he has no idea what’s going on, looking at The Last Supper with sudden interest.

You are purely, loyally, utterly fucked.

You adopt the most charming smile you could muster, knowing that it will have zero affect on Park Jimin and ask, “Could you repeat the question one more time, sir? I’m afraid I didn’t hear you correctly.” Jesus, when has your voice become so high-pitched?

A cruel smirks forms on Park Jimin’s lips. He shakes his head, tsking. Taehyung mutters something under his breath that sounds dangerously close to “It was nice meeting you, sweetheart.” You gulp, waiting for your sentence and hoping Pontius Pilate will be gracious to you.

“My, my,” Jimin muses. It makes you feel like a little girl being scolded by the teacher due to her outrageous behavior. You bite your lip so hard you might draw blood, waiting for your boss’ next words. “Of course you didn’t hear my question, because you weren’t paying attention to our discussion.”

In the corner of your eye you see Chin-sun shaking her head with detestation. What a bitch, you think to yourself.

You take a deep breath then, nails digging crescent moons on the skin of your palms. You don’t like being in the spotlight, you never did, but now you have no choice but face the consequences. “My deepest apologies, sir. The behavior I exhibited was highly inappropriate,” you say, bowing your head. Jimin eyes your figure from head to toe and you might actually feel his burning gaze on your skin. Your cheeks flush in crimson even more.

The editor-in-chief seems to deliberate with himself for a while, turning his head slightly to the side, not breaking the eye contact with you. Finally, after a moment that seems to last an hour, he speaks.

“I think you need a lesson that will teach you to pay attention to our weekly discussions, miss Y/N. That’s why I want you to write a 4000 words long paper about the role of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ’s life which we had discussed today but you, unfortunately, didn’t acknowledge it.”

You freeze. Like a scene in the movie, everything stops. The embarassement you felt earlier is quickly replaced by pure anger and irritation. He wants you to write a fucking paper? What is this? University lectures?

Never before in your entire life have you felt so humiliated. All eyes are on you; you could practically sense how they are trying not to laugh out loud. Eunwoo and Taehyung look at you with apologetic faces while Chin-sun smirks, whispering something to Jimin’s ear.

“I apologize once again, sir,” you grit through your teeth with a forced smile. Jimin nods then, not even bothering to look at you again. You’re dismissed, that’s what his behavior is saying.

“Our meeting is over, you can go back to your work.” Jimin announces and walks away from the cafeteria with Chin-sun by his side.

You wait for everyone to leave and the you let out a groan of annoyance, burring your head in your hands.

“Hey, it could have been worse. He didn’t fire you after all.” Taehyung laughs but he quickly shuts up as soon as he sees your glare. You stand up from your chair with a scowl written all over your face, and storm out of the lunchroom.

And may the God help you.

Later that unfortunate day, you sit by your desk again, scrolling through the Ask and you shall find page absentmindedly and waiting for the new asks to come. Everyone has returned to their work like nothing has happened but it doesn’t stop you from feeling all those eyes constantly on your back. Maybe you weren’t fired but the humiliation and embarrassment of being told off by your boss publicly makes you want to disappear and never show up at the editorial again.

“Y/N,” Taehyung’s deep voice pulls you out of your thoughts. You look up at him and find the man smiling at you lightly. He’s wearing a long, camel coat and a big scarf around his neck with ridiculous patterns that reminds you of Persian diwans. He places his black camera bag on the desk, which means he’s leaving the office. “I’m free of office work for today so I just wanted to say goodbye.” he explains and you just nod.

“Bye, Taehyung. See you on Monday.” you say maybe a little bit to wryly and he feels that, letting out a long sigh.

Taehyung seems to deliberate with himself for a moment before he decides to speak again. He clears his throat audibly. “And I, uhm, I’m sorry. It’s my fault that you are in this situation. I started this conversation and I should be the one writing this stupid paper for Mister Prude.”

You can’t help but chuckle at the new nickname Taehyung gave Jimin. The anger you felt before drifts away from you slowly, and you smile at your friend apologetically. “Oh, God, Tae. I’m such a bitch sometimes, sorry,” you blurt out.”I’m not mad at you, I’m mad at him. Besides, maybe that’s good I’ve got homework. I don’t remember when was the last time I wrote some-”

Your words are interrupted by a loud laugh that resonates through the office. You look in the direction of the voice just to see Chin-sun with her manicured hand on Jimin’s chest, throwing her head back from the laughter, too dramatically for your taste. She seems to have changed her clothes, a black pencil skirt long forgotten and replaced by a red, bodycon dress. Her dark hair is also styled differently, curled and loose. She looks beautiful, matching Jimin’s appearance perfectly.

“Where are they going?” Taehyung whispers to you, furrowing his brows. You shrug your shoulders, tearing your eyes of Chin-sun and Jimin. “Maybe our Mary Magdalene’s plan to win Jesus’ heart is working. Poor Eunwoo,” he sighs, looking at his watch to check the time. “Anyway, I gotta go. I have to drive all the way to some shithole near the city to take photos of an old lady who swears she saw saint Francis or other dude with halo speaking to her,” he grumbles and you giggle at his words. “Good luck with your paper, sweetheart.” he leans and places a small peck on your cheek.

“Bye, Tae.” you say, watching him leave the office right after Jimin and Chin-sun.

You let out a long, tired sigh, counting the time to leave the office and finally be back home, with a bottle of red wine and new season of Game of Thrones that are waiting for you to watch the whole week. Then, when you’re about to stand up and make yourself another coffee, a new ask pops up in your inbox with the title ‘Sex S.O.S’.

You raise your eyebrows because honestly, what kind of title is this? Curiosity wins the battle with a hot cup of an americano and you click the show more button. You put on your prescription glasses and start reading.

Dear Sunday’s Spirit editorial,

My name is Kang Seoyeon. I study medicine at the University of Seoul, I’ve got an amazing group of friends and a loving boyfriend. And here’s where the actual problem begins. I’m from the catholic family with long traditions, and as you can guess, he isn’t.

We’ve been together for almost 2 years now and since my parents don’t want me to live with him before the marriage, there’s also no sexual life between us. I was actually surprised they agreed I can date a non-religious person in first place, so the rules weren’t that horrible at the beginning.

My boyfriend always seemed to be understanding about the fact that I’m catholic and he has never had issues against it because I stated this on the start of our relationship, but lately… he’s been distant. We meet up less often and I feel like simple kissing after 2 years isn’t enough for him. I even thought about initiating something that wouldn’t necessarily involve the real intercourse but I’m too inexperienced and shy for that. We are slowly drifting apart.

I don’t know what to do. I love him so much and I don’t want to lose him just because of some stupid rules I need to follow. I’m scared he will leave me for some other beautiful girl who wouldn’t have anything against sleeping with him, especially after considering the fact that he isn’t virgin unlike me and he experienced this kind of pleasure before.

I hope you will help me.

Yours faithfully,

Kang Seoyeon.

You blink once, twice. Read the message again and then, something snaps in you.

To Hell with these stupid, old-fashioned rules straight from the Middle Ages. To Hell with celibacy till marriage, masturbation prohibition and living according to God’s will. To Hell with Park Jimin and his ridiculous moral code (and his Bible contemplation lunchbreaks).

Unofficial eleventh commandment: If a girl wants a dick, she deserves to have it.

And that’s exactly what your response to the girl is in a nutshell.

Your blood boils in your veins with anger as you’re typing furiously on the keyboard, not even bothering to check if your sudden outburst makes any sense.

Dear Seoyeon,

It’s Y/N here, the journalist who you wrote this message to.

I don’t know what kind of response are you expecting from me but honestly? If you think I’m going to recommend you some praying to Saint Rita then you’re wrong. I’m done with this shit.

Let me make this straight: if you want to fuck your boyfriend, do it. Maybe God wouldn’t approve that but don’t worry, he won’t send you to hell because of some dick in your pussy.

They are plenty of worse things in this world than having sex with the person you love. Look at me. I’m literally writing to catholic newspaper while using words like ‘God’ and ‘Fuck’ in the same sentence. And that’s not even a small piece of what I’ve done in my life.

So you go girl, suck your boyfriend off. Make him beg. He will never leave you after this. You have my blessings and Jesus is giving you metaphysical thumbs up from above. Sex is amazing thing and you don’t have to wait for it until you say ‘yes’ in front of some guy in black cassock. Just go with the flow.

 May the God help you!

Love, Y/N.

P.S. Watch out that guy. He seems suspicious. If he’s been really sex deprived for two years he will die after you give him a head.

Sent.

You exhale loudly, staring at the screen. You did that. Six months into working in Sunday’s Spirit and the time when you lost your temper has finally come. You should probably feel ashamed or have some type of conscience pangs but actually you aren’t even near this state.

Grinning to yourself, you delete the message you had sent to the girl from your inbox and check the time. It’s almost 5pm and it looks like you haven’t even realised you’re the only person at the office right now. Since it’s Friday and Jimin has already left, seems like everyone has decided to set off earlier too.

You turn off your computer, packing your things to the bag. Wrapping a scarf around your neck tightly, you leave the building, welcoming the coolness of the early Spring evening in Busan.

When you’re about to cross the street, your phone buzzes in the pocket of your coat. You stop for a moment, smiling to yourself when you read the message.

[04:23pm] from Tae: hey

[04:23pm] from Tae: i know you are probably planning an evening with mary magdalene n jesus but

[04:23pm] from Tae: wouldnt u want to go for drinks with me tonight?

[04:23pm] from Tae: same place as usual

[04:24pm] from Tae: as a wise man once said: nothing helps better for the writer’s block than vodka

[04:24pm] from Tae: so what do u say?

You don’t need to think twice when you quickly type a response. Game of Thrones and wine can wait till another time.

[04:26pm] from me: how could i say no to kim taehyung and vodka?

[04:26pm] from me: see u there

Kim’s is a place like no one other in Busan.

You wouldn’t even know about its existence if it wasn’t Taehyung who took you there first when you started working at Sunday’s Spirit, solemnly promising free drinks. Who would you be if you didn’t agree to that?

When you arrived at the bar, it eventually turned out the alcohol was costless hence it’s his family business since over thirty years and his brother Namjoon is a bartender, not because Taehyung willingly decided to pay for you.

Kim’s is located in rather industrial part of the city, sandwiched between factories and huge housing estates, not looking really inviting at first glance, but the place has its own, unique charm. There are some stories, shrouding the building’s history in mystery. Some people say it used to be headquarters of the most dangerous mafia in Busan, some even believe it served as the secret arsenal during the Korean War.

But what’s definitely true, it’s the fact that Taehyung’s parents bought this place in swinging times of 80s for a small amount of money and turned the place into disco bar which had become a must-go spot for young people in Busan.

Kim’s on the outside, with its large red neon sign hanging above the entrance, looks more like a night club than a bar, but on the inside the magic of kitschy 80s still remains the same (Taehyung swears retro is in fashion these days and that’s why he didn’t let his parents redecorate when they wanted to).

You always feel like you’re traveling back in time when you visist Kim’s.

The place is quite big, with a large dancefloor in the middle and red leather sofas strewn around the place along with the tables. Walls are made of brick and colorful, vibrant neon lights are shimmering on them. Oh, not to mention the huge disco ball on the ceiling. Everything accompanied with the quality music provided by Namjoon.

There are few billiard and foosball tables in the corner of the bar, always occupied by the same group of middle-aged men on weekdays and university students on weekends. But the thing that attract attention of the customers the most, is the bar with Namjoon behind it.

When you enter the place, you spot Taehyung and his blond mop of hair immediately. He sits on one of the bar stools, talking to his older brother. He’s wearing beige pants and floral button-up shirt that seems to match colors with his pinkish-looking drink he holds. You notice a new pair of sapphire earrings and a huge ring from the same collection on his forefinger. Classy, as always.

Taehyung grins broadly when he sees you. He puts his drink on the counter and stands up to greet you. His breath smells like strawberries and vodka when he leans to place his usual, small peck on your cheek. “Hi, sweetheart,” he says with his signature smirk plastered on his face, scanning your figure. “You look gorgeous. Last time you did this kind of make-up you wanted to get laid.”

You rolls your eyes at his words, sitting on a stool next to him. “Hi, Taehyung. Thank you for appreciating my efforts to look like a decent human being but no, I’m not planning on getting laid tonight.” you answer, waving to Namjoon who makes drinks for a group of girls a few meters from you. He smiles bashfully at you, showing his dimples.

“I’m not saying you want a fuck, calm down. I just assumed since it’s not everyday that you put eyeliner on,” Taehyung explains himself. “So let me do that again,” He takes a deep breath, placing a hand on his chest in a dramatic manner. “Y/N, you look absolutely breathtaking. I could stare at you for hours and I wouldn’t mind that even a bit. My homosexuality is at risk right now.”

You ignore his exeggarated outburst, rolling your eyes. “I’m not using eyeliner everyday because there’s something called dresscode in our work, you know?” you say. “Besides, my mum says you should look good on every occasion because you don’t know when you will meet the love of your life.”

Taehyung puts a hand on his heart and sighs with relief. “Thank God I always look good.”

You chuckle and then your eyes wander for a moment to Namjoon, who seems busy listening to whatever the pink-haired girl is telling him with polite smile on his face.

“Here,” Taehyung nudges your side, bringing your attention back to him. He hands you the same pinkish drink as he was drinking when you arrived. “Hyung told me it’s their new specialty or something. It’s called Flamingo’s Beach,” he says and you take the glass in your hand. “I have no idea what Namjoonie-hyung put here but as long as it looks good, it’s good. Cheers!” Taehyung sips his one and watches you with raised eyebrows as you’re taking a generous gulp of the drink. “And…?” he asks.

You lick your lips, humming to yourself. “Not bad. Tastes like strawberries.”

Taehyung opens his mouth to say something but he gets interrupted by his brother. “Y/N, hi. How are you?” Namjoon approaches you with two beer mugs in his hands.

His hair is back to his natural brown color now, purple strands long forgotten since the last time you saw him. It looks like he’s been working out lately, his posture more bulky and it makes his black shirt stick to his body tightly. Namjoon’s good-looking, you always knew that, but he seems to be even more handsome now.

“Hey, I’ve been good, thank you,” you greet him with maybe too much enthusiasm for your liking. You always had a weak spot for him. “How’s the bar going?” you ask.

“Busy, as you can see,” he replies, chuckling to himself. “I would love to talk to you more but I have some work to do in back room, so…” Namjoon trails off sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head with his hand.

“Oh, it’s okay. We can catch up another time.” You smile at him and you could swear his cheeks flushed.

“I’ll be going. See you.” Namjoon stammers out, not even waiting for your response before he disappears from your sight.

The pregnant silence sets in between you and Taehyung, something heavy hangs in the air and you feel it, tapping your fingers on the counter to the rhythm of one of the ABBA songs, waiting impatiently.

Taehyung looks like he’s debating with himself in his head. You narrow your eyes. He’s adopted a face you know pretty well, too well even. He looks everywhere but keep avoiding your gaze. He wants to ask you something, you’re sure of it, but he doesn’t know how.

Finally, after a moment of awkward quietness, Taehyung finally opens his mouth. “So, here’s the thing,” he starts and you wait for the bomb to drop.

Last time when he approached you like that, he asked you if you would be down for a threesome with him and some guy he met on Tinder. Your eyes almost popped out of your head when you heard his blunt proposition. You were eating lunch at cafeteria and the words casually slipped from between his lips as he chewed on his egg sandwich, like he didn’t just propose you having sex with him and instead asked for a lift to home after work.

Taehyung begged you for a whole week, pleading and convincing it’ll be fun. When you eventually agreed (sex draught make people do stupid things), the other guy didn’t show up. You ended up drinking tequila shots with Taehyung that night in his apartment, and you can’t quite recall how it happened, but somehow you found yourself unzipping your friend’s pants and the rest is history. He passed out right after he came. Now when you think about it, you feel a sudden urge to ask him if he remembers that.

You will do it next time, you promise yourself.

Taehyung though doesn’t ask you about having a threesome or robbing Park Jimin’s house this time. His intentions are pretty much different.

“See, Namjoon split up with his girlfriend few weeks ago,” he says and you prick your ears. “He’s not in good condition right now, as you can see. It was a nasty break up, he found out she’s been cheating on him,” He lets out a long sigh. You bite your lip, imagining Namjoon’s disappointed face when he discovered the truth. What a bitch cheats on someone like him? “So, I thought maybe you could… cheer him up a little bit?” Taehyung ends hesitantly, with a glint of hope in his eyes.

You frown. Cheer him up? Did he just imply what you think about?

“Look, I get it, he’s sad and angry, but what the fuck, Taehyung? What do you want me to do? Do you want me to be his rebound? Make him forget?” you exclaim. Taehyung quickly shakes his head but you don’t let him say anything. “I feel sorry for Namjoon but I’m not going to take advantage of him when he’s literally still hurt.”

“No, it’s not like that!” Taehyung rushes to explain. “Well, maybe it sounded like that but I swear, I didn’t mean that!”

“Then what should I do? Wipe his tears? Tell him a joke? Or maybe-”

“Of course he wants you to suck his brother’s heartbroken dick, doll.”

A sudden, low voice interrupts your conversation. Your eyes follow the direction when it comes from, looking to Taehyung’s left where not even a meter away a very familiar grey-haired man with feline eyes sits.

“Min Yoongi,” you say matter-of-factly.

The leader of emendation team from Sunday’s Spirit editorial raises his hand in which he holds whiskey, greeting you and Taehyung. “Hello, doll. Hello, Taehyung,” he says, not even bothering to look at you.

You elbow Taehyung searching for explanation but he shrugs his shoulders, turning to face the man as well.

“First of all, since when do you call me ‘doll’? We have never spoken a word to each other. Secondly, how long have you been sitting here and listening?” you ask Yoongi.

He snorts, smirking. “Long enough to know how Taehyung comforts his brother after break up.” he simply answers and Taehyung’s cheeks blush in crimson at his words.

“You come here often? I’ve never seen you here before,” you continue, crossing your arms over chest.

Next to you Taehyung lets out a sigh. “Yes, he does. Albeit I haven’t seen him for a while here,” You look at him in confusion. “Yoongi-hyung is Namjoonie-hyung close friend from university days.” he clarifies.

You raise your eyebrows at that. “So Namjoon went to the same school as Park Jimin?”

“Not the same. We met under different circumstances.” Yoongi cuts in.

“They’ve been together in underground rap group, or some shit. Didn’t like each other at first but eventually stuck together till the end of studies.” Taehyung ends and grey-haired man nods.

You can’t help but chuckle at that.

“What’s funny in that?” Yoongi scowls.

“Nothing. I just imagined you and Namjoon in snapbacks, rapping about the unfairness of social hierarchy,” you say, grinning at him.

“Well, you may believe me or not, but we even made a mixtape.” Yoongi reveals proudly, taking a sip of his whiskey.

Your eyes widen in curiosity. “Then what happened? Why aren’t you in Seoul now, still producing music? Why do you work in this stupid newspaper and Namjoon’s a bartender?” you ask interrogatively.

“Life happened, doll. We didn’t have enough money to publish our works so we decided to quit it.”

“Oh,” you breathe out.

You could see the nostalgia written across Yoongi’s face. You feel sorry for him, for Namjoon. Everything is always about the money. That’s why you’re working in Sunday’s Spirit even though it was never your dream in first place. Even though you have much higher ambitions than being Ask and you shall find column author.

Ever since you were little, you loved writing. You never complained, not even once, when your teachers in school assigned you to write something. They kept saying you have an extraordinary talent and it would be a shame if you didn’t do anything with that.

During your high school years, you were the leader of school newspaper’s team, still writing your own works every time you didn’t have something different to do. After that, you got to the university in Seoul, your another dream came true. You got a master degree, an apprenticeship in the Korean version of highly popular, world-widely known magazine. And then, nothing. No job applications available. No newspapers or publishing companies wanting you, dismissing you right away because they didn’t have any vacant places.

This is how Sunday’s Spirit, even if that’s not your dream job, happened. And quite literally saved your ass.

“I’m sorry.” you say after a while.

Yoongi smiles but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Don’t be. What’s in past, stays in past.” he ends the conversation, drinking the rest of his whiskey.

You find this as a perfect possibility to do what you’ve come here for: get wasted, forget about this prick Park Jimin and his stupid assignment. You turn around on your stool to face the bar again, calling for the red-haired bartender named Hoseok who’s substituting Namjoon right now. You order a round of tequilla shots and quickly pours two of them in one go.

“Easy, tiger,” Taehyung teases, still sipping his pink drink as you wipe your chin with the back of your hand. Taehyung has stated a long time ago that he enjoys only casual drinking, which makes you and you lightweightness snort at him.

“Loser,” you mumble under your breath, deep down knowing you’re oh so much going to regret this after.

You focus your attention on the dancefloor now; technicolor lights glittering as the crowd of sweaty people bounce to old Madonna hits. You feel like your spirit might actually experience new kind of awakening during the chorus in Like a Virgin. You mouth the lyrics, the vodka already half-way to your bopping head. Your drunken self almost asks Taehyung and Yoongi if they would agree to be your backup dancers.

You eyes scan the room carefully and then, you spot him. He’s sitting in the corner, his arms splayed over the backrest of the red couch. A devil himself. A black horseman of the Apocalypse. A man who looks like every girl’s next mistake. Taylor Swift’s ‘we are never ever getting back together’.

A true sin.

Jet-black hair parted in the middle, onyx eyes and lucious smirk written across his lips as he bites them purposefully. He’s wearing a leather jacket and you wonder for a while if you would find inked tattoos on his body. He cocks his head to the side, his eyes glued to the same spot as he waits for something, or rather someone.

“Who’s that?” you ask, not even hiding your curiosity at this point.

Taehyung turns around as well, his eyes glancing to the dark-haired man briefly. “Ah, this, sweetheart, is Jeon Jungkook, Park Jimin’s best friend.” he says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

You raise your eyebrows, watching as Jungkook’s face expression immediately changes when waitress approaches him. He says something to her that makes her roll her eyes. She tightens her grip around the tray she’s holding, asking him for his order.

“Don’t worry. You are not the only one thirsting over him. I would let him top me too,” Taehyung whispers to your ear and you flinch.

“I’m not thirsting over him! I came her for drinks, not to get laid, I told you.”

“Okay, okay, loosen up a little. Tequilla makes you aggressive. Besides, it looks like he’s got his pick for tonight.”

Jungkook stretches out his hand and fixes the waitress’ glasses that seem to rode down her nose a little. The girl frozes in place because of his action and he grins, calling her cute.

“He’s trying to ask her out for two months,” Yoongi interrupts suddenly, again. It looks like he has nothing better to do tonight. “I’m serious. He’s here every Friday. Normally, he would have given up after the second time she had rejected him but there’s might be something in this girl that makes his dick hard and his heart soft.”

Jungkook’s eyes girl’s body as she bends to pick up the glasses from other tables and maybe that’s the alcohol swimming in your veins but you could swear his face lights up when she sends him another irritated glare when he calls her name.

“Does Park Jimin comes here often as well?” you ask before you could stop yourself.

Both Taehyung and Yoongi shake their heads.

“I don’t think so. Jeon comes here because he lives nearby in this huge ass apartment complex. His father runs a chemical factory and he works there.” Taehyung explains.

Jeon? Chemical factory? Something clicks in your brain. Right, you know who his father is. The King of Washing Powder. Another rich as fuck Busan’s snob.

“God, I hate him. I fucking hate him. What a prick. Douchebag. Asshole of the century,” The string of profanities leaves poor waitress’ mouth as she walks to the counter with tray in her hands. “How’s your day, love? You look beautiful today, love. Fucking leave me alone, love!” she mutters to herself, taking the beer mugs from Hoseok abruptly which makes the bartender raise his eyebrows in confusion.

“How’s your assignment about Mary Magdalene going on, doll?” Yoongi asks then, startling you.

You roll your eyes at him. “I literally got it today, Yoongi. I haven’t started yet.” you answer, gulping another shot.

On the corner of your eye you see Yoongi’s smirking. “I’m surprised, to be honest. You aren’t the only one who doesn’t pay attention to shit Jimin’s says,” he trails off. “I work for him from the moment he started this ridiculous Bible lunch breaks and I swear, he’s never called out someone like that before.”

“What do you mean he’s never called out someone before?” Taehyung joins in curiously.

“Look, I slept through the majority of these sessions and Jimin knows it, but he has never lecture me about it,” Yoongi remarks. “Maybe you’re an exception. Or he’s become more strict because of this bitch Chin-sun.”

You furrow your eyebrows, confused. You know Chin-sun has been making heart eyes for Jimin for a long time but what why it might have an influence on his behavior?

“Lee Chin-sun? What the office’s Mary Magdalene has to do with that? Besides the fact that she’s drooling for his dick every time she sees him,” Taehyung snorts.

Yoongi chuckles lowly. “Oh, so you two really know nothing about what’s going on between them right now,”

“What’s going on right now? Spill.” Taehyung says abruptly. You sigh when you see the way his eyes flicker with mischeviousness. One thing Taehyung loves more than photography and fashion is gossiping (and dicks).

“First of all, Chin-sun is a fucking bigot. And well… she might be closer to being miss Park than we thought.” Yoongi muses.

Taehyung eyebrows practically disappear in his hairline. You’re sure you mirror his expression right now.

Yoongi asks Hoseok for another glass of whiskey and continues. “My friend Seokjin’s wife is Jimin’s personal assistant and secretary. She heard this and that, quite juicy things I must say,” he says in a lower tone, like he’s revealing government secrets to them. You lean closer into his direction along with Taehyung. “Chin-sun’s father recently bought the claims to the most popular, conservative TV station in whole South Korea. But, what is more interesting, it looks like Park senior has some shares in it as well.”

You’re astonished. You knew there’s something looming in the air but you didn’t expect this. A TV station? Even your slightly drunken brain can calculate it’s very interesting.

“So the marriage between Chin-sun and Jimin would be pretty convenient for their families, especially after considering the fact that Jimin is the heir.” Yoongi adds, gulping the first sip of his new whiskey.

“Poor Eunwoo,” you whisper to yourself.

“But why so soon? Why do they want to legalize their relationship so suddenly?” Taehyung asks.

Yoongi lets out a heavy sigh. “There’s a rumour going around that Jimin’s father isn’t in good condition right now. Seokjin-hyung mentioned something about the heart disease. So, if that’s really true, you have the answer why he wants his eldest son to settle down already. Everything’s about the money, I told you.”

Taehyung whistles. “Woah, so Mary Magdalene is really about to be CEO Jesus’ wife soon!” he exclaims, clapping his hands. “Brilliant. Finally something spicy is happening in this boring editorial.”

“I wouldn’t be so enthusiastic if I were you, Taehyung. This kind of business never ends well,” Yoongi says coldly, placing his glass on the counter and standing up from the stool. He glances at his watch and throws a few bills next to his empty glass. “I’ll get going. It was nice talking to you, doll.”

“What about me?”

“Shut up, Taehyung, you’re not pretty lady.”

“I feel offended.”

“And I don’t care,” Yoongi mutters. Maybe that was alcohol swimming in her veins but you saw Taehyung lifting the corners of his lips in amusement. Weird. “Good luck on your assignment, doll. See you all on Monday.” Yoongi glances to your way one last time, adjusting his jacket.

“Bye, Yoongi.” you wave to him and a small, even sincere smile appears on his face when he as well raises his hand lazily and leaves. “Why didn’t you tell me he’s actually nice, Tae? I was always too scared to start a conversation with him because I felt intimidated.” you say after a while.

“I’m sorry, should have I set you up for a date with him?” Taehyung mocks.

A groan escapes your lips. “Could you please stop insinuating things?”

“You need to get laid, seriously. Like soon-soon. You get easily irritated recently. You need a d i c k,”

“I don’t need a dick!”

“A cock, Y/N,” Taehyung emphasizes. “A penis in your precious vagina.”

“Shut up!”

Several shots and a few drunken dances to Cindi Lauper and Bon Jovi, you’re pretty much wasted. And maybe, just maybe, you need a dick. And Taehyung, like a dipshit he always is, thinks that’s actually funny.

“Don’t wanna homff,” you slur, supporting your weight on Taehyung’s arm that shakes with laughter at your drunken antics, as well as his whole body. “I wanna danfce witfh somebodyyy,”

“Holy Mother of Jesus, you must be really drunk if you started referring to Whitney Houston’s songs. And you smell like booze,” Taehyung mutters under his breath and you whine, tugging on his arm.

“TaeTae, Taehyungie, pffleasee, can we go back?”

Taehyung ignores your grumbling completely. He exists the bar, walking (or rather dragging) you to the cab. As he tries to push your body to the car, he sees in the corner of his eye Jeon Jungkook, standing in front of his black SUV. The waitress from earlier accompanies him as well. It looks like he’s trying to convince her to let him give her a lift to home. The girl shakes her head at first but eventually gives up, stepping into the car. Jungkook grins to himself then, clenching his fists in gesture of pure triumph.

“I fuckin’ hate Park Jimin and his stfupid newspaper,” you mutter incoherently as you bury your head in the crook of Taehyung’s neck in the back of the cab. Old, korean songs are playing in the radio when you’re driving back home. Taehyung smiles to himself, hearing your light snores. But then, he falters.

Ah, yes, he almost forgot. It is going to be a long way to the third floor of your apartment building.

Next day, you wake up in the middle of noon with raging headache and an abrupt need to throw everything up. Frankly speaking, you had worse hangovers during you university days but it doesn’t change the fact that the state you’re currently in still sucks.

“Oh, good God, what have I thought?” you mutter to yourself while standing in the shower, letting the water cool you down.

Truth to be told, a drinking escapade when you have a whole ass paper to write in two days wasn’t the smartest idea you could come up with. You know that for sure, when you’re sitting down in front of your laptop with prescription glasses on your face and a cup of tea in your hand.

There’s a blank document opened on the screen, with only your name written in the corner and the title in the middle. You feel pathetic and useless, staring at it for 30 minutes straight. If you keep sitting like this, you might actually call Park Jimin right now and beg him not to fire you due to your incompetence.

“Get your shit together, Y/N.” you say to yourself, clenching your fists.

At first you fought about making some mind-map, outlining the most important parts of your essay, as you always used to do when you were studying. But there’s a huge difference between what you’re working on right now and what you usually did during academic days. Above all, at that time you were writing about things you had more knowledge about, not about Mary Magdalene and her role in Jesus Christ’s life.

“Ah, fuck it.”

You open an online Bible page and quickly type ‘Mary Magdalene’ in browser. All fragments when she’s mentioned shows up in front of your eyes. You fix your glasses and before you could stop yourself, you whisper, “Let’s get it.”

You don’t know how much time has passed since you started reading, but when you glance a the clock it’s nearly 7pm.

You went through every single page in the Bible when Mary Magdalene appears or when for some reason her name comes up in conversations. You read two thesis in which you found quite interesting facts about the heroine of your work. Also, you watched some conspiracy theories on YouTube about her, in which people claim that she was actually Jesus’ wife. You were bewildered, even in your post-hangover state.

And after all of this researching, you have settled a plan. You’re a journalist for God’s sake, you’ve been writing your entire life and none assignment will break you. So you start typing on the keyboard, filling the blank document pages with words, hoping that Park Jimin will approve your efforts.

On Sunday, you look like a ghost.

You’re a mess, cured from hangover but still in bad shape, especially after spending the whole night writing in front of your laptop. There are bangs under your eyes and you hair looks like you could cosplay a scarecrow. Your eyes are sore from staring to the screen for so long and you feel like you might collapse anytime if you won’t drink coffee in five minutes.

In between writing next paragraphs, you answer a call from Taehyung.

“How’s your assignment going, sweetheart?”

You let out a long, exhausted sigh. “It’s fine, I guess.” you respond to him.

“That’s lovely! I knew you would slay this, babe,” you hear him saying.

“I’m not done yet, Tae. I still have like a half to write,” you mumble and then let out a yawn, closing your eyes for a brief second before you speak again. “I would love to talk to you more but I really need to get this shit done as soon as I can, so I could have some decent sleep before Monday. I don’t want to look like an old witch when I hand in the paper to Park Jimin.”

“I know, I know. You got this, sweetheart. I’m sure you will make Mister Prude’s dick hard because of this.” Taehyung assures you.

You crack a tired smile even though you know he doesn’t see you. “Thank you, Tae.”

“Anything for you, sweetheart.” he says and hangs up.

You take another gulp of your coffee and start writing again.

It’s a little past midnight when you’re, with your last amounts of force you posses, typing the last words of the paper. As you look at your laptop screen, eyelids half-closed, you dream about nothing but going to sleep.

You did that. You really did. You wrote this stupid paper for Park Jimin and you’re actually proud of it. You carefully save the document three times (to be hundred percent sure) and as soon as you close your laptop, you pass out.

Little did you know what is waiting for you in editorial in a few hours.

You stare at your reflection in small mirror you hold, thanking God that he has enlightened the person who discovered make-up. You won’t say you look stunning but, after five hours of sleep you had in last two days, you would risk it all and say you appear much more than decent looking. You’re wearing your new black jumpsuit that makes your legs look longer and you even used a different shade of lipstick, painting your lips in crimson red.

And all of this for nothing, because when you stormed into the Sunday’s Spirit editorial to give the paper straight to Park Jimin’s hands, his secretary with polite smile said he’s coming to work later today.

You pursued your lips and handed the woman your blood, sweat and tears (you’re actually sure a few tears rolled down from your face on the keyboard while you were writing it), wishing you saw your boss’ face when you place the printed pages on his expensive desk.

“I changed a little bit the topic of my work while I was outlining it,” you tell Taehyung as you both sit together by your desks later that day. “I focused more on a role of Mary Magdalene character in world ruled only by men. I showed how a powerful woman she was, standing at Jesus’s side even though the church for the centuries referred her to whore,” you explain.

“Wow,” Taehyung muses. “You turned Mary Magdalene into feminism icon fighting against patriarchy.”

“It’s not like that!” You hit him in the arm. “You may laugh as much as you want but I actually got into her story.”

Taehyung smirks. “Looks like being scolded by Park Jimin wasn’t that bad.”

You roll your eyes. “Shut up. I got humiliated in the middle of fucking cafeteria. I still hate him. And also, I don’t know what he thinks about my essay.” you say with a sigh.

“Don’t worry. He’s probably having an epiphany right now while-”

A voice from the speakers that certainly doesn’t sound like gospel choir interrupts him.

“Miss Y/N, please report to the Park Jimin’s office immadietly.”

“-or he isn’t.” Taehyung ends.

Once again, you’re frozen in place. It’s okay, you tell yourself, maybe he just wants to talk about my essay. But what if he didn’t like it? What if your sudden feminism outburst about Mary Magdalene was too much?

“Holy fuck.” you blurt out quietly.

Taehyung gives you an encouraging smile but he doesn’t look much convinced in positive intentions of summoning you to their boss’ office, he just doesn’t say it aloud. “Well, maybe it won’t be that bad! Maybe he wants to congratulate you,” he tries to comfort you, without success. You look horribly pale and scared to death.

“I repeat: miss Y/N, please report to the Park Jimin’s office immadietly.” Jimin’s stone cold voice pierce through the silence again. You shiver. The journalists in the editorial send you impatient glares.

“Whatever happens, remember that I love you.” Taehyung whispers, squizzing your hand, which makes you even more nervous. He gives you thumbs-up and you take a deep breath, trying to calm your trembling body. A whole Sunday’s Spirit team follow your movements with their eyes.

You stands from your desk on wobbly legs and walk to the door with golden sign hanging on its surface.

 Park Jimin

 Editor-in-chief

You take the knob in your shaking palm and twist, stepping into the lion’s den.

The atmosphere seems to shift when you walk into the room. You could hear your heart rapidly beating through the dead silence that lingers in Park Jimin’s office. “You wanted to see me, sir?” you ask after closing the door, subconsciously cursing yourself for sounding so weak already.

“Yes, have a seat,” Jimin says. “Give me a second. I need to finish something.” he adds when you sit down, not even bothering to spare you a look.

Jimin sits behind his desk, eyes glued to the computer screen. His hair is pushed back from his forehead, his jaw clenched. Oh, great, he looks pissed, you think to yourself.

He isn’t wearing his suit jacket like usually, which surprises you. His white shirt’s sleeves are rolled up, revealing a glimpse of veiny hands and his Rolex. This is the first time you see him like this. He looks so… unlike him.

Strange.

You use the time you have to take in your surroundings. Jimin’s office is painted in fair tone of grey. The rumors were actually right, there’s a smaller version of Michelangelo’s Pietà standing proudly on of the drawers. Behind the desk, on the wall, hangs a wooden cross with gold-plated figurine of Jesus Christ, and just underneath it there’s a framed picture of Lady of Fatima, which he once proudly showed to the whole editorial team on one of the lunchbreaks, saying his grandmother brought him this from her pilgrimage.

You focus your attention now on the wall filled with numerous diplomas and certificates, all of them signed with Park Jimin’s name.

You had read some of his works before you started your job in Sunday’s Spirit and you must admit: Park Jimin is a talented, smart journalist you aspire to be one day. It’s actually sad, you think, that he can’t pursue his career, wasting his abilities by working in catholic newspaper owned by his father. And as you know from Yoongi, his situation isn’t going to change soon. Maybe he was right after all. Money really does rule this world.

After a few minutes that seems to last forever, Jimin breaks the silence. “Do you know why are you here?” he asks, finally averting his attention to you. He stares so deeply into your eyes that you feel you might faint from the intensity of his aura.

You clear your throat, and then respond. “I do believe it’s about my paper I handed in to you this morning.”

Jimin raises his eyebrow at that. “Your paper? No, everything’s fine about it. I read it and I must say, you did a great job,” he says and you furrow your eyebrows. So if nothing’s is wrong with your essay then what does he want?

“Then… why did you call me in, sir?” you hesitantly ponder.

Jimin laces his fingers together and leans closer over the desk. “Well,” he begins, “Maybe you forgot or you really didn’t know about it, but I used to run the same column as you do now,” You nod your head, recalling what Taehyung told you recently. Jimin continues, “I was actually the one who created it. That means I am still, for this day, its administrator. Which leads to another conclusion: every single ask that is send to our editorial and your responses to them can be monitored by me.” he explains, gauging your reaction. You still don’t have an idea why is he telling you that, so you just sit still and wait.

Then, Jimin reaches for the paper that lays on the left side of his desk and hands it to you. “Could you please tell me what is this?” he asks, pointing at the paper.

You glance at it briefly. “These are the questions I got last week and my responses to them.” you reply straightaway.

Park Jimin doesn’t seem much satisfied after hearing your words. He then takes another paper and gives it to you as well. “And this particular one, Y/N? Could you please read it and tell me what is this?”

Ignoring his forego of ‘miss’, you take it to your hands and start reading.

Dear Sunday’s Spirit editorial,

My name is Kang Seoyeon. I study medicine at the University of Seoul, I’ve got an amazing group of friends and a loving boyf-

You gasp and immadietly put a palm over your mouth. Under Seoyeon’s ask there’s also, clear as day, your much inappropriate response to her. In which you persuade the girl to suck her boyfriend off.

Holy fuck. Jesus Christ. Shitshitshit!

Jimin said he monitors everything that people send to the editorial along with the responds. Of course he had to read it. Why have you been so dumb? How could you believe that simple deleting from your inbox would be enough? Why can’t you do something properly for once?

You gulp, trying not to cry because good God, he’s going to fire you. He will kick you out and write a bunch of negative letters to your future employees, in which he will explain in details how disobiedent, reckless of a worker you are.

“Did you also forget how to speak?” Jimin asks. You almost cry out right away from the coldness of his voice.

You muster up a courage and look at him, and that’s a huge mistake because as soon as your eyes meet his, you’re lost for words.”I-I don’t know what to say, sir,” you stammer out. “I have nothing for my defence. I can only apologize for my irresponsible and inappropriate behavior I exhibited.” you say, bowing your head down.

Jimin pursues his lips. He stands from his chair and walks to you, leaning his body on the desk. He takes the paper from you to his hands and starts reading. “If you want to fuck your boyfriend, do it. Maybe God wouldn’t approve that but don’t worry, he won’t send you to hell because of some dick in your pussy,“ he quotes your response to the girl and your cheeks flush in red; you wish nothing more than to disappear and never see your boss again. But he’s relentless and continues reading, spilling the crude words, humiliating you even more. “So you go girl, suck your boyfriend off. Make him beg. He will never leave you after this.“ Jimin chuckles to himself darkly and you shut your eyes. “Look at me when you are spoken to,” he demands. You quickly oblige, lifting your chin a little to meet his intense gaze. “Is that really how a good, catholic girl should act?” he asks in a mocking tone.

You shake your head. “No, it isn’t.”

Jimin clicks his tongue. “Do you think he really won’t leave her after this?” he asks out of the blue.

You furrow your eyebrows. What kind of twisted game is he playing now? “I don’t know, sir.” you answer honestly.

Jimin smirks. Devilishly, sultry and completely illegal. He then licks his lips and leans closer to you. You could swear his eyes are darken than before. Something has shifted in his demeanor; he looks daring. “Why don’t you show me then, how this poor girl should suck her boyfriend off, Y/N?” he whispers lowly.

Your eyes widen. Did he just-?

He didn’t. He can’t. Maybe you misheard him, maybe you started imagining things that aren’t real. Oh, sweet Lord, the look of absolute seriousness written on his face tells you very much different.

Park Jimin, your boss, the man who goes regularly on masses and reads Bible, wants you to give him a head. In his office.

May the God help you.

You should probably slap him in the face for his immoral proposition. You should save your dignity, leave and never come back again. But then, you clear your mind from all those twisted thoughts running through it and you realise that you’re walking on a very thin line. Line which is called unemployment and bankruptcy.

You think about your landlord who praised you recently for keeping up with rent every month regularly. You think about your student loans that you still need to pay.

And fuck, you hate Yoongi because he was damn right. Money wouldn’t buy you happiness, but it can provide you that.

That’s why you put away the humiliation, the what ifs. You shut your mind screaming at you and listing the future consequences. Maybe Jimin just tests you, but the way he looks at you denies it. He wants to see you on your knees in front of him. Perhaps he only wants to play before he fires you but you put that thought aside.

You at least need to try.

Jimin searches for any kind of protest in your eyes and when he doesn’t find it, he’s back to his domineering self. “What are you waiting for?” he asks, his voice an octave lower. “Get on your knees.”

He has a calm expression on his face and you wonder for a moment how many times has he been in similar situation before. Having a woman on his mercy and using her the way he likes. And now you know. All those stories you heard about, are actually true. Park Jimin isn’t a prude. He’s dirty.

You fall to the floor with a light whimper. Maybe it’s the last chance for you to leave, but the confidence that emanates from Jimin doesn’t falter your movements. You hate yourself for that but God, you want to see this man being a mess for your touch. Even if that’s fucked up.

And it’s wrong, so, so wrong, when there’s a cross hanging behind you, when he’s your boss who claims to be a good catholic, when you do that because you’re too afraid to lose your job. But in that moment, the morality doesn’t exist.

Jimin stands up to take his belt off, looking at you from the above as he slowly, purposefully pulls it from the belt loops. He doesn’t encourage you or say anything, he just waits. You gulp when he yanks his black slacks down, along with his underwear.

For a few, solid seconds, you just stare.

You aren’t a connoisseur of dicks. Dick is a dick, but Park Jimin’s length is just as perfect as the rest of him, semi-hard against his lower stomach. Your hands move to his sculpted thighs, running up and down, tracing the prominent lines of his toned abdomen. The muscles tense underneath your touch.

You don’t remember when was the last time you’ve gone down on someone. Maybe it was Taehyung few months ago when you were both too drunk to care? You can’t quite recall. Every move of yours is uncertain, but Jimin doesn’t mind. Maybe your uncertainty turns him on even more.

He watches as you take him in your palm hesitantly, hot and already stiff, stroking him several times until he hardens in your hand. The sight is purely erotic, filthy, and you lick your lips before placing a light kiss on his tip. Jimin hisses. That’s a warning. No teasing.

You pump him, trailing a thumb over his slit, spreading precum all over his cock. Jimin doesn’t say anything but from the shuddering breath he lets out you assume he likes it. You take a deep breath, wrapping your lips around his dick and swirling your tongue around the head.

Jimin groans, a guttural sound resonating through his whole body and you take it as a sign to continue. You ease more of him into your mouth, hollowing your cheeks and bobbing your head up and down around his length obediently. Some twisted and fucked-up part of you wants him to praise you, call you good girl with your lips around his dick and throbbing core. He does none of that. His hands tangle in your hair as he withdraws, and you know exactly what’s coming next.

It’s an unspoken question on his lips and your jaw falls slacks on command.

A forceful push of his hips and he’s burried deep inside your mouth till he hits the back of your throat. Tears brim in your eyes and you gag, breathing heavily through your nose. It hurts a little, a dull ache but the content sigh and fucked-out expression on Jimin’s face is worth it. So you let him fuck your mouth the way he wants, let him pull your hair harder, wreck you a little more. It’s so easy to submit to him, to let him overwhelm you in every sense possible.

Your eyes fall shut and Jimin stops his movements, pulling from your mouth. Drool dribbles down your chin and you wipe it with the back of your hand. Jimin lets out a shaky breath, staring down at you so intensely it makes your insides tighten, even if you don’t see him yet.

“Look at me,” he rasps and you do, how could you not. The sight of your boss’ flushed cheeks and sweat forming on his forehead will be imprinted in your mind forever.

You curse yourself for wanting him to fuck you senseless right against his deck, with a hand around your throat muffling your screams, fuck you so hard you won’t remember your name anymore, no matter how wrong it is.

“Good girl. You’re so pretty like this, letting me fuck your mouth,” Jimin nothing but purrs, filling you to the brim again, until there are tears forming in your eyes and running down your cheeks, until he hits the base of your throat again and again and you fight back choked gags every time. “Just like that, fuck-” he moans, lowly and beautifully, head thrown back and mouth parted.

He’s close, you could feel that, so you take him deep once again and when your throat tightens around him one last time, he lets out a gutural groan and comes. You swallow every drop of his bitter release and when he pulls out from your mouth, you nearly fall forward.

Jimin catches you, placing his hands on your shoulders, balancing your exhausted body. You look at him through your half-lidded eyes. He looks so young now, so innocent, his cold demeanor’s gone and replaced by pure bliss written on his face. For Park Jimin, cheeks rosy, disheveled hair and loosen tie, you would do it all over again.

He then does something unexpected. He reaches for your face, brushing your tangled hair away and placing the strands behind your ears. This is a loving gesture, something exclusive he definitely shouldn’t be doing. You’re frozen, you can’t move a muscle while he wipes your cheeks from the reminiscences of your tears. He trails his thumb over your swollen lips absentmindedly, faltering there. For a moment he looks like he might say something, but he quickly shuts his mouth, regaining his previous posture.

You take this as a sign to leave. You get up from the floor, your knees sore from the uncomfortable position you’ve been in. You walk to the mirror that hangs on the wall of Jimin’s office. You sigh, seeing your current state. There’s no way someone would believe you that you haven’t just sucked a dick.

Your cheeks are flushed in pink, there are smudges of mascara under your eyes and your lipstick is smeared in the corners of your mouth. Not to mention your hair is still a mess.

You are painted in all shades of wrong.

In the reflection of the mirror you see Jimin buckling up his belt and straightening his tie. He runs a hand through his blond locks and looks up, catching you staring at him. You quickly look away.

“Don’t worry. No one will notice anything. Everyone should be off for their lunchbreaks by now.” he says. He sounds so pathetically normal, yet there’s still a slight rasp in his voice.

You glance at the watch on your hand and check the time. It’s a little past 12. You brush your hair with your fingers quickly and proceed to leave, but you stop, remembering you have to ask about one last thing. You turn around to face him.

“Are you going to write a bad opinion about me to my future employees?” you ask, flinching at the hoarseness of your voice.

Jimin raises his eyebrows. “Bad opinion? No, absolutely not,” he answers, shaking his head. “I was never going to fire you in first place.”

You fight back the shocked expression that threatens to appear on your face. You quickly rush to leave this damn office and never look in his eyes ever again. What were you even thinking?

“And Y/N,” Jimin’s voice makes you stop with your hand hovering over the door knob. Single tear rolls down your cheek and you gulp. “I’m sorry.” it’s all he says.

You don’t ask him what he meant by that. You don’t deliberate if he was sincere or not. You leave the office as soon as you can, running to the nearest bathroom, closing the door behind you and leaning on it.

He wasn’t going to fire you. He just wanted to use you, demand to get down on your knees and please him the way he wants. It was all a game for him, and you became his plaything.

“I’m so stupid,” you mutter to yourself, burying your head in your hands. “God, I’m so stupid.”

You feel sick, used, but at the same time you can’t get away with creeping feeling that you enjoyed it, wishing he wanted you just as much as you wanted him in that moment.

You sigh, closing your eyes. You’re probably foolish for thinking it won’t have any consequences. You’re just about to face them.

The coldness of early Spring hits you when you exit Sunday’s Spirit editorial. You hug your body tighter with your coat, standing in front of the building awkwardly. You take a few deep breaths, trying to clear your mind, but nothing really works. There’s a vacant space inside your body, like your soul has drifted away and left nothing but emptiness.

You feel hollow.

You don’t know how long have you been standing there, inhaling fresh air and waiting for your blood to start circulating properly in your veins again. When you’re about to head to the underground station, on the corner of your eye you see Jimin’s black Mercedes. You probably shouldn’t stare but you helplessly do.

Probably if you didn’t, it would hurt less.

He approaches the car, looking perfectly fine as always, which you couldn’t say about yourself. And he isn’t alone.

You recognize dark curls of Chins-sun’s hair, contrasting her beige coat beautifully. The corners of Jimin’s lips lift when he sees her. You don’t know if it’s a honest smile or a forced one. You wonder for a while how does he look like when he’s truly happy. Maybe he’s happy now, when Chin-sun is by his side.

What you are really sure about Park Jimin, is that he’s a man of many maybes.

Something which definitely doesn’t look forced are his palms, cupping the cheeks of Chin-sun’s flushed face. He starts tracing circles on her skin in intimate gesture and murmurs something. Maybe he asks her how was her day. Your lips still tingle where he trailed his thumb over it bitten, swollen surface. Maybe he still remembers how they felt around his cock when he was relentlessly bringing tears to your eyes and stabs to your heart.

The way he leans and kisses Chin-sun’s cherry colored lips is purposeful, perfectly measured. Maybe he sighs into her mouth with content, a beautiful sound you have witnessed with your own ears, as you were working him to his climax. Jimin’s hands grip Chin-sun’s dark locks but it isn’t the similar manner he did to you earlier, as he laced his fingers through the strands, when you wished him to do nothing more than pull harder and harder, until the pain in you scalp was replaced by dull ache, until a whimper fell from your lips and eyes squeezed shut. He kisses Chin-sun lovingly and there’s no roughness in that. It’s gentle caresses and soft murmurs.

After a moment he breaks off, soothing his palms over Chin-sun’s shoulders. She sends him a smile and opens the passenger’s door, getting into the car. And then, when you swallow a lump in your throat, when you decide to turn around and go, run as fast as you possibly can, when you dream about nothing more but never seeing him again, you catch eyes with him.

Jimin looks pathetically apologetic. There’s something in his dark brown orbs you can’t read. Maybe it’s guilt, maybe regret. Park Jimin is a man of many maybes, yet he stares at you with expression you could only mistaken for sadness.

You wonder if he sees the way your eyes stare at him blankly. You wonder if he knows how he nearly wrecked your body and made you feel things you shouldn’t. If he hurts the same way as you do now. However, Jimin quickly diverts his head away from you, closing the door to his car behind him as well. You laugh quietly at the ridiculousness of this situation. A bitter laugh that escapes your mouth and deepen the hollowness inside you.

A hand touches your arm and you don’t even flinch, knowing already who it is.

“So you know the news,” Taehyung says, looking at Jimin’s car leaving the parking lot. How long has he been standing behind you?

“What news?” you ask, turning your head to look at him.

“Chin-sun is really going to be miss Park officially,” he replies. “Jimin proposed to her this weekend. The wedding is in may. But that’s not important right now. How’s your conversation with him, sweetheart?”

You feel sick. You excuse yourself, mentioning something about needing to catch earlier train and texting him later. Taehyung calls after you but you don’t listen. You start running.

You run until you couldn’t breathe, until there’s a soreness in your throat from the coldness of air. You run until you reach your apartment, stumbling into it on wobbly legs. Your back touches the wall and you slide off, sitting on the floor.

You don’t cry. The tears don’t strain your eyes. It’s only this damned, dull hollowness.

There’s written in the Bible that a guilty person is the one who broke God’s law, who committed a sin. The said person will be judged by their actions after their death. Because every human being has a conscience, the thing that sets the line between good and bad, so when we did something wrong, we should feel remorse.

When you sit on the floor and stare blankly in front of yourself, you know you have sinned.You both did. You wonder if he, trailing patterns of tender touches on his fiancee’s skin, feels the same as you. You wonder if guilt eats him up as much as devours you. Maybe there’s hollow ache in his chest, just like in yours. Maybe he doesn’t feel anything.

And may the God help you both find your redemption.

#jimin smut #bts smut #ksmutclub #smutcentralnet #btswritingcafe #bangtanarmynet #bangtanhq #btsbookclub #maknaesmutsociety #btswriterscollective #bts fanfic #bts scenario #jimin angst #bts jimin #jimin #jimin fic #jimin x reader #jimin scenarios #bts #my writing

[analluringlecture]

I wrote this for college but they don’t deserve it.

How do you define the word integrity? It occurs to me that most people would say that integrity means to be moral and honest or “to do the right thing even when no one is watching”, as I’ve heard it so judiciously put. These descriptions would not be wrong according to the Oxford Languages dictionary. However, that same source has a second definition for the word that I believe is much more accurate. Oxford’s second definition for the word integrity is “the state of being whole and undivided”. What a simple yet beautifully complex statement. People often use the word integrity to describe themselves or others, but this definition of the word would mean that to describe oneself as having full integrity, we would need believe ourselves to be both “whole” and “undivided”. I personally do not know of a single human on earth that would truly fit that description, but I have been enlightened by three great books that have directed me on a path to pursue becoming the definition of integrity.

It was during my casual reading of Untamed by Glennon Doyle, a book that I passively picked up because of its colorful, eye-drawing cover and the words “Over 1 million copies sold” posted on the top of it, that I was struck with enlightenment. From the moment I began reading, I knew my experience with this book would be different than any other experience I’ve had prior. There was something about her tone, her choice of words, and how she flowed in the text that made me feel safe with her from the start. I felt like the way she wrote was so familiar, like I could have been reading my own forgotten entries from a dream journal. I believe this admiration I have for her writing style is what made her points ring so true to my heart and resonate deep within me. When reading the words: “Something's off about my life. I feel restless and frustrated. I have this hunch that everything was supposed to be more beautiful than this”, I knew I would learn something from this book that would change my life. I did feel that something was off about my life. I had been feeling like there was something stirring inside me for such a long time just waiting to be let out and, to my great frustration, I was unable to articulate it even to myself. It was after reading her words “I hope that whatever you do next is born from you and not imposed on you. I hope the rest of your life is your idea. For what it’s worth, I hope you trust yourself. You know what you know. You have good ideas,” and a following quote “This way of life requires living in integrity: ensuring that my inner self and my outer self are integrated. Integrity means having only oneself. Dividing into two selves – the shown self and the hidden self – that is brokenness, so I do whatever it takes to stay whole. I do not adjust myself to please the world. I am myself wherever I am, and let the world adjust.” that I had an epiphany. In an instant I realized that what I had been missing all these years and what was making me feel so unsettled in my seemingly perfect life was the trust in my inner voice to pursue my path of integrity. I’ve always felt that being true to yourself was one of the most important things you can do to pursue happiness but what I now know is that the path of honoring your true self is the only way to happiness. What I had been lacking was my ability to trust my true self (or my inner voice) to guide me. It was the author’s words of “The only thing that was ever wrong with me was my belief that there was something wrong with me” (Doyle & Audio, 2020) that made me see that I had been telling myself this lie for as long as I could remember, and it was the only thing standing in my way. I was the only thing standing in my way. Immediately upon reading those words, I was physically frozen in the feeling of relief from the realization that this was, in fact, an absolute lie. I had made myself believe that because I was unable to control my own thoughts and feelings enough to match them to my perception of everyone else’s thoughts and feelings, there must be something wrong with me. “We only control what we don’t trust,” her words coming to save me again. The instant gratification I received with the feeling of being freed from this self-deception was profound. I did not need to try to change myself to fit anyone else’s idea of what I should be, I am perfect exactly the way I naturally am. Once I was settled in that feeling and came back to my pondering mind, I began to feel that to pursue this way of integrity I must keep reading and learning everything that I can about aligning yourself with your true nature. 

In my reading and research into accounts of those who pursue a life of integrity, I have begun to see patterns of happenings in their lives that might seem like coincidences but are perhaps, to my hopeful mind, a result of living a whole life based in integrity. I had my first experience with this in my own life while reading Untamed. I recall saying to my boyfriend “it’s weird, it’s like I put the book down and pick it back up again exactly when I’m supposed to or something.” It was like my subconscious mind knew that the next chapter would be better served to me the next day, after I had made some significant realizations the previous night. It was only a few days after finishing the book that I completely stumbled upon a book with the title The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck. This was so bizarre to me because for one, the title was exactly what I was searching for and two, the way I found it was not in a search at all. I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and someone that I follow posted a picture of Beck’s book on her Story. I thought to myself “well I know I’m not seeing this because my phone is listening to me and feeding me targeted media because I’ve been following this girl for years”. I immediately downloaded and started listening to the audio book. This book was vastly different than Untamed but was just as meaningful to me. Beck did not have the shrouded poetic-ness that Doyle exuded but was eloquent and dignified. What the two had most in common, however, was that I was certain that I would learn something truly meaningful after just the first few sentences. It was Beck’s description of her integrity-seeking “No Lie Challenge” (Beck, 2021), the year of her life where she vowed to not tell even a socially pleasing lie (like a head nod or even smile that she didn’t believe in) that got me thinking deeper about what actions I must take in order live this fuller life that I long for. Doyle gave me the what and Beck showed me the how. Since learning of her challenge, I have since challenged myself to not lie. Not to others and especially not to myself. I will no longer present myself in any such way that does not align with my true nature, including silence. I see the act of remaining silent to seem either in agreeance with something or someone or to seem indifferent all together as a violation of my true nature. The most difficult part about this challenge is accepting that my path of true integrity will inevitably insight adversity. Beck has helped me with this acceptance too, she writes “If you’ve really stopped lying, with both words and actions, resistance from others is often evidence you’re on the right track. People around you are probably unnerved by your behavior because it challenges their own cultural compliance. In other words, they’re all telling polite or mandated lies in order to keep peace with others and the way you’re following integrity may involve the very things they are repressing in themselves.” This lesson will be invaluable to me in my life as I try to remain true to myself while loving others for who they are and accepting that the issues they see with my true nature are only out of frustration and insecurity as I challenge their way of life that they are unknowingly uncomfortable in. The other gift of knowledge that Beck graced me with in her book was my next reading. All throughout The Way of Integrity she parallels her thoughts on integrity with examples from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Dante’s beautiful words she quoted so often in her book would stay with me sometimes all day even as I lay in bed at night, so I knew I had to read it for myself. 

As I read through Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso I began to see for myself what Beck saw in the poet’s sentences that contained only a few words but seemed to hold the entire world inside them. “The man who lies asleep will never waken fame, and his desire and all his life drift past him like a dream, and the traces of his memory fade from time like smoke in air, or ripples on a stream.” These words made the hairs on the back on my stand straight up. Dante in one, beautifully written sentence summed up everything that I was feeling up to the point of reading it. I had learned that I was not on my true path, then I learned how I can go forward actively pursuing that path, and now Dante has shown me the why. What Dante just expressed was that when we live a life in pursuit of what we think we need to achieve or gain to be happy, we will fail and our souls will be forgotten because we are not honoring our true selves. Going after what we think love is, what we’re told success looks like, and anything else that is conceived outside of ourselves is abandoning our true nature that only longs for peace. Now I know why money will never satisfy the heart, forced friendships will not evoke understanding, and having vanity is the same as having nothing at all. This is an incalculable lesson.

These literary works have changed my life and I am now on a trajectory of peace and prosperity as I apply what I’ve learned to my everyday life. These books are my what, how, and why and they have sent me on my quest for understanding. The lessons have not done the work, they’ve only given me the tools to be able to grow. There is comfort in knowing that after gaining this knowing, there is no unknowing this. As Doyle says “Because once we feel, know, and dare to imagine more for ourselves, we cannot unfeel, unknow, or unimagine. There is no going back.” Even if I falter, I will always find my way back to this truth and will be on a continual, possibly unachievable journey of becoming the definition of integrity. If the journey is achievable, I think reaching full integrity may be when we get to experience what heaven (or nirvana) feels like and if it isn’t not, then maybe the continuous pursuit is the closest to it that we will ever get. 

[misssophiachase]

Love Me Like You Do

I stumbled upon a video of the TVD cast at Paley Fest in 2012 which inspired me to write this. Thanks to Candice for the inspiration! This is my take on part of the episode “The Murder of One” (3x18) which is actually one of my fave eps.

Caroline looked up at the foreboding Mikaelson mansion. She hadn’t been here since that night. The night she went to the ball at his invitation, gifted her a gorgeous dress and sketched her that picture. The one that was now firmly emblazoned on her brain. She felt slightly dizzy as the image filled her mind but decided to blame it on her lack of blood intake that day. 

She was here to do a job and had every intention of succeeding even if it meant she had to see Klaus again.  She thought back to their strategy session in the woods earlier that day. 

“Why do I have to be Klaus bait?” She huffed. 

“Because he’s obsessed with you,” Damon countered. He actually had a point but Caroline didn’t feel the need to agree with the arrogant Salvatore and just rolled her eyes by way of response. 

This tactic was getting really old for Caroline. Not just because she had to put up with the Original Hybrid and his attempts at wooing her with romantic drawings and gifts but because for once she wanted to be the one in the middle of the action. Yes, out of character some would say, but if it meant unlinking Tyler from his freaky sire bond with Klaus then she was more than willing to help. 

“Can I help you?” She turned to see Rebekah, arms folded across her chest on the front doorstep.  Caroline fought the urge to roll her eyes, if they’d given her the white oak stake then this could have been done by now. 

“I’m here to see Klaus.”

“Is it April Fools Day or something?” She chuckled wickedly. “Last time I checked you only use my brother when you want gifts. What exactly do you want now?”

“He chose to give them to me, Rebekah,” she growled, remembering why she hated the spoilt, blonde Original. “But there’s something I need to speak with him about.”

“Well, you’re going to have to get through me first,” she insisted, flicking her hair over her shoulder impatiently. 

“Funny,” she murmured, moving a little closer. “I thought you’d be too busy plotting revenge on Damon.”

“Damon?”

“I know if a guy ignored me like that after sex, I’d be pretty pissed,” she offered, noticing the once confident Original’s expression change instantly. 

“You know about that?”

“He’s telling everyone and between you and me...” before she could finish her sentence Rebekah was gone in a vamp speed haze leaving the front entrance clear. She couldn’t help but smile given she’d moved along their plan and that Damon was probably going to get his ass kicked. Given his earlier comments and, personality in general, she wasn’t quite unhappy about that. 

She looked at the door ominously, knowing she had to go in and begin mission distraction. After all her previous practice, Caroline wasn’t too concerned about her talents. 

“Klaus?” She called out, noticing the house was relatively dark and quiet compared with the night of the ball. “Klaus?”

Still nothing. She walked through the rooms half expecting Kol to jump out and offer some attempt at a witty joke or Elijah to give her a stern lecture about trespassing. 

She entered what looked like the study, plush furnishing with a fire crackling away in the corner. What caught her eye though was the artwork sitting atop the mantle. The likeness in that blue dress was breathtaking and she thought his horse sketch was impressive. 

“I never took you for the break and enter type, love,” a familiar voice offered. She tore her eyes from the painting and to its source seated on one of the chesterfield lounges while hunched over a laptop.

“Number one, I didn’t do any breaking of the sort and, number two, it’s not my fault Rebekah doesn’t understand the basic concept of hospitality.”

“I’ll agree, it’s probably not her best trait,” he noted, his crimson lips curving into a sly smile as he finally looked up from the computer screen. “So then, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Caroline froze momentarily, deciding to blame it on the stray dimple he decided to flash in her direction, no doubt on purpose. 

“I was, uh, bored.”

“And here I hoped you were going to thank me for that sketch,” he murmured, his gaze now falling back onto the lit up screen. “So, they asked you to distract me again? You need to tell the Salvatore brothers that tactic is getting a little old.” Caroline couldn’t have said it better herself. 

She heard a ding from his computer, followed by another his face concentrating on whatever he was doing. “You do know it’s rude to ignore a guest?”

“Says the blonde distraction,” he smirked, still not bothering to look at her. Bastard. 

“What exactly are you doing?” 

“I’m networking.”

“Online? I’m impressed that the thousand year-old knows how to communicate in more modern ways.” She said, making her way to the couch so she could satisfy her curiosity. Usually his attention was firmly focused on her and for some reason it bothered her that it wasn’t right now.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He asked, lowering the screen defensively. A number of beeps sounding out again. 

“Are you on match dot com by chance,” she surmised, that particular noise sounding familiar. 

“I’m on no such thing,” he growled. His denial told Caroline that was exactly what he was doing. She was shocked to say the least, especially given he was supposed to be obsessed with her and not some randoms on a website.

“Yes, you are,” she argued, manoeuvring herself onto the couch quickly and stealing his computer in the meantime. 

“And how exactly do you know that anyway? Already bored with Tyler?” Caroline scowled by way of response. Of course he had to bring up Tyler. She decided it was best to just steer clear of that conversation given how jealous he usually got.  

“Who knew the ‘most powerful creature on earth’ needed dating assistance.”

“Thanks for the compliment, sweetheart,” he teased, still avoiding the subject.

“Didn’t you notice I used air quotes?” She scoffed before perusing his profile onscreen. His picture was on point but that was no surprise given just how handsome Klaus was, even though Caroline would never admit that to him. “What the hell kind of profile is this, Mikaelson?”

“What’s wrong with it?” He asked defensively. “I’ll have you know I worked on that for a good couple of hours.”

“It says your hobbies are wreaking havoc and committing mass murder,” she squeaked.

“Well, it’s the truth.” She didn’t reply just kept scanning it in disbelief.

“Your listed likes are general suffering, AB Negative and cemeteries after dark.”

“You forgot to mention blondes with blue eyes,” he gestured to the screen proudly. They were now sitting rather close, his thigh rubbing up against hers. “Look, so many people lie on these things, at least I’m being honest.”

“Dislikes,” she read, unable to stop. “General happiness, unicorns, sunshine and rainbows.”      

“Oh come on, tell me I’m wrong,” he drawled. “Plus, look how many hits and messages I’ve received.”

“Sophie from Indiana,” she muttered, looking at the picture. She was mildly attractive and mildly normal from her picture until further investigation. “Woah, she likes whips, chains and bondage. Seriously, Klaus?”

“I wouldn’t rule anything out.”

“Who are you, Christian Grey?” She asked, referring to the leading character in the Fifty Shades trilogy. 

“He wishes,” Klaus muttered. Caroline was surprised he even knew what she was talking about. For some reason this news didn’t sit well with her at all. How could he possibly like her when he supposedly wanted these women? 

“So, what you’re telling me is that you like girls like this?” She asked pointing to Lisa from Pittsburgh, dressed skimpily in head-to-toe black with heavy make-up and multiple piercings. 

“I might,” he stuttered. She could tell by the slight blush he was becoming decidedly uncomfortable. “Why do you even care, Caroline?”

“I just thought you had better taste,” she uttered, her eyes flickering again to the portrait he’d drawn of her. 

“I do,” he answered simply, placing his finger under her chin softly and turning her gaze back to his dark, blue orbs. “Unfortunately girls like that don’t go for men like me.” She could sense the raw vulnerability in his voice and that teamed with his touch was messing with her composure. 

“Well, with that profile what do you expect,” she mumbled. When she came over here it was to distract Klaus, not the other way around. “I can just imagine some innocent girl taking a liking to that and telling her mother she met this guy who likes to murder people but other than that, he’s a real charmer.” 

She could actually see that conversation playing out with Liz, believe it or not, but decided to put that particular scenario at the back of her mind. “So, what do you suggest, love?”

He had leaned forward now, his chest mere inches from hers and those tantalising lips just waiting to be kissed from such close proximity. “Uh, I suggest,” she stammered, standing up so fast and taking him by surprise. “A new and improved profile.”

“You’d help me?” 

“I feel it’s my responsibility, not just to you but all the poor unsuspecting girls out there.”

“And funnily enough it’s the perfect way to distract me too.” 

“Maybe.” She said without thinking. If he was going to be honest the least she could do was be the same. Surely her friends had this under control given they didn’t need her help in the first place.  

“Well, let’s get started then, love.”  

On FF HERE

#love me like you do #klaroline drabbles #mini drabbles #misssophiachase #perhaps one day

[fayewonglibrary]

There’s fizz in Faye yet (1999)

Flash of temper from supposedly doe-eyed waif

PRESSED on the subject of her divorce proceedings, she hisses: “What has that got to do with you?… You’re just trying to sell more copies of your newspaper.”

Meanwhile, she’s been paid a queenly sum to sell more cans of Pepsi.

Ice queen gets FIZZY.

The voice of a new generation is innocent yet world-weary. Try asking about her private life, and she turns from doe-eyed waif to diva.

SHE burst into the Hongkong Convention and Exhibition Centre from a hidden door, like the geyser of twisted hair that shot out of her frail skull which, in turn, would define the coolest hairstyle in Hongkong for the next week.

She stayed fleetingly, bantering with the press and giving reporters quotes that were as flimsy as the diaphanous shawl draped about her thin spaghetti-strapped shoulders.

Songstress Faye Wong was back in the limelight again on Tuesday, when she made her latest public appearance as the new face of soft-drink manufacturer Pepsi. She launched the drink’s advertising campaign with a one-minute commercial featuring a single, Exciting, from her soon-to-be-released album, Love Strangers Only.

The 30-year-old, who was reportedly paid US$1.7 million (S$2.8 million) to be the fizzy drink’s new spokesman after big-name representatives like Aaron Kwok, Ricky Martin and Janet Jackson, turned out to be as light and frothy as the product she was endorsing.

Would she be doing a promotional tour in Taiwan, when her album is released next month?

“Yes,” she answered gawkily, as reporters around her laughed.

Would her own life be as exciting as the title of her new single seems to hint?

“Not really… I think my life as seen by the media is much more exciting than what it really is,” she said, not before stumbling through her nature hmmms, errrhs and arrhhs.

Better to watch her new music video, which at least show her swimming and singing underwater, among more spectacular stunts such as throwing somersaults in a backyard.

The video itself, part of which is incorporated into the Pepsi commercial, attempted to recreate the tender moments of Wong’s own childhood in the early ’ 70s.

Apart from the singer, it also features a Wong-lookable little girl who frolicks in old classrooms with the innocence of pre-adolescence and pre-stardom.

“I don’t think the little girl really looks like me; I don’t think it was really like that during my childhood,” the blunt Wong revealed, brushing close past another media faux pas.

“I mean, those were artistic decisions. I guess it doesn’t matter if she doesn’t look like me; the main thing is that she feels like me,” she added quickly.

What is typically Wong－or at least the media prototype of the singer-actress－is the Ice Queen-meets-Baby Woman image as reinforced in the clip.

There, she splays her feathery frame upon a battered blackboard, waves at the camera while slunk childishly across a desk, and does her trademark “trapped-in-my-world” look with her blameless, liquid eyes.

“I did try to do my own thing there,” she said.

“I had been trying a couple of new angles in front of the camera, and some of them are very personal.”

Due to financial restraints on the advertising contract, the commercial itself－and a few billion Pepsi cans bearing Wong;s image－will be sees in Hongkong, China and Taiwan only. The actual Exciting music video clip, however, started broadcast worldwide yesterday, while her album itself will only be released next month.

“The song Exciting is about life to the fullest,” she said.

“It is not about running after your dreams and finding the perfect fulfilment of them, but savouring all the excitement that comes in the process of doing so. Life is not just about love and emotions; it is also about so many other things.”

A pointed statement indeed, cryptic but well-phrased enough to be a reference to her failed three-year-old marriage with China rocker Dou Wei, who admitted to adultery with his long-time photographer mistress five months ago.

A sparkling flint of a quote not unlike the shot of caffeine present in the drink of which she is the ambassador, you think. And there is fizz too－evident in a flash of hot temper.

When a perky reporter finally asked the dreaded question about her divorce proceedings against Dou, which started in April, Wong reared her chimera head and hissed: “What has that got to do with you? What has that got to do with readers?”

“I’m a public figure, so all the more I don’t have to tell the whole world about my private life. You’re just trying to sell more copies of your newspaper.”

Quite a far cry from the innocent doe-eyed waif who had earlier declared that “I have always been an open and happy person”.

“My emotional state now is the same as that of a year ago－it hasn’t changed. You don’t believe me? I’m telling the truth.”

Back to dreary soundbites for now.Wong was unable to shed new light on how her new album is different stylistically from her previous one, short of saying that “there ought to be changes but I’m not sure what they are”.

She stood up, staring unblinkingly at the descending avalanche of press photographers. She strutted, non-too graceful in her awkward childish pose, yet fully-conscious of her strange, Kid Queen aura.

And then, she left, slacking off indifferently in her brown strappy loafers, leaving reporters just that little bit more enlightened about her slippery persona.

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

SOURCE: THE STRAITS TIMES

#1999

[thisdaynews]

Pelosi rebuffs Nadler on impeachment after Mueller flop

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/pelosi-rebuffs-nadler-on-impeachment-after-mueller-flop/

Pelosi rebuffs Nadler on impeachment after Mueller flop

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi convened the Democratic caucus following Robert Mueller’s appearance beforethe Judiciary and Intelligence panels. | J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo

Congress

The two senior Democrats discussed the party’s next steps in a closed-door caucus meeting after the special counsel’s testimony.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler pushed to launch impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump during a closed-door meeting Wednesday, only to be rebuffed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to four sources familiar with the discussions.

At a caucus meeting following the hotly anticipated testimony of special counsel Robert Mueller,Nadler suggested that several House committee chairs could begin drafting articles of impeachment against Trump. Pelosi called the idea premature, said the sources.

Story Continued Below

Mueller’s appearance was a disappointment to many Democrats, as the former FBI director stumbled at times, even seeming unsure of the contents of his 448-page report on Russian election interference and Trump’s efforts to obstruct the investigation.

Pelosi convened the Democratic caucus following Mueller’s appearance beforethe Judiciary and Intelligence panels. A lengthy, animated discussion about the impeachment process followed.

Sources said rank-and-file lawmakers asked about the technical aspects of an impeachment inquiry, including whether it would require a full vote of the House or could be initiated by the Judiciary Committee.

Nadler indicated that the committee could launch proceedings on its own. Articles filed by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) at the outset of this Congress have already been referred to the panel, giving Democrats a vehicle to begin the hugely controversial proceedings. The technical discussion also included a question about how an impeachment case is presented to the Senate.

In the course of the wide-ranging discussion, Nadler countered Pelosi’s pushback by noting that polls showed limited support for removing President Richard Nixon from office when the House began impeachment hearings in 1973, but that public support for the effort grew as more evidence came out about Nixon’s illegal behavior.

As she has for months, Pelosi argued to her colleagues that the “slow, methodical approach” employed by House Democrats was the right way to move forward, despite the fact that more than 90 of her members have called for an impeachment inquiry to begin now.

Rep. Lori Trahan of Massachusetts became the latest Democrat to endorse the idea on Wednesday, but some pro-impeachment members had hoped for far more lawmakers to join them.

Pelosi also noted Democrats have several lawsuits moving forward in federal court, including cases involving Trump’s personal finances and tax returns, said the sources.

Pelosi has insisted Democrats need support from Republicans, or a shift in public sentiment, before even starting an impeachment inquiry against Trump.

A GOP-run Senate is not going to vote to remove Trump from office, at least for now, so Pelosi and other senior Democrats have argued that impeachment is an empty gesture that will only cause a backlash against vulnerable Democrats in 2020.

The meeting adjourned with Democrats agreeing on their next steps: filing a lawsuit to enforce a subpoena against former White House Counsel Don McGahn, who told Mueller that Trump tried to get him to fire the special counsel in order to end the investigation.

During a press conference afterward, Pelosi’s opposition to impeachment appeared to soften, although she still won’t endorse the idea.

“If we have a case for impeachment, that’s the place we will have to go. Why I’d like it to be a strong case is because it’s based on the facts — the facts and the law, that’s what matters,” Pelosi told reporters while showing no signs of her disagreement with Nadler, who stood next to her.

“The stronger our case is, the worse the Senate will look for just letting the president off the hook.”

Pelosi added that Democrats’ investigations are “not endless in terms of time.”

“If it comes to a point where the cone of silence and the obstruction of justice and the coverup in the White House prevents us from getting that information, that will not prevent us from going forward and in fact, it’s even more grounds to go forward,” Pelosi said.

“Today was a watershed day in telling the facts to the American people. With those facts, we can proceed. And we face a time of great danger,” Nadler added. “This cannot go on. And it’s up to Congress to safeguard the Constitution and we will do it.”

While Mueller’s performance was panned by Trump, GOP lawmakers and many media pundits, Democrats insisted it was too soon to say how it might affect the national debate on the president and impeachment.

“I think it’ll depend on how the public views what they saw today,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.). “Hopefully my colleagues see what I see. We’ve known for a long time that this president went above and beyond to obstruct this investigation. I think the Republicans know it, I think they’re playing defense for their guy.”

While Mueller was largely unwilling to go beyond what was in his March report, there were some surprising moments that Democrats seized upon to damage Trump.

Mueller repeatedly said Wednesday, as he did in his report, that Trump wasn’t exonerated by his investigation, and firmly rejected the president’s “no collusion, no obstruction” claims. And Mueller said that Trump could theoretically be charged with a crime after he leaves office.

But there was also an embarrassing “correction” by Mueller that undermined his most damaging revelation from his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.

Mueller initially stated in response to a question from Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) that Trump couldn’t be indicted because of a previous Justice Department opinion on the issue. Democrats and pundits quickly jumped on it.

However, a short time later, before the Intelligence Committee, Mueller clarified his comment.

“I want to go back to one thing that was said this morning by Mr. Lieu who said, and I quote, ‘You didn’t charge the president because of the [Office of Legal Counsel] opinion,'” Mueller said. “That is not the correct way to say it. As we say in the report and as I said at the opening, we did not reach a determination as to whether the president committed a crime.”

By midday, Democrats found themselves having to defend Mueller, a development they didn’t expect heading into the day.

“He got off to a slow start, but anytime 20 million people are watching you on TV and you’re in front of a congressional committee, you’re gonna be a little nervous,” said Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.)., who supports an impeachment inquiry.

“He doesn’t have his finger on every syllable of the report. So to think he would know everything is very unreasonable,” asserted Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.). “It’s hard, it’s hard. I think we need to wait and see after they’re finished with the second hearing with the Intelligence Committee. I think we’ll have a better idea of where we’ll be. But so far I’ve been extremely impressed.”

Some pro-impeachment Democrats, especially the hardcore group on the Judiciary Committee, argued that Mueller actually helped their cause.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said Mueller laid out “overwhelming, devastating evidence” of obstruction of justice by Trump, “even if he took on a far less aggressive role [as a prosecutor] than he could have.”

“There was no new evidence today but it was new to about 95 percent of the American people,” Raskin added. “All of that is in the report, and I think it’s going to gain a whole bunch of new readers after that.”

Sarah Ferris and Mel Zanona contributed to this report.

Read More

#Foreign #impeachment #Mueller #Politics

[justanotherdumpingground]

Chapter Reviews: April 9-13, 2019 + More Thoughts on WT and NB

High School Story Class Act Chapter 9:

By this point, I feel like I don’t enjoy Class Act as much as I wanted to. The presidential election drama is starting to drag me out, and Skye is sidelined because she didn’t get tangled up in this mess.

Anyway, it was really nice to see my old MC and his dad, the little poem for Skye was sweet, and seeing my MC and Skye watching Aiden’s concert while cuddling was adorable.

Even after Lorenzo gained a popularity boost for rescuing a kitten from a shocked Buttercup and Amber recording the entire thing, I’m still not fazed. Mainly because he’s still behind Rory, who has four stars compared to the three he and the twin have for each. Let’s see how it goes in future chapters.

Across the Void Chapter 17:

Wow! So Holmes is the one that gets injured. Well, that does it. I’m so glad I chose to remain neutral because the Jura general just sucks. I may not like Holmes, but he doesn’t deserve to get injured, though Kepler saying that he would never hurt anyone just made me shook my head.

If I can kick both Eos and Pax out of my ship, that would be great, though having them shut up and start acting maturely is good enough.

This chapter feels like a blink and it’s over. I installed the cryo atmos to bring the Atlas back to good condition, and I didn’t plan a party for Holmes, which would’ve improved crew morale. At least morale is still good. The only thing that keeps me interested is the possibility of who might be the Jura mole among the passengers. My best bet would be Rana because of her pro-Jura views. Other possibilities would be Adara and Leona, though they’re less likely to be the culprits.

Desire & Decorum Chapter 16:

On one hand, I like that Duke Richards gets a proper comeuppance (stripped from his title and holdings and locked away) unlike a certain villain. On the other hand, I’m rather disappointed that the evidence cabinet’s ultimate function is to determine the fates of Richards’s co-conspirators. Nevertheless, it was awesome to watch Luke Harper elevated to Knight Commander for stopping Richards. I think that’s a good way to allow players romancing him to marry him instead of being in a secret relationship with him. I also like that my MC gets to become Championess, yet another title for her to rub at Henrietta’s face alongside Countess of Edgewater.

Hamid’s proposal was the real cherry on the top of the cake, and I want him and MC to get married already. As for Dominique, I feel like I need some time before I can really forgive her. She may seem sincere, and she tried to redeem herself, but I still need to calm down about her. Maybe I’ll forgive her when I replay this book.

Great, another sequel hook. Just when I thought I could have my MC enjoy her wedding with Hamid, some stranger shows up unannounced. Apparently, this stranger is someone connected to Henrietta, who believed that person is dead. My guess is that the stranger is the MC’s half-brother Harry or Henrietta’s first husband (and Edmund’s father).

Overall, the second book is weaker than the first one while still okay. I love the formation of the inner circle and that the love interests, Briar, and the MC really look out for one another. Unfortunately, the love interests slowly lose their uniqueness while the getting out of the engagement with Duke Richards drags on for too long. I blame it on the writers resorting to clichés.

America’s Most Eligible Chapter 13:

A premium outerwear clothing looks good on paper, but it’s still a lure to spend diamonds just to see dialogue variations. Anyway, pass.

For the partner part, I still picked Adam because of how I roleplay my MC as. I may not like Adam completely, but I still have my MC pursue him because it fits his character.

So Wrenn is secretly leaking info to Piper, who thought Jen isn’t doing well. I’m conflicted on this. I know that this choice might affect Wrenn’s stance on me, but I also think they should be honest with Jen. In the end, I kept Wrenn’s secret while still considering the option to tell the truth to Jen in case I replay this book.

Dang, Carson has gone the deep end, hasn’t he? Just by looking at him spiraling into depression despite his best efforts to makes things fresh makes feel bad. Still pissed that it’s a premium option to console him, but it’s something I might do to bring him out of his shell.

Passport to Romance Chapter 5:

The Notre Dame trip is nice, though the recycled image from Rules of Engagement made me cringe. At least it was calming to see Ahmed lighting a candle as a reminder of how important the sense of community.

Hearing more about Marisa’s “boyfriend” Tristao just makes me want to punch him in the face and watch Marisa break up with him. It’s no secret she deserves better.

So far, I like the trip around the Catacombs in Paris, especially with Marisa expressing her fear of the dead. It was jarring to see Elliot chastising Ahmed and Sumire for making jokes about Marisa’s fear, and his premium scene implies that he lost someone or many people very dear to him. It didn’t endear him to me because he came across as a hypocrite for making a snide remark on Marisa during the dinner with Yvette. However, I think that as useless as Elliot is, he deserves to have his story told.

Not surprised that Yvette would extend the contract and keep the love interests together with the MC. After all, it would be a waste to get rid of the ones we have. Sure not everyone likes them, but it would be daft of PB to not develop them further.

I admit that I restarted the whole book to buy most premium scenes involving Sumire and not join Elliot in bouncing at Marie Antoinette’s bed. Interestingly, I managed to reach Level 2 for my blog and unlock a bonus scene, where I can talk about who viewers like, asking what they want to see, or thanking them for inspiring the blog. I picked what they want to see, and apparently, they want ambiance footage of Berlin, more Elliot and Ahmed, MC kissing those boys, and personal stuff. Well, my blog’s name is Sexcapades, so that might happen.

Open Heart Chapter 9:

That patient with Bryce Sterling's model is a total nightmare. His constant rudeness and belching gets on my nerves all the time. It's a good thing Ethan showed up to put him in his place.

The group dinner was nice, and I want Rafael included every now and then. Bonus points if he gives his perspective as a paramedic. I'll make him fit right into the inner circle in spite of his insecurities of not attending a prestigious university.

One thing I noticed is that Bryce mentioned attending a college as far away from home as possible. That sounds interesting, considering that he is consistently portayed as keeping a positive face. My best guess is that he had a rough childhood that strained his parents so much that he cut off ties with them once he's capable of taking care of himself. I'd like to know more about him, even if the story puts too much emphasis on Ethan.

Kyra as a love interest left me rather uneasy. I mean, I like her personality despite her cancer, but I don't think it's ethical for a doctor and a patient to date. Not sure how PB will handle this, so let's see how it goes.

MC is finally number one, which makes them a target of massive jealousy? I have a bad feeling about this. Aurora's sarcastic comment gives me the chills, which makes me think some of MC's roommates will contribute to unnecessary drama. I hope that's not the case.

Ride or Die Chapter 13:

Because I ended the previous chapter with my MC in the surveillance room with Jason and Foley, she ended up distracting them and saved the Mercy Park Crew. Talking about giving her badass moment, compared to the situation where she was locked in the vault with the Brotherhood.

Teppei choosing to sacrifice himself to let the Mercy Park Crew escape left me speechless, in part because he's a better written character than the other members of the MPC except Colt. I'm definitely mad at him for dragging the crew to his life, but seeing your own parent's death is always sad. In Colt's case, his father wanted him to live a normal, crime-free life, and it would be a waste for Colt to not honor his father's wish.

One quote that stands out to me the most is Mona asking the MC whether she wanted "freedom, fast cars, the bad boy", and that life, then said it's ultimately not for the MC. It sounds like Mona is saying that all these are mere delusions masking the dangers of being around criminals. Makes me think of the terrible first chapters. I still think the story's not that good despite improvements along the way.

Regarding Jason Shaw, I get that it's tempting for me to defend him because he goes after criminals, but I don't see that as a reason to praise him. I could say my feelings are complicated. As much as I understand that he has some sort of moral compass for going after criminals, I think he's addicted to freedom and power that he has lost sight of what his job ultimately means. Not to mention that it would've been better to hand those criminals to justice instead, and him threatening the MC comes across as hypocritical.

On another note, does anyone think Toby is rather suspicious? He seemed to be at the right place at the right time (telling the MC of Colt's operation, outside of the MPC garage when it burned down), and there were moments when he raised red flags that foreshadow something sinister (fixing MC's car, talking to someone during the party at a junk yard). I stumbled upon this theory on Instagram, and I wanted to know if anyone seems sold on it. If it's true Toby's up to no good, what if he was playing the Mercy Park Crew and Brotherhood all along?

The Elementalists Chapter 5:

I'm enjoying Book 2 so far, and this chapter on the nature of elemental sources was just fascinating. Learning about Alma the Blood source on the MC and Atlas's parents being elemental sources like her and Kane was fascinating. I think that's what makes the twins special in a way. And not to mention that I'm becoming more intrigued on Kane and Gemma as well as how the sources tie into the plot. What if we encounter the other sources? And how do the different races like wood nymphs and djinns factor into all this?

Man, I need to give Atlas a hug, considering the fact that they, unlike their twin sibling, wasn't raised in a loving environment when their parents died. It makes me wonder more of the events Atlas had to go through before meeting with their long-lost sibling.

I couldn't pass on the opportunity to learn the fire chariot spell from Griffin, especially if it might come in handy later on. Pity it's not included in the spell book, but at least it allowed my MC to score an easy win. Can't wait to use it on Kane and any other threat that gets in my way.

Thoughts on Wishful Thinking and Nightbound:

Honestly, I’m more excited for Nightbound than Wishful Thinking, mainly because I generally prefer fantasy and supernatural over romantic comedy. In Wishful Thinking’s case, I feel like it should’ve involved a crime-fighting element that makes it similar to Hero. After all, both stories are set in Northbridge. Thinking of it reminds me of Shazam, which I thoroughly enjoyed for its comedic style and serious moments that work well in the story. As for Nightbound, I may be more excited for it, but I’m still fairly wary that it will focus too much on a single male love interest that the entire story revolves around him. This has been going on for a lot of stories, so if the romance aspect is kept to a minimum like The Heist: Monaco, that would be a preferable while highly doubtful scenario.

#choices stories you play #chapter reviews #choices wishful thinking #choices nightbound #choices wt #choices nb

[connecticut-seo-adwords]

Enduring and prospering at an SEO conference

I was just recently inquired about a problem numerous of us in the SEO market face:"When you're going to a conference where you'll be satisfying peers, customers and prospective customers, how do you avoid awkward silence?"

This is obviously a good question in and of itself, but it got me considering a bigger problem search specialists frequently face: how people can make the most of their meetups and time together.Having participated in SEO conferences considering that 2006, I have actually found out some techniques to use previously and during conferences to help optimize my time while I exist. A few of these methods apply to conference with peers, others to customers and potential clients, and some to both. Whether you're attending your first conference or simply looking to improve your video game, I hope you will find this suggestions useful.Be prepared The preliminary question about how to avoid an uncomfortable silence is what got me thinking about this subject, as it suggests that the person posing the concern wasn't going into the conference prepared.Generally, you'll understand in advance if customers and key market peers will be participating in the conference, so do not wait till you exist to figure out the best ways to talk to them and what to talk to them about. Instead, prepare ahead of time through social media.Now, let me be clear: I'm not recommending that you pal people on Facebook if they have no idea you. Some relatively simple research study on their public posts, Twitter stream and LinkedIn profiles will likely produce some essential details such as: What's the individual's work history?What topics do they talk most about?What non-work subjects are they interested in?(This is crucial!)Are they wed and do they have actually kids?And more.You get where I'm going. Armed with a selection of information on individuals you're meeting, there will be no awkward silence. Moreover, you'll have a chance to get in touch with them on a human level. I am advised often of

2 quotes from the terrific Dale Carnegie

:"The royal road

to a male's heart is to talk to him about the important things he treasures most. ""When handling individuals, remember you are not handling animals of logic, however animals of feeling."Both of these are true. Yes, that individual probably desires to talk store with you, however they have actually got lots of people doing that.

The distinction will can be found in the non-shop talk. Let's state you're talking with a potential customer; they will likely be talking

to a half-dozen other people with offerings like yours. The difference will come in discussing their preferred sports group,

a motion picture they've seen, or-- one that I have actually discovered works well-- a person they're influenced by(like Dale Carnegie! ). Connect in advance We talked above about utilizing social media as a data-gathering tool, however it obviously is much more than that. Getting in touch with people you desire to satisfy on social previous to an occasion is an important intro. LinkedIn is an apparent go-to; Facebook is prevented unless you actually have fulfilled. Twitter I've discovered to be most likely the easiest method to engage others, as it's an easy interaction point that by its nature discourages pitching. Connect on LinkedIn to be sure, but follow them on Twitter, read their posts and comment when applicable.By getting in touch with others beforehand, you'll be collecting the information you need from our very first conversation point above and allowing your possibility to obtain to understand you in an open and welcome place. You're revealing interest in their activities, and by commenting, you're revealing you've read and thought about what they're stating. Remember, people like themselves.I also suggest joining Facebook groups associated to the conference you're going to. This is a terrific method to engage with others who will exist and possibly individuals you want

to satisfy. Even if this does not link you with the individuals you're particularly interested in, it might provide other important contacts. You might discover yourself sitting at a table with someone from your Facebook group, offering you an easy conversation starter.Use social media throughout the event, too Is somebody you desire to fulfill speaking? Is another tweeting out exactly what's going on at the occasion? If

they are, make sure to take advantage of that by tweeting about their session or replying to or retweeting their tweets. Once again, this is a simple and efficient way to illustrate that you're taking note, thinking about what they do and engaged with their work.We are online marketers, after all. If we're not engaging with individuals we desire to transform (even if that conversion is simply fulfilling somebody ), then how good are we?Look the part There's a quote from Socrates," Be as you wish to appear."It's an excellent quote with a lot of

truth, but for our functions here, we can rephrase it as," Look like you want to be."I'm not saying,"Fabricate it up until you make it," as that's a viewpoint I loathe. If you desire to be taken seriously, it's wise to dress the part.As an online marketer, you understand that a small tweak in style can yield big boosts in conversions-- this is as real for you as it is for a site

. If you exist to fulfill customers, reveal them the respect of looking your best. If you're satisfying coworkers you regard, do the same.One caveat here is to check out the space. If it's a small conference you're participating in with just your industry peers, then think about how they dress and just kick it up a bit. If you're going to a bigger conference or one with customers or potential customers, then it never harms to present yourself at the top of your game.Self-care and time management For the veterans in the crowd, you'll know this might be the hardest part.

You 're up early for the breakfast, in sessions and working all the time, dinner and networking in the evening, and then unquestionably you'll be invited out for beverages after that-- leading to a 7 a.m. wake-up after a 2 a.m. bedtime. Which presumes you don't have emails to power through.Let's admit it, you probably aren't at your best after a couple of drinks on four or five hours of sleep, so speed yourself. There's a lot of networking to do, and it's better to leave a bit early (at a time when others probably won't keep in mind how amusing you are anyhow)and be your best the next day.It's also vital to obtain a long time for yourself between the numerous parts of the conference, whether it's merely a quiet location to work continuous(though that's barely"you time" ), an opportunity to have a peaceful coffee before the sessions begin, or a long time after the conference but prior to the evening's activities. If you wish to remain sharp, it's frequently smart to take a while to loosen up. And if you require to in some way justify

it to those around you, then hit the fitness center and do some easy workout like a stationary cycling, or use the sauna.By taking care of yourself-- by getting sufficient sleep and not exaggerating, you'll be much better able to handle the balance of networking, discovering brand-new things and getting your everyday work done.Be authentic We talked about devising till you make it, and there's a huge reason that I dislike this approach: Pretending to know things you do not can seriously undermine your reputation, especially among peers who can quickly call you out on it.If you don't know something, then be up front about it-- mentioning, naturally, that you specialize in something various. None of us can understand whatever (up until Google plants a chip in our brains to access all human knowledge), so nobody will begrudge you that. If it patronizes or prospective customer, just inform them it's a great

question and you'll get back to them on it after you look into it or ask somebody you trust.Of course, being yourself isn't practically what you know, it has to do with who you are. It's about being genuine

. All of us desire customers

that are great fits, which means they understand who you are and wish to work with you. While you want to be your best self at conferences, you must still eventually be yourself. One cannot sustain being something they're not indefinitely, so it's better to simply make pals and clients that desire to associate with you knowing who you are.Conclusion Enjoy. SEO conferences are a terrific method to make buddies, find customers, meet people you respect, and even find out a lot about a fantastic subject from some amazing people. Take in the experience, and you'll get even more than you may hope.If you're not enjoying yourself, and you're simply examining off things to do like a wish list, that's going to stumble upon. If you're enjoying yourself, then not just will you have a much better time, but you'll be more effective, too-- people like individuals who are having a good time doing what they love, especially when they're doing the same thing and like it as much as you do.Some opinions expressed in this short article might be those of a visitor author and not always Online search engine Land. Personnel authors are noted here.

Source

http://searchengineland.com/surviving-thriving-seo-conference-277875

[halleyingham28-blog]

The Basis For Marketing Protection Recognition In The Work environment

The tales from centuries are caught in conventional Russian Christmas ornaments, demonstrating a lengthy past history of grandeur and struggle. Thus, whatever points towards sourcing and implementing EHR software program's that ideal provide one-of-a-kind necessities of diverse practices while likewise being actually up to date with the CMS mandate on Qualified EHR Technology for obtaining Meaningful Make use of requirement bench-mark. Terms and photos can easily aid you in keeping in mind factors by taking pictures in your head instead of merely phrases or figures. This year, our holiday presents may be articulations of accurate gratitude which will have actual impact on our relationships as well as make our holiday one to bear in mind. Meaningful excellence is actually a various value structure for each of us. Whatever you define purposeful effectiveness to be could be originated from work for profit, volunteerism, bodily or even hands-on effort, even play. A see to this stunning and diverse isle leaves behind an impression psychological permanently. This seems to be most people presume meaningful job must be actually one thing on a splendid scale or even bring about nationwide or even world acknowledgment. Coming from this example that is clear that schema participates in a significant duty in creating content relevant. If you develop a steady schedule around meaningful communication, your child will experience comfy concerning you when she or he needs to have guidance. IKEA brings in various relevant connections along with individuals, at a financial, mental, organisational, emotional as well as spiritual amount. Conventional memorial poetry and also end from lifestyle quotes could be nostalgic and also warm. Famous Christmas tracks include Dootha Paata Paadudi, Oh Sadbakthlara, Sri Yesundu Jenminche Reyilo. Certainly not surprisingly, Integrity Investments is just one of the absolute most relevant monetary labels. Many men have had their ears stretched to indicate their virility as well as sexual functionalities, although this is actually not as considerably a cause today as that was years earlier. In today's digital world, individuals are actually regularly being bombarded with notifications coming from a range from companies; this is actually why it's thus important to appear the clutter in a significant way. D. One team from adult guys was given instructions in lowering their high blood pressure whereas yet another was actually certainly not given any type of directions. I have loved the simpleness, elegance, and mental depth from Meaningful Meals Stories. You may locate that you can attract ideas coming from narratives or quotes you discover in the example eulogies for a bro that you stumble upon. Picture yourself, on early morning, opening up the window to an attractive snowfall covered mountain range where the air is actually therefore clean it would quickly renew your feeling. E. One group of males was actually delivered accessibility to an exercise program as well as assessed two opportunities over a 6-month period for center health and wellness. If you have no idea the instructor properly, that does not mean you can't still discover teacher presents to sustain charitable organization. You should be extra or even less in the eco-friendly to making a relevant as well as good concept for banner printing if you combine all the aspects above in one motivational banner. Everything in life involves relationships, whether that is actually with your partner, your children, your task, job or even your health and also happiness As your very own partnership specialist, you begin to recognize that the connection you have along with your own self is actually paramount to living a content as well as meaningful lifestyle. Some registered nurses look at meaningful use greatly as an organization's responsibility and also concern. As your very own connection expert, you start to know that the partnership you possess along with yourself is critical to living a material and purposeful lifestyle. Unlike men, ladies and bars approached at these nightclubs are actually far more responsive to the idea of going out with individuals they find, making all of them much easier. When I was actually expanding up, I constantly remember my grandparents making use of such colorful quotes and expressions. Later, when I wed my partner, our company spent time along with his grandparents and they had a different set from quotes and expressions that were similarly as expressive but along with a southern spin. Pandora Chaos Raven selected hers deliberately to be meaningful with all 3 segments, as well as said to Magus (after trumping the black out of him) to contact her through one or any sort of, she was actually all of them: Pandora (after Pandora's Container; she really views herself even more as package, however even less folks got that when she called herself 'Package') Chaos (she detests managing to anticipate points based on what she knows), and Raven (her wedded name). You would certainly be actually far better off using your social networks presence to sustain your social network initiatives, where you may create relevant connection along with a smaller group from targeted people. Quickies may seem like the type of thing males would enjoy as well as females will just tolerate. Obviously, this assumes that joy is actually in some way intimately associated with leaving one's lifestyle meaningful. Significant Beauty's 30-day introductory deal is $29.99 along with a refund warranty. There are pair of primary elements of meaningful communication: show business as well as communication. Hence, every little thing factors to executing and sourcing EHR software's that greatest serve special necessities from diverse process while additionally being actually up to date along with the CMS directed on Professional EHR Modern technology for achieving Meaningful Usage standard bench-mark. Photos as well as terms can assist you in always remembering things by delivering images in your head instead of just words or even figures. This year, our vacation presents can be expressions from correct gratitude which will definitely have actual impact on our relationships as well as produce our holiday one to consider. Beginning in 2015, providers which are entitled for the Medicare Meaningful Make use of system that do not successfully illustrate Meaningful Usage will certainly be penalized-- beginning at 1% of Health insurance Part B reimbursements and also improving yearly to a maximum from 5%. There will be challenge exceptions for eligible suppliers. For each and every browse, the attendees were actually offered a lsd, inactive drug or even lsd plus a medication knowned as ketanserin, which shuts out some of LSD's results on the human brain During the course of the human brain checks, people in the research study heard some songs that had an exclusive definition to them, and others that were actually certainly not especially significant to all of them. Try catching the glow in the dark characters making up the words I ENJOY YOU on the roof over her bed. Carriers which are actually eligible for Meaningful Make use of under the Medicaid program are not subject to repayment penalties, unless the carrier is actually additionally entitled under the Medicare plan. Off the perspective of the processes curricular recognizeded experience and also previous expertise of the trainee, allowing an absolutely relevant learning. This quote highlights that our company must have our issues as a chance to become even more artistic and also try in the direction of prosperity making life relevant. Capital's Reclaim is actually cheaper, at $19.95. If you have any questions relating to the place and how to use yellow pages residential uk (visit the next internet site), you can get hold of us at our own web page. After the trial duration, Meaningful Charm's cost jumps up to $110 for three months. It is due time to allow your creative extracts bent on think of a relevant wedding ceremony present. Nevertheless, very most solitary DC men and women concede that bars are actually certainly not the best spot to develop any type of type of purposeful partnership. Through taking these 6 steps towards a spiritual and also significant Thanksgiving holiday regard, you may ensure that you certainly not simply invite God to your Thanksgiving holiday party but that you experience - if not in fact find -The lord resting at your table. Due to the diversification in present market, there are actually variety of groups from presents an individual can decide on. That indicates if you call 40 people each day, you will definitely produce a relevant presentation to 4.

[colorfulsuitdestiny-blog]

Liability insurance for an online vitamin store. Do I need it? And how can I get it?

"Liability insurance for an online vitamin store. Do I need it? And how can I get it?

Hi yahoo friends, I have a new website. I want to sell vitamin and supplements. One of a whole sellers asked me for copy of liability insurance. What is it? Do I need it since I sell their products, should the liability go to them? How can I get it? Please help me , if you know the answer. Thank you.

BEST ANSWER:  Try this site where you can compare quotes: : http://howmuchisinsurance.xyz/index.html?src=tumblr 

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Basically, Iive in NY and a while ago I was driving to work when a taxi in the next lane floored the gas, then came into my lane too early, and smacked into the side of my car. (http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs047.snc6/167708_1829137573885_1403718556_32066375_2647816_n.jpg the car was spun a few times before hitting the curb and i got severe whip lash, taking a few weeks off work which isn't good in my profession. I fully planned to make an insurance claim but my lawyer also suggested suing for dangerous driving. It has struck me however that this guy might lose his cab if I do so, and he is likely to have much money, while I could pay for the damages, or a new car. I don't want to make this guy lose his job, how would it play out?""

I have an old car ... is it worth it to be paying for 100/300 insurance coverage?

I am driving an old '97 accord, which I got after someone hit & totaled my previous car last year. I have been paying 100/300 JUST liability insurance for it, but I want to know if it is worth it. I am paying approx $100/month for just all liability at this rate. I lowered my coverage and 25/50 is approx $70/month, so I want to know if it is worth it. I need advice since I know nothing about this at all. I don't mind paying if it is a better option, but I also don't want to overpay for an old car. Any advice is greatly appreciated!""

19 yr old looking for a fast & cheapest insurance car...?

So im 19 and looking for the best option in car with a cheap enough insurance <2,000. Wanting a car that is about as fast or sporty as im going to get for also <2,000. Any suggestions ???""

About how much money a month do you think it would cost a 16 year old to get a mustang gt ?

Including insurance and how much do you think the down payment will be

Cheapest car insurance in uk?

Cheapest car insurance in uk?

How am I supposed to get Medical Insurance if I'm out of work?

I am 59 years of age. I've been out of work since Oct.'012. I live in SC. I have been trying in vain since 012 to get a parttime job. I live alone with my mother. She is 86 ...show more

I need car insurance help... now......?

ok... i was thinking of getting insurance on a 1998 5 door ford fiesta 1300cc.... i am 18 (male) and only had my full license a few months... trying to get an answer out of any insurance company is..MURDER.. i go through pages of junk just to click get quote and then there is a list of 50 questions... i need... an... estimate... i dont wanna see ONE link to another website... speak in numbers please =]... and... state if it is monthly or yearly!!... because i got answers that say... 1000... and im like... is that a month =o??.... so yer... average or estimate insurance for me!!... gee thx =].... i feel this is in clear violation of the age discrimination act but warever....

How much will my insurance be on a BMW 114i?

Ow much will my insurance be roughly on a brand new BMW 114i 25K, I'm 17 yrs old and I think this car is a 1.6l, please tell me how much the insurance will be for me, I need a price with and without my parents added to the policy, my address is 2, bd8 0bw. 2012 plate 3/5 door hatchback Petrol""

Best insurance companies for 16 year old passed my test?

ok ive pased my test and i gettin a car this week and i need some insurance on the car obviiously lol, well basically whats the cheapest car insurance""

My car was totaled by my insurance?

I bought a 1999 Honda for $4,500 in March of 2010 from a private party, about nine months ago. The owner never disclosed the fact that the car had been totaled in December on 2009. According to Washington State unless the total meets certain criteria it doesnt have to be listed on the title. On January 17th 2011, I was involved in a car accident. The insurance totaled my car. Somehow the insurance discovered that it had been perversely totaled, which I was not aware of. I had full coverage on the car. They now are saying that I will get receive what the car is worth with a savaged title. My question is, do I have to except this or can I fight for the value of a clean titled vehicle? Should they have run a check on the vin when I insured it with them and discovered the that the vehicle had been totaled before? Or is everything my fault?""

Liability insurance for an online vitamin store. Do I need it? And how can I get it?

Hi yahoo friends, I have a new website. I want to sell vitamin and supplements. One of a whole sellers asked me for copy of liability insurance. What is it? Do I need it since I sell their products, should the liability go to them? How can I get it? Please help me , if you know the answer. Thank you.

Finding cheap classic car insurance?

I have a 1979 chevy malibu and i want to be able to have it and my winter car on the road. I want to find like a cheap classic car insurance for it so i can pay for both insurances. a friend of mine was telling me you can get it really cheap ccause its a clasic. Anyone know of any?

What are cheap car insurance companies in nj? Or anywhere?

New driver and looking for an affordable price for auto insurance

How and why do the British put with with ridiculous auto insurance rates?

I've heard of times where it costs more to insure the car than what the value of the car is worth. How did this happen and why do people let it continue?

Is it true that your auto insurance company considers the color of your vehicle when determining rate?

I am buying a new car, and I've heard that your insurance rates may go up or down depending on the color of your car. I've heard that a red car has higher insurance rates, while white cars are the lowest. Is that true?""

If I own a business will I be forced to pay health insurance on my employees?

If I own a business will I be forced to pay health insurance on my employees?

Average heath care cost for 23/f single?

I am getting ready to get insurance on my own and have no idea what it is going to cost me. My job will pay half. what will that cost me?

Do I need to have insurance or proof of insurance when renting a car?

I'm planning on making a trip to Chicago. I have been wanting to go on a road trip for a long time. And I am afraid of taking a bus or going on a plane. A plane ticket costs a little bit too much for me. I'm 21. I currently do not own a vehicle of my own. So I am considering renting a car. I'm just wondering if I have to have car insurance in order to rent a car. I've never done this, so I have no idea what kind of things are required in order for me to rent. I've got my driver's license and a clean driving record. I don't have a line of credit. I don't have any credit cards so I hope there's no credit checks involved. Also, what's a rental car service that you would recommend? One that is cheap, honest, reliable, etc. My budget is $300. I'm going to meet a friend in Bartlett who is going to help provide me with lodgings so my only expenses to consider besides the car, are fuel and food costs. Thanks.""

Dental discounts or affordable insurance in NJ?

I do not have dental insurance for myself and I need a good amount of dental work done, i was wondering if anyone could tell me an affordable dental plan or insurance that isnt exspensive in NJ? Im not applicable for NJ familycare dental""

Why are Dental and Vision Insurance separate from regular Health insurance?

Why are Dental and Vision Insurance separate from regular Health insurance? I have regular health insurance one me and my kids. I also have Dental and Vision insurance on just myself, because I can't afford it for my kids. They are the ones who need it most. Why are Dental and Vision not included on Health insurance? I'm not talking about for Braces or colored contacts, but for wellness check-ups, fillings, glasses if needed, etc.""

Any Cheaper Car Insurance..?

Hi I'm in U.K (young driver, no claims bonus). and ive just recently bought a nissan micra 1.0 R reg i got a quote from AA, churchill, norwich union, zurich and they all are giving me a price of over 1500 pounds. I have pass plus. Any cheap car insurance out there in U.K please help need to get one fast. Thanks""

Car insurance?????

what is the cheapest and the best for full coverage?

How much will average insurance be for me.?

I am 17, just passed my driving test and I am considering buying a 1997 AUDI A3 1.6 Sport.""

Car insurance for 17 year old male?

hi can anyone help me i have been looking round for car insurance for a 1.0ltr corsa 2002 and my cheapest quote i have had is 15,540 per year and i am wondering if anyone could tell me if there is anywhere i can get it cheeper or is that the cheepest i am gooing to find thanks ant""

Can I get medicaid? (17 weeks pregnant)?

Okay here is the deal, I appreciate all of the help. Okay so I am 17 weeks pregnant and have cigna through my job but when I went to talk to HR today, I will have to be terminated when I take maternity leave because I will only be at the company for 11 months. ( need to be there a year ). So when I give birth, I wont have coverage, that is a bummer! I dunno what else to do but cancel my insurance and get medicaid, something I was trying to avoid but now I don't feel like there is an option, cause I can't cover the baby either with my companies health insurance... argh.. Can i still get medicaid even though I'm so far along??? I'm so scared and dunno wtf to do. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!! and BTW I am in the state of FL""

What is a good health insurance for a college student?

I am a college student looking for good health insurance. I understand insurance is not cheap but i was wondering if someone could help point me in the right direction!

Car insurance policy?

Hi.A mate of mine purchased a car insurance from AA.com in july2008 & paid the full annual amount upfront. About 6 weeks later someone vandalised the car,so she he called the police & AA to report the incident.He told me that the AA said The damage sounds like it will have to be written off ,If this is the case,does he get the remaining 46 weeks of this insurance money back?,I know this sounds silly ,but he thinks by asking the AA ,they might accuse him.....Thanks""

What is the average amount I should expect to spend when buying my motorcycle?

I want a Kawasaki Ninja 250r (new) which is about $5,000. Then I have to buy a helmet ($500), gloves, jacket, and other protective gear. Then I also have to worry about insurance and other costs that come with initially buying a vehicle. How much do you think I will need saved up in total to buy this bike (and the extra costs) by January 2010?""

Can you buy health insurance in California if you don't have a Social Security number?

It seems like in the USA, you can't do anything without a social security number... Can you buy health insurance in California if you don't have a Social Security number? If yes, please let me know where/how? I won't be able to get a social security number for another 6 months or so... Thanks in advance!""

Insurance on a Audi tt?

I passed my test September 2013, I am 18 and for the car I currently have my car insurance is 1,250 or so. If I got an Audi tt that was a 2000 plate would the insurance be sky high?""

Why do I have to pay to insure other people's children?

I have little compassion for those that say they cannot afford to insure their children. #1 - don't have children if you can't afford them; then don't expect me to pay for the ones you can't afford. #2 - it doesn't cost that much to insure a child; part of a parents responsibility is to sacrafice for the sake of their children. Case in point - I have an acquaintance whose parents both worked and they made just above the cut-off for getting government help for insurance. What did they do? They went out and bought 2 brand new motorcycles, helmets, chaps, gloves and boots, so they could take their little darling on wonderful family outings. That money would have went a long way to insuring them, huh? Am I unreasonable?""

Does homeowners insurance cover scooters?

stolen moped does house insurance cover repairs

Help with Insurance questions?

Hi, I am 22 and just got the red P in July in NSW. I want to buy a car driving to uni. I dont have much money, I just want to buy a car below AUD$5K, is it possible to ...show more""

How do I talk to my dad about paying insurance for a car?

I'm a high school senior, preping to head off to a 4-yr. I'm trying my best to save my family money; for example: -AP classes and tests for college credit -Scholarship searching -Spending only $100 on clothes for the last 2 years -Watching my utility/electric use by not watching TV (except the Olympics!) -Taking spring/summer college classes for transferable credit (in fact, I could have graduated and received my HS diploma at the end of my Jr. year). -Getting decent grades (had a 4.2gpa this past year, my Fr. and Soph. years were not that good) So, if you add it up, I think it would be a few thousand $ that would have been otherwise spent on tuition, some amount of utility bills, and some amount on clothing. For my senior year, I plan on doing a lot of extracurricular activities so I can get into a decent university, my plan is UC Davis. I'm a cross-country runner for my HS, I plan on doing a hospital volunteer program, I am in my HS's Mock Trial team. So, I would be out and about for most of the week going to different activities. I feel I need a way of transportation instead of relying on my brother and parents. Speaking of which, my brother has a car because he goes to a community college (and for that reason, he is mature?). Now the problem: my dad feels that I am too young for a car and does not feel that I am responsible and mature enough to handle one alone without supervision. My mom is willing to buy a car for me, with a reasonable price range. But my dad does not want to pay for car insurance. My parents are divorced, and I do most of the communication between them, especially when it comes down to needing money. I have brought up the aspect of working part-time. But my parents tell me that I should focus on school. My dad tells me I should focus on school instead of a car, but I need that car so I can get to where I need to be. My dad works from 9am-7pm, so I have no way of getting to 5pm practice or getting to school at 6am unless I rely on my dad. I understand how much stress my dad goes through supporting 4 children, two of which are about to go to college... It hurts when I have to ask him for money, even to pay for SATs and AP tests... Although essential, they still cost a lot of money, and money is tight now. With $65 per college app and college apps coming up in November, I'm going to be applying to nearly 10 schools, so over half a thousand dollars thrown away as my dad states it when I asked him to pay for my second SAT. My dad will pay for my academic needs, but he won't be happy about it. It feel as though my academic potential is being held back by how much money we have. I feel bad when I succeed now, basically. So I try my best to save money, like I gave examples of above. But now, I am only 1 step away from getting being independent, transportation-wise. All I need is my dad to agree to pay for my car insurance, which is probably about $200/month. Is that selfish of me? If not, how do I talk him into paying that $200/month, or to show him that I am mature enough to drive myself around? By the way, this was a long rant because I have been thinking and stressing about this all summer.""

Question about Liability Insurance.?

My mother has insurance on a car I drive, but do to a horrible driving record State Farm - her car insurance company - won't carry me, and when they will again it won't be cheap. I recently found some cheap liability insurance but I was curious - the insurance companies won't give me a straight answer - does my mom have to switch all the insurance for the car, or can I have insurance just for when I drive. If so should I get PIP - personal injury protection instead of liability? Pretty much can there be 2 forms of insurance from 2 seperate companies on one car? Full Coverage for the car and my mom, and Liability for me?""

""Car Insurance, what Car shall i get?""

I am living in the UK and i am 18 i want to buy a car that has very cheap car insurance, but i don't want a car that a lot of people drive if its unavoidable then i'll buy one but i'd rather have somehing diffrent""

Liability insurance for an online vitamin store. Do I need it? And how can I get it?

Hi yahoo friends, I have a new website. I want to sell vitamin and supplements. One of a whole sellers asked me for copy of liability insurance. What is it? Do I need it since I sell their products, should the liability go to them? How can I get it? Please help me , if you know the answer. Thank you.

Does my teenager need to be added to my insurance policy BEFORE he receives his driver's license?

Three of my friends didn't add their kids until they actually had their licenses, and the driving school said that technically they are covered by the parent's insurance while driving with just a permit. When I called AAA, they said I needed to add him. If I don't have to add him to the policy until he's actually a licensed driver and save the enormous $$$ it'll cost, I'd prefer to wait.""

Why do people drive without auto insurance?

Don't give me because it costs too much and they cant afford it. I think it's the price of having a car. You wouldn't get a car and say well tires are expensive, I can't afford them you just need them. The point of insurance is to be able to afford to fix any damages you may cause to another driver's car or person. If I wrecked someone's car I would certainly want the other person to be able to get their car fixed or replaced. And if there was injury I wouldn't want someone else saddled with huge medical bills because of a mistake I made. Is that just me?""

What car insurance co. should I go with?

Can anyone offer suggestions for a company easy to, and willing to work w/you? I presently do not have insurance. I am on a fixed income. Money is always an issue. I need low rates. My car is old so I only need minimum. Was with SafeAuto -- OK, but not thrilled with them. Are there others out there legitimate and with good reputation? Pls remember, I cannot afford a lot. My inspection is coming up. Many many thanks!""

""What happened if my car was hit or totaled while parked, and I don't have insurance.?""

I have not been driving my car because I lost my license and insurance, it's been sitting for a while and registration is expired, if someone was to hit or back into my car while parked if they have full coverage will my car be covered?""

What are the minimum legal requirements for auto insurance in california ?

What are the minimum legal requirements for auto insurance in california ?

How often do u have to pay for car insurance?

Acura TSX 2011

Car insurance quote help?

i'm getting a quote for a vw polo and when it comes to asking how long you've held your licence for does it mean how long i've had my full licence for or how long i've held a licence since my provisional

Renting a car for the first time- do I have to buy insurance bc my personal car insurance is not in my name?

My car and car insurance are under my fiancees name. I will be renting a car on my own. Do I have to buy the insurance because it's not in my name?

What is the cheapest car insurance ? ( Company )?

Serious answers please . Thank you

Best way to insure multiple cars?

I have six cars that need to have at least liability insurance. Some of these cars I drive very seldom and it is a pain to have to pay for individual insurance on each car when I can only drive one at a time. Is there any way I can get a blanket liability policy that would cover me no matter which car I drive? It seems silly to have to insure the car rather than the driver.

What is a good health insurance provider in Texas?

My mom gets sick very often and would like to purchase some health insurance since she isn't eligible for MedicAid. What's a good health insurance provider in Texas?

""How much is PPD rating schedule for %13 lumbar spine discs and knees, If my insurance company was putting me?

on Permanent Disability and my company Laid me out because of my limitation of to work? How much the insurance company has to pay me for my injury and disability?

Auto Insurance Legality!?

I recently applied for a new insurance policy. I was before, on a high risk rate as I had a few past discretions. When they pulled my 3 year abstract they did not turn anything up. I am almost certain that I had a drinking with a G2 charge from over 3 years ago that I thought would remain on my license for 6 years but nothing showed up..... Will this come up at a later date and haunt me? I am worried about legal repercussions Help!""

How do I get a cheap full coverage car insurance? Can I put my name in my dad's car insurance?

I want to get a car insurance and I want a cheap and full coverage one. But I am a college student and not ready to pay 200 or 100 for a car insurance. My dad is 54 would it be cheaper if I used him or he puts my name with him? If something happened to my car will they cover it or not because he is not the owner of the car? Can someone please explain how this works :D

Affordable Health Insuance that includes maternity coverage?

My husband just started a new job that offers NO benefits until he moves up in the company which could take over a year to happen or even longer, and I only work part time. I am ...show more""

How does a 18 year old buy a car without a license or insurance?

I want to buy this camaro from this guy because he wants to sell it because he has two cars but I have not took my drivers test because I work so much and I do not have auto insurnce. I want to buy the car so it can sit in my garage until I get my license then I can register it and stuff. Like is their any paperwork or legal processes I should know of because In my mind I just think I can Get my uncle to drive me out there and give the guy the money in return he gives me the keys and my bro drives it to my house or does it need to be towed?

Does any1 know roughly how much it would cost to insure a 2000 automatic vauxhall frontera?

thinking of buying the car for my sister she's almost 19 and is a learner driver does any1 know roughly in s how much the insurance would be

Any life insurance policies for someone who is 84?

Why would they insure that age, you ask. I dunno. Do they?""

Can I get Sprint Insurance?

OK, let's say that I buy a phone for cheap on ebay or radioshack, can I still go to a sprint store and get insurance on the phone or do I have to buy the phone directly at the sprint store in order to get insurance?????""

How much does your insurance go up when you get in a fender bender?

My brother got in a fender bender. He is 16 and got his license about 9 months ago. The other car wasnt badly damaged, just minor. We live in California. Anyone know about how much his insurance policy will go up?""

Any car insurance plans you can cancel or re-activate monthly?

I am a recently licensed teen going to college in a month. I won't be driving that much while I'm there but I want to for the next few weeks and will be when I'm home occasionally. Is there any kind of insurance I can get that will allow me to re-activate the insurance and cancel it on a monthly basis? Or every couple months? My family has Geico but do any other companies have an option like this? In the U.S. only. California driver.

Approximately how much is Home Owners Insurance?

I'm sure it varies by location and value of the house, but approximately how much is homeowners insurance?""

Why is the Infiniti G37S Coupe insurance premium costs so high?

I looked up average insurance premium costs for the G37S coupe, and the cost was over $2600. I then looked up the Infiniti's competitors, the BMW 335i coupe and the Audi S5 4.2 which costs $1900+ and $1800+ respectively. Why is the insurance premium of the G37S so much higher? Thanks in advance.""

""Car Insurance: What are premiums, legal fees and voluntary excess?

I have been trying to get car insurance quotes online but I dont understand what the above terms mean Also if my road tax (UK) is not due for renewal till thursday can i buy it today? Will they adjust the date for me. Any help will be appreciated Thank you for your time

Is there a time limit or statute of limitations on car insurance claims?

I was in an accident in January. It was my fault, I was trying to avoid someone who had swerved into my lane so I got into the left lane really fast to avoid being hit at a high speed ...show more""

Liability insurance for an online vitamin store. Do I need it? And how can I get it?

Hi yahoo friends, I have a new website. I want to sell vitamin and supplements. One of a whole sellers asked me for copy of liability insurance. What is it? Do I need it since I sell their products, should the liability go to them? How can I get it? Please help me , if you know the answer. Thank you.

Does the cost of insuring a car go down when you turn 18?

is it worth waiting a couple of months to my eighteenth birthday to get cheaper car insurance? thanks guys!

Car Insurance Quote..Without a license yet..?

I have just been bought a car for when i pass my driving test, so i do not have a full UK provisional license yet. I have been looking online for insurance quotes, they are expensive which i expected, but i was told that when i have entered my details the system will register that i do not hold a full license with he DVLA (even though i put in that i do, just for the sake of a quote) And this is why the quotes are higher..if i was to do the same when my license was valid it would be much lower. Can anybody add proof to this? Thanks""

""Car insurance, UK QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!?""

UK QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am researching car insurance at the moment, what do you think i can expect to pay? Whats a good insurance company to go with? heres my details... 18 year old female, New driver, Pass plus certificate, Insurance group 5 car, the cheapest ive found is 1246.00 is this a normal amount to have to pay??? Thanks :)""

Do I need to buy auto insurance for my used car dealership?

We are just starting out and wonder if our personal car insurance would cover test drives, or our driving the vehicles. It is a sole proprietorship.""

What type of insurance in Alabama covers the REVERSAL of a bilateral tubal ligation? what is the cost?

What type of insurance in Alabama covers the REVERSAL of a bilateral tubal ligation? what is the cost?

Car insurance estimate?

Hi i'm currently 16 and soon to be old enough to take driving lessons, but first off i have a question. What would be the likely insurance premium for a 2009 BMW Z4 23i kept in a public place with viper alarm system and a steering lock.""

As of next year will all cars older than 7 years have their tax and insurance costs doubled?

A friend of mine told me today that as of next year all cars over seven years old will incur a sharp rise in their tax and insurance costs. he said that they would double. I understand this may happen with tax but it doesnt ring true for insurance. could anybody tell me if he is right or whether he has his wires crossed.

Best car insurance for an independent at age 19?

Best car insurance for an independent at age 19?

Paying for Insurance question?

Okay, is it possible for me to pay for insurance for only a few days rather than a month at a time? If so, how?""

My car insurance rate went down?

after i got a dwi! haha, no question i just wanted to share this epic win! don't worry i won't press my luck and try to lower it a second time.""

Motorcyle prices?

IM thinking about buying a crockrocket. What are the average monthly payments.......ball park... And also, what is an average montly insurance payment?""

Approximately how much is my insurance going to rise?

I am an 18 year old male. I got a ticket for going 10 over about a month ago and got it deferred a week ago. I am on my parents insurance and I pay about $100 a month for insurance. Tonight, I got a ticket for going 17 over on the highway. The first ticket was $124 and the most recent ticket was $174. Help me out here haha, how ****** am I? Also, is there any way for my parents to not find out?""

Health insurance for visitor from india?

Where can I get health insurance for a parent who is undergoing dialysis in India and wants to Visit the USA for a short term. Of course they will need to continue there treatments here while visiting. But we need some kind of assistance while they are here.

Does speeding tickets raise your insurance?

I've gotten 2 speeding tickets this month so I'm worried. Does this raise your insurance rates?

I'm Pregnant With No Insurance?

When Should i go to the doctor?! And Also.. I don't have insurance.. and was wondering what am i supposed to do about that?!! i currently live in california but me and my boyfriend are soon moving to washington. any suggestions or sites you know of for gov't aid?? by the way.. i hate having to go through gov't assistance right now... but it seems to be my only option. any help?!!

What insurance comapnies are best?

I just bought a 2007 Toyota Corolla, and am trying to find insurance for it. I've been researching different companies and getting quotes on insurance. So far Geico and AIG are the best. Are there any others that people recommend?""

Where can I find cheap young male car insurance on any car?

I'm a 17 year old driver who has just passed my test and when i go to quote myself on any car its either unquotable or something like 20,000 a year or something stupid even with immobilizers trackers parked in a garage etc and when i put my mum as the main driver (she has 5 year NCD) it only dropped like 200 so i don't understand how people are getting it below 10000 let alone 2000. I haven't bought a car yet but could somebody tell me what is the up most cheapest car to insure and all the combinations that make it cheaper. Once more annoying is that I live in a pretty nicer area so you wouldn't think it would cost as much compared to other people but they seem to get theirs cheaper.""

Do you think health insurance is necessary? Why?

Do you think health insurance is necessary? Why?

How do I go about this? Car insurance for myself and get the car in my name?

My mom is giving me her old car. She has it in her name, and I want to put it in my own name with my own car insurance. I'm moving out so this is the reason for it. I live in Florida.""

Finding out cost of a car insurance claim - do i have to include this?

Im looking for insurance for a new car. My bf had an accident in our last car and i was wondering if there is a way you can find out how much we claimed in total? As alot of insurance companies want to know this.

""Teen males, how much was your insurance?""

I was wondering the average or ideal amount that teen males pay for insurance. I have $700 saved, & I don't know if that's enough to cover How much was your insurance?""

Will my medical insurance pay?

Will my medical insurance pay for my transportation to work. I just had my drivers license suspended for MEDICAL REASONS. PLEASE HELP!

Can you rent a car without car insurance?

No longer own a car so no car insurance, but need to rent one for a few days- can I rent or do I have to have an insured driver do it or can I buy the rental companys car insurance?""

Pay Per Mile Car Insurance - have you tried it?

I've heard from a friend about a pay per mile car insurance - as I only use my car on a Saturday it sounds ideal. Anyone have any links or recommendations?

Do I need insurance for one time poetry event in Chicago?

I'm looking to rent a church Rectory to artists for events like open mic's, gallery showings, and other small (20 people max) one time events. Do I need insurance outside of the home insurance the Rectory already has?""

Liability insurance for an online vitamin store. Do I need it? And how can I get it?

Hi yahoo friends, I have a new website. I want to sell vitamin and supplements. One of a whole sellers asked me for copy of liability insurance. What is it? Do I need it since I sell their products, should the liability go to them? How can I get it? Please help me , if you know the answer. Thank you.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-much-my-insurance-go-up-cassiopeia-najera"

[oguntewomen]

Need to fuel up on inspiration? #ImpactWomen contemplate their heroes.

By Naomi Pyburn for Ogunte

I’m a big fan of the meditation app, Headspace . I try to use it daily to take some time out and become more aware of my thoughts, maybe combat some anxiety along the way. 

Some days my mind is restless, and I just can’t seem to hold my focus on the breath. Some days I’m surprised by how easy it is to still my thoughts and enjoy the peaceful, expansive moment. 

But one part of the guided meditation that I never struggle with is when Andy (aka the smooth, soothing voice of Headspace) prompts me to call to mind the faces of the people in my life who will benefit from me having a more peaceful mind. 

It sounds so small, but I love it. On a day when I’m not so enthused, the simple act of imagining their faces for a few seconds revives my motivation. I flick through the mini-slideshow of familiar faces: Mum, Dad, partner, close friends, colleagues. As if from a distance, I watch my resolve gather strength, in a sort of mental gritting of the teeth. My determination is new and steely: I must make the most of this session. 

I mention this because the Impact Women I speak to seem to derive a similar effect from contemplating their heroes. There is surely no quicker way to fire someone up than by asking them about their sources of inspiration, the personal relationships which give them the ability to show up and work hard. Expect a rush of fresh energy and excitement to share the names and tell you exactly what it is about them that makes them so great.

It got me thinking that this is not at all a trivial question. Inspiration and motivation are vital parts of our work lives, especially on the tough, rocky path of being a social entrepreneur. It may well feel like all the odds are stacked against you, maybe even that there are those who want to see you fail. It is easy to see how tempting it might be to give up the whole thing.

In a previous post. I stressed that the ‘why’ must be at the centre. It occurs to me that the ‘who’ must also remain absolutely clear in the mind.

As Karen Mattison, co-founder of Timewise, said: ‘In reality, people are interested in people.’ 

In the context, Karen was talking about drawing upon personal stories to engage stakeholders, but I think this applies to all of us. We all need a bank of faces and stories to fuel our fire. 

Luckily for us, like fire, inspiration is catching. Some of the stories in our Impact Women interviews have particularly touched me, and I now carry them in my own arsenal of motivation. 

Strong foundations

Essma ben Hamida, who founded enda inter-arabe: ‘My mother was a model for me - she was the engine of all this. Her life, her struggle, her efforts to empower us pushed me to do what I’m doing today.

My grandfather taught me to help the poor, not by charity, but by working together to make a better life.’

Kresse Wesling, Elvis & Kresse: ‘I had grandparents who wasted nothing and gave everything. My childhood was a gift, a debt I feel both obliged and honoured to repay.’

Katie Taylor, ceo at Khethworks: “My mother. She’s so tough and strong and caring and generous, all in the same moment. For me, she epitomises the fact that women aren’t any one thing. Women aren’t just feminine or more masculine, soft or hard – she’s everything.” 

“She’s such a hard worker, and she’s motivated by results and by helping others, not by getting any sort of recognition. She’s so full of love and she shows it through her actions. It’s so impressive and inspiring.”

“I have some amazing best friends who are fierce female warriors. They all have their own wittiness and compassionate side. They’ve all been through their own struggles, which they’ve faced and conquered with grace.”

“They’ve taught me about loyalty and love, and that the combination of these can get you through anything. I’m very lucky with my friends and family. They really do inspire me.”

The Trailblazers

These, we admire for their audaciousness. Heroes might dazzle us with their achievements, but can also help us recognise particular characteristics we want to cultivate in ourselves.

Jenny Costa, founder Rubies in the Rubble: ‘Ertharin Cousin is a big hero of mine. She’s worked as the US Ambassador to the UN for Food and Agriculture and as the Executive Director of the World Food Programme. She’s an incredibly hard-working and passionate woman, with masses of time for everybody, who puts together strategies for all sorts of areas, dealing with supply chains across Africa so they can become more sustainable.’

Megan Miller, Bitty Foods: “I’m inspired by women I meet who are achieving a really good work-life balance. When they’re really ambitious in advancing their careers and work with fascinating ideas, and have a family. I’m at the stage of my life where I have a young family, I have a two-year-old at home and I’m 7 months pregnant with my second.

‘One of my previous bosses, a mentor of mine, was a senior executive at a big multi-national company, and she has four children. She was very skilled at balancing her work life and her home life. She would sit in meetings, asking the tough questions and analysing numbers on a spreadsheet or in a presentation, while holding her newborn. And then, she would turn to her child and be able to give them her full attention. It was that ability to switch so effectively that I found so impressive and inspiring.”

Hyasintha Ntuyeko, Kasole Secrets: ‘Dr. Minou Fuglesang - the executive director of Femina Hip. I am inspired by her way of mentoring people, and by the great work of her organization for adolescents in Tanzania.’

Ruth Anslow, hiSbe, the ethical supermarket: ‘I most admire the founding entrepreneurs who combine unabashed ambition, business activism, and heart. Therefore, I’ll say Anita Roddick (Body Shop), Benita Matofska (The People Who Share) and Sophia Grinvalds (Afripads).’

Jane Davis , The Reader: ‘Cath Powell MBE developed an old recreation ground in Lytham St Anne’s into the most amazing community park (Park View for You). I visited her to see her work as we were moving into Calderstones – it was a total inspiration. I loved it, and loved the passion and energy Cath had displayed (over more than a decade) to make it happen.

Fellow Rumblers

Often, immediate inspiration and support comes from the people who are rumbling with a similar problem to us. They seem to be the ones who best understand what we are going through, because they are in the same fight, and we can find solidarity there.

Sasha Kramer, SOIL: ‘Isabel [Medem] inspires me because she’s walking a very similar road to mine. It’s so rare to find women who are dedicated to this sector long-term, and who are actually grappling with the very same issues I am. As a personal and professional support, Isabel is invaluable.’

Katie Taylor: ‘Rebecca Hui is really terrific. She is the CEO of Roots Studio and a Tata fellow. We first met here in Pune through a friend, and she is one of those incredibly open, empathetic people. 

‘It’s nice to have other female entrepreneur friends to share problems and advice with. They can be helpful as a sounding board for new ideas, or to just listen and say ‘Same here’.’

Wild cards

Sometimes wells of inspiration can be found in unexpected places, like historical figures, and in the words of great thinkers and writers. These can deeply influence our thinking and ground our motivation.

Poonam Bir Kasturi, Daily Dump: “The mathematician Eugenia Cheng inspires me - I think of her as a social entrepreneur.” 

Essma ben Hamida: ‘I am inspired by women throughout history. My grandfather used to read us lessons from the Quran, and the example set by the prophet’s wives – Khadija, Aisha. In our civilisation, we have great women. People don’t see that when they look at Islam so much. Though I am not a great believer today, I took in the beautiful values of the religion and now I use them in my work.

‘Going back further... to Carthage – a city founded by a woman, Dido! Today, I tell my clients and colleagues that we succeed as a microfinance institution because we help Tunisian women rediscover their talents. These women are the daughters of Dido: something in our blood is entrepreneurial. The Phoenicians were the best traders of their time, and we carry that history. Unfortunately, after that time, oppressive rules confined women to the home.

‘For me, this is the beauty of what we are doing. Tunisian women were dormant entrepreneurs: what they needed was the spark to come back to life.’

Katie Taylor treasures this quote when she is pushing herself to think creatively about new problems:

‘There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.’ - Gilbert K. Chesterton

Brené Brown, author and social researcher, speaks of her crystalising moment when she read this speech by Theodore Roosevelt. His words helped her make connections in her theories about vulnerability, shame and wholehearted living.

To be honest, it’s a pretty amazing speech and very much worth a read:

‘It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. 

‘The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; 

‘Who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.’

Wrapping up

Incidentally, Brené is one of my personal heroes. In our culture, investing time into understanding our emotions can be seen as indulgent or unimportant – it’s a topic often confined to very specific situations or places, or simply dismissed off-hand. 

Brené’s research offers validation that my fascinations, primarily people, relationships, and emotions, are worthy of attention and interest. 

Inspiration is a powerful force, and essential in every aspect of our lives. Sometimes, it’s hard to get up and carry on. This is why it is imperative that we share the examples of those that bring us life and unlock reserves of energy we didn’t know we possessed. 

Circling back to meditation, try calling to mind the faces of those who benefit from your efforts. Not just the obvious beneficiaries, but also our friends and families who will gain from your sense of fulfillment and happiness. 

And remember, too, those people you will never meet but who you will in turn inspire with a life of purpose and emboldened action.

There are many ways we can help you grow your social venture, check out our services here.

#Naomi Pyburn #ImpactWomen #women in social enterprises #Inspiration #Motivation #Learning

[sonyanye6626381-blog]

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[jobsearch-v02]

Inspiration

Einstein is quoted as saying, “Inspiration is 1%, work is 99%”.

Inspiration is an extrinsic effect that causes you to become excited and motivated, when you figure out a new way to solve an old problem, or a problem that has been plaguing you for a period of time. Some times, this even means that leaders provide you with a new way that they are going marshal resources to attack a problem.

The tips provide here, are indeed material from other people, but not speeches. At the end of this post, I’ll describe how to use this information to help you avoid depression, by understanding a key part of what depression is.

Learn to Interview:

The first thing I want you to do is, “LEARN TO INTERVIEW!!!”  No, you’re not going to be interviewed, sorry .. you’re going to be doing the interviewing.  Why, you need information. You need to find job prospects. You need to find clients that can use your services.  So, guess what, you need to talk to people.

A good book to start with is, “Powerful Questions”.

But wait, you’re not good at starting a conversation.  Here’s a tip, find an excuse to start talking to someone.  It’s as simple as asking, “Where’s so and so’s booth? I heard that they have the most exquisite gadget to do XY and Z!”  They may not be interested in the gadget, or the booth, but if they respond, you can follow up with another question, “So, what are you presenting here?”

Now you get them to tell you their story. And it’s with their story, that you can dig into various ideas, build a conversation, and before you know it, learn about who their products supports and how.  But does this support your specialty?

Who supports your specialty:

Start with your specialty.  What is it that you do, and do well? There is a book called, “Strength Finder”, that will help you examine what you have been trained to do, and what you want to do.  Review this book and many other books like it to.  Now, that you’ve identified your strength, identify the types of professions that your strength needs to succeed.

If you were to build a business, what other vendors would you need to support your business.  For most of us, we need electricity, internet, mobile phones, food, and shelter.  But, who else supports you.  As a graphic artist, maybe you need a paint store, or graphic software, or a tablet.  Think about who these vendors are, and pay attention to all the offerings they make available for people just like you.

For example, these vendors like marketing, and are usually open to cross marketing.  This type of effort can help you find a lead to a job.

Interview your vendors:

It may sound strange, but your vendors have many needs, and with 6 degrees of separation between you and the next job prospect, you need ideas that are outside the box of “Big Box Job Posting WebSites” to find a lead. Someone out there is looking for you. You need to find them.

If you’re going to interview your vendors on their marketing needs, which non-profits they support, and what types of clients they cater too, you might as well ask them who their vendors are.  Who supports them and how.  What is their story, or more specifically, how did they choose this particular place to start a shop, and why has it worked for them.

If your vendor is a big box store - Staples, Office Depot, Home Depot, ... then, their story is all the more relevant, as they took a big gamble setting up shop where they did. A physical location is a huge investment. How has this gamble worked out for them?  Would the make different decisions if they had to start over?  Would they change things if they could?  What constraints are they now subject to?

In addition, as them how they support your industry.  It’s a sneaky way to learn about other companies that support, but they may have a spark of an idea that can lead you to a job prospect.  And, that is what you are looking for.

Global Calendar:

Now that you have a list of vendors who support your specialty, start building a calendar of events that they pay attention to. There are the usual calendar holiday events that every calendar lists, but specific vendors hold trade shows in different cities.  There are computer shows, home decorating shows, boat shows, car shows, fur trading shows, leather shows, S&M shows, and so on.  When are these events.

Why do you want to know about these events, not only for your industry, but also for your vendors industry, because, it’s the one place - other than a recruiting fair - and a lot of different companies are all in one location, and you can go interview them.

As this post continues, we will look at other sources that can help you fill your global calendar with other ideas on ways you can find job prospects.

Librarys & Book Stores:

Books, magazines, periodicals, fliers, and more ... they all contain information about your specialty and how it has been applied to the world over.  Go, get overloaded with ideas on how other people have applied your specialty. How they market it. What events they attend. What groups they belong to.  Go, research.

As a librarian for help.  They live to help you.

21 Social Websites

Facebook, Twitter, Meetup, FlipBoard, Youtube, Instragram, Reddit, Vine, Pintrest, ASK, Tumblr, Flickr, Google Circles, Linked In, ClassMates, FourSquare, Kik, Tencent, Viber, About.Me, WikiPedia, Stumble Upon, Go Fund Me, 

These sites can be though grouped as follows:

Reviews

Events

Goal Setting 

Collaboration

Chat

Personal

Networking

E-Commerce

Sharing

Discussion

Marketing

Publishing

PodCasts

Knowledge

Out Reach

I posted in a previous blog that these sties can help you find prospective jobs through crowd sourcing.  6 degrees of separation, never went so fast as 1000′s of people searching for you for a job.

There are many specialized websites that you can use as well.  Jobber, NextGig, Viber, Freelance, for just finding work.  There are also Apps.  Use a discussion format to ASK questions about the job market in your specialty.  By using friends and people already interested in answering questions, you will find a wealth of knowledge can be gained through crowd sourcing it.

Pillars of Success:

Pillars in the community, are individuals with 1000′s of connections, vs 100′s.  And their connections are primarily local.  Some of these pillars become civic leaders by nature, but we will discuss that in the next segment.  For now, search through your contact lists to see who you know that know’s lots of people.

Your next step is to interview them.  The question is, “How did they become pillars of the community?”  While the answer in short may be, “It didn’t happen over night!”,  that’s ok. You are interested in their story on how they achieved this success.  And, you are interested in other people who they could refer you to, that you could interview.

The more people that know about you, the easier it is to find a prospective job.  And, remember, this is about you interviewing them for their story, not you telling them your story.  Always politely decline up to 4 times, before giving in to tell your story.  It helps to make sure they are truly interested.

Civic Leaders:

Write various civic leaders and ask them for interview time.  The same process you used to interview everyone up to this point, should be used here as well. With one exception, you get to tell your story.

Civic leaders love hearing a good rags to riches story, or a story that they can hold up as an example to their peers on why they should champion a cause.  Usually, it’s about poor children not getting enough to eat, or pregnant mothers - as both are preparing for the next generation of job seekers.  However, if you’re not pregnant and male, you’re job is a lot tougher.

It’s easy for people to call you “Lazy”, “Slacker”, or “Unmotivated”.  They may also claim that there are many jobs out there that you “Could Do!”. However, if no one is willing to hire you, then there is no job out there for you.  So, back to a civic leader.

The job of a civic leader is to represent you. Therefore, they need to know your story, your struggle, and how they can help you.  What resources do you think you need? What opportunities are being kept from you?  Are companies being fair when they review your credentials? Are there specific aspects of your life that are not interfering with your ability to get a job - for example - incarceration tends to be frowned upon by many corporations, even if you have 3 masters degrees in physics, programming, and mathematics.  

So pick up your pen and paper and write your story.  Make it has heart breaking as you possibly can.  Once it’s complete, send it to your leaders.  Create a video, that you can link with a letter you sent to the leaders on their timelines, and so on.  Send it to a book publisher, screen writer, and major motion studio so that everyone notices your story.  It might not be your story that they choose, but if it’s a compelling enough story of heart ache, loss, constantly failing where you should be succeeding, and on and on .. someone somewhere will pick it up as an Indy project.  

Once that happens, the civic leaders will take notice.  Because, they had an opportunity to help you before it became mass public knowledge, but now it will be egg on their face, since they lost the opportunity to capitalize on your grief to raise donations that could have funded their campaign.

Lists:

Now that you’ve collected all this information, place it into lists.  These lists should remind you of things you can review when you forget.  They should be on paper, though having an electronic version is fine.  But you need something you can look at regularly to remind you .. inspire you.

This blog for example has a list, of all the ideas I could write about.  But I don’t immediate action items off the list, until I’m inspired to write about them.  The inspiration comes as a “CLICK!!! Wow, that makes sense, and I can describe it to others now! =)”

Your lists should have the same effect for you.  If you choose to keep a blog about your job search, then review your lists and see what clicks for you that day.  Does going to the library click today, or does finding prospective interviewees click.  

The possibilities listed above are just some things that could be used to help build your lists and motivate you through inspiration.

Depression

Self motivation, intrinsic or extrinsic, is necessary to overcome depression, and stay ahead of others who are motivated. The problem is, you are 1 person.  Just one person, who is working on a problem, “Getting Employed!”  This problem is exacerbated further by the fact that every time you get close to reaching the goal - “Being Employed!” - you are rejected.  And, thus sets in apathy.  “I don’t care anymore! No one wants to hire me!”  Which is why the post, “What do I do when no one will hire me?” was written.

Depression creates a fog that causes many decisions in your life to be delayed or not even made, because, “WHY???” Honestly, you’re right. There is no reason to go on.  You’ve gone from being optimistic to pessimistic, your no longer care whether you succeed, since no one else does.  So, “Why?”

Another way to look at depression, is ... It’s the brains way to trying to figure out how to solve a very complex problem.  And, you’ve followed my blog, you know that there are many moving parts in finding a job, as well as staying in a positive mind set.  

Another version of depression is depression caused by physical pain.  At this point, you should be looking to your doctor to help migrate you to disability, instead of trying to be employed.  Physical pain is not an easy subject to deal with, esp in the middle of a post on job searching, so if you are in physical pain, and it is affecting your ability to search, interview, and perform many of the other tasks required to find prospective jobs, then by all means, get a pass, and sit on the bench until you have found a way to resolve the pain.

Self Help Groups:

You are not alone!  As much as you would love to think otherwise. You are not alone.  And if there was one program that the Unemployment Agencies would implement, is an “Employment Anonymous” group.

This group would be tasked with several things:

It would pair you with a buddy

It would discuss everything I’ve talked about in this blog

It would allow you to express your frustration at finding a job

It would migrate you into business networking, physiological, sociological, or psychological groups as needed

But, until then, don’t be shy, start a meetup group for finding the types of jobs that you’re looking for.  Or joining groups that already bring people together in your industry. Be prepared to interview them.  Building connections will help you find the buddy you need, and help you locate job prospects.

#job search v2.0 #self help groups #civic leaders #community pillars #libraries #book stores #depression #inspriation #motivation #buddy system #social websites #job search apps #global calendar #inteviewing #six degrees of seperation