#classic thermostat

[contac]

#thermostat #1987 #vhs #gif #tune in tokyo #80s tech #classic thermostat

[babyonboard]

in sickness & in health | Don Hume x f!reader

Summary- nursing Don back to health. Part 1?

Warnings- fluff, talk of being sick (fever, nausea, etc.)

Word count- 2.2k

Fiddling with the thermostat, silently begging it to go lower, you glanced over your shoulder. Don was laying in bed, his eyes closed and his breathing slow. The sweat on his forehead was visible, and you could see that his eyebrows were slightly furrowed in discomfort. Giving up on the temperature, you decided on another course of action. 

This was not a part of your plan for your trip to Germany. You had been ecstatic to receive an invite, of course you would be there as a nurse, but you didn’t think they would actually need you. Yet, here you are, desperately nursing the stroke of the team to health. Now, it felt like it would be your fault if he didn’t get better, it would be your fault if they lost. You were beginning to wish you never accepted this position. 

You should be in the audience of the olympic opening ceremony right now, where you had originally intended to be. Yet, here you were, digging through the bathroom to find a washcloth. 

“Here we go.” You spoke under your breath, pulling a washcloth out of a drawer. You wet it with cold water, praying that this method would lower his fever. 

Don stirred when you sat on the side of the bed. “Hey.” You whispered. He mumbled a response that you couldn’t make out. 

You set the wash cloth on his forehead, his eyes cracked open. “How are you feeling?” You asked softly, brushing his hair away from his forehead. 

“Mmm.” He hummed. “Not that good.” 

You nodded and subconsciously continued to stroke his hair. “You think the medicine from earlier helped at all?”

He shrugged lightly. “A little.” His voice was low and husky, his eyes half lidded.

“What else can I get you?” You noticed how warm his head was, wondering if his fever had gone down at all.

“Nothing.” He said, closing his eyes again. “I’m okay for now.”

“Nothing at all?” You asked. “I could get you something to eat. Anything in the world.”

He stirred. “I don’t think I can eat right now. But thank you.”

“Okay.” You agreed. “Let me know if you change your mind.” He nodded softly and even though the conversation was over, you stayed for a moment. Observing his face, he truly did not look good. Your heart sunk a little, you only have a day and a half to get him feeling better before the race.

Despite his protest, you still went and got him food, he hasn’t eaten all day. Some crackers and a little bit of juice won’t hurt him. He was awake when you got back, sitting up in bed, reading a book. “Hi.” You smiled.

He gave you a classic Don nod. No words, no smile, but you knew he was hard to crack. You didn’t know Don personally before all of this, but you’ve seen him around before. He’s shy, always trying to fade into the background, but that’s never how you saw him. He always stood out to you, his sweetness, his quiet charm, that was the Don you knew. So you didn’t take his quietness personally. 

“What are you reading?” You asked absentmindedly. 

“Oh… um…” He stuttered. The embarrassment drained whatever color the sickness had left his face. 

You looked at the book, and realized it was yours. “Oh, I don’t care.” You waved your hand. Although it is your copy of The Great Gatsby, annotated and all, he could read it. The sweet, lanky boy in the bed could have ripped it up and burned it and you would still tell him you didn’t care. 

“Sorry.” He closed the book and set it on the nightstand. “Just bored.” He croaked, scrambling for an excuse. 

“Don, you can read my book. It’s okay.” You smiled. He folded his hands and looked down at the bed. You had no idea why he was so flustered, but that wasn’t your main concern right now. “I brought you something to eat.” You extended the small plate of crackers to him. He stared at it, then at you. “Don, you need to eat.”

He took a breath in, then silently grabbed the plate. “Thanks.” He spoke quietly. 

You nodded, then sat on the end of the bed. Much to your delight, he slowly began to eat the crackers. It was silent while he did so, and it never crossed your mind that it might be weird to sit there and watch him eat, but you couldn’t help it. 

“I saw the boys in the lobby. Opening ceremony went well.” You spoke into the quiet room. 

He nodded. Once again, no words. 

“They were all asking about you. Wondering how you’re doing.” You smoothed out the quilt, accidentally running your hand over his leg as you did so.

“What’d you tell them?” He asked, seeming concerned. 

“I told them you’ll be okay.” You looked at your lap. That could most definitely be a lie. If he kept at the pace he was going now, there is no way he would feel better by the race.

“I will be.” He reassured you, almost sensing your hesitance. You nodded in response, and it was quiet again. “Thanks for helping me, by the way. Probably would’ve died by now without you.” He cracked a small smile.

That was the first time you had heard Don make a joke, let alone smile. “Of course, Don. That’s my job.” You smile at him, his deep brown eyes holding you in a trance. “I’m… more than happy to do it.”

“Happy?” He blinked. “I’m sure you don’t like doing this.”

“Do you know how many girls would kill to be in my position? Taking care of the stroke of the olympic team?” You giggled.

His brain scrambled for a response. “I… that’s just not true.” He shook his head out of insecurity. 

“No, Don, it is.” you spoke assertively. You weren’t lying. Don was a hot topic of conversation, right behind George Hunt, of course. “Girls love you.”

He couldn’t tell if he was lightheaded from his fever or the thought of you talking about him with your friends. “W-what?” He stuttered out.

“Yeah.” You confirmed. “You’re the sweetest guy on the team, everyone knows that. You should’ve heard everyone after you played the piano at the victory party. They love you, truly.”

He blinked a few times in disbelief. He must be having a fever dream. The doll who sat exactly 6 rows behind him in his biology lecture was sitting on his bed, her hand on his leg as she told him how many girls love him. He could hardly form words.

It made you giggle, his shyness. You could see the blush in his cheeks and the tips of his ears. “All I’m saying is, I think I’m a pretty lucky girl.”

Words failed him, his brain failed him, all he could focus on was the way you squeezed his leg over the blanket as you talked. He hardly even heard you ask if he was finished eating. You took the plate from him and set it on the nightstand, exchanging it for your copy of The Great Gatsby. You held it out to him, his eyes meeting yours, hoping you didn’t see the slight shake of his hand as he grabbed it from you. 

“I’m gonna go shower, but I’ll be back. Do you need anything before I go?” You asked. 

He shook his head and looked down at the book in his lap. While you were gone, he was able to read a few chapters, but he found himself paying more attention to your annotations than he did the words of the actual book. He particularly liked the smiley faces you wrote next to the scenes you liked. He found himself rereading Gatsby and Daisy’s kiss scene that you had underlined in purple ink. It made him blush, thinking about you reading this part. He ran his fingers over the purple ink over and over again, thinking about your hands delicately underlining it. 

His eyes grew heavy as he read, and he eventually thought it would be a good idea to get some rest. He fell asleep thinking about the kiss scene, switching out the characters with himself and a certain nurse who happened to be taking care of him.

The lights were off when you returned, and you could hear his heavy breathing, indicating that he was asleep. Of course, you wanted to let him get his rest, but you needed to take his temperature one last time before you went to sleep. Trying to wake him up as gently as you could, you rubbed his back softly. That didn’t work, so you moved your hand up to run through his hair. His eyes cracked open at the feeling of your fingers twisting in his hair. 

“Hi.” You whispered, scratching his head lightly. “Can I take your temperature?”

He nodded and hummed a yes, and you brought the thermometer to his lips. You tisked your tongue when you saw that it read 101, it had only gone down one degree since this morning. “It’s still pretty high.” You whispered, not surprised by the lack of response from him. “I’m gonna stay here for a little longer, make sure you're okay.”

He sleepily nodded and closed his eyes again. You ran your fingernails softly up and down his back. The room was quiet, but you could hear some light chatter and music coming through the open window. By the way he was breathing, you could tell he was no longer sleeping, but you continued scratching up and down his bare back, hoping to bring him a little bit of comfort in his sick state.

There was no way Don could fall asleep, not with the weight of you sitting next to him, especially not with the feeling of your fingers on his back. Despite his fever, he swore he had goosebumps from the feeling. He would get this sick every day for the rest of his life if it meant he got to keep receiving this treatment from you. 

You have no idea how long you sat there scratching his back, occasionally making your way up to his hair to scratch his head. It went on for a while before Don spoke up begrudgingly, saying “You should get some sleep.”

A deep sigh left your mouth. Yes, you should sleep, but you felt a duty to watch over him. “I need to stay with you for a little longer.” You reassured in a whisper.

Maybe it was his fever messing with his head, maybe it was because he felt so bad that you had to stay up with him, but Don did something out of pure instinct, knowing that you needed to sleep. He lifted the blanket that was covering him and scooched over in the small bed, making room for you. He nodded as a gesture for you to lay down. “You should sleep.” He said softly.

Your heart swelled at the sight. With no protest, you slid right next to him under the covers. Don could hardly believe what he just did, but he couldn’t be happier that he did it. Neither of you were sure what to do, of course both of you wanted to wrap the other up in your arms, but neither of you did. Just laying there, next to each other, hearing the other breathing and feeling the heat radiating from the other's body was enough.

On something of a confidence streak, Don noted the absence of your hand on his back. “Can you keep scratching my back?” He said softly. 

Saying nothing, you smiled and ran your hand up his back. His reaction was noticeable, his whole body relaxed and his eyes fell shut. He unintentionally fell asleep almost immediately. The exhilaration of laying in the same bed as Don kept you awake, but you were more than happy to lay there rubbing his back until you fell asleep in the hazy hours of the early morning.

#don hume #the boys in the boat #don hume x reader #don hume imagine #don hume fanfiction #don hume fanfic #don hume fan fiction #don hume fic #the boys in the boat imagine #the boys in the boat fic #the boys in the boat x reader #the boys in the boat fanfic #the boys in the boat fanfiction

[upinteriors]

Autobarn by Bindloss Dawes

The Autobarn is the realisation of our client's long-term dream to house his collection of classic German cars. The project is composed of two volumes: a clean, five-bay garage for everyday use and a taller workshop for repairs and future restoration projects.

Beyond satisfying this initial use, the project ambition was to create a flexible, 'long-life, loose-fit' building that could be used for a range of different uses. Currently it doubles up as event space, however the ambition is that the Autobarn could one day become a low-energy house.

Located on the outskirts of a small Somerset village, the project is set within the grounds of an eighteenth-century Grade 2 listed house. It replaces several haphazard outbuildings and consolidates their amenity into an elegant architectural proposal, nestled within a glade of mature trees.

The project's design references the language of neighbouring agricultural barns. As a practice we are interested in reassessing the rural vernacular, both for its contextual appropriateness and its lessons in low-cost, pragmatic design. As such, the Autobarn re-interprets simple forms and methods of construction, adapting more temporary, rudimentary methods into a robust and elegant paradigm for low-cost, rural architecture. Composed of a concrete base and steel framed structure, intermittent timber cladding and zinc metal roof, the Autobarn adapts barn typologies with varying levels of refinement. Consideration was also given to its weathering, with the natural zinc roof dulling to complement the silver patination of the sweet chestnut cladding.

Like many barns, permeability to light and air is controlled through a series of movable layers. First experienced as a closed solid mass, the barn walls open up via a number of doors, including an heroic 7m sliding timber screen. The intermittent timber slats of the screens create internal dappled light during the day, which is reversed at night as interior lighting illuminates the surrounding landscape. Internally the steel structure is expressed in an array of simple portal frames, with sustainably-sourced wood-fibre acoustic board forming internal wall and ceiling. The garage space is calm and gallery-like, while the workshop space presents a tougher, taller workshop, surrounded with concrete wainscotting and designed to accommodate a car lift.

The building's 'long-life/loose-fit' ambitions have meant that the insulation and energy performance exceed residential standards. Although thermostats are currently turned down for its current use, the building includes underfloor heating powered by an Air Source Heat Pump, as well as additional first fix services hidden behind the internal wall paneling for future conversion.

Construction started in November 2020 and was completed at the end of 2021, with the project effected by the global pandemic and building material inflation. Despite these challenges, and the inclusion of some one-off expensive items (such as the electric garage doors), the Autobarn was built for under £2,300 / m2. In tandem with high energy performance and the use of natural materials, it combines our studio's goal to combine beauty, affordability, and sustainability.

Design: Bindloss Dawes Location: Frome, United Kingdom Area: 165 m² Year: 2022 Photography: Building Narratives

#architecture #gable roofs #garages #barns #british barns #british garages #united kingdom #bindloss dawes #building narratives #interiors

[mehoymalloy]

Soft fic prompt, 6, maybe Lis x Tilda? 🥺

Took a bit, but here we are; hope ya like it!

This is for the prompt 'coffee in bed' from this prompt list. Thanks to @mr-jaybird for betaing this!

~

Lis stood in an exceedingly clean, blindingly white kitchen, stainless steel appliances gleaming in the soft morning sunlight. She shifted back and forth on the balls of her bare feet, trying to fight off the insidious chill sinking into her skin from the tile floor—also white, naturally. She begrudgingly glared at the shiny, silver espresso machine in front of her for a long moment, tracing her gaze over its many buttons, screens, and meters. Then she cast one last tired, wistful look at the classic drip machine off to the side. It was the only black appliance Tilda had in her kitchen—just for Lis.

Tilda had warned Lis last night that her preferred coffee hadn't come in yet—'shipment delays, darling; it's bound to happen eventually when you only order from a very select lab in Canada'—and Lis was fine with that, she really was. She wasn't one of those snobbish types who insisted on buying only the highest quality coffee beans sourced from a small, three-hundred-year-old farm in some lesser-known country of the world's remaining-but-steadily-dwindling coffee belt. All Lis wanted was her ethical, affordable, sustainable coffee. And a lab in Canada (creatively called EAS Coffee Lab) provided just that. But then shipping delays happened, so now here Lis was—awake first, unfortunately—being a good girlfriend and making coffee Tilda's way.

She knew how to do this—she was an engineer, for God's sake, she knew how to work a machine. Simple steps: Fill up the water tank (filtered, of course), pre-heat the water, grab the bag of fancy, specialty-grade beans from the aforementioned three-hundred-year-old farm, weigh out exactly 18 grams, grind extra finely, pop the single wall (not the double wall, even though this was a double shot) basket into the portafilter, tap the filter on the counter, tamp down the grounds, lock it into the machine and...

Why Tilda insisted on using a semi-automatic machine rather than a fully automatic one, Lis would never understand. (That was a lie; even she could admit there was a certain appeal in the ritual of it all, as opposed to dumping the grounds in and pressing a button). She supposed she should be grateful that Tilda hadn't gotten it in her head to buy a fully manual one—Lis didn't think she could handle waking up and pumping a damn lever just for her morning stim.

She should probably also be grateful that Tilda had programmed one of the buttons specifically for when Lis needed to use the machine—no fuss about measuring out the perfect amount of water or reaching the correct temperature or ensuring the OPV never exceeded 8 bars of pressure (Tilda's preference).

As Lis waited for the machine to do its job, she grabbed a carton of milk from the fridge, pouring enough into the little metal cup for each of them. She even used the thermostat to ensure she got the right temperature rather than eyeballing it. The process wasn't complex by any means—it just seemed an unnecessary amount of work for a cup of coffee.

But as Lis padded back to the bedroom with two cups in tow to find Tilda bleary-eyed but sporting a surprised smile, Lis guessed it was worth it.

"You made coffee?" Tilda asked as she sat up. Silk sheets slid down her nude frame like water, pooling in her lap and exposing her skin to the warm sunlight slanting through the blinds.

"You think I could get through the day without it?" Lis shot her a wry smirk as she sat down her own cup on the nightstand.

Tilda gave her a lazy smirk as she lifted the sheets for Lis to scoot in. "I suppose not," she murmured, turning away to stifle a yawn into her shoulder.

Lis leaned in to place a quick peck on the opposite shoulder, gingerly passing Tilda her cup once she had turned back to face Lis.

Tilda's eyes glimmered with warmth rivaling the morning sunlight, and a sleep-soft smile played at her lips as she lifted the mug up to her face. Closing her eyes, she took a slow, deep breath, shoulders curling forward to settle around the cradled cup. Steam wafted upward, carrying the scent to Lis' nose as well—she could admit it smelled way better than her usual coffee. Turning to grab her own cup, she took a sip that singed her tongue, shooting Tilda a rueful smile when she saw the other woman raise a brow at her impatience.

Tilda rolled her eyes as she leaned over, briefly pressing her face into the skin of Lis's neck, offering a quick kiss. "Thank you for the coffee, love," she murmured, still not quite awake.

"You're welcome," Lis said softly, careful to blow before she took another sip.

#tilda van der meer #elisabet sobeck #hfw #horizon forbidden west #elisabet x tilda #mehoymalloy

[greenlifeinsights]

10 Easy Ways to Start Your Sustainable Journey Today

Introduction:

Embarking on a sustainable journey doesn't require a complete overhaul of your lifestyle. In fact, small, mindful steps can lead to significant positive changes for both you and the environment. If you're new to sustainability or looking for simple ways to make a difference, you're in the right place. In this post, we'll explore ten easy steps you can take right now to kickstart your sustainable living journey.

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:

The classic mantra holds true. Start by properly recycling items like paper, glass, and plastics. Before tossing something out, consider if it can be repurposed or upcycled. Reducing waste begins with conscious choices.

2. Conserve Energy:

Switch off lights and unplug devices when not in use. Opt for energy-efficient LED bulbs and appliances. Even adjusting your thermostat by a degree or two can make a difference.

3. Ditch Single-Use Plastics:

Invest in reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and coffee cups. Say goodbye to disposable utensils and straws. These small changes can significantly reduce plastic waste.

4. Choose Sustainable Transportation:

Whenever possible, opt for walking, biking, or using public transportation. Consider carpooling or investing in an electric or hybrid vehicle if it aligns with your needs.

5. Support Local and Sustainable Food:

Frequent local farmers' markets, and choose seasonal, locally sourced produce. Reducing food miles and supporting sustainable farming practices benefit both you and the planet.

6. Unplug and Disconnect:

Set aside tech-free time to reduce screen time and energy consumption. Encourage family or friends to join you in reconnecting with nature and each other.

7. Practice Mindful Consumption:

Before making a purchase, ask yourself if it's a necessity. Invest in high-quality, durable items that will last. Choose brands with a commitment to sustainability.

8. Compost Your Kitchen Waste:

Turn food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost for your garden. It's a fantastic way to reduce landfill waste and enrich your soil naturally.

9. Educate Yourself and Others:

Stay informed about environmental issues and solutions. Share your knowledge with friends and family to inspire collective action.

10. Get Involved Locally:

Engage with local environmental groups and community initiatives. Participate in clean-up events, tree planting, or sustainability workshops. Your active involvement can create positive change at the grassroots level.

Conclusion:

Remember, sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Each step you take, no matter how small, contributes to a brighter, greener future. So, start today, and together, we can make a meaningful impact. Stay tuned for more insights and tips on sustainable living from GreenLife Insights!

#sustainability #greenliving #eco friendly #Environmental Conservation #reduce #reuseandrecycle #energy conservation #mindful consumption

[kayleerob23]

Furniture Dump 3

SIMKEA FURNISHINGS  - Illogical Sims

MODERN HOUSEWARES - Illogical Sims

CONTEMPORARY LIVING STUFF - Illogical Sims

MINIMALIST BEDROOM STUFF - Illogical Sims

SMEG Appliances - Machaa Sims

Computer + landline phone - Max 20

Washing and drying machines - Max 20

POOLSIDE LOUNGE PACK - Max 20

Master bedroom pack - Max 20

Classic Kitchen kit - Max 20

Kitchen Appliances Pack - Max 20

LC - Simley Cup - Lilac Creative

Functional Wall Phone - awingedllama

apartment therapy inspired stuff pack V2 - awingedllama

Blooming Rooms Kit Separated Plants - awingedllama

pair o' normal plants - awingedllama

apartment therapy inspired cc pack - awingedllama

lavish - shoes off shoes - Charly Pancakes

Air Conditioner Thermostat - SrslySims

MINI SET 11 - hanraja

#sims 4 maxis match #sims furniture

[tyxoxo]

One Night Only - V. [cut content]

Warnings: none, but pls read chapter 5 first for this to make sense

[They had everything misunderstood, but maybe it could stay that way.]

~

Surprisingly, there wasn’t a text from Mark about any call-ins, with Jeno being your first guess.

That meant today would be a game of “who could avoid who” first.

Tension would be an understatement. Not just from Jeno, but Renjun too.

You purposefully got to work earlier than usual, just so you could avoid getting there at the same time as them, or walking in after they’ve already arrived.

But there was no way you could continue to do this. It wasn’t good for your sanity.

Mark was already there, standing at the register drinking his morning coffee.

“You’re here early?” Mark looked at his watch, taking another sip.

“Yeahhh, just really felt like coming into work today.”

“Oh how lovely.” Mark noted your sarcasm with a chuckle.

You powerwalked to the back, just to be out of eyesight if they were to walk in earlier than their usual time.

All of this felt childish. It was easier said than done to face the asshole that rearranged your guts just 2 days ago.

*ding*

The bell at the top of the entrance door chimed, stirring you out of the suspense.

You peeked through the bookshelves that offered the perfect view of the door.

It was Jun. Thank God.

You still remained at the back, putting your belongings in the small employee locker in the storage room.

Once you exited, you decided to get to work. The first being, checking the thermostat to make sure the humidity levels were satisfactory. You noted down the percentage on the small clipboard hanging on the wall next to it, followed by your initials.

Easy.

The next was to check the older collection of books for signs of aging. Unfortunately, this was time consuming and best done with another person. But now was the chance to ask Jun before he was occupied with something else.

“Hey Jun?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you mind helping me check the classics?”

“Sure.”

He followed you to the far left side of the store, whistling a song you didn’t recognize.

“How was your weekend?” He asked as the two of you began taking books off the shelf one by one and scanning the pages for signs of yellowing.

The familiar smell of old books was a comforting distraction from his question.

“It was okay. Yours?”

“Same. Haven’t really been productive with my weekends lately.”

“Same.”

*ding*

You knew it was them. But you froze, keeping your back towards the door; the pads of your fingers starting to stick to the pages of the book you were currently holding.

“Good morning you two.” You heard Mark say in between sips of his coffee.

“Good morninggg.” Renjun sang his greeting. Meanwhile, there was silence from him.

You kept scanning, all the while deciding if you should look back. Maybe steal a glance. Maybe get a visual cue of what was wrong.

3 books down, still 60 left to go. Don't look.

You felt a wisp of air on the back of your neck, followed by the familiar smell of his cologne. You tried your best to quietly inhale the intoxicating scent, your eyes almost rolling to the back of your head.

It was too familiar.

Even when he came back to your apartment soaked from the rain, his cologne was still evident.

You missed it.

Thankfully, Jun didn’t notice your recollection.

~

“Is everyone doing okay? Seems awfully quiet today.” Mark was doing the most of the talking, much to your expectations.

No one responded. Which made Mark scan each of you, suspiciously.

You and Jun were both on your last book, and so far, you didn’t have to move from your spot or help a customer.

But this also meant you never had to set eyes on Jeno. And now that the two of you were binded somehow, or at least you thought so, there was such a longing to look at him now.

Such a change in attitude.

You were finally done with the shelf of books and combined with Jun, only 4 needed fixing.

“Mark, here’s 4 that need some TLC.” Jun patted the stack before walking over towards the bathroom.

“Thanks! That’s surprisingly better than I thought.” He said as he grabbed the stack off the nearby table and placed them near the register to save for later.

~

Jeno’s eyes bore deep into you.

Although your back was facing him, he couldn’t stop staring.

He figured you would be typical and purposefully avoid him. But you would eventually come back around, for him.

They always tried to.

He was shameless to admit his dick kept them hungry for more. Couldn’t have been his personality. Maybe his looks played a part.

But he had a side to him that was just beginning to emerge.

He was the one hungry. Starved.

Normally, he would’ve already moved on, searching for the next.

But he wasn’t finished with you.

Though, his way of showing interest was flawed.

No aftercare, no texts…

#one night only

[leiascully]

Are you taking prompts? Scully is cold so Mulder gives her his coat, or vice versa.

The thermostat on Scully’s air conditioner is stuck on a setting that reminds her of the Arctic.  She huddles under the thin covers of the motel bed.  She’s not surprised when there’s a tap on the door.  Mulder got soaked through earlier, wading into a lake to help retrieve the remains of one of the victims she’ll be autopsying later.  The water in the showers here doesn’t get hot enough to soak the chill away.  She lets him in.

“It’s freezing in here, Scully,” he says, and she nods and gets back into bed.  

“I spoke to the woman at the desk.  She said that’s just the way it is.”

He shivers.  “The Icebox Motel.  It’s got a ring to it.  I was hoping it would be warmer in your room.”

“Didn’t you bring a sweater?”

He rubs his arms, bare under the brief sleeves of his t-shirt.  “No.  It’s July.  The forecast said it was going to be hot.”

“To be fair, the outside is hot,” she says.  

He cocks his head and gazes at her, miserable.

“Come on,” she says, and flips back the covers on the other side of the bed.  “We’ve huddled for warmth before.  I’m sure we’ll have to do it again.”  She slips out of the bed as he toes off his shoes and crawls into it.

“That does seem to defeat the purpose of huddling for warmth.”  He has the covers pulled up almost to his nose.  His forest-light eyes watch her over the hem of the polyester comforter.

She digs in her suitcase.  “Here.”  She holds out a sweater: warm, wooly, the color of embers in a fireplace.  Even the sight of it eases the ache of the cold.

“I don’t think most of your wardrobe is going to fit me,” he says, but he’s reaching for it, the covers sliding down his body.

“It was my father’s,” she says.  “I keep it in my suitcase sometimes.  It comforts me.”

He pauses, his arms already in the sleeves.  “Are you sure?”

She nods and watches him pop it over his head.  It’s strange to see his dark hair emerging from the neck of it instead of her father’s bald head, but Mulder relaxes almost immediately.

“Oh, Scully,” he says in a voice like melting butter.

“Wool is an amazing material,” she says, slipping back under the covers on her side of the bed.  “It will keep you warm even when it’s wet.  The Vikings wore wool when they sailed on long voyages.”

“Bless the sheep that grew this,” Mulder mumbles.  She can already feel the heat of his long body warming the bed.  She can’t help but cuddle closer — her University of Maryland sweatshirt is warm, but not as warm as her father’s beloved sweater, and not as cozy as the shared heat of their bodies.  Mulder reaches for the remote and she hands it to him.  

“No conspiracy shows,” she says. “And no historical documentaries.  I need to stay awake for a few more hours.”

“How do you feel about a classic movie musical?” he asks, squinting skeptically at Gene Kelly prancing on the television screen. 

“Good,” she says, and he puts his arm around her.

#leiascully fic #xfiles fic #msr #i hope you enjoy it! #my fic

[brilynnsims]

2B Jasmine Suites Renovation

A builder I am not. But a renovator I am! My first renovation upload. This newly renovated apartment is styled to the look of an average apartment, carpet, wood & simplicity. Ready to move in. This apartment comes with an in home washer & dryer, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms & a lookout onto the Spice Market.

Gallery ID: sullivanbria

CC LISTED below & Layout underneath cut! Happy simming💚

Custom Content

Kitchen:

Charlypancakes chalk

Max20 classic kitchen kit

Base game sink “Wunda kitchen sink”

Bathroom:

Leaf-Motif Calliope bathroom

Myshunosun Rosa Bathroom

Pierisim Auntie Vera’s Bathroom

Marilynjeansims bathroom clutter collection

House of harlix BAYSIC

Flooring:

Pralinesims carpet

Grimcookies wood flooring

Joyce summer garden tile pack

Walls:

KKB heimish hall doors

Base game Wallpaper

Charly Pancakes maple & s constructions

Misc:

Smpxls light switches & outlets

ATS4 thermostat

Smoke detectors

Sixamcc Simsung washer & dryer

Charlypancakes soak

Thank you CC Creators : @charlypancakes @joyceisfox @sixamcc @smpxls @aroundthesims @kkbsmm @akalukery @pralinesims @harrie-cc @felixandresims @pierisim @marilynjeansims @myshunosun @maxsus

#builds #sims 4 builds #black simmer #black sims #sims #sims 4 custom content #sims 4 maxis match #urbansims #sims4 #cc showcase #ts4

[jayahult]

Okay, recently I learned of a little... educational? video entitled "How to Get... Revenge!" It's from the late eighties, hosted by Linda Blair. It is technically what it sounds like, but to an extent that you just would not expect. Some of it is basically expected, like the classic bag of flaming dog shit on their front doorstep trick, but others are just downright cruel and often very permanent ways of fucking with someone. They include:

Commit mail fraud to charge them for things they didn't buy.

Sending their wife chocolate laxatives under the ruse of a gift from the target.

Sending gay porn magazines to the target's workplace with a subscription under their name so that they'll be suspected as gay and fired.

Noting a local crime spree, then intentionally planting a fake gun and other evidence in the target's car and calling the police on them via anonymous payphone.

Send falsified tests for syphilis to their partners and exes.

Send in a false death certificate for them under their name to the Office of Social Security, resulting in them having difficulty finding jobs or collecting Social Security if they ever retire.

Breaking their car in various potentially dangerous and expensive ways, including one way that can cause a car to stall(??!!)

Sending them an anonymous letter with the message "I know what you're up to" in an attempt to make them paranoid.

At one point it straight up suggests that if your target is part of a (implied racial) minority, you should report them to immigration services just to hassle them.

Reporting them to the IRS with an accusation of tax fraud.

Intentionally putting out false advertising in the target's name in newspapers.

Putting their name in the obits in a newspaper

Putting out their name in the classifieds of a gay magazine (note: this is 1989 we're talking about here, this is even more serious than it would be today)

Sabotaging their locks.

Leave false messages for their hired help to make them pay for things they don't want.

Gluing their thermostat onto the highest setting during summer.

Intentionally taking their bills out of their mail so that they don't pay them and eventually their utilities are turned off.

Just misrepresenting yourself to a real estate agent so that you can sell the target's house.

And all of this is delivered with the sort of glib edutainment tone you'd expect from an eighties tape on how best to use a blender. It's absolutely surreal. I'd suggest you give it a watch.

#youtube

[brandycranby]

bestie do u have any soft ransom thoughts to share with the class? 🥹🤲

also hi i hope ur week's been good so far and ily 💕💕

hehe hi ily 😶‍🌫️💕💕 i cant wait for this week to be over but at least i have u in my asks 😌💞💗

soft ransom who goes on book tours bc he's probably a competent writer and it's how he expresses his Feelings™️. i actually dont know what he'd write. long novels like classics or YA novels like pjo. i think he could write some sassy narrators.

but anyways!! he goes on book tours!! so maybe you tag along sometimes and share a hotel room. hehe you know how they are, the bedsheets are too white, the carpet is scratchy and hard. he'd book a nice hotel but it's not the same as home. and it's freezing cold always bc the thermostats are weird so you pout until he lets you have some of the comforter and some cuddles 🥺🥺 you get continental breakfast together and his hair is all sticky uppy bc it's wayy too early and he hasnt really groomed yet, just shaved. you're squishy in one of his sweaters and it's just the two of you sipping coffee in silence, occasionally brushing your fingers over each other's hands

#hehe that gif was totally my inspo #am soft and sleeby #thanks for the ask! #rodrikstark <3 #soft ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale #my asks #ransom drysdale x you

[abookishdreamer]

Character Intro: Pagoniá (Kingdom of Ichor)

Nicknames- The Ice Queen by the people of Olympius

Mom by her daughter

Age- 33 (immortal)

Location- Skyline district, New Olympus

Personality- Much like her domain she can be cold, distant, & emotionally unavailable at times. More often than not she keeps the few people in her social circle at arm's length. She can be incredibly self-centered, but she's also sensual, intelligent, and creative. She's in a "situationship."

She has the standard abilities of a goddess. As the goddess of ice, her main ability is cryokinesis (on a much more powerful scale than her daughter) that also includes ice mimicry & blowing a powerful cold breath from her mouth. One of the deadliest abilities in her repertoire is the ice kiss- being able to freeze a person solid, thus shattering them, through a deep kiss.

Pagoniá currently lives in a luxury apartment at Bolt Towers that was bought for her by her lover. Before this, she used to reside in the Underworld. Her new apartment is the epitome of an icy wonderland. Inside the interior colors are shades of white, powder blue, silver, & gray. The thermostat is set a couple degrees below freezing. The flooring is snow white mink carpeting with glittery silver trim. There's a gorgeous chandelier overhead in the kitchen that's dripping in ice crystals and white diamonds. Many nude portraits of her are scattered throughout the place. There's a safe built into one of the walls where her more expensive jewelry is kept. Pagoniá has a single pet- a bichon frise; a boy named Snowball. She also owns a bungalow in the state of Thrace. She mainly gets around in her sleek silver sports car (that has platinum chrome spinners).

She usually starts off her mornings with a soak in the bath. The tub is filled with ice cubes & ice cold water and is then added with a few drops of essential oils of white tea, white grapefruit, peppermint, white sage, and vanilla bean. Her personal masseuse then comes over to give her a massage as well as a session of acupuncture.

Pagoniá lacks an affinity for cooking, so she usually dines out or eats in through take-out. For breakfast a usual order (through use of chariot service) is two breakfast burritos (with scrambled egg whites, bell peppers, & turkey bacon) from The Bread Box along with a stack of egg white pancakes (with ricotta and banana & drizzled in white chocolate syrup from The Hearthside Diner. Most of the times she'll settle for a bowl of Earthly Harvest honey vanilla toasted rice cereal with ice cold milk.

Notable features of the ice goddess is her distinct breathy speaking voice, her natural hourglass shape, and her platinum blonde hair, which she keeps in a bob of voluminous soft curls.

Pagoniá's immediately family includes her older sister Eváeros (goddess of air & the zodiacs), her nephews- Boreas (god of the north wind), Zephyrus (god of the west wind), Notus (god of the south wind), & Eurus (god of the east wind), and her only child Chione (goddess of snow). She was able to get pregnant on her own through the use of Gaia's fertility services. Pagoniá's pregnancy came about during the time of a deep depression when she felt the most alone. She wanted a person "who'd love her truly, no matter what." A fond memory she has of Chione was when she instinctively made her first snowflake at just three months old. Pagoniá's relationship with her sister has always been contentious. She's always been insecure about her status as a minor deity & the fact her sister achieved heightened status (her own star on the Pantheon Walk of Fame), Pagoniá feels more overlooked. With her nephews, she's more closer to Boreas.

Go-to drinks for her include ice cold water, cool blueberry lavender zero sugar Strengthify water, peppermint tea, classic martinis, & the white lady cocktail- a drink made with gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and an egg white). Her usuals from The Roasted Bean is a large white chocolate mocha and an olympian sized flat white.

Pagoniá has never been shy when it came to her sexuality. She was a genius when it came to crafting her public persona- being this alluring mysterious sensual being. At home & her vacation bungalow, a lot of her time is spent in the nude. She was even the first centerfold of Zeus' gentlemen's magazine. On the cover, she was laying on a snow leopard blanket wearing noting but sheer garter belt stockings, her body decorated in scattered decorative crystals.

Her favorite piece of jewelry that she always wears is her white gold necklace that has a diamond encrusted charm that's in the shape of a classic Megaleio handbag. With the permission of Clymene (Titaness of fame & renown), Chione designed & made the necklace.

One of her favorite desserts is the mille crepes cake from Salon du Sucre. She also likes baked alaska.

She loves watching rom-coms & drama films. Pagoniá will often have a weekend movie marathon with her daughter and her daughter's good friend Despoina (goddess of the arcadian mysteries, frost, winter, & shadows) while they pig out on truffle oil popcorn & pizza bianca.

Her favorite sweet treat is marshmallow ice cream, opting for a double scoop when she goes to The Frozen Spoon.

Pagoniá's main source of income comes from having the largest manufacturer/distributor of packaged ice products in Olympius (Chaíre Spíti) like ice vending, packaged ice, block ice, & cold storage for some examples. For cost effective reasons, the company is located in the Underworld. Her other sources of income comes from modeling for/endorsing Heavenly Spark, atelier fantaisie, Ice Stones (her daughter's jewelery brand), Megaleio, Diamond Ave., Stella Ferrea, & Euryphaessa.

She doesn't have many friends in the pantheon. She is however close with Mnemosyne (Titaness of memory & language), Asteria (Titaness of falling stars, magic, astrology, & nocturnal oracles), Dione, and Kéfi (goddess of mirth). Pagoniá is also close with some of The Ourea.

A guilty pleasure for her are the soft & buttery breadsticks from The Crown, Zeus' high end restaurant.

Pagoniá loves wearing the Olmorfia lip gloss in "Crystal Lights", a glittery iridescent color. Before putting on the lip gloss, she lines her lips with a nude lip liner.

As a Summer Solstice gift, Mnemosyne gave her a Diamond Ave. perfume bottle crystal shaped jeweled clutch. Kéfi gave her the stiletto crystal shoe shaped jeweled clutch for her birthday. Both cost well over 5,000 drachmas!

Pagoniá's love life has been tumultuous to say the least. She once drunkenly made out with her sister's ex Aegaeon (god of sea storms) while they were still together. Other lovers include Hydros (god of water), Priapus (god of fertility, vegetable gardens, livestock, sexuality, & masculinity), and several mortal men. Her current lover is a Hyperborean Giant named Krýstallos. He's a financial advisor on Acropolis Street who's also married with a wife and children. The buffer for them is Pagoniá's bungalow when she travels to Thrace a few times a month. She likes how he makes her feel safe and the fact that he constantly showers her with expensive jewelry- her favorite thus far being the platinum & diamond cuff bracelet which has a huge teardrop shaped diamond in the center. In her bouts of melancholy, Pagoniá will anonymously stalk his wife's Fatestagram profile. Her and Krýstallos has been phorgraphed in public once at a grand opening of the messenger god's high end restaurant. She looked immaculate of course- her hair in its signature soft curls, her pouty lips covered in matte nude lipstick, & she wore a see through skin tight crystal encrusted floor length gown with matching gloves. Nothing covered her breasts and she wore a nude colored thong.

Her all time favorite food is the vichyssoise along with seared scallops and oysters in a mignonette sauce topped with beluga caviar.

In her free time Pagoniá enjoys writing in her journal, shopping, gardening, reading, skiing (in the Underworld), clubbing, and sleeping.

"I'm cold as ice, but in the right hands, I'll melt."

#my oc #original character #oc character #my original oc #my character #my oc character #oc intro #character intro #oc introduction #character introduction #modern greek gods #modern greek mythology #greek myth retellings #greek goddess #greek goddesses

[kissofcashmere]

Old Draft: Cold as ice rn my pressure is so low it’s stinging throughout the body n my chest is paining my lips are quivering wid any like sensation my chest feels too tight & weird.

Click on the inspiration board for better quality, it looks best however in my camera roll cuz it gets rasterised once published on twitter n other social media apps

I had created these moodboards long back. I was talking about them the other day, ppl will hate ‘em cuz they might find them childish idk but there’s a lot of significance attached to each one. I’m not in the state to elaborate further but you can read my article which is scheduled for 7th Mar it has all the details www.lilacnights.com/post/my-little-barista I have never felt so numb before my bp is too low and I’m feeling like this is my last day.

Speaking of the other bathroom moodboard, my parents had just given me a raw area even 10 yrs ago when I was in my teens my living conditions were very poor I was inexperienced and I had no help (even now I don’t) so I don’t want ppl to assume I’m very happy with all my stuff or I have my family’s support & that I’m just being “whiny” for no reason. They don’t care about me… they pretend in front of strangers. The bathroom was partially tiled (I’m not in the state to write my pressure is severely low so is my heartrate n I’m very numb) it was partially tiled it was embarrassing, one cud even see the raw grouted masoned wall there, the tub had no skirting it was again just a drop in tub which they’d dumped inside (haphazardly) there was fungus growing on my shampoo and other Bath stuff, I can barely breathe rn I am not obliged to give any explanations there was no towel ring or even a wash basin stand I wud wash my hands in the outside bathroom I wud go all the way there now I’m bed ridden (luckily I renovated everything) I was made to cry when I called someone from urban clap to fix a stand there and what’s worse is that he fixed it in a slant manner it was so tilted that my clothes would get wet the WC was leaking so were all the attachments in the shower area but my mother kept challenging me and fighting as to why I had to renovate it (I used it that way for TEN LONG YEARS an entire decade) I was made to cry LIKE HELL even in my horrible health condition and I was abused a lot…

I had somehow renovated it in 2021, unfortunately now I’ll have to do it again because of some major fault on the plumber’s part + other irrémédiable issues. I was also surprised to learn that our own Indian brand is keeping their classic range only for show here at the orientation centre and EXPORTING everything to UK & Dubai where they already have other alternatives such as Drummonds and Burlington, they have the entire set with the crutch and the hand shower THERE whereas in India everything has to be purchased separately and that too they have DISCONTINUED the crutch (HERE) without which its useless, our own crutch which is made in Rajasthan is exported there and they’ve kept this classic range only for show, everything is reserved for exports. Whatever looks ugly or has that local masculine design (every other local brand has the same products only the labels differ) is kept for Indians, we are beggars or what? All the classic, heritage stuff is sent there for what? To compete with other rival brands? They are so stingy and frugal when it comes to Indian customers that they kept only ONE piece/unit in the thermostatic model and divided that also into 2 halves, just like Greek God Zeus who had split soulmates out of intimidation, the top part is sent to Delhi and the back concealed component is kept for Mumbai! How stupid? It has been rendered useless for both the cities now. I somehow procured the crutch from an old stock (box packed) and I was continuously getting a rusted concealed back unit (thermostat which is super pricey) from everywhere cuz they were rotating the same damaged piece, I somehow got in touch with another dealer and ordered it from the main hub but it was the same one from that “pair” which had no front component cuz that was lying in Delhi. So I got the front also from an old stock it has scratches but at the back of the plate so they won’t be visible. It has those beveled edges typical hotelier style which I wanted since long but I can’t elaborate further like I said, I can explain everything detail probably in person… wish I had someone to talk to I’ve always been passionate about designing and interiors in fact everything, give me any topic. All I want to say is STOP smuggling what’s meant for us - Indians… all the way to UK & Dubai. You are an Indian brand, I love the quality and make I was so excited for this I’d planned it since Nov, I got it somewhere in the first week of Dec or so (last year) but we were still struggling for the top thermostat (front and back both) and hell no I’ll never put those ugly local designs in my bathroom. I have my soap jar and other apothecary stuff there I will never compromise. I’m a lot into designing… I was going to recommend everyone to pick both your brand as well as this particular range but then I realised people won’t be able to buy anything cuz you don’t keep all this stuff for Indians. We want the crutch which comes with the Victorian set, it’s an essential, and the entire range all the models (black and white both) I was so happy with the make and mechanism but I ended up being really disappointed.

I can’t write much, people even buy your freestanding bathtubs in India we have all started buying that I’ve seen the reviews, for such bathtubs we require bigger spouts too and this was much more ideal I even opened the autocad to check if the thermostatic one which I’d selected had a single outlet or not cuz I didn’t want anything with a diverter I have a bathtub I needed something right there for my hand to reach while sitting inside the tub hence we had to spend more and I didn’t want the 3 way one, this set has a different spout which is better than the ones we are commonly getting in abroad they all have a flat nose, whereas this has a round ribbed border which looks more expensive and a mesh filter plate inside, I needed one with a crutch cuz I don’t have more room there to fit both my soap tray as well as the shower bracket and I’ve optimised whatever space I had skilfully to keep all my apothecary jars and everything to have a full sized vanity, a free standing almost 1700 mm bathtub… (cuz again you don’t get smaller ones in India where bathrooms are matchbox sized) and all kinds of other things even wall art and frames.

So I needed one with a crutch provision not a bracket, secondly the long bend exposed pipe would’ve been difficult to put there as I have a highlighter tile which is running throughout the bathroom lastly it had a tap not a spout which is a bit unappealing moreover its not long enough to enter my tub completely so all the bubble bath solution would’ve ended up at the edges (cuz it has to be poured right under the faucet in running water) and last but not the least this was my main reason - we could’ve spent half the amount but we opted for the thermostat mainly because the 3 way one had a pull and twist knob on the tap to switch between Bath spout and hand shower and I wanted the one with a lever/dongle cuz of my previous experience (which was horrible) with Kohler no offence and with wet hands it’s anyway difficult but yeah Kohler’s spout was faulty. I wanted to make a budget bathroom so I got from there but I went wrong because I also realised that all my stuff is very common Kohler has only one design or product in each category and they are promoting the same 1-2 things everywhere which means I ended up with something really common, faulty and boring. Nothing vintage or whatever we want, just the typical semi modern 2003 stuff. I’m very happy with this one (I haven’t used it yet but I saw all the functioning with the lever and knobs) and this is exactly why I wanted it, I have put the entire thing together as a set & I matched the the bottom mixer with the thermostatic one on top for my overhead shower to have 2 separate modes, I’ll be able to use the overhead along with the hand shower BOTH AT THE SAME TIME secondly I was looking for a budget mixer again but that too was discontinued and we anyway would’ve had to upturn the outlet flang or whatever from behind cuz it was meant for filling pails and buckets, now after the thermostat my shower portion is gonna have a modern touch because of how they’ve designed it, when you are paying so much you are getting that typical shower console look with black insets, they aren’t illuminated because they are not digital (that is usually there in a 50k to 1 lakh unit) however you do get the console with that typical look and everything since its an automatic model and I even edited all my stuff including the renders to make them more realistic for my moodboard cuz I was not able to find real life images. Ab naak mat kataiyen cuz ppl might show interest and none of this is easily available for Indians… it’s the classic range which should be manufactured and supplied in full swing/bulk please do that why is India always lagging behind? There’s an entire cult following including me for this Victorian style everywhere in abroad but in India we are not getting it easily especially in Mumbai.

- Zara Sauleh

[d0nutzgg]

Raspberry Pi Projects

Raspberry Pi is a tiny computer that packs a punch! It's a single board computer that's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but powerful enough to run a variety of projects. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there's a Raspberry Pi project for you.

One of the most popular projects for Raspberry Pi is creating your own media center. With software like Kodi, you can turn your Raspberry Pi into a streaming device that can play all of your favorite movies and TV shows. You can even add a touch screen and use it as a portable media center.

Another popular project is creating a retro gaming console. With software like RetroPie, you can emulate all of your favorite classic games and play them on your Raspberry Pi. You can even connect it to a TV or monitor and use it as a standalone gaming console.

Raspberry Pi can also be used for home automation projects. You can use it to control lights, thermostats, and other smart devices in your home. You can even use it to set up a security system or create a smart mirror.

Raspberry Pi is also great for learning to code. You can use it to learn programming languages like Python and Scratch. There are also a variety of educational resources available that can help you learn how to code and build projects with Raspberry Pi.

Overall, Raspberry Pi is a versatile and affordable computer that can be used for a wide range of projects. Whether you're into gaming, home automation, or coding, there's a Raspberry Pi project that's perfect for you. So why not give it a try and see what you can create!

#raspberrypi #DIY #electronics #programming #arduino #codeforbeginners #DIYelectronics #DIYtech #DIYrobotics #DIYcomputers #makermovement #makersgonnamake #DIYscience #DIYengineering #DIYeducation #STEM #STEMeducation #computerscience

[amadcap]

Defense of a Device That Does Just One Thing

I know what you’re probably thinking to yourself. “Oh great. Another article about how phones are evil.” as you roll your eyes. While that is sort of what this article is, I’ll preface it by saying, I like my phone. Phones are great. The modern cell phone is a device that has reshaped the world, in some ways faster than we can keep up with. But what I also like in the devices I own, is a purpose, a desire or need to be filled or fixed. I have no need for a smart speaker. This probably pegs me as an old man, but I don’t mind going to a store or looking something up with my fingers on the aforementioned phone I like. I have no need then for a tiny box listening in all the time just in case I need toilet paper. It is a solution to a problem I don’t have.

The thing about smart speakers or cell phones or voice remotes, etc, that is supposedly attractive to the consumer is that they do a lot of different things. Take the cell phone, which I can speak to better since I have owned a few of them. It can make calls, send texts, take photos or video, surf the web (as I’m sure all the youths still say), stream music and movies, control my lights or thermostat, play video games and, hell, I can even write or edit things I’ve written (like this article) on it. It’s a magic miracle rectangle in my pocket. But does it do any of those things well? Does doing a lot of things add up to something valuable?

My phone can take some high-quality photos but it doesn’t have the control you get with a Nikon or Canon. It can record audio but if you’re making a record you might want to go with a few SM57s jacked into a Tascam at the very least. I love a quick castle defense or match three game but when I’m really looking to get into a virtual story, I’m booting up a console or my PC. And as for writing, phones are fine for texting but no one is writing the great American novel with just with their thumbs.

Let’s focus on a device that does just one of the things my phone can do, my iPod Classic. Well, I say iPod Classic when I should say Classics since one of them is full so I had to get a second. For those of you uninitiated, the iPod Classic was the original iPod from Apple. It was a little black, silver or white box with a small two-inch screen and a revolutionary for the time click wheel. It had a mind-boggling 160GB of storage and almost all of it was dedicated to one thing, music. It was simple. You just put as much music as you could into iTunes and plugged it in. A few minutes later it was all there, ready to scroll through at your leisure, stored in your pocket.

The iPod was made for music nerds like me. It could hold my whole library, arrange and sort it any way you could want, simple and clean UI and most importantly offered a distraction-free music listening experience. It wasn’t without flaws. The 30-pin connection gets filled with junk easily, iTunes itself has a lot of trouble with anything more complicated than one record by one artist and who knows why they never put in a hard drive that didn’t spin. Instead, they just discontinued it a few years ago. I was obviously devastated. Now if my iPods give out, which with a spinning hard drive one solid bump or fall will do the trick and all I will have left is my phone for all my portable music listening needs.

So how does my phone stack up when it comes to listening to music? Well, I have a Galaxy S9 Edge and it comes with two music apps, one from Sprint and one from Google. Both are part of that group of apps that come with a phone that no one really wants and, if they can, usually uninstall them. Bloatware I think it’s called. The offering from Sprint is especially bloated with the landing page set to the store where you can buy songs, bundles and ringback tones. Remember those from the dawn of the cell phone? You’d pick a song you would want to blast at anyone who dared to call you, friend, family and potential employer alike. If I had music on my phone, I would only be able to find it in this app through a few menus but the main focus is to get the end user to spend money. Most of this goes for the Google Play app as well, which I have used in the past when my iPod was broken. But along with all the previously mentioned problems, it also will lose songs as they disappear from the service, ruining the flow of records and playlist. Google is more subtle with their store but only because it will play ads between songs. I don’t know about you but nothing throws off my groove like a Squarespace ad.

Of course, ads are also a problem on other streaming services like Spotify or Youtube but those will disappear once you subscribe for a certain amount a month. So for five bucks plus your phone bill, you can stream as much music as your data plan will allow as long as you have a connection. Essentially, you end up paying $100+ just to listen to some music that you don’t even own (owning media v. renting access to it is a whole other article for another day). Now compare that to just having high-quality audio on a hard drive in your pocket that just works, distraction-free for one price. Which of these devices is going to enhance your music listening experience?

I am in no way saying the iPod is a perfect machine. If it were still around today I could think of a few things I’d change. First, you obviously put in a solid state drive with as much memory as you can fit in that small package. Swap out the old connector for something more modern. Since it’s Apple, it’ll be their proprietary USB-C garbage but still, it’s less space for dirt and junk to build up in. Add some wireless sync in there and while you’re at it, if you really have to, add a WiFi connection for anyone who has to have Spotify, or in this case, Apple Music. All the things I would add in this imaginary re-imagining of my iPod though would be serving one purpose, to make listening to music a better experience. Your phones only goal is to keep you on your phone for as long as possible and that is the one thing it does that very well.

Most applications on a phone are only surface deep. The music app is made to get you to buy a few songs or stream whatever the company post on the landing page. Your camera is mostly used to take quick snapshots or clips and post them to some social media platform. The screens aren’t really the IMAX experience and the microphone is barely able to make calls. The thing is, that is fine for most people. But if you’re looking for a deeper and frankly more enjoyable experience, you’re going to eventually need the right tools for the job. Filmmakers and photographers need a camera that is dedicated to being the kind of camera they need. Recording artist of all kinds need a device with its sole purpose being capturing audio or being an instrument. The last thing you need while laying down a beat is your mother calling in the middle of it. Even things like drawing and painting, even when done digitally, are best left to programs and tools that were brought into this world specifically for people who draw and paint. It’s more expensive and has a learning curve but I feel that, in the end, it’s needed. It all just depends on your needs. If a phone can get you by, that’s great but in the end, you need the right tools for the job.

Aside from your specific needs, having a device that is made for one thing is all around a nicer time. A dedicated device, as opposed to your phone, offers a distraction-free ordeal. No notifications, texts, calls, emails or ads. When I listen to a record, the only interruptions I have are the ones I allow. When you’re at a movie, there’s a reason they want you to turn off your phone. It is a place and medium designed to use most of your senses to capture all of your attention, which is required to properly enjoy the movie. The same goes for any other media you might want to consume or create. It deserves your full undivided attention.

So while my phone is a miracle box that allows me to do many different things, sometimes you just have to focus in and have a gadget made that only does one thing. Every photo I take doesn’t have to be for Instagram and every song I listen to doesn’t need to be counted and logged. Everything I tap doesn’t need to be recorded and used to sell me more things. My iPod may not let me shoot video or tweet or even stream music, but it does offer a designated place more all my music right in my pocket and it does it well. I’ll take that any day.

#writing #music #ipod classic #opinion

[theresa-of-liechtenstein]

countless time in a row now that I’ve woken up at 3am sweating because we can’t afford to keep the air conditioning on. hardly the first time I’ve woken up feeling dizzy and sick and barely able to move to the bathroom, but this is the first time I’ve woken up feeling furious and violent.

why do we have to go through this. we do not deserve to bodily suffer so that the incredibly rich in this seemingly prosperous state can use a private jet to get groceries. every time I have to be within distance of hollywood, of beverly hills, of the affluent and satiated parts of california that everyone sees on the movie and on the tv and on the instagram and on the stupid tiktok, I feel like strangling something. the california i know does not have perfectly manicured hair and teeth and drink god damned kale shakes and wear a size 00000 pant and put on twenty layers of makeup to achieve a natural look and does not have exemption to use the rapidly dwindling water to feed their invasive golf courses.

the california i know is in the immigrant-owned restaurants in the strip malls where the menu is a quilt of edits on a framework made long ago, stitched in permanent marker and added in love. where there’s a television playing youtube videos in the corner of music i heard in the seven years of spanish classes or the top hits of arabic classical music. or it’s playing tv stations from another country, game shows i don’t know the object of. the california i know is away from polished affluence, where a squirrel fights a snake on the side of the road while i pull over to watch. where a telescope stands atop a mountain, looking down on me my whole life. or the beach, where people of all walks of life come together, in swimsuits in all degrees and forms of modesty, to watch the sunset. people apologize if they get in the way of your photo. they pet each other’s dogs and play with each other. most of all california is where i pull up in my car and stop at a stop sign that is written in none of the three languages that i know, in characters i don’t understand, and get out of my car to knock on the door of a station to ask if i can enter the land their family has loved for longer than any of us have.

the california i know, by and large, is the one that gets to be the suffering servant while the intensely rich and the incredibly privileged get to live the way they want to. the land of opportunity! if you’re willing to accept your opportunism comes with stepping on other people too.

i am so angry. i am so tired of us being the suffering servant. we set our thermostats high while the golf courses our watered. we are told to go to cooling stations while the ultra rich can jet off and escape to another state or another country even.

I think every rich person in this godforsaken land should have to wake up like this. sweaty and confused and dizzy, wanting to sleep again but unable to. i don’t think they deserve to avoid the consequences of their lifestyles anymore than we deserve to shoulder them. i am going to Bite.